A Steampunk Mother's Day at Kenny K's Krafty Krew

Hi, everybody! I know it's been a couple of weeks since I posted anything here. I have been extremely busy at work and just have not had the energy to do much crafting in the evenings. In fact, sometimes, I'm so tired when I get home that I am in bed by 8 PM!! Anyone who knows me very well, knows that I am a night owl by nature so going to bed that early is, indeed, a rare thing for me. It has become more routine lately, however.

Well, today is the start of a brand new challenge at Kenny K's Krafty Krew and it's Team A's turn to host. The theme this week really has nothing whatsoever to do with Mother's Day and when you see my card, you'll see that it certainly played no part in my own creative processes this time!

Our sponsors this week are Kenny K Rubber Stamps and Marianne Design so you'll not want to miss this challenge! As mentioned, the theme this week although not related to Mom's special day, is nonetheless a fun one. We're doing Steampunk this week!! I know a lot of you love that style so we hope to see lots of awesome entries this time.

Not only is my card not related to Mother's Day (my own mom passed on several years ago), it also is a bit unusual for this time of year. I really don't care much for the summer months as it gets very hot and humid in Southeast Texas so I decided to make something to remind me of the more pleasant temperatures of winters here. I used Helga Frost of Kenny's Steampunk Burlesque collection as the focal point for my card and my snowflakes purposely look rather like gears to go along with the Steampunk theme. I used those cute screw head brads again to give them more of a metallic look and I even added a little spinner to one of them. So without further delay, here is the lovely Helga Frost.

Yeppers! A Christmas card in May! I used silver gel pen under my Aqua Copic marker to give parts of Helga's costume a metallic quality. 

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

TBD

If you have a few minutes to spare, please stop by the Krafty Krew blog to see the awesome projects created by my talented teammates! We would love to have you participate as well. Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you all have a wonderful Mother's Day and a great week as well. Until next time...

Happy crafting! 

Anniebee

Time for Tic-tac-toe at Kenny K's Krafty Krew

Good Sunday morning to you all!

As all of you Kenny K fans know, today is the start of a new challenge at the Krafty Krew blog! This week, the theme is Tic-tac-toe, an all-time fave of many paper crafters. I know I enjoy this kind of entry immensely because sometimes it's a challenge in itself to use all of the elements in a given row together on a single project. The original tic-tac-toe game had 3 squares going across and up and down, making a total of 9 squares in all. This one has 4 each way, for a total of 14! That just adds to the fun for me.

I thought you might be interested in knowing some history on the simple game so I did a little research and found this at Wikipedia, which is, as often as not, anything but the expert on any given topic but in this case, I think it will suffice. Here's what it had to say about Tic-tac-toe, also known as Naughts and Crosses:

"An early variant of Tic-tac-toe was played in the Roman Empire, around the first century BC. It was called Terni Lapilli and instead of having any number of pieces, each player only had three, thus they had to move them around to empty spaces to keep playing. The game's grid markings have been found chalked all over Rome. However, according to Claudia Zaslavsky's book Tic Tac Toe: And Other Three-In-A Row Games from Ancient Egypt to the Modern Computer, Tic-tac-toe could originate back to ancient Egypt.^[1] Another closely related ancient game is Three Men's Morris which is also played on a simple grid and requires three pieces in a row to finish.^[2]

The different names of the game are more recent. The first print reference to "Noughts and crosses", the British name, appeared in 1864. The first print reference to a game called "tick-tack-toe" occurred in 1884, but referred to "a children's game played on a slate, consisting in trying with the eyes shut to bring the pencil down on one of the numbers of a set, the number hit being scored". "Tic-tac-toe" may also derive from "tick-tack", the name of an old version of backgammon first described in 1558. The U.S. renaming of Noughts and crosses as Tic-tac-toe occurred in the 20th century.^[3]

In 1952, OXO (or Noughts and Crosses) for the EDSAC computer became one of the first known video games. The computer player could play perfect games of Tic-tac-toe against a human opponent.

