Hello and welcome to my blog!
I am a freelance illustrator, artist and paper crafter. I hope you will set back, have a peek around my blog, check out my archives and enjoy!
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Some Of My Favorite Creations To Date

Monday, June 29, 2009

My CDS GD Challenge Card





Hello!
Glad you dropped by!
I created today's card to try out for "Clear Dollar Stamp's" July guest designer spot. I am afraid I do not have any of their stamps yet. (I always seem to create cards with stamps from my current design teams). That is one reason I would love to DT for them. They have some really cute stamps. Actually, 2 of my card friends design stamps for them. Another friend of mine has ordered some of their stamps for me as a gift and I can't wait to get my hands on them!
Any who.... This card was done using the "Merci" set from Stampin' Up.
The cardstock is Bazzill Swiss Dots and the DP is DCWV Nana's Nursery-Baby Girl stack.
It was created following this cute sketch provided by Lori, for the DT challenge.


I hope you will leave a comment below and let me know what you think.
Wish me luck...PLEASE! ;)

Hugs,
True :)

"The Next Level" and "Fred She Said" DT Mermaid Emma Card + a Few Other Challenges!



Hello and thanks for stopping by!
Today marks issue #5 over @ “The Next Level”. My how time flies when you are having fun! I am already more then half through my DT stint with them. I think I am going to cry!

This week’s challenge is another fabulous sketch.



I did take some artistic liberties with it because of my image of choice. I wanted to use this adorable “Fred She Said” “Mermaid Emma” and she was too large for this sketch unless I cut her out. A rectangle would have covered the whole shell. I turned the circle into a sea shell. The flower is a crab and the button a half pearl. I also reversed the way the way the circle goes through the rectangle. (That was an accident! I guess I am a little DSILXIC hehehe!
The designer papers are “Basic Grey” and the colored cardstock is “Stampin’ Up”. The photos don’t always pick it up well but, I used lots of “Shimmerz” and “Stickles” on this card. It is very sparkly! The crab, fish, seaweed and small clam shell are just some of images that come with “Mermaid Emma”. I hand cut the large clam shell then embossed and shimmered it.
****REMEMBER TO CLICK ON ANY PICTURE TO ENLARGE FOR CLOSER DETAIL***







Please go check out the other “The Next Level” DT’s cards, get inspired, break out some pretty papers, and join us in this week’s challenge!

I am also entering this card in a few other challenges. They are:
Coulour Create...use pistachio green, aqua, and powder pink.
Stamp Something...Embellished Something-use at least 3 embellishments. I used a pearl and 2 kinds of ribbon. The sentamint was stamped.
Charisma Cardz...Rubbernecker....anything goes...anything of your choice (easy one! ;)
Digatal Tuesday...use scraps of paper and a digi image. The mermaid, crab, fish, and seaweed are digis and I used scraps from another card I made.


Wait!!!!! Before you go…you almost forgot to take a second to let me know what you think about my card. ;)
You could win the sweet “Fred She Said” digi stamp set that I used on this card. Compliments of Tracey-Lynn Miller from "Fred She Said".






All you have to do is comment under this blog post and I will pick a winner on Sunday, July 5th from all of the comments!
Thanks!!!!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

And the winner of the Cuddly Buddly stamp is.....





PAM!!!!
Thanks to everyone who left a comment on my stair step card. I really appreciate all comments that are made on my blog. It lets me know that what I am doing is worthwhile.
Hugs to you all!

Pam, email me with your address and I will get the stamp to you. :)

Friday, June 26, 2009

Check out my Dear friend Wendy's new challenge blog!





Hello everyone!
My friend Wendy just started a brand new challenge blog called "Delightful Sketches". I hope you will come join us and create something to enter. She also has her own digi shop called "Digital Delights" and you can even pick up an adorable freebie digi to play with. I did! ;)

This is the cute sketch for her first challenge. I bet you could really make something SAweet with it!



Thanks for dropping by.
Hope to see a creation from you!
;)

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Join us on a "Whimsy" blog hop today!!!!!

Hi!
Ready to have some fun, see some awesome cards, and maybe win a prize?
Come join the "Whimsy Stamps" blog hop!
If you just happened across my blog, you will want to go back to the start so you don't miss a chance to win. Hit Deb's awesome blog for your first stop.
If on the other hand, you just visited our very talented Debbie and her pretty blog, you are in the right place!

