Cheery Lynn Designs Cuties

 

Part of the November new release dies from Cheery Lynn Designs was their new Cuties, three different dies to make your own flowers.  They are so much fun!  I have found that they work best with light weight card stock or text weight paper.  To get the results you see here, die cut one Cutie.  Cut it in half then glue just along the bottom, layering them so the petals are staggered.  Roll them up with a quilling tool; gluing down the end.  Then simply peel back the petals to create your flower. Check out the new Nautical Wheeler Doily, it makes a fabulous base for the image from Bugaboo Stamps and the flowers.  I added Holly Lace Flourish as well as Olive Branches to finish it off. 

Click on the photo on the left for a better look at the gorgeous flowers.  Starting from the top,  I used Cuties 2, 2 and 3.  I layered the roses onto Cheery Blossoms cut from coordinating DP, bending the petals for added dimension.  .Finished size is 6" square. 

Be sure to join in on the fun with the current challenge at Cheery Lynn Designs for a chance to win a $20 shopping spree.  The theme this week is Red and Green.

Catch the Bug Sweet Summertime challenge

Today at Bugaboo Catch the Bug challenge blog, the theme is Summertime!  If you saw my post on Wednesday, I combined 3 Bugaboo Brats; Sean w/slingshot,  Sean w/Dog and Desiree and created this card......

I added a gradient background to the image before printing it with my inkjet printer onto Cryogen paper.  I used a lot of Copics to color this.  The DP is from Basic Grey's 6x6 Lime Rickey paper collection,  The border is a new Joy Crafts die.  I die cut it, embossed it and then airbrushed the embossing before removing it from the die.  Finished size is 6" square.  Be sure to check out the Catch the Bug challenge blog for more fabulous creations from the Design Team.  And play along for a chance to win....

• 1st prize - 7 Bugaboo Digi Images of your choice
• 2nd prize - 4 Bugaboo Digi Images of your choice
• 3rd prize - 2 Bugaboo Digi Images of your choice 

We also have a guest sponsor, The Character Cafe, they will be awarding a $10 shopping spree to a lucky entrant.  Here is a card I made with their Walk on the Beach digi image, using the same layout as the card above.  I again created a gradient background behind the image before printing it out and coloring it with my Copic markers.  The DP is from Heidi Grace, finished size is 6" square.  

Merging Images with Photoshop Elements 6.0

Here is a quick tutorial on how I merge images with Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0.  You begin by opening the PNG versions of the images you want to combine in Photoshop.  I will be using Bugaboo Brats Sean w/Slingshot and Sean w/Dog.   It is very important to open the images with transparent backgrounds; the PNG files.

Next step is File, New, Blank File which brings up a dialog box.  I usually make it larger than what I need, I can always shrink the image before printing.  So, I made mine 5 inches by 5 inches with Resolution of 300 pixels/inch and Transparent Background Contents.  It is very important that the Resolution of your New Blank File matches the Resolution of the images you are working with.

I click OK and this gives me a new blank image to work on. I double clicked on Sean w/dog down in the Project Bin on the bottom to bring him back into the workspace.  Then using the Move Tool, I clicked on the image and dragged him off the paper, dropping him on my blank file in the Project Bin.

As you can see below, he is quite a bit bigger than my blank file.  If you hit Ctrl 0 it will re-size the workspace so you can see the outer bounding box of Sean w/dog.  I just grab a corner with the Move Tool and drag it in until he is the size I want.

Next step is to bring Sean w/slingshot into the new image.  Same deal, double click Sean w/slingshot to bring him back into the workspace, using the Move Tool, drag him off the page and drop him on top of the new image.

Again, he is larger than the new image size so I will have to grab the corners and make him an appropriate size.

Now I can decide where I want the boys and who I want in the foreground.  To move an image forward or back, simply right click on the image and select the option you want.

I decided we needed a girl in the mix, so I opened another Bugaboo Brat, Desiree and as before, with her in the active workspace, using the Move Tool I dragged her off the page

And dropped her on top of the boys.

Once again, using the Move Tool, I grabbed a corner and sized her to match the boys.  Always use a corner to size as it will size both the height and width proportionally.  I did some rearranging and shuffling and came up with 3 kids enjoying a summer day.  Come back on Saturday to see the card I make with them.

For more great tutorials, visit the Bugaboo Catch the Bug Challenge Blog.

New Release Tuesday at Bugaboo Stamps

Today is New Release Tuesday over at BugABoo stamps and boy, does Jodie have a great new collection this week, Sassy Girls. This sassy lady is Ms. Christmas. and will be available for purchase later today.

