August with Morgan's ArtWorld

   "Anything Goes" August 1st to August 27th

You can use any image or project you have posted in August to enter Morgan's ArtWorld challenge. For purchasing Morgan's ArtWorld Images, please visit the website at

Morgan's Fitzsimons Art Studio    

Join Morgan's ArtWorld Facebook 

The kitten is so very cute and it took a while until I could decide how I wanted to color this cat because so many different colors would work.  I love the eyes!  

Supplies:
Morgan's Kitten 6 Grayscale - coloring page

Little B - Handwritten (sentiments)
Copic markers

Vagabond die cut machine

I'm entering the following challenges:

Love to Craft Challenge ‘ “Always Anything Goes” #81

Mix It Up Challenge Blog Anything Goes” #72

SheepSki Designs "Anything Goes" #89

Scrapping for Fun  "Anything Goes"

The Creative Crafters "Anything Goes"  #78

September With Morgan's Artworld

  The September Challenge for Morgan's Artworld is 
"Anything Goes" September 1st to September 27th.

You can use any image or project you have posted in September. For purchasing Morgan's ArtWorld Images, please visit the website at
Morgan's Fitzsimons Art Studio    

Join Morgan's ArtWorld Facebook 

My image, Wren, is available here  I took an extra part of the image (flower) and put it at the top to be in the corner.  I used a simple "thanks" to finish out the scene.  This may not be your normal wren, but I did discover that not all wrens are the little brown birds we see around us.  

Supplies:

Morgan's Artworld Wren
Elizabeth Craft Designs Stitched Rectangles
Little B Handwritten (dies)
Altenew Enamel Dots Lapis Lazuli 

Vagabond die cut machine

I am entering the following challenges:
A Perfect Time to Craft - "Anything Goes" #9-2023

Crafts Galore Encore - "Anything Goes" #115

The Creative Crafters "Anything Goes" #67

Love to Craft Challenge ‘ “Always Anything Goes” #76

Mix It Up Challenge Blog Anything Goes” w opt twist #67

DL. ART "Anything Goes" (1 time per day)

Polkadoodle's Craft Challenge "Anything Goes" 

Digi Choosday - "Anything Goes" Wk31

June with Worldwide Crafters and Colorists

  Worldwide Crafters and Colorists.

You MUST be a DT on any Design Team in the World to be eligible to enter this Challenge ~ New exception rule, this challenge is now open to any of Julia Spiri Facebook Members, and you are not required to be on a DT.

The challenge runs from June 15th through July 12th, 

2:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time

Visit Julia Spiri's Etsy shop for one of a kind marvelous images.

Check out the Worldwide Crafters and Colorists Challenge Blog here!

I thought this image was rather lifelike and darling.  I thought she needed to go on a mini slimline card and so she is.  I used the largest Momento die to cut "Sally" out.  I had made the card months ago, just to see if I could use up some of the Washi tapes I had on hand that I rarely used.  They were all in the neutral tones and I put the "Sally" panel on foam tape right on top of the Washi taped card front.

I found some enamel dots that just about match the R83 colored "hi" sentiment, so used the dot for the dot over the "i" in hi. 

Supplies

Julia Spiri image Sally

Momento Nested Borders Rectangles dies

Little B dies - Handwritten - "hi" sentiment

Copic markers

Altenew enamel dots - Rose Petal

Vagabond die cut machine

End of the Year World Wide Open Design Team Challenge

 World Wide Open Design Team Challenge

You MUST be a DT on any Design Team in the World to be eligible to enter this Challenge ~ New exception rule, this challenge is now open to any of Julia Spiri Facebook Members, and you are not required to be on a DT.

The challenge runs from December 15th through January 12th, 

2:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time

I have not one, but three cards to reveal.  I didn't realize how much I would LOVE this image!

I was surprised at how well this basic die shape would suite this image.  I think tilting the image makes an enormous difference too (I have to confess I cut the back panel where you write a message before figuring out where the front image would rest).  I was just clearly lucky. 

