Text Me!

Hello and happy Saturday to you all! It's time for another challenge over at the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Blog. Your lovely hostess this week is the very sweet Tara Godfrey and her challenge is called "Text Me!"...so make sure to include text somewhere on your project.

I decided to use one of the verses from the newly released "Scripture Quotes" for Tara's challenge. I was really under the wire with this card, as I remembered at the last moment about my inlaw's anniversary earlier this week! We needed a card to slip a gift card into and I had about an hour to put this together. This was a HUGE challenge for me, as I am probably the world's slowest cardmaker. I often spend hours on a card between colouring an image, picking out paper, figuring out a layout and fussing over which embellishments to use. I used 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and stamped it on white cardstock with Versafine ink. I cut it out with Spellbinders Labels 2 and matted it on some Melissa Frances paper cut with Spellbinders Labels 8. The bits of scroll work bordering the sentiment are Spellbinders Fancy Tags. The black trim at the bottom is Spellbinders Classic Lace Border Grand. I also trimmed two sections of the Lace Border to place on the sides of the Labels 8 layer. (SCACD has a fantastic selection of Spellbinders at incredible prices!) The base layer of white cardstock was embossed with a CuttleBug folder. I distressed the edges and sponged everything with a bit of Black Soot Distress Ink. The bow was tied with the aide of my Bow Easy. The little key is from a company called Colorbok, and I finished everything off with a few dollar store pearls. Did I accomplish all this within the hour deadline?? Well, no. lol It took me about an hour and a half because I fussed around with a few of the elements, considered using some flowers (an idea I eventually abandoned) and decided at the last minute to add the bow and key. Still, not too bad considering how long things usually take me. :) I've been on a bit of a black and white kick lately, as I really like the visual effect. The font of this Scripture Quote is so elegant...love this set!!


Hop on over the the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Blog to check out the gorgeous projects made by the lovely Krafty Girls and Krafty Guests. Take note of the stamp Tara used on her card, because if you choose to play along then you could be the lucky winner of the stamp she used! (Just make sure to use a Kraftin' Kimmie Stamp to be eligible. The May Gimmie Kimmie Kits are still available. There are three kits this month, and when you buy the stamps as a kit you are able to take advantage of a 15% discount! Make sure to scoop your's up soon before they are gone.)

That's it for me folks! It's a long weekend here, so I'm looking forward to having Monday off!! Perhaps a little stamping time might be in order. :)

Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks so much for stopping by today. :)

Blessings,

Melanie

Stamps: Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps "Scripture Quotes"
Ink: Versafine, Black Soot Distress Ink
Paper: Bazzill, Melissa Frances
Tools: Spellbinders Classic Lace Border Grand, Labels 8, Labels 2 and Fancy Tags, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Bow Easy
Embellishments: Offray ribbon, pearls, metal key

Natural Beauty Release Blog Hop For SCACD!!

Good morning friends and welcome to the Blog Hop for the Natural Beauty Release at Susana's Custom Art and Card Design!! The Natural Beauty release is a collection of gorgeous stamps from the pen of artist Carmen Medlin (for SCACD). These images are so elegant. I LOVE them, and I know you are going to as well. :)

Susana has put together an amazing blog hop full of very talented designers...you are in for quite a treat as you hop along to visit each blog! You will find the complete list of blogs on the SCACD store blog, Follow Your Heart and then the hop begins with Elaine. If you've been tracking along, you should have arrived her after visiting with the lovely Kim Dellow. :)

I'm just a tad excited today, as this is my very first time sharing a project as part of the lovely SCACD design team!! My card features "The Travelers". Again, these new images from Carmen are so beautiful...I fell in love with this image the moment I saw it. I love all the intricate details...the folds of the fabric, the tilt of her chin, the waves in her hair and of course the wolf! I drew my colour inspiration from this gorgeous Bo Bunny paper, "Timepiece". I love the vintage feel of this paper. One of the sheets in this 6x6 pad has this fantastic image of a doorway. Rather than taking the time to create my own background for "The Travelers", I thought I'd make use of the graphic on the paper. The brown pearls on my card were made with the Viva Decor Pearl Pen in Dark Brown. If you have never tried these pens, you really must get your creative fingers on one!! The medium flows beautifully out of the tube with minimal effort. The best thing about this product is that the "pearls" round out beautifully. I also had a chance to break in my newest toy, the Sew Easy! If you are a fan of adding hand stitching on your cards, this is a very handy tool to have in your arsenal. You just choose what pattern of stitching you want to add, pop on the appropriate head, place your paper on the Sew Easy foam mat and roll the tool along your paper. Voila...perfect evenly spaced holes. Then, just thread up your needle with coloured floss and start stitching! (I used this along the horizontal red panel of paper.) Susana carries this tool, along with all the accessories...the various heads, the Piercing Mat and a variety of Sew Easy Floss...you can find them all HERE. I distressed the papers quite heavily with my scissors and then sponged all the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink.


