Playing with my Photo Program

 I have been playing with my photo program today with different brightnesses, contrasts and lightings.  It is amazing how you can alter how a picture looks after it is taken.  I think the first is my favorite, but I also really like the second.  The third has too much yellow, in my opinion.

The image is from Sparkle n Sprinkle.  I just came across the website yesterday and bought a few animal digis.  .I colored the image with Copic markers. It didn't take very much to color it since it is a predominately white animal.  I decided to go with a brownish gray for the color.  I looked up snow leopards and some actually do have blue eyes although, most have muted tones. I actually put three different blue tones in the eyes.  You can't tell at all.  I did decide not to put a greeting on the front.  I wanted to keep it as simple as possible.  My husband came in as I was photographing this card and said "What made you choose that image?"  Thanks, hun....Men!

 I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

613 Avenue Create  Anything Goes
Anyone for Anya  Masculine or Grungy
CAS on Sunday  Color Me Pretty
Challenges 4 Everybody  Anything Goes
One Stitch ay a Time  Anything Goes
Robyn's Fetish  Anything Goes
That Craft Place Anything Goes
The Corrosive Challenge  Animals
Crafty Calendar Challenge  Animal Antics
Susy Bee;s Bloomin' Challenge  Make It Masciuline
Sisterhood of Crafters  One for the Boys

Have a Wonderful Day!

This image is from Digi Doodle Shop.  The shop is no longer in business.  They had the most wonderful, realistic animal images.  Fortunately, I was able to get most of them before the shop closed.  

This image is colored with Copics.  The papers are from October Afternoon.  I cut the chicken wire and the wheat with my Silhouette.  

One thing I have noticed about the Silhouette that I really dislike is the quality of the mats.  I was able to use my Cricut mats for a long time.  I find that the Silhouette mats are destroyed extremely quickly, which runs into a lot of money.  Of course, the Silhouette itself is immensely better than the Cricut.  I may try a Cricut mat in it to see if it works,

Copics:  BG05, BG07, BG09, BG18, 

C00, C0, C2, C3, C4, C6, C7, 

E30, E33, E36, N3, R36, R37, R39, 

Y17, Y19, Y38,  YR14, YR16

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

 QKR Stampede Anything but a Square Card

Card Makin' Mamas Stack it Up
Delicious Doodles One for the Boys
Jellypark Things with Wings
Pattie's Creations Spots or Dots
Simply create Too Shop in your Stash
Sister Act Anything Goes
Crafty Girls Challenges Anything Goes
7 Kids college fund Anything Goes
Paper Shelter Animal
Sisterhood of Crafters Masculine
Tuesday Throwdown Anything Goes
Make it Monday

Party Time Tuesday Anything Goes
Through the Craftroom Door Anything goes
Digi Darla Make it Masculine
Love to Create Anything Goes
Love to Scrap Anything Goes
Susy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge Make it Masculine
Crafty Catz  Anything Goes
Crafty Calendar Challenge  Animal Antics
The Doodle Garden Anything Goes
Speedy Fox and Friends Metal

Friends

I thought this image was really adorable.  The image and greeting are by QKR Stampede.  I have been trying to do their weekly challenges.  This is my third in a row.  I colored the image with Copics.  I used a load of colors this time!  One of these days I have to get my pencils back out.  I don't think I've used them in years.  The digital paper is by Basic Grey.  The ribbon is from Taylored Expressions.  It's one of my favorite.

Copics:  BOO, B21, B23, BG11, BV01, COO, CO, C1, C2, 

E00, E02, E30, E31, G12, 

R05, R20, R21, R22, R24, R27, R29, R32, 

V01, Y02, Y17, Y32, Y35, YG01, YG05, YG06, 

YR04, YR15, YR16, YR18, YR65

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

QKR Stampede Friends are Special
Alphabet Challenge A;ways and Forever
Sister Act Anything Goes
4 Crafty Girls Anything Goes
Crafty Ribbons Anything Goes
7 Kids College Fund Anything Goes

Another Angel

 

This is another angel image from Crafts and Me. This one is called Moon.  I haven't quite decided what this card will be used for so I haven't put the greeting on the front yet.  I'm thinking, maybe, Sympathy, but I'm just not sure.  I think this will be my last heavily flowered card for a while. I think I'll aim for a few CAS ones. Although, for me they are more of a challenge.

I colored the image with Copics.  The background was cut with the Silhouette.  The flowers are predominately from Wild Orchid Crafts.  I really need to take some time to work on coloring folds.  I have not been able to master that yet.