I sized her to fit inside a Spellbinders Long Rectangle die, then printed her onto Cryogen paper with my inkjet printer.  Copics used:
Dress, hat and gloves - R37
Hair- E33
Skin - E00
Holly - YG03
Berries - R37
 I added Sparkly Fluff to the hat and dress trim.  I added red glitter to her shoes.  I computer generated the saying.  The DP is from the Heidi Grace.  Finished size is 5 x 7 inches. 

Be sure to check out the Catch the Bug challenge blog  to see what the ever so talented design team has created with this Diva.
  

Challenges:

Totally Stampalicious - Splash of Red

Pear Tree Designs - Glitter/Sparkle

Little Red Wagon - Nesties

The Shabby Tea Room - Christmas in July
 Christmas Cards All Year Round - Anything Goes

Christmas in July at Bugaboo stamps

Today's challenge over at Catch the Bug is Christmas in July.  So I took Christmas Boy 2, and Bobblehead Reindeer into Adobe Photoshop Elements and combined them to make this little card.

I printed the image onto Cryogen paper with my inkjet and then colored it with Copic markers.
Reindeer - E25
Antlers - E70
Hooves - W3
Boy - E000, E00
Glasses - B000
Hair - E33
Hat and Suit - R27
Pants - G07
Shoes - C6

I airbrushed B02 around the image before removing it from the Spellbinders die, also around the sentiment which I computer generated.  I added Sparkly Fluff to the hat band, tassle and trim on the boy's suit.  I also added it to the deer's chest.  I added brown Fun Flock to the deer's tail and mane.  I used glaze pens to color the deer's nose, and the ornaments around the little boy.  The DP is from the Christmas Mint collection by SEI.  Finished size is 6" square.  Be sure to check out the Catch the Bug challenge blog for more fabulous creations from the Design Team.  And play along for a chance to win....

• 1st prize - 7 Bugaboo Digi Images of your choice
• 2nd prize - 4 Bugaboo Digi Images of your choice
• 3rd prize - 2 Bugaboo Digi Images of your choice

Challenge

Christmas Cards All Year Long - Anything Goes

Bobblehead Santa from Bugaboo Stamps

Today is new release day over at BugABoo stamps and Jodie has 2 new sets for you: Bobblehead Christmas and Butterfly Borders!  Well, anyone who knows me well, knows I would choose Christmas, lol.  I listen to Christmas music all year round and my favorite cards to make are Christmas cards.

So this is Bobblehead Santa, isn't he the cutest?  I sized and printed him on to Cryogen paper with my inkjet printer.  Copics used:
Santa - E000, RV10
Hat and Coat - R46
Sack - G07
Boots - E47

I added white Fun Flock to his beard and mustache, and Sparkly Fluff to the rim on his hat and coat.  I airbrushed BG32 around the image before removing it from my Spellbinders Circle die.  I added dots to the brown scalloped circle with a white glaze pen.  Next I printed and colored another Santa head, cut it out and popped it up to give the appearance of a bobblehead. 

The striped DP is from the Christmas Mint collection by SEI.  The house border paper is from the Merrymint collection by American Crafts.  The border on the bottom is Martha Stewart's Scallop 3 Dot punch, I covered up two of the dots.  Finished size is 6" square.

Be sure to check out the Catch the Bug challenge blog for more fabulous creations from the Design Team.  

Please Note:  We make every attempt to have new images in the store by the time the post goes up however some times it is not possible.  If they are not there yet they will be in the store later today! Please come back to get them later.

Challenges:

Crafters Digital Art Center - Sketch

Crazy Challenge - Make it in an Hour
Pile It On - My Favorite Things

Love is in the Air Blog Hop

Today we are having a Love is in the Air blog hop over at Catch the Bug challenge blog.  You should have arrived here from Paul's blog, if not start at the beginning with Jodie's blog.  I have used BugABoo's digi image - One Person to Annoy from the Stella Love collection. 

I sized and printed the image onto Cryogen paper with my inkjet printer.  Copics used:
Faces - E000, E00
Gus - B000, G40
Hair - C2
Slippers - W3
Stella - BV00, R85
Hair - W3
Slippers - R81
Glasses - B0000
Heart - R85

I airbrushed BV13 around the image before removing it from the Spellbinders Curved Rectangle die. This image also comes with a hilarious saying so I finished the inside of the card, again using a Curved Rectangle die and airbrushing before removing the saying from the die.

