Kraftin' Kimmie Sneak Peek!

Here is a sneak peek at one of the new images I illustrated for Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps. She is Forget Me Not Fairy and I hope you like her! Kraftin' Kimmie's new release takes place this Sunday Jan. 10. There will be a blog hop that day as well, with prizes to be won, so be sure to come back! I will be participating in the blog hop again (they are always so fun!). 
Check out all the other sneak peeks by visiting the Kraftin Kimmie Blog, where Kim has posted the links to all participating Krafty Girls. 


I have only participated in two challenges since I started blogging well over a year ago! But I would like to give it a go this year. I think it will be rather fun for a change! Plus challenges can really spark creative flow when you don't know what direction to take your project. So, here are the challenges I had in mind when I made this card:


Cute Card Thursday -- Something New. Kraftin' Kimmie stamps is this week's sponsor and I was lucky enough to have my card featured on the CCT blog! I consider that an honour! My something new is the image of course - so new it is not even released yet! Be sure to check out the CCT blog to find out how you can have a chance to win THREE KK images of YOUR CHOICE!

ABC Challenge -- "L is for Layering" And as you can see, there are a ton of layers on this card!

Flutter By Wednesday's Challenge 91 -- Something New. Ok, so you know the fairy stamp is new but so is my Basic Grey paper that I used, recently purchased from Scrappin' Great Deals (LOVE that store!).


A Spoonful of Sugar -- Hearts. I used the gorgeous heart dp by My Mind's Eye as a base layer for this card.


Creative Card Crew -- Distressing . I distressed some of the layers by running the edge of a metal ruler on them. I love how it brings out the white core.

I colored Forget Me Not Fairy with the following Copics:

E000, 00, 02, 04, 07, 08. 09, 11, 19
R0000, 000. 00. 81.83.85. 89
YG03, 41. 63.67
FY1 - flower centers
B63.66 - flowers
BG93
G0000. 40
C2
I made the colored background by creating individual dots of various sizes with some of the lighter colors. Then went over them later with the colorless blender to really mottle. blend and fade the colors.




Tomorrow if all goes as planned, Lord willing, I will be back with a card made from my new Squigglefly release, and then on Saturday, there's the big Blog Hop with Kraftin' Kimmie, and she has lots of goodies up for grabs! Hope to see you then!
Take care and God bless you!
PS Thanks for the inspiration, Chris D.! xo

Whimsy Blog Hop and New Release! Blog Candy to be won!

Congratulations! You've come to the first stop on the Whimsy Blog Hop today, titled:

COME TAKE A RIDE WITH US

Did you ever ride the carousel as a child and daydream that you were on your very own horse, running through the woods? Or perhaps, as the carousel gently lifted you up and down, you pretended you were riding along a sunny beach and your horse was leaping over rocks and splashing in the waves. As a child I had a vivid imagination! But the carousel was and still is my favorite ride at the fair. That's why I am so pleased that Denise encouraged me to re-visit cherished memories of the carousel and illustrate this new line of stamps for Whimsy!

This blog hop starts today and CLOSES SATURDAY JAN 9 AT NOON. Whimsy Stamps is offering up a yummy prize to one lucky randomly chosen person who enters the draw! To be enter, all you need to do is go to the Whimsy home page and type in your name and blog link with Mr. Linky. Those of you without a blog can still enter! Just proceed to use Mr. Linky and type in your name, and then copy and paste the Whimsy site address where it asks for your blog link address. Make sure you check back next Saturday on the Whimsy blog to see if you won! In the event the winner is someone without a blog, they will need to contact Denise because she will have no way to contact them.

Now just LOOK at the blog candy Whimsy is offering:

- of each of the new stamp sets for a total of 2 main image stamps and 4 accessory stamps
-an assorted packet of 6 x 6 papers
-spool of ribbons
-misc. embellishments



I have illustrated two sets of stamps, each with one carousel horse and two small accessory images. On my card I have used "Untamed Love" which is appropriate for Valentine's Day but can also be used year round for any occasion. The other set is titled "Cool Ride" and also has a couple of small accessories to complement it. BOTH SETS ARE AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE NOW! And Whimsy stamps are the highest quality deeply etched red rubber, mmmmm. Not to mention FAST and FRIENDLY service!

