Décosse's Dynamite Doodles: Digi Darla's Challenges

Showing posts with label Digi Darla's Challenges. Show all posts

Monday, February 24, 2014

Card Design: Digi Darla's Challenge #103--Masculine

Happy Monday everyone! It is time to announce the latest challenge over at the Digi Darla's Challenges Blog. This week for Challenge #103 the theme is "Masculine". This tends to be a difficult theme for many people but I know you are all up to the challenge! Hee, hee!

One person will be the lucky winner of FIVE Digi Darla (DD) images! AND any entries using a DD image get entered into a SECOND drawing for THREE images. So, you could technically win eight images! If you do use one of Kim's wonderful images make sure you let us know by writing DD after your name when you enter.

Please note though that starting the first Monday in March, there will be some changes to Digi Darla's Challenges in terms of both frequency and prizes so be sure to check out THIS POST to find out what is happening.

Now on to my project for this week in which I have managed to use a record 12, that's right, 12 images. That is by far, the most images I have EVER used on a card. Here is the list of them...

I tried to upload the jpgs for the puppies but for some reason when they come into the actual post, they are blank. The images are visible when I first load them but when I go back the spots are there but once again you can't see anything. It is very strange. At least the last two showed up and of course the links for the puppies can be found above.

http://www.digidarladesigns.com/Digidarla-Happy-Birthday-Balloons-word-art_p_2735.html

http://www.digidarladesigns.com/Digidarlas-Boy-With-Flowers_p_2252.html

General Comments:

This card is for my little cousin who will be turning....oops, sadly I can't remember how old Alex is going to be. Nine? Ten? hmmmm...this memory of mine is really going downhill.

FRONT

Digital Images:

Puppies Up 1-10: You can find all these images in the DD store by clicking on the image names linked above.

Hee, hee. Look at all those cute little puppies. They are all just so adorable. I've used Puppies Up 2 on a card before but none of the others. When I first thought about the concept for this card I was hoping I'd be able to pull it off. I think it turned out pretty well, if I do say so myself.
All the puppies and balloons were coloured using Copic markers. I then added some iridescent glitter to some of the balloons and some of the bows. Chalk was used to ground the images and create a semblance of a cloudy sky.
Once I set up all the puppies, I added a box around them to add some faux stitching.

Digital Sentiment:

My own.

INSIDE

Digital Images:

Happy Birthday Balloons word art and Boy With Flowers: You can find these images in the DD store by clicking on the image name or watermark linked above.

These images were also coloured with Copics. Chalk was used to ground both images. Glitter was added to the lettering on the balloons. Here is a better look at all that glittery goodness...

OVERALL
Paper Products:

Card base and matting in behind sentiment on the front, Michael's Recollection's Cardstock, Cape Cod collection.

Challenges I am hoping to enter...

Avenue 613 -- Anything Goes with optional twist (entry 2)
http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.ca/ (5E)-- Anything Goes (entry 2)

http://scribbleandscrapcrafts.blogspot.co.uk/ (3E)-- Anything Goes (entry 2)

http://blog.red-rubber-designs.com/ (3E) -- Getting Inky

http://abc-challenge.blogspot.com.au/ -- F is for Flowers
...other challenges may be added to this list later...

So, how about you come on over and show us a fabulous creation suitable for a boy or man, by entering in our current challenge this week over at Digi Darla's Challenges? While you are there please check out the great projects from the rest of the design team. We always look forward to seeing the delightful creations you come up with.

Until next time,

Monday, February 17, 2014

Card Design: Digi Darla's Challenge #102--Sympathy with Inspiration Photo

Happy Monday everyone! It is Family Day here in Ontario and I have a special treat planned for you, a little later today. However, first up it is time to announce the latest challenge over at the Digi Darla's Challenges Blog. This week for Challenge #102 the theme is "Sympathy" using a photo for inspiration. The photo is of a beautiful funeral arrangement with a basket of yellow flowers and some pretty greenery. You can check out the photo on the challenge blog to help inspire you for this week's challenge.

One person will be the lucky winner of FIVE Digi Darla (DD) images! AND any entries using a DD image get entered into a SECOND drawing for THREE images. So, you could technically win eight images! If you do use one of Kim's wonderful images make sure you let us know by writing DD after your name when you enter.

Please note though that starting the first Monday in March, there will be some changes to Digi Darla's Challenges in terms of both frequency and prizes so be sure to check out THIS POST to find out what is happening.

