Chapter 15: New ideas are SWIRLING..doors are opening...all in our little WONDERLAND...

"It's no use talking about it," Alice said, looking up at the house and pretending it was arguing with her. `I'm not going in again yet. I know I should have to get through the Looking-glass again -- back into the old room -- and there'd be an end of all my adventures!' So, resolutely turning back upon the house, she set out once more down the path, determined to keep straight on till she got to the hill. For a few minutes all went on well, and she was just saying, `I really shall do it this time -- ' when the path gave a sudden twist and shook itself (as she described it afterwards), and the next moment she found herself actually walking in at the door..."

Hello everyone!

Alice's journeys in Wonderland are all about opening new doors and beginning new adventures. I can't believe 15 Chapters and weekly challenges have flown by so fast! But like Alice, it is time for me to leave Wonderland, at least for a little while. Also bidding the tea party a fond farewell this week are:

Betty Roberts (visit me tomorrow and you'll see why)

Lisa Hjulberg (see above)

Mary Giles

Pam Varnell

Before you get sad with me and starting crying in your tea, there's a lot to look forward to. Stay tuned to Oh, Alice next week for the June Tea Party Guest's first challenge (be sure to visit Oh, Alice to see who won the spot) and also for a VERY exciting announcement as there may be a few new place settings at the table... CURIOUSER AND CURIOUSER!!!

As if that weren't enough excitement, we are also happy to welcome LITTLE PAPER SHOP as our Sponsor! The very generous Julia has not only let the DT play with this adorably cute ALICE digi stamp, but is offering a $15 Gift Certificate to the LPS shop to one lucky winner this week! We can't thank Julia enough for this fabulous sponsorship.

Our Challenge this week is a fun one! Since we have so many ideas "SWIRLING" around in our heads, we want you to USE SWIRLS on your card/project this week. You can use DP, stamps, bling, whatever swirls up your own creativity! You have until Friday, June 4th at 8pm CST to upload your card/creation at Oh, Alice.

For my card, I decided to really swirl things around, by literally taking Alice back to her roots. I read recently that the real Alice had brown hair, not the blonde locks we are accustomed to seeing and usually associate with Alice. So I will exit Wonderland in true Alice style - on a slightly defiant note: Brunettes are smarter and have more imagination. ;)

Yours through the looking-glass,


Image(s): Little Paper Shop - Alice
Pattern Papers: We R Memory Keepers -Tiffany's Collection
Cardstock: local source
Embellishments: SU! hardware, ribbon
Tools: CB Swirls embossing folder, Spellbinders Labels 4, fine grit sandpaper
Colored with Copics

Chapter 14: Gettin' Sketchy In The Golden Afternoon...

"Little bread-and-butterflies kiss the tulips, and the sun is like a toy balloon. There are get up in the morning glories, in the golden afternoon. There are dizzy daffodils on the hillside, strings of violets are all in tune, Tiger lilies love the dandy lions, in the golden afternoon, the golden afternoon. There are dog and caterpillars and a copper centipede, where the lazy daisies love the very peaceful life they lead... "

Hello. We have a wonderful Sketch for you today designed by the lovely and mega-talented Jen Shults! Here's her awesome design:

Our sketch comes w/ just a small twist this week....
Ok, its HUGE!
ONE PLAYER will be chosen this week based on all of the entries (and we know it's going to be TOUGH!!!) to be our JUNE GUEST TEA PARTY MEMBER for Oh, Alice! That's right! The DT will be feverishly going through your creations to choose next month's Guest DT, so if you've been wanting to come and be our Guest at our totally TWISTED Tea Party, now is your chance!
Need some inspiration to get ya going? Check out the samples from our TOTALLY TWISTED Tea Party over at the Oh, Alice blog! :)

For my card, I used an image from Busy Beauties Boutique called "Friendship Blooms" from an Alice inspired series released in April. And *finally* broke out my Kioshi 6x6! I wanted the image and papers to shine, so I cut back a bit on the embellies, but I hope you can still see Jen's super fab sketch in there. (And sorry for the blurries toward the bottom right. I don't know what's up with that.)
We will leave this contest open until THURSDAY May 26th at 11:59 PM CST (please notice the earlier time limit this week just so we can have time to go over entries, contact the winner, and announce them by our next Challenge on the 28th!) to enter your creation. A preliminary note to all-since we know this is going to be a VERY hard decision, please do not be discouraged if your creation isn't chosen as we have plenty of opportunities coming up each month and have tons of fun up our sleeves! We are so thrilled that the blog is going strong and can't wait to see what's next for Oh, Alice!

