I'm Buggy Over You.......

Once in a while I like to change things up and in today's projects I altered the cutting files and used them in a way they weren't  originally intended to be used.  I have this nifty little software plug-in that lets me make a line drawing out of just about anything. ( It's a very old plug in and I don't believe it is available anymore.) Anyway, I just couldn't resist making digital stamps from the file and coloring them up to make these cards. The images I used to make my cards are from Treasure Box Designs and it is actually a cutting file that you can see here. THEY ARE NOT AVAILABLE AS STAMPS.

These little fireflies are just the cutest things aren't they? On my first card I used the single bug alone and since I didn't have the right paper to use, I created my own paper and printed it off so it would match my images. All of the background papers used on both cards were made by me.

On this card I used the sample images from the bugs in the files to make a cute bug filled paper and then created a simple striped paper using the colors from the bug to match. I love being able to do that!

You can see them a little better in this photo. I also hand stitched around the circle and the sentiment tag using embroidery floss to add some interest. Although I think it would have shown up more if I had used a darker color of floss.

See what I mean about how cute their little faces are? I colored the images with Copic markers and added a few shading dots on there too.  The white highlights I added using a white gel pen.

This cutting file is from Treasure Box Designs and it is NOT AVAILABLE as a stamp. I did that myself, using my plug in, since I am only using it to create a personal card.
This next card I created using the double bugs from the 'Love Is In The Air' cut files.

The plaid paper on this card was also created by me, using the  copic colors that I chose to color my images with. I use Paintshop Pro to created all of my decorative papers.

Such cute expressions!!!! More hand doodled dots were added and highlights with a white gel pen. I kept this card simple and added only a lace paper doily and a bow.

It probably wasn't fair to show you these cute images knowing that you can't get them as digital stamps,...but they are available as a paper piece file! Check them out at Treasure Box Designs. She has other adorable Valentine files too. Check back in a few days when I will be showing this same file done as a paper pieced project, like it was intentionally designed for. Sometimes, ya just gotta be different :~)

Disclaimer: The images used in the cards shown here are NOT AVAILABLE as digital stamps. They are only available as a cutting file.

Magnetic Photo Board

Yesterday I spent a most delightful afternoon with my youngest grand daughter Kelly. She was wanting to make a handmade Christmas gift for her best friend. Something special from the heart. So we went through my many cutting files from Treasure Box Designs and settled on this cute robot file. (It's an older file from the store that was later given out as a freebie.)

We did two girl robots to represent her and her friend, and we did them in their favorite colors.

Kelly wanted a way for her bestie to display photos that could be changed out at different times, rather than have a photo in a permanent frame. So we came up with this idea of a magnetic photo board.

The metal board is spray painted a semi glossy black and is self standing so it can be displayed on a student desk or shelf. We added tags with their names on it to match the robots.

We did some doodling here and there and added buttons for personality!

We also added white highlights to make the metal parts look shiny and more robot like. We plan on making more magnets for different seasons and occasions so they can be changed whenever her bestie changes photos. We love the way it turned out! I can't wait to get together and spend more time with my grand daughter crafting. Be sure and check out all of the Treasure Box Designs cutting files and carve out some time to craft for yourself and your loved ones. Happy Holidays!

An elephant never forgets......

Here's another Valentine project....a cute little gift bag.

Perfect for tucking in sweet treats for that special someone.

I used the elephant file from the Treasure Box Pals cutting file. This is just one of the cuties from the file. There are many more. All equally adorable.

I decorated a plain white handled bag with decorative paper, added the cute elephant and topped it off with one of my handmade flowers and a tagged sentiment.

I added the black hooves with a copic marker. White gel pens added the highlights and I finished with some doodles here and there to give him personality.
Stop by Treasure Box Designs and check out all of their wonderful files!

About 'Christmased' out......

I know.....it's not quite Christmas yet, but I'm done with the holiday cards and projects. I am moving on~lol. Here's my first Valentine's project for next year. I had a lot of fun with this one.

I used a freebie file from Treasure Box Designs. This cute little poodle file is perfect for a Valentine card.