In 1975, Tic-tac-toe was also used by MIT students to demonstrate the computational power of Tinkertoy elements. The Tinkertoy computer, made out of (almost) only Tinkertoys, is able to play Tic-tac-toe perfectly.^[4] It is currently on display at the Museum of Science, Boston." 

Well, I thought it was interesting! LOL Anyway, I digress once again. Here is the grid for this week's challenge:

This week, we have 3 incredible sponsors, each offering up an awesome prize for one of our challenge entrants. They are:

with a $20 gift certificate,

and 

with the following prize pack

Now, on to my card. I used the bottom row of the grid going across for my card. I also used one of Kenny's new images being released today, called "Tomboy Trouble". I'm certain you'll recognize that sassy face! Yep! it's Troublemaker with a makeover! Isn't see a cutie? Because she's supposed to be something of a tomboy, I didn't want my card to be overly feminine so instead of using the usually bling, lace and ribbons, I used screwhead brads, colored hot pink with a Copic marker and hemp twine. I couldn't eliminate all indications of femininity though so I used lots of pink and included a paper heart doily and a butterfly and a bit of Stickles on the sentiment banner to add the slightest bit of sparkle.

Here's how it turned out!

As you can tell, the last image is a closeup. I can't say this is my favorite card of all times but Tomboy Trouble is definitely one of my favorite Kenny K digis!! That's all I have for you today. In a couple of days, I should have a Saturated Canary card. My poor SC digis have been neglected lately and have put up a bit of a fuss about that so I finally broke down and made a card with one I had colored a while back but never used on a card. If you have a few minutes to spare, please pop on over the the Krafty Krew blog and see the incredible work done by my talented teamies as well as the other new images Kenny is releasing today. 

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

613 Avenue Create - #17 Anything Goes (with optional photo inspiration)
Dream Valley Challenges - #55 Things with Wings
Eclectic Ellapu - Purple's Challenge
CMC Copic Challenge Group - #67 Celebrations
Dilly Beans - Think Pink
Challenges for Everybody - #19 Anything Goes

Until next time, take care of yourselves, tell your families and friends how much you love them and do something creative!

Happy crafting!

Anniebee

Ballgown in the Parisianne Style... for Rick St, Dennis

Good afternoon, everybody! This is my second post for today so if you're looking for my Kenny K challenge card, please scroll down to the next post.

I had the very special honor of being personally invited by Rick St. Dennis, one of my favorite illustrators, to be a guest designer for his blog, Sparkle and Glitter.  I really love the intricacy and level of detail of Rick's designs and even though coloring them in smaller sizes can be a bit of a challenge, it's the kind of challenge I adore. If you're a regular follower, you have undoubtedly seen several of his digis on my cards over the past few months. If you have never attempted one of his digis, you really should. They take a little longer to color because of the fine details but they are well worth the effort!

The image I used for this project is the brand new, never seen "Ballgown in the Parisianne Style". She was so much fun to color, especially the 8.5" x 11" version in green. Rick wanted to know what kind of markers I used and how I achieve a 3-dimensional effect with my coloring and this is what I told him. I use Copics on X-Press It Blending Card, starting with the lightest shade and layering on the darker ones in progression until I achieve the density of color I want. I use a lot of ink because I use so many different colors to get that density but I like the results I get. I use B60 for shadowing when I don't want the effect the grays and browns provide and I use E95 and sometimes V000 for shadowing on the human form as well as a white Jelly Roll pen smudged with my fingertips to bring out the prominent highlights. So there... you have all my secrets now! LOL!

So without further ado, here is the gorgeous Ballgown in all her resplendent glory. 

Above is the larger version. Below is the 6"x 6" card I made with her, dressed in rich, royal purple.

Soon I'll have more projects using Rick's incredible artwork as I was selected as one of the Top 3 in the last 2 challenges on Sparkle and Glitter and the prize was 3 digis for each win so I have several of his designs to color now! Needless to say, I'm in hog heaven. Visit Rick's Etsy shop to purchase his digis.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Red Carpet Studio - #32 Hollywood Noir

Catch the Bug - #135 Sketch

Our Creative Corner - Fashion and Style

Left of Center - #3 LOC (or use twine/ribbon)

Mema's Crafts - April Challenge (Anything Goes)

Crafting For All Seasons - #49 Floral Delight

That's all I have for now but check back soon for more projects using Rick's fabulous digis. Have a wonderful week, hug your children and your pets and do something creative!