Denise at "Whimsy" asked us to use our very favorite "Whimsy" stamp and mine is the turtle! I also used my favorite color combination....pink and green. The colored cardstock, DP, and brads are "Stampin Up". The Flowers are Prima.






Make sure and leave a comment on all of the DT's blogs before the end of the night, Friday, June 26th, to have a better chance at winning the awesome prize candy pictured below. One of us will be drawing from comments on our blog but we can't tell you who yet, so don't miss anyone! ;)



Ok... now if you have left a comment on my card, you are ready to go check out Clair's cute stuff!

Thanks for stopping by and HaPpY HoPpiNg!

Oh...I almost forgot...You really should go check out all of the newly released stamps over at "Whimsy" while you are surfing. They are all too darned cute! :)

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

And the Winner of the Scor-Pal and stamps is......


Boni Boutelle-Jones

Boni said...
Hey Girl! I just love coming by your site and checking out all your craftiness!! I've linked your candy to my blog: http://bonibleauxdesigns.blogspot.com
And I am a follower!!
June 9, 2009 8:30 AM

Boni CONGRATULATIONS!
Please email me your email address so I can send you the coupon code for the digi stamps. I also need your snail mail address to send you the rubber stamps and have the Scor-Pal sent your way.
Thanks to all 169 of you who took the time to comment and post my candy on your blog!
I appriciate every one of you! Please check back often. I will have more candy up for grabs soon!

Monday, June 22, 2009

The Next Level and Cuddly Buddly DT" Stair Step Annie" card plus a few challenge entries and some "comment candy"!



Hello!
Thanks for dropping by!
Today's project was done for "The Next Level" challenge blog as a DT example of a "stair step fold" card. I hope you will go check out the other fabulous DT cards and join us in this week's TNL challenge. They are really fun to make!
I used one of the adorable newly released stamps from "Cuddly Buddly" for my image. I am one of the "Crafty Friends" over there.
The papers are: "The Paper Studio's So-So Sweet", Bazzill Dots", and Core'dinations.
The butterflies are from "K&Company" and the flowers were hand punched.

This card is also entered in 5 challenges...
ABC Challenge...S is for Summer (Daisies and butterflies remind me of summer)
Creative Inspirations Challenge...Paper piecing (I Popped the heart, her bow, feet, and flowers)
Lilly of the Valley Challenge...Paper piecing (I Popped the heart, her bow, feet, and flowers)
All Sorts Challenge...Wings (Butterflies everywhere!)
The Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge...Pink and Green (used 'em!)

If you have a second or two to spare, please be a dear and leave a comment. They really make my day. As a little surprise, sweet Kim McFarland @ Cuddly Buddly has given me some extra stamps to share with you. Everyone who posts a comment under this blog by the morning of Sunday, June 28th, gets entered for a chance to win the first of those stamps. It is the adorable "Annie's Heart" like the one I used on this project.



All you have to do is comment for a chance! If you are not the lucky winner, you can still get one at "Cuddly Buddly.com".
Thanks and Hugs! ;)

My 3 new DT Spots Celebration Blog Candy!

THIS BLOG CANDY IS NOW CLOSED!!!




To celebrate being chosen to be on the first design team for “The Next Level” I will be giving away a “Scor-Pal” so you can keep your scores nice and “LEVEL”. Get it…level for “The Next Level"?
Ok…I admit…that was a little lame!
To celebrate being invited by Kim McFarland to join “Cuddly Buddly’s” awesome “Crafty Friends” design team, I will also be giving away some adorable “Cuddly Buddly” rubber stamps!
To celebrate being chosen by Tracey Lynn 'Fred' Miller to be on the Charter Design Team for “Fred She Said” I am giving away a $20.00 gift certificate so you candy go “Get Some Fred”!
If you are like me, you have put off getting a Score-Pal because they are a little pricey. After hearing testimonial after testimonial, I finally broke down and bought one. OMG! I don’t know how I made cards or envelopes without it! It is now my favorite crafting tool!
I don’t think there is a card artist out there that doesn’t love “Cuddly Buddly” or “Fred She Said” so I will be giving the Scor-Pal, the stamps, and the Certificate for “Fred" digis, to one lucky winner. The Scor-Pal in the picture is mine (all mine…and you can’t have it!) so I will have a new one shipped from the factory directly to the winner. The stamps I have on hand and will pop them in the mail. And I will get you a check out code for the digis.
All you have to do to enter is…
1. BECOME A FOLLOWER…if you are not already.
2. Post a picture of my candy with this link www.truesgiftsfromtheheart.blogspot.com , in a prominent place on your sidebar.
3. Leave a comment on this post with your blog address so I can come visit you and see where you posted my candy.
Easy cheesy right?
I will have a random generator pick a number the evening of June 22nd. Check back then to see if you are the winner.

