Thursday, October 18, 2012

Birthday Invitations!!

Hey Everyone!! It's almost the weekend and isn't it due?? I've had a long week. Lots of deadlines, projects & coordinating my town's craft & vendor fair has not been the easiest of work this year! 

I wanted to share with you all one of my projects. I was asked to design and create birthday party invitations for my daughter's friend. She turned 11 today and is having a birthday celebration next weekend. 

I used UPTOWN GIRL Ava Loves to Celebrate from Stamping Bella, Copics, Verafine Onyx Black for the sentiments & inside detail & lots & lots of paper!
 So, my idea was to create 3 different girls. The hair, dress & cake/gifts would all be different for each girl, but I didn't quite make it. Somehow both of the brunettes ended up with purple dresses. LOL! Don't-cha love it when that happens?! 
So then of course the blonde and red-head ended up swapping colors! :)
 All-in-All they came out super cute and very pretty! 
I totally loved working on these
Here's an image of the inside too. I made that match as well! I love colorful, matching insides. I think it really finishes off any card.

Thanks for visiting!! And don't forget to click "Join this site" --->
The more, the merrier! :)   

Friday, October 12, 2012

Sketch it Out * New Release

Play along with us over at MelJen's Blog this week for a sketch Challenge and pick up some new digi's while you're there! 



My Card following the sketch:



New Release Sneak Peek & Inspiration
 
Hope to see you there!!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

My Girl's Birthdays!

 Hello Everyone!

So my girl's birthdays are three years and one day apart. This year they turned 10 & 7. I decided this year to celebrate separate days instead of one day for both of them. They really loved that. Here are the cards I made for them. 

For Bri from Mom & Dad


For Bri from Grandma


For Alicia

I will be entering all three cards into the challenge at CMC - Bright, Fun Colors



Friday, October 5, 2012

MelJen's October 5th New Release!

As you all know I am a Design Team Member for MelJen's... and we have a new release today!! Swing by the challenge blog and see what the ladies have created, then pop over to the MelJen's store and get these cute images!! 

 Halloween Cupcake

Nermin the Fox - Trick or Treat

I will be entering Nermin's Trick or Treat Card into the Challenge over at Made Especially! (Halloween with a Banner)
MelJen's has a new Challenge up and running!! Anything Goes this week, so grab a couple of these new images, get creative and join us for your chance to win up to THREE images!!


Sunday, September 23, 2012

Black, Purple & Orange

2 Cute for Halloween!

2 Cute is too cute!! 
They've come out with a few new 
Halloween Images and they are so cute I had to play along in their Black, Purple and Orange Challenge!
Come by and visit the blog here and enter your creation in the linky. And there are freebies available too if you'd like one! Candy Corn Bat is super sweet!!

   
Thanks for visiting and I hope you choose to follow my blog! The more, the merrier! :)

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Scrap It! At MelJen's

Hello Everyone! It's time for a new Challenge over at MelJen's! Join us and Scrap It! Using scraps and left overs create your challenge entry! Remember to use a MelJen's Image or you'll be scrapped too! ;) 
For my creation I used a new release called Harvest Bounty & I colored it using my Copics. MelJen's has this image available for purchase now along with tons of other affordable and cute digi's, as well as $1. digi's and freebies too! 
 
Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you using up those scraps with us this week!
 

Friday, August 31, 2012

New Release & A Challenge!

Happy September Everyone!

MelJen's has released Several new digi images perfect for your fall & Halloween crafting & creating!



Hop on over to MelJen's blog to see all the wonderful creations by the design team & then hit the shop to pick up your favorites! 


Don't forget to join us for this week's challenge too... Anything Goes! Especially fun with new images!

Wishing You a Crafty Weekend!!

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Design Team Member!!

Just a quick note.. I am so happy to announce that I have been invited to MelJen's Design Team! My first project will be mid September, so keep your eye out for me and join in the fun over at MelJen's blog!! :)


Thanks for visiting!! :)

Monday, August 20, 2012

Making a Halloween Card

Happy Monday Everyone! 

