DUSTIN PIKE FREEBIE AND NEW RELEASES!

FREEBIE OF THE WEEK - DRAGON WITH WREATH!

TREE BEAR NEW RELEASE

SEW BEAR NEW RELEASE

Hello everyone...well I'm late with my entry today, but better late than never! Having some computer issues again.....getting thrown out of some of the blogs when I'm trying to comment and computer is working....at......snail.....pace! Doesn't it drive you bonkers when you are trying to catch up with everything, then your computer decides to go on vacation!!! OK Breath In and Breath Out!!!

So what do you think of my Dustin Pike images then? I loved making these and think that Christmas in July is more fun than doing Christmas in December.....at least the cardmaking part. The little dragon with the wreath was Dustin's freebie today and the other two are from his new releases that are supposed to be coming out tomorrow........but Dustin is also having some computer issues too!

For my images this week I colored them in copics and prisma markers, popped the little dragon out with pop dots on the top card, used glitter glue on the tree on the second card (don't you just love that image of the bear trying to put the star on top of the tree, I think he is darling). For the last card I sprinkled some sparkling embossing powder on the hat and stuffing to give it a little glitter and added a metal snowflake charm! The paper and snowflakes are from last year's stash, some of the ribbon too!

card recipes
images - Dustin Pike
DP - DCWV Christmas stack (from last year)
ribbons - from stash (green one is from Chico's clothing store!!!)
gems - Micheal's
Metal snowflake - Michael's

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and I'm sure you will let me know what you think!
Hugs,
Charlotte

MIDNIGHT MADNESS (MMSC12)

Happy Tuesday everyone!

I know it's almost a week since I posted anything on here so let me first apologize for that. Having a hard time getting organized after the vacation.....not really a good excuse but it's the only one I have.

I would like to welcome my new followers to my blog and say a huge thank you to my followers who leave comments on here....I love to read what you have to say, so keep them coming! This week I'd like to welcome Brenda from Brenda is full of scrap (love that name), she has some really cute scrapbook pages so you may want to check those out, and zinzia's blog with some really pretty cards.....stop on by you won't be disappointed, and of course Michelle from Enchanted Inspirations who has gorgeous images and is one of Midnight Madness sponsors right now. Michelle has a lovely blog candy going on at the moment for one of her adorable prints.... go check it out.

This weeks card is a little different for me, don't you think? Not sure if I really like what I made but still haven't decided...one of those times where I think to myself....should I have put this together this way? Anyway, I'm sure you will let me know if you are unsure about it too.....don't worry I won't be offended!

Well I have had this beautiful filigree gate from Lindy's gang just begging to be used, I had previously embossed it using Lindy's gang embossing powder but just couldn't figure out how to place it...until I saw MMSC12. I had fun placing all the little wires and curling them, then sticking on all the little flowers and adding some glitter to them. Unfortunately my ribbons are a little lower than on the sketch, but you still get the gist right? I do think the large flower kind of overpowers the gate though, perhaps it's a bit too dark for it. OK I'm not going to write anymore about this card coz I'll end up taking it off the post completely if I continue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

card recipe
filigree gate - Lindy's gang
flowers - prima vintage style nursery tales from Michael's
DP - K & Company Que sera sera
Ribbon - basic narrows by michaels
Embossing powder - Lindy's gang in Jack o'Lantern orange
edge cutter - Martha Stewart
glitter - martha stewart aquamarine
Butterfly - from my stash

If you haven't checked out everything that is going on over at Midnight Madness, you may want to fly on over coz there's so much. Hey and don't forget the Mad Money on Priscilla's blog (all the way on the right side), noone has collected the Mad Money yet, so keep checking it out....your name could be pulled out and you could win the cash!

Congratulations Carol H. for winning this weeks Midnight Madness Masterpiece Award...so well deserved. Her cards and creations are just beautiful! Enjoy your award.

Congratulations to our very own DT sister DENISE on winning this award. This is just so fitting for her as she is always consistent with her friendly comments and shows her love to everyone she meets. Wear this award proudly Denise, it is so well deserved.

Also please don't forget to check out my DT sisters blogs, click on their names on my side bar and you will get connected to each one. They do incredible work, are so inspiring, and are so worthy of a visit. Plus they are sincerely sweet ladies too.

