Celebration Blog Candy!!!!

This post will remain at the top until June 30th. Please scroll down for newer posts.

Good morning all! Recently, I was so blessed to be added to the Sentimental Sundays design team. Sentimental Sundays is a challenge blog created by Raindrop Echo Designs' Ann Vento. The goal of these challenges is to focus on the beauty of words to compliment our projects.

As a little celebration, I am offering one winner 5 single sentiment sets from Raindrop Echo Designs. All you need to do is:

• Add this badge to your sidebar and link it back to this post

<a href="http://kurly-q.blogspot.com/2011/06/celebration-blog-candy.html" target="Kurly-Q"><img src="http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h403/kurly-q1/BlogCandy_Sidebar_Button.jpg" alt="Kurlygirl's Blog Candy"/></a>

• Enter your name in the InLinkz below (Leave a comment also, just in case the InLinkz doesn't play nice)
• Become a follower only if you want to keep up with my blog. Being a follower is not a requirement of this candy. 

Whimsie Doodle Gnome

Happy Thursday! One day closer to a long weekend here in the US... So looking forward to it. If you take a close look below, you'll see my new watermark on my photos and my new signature at the bottom designed by Ann Vento of Raindrop Echo Designs. I just love them! You can get your own in the Whimsy Stamps store.

I think I'm going through a gnome phase. It has been coming on for a while. I'm already in an owl phase, I don't know how many more phases I can take on at once, lol! Then I saw the movie, Gnomeo and I'm even more in love with the crazy things. If I had a garden, there would be gnomes everywhere!

I just can't quit making these book boxes... they are so cute and I think they are pretty simple to make. The most challenging part is joining the corners, but it's not too tough with the right glue (I use Beacon's 3 in 1). I forgot to add the ribbons to tie it shut this time, so I'm going to add a magnet closure before I use it.

Stamps: Whimsie Doodles Go Big Gnome
ProMarkers: Clothes - Turquiose, Duck Egg, Cool Aqua; Skin - Ivory, Blush, Sunkissed Pink (cheeks); Hair & Shoes - Cocoa, Cinnamon, Tan; Stem - Moss, Marsh; Flower - Maroon, Dusky Rose, Fuchsia Pink
Paper: My Mind's Eye Happy Go Lucky
Embellishments: Basic Grey Brads, Fiber
Tools: Fiskars Border Punch, Scor-Pal
**UPDATED TO ADD TUTORIAL LINK



I've Checked the challenge lists at Feline Playful and I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

Divas by Design - 2W, 2E - #5 die cuts/punches

I Love Promarkers - Must use Promarkers - #72 flowers

Paper Shelter Challenge - 3E, SIO - #20 anything goes

Deep Ocean Challenge - 2W - 2nd W - Flowers 

Going Grey With Scrap-Creations - 2E - Anything But A Card 

Top Tip Tuesday - 3E - #40 Using Something Beginning With 'T' (Turquoise)

Creative Stamp Friends - 2W – Dots

Hooked on Crafts - 2W, SIO – Flowers

KB Cute Monday – Flowers

Make it Monday - Anything Goes

Ooh La La Creations - 2W, SIO - Summer flowers

Shabby Tea Room - 2W - My favourite things (Gnomes, brads, fibers, and the colors on these gorgeous papers)

Stamps R Us - 2E - There was a little girl

Crafty Pad - SIO - Bold and Bright or soft pastels

Wags 'n Whiskers - 2W, SIO - Summertime.
356 Cards - Feeling Punchy

Sweetest Thing - SKETCH *

Marvelous Monday at Shelly's Images - Hummingbird

 Happy Monday! This week at Shelly's Images we are showcasing "Hummingbird" which you can get in the store at a discounted price. Be sure to check out the Shelly's Images Blog to see what the other DT members have created. There's also still time to enter this week's Stars and Stripes Challenge!

My image was colored with ProMarkers (Sandstone, Caramel, Poppy, Ruby Red, Burgundy, Bright Green, Lush Green). I made the flowers using another singed edge technique. I'll have a tutorial up for these later in the week. [EDIT: Took a little longer than a week, but here they are: Singed Edge Flower 2 and Singed Edge Flower 2 Mini] My sentiment is from Raindrop Echo Designs Gratitude Set and my papers are from Echo Park's For the Record paper pad. The lace trim I found at Wal-Mart on the clearance rack.

