Jellypark Friends One for the Boys Challenge

This is a bittersweet moment for me. I am tickled to show my card for this fortnight's challenge; but, I am sad because this is my last card as a Jellypark Friends DT member. I want to thank all the members of the DT, and most especially, Claire Keay, (artist extraordinaire), and Mel Harding, (team-leader extraordinaire). You have made my DT term a pleasure! I have had wonderful images to work with, and great support from a fabulous group of ladies. Thank you so much!

I chose a fun image for this challenge: King for a Day. Love his crown, don't you? I printed him on X-Press It BC and colored him with my Copics:

Skin: E000, E00, E21, E11, E04, R20

Shirt: YR00, YR02, E08, E09, YR20, YR21

Pants: BG02, BG07, BG09

Shoes: YR02, E08, E09

Crown: YR20, YR21, YR23, YR02, E09, BG02

Once again I have made a number of die cuts. This time I used the following dies:

Cheery Lynn Victorian Picket Fence

Cheery Lynn Grass Border

LaLa Land Crafts Filigree Crown

MFT Fresh Cut Grass

Poppystamps Grassland Border

Memory Box Grand Oak Tree

My DP came from the Graphic 45 Tropical Travelogue collection, and was paired with Stampin' Up CS. The sentiment is a combination of the one included with the image and my own "Birth" creation. I used this card for the second birthday of my great-nephew, Jared. (He was not impressed, btw.)

That's it for this week. Please check out all the wonderful creations by my talented teammates on this fab DT. And do join in the fun for this fortnight.

Have a good weekend!

The Outlawz Alcohol Markers Anything Goes/Christmas Twist Challenge

I am still in a bit of shock over Linda Palmer's death. It is unreal to me that she won't be there to comment on everyone's creations, to offer encouraging words, and to send such love across the net. I will miss her terribly.

Forgive me if I am very brief. I am having trouble concentrating on crafting at the moment.

Our challenge this week is Anything Goes with an optional Christmas twist. I did not choose to do the twist this week. Instead I have colored my Make It Crafty Chantelle at the Races image from our sponsor for April. One randomly-selected participant this month will receive a $10 Gift Certificate to Make It Crafty. There is also a special bonus prize this month: if you use a Make It Crafty image for your creation, you will be entered into a second drawing for another $10 GC.

I printed my image on X-Press It BC and colored it with my Copics and Twin Touch Brush markers:

Skin: E000, E00, E21, E11, E04, R20

Hair: YR00, YR14, YR18, E08, E18

Hat Trim/Dress: G40, G43, G46, TTG43

Shoes/Bow/Hat/Feathers: B01, B52

Flowers: YR61, YR65, YR02

My DP comes from the Basic Grey Out of Print collection. It was Zutterized and paired with Stampin' Up CS. I used Stampin' Up ink and a flourish stamp from the SU Tiny Tags collection for the border around my image. I added a bit of lace from my stash and some Wild Orchid Crafts flowers. I finished my card by going overboard adding die cuts using the following dies:

 Memory Box Caserta Bloom

Memory Bella Bouquet

Cheery Lynn Fanciful Flourish

Today was my dad's birthday. He passed at age 61, which was 38 years ago. Hard to believe the time has flown that quickly.

Hope you find time to check out the beautiful creations by my teammates, Carla, Dawn, and Kathi. And please color up an image for your creation and join our Anything Goes challenge. Just be sure to use any brand of alcohol markers in your coloring.

I'll be back with another post in a bit.

RIP Linda

Today we found out that Linda Palmer passed away. There are really no words I can say that express how I feel. She was such a fabulous lady, always there with encouraging, positive words for everyone. I loved working with her on The Outlawz Alcohol Markers DT. I send my deepest condolences to her entire family.

RIP, Linda. You will be missed.

The Outlawz Alcohol Markers Photo Inspiration Challenge - Kelsey's Easter Card

Hello to all my Outlawz friends! We have another challenge for you based upon a photo. (I usually try to use the colors from the photo, as I am not the most original thinker on the planet. That said, please color whatever inspires you from this photo.)