 

I took a Copic marker (BV000) and colored the pale bluish panel right behind the image on top of the purple cardstock.

CARD #1 - Spring colors

Close-up below

CARD #2 (Autumn)

CARD # 3 all but skin done in Copic "C" grays

Supplies on all cards:

Julia Spirit Autumn

Copic markers 

Vagabond die cut machine

ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES    

Card # 1

Little B Scallops cutting dies with magnetic storage binder
Hero Arts Everyday Sayings - sentiment

Card #2

Rubbernecker Stamps dies - Nested RC Square Sm. Stitch

Hero Arts Everyday Sayings - sentiment

CARD #3

Elizabeth Craft Stitched Rectangles
Lawn Fawn Car Critters - sentiment

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

The Paper Funday - "Anything Goes" 

NBUS (Never-Before-Used-Schtuff) - (digital image - brand new)

Ally's Angels  "Anything Goes"  

Happy Father's Day To All The Fathers Out There

 My oldest son likes to grill and used to grill outdoors a lot, so I thought this would be pretty meaningful to make for him for Father's Day.  It was fairly simple and I did die cut two of the flame dies out of a yellow file folder and sponged them with vintage photo distress ink (I sponged the back of one).  I liked the fuller flames.

Close up

Supplies:

Elizabeth Craft Designs Back Yard Barbecue
Little B Handwritten (happy die cut)

Silver & Copper papers in stash

Vintage Photo Distress ink 

Vagabond die cut machine

I would like to enter the following challenges:

The Paper Funday - #42 "Anything Goes" w/optional "Masculine"

Aud Sentiments  Summer & a Sentiment

Crafty Calendar "Anything Goes"

Let's craft and create #184 "AG" & a sentiment

Time To Play WIth SheepSki Designs

 SheepSkiDesigns is the Die Cut Divas' sponsor for June and I'm happy to have some play time and give you some inspiration for their challenge. The theme is summer and the first thing I thought of was the beach. SheepSki Designs has the cutest beach scene and I've been wanting to color it for ages. I just got my change!

SheepSkiDesigns is offering a prize of three images of your choice!

Summer is the theme for Die Cut Divas this month and I couldn't resist making two cards.  One's a summer beach and the other must include taking pictures.  Here's my summer beach, all bright and sunny with lots of sand to put your toes in.

I had the best time coloring this.  Here's to coloring and having fun this summer.

Supplies:
SheepSkiDesigns Beach Hut Holiday

Elizabeth Craft Designs Stitched Rectangles

Little B Handwritten die (hello)

Copic markers

Vagabond die cut machine

I'd like to enter the following challenges: Card 1

The Corrosive Challenge - “Anything Goes”

Love to Craft Challenge ‘ “Always Anything Goes”

Mix It Up Challenge Blog Anything Goes” w opt twist

DL. ART "Anything Goes"

My second card was just so much fun to color!  I did nick the top left corner and thought I'd draw some flying birds to cover it up.  Not sure they did, but I'm ok with it.  The SheepSki digital comes with two images (the other has a lighthouse scene in the camera lens).  Some of my marker ran into the smallest fingernail so I took a white pen to make the nails whiter.

Supplies:

SheepSkiDesigns Taking Pics # 153

Elizabeth Craft Designs Big Balloon die (does not seem to be available)

Little B Handwritten die (congrats)

My Favorite Things Cloud Stencil

Copic markers

Uni-ball Signo pen for nails

Vagabond die cut machine

I'd like to enter the following challenges: Card 2

A Perfect Time to Craft Challenge "Anything Goes" #6-2022

Creative Moments - "Anything Goes" #234

Gem of a Challenge - "Anything Goes" Wk 11                        
Creatalicious  "Anything Goes" #236

Crafts Galore Encore - "Anything Goes"

January with Morgan's Artworld

The January Challenge for Morgan's Artworld is "Anything Goes" from January 1st to January 27th, Pacific Time. 

You can use any image or project you have posted in January. For purchasing Morgan's ArtWorld Images, please visit the website at Creative Art Design Studio.  

Join Morgan's ArtWorld Facebook Group HERE!

