True's Gift's From the Heart: October 2011

Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from my little pumpkin furbaby Zoey! :)

Have a SAFE and Happy Halloween!

Hugs,

True :D

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Super Quick and Easy Fall "Thank You" Card

Hello Everyone!

I made a quick and simple card to play along with the girls in today's "Ways To Use It" #WT346 challenge over at Split Coast Stampers. We were simply asked to use leaves.

Here is my card...

I bought these fun sparkly leaves from the Fall department at Hobby Lobby awhile back without even knowing what I was going to do with them. I just bought them because they were pretty! As soon as I saw today's challenge, a light bulb went off!

The corrugated cardboard was salvaged from some packaging material hubby was just going to throw away! *GASP!*

The cardstock is Wheat from Discount Card Stock and the pretty Brown Glitz ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

The sentiment is from Clear Dollar Stamps "Heartfelt Sentiments" set.

See the links below for other products used on this card.

This was a super quick and easy card to make but I think it turned out kind of nice! :)

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Time For Another Inky Antics Blog Hop!

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to Inky's Autumn Critters Blog Hop!

Hope you are all enjoying this lovely Fall weather!

Today, the Inky Girls have a quick little hop for you to enjoy. There are only 6 stops so set down, rest your feet for a little while and check out the inspirational projects that were created just for your viewing pleasure! :)

If you came here from Michelle's adorable blog, you are in the right place! If you just happened on to my blog, please head back to the Inky blog where it all starts. Jackie will be giving away both clear sets that you have seen on this hop to one lucky commentor. Make sure and leave some love on all of the girl's posts! The more you comment the better your chances! (limit one comment per blog please).

For my card today, I used Inky's #11064MC Autumn Dogs Clear Set.

The richly colored Spice Cardstock is from Discount Cardstock.
The designer papers are from an older Debbie Mumm Harvest set.
That pretty orange ribbon is from last month's Ribbon Club Kit over at Really Reasonable Ribbon.
Many of the ribbons Bonnie puts in the kits are only available in the kits. Check out this month's kit HERE.
To see a list of other products used on this card, see links below.
~*~*~*~*~*~
The blog hop ends on Sunday, November 30^th at midnight Central time. One person’s name will be drawn at random to receive both of the clear sets used in this hop. The winner’s name will be announced on the Inky Antics blog next Monday, so remember to stop back and see if you’ve won.

You have almost reached the end of the line. Told ya it wouldn't take long!

Head on back to the Inky blog and let us know what you think about the new stamp sets and the projects you saw along your hop!

Thanks so much for dropping by!

Hugs,

True :D

Monday, October 24, 2011

English Bulldog Pre-colored Digi Stamp and My Card

Hi Everyone!

If you have visited my blog before, you have probably seen the picture of my fur-baby Zoey in my right sidebar.

I drew an image last year of her and fully intended to use it for my 2010 family Christmas cards. At the time, I had not discovered how much fun it is to color on my computer so I would have had to hand color each and every image. I have lots of friends and family and that would have taken f-o-r-e-v-e-r!

I love love love to color by hand but sometimes a girl just needs a quicker fix! :)

I decided to color her up this year so I could print them out and make my Christmas cards much quicker!

I know there are lots of Bully lovers out there so I thought I would offer my "Christmas Zoey" digi stamp on my blog. Do you have a bulldog yourself? Do you just love bulldogs or have friends or family that have bulldogs? Perhaps your school mascot is a bulldog. :)

This would be a great image for you!

You can make your cards as simple or as detailed as you would like. I included a line art version too in case you want to color your own with whatever special markings you want. ;)

Here is a card I created with the pre-colored version.

The papers are Brilliant White, Intense Kiwi, and a gold from the Precious Metals variety pack all from Discount Card Stock.

I embossed the green with a Cuttlebug Swirls folder the used Ranger Ink products to add the gold. See the product links below.

The beautiful Sheer Ruffled Edge Old Gold ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

This is what the set looks like.

If you would like to purchase it, please click the button below.

You will receive a zipped file with both JPEG and PNG files within 24 hours of your payment clearing. (You will probably get it much sooner then 24 hours though, depending on when you order.

