Fun and Mental Changes

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...

Alright gang.... as many of you already know, I've been holding out creating August's Copic Coloring Palooza for the Kraftin Kimmie shipment that was due at Paper Vineyard MONTHS ago.  Welp, it still hasn't arrived so I finally had to break down and create this UBER FUN project with the Kraftin Kimmie images that I already have (and you KNOW I own a bunch)!!!!  But, is this "Good-Bye" to Kraftin Kimmie???  Will I have to feature another line of stamps for my Copic Coloring Palooza??? We shall see what the future holds for Kraftin Kimmie and the Copic Coloring Palooza.  But for August 14th , may I introduce you to Genevieve.  Now for this Copic Coloring Palooza featuring the very steampunky Genevieve, the class will include Copic coloring that saves time and money (of course),  a demo of the Big Shot (and those awesome Tim Holtz Gears), wet embossing those gears to look like metal, airbrushing to get that vintage "photographed" look to Genevieve and pla...

OOOOOO.... SUMMER IS HERE!  And boy can I feel it!  Wouldn't I love to live near a beach right now.  So this is what I created for July's Copic Palooza at Paper Vineyard !!!   Now while the sentiment on the front of my folio page says, "Soakin Up The Sun", this would make an ADORABLE card that says, "With the proper SPF protection.... of course!" on the inside.  You could even throw in a sample packet of sunblock for an extra special card that anyone would appreciate, ESPECIALLY by the time July gets here!!! So here's a close up.  We'll be playing with Glitter Ritz glitter to embellish this little girl's totally awesome and vintage swimsuit.  We will also be learning how to "drop in" scenery with our coloring projects (grass and pavement), not to mention that you'll leave class with this super fun completed project... well, this one is going to be one you don't want to miss!!!  Here is the list of markers that I used for this...

UGH!  I almost forgot to post this!!!  So above is June's Copic Palooza that I'm teaching at Paper Vineyard.  I ALWAYS feature Kraftin Kimmie Stamps (fell in love with them last year when I found Charlotte) for my Copic Palooza and this month is ANOTHER adorable character:  Angie .  The stamp set is included in the cost of the class and includes Angie in her robe holding her beloved coffee mug, two sentiments that say "Thanks a Latte" and " I don't do mornings" and an enlarged image of slippers.... too perfect!  So along with coloring this fabulous image, we are also going to be doing paper piecing AND using our Copic markers to customize embellishments.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this one; it's going to be so much fun!!! Check out Paper Vineyards class schedule ( HERE ) for details on this class (there are two classes scheduled).  Hope to see you there! *** Copics used:  Skin:  E00, E000, E21 Hair, Mug and Eyes:  E31, E25, E...

So, I just got the Paper Vineyard newsletter and read the AMAZING congratulations message from the owner, Adriana for extending my Copic certification last month!  Here's a link (click HERE ), but OF COURSE I'll quote her here cuz it's just that cool:  "A big congratulations to Danielle who completed her Immediate Copic Instructor certification.  This is a new level/process for Copic certification and we are very proud of Danielle for being one of the first to complete this level.  Danielle teaches the Copic Coloring Palooza and Copic Tech (Alcohol Ink Anonymous) classes each month." Adriana, THANK YOU for the awesome shout out in your newsletter!!!!  The class was definitely fun and I love being doubly certifiable... uh, I mean "certified"!  LOL!  Anywho, here's the super fun project that I did for May's Copic Palooza at Paper Vineyard.  It features Kraftin Kimmie's Brigitte... a girl enjoying a little relaxation.  PERFECT for the m...

So I just finished April's Copic Coloring Palooza project and I'm thinking I need to name this class the Scrappy Stuff Palooza!!!  I got a little carried away playing in my craft room!!!  So April's Copic Coloring Palooza at Paper Vineyard will not only include my FAVORITE ALL-TIME-STAMP (that you get to keep, by the way, if you take my class), but we're also going to dive into learning how to use some of my favorite scrappy tools.  I'll show you the completed project, and then I'll go over EVERYTHING I used to make it. So, I used Copic Markers for this (after all, this is for a Copic Class) as well as the new Copic Airbrush.  BUT THEN..... I used The Cinch, the Zutter Distrezz It All, Zutter's Corrugated board, SmoochSpritz AND the American Tag HomePro!  This was SOOOOOOO MUCH FUN TO MAKE and I can't wait to show all of you how to use all this great stuff!!!   Add to that getting to use my Graphic 45 Halloween In Wonde...

