Melonheadz Christmas Card

I'm so sorry this post is a bit late, but you do still have 2 days left to enter the Melonheadz Winter Holidays challenge!

My new work schedule managing a restaurant has consumed so much more of my time than I realized. Unfortunately, I will have to step down from the DT there. I miss my crafting terribly and will miss the wonderful spirit of the other crafty designers on the team!

I used my favorite medium on this card...you guessed it, Prismacolor Pencils!  This cute couple was then fussy cut and adhered using foam tape. 

The gorgeous holly leaf die cut background is a Cuttlebug cut and emboss die called Holly Layer. Just adore how it came out on green glitter card stock! I also cut a matching piece from green fun foam sheets to give it some dimension.

Link up your wonderful holiday creation for a chance to win digital stamps!

Paper Crafting Tic Tac Toe!

The newest Challenge at Melonheadz starts today and we are playing Tic Tac Toe! 

How do you play? Glad you asked! Using the board below, make a creation using 3 items in a row. (horizontal, vertical or diagonal) My card, for example, uses Ribbon, Die Cuts and Pearls/Bling to make a diagonal row.

The owls were colored with Prismacolor Pencils and coated with Glossy Accents. I adore this "friend" word die cut from Catherine Pooler's Stamp of Approval 1st Edition Box!

The papers used are from My Mind's Eye 12 x 12 paper pad called Sparkling Sleigh Ride. The ribbon was a wonderful deal at 0.39 cents for an entire roll at Canton Texas Trade Days!! (It was sun bleached, but the off white color still matched my papers beautifully!)

The sentiment is from Paper Pumpkin's September Kit with StazOn ink in Saddle Brown. I used a die from Spellbinders Labels and Tags Die set and finished off with tiny half pearls from a nail art kit.

Link up by November 22nd, 2015 for a chance to win your choice of digital stamps! 

**Giveaway!!** Subscribe to my blog using the pink box in the upper left column for a chance to win AMLC's monthly prize package! (View-able on full screen website, not moblie/tablet version.)

Supplies used:  

•  Melonheadz Digital Images Woodland Creatures Bundle (colored and black/white images)
•  Sparkling sleigh ride by My Minds Eye paper pad
• Spellbinders Labels and Tags Die
• StazOn ink Saddle Brown
• Stampabilities gold ink pad 
• Distress Ink in Vintage Photo
• Tiny pearl embellishments from nail art kit

Halloween or Harvest

This newest Melonheadz Challenge theme is... - Halloween / Harvest!  This is my favorite season of the year and I just love this cute bat image from Melonheadz!

I resized and flipped the image using Microsoft Word and printed 3 copies of this little guy. They were colored using Prismacolor Pencils and a colorless blender marker. I used a white Gelly Roll pen to add spots on their bellies and flying dash lines.

  
The patterned card stock is from a Mambi Sheets Halloween paper pad. I distressed the edges of a piece of white card stock and the edges of the patterned paper using Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink. Scotch foam tape behind the bats adds a little dimension and finished the card using a sentiment from the September version of the Paper Pumpkin Kit.

Link up your Halloweeen or Harvest creation HERE by October 2015 for a chance to win digital images!

This card has been entered into this challenge: Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Color Inspiration

*Giveaway!* Subscribe to my blog using the pink box in the upper left column for a chance to win AMLC's monthly prize package! (View-able on full screen website, not moblie/tablet version.)

Melonheadz Challenge and Day 4 of the Fall Coffee Lovers Bloghop!

It's Day 4 of the Fall Coffee Lovers Bloghop as well as the start to Melonheadz new challenge: Fall is in the Air! I fell in love with this adorable little owl in their Halloween Stuff digital image bundle and chose to use candy corn colors.

Really enjoy the rich color of these Hero Arts Mini Ink Cubes and used Orange Soda, Butter Bar and Cup-O-Joe for today's card. 

I love the thickness of Recollections 110lb card stock from Michael's craft store and these Hero Arts Inks absorbed into the paper beautifully! First and second generation stamping was used for the background with an older stamp by Stampin Up. The yellow tag was also distressed using Spiced Marmalade ink by Tim Holtz.

