Terrific Tuesday!

Hello everyone!

This morning I needed to create a few challenge cards. MFP, Simon Says Stamp & Unity Stamp Co have posted the latest "gotta do" challenges. I already loaded the sketch for  MFP Oriental Sketch in my last post, but I'll load it here because I took a very different look at the diamonds at the bottom.

Look at mine and see if you can "see" the diamond shapes at the bottom. I used my embossing folder to create interest on the pink 1st layer. I decided to use crystal effects on the center sentiment stamp and while it was wet, I sprinkled with SU dazzling diamonds extra fine glitter.  Love the pastels in this card - will work well for Simon Says for sure!

And the next challenge for MFP is MFP FOSTV Under the Sea. I am still playing with my punches and I couldn't find a sea life stamp in mu studio (guess it's still boxed up somewhere.) So, I pulled out the trusty punches and created this adorable little guy. I will send this to my daughter "Sissy" who is living in Virginia Beach with friends. But, I'll wait 'till summer when she'd be getting ready to go to the beach... lol  For the background of this card I took cling wrap and balled it up. I pounced it in Versa Mark ink, once I had it randomly blotted onto the blue layer I sprinkled with clear embossing powered and heated it. The bubble are simply punched white circles. The sentiment is from a Halloween stamp set I've had for awhile. The shark was created with a large heart, wide oval, large and small oval and scissor to nip out his teeth. And there he is. I'm in love with his little cute face!

Okay, time to link these cuties up and do a few chores here around the house. Thanks for stopping by guys!

My Challenges:
MFP ~ FOSTV160 - Under the Sea
MFP ~ OS 71
Simon Says Stamp ~ Monday Challenge Pastels

Butterfly Birthday Wishes

I'm back today with the SFF challenge over at MFP. This Saturday the challenge was posted to create a birthday card with butterflies. So, I sat down today after I cleaned up the house and created this little card - it's similar to a card I on Pinterest at some point...  please pardon, Wildman helped me take the pictures again!  I need to fix up a photo area just for taking my pics...

 

There's a sketch challenge too, here's the sketch:

 

I've given the sketch a little bit of thought - I'll try to get to this card later today or tomorrow. Still haven't been struck with a really swell idea yet... It'll happen when I least expect it I'm sure.  TFSB

My Challenges:
Mark's Fine Papers ~ Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge 255

Gnome Home

I've been working for a few days on a special project and I'm happy to report I am finished! I decided to go old school and pull out my colored pencils, odorless mineral spirits and blending stumps. Yep, I did it and for once can say I actually got a happy result. Yay me! I tried very hard to do shading and multicolor blending using only these old school supplies. I also pulled out a paper pack that I've been coveting for years, DCWV Once Upon A Time papers. Pulled out all the stops for this project. When I was done with the card, I knew it was already busy cuz of the papers, but I felt it really needed more. I added sequins to the roof rocks, Glaze and Gelly Roll Pens to various places. The big bow took me a good bit of patients and a looong ribbon of creamy seam binding. I tied this baby all by hand, didn't use my Bow Easy this time! I did add pop dots to the image that I fussy cut and to the dark purple layer.

 

This image is actually a digi stamp. The 1st time I've used one successfully. The image came from Make It Crafty, Mushroom House. I have fallen in love with this site! There are images here you'd never be able to find in the market place. I created this card as part of a DT call. I added the links in this paragraph and my side bar. I just really liked their site and thought I'd try. But, now it's time to get my chores done before bed time! Happy Saturday night my friends! TFSB

Hanging with Mah peeps

Today I worked on creating my Easter cards. I used the adorable peep stamp I purchased yesterday at my LSS. I based it the card I made yesterday too. Changed up a few little elements here and there. What cha think? BTW, the lace is lace trim from my sewing supplies - I had added it to the hem of some blue jeans and a skirt a  while back.

