Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Bombshell Black & White Blog Hop! & WW ATC Head Coverings

Happy Halloween friends - today's post is all about the:


You should have arrived here from Stempelientje but here is the full hop list:

Here's my black & white project using the Alter Skulls set:

I stamped in Versamark ink and used black embossing powder and some clear Stickles to add a little pizzazz. The "frame" was created with some cool spider web tape.  Sentiment is a sticker from SRM Stickers.

Your next stop on the hope is Rachael.  Have fun hoppin'!
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We also have a new challenge for you at:

Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge: Head Coverings


Head on over to see what the rest of the DT created and to play along with us!  Peace.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

One Sweet Challenge

Today's card is for the:


I used Sweet Pea Halloween Dusk digi by Sweet Pea Stamps, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits and glitter.  I used some papers from different manufacturers, and added some gemstone stickers.  I love these images, they are just gorgeous.  Peace.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Smudgy Antics, Delicious Doodles, & Simon Says Stamp

What a great weekend!  We went to Jeremy's mom's for dinner Friday night, she made us spaghetti and meatballs with cheesy garlic bread.  And, because I have been whining about missing a certain Middle Eastern restaurant back east called El Basha, she made me an absolutely delicious Fatoush salad.  I was in heaven.  I cleaned and caught up on laundry Saturday and spent all day Sunday in my craft room cranking out projects.  I'm already getting nervous about going on vacation for 2 weeks in December/January, but I have plenty of time to prepare and get things ready ahead of time.  

For today, I have a few cards for you.  My first card is for my last guest spot of the month at:


I used the digi Decanter Set from Smeared Ink and the Hanging Heart (also from Smeared Ink), along with a sentiment from TLC (they are so generous with their freebies!).  I used Glossy Accents on the "blood wine" and added a black taffeta ribbon.  I had fun being the guest designer at Smudgy Antics and at Smeared & Smudged for October - thank you for having me, my friends!

My next card is for the:


I used Black Widow from Delicious Doodles, colored with Prismacolor pencils and mineral spirits.

My last card is for the:


I used Jumping in Leaves from Jellypark, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits and Prismacolor markers.  The papers are digi papers from Design House Digital.  I added a ribbon and a pretty leaf charm.  Peace.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Vampire Chick

Hi everyone -I can hardly believe the East coast is expecting another Halloween hurricane this year.  Last year, Hurricane Eileen did some serious damage and put a damper on the Halloween festivities.  Looks like it's Hurricane Sandy's turn this year.  I'll be keeping my friends & family in my thoughts & prayers.  If any of you want to hop on a plane and come stay with us, you know the door's open!  :)

Today's card is for the following challenges:







I used Lil Haunts Vampire Lilith from Tickled Pink Stamps, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits and Prismacolor markers.  I never liked coloring black until I learned to use shades of gray and to be patient.  I'm quite pleased with it now!  Hope you're all having a nice weekend.  Peace.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

WW & JSL Reminders

Hi friends!  I really want to thank you all for your kind comments and for your support with the Papelitos crap.  It appears their blog has been shut down, and I hope that's the end of it.  I'll continue to keep my eyes on their shop and will do what I can to continue to notify artists whose copyrights are being violated.  I really love being part of such a great, tight-knit community that takes care of each other.  GROUP HUG!  :)

We have a reminder post for you at:


Head on over to see the rest of the DT's creations and to play along with us!

We also have a reminder post for you at:


I used Hallo Cat, one of my favorite images from Just Some Lines.  I colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits and paired it with some fun Halloween papers.  Head on over to see the rest of the DT's spooky Halloween creations!  Peace.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Friday Stuff

Hello all - we have a brand new challenge for you today posted over at:

I am entering the above card into the:

and


And I'm entering the below card into the following challenges:

 and 

 
 

Head on over to the Dilly Beans Challenge blog to see the rest of the DT's fabulous creations and to play along with us!  Peace.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Birdie Brown & Digi Stamp Boutique Halloween Hattie

Good morning, my loves.  :) Today is a new day - focusing on the good, the positive, the happy.  I have so much going on in so many areas of my life, my head kinda feels like it's been spinning lately.  Sometimes you literally just have to take a deep breath and remember to focus on what's important, it's so easy to get caught up with chaos and negativity sometimes.  I'm not good with that, I'm much too happy to let the bastards get me down.  :)

So I have the perfect cards for you to go with that mood!  ;)  How about a little card for this month's freebie challenge at:


I used the adorable free Gnome Boy in a Wood image offered this month and paired it with some sweet woodsy DP and a little silver leaf charm tied on with some twine.  Isn't he sweet?

Next up is my card for this month's:


I used Halloween Hattie, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits. My DP is from echo park, button is from SU!

