Some Dustin Pike Goodness...

Since most of my stamping time these days is taken up with design stuff for Pink Cat Studio, and the JUGS challenge team, I thought it would be nice to switch gears a bit, and get some Dustin Pike images out to color.

I loved this little bear a top a Christmas Tree, and felt I really needed to use him :).

A sweet and simple card with a cute image, perfect for the upcoming holidays.

A quick note -- Stop by Lauren Meader's blog today - she's got some BIG NEWS to share - yipee!!

♪♪Gettin' Digi With It...♪♪

Now I've got Will Smith stuck in my head, LOL.

Hello friends -- thanks for the sweet comments on my new layout.  It will take some getting used to, but I really love it!  I told you I'd be back with some Dustin Pike -- and here I am :).

It's Thursday, another Dustin Pike Release!  Did you know that Dustin gives away freebies every Wednesday?  Yep, he does, and this week's was super cute - a great little scarecrow.

Now -- some other BIG news from Dustin - he's running a HUGE retirement sale.  HUGE.  He's in contract with someone to turn some of his digi's into rubber, and he's making way for new stuff, so he's having a GREAT retirement sale...pages 1 through 5 on his site all for ONLY $25.  Seriously, how can you NOT take him up on the offer...LOTS of great stuff in there!!

Ok - ok, now for TODAY'S release...'Buddies'.  I've been experimenting with going hybrid on some of my projects.  I plan to start using more layers and such -- but I just had fun creating this one.  This uses a kit from Sweet Shoppe Designs by Eva Kipler called Feelin' Frosty.  I used a few of the papers, and some of the elements, and then plopped my 'Buddies' on top.  I printed it out, and colored in the bear and penguin with my Copic markers. 

Just a different fun way to make a card.

Hope you enjoyed your visit today -- thanks for stopping by!!!

Supplies:
Stamps: none - digital image (Dustin Pike)
Ink: none - printer ink only
Paper: Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink), Whisper White (SU!)
Accessories: ice blue jewels, ticket corner punch, Feelin' Frosty Digital Scrapbooking kit by Eva Kipler

Funk...

Hey all~

I have some things I need to blog, but I guess I'm in a funk of some sort. My big girl started Kindergarten this week, and I guess I've been spending a lot of my energy (physical AND emotional) on that.

I don't have any eye candy for you this morning -- but just wanted to remind you that today is Thursday -- it's another Dustin Pike Release! It doesn't look like the images are up just yet, but his freebie is there from yesterday -- so be sure to get it...it will work well with today's release *hint hint* :).

ALSO -- don't forget to play along with Lauren's Sketch!! Have you SEEN the new template that she's releasing at PTI this month?? All I can say is I LOOOOOOVE IT!!! (In my best Wheezie from Dragon Tales voice)

I hope to be back in top running condition soon...just a few hurdles to get over...

Thanks for stopping by!!

I missed it...

YESTERDAY (the 16th) was my blogaversary...I can hardly believe it's been a whole year since I've started this blog! Thanks to everyone who comes to check in often, or who might just happen to pass by!

I'm back to share some more Halloween cards with images from Dustin Pike today. I had wanted to do it yesterday, but family takes priority, and we had a busy day of swimming and laughing and playing to do :).

Hoping you all had a wonderful weekend. It FINALLY feels like Summer here. HOT and humid. Normal for this neck of the woods, I thought Mother Nature forgot we were here ;).

Soon enough it WILL be Fall, and we will be looking forward to the beautiful colors all around...here's two more samples with some images available HERE from Dustin Pike.

This first one has some fun Halloween digi paper from Scrap Girls Witches Brew Kit, and YES that green mat and the main image layer ARE crooked...I did it on purpose ;). The 'happy' is from Waltzingmouse Stamps 'Celtic Heritage' set, and the 'Halloween' is from Dustin. I should have made it a bit bigger, but I still like how it came out...now this next one is my favorite...

I couldn't wait to color this one in and cut it all out. Lots of fun, lots of sparkle...lots of dimension. I mounted this on a piece of Halloween paper I picked up from My Favorite Things last year, thought it worked well with the purple and green in my focal image. The corners were punched with my ticket corner punch - and I added some Kaiser dark purple gemstones. The image is mounted on dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the world!

Sooooo -- just so I know -- in the coming year -- is there anything that you would CHANGE about my blog? Is it too busy? Do I not give enough details? Do you like 'me' just the way I am??? I'm open to suggestions, and love to hear feedback -- so let me know!

Have a super day!

Trick or Treat, Smell my Feet...