So I've decided to start up a little Copic club to support all my fellow alcohol ink addicts!!!  I'm calling it Alcoholics Anonymous... perfect huh???  Welp, I have developed a 12-step program to support your habits, walking you through learning the basics all the way to perfecting your Copic techniques and creating WONDERFUL Copic projects. Preliminary sign up is open all through March, and our schedule will be set up based on interest... so be sure to call right away to sign up to let the healing begin!  hahahahahhahaha!  To sign up, call 480-656-2058.  All we need is your name, contact information and the day that works best for you.  Once we've compiled the list, we will schedule accordingly.  Also, during the March Copic Palooza at Paper Vineyard, a sign up sheet will also be available, so if you are planning on attending the Copic Palooza in March, you can just sign up then! :)  Speaking of the March Copic Palooza.... check out March'...

Ok, so it's another year and we're looking forward to the year ahead, but if you're anything like me, you haven't even begun to sift through all of your 2010 stuff yet and it's time to start a new year. Welp, here's a little help... I created this tag to use as an embellishment for a 2010 Christmas scrapbook layout and now YOU can make one too as it is also the featured project at Paper Vineyard's Copic Palooza on January 23, 2011!!! Everthing you need to make this tag will be provided at the class, all you need to bring is a paper trimmer, scissors, adhesive and your Copic markers. This is a monochromatic class and the suggested copics to bring with you to class are ANY FOUR copics in the Cool, Neutral or Warm color families. I used C0, C2, C6, and C9. The best part is you get to take this ADORABLE Kraftin Kimmie Virginia stamp home with you for future creations (and maybe even a head start on your 2011 CHRISTMAS CARDS!!! hahahahahhahaha ! Now that's RE...

Ok gang... just a quick post today letting you know that I will be teaching a Copic class at Paper Vineyard in Chandler, AZ, on December 12th. You will receive all materials to make the cutiepie pictured (except for the items listed below) and that even includes the stamp to take home with you for future creations! The list of items to bring to class with you are: Copic Markers Scissors Paper Trimmer Adhesive Sukura Gelly Roll Pens (optional) I will also be demoing the Bow Easy for making quick work of GORGEOUS bows, like the one featured here. The class starts at 1 p.m. Reserve your spot by calling 480-656-2058. I look forward to seeing you there! * Copic markers I used to make this card: Dress - G40, R20, R29, R89, YG63, YG97 Boots/Basket - E42, E44, E49 Hair - E2, E8, E39 Skin - E50, E51, E53, R20 Misc. - W0, W3, W5 *** Stamp Set included with this class:  Kraftin Kimmie, Yvette

* This is my THIRD post for the day (YIKES), please scroll down to catch my design team project for The Town Scrapper and the winner of the Crazy Halloween Challenge!!! * Ok, I'm teaching another Copic Palooza over at the Paper Vineyard! This class will feature the uber-cute Kraftin Kimmie Stamp Lillith for "Girlz Rule"! Check her out! CLASS: Sunday, November 21st @ 2 p.m. COST: $30, price includes materials to make the project INCLUDING the Kraftin Kimmie Lillith stamp to take home with you for future creations! TOOLS TO BRING: your Copic Markers, sharp scissors, adhesive, paper trimmer, pop dots and an attitude! LOL! CONTACT: 480-656-2058 to reserve your spot Below is the original design with little Lillith standing out on the card... well, that was until I found the crown ribbon!!! Suddenly I wanted that to stand out instead... I wonder why? hahahahahaha! Isn't it just great? Have a great one gang!

Today is Showcase Monday over at The Town Scrapper and here's my featured project! I just LOVE this Kraftin Kimmie Charlotte stamp and have used it on MANY occasions, but this one is just cuter than the rest.... and I can't put my finger on it! HA! (that's my little pun for this morning's post! ;) Anyway, head over and check out what the rest of The Town Scrapper's design team has to offer... you won't be sorry.... the showcase today is great! :) Oh... and the title for this post is referring to the lovely ladies who were with me last night while I was coloring this oh-so-adorable Charlotte. You ladies ROCK and I'm so lucky to get to hang out with you! :)

Ok, so if you know ANYTHING else about me, you should know that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Kraftin Kimmie Stamps! This upcoming week, The Town Scrapper is giving away the OH-SO-CUTE stamp that Tara Godfrey used in the card that is pictured here; here's how to win: Create a NEW creation using red and white color combination. Write a blog post on your blog featuring your creation. Be sure to mention The Town Scrapper's challenge and post a link back to The Town Scrapper within your blog. Then head back over to The Town Scrapper ( CLICK HERE ) to upload a link back to your blog post using the "Inlinkz" located at the bottom of the Friday Challenge post. It's that easy and you too can be the proud owner of this Kraftin Kimmie image called Emelia! :) Good Luck Everyone!

