3.30.2010

April 2010 Creative Class...

We are going to take these materials:

And go from this:

To THIS:

And THEN we'll take this image and create a card with it... but I'm not showing you that yet... partly because I don't want to ruin the surprise, and partly because I haven't finished it yet ;)  Sucka!

Doesn't it look fun?  We'll also be adding to our technique swatch ring!!  Don't you wish you lived near me so you could attend?  If you do happen to live in the KC area and would like details on my classes, please contact me... my contact info is located at top of my blog HERE.  If you are not already a part of my Hostess group, I will open up an extra class time on Tuesday, April 13th at 7pm!  Hostess club ladies will meet on Wednesday the 14th, and the Topeka ladies will meet on Thursday the 15th.

Even though you haven't seen the whole thing yet...
What do you think?

3.28.2010

No... I did NOT fall of the face of the Earth...

... but it certainly feels like it!  I don't even have a wonderful excuse like going on vacation (WTH is that?) or being under the weather.  No, it's much more boring... work deadlines... dang it.  I also don't have some fan-tab-u-lous new project to show you... nope, just this little card.

He's cute, right?  I'm entering this one in the Copic Creations challenge No. 24 for the fur, reds & greens techniques.  I think the fur on the puppy & the stocking trim is a little too blended, but oh well :)

Stamps:  Ready Set Snow, All Things Christmas, Christmas Fun (retired)
Paper:  white Ultra Smooth, black, kraft & brown cardstocks
Ink:  Burnt Umber & Noir Palettes
Other:  Copic markers, white Scrapper's Floss, PTI button, HL ribbon

This also gets me one more card closer to my Christmas Card Club goal over at Paper Wings.  This puts me at 11 so far... three more to go this month to be current :)

What do you think?

3.23.2010

Spurs and squatting...

... great title, right?!  Ha haaa!  No, I was NOT recently at a rodeo where all of the Johnny- on- the- spots were full, but thanks for asking :)

I LOVE this stamp set from TAC... especially the sentiment... which is totally weird since I don't DO anything country.  Seriously... 


 #1:  I don't like the music (Kid Rock & Uncle Kracker are as country- fried as I get).

#2:  We all know I don't go outside much (I swear I'm part vampire... you know... the part about really pale skin... not the blood- sucking part) since I go from burnt lobster red to albino white with no tanning in between.   


#3:  Animal smells... especially farms... uh.... ewwww (yes, you may call me a princess).   

#4:  I never understood the fascination with Wrangler jeans... I'm just sayin'.

#5:  Need I really go on?  Just keep fillin' in the blanks, people!  :)

Stamps:  Cowboy Boots
Paper:  White Ultra Smooth, kraft, & DCWV cardstocks
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo, Burnt Umber Palette
Other:  Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils & mineral oil, twine, We R Memory Keepers eyelet & grommet, foam tape

Hopefully my anti- country talk hasn't put you off... does the cute card make up for it?  :)

What do you think?

3.21.2010

Copic Creations #24: Grassy Wonder and Joy...

Ok, so this card is VASTLY different than the last card I submitted for the Copic Creations challenge No. 24!  If you are interested in seeing THAT creepy little entry, just go HERE... warning... cute AND disturbing :)

I used Brunette Hair & Skin Tones techniques covered on the blog... I also worked with a dotting technique for the grass, and clothing folds.  The sun & cloud background was done with masking.

Stamps:  Wonder and Joy

Paper:  white UltraSmooth, dark brown, & Bazzill yellow cardstocks

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo, Raw Sienna & Cote d'Azure Palettes

Other:  Copic markers & foam tape

I love how her arms & legs turned out, but I over- saturated her face and it's way too dark and so are her cheeks!  If I do another one of these, I'll just leave the background white with the grass... I believe there is just too much going on...

What do you think?

3.20.2010

StampItCrazy Green Challenge...

Ok... JUST under the wire :)  This is for Stamp It Crazy's Green Week Challenge #2!  My version of a leprechaun... since I don't own any leppy stamps, I made this SIC santa image into one.

Stamps:  santa (StampItCrazy), Trendy Greetings
Paper:  premium white & Bazzil black
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo
Other:  Copic markers, Offray ribbon & foam tape

Super simple & quick...

What do you think?

Simply Silly Saturday...

"Dude..."

"Sweet..."

"Dude..."

Sweet..."

Is there a certain stupid movie that came to mind when you read that?  It will come to you... give it a minute...

Stamps:  All Smiles, Little Cupcake, Robots
Paper:  white premium & UltraSmooth cardstocks
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo
Other:  Copic markers, Scor-Bug, Micron pen, Signo white gel pen, misc. ribbon, foam tape

The ice cream cone was one that I completed at the Copic certification class.  The sentiment is TOTALLY skewed, but I guess that's part of the handmade process, right?  hmmm...


A little fun for today... the very first person to correctly name the movie from which I stole this sentiment gets this card and a little paper crafty fun sumpin' sumpin' from me :)  You have to comment on this post... if you are viewing this on Facebook or your reader, please go here:  http://fosterdesignhouse.blogspot.com to the March 20th post.