I stamped the inside of each with the Impression Obsession sentiment I got Friday too. "sweet treats for a sweet person". I made a KISS card with the same stamps too. Here's that one:

I used Gelly Roll Sparkle and Wink a Stella on some of the bunnies. I used pattern papers from my scrap basket (honestly it's way to big!) and I used baker's twine & ribbon I've had around for ev-ah! Time for some new goodie,s huh??  I should get started on my Christmas cards soon... no I'm serious! I always need so many and I always wait too long and have to push at the end! Yeah - gotta listen to me this time! TFSB

Been there, done that!

Made it across town to the new LSS. It was large for sure, and it was nice, but I must say, I'm still feeling the sadness over losing Archiver's. I think it's gonna be super hard to beat what they had. But, ooooo, I picked up a few new things while there and I'm super excited to show you what I created with them.  Aren't these little peeps just the cutest thang ev-ah?! I think I'll make a few more of these and send them out for Easter. Yeahhh  I used stamps from Impression Obsession, Wink of Stella on the peeps. I colored with Copics and added me some twine. Gotta love twine! And bling! Gotta love bling!

I'm sooo sorry for the poor pictures. Wildman really wanted to take my pics and I couldn't say no, so the sun is hitting the camera at an odd angle. IF I re-took the pic, I would've crushed his little heart. And I simply couldn't do that in the name of a prettier picture, ya know?  Anyhoo, I was able to finish the cards I'd started for a beachy themed swap at SCS.

 

Okay, I heard the buzzer go off for our pizzas. Wildman and I are hanging out tonight while Dad's in St Pete for his race. They came in 7th today - with like 3 laps to go the driver got passed and went from 4th back to 7th. Tomorrow is another day, hopefully they will place better. TFSB

 

My Challenges:

Unity Stamp Co ~ Friends with Flair

Creative Inspiration ~ Challenge 306 - Feathered Friends / Animals!

A little happiness goes a loooog way!

Whoot Whoot ~ It's Friday!!  :p

Today I get to go to a local scrapbook store I heard about! So excited! I guess I should get out more, but I'm a home body.

When I get home I have an handful of challenges to work on and a few special projects I need to complete. I'm super excited and will share them with you when I get home. But right now, I do have two KSS (keep it simple silly) projects I have ready to go.

 

These two are super simple and quick. The card above I wanted to create a monochromatic card with the focus on the heart. The heart is actual Calypso Coral, but looks red. The sentiment makes me giggle! I plan on sending this card to my sister.

The card above was a card that Angie Juda with SU showed us via a stamp club video.  She used a different stamp set and did her flower centers differently. I used a Glaze pen to bring a pop of yellow in and then coordinated the bakers twine with the yellow. Super quick and easy and lots of fun.

Anyway, off to beautify myself. Have a very creative day you guys!

Blue Bird of Happiness

I had a handful of chores to do this morning and I had to play office manager and pay bills, make phone calls and fun stuff like that today. So, as a result I didn't get to craft as mush as I looove. Here'e this weeks sketch:

 

 But I did finish my Mojo Monday card! Wanna see it? Here it go: (old Saturday night reference)

 

Super easy peasy, cute, bright and happy! I always need birthday cards, so I pulled out an old fav stand by. I love this set and haven't used it in a while. I used Copics to color in the little bird of happiness. If it were my birthday, I'd send it to me in the mail for sure!!  tee hee

I also pulled together a card for the Simon Says Stamp Challenge for Wednesday. Anything goes! So, I decided to CASE from Pootles, Sam Donald in the UK. I love her site! I did do a few things differently. I changed the way I used the linen thread, and I don't have the exact colors or stamp set she used, but I got pretty close.  The flower colors didn't come across as pretty as they are in person. Just close your eyes and see what I see - ha ha!

I have more office manager stuff to take care of in the morning, hopefully I hope to be able to do a little bit. Maybe I could doodle in my journal while I sit on the phone making the rest of my calls. I need to keep my journal closer to be able to just doodle in or jot thoughts or sketches in. Yeah! That's what I need to do.... TFSB!

