Viva Las Vegastamps! Submission.

I can't believe it's that time already --- the VLVS! team (work seen on the VLVS BLOG) is coming to the end of our 6 month term and tryouts are upon us again! The requirements for this tryout were to knock off Terri's socks with a project using VLVS! Stamps.. and I have acquired some SUPER fab ones.. I chose to use one stamp two ways --- This realistic Owl stamp just had to come home to me.. and I'm loving it's varied uses!

the first thing I'm showing is a 12x12 LO where this stamp is just the perfect "Watchful" embellishment.. The rest of the project uses Basic Grey's Eerie Line (I'm using this LO as part of my submission for their DT call, as well), corrugated cardboard, twine, black acrylic paint, some polymer cabochons I made, satin, floral beads, rubons, studio G gems, ribbon, white leaves, distress ink, a dymo label maker, and cheesecloth. I /think/ that's everything!

Here's a close up...

I stamped the bird in an archival black ink on white cardstock.. cut him out and pasted him here!!

And the 2nd thing I'm showing is a card --- Just distress emboss the owl on a nice kraft sheet and viola.. totally different look! He's much softer, a bit more wise and weathered. The NOEL stamp is ALSO from Viva Las Vegastamps! I just stamped it, embossed it, and then cut it apart to give it a little whimsy! The flower is muslin with distres ink.. there's also Basic Grey paper in the background (the green) and some vintage lace with faux stamen in the corner! Add a big golden button and we're done! :)

To create this card I cut papers to size and inked edges. Both stamps were mentioned before.. smooth embossing one and distress embossing the other. The flower is made from distress inked muslin and the tim holtz tattered florals die.

This team is fabulous.. Terri and Wayne are AMAZING! And I thank them for giving me the opportunity in the first term, whether or not I make it on. Congrats to those of you who are chosen! I'm sure it's well deserved and look forward to seeing what you create for VLVS!

BG + Sketchy Thursdays!

Here is another NEW layout I did for the BG DT call --- scaaaaaaaaary. I don't know what they're looking for so I'm trying to give them the best of me! The first one.. Wander used TONS of their embellishments from the collection pack and the epoxy glazed brads.

This 2nd one is all Lemonade, but IIIII made the embellishments. Granted they may not be very detailed but I accomplished exactly what I was going for.. a slightly more altered look. A little doodling, a little coloring, some paint, ink and viola! we have a scene =)

I'll also be submitting this to this week's SketchyThursdays! Which submission deadline happens to be tomorrow night.. I always cut it so close lol.

did YOU hear?!? BASICGREY DT CALL!!

BG is having a DT call!! TWENTY open spots! Here's to hoping, eh??

I felt like BG is such a prominent amazing company that they deserve nothing but the newest and best.. so for the next few days I'll be creating my little butt off to show them new projects!

Here is the first.. using 90% Wander (including the brads) as well as floral beads, thread, white acrylic paint, thickers, a dymo label maker, and a black pen!

Yes.. I WILL be adding a photo and journaling.

Will Travel For Love

I've been stuck on the "Travel" theme over at Simon Says Stamp and Show since I saw it late Sunday night ---- but I knew that I wanted to use this amazing stamp from Viva Las Vegastamps! so I dug through some previously untouched papers and came across this awesome BasicGrey 6x6 pad called Granola. I ripped out my favorite piece and got to embossing my stamp.

Then I adorned the wheels with small watch gears and pulled out some grungeboard. After crackling with Espresso and Snowcap dabbers and inking with barn door and black soot distress ink I got to assembling. A little creative "coffee ring" placement and some doodling finished off this tag -- I LOVE IT.

Now I notice that that L is a little crooked --- too late now, thanks to the diamond glaze ;) -DeeDee

Shabby Chicness (my favorite description)

I love the description Shabby Chic --- even though it has so many meanings and is totally overused. what can I say? I'm addicted to the feelings of nostalgia that it invokes!

Here is a new flower -- I tried replicating the Gatsby collection by Prima but with my own little twist of vintage lace (I also used grosgrain instead of a smooth seam binding) -- And I've been experimenting with other fabrics as well -- burlap, muslin and the likes --- for more vintage kind of turn of the century feelings rather than so much glitz and glam.

What do you think??

Sneak Peek!!

New : Die cuts!

While I'm in the process of getting some other things together for the shop, I've decided to start offering die cuts in different materials ... 2 of my favorite: Corrugated cardboard and manila -- if there's something you don't see that you'd like, shoot me a convo!

get fifty tickets for $3!

10 umbrella men for $3

and 5 each of the key and matching keyplate for $3!

We've already been included in a few GORGEOUS treasuries! Raindrops on Roses and Seeking Shelter

Inspire - The Art Journal Reveal

I have big plans of sketches and doodles.. trims and laces.. flowers and cabochons.. ideas and failures.. innovation and recognition..