Foam tape was used to pop up the tag as well as the 2 little owls.  To finish this card, I used Copper Stickles and covered both owls in Glossy Accents.

Link up your fall coffee/tea/cocoa creation HERE by October 2nd for a chance to win fun paper crafting prizes and please leave me some comment love! 
Link up HERE by October 11th to join Melonheadz Fall Challenge! Enjoy!

*Giveaway!*  Before you leave, you can enter for a chance to win a goodie bag from AMLC! Entering is easy, please provide your email in the pink box at the top of the left column. Don't worry, no spam! Newsletters will be intermittent (less than once a month) and I will email the winner October 4th! Good Luck!

Entering this card into: Unruly Paperarts - September Monthly 

Our Crafty Corner - Challenge 1
Supplies used:

• Melonheadz digital image bundle Halloween Stuff
• Fiskars Latte Love stamp set
• Stampendous Coffee Stamp
• Stampin Up wooden block leaf stamp
• Hero Arts Ink Cubes in Orange Soda, Butter Bar and Cup-o-Joe
• Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink
• Recollections 110 lb and 65 lb card stock
• Tags dies from Catherine Poolers 1st Stamp of Approval Box 2015
• Scotch foam tape
• Copper Stickles 
• Glossy Accents
• Love and Patience

Try Something New!

The newest challenge theme at Melonheadz... Try Something New! My new technique was double-dipping a background. I used Mowed Lawn and Seedless Preserves Distress Inks on parchment paper, sprayed with water, and dipped a piece of watercolor paper into the ink. After drying, I dipped parts of the paper in a 2nd time and flicked water droplets onto the paper with a wet paintbrush.

I'll admit, I was nervous to try it at first...I'm such a perfectionist and this was out of my comfort zone. I love how this turned out though with a fun messy background effect!  The cute football player / cheerleader were printed out, fussy cut and adhered with Scotch foam tape.

Link up your creation using a new technique by September 27th, 2015 for a chance to win your choice of digital stamps!

Supplies used:

• Mowed Lawn & Seedless Preserves Distress Ink Cube
• Melonheadz Football Combo Pack
• My Favorite Things "All Star" Stamp Set
• Strathmore Watercolor Paper
• Recollections 65lb and 110lb card stock
• Jet Black StazOn Ink 
• Scotch foam tape

Time for School Challenge!

Time for School challenge at Melonheadz! I used this cute digital image from the Library digital image bundle.  Those that know me know that I LOVE books!  Can't wait to have an extra room to start my own home library and get my extra novels out of storage.

After fussy cutting this image, I used Scotch foam tape to make give her dimension.

Link up your creation before September 10th for a chance to win digital images of your choice! 

Supplies used:

• Melonheadz Library digital image bundle
• Gold Stickles
• Gold Sequins
• Craft Smith paper pad
• Scotch foam tape

Melonheadz Challenge - Hand Colored Image

The newest challenge at Melonheadz is: Hand Colored Image.  I love this daisy from the flowers bundle digital image set and handcolored with shades of yellow and orange Prismacolor Pencils. After blending I had to add a little copper Stickles to finish them off.

Bundled Sage Distress Ink was used for the edges and I love this cute dragonfly embellishment I received as a gift! Link up your hand colored creation for a chance to win your choice of digital images!

Supplies used:

• Melonheadz Cassie's Floral digital image bundle
• Prismacolor Pencils and Colorless Blender Marker
• Copper Stickles
• My Favorite Things "Textile Rectangle Sentiments" stamp set
• Impression Obsession mason jar die
• Ribbon and embellishments
• Distress Ink in Bundled Sage
• Tea Party paper pad by Craft Smith

Love Notes Postcard Project by Jennifer Belthoff

The Summer round is over, but still wanted to share a wonderful project started by Jennifer Belthoff called Love Notes Postcard Project.  It encourages you to send a postcard, card or letter in the mail to a new friend you will be paired up with. The only cost was a postcard and stamp! (Plus papercrafting supplies I had on hand.) 

The goal: Mail a postcard to your new snail mail partner once a week for 3 weeks in a row sending some positive inspiration. I wanted to share my 3 notes and prompts in case anyone needs a little inspiration of their own! The next round will start on September 25th, 2015!

