The Greeting Farm reveals BIG Announcement!!!

HELLO and WELCOME to the OCTOBER release at The Greeting Farm!  Not only do we have FIVE SPECTACULAR new releases available, a NEW challenge team debuting today on the Farm Fresh Challenge blog, we are THRILLED to bring you a HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT- probably one of the biggest in TGF history...

THE GREETING FARM IS PROUD to announce that we have been invited to be the newest MEMBER COMPANY on SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS!!!!!

We are beyond thrilled and honored to become a Member Company and cannot wait to share some of the benefits and excitement with ALL of you!

For those of you NEW to Splitcoaststampers (SCS), it is the single largest online community for stampers and a wonderful place to access tutorials, a vast online gallery, and tons of ways to get involved with their awesome forums dedicated to stamping and much more!  

As a MEMBER COMPANY, The Greeting Farm now has our VERY OWN FORUM to encourage ALL of our customers, new and old to get out there and chat with us, while we keep you up to date on the latest TGF happenings :)  With over 700,000 unique hits a month, we are excited about the potential to meet NEW Farm friends, but we are mostly SO, SO very excited about being able to have a 'home' to chat with you, get to know you better, and post fun and important information ALL in one place!   We really look forward to this being a means of getting closer to our stamping community, welcoming new stampers and getting to spend more time with our cherished current customers, as well!

Splitcoaststampers also offers a wonderful Member gallery where you can upload ALL your photos, even non- TGF cards, to their gallery and use different keywords depending on what you're uploading. Please use this keyword for all SCS gallery posts:  thegreetingfarm  (no spaces :)

Last but not least, if you are new to Splitcoast, it's a free service, so all you need to do is pop on over and register a user name and password just like our own Gallery :)   Should you lose the above link to get to the TGF FORUM?  No problem!  Just log onto Splitcoast, enter the FORUMS> Member Companies>The Greeting Farm! WOO HOOOO!!!!!   We are SO EXCITED about this announcement!

If you have ANY questions whatsoever, please contact Jess and she will be happy to answer them!

Now...ON with the SHOW!   Hooray!  We hope that you will come to our RELEASE EVENT TODAY, beginning at NOON CST, and chatting throughout the day!  Around 10pm CST. there will be an ENTIRE release to give away to one lucky SCS user who chats with us on our "RELEASE PARTY CHATTER" thread, so come on over and check us out!  You can chat with us ANY time before 10pm CST-winner will be announced on the TGF BLOG and on our SCS chat :)

************************************************ 

Last but not least, our DT BLOG HOP begins as there is ANOTHER OCTOBER RELEASE PRIZE being given away to anyone who completes the DT hop and leaves a comment here on the TGF BLOG!

I used the super cute Build a Onesie - boy. I LOVE this set!!! These are 3x3 gift tags I created using the onesie with different pics inside. That's the great thing about this set is there are so many different possibilities!!! The twine is from the twinery. And I stepped out my usual coloring medium to use prisma colored pencils except on the little monster (My fav image in the set) I used copics! Thanks for stopping by. :D

• TGF BLOG
• LORI CRAIG
• Becca Fabozzi
• Carisa Zglobicki
• Denice Bartucci
• Kim Yu
• Tracey Pickersgill
• Jessica Diedrich

Thank you so much for participating and for being here with us on such an exciting day!
Hope to see you ALL on the new TGF FORUM!  Hooray!

love you Fur-Ever!

*** Please scroll down for my Saturated Canary Challenge post!!!***

Hello, again, everyone!  Well, we've covered babies so far at The Greeting Farm, did you think we would leave your pets out?  Not a chance!   How CUTE is this new clear stamp set, titled "FUR-ever"???  Awwww.   Whether you have a fantastic feline or precious pup, this is definitely a must-have for all pet lovers out there, kids and adults alike!