I like the real-life detail in this image.  You can imagine you're there, watching the men working with chickens scratching the ground.  I'm so glad I was able to work with this wonderful image and hope you take some time to enjoy yourself in bringing a scene to life.

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Close-up below

Supplies:

Morgan's Artworld at Creative Designs Studio "The Blacksmith Shop"

Elizabeth Craft Designs Stitched Rectangles

Little B Handwritten die set (hello)

Copic markers

Vagabond die cut machine

I'm entering the Challenges below:

The Corrosive Challenge - “Anything Goes”

Love to Craft Challenge - #66 "Anything Goes"

Mix It Up Challenge Blog #56 "Anything Goes"

A Perfect Time to Craft - #1-2022 Anything Goes

Crafts Galore Encore - #95 - "Anything Goes"

I

Some String Art Without The String

I've never tried string art (using real string), but I don't mind giving the illusion of doing string art with die-cuts

Be sure to join the Die Cut Divas' challenge of Tone on Tone this month.   

"Tone on tone coloring or layering, is a decorative technique that takes a single or a few colors and uses different saturation of that color(s) throughout the space. The result is a room that can be dramatically transformed just by lightening or darkening of that color."

My friend, Linda, sent me these String Art Corner and String Art Circle die-cuts and I had to absolutely use them NOW.  In keeping with the Die Cut Divas' challenge of Tone on Tone, I used a sheet of alcohol inks in my stash and added both Birch Press Design die-cuts with a short sentiment in the middle of the circle to complete my card.  I just added some pale green gems and that's all it needed.

Supplies:
Birch Press Design String Art Corner

Birch Press Design String Art Circle

Little B Handwritten

Alcohol inks

Vagabond die cut machine

Pale green gems (in my stash)

Julia Spiri and Antique Cars

 World Wide Open Design Team Challenge

You MUST be a DT on any Design Team in the World to be eligible to enter this Challenge ~ New exception rule, this challenge is now open to any of Julia Spiri Facebook Members, and you are not required to be on a DT.

I found myself falling in love with this antique car and the cute couple sitting therein.  They look like they're ready to enjoy the highway and wonderful spring weather.  I used Copic markers and made a couple mistakes on the car and so had to deepen the colors and also some places I would have wanted to have more shine.  But I really do like this little card and the couple tootling along in it.

The challenge runs from April 15th through May 12th, Sydney Time Zone 7:00 a.m. or if you're in California, like me, The challenge starts on a Wednesday, April 14, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight. 

Supplies:

Julia Spiri Newlyweds on a Cabriolet 

Elizabeth Craft Designs Stitched Rectangles

Little B Handwritten (hello die is part of the set)

My Favorite Things Cloud Stencil

Copic markers

Distress Ink Blueprint Sketch

Vagabond die cut machine

I am entering the following challenges:

Digi Choosday - "Anything Goes"  Wk 15

Through The Craft Room Door “Anything Goes”

Colour Crazy - "Anything Goes" Wk 14

Crafty Sentiments - "Anything Goes"

The House That Stamps Built - A1421 (Signs of Spring)

Pammie's Inky Pinkies  "Anything Goes"- #2115

November with Morgan's Artworld

    

The theme is always "Anything Goes" at Morgan's ArtWorld.  

Challenge dates are November 1st to November 27th on Pacific Daylight Savings Time.

You can use any image or project you have created and enter up to three (3) times on the blog.

For purchasing Morgan's ArtWorld Images, please visit the website at Creative Art Design Studio.  There will no longer be any sales from the Facebook shop.

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We would like to invite you to our Morgan's ArtWorld Facebook Group. 
Please come and join our Group HERE!

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Morgan's ArtWorld Pinterest Link: HERE! 

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I thought I would show you how I usually color, first the skin tones, adding more depth as I go.

     

                   

    
   

                

I also printed just the butterflies, adding them on top for depth.  I took a black multiliner and drew over the scrollwork on her face and chest.  I am happy with this coloring.  I hope you enjoy her too.

