card creme

Whee!

2010-01-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

Make sure you grab a cuppa before going to all the fabulous teasers today. You can get the full DT list of teasers HERE.
I have 2 projects to show you today!
Can you say Whee?... It is teaser day for this month's Pure Innocence collection from My Favorite Things! Sure to be my favorite day of the month. I love this new line and you will see a lot of it from me!
Do you like the jewel wind coming off her swing (she is getting some serious air)...lol! I actually used the little index sheet for paper piecing her dress (that is why the pattern is so tight), it was the perfect scale for her little dress. The crocheted flower...made by me and a yummy Amy Butler brad.
Here are all this card deets
Stamps:
Start the day with whee! (Pure Innocence) by My Favorite Things
Ink:
Espresso Adirondack (Ranger)
Paper:
Earth Love (Cosmo Cricket) Kraft, White (Prism)
Accessories:
Markers, Multiliner (Copic)
Prismacolor Pencils
Airbrush system (Copic)
Jewel Flourish (Prima)
Flower (Crocheted by me)
Amy Butler Brad (K&Co)
Circle Die (Spellbinders)
I wanted to show you a nice close shot so that you could see a couple things that I added. I took my multiliner copic pen and added those 3 little hash marks behind her to give a look of movement. I also added the brown shading around her with pencil and gamasol.

Here is the other fun project I made with this stamp. I actually made it for my daughter for her stocking. You can buy these mugs that you can personalize with photos but I thought it would be far more fun to stamp! She was thrilled when she opened it as no one at school will have one like it.
I had to be careful not to get carried away with the "do dads" as there is a very small space to slip this paper into (guess they weren't thinking of the layers that scrapbookers use).
I used the Earth Love collection by Cosmo Cricket for this one too. Gotta use up all them yummy scraps!
I also added a close shot of the sweet girl. I used my daughter's hair coloring and matched the green of the dress to the paper.
I can forsee that my daughter will want me to "change it up" for her every so often so look for more little mug inserts from me.

Enjoy surfing around to the other teaser girls today as there are a lot more pure innocence images....I had to restrain myself to only show you two projects today! Come back on release day blog hop (January 6th) as I have another cutie to show you then!
Enjoy your day!

Thinking of Hoo....

2010-01-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the first day of MFT Teasers! You can see all the girls playing along in this teaser on Kim's blog! You will see some fun stuff this month, one of which is this set! This will available for purchase on release day (January 6th). This owl is very adorable...and I love his thought bubble where I can add any sentiment I please. I thought this would make a fun card for "dad".

Do you see how I echoed the "thought bubble" theme with the fun little journal tag? It is like the turtle and the owl are talking to each other...lol! I also paper pieced the owl's little belly to match his thought bubble. I used my copic markers to color him and also to color the grungeboard and the ribbon...all to coordinate....love that!

Here are the card deets:
Stamps:
Thinking of Hoo (My Favorite Things)
Ink:
Espresso Adirondack (Ranger)
Paper:
Earth Love (Cosmo Cricket)
Espresso, White (Prism)
Accessories:
Copic Markers
Grungeboard Letters (Tim Holtz)
Tiny Attacher (Tim Holtz)
Ribbon (Offray)
Twine

Enjoy your day!

New Year's News!

2010-01-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year's day to you! Hope you all had some good and safe fun last night...we certainly did with some great friends and yummy food too!
Lots of fun stuff to share with you today....First off is my news....can you guess from the card? I'll give you a hint...it's MFT! Does my little watermark give it away? If that isn't hint enough you need to hop on over to Kim's Blog for the full deets! I am tickled pink!!!!
Here is a close look at the fun detail of this card....I loved Taylor's sketch with the circle so I "went with it"!
I used a few different transparency overlays.
The "it happened like this" is from the little yellow bicycle...I thought it was the perfect lead into my book themed card. The second transparency and journal card is by Basic Grey...I received it in a goodie pack somewhere and hadn't used it yet.

