spotlight on... tag it, deer.

Happy Monday! A few more days of digi stamp spotlights, mkay? Today, let's look at the current fave: tag it, deer.

The image is so sweet, and perfect for creating holiday tags. I wrapped my first Christmas present of the season, for my little nephew.

I can't tell you how much I love how the tag and the buffalo check wrapping paper look together. The tag was not hard to create!  I printed the deer onto kraft paper (4 to a sheet so that I could cut it out with an oval steel die,) and then filled a sheet with the banner images. I typed in names of family and friends and printed them onto red paper. The banners I cut out by hand while watching Quantico (is anyone else hooked? dayum, everybody is keeping secrets!)

Once everything was printed and cut out, I added a bit of shading to the deer, and some light accents with a white gel pen.

I also decided to nix the banner image and just use the deer on a card:

Here, I paired her with the wreath image (that I also illustrated!) from Mama Elephant's Charmed set. She looks just as sweet in full color as she did printed on kraft paper.

I'm thrilled that so many of you love her!

♥.

spotlight on... elfish games

I'm continuing to take a closer look at some of the digi designs in my new Etsy shop.  Today, we're looking at this little elf couple:

I love how their hats point inwards at each other! When I was drawing them, I wanted to make them look like little kiddie elves, so I gave them fancy elf hats and footed pyjamas.  Kids in footed pyjamas are my fave.

The digital images are easy to manipulate, so that if you wanted to you could use them separately as well.

Here, I used the elf images and manipulated them to sit atop the banner image (from the deer digi stamp.) They make for a fun holiday tag set!

Once I stamped and color them, I used dies from Lawn Fawn to cut them out, and added a fun script sentiment by Mama Elephant.

Of course, you could always print them out as they are and just get to coloring!



I hope you like what I've created! Visit the Etsy shop to see the entire collection of Christmas digital stamps - click!

♥.

spotlight on... nutcracker sweet

A few days ago, I launched my etsy shop, with different digital images all ready to be printed and colored for the holiday season.

I showed off all of the images and the samples I created, but I'd love to talk about them individually.

Today, let's chat about this little nutcracker and her mouse queen friend:

I love everything nutcracker. When I was a little girl, my uncle took us to watch the ballet a few times, and it was always a magical experience. Then, when I used to play Tetris on our original Nintendo, I would always change the theme music to the other choice, The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. ha.

Instead of a boy nutcracker, I drew a little girl. She looks like she could be ready for cracking nuts or for band camp! amirite? And the evil mouse king? Not in my cute illustrations. A tiny, dainty mouse queen is more like it.

For my card, I printed out the graphic without re-sizing it at all. I made sure that the sizes were compatible for card-making! I did a search for nutcrackers on Pinterest (if you do this, be prepared for some really weirdo versions) to help with the coloring of her outfit. A rich navy blue complimented the nutcrackers' red jacket.



I also included a smaller version of the nutcracker and mouse image, without the big banner, and perfect for holiday tags. Wouldn't they be so cute to add to baked goods or candy gifts this Christmas? I always think of gumdrops and huge lollipops when I think of the Nutcracker ballet.

Here, I colored the images in softer tones, and die-cut them onto a Lawn Fawn ornament tag.  I then layered them onto a sunburst background (the die is by Avery Elle and so gorgeous.)

I hope you like the cards, and the images! Thanks for stopping by!

♥.

mama elephant designer series

Hi there!  I'm here and on the ME blog this morning, for my turn in the designer spotlight series. Mama Elephant had such a large and fantastic release, that I couldn't help but make 2 cards for today.

My first card is decked out in traditional red and green. I used the new Christmas Spirit elf with the big smile. He's standing next to the tree from Christmas Scene, and shouting "ho ho ho" from the new Mini Messages set.  The heat-embossed sentiment below is from an older Christmas set, Toy Shop.

My second card uses the new set, Blogging Buddies. I couldn't help but make it a little more seasonal by stamping the tiny penguin from Christmas Spirit onto the computer screen. Isn't he adorable? I colored the screen background in a light blue and added snowflakes using a white gel pen. You can turn any set into a winter/christmas themed card by just adding one little winter image!

I hope you like the two cards I created for today! Thanks for stopping by!

♥.

digi stamps giveaway winners

Yesterday, I opened a digital stamps etsy shop! From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for all of your support and kind encouragement!

It's always a bit nerve-wrecking to put myself out there, and try something new. you know?

I'm so happy to hear how much you all liked the images in my shop!

Over on instagram, I've announced the 4 winners who will win the entire Christmas collection of Just ME digital stamps. Check it out - it could be you!  (mom2sofia on instagram)

I hope you'll tag me or hashtag #justmedigitalstamps so that I can see what you're creating with my images. I love being surprised by the creative ways artists and crafters use my stuff!

♥.

Just ME digital stamps etsy shop opening!

I am so excited to share with you all that I've opened a little digital stamp shop!

They are all part of my Christmas collection (they've just all winter and holiday themed, but that sounded fancy.)  I'm making all of my Christmas tags this year with the sweet deer image above.

This cute bear holding this stuffed snowman is my favorite. And the retro-looking banner is so fun!



I also have a couple of elf kids in the collection. With their holiday footed pyjamas, they are ready for Christmas!

If you only need the boy image, he comes to you atop a present. Of course he made the nice list!



The matching girl image also comes with a little reindeer friend.

Sometimes they do let Rudolph play in the reindeer games.



This one is a little play on the Nutcracker Suite.... it's nutcracker sweet! ha. The nutcracker is a girl and she hangs with her little mouse queen friend.

Last, but not least, this waving penguin with his snowman-shaped balloon.

I hope you like what you see! All images can be purchased in my shop, please feel free to look around - click!

GIVEAWAY: I'll be running a giveaway on instagram, so visit me there for a chance to win the entire Christmas collection! (I'm "mom2sofia" over there.)

Santa and Rudolph {waffleflower stamps}

Hi there! I'm guesting over at the Waffleflower blog today, showing how I turned the adorable little monkeys from Willy & Friends into a couple of Christmas characters.

My favorite stamping technique has always been masking. It's the easiest way to alter images and make them look seamless, like they've been designed that way to begin with.



You'd never know that Rudoph had a different nose, or Santa had a different face altogether. The antlers and the Santa hat fit in perfectly as well! I love the images from the Stocking stamp set and how well they all fit together!

It's always a pleasure to guest for Nina and Waffleflower Stamps - she is a sweetheart! Thanks for having me, Nina!

♥.