My Challenges:
Mojo Monday ~ March 23rd Sketch 390
Simon Says ~ Wednesday March 25

She Believed She Could

I decided to try one more thing before I have to go play mommy again. I have seen the Watercolor Bokeh technique at SCS before. It makes the most beautiful background and you're only limited by your imagination, or your colors of ink on hand! Well, when I saw Pat give it a whirl at Mark's this week, I figured it was time I gave it a try as well. I made this for my little girl. I say little but she turned 19 in October! Where'd the time go?? I will send this to her in a a week or two. I have cards lined up to mail to her - lol - funny huh?? I just mailed her a box and the elephant card I did a few weeks ago. I told her she was NEVER allowed to toss that card! Told her I'm her mom and would just know if she did.... ha ha! Okay, enough blabbing, here's the card:

I love the color combo, but like I said, there are soooo very many color combos you could use. The next one I do with be pink and orange. Okay, so now I have to clean up my mess. Who am I kidding?! I'm OCD!! I clean throughout my crafting, just like I do while I'm cooking or sewing or planting in the yard.... heck, I'm realllly OCD!!! Hope you try this tech soon too! TFSB

My Challenges:
So Suzy Stamps - March Challenge

Showin a little puppy love

I needed to make a dog themed card, MFP Speedy Fox & Friends challenge this week is "Who let the dogs out?" Since I still have a great deal of my craft supplies in boxes & since my studio isn't finished yet, I couldn't pull put stamps,.I decided to work with my punches! And, I knew my card was going in a totally different place than those shown as samples and already posted to the challenge. Sometimes, I am the fish swimming sideways, across the stream, instead of up or down. I'm fun that way to be honest. =)  So, here's my take on this week's challenge:

The base card is white. I then cut a sky blue mat and embossed it with my cloud embossing die. Then, I sponged clouds using white and Bermuda bay blue. I punched rectangles, ovals, squares, circles, and rounded rectangles out of sponged red CS for putting the hydrant together. I added sliver brads to the hydrant to mimic bolts. The grass is punched with a scallop edge and sponged with old olive and wild wasabi greens. I actually printed the sentiment on CS from my computer.  I've gotten really into doing this lately - making it possible to tailor what you wanna say to what you have created! That's it - using my punches again to create a little laughter & fun! TFSB

My Challenge:
Mark's Finest Papers ~ SFF 254 Who Let the Dogs Out

Pink Lotus Love

I am having way too much fun making these paper flowers! This card I created with the Oriental Sketch Challenge 70 from Friday over at Mark's Fine Papers. Since it was to be oriental in theme, and I'm having too much fun with the flowers - I opted to make a lotus flower that worked with the sketch!

 

So, here's my take on this week's sketch:

 

 

The color's aren't necessarily oriental per say, but I really like the combo. Again, the flower and leaves were created from punches. I added liquid glass and glitter to the center of the flower. I cut the petals out of baby pink card stock and then inked them with white fading into melon mambo. The leaves were punched out of two circles that I cut to shape and inked with two shades of green. I WILL make more flowers tomorrow while Wild Man is at school. No errands to run so I can take him to school and come create while I do a little load of laundry. Does laundry ever end??  TFSB

 

My Challenges:

MFP ~ OS 70

Bashful Blue Hydrangeas

Sunday I shared a card that showcased a tulip I made using punches. So it was funny when I looked at MFP's this morning to see the Monday challenge was to create a card using hand made flowers! I guess it was kismet to create more flowers! So, again, out with the punches to create one of my fav flowers, hydrangeas.

 

The flowers and leaves were made using a heart shaped punch the curly-q tendrils were sliver punched using a wide oval. The little leaves were punched using the build a bird punch.  I adore the background embossing, if you look closely you can see the image is of a fancy bumble bee! I'd forgotten what it was like to have inky fingers! I punched the flowers outta white cardstock and added the color myself. Even though I punched the leaves from 2 shades of green, I added ink for added depth. I had decided to give myself a French manicure tonight, but realize it's futile!

