Sunday, June 5, 2011

DDS It's a Boy Thing Challenge



I've decided to do a little twist on the new Doodle Dragon Studios challenge this time. Instead of a card, I chose to do a treat! These are yummy caramel apples from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Yeah, M&M caramel apples are my favorite. I'm so glad Dudley looks good with it!

This week's DDS challenge is "It's a Boy Thing!" which means you can do anything like Father's Day, masculine birthday, a baby boy...whatever boy creative thing you want to do. Then post it over on the Doodle Dragon Challenge by Sunday, June 12th.




Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (in our area) does these really cool caramel apples with school logos on them. They even do high schools in their school colors too. In the past I've talked alot about BYU. Now it's time to talk about the University of Utah aka "The U". There's a huge, heated rivalry between the two. If you live in Utah, you pretty much have to choose a team (BYU vs U), one or the other, even if you're not interested, you have to pick one. We've always been BYU, but since my son will be attending the U in the fall we're switching teams. What guy wouldn't want this delicious, team spirit apple?



Weird...this is the same exact bear as above except I put a graduation hat on him. These make for great teacher gifts too.

I've given you ideas for Father's Day, team spirit, graduation, and a teacher present. Let's see what you can come up with!

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Happy Memorial Day! And the OWHBH winner is...


Hope you had a happy and safe Memorial Day! The Operation Write Home Memorial Weekend Blog Hop was filled with amazing cards (and talent). Welcome to all the new followers of Big Smiles From Kbear and thank you for all the kind comments!

Now to what you've really been waiting for...my blog winner from the OWHBH is...
Lisa - lisastuf!
She has just won a $10 gift certificate to Doodle Dragon Studios digi store! Have fun shopping!

lisastuf said...

What an adorable card! I love Dustin's images also. I just recently found him.
You did a great job putting together this cute digi with the patriotic card!
Lisa H.


I made this card with my grandpa in mind. He passed away several years ago, but I still miss him dearly. Grandpa served in the Army in WW2. He traveled to many countries during the war. While in Russia, he was a member of the oxygen generation. His job was to make oxygen for the pilots. In his scrapbook he says, "The pilots told me we made the best tasting oxygen in the world. They said it tasted like ice cream. The reason was simple. We would draw off a big bucket of liquid oxygen and mix our ice cream whip up in there, and make ice cream for ourselves. I guess the flavor must have gotten into the oxygen." I can still hear his chuckle as he talked about this.

Thank you to all those who have served, are serving, and who will serve to protect this great country!

Supplies:
Original photo - taken at Washington Monument in D.C.
Doodle Dragon Studios image
Pop dots
Glossy Accent
American Crafts cardstock

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Operation Write Home Blog Hop with Candy!

Welcome to the Operation Write Home Memorial Day Weekend Blop Hop! You've arrived from Elizabeth's - Visions of Paper blog. If you have started here, at Big Smiles from Kbear, the fun has just begun! The recipe for this Blog Hop is a Missing You card with red, white, and blue colors.

Ta dah! Here's my card for the hop:

Become a follower (current followers can play too) and leave a comment to enter for a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to my favorite digi store...Doodle Dragon Studios. One person will randomly be drawn to win and will be posted on Tuesday, May 31. The lucky winner must claim their gift certificate by Sunday, June 5th.

Are you new to Doodle Dragon Studios? Go meet Dustin Pike at his Doodle Dragon Studios blog. He's amazingly talented. AND he's having a HUGE Memorial Day sale that you won't want to his. This sale only happens twice a year. You'll want to check it out!

Next on the Operation Write Home Blog Hop you're headed to

Angie's - Stampings of the Shug. Thanks for hopping by!


