Fun and Mental Changes

So this is me getting back to my roots I guess because I'm suddenly Stampin Up CRAZY!  Once upon a time, a number of years ago, I started an innocent card making hobby with a Stampin Up demonstrator friend of mine.  Well, those seemingly innocent little stamp orders have now turned into a stamp collection of 300+, paints, inks, markers, paper, die cutting machineS, tools, glitter, embossing powder, stickers, buttons in every color and an endless array of adhesives to stick anything the mind can fathom and plenty more that I don't have room to mention (ahem... the sewing machine devoted to sewing paper).... so you wouldn't think I need more.  But here I sit lamenting ANOTHER Stampin Up order that I just placed for more paper I JUST HAVE TO HAVE!  Oh sure, I justify it with, "It's a retired item.  It's on clearance and I may not be able to get it anymore (REMEMBER THE ROCKABILLY FAMINE???)!!!  I need it to make a very important projec...

Ok you guys... its time for the truth.  I'm gonna bare my soul here!  I was TERRIFIED that I would not be able to color once I got the new Spectrum Noir markers.  For years I've been told how well I color using the Copic brush nib alcohol ink markers and for years I've believed it was because of the tool.  NOW I plunge into the REAL world of coloring.... new markers and different nibs.  Can I do it?  Will the new tool measure up? Okie dokie, see for yourself!!!  Above is a hair and face chart that I practiced on yesterday (thank you for the heads Lori Barnett ).  I started the first head in the top left corner using my Copic brush nib markers.  Then I completed the rest of the heads using Spectrum Noir markers in various color combinations to see if there was a noticeable difference.  Oh, these are pretty darn close, wouldn't you say????  This practice sheet is literally the third time I've colored with these markers (I'll post ...

Alright, so I've been sitting on this FOREVER!!!  Well, truth be told, this was another item that was buried in the mess that was my craft room that came to light a few weeks back with my big Feng Shui push to get my space and my life organized.  I'm JUST NOW getting around to posting this and it is LONG overdue because this digi stamp artist ROCKS MY SOCKS!!!  Above is Framed Zombie Girl With Bow digi from Dilly Beans Stamps .  These images are BEYOND cute and I'm so glad to finally be sharing them with all of you!  This card was actually completed a while back so be sure to click on the link to check out all of Megan's newest gems!!!  Her artwork reminds me of one of my favorite artists.... Jasmine Becket Griffith !!!  And to be able to get them in digis for such reasonable prices, well, you can see why it was important to share these digis with the world!  LOL!  Check her out!

Well.... yesterday was THE BEST DAY EVER!!!  Not only did I score AMAZING card kits from Dove Art Studio's class yesterday, but I also got to hang out with some of my favorite people!!!  Now, truth be told, I spent just about the entire day (off and on) coloring the images you see pictured.   I don't typically spend that kind of time coloring three cards, but I was working on coloring the standard "Copic" method of coloring and it was HARD for me to change up my order of application, pressure, etc.  It was almost like I was a beginner all over again!!!  I really got a taste of what my coloring students go through.  So....here are three things to keep in mind when you sit down to color with alcohol ink markers: 1.  Know YOUR mechanics and the mechanics of the pens.  Alcohol ink is like no other medium I can think of.  The blendability of this ink is AWESOME but if you try too hard, you will not get the best these markers ha...

Feelin a little animal!!!  It seems as if being laid up with back pain has it's perks!!!  RAWR!  This fun nail art was inspired by my upcoming Fun With Alcohol Ink Class on March 3rd at Craft Fusion (class starts at 1 p.m.), check out what we'll be making: In fact... if you loved the nail art above, you might want to consider signing up for this class [hint, hint].  For this class we'll be creating this ADORABLE notebook using various alcohol inks.  You're not going to want to miss this!  Along with learning how to assemble our own notebook using The Cinch and Zutter products, we will also be using alcohol inks to customize our project.  Join us and learn how to color stamped images using alcohol ink markers giving your projects depth and dimension.  Please bring your basic tool kit and alcohol ink markers (any brand) for this instruction.  There are markers to rent, but rental markers are limited so the sets will be available on a first c...

