More holiday coloring....

Yes, I had to play with a few images that required a wee bit more time than all the little ones I did for cards! :) This one is actually stamped on a sheet of acetate with Stazon and then colored on the reverse side. Get it?

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It took some getting used to, but with a little patience and and swaks of markers I blended, blended and blended until I was happy. The great thing about acetate is if something isn't working you can wipe it off and start over.

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Blending is also very different on acetate and so is the depth and brightness of the colors but it was fun to try something different!

The clouds in TK images always give me a bit of trouble. So, I didn't stamp them with the original image. When I was finished coloring I stamped them in white craft ink on the top side! The little hint of blue sky was colored directly onto the box and the clouds have a subtle hint of floating on top!

When I was satisfied, I attached it to this varnished, wooden jewelry box. Added the sentiment, ribbons, jewels and flower and my daughter loved it! To make the jewels and hardware brown and also used my Copics to color them. Thanks to their alcohol base, they color so many surfaces!!! LOVE THEM!!!

My PLAYING!

Here is my pile of tidbits that I created while away camping! All I let myself pack is my little case I got from Micheals and my cutter (ok the 6x6 paper packs didn't fit but I had room in my suitcase! :)

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White ultra smooth paper, stamps (unmounted or acrylic mostly), inks & Copics! That's it!

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I brought my 6x6 patterned paper packs to be able to choose matching markers. I select the pp I want to use with the stamp, do the coloring and then keep them together for when I get home and can actually finish them into cards! (Notice the pp's underneath some of the images)

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I also had more time than I ever do to just take my time so I also got to play around with stamping Thomas Kinkade's and more coloring! I will post those as I complete them!

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What a great weekend!

Surprise, surprise!

It's another Thomas Kinkade card!!! Hopefully, you aren't getting tired of them! And hopefully, I will create something soon with stamps that aren't getting as much love anymore!

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Anyway, this is my first attempt at useing Copic markers. They are fun to play around with.

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I also stamped the background with Cornish Heritage Farm's Paisley backgrounder. Then I accidentally wiped some pearlX on a corner. Realizing the versa mark ink I used with the stamp was still wet I decided to brush a light dusting of pearlX over the whole thing.

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It probably won't stay on it handled to much but it sure gives the paper a light sparkle! And who doesn't love some sparkle?!?!?!

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Enjoy your day!

Getin' Inky!

Indeed I did! I've been playing with Ranger Distress Inks & Alcohol Inks lately, thanks to a good friend! And if you have ever played with them you will know what I'm talking about!!!

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I started with plain, ivory paper, a couple distress ink pads and some cut & dry foam. I smeared/rubbed/sponged the ink onto the paper and kept playing with the color until I achieved what I was looking for.

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Then I stamped the TK image in archival ink overtop. Roughed up the edges, used my glitter pen to bring our the sparkled of the snow, tied on the ribbon and then sat there and didn't really like it. :(

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That friend that got me excited about all this ink saw it sort of tossed aside and liked it. So, I'm posting this for her! Maybe someone else will get inspired out there and improve my attempt!!!

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Enjoy your day everyone!

Man Cards

Do you struggle with them too? My favorite things include flowers, glitter & ribbon, which are all too girly for good man cards!

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Thankfully, these Thomas Kinkade images, by Cornish Heritage Farms, and some techniques I learned from a good Ranger instructor gave me the tools I needed for some b-day cards for a couple men in my life!

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I used Ranger distress ink on plain manila like paper to create the background. Stamped the image in black over top. Then UTEE'd over the entire thing! A little stitching, more gold embossing, and a few layers and there is not one inch that looks to feminine!

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Ok, so stitching might be considered feminine, but at least I used black thread! :)

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I love the way they turned out, and felt so good to give them away!

Pocket Swap!

It's long over due but this little card is finally going to be sent on its way!!! I signed up for a swap way back, kept having computer glitches and couldn't get the recipients addresses UNTIL TODAY!!!

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I know that sounds funny but I received my cards a few weeks ago and I feel really bad I couldn't send mine out. Oh well, the joys of the computer age!

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Anyway, this pocket is just simply made by sewing up the sides. I folded down the top to give it some detail, punched the edge and used a brad to hold it down.

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The image, Thomas Kinkade Christmas Village, is stamped with SU! Classic ink on their glitter paper. I roughed up the edges using a scrapper kinda thingy, layered it on the black, tied some ribbon and voila!

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The inside uses one of the TK sentiments, McGill tab punch and misc. snowflake stamp.

