Sweet 'n Sassy Blog Hop!

For information on the Design Team Call for Ethereal Forest Designs, click HERE!

It's the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps "Lots of Love" Blog Hop today!! This isn't just any old blog hop! We've been keeping a big secret and we are finally letting the cat out of the bag! To celebrate our exciting news (which you can discover on the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Blog), we're sending you on a scavenger hunt and we're giving away our entire January Digi release to one lucky blog hop participant! Plus, we have an adorable freebie for EVERYONE who participates in our "Spread the Love" blinkie campaign.

The Blog Hop starts on the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Blog, and from there, hop to each of the following blogs in no particular order: (Make sure you read the important information about the Scavenger hunt and play to win!)

Micki, Sandy, Deedee, Melanie, Nicole, Lynne, Korin, Leah, Ceal, Darsie, Janette, Kim, Lorie, Nancy

I used the new release "Cupcake Cocoa" for my Valentine card today, and it fits the Sweet Stop Sketch for Saturday! (see Sketch below) I printed the image on Whisper White cardstock, then colored with Copic Markers, and cut him out with small scissors. I added a bit of Glossy Accents to his ears, nose, tail and the hearts on the cupcake for a bit of shine. My designer papers are from the Die Cuts with a View "Sweet" stack! I added a ribbon bow, a sticker sentiment and flourish from Hobby Lobby, and finished it off with rhinestones. Card size: 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 inches

another Sneak Peek...

For information on the Design Team Call for Ethereal Forest Designs, click HERE!

Here's another darling Sneak Peek from Ethereal Forest Designs! This is just one of the image 's being released on March 1st, and it's such a sweet one! Their website is under construction, so make sure you add yourself as a "follower" on their blog to stay up to date on the official release of their digital stamps.

This card was easy to make! I printed "Giraffe Love" on Whisper White cardstock then colored it with Copic Markers. I rounded the corners with a corner punch, then mounted the image to a dark red cardstock. My designer paper is by Close to my Heart and I adhered them to a lime green card. I added the image, rickrack, a satin bow, rhinestones and a sentiment sticker to finish the card. Card size: 5 x 6 1/4 inches

Melody of Love...

For information on the Design Team Call for Ethereal Forest Designs, click HERE!

Sweet 'n Sassy will be having a Blog Hop on Monday, February 1st, and it's going to be a fabulous time for everyone! Stay tuned for more information! Now on to the tutorial for my newest card creation! This card fits the OCC Theme Challenge for Saturday!

I stamped "Melody of Love" on acetate StazOn black ink, then ran it through a Xyron machine to get the sticky glue onto the back. I colored the sticky side with chalks and Gold Perfect Pearls then, with brads, mounted it to a white cardstock panel with the corners punched by a Martha Stewart punch. I stamped the sentiment (Sweet 'n Sassy) with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, then added dew drops and pearls to finish the panel. I mounted it onto a designer paper by My Mind's Eye from the Playful Posies stack. I then adhered the piece to a blue card with the edges punched with the coordinating Martha Stewart punch. Card size: 5 x 6 1/4 inches

Be Mine...

For information on the Design Team Call for Ethereal Forest Designs, click HERE!

I made a quick Valentine's Card today using the so cute Be Mine Cocoa digistamp from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. They have released five new digis this week and they all are adorable! Take time to stop over at the Digi Blog and see what the design team has created! I can't wait to play with "Puppy Love". My card also happens to be perfect for the Sketch at The Sweet Stop!

This was a fairly simple card to make! I printed the image on Whisper White cardstock, then colored it with Copic Markers. I then layered the image to a light aqua panel and added red rhinestone hearts in the corners. My background papers are Valentine bags I purchased at Michael's and I mounted them to a red card. I added red organza ribbon, adhered the image and I was finished! Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

Wedding card...

For information on the Design Team Call for Ethereal Forest Designs, click HERE!

