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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, January 31, 2011

More CDS Sneak Peeks! :)

Welcome back to the second half of Clear Dollar Stamp's February Sneak Peeks!
I have 3 more projects to share with you today.
The first card is done with the "Flower Bunny" Feb. SOTM set that I illustrated for Clear Dollar Stamps. It is available starting tomorrow and it's free with a $50.00 purchase!


There will be a Flower Bunny" SVG file available for download tomorrow, but I actually made this sample before the SVG was done so I had to do tons of hand cutting to pop the bunny up so much! 
The SVG will cut on the Cricut in about 15 seconds where it took me about a half hour! 
Really cool new product feature from CDS!
The shape behind the bunny was cut with Clear Dollar Stamp's "Designer Labels Die" set.


That drop dead gorgeous ribbon is Really Reasonable Ribbon's - Hydrangea Hand-dyed Silk.
The Roses are from Wild Orchid Crafts.
The pretty cardstock is: Juniper Berry, Amethyst, and Heavenly White from The Paper Temptress.



The next card was done using a sweet set illustrated by Lauri Wilson called "You're Eggs-traordinary".
I chose to make it a sugared egg by adding some clear Martha Stewart - Crystal Fine Glitter to the entire egg.


The designer paper is from "The Best of K&Company" stack.
The cardstock is Azalea and Spring Larch from The Paper Temptress.
The Gradient Gem Stickers and Gradient Pearl Stickers are from Creative Charms.
The yellow rose is from Wild Orchid Crafts.
The beautiful ribbon is Really Reasonable Ribbon's ~ White Satin.



My final peek is this bookmark that I created with the beautiful new "Scriptures of Hope" set illustrated by Lori McCroskey.




Thanks so much for dropping by!
I would love to hear which of today's peeks is your favorite!

Hugs,
True :D


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Bunny Card Recipe:
CDS STAMPS USED: Flower Bunny February SOTM
CS/PAPERS: Basic Grey, Wild Raspberry, TPT - Juniper Berry, Heavenly White and Amethyst, plus a stash scrap
INK: Staz-On Jet Black, Versa magic- Oasis Green
ACCENTS/TOOLS: CDS Designer Labels, sewing machine with aqua and white thread, L-Em.com leaf punch, WOC Roses and stamens, RRR hand-dyed silk ribbon, Creative Charms half pearls, Score-Tape, foam tape, Jewel Brad, Diamond Glaze
COLORING: Watercolors

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Sugared Egg Card Recipe:
CDS STAMPS USED: "You're Eggs-traordinary"
CS/PAPERS: The Paper Temptress~ Punch and Spring Larch, K&Company's ~ Best of...stack
INK: Staz-On ~ Jet Black, Color Box ~ Warm Green
ACCENTS/TOOLS: Diamond Glaze, Martha Stewart~ Crystal fine glitter, Wild Orchid Crafts, Ranger Liquid Pearls ~ Mint Green, Prima, and Imainisce flowers, Scor-Tape, Wizard and Scalloped Nestabilities, Pink Jewels stickers, White Pearl Stickers, Copics(to color pearls) White Satin Ribbon
COLORING: Watercolors

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Psalms Bookmark Recipe:
CDS STAMPS USED: Scriptures of Hope
CS/PAPERS: PaperTrey Inc. and Flair Designs- Amazing Grace
INK: CDS Spring leaf, ColorBox- Cream Brown and Amber Clay
ACCENTS/TOOLS: Tassel, sewing machine with green thread. Wizard with Labels Nestabilities, score tape, Fabri-tac glue, foam tape

Sunday, January 30, 2011

"Love is the Ticket" Tag ~ IB4S

Hi Everyone!
This is my second post for the day so please scroll down to see my CDS sneak peeks. ;)
I saw the beautiful "Love Coupon" stamp  from I Brake For Stamps and just had to have it!
I haven't made that many tags but my friend Karen has inspired me to dabble!

I Think this will make an awesome Valentine don't you?

Remember...if you go buy this stamp to use my discount code SAVE10TRUE to get 10% off of your entire order!  :)

The cardstock is Sparkle Noir and Wild Cherry from the Paper Temptress
The ribbon is Shimmer Red Satin from Really Reasonable Ribbon, and the black is a scrap that is no longer available.
The rose is from Wild Orchid Crafts.
Other elements are the metal label from Joanne's. The metal eyelet from Stampin' Up.
Glimmer Mist,
Christmas Red Stickles
black brads, heart brad.
Dew Drops
MS punch, sewing machine and thread and adhesives.