For my card, I just had to use the little girl with her pup! Reminds me of how I felt when I got my very first puppy at the age of 10. I felt so grown up at that moment and when I say that little dog was my very best friend for the next 10 years, I am not joking. I held her from the moment she came into the world and was able to hold her as she took her last breath. My little Princess was pure joy and love during some of those harsh teenage years. My parents did good getting me that precious gift.I colored her with copics and lo & behold, did NOT fussy cut her out!!! I think I threw my daughter for a loop as she said, Mom, what's all that white stuff around your image?! LMAO I added some twine from The Twinery as the leash as well as the bow in the corner. I'm seriously ADDICTED, thanks a lot, Jess! *giggle*

Well, if a dog is a man's best friend, I hear STAMPS are some of ours!  Be sure to check out the TGF BLOG today to see how you can WIN the new "Fur-ever" set!  Thanks again for stopping by!

It's our First Challenge at Saturated Canary!!

I am SO excited, the day is FINALLY here!!! Saturated Canary Challenges have started. Our first one is easy peasy - we've got a lovely sketch for you to follow with an additional optional theme of Halloween!!! I totally spaced on the Halloween theme so it's a good thing it's optional ;) I couldn't wait to color up Crushin on the Quarterback when I got her last week. Isn't she just too cute?! I love her expression and her hair. I dug thru my paper drawer and found this design by Crate Paper - it was SOOOO perfect! I love the muted fall like colors as most football games are in the fall, right? 

I hope you will join us in our brand new challenge - you can find all the details HERE. It's a 2 week challenge so you have PLENTY of time to enter and I hear there are TWO digi's up for grabs!! :D

Challenges I'm Playing:

4 Crafty Chicks - Anything Goes

Southern Girls - Anything Goes

Crafting For All Seasons - Fall Colors

Anything Goes Challenges - Anything Goes

Craft Sentiments - Banners/Flags

Scrap Creations - It's a Girl Thing

Party Time Tuesdays - Anything Goes

PMS Digi Makeover challenge - Size Matters *resizing digi's*

Make it Monday - Anything Goes

Supplies:

• Saturated Canary Digital Stamp Crushin on the Quarterback
• Crate Paper Designer Paper
• PTI Kraft cardstock
• Maya Road chipboard accents
• seam binding ribbon hand dyed with glimmer mist
• Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher
• Helmar Tape Runner & 450 Quick Dry
• Copics: Skin - E0000, E000, E00, E11, R22, R20, R01, R02; Hair - 100, C4, C1; Eyes: YG61, YG93, YG67; Clothes - E19, E18, E17, E15, E13, YR14, YR18, BG53, BG13, BG10, YG95, YG93, YR23, YR15
• Atyou Glitter Pens

Let's hear it for the boys!!!

Hey, everybody!  If you've been keeping up with this week's previews at The Greeting Farm, you know we're right in the middle of a FULL week of October previews and the excitement is building!  We are BURSTING with excitement about what's to come in the next few days, not to mention our FIVE amazing October releases!  

On that note, did ya think we left the BOYS out?  Not a chance!  Introducing "BUILD A ONESIE: boy!"   This cute counterpart to the "BUILD a ONESIE: girl" set that we previewed yesterday will be released on October 1st in clear polymer, quality stamps and I can't wait to show you what I made with it:

I have to tell you, I am IN LOVE with these build a onesie sets!!! I can't stop playing with them and for my preview I just HAD to make a gift bag. That little car matched so perfectly with the Echo Park papers. It's just so much fun making different little onesies with different images inside and because they are clear you can see exactly where you are stamping each & every time. I also have a set of gift tags I also made that I'm saving for another day!!! I have to tell you, it's never been easier to make pleated ribbon like that than when I use Helmar 450 Quick Dry!! Just a quick pinch and it's set. LOVE it! :D I also used Acid Free glue to adhere all my pattern paper to the bag & zap dots to give the onesie some dimension.

Don't forget to visit the TGF BLOG today to see who else has some cute couture for a boy to show you today!  I hear there's a set up for grabs there, too, so be sure to find out how you can enter to win!  See you soon!

