Paper Sweeties April Release Rewind!

It's Release Rewind time at Paper Sweeties, when we showcase the new releases paired with previously released stamps. I can't decide if this is a difficult task or an easy one for me, because you could easily pair any of the Paper Sweeties stamp sets and come up with a fab card, so narrowing down which ones to use can be a dilemma!

I used both the new release sets, Tree of Life and Tree of Life Add-On: Spring, along with four other sets to make my card: Sophie, I Pick You, Spring is Here, and Feel Better Soon. Sophie's shirt and shoes came from the Feel Better Soon set. I just trimmed off the bottom of the dress to make a shirt. The shorts and frog are from the I Pick You set (that little frog just cracks me up!), where I lopped off the overalls to make a pair of shorts, and the sentiment came from the Spring is Here set. I created the background by tearing a piece of paper to use as a mask and sponging Mowed Lawn Distress Ink on the bottom of the cardstock and Broken China ink on the top. Sophie is colored with Copics. I added more detail to her eyes and I'm trying to learn to color cheeks with a little more dimension. ;)

This is a good card for someone with an April birthday. I created the inside sentiment on Word, printed it in reverse onto a transparency, then rubbed it onto the cardstock.

My Teamies are all so talented! Be sure to check out their Rewind creations, too!

Cheryl Lea - That's Me!

Debbie Marcinkiewicz – Paper Sweeties
Emily Frasier 
Jill Norwood 

Julie Tucker-Wolek
Kathy Schweinfurth

Larissa Heskett
Mackie Robertson

Maria Patrick

Michelle Bala
Mynnette Kitchen

Nancy Penir

And, remember, for a chance to win a gift certificate from Paper Sweeties, just enter the April Inspiration Challenge--Hoppy Easter.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a Sweet week!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Make Your Own Background
Sugar Pea Designs SPD14: Celebrate Spring
Corrosive Challenge #222: Floral Fantasy
Fresh Brewed Challenge April 15-21: Birthdays
Tiddly Inks #155: Springs In!
Kit & Clowder April Challenge: Flowers

~Hugs,

Supplies Used:

Thanks for visiting my blog!

To have Ink Up delivered to your inbox,

subscribe in the box at the top right of the page.

You Blow Me Away

If you love purple, then this is the card for you! I colored this cutie with Copics, but she didn't turn out quite like I intended. 

You see, it was one of those 3AM coloring sessions that we all have sometimes, and I was feeling all geared up to color this dragon with reds and pinks for Valentine's Day. I had colored maybe 5 minutes when I decided to add just a touch of green. With green marker in hand, I promptly dozed off! Well, I must have been dreaming in color, because when I woke up, I had colored on top of the red, and it wasn't pretty. Not one to throw an image out if I can help it, I worked to remedy my "mistake." In the end, I like it much better than a red dragon, and all the different layers of color (various YGs, Rs, RVs, & Ys) give the skin a sort of translucent look that is pretty cool. The heart embellie is made from four sizes of heart die cuts, cupped with a stylus, layered, then coated with UTEE.

On the inside, along the bottom of a white panel, I used a circle border die that doesn't always cut all the circles out with just one pass through the machine. I removed a few random circles and filled those with Diamond Stickles.

Stay warm this weekend!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Sugar Pea SugarSketch Challenge #20: SPDSS20
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday: All Creatures Great and Small
The Shabby Tea Room #245: 'I {heart} You'
613 Avenue Create Challenge #110: Anything Goes
Kit & Clowder February Challenge: Love
Paper Issues: Let's Get This Party Star-Ted and Par-Ty Heart-y with SugarPea Designs

~Hugs,

Supplies Used:

Thanks for visiting my blog!

To have Ink Up delivered to your inbox,

subscribe in the box at the top right of the page.

I'm Published!!!

My family does highs and lows at dinner each night, and my high yesterday was easy...one of my cards is published in a magazine!!! I can't even remember how long ago I submitted this Tiddly Inks card to Complete Cardmaking Magazine, but I found out it was accepted when I saw it in print for the first time yesterday! (Thanks for the pic, Lou!) 

Here's my photo of the card:

It's my typical card that has a lot going on, with coloring, sewing, fussy cutting, and, of course, my all-time favorite technique, distressing, but I created the entire background for the image on the computer. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be. All the images came from Tiddly Inks, including the cool background. There are details in the magazine about how I made it. They are classifying this as an "advanced" card, but if you know your way around a photo editing program, or have worked with images in Word, it is really not that difficult to make.

