Friday, July 1, 2011

Guest Designer Week 25 Day Five


Happy July!  Today is my last day as Guest Designer.  I have enjoyed sharing some projects and ideas with you this week and I hope you will continue to visit me from time to time at my personal blog, Capadia Designs.

Thanks for all of the comments here and on my blog - remember, you can leave a comment on every post this week to increase your chances of winning a great set of Peachy Keen stamps!  You have until midnight (11:59 p.m. Pacific time) on Saturday, July 2 to leave your comments and I'll post the winner on Sunday.

I thought I'd do a little more "Christmas in July."  When I was looking at some of the seasonal Peachy Keen stamps, this little fellow just stole my heart.  He is the  Snickerdoodle Happy Elf  (PK-319) and I love everything about him - snickerdoodles are even one of my favorite cookies!  I don't have a lot of experience coloring stamped images but I find that the Peachy Keen images are great to work with.  There is just enough detail to make it fun but not so much that you have to make lots of decisions about shadows and layers.  I use ProMarkers to do my coloring.


I colored this little elf several times, trying slightly different variations.  I used Stickles on the trim of has jacket to add some sparkle.  For the image on the left, I used Versamark ink and black glitter embossing powder and heat embossed the image.  This makes it a bit easier to stay in the lines (but I am far from perfect in my coloring!).  I like both variations and I thought I'd try making a couple of cards to show how the image works for a circle or an oval.


For the first card, which is an A2 card,  I used a red base cardstock and added some sparkly "peel-offs" at the sides.  I experimented with my Nestabilties dies to find a combination I liked to frame my elf.  The scalloped oval behind the elf is a couple of sizes larger, allowing a wider border to show.


This is the same elf on the next smaller size of scalloped oval.  I liked this effect but I wanted more contrast between the oval and the card so I added a white cut of the large oval to double mat the image.


The way his hands are held up and the oval space above them made me think that he should be juggling, so I added some small gem stickers in an arch above his head.


He looks so happy and I remembered that in England the more commonly heard expression is "Happy Christmas" so I looked through the little card candy sentiments my friend Enfys gave me.  Sure enough, there was one that said "Happy Christmas."  I layered this on a green petite scalloped oval cut and added a gem at each end.


When the image is cut out with a circular die, the elf looks less like a juggler and more like he is ready for a friendly hug.


I wanted to keep a high contrast between layers so I added a plain white circle between the two lace circle Nestability cuts.


I used foam adhesive dots and squares in two different thicknesses to attach the matted image to the 5 x 7 card.


I kept this card very clean and simple by carefully stamping the "Merry Christmas" in red below the dimensional image.  This sentiment is from the Christmas Tag Minis  (PK-322) set that I used for the cards on Tuesday.


Somehow, I totally missed seeing the Snickerdoodle Gift Elf (PK-320) when I was choosing stamps to work with.  I think I will have to order him next time so he can be with his brother in my expanding Peachy collection!


Here is one more elf that I colored differently.  I am planning on making a pop-up card but I wasn't happy with my hand cutting around the images so I'll probably try another day or see if I can figure out a way to make one of my machines do it for me!


Don't forget to leave comments on my posts here and the coordinating posts on my blog, Capadia Designs, each day this week for a chance to win the PK-590 Blushing Bride Interchangeable Faces set.  I got sidetracked a few times this week and didn't end up posting the project I had planned to make with these faces.  It will show up on my blog sooner or later.


Here is one, slightly odd, idea I had for using the Bride stamps.   I thought this would be funny on the back of a Halloween card!

I have really enjoyed this week and I'm sure there will be lots more "peachiness" on my blog as I continue to find ways to use these great stamps! 

Have a great weekend and Happy Fourth of July!

60 comments:

jessica said...

I love all the different variations of these images! Beautifully done! thanks for sharing and for a great week of PKS inspiration!
jessica
Chick-n-scrap.blogspot.com
eschfamily@yahoo.com

Lucy said...

Now I want to start my Christmas cards! Thanks for a wonderful week :)

Martha (Sissy) Speed Ramey said...

