2 Sketches 4 You with Paper Makeup Stamps!

This week PMS is sponsoring the sketch challenge at 2 sketches 4 you! That means i got to see the sketch early, WOOT WOOT! This week is going to be a mad crazy posting week so I'm very thankful that i got that preview of the sketch! I'm very excited to be sponsoring the 2S4U challenge site because I really admire all the stuff they do there! It's another one of those places I dont get to play along nearly as often as i'd like. And to see their amazing design team use PMS stamps is going to be just awesome! So head on over to the 2S4U blog to see the sketch and to play along yourself. By playing along, you'll be entered to win a fabulous prize of PMS goodness!

Here is my take on Kazan's sketch!

I used Danni and You Make the World stamps with some Echo Park paper from the Walk in the Park collection. The butterfly is also from the EP paper, the backside of that fn cavnasie yellow are different journaling bits, tags and such. The butterfly was by itself on a little patch looking piece and I cut it out so that I could pop it up on the card. My sewing machine, as you can see is working again! YIPPIE! It's still a little finicky and I still want a fancier machine that stitches cool borders (so jealous of you, Ginger!) but hey, i can stitch a card again AND i can do a few MINOR sewing projects i've been wanting to do! here I used orange thread all the way around my card (minus on the sentiment, i was hoping to help make the sentiment stand out a bit by having the thread lead to it) as well as over my ribbon pleating to help give the pleating a little more security.

The Danni image was colored with Copics. This is one of the other images we colored in my Copic Class at Scrapnesia. We were working on blonde toned hair (remember my Moody for Dreams card from last week). Here I used copic colors YR31, Y21, YR23. For the shirt and butterfly it's YR18, YR15, Yr12. Pans are B91, B95 and the grass is G94, G99. I airbrushed around the image with B91 as well and Used B91 in her wings.

Now be sure to go over to the PMS Company Blog (the Paper Makeup Artists have had a lot of fun with this sketch!) as well as the 2 sketches 4 you blog to see some amazing PMS inspiration and of course to play along!

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My Time Made Easy - September Release Peek!

OMG! Fun times all around, my blog went over 100,000 hits, so I will be posting some fun blog candy for that here in the next few days AND I finally get to show you one of my projects for the September release from My Time Made Easy. Ok, so we all kinda say that each month is the best month... but thats because it's true! Lauren is really really growing and evolving and this month's release is just truly kick ____!

Before I dive into LOTS of pictures and details, let me start by saying this month the release is a little bit different. No doubt, Lauren will have it explained excellently on her blog. So you'll definitely want to check that out. But the main jist is that there is just 1 template being released but it is a MEGA template. Lots of additions that make you able to use the template over and over while getting a different final look time and time again!

Ok, without further ado... here is my project!

Yes, that is one of the largest cupcakes i've ever seen and definitely the tallest i've ever purchased! Here is the completed project size...

Shop Around Box:

Completed Project Size

7 1/2 Inches Tall

4 Inches Wide

3 1/2 Inches Deep

Shop Around: Mega Template $10

Available in PDF, SVG, GSD, DXF, WPC

Purchase includes Shop/House template with printable roof pattern, and six 3 dimensional accessories: Awning, Chimney, Pop Up Window, Stairs, Window, and Window Box

You'll see for my shoppe for today, that i did not add the chimney, awning or the windows and window boxes (my windows are from the Home Improvement stamp set being released in September. But these additions are just adorable!

And now... more detail shots!

First, a quick note about the Home Improvement Stamp Set! In this set are 21 images including a door, window, curtains, window box, flowers, grass, mailbox, fence/gate, as well as bushes/clouds, brick, stone, scallop trim, and clapboard/wood grain. There are also matching cut files! In the above photo, you can see the fence which i stamped around all 4 corners of the shoppe. To the left, you can see a more detailed shot of the door stamped with Rich Cocoa Memento ink (with an added pearl as a door knob). I pleated some ribbon for curtains though there is a curtain pattern in the stamp underneath. I also used a strip of ribbon to create a doormat. Inside the window you see some little cupcakes. Those are from the Sign It set also being released in September. The trim on my door window and window boxes was colored in with a RV32 copic marker. Another detail you can see well in this shot is the siding. Yes, that is all hand stamped! I love the clapboard/woodgrain stamp included in the Home Improvement set. I stamped the walls of the shoppe (prior to assembling!) in the same color ink as the paper (blush by CTMH) so it's subtle, but it's there. :D

Also hand stamped is my roof pattern using a stamp from the Home Improvement set. I promise, it really doesnt take as long as you might think! But if you arent into stamping your own roof... the template does come with a printable roof pattern!

