Curious Otter

This adorable image is from FabrikaFantasy.   I've grown to love Fantasy coloring; it's easy to become somewhat addicted to these whimsical images.  I find them challenging my skills and creativity and that is great fun for me!  It's also fun because there really are no rules in fantasy; I can just do what strikes me at the moment! 

I chose to make this coloring book page into a birthday card for my daughter who loves otters! 

 Material List 

Digi:  Curious Otter Page from Four Magics from FabrikaFantasy

Copic Markers

Layering Cardstock/papers from CTMH (retired)

Sparkle dots from CTMH (retired)

Lace colored with CTMH re-inker

Twine CTMH (retired)

Colored burlap

Metal Slide Pendant from old sandal!

This Card is off to  these challenges:  

Simon Says Stamp:  Animal Antics

Little Red Wagon:  Bits ~  Lots of Bits here:  the piece of twine was cut from prior, strip of cardstock is a header from a piece of CS I had cut and left about, the metal piece was cut off a broken sandal and laying on the table.  Basically everything here is retired.  

bastel-traum:  Animals

Everybody Art:  bingo

2 Crazy Craft Critters:  AG with Critter

Creatalicious:  AG optional at/in the water

Classic Design:  AG  sponsored by Fabrika Fantasy 

Alphabet:  F is for Furry Friends

Crafty Catz:  AG w/opt Animal Twist

As You Like It:  Fav Tip and Use It on Project ~ My tip is to shop your own house...not just your craft stash!  I'm constantly inspired by stuff around the house!  In this case, it was a broken sandal!  Warning:  This could turn your home into an episode of Hoarders!  

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.

Americana for the 4th

 Time to celebrate our the 4th of July at our Challenge over at Cut It Up!  

How do you celebrate?  Cook outs, parades, parties, cards?  All great ideas!  Come share your thoughts with us!

I was perusing Pinterest and found this great T shirt with a flag motif on a big flower and decided I wanted to replicate it.  So, I remember a lovely Conie Fong digi I could easily turn into a print and cut in Cricut Design Space!  

This little sunflower comes from Sunflower Pumpkin Bundle, but here's a secret for you!  If you want to try the sunflower alone, Conie has it on her FaceBook page free!  Come on over and join the page!  

I uploaded my flower digi into Cricut Design Space and did a Print and Cut using Arches Watercolor Paper.  It's easy to cut if you change your settings!  No problem making this into a die cut!

Now, I'll admit, I was going to watercolor this and changed my mind after printing.  This would easily work on cardstock!  I chose to use tape down stripes and use CTMH inks to color.  I did try some embossing and had a bit of a blip with that on the WC Paper.  I'll have to investigate that further, but if any of you have ideas on this, I'd love to hear them!  I continued with some stamping.  

On my background piece, I stamped the sentiment FIRST and then embossed placing my folder carefully around it!  

So, how are you inspired by this challenge?  Come share your ideas with us at Cut It Up!

*   *   *   

Material List:  

Flower Digi from Sunflower Pumpkin Bundle **

Arches Cold Press Watercolor Paper

CTMH Inks

CTMH Stamp (retired)

CTMH Enamel Stars

Gear from Stash

Script Stamp Embossing Powders and Ink

Black and Brown Gel Pens

Cardstock

CTMH Embossing Folder (retired) Embroidery Floss

Up-cycled blue cardstock from old calendar

Adhesives

Cricut Maker:  Print and Cut

Cricut Standard Mat
Cricut Blade

 

When you visit the Cut It Up blog, have fun viewing the DT projects and check out the rules and prize info.  Then be sure to share your project with us ~ don't forget the die cut to have a chance to win a prize from our amazing sponsors.

This project is off to the following challenges: 

Heart 2 Heart:  Get Inky (Include CTMH product)

Double D:  Signs of Summer

Aud Sentiment:  AG + Sentiment

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel. 

Embossing Some Spots

 It's time for a new challenge over at The Outlawz Twisted Thursday and the optional twist is:  Emboss It.

