Card Design: Ike's World Challenge #19...Monochromatic

A lovely early Tuesday morning to you all.  It is time to share the new Ike's World Challenge.  This fortnight the theme is Monochromatic. I've decided to make a baby card using shades of pink.  Ike has some really great images perfect for baby cards. I was fortunate that I was able to take a few and make them work together. 

I also took the opportunity to create a new digital paper for MY OWN PERSONAL USE, using three different images.  Just one more way to increase the versatility of digital images, as long as you have permission from the original artist, which I did receive.  If you are interested in doing something similar, please keep in mind, that any new creations that you make would strictly be for your OWN PERSONAL USE and the rights to the original image lie with the original creator.  What you are left with is a creation that you can use over and over again, just as would other digital papers and embellishments as long as you provide credit to the original designer.  It could be something as simple as, "Digital paper created by me using an image, with permission, from Ike's Art".

Here is a preview of that paper I created...

This paper will be perfect for me to use in the future on other baby cards or a birthday card for a young lady.  I definitely look forward to figuring out different ways to use it.

Digital Image Details:  

• Patchimals: You can find it in the 'Animals' section of the Ike's Art store.  Clicking on the name or watermark below will bring you to that section.  Such a great set that could be used for so many occasions.  They were coloured digitally for both the paper and for the inside of my card.

Here is my card and the details.  Hopefully, I haven't forgotten anything important...    

FRONT

Digital Image Details: 

• New Baby: You can find it in the 'People' section of the Ike's Art store.  Clicking on the name or watermark below will bring you to that section. Such a precious image!  I'm sure this won't be the last time I use it either!

• I have coloured this image with Copic markers.  Skin:  E000, E00, E02, R20.  Nail polish: RV34.  The overall image was grounded with the pink chalk.

Digital  Sentiment Details: 

• This is another wonderful sentiment from Tracey Brossart.  Head to her blog, BrossArt Addiction, to find more fabulous free sentiments.

 Embellishments:

• The footprint stickers are Recollections brand and was purchased at Michaels.
• Ribbon is Crafts brand and was purchased at Dollarama.

 

INSIDE

Digital Image Details:  

• Once again I have used the Patchimals.  Details on this image can be found above.  Here is a closer look at those cutie pies...

Digital Sentiment Details:

• This is a sweet sentiment from the wonderful Sharon over at A Piece of Heart.  It is still available for a freebie if you are interested.  Click on the watermark below to go to the page where you can grab it.  Don't forget to leave Sharon some love if you do.

• Here is a closer look at the sentiment...

OVERALL
Paper Products: 

• Card base: Michael's Recollection's Cardstock, white.

Digital Paper Products: 

•  As mentioned previously, the paper on the front was created by me using an image, with permission, from Ike's Art.  The paper on the inside is just the textured background without the images.

Digital Embellishments:

• The frame was created using a commercial use shape and layer style from Shelby Kate Schmitz of graphicssoft.about.com.

Challenges I am hoping to enter... 

• http://scribbleandscrapcrafts.blogspot.co.uk/ -- Anything Goes
• http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.ca/ -- Anything Goes
• http://dreamvalleychallenges.blogspot.ca/ -- Baby
• http://robynsfetishchallengeblog.blogspot.ca/ -- Baby Cards
• http://alohafridaychallenges.blogspot.ca/ -- Baby
• http://sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.ca/ -- Baby Cards
• http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.ca/ -- Animal Antics
• http://abc-challenge.blogspot.com.au/ -- M is for Monochromatic
• http://snarkystampers.blogspot.ca/ (limit of 10 blogs) -- R is for Ribbon
• http://cagichallenge.blogspot.ca/ -- Square card, one circle (the sentiment on the front), 2 Designer Papers (one is on the front and on is on the inside), one Ribbon (on the front)

Remember, you can join in Ike's challenge with a creation using any kind of medium or style but in order to qualify to win the prize you MUST use an Ike's Art image. You can find some fab ones in the store HERE.  There is also a freebie available over on the challenge blog that you can use to enter the challenge but please be respectful of the artist's rights and do not post, pin or share the image with anyone else. Instead, if you know some people who might like it, send them over to the challenge blog so they can pick it up for themselves.

What will you create using one of Ike's wonderful images? You have two weeks to pop over to Ike's World Challenges and play along with us in our Monochromatic challenge. You can find out everything you need to know in order to play, by heading to the challenge blog. I've linked the logo at the top of the page to take you there. While you are over there, please be sure to check out the incredible creations offered up by some of my fellow DT members and don't forget to pop over to the challenge blog next Tuesday when Team B's creations will be showcased. Don't forget to have a peek and check out all the amazing images in the store as well. The logo below is linked to take you there.

