Showing posts with label spring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spring. Show all posts

5.19.2013

Tiddly Inks Challenge #110

I actually played along with a challenge!
Tiddly Inks' current challenge is to "use a Wryn"... and the Wryns happen to be my favorite line of Christy's images!  So, without further ado:


I used the "Wryn New Nest" image... isn't it adorable?  I know, I know... where is the creepiness, Barb?  I told you I've been mojo-less lately, and this image was springy and upbeat, so I decided to forgo the macabre this time around :)


Patterned papers:  My Mind's Eye
Grass punch:  Martha Stewart
Die:  Square Nestabilities

Main Copic colors:
skin:  E11, 00, 000, R20 cheeks
hair:  YR23, Y26, 23, 21
pink:  R85, 83, 81
tree:  E57, 53, 51


Yes, I DID fussy-cut the image!
I also drew in the higher branch of the tree to give a little more height to the image.
And yes, pop dots are my friends :)

What do you think?

2.18.2013

Helloooooooo!

Have you missed me?  I can NOT believe it's been, what, six months since I checked in with the ol' blog!  Well, I'll try to keep it short and sweet... but you KNOW how long-winded I get ;)  A few updates:
My new business, Foster Technical Services, LLC, is really starting to pick up... I have a few home builders that I steadily work with along with a few remodeling jobs, so all is well on that front!  I also still work at The Scrapbook Page two-to-four days a week... plus teaching the Copic classes there.  Still loving it... it really IS my fun job :)

http://thescrapbookpageonline.com 

Thor is doing very well, though he is blind now.  You can't tell by looking at him... you just wait until he bumps into something or looks in a different direction than where your voice is coming from!  He's got the ol' grey muzzle now, but is still the CA-YOOTEST little redhead EVER!!  He is very happy, lazy, loves getting treats and REALLY loves his mommy & daddy :)

  



I have been having uncontrollable urges to de-clutter & Spring-clean!  I have a stock-pile of clothes, pillows, blankets & towels that I have washed and bagged up, ready for donating!  Not to mention many other household items, stuffed animals, crafty stuff... etc.  I have no patience for garage sales, so I'm going the donation route!  Poot FINALLY got rid of clothes that were too small for him, and I got rid of clothes that are now too big for me!  I have a deep-seeded wish for a kitchen similar to this:


And perhaps a living room like this:

 Ahhhhh... to dream.  Ok ok... how about a dose of reality:


Uber-good news:  I have lost well over 30 pounds!  I haven't owned a scale in many years, so I can't be sure how much I really got up to, so I calculated it from what I remember weighing a couple of years ago.  Yep... well over 30 pounds!  All from replacing Coke & sweet tea drinks with water!  Oh, and a couple of times a week I eat "Healthy Choice" frozen meals for lunch.  I still sugar my coffee & eat chocolate and all of that, but I have noticed that I have been eating smaller portions in general.  I will say that working at The Page helps with keeping active... just from walking around so much.  Yeay!

But you didn't tune in to talk about fur-babies & weight loss... you wanna see some papercraft action, yes?  I'll admit it... I have been so swamped that I really only create cards for my classes now... how sad is that?  The good news is that they turn out pretty awesome :)  I have so many that I haven't blogged, that I have no shortage of card creativity to show you.  Now to just magically create more hours in the day to do that!

ANYhoo, check out this bit of awesomeness for my upcoming Spring Copic 101 card class in mid-March:



Love love LOVE this new Authentique "Seasons: Summer" line of paper!  And I am NOT a fan of yellow... but along with shades of warm grey & blue-green...
{swoon!}



The stamp is from Hero Arts, which is from a clear set with several cute images, and I'm sure you recognize Memory Box clouds when you see them :)
I want to make an entire set of these bad boys!  There is just a slight difference between these two cards, but I can't tell which one I like better... I think maybe the one with the chevron on top.
Clean, simple, yet delightful :)
I've still got to figure out the other three cards for class, but I can tell you right now that this is my fave!

What do you think?
(I've missed you, too!)

6.29.2012

I know it's Summertime, but...

I'm trying to catch up on posting :)  More Spring class cards:



(Impression Obsession image)


(Art Impressions image)


(Penny Black image)

I had one more, but it is sooooooooooooo not me, that I am refusing to post it ;)  
I LOVE the fence card... by far my favorite.  And the no-line stamping technique with the bunny/egg image turned out well... the bunny was stamped in brown ink & the egg in blue.  The blending on the chick was fun, not to mention all of the grass... me likey.

