Yea!!! Remember the Doodle Pantry DT call I mentioned?  Well – I made it – which means I get to play with more fantabulous digital stamps – thanks Laurie!  In light of that happy news, I thought a wee celebration was in order – so I carved a little time out of my schedule to play with one of the new sets – Pumpkin Birdie.  I started creating in Photoshop – the sizing of the image was perfect to start with so I just duplicated it several times on an 8.5×11 borderless page. For the pumpkins and leaves, I “pieced” a digital paper from Kalo Designs County Fair kit – resizing as needed.  The little birdie is “colored” using my favorite Chalkies from Jodiann Cates – I LOVE these Photoshop styles – they are seriously one of my go-to tools! After printing out my pieced elements on white CS and a full-size, unaltered image on Very Vanilla CS (SU), I started trimming.  I cut the base image with my large square nesties and embossed it with my Birds and Swirls CB folder (Provo Craft) and then added color by running my Antique Linen Distress Ink pad (Ranger) over the embossed areas.  Since it’s almost impossible for me to avoid some sort of sparkle, I spritzed the entire layer with Gold Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels) and then placed it face-down under a heavy book to dry and flatten out.  Then I began work on the leaves – using a paintbrush, I applied a thin layer of PVA glue to my stamped image and the applied Autumn Flowersoft (the premade blend mixed with my own creation) for texture.  While those two items were drying, I cut my scallop mat (embossed with D’Vine Swirls CB folder) and my frame from Indian Summer Fall DP (DCWV).  My card base is a standard A2 made from Very Vanilla CS (SU), embossed with a Fiskars Texture Plate and distressed with Antique Linen Distress Ink (Ranger).  To finalize my layout, I browsed the net and discovered this week’s sketch at Card Patterns – which fit beautifully with my design. Instead of using another DP layer, I rummaged through my stash for some Autumn wired ribbon which I attached to a 2.25×4.25 scrap of CS for added stability.  Since everything was dry (at least until that point) I started piecing my layers together.  As I adhered the pumpkins, I covered them with Glossy Accents (Ranger) – I wanted them to shine!  The little birdie (highlighted with Spica markers) followed the pumpkins and then the leaves – all attached with varying thickness pop-dots (Fiskars).  After my scene was assembled, I attached it to the scallop mat and added the frame over the top (which I then embellished with adhesive pearls (Michaels).  The sentiment is handwritten in Pumpkin Pie marker (SU) and attached with a piece of hardware from my stash (SU-retired Hodgepodge Hardware in Aged Copper). I opted to use complimenting pearls in place of the traditional brads on the hardware. All in all, I’m pleased with the results – though I wish I could use Glimmer Mists without curling my paper! I’d love to know what you think too!

Challenges I Played In:

• Card Patterns – Sketch 78
• Alota Rubber Stamps – Fall Colors
• Artful Inkables – Bling It Baby
• Creative Card Crew – Sparkle and Shine
• Scrap Creations – Ribbons, Flowers, Brads or Pearls
• Paper Creations – Use Flowersoft

That’s all from me! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! Be sure to visit Laurie’s blog – you can meet the new DT there.

Happy Thursday! Just  a quick post from me as we’re off to Preschool again this morning – and still adjusting to our new routine.  First off, MyGrafico is having an end of summer sale, which means Lindsay’s Stamp Stuff, as well as the other designers products, are on sale!

Lindsay has released a new SVG set – called Teacher’s Helper – super cute and easy to use. Since my little one just started Preschool, and I am volunteering at her school, this set was perfect for me!  I used it to create cute little pencil boxes/teacher gifts.  The super cute paper is from the Animal Cracker Stack (DCWV). I added little rhinestone embellishments from My Mind’s Eye – and viola – cute and easy! Really easy – just load the files in Sure Cuts A Lot, pick your, paper, and cut!  Now I  just have to finish the other 8!

Challenges I Played In:

• ABC Design Blog – Back To School
• Cutie-Sunday – Anything But A Card
• Hand Stamped Sentiments – Anything But A Card
• Little Red Wagon – Back To School
• One Stop Craft Challenge – Not A Card
• Paper Cutz – Anything Goes

If you haven’t already been to Lindsay’s Blog, be sure to stop by. I know she has a fabulous freebie and the links to all of the other DT projects (as well as some amazing creations of her own!).  Don’t forget the sale – 30% off as well!

That’s all from me – another morning of preschool and a lunch date await us! Have a fabulous day!

Doodle Pantry is having a DT call – and I didn’t want to miss a chance to work with these fabulous stamps!  This scripture from the A Loving God set really spoke to me after all of the fear and the blessings surrounding my Dad’s cancer diagnosis and my own recent thyroid ultrasound results – so I decided to create a card with it. I printed the sentiment on Very Vanilla cs (SU) and cut it out using a Label 4 Nestability (Spellbinders).  I cut a mat out of black cs with the Nestability as well.  My card base is from my La Creme box set (DCWV) – which I love!! After adhering everything I added black pearls (Michaels) and faux piercing with my Soot Spica Marker.  For a finishing touch I added a Vine Rose (Prima).

I’d love to know what you think!

Challenges I Played In:

• Creatalicious – Vintage
• Crafts and Me – Petals and Pearls
• Bunny Zoe’s Crafts – Vintage
• Our Daily Bread Designs – Dies and Punches
• One Stitch at a Time – Say It With Shapes
• Sentimental Sundays – Words to Inspire
• Stampin Sisters In Christ – Psalm 56:3

Have a great weekend!