And, here's the card in print:

The colors in the magazine don't look as vivid, but, see that little teal blue banner in the upper left corner of the picture? That's my name!!! Whoo Hoo! See...it's really my card! 

And, this is the magazine: Complete Cardmaking Issue 54. I have a copy ordered, but it's coming from the U.K., so it may be awhile before I see it for real. Joann's, or maybe Michael's or Hobby Lobby, may carry this magazine in the U.S., but I'm not sure about that. 

I haven't posted on my blog in over two weeks because I've been working on perfecting my bookbinding and boxmaking skills (I'll have pics of my projects soon!), but after today, I think I'm ready to get back to cardmaking, and this year, maybe I'll submit more often to magazines. This has been FUN, and what a fantastic way to kick off the new 2015 year!!!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a fabulous week!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday: Something New
613 Avenue Create Challenge #106: 2nd Annual Block Party--1001 Techniques
Sugar Pea Designs SPD12: Anything Goes
Corrosive Challenge #215: Shiny and New
Fresh Brewed Challenge January: Favorites
Kit and Clowder January Challenge: Anything Goes

~Hugs,

Supplies Used:

Thanks for visiting my blog!

To have Ink Up delivered to your inbox,

subscribe in the box at the top right of the page.

Wryn Goes Caroling for Fabby Friday!

It's a Tiddly Inks Fabby Friday, and today is extra special, because Christy is also releasing some of the cutest critter images ever! But, I'm not going to spoil it for you here--you'll have to see them for yourself! In the meantime, here's a Christmas card made with the Wryn Goes Caroling image.

I colored Wryn with Copics on X-Press Blending Card. There is some Glossy Accents on the berries on her hat, and bronze Pearl Pen on the music notes. This was fun to color, but I almost threw it out when my E79 marker--an extremely dark brown--leaked onto her hair!!! Colorless Blender and Prismacolor pencils to the rescue! You can still see a dark spot, but it's very faint, and I'm pretending it's a shadow from the holly leaf!!! Copics have given me such an appreciation of non-perfection. ;~) 

I used the Mojo 373 sketch for the layout, some Christmas papers, a few rhinestones and sequins, and added red Pearl Pen spots on the holly paper. I was visiting friends in Savannah when I colored this, so it was one of the rare times when I colored, having no idea at all what kind of paper I would use. I was stumped on this until I used the teal cardstock as my base and matting. This might be my new fav Christmas color palette!

The sentiment on the inside of the card is from Our Daily Bread, and it is stamped in Memento Rich Cocoa ink. 

Go here to see the Fabulous Friday offerings from the rest of the Tiddly Inks Design Team. Then, be sure to go to Christy's blog to see her newly released images, as well as more Design Team cards using them! I couldn't resist a single new image, and made a Be-ewe-tiful 8-card boxed set using every single one of them! ;-)

Thanks for stopping by, and have a Fabulous Day!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Holiday Cards
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Christmas/Holidays
Your Next Stamp Color Challenge #3
613 Avenue Create Challenge #100: Anything Goes
Sugar Pea Designs Challenge SPD11: Winter Wishes
Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge: Clearly Christmas
Fresh Brewed December Challenge: Christmas Anything Goes
Kit & Clowder November Challenge: Christmas
Robyn's Fetish Challenge #240: Anything Goes
Corrosive Challenge #213: Happy Everything!
TSC Challenge #58: Anything Goes

~Hugs,

Supplies Used:

Thanks for visiting my blog!

To have Ink Up delivered to your inbox,

subscribe in the box at the top right of the page.

Be Merry and Bright Pupmas!

Tomorrow, at Tiddly Inks, Christy is releasing an adorable new group of cute critter digi stamps, that I know you are going to love, and in preparing for the release, it reminded me of another critter image that I hadn't had a chance to use yet, which was released a few weeks ago. Actually, it's a set of two, and you can't beat the price--they are only $1.00!

 I used the Be Merry and Bright Pupmas image for this Christmas card:

Isn't he sweet? He reminds me of a time, many years ago, when I came home after a couple of hours and my brand new little puppy had grabbed hold of a sweater I was knitting and then ran through the den, dining room, and kitchen at least a dozen times with it, wrapping the yarn around a big wall that separated the rooms, and tangling himself in the process. It was frustrating to have to start the sweater all over, but he looked so cute, I couldn't be mad at him. Looks like this little guy had a similar experience! 