I don't normally use this many die cuts on my cards (at least not all at once!) so I MUST give credit to another stamper who inspired me to use Spellbinders dies this way. Shet also posted a tutorial that I followed. Yvonne's blog is something you really have to check out: Her work makes my jaw drop to the floor every time I see it. Unbelievable beauty is found there, in abundance! Here is her tutorial for making the frame that I have used on Untamed Love.
I colored my image using Copic markers and made the background using lots of dots made with the brush tip. I also sponged some Distress inks around the edges too.
Here are the colors I used:
RV21
R000, 32, 37, 39
B02, 04, 21, 23, 91
BV13
E40, 42, 44, 47, 49, 51
G02, YG63

Do you want to see what everyone else on the Whimsy DT created with the new release? Your next stop on the blog hop is Ann's blog. Go have a look at her creation, and she will direct you to the next blog from there. I hope you enjoy your ride with us on the carousel today! God bless you!

Copic Creations Guest Spot, New Squigglefly Image, Video Demo!

Happy New Year everybody!
I'm starting off the New Year with the prestigious honor of Guest Designer for the Copic Creations blog! The very kind and talented Mary Giemza, owner and moderator of Copic Creations approached me a little while ago to see if I could help with this week's theme; how to render fur with Copics. I was really excited about this offer and jumped at the chance!
If you haven't seen Mary's blog, you are truly missing out, and I suggest you go check it out now! You won't be disappointed! Also, every artist on the Copic Creations team is fantastic, each and every one of them, and it would be well worth your time to visit them too.
I got so excited about joining in this week that inspiration hit... so I drew a new illustration to help me demonstrate this technique. "Herbie" the bunny hopped out of my pen ready and rarin' to go! He is a digital image and will be available to purchase at Squigglefly this Saturday, Jan 2.
Now I have had it in the back of my mind to do up another video demo for you, and I got some time over these holidays to do just that! My DD Ashley was my camera operator, and she edited the video in iMovie on my Mac. We had a blast giggling together as I colored and she video-taped! I hope you will laugh along with us as you watch our video creation on how to render fur with Copic markers!

Thanks for visiting, and may your New Year be filled with blessings and your heart full of PEACE!

Baby's First Christmas

I know, I know, Christmas is finished for this year, and I should get over it, right? ;-) I can't help it, I'm still in the spirit of it all. I made this card for my first grand-daughter who will be born in early February! I'll give it to her Mommy and Daddy next Christmas (my son Nik and DIL Alla).
I used "Baby Elephant", a digital image I did for Squigglefly. I also printed off the "Santa Hat" I drew for them too, and cut and pasted it on.
What I love about using my digis, is I can re-size them any size I want. Plus I don't ever concern myself with getting a perfect image. The printer does it perfectly every time!
I used the following Copics to color:

C1,2,4.6
R11, 81,83
BV20
RV10

I had some fun with some new Martha Stewart punches to create the lacey layers. Which, by the way, were a challenge for me, because they are all white! I really wanted to do white on white, as I always think it looks so elegant when I see other cards in that style. However, I had the hardest time! I kept reaching for pink and grey paper. I'm so glad I disciplined myself and stuck to my original plan, because I like how it turned out!
Also, if you have a Scor-Pal, I suggest getting the little Scor-bug. I got it from Scrappin' Great Deals here in Ontario, and it is what I used to do the pierced holes along the sides. It is so easy to do, way easier than lugging the big sewing machine! Though it only creates the holes, it doesn't use thread. You just run it up or down the scor lines on the Scor Pal and suddenly you have a straight row of piercing! It takes mere seconds!
I am still getting used to using the Bow Easy (also from SGD), but I'm getting there! That's how I made the triple bows in the corners.
BTW, if you are a Canadian paper crafter and you haven't heard of SGD, you are totally missing out! They have super awesome sales going on all the time and really fast and friendly service. I have been ordering online from them for over a year now, and I have never been disappointed. And, I think I have saved oodles of cash with their sale prices (don't ask me how much I have spent in order to save oodles! lol) ! I don't work for them, I am just a really happy customer and I wanted you to have the opportunity to become one too.



I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. I know I did! I was spoiled rotten, and I am amazed at the blessings God showered on me, both in material and spiritual blessings. He is just the biggest Giver of them all!
God bless you!

PS Thanks Deb for the pink ribbon!

Winner of Whimsy Advent Event's last day!

Congratulations!! Michelle you won "Jolly Puppy Kisses" from yesterday's Whimsy Advent Event!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

11
Timestamp: 2009-12-25 16:37:16 UTC

You were number 11, excluding Whimsy DT members who commented!

Here's Michelle's comment:

Michelle said...
Ohhhh....look at the dalmation!!! I love it....you are a genius, my friend! Hugs & kisses to you!! (And thanks for the mention, although sooo not necessary!!!)

Be sure to contact Denise of Whimsy Stamps and she'll get that mailed out to you.

Last Day of the Whimsy Advent Event!! Merry Christmas!!