I had one more Easter card to make: for our granddaughter, Kelsey. So I chose another image from my collection; this one is Mayzy Art Easter Bunny. I think she is really cute, and Mayzy's digis are some of the most reasonably priced I have found. Just sayin'. I printed my image on X-Press It BC and colored it with my Copics:

Skin: E000, E00, E21, E11, E04, R20

Hair: E50, E51, E55, E57

Eyes: BG000, BG01

Basket/Ears/Tail: YR20, YR21, YR23

Necklace/Bows/Flower: BV000, BV00, BV11

Bodice: BV000, BV00

Dress/Shoes: BG11, BG13, BG15

Lace: BG11, BG13, BG15, BV000, BV00

Grass: E81, E84

Eggs: BG11, BG15, BV000, BV11

Clear Spica was added to the necklace and Spica Turquoise was used for the trim on the dress. My DP is from the Lily Bee Design Picket Fence collections; it was Zutterized and paired with Core'dinations Retro Mod Squad CS. I colored some rhinestones for the corners, added some ribbons, and my sentiment was made with Cheery Lynn 'Happy' and 'Easter' dies. 

Please be sure to check out the inspiration by my teammates Carla, Dawn, Linda, and Kathi--they are stunning! Then join in the fun by coloring an image for your creation with any brand of alcohol markers. We really look forward each week to see what you make! 

Our sponsor this month is the fabulous Make It Crafty. One randomly-selected participant will win a $10 Gift Certificate. There is also a special bonus prize this month: if you use a Make It Crafty image for your creation, you will be entered into a second drawing for another $10 GC. Like I have said before, I wish I could enter! 

I am wishing you a very Happy Easter, if you celebrate it; if not, I hope you have a wonderful weekend! 

Friday Sketch #67 Challenge Reminder - Brynn's Easter Card

This is my final card as a DT member of the Friday Sketch Challenge. I have enjoyed my term very much, and want to thank Christine for this opportunity! The past seven months have absolutely flown by...

To those of you who haven't yet made a card for this challenge, please do so this next week. We are really looking forward to seeing what you create with our sketch by Carole, #67:

I was in need of another Easter card--for our granddaughter, Brynn, so I chose an image in my collection by Rick St. Dennis, Isabella Easter Egg Hunt. I do believe it is retired now, as I couldn't find the image on either of his shops at Zibbet or Etsy. But he does have lots of other wonderful images, so try HERE, or HERE.

I printed my image on X-Press It BC and colored it with my Copics:

Skin: E000, E00, E21, E11, E04, R20

Hair: E50, E51, E55, E57

Eyes: BG000, BG01

Pinafore: YG91, YG93, YG95, YG97, BG000, BG53, BG57

Dress: BG000, BG53, BG57, YG93, YG95, YG97

Hat/Bows: BG000, BG53, BG57

Bunnies/Basket/Duck/Flower: YR20, YR21, YR23

Egg: BG000, BG53, BG57, YG91, YG93, YG95, YG97, YR20, YR21

My DP came from the Carta Bella Cool Summer collection; I paired it with Stampin' Up CS. I added die cuts using:

Spellbinders Circles and Grand Circles

Cheery Lynn Lace Corner Deco B

Cheery Lynn 'Happy' and 'Easter'

That's it for my last FS card. Do check out the fab creations by my talented teammates and then please join us. Our winner will get a $5 Gift Certificate to Meljen's Designs.

I'll be back with my second post shortly.

SCACD Planet Transport

Hey, I am back today with another guest post for SCACD. This time I have made a card using one of the fabulous digital images that Susana carries in her shop HERE, for USA and international customers. I believe that Carmen Medlin is the artist of all the digis, and a very talented artist she is! Love her different types of images--they run from gorgeous to outright quirky. And I picked one of the quirky ones to show you today.