My first summer-themed postcard. I used watermelon2stamp set from The Stamps of Life. 
My message:
       "On the road to travel you will find... lots of people busy with the daily grind. Most are much to hurried to see, how truly beautiful the small things can be. So take the time to spread a little kindness each day, and may the ripples come back to you in a glorious way!"

For postcard number 2, I broke out some of my favorite House Mouse stamps! The front sentiment says "Happiness is a cup of coffee shared with a friend!" 
What does the back say?"
      Choose today to... 

• Stop procrastinating and finish what you start.
• Believe in yourself. If you don't, who will?
• Drive the extra mile to make someone smile.
• Count yourself lucky. There are so many with so much less.

Instead of a postcard for the 3rd and final love note, I decided to mail a card I had made for a previous design team project. Original blog post here. This quote is from a Graphic 45 paper pad and reads "A cup of tea warms the soul like a good friend." 

On the inside was a quote on hope:
     "Hope is the thing with feathers,
     That perches in the soul
     And sings the tune without the words
     And never stops - at all."
~ Emily Dickinson

Supplies used:

• Recollections 110lb card stock from Michaels
• Tim Holtz Distress Inks
• Prismacolor Pencils
• Your favorite stamp set. (I used The Stamps of Life, House Mouse and Melonheadz Floral Combo digital stamps.)
• Love and patience

All photos taken by AMLC and addresses covered for privacy reasons.

Sunny creativity!

The newest challenge at Melonheadz is... Include a Sun!  Summer is in full swing, so share your sunny creativity with us! I outlined each image with a coordinating color Sharpie marker before adhering to heavy 110lb card stock. Some Patina Stickles helped with the finishing touches on the girl's bow and swimsuit.

Link up your sunny summer creation here before August 16th for a chance to win a digital image bundle of your choice! 
 
Supplies used:

• Melonheadz digital image bundle - Alison's Feelin Beachy
• Recollections card stock 110 lb
• Lawn Fawn Harold's ABC's stamp set
• Stickles glitter glue in Patina
• Sharpie markers used to outline images
• Zig two way glue pen

For the Football Fans!

The newest challenge at Melonheadz is: Sports Related!  Football season is coming up soon and inspired me to create this card. Hopefully some cooler weather will come along with it very soon!

 

Link up your creation by August 2nd for a chance to win a digital image bundle! 

Supplies used:

• StazOn Jet Black ink
• Wild Honey Distress Ink
• Melonheadz digital images - Lisa's football bundle
• My Favorite Things stamp set
• Recollections 110lb card stock

Welcome to the Neighborhood

This fortnights challenge at Melonheadz is:  Celebrations!  A friend of mine is moving soon and I thought a new home was a good reason to celebrate.  Found a stamp set by My Favorite Things called "Homespun Birdhouse" and it included this sentiment. While it's not exactly a "congrats-on-your-home" card, I know I would be thrilled to receive this cute card from a new neighbor! What do you think?

Link up your creation at the challenge blog by July 19th for your chance to win a digital stamp bundle!

Supplies used:

• Melonheadz digital image
• Prismacolor Pencils
• Prismacolor Blender Marker
• wood veener given as a gift
• My Favorite Things Homespun Birdhouse stamp set
• Recollections 110lb card stock
• foam tape

Summer fun!

It's a new Melonheadz challenge: Summer fun!  I used this adorable digital image from Melonheadz along with a new stamp set from The Stamps of Life monthly die hard kit club. The sentiment says "Hope to 'Sea' you soon!" and thought it paired well with this summer digi.

 

Share your creation by linking up at Melonheadz for a chance to win your choice of a digital stamp image bundle!

Supplies used:

• The Stamps of Life whale2stamp set and matching dies
• Melonheadz digital image
• Prismacolor pencils
• Black Stickles
• Teal StazOn ink
• Jet black StazOn ink
• Recollections card stock 65 & 110lb

Bright Birthday Colors!

