Colored Pencils »

It's Friday, Correct?

Challenges, Colored Pencils, Techniques, Whipper Snapper Designs 8 Responses »

Aug 292008

It’s afternoon, the start of a long Holiday weekend. Mallory will be home early evening with all her laundry. That means I need to get mine finished up this afternoon so that the laundry room isn’t too big a mess. I’ve only been trying to get it done all week. Ah well, the best intentions often go astray . . . especially if one suffers from CRS! I know when I started writing this post that I actually had a point. What it was, I don’t remember. Here’s what happened . . . open Word Perfect, start typing; let dogs out; reheat something for lunch; get email about Labor Day Sale; think about post; let dogs in; get lunch from the microwave; oops cokes in the garage – go get them; get paper while in the garage in case there is a sale ad; stare at computer screen; fight the little shitz’ off my lap while eating; think about this post; clean dishes; stare at computer screen some more; check paper, no ad; stare at computer screen and realize . . . what the hell am I doing? I don’t remember! There you have it . . . CRS!

I know there is a card somewhere in here, because it has only taken me 2 days to finish one. Yesterday’s Ways to Use it Challenge was to use colored pencils. Great challenge! I haven’t used them in so long and was looking forward to it. I colored an image, made a card – hated it, threw it in the garbage. Started a second image and it just wasn’t working for me either. Into the garbage it went. Last night after dinner I gave it another try. The image worked but I left it and said enough for one day. This morning, when I checked on today’s Limited Supply Challenge, I knew that I could finish my card today. So, here is my card – three challenges rolled into one! This week’s SCS Sketch (layout was something borrowed), Ways to Use It (using colored pencils) and Limited Supply Challenge (something new, something old, something borrowed, something blue).

My something new: stamps from Whipper Snapper and paper from StarLitStudio. Something borrowed: the SCS sketch from this week. Something old: Textile CB Embossing folder and Prismacolor Colored Pencils. Something blue: the little butterfly in the image.

Stamps: Anna Wight’s Blossoms and Butterflies from Whipper Snapper Designs
Paper: 7 Gypsies Henna from Morocco Journey; SU Chocolate Chip; Prism Papaya Puree; Neenah Classic Crest Solar White
Ink: Ranger Archival Jet Black and Vintage Photo Distress
Accessories: Spellbinders Wizard; Cuttlebug Textile Embossing Folder; Prismacolor Colored Pencils; Turpenoid; Blending Stumps; Tsukineko Sponger Dauber; Brads; Ribbon

I’m going to finish the laundry before I get into something else, and I forget again. Don’t ya just hate it when you have a load in the wash that you started 3 days ago and you forget all about it? I hope you have a great Labor Day Weekend! Hey and don’t forget about my Twisted Humor Challenge . . . I so need some good laughs!

Cowboy Series #2

Colored Pencils, Lizzie Anne Designs, Masculine, Sewing/Stitching, Techniques 10 Responses »

Jan 112008

Good morning and happy So I finally got my mess in the studio cleaned up yesterday and actually stamped late into the night. I feel so much better getting all those stamps organized and put away. Now I ALMOST know where everything is!

Before the holidays, I worked on a series of cards using the Cowboy from Lizzie Anne Designs. The first one I posted last week. What I thought I would do, is give you one each week until the series was over. When I started the series, it occurred to me that the little cowboy could be holding any number of things in his hand. With Valentine’s Day drawing near and I am getting some cards ready (I know, typically not my style, I seem to always wait until the last minute), I knew he had to hold a little heart.

Here I have the cowboy holding the heart balloon from the High Hellos set. There was no masking involved. It was just way too easy to stamp that balloon right over his hand. How I love those acrylic blocks! The images were then colored with Copic markers, and the edges were sponged with Vintage Photo Distress Ink. Actually, the edges of every piece of paper were sponged with the distress ink. The background paper is from a pad that Mallory gave me for Mother’s Day one year which I’m finding myself using more and more. I stitched the background panel to another on the sewing machine. The sentiment, also from High Hellos, was stamped in the distress ink and the panel was made by punching with both the small and large oval punches. I don’t know who will be getting this card, but I think it turned out rather cute.

