Friday, July 29, 2016

Friday Feature-Watercolor Card #4 I Freakin' Love You :)

The Friday Feature this week is watercolor card #4 using my Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolors :)


I love how bright and cheerful this card turned out, and the sentiment from Stampin' Up, called Yippee Skippee, was just perfect!

I embossed the sentiment with Copper embossing powder from Recollections (Yes, Michaels again haha) and created the background with my Kuretake watercolors in yellow, orange and red.
The ribbon is from May Arts.

The last Watercolor card comes next week!  And after that, get ready for a watercolor pencil comparison.  Each week for five weeks I'll be creating a card using a different brand of watercolor pencils and giving you my thoughts on each brand :)  See you soon!

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Fluffy on the Lily with Whimsy/Wee Stamps and Quick Creations

See, I told you last week was a hint of this week's project lol.  This is "Fluffy on the Lily" by Whimsy/Wee Stamps lol.

Noelle has both of the 'fluffies' in her shop at Quick Creations :)


To complete this project I used paper from the Bo Bunny "Soiree" collection, the Lawn Fawn "Flutterby" stamp set and flowers from the Petaloo "Burlap Blooms" set.  I also used the CC Designs "Vine" die and some enamel dots from both the CC Designs "Snowy Day" and Prima Marketing "Everyday Vintage" collections.


I colored this fluffy with my Copics, Prismacolor markers and Prismacolor Premiere pencils in the following colors:

Fluffy:  PB199, R11
PC1084, 1082, 948
Flowers:  R11, YG13
PC924, 923, 925, 913, 912, 911
Background:  C1, C3
PC1060, 1065

You can find all of the linked products in the online shop at Quick Creations.  Come back soon for more fun inspiration for Noelle at Quick Creations :)


Saturday, July 23, 2016

Miss Anya #1 with Quick Creations :)

I have decided to start a new feature on my blog, starting with today.  I am starting "Series Saturdays", where I will feature stamp sets on Saturdays where I can make more than one card from the stamp set.  However, the series may not be in order, but rest assured, they will be there, lol.

To start this new feature off, I have a tag and card set using The Greeting Farm's "Miss Anya Summer".  There are three images in this set, and this is the first one.  The other two are coming up, but not till later in the year, because next Saturday will start the "Miss Anya Spring" series, also from The Greeting Farm.

So let's get started!


To create this card, I used paper from the Bo Bunny "Soiree" collection, and some flowers, die, and sentiment stamp from my stash.

I colored her with Copics, Prismacolor markers and Prismacolor Premiere pencils in the following colors:

Skin:  E000
PC927, 939, 1029, 1081
Hair:  PB199
PC1068,1072,1074,1076,935
Clothes:  R12,R22, C1
PC939,926, 924, 937, 1052

You can find the linked products in Noelle's online shop at Quick Creations.  Hop on over and take a look, and say hello to Noelle while you're there!

See you soon with more 'Series Saturdays' posts!


Friday, July 22, 2016

Friday Feature-Watercolor Card #3

This weeks Friday Feature is another fun watercolor card using my Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolors.  I just love these watercolors, they are so smooth and the range of colors is great!


I created this card by first stamping and embossing the sentiment using the Avery Elle Brushed stamp set.  Such a great sentiment set for these types of cards.  Then I proceeded to have fun with my watercolors and created the background.  I found the sentiment didn't stand out as much as I wanted it to so I went back over with a darker color to create the focal point behind the sentiment.

I hope you are enjoying the Friday Features!  I have many more coming up for you to enjoy :)  Thanks for stopping by, next week will be watercolor card #4!

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Birthday Gift Bags with Sweet Stamps

Hello everyone, I have some fun gift bags for you today for Sweet Stamps :)


I created these bags using the Framed Handwritten Words stamp set, Flower Tops Piccolos and Shades dye ink in the following colors:
Latte, Amaryllis, Forget me not, Envy, Fortune Teller, Valentine, Royal, Duchess Rose, Burgundy, and Dandelion.

You can find all of these products in the Sweet Stamps online shop :)  Don't forget to come and join in the monthly challenge!

