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Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Send-off to The Character Cafe Design Team

 

Here is a slideshow of the projects I’ve done for The Character Cafe over the last 9 months with their Design Teams.  I have greatly enjoyed my time with them and I hope you’ve found inspiration in something I’ve created.  :o)

 

 

It has been a great pleasure and privilege to work not only with precious images from The Character Cafe, but also the wonderful Design Team ladies I’ve had the joy of knowing over the last 9 months! 

To The Character Cafe:  This is NOT good-bye!  I will still see you all around “Blogland” and who knows…maybe I’ll play along on a challenge sometime!  :o)

Billie

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Sunday, March 28, 2010

BLOG CANDY!!!

 

CandyBannerMarchApril10

Anary has some BLOG CANDY for all of you amazing crafters out there!  If you’d like to sign up for her candy, please click HERE!  The more followers she gets, the more candy she will be offering! 

Billie

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Friday, March 26, 2010

Anything but a card…….

 

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Today’s challenge project was to make anything BUT a card.  I decided to make a gift bag that matched my card from a few weeks ago.  :o)

For this project, I used:

  • Image – The Character Cafe
  • Papers – Martha Stewart Baby Girl Pack
  • Copics – Y11, G12, Rv02
  • Air Compressor
  • Skittles
  • Spellbinders Nestabilities – Deckled Edge
  • Plantin Schoolbook

It is a really simple project, really.  I cut the bag using Plantin Schoolbook, put it together, added some patterned paper that matched my card from 2 weeks ago and went to work on my image.  My image, like the patterned papers is like the card I previously made.  The only thing I did differently is I used a Spica pen on the ribbon & bow instead of the shimmerz. 

 

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Here is a photo of the card and gift bag together.  The gift bag is kind of small about 3” wide x 4” tall and maybe 2 inches deep.  Not terribly big, but cute for something small.  :o)

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the DT to see what they are showcasing this week:

NOTE:  A lot of my followers know that I have been with The Character Cafe since they chose their first Design Team back in June 2009.  It was for a 3 month term.  When that term ended, I stayed for another 6 months.  I was asked if I’d like to stay on for another 6 months, however I have decided to let someone else have a chance to design with these cute images that Kendra & Kelly create for you all!  I have agreed, however, to be a guest designer for them at some point in the future…so stay tuned.  :o)

So, without further adieu, I conclude my term with The Character Cafe.  It’s a bittersweet moment, however I know that whomever replaces me will do a great job and will enjoy these images immensely.  If you are interested in joining The Character Cafe Design Team, please click HERE for a link to the details. 

Kendra, Kelly and the Team– THANK YOU for everything!  I will miss you all dearly!  I can’t wait to see what you all create in the future.  {Big Hugs}

See you soon!

Billie

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Monday, March 22, 2010

Stamping Scrapping SALE!

 

March Madness Continues at Stamping Scrapping 

Clearance Section has amazing deals along with Slice, Letterpress, Martha Stewart punches and more in their own categories...Save $$$$$

FREE U.S. SHIPPING WITH A $50.00 PURCHASE!!

Here are the highlights on Sales & News at Stamping Scrapping

As always you can expect the highest customer service and fastest shipping (24 hours) of all In Stock items!

New Cricut Carts Summer Preorders Shipping April

Bundle of the Three NEW Carts JUST $58.99 FREE SHIPPING!

http://www.stampingscrapping.com/category_84/NEW-CRICUT-ITEMS.htm

Cuttlebug NEW Folders, Quilling Kits & Extended Plates shipping April

Preorder yours now for the earliest delivery at GREAT PRICES here:  http://www.stampingscrapping.com/category_35/Cuttlebug-NEW-Embossing-Folders.htm

New House Mouse Stamps Now Shipping

http://www.stampingscrapping.com/category_406/House-Mouse-Stamps.htm

If you love Magnolia stamps you will love the Bildmalarna Stamps Now Shipping

Cindy at Stamping Scrapping  is now the North American Distributor and they have an exclusive stamp club you can only get from:

http://www.bildmalarna.com/

WANT to WIN FREE STAMPS?  Come make a guess on how many stamps were delivered here to our store on Friday....

Remember guess how many Jelly Beans in the Jar??...come take a guess here:

http://www.bildmalarnablog.blogspot.com/

NEW STAMPINGSCRAPPING Sanding & Distressing Block!  Top Quality, Washable Pink and Chocolate in color!  Perfect for Coredinations Paper or gently etching your JustRite stampers so they easily accept ink and stamp clearly.

Yours FREE with a $75.00 purchase for a limited time or you may purchase them here

http://www.stampingscrapping.com/item_5962/Sanding-Block-Paper-Distresser--PINK.htm

NEW Core'dinations papers here:  LOVE THE GEMSTONES!

http://www.stampingscrapping.com/category_27/Coredinations-Core-Cardstock-.htm

I hope you’ll stop by and check out all that Cindy has to offer. 