 

My all time fav flower is the carnation, so maybe tomorrow I will figure out how to create one using paper. =) Now I must play domestic goddess and run the vacuum then shampoo the carpet. My dear dooogie Bailey Bell came thru yesterday's rain with dirty paws. So, now my carpet looks icky! I think when we get new carpet I'm gonna ask for dirt color! Just sayin' it'd save me a lot ot time and effort!!  TFSB

 

My Challenges:

MFP ~ FOSTV159 - Handmade Flowers

My Manly Man & the Other Woman...

Made you wanna read didn't I?? Well, let me explain before you all think my hubby is a horrible man. THIS is the other woman:

 

 

He is the lead mechanic for one of the two the KSS Motorsports Kia Team race cars. They race in the World Challenge Series and travel a lot across the US & Canada. This pic was actually taken in the shop here in NE Georgia where we live. Here's a pic taken during a recent race:

I have a ton of pictures of hubby on track with his last team Krohn Racing, he was with them for 8+ years. I miss that team (and family) so much! But this is his 1st year with KSS and they don't go over the wall during the race so there's not as many chances to get great pics. Maybe as time passes I'll be able to have pics of hubby in action with Kia too.

So, now that you have the background of what hubby does and that he travels you will understand this next part. I always make a card and stick it in his suitcase or back pack while he's packing. I try to do this without being caught. The one time I didn't make a card he told me he was like "whaaaaat?!" Well, here's this week's card. I cannot take credit for coming up with this rocking card. I did however add the diamond plate embossing where the card I saw on Pinterest was smooth.

Is this card not the bomb??? I can't wait for him to find it on this trip. He leaves Wednesday. His races are always on Saturday  & Sunday and then he comes home. This week he's headed to Texas. I only had 2" hexies, so I could only fit 2 of them on a standard card. I inked with grey and white ink, punched a circle in the middle and layered with red and white - which just happen to be his team colors! I'm crazy about this card! Or should I say "nuts"?? LOL TFSB

Feeling Punchy Again!

It's so yucky outside that I decided I wanted to create some flower projects. Sooo, I remembered a lady from Australia who does really amazing cards using punches and dies, Valita's Fresh Folds. I created this card using simple punches and ink pads!

The tulip petals are made from SU's large oval. The dimple in each petal is from the scallop circle. I created the leaves using the wide oval, punched once and then punched again on an angle to create the ellipse shape. I burnished the vein down the middle and sponged the petals and leaves using 2 colors for more depth. The sentiment is backed with the same punch just cut up to mirror the shape yet fit properly. And I emboss the white layer before adhering it to the card. I love using my basic supplies in as many diff ways I can. It makes my investments more valuable and certainly more worthwhile!  TFSB

Soggy Sunday

It started raining over night here. It stopped this morning, but it's still chilly and wet outside. No opening windows round here today! Bummer!

Yesterday was super busy for me and I had no time to really craft at all - another bummer - but I did finish the little bunny for the front of this lime sherbet basket I made on Friday. I wish I had bigger oval dies, but this works for now.

 

The little brown basket (made weeks ago) started its life as a 246 box. It's so dang cute! The swiss dotted Bazzil card stock I made it with just makes the whole basket look even cuter!  And I used a set  old SU brads (wish they still made these beauties!) I will certainly be making more of these for all kinds of occasions! I have a gable box I'm decorating right now to fill with candy to give to a neighbor. She's hosting a Bible study at her home on Monday nights so I thought I take her a little gift tomorrow as it's our first get together.

 

 

AND, I have a this little, blue treat basket I put a punch bunny on in the efforts to find a quick & easy peasy Easter treat to hand out to Wildman's classmates, neighborhood friends and maybe a friend or two of mine. So far, this is in the winning seat. I may even stop looking. It's made with a scalloped square die, so there's little paper required! The bunny is punched from scrap I had in my scrap basket. I also punched little holes around the scalloped edge of the basket. OH! His adorable little bum, is a flower from the SU boho punch. Wish my bum were as small and adorable (ya know, like it was before kids - LOL!!) TMI? Sorry - but I know I'm not the only mommy that feels this way!!  =) Okay, off to create some more crafty goodness!! TFSB

Ugh, big words for small things!

