Join the Monster Mash at Stinkin' Inkers!

The challenge this month at Stinkin' Inkers is "Monster Mash" - you can use ghosts, monsters, or witches; basically anything Halloween-y and/or scary.  I had decided to throw a costume party with the help of Tim Holtz' Crazy Cats, Dogs and Birds.  I hope you enjoy! 

What I Used to Make my Card:
Vanilla Watercolor Card, 5 x 7 (this was the only size card onto which everything would fit and I have NO idea where I got them)
Tim Holtz Crazy Cats Stamps, #CMS251
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Crazy Cats Dies, #661209
Tim Holtz Bird Crazy Stamps, #CMS212
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Bird Crazy Dies, #660954
Tim Holtz Crazy Things Stamps, #CMS237
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Crazy Things Dies, #660953
Tim Holtz Mini Cats & Dogs Stamps, #CMS272
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Mini Cats & Dogs Dies, #661594
Tim Holtz Mini Bird Crazy & Things Stamps, #CMS250
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Bird Crazy & Things Dies, #660949
Happy Halloween Sticker from Stamp on It #DD7256
Hero Arts My Monthly Kit, April 2017 #HeroArts 
Red and Black Cardstock
Derwent Intense Pencils
Kuretake Zig Clean Color Markers
Watercolor Brush
Dove Blender Pen

Various Embellishments: Washi Tape, Sequins, Glitter, Bling on a Roll, Various Gems, Fabric Roses, and more.

I began by coloring and die cutting all the animals I wanted to use.  I have

Ms. Cat and
Little Tongue Out Dog

found that once my colored pencil dries it sometimes isn't as vibrant as I'd like, so I embellish the coloring further with the markers.  Sometimes it works out, sometimes not, but it is always fun!

There were a few "alterations" I had to do to make the costumes fit properly  First, Ms. Cat needed her front paws cut out again so they could be glued on the outside of her gown.  You couldn't see them otherwise.  And Diva Pink Bird also needed a new pair of wings to go over her sash.  

Diva Pink Bird and Slightly
Confused Dog

Now, there is a little story about this card.  Ms. Cat wanted to have a costume party for the neighborhood children so she invited Little Tongue Out Dog, Shy Orange Cat, Diva Pink Bird and Slightly Confused Small Dog. All of the invitees did a fabulous job with their costumes, as did Ms. Cat (she chose to wear a red dress made from the April 2017 collection of the House of Hero Arts and topped off the outfit with Silver/Silver Bling on a Roll earrings and choker, just be her glamorous self.)  Little Tongue Out Dog dressed himself up as a rose garden , using actual fabric roses as a headpiece  

The Crew

and an entire body rose.  Shy Orange Cat added bat wings to herself so if she felt nervous, she could just fly away.  Diva Pink Bird showed off her most recent pageant win, complete with glittery crown and sash.  If you look close, you can even see the sparkle in her eye.  Lastly, Slightly Confused Little Dog put on her star collar and witch hat that she customized by adding a matching star to the tip of the hat.  All of the kittens and puppies ate their fill of treats (no chocolate!) and had a grand time.  I hope you did, too! 

Another Look

I do hope you will join us this month at Stinkin' Inkers - I KNOW you are making Halloween cards, so you really have NO excuse not to join in the fun!  Thanks for visiting, and if you would, comment below on which costume you like the best.  If I get enough votes, I might give out a treat of my own, so please feel free to share this post! You don't need to follow my blog, but it is greatly appreciated (let me know in your comment so I can be sure to follow you back!)

** UPDATE: When I get 75 comments telling me which costume you like the best I will be doing a random drawing for a little prize. Open internationally! Please spread the word! (expires November 1, 2017)

I'd love to see your Monster Mash creations, so please join us at Stinkin' Inkers! Stay tuned for some more frightening fun Halloween creations! Hugs, Christi

I am entering my Monster Mash card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - A Walk on the Dark Side
Naughty or Nice Challenge - #44, Something Spooky
Frilly & Funky - Show Us Your Stamps 
Scrapy Land - #75, Anything Goes 
Double D Challenge - Fright Night Challenge
Creative Friday - #189, Die Cuts/Punches
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - #7, Anything Goes w/ a Critter

Things with Wings ~ Always Use Rubber Challenge #4

I hope this post finds everyone happy and healthy! Personally, this time of year is not good for my poor old body, but nothing I can't handle!  Today's theme, chosen by Jane, is Things with Wings - you can use anything with wings that you want to as long as you use rubber/polymer stamping! Please take a peek at our simple rules to ensure your entry fits with our challenge.  If you play, you have the chance of becoming our monthly winner of a gift certificate from our fabulous sponsor, Alleystamp!

What I Used to Make my Card
White Card Base
Homemade Background Paper - various washi tapes
Archival Ink in Jet Black
Distress Ink in Antique Paper
Tim Holtz Crazy Bird  Stamps #CMS212
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Crazy Birds Dies #660954
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Crazy Things Stamps #CMS237
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Crazy Things Dies #660953
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Labels, #660060
Zig Clean Color Markers
Dove Blender Pen
Sentiment from Hampton Art, PS0806G (discontinued but Available)
Scrap of Vanilla Card
Black Photo Corners from Xyron (they are shiny) Discontinued but Available

I confess I made the washi tape background eons ago - all I did was take all my white & off white tapes and stick them to some cardstock, then I "dyed" them with Distress Ink in Antique Paper (I smooshed some ink on the tape and used a baby wipe to clean off the excess and dye the tapes).  It's been sitting in my "Use This ASAP" basket since I made it.  I thought the background went well with my dapper bird and sentiment that is done in a vintage sort of font.