I just kind of threw things on it and it worked!
I think I'm getting hooked on tags! :)



Hope you like it!
Hugs,
True :D

3 CDS Sneak Peek Projects!

Hi Everyone!
I have lots to share with you today so I will keep it as short and sweet as possible!  :)

My first card is done with the "Sentimental Flowers" set that I illustrated for Clear Dollar Stamps.
The flower and leaves were cut using the new downloadable SVG files that we are now creating for use with Cricuts and other cutting machines. They are too cool!
Both will be available on February 1st. 


The beautiful ribbon is Really Reasonable Ribbon's - Green Glitz.


There are lots of flower elements to mix and match and 5 different sentiments that will work for many occasions.

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This fun bookmark was done using the "Hoppy Day" stamp set illustrated by Laurie Wilson.




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 The notebook was decorated with some papers for the Best of K&Company stack and the beautiful new "Bold Butterflies" stamp set illustrated by Lori McCroskey. They were cut with the "Bold Butterflies Die" set also releasing February 1st!
The pretty ribbon is Old Gold Satin from Really Reasonable Ribbon.
The jewels are Gradient Gem Stickers from Creative Charms, that I colored with Copic markers to match.


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Thanks so much for dropping in. I hope you will head over to Lori's blog to see more sneaks and to get the links for all of the amazing artists that have created projects for your inspiration.
You will want to check back tomorrow for even more sneak sets!  ;)

Hugs,
True :D


Card Recipe:
CDS STAMPS USED: "Sentimental Flowers"
CS/PAPERS: TPT Heavenly White and Azalea, My Mind's Eye - "Summer Song"
INK: Staz-On Jet Black
ACCENTS/TOOLS: Sentimental Flowers SVG, Cricut, RRR Green Glitz ribbon sewing machine with orange thread, Score-Tape, foam tape, metal brads, Diamond Glaze, Stickles in Yellow and Lime Green
COLORING: Watercolors
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Bookmark Recipe:
CDS STAMPS USED: Hoppy Frogs
CS/PAPERS: TPT-Heavenly White and Flame, My Mind's Eye-Summer Song
INK: Staz-On Jet Black, CDS-Spring leaf and Pucker Up
ACCENTS/TOOLS: CDS Tabs and Tags Dies, Wizard and square Nestabilities, Stickles in Orange Peel and Lime Green, Diamond Glaze, Fabri-Tac Glue Tassel, green brads
COLORING: Watercolors
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Notebook Recipe:
CDS STAMPS USED: Bold Butterflies
CS/PAPERS: K&Company's Best of K stack, Core'dinations
INK: Staz-On Timber Brown
MARKERS: Copics E35 and B05
ACCENTS/TOOLS:CDS Butterfly Dies, CM corner punch, Creative Charms-Clear Gradient gems, Puffy Paint in Yellow and Light Blue, Printer, sewing machine with teal thread, Notebook, Score-Tape, foam tape, gold ribbon

Thursday, January 27, 2011

"I'm Here For You!"

Hi Everyone!
I just love Clear Dollar Stamp's ~ January stamp of the month. It was illustrated by the very talented Laurie Wilson and is called "A Friend in Need". It is yours free with a $50.00 purchase!


The papers are Basic Grey and that pretty Shimmer Satin Rose ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.
The image was done in watercolor and blinged up with some Stickles and Diamond Glaze. 


Thanks so much for dropping by today!
Hugs,
True :D


Monday, January 24, 2011

"My Heart's Desire" Candle Jar Decor

Hi Everyone!
Hope your week is off to a great start!

Being a card maker, I have a tendency to use smaller embellishments but every now and then, I break away from the ordinary.
I used some larger pieces form this month's Creative Charms Kit of The Month to decorate this candle jar up for Valentine's Day.


The kit is called "My Heart's Desire" and it has lots of fun things to play with!


Thanks for dropping by!

Hugs,
True :D

Saturday, January 22, 2011

"Kerr Jar With Blackberry Blossoms" Card IB4S

Hi Everyone!
Hope your weekend is off to a great start!
I guess you have figured out by now that I don't let the season dictate what kind of cards I do. ;)
By the time Christmas is over, I am ready to do some non-coldish type cards.
This one is done with I Brake For Stamps ~ "Kerr Jar" stamp.
Images like this make me feel like a true artist! It was so fun to color. :)
If you like it as much as I do and want to buy it...don't forget to use my coupon code SAVE10TRUE to save 10% off of your entire order!


