Bear-ied in Paperwork :-) ,,, card making tutorial

A few days ago Steph at Simon Says Stamp asked me if I would make a tutorial on how I make my cards using a Gruffies stamp :-) A step by step 'how I do it' ! :-) get coffee ,,, long post !! :-)

We all have a different way we do things but I always start with a stamp that I want to use. I have chosen this very cute Bear-ied in Paperwork by Stampabilities



Then I decide a sketch, I always try to find a suitable one on one of the many challenges out there :-) for this card I thought Maya's sketch on the Sketch Saturday Challenge was perfect :-) Thanks Maya xx



I then stamp the image and shape it according to the sketch ,, in this case I used my Spellbinders Nestability Circle die.



The next step is to choose the papers,, I love the new Basic Grey Origins paper pad and accessories and I thought they would work well with this image ,,, a bit 'graph' like :)



I then trim and make any fancy edges, I used a Martha Stewart Arch Lattice Border punch.



As I have trimmed the paper I feel that the edges need some inking :-) I use the thin cut off strips to test the colours of ink that will work best. The vintage photo ink I didn't think was quite dark enough so I added a little black to it. I ink the edges of the papers and the image.



I always use a Tim Holtz blending tool to do this, I find they really are alot better to use than bits of foam that some people use.



Now I come to the strip across the center of the card ,,, I was debating whether or not to use ribbon ,, but then thought I could ink a plain piece of card and ink a cuttlebug script folder, it ties in with the image perfectly I think ,,, :-)





Now I am ready to start coloring. I am choosing to use Copic Markers , I love these pens ! :-) They are all in stock at Simon Says Stamp !! :-) I always keep my colour chart handy, as you can see it is well used !!! It really helps to color coordinate your images to the designer papers.



I strt with the skin tones first, colour all these areas with the lightest skin shade that you use ,, in thins case I used E000



then add a darker shade to the shaded areas ,, I used E00, then blend them together with the lighter E000 I added a little R20 to the cheeks and blended again with E000



now for the fur, I decided to make him a little honey colourd so used E11 and gave him a light colour everywhere



then added E13 and E15 to the shaded and then blended with E11 so there were no harsh lines



I used the same technige for the papers using E40, 41 and 43



I shaded the lower area with a Warm Grey, W3, and smudged the edges with a blender pen.



OK ,,, all done ,,,, now it all comes together :-) While I have been making this card I have been thinking fof what embelishments I have that will look good with this image ,,,,, what shall I find in my messy drawers ????

Start to assemble the card :-) think think ,,,, whats in my drawers ???



I use 3D tape for added dimension :-)



Oohh look what I found to use ,,,,,



This was on a recent parcel from Simon says Stamp !!! Perfect ,,,, recycling too !!! :-)

I also had some Tim Holtz Ideology mini paper clips and some Philosophy tags,, and some matchinhg Basic Grey Origins Epoxy Clips.



I thought that it needed a little something in the bottom right corner too. So I lightly stamped some numbers from the Tim Holtz Urban Chic set :-)

This card will be for Steph's Birthday I think :-) I know Heidi keeps her very busy and she must feel like this at times ha ha :-)

What do you think ?? I would love to know your thoughts ,,, have I rabbited on too much ,,, are you bored silly ?? Please leave me a comment ,,, the good the bad and the ugly :-)


I have a GORGEOUS blog candy sponsored by Heidi at Simon Says Stamp if you would like to take a peek it is at the top of my blog :-)

Totally Papercrafts Mothers day/ Special Lady Challenge

We had lots of gorgeous entries to Sue's Sketch :-) the winner of the cute Happy Hopper stamp donated by Simon Says Stamp has been published on the Totally Papercrafts Challenge blog, so pop over there to see if it was YOU !! :-)

Before we move onto our next challenge we have a major announcement to make :-)

We have 4 new DT members joining us!!! Woo Hoo !! :-) We would like to welcome

JOEY, MEL X, JANNEKE and ELAINE onto our team :-) Elaine will be joining us next week :-)

The theme this week is,,,

MOTHERS DAY/SPECIAL LADY :-)


We are being sponsored by Paula at Pollycrafts and she will be giving a set fabulous digi images AND she is giving all of our readers a 10% discount on all orders this week :-)