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Totally out of my normal box, but it was fun to create!

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Happy stamping!

Edited to add: Blogger is so crazy!! I have no control over how the layout it sometimes! Sorry it looks so weird!

How much paper did I buy!?!?!?!?

I finally got organized to really get down to business on my huge Christmas card order!

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4 packages of white card stock (250 sheets each)

6 packages of blue 12 X 12 card stock (50 sheets each)

1800 snowflake punches

120 yards of 1/2 inch satin ribbon

ink pad & 2 refills

& 1 gorgeous stamp!

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Then I cut out the 600 pieces to stamp on.

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Then I started stamping!!! I ran out of table space and quit stamping at 126!!!

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Only 4 more table fulls and I'll be done! But truly, I get some very odd satisfaction working on a huge assembly line! I'm so glad I get to do this! I love it!!!

More Card Classes!!!

I gathered up some courage, packed up all my Thomas Kinkade stamps and cards samples and walked into a scrap shop, asked if I could speak with the owner and showed off my stuff!

(hehehe)

We chatted about this new line of stamps and talked about what a class would look like, kinds of things I would do and set a date!

I needed to re-work my samples to use the paper she carried and remove things she didn't. So, we are going to talk about basic stamping with these images, kinds of ink & paper etc, and talk about using them without feeling like we need to color like TK!

We will make one card with a cracked glass and another with a shimmer window technique and the third with just stamping. I'm looking forward to it! Wish me luck!

How Many Can You Make?

We are about to find out how many cards, of the same layout, I can make before I get tired of making cards!!!

My DH's, boss asked if I wanted to make the office Christmas cards this year. SURE! I'd love to!!! Then I found out we are talking about at least 600 cards!?!?!?!

And he doesn't like A2 size. He wants them bigger! So, the best and only stamps I have that will accomodate a larger card would be the amazing Thomas Kinkade stamps, from Cornish Heritage Farms. YIPPY!!! What a great reason to stamp away. But, I also have to consider how much they are willing to pay and how many supplies I need to buy and that equalled fairly simple cards BUT the images speak for themselves and don't need enhancing! PERFECT!!!

So, by next week I will know which layout they like and will be creating quite and assembly line! Anyone want to be my slave labourer? hehehe

Yup, I believe in Love at First Sight!

I got some more time tonight to play with Tom!!! This card is stamped on shimmer paper, colored the light from the windows with yellow pencil & glitter pen, matted in the blue & green then glued on golden beads all around the edges. So sparkly IRL! I love it!

This one is also stamped on white shimmer paper but with a dark blue craft ink. Had to let it dry for a while before I used my glitter pen to highlight lots of different areas where I thought light would be reflecting off. Attached with the row of brads and glued on the little round metal piece. Again, it is so sparkly!

I got tagged today from Debbie! 7 odd facts:

1) I am totally addicted to travelling! Those who know me well probably have figured this out already, but almost all of our extra money goes to the next holiday or to pay off the last one! I've been to Palm Springs, California (3 times), Oregon (2 times), numerous weekend trips into Washington, Florida, New York, Montreal and 3 cruises in the Carribean! We are heading to eastern BC, Montana & Idaho this summer and are in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Thailand in a couple of years! Yahoooooo!

2) I was thought to be my daughters sister when she was in kindergarten. Yes, I had a weee bit of late blooming rebelion and really didn't look much like a mom!

3) I crack my nuckles way too much! But it feels good and I don't want to stop! hehehe

4) My craft space has become my personal therapist. Therefore, considering what I would pay to go see a therapist I think I am saving us money by purchasing stamps and supplies!!!

5) I have an amazing family! Hubby, going on 15 years, loves, adores and takes care of me. Daughters, 12 & 7, going up way to fast, full of humor and so easy to love!

6) I also live with my parents. We have purchased a home together and they live on 1 of the 3 floors. We are so thankful to have them in our lives, to care for each other and be wonderful grandparents to my daughters!

7) Last, but the most important, I have found true JOY in Jesus! Unconditional love, saving grace and the perfect example of who I want to be!

Blessings to you all and don't forget to look for some JOY in your day!

Sorry everyone! I just can't seem to make spaces between paragraphs!!!! So frustrating!

Love at first Stamp!!!

WOW!!! You need to run, run, run to Cornish Heritage Farms!!! They have just launched these stupendeous stamps, art by Thomas Kinkade.

Believe it or not they stamp beautifully, easily and they are magnificent! (Can you tell I'm in love?)

I've got to go and catch my breath..... happy stamping!