The cardstock is Bazzill's Swiss Dots and the DP is from The Best of K&Company stack.
The jewels are the Clear Gradient Gem stickers from Creative Charms that I just colored with a Copic to match the color of the jar.


The image itself is watercolored then I added some Diamond Glaze to the jar  and berries.  


Thanks so much for dropping by!
A comment from you would be "berry" sweet!  ;)

Hugs,
True :D

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

I need a huge favor!!!!

Hi Everyone!
Cosmo Cricket is going to be adding a design team member and they have to be nominated. The 10 people with the most nominations get to be in the finals.
I love there papers but don't get to play with them much because I live in a small town with no craft shops. No one around here has them. I would sooooo love to be able to play with their adorable papers on a regular basis!
Here is where I need your help....
Please go over to their Facebook page and "nominate me. I know that most of you know me as True :D so you might want to put my full name....Trudy Sjolander. If you can, link back to my blog.

Also if you comment on their FB about your favorite papers, you get entered for a chance to win some awesome CC goodies!

Thanks so much my crafty friends!
I am posting a picture of a past card I did with their "Material Girl" papers...just because!


Hugs,
True :D

Time for another Paper Take Weekly Challenge!

Hi Everyone!
This week's sponsor @ Paper Take Weekly is The Paper Shelter. Now, I love to color, so I very seldom use pre-colored digis but their "Romantic Cupcakes" are so cute that I made an exception!
Our challenge is to use "Ribbons and Pearls"
My ribbon is the beautiful Fuchsia Shimmer Satin from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

This card also works perfectly as an example in Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings challenge which is "Hearts and Ribbons" sponsored by Creative Charms!


The beautiful paper is Heavenly White, Azalea, Amethyst, and Emerald from The Paper Temptress.


Thanks so much for dropping by!
Hope to see you in our challenge!

Hugs,
True :D

Monday, January 17, 2011

Bow With Brad Tutorial

Hello everyone!
I got a very warm responce to my Inky Antics ~ "Consider Yourself Hugged" card that I posted last week and many of the comments were about the bow.


I even had a couple of people email me with questions on how I did it.
I thought the best way to explain it is with a quick video tutorial. You will see just how simple it is.
The ribbon I am using in the video is from Really Reasonable Ribbon's ~ January Ribbon of the Month package.



The Vintage Pearl Brads are from Creative Charms which works out perfectly because the are our co-sponsor for our current Really Reasonable Ribbon's Rambling challenge. The challenge is "Use Hearts and Ribbon" and runs through January 30th. I think we are all adding hearts to our creations this time of year so why not come join us in our challenge, share your creations with others who would love to see it, and be entered for a chance to win one of the prizes?  :)

OK... enough of my rambling!
On with the show!



See...told ya...EASY!

Thanks for dropping by!
Hugs,
True :D

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Clear Dollar Stamps BLOG HOP!!!!


Hello and welcome to Clear Dollar Stamps' January Blog Hop. As you can see from the logo above, we will be having a hop monthly, showcasing some old and some new stamps that we pick from our favorite sets.
We have a team brimming with super talented ladies who just LOVE our Clear Dollar Stamps, so I hope you will join us the 3rd Sunday of every month to see what we have prepared for you.

If you came from Barb's beautiful blog, you're in the right place. 
If you just happened on to my blog, head on over and visit Lori @ Clearly iStamp to start at the beginning. You will want to comment on all of the blogs to increase your chances of winning a prize!

This month's hop theme is "New Beginnings". We can interpret it in any way we choose so I went with a new day. Isn't it great that though we may make mistakes, or have problems, that God gives us new days to start over fresh?  :)

I used the "Rooster Sunrise" set that I illustrated for CDS.


The DP is "Butterfield" by Memory Box.

If you have yet to see my post from yesterday, I hope you will scroll down and take a look. I have several cards that are done with my latest digi illustrations and a chance to win the digis just by commenting on that post!

Your next stop on the hop is sweet Cassie's blog. I am sure you are going to love what she has to show you!

Thanks so much for dropping by!
Please remember to comment for a chance at winning the prize from Clear Dollar Stamps.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Lots of DT Cards today! RRRR Challenge and CDS Sneak Peeks, Plus Comment Candy!!!

Hi Everyone!
Today is the sneaks for this month's digi releases at Clear Dollar Stamps and also time for a new challenge at Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings that is co-sponsored by another one of my teams, Creative Charms!