I am selling this digital set for just $3.00!

NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES ON THIS ITEM ONCE PURCHASED.

This is a resizable digital image that you can print on your own paper or cardstock.

The set comes with (1) pre-colored image, (1) line art image, and (5) sentiments.

Copyright information:

True :D Doodle Designs Terms of Use for the any image you receive from me.
Included in the zip file are all image(s) described in png and jpg formats, and a text document of the terms of use.
When you received or purchased the image, you agreed to the following:
1. You will use this image with care and respect, that is, for personal creations only.
2. You will not sell it or give it out freely in digital format. But you may
sell your creations that it is used on.

3. Mass production (more than 100 cards or products) is strictly prohibited without written consent from the artist.
3. You may submit the artwork for publication being sure to give image copyright credit to Trudy Sjolander, True =D Doodle Designs. The image(s) have been copyrighted. Please handle with respect to my artist copyright.

Supplies used on this card.

Click the thumbnails to go get yours. ;)

Sunday, October 23, 2011

I'm still here! :)

Hi Everyone!

I have had a couple of regular followers email to check in on me because I haven't posted in a week. I know...so not like me!

I am fine, Hubby had knee surgery on Monday and is home. He is recovering nicely. I have been spending a lot of time with him and when I have been able to have some crafty time, I have spent it on special projects that I can't share for awhile. ;(

I am now super caught up and will be doing some "crafting for the fum of it" stuff!

Look for a new project and post tomorrow.

Thanks to all of my wonderful followers for checking in on me!

Hugs,

True :D

Saturday, October 15, 2011

CDS Digi Release Day and a New RRR Challenge. Come Check Out my Latest Digis! :)

Hi Everyone!

I am very excited today!

It's digi release day over @ Clear Dollar Stamp's - Clearly iStamp blog and....a new "Fall Fun" challenge over @ Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings!

The most exciting part...I get to show you some of the projects that I have been working on the last couple of weeks and they are all done with my illustrations! :)

The first card is done with my "Autumn Blessings" pre-colored digi set and my "True-ly Fall" digital paper stack.

That gorgeous, gorgeous ribbon is California Poppy Hand-dyed Silk from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

The cardstock is Brilliant White (for printing my image and papers) and Bazzil Clover Leaf Dotted Swiss from Discount Card Stock.

The "Autumn Blessings" images have been such a hit that I thought I would offer up a colored version. These would be a quick and fun way to create multiple cards, place setting cards, disposable napkin rings etc.

I did both bright and softer muted pumpkins, with and without hash-marks for distressing.

I did a couple of fall paper packs.

The first is True-ly Fall which is the one I used for the card above. It is just $4.50 and comes in either 12"x12" or 81/2"x11" formats.

The second paper set is called "True-ly Autumn" and also is also just $4.50 and available in both 12"x12" and 81/2"x11" formats.

It works great with the softer colored pumpkins in the "Autumn Blessing" set!

You might have seen my "Autumn Blessings" pumpkin before because Clear Dollar Stamps has it in both clear stamp, and line art digi also.

If you would prefer to color your own, this set would be your ticket! It is just $2.50 for instant download!

The next cards I have to share with you are done with my new "Toasty Bears" digi set.

I created my samples in a couple of different ways to show you the versatility of digis.

The first card was done kind of the "normal" way. I printed out the image, the sentiment, and the papers separately on Discount Card Stock's - Brilliant White, then cut and layered them.

If you have lots of Christmas cards to make, this next method might just be the way to go!

I layered my papers, images, and sentiments in Photo Shop. I then tweaked it by adding "Robert & Trudy are...", drew in some border lines (optional) then printed out the entire card front in one piece. You can size them so you can get 4 card fronts per sheet of cardstock or...you can print them out with 2 images side by side at the bottom of a page set to horizontal orientation, cut them apart, score, and you are done!!!

You never have to worry about running out of Christmas cards. Just save your page set up and if you need more....just print! ;)

I do need to mention that for some reason, my printer made the sky come out a different color of blue than the original colors (I didn't even notice until just now when I added the promo picture of the set below) but, it still looks good if I say so myself! :)

This is what the "Toasty Bears" digi set looks like.

