Card Design: From the Heart Stamps May Challenge

Swallowing is excruciating, my head feels like it is in a vice and don't even get me started on what is going on in my chest.  Thank goodness for throat numbing lozenges and expectorant cough syrup and more importantly for a husband willing to go and pick them up for me.  While it is a difficult day, the fact that I can drag myself out of bed and sit at the computer for even a little while to finish up the post I started last night, is one for the win column.  It may be a small victory, but it is a victory nonetheless.  Thank you to those of you who've left me well wishes.  I'm hoping they'll all band together and get busy working!

So before any more time goes by this month, it is time to post my project for the May, From the Heart Stamps progressive stamp of the month challenge.  In order to enter the progressive challenge, you must either have received the latest image by having participated in the previous month or you can buy the stamp for the current month's challenge.  Everyone who enters and follows the rules is a winner because you automatically get the stamp for the next month's challenge.  Stop by the site and check out the rules for yourself.  While you are there, have a look around.  They have some really great images.

I am also entering this card into the current sketch challenge taking place over at From the Heart Stamps.  It also qualifies for the twist aspect of the challenge--stitching, digital stamp, buttons.

I had another belated birthday card to make and this image was perfect for that particular card. Check it out...

 

FRONT

Digital Image Details: 

• The image on the front, Whimsy Garden Fence, is available for purchase over at From the Heart Stamps.  Click HERE or on the watermarks below to go to its location in the store. It was coloured in with Copic Markers.

Embellishments: 

• Buttons were purchased from the Dollar Tree.  

Digital Embellishments:

• I created a rectangular shape using a digital paper from the Celebrate Summer kit.  Details below.

INSIDE  

Digital Sentiment:

• The happy birthday part of the sentiment was created by Paulette from Create with TLC.  Click HERE to go to Paulette's blog and HERE to go to the store.  The top part was created by me.

OVERALL
Paper Products:

• Card base: Michael's Recollection's Cardstock, white.

Digital Papers:

• The background paper on the front and inside are also from the Celebrate Summer kit created by Rachel Dickson available at {Computer}Scrapbook.com.

Digital Embellishments:

• The circle shape was created in Photoshop Elements and the stitched circle was created using Libre Office Draw.
• I think all the stuffiness clouded my brain when I was designing this one a couple nights ago.  I completely forgot to add bevels to get a sense of depth.  Additionally if you look close enough, you'll see a small white rectangle on the lower right side.  When I created the stitched circle, even though I saved it as a png it created a white background which I had to delete when I brought it into Photoshop.  Apparently, part of the image must have been hanging over the edge because it didn't achieve complete transparency and I didn't see it until it was all printed out.  Thankfully, the button on the front covers up some of it.  Hopefully the fourteen year old receiving it won't notice. 

Challenges I am hoping to enter:

• From the Heart Stamps -- progressive stamp of the month challenge 
• From the Heart Stamps Sketch Challenge-- Sketch 067

Others I might get it into...  

• http://treasuredtimesrubberstampschallenges.blogspot.ca/ -- Anything Goes
• http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.ca/ -- Anything Goes
• http://seizethebirthday.blogspot.ca/ -- Anything Goes Birthday

 
Thanks for popping by everyone!  I hope you enjoyed my card and post.  If I can pull it off, I've got another post I want to get out tomorrow.  The end of the month is fast approaching and I still have two more posts to create to get entered on time.  Let's hope that I don't get any sicker throughout the night so I can get it all done!
 
Until next time,

Card Design: From the Heart Stamps March Challenge

It is time to post my project for the March, From the Heart Stamps progressive stamp of the month challenge.  I've combined it with one of their sketch challenges, and boy not a minute too soon since the sketch link up expires in just a few short hours.

In order to enter the progressive challenge, you must either have received the latest image by having participated in the previous month or you can buy the stamp for the current month's challenge.  Everyone who enters and follows the rules is a winner because you automatically get the stamp for the next month's challenge.  Stop by the site and check out the rules for yourself.  While you are there, have a look around.  They have some really great images.  Below you will find the card I'm entering for the March challenge. 

General Information: 

• This card was created digitally and then printed and assembled.
• I use FTHS sketch no. 58 for the front of my card.

FRONT

Digital Image Details: 

• The image on the front, Hamlet Pigwit Think Spring, is available for purchase over at From the Heart Stamps.  Click HERE or on the watermarks below to go to its location in the store.

• It was coloured mostly with Copic markers; however, the sky is a pattern that was added digitally (courtesy Webtreats, Etc.) and the grass was added using a default brush in Photoshop Elements 12.

Other notes:

• The butterfly was duplicated, coloured with Copics, fussy cut and then popped up to create the sense of dimension. 

 INSIDE  

Digital Sentiment:

• This sentiment was a freebie I picked up over at Cuddly Buddly.  It is from Lily Boo Designs.  I paper pieced the banner with a digital paper (credits below) and filled in the posts with a digital wood pattern (courtesy Free PSD Files).  Grass was added with coloured pencils.

OVERALL
Paper Products: 

• Card base: Michael's Recollection's Cardstock, white.

Digital Papers: 

• All of the digital papers used to create this card are from the Thursday Break kit created by Correen Silke available at {Computer}Scrapbook.com.

Digital Embellishments:

• I created the frame around the image (front) and sentiment (inside) using a shape from Shelby Kate Schmitz of graphicssoft.about.com.  It was adapted using layer style also from Shelby.
• The swirl and brads on the front are from the Another Tea Party kit also created by Correen Silke and available at {Computer}Scrapbook.com.

Challenges I am hoping to enter:

• From the Heart Stamps -- progressive stamp of the month challenge 
• From the Heart Stamps Sketch Challenge-- Sketch 058

Others I might get it into...  

• http://craftitudechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ -- Anything Goes or Add a Brad/eyelet
• http://treasuredtimesrubberstampschallenges.blogspot.ca/ -- Anything Goes with Layering
• http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.ca/ -- Anything Goes / Inspired by a Movie (Babe)
• http://seizethebirthday.blogspot.ca/ -- Anything Goes Birthday opt. stitching
• http://ladybugscraftsinkchallengeblog.blogspot.ca/ -- For a Special Lady (for a special girlfriend)

 
Thanks for popping by everyone!  I hope you enjoyed my card and post.  If I can pull it off, I've got another post I want to get completed tonight.  If I don't manage to get it done, hopefully I'll see you tomorrow.
 
Until next time,