So I just wanted to take a moment and share a "making a card" type post. Let me just say that there are tons of different ways to approach making a card. Almost every crafter will have their own style, tips, techniques, etc.. that work best for them. Even my approach can vary depending on the theme or challenge I am participating in. This is simply how I created this card. :)

I Started by choosing an image. I already knew it would be a Halloween card as that was the theme I had been working with. So I chose my image first. In July I was the Guest Designer of the Month at MelJen's so I picked her Cat O Lantern Image and I had so much fun with it!


I printed my image on 89# Cryogen White Paper, colored it with my Copics, cut it out using my cuttlebug and inked up the edges in Memento Ink. Before I started coloring I had looked through my Halloween themed paper and pulled out a few pages. Once my image was colored I paired it with the paper until I found the one I wanted to use. I knew I'd want to keep it simple so the image would be the star of the show, so this kept me from using multiple patterned paper.

So because I wasn't going to use multiple patterned paper, I picked out black as my accent paper and chose a sentiment that I knew would really tie in nicely with the image. "too cute to spook" says that for me! I used a punch I had handy to "cut" out the sentiment and inked the edges of it too so it would match the main image. I also used Marvy markers to color the stamp so that it came out with purple and orange as well (instead of using one ink pad/color). At this point I had played around with the layout a little and I knew my image would be along the top, while the accent paper and sentiment would be along the bottom.


I decided that my card needed more. So I picked through my ribbon and also pulled out my Stampin' Up bat punch. I had my Halloween embellishments, such as brads and whatnot, 
but the bats were better (I thought!). 


I added some stickles to it and taped it all down using my ATG Gun. For the bats I used Tombo Multi glue and the image was adhered with 3D pop ups. I must say, one thing I really love about Card Making is that while this card came out like this, my next one can use the same image and yet, I can make it completely different. Whether I change the paper, the color themes, the layout.... your combinations are almost endless.

This card was super fun and easy to make. The creating came easy and Halloween cards are so much fun to make! Get Crafty... the Holidays are just around the corner! ((YIKES!!))

Stay up to date with me on facebook at AllieCat's Creations & Fitness!

Thanks for visiting! :)

Saturday, July 14, 2012

MelJen's Guest Designer Week 2

More from Gina, July's Guest Designer

Happy Saturday!
Let's start the weekend with more inspiration from our July Guest Designer, Gina!
Tom Cat Goes Fishing
I love this image! When I was a kid we had a cat that would hide under the bed and the only way to get him out would be to dangle something for him to chase. One day I said to my mom, "Hey mom! You're cat fishing!" We laughed so hard! For some reason this image reminds me of that day. I got a kick out of this project.. the sentiment cracks me up, considering there's only one "fish" and the "sea" is more like a puddle! LOL!! I colored this with my Copics and used stickles on the water. 



Birthday Cake Oopsy Bear
My daughter picked this image for me to use. She said it was so sad it was going to make her cry and so she wanted me to fix it up and make it a happy card. I am always behind on birthdays! Even when I've marked the calendar, put it in my phone, made a card, had it addressed and stamped!! I am ALWAYS late!! That's what this image and card say to me. "Sorry. I dropped the ball again." But, it is true; it's the thought that counts! :)


I love your cards, Gina!  These are so fun and happy!
See you all next week!

Hugs,
Dee
 
I am so absolutely thrilled to have been asked to be a guest designer over at MelJen's! Go by MelJen's Blog and get in on all the fun!! Including this week's challenge "Happy Birthday"!

Monday, July 9, 2012

MelJen's Guest Designer Week 1


Saturday, July 7, 2012

Good Morning!
I hope that you are all having a wonderful start to the weekend!