    Material List 

Digi:  Spring LadyBug from our sponsor StarStampz

 Copic Markers, Gel Pens

CTMH Inks

Embossing Folder

Embossing ink and powders

Studio G Glitter Glue Clear

Cricut Design Space Print and Cut

Ribbon for bow

Cricut Access:  Polka Dots Overlay #M45202 from CTMH Artbooking

Cricut Print and Cut

Cricut Standard Mat

Cricut Blade
Cricut Maker

This card is off to these challenges:  

AllSorts:  Butterflies and Bugs

TTCRD:  AG

Crafter's Cafe:  Insects/Butterflies

StarStampz:  TicTacToe

Be sure to visit

 The Outlawz Twisted Thursday for all the details about the challenge and to check out all fun inspiration from the DT and participants!

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.

Horse Hatter Here!

 Today I'm pulling a newer Hetty Clare image for a fun decor piece with some vintage looking coloring techniques!  I always enjoy these images since they truly represent what goes on over here in our crazy horse world!  hee hee 

This guy is so fun; I love the sarcasm of the Mad Hatter from Alice and this horse seems to capture the character perfectly!  

My horse, Thunder, can exhibit this personality at times; he cracks me up!

*   *   * 

Material List

Digi: Mad Hatter Party Pony from Hetty Clare

Copic Markers

Kraft Cardstock

Clock Embossing Folder

Embossing Ink and Powder for background oval

CTMH Inks

Buttons

Movie camera die from LDRS Magical Slider (retired)

Polkadoodles Distressed Wood Cardstock

Cricut Access:  Print and Cut

Cricut Standard Mat

Cricut Blade
Cricut Maker

 Sharing with these challenges:  

Daisy Chain Challenges:  Cute Animals

2 Crafty Critter Crazies:  AG with Critters

Let's Craft and Create:  Add Buttons

Your Scrapbook Place:  AG extra entry if use sponsor image!!

Incy Wincy:  For the Men &/or Kraft card/paper

Creative Knockouts:  AG

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers:  T is for Texture

Paper Funday:  AG with opt twist~ Sparkle and /or shine

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.

Happiness colors!

 Conie Fong has adorable digi bundles for animal lovers and Maisy with her beautiful flowers is just perfect for your summer time crafting!  Wouldn't she be so lovely on a shower card or summer bouquet?    

Be sure to visit the the Conie Fong FB Page for challenges and images:  Conie Fong FaceBook Challenge.  There are different challenges: one for coloring and one for completed projects! 

Material List:

Digi Image/stamp: Maisy and Cory Mice Bundle from Conie Fong

Copic Markers

Raffia Paper Bow

CTMH Gems colored with Copic Markers

CTMH Pattern Paper (retired)

Cricut Access

Tag Die Cut from CTMH Art Philosophy #M406F9

Cricut Standard Mat

Cricut Blade
Cricut Maker

I'm sending this off to the following challenges:

2 Crafty Critter Crazies:  AG with a critter

Classic Design Challenge:  AG

CCC Digi Creations:  AG

Crafty Animals:  AG w/an Animal!

Dream Valley:  Die Cuts &/or Punches

Beyond the Blue:  Use Pattern Paper

Crafty Catz:  AG

Time Out:  Inspired by words~ flowers, child, bright colors

Daisy Chain:  Cute Animals

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.

Have a New Experience!!

As we meander a Path of Positivity, we are challenging you to "Have a New Experience" in your life!  This can be anywhere in your life from the craft room to changing up daily routines!  

Nothing quite shakes up your day like doing something new and there are so many benefits to getting out of your routine a bit!  

Increases Confidence 

Time Becomes More Memorable and Valuable

Fear Takes a Backseat and Your Sense of Adventure Grows

Teaches Patience and Humility

You Get to Know Yourself Better

Creativity and Brainpower are Stimulated

*   *   *  

About my piece

This is a cover for a new art journal!  I have really gotten "into" making journals lately...will I ever fill them all?  Hmmm.....  Maybe I need to give some away!  

I really got out of my comfort zone and took apart this wonderful digital stamp, KOKOPELLI Southwestern Tile,  from pattiescreations.  I have a real fascination with Kokopelli and Native American folklore, so this image was perfect for me.  Pattie has a couple of Kokopelli images and several wonderful nature images I considered, but I landed on this one!  

I imported this digital stamp into my Cricut Design Space and started playing/experimenting.  I ended up cutting the border from Acetate Alternative so I would have a stencil.  Then I printed the center on Arches Cold Press Watercolor.  