I colored the image with Copics, then added Transparent Pearl Pen to each of the lights, as well as his nose. I went over the text with a Black Spica pen to give it some shine. The green layer is popped up a little bit with 2 layers of crimped cardstock, which I prefer over foam dots or tape on a larger layer. I threaded three red beads, that look a bit like holly berries, to red twine and wrapped it around the layer 3 times for a little embellishment.

The sentiment inside of the card is from an old Flourishes stamp set, and I zigzagged two fishtail banners to the top edge.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for my Tiddly Inks Fabby Friday post, as well as the New Release Digi Stamps! The DT cards for the new release are spectacular!!! You aren't going to want to miss this one!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a Merry and Bright week!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Mojo Monday #374
613 Avenue Create #100: Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Holiday Cards
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Christmas/Holidays
Your Next Stamp Color Challenge #3
Sugar Pea Designs Challenge SPD11: Winter Wishes
Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge: Clearly Christmas
Fresh Brewed Designs December Challenge: Christmas Anything Goes
Robyn's Fetish Challenge #240: Anything Goes
The Corrosive Challenge #213: Happy Everything!
TSC Challenge #58: Anything Goes
Kit and Clowder November Challenge: Christmas

~Hugs,

Supplies Used:

Thanks for visiting my blog!

To have Ink Up delivered to your inbox,

subscribe in the box at the top right of the page.

Couple of Fall Cuties--Black Cat Challenge with Tiddly Inks!

It's time for another Tiddly Inks Challenge, and with Halloween right around the corner, a Black Cat Challenge should be an easy one! Just use any combo of black or cat for Halloween. If you don't have a cat image, Christy has plenty of cute ones in the Tiddly Inks Digital Shop, here.

I chose to use this new sweet Couple of Fall Cuties digital image for my card. I colored them with Copics, and gave the little bear some texture with a towel and Copic Colorless Blender. I used my Copic Airbrush for the light blue background, with the image in the die. Most people would probably use this image for a Halloween card, but since I don't send out too many Halloween cards, I decided to make this a Thanksgiving card instead. Of course, right after I did, I realized this was supposed to be a Halloween card!!! Oops! ;) Well, I can just give Thanks for Halloween, right? I do love seeing my daughter dressed up every year, and who doesn't love a sack full of candy! 

The sentiment inside the card is from Serendipity Stamps, and I used an MFT Stamps die to cut faux Washi Tape out of the scraps from the front of the card.

I hope you'll join us in this week's challenge! And, don't forget to check out the entire DT's cards, too. Their creativity constantly astounds me, and I know you'll be inspired by their awesomeness, too! 

Thanks for stopping by!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
613 Avenue Create Challenge #95: Anything Goes
Freshly Brewed Challenges: October Challenge #2 - Pumpkins
Kit & Clowder October Challenge: Anything Goes
Paper Issues Challenge: Witchin You a Happy Halloween with SRM Stickers

~Hugs,

Supplies Used:

Thanks for visiting my blog!

To have Ink Up delivered to your inbox,

subscribe in the box at the top right of the page.

Super Happy Pup--Tiddly Inks Fab Friday!

Friday is the best day of the week...especially when it's Tiddly Inks Fabulous Friday!  I've been absent from Tiddly Inks for a few weeks, dealing with problems at my DD's school, but I finally bit the bullet and withdrew her last week and we started homeschooling. Best decision...EVER! She and I are both loving it! I'm one Super Happy Mom, right now, so my card today is perfect...Super Happy Pup! :~)

I used the adorable Super Pup digital image, coloring HER super hero costume with Copics in flashy girly colors. She's even got a little sparkle going on, on her belt and cuffs. The Happy text is a die cut. 

The Tiddly Inks DT has a stunning line up of cards this week, so be sure to check them out at the Tiddly Inks Blog, and remember, there's still time to enter Tiddly Ink's Non-Traditional Halloween Color Challenge, too!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a Happy Weekend!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Viva la Verve October 2014 Week 2 Sketch Challenge
Simon Says Stamp Monday: Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create Challenge #94: Anything Goes
Kit & Clowder October Challenge: Anything Goes

~Hugs,

Supplies Used:

Thanks for visiting my blog!

To have Ink Up delivered to your inbox,

subscribe in the box at the top right of the page.

Emma Christmas--Tiddly Inks New Release!

