Challenge Card

Hi, everyone! I'm practicing more with my Copic markers, and I colored inthis adorable Mo Manning image for a challenge that is currently going on over at Mo's Challenge Blog. It is Challenge #93 - Something Sweet.  The rules are simple....create something with a Mo Manning image that is food related! Post your creation on the challenge blog post, and you can win an image for free from Mo. :0) I love Mo Manning's images! She has this great style that I adore....it seems like her characters are familiar, and they bring back a feeling of nostalgia when I see them.
Here's my card for this challenge

I used some MME designer papers, SU punches: 1" Circle, Designer Label, and my Copic markers. I added some SU buttons, and a sentiment that I created in PSE. What do you think? Am I coloring better, yet? Lol! I'm not sure if I'm making progress, or just staying the "same".....

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Crafting!

Mo Manning Challenge

Hi, everyone!
I have been busy, busy this weekend! It hasn't been around my craft area, though, and I am finishing up some challenge cards this morning. Here is the first I wrapped up:

This is for the "Black & White with One Contrasting Color" challenge at Bronte and Bella's Digital Challenge Blog.

I love all my Mo Manning images, and I purchased this one, Paul Typing, because it reminded me so much of my son! This card is for my workaholic husband, though! lol! He works so much, and I want him to have some fun time, so I'm going to gently remind him to "stop and smell the roses". :0)

I colored Paulin with my Prismacolor pencils. I layered him on top of several Nesties: Circles, and some Curvy Rectangles that I ended up cutting one side off of. The sentiment is punched with an SU Curvy Label Punch. I embossed the white layer with Cuttlebug's Diamond Plate Embossing Folder. The ribbon on the edge is adhered with dbl-side sticky tape, and the border layer below that was punched with an EK Success edger (I can't remember the name of that one, but it's something to do with brackets!).

Thanks for stopping by! Come back again later, as I'll have additional cards posted for a Bugaboo challenge (or two...depending on my motivation this morning!)

Happy Crafting, everyone!

A Berry Sweet freebie and a Mo Manning card

Hi, everyone!
I am practicing coloring with my new Copics, and I just adore my new Mo Manning images that I purchased at her online store, Mo's Digital Pencil, so I printed up this cutie to work on.

(Click the Photo to Enlarge)

She is one of my newfound loves, Mo's fruit girls! I think I have them all, now, but I have to keep checking back on Mo's store site, as she has been adding some more recently! lol! This is Strawberry Girl.
I colored her in with my Copics. I wanted to make her a strawberry blonde - do you think her hair color is okay?? I had looked up all kinds of reference charts for hair coloring with Copics, and wouldn't it figure that I do not have any "complete" color combos mentioned for hair?! lol! Yep.....had to make up my own!
I recently received a couple of other new "toys" for my crafting: a Xyron 250 machine, which I LOVE!, and a new Spellbinders Die called "Fresh Fruit Border Petites". I used the strawberry border die. I punched out a red paper border, and then I punched a green paper border. I hand trimmed the berries off the green border and glued the two together. I added some inking and some gel pen detail to both layers.
I have seen several talented ladies use a technique that I wanted to try, die-cutting with Nesties, leaving part of the image outside the Nestie shape. I found a great tutorial on Jak Heath's blog (she calls this technique "Overhang with Nesties"), and I followed it to cut out my colored image. I probably could have used one die size smaller, but I was a little nervous! lol! I spent two days working on coloring my girl and didn't want to mess her up! lol!
Anyhow, that is my creative adventure for today. I now have the task of cleaning up my huge mess that I have made: it was a whirlwind, fun craft day, so there are things "everywhere"!! lol!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Happy Crafting!

Oh.........I almost forgot! The sentiment on my card is something I created. I saved it, thinking I may want to use it again later. Maybe you can use it, too? It is in .png and .jpg format in the download, and it is in color (the sentiment includes the colored strawberry). I have it sized to print and fit inside the Stampin' Up Oval punch.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE DIGI SENTIMENT DOWNLOAD

Please leave some love if you enjoy my freebies! I love to hear from you! :) This is how I know you were here, like what you see, and would like to see more! If you're not already, consider becoming a follower so you can be informed of new free svg posts each week! :0)

I am offering the file download for a limited time, only. 

The links will be active for approximately one week only, so get them while you can!

If you have any problems with this file, please let me know so I can fix it for you, and for others!

And, PLEASE....

Any files I offer are for PERSONAL, NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY. This means that you may not sell them, alter them, or share them. They are not for use on websites (including blogs), or for marketing in any way.

