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Sunday, May 30, 2010

A Quick Heads Up!

I don't know if you are aware, but if you have a Big Lots close by you might check them out today and tomorrow.  There is a special Memorial Day sale going on.  All their Cricut cartridges are only $25 each! Wow..

I went a little crazy and bought 5 of them.  Admittedly they are older ones, but I didn't have them, so they are new to me.  They also had a little flip type camera for only $25 and so I am going to attempt my first ever video tutorial on here one of these days very soon.  I admit to being a little nervous about that to be honest.

I thought it would be good to share the info with my readers on the cartridges though.  It's quite a deal!

Saturday, May 29, 2010

And Last But Not Least...

This is actually the first drawing I did, and the last one I colored.  I like the victorian-esque look.  I hope you enjoy it too!
Have a great weekend! 
~Shelley

Copic Colors
Door:  E97, E99, E53
Dress:  BG75, BG72, BG10
(Skin and hair were the same as the last example.)

Friday, May 28, 2010

Wish Upon a Star

I am on a roll tonight.  Here is my second offering.  This one was also hand drawn by me and colored with Copic markers.

Pens used were:
Hair:  YR23, Y23, E34
Skin:  E000, E00, E11, R20
Backround:  B97, B95, B91 Colorless Blender

Something Very Different

I mentioned in my last post that I was working on some original artwork to practise with my Copics markers.  Here is the first of three that I have colored.  I drew this last night and added the color this evening.  I am actually pretty proud of it.  It makes me feel like I am doing "real" art again.  It's a bit moody, and though I am not "emo" (as my kids call it) I do like the brooding feel that evokes to me.

These are the pens I used to achieve the color (for those that might want to give it a try)
Skin: E000, E00, E11, R20
Trees:  W1, W3, W7
Hair:  E31,E29, E34
Cloak:  G85, G40, W3
Dress:  B97, B95, B91

I have 2 more line drawings that I will be working on next.  At this point, I haven't mounted the drawings onto a card or anything.  I think instead it will be framed art.  I am mulling over the possibility of offering some of my drawings as digital "stamps".  Right now I am trying to learn how to take the scanned image into a program to clean it up and turn it into a digital image you could work with.  I would love some feedback on whether anyone would be interested in purchasing something like this?  This is just like me to get all wrapped up in new ideas right when I am about to go back to work full time!  I just can't help myself. :)

Anyway, be looking for my other two line drawings and color attempts soon.  As always, please give me some feedback.  I admit, I am a sucker for the validation!

I have also entered this into 2 challenges going on with The Burtonesque Dolls and HDH Macabre Monday. 

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Design Team Update!

Due to some surprising news, I need to up the deadline for the design team applications.  Previously I had asked for all submissions to be in by June 6th, but now I want to move it to May 31st.  If you have been thinking about it, but hadn't made up your mind...it's time to make up your mind. 

I am sorry for the rush, but I finally received real employment yesterday (after 18 months of unemployment) and am trying to tie up loose ends so I can get things rolling before I have devote all my brain for my training.  I don't foresee there being a halt to any of my artistic outlets, but as I don't begin my new job until the 14th, I wanted to at least get my design team set up for upcoming projects.

I am also really excited because I am going to get Copics certified next month!  I am really stoked about learning from the pros and perhaps being able to share some things I learned here as well.  As it is right now, I keep scouring the net looking for graphics to color...and today, I even sketched out a few of my own to practise on.

I don't have anything fun to share with you today...my worktable looks as chaotic as it did yesterday, but I DID get those invitations finished.  Yay!  I am going to try and get something accomplished this evening though and maybe I can share it tonight or tomorrow.

Once again, Design Team entries are due by the 31st (next Monday).  One thing I am not sure I mentioned, but needs to be brought up is, hopefuls need to own their own acrylic block for stamping, inks and papers.  I will send you the stamps and static cling backing for your stamps.  I also, am going to be checking out your blogs to see if you are an active poster.  In my opinion, active would be at least once a week.  If you by chance have your own design page on facebook or another place, I will consider that as well.  I do think it will be fun, and I don't predict it will be a highly stressful team to be on.

