Fun and Mental Changes

One of my all time favorite things to color is people.  I love the color variations in skin and hair and then add to that the depth of light and shadow.... I LOVE IT!!!  So it was no surprise that people were the first images I colored when I first received my new Spectrum Noir Markers (Click HERE for my first project post).  Since then I've done a couple of hair and skin charts, but I thought it would be nice to do just a BASIC skin chart to feature on Spectrum Noir's blog today.  So here it is, I get to share it with all of you!!! Please don't judge me on my coloring skills for this... I typically ALWAYS color the skin first so that when I color outside the lines, the hair/clothing/etc. will hide the fact that I can't stay in the lines.  hahahahahahahaha!  The top row is light skin and the bottom row is medium to dark skin.  Hope this gets everyone's wheels turnin!!!  More INCREDIBLE color charts are soon to be available on the Spectrum Noi...

Ok, you know you want it!  Today is Spectrum Noir's Christmas In July blog hop!!!  You should be landing here from Louise's awesome blog!  Did her project ROCK, or what!?!  If you're just now joining in on the fun, you will want to start at the beginning of the hop so you don't miss anything! Here's the lineup: Spectrum Noir Official Blog Leann Chivers Jennie Lin Black Linda Hill Taylor Usry Kristine Reynolds Suzanne Foard Angelique Nederpel Lis Murphy Cyndi Bundy Louise Welsh Danielle Johnson Wendy Foster  Be sure to leave some blog love for each of the designers along the blog hop because one lucky "hopper" is going to score TWO SETS of six markers , a pack of Crafter's Companion Ultra Smooth Premium White card stock (perfect for coloring!), and an adorable stamped called All Wrapped Up , from the new Mulberry Wood line.  WHEW... that is A LOT!!! To be eligible to win, be sure to leave a comment on Spectrum Noi...

With everyone gearing up for their "Christmas in July" projects, I decided I needed a Hallowe'en in July project!!!  Here she is: The image seen here is Simply Betty's The Oval Portrait ... isn't she GORGEOUS??!!??  I am absolutely over-the-moon for this image!  I call it The Witching Hour for obvious reasons and think it's the PERFECT image for Hallowe'en in July (Oh how I wish it were Halloween).  To color her I used the following Spectrum Noir markers: Hair:  EB1, EB2, EB3, GB8 Skin:  FS1, FS2, FS4 (Lips:  DR4, DR7) Dress:  PP4, DR1, DR3, DR6, DR7, IG1, IG3, IG6, IG10, Blender Foliage:  CR5, DR7, DG1, DG4 Here's a close up of her uncolored and then colored: I love, love, love this image!!!  I'm not done with her yet, after a conversation with "Simply Betty", I've decided that I NEED to copy her COFFIN BOX.... check it out HERE .... I know you'll want to copy it too!!!  That about does it for today, stay tuned...

So today is the day!!!  Today is an open house celebrating a friend's new digs.  More importantly.... her new crafting digs!!!  There is nothing more exciting than upgrading scrap space, I definitely know!!!  So for her housewarming (craft-room-warming as I'm calling it), I got her some organizational items for the new space.  You all know me.... it's all about the Chi!!!  So among some of the organizational items I got for her (and the thing I'm most excited about) was THIS little slice of awesomeness: This is the Dignitet curtain wire from IKEA.  It doesn't look like much in it's packaging, but let me share with you just how cool this unassuming wire really is!!! Use this wire with clips and hooks to store ribbon!!!  Get that ribbon OFF your work surfaces and on the wall!  It's visible, accessible and organized!!!  LOVE this idea (click on pics to go directly to the blog posts that featured each of these pics)!!! Hanging cu...

I know.... super corny title!!!  But this little guy needs some attention: Isn't this one fun???  Today I get to feature "Texture" over on the Spectrum Noir Blog .  Not only did I FLOOD this card with texture, I also added a bit of texture to the Puppy Stampendous image to make him look furry.  The technique is so very simple.... once you've colored the image, simply take your blender pen and stipple.  Be sure not to over-stipple; remember that with the blender pen, the effect needs time to develop.  But within seconds you get insta-fur!!!  The Spectrum Noir colors I used were: Dog:  TN1, TN3, TN5, TN9 and EB8 Letter:  IG1, IG2 and IG4 ***eyes and nose were accented using sharpie and white gel pens Other texture elements were in the different print papers I chose, the different fibers and the FUN stuff like..... I embossed a Vintaj charm in my Big Shot!  I also "smooshed" a bottle cap in my Big Shot and made a fun metal embellis...

The other day I posted my rubber/clear stamp storage (click HERE for post) where I place all my stamps on cling foam (if applicable) and stored them in numbered cd cases that are then cataloged in a binder with the stamped images along side the number of the cd case they can be found and the name/maker of the stamp set..... WHEW!!!  Seems like a lot, but honestly, when your stamps are organized this way soooooooooo much time is saved and you never have to worry about not being able to find a stamp!!!  Well..... how about a similar solution for your punches.  Some crafters I know have A TON of punches, and I prefer the IKEA punch storage (click HERE to see), but if you don't have a lot of wall space, the back of a door will do in a snap!!!  Those nifty over the door shoe organizers are super affordable and will do the trick in a jiffy!!! From plastic to canvas to mesh.... there are plenty of styles to choose from!!!  Then, punch all your punches using scr...

It has been SOOOOOO long since I posted one of my healthy recipes, which is super weird since that's all I've been making for the past 5 months!!!  I actually have a few to share but have been a little preoccupied with my Spectrum Noir design team activities.  One kind of play interfered with another... so to speak. So pictured is my Spicy Hawaiian that is COMPLETELY gluten free, crispy and soooooo yummy!!! Spicy Hawaiian Chicken In a large flat plate (I actually use a cookie sheet cuz I'm messy) mix: 1 C. coconut flour 1 C. shredded coconut 1 Tbsp. cayenne pepper (less if you like) 1 tsp. each of black pepper and sea salt (more if you like) 1 Tbsp. garlic powder 1 Tbsp. onion powder 1 tsp. crushed red pepper Set aside.  In another flat plate place another 1 C. of coconut flour.  Set aside.  In a large bowl whisk: 3 organic eggs 2 Tbsp. water Set aside.  Next is dipping the chicken.  Make sure you have a parchment lined cookie she...