April 26th Challenge

A new Fred She Said Challenge is now posted on the FSS Challenge Blog :)

Create a 3D Gift for a loved one!

The DT have made some lovely gifts! I am going to try this challenge after I get my taxes finished.  I have receipts "ALL OVER" my crafting table.... I'd rather be playing LOL.

Last month's Challenge Winner  has been announced HERE  :)  Is it you? ;)

Have a great day!

:)* Fred

Blog Hop Winner

 Thank you to all who participated in the Fred For All Blog Hop! I enjoyed all the DT's entries and everyone's comments :)

From Random.org:

The winner of a $20 Gift Certificate to the Fred She Said Store is:

Pamela Squires!

 Congratulations Pamela!  Please email me to collect your prize! Have a great night!

:)*  Fred

Happy Earth Day! Create It Green BLOG HOP

*** See below for FSS Blog Hop INFO.

***Happy Earth Day!***

Create It GREEN  is having a Blog Hop today!  I am so happy to be included in sponsoring such a fun hop!

I made this Wheelbarrow Digi for the event:

Here is a card I made.  I added flower soft and stickles to the wildflowers and coloured the image with pencils and OMS.  The flowers, leaves were coloured with distress inks and the background was made with homemade glimmer spray and a Spellbinders Impressabilities.

Have a great day!  Think GREEN somewhere in your day!  I'll be feeding young'uns at the Outdoor Education Center.... big crowd and I am sure they are doing something special for today.  Like using worms to compost, and learning about reducing their carbon footprints.

The "Fred For All" Blog Hop is ending today!  I won't be home until 7 PM tonight so you have until 8:00 PM EDT ... that's when I will pick the winner ;)  So if you haven't yet, this is your last chance to enter for a $20 GC :)

AllSorts Challenge

If you are looking for the the FSS Blog Hop it's HERE.

This weekend I am sponsoring the Allsorts Challenge Blog.  What a fun place!  I am sponsoring a $20 GC to the FSS Store.  This weekend's theme is Stitching - Real of Faux!  I let the DT there run amok with the Spring Flowers release and boy!  they all made amazing creations!!!! Wow!  Go take a look or even try the challenge ;)

I am late getting my notice for this up.  I have been having trouble getting enough time home to write this LOL!  I hope you are all having a fun and wonderful weekend!

:)*  Fred

"FRED FOR ALL" BLOG HOP STARTS HERE!

Woohoo Everybody!  Are you ready for another BLOG HOP!?!

This Blog Hop's theme is a "Fred for All"  ( LOL.. thanks to Deanne for the pun!)  A Fred Free for All.... the DT were asked to make ANYTHING from what I have in the store!  ...which means YES Fred is a liitle late with the new goodies! :O  ;)

Actually about this time last year the fledgling FSS DT's started OPERATION FRED SHE SAID using and reintroducing all Fred's pretties... so kind of fitting for another year of FRED!  Next month the Fred She Said Store will have our Second Anniversary!  I feel like I just started.. times flies when you are having FUN!

...Speaking of FUN let's start the festivities... ON WITH THE BLOG HOP!


OK the rules...

You need to start HERE at the Fred She Said Blog, and go visit ALL these places and leave some blog-loving comments to all the DT members.  There are special instructions at the end of your journey on how to enter to win  a $20 GC for the FSS Store :)

Here is a list of the blog hoppers in case you lose your way:

~FRED SHE SAID blog
~SHELLY
~MICHELLE 
~CAROL L.
~DARSIE B. 
~JUDY
~CAROL H.
~LORA
~SONYA
~DEANNE 
~FRED SHE SAID CHALLENGE BLOG


This blog hop will run from today, April 15th until April 22nd. On the 22nd, the winner will be announced on the "Fred She Said" blog  .

Here is my card for the HOP:

I used an orange flower from a sheet from  Polka Dotty Flowers Set   and a digital paper from The Purple Blossoms Kit .  I used Distress Inks to sponge colour on the die cuts (Spellbinder Petite Ovals, BossKut Ornamental Flourish ).  The sentiment is a "inkjet rub-on" experiment gone wrong!  LOL  I printed on acetate and rubbed it on my card stock..BUT some of the other things on the acetate smudged on my cardstock... so I grabbed a stippling brush and  splotched some black ink around the frame to hide it LOL! I added distress stickles as well and also put some on the orange bud. I made my own flower center with glitter glue, a flower center punch, some gold paint and a gold dew drop.    My new EK punch Scroll and Dots finally came in.  My new favourite border punch!

I hope you enjoyed my card.  Now please leave a comment then go to SHELLY's blog :)

Have a great day and have fun hopping!

:)*  Fred

The Old Truck

Hi everybody!  I have ONE yes ONE new goody in the store LOL!  I hope to have a few more this weekend.

