The Cuttlebug Spot is Back!!!

Hi Eveyone,

I hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day. I am excited that we are back to creating at The Cuttlebug Spot. The DT took off for May and I must say, I missed it! But we are back now, so go on over and see what the talented Dt had created for Dads & Grads!

Nilda has also added a new feature...every 2nd Monday we will have a sketch challenge. Those are always so fun!



The pattern paper is DCWV. You can't really see in in the pic, but there are pretty glitter lines running through the design. I embossed with Sizzix Argyle embossing folder to match the paper. The sentiment is from Fiskars clear stamps and the rhinestone square is from Heidi Swapp. I also cut the squares with my Nesties.

Don't forget to go on over and upload your creation using embossing anywhere on your card. You could win a $20 gift certificate to Custom Crops!!

Have an awesome day.

Hugs,
Marcy

Unscripted Saturday

Hi Everyone,

I hope you have some great plans for the holiday weekend. I have to work today to demo Tim Holtz's Alterations dies. I'll be done by about 4:00 and them I am off until Tuesday! Yippee!!

There's a new sketch up over at Unscripted Sketches. I followed the sketch pretty closely this week. The swirl is cut from the Tim Holtz Sizzix die named Elegant Flourishes. The sentiment is from Fiskars. The Dp was a freebie from one of my stamp magazines and the bottom is punched with an EK Success border punch. My fav new technique is making flowers from scallop punches. I used pages from an old book to punch the petals for this beauty. The leaves are Primas.



I hope you all have a super weekend and take the time to remember why we celebrate Memorial Day!

Hugs,
Marcy

Gotta Love the Gnomes!

Hi Everyone,

I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day. My hubster bought me the Flip video recorder. I didn't even know it was on his radar! That is the kind of guy he is. He told me, "Now you can take your blog to the next level." Isn't he the sweetest?? Yup, I adore him!

Of course, you gotta love gnomes; they are just adorable. So, when Alison designed this little guy, I couldn't wait to use him in a project. His name is Mert Gnome and you can find him here in the Stretch and Bubbles store.



I used my new Labels 10 from Nestabilities (which is another MD gift my younger son gave me). The sentiment is from a Fiskars set. I colored Mert with copics and used Diamond Glaze on is had and shoes for shine.

Have a great day!!

Hugs,
Marcy
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Bling Monday

Happy Monday All,


The Cuttlebug Spot has gone bling crazy this week. Nilda asked us to create using glitter, glitz or bling. I love rhinestones, so it was easy for me.



I made this for my Niece's college graduation. The stamp is from Inkadinkado called Personal Expressions. It looks like 3 separate circles, but it is one stamp. I love the round patterened circles. I stamped it three times, on different colors, then cut it out around each of the obvious borders. I popped each circle up on top of the one underneath with dimensionals. The rhinestone circles are from Heidi Swapp. I used my fav Sizzix embossing folder Snowballs and a Martha Stewart Border punch.



There is a blog hop going on, too. So go on over to The Cuttlebug Spot and check it all out.

Have a great day.

Hugs,
Marcy

Happy Monday

Hi Everyone,

Well, it took a while, but I am finally back in the swing of things. Whenever I take even a short vacation, it always seems to take almost as long to get myself back on my daily track. I always feel like I am rushing to catch up with life. But, it's worth it--- especially when I get to spend time with my kids in Florida!

It's Monday, so I have two design team posts. First up is The Cuttlebug Spot. This week the DT will tackle using digital stamps. The stamps were generously given to the DT by this week's sponsor, Lily-Boo's Boutique
I have some experience, since I have been playing with digis for a while now and am a DT member at Stretch N' Bubbles, which is a digi stamp online store/blog. But several of our DT sisters at The Cuttlebug Spot have never used these digital stamps before. They did an awesome job! Go check them out and get inspired.