And now, onto my sign! I love the look of this little sign! I actually stamped a label from the So Sentimental set in rich cocoa memento ink. I then colored in the outer rim with a RV32 copic marker. I then stamped the word Shoppe from the Sign It set. I then stamped the words Simply Sweet in blush ink. 2 teeeeeny pearls by were added to the corners of the sign.

Now a detail shot of the stairs... Before assembling i stamped over them in rich cocoa ink using the stamp stamp that was used as the siding on the shoppe walls. All the edges were sponged to give more dimension and texture. Actually, i didnt say this yet but i sponged EVERyTHING on this house! The stairs seemed to be the most daunting aspect of putting this template together but they really were quite easy!

And here is a better shot of the roof. You can see the shingle stamp pattern as well as the dormer window. I actually stamped the door on another scrap of cardstock and then cut it out. Again you can see that all my edges were inked for more dimension to the template.

So are you totally tired of my pictures yet? hahaha. I'm almost done, i just wanted to make sure you were able to catch the fun things about this template...

But you may be thinking... ok, so yes it IS adorable... but what would you DO with it? Well, it's the perfect gift box! I mean, you can make the little shop for whatever you are gifting! The whole roof actually comes off just like a lid.

Remember that oh so tall cupcake? (holy cow, i just remembered the remainder is in my freezer... must go eat that after i finish typing!) It fits down perfectly inside. But any sort of sweet treats could go inside. Chocolates, candies, cookies, you name it! Wouldnt this be an adorble spin on the candy jar for a counter top? Of course you dont have to make this into a sweet shoppe! There are TONS of shoppe ideas that you are going to be seeing from the design team members this week! Speaking of... dont forget to check out Lauren's blog and Lesa's Blog for some wonderful Shoppes as well as Dawn's blog and Tammy's Blog (by the way... WELCOME TO THE DESIGN TEAM TAMMY!) for some adorable cards!

And for now... i will leave you with the visions of what i'm going to dive into after i hit publish..... ahhhhh, yummy!

Have a wonderful day!!!!

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Makeup 4 the Weekend Challenge M4TW40

WOOT WOOT! I have a card done for the Makeup 4 the Weekend challenge.... on the day it's issued! Man that feels good! I hate that i dont participate as much as some of my team does! Bad Mama! hahahaha! Anyhoo - for this week's challenge, Danni Bindel has challenged us to create a birthday card! Thats easy enough right?! Well i thought so!

So here was my thought process... doesnt it seem like birthday cards are the ones that sneak up on you? You think to tell your kids (because you dont dare tell them days early or you get asked every day if it's time for the party... or at least thats my house!) So you tell your kids... we have a birthday party to go to today! Then it dawns on you... oh CRAP! we have a birthday party to go to today! Ok, again, thats what happens in my house! hahahahha!

Well... given the right products, birthday cards dont HAVE to take an hour to make. Especially when about 15 minutes is all you have! This one actually took me LESS than 10!

So granted the only stamping I did on the card was my sentiment. The rest all came from the paper scraps of the layout i did the other day from THIS post. The paper is from My Mind's Eye Alphabet Soup. I am still LOVING this paper! I mentioned this in my post the other day, but it is double sided THICK paper! And i dont mean thick like too heavy for a card. But it's sturdy.... PERFECT for a card OR a layout. The additional elements are from the die cut sheet. Remember i told ya i'd show you some other ways to use them up! ;)

I did ink the edges of the elephant die cut a bit just because i wanted it to have the worn look I had given the papers by using Antique Linen distress ink. I used foam adhesive under the elephant and the buttons (i tied the twine thru the buttons prior to using the foam adhesive)

The sentiment is from the Cutie Critter Sayings sentiment set.

I cut the sentiment with the smallest die from the Spellbinders Labels Trio set and then layered it on top of another piece cut from one of the larger dies.

Now you know you wanna get in on this challenge! Check it out on the company blog! We will be drawing 1 lucky card for a free stamp! You dont have to have any PMS stamps to play, but you do need to use a PMS stamp or digi to win.