So, I've owned my sewing machine for better than 10 years, unused. I take that back, I used it once, realized that I wasn't immediately good at it and then stuck it in storage never to think of it again. Prior to getting my sewing machine as a Christmas present I was convinced that I wanted to make my own clothes. I envisioned the pride and joy of shopping for new and trendy patterns and then constructing the perfect outfit to show off to all my jealous friends.... that vision disappeared the minute I plugged in my new sewing machine. I mean COME ON, all of the sales people (INCLUDING that overly perky chick on HSN) said that the machine would basically run itself. LIARS! Not only do you have to run it, but a person could lose a solid inch on the length of a sleeve with a line of stitching that isn't perfectly straight. Enter paper crafting.... the thing that brought my sewing machine out of the deep, dark recesses of my closet after more than 10 years. Sewing on cards did...

Here is a card I made yesterday using Drucilla from Kraftin Kimmie Stamps ... un -altered and colored perfectly with my copics ... if I do say so myself! I'm getting better with those copics ! At least now my projects aren't hemorrhaging !!! GEEZ ! It's so easy with this particular stamp though because the image rocks and seems to almost have been MADE for copic coloring! I also made the background paper look like copper using Mica Gloss Inks from JudiKins . I love it when things are easy. These Mica Gloss inks are so incredible! They make any paper surface look metallic and the glossy paper I used got the BEST results. I only got 4 of the 18 Mica Gloss colors available (uh, why is green ALWAYS sold out???) with Rose Gold and Gold used for this card. You can see the video for Mica Gloss and how to use it HERE . And the sentiment came from THE AWESOMEST stamp set I have EVER seen. I just got this EK Success Multi-Dial Sentiment stamp off of Ebay and I LOVE it. It's...

So Kraftin Kimmie Stamps is having an "Anything But A Card" challenge and I JUST COULDN'T help myself. This doorhanger JUMPED into my head as I read the challenge title and away I went. The stamp that is pictured here is one of TWO of my favorite rubber stamps of all time and BOTH of my favorite all-time stamps happen to be Kraftin Kimmie stamps.... so this challenge is PERFECT!!! Now let me add, I altered the stamped image a bit. What makes me LOVE this stamp so much is how CRAZY Drucilla looks with her "cracked" smile while she's jabbing pins into her dollie. This stamp makes me laugh every time I see it (like I'm seeing it for the first time... every time)! But for the purpose of my "do not disturb" door hanger, that AWESOMELY HILARIOUS smile wouldn't work. But with her expression altered, little Drucilla would be just as funny on this project! So I taped over the mouth and the eyebrows with Scotch tape, stamped the image, colored it th...

I love, love, love my Copic markers!!! I do not know what took me so long to finally get them! I've known for quite some time how alcohol inks work; there have been projects posted here using Ranger/Tim Holtz alcohol inks to make background papers, etc. So why would I miss the notion that alcohol inks in pens would be the MOST BRILLIANT idea that anyone has ever come up with? You got me... but I did!!! And looking at my FIRST copic project, I am KICKING myself! Honestly it's mostly because of how EASY they are to use. This project took me half the time to complete as the project that I completed using my Stampin Up markers. The blending is effortless and the colors are DEEP but translucent. Where other dye-based markers cover up details, these Copics just sort of swim around them. I DO need a little more practice... this was just my first project, but expect MANY more posts on these wonderful Copics as I complete more projects, add more Sketch markers to my collection and dive ...

MY KRAFTIN KIMMIE STAMPS ARRIVED!!!! These are the greatest stamps EVER made!!! Can you tell that I adore these stamps? These stamps are what started the WHOLE Copic marker adventure from a week ago (they are the ones I told you about featured on Summerthyme Studio ). Now, my Copics won't be here until Tuesday (fingers crossed), so I didn't even try to work on Charlotte (one of the two stamps I received; she's going to be my first Copic project), but pictured here is my Drucilla done with Stampin Up markers as I ATTEMPTED to blend. It didn't turn out exactly like I wanted it to, but the struggle with blending these markers unsuccessfully will only lend to help me once my Copics arrive. And besides, I wanted this one to show off! After all, there is a story behind me needing this stamp... this card was destined to be made over 15 years ago! :) Over the years, every time my husband would accidentally hurt me and hear me say, "OUCH", he'd always respond wi...