Here is my card. Isn't that little mouse just adorable?? He is part of collection #19 called Little Mice! I colored the image with Copics and then added Stickles for some glitz. I used the cuttlebug folder "Happy Birthday" -- an oldie but a goodie! I cut the circle and scalloped circle using my Nesties in the cuttlebug, too.




Next is a new digi stamp designed by Alison over at Stretch N' Bubbles. This adorable little guy is named Sid Bird. Cute, huh? I made Sid into a little peep basket. When I first saw him, he reminded me of our favorite holiday treat...Peeps!! We love 'em. I colored him with copics and cut him out. I printed a second image so that I could pop his feet. It's hard to tell on the photos, but his curl on top is covered with flocking for a soft look. The sign sentiment was comouter generated.



I'll see you back Wednesday for another card made from a free digi stamp from Stretch N' Bubbles.

Have a great day.
Hugs,
Marcy

Free Digi Wednesday

Hi All,

Well, I'm a little late, but wanted to share the free digi stamp that Alsion offered yesterday at Stretch N' Bubbles.
Aren't the bears just adorable!! Alison is offering these cuties in three versions -- boys and/or girls. I chose the boy, brother bears; they remind me of my sons when they were little.


I colored these little guys with copics and cut them out. It was easy to draw some snow capped mountains to put them in a chilly spot while they play together.
It's hard to see (not a great photo) but the mountains are embossed and stickled. Very pretty in person. The sentiment is computer generated.
Click here if you want to snag these cuties.

Hugs,
Marcy

Free Digi Stamp

Hi All,

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. I hope you all had fun, peaceful days surrounded by loved ones. I am on vacation until January 5th so I am in crafting heaven. I finally have time to play with some new stamps I've bought over the past few months, but haven't had the chance to use yet.

For this card, I used a free digi image from Stretch N' Bubbles. Alison designs and gives away a free digi stamp every Wednesday. If you want this adorable bird house, go on over and snag it!



I colored the image with copics. I used my Nesties "Fancy Tags" for the sentiment and the "hinges." The pink pearls on the sentiment were white ones colored with copics to match.

Have a great day.

Hugs,
Marcy

Miserable Monday

Oh boy...I have a humdinger of a cold and really feel awful. I've been taking all kinds of over the counter meds and keep hoping even one of them will help me feel better...I keep waiting!!

Anyway, it is also Challenge Monday over at The Cuttlebug Spot and being that this is the last one we will be doing for the year, I surely didn't want to miss it. Nilda asked us simply to make a Christmas card...so that was easy enough. Go see what my DT sisters have created...you'll be inspired.



I used the free digi stamp from Stretch 'N Bubbles again cause this little tree is so super cute and lends itself to so many styles. Go on over here and snag yourself this image.
I used stickles to add some glitz to the heart and then popped it. I used my favorite embossing folder again from Sizzix called Snowballs. The sentiment is from one of the new winter folders from Sizzix, too.

I chose the colors for my card to enter the color challenge over at The Play Date Cafe. Alison of Stretch 'N Bubbles is the sponsor this week and has donated 4 stamps to the challenge winner. So get your mojo going and post a project using these "wild" colors.



I hope everyone has a great day.
Hugs,
Marcy

Cuttlebug Spot Challenge

Hi All,

It's Monday, so that means it's time for the new Cuttlebug Spot challenge. This week is easy, just create any layout or card with a Thanksgiving theme. Here I used another free dingbat and my copics to color it. I have found that I must xerox all my printed dingbats or they smear when I use the copics.

I bought Gina K's Pure Luxury card stock, because all the copic designers say that you can just print and color...but not so for me.

I emailed Gina and she was lovely to email me right back. She said she cannot imagine why it smears that perhaps it is my ink. I use branded HP ink with a relatively new printer, so I can't figure it out. Unfortunately, because the card stock is so think and luxurious, it won't go through the xerox machine, so I can only use it for stamping...which by the way, is wonderful to work on.