Supplies:

• Stamp - Build A Onesie Boy by The Greeting Farm *sentiment from Oh, Baby set*
• Echo Park Little Boy Collection
• Copics
• Helmar 450 Quick Dry, Acid Free Glue & Zap Dots
• Papertrey Ink Ribbon
• Kraft Gift Bag from stash

Saturated Canary Challenges **coming soon**

It's all the buzz right now - Saturated Canary digi's will have a challenge blog & all the fun begins Thursday! But in the meantime, PLEASE hop on over to the all new Saturated Canary Challenge Blog, get to know the design team a bit better and most importantly become a follower!!! I'm thrilled to be the DT coordinator and have had a blast getting to know Krista better and doing what I can to help get everything together for the challenges. We really do have some fun things lined up - if you've been a fan of Krista's art and blog, then you'll know this is going to be amazing!

For my intro, I wanted to make a new card using Zorana, a new digi released last week. Looks like she's sold out at the moment, but no worry, I'm sure she'll be back in the shop VERY Soon! I kid you not, this card took the course of 4 days to make - I started coloring the image on Friday but only made it to her skin as I was trying a new combo that I didn't write down, I think it was E00, E11, E21. Then I attempted her hair using a fab reddish combo E95, E11, YR14, E08/07 but really had to tweak, I wanted it just right. Not exactly thrilled but am happy enough. Then finally I decided which papers I wanted to use - LOVE these October Afternoon papers and colored her dress to semi-match. It's been hard going back to work and my crafting took the hit, well, so did my house as laundry is STILL piled up. *giggle*

That's it for me, I have no product list - just no time. Sorry about that.

It's starting to look a lot like Christmas.....

"SLEIGHBELLS RING...are YOU listenin'?"

Hello, Farm Friends!  It's hard to believe that in a few short months, we'll be twirling into Thanksgiving, caroling into Christmas, and putting some HEART in the HOLIDAYS!   While we don't want to rush any of the magical times ahead (and maybe not rush that cold weather, either!), we know that it takes time and energy to get a head start on those Holiday cards!

Today marks day one of a FIVE-day PREVIEW EVENT at The Greeting Farm, and we are thrilled to bring you our first sneak peek at a new CLEAR stamp set, simply titled "CLEAR CHRISTMAS!"  Before we get to previews, we have a SUPER special October Guest Designer to announce today!  Please welcome the amazingly sweet and talented LORI CRAIG to our TGF family this month!   Lori's blog, "Make a Difference" is inspiring and from the heart, you'll definitely want to visit and we are over the moon that she is joining us this month. WELCOME. LORI!

For my card today, I used the adorable sleigh image of the set that I colored with copics plus one of the round sentiments. I think they would be lovely as tags as well and plan to make some of those up for the holidays. I also used some gorgeous bakers twine from The Twinery. I LOVE it - it's so rich & pretty.

Well, does that get you in the spirit, even though it's a little early?  We hope so!  Don't forget to check out the TGF BLOG today for MORE samples from the entire DT and a chance to WIN this set before it's released!  What's more?  We have a HUGE announcement coming on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1st during our RELEASE day post and you will NOT want to miss this one...promise!  Not only do we have a new release coming, a new Challenge Team coming October 1st...we have ONE more exciting announcement and it might just be our best one YET!  Thanks for stopping by today...I will definitely be back with more very soon!

A Couple Coloring Videos for you!

I've had some requests to do coloring videos so I finally took the plunge yesterday when I colored Cheeky Kitty digital stamp available at The Greeting Farm. Now, I have to admit, I have shied away from doing these b/c I feel like there are plenty of copic coloring tutorials out there but I suppose add my own spin to it. ;) Thanks to my friends who have encouraged me and been so supportive. The main thing I can stress is you can watch video after video on "how to" color, but you just gotta dig in and practice on your own. Just have fun with it - try new things - color until you are happy. :D

So, here you go. The first video is a skin tone coloring - my most used skin tone combo using E0000, E000, E00, E11, R22, R20, R01. In this video I had my tripod pretty high and I guess I tend to whisper when I'm talking to an empty room, LOL, so I'm going to work on that for future videos. 

The second video I'm coloring her hair using a fabulous red color combination YR04, YR07, YR09, R29 which I first tried out while coloring with Angela of Inky Button. You may remember I had to go out and buy YR09 that week so I could recreate it whenever I liked. I do move the camera about 3 mins into the video but my hand is sorely in the way a lot. Gotta figure out how to fix that since that is how I hold my markers. LOL 

Hope you enjoyed them! I'm working on editing the last video in which I color her outfit black. I'll be back later today or tomorrow to post that one. If you'd like to keep up with all videos I post, I'd love to have you subscribe to my YouTube channel!

That's it for me for now. 

Have a colorful day!

Logan Totally Rocks

Hi everyone!

I'm here sharing a card I recently made using Logan from this months release at The Greeting Farm! I just adore him and his hoodie! I tried to add a bit of texture to his hoodie using my Colorless  blender, not thrilled with the turnout, but it works for now. I've had this October Afternoon paper for-EVER and just now cut into it. I really need to put a stop on buying new papers because THIS is what happens - it remains unloved!! I also tried a darker skin tone on Logan using E11, E13, E15 - I actually love how it turned out!  I kept it pretty simple on the embellishments since I plan on sending this one out.

That's it for me today - not feeling too chatty - I'm going to color the new Boho Anya for a video tutorial. I've been getting requests for coloring videos not that I think I'm the end all, know all for coloring, but I figure it will be fun to put my spin on it out there for you and if someone can learn from it, that will be worth it! :D

Thanks for stopping by!

Challenges I'm Playing:

Pink Ink Sketches - #6

Mad For Markers - Colourless Blender
Stamtacular Sunday - Just Sayin'
2 Sisters Challenge - Let's Get Sentimental


Supplies:

• WS - Logan Stamp by The Greeting Farm
• October Afternoon pattern paper
• Papertrey Ink Kraft Cardstock
• Copics
• Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher
• Helmar Tape Runner & Zap Dots

Create every day.....Art Journal Page

So many things are going on that I don't take the time that I so long for to just work in my art journal. I've got a few of them with luscious blank pages just waiting to be filled! When I got the chance to watch Tracy's video taped Monday night while I was folding laundry on Tuesday, I was SO inspired to just DO it. I started by laying down a layer of gesso and after that was dry, I spritzed on two different SprINKlers from October Afternoon. I definitely have a love/hate relationship with these things but I'm trying to work past it. haha I also added some torn pages of Graphic 45 Springtime papers to cover some areas that I wasn't happy with and then I painted some gesso over that and some more sprINKlers. 

While I was waiting for layers to dry, I decided to color this cutie called Lillie Claire-do you hear? from Tiddly Inks. I have had her printed for about a month now and thought it was perfect time to get her colored. I colored her with Copics and then cut out around her leaving a bit of white space to adhere with Helmar Decoupage. I got a bit smeared on the bottom but love the effect. You gotta just roll with what happens in art journaling!

I was most inspired by Tracy using her nib pen with india ink. I've had a nib pen for awhile along with the ink but I've mostly just kept to doodling lightly around the edges of my cards and such. I finally worked up the nerve to write with it and boy, once I started, I couldn't stop! I ended up writing down all these little things that I tell myself all the time. Just little things that pop into my head that felt like being in ink.  

Thanks for stopping by!

Challenges I'm Playing:
Tiddly Inks - Art Journaling


Supplies:

• Gesso
• Watercolor Paper
• October Afternoon SprINKlers
• Tiddly Inks Lilli Claire do you hear? digital image
• Graphic45 Springtime Paper
• Copics
• India Ink Black
• Nib Pen
• Black Charcoal Pencil
• Helmar Decoupage & Acid Free glue

New Saturated Canary Digi's available TODAY!

Today is release day at Saturated Canary Digital Stamps! Krista has release SIX more new images today - they are amazing! For my bookmark I used Violet, A Ragamuffin. The ragamuffin line is dear to me since that was my first purchase and what really started the obsession once I knew Krista was going digital! I colored her with copics and paired with with the gorgeous new *to me* Echo Park Happy Day collection. I love how her hair turned out, I love coloring unique hair and came across this SUPER easy and FAST way to do it by my TGF teamie Tracy.