Now on to my project for this week in which I've used the following Digi Darla images:

http://www.digidarladesigns.com/DigiDarlas-Large-Bloomer_p_2928.html

http://www.digidarladesigns.com/DigiDarla-Iris-Simplicity_p_3141.html

http://www.digidarladesigns.com/DigiDarlas-In-Sympathy-Sent_p_2989.html

General Comments:

While taking care of some commenting duties during the 'my style' challenge for Digi Darla's a couple challenges ago, I came across a card where a lady, Maxine Diffey from Kiwime's Creations, had used a floral image from another artist and worked at it to make it into a 3-D creation. I loved the idea so much that I cased it for my creation this week. If you'd like to see the original post where Maxine created her version, click HERE. I took it a few steps further for my own design to achieve even more depth and of course it is a different flower.

FRONT

Digital Image:

Large Bloomer: You can find this image in the DD store by clicking on the image name or watermark linked above.

It took me almost 3 hours from start to finish for just the flower. First I brought it into Photoshop Essentials and coloured in all the petals. Next, I printed out several copies of the image to work with. I used coloured pencils to add some depth to the petals. I also filled in the stamens with Copic Marker E25 on two of the copies. I cut one of the original images out and left it for the base. I took a second original image and just did some cutting and shaping to achieve a bit of depth. I then proceeded to cut and shape two more layers. Finally I cut out a copy of the flower centre and crinkled it up. All the cut layers were edged in the same colour marker before shaping. Once all the layers were cut and shaped, I stuck them together to come up with something I'm rather proud of. Here is an angled view to better see the depth...

Digital Sentiment:

My own.

Designer Paper:

Recollection's Paisley and Damask Paper Pad.

INSIDE

Digital Image:

Iris Simplicity: You can find this image in the DD store by clicking on the image name or watermark linked above.

I doubled and flipped the second image for a mirror balance. It was coloured using Copic Markers. Petals: V01, V04. Leaves/stem: YG61, YG63.

Digital Sentiment:

In Sympathy Sentiment: As with the other two, you can also find this image in the DD store by clicking on the image name or watermark linked above.

OVERALL
Paper Products:

Card base: Crafts Brand Cardstock, browns collection -- purchased at Dollarama.
Paper used for sentiments and backdrop in behind the flower on the front is Michael's Recollection's Cardstock, white.

Challenges I am hoping to enter...

Avenue 613 -- Anything Goes with optional twist (entry 1)
http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.ca/ (5E)-- Anything Goes (entry 1)
http://scribbleandscrapcrafts.blogspot.co.uk/ (3E)-- Anything Goes (entry 3)
http://mytimetocraftchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ -- Sympathy
http://stampwithsarahkay.blogspot.ca/ -- Lots of Flowers
http://blog.red-rubber-designs.com/ (3E) -- Dreaming of Spring Flowers
http://stampinfortheweekend.blogspot.ca/ -- Flower Power
http://abc-challenge.blogspot.com.au/ -- F is for Flowers
http://kreativeinkauf-challenge.blogspot.de/(3E) -- Spring Flowers
http://greatimpressionsstamps.blogspot.ca/2014/02/february-challenge-floral-images.html (3E)-- Floral Images
http://scrapbookstampsocietychallengeblog.blogspot.ca/ (3E)-- Anything Goes/Option of Make Your Own Flowers

So, how about you come on over and show us a lovely sympathy card by entering in our current challenge this week over at Digi Darla's Challenges? While you are there please check out the great projects from the rest of the design team. We always look forward to seeing the delightful creations you come up with.

Until next time,

Monday, February 10, 2014

Card Design: Digi Darla's Challenge #101--Be My Valentine Copy Cat

If you are looking for the Fresh Brewed Designs Blog Hop, please click HERE or scroll down to the very next post.

____________________________________________________________

It is time for the latest challenge over at the Digi Darla's Challenges Blog. This week for Challenge #101 the theme is "Be My Valentine Copycat".

Yes that is right, it is time for the monthly copycat challenge and you know what that means--there is a free image waiting for you over on the challenge blog to use in this week's entry. This image is perfect for any last minute Valentine's Day project you need to create.

Here is a little project to inspire you. I hope I haven't forgotten any details...

General Comments:

I've gone 100% digital in this creation. While right now it remains a digital layout, I could easily turn it into a card if I want to.

Digital Image:

Valentine's Day Collage: As mentioned above, the image used this week is the copycat image so you can find it over on the challenge blog.