Please don't forget to upload your creation using Mr. Linky and use keyword OAC14 if you use a public gallery, thanks! GOOD LUCK everyone!

Curiouser-ly yours,


Image(s): Busy Beauties Boutique - Friendship Blooms
Pattern Papers: Basic Grey - Kioshi
Cardstock: local source
Embellishments: light pink dew drops; Prima paper flowers
Colored with Copics
Layout by Jen Shults - OAC14

Chapter 13: Mushroom Inspiration...

"Oh dear! I'd nearly forgotten that I've got to grow up again! Let me see--how IS it to be managed? I suppose I ought to eat or drink something or other; but the great question is, what?''
Alice looked all round her at the flowers and the blades of grass, but she did not see anything that looked like the right thing to eat or drink under the circumstances. There was a large mushroom growing near her, about the same height as herself; and when she had looked under it, and on both sides of it, and behind it, it occurred to her that she might as well look and see what was on the top of it..."

Just like this adorable March Hare, I'm late. Again. Partly because this erratic spring weather is knocking me for a loop, and partly because things are just so busy and I'm becoming more & more easily confused. I started out doing this card with next week's challenge theme! Eek!

But I finally got it all sorted out, and here is this week's inspiration piece:
For my card, I took my inspiration more from the circle/bubble shape by using diamond glaze for the glass of the pocket watch, and focusing on the gorgeous blue-green colors, rather than the actual images depicted.

The one thing I did have right all along is that we are so lucky & excited to be sponsored by the amazing Victoria Case, who provided the DT with images and is offering a SUPER generous prize of 5 Rubber Stamps to one lucky winner! Can you believe that?!? Thanks so much, Victoria! So get hopping and link your creations on the Oh, Alice! blog by Friday, May 20th at 8pm CST! Please use OAC13 as your keyword.

Curiously yours,


Image(s): Victoria Case Designs - March Hare
Pattern Papers: Cosmo Cricket - Joy Ride (thanks, Kadie!!!!)
Cardstock: Bazzill - Hazel, and local source
Embellishments: tea pot charm, Cosmo Cricket (?) ribbon
Ink(s): Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Tea Dye and Antique Linen
Colored with Copics

Chapter 12: Curiosity is Key...

*** Please scroll down to Thursday's post for a chance to win some UNITY STAMPS BLOG CANDY and help me avoid a nervous break-down. :D ****

__________________________________________

" Suddenly Alice came upon a little three-legged table, all made of solid glass; there was nothing on it except a tiny golden key, and Alice's first thought was that it might belong to one of the doors of the hall; but, alas! either the locks were too large, or the key was too small, but at any rate it would not open any of them. However, on the second time round, she came upon a low curtain she had not noticed before, and behind it was a little door about fifteen inches high: she tried the little golden key in the lock, and to her great delight it fitted!"

This week at Oh, Alice! your curiosity is KEY to this week's challenge.
Rather, the Key IS the challenge! Yep! Let's see how YOU open the door to your creativity this week using a KEY as your inspiration. You can use embellishments, DP, stamps, whatever KEY elements you have to play is fine with us!
About my card: My week has been chock full of curiosities, and if you've been following along with me this week, you know I've been stretched to my limits, pushed to my maximum capacity, and am hanging on to my sanity by a very thin thread, swinging on the end of a frazzled little ol' rope - LOL! So, I'm not happy with this card, but at this point, it is what it is. *sigh*
I used an old fave, Cosmo Cricket's Wanted papers for the front of the card, to give the look of a big wooden door, and cut out one of the keyholes from a sheet of Graphic 45 paper for the smaller door. On the inside of the door is a snippet of Webster's Pages pattern paper, which I also used for the inside of the card. I loved the quotes on this sheet, as well as the garden and clock imagery, and the little bunny. The key image is stamped in Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Walnut Stain and heat embossed with antique gold powder. I pierced two holes toward the top of the key to thread my ribbon through. I will continue to tinker with the front of the card, to see if I can't add a bit more interest, but that will have to wait for now. C'est la vie, I guess.