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Tic Tac Toe Challenge at Fire Fly Crafts!

It's time for a new theme challenge at Firefly Crafts!  This month's challenge is a Tic Tac Toe, and here is the chart :)

I chose to create a card using the elements from the diagonal line: flowers, orange and shape!


To create this card, I first made the card base by measuring one inch up from the middle and cutting the banner shape.  I did the same to the patterned paper ( Echo Park "Simple Life").  Then I used a die to cut the smaller banner from watercolor paper and painted the background using Distress Ink in "Carved Pumpkin" with the 'smooshing' technique.  Then I stamped the flowers from the Avery Elle "Petals and Stems" stamp set using Distress Ink in "Black Soot".  The sentiment is also from the same stamp set.  I added the Wild Orchid Crafts 10mm roses in Orange and Ivory, and also added some bling from my stash .

You can find all of the linked products in the Firefly Crafts online shop.  We will be having two challenges per month from now on...the first Wednesday of the month will be our new "Anything Goes" challenge and the third Wednesday of every month will be our themed challenge :)  Lots of chances to join in and win a prize!  See you soon my friends and fireflies!

Monday, July 18, 2016

Tea Party Ellie with the Paper Nest Dolls

I have a new inspiration card for you today for the Paper Nest Dolls.  This is Tea Party Ellie from the June release :)



I completed this card using Momenta paper, the Cheery Lynn Fanciful Flourish die and some flowers and bling from my stash.  The sentiment is from my Stamp of Approval Beautiful World Collection.

I colored her using my Copics and Prismacolor Pencils in the following colors:

Skin:  E000
PC927, 939, 1081
Hair:  Y21
PC941, 1034, 943, 947
Clothes:  YG61, V04, C1
PC1005, 1009, 932, 911, 994, 1061, 1067
Teacups:  V04, YG61, C1
PC1005, 1009, 932, 911, 994, 1061, 1067
Kitten:  E53
PC948, 994

You can find this cool new-ish image in the online shop at Paper Nest Dolls, along with many more :)  You still have time to join in the challenge this month, come on and join us!

Sunday, July 17, 2016

My thoughts on Design Teams

Hello everyone, I have some thoughts I need to get out of my head, and so you are my sounding board today :)

A recent situation has prompted me to write this post, however I will NOT be naming any names or doing any finger pointing. :)  It's very unprofessional in my opinion, and also...who am I to judge what another person is going through?  We do not know the situations that cause others to make the decisions they make.  That being said, however, I do have some thoughts I would like to share with you about why I join a Design Team, why I stay on a team, and why I may leave a team (other than the obvious ones...).

So, without further adieu...let's do this, lol.  I promise to try and keep this lighthearted while also getting my point across.

Oh wait, maybe a wee bit of history first so that you understand the context.

I have always been a crafter.  Ever since I can remember, my mom was showing my sister and I how to create and grow artistically.  Crafting has always been my fun, my inspiration, and my escape as well.  When this world gets heavy and cruel, or even when I'm just happy and content, I will retreat into my creativity to make something beautiful.  To create something that not only makes me smile but may also make someone else smile.  Two years ago, I was in a low place and happened upon a lady selling some Copic markers. Being new to this genre of art, I had no idea what they were (insert chuckle here lol).  She explained them to me and we became fast friends and are still internet friends to this day.  Granted,  if she weren't at the bottom of the US,  and I wasn't smack in the middle of Canada, maybe we could meet up in person, and I'm sure we would still be great friends. :)

I have experience with color, and placement, as I taught acrylic painting for years; so soon began my journey into the wonderful world of design teams. :)  Now on to the good stuff. :)  History lesson over! :P

Why I join a Design Team
 I join a design team because I like the product or the company and because I like to be a part of something. Call it a community, a group, whatever you like.  I like to be a part of it.  I like to make new friends...scratch that...I LOVE to make new friends, and from all over the world!  Think about this for a second...before the internet we could NEVER have made the friends we make now.  Yes, we never truly know who we are talking to, but if we are careful we can still have friends from anywhere in the world!