Digital Papers:

Once again I have relied on my wonderful new digital paper pack created by Kris B. from Imagine That Digis. Along with three of the papers I showcased in my card earlier this morning, I also added her pretty hearts on a string paper. Isn't it adorable? I'd love to know how she shaded in those hearts. Hmmmm....Anyways, as mentioned in my earlier post, all of these awesome papers are from her digital paper pack called "Ticket to Bliss". In just two creations, I've used a total of five of the papers in this pack. I can't wait to play with some of the other. To purchase this particular paper pack, click on the watermark you see below.

http://www.imaginethatdigistamp.com/store/p147/Ticket_to_Bliss_Digi_Papers.html

Challenges I am hoping to enter. From what I've read in the rules, there is nothing preventing 100% digital creations at each of these locations...

http://shellysimagesblog.blogspot.ca/ -- Two Hearts, Red and/or Pink
http://open-mindedcraftingfun.blogspot.ca/ (3E)-- Show Some Love
http://digistamps4joy-sa.blogspot.ca (3E)-- Hearts
http://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.ca/ (3E)-- Valentine's Day, Add Some Red
http://cateredcrop.com/ -- Add a Heart
http://liastampz.blogspot.ro/ (1E)-- Red, Pink, White
http://eclecticellapu.blogspot.co.uk/ -- Die cut or other kind of Heart on project
http://addicted-to-stamps-challenge.blogspot.co.uk/ -- Hearts
http://www.suzypantssmarty.blogspot.ca/ (UL) -- Anything Goes
Also posted to the Imagine That gallery...

http://imaginethatdigistamp.blogspot.ca/p/customer-gallery.html

So, how about you come on over and show us YOUR wonderful talents by entering in our current challenge this week over at Digi Darla's Challenges? While you are there please check out the great projects from the rest of the design team. We always look forward to seeing the delightful creations you come up with.

Until next time,

Monday, February 03, 2014

Card Design: Digi Darla's Challenge #100--My Style

Wow! Can you believe it? Digi Darla's Challenges has just reached its 100th challenge. Congratulations to Kim, Karen, Denise and the rest of my fellow teammies. I'm thrilled that I am here to help mark this amazing milestone. And on that note, it is time announce just what this challenge will be. This week for Challenge #100 the theme is "My Style".

I've certainly come full circle because it was a year ago at this time (minus a day or two) that I participated in my very first challenge representing Digi Darla's and it was a 'my style' challenge then too. I remember having such a difficult time with this challenge theme. Back then, I had such a hard time putting a finger on what my personal style was and I can't say a lot has changed in the last year. I still tend to be all over the place. This is what I wrote last year:

I'm interested in everything from soft and subtle to bold and brass; from winsome and willowy to wacky and wild! I like the look of clean and simple but I also like things that are layered and involved. I like to be unique. I try my best to not just be part of the crowd. It is important for me to put my own unique 'stamp' on things with everything I do. So, how do I boil that down into a single card design? ...The best way I can summarize it is to say I'm eclectic and quirky, prefer to move to the beat of my own drum and have a soft and gooey centre.

I still tend to be rather eclectic and quirky, not honing in on any one particular style although I've now added a hankering for vintage to that list. While my particular card style may not have changed much the way I go about designing them certainly has since now I tend to do a lot more in the way of hybrid cards--part digital, part by hand. As is the case with the card below.

I've used the following Digi Darla images in my project this week:

Candy Canes

Snow Buddies Gift

Stockings On Mantle

http://www.digidarladesigns.com/DigiDarlas-Candy-Canes_p_1665.html

http://www.digidarladesigns.com/Digidarlas-Snow-Buddies-Gift_p_2682.html

http://www.digidarladesigns.com/DigiDarlas-Stockings-On-Mantle_p_1510.html

Here is my project and the details, I hope I haven't forgotten anything...

General Comments:

The card was put together digitally, including all eight layers you see below. The main image on the front and the inside remained as line art and then I coloured it once it was printed. Both the front and the inside were cut out as one piece and then layered onto the card base.

FRONT

Digital Images:

Candy Canes: You can find this image in the DD store by clicking on the image name or watermark linked above.

This image was coloured digitally in Photoshop Essentials. While it is hard to see because it was printed rather small, I shaded bits and pieces of it. The candy canes themselves were altered using layer styles courtesy of Shelby Kate Schmitz of graphicssoft.about.com.

Snow Buddies Gift: This image can also be found in the DD store.

While the sky was added using digital brushes courtesy of Leboef the rest remained lined art. Once it was printed, I coloured it in with Copic markers.

Digital Sentiment:

Merry Christmas sentiment: The candy cane image was layered on top of a rather versatile circular sentiment that I keep using over and over again from San's Design. It was picked up as a freebie from the blog a long time ago.

Digital Shapes:

I created two simple rectangular shapes to add depth and both were adapted using a layer style from The Scrappin' Cop.
A final rectangular shape was added and this layer was adapted using a layer style from Shelby Kate Schmitz.