Paula gave all the DT the choice of a free digi image to use :-) I chose this lovely Baxter with Tulips ,,, isn't he cute :-) Thanks Paula :-) x x




I coloured the image with copics and added my compulory stickles to the tulips for sparkle :-)The frame is a Nellie Snellen oval multiframe which I threaded with ribbon and made the bow with a bow easy :-) The papers and ticket sentiment are from a Bearly Mine CD. I added stickes to sparkle the flowers on there too :-) I had several failed attempts at making paper tulips ,, and have a go gluing prima flowers too ,,, but failed miserably so I used roses instead and some lovely rose leaves :-)



Paula and the DT have made some lovely cards for you to see so pop by the challenge blog to see them and please leave comments too :-)

I am entering this into the following challenges

The Simon Says Stamp Challenge ,,,,, Mothers Day/Girly ,,,,,, oops ,,, can't !! :-)

The C.R.A.F.T. Challenge ,,,,,,,,, Mother's day with Flowers

The Quixotic challenge ,,,,,,,, Leave it Out ,,, I have leaves on the image and in the bouquet :-)

Crafty Calendar Challenge ,,,,,,, Flower Power :-)

My Time to Craft ,,,,Just for Mum :-)



I have a GORGEOUS blog candy sponsored by Heidi at Simon Says Stamp if you would like to take a peek it is at the top of my blog :-)

Cute Card Thursday Challenge ,,,, Lucky Green :-)

I needed a to make a few quick and easy note cards and I had some leftover bits of My Mind's Eye papers that just happens to fit the Cute Card Thursday Challenge whose theme is 'Lucky Green' :-)



I used my cute House Mouse stamp from Simon Says Stamp, this one is called Contented Mudpie ;-) The ribbon is from my stash and the gems are Hero Arts. the sentiment is a Simon Says Stamp Exclusives set :-)

Thanks for looking ;-) I appreciate your comments so please leave me one :-)


I have a GORGEOUS blog candy sponsored by Heidi at Simon Says Stamp if you would like to take a peek it is at the top of my blog :-)

ABC Challenge 'P' for Paper Piecing :-) and HM Candy Winner !

Wednesday morning and time for a new ABC Challenge :-) We had lots of fabulous entries to the last challenge and many of you came to link your creations to my fortnightly candy sponsored be Heidi at Simon Says Stamp :-)

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

11

Timestamp: 2010-03-03 07:46:01 UTC

The winner is Jude :-) Congratulations Jude :-) Please email me with your address and the stamp will be posted out to you :-)

The challenge for the next 2 weeks is ,,,,,

'P' for Paper Piecing :-)




I made this card using a gorgeous Princess Anya stamp that I won on the Stampin' for the Weekend Challenge :-)
I coloured the image with copics and paper pieced her dress, I sparkled then the edge with pink glitter :-) The papers are Bo Bunny and the flowers are prima which have been sprayed with pearl glimmer mist and stickled for extra sparkle :-)



Thanks for looking :-) I appreciate your comments so please leave me one :-) The DT have made some lovely cards for you to see so pop over to the challenge blog to see them :-)

I will be back later with a blog candy sponsored by Heidi at Simon Says Stamp

Simon Says Mother/ Girlie Creation :-)

This week we have a theme that many challenge blogs are doing at the moment too :-)

MOTHER'S DAY / GIRLY :-)

You could make a creation for a baby girl, daughter, sister. aunt, grandma, friend !! Loads of options,, just keep it feminine :-)

Heidi is offering the lovely $25 shopping spree to her Simon says Stamp Store ,, and she will pay for the postage !! :-)

This week many of the Design Team are showcasing Hero Arts products. Hero Arts have just release a fabulous new range of products and these are available to buy now in the Simon says Stamp Store :-) You don't have to use Hero Arts products, but if you have any we would like to see them :-)

We also have a very special Designer in the Spotlight !!