I love it when I fall into books...and this fun image was perfect! Here are all the deets on this card:
Stamps:
I {heart} books (Stephanie Fizer) by My Favorite Things
Ink:
Tuxedo Black Memento, Jet Black Stazon (Tsukineko)
Paper:
Journal Spots and Transparency (Basic Grey)
Transparency (My Little Yellow Bicycle)
Black, White (Prism)
Accessories:
Copic Markers
Opaque White Paint (Copic)
Brads (Basic Grey)
Crocheted Flowers (Made by Me)
Corner Chomper, Border Punch (EK Success)

Here is the sketch so you can play along in TAYLOR'S challenge.
Don't forget to see what the rest of the sketch crew came up with:
Jami Sibley: More is More
Monika Davis: M.A.D. Stamper
Lynn Mercurio: Stamperosity
Melissa Sauls: In Stamping Mode
Rachel Sztonyk: Gingerbread Gallery
Alice Lihsuan-Wertz: Alice's Little Wonderland
Lisa Hjulberg: The Craft's Meow

Thanks for letting me share my fun news with you today! Check back here tomorrow as we start the teasers for MFT's new release! I have a fun card to show you!
See you then!

Sick anyone?

2009-12-31T08:36:00.000-08:00

I have been struggling with a flu/cold since Christmas day... not too much fun but now it is just a nasty head cold. Have you seen these new vintage images from CHF...called "common cold"? There are quite a few fun ones and I thought I would pair it up with one of my favorite sentiments "suck it up". My mother in law gave me oregano oil in my stocking and this stuff is supposed to help with cold and flu. ONE POTENT drop under the tongue...it has me dancing a little but I have learned to "suck it up". I think I make that funny face the boy is making in the image too...

The copic coloring I did on this image was a little different. I used the palette technique and rubbed some colors (YG95, BG10) onto a transparency and then used my blender pen to pick up the color. This gave me a softer water color look while maintaining the tones of color that are in the patterned paper.

The fun paper is by Cosmo Cricket "The Boyfriend Collection" and I tweeked the journaling label a little and added "sick" with my dymo label gun.
Here are the rest of the card deets:
Stamps:
Common Cold (SEP), Domestic Love (ATC) by Cornish Heritage Farms
Ink:
Tuxedo Black Memento (Tsukineko), Red Pepper Adirondack (Ranger)
Paper:
Boyfriend (Cosmo Cricket)
Accessories:
Copic MarkersDymo Label Gun
Arrow Sticker, Label (Cosmo Cricket)
Punch (EK Success)
Tiny Staples (Tim Holtz)

See you tomorrow for my "news" and for the Taylor Sketch challenge!

Back in the saddle again....

2009-12-30T08:55:00.001-08:00

Hello again....after a little break I am back and refreshed! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a little break too!
Want to see what occupied A LOT of my time last month?...
These are the quilts I made for family. I didn't end up following any pattern, I just cut a bunch of brick size pieces in 10 different patterns and then sewed them all together!
Here is a close shot of the one I did for my husband's folks. All the fabric is Michael Miller....yummy stuff!

Here is a close shot of the one I made for my dad. I think they all really loved them and what a huge relief it was to finish them on time!

A couple of catching up things:
Did you know there are two certification classes being offered in Anaheim during CHA. They are Friday and Saturday (January 22nd and 23rd). I will be teaching both....if this is something you are looking to make a part of your CHA trip applications can be found here:
COPIC CERTIFICATION APPLICATIONS
We are going to have a blast!

Also....some fun news is going to be announced here on January 1st! Watch for that!!!!

Ok...I lied....

2009-12-23T10:32:00.001-08:00

I decided to do one more post before Christmas....
This is what is going on our table for when my family comes for Christmas... I decided to do some fun, whimsical, non-traditional colors.
If you have empty rolls of TP around you can make these fun little table crackers and stuff them with fun things. I used Studio paint and stamped the woodgrain backgrounder from Cornish Heritage Farms on kraft card stock.
I sent the kids hunting around the neighbourhood for pinecones then I added some paint to a yoguart container and a little bit of water and shook to coat these pinecones. Here they are drying on some parchment paper.
I went to the dollar store looking for some cute hair accessories and didn't find any so I bought a bunch of the plain silver clips and made my own. This was very easy...some some cute spellbinder dies, felt and buttons.....
I had some extra pine cones left over so I added them to the table centerpiece. I rolled these candles in epson salts to give them the snowy look. The blue candles weren't quite the right shade so I painted those and then rolled them in the salt. The paint acts like glue and it worked quite nicely.

