Dilly Beans: Owls

So it's been quite a week.  I have met all kinds of people through my crafting hobby, the majority of which are wonderful, caring, generous people.  However, there are always a few bad apples in the bunch, aren't there?   Earlier in the week, I was deeply disappointed by a popular artist in our stamping community who has taken advantage of the generosity of these folks.  It made me feel terrible to think badly of her, and for several weeks I kept trying to convince myself that I was wrong, that I must not be seeing the whole picture.  But there's always that "straw that broke the camel's back" and one day I just had it.  I'm sorry, but if someone needs to beg for financial help for ANYTHING, they should not be bragging about their frivolous purchases publicly.  Period the end.  It's a slap in the face to those who go without in order to help others - and there are PLENTY of those in this case.  After talking to several others I realized I was not alone in my feelings and my guilt started to subside.  In this case, my advice is to choose your charitable contributions - and your friends - wisely.

BUT - the most disappointing piece of news to me this week was the news that a digi stamp artist I was on a DT with and have guest designed for is a fraud.  She steals most of her images from other artists' websites and then sells them as her own through her Etsy store.  I can't name her or her company here for fear of being sued for slander, unfortunately, but I am in the middle of updating my blog posts to properly credit any of "her" art that I have used.  Send me an e-mail to JennBorj@yahoo.com if you need more information or are concerned that you may be purchasing/using stolen art work/images.

So at this point, I just feel... extremely disappointed and disgusted.  And a little pissed off.  Even more thankful for the wonderful friends I've made in our little community.  And I spent a lot of time thinking this week.  I want to spend less time creating for challenges and more time creating for me and for the awesome companies that I design for (and some that I just love!) - the ones I am proud to help promote!  So with that said....

We have a new challenge for you at:

Dilly Beans: Owls

I used Tree Branch 2 and Heart Owl from Dilly Beans - this did not come out at all how I had pictured it in my head, but it's kind of cute, no?  LOL  My papers are some digi papers from Shabby Princess and the sentiment is a sticker from SRM Stickers.  Hope you all have a great weekend.  Peace.

Simon Says Stamp: Put a Stamp On It!

Hey all - this week they want use to use an actual rubber stamp on your project - no digis allowed - at the:

Simon Says Stamp Challenge:  Put a Stamp On It!

They are also having a fun blog hop, go check it out.  I used a rubber stamp from Little Darlings called Decorating the Tree - the stamp is actually a little girl putting a star on the tree, but I fussy-cut the tree out to make this cute little ATC.

Peace.

WW ATC #48 and Saturated Canary

Hello everyone!  We have a new challenge for you today at:

Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge:  Black & White & One Other Color

Head on over to see the rest of the DT's ATC's and to link up with us!

Next up - I had an absolute blast making this altered framed piece for the:

Saturated Canary Challenge - Dotty

 

I used the absolutely adorable Witch Keys image, printed rather large and colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  I matted the background with DP from Stampin' Up!  I used Jet Black Smooch Spritz on the white plastic frame and sealed it with Glossy Mod Podge.  I tied a black and white ribbon around the picture before framing it and added some witchy embellishments.  It really came out so cute - it's even cuter in real life.  I did not add the glass back to the picture, as it has dimension and I didn't want to "squish" those things.  I'm thinking about adding this to my Etsy shop, but I might just save it for my own wall.  :)

Please do play along with Saturated Canary this time - they are making a very generous donation of $1 to Susan G. Komen For the Cure for each entry into this challenge.  The challenge will be open for another week. Thank you!  Peace.

Squiggles & Giggles

Good morning!  Woke up with a headache today, ugh.  I've had a lot on my mind and that's probably why.  Going to take it easy today, I think.  I want to get my Etsy store up and running, actually.  Wish me luck.  :)  I have one card today, this one is for the:

Squiggles & Giggles - Inspiration Photo/Colour Board

I used Miss Evie Ahoy, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits and Prismacolor markers.  I used a map and digi embellies from Tiddly Inks, spritzed with some pink Glimmer Mist.  DP is from My Mind's Eye.  Peace.