I also airbrushed the flowers to match the paper.  The DP is from Basic Grey's 6x6 Sugar Rush collection.  The border punch is from Martha Stewart.   Finished size is 5 x 7 inches.

Now hop on over to Cheryl's blog and see what she has created for you today.

BugABoo Flower

I was reading my blogs this morning and saw this post by Faith Hofrichter and was really taken by the black on white combination.  So I decided to give it a go.

I love white and black with a splash of red.  It really makes a statement.  I began with by embossing Ice Gold metallic paper for the background with a Cuttlebug Floral Fantasy folder.  The paper has a lot of sparkle to it.  Next I used my Martha Stewart Floral Lace border punch, adding some floral satin ribbon.  Then I sized and printed my floral image from the BugABoo Mini Flowers Set.  Copics used:
Flowers - R46, Y38
Leaves - G21
Snail - E70, E41
I airbrushed B02 around the image before removing it from the die.  I added a few more layers, a couple gems and I was done.  Pretty elegant, I think.

Challenges:

Speedy the Cat's Friends - Embossing
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge - Embossing
Crafty Ann's Challenge - Embossing

#1 Teacher Paper Pad

Today is Anything But a Card at Catch the Bug challenge blog. Cammy and I have come up with some great projects for you.

I found this paper pad box at JoAnn's and decided to alter it.  Using the new mini stamp set from BugABoo called Brat School Apples, I sized and combined the little girl and the saying to fit my Spellbinders Label 4 die.  Copics used:
Girl - E000, E00, R20
Hair - E11, E15
Dress and shoes - RV34
Apples - R17, Y17, E44, G21

I airbrushed E30 around the image before removing it from the die.
The box came with the floral pattern paper, but I added the red trim and the pearls.  To make the middle flower of the three, I scanned the box and printed the image onto card stock.   Wouldn't this make a cute back to school gift?

Challenges:
I Love Digi challenge - Anything but a Card 
Crazy 4 Challenges - Paper Flowers

Catch the Bug Challenge - Show Your Team Colors

Today over at Catch the Bug challenge blog we have a "Show Your Team Colors" challenge.  The 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa begins on 06/11/2010 and ends on 07/11/2010. The World Cup is only held once every four years and is the world's premier soccer event.

Since we have a lot of international followers (Germany, The Netherlands, South Africa, Greece, Malta, etc) and an international design team (US, UK/Wales, Australia, and Canada), we thought it'd be fun to sponsor a challenge that features:

• the team colors of the country that he/she wants to win the World Cup
• the colors of his/her national flag
• the colors of his/her favorite sports team 

I began by combining BugABoo Brats Sports Soccer Boy and Cheerleader girl in Adobe Photoshop Elements, sizing and printing them to fit my Spellbinders Label 8 die.
Copics used:
Brats - E000, E00
Hair - E34, YR12, Y32
Outfits - R29, B24
Soccer ball - C6
I airbrushed B91 around the image before removing it from the die. I computer generated the saying and again airbrushed B91 around it before removing it from my Spellbinders Fancy Tag.  Finished size is 5 x 7 inches.

Be sure to check out the Catch the Bug challenge blog for more fabulous creations from the Design Team.  And play along for a chance to win....

1st prize - 7 Bugaboo Digi Images of your choice
2nd prize - 4 Bugaboo Digi Images of your choice
3rd prize - 2 Bugaboo Digi Images of your choice

Spring Stuff from BugABoo

Today is new release day over at BugABoo stamps and Jodie has a fabulous new set called Spring Stuff!  What great images!  Using Adobe Photoshop Elements, I chose to combine 5 of them to make this happy little card.

I measured my Spellbinders Label 3 die and then sized and printed the combined images onto Cryogen paper with my inkjet printer.  Copics used:
Bird - B21, B23, RV21
Ladybug - C6, R46
Bee - C7, Y18, YR09, B0000
Flower - YR12, YR09
Butterfly - Y18, YR09
Leaves - G21

I airbrushed B41 around the image before removing it from the die.  Finished size is 5.5 inches square.  Be sure to check out the Catch the Bug challenge blog for more fabulous creations from the Design Team.

Flower candy box

Today is Anything But a Card at BugABoo Stamps. Scrappy and I have come up with some great projects for you.