Well, had my doctor appointment today. I have Lupus & Sojourn's Syndrome, I've known that for years, but still it never ceases to amaze me with each appointment a new term comes up and I have to laugh cuz if I don't, I'll cry. So, today's new medical term is: Livedo reticularis. It's a very fancy word for something I've had for years now, a lacy looking pattern under the skin. I always thought I was a really girly girl! So, no, I don't have a real need to go get any new tats cuz I already have a nice, rather "purdy lacey pattern on mah skeeen." Well, that saved me a couple 'a hundred bucks! That just means more paper crafting supplies for me, right??

Okay, now for the card of the day! Yeppie!! Go me! Go me!

 

In hindsight, I really should have fancied up the blue layer and probably the yellow strip too. What was I thinking??? Apparently I was still trying to learn how to spell and pronounce livedo reticularis! Bahhh Hahhhh!! Okay but, enough of this silliness. I pulled out an old Unity stamp set for this Unity Stamp Company challenge Friends with a Flare. How appropriate, huh?! I only just found they have challenges mostly cuz I've been absent from the paper world for 2 years. I also decided to link it to CAS-ual Friday's CFC137 spring music - I know it's not musical notes, BUT the tree branches flow like music. And in the spring all the birds sing while sitting in those very same flowing branches!

 

Anyhoo, here's my plain jane card, especially compared to the cards I've been creating lately with a gazillion layer and embossing and die cuts. Ahh, even the fanciest of card makers must have a little more subdued side. LOL  Okay, gotta go and link up. Hugs & TFSB!

My Challenges:
Unity Stamp Company ~ Friday Friends with Flare
CAS-ual Friday's ~ CFC137 spring colors and music

Mojo Monday on a Thursday

I'm  just a little behind. It's not that bad though. This is a wonderful site for me cuz I adore card sketches. It's a great way to start my week! Or, in this case, end my week! LOL! Hey, I try.

Here's the sketch for this week. I love her sketches. Such nice graphics too! Okay, so here's my interpretation of her sketch:

I've been so into this color combo lately. Black, gray, pink and white. Yummy! This bow is made of cream seam binding that I colored black with my Copic markers. I love doing that cuz then I always have the color ribbon I need.  Wonderful! Used my Copic to color the vintage SU image. The pick CS is embossed with large dots, the gray with small dots.  This card makes me happy! TSF

My Challenges:
   Mojo Monday ~  Sketch 389

Lovely Little Mini's

I've been working on a swap again. It's a swap I'm hosting and participating in. Whhhaaat?? Me? In a swap?? It's so unbelievable, I know. But hold on to your little knickers, cuz it's true! The swap is at SCS and it's for three little items: decorative address labels, postage holders and 3x3 mini cards. We often use those to thank to hostess or participants for participating in the swap. So, I've already finished my addy labels and postage holders - but I had to finish these.

 

I love the colors in these little cards! So cheerful and bright. Sweet little easy minis. Sometimes you just need a simple little project you can kick out and feel satisfied that it's cute and complete! This was certainly one of those!

 

Since I'm cooking dinner it means I won't be able to craft a bunch more today. "My" time is almost done, now I belong to the family. It's all okay tho... family's a good thang!  TFSB

The color of waffles

Ha, I love making up funny names for my posts! They always have something to do with my content tho... I am working on challenges and the two open swaps I am in. I've completed all my other swaps. Like I said before, I am challenge and swap crazy!

This card is for the Waffle Flower Crafts site. They gave us a color card and we were to take our inspiration from it. Here's the color card...

 

Such beautiful, soft colors. I love it! So, here's my card:

 

 

Yes, I crocheted the little flower. I have a bag of all sorts of colors and sizes that I work on while I watch tv.