What do you think?

3.18.2010

Bubble Bear

How about a shot of cuteness tonight?  And no, I'm talking about my babies for once ;)

I KNOW... right?  I'm thinking a little more Scrapper's Floss is called for, so I'll add that later.

Colorant:  Prismacolor pencils & mineral oil
Other:  White Scrapper's Floss, Stardust glitter pen, circle & scallop circle Nesties, EK Success & Fiskars border punches, PTI rustic button & misc. buttons

It was difficult to really show this card... the brown eyelet border is on the inside layer, but it shows even when the card is closed.  The bear circle is centered on the second big scallop so it makes a perfect border when it's open :)  That's just how I roll...

What do you think?

3.16.2010

Amberley Mini-book

I went to a really fun crop a couple of weeks ago put on by Crop-N-Doodle-Do, and ACTUALLY accomplished a couple of things!  CNDD's crops are awesome... they have fun giveaways, plenty of space, the food is always great, and they help you unload your stuff from your vehicle to your table! 

The crop fee is a little more than others, but they feed you (with cross your legs good desserts) and even go on an afternoon Sonic run for drinks {LOVE that rabbit pellet ice :)}, so the little extra money is TOTALLY worth it!

Ok, since I'm done pimping out CNDD, how's about having a lookie-see at one of the things I finished there?!  Yep, a mini-book of my babies!  It's really small... to give you an idea, the photos are index size... that, and you can see my fingertips in most of the photos (blech).

The base is from 7-Gypsies... it's a little chipboard matchbook, two-to-a-pack.  The only draw-back about this pre-made base is that you are not able to add much bulk AT ALL! 

Just by me adding a matted photo, a couple of accent cardstock pieces, and a decorative paper background, really pushed past the comfortable closing limits of the matchbook! 

I inked the edges with a Burnt Umber Palette pad... gave it a little more grunge look.  And I used up a ton of itty bitty scraps of Amberley Grace paper & coordinating cardstock!  Yes, this is a true scrap project :)

The pewter bookrings are from Karen Foster Designs, the eyelets are TAC's Pewter Hardware, and all of the pretty ribbon is from several of TAC's ribbon collections.

I finished it off with a sliding cardstock belly band that I embellished with a Bazzil Bitty Bloom, oyster disk, & an aqua half pearl from Michael's.  The title was done with a Signo white gel pen.

What do you think?  
I KNOW... the babies are cute :)

3.13.2010

Watercolor flowers...

After teaching a couple of technique classes this week, it really got me in the mood to use them :)


It's been a long time since I used my watercolor crayons directly on rubber.  I've always liked the look... like a painting without having to have the talent :)  Simply color the rubber stamp image, mist with water, stamp, mist again without coloring, and stamp again.  Easy technique with a fabulous outcome.

Stamps:  Watercolor Plants, Label Lingo (Hostess Level D)
Paper:  Juliette SWIC, Juliette & kraft cardstocks
Ink:  Burnt Umber Palette
Other:  AquaColor crayons, Juliette Ribbon, Brown Scrapper's Floss, EK Success edger punches, Scor-Bug, misc. button & gems


It was fun working with this size of card... another thing of which I don't do enough :)  This size really shows off that awesome scallop edger punch... so pretty :)  Am I forgiven for slacking so much this week?!

What do you think?!

3.12.2010

WINNER WINNER...

Ok, kids... the winner of the little bit-o-papercraftiness is...

...

...


True Random Number Generator 
Min:  1
Max:  62
35  
Powered by RANDOM.ORG
 
{trumpet sounding}  DOOT doot doot doooooo.... 


Lucille said...
Congrats on your promo :) So nice of you to offer this blog candy thanks for the chance to win!
March 6, 2010 1:06 PM

Congrats to Lucille!  Please email me your snail mail information & I'll get that out to you!  AND if I don't hear from Lucille by Tuesday night at 5pm, I'll have random.org select another name  }:)
(please see the sidebar for my email link)

And I know I've been a BAD blogger this week... but I DID get something pretty made today, so cross your fingers for a sunny day tomorrow so I can take a decent photo!!

BLOG CANDY!

To celebrate my direct-sales Team Leader promotion at The Angel Company, I'm giving away this bit of paper-crafting & stamping yumminess!  Included, is one of my Mini-Meander album kits (with instructions), a set of four handmade Fall cards using the stamping-with-bleach technique, and an English Everyday Cuties stamp set that retails for $19.95.
All you have to do is just leave a comment ON THIS BLOG POST... if you are reading this on Facebook, please click the link that takes you to my blog in order to be a part of the drawing!  I'll draw a name next Friday, March 12th after 6pm central time!  I would love it if you would spread the word :)

3.08.2010

Spring... where are you?

{sigh}

The last couple of days have been sunny and warm, and now today:  blech.  Dreary.  Grey.  And it makes the backyard look EVEN worse than it is (which is pretty bad!).  SO, to help brighten things up in my world, I'm showing this card today :)

I've had the Scor-Bugged stamped panel in my I just might use this one day pile of schtuff, and look... I actually used it :)  I've got a few tags & panels that I had salvaged from a faux pas'd card front.