So check it out and have a FABULOUS weekend! Be sure to check back in tomorrow... i'll have my first peek of the My Time Made Easy release for you to see!!!!

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A Paper Crafts Connection challenge for Just Us Girls with Paper Makeup Stamps!

How's that for a subject line, huh?! I was able to get a little crafty with a few challenges for my post today! When my craftin' friends issue challenges... i LOVE to participate. Unfortunately there isnt even enough time to do all the challenges i have planned for myself to do in the week!

So today... i comboe'd! I used Maren's challenge for PaperCrafts Connection to use Pleats on a card (something i dont do enough because i think it's über cute) and my girl Lisa's color challenge for Just Us Girls Challenges to use Hot Pink, Lime and Teal. Here is my outcome!

Ok... so for some reason... my cards are getting washed out when i post to blogger. The pictures are still crisp... but the colors are muted. it's driving me BONKERS! And i cant figure out what in the world the deal is! In person, that is melon mambo for the pink color. And the ribbon, while now stampin up... is just as hot pink if not BRIGHTER! ARGH. Looks like i'll be doing more research today because this is just redonculous! Is it a setting in photoshop when i save or something? It looks great on my computer screen when NOT put into blogger. :( Or is it just my computer? In any case, i'm VERY frustrated!

ETA: apparently it's my computer. And all browsers on my computer, but when i look at my post from my phone, it looks fine. Which is just as aggrevating! But at least i know SOME people see the card correctly! HAHAHA!)

Anyhoo, back to the card!

The stamp is from Friendly Flowers from Paper Makeup Stamps.

I used more of my Echo Park paper from A Walk in the Park. I adore this paper! The cardstock is all stampin up (melon mambo, kiwi kiss and bermuda bay). Flowers are by Prima and bling centers are by Darice.

Ok, thats what i got for ya today! with any luck, i'll be crafting more today (but for sneak peeks for MTME and PMS that will show NEXT week, hehehehe) Have a wonderful day!

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Stop the presses.... i scrapbooked!

Thats right, you read the title correctly, i actually scrapbooked! It doesnt happen often, not NEARLY as often as it should! I'm going to try to work on that! And since i've been added to the Design Team for Scrapnesia, one of my requirements will be to do some layouts for the store! YIPES! THE PRESSURE! I hope i can fulfill my obligations to fullest potential!

Well... my first assignment was to use this new paper collection called Alphabet Soup by My Mind's Eye. I had my own eye on this collection when i saw it at CHA. So i was ecstatic to be assigned it! The papers are BEYOND adorable! So much that i worked on a few layouts! And i'll be using it up on some cards too because it's just SO cute! You'll be seeing a lot of this paper line from me, so i hope you dont get tired of it! ;)

Here's my first layout!

These pictures are from when the boys and I went to the Indianapolis Zoo with my parents this summer. The boys LOVE going to the zoo and the Indy zoo is FAR more spectacular than our zoo (our zoo is adorable, and we can get thru it in about 45 minutes... it's a great treat/reward for the kids... the indy zoo takes all day and you STILL dont see everything! But thats why it's so cool!) Anyhoo - this is gabe at the giraffe exhibit. Be still my mother's heart, giraffe's are her favorite! And apparently gabe's too! He REALLY wanted to get closer as you can see!

I knew i wanted to scrap these pictures, and when i saw the extras in the Alphabet soup collection that had giraffe's i was so excited! All the papers are double sided which of course gives you lots of options. I did happen to use 4 different sheets for this layout. The giraffe cut out and word bubble are from the die cut sheet which i just loved! I dont always like die cut sheets... this one is really great! With lots of stuff you can do with it! You wont be stuck with a bunch of left overs... so it's well worth it! I'll show you other uses for this sheet later!

The giraffe playing card is from the card deck. The deck retails 4.99 BUT there are 2 of every card and there is a card for every letter of the alphabet! So i will cut the deck in half and have 1 half of the deck for crafting and the other half of the deck will be some fun playing flash cards for Gabe. You could also use the cards to play memory! I may just do that with the leftovers (be sure to remove the matching card that you used on a layout or craft project! hahahaha!)

Ok, so thats my SCRAPBOOK LAYOUT! I'm still proud i scrapbooked! And without coloring or stamping! ACK! ;)

On one more note... i am soooooooo close to 100,000 hits! It's exciting for me! I'm going to have a nice BIG blog candy when i get there! So stay tuned!!!!!!