 

Copics:   BG10, BG11, BG13, C00, C0, C1, C2, C3, 

E0000, E02, E11, E13, E31, E33, E34, E35, E55, 

N1, N5, N7, R20, R21, R22, R32

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges: 

Cuttin' and Stampin'  Spring is Here
Papertake Weekly  Lovely Layers
Through the Craftroom Door  Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown    Anything with Wings
Crafting from the Heart  Anything Goes/Use Flowers
Eureka  Animal Friends (Chipmunks)
Make it Monday  Anything Goes

Fun Project Today

I made this card for QKR Stampede's latest challenge "Sentiment Only."  I had a very difficult time figuring out what I was going to do so I went on Pinterest and looked up some card sketches.  This is one I found. I actually found quite a few that I liked.  I haven't worked on cards in so long the ideas are hard to come by.  I'm sure it'll get easier.

The digital papers are Carina Gardner.  I used the Silhouette to cut out some of the flowers.  That was quite a bit of fun, but quite time consuming so I added some pre-made flowers so I wouldn't be making them all day.  I added quite a bit of antiquing.  Most of the cards I have been admiring lately have had quite a bit.

 I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

QKR Stampede  Sentiment Only
Splendiferous Creations  Two ro More Patterned Papers
Stampin' for the Weekend  Flower Power
4 Crafty Chicks  Use Pearls
4 Crafty Girls Challenge  Anything Goes
7 Kids College Fund Anything Goes
Make it Monday Anything Goes
Hiding in my Craftroom Designer Paper X3
Kraftyhands Spring Flowers
Word Play Saturday Swirls
ABC Challenge  F is for Flowers

Latest Project

I went through my boxes of cards tonight from when I was doing design team work.  I found forty five cards  that I had never finished the insides of.  I went through all my scraps of paper and cardstock and found matching scraps to finish the insides with.  Now onto actually finishing them.  I figure that will only take about a week.  Does anyone one else avoid the insides of cards?

Birthday Angel

This image called Dusk is available from Crafts and Me.  I am hoping to use their image Noon and Twilight sometime soon.  I saw a card colored by CG's Cards 4 U.  She used the gorgeous color combo of red violet and aqua. I chose to go more with the blue violet. I'm trying to build up my birthdat stash.  I actually thought this image would be lovely for a sympathy card, but I need a lot of birthday cards.

Copics: BG0000, BG000, BG01, BG10, 

BV0000, BV000, BV00, BV01, 

C00, C0, C1, C2, 

E00, E01, E02, 

Y21, Y23, Y26, Y28

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Make it Monday  Always Anything Goes
Through the Purple Haze Anything Goes
Challenges 4 Everybody Anything Goes
Come and Get it Challenges Make it Girly
Robyn's Fetish Animals and Birds (bunnies)
Stamping Sensations Wings, Fantasy and Fiction
Artistic Impressions Anything Goes/Valentines Day

Thanks for stopping by!

Be My Valentine

 

 I finally made a card just for fun.  I haven't done that in over a year!  A friend just became a DT member for QKR Stampede.  This is her first challenge.  I thought I would  celebrate her achievement by joining the challenge.  I have always loved their images and have tons of them.  But, as usual, I ended up buying an image.  Congrats, Sherri!

The image is, of course, from QKR Stampede.  I colored her with Copics.  I wanted to make a card with lots of stuff attached.  I used my Silhouette for the envelope, doily and heart.  The digital papers are from CartaBella. 

Copics:  BG01, C00, C0M C1, C3, e13, E15, E17, E30, E31, E33, R20, R21, R22, R24, R29, YR12, YR14, YR15

I am entering this card in the following challenges:     

                                                                                                                      

Crazy 4 Challenges  Glitter (on the white heart)

Di's Digi Design Love and/or Valentine

My Sheri Crafts  Valentines

QKR Stampede   Hearts & Kisses

Just for Fun  Love is in the Air

LadyBug Crafts  Be Mine

Brown Sugar Valentines

Fussy and Fancy Be My Valentine
Shopping Our Stash   Love or Valentine's Day
Eureka Stamps  Red, Pink & White
Doodle Pantry  Any Digi Goes

Happy Birthday Karena!

This birthday card is for my son's girlfriend, Karena.  She just happens to be an artist.  

She painted us a beautiful oil painting of our grandson for Christmas.

The image is from Saturated Canary.  Papers are from Stampin' Up.  

The splotches are supposed to be paint spills.  Hopefully, that's what they look like.

I colored her with Copics,

Copics:  B12, BG02, BG05, BG07, C00, C0, C1, C2, 

E00, E02, E08, E11, E13, E15, E17, G02, G03, G05, 

R05, R11, R32, R35, Y02, Y04, Y18

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Artistic Inspirations Anything Goes/Hearts (on her sleeve)
Love to Create Birthday/Anniversary
Make it Monday Anything Goes
Challenges 4 Everybody Anything Goes
One Stitch at a Time  Anything Goes

Parakeet Anniversary Card

This card was made using an image from A Day for Daisies. They are colored with Copics and the flower is from Stampin' Up.  It feels really good to be visiting blogs and making cards again.  

