My rubber is all dusty!!

I hate it when that happens!

I have been so deep in the world of digital images

that I haven't actually stamped a main image in months(?).

I finally broke down and mounted a mountain of rubber

and started inking them all up!

I got this beautiful Sweet Pea image months ago.

She is aptly titled, "The Dragonfly".

I am just insane about coloring fleurs to match

my projects lately. I found these satin roses at the $$ Store

in the wedding aisle. They were white, but after a bit

of coloring with Copics and then dipping the fleur in

rubbing alcohol, they are a perfect match to my card!

I like the way the use of the alcohol leaves the ribbon soft,

not all stiff like I have experienced with just using the Copics.

I destashed with a butt load of Dew Drops!

I have had these forever and really needed to make use of them.

I popped on some Sizzix corners and highlighted them with

some "Patina" Stickles.

I got to use some more of this gorgeous satin ribbon also

snagged from the $$ Store. Wish I had hoarded more of this

ribbon when they had it. Added in a green stick pin and

voila!!!

I'll be back tomorrow with another version of this same

Sweet Pea image, but in another color scheme.

Let me know whatcha think.

   

Veronica and Gang: Christy

This is Christy , from the new

Veronica and Gang line

at Simply Betty Stamps.

I had quite the grandiose plan for this card at the start.

Then I had to re-plan due to a total rookie move on the cutter.

I still went for the labor intensive lacing effect, but ended up

covering it up with Christy.

I did think to take a picture before I added the image.  

I have seen other projects with this element

and I love it! I have never tried it before and am

quite pleased with the outcome.

I just wish I had thought out my sizing and layout a bit more

before I started.

I added the fleurs to Christy's bags to make them purty

and to add some dimension and bling.

The new Veronica and Gang line is super fun to color

and all the images are very versatile for all occasions.

Drop by Simply Betty Stamps shop and check out

all of the great images and supplies Betty has to choose from. 

  



Wicked Wednesday!!!!

Welcome to Wicked Wednesday!!!

In an effort to bring more mid-week traffic to my blog and the

Macabre Monday/Haunted Design House challenges,

I am going to be posting my challenge projects on Wednesdays.

This week's Macabre Monday challenge is:

My Beloved Monster

I started off with a really cute free image from

Forgotten Scraps.

He's cute right?!

I colored him up in bright, spring colors

cause I was in a bright mood for a change,

for a minute.

I destashed with some clear epoxy dots, which

I kinda forced them on the project, so I'm not really feelin'

the dots, but they're clear, so no harm, no foul there. 

After completing that card, I felt like I had cheated

the challenge, being that the monster wasn't very scary,

and I know this group take much worse.

So here's worse...

Everyone pretty much knows that MY most

beloved monster is the Zombie.

I found this image a while back on Google and

decided to bring it to life with a bit of color.

I went with my favorite mottled effect for the rotted skin

and made sure to add the angry red coloring where the

infection has yet to fully set in. I added some yellow green to the

red flesh to emulate the infection of the meat.

I think I have found my calling in coloring gore!!!

Is it shameful to be proud of this? 

Veronica and Gang Release Hop

Welcome to the latest Simply Betty Stamps release/blog hop!

Today Betty is releasing her latest line,

Veronica and Gang.

Hopefully you have arrived here from Cheri's blog,

but if not, feel free to start at the beginning here.

I am using the adorable "Zoe" image today.

Working with purples can be hard some times as there

are so many shades of purple to match and contend with.

I stuck with the blue violet family and I think it turned out great!

I fell in love with her eyes as soon as I saw her.

I decided to just use the lime green as an accent color

and keep it simple.

I colored the rhinestones with Copics to match

her eyes. 

I also colored these plain white roses with BV Copics, then I

saturated them in rubbing alcohol and let them air dry.

As they dried the ink blended itself and dried to a gorgeous

and natural looking finish.

  

This is the rear view of all the hand piercing I did

on this card. I couldn't decide on any other

embellishments so I pierced it in a similar swirl

design as the DP I used and filled up the empty space

at the top of the card.