Jill Foster
Jill is a Hero Arts Hostess !! :-) If you haven't visited her blog you are in for a lovely treat ,,, choc full of fabulous ideas on how to use your Hero Arts Stamps ! :-)



I decided to make a card and greeting card folder for my Mum :-)

Heidi gave all the DT some lovely new products to use on our cards ,,, unfortunately some of them haven't arrived yet ,,, BUT ,, mine did !!(sorry girls xx) :-) I got this fabulous ner cling stamp from Hero Arts ,,, this one is called Silhouette flowers. I inked the stamp with blue pigment ink, then inked a script stamp with blue stazon and stamped that onto it then stamped it onto white card :-) I love this effect ! I used the same technique again onto another card so that I could make the stalks look longer. I then covered the join with card and ribbons :-)

The frame was made with a Martha Stewart round the page punch set. The paper is a free Hero Arts download. the notelets were made in the same way only using nestie circles instead :-)




This photo shows the script background more clearly :-)



The Greeting Card Folder was made using a template from the Cutting Cafe and I have to say a special thank you to the owner, Regina. I had lost the template and emailed Regina to ask if she could re send it. I bought it several months ago and fully expected to have to buy it again, but she re sent it to me :-) That is lovely of her eh ! :-)

Thanks for looking :-) please pop over to the challenge blog to see Jill's fabulous card and also the wonderful creations from the DT too :-)



I will be back later with a blog candy sponsored by Heidi at Simon Says Stamp :-)

My Fortnightly Candy Sponsored By Simon Says Stamp :-)

This fortnight I have decided to offer this gorgeous stamp as my Fortnightly candy :-) I made this DT card for the ABC Challenge so have decided that I will link the candy with that Challenge :-) The theme is 'O' for One Paper :-)

this stamp is called Raining Daisy Days :-) you can see this one ,,, and hundreds of others ,, on the Simon Says Stamp site :-)

To be in with a chance to win this stamp you need to enter the ABC Challenge and then come here and link your card with Mr Linky :-) Any non bone fide entries will be removed to make it fair for everyone :-)

The ABC design team are eligible to enter :-)

I would like it if you were a follower but you don't have to if you prefer not to :-)

Papertake Weekly 'Buttons, Bows, Brads and Bling :-)

We had loads of fantastic entries to Dawny's sketch last week ,,, I would love to have seen them all ,, but time just wouldn't let me ,,, though I did manage to see quite a few !! :-) Lovely :-)

This week on the Papertake Weekly Challenge Dawny has chosen this fabulous theme :-)

BUTTONS,BOWS,BRADS and BLING :-)

I didn't manage to get brads on there ,,,, I must try harder next time,,, sorry Dawny !! :-)

We are being sponsored this week by Truly Scrumptious and there is a fabulous prize on offer !! :-)

I followed the fab sketch on the Stampin For the Weekend Challenge :-)



I used this lovely Sew What House Mouse stamp ,,, sew cute !!! :-) If you haven't seen the fabulous range of HM stamps in the Simon Says Stamp Store ,,, you should go ,, they have the whole range !! fantastic ! :-)
I coloured the image with copics and added copic spica pen for added sparkle ,,, the needle looks real !! I inked the edges slightly with worn lipstick distress inks and then ran a pink chalk ink pad around the edge :-) The papers are Bo Bunny and the sentiment is from a Simon Says Exclusives sentiment set :-) oohh and I found these tiny buttons in my button box :-) They came in handy !! :-)





The DT have made some fabulous creations for you to see so pop over to the challenge blog to see them :-)

I am also entering this into the following challenges

C.R.A.F.T. ,,,,,, Ribbons and Sparkle

Stamp Something ,,,,,Designer papers, Ribbons and Buttons

Cute Card Thursday ,,, Ribbon-tastic :-)



I have a GORGEOUS blog candy sponsored by Heidi at Simon Says Stamp if you would like to take a peek it is at the top of my blog :-)

new girl on the block :-)

Delphine is new to blogland and makes fantastic cards :-) Please pop by her blog and welcome her to blogland :-) I am sure she would appreciate you all popping by ! :-)

you can see Delphine's Blog here :-)

a cute card for a couple of challenges :-)

I won this fabulous Wags and Whiskers stamp on the Winter Wonderland Challenge a couple of weeks ago which was sponsored by Nikki at Bunny Zoe's Crafts :-)

The theme this week on the Wags and Whiskers Challenge is freestyle so I thought I would use this lovely Gemma and Bella Spring Fun stamp to enter :-)

I followed Jo's fabulous sketch on the Sketch Saturday Challenge :-) I love this sketch and well definitely use it again ! :-)



