Spectrum Noir Practice

Hello Everyone!  I have been trying to live up to my resolution to use what I have in my stash (especially paper) and to try new techniques although my passion is coloring with copics and making cards. I am hoping that learning new techniques will only widen my horizon for what I already love and that I will be able to incorporate my new techniques into my cards and other projects. 

I've been playing with my coloring media..copic, spectrum noir, pro markers, distress markers, aqua markers, and etc.  Below are two examples of what my coloring with spectrum noir looks like.  I am not as comfortable with any other marker as I am with copic markers but I am trying.

The good news is I didn't buy anything extra to create these cards..in fact I used scraps that I tend to hoard (can't throw anything away).  I was very pleased that I was able to do that.  Being retired means I've had to make some adjustments on the way I manage both my time and my funds.

Okay I am going to move forward and share with you my cards.

Card 1

Card 2

Both cards uses digi images that I have on a CD and I can't begin to tell you anything about them. The papers are from different collections by My Mind's Eye and Basic Grey.  I think card 1 was made using papers from Basic Grey "Olivia" and card 2 used papers from MME "Sunshine".

The image on each card was colored with Spectrum Noir markers and in some areas I used Prismacolor Pencils to darken the shadows.

The inside of each card used scrap papers leftover from the same paper collection I used on the front of the card.

I hope to enter the following challenges:

Inspiration Destination - #128 ATG (5/25)(MM53)

Creative Moments - #118 ATG/No Twist (5/28)(MM42)

Crafty Creations - #341 ATG (5/23)(MM171)

Crafty Girls - #36 ATG (5/30)(MM167)

Crafting With Attitude - #27 ATG (MM194)

Aud Sentiments - #180 ATG/A Sentiment (MM51)

Thanks for stopping by!

Sending Hugs from Texas

Lesia

Crazy Birds

Hello everyone, its me again! Can you believe I am back before the month ends? I think it was the extra time we got from celebrating Labor Day.  

So now to share my latest endeavors.  I just found the joy of creating with "Crazy Birds" from Tim Holtz.  I think this is going to be fun and I am hoping we will see these little creations as mini birds in the near future.  How about it Tim, can we look for it in the near future. I'm not sure how long I will be in awe of these things but that is where I am at the moment.

I have additionally as a direct result of these birds been introduced to shrink plastic.  If you haven't used shrink plastic, you have got to try it.  It is amazing watching something shrink without losing its definition.  Once I perfect the technique of using it then I will try creating with it.  But until then I will continue to make cards as I always have. 

This card actually measures 6.25 x 4.25 and is a tent-fold style card.  The image was made using "Crazy Birds" along with "Crazy Things".  I colored my image with Copic markers and used foam tape to pop everything up.  My greeting (which is actually a sentiment) is by Stampendous. 

My inspiration for this card came from K. Werner Designs, a fabulous designer for Tim Holtz and Ranger.  I think I will be creating with these birds for the next week or so and I'll be sure to share with everyone.

I want to enter the following challenges:
(unless otherwise noted these challenges are Anything Goes)

Lost Coast Portal - Challenge #28
House of Cards - Sep Challenge: Add A Bird or Colors
Craft Your Passion - Challenge #328
Crafting From the Heart - Challenge #326
Unicorn Challenge #13 - Happy Birthday
Sunny Day Crafting - Challenge #13 
Lemon Shortbread - Challenge #23
Crafty Sentiments - Anything Goes
Just Keep On Creating - September Link Up

I can't wait to start my next Crazy Bird card! This is as addictive as my scenic stamps. It feels great to have options and time to play in my craftroom.  I'm finally feeling the joy and freedom of retirement.

Until next time, be creative and don't forget to leave a comment and let me know you visited.

Hugs from Texas
~Lesia
"Make time to make Stuff"

Christmas Is Near

Hope everyone is having a great weekend and had time to celebrate the official start of the Holiday Season with family and friends. Now is when the signs of Christmas come to life, you know the hustle and bustle in the stores and on the streets.

The scenery changes from colorful leaves to the colorful lights around homes and along the highways at night. And then the sound of music fills the air along with smiles and hellos seldom heard throughout the year.

