Stretch Your Dies Class Day 1

Here is my card using fun foam with a word die. I used SU! Hello You Thinlits to cut the happy from white fun foam. Next, I used my heat tool to shrink it just a bit. Then I colored it using a B29 Copic marker. The stars are cut out of fun foam using an old Sizzix die.  The red stars are colored with Copic marker R 29. The background is SU! Sahara Sand.  I used the birthday from PTI Wonderful Words Additions to stamp repeatedly in SU! Sahara Sand ink. I added small strip of DCWV foiled cardstock. I think this will work well as a masculine birthday card. 

Buying Frenzy!

I have sold a few cards lately, so I had some money I could spend on craft supplies. Here are some things I bought this weekend. 

First I went to Hobby Lobby. I bought a 3-pack of Copic markers in shades of green for coloring Poinsettia leaves. I also found a white Prismacolor pencil to try on a new shading technique.  I was happy to be able to use a coupon on those Copic markers!

Here is a quick shot of my coloring. I watched a couple of You Tube videos to get some tips on shading the red.  

Then it was on to Michael's. Where I found silver Cardstock on sale. I thought I had picked up 5 sheets, but it really stuck together. So when I got to the checkout, I actually had 10!  The man behind me had to make a few remarks, but the Michael's worker was very gracious. I also picked up this glimmers red. It's not glittery, but it shines beautifully. The paper has an almost suede like quality. I don't have anything specific in mind for it, but I look forward to playing with it. I had been wanting to add to my Stickles collection, so when I found this Studio G glitter glue, I was quite excited.  Picked up red and gold for holiday fun!

I was on the hunt to find a specific type of ribbon, so I stopped by JoAnn's as well.  Here it is. It's an emerald green. Half is sheer, the other half satin, and it has a metallic line right down the middle. This ribbon is quite inexpensive, but I love the look. 

I have been on the search for some distress inks. I want to use them in a starry night background. I could never find the exact colors, but I think these will work. I was delighted to discover they were on sale!  (The colors are Tumbled Glass and Faded Jeans.)

I also picked up this Mister Huey's mask. It's called "circles mask."  I have a card in progress that needed something. This may be it!

Finally, last week when I sat down on my work chair, it suddenly dropped all the way down!  Startling!  I tried using a folding chair, but it wasn't high enough. So Mike took me to Staples and we found this beauty!  Good thing my craft room is pink!  I thought the salesman told me it was $50, but it turns out it was $15. And there was a discount on the total purchase, so it ending up being $13!  Mike says I need to go back and get another. When he moves out, it could be my guest chair. Seems like a plan. 

I purchased some more fun items on-line. I'll share when they come.  For now, I'm looking forward to finishing the card I mentioned earlier, and working on a Christmas card order!

Ta for now!  Go do something amazing!

CiCi

Challenging Myself

I have an abundance of paper crafting supplies!  In my current efforts to simplify, I am acutely aware of how much paper and how many stamps I possess. I tell myself it's time to purge, yet something keeps me from it. I suspect this is related to my desire to create additional income through my creations. 

This struggle needs to be resolved. I either need to use these supplies, or I need to let them go. So, I have given myself a challenge. This morning I stumbled upon The Deconstructed Sketch website. Here there is a treasure of card sketches. I printed off sketches 1-40. Now I am challenging myself to create a card a day based on these sketches. 

Here is my take on Sketch 1. 

I have been so anxious to use this DSP from Stampin' Up that I have refused to put it away!  So my color decisions and stamp choices were based on that paper. 

I am pleased with this card. To improve it, I would do something more with the corners of the blue rectangle. Also, my placement of the white border was a bit wonky. I do like the colors, balance, and flow. 

:):  it's your choice!

Cathy

New Beginnings

"And suddenly, you know, it's time to start something new and to trust the magic of new beginnings."

- author unknown

I am living alone again.  Emily and Thomas have moved to their own home for the first time in over a year. I am happy for them, but selfishly, I know I will miss their company. I spent the weekend crying and feeling sorry for myself. But, now it is Monday morning and time to accept life on my own. I acknowledge it as a gift. However, frankly, it can also be a bit of a chore!  

This morning I have begun the process of reclaiming my spaces. The cat food bowls are now back on their mat. I have changed the pictures in the dining room to better reflect the season. (I was able to do that because I can get in the closet again!). I feel confident that it can slowly expand and feel comfortable in the whole house.  

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

I believe I have taken that step. 

Week End Update

This morning I was playing with Pea-Nuckle. Of course, I am constantly drawn to anything that looks like it's coming out of a hole, so I tried to combine the techniques!

Combating Clutter

I have spent the past week or so fighting the clutter bug!  Actually it started last month when I invited (paid) 1-800-GOT-JUNK to my home for a major clean up.  They hauled away 3/4 of a truck load worth of junk.  Much of this mess can be attributed to my son, who moved away and left me with much of his gaming horde.  But with three room cleared, my home took on a new life. 

With such a large load cleared, I have been tackling smaller jobs.  Last week my DD helped me clear much of the stuff from my closet.  It almost echoes in there now.  We also purged the bookcase in my room.  With e-books, I no longed feel the need to hang on to most books.  I held on to the few books that cannot be downloaded.  That took up one shelf.  The bottom shelf is for my notebooks. 

Today, I will continue to climb the mountains of paper.  It is a daunting task, but I will succeed!

Challenge #4

This was a color challenge. Ripe Avacado, Simply Chartreuse, Hawaiian Shores, and Enchanted Evening were the designated colores. I actually love all of these colors, so I wasn't too worried about completing this card.

However I did run through a few different ideas before I chose this extremely simple card. Again, simple is my style, and I'm sticking with it!

Paper: PTI (White, Ripe Avacado, Hawaiian Shores, Simply Chartreuse, Enchanted Evening)

Stamps: PTI (Wonderful Words Additions)

Ink: SU! (Old Olive)

Tools: PTI (Wonderful Word die, medium scallop edge die); Sharpie pen