***Tiddly Inks is also having a Baby Blog Hop! Click here for details!***

Tiddly Inks has a New Release for you today! OMGosh, you are going to be thrilled with these new images! Here's one of them--Emma Christmas:

I used the cute NEW Christmas Cutie-Emma image for my card, and decided to go with a CAS design. The image was printed onto X-Press It Blending Card, colored with Copics, and embossed with a Tiddly Inks Merry Christmas embossing folder that was a freebie in a Quick Cards magazine. :D I used a white Snow Marker on the white "fur" on Emma's hat, dress, and boots for a 3D look.

The sentiment on the inside is from an Our Daily Bread stamp set called Christmas Door.

This was such fun to color! But, wait...there's more! The Tiddly Inks Design Team has created an awesome lineup of cards featuring the new digi's! You are NOT going to want to miss this!

Thanks for stopping by, have a wonderful week, and be sure to check out the Tiddly Inks Baby Blog Hop, too!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Kit and Clowder October Challenge: Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create Challenge #92: Anything Goes
The Stamping Chef Challenge #49: Anything Goes

~Hugs,

Thanks for visiting my blog!

To have Ink Up delivered to your inbox,

subscribe in the box at the top right of the page.

Tiddly Inks Baby Blog Hop: Brennan's Bits Baby Book

***Tiddly Inks also has a New Release today! Click here to go to that post!***

We, at Tiddly Inks, are here today to celebrate the upcoming birth of Brennan, whose mom is our dear fellow team member Melissa. Melissa has been on the Tiddly Inks team since close to the beginning and although she has had to take some time off to deliver Brennan, we want her to know she is missed and that we are excited Brennan is almost here. Please join us in celebrating this happy occasion by hopping along...or even better, by linking your own card to say hi to Melissa. 

My project is shown below but if you want to see more delightful cards, all the details for the blog hop can be found on the Tiddlyinks Challenge blog and there is a LINKY tool for you to add your card there as well. We kept this blog hop simple....all the links will open in a new window from Christy's blog. 

Instead of a card for Melissa, I made a blank baby book, that I envisioned Melissa using to jot down all the cute "bits" Brennan does as he grows up that Melissa will want to remember--funny expressions, comments, etc.--those things you think you'll remember, but that invariably end up being forgotten. :) Whatever Melissa decides to use it for, I hope she enjoys it! It was certainly enjoyable to make!

I used another sheet of that beautiful Mulberry paper from my friend, Deborah, for the cover of the book, which I cut from a sheet of framer's matboard. I added blue and green eyelets in the cover before stitching it together with waxed pearl cotton. The image is the adorable Sleep Tight Baby image from Tiddly Inks, and I added a dark blue digital paper (it's from a digi paper pack called Renewed Spirit, by Agnes Biro, but I can't find it on-line anymore) to the background before printing onto X-Press It Blending card, and coloring with Copics. I colored the stars with a silver Wink of Stella pen and used a black, and then a gold Spica pen for the lines attached to the stars. A silver glitter scalloped circle die cut backs the circle die cut image, and that is popped up with foam tape over a white glitter lotus pendant die cut. I ran a silver metallic ribbon through the lotus die cut and tied a little bow, then glued that to the front of the book. The "Brennan's Bits" text was die cut out of navy shimmer cardstock and glued on.

The book cover measures 4-1/2" x 6". The signatures are 24 lb colored paper. There are 9 signatures in four different shades of blue and green, with the center signature being white. Each signature has four sheets, which, when folded, result in a book of 144 sheets. I stitched the signatures together using a Coptic stitch, and left the spine exposed by incorporating the covers into the signature stitching. (There is a link in my supply list to the book I used for the instructions for making this book.)

I used a cute dp with clouds on it for the inside of the covers.

This is what the stitching looks like in the center of each signature.

Here is a look at the Coptic chain that is visible between signatures. I love these two colors together! :)

Come on over to the Tiddly Ink Challenge blog to hop along and celebrate this happy birth and please join in with your own card. There will be a random winner selected from those who link their own card.

Thanks for hopping by, have a wonderful week, and don't forget to check out the New Releases at Tiddly Inks, too!

I'm entering this project in the following challenges:
Kit and Clowder October Challenge: Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create Challenge #92: Anything Goes
Paper Issues: You're Sew Cute, You Keep Me In Stitches With May Arts Ribbon
The Stamping Chef Challenge #49: Anything Goes

~Hugs,

Supplies Used:

Thanks for visiting my blog!

To have Ink Up delivered to your inbox,

subscribe in the box at the top right of the page.