New Farm Fresh Challenge: Summer!

Hi guys!!! Oh my wow it has been a super busy summer and it is certainly flying by to say the least! It seemed like just last week we were previewing and hopping along with The Greeting Farm for their newest release and now, here we are at the beginning of August, heading into back to school season! (p.s. if you missed the fun on the farm, you can check it out here or purchase the newest release here!) There is definitely one big plus to this month flying by and that's the fact that I have one month down before the end of this deployment! I've been running around so much lately and trying to keep my kiddos entertained while maintaining my sanity in the process that my poor blog has been sorely neglected, which I'm sure you've noticed. This weekend I plan to do nothing but channel surf from my big comfy couch, just hang around the house and basically just chill because after all, that's one of the main things summer means to me. Speaking of chillaxin' in the summer, this month's Farm Fresh First challenge is all about Summer! This could mean anything from popsicles and pools to backyard barbecues with buddies, whatever you guys are feeling, show us your summer spirit! For my card, I decided to use a digi dude that's just as chill as my mood, Summer Ian

I colored him up using my copic markers and a white gel pen to decorate his swim trunks. I adore the sentiments in the Ice Cream Dream clear set from Simon Says Stamp and couldn't wait for an excuse to use this one! The papers I used are from Bo Bunny called Key Lime, layered on top of some Bazzill Card Shoppe heavyweight cardstock. I also used the puffy clouds die from memory box and a  few doodlebug sequins to finish it off. This challenge will run all month long and we would love to see your summer fun projects so don't forget to join us! Stop by The Farm and check out some more inspiration from the DT gals!

Lots-O-Love,
-Krys

Love this Digi!

Hi there bloggers! Long time no see right, or is it just me? I promise I'm working on getting back to blogging more often like I used to. I've noticed that I have a bad habit of creating projects and then forgetting to blog them and I've really been on a Valentine kick so this week (probably this month) will be mostly centered around that lovey dovey holiday! Still playing along with TGF's Roses are Red Farm Fresh Friday challenge theme, today's card features Valentine Anya digi

Valentine Anya digi

This is one of my absolute favorite digis and as I've said before, I wish and hope with fingers crossed that Marie will be kind enough to release her in rubber as well! I really had a lot of fun coloring her up with my copics and I can see a vast improvement with my hair coloring so practice really does make perfect! The sentiment is from the Dollie with Hearts set (now available in the store) and the heart dies are the Memory Box precious hearts die. The papers I used today are from the doodlebug designs sweetheart 12x12 kit and the little roses, I ordered from I am roses. I always buy different flowers in only white and then use my distress markers, copics, or twinkling H2Os to color them to match my projects. Whenever possible I try to save $$$ because card making gets expensive really quickly, especially with something new around every corner! What are some crafty money savers you use? See you guys soon!

Lots-o-Love,

Krys

Made with Love

Merry Christmas Eve bloggers! I wanted to sneak in a quick post on a project for you guys before the madness in my house begins. Since tomorrow is Christmas, my little ones will have all of my attention for the next few days. But don't worry, remember that huge surprise I mentioned a while back? It's almost time for the big news. in just a few days I can finally tell you all and I can't wait to share! To say thank you and show just how much all of my wonderful followers mean to me, I'm dedicating my latest project to you guys, so here it goes!

Valentines Anya digi

Cuteness overload right?! How can you stand it! This is one digi that I hope TGF releases in rubber so I can watercolor her with my TH distress markers too! The papers and stickers I used came from the Doodlebug Sweetheart collection which I am in love with so if anybody knows where I can still get the 6x6 pads pleeeease share that valuable information <3 <3 <3 Anywho, I started this altered frame off by sanding down a frame I purchased at Michael's craft store for $1. After cleaning the dust off I selected a soft pink paint from my stash and pained the front and sides of the frame with a sponge brush. While the frame was drying I put it to the side and started working on my image. I hope you can see the dimension, I used a paper piecing technique that I found here. Can I just stop and say holy WOW that woman is talented! I love stopping by her blog and seeing her work, I have a long way to go but I think this project was a nice start! I started off by printing several of the Valentines Anya digis (available in the TGF Store) in a larger than average size on Xpress it blending card and one on a cute pink polkadot patterned paper from my stash. Next I colored each part of  Anya on different images so that none of the colored parts were touching. I wanted to add some shadows to the polkadot paper that would be used for her dress and hair bow so I used my copic markers in the colors RV32 R81, RV10, and RV000 for the shading and LOTS of wink of stella. Next I fussy cut out each part of my digi individually and rounded the edges using the McGill paper blossom embossing kit I purchased from here. I followed the technique shown on Mariska's tutorial I mentioned earlier to complete my image and set her to the side to dry. Right now I'm using Helmar's liquid scrapdots for my 3d effect but I will not be purchasing again because it tends to be a bit greasy and actually left a grease spot on my image, not cool! I'll be trying out a different brand as soon as I finish using up this tube so as not to be wasteful but I DID NOT like that product for card making! Once the frame was dry I began cutting out strips of DP and arranging them where I wanted them to be. Finally all that was left to do was glue all the pieces onto the frame. Normally I would use my Homemade Mod Podge but since I had something 3D and fairly heavy, this time I used the clear gloss medium I use for my mixed media canvases to stick everything down real good! A heart banner with my LaLa Land heart banner die and some cutie precious hearts from memory box and this frame was finished! If you guys have never tried 3D paper piecing it is a must, if for nothing more than to be able to say you did it. Yes it is time consuming but OMG the results are so very worth it. My advice is to try it out on a bigger image with large pieces like this anya digi when first beginning and get a good 3D glue and some good sharp precision scissors and you are ready to go! If you give it a try I'd love to see it, leave me a link in the comments and I'll be sure to check it out. 'Till next time!

-Krys

Love is in the Air

Happy Monday everybody, hope you all had a good weekend! Mine certainly flew by and before I knew it, it was time for my daughter to get dressed for school and my Hubster to leave for yet another FTX. I swear these people are trying to give me separation anxiety, taking my sweetheart away from me every other week for the past month and preparing for a month long one during Valentine's Day! Last year he was away for his birthday as well as Valentine's Day and we just got the news, it seems this year won't be any different *sigh* oh well. I mentioned back in February that I absolutely love V day, so I couldn't wait for the chance to use my SOG digi, Cupid Mae. Since I'm also overdue for a mixed media canvas, I simply couldn't resist using her on this heartfelt creation

Some Odd Girl Cupid Mae

Because I couldn't get the lighting quite right to show all the gold detail and rich color, I decided to post both pictures so you could see the shininess for yourselves! I love the notes of gold with the bold reds, its such a yummy color combo don't you think? I started out layering alcohol inks and dabbing them away until I was satisfied with the effect. I added a few torn book pages and sanded it all down for a distressed look. Next I stamped randomly with a few stamps from my stash, layering red with gold acrylic paint in some places. After that I took some red acrylic paint and splattered it onto the canvas. I also used a scrap of lace across the top to add some texture, along with a bit of jute twine. The dies that I used were all from memory box and the roses, from Iamroses.com, were dyed by me using the same colored alcohol inks I used to create the background. I finished my canvas off by adding a few pearls and a pearl flourish from my stash. Mae was colored on X-press it blending card with my copic markers. I used both stickles and a clear Wink of stella brush pen to add some sparkle to her. I think she's just perfect for my first entry for this month's Linky Party over at Some Odd Girl as well as a darling addition to the Trash Your Stash Oddies Facebook challenge. I'm headed over to link up for both, and if you haven't already, give it a try there's a chance to win every week! See you guys later and have a great day!

-Krys