Seems crazy to be thinking about Halloween already, but hey -- that's the retail industry, isn't it??? When you see what Dustin Pike has cooked up for this week's release, you'll find it hard to resist also!

Lots of super cute images this week -- here's my first sample to share with you.
















I kept this clean and simple -- printed the spider image on my CS, so that when I printed it out, if I cut the CS in half lengthwise, it made my card. I colored in the image with my copics, and then went over the whole web with stardust stickles.

I added the cute sentiment from CC Designs to finish it off.

Be sure to stop by the DT's blogs this week, from what I have seen, there's some cute stuff that you'll get to look at!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: Stamps: Halloween sentiment from CC Designs Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury White

Rainy Day Sunday...

Hello all ~

It's been a busy weekend around here -- though today is pretty quiet (THANK GOODNESS!) It is, however, raining like crazy -- again.

Thought I'd pop in to share a fun Dustin Pike card I made a while back, but never got the chance to upload. Maybe before the day is over, I'll actually get to photograph the one I made for the current release, as it seems my camera is fixed -- yipee!

Isn't he fun?


















Thought it might bring a little sunshine to an otherwise gray day. I also have a detail photo to show all of the dimension. I printed this guy 3 times, and cut out certain pieces, and put them on dimensionals to give it a lot of pop.



















The happy birthday sentiment is from PTI's Birthday Basics - and the ribbon is some I've had in my stash from American Crafts.

Thanks for stopping by today-- hoping it's sunny where you are! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Birthday Basics (PTI), digi image (Dustin Pike)
Ink: Memento Black
Paper: Spring Rain (PTI), New Leaf (PTI), Pumpkin Pie (SU!) and Whisper White (SU!)
Accessories: Spellbinders dies Labels 3 & Classic circles, dimensionals, copics, ribbon (American Crafts)

SNOW?!?!

Ahhhh...just teasin'. I've been trying to keep cool -- so I'm thinking about the snow. We've finally gotten some real Summer weather here...and by no means am I complaining. I figure there is a reason for it all...so I try to enjoy it as it comes.

I've got a little somethin' from Dustin Pike today. I thought this image he released a couple of weeks ago was too cute -- I decided to stray from some of the traditional wintery colors and added in a little pink and purple...



















The snowflake under the sentiment (which is from Pink Cat Studio's Billy & Lily Winter) is from Stampin' Up! They were in the Winter Mini last year.

The Aqua Mist layer was embossed with my snow dots folder for my Cuttlebug, and for the finishing touch, I used some stardust stickles to add 'snow'.

Hoping you all had a great weekend -- I know I did. I can't believe it's Sunday evening already!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps: Lily & Billy Winter (Pink Cat Studio)
ink: markers to do the sentiment
Paper: Soft Blush, Aqua Mist (PTI), Whisper White, Almost Amethyst (SU!)
Accessories: snow dots folder, stickles (stardust), felt snowflake

What's in YOUR Stocking???

Hello friends!

It's Thursday, and what does that mean????? It's time for another Dustin Pike release!! Continuing with the theme of Christmas in July again this week. There are some SUPER cute images, but as soon as I saw this one, I knew EXACTLY what I was going to do with it.

Whaddaya think?? Cute huh? I downloaded this FREE Timeless Template eons ago, and never got to use it until now. I resized the image (I went with image size 5in wide) and it fit atop the stocking perfectly!

He is colored with my copics, and there is a bit of sparkle added to the trim on his hat... I used my stardust pen and an aqua painter for a softer look.

If you haven't tried Lauren's templates yet, head on over to PTI, they have a few there for FREE to try -- once you do, trust me, you'll be hooked. I love how easy they are to assemble, yet they look SO nice all done up.

ALSO -- be sure to stop by Dustin's site and buy buy buy! He gives GREAT deals on these images, and it doesn't have to be just YOU who colors them...make coloring books for the kids, print a bunch out and put them together to keep the kiddos busy on a long car ride, or while out to eat.

Thanks for stopping by today -- hope you enjoyed your visit!!

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! (I'll have to check the name of the set) Dustin Pike digital image
Ink: Real red (SU!)
Paper: SU! DSP, whisper white
Accessories: Stocking Stuffer Timeless Template, stardust pen, copics

I'm Alive!! With Christmas in July!!

Hi everyone -

Sorry I've been MIA. My DT's gave me the week off last week - so I REALLY took it to heart ;). I hope you all had an enjoyable 4th of July if you live in the states. I certainly did...lot of good times with family and friends.