The image was coloured with copics and the edges were distressed with shabby shutters ink. I then added stickles to all the flowers ,,, sooo sparkly :-) The papers are Basic Grey from the Two Scoops pad. The yellow panels were stamped with cats paw prints :-) The sentiment is from a Wild Rose Studio set :-)



I am also entering this into the By the Cute and Girly ,,,,,, Spring is in the air



I have a GORGEOUS blog candy sponsored by Heidi at Simon Says Stamp if you would like to take a peek it is at the top of my blog :-)

Sketch and Stash Challenge ,,, my first sketch ! :-)

Time for another challenge over on the Sketch and Stash Challenge :-) Before we move on to the sketch I would like say a big welcome to Susie Sunshine who has joined the team :-)

We are being sponsored by Cute daisy May AND Digital delights this week, so fabulous prizes !! :-)
A few weeks ago Becky asked us if we would like to have a go at designing a sketch and this is what I came up with :-)



I used my new Wild Rose Studio image and papers :-) This image is called out and about. Dulcie has made some fabulous new designs that are just released now ,,,, pop over to her site to see them and for a list of retail outlets :-)
I coloured the image with copics and paper pieced her shopping bag with a brown paper bag ! :-) I added copic spica pen for delicate sparkle ,, he scarf is covered with 'sequins' !! :-)



I added lots of stickles and a few Robins Nest Dew Drops for sparkle. the frame is a nellie Snellen multiframe and the sentiment tag is a die cut :-) The sentiment is also a new sentiment set form the Wild Rose Studio :-)



Nikky, our GD has made a lovely card using the sketch ,,, as have all the DT ,, some have made 2 !! :-) Pop over to the Sketch and Stash Challenge to see them :-) I am really looking forward to seeing what you make using my sketch !! :-)

I am entering this card into The Pink Elephant Challenge whose theme is to add green :-) How lucky is that !! :-)

I have a GORGEOUS blog candy sponsored by Heidi at Simon Says Stamp if you would like to take a peek it is at the top of my blog :-)

Prima Marketing candy :-)

I have copied and pasted this from the Prima Marketing Blog :-)

Prima has something really big coming your way…. ..but we can’t reveal it just yet! We know you’re going to love it! And don’t worry-we promise to share the big news with you soon. It’s really hard not to spill the beans, but we are sworn to secrecy. So, in the meantime, we have an exciting opportunity for you to win BIG and it’s open to everyone! There are two fabulous prize baskets worth $100 up for grabs. Prima will choose one winner from the US and one International winner.

Here is what you need to do to be considered for the drawing:



-Post about our Big Secret on your blog and include a link to our blog
within the post.

-Add a comment here under this post with a link to your blog.

-You have until Sunday night to enter

If you have done all of the above-you will be eligible for the drawings.

The winners will be chosen and posted on Monday, March 1st!

Good luck!


Now go over to the PRIMA MARKETING BLOG to enter !! :-)

This candy is not on my blog !!!!! :-)

My ABC Challenge linked candy :-)

My candy for this fortnight is linked to the current ABC Challenge which is 'O' for One paper :-) We also have a DT call so if you're interested head on over to the ABC Challenge blog for details :-)

If you have alrerady entered the challenge you can link your card with Mr Linky on my candy post ! :-) You have until next Wednesday morning to enter ! It is a lovely HM stamp which you can see at the top of my blog :-)

Totally Papercrafts Sue's Sketch Challenge :-)

This week it is Sue has made her FIRST EVER sketch for us all to follow :-) isn't it fab !! :-) Well done Sue :-)

We are being sponsored by Heidi at Simon Says Stamp and Sue has chosen a gorgeous prize !! You have to go to the Totally Papercrafts Challenge blog to see it :-)



I used my new Happy Hoppers stamp from Simon Says Stamp :-) This one is called Relaxing Bubbles :-) I coloured the image with copics and added rock candy stickles on the bubbles :-) The paper is Basic Grey and I used Maroon hammer card for layering :-)



I used a few Robins Nest dew drops for sparkle and the sentiment is from Penny Black. The flower is prima ,, sprayed with pearl glimmer mist and the ribbon is pure silk ,,,, gorgeous eh ! :-) this card is for my Mum for Mother's Day ,,, do you think she'll like it ?? :-)



I am also entering this into the following challenges :-)