Also...the giveaway for the card set and handmade flowers is nearly over.  Please follow the link to see what the requirements are.  And please, please, please...provide a way for me to contact you in your comment.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

It's a Shower!

My daughter-in-law asked me to make the baby shower invites for her party next month.  If anyone wonders where I have been the last few days, it has been working on these.  My goal was to keep it simple, but even simple becomes a big process when there are 50 of anything to make.  I think they are cute though.  What do you think?


Since I had so many to make, I experimented with different background papers and ribbons to create a different look.  I doubt when anyone receives one...they will be able to compare.  But it was fun for me to see the differences.


I used some sparkly paper from Joann's to make the baby blanket for the baby which was all cut out with the New Arrival Cricut cartridge.  You might recognize the cute little baby face from Peachy Keen Stamps.  I added some Glossy Accents dimensional embellishment for the pacifier.


And what does a work table look like when a crafter is trying to assemble 50 cards?  Pretty much like this mess...and that was after I started cleaning it up!  Twenty down, thirty to go!  (could you guess, It's a girl?)

Don't even ask why there is hairspray on the table...I am not sure myself!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Busy Beauties Challenge

Good morning!  I found this image for free over at DeviantArt, and decided I wanted to try my hand at coloring it because it reminded me of Alice Cullen from the Twilight books.  While I was at it, I decided to enter it into the Busy Beauties Creation Station Challenge I discovered while following a blog hop with the Burtonesque Dolls

I used my favorite patterned paper, K & Company "Life's Journey" and made a matching flower improvising on a previous flower tutorial I posted here.  I cut the brackets that were required as part of the sketch using the Stamped Cricut cartridge.  Let me know what you think!  It was really fun to make and actually went together fairly fast.


Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Monochrome Challenge

I thought I would take another try at a Copic Marker challenge.  And here is another one!  This time it was all about using monochromatic colors.  I figure, the more times I try to enter, the better practiced I will get.  I would love to hear your comments of how I am coming along. Please be constructive...I can take it!  The stamp was another designed by me...but...I don't think the company is in business anymore because I can't seem to find it online.  (Blazing Star Stamps) I regret losing contact with so many of these great companies..and it makes me sad that this one in particular can no longer be purchased.  But, I wanted to share her with you anyway. :)



I made the flowers using the Forever Young Cricut cartridge and added lots and lots of bling.  The card is a gatefold card.  This one I cut at:

4¼" x 8½" (scored at 2 1/8" and 6 3/8")

The piece adhered to the top I sort of eyeballed to fit my stamp and the embellishments.


I am still taking submissions for the design team.  I received the stamps today from My Heart Stamps for You that will be sent to the people chosen for my team.  I would love to have you join!  I think it will be a fun experience!

Also...there are a few more days left to enter to win my giveaway.  And, yes!  I will ship it to anyone...anywhere.  All are welcome to participate.  I only ask that you please remember to include a way for me to get hold of you should you be chosen. 

As always...I love your comments.  I read them all and appreciate your encouragement!
~Shelley

Friday, May 14, 2010

Green, Brown and Yellow Challenge

This morning I decided to take on a challenge at The Pink Stamper.  The theme was using the colors brown, green and yellow.  I confess, this isn't a favorite combination of mine, but after I started making it, I liked how bright and cheerful it was.  I never thought brown could be cheerful!  It was fun to use the Cricut again too! :)

I made a card that has some funky folds, because I wanted to be a bit different.  If you would like the specifics they are as follows:
4¼" x 8½" card base (scored @ 5½")
3" x 7" center card (scored @ 3½")
2¾" x4" and 4"x 5¼" patterned or contrasting paper

I made some embellishments using the Forever Young Cricut cartridge.  I attached one of the flowers to the base flap with a dimensional so that the top flap could tuck underneath of it and allow the card to lay flat and tidy.

I used Bazzil cardstock and K & Company Specialty Paper "Citronella" paper stack.  The patterned paper has double-sided printing, which I love.
__________________________________________________________________

I am still taking Design Team applications!  I would love to hear from you. :)

There is also plenty of time to enter in my give-away.


Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Copic Creations Challenge

I decided to get very brave and enter a Copics Challenge going on here.  I admit to being a novice with these pens and since I don't know the ins and outs this was definitely thinking outside the box.  As a matter of fact, the theme for this challenge was "coloring on other surfaces"...yes, as in NOT paper.  Of course you can imagine my conversation with myself:

Self: Why would you set yourself up to fail like this?
Self to Self:  Because...it's a challenge!  And, the prize is a set of Copics markers, silly!  It's worth a shot!

So, this is my feeble attempt:

My chosen surface was wood.  I lightly washed a wooden frame with acrylic craft paint and then sanded it down a little bit.  I then stamped on the surface using Memento Black Tuxedo ink with a stamp from My Heart Stamps For You...and yes, of course, it was also one of my designs.  I used my heat gun on the ink to get it to set  (or anyway, I hoped that would work) and it seemed to......until.....I got the bright idea to spritz the entire frame with Tsukienko Sheer Shimmer Spritz and everything started to run!  Argh!  Always test first...apparently there was alcohol in the spritz.  Well, duh...of course there would be.  Live and learn.  As you can see...the lines went a bit blurry and proceeded to break my heart.

But, all in all I am happy enough with it.  The photo is of my parents on their wedding day. 

I thought I would point out the new Page-Link bar I have started across the top of my blog.  It's in the process of being figured out, but I have added a page for some of the amazing blog candy and giveaways I run across on the net.  Please take a peek!  You won't regret it! 

Here are a couple reminders:
Please enter to win my giveaway!  Click this link, become a follower and leave a comment.  If you would be so kind as to refer me on your blog that would be great, but if you don't have a blog...that's okay too.  I will pick a winner on June 1st. (please, please, PLEASE leave a way for me to contact you!  There are a few entries already there with no email address...and if one is not provided, I will have to choose someone else)

Also, I am looking for a few people that might be interested in joining my design team.  I will admit it feels very vain to say my design team, and there is truly nothing all that special about me.  I don't presume to have any more special talent or know-how than any of all you wonderful crafters.  I just happened to have a very kind connection that is willing to sponsor us and help us all grow together as we strengthen and explore our talents.  So, please, follow this link and check it out!  Thank you!!

Have a fantastic day!
~Shelley

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Heartstrings Design Team

As mentioned in an earlier post, I was an artist for a few rubberstamp companies in previous years.  Lately, I have found a new love for these stamps and want everyone else to have that same opportunity.  Julie at My Heart Stamps For You has agreed to sponsor a Design Team for this blog.  She will send out free stamps and eventual prizes for challenges if we have a little adventure over here and share in all the fun of stamping.  I think this is a very fun idea!

Would you like to be on my Design Team? If it sounds like something you would like to pursue, please send me an email with the following information and "Design Team" in the subject line:


1. Name
2. Online information (email and blog address)
3. Short bio
4. Up to 3 of your favorite projects that best defines you and your style


Don't worry about level of experience. All entries will be considered!  I truly am looking for the ability to take something and make it as current or traditional as you like.  It is so interesting to see the different vision each person can have.


What will be required of a DT member:


  1.  An active blogger
  2. The ability to use the rubberstamps sent to them in their projects
  3.  Have a camera and the ability to work with image files on their blog
  4.  Understand how to link to and from other web pages
  5.  Willing to visit blogs of other DT members and visitors and leave comments
  6. Willing to meet deadlines (at least 2 per month)
  7.  Available to be a DT member for a term of 3 months
Benefits:


  1. Will receive free stamps from My Heart Stamps For You
  2. New traffic to their blog
  3. The fun of being part of a team of creative people!


Please email all entries by June 6th. Winners will be notified by the end of the following week.

In the coming months there will be challenges and giveaways to any followers who want to participate with us!  I hope this will be fun for everyone. :)

Monday, May 10, 2010

Something Very Exciting...

