Sandstone Citadel

I made this card using Sandstone Citadel from Make it Crafty and combined it with this month’s free image, Holla Back Girl, from Kenny K Downloads. We’ve come up with all sorts of one-liners for this princess, but my favorite is simply “Yo, Prince!”


Here’s the background before it was cropped and covered – isn’t that image dreamy! I colored it in the style of the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany.


Main Stamp: Sandstone Citadel (MiC) and Holla Back Girl (KKD)
Patterned Paper: Signature Christmas (MME) and scraps
Copic Colors:
-skin/hair/eyes: E000, E00, E11, E04, R21, R24, B91, B95, YR21, YR24, YR27
-clothes: R21, R24, R27, YR20, YR21, YR23, E55, E57, E59
-castle: E40, E41, E42, E43, R22, R27, E07, E19, G21, G24, G28, E55, E57, E59
-foliage: T1, T3, YG91, YG95, YG63, YG67, YG13, YG17, E57
-sky/water: B91, B95, BG0000, BG000

Did you know? Neuschwanstein Castle is a 19th-century Romanesque Revival palace commissioned by Ludwig II and overlooks Schwanstein Castle, his father’s summer residence. It was built as an homage to Richard Wagner and was intended as a personal refuge for the reclusive king, but it was opened to the paying public immediately after his death in 1886. The palace has appeared prominently in several movies and was the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.
[Neuschwanstein Castle, Wikipedia.org]

Sandstone Citadel

The technical challenge this time at Make it Crafty is to create a card or project that moves! This was my first attempt with a spinner action and there were plenty of lessons to be learned. I also added pop-up sections on the inside of the card. The main part of the card features the new Sandstone Citadel image which will be available today. It was such a fun image to color and I can see endless possibilities with it!


Green? I had this idea to make a Wizard of OZ scene and focused on the Emerald City. So for this project I had every piece of green scrap paper sprawled out on my table! Here’s a good view of the “Emerald City” without any obstructions. I had all the YG and G Copic markers on the table and pretty much used them all plus a touch of blue.


The moving action happens when the card is opened and it’s spring loaded too! The center part is a typical spinner but I’ve wound it up tight so when the card is opened it flips around. I have a small tab sticking up just behind the Wizard which will stop it from actually spinning. The tension plus tab also helps it stay vertically and aligned with the card front.


Originally I had the backside of the spinning section blank – but how I could I leave it like that? So I browsed through my limited selection of sentiments and decided I’d cut out another rainbow. The card can have either side showing when it’s closed or opened.


Here’s a front-on view when the card is opened with Dorothy and the Wizard of OZ against the back part of the spinner. These two characters are actually coloring pages from Midisegni.it. The other moving part of this project is when these two pop up when the card is opened.


This was my first time coloring on the Cryogen White Curious Metallic paper and didn’t have a problem blending with it. It’s sparkly all over and absolutely dreamy to behold for glitter lovers! I ordered my paper through CutCardStock.com and the best part is … the sparkle even shows through the colored areas.


The other challenge is to create a scene.

DT Challenge: Make it Crafty – Technique Challenge
Challenge: There She Goes – Challenge #80
Main Stamp:
Sandstone Citadel (MiC) and The Wizard of Oz (Midisegni.it)
Patterned Paper: scraps
Metal Die: My Favorite Things Die-namics Cloud Trio
Copic Colors:
-skin/hair: E00, E11, E57, E59, E55
-clothes: R24, R29, B91, B95, C1
-castle: basically all the YG and G colors plus B000

Did you know? Located in the center of the Land of Oz, the Emerald City is at the end of the yellow brick road. Everyone in the Emerald City is made to wear green-tinted eyeglasses; this is explained as an effort to protect their eyes from the “brightness and glory” of the city. However, in effect everything appears green when it is, in fact, “no more green than any other city.” This is yet another illusion created by the Wizard.
[Emerald City, Wikipedia.org]

Cauldron Box

I made this black cauldron box for the 12th Day of Halloween Challenge at Simply Betty Stamps. Of course, it’s not just a box… it’s an explosion box! After making my first explosion box on Saturday I decided to make a bigger one that included all six Emo Halloweenies. This is the last and final challenge in the series and I went for a grand finale.


While searching for ideas, I came across a beautiful beehive explosion box created by Shoshi. She has some wonderful step-by-step photos if you’re interested in making one. I used her box as my starting point inspiration and this is what I ended up with… Ka-boom!


There is so much detail to go over so I divided up the pictures into groups. This first set shows the inner box walls that surround the pumpkin patch. Each gravestone flourish and dates were drawn by hand and I used a border stamps to fill in the bottom. Metal tags or circle punches were used to get the shapes.


The center of the box is a pumpkin patch with London Pumpkin and an alteration of Betty Witch. For Betty Witch, I wiped away one arm and the entire lower portion of the stamp then drew in a newer version flying a broomstick. I wanted to make the box in stages so it was easier to work on and the center part was glued in very last.


