Thursday, September 5, 2013

TTT Winner and September Challenge

Happy Thursday! Before we get to the new challenge we just have to share the 
BIG NEWS!!!!!
She's HERE!!!!!
Shelly's grand daughter arrived on August 15th (on her due date).  She weighed 9 pounds and 11 ounces and is 21 inches long.  And of course she is the most beautiful baby ever!


It is kind of hard to get back to the blog post after that excitement, but here we go!
Just a reminder that our challenges are now on a MONTHLY basis.  Each challenge here at Shelly's Images will begin on the first Thursday of the month and run through the end of the month.  That gives everyone a full month to play along!  Be sure to check out the sidebar for a complete list of upcoming challenges, tutorials, and special events.
AND, the DT will typically be working with a Shelly's Images digi stamp of their choice for each challenge.  That means you get to see lots of different digi stamps each month.  

So...let the fun begin!  To start off we want to announce the winner of our 
August ... OH SCRAP Challenge.  

Our "Beary" Favorite project is #81 Susan Kennedy from Scrap a thousand words!  Susan this project is absolutely stunning.  The layering you created is AMAZING!  And we also loved all the details on the inside of your invitation as well as the details on the envelope.  Great job!  And thanks so much for entering this project in our August Challenge.   Susan, I will be emailing you very soon with your $6 gift voucher.  Please also be sure to grab your "Beary" Favorite badge here.

Ready for a new challenge?!!?!!  We sure hope so!

Our September 2013 Challenge is...

ROLL 'EM
Use the Random.org number generator to pick your products/tools, 
roll at least three times. You can find the Random number generator in the top right hand column of the blog. For the minimum number enter "1" and for the maximum number enter "10" and then click generate.  Be sure to click generate 3 times.  Have fun! 
1– 4 Layers
2 – Border
3 – Die or Punch
4 – Kraft Paper
5 – Dry Embossing
6 – Item of Your Choice
7 – Markers only to color
8 – Paper Piercing
9 – 3 Different Patterned Papers
10 – Brads, Buttons or Bling

Take a look at what our talented designers created for this challenge!


 Using digi image 'Feathered Friend'
Roll 'Em Numbers 5 (dry embossing), 0 (brads), 3 (dies)

Using digi image Native American Girl
Roll 'Em Numbers 3 (die or punch), 5 (dry embossing), 4 kraft



Using the digi May flowers and the sentiment
Roll"em numbers
3-die or Punch, 7 Markers only to colour, 0 Brads, Buttons, Bling




Used digi image Sunflowers  and Beauty Sentiment
Roll 'Em Numbers 3) Die or Punch, 4) Kraft Paper, 
0) Brads, Buttons or Bling

Min featuring Ladybug Afternoon
Roll 'Em Numbers - 2 - Border, 3 - Die or Punch, 4 - Kraft Paper, 
6 - Item of your choice, 0 - Brads, Buttons or Bling

Challenge Rules:
  •  Link directly to your blog post entry, NOT your entire blog.
  •  Shelly's Images are not required (but we'd LOVE to see them).
  •  New projects only.  No back linking.
  •  Your entry must follow the theme.  For this challenge the theme is ROLL 'EM.  Be sure to tell us in your blog post what numbers you rolled for this challenge.
  •  Only FIVE entries per challenge please. 
  •  Challenge entry ends at midnight CST on September 30th.  Winners of this challenge will be announced October 3rd.
  •  Please turn off word verification at your blog if you would enjoy a comment from us.  It is just too time consuming to type in word verification at each challenge entry.  Thank you for understanding.
  •  In your blog post be sure to provide a link to Shelly's Images Blog and list that you are entering our challenge.
  • Life is busy for all of us here at Shelly's Images. We do projects with SI digi stamps and run the challenges just for the love of the hobby. We don't promise to comment on every entry. But all of the designers will go through the entries and stop by their favorites. If you get a comment from us you will know that we loved it enough to drop in and leave a special note. 
We look forward to seeing your creation and thanks so much for joining in our challenge fun!
Your turn ... please enter at the Inlinkz below:
 

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

'ERASING' TIP

Hi Everyone and welcome back to another Tutorial/Technique Tuesday! Today I have more of a TIP for you verses a tutorial or technique.  Actually Shelly introduced me to this product and I was so thrilled with the outcome that I felt it important to share with all of you!

Now if you are an Artist (like Shelly) this is not a new product for you but a novice crafter like myself can use all the helpful tips & tools I can get my hands on.  
This product is called KNEADED RUBBER ERASER!



As you can see, this product comes in different sizes & is manufactured by different companies.  I am using the General's Kneaded Rubber Eraser because that's the one Shelly showed me she was using and I found it during a shopping trip to JoAnn Fabrics.  The cost is minimal, depending on the size and company but I think mine was right around $1 and for what I'm doing, it will last me for a very long time because I only need a little bit ... not the whole block.  Let me show you what I'm talking about and the HUGE advantage to this product . . .

Here's the items I'll be using: 

This beautiful digi image called "Spring Lamb" is perfect for using this product.  I'm not real good coloring a 'sky' with my alcohol markers yet so I like using CHALK. 

Now that I have this product I don't have to worry much about going over my image lines with my chalk.  This kneaded rubber eraser makes it easy to get into those little places and remove any unwanted chalk from my image.

As you can see in this next photo ... you can also use a 'regular' eraser but when you do, you have all those NASTY pieces of eraser that come off and all over the place.  You are constantly erasing and blowing the residue of the eraser from your workspace ... messy, messy!

NOW with using this artists kneaded rubber eraser you have NO eraser pieces & residue to deal with.  You simply pull it (knead it) into the shape you want to work with and erase away!!!  It 'erases' the unwanted pencil lines, chalk, charcoals ... without any of that nasty residue.  You simply work the erased chalk/pencil back into the product by kneading it and keep working on your project!

I really like that you can form it into a shape that you can work with for getting into those close fitting areas of your image.  With a regular, larger eraser I was constantly having to reapply chalk to an area that was erased accidentally due to the size of my eraser.

Now my image is all ready to color & create with.  
My background sky looks perfect and so does my 'Spring Lamb'.

I hope you enjoyed this helpful TIP and when/if you purchase one for yourself, pop back and let us know what you think.

Remember to come back to Shelly's Images on Thursday when we will have another FUN challenge to share with you!  
Till then ... HAPPY CRAFTING!!