Pumpkin Coloring with Prismacolors

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*Something happened to my promised post and so it is getting published much later in the day than scheduled. Hope you enjoy*

This is my second post today demonstrating how I colored the pumpkin on the treat gift card from this post earlier today.

 

I'll let you all know that for the photos I started out with 6 images. That means you'll see certain colors magically grow and shrink from one picture to another. It shouldn't change how someone would color a pumpkin though, I just wanted to honest and clear about the photos.

 

When I color I first use the lightest color, something that I learned during classes in watercolor and colored pencils at college. Some people who use these markers and other brands start with the darkest color. I'm not sure that it matters, just be quick to get them blended so you won't have lines.

Take a look at a photo or the real life object, in this case a pumpkin, to get an idea of the light areas and dark areas. This is figuring out the light source, which way the light is hitting the image and from what direction and where the object starts to make it's own shaded areas. If you were to watch a sun dial for a day, it would be obvious which way the sun was hitting the dial to create its shadow. A pumpkin is a little more difficult with it's indented ribs. Look at the shadows on both side of the ribs. Which one is darker or lighter? These are questions, and more, to ask every time you decide to color to show shape of an object.

 

Let's get started! Grab a pumpkin stamp or digital download and walk along with me through my steps.

Step One: Color the highlight area. Color more than the area you see because you'll want to blend back to the original area

 

 

Step Two: Next begin the progression from light to dark. This doesn't have to be exactly like the source, just use the source as a reference. If you had the exact same shape of image on your paper as the source it would be easy to copy, we don't so we just use it as a guide.

 

 

Step Three: Another progression to the shadows or darker areas of the pumpkin.

 

 

Step Four: This step we are starting the lines for the ribs. I jumped back to my first color and blended in and filled white spots. Not too much, but enough to hide some of the hard lines between colors.

 

 

Step Five: This color is rounding out the base of the pumpkin from our third step and the fourth step.

 

 

Step Six: The last color is to look for areas of shadows and to darken the ribs of the pumpkin. Not much is needed here.

 

If you don't have 6 orange-y colors to use, add some of your reds that are closer to the dark oranges. It's also possible to use three colors and use one color for two steps.

3-color Steps:

• Color 1: Color in step 1 and 2 all at once and with a very light and quick stroke. Try not to color over those areas more than once at this point. Let dry for a few seconds. Color only the step 2 color area again.
• Color 2: Color in step 3 and 4. Remember light and quick strokes. Let dry for a few seconds. Color in step 4 again but omit coloring in with the color one until the very end.
• Color 3: Color in step 5. Let dry for a few seconds. Color in Step 6. Now go back with color 1 and fill in the white spaces that you might have missed, but with as little blended over the whole area of the pumpkin. 

 

Finished image. After the rest of the image was colored I went back and made a gray shadow on one of the pumpkin's vine on your right side.

Hope you have a chance to try this out. Practice is on a hand drawn circle or an extra image. Have fun!

Details:

Stamps: Witchy Chloe from InStyle Stamps

Paper: Neenah Solar White Smooth

Ink: LaserJet, Prismacolors (names shown in images)

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Having fun with pumpkins

It's the last day of release week at InStyle Stamps with all the new images going live on the store later today, but for my post today I'll be sharing a Chloe image that released as a digital image in July. It's just perfect for this month.

I put together a different kind of gift card. Instead of a plastic cash gift I packaged up my hubby's out of this world chocolate chip cookies in a glassine bag and attached it to a card. It's slightly larger than a business size envelope with all the fun embellishments of a card, but with a taste-y treat.

If you want to try out my style of pumpkin coloring there will be another post today with tutorial

Thought for the day: I needed to sharpen my edge punch in a bad way but was way too lazy to go get foil from the kitchen for sharpening it, so I saw my 2-inch wide foil tape and decided I'd use that instead. As long as the glue didn't gum get stuck in the punch, I now have a sharpened punch and metallic embellishment that's already adhesive-backed (it's across the bottom of the card base).