Well, if you haven't seen already, Dustin Pike is celebrating Christmas in July!! LOTS of cute images this week folks -- be sure to stop by his place on Wednesday for this week's freebie, and of course again on Thursday for this week's release...

One of the great images included is this super sweet snowman taking a dip in some hot chocolate...mmmm. I thought 'snowman soup'...but what to put it in...a Timeless Template of course!! Now -- don't be deceived, this will not close over those bottles, but I thought it was too cute NOT to use. This is the Let's do Lunch template by Lauren Meader.


















I used some basic digi-know-how, and multiplied the marshmallows, to make a nice little pile, and added a friend saying hello.

The image is colored with my Copics, except for the marshmallows, which were done in white liquid applique. The sentiment is from PTI's 'Rustic Snowflakes' and the lids of the bottles as well as the template are decorated with other elements from that set.


















Thanks for dropping by today -- I'll be back tomorrow with another post!!

Until then...thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps: Rustic Snowflakes (PTI), Digi snowmen - Dustin Pike
Ink: Pure Poppy, Aqua Mist (both PTI)
Paper: SU! Whisper White, PTI Pure Poppy, Aqua Mist, SU! DP (last year's Christmas paper)
Accessories: Let's do Lunch Template, white applique, Copics, red grosgrain, SU Scallop punch

WHOOO HOO - and a Dustin Pike Release

Hey all!

WOWZA -- what a great day I had yesterday. Our Drum Corps had a little release party for our CD's last night. I'm SO happy that this project is finally all said and done! I know the music isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I'm proud of it. Also, I took the cover photo, and did a lot of the graphics work for the booklet, so it was nice to see it all put together in the final product...wanna see??












Then -- I get home, and log in to SCS, to see my friend Staci posted a link to Nichole Heady's blog, where MY card is the Guest Star Stamper winner for last month - for use of Stars...WOW! Plus I had my money bouquet get an honorable mention in the template category...cloud 9 I tell you...what an honor! Just had to share that happy news -- A HUGE thank you to Nichole for picking my projects, I know it wasn't an easy choice!

Now -- onto the REAL reason for my post...it's Thursday -- time for some Dustin Pike love.

This week's images are all based on outer space. Lots of fun...here are my projects:

This first one incorporates the freebie for this week as well...














I flipped the moonscape vertically, and moved it off of the 'field' so that only part of it was showing. I didn't add any embellishments, and kept the layout simple, these projects were more about the digi images themselves than all that other stuff.

What I like about digi-images...you can build your scene without masking...it's GREAT! Those stars are another background that Dustin is making available today. LOVE them -- I also flipped my dragon image...I just wanted to be different, go against the grain -- and show off some versatility too.

This next one is cute and simple, but I like it alot.















I've seen this sentiment elsewhere, and thought it would make a cute 'just because' card for someone special. The sentiment was generated on my computer -- laid a text box right over the starry background...and is that Star just ADORABLE or what??? I couldn't get a good closeup of it, but I colored over the little guy with my spica glitter pen, and then covered him in crystal effects, and he's mounted on a double layer of dimensionals...

So tell me - what's something good that happened to you today?? I like to hear the happy stuff.

Thanks for stopping by!!

It's Another Dustin Pike Release!!

Sooooo, it's Thursday, and that means we've stumbled upon another Dustin Pike release! Lots of cute stuff this week, be sure to stop by the store and buy buy buy - he really gives GREAT deals...


















My first project this week is using this great life saver image. I printed it out on white CS, and colored it in. Then I used my hobby blade, and cut out the middle, and the areas between the ropes and the ring. I mounted this layer on an Aqua Mist (PTI) base, and stamped the sentiment (from Star Prints, PTI) in the center, using Palette Noir ink.

Placed a few red stitched ribbon tabs and some crystal effects on the red parts of the image, and I'm done :). This would be great to give someone who helped you out of a jam, don't you think??

This next one is a gift for my Brother-in-law and his wife. They are hosting a crawfish boil at their house this weekend. This rope frame seemed perfect to fit with the theme of the event -- they can put a fun photo taken on Saturday inside.














The words were all done using my Just-Rite Times New Roman font set - and the rectangular Harmony blocks. LOVE them - and don't use them often enough!

So what are YOUR plans for this weekend??? As you can see, you know what I'm doing on Saturday -- Sunday should be quiet at home (I hope!)

Thanks for stopping by today -- I'll be back Saturday with another My Time to Create Challenge -- see you then!!!

Hot Stuff...

Hello All!