So, I am a bit disappointed since I love using my free dingbats to color and can't find a card stock that is great for copics and yet, can be put through the xerox machine. I use the Georgia Pacific card stock (which goes through the xerox, but I don't feel is great for blending). If anyone has figured it out...I would so appreciate knowing which ones work.

Here are the copic colors I used.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Hi all,

Happy Halloween to everyone! It is a beautiful day here in New York; a perfect day for Tricking or Treating. Of course, my kids don't go trick or treating anymore, but we get loads and loads of kids in the neighborhood and I love when they come to the door. They are all so cute and happy.

It's also Saturday, so that means a new sketch over at Unscripted Sketches. Go check them out, there are some gorgeous creations this week. Here is the sketch

Here is my take on it. This is my beautiful "Daughter in Love" on my left and my beautiful niece on my right. I so adore these gals.

I made the swirl flourish and title in Scal. I embossed the "whole" page in the Cuttlebug. The trick with that is to cut the paper the width of the folder and emboss several times, lining it up with the previous image each time you run it through. Adding the pattern paper sort of hides the fact that the whole page is not really embossed. Does that make sense???

I added some rhinestones for bling, inked the edges and that's it. The color is not really right...I know it looks purple, but it's really a burgundy...pretty in person.

Well, gotta go get ready for my little visitors...have a great day everyone.

Hugs,

Marcy

First Copic Card

I got so involved with my new season TV shows last night...I forgot to post my first copic card. How cool is it that The Ghost Whisperer is now followed by Medium and the Numbers...I am in heaven.

Anyway, this is my first copic project. What they say is true...they are so easy to use and blend and I am so happy with them so far. Of course, I have soooo much I want to learn and I wish there was someplace that I could take a class (you know a real people class, not online) but can't find anywhere that offers it.

At a local art store, I bought a special pad of paper by Borden & Reiley called #234 Paris Bleedproof Paper for Pens (funny name). It is so smooth and takes the copic inks so nicely. But, I also ordered Gina K's Pure Luxury card stock, because so many of the brilliant copic ladies online recommend it. It wasn't too expensive...25 sheets for $6.95.

The image is a dingbat...you know I love those free dingbats!

UNSCRIPTED SKETCHES

I AM SO EXCITED. I have been invited to become a design team member at Unscripted Sketches http://unscriptedsketches.com/ . It is a wonderfully talented group of gals from all walks of life who celebrate the joy of creativity. Some are passionate scrapbookers, some prefer card making--but all are wonderful paper crafters!

Each Saturday there is a new sketch posted. You are inspired to use the sketch any way you choose; for any type of project. You can Flip it, Rotate it…create a card or a scrapbook page with the sketch. There is no right or wrong way, as long as you are using the Unscripted Sketch as the basis for your creation.

I really look forward to getting to know my design team sisters. I've listed their blogs on the left, so when you get a chance take a look at their work. Each is so different from the last. I guarantee you will be inspired!


Over at The Cuttlebug Spot, we were challenged to create a project using the word HOT somewhere on it. I made this card for my 26 year old nephew who is HOT. We tease him all the time because he is a babe magnet...and knows it. So the card has a special meaning for us.


I used Martha's Drippy Goo punch again for the melting ices. I added loads of Glossy Accents to make the ices look all shiny. The ice pop came from Doodlecharms. I added some chalk to give the popsicle sticks some dimension.


Go on over and check out the other designs...very cool! Hee Hee


Hugs,
Marcy

Baptism Card

I made this card for a friend of mine who's beautiful little girl was baptized today.
The butterfly card base was cut from a dingbat that I opened up into SCAL. (I just cannot get over how much I love those free dingbats.) I used the cuttlebug to give the butterfly a little more texture and then added Stickles for some glitz. I popped the cross and added some satin ribbon. I really like how it came out and my friend made a special call to tell me how much she loved the card. I was delighted she appreciated it.
Have a great night and I'll see you tomorrow.