Peace.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

The Papelitos NONSENSE

Hi all - so I feel I must address the ridiculous Papelitos nonsense and just explain it all here.  It started when a girl named Cris Valenzuela joined a DT I was on this past Summer.  She was from Spain and she seemed to be a nice girl!  She soon started talking about opening her own digi store on Etsy, and asked a few of our fellow DT members to join her on her own challenge blog as DT members or guest designers.  It was called Papelitos, and her personal blog was called Rutscht.  We became friendly, and she entered several of my ATC challenges at Wicked Wednesday using this blog.  In the meantime, she was providing her DT and guest designers with images that she claimed were HER OWN.  I have several e-mails between myself and her with her referring to "my Etsy shop" and "my stamps".

One of my fellow DT members got suspicious when she joined the Papelitos DT and almost immediately realized some of the "new images" were comic book art from an artist she knew of, Enrique Vegas.  She confronted Cris, who claimed that Enrique was a friend of hers, and that some of her stamps were drawn by her friends, and that she had permission to sell them.  My friend then contacted Enrique, who denied knowing Cris or anything about Papelitos Stamps and said that NO ONE had the right to be selling his comic book art as digi stamps.

Cris was removed from the team that she was on with me - all of her DT members quit and she removed the stolen art from her Etsy store.  When I contacted her asking her to please remove my name and blog link from the Papelitos blog, her reply was "Hi Jenn! this is not my problem. I have nothing to do with this blog or its stamps.."  LOL  After all the correspondence between herself and me about it all, after her SENDING me the damn stamps from HER e-mail address... the same e-mail address that she used to enter my challenges with her OTHER blog... I knew then that she really must have some serious problems, mental health issues of some sort, but I had no idea the extent of it. 

Anyway, I won't bore you with all the details, but I started to use Google Reverse Image search, and my friend was doing the same thing, and every time Papelitos has had new images released in the past month, we've found the true artists who did NOT give permission to Papelitos to use them.  One of them is a popular artist in Spain (I think - her blog is in Spanish), her name is Sarah con Hache and when I contacted her via Facebook, she was just astounded that anyone would do this.  Here are links to a few of the images that were lifted and sold by Papelitos - some of them are free coloring pages, so I hope you didn't waste your money:



I am on several design teams, so as I was leaving comments on entries over the past few weeks, I would also leave a comment warning them about Papelitos if they happened to enter her challenge as well.  One of those folks contacted me, and here is her story in her words on her own blog. She had asked me if I could help her discover the true artist of the images she had received as prize winnings from Papelitos, and I felt like a detective when I was successful!  LOL  They were from artist Roberto Barrios Angelelli - click here to read more.

So - that said - I must address the latest little blurb that is on the Papelitos latest challenge post here.  It says this, "Just a note:  I'm tired of the constant attack, and comes from the same people who sold us stolen images.  The person who sold  stolen pictures from us is the same as wasting time accusing everywhere about this.  We sold stolen images, because we did not know about it.  We feel this, because these people are denounced: J.B. and G. S.  Paula Vazquez, owner."   

Well, since I am JB, and since "Paula Vazquez" (Cristina Valenzuela's alter ego, perhaps???) has disabled anyone from being able to comment and defend themselves or warn others, I figured I'd write my own damn blog post.  This is the story, and I have noticed that the only images still in the Papelitos shop are the very few that we have not been able to identify the true artist of.  They had all previously (as of last week) been credited to a "Jordi Muntaner" (who I do not believe exists), but now they do not have any credits listed.  Regardless, I don't sell digi stamps.  If I did, I don't think I would then go tell the artists on myself... LOL  The whole thing is ridiculous and I will continue to report them to the REAL artists every single time I can find them.

Please feel free to share this blog post with as many of your artist friends as possible, in the hopes that eventually Papelitos will just STOP STEALING the artwork of others and re-selling it.  Thank you.


**UPDATE 11/1/12 - "Paula Vazquez" had a photo of herself and her family up on the Papelitos blog, which GS was able to reverse image search and found a Facebook profile for.  She sent the real Paula Vazquez an e-mail asking if she was the owner of Papelitos.  She never got a reply, but the next day the Papelitos challenge blog was down.  It's since been put back up, WITHOUT the picture.  Strange.  She is now linking up people's cards/blogs into her challenge without their permission.  There were 3 such entries yesterday, but they were all removed after they had been notified.  Again, beware of this person/company and keep your eyes open. 

Update 11/2/12 - Digi Galore Facebook group has discussions going about this and several members are discovering links to their works posted on the Papelitos blog without their knowledge or permission.  

Peace. 

Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge: Full Moon

Hello all - we have a new challenge for you this week at:

 
My ATC uses Spooky Bat Tree from DRS Designs, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits, along with a sentiment from the "Clearly Sentimental about Art" set from My Favorite Things.
Head on over to see the rest of the DT's creations and to link up!  Peace. 