INSIDE

Digital Image:

Stockings on Mantle: This image can also be found in the DD store.

I coloured it with coloured pencils.

Digital Sentiment:

I just added a simple phrase to the top of image.

OVERALL
Paper Products:

Card base: Michael's Recollection's cardstock, white.

Digital Paper:

The plaid paper is one from my Holiday Hoopla mini paper kit.

Digital Embellishments:

The frames used on the front and inside were created using a shape from Shelby Kate Schmitz and also adapted with one of her layer styles.

Challenges I am hoping to enter...

Avenue 613 -- Anything Goes with optional twist
http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.ca/ -- Anything Goes
http://digitallysweetchallenges.blogspot.ca/ -- Anything Goes (All but the main two images have been created and coloured in digitally)
other challenges may be added to this list...

So, how about you come on over and show us what your style is by entering in our current challenge this week over at Digi Darla's Challenges? While you are there please check out the great projects from the rest of the design team. We always look forward to seeing the delightful creations you come up with.

Until next time,

Monday, January 27, 2014

Card Design: Digi Darla's Challenge #99--Vintage Photo Inspiration

Look at that, would you? Digi Darla's Challenges is one away from 100! This week for Challenge #99 the theme is "Vintage Photo Inspiration". To take a peek at the photo you need to use for inspiration this week, please head on over to the challenge blog. It is a beautiful picture with lots of creamy coloured pearls, lots of sparkly gold, and a splash of green.

One person will be the lucky winner of FIVE Digi Darla (DD) images! AND any entries using a DD image get entered into a SECOND drawing for THREE images. So, you could technically win eight images! If you do use one of Kim's wonderful images make sure you let us know by writing DD after your name when you enter.

I've used the following Digi Darla image in my project this week:

Blushing Bride Dress

http://www.digidarladesigns.com/DigiDarlas-Blushing-Bride-Dress_p_2500.html

Here is my project and the details, I hope I haven't forgotten anything...

General Comments:

I've been wanting to use this image since I first laid eyes on it many, many months ago and this week's challenge provides me the perfect opportunity to do so!
From the photo I was inspired mainly by the gold but also the ivory colour and the femininity of the image crept into my design as well.

FRONT

Digital Image:

Blushing Bride: You can find this image in the DD store by clicking on the image name or watermark linked above.

This image took a deceptively long time to put together. First I had to bring it into Photoshop Essentials and make the image transparent. While in most cases that is a pretty quick job in this case it took quite a bit longer. Do you see how many Bs, Ds, Es, Ls, Os, As and other enclosed letters there are in this image? Well, I had to manually, go in and remove the background from each one. I stopped counting once I had reached over a 100.
While it is difficult to really tell from the printed image, I applied a gold glitter layer style to the dress (layer style courtesy of Shelby Kate Schmitz of graphicssoft.about.com). I've included a snippet of what it looks like digitally because the effect is just so much nicer that way. Check out all the sparkly goodness. Now if only a printer could print like that!

Embellishments:

The sparkly gold ribbon is Crafts brand from Dollarama.
The gold flourish and gold flecked gems are Recollections brand from Michael's.
The thin gold ribbon used at the waistband is Osprey brand, also from Michael's.

Embossing Folder:

The front panel which is layered onto the card was embossed with a Cricut, Paper Lace II embossing folder.

INSIDE

Digital Sentiment:

This beautiful sentiment was created by Paulette from Create with TLC. Click HERE to go to Paulette's blog and HERE to go to the store. Once again, I have adapted it with a layer style, same as I did for the image of the dress. Here is a snippet of the digital image...

OVERALL
Paper Products:

Card base: Michael's Recollection's Card Kit, ivory, lg.
Shimmery gold (matting front and inside) --Michael's open stock scrapbook paper.

Challenges I am hoping to enter...

Avenue 613 -- Anything Goes with optional twist
http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.ca/ -- Anything Goes
http://craftitudechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ -- Anything Goes or I see Fluffy
http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.ca/ (2E) -- Embossing
http://digitallysweetchallenges.blogspot.ca/ -- Anything Goes (Both the front image and inside sentiment were adapted digitally)
http://www.4craftychicks.blogspot.ca/ -- Bling
http://sparklensprinklecreativechallenges.blogspot.ca/ -- Anything Goes: use glitter, embossing powder, and/or flocking (since it was confirmed that the glitter on my flourishes qualified for my last project, I'm entering this one too)
http://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ -- Bling It Up
http://robynsfetishchallengeblog.blogspot.ca/ -- Lots of Glitter
http://thesquirrelandthefox.blogspot.ca/ -- Use Embellishments (the flourish and sparkly stones in the corner count as my embellishments unless of course you allow ribbon as an embellishment too)
http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.ca/ -- Lovey Dovey Plus a sentiment (the dress itself is a sentiment and then of course I have a sentiment on the inside too)
http://scrappyhands.blogspot.co.il/ -- Embossing
http://scrapbookblessings.blogspot.ca/2014/01/challenge-11-pretty-pictures-using.html -- Pretty Pictures Using Stamps
http://dreamvalleychallenges.blogspot.ca/ -- No Designer Paper
http://digistamps4joy-sa.blogspot.ca -- Use REAL Ribbon

