2.25.2010

Springy Haute Couture Diva

Missed me?  It's been a crazy few days at work, so I've been too tired to get creative... dang it.  This whole 'work' thing really gets in the way sometimes :)

I was playing with my Copics again last night.  I was trying to do that feathering technique with two totally different colors... not too bad.  I was afraid to try to blend them together... fearing it would get all muddied up... so you can see the marker lines.

Stamps:  Haute Couture (retired TAC)

Paper:  Mimi (retired, but now there is More Mimi!), White UltraSmooth & brown cardstocks

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo

Other:  Copic markers, Diamond Stickles, pink gems & misc. ribbon

Well, back to work...

What do you think?!

2.22.2010

Copic certification class...

Had a great time yesterday and learned alot!  The only problem now is:  I want more Copics, dang it!  Yes, it's true... I have been sucked in.  Don't worry... I will never give up my Prismacolor pencils, though :)

Today, I'm just going to show the images I completed while in class.  I'm not showing my other 'practice' sheets... they just look... ummm... notsogood.

Stamps:  Cuddly Critters (Feb. SOTM), All Smiles (Purchase w/ Purchase stamps), Give Thanks, and Fairytale Fun
Paper:  White UltraSmooth cardstock
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo
Other:  Signo white gel pen

I'm sure you will be seeing these in the future on finished cards, but I needed to share something since it's been awhile ;)

I LOVE the pumpkin.  The instructor, Sally Lynn MacDonald, didn't want us to make orange pumpkins :)  Me likey this green one alot!   Although, I need to really practice that 'erasing with the blender' technique.

And here's the cutie!!!  Look at that face!  I really like him in blue.  I didn't get the pillow quite right, but it rates a 'me likey' anyway :)

What do you think?

2.18.2010

Vintage Granny...

A fellow Angel demo was kind enough to stamp a few of these images for me... they're kinda fun... really tall with super skinny legs.  They make me smile :)

This is a little on the vintage side, right?  I think the muted colors of the Angelee papers are perfect for this style.  Not to mention the subtle watercoloring of the image.

I also dug into my fabric stash again... but THIS little crocheted flower was not done by Mama... I can't remember the company name, but my buddy picked it up at a scrapbook store.

The stick pins were purchased from the SEI booth at CKC this past October... they had some AWESOME deals going on!  I got one each of all of their stick pins... too cute.

Stamps:  Hear the Angels
Paper:  Angelee SWIC, Angelee & White UltraSmooth cardsstocks
Ink:  Toile Pink & Noir Palettes
Colorant:  Aquacolor crayons w/ Niji waterbrush
Other:  glitter gel pen, Lavender Scrapper's Floss, Icicle Stickles, misc. trim, button & crocheted flower

What do you think?

2.16.2010

Down at the fishin' hole...

Another cutie from TAC's Wonder and Joy stamp set!  This set is so much fun to color, and perfect to build little scenes around.

I LOVE how the pond edge came out... much better than the grass!  You can barely see them, but I did the ol' cloud trick again, this time in a super light blue.

I'm not thrilled with the rest of the card other than the yummy twill w/ the tag hanging from it.  The image is so large, there really isn't a ton of room left for any extra stuff!

I think I'm getting better and better with the skin tones... now to learn that ala Copic!  I probably should have muddied him up a little, but let's pretend he JUST arrived and hasn't fished yet :)  Look at those rosey cheeks :)

Stamps:  Wonder and Joy, Tag Tidbits
Paper:  Ivory UltraSmooth, kraft, Mono-chromatic greens, & misc. blue cardstocks
Ink:  Ballet Blue, Burnt Umber & Noir Palettes, Jumbo Java VM
Colorant:  Prismacolors w/ mineral oil
Other:  Copper Hardware, Walnut Ink (for tag), silver glitter pen (reel & hook), misc. twill ribbon & tag

What do you think?

2.14.2010

Vintage Bookmark / Tag


I had stamped this lovely little flower image awhile back and it has been sitting on my to-do easel ever since.  It was a practice image for one of the samples I did for the new Serendipity, and I just couldn't let it go to waste :)  I colored the stamp with markers, spritz with water, and stamped.  I love this technique... the watercolor look without the watercolors!

Mama had crocheted a couple of these little flowers for me last summer and I am just now using one!  They are so cute and dainty.  I'm hoping she had time to make me some more while snowbirding in Texas :)  I got into my fabric & lace stash and of course more Scrapper's Floss... have I told you lately how much I LOVE Scrapper's Floss?