I do NOT join a design team for the "stuff", the box of goodies that may or may not come with the prestigious DT spot.  I do NOT hinge my creativity and happiness on what I might get from this company or that company.  This is not why you should want to be on a team!  You should want to be on a team because you love what you do for the company.  Because the company loves what you do for them.  Because you totally and one hundred percent love what you do.  Not because someone else is or isn't on the team.  Not because it will make a name for you or get you a better reputation as a designer, colorist, or artist.

I join a team because I want to create with whatever they have to offer me, yes, that even means digital designs.  For me, and I suspect a lot of others ,although not all in my experience, it's about the process, not the material rewards.  The intrinsic rewards are far better than any material products.

Why I stay on a Design Team
I stay on a design team because I am happy there.  It's that simple. If it makes you happy, why change that?  What makes me happy?  Being able to create with my chosen medium (could be whatever depending on the day lol).  Being able to work ahead, cuz you never know what life will throw at you, lol...that makes me happy.  Having a great working relationship with the 'boss', the business owner, and the other team members...that makes me happy.   Having a fun-loving team of people to work with...that, that makes me happy; people I can converse with outside of the team environment.  That makes me SUPER happy.

Why do I stay on a team?  I stay on a team because the company loves what I do.  If I feel my work is not appreciated, and I don't mean material rewards, then I don't want to stay on a team.  I want to create and represent a company to the best of my ability. If I'm not able to do that with a company's products, then I will NOT stay on that team.

That is a great segue into the last portion of my thoughts on this matter...

Why I leave a Design Team
I do NOT do drama.  I do NOT cause it, and I do NOT feed it, and I do NOT want it!  I want to do what I enjoy doing without having to deal with other people's drama.  That's it, that's all.  I have left teams in the past because there was too much drama. Drama between team members, between team members and team leaders, drama between team members and company leaders.  It's all bad.

This leads me to the most important thought of the day.  Drama between between companies should never have an affect on your design team members.  Design team members should never have to decide what team they want to be on because the two companies can not see eye to eye.
What does that have to do with me?  I am essentially your employee, so...does that mean I am to suffer at your hand because you don't agree with someone else?  NO!  This is not right.  I am an artist who will go to great lengths to make sure you are happy with my work.  I would do almost anything you ask me to (barring murder of course :P), so why does your drama with another person have to cause me to choose between two teams?  This is highly unfair and unprofessional in my opinion.

PHEW!  I guess I had a lot on my mind.  You may disagree with my opinion, but remember it is MY opinion, and you are of course allowed yours. :) So, my advice to all, after all my ranting:  DO WHAT YOU LOVE TO DO...for no other reason than because YOU LOVE TO DO IT!

That is my meager wisdom on the subject. :)  Please feel free to leave a comment even if you disagree but, at the same time...please keep it drama free!  Love to all, and please:  always be creative :)



Saturday, July 16, 2016

Series Saturday with more TGF and Quick Creations!

I created a circle card this week for you today, using The Greeting Farm's Miss Anya Night Out.  There are three images in this set and you will be seeing them all.  Keep coming back on Saturdays for more Series Saturdays inspirations :)



I created this card using the CC Designs Scalloped Circles die set, Bo Bunny Soiree paper and some flowers and a sentient from my stash.

I colored her with my Copics and Prismascolor Premiere pencils in the following colors:

Skin:  E000
PC929, 937, 1029, 1081
Hair: Y32
PC916, 943, 944, 948
Clothes:  R12
PC926, 924, 925

You can find all the linked products in Noelle's online store at Quick Creations :)  Unfortunately, I know Noelle is out of stock on the Miss Anya Night Out sets, but I know she has several other Miss Anya sets and they are all fabulous! Great customer service and fast shipping, I promise you will be happy :)

Stay tuned for more inspiration ;)

Friday, July 15, 2016

Firday Feature Watercolor Card #2

I'm back with another Friday Feature for you.  Today is Watercolor #2, using Gelatos!






An online friend just loves her Gelatos (**waving at Shelly :) so I just had to try them of course lol.  And since we all know I have 'Full Set Syndrome', I couldn't just buy one or two lol.  I bought every single package I could find, but don't worry, I used a great coupon from Michaels lol.