I have checked the challenge lists over at Feline Playful and would like to enter this into the following challenges:

Crafty Calendar - M, 1E -  June: Things with wings

Craft Your Days Away  - 2W - #23 Vintage 

Just Some Lines 2W, SIO - 2nd W - Spots & Dots

Bloggers Challenge - JFF - Things with wings.

Inspire Me Fridays - Always anything goes.

Phindy’s Place - 3E, SIO - Use circles.

Poodles Parlour - 2W, 1E, SIO - Come fly with me.

Simply Create - 2W - 2nd week - Wings.

Paper Crafting Journey - 2W - Anything goes & summer fete blog hop.

Rainbow Lady's - 2E - Use a digi.

I Love Promarkers - Must use Promarkers - #71 anything goes

Ruby's Rainbow - 2W – flowers

Scrapbook Sisters - #41 anything goes

Simon Says Stamp - sketch*

Deep Ocean Challenge - 2W - Flowers 

Everybody-Art-Challenge - #147 Anything Goes 

Sentimental Sundays Patriotic Challenge

It's time for a new challenge at Sentimental Sundays! This week's prize is four sentiment set's from Raindrop Echo Designs! Also, be sure to stop by the blog for Valerie's Sentiments Freebie.

With Independence Day approaching in the US we are feeling a little patriotic, so this week we want to see you use the colors of your nation's flag. For my card this week, I used Little Freida at the Seashore from The Craft's Meow. I have colored her with ProMarkers and the papers are from Lily Bee's This and That paper pad. I've also made a fabric flower and added white ribbon.

For the flower on the inside, I used Spellbinder's Dahlia dies. The red pearl brads are from Eyelet Outlet.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I've checked the challenge lists at Feline Playful and I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Catch The Bug - 3E, SIO -   Red, White & Blue + Add a Ribbon

Designed 2 Delight - 3E - Red, White & Blue and /or Christmas too 

Just Some Lines 2W, SIO - 2nd W - Spots & Dots 

My Sheri Crafts (2W Through Summer) #63 Independence Day or Canada Day 

Guylou's Inimitability - 2W, 1E, SIO - 2nd week - Sweet summertime (word Sweet on the front; summer theme).

Inspire Me Fridays - Always anything goes.

Stamp Something - Celebrate with red, white & blue.

Totally Papercrafts - Spots & stripes.

Wags 'n Whiskers - 2W, SIO - Summertime.

Art Impressions Stamps Challenge - 1E, SIO - Handmade flowers.

Craft Us Crazy - 2W, 3E - Red, white & blue and/or Summer theme.

Meljens Designs - SIO - Stripes and/or plaid.

Paper Crafting Journey - 2W - Anything goes & summer fete blog hop.

Amber's Crafts and Stuff - 1E - #15 summer

Crafting for all Seasons - 2W - #3 Summer (2nd wk)

I Love Promarkers - Must use Promarkers - #71 anything goes

Paper Shelter Challenge - 3E, SIO - #19 Fun in the Sun

Penny's Paper-Crafty - 2W - red white and blue

Ruby's Rainbow - 2W – flowers

Scrapbook Sisters - #41 anything goes

The Paper Variety - 1E - #39 Summer

Deep Ocean Challenge - 2W - Flowers 

Everybody-Art-Challenge - #147 Anything Goes 

Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT Challenge - 1E -  Use Red Somewhere on your Project

Die Cut Dreams - 2W - Red, White and Blue

Stamps R Us - 2W, 2E - 2nd week - 1 image, 2 patterned papers, and 3 embellishments

Off the Wall Craftiness - 2W, 3E, SIO - Red, white & any shade of blue*.

Wedding

Happy Thursday all! My co-worker got married this weekend and I wanted to share the card I gave her. I used Some Odd Girl's Bride Mae. The backing paper is from My Mind's Eye Stella Rose "Hattie" collection. The white paper is embossed, however you cannot see it with my lighting. I made the rolled paper flowers and added a pearl to the center (tutorial). The sentiment is from Raindrop Echo Designs Love Sentiments.

I've checked the challenge lists over at Feline Playful and I would like to enter the following challenges:

I Love Promarkers - Must use Promarkers - #71 anything goes

Scrapbook Sisters - #41 anything goes

Anita Be Stampin' - 2W, SIO - 2nd W #23 Shaped Card + Optional extra Buttons

Deep Ocean Challenge - 2W - Flowers 

Everybody-Art-Challenge - #147 Anything Goes

Crazy Challenge - 2E – Weddings

Hooked on Crafts - 2W, SIO - 2nd week - Anything goes.