*****A huge congratulations to Shawne one of our DT sisters, on the birth of her new baby girl.*****

Hope you enjoy your day!
Hugs,
Charlotte

DUSTIN PIKE FREEBIE

Happy Wednesday everyone!

I'm back from vacation but still trying to clean up after a week on a boat!!! So this post will be super short....I'm late for a date...with the Dutch lady friends!!

I still have so much to do to update my blog and my welcomes for my new followers plus some awards to give out to some much deserving crafters out there. I can't promise I'll get to them today because Thijs is home with me from summer camp...so I have very little time to get to my blogging buddies.

Here is a little set I made using Dustin's candy cane bear.....freebie for today. Hope you like it!

Have to run otherwise I will not get my lunch!!!!
See you real soon!
Hugs,
Charlotte

MIDNIGHT MADNESS (MMSC11)

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Well it's time for Midnight Madness sketch challenge number 11 already!!! What absolutely fabby entries we have had over the last week or so....you all rock!

For this sketch I chose a Dustin Pike image called wedbears....isn't it adorable? I love this one...mind you I don't think there is one image of Dustin's that I don't like!!! I colored this one in copics then painted over the wedding dress and veil with sparkly Mod Podge to give it a little shine. Then added a few flowers and ribbon, some gems and a metal wedding cake charm and that's all there is to it. Great layout don't you think? My cards are 6" X 6" so they are already quite big and I didn't want to make the card any bigger so I kind of had to play around and squeeze the little bears to fit the sketch. I had already colored the image and didn't want to waste it by not using it. Anyway, I'm sure you will let me know if it doesn't look good!

card recipe
Image - Dustin Pike wedbears
DP - martha stewart
Flowers - Prima got flowers? Fabric Fancies - Opal
Ribbon - from stash

Hope you all have a wonderful day!
Hugs,
Charlotte

DUSTIN PIKE FREEBIE DAY!

Gingerbread cookies Anyone?

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Yes I'm still on vacation so not many posts this week...ran out of time unfortunately! I would have loved to have had the time to make something with Dustin's new releases that come out tomorrow....I'll just have to catch up when I get back. He is still on the theme "Christmas in July" so you will enjoy what the DT have made for sure. I can't wait to see them.

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome two more lovely followers Anja de Regt and Judy from Judy's crafty moments....take a trip over there to check out the lovely work that these ladies do....you will be glad you went. Thank you both for joining in this fun with me and I hope more followers will find a little something they like here too!

So are you all getting in on the action over at Midnight Madness???? Dustin has so very generously donated a complete set of all his work.......all 118 images to one lucky winner!!! If you love DUSTIN PIKE images as much as I do.......scoot on over and play along with the Midnight Madness team. Make a card and be entered into the drawing for Dustin's fabulous cuties!

Ok I have to run as I am supposed to be setting sail right now...........remember I'm writing this ahead of time!!!

Take care and I will see you when I get back.
Hugs,
Charlotte

MIDNIGHT MADNESS (MMSC10)

Happy Tuesday everyone!!

Woo hoo...whose excited about MMSC10? You should all be coz we not only have some fabby cards from our DT, some truly fantastic prizes to give out........but we also have the weekly bonus prize from one of my favorite artists..........the wonderful MR. DUSTIN PIKE!!! I'm so pumped that he has this fabulous prize for one lucky winner coz he is such an incredibly sweet guy and jumped at this opportunity...no hesitation at all....Way to go DUSTIN! He's such a great guy to work with and I know you all love his cute images as much as I do. This set that he is giving away is so very generous.....all of his images....that's right.....all 118 images!!! You absolutely can't beat that. So if you haven't already checked out the Midnight Madness site.......get a drag-on over there and read all about it. There are so many prizes that even I'm having a difficult time keeping track of them!!

Anyway, take a deep breath now....whoa.....I'm still on vacation so I hope you are all busy crafting to make up for my absence!!!! Hopefully I'm in the ocean somewhere....without sharks!!! and enjoying my time in the sun....we hope that this trip is more successful than the last!!!!! But we won't go into that!