Stamps: Cowboy and High Hellos from Lizzie Anne Designs

Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Kraft, DCWV Retro Prints Mat Stack

Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black, Tim Holtz Vintage Photo Distress Ink

Accessories: Copic Markers, Tsukineko Sponge Dauber, Brads, Ribbon, Small and Large Oval Punches, Mounting Tape

Stamping FUN!

Challenges, Christmas, Colored Pencils, Crafty Secrets, Holidays, Sewing/Stitching, Techniques 8 Responses »

Nov 082007

Happy Thursday! I was buried in the studio all day yesterday, and need to be back there today too. I have some project deadlines on a time crunch and have Stamp Club on Saturday I need to prepare for.

I don’t know if any of you ever feel that the fun of stamping has left you, but that is how I’ve been feeling the last few months. It seems like everything I’ve done of late has brought me no joy (well except Gina K’s Way to Go set – hehe). I think that set has rejuvenated my twisted side slightly. Oh okay – it’s had a major impact!

I think I’ve been trying to design in a less cluttered, simple way and that just isn’t me! My home and studio might be tidy but my mind definitely is not. Big revelation right? I’ve had a few discussions with some close friends about not enjoying what I’ve been designing and how to change it. One way to change it I realized, was to get back into the Splitcoast Daily Challenges. Which is where I learned so much and know that I can learn more. They do inspire me and I hope they inspire you too. Another way, was to do what I enjoy. So last night I broke out the distress inks, the sponges and started layering again. I can’t show you the cards yet, but I think they might be the most fun I’ve stamped in a very long time. So now I need to learn how to incorporate cutesy with my style of stamping – I’ll be working on that one!

Anyhoo, let’s get to today’s Ways to Use it Challenge on Splitcoast. Love this challenge – velvet. Velvet papers, ribbons, flowers! Everywhere you look right now, velvet is on the shelves and it is absolutely fabulous. I’ve not been able to bring myself to purchase any of it, there is a stamping budget ya know, but I do have a stash of some yummy May Arts Velvet Ribbon. While in Texas, I picked up the new Crafty Secrets Vintage Christmas from Anna’s Sweet and Sassy Crafts, and haven’t even had the time to ink it up yet. Well today I did! Can ya hear me now – I’m LOVIN’ this set!!! Thanks Anna for putting this set in my hands!

I stamped the image in brown and then colored with Prismacolor Pencils. Instead of using Turpenoid and stumps, I used my Prismacolor Alcohol Blender Pen in order to get into the tiny spaces. I had some scraps of BasicGrey Figgy Pudding (which I got from Jacksonbelle Embellishments) laying on the counter and just HAD to use it. The edges of the image and the Figgy were sponged with distress ink and then the background panels were sewn to a layer of Chocolate Chip. I punched the image out using the Mega circle punch and mounted it on Chocolate Chip which had been punched with the Giga scallop punch. Liquid Pearls were added to the scallops to add some dimension and just because I wanted. The fabulous floral brad embellishment is one I found at Archivers on an excursion with Jeanne while she was here. Gotta tell ya though – watch the liquid pearls. I was done, had one little dot left and the bottle burped. Uh huh, had to rip it apart and start over – not a good thing!

Stamps: Vintage Christmas by Crafty Secrets

Paper: SU Soft Sky and Chocolate Chip, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, BasicGrey Figgy Pudding

Ink: Adirondack Espresso, Tim Holtz Old Paper Distress Ink

Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils and Alcohol Blending Marker, Uchida Giga and Mega Punches, Ranger Liquid Pearls, May Arts Velvet Ribbon, Creative Imaginations Marah Johnson Clous and Brad, Sewing Machine

Showers of Thanks!

Colored Pencils, MFT Designs, Sewing/Stitching, Techniques 13 Responses »

Aug 312007

This week has gone much faster than I ever anticipated. Of course, I have slept the better part of 3 days away! I guess I needed it, and I am feeling a little better today than the last few. I have Stamp Club tomorrow and I need to get ready for that – these girls are actually wanting a project tomorrow – can you imagine that? In addition, Mallory is coming in for the weekend tomorrow. I’m looking forward to her coming home, dirty laundry and all! But that probably means major interruption during Stamp Club – oh well, my baby is coming home!

