Digistamps4Joy September Christmas Challenge

Below is the card I made using my free DS4J image.  This is the third month I've played along, and the digital images are so darn cute!  I love them!  Here's what they say at DS4J.  If you are just getting started with this challenge, there are instructions on their blog letting you know how to get your first image:

Digistamps4Joy offers a free DS4J Christmas image each month with which you can create a card or tag.

You need to enter your card or tag with this free image.  Each person who has created a card or tag with the month's free image, will receive the next month's image free.

I decided to paper piece most of this image.  I've only colored the owl faces and inside of the tree trunk using distress markers.  The white fur trim is puff paint and the sentiment is a rub on.  All materials were old papers from my stash.

Thanks for taking a look, and be sure to check out Digistamps4Joy! 

UmWowStudio September sketch

September's sketch is up at UmWowStudio.  I have used it to make another page for my "My Favorite Things/People" book. This month I am highlighting our youngest son who just got a job cooking at a nice restaurant in our local casino.  He seems to like it- now if he'd only cook for me at home!!

I used Nature Walk papers and sticker under the picture.  UmWow chipboard arrow was also used, along with the chevron mask.  I added subtle food pictures from a recipe set, 2 different ink splatters and some washi.  The title is stamped on the same photo paper I used for the pic.  The black gesso used with the mask is a little too messy for me, especially in the upper right corner, but it will do for now.  (I may go back later and redo the layout, after I live with it for awhile and see if I still feel the same)
As always, thanks for taking a look!

Digistamps4Joy, Aug Christmas challenge

Santa's Helper was the free digi for participating in last month's Digistamps4joy Christmas challenge.  It is a very sweet digi!  Here's my project using the digi and coloring with water color pencils:

The card base was in my stash and came as a free item with a past order.  I don't remember exactly who the order was from, though.  For snow, I added glitter to white  puff paint.  I also did the same for the fur trim around the Santa suit.  Sentiment is also from my stash of Christmas embellishments.  I'm really enjoying the free digis and having the opportunity to practice coloring!  (It has always been a little intimidating)
Thanks for taking a look, and be sure to check out Digistamps4joy - they have lots of beautiful digis!

UmWow's August Sketch

I'm making it in just under the wire this month - have been incredibly busy both at home and at work!
For this sketch, I used a pic of our oldest as he was driving from one state to another on one of his many moves!  (Of course, I was right there with him, as his moving assistant!)

The sketch used was UmWow's August sketch.  I followed it pretty closely, as you can see when you click on the UmWow link (I had trouble copying a small enough copy of the sketch, so you'll need to use the link to see it).
Paper was Nature Walk; masks, chipboard, and flair are UmWow; water ring stamp is VLVS; and twine and cheese cloth are from my stash.

As always, thanks for stopping by and taking a look!

PTI 2014 SAF Closing Ceremony

The Stamp-a-faire has ended for this year, and I am happy to say I learned several new techniques (thanks to all the wonderful tutorials!) and have 6 cards to add to my stash.  I just need to finish off the insides, which shouldn't take too long.  Now, to clean up my mess!

PTI 2014 SAF 1940's challenge

This is the last challenge I was able to finish this week-end. My daughter and I plan on continuing to work on the challenges later in the week and next week-end. (She bought the SAF kit, so we have lots of goodies to play with!)  It was not as hard as I expected to stamp the background (the tutorial really helped) and the card went together pretty quickly.  I did pop up the banner part of the sentiment and the two blue flowers, but it doesn't really show up in the pic.  Another fun project!

PTI 2014 SAF 1920's challenge

This may have been my all time favorite!  It took longer than the other challenge cards since there are over 100 rhinestones on this embellishment!  I love the look of the hand stamped background and the neutral colors.

PTI 2014 SAF Renaissance challenge

The colors and textures in this period are wonderful!  We were to heat stamp on velvet fabric - I was a little afraid I'd melt the clear stamp, but probably could have kept the heat on the velvet a little more. The pattern is a little hard to see on the velvet, but is really a pretty effect!  Here's the card:  The card base is more purple than shows in the picture, and the gold is not as bright as what shows up.  The velvet is a nice, deep maroon  (looks much  better in person).

PTI 2014 SAF Ancient Rome mosaic challenge

I really like the Ancient Rome challenges - Here's the mosaic card I made.  I used softer colors and a more delicate butterfly stamp.  I'll probably try this again using a bold floral stamp and brighter colors for the "grout" so the stamped image looks like it is more in the background.

PTI 2014 SAF Ancient Rome

Card #2 finished!  This is for the Ancient Rome challenge at PTI's 2014 Stamp-a-faire.  I had never painted on or used embossing paste before and it was lots of fun.  Here's what I made, following the sample pretty closely: