Prima Gal

Be sure to visit Die Cut Divas for our challenge.   thought this Prima doll might convey some spirit to our challenge this month.  I like to use leftover pieces in my cards, tags and projects.  The black and white panel is from a box of black and white note cards which I fell in love with.  The circles are left over from a card using a Memory Box Die.  The stamped background is from an old (and I still LOVE it) 2001 Hero Arts stamp Manuscript Background (H2141).  The buildings are left over from one of my cards, Cityscape Silhouette.

You are actually supposed to paper piece these dolls, but the first thing I did was go for my Copic markers to color her and I do like the way she turned out.  I fussy-cut the doll out and arranged everything to my liking.  The close-up here has a dark blue ribbon now.  I liked the shot of the tag without the tag because the ribbon is scrunchy and doesn't photograph well on the card.

I didn't like these dolls at first, but they definitely grow on you.  When I first saw them, my first thought was "THEY HAVE NO FACES" and who would want to buy one... Well, I think they're rather cute now and I like some of the longer lengths of stamps.  The wonderful tags they have are perfect for the over-sized dolls. Hancock Park is a great pack of tags too.  The tags are heavy duty, like chipboard and the patterns and colors are marvelous.

Let's all have some FUN!

Here we have some ladies enjoying the excitement of friends and a bit of bubbly during Hot August Nights. Seeing these gals makes me think of friends and laughter and sharing fun times with my girlfriends  How about you?  This is the first time I've colored these ladies and I'm loving them!  

A little fun never hurt anyone!

Art Impressions - Girlfriends, In the Tub

Now this lady was fun to color and I felt the tag was justified.  Fun! 

I purchased this Art Impressions stamp on Oozak, but don't see it on the site now.  I couldn't help but color her in.  She is too, too much fun!

I hope you like these examples of fun ways to spend an evening, no matter where you live.  I hope you enjoyed these ladies as much as I do.  Be sure to check out the Die Cut Divas blog and join the current challenge.  

Arlene's Hot August Nights

Those on the US western coast know another definition to Hot August Nights than the one you usually think of - right, it's hot in August and sometimes even the nights stay hot.  In Reno, Nevada, it's an entirely different outlook.  As they advertise in Reno, "Celebrating America's Love Affair with Cars and Rock and Roll".   July 29th through August 3rd, 2014, there will be nightly cruising and drag racing in Sparks (city right beside Reno), entertainment, an Auction and of course gambling for those who want to leave their money in Nevada.

You'll have to read the entire blog post over at Die Cut Divas for the lo-down on August's challenge.

I'm sharing my sample of Hot August Nights.  So easy to make with some distress inks, a nice mountain range and dies.  I flicked some water to add some texture to the background.  I told my teammates a secret I'll share with you.  I'm a sci-fi aficionado from way back and this makes me think of the Martian landscape and heroic adventures of John Carter (I read the John Carter Series a long time ago).  Shhhhhh

Easel card with sun-drenched Reno and desert mountains behind

 Front of the easel card

Close-up of Distress Inked background

Recipe:

Hero Arts OWH What a Guy (CL753)

Distress Inks Fired Brick, Warm Lipstick, Spiced Marmalade and Mustard Seed

Memory Box Cityscape Nightline

Memory Box Hello Script 

Colored gems

A Posey for you

You must know by now how I love my SUN BONNET GIRLS from Bugaboo.  I thought a dash of Lipstick Natural Copic marker would pop the flowers with color but not SHOUT out over the girl.  A little touch of blues and why I chose browns for everything else, I don't know, but I like it.

 Front of card, as straight as I could get it after creasing the folds 

 Easel card standing up with "Thank You" on QuicKutz nesting oval die-cut

A close-up

Recipe:
Bugaboo Fancy SB Flowers
Hero Arts Zig Zag background
Cuttlebug
QuicKutz Nesting circle dies
QuicKutz Nesting oval dies
Copic markers
buttons

CCC July Reveal

I sent Greta in Oregon this card, a total "friendship" card.  I love this sentiment.I got to use a little chocolate chip boy from Bugaboo.  Does this make you hungry for chocolate chip cookies?  It does me.  I'm ready for my milk and cookies before I go to bed.  Happy cookie crumbs to somebody out there.  This is the closest I'm coming to an actual cookie tonight.

This is my Chai

Somehow this purple haired Stella connected with this purple hued background and stuck.  She's certainly awfully fond of her chai.  I decided to use some beautiful lace on this card and I'm making it for a friend whose favorite beverage is chai tea.  I made up the sentiment and hope she likes this card especially made for her.

Remember that Bugaboo has 50% off stamps in July.

Recipe:
Bugaboo Stella peeker - darth vader
Hero Arts background stamp Dot Flower Pattern (CG335)
Copic markers for the image.
QuicKutz Nesting rectangles
Cuttlebug

I know It's Not Monday!

After I announced that I knew it wasn't Monday, I had to go check for sure on my calendar.  I really do think chocolate CAN make up for Mondays.  How about all of you?

I do think this lady is fun and funny.  Gosh these Bugaboo images just color up so fast.  In no time, I've got to find another image to color, tsk tsk.

Yes, the background square scalloped panel is a recycled item - a tissue box, semi-cheap kind, but it certainly does provide a pretty background.  Hope you have some chocolate today too (even if it isn't Monday).

Close-up of the image.  You see that brown button?  It's hiding an opps in coloring - you know OOPS - I've got green mixed in the blue and it doesn't want to go away!

Recipe:

Ruby Chocolate - Nature's Way

Cuttlebug

Copic markers

Glossy Accents

Tissue Box - variegated red/pink background

Hero Arts buttons

Marvy Uchida gel Reminisce Silver pen for the wrapped candy in Ruby's hand