Well all my "crafty" prep is done....and the projects I will show you after Christmas (as to not ruin any surprises).
Merry Christmas!

Christmas Winter Wishes

2009-12-18T08:00:00.000-08:00

Hello! Welcome to Taylor's sketch challenge friday...I thought it would be perfect to end the week with something Christmas, traditional, dainty and pretty....some of my few favorite things!
Can you tell I'm loving the petite papers from Webster's pages! I did a tag last week using this same paper HERE...I am so glad the pack has more than one sheet of this!
I created my own frame by using my spellbinder dies and then covered it with glue then glitter. A nice snowy feel...even though it is rain here.

Here are all this cards' details:
Stamps:
Skater's Pond (Thomas Kinkade) by Cornish Heritage Farms
Ink:
Espresso Adirondack (Ranger)
Paper:
Linen (CHF)
Petite Papers (Webster's Pages)
Accessories:
Copic Markers
Glitter (Martha Stewart)
Die cuts (Spellbinders)
Felt Strip, Flowers (Prima)
Ribbon (Offray)
Button
Crocheted flower (made by me)

A little close up to see how I combined a spring crocheted flower with the pointsetta. I tried to mimic this color scheme in the skirt of the skater. Pink and Red can look sooo pretty together.
Here is a close shot of the image. An oldie but a GOODIE! I stamped it on new linen paper from CHF and it instantly gave it this pretty aged feeling. Added glitter to my scene as well with my glue pen.

Here is the sketch so you can play along in TAYLOR'S challenge.
Don't forget to see what the rest of the sketch crew came up with:
Monika Davis: M.A.D. Stamper
Melissa Sauls: In Stamping Mode
Alice Lihsuan-Wertz: Alice's Little Wonderland
Lisa Hjulberg: The Craft's Meow

Just a little note to let you know that I am taking this next week off...Wishing all of my blogging friends a very BLESSED CHRISTMAS to you and yours!

Kissin' Cookies

2009-12-17T10:06:00.001-08:00

Mmmm, yummy post today! Julia challenged us on SCS to make something sweet and share a family favorite recipe as well. I have a lot of those great glassine bags that I can give away cookies in and thought that this would be a quick and tasty recipe to share as well.
Here is my close shot of the card with Flopsey. The sentiment jumped right out at me as I was using Hershey's Kisses in my recipe. I did a little paper piecing with the recliner and colored flopsey with my copics. For the bunny I used E40,E43,E44 and a little R20 in his ears and cheeks. Added a skiff of highlights with my opaque white paint from copic as well.
The crocheted flower I made myself and I thought the chocolate ric rac added a nice compliment to the ever so fabulous "early bird paper collection" from Cosmo Cricket.
Yummy, here is the close shot of a family favorite and the recipe:
1/2 c. margarine
1/3 c. peanut butter (I use smooth)
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/3 c. flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
Hershey's Kisses (I used 50...but maybe I ate a few)

Cream together your butter and sugar. Add egg, peanut butter and vanilla...mix well. Mix dry ingredients then combine all together. Roll 1" balls in your hand and roll in a plate of sugar to coat, place on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes (or until you see cracking of the edges of the cookie). Place hershey kisses in the center and bake 2-3 minutes longer. Remove, cool and enjoy!

*******Here is a fun little alteration to my stick pin. Thinking of chocolate I LOVE dipped items. Ice cream cones (Dairy Queen), fruit, pretzels...basically anything goes well with good chocolate. I wanted my stick pin to have that chocolate look so I dipped it in my golden acrylic paint and blasted it with my heat gun. I love that it is very imperfect... just like a real dipped item.
See you back here tomorrow for some Taylor sketch fun! I'm off to enjoy some coffee and cookies!

Clear Ornament

2009-12-15T11:24:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! We had a little blast of winter here last night and it put me in the mood to make a little winter ornament. I picked up these clear glass ornaments last year at Michaels after Christmas...they were CHEAP! I stamped this little pure innocence girl "Flurry of Love" from My Favorite Things on the ornament with Stazon ink.

I colored her outfit from the backside of the glass with my copics. As you can see the blending ability of colors is a little different on non porous surfaces and I find I needed to reach for a little bolder colors. For example her face I colored with E13. Her jacket is a combo of BG13, BG18.