Copics:  B000, B01, B93, B95, C00, C0, C1, E11, E13, E15, 

Y13, Y15, Y17, Y23, YG05, YG06, YG07

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Dream Valley Challenges   No Designer Paper
Pile It On  Animals
Quirky Crafts  Birds Bugs and Butterflies
My Sheri Crafts Use a Digi
Emerald Faeries  Things with Wings
Animal Friends Challenge  Must have an Animal
OOZAK Anything Goes/Love

January Birthday Cards

Well, I finally got a few cards done.  These are the last of my January birthday cards.  I actually made all the cards I needed for January, except for Tom's birthday card.  His birthday is tomorrow and there's no way I can get another done by then.  I guess I'll buy one tomorrow on the way home.  My goal  for this year is to send a birthday card to all family members.  So far so good.

The layout for the first card came from a Stampin' Up demonstrator's website.  I pretty much followed her layout exactly.  My creativity seemed to  have disappeared. My trash can is full of cards I have finished, but don't like.   I guess it will take a while to get back into the swing of things.  Here is a link to her card.

The next card uses an image from Mo's Digital Pencil.  I believe the paper is from Stampin' Up.

 

I got a Silhouette for Christmas  and used it on each of these cards.  I'm enjoying it so much more than the Cricut.  I don't have a lot of time to spend learning it right now.  For some reason I can't print from it.  One of these days I'll look at the instructions and see if I can figure out why.  I would like to be able to print and cut.

Hopefully, tonight I will get some time to visit blogs.  I've been sick with Bronchitis.  I'm doing quite a bit better now, though.

Deer in Snow

 

Okay, so I cheated a little with this one.  I used a freebie image I got from Graphics Fairy.  I got a lot of images there yesterday.  My brother's birthday is in four days and the card needs to go cross country so I wanted something fast and easy.  Basically, the only change I made to the image was to add glitter to the snow.  I don't even think it shows up in the picture, but looks good on the card.

One on my New Year's goals is to send birthday cards on time this year, oh heck, just to send them will be a major improvement.

 

Merry Christmas!

This is a picture of me when I was two.  I'm going to give this card thing another try.  This year has been chock full of illnesses.  We're all well again, finally!  I signed up for the Splitcoast Christmas Card Challenge.  I plan on making one a week.  That shouldn't be too much overload.  Thanks to all my friends who have looked in on me.  I'll be by to visit sites very soon.  I miss seeing everyone's work.  I hope your Christmas was wonderful.

Finally Used My New Work Area

I finally got to use my new craft area. This is the first time I messed it up.  It's really wonderful not to have this mess on my dining room table, though.  I had a heck of a time remembering where I stored everything in the new storage areas.  Nothing was easy to find.  I think I finally know where everything is.  At least I hope I do!

I haven't made a card in seven months.  Life had just gotten too hectic. It's just amazing how much you can forget in that period of time.  My coloring skills are pretty much shot, plus I was in a hurry to get it done.  I need a lot of practice.  Ideas were really hard to come by, also.  Hopefully, it won't be another seven months before the next one.  My next project is a dinosaur costume for Lucas to wear next week.  I'm really excited about making it.

This card is for our school principal's birthday.  She is a quite petite lady and she rides a red Harley.  I get a kick out of that.  Anyways, we got together and got her a Harley Davidson gift certificate for her birthday.  Someone asked me if I could make her a motorcycle related card.  This is what I came up with.  The image is by Kenny K.

I think I might try a contest or two if I can remember how to enter.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Crafty Chicks   Girls Night Out
7 Kids College Fund  Anything Goes
Fab n Funky Challenges  Distress
Paper Crafting Journey  Anything goes

My New Workspace

 Recently, I decided to do away with our living room.  We have a very large family room and I no longer saw a need for two rooms since our kids are all gone. Somehow, I managed to talk my husband  into turning it into a craft room for me.  I was really tired of having my dining room table covered.  We were never able to use it when we had company without a major cleanup project.  I donated our living room furniture, which is the one thing my husband was not crazy about.  I had seen several versions of this type of craft area on Pinterest.  We bought four bookshelves at Walmart for 17.97 each and two doors from Home Depot for

 23.50 apiece.   The plastic drawers I already owned.  They were also purchased at Walmart.  A three drawer section is 12.97.

One major problem we ran into was the size of the doors.  I assumed they were 84"  long.  Four rows of drawers should have fit underneath perfectly.  Unfortunately, the doors were 80" so I had to reconfigure the drawer placement.  There are two rows of side facing drawers under the desk behind the forward facing ones.  The large drawers in the center roll out so the inside drawers are accessible.  Behind the curtain under the desk there are two bookshelves and lots of floorspace for storage. Under the desk (in front of the chair) is another tower of drawers with all my punches, tapes, and misc. tools.  The top is thirty inches deep so there is lots of room to work.

The other side of the room has my computer desk with my Cricuit and a treadmill.

Now it's time to get busy crafting again.

Thanks, Sweetheart!