A Wonderful Surprise!

I know I've been very derelict in my posting--but what a wonderful surprise it was to find I had been sent an award from Jody at Jody's Creation Station! Thank you so much, Jody! You truly made my day!

This award is for someone to give extra attention to their blog so that more peiople are aware of it. So, the award is not given to people with hundreds of followers.

The rules of this award are to:

Make a reference to the blog of the person from whom you have received the award (with a link). You can choose to pass the award to three to five other blogs, with a link. Leave a comment on your chosen blogs to let them know that they have received an award.

Of course, you do not have to accept the award on your blog or you can specify from whom you have received an award but are not passing it on. Nothing is required.

In the spirit of giving, I have chosen to pass this award on to:

Tracy at Creative Cure

Julie at Stamp with Julie

Leah at The Hoosier Stamper

These ladies are very talented--check out their work on their blogs and share a little love!

A Touch of Spring

It's cold and snowy--but a little bit of spring blew through my craft room today, with this sunny black-eyed susan! What a fun, fun image to color! It took a lot of markers, and I'll have them listed at the end of this post.

After I colored the image, I went in with a B0000 Copic marker and lightly colored the background behind the flower. Then, I die-cut it with my largest Labels One (Nestabilities) die, and left it in the die while I airbrushed a bit more of the B0000 around the outside. When I put it up to my paper (BoBunny), it didn't quite match--so I air-brushed some BG10 in the corners, and VOILA! A great match!

The outside mat around the die-cut was made by holding the die in place and cutting around it with my X-Acto knife--although a pencil and scissors would have worked as well.

The corners are from Spare Parts, and the ribbon is from Michaels. I'm not sure where I got the lace doily.

REMINDER: My Copic Marker class in Archbold at Scrapbook Korner will be this Saturday, 1/29/11, at 10 a.m. There are still a few spots left--join us!

I hope you enjoy this card, and thanks for stopping by!

Copic Markers used: Y13/15/17; YR23/24; E25/27/29/99; G21/24/28/29; B0000; BV00; C9; and BG10.

Copic Class Scheduled!

NEWS NEWS NEWS!

If you're in NW Ohio and are interested in Copic Marker Classes, I will be teaching at The Scrapbook Korner, in Archbold, OH, on January 29! Whether you've had your Copics for a while, or are just getting your first ones, this class, Copic Markers 101--What, Why How, will give you the basics of blending, care and refilling, and answer lots of questions about how to take your skills to the next level! Details can be found here, on The Scrapbook Korner's class schedule. Don't delay--class size is limited!

While I was at the store getting the class set up, I found this GORGEOUS paper called 'Sweet Love', by Best Creation Inc. So beautiful and sparkly! And the little heart stamp was just begging to go home with me--it's by Imaginisce. After playing around with it a bit, coloring it on Candlelight paper (Beckett Expression), a very light ivory, it matched up so nicely to the background paper.

Now, I will admit, I 'might' have gone a teensy bit overboard on the pearls--but I love the look. Other supplies I used: Kraft cardstock (Bazzill), Nestabilities (see below), the pearls by Crystal Stickers, Chantilly 1/2" crochet trim (Stampin' Up!), pop dots to raise the center panel, and Copic Markers (as shown below).

That's all for today. I'd love to know what you think!

Not even a mouse!

The last of my Christmas cards are finished--finally--going out in the mail. Hectic doesn't even begin to describe the past few weeks, with the birth of our puppy, the start of basketball season, and the last minute crunch of people who want embroidery done for Christmas! But, the last things are being stitched, and I'm ready to get to baking this week!

I got this a set of Penny Black Christmas stamps (Jolly Friends) earlier in the fall, and my last batch of cards just HAD to feature this adorable mouse!

I didn't have a stamp for my sentiment--so I used the computer and a font called Santa's Sleigh, a favorite of mine, to print the front note before I punched it out. Inside, of course, it says "Not even a mouse!"

I have a few other Christmas cards to post for your viewing pleasure--so keep checking back. And drop me a comment, if you feel so inclined, to let me know what you think!

Supplies used: Stamp--Penny Black "Jolly Friends"; Paper--GP white and BoBunny Wild Berry Red Dot; Ribbon--twill from Stampin' Up and gold from Joann's; Spellbinders Labels Eleven die; Stampin' Up ornament punch; brads from Hobby Lobby Christmas Section; Stickles' Stardust glitter glue; Fun Flock; Signo Gel Pen; and Copic markers as shown below:

Having too much fun!

Isn't this little box just adorable?!?!?! I was trolling thru the blogs that I read, and getting side-tracked (as usual), when I found this Petal Top Box on Paper Pastime. I am just blown away by anyone who can figure these things out--and Denise nailed this one. It goes together like a dream, and all the cuts are just perfect. The little ornament I made (this one is 2-5/8") fits perfectly inside the box, and there's a raised holder to fit inside with a circle cut into it, great for nestling the ornament in. And even more--it's a one-sheet wonder! Just one sheet of 12x12 paper will make the box and the holder inside.

The file is in an .svg or .scut2 format, and can be cut if you have SCAL (SureCutsALot) software for your Cricut.

I can see LOTS of uses for this little box! Thanks, Denise!!!!!

I have more cards to post in the next few days, in between wrapping, shopping, and baking--so stay tuned!

Other items used: Cricut 'Very Merry Tags' cartridge for tag and deer; Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch from Stampin' Up; Distress Ink (Ranger) in Brushed Corduroy; cardstock in kraft and wine.

Certified!

My husband has always said I was 'certifiable'--although he meant that I was a little bit nuts over my crafts and hobbies. And I have to admit it--I am. If I'm working on a project, the house could fall down around me, and I wouldn't notice--I'd just brush the dust off my markers and paper and keep going! LOL

But this week, I was able to meet one of the goals I had set for myself when I started working with the Copic markers--I completed their Certification Class! A long day of soaking in information on the markers themselves, and on coloring techniques, and I still have quite a bit more to study in the book. It was so worth it, though, because I learned so much that day!

I was absolutely thrilled to have Debbie Olson as a teacher! I've followed her blog for a long time, and learned quite a bit from it--but in class, she was an awesome instructor, and made sure we all had the basics of the technique down before we moved on. THANK YOU, DEBBIE!

There are still more goals ahead of me--start teaching, eventually take the intermediate course--but everything comes one step at a time!

Happy birthday, Joe!

Where does the time go? My nephew turned 20 this past week! He's a great guy, and always compliments me on my cards--but, of course, that makes doing the next card a little harder because I have to 'top' what I did the year before! LOL Or at least I think I do!

I had picked up this great Tim Holtz embossing folder of a crumbling brick wall--so I embossed a sheet of textured grey DCWV cardstock with it, and highlighted the bricks with Memento ink pads in 'Potter's Clay' and 'Rich Cocoa', to make it look more realistic. Then the Copic airbrush system to do a little 'graffiti'.

I didn't photo the inside--but the sentiment was computer generated: "The handwriting's on the wall--you're a year older!"

A fun card to do--and I know he'll love it!