DigiStamps4Joy Challenge 105

It's Wednesday and it's my week to make a card, so that means it's a new challenge over at DigiStamps4Joy! Each challenge runs for two weeks and this time around you can submit your creations that fall under the theme of "Christmas".  This one had LOADS of possibilities, so create away and don't forget to submit it to the challenge for a chance to win great digital images!

I was hoping that I had a chance to make a shaker card and today was my day!  I really love making fun cards like this, but I assure you they are not always as easy as some make them look LOL

Supplies:

Santa's Letter digital image by DigiStamps4Joy

Copic makers (R 12, 14, 17; E 25, 27; E 77; T 1, 2, 3; B 00)

Martha Stewart Crafts Coarse Glitter in Crystal

Recollections Tinsel Glitter

Spellbinders Nestabilities Standard Circles

Thanks so much for spending part of your day with me!

New Release at DigiStamps4Joy

Happy Sunday! Today is.....

I used the new Sunshine Set to create this CAS card. The set comes with four different suns, four sentiments, and lots of possibilities :)  

I tried something new and colored the sun with chalk this time.  Not as vibrant as Copics, but still cute and pretty blendable. I colored his sunglasses with a black marker, then zapped it with two coats of clear embossing powder before fussy cutting it and adhering it with dimensional adhesive next to the sentiment :)

The ladies behind the scenes at DigiStamps4Joy work so hard to bring you these great images every single week! Head on over to the blog to see what new images are being released today and what my great teammates came up with.

I am joining a great sketch challenge this week at Just Add Ink! I thought their sketch would be perfect for this project:)

Thanks for stopping by!

Challenge 104 at DigiStamps4Joy--Preparing for the Holidays / Fall

Happy Wednesday!  Today starts another challenge at DigiStamps4Joy, and if you haven't joined us yet, you definitely should. The challenges run for two weeks, so you have plenty of time to submit your creations! The theme for Challenge #104 is Preparing for the Holidays / Fall.  

Head on over to the blog to see what the rest of the awesome Design Team put together, and enter a card or two if you'd like.  We'd love to see what you come up with!

Supplies:

Balancing Act digital image from DigiStamps4Joy

Copic Markers (YR 16, 18; YG 67; N 2, 4; E 25, 27)

Impression Obsession Small Grass Borders die

Colored Cardstock

Simon Says Stamped Curved Edge Die

White Opal Liquid Pearls

White Gelly Roll Pen

Thanks for stopping by!

DigiStamps4Joy Sunday Release

Hi friends! Today is......

I get so excited for Sunday releases :) Head on over to the DigiStamps4Joy blog to see all the different new releases and for your chance to win one! There are so many different images to choose from and so many different opportunities artistically. I decided to use the hot air balloon images for my showcase :)

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I appreciate you spending part of your day with me!

DIY Puzzles--Oriental Trading Review

 

Good morning!  Today's post is a review on DIY puzzles that Oriental Trading provided to me. I was so excited to put these to work and since they're a kid's craft, I decided to put them to the most challenging test by the most outspoken critics I could think of: 14 active preschoolers! 

I was very excited at all of the possibilities they offered. It's a top rated puzzle on their site with a five star review, so it sounded like a great bet.  The front of the puzzle was shiny so there was concern that some of the ink would smear, so I did a few test puzzles and was very pleased that the washable markers dried very quickly with little smearing.  I noticed the ink smeared only if I pressed on the marker and rubbed my finger across it, but since it dried in only a few seconds, it wasn't really an issue.  While testing them, I took note of a few things that would make it more adaptable for the preschool classroom:

**It is best to draw pictures on all of the puzzles before giving them to the kids.

**It's important to have a picture large enough to touch all of the puzzle pieces. If not, you're left with white space that won't be easy to piece together.

**When drawing something smaller, (ie: eyes on a pumpkin, moon, mouth, etc.), make sure they're large enough to touch several different puzzle pieces.

**Although we didn't really use it for any of these puzzles, patterns help make it easier to match up pieces.

The kids used Crayola Washable Markers and had the freedom to color and decorate however they wanted.  They sat quietly, sharing markers and were, for the most part, completely focused on their creation.  The craft took probably 15-20 minutes to complete and within a couple of minutes after finishing, they were dry enough to go into plastic bags to be taken home.  Simple, fun, and the kids really enjoyed themselves :) 

Just starting out:

Almost finished.....

Perfect!

The puzzles were perforated and came apart easily.  They were fun and just challenging enough to put back together.  I was so excited to put these to use and cannot wait to use them again! They met every expectation that I had.  I highly recommend these puzzles to parents and teachers alike! We've made several more at home for crafts. My son asks to make them, so I know they're a hit :)

Thanks so much for spending part of your day with me!

DigiStamps4Joy Freebie Friday

Hello, hello! I've been all about trying new things lately and wanted to share the FREEBIE that DigiStamps4Joy has this week!  If you'd like to grab this one for free, stop on by the shop and grab it before it's gone....you only have three days!   To avoid confusion, I feel it's important to note that I stamped the robot and sentiment on my tag, and the freebie DOES NOT include them.

I did something a little different with this tag and honestly wasn't sure if I liked it or not. It's really cartoon-y, but I was sold when my son was so excited and asked if I could make one just like it for him :)  He got this one and was thrilled!

Supplies:

Gear Tag from DigiStamps4Joy

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Recollections Robots stamp set

Black Sequins

Copic Markers (V12, 15, 17; YG 05, 09)

Liquid Pearls in Onyx Pearl

Glossy Accents

Googly Eyes

Wink of Stella in Clear

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Don't forget to head over the DigiStamps4Joy to snag this awesome tag!

Naughty or Nice--November Challenge

I have some very exciting news!!!  A few days ago I got invited to join the Naught or Nice Challenge!  It's such a fun challenge and I'm really looking forward to getting to know my fellow troublemakers and what we can come up with! I've submitted entries to their challenges a few times in the past and have always wanted to join their team. I'm thrilled to be here :)

Every month there is a themed challenge and this month happens to be Holiday Animals. Here's my take:

I used patterned paper for the background and added sequins, Liquid Pears and the banner.  The Santa bunny was made using two different stamp sets and paper piecing.  I colored him using Copics and added a sparkly red nose and fake snow on his little suit. It's very hard to see in the photo, but I used Wink of Stella on the Santa suit for a little extra shimmer. Adorable!!  

Supplies:

Mama Elephant--Honey Bunny

A*Muse Studio--Naughty or Nice

A*Muse Studio--Not a Creature was Stirring

Copics--W 0, 2, 4; R 12, 14, 17; Y 08, 100)

Distress Ink in Vintage Photo

Lawn Fawn Lawn Ornaments Mixed Sequins

Liquid Pearls in Onyx Pearl

Snow Marker

Wink of Stella in Clear

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Martha Stewart Crafts Garnet Glitter

Dimensional Adhesive

Thanks so much for spending part of your day with me! Check out the other talented girls over at the challenge and submit one of your own if you're so inclined :) We'd love to see what you come up with!