 I am excited to introduce you to our July Guest Designer, GINA!
I am a 28 year old stay at home wife and mommy of 3. My kids are 9, 6 and 3. My middle child was born deaf, so much of my time is spent working with her in language development. Interestingly enough when I was in Jr High I took American Sign Language as an elective. My two years of ASL "training" has helped me with my daughter immensely. I've never been a "crafty" person.. I colored in coloring books a kid, but had much more fun playing "school" or "office" over pulling out stuff to create something. When my husband was deployed to Iraq I went and spent a few nights at a friend's house and she showed my daughter how to make a bracelet. I was intrigued and a few days later I went out and bought tons of jewelry making supplies. I really loved making jewelry until......I found card making. What is very interesting to me personally is I remember going with my mom to Stampin' Up parties, but the children were always tucked away in a room to watch a movie, or sent outside to play, not allowed to touch the products. I remember watching my mom at home play with her stamping stuff and one day she just gave it all to me. Being the non-crafter I was, it just sat in my closet. I still have the box and have passed down some of those stamps to my oldest daughter who loves card making as well. I've kept most of the stamps and even some of the dried up ink pads for sentimental reasons. So I had been making jewelry for about 3 years when I came across some very beautiful cards. I thought "Wow! How beautiful!" I was pregnant with my 3rd and decided I was ready to venture off into card making. BOY!!! Did I have a lot to learn! I thought it was as simple as stamping the image, coloring and you're done. I let it go for a while, but a little over a year ago I got really serious about it. Now, 110 Copics, 72 prismacolor pencils, 3,000 sheets of paper and at least 150 rubber stamps later....I have a CRAFT ROOM!! I laugh at this. Me, the non-crafter, has a craft room. In addition to my crafting I've also become a BeachBody Coach. I am about 93 lbs overweight (I've lost 7lbs so far) and have been very unhappy with myself. I am on a journey to change my lifestyle and help others change theirs too. I decided that I am no longer "working out" .. I am "training". Training to be in the best shape of my life!! As long as I can "push play" everyday and create afterwards, I am one happy mama! :)



Here are 2 wonderful cards that Gina has created to share with you this week!

I used Bulldog's Bear. I love this image because it reminds me of my boy. A rough little bulldog, but he has a soft spot if you can get close enough for him to love you, otherwise, it's slobber and mudddd! "Boy" themed cards are still a challenge for me. I struggle to not add glitter and flowers. lol!! This card was fun though. It allowed me to be colorful, but not girly. At least I hope not girly! :)



I used Fisher Moose for this card. MelJen's moose images are my absolute favorite! Living in North Dakota, we occassionally have a moose or two travel through town, in fact, I'll share a story. I was born and raised in Southern California. Los Angeles to be exact. When my husband got out of the Navy we lived in Texas for a while (where he is from) then made the move north for the better economy. About 3 months into living here I looked out my window to see a moose chomping on a tree in my yard! I must've jumped 10 feet in the air and screamed "MONSTER!!!!!" Now, don't get me wrong. I knew it wasn't an actual monster, but to someone who has never had that kind of nature in their backyard, well, it was a little unnerving! I crept outside and got a couple pictures from a very safe distance. Since then I have loved moose images. Go figure. So when I saw this image from MelJen's it sparked a little love in my heart. As a kid my dad would take me fishing a lot. Every summer and any chance in between we'd be at a lake nearby or gone up to Mammoth or June Lake in the Sierra Mountains for a family trip. Some of my best memories are with my parents and sister in a woodsy area fishin'.... living so far from family I only see my family once every 3 -4 years... this card was made for my dad for father's day.






Here is the inspiration for my Moose card!


Thanks for such fun cards this week, Gina!
We are looking forward to seeing more fun creations from you throughout the month!
 
Swing by MelJen's Blog and check it out!!

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Guest Designer for July.. and a challenge!

I am so thrilled! I was asked to be a Guest Designer for MelJen's for the month of July! 

Today starts their new challenge for this week.. Red or Blue.. see the challenge info here and my card is included with the Design team! 


 Make sure you get in on the fun this week!!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Filling your day with happiness.

My last post for today. Promise.
Another lovely Saturated Canary image. I'm not sure if this one is retired, but I couldn't find her in the shop. Her name is Ava. She is lovely! I colored her using my Copics. The sentiment is another Amy R from All That Scraps.

This card will be entered in the following challenges: 

Thanks for visiting!! :)

Lovely Day

Wishing You a Lovely Day....
I love, love, love Saturated Canary images and this one is gorgeous! 
I colored her using my Copics and added some stickles to her top to really make it pop!
My sentiment is by Amy R at All That Scraps.


I will be entering this card into the following challenges:
 
Thanks for visiting! :)

Hello Gorgeous!

Hello Gorgeous! You look Fabulous! .... Now say it back to me!