Supplies:

Doodle Dragon Studios image - CTR Bears set

Base Camp Cricut cartridge - I Miss U dog tags

The Best Paper

American Crafts cardstock

Star brads

Pop dots

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Doin' It 4 Dylan



As you may already know, Dustin Pike aka Doodle Dragon Studios, has the biggest heart of anyone I know. So when he gave out a call to send cards to Dylan, I knew I had to join the cause. Dylan is a 9 yr old boy recently diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor (Diffused Pontine Glioma). Here is Dylan's blog where you can read all about the things that this cute little boy and his family are going thru.

When you read Dylan's blog, you'll find he loves basketball, favorite color is blue and is a BYU fan (conveniently their colors are blue & white). Recently he met his favorite basketball player (and BYU player) Jimmer Fredette! Lucky! Remember the Teacher Appreciation Door post in April? It's the same guy. I used the famous "Teach Me How To Jimmer" phrase again, because #1 Dylan will love it, and #2 I seriously need to take a lesson from Dylan and his family. They are truly inspiring on facing this challenge with such a positive spirit and great faith in the Lord. My thoughts and prayers are with them.

Check out the monkey's wrist. He is sporting a wristband that Dylan is selling on his blog (I used Photoshop). I bought my own Doin' It 4 Dylan shirt and wristband. Dustin is offering a special edition image set for anyone who sends a card to Dylan. Read the Doodle Dragon Studios blog for more information. There's also another little boy, Thomas, who needs cards too. His story is in the post. Let's get cranking and send these courageous boys lots of cards!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

DDS - Shades of Green Challenge



Before you get all excited that I found my camera USB cord, I haven't. It's still MIA. And it's still raining. Earlier today, we did get a break and the sun came out most of the day. But the weatherman says it's going to rain for the next three days (it's sprinkling now). My ark is coming along quite nicely...thanks for asking. So far it sounds like Denni will be joining me. :) I haven't heard from Dustin for awhile. He must be okay, since he posted some more colored images in the Membership collections. I think we may have to navigate the waters up to Dustin's house (about an hour away). We'd better check on him, just in case.

Thankfully it's time for another Doodle Dragon Studios challenge. I needed a distraction from the weather and a forced time out crafting time! The theme for this challenge is quite appropriate...Shades of Green. I must admit, as much as I am tired of the rain, everything is a beautiful, lush green. Let's see YOUR take on all things green. Remember to post your project to Dustin's Doodle Dragon Studios blog by Sunday, May 29th.

For the record, I tried to doodle hearts on Dudley's paper, I tried "U & Me" all over, then "I (heart) U", then "U's". Poor Dudley, each paper just didn't look right. Finally, I decided Dudley is missing his girlie so much that he couldn't find of the words to say, staring at the blank piece of paper, dreaming...

Again, if you have my USB cord...PLEASE GIVE IT BACK! Or at least tell me where it's hiding. :)

Friday, May 20, 2011

Rain, Rain, Go Away!



Don't mind the load of lumber in my front yard. I'm building an ark. It's rained 32 days out of the last 50 days. Plus it snowed another 2 feet in the mountains yesterday. At some point, it's going to melt. There's still a ton of snow left so it's going to be a problem. But no fear! I'm building the ark. Feel free to join me. Bring some Diet Dr. Pepper. You can never have too much.

I thought after Teacher Appreciation Week life would slow down. Yeah, that hasn't happened. Whoever said life was easier when your kids were older (plus my own schedule) was tricking me. Between PTA Convention (loved it!), PTA training, another PTA meeting, church, scouts, Tumbling, Swim Training (I was corrected that she is in "training", swimming lessons are for kids who need to learn), Swim Team tryouts, high school graduation preparations, meeting with the University Counselors and Financial Office, dentist appointments, doctor appointments, end of the year homework, field trips, Junior High graduation, High School graduation, Grad Night, a big graduation family party, building an ark....yeah I see how life is slowing down and easier. NOT!

Dustin Pike - Doodle Dragon Studios has released some really fun images in the April and May Memberships. If you haven't enrolled, you're missing out! I'm hoping after I work on the ark a little bit, I will make some cards! I have three ideas ready to go if I could sit down for more than 5 minutes.