Alright.... This beauty is a preview for my next Copic class.  Thanx to my friend Melanie for inspiring this wonderful creation (I JUST re-read that email Melanie.... took me awhile, but I FINALLY did it)!!!  If you haven't ever seen Paper Blessings by Melanie , then you're in for a treat!!!  I first met Melanie when we were on The Town Scrapper design team together and she has been a source of inspiration for me ever since.  Her coloring is superb and she is the first one to introduce me to Kraftin Kimmie Stamps .  It has been a long time since I've colored these wonderful Kraftin Kimmie images and this one makes me want to order more.  I so wish the Canadian shipping strike had never occurred!  I'm so scared to place an order!!!  Should I give it another chance or shouldn't I?  Today IS Kraftin Kimmie's birthday and she's running a sale.... maybe...... *Copics used:  BG01, B18, C6, E00, E000, E11, E30, E35, E57, YG01, YG13, YG67, Y2...

After so long of having a completely unmanageably covered desk (I'm talkin the kind of "covered" that keeps you from doing ANYTHING) it was so nice to finally look at it empty... BUT, as most scrappers will tell you an empty desk is almost as suffocating as a packed one.  So take a peek at what's on my desk now!  And it's about to have company!!!  I am going to be heading to a Super Bowl party and am putting together some goodies for the super fun event.  More on that tomorrow.  I'm also doing my nails later today for the event.  OOOOOOO.... so much good stuff to share!!!  Catchall later!!! *Krista, I wrote down each of the markers that I used for this, but OF COURSE I can't find it now because my desk is clean!!!  And this cutie pie is the Sugar Nellie Simply Sassy Little Light of Mine.

 Wow... it has been a while since I sat down and colored.  I started this beauty some time ago and FINALLY finished her while hangin out with my fellow Paste Eaters (a little girl-power-scrapper group I LOVE attending and miss far too often).  Its nice to have a little inspiration.  It's also nice to sit and color again.  It appears that applying a little Feng Shui to my 'spaces' is just the thing the doctor ordered to get the old juices flowing!!! This one's just a simple card, but coloring ANY Make It Crafty image will take something from simple to smashing in no time.  This beauty is Pipi and I altered her a bit by removing her pigtails using Photoshop Elements.  I like the "pixie" look of her without them.  I'm gonna have to give coloring the full image a try.  To get your hands on this GORGEOUS image, click HERE . Now for those of your who read my last post and responded about my wedding dress.  STAY TUNED!!!  While I can't...

OMGosh you guys!  I am SOOOOO embarrassed!!!  This here is this week's submission to Beyond The Burtonesque Dolls that I'm posting SOOOOO late!!!  Not because the project wasn't done (it was done over a week ago), but because I DROPPED my camera which loosened the SD card inside and had NO IDEA what was wrong!  My computer kept telling me that it couldn't find any of my files.  I honestly thought I had lost everything.  Imagine my delight when the SIMPLE discovery of my SD card being dislodged brought ALL my pics and videos back when the card was snapped back into place.  WOW!  Two days of scrambling... but I'm here to share my experience so if it ever happens to you, you will know how to fix it and quick. So while late, here is my project for Beyond The Burtonesque Dolls bi-weekly challenge.  This week's challenge is to create a project inspired by scary kids or scary kid's films.  MY project is actually inspired by scary kids and the...

IT'S ALMOST HERE!!!  Twilight:  Breaking Dawn opens on November 18th and I'm SOOOOO EXCITED!!!  And not just because of the movie opening.... I'M HOSTING A RELEASE PARTY!!!  Pictured here is one of two of the make n' takes that I created for this event!  This particular project also features a FitterTwit Original!!!  The apple that is in the center of the flower on the third page of this wonderful Tri-Twi Album was created entirely by ME!!!  And it was no small feat... let me tell you!!!  Before I get to that, let me show you some close ups. So here is the first page.  Pretty simple page to display..... oh I don't know.... pictures of you and the gang at the premiere??? hehehe! Here is a close up of the second page.  You have the option of four different sentiments on this one:  "Bite Me", "Love Bites", "Imprinted" or "Forever Yours"!  This page would be perfect for a pic of your date to the premiere.  Oooo-la-...

