BBTB2 Freshly Picked Gnomes Challenge

Happy Monday! It's time for another BBTB2 challenge and this week our dear and fabuously talented DT sister Theresa chose any gnome from the Freshly Picked cartridge. I fortunately do have Freshly Picked, but if you don't, you must drop by BBTB2 to see the creative ways my sisters came up with gnomes from other carts. Super fun! I made a gatefold card by welding the flipped shadows of the gnomes to the shadow of the gazebo. Amazingly, the whole card is made using Freshly Picked! WooHoo!

There are quite a few layers to these gnomes, and I find that one of the easiest ways to deal with that is to cut some of the layers in plain white card stock and color them with my Copics. Besides the areas that will show, I also color around the edges of where the layers will be placed (especially if I'm gonna pop them) so you don't have glaring white edges when you view the card from the side. It doesn't have to be neat or anything, or solid. Color just a quarter inch or so in. I considered trying to draw a mouth on the Juliet (I've got Gnomeo and Juliet on the brain, here) but decided against it. Heck, Tilda gets along fine with no mouth. Just think how popular she is. And anyway, Juliet doesn't look like she's missed too many meals...so...

I didn't do a whole lot of popping on this one, quite frankly because I was still working on it this morning. Nothing like waking up at 4:30 AM on Monday knowing you have a DT project to finish! But yesterday was gorgeous (for the first time in weeks), and when DH asked if I wanted to go out for a late lunch at one of the wineries I just couldn't refuse. And after...well...

I only cut the gazebo in one layer because popping the inside makes it difficult to close and at some point I'll add a sentiment. I did emboss it with the Distressed Stripes Cuttlebug folder, though and did a bit of doodling. The vines and flowers wiere also cut in shite and colored with Copics and I added yellow adhesive pearl centers. so what do you think? Maybe cute for an anniversary card? Inside it could say "Just like Gnomeo and Juliet". They don't die in that movie, do they? Well, it's another gorgeous day and I'm off to walk. Don't want to end up looking like Juliet... Catch ya later.

The Cuttlebug Spot Opens the Gates

Our challenges all month at The Cuttlebug Spot are highlighting unique card folds and this week we're opening the gates with gate fold cards. I wanted to try something a bit different by making my gate fold card look like a gate so I used my Spellbinders lattice border (the one that cuts on only one side) to cut and emboss the top of the gate as well as the front pieces that open. I started with a piece of white card stock that was 6x11" and scored it to make a gatefold. Then I cut down the scores to where I wanted the top of the front of the card to end and then cut it across. Then I used the border along the top back and turned the card over and aligned the die at the fold of each side and ran it through the Cuttlebug again. (Again, hope this makes sense. I haven't really had time to do a tutorial, sorry) Then I cut blue mats and white mats which I embossed. The front panels are embossed with Swiss Dots, and the inner panels with Formal Squares.

The top of the inside mat is embossed with the Cuttlebug border folder from the Organic Flourish set. I scored a line and then embossed the remainder with Swiss Dots. The ribbon which is woven through the lattice on the front and holds the card closed is captured by the inside mats. Of course I added a few adhesive pearls and some butterflies punched with MS punches for embellishement. I haven't finished the inside because I'm not sure of the occasion. Wedding or anniversary, perhaps? Well, there are lots more fabulous gate fold cards at The Cuttlebug Spot so why not check them out and have a go yourself?

Tiddly Inks Monochromatic Challenge

It's another Tiddly Tuesday and this week our challenge is Monochromatic at the Tiddly Inks Challenge Blog. I'm obviously still in the mood for love, using As You Wish behind my Nestie Heart window. This is one of Christy's most romantic images which always brings to mind the quote, from a poem by Anne (Dudley) Bradstreet. It says, (in case you can't read it through the yummy paper) "If ever two were one, then surely we". I'm pretty sure I first heard this in the early 70's when I was learning about life and true love and it has stayed with me all these years. MMMMmmm....perfect love. It truly warms my heart.

The couple and roses on the front are colored with Copics and the lovely corner flourish is a Spellbinder's die from Heartfelt Creations. There are gorgeous example of monochromatic designs by the Tiddly Inkers so be sure to check out their lovely work HERE and pop by Christy's blog for a peek at what's new and a fab freebie sentiment. Remember, we welcome all images in our challenges, but you are only eligible to win a prize if you use a Tiddly Inks image. You can find some each Tuesday on Christy's blog, The Tiddly Inks PCP Group (just ask to join if you're not already a member), and some permanent ones in the Shop. Hope to see you soon!

Cutie Couples from Peggy Loves Vintage

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Peggy has release 3 new sets of Cuties Couples Cut Outs available on the Peggy Loves Vintage Website, Etsy, and Ebay stores. The cut outs are an easy fast way to enjoy Peggy's adorable images and I immediately fell in love with this cute couple from Cutie Couples 3. You remember my dinner party last week? Well, I pulled out all the stops with my best china, crystal and silver, but the bad news was it all required hand washing. We had spent 2 days cleaning and cooking and enjoyed it all immensely, but at 1:00am I was hardly in the the mood to begin washing the mounds of dishes (although waking up to them is infinitely worse). As I was wrapping up leftovers, there was DH washing away. Got to love him! The retro DP is DCWV Nana's kichen stack and the sentiment was computer generated using my Greeting Card Factory Deluxe program.

I used Scalloped Rectangles and Petite Circle Nesties on the front and Mega Classic Ovals and Mega Scalloped Oval Nesties inside. The hearts are a MS punch. I thought it would make a cute Valentine or Anniversary card, or in this case, a Thank You.