For this sketch I used another Elisabeth Bell image called Country Garden....(hey did you check out my side bar for her blog candy yet????) I colored her in prisma color pencils, then placed her on the background I made using Martha Stewart ink for the sky and Starburst Sprays from Lindy's Stamp Gang (our July sponsor) for the grass. Awesome stuff that Starburst Spray as it gives a lovely sheen to the color. You can also spray it very lightly or put a nice thick coat on like I did to cover all the paper. The background papers are one of my favorites from Making Memories and the flowers I picked up from Michael's. I really enjoyed this sketch, pretty layout I thought. Anyway, let me know what you think.........just coz I'm away doesn't mean I'm not thinking of all my lovely cyber peeps out there.

card recipe
Stamp - Elisabeth Bell - Country Garden from Sugar Nellie
DP - Making Memories Simply Fabulous Brooke Paisley and Brooke Narrow stripe
Flowers - spring stems from Michael's
Starburst Spray - Lindy's Stamp Gang - Jack in the Pulpit Teal
Ink - Martha Stewart Blue Sky
Gems - Studio 18 from Michael's
Ribbon - Dashes, Dots and checks from Michael's

Have a wonderful day!
Hugs,
Charlotte

"Midnight Madness & Dustin Pike (I can't hold back on the big Announcement)

CHECK OUT THIS FABULOUS NEWS!!!!

Priscilla wrote on her blog today...

"Midnight Madness & Dustin Pike (I can't hold back on the big Announcement)

I just can’t hold back any longer….guess what?? The Midnight Madness Weekly Bonus Winner for MMSC10 is going to Win

“Dustin Pike’s"

COMPLETE LINE OF Digis

That is 118 images!!

That’s right, you heard me correct!!! Dustin has so GENEROUSLY offered to our weekly bonus winner his complete line of images he has created to date. WOW what a prize!!!!

If you were to break that down, it is a

"Prize Worth over $300!!!!! INCREDIBLE!!!"

If you are not familiar with Dustin Pike, this is what I have learned about him.…..he has been drawing/doodling for as long as he can remember. Even his homework in school had more doodles in the blank parts than it did answers...In school he tried to have more art classes than any other, he just didn’t get math, English was OK, but in art classes he knew what he was doing. He joined the US Air Force in 92 with the idea that he would do commercial art, advertising, something in a creative field and boy was he wrong. At Basic training he was informed he would be an AMMO troop, driving bombs and missiles around the flight line delivering them to the jets. He still doodled in the Air Force, designing tattoos for friends, drawing on the bombs before they were sent away. He just kept it going to keep up the practice. After that he worked for a printing company in Bountiful, Utah. He designed a whole line of clip art for the yearbooks that they published. After he left there, he found a few places to free-lance and do drawings here and there. 6 or 7 years ago he found a company that would scan and sell his designs for scrapbooks. He did that for a while and then learned how to do it all by himself and went out on my own. He drew a lot of moose, bears and bugs, but somewhere a dragon popped in, He doesn’t remember exactly when but he was born and he's been a part of his wonderful art ever since. With his rubber and digi stamps a very good friend of his Rikki sent him an email telling him he needed to look into rubber stamps, his style has clean crisp dark lines that would transfer over very well into the stamping world. He contacted a few companies, joined a few groups and had his first rubber set coming out May 2nd and the second set around the second week of May. In the meantime he found Digital Stamps. Drew a few, put them on Etsy just to test the waters and found himself dragged in...He has since started his own website mainly for digi stamps...and the rest is history.


Here is just a sample of what the MMSC10 Weekly Bonus Winner will WIN!!


Give Dustin a visit and check him out!! So Be sure to check back on Tuesdays for the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge details and Newest SKETCH!!! You will not want to miss playing this next week for sure!!! :) Thank you for stopping in!!!"
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As you all know I'm a huge Dustin Pike fan...no news there right!!!! and if you didn't know then you might want to check out some of my posts to see what I've made using just a few of Dustin's artwork. Let me tell you these images are so easy to work with and the creations you can make with them are endless.....I still haven't used all the ones he has given to the DT but I know I will......they are so much fun to color. His lines are so crisp and clear that even if you are not a great colorer they still look good. My son even loves to color them...that's why I always print out extra copies so we can do them together!

While you are here, go ahead and check out some of the creations that my fellow Doodle Dragon teammates have done......links are on my side bar!

If you want to feel like a kid again.......and who wouldn't!!!!! I'm sure you will all want to join in this weeks sketch and have the chance of winning this absolutely incredible prize!!!!