Have a great Friday and wonderful weekend!
Details:
Stamps: ISS Witchy Chloe, Verve Kind Words
Paper: LSS Red, Dusty Durango, My Mind's Eye Bohemia Pattern Paper, Neenah Smooth White, Tissue Paper (Flower), Foil Tape from home improvement store
Ink: LaserJet, Prismacolor Markers, VersaMark
Accessories: Zing Silver Embossing Powder, Hemp Twine, Flower Punch, Yellow mini eyelet, mini clothes pin, EK Success Dotted Wave edge punch

InStyle Stamps InSpiration Challenge for October

It's here! Today is a new InSpiration Challenge at InStyle Stamps.

Now what do you think the inspiration is all about? Hmmmmm.... it's anything that draws your attention in this photo. Gorgeous branches and warm glowing pumpkins, what might be your inspiration from this photo?

Photo Credit: Martha Stewart

Go to InStyle Stamps blog to see all the details for this challenge.



Happy Wednesday to you all,

A Day Behind...

It's a Monday. I've managed to leave out of my last post that all this week is Release Week at InStyle Stamps. Today, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday there will be spotlights on this months new images. Wednesday you can stop in for a new In Style Inspiration Challenge. Why wait for the challenge, use the current challenge and then you'll have a fresh one on Wednesday to try out.

I'm spotlighting one fabulous designer project...

from the new Tilly image already on spotlight. Go check out all the adorable projects from the design team. You'll want to leave some special comment love for Ava Grace's project while your there. It just happens to be daughter to InStyle Stamp DT Coordinator, Taylor Usry.

Have a great day and keep dropping by the InStyle Stamps blog each day to get a glimpse of all the new stamp delights!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hey Blogger friends,

I've got a card coming up using the October Sketch Challenge at InStyle Stamps and wanted to share the sketch and link to you today. Make up a project with the sketch and show it off at the store blog! I'll be sharing mine this week along with a simple tutorial. Can't wait to share it all!

The Color Inspiration Challenge is some of my most favorite colors. ALL Fall! You have all month to create a project with the color inspiration in mind, then submit it here.

photo credit: Country Living

Happy Monday everyone!

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Raindrops and Chloe

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I've got an InStyle Stamps project for you today that will be a perfect rainy day gift for someone with children. First I have a whole list of things to talk about. Yep, it's going to be a long post!

First InStyle Stamps released a whole lot of images on Friday!

Some Chloe's some Love Mail, and more! Go check them out under What's New!

Second, this month the design team was gifted with an enormous array of sticky fun! We all had our crafty little hands on some products from Glue Arts! Wow, what fun! For my project today I used Glue Glider Pro, Ribbon Adhesive, Mini Adhesive Squares and U Cut It Raisen's. Now I had know idea I was going to have so much fun with all glue before, but once I got the hang of a handled glue applicator (Glue Glider Pro) I was making some serious tracks on this projects. Seriously!!!!

Now for the project! It's a Bubble Tea kit! I used Raindrop Chloe (a digital stamp) and the September Sketch Challenge.

A big thanks to some friends who gave me a local restaurant and online store to work on the foody parts of my project. THANKS Vern and Elizabeth! I also found some nifty recipes for a crowd here, that I used for the recipe booklet.

Details:

Stamps: Raindrop Chloe, digital sentiments using Susie's Hand font

Paper: LSS color pack

Ink: LaserJet, Stampin' Up Re-inker and aqua pens

Accessories: Glue Arts adhesives, Stampin Up ribbon, Martha Stewart edge punches, hole punch, Tim Holtz Brackets die, RAK flowers, buttons and embroidry floss stash

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New Release, Blog Hop and Prize, Oh MY!

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This post almost has me hyperventilating from excitement!  So much to talk about including some prize opportunities for YOU!

Detail from this card in May 2010

It's the last Friday of the month and that means its a Design Team Blog Hop starting off at InStyle Stamps blog. It's going to start at 10:00 AM PST and you'll be seeing some awesome projects from the team with images that release today!

If you can't wait and haven't been by InStyle Stamps blog yet this week, get a gander at all the creations from the Design Team using the new Chloe stamps.

Let's see what am I forgetting????? PRIZES!!!!!

• By leaving a comment on the ISS blog after you've been through the hop and voting for your favorite DT creation you could be the winner of a goodie bag from InStyle Stamps.