**Teaser Alert!** There WILL be a challenge blog devoted to Saturated Canary Digi Stamps!! ;) First Challenge will be Sept 29!!! We're still working on the blog and everything so I don't have that but as soon as it's ready -- maybe next week? -- I'll give you the link so you can start following and be ready to play with all the Saturated Girls! :D

Challenges I'm Playing:

Deconstructed Sketch - #19

Crafty Ribbons Challenge - Anything Goes

Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Delightful Challenges - Girly Girl

Southern Girls Challenge - Lots of Layers

Supplies:

• Violet, A Ragamuffin by Saturated Canary Digital Stamps
• Echo Park Happy Day Collection
• Papertrey Ink Kraft Cardstock
• Helmar 450 Quick Dry and Zap Dots
• Copics: E0000, E000, E00, E11, R22, R20, R01, R02, E57, E55, Y00, Y08, BG53, BG05, BG02, BG10, R22, RV14, W1, W3, W5, W7, 100, C8, C6, C4
• Copic Opaque White paint

Pretty Purrrr-fect with crayons!

I just want to quickly remind you that Cheeky Kitty is AVAILABLE NOW at The Greeting Farm!!! 

Many of you know that my girls *ages 4 and 6* LOVE to stamp and color with me. While many of their colored images do not get put on cards, I love to see them and don't post nearly as much as I should here on my blog. Today, I wanted to share with you how my daughter colored Cheeky Kitty.....see how much more conservative she is than how I colored her - isn't that adorable?! And like her mama, she loves to fussy cut! haha


That's it for me - I'll be back later with a new art journal page. I'm very excited and want to commit to completing a page a week.


Supplies:

• Cheeky Kitty Digi Stamp by The Greeting Farm
• Crayons

Little Miss Muffet Challenge: Winged Things

It's time for a new challenge at Little Miss Muffet Challenges and this week we're using winged things! This can be in your image or any element of your card. You can see I used butterflies in my pattern paper as well as a punch. I used the adorable Kaitlyn digital stamp this week - she was just released last week! I love how this card came together and am playing along for the first time with Tuesday Morning Sketches! I've had the pleasure of coloring a couple times with Theresa and have been wanting to try out these sketches (you all know I love sketch challenges) of course, I choose the week they have an extra twist which is to decorate the inside of your card which I HARDLY ever do! haha So, here it is:

I kept it simple as I still wanted to leave some room for handwriting a little note.I loved the effect of fussy cutting the foil embossed dp so I brought that design on the inside as well. 


Thanks for stopping by!

Challenges I'm Playing:

Tuesday Morning Sketches - #111 plus decorate inside of card

Fab N' Funky - Bingo (Digi Image, Ribbon (I used twine, hope that counts), 3 papers / layers) 

Flutterby Wednesday Challenge - Open but using fairy, butterflies, etc.

Little Red Wagon - Use Twine

Papercraft Star - Anything Goes

Papertake Weekly - Things with Wings

Stamps R us Challenge - Friendship

Supplies:

• Kaitlyn Digital Stamp by Little Miss Muffet Stamps
• Melody Ross Designer paper 
• Papertrey Ink Kraft CS & Twine
• Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch
• Walnut Stain Distress Ink
• Helmar 450 Quick Dry & Zap Dots
• Copics - Skin: E000, E00, E01, R20, R01; Hair: E55, E53, E51; Clothes: Y32, Y35, Y35

Imagine....Create....Inspire...

Do you ever feel blah? Even though stamping & coloring is my absolute passion, sometimes I get burnt out. Or something feels off. I don't know how to explain it? It usually happens after I've been designing and creating for something specific, a deadline or such, and once that has come and gone, the project is completed, I feel.....anticlimactic, perhaps? LOL, whatever it is, I needed to get into my stamp room and create something for fun, for no good reason, just because. So, I decided to dig out some stamps that I haven't been reaching for lately and those are my Unity Stamps. I LOVE Unity Stamp Co!! I think I first heard about them just after my son was born last year. And they were AH-mazing! LOVE them and the people of Unity. So, I dug thru my Unity and looked for a fun challenge and found something to kick start me back into creative gear. 

Here it is:

I found the Unity Challenge - HELLO! Where have I been? It's a monthly challenge and there are actually TWO! One for any unity stamps and one specifically for KOTM stamps! How cool! I think I'm going to try my hand at the KOTM challenge next. :D I used two different stamp sets on my card - one was a store kit from last year which had all kinds of school things/sayings. The other is an itty bitty cosmo cricket co brand. I think they fit well together on my card as I embark on our homeschooling adventure, school days for us are full of inspiration, creating and imagination! I am LOVING it. 

