CDS Sneak Peek ~ "Poinsettia Christmas Mouse"

Tweet

Looking for the
"Coloring Techniques for Card Making"
book blog hop?
Scroll down 2 posts!

Hello All!

It's time for sneak peeks again at Clear Dollar Stamps.

This little guy is another one of my illustrations called "Christmas Mouse" and he will be available for purchase on Sept.1st. The sentiment is called "All God's Creatures".

That beautiful Moss Swirls Ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

Please hop on over to Lori's blog to see who else did samples with this set. You can also check out the samples made with the other stamp releases this month.

Thanks again for dropping by!

Hope you will leave me some love before ya go!

Hugs,

True :D

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Card Recipe:

CDS STAMPS USED: Christmas Mouse

CS/PAPERS: Debbie Mumm-Harvest and Holiday stack, The Paper Temptress- Heavenly White + Sparkle Blanc

INK: Staz-On

ACCENTS/TOOLS: Moss Swirls Ribbon, sewing machine with burgundy thread, Wizard and square Nestabiliteis, Ranger Stickles in Fruit Punch and Yellow, Diamond Glaze, Fabri-Tac glue

COLORING: Watercolors and brown colored pencil

Make a Beautiful Journal for Pennies!

Tweet

Looking for the "Coloring Techniques for Card Making" book blog hop?
Scroll down 1 post!

Hello All!

My project for today is taking advantage of the back to school specials that are going on right now. I picked up some composition books for a quarter a piece at our local Wal-mart store.

By adding some stash paper, some beautiful ribbon and some scor-tape, I created this!

The designer paper is from DCWV "Rustic" stack.

That beautiful ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon. It is their Brown Wrinkled Ribbon.

Butterfly stamps and punch are by Martha Stewart.

I printed the word "JOURNAL" out with my printer.

If you missed my post yesterday about the special book I was a part of, please CLICK HERE.

Make sure and leave a comment on that post for a chance to win a copy of the book!

I would love a comment on what you think about my journal too before you go!  ;)

Hugs,

True :D

SUPER EXCITING NEWS!!!!! Join me in the "Coloring Techniques for Card Making" Book Release Blog Hop!

Tweet

Welcome to the Coloring Techniques for Card Making Blog Hop! Today we wanted to introduce you to a brand new, must-have book that has been written to help shed some light on some of the hottest trends in coloring techniques in paper crafting today.

Coloring Techniques for Card Making features three of the most popular coloring techniques in card making today--water coloring, colored pencils and using alcohol-based ink markers. Each chapter showcases one particular technique and includes an introductions that will help you choose the products that are right for you, and will walk you through the steps to creating one of our featured projects. Easy-to-follow instructions, detailed materials lists and helpful coloring tips will make it easy for you to achieve stunning card-making results. As a bonus, enjoy a chapter that focuses on ways to highlight and accentuate your projects with products such as glitter and gel pens, shading techniques and methods for creating the look of texture with color.

This is one of the five cards that I have published in the book!

It is entitled "Birthday Bloomers"

The stamp is from the "Bless My Bloomers" set from Clear Dollar Stamps and the paper is all from The Paper Temptress.

(please see the card recipe at the end of this post for all of the details)

I was so honored when asked to join this amazing group of ladies as one of 12 contributing artists! I am very humbled because these are the artists whose work has inspired ME. I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy! ;)

It was such a fun project to be a part of! The hard part was not telling people until we were told we could go public. It takes months and months of behind the scene work to get such an amazing book to the shelves!

We were told to grab a tissue before we opened the book. It is truly amazing seeing my cards photographed by a professional photographer, with details written by a wonderful team and edited by some of the best craft editors in the business! I did need the tissues!

After I skimmed through to see my cards (admit it...you would have too. LOL!) I went back and studied every page and photo. I am still in awe! I just know that anyone who gets one will refer back to it time and time again for inspiration, tips and techniques.

We are pleased that you have joined us for the hop!
 Be sure to leave a comment at each blog along the way to be entered for your chance to win a free copy of Coloring Techniques for Card Making!  The more blogs you comment on the better your chances of winning!

The designers who are participating in the blog hop are as follows:

Keri Lee Sereika

Debbie Olson 

Jeanne Streiff 

Trudy Sjolander - That's me!!!

Asela Hopkins

Broni Holcombe 

Kathy Menzies

Christine Okken

Dawn Lusk 

Laurie Wilson

Sherrie Siemens

Chrissy Le

Thanks sooo much for dropping by! I really really would appreciate a comment on this card! ;)

If you aren't a follower yet, I would LOVE that too!

Hugs and happy hopping!