Now, I'm not a watercolorist!  This is very new for me, so I grabbed my neglected Derwent Inktense Water Color Pencils I purchased from Dick Blick while we were in Cleveland three years ago.  I picked up about 10 or so to try and never really did much with them.  I have to say, I love the color and texture it gave this piece!  I colored the sun with some CTMH ink and a sponge.

The cover itself is made from a scrap of art frame board...the kind one uses for photos and such.  I cut my size and left room for the binding which I'll do with my Cinch machine once I decide what papers I want in it!  (Sometimes when I make them for myself, I add finished pages and then Cinch it when I have all the pages done.)  I covered the board in Distress Oxide Inks:  Peacock and Vintage Photo.  I then used my stencil and applied Bo Bunny Glitter Paste to the suns and a paint mixture to the arrow pattern.  

My paint mixture recipe: 

Blick Paint Pearl White

Folk Art Metallic Pure Gold Paint

CTMH Blush and Honey Re-inker

Bo Bunny Glitter Paste 

Bo Bunny Bronze Shimmer Spray

I matted a piece of cardstock and layered my colored center on top at an angle.  Some CTMH Gems and old jewelry pieces finish it off!

*   *   *  

 

So, are you inspired to try something a little different ... set off on a new adventure of some kind?  Let us know what you are doing!

   We'd like to hear your ideas at Path of Positivity!  Come share them with us!  

Remember, you may share any sort of artistic medium over at PoP:  writing, cards, journals, scrapbooking, painting, sewing, baking, needle crafts, etc as long as it is positive!  The theme is always optional.  

*   *   * 

Material List

Digi:  KOKOPELLI Southwestern Tile from PattiesCreations

Derwent Inktense Pencils

Arches Cold Press WaterColor Paper

Acetate Alternative for homemade stencil

CTMH Ink for Sun

Ranger Distressed Vintage Photo Ink and Peacock Feather

Paint Mixture: Recipe above

CTMH Mocha Gems and old jewelry from Stash

Bo Bunny Glitter Paste

Cricut Standard Mat

Cricut Blade

Cricut Maker

The Cinch Book Binding Machine will be used to bind this journal

 Sharing with these challenges:  

Krafty Chicks:  Stamp Act

Paper Funday:  Sparkle &/or Shine
Colour Crazy Challenge:  AG Hand Colored

Allsorts:  Magical Worlds

Fairy and the Unicorn:  AG Fantasy

CD Sunday Plus:  AG using a CD, USB or Digi download on a physical piece

WWODT:  AG

Creative Artiste:  AG Mixed Media

Simon Says:  Mixed Media

Addicted to Stamps:  Make Your Mark

Be sure to come on 

over to 

Path of Positivity 

and see 

what the team 

thinks about our optional twist!  

You can also find 

more information 

about entering 

the challenge!  

Thanks to our 

wonderful sponsors this month:

and

 Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.

Gnome-thing Fun!

 Shaped Card or Fun Fold is the new Challenge over at Cut It Up!  I've decided to make a shaped card with our sponsor's Fun with Gnomes Templates and cutting Files.   Lots to choose from here and I decided to make him into a Christmas Card although he could easily double as a tag!  I brought in the Ho, Ho, Ho sentiment from Cutting Cafe Christmas Colored Basic Images Black and White Mini.

So, how are you inspired by this challenge?  Come share your ideas with us at Cut It Up!

*   *   *   

Material List:  

Cutting Cafe Fun with Gnomes Templates and cutting Files

Sentiment from Christmas Colored Basic Images Black and White Mini

Ho, Ho, Ho paper from Polkadoodles

Solid Cardstock from CTMH

Embossing Powder and Ink

Copic Markers

Ranger Distress Ink Vintage Photo

CTMH Cardstock

Ribbon

Gem

Adhesives

Cricut Maker

Cricut Standard Mat
Cricut Blade

 

When you visit the Cut It Up blog, have fun viewing the DT projects and check out the rules and prize info.  Then be sure to share your project with us ~ don't forget the die cut to have a chance to win a prize from our amazing sponsors.

This project is off to the following challenges: 

12 Months of Christmas:  Christmas/December Holiday Cards

Merry Little Christmas:  AG

ABC Christmas:  L is for Letters; M is for Mistletoe - I chose L

Fezziwigs Festive Frolics:  Red and Green

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel. 