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Blast from the Past Blog Hop from Taylored Expressions

Welcome to my stop in the Blast from the Past Blog Hop from Taylored Expressions! I am SO excited to participate in the hop this month! Various things have prevented me from doing the previous hops and I am just floored to be among some amazing talent in this lineup!

There is a link list at the end of my post... but if you want ALL the details about the hop, you can get started by going to the Taylored Expressions Blog.

Here is my card for you using the Berries and Cherries set...

I decided to use the Blast from the Past sketch provided by Sankari Wegman. It's totally optional but i am a HUGE fan of Sankari's so i really wanted to use the sketch. :D

I used up some of my October Afternoon (Fly a Kite collection) along with the Berries & Cherries. It just matches so well!

Not to mention that i {heart} october afternoon!

Here is a closer view of the strawberry image. I first stamped the image on vanilla cardstock in Rich Cocoa memento ink. I decided later i wasnt in love with that idea because i couldn't see as much definition in the lineart after everything was colored. So i went back over some of the lines with the rich cocoa memento marker and was pleased with the final look. You can really see the difference in the definition of the strawberries in the top of the basket verses the ones down inside the basket as those i didnt outline at all. I figured we didnt want them to stamp out quite as much so it was perfectly fine the way it was. I colored the image with Copics. R32, R35 and R37 for the berries and YG63, YG67 for the leaves/stems. The basket was done in E25 and E27. Once the image was colored, I cut it out with the smal classic circle spellbinders die and then airbrushed with it still inside the nestie. For this i used the R30 copic and i did not mask the image because the colored being sprayed on top was light, and i was really focusing on the edges anyway. I did take a white signio gel pen to add in a few highlights.

Final picture for you then i promise to send you on your merry way thru the hop! This is just a detail shot of some of the other extras i did for the card. The closeup itself is more of the button with i threaded with some twine. It is sitting on top of a punched circle of the October Afternoon paper which is sitting on top of another piece which was cut with the scalloped circles spellbinder die. My border was punched using an EK Success punch and then adorned with some kaisercraft pearls in Copper. I also stitched a bit on my card (YEAH - my sewing machine is back in working order... thanks to PINKY!). All of my edges were sponged with antique linen distress ink. So thats what i have for you! Now it's fine for you to mosie along and get LOTS more creative inspiration on the hop! I hope you've enjoyed your little visit to my blog!

The Deets:

Stamps: Berries and Cherries from Taylored Expressions

Paper: October Afternoon Fly a Kite; Cardstock (Ruby Red SU, Aqua Mist PTI, Vanilla SU)

Coloring/Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa; Copics R32, R35, R37, YG63, YG67; E25, E27

Tools: Classic Circle Small by Spellbinders, Scallop Circle Small by Spellbinders, 1/2 circle punch by Creative Memories, Border Punch by EK Success, Corner Rounder punch by creative memories, Sewing machine

Inspiration: Card Sketch by Sankari Wegman.

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A PMS card for fun!

Ok, so normally PMS and FUN don't go together! But when you're talking about Paper Makeup Stamps, it's definitely fun!

Last week I taught a copics class at Scrapnesia and we focused on coloring blonde hair. This image is one of the ones that we colored in my class.

This one in particular using my favorite blonde hair combo... Y21, YR23, E99.

The stamp image is Moody for Dreams. I also stamped the background on the blue cardstock with stamps from the Swirlie Buds set.

After I got home from the class I decided to turn her into a card... and i decided she needed to be blinged up a bit! You can catch traces of the stardust gel pen i used in her hair in the above photo. But I also used lots of spica pen in various colors throughout that are a little harder to capture on film. I also stamped the leaves from Swirlie Buds on the blue cardstock in versamark dazzle ink and it gives just a little but of sparkle. I havent used the dazzle ink much... but this time i also used it to sponge the edges of the white cardstock and fell in love! Again, next to impossible to capture that kind of subtle sparkle on camera (well, at least on MY camera! haha!) but in does look rather special in real life!

This sentiment is also an oldie but goodie from Paper Makeup Stamps. You can find it HERE.

I used Liquid Pearls (falling in love with those!) all around the cardstock border... but didnt have the color i wanted for the orange patterned paper so i decided to use distress stickles. I was NOT pleased with the outcome and even less pleased when i knocked my card over before they were dry! *sigh* oh well. I guess i just need to buy every color of liquid pearls!