I created this card by first stamping the Tree Poem stamp from Stampendous and heat embossed it with black embossing powder from Recollections (Michaels is my friend lol).  Then I colored the background with some green and yellow Gelatos and spritzed it with water.  After it was dry, I added the sentiment strip with some brads.  The sentiment is from the Tim Holtz "Saying Stuff" stamp set.

I think this makes a great man's card, and those are cards I always find myself short of.

Thanks for stopping by and seeing my creations, next Friday will be watercolor card #3, using my favorite Kuretake watercolors ;)  See you soon!

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Gerbera Daisy Bunch with Sweet Stamps

Hello everyone, I have an interesting card for you today for Sweet Stamps. Not interesting in the way it looks or how it was made, but in how it was colored :)






I felt like trying something different yesterday.  So I grabbed my mechanical pencil and started shading lol.  Then I colored around it with one colored pencil (Prismacolor Premiere 936 Slate Grey).  I wasn't sure how it was gonna turn out, but if you don't try you'll never know right! Turns out I like it!  So it made it onto a card  base lol.  What do you think?

The Gerbera Daisy Bunch is from Sweet Stamps and you can it in their online store :)

Stop by again son for more Sweet Stamps inspiration!

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Fluffy Hanging in There with Whimsy Stamps and Quick Creations

OMG these guys are so darn cute! Ok, well, that was a bit of a heads up on next weeks project too lol. But anyways, this guy is "Fluffy Hanging in There" from Whimsy/Wee stamps and Quick Creations :)



I created this card using the CC Designs "Pastel my Belle" paper, CC Designs "Vine" die and some Kaisercraft Mini Blooms in "Coconut"  You can find all of these products in Noelle's online shop at Quick Creations.

I colored this image using my Copics, Prismacolor Markers, and Prismacolor Premiere Pencils in the following colors:

Fluffy:  PB199, R11
PC1082, 948, 1084, 923, 1018
Flowers:  YG13, V01, R81
PC1082, 948, 1084, 994, 1018, 931, , 912, 913, 911
Background:  C1, C3
PC1060, 1065

Thanks for looking, and come back soon to see more fun inspiration for Quick Creations :)

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Gorjuss' "The Owl" with Quick Creations

I have been playing with watercolors a lot (in case you couldn't tell hahaha) and I bought myself a half set of Dr PH Martin's Hydrus liquid watercolors.  Let me tell you, I absolutely love them!
There is a learning curve to them as they are a wee bit different than the regular watercolor cakes and pans, but I really did enjoy them.

So I created this card using "The Owl" by Santoro's Gorjuss for Noelle at Quick Creations.






To complete this card I also used some Burlap Blossoms from Petaloo, paper from the Doodlebug Design "Spring Garden" collection, Simple Stories Carpe Diem clips and enamel dots.  You can find all of the linked products in the Quick Creations online store.  Noelle has tons of fun stuff in there!

See you son with more fun inspiration for Quick Creations!

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Anything Goes Challenge at Sweet Stamps and a Framed Flower

I have a fun mixed-media-ish card for you today for Sweet Stamps :)



I created this card by first sponging the background using Pumice Stone Distress Ink and the Moroccan Tile 5 x 7 stencil.  The I stamped the Dahlia red rubber stamp on kraft card stock along with the Happy Birthday Sentiment from the Framed Handwritten Words clear stamp set.  I took the Classy Circle Frame Piccolo and heat embossed it with Enchanted Aubergine enamel powder, using the Piccolo fluid adhesive.  I layered them all on glittery purple card stock and voila!

I had fun creating this card, and I hope it shows you more that you can do with your Sweet Stamps craft products!

Come back soon for more Sweet Stamps fun!

Friday, July 8, 2016

New Friday Feature Posts and a Watercolor Card

I have decided to do a Friday Feature post from now on, and to start...the first five weeks of Fridays are going to be easy but effective watercolor cards.

After the watercolor cards, there are many other features coming up such as product features (where I create several cards from one stamp set), my favorite card artists features (where I CASe two cards from my favorite card artists), a watercolor pencil comparison, and so on!