True :D

CARD RECIPE:

STAMPS USED: Clear Dollar Stamps "Bless My Bloomers"

CS/PAPERS: The Paper Temptress's- Amethyst Mica Metallic, Fairway Mica Metallic, Neenah Solar White

INK: Memento - Tuxedo Black

COLORING: Copic markers # YG67, G21, Y11, E35, YR04, R08, R02, V17, BV00, Y06, and colorless blender. Color Box cat's eyes in Warm Violet and Wisteria

ACCENTS/TOOLS: Wizard, round and scalloped round and square and scalloped square Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, and Swiss Dots embossing folder, ScorPal, piercing tool, Hobby Lobby's Richard Stanley Collection purple ribbon, All Sorts of Things brads in Grape, double-sided foam tape, glue, sewing machine and green thread, Ranger Stickles in Stardust, Diamond Glaze

TECHNIQUES USED: TECHNIQUES: Stamping, alcohol inking, sewing, tole', 3D, embossing

SKILL LEVEL: Medium

ADDITITIONAL COMMENTS: : I stepped it up by layering, and adding Stickles glitter glue and Diamond Glaze over the coloring

Come Join Me @ Memory Expo 2010 Oct. 1st and 2nd in Topeka, KS

Tweet

CLICK HERE to go to my memory Expo page.

Poor Girl's Ribbon Organizer :)

Tweet

Hello All!

I have spent a lot of my day trying to get my craft room organized again. I thought I would show you what I did with my loose ribbon. I literally have hundreds of rolls of ribbon that are organized in a different manor but since I joined Really Reasonable Ribbon's design team, I have lots and lots of yardage pieces. Now I do have one of those plastic boxes with all of the holes that you pop the ends of ribbon through, but I keep getting it tangled when I pull ribbon through.

My solution was to sort by color and or style and attach like ribbons together by running a large safty pin through the ends, attaching a tag reminding me what company they came from, then closing the pins around a tiny tension rod.

Now I can see all of my ribbons at a glance.

I will cut the ribbon off as I need it but will always save a small piece on the safety pin so I know what I need to re-order. Is that smart or what?? :)

I did mine in one yard lengths and if the ribbon was longer, I just looped it back up through the pin to keep from cutting it into pieces.

Don't have enough ribbons to do this? I know a GREAT place to go shop for some!

Check out Really Reasonable Ribbon's awesome selections!

Hope you liked my little tip!

If so...please give me a "HOLLA"!

Hugs,

True :D

Ribbon Heart Video Tutorial

Tweet

Hello and HAPPY SATURDAY!

True :D here with a video to share.

A couple of weeks ago, I did a card with a ribbon heart on it and got quite a few emails and comments asking how I did it. I worked up a quick little tutorial to show you how. It is quite simple actually and a wonderful way to use up some of those stash scraps!

The ribbons I used are all form Really Reasonable Ribbon.

They are:

Swiss Dots Sunflower grosgrain

Swiss Dots Apple grosgrain

Shocking Pink grosgrain

Tiny Butterfly White Multi grosgrain

Dots and Stripes Lime grosgrain

Delicate Flowers grosgrain

Butterfly Lime grosgrain

Flowers on Yellow Satin

China Doll Hand-dyed Silk

Hope you have enjoyed the video. If so, please leave me a comment so I will know to do more.  :)

Thanks so much for dropping by today!

Have a great weekend!

Hugs,

True :D

CDS's New "Un-Frog-Ettable" Digi

Tweet

Hello!

I am a little late getting this posted due to some computer issue. Don't ya just hate it when that happens?

I have a couple of samples to show you today that were done using the new "Un-Frog-Ettable" digi set that I illustrated for Clear Dollar Stamps.

The set would work for anyone but would be TOAD-ALLY AWESOME for teachers. You can download it instantly for only $3.00!

My first sample is a covered note pad that would make a great teacher gift.

The next sample is a card that would work great for a male teacher. It is sometimes hard to find stamps for the guys!

Please head over to Lori's blog for a list of the other girls who made samples with this image and to check out the rest of the new digi releases!

Thanks for dropping by!

A comment from you would be TOAD-ALLY AWESOME!!!

Hugs,

True :D

~~~~~~~~~~~

Teacher Note Pad Cover Recipe:

CDS STAMPS USED: Un Frog-ettable Digi

CS/PAPERS: Basic Grey - Sugar Rush, The Paper Temptress - Heavenly White, Basis Pink

INK: ink jet printer, VersaMark refill

MARKERS: Tombows #'s 946, 856, 055, 126, 098, 249, 969 (apple)

ACCENTS/TOOLS: 5" by 8" ruled note pad, 1 1/4" Celery Green Silk Ribbon, Wizard with square and scalloped square Nestabilities, UTEE and heat gun, sewing machine with red thread, white acrylic paint, orange Stickles, old paint brush

COLORING: watercolors (frog)

TECHNIQUES: stamping, machine sewing, heat embossing, water coloring