Today, my card is for the OCC Sketch Challenge, (sketch below) and I really love how this card came out! It's a larger sized card, but I needed it for my cute couple from the "Eskimo Kisses" stamp set by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. Read below to see how I created this card!

I stamped my Eskimo's on Whisper white cardstock using Memento Tuxedo Black ink, then colored them with my Copic Markers. I cut them out with scissors, then added sparkly glitter on their fur for some bling. I mounted them onto a heart cut from the Scalloped Hearts Nestabilities then embossed it with the Paisley Cuttlebug folder. I added pretty pearls, then mounted the piece to a white card that I had embossed using the Holly Ribbons folder. I adhered this panel to a glittery cardstock, then to a white card. I cut out decorative corners from matching glitter cardstock, added my ribbon, my bows and more pearls to finish the card. Card size: 5 1/2 x 6 1/4 inches.

OCC Saturday Challenge....

For information on the Design Team Call for Ethereal Forest Designs, click HERE!

So, I'm a little late! I had two classes this week and have been a bit swamped and didn't get to the OCC's Saturday Challenge until today. This time it's a sketch, and I used "Emma" from Fred, She Said and turned the sketch onto it's side. But better late than never, I say! You'll find the sketch below, and you still have time to post to Mr. Linky on the OCC blog!

I printed the digistamp on Whisper white cardstock, then colored with Copic Markers. I overstamped the image with a new stamp set from Inkadinkado titled "Beauty Stems from Here", which I love, love, love! I stamped two of the flowers again, (over the dress), colored them with Copic Markers, then raised them up with pop dots. I punched two corners with a new Martha Stewart Punch, then mounted it to pink cardstock. My designer background paper is from the "Euphoria" paper pad by Basic Grey. My decorative floral strips are from Martha Stewart, and I finished my card with pearls and an organza bow. Card size: 5 x 5 1/2 inches

Ethereal Forest Design Team Call...

A new digital stamp company called "Ethereal Forest Designs" is looking for talented artists for their design team! You'll find all the information on their blog to apply for the Design Team! Their website is under construction, so make sure you add yourself as a "follower" on their blog to stay up to date on the official release of their digital stamps.

You'll see that I've been posting a few cards made with their images "Elmer" and "Jewel'd Hearts" and the cutie below is named "Elymira". I can see so many possibilities with this little elephant! Now, on to how I made this card!

I printed "Elymira" on Whisper White cardstock, then cut her out with small scissors. I colored her with Copic markers, then laid her aside to construct my card. My designer papers are from The Paper Studio and the paper daisies are from K & Co. I punched my background paper with a Martha Stewart punch then mounted my papers to a white card. I added Elymira, the daisies, then finished it off with white pearls. Card size: 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 inches

Fred, She Said's First Challenge...

Fred, She Said is launching their Challenge Blog today, and our first challenge is to make a card using the colors from the banner on the blog! Pastel colors are always a favorite, and the soft tones of purple, green and yellow were pretty to work with. Visit the Challenge blog and see what the rest of the Design Team has created!

My butterfly is a digistamp from Fred, She Said and I printed it out on Whisper White cardstock, then colored it with Copics. I cut the butterfly out and added pearls for embellishments then laid it aside to make my background.

My background uses Spectra Art Tissue, which is a tissue paper that bleeds when it becomes wet. Using glossy cardstock, I laid a piece of aqua art tissue that I had crumpled then smoothed out. With a water mister, I sprayed water onto the entire tissue/cardstock. The wrinkles gives the background the mottled appearance. With a Kleenex, I pushed the tissue onto my cardstock, making sure to leave my wrinkles intact, then removed the art tissue. My mosaic background was not complete though. I took another piece of crumpled art tissue (light fuschia) and repeated the procedure. This mixing of colors gave me my purple/lemony effect! Once dry, I punched my cardstock with a Martha Stewart punch and stamped my sentiment (Inkadinkado) using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I adhered my cardstock to a white card, then added my butterfly for the finishing touch. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

Another sample of the Spectra Art Tissue effect. I used Red and Yellow Art tissue for this card and enhanced the butterfly with orange rhinestones! My sentiment is from Inkadinkado.