There's no time limit to play this week, but I'm CURIOUS to see your take on this challenge!

May your week be curiouser and curiouser,


Image(s): Artistic Impressions
Pattern Papers: Graphic 45, Cosmo Cricket - Wanted collection; Webster's Pages
Cardstock: local source
Embellishments: cream ribbon, antique gold EP
Ink(s): Tim Holtz Distressed Ink - Walnut Stain

Chapter 11: Little People...Big Wonderland

`Tweedledum and Tweedledee
Agreed to have a battle;
For Tweedledum said Tweedledee
Had spoiled his nice new rattle.

Just then flew down a monstrous crow,
As black as a tar-barrel;
Which frightened both the heroes so,
They quite forgot their quarrel.'

Hello and welcome back! Things have been mad busy for me lately, and I sooooo missed making an Alice card last week. So this week, I am SUPER excited to tell you that we are being sponsored by the fabulous BUGABOO Stamps! The owner, Jodie, is just as sweet as can be and we are thrilled to be working with some of her adorable images! I chose the Card image and paired it with some Karen Foster Designs paper from my stash. I broke in my Spellbinders Flourish Impressabilities to echo the subtle pattern in the PP, as well as mimic the kind of patterns used on the backs of playing cards. After embossing it with the Spellbinders machine, I used the Impressabilites die as a mask and applied silver pigment ink, then topped it with black glittery EP and heat set.


Since we are talking about those two curious little Tweedles, Dee and Dum today, this week's challenge is to create a card, layout, or project for a CHILD. This can mean using children's images, making a layout of a child, creating a kid's bday card or room decor, etc.

The PRIZE this week is a GREAT one, too, thanks to Bugaboo! ONE lucky winner will receive 7 digi images of their choice! That's over a $21.00 value at mininum, wow! Thanks so much to Jodie and the Bugaboo Crew!

You have until Friday, May 7th at 8pm CST to link your creation on the Oh, Alice Blog, and the winner will be announced next Saturday! Please use keyword OAC11 when linking to a public gallery, thanks and have a great week!

Looking forward to seeing your 'ACE' creations!
Have a great weekend,

Image(s): Bugaboo - Card
Pattern Papers: Karen Foster Designs
Cardstock: local source
Embellishments: Powder Keg (PK Glitz) Midnight Sparkle embossing powder, black dew drops, JudiKins Diamond Glaze, MFT ribbon
Colored with Copics

Chapter 9: Somewhere in the Sunny, Sketchy, Afternoon...

Alice in Wonderland, how do you get to Wonderland?
Over the hill or underland, or just behind the tree?
When clouds go rolling by, they roll away and leave the sky.
Where is the land beyond the eye, that people can not see, where can it be? Where do stars go, where is the crescent moon?
They must be somewhere in the sunny afternoon.
Alice in Wonderland, where is the path to Wonderland?
Over the hill or here or there, I wonder where.

For this week's challenge, I wanted to really work with the excerpt. I chose these papers for their "sketchy" vibe, vivid yet organic colors, and the symbolism of the butterflies. And I just love this Sugar Nellie image that features a travelling gal wearing a MAD little hat! Combined, I hope these elements reflect my love of dreams (I've always been blessed with such vivid and colorful dreams) and the concept of dreams as a journey within ourselves, within our own minds. I always try to explain to people that I have a whole other world inside my head, and every time I go to sleep, I know a new adventure is about to begin. No wonder I love the Alice story so much. ;)

We hope you'll join us this week down the Rabbit Hole for this fun sketch, designed by DT member Tasha. :
There is a VERY generous prize offering this week from The BEARY SCRAP - an AMAZING $20 Gift Voucher for one lucky winner this week! If you want to throw your MAD HAT into the ring for the $20 Gift Voucher, please link your entry on the Oh, Alice! Blog by Friday, April 23rd at 8pm CST.

Sweet Dreams,


Image(s): Sugar Nellie - Journey by Leanne Ellis; SU sentiment
Pattern Papers: K&Co. Urban Rhapsody Collection
Cardstock: local source
Embellishments: Sakura Stardust Gelly Roll Pen
Colored with Copics
Layout: OAC9

Chapter 8: You Can Learn A Lot of Things from the Flowers...