Other ways to win some goodies:

• Win 4 digis! Find out here at Operation Write Home Birthday Bash. There's still time to participate. The deadline is Sunday the 26th at 12:00 PM EST


• Comment on all the new release posts on the ISS blog by Sunday the 26th at 12:00 PM EST for a chance to win a Glue Arts adhesive goodie pack.

• Another InStyle Stamps digi will go to two random commenters on any of the Design Team's personal blog posts this week. See my sidebar for their blog links. The deadline is Sunday the 26th at 12:00 PM EST

Oh my goodness! What a prize-tastic week! Have fun and good luck! Breathe...breathe...breathe...

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InStyle Stamps September Release Week

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Today is the beginning of release week at InStyle Stamps.

Head on over and take a look at all the goodies the Design Team has created.

InStyle Stamps Blog

While you're there check out the sketch challenge. InStyle Stamps is sponsoring the Card Positioning Sketch Challenge!

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Molly Saver's Wallet

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I have another InStyle Stamp project for you today, it's all about saving and organizing!

I've been trying to use coupons more lately and I just couldn't put the money down to buy the supplies for go all out...so I made a wallet to hold a shopping trip worth of coupons. I don't think it's made for storing coupons, but it sure would work nicely for that one trip to the store.

Now if I only knew what kind of sorting system I would want to use. What do you use? By aisle, alphabet, expiry date? I think I'm going to go by categories, but I'm not sure yet.

Molly is a digital and rubber stamp from InStyle Stamps. I used her for a tag on the closure of my coupon holder, a quick way to find it as I'm dashing out of the house to the store.

I've had a few inquiries to directions for this coupon holder and I will update this post when I complete a tutorial.

Tomorrow is the last Friday of the month and that means InStyle Stamps Design Team is going to have an awesome blog hop for you! InStyle has always rewarded hoppers with a prize for going through and spreading a little bit of comment love to the designers and then voting for your favorite designer project. The prize this month is an InStyle Stamps Goodie Bag, valued at $25!!!!!!!! Tomorrow at 10:00 AM ET start over at the ISS store blog and hop down the list leaving a comment at each designers blog. (I'm taking a change of pace with my designing and not participating in the hops for awhile, so you won't see my name on the blog list.)

Details:
Size: 4 x 1 x 8 inches
Stamps: Molly
Paper: My Mind's Eye Bohemia Collection
Ink: LaserJet, Prismacolor Markers
Accessories: Joann Fabrics $1 spool ricrac, Stampin Up! jumbo pewter eyelet, elastic string, notepad, RSVP pen, SU! 1 3/4" circle punch

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Color Boldly!

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Hello blogger friends!

I've got something to share with you today that's different than I've done before. I created a project from an article! Have you done that before? Just little ol' me getting bold with color! If you were to spend a little time with me you would soon find out that my personality is so very bold NOT. I can be a character sometimes, but mostly just a simple person who loves to be at home with my family.

Now this challenge was self staged you see, I am so thrilled to tell you that InStyle Stamps has given me the opportunity to contribute to their BRAND NEW NEWSLETTER! The article is on, you guessed it, coloring boldly!

If you want to get in on this newsletter, catch the top left sidebar at the InStyle Stamps blog and enter your email address. It's as easy as that. I saw an awesome coupon in the newsletter too so don't miss out!

Have a great day!


Details:
Challenges:  ISS Sketch Challenge plus
Card Size: 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches
Stamps: ISS Teapot and Teacup with Chick, WMS Blessed By You
Paper: My Mind's Eye Tres Belle, Stampin' Up In Color Soft Suede, Mohawk Smooth White
Ink: LaserJet, Prismacolor Markers, Basic Black
Accessories: Paper Piercer, Martha Stewart Hydrangea edge punch and scallop lace edge punch, Offray Orange Satin ribbon, RAK brads (thanks Virginia!)

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Just around the corner...

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Hello everyone!

I apologize for being such a post-lackey lately. I've been changing around some of my life and trying to improve it a bit. You know the sleep and healthy eating are at the top of the list, but one of the changes is to be more organized in my posts and projects. You'll see some of the change here in a week or so, but until then I wanted to at least post something. Then Thursday night happened!