P.S. Whoever has my good camera's USB cord, would you politely return it today. Please? I need to download some pictures!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Same Image DDS Challenge



What a difference a camera makes! Here's the REAL picture. Now you can see the embossing on the sandpaper.



It's time for another Doodle Dragon Studios challenge! We love to see all the creativity using Dustin Pike's digis, so this time we're all going to use the SAME digi. Create whatever you want using the freebie digi, then post it to the challenge by Sunday, May 15th. Cruise on over to Dustin's Doodle Dragon Studio blog to see what the design team came up with.

P.S. This card is dedicated to my Dad. He's the biggest kid I know!


Supplies:
Doodle Dragon Studios image - freebie
Sandpaper
Cuttlebug embossing folder - Diamond Plate
Pebbles in My Pocket - brown candy dots
American Crafts cardstock

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Teacher Appreciation Door #3



I live in the land of Brigham Young University (BYU). If you remotely watched the college basketball March Madness playoffs, you will know that Jimmer Fredette (BYU guard) gained rock star status with his mad basketball skills and also Player of the Year. Everyone had Jimmer fever. A very catchy music video was produced called, "Teach Me How to Jimmer!" As a spoof off the Jimmer craze, I did this door for our P.E. teacher, Mr. Humphreys, for Teacher Appreciation Week.

Check out these two Teach Me How to Jimmer videos to gain full appreciation...
Teach Me How to Jimmer:
Official music video - Teach Me How to Jimmer

I'll be posting a tutorial on how to make these super sized doors soon. So be watching!

If you'd like to see all the doors that were done for Teacher Appreciation Week (remember it was a Sports theme), you can find them here.

Thanks Dustin for the Basketball Dudley set! You're the best!

Supplies:
Doodle Dragon Studios image - Basketball Dudley set
Butcher paper
Varsity Cricut cartridge
Foam basketballs (purchase at Dollar Tree)

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Teacher Appreciation Door #2



Here's another Teacher Appreciation door I did for the lunch ladies. We celebrate the faculty too. Our lunch ladies are the nicest ladies ever!

Buster Bunny is holding actual cooking spoons. His wheels are made for foam paper to add dimension. FYI - A glue gun works best for holding the spoons and wheels on.



Watch for one more door coming soon. I couldn't give you them all on the same day! That wouldn't be any fun!


Supplies:
Doodle Dragon Studios image - Toby & Buster set
Butcher paper
Cuttlebug embossing folder (for the orange on the butterfly)
Die cut letters & butterfly
Plastic cooking spoons
Black foam
White paint

Monday, May 2, 2011

Teacher Appreciation Door #1



When I heard the Teacher Appreciation Week was a sports theme, I knew I had to do this for the Teachers/Faculty Lounge door. The teachers and faculty at our elementary school are truly the best! My family has been at the school for 10 years now. I'm very involved with the PTA, so I've come to know the teachers and faculty quite well. I think they are so awesome! I can't wait to celebrate them all week!

Supplies:
Doodle Dragon Studios image - Football set
Butcher paper
Sports wrapping paper - purchased at Target
Blue foam
Varsity Letter Cricut cartridge
Plantin Cricut cartridge
American Crafts Thicker stickers - Letterman
Banner - purchased at Dollar Tree

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Sneak Peek of Teacher Appreciation Doors



If you've been wondering where I've been hiding...I've been working on Teacher Appreciation Doors. I am the PTA Teacher Appreciation Door Coordinator for our school. We decorate all the teachers and faculty doors (60 doors) to kick off the celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week. The Room Moms take care of their teachers and the PTA/other volunteers help with the other faculty and staff. It's one of my favorite events of the year! I love doors! I would do them all if I had the time! Since I'm the coordinator, I get first pick on which doors I would like to decorate. This year we were given a Sports Theme. I chose the P.E. teacher, the lunch ladies and the Teacher/Faculty Lounge. Obviously, I used Doodle Dragon Studios images! So be watching for something in the Basketball Dudley set, Toby from Toby & Buster set, and Football Dudley set.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Thanks a Melon!