It is just $4.00 for instant download.

The girls on the Clear Dollar Stamp design team liked the polar bears so much that it was suggested it would be a great image for brown bears too. Soooo...I went back to my coloring program and did them in brown also. Of course I had to add some trees and some S'more fixin's because after all...we all know what bears do in the wood right?

THEY MAKE S"MORES!!!! :)

The image was printed on Brilliant White and the card base is Wheat, both from Discount Card Stock.

The fun Natural Jute ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

This set is called "S'mores Bears" and is just $3.00 for instant download.

*Note*

This one doesn't come with the line art to color yourself but the "Toasty Bears" set does. ;)

I hope you have enjoyed all of my cards as much as I enjoyed coloring the images for you!

I want to invite you to head on over to the Clearly iStamp blog and see the other new digi releases plus other projects created with mine.

Don't forget to come back when you are done to check out the new "Fall Fun" challenge over @ Really reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings. You could join in on the fun and get a chance to win one of two $10.00 gift certificates for RRR products!

Thanks for hangin' in there on my long long post! :)

Hugs,

True :D

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog Hop and My 10 Minute Christmas Card!

Hi Everyone!

It's the 13th of the month so it's time for another Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings blog hop!

If you found your way here from Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings, you are in the right place!

If you just happened on to my blog, head on back there, because that it where it all starts! :)

You don't want to miss any of the awesome projects the girls have created for your viewing pleasure...or a chance at a great prize from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

You all know how us card artists are kind of "expected" to hand make all of our Christmas cards right? Well...I find it hard to get enough made the way I usually make cards. Some of mine take hours!
I created a fun little card in just under 10 minutes by embossing a background, using some fun ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon's October Monthly Ribbon Club Kit, and adding a big Christmas sentiment from Inkadinkado's Christmas Silhouettes stamp set.
Here is my card...

I used Discount Card Stock's -Posh Red Linen and Brilliant White.

If you aren't a ribbon club member, now would be a great time to sign up! With the holidays coming up I know you can use this fun set. BTW...I have seen a sneak peek at the November set and it is STUUUUUNNNNIIIINNNGGGG! {{Said in my best Oprah voice}}

You get automatic shipments of 10-15 yards of assorted beautiful ribbons for just $9.00 domestic and $11.50 international!

This is what the entire October club kit looks like...

Bonnie will be giving away an October Ribbon Monthly Club kit to a random commentor so please make sure and comment on all of the girl's projects to increase your chances of winning!

Your next stop on the hop is Andrea's Creative Paper Trail. You're gonna love it! :)

Thanks so much for dropping by today!

Hugs,

True :D

These are the products I used on this card. Click on any of the pictures to go get yours. ;)

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Day 3 of the "Swimming For Katie Renz" Blog Hop ~ BLOG CANDY and a Digi Stamp Set I Donated for the Fundraiser

Hi Everyone!

I am so honored to be a part of the "Swimming For Katie Blog Hop". Katie is a design team sister and is such a sweet soul and an inspiration to so many people. I just had to do what I could to help out.

I will be giving away a $25.00 gift certificate that I bought from Simon Says Stamp to a lucky random person who leaves a comment below, telling me what you have done to help Katie. Whether it be purchasing a stamp, making a donation, creating a card for the hop, or even just spreading the word on your blog or Facebook page. Soooo....make sure and read all of the way to the bottom!

My card is a little different than the sweet octopus cards you have been looking at on most of the other blogs, because I made one for Katie with the "Swimming With Katie Ribbon Fish" digi set that I designed to help raise funds for her and her family.

This card is a bit of a hybrid because I stacked the digi papers in MS Word then added lots of "friend" ribbon fish and a personalized sentiment. I also printed a couple of extra "Katie" fish then fussy cut them out and stacked for a 3D effect which is visible in the lower picture.

About the hop...

From October 10-12 some of the best stampers are joining together to support and encourage our friend and fellow stamper, Katie Renz, who is currently battling inoperable gastric cancer. If you're not familiar with her, Katie’s cancer story started just before Christmas last year. This young, beautiful, healthy, vibrant mother of 3 with her infectious smile was suddenly diagnosed with an inoperable cancer, virtually overnight. A few tummy aches and then stage 4 gastric cancer. Her first post about it is HERE. The idea of “Swimming for Katie” came from her recent post HERE.

