Christmas with Polkadoodles

It's getting close, yes, it is...whether we are ready for it or not.  Yes, Fall is here.  Oh!  You thought I was going to say something else didn't you?  You thought I was going to say Christmas!  Hahaha, well, for those of us that are excited about Christmas being practically right around the corner, this is for you.  My Polkadoodles project this week is an envelope mini album, using the Mailbox digital image from Polkadoodles' Work & Play Collection #5, Festive Hollybobs.

"Mailbox" Digital image by Polkadoodles

"Mailbox" Digital image by Polkadoodles

"Mailbox" Digital image by Polkadoodles

I created this piece by using a new tutorial from Dawn's Inspirations on Youtube.  I love her tutorials, she is just so easy to listen to.  And when you find out how easy this album is to make, you will laugh at yourself!

I also used digital papers and sentiments from the same Hollybobs collection throughout the album.  I colored this piece with my Prismacolor Premiere pencils in the following colors:

Hat/scarf/holly leaves - PC912, 1096, 908
Hair - PC1083, 944, 946
Skin - PV927, 939
Mitts/jacket/boots - PC1084, 941, 947
Skirt/tights - PC903, 1100, 901, 1065
Holly berries - PC1031, 1081, 1095, 938
Snow - PC1059
Mailbox - PC924, 925, 937
Shading around elements - PC946

Don't forget to visit the Digi Chooseday blog for regular challenges and prizes!

Happy Birthday Christine Paperdolls Blog Hop

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTINE!

This is a special surprise blog hop for Christine, the designer behind The Paper Nest Dolls rubber stamp images.  They are so precious and each of the images depicts a person in her life, usually her children :)  You couldn't ask for any better inspiration, could you Christine?  Well, I am so excited to be part of The Paper Nest Dolls Challenge Design Team, and when I was asked by Monica to participate in this blog hop, how could I say NO!

I chose the new design image "Ballgown Avery".

Ballgown Avery rubber stamp by The Paper Nest Dolls

I really enjoy the ballgown images that Christine designs, must be the little girl in me always wanting to play dress up :)  Everything in this project, aside from the rubber stamp is from my stash, right down to my own hand-made flower.  I had a great time creating this piece.  You can find this rubber stamp online in The Paper Nest Dolls store.

Ballgown Avery rubber stamp by The Paper Nest Dolls

Ballgown Avery rubber stamp by The Paper Nest Dolls

I know, a couple extra pics today, but I couldn't help myself, I am very proud of this card.  I feel like maybe I am graduating into the "Fancy Card" grade, lol.

I colored this image with my Prismacolor Premiere pencils, which I so love to use, in the following colors:

Hair - PC1012, 1034, 942, 1094, 947
Skin - PC927, 939
Dress - PC1040, 903, 1100, 938
Flower - PC911, 903, 938, 1100
Bow - PC1061, 938

This special surprise blog hop is more than a surprise for Christine.  It is also a chance for you to win a rubber stamp from The Paper Nest Dolls!

If you would like to win THIS particular stamp, please comment on this post, and a winner will be randomly drawn November 3, 2014. Comment on every post in the hop to have a chance to win one of each of the stamps from the new releases!  There are also 2 grand prizes to be won:

Aren't they gorgeous collections!

Please visit these blogs to complete this hop and don't forget to visit The Paper Nest Dolls blog as well!


The Paper Nest Dolls

Shabby Pinkstamper

Leah **You are Here!**

Elizabeth

Katja

Melanie

Martha

Sharon

Annette

Leslie

Hilde

Trine

Monica

Lene

Pam


Thank you for joining us in this special Birthday Hop for Christine Paperdolls, and don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win the Ballgown Avery rubber stamp from The Paper Nest Dolls!

Whimsy Stamps and Quick Creations!

Hello everyone, and to my fellow Canadians, Happy Thanksgiving!  Don't forget to ponder all that is good in your life, especially today.

Lately there has been so many negative images and stories in the news, online and everywhere, I especially need to ponder the good things as I just seem to let the world get to me sometimes.  So, before I go into my project, I would like say thanks for what I have:  two beautiful daughters, who are growing up so fast but at the same so wonderful and warm; my husband Pat, who does everything he can to make sure we are taken care of; my parents, for always being there, and for teaching me to be the person I am today; my sister, without whom I would definitely be a different person, her imagination and spunk has taught me many things, one of which is to keep my imagination and spunk ;) ; and my friends, in person or online, for always giving me a reality check when I need it, a virtual shoulder when I need it, and most importantly, a smile when I least expect it.  I would also like to says thanks for the people who have faith in me to showcase their products online.  I so enjoy this part of my creativity right now.

