Poppy Paperie

Whewww!

What a fun week of designing I have had! There is something sensational about getting a new stamp, breakin' out the ink and letting that rubber fly! I was so elated to play, and it seems like times like these just make my creativity flow... I love using embellishments and took every opportunity to embellish, embellish, embellish!

here are some punched flowers done in faux suede using other punched flowers as leaves.

I love using this weathered paper by Stampin' Up! It give things a true rustic feel. If I could just by a pack of this particular sheet... I would stock up!

don't ask to see the rest of the page... I can't show you! AHHHHHHhhhhhhrrrrgggggggggggg!

I love Pocket cards!

there is just something so fun about a pocket card. I used Fluid chalk ink by Colorbox and A Muse images for this card. I love the retro feel of these stamps and REALLY love their new clear alphabet stamps. this font is so cute and work wonderfully for cards!

Things that make you go Hmmmm...

I find humor in so many places... often in my own flubs. Some of my best designs have come from my flubs... Well, anyhow... I really giggle when I see things like this. Hmmmmm, I can't imagine owning a purple Trans Am... and a police one to boot! I was vacationing in Winthrop Washington when I ran across this... I had to snap a pic. I mean, How could I not?! Now... every time I go through and start submitting things I run across this pic.. its hidden in my ready for submission file and I ALWAYS forget its there. SO... I will be hard at work and then see that and the giggles just start flowing. If you have met me, I am pretty outgoing...except when I am home. I get pretty serious and task orientated. Multi-task orientated really! LOL! So... I just go HMmmmmm when I see this car.... then giggle. I wonder if some of the editors I submit to ever have that experience with my work? if so... at least they got a giggle too! ;)  I think the owner is an outside of the box thinker!

Faux Watercoloring

I love watercoloring.... but, sometimes I get lazy and just want to use my markers. So here is what I do. I use a brush tip to lightly color in some of the images area, making sure to leave some white space. Then I will create shading by applying a second coat only to the areas I want darker. you can use a darker marker if needed, however I find that the second coat really does the trick. Finish the image by using the fine tip to outlining the inside of the image where you have created the shading. I have found this to be a great way of controlling the application of ink to small images.  Give it a try and see how fun it can be!

 

BIG!

I have been trying to figure out since I started blogging how to get my photos big in my posts. I finally bugged someone who is well versed in the art of blogging and she took pity on my! (thanks Pebbles!)

I really love the A Muse Kids stamps. Having 4 daughters really has made me enjoy girly things... which is a surprise since I am a total tomboy at heart.

Spotlighting

I love this technique of spotlighting. I think its a great way to add depth with minimal layers and work. Aren't these flower pots CUTE!!! They are from the new A Muse spring line. I think this little bird is becoming one of my favorite images. It seems to go with everything and adds just the right touch.

Try some spotlighting of your own....you can use punches or your coloring to create with this fun technique.

Raindrops on roses.....

and whiskers on kitten.... these are a few of my favorite thiiiiiiiiiings! OK.. can't get that song out of my head now!

today I wanted to share some of my favorite things as a Paper crafter.

• Stampin' Up Dye and pigment Ink and Markers
• Tsukineko StazOn solvent ink
• Fluid chalk ink by Colorbox... dries fast
• Scotch foam mounting tape
• Glue dot of every variety!
• A Muse and Stampin' Up Rubber stamps
• Stickles... I think I'm addicted
• A Muse note cards and tags
• Wild Asparagus Paper... love it!
• Sakura glaze pens and stardust pens
• Stampin' Up! Slit and word window punch
• Marvy Uchida Punches, especially the new envelope punches!

Some of these are new finds that have quickly become staples in my studio space.... and some I have had a long term love affair with. The new marvy envelope punch gives me that new love feeling in my tummy and I just want to play with it all day!

*Warm*

  Whenever I have a day that I am under the weather.... I stamp! I usually make just focal images... Stamp and color. It keeps my mind busy and I feel like I am still being productive. It was raining this weekend and I was curled up on the couch... I felt like coloring with warm tones and here is what I came up with. The focal image is created with markers and watercoloring. I love these Chickens!

Need a Pampering Idea?

Here is a Paint can that I made up  and now I am giving it to New Mom friend of mine! She love tropical. I am going to fill it with some little things that will pamper her as well as some things for the Baby. I have to say how much I love the Metal tags from creative impressions... and the Impress kit they sell. I can create any word I want and pound on my table... could life be any better! LOL!

Create this for a Mothers day gift or for that special friend that needs a pick-me-up... Paint cans are a blast!

Designer Happy Dance!

I think it's verging on shear silliness that even after doing design work for almost a year now I still get giddy and ecstatic when I get a project accepted. It sends that adrenaline a-runnin' I tell ya!

I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach this week. I thought that a design opportunity that I had worked for so long just be able to just apply for had not worked out. It's not a lucrative opportunity, but it was a goal of mine... and for me it has become essential that I do everything in my powers to meet my goals.... then I know I have done all I could. Well, anyhow as I was allowing myself to have a few minutes of the Blues... literally a few moments passed when I received an email from this particular company expressing their interest in me actually doing it!!! Giddy... totally Giddy I tell ya! So I have been Happy dancin' all week long.

I am grateful for those disappointing times that happen in my design career... They push me to try harder... To seek that outside of the box design that will catch the readers eye. ... To walk outside my comfort zone and get those creative stretchmarks.... but I think a Happy dance is WAY funner!