This exclusive stamp used in my sample, designed by Becky Oehlers is available as a clear stamp, as well as a digis or a dig and SVG cut file. 100% of the profits go to Katie's fund to help her and her young family. Her husband Kevin and her three young children need our help and support. In addition to the Keep Swimming Octopus, Marianne Walker, Jak Heath, and Trudy Sjolander of True =D Doodle Designs, also donated digis that are for sale. Direct donations are also being accepted. Information central is HERE. This is a permanent page that will stay active at i {heart} papers with current information and the full 3 day blog hop listing, as well as the donation button.

Here are all the items available for sale.

~~~This is the set I created for Katie's fund raiser. ~~~

Keep Swimming Katie Ribbon Fish Digi Stamp and Papers.

$4.00 with instant download.

Keep Swimming Octopus in 3 formats

Peachy Clear Stamp - $5.50 with free shipping

Digi with SVG cut file - $3.50 with instant download

Digi only w/o SVG - $3.00 with instant download

Keep Swimming Mermaid Digi Stamp

PNG and PDF files (one mermaid and one sentiment) included in a zip file for immediate download.
Designed by Marianne Walker
$3.50

Keep Swimming Bubble Digi Paper and Fish Digi

Set includes 3 bubble backgrounds (JPEG's), A5 in size and line art fish in a zip file for immediate

download.

$4.00

I hope you will join me in supporting Katie through a purchase or donation. The following is a list of everyone who has projects posted today. I hope you will be inspired by them and moved to purchase or donate.

If you would like to send Katie a card, her mailing address is:

Katie Renz

PO Box 5913
Bellingham, WA 98227-5913

If you would simply like to make a donation to Katie's fund, please click below.

Here are links to the rest of the day 3 hoppers:

Amy Heller

Jackie Pedro

Julie Masse

Kecia Waters

Sandie Dunne

Susan Liles

Latisha Yoast

Laurie Schmidlin

Lisa Arana

Lisa Henke

Lisa Silver

Lydia Fiedler

Lyn Bernatovich

Lynette

Maria Gurnsey

Meg Craig

Melissa Bickford

Michelle Woerner

Mona Pendleton

Niki Estes

Robyn Weatherspoon

Sarah Jay

Sarah Martina Parker

Savannah O'Gwynn

Stephanie Washburn

Susanna Boyd

Tobi Crawford

Julie Lacey

Kim Kesti

Shemaine Smith

Danielle Lounds

Debbie Carriere

DoBea A.

Fran Gumprecht

Geny Cassady

Gina K.

Holly McMillen

Jak Heath

Javablustamper/Jacquie

Kimberly Crawford

Jeanne Streiff

Trudy Sjolander -You Are Here! :)

Thanks so much for dropping by and a special thanks to those who are donating and/or spreading the word about our friend Katie! Please keep her and her family in your prayers!

Don't forget to leave a comment below to be eligible for the random drawing for the $25.00 Simon Says Stamp gift certificate. I will draw and announce the winner on Sunday, October 23rd.

Hugs,
True :D

~~~~~UPDATE~~~~

To help raise money for Katie, Creating for Causes (www.creatingforcauses.org) has generously donated a FREE ticket (value: $249.95) to one of their upcoming 3-day Scrap & Stamp Retreats.

The winner of the free ticket will enjoy 3 days of non-stop fun and creativity with fellow scrappers, stampers and paper crafters, and can choose between the Charlotte, NC Scrap & Stamp Ritzy Retreat at The Ritz-Carlton on October 21-23 or the Orlando, FL Scrap & Stamp Retreat at the Marriott World Center on November 4-6. Both retreats promise to spoil you and provide 48-straight hours of creating, camaraderie and fun!

To learn more about the events, please visit: http://www.creatingforcauses.org/our-events/scrapbook-events/.

Not only will you be raising money for Katie by making a donation, you get a chance to win a wonderful weekend getaway for yourself! And, because all of Creating for Causes' events are charity events that raise money for local charities, you'll be giving back twice!