If you have not been over to see Ann and Dawn at “The Next Level” blog, you should definitely go! It is an awesome place for card artists and crafters! They have just officially launched the site today and already have over 700 followers! There will be challenges, tutorials, tips and tricks, and tons of fun and friends. I hope to see you there! Meet the design team by clicking HERE.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

My new friend Beth just hit me with a blog award!

A Very Sweet Award

My new friend Beth has given me an award this afternoon. I was so excited to receive it and can't wait to give it back to others bloggers I have recently met. Thank you Beth you are such a sweetheart!!! Please stop by and visit Beth at her blog.



Okay here are the rules:

* Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.
* Pass the award to 6 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award. If you can’t pass it on to 6 just pass it on to as many or as few as you like!

I am passing this on too:

Emily
Martine
Michelleo
Erin
Boni
Michelle

Thank you and Congratulations

Monday, June 15, 2009

"The Next Level" and "Fred She Said" DT Emma Card (plus a few challenges)

Hi!
Thanks for dropping by!
Today's card was made for two of my DT positions. "The Next Level" is having a sketch challenge that I hope you will all play along in. The sketch is posted below. The only other card requirement is that the tag must be removable. I made my tag into a bookmark by adding a tassel.
If you have not been to "The Next Level", you should really check it out! They are an awesome new magazine style blog with tutorials, tips, and tricks, plus fun weekly challenges with prizes!
I have used the beautiful "Emma and the Butterfly" digi image from "Fred She Said".

I am entering this card in the "Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge" which is to use butterflies somewhere on your card.
I am also entering it in the "One Stop Craft Challenge" which is to add sparkle.
I am entering it in "Creative Inspirations Challenge" which is to use 4 different papers.










Saturday, June 13, 2009

I Just Got a Blog Award From My Dear Friend Linda



I received this beautiful Friendship Blog Award from my dear card friend Linda. This is what the award is about:

These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to five bloggers who must choose at least five more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

I'd love to share this award with:
Vicki at Stamped Smiles
Dianne at Paper Hugs
Boni at Bonibleaux Designs
Dawn at All Pink Girl
Ann at Madgesty Love to Create

For all of you who received this, just copy the award logo and use it in your own blog. Nominate 5 to 10 blogs that you feel show great attitude and gratitude. Link to your nominees within your blog post and comment on their blogs to let them know they've received the award. Link back to the person who gave you the award to show your appreciation.

Thanks again Linda! :)

Update: I just received this award again from my friend Peggy. Thanks Hun! ;)

Friday, June 12, 2009

Whimsy Lion DT and 2 Challenges Card






Hello and thanks for checking out my latest card!

Denise, @ “Whimsy” sent me the newly released animals and this adorable lion is one of them. He has been water colored then detailed with colored pencil. That is my tip for creating that wild orange mane. I popped him in a couple of places to give him a 3D look. The papers are “Basic Grey” and “Papertrey”. I found this really cute leopard ribbon that I think works well with this guy.
The outside sentiment says “You’re Grrrrreat!” and the inside says “And I’m Not Lion!”

I am entering this card in two different challenges.
The first is "Cuttlebug Challenge" where they want you to do a card with your favorite movie as the inspiration. While “Twilight” is my "IT" move right now, my life long favorite movie is ‘The Wizard of OZ” This lion reminds me of a modern version of The Cowardly Lion.
I also used my Cuttlebug and "Dots and Spots" embossing folder to emboss the circles and dots on the frames for the lion and the sentiments.
The second challenge is over at “Creative Card Corner” where they are asking that we use a “geometric pattern”. This card has circles everywhere!

I truly appreciate you all dropping by! If you have a second or two, I would love it if you would leave a comment. They make my day!
Hugs!