I would be interested to know what your opinions are of the last few posts using my stamp designs?  Do you like them?  Would you like to see more of them?  What if some of my bloggie-buddies wanted to contribute their take on how these stamps should be presented?  Well, if any of these thoughts have gone through your mind... I have some exciting news!

I have been having some conversations with Julie over at My Heart Stamps For You and she has agreed to become a sponsor to a Heartstring Designs- Design Team!  Yes!  I am so excited.  I am working on all the details right now.  I hope to set up the rules and responsibilites very soon.

Please stay tuned and tell your friends! :)

Shelley

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Wisdom From a Flower

Here is a quick card I made that utilizes stripes!  I decided to enter it into the Burtonesque Dolls Challenge,even though there isn't that much that is creepy about it.  And, I mean creepy in a very good way.  They have some very talented and fun artists over there.  But, the need to plant my garden keeps "haunting" me in the back of my mind, so I decided instead to make a card.  By now you should have figured out...anything I don't want to do can easily be replaced by making a card!


The inside sports this cute little verse:


It's kind of "ahhhhh"....cute, isn't it?  I was able to create this card this afternoon by convincing my son that all I really wanted for Mother's Day was to be left alone to mess around in my craft room.  Well, that and my kitchen floor mopped.  I am still waiting to see if the floor gets mopped; let's just say I'm not holding my breath!

The paper I used was a paper stack from K & Company, "Wild Raspberry", the stamps are a couple more I designed for My Heart Stamps for You.  And I colored the image with copic markers.  A couple Prima Sprites were added as an embellishment.  Of course, they too had to be striped!

Oh yes, here is my reminder about the give-away!  Please follow this link for a chance to win a set of my cards and some of my handmade flowers!  I will draw randomly on June 1st!

Friday, May 7, 2010

My First Attempt With Copics

I have a new, quickly becoming favorite tool.  Copics markers.  I watched a few tutorials online and that, in conjunction with my own background in art; decided it was time for me to give them a try.  I love them!  They blend so great!  Yes, they are expensive...but a lot can be done with a very few.  You can look forward to many, many more creations using these great markers.





The image is one of my original drawings.  The stamp company that manufactured the image is called, My Heart Stamps For You.  If you follow that link, you will find a complete rubber sheet of my original drawings.  I am very proud of them too.  If you by chance decide to order them, please tell Julie I sent you.

I lightly distressed the paper at the edges and added a little sheer ribbon and a prima rose.  In looking closely at this rose...I predict another flower-making tutorial coming up!  So, stay tuned!

If you would like to enter my drawing, please look at this post!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

A Little Something...Just Because

It has been a few days since I made a post, so I thought I would share a simple little easel card I made this evening.  I used the Home Decor cartridge for the bird, and the patterned paper is from My Minds Eye, "Everyday Tango" paper stack.  I ran the bird body through the Texture Boutique with the Swiss Dots A2 folder and topped him off with a jeweled eye.


Just a reminder that I have my first ever give-away going on right now.  You can read all about it at this post.  There are a few simple albeit painless rules to be eligible.   A tiny sneak peek is displayed in the upper right corner of this page. :)

It means a lot to me that you take the time to come visit my little spot in the creative world.

~Shelley

I found this blog that is giving away a cricut cartridge once they reach 150 followers.  Go check them out!

Monday, May 3, 2010

MPS NSD Challenge #10 - "May Day" and My Very First Give-Away!!

This is my final submission in the Pink Stamper National Scrapbook Day Challenge. I created this sweet little card gift box by following a tutorial here. I saw something similar at a make and take display recently and have been searching for a solution ever since.  Here is what I came up with:






I also made a set of 6 matching cards to go inside. When you close it, you simply tie it shut with the attached satin ribbon. The flowers were made with the Plantin Schoolbook cartridge.  I think it is a nifty sort of gift giving idea. With that thought in mind, I have decided to do just that!




I am going to give this card set away!

It will include the box with embellishment, 6 matching cards as shown here, with envelopes. I am also going to add to this an assortment of my handmade flowers. It's nothing too big, but there was love and care taken into making these items and I am happy to share. The only requirements I have for a chance to win are the following:

  1. Become a follower of this blog by clicking on the google friend follower in the left column of this page.
  2. Leave a comment on this post specifying you would like to be considered in the giveaway, and tell me what your favorite flowers are.
  3. Share a link to my giveaway on your blog, message board or social networking site, so others can be made aware of it too. Feel free to use any of the images in this post on your link.