The challenge this fortnight at Melonheadz is Bright Colors! This cute luau girl digital stamp inspired me to create a colorful birthday card for my sister...just don't tell her yet lol!  She's not a big internet surfer, so I don't need to worry about her seeing it here. *wink*

I colored this image with Prismacolor pencils and added Glossy Accents to her glasses. The ribbon and beautiful hibiscus stamp were gifts from my mom. (Thanks mom!)

 Link up your colorful creation by June 21st for the chance to win digital images of your choice! Can't wait to see what you create! :)

Supplies used include:

• Melonheadz digital stamp
• Prismacolor pencils
• Prismacolor colorless blender marker
• StazOn Jet Black ink
• StazOn Pumpkin ink
• Embellishments from The Paper Studio
• Ribbon and Hibiscus stamp given as gifts
• White Jelly Roll pen
• My Favorite Things Vintage Cameo stamp set
• Glossy Accents
• Colorbox paper pad/Recollections card stock

Orchid Love

 I love a fresh bouquet of flowers, and that is the theme for this Melonheadz Challenge!  Orchids are one of my favorite flowers and these images are from Cassie's Floral combo pack.

The small orchid "buds" are actually the tulip from the digital image pack shrunk smaller before printed. I coated each orchid flower in Ranger Glossy Accents and finished this card front with a couple half pearl embellishments.

The quote inside the card says "Love is all you need." This was cut from the Sweet Soiree paper pad. :)

This card will be entered into the following contests: 
Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - May
Dragonfly Dreams Challenge-  6/6
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - 6/6
Robyn's Fetish Challenge Blog -  6/1

Supplies used:

• Melonheadz image bundle Cassie's Floral combo pack
• Prismacolor pencils
• Recollections 65lb colored card stock
• Recollections 110lb card stock for base
• Sweet Soiree by Craft Smith Paper pad
• Glossy Accents
• Half pearl embellishments by orientaltrading.com

New Baby Sports Card

Here is the new baby card I created for the latest challenge at Melonheadz!  Their theme for the next two weeks is: All About Kids!  My best friend is having her first baby due in October and this card was created with her love of baseball as my inspiration.

  

The background was embossed with white powder onto watercolor paper. After drying, I used Fired Brick Distress Ink over the embossing.  Stamped some cute baseballs with a bat and, of course, had to add a strip of washi tape!

The inside of my card.

This card will be entered into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge-Let's get Sentimental
Frosted Designs - 5/20
Simply Papercraft Challenge -

Supplies used:

• Melonheadz digital stamp
• StazOn Jet Black ink
• Elmer's permanent tape runner adhesive
• My Favorite Things stamp sets "All Star" and "Jersey"
• Foam tape from Orientaltrading.com
• Distress Ink in Salty Ocean and Fired Brick
• Prismacolor Pencils
• Decorative paper tape (washi) from Dollar Tree
• Recollections 110lb card stock in white
• Core'dinations colored card stock
• Wow embossing powder
• Versamark Ink
• Embellishments

Sparkle for Mom

Newest challenge on Melonheadz blog is: Add Sparkle! This includes glitter, gems, bling, etc. Mother's day is coming up soon on May 10th this year, so this was my theme.  I layered each element with fun glitter paper and used gold Stickles to outline the handmade bow!

Love adding a small touch to the inside!  Did you post a card for mom? Leave your link in the comments so I can visit! :)

Supplies used:

• Melonheadz digital bundle "Death by Chocolate"
• Prismacolor Pencils
• Glam Glitter paper pad by The Paper Studio
• Sweet Soiree paper pad by Craft Smith
• Satin ribbon outlined with Gold Stickles
• Heart gem embellishments
• Zig 2 way glue pen and Elmer's permanent tape runner

Using 2 or More Designer Papers

New challenge today at Melonheadz Friends: Use 2 or more designer papers!  I enjoyed this theme because it made me reach for cute, new papers I hadn't used yet! (ok, yes...hoarding them...)

The quote says "A cup of tea warms the soul like a good friend."  This is one of the gorgeous double-sided papers in the Botanical Tea paper pad by Graphic 45. The peach polka dots paper is from Heidi Swapp and the roses are in Melonheadz Floral Combo Pack. (link below)

I used Glossy Accents on the blue butterfly to make it pop, as well as some self adhesive blue pearls from Orientaltrading.com

Love putting a small scrap of paper on the inside to tie the whole card together!