`Never mind!' Alice said in a soothing tone, and stooping down to the daisies, who were just beginning again, she whispered, `If you don't hold your tongues, I'll pick you!' There was silence in a moment, and several of the pink daisies turned white. `That's right!' said the Tiger-lily. `The daisies are worst of all. When one speaks, they all begin together, and it's enough to make one wither to hear the way they go on!' `How is it you can all talk so nicely?' Alice said, hoping to get it into a better temper by a compliment. `I've been in many gardens before, but none of the flowers could talk.'

Hello everyone! Despite some recent snow flurries here in NE Ohio, Spring is almost here and soon all of our floral friends will be coming out to play! At the Oh, Alice! Blog, we definitely agree with Alice that you can learn a lot of things from the flowers! This week's challenge? You got it! USE FLOWERS on your card or project!

For my card, I wanted something that would (hopefully) draw you in, just as Alice was drawn down the Rabbit Hole into Wonderland. ;) I chose this pattern paper because it is so rich in color and detail, but also has great depth - just as I imagine the Queen's garden. The stamp I used has been in my stash awhile, just waiting for the right card. I just love her flower rimmed eyes! I decided to make my "flower girl" a brunette because I learned recently that the real Alice wasn't the fair-haired girl we usually envision. And besides, brown is beautiful! (No bias there - LOL!)

We have ANOTHER generous prize to give away this week donated by STAMPOTIQUE!
ONE RANDOM WINNER will be chosen to WIN a $15 GC to the STAMPOTIQUE store, where you'll find some of the most fun & funky stamps (including a great goth line designed by Daniel Torrente & Jill Penney) and supplies! Be sure to link your creation on the Oh, Alice Blog using Mr. Linky by Friday, April 16th at 8pm CST, and use OAC8 as your keyword when uploading to a gallery.

Happy Stamping and Happy Spring!

Florally yours,


Image(s): Basic Grey
Pattern Papers: Basic Grey - Infuse
Cardstock: local source
Embellishments: Nesties; Sakura Gelly Roll Pen (Stardust)
Colored with Copics

Chapter 7: We're All M.A.D. Here...

"But I don't want to go among mad people," Alice remarked."Oh, you can't help that," said the Cat: "we're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad.""How do you know I'm mad?" said Alice."You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldn't have come here..."

This week, we are gettin' our M.A.D. (Monochromatic And Distressed) with THE GREETING FARM!! Marie has generously offered her new line of Alice-inspired stamps, The Creepy Cakes to the DT and a FABULOUS prize of THREE FREE Creepy Cakes Digital Images OR ONE Rubber Single to ONE LUCKY WINNER! Thanks Marie!

We're also MAD about our APRIL TEA PARTY GUEST! Please join us in welcoming Kim Howard, a.k.a. BASEMENT STAMPER to our Twisted Tea party this month! She's been curiouser and curiouser to get started and we're happy to have her at our twisted little table :)

I was soooooo thrilled about this challenge theme!!! I've wanted to try my hand at a monochromatic card for a very long time, and of course, I love distressing! (My name is Catherine, and if I weren't a Christian, Tim Holtz would be my "god"!) Surprisingly, no Tim products were used to make this card! Say what?!? It's true! Much to my shame, I've misplaced my TH Distress Tool! I love that little gizmo like you wouldn't believe, so needless to say that distressing without it caused me quite a bit of distress and definitely increased the challenge of the challenge! (Did you follow all of that?!? LOL) Fret not. I now have a new relationship with my Cutterpede Scissors :) which I also used to distress the satin ribbon - something new and fun that popped into my head at 2:00 a.m. the other night. Gotta love midnight stamping - you tend to lose your inhibitions/fear when you're tired and working the wee hours. (And if this post is any indication, you also tend to lose your edit function and ramble incessantly! LOL) But I do want to share one more tidbit about this card. 1. This is my first purple card is ages! Purple can be a tricky color and I've shied away from it in the past. But I had to give it a shot because of this gorgeous paper, which I had actually bought when I was undecided about a previous challenge to use a caterpillar or butterfly. The added bonus is that this card totally reminds me of our beloved Mad-Hatter, Jessica (aka The Whimsical Butterfly), who was kind enough to invite me along on this wonderful adventure! (Love ya, Jess!)