I am so excited to get started, so here is the first in the easy but effective watercolor cards feature:


I am totally smitten with watercolors, and even though I've been an acrylic painter for years, trying watercolors has me anxious lol.  So I've started with some super easy techniques for card makers, and hopefully one day I will be far more capable lol.

I created this card by first embossing the sentiment from Lawn Fawn "Scripty Sayings" stamp set with champagne embossing powder from Recollections (from Michael's).  Then I created the background with my Kuretake watercolors.  Its really hard to see in the picture but there is some pearl added in there with the aqua colors/  The ribbon is Swiss Dots from Crafty Ribbons.

Super simple, but effective, plus it gives me a chance to just play!

Come back next Friday for watercolor card #2, where I get to play with a brand new watercolor medium :)


Thursday, July 7, 2016

Purple and Dragonflies with Sweet Stamps ;)

Hello everyone!  I have a 'Thinking of You' card today using some Piccolo Accents from Sweet Stamps, along with some fun enamel powder and a cool technique :)






I created this card by first spraying the negative from the Dragonflies Accents package on white card stock with some purple ink spray.  This is a great way to get more use from your chipboard/cardboard embellishments :)  Use the negative pieces as a stencil!  Then I distressed the edges with Wilted Violet Distress Ink.  I added a layer of vellum over top because the purple was a little loud for what I wanted to do with it.  I used some Enchanted Aubergine enamel powder to emboss the dragonflies and glued them on the vellum.  Then I stamped the sentiment from the Framed Handwritten Words clear stamp set.

I really like the softness that the vellum adds to a card like this, it's just the right amount of softness to give a misty air.

You can find all of the l;inked products in the Sweet Stamps online shop :)  See you soon for more Sweet Stamps inspiration! 

PS  If you haven't read the Sweet Stamps blog lately, please take note:  We will be holding only one challenge a month for the rest of the summer.  The Anything but a Card challenge will start again in October :)

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Thinking of You Firefly Crafts Inspiration :)

OK, so you all know how much I love watercolor cards right?  And you know that I'm still learning right? lol...but I do enjoy it so much!  So, I have another watercolor card for you today!


I created this card using a watercolor background that I had previously painted using my Kuretake Gansaii Tambi watercolors.  Then I used the "Cherish" stamp set from Honey Bee Stamps to stamp the first layer of the flowers and leaves with Twisted Citron (leaves) and Mermaid Lagoon (Flowers) Distress Inks, then I shaded the leaves with Peeled Paint.  I heat embossed the second layers of both the flowers and the leaves with some Champagne embossing powder and used a sentiment from the Avery Elle "Petals and Stems" stamp set.

You can find all of the linked products in the Firefly Crafts online store, and make sure you stop in there and say hi to Debbie, owner!  You will love her :)

Monday, July 4, 2016

Avery in Rain Poncho with Paper Nest Dolls

It's time for another challenge at the Paper Nest Dolls!  I have created a card for you using the sweet rubber stamp image "Avery in Rain Poncho".


I completed this project with paper from the We are Memory Keepers Antique Chic collection, some flowers and bling from my stash and a the Cheery Lynn Fanciful Flourish die.

I colored her using my Copics and Prismacolor pencils in the following colors:

Skin:  E000
PC927, 939, 1081
Hair:  E13
PC997, 947, 948
Clothes:  BG10, Y21
PC1088, 1027, 901
Duck:  Y21, YR02
PC1034, 1032, 943, 944
Ground:  PC1061, 1065

You can find this and many other sweet stamps in the Paper Nest Dolls online store.  Come over and visit!  And don't forget to join in the monthly challenge!

Friday, July 1, 2016

Pollycraft Princess has a birthday :)

Every now and then I enjoy doing these pretty pink girlie cards :)  Must be the princess in me.  I created this pretty and pink birthday card for Quick Creations, using CC Designs/Pollycraft "Princess":


To complete this card I also used paper from the  Doodlebug Design "Sugar Shoppe" collection and some sentiments and dies from my Stamp of Approval Beautiful World Collection.

You can find the linked products in Noelle's online store at Quick Creations.  Come and join in the monthly challenge, the new challenge starts soon!