I printed SCACD Planet Transport on X-Press It CS, and colored it with my Copics:

YR30, YR31, E42, E43, E44, R81, R83, R85, T0, T1, T2, T4, T6, T8

Then I added some Spica Silver to the chains and some Spica Clear to the metal on the basket. My finishes on the image panel were Silver Pearl Pen and Distress Ink Antique Linen.

My DP is from the Glitz All Dolled Up collection. I roughened my DP edges and image panel with my Zutter. My die cuts were made with SCACD Alice's Clock Statement Corner. Then I added a bit of ribbon, lace, and pearl trim to the card. I finished the design with the fun sentiment that comes with Planet Transport. That about does it for this post.

I loved working with Susana and her DT! And I always love to shop at SCACD, don't you? Go ahead, you know you want to...

The Outlawz Alcohol Markers Keep Calm and ... Challenge/Angela's Mother's Day Card

To mark National Stress Awareness Month, we are creating projects that include something relaxing. I chose a mermaid in a bubble bath, because you can't relax much more than that! Before I get to my card, I want to mention that our sponsor this month is the fabulous Make It Crafty, a shop with a wonderful collection of digital images. I believe I misspoke last week about the prize situation. Here are the deets: one randomly-selected participant will win a $10 gift certificate. And this month there is a special bonus prize: if you use a Make It Crafty image for your creation, you will be entered into a second drawing for another $10 GC. OK, so that should clean up my mess from last week--sorry about that! Anyway, I wish I could enter, because I love Zoe's images!

I will be using my MIC image later in the month. Today my image is Art by Miran Mermaid, which I printed on X-Press It CS. (I made a CAS card this week, as I kind of overbooked myself for the week: card-making, parties, shopping, and spending time with hubby.) I colored the mermaid with my Copics:

Skin: E000, E00, E21, E11, E04, R20

Hair: E53, E35, E37, E57

Scarf: RV91, RV63, RV66

Tail: BG10, BG11, BG13

Duck: Y32, Y35, Y38

Bubbles: BG0000, BG10

Shadow/Tub: C00, C0

Tub Trim: Spica Pink

I finished my card with dies from the Memory Box Script Lowercase alphabet. Voila! My card for Angela's Mother's Day is finished. (Sorry, don't know how to add the ` over the "a". If you do, please let me know. My public thanks you, as do I.)

Before I go, I want to mention that Gary went on Verizon when he retired. I am still stuck with T-NotMobile for almost another year. However, Gary checked into it, and realized that it would be the same cost for us to pay the T-Mobile cancellation fees as it would be to have me on T-Mobile and him on Verizon. So he said I could sign up for Verizon, too. OMG! I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I am about that! Imagine, I'll be able to use my phone in my back yard if I wish. Amazing! (My WiFi is too far away for my phone to work outside. And WiFi is the only way I can use my phone at home.) 

Well, anyway, we went to Verizon yesterday to get me signed up and guess what? My T-Mobile Samsung SGIII will not work with Verizon. Oops! Guess I have to get a new phone. And Samsung is coming out with their SG5 today--imagine that! I'll get a giant leap in technology from my 'III', and good service to boot. Woohoooo! Oh, and the new phone has a 16MP camera--my current phone is 8MP. Looks like I won't need to take my big, heavy Canon on trips now, since it is only 10MP. Can't say that upsets me in the least! 

I am off to play Bunco tonight--never played, so this should be interesting. It's a girls' night out--hilarious, because I am nowhere near being a girl--so Gary has to fend for himself. Tomorrow we go to a DBacks game, and Sunday we are off to a party my niece is throwing for pre-Easter. Hope you have a fun weekend, too--it could be more relaxing than mine, for sure.

Speaking of relaxing, be sure to check out the fabulous creations HERE by my teammates, Carla, Dawn, Linda, and Kathi! Every week they outdo themselves, don't they? Then get out your alcohol markers and color up an image for your creation--we are looking forward to seeing them! 

Have a great weekend!