I can't wait to see your Monochromatic And Distressed creation! You have until Friday, April 9th at 8pm CST to enter using Mr. Linky on the Oh, Alice Blog. The winner will be chosen and announced during next week's challenge! If you upload to a public gallery please use keyword OAC7.

Madly yours,


Image(s): The Greeting Farm - Freaky Flutter; Hero Arts Sentiment
Pattern Papers: Kaiser Kraft
Cardstock: local source
Embellishments: Sakura Gelly Roll Pen; Nesties; MFT and misc. buttons; American Crafts satin ribbon
Colored with Copics

CHAPTER 6: The Red Queen's FINE PRINT...

"The Red Queen shook her head, "You may call it 'nonsense' if you like," she said, "but I've heard nonsense, compared with which that would be as sensible as a dictionary!"

This week we're getting down to business and reading the "fine print" here in Wonderland.

We're also SO excited to be welcoming Digital Delights by Louby Loo as our sponsor this week! WOW! What a lucky group we are! Wendy from Digital Delights has not only graced the DT with some super fun Alice-inspired images to use, but is giving away a TEN DOLLAR GIFT CERTIFICATE to one lucky winner who will be randomly drawn from all the entries this week! THANKS Wendy!

This week's challenge is to create a card/project using some form of TEXT, such as text-printed pattern paper, old book pages, newspaper print, dictionary pages, etc. We just need to see SOME form of printed text on your card or project!

The images I chose to work with (thanks, Wendy!) are Teapot Pippin and the circular clock sentiment (notice the clock is backwards - what a great "Through the Looking Glass" touch!). Pippin immediately reminded me of Chapter VII of Alice In Wonderland (it's the Tea Party chapter, which ends with the Mad Hatter and March Hare trying to put a sleeping Dormouse into a tea pot), and I lucked out by finding an online version, that I reformatted to create my own text paper.

Now it's your turn! I can't wait to see you get TEXTY! :) To be entered in this week's prize drawing , link your creation to the Oh, Alice Blog by 10:00 PM CST on Friday, April 2nd! (Good grief, where did March go?!?!?!? *sigh* LOL) Please use keyword OAC6 if/when uploading to a public gallery.

Wonderful Weekend Hugs,


Image(s): Digital Delights by Louby Loo
Pattern Papers: Basic Grey - Sugar Rush (Jawbreaker)
Cardstock: local source, American Crafts texture (orange), Bazzill Texture (pink)
Embellishments: tea cup charm, PTI twine, lace, JudiKins Diamond Glaze

Ink(s): Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Ink (Antique Linen)
Colored with Copics
Layout: I'm starting to catalog my original sketches, but for sanity's sake, we'll call this one PAC1-10 (click to enlarge)

CHAPTER 5: WHOOOOOOOO RRRRRRRRRRR YOUUUUUUUU?

"Who are YOU?" said the Caterpillar.This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation. Alice replied, rather shyly, "I--I hardly know, sir, just at present-- at least I know who I WAS when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."

This week we are celebrating SPRING here in Wonderland! And, we have some WONDERFUL winged-things to show off courtesy of this week's sponsor, our very own Jen Shults! Jen's stamp company, Wild Flower Kids, has grown to be a favorite of the Oh, Alice DT, and we are SO honored that she's agreed to sponsor us this week by showcasing one of her new line, "All-A-Flutter"! Jen was gracious enough to provide the DT with some of these wonderfully cute and whimsical images as well.

I was at my new fave LSS recently and fell in love with this vibrant paper by Bo Bunny! I thought the vivid colors were just what you might find in the wilds of Wonderland. And I couldn't resist this Alice image of Jen's. I love her little smirk and her sassy hands-on-hips pose! The mushrooms were soooo fun to color and their spots called out for some shimmer, as did the beautiful butterflies.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it is to create a card using a CATERPILLAR or BUTTERFLY on your projects this week! You have until Friday, March 26th to submit your entries by 8pm CST. Winner will be announced on Saturday 3/26 during our next challenge and the WINNER will receive the "All-a-Flutter" digital images from Jen! This week's keyword is OAC5. That's about it! Just upload your card and link to Mr. Linky on the Oh, Alice Blog, and we'll stop by to see your amazing creations! HAPPY SPRING, everyone! See you next week!