Last chance to win a prize in the Whimsy Advent Event! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and I will choose a winner on Christmas Day! I thought it appropro to feature Santa on Christmas Eve as the prize for the day and Denise (the wonderful and generous proprietor of Whimsy) agreed. She is the one who will be giving "Jolly Puppy Kisses" to the winner, so if you turn out to be the lucky one, be sure to contact her with your mailing address! She also did a card today featuring this stamp, so go have a lookie at her fab creation here!
I had lots of inspiration for my card. I found this card by Mary Giemza and I totally cased the layout for it, right down to the striped paper, although dp, images and embellies are different. I took more inspiration from yet another card by artist, Michelle, aka MilwaukeeMommy on SCS. I loved the way Michelle did the Spellbinders snowflakes and I copied the way she embossed and inked them. I thought it looked fantastic!


I stamped Jolly Puppy Kisses on Canson 140 lb cold press water color paper using Versafine Onyx Black ink. I love how Whimsy stamps give such a crisp perfect image because of the high quality deeply etched red rubber.
This time I got out my Twinkling H20's to water color the image, and used a #4 and a #6 water color brush. If you have a couple of good brushes that come to a nice fine point, you can paint the details without worrying about going over the lines. I didn't pay much for them either, under five dollars each if I remember right.
If you want to refer to a video demonstration on how I water color, I did one in September here.
Oh, btw, I painted the black spots on the puppy to make it a Dalmation. It does not come with spots!
I hope you all have a very relaxing and happy holiday this year, and Merry Christmas to you! God bless you!

Whimsy Winner!

Here is the winner of yesterday's draw for Whimsy Advent Event!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

11
Timestamp: 2009-12-21 16:06:29 UTC

And the eleventh commenter was:

ribenaruby said...
Love this kitty image, beautiful colouring nd those candy canes look like marshmallows, so yummy!

December 20, 2009 11:42 AM

Congratulations ribenaruby! Please contact Denise Lynn of Whimsy stamps so she can send you "Very Present Helpers". I hope you have fun with it!

Whimsy Advent Event Here! Prize available! Plus: Copic Tip

Happy Sunday! I am so glad you stopped by today, because today is Day 20 of the December Advent Event over at Whimsy Stamps! Every day until the 24th, Whimsy is offering up a prize to someone who leaves a comment on the DT member's post who is hosting the contest for that day. Today, that hostess with the mostess is me (even though I'm not really a member of the DT)! So leave a comment here to be eligible for the daily prize giveaway which is the stamp I chose to use on my card today, "Very Present Helpers".
I will choose a random winner on Monday Dec 21, so check back here to see if you're the lucky one!

COPIC TIP: BLENDING FROM VERY DARK TO VERY LIGHT COLORS:

I stamped "Very Present Helpers" with Tsukeneko Tuxedo Black onto Gina K's Pure Luxury cardstock. Now, I love the markings of a Siamese cat, and it was a cinch to do with Copic markers.
I colored the cat's whitish areas using a combination of R000, E0000, YR00 and E30. Then I used some warm greys on the ears and paws: W1, 3, 5 and 7. At first the lines of demarcation between the light and dark fur was very distinct.
So, to get a really soft blend of the warm grey into the off-white fur, I gently brushed the tip of one of the light colors I was using for the whitish areas (R000) onto the tip of the grey (W3). My daughter saw this and she shrieked, "You just ruined your marker!" Ah, but no, darling daughter, I said. ! Not with Copics! You can do that and not worry, because as soon as you start to color with it, the dark color comes off the tip of the light marker! In fact it cleans off completely, leaving no stain! And that is why it is a perfect method for blending from a very light to a very dark color!
So once I had some grey on the tip of R000, I made tiny sweeping brush strokes starting in the grey area and working my way towards the line where the two colors met. I had to touch R000 to W3 several times per paw, and kept making brush strokes until I was happy with how it looked. Here is a close-up:



Perhaps the in the new year, I will have the time to do up a video showing this fun technique. I would like to try!
Here are the rest of the colors I used on this image:

gift: B66, 69 with silver stickles
bow: R81, 83 and blender pen for highlights
R21 inside the kitties ears and on the paw pads
Background: C0, 1, 2, 3 4, RV00, 10, 91, BV20, 45

I made the pink and white candy canes with Sculpey clay. I am happy as can be with modeling clay in my hands. It is fun stuff!
I thank Niki Estes for inspiring me to use ribbon on the corners like that! And I thank Deb (88 keys) from SCS for the ribbon, which she gave me a loooong time ago.
I hope to chat with you soon! Thanks for coming by, and God bless you!

Winner of my Christmas Candy!!