Stamps:  Watercolor Plants
Paper:  Kraft, Monochromatic Purples & Greens cardstocks
Ink:  Tombow markers, Burnt Umber Palette
Other:  Lilly Anna Hardware, EK Success border punch, fabric & trims, White Scrapper's Floss, Tim Holtz's Mini Attacher, button, crocheted flower from Mama :)
 
What do you think?

2.13.2010

Kah-Wink-E-Dink

Quick post today... I totally overslept and have a ton of stuff to get done!

These two cards were made with a digital image from Kristen at the Kah-Wink-E-Dink blog.  I was fortunate to get her for FREE because I won Kristen's "name the digi" contest!  Please meet Miss Marple Mayfly :)

On the first, I used yellow again!  I know... shocker :)  On the "twinkly" one, I cut Miss Marple out and popped her up on foam tape.  I also added Stickles to the felt flower centers to give them a little sumpin' sumpin'.  Both cards were made from my scrap pile!

Digi:  Miss Marple Mayfly
Stamps:  Playful Pets ("hi"), Fairy Birthday ("twinkly" sentiment)
Paper:  DCWV, Mia's Cottage, Lilly Anna, White UltraSmooth, & Monochromatic Greens cardstocks
Ink:  Noir Palette
Other:  Crystal Stickles, Copics, Prismacolors w/ mineral oil, felt trim, flower gem, EK Success border punch

What do you think?

2.11.2010

Think Spring!

Today I thought I'd share another card I had submitted for the latest TAC Serendipity magalogue.  I really like how this turned out, even though it is a super simple layout.

Stamps:  Edge Designs, Tag Tidbits, Swirled Sprin Life (hostess level A)
Colorant:  Prismacolor pencils w/ mineral oil

I am soooo wishing for Spring to get here!  This card helps a little :)  I just LOVE that new hostess set... not a ton of coloring, but it still packs a punch, right?

What do you think?

2.09.2010

A little balloon adventure...

It's another snowy, dreary day in Kansas, people!  So how's this for a little lift?  Isn't she cute?  She's from TAC's new Wonder and Joy stamp set, and let me just say that this is definitely one of my faves in the latest magalogue!

I've been needing a little sunshine in my life lately, so out came the yellow pencil!  Yellow is not one of my usual colors... like red, it is very difficult with which to work (for me, anyway). 

I added some blond highlights to her hair and a little glitter pen action to her bow, string, & the snap on her pants.  And how do you like the fluffy clouds in the background?  Cute, right?  Simply cut a cloud shape from a piece of cardstock or paper... starting at the top of the image, work your way down by sponging around the cloud.  You can always go back and add more "sky" to areas that you missed. 

This background is WAY better than simply leaving the panel white... she really looks like she floating away :)

Stamps:  Wonder and Joy, Bug of Fun

Paper:  Hip Hop dp, White premium & DCWV cardstocks

Ink:  Cote d'Azure & Noir Palettes

Colorant:  Prismacolors w/ mineral oil

Other:  Stardust glitter pens

What do you think?
.

2.07.2010

It's a girl thing...

Quickie post today... I totally slept in (yeay!) and now have a ton of stuff to get done in much less time!  I did manage to already prep my Wednesday & Thursday class kits and have all of the tools gathered... sweet :)

Today's post is a repeat for some of you.  I modified my template to my Summer Sun Dress card just a bit, but the rest is pretty much the same.  This one has a less squared-off look, and the neck is scooped instead of a perfect circle.

I used the 6-to-5 petal trick again for my flower and put a little faux dew drop in the center.  I didn't really have to add the ribbon... the patterned paper already had a line there, but everything looks better with ribbon :)

Stamps:  This Girl

Paper:  Uptown Girl dp, White UltraSmooth & black cardstocks

Ink:  Noir Palette

Other:  Super Jumbo flower punch, Crystal Lacquer, Cloud Scissors, Fiskars border punch, misc. ribbon & dew drop (Michael's)

I know... super easy & quick... sometimes you just need those projects on a Sunday :)


What do you think?
.

2.05.2010

Hogs & Kisses...

Barb H. over at Stamp It Crazy blog, issued a Sweetheart Challenge and tomorrow is THE last day to try it... yeah, nothing like waiting until the last minute, right?  That's me.  The challenge was to make a romantic card... well, the only stamp images I have with a lovey couple is this cutesy stamp, so it will have to do!