**** HUGE HALLOWEEN GIVE AWAY... CLICK HERE !!!!****   Ok... here they are!!!  I am just having a BLAST going back to basics with shading and shadows using these wonderfully ADORABLE Stampendous Halloween images.  As I told you yesterday, that cute little Count Jack had some friends!!!  Pumpkinstein and Mumpkin in the house (I think you might be able to tell which one is which... LOL)!!!  Honestly, these cuties make coloring with Copic markers fun and easy.  And really, isn't that quote from Stampin Up's Smarty Pants just too perfect for this one?!?  The only thing that I want to add to this is a little reminder that when you are blending with Copic markers, remember that the alcohol ink takes a moment to "develop".  I think that when people begin coloring, they attempt to blend but don't see the development of the alcohol ink reaction right away, begin to over blend and then are not happy with the results.  Take your time when you first st...

**** HUGE HALLOWEEN GIVE AWAY... CLICK HERE !!!!**** Some of THE BEST images to begin coloring with Copic markers are Halloween images!!!  So if you've just started on this crazy Copic ride, you've begun at the perfect time!!!  THE CUTEST stuff is available this year too!!!  Pictured here is Stampendous Count Jack... isn't he ADORABLE!?!  And he's perfect for learning basic coloring and shadow placement.  With the artist's helpful shadow lines in his little pumpkin face, this one is easy and fun to color as well. Stampendous also has a couple companion images to go with this little cutie... stay tuned for those!!! REMINDER: There are only a few days left to enter the HUGE HALLOWEEN GIVE AWAY!!!!  Be sure to click the link at the very top of this post to enter... this is one you don't want to miss!  There are FOUR Tickled Pink Stamps up for grabs!!!!

**** HUGE HALLOWEEN GIVE AWAY... CLICK HERE !!!!**** Ok, so I've done posts in the past about various Copic storage solutions, but I was given THE MOTHER of all storage ideas by my friends Jennie Black and Krista Koenig!!!   Let me share with you the construction of the storage box and then I'll finish this off with the BRILLIANT solution my husband came up with.... cuz I married a GENIUS!!! What you'll need to create the AWESOME storage box pictured here is: 1 Double Deep Art Bin 1 plastic grid for ceiling lighting (found at your local home improvement store) 1 half inch thick wooden square dowel (also found at your local home improvement store) Dimensional adhesive squares Wire cutters or sheers Screws with corresponding drill bit Drill So I first cut the ceiling grid down to 19 squares by 19 squares using my wire cutters.   You will need two 19 x 19 sections of grid material.   The wire cutters went through the plastic material of the grid like b...

**** HUGE HALLOWEEN GIVE AWAY... CLICK HERE !!!!**** Ok, the project for the November Copic Palooza at Paper Vineyard is complete and I gotta say, it was SOOOO fun to make!!!  I used quite a few Tim Holtz products and techniques for this super cute tag along with the new Vintage charms that are now available in the store!!! I am so proud of the Autumn feel to this one (not to mention the  "Thanx" sentiment)!!!  This tag also features the final Anya in The Greeting Farms' Miss Anya Collection... I mean, come on!!!  What an INCREDIBLE stamp set!!!  Don't you just love those stamp sets that are versatile and can be used year round???  And, let me add, Miss Anya is REALLY fun to color.  So bring your Copics and your basic scrapper's tool kit with you November 30th at 5:30 p.m. to Paper Vineyard for two hours of crafty-Copic fun!!!  See you there!!! ***  Copics used for the above sample:  E00, E000, E21, E33, E37, E39, E59, YG17, YR14, ...

**Click HERE for Halloween Give Away** Ok... so there should be a law against disrupting Halloween festivities with Christmas projects!!!  I had SUCH a hard time coloring this Tweet Top Hat by Stampendous for Paper Vineyard's Design Team challenge!!!  I was SUPPOSED to be doing a rather simple technique to make this hat look like felt using Copic Blender #0 (Color the image as usual and then do little "C's" with your blender to make the surface look textured and "felty"... sorry spellcheck, its a word today) but for SOME REASON my brain was shorting out and I just COULD NOT make this one happen.  I'm serious... my brain went on strike the minute I told it, "Let's do a Christmas card."  But, luckily, one of the many pleasing aspects of coloring with Copic markers is that even something that doesn't turn out the way you intended still looks wonderful and at the very least HAND MADE!!!  hahahahaha! So for this one I used my Purple M...