February Iris...

Wonderful news! The Fred, She Said Blog Hop was a rousing success! We had over 125 entries for the drawing! Now take a peek at the Fred, She Said Blog and see if you won!

Over at Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, I'm the featured Design Team Member and my card will be on the blog! How exciting is that? Every 4th Saturday is my day to post to the Sweet 'n Sassy blog, and the other days are taken up by the rest of the design team! If you haven't seen the beautiful creations by the team, you are missing some gorgeous cards!! Make sure you take a moment to check out their blogs as well!

This card uses the stamp set from the January release called "February Iris". I stamped the iris on Whisper White cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, then cut it out with the Long Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities. I colored the Iris with Copic Markers, and added orange rhinestones to the piece, then layered it to a panel of black cardstock. My designer papers are from Basic Gray (oh I do love them) and fits the iris perfectly! I added a satin ribbon and bow, then finished the card off with black rhinestones. Card size: 5 3/4 x 4 1/2 inches

a new digistamp company...

If you have come for the Fred, She Said Blog Hop, please click HERE!

There is a new digistamp company debuting soon called "Ethereal Forest Designs" and I tell you, the artist has some of the cutest images I've seen so far! As Coordinator of Lee's (the artist) Design Team, I get to play with her images before they are released. My first sneak peak was a Valentine card using "Elmer the Elephant" and you can see the post here!

I am currently looking for a few more artists to join the Design Team and will have information on the Design Team Call in the next few weeks. Brush off your resume and stay tuned!

The next image is "Jewel" and she's just so cute tossing her hearts into the air for Valentine's Day! I just adore this little girl! See below as to how I made this card!

I printed Jewel onto Whisper White cardstock, then cut it out with a Rectangle Scalloped Nestabiliites. I colored the image with Copics, then added faux stitching along the edges. I matted my image to red cardstock, then adhered it to my designer Valentine paper by Martha Stewart. I stamped my sentiment using Memento Tuxedo Black, then outlined it with a Copic Marker. I added a ribbon, glittery rickrack, sparkly hearts and a red satin bow to finish the card. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches

A Scenic Card....

If you have come for the Fred, She Said Blog Hop, please click HERE!

I've had this scene in my head for a couple of weeks and I've finally got the chance to put it on paper. One late evening I saw the prettiest twilight sky. It was going to snow, and it was gray, but the sun was going down and there was an orange glow to the sky. I tried to capture that moment with my scenic stamping.

This card is for the Sketch Challenge (sketch is below) over at Our Creative Corner. We always love it when you play along with the Design Team, and remember to post your creation to Mr. Linky at the bottom of the OCC's blog page.

This scene is done with torn post-it notes. I laid down two post-it notes for to cover my lake and start the base of my mountains. I tore a post-it note for my mountains, then placed it onto my photo paper and with the Colorbox Stylus, added Memento London Fog for my first mountain on the left. I tilted my post-it note a bit for my second mountain (on the right), then added very light London Fog with the Stylus since this was my furthest mountain. I lowered my post-it note for my center mountain, and used a bit of Memento Tuxedo Black to darken that mountain in the foreground. I then added another smaller mountain to the right of the center one.

My shoreline is a ragged torn edge post-it note and I added black ink between my torn paper and the masked lake. I removed the post-it notes from the lake, turned my shoreline note upside down, and sponged gray ink for the reflection in the water. Using the same torn note for my mountains, I added rocks to the foreground.

To add my sky, I masked my mountains, laid down a circle for my sun, then sponged on Marvy Pale Orange and Orange with the Colorbox Stylus. I added more Pale Orange to the lake, then added London Fog to the top of the sky. I removed all masks, then stamped the Pine Tree and Gulls from Stampscapes and added white lines with my Signo gel pen to represent the ripples in the lake.