For crafters, this is the time to start creating those Christmas cards and home decor items that say Christmas is around the corner, and I am no different.

Here is the beginning of my Christmas cards for this year and be sure and check out our DECEMBER CHALLENGE by clicking the tab above.  Its "Anything Goes"  with the theme of "celebrate the holidays" or "cold winter days".  I'll get you started here and then you can check out what the M&M Girls have when you enter your project.

I always seem to forget to keep track of the paper and copics I use on my cards but for this card I think the following recipe is at least 80% correct.

DP:  Authentique and Paper Studio
CS: Kraft (from Hobby Lobby)
Copic Markers Reds: R35, 37, 39 Browns: E50, 53, 55, 57 Grays: T1, 3, 5

Image: Peppermint Tea (Stitchy Bear Digital Outlet)
Offray Ribbon and a doily from Bo Bunny Collection

Inside
Dies: Whimsy Circle and Statley Doily
The Greeting was computer generated and the sentiment came with the image from Stitchy Bear.  Card finished size is 6x6.

My second card I wanted to resemble the winter so I used embellishments that would go with the coldness of winter although I did add a few flowers (which would not be found in the cold of winter) silly me in fantasy land of crafting.

Anyway let me see if I can remember what all I did with this card.  The image is from Bugaboo "Kidz-Winter" and I colored her with copics. I used a Marianne Design Snowflake die and Tim Holtz Holiday Lamp Post die on the front.  The flowers are from Wild Orchid and the leaves are Cherry Lynn Designs.


The DP is Maja Designs Vintage Frost Basics collection. Kraft is the card base and the cardstock is Recollections. Adding Frosted Lace Stickles gave the card a little shimmer that looks really cute (can't capture on camera) and the snow ...well I'm still trying to get the hang of it.




On the inside I added the trees (supposed to be snow trees) but the snow hasn't started falling yet (lol). Oh of course the tree die is from Tim Holtz.










I think the copics used were:
Blues: B90, 91, 93, 95, 97, 99
Skin: E15, 13, 11,00
Hair: E21, 23, 43, 53, 55, 57
Browns: E40, 43, 44, 45

Well that's what I've got to share for tonight but I have lots more Christmas cards to go so its on and popping in my craft room.






Your comments are always appreciated so please take time to leave a comment and don't forget to join in our challenge.  I love seeing what others create and finding new ways to use old stuff.

As always

Until next time

Printer's Tray

Hello my lovely followers and friends.  I know I haven’t posted in a bit but I have been working on a project that is a first for me.  It is my first ever Printer’s Tray and it was such fun to create.  I’m pretty sure that I will do another one but fair warning about the measurements....there aren’t any and what you see on 7Gypsies site isn’t much help unless you can figure out what measuring system they are using. 

I had to painfully go through the trial and error method with each little window to determine the size I needed for my pattern paper and I couldn't share my measurements with my Crafting BFF because even if you buy the same model tray, the little window sizes aren't quite the same. I guess its the same logic that is applied to paper trimmers, because the rule of thumb is not to change trimmers once you start cutting your paper because they are calibrated just a wee bit differently which can have an impact down the road somewhere.  

Anyway I love the way my printer's tray turned out although little hands can create chaos if you're not watching.  There is a story behind the word "note" but today is not the day for telling the story...sorry, I'm just so tired. But check out my printers tray with all my little trinkets I added here and there. My inspiration to do this tray came from "Butterflies Kisses."

Now that you've checked out my little printer's tray it's time to remind you of our upcoming February Challenge, so start early with those creations. Create anything with hearts, or the words love, be mine or anything else that represents romance and love.

The theme isn't Valentine's Day, instead it's whatever you can create to answer the following question "What or Who Makes Your Heart Smile".

Talk about a broad range of ideas...so my friends...go have fun and join us next month AND if you haven't joined in this month's challenge, you still have a couple of days to get those projects in for a chance to win 5 Precision Dies from Frantic Stamper.

Well guys this is Mema signing off

Hugs

~Lesia~

Graphic 45 