And, now, I feel better! I think I'm ready to get a little more stamping done - but FIRST I'm going to go chill and watch 27 Dresses which was recommended by SEVERAL girlfriends as a MUST have chick flick! I've seen it before but it's been awhile. With the rain falling, and temperatures dipping in the 50s, I'm going to go see if there is any hot chocolate to warm me up tonight! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Challenges I'm Playing:

Unity Stamp Co Monthly Challenge - Back To School

Supplies:

• Unity Stamp Co (all stamps)
• Sassafras Pattern paper
• Copics
• Tim Holtz Tissue Tape
• Walnut Stain Distress Ink

Look at this new Cheeky Kitty Digi!

I'm SOOO excited that The Greeting Farm has a little Halloween treat for us! This Cheeky Kitty will be available as a digi stamp TOMORROW at The Greeting Farm! How cute is she? I have to say I'm partial to the entire Cheeky Line ever since their debut. I'm excited to see a new one join the bunch. I used today's Farm Fresh WOW challenge, which is an awesome sketch by Rachel! I hope you will join us.

I created this door hanger using a piece of a cardboard box - I just cut out the size circle I wanted (I actually used one of those metal prima flower boxes as my template) and using Helmar Acid Free Glue, adhered the pattern paper on top. I wanted to do something outside my normal cards and I figure we can hang this up anywhere for decoration when the time comes! I'm really in the mood to create some fun, handmade decorations this year with all my favorite stamps & products! It's a blast!

Here is a close up of the gorgeous cheeky herself! She is a ton of fun to color altho, hubby liked the way our girls colored her better with shorts and not thigh highs!!! LMAO This FAB new red hair color combo comes from my dear friend who started the obsession many moons ago, Angela. :D I loved it SO much that a couple days after I had to order the copics for myself so I can reach for them any time. *giggle* I let her know that THAT is why I have to limit my coloring time with her!!

That's it for me today - I hope you are looking forward to getting this new cheeky tomorrow!

Challenges I'm Playing:

Craft Room Challenge - Home Decor

Digital Tuesday Challenge - Celebrate Any Season

The cheerful Stamp Pad - Reuse

iCopic - High Contrast

Make it Monday - Anything Goes

Supplies:

• Cheeky Kitty Digital Stamp by The Greeting Farm
• Papers by The Robin's Nest
• Spellbinders 
• Helmar Acid Free Glue
• Crop-A-Dile
• Copics - Skin: E0000, E000, E00, E11, R20, R22; Hair: YR04, YR07, YR09, R29; Clothes: C4, C6, C8, R20, R21

Sprinkle a little *Christmas* Twinkle (with a giveaway)

I've been itching to ink up the cute new Fairy Princess clear stamps again. I thought they would look SO cute as little Christmas fairies so I pulled out my beloved October Afternoon Good Cheer paper pad (no sense hoarding it any longer) and using Jen's amazing Deconstructed Sketch put this card together. I love everything about it! They are available NOW at The Greeting Farm!

I was thinking, maybe you'd like to have it to start off YOUR Christmas card mojo?! If so, leave your name below in the linky tool and I'll draw a winner next week to WIN my card! Who knows, I'll probably throw in some of my beloved October Afternoon Good Cheer paper to really get you started on making your Christmas cards :D No sense hoarding it, right?!

Thanks for stopping by!

Challenges I'm Playing:
Deconstructed Sketch - No. 18
Anything Goes Challenges - Vintage/Shabby chic
Shopping Our Stash - Vintage/Shabby Chic
Magical Monday Challenge - Anything Goes
Make it Monday with Kraft - Use a Sketch (any sketch)

Supplies:

• Fairy Princess clear stamps by the Greeting Farm
• October Afternoon Good Cheer Paper
• Helmar Zap Dots
• Spellbinders Nestibilities
• Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch
• Walnut Stain Distress Ink
• Stickles
• Copics - E000, E00, E01, E02, R22, R20, R01, YG03, YG05, YG93, B000, B00, B01, B02, RV11, RV13

Un-spooky Birdhouse with Helmar, The Robin's Nest & Bella Blvd!