Good luck to all of you and have fun creating!
Hugs, Charlotte

PS: I'm on vacation starting tomorrow so I won't be here for a week...don't worry I will make sure that you have something to look at while I'm away!!!

Win $1,000 at TheCuttlebugSpot.com!

Mary G said:

I have just discovered that The Cuttlebug Spot is having a contest - "The Journey to 1,000"! They are trying to reach 1,000 followers by the end of July and need your help. To enter all you have to do is go to their site, sign up as follower and complete a few easy steps and you could win a $1,000 gift certificate to Custom Crops (www.CustomCrops.com)! GO NOW and check it out at www.TheCuttlebugSpot.com

DUSTIN PIKE NEWS FLASH

Hello everyone,

I just had to share this news with you all! Dustin Pike is having his annual sale....he does this only one time per year and it is huge!!! If you love Dustin's images, shoot on over to his site coz he is offering all of his digi stamps.......

ALL 118 OF THEM FOR $25.00

Don't wait on this coz this sale ends on Sunday July 12th!!

HAVE FUN SHOPPING!
Hugs,
Charlotte

DUSTIN PIKE'S RELEASE DAY!!!!

Hello everyone!

Hope your day is going well! This is just a quick post to show a couple of Dustin Pike's little snowmen! Aren't they cute!!!

The first card is a spring card which I put together using DCWV Christmas glitter stack paper. The snowmen are colored in copics and prisma color pencils, then glossed over with shiny Hodge Podge. I cut them out and placed them on the card using pop dots so they stand out a bit. The sentiment was typed on the computer and chalked over using Inkadinkado chalks.

The second card I colored in prisma color pencils, glossed over it with shiny Hodge Podge then mounted it with pop dots. This one I am going to use in two challenges....OCC whose challenge is the red, white, and blue, and Stamp Something whose challenge is Christmas in July.

Sorry this post is short but I need to get my ironing done!!!

Before I go I would like to say a lovely welcome to my new followers, Julie's Crafty Creations, Lori and Drizzie Noodle (love that name)...if you get the chance hop on over to their lovely blogs and check them out!

Hugs,
Charlotte

DUSTIN PIKE - CHRISTMAS IN JULY!

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Just a really quick post today as I'm going to be away from my computer the rest of the day!

First I would like to say a lovely Welcome to my new followers: Loz who makes some lovely creations over at Midnight Madness, Kritter24, love the name!! and megz86 who I missed before (sorry!) and thank you so much for joining me on my journey....I love to visit those of you who have blogs but sometimes when I click on my followers names I don't see a blog connected to it!! Perhaps I'm doing something wrong! Anyway, I'm so happy you all decided to join me! Thank you!

Today is Wednesday so you all know what that means....FREEBIE Time over at Dustin's place!! The design team were lucky enough to get the freebie first this week and no hunting for it either......thanks Dustin! Well I think our artist is already in the Christmas spirit as we have Christmas in July releases coming up tomorrow....had so much fun with these images and a nice change to make something Christmasy!!

For today's freebie I made two very easy little boxes, big enough to add a few little candies in to hang on the tree or give to teachers....I made the triangle boxes for Thijs' teachers last Christmas, filled them with hersheys kisses and placed them all together on a tray....kind of looked like slices of pizza! They were received very well and all his teachers loved them.

I colored Dustin's adorable little santa in prisma markers and chalked the edge of one of the images then made the boxes, added the ribbons and sentiment and voila...two cute little boxes!!

The little rectangle box instructions are here:
The triangle box I don't remember where I got the instructions from (sorry!)

Anyway, let me know what you think!

Have a Very Merry Day!
Hugs,
Charlotte

MIDNIGHT MADNESS (MMSC9)

Happy Tuesday everyone!

First, I would like to welcome my new follower inbar samson.. thank you so much for becoming a follower....I hope you like what you see when you visit! Doesn't it just make your day when you get new followers? I know it does mine coz it lets me know I must be doing something right!!

Second, I want to say a huge Thank You to Chelsea over at Crafting Life's pieces....coz I entered her blog candy....and found out that I won!!!! WHOO HOO YEAH! I know I mentioned the beautiful creations she makes before, but if you get the chance please check her blog out.....it's sooo worth the visit...and to top it off she's so sweet too!