Karens Doodles - 1E, SIO - Flower power

Challenge Up Your Life - 2W, 1E -  #46 Circles 

Fairy Fun Fridays - 2W, SIO – Wedding.

Sew Many Cards - SIO - Punch it (use a punch).

Charisma Cardz - 3E – White & one other colour.

Crafty Sentiments - 1E, SIO - Monochromatic.

Rainbow Lady's - 2E - Use a digi.

Southern Girls - 2W, 1E - 2nd week - Anything goes.

Sweet Stop - SKETCH* SSS113 With A Spin - Circle Card

Singed Flower 1 Tutorial

I've had requests for tutorials for the flowers I use on my cards. I LOVE making flowers for my cards. I often spend time making several batches so they are ready to go when I'm working on my cards.

Supplies:

Man-Made Fabric (here I've used satin but any fabric such as polyester, rayon, nylon, etc. will do)

Hole Punch

Scissors

Circle Templates or Dies (Find templates here)

Candle

Lighter or Matches

Brads or Buttons

Small Hole Punch

Tweezers

Bowl of Water for accidents

STEP 1: First you will cut 3 fabric circles of each size. You basically need a small circle and a larger circle. Here I’ve used 1 ½ inches & 2 ½ inches.

STEP 2:Cut slits in the edges of the circles going all the way around. I usually stack all three circles of the same size and cut all at once. These will be your petals.

STEP 3: Carefully hold the circles next to the candle one at a time. You can use your fingers or the tweezers. The heat will melt the fabric on the edges. You are not trying to catch the fabric on fire, just melt the edges.  This is where your bowl of water comes in just in case the fabric catches on fire.

STEP 4: Using your hole punch, place a hole in the center of each fabric circle. I do this with all 3 circles of the same size stacked together.

STEP 5: Stack the 3 smaller circles on top of the 3 larger circles.

STEP 6: Put your brad through all 6 layers.

Additional Tips:

• You can adjust the sizes to fit your needs. The melting gets difficult when using sizes smaller than 1 inch.
• I often make small matching flowers using only one size of circles.
• The softer, more flexible fabric requires more layers. Stiffer fabric required fewer.
• Try alternating fabric colors for the layers to match your color scheme.
• These look great with a layer of tulle added in between. Be careful when singeing your tulle, it shrinks up quickly. You may want to make your tulle layers a little bigger to account for this.
• Buttons also make a great center. Simply skip the hole punching step and sew on the button.
• Use your ink or markers to color white fabric to match your design. Be sure to give the ink time to dry before you singe it though. Some inks (especially alcohol) are highly flammable when still wet.
• Try attaching your flowers to hair clips, headbands, barrettes and brooch pins (for clothing or handbags).

It's a Marvelous Monday at Shelly's Images - Bad Day Fishing

 

Happy Monday! Today at Shelly's Images we are featuring Bad Day Fishing. I think that not only is a bad day fishing better than a great day working, but it would even make a Monday morning tolerable!

I've made this using Basic Grey's Pyrus papers. The sentiment I created myself. If you look closely enough, you'll see my blue thumbprint on it. I was working on another project at the same time and didn't even notice it til I was editing the pictures, lol! I have used an edge scraper on all my edges and embossed the bottom layer with stripes. I  have added some chocolate colored burlap for texture. I've not put a sentiment on the inside yet. I will do that when I use it.

I've checked the Challenge Lists at Feline Playful and I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

Dream Valley Challenges - 2W, 3E - 2nd week - Father's Day

2 Sisters - #44 For A Guy

Catch The Bug - 3E, SIO -  It's A Man's World 

Little Claire's  - 2W, 3E, SIO -  2nd W - #9 Cards For Men

Paper Creator's Crafts 2W, SIO, 3E.  For The Men

Bloggers Challenge - JFF - Masculine card or project.

Inspire Me Fridays - Always anything goes.

Mami Doodles - 2W, SIO, JFF - 2nd week - Card for a boy/man.

Wags 'n Whiskers - 2W, SIO - 2nd week - Masculine.

Craft Us Crazy - 2W, 3E - 2nd week - Father's Day and/or masculine colours/theme.

Dutch Dare Card Challenge - 2E - For the boys.

Little Red Wagon - #85 for Dad

Sisterhood of Crafters - 2W, 3E  - Dad/special man (2nd week)

Paper Take Weekly -  Dads and Lads

Partytime Tuesdays - 3E (2E anything goes wk) - PTT#20 Fathers Day


Crafting Life's Little Pieces - M, 1E, posts on the 1st - Sketch*

Sentimental Sundays "Celebrate Summer" Blog Hop

Welcome to the Sentimental Sundays “Celebrate Summer” blog hop. Tuesday, June 21^st, is the official first day of summer in the northern hemisphere and we are ready for all the summer fun to begin. For our friends down under who are moving into their winter months and may not feel like creating a summery project, they may be making “Sparkly or Shimmery” projects. What girl doesn’t like her bling?

