Saturday, February 27, 2010

Buttons and Bows

I think it's pretty safe to assume that all card crafters have an abundance of two items...ribbons and buttons! I am no exception to this rule! No matter how much I have, those bargain bins full of ribbon spools always call out to me! lol So, I am very grateful to Krafty Girl Andrea this week who has challenged us to use those very items...her challenge posted at the Kraftin' Kimmie Challenge Blog is called "Buttons and Bows".

I decided to ink up Charlotte this week...I have been so obsessed with all the fantastic new release images that I have left the poor girl neglected in the bottom of my Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps stash! So, it's her turn to shine this week! Charlotte is a favourite of mine. I just adore her quirkiness, and her, ahem, "well-loved" dolls. Are you ever guilty of that...ignoring your older stamps in place of that new shiny rubber?? Fess up ladies...I know you're out there!


LOL...ok, guilt trip time is over! On to the details!! I picked up this fantastic sheet of paper from KaiserCraft last weekend. Oh, how I LOVE orange on a card, and yet I seldom use it! So when I saw this paper, it immediately went into my basket. With all the white outside, we need a shock of bright colour to lift our spirits, right? My usual card making process is to pick my paper out first, so I coloured Charlotte in coordinating colours with my Copic markers. I used some SU cardstock I had kicking around for the cardbase and to mat the layers. The ribbon is from American Crafts and the "sentiment" is a dollar store find. I also used some Prima Hydrangeas with buttons as the flower centres and finally added a few rhinestones for a bit of pizazz!


Silly me...I just picked up a brand new border punch last weekend which would have been perfect for this card. However, I COMPLETELY forgot about it while assembling the card, duh! It would have been perfect to spruce up the edge of that yellow layer...sigh. As I used a VERY permanent glue to adhere the layers, there was NO chance of lifting it off, so it will stay "unpunched". Lesson learned: Get ALL supplies you plan to use out before you assemble, especially if your brain is a sieve like mine!! lol

Time to hop on over to the Challenge Blog to see what the rest of the Krafty Girls have made this week. Trust me...they are FANTASTIC!! Then, ink up those Kraftin' Kimmie images, tie some bows and pull out those buttons!! (if you do not yet own any of Kimmie's awesome stamps, you can check out her store here) Make sure to link up your entry for the chance to win "Puppy Love", the image Andrea used on her card this week!

Oh, and you will want to make sure to check in with all the Krafty Girls starting on Tuesday March 2, 2010 because there is something VERY exciting coming!! You know, if you sign up as a follower on the Challenge Blog (as well as on all the Krafty Girl's blogs), you will always be up to date on all the news at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!! Trust me, you will NOT want to miss out on what we have planned for next week...you will LOVE it!!

See you back tomorrow!!

God bless

Melanie

Stamps: Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps, "Charlotte"
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers, Distress Ink in Antique Linen and Tea Dye
Paper: Neenah, SU, KaiserCraft, My Mind's Eye
Embellishments: Prima Hydrangeas, Basic Grey buttons, American Crafts ribbon, Dollar store trinket, flat backed rhinestones, Star Dust Stickles
Tools: Bow Easy, Nestabilites Labels 8

10 comments:

Michele Boyer said...

Super-DUPER cute, Melanie! I just love Charlotte! She's one of my all-time faves too. Your coloring is always just SO amazing. How in the world you know just where to add such subtle shadows (like creating nose lines where there are none) is beyond me. SO amazing!

Unknown said...

Hi Melanie,
I am fairly new to Kraftin Kimmie stamps but I think I may become addicted. I love your card you colouring is awesome!! I love the way you have done her hair - fab.
Hugs
Dawn xx
Had to become a follower!!!!

Yvette said...

Oh, I LOVE how you colored in Charlotte! Your coloring is incredible! And I so ditto what Michele said above about the shadows! Great great job!!!

Andrea Murdock said...

this card is adorable, I love to use orange too when I can but seldom do as well. I wish we could have hooked up last weekend. Kimmie and I have already decided we will have a day where we go to the Town Scrapper then come to hang out with you and perhaps....colour ;)

Lacey Stephens said...

Fantastic card!! I love your coloring and one of these days, I will ink this lady up!!
~Lacey

Unknown said...

OMG, this little curly haired girl is fabulous! That is the best image and your coloring is terrific! Love this design!
Blessings,
Kim xXx

Welcome! said...

oooh Mel, I LOVE this!!! All the bright colours are just amazing, and your colouring...sigh!
Hugs, Krista

Scrappychick said...

What a fun card! Love the orange! and your coloring is just gorgeous :)

Crissy Armstrong said...

Melanie, you are inspiring! I want to color like you when I grow up! You get such depth to your pictures, there's nothing flat about them. As much as I love the colors on her, I also love the ground and area around her. Your attention to those kinds of details makes your cards stand out from the crowd. Congratulations on your permanent spot on the team. Its no wonder you were chosen though! xo

Unknown said...

Mel...Charlotte is just absolutely adorable and your card is PERFECT!! Really stunning card hun! Xx