~~~~~~~~~~~

Male Teacher Frog Card Recipe:

CDS STAMPS USED: Un Frog-ettable Digi

CS/PAPERS: Basic Grey - Merrakech, Clear Dollar Stamps' - Pucker Up, Blueberrie Patch, The Paper Temptress - Heavenly White,

INK: ink jet printer, VersaMark refill

MARKERS: Tombows #'s 946, 856, 055, 126, 098, 249, 969 (apple)

ACCENTS/TOOLS: UTEE and heat gun, sewing machine with red and green thread, white acrylic paint, old paint brush

COLORING: watercolors (frog)

TECHNIQUES: digital stamping, machine sewing, heat embossing, water coloring

"TuTu Sweet" House Mouse!

Tweet

Hello All!

Before I show you my card, I would like to remind everyone that has not had a chance to join us in on our August, Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings blog hop, that it is not too late! There are lots of goodies up for grabs on all of the girl's blogs and lots of inspiration, so make sure and hit them all! To get started, CLICK HERE.
No time for the hop? You can still take a second to sign up for my blog candy by clicking HERE.

WAIT!!!!

Don't forget to check out the card I posted today, and leave me some love first!  ;)

I broke out with one of the very first stamps I ever bought. This little darling House Mouse still makes me smile! ;) I stamped her tutu again and popped the bottom of it out, and added some Stickles for a little extra interest. The papers are Basic Grey's Sugar Rush stack and the Heavenly White cardstock and Fairway Mica Metallic are from The Paper Temptress.

I just absolutely LOVE Really Reasonable Ribbon's Organza Dots ribbon! It really adds a touch of sweetness to whatever you use it on! I used the Kiwi Dots for this card. Don't ya think it is tutu sweet? ;)

The perfectly tied bow was made with the Bow-Easy tool. It is one of my must have tools! You couldn't pay me to be without it now!  ;)

Thanks for dropping in on me! Hope your weekend is full of fun, family and crafting!  ;)

Hugs,

True :D

RRR blog hop and lots of Blog Candy!!!!!!

Tweet

Hello All!

It is the 13th of the month which means that it is time for another fun Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings blog hop!

If you came from Kerri's beautiful blog, you are in the right place. If you just happened onto the hop here, you will want to start back at the beginning at RRR design team blog.

This time we have a little twist for ya. You not only get a chance to win a blog candy from Bonnie from Really Reasonable Ribbon, but all of us girls have some candy to share! You will want to visit each of the blogs to increase your chances of winning! 

The card that I created for the hop is done with a stamp set that I illustrated for Clear Dollar Stamps entitled "Home Tweet Home". The papers are all from The Paper Temptress  (see card recipe below for exact paper names).

I have a video tutorial posted now at Clearly iStamp that shows you haw to sponge the background using Tombow markers. It also shows how to color and emboss the rest of the image. Hope you will take a peek and leave a comment! ;)

That beautiful "Black Swirls" ribbon is of course from Really Reasonable Ribbon. The gorgeous Vintage Brad is also from RRR. 

My blog candy offering is (2) Basic Grey stacks: June Bug and Obscure plus a sweet set of ribbon donated by RRR that matches theses stacks very nicely!

To be eligible for my blog candy, all you need to do is be a follower, or become one if you aren't already, and leave a comment.

It is that easy!  ;)

I will draw and announce the winner on Tuesday, August 31st.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Kabbdle Doodles ~ A Little Metal"
ABC ~ "A" is for August
Cute Card Thursday ~ "Whateva"
Split Coast Stampers ~ WT276 - Heat Embossing
If The Shoe Fits...~ Die Cuts

Thanks for dropping by!

Hugs,

True :D

OK...on to your next stop to see Cheryl's Sweet Designs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Card Recipe:

STAMPS:  Clear Dollar Stamps - "Home Tweet Home"

CS/PAPERS: The Paper Temptress - Sparkle Blanc, Silver Sizzle Glossy, Heavenly White, Laser Black Glossy Lustre

INK: Staz-On- Jet Black and Versa-Mark

MARKERS: Tombows #'s - N25, 528, N89, 912, 192, 158

ACCENTS/TOOLS: Black Swirls Ribbon, Wizard and rectangle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug and Swirls embossing folder, White Vintage brad, natural sponge, Fabri-tac glue, double-sided foam tape, sewing machine with metallic silver thread, silver embossing powder, heat gun,

TECHNIQUES: Background sponging with Tombows, sewing, dry embossing, heat embossing

Quick, Simple and Elegant Card with Ribbon and Stickers

Tweet

Hi Everyone!