What do you think?

5.11.2012

A couple of fairies...

How's that for a post title?!  :)  I just love fairies... yes, all kinds :P  And today I'm showing off a couple from Sweet Pea Stamps, by the artist Caron Vinson.

This is "Royal Flower". She is so sweet, and colored-up in a bunch of Copic BG's... LOVE her!

My rubber stamp actually has a defect in it where her hair is located... so I made it a headband-of-sorts.  I actually like it better than if the lines were there for her hair.


And this is "Moonlight Fairy".  Seriously lovely image, and awesome May Arts sheer ribbon.

 I really like how her skin tone came out, and the overall blush-pink & green combo.  Her hair is waaaay more blended than what this shows... I don't know why my camera does that.

What do you think?

2.09.2011

A sunny card for a cold winter's night...

I thought I'd share another one of the All Occasion Fairy cards I'll be teaching on Monday, February 21st at The Scrapbook Page.  And since it is soooooooo freakin' cold outside, this one just may bring a little sunshine into your life :)

This is Darby and Bumbles... aren't they both the cutest?!  And just look at those bright colors... can't believe it was me that used them, can ya'?  I know!  But I need a little warmth & sunshine right now:   the past few days have been totally sucky... and not in a good way... I'm just sayin'.

ACK!  Cah-yoot-ness!!  Just look at that face.
So, iffen you want all the details for this card, you have to come to my class :)  Suckers  ';)

And don't forget to tune in to Mischelle's blog on Thursday February 17th for my Guest Designer stint over there... I'm still trying to work on a video for that... 
uh, yeah... riiiiiiiiight...

What do you think?

11.27.2010

December 9th Copic Card Class at The Page...

There may be a couple of openings left in my upcoming All Occasion Cards - Flowers, Copic Class at The Scrapbook Page on December 9th 6:30-8:30pm... I haven't checked yet :)  But I thought I'd show you what we'll be making:

We'll be coloring a spring flower, a summer sunflower, a holly sprig (winter flower), and a graphic kaleidoscope flower.  The graphic flower one is actually a gift-card holder inside!


If you want to know the details about these, you'll have to come to class :)  Sly, right?  Just go to The SBP's website for sign-up info:


What do you think?

7.29.2010

Violet daisy

Today's lil' beauty is from the new Blossoms & Blessings set from The Angel Company.  And this was so relaxing to color... definitely a stress reliever.


And it wasn't HORRIBLE to cut out really.  I created a stem from the same green cardstock and then edged it with a black marker.  And don't you LOVE that fatty ribbon?!  I know!  No need for patterned paper or other foof when you've got that bit o' beautimousness... just sayin'.


Paper:  Bazzill green, Neenah white & kraft cardstocks
Other:  Scor-Bug, fatty ribbon (Waste Not Paper), PTI wood impression plate
Copics:  YR20, YR23, YR24, E57, V93, V95, V99, G85


I probably should have blended a little bit more, but oh well... it looks so much better in person... trust me :)

What do you think?

7.23.2010

He likes me...

... or does he?

Isn't she sweet?  This cutie patootie image is one of the new Hostess sets from The Angel Company.  Love her!  I paired her with the Angelee paper line and created a tall skinny card for a little change of pace.  Me likey.

And finally a little foof!  Why-o-WHY haven't I been reaching for my beautimous ribbons?  And check out the bow.  My wunnerful buddy Michelle McD (yes, MISS Angel of the Year herself) was using a "Bow Easy" contraption last weekend and it caused me to dig mine out this week :)   {psssst... luv u Michelle :)}  Of course I had to rack my brain trying to remember how she did it... I STILL don't think I got it right, but whatever I did worked.

Paper:  Angelee SWIC, Angelee cardstock, & Neenah white cardstock
Other:  Scor-Bug, Angelee Ribbon, MM ivory pearl heart
Copics:  skin:  E000, E00, E11, R02;  hair:  YR23, YR24, E57;  dress:  V93, V95, V99;  flower:  BV20, YR23;  bench:  E53, E57, E59, E71;  grass:  G12, G21, G24, G85

I know I've been MIA lately, but for whatever reason I've got Halloween on the brain.  I DO have several non-Halloweenie images colored up just begging me to finish a freakin' card with one of them... now to just do it :)

OH!  I never even really talked about the fun Angel gathering last weekend.  Good grief.  Had a blast... loads of laughs, a ton of inspiring projects (thanks Heather & Lori!) and did a little coloring, too :)  Can't wait for the next one!