Butterfly Hugs,


Image(s): Wild Flower Kids - Alice With Mushrooms, Butterflies, and Spread Your Wings sentiment
Pattern Papers: BoBunny - Calypso Bloom
Cardstock: Bazzill and American Crafts
Embellishments: Shimmerz-Candle Light; Sakura Gelly Roll Pen
Colored with Copics

CHAPTER 4: Picturing Wonderland

"Thus grew the tale of Wonderland: Thus slowly, one by one,Its quaint events were hammered out -And now the tale is done, And home we steer, a merry crew, Beneath the setting sun. Alice! a childish story take, And with gentle hand lay it were Childhood's dreams are twined. In Memory's mystic band, Like pilgrim's wither'd wreath of flowers Pluck'd in a far-off land..."

We have another Sketch Challenge today, this time brought to us by our very own Pam Varnell! Pam created this sketch JUST for the Oh, Alice! blog and it is soooooo Wonderland, don't you think? Here's the sketch:

My interpretation is a bit of a departure, but I had my fabulous friend Heather's amazing Mirror of Mushrooms image in mind from the start, so I used the image itself as its own frame, cutting and popping each layer. This is just one of Heather's fabulous Wonderland inspired images. You can see the whole collection at her store, Fresh Brewed Designs.

We'd LOVE for you to plunge Down the Rabbit hole with us again this week! All you have to do is upload your creation and link it using Mr. Linky on the Oh, Alice Blog! The keyword this week for public galleries is OAC4.
There's no time limit for this week's sketch, so take your time here in Wonderland and ENJOY! See you next Saturday, everyone!

Hugs,


Image(s): Fresh Brewed Designs - Mirror of Mushrooms
Pattern Papers: K & Company - Handmade
Cardstock: local source

Colored with Copics

CHAPTER 3: Painting the Roses Red

"Would you tell me please," said Alice a little timidly, "Why are you painting those roses?"
Five and Seven said nothing, but looked at Two. Two began in a low voice, "Why the fact is, you see, Miss, this here ought to have been a Red rose tree, and we put a white one in by mistake"...

Welcome back! We're painting the Roses RED...and blue...and purple....and hey, we're painting our NAILS too! Check out this AWESOMELY ALICE inspiration picture featuring this SUPER cool new O.P.I. Polish collection, "Wonderland".


What's more? We have a FABULOUS sponsor for this challenge-KRAFTIN' KIMMIE STAMPS! It just so happens that Kim is releasing some AWESOME Tea Party images this month and was gracious enough to donate a PRIZE pack of the new rubber stamp collection featuring these awesome new images! The DT is THRILLED to have been able to work with them, too!

Going into the challenge, I thought I had practically every piece of pattern paper worth having. But apparently not. LOL! Ultimately, I focused on the blue and...well, the polish on the left looks like a darkish pink, right???? and turned to my 6x6 of Basic Grey Urban Prairie, which I think coordinate quite nicely with this image called Giselle! (I also snuck in some purple with the lavendar shadowing and the bling in the center of the flowers.) Again, I wanted to bring out the dark and moody aspects of Wonderland, so I played up the black in the PP with a black card base and black hair. To me, the fab thing about Giselle is that she's an amalgam of several Wonderland characters - Alice's dress, the Mad Hatter's hat, and so why not give her the Queen's eyeshadow from the new movie? Since I wasn't exactly hitting the nail on the head color-wise, I tried to play up the shimmer from the nail polish by going over the eyeshadow and hair with a Stardust Gelly Roll pen, and referencing the keyhole background of the ad by freehand cropping the image in a keyhole shape.

I can't wait to see your take on this challenge and hope you'll play along with us *and* help welcome Oh, Alice's first Guest DT, ERIN LEVEILLE, by uploading your card or creation to Mr. Linky on the Oh, Alice blog and by using keyword OAC3 if you upload to a public forum such as SCS :) You will have until FRIDAY, MARCH 12th, 2010 to enter this challenge and the winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced during our next challenge on Saturday, March 13th! Good luck and have an AWESOMELY ALICE kind of week!