Last week was busy with MoPS (Mother of Preschoolers) day at the zoo and my hubby was off of work for three days to do projects around the house, but then Thursday night our irrigation water spigot wasn't turned in the off position and when the whole system came back on, our window well became flooded, half full in fact. It leaked through the window and soaked our carpet in one whole room and part of the landing to the stairs. No damage was done thankfully, but a lot of water to get sucked up, which we did ourselves. At one point we had the carpet padding line drying on our deck and a portion of the carpet sunbathing in our driveway! ROFLOL What a sight!

Everything has settled down a bit and I'm back to my normal busy life. I can finally sit down and create a post.

This month's Release at InStyle Stamps is being showcased all this week on the store blog. You'll have to hop on over there and check it all out! I'm taking a wee bit of a break and it's just tearing me up I can't create with all the great images this month, so head on over and drool with me as we window shop!!!!!! Then Friday is release day. All the images will be available in the store.

In honor of release week, I'm posting a card I made last month for the InStyle Stamps July Release week. I'm not sure how it was left out of my post then, but it's coming in handy for today.

This Witchy Cat is from InStyle Stamps July Release. It's such a whimsical cat and not too scary for me either. I colored him with my Prismacolor Markers and did that trick where you cut out a portion of the image around the edges but use a Nestabilities die for the rest. I'm not sure where I first learned about that technique, but it's been handy a few times.

I colored the background in with Pumpkin Orange Prismacolor marker and popped him up on some black paper. Printed out my sentiment and used my Tim Holtz On the Edge Brackets die to get that reverse scallop edge. Then I created some button flowers using RAK primas from Virginia (thanks Hon!) and some black button thread to tie them all together.

Have a great Monday everyone! Well I'll just say Tuesday now that the day is almost over.

Details:
Card Size: 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches
Stamps: InStyle Stamps Witchy Cat
Paper: DCWV Paper Pack, Basic Black, Neenah Classic Crest,
Ink: LaserJet, Prismacolor Markers
Accessories: Primas Flowers, white buttons, Tim Holtz Alterations Edge die, Black Button thread, Offray Orange Sherbet satin ribbon, Large Oval Nestabilities Die

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InStyle Christmas In July Blog Hop

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It's Christmas in July for the InStyle Stamps Blog Hop today.

We've just started the hop and you've come over to visit here from Genevieve's blog. She is such a talented lady! If your a Follower or just stopping by, please join us for a fun HOPping time. Just go to the InStyle Stamps Blog to start at the beginning. Remember to comment all along the way, because we can always use some comment love. Once you've gone all the way through the hop, GO VOTE for your favorite project and then leave one last comment on the blog so you can have a chance TO WIN four (4) digital downloads from InStyle Stamps.

My project today is a nifty little tag ornament. I love to be practical and sometimes I can hit on the neatest little project. I'm using one of my new favorite Chloe images, Snowman Chloe. She's colored with Prismacolor markers and pencils. The pencils I blended with my Prismacolor Colorless Blender marker.

I used my Nestabilities Label 1 dies paired with the Classic Squares to cut out three chipboard pieces. I made a sandwich of pattern paper, chipboard, clear acetate (just cut to fit over the frame hole), chipboard with the frame hole diecut one step larger than the first and third chipboard and then the top of the frame hole is cut away to make the channel for the tag/photo sleeve, chipboard and pattern paper. I used archival glue to adhere it all together with the exception of the acetate where I used red line tape. Clear as mud, right? I ran my Tuscan Red Marker around the outer edge for a more finished look and even let the color bleed to show up on the front edge.

I cut a strip of coordinating cardstock a scant 3-inches and outlined the curve from the Label 1 die for the tag/photo sleeve. I pulled out some Waltzingmouse stamps that are Nestie friendly to heat emboss some silver to the top of the sleeve and then hole punched to add some Martha Stewart silver ribbon and Stampin Up cording. On a white piece of cardstock diecut with a label 1 die I positioned a Stampin Up tag stamp with my Stamp a Majig (doesn't anyone use those anymore, LOL), then tacked it on with some adhesive tape in the center. When I'm ready to use it I'll add the names and slide it on to a package or my Christmas fabric gift bags.