I’m sure most of you have already seen samples of the new releases coming out by My Favorite Things. Kim had a sneak peek on her blog a few days ago. Well, I finally got around to decorating my paint tin. I’ve seen so many with MFT designs, and I wanted to show you one not using any stamps at all.

I used the BasicGrey Romani collection and cut my paper to fit inside the tin. Finished decorating the background layer as I wanted, added some ribbon, and then inserted the DP into the can. The prima is mounted on the outside of the tin and a variation of May Arts and SU ribbons are tied on the handle.

I was just going to post the can, but then Jeanne suggested I put a card with it. So I did.

I colored the image with Prismacolor Pencils, blending with Turpenoid, to match the colors in the tin. Why I didn’t use the BasicGrey paper for this as well, I can’t even begin to tell you. I was so stuck on matching the umbrella up with the paper that I had the card half done before it even occurred to me that I should have used the BasicGrey. Anyhoo, I stamped the hearts in pink and then outlined them and drew some rain with a Sakura Glitter Pen. The sewing machine was sitting there too, so I just couldn’t help myself and had to do some sewing. For me, that is sometimes faster than taping and gluing all the panels together. The polka dots on her dress are made with a Signo White Gel Pen.

Stamps: Shower Time and Behind the Scenes by My Favorite ThingsInk: Brilliance Graphite Black, VersaMagic Pixie Dust

Paper: SU Basic Black and Print Sampler, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, Radiant Heartwarming Vintage Collection by Craft Secrets

Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Turpenoid, Blending Stumps, Sakura Gelly Roll Glitter Pen, Signo White Gel Pen, Sewing Machine

Paint Tin:

Paper: BasicGrey Romani Collection

Accessories: May Arts and SU Ribbons, Prima Flower, Gem

I hope everyone has a great weekend and maybe – if Mallory is out running with friends, I’ll get some stamping done!

New Day, New Stamps!

Challenges, Colored Pencils, Gina K. Designs, Humor, Techniques 15 Responses »

Aug 302007

I feel like I’ve just started my day, and this is just about the time I wrap things up actually. I haven’t been feeling well the last couple of days, so I decided to sleep in this morning. Well I sure did, 3 hours over my normal time. Then the new puppy made a mess, had to clean that up (of the joys of housebreaking). Right now she is in her kennel and will remain there until she actually goes outside today – bad bad grandma! The other one decided to bolt and run across the boulevard – so that was a chase down. Yep I look damn silly chasing a 5 lb. puppy through the yard, never catching her. AND, when I was making that first pot of coffee, I spilled used grounds all over the kitchen carpet. When my husband bought a new coffee pot, he bought one with the grinder built in. Needless to say, the leftover grounds from his first pot were still there, and while dumping them out, they slid through the end. Had to clean that up in a hurry – because I would forget to clean it up, then he would come in from work, want to know what was on the carpet, blah blah blah. Anyhoo, enough about me and my morning. I have something exciting to tell you.

This morning Gina K announced on her blog that she has some new stamps coming out on Tuesday, September 4th. It’s a new designer and she happens to be a friend of mine. So I asked my friend, since I have a couple of her stamps, if I could post a sneak peek too! Well guess what, she said yes!!!!!!

I did this card for today’s Ways to Use it Challenge on Splitcoast. The challenge today is dust off and sharpen those pencil crayons. Well I have plenty, and glad to have the excuse to use them a little more this week. Since I’ve started using Copic Markers, I have let my Prismacolor Pencils gather some dust. Out of practice shall we say!

Stamps: New Designer Collection from Gina K. Designs

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black

Paper: SU Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi and Prints Sampler

Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Turpenoid, Blending Stumps, Soft Sky and Wild Wasabi Ribbon, Black Gel Pen, Dimensionals

Hope everyone has a great day today!