And the winner is....

"Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

88
Timestamp: 2009-12-14 12:59:54 UTC"

Ad number 88 was:

" Becky said...
I would love to win some high hope stamps, I do not own any yet so it would be great if I won :). Also, your card is just stunning, your coloring is fabulous.

December 12, 2009 7:23 PM"

Contact me with your mailing addy, Becky, and I'll get these stamps mailed to you! Congratulations!

Wags 'N Whiskers Blog Hop and new release!

I am really excited about my new illustrations for this release with Wags 'n Whiskers! You will be able to get a jump start on your Valentine cards with these stamps, but really I made them versatile enough to use all year round!
I am still catching up with drawing (our move to a new location really set me back, time-wise) and so unfortunately, I did not get time to make a card or to even color one of these new stamps :-(. But Nikki and Lacey put this picture together showing all eight new images! There is a great blog hop on today, and all the stamps are ready to ship immediately! They are high quality deeply etched red rubber, you won't be disappointed.
If you want a chance to win some for free, join in the blog hop starting here!
Don't forget to scroll down one post and join in my blog candy contest too! It's over tomorrow evening (Sunday). I've got lots of free rubber up for grabs!
Well, back to the ole' drawing board for me!

Want some Christmas Candy???

Hi Peeps!
Well I have been a busy beaver, setting up my new digs, and trying to keep up with illustration deadlines. On top of that, my dear Mom in law has been very ill with pneumonia. She is on the mend now, but she gave us all a real scare, and was in critical condition for about a week. Thankfully, she is recovering well from her illness now.
Needless to say I still have not had any crafting time, and I miss it so much! That is why I have pulled out an oldie but a goodie, from last year. I made this card last winter using one of the first illustrations I drew for High Hopes Stamps back in 2005.
From what I remember, I stamped the polar bear image on water color paper and used regular artist water colors to color it. Martha Stewart punches and Twinklets Diamond Dust on the snowflakes.
But the real reason for this post is to offer you some Christmas Blog Candy! I have had some extra High Hopes Stamps sitting on my desk just waiting to go to a good home!
I'm not going to make you do anything for this candy, other than to let me know you want it! Just comment on this post and your name will be entered into the draw. Just for fun and if you wish to share, tell me a favorite Christmas memory. I will choose a winner by random.org on Sunday Dec 13. Enter only once, please!

One of my favorite Christmas memories is the taste of my Mom's Christmas baking. She was phenom in the kitchen, and her lemon bread and mince meat pie were off the charts awesome!



These are the stamps I will be giving away. If you are the winner, don't forget to contact me with your mailing details! I will ship international. Good luck and have fun!

Kraftin' Kimmie Challenge #8: Touchy Feely

I've got the fun job of hosting this week's challenge, and I chose the theme, "Touchy Feely", meaning, I want you to add a lot of texture to your cards. Whatever gives your paper an added texture, like embossing, flower soft, sanding, fuzzy fibres, whatever you like to do, it's up to you!
This is a sneak peek at one of four new images illustrated by Yours Truly that will be available at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps starting tomorrow. Annie also has some new illustrations, and, Kim is introducing a new artist this month too! Check out all the Krafty Girls blogs to see the sneaks today (link on my sidebar) If you want to join in on the blog hop and have a chance at some yummy blog candy prizes, that's starts tomorrow too; that's Sunday Nov. 29. I won't be able to join in on the fun, unfortunately. We have a family emergency to deal with so I had to bow out. But be sure to start the hop at the Kraftin' Kimmie blog so you won't miss out!
For my porcupines "Bonnie and Clyde", who are awkwardly trying to kiss (tee-hee!) I added a variety of textures, like:

embossing with a Cuttlebug folder
flower soft on the grass
distressed edges
distressed paper - for the heart, I crumpled it to create wrinkles
embroidery thread
velvet ribbon
metal brads

I water colored Bonnie and Clyde using Twinkling H20's. After applying a thin wash of brown over their quills, I added some more quills using the same shade of paint, but much more thickly applied. You have to have a lot of paint on the brush and not much water. Plus you need a good water color brush that will come to a very fine point, making thin strokes like this possible. You don't need to spend a lot though; I get mine at the dollar store! They work good on grass and fur too.

I tried to apply the extra quills while the first layer of paint was still damp so that the lines would look softer. If you look at Bonnie, you can see that this worked out well, because the quill lines did fuzz up nicely. But by the time I got to Clyde, he had dried. (that rhymes). So the quill lines look more defined, without the softness. I probably should have dampened him up a bit first with a clean damp brush. Oh well, next time.




Thanks for stopping by, bless you!