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Verve is having an AnniVERVEsary!!!!

One of the first non hostess stamp companies (and one of the ones that truly got me hooked on this "little hobby") is Verve Stamps. I adored them back in the day when they were verve visuals. ahhh.... memories. Well this month they are celebrating 3 years of extreme success in the stamping industry! WAY TO GO! It's no wonder since they have a ROCKIN' design team, fantabulous stamp designs and wonderful quality stamps. But i still admit, i'm jealous! hahaha!

There are 5 awesome sketches that Julee has put out for the occassion (and you know i love her sketches!). If you complete them all, you are entered to win the whole release and from the sneak peeks... oh i want this release!!!!

Here is just the first of the 5 sketches. We'll see if i'm lucky enough to get them all done! But the party is TONIGHT at 8! I hope to see you there! Join in the fun HERE.

SO here's my first vervie verve card!

I used the set ENJOY. It's just such a fun set because the butterfly when turned upside down

and stamped with the stem, looks like this really cool flower. I love it when a stamp set can have multiple uses!

The body and antennae are 2 separate stamps which since Verve stamps are clear are very easy to place exactly where you want them. If you arent a "colorer" then there is also a solid version of the stamp.

But I am a colorer. hahaha. I used copics here

R000, R00, R02, R05 and R08 to be exact!

I wanted to do something a little different with my organza trim than just tie a bow. So i started playing around with it and while i could get the organza to curl a bit just by using the ol' run scissors thru it trick, of course it would STAY where i wanted it. So i trimmed itsy bitsy pieces of scor tape (i'm sure a mini glue dot would have worked, but i knew where my scor tape was!) and put it just on the end of each curl and then placed it exactly where i wanted it on my card. Now looking at it perhaps i should have covered the knot. Oh well, it is what it is. hahahahaha!

All of my edges of cardstock from the white to the darker purple/maroon shade have been sponged with Tattered Rose distress ink. It's more noticeable in person than in the photos, but you can definitely see it on the white.

Paper Details: Patterened Paper is from the Marrakech collection from Basic Grey. Maroon cardstock is PTI (sorry, i totally cant remember the name!), Orange is Harvest by Bazzill and Red is Tulip from Close to My Heart stamped with the solid butterfly/flower image in tulip ink.

Punch along the side is from Fiskars. Circles were cut using Classic and Petite Scallop dies by Spellbinders.

Thanks for stopping by today!!

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I thought of you the otter day...

I love this Otter from the Retro Cuties collection from Paper Makeup Stamps.

I cant believe i havent had a chance to color her up yet!! I mean she was released MONTHS ago!

hahaha! I also used the sketch from last week's sketch challenge on Splitcoast Stampers...

Obviously, it's becoming pretty obvious that my most recent paper obsession is Echo Park! I love love love this paper company! And having gotten to meet them at CHA sealed the deal for me. Very nice people! I love the style of the paper, the bold rich colors without being too much! The current trends in color pairings but not so much that i cant use the papers years from now (HA, like i'll have anything left!)

I colored Olive the Otter using Copic Markers... E37, E35, E33, E30 and R30 for her cheeks.

Her apron i tried my best to match to the paper... Since i was coloring in small spaces, i let the copic colors be further apart so you can see the contrast. R32, R37; BG10, BG45, BG49' G12, G14, G40. I added some pink glitter to the top of my cupcake for just a little bit of special something!

I paired the Otter with her matching sentiment from the Cutie Critter Sayings set.

I stamped the sentiment in versamark ink and then used some Vanilla embossing powder by American Crafts over the top. It have a slight shimmer to it but it's still opaque. VERY pretty!

I should have used an embossing buddy but the added distress print texture to the paper sort of makes it all tie in. :D

You can view more takes on this sketch in the SC293 gallery on splitcoast!

Have a wonderful day!!!

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Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps

Have you seen this new stamp company?! You may know Sparkle Smith from around blog land or splitcoast stampers. I knew her from back in my Bella days (not that i dont still like bellas of course! But i mean when i was first turned onto splitcoast and was addicted to anything Bella!) Well Sparkle has recently started her own stamp company, and you know me, i'm always rooting for the new company! I still feel like my stamp company is a new unknown stamp company (and well it still is to many!). So when sparkle announced her new venture, i had to order right away.