  

SCACD ELEMENTS RUBBER STAMP BLOG HOP!!!

Hey there! Imagine me posting on a Monday! Well, there is a very good reason for this! I was invited to be a guest designer for an SCACD release blog hop--what an honor! Here is what Susana had to say about this new release:

"SCACD is releasing four rubber stamps which are collectively called The Elements Collection. The inspiration for them is by all that is going on in nature at the moment. Thoughts of water, wind, fire and earth so powerful in nature captured in these women thru collaboration with SCACD Artist, Carmen Medlin.

The fab SCACD Design Team, along with amazing Guest Designers, has created an inspiring hop showcasing the new SCACD rubber stamps. If you missed part of the hop list then check out all the details at the Store Blog today!

Now available in the USA are the SCACD April 7th rubber stamp release HERE. SCACD Digital images for USA and International can always be found HERE.

For locating SCACD rubber stamps, including the New Release, our International Friends please check out Quixotic Paperie HERE!!!"

You should have arrived at my post from Elaine's blog, where you saw a fantastic creation!

I am so happy to present my project for this hop. My beautiful image for this card is called Fire. I stamped her on X-Press It CS with Memento ink and colored her with my Copics:

Skin: E000, E00, E21, E11, E04, R20

Hair: YR12, YR15, R81, R83, R85

Cactus: BG93, BG96, BG99

Sun: YR12, YR15, YR30, YR31

Eagle: E41, E43, E44, YR12, YR31

Desert: YR30, YR31

My beautiful DP is from the Glitz All Dolled Up collection. I Zutterized each sheet that I used, as well as my image. I added some lovely laces from my stash, and then finished the card with several die cuts, using the following dies:

SCACD Sun and Moon Statement Corner

SCACD Classic Corners

SCACD Ornate Hinge

To finish my card I added a line from the song "Light My Fire". (It was a song of my youth. Very, very long ago, in a land far, far away.)

I want to thank the entire SCACD group, most especially Susana, for this opportunity! And now I will send you on to your next stop, Kathi's blog, where you will find another of her fabulous projects!

Should you get lost anywhere on the hop, just visit Follow Your Heart, SCACD's store blog, for the complete hop list. Thank you for visiting my blog!

The Outlawz Alcohol Markers Spring Has Sprung Challenge - Jared's Easter Card

Yes, it is still Friday. And this is my second, (but last, lucky for you), post. Our challenge this week is to show us something that looks like spring. And, no, that does not mean snow for those of you who are still experiencing it. (It should make you feel a little better just to create something with a spring theme, right?) Remember to use any brand of alcohol markers in your creations.

This is a new month, which means we have a new sponsor. And, lucky for you, that sponsor is Make It Crafty! I love the collection of images that Zoe has on her website! The randomly-selected participant will win a $10 GC, unless a MIC image is used--then there will be an additional $10 GC! How's that for a prize? Wow, huh? Wish I could enter!!!

OK, so I told you I would give you an update on Gary's first week as a retired person. Of course, on Monday he had his exit interview. And then he went to the eye doctor. And then he came home and got me and we went to downtown Phoenix to see the home-opening loss to the San Francisco Giants by our Arizona Diamondbacks. Well, just wonderful. I really thought we were going to win that game, since we were up 7-3. But, no. Sigh....and their saga continues...

Anyway, that was his first day. On Tuesday, which was my brother's birthday, Gary went to the gym in the a.m. And then he drove to Mesa to have lunch with our friend, Bob, and to hit golf balls at the driving range. He texted me that his driving range experience was "ugly". Which I guess meant he was really rusty. He hasn't golfed for a very long time, due to his wrist injury and subsequent surgery. The good news is that he did not hurt his wrist hitting golf balls.

On Wednesday Gary went to the gym again, (this is not unusual, btw, he goes almost every day), and then drove to Phoenix for a massage. A massage? I know, right? He was getting them fairly regularly for a back problem he had been having. To my knowledge that back problem is gone, but has now been replaced by a new one--sciatica. It's always sumpin'. Oh, and fyi, I do not get massages. Just so you know who the real prima donna is in the family.