To finish my card according to the Sketch, I matted my scene to orange cardstock, then to designer paper by Basic Grey (Wassail paper pad). My panel was then mounted to tan cardstock, then to black cardstock. I stamped my sentiment (Stampscapes) onto photo paper, rounded the corners with a punch, then adhered it to a tan panel, and then to the card. I added a orange grosgrain ribbon with a slide, and completed the card with orange and black pearls. Card size: 5 x 6 1/4 inches

Ladybugs everywhere!!

If you have come for the Fred, She Said Blog Hop, please click HERE!

I have a busy week preparing for my card club on Saturday, but I was able to put this too cute card together yesterday! I've managed to make about 5 cards on Sunday, so stay tuned for a card per day, this week.

What a cute ladybug!! I got this delightful digistamp called "A Flower for you" from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps! I printed her on Whisper White cardstock, then colored the image with Copic Markers. I glued the image to black velvet cardstock, then put it aside to construct my card. On a black piece of cardstock, sized 5 x 5 inches, I punched the new LadyBug Punch Around the Page punches by Martha Stewart. My designer paper is from the Paper Studio, and I adhered it to the center of the punched ladybug panel. I mounted that piece to a white card, then colored in the ladybugs spots with a Copic Marker. I highlighted one of the LOVE's with a black pen, then added a red heart rhinestone to the O. Lastly, I added rhinestones and a pretty spotted bow to finish the card. Card size: 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 inches

Oriental Fan...

If you have come for the Fred, She Said Blog Hop, please click HERE!

I just want to take a moment to thank all those that have participated in the Fred, She Said Blog Hop and who have left the wonderful comments on my card! Fred, She Said's images are so easy to print, color and create a card with! If you haven't purchased one yet, you are sure missing a creative opportunity!

My card today uses the wonderful "Cherry Blossoms" printable papers by Fred, She Said. I made a fan template, then cut it out from the paper I made using the Cherry Blossom image. I also printed the small Cherry Blossom flowers you get when you purchase "Smelling the Cherry Blossoms". I colored those with Copic Markers and added black rhinestones to the centers. I added a half paper doily to the bottom portion of the fan, added my flowers, so waste pieces from a cut out Nestabilities pendant and pretty red pearls. I mounted my fan onto black velvet paper, and punched the corners with a new Martha Stewart punch. I added pearls to the flowers of the punch, then adhered the panel to a white card. My finishing touch was a red satin bow. Card size: 5 x 6 1/2 inches

a Sketch and a Theme...

If you have come for the Fred, She Said Blog Hop, please click HERE!

My card today focuses on a Sketch from the Sweet Stop and a Challenge Theme from Our Creative Corner. The theme from OCC is to use Blue and Green in your card creations. The sketch is to use a sentiment (no stamped images). I've combined mine to make this pretty card!

My designer paper is by My Mind's Eye "Playful Posies" stack, and I punched my green paper with one of the new Martha Stewart punches. I cut out two labels using Labels 4 from Nestabilities and stamped my sentiment from Sweet 'n Sassy stamps in Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto the smallest. I used the Swiss Dots Embossing folder on my largest cut out label. I tied a pretty polka dot chiffon bow around the card, then added my labels, a glittery leaf, and rhinestones to finish the card. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches

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Don't forget that you can still get the fabulous 6 new releases from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps for only $40! I will be showing more cards made with these stamps throughout this month! These are some of the sweetest stamps ever!

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Fred, She Said Blog Hop!!!

Welcome to the first Fred, She Said Blog Hop!!! If you just happen to drop by my blog and you are not aware of this wonderful event taking place, please go back to the Fred, She Said blog HERE and start your hop!

Please, we would LOVE it if you would comment on our posts. We totally love Fred, She Said images and would like to hear how you feel about them as well!

Also, along the way, you will see a special CODE WORD! Collect them from each member of the Design Team. Once you reach the end of the blog hop (which will be the Fred, She Said Challenge Blog), email DEANNE with the special code sentence and your name will go in for a drawing for the 4 newest releases: Flowers, Doodledallion, Empty Pockets, and Smelling the Cherry Blossoms.