I absolutely LOVE Saturated Canary images! They are so beautiful! when I saw Multitasking Mama I couldn't resist. This has been me for the last (almost) 10 years! When I made this card I was thinking of my good friend Angela. She has a 6 year old (the big helper) and two little ones that are only 18 months apart. Usually she has one in each arm and both are crying... :( I always feel so bad for her. lol!! She looks just like this mama here, except throw another crying baby in there and exchange the pan for a cookie sheet and oven mit! :) I love my friend. She is gorgeous, always looks like this fabulous mama, covered in spit up, food and baby tears, working hard, running on a couple hours of sleep and more patient than any mom should be.



I will be entering this mama into the following challenges:

Thanks for visiting! :)


Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Congratulations Professor Owl!

Another card has been created!! 


I love the way this one came out! For this card I used another MelJen's Image called Professor Owl. Isn't he so cute?! I paired him up with Paper from my new Glitz Laced with Grace 8x8 pack. I colored the image using my Copics and stamped the sentiment "congratulations" in London Fog and wrote over it using my Star Dust pen. I also outlined Professor Owl's cap with the Star Dust pen and added three star brads. 



I will be entering this card into the following challenges:


Thanks for visiting! :)

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Congrats Fuzzer!

For your viewing pleasure I introduce Fuzzer the Monster



Isn't he cute?? So for this card I used another MelJen's image. I tried two techniques here that I am not very confident in.. one is cutting my image out and the other is paper piercing (my 2nd attempt at both! lol!) My cutting definitely needs work, but I do like how he just pops off the card. 



I will be entering this card into the following challenges:

Thanks for visiting!
 

Stars and Stripes

Hello Everyone! Today I have a couple posts to put up and I hope I have enough time to do them. :) 
For this card I used MelJen's Army Bear image and a sentiment I bought from Hobby Lobby. When I saw this sentiment "liberty and sparklers for all!" by Lizzie Anne I had to get it! So stinkin' cute! I colored my army bear with Copics and used my Marvey markers to color my stamp before I pressed it. Then I blinged it up with my Brand New(!!!) Stickles glitter in Yellow. I used my Martha Stewart Stars punch for the red and yellow stars and my background paper I bought from Beverly's in Citrus Heights California last summer when I was visiting my sister. I've been saving it for a special creation..I hope I did it justice as it is beautiful paper! I tried a new technique this time. I've seen "paper piercing" but have never tried it. I think it is something I will definitely need to work on! LOL! I was a little nervous piercing holes into my card considering once it's done, there is no turning back, but I think it all came out okay!  For the inside I "created" my background paper by using my Trio Stars stamp. I stamped it using London Fog ink, stamping it off on scrap paper and then stamping it on my background paper.

 I will be entering this card into the following challenges:


Thanks for visiting my friends! :)

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Happy Birthday "Down on the farm"!

So!! This is my 2nd post for today..possibly not my last. I am so happy I get to be creative and craft today, although, with all the bickering between my girls I am not sure how much longer it will last...anywho! Here is a sweet and fun birthday card. My image and sentiment are from Paper and Such and they are super sweet little chicks, aren't they?! I used paper from the DCWV Celebration paper pack and my circle nestability die cuts and cuttlebug to trim the image and the sentiment. I colored the chicks using my copics and stamped my "prairie grass" stamp along the bottom in 3 different shades of green. I sponged the sentiment and heat embossed it for a little extra pizzazz and added my three colorful brads to finish it off.
 I will be entering this card into the following challenges:


Thanks For visiting!!

Birthday Elf

Happy Birthday To You!

I loved this image when I found it over at The Paper Shelter! It's so cute..and EXACTLY how I LOVE my sundae's to look! lol! So for this one, I printed him on Neenah Solar White paper and colored him with my Prisma Color Pencils. I haven't used them very much and would LOVE to take a class if they offered them nearby. Until then it's youtube tutorials. :) I used paper drom DCWV Celebration paper pack and my sentiments are from Amy R's Best Birthday sentiment set. I used my stickles on the cherries for some bling and the red striped paper had glitter too..nothing says celebration like sparkle! I finished the inside to match as well.

 I will be entering this card into the following challenges:


Thanks for visiting!! :) 

By the way - Paper and Such is celebrating their one year anniversary! Checkout their blog for savings - 25%off any order through Wednesday 5/23!