Wow - the week is just FLYING by since we had Monday off. So I'm also a day behind in what I wanted to post...oops!

Anyway - this post is twofold...Dustin Pike is releasing NEW images today -- talk about cute! Be sure to stop by his store and shop!! Also -- need more convincing??? The DT has been hard at work creating some GREAT stuff with these latest releases...go check them out!

• Becky in East Tennessee
• Charlotte De Zwart
• Cheri Howard
• Dominique Hornberger
• Ginny Christiansen
• Jason Casper
• Lana Clarke
• Leila Pierce
• Michelle Redman
• Paula Carr
• Peggy Marsh
• Poppet
• Ri
• Veronica Reed

This particular image happened to catch my eye, as he looked like a lot of fun to color...then I happened to be over at the Stampin' Out Alzheimers site (link to register on my sidebar) and saw a great challenge there, to use your copic markers...I didn't have the colors specified, so I improvised.















Stampin' Out Alzheimers is a 'pay to play' challenge site that will be open until May 31st ...TONS of great prizes for participating, so if you pay the suggested donation of $5, you have the chance to win some GREAT prizes (including some digis from Dustin!), and there are some FREEBIES there too!

I've made a few items for the challenges that I will be sharing here over the next few days.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Great Expectations (Verve)
Ink: Dark Chocolate (PTI)
Paper: Dark Chocolate (PTI), Whisper White, Cool Caribbean (SU!)
Accessories: White velvet ribbon (PTI), doodlebug bling (bon bon), Spellbinders Nestabilities (Labels 4 dies)

Dustin Pike Release Today!!

Hi all~

Sorry I've been MIA - I'm still catching up from being away, plus was out LATE last night at the recording studio. Our drum corps CD should be ready soon, I'm so excited! Dustin Pike has a new release today - lots of SUPER cute images. With my funky schedule, I was not able to do as much as I had hoped, but did get this little cutie colored and onto a card.

















This combines two of the new images available today at Dustin's store.

Something else new that you may notice...in my right hand column, there's a widget for Stampin' Out Alzheimers. Jen Tapler is working very closely with Paper Craft Planet to plan an incredible event -- so CLICK on that link, donate today, and come and play!!

Speaking of Jen -- you GO girl! She won the guest star stamper contest for this month over at Papertrey Ink! Check out this post on Nichole's blog...and if you scroll waaaay down...you also see a project from me :) I got an honorable mention for my rosary box. Yay me!

Well, it's entirely TOO LATE, and I'll be regretting this in the morning - but GO SHOP Dustin's store, SIGN UP for Stampin' Out Alzheimers, and go congratulate Jen on her win!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Blog Candy ALERT!!!

Hey all~

Just wanted to pop in real quick. Came home from NH last night. Had a GREAT time with Paulette, Lauren, Molly, and my Mom. Got re-adjusted to home life today - and saw that Dustin Pike announced his first ever blog candy event!













Be sure to stop by his blog and see all of the details. You have the opportunity to brighten someone's day, and possibly WIN some FREE GOODIES!

Good luck!

Wanna Peek?????

Dustin Pike has a bunch of new images coming out TOMORROW. You will be LOVING these!! I've been busy, coloring away, and finally put some images on CARDS, can you imagine??

ALSO -- don't forget, today is FREEBIE Wednesday on Dustin's blog, and I can tell you now - this week's freebie is TOO cute! It's a great way to give digi-images a try -- it's FREE!

ok, ok, so I'm getting to the cards :)













This first one, I have to admit, I couldn't WAIT to color...but had a tough time with a sentiment. Then I heard the song "Do you Believe in Magic?" on the radio, and thought...hmmm, that could work! I figure you could send this to brighten someone's day, to tell someone you love them...lots of applications, I think.













It's hard to see in the photo - but my Wizard (which every time my 1 y.o. saw it, she said "ho ho hooo") is actually popped off the front of the card using a piggy tail from piggy tales...I love these little springy things. They flatten nicely to fit in the envelope too!

The stars were free hand drawn with stardust stickles...simple and sparkly...magical, even ;)

Now...onto my next creation...













I LOVE this image...it just might be my favorite of this release...maybe. As soon as I got my images, I KNEW I had to use this one right away.

All images are colored with my copics, and the sentiment on this one is from Papertrey Ink's Everyday Classics, their 2nd Anniversary set. The sentiment is stamped in Brilliance Graphite black ink. Be sure to check out other design team member's blogs (linked on my sidebar) for peeks as well. Dustin's full release is scheduled for tomorrow - don't forget to head there then!!

