Basic Grey Challenge ,,,,,, maroon, lemon, pink

Paperplay Challenge For a Mother :-)




I have a GORGEOUS blog candy sponsored by Heidi at Simon Says Stamp if you would like to take a peek it is at the top of my blog :-)

Not a White Rabbit ! :-)

The Simon Says Stamp Store have a fabulous colour challenge on their Papercraft Planet site :-) Brown/Cream/Teal ,,, and there is a fab choice of 3 ink pads as a prize !! :-)

For my card I followed Tina's lovely sketch on the Create4fun Challenge :-)




I used this very cute Snuggle stamp from The Greeting Farm :-) Simon says Stamp now have these in stock !! :-) I coloured the image with copics, I should have kept the rabbit white ,,,,never mind !! I then inked the edges with teal pigment ink and embossed with sparkle EP. the papers are Basic Grey from the Two Scoops paper pad. I added some lace stickles to her dress and diamond stickles everywhere else :-) I used a few Robins Nest Dew Drops and some prima flowers that are sprayed with pearl glimmer mist :-) The fancy edge was made with a Martha Stewart doily punch and the lovely ribbon,,, teal and brown spots was in my stash :-)



thanks for looking :-) I appreciate your comments so please leave me one,,, and please join us at the Papercrafts Planet :-)

I have a GORGEOUS blog candy sponsored by Heidi at Simon Says Stamp if you would like to take a peek it is at the top of my blog :-)

Speedy Gruffie !! :-)

I started this card thinking of it as a 'You're Not Over the Hill' card ,,I had someone in mind for that !! and I might change the sentiment and make it into that ,,,, will see !! :-) For now it is a Speedy Recovery card ;-)

I made this following Sem's fab sketch on the Sunday Sketch and Stamp Challenge
I did move the sentiment over a bit as my circle was either too big ,,, or my card too small ,,, in any case ,, it wouldn't fit at the bottom ,,,, hope this is OK x x :-)


I used my lovely Gruffie stamp from Simon Says Stamp this one is called Red Roller Racing :-) I coloured the image with copics and added a little copics spica pen on his nails ,, to sharpen them ! and on the 'Go Faster' writing :-) I inked all the edges of all the papers with antique linen distress ink. The papers and gems are Papermania :-) I also used a Tim Holtz pewter sprocket gear and mini brad. The text was printed on the comp ,,,



I am also entering this into the Colour Create Challenge whose theme is Red, Black and off white with the optional extra of silver or pewter brads ,,, I ticked all the boxes :-)

the Quixotic Challenge ,,, One for the Boys ,,, this is either a Get Well Soon card ,,, or a Birthday card for a 'boy' :-)


thanks for looking :-) I appreciate your comments so please leave me one :-)


I have a GORGEOUS blog candy sponsored by Heidi at Simon Says Stamp if you would like to take a peek it is at the top of my blog :-)

The Creative Cottage Challenge Blog :-)

The Creative Cottage is a new challenge blog that will start on 10th March :-)

They are giving away 4 sets of digi papers to 4 winners !!! the papers are gorgeous eh !! Pop over to The Creative Cottage for further details :-)



I have a GORGEOUS blog candy sponsored by Heidi at Simon Says Stamp if you would like to take a peek it is at the top of my blog :-)

Play it again Sam,, err Gruffie !! :-)

oh how corny is that title !!! ughugh ,,,, never mind !! :-)

I love this Gruffies stamp this one is called Beary Nice Song :-) Isn't he cute :-)



I coloured the image with copics and inked the edges with dusty concorde distress inks. I mader the frame with a Martha Stewart round the page punch set I love these ,,,, need more !!!! :-) The papers are from Crafty Individuals, I have had them for years and I was saving them because I thought they were so lovely ! :-)
The flowers are Prima roses that have been glittered with diamond stickes and a silver organza bow added to make the bouquet :-) The ribbon slider is a spellbinders die which I then sponged with pearlescent lilac ink to highlight the embosssed areas :-) The 'love' sentiment is a SU stamp :-)




I am entering this card into these challenges :-

Just Cute Bears ,,,,, Lilac

Everybody's Art Challenge ,,,,, Easel Card :-)


I have a GORGEOUS blog candy sponsored by Heidi at Simon Says Stamp if you would like to take a peek it is at the top of my blog :-)