Until next time,

DISCLAIMER ON TURNING DIGITAL IMAGES INTO OTHER CREATIONS

Please note that I sought out and received permission from Ike, of Ike's Art, to create this digital paper.  Which brings me to the following Disclaimer:

If you decide to do something similar, it is imperative that you read the terms of use for each and every image that you work with and that if you don't find a clause from the creator regarding their policy on turning their images into digital creations, that you contact the original artist.  Terms of use or angel policies will differ with each and every company selling digital images.  While some companies do not take issue with their images being made into digital creations, others do, so make sure you seek permission from EACH COMPANY involved.  Also, keep in mind that if you do create a digital piece of work, even with permission, this does not alter the fact that the original image belongs to the original artist(s).  Creating a hybrid project DOES NOT allow you to claim the new creation as your own and do with it as you wish. 

Card Design: Digi Darla's Challenge #82--Anything Goes with Optional Twist

Happy Monday morning to you.  I'm here with post number two if everything that has been scheduled comes out as planned.

It is time for the latest challenge going on over at the delightful Digi Darla's Challenges Blog. This week for Challenge #82 the theme is "Anything Goes with Optional Twist:  Harvest Moon".  There is one final anything goes challenge this month.  The twist as created by Emily is to add a moon to your project.  However, remember the twist is completely optional. 

One person will be the lucky winner of FIVE Digi Darla (DD) images!  AND any entries using a DD image get entered into a SECOND drawing for THREE images. So, you could technically win eight images!  If you do use one of Kim's wonderful images make sure you let us know by writing DD after your name when you enter.
 
I've used the following Digi Darla's digi in my project this week:

• Blooming-Heart 

Here are the card and details, I hope I haven't forgotten anything... 

General Comments:

• This is one of the cards that I mentioned when we embarked on the Anything Goes journey at the beginning of the month.  I actually started this in February.  I completed the inside and got everything cut and all the little pieces glued together but never actually assembled the front of the card.  Then it just sat and sat in a folder because I got so busy trying to get all the required cards done for the various teams I support.  Thankfully, this week has allowed me the opportunity to finally complete it.
• Now I can honestly say that trying to fit the card with the twist isn't really going to work this time.  Unless of course you can imagine that the floral arrangement is actually a unique universe where the planets are all made of flowers and leaves and that the hearts are little asteroids of love and comfort and that the little circles are moons to these botannical worlds.  Yeah...I didn't think so...but hey, at least I tried!!!

FRONT

Digital Image:

• Floral heart:  You can find this pretty image in the DD store by clicking on the image name or watermark linked above. 
• The image was coloured digitally in Photoshop Essentials 5 to match the colours in my papers.

Sentiment:

• While I don't dig them out all that often these days, I've relied on a set of stamps that I have from the Stampendous Set called Encouraging Words.  It also dawned on me while I was assembling it earlier this evening, that the font used looks suspiciously like Scriptina Pro.  It is funny how I find myself looking at different flyers and packaging and seeing fonts that I work with.  I guess they are all ingraining themselves into my brain!  However, they better leave room for all the other things that I have to remember too!

INSIDE   
Digital Image:

• I used the same image from the front only left it empty and faded it out to serve as a backdrop in behind the sentiment.

Digital Sentiment: 

• This is one of my favourite sentiments from the wonderful Sharon over at A Piece of Heart.  It is beautiful isn't it?  It is also the perfect sentiment for a sympathy card and it is still available for a freebie if you are interested.  Click on the watermark below to go to the page where you can grab it.  Don't forget to leave Sharon some love if you do.

OVERALL
Paper Products: 

• Card base: Crafts Brand Cardstock, lilac-- available Dollarama.
• Designer Paper:  
• Recollection's Paisley and Damask Paper Pad.
• Dark purple (matting front and inside) --Michael's open stock scrapbook
  paper. 

So, how about you mosey on over and show us your incredible talents by entering in our current challenge this week over at Digi Darla's Challenges?  While you are there please check out the wonderful creations from the rest of the design team.  We always look forward to seeing the delightful creations you come up with. 

Until next time,

Smiles & Laughter Are Good For the Soul

If you are new to my blog and would like to know why I started Motivational Mondays, please go HERE.

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When we are having difficulties dealing with something, there is nothing like having a friend who can can help pick us up and motivate us; and, when we are feeling down, there is nothing that can pick us up faster than the sound of laughter.   Smiles and laughter are like a healing balm for the soul.  When they are shared with those who know us best, they mean just that much more.

So, if one of your friends is going through a rough patch, reach out with the intention of making them laugh.  It will be the perfect remedy for what ails them.  Their problems will of course still be there, but the reprieve they get from sharing a smile or two will definitely be welcomed. 