While at the Stamp and Scrap Art Tour a few weeks ago, I saw lots of incredible grunge flowers and wanted to try them out.  So I created this rose following the instructions by Wendy Vecchi.  I also picked up some clear pillow boxes.   I used a McGill flower punch to make the rose, so much easier than having to hand cut out the pieces.  The leaves are another McGill punch that I have stamps from Serendipity to match.  I colored both with my Copic airbrush.  Then I printed cute little BugABoo Brat Desiree Sitter onto Cryogen paper with my inkjet printer.  I traced the inside of my Spellbinders circle die around her and hand cut her out, then added the red circle that was cut out with the die.  The paper is from SEI.  I think it makes a very cute gift.  For more exciting ABaC ideas, visit the Catch the Bug Challenge blog.

Catch the Bug challenge - Male Call and a Sketch

Today over at Catch the Bug challenge blog we have a Male Call challenge as well as a sketch to follow.

I began by sizing and printing BugABoo Brats Sean to fit my Spellbinders Oval Nestie die.   Copics used:
Sean - E000, E00
Shirt - B91, B93, Y21
Jeans - BG93
Shoes - B91, C1
Flower - YR21, YR16
Leaf - BG93
I airbrushed E53 around the image before removing it from the die.   I also airbrushed the gems and flowers to match.  Finished size is 5 x 7 inches. 

Be sure to check out the Catch the Bug challenge blog for more fabulous creations from the Design Team.  And play along for a chance to win....

1st prize - 7 Bugaboo Digi Images of your choice
2nd prize - 4 Bugaboo Digi Images of your choice
3rd prize - 2 Bugaboo Digi Images of your choice

BugABoo Howdy Pardners!

I was working on this card for my BugABoo Stamps design team commitment and realized I was supposed to follow a sketch...oops!  So I made another but in the meantime, I can share this one with you.  Using Adobe Photoshop Elements, I combined Wee Ones Cowboy in Training with Cowboy Chaps.  Aren't these little guys just the cutest?

The paper is some I have had around for a long time.  I wanted very muted tones for this card, much more manly!  Copics used:
Cowboys - E000, E00
Hats - E51, R93
Bandanas - B93, YR24
Vest and Jacket - YR20
Patches and Gloves - E55
Shirts - G40
Jeans - B91
Chaps - E70
Shoes - C3, C5
Saddle - E33, B93
Log - E42, E43, E44
Grass - G24
Shadow - W1
I computer generated the saying.  Finished size is 5 x 7 inches.

Challenges
Stampin' for the Weekend - A Card for a Male

Shelly's Images - Anything Goes

Dare U2 Digi Stamp - Anything Goes plus digi image

La La Land Crafts - Anything Goes

Catch the Bug Challenge - Flower Power

Today's challenge over at Catch the Bug is Flower Power.  So I took Gardening JJ, and Garden Cats Pots and Plant Pot into Adobe Photoshop Elements and combined them to make this little scene.

I printed the image onto Cryogen paper with my inkjet and then colored it with Copic markers.  The DP is from the Basic Grey June Bug collection.  I computer generated the saying and cut it out with my Spellbinders Fancy Tag die.  Finished size is 5 x 7 inches.  Be sure to check out the Catch the Bug challenge blog for more fabulous creations from the Design Team.  And play along for a chance to win....

• 1st prize - 7 Bugaboo Digi Images of your choice
• 2nd prize - 4 Bugaboo Digi Images of your choice
• 3rd prize - 2 Bugaboo Digi Images of your choice

BugABoo Stamps New Release Tuesday

Today is New Release Tuesday over at BugABoo stamps and boy, does Jodie have some cuties this week.  I chose to use a Wee One Fairy, Lean on Knees.  Isn't she adorable?

I sized her to fit inside a Spellbinders Circle die, then printed her onto Cryogen paper with my inkjet printer.  Copics used:
Dress and shoes- R32
Hair and star- YR21
Fairy - E00, R20
Cloud - B000 and blender pen

I added Frosted Lace Stickles to her wings and Buttercup Spica pen to the star for some added bling.  I hand cut the circle she is on so I could cut out around her feet and the cloud.  The other darker circle and the scalloped are Spellbinders dies.  I computer generated the saying.  The DP is from the Basic Grey Porcelain 6x6 pad.  Finished size is 4.75 x 6.5 inches. 

Be sure to check out the Catch the Bug challenge blog for all the new releases and what the ever so talented design team has created with them.

BugABoo Sean with his dog

Mercy Kerin is Trendsetter of the Week over at There She Goes Clear Stamps.  And she has created a great sketch for this week's challenge.  So here is my take on Mercy's sketch. 