I made a little thank you with Dustin Pike's cute bear image from the April Membership collection. Hmmm...the baby watermelon isn't really as tiny as it looks.

Supplies:
Doodle Dragon Studios image - April Membership
DCWV - Woodland Red Dot Flower cardstock
"Just Because" Cricut cartridge
Tags, Bags & Boxes Cricut cartridge
American Crafts cardstock
Brown raffia
Pop dots
Watermelon - yum!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Happy Easter!



Hoppy hoppy Easter!


Supplies:
Doodle Dragon Studios image
Easter Subway Art - free download
American Crafts ribbon
American Crafts cardstock
We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper
M&M's

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Are You Thirsty, Blogiversary Hoppers?



Phew! Are you thirsty from all the hopping? We really should have supplied some party drinks! Just a little something made with Dustin's 6 year old helper's image. :) Keep hydrated and hopping, but first read my post below to get your secret word!



It says Blog Hop all the way around the bottle.

Happy Blog-Iversary!



Welcome Dustin Pike fans to our second blog hop. This is a party you will NOT want to miss!

We are delighted to share with you some of the amazing images Dustin Pike, illustrator of all Doodle Dragon Studios designs. This day marks the anniversary of Dustin's 2 years on his blog and we, the Doodle Dragon Crew want to show you some of the fabulous Blog-iversary images you can get for a fantastic price, offer is good for a limited time, so go look. Dustin is so generous with his images. If you are new with digital images you will be happy to hear that they are easy to use, store and print out. You can resize them and then print on your favorite paper. Dustin not only gives you Black and White images but sometimes even throws in the colored versions too (my personal favorite). You can locate these images at the Doodle Dragon Studios Store, as well as many more. 200 images plus for ONLY $20.00 USD during the blog hop ONLY. See Blog Hop details below.

I wish I had nothing else to do in my life this week but play with all the fun new images! Unfortunately, that's not how it turned out. Darn. So here's a few cards I made:



Basketball is one of my Top 3 favorite sports. I'm definitely a fan of this set! Watch for more basketball projects to come in the near future.




In honor of our trip to Italy this summer...here's a stamp to put on our postcards.




Since we will be going to Italy and not Cancun...


***If you purchase the Blog-iversary images BEFORE Saturday midnight (MTN TIME) you will receive over 200 digi's for $20.00. AND if you bought the April 7th release there is a 50% off code in the file that would make the blogiversary 10 bucks...thru Saturday ONLY. After Saturday night they get split into sets and will be available at a different price. Don't wait, get in on the Blog-iversary NOW.

Hop Details:

Comment on EACH one of the stops along the way for 10 chances to win. Each one of the Design Team will be drawing a name and announcing a winner from our commenters. We will post the winners on Sunday April 24th and you will have till the following Wednesday to email Dustin with your name and shipping address for your prize delivery.

Every blog along the way has a special word. Collect the words on each blog to make a sentence and then at the end of the Hop email the sentence to Dustin_Pike@yahoo.com in order to be eligible for the prizes. What is the prize you ask? You will receive an original piece of artwork, hand drawn, colored and signed by Dustin Pike. In all your excitement don't forget to pickup YOUR Blov-iversary images at Doodledragonstudios.com. Blog Hop starts today and goes until midnight on Saturday, April 23rd, mountain time.

My special word is "HUGE" because I'm a huge fan of Dustin's!

If you are just starting MY blog, be sure to go back to the beginning at Dustin Pike's blog so you don't miss anything. Thanks for stopping by. If you you've been hopping through a few of the Doodle Dragon Crew blogs...keep hopping next to Gramma's blog!