After I was done coloring I used my rock candy crackle accents to cover the front of the glass. It dried with that neat crackle effect which was hard to capture in the photo but looks great in real life! Final touches of liquid applique for the snow and I was done!
A sweet little gift item that I can tuck inside a card.

Enjoy your day!

Tags o' plenty!

2009-12-14T08:31:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I had a lot of fun with "the girls" making some Christmas tags....I managed to squeeze in a few for myself while showing some basic ink/stamp techniques. There are too many stamp companies, patterned papers and techniques to mention them all by name. I basically took a "smattering" of my supplies down to the kitchen table and just had at it! Way fun!
Here is a closer shot at one of my more "technique" tags. This tag is only one layer but looks very deep due to all the technique steps...the camera didn't catch my shimmer from my glimmer mist so you have to take my word for the glow of the "walnut gold" spray.
Another technique tag done with a pretty background stamp. Yes, we glitterfied everything! LOL!
I also had some fun with felt too...adding softness and texture to a few of my tags. This one highlighting beautiful patterned paper!
I'm looking forward to adding these to my gift packages this Christmas!
Off to finish up some projects....I promise to show you some photos when I am done! Until then I am under my sewing machine....I have a cheap Janome machine that I purchased when I got married....it owes me NOTHING....I just hope it holds out till I am done my gifts!

Thanks for stopping by and have a good one!

Taylored Expressions Challenge #94!

2009-12-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

Had to pull this photo.....see you Monday!

Happy Friday! Well this week just FLEW! Most of the time I didn't know whether we were coming or going and trying to maintain the delicate balance of a very full Christmas schedule! I have noticed that this year in particular is very busy but I think that is because my kids are old enough to have a social life...but not old enough to drive. Their social life is ours right now and don't get me wrong...I'm NOT complaining as I know I will miss these days soon enough. I am just thrilled it is FRIDAY!

I showed you a wintery tag yesterday so today's tag is a little more general. I picked up these great memory capsules and couldn't wait to try them out!
It was so easy to make a little frame with my spellbinder dies, I could just slip them over top of the bubble to see which sizes I would need.

I thought this gorgeous botanical flower stamp matched the feel of this paper perfectly! I stamped and then colored the flower with copics, I also went over the flower with my clear spica pen for some shimmer. I used some microbeads for the memory capsule....tip: don't use too many beads or you won't see your lovely image.

I tacked down some trim on the bottom of my tag as well as above my sentiment. If you look closely you can see how I followed the sketch. One main panel and then two off set panels (my flower and my sentiment). I love Taylor's sketches for inspiration, they are truly a creative "kick-start"!
Here is a close up of the capsule. So pretty with the beads and I let my circle wander a little off the edge of my tag for fun. I used my copics RV0000, RV11 and R37 to color the flower...I know, not a common color combo but it worked really well giving me a lot of contrast on the petals in a very small amount of space.
Here are all my tag details:
Stamps:
Botanical Bliss (ATC), Silhouette Blooms II (Kim Hughes) by Cornish Heritage Farms
Ink:
Espresso Adirondack (Ranger)
Paper:
Petite Papers (Webster's Pages)
Shipping Tag
Accessories:
Memory Capsule, Tiny Attacher (Tim Holtz)
Microbeads
Circle dies (Spellbinders)
Copic Markers
Clear Spica Pen (Copic)
Ribbon (Prima)
Eyelet (We R Memory Keepers)

Here is the sketch so you can play along in TAYLOR'S challenge.
Don't forget to see what the rest of the sketch crew came up with:
Jami Sibley: More is More
Monika Davis: M.A.D. Stamper
Lynn Mercurio: Stamperosity
Melissa Sauls: In Stamping Mode
Alice Lihsuan-Wertz: Alice's Little Wonderland
Lisa Hjulberg: The Craft's Meow

Enjoy your weekend...I get to make a bunch of gift tags this weekend for my christmas gifts...hoping to share pictures with you on Monday!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

2009-12-10T09:16:00.001-08:00

It is -8 here and the perfect conditions to "let it snow". They are calling for some snow in our forcast by the weekend...my kids are THRILLED!
Believe it or not snow is not a regular occurrence here on the west coast of Canada. We usually get it once and then it melts away into rain. So snow is pretty exciting here when it happens (exciting on the roads too with inexperienced drivers)...
I am having the girls over this weekend to make some pretty christmas tags and so I have all the "tag goodies" on my desk and couldn't help but play a little!
I picked up this gorgeous Webster's Pages Petite papers yesterday and this sheet was calling to me.
The large christmas tree was perfect for the fun winter scene I wanted to create.
I played along in the WT challenge today on SCS....we were challenged to pick a winter carol and incorporate it into our project....perfect! I'll be humming this song all day!