  The Old Truck Digi & Pre-coloured Set

oooh I love this truck!  And I have a little treat for you :)  I am slowly figuring out my new video editing software and captured a digital painting in progress!  It is sped up I don't paint that fast LOL  The techniques I used are basically the way I do it in real life with pencils and OMS.  Enjoy!





Blog Hop tomorrow morning!  woohoo!  Have a great night all!

:)*  Fred

SPOTLIGHT: Deanne Burton

 I am pleased to have Deanne in the spotlight this week.  What a cute project.  I love these shadow boxes!

Here's Deanne:

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"UNDER THE SEA" SHADOW BOX

I used these images from the Fred She Said store and printed them off box...

...so they would fit into my shadow cute little shadow box in a dollar store.

I took the paper piece from the shadow box and used it as a template for the background image. Then I trimmed it on the top and bottom. I made the sides a WEE bit bigger than the template as I wanted it to "curve" or curl around on the sides. (you can see what I mean in the completed pics below.)

Then I had FUUUNNN coloring and embellishing the images. Ain't she a cutie, all sparkly and adorable!

Here's the background image completed and placed in the shadow box. I colored it in, then added Stickles and REAL sand to it! You can see in this pic how the sides are curled as opposed to being flat to the back.

Using THICK popdots, I placed the mermaid onto the image. The popdot on her tail is not as thick as the one on her face. I added some REAL shells and rocks at the bottom of the shadow box. I painted the box after. If I had it back, I would have painted the box FIRST (would have made it easier), but it was OK because it all worked out in the end.

Here's a closeup of the mermaid on the box.

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Thanks so much Deanne!  Deanne has been helping us get ready for our next BLOG HOP which is tomorrow, Thursday April 15th!  I hope you come back and check it out and see what eye candy the Fred She Said DT have cooked up!  I can't wait!

Have a great day!
:)*  Fred

SPOTLIGHT: Michelle Pearson

Happy Wednesday!!  Today we have the ever so awesome Michelle in the Spotlight!  Michelle put in a special request for a summery rose and candle for a wedding card and here is the result :)  It's sooo pretty, Michelle!  I am so glad you thought of it ;)

Here's Michelle:

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The season for weddings is fast approaching...and I was asked to make a white/white wedding card....and this is what I came up with! Scroll down for lots of photos and a beautiful winter version!
>
> The cardstock is a coated paper with subtle swirls in it, which makes it very dressy. I used a combination of Nestabilities dies (Fancy Tags and Ovals), SU!'s Top Note Die and the Cuttlebug Textile embossing folder to add detail.
>
> The Rose Spray and Candle image is by Fred, She Said Designs. The image is colored with Copic Markers. (R39, R59, Y15, Y38, YR16, E0000, E41, E43, G20) The other color green was 67-100%, a Studio2 marker. I hit the rose and the flame with a clear Spica Glitter Pen for some added shimmer.
>
I carefully cut out the image, and finished the card with a wired ribbon bow and some wedding rings. Mr & Mrs is a stamp by Stampendous and is stamped with Stazon ink.
>

> Just a little peek with more detail...you can see the texture of the shimmery paper here.
>
>

A filmy, satiny bow with rings is the perfect card topper.
>
> Here is a wintery version I made earlier this year with the Christmas Rose set. This card is done with black and white cardstock. I used the SU! Top Note Die as well as the Cuttlebug Textile embossing folder. Lots of cutting, but it is so worth the effort!
>
>

> These last two photos are of the inside of the card.  The left hand side holds a few wedding hymn poems with lots of wisdom for the newlywed couple.  Pearls and a Martha Stewart punch dress up the pocket.
> The right hand side has a computer-generated verse.  The pocket here can hold a monetary gift, gift card or personal note.
>

> Thanks for taking a peek at my wedding projects!

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Blog Hop and Challenge Winners!

Thanks so much to all who participated in the Blog Hop and February Challenge!  I hope you enjoyed both :)

We had 72 entries for the Blog Hop.  And the winner of a $20 GC to the FSS Store is:

Janet Kay Bailey!!!!  Congrats Janet!


And the winner of the February Challenge  (randomly drawn from my mixing bowl) and who wins a $20 GC as well is:

Nancy Brown!!!!  Congrats Nancy! 

:)*  Fred and the Team

March CHALLENGE is up

Deanne has "sprung" a brand new challenge for March :D
 Please check it out at the FSS CHALLENGE BLOG and get all the details on how to participate and get a chance to win another $20 GC!  Oh the girls' card are soooo pretty!  Go see! ;)

We will be picking winners today for the February Challenge AND for our BLOG HOP!  Thanks so much to all who participated! We will be posting the  winners here and at the Challenge Blog.

Here is a card I made to celebrate SPRING and the challenge!