Should you wish to share my files with others, please post a link to my site and give due credit.

The files I offer are typically compressed, and will need to be unzipped prior to use.

Cut files are in SVG format and are compatible with Sure Cuts A Lot, and any other software cutting program that supports svg files. Digital papers are typically .png format.

You can contact me at cherylfirst1@yahoo.com if you have any questions about any of my files, or if you just want to drop me a note! 

Happy Crafting!  :)

This card has been entered into the following challenges:

The Rubber Cafe - Spellbound by Spellbinders

Crafts and Me Challenge Blog - Summertime

Tuesday Throwdown - #57 Fun in the Sun

More Mo.....a tip & directions for a light box

Hi, everyone!
I completed a card yesterday, and in an effort to take better photos in this dark house, I built myself a light box, too! :0)
First, for the card......
I spent some money recently......on some Mo Manning images, over at Mo's Digital Pencil! I just adore her images, and she has several little girls that are fruit themed.......this is Cherry. I colored her in PSE (practice, practice, practice I am!). I cut the image with my Nesties, and I layered her on some papers that I had in my stash from CTMH called Cherry-O!. I had been wanting to use it on something special, and I thought she was definitely worth bringing it out! I added a few Prima flowers from my ancient stash, and a few brads. A scrap piece of ribbon, and a printed sentiment......voila'! :0)

(Click Image to Enlarge)

Here's a little tip: I love my designer papers, and I hate paying big bucks for a second, third pack, etc.......so when I pull out the "faves", I cut a 6"x6" square out of the paper before using it on my cards, and I scan it into my computer. I save it to a file for later use. I usually end up printing it on a 5"x7" piece of white card stock from my photo tray, and I use my photo settings when printing, so the image is rich with color. This keeps me from over-using my ink, and from using an entire sheet of card stock when I only need a piece.

Now.......the light box I made!
Here's a photo of it with the card inside, and one showing the light placement I used to take the picture of my card.

When I took the photo of my card, the top box cut out was covered with a piece of 12"x12" very pale green vellum paper. The two side pieces of vellum are white, but I didn't have any more of that and had to settle for the next best available thing in my stash. I'll have to run out for more white soon!

Here's how I placed my lamps for lighting. The brown reading lamp has a daylight bulb in it, and it isn't turned on in the photo, but you get the point! :0)

How did I make this, you ask?! Here's my instructions for you:

Supplies I used:

Cardboard Box (12" x 12" x 16") I purchased mine from Home Depot: it is their "Small" box, and only cost me $ .74

Can of Flat White Spray Paint

Double-Sided Sticky Tape

Vellum Sheets (12" x 12") - I bought mine from Joann in their loose paper sheet section. I wait for their 40% sales, so I think I paid around $ .60 per sheet.

White Posterboard - (24" x 28") - I picked thisup at Rite-Aid for $ .99 yesterday. This has to be cut to 16" x 28" to fit in the box properly.

Step 1 : Before assembling the box, I cut off all the flaps from one end of it. Then I cut the three holes - one in the long side, and one in each short side of the box. My holes were cut at 10" x 10", and I used a utility blade for cutting them. You should have approx 2" left on each side of your cut-out when you are finished with the short sides. 

Step 2: Assemble the box bottom securely.

Step 3: Using light strokes and layers, spray the inside of the box with your flat white spray paint. You don't have to focus on the box bottom, but do focus on the corners and sides. Let dry completely before proceeding to Step 4.

Step 4: Apply double-sided sticky tape around the side openings, and adhere the vellum paper to the inside of the box sides. DO NOT do this to the top hole of the box.

Step 5: Place a strip of double-sided sticky tape along the bottom front edge of the box. 

Step 6: Put the 16" x 24" posterboard  into the box. When you do this, start with the sticky-taped edge and push it back. DO NOT crease the back edge of the posterboard! Allow it to slope, leaving it "seamless" to the back side. It should also slope slightly at the top back edge toward the top box cut out. I did not apply any stick strip to the top piece, as it stayed in place nicely for me without it. You could apply it, if you prefer.

Step 7: Using your third piece of vellum, place it on the box top, position your lighting the way you want, and you're all set to take photos! :0) 

I plan on switching out my top vellum piece with different colors to filter the light for some of my images, but if you know you will only use white, then use the double-sided sticky tape to apply it to the inside of the box in the same manner you did the sides. 

