Thank You Ellie

Happy Heart Day - one of the new stamp sets from Stampin'UP!


I was just playing around with this new set and after coloring in this image....I decided it was good enough to make into something. I didn't follow any pattern, layout, didn't CASE it from someone, didn't get any ideas from a challenge....I just messed around until I thought it looked good. I think it turned out ok...what do you think? I just LOVE this new stamp set! All the stamps in it are TOO CUTE!!

Card base is StampinUP! Very Vanilla stamped and edges sponged with Close To My Heart Hollyhock ink. Hollyhock marker to color in hearts.
All other imaged stamped with Black Stazon. Certainly Celery Cardstock with edges sponged with same color ink. Bazzill Grey textured cardstock and edges sponged with SU! Basic Grey ink. Basic Black Cardstock, Brads and Ribbon.
Prismacolor Markers to color elephant and grass. You can't really see it, but I used Copic Clear Spica Glitter Pen on the main image hearts. Then I put SU Crystal Effects on top so they have a really cool dimension! Her toenails had to have bling so I used the Clear Spica Glitter pen from Copic. I actually stamped the elephant on watercolor paper for some reason?? Don't know why....just did.
Want to know more about Spica Glitter Pens? Check out what Sharon Harnist over at PaperFections has to say about them. You will want one of every color! They are awesome!!
Thinking maybe you have GOTTA HAVE the stamps I used to make this card? Check out the entire set here. (use the search tool and look for Happy Heart Day, or go to page 65 to see it with some really cute samples.

AND....on February 1st Stampin'UP! starts Sale-A-Bration!!! For every $50 you spend, you will get to choose 1 item from the Sale-A-Bration Mini Catalog for FREE!!! Contact me if you want to order or would like more information.

I tried something new!

Watercoloring

I don't really have a favorite way of coloring and shading stamped images yet. All the techniques I've tried so far I like. That means I have LOTS of products for coloring. :) Inks, Markers, Colored Pencils, Watercolor Pencils, Watercolor Crayons, Chalks, Paints, Gel Pens, Glitter Pens, etc. etc. etc. And different versions of each of those and hundreds of colors & shades!

Not only are there tons of products for coloring....there are tons of ways to use those same products. Blender Pens, Gamsol, Water and more. And then all the different ways of applying the color! Brushes, Stumps, AquaPainters........the fun never ends!

One technique I had not tried yet was Watercoloring. I had all the stuff......so it was time to give it a go.

Here are my first 2 attempts:

Both images are stamped using Black StazOn Ink on 120 lb watercolor paper.

The top image I used StampinUP! Watercolor Wonder Crayons with paintbrushes and water. I colored on the paper with the crayons in some areas and then used a wet brush to move the color around. I also used the wet brush and wiped it directly on the crayon to get color as well.

The bottom image I used StampinUP! Classic Ink Pads and AquaPainters. I pushed in the lids of the ink pads to get ink on the inside lid then picked up the color from there with the AquaPainter.

It's amazing how 1 color can create so many shades lighter and darker. And it was EASY! I'm going to practice more. It seemed easier to use the AquaPainter with the ink. But I think with more practice using brushes and water that will be just as easy too.

Here are a few links on watercoloring:

Watercoloring with Watercolor Crayons

Watercoloring with Watercolor Pencils

Paper Pleasing Ideas

New Baby

Emalie Lynn

1/18/2008

12:49 pm

6 lbs 15 oz

19 inches

All is well with mom, dad and baby

Hit Me Baby One More Time

LOL!! I couldn't help myself on that title!

I don't really pay much attention to my "hit counter" at the bottom of the page....but I just looked down there and WOW!!! IT' OVER 11,000!!!! I just started blogging the end of May 2007! Maybe 10,000 of those hits are from ME! heee HEEE. So tell the truth girls....do you go back and read your own posts....like over and over?! LOL I do! And the wierd thing is that I make myself laugh because I like my sense of humor! :) Now that there's funny I don't care who ya are!

GIT-ER-DONE!

What Time Is It?

High School Musical PARTY TIME!
Michaela's 7th Birthday

FABULOUS

Just a few of the party highlights!

Since we have such nice weather her in Arizona, the kids were able to party in the back yard. (That's a blessing! LOL) We had Hot Dogs with all the works. Did you notice the cup cakes? I punched out white cardstock with my Scalloped Oval Punch -- put stickers on them -- attached to tooth picks -- and there ya go!! The kids did a couple beading projects, played in the Bouncer and ran around just having fun. The kids are so fun at this age! The girls can't seem to "HUG" each other enough! Don't forget you can click on the pics to see them bigger.

BTW -- No Baby Yet -- Still waiting :)

Look what I got!!!!!!!

I'M SO LOVIN' IT!!

Check out my new wall unit! This is WAY COOL!!!! It's from Making Memories. Looks like it was made just for this spot doesn't it?! And best of all....I got it at Michaels with a 40% OFF coupon! yippeeeee!!!!! I think you can see all the details of this product HERE.

I'm still working on decorating my craft room. You can see pics of the room make-over on these older posts:

Bedroom Make-Over

Moving Right Along

Can't Have too Much Storage

Speaking of Storage

Countertop Installation

Moving In

My Craft Room In Action

Many thanks goes out to Nancy Riley for her inspiration and help. I can't tell you how many times I e-mailed her and asked her questions! She has an amazing room and WOW can she create! Take a look at her Blog iSTAMP. She also Week #48 Featured Stamper on Splitcoast! Go look HERE for Featured Stamper #48 and go look HERE for Nancy's SCS Gallery - aka stampinat6213 on Splitcoaststampers.

She is almost here!

Waiting for little Emalie Lynn to come into the world.

Anyday now.....

Happy New Year

2008!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
Anyone else stay up all night? I watched 3 movies back to back and I think it was like 3am when I finally turned off the TV.

There are several things I am anxious to share with everyone....just been a little busy (or lazy?) to get on the computer and spend time posting pics. Yesterday I got all the inside Christmas decorations put away & today we got all the outside decorations down and packed up. So now I'm thinking about the new catalogs and products from StampinUP! and Gold Canyon. I need to update my links and info to reflect the new stuff on my blog and websites!! BUT.....before I do that......I NEED to share something.

RAK

I have read many posts about RAK's (Random Acts of Kindness). I think this qualifies. Michaela saw an ornament made by tigger'smom on Splitcoaststampers and wanted to leave a comment how much she liked it. See comment here.

Well, Marji (aka tigger'smom) was SO NICE and sent Michaela her very own ornament just like the one the comment was on. How awesome is that!! And a card too! All the way from Florida to Arizona! Michaela was thrilled to get a package just for her. Here are some pics of the moment :)




I'm so thankful for all the friendships I have made through SCS and Blogs. It has been an amazing year of crafting and sharing. Michaela has been right in there with me (and Mike because I drag him to the computer and force him to look at things! LOL) Because you all share what you have done - I have also been able share tons of ideas and information with my mother, daughters and friends about stamping and crafting. I'm sure I spend WAY TOO much time hanging out on blog sites, Splitcoaststampers, and many other various .com places....but the friendships and kindness received in return is worth every minute of it. Anyone remember the SU Statement of the Heart? So true in many areas of life.

to love what we do

and share what we love,

as we help others enjoy creativity

and worthwhile accomplishments

in this we make a difference!

Have a wonderful year everyone and may God continue to Bless us all each day!