Billie

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A Little Digi Scrapping

Well, I decided a few weeks ago that I’d start doing some digital layouts since I have 3 kids, none of which have a complete scrapbook album….okay, not even half of a scrapbook album (I know, I know!!!).  I really want to get their albums caught up, so in the words of FlyLady, I’m doing it in baby steps.  ;o)

I was originally using Paint Shop Pro 9 to do layouts, but found it very tedious to resize elements the size I needed for my layouts.  My friend, Sheri, introduced me to Stampin’ Up My Digital Studio.  It is a lot easier to use than PSP9, however I do see some downfalls that I really hope they’ll do an update on. 

One BIG downfall that I’ve found is this: 

When you have an element – say the bracket thing behind the photos for instance – I can change the color all day long to any color I want and I can use SU papers to fill it….but I can’t do a paper fill with my own digital paper downloads.  Or if I can, I haven’t figured it out yet.  I’ve only had this about a week and a half, so I’m still learning.  Maybe I just haven’t gotten that far yet.  ha!  If you use MDS and know how to do this, I’ll love you FOREVER if you tell me how to do it.  :-)

UPDATED TO ADD:  I figured it out!  I decided to try something and it worked!!!

  • Locate My Digital Studio in your computer
  • Double-click to open the program
  • Double-click to open the “components” folder
  • Double-click to open the “backgrounds” folder
  • Create a folder with whatever name you want to call it.
  • Open that folder
  • In a separate window, locate and open the folder where you currently have your background papers
  • Drag and drop your papers into your newly created folder in your SU program

Now when you open your MDS software and have a paper in mind, you click to open the folder you created and your papers are there.  I am SOOOOO excited!!!!!

UPDATED AGAIN TO ADD:  I do not recommend dropping ALL of your papers and elements into the MDS folder.  I’m getting error messages on every single paper I added and I get the same messages every time I open the program.  That’s no fun when you have a bunch of papers.  So rather than drag and drop them all there, I’m just going to leave them all in another folder and drag & drop the papers when I want to use them.  That way I deal with the error messages on only the pages I’m using.  When I’m done using them, I can move the papers back to their original location.  Kind of a pain, but worth it until I can figure out another option.  ;o)

So…other than a few changes I’d love to see Stampin Up make, I’m very happy with the program.  It is very user friendly and and has a LOT of paper, color, stamp and paper punch options that come with it.  Now if MDS could just find some extra hours in my day so I can get some pages finished!  LOL

Anyway, this is a page I made with MDS of my youngest and my husband doing the “spaghetti scene” from Lady & The Tramp.  One of my favorite photo ops of the two of them.  :o)

 

Allison 1-020 

So, there ya have it….digital scrapping with MDS! 

Billie

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Friday, March 12, 2010

TCC FF – Bundle of Joy

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Thanks for stopping by today to check out this week’s Feature Friday post!  Today’s challenge is for a sketch that was drawn by Deanne!  I know I’ve said it before, but I just love sketches!  Here is the one we’re working off of this week:

 

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And here is the card I made following her sketch:

 

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For this project, I used:

  • Image – The Character Cafe
  • Papers – Martha Stewart Baby Girl Pack
  • Copics – Y11, G12, Rv02
  • Air Compressor
  • Shimmerz – Angel Wings
  • Skittles
  • Spellbinders Nestabilities – Deckled Edge

I used the Shimmerz on the ribbon around the word “Joy”, but it doesn’t show up very well.  I’m not too crazy about this stuff.  I’d much rather use GLITTER!  LOL

Don’t forget to check out the rest of the DT to see what they are showcasing this week:

See you soon!

Billie

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Friday, March 05, 2010

Oh Hoppy Day!

 

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Thanks for hopping along with us on The Character Cafe Blog Hop!  You should have hopped here by way of Sara.  If not, please go back to The Character Cafe Store and start at the beginning.

Today I was assigned “Hoppy Frog” to work with.  He' sure looks happy, doesn’t he?  I’m sending this as a birthday card to a member of my yahoo group, Copic Crafters.  So if your b-day happens to be in March and you’re in that group, well……….  ;o)

For this image, I used very minimal supplies:

  • Copics – YR23, 0, G82
  • Patterned Paper – My Mind’s Eye Glitter Blue Pad

Be sure you play along with this month’s blog hop!  The prize for winning?  The entire March Release & be asked to be Guest Designer for any or all the Feature Fridays this month.

Also, if you create a project using an image from The Character Cafe, be sure you link up to Mr. Linky on The Character Cafe Blog for a chance to win $10 gift certificate to the store and you have a chance to be Guest Designer for any or all the Feature Fridays this month. 

There is a FREEBIE along the way, so make sure you pay attention on each of the blogs!  :o)

In case you get “LOST” along the way, stop back by here for a list of the order.