OK, I know, enough of the mushy stuff, lol.

For my Quick Creations DT project this week, I worked with Whimsy Stamp's "Young Spring Fairy".  This is my first time working with a Whimsy product, and I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this image.  The stamp lines are fabulously thin, which lend a great professional finish to my project.  Almost like 'no-lines coloring', lol!

"Young Spring Fairy" Rubber Stamp by Whimsy Stamps

"Young Spring Fairy" Rubber Stamp by Whimsy Stamps

I created this with a 5 x 7 card blank, using the Whimsy Stamps rubber stamp, Heidi Swapp letters and the Die-Versions "Birthday" banner die from Quick Creations online store.  I added ribbons, fibres, cardstock, paper flowers and bling from my stash.  I colored this fairy with Prismacolor and Koh-I-Nor pencils in the following colors:
Hair - PC940, 942, 948
Skin - PC927, 939, 928
Wings - PC1026, 956, 932, 1001, 992, KIN 20, 8
Shirt - PC992, 905, 901, KIN 20
Pants - PC927, 1001, 1092,1031
Shoes - PC1023, 1022, 1027, 938, 935
Mushroom - PC1068, 1072, 1076
Spots - PC997, 941, 947

I hope you check this awesome stamp out, it really was a treat to color :)

Please join us for a challenge over on Quick Creations blog!  Prizes!!!

C.C. Designs Design Team Call Submission

C.C. Designs is having a Design Team call!  I have completed this card using "Heidi Among The Flowers" a Swiss Pixie rubber stamp from C.C. Designs.  She was so cute, and she colors up, naturally, so bright and cheerful.  I could only picture her on a cheerful card :)

"Heidi Among The Flowers" by C.C. Designs

 I crafted this card as a 4 x 6 easel card, using dies, cardstock, fibres, flowers and brads from my stash.  I have been learning different card folds in my quest to acquire knowledge (I am a life-long learner, of all things!) on card folds.  I so enjoy learning the different folds and techniques.  I will soon add this as a tutorial to my Beginner's Guide blog page, so keep your eyes open!

"Heidi Among The Flowers" by C.C. Designs

"Heidi Among The Flowers" by C.C. Designs

"Heidi Among The Flowers" by C.C. Designs

I colored this stamped image using my Prismacolor Premiere and Koh-I-Nor pencils in the following colors:

Hair - PC997, 943, 944
Skin - PC927, 939
Boots, Wings, Dress - PC956, 1008, KIN 8
Dress - PC1086, 919, 1027
Grass, Leaves - PC1005, 1090, 908
Flowers - PC915, 1003, 917, 1033, 921, 994, 1032, 944, 937, 938, KIN 15, 9

I enjoy the rubber stamp images, as I've mentioned previously, because they allow me to not only use the creativity that's bursting out of my head, but also because they allow me to connect the images with people and children in my life that inspire me.  I work in a catholic elementary school, and I seem to find inspiration daily in the children I am so blessed to work with.  Thank you for viewing my submission and for considering me to be on your Design Team.

You can also find me on Pinterest as Leah Tees
and also on Facebook as Ode to Paper.
I am a member of the following DTs:
C.C. Designs Digi Divas
Quick Creations Design Team
Polkadoodles Digi Queens
The Paper Nest Dolls Challenge Design Team

Only 73 more days until Christmas!

Hello everyone, and although I am usually a grinch when it comes to getting ready for Christmas, I am trying to be better this year with some early Christmas Card makes :)

My project for The Paper Nest Dolls challenge this week is a Christmas Card using the Nativity stamp image.

"Nativity" image by The Paper Nest Dolls

 I created a step-easel card, learning from a tutorial online, of course.  If I could remember which tutorial it was, I would definitely give that person credit, but alas....I watched far too many to try and find it again.  It was a picture tutorial (not Youtube) if that helps any.

"Nativity" image by The Paper Nest Dolls

I loved the simplicity of this image, which made it a breeze to color, but also because it speaks to the authenticity of the true Christmas story.  Thank you for that Christine.