Forever Friends: MPS, All That Scraps, & Simon Says Stamp

Hello friends - happy Labor Day to my friends here in the US!  Hope you are spending it doing something fun or relaxing - no labor allowed!  :)

My friend Michelle Perkett is sponsoring a challenge this month and asked a few of us on her last DT if we'd like to create some samples for it.  Of course we said yes - anything for Michelle!  :)  So here is my sample for the:

Forever Friends Challenge - Embossing (wet or dry)

This image is called Our Lady of Lourdes Madonna and can be found here.  I used silver embossing for the clouds behind her.  My DP is from My Mind's Eye, and I spritzed it with Log Cabin and Spun Sugar Smooch Spritzes.  Ribbon is from SU!  Charm is from my stash.

Next up is my card for the:

All That Scraps - Anything Goes
and

Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

I used the Libra image from All That Scraps, I LOVE those zodiac digis.  The Libra zodiac ticket is from Stitchy Bear Stamps.  Peace.

Redonkulous!

I just love that word.  Redonkulous.  hee hee  That's the name of this adorable digi stamp company that made the image I used for the following challenges:

JustWordz:  Redonkulous Celebration

and

 

Nutcrafters:  Fave Color Combo

I used Goth Birthday from Redonkulous, with some DP from Authentique. I think she is just so pretty, she reminds me of my friend Alison with her sassy short blue hair.  :)  Hope you're all having a nice Sunday.  Peace.

Back to School!

So I finally have an update on Kaylee!  She was basically not able to wake up for more than a few minutes at a time until today, when she was awake for a while.  She is still on a ventilator and feeding tube, and they are going to start weaning her off tomorrow.  She is angry, they said, upset.  She obviously can't speak, but she can nod and shake her head and blink and squeeze hands.  They are worried about blood clots in her legs, so they put some things on her feet and she keeps kicking them off.  To me, that's good - you keep fighting, princess.  She has 150 staples from her pelvis to her breastbone.  She has a cut/scar on her forehead and "the worst concussion you can have without having brain damage" was how it was put to Cass. I had sent her a message through the hospital's web site and her boyfriend thanked Cass and said we could send things for her to put on her walls, so we're going to send her cards tomorrow.  Thank you all for keeping her in your thoughts and prayers - she's got a long road ahead, 3 months before she can even try to stand... but she'll get there.  She's young and healthy and strong and she's got a lot of support.  All the same, please do continue to keep her in your thoughts & prayers.  Thanks!

I have lots of "Back to School" stuff to share today!  First up is my reminder post for:

Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge: Back to School

I used Voodoo Woman from Delicious Doodles - hee hee - I thought this was cute and I just couldn't resist pairing it with this quote to fit the "back to school" theme.  LOL

Next up - we have a new challenge for you at:

Desert Islands Crafts Challenge (itinerary)

 

Our sponsor this week is The Doodle Garden, head on over to see the rest of the DT's fabulous creations and to link up!

We also have a new challenge for you at:

The Doodle Garden:  Back to School

We are being sponsored by Softpencil Studios for our final challenge.  Sadly, Jenn is closing the challenge blog down for now - but I know she'll (we'll!) be back!  ;)  I colored my images with Prismacolor markers, pencils, and mineral spirits.  DP is from Authentique and some from my scraps.  I also used some text stickers and ribbon from my scraps.

And just so you can see the comparison in size between my card and ATC (both using images from The Doodle Garden):

And last for today is our reminder post at:

Just Some Lines:  Back to School

I used Back 2 School Bird - Book Bag from Just Some Lines, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits.  I used a combination of DP's - buttons & ribbon are from SU!

PHEW - that's a LOT of school-related stuff.  I think I need a nap now.  ;)  Hope you're having a nice weekend.  Peace.