Wonderful Christmas cards! Thanks for a week full of beautiful cards and ideas!

Short Scrapper said...

I've truly enjoyed your work this week. Thanks for sharing your talents.

Pam from Maine said...

I also like the Snickerdoodle elf. He's adorable and what you've done looks really good. He makes me smile and want to get started on Christmas===almost.

CRAZY4 CHRIST said...

Love the little elf so cute!! you have done a great job all week!!
sierrababy08 at hotmail dot com

Paper Deckerations said...

oooh I love Christmas in July! I've really enjoyed your week or projects! Thanks again for sharing them with us!
Jessica
paperdeckerations(at)gmail(dot)com
paperdeckerations.blogspot.com

Ellen Jarvis said...

Oh my, Christmas! You're such an enabler, reminding me that the holiday is just around the corner. Hard to imagine when it's 90 degrees outside ... love your cards, and Peachy Keen!

Fondly,
Ellen ♥ CardMonkey
www.cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com
E-mail: cardmonkey@comcast.net

Cheryl said...

I am loving these stamps and all that you have done with them this week. Your Christmas card a darling love the touch of bling and sparkle!
surfnfroggie

Carrie K said...

I love the juggling elf! Very cute!!

Debbie said...

it is hard to think of Christmas is July but you make it bearable thanks
upnurse at aol dot com

AprilsL8 said...

Thanks for all the wonderful cards this week!

littlen said...

very cute cards. love all the dimensionals. tfs.

Dawn, RI said...

Diane,I enjoyed your PK week. Awesome job. Now I dont know if I want to start on Christmas or on halloween projects. I just got a new gypsy from PC to replace the one that died, Ive already made alot of templates and my ideas just kept flowing. Decisions, Desisions. lol
Dawn RI
abosoffit@hotmail.com

Saundra said...

Great design week, Diane! Love your ideas! I think your elves are adorable!

Hugs,
Saundra
Luvscrappingtogether at gmail dot com

Sandra Joy said...

Your projects have been so inspirational this week (as usual.) I think PKS are the cutest stamps and could not resist purchasing a couple of sets last night. Can wait to get them and start playing!

Heather said...

I love the Christmas card! SO cute!
ra6352 (at) gmail (dot) com

Tami B. said...

How have I missed that cute little elf? I'm gonna have to go back & browse the store again it looks like. This week has been great.
P.S. I love the eyes on the Halloween card. Great idea!

Anonymous said...

Too cute. Love you layering.
marilyn2222 @ hotmail.com

DonnaMundinger said...

Darling! I'm all for Christmas very month of the year! Cute how you used the BB eyes too. xxD

Anonymous said...

Wonderful!!! Enuf said.
KY Scrapper

GrandmaAYW said...

Cute, cute, cute!! Love Peachy Keen Stamps! Have to start using mine more again.

SaraBug said...

He is cute. I guess it's never too early to think about Christmas.

mamawcindy said...

How Cute!!!! Love the Gems you put on the Juggling Elf. Have really enjoyed seeing your Creations this week.Thanks for Sharing!!! :0)
cindymarshall63 at hotmail dot com

Carolee said...

What a terrific week we had with Diane and PK stamps. Love every design and all the tips.

Glora said...

Wow Diane, I LOVE all the different variations you have showed us this week. Great tips and ideas. I LOVE these elf Christmas cards! Hugs- Glora

sweetlilscrapper said...

sooo cute!


sweetlilscrapper.blogspot.com
sweetlilscrapper at hotmail dot ca

ibecircled.blogspot.com said...

Great varaitions and all the super tips you have shared with us...Love what you did with the Bride stamp and Yes...it would make a awesome halloween card!!

One more day to enter my huge Giveaway over on my blog!

http://ibecircled.blogspot.com
ilovetonkinese2 at hotmail dot com
Rexann♥

Debbie (from Sugar Land) said...

such great ideas! and well executed... Thanks for all the inspiration.

Joan said...

I always love your cards. So cute! Thanks for sharing. I Love everything PK.

dm.brinker said...

You do a fantastic job. Love your cards and ideas. Thanks

Jeanie said...