  I used the FSS Digi Freebie being offered at the Operation Write Home's Star and Stamps Blog. "Tulips Trio"  The die cut frame was made using alcohol inks and the outer frame had distress inks sponged on (both die cuts are Spellbinders).  The tulips were coloured with coloured pencils/OMS and glittered with Diamond Stickles.  My new favourite thing ATM is pearl string!  I went and bought over 80 yards in ivory, white and irridescent pearl string. Am I nuts?  Yes LOL.  In case you are wondering how I get my pearls to stay good and stuck on my card.... Zip Dry Glue... that stuff is awesome!  Just a tiny thin line of the glue keeps the string in place and grabs and holds (and sets up) really quick!

Have a great day!
:)*  Fred

Third BLOG HOP Woohoo!

Hi everyone!  I am so excited to announce our third Blog Hop!  I have lots of new Spring goodies being showcased by our lovely DT members.

As you hop along, please collect the secret code words from each DT member, at the end, enter the PHRASE using the provided instructions for a chance to win a $20 Gift Certificate to the Fred She Said Store : )

REMINDER!!!  February Challenge is still active, please check HERE .  Another chance to win a $20 GC!  If you do please use an FSS image somewhere on your card; Deanne has a link on the challenge blog to all the FSS Freebies if you don't have any.

 If you want to see what is new in the store, please go HERE. 

Here is a taste ;)

Now ... ON WITH THE BLOG HOP!!!

I get a secret word this time woohoo! And my word is:  WE

Now please go see:

Shelly

In case you lose your way here is the list of Blog Hop Participants:

FRED SHE SAID  blog  ( ME )

SHELLY

MICHELLE   

CAROL L. 

DARSIE B. 

JUDY 

CAROL H.

MARIA 

LISA

LORA

DEANNE 

FRED SHE SAID CHALLENGE BLOG

Have fun hopping!

:)*  Fred

New Stuff in Store

Woohoo!

OH YES!  Blog Hop MONDAY MARCH 22!!!  Today or tomorrow depending on when you read this!  Come have some fun , see some pretty eye candy, and get a chance to win a $20 GC!

Tulip Bouquet Digi

Corner Rose in 7 Colours

Easter Lilies Digi Set

Paper Pricking Patterns Frame and Flourish

with Flower Digi

( made to fit Sizzix Top Note Die and another to fit

Spellbinders Labels Eight Die)

Spring Flowers with Paper Pricking Frame!

woohoo!

Roses Spray & Candle Digi Set

( great for wedding cards)

Wow, that's alot! Boy am I tired! LOL  

Have a great day!

Fred

SPOTLIGHT: Sonya Appel

I am so happy to have Sonya in the spotlight today!  Sonya makes such gorgeous cards and she is the master of the quilling and flower-anything... sooo pretty!  Anyhoo, Sonya had a special request for me ( I'll let her tell the story ;)  )  Sonya made this gorgeous box!  Also please go congratulate Sonya, she just posted on her blog that she is a new Grandma to a sweet little girl!  Woohoo!

Here's Sonya!

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Your A Blessing Magic Box.

  This Emma image was a special request and Tracey outdid herself.  I asked her for an Emma made especially for these magic boxes.  One where Emma would be holding a sign with a sentiment and that had a back view since the magic boxes are a 360 view.  You can see from the pictures that it works beautifully and, in my opinon, makes the box extra special!!  The floating flowers are also in this digi set and come in three sizes for layering or for smaller boxes.

 Emma and the flowers were colored in Prismacolors and OMS. The flowers were lined with metallic gel pens, shaped, layered and glittered then adhered with glue dots to their acetate floating "stems".  I decided not to add leaves so not to add another color, but you could if you so desire.  Emma is attached to the bottom of the box just as the flowers are but does not move.  When you take the lid off of the box the sides fall to reveal the surprise of falling flowers that "float" with very little air movement.  You can adapt this box to a smaller size and the variations are endless!  I have more details on my blog, www.appelquilling.blogspot.com.  Thanks sooo much Tracey for such a cute Emma to play with!

Digi Set used:  Emma with a Sign
Sonya's Tutorial:  LINK

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Sooo cute, Sonya!  Enjoy that new grandbaby!


:)*  Fred

Passion for ProMarkers Weekend Workshop

Today I am sponsoring the Weekend Workshop at Passion for Promarkers :)

Debbie has a fabulous colouring tutorial using Smelling the Cherry Blossoms!  Go to this post to read Debbie's tutorial and leave a comment for a chance to win a $15 GC to the Fred She Said Store!

SPOTLIGHT: Julie Stewart

I am happy to have Julie Stewart in the Spotlight this week!    I love Julie's style, she just KNOWS how to take a simple design to maximum 'oomph'. :)



Julie's project this week is a card set!