Happy Kraftin'


Image(s): Kratin' Kimmie - Spring Tea Party Set - Giselle; sentiment generated with 1,000 Fonts
Pattern Papers: Basic Grey Urban Prairie
Cardstock: local source
Embellishments: Paper Flowers made with Nellie Snellen punches using Urban Prairie papers; bling; gelly roll pen; Heidi Swapp ribbon
Colored with Copics

Oh, Alice: Chapter 2 - Redo

What does it mean when you go from excitedly saying "Oh, Alice!" to sighing to yourself, "Oh, Catherine..."????? Because that's what I've been doing since posting my last Oh, Alice DT card. I love letting my creativity run chaotically free (hence the messy craft areas), but then there's the OCD part of myself (washing my hands so many times, they look as dry as the Sahara). Do you ever have something in mind - such a specific idea of the vibe you're going for - but it just doesn't come out quite right? That's how I feel about my first card for this week's sketch challenge. And I just couldn't let it go. So here's my second stab at Chapter 2: Running in a Sketchy Circle . (Talk about running in circles! LOL!)
My goal all along was to focus on the dark quality of the Queen of Hearts, even though Kathy's PDS image is such a cutie. What to do, what to do... And then, to borrow an expression from Gomer Pyle, SHAZAM! I realized what I was going for was a contradiction in terms. Hence, Bittersweet pattern papers from Basic Grey! :D

The heart was traced and trimmed using a chipboard template. I wanted the dress to be dark, but also perfectly coordinated with the papers, so I blended N9, N10 and E49, and also used it to color the pearl heart, which was originally white.

Now I'm happy. Now I can sleep at night. Now I can stop running in circles.

Hugs,


Image(s): Pixie Dust Studio - Queen of Hearts; sentiment computer generated using 1,000 Free Fonts
Pattern Papers: Basic Grey - Bittersweet collection
Cardstock: Bazzill (pink); local source
Embellishments: Bazzill pearl brads, pearl heart compliments of Susana - SCACD (originally white, colored with Copic custom blend); cream lace; Spica glitter pen - silver
Colored with Copics
Layout: OAC2 by Mary Giles

CHAPTER TWO: Running in a SKETCHY circle...

"Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"
"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat.
"I don’t much care where--" said Alice.
"Then it doesn’t matter which way you go," said the Cat.

Here's my card (sorry for the wet stickles and lighting issues) for this week's 'Oh, Alice...' challenge based on Mary's sketch below.

I used a digital image graciously supplied by this week's sponsor,Pixie Dust Studios, called 'Queen of Hearts' and colored her up with Copics. I placed the chipboard heart in the upper left to evoke a playing card feel. Instead of the typical gold or silver, I used black Distress Stickles on the crown. She make look sweet, but we all know the Queen of Hearts has a dark side...not to mention a temper! LOL!


Not only did Kathy from Pixie Dust Studios VERY generously let us work with her new Digis from her "Down the Rabbit Hole" collection debuting March 1st, but what's more is that ONE LUCKY WINNER will be chosen at random from this week's challenge participants to choose THREE FREE DIGIS of their choice from Pixie Dust Studios! Thank you Kathy!


You have until FRIDAY, March 5, 2010 at 10pm CST to upload your card or project using the above sketch as your muse! Upload to your blog or public gallery (please use keyword OAC2) and LINK your name on the OH, ALICE CHALLENGE BLOG using Mr. Linky! We can't WAIT to see your creations!

For more inspiration, please visit the rest of the DT (see sidebar) and leave some love while you're there. :D

Wonderland hugs,


Image(s): Pixie Dust Studios - Down The Rabbit Hole Collection - Queen of Hearts
Pattern Papers: Making Memories - Kraft Striped Love Notes
Cardstock: local source
Embellishments: Blue Moon Studio charm (on scepter) from Susana's Custom Art & Card Design; brads'- Bazzill Collection Petite Pearls
Colored with Copics
Layout: OAC2 by Mary Giles

CHAPTER ONE: DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE: THE BEGINNING...

The White Rabbit put on his spectacles. "Where shall I begin, please your Majesty?" he asked."Begin at the beginning," the King said gravely, "and go on till you come to the end: then stop." -Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

ALICE GETS GLAM: INSPIRATION CHALLENGE
In anticipation of the upcoming Tim Burton movie remake, let's GET GLAM with Alice! Jessica recently scored this UBER fab makeup palette by Urban Decay and fell in love with the awesome colors, the NAMES of the eyeshadows (all after Alice, of course ;) and the pop-up mushroom mirror!We wanna see how YOU get Glam using this amazing little piece as your inspiration! Show us your style, put on the glitz, and GET GLAM!