And just look at this bit of flowery goodness!  I have three boxes of Maya Road stick pins... they are fabulously beautiful!  I can't believe I paid full price... you know I hate doing that... but I'm thinking they're worth it :)  I am loving crocheted, fabric & vintage bits lately... don't ask... I have no idea.

Stamps:  Victorian Elements, Cuddly Critters, Seeds of Blessing
Paper:  Angelee, black & white UltraSmooth cardstocks
Ink:  Noir, Belle Rose, & Toile Pink Palettes
Other:  Crystal Lacquer, Copic markers, Scor-Bug, faux dew drop (Michael's), stick pin (Maya Road), crocheted flower (American Crafts?), paper flowers (Archiver's), Turquoise Stickles, grab bag ribbon (Hobby Lobby)

Once again, the Crystal Lacquer came out to play!  It really adds a nice finish to the ladybug... and I love it for attaching dew drops, too.

What do you think?

3.06.2010

Blue Frog-Prince

Remember this little guy from my Copic class?  Well, I threw together this quick & easy card so I can say I accomplished something tonight!  It's missing something, but I think it's because it's a boy card & I can't add ribbons & bows & what-not :)

And maybe it isn't a boy card -boy card... the ribbon-y decked- out purple pillow & the o-so- slightly glittered crown might be givin' THAT away ;)  Still stinkin' cute!

Stamps:  Fairytale Fun, This Boy
Paper:  Sands of Time SWIC, and DCWV blue, white UltraSmooth, kraft, & black cardstocks
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo, Burnt Umber Palette
Other:  Copic markers, sky blue glitter gel pen, EK Success edger punch, WeR MM grommet, misc. large brad

I'll be off cropping tomorrow!  I've packed a ton of junk that I will never freakin' touch while I'm there (of course).  I really wish I was a pre-planner for that stuff... but I never know on what I'll wish to work.  Here's hoping to not throw my back out while loading the Xterra  {raising imaginary gin & tonic here}  ;)

What do you think?

3.04.2010

Holy Cow Challenge

Woo hoo... I FINALLY managed to participate in one of Barb's (StampItCrazy) challenges!  Barb, does my "slacker" title get lifted now?!  :)  She is also offering up a funny cow stamp to ANYONE THAT PARTICIPATES!  Just go HERE to her blog.

I'm not totally thrilled with this card... I should have added a darker paper under the scallop edge to ground the whole card.  See the cow hide print at the top?  Yeah, it's glitter... oh yes, yes it is.  I've got glitter every-freakin'-where here at the house!  I lucked out and had Pink Stickles which matched the glitter perfectly... otherwise those dots on the scallops would NOT be there :)

Stamps:  An 'Udder Birthday
Paper:  Lilly Anna SWIC, Lilly Anna & white UltraSmooth cardstocks
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo
Other:  Lilly Anna Ribbon, Copics, Essential Glue Pad, Pink Stickles, Crystal Lacquer (sunglasses), EK Success border punch, Melissa Frances glitter, and a Target thumbtack

This is the first time I've used this particular cow from that stamp set... she kinda freaks me out a little.  I just want to know:
how did she manage to stuff her big ol' udder into that teensie bikini bottom? 

I'm just sayin' :)


What do you think?

3.02.2010

A little snail mail...

... a la Prismacolors :) 

Yep, I ditched the Copics for a quick pencil & mineral oil number for today.  I just love this snail... he is the whole reason why I purchased this March Stamp of the Month from TAC.  I don't know if it is the polka dotted shell or what, but he's too stinkin' cute :)

I added the snail trail dots with a Micron pen and then stamped the sentiment.  I used a sky-blue glitter gel pen for the bits-o-blue on the snail, the trail, and the i's.

Paper:  Pop Rockz SWIC, white UltraSmooth & DCWV Bright cardstocks
Ink:  Tuxedo Memento
Other:  Juliette Ribbon, Turquoise & Lime Scrapper's Floss (scroll down a little), Scor-Bug, star button, & EK Success edger punch

Well, I'm off to try and get a little crafty tonight... if I can keep my eyelids open... zzzzzzzzzzzz...

What do you think?!
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3.01.2010

HAPPY MAIL!!!!

OMG, Becky...

After a crazy day at work, what do I find waiting patiently next to my front door?  A lovely Priority Mail box.  And what was inside?  THIS AWESOME CARD KEEPER from a fellow Angel demo, Angela K.!  There are two other fabulous projects at the start of her post and then MY new giftie is the final one... jealous?  You totally should be :)  I immediately hung it up in my room so I can see it from my crafty table.

Thanks, Angela!  You are the sweetest!  Please go visit Angela and show her a little love... she is so creative :)

I know... I know...

... slacker.

I can't help it.  So just real quick today... a non-stamped card...

A while back The Greeting Farm had this free digi image, so I snagged it {just in case :)}  The retired Genevieve paper from TAC was perfect for a little under-the-sea plant life background, no?

He's colored with Prismacolor pencils & mineral oil, and I added Crystal Lacquer to his fishy part... wait... that doesn't really sound right, does it?  :)

What do you think?
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