This entire week Helmar and The Robin's Nest paired together for some amazing projects & inspiration. I hope you will take some time to visit both blogs to see what the DT has been up to. I picked up this wooden birdhouse months back at hobby lobby. I finally knew I wanted to make an Un-Spooky Birdhouse to start our new holiday decorations. I love decorating for the holidays and now that I'm pretty much addicted to paper crafting, I thought I would try my hand at creating some handmade decorations for our house. It was SO much fun and I couldn't wait to share it with you!

Here is the front of the birdhouse. I used Helmar Decoupage to adhere all the bits and pieces of paper to the front and sides of the birdhouse. This was fun and easy to do - it gave it a nice glossy finish. After that, I cut 1 1/2 inch strips of paper and the using a punch created the edge and then layered it on the roof of the birdhouse using Helmar 450 Quick Dry. This is great for adhering paper to wood. If you ever wonder which adhesive to use on your project - just take a quick look at the Helmar Adhesives Easy Selection Chart - it's always on the top left side of the blog for quick access or you can print it off to have it handy at your desk!!

All of the bling on this birdhouse is courtesy of The Robin's Nest Dew Drops in Abracadabra! I love these as they come in so many different shapes and colors. My go to glue for adhering dew drops to any project is the Helmar Gemstone Glue! It's amazing because while it goes on white it dries perfectly clear. Believe me, I held my breath my first couple of project fearing I had messed them up because of the glop of glue I had used! haha But I know better now - I never have to fear with Helmar!

Here is another close up of the Robin's Nest dew drop with Helmar Gemstone Glue. I just laid down a line of glue and then gently placed the diamond dew drops. It worked perfectly!

The final product I used in decorating my birdhouse is another must have product for me - Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots! I use it on almost EVERY altered project I make! It's great for giving dimension as well as adhering metal embellishments.

Well, that's it for me! I hope you've been inspired to do some altering today! I'm always excited to see the finished project and this is already sitting on my mantel even tho Halloween is still over a month away! It's just too cute!

Challenges I'm Playing:
CES Challenge - Make it Spooky
Mark's Finest papers - Use a Punch
Catch the Bug - Let's get punchy
Craft us Crazy - Autumn Colors or fav embellishment
Delightful Challenges - Bling it
Pals Paper Arts - Bewitched
Crafty Creations - Anything but Square
Decorate to Celebrate - Anything Goes
Crafty Sentiments Designs - Halloween


Supplies:

• Helmar Gemstone Glue, 450 Quick Dry, Liquid Scrap Dots & Decoupage
• The Robin's Nest Dew Drops in Abracadabra
• Bella Blvd. Too Cute To Spook Pattern Paper & Chipboard
• Martha Stuart Punch
• Wooden Birdhouse & Black & White ribbon trim from Hobby Lobby
• Acrylic Paint

Saturated Canary New Digi's!

I am so excited because today is FRIDAY, new Saturated Canary Dig's are being released AND I get to announce my BIG news! You all know how much I adore Krista Smith's artwork and have been OBSESSED with Saturated Canary Digi's - well, she has asked me to be a part of her very FIRST Design Team!!! Along with a couple other amazing talented ladies, we're going to bring you inspiration each week with the new releases. I'm SO excited!!! Thank you SO much Krista for asking me to be a part of this amazing ride with you! As my fellow teamie put it so perfectly, I'm thrilled to be Saturated!!! :D

So, today, Krista has a few new images to release in her shop and I'm especially excited to bring you Rainy Day:

As soon as I saw her, I was in love...yet again! I love the way Krista draws hair so beautiful and flowing. I created a bookmark with her. I've been reading a ton and wanted something sweet to save my pages. The thing is I tend to read multiple books at a time, so I need to create a couple more! haha These are my favorite bookmarks to make and I created a tutorial that you can find HERE.