Here's Julie!:

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I thought this group of images would make a cute little set of cards to give away as a gift.  The box is just made from 2 pieces of 8 1/2 x 10 and scored on each side to fit the A2 size cards.  I thought I would keep each layout the same to make it look like a set.  I used one extra image and a little ribbon to match the box to the cards.  The images are from the Pre-Coloured Fall Flowers and PP Set.

 

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Thanks so much, Julie!  I'd love a gift like this! So pretty!

Just in case you forgot PEEPs!:

FSS Challenge still going on :)  Chance to win $20 GC!
Free Tulip Image at  OWH Stars and Stamps! 

And other news!

BLOG HOP!  Monday March 22!

New releases SOON! :)

Free FSS Image at Stars and Stamps!

 Hi y'all! 
I am sure most of you have heard of Operation Write Home (formerly Cards for Heroes).Operation Write Home is a network of cardmakers who create blank handmade greeting cards  in support of our nation's heroes for them to write home on.  Operation Write Home recently started a new blog, Stars and Stamps, to inspire the many cardmakers.  The Stars and Stamps blog features inspiration, challenge, tutorials, creativity and more!  Operation Write Home is currently hosting a Half and Half challenge to inspire us cardmakers to create Mother's and Father's Day cards.  Fred She Said Designs is offering a free Tulips digital stamp for Mother's Day and FSS DT Darsie Bruno has a wonderful tutorial planned using this freebie Tuesday March 9th on the Stars and Stamps Blog.   ( Today or Tomorrow depending on when you read this LOL)  Please check it out and, also, the latest Half & Half Operation Write Home Campaign :)



The FREEBIE will be only available at the Stars and Stamps Blog at this LINK.
Have a Great Day!
:)*  Fred

LINE of BLUE PANSIES

 

Here is a  5.5" square card I made with the Blue Pansies Set.  The pansies are on a ready-to print sheet, I got the dimension with the leaves by cutting out the individual "pansy with leaves" elements on the sheet ( as the leaves line up with the line of pansies arrangement) and removing some of the leaves from my cutout depending on where I was placing them on the line.( I wish I took a picture of my cutouts to show you  what I mean LOL)  Each pansy flower is 2 extra layers and I shaped and moulded the petals on the last layer... this one is really dimensional.  I used silicone glue to glue everything.  You have to wait 20-30 min per layer but it's worth it to get a perfect placement; ever try to correct an alignment mistake with double sided foam? :O  LOL.  The background papers here are included in the set.   I used Staples Matte Photo/Brochure Paper for this card. The colours of the pansies came out eye-popping-ly as I experimented with my Canon printer's "vivid photo" setting.  May avoid that setting next time LOL!  

I really enjoyed making this card... have I told you all lately that I really love pansies? heehee.

REMINDER:  Please don't forget to try the FSS February Challenge :) 

Have a great day y'all!

:)*  Fred

SPOTLIGHT: Shelly Skala

 I am happy have Shelly in the spotlight today.  Her designs are so fresh and pretty and she has a wonderful project to share today :)


HERE'S  SHELLY!:
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I hope you've been following Fred She Said blog for the DT project showcases. There have been some great ones so far. Since it was my turn I decided to make a fun little project using the Polka Dotty Flowers set. I love the idea of making handmade embellishments especially when I can make an unlimited amount of them for a fraction of the cost. The Polka Dotty Flowers set contains 14 different printable sheets, with 3 flower designs on each sheet. They come in a variety of colors so you can easily find one that is best suited for your project. Please see below for a step by step guide of how I used a printable sheet to create my own flower embellishments.

I started with the Raspberry colored printable sheet as seen below:


Then I cut them out leaving an 1/8 inch white edge around each flower. I also cut out the pre-colored leaves included on the printable sheet.

I sponged around the edges with a coordinating color ink and added glitter for a more finished look:

Then I added pink buttons tied with silver cord:

And placed them in a clear window rectangle tin decorated with a tag from the All Occassion Tag printable set from The Cutting Cafe.


Here's a couple of cards I made using the handmade flowers:

And finally here's a group photo of a fun little gift idea for a fellow cardmaker:

And to think that it all started with one printable sheet of paper. It may seem like a lengthy process but really didn't take very long. I tend to do my cutting in front of the television so time goes by quickly. Of course you could add different finishing touches such as brads or pearls in place of the buttons and can leave out the sponging and/or glitter. You can also choose how many layers you want to make the flowers and can choose polka dots, non-polka dots or a mixture of the two.
Thanks for dropping by and I do hope this post has given you a little inspiration. Remember you can check out the Fred She Said blog to view the remaining printable sheets as well as many others.

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Thanks so much, Shelly!  Your flowers embellishments are awesome!  Love this.


Have a great day!
:)*  Fred