 

Well, I have finally gotten an idea for the beach card I am working on for a swap. I've really struggled with this swap for some silly reason! But - now I'm almost done. Yeppie! Then all I have left is a 3d stall card. I'm trying to decide 'tween a lemonade stand, a pie eating contest booth or a fortune teller's booth. Ugh, just not sure - but I have plenty of time. They aren't due until May! TFSB

 

My Challenges:

Waffle Flower Blog ~ March 9-22 Challenge 

 

 

Punchy Flowers

Lately I've been really taken with my dies and rightfully so. Dies are the bee's knees! They are versatile and much fun! Wildman loves to help whenever I pull out my Big Shot. It's fun for kids and adults. But, yesterday I looked on the shelf and I saw all my sad little hand held punches. It was pitiful. I thought I actually heard a little sniffle come that direction! So, today I was determined to use my punches and show some love. So, I was delighted when I saw the Wednesday Challenge at Simon Says Stamp blog site. A spring card inspired by Pinterest pictures. There was one with an egg shaped cake with dark fondant and brightly color circle sprinkles. I let the paper spirits move me and this is where I ended up...

 

I decided to do a birthday sentiment so I could use the card for the Verve Stamps blog March challenge too! I was happy to be able to create the card for both challenges!  I like trying to use birthday stamped sentiments as I am part of the BRAK(birthday random acts of kindness)  team at SCS (splitcoast stampers). I will always use birthday cards for that group.

 

I simply punched circles in concentric sizes outta pattern paper, clipped "v's" round the edges and stacked them. I then pierced the center with different brads. The leaves were cut with a die - but no circles were made to cry by this act of punch defiance. I promise. I added bakers twine to the embossed cream layer and then pulled out two coordinating safety pins and stuck them thru the twine knot. Easy Peasy Punchy Flowers, huh? So, that's gonna be my submission for the Wednesday Challenge. Man - I love me a good challenge!! TFSB

 

My Challenges:

Simon Says Stamp ~ Wednesday Challenge

Verve Stamps ~ B is for Birthday

Hello Sweetie!

I was out and about this morning, so I've not gotten as much crafting completed as I wanted before school bus time. But, I created this card for a swap I'm in at SCS. It's for any theme manly man type card. I water colored the images and the heart is 3d and very sparkly! I also did some mustache-y stuff inside.

I am hoping to do a wee bit more crafting, but not sure I'll be able to. Hubby took off from work early to come home and grill steaks out for my birthday. Isn't that sweet?! Brought home a wonderful Publix b-day cake too! Super colorful! I love it!

Can't wait to dig in!! I can smell the charcoal heating up as I type. I'm in heaven!!  TFSB

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

When I was little, my mom would wake me up on this day with a "wet willy". I never thought I'd say that I missed someone sticking a wet finger in my ear, but boy, to have just one more wet willy from my mom -

See, today is my b-day. Yes, fun huh? Mom use to call today St. Peggie's Day. She was my very best friend and I miss her so very much. She always made my birthday so special and fun. She always made me feel so special and love. Love you mom....

Bunny Hop & Chicken Legs

This week's challenge at Mark's Finest Papers ~ MFP FOSTV Challenge 158 ~ was to create a triangle card. I've never done one so I was rather excited to give this a try. Once a found a nice tute that I could follow (oddly enough it was written in German!) I got busy and here's what I came up with!

 

The colors are so sweet - it makes me wanna smile and color Easter Eggs!! Rather cheerful if I must say so myself. I created the bunny using SU hand held punches based on a combo of a few punch bunnies I've seen out on Bing. This card was easier than it looks for sure and I know I'll be doing more of them in the future! I hope you will give it a try soon too! I also made an Easter basket using the 2-4-6 box as a base. I'll work on getting it loaded later today.

 

I have also worked on a challenge over at Simon Says Stamp. The site is really sweet and the shop has adorable dies too! This challenge is from last Wednesday (only found their challenges today). It's Things That Fly, here's my little chicken. The idea for this card was something I saw on SCS a good while ago. It's a really old SU set that I've kept all these years cuz it's just so cute.

 

 

 

One last challenge before I go to start playing mom again... This is from My Favorite Things. It's a card sketch challenge. Here's my card:

 

 

The sun is coming in at an odd angle, but it's a beautiful day so I won't say a negative word about it! =) 

 

OH - and great news! Tomorrow is my b-day and hubby's been asking what I want. Well, seeing as how my camera died a few days ago - I told him I needed one. So, it's already been ordered and hopefully will show up soon! Super excited I am! Once it gets here, I will try hard to figure out how to make a video tutorial of something and I'll load it up. Gotta step up my bloggin' game ya know! :wink:  TFSB!