Stamps:  Hogs & Kisses (retired TAC)

Paper:  White UltraSmooth, Kraft, & DCWV green cardstocks

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo

Colorant:  Prismacolors w/ mineral oil
 
Other:  Super Jumbo Flower Punch, circle punches, Diamond Stickles, & misc. ribbon

Another super simple card... but those fat piggies are so freakin' cute!  Do they NOT make you go "Awwwww"?  And how about the glittery hooves, roses, hearts & belly patch?!  I KNOW! :) 

Well, there you have it... a cute, not-so-romantic, challenge card :)

What do you think?
.

2.03.2010

Missing You...

Today's bit of crafty goodness was made with The Angel Company's (TAC) February Stamp of the Month (SOTM), Cuddly Critters.  Is that bear not the cutest?  I even gave him rosey cheeks.

I'm still trying to find some time to do a coloring video tutorial... one of these days ;)

Super simple layout... not very "me" :)  What about that crocheted trim?  "Hello, JoAnn's clearance fabric section... I think I love you".

Stamps:  Cuddly Critters, Thinking of You (Hostess Level C)

Paper:  Monochromatic greens, White UltraSmooth, & black cardstocks

Ink:  Noir Palette

Colorant:  Prismacolors w/ mineral oil blending

Other:  Lemonade Buttons & Blossoms, twine, crocheted trim (JoAnn's)

BTW... did you know that every month, TAC has a giveaway on their website?  Want a chance to win some freebies?  Just go HERE.

Well, that's it for today.  I won't be getting any crafty time in tonight... must do a bit of cleaning... if I can get Poot to put all of his junk away :)

What do you think?
.

2.02.2010

A Snowy Birthday

Super quick post tonight... trying to get it in under the wire  :)   A free PTI birthday digi image available over at Nicole Heady's blog.  I'm typically not too into digi's... I'd rather have a stamp in my hand, so I can control where things go.  But I saw this digi by Becky Oehlers and HAD to play with it :)

Digital Image:  Becky Oehlers for PTI
TAC Stamp:  Tag Tidbits
TAC Paper:  Merry Wishes (retired), Lilly Anna & DCWV cardstocks
Ink:  Noir Palette
Other:  Copic markers, Diamond Stickles, Crystal Lacquer, foam tape, pop dots

Four of the scenes print out on one page, so I cut some pretty dp up and taped it to printer paper with removable double-sided tape.  Then cut out all of those little shapes after printing.

I also fussy cut around the snowflake from the dp.  Added Stickles to the clouds, roof, snowflake & sun, and covered the balloons & window in Crystal Lacquer.  I can't believe I cut into this paper... I've been hoarding it for awhile :)

What do you think?
.

2.01.2010

Oh what a weekend...


Okay, so Amy and I are driving along Friday morning, on our way to Laurie's house for a bit of stamping fun with Jen & Bren (wow... that sounds like a nursery story or something).  ANYWAY, once we get to Emporia, I (being the navigational ree ree that I am) somehow ended up on the wrong 2-lane highway.  No biggie, right... I mean it still leads to the right town eventually, it's just a different way... yeah, ok.  Little did we know, THAT particular highway is a favorite of semi-trucks... and not just a few... we were sandwiched within a dozen or so in some truck convoy headed west.


Let's throw another little wrench into the mix, shall we?  Just before Emporia, the snow started coming down pretty good... AND a nice little blustery wind decided to join the party.  Now, on this small highway, there are these lane sections every once in awhile for semi's to veer off to so that "faster" traffic can whiz on by.  Well... the dude in front of me was more than happy to oblige... nice right?  NotSoMuch... since the extra lanes were not plowed, all it did was throw more crap up in my windshield, further blinding us.  Did I mention you couldn't tell where any lines were?  30 mph?  Yeah.  I know.  It sucked... and NOT in a good way.


WELL, the 3-1/2 hour trip from Topeka was SO worth it :)  We had a great time once we got there!  Stamping, chit chat, a little alcohol, and loads of laughter were EXACTLY what we needed!  Did you see the CA-YOOT cards we made?!  We decided to each bring a shoebox project for everyone just in case the mojo wasn't flowing.  You've seen the card project I brought before... it was the Happy Heart Day rock-n-roll jobbie.

I've always loved doing shoebox swaps... it gives you a chance to  work with stuff you might not have, use techniques you might not know, and gives you design ideas about which you might not have thought.   

This bunny card was one that I watercolored while I was there.  This stamp was one that I bought a LONG time ago... pre-TAC :)  I've always loved it... I can't remember who made it... Art Impressions maybe?  My favorite is that cute aqua bunny... look at that face!

And now, I'll leave you with this...

...a nice row of bunny butts

:) 

That's just how I roll.

What do you think?
.