I added some doodling on him to help distinguish the separate pieces from each other. Otherwise even with the shading, the pieces had a tendency to blend together.

Doesn't he have the cutest face?

It's the thing I love most about Treasure Box Designs cut files!

Be sure and sign up for the newsletter on the site, so you'll always get your free file each week automatically. Hope you enjoyed. Have a great day!

I love Ginger.....

I am a sucker for a Gingerbread graphic. Never saw one I didn't like .....and I love this one from Primsy Doodle Designs.It has the sweetest little face.

Since I always need gift tags at Christmas, I made a cute little tag with this digital stocking stamp.

For my tag I used a Silhouette America cut file. I love the layers. The stocking image fit perfectly on it. I wanted it to be colorful so I used basic bright card stock colors for the tag and colored the image with deep colored copic markers.

I added highlights with a white gel pen and finished the tag off with lots of glitter for sparkle.

Check out the rest of this cute digital stamp set at Primsy Doodle Designs. They also have pre-colored images as well as digital stamps. They are a real bargain at 75% off right now, priced at just $1 a set. I know...for the entire set! And they are all as equally delightful as this one.

Where's Winter?

Not that I'm complaining that there's no snow here yet in Michigan. Quite the contrary actually.....! We have long cold, gloomy, snowy days here for months on end during Michigan winters. So I really don't mind that it's not here yet. I'm not a big fan of winter as you can tell~lol

My snowman card project is all the 'snow' I need for today. He is a single image from Country Life Graphics.
I colored him with copic markers and cut him out using a Nestabilities Die and my Cuttlebug.

I added some shading dots using my Pentel Slicci 0.25 fine line pen, and added white stripes to his scarf with my white gel pen.

I also added some Star Dust Stickles glitter to his buttons and hat and here and there among the branches to simulate icy coldness. I think he looks great all spiffed up.
If you're a fan of country type images, be sure and stop over to Country Life Graphics to see all of the cute images they have to offer. They have pre-colored images as well as digital stamp images, scrapkits, digital papers, and print and cut bookmarks and more.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Reindeer Pillowbox

Just stopping by to show you this cute pillow box I created using a file from Treasure Box Designs.

The reindeer was a freebie file that was in Treasure Box Design's weekly newsletter a few weeks ago. The freebies are a great way to try your hand at doing paper piecing if you are a beginner and are wanting to try it out.

I cut out all of the pieces and then chalked them to add dimension. I also added a few highlights here and there using my white gel pen and my black Pentel Slicci (0.25 mm) I love that pen. I can get the tiniest lash lines with it. I order them by the dozen through Amazon, as during my classes they somehow keep disappearing~lol.

I ran the white mat and the pink bow through my Swiss Dots embossing folder, using my Big Shot. I then added the whole piecing to my pillow box. It will be perfect to hold a small treat or gift to give for Christmas.

Don't forget to get in on the Great Holiday Giveaway we are featuring over at Treasure Box Designs. There's still time to enter. You can read all the details by scrolling down a couple of postings below. Or visit the Treasure Box Designs Facebook fan page for more details.
And if you haven't already done so, sign up for the Treasure Box Designs newsletter freebies and try your hand at paper piecing. I guarantee you'll be hooked :)

Christmas Elf

Today I'd like to share a Christmas card using one of the new digital stamps from Treasure Box Designs. I just love this cute elf!

One of the things I like about using digital stamps is the fact that I can manipulate them any way I want. I can make them larger, smaller, flip them or even add other stamps to them to achieve the look I desire.

Doesn't he just have the cutest little face? And those pixie ears..love them!

I can use these digital stamps over and over and not have to worry about where to store them. They are all at my fingertips on my computer disk. 

If you haven't tried digital stamps yet, stop on over to Treasure Box Designs and pick some up. I actually prefer them over the traditional 'rubber' stamps.I never have to worry that I stamped them crooked, or smudged the ink before it was dry. It's a perfect image every time.
And don't forget about our Treasure Box Designs big contest giveaway. You can read all about it in my previous posting below.