Challenges I'm Playing:

Copic Creations - Playing with Pink (RV55, RV63, RV66 on her dress & boots)

Addicted to Stamps - Anything but Cards

The Altered Alice - Text as Non-Sense

Stamptacular Sunday - Sky's the Limit

Just Some Lines - Anything But a Card

Supplies:

• Rainy Day - Saturated Canary Digital Stamp
• Basic Grey Out of Print Pattern Paper
• Papertrey Ink Kraft CS
• Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type
• Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher
• Flower Ribbon & Dictionary paper from stash
• Sassafras flower with button
• Liquid Pearls in Turqouise
• Copics: Skin - E0000, E000, E00, E11, R22, R20, R01, R02; Eyes - E23, E25; Hair - YR04, YR07, YR09, YR14, R29; Clothes/Umbrella - RV63, RV55, RV66, BG02, BG05, BG07, BG09, E40, E41, E43, E43, E35, E39,E49, C3, C6
• Copic Colorless Blender
• Copic Opaque White Paint
• Spica Atyou Glitter Pen in Turquoise
• Prismacolor Pencils & OMS
• Helmar Craft Glue

Little Miss Muffet New Release!

I am thrilled to be sharing with you some really adorable new stamps available at Little Miss Muffet Stamps today! I'd like you to meet Melanie & Brooke:

I couldn't decide which stamp to use so I used them both! I felt like Melanie is Brooke's big sister so I placed them on Park Bench for Two by Make it Crafty which created the perfect little scene! I colored them with a combination of Copics and Prisma Colored Pencils. I really only used the pencils for the ground and to add shading & depth to parts of the clothing. I haven't done this technique in while and forgot how much I loved the end result! 

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you will keep a look out for my blog post tomorrow as I have some EXCITING news to share!! 

Challenges I'm Playing:

i heart 2 stamp - Sept Sketch

Mad for Markers - Springtime  

i brake for challenges - backgrounds

Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes

Heart Song Inspirations - Distressing and/ or Use Paint

Hooked on Crafts - Spring has Sprung

Supplies:

• Melanie & Brooke digi stamps - Little Miss Muffet Stamps
• Echo Park For the Record Designer Paper Kit
• Papertrey Ink Kraft Cardstock
• Flowers & rhinestones from stash
• Black Soot Distress Ink
• Helmar Craft Glue
• Copics
• Primsa Colored Pencils with Sansodor

It's a Witchin' Labor Day!

Hi everyone! 

I had an amazing day yesterday coloring with inky friends Angela & Theresa. It was so relaxing as I only brought some images & my copics. No pressure to turn them into cards although this cutie found a home on one right away today. Angela found this great DP and it just matched wonderfully. It's gorgeous with it's flocking. Thanks, chica!

This is Rags and Witches another adorable Saturated Canary Digi!! I'm so glad I've been a good & true enabling friend for a lot of you! *giggle* Seriously, loved all the comments on my first SCD card! I love that sharing what I love to do encouraged you to run out & buy some as well. I hope you will share your cards on the Saturated Canary FB page! I love to see what others are doing doing with them!

I wanted to also share a close up as I used a clear spica glitter pen on her hair after I colored it with copics. I love the soft shimmery effect when doing that and since it has no color it just adds a nice shimmer to whatever color you used! I also used a red spica glitter pen on the heart on her cheek. I love coloring with spica pens once I'm done with an image for the smaller detail portions!

Oh, and just a FYI, I stopped by the Saturated Canary digi shop this morning and put in my order for THIS!!! OMG, I'm deliriously happy over this! And can't wait to see myself digitized by Krista Smith herself!!

I hope you are all enjoying your Monday and hope all of you in the US are enjoying a day off full of stamping, coloring and cookouts. :D

Challenges I'm Playing:
the Pink Elephant - #115 Sketch
iCopic Lover - Glitter
Card Caravan - Use Twine
Make it Monday - Anything Goes


Supplies:

• Rags and Witches - Saturated Canary Digi
• We R Memory Keepers Halloween Blackout DP
• Copics (Sorry didn't keep track while I was out)
• PTI Vintage Button & Twine
• Green & Black cardstock & purple ribbon from stash
• Magnolia doohicky die
• Dusty Concord Distress Ink
• Helmar tape runner