Meet Charlotte with a Rose from Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps

Isnt she just so sweet? I love big poufy things to color... her dress was just calling my name and i knew she had to be mine! I paired her with some older Crate Paper i had left over. It's an interesting color combo and just now as i see my card i realize i didnt write in her tag. I was going to make it say HI, but apparently i forgot! hahahaha! Just pretend thats there, and i'll hope i remember to write it in before i send it off in the mail!

Here's a close up...

I used copics to color and on the "new" X-Press paper that Copic is carrying. I'm liking this paper more and more everytime i use it! Too bad i have a very small stack i got from CHA. They were out of the large packs by the time i got there. grrrrrrr. So now i have to wait for it to become available for me to buy it!

The blending on this paper is different than the neenah. It's not as bright of a white which is a slight bugger and the weight isnt as heavy BUT the ink doesnt seem to wander within the fibers of the paper which means not bleeding. But it also doesnt seem to get stuck in the fibers so you can still get a pretty gradient and in fact, when going back over with a lighter color the result was super smooth and not the "spotty" look you can sometimes get. The final test was going back to some neenah to color after coloring a few images on the Xpress and i must say, the coloring on the neenah took me much longer to get the smooth quality i like! So i may become and Xpress gal! I still cant get away from the bright white of the neenah though and it will remain my go to cardstock for white without coloring for sure!

Copics Used:

BV0000, BV000, BV00, BV01, BV02, BV04

YR23, Y21, "Y20"

R20, R22

E00, E21

"E23", E25, E27

G82, G40

Have a wonderful sparkly day! :D

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Just Us Girls Challenge 46

Howdy Everyone! Today I'm showing off the card I made for this week's Just Us Girls (JUGS) challenge! The challenge called to make a Wild Wild West Project!

One of the JUGS DT members, Alicia, is organizing a charity rodeo in memory of her son, Ethan. All proceeds will go for neuroblastoma research. Here's the link to the rodeo website. Last year, when Ethan lost his battle with neuroblastoma, Pink Cat Studios designed a few digis to be sold as fundraisers for the Weiman family. I paired both the Cowgirl Lily and Cowboy Billy images together on my card.

After i colored this card... i realized that i should have colored Lily's hair brown since we have a birthday party to go to on saturday for Gabe's little girlfriend from church. Drat! Well, looks like i'm not totally ahead on cardmaking for the week! hahahahaha!

Copics Used: E21, "E23", E25, E27, R12, R14, R17, R29, B91, B95, B97, B99, YR23, Y21

Also when digging thru my buttons yesterday i found this kinda different button. The side you see is actually the backside of the button, but it was much more interesting than the front!

In this photo you can also see the loopie border punch. This was actually an extra practice piece from a MTME project i did awhile back, but it was a perfect fit for the front of my card and the loops reminded me of rope. :D

Dont forget to check out the JUG challenge blog to see some stellar samples from their Design Team! And if you play be sure to link up your creation. There is a prize of a super awesome Gina K set designed by Teresa Momber! Check it out HERE.

Have a wonderful day!!!!

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Makeup 4 the Weekend challenge 38

Holy cow, i got crafty! And when i say i got crafty... i mean i got CRAFTY! My parents left yesterday ( a bit bummed about that) and my hubby went on a one day fishing trip. Even though i was feeling a bit on the yicky side (ok, the way yicky side, thanks to the REAL pms), i couldnt not take advantage of the opportunity to craft with reckless abandon. So i did get 4 cards done. They took all day, but it's fun when you can just work in bits and pieces all day long. THe hardest part about a day of crafting... is waiting to post all the fun! hahaha!

Ok, today i'm showing you my card for the Makeup 4 the weekend challenge, even though it's no longer the weekend! I did make it on the weekend! hahahah. The great thing about the M4TW challenge is it does not HAVE to be done on the weekend, you have until wednesday each week to get it done. And this week there is FREE RUBBAH being given away! Check out the post to read the details!

So this week, Paper Makeup Artist Bonnie challenged us to use Lime, Turquoise and Kraft on a card with the option of white and/or black as our neutrals. This is not a go to color combo for me, but i'm thinking maybe it should be! I loved working with this palette!

First i picked my papers from the Summertime collection from Echo Park. You know i'm pretty addicted to cloud paper so there was no twisting my arm to pull this out! But i also wanted an idea of where to go next with my card since i was feeling a bit mojoless!