I colored my Crazy Bird with Zig Clean Color Markers and a blender pen.  The jaunty little hat was originally going to be part of a Halloween costume, but it never made it - it, too, was colored with the Clean Color Marker.  I cut a slit in the hat and put it on the birds head.  I attached the bird onto the washi tape background.

I then stamped my sentiment on cream (vanilla) colored cardstock, cut it out using the Labels Die Set and edged it in black to give it a bit more oomph. I

Another Look

attached that to the background paper also.  Lastly, I adhered the homemade background paper onto the card base using shiny black photo corners (and a bit of glue).  

I really think his eyes look like he's been out on the town and is just realizing how the sentiment is speaking to him - I'm thinking it's time for him to head back to his nest!

I hope you enjoyed my Things with Wings card and I sincerely hope you'll join in the Always Use Rubber challenge! I appreciate you stopping by and reading all about my card - if you decide to follow me, please leave me a comment with your blog info, I'll pop over and gladly follow you ~ fondly, Christi

I would like to enter my Things with Wings card in the following challenges:
The Amusing Challenge - (M) Anything Goes
Crafty Boots - Things with Wings
Creative with Stamps - #8, Use a Bird Stamp
Critters & Creatures - (M), #9, Must Have a Critter or Creature on Card 

Challenge #14 ~ ANYTHING GOES at Twofers!!

For this challenge at Twofers, the lovely Jane has decided to go with ANYTHING GOES ~ you can't get a much easier challenge than that (provided you follow our rules).  I took the opportunity to use one of my very favorite stamp sets, Newton's Antics from Newton's Nook and a brand new set of 72 (!!) Derwent Inktense pencils my Valentine gave to me (I am SO blessed!).  This time I kept the cats relativily natural looking, but watch out - I can feel some colorful creations coming my way!

How I made my Card:
Red Card Base
White Card Panel
Newton's Nook Newton's Antics Stamp & Die Set
Paper Smooches Charmed Cat 2 Set
Derwent Inktense Pencils
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Wendy Vecchi Ink in Red Geranium
Glitter Paper Punched Heart
Paw Print Charm (colored silver with leafing pen)
Dove Blender Pen
Pop Dots

I began my card by stamping the cats with the Jet Black ink on watercolor paper.  I colored them in using the Inktense pencils, and die cut them out.  

Dimension

I set the kitties aside and stamped the sentiment from Paper Smooches on white card using the geranium ink (by the way, if you are looking for a real red, Wendy Vecchi's is the BEST red ink I've found; archival, water proof and has matching embossing powder). I cut the sentiment out and edged it using the geranium ink as I didn't want it to blend in with the white panel.  I attached the sentiment, and glued with glitter paper heart on the end of it, finishing it off with the cute charm of a cat paw print.

I pop dotted the pair of felines onto the panel and I was done! The kitties look like they are in deep snuggle mode and I just think they are so freakin' cute! I hope you enjoyed my little tutorial and that you will join us over at TWOFERS, you might even win a $20 gift certificate to Alleystamp! Thanks so much, Christi

PS: Don't forget to enter my blog candy since you are here :)

Another Look :)

I would like to enter my Kitties card in the following challenges:
Aud Sentiments - #149, Cute & a Sentiment
Addicted to Stamps - #181, Anything Goes
SUYP - #3, Kitty Love
Cuttlebug Mania - I {heart} You
The Cat's Pajamas - #308, Use an Animal
Crafty Catz - #312, CAS
Eureka Stamps - #180, Feathers & Fur

Fall Flowers

I recently purchased some of the Zig Clean Color Brush Markers. I knew that they were going to be delivered while I was away, so I had them delivered to where I was.  Anticipating that, I had stamped a whole bunch of images to color in and I also brought my colored pencils and blender pens with me.  I colored and colored and colored and had a fabulous time! These flowers were born due to my coloring:

What I Used to Make my Card:
Vanilla Card Base
Various Distress Markers, Zig Clean Color Brush Markers & Various Water Color Pencils
Dove Blender Pen
Watercolor paper
Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Mowed Lawn
Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Flower Garden set, # CMS215
Quietfire Designs Ten Tiny Tag Sentiments, #6382
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Wink of Stella in Clear

Like I said, I colored these flowers before I even knew what I wanted to do with them, but once I saw how well the three of them went together, I knew I'd be using them for a card.  I had previously stamped them with the Jet Black ink on watercolor paper.  Once I was done coloring, after I got home, I fussy cut each flower.

I decided I wanted to use the stems that come with the Flower Garden set, so I placed the flowers where I thought they should go and then used them as a guide so I knew where to stamp the stems.  I stamped the stems and then glued the flowers in place.  I kind of curled up some of the petals to give the design a bit of texture.  I also dotted the insides of the flowers with Clear Wink of Stella for a subtle bit of glitz.

Lastly, I stamped the sentiment right on the card.  I truly enjoyed working with this set and I can see so many other colored flowers in my future.  I hope you consider becoming a follower of mine as I am trying to reach 100 new followers in 2015 and I only need about 14 more people and only have about 5 weeks to get them.  If I accomplish my goal there will be goodies, so please, subscribe and tell your friends to as well.  I hope your holiday season is going smoothly ~ Fondly, Christi

Another look :)

I would like to enter my Fall Flowers card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Thanks/Thanksgiving (my colors are "Thanksgivingish" & the Just a Note card could say Thanks inside)
The Crazy Challenge - #211, Anything Goes
Where the HeART is Challenge - (M), #3, Anything Goes
Robyn's Fetish Challenge Blog - #291, Cards with Autumn Colors
AAA Cards - #53, Anything Goes
Addicted to Stamps - #114, Anything Goes
Aud Sentiments Challenge - #145, Anything Goes w/ a Sentiment