"Nativity" image by The Paper Nest Dolls

I created the stable and star using a cut file from the Silhouette Store, and the background I drew with watercolor pencils.

The following is the list of Prismacolor Premiere and Koh-I-Nor pencils that I used to color in the image of Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus:

Skin - PC 927, 939
Staff - KIN 23, PC 1084
Hay - KIN 21, PC 1034, 947
Manger - KIN 21, PC 947
Baby Jesus - PC 1067, 936, 1025
Joseph - PC 1022, 1025, 901, 1080, 1081, 937, 1068, 1072, 1094, 1076
Mary - PC 1080, 1081, 937, 1068, 1072, 1094, 1076, 1056, 988, 1098, 1084, 945, 946

This challenge at The Paper Nest Dolls is ALWAYS anything goes, but this week, the winner of the challenge will be included as a guest designer for the month, as well as winning the $20 stamp prize!  Come on over and join the fun!

CC Designs Beads or Sequins Challenge piece!

Wow, I am having so much fun with these Design Team projects.  Whodathunk I would find a place for my love of colors and coloring and crafting, and be able to put them all together! :)

This week I am bringing you a new image from CC Designs, called Autumn's Mum.  I actually used several of Christine's digital images in png form and layered them together to form a scene, rather than just a character.  However, this was before I learned that Christine will no longer be selling digital images.  I am sure, that very soon you will see these characters in awesome rubber stamp form though :)

Ok, enough of the babbling, and onto the projects at hand:

"Autumn's Mum" by CC Designs

"Autumn's Mum" by CC Designs

This was a great project; I loved being able to put several images together to form a beautiful scene that just seemed to call out for this sentiment :)  I also got to add in another of my favorite mediums....beads!

This is an A2 size card, in landscape orientation, using beads, ribbons and paper from my stash.  The following are the Prismacolor Premiere pencil colors that I used to bring this image to life:
*** Houston, we seem to have problem....*** OMG...I can't find the list!  Commence to frantic searching...
PHEW!  Found it...and now we continue...with our regular scheduled programming...

Prismacolor Premiere pencils :)  :

Pumpkin - PC941, PC947, PC942, PC1033, PC1032, PC944, PC1020, PC1005, PC911, PC988
Wagon & Rocks - Pc1031, PC937, PC1050, PC1056, PC1052, PC1054, PC1063, PC1058, PC935
Teddy Bear - PC997, PC942, PC1034
Sunflower - PC1005, PC917, PC988, PC944, PC911, PC1003, PC941, PC947, PC935
Girl - PC927, PC939, PC1082, PC947, PC1084, PC941, PC927, PC939, PC1033, PC945, PC1034, PC1032, PC1020, PC1021, PC911, PC988, PC1058

Thanks for visiting, and have a great coloring and crafty day!

Polkadoodles, Week 6 and Piper!

Hello everyone, and even though the weather is not very nice, it is still a great day :)

I am sharing with you today my Week 6 project for Polkadoodles.  I decided to use the digistamp "Piper" as she is just so sweet.  If you haven't seen Nikky's "Pretty Sweet Girl" collection, you definitely should!

"Piper" by Polkadoodles

"Piper" by Polkadoodles

This is a regular A2 size card, made in portrait orientation.  I used digital papers and a sentiment from Polkadoodles' Rosebud and Pretty Sweet collections, which you can find on their website, here.

I also used fibers, bling and flowers from my stash.

These are the Prismacolor Premiere pencils that I used to color this wonderful image:
Hair - PC1034, PC941, PC 943, PC 947

Skin - PC927, PC928, PC939

Shirt - PC993, PC994, PC995

Dress - PC1079, PC1101, PC901

Tights - PC1060, PC1065, PC1067, PC938

I so enjoy coloring images that allow me to bring the characters to life with coloring, and sometimes these characters even remind me of a child or person that I know in my real life home and/or work :)

Just a shout-out to those who are feeling daunted by the number of challenges and artists out there:  Please DO NOT shy away from what you enjoy doing because you feel you are not good enough.  PLEASE do what you enjoy and share your art with the world.  PLEASE keep trying and trying and trying, if that's what you feel you need to do!  PLEASE remember, that at one time or another, every one of us was or is a beginner as well.  That's all from me today, have a great day!