Monday, June 8, 2009

Flowers For You "The Next Level" Challenge DT Card


Hello and thanks for dropping by!
I did this card for my first DT example card for "The Next Level". I am so honored that they chose me to be on their charter design team! Please pop over and check out the challenge. I hope you will join us. They are asking that you make a card with a ribbon boarder. This was the first time I have tried it and I like it! They have a tutorial link so you can learn too!
For my card I used "Fred She Said" (Polka Dotty Flowers - Fred's Flowers v1 Edition B) and (Viney Flourish 1) as my focal point. I DT for them too! ;) Tracey has some pretty digi stamps! You can check them out HERE.
The papers are "Bazzill Dots, and "core'dinations".

If you scroll down to the next post you will see a tutorial on sewing on cards that I did up for Ann and Dawn @ "The Next Level" while I was making this card. Hope you find it helpful!
Remember, you can always click on my pictures to see enlarged detail.





Please leave a comment and let me know what you think about my DT card.
Oh....don't forget to click on my blog candy link in the upper right hand corner to go to the post to get the rules. It is my DT celebration candy!
Have a good one!
Hugs!

True's Sewing on Cards Tutorial

Hello and thanks for stopping by!

Ann and Dawn from “The Next Level” asked if I would do a sewing tutorial for my first posting as a new member of their design team. Here it is…hope you like it!

Sewing on cards is not much different then sewing cloth except you need to make sure your stitching is spaced far enough apart that it doesn’t end up cutting your paper by means of perforations.

It does not matter what size needle you use. It just depends on the size of hole you want it to leave. I prefer to use a size 14 needle because I think the larger holes add an extra element to the card. I also have my bottom tension a little tighter then my top and that is because I am lazy! I hate changing the bobbin color every time I change thread colors and by having the tighter bobbin tension, which pulls the top stitch down farther, I can use white bobbin thread for all colors and it will not show in the holes. You don’t want the tensions so tight that it pulls and tears the paper at the holes or so loose that you get loops. All machines are a little different so you will want to try yours on a couple of pieces of scrap cardstock and make any adjustments if needed before sewing your card pieces. My top tension is set at 4 and my bottom at mid. You might try that as a starting point.

There are many stitches and ways to sew on cards but today I am going to share with you the way I feel is the easiest to keep a straight line. This seams to be the biggest struggle for most people when they first start sewing on paper. We will be doing a zig-zag stitch. My stitch length is set on ½ and width is 3 but you can play around and see what size you prefer. For this technique, you will not be sewing directly on the card so no stitches will show on the inside. You will need two pieces of cardstock or extra heavy weight designer paper. Thin paper does not work well for sewing. Your top piece needs to be at least ¼” smaller then your bottom paper. Once you have decided what placement you like, secure the pieces together with double sided tape or glue runner. You just need to do this in a few spots and try to place it so that it won’t be where you are stitching. Sewing through tape will gum up your needle and machine!



It is very important that you start your needle at the very tip of the corner on your top piece of cardstock, and that your needle is on the RIGHT side of the presser foot.



Start slowly at first using the edge of the top piece as your guide. Each time the needle hits the paper, on the Right side of your zig-zag, you want it to be right on the edge. Slow way down when you get to the corner. Try stopping perfectly even with the edge of the next side, with your needle again on the farthest RIGHT. If it doesn’t happen to fall that way, you can lift the presser foot and needle and reposition it exactly on the corner, then lower your foot and needle back down.



When you turn the cardstock to start your next side, leave the needle down and just lift the foot and spin the cardstock, then drop the foot back down. Continue to sew all sides in this same manor. To end, just stop even with the farthest edge of the stitching on the first side. (Do not back up the thread to secure lock like you would when sewing cloth). Lift the presser foot and carefully remove the cardstock. You might want to pull some of the thread out of the machine with your fingers while pulling the cardstock to keep from tearing.



Flip the card over and gently pull the two bobbin threads and scrape your nail against the area where they come thru the paper a few times until at least one of the top threads comes through. (If only one does that is ok. That just means the other has been stitched over and is already secure). Tape all 3 (or 4) pieces of thread to the back of your card.





If there is still a top thread on the right side of your project, just carefully trim it as close to the paper as you can.



You might want to put a very small drop of glue at the point where the thread comes through the back of the cardstock, just to double secure it. This can be done now or as you are gluing it to your card.

You are now ready to attach it to your card, ether by gluing, sticky strips or double sided dimensional tape. Note: if you will be using brads or anything that will go through this layer, do it before attaching to card so they don’t show on the inside.



If you would like, you can also finish the insides of your cards with the same process.



Well, I hope you found this tutorial helpful. If so, please leave a comment below and let me know what you think!