Next up on this hop is one of our DT newbies, Juanita! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Steampunk Romance SBS blog hop

Welcome to my stop along the way

on this Romantic Steampunk Simply Betty blog hop.

You should have arrived here from the insanely talented
Cheri's blog ,

but if not and you'd like to join in from the beginning, go here.

I often think of how lucky I am to be on the Simply Betty DT,

and how fortunate I am to get to play and create with so many
unique and stunning and fun lines. The Steampunk line is one of my
most favorite to work with, and the new,
"Romance"  line is no exception.

Gwendolyn is a favorite of mine as well.

I decided to go with a vintage feel and kept the colors

fairly muted and subtle. For me anyway.

I went to town coloring the fleurs with my Copics.

I added color to the tips of the roses and then I dipped

them in alcohol and let them dry to a nice, blended,

realistic effect.

I had some large, brown glittered brads that really anchored

the ivory webbed ribbon down nicely.  

I colored Gwen in with Copics and

aged the edges of the panel with my scissors and

some Tim Holtz distress inks.

My second project is also my first altered journal.

I picked up this journal at Mike's with the intention of

using it in this hop somehow. I am quite a novice when it

comes to altering items. Maybe just a creature of habit, but

I finally stepped out of my comfort zone (again?!) and am

quite pleased with the outcome.

I cut out both Mercius and Grace images with my new

Heart nesties and colored them with Copics.

I added some Sizzix fluorishes. Some that I shaded

with pink SU inks for a bit of dimension.

I added more Copic and (dryed) alcohol soaked roses

in matching shades of pink. Popped on some

pearl sprays and a polymer clay heart that I had left over

from another project, added a compass and gear brad

to Mercius' side to give it a masculine element.

Plus some Stickles for that romantic sparkle.

I'll be listing this journal in my Etsy shoppe if anyone is

interested in purchasing it.

Thanks for sticking with me this long.
Next stop on the Steampunk hop is
the loverly, the talented,

Lady B. 

HDH077 Doctor Death

"Doctor Death"

 the options were limitless this week!

I decided not to Google an image and use what I have

on hand for this challenge.

My first thought was a Kevorkian type of vibe, but

decided to go the cartoony, comical route instead.

I never seem to have a "Get Well" card on hand

when I need one so I thought this challenge was

a good opportunity to get at least one in my  stash.

The insane doctor image is from Hambo Stamps.

He is perfect for this challenge with his maniacal

laugh and the brain held high.

I used the airbrush thingy from SU! and attached

some red Copics for the blood splatter on his coat

and pants, and all the splatter inside the card too.

This two part sentiment is also from Hambo.

They have some of the funniest sayings ever. 

The IV bag is a rubber stamp from Stamp it Crazy.

The sexy nurse is an image from Bugaboo Stamps.

She is from the Sassy Gals line, and is nothing but

sass. LOVE her!

Please join us this week over at Haunted Design House

for this week's Macabre Monday challenge.

Let's see what kinds of horrors you can muster up

for this challenge. 

 

Help for Katie

Cancer. Frightening word.

Both my Mother and my Mother-in-law are breast cancer survivors.

My Aunt and Uncle are both brain cancer survivors. Our family is

no stranger to cancer and the effect it has on all our lives in one way or another.

Many of you may know all about fellow crafter, Katie Renz's battle

with cancer, however if you don't please go here:

 http://www.help4katie.blogspot.com/ .

This is the second time that some very generous sponsors have

contributed to a special digital stamp pack full of beautiful images

to help raise money for Katie and help her fight her battle financially as well.

For a donation of $15 you will receive all of these images.

Betty at Simply Betty Stamps designed this image for Katie and the

special digi pack.

I made this card with my MIL in mind.

It's way outside of my crafting comfort zone with all the

bright cheery colors and pearl accents, but it's for a good cause.

And it only burned for a minute or so.

Katie has been so brave and is posting about her battle on her blog here.

If you would like to help and or donate please drop by  

  http://www.help4katie.blogspot.com/.

Thank you!