START - The Character Cafe Store 
Rachel - Fairy Jocelyn
Fink - AB Stroller
Heather - Piper n Prince
Piali - Buddy 
Sara - Riley Leprachaun
Billie - Hoppy Frog
Deanne - Fairy Jocelyn
Diane - Bundle of Joy
Angie E - Buddy
Angie C - Riley Leprachaun
Lola - Hoppy Frog
END - The Character Cafe Blog

Thanks again for stopping by!  See you again soon!! 

Billie

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Thursday, March 04, 2010

Stampabilities Balloon Journey Tutorial

 

Hi there!  Who’s ready for SPRING!?!  Me!  Me!!!  We are having some warmer temperatures in Texas and I do hope it continues!  I don’t like the cold, rain, wind and freezes we’ve had for the last few months.  Yeah, yeah!  I know you’re probably still trying to dig your way out from your last snow storm, but we just don’t get this much Winter in Texas and I’m just ready for it to be GONE!  LOL

ANYWAY!  I’m helping Cindy with Stamping Scrapping work on some color combinations for Copic markers.  I sent her this photo with the list of colors below the picture and she asked the a post instructions on my blog.  So, here goes……

For this tutorial, you will need:

  1. Balloon Journey Stamp from the Stampabilities House Mouse line
  2. Copic markers in:  B24, B26, Y06, Y11, RV32, RV34, V04, V06, RV10, E33, E35 and E37
  3. Your choice of paper to stamp on.  I use Georgia Pacific Image Plus 110 lb cardstock that I purchased at Sams Club.

 

So, obviously you’re going to start out with your stamped image on your paper of choice.  Like I said, I use GP Image Plus 110 lb.  It’s a little smoother than the GP 110 lb that Wal Mart carries. 

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Next, you will lay down a quick base coat of E33 over your bunny, excluding his inner ear, nose and eye.  Yes, you will see a little bit of uneven color on your fur.  That’s okay.  We’re going to add another layer a little layer. 

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Next, you will take your darkest brown in our selection, which is E37, and add it to the areas you are choosing to shade.  It looks pretty rough right now, but it’ll work out.

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Now you’ll take your middle color, which is E35, and place a little into the areas you want shaded.  Still looks pretty pitiful, doesn’t it?  ;o)

 

DSC04319 Now you’re going to take your E33 marker and go over all the brown areas again EXCEPT the bottom of your bunny’s feet.  You may need to work on the shaded areas a little bit to get the amount of shading you want.

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Now you’re going to color your balloons with the lightest color for each balloon.  In this case, we used B24, V04, RV32 and Y11. 

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Now you’re going to add shading to your balloons.  Do this by laying a bit of your darker colors – B26, V06, Y06 and RV34

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Now let’s go back with our lightest colors (B24, Y11, V04 and B24) and blend the darker colors on the balloons to get our shading.

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In this photo, I added the RV10 to the bunny’s inner ear and his little nose.  You can do this at this point or you can do it when you’re done with the brown.  Up to you…but I forgot until I got to this point.  ;o)

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Now we’re going to add the “orbs” of our balloons.  This may seem confusing at first, but practice, practice, practice!!!! 

For the yellow balloon, I’ve taken my Y11 and RV32 markers and rubbed RV32 DIRECTLY onto the tip of my Y11 marker.  No…this will NOT ruin the tips of your markers or contaminate the colors!  Now, you’re going to take your Y11 marker and add in the orb from the pink balloon onto the yellow balloon using the little bit of RV32 marker that we rubbed onto the tip.  Make sure you rub your RV32 and Y11 markers onto a strip of scrap paper until you don’t see the remnants of color from the markers we rubbed together.

For the purple balloon:

You’re going to use your V04 and B26 markers to get the orb from the blue balloon by rubbing your B26 marker directly onto your V04 marker and adding that bit of blue to the purple balloon.  Clean your marker tips as described above.

To get the pink orb, you’re going to take the V04 and RV34 markers, rub the RV34 onto the V04 marker and add the orb from the pink balloon.  Clean your marker tips as described above.

To get the yellow orb, you’re going to take the V04 and Y11 markers.  Rub a bit of the Y11 marker onto the tip of the V04 and add in the yellow orb. 

This is what your balloons should like like when you are done with them.  Sorry for the dark photo…I was sitting in front of a window, but apparently it just didn’t give enough light and I didn’t realize it until I was done coloring everything and loaded the photos onto my computer.  *sigh*

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In this photo, I’ve added Pitch Black Spica pen to the balloon string.  I also took the E33 Copic and just lightly went over the fur/hair that sticks out around the bunny.  It helps give it a finished look. 

 

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And here is my finished project!  I used the Out of Bounds technique to cut the balloons around my balloons with a Classic Oval Large and matted it with a Classic Scalloped Oval Large.  Added a little white ribbon, some Swarovski Crystals and done! 

 

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I hope this tutorial was helpful to you!  Please let me know if you have any questions and/or what part was most helpful to you.  Also, if something was confusing, please let me know so I can try to explain it better.  :o)

Thanks for stopping by!

Billie

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