Blogiversary Cards


Supplies:
Doodle Dragon Studio image - Basketball Dudley
Crafters Square - foam basketball
American Crafts Thickers Stickers - Letterman
Font on jersey - Collegiate Heavy Outline Medium
American Craft cardstock
Pop dots



Supplies:
Doodle Dragon Studios images - Traveling Monkey
TPC Studio paper - Beyond the Page Red Compass
Birthday Bash Cricut cartridge (stamp)
Storybook Cricut cartridge (font)
Offray - Stylish Accents rose
American Crafts cardstock
Pop dots



Supplies:
Doodle Dragon Studios image - Beach Hippos
Original personal picture
American Crafts cardstock
Sand from Cancun
CK font
Pop dots

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Blog-Iversary starts tomorrow!



Dustin Pike's - Doodle Dragon Studios
blogiversary starts tomorrow, Thursday, April 21st! Be sure to check back to see the excitement!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Happy Birthday DDS Challenge



Time to celebrate! In honor of Dustin Pike - Doodle Dragon Studios blogiversary (it's turning 2), the DDS Design Team decided to have a Birthday Challenge. Come join the fun...any Doodle Dragon Studios image and create a birthday project. Then post to the Doodle Dragon Studios - Pike's Playground challenge on Dustin's blog by Sunday, April 17th.

Watch Dustin's blog for more details on his big blogiversary celebration coming soon.

Supplies:
Doodle Dragon Studios image - Widdle Moose
Birthday Bash Cricut cartridge
Doodlebug Designs Inc - blue dot cardstock
Digital paper - GG Digital Designs - Happy Helpers
Stampin' Up tag punch
Ribbon - from stash
Font - CK Comic
Pop dots
American Craft cardstock

Thursday, April 7, 2011

New Release...Happy Mother's Day!



Cookies and grandmas just go together. Don't you agree? When I saw this image, I knew I had to make something with it. Then when I saw Dustin Pike had colored her in a purple dress, it made my heart melt and brought a smile to my face with a flood of memories. My great grandma wore lots of purple, always had cookies, loved flowers, loved me, and made beautiful doilies. I combined them all together to make this card.

Obviously, I dedicate this card to my grandma. She always had cookies in her cookie jar. They were usually oatmeal raisin cookies. I was young and not a big fan of them. But I ate them anyway. Hello? They were cookies. Now oatmeal raisin cookies are my all time favorite. My grandma's birthday would have been tomorrow. To celebrate her inspiring life, here's a card for her with some oatmeal raisin cookies and a glass of iced milk. Love you Grandma! Hope they have cookies in heaven!

Now it's your turn to make something for the special woman in your life. Be sure to add this new Mother's Day digi set to your collection. You can find it at Dustin Pike's Doodle Dragon Studios store.




Supplies:
Doodle Dragon Studios image - Mother's Day set
Martha Stewart doily lace edge punch
EK Success Retro Daisy punch - large & medium
Favorite Findings buttons - pastel daisy
Don Juan Cricut cartridge
Spellbinder Nestibilities - oval
DCWV paper - The Glitter Stack
American Crafts cardstock
Pop dots

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Autism Awareness Month



Did you know autism affects 1 out of 110 children and 1 out of 70 boys? It's true. You can find more information on Autism here.

Autism Awareness Month has been on my radar for a while. Besides using a Dustin Pike's - Doodle Dragon Studios Awareness image, I couldn't think of a project to honor this event. Then yesterday while I was at Target, I bumped into one of our Small Groups teachers from school. We started talking about her class. Our elementary school two Small Groups (autistic) classes (1st-3rd grade and 4th-6th grade). Some students are in the Small Group classroom all day. Other students are able to attend regular classes and come to Small Group class for certain times in the day. I have seen the teachers in action with the students. They are so caring, loving, and patient. I admire them. On my drive home, I knew I had to create a card for our amazing teachers.

This card is not only dedicated to the teachers at our school, but for all those who are affected by Autism every day. Thank you for who you are and all you do.





Supplies:
Doodle Dragon Studios image - Awareness set
Cuttlebug - Puzzled cutting die
American Crafts cardstock
Pop dots
Font - CK Handprint