Supplies
Stamps: Hero Arts DigiKits (The Whimsical Cat, Birds on a Wire, Garden Flower Sketches); Jen Martakis (DSD 2009 Free Template)

Thanks for visiting! Your comments make me smile!

Hugs,
Joy

I made this Shabby Chic card for the Hero Arts Blog Friendship and Valentine's Challenge challenge:

CG119 Flourish Background
CG125 Friend Definition
AF147 Soft Blossom Ink Pad

The 3d flower is a Silhouette die cut that gets rolled up to form the flower. Mine came out kind of wonky, so I asked hubby to try one and it was much better. Thanks, Stephen. Love you. My Mom gave me the leaves. Thanks, Mom. Love you, too.

Thanks for looking! Comments are appreciated!

Hugs,
dustypenny (aka Joy)

I created this fun Christmas card / mini album gift for someone special. It is his granddaughter's first Christmas and I know there will be a lot of pictures of that he can put in here! This collage shows all the completed pages (note the tags sticking out on the top and sides; more on that in a moment):


This project started with a single sheet of 12" x 12" Bazzill Dotted Swiss Paper. Lots of folding and then Voila! you have a cute little card / album to dress up and give as a gift. You can find the folding instructions at BoBunny. I had seen this idea in other places, but their directions were helpful. I will admit that I messed up the folding on my first try, but at least I got it right on the second! I am kind of glad because I think this light blue looks better than the light green color I used on my first try.

I embellished the card / album with super cute images printed from the Hero Arts DigiKit Children's Christmas (resized in Photoshop Elements 8.0). I also added some Hero Arts gemstones, paper flowers, felt snowflakes, stamping, buttons, etc.

These pictures just show how the album opens at the top and sides to hold tags, extra photos, journaling, etc. Pretty cool!





Thanks for looking! Your comments here are very appreciated!

Hugs,
dustypenny (aka Joy)

Two of my favorite websites -- Hero Arts and Caardvarks -- teamed up for a Digital Showcase!



On this project I used the following Hero Arts DigiKits: Four Santas, Old Letter Writing, Vintage Travel, and Tiny Snowflakes (brushes). I also added the little birds (Sketchy Birds by Brandy Buffington) to Santa's wreath just for fun. I designed the piece in Photoshop Elements then printed it on Inkjet Fabric Paper. I used a Sizzix frame die in my Cuttlebug to cut the green felt frame (self-adhesive!). Next I attached it to a small premade canvas bag with a little stuffing to puff it up a bit. Super easy and NO sewing involved!

Here is a close-up:



Here is a close-up without the tag in the way:



This could be a cute gift with some homemade treats inside!

Thanks for visiting! Your comments are appreciated!

Hugs,
dustypenny (aka Joy)

Two of my favorite websites -- Hero Arts and Caardvarks -- teamed up for a Digital Showcase! How exciting!

I have been working with the Hero Arts DigiKits ever since they debuted on Two Peas (another favorite!). Those DigiKits finally inspired me to learn Photoshop Elements. I had it on my computer for awhile, but never had a big incentive to use it. That all changed thanks to Hero Arts!



Normally I prefer to keep digital projects digital and traditional projects traditional, but I do throw in some hybrids once in awhile. On this project I used the Hero Arts Stocking Cap Snowman DigiKit. I simply resized the snowman image in Photoshop Elements, then printed him on Inkjet Fabric Paper (so cool!). I used a Sizzix frame die in my Cuttlebug to cut the purple felt frame. Next I attached it to a small premade canvas bag with buttons, bells, and brads. Super easy and almost no sewing involved! That is good for me since I have trouble sewing straight lines!

Here is another view. Sometimes a gift can be greater than the sum of its parts. Who wouldn't want to get a little handmade holiday bag filled with Hero Arts goodies?!? Throw in some notecards and a Sparkle Clear set (I won this one at Jennifer McGuire's Classes recently so I am keeping it for myself!). Add a holiday a punch and an inkpad and you are all set!



Here is one last close-up:

    
Hello! This is a long post, but there are three freebies for you soon!

I am happy to report that my Digital Artist Trading Card (ATC) Tutorial is being featured on Artist Class today. In this project I share several quick digital art tips and tricks, including how to make your own digital papers, extract images, and more!

And I have some good news for you! In addition to the option to purchase the full Artist Class below, Mary is adding a new option this weekend so that you can sign up for my individual Tutorial and Mini Kit for only $10! I sure hope you will check it out and let me see what you make! You can sign up here! starting Sunday.

Participants will download a 7-page PDF with step-by-step instructions, a link for a free trial download of Adobe Photoshop Elements 8.0, and this fun French Dictionary Mini Kit!

--a memory album from a vintage record album book with lots of pockets for souvenirs
--an altered tin and gift tags (see what I did with this here)
--sweet paper doll dresses (see what I did with this here)


Download (personal use only):
http://www.4shared.com/file/156304683/b405cdf4/dpd_ac_freebie04.html

In other news, I am signed up for two classes -- Technique Bootcamp and Holiday Madness -- with the talented Jennifer McGuire on Saturday! How exciting is that!?! I promise to let you know how it goes if you join me for my Digital ATC Tutorial in Artist Class! Thanks for looking!

Hero Arts DigiKit: Snowman Stamp (new at TwoPeas this week)
Hero Arts Felt Joy and Holly
Mistletoe Papers by Making Memories
Snowflake Brad by TPC Studio
Buttons by Autumn Leaves

Close-ups here and here.

Thanks for looking!