Peggy Loves Vintage and a Freebie

I was craving vintage so where better to find it than Peggy Loves Vintage printable images. I pulled out the Scottish CD Volume 1 and besides all of the adorable little Scottie dogs I fell in love with this romantic couple (and the little doggie's pretty darn cute, too). I'm low on anniversary cards in my stash and thought this would make a lovely one, or perhaps for a wedding so I chose a Best Wishes peel-off sentiment. WooHoo, double duty! The coordinating papers are from Making Memories. I trimmed the image with some more peelie borders, added some adhesive beads and some gorgeous tassel trim (thanks Kellie) and had a beautiful card in minutes.

But I couldn't stop there. Peggy has acquired her very first "official" vintage Halloween card and she's sharing it with ALL of us! Isn't She a Sweetheart? This little ghostie is up for grabs at the Peggy Loves Vintage Blog. I saved it to my computer, printed him out, cut a mat with my Labels Nine Nesties and some cool goo from the border of a Creative Imaginations page. The little tag letters Rebecca Sower Nostalgiques for Sticko (from M's). A few beads and some Halloween ribbon and I was two for two. So be sure to browse around the Peggy Loves Vintage Blog for more fun freebies and be sure to visit the STORE to preview the new CD's. She also has some deals going on just in time for the holidays. Remember, those CD's are available in FTP format as well if you just can't wait for the mail and there are downloadable Greeting Card Cut-Outs for a quick vintage fix. Enjoy!

Macabre Monday Monochrome Monstrosities

Well it's another Macabre Monday and we at Haunted Design House are challenging you to do a Monochrome Monstrosity but... you must use black/grey, orange, green, or purple. Do you sense a Halloween thing going on here? LOL Well, I've gone with the black/grey and the Dia de los Muertos theme because I LOVE prolonging the Halloween experience and like the thought of my loved ones enjoying their life after death. My dining room is all set up (during the season) with ofrendas to my dearly departed with pictures and memorabilia in my hutch and on my sideboard. I even have made sugar skulls for my Mom and Dad and have a skully wedding couple next to their wedding picture along with the actual top to their wedding cake. Sorry, does that creep you out?

Anyway, I've done a bit of masking with some of my Stampotique stamps. I've masked the faces of Moth Fab and Bowtie (tell me they don't make a cute couple) and added skeletal faces from my new Halloween Cube 1 and 2. I think I may like this better than the originals. LOL They're shaded with Copics and cut with Nesties Mega Curved Rectangles.

Paper is the 6x6 Basic Grey Eerie pad and fiber and flowers are from my stash. The tombstone is a Cuttlebug cut and emboss set, inked with Distress Pumice Stone and a computer generated sentiment. Might make a nice anniversary card, eh? So now go have a looky at the rest of the Minions handiwork and don't forget to play along. We LOVE seeing your dark side.

Anniversary Card and BBTB2 Blog Hop Winner

Monday is our 35th Anniversary, but before I say anything else, I want to thank Queen B. Without the inspiration from her adorable Tiddly Inks Back to School card, I would still be scrambling for the perfect idea. Now perhaps I have some 'splaining to do. My DH (that's dear husband, Andrea) always gives me the sweetest, most romantic cards on the planet. I've learned however, over the past 35 years, that he prefers...something...else. LOL When I saw the KennyK's Gothik Angelz digis (this one's Allura Von D, isn't she cheeky? ahhh...literally!) I KNEW that one of those babes FOR sure was gonna end up on the card, but NerdyBot from Tiddly Inks? Oh yeah, perfect!

When we were in college my sorority sisters teased the crap out of me for dating a PhD candidate in PHYSICS. They went so far as to buy the poster "Are you a NERD?" (with the guy in the flood pants, white short sleeved shirt and tie with the pocket protector, taped together glasses and slide rule on his belt) and hung it in my room. Trust me, David NEVER looked like that. (I picked him out at the MSU swimming pool...enough said! ;D ) He, however, frequently refers to himself as a nerd so I'm reasonably sure no offense will be taken. I'm positive he'll get a kick out of the sentiment (and little Allura there) and I guarantee he'll LOLwhen he opens it up. That however, is private, but let's just say there may be some reference to a slide rule. HeeHee! (Sorry, haven't cleaned the gutter yet.)

Now on to what you've TRULY been waiting for; the winner of the $30.00 gift certificate to Custom Crops. DRUMROLL PLEASE.....................................

WooHoo! Congratulations # 81, Penniannie who wrote

Please email me at dlmundinger (at) yahoo (dot) com to arrange for your prize.

Oh and I apologize if I haven't made it around to your blog this week. I'm scrambling to get my DT stuff done so we can truly enjoy the weekend. (I promised no crafting)

The Cuttlebug Spot 2x2 Challenge

Where's my BBTB2 card? Well, I haven't done it yet due to all of the party preparations but perhaps will have one tomorrow. In the meantime, I DID complete my Cuttlebug Spot card which this week is to use 2x2 folders or dies. I have LOADS of them yet I rarely think to use them so I enjoyed this challenge immensely. My card is very simple using the 4 folders from the Cuttlebug Formal Squares set. I cut them with my Nesties and backed them with Nestie Scalloped Squares. They are arranged on a mat embossed with Swiss Dots and the sentiment is from a Sizzix wedding set cut with my Nesties Petite Regular and Scalloped Ovals and popped. Went together really quick but I thought this would make a great wedding or anniversary card. Now go and take a look at the fab cards created by my DT sisters and why not have a go at it yourself? There's a $20 gift certificate to Custom Crops up for grabs.