Until next time,

Monday, January 20, 2014

Card Design: Digi Darla's Challenge #98--ABC Challenge

Goooooood Moooorrrnnniiiinnnng Vietnam...Canada, USA, Britain, New Zealand, Africa, Middle East, Australia, Asia, South America, Japan. Hee, Hee. Did I miss anyone? EDIT: Greece, (so sorry Ike, how could I possibly forget you), Sweden (oops Nick, KT and a couple others, forgot you too), Germany (oh yeah, that is where Snowbird is) Apparently I did manage to forget a few people). Hopefully you are all old enough to get the movie reference. Although it has absolutely nothing to do with today's project but my mind is like that--zips here and there and doesn't make sense half the time. You all should be used to it by now.

It is Monday morning and that means that a new challenge is starting over at the Digi Darla's Challenges Blog. This week for Challenge #98 the theme is "ABC Challenge". To be perfectly honest, I didn't have a clue what that meant when I saw it in the challenge list. However, thankfully our great leader Karen also included A is for Apple and B is for Ball in brackets for those of us not up on all the challenge lingo. Then of course I saw a card from a fellow teammate and that helped solidify what the challenge was. Good thing or I'd I've been asking questions again. I ask questions A LOT and I'm sure that the askees must get sick of it at times; so, I was very happy to have worked this one out on my own.

One person will be the lucky winner of FIVE Digi Darla (DD) images! AND any entries using a DD image get entered into a SECOND drawing for THREE images. So, you could technically win eight images! If you do use one of Kim's wonderful images make sure you let us know by writing DD after your name when you enter.

I've used the following Digi Darla image in my project this week:

Sea Animals - T

http://www.digidarladesigns.com/DigiDarlas-Sea-Animals-T_p_1895.html

Here is my project and the details, I hope I haven't forgotten anything...

General Comments:

My goodness, I was all over the place this week, once I finally figured out what the challenge was about. First my card was going to be A is for Angel, then I switched to S is for Snow, thought about C is for Christmas but finally settled on T is for Thank You. I have a few thank you cards to create so it was a great chance to use one of Kim's cute little Sea Animal letters. I took this challenge literally!
Now at first you might be wondering how on earth a whale has anything to do with thank you but once you see the inside of the card it will make more sense--hopefully.
This card was created 100% digitally and then printed out and assembled. Cool eh? Because it really does look like I have different layers on it but it is completely flat. All the better for mailing cheaply. Man, I need to start buying stock in Canada Post. I can't believe the cost of mailing out some of the cards I create but I digress...

FRONT

Digital Image:

Sea Animal - T: You can find this image in the DD store by clicking on the image name or watermark linked above.

This image was coloured in digitally using layer styles from Shelby Kate Schmitz of graphicssoft.about.com. Man, I'd be lost without all the wonderful commercial use layer styles this woman has available for free. If you do a lot of digital design, her stuff is definitely worth checking out.

Digital Sentiment:

Just quickly whipped up in Photoshop Essentials as part of the overall design.

Digital Embellishments:

The cute little fish in the corners are from a digital kit I used for the other elements as well. Credit details will appear in the "Overall" section.

INSIDE

Digital Sentiment:

Does it make sense now why I have a whale on the front of a thank you card? I had remembered that Paulette from Create with TLC has some really great sentiments with play on words and I was sure that there was one with a whale connection that would work on a thank you card. Thankfully I was right and managed to sneak not one, but two of her great sentiments onto the inside of my card. Click HERE to go to Paulette's blog and HERE to go to the store.

OVERALL
Paper Products:

Card base: Michael's Recollection's Cardstock, white.

Digital Elements:

For the front and inside of this card, I used a journal mat and layered a photo corner on top of it to create the base of my design. These two elements, along with the fish corners on the front, are from the One Fish, Two Fish kit available over at {Computer}Scrapbook.com. I wasn't able to find a read-me file within the kit, so I don't know who the actual designer is.
For the inside, I also added a scrap shape to provide a more readable background for the sentiments.