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Delicious Doodles: Poppies, ADFD, & Songbird Card Challenge: Yellow

I have to tell you - it RAINED here yesterday!  We moved here in May, and I have not seen rain since I got here, so it was pretty exciting.  LOL  It was actually nice to see it, and it made the air smell good.  I love the smell of the air after rain.

We got some sad news yesterday.  Jeremy has a cousin, Amanda, who is an absolute sweetheart.  Last week, we found out that her step-dad had a very rare bone marrow disease and had just had a bone marrow transplant. He passed away the day before yesterday.  My heart goes out to Amanda and her mom.  Please keep them in your thoughts & prayers this week.  Thanks.

Today I have a card that I made for this week's:


I used Eva the Witch from Delicious Doodles, along with some beautiful poppies from Digi Sparkle (a company that is apparently no longer in business).  I printed the text in my word processing program - it's kinda funny, actually, I've got hundreds of sentiment/text stamps/digis and I almost always end up printing something out myself!  LOL

My next card is for the:

A Day for Daisies Challenge: Pop It Up!

I used Birdie Bride from A Day for Daisies, paper-pieced and colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits. Sentiment is what's popped up with foam dots, and it's from Designed2Delight Digi Stamps.

Next up is my card for the:


I used a digi image I had gotten from Sugar Creek Hollow, printed on Summer Sun cardstock and distressed a bit.

Hope you all have a great week! Peace.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Smudgy Antics, Raven, & The Doodle Garden

Happy Monday!  I'm back for another week of guest designing with:


I spritzed my background card with some black Smooch Spritz, and I hand-wrote the "Monster Mash" sentiment in the banner  Added a silver guitar charm and used pop-up dots to attach the skulls.

Next up is my card for this week's:


and
 and


My digi image is from CS Designs, she's called Raven.  I've colored her with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits, I love how she came out.

I also have a post today over at:

I used this sweet image called Bunny & Carrot from The Doodle Garden, covered in white Fun Flock.  She's just too sweet.  Peace.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

WW Butterflies Reminder & Just Some Lines: Anything Halloween

Hello there - I watched "Interview with a Vampire" yesterday, you know the one with Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise?  OMG - I cannot believe I had never seen it.  It was creepy and scary and LONG - but it was good.  I love to hate Tom Cruise, so his role was perfect.  LOL  Anyway, I did manage to squeak in some crafting time between watching a 2-hour movie, cleaning, and making a yummy marinated chicken and broccoli casserole for dinner.  I made a couple of cute ATC's for our reminder post at:

My 1st ATC uses Amalia & Butterflies Framed from Dilly Beans:

And this one uses Butterfly Baby from Saturated Canary:

Next up - we have a new challenge for you at:


 I used Little Witch 2, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits. 

And we have a special treat for you!
 
All of the Halloween digi stamps are 50% this weekend at Just Some Lines - click here to shop!  No code needed, images are marked at sale prices.  Have fun shopping!  Sale ends Sunday. Peace.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Dilly Beans & Jellypark

Happy Friday!  Fridays are always a good day, aren't they?  I don't even work outside the home anymore, but I still love Fridays.  :)  Maybe it's because some of my favorite challenges are on Fridays!  Today we have a new challenge for you at:


So let's see how YOU combine cute & spooky!  Head on over to see the rest of the fabulous DT's creations and to play along with us Dilly Beaners!  :)

Next up - we have a new release at:


This is just one of the adorable new images being released today!
Peace.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Sassy Studio Bingo & All That Scraps Anything But a Card

Hi friends - we're having some unseasonably hot weather in Sonoma County this week, it's going to be close to 100 today!  Luckily, my house stays nice and cool if we open the windows at night and then shut them before it gets hot.  I am planning on a nice cool day of crafting!  :)
 
So I played along with the
 


I did a diagonal Bingo using haunted house, witch's hat, free space (spooky tree), candy, and bat.

Next up - I made a gift tag for the:


I used the new Swiss Pixie Santa Lula digi image from All That Scraps and I paper-pieced the dress, boots, and hat - added some ribbon and word stickers.  Simple but cute! Peace.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

WW ATC Challenge: Butterflies, Emerald Faeries, Sketch Saturday, & Bombshell - October Bling!

We have a new challenge for you today at:

Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge: Butterflies


Our sponsor is Delicious Doodles, my image is called Fairy Fae.  I used some Halloween DP on her so she'd have an Autumn look.  Added a silver butterfly charm and lots of glitter.  :)

My next card is for the:

Emerald Faeries Challenge:  Anything Goes
and

Sketch Saturday Challenge
 

This gorgeous skull image is from A & T Digital Designs, colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral spirits and Stickles.  I love the skull key charm tied on that ribbon, isn't it cool?  I really love this one!

