I have been taking part in a Canadian Express Image swap on SCS. You'd think that swapping images would cut down on your need to spend, but I'm finding that the exact opposite is true. Between trying to keep a current list of images that people will want, and falling in love with some of the images you receive sooooo much that you have to buy it for yourself, I'm thinking I might have waded into dangerous waters, LOL!
The first 2 cards I'm sharing are from a clear stamp set called Four Dolls by Hero Arts. I ordered them a couple of weeks ago and eagerly awaited their arrival...until I got a sticky on my door from UPS asking for $33.53 in brokerage fees. THIRTY THREE DOLLARS AND FIFTY THREE CENTS!?! I only paid $55 for the 3 sets of stamps (which was to include shipping and handling...but apparently NOT brokerage fees). I was ticked! I'm fine with paying my customs and duties (even though the $5.00 "handling fee" seems excessive when your goods aren't worth that much), so I think that all my future "international" online orders will have to be from sites that use the good old postage system and I'll just have to learn a bit of patience.
So, without further ado, here are my dolls...
I used Stampin' Up! cardstock in Cameo Coral, Apricot Appeal and Going Gray. The DP (designer paper) came from an old mini ("Fall") slab from DCWV, the the "white" that the main image is stamped on is more of my "mystery cardstock" (the kind of stuff you get when your hubby works in the print industry). The sentiment is from a Hampton Art Studio G clear set. She is framed by rectangular Nestabilities (the scalloped layer is sponged to try and add a bit of depth) and sports a Prima flower and a mystery gem (the kind of stuff you get when you have daughters who don't clean up their stuff after them - yes, I am not below stealing from my children ;) ) I used Copic markers - my current favourites, but I have so much to learn - to colour her in and sponged the background in Apricol Appeal ink (SU!). The narrow strip of Going Gray cardstock has been pierced and the strip of Cameo Coral has another image (a strip of flowers) stamped in Cameo Coral ink (you'll probably have to look really close to even see it)
This next card uses the same Hero Arts stamp set, but I haven't decided what sentiment I want to use, so she looks a bit "lonely and lopsided" at the moment.
Again, I've used Nestablilities by Spellbinders (Labels 2) and another scrap of designer paper from an older DCWV slab. The black card base is Basic Black from SU! which was scored and folded using my beloved Scor-Pal. This is probably the best papercrafting purchase I've ever made and I wasn't even the one who bought it (I sent my hubby a link and he ordered it for my birthday a couple of years ago - thanks, hon!). I love it even more now that I can leave it out on my stamping desk! The little buckles are die-cut (sparkly paper unknown) using a QuicKutz "belt loops" die, the buttons are uknown, but the gold thread is from SU! Again, she is coloured using Copic markers and her head is popped-up using "Looney Store" (the Canadian version of dollar stores and pound shops) dimensionals which makes me think that she looks like a bobble-head doll - oh, well!
This next card has been made using an image I "snagged" in the Canadian Express Image Swap I'm enjoying over at SCS. She is a Gorjuss Girl ("Sitting") available through www.funkykits.co.uk. I *adore* this image and know after colouring in 3 of the same image that I will be ordering her in the near future (and likely a few of her "friends" as well). She makes Copic colouring look AWESOME. Trust me, I'm new to this, and not very good yet (I *think* the potential is there...), but this image makes me look like a pro - she just colours sooooo well.
The card base is Certainly Celery from SU! (again, lovingly scored using my Scor-Pal). I've also used SU!'s Yoyo Yellow and Regal Rose cardstock. Gorjuss Girl Sitting is stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink (great for Copic colouring) - thanks Shana! I've used some old ribbon from Michael's (I'll be using lots of "old" stuff now that it's all within eyesight!) to get my colour inspiration from. It is threaded through a Crop-a-Dile'd hole in a folded punch stack (used SU!'s Oval and Scalloped Oval punches). I also used an embossing folder (With Love) from Provocraft in my Cuttlebug for the texture at the bottom and a Martha Stewart (Doily?) edge punch on the Regal Rose Cardstock. The white cardstock is popped up on dimensionals (to allow space for the ribbon).
And all this is possible because I finally have a craft space to call my own (well, almost my own, DD is playing Webkinz on part of my desk using her Daddy's laptop...)