Here is a close up of the tune...it is a rub-on from Melissa Frances.
Here is a close shot of the stamped portion of my tag. This little fireplace scene is from "night before christmas" in the rummage bin from Cornish Heritage Farms. I stamped the scene then paper pieced the little girl with the candle over top as I wanted to color her jammies pink with my copics. I also used my glue pen and glitter to add ornaments to the tree and to jazz up the little stocking.

Now just waiting for the snow.....

Marching Band Madness

2009-12-08T11:43:00.001-08:00

My daughter has been in FULL swing with marching band "gigs" (as she calls them). Tis' the season.... Here they are the MEI SCREAMIN' EAGLES MARCHING BAND!

I did this really fun layout of her with the band. Mainly Melissa Frances paper products in this layout (minus the prima flourish). The letters come as a off white sparkle color and they needed some more "punch" so I airbrushed them with a dark marker to match. I ran out of "H" as well so I cut out the negative portion from my chipboard sheet to have the letters that I needed. Instead of using the "o" I used the middle part of it so that I could create a note.
I stamped my "aged sheet music" Scrapblock from CHF to go behind the big band picture.

Here is a closer look of her...playing with her hat, hitting the high note and a grin of accomplishment....You rock sweetie!

Bella Birthday Bash

2009-12-05T16:01:00.001-08:00

I'm chasing my tail once again as I didn't get this card finished in time for the Bella blog hop but I am pleased that I did get it finished in time for the Birthday Bash Contest! This card fits the bill perfectly for me today as my little sweetie turned 14! She is definitely one of "my favorite things!" I know this Ketto girl is more "spring" but I winterized her a little with cutting out one of the hats from my patterned paper to make her a little more festive.
Here is a close up of my "list". She is at the top of it! For fun I added some fun favorite winter activities with some Melissa Frances rub-ons.
Here is my whole supply list:
Stamps:
Ketto's Dolly, top 10 favorite things memory block (Stamping Bella)
Ink:
Tuxedo Black Memento (Tsukineko)
Paper:
Jolly by Golly (Cosmo Cricket)
Accessories:
Copic Markers
Snowflake dies (Spellbinders)
Felt
Brad (American Crafts)
Rub-on sentiments (Melissa Frances)
Dymo Label Gun

Happy Birthday to both my girl and Stamping Bella! See you monday!

Taylored Expressions Challenge #93!

2009-12-04T08:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday everybody! It is sketch challenge time again...we took a little holiday last week but here we are again....hope you play along!
We have had an exciting week in our family! My sister had a baby....this is one of the best occasions to create a card! These fabulous vintage images are from the "baby dear" set in the Rummage Bin at CHF. Did you know that Julia created this set? A definite "must have" for your stamp collection.
The images are colored with copics...you can tell that I reach for my light markers A LOT...this is why...they pair up beautifully with the soft vintage paper from Melissa Frances.
I had to chuckle a little as I added in the "oh, boy" sentiment in the last image....this particular "little" baby tipped the scales at a whopping 9lbs11oz!

Here is a close shot of the dimension on this card. I covered each one of my images with a circle fragment. I love how it makes my embellishment look like I bought them this way...but actually made them.
I know my sis looks at my blog so she gets to see this card.
Now the really fun part.... to try to find the perfect little gift to go with my card....

Here is the sketch so you can play along in TAYLOR'S challenge.
Don't forget to see what the rest of the sketch crew came up with:
Monika Davis: M.A.D. Stamper
Lynn Mercurio: Stamperosity
Melissa Sauls: In Stamping Mode
Rachel Sztonyk: Gingerbread Gallery
Alice Lihsuan-Wertz: Alice's Little Wonderland
Lisa Hjulberg: The Craft's Meow

Have a fabulous weekend! It's my babys' birthday this weekend...she turns 14!