This is a very long post so please keep on scrollin'!  :)
Because I want to show that I am grateful that you came to visit and took the time to look at my long post today, I am offering one lucky commenter both the new "I Love You BeeCause" and the "Monkey Business" digis below!


My first card covers both design team obligations plus I used some other teams supplies.
Do I know how to work it or what?!? Tehehehe!

My first sample is done with my new "I Love You BeeCause" digi set.
The fabulous ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon's ~ January Ribbon of the Month set. It is packed with lots of beautiful Valentine themed ribbons and trims.
Our RRRR challenge this time is to use "Hearts and Ribbons".


The pretty Pink Vintage Jewel Brad is from Creative Charms.
The paper is The Paper Temptress's ~ Heavenly White.


This is everything you get on the digi. It is a very versatile set that can be used for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and just BeeCause all year long!


It is just $2.50 for an instant download!


My next card was done with my new "Monkey Business" digi.



The paper is The Paper Temptress's ~ Heavenly White and  Jelly Bean Green.
The pretty Sunflower Swiss Dots Grosgrain ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.





And now....I have some exciting news!
Starting with January's Clear Dollar Stamps release sets, CDS will be offering "Cuttin'Up SVG cut files to coordinate with the stamps!
I did this card using the "Heart Hugs" stamp that I illustrated, and the "Heart Hugs Cuttin' Up" SVG file with my Cricut. I am amazed at how fast and easy it was to cut! What would have taken about 5 minutes and been cut far from perfect, took about 10 seconds and the results are sa-weet!  ;)

The card base is Bazzill Swiss Dots, the DP is from K&Co's Super Pad stack and the pretty sparkly cardstocks are Cappuccino and  Bronze mica metallics from The Paper Temptress.
The little jewels on either side of the sentiment are Pink Gradient Gem Stickers from Creative Charms.


To get all the details about our new "Cuttin' Up" SVG files please visit Lori's Clearly iStamp blog.

Please visit Clearly iStamp to get links and see the amazing projects the other girls did with this month's digi releases!

Hope to see you all at the RRRR "Use Hearts and Ribbon" challenge!  :)

To be entered into the drawing for my new digi sets, just leave a quick comment and let me know which card is your favorite and why. No need to be a follower but I would appreciate it if you are so inclined!  :)
I will announce the winner Monday the 17th.

Thanks so much for dropping by!
BTW...comments are like heart hugs...so nice to receive! *wink* *wink*
Hugs,
True :D
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Card Recipe for Card #1:
CDS STAMPS USED: "I Love You BeeCause" digi
CS/PAPERS: Heavenly White, K&Co. Super Pad stack
INK: Inkjet printer
ACCENTS/TOOLS: I Kan Dee chalks, ribbon, Cuttlebug and Swiss Dots embossing folder, pink half pearls, Diamond Glaze, Stickles in Cotton Candy and Diamonds, Scor-Tape, double-sided foam tape, Scor-Pal
COLORING: watercolors
TECHNIQUES: watercolor, embossing, chalking, 3D, popping, tole'

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Card Recipe for Card #2:
CDS STAMPS USED: Monkey Business Digi
CS/PAPERS: My Mind's Eye ~ "Summer Song" stack, Paper Temptress ~ "Heavenly White" and "Jelly Bean Green"
INK: ink jet printer, Color Box ~ Olive Pastel
ACCENTS/TOOLS: Wizard and square Nestabilities, Diamond Glaze, Grosgrain dot yellow ribbon, Scor-Tape, Scor-Pal, Black Micron Pigma Pen, Double-sided foam tape, micro scissors, Eye Candie chalks
COLORING: Watercolors
TECHNIQUES: watercoloring, chalking, 3D, Tole'

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Card Recipe for card #3:
CDS STAMPS USED: "Heart Hugs"
CS/PAPERS: The Paper Temptress, K&Co Super Pad stack, Bazil Swiss Dots
INK: Staz-On Jet, Black, Versa-Magic Oasis Green and Malted Mauve
ACCENTS/TOOLS: CDS "Tabs and Tags" die set, Wizard, oval and scalloped oval Nestabilities, Scor-Pal, Scor-Tape, double-sided Foam tape, Pink Gradient Jewel stickers, Pink with white dots satin ribbon, sewing machine with pink and teal thread, teal and pink glitter glue, Diamond Glaze, white Gel pen, Cricut with "Heart Hugs" SVG file from Clear Dollar Stamps
COLORING: watercolors
TECHNIQUES: watercoloring, SVG cutting, sewing, popping, 3D, Tole', Paper Piecing.