Before I tell you about my card today, I would like to remind you all that there is still time to enter our Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings "Black and White" challenge. We sure would love to have you join us, and who knows....you might be the winner of the Really Reasonable Ribbon gift certificate!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On to my card.....

Got  a twist today. Coming from a stamp illustrator, it might sound funny when I tell you that you need not be a painter or like stamping and coloring to make pretty cards.

Bonnie, from Really Reasonable Ribbon, sent me a sample piece of her absolutely gorgeous new hand-dyed silk ribbon in Hydrangea and I instantly thought of some butterfly stickers that I bought quite some time ago but never used.

See how perfectly they match? You have got to see and feel this fabulous silk ribbon! It is so luxurious!

I added some Kaiser half pearls that I also got from Really Reasonable Ribbon and did a little paper piercing.

This card took less then 10 minutes to make and I think anyone would love to receive it.

That perfect bow was made with a Bow-Easy. Love it!

BTW...the butterfly stickers are from K&Company's "Smitten" collection and the sentiment stamp is from Verve's "Thankful Hearts" set.

Thanks so much for dropping by!

Hope you will leave some love before you go!

Hugs,

True :D

Faux Brad Video Tutorial

Tweet

Hello All!

Several people have asked how I made my faux brads on the card I posted the other day. Thanks for the comments, emails and questions!
Here is a very quick tutorial. You will be amazed at just how easy it is!

BTW...the "Fuzzy Ducky" stamp is another one of my illustrations and is available now @ Clear Dollar Stamps for just $2.49!!!!

I would love to hear a comment from you.

Thanks and Hugs,

True :D

"Fuzzy Ducky"~Another One of My Illustrations

Tweet

Hello!

Hope you are all enjoying the last day of the weekend!

I get to show you another stamp that I illustrated for Clear Dollar Stamps. It is my "Fuzzy Ducky".

Don't you think she's sweet?

She is available as of today @ Clear Dollar Stamps for just $2.49!!!!  That's right....$2.49!!!!!

Lori has also done up several different card kits with her to help you get some cute "Fuzzy Ducky" cards done up quick.

I punched the flowers then colored them with a Tombo marker to get the exact color I wanted. I then curled the petals a little to add shape then made a faux brad out of the same designer paper that I used on the card. The leaves are also punched (from a pointed flower punch, then cut apart) and colored with a Tombow.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Creatalicious ~ Show Some 3D

The frame of the main image is popped, I have dimensional flowers, pearls, and ribbon.

Corrosive ~ All About Babies

This would make a wonderful card for a new baby

Creative Inspirations ~ Anything Goes

Check!

Creative Inspirations ~ Animals

Check!

Paper Play ~ Anything Goes

Check!

Charisma Cardz ~ Something With A Tail

(Birds have tail feathers so that must mean they have tails....right?)

One Stop Craft Challenge ~ Patterns

I used the polk-a-dot pattered paper.

Paper Sundaes ~ Stitching

Got it!

Card Recipe:
CDS STAMPS USED: Fuzzy Ducky
CS/PAPERS: Basic Grey's Sugar Rush, White card base
INK: Staz-On
MARKERS: Tombows
ACCENTS/TOOLS: Wizard and round and scalloped round Nestabilities, sewing machine and green thread, pink half pearls, flower, leaf, and small circle punch to make flowers, Offray ribbon in orange, Diamond Glaze
COLORING: Tombows and water
TECHNIQUES: stamping, watercoloring, embossing, sewing,
SPECIAL NOTES: I made the flowers by punching the shapes out of white cardstock, col

oring with Tombows, shaping with an embossing tool then adding a faux brad that I also made to match the designer paper.

I would so love to hear what you think about my newest illustration, my card, or both!  ;)
Hugs,

True :D

An "Udderly Moo-arvelous" Challenge @ RRRR

Tweet

Hello!

Today is the beginning of our "Black and White" challenge over @ Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings and we would love to have you come join us! As always, there is another gift certificate up for grabs so why not grab that Black and White cardstock and ribbon and get to crackin'!

My example card is done with a Sugar Nellie image called "Custard". I have popped her a couple of times for some 3D dimension.

I used Really Reasonable Ribbon's 3/8"Gingham Black and their 2mm Black Jute String to add the finishing touches.

The pretty papers are from The Paper Temptress. They are Heavenly White, Basic Black, and Black Leather.

I printed the sentiment off of my computer

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Creatalicious ~ Show some 3D

Creative Inspirations ~ Anything Goes

Creative Inspirations ~ Animals

Charisma Cardz ~ Something With a Tail

Polka Doodles ~ Generic Male & Female

Fussy and Fancy ~ Pink and Black

Please go by our team blog and check out the other challenge inspirations the awesome DT have for you!

Thanks for dropping by again today!

Hugs,

True :D