Good friends, good books

2009-12-03T11:30:00.000-08:00

Read any great books lately?....other than Twilight (not a twilight fan).... I would love to know, I'm always on the search for a good read. It makes times in airports and airplanes zoom by a lot quicker! I'm dabbling and having some more fun with fabric. I love that it is so easy to apply with the creatopia machine from xyron. They get fabric adhesive applied to the back and make my fabric a sticker! No sewing required! ....My sewing machine is occupied these days with Christmas projects....
I thought the fabric circles (cut out with my spellbinder dies) made the perfect kind of "gum drop" tree.
Reading Flopsey is from My Favorite Things...I just inked the bunny and not the books so that I could rest Flopsey under the gum drop tree. Colored with copics E40, E43, BG10, BG13, BG18, YG01, YG03. I did add a little white liquid applique for flopsey's tail...cute little puff of dimension.

Here is a little close up of the fabric. All Michael Miller fabrics. I got them to puff by adding a little cotton batting under them. I just cut the one size smaller of the circle nestie through my cotton batting. Easy!

Today was a "play" sort of day....I think I am avoiding my half done Christmas projects....

See you tomorrow for Taylor's sketch challenge! Yup! We are back at it this week!

Ready for Snow

2009-12-01T10:18:00.000-08:00

The sun is out and the temperature is starting to drop. I am ready for some snow...what about you? Anything but more rain is fine with me...
I wanted to show you a nice close up and highlight the flexibility of rub-ons. This sentiment from Melissa Frances didn't appear in the package this way but by rubbing on one word at a time you can manipulate your sentiment to flow with your image. I wanted to go gently around my heart die cut and have my "falling" actually falling...
This card is button galore and I really loved the cute TINY buttons on the scarves of these polar bears.
These bears are so sweet! They are called "Polar Love" (Stephanie Fizer) for My Favorite Things. Colored up with my copics. White bears are perfect for practicing that "fade away to white" technique with the blender pen. You can see a video of that technique HERE.

Here is the whole card in it's button glory. There is actually a button challenge going on in the CARDS blog...my inspiration for today! I used Melissa Frances paper for the background and that lovely sparkly snowflake is from MF as well! Can you see where I used my multiliner?
I made the mound of snow and added the scarf tassles. I even had cut a bit of my image (by mistake) with my heart die...but was able to draw the missing piece back in with my multiliner.

I'm off to work on my Christmas gift projects...time is ticking! It's December 1st! Ack!

Montreal Blessings

2009-11-30T08:18:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday! I am back in my studio today playing after a fun full weekend of family events. We went to see Stuart MacLean live....he is a storyteller on CBC radio and his stories of "Morley and Dave" keep our whole family in stitches!
I do have a couple of photos from my time in Montreal to show you. This is a group photo of the last card class I taught. Many of the women who took the certification came and took a card class to put into practice what we learned in the copic certification. It was a blast! I don't have any photos of the certification or the first card class....it only dawned on me to have a photo taken just before leaving for home! Crazy...I bring my camera with me and then get to busy that I forget to take pictures!
I was incredibly blessed to have a couple of helpers for my card classes. Nicky and Tema helped me a ton by passing out all the card parts and Nicky was helping ladies with their blending techniques. Not only did they help me with my classes but they joined me for dinner breaks and were a total delight to visit with. They really made my Montreal stay wonderful! Thank you!
Natalie is the other fabulous ingredient to this photo (standing above me), she is the store owner of Scrapbook Centale who hosted the copic certification event and classes. She was wonderful, helpful and has an awesome store and customer base. You girls rock!

Thanks to the women of Montreal....they were so gracious to the fact that I speak no french. Friendly and Delightful!

Snow Bunny

2009-11-27T09:26:00.001-08:00

Happy Friday Everyone! I'm not expecting huge traffic out on my blog today as my American friends should be beating off the crowds in some good "Black Friday" shopping!
Today I wanted to create...because I felt like it....not for a sketch challenge, not for publication work or for design team work but JUST FOR ME AND FOR FUN!

A little "thank you" to those who noticed that I changed my profile photos...I thought I would stop shocking people with my curly hair when all my on-line photos of me were straight hair and glasses. I really only need to wear my glasses when I am driving in the dark and in the rain (which has been a lot around here lately!).