You should have arrived here from Sentimental Sundays challenge blog. If you didn't arrive from there and would like to join in the hop, please jump back there to start at the beginning.

For my project, I did a little sparkle and a little summer on this book box (tutorial). I just love the fairies over at The Emerald Faerie Garden. This is Ally and Beeble. My sentiment is from Raindrop Echo Designs Flowers In Bloom Sentiment set.

The fairy's wings are covered with Stickles and I have added flatback rhinestones around the sentiment and to the inside cover of the box.

I have hand-stitched both inside and out. Down the spine on both the inside and out, I have stitched starbursts. The flower is a singed edge flower (I'll be adding a tutorial on these on Tuesday so be sure to check back). [EDIT: Tutorial Here] The center is a brad that was made with my i-Top Tool using yellow fabric and gold tulle.

We hope you will join in our “Summery or Sparkly” (plus a sentiment) challenge this week. Our sponsor is the marvelous Ann Vento of Raindrop Echo Designs. This prize will be four INDIVIDUAL sentiment sets from the Raindrop Echo Designs Whimsy Stamps Digital Collection.

Your next stop on the hop is Ann English. If you should happen to get lost along the way, you can find the blog hop list over at the Sentimental Sundays challenge blog. Don't forget to leave comments along the way because there are 3 mystery DT members who will each choose a winner from the comments left on their blog hop posts. The winners will each win a $10 gift certificate to Whimsy Stamps! The hop ends on Friday, June 24th at midnight EST. The winners will be announced on the Sentimental Sundays challenge blog on Sunday, June 26th. So, hop on over to the next stop and good luck!



Thank you so much for stopping by.

Heather

I have checked the challenge lists over at Feline Playful and would like to enter this into the following challenges:

Just Some Lines 2W, SIO - Spots & Dots 

Sweet Stampin - 2E, must Stamp -  Things With Wings 

Crafts 4 Eternity Recipe Challenge - 3E - Use embellishments starting with "R". (ribbon)

Crafty Catz - 1E - Fancy folds.

Delicious Doodles - 3E, SIO - Things that flutter.

Fairy Knoll - 2E, SIO - Sparkle.

Inspire Me Fridays - Always anything goes.

Simply Create - 2W - Wings.

AiFactory - 1E, SIO -  Summer fun.

Art Impressions Stamps Challenge - 1E, SIO -  Buttons and/or bows.

Aud Sentiments Challenge - 2W - 2nd week - Summertime.

C.R.A.F.T. - 5E - Stitching.

Crafty Purple Frog - 2W, SIO - 2nd week - Favourite things. (Handmade Flowers, Stitching)

Digi Doodle Shop's Best - SIO - Stitching.

The Rubber Cafe - 1E, SIO - Summer.

Southern Girls - 2W, 1E - Anything goes.

Alota Rubber Stamps - 2W, SIO, posted on the 1st & 16th -  Summertime

By the Cute & Girly - M, 1E/craft type, posted on the 1st - In the garden

Emerald Faerie Garden - 2W, 3E, SIO, posted on the 1st & 15th - Challenge #2: Petals

Crafting for all Seasons - 2W - #3 Summer

Crafts and Me - #39 Bling

Divas by Design - 2W, 2E - #4 anything but a card

Little Darlings Challenges - 2W, SIO - #1 Summer (2nd week)

My Mum's Craft shop - 3E - #10 spots

Anything Goes Challenge - 2W, 1E - #43 Here Comes Summer 

Creative Card Crew - Ribbons & brads

SCACD Friends With Heart - 1E, SIR - #11 Summer Fun

Tuesday Throwdown - #53 Chose 3 past Challenges from list on Blog (button on sidebar) (Stitching, DIY (make your own embellishments, Anything But a Card)

Craft Your Passion - It's Magical

Forever Friends - 2W, SIO, must include animal - Spots & dots.

Hooked on Crafts - 2W, SIO - Anything goes.

Pollycraft - SIO - Ribbon and Flowers

There's Magic in the Air - SIO - Pick 2 from: Flowers, Ribbon, Pearls/Gems and/or Die Cuts.

Pals Paper Arts - Sketch*.