The lucky recipient can take out the sleeve and put a photo on it, replacing the tag label, and then hang it on their tree for years to come.

I think I'm going to make a few of these every month so I'll have them ready for the holidays. Yeah right, I've got the time, lol.

Thanks for coming to my spot on the hop! Your next hop is to the wonderful and talented designer,

Robin.

I hope everyone had a chance to see all the release week projects. If you have some teensy bit of time go to InStyle Stamps blog and search for New Releases or try this link (The posts are in reverse order, so Friday July 16 will be at the top and the next post is July 15 and so on.).

Details:
Size: Chloe image about 2 inches tall, Ornament about 7 inches tall
Stamps: InStyle Stamps Snowman Chloe, WMS Very Vintage Labels 1, Stampin Up! Tags and More 
Paper: Making Memories Tinsel 8 x 8 paper pack
Ink: LaserJet, Versamark, SU! Brocade Blue, Prismacolor Markers and Pencils
Accessories: Offray Red Satin Ribbon, Martha Stewart Silver Ribbon, Stampin Up! Silver Cording, Zing Silver Embossing Powder, Nestabilities Label 1 and Classic Square dies, dimensional foam dots, archival PVA glue, I {heart} papers  I {stick} paper tape

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A Day in the Life of Black and White

I have a quick share for you today. I made a CAS card for one of the Dare to Get Dirty Challenges on SplitcoastStampers and aside from never getting a decent photograph of the card AND the sentiment at the bottom, I had overcome a fear while creating this card.

I fear grayscale coloring so this card was my personal challenge for the month. I did give myself an exception to use color on anything organic, but I must have been enjoying the grayscale because I left out the tree and wreath in the window, and I'm sure that the bags and clothing would be consider organic. I did catch myself saying that I enjoyed coloring in grayscale, so I must have conquered the fear this time around.

Detail of Mother

Detail of Daughter

Have a great Wednesday, and thanks for stopping by.

Janelle

Details:

Card Size: 4 1/2 x 6 1/4 inches

Stamps: A Day in the Life "Mother and Daughter" (computer generated sentiment Shishoni Brush TF)

Paper: Neenah Classic Crest White

Ink: Color LaserJet, Prismacolor Cool Grey Markers

Accessories: None????

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To You... Ornamental Girl

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I am so in love with InStyle Stamps Chloe images. I get excited every month to see the new images, but until next month comes along I'll just keep using these adorable christmas images.
My card today is with Ornamental Chloe. The last creation with her was a soft blue and dainty image so this time I wanted to go bold!

Did you see the tutorial from Angela last week for InStyle Stamps Method Monday? She absolutely is the best I've seen at coloring. She made an awesome tutorial on hair and skin and if you haven't seen it, you need to hop on over there and check it out.  I was so inspired by Angela that I had to try it out on Chloe even if I don't have Copics. You know how I love my Prismacolors.

I have been meaning to try and use this pack of pre-printed acetate since almost the beginning of the year. I decided if I could cut out the ornament area and place it behind the image that it might have the effect of a clear glass ornament. I traced the cut out area on another piece of white cardstock and used some markers to add shading and then did some sponging on the back of the acetate to make it look antiqued. I was a bit too quick gluing it altogether so the sponging was absorbed into the white backing, but it still looks okay. No photos will show that the glass ornament effect was achieved. In real life it looks pretty neat!

I went ahead and created that faux ribbon style of pleated paper for this card. I used my two prismacolors  to make it look like that silk ribbon and then pulled out ye ole Fiskar Corkscrew scissors to cut it out, then pleated and went over the corkscrew edge again with the darker marker. I had lots of fun and used my new sewing machine for the stitching taking three passes to create the triple sewn ribbon. Okay, I was having fun using my sewing machine and got carried away. LOL

Have a great day and as always, thank you so much for stopping by.