NOT FOR DOWNLOAD.  THIS IS NOT A FREEBIE.  However, the quote on its own and the elements used in the creation of this design are available as freebies by following the links mentioned further on in the post.

Sorry for the big and bold 'not for download' statement but I need to make sure that it is clear.  You guys are used to being able to download my digital graphics but NOT when they are created using another artist's image with strictly PUO terms.  Digital stamps and images are not available for redistribution whether alone or part of a new creation unless explicit permission has been given from the designer.
 

General Information:  

• Why is it that some days you can add pngs with no problem whatsoever and then other days, you get a black background?  Inconsistency is a bit of a pet peeve of mine.  Thank goodness for Picasa Web Albums! 
• For all of you who have been spending money as a result of my promotional posts and introduction to digi stamp stores in the Saturday Showcase, I have a real treat for you today.  Everything you see in the design above is available for FREE!  Yes you read that correctly, free!  I've even saved you time by providing the direct links to where you have go to get them.  Who has a big hug for Lisa???  Hmmm???

 Image Details:

• This is a 100% digital image.  It is not a card or even a tag.  Just an inspirational design that I can either print out and frame or use as a backdrop on my desktop.
• Today I've done something a bit different again.  The challenge over at Digitally Sweet this week is Spring and Pastel Colours.  I couldn't really find a photograph that worked.  There was one that was nice but it was more sepia toned than anything.  So, I decided that this would be another opportunity to play around with one of the many scrapbooking kits that I have but don't really use.  
• First thing I did was find a fabulous quote that would work well for this challenge.  A few weeks ago I did a showcase on Sharon from A Piece of Heart who does amazing work with sentiments.  Best of all, she offers a freebie every Friday so I've managed to collect a few of them.  She has some really amazing ones on friendship so I knew that I'd find just the right one and of course I did.  Now, normally I offer a quote for you on Motivational Mondays that you can download and use for your cards and other projects.  This time, since the quote doesn't belong to me, I can't offer it up as a freebie.  However, I can provide you with the link where you can go and get it yourself.  This quote is a freebie available over at A Piece of Heart and you can go HERE to get it.  Just be sure you read Sharon's terms of use before using it and don't forget to leave her some love if you download it.  Just note that the Minus link for the png version isn't working (update:  this issue has been resolved) but is for the jpg one and the 4shared version works for both versions but you need to sign in to download it.  If you are unfamiliar with 4shared it is free to set up an account.
• The kit I used is also a freebie.  This is available over at  {computer}scrapbook.com. This site has tons of beautiful kits for free.  I've collected quite a few and while I've used elements from their kits in the past as embellishments on projects, it is nice to put together a design combining different items from different kits.  The background element is from the Calista kit available for download HERE and the other elements used are from the Another Tea Party kit available for download HERE.
• This design was created in Photoshop Elements.

Challenges I hope to enter include:

• Crafter's Digital Art Centre --  Anything Goes 
• Pin & Tack--Spark Your Creativity Now Challenge -- Challenge #7:  Anything Goes
• Word Art Wednesday -- Challenge #72:  Anything Goes
• 613 Avenue Create -- Challenge #11:  Anything Goes
• Digitally Sweet Challenges -- Spring and Pastel Colours
• Forever Friends Challenge Blog -- March Challenge--Lots of Flowers
• Crafting For All Seasons -- Challenge #48:  Anything But a Card
• Tammy's Scrapin' Corner -- Challenge #55:  Anything But a Card

Thanks so much for stopping by and may you find the opportunity to laugh sometime today.  Many times if you are really lucky.

Until next time,

Saturday Showcase: February 9, 2013

It is that time of week where I showcase other artists' work (whether it be stamps, cards or otherwise), a blog post offering a great technique, or I might even just pick a whole blog to showcase. If you are new to my blog you can find out why I created the showcase HERE.

My top picks for this week include... 

Card Choice

  This sweet card was designed by

  CATHY (MERCIESCHILD)

Her blog is called

Happiness Shared

 I was enamoured with this card from the moment I laid eyes on it.  If you'd like to see the original post, it is from January 27th and is available HERE.  I've always found the colour combination of red and white very striking and this card certainly cements that appreciation. I have this 'kisses' image, another great freebie from Paulette over at TLC Creations. Cathy has done such a good job with it, transforming it into a beautiful work of art. The hearts were originally black and I'm not sure exactly how she achieved the silver metallic look, I only know that it looks fantastic and adds something special. Whether she embossed the background paper herself or bought it that way, it complements the overall design. The red sparkly bow and addition of the glitter treated hearts add the perfect touch, making for a spectacular project. The card was intended for her daughter whom I sure will treasure it always. If you'd like to see the other designs that Cathy has created take a few moments and pay her a visit (clicking on the blog name will take you straight to her blog).