The outer box walls have the rest of the Emo Halloweenies. Lola Mummy’s color scheme was based off a monster we have in our front window. Millerstein has one brown eye and one blue eye – always a fun combination! For Christian Vamp I covered his face and hands in sparkling diamonds glitter which never show up in the photos. Lastly, I gave Rio Devil a glowing blue staff with three diamonds in the center.


Also around the outer box, each corner was decorated with more Halloween surprises. The first one is a Witches’ Hut I grabbed from Dulemba’s Coloring Page Tuesdays. She always has something fun to color and they work well for stamps. I’m sure you recognize the ghosts! That’s Casper and with two of the not-so-friendly ghosts. The third panel features the scarecrow which is only a portion of Haunted Halloween House from Make it Crafty. I cut out some of the crows from the paper I was using and placed one of them on the scarecrow. Lastly, I made another spider web and added three Lego spiders!


Here’s another view of the box open and a better view of the spider web. Each ring is held on by a looped string that is glued between the wall layers. This made it easier to thread the web and it also tucks in the box nicely.


Looking at the open box from the top shows most of the details. I attached Betty Witch in the center so that she actually pops up when the box opens. The rest of the tabs gently fall down provided the spiders don’t get tangled.


Closing the box takes a little more effort than the last box, but using the rubber bands makes it easier. I first close the inner box then I can focus on the outer box. Just before adding the lid, I remove the rubber band from the inner box; and once the lid is on, I can remove the second rubber band.


Challenge: Simply Betty Stamps – 12 Days of Halloween
Main Stamp: Emo Halloweenies… Lola Mummy, Millerstein, Christian Vamp, Rio Devil, London Pumpkin (digi) and [altered images of] Betty Witch (SBS), Witchy Hut (EOD), Borders 2 (Kelly Panacci Sandylion Designs), Casper & Ghosts (123Coloring) and [portions of] Haunted Halloween House (MiC)
Patterned Paper: Blackbird (MME)
Metal Die: Whiff of Joy Magical Tag, My Favorite Things Die-namics Cloud Trio, Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles, and Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Two
Copic Colors:
-mummy: V91, V95, V99, YG91, YG95, YG99, E40, E42, B91, B93, B95, B97
-witchy hut: G21, G24, G28, W2, W4, V12, V15, V17, YR12, YR16, YR18, Y32, Y35, E50, E51, E53, YG93, YG95, YG99, E43, E44, E47, E49
-frankenstein: YG91, YG95, YG99, W00, W2, W4, W6, W8, B91, B93, B95, B97, E55, E57, E59
-ghosts: C00, C1, C3
-vampire: W00, W1, W2, W3, W5, W6, W7, W8, V91, V95, V99, R24, R29, R59
-gravestones: W2, W4, W5, , YG91, YG95, E44, E47, E49
-scarecrow: YR12, YR16, YR18, Y32, Y35, R20, R24, R29, R59, C1, C3, W1, E43, E44, E47, E49
-devil: E00, E11, R20, R24, YR20, YR21, YR23, W3, W5, W7, B91, B93, B95, B97, R22, R29, R59, BV20
-witch: E00, E11, R20, R24, B21, B23, B26, V12, V15, V17, W2, W4, W6, Y32, Y35, Y38, YG91, YG95, E50, E51, E55, E57, E59
-pumpkin girl: YR12, YR14, YR18, W2, W4, W6, W8, YR20, YR21, YG93, YG95, YG99, E43, E44, E47, E49
-sign: E55, E57, E59

Other Challenges: There is a lot of time into this project and the bonus part is that it fits into many other challenges so I’m going to pile it on. Some have prizes and some don’t but the main point was to share my creation. Hope you enjoyed it. ;D

Copic Creations Challenge #38 – Make a Scene
Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge – Halloween
Anything Goes Challenge Week #22 – Halloween
Little Red Wagon Challenge #52 – Halloween
Incy Wincy Designs Challenge #66 – Anything Goes
One Stop Craft Challenge #104 – Anything Goes
Wee Memories Challenge #29 – Anything Goes
Digi Doodle Shop’s Best Challenge #31 – Anything Goes
Cards for Men Challenge #22 – Anything Goes (As long as it’s male)
Simon Says Challenges – Punch ‘Em
Four Crafty Chicks Challenge #9 – Punches or Dies
Meljen’s Designs Challenge #31 – Use Two Images
Penny’s Paper Crafty Challenge #41 – Black, Purple & Orange
AiFactory Challenge #54 – Halloween
Copic Oz Challenge #4 – Feathering Technique
There She Goes Challenge #79 – Something Gifty
The ABC Challenge ‘G’ is for – Glitter
Cute Card Thursday Challenge #136 – Transparent Element
Dutch Dare Card Challenge #89 – Purple, Black, Orange & Green
PaperPlay Challenges Week #43 – A Haunting We Will Go
Secret Crafter Challenge #107 – Anything That Flys

Did you know? An explosion is defined as a rapid increase in volume and release of energy in an extreme manner, usually with the generation of high temperatures and the release of gases. An explosion creates a shock wave. If the shock wave is a supersonic detonation, then the source of the blast is called a “high explosive”.
[Explosion, Wikipedia.org]
“On the 12th day of Halloween my Ghoul love gave to me… 12 Witches Cackling!”
Update: I won the whole shebang at Simply Betty Stamps for the 12th Day of Halloween Challenge!

