Tuesday, January 15, 2013

MFP Blog Hop Day 1 - Fantastic Dogs



   January Blog Hop! 

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are
Fantastic Dogs Featured January 15
No Sour Grapes Featured January 16
In My Den Featured January 17
Love, Love, Love Featured January 18

Please hop along with us! You have a chance 
 to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the blogs listed below (don't forget this one) each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on January 19, 2013, on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win; and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11 PM EST on Friday January 18, 2013.


Happy New Year!!! Welcome to the first blog hop of 2013! We are so excited to share the great stamp sets we are releasing this month and the months to come. 



 The special stamp set we have for you this month is:
" OH Baby"
 

The mini stamp set we have for you this month is

"Not So Ugly"
 


I admit that the first set this week was the hardest for me -- not because I'm not a dog lover, but just because I haven't had a dog in a very long time.  But I jumped in with my fingers crossed.  My first card uses the Splitcoaststampers sketch challenge from last week.



A lot of this card was stamped on card stock from my scrap pile.  After stamping one of the dogs from today's set on a small piece of vanilla paper, I colored him with Chromatix markers.  They are alcohol markers I bought at Michaels, and they blend nicely.  The pawprint DP was also in my scraps -- just the right size for the sketch.  The background is embossed with a Sizzix plaid embossing folder and the sentiment panel and dog bone are both popped up with dimensionals.  The inside says, "It's Your Birthday."

My second card was actually inspired by a photo I received recently.  Last year, after my uncle died, my 90-year-old Aunt Mary moved into an assisted living facility.  As you may or may not be aware, many volunteer groups visit such facilities; and one of the groups visiting my aunt's ALF is a Pet Therapy group.  This photo was taken of my aunt and one of the visiting dogs.


The cocker spaniel's name is Lilly, and she reminded me very much of the other dog from today's set.  So after I stamped the image, I colored it to look like Lilly.



 After coloring the dog with Copic markers, I used some Copic blending solution on a dish cloth and sponged it over the image -- leaving a little texture to the coloring.  I had done the same thing to the dog in my first card, but it did not show as dramatically as the second one.

Be sure to check out the following blogs and comment for a chance to win a free stamp set.


Patty P.Lois (that's me), Vicky, Jane,  Debbie,  Pam,  Pat,  Thrifty Stamper,  MariLynn,  
Karen,  Bonnie,  Kathy,  Angela,  Cathy,  Toni,  Sue,  Janine,  TammyleeAn'jenic,  Kate,  

28 comments:

wannabcre8tive said...

Cute cards, Lois. I really like the layout on the second one. Alf does look like the dog on the stamp.

Bonnie Lynn said...

Awwww, love the pic and both cards are too cute Lois.

Janine said...

2 lovely cards - dogs are great therapy for all of us but especially people with no human companion.

Unknown said...

Cute cards. Wonderful job with the coloring; I'm jealous :)

Melissa
scraplady202@gmail.com

Vicky Gould said...

Awww, hope you sent that cute card to your aunt!!! Two awesome cards, Lois!!

Karen (TLgirl353) said...

Lois- both of your cards are fantastic. I am a two cat owner, but I love others' dogs!

Jane said...

Two very cute cards Lois!!! Love the second one and the sweet story...

Stampsnob. said...

AWWWH! Trip on the ears , really cute cards. Love the real dog........Lis

Anonymous said...

Adorable. Love the homemade pawprint dp and the texture to complement it.

Designing with Debbie said...

Two very cute cards. Gorgeous coloring as usual.

stampingbowd said...

Lois, Both cards are beautiful! I had a little hesititation myself since we have cats but this set really makes adorable cards, doesn't it! Love your inspiration photo and the card to go with!!!

Kathy Bradley said...

Lois,
What cute, cute cards! I like the texture showing up on the cute little Cocker Spaniel! I hope you are going to send that card to your Aunt Mary as a reminder of her little visitor.

Nana Griffin said...

both of these are great cards!

Winnie and Patty said...

Oh Lois--both of these cards are sooooo adorable!!! I love them both! And the picture of Lily is wonderful! TFS

Pat said...

Both cards are very cute. Great papers.

Lady Bug Stampers said...

I love your dog card and your dog as well my favorite breed. I had one as a child and still think of her today so many years later. Great stamp set thanks for the chance to win.
Linda K.
fldigichick@yahoo.com

Sue D said...

Great doggie cards!

Janeen said...

I love what you did tor the texture. Your creations are alway.s amažini, lois

Cathy Dineen said...

These cards are really cute, and I love that you based the second one on a real dog. :)

Brenda Ladd said...

Very pretty cards! You did a great job, tfs :) Brenda

loulou said...

Great cards. Love the dimension, the paper and embossing on the first. What wonderful inspiration for the spaniel card. cheers Linda

mariko said...

Such adorable cards! Love the "paw" paper in the first one, and the coloring in the 2nd one!

Ravengirl said...

Wonderful work Lois! I can clearly see the inspiration working in your second card!

Rosy Newlun said...

What precious doggie cards!

MariLynn said...

You did an awesome job with both dogs. I love the little doggie paw prints on the first one. I loved seeing the inspiration for the second card.

marg0006 said...

bOTH CARDS ARE SO CUTE and love the paw print paper.

marg0006 at verizon dot net

An'Jenic G. said...

Such great cards. And I love the papers used on your last card.
TFS AJ-

Tammylee said...

Two great cards and such wonderful inspiration for the second card! It is colored perfect to match Lilly!