Here is my card for the Fred, She Said Blog Hop!

I printed the little girl from "Smelling the Cherry Blossoms" on Whisper White cardstock using my HP Printer, then cut her out with a scalloped rectangle Nestabilities. I colored her with Copic Markers then mounted her onto red cardstock. Next, I printed one of the free tiles from Fred, She Said, which you can find HERE, and used that as my background. I created my frame out of black velvet paper by cutting out two of the Lattice Shapeabilties Pendant from Spellbinders. I glued my image to the two stacked cutouts, added a red ribbon, and some of the waste pieces from the pendant. I finished the card with red pearls, card sized 5 x 6 1/4 inches.

My special code word is: TO

Here is a list of the Blog Hoppers in case you lose your way:

Fred, She Said Blog
Carol H.
Carol L.
Darsie (you are here)
Deanne
Julie S.
Lisa F.
Lora
Maria
Michelle
Shelly
Sonya
Judy A.
Fred, She Said Challenge Blog

This blog hop will run from today, January 15th until January 22nd. On the 23rd, the winner will be announced on the Fred, She Said Blog! Thank you for taking the time to play along. Now, to continue the Blog Hop, please visit Deanne's blog!

If you have fallen in love with Fred, She Said digital images, and I'm sure you have, check out the store HERE!

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Don't forget that you can still get the fabulous 6 new releases from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps for only $40! I will be showing more cards made with these stamps throughout this month! These are some of the sweetest stamps ever!

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Blue birds

Well, today I was busy running errands, so I didn't get much done craft-wise! Luckily I had this card already made for Thursday's Our Creative Corner's Sketch Challenge. Remember, they have a Theme Challenge every Saturday as well, so why not join us and play!

My card is an easy card for you today! My birds are a digistamp by Laura Dunkle and I printed it out on Whisper White cardstock, then cut it out with a long rectangle Nestabilities. I colored them with Copic markers and used a white Signo gel pen for highlights. I made tiny dash marks on the outer edge in gray for "faux" stitches. Next, I mounted my image to designer papers from the stack "Playful Posies" by My Mind's Eye. I added button brads, a white chiffon polka dot ribbon, then glued it to an olive card. I punched a tag, mounted it to matching designer paper, stamped my sentiment (Studio G), then attached it to my ribbon with a piece of orange jute.


Only 1 more day til the Fred, She Said Blog Hop, scheduled for January 15th!! There will be fun for all as you hop from each of the designer's blogs and see the new images being released! You will have a chance to win one of the 4 new releases if you hop along with us!

Make sure you travel over to the Fred, She Said Blog where I am the Spotlight Artist for the week! Each week, one of the design team members will be featured and you can see wonderful creations using Fred, She Said images!


Don't forget that you can still get the fabulous 6 new releases from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps for only $40! I will be showing more cards made with these stamps throughout this month! These are some of the sweetest stamps ever!

Sunflower Day....

Winter will be here in New York for a while yet, but I am thinking of the summer and my favorite flower, the Sunflower. I just love the bright yellows, how they stand so tall with their petals reaching towards the sun. My card reflects my mood, with sage greens, bright yellows and crisp white. My image is from Fred, She Said Designs, and it's called "Fall Flowers Digi Set & Paper Pricking Frame". You can find it HERE.

I printed the Sunflower image with Pricking pattern on Whisper White cardstock, then hand cut it out. I colored the image with Copics, and the border around the image as well. With my pricking pen, I pricked the pattern, then stitched the design using my favorite silk threads from Hand-Dyed Fibers. I have a stitching tutorial on my Paper Embroidery website, as well as additional patterns for holidays and all occasions.

I added pretty rhinestones to my stitched and colored image, then laid it aside to construct my card. My paper is from "Playful Posies", a delightful paper stack from My Mind's Eye. I love every single paper in that pad! I adhered my image to my green paper, then I tied a frilly organza yellow ribbon bow around the bottom half. I mounted that piece to soft yellow cardstock, to tie more of the yellow into the card. I punched two edges of a sage green panel with the Double Heart edge punch from Martha Stewart then glued my image piece to it. Finally, I added some gold peel-off sticker border strips, then adhered the whole panel to a white card, sized 5 3/4 x 6 inches.