I have some cool news to share, too - I was super psyched to be chosen as one of the Bombshell Pin-Up Girls!  

I'll be representing January 2013 - but for now, I'm jumping in on the fun going on at the Bombshell forum.  There are tons of fun challenges and ways to win gift certificates to the fabulous Bombshell store.  Today's card is for the:


I used the Western Gal digi set along with some digi paper and a stitched ribbon.  I added a flower with a gemstone brad for the center and used Stickles all over the cowgirl boot.  Peace.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

TGF!

I did a little tutorial for The Greeting Farm, it came out in the newsletter yesterday.  Here is one of the cards that was featured:


What?  You're not a subscriber?  Well, you better head on over to The Greeting Farm and sign up, you do not want to miss another fabulous newsletter, trust me.  :)
Peace.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Smudgy Antics & HDH Macabre Monday, DICC & Simon Says Stamp

Happy Monday friends.  Today would have been my little buddy Meg's 16th birthday.  It SHOULD have been.  Cancer sucks.  So bad.
 
 
Anyway - I have to tell you a little story - you know about my tattoo (click here to see/read story) that I got a couple of weeks ago:

The bumblebee was for Meg.  Well, the following weekend Jeremy and I were sitting on the porch when a huge bumblebee came flying in and buzzed all around me.  I started laughing and asked Jeremy if he'd ever seen a bumblebee yet since we moved here 5 months ago and he said no.  Neither had I.  It flew around me again and then it buzzed away.  I just knew it was Meg.  Happy sweet 16th, little bumblebee.  xoxo
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I'm guest designing this month for Smeared & Smudged, which is a lot of fun.  Here is my creation for this week's:

and


I used a coffin template and created it myself - I was so proud.  hee hee  I used Silver Foil Smooch Spritz to color my white cardstock after printing the template on it.  I then folded up the coffin and swiped my red ink pad across the top.  I attached the colored Flower King - Vertical Border image from Smeared Ink with foam dimensional dots.  I used a piece of ribbon along the side and created an appropriate phrase out of some word stickers I had in my stash.  I love how this came out!

We also have a new itinerary challenge for you over at:


Desert Islands Crafts

Our itinerary was created by last week's winner Katie Tate, and she chose a list of "P" items:

1. Paper Piecing 
2. Pop Something Up
3. Scrapbook page instead of card
4. CASE something from Pinterest
5. Party 
6. Punches
7. Pink
8. Pearls
9. Purple
10.Photo
 
Our sponsor this week is Stitchy Bear Stamps and here are my takes on our itinerary - check out the DICC blog for more:


I am entering this next one into the:

Simon Says Stamp Challenge:  Dies and/or Punches
I used my rolled rose die and a piece of felt, I FINALLY got this damn thing to come out right.  LOL  I could not get it to work with paper and I was getting so frustrated, I almost threw it away.  But I decided to try a piece of felt, and I might let the rolled rose die live after all.  :)


Check out the DICC blog here to see the rest of the DT's creations and to play along with our fun itinerary challenge.  Peace.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

HDH Macabre Monday: Bats in the Belfry, Digi Galore, & Bombshell October Sketch

Went to the local fruit stand market yesterday and stocked up on a whole bunch of stuff - to the tune of over $60.00.  So it was not fun when I swiped my debit card and the clerk said in a surprised tone of voice "Oh!  I've never seen that before - fraud alert."  Good Lord.  Thankfully, I had another card on me but I was definitely freaked out.  I called the number on my card and was told that the fraud alert was placed a few weeks ago, and that I'd have to go into a branch on Monday morning to straighten it out.  Imagine if I had been away on vacation or something?  So annoying - yet I'm curious now to see what prompted the fraud alert.  I'll be thankful for the inconvenience if it's a true attempt at fraud!

So I hope the minions don't chain me and beat me but I went with the creepy-cute for this week's:


This sweet image is from A Day for Daisies, kept it really simple by just mounting her on this cool DP and tying a ribbon around it.  Sentiment is from Sassy Studio.  I am also entering her into the:

Digi Galore Challenge - Goth
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Next up is my take on October's Sketch at Bombshell Stamps:
 

Play along with the Bombshell Girls for a chance to win a $20.00 gift certificate to Bombshell Stamps! Peace.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

WW & JSL Reminders and Party Time Tuesday

Good morning!  I have 2 reminder posts for you today, first up is our reminder post for you at:
A Day for Daisies

The Doodle Garden
I am also entering the above ATC into the:

 Dilly Beans

Head on over to see all of my fabulous DT's creations and celebrate our first year with us!
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Next up is our reminder post at:


I used this cute Mummy Girl image from Just Some Lines that you can find here.  Head on over to play along with us, you've got one more week.  :)  Peace.