Hugs,
dustypenny (aka Joy)

This weekend I took three fun classes in Princeton, Indiana with Sally Lynn MacDonald of Inky Heart: Copic Markers 101 – What? How? & WOW!; Glimmer Mist Techniques: Haunted Shadows album; and Clearly Capable – aka ‘Let No Surface Remain UnInked’ – Fall Theme.

This is what 200 cards look like! These will be getting mailed to OperationWriteHome.org very soon.



And here is Inspector Dusty making a final check:



Here are a couple of the cards (featuring Hero Arts stamps):





There is still time to sign up for Artist Class! You can read all about it at: dustypenny.blogspot.com/2009/10/exciting-news-artist-clas... Use the code dustypenny to get a $10 discount off the price of enrollment.

And how about another little freebie featuring a beautiful vintage butterfly image from Green Paper (*.png and *.jpg)?



Download (personal use only):
http://www.4shared.com/file/143141354/88003c31/dpd_ac_freebie02.html

Please join me for Artist Class! Thanks for looking!

Hugs,
dustypenny (aka Joy)

P.S. I am taking some very exciting crafting classes tomorrow! I'll post more details within a few days!

I am so excited to tell you that I will be featured in Mary Green's online Artist Class. Artist Class features lots of great artists and fun projects. You can read all about it here and here.

In my Artist Class project I will share several quick digital art tips and tricks, including how to make your own digital papers, extract images, and more! I will show you how to create several Artist Trading Cards with programs like Photoshop Elements, using fabulous vintage images from Green Paper Packages. Artist Class participants will also receive a digital mini kit to use in their own art projects!

Here are several samples (class ATCs may vary):



If you would like to participate in the online class, sign up here and be sure to use the code dustypenny to get a $10 discount off the price of enrollment.

Now, how about a little freebie featuring a vintage grapes image (*.png and *.jpg)?

Download (personal use only):
http://www.4shared.com/file/142853207/7bad48be/dpd_ac_freebie01.html

Please join me for Artist Class!

Hugs,
dustypenny (aka Joy)

In case you missed it, please read my original post and download my new "Spot Check" Mini Kit freebie:



I also made you a little Add-On freebie! This includes: 5 crumpled plain papers and 5 shiny brads with spots:



Download: http://www.4shared.com/file/142531090/ae589ccf/dpd_sc_add_on.html

Here is a card I made using my "Spot Check" Mini Kits along with Hero Arts digital images. I tore up a plain mailing envelope, scanned it, and then turned it into a mask in Photoshop Elements so I could add paper tearing along the bottom.



Credits: Hero Arts Dictionary Page (sentiment), Hero Arts Blossoms and Stems (flowers)

I would love to see what you make with my kits -- cards, scrapbook pages, ATCs, etc.! Send your links to dustypenny1@gmail.com and you might be featured on my blog!

Thanks for looking! Quick comments are appreciated!

Hugs,
dustypenny (aka Joy)

I am officially a first time digikit designer! I have been learning so much in Photoshop Elements and wanted to make a Mini Kit for the October Colour Challenge on digiscrapobsession.net!

My Mini Kit is called "Spot Check" and includes: 5 crumpled spotty papers, 5 stitched squares, and 5 shiny brads. I made some other items and would consider doing an Add-On if you like this!



Download: http://www.4shared.com/file/141708017/be6d0da8/dpd_sc.html

I would love to see your finished products! Send your links to dustypenny1@gmail.com for a chance to be featured on my blog.

Thanks! Hope you like it and please take time to leave a little comment for me below!

Hugs,
dustypenny (aka Joy)

Ok, how cool is this? I took the map scraps from my sailboat card, scanned them, then created my own digital alphabet!

If there is any interest I may create some digital freebies like this for you and post them on my blog. Let me know what you think!

Created for the HeroArts Blog Learning challenge -- inspired by Lucy's card at http://www.flickr.com/photos/30551735@N05/3906993021/. I made my own butterfly background paper using brushes.

HeroArts DIgiKits: Winged Friends, Woodcut Owls, Dictionary
Other DigiKits: Adorn Shaped Photo Masks by Jen Allyson, Apricot Avenue Tags by Jen Allyson, Spools of Stitches by Tia Bennett, Vintage butterfly page from greenpaper.typepad.com

Thanks for looking!

Created for the HeroArts Blog Learning challenge. I am learning a lot with the new DigiKits! For example, I used the eraser tool to make half a butterfly instead of a whole butterfly so it would look like a side view. I also recolored the butterfly to go with my flowers and paper.

HeroArts DIgiKits: Flutterbies, Real Flowers, and Blossoms & Stems
Other DigiKits: Adorn Shaped Photo Masks by Jen Allyson, Stitching by Designz by DeDe, Vintage Dictionary page from thevintagemoth.blogspot.com

Thanks for looking!

Created for the HeroArts Blog Learning challenge. I am learning a lot with the new DigiKits! For example, I used photo masks for the shapes on this card and I made my own overlay!

HeroArts DIgiKits: Flutterbies and Winged Friends
Other DigiKits: Adorn Shaped Photo Masks by Jen Allyson, Stitching by Designz by DeDe, Vintage Sheet Music "America the Beautiful" from thevintagemoth.blogspot.com

Thanks for looking!

Created for the Hero Arts Blog Fall Colors Challenge (Palette 1) using the Vintage Travel DigiKit and a Vintage Travel Poster image found online. Thanks for looking!

Created for the Hero Arts Blog Fall Colors Challenge (Palette 4) using the Vintage Parisian Artprint DigiKit. Thanks for looking!