"The Travelers" were stamped on Neenah Cardstock with Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black and then coloured with Copic markers. Before starting to colour the wolf, I studied several pictures for colour reference. I also took a good look at my own dog...he's a Siberian Husky and the texture of his fur is quite similar to a wolf. I played around for quite a while on a scrap piece of Neenah until I felt I had a passable colour palate. The marker ink was all laid down in tiny "flicking" motions. For those of you who just love to colour, these images will be pure bliss! I had so much fun playing with the shading of the fabric folds and the fur on the wolf. :)


Gypsy: Skin: E0000, E000, E00, E11, R20 Eyes: B32, B37, B39 Hair: E50, E30, E31, E33, E37, E59 Clothing: R22, R27, R46, R59, C1, C3, C5, C7, B91, BG0000, B91, B93, B95, B97, C7, E50, E40, E41, E43, E47, Wolf: W00, W1, W3, W5, W7, E30, E31, E40, E41, E43, E47, E50

The exclusive "Natural Beauty" collection is now available for purchase at Susana's Custom Art and Card Design!! For UK/European International orders, you can purchase them at Quixotic Paperie...Elaine is the exclusive SCACD dealer for our friends across the pond. :)

**SCACD BONUS OFFER**: With every Natural Beauty Collection (7 image) set purchased Susana is giving away for FREE 1 tooled rose set from Prima (contains 9 roses - Approx 1" each). Susana will pick the color. This bonus offer is only good for the 1st week of the release, and ends May 29th. (Note that this offer is only available when ordering directly from SCACD)

It is now my pleasure to send you off to visit with the very talented Carolyn, your next stop on the hop.

I'm entering this card into the following challenge:

A Spoon Full of Sugar: Anything Goes


Blessings,

Melanie

Stamps: SCACD's "The Travellers" from the Natural Beauty release
Ink: Memento, Copics, Walnut Stain Distress Ink
Paper: Bazzill, Neenah, Bo Bunny "Timepiece"
Embellishments: Viva Decor Pearl Pen in Dark Brown

Tools: Sew Easy (pink piercing head for straight stitching), Sew Easy Floss in brown

One Final SCACD Sneak Peek Before the Big Release Tomorrow!

Good morning friends!! Tomorrow is the BIG DAY at SCACD!! The "Natural Beauty" release by Carmen Medlin for SCACD will be available for purchase tomorrow, and Susanna has a wonderful blog hop planned for your viewing enjoyment! Just wait until you see what these talented designers have created with these gorgeous new stamps. I am completely smitten with the "Natural Beauty" stamps...they are so elegant, and I know you will love them too.

Today, Carolyn has one final sneak peek to share with us. Here's a little teaser of what she has created...you can visit her personal BLOG to see the full project, and of course to leave her some love!



SCACD BLOG CANDY: Susana is offering some "Natural Beauty" blog candy...interested?? Well of course you are??!! Just head on over to the SCACD store blog Follow Your Heart to read all the details on how to enter. Please make sure to read carefully so you know exactly where your comments must be left in order to be eligible. :)

I hope you join us tomorrow for the "Natural Beauty" release day blog hop...I know there will be a ton of creative inspiration from all the very talented designers participating in the hop.

Blessings,

Melanie

"Natural Beauty" sneak peek #4 for SCACD!!

Mornin' folks!! Just a quick post with a teaser for today's sneak peek of the upcoming "Natural Beauty" by Carmen Medlin for SCACD. The stamps will be available this Friday...and they are stunning!! This is an exclusive stamp line for SCACD, and we'll be celebrating the release with a blog hop on Friday...which will also be my first time posting a project for SCACD!! (I'm just a wee bit excited, lol) In the meantime, a different DT member will be hosting a sneak peek each day leading up to the release featuring one of the new "Natural Beauty" stamps. (If you missed any of the previous sneak peeks you can still visit the following DT member's blogs to catch up: Elaine, Lori and Dianne)

Here's your little teaser of Danni's gorgeous preview. You'll have to visit her personal BLOG today to see the full project. :) (If you've been keeping up to date on the SCACD Store Blog, you will know that there is blog candy up for grabs this week...and you will also know that you need to leave a comment on Danni's blog today, along with the blogs of all the other ladies who have shared previews this week. If not, please read on for a link to the Blog Candy rules!)