Thanks for stopping by!

Birthday Fishes!

WOW - what a busy weekend it's been!

Thanks to everyone for the love left on my first challenge post :) I hope I can continue to keep up with the rest of the girls...lots of talent there!

This weekend was jam-packed with birthday parties, and drum corps stuff...I'm EXHAUSTED! Seems so unfair for the weekends to end so quickly.

Alright - soooo, back to birthdays. I know I've been going on and on about Dustin Pike, but really, have you GONE to his site yet?!? If not, you really need to, such ADORABLE stuff! Including some coloring pages for the kiddos...which one of them I just loved SO much, I had to turn it into a card.

One of the birthday boys was having a Nemo party, so the coloring page with all of the fish seemed SO perfect!
I printed the image out at 25%, so it would fit on an A2 card front, and got coloring...using my copics, of course. Then all of the bubbles were covered with stardust stickles, and when that was dry, I went back over with crystal effects... I had printed out 2 of the images, just in case I messed one up, so I prepared the bubbles on the other one too, and once dry, I cut them out and randomly placed them around the border of the card.

The sentiment was done on my computer, as I didn't have one I felt 'worked' with the image.

Hoping you all had a nice weekend, and thanks for stopping by!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Dustin Pike coloring page
Paper: New Leaf (PTI), Whisper White (SU!)
Accessories: Stardust stickles, crystal effects, dimensionals, copic markers

My Time to Create Challenge!

Ok...so here's my first challenge post as an official team member!













I have recently found Dustin Pike - what great images he has. When I got the sketch from Lauren, I decided I needed to use one of his images on my first project. Here's the sketch:


Tomorrow is Lauren's Birthday - so figured I'd make mine a birthday card in honor of her!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAUREN! Hope it's a great day!!




Soooooo, onto the card:
I flipped the sketch to make it work for me...isn't this little monkey too much?!? I had tons of fun coloring this image in with my copics, and added a little crystal effects to the cherry and the sprinkles on the cupcake. Also put a few touches of my stardust pen on the cupcake frosting as well. Now - Dustin provides a .png file with his images, meaning when you get it, there's one version that has no background outside of the image...which is cool, because if you take a look at my image, there is a drop shadow that I added using Photoshop Elements. I think it made the image 'pop' just a little more...how about you?

All of my layers are on dimensionals, and isn't that a fun sentiment? It's an oldie from Gina K, it was my very first unmounted stamp!

Thanks for stopping by today -- be sure to check out all of the other team members blogs as well!!!

Dana
Dawn
Jennifer
Kendra
Kristin
Lauren
Lisa
Mackenzie
Maria
Odette
Pam
Tamara

Be sure to use keyword Mytimess32 when uploading - and link on Lauren's blog as well...can't wait to see what YOU do with the sketch!

Dustin Pike - WOW - I love his stuff...

I couldn't think of anything really witty to entitle this post, so I just went ahead with what I feel :).

Have you all seen Dustin Pike's digi-stamps?? My goodness, talk about AWESOME! I've bought a few of these, (some of which you'll see over the next few days) and some that are FREE...Yes, you heard me...F-R-E-E. Every Wednesday (hey- that's today!) Dustin gives a digi image out for free! YAHOOOOOO!

Ahem, ok, sorry. Anyway -- a friend of mine recently had foot surgery, and when I saw this image from Dustin, well, I knew it would be perfect for a card for her!!

If you haven't tried digital images, this is a good way to start. Go ahead and download a free image and play. The cool thing about digital images is that you can resize them to fit your project. Large or small - you make it fit your needs!
The image is colored with my Copics. I've heard numerous people complain that their digital images run when they color them. I *believe* the trick is to use a printer that has a pigment ink cartridge. If you only have regular ink you will likely have runny images. I use a Canon Pixma i4200. It takes PTI CS wonderfully, and again, no runny images!

The black border of the image was drawn in with a marker, and everything is on dimensionals. The buttons are from PTI, aren't they YUMMY??? I started out saying I didn't need them, and now I have almost every color they've released...it's a sickness, I swear.

The sentiment is from PTI's Faux Ribbon set, stamped in brilliance graphite black ink.

Does anyone watch LOST??? OMWord...just as I think I'm starting to figure things out, there come another whole SLEW of questions!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Stamps: digital stamp 'ouch dragon' (Dustin Pike), PTI Faux Ribbon
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black
Paper: SU! Gable Green, PTI Aqua Mist, Melon Berry, Select white
Accessories: Vintage buttons, dimensionals