I will pick a winner using a random generator on June 1st. 

Also, it is very important that you leave a way for me to contact you, should you be chosen.  An email address or blog address would be ideal!  ~thanks!

Thank you for visiting my blog. The effort you took to come here today has really brightened my day. I love being creative and I especially love sharing what I love with others who appreciate it too.
~Shelley

MPS NDS Challenge #9 & #12

I am going to post 2 submissions within this post.  The first one is #9 - "Take Shape".  I used the Sweethearts cartridge and the Design Studio to make the car into a card.





Next, is MPS NDS Challenge #12 - "Critter-licious".  I used the Sweethearts cartridge for this as well.  This cute little monkey really makes me smile.



I have one entry left, which I will put in a separate post....with something special.  :)

Sunday, May 2, 2010

MPS NSD Challenge # 11- "Colors of the Rainbow"

My postings are continuing to be a little out of order.  Ah well.  I made this colorful scrapbook page last night before I went to bed.  It utilizes all 6 colors of the basic rainbow.  I will add the photos later.



The diecuts were obtained from the Cricut Cartridge Sweet Hearts.  I think it is an adorable cut with many, many layers.  But they went together fairly easily.  The lettering was created with the Marker button and Pooh Font.

MPS NSD Challenge #6 - "Kids CraftToo"

Yesterday, the challenge to create something with a child or for a child was issued.  My son and I decided to make a few party invites for his friends to join us at the movies the day after his birthday.  So, here is what we came up with:



Using the Pooh Font cart (which I am liking more and more) and a graphic from Locker Talk we created a very simple card.  The lettering on the card was nudged together using Design Studio.  After that, we took a candy bar and created a label covering for it using a 5.5" square piece of patterned paper.  I had a package of pre cut letters I bought before I had my Cricut, and we simply spelled the word, "yum" to glue to the label.  It was late, and the candy was an after-thought, but we think it will make a fun addition to a simple invite.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

NSD Challenge #8 - "Love My Color"

It's a good thing I have another day or so to do all these challenges over at My Pink Stamper.  I am losing daylight, literally...because it is getting harder for me to get a nice picture of anything.  This will be my last posting of the day, but I will be back tomorrow to finish  up the remaining challenges.  This has been so much fun.  After I post this one, I am going to go stalk all my favorite blogs and see what they added to their blogs today.  In the meantime, here is my take on making a monochromatic item.  I chose to make another card that is embellished with one of my handmade flowes.  You can see my step-by-step tutorial here.



I went for an antique look in shades of cream to brown.  Monochromatic means taking one color and using multiple shades within that same color.  My background paper is Coredinations paper and is embossed and then sanded to distress the paper and bring out the core color.  I used a paper scrap from K& Company's Designer Paper stack, "Life's Journey". 

Let me know what you think.  And, enjoy National Scrapbook Day!  Join me tomorrow and there might be a surprise in store!

National Scrapbook Day Challenge #7 - "Hey Dad!"

I purposefully skipped challenge #6 because I need to wait until my son is available to help me with it.  So, onwards to #7 Challenge: "Hey Dad!".  I decided to make another explosion box to give to that *special man in my life.  Photos to be added later.  I tried to make it "guy friendly" so there isn't a lot of fru-fru add ons and such. 





I used the My World Cricut Cartridge (also a lesser favorite cart) to create a ship for the top.  It is a little tricky to layer with the frame shapes on most cartridges.  I had to do a few trial and error cuts until I found the one that would make my sails fit the best.

It's a good thing my ATG gun and adhesive are in the mail, because I am not sure I have enough adhesives to make it through this day!