Let it Snow Clear Card...

Well, I've got a busy week ahead! A quilling class on Tuesday, preparing for my monthly crafting club, and I've got new stamps and punches to play with! There's nothing like a frosty day staying at home, crafting and drinking homemade apple cider! Oh, throw in an occasional piece of chocolate and talking to my sister, and life can't be better! Let's see what I've been up to this weekend!

This too adorable snowman is a new release from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. You get two sentiments with the snowman as well, and these are clear stamps that stamp so clean and crisp. My favorite ink of choice is the Memento brand and I use Tuxedo Black for most of my stamping. There's a fabulous deal over at the store, where you can purchase all 6 newly released sets for only $40! There's a total of 23 stamps, with images and sentiments. You just can't beat that price!! So go shopping, then come back and see how I made the card below!

This is called a "clear" card as the card front is transparent using a transparency or piece of acetate. My acetate is .7 mm thickness which makes for a sturdy cardfront and can hold up to ribbon, and embellishments, yet it's crisp and clear! It's made by Grafix and I purchased it at Michael's.

I stamped my snowman onto Whisper White cardstock, colored him with Copics, then cut him out with small scissors. I used a new Martha Stewart punch for the edge of my brown/polka dot designer paper (Heidi Grace Designs). My snowflake paper is by the Paper Studio. To make your clear card, cut and fold your transparency like you would for a normal card, but you are going to sandwich your back piece between a white panel and your designer papers. The white panel gives your card a lot of stability as well as hide your gluing.

Once I glued my designer papers, I added my snowman, and a glittery snowflake with a rhinestone. For decorating the clear front, you'll need to remember that you'll be able to see the backs of the embellishments or the "glue" you used to adhere them to the front! To fix this, you'll add coordination embellishments on the backside of the clear front. For my card, I used two-sided shimmery peel-off snowflakes. They were perfect for this type of card. I cut out a tag label, stamped my sentiment "Studio G" with black ink, then added a pretty ribbon! Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches

Tip: Once you've cut out your image, take a black marker with a brush tip and apply the ink around the edge. It gives your image a clean, cut appearance.

Image and Sentiment: Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps, Studio G
Papers: Heidi Grace Designs, The Paper Studio, Grafix
Embellishments: Offray, Peel-Off Stickers, SU! Snowflake, Recollections, Martha Stewart punch

6 Days til the Fred, She Said Blog Hop!!! January 15th!!! Mark your Calendars and Join US!

Friends are Marshmallows...

Well, I woke up to about 3 inches of snow this morning. Snow is so crisp and pretty to look at, isn't it? Unfortunately, I had to shovel it so I could go shopping today! I made the rounds at Michael's, where the new Martha Stewart punches have come in, then over to Hobby Lobby to purchase the Octagons Nestabilities. After that, I went to JoAnn's and bought the new Inkadinkado $1 bin stamps (18 in all), picked up some tacos at Taco Bell and came home! Now I'll show you my card for the Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge.

This cutie patootie is a digistamp from Sweet 'n Sassy and it's just so darling! I printed the image on Whisper White cardstock, then cut it out with the Labels Nine Nestabilities. I did the same thing with the sentiment which comes with the other image. I dusted a soft teal ink onto the pieces before removing them from the die. I colored the cup and mouse with Copic markers, then put the pieces aside to construct my card.