**Click HERE for Halloween Give Away** This week's challenge over at BEYOND The Burtonesque Dolls is to create a project inspired by the artwork and/or films of Terry Gilliam.  Personally, I TOTALLY like this dude's style when it comes to his artwork.  It borders on bazaar with quite a steampunk-y edge... THAT I'm so drawn to!!!  Now while I ended up going "cutesy" with this card, it was not for lack of want for the bazaar.  I had originally picked Smeared Ink 's Gear Head but with the holiday weekend and this user's less than stellar computer know-how, the image wasn't able to be downloaded in time for this challenge.  So inspired by Terry Gilliam's Steampunk Style, here's my project featuring a GORGEOUS alternative:  Tiddly Inks' Owlette .  I altered this one a bit as the owl that is supposed to be perched on Owlette's hand would have gotten in the way of that wonderful Tim Holtz sentiment.  Ok folks... that is it!  Swing over t...

**Click HERE for Halloween Give Away** Yesterday turned out to be a pretty awesome day at Paper Vineyard's first-ever All Day Copic Coloring event.  Not only did I get to hang out with my favorite girl friends, I also got to meet some new ones!!!  That's just what Copic markers do... they bring friends together!!!  The day was PACKED with activity beginning right at 9 a.m. with an UBER YUMMY breakfast.  Honestly, pancakes with whipped cream and blueberries?  Eggs and sausage?  Really?  At a scrapbook store?  YUP!!!  The owner Adriana has mad kitchen skillz!!!  Then Jennie Black (super star that she is) came all the way from California to hang out with us and teach a class.  She is such an incredible lady and a wonderful teacher!!!   She did a FABULOUS job teaching us all lighting to effect subject matter and mood.  LOVED IT!!!  Here are pics of her samples from class.   In the pic on the left, of the boy s...

  OOOOO guys, just a quick post for today announcing the Copic Coloring Palooza on October 26th at Paper Vineyard in Chandler, AZ.  This time I'm featuring this oh so tempting treat box using The Greeting Farm's Miss Anya Collection.  We will also be playing around with the use of Spellbinder's dies in the Big Shot.... see how easy it is to trim around Miss Anya's feet and then put her through the Big Shot so it appears she's coming right off the die WITHOUT having to cut her out!  SUPER EASY!!!  I will also be introducing everyone to the new Echo Park Apothecary Emporium !!!  Just one of my new favorite paper lines!!! And speaking of the Echo Park Apothecary Emporium.... how about a HALLOWEEN GIVE AWAY!?!?!? Who wants to win an Apothecary Emporium Collection Kit???  Included in this kit is 12 - 12" x 12" Double-sided papers, 1 - 12" x 12" Elements Sticker sheet and 1- 12" x 12" Alphabet Sticker Sheet!  To win this, just tell me you w...

This week, over at Paper Vineyard's blog , the design team is featuring projects in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month that starts in less than a week.  My project is a candle featuring my very own FitterTwit Design "Thrive" colored with Copic markers (R81, R83, R85) and blinged out with my beloved American Tag HomePro!!! Swing back by October 1st to find out how to get my digital image "Thrive" for FREE.  But, as always happens when I start making candles, one IS NEVER enough.... Let me present the Halloween Copic Candle Class that is slated October 9th at 1:00 p.m over at Paper Vineyard.  Click HERE for deets.  I can already tell that this one is going to be a fun class.... check out that SUPER CUTE image!!!  Can you see why I'm so candle crazed??? So I'm thinking I got the candle madness out of my system.... for now.  Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team turned out for this challenge, come back here October 1st for more on t...

Ok, so I'm am REALLY in the Halloween spirit... thank you Simply Betty Stamps!!! Today is the release of The Zombie Teens at Simply Betty Stamps and here are the uber fun Halloween cards I made! Be sure to click the link and get you some Zombie Teen goodness!!!