Happy crafting!

Anniebee

DT Card for Kenny K

Happy Sunday, everybody! I hope it is starting to thaw out and warm up where you are. It's already getting to be summer here in southeast Texas! Yep, you read that right! It was 82 degrees when I left work this afternoon and I had to run the air conditioner all the way home. I love warm weather but I don't tolerate HOT too well so this time of year is almost perfect for me.

Okay, so there is a new challenge at Kenny K's Krafty Krew that starts today and the theme this time is "Dies and Punches". This should be a favorite for a lot of people with all those gorgeous new dies from Spellbinders, Cheery Lynn and other companies that we drooled over during CHA. They are finally starting to appear in stores and online shops and if you're patient you can even find them on sale occasionally.

Here's my card for the challenge. I used "Miss Thang" and, as always, she is colored with Copics.

In case you weren't aware, Kenny K is now on Facebook and Pinterest!!! Woohoo! We would love to have all our ardent fans follow us so hop on over there and Like us on FB and follow us on Pinterest! You won't believe all the gorgeous creations posted on those pages.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Mema's Crafts - April Challenge (Anything Goes)

My Grafico - #148 Anything Goes

613 Avenie Create - #15 Anything Goes (with an optional sketch)

Challenges for Everybody - #18 Anything Goes

Hobby Cutz - #4 (Monochrome)

Paper Crafting Journey - Monochromatic

If you have a few minutes, breeze on over to the Krafy Krew blog and see the fabulous creations made by the other mega-talented designers on Team A. And if you're inspired by what you see, by all means, we'd love to have you join the fun and play along with us this week!  The prizes are 5 free digis from Kenny's store and a $20 gift voucher from Flonz! Plus you have a chance at Top 3 and being chosen by Kenny himself and his lovely wife, Elena, to have your card appear in the weekly Spotlight! So c'mon by!

That's all for today, folks. So until next time, let your families know how much you love them, hug and kiss your kids and grandkids and do something crafty!

Hugs to all!

Anniebee

Being Square with Kenny K

Hi, everyone! It's Monday and I'm late posting this because we had some big storms roll through here yesterday and I was without internet service until I got home from work this evening. So to save a bit of time, I'm going to cut to the chase today. It's time for another new challenge at Kenny K's Krafty Krew and the theme this time is "Being Square". As you can see from the cool skater dude I used for my card, he is anything BUT square! What IS square however is the shape of my card. It's 6" x 6" to be exact. Before I show it to you though, I need to tell you about our sponsors for this week.

 we have KennyK Downloads offering a $20 Gift Certificate

AND

Bearly Mine Designs offering a £10 Voucher

Okay, now that's done, here's my card.

Surprise!!! Only one view this time! Haha! Bet you thought you'd never see it, right?  The image I used is called "Airborne" from the Kid Nation Collection, which I colored with Copics, and is available for purchase in Kenny's shop. The patterned paper is from Basic Grey's Lime Rickey line. The "Super Star" and "birthday" 3-D embellishments are actually stickers from my stash. 

 

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Marker Pop - #20 Anything Goes

Mema's Crafts - April Challenge (Anything Goes)

My Grafico - #148 Anything Goes

Ooh La La Creations Challenge - A Colorful Challenge

Simon Says Stamp and Show - April 1 (Absolutely Anything Goes)

Challenges 4 Everybody - #17 Anything Goes

613 Avenue Create - #13 Anything Goes

 

Well, that's all for now, folks! Thanks very much for visiting my blog today. You comments are always welcome and I appreciate every single one of them. I hope you'll take a few minutes to visit the Krafy Krew Blog to see the fantabulous projects from my incredible teamies! They really are awesome! Until next time, stay calm and ...

Keep crafting!

Anniebee

Marker Pop and C.C. Designs Blog Hop

Hello everyone and welcome to the MarkerPOP! + All That Scraps Blog Hop!!!