Well, apparently the massage helped because he then went bowling. Yup. Testing his wrist, (and his back). Seems he had a game over 200, so he was a happy camper. And his wrist is OK, which is really good--because he was bowling last year when he hurt it badly enough to need the surgery.

And yesterday he went to the gym and then to lunch with another friend, Parham, who he hadn't seen for months. And also went bowling again to keep testing his wrist. So he has been gadding about, leaving me to work on my cards, thank goodness! So far, I have not been needed for constant supervision attention.

Today we are going out to breakfast, then up to Scottsdale to find a new office chair and possibly new dining chairs. And out for a late lunch/early dinner with my sister, Merrilyn, and BIL, Ron. So it ought to be a fun day for both of us, though I really should be here crafting. I have much to do over the next few weeks. And, if this week was any indication, I will get no interference from my retired spouse. He is too busy having fun without me. Wait--whaaaat?????

Oh, well. Guess it's time to get to my card for the week. I needed to make another Easter card, this time for my nephew's son, Jared. My nephew and his wife & son are visiting in another week, and my niece is throwing a party for them. So I needed to get my Easter cards done ahead of schedule. No problem, as this fits right in with a spring theme.

I used a cute image from Bugaboo, Wee Ones Big Egg. I printed the image on X-Press It CS and colored it with my Copics:

Skin: E000, E000, E21, E11, E04, R20

Hair: E21, E25, E29

Bunny Suit: E11, E13, E15, E17, R000, R20

The egg was printed on a sheet from my DP selection, Basic Grey Picadilly, shaded with W0 and W1, and then I added Pearl Pen to it before adhering it to my image. The rest of my DP was Zutterized and paired with Stampin' Up CS. I finished the card with a couple of die cuts using Cheery Lynn "Happy", "Easter", and Lace Corner Deco B. (I based the design on the current Friday Sketch, though didn't follow it completely--see previous post today for that info.)

That's it. Now do check out the inspiration by my talented teammates, Carla, Dawn, Linda, and Kathi. And then get out your alcohol markers and color up an image for your creation. Looking forward to seeing them!

Oh, forgot to mention that our trip to Binkley's last weekend was a roaring success, as usual. Will try to remember the deets on a future post. Lucky us, we get to go back in May for Restaurant Week! So worth the trip up to Cave Creek!  

And have a great weekend! (Yeah, that's an order!)

Friday Sketch #66 Challenge Reminder - Tristan's Easter Card

Yup, it is time to remind you of the Friday Sketch #66 Challenge. And here is our sketch for this fortnight by Alison:

Our sponsor is Polka Doodles and the prize is a gift voucher worth 5 British Pound Sterling, or approximately 8 US dollars. 

 

I needed a card for my niece's son, Tristan, for this Easter. And saw this darling image at LaLa Land Crafts, Easter Bunny Luka. Had to get him, doncha know. I printed him on X-Press It CS and colored him with my Copics:

Skin: E000, E00, E21, E11, E04, R20

Hair: E30, YR31, E33, E35

Bunny Suit: E40, E42, E43, R20, YG21, YG23, YG25

Hat/Vest: Y13, Y15, Y18

Egg: E43, E44, E47, E49, YG21, YG25, Y13, Y15, Y18

Bunny: E43, E44, E47

Shoes: E43, E47, E49

I used a Pearl Pen to dot the bunny's eye. My DP is from the Bo Bunny C'est La Vie collection; it was Zutterized and paired with Bazzill Kraft CS. I added some die cuts using the following dies:

Memory Box Filigree Egg

Cheery Lynn Bunny

Cheery Lynn "Happy" & "Easter"

Please join us this next week and use the above sketch. Be sure to check out the beautiful designs by my talented teammates!

(If you are looking for an update about Gary and his "retirement", check out my next blog post today. That's all I'm sayin'.)