For Him....well, hmm!

 It's time for a new challenge over at The Outlawz Twisted Thursday and the optional twist is:  For Him  

I went with more of a "thinking of him" sort of idea since this is my Dad's birthday!  Now, I think back to when I was a kid, and I so would have said something like Alice said and my dad must have been thinking these very words!  I did twice as much talking as thinking and I know this drove Dad and Grandpa crazy as I would hang around the Funeral Home with them!

Funny, how these memories come back as I'm crafting!  So, this piece is for me thinking of Dad, his dad, and now my own husband -- as he listens to our daughter and grandgirls doing the same thing!

  Material List 

Digi:  MadHatter from our sponsor StarStampz

 Copic Markers, Gel Pens

Digital Cardstock designs from Imagine That Digi Stamp (Retired)

Photo Frame Board (Scrap)

CTMH Inks

Cheese Cloth

Stencils

CTMH Gold Glitter Glue (retired)

Paints various from stash

Embossing ink and powders

Gear, Threads, Buttons from Stash

CTMH Mocha Gems (retired)

CTMH Gold Puffy Stickers (retired)

CTMH Hat Pen (retired)

Blue Hat Pen is corsage pen colored with Copic Marker

Flowers from Stash

Cricut Design Space Print and Cut

Cricut Access:  Sentiment text font A Child's Year and Cricut Sans

Books:  #M143D70E3 from Teacher Gifts

Top Hat:  #M44A6C Gingerbread

Top Hat:  #M8A11C85 Winter Woodland

Steaming Tea Cup (with modification): #M876B564 from London's Calling  

Cricut Standard Mat

Cricut Blade
Cricut Maker

This piece is off to these challenges:  

WWODT:  AG

Double Trouble:  Something, Anything, Everything and Optional YoYo Fun

Thing 1~ Use the stuff you have in stash

Thing 2~ Link with Crafter's Cafe AG

Twisted Sister~ Yoyo Trick Names:  Gravity Pull and Time Warp!

Creative Knockouts:  For the Boys

We Love 2 Create:  AG Mixed Media

Scrapping 4 Fun:  Male/Father's Day/Masculine

Be sure to visit

 The Outlawz Twisted Thursday for all the details about the challenge and to check out all fun inspiration from the DT and participants!

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.

Summertime Slider Card

 Conie Fong has some adorable digi bundles for pet lovers!  This is Sophie and Puppy!  I fell in love with this image right away; I love her curly hair!  She can also be found with her kitty here:  Sophie and Kitty.

Be sure to visit the the Conie Fong FB Page for challenges and images:  Conie Fong FaceBook Challenge.  There are different challenges: one for coloring and one for completed projects! 

Material List:

Digi Image/stamp: Sophie and Puppy from Conie Fong

Copic Markers

CTMH Inks for Golden/Yellow card

Gem from Stash

Plaid Paper from Stash

Cricut Access  

Print and cut to add digi stamp to slider envelope

Slider Envelope is Flowers Sleeve Card from CTMH Artfully Sent

The card inside is custom from welding a flower from the Sleeve card to a rectangle 

Cricut Standard Mat

Cricut Blade
Cricut Maker

I'm sending this slider card off to the following challenges:

Cutie Pie:  Gorgeous Gingham & Perfect Plaid

We Love Chocolate Baroque:  Bright and Sunny

Always Fun:  Summer

Little Red Wagon:  Say it with Flowers

Crafty Gals:  For the Ladies

Stinkin' Inkers:  Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Double Trouble:  Thing 1~Use paper product from Stash and create any any-occasion girly project; Thing 2~  Enter Stinkin' Inkers; Twisted Sister~ Use Bling

As You Like It:  Fav Colouring Medium ~ Copics!  I have my best selection, usually quick for me since they're always out!; no real clean up like with paints; my "go to"

Cute Card Thursday:  AG Critters optional

Bitten by the Bug2:  May Flowers

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.

Just a Play Day in the Studio!

I thought it would be fun to pull out a Hetty Clare image and play with some different coloring techniques!  It's always fun to play with these images since they truly represent what goes on over here.  Now, that being said, I don't wear lacy skirts with bling when I go out to the barn...hahaha

But...