   

MarkerPOP! is the home of premium markers plus lots more! 

All That Scraps is the home of C.C. Designs stamps which we all know and love! 

Today we are teaming up to share some amazing projects using the new C.C. Designs release along with some of our favorite coloring tools from MarkerPOP.com. If you are just joining us on the hop, you are going to want to start back at the beginning of the hop list which can be found at the end of this post!

I was so excited to have been invited to take part in this hop along with the uber-talented Marker Pop DT! I used the cute Beautiful Lucy and Butterfly Labels stamps by C.C. Designs for my card. Isn't she just the most adorable little butterfly you ever saw? She is, of course, colored with Copics. The designer paper is called Garden Party by Dovecraft and the leafy flourish die cut was made with the Fanciful Flourish Die from Cheery Lynn Designs.

Now, onto the giveaways!  We have a couple awesome prizes up for grabs! 

PRIZE #1 - SPONSORED BY ALL THAT SCRAPS: The adorable new C.C. Designs - Swiss Pixie Beautiful Lucy Rubber Stamp AND the C.C. Designs Butterfly Labels Stamp Set  

PRIZE #2 - SPONSORED BY MARKERPOP!: The new C.C. Designs - Swiss Pixie Fairy Abigail   Rubber Stamp

HOW TO WIN: Visit the blogs on the hop list below and leave a comment on their Blog Hop post.  TWO winners will be randomly selected from all comments left.  The more you comment on, the better your chances of winning!

Hop will run through Sunday, March 31st at 11:59pm EST.  Blog Hop winners will be announced Monday, April 1st!

Happy Hopping!

A Tilda Mini Album for Spring

Good Sunday morning, everyone! Easter is only a week away already and Springtime has arrived in Southeast Texas already. We have already had to cut the grass, for heaven's sake! It didn't even seem like we had a winter as I only had to turn on the heat a handful of times and, of course, there was no snow to be seen anywhere close to here.

If you recall, I am a guest designer for Marker Pop this month and today I have my second project ready for you. I made a cute mini album with several Tilda stamps and some paper towel rollers that I flattened and cut to the size of toilet paper rollers. There are 14 pages in all and each of the 7 tubes holds a tag that can be used for photos, journaling or additional embellishment.

The Tilda on the front of the mini is from a stamp I bought at Marker Pop called Tilda with Little Pocket. Isn't she a cutie? The other Tildas were stamped and sent to me by my card-making friend and colorist extraordinare, Tracy Valure, about a year ago. I used some of the ones she sent me on cards and other projects but I still had a few left over and thought this would be a great way to use them up and make something really cute while I was at it. WARNING: There are a LOT of pictures... even more than I normally post. It is a mini album after all! LOL So here we go!

 

 

  

  

The products I used in the creation of this little mini album are listed below:

Designer Paper – Garden Party by Dovecraft

Kraft tags – Creative Tags by Recollections

Front Cover Stamp – Tilda with Little Pocket by Magnolia

Flourish on Cover – B117 Fanciful Flourish by Cheery Lynn Designs

Doily – DL229 Chasing Rainbows Doily with Angel Wing by Cheery Lynn Designs

Die Metal Cutting Adaptor Plate by Cheery Lynn Designs 

Stamps colored with Copic Markers

Butterflies – Martha Stewart Punch

Flowers – made with the petal-shaped punched out pieces from the doily die listed above

Pearl Centers- Bulk White Half Pearls by Want 2 Scrap

Glitter on butterfly wings – Opal Glitter Glue by Craft Essentials

Rose – Wild Orchid Crafts

Large White Eyelets – Recollections

Postage Stamp Embossed Die Cuts – Cuttlebug by Provo Craft

Ribbons, trims, buttons, netting, stickers and binding rings– from my stash

I am entering this project into the following challenges:

TBD

That's all for now! Please stop by Marker Pop's Blog to see my post there and I'd appreciate it very much if you'll leave a comment on their blog. They're also having a blog hop tomorrow with C.C. Designs that you won't want to miss! Thanks for visiting today. I hope you have a wonderful week and a blessed Easter next weekend. Until next time...

Happy crafting!

Anniebee