Supplies:

Morgan Fitzsimons Fantasy Fae Digi Stamp 2 here 

Little B Scallops die

QuicKutz circle die

Memory Box Loopy Rings

Copic markers & mulitliner

Vagabond die cut machine

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Polkadoodle Anything Goes 

Colour Crazy Craft Challenge Anything Goes

Creative Moments - Anything Goes (189)

The House That Stamps Built - "Anything Goes" 

Digi Choosday - Anything Goes

A Bit More Time to Craft - "Anything Goes"

A Perfect Time to Craft - "Anything Goes"

Mix it Up - "Anything Goes"

A New Month Full of Flowers With Rachel Vass Designs

The theme for at Die Cut Divas for August is FLOWERS.  Enter your beautiful flower cards right here.

Rachel Vass Designs has some of the most beautiful flower digital stamps ever.

The challenge winner will be able to pick 

three digi stamps from her store.

In the Spring, Rachel had a simple vase with flowers to color free to all and I fell in love with its simplicity.  Even better, I was able to up-cycle a tissue box.

After I had finished coloring, I saw some beautiful paper, (NO, Tissue Box) in my paper stash and knew it had to be part of my background for my vase.  I threw some color on the white flowered tissue panel with my Copic marker R81.  I'm very happy with this card and hope it gives you some inspiration.

Supplies:

Rachel Vass Designs freebie in April 2020

Elizabeth Craft Designs Stitched Rectangles

Little B Written (words)

Copic markers G09, G24, R24, R27, R81, R83, R85, Y04, Y19, YR000, YR09 & YR16

Tissue box gave up its life for art

Vagabond die cut machine

I told you I liked this Hero Arts Window on the Garden!

I wanted to see how an all white card would come out.  Because of the way I cut this die (rectangular), I thought it needed something below the garden window and also something across.  I had small pieces of the thin dotted paper and decided to strengthen it with a heavy black cardstock beneath.  I like the way it turned out.  While I was cutting this die, I cut quite a few so I could try out different techniques. There will be at least one more card this month to show you.  It's on its way in the mail.

1. I die-cut the stitched rectangles about 10 times on glossy paper for sponging with distress or distress oxide inks.
2. I die cut the stitched rectangles about 10 times on regular card stock (my top panels)
3. I then positioned the Hero Arts Window on the Garden die on the regular card stock die cuts (the ones I cut in #2) and cut the window 10 times.
4. I put the regular die-cut card stock on top of the glossy die-cuts so they are ready to use.
5. I now have enough to make these quite quickly for various occasions from sympathy to celebration.

Close-up below.

Supplies:
Hero Arts Window on the Garden Fancy Die
Elizabeth Craft Designs Stitched Rectangles
Little B Handwritten (both dies from this same set)
Black and black w white dots scrap papers
Vagabond die cut machine

Di's Monty Mouse

Die Cut Diva's challenge is "Free Time" and the sponsor for the September is Di's Digi Stamps.  Check out the challenge here.  

Arlene here. and I found the cutest little mouse at Di's Digis one day and have never used it until now.  I thought this mouse was so cute, really just adorable.  I like the extra flowers, but now that I'm looking at the Nuvo drops, I think fewer would have been better.  But the mouse is still adorable.  What do you think? 

Close-up below

Supplies:
Di's Digi's Monty Mouse
Die-namics Pierced Circles STAX
Little B Handwritten
Copic markers:mouse W2, W3, W5, R11, flower stems G03, G05 leaf G03, G05, G07, lips E04, flowers Y03, Y19, YR19, flower center R59, Y19 ribbon R22, R24, R27, multiliner (blck) to create floor
Glossy Accents on the eyes & nose
Hero Arts flowers (years old) colored with Copic markers
Vagabond die cut machine

Hero Arts Sparkle and Shine Challenge with a July 4th flair

I wanted to add sparkle and shine to my card and celebrate the USA's July 4th.  Unfortunately, you cannot see the Stickles smeared across the blue stripes of the larges star in this photo.  Even a second try doesn't help.