Supplies used:

• Melonheadz digital bundle "Cassie's Floral Combo Pack"
• Graphic 45 Botanical Tea Paper Pad
• Heidi Swapp "September Skies" Paper Pad
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Weathered Wood
• Ranger Glossy Accents
• Self adhesive pearls from OrientalTrading.com
• Elmer's permanent tape runner 

This card was entered into the following challenges: Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge.  April 5/1

Pink and Orange Spring Card!

The newest Melonheadz challenge theme is...Spring! I fell in love with this orange and pink themed paper pack I found at Tuesday Morning.  Wanted to use my new mason jar die also, it's so cute!

 

Please feel free to join us for the challenge at Melonheadz! A melonheadz image is not required, so share your spring creations!  :)

Supplies used:

• Melonheadz "Cassie's Floral Combo Pack" digital image bundle
• Distress Ink in "Spiced Marmalade"
• Crate Paper 12x12" pad from Tuesday Morning
• Copper Stickles
• Buttons and Twine
• Foam tape from Orientaltrading.com
•  Michaels card stock

This card has been entered into the following challenges:  Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper April Challenge.  5/1/15

Glittery Bunnies!

Starting today, March 16th, is the newest challenge at Melonheadz Friends.  Animals!!!  Those who know me realize that I adore animals of all sizes, my favorites being cats!  Since Easter is soon upon us however, I chose these cute bunnies for a spring-themed card.

The glitter-look on the rabbits was achieved using a thin layer of Stardust Stickles. Stickles are quickly becoming one of my favorite products for glitz and shine!  Plus they dry fairly quickly! (In my opinion anyway with a light layer.)  I also pulled out my Stampamajig for the first time to use with a set of alphabet blocks I've had stored away.  I'll admit it, had to go back to YouTube and re-watch the video on using it.  But with a little practice, and a ruler, it didn't turn out too bad!  Found out the letter "O" is not positioned on it's block straight and had to make a few adjustments. (As you can see!) The word "you" turned out perfect finally!

 

Items used for this project:

• Woodland Creatures Combo Pack by Melonheadz
• Stardust Stickles
• Core'dinations Card stock from Joann's
• Colorbox 6" Designer paper pad from Walmart
• Gold Sharpie Permanent Marker
• Worn Lipstick Distress Marker
• Thin Teal Ribbon
• Alphabet blocks
• Stampamajig
• Staz on Jet Black ink
• Gold Stampabilities Ink 

Snappy Birthday Card with Melonheadz Digis

The current challenge at Melonheadz Friends is:  Use Green Challenge!  Spring is on it's way (eventually...) and I loved coloring these critters. I used watercolor pencils and some Patina Stickles on the turtle.

 

 The background is a leaf wood-block stamp from an old Stampin' Up set I purchased online on Ebay.  I check Ebay often for stamp sets because you can find real treasures up for auction there! The cute embellishments were a gift.  The sentiments are from a My Pink Stamper "Punnylicious" set, plus I have many more cute sayings you will see on future cards! Hope this provided some inspiration. Keep the creativity flowing!

 This card will be entered into these challenges:  -Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge-Anything goes! 3/4  -Artistic Inspirations - Ch #126 - 3/16
Card Mania Challenge #66 - March
-Crafting from the Heart - #49 - 3/9
-Craft Your Passion - #251 - 3/9
Live Laugh Stamp My Creative Moments - No. 4 - 3/22
-The Crazy Challenge - #192 - 3/15
Great Impressions - March -  4/5
-One Stitch at a Time - #231 - 3/8
-Robyn's Fetish Challenge - #253 - 3/8
-Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Hint of Clover 3/9

2015 World Wide Open DT Challenge - (3E Max, this is #1) March - 4/4

Items used include:

• Melonheadz Cassie's Pond Digi Bundle
• My Pink Stamper Punnylicious stamp set
• Stampin' Up leaf stamp
• Sargent's Watercolor Pencils
• Patina Stickles
• embellishments
• Core'dinations 65lb cardstock from Joann's
• Staz On Jet Black ink
• Blue-green pigment ink square from Tuesday Morning