Don't forget to check out THIS post on the SCACD Store Blog to find out how you can win Susana's amazing BLOG CANDY!! (make sure to read the details in FULL so that you can get your name in the running for this fantastic giveaway!)

Release day is almost here! One more lovely member of the DT has a sneak peek to share with you tomorrow, so make sure to check in with us! Then mark your calenders to join us for the release day blog hop this Friday, when the stamps will be available for purchase. :)

Blessings,

Melanie

SCACD Sneak Peeks...Round Three!!

Good morning crafty friends!! Have you been keeping up to date with the sneak peeks for the upcoming "Natural Beauty" release at SCACD?? These gorgeous new stamps by artist Carmen Medlin will be available on Friday...and they are exclusive to SCACD, so you won't find them anywhere else! Each day leading up to the release, one of the lovely talented members of our DT will be sharing a preview. (In case you missed the first two days, please make sure to visit Elaine and Lori to see what they had to show you!) Today, our sneak peek is being brought to you by Dianne...here's a little teaser:

To see Dianne's project, please make sure to visit her blog.

Just a reminder, Susana is offering some BLOG CANDY...want to know how to win?? Then head on over to the SCACD Store Blog to read the rules/details on THIS post. :)

***NEW PRODUCTS AT SCACD!!!***

Viva Decor Magic Pearl Pens

Glubers (perfect for making flowers!)

Epiphany Charms

Memory Box Valise Kraft 6x6 Paper Pad

Memory Box Dies

Happy shopping, and hope to see you back here for tomorrow's sneak peek!

Blessings,

Melanie

Another Sneak Peek for Susana's Custom Art and Card Design!!

Good morning folks!! Here's a little teaser of today's sneak peek for the upcoming new release at SCACD by artist Carmen Medlin. These new image ares gorgeous, and you are going to fall in love with them! Today's sneak peek is courtesy of Lori Aragon...please make sure to visit her blog to leave some love!!


Did you know that Susana is offering some fabulous Blog Candy?? Please visit the SCACD Store Blog for full details and rules on how to get your name in the running for the candy. :) Each day leading up to the release, one of the lovely ladies on the SCACD DT will share a sneak peek...and you must make sure to leave a comment on their individual blogs!! You will find a list of the sneak peek schedule on the Store Blog.

Hope you all have a wonderful day, and make sure to check back to see who's sharing a sneak peek tomorrow!

Blessings,

Melanie

A Bit of Exciting News. :)

(This is my second post for the day...for the Kraftin' Kimmie Release Day Blog Hop, please scroll down or just click HERE!!)

Good morning friends! I have a bit of exciting news to share with you all...Susana of Susana's Custom Art and Card Design has invited me to be a member of her design team!! I am so excited to be a part of this group of lovely ladies. They have been so warm and welcoming, and I know that it will be an absolute joy (and an honour!!) to work alongside them. I will be posting my first project this Friday, and I have an amazing selection of SCACD goodies just waiting to be put to creative use!! If you have never visited Susana's online store, you really must spend a while browsing around...she has so many wonderful products at fantastic prices. She carries papers, inks, Copics, Viva Decor products, flowers, charms, Sew Easy products, punches...and so much more! She also carries stamps from several wonderful companies, including a few lines of exclusive SCACD stamps by some very talented artists.

Which leads me to another exciting announcement for SCACD...we are having a brand new release of exclusive SCACD stamps by artist Carmen Medlin stamps this Friday!! We'll be having a blog hop that day to showcase the new stamps! Just wait until you see them...the images are stunning! Although the stamps will not be available for purchase until Friday, you can enjoy a week of sneak peeks in the meantime. Each day, one of the SCACD DT members have a project to share featuring one of the new images. Here's a little teaser of today's sneak peek by Elaine Hughes!



Please make sure to visit the SCACD blog, as Susana is offering CANDY!!!! A winner will be chosen from comments left on the personal blogs of the Design Team member's sneak peeks! Only one sneak peek will be posted each day, so you will need to keep checking back each day to see who is hosting the sneak peek so you can visit her blog and leave those comments!! Full rules for the blog candy can be found on the SCACD Blog. (as well as links to the designer's blogs!)

Oh, I can't wait until Friday!! It is going to be an amazing release and I cannot wait to see what my fellow DT members will create with these new stamps.

I just want to say a heartfelt THANKS again to Susana for the invitation to join her team...and thanks again to the rest of the lovely ladies who have been so patient with all my "newbie" questions. You ladies rock!! :) (I will be updating my blog shortly with a new link in my sidebar to SCACD, the store blog and the blogs of my fellow DT members.)

Blessings,

Melanie