**Special man:  it could be for my husband, and it could be for my dad...I'm not telling...

Pink Stamper NDS Challenge #5 - Teacher Appreciation Days

And here I am again with submission #5!  I am having a lot of fun with these challenges today.  I hope to get some feedback when all is said and done because this is quite an amazing amount of crafting I am doing today!  But, I planned on it and am really enjoying myself.  It's perfect timing too, because my hubby is working out of town this week and so I can hang out in my craftroom without feeling too guilty.  This one is for Teacher Appreciation Days.  I am not sure if my son would be comfortable giving a favorite teacher a card next week since he is now in Middle School, but it was fun making it anyway.  I opted for a very simple card style, so it could be given to a male or female.



I used the Locker Talk Cricut Cartridge.  This is also a cart I haven't used very much.  It was a little tricky to layer because it wanted to fall apart and the backing was a bit fragile...but with enough adhesive and zig glue, the world can be mended.  I added a little school bus embellishment I found in the fabric department of Walmart.  It wasn't for papercrafting, but I thought it was cute!

Pink Stamper NSD Challenge #4 - I Like You the Least

The challenge was to use a Cricut cartridge that was my least used or least favorite.  I bought the Pooh Font Set because it has the cute Winnie the Pooh graphics as well as a font.  But, I find the images so hard to layer unless I cut them REALLY big.  I am mainly a card maker as opposed to a scrapbooker, because I did most of my kids' scrapbooks over 10 years ago.  At least ones that would require a juvenile graphic.  Except for my son Trey. I decided to give it one more shot, despite it being currently for sale right now over on Craigslist...(shameless plug). And, I came up with this scrapbook page.



I used the Marker and honey pot keys for the font.  The blank frame will be for journaling later on when I have time to think it over.  I am going to let you go ahead and take a peek at how cute my son is in these pictures.  He's 14 on Monday, and I sure do miss these "cute" days.  (Not that he isn't still a good lookin' kid...I just miss my babies)  Enjoy them while you can.  They grow up WAY too fast!

MPS NSD Challenge #3 - Thinking Outside the Box

Whew..my craft room was already a mess...now add to it glitter all over the place.  Anyway, here is my submission for Robyn's 3rd challenge.  We were supposed to add something to our submission that we wouldn't usually use.  Even before the tutorial she posted there, I had been thinking about making this...but had an idea it would turn out about like it did.  I am not a huge fan...it looks a little messy, but here it is!




I used The Art Institute Glittering System that I bought many years ago at a Craft show in the Phoenix area.  I have barely used this stuff because it was fairly expensive at the time, and I really didn't know what to do with it! I used a leftover piece of acetate that came with an embellishment package and cut out the dragonfly with the Home Decor Cricut cartridge.  I plan on keeping these posts short...so be back soon!

MPS NSD Challenge #1 - Mother Dear I Love You So

"Mother Dear, I love you so...you're happy smiling face..."  I remember singing that song as a child in church on Mother's Day.  Well, as all my readers know, I made my official Mother's Day card yesterday, (good timing on my part, right?) so I had to think about who else I could give one to.  Well, duh to me!  I have a daughter-in-law that will have my 1st grandbaby this July and if she isn't worthy of a Mother's Day card, I don't know who is!


Can I just say, "I LOVE K & Company Designer Paper."  They sell these amazing paper stacks that are printed on both sides, heavy weight and soooo cute!  I made my embellishments with a paper punch and added a little jewel for some bling.  The ribbon I purchased at Walmart (I think) and the stamp is the same one I used yesterday in my other Mother's Day card.  Hey, it got more than one use this year, and I consider that very smart!  Keep the comments coming, I think I am going to be at this all day....if I can find my craft table; it's already buried in paper scraps and tools.  Gotta love it!

My Pink Stamper NSD Challenge #2-Getting Scrappy

Good morning!  I will make this post brief, but I wanted to show my submission for My Pink Stamper's Scrap Paper challenge.  Monday is my son Trey's 14th Birthday, and I decided now would be a great time to get his card ready.  I followed Robyn's tutorial on making Faux Chipboard to create my Giant "T" with the Plantin Schoolbook Cartridge.  (I use that cart soooo much!)  The Stamp is from Stampin' Up's Tag collection.  And, here it is!!
Enjoy!