Thanks for stopping by today! If you have any questions about my project, please drop me a line!

cherylfirst1@yahoo.com

A Mo Manning Image combo,,,

Hi, everyone! I hope you are all enjoying the week, so far! I have been very busy making many baby shower invites for my sister! I'm excited, and looking forward to becoming an Aunt!! Yay! This will be her first baby, and she already knows it's a girl. :0) She even chose to use the name I picked  - Mikayla. (I like it spelled the traditional way, Michaela, but she decided to change it up a bit.)
Anyhow, I am making her some shower invitations and decorations, both of which I will post at later dates. I am still working on all the layer pieces for the thirty cards I'm making, and I get soooooo tired of repetitive crafting, but I am making progress! I took some time to play with my PSE program yesterday: I went to Mo Manning's site, Mo's Digital Pencil, and picked up this cute baby image at the beach (you can find it here), plus I bought her Beach Elements images. I guess all this baby shower stuff has my ooh-ing and coo-ing over the baby images! lol!! Well, I have been working on coloring in PSE, and I did some image combining and coloring with these two. Here is my result:

(Click on picture to Enlarge)

I played with lots and lots of layers in PSE to color this in. I wish I had a professional printer that captured all the shading and highlights better, but I am still pleased with it! It took me a looooong time! I used Mo's colored image of her beach as the inspiration for my colors, and I did my best to imitate her style of coloring. 

Here's the digital version of the image to show you some of the shading and highlights better (with my watermark on it to protect Mo's images)

(Click on picture to Enlarge)

I cropped the dash lines off the border when I used it on my card. The red and light blue paper strips were taken from my scrap pile (which needs desperate thinning, I might add!), and the sailboat bg paper I created in PSE. 

Well.....I really should get back to the shower invites; afterall, we can't have a party if no one shows up, right?! hahaha!

Happy Crafting!

Challenges I have entered this card into:

Card Makin' Mamas - Challenge #22 - With/For a Child

Floweret - Challenge #5 - Vacation

AiFactory Challenge Blog - Summer Fun

Paper Play Challenges - At the Beach

The Rubber Cafe - Summer

Mo's Digital Challenge #74 - Let's Hear It For the Boys

Okay.....so I have never entered Mo's challenges before, and I picked up this great digi from her shop the other day. It is called "Paul Typing". I just think she caught the spirit of "today's" te boy perfectly with this! So, here's my card for the "Let's Hear It For the Boys" Challenge #74:

I used some of my Sizzix paper from way-back-when, and a few SU brads. The SU punches, Star and Little Star, were used, as well as my nesties. To color the image, I used my watercolor pencils and my waterbrush. Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget to enter to win my blog candy, if you haven't already!

A Mo Manning freebie, Blog Candy Alert and a "Promise"

Happy Sunday, everyone! I hope you are all resting (in other words, crafting! hehe). I know it is my way to relax, as I'm sure it is for most of you! I woke up at 5:30 this morning. I had this eerie feeling something wasn't "right". It's been pouring rain here for two days, so I came downstairs to check on our basement. Sure enough, there is a little water coming in. Not much to speak of, and we have a bucket located where it is dripping in from a pipe comes in the wall. I'm glad this is a rental home, and it's not my problem to fix, but I sure do feel bad for my wonderful landlord, who has been great about taking care of these kinds of things quickly!
Anyhow, being up early, I came in to craft. Yesterday on Facebook, Mo Manning, of Mo's Digital Pencil, (one of my favorite digi-stamp artists) gave away two digi-papers she created. (Sorry, she has already taken them down....they were a super quick freebie!). I sized and printed them to what I wanted for my card this morning, and I used them with her "Sprout" image, which I had purchased as part of the Help for katie collection of stamps over at Jak Heath's blog. (BLOG CANDY ALERT - Jak has some great stuff to giveaway on March 10! Hop on over to check it out! Oh....and she just so happens to be on Mo's Design Team!)
Okay - sorry about the tangent....all stuff I thought you'd like to know! ...Now back to the card. Here it is.

As I said....the papers are the freebies Mo gave away, plus I used a SU card stock. I had printed the papers on Very Vanilla (I'm out of my Whisper White - waaaahh!), but.......I like how it looks on the vanilla - very soft! I colored Sprout in with PSE. It took me a while because Mo does not close all her lines, so I had to use the brush and pencil tool a lot (especially on the hair!). I am happy with the way she turned out! I used some ric-rac and some of my Prima flowers. I also had "found" the Promise tile.....something I have had for years in my stash! It seems to work well with the image, and with the hope of spring! Of course, the rain I had today is also a big indicator that spring is on the way! hahaha!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoy today's creation!

Happy Crafting!