Have you jumped in on these fabulous new Pure Innocence images yet? They are so cute! Some of the sweetest images that I have seen in a long while. You just know it when a stamp line "speaks to you". This collection you can find at My Favorite Things...and yes, you will see a lot of pure innocence from me! I felt like making another dual purpose card. This one is a great gift tag within a card. When the tag is removed the card still looks great!
This is the image with the tag removed. I stamped her on vellum (with Stazon) and then colored her with my copics FROM THE BACKSIDE....I love the transparent look of color on vellum....something that you just can't duplicate on regular card stock. I stitched the vellum piece to my background paper (Jolly by Golly from Cosmo Cricket). I also added some stickles and liquid applique for my snowy accents.

Here is a shot of the card with the tag inserted. LOVE how the snowflake pattern shows through.
Don't be afraid to try coloring with copics on vellum. It is a little different where colors don't blend like they would on card stock but if you don't like what you have laid down in color it is so easy to erase with your blender pen!
Tip: Remember to go a little bolder in your color choices on vellum so that you get the desired intensity. The colors look naturally softer on the vellum.

Enjoy your weekend! Hope you all nab some great deals....speaking of DEALS have you checked out
Taylored Expressions? They are having an awesome sale today....now that is my kind of shopping!

Back in my studio....

2009-11-24T15:28:00.001-08:00

I'm back from FABULOUS Montreal! Wow that was a jam packed weekend-o-coloring! I came back home and had to skip across the border today to check my mail box and YES....my newest MFT order was there waiting for me. I couldn't help but do a little card today (jetlag and all)....
I wanted to show you the fabulous use of one of my favorite copic tools...the multiliner. I love how I can add to my images and then still color them with my markers.

This is the darling little image from the Pure Innocence line at My Favorite Things, she is called "my balloon". The first thing that I thought of is that I wanted to finish that balloon so that I could color it in!
Here I just used my multiliner from copic to finish the balloon, but why stop there? I thought she could also use a little grass for under her feet too.
I was encouraging the ladies (and gentleman) who took the copic certification classes this weekend to use their markers to color their embellishments. Here I wanted my ribbon to match my balloon (EXACTLY) so this was the best way to tie in that pretty blue color!
Paired up with the prettiest Melissa Frances paper and there she is! I thought the paper would look pretty on her dress too!
Well time to go make a coffee....I feel myself dragging! Hope you have a great day!

Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #92!

2009-11-20T08:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday! As Thanksgiving approaches for my US friends I would like to say that
I am very thankful for all the American friendships and wonderful American companies that I have worked with this year. You are truly a blessing to me!
Without voicing my own personal political views too loudly I thought I would make a card that speaks of the gratefulness to being American. I know the US is going through a tough time economically and politically....and I thought maybe this would be a good idea for someone serving in the military.
This card is a wonderful Kinkade stamped on a clear card. I laid in this pretty patterned paper from Melissa Frances in the background. I also stamped the sentiment on a scrap piece of the patterned paper and used my glossy accents to adhere the circle fragment over top.
For a finishing touch I accented the flag using my R29 and B06 copic markers. I love that I can color on this type of slick surface and it won't wipe away!
Anyway, here are all the specific details:
Stamps:
Hometown Pride (Thomas Kinkade), Happy Harvest (GM) by Cornish Heritage Farms
Ink:
Black Stazon (Tsukineko)
Paper:
Patterned Paper (Melissa Frances)
Clear Sheet (CHF)
Accessories:
Copic Markers
"4" blackboard (Cosmo Cricket)
Circle Fragment (Tim Holtz)

Here is the sketch so you can play along in TAYLOR'S challenge.
Don't forget to see what the rest of the sketch crew came up with:
Jami Sibley: More is More
Monika Davis: M.A.D. Stamper
Jackie Pedro: The Scalloped Edge
Lynn Mercurio: Stamperosity
Melissa Sauls: In Stamping Mode
Rachel Sztonyk: Gingerbread Gallery
Alice Lihsuan-Wertz: Alice's Little Wonderland
Lisa Hjulberg: The Craft's Meow

I am literally on a jet plane right now heading towards Montreal...I am SO looking forward to all the crafters I am going to meet there! It will be a very full weekend of one of my favorite things....COPICS! See you next week when I get back!