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Free Digital Stamp Artist Choice

These great digi sentiments were created by

SHARON 

Her blog is called

A Piece of Heart

I love these sayings that Sharon has made into free sentiments.  I chose the first one not only because it is close to Valentine's day but also because the words really reach out to me.  The saying is so very true.  Nobody out there is perfect, least of all me.  I sometime shake my head when I hear the question, "what characteristics would your perfect mate have?".  Of course people are going to list all the great things like, kindness, compassionate, caring, great sense of humour, etc.  You don't ever hear anyone stating, 'leaves their socks on the floor' or 'doesn't put anything back where he found it' do you?  But these and other not so glorious qualities are all part of the 'imperfect' people in our lives.  True love is learning to live with those imperfections and loving the person despite them.  Loving the flaws because they are part of the person.  Well, that is how this quote make me think anyways.  You may have a completely different interpretation of it.  This freebie is available for download HERE.

The second sentiment I chose is really neat too.  It seems that there are many young people out there who are obsessed with the overall number of 'friends' they have.  The reality is that the 412 friends you may have, really have no right to wear that title.  I'd like to see how many of them would stick around if you were to come into misfortune or reach out for a helping hand.  How many people would truly be there to grasp on and hold you from falling?  The expression 'quality vs quantity' is never more prolific than in its reference to friendship.  Our real friends stick with us through the good and the bad.  That is how you tell the difference.  This freebie is available for download HERE.

I have been visiting A Piece of Heart on a weekly basis since I found the blog back at the end of April 2012 right when I discovered the world of digital freebies.  I have been stopping by every Friday I have been able to since then.  Sharon covers sentiments on a wide range of subjects: love, friendship, and other great sentiments.  She offers them up in a choice of jpg and png.  Please take a few minutes and head over to Sharon's blog to check out her other great freebie sentiments (clicking on the blog name will take you straight to her blog).

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 Finally, that brings me to the...

This is a special category highlighting 
 a stamp for sale by another artist.

 This week that honour goes to... 

SUSANNE NYMAN a.k.a. SAN

Her store is called

 San's Designs

 Her blog of the same name is located HERE

Flower Bunny is available for purchase HERE

Yeah!!!!!! San is back.  I originally found San at the end of June last year.  From that point on I became a big fan.  Not only are her designs adorable but she makes the most fantabulous cards too.  San decided that she needed to take some time off in the middle of September last year from her blog and boy, was she sorely missed.  Not knowing how long she'd be gone, I'd visit about once a month to see if she was back.  Then, in the latter half of January, I got an email from my friend Suze (craftysuze) letting me know of a unique opportunity a digital artist named San was offering.  I thought to myself, "self, could it be the same person?  Could she really be back?  I mean how many people out there have the name San, right?"  So off we I went investigating and lo and behold, she was truly back in the blogiverse!  And, what a better blogiverse we have now as a result!  At the time, San was offering readers the opportunity to earn a free digi in exchange for creating something using the digi and then promoting the San's Designs web shop.  Always up for a challenge I agreed to participate.  I hope that you will all come back on Tuesday when I'll be showcasing the card I made using the above absolutely adorable image.   I fell in love with this bunny the moment I saw her.  Those huge ears and even bigger floppy feet, those really unique flowers and especially that innocent look on her face all called out to me saying, 'Take me, take me.  We could have so much fun together'.  Well, how could I resist such a plea?  I also knew at that moment that I just had to put Flower Bunny in the showcase.

For anyone who is interested in applying, San has decided to put together a DT; but I'll warn you she is not looking for people who are just interested in getting their hands on freebies.  Nor is she interested in individuals who are solely into self-promotion or using their position as a steppingstone.  I commend her for adding this to her request and I truly hope that she is able to attract the right kind of people to her team.  Anyone who gets the chance to work with her images would be privileged.  If you feel that you'd be a good fit for her team and would be interested in applying, click HERE to go to the DT call post.  You will find all the details you need there.

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Well February is well underway.  I hope that those in cold locales are managing to stay warm and toasty and that those living in sunnier spots are surviving the heat.  Where ever you are, you are probably craving what the opposite has.  Isn't that always the way, though?

Thanks to all these wonderful artists for agreeing to allow me to showcase their work on my blog.  I'm sure I'll be coming back to them time and again.  Though you never know, I may be contacting YOU next to showcase something incredible you've created.

Until next time,

Note:  

*Thanks to Nikki from Limited Runs Stamps for creating my Saturday Showcase badge.