Wow, a weekend retreat for you and two chances to help others. Does it get any better than that?

Here's how it works:

Simply make a $33 donation (or more) for Katie and indicate that you want to be entered in the Creating for Causes Retreat ticket drawing. Everyone who makes a qualifying donation will be entered into the drawing and one lucky person will be attending this 3-day retreat for FREE! That lucky person could just be you! (If you have already donated and wish to be included, just email kate(at) iheartpapers (dot) com)

DEADLINE TO ENTER FOR THIS GIVEAWAY IS FRIDAY 9PM EST, although other donations will be accepted for weeks to come.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Fundraiser for Katie

Hi Everyone!

Today is the start of a 3 day blog hop to raise money for my friend Katie Renz who is fighting stomach cancer.

While I am set to be on the final day of the hop, I still wanted to spread the word today.

Myself, and 2 other artists created some stamps to sell to raise funds in hopes of covering some of Katie's medical expenses.

I am keeping this short since it's not my hop day, but I do want to direct you to the girls on the hop today.

Go HERE to start hopping, to buy the stamps,or to donate.

BTW...here is the stamp set that I created for Katie.

You can buy it HERE.

Periwinkle is the ribbon color for gastric cancer so I did a Periwinkle ribbon fish. You can buy the stamp and use the non colored version to make a ribbon in any color to represent other kinds of cancers if you would like.

Please take a few moments to help a beautiful young wife and mother who's remaining moments are so precious. Please also keep Katie and her family in your prayers.

Thanks for dropping by!

Hugs,

True :D

Sunday, October 9, 2011

More New Releases From Clear Dollar Stamps! :)

Hi Everyone!

Today I get to share some more new stamps that I illustrated for Clear Dollar Stamps.

The first couple of samples were created with my "Build a Quilt" stamp set and the coordinating "Build a Quilt Die Set".

The first one was done with a layout of my son and new daughter-in-law's wedding picture. The yellow roses in the Basic Grey's Piccadilly papers were a perfect match for Kurt and Kristin's yellow flowers!

I also used Really Reasonable Ribbon's Lime Green Silk and Lime Green Leaf Trim.

Here is a close up of the stamp and die detail.

Just have to add a close up of our kids too! :)

Aren't they precious?

The tiny yellow roses are from Wild Orchid Crafts.

This fun quilt card below was also done with my "Build A Quilt" stamp set and "Build a Quilt Dies".

They are so perfect for making an infinite number of different quilt designs!

The designer paper is from my "Sentimental Quilt" digital set.

This is what the "Build a Quilt" stamp set looks like. It comes with 6 shaped stitches, 2 knots, and 7 sentiments. It is just $9.99.

This is what the "Build a Quilt" die set looks like. It is just $12.99.

This is my "Sentimental Quilt" digi set and I used the papers from it to create the card above.

It is available for instant download for just $3.50

The second set I have to show is "Snow Friends" and I created a little gift tag by using just the redbird and some Basic Grey Jovial designer papers.

This is what the entire "Snow Friends" set looks like. It is available from Clear Dollar stamps for just $7.99.

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

I invite you to head on over to the Clearly iStamp blog to check out all of the other beautiful projects the team have created with theses and other new sets.

Thanks so much for dropping by!

Hugs,

True :D

Friday, October 7, 2011

"Poinsettia Joy" A New Release From Clear Dollar Stamps

Hi Everyone!

Today starts the 4th quarter Product Parade over at Clearly iStamp.

I used the "Poinsettia Joy" image that I illustrated.

I used Basic Grey's "Jovial" stack and tried to paint my image to match.

Ranger Ink sent me some of their

Susan Hellmuth's Studio Paints and I LOVE THEM!

I was able to get the deep reds I needed to match the poinsettia on the designer paper almost perfectly. Sure couldn't have done that with watercolors!

I used some Sheer Ruffled Edge Old Gold from Really Reasonable Ribbon and a piece of sparkly ribbon form my stash.

The cardsock is from Discount Card Stock. It's Bazzil Clover Leaf Swiss Dots and Neenah Solar White.