My designer paper is from My Mind's Eye, which I adhered to a soft teal glittery cardstock then to a white card. I added pretty shimmery glitter swirls, iridescent snowflake buttons and white pearls to finish the card. Card size: 5 x 5 inches

Image and Sentiment: Sweet 'n Sassy
Paper: My Mind's Eye, The Paper Studio, Bazzill, SU!
Embellishments: Dress it Up, Recollections, Making Memories

Here's a quick Valentine's gift for the kids or for your Secret Pal. I took a Valentine Paper Bag (Michael's) and used it to decorate a Sweethearts candy box. I just love those little sayings on the hearts! I printed my image (another Sweet 'n Sassy digital image) then cut it out and colored it with Copics. I wrapped an organza bow around the box, adhered the Koala image, and made a tag with a sentiment to finish it off.

Don't forget, only 7 Days til the Fred, She Said Blog Hop!! I can't wait! It's going to be such fun!

What's a Doodledallion?

Now that I've finally announced all my good news, I'm ready to get back to work designing and creating more great cards for the next months! There are a couple new digistamps being released on Friday from Fred, She Said, and I'm really liking them! Don't forget that the new Fred, She Said Challenge Blog is starting up, and our first Challenge is on the 25th of this month! I can't wait for it! Become a follower of the Challenge Blog and you're eligible to win a free digi on February 1st.

This card is perfect for the 3D theme Challenge over at Our Creative Corner. It also fits the Sketch Challenge at The Sweet Stop!

Friday is the release for this fabulous image called "Stained Glass Floral Doodledallion" from Fred, She Said. I printed it on Whisper White cardstock 5 times, then cut it out with scissors because I wanted a 3D layered look. I colored each piece with Copic Markers, then assembled the doodledallion with popdots for the layering. Once it was put together, I glued it to a mirror red cardstock, then to floral "dollhouse" wallpaper which was adhered to a red card. I added rhinestones and glitter for a bit of sparkle. Below, you can see the 3D look to my finished card. Card size: 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 inches

I almost forgot! Fred, She Said is having a Blog Hop (my first one) on January 15th and I'll be posting more details as it gets closer!! Stay tuned!

Our Creative Corner Sketch Design Team...

Well, it's official! Today they are announcing the new Sketch Design Team for Our Creative Corner, and I was asked to join the team! As you know, I've been doing a lot of the OCC's Sketch and Challenges these past months, and I'm just thrilled to be a part of such great artists! The design Team and their blogs are listed below. Just click on their name to be taken to their respective blogs, and you'll be amazed by their talent! I'm looking forward to working with these ladies and can't wait to get started! We have Sketch Challenges on Thursday's, and Themed Challenges on Saturday. Why don't you come and play with us?

Laurel Seabrook
Gloria Stengel
Iwona Palamountain
Rose Frydrych.
Darsie Bruno (that's me!)
Rose Miller
Jennifer Meyer

Without further fuss and ado, here is my first card as a sketch team designer for OCC. This card is for the Sketch Challenge (sketch is below). Why do I like sketches? Sometimes I can't come up with a fresh idea, or my cards seem to be repeating themselves. With the sketches, it gives me a jump start on an idea, using an image, background papers, and it's just up to me to put it all together.


My image for this darling card is by a new artist on the Digistamp scene. The "Ethereal Forest Designs" website will be up and running soon, and this too, too cute Elephant named "Elmer" is one of the images in their catalog. I will be showing sneak peeks of the designs in the next few weeks. Stay tuned for more information because you'll definitely be wanting these images!

I printed the image on Whisper White cardstock, then cut it out with the Blossom Nestabilities. I dusted Memento Summer Sky ink onto the piece before removing it from the die, then colored it with Copic Markers. I added the cut out to a pink glittery cutout I made using the Inverted Circles Nestabiliites. I stamped the sentiment on a scrap of paper, dusted it with Summer Sky ink, then added pearls to both the image panel and the sentiment panel. I assembled my card with Martha Stewart's new Valentine Paper Stack, added red satin bows, heart rhinestones and adhered it to a red card sized 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

Image: Ethereal Forest Designs, Studio G
Paper: Martha Stewart, Bazzill, SU!
Embellishments: Satin Ribbon, Pearls and Hearts by Recollections

Don't forget the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Release today!! I've been giving you sneak peeks the last few days of the sets available and Korin has a Sweet 'n Sassy bundle for all the sets for a reduce price! I recommend you get them all, AND save money!