 

My Challenges:

MFP ~ FOSTV158 - Triangular Card

Simon Says Stamp ~ Lions & Lambs Oh My!

Simon Says Stamp ~ Things That Fly

MFT ~ March Card Sketch Challenge

Beautiful Sunday

It's been a wonderfully gorgeous day today! We've had the house opened up and it's just delightful! I did all my chores 1st thing so I was able to sit down after lunch to work on the  Speedy Fox & Friends Challenge 252. This week it's to use 4 layers and set the layers off. I used some of the designer paper I got for 50% off the other day while at Joann's. It's so pretty!

 

Sorry again for the less than perfect pic, my cell phone pics just aren't as good as my dead camera. I've never had to throw away a camera before.... it felt weird, but it was dead, dead, deadsky. On the hunt now for a replacement.

I will be back tomorrow to post some more wonderful goodies. Gonna work on some Easter things tonight and finish up my St. Patrick's Day cards for Sissy, Wildman and hubby. TFSB

Color My World

My entry for this week's challenge over at MFP Oriental Sketch 69 is this little sweetie. I decided to work with water coloring, but only AFTER I had my image on regular cardstock. I thought I'd see just what would happen. After all, I could always start over, right?! I worked hard at trying to add blending and shading without the benefits of water color paper. I added Gelly Roll glitter pen to her little hair bow and some bling to the bottom right corner. I also tried to pick the most Asian in appearance embossing folder I had to add depth to the cards back ground. I also did a wee bit of inking around the edges of the yellow card stock. The letter in the smaller box is the Japanese symbol for "flower".

I've been working on using all types of color medium for my paper crafting. I continue to work with my Copics working with blending and techniques I'm learning from watching videos on the net. No better place, huh?! Here are a few samples of my lessons:

The flower is done using my Copic pens, the 2nd was completed with water coloring. I had forgotten how relaxing water coloring is! I outlined both images with a fine tip black Sharpie marker to add definition and I added white dots using my uni-ball Signo pigment ink pen. Love this little pen, soooo smooth and wonderful!

 

I will continue to work with all sorts of coloring medium and I'll keep coming here to post my works. I'm also going to work on getting my very first video loaded, but will have to get a new camera. My good ole camera finally gave up the ghost tonight. It's a very sad night indeed.

 

TFSB

Happiness is when you see the signs!

And the signs say .. all paper crafting items ('cept dies, die machines, blah, blah) is 50% off (at Joann's)!!  What a wonderful B-day gift(s) to me!!

I got a bunch of sweet goodness for hardly anything - I'm a very happy girl! Now, tomorrow since it's gonna be cold and rainy, I will stay home a craft a little, clean up a little, craft a little, have a little lunch.... love it. AND hubby and Wildman are going to the Gladiator's hockey game tomorrow night. What a heavenly day! Can't wait to go to bed tonight so I can wake up and have me some crafty fun!!

All I really have to do is get some kitty litter and toilet paper. Ahhh, the ever important jobs of a mom! I'll see you all tomorrow with more great projects. TFSB

It's great to be boss!

I've made an executive decision! And how wonderful it is to throw my weight around without getting flack from any body or any thing! Not that I really meet any resistance at home, but ya know!

 

I will post through out the day with the things I create at least until my I make it to at least step one in blog land - that would be  - I dunno, maybe a follower or two! :giggle: Once I have followers, I fear I'd drive them crazy with tons of posts spamming their in boxes! So, I'd back it up just a wee bit.

 

I'm still on the search for little treat "boxes" I can make to hand out to Wildman's classmates, teachers and a few of my friends. I made this and would've added bakers twine had I been able to locate the box it's in! Ugh! Anyhoo,

 

 

This little guy was made using SU punches: medium & small oval, blossom, and several different sized circles and a scalloped edge. I used an thin oval (couldn't find my white doilies) and mini banners die and stamp.  The big bow is seam binding I purchase for cheap thru Amazon. I made another little punch bunny today with the same punches, but with a very different look. I will add it to a project tomorrow and post to share.