The elves are precious, What cute cards could be made with them. You a terrific job.

chignon said...

I think the snickerdoole elves are adorable! You made some fun cards and then the eyes on the back of a Halloween card had me giggling. I thought of the old TV show - I Dream of Jeannie and her bottle when I saw those eyes :)

Janet said...

I love your cards. Very Festive looking. You have so many awesome creations and unique ideas.
http://ladyluvbug.blogspot.com/
Big Blog Hugs

Nanette said...

The elf is sooo cute! I like all the different variations of coloring. The gemstones add the perfect touch!

nanettemt at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Your creations are so bright and happy. And these elves are the cutest. They'll make anyone even scrooge smile.

tfs
hugs
bobbi

Sukie said...

I just love the variety of images and stamps. The eyes on the back of the Halloween card are too cute. Loved all of your projects this week!

scrappindhilly at gmail dot com

scrappyfrannine said...

goodness, how adorable are these snickerdoodles...love them

Cathy said...

Your christmas cards are so adorable.
mexicopetshop at hotmail dot com
I am a follower

Sherrie K. said...

Your little elves are adorable!! Love your card....thanks for sharing:)
Sherrie K
http://sherriescraps.blogspot.com

Pat N. said...

Very cute; all of the cards. Thanks for the comparison with the ovals vs circles, etc. And thanks for the chance to win some stamps!--Pat N.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for ALL your ideas all week! I so totally enjoyed them & you re-acquainted me with Peachy Keen Stamps!!!

There are so many stamps, I slowly move on to other lines & forget about my old favorites!!!

Thank you for all your ideas & Capadia for inviting you!! What a great site!!! Thank you & Happy 4th of July!!

debbie_L53@yahoo.com

Anna said...

Oh my stars how adorable. Great idea. Love these.
annadowdy at gmail dot com

Laurie said...

I love them all!!!! So cute!!!!
Laurie
scrapsbysissy.blogspot.com

Kim. said...

It is lovely to see variations of the same image, it shows so many more ways of using them. Great projects and I love the little gems as juggling balls.
Kim xXx

jennifer said...

cute posts this week! Thanks for the chance to win this beautiful stamp set!

Bonita said...

Just love these stamps. Must have some. Thanks.

Marilyn said...

Love all the ideas with these stamps, so very clever ideas I would never have thought of! Thank you!

Christine said...

I just love the elf, he's adorable. I need to buy some PK stamps as i don't own any yet!

johay at inbox dot com

Unknown said...

Great job this week Diane. I love the idea of using the ekes for Halloween. TFS, Mary M

Marissa said...

I have loved seeing your work here this week! Of course, this also means I will have to order more stamps!!

rissaflor@yahoo.com

Works From The Attic by Linda said...

I love this card! So easy and yet so adorable!
Linjmarino@gmail.com
Linda

patricia_hurst said...

Sometimes, I think the chances of winning are too great and I am wasting time but then it's like gambling and addictive. I read another email and get a little excited and think, well maybe, just maybe there is a chance of winning. The pleasure is what you give us each day, thank you!

Nu2scrap said...

Thanks Diane for such great suggestions for using the Peachy Keen stamps. They are so adorable, and I can't wait to be able to get some! I love your creativity!

Kris in Alaska said...

Adorable! I just love what you are showing us! TFS!

Kris in Alaska
forgetmenotdesignsak at yahoo dot com

MizMaryAnn said...

I would love to have this set of Peachy Keen stamps. Their faces add so much to a card or layout.

MizMaryAnn said...

I like both Santas. The circle one on the white card really pops out at you though. It's hard to critique anything you do Diane. Have a happy 4th weekend.

Diane said...

What a great idea, using the stamps om flowers!
I loooovvvee Peachy Keen faces. Happy July 4th!

Sunshine HoneyBee said...

Especially like the elf. So much better than the elf-your-self that one of the Office stores has going on.
Melissa
"Sunshine HoneyBee"
http://createdbysunshinehoneybee.blogspot.com

SandyK said...

Darling cards, Thanks for sharing your talent and explanations with us. I so enjoy your site.

Sandy
sankarl4@yahoo.com