I was featured at Little Red Wagon for this project!

I made the Top 5 at Meljen’s Designs for this project!

I was the selected winner at Wee Memories Challenge for this project!

Mushroom House

The challenge this time at Make it Crafty is to create a card or project based on the sketch provided with a vintage theme. I made this card using Mushroom House and Christmas Elves from Make it Crafty.


I started off with vintage style holiday paper but in the end the card looks more modern than vintage! Here’s the Mushroom House before it was covered. The other challenges were to make a holiday card; use red and green; and something metallic (brads).


Challenge: Make it Crafty – Fun Challenge #4
Challenge: Pile It On – Challenge #42
Challenge: The Ribbon Girl – Colour Challenge #2
Challenge: Christmas Stampin’ All Year Long – Challenge #68
Challenge: Wee Memories – Challenge #28
Main Stamp:
Mushroom House and [altered image of] Christmas Elves (MiC)
Patterned Paper: A Heart Warming Holiday (TPS)
Dry Embossing: Sizzix Basic Gray Embossing Folders Plaid & Snowflakes Set
Copic Colors:
-elves: E00, E11, R20, R22, R24, R29, G20, G21, G24, G28, YR23, YR24, B91, B93, 0
-house: G20, G21, G24, G28, E40, E41, E42, E43, E44, R22, R24, R27, R29
-plants: YR21, YR24, YG91, YG93, YG95, YG97
-other: C00, C1, C3, C5, B91

Did you know? The Etruscan Shrew is the smallest known mammal by mass, weighing only about 1.8 grams on average. The Etruscan shrew has a body length of about 4 cm excluding the tail.
[Etruscan Shrew, Wikipedia.org]

Susie with Pie

I made this card using Susie with Pie from The Stamping Bazaar drawn by Marina Neira and placed her against the Wacky House from Make it Crafty. Both images had a country feel and I thought it would be a fun match.


There is also some exciting news from each of these companies! From The Stamping Bazaar… don’t miss out on the Little Elf with Present Digi Giveaway which is going on until tomorrow night! Plus keep an eye on the Make it Crafty blog this weekend for a big announcement!

Sometimes coloring the empty sky is the funnest part – on this one I had drawn swirly clouds on a separate sheet of paper and traced them on the main image with the blue marker.


I entered this card into the Fuzzy Wuzzy challenge which was to use multiple images. Now on to the fun announcement of Blog Candy! The random WINNER of the InStyle Stamps BLOG CANDY is…

Nikki — CONGRATULATIONS!


Just email me with your contact information and I’ll send your loot over in the mail!

Challenge: The Fuzzy Wuzzy Challenges – October
Main Stamp:
Susie with Pie (TSB) and Make it Crafty (MiC)
Patterned Paper: unknown scraps
Copic Colors:
-susie: E2, E43, E44, E47, E49, E04
-pie: E53, E55, C3, R20, R21, R22, R24, R27, R29
-house: YR12, YR14, YR20, YR21, YR23, N1, R20, R21, R22, R24, R27, R29
-landscape: G20, G21, G24, G28, E53, E55, E57, E59, YG91, YG93, YG95, YG97, YG99, Y32, Y35, 0, B91

Did you know? The Hexabranchus Sanguiseus was given the common name “Spanish dancer” because the whirling swimming movement, and the red color of the mantle, are reminiscent of the skirt movements of a flamenco dancer.
[Spanish Dancer, Wikipedia.org]Update: I was a winner at Fuzzy Wuzzy Challenges for October’s monthly challenge!

Old Oak Tree

I made this card using several images, the main one being Old Oak Tree from Make it Crafty. This one is for the 7th day of Halloween challenge which was to create a card or project using Jack Skellington (or any skeleton). I’m getting this one in at last minute! 😀


The entire background is colored with Copic markers on printer printer paper and the tombstones added were from the Haunted Halloween House (MiC). The chibi-style Jack Skellington and Zero are drawing tutorials from DragoArt.com.


I colored the sky using lines instead of blending because I wanted a Nightmare Before Christmas feel even though I was using brighter fall colors. I think it worked out well because of how the moon shows up (which is the only non-colored spot on the card).

Challenge: Simply Betty Stamps – 7th Day of Halloween
Main Stamp: Old Oak Tree and [portions of] Haunted Halloween House (MiC)
Dry Embossing: Fiskars Texture Plates Carpet
Copic Colors:
-tree: E41, E42, E43, E44, E47, E49, YR15, YR16, YR18, E08, E19
-sky: YG91, YG93, YG95, YG97, YG99
-other: 0, C01, W00, W1, W3, W5, W7, W9, YR21, YR15, YR18

Did you know? Chibi is a Japanese word meaning “short person” or “small child”. In English-speaking anime and manga fandom, the term chibi has mostly been conflated with the term super deformed or it can be used to describe child versions of characters.
[Chibi (term), Wikipedia.org]

“On the 7th Day of Halloween… My ghoul love gave to me 7 Skelington Heads!”
Update: I made the top six at Simply Betty Stamps for this challenge!