Details:
Card Size: 5 1/2 inches square
Stamps: InStyle Stamps Ornamental Chloe, Verve Oh Christmas Tree
Paper:  Wausau Royal Fiber Chocolate and Kraft, Neenah Classic Crest White, Making Memories Bird Acetate Flower Patch, LSS Mustard
Ink: LaserJet, Prismacolor Markers*, Ranger Tea Dye Ink
Accessories: Sewing Machine, Glue gun (homemade dew drops), Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Sissix (c) Dena Designs Frame w/Flower & Vine Bigz die, Quickutz Tags Thin Die

Prismacolor Marker Details: Chloe Hair - Blondwood, Mocha Dark, Sepia, Cocoa Bean; Skin - Eggshell, Brick Beige, Clay Rose; Bow/Scarf/Ruffles/Shoes - True Green, Parrot Green; Dress - Pale Vermillion, Tuscan Red; Ornament shading - Cold Stone, Colorless Blender; Edges - Parchment

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Happy Birthday Nenane!

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Today is a Special Day! My friend and the owner of InStyle Stamps is celebrating another funfilled year! So the Design Team decided to put on a little Birthday Blog Hop just to help her celebrate! Each of us has a letter in a TAG banner that would read "Happy Birthday Nenane!" If you are just stopping in and want to start at the beginning of the banner, go to the letter H. Now if you are hopping along you'll know that you just came from the letter E and the only thing left is punctuation !!!!!!! So my tag has an exclamation point somewhere. Can you see it?

That punctuation just happens to be on a tag too! It's part of a free digital image that we are giving away to one lucky commenter on each hop on the blog hop. Now isn't that a way to celebrate!

My tag has Marissa and the Heart Balloons from InStyle Stamps. Marissa might be my favorite anime, but I'm not going to think long about it. LOL

A special Day Trip for your birthday, Nenane!
Now if Virginia were to be in my hometown on her birthday, I would pump up the bike tires and head on down to downtown Boise for the Twilight Criterium! I think she would get a kick out of all those fast cyclists whirling their wheels round the corner. In fact, I wish she was going to be here because that's exactly where I would take her for real. Of course we would go out for a bite to eat first  and do some shopping in the BoDo District. Yeah, nope. There isn't a craft store there...Virginia has a keen sense about where those are and probably stopped off at them before coming to my house. LOL

Since this is a Birthday Blog Hop, we can't leave you without a chance at a party prize! So here are the rules.


1. Start at the beginning of the blog hop with the letter H.
2. Comment on each Design Team's blog because they need a little love and increase your chances at the party prize.
3. Go to PaperYumness and wish Virginia a Happy Birthday.

The deadline to win a digital image is Sunday, July 18th at 8:00pm Pacific Time.

That's all you need to do! The prize???? Not one, but two! You might win either one by commenting on a blog. Good luck and hope you have fun all along the way! Here's a banner sneak peek (the whole banner spells out Happy Birthday!):

Your next hop is the most important one!!!!! Please go to Virginia's blog and give her a little Birthday comment. One lucky winner there will win the whole prize package!

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It's Release Day!

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There has been a gorgeous amount of inspiration this week at the InStyle Stamps Blog. There are just a couple of posts left, but that doesn't mean the fun and excitement is over. We'll be talking it up at the InStyle Stamps Group on Paper Craft Planet this evening from 7:00 pm ET - 12:00 pm ET. If you have time come on by and say hi?

The Design Team will be there answering questions, chatting and I hear there might be a quiz and oh I'm sure a prize. You'll have to come see us to find out! LOL

Here are some of the cards I made this week with the christmas images.

Milk and Cookies

By the Fire

Ornamental Chloe

Mother and Daughter

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Halloween Inspiration

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Good afternoon everyone!

InStyle Stamps has done away with Over the Hump Day Blog Candy Giveaway! Just the name though! It is now called InStyle InSpiration Challenge. So our inspiration today is Halloween and I've got a set of invites made up to get the ideas started for that holiday party you've got coming up.

I used the Country Bumpkin image from InStyle Stamps and resized him to fit in an A2 size envelope. I colored with Prismacolor Markers and then added some Martha Stewart Glitter to the shadows of the pumpkin. When I printed them out I had two on a sheet and that allowed me to use a ruler and embossing tool to create my score line. I cut them out while folded so that I could get the same shape in the back side of the invitation. A small amount of green organza ribbon it this pumpkin is ready to go out in the mail!