So I took a peek over at the challenges for the week at Splitcoast Stampers. The ways to use it challenge was to use buttons. I have NO shortage of buttons! So i dug thru the neutral jar and found a shiny black one! Perfect! Since looking thru some of my fav cards people have sent me the other day, i knew i wanted to play around with the button inside a bow trick. And the Ways to Use it challenge reminded me! PERFECT! I found some pretty aqua satin ribbon (offray) that matched my papers and went to work fashioning my bow. Yep, i dont think it's perfect, but it's definitely something i'm going to be playing with more and more! I was able to cut my ribbon in half lengthwise to "sew" on my button.

My sentiment is an oldie but goodie from Paper Makeup Stamps called Don't Tell God. I think this is one of the most true sentiments out there! Love it! I stamped it on kfrat cardstock and cut it with the Labels 4 nestabilities die by spellbinders. I used a larger die from the same set to cut my cloud paper. I couldnt find any black pearls in my stash (I KNOW!) so i had to fashion my own! I just took some white pearls, my Copic 100 marker and the airbrush and VIOLA, black pearls! :D

And that's my card for ya today! Have a good one!

The Deets:

Stamps: Don't tell God by Paper Makeup Stamps

Paper: Echo Park, summertime collection; kraft cardstock by neenah

Tools: Labels 4 Nestabilities by Spellbinders

Accessories: Kaisercraft pearls, copic airbrush, offray ribbon, button from stash, memento ink and sponge daubers

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Copic creations challenge no 33

Today is the 15th which means another fantastic challenge from the Copic Creations Challenge Blog. This week the sponsor is none other than fellow Copic Creations Design Team Member, Suzanne Dean! Suzanne has WONDERFUL copic coloring classes available online called The Color Me Creative Classroom and the work she puts into these classes is nothing short of amazing! She has all different levels of classes! The prize for this challenge is any one of her classes! So the value is between $45-50! This is definitely a challenge you'll want to participate in!

This challenge though... seems a little more daunting than some, but it's a lot easier than you think! The challenge is REFLECTIONS! And OH MY, i still have to pinch myself for being on this team of amazing talent! You should see what some of these ladies have come up with! Check out the Copic Creations blog HERE.

Here is my card for you...

Here i used one of the most recent releases from the Beautiful Day fairies collection from Paper Makeup Stamps. This is Leigh... doesnt she just want to make you go splash in some big puddles?! She also has a male counterpart named Seth.

Now... i quickly learned that you cant just stamp the image twice to get a reflection. Duh, then it wouldnt reflect, it would just be the same image upside down (trust me, i didnt realize this right away, i had to start over! hahahaha) What you CAN do if you arent wanting to sketch the image out freehand or just go off of suggestion (both perfectly acceptable with great outcomes). But another solution is to stamp the image out on something that the ink won't absorb into... like the part of a sticker sheet or label backing. Once you stamp out the image, you can then turn it over and very gently press it onto the paper you plan for your final image and it will give you the reverse! Just be careful not to have too much ink on your sticker sheet paper. I have a few spots that are darker than i intended.

To color the reflection, i knew i wanted it lighter than the main colored image so i just used the lightest 2 colors for each item relying much more on the lightest color with the 2nd to lightest for just a little depth. I then went over the entire reflection side of the image with a B91 marker in light and quick strokes. I didnt want to really push any of the color i had already laid down into the paper, just lightly tinge it with the blue hue of the B91 marker.

I also wanted to try out this technique of the spots and dots around the image. It always looks so neat on others cards and I thought what better time to try it out than on a image that would totally make sense for her to be surrounded in raindrops. So even if i was not as successful as i wanted to be, at least it would seem intentional!

The sentiment used is a simple sentiment single also available from paper makeup stamps.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!!!

The Deets:

Stamps: Leigh and Sunshine is Overrated from Paper Makeup Stamps

Copics Used: Hair ("E23", E25, E27) Skin (E00, E21), Shirt & Boots ("y20", Y21, YR23), Skirt ("R80", R81, R83, R85, Blues: B91, B93

Pattered Papers: Creative Imaginations (pink), yellow is from the scrap stash

Tools: Labels 10 from Spellbinders, Labels Trio from Spellbinders (for sentiment)

Accessories: Gems from Little Yellow Bicycle; Sponge Dauber and Memento Tuxedo Black Ink for edges

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My CHA blast of a trip!