OK, now for the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge.....number 9 already! I really enjoyed this sketch and knew which Elisabeth Bell image I was going to use right away! Are you getting tired of seeing my Elisabeth Bell cards yet?? I just think she has amazingly talented and can't wait to own the new wedding ones....yeah it will be a while but eventually I will get them!! Sorry, I seemed to have become distracted there for a minute.

I know I say this each week but WOW what entries we have had....makes me want to find new techniques for my cards when I see some of the stunning creations. If you haven't checked all the wonderful things that are happening over at Midnight Madness, you should flutter on by coz there is a lot to read and some fantastic giveaways!!!! Plus you get to check out all the other DT creations....I love the fact that you get to see very unique designs from these extremely talented ladies......and no, I'm not talking about me here! I still have much to learn!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR MIDNIGHT MADNESS MASTERPIECE WINNER.............KathyJ(wattle), for such a beautiful entry!

Priscilla has done an amazing job with keeping up with everything for these challenges....honestly I don't know how she finds the time, but she does. Not only are there great giveaways but also on her sidebar you will find the Mad Money piggybank which will be topped up and given away to a lucky winner! So keep checking on the little piggy! Also, don't forget to check out who the Midnight Madness Award winner is and the DT Award winner too!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR VERY OWN COMPUTER SAVVY......SUE, WHO GETS THE TEAMS AWARDS THIS WEEK! WAY TO GO SUE AND THANKS FOR ALL YOUR TECHNO HELP.....WE NEED IT!!!

Finally, onto my card, I colored this sweetie in prismacolor pencils and copic markers. The outer edge of the little image is chalked to give a softened effect using Inkadinkadoo Bold Brights chalks. The scalloped edge of the white dp is done with a Martha Stewart edge punch. I punched holes for the ribbons on the sides then placed the flowers ontop of the holes so you don't see them! I scalloped stitched the outside of the card, I think it adds some softness to it, then placed some purple little gems to add some sparkle! Let me know what you think!

Card recipe
stamp - Elisabeth Bell Fragile Beauty from Sugar Nellie
stamp sentiment - Stampendous Friendly messages
dp - DCWV Glittered Posies pocket full of turquoise, Making Memories (white swirl paper)
ribbon - basic narrows from Michael's
flowers - Prima Nursery Tales
Chalk - Inkadinkado Bold Brights Blending chalks
Scalloped edge of white dp - Martha Stewart edge punch
gems - from my stash (Michael's or Jo-Ann's)

Hope you have a wonderful day!
Hugs,
Charlotte

DUSTIN PIKE'S STEGO!!

Happy Thursday everyone!

First I would like to say Welcome to my two new followers Bonnie and Chelsea. Thanks so much for joining in the fun and for the lovely comments. I love it when new peeps come to my blog..it really brightens my day and brings a little sunshine over....not that I need it in Sunny Florida...but you know what I mean! I recently came across Chelsea's blog and I have to say I was taken right away..you have to see her tear bears...they are so adorable...check out her post today with the skunks!!! Beautiful! I tried to find a blog for Bonnie but was unsuccessful....if you have one Bonnie, I'd love to check it out!

OK, So who didn't go over to Dustin's site yesterday for their freebie???? Naughty, naughty!!! Dustin didn't even let the DT in on this one...he had a fabby surprise that you had to go retrieve....so go....if you didn't get it...slide on over and go get it...you will love it for sure. There are no new releases this week but be sure to keep checking coz next week's releases are adorable. Some of the dt are trying to decide which ones to use, (it's difficult when you just love all of them)....I may just have to use them all!!

I couldn't let today pass by without a Dustin image though, so here is Dustin's Stegosaurus....isn't he cute!! Looks a bit like he's missing someone....hence the sentiment!! I colored him in Copics....sorry my copic selection is really small....that's why you keep seeing the same colors on my images!!! LOL I cut him out and placed him up on pop dots so he has a little dimension. I machine stitched each of the squares on the background to give a little texture. The orange with the blue really makes him stand out...don't you think. Maybe I should have done a different color background? What do you think?

Card recipe
Image - Dustin Pike - Stegosaurus, from the dino collection
DP - Making Memories
Ribbon - Basic Narrows from Michael's

Hope you all have a megasaurus day!!!!!!!!! (is that even a word??) LOL
Hugs,
Charlotte