The design team has some amazing inspiration at the store blog today, so hop on over and get your inspired designs.

All the images we have been using for the InSpiration Challenge are also a part of InStyle Stamp's release week. More images will be shown on Thursday and Friday at the store blog and then Friday evening we are kicking it up with an InStyle Stamps Release Party in our group on Paper Craft Planet. Come and join us, we are going to have a blast!

Details:
Card Size: 3 x 5 inches
Stamps: Country Bumpkin
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest
Ink: LaserJet, Prismacolor Markers*
Accessories: Organza ribbon, Martha Stewart Glitter and 2-Way glue pen

Prismacolor Marker Details: Orange, Pumpkin Orange, Terra Cotta, Yellow Orange, Goldenrod, Chartreuse, Leaf Green, Cinnamon Toast, Light Tan, Eggplant.

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InStyle Stamps Release Week - ALL WEEK long

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Hello everyone!

Today is the start of an awesome week of new stamps at InStyle Stamps. Oodles of projects are being showcased every two hours at InStyle Stamps blog. If you missed the live posting just scroll back a few posts and see them. New stamps will be shown on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday! On Friday you can grab all the new images at the InStyle Stamps store!

My two projects today are already posted at the store blog, but what you haven't seen is all the other projects the Design Team has created. SO MUCH INSPIRATION!

Okay here are my two cards.

The first card is with Country Bumpkin. What a shapely fellow! LOL I love that all the lines for shading are already included in this image so there's not much coloring to do. I deleted the white background  around the image and saved it as a PNG so I could layer Country Bumpkin to make it look like a patch. No cutting out for me!  I drew some lines to give them a base to sit on and just colored some ghostly strips of blue behind them for a night time patch. The paper is all from my local paper store, remember it's not a craft store it is reams and reams of gorgeous wonderful paper, LOL, yes I love paper. Wausau Royal Fiber Chocolate, Blue and Kraft cardstock. I pulled out my neglected buttons and added a RAK flower from Virginia (thanks hun!) with brown button thread. Stampin' Up's orange ricrac and jewelry tag with Tiny Tags stamp to finish off my embellishments. My card size is A6 (4 1/2 x 6 1/4 inches)

Prismacolor markers Details: Country Bumpkins - Background - Cold Stone, Muted Turquosie, Pewter, Periwinkle, Cinnamon Toast, Sand, Light Tan; Pumpkins - Yellow Orange, Orange, Terra Cotta, Light Olive Green, Tulip Yellow. 

Mr. Scareycrow is another one of my favorites. I tried to make his clothes look sun-bleached and I think it came out pretty well. I was a bit lazy in figuring out embellishments for him, which Virginia did real straw on her project, so I just drew some wavy lines to mimic a picked over cornfield. I printed out a clever little sentiment and hand drew the callout around it (don't know why I didn't just use that tool in MS Word). It's up to you to figure the multiple meanings this saying could be, which makes this card perfect for Any Occasion. My paper is Neenah Classic Crest White, light tan scrap, Basic Black and Wausau Royal Fiber Kraft. The card is A6 size (4 1/2 x 6 1/4-inches)

Prismacolor Markers used for Mr. Scareycrow; Hat - Cinnamon Toast, Sienna Brown, Cold Stone, Periwinkle; Face - Blondwood, Khaki, Violet Mist, Parma Violet, Spring Green, Emerald; Shirt - Deco Peach, Poppy Red, Carmine Red; Straw - Yellow Orange, Goldenrod; Belt - Cinnamon Toast, Sienna Brown; Jeans - Cold Stone, Periwinkle, Mint Cream, Spring Green, Emerald, Violet Mist, Parma Violet; Boots - Cinnamon Toast, Sand, Lt Tan, Crimson Red, Cool Grey 50%; Cornfield background - Lt Olive Green, Brittany Blue, Sky Blue Light; Cornfield and Dirt - True Green, Leaf Green, Emerald, Dark Green, Cinnamon Toast, Sand, Lt Tan.

For release week I'll be including all the details inside my post. If you like that better than a list, let me know, I might change to that format all the time.

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InStyle Stamps Winter-y Color Challenge

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Happy Second Saturday of the month!