By the way... I've got a couple of spots open for my Hostess Club that starts up in August... lemme know if you want in :)

I'm also going to be starting a separate Copic Marker Club if you would be interested in that.  Since TAC has their own Caboodle sets now, with perfectly picked color trios and matching cardstock, it's THAT much easier to color like nobody's business :)  

A few of us brainstormed last weekend to come up with a great club!  (ok, more of them and less of me, but I was there, dang it!)  I'll be adding a tab at the top of my blog with additional information very soon!  Just plan on getting together 3 people for 3 months or 5 people for 5 months for this fun and easy Copic Club!!  Please check back or, if you want to know now, just email me (see contact info at the top)!

But back to today's card... 
What do you think?

5.06.2010

Butterfly birthday...

Happy Thursday!  It is so pretty today... far too nice to be inside (hush up, Laurie... we know I'm not an outdoorsey gal).  Maybe I should say, far too nice to be at the office :)  I've been coloring a bunch of butterflies lately, feeling Springy and all, so be prepared to see several butterfly cards in upcoming posts!


Me loves the kraft cardstock.  And you can put it with almost any color scheme, really.  I had colored these butterflies last weekend thinking that I would cut them out and use on different cards... BUT since I managed to line them up pretty good, I decided to use them together.  This is a limited edition stamp set available in May & June only!  You can check it out HERE.


The trick was to find those three colors in a paper line... yeah... good luck with that :)  I finally just ended up using Mimi paper with a splash of teal cardstock to tie them together... worked pretty good I think.  The main background panel was in my scrap pile already made up!  Yes... this is a scrap pile card... believe it or not.


Stamps:  Life So Big, Forever Friends (retired)
Paper:  Mimi (retired, but More Mimi would work!), Mimi & kraft cardstocks, misc. teal cardstock
Other:  EK Success edger punch, brown pearls (Michael's)
Copics:  BG72, BG78, YG01, YG05, RV13, RV14


One more card that goes into my birthday card stash... oh wait... I don't have a stash anymore!  So this is the START of my birthday card stash :)

What do you think?

5.04.2010

A happy hello...

I love Spring.  Really I do.  Especially sleeping with the windows open & a chilly breeze blows the entire night.  The bad thing:  I just want to snuggle under the covers and not get up in the morning :)  I can't even count the number of times I hit the snooze button this morning!  What sucks worse?  Poot kept hitting HIS snooze button... and our clocks are not in sync... so every 3 minutes there was a freakin' alarm going off {ugh!}  Ok, maybe it was every 5 minutes.  Whatever it was... it was NOT a good thing :)

So, enough of a glimpse into my life for the moment... on to the fun stuff!  I had stamped this little flower onto a practice sheet whenever I had that Copic coloring class a while back, so I thought I'd use it.  And how ever-so-fitting for Spring, right?


Other:  Extra Jumbo flower punch, Scor-Bug, button, black Scrapper's Floss, black felt, EK Success edger punch
Copics:  YR20, YR23, YR24, E57, V01, V06, V09, G12, G21, G85


Tip #1:  Stamp a large flower (from Petal Pack) on the back of the black felt with a light chalk ink and then cut it out.  You don't have to buy a die or pre-made felt flowers!

Tip #2:  Be sure to use the edger punch before using the Scor-bug.  Some punches are hard to gauge exactly how much paper is cut off, and you don't want the border too close to the piercing.

Tip #3:  After punching the yellow flower, cut between petals towards the center half way.  Curl the separate petals under a bit with a chopstick or pencil for added dimension.


On a sad note... all of the stamps used for this card, except for one, are being discontinued!  On a happy note... you can get them for 25% off!

Ab Fab, right?  Want some more fabulous news?  A dear friend has JUST opened a new boutique at 4505 90th Street in Prairie Village, Kansas called The Blue Bow, and she has been selling my cards & creations!  She's already taken requests for additional items... I am so psyched! (as opposed to psycho)  I can't wait for her to get her website going... it is one of those eclectic decor & furniture boutiques... small, but sooooo much fun to get lost in :)  Good luck, Brenda!!


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?

3.02.2010

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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