Here is the cover to my Art Journal titled "INSPIRE" -- I've had this idea for a while.. and it just so happens that four challenges conspired together to create this beauty.

supplies used: Acrylic album, white paint, Tim Holtz Tags and Keyplates die, Stampin' Up butterflies die, faux stamen, MM's Chloe pins, BasicGrey's Lime Rickey, Studio G stamps, Anita's stamp, jar, TH Distress Ink, Rubber Stampede stamp, Don Juan cartridge, mini spool and vintage thread, 2 random leaf sprays, recycled corrugated cardboard, hot glue, zing embossing powder, Stampin' Up stamp, StazOn saddle brown.

This was done for the CropChocolate Focus Group Mini Challenge, Simon Says Stamp and Show Bling, Sunday Stamper's White Lines and Flutter By Wednesdays - Wings + a Die.

Beginning of an Art Journal

Here's a sneak peek at some of the things I've been working on --- unfortunately a lot of the DT stuff takes up my time, but you can't see it until they're ready to reveal!!

So here's a glimpse of a soon reveal!


I've decided I want to start an art journal :) ... TADA! The cover peek!

Empty-ish Blog -- The Twinery!

Because I'm working on a few "secret"ish things I can't quite share them yet --- so instead I'm going to share the Twiner's Blog Hop coming up this week...

who doesn't love yummy goodies??

P.S. THANK YOU to all who are voting and will continue to vote -- don't forget to click the link on the right side of my blog to leave comments for your entries into all the prizes!! YAY! P.S. So far we are at 34 or 35 different voters --- find us five more and I'll make the give away EVEN larger --- who loves October Afternoon???

Voting + A giveaway!

Ok Folks -- here's the scoop - I aired this tag on the Viva Las Vegastamps! blog a couple of weeks ago as an altering stamped images feature.



I also entered said tag into a Summer Competition at Spotted Canary (by EK Success)! The voting has officially opened and I'm looking to rack in a large stack of votes!! Here is what I'm proposing - I will put a permanent link to this blog post on the right side of my blog -- every day that you vote you post on this blog post! And for every ten DIFFERENT people that vote I will add a new prize to the giveaway! BUT If you vote EVERY day and remember to post that you did, that's TWENTY-ish entries into the prizes :)

---Click Here To Vote---
-to vote be sure to click the BIG GREEN VOTE BUTTON. once you've voted a CHECKMARK will appear.. which will be gone the next day for you to vote again!-

So far I have the first three prizes picked out (Which will happen even if we don't get thirty DIFFERENT voters)

#1: I have this huge box of RAK that is all unopened unused product that I have no intention of EVER using - from this moment forward it belongs to a currently undecided voter!! Products include but not limited to: AC Thickers, MM Sticker Alphas, Prima Flowers and butteflies, 7Gypsies stickers and velvet flowers.

#2: I know a lot of you will be from Crop Chocolate.. so it seems only fit I give away $10 in crop credit as a prize!

#3: and as this is MY blog and MY entry -- I'll be giving away a prize package from my ETSY shop! Included will be 2 sets of flowers (One paper, One fabric) A set of butterflies, a set of clouds, and a top secret all new item coming soon!! You choose the color/pattern/combo of said items =)


and because I know plenty of you loyal friends have already voted from yesterday and today, just leave separate comments stating each and You'll be entered for those votes as well!!!

Thank you EVERYONE for any past and previous votes, and thank you to all future votes!

Good luck on winning, all! <3 DeeDee

Be sure there is someone way for me to contact you in the event of you winning!

----THANK YOU to everyone who commented! and especially those of you who found the time to vote more than once! We will wait and see who wins what --- because I have decided to throw in an extra prize if I won the grandprize we will wait until Spotted Canary announces the winners to pick the winners for MY prize!! -----

Baby BLUE eyes - SketchyThursdays + Paula's Bling It

I've been totally inspired by those layouts with huge white spaces and tons of bold color with single photo focus points --- so that's what I've chosen to strive for with this week's Sketchy Thursdays!! (Plus it had been a while since I did a nice big layout!)

I'm also going to enter it into Paula's "Bling It' Challenge!

I did lots of artsy farsty stuff on this layout -- MY FAVE! Splattering and Dobbing with TH/Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabber in espresso. I also Crackled my BRAND NEW TH mini birdcage shaper and mover die laying down first espresso, then crackle, then snow cap, then crackle and finally espresso again!



I also made sure to stamp with the espresso dobber!! Thanks to AMBER for helping me obtain some of these beauties!!



Used: Fancy Pants stamp, TH Shaper and Mover mini bird and cage die, Adirondack Dobbers in Snow cap and espresso, a prismacolor marker in mediterranean blue, some random paper and a Making Memories frame!

<3 DeeDee

CropChocolate Blog Hop!!

Welcome to my (D² - DeeDee) stop on the CropChocolate hop!!

(if you are looking for the Polka Dot Door blog hop please scroll down to the next post!)