We are at our new challenge turn around using a winter-y bit of gorgeousness with our inspiration coming from retro paper.

It's a swatch from Olive Paper called Polar Holiday: Retro Snowflakes Blossom Wrapping Paper. It is delicious isn't it?

I just had to use Snowman Chloe with this delightful color palette. She is so fun to color and a simple cute and bold image you are going to want to have in your shopping cart on July 16, 2010.

InStyle Stamps Color Challenges are always fun and have incentive too! It's possible to win some digital images of your choice, so it's just more reason to try out these colors on your next project. Submit to the InStyle Stamps blog. The winner of this challenge will get to choose some digital images from the store. If you use InStyle Stamps images on your project you'll get 4 images of your choice. Don't worry if you don't have any InStyle Stamps, STILL enter, because you could win 2 images of your choice.

Can I tell you a little secret? I am just about to burst with excitement over next week's who-rah (is that a word?) at InStyle Stamps blog. It's Release Week and something you do not want to miss! See you at the store blog on Monday!

Thanks for stopping in today!

Details:
Card Size: 5 1/2 inches square
Stamps: ISS Snowman Chloe, Verve Christmas in the Air
Paper: Neenah Crest White CS, WRF Olive, white paper from Making Memories Black and White Paper Pack
Ink: LaserJet, Prismacolor Markers, SU! Basic Black
Accessories: SU! Scalloped Edge Punch, Crimper, Curry Polka-Dot Ribbon, SU! Pastel Chalks

Prismacolor Marker Details: Background - Sky Blue Light, Hair - Deco Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Skin - Pale Peach, Brick Beige, Deco Pink (cheek); Hat and pants - Limepeel, Lime Green; Sweater - Deco Pink, Clay Rose; Hat Trim, Mitten, Boots - Brick White and Colorless Blender; Snowman Body - Cold Stone and Colorless Blender; Snowman Nose - Yellow Orange, Mineral Orange, Terra Cotta

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InStyle Stamps Sketch Challenge

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Hello all!

I've got a sketch to show off to you today, but first I need to tell you some EXCITING NEWS! InStyle Stamps has gone International with New Design Team members.

Here are these fabulous designers and their blogs:

Lena Katrine from Lena Katrine's Scrappeskreppe
Cathy Wallington from Ellieskeepers Creations

Sarah Bonsell from Card Oasis

We are so glad to have them as a part of our Design Team.

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Today is the sketch for InStyle Stamps AND we are going to the fall and winter with holiday images. The WHOLE month long, yippee!

Here's a FABULOUS sketch from our talented Taylor Usry.

Come and join us with this sketch, it goes for a whole month and you can use it many times! That half circle is just perfect for a huge snowflake, don't ya think????? I must not forget to tell you their are prizes! If you use an InStyle Stamps Image you have a chance at 4 free digital images, if you don't have any InStyle Stamps you can still play along, the prize changes to two free digital images, that's all. The challenge is going on over at the InStyle Stamps blog, so head on over there and take a peek at the details and you will not believe the awesome projects the other Design Team as done with this sketch.

Here is my take on this fabby sketch. I'm using Witchy Chloe (that will be available on the 15th of July at the online store. Here's a linky that you can take to check out all the Chloe's until this cutey is there.)

I tucked away a white panel on the inside of the card, just the right size that you can't see it from the front until it's opened up. I'll give you a little peek to the inside of the card.

Details:
Card Size: 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches
Stamps: Witchy Chloe
Paper: Basic Black, Neenah Classic Crest White, LSS green, SU Pretty in Pink
Ink: Laserjet, Inkjet (sentiment on index card), Prismacolor markers*
Accessories: Coluzzle Circle template, SU File Folder Punch, Sissix Floral Flourishes EF

*Prismacolor Marker Details Chloe Hair - Cinnamon Toast, Dark Brown; Skin - Eggshell, Brick Beige, Cinnamon Toast; Hat and Shoes - Warm Grey 50%, 70%, 90%; Hat Band, Shirt and Pant Trim - Pink and Diluted onto Colorless Blender; Pants - Cerulean Blue, Periwinkle, Indigo Blue; Pumpkin - Yellow Orange, Mineral Orange, Pumpkin Orange.

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