Ok, so i promised photos and things from CHA... and then the MTME release was happening and then the PMS release was happening and whew, i'm just finally getting around to it! Some of these pictures are "borrowed" from others but they are all of my trip. :D It was SO much fun and i definitely cant wait for the next one!

Here is me with my basic expression for the entire trip... a big goofy grin on my face!

Let's start at the beginning....

Ginger and I began the long drive first to my parents and then got up at 5 am to drive to chicago from indiana. We arrived on the very last day of the vendor show (not the smartest move, we missed all the swag giveaways!) and were told to head straight to the Provocraft booth because they had the most giveaways, etc.

We stood there, got as many raffle tickets as we could and didnt win a thing. And lost lots of valuable time that we SHOULD have looked at other things. Live and learn, right?

This is when i saw Kimmie Reid! That was fun!!! I've known kimmie online for awhile, but it was fun to introduce her to ginger who is a HUGE fan.

This picture is actually from the last day, but our first picture was blurry and this one is much cuter. :D

Then i got my first moment of feeling über special.... i'm just walking... i I hear, is that Katie Cotton?! What... someone RECOGNIZED me?! Are you kidding? I spin around and it was the wonderful Jessica Diedrich! And she was with Sara Henton!

At that moment, i decided THIS was why i came to CHA. The new stuff is cool. The giveaways are fun when you can get them. The shopping is well... SHOPPING, but actually meeting the people you feel you've known for years.... priceless!

Also at the vendor show i got to meet this wonderful lady!

Realize my ASTONISHMENT when she knew WHO I WAS?! This is Debbie Olson. And when i said my name, she said and you're from Greenville South Carolina! My jaw dropped to the FLOOR! Turns out that she is from south carolina originally so she has always associated it with my blog.

I also got to meet Marianne Walker of Copic Stardom!

I have followed Marianne's blog since my first site of copics almost 3 years ago. LOVE her work!

Then after the vendor show closed, we got to meet up with our roomies! These pictures were actually taken on day 2 when i was suffering from the worst headache i've ever had! They couldnt have wanted to take pictures when i was a little perkier? hahaha!

I finally got to meet up with one of my design team members, Maria. I love this girl! She is just as sweet if not more so than i expected her to be!

In this picture is Ginger, our new friend Jen and myself... I loved meeting this girl and finding a new friend!

Here's another shot of meeting lots of new peeps and meeting some i've "known" for years! What fun this night was!!!

This is mostly the unity and ippity gang... plus a few extras (um, like myself, but many of them i felt like i've known for years) the group grew and grew! My standout from this shot is my new friend Pinky! Um, can you pick her out of the crowd? HAHAH! This girl rocks and oooooozies creativity!

Ok... onto day 2... the first day of the Super Show!

More meeting up with friends... Here's a picture of Marti and I

So marti and i totally did NOT recognize each other! BWAHAHA. We were chatting away about Viva Decor pens and then i said my name and she said OMG, katie, it's Marti! And we both had head smacking moments! I missed Suzanne Dean by THIIIIS much she said and i was totally bummed i never got to meet up with her since we are on the Copic Creations design team today and i just love her. :(

Here i met up with Cammie King, another blog i've followed for quite some time. She knew who i was too. Again... feeling quite special!

These gals I've known since i hopelessly followed them around when i discovered Unity.

It's Maren, Jimmi and I.

I totally wish this pictures didnt turn out blurry.

Man i need to figure out my camera phone settings!

Let's start day 2...

Here's Ginger and I doing a hopelessly fabulous make n take. We decided to revisit about the 6th grade making shirts at camp! We also did a heinously fabulous glitter card! I may just have to post it tomorrow! I'm telling you, it's faaaaaaaaabulous!

Here is Shermaine Smith and I...

I've known shermaine since back in the day as well but i was really happy to sit, chat and get to know this wonderful gal better!

Ok... i love this woman!

This is Angela, owner of Unity Stamp Company, which i'm sure you already knew.

Once upon a time i was a hopeless Unity ADDICT. Ok, i still am, i really need to pull out some unity that i havent had as much time to use lately! Angela has always been so wonderful since I started my own stamp company and has offered the best advice. I'm so glad i got to meet her in person!

So this concludes the photos i have of my trip! I met so many other people that I dont have pictures of. it was a wonderful trip! I'm SO glad i went!!!!!

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