The round dots are all Nuvo Midhnight Blue pops of shine..  I thought a bike would throw a bit of old fashioned fun into the mix.  The bike is cut from a Cola can, so the tin is very shiny.  I guess that this could be a cool masculine card, looking at the boy's bike.

Have fun with the A2Z Scrapbooking theme of "Sparkle and Shine" this month and let your creations sparkle and shine.
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Close-up, but not much sparkle.  I added Crystal stickles on top of the blue and it sparkles quite well in real life, sadly, not so much in the picture.

I do have one additional photo and it's my new storage solution for all (ALL) my stickles and some re-inkers.  You can fit 20 Stickles in this case and some re-inkers will fit double, just not my Distress re-inkers.  But I can fit 10 of those and can SEE them without picking them up one at a time.  Yeah for me.  I am in an organizing mood and on my next post, I'll be showing you how I store my distress ink sponges.


Use my discount code Arlene15 to get 15% off your purchase of $25 or more..  I am home at A Bit of This and That.

Use my discount code Arlene15 to get 15% off your purchase of $25 or more.

 Please join in this month’s "Sparkle & Shine" challenge for your chance at a free digital stamp set AND, if you used Hero Arts or Sugartree Stamps, a $20 gift card to the A2Z etsy store.

The a2z scrapbooking store carries a wide variety of Hero Arts products as well as a nice selection of digital stamps! Get discounted new releases, sales, grab bags & more. Proceeds from our store benefit Celiac & Behcets disease foundations. Use my discount code Arlene15 to get 15% off your purchase of $25 or more.

Supplies:

• Hero Arts Astral Digital Printable File only at A2Z Scrapbooking store
• Little B Handwritten (celebrate)
• Tessler Crafts dies (bicycle)
• Nuvo Crystal Drops Midnight Blue
• Silver glittered tape
• Vagabond die cut machine
• Scrap paper
• Crystal and Faded Jeans stickles
• Pixiss Alcohol Ink Hard Plastic Storage Carrying Case Organizer

Ice Cream and Birthdays

It's all about birthdays and I have a cute birthday card to show you today.  Be sure to visit Die Cut Divas for the Birthday challenge this month.  Just a little sparkle and gems.  I feel like I'm entering an old style ice cream parlor.

Close-up

Supplies:

Elizabeth Craft Designs Happy Birthday - 1  available at Cheapo Dies

Elizabeth Craft Designs Ice Cream Cone   available at Cheapo Dies

Little B Handwritten

Glitter papers and scraps of paper

Vagabond die cut machine

No coloring

Hero Arts Gingerbread House Hearts You

You won't believe I lost this great little Hero Arts (HA) set for awhile on my desk.   Well, maybe you will believe me.   I had wanted a small set of stamps with some dies to go with them.  I am really happy with my purchase because I love these houses and I think that with different colors, they could be great for any season, even a season of love.

Pretty cute, eh?

Supplies:

Hero Arts Gingerbread House Stamp and Cuts at A2Z Scrapbooking (includes the little hearts)

Little B Handwritten (die cuts)

Elizabeth Craft Designs Adventure Edges (

Copic markers R 81, 83 & 85 & C00, C0

Paper from Michaels is already shaded for the background

Vagabond die cut machine

Birthday Cards

I needed a fast card for a couple birthdays, so I did a combo of Cameo cutting and die-cutting.  I've seen the large balloon cut like this in dies, but just don't remember which brand.  I wanted a background that didn't overtake the sentiment or the number "50" in the first card.  It's for my first foreign exchange student who came over from Germany over 30 years ago.   My middle son and he became friends and now my son is visiting Germany as I write this post.

Since I was doing one card, I made another card for my girlfriend.  

I used the same type of design and am happy with both. 

  

Follows the list of supplies I used to create these cards.

• SUPPLIES:
• Intricutz dies Couture Creations (50)
• Elizabeth Craft Design Happy Birthday at Dies R Us
• Elizabeth Craft Design Sleigh at Dies R Us (presents)
• Cameo die (balloon)
• Paper in stash
• Vagabond die cut machine