 

I also needed to create a few little thank you treat holders to add to swaps for hostess or as little goodies for prizes. My cutter needs a new blade, but there were fun to make. I will plan on placing  little Hersey Miniatures inside before I give them away.

 

 

Okay, time to go and play Domestic Goddess now, snack, homework, dinner, vacuum, blah blah blah...

 

TFSB

 

Little brown bear -

 - makes me very happy! I've collected teddy bears since I was 5 yrs old. I'm a slight bit older now and still, a teddy bear can lift my spirits and heart. Changes the whole day for me, really. I have two SU sets from way back that I cherish and try to use as much as possible.

Today I wanted to try out some more Copic techniques and decided to pull one of them out. Here's how he turned out. I colored him on Watercolor paper using Copics, outlined with a fine point Shapie marker. I also did some shading around him using 3 grey Copics, that's hard to see here tho.

 

Well, I'm off to create some more - happy hump Day! TFSB



I'm speechless!

I stumbled across a few wonderful sites this morning. This was the 1st site I found, it's just the cutest and their store has TONS of wonderful dies plus lots of other goodies.  Simon Says Stamp Blog From there I wondered over to The Daily Marker. She's hosting the most wonderful 30 day Coloring Challenge. With this challenge she's giving away card classes from Online Card Classes along with other goodies.

The 30 Day Color Challenge started March 2nd and runs for - well - 30 days. I've already "participated" in Day One and just had to stop to tell you go on over, neigh, RUN on over and start the challenge yourself! It's fun and the hostess (Kathy) has left me speechless. Well, apparently I found my words again, huh?!

 

I did learn a good number of things that will help me make my Copic work look much better the more I practice. Awesome fun! I'll come back and post a few of my projects I worked on yesterday bit later today. I just had to stop and yell it loud to check out this challenge!

 

BTW - I am not affiliated with any of the blogs I've mentioned here. I wish I were, but I shared with you guys simply cuz it's worth spreading round some love! I used a handful of my Copics, the bear is from a very old SU set, I also used scrap watercolor paper. TFSB

Showing a little love.

When I can combined a paper crafting and a real need, I become a very happy little girl. So, imagine my delight when I saw the newest challenge over at MFP was to create a card using a numbers! I used a sketch I found while searching Pinterest and created this for my anniversary.

 



I know I am a wee bit ahead of time (okay 3 months) but I saw it as a wonderful chance to stir up some MoJo and place a tic mark by this little item on a loooong list of things I'd really like to get done.

Right now all the items are from Stampin Up as I use to be a Demo, but that will change as I move forward and find I need to restock.

Products/Tools I did use: envelope punch board, paper trimmer and your basic needed tools (glue, tape runner, paper trimmer, corner rounder, number dies...)

All settled in!

I am finally able to sit at my table and craft.  Most all of my supplies have been in storage during our moves over the past 2 years! I've been crafting like a made woman the past week and a half. Seriously someone needs to host an intervention for me and my addiction!

I've been working on challenges and swaps - oh how I enjoy the swaps. Every time I get a big, brown envelope stuffed with precious goodies in my mailbox, it's like a little bit of heaven opened up and sent down more joy! Ok, maybe that's a bit extreme to some of you, but after 2 years of no paper crafting I bet you'd feel about the same!

Toady I will share with you my new fav toy. Right after I got it in the mail (2 yrs ago!!) I had to pack the little cuteness away. (insert frowny face here) And now that I've freed it from hibernation, I've fallen in love. My envelope punch board! How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.....

1.

2.

 

3.

 

I started looking for a little project I could make in large numbers (30-ish) to hand out to Wildman's classmates. I am still looking, although this little guy's stinkin' cute.

 

Come back tomorrow and I will show you a few more goodies I've been working on. TFSB (thanks for stopping by)