Fun and Mental Changes

I have received a couple of wonderful blog award tags that went UNRECOGNIZED!!! I am so sorry! This month has been a hectic month and I managed to allow the award notifications to get buried in the comments! I'm such a dork! So my sincere "thank you's" to Pam over at TheBugBytes.com and DanussasNails.blogspot.com for honoring me with these wonderful blog awards. Both sites have WONDERFUL content. Pam has the most incredible crafts (you know how I love those crafts) and I happen to know Pam and she's every bit as wonderful as the crafts she creates! And I'm new to DanussasNails, but the site is incredible and I'm thrilled that someone like her is giving ME an award! I'm thrilled to say the least. Now for the fun.... Here are the award rules: 1. Post the prize on my blog. 2. Mention the blogger who tagged me. 3. Give the prize to 5 friends. 4. Post on my blog the link to their blogs. 5. Announce everyone on their blog. 6. Make a list with 10 things tha...

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...

This has got to stop! I'm broke! Stamps, Copic markers, paper, ink... and now *DIGI STAMPS!!! All of this is a must to prepare for when my Copics arrive, but I've GOT to slow down! Isn't it worth it though... check out that pic!!! Earlier today I mentioned that I would be posting more inspiration that I discovered at Summerthyme Studio ... well, here it is! The images in the pic are digi stamps that I purchased from The Greeting Farm . I knew OF digi stamps, but (just like Copics) I didn't see the big draw for digital stamping. OH... do I know better now. Digi stamps are the PERFECT PALETTE for coloring! Not only can you tailor the size of the image (which I'm still trying to perfect), but you can print multiples which is an awesome convenience for anyone who makes multiple cards. Cards For Soldiers ! hahahaha! And the BEST discovery that I've found is that my laser printer's toner sets and DOESN'T MOVE or bleed. The images pictured were colored with Sta...

Problem: After never entering design challenges, I've entered 2 card challenges in the past 2 days! Wow... this is entry number 2! If this is how I am in just two days, then I'm scared!!! This challenge is sponsored by Amy's Paper Romance which is one of the MANY new craft resource sites that I've discovered on Ms. Vicki Garrett's WONDERFUL blog... Summerthyme Studio . You NEED to check her out along with all her incredible resources. But, WHOA MAN! What is this lady doing to me?!? She's got me buying new stamps, buying Copic markers (PULEEZE let them come next week!!! I wanna work with Copics soooo bad!), entering design challenges... yah, that's the story I'm stickin to.... "SHE'S" got me doing it!!! It's a fun adventure, so for now I'm rollin with the inspiration. I needed a little kick in the pants to get moving in my craft closet . And finding new art mediums is JUST what the doctor ordered, so "Thanx" Vicki! I...

So that friend I was helping the other day with her scrapbook page sent me a message today asking about her layout and how her pictures should appear on her page, color or black and white? My answer was BOTH. That led me to one of my FAVORITE You Tube channels: Stamp TV . I cannot seem to get enough of this channel. Gina K has some of the most amazing scrapbooking and crafting techniques that I've ever seen. Now I, myself, wasn't particularly interested in doing any "spotlighting" (click the link above for that featured video) like I was advising my friend to do, but watching this video... yet again.... got the circular visual in my head and then the mention of a bouquet of flowers, well, I was a goner. Add to that the new blog that I just started following by the incredible artist Ms. Vicki Garrett and WHAMMY... here's the project that just had to be freed! I love how dramatic I can be! hahahahahaha! Anyway, I hope you all love this. Oh! I almost forgot to ment...