I do sometimes feel like stretching out for a nap out there!  ;)

Hetty Clare knows animals and country life!  She has the perfect images for so many situations I've encountered with my horses and they make me laugh every time!  Hetty Clare has a great way of turning awkward scenarios into a smile!

As for my different techniques, I combined the Hetty Clare Image with a  background from a past Kit and Clowder Class.  For more information about these classes go HERE.  The coloring of her skirt, sky and some patches of grass were done with a stamp from CTMH.  The stamp for her skirt had sort of a 'lacy' texture to it.  The stamp I used for the sky/grass had a dotted texture.  

My flower was embossed with different colors of powders.  It was fun to experiment with some different ideas.

*   *   * 

Material List

Digi: Sleeping Beauty from Hetty Clare

Copic Markers

CTMH Cardstock

Twine

CTMH Stamp Retired:  Skirt lacy pattern, sky pattern, some grassy area

Embossing Ink and Powders for flower

CTMH Inks

Bo Bunny Double Dot Gems 

Polkadoodles Distressed Wood Cardstock

Cricut Access:  flower

Cricut Standard Mat

Cricut Blade
Cricut Maker

 Sharing with these challenges:  

Festive Fridays inspired me to use this stamp!!  Inspo List:  How often do you get to use a wheelbarrow!!

CD Sunday Plus:  AG using a CD, USB or digi download

Crafter's Cafe:  Feminine - Girls or Ladies

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.

Little Star Gnome

Always fun to create Christmas cards and it's a great way to stay on top of the Holiday Crunch!  

This card features Christmas Gnome in the Car from Star Jam Lines!  

Material List:

Digi Image/stamp: Christmas Gnome in the Car from Star Jam Lines 

Copic Markers

CTMH Pattern Paper (retired)

Seam Binding colored with CTMH Ink

CTMH Ink

Embossing Ink and Powder for layering circle

Studio G Glitter Glue

Cricut Access Circle die and Print and Cut; Sentiment #M24C3DA85 Sarah Hurley - House and Home Phrases

Cricut Standard Mat

Cricut Blade
Cricut Maker

I'm sending this Bit of Christmas off to the following challenges:

12 Months of Christmas: AG with Opt Twist ~Gnomes

CRAFT: Christmas

Challenge Up Your Life:  Under a Hat

Fezziwigs Festive Frolics:  Sentiments

Crafty Catz:  Cute as You Like  Using this cute digi I won at Crafty Catz!

Christmas Craft All Year Round:  Starting with I and/or J  Inks!  

Crafty Friends:  Sketch

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.

A Little Bit of Nature

 

So many of us have truly connected with nature during this pandemic, now it's time to celebrate that with our Nature Challenge over at Cut It Up!  

I have even been inspired to stop and listen to birds, watch bunnies run in the paddocks, look at different wild flowers (weeds most likely), and make an attempt at planting!  We'll see how that works since my thumb is far from green! 

I've decided to "bloom and grow" with some new ideas outside the house and barn windows.  

So, how are you inspired by this challenge?  Come share your ideas with us at Cut It Up!

*   *   *   

Material List:  

STAMPlorations Digi Stamp Zinnia Row

STAMPlorations Bloom and Grow Phrase Die

Copic Markers Embossing Powders and Ink

CTMH Inks Cardstock Blue Button

Upcycled blue cardstock from old calendar

Twine

Adhesives

Cricut Maker

Cricut Standard Mat
Cricut Blade

 

When you visit the Cut It Up blog, have fun viewing the DT projects and check out the rules and prize info.  Then be sure to share your project with us ~ don't forget the die cut to have a chance to win a prize from our amazing sponsors.

This project is off to the following challenges: 

Stamping Sensations:  Beautiful Blooms

STAMPlorations Never-ending:  AG

We Love Chocolate Baroque:  Bright Sunny Colors

Time Out:  Inspired by items from inside your home with a twist of Embossing!

I was inspired by plaid curtains and my Lang Calendar colors.  I actually used an old calendar for the sentiment and first layer!

Thanks for stopping by!  Make yourself at home and feel free to peruse other posts/pages, leave a comment, and/or check out my Pinterest and YouTube Channel.