Pretty Iris....

Only a few more days left until the release of the newest stamps from Sweet 'n Sassy! How exciting for me to be designing cards for them! The stamp below is one of three that is being released on Thursday, January 7th! There is a January/Carnation set, February/Iris set, and March/Daffodil set as well as a few others. They are clear stamps and cling beautifully to your acrylic block and the image is so crisp once stamped. You'll also find discontinued stamps for Autumn and Christmas available at the store.

This was a pretty card to create. I stamped the Iris with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Whisper White Cardstock, then colored with Copic markers. I overstamped the verse (Inkadinkado) with the black ink then rounded the corners of the panel and laid it aside. My designer paper is from GCD Studios and I used the Martha Stewart Large Lattice punch. Ribbons and pretty pearls finished this card, sized 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

Images: Sweet 'n Sassy, Inkadinkado
Paper: GCD Studios, SU!, Bazzill
Embellishments, Recollections, Offray
Punch: Martha Stewart Lattice Border, Corner Rounder


There is a new Challenge Blog for Fred, She Said, and you can find it HERE! Our first challenge will be posted on the Last Monday of each month, and they are exciting and fun! Also, if you become a follower, (just click on the "Follow" button on the right of the blog) you'll have a chance to win a free image on February 1st!

Clean and Simple...

The theme this week over at Our Creative Corner is "Clean and Simple", meaning less is best. Well, anyone who knows me, pretty much knows I can't do "less". I have to glitter it, brad it, rhinestone it, Cuttlebug it, and more! So this challenge was exceedingly hard for me. I kept reaching for stuff, then saying to myself "you can't use that!" I love how my card turned out, but I know I could have added more!

White seems to convey simple yet elegant, so I went with that color scheme with a splash of color for my main image. I printed an antique postcard onto Whisper White cardstock, then layered it to a scalloped rectangle Nestabilities cut out of white glittery cardstock. I created my background paper using the "Textile" embossing folder in the Cuttlebug. I added filigree corners from the same white glittery cardstock that I cut out with a Sizzix die. My embellishments consist of tiny pearls, satin ribbon and a pretty bow. I put it all together onto a white card measuring 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches.

Paper: Whisper White (SU!), Bazzill
Image: Antique Postcard
Embellishments: Recollections, Sizzix, Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities, Satin Ribbon

A sweet Bunny...

As you know from my postings last week, I have fallen in love with the designs from Fred, She Said. To make things even better, I have been chosen to be on their Design Team! I'm so excited! I just love Fred's digital offerings like the digistamps, coordinating papers, and sweet stackable flowers. Her designs are clean and fresh, and I just love coloring them! In the next few weeks, you'll see new images from the store, and very creative cards from the design team! Stay tuned! You'll find the Fred, She Said store HERE, and the Fred, She Said blog HERE!

I've used an older design for my card, but since I'm new to all of Fred, She Said images, these are NEW to me! This adorable bunny is so bright and cheery, and what better colors than pink, orange and green to use? I tried to squeeze yellow in there, but it just didn't fit my designer papers! Maybe next time! I printed the bunny on Whisper White cardstock using my HP printer, then cut it out using a plain rectangle Nestabilities with the Cuttlebug. I colored with Copic markers, added a few highlights with my white Signo pen, then set it aside to construct my card.

My card is perfect for the sketch over at A Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge Blog, and I had a lot of fun matching the papers and finding all the embellishments for it. I've seen a sneak peek of the next few sketches at A Sweet Stop, and let me tell you, they are fun, fun, fun! You have to try one, at least! Every Saturday, you'll see a new sketch from them, and it's always so inspiring to see what their Design Team has created! Using sketches is a great way for new ideas when you are stuck in your creative zone.

Paper: The Paper Studio, Glitter Cardstock, Whisper White (SU!)
Embellishments: Prima, Recollections, Offray, Spare Parts, and Wrights