"Beautiful Dreamer Fairy"-"The Next Level" DT Card + Comment Candy and a Few Challenges!

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Hello again!
Glad you popped by!
Remember, you can click on any picture to enlarge for better detail.



This week’s “The Next Level” challenge is based off of the sketch below, and it has an added element… You must use a decoupaged main image. This means all or part of the image needs to be popped up for a 3D effect.





I am using the beautiful “Dreamer Fairy” designed by: Louise Brigden from “Charmed Cards and Crafts” “Pixie Chicks Collection #1”.
Because of the fine details in the fairy’s hair, I decided to decoupage just her wings and arms. The larger wing has been popped 3 times! She is water colored to match the colors in the DP I chose, then I glittered her wings with Stickles and her headband of roses and neckline with Martha Stewart Rose glitter. Her eyelids were painted with Shimmerz and her lips and tiny little fingernails were glossed with Crystal Effects.




I used DCWV “Once Upon a Time” stack and core’dinations cardstock. The stack had the perfect paper for the inside of the card with a glittered fairy image to tie it all together. I used lots of gold on this one. The ribbons, thread, glitter on the DP and glitter on the edges of her wings are all gold.



I don’t usually use silk flowers on my cards but I saw these and fell in love. They matched the paper and image perfectly! I added two kinds of hand punched leaves, some white beads, and some ribbon to make them look like mini bouquets.



I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Stamp With Fun - #15 Shapes or punches.
I used several different sizes of Circle Nesties and punched a couple of shapes of leaves on this one.

Creative Inspirations - Gems and Pearls (either or both)
I used lots of pearl beads in the mini flower arrangements.

Stampin' For The Weekend - #16 Strawberries Dipped in Chocolate. They had a picture of chocolate covered strawberries to use as inspiration.
I used muted colors of red, brown, and a touch of green (the stems)

Raspberry Ribbons - This is my second entry for this one! The theme is Circles....and Ribbons of course!
The main image and the element behind it are circles.





This week’s COMMENT CANDY is the beautiful digi set that this image came from. You can see it HERE. It comes with 7 pixies and tons of extras!
All you have to do to get a chance at winning this lovely set is to leave a comment below about my card …that’s all! If you would like to become a follower, that would be cool too but not a requirement.
It is just my way to say thanks for taking the time to let me know you dropped by for a visit. Comments make my heart smile!
I will choose a winner and post it the evening of Sunday, July 19th

Hugs to all!

"The Next Level" Challenge DT Card - Bottons and Bows + a few other challenges!

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Hello All!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
This week's challenge over @ "The Next Level" is an easy one! That should get everyone over there to enter! All you need to do is create a card with BUTTONS and BOWS.

Please make sure and check out all of TNL DT's cards. They are soooo cute!

Mine is done with a cute little "Stampin Up" teddy bear that already comes with a button and a bow. I stamped him on cream colored cardstock. There is no white on this card.



Then I was lucky enough to find this awesome crochet lace and buttons trim and based my colors for the card off of it. Check out the cute little button brads that I used for my flower centers too.



The cardstocks used on this one are Bazzill Dots, Core'dinations, and DCWV. I do not know the DP. It was from my scrap bin... sorry.




I am also entering this card in:
Cute Card Thursday Challenge 67 - Stitch in Time! They want to see some kind of stitching real or faux.
As you all know...I always stitch my cards! I can't help myself! LOL!
Charisma Cardz Challenge 26 - Buttons
I think this card meets that requirement too! LOL!
Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge 39- 3 Ribbons. They can be alike or different but you have to have 3.
I used my 3 ribbons in the form of bows.
The Pink Elephant Challenge 21 - Use your favorite color combo.
I go thru stages! Right now, it is purple and green which are the main colors on this card.
Pile It On- Use 3 different types of embellishments and enter multiple challenges.
I used bows, buttons, and flowers, and am in multiple challenges!
This card also fits into "Simon Says Challenge" where they are asking you to paper piece a non colored part of your image. The teddy's bow, feet and paw are all pieced from the same purple paper as the rectangular piece the lace trim is on.

This week's comment candy is a surprise grab bag!



It will be well worth the time it takes to leave a quick message. I can tell you that one of the items in the grab bag will be a piece of this awesome button trim like I used on my card, so you can come up with your own special button creation! ALL you have to do to have a chance at winning is to leave a comment about this card! Just my way of saying THANKS for taking the time to make a card artist's day! I will post the winner the evening of Sunday, July 12th.

Thanks for stopping by!
Hugs to you all!

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

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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!!!!

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

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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!

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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.

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

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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.

Flowers For You "The Next Level" Challenge DT Card

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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

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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!