Dot & Whimsy

Hello!  I'm trying to play catch-up on my blogging and I wanted to start

 with a couple of sweet summer-themed cards using the brand new 

"Summer Vibes" Collection  from 

and adorable dies from Top Dog Dies!

First up is a "Fun Summertime" card featuring the cutest hippo:

I've used the Top Dog Dies Hippo Die Set TC112 and the grey woodgrain paper found in the 6X6 paper pad to create the hippo. 

I chalked around the edge of the face and body with a darker grey and black chalk.  For the feet I used a black watercolor pencil.  The cheeks were also given blush with pink chalk.  I cut one of the "O" sticker letters in half to make the mouth.  And the chipboard sunglasses are a perfect fit!

I made the card a 5X7 size to accommodate the large die-cut title.  The sides of the title were embellished with die-cut and chipboard flowers with enamel dot centers.

Next up is a layered card featuring waves and sand using Top Dog Dies Water Die Set:

At the top of the card I used the sunburst clear overlay and placed it on top of the multi dot paper.  The waves were die cut from the blue floral and bits of solid blue paper that I found throughout the 6X6 paper pad. 

All of the layers were pieces together to form a 5" square so that it could be added to the 5.5" yellow woodgrain mat.  One of the Top Dog Dies Mini Tags TC044 was cut from a solid paper and a clear sticker attached to the center.

Foam adhesive was placed just along the top edge of each layer, with the bottom edge simply glued in place.  I finished the card by embellishing with enamel dots and Bradz.

Simple Stories Products:

Summer Vibes-

Hello!  I was up on the Bella Blvd Blog yesterday with 

with my first Bella Blvd-Illustrated Faith assignment

. Even before I was asked to join the creative team, I had in mind to

 make a "Prayer Request" journal just for Facebook. A day doesn't go by that

 I don't have a handful of Facebook friends asking for prayer or a story in

 my newsfeed that grips my heart.

 For my project I have taken a spiral bound journal that was actually a freebie that

my hubby came home with. You can find many types of inexpensive journals and

 notebooks in most dollar stores, so I hope you'll be inspired to make your own!

 First, I cut the Color Chaos down just a bit smaller than the album cover. 

I used a Xyron Creative Station to adhere it in place. A strip of washi tape was

 placed along the side where the patterned paper meets the linen binding

 on the notebook.

 Next, I cut down one of the journal stickers and embellished it with sticker 

pieces from the Illustrated Faith Collection, as well as Enamel Dots and ribbon 

from my stash. Now I have a place to jot down all of the prayer requests...

I don't want to forget a single one!

 Supplies:
Illustrated Faith: Label It stickers, Mini Mint to Be stickers, Fold It stickers,

I'm beginning a new journey, while revisiting an old friend!

I was extremely excited at the offer to join the 

side of the Illustrated Faith Creative Team!

Having been with Bella Blvd as a card and altered designer

for a couple of years, I jumped at the chance to be a part of this new

endeavor that Stephanie and the Bella team was embarking upon.

While I do plan on sharing artwork in my own journaling bible, for

now I will be showing some other ideas for using the beautiful 

products: cards, altered books/journals, home decor, etc.

Here is a peek at what I'm working on:

 

I will be sharing my newest project at the Bella Blvd Blog next

Tuesday, so please come over and take a look :)

The Illustrated Faith team has been introduced on the blog

and they have some amazing peeks of their artwork!

Happy Friday!
I wanted to let y'all know that I have a FREE project download up at

This sweet chipboard plaque was created with the Jack & Jill-Girl Collection!

And visit around...there are so many cute PDF project ideas that are FREE to you :)

Recently I shared two cards focusing on washi tape at

Washi tape brings a fun, slick texture and can add a quick pop of pattern and color 

to a plain cardstock.  For today’s cards I’m sharing a couple of my favorite ways to

 use these tapes on cards!

As shown with the first card, I love to use dies along with the washi tape to

 create a one-of-a-kind embellishment.

To start, I cut a scrap piece of white cardstock just a bit larger than the die shape.  

Pieces of tape were adhered to the paper and then die-cut.

The other umbrella components were die-cut from various 6X6 “I Love Sunshine”

 papers.  Strips of decorative border sticker were added to the top and bottom 

of the card and the design left fairly clean-and-simple.

 For the second card I implemented a brick-laying pattern using two different 

washi tape designs and a 3.5”X4.75” cardstock paper.

Start at any area at the top of the paper and place a small strip of tape at a

 diagonal angle.  Place the second strip of tape so that the end matches up with

 the end of the first strip.

 Continue with the pattern until the desired look has been achieved.

A matching set of flip flops (chipboard sticker) was placed at the bottom, along

 with a sentiment sticker and a couple of flowers.  Again, a quick and simple

 card to brighten someone’s day!

Products:
I Love Sunshine
ILS86003 Pinwheel Afternoon
ILS86005 Sandy Toes
ILS86008 Sun Beams
ILS86014 Element Sticker Sheet
ILS86015 Alpha Sticker Sheet
ILS86022 6x12 Chipboard
ILS86023 6x6 Paper Pad
ILS86026 Decorative Tape - Flip Flops
ILS86027 Decorative Tape – Dots
ILS86032 Summer Days Die Set

Jack and Jill Girl:
JJG81028 Enamel Dots