And WHAT would our first Challenge be without a PRIZE?! Now, normally we'll be (hopefully) sponsored on the 1st Sat. of each month, but for today's FIRST Fall Down the Rabbit Hole, we thought we'd give away a little something! ONE LUCKY WINNER will be chosen at Random to WIN a stamp single of their choice from THE GREETING FARM (in stock items only). In addition, Jimmi also has some CANDY for one lucky challenge participant! So, GOOD LUCK and here's how to play: You have until FRIDAY, February 26, 2010 at 10pm CST to upload your card or project using the above inspiration photo as your muse! Upload to your blog or public gallery (please use keyword OAC1) and LINK your name on the Oh, Alice blog, using Mr. Linky! We can't WAIT to see your creations and THANK YOU for your support of this CURIOUS new venture!

I made my GLAM card with our Mad-Hatter, Jessica, in mind. I selected the papers with the make-up palette in mind, put on the glitz with stickles and rhinestones, and the paper's glossy accents and the silk cord add a bit of shine. My card literally couldn't have been created without a lot of help from my wonderful friends. The image is from dear Carolyn's company, Busy Beauties; the papers were a recent b-day gift from the lovely Kelly, and the gemstones were a swap gift from the amazing Kadie. Thanks, girls!


Be sure to visit all of the Oh, Alice... DT blogs (listed in the sidebar) for more inspiration!
Wonderland Hugs,


Image(s): Busy Beauties Boutique - Strawberry Lolita (option without strawberries); sentiment made from MFT set and Inque Boutique alphabet set
Pattern Papers: Heidi Grace - Reagan's Closet
Cardstock: local source
Embellishments: Stickles, Bling, Silk Cord
Colored with Copics

I'm late! I'm late!

Ahhhh....what else is new, right? LOL!
I had quite the adventure trying to finish this card. Seems my tardy bunny tried to make a break for it. I literally spent hours on the floor in my disaster of a craft area trying to find the stamp. I had used it for the mock up of this card, but when it came time to do the card for real, this little guy was apparently looking for a rabbit-hole under my ottoman! LOL!

I am still so wildly ecstatic over being so blessed to be part of the "Oh, Alice..." Challenge Blog! I hope you will all join us for our FIRST CHALLENGE, which will be announced THIS SATURDAY! Until then, this card is my paper celebration :D

(Sorry for the wonky photo, BTW. *sigh*)

One of the best parts of this is that I finally used the clock stamp, from a set I've had stashed away well over a year (or more???). After stamping and punching the clock face, I punched another circle in acetate and layered it on top as the "glass". Instead of hands, I put my "white rabbit" in the center, propped up on glue dots. The "Alice" image is courtesy of my swapping buddy, Debbie (djones), who traded images with me months ago - thanks Debbie! Who knew? :D

And thanks to all of your for your congrats, well wishes, support and encouragement! Love you all!

Twistedly yours,


Image(s): The Greeting Farm (Alice), SU (rabbit), Heidi Swapp (clock )
Pattern Papers: Cosmo Cricket - Earth Love
Cardstock: Bazzill, SU and local sources
Embellishments: Making Memories die-cut tag; velvet ric-rac ribbon
Inks: Memento, Tim Holtz Distress Ink
Colored with Copics
Layout: SC265

Oh, Alice! Oh My!

Ackkkkkkkkkkkkkkk! I have been on Cloud 9 since yesterday when I found out that I made the Oh, Alice Challenge Blog DT! OMGosh! Literally, I jumped up and down screaming with joy!

I hope you will join us on this adventure because I am certain it will be amazingly twisted and wonderful! And I can't wait to start working with these amazingly talented ladies!

Jessica Diedrich - our very own Mad Hatter and The "Twisted Thirteen" Tea Party:
Natasha Beasley
Samantha Betbeder
PaperAddict Catherine (me!)
Margie Cortina
Mary Giles
Lisa Hjulberg
Jimmi Mayo
Peggy McCurry
Betty Roberts
Kyra Sanders
Jen Shults
Pam Varnell
Kristy Young

I'll be back Wednesday (sorry for the delay) with an Alice inspired card to get the party started.

Hugs,