I got this great new paper from the Paper Loft, it is the Old Towne Tavern collection.  Very masculine and patriotic paper.  I thought it suit this fabulous digi image from BugABoo digi stamp called Sean with Dog, he is part of the Brats collection.  So I created the card and then sized Sean to fit.  Finished size is 6" square.  Copics used:
Sean - E000, E00, E02, R20, white Glaze pen
Hair - E13, E09
Shirt - B95, Y18
Jeans - BG93, G40, B91
Shoes - B95, G40
Dog - E41, E42, E43, R20
Wagon - R46, R59, B95
Tires and handle - C3, C5

Catch the Bug Challenge - April Showers and a Sketch

Today's challenge over at Catch the Bug challenge blog is April Showers as well as a Sketch challenge.

As we know April showers bring May flowers, however use your imagination.  Anything that reminds you of water and rain may also be used, you decide.  You can use "water colors", water background, so many options !!  Think paper, embellishments, ribbon whatever strikes you.

And here is the fabulous sketch created by Design Team member, Scrappy.  So this is my take on the challenge. 

I used this adorable image called Turtle Umbrella, such a cutie.  This is another card where following the sketch,  I designed the card first then sized and printed my image to fit the card.  The papers are from Reminisce, I love the patterns but I have to say these are very flimsy papers and prone to tearing.  So I printed the little turtle onto Cryogen paper with my inkjet printer.  Copics used:
Turtle - YG21,YG23, YG93
Hat & Boots - YR16, YR68
Umbrella - YG21, BG11, C1
Handle - E08
Water - B0000, Glossy Accents
Finished size is 5x7.  Be sure to visit Catch the Bug Challenge blog to see what the rest of the design team has created for you.  And join in on the fun for a chance to win BugABoo stamps of your choice.

Challenges:

Quixotic Challenges - Make a Splash

 My time to Craft - Quick Quotes

BugABoo Stella Camping

Today is Freebie Friday over at BugABoo stamps.  This is Stella, she is a great character and she has an opinion about everything.  I just love her.  Check out the new images, Stella Summer Tidbit Blocks, they are hilarious.  The entire time I was making this card, I was thinking of my friend, Bonnie who is currently relaxing in her 5th wheel at a campground. Too early here in Michigan to worry about mosquitoes!

So I began with this great sketch from Mercy Kerin and dug out some papers in bright summer colors from Kaiser Craft.  I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder for the main orange panel.  Now for the image, I learned a new trick.  I created the background using Adobe Photoshop Elements Gradient tool to fade the colors from light to dark.  Then I slid the image onto the background; instant sky and grass.  It saved me masking in the image to airbrush those areas.  Very cool technique.  I printed it with my inkjet printer onto Cryogen paper.  Copics used:
Camper - C0, C1, C2, B24, silver Spice pen
Windows - YR31, B60
Tire - C4
Stella - E00
Hair - W1
Glasses - B000
Top - YR16
Hat and pants - B24
Mosquitoes - E41

I colored my silk ribbon from May Arts with B24 to match the card.  Finished size is 5x7 inches.  Be sure to stop by Catch the Bug Challenge blog to see what the rest of the design team has created with today's freebies.  And stop by BugABoo stamps for more great images.

Molly Moo's Garden and Blog Hop Winner

First of all, I want to announce the winner of the Catch the Bug blog hop. Using Random.org I chose a number and the winner was comment #13, Elizabeth from Only Elizabeth. She has won her choice of a BugABoo digital stamp. Thank you to all who joined in on the fun and left me some lovely comments.

Today, I made a basket using one of BugABoo's new releases. She is Molly Moo and she is busy working in her garden. I am going to add a new pair of gloves and some seed packets and give it as a gift.

I sized the image to fit my Spellbinders Circle Nestie then printed it onto Cryogen paper with my inkjet printer. Copics used:
Moo Moo - E40,  E41, E43, E44, W1, W3, W5
Apron and Flower - R32, R35
Hat - YR21, YR23
Leaves - G21
Dirt - E51, E53
Shovel - C1, C4

To create the basket I used my Spellbinders Curved Rectangle dies.  This makes the basket about 5.5 x 3.5 inches and I made it 2.5 inches deep.  I used a brad and some ribbon for the handles.  Cute huh?  Check out the Catch the Bug blog to see what the rest of the design team has created for you today.

Challenges

Creative Belli - Die Cuts
Pile it on - Spring
Simple Doodles - Create Something