I am SOOO pumped to be part of this team!! I love everything that CC has to offer.. from the ability to share our projects to the wonderful conversations that are shared in sweetTALK. Not to mention the fabulous Employees of CC and the SUPERSWEET deals they have to offer!



Here is a list of the hop in order, in case you feel you've gotten lost or you arrived here by some other way!!

CropChocolate

Beth Dewalt

Corrie Ettinger Wagner

Michele Barnott McKay

Paula Irvine (you came from here!)

DeeDee Catron (you are here!)

Karen Hanson (go here next!)

Jenn Koss

Paula McClane

Alissa Wells

Amber and Jamie (Double Header!!)

As part of the DT I want to provide all of you with whatever it is you want! If you'd like to see a special technique, maybe how something is put together, or how I'd interpret an idea.. whatever.. please do not hesitate to ask!!

That being said... for my stop on the Hop I've opted to show you all the Distress STAIN in use --- You saw on Wednesday one of the more simple ways to use the ink... and I know that there were even more questions about the stain - so now you'll have seen both!!

here is my project:



I've entered this tag into the Summer contest at Spotted Canary (Find them on Facebook) and would love your votes!! Voting starts the 9th!

And here is a short video about applying stain:



Enjoy!! -DeeDee

Don't forget that next you're going to Karen Hanson's Blog --- and be sure to leave comments EVERYwhere you visit - there's a HUGE prize involved! (including a slice.. some slice cards and much more!)

Polka Dot Door BH

Welcome to the Polka Dot Door Designs Blog Hop for August!!



I was so thrilled to be invited as a guest designer again!! But I must say - these girls are hoping to get enough participation to have NEW teams each month.. and these challenges are SO amazing, add in the fact that you get TWO weeks to submit, and that I'm on my knees BEGGING you to see what they have to offer... you really should be trying out!!!!

And there are always PRIZES to be won!!!


Pork Chop Show
-will be providing the prize for the Challenge winner which is 3 sets of wooden cut-out embellishments. (be sure to create a project based on the inspiration and enter it in the linky!)


Live the Chaos
-is giving away a gift certificate to their shop and mini stamp to the blog hop winner. (visit all blogs, leave comments, and let the Polka Dot Door know!)


Duetica
-is providing a HUGE give-away for the featured designer. The prize consists of their innovative software for creative fonts and fonts valued at $38.

Diana
Smitha
Mazlina
Angi
Elizabeta
Libeeti
Nicole (you came from here)
Dee Dee (you are here)
Valerie (go here next!)
Trina
Sabrina
Polkadot Door Design
(P.S. if you're having trouble finding this month's PDDD Click HERE)

Without further ado here is this month's inspiration:


and my project:


This month it was tough for me to fit the inspiration -- I had tons of ideas but nothing really seemed to come together quite right until this lil guy fell onto my desk! Unfortunately by then I had nixed the kind of pumpkin-ny orange =(



Supplies: CosmoCricket paper, petaloo flower, Studio G stamps, Anita stamp, corrugated cardboard, distress ink, stazOn ink, EP sticker alphas, random faux stamen and bead floral spray, white acrylic paint, adhesive, twine.

Don't forget -- you're on your way to Valerie's Blog!!!
Thanks in advance for all your sweet comments :) -DeeDee

Featured @ CropChocolate today!

This is the first month of the official Design team over at CropChocolate!! So be on the lookout THIS Sunday for a huge feature on the new team. Also, on Friday starts a giant blog hop involving all of the new members with some fabulous inspiration and blog candy!!

And I have the honor of being the first official feature of the new team!!!! A ton of the gals over at CropChocolate have been asking questions about Distress Ink --- which of course is a favorite of mine and since CC has now started offering these fabulous inks I've done a short video on using them!!

Here is the project I turned in:


all the details and the video can be found on TheCrop

-DeeDee

Tag-a-licious - SSSnS

Here is another submission for the Simon Says Stamp and Show challenge -- the DT really has amazing work this week so be sure to check it out! Jury is still out on the new DT spots.. no rejection emails yet so I've got my fingers crossed.. good luck to all who applied!



I started with a manilla tag, black soot and barn door distress ink. I foamed the tag with barn door, and splattered with black soot. I then ran a permanent ink (Momento black tuxedo) over the edges and stamped with a Stampin' Up stamp that I got at a garage sale for ONE DOLLAR! (Normally this stamp goes for $22!) I walking stitched the lace which was folded over and secured it to create a flower. I glued a round button in the middle.. black and shiny. I picked through my feathers till I found the perfect additions! The dress form is actually my own design laser cut by a local cutter here in town. I heat embossed it with black soot and smooth embossing powder.. then dry embossed with a script folder. the pearls were just laying around here in my studio and the black twine/cord was given to me in a box of fabulousness from my grandmother!



click the images to see bigger photos :)

-DeeDee