Hugs,

Marcy

New Cuttlebug Folders

Hi Guys,

Have you seen all the new Cuttlebug folders? I bought mine when HSN had their scrapbooking day a couple of weeks ago. I love 'em.

This week at The Cuttlebug Spot, Nilda wanted us to use one of the new designs in our project. I decided to use the owl. Honestly, the owl is the only folder I didn't like. So I challenged myself to use it for just that reason. I actually like how it turned out. So now...maybe I don't dislike it so much. hee hee.

I cut the letters with SCAL and stickled them for some glitz.

My Kids Wedding Album Continued...AND...Blog Hop

Hi All,

We are having a blog hop over at The Cuttlebug Spot today. Our challenge is to take any of the techniques we've used so far and use it in our project. So....in continuing with my kid's wedding album, I used the "embossed sanding" technique for one of my pages. Of course, my black paper had a white core, or else I wouldn't be able to sand the color off.

Scroll down a few posts to see the cover and first pages.

Your next stop on the Blog Hop is over at Amyee's. Her work is outstanding, as are all the DT sisters. Amyee's projects are always so fresh. Have fun over there and continue on till you end up back at The Cuttlebug Spot.

Thanks for stopping by. Leave a little love if you have the chance. I do really appreciate your comments.

The Journey To 1,000

We're having an awesome contest over at The Cuttlebug Spot.

"The Journey to 1,000"!

Nilda is trying to reach 1,000 followers by the end of July and we need your help. To enter, all you have to do is go to the site, sign up as follower and complete a few easy steps and you could win a $1,000 gift certificate to Custom Crops (http://www.customcrops.com/)!

GO NOW and check it out at http://www.thecuttlebugspot.com/

Even the members of the Design Team are eligible!!!! I hope I win!!!!

Our challenge for the week is to show the inside of our cards. The image is a dingbat, so I made it large on the cover and much smaller on the inside of the card. I used the MCPT to color the images. The oval scallop cuts are from Nestabilities.

Humorous Art

Hi All,

This week at The Cuttlebug Spot, Nilda asked us to make a funny card to show our humorous side. This card is me to a T!! When I am ready for a nap...WATCH OUT! DO NOT GET BETWEEN ME AND MY BED!! I call it my power naptime.

Check out the new, redesigned blog. It looks so clean, fresh and professional. Love it!!

4th of July Challenge

Hi All,

I made this for the challenge at The Cuttlebug Spot this week. We could make anything that shows our patriotism.

I cut the card from Wild Card, Liberty from Stand and Cheer and the stars were some really old sizzix dies.

The image is another dingbat from Laurie's Country. I am loving the dingbats, you download them for free and can make them to any size you need. I used MCPT to color the image and stickles to add bling.

TPE Challenge

Hi Everyone,
Will it ever stop raining??????
Anyway, now that I got that off my chest. Here is a card I made for a challenge over at The Pink Elephant. The image is actually a dingbat. I used the Magic Colored Pencil Technique for coloring.
Here is the sketch
And here is my design. BTW, did I mention that I WON last weeks layout challenge?@^#!! I am very excited. Especially since it was for the cover of the very special album I am working on of my kids' wedding.

Have a great night.

*******UPDATE********

I got a load of requests about the name of the teddy bear dingbat. It is called Laurie's Country and can be found along with loads of other great dingbats perfect for "faux" stamping at: http://www.dingbatdepot.com/Fonts.php?ID=L

If you have any questions, feel free to leave me a comment and I will respond.

Father's Day Word Card

I made this word book as a Father's Day card for my dear nephew, Greg. I tried to include all the roles he plays in life. I love this man.

I downloaded the cut file for the word DAD from somewhere, but I can't remember who was kind enough to post it. I would like to give this person the credit, but I am sorry. Thank you. If anyone knows, please let me know so I can post their name.

I really must figure out a way to file my downloads with credits.