Rain or Shine

2009-11-17T22:06:00.001-08:00

I thought this little girl was darling and doing something that most little girls would do....keep the froggie dry instead of herself! This was for the sketch challenge on SCS....perfect layout for this image! Colored with copic markers to match this fabulous "Boyfriend" paper from Cosmo Cricket.
My favorite part...these puffy clouds created with a label die from spellbinders used to cut out felt. I then ran it through the creatopia to add fabric adhesive to the backside and then stuck them like a sticker to my card. I airbrushed the bottom of the clouds with my T2 copic marker to make more of a rainy cloud. Here are all the deets:
Stamps:
Rainy Day Friends (MFT)
Ink:
Tuxedo Black Memento (Tsukineko)
Paper:
Boyfriend (Cosmo Cricket)
White (Neenah)
Accessories:
Copic Markers
Air Brush System (Copic) to add grey to the clouds
Felt
Die cuts (Spellbinders)
Creatopia (Xyron)
Ribbon (Offray)
Glossy Accents (Ranger)
Sanding Block

The snow has turned to rain here....much to my kids dismay....maybe we should have the sentiment "rain or snow" instead of "rain or shine".....hmmmmm

Have a great day!

Yeah Baby!

2009-11-16T08:14:00.001-08:00

There is a wonderful vintage baby stamp set and sentiments that is being released tomorrow at CHF. One of my favorite things to do with baby themed projects is to make little gifts. These were plain onesies. I stamped the images on white cotton, colored them with copics and then ran them through my creatopia to get the fabric adhesive on them. I placed them directly on the onesie and then sewed around the edge for extra durability. The adhesive was SO nice because they stayed right in place and made it easy to stitch.

I also made that cute little strap for your key ring that you can hold your emergency soother onto. How often do you spend searching for a soother that has seemed to grow legs and walk away....

As for packaging....this was the clear bag that the onesies came in...I just dressed it up by cutting out a few more birds with my spellbinder dies and then more fabric adhesive and straight onto the bag! Easy Peasy.....

I LOVE that I can use my "Papercrafting" items for so much more than papercrafting!

The Winner is....

2009-11-15T14:04:00.000-08:00

It was so neat to hear what you all had to say about copic! So the Lucky winner is:
#131!

Nicole K/Gotham Girl
Copic markers make me love to craft again--I don't get caught up in producing or feeling like I *have* to do something--I just do it and it's fun.

November 11, 2009 1:32 PM

Congrats Nicole! I've sent you an e-mail with the details.

Thanks for everyone that played!

Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #91

2009-11-13T08:00:00.000-08:00

Friday is here...wow this week went FAST!
I'm sure most have you have gotten in on the copic giveaway, but if you haven't got your name down yet you have till tomorrow. HERE is that post...good luck (Awesome Prizes!)

Today's card is perfect for the Christmas season. I just received this little sweetie in the mail. It is part of the new "Pure Innocence" line from MFT! Isn't she darling!

I created a card with this ornament in the front. The frame pulls off and there is a ribbon tucked underneath so she can adorn your Christmas tree!
I colored her with my copics and then cut her out with the spellbinder oval die. While the die was still in place I airbrushed the edges giving her some extra highlight.
I coordinated it all with this fabulous Cosmo Cricket paper (Jolly by Golly) and that beautiful frame???? Yes, Melissa Frances...so elegant and perfect for the tree.
I was able to purchase some reinkers this past weekend for one of my favorite color combos and it is E40 and E43...they are a lovely match to kraft cardstock.

Here is the sketch so you can play along in TAYLOR'S challenge.
Don't forget to see what the rest of the sketch crew came up with:
Jami Sibley: More is More
Monika Davis: M.A.D. Stamper
Jackie Pedro: The Scalloped Edge
Lynn Mercurio: Stamperosity
Melissa Sauls: In Stamping Mode
Rachel Sztonyk: Gingerbread Gallery
Alice Lihsuan-Wertz: Alice's Little Wonderland
Lisa Hjulberg: The Craft's Meow

I'm getting all ready for my trip to Montreal next weekend. It is going to be SO FUN. I know there are a few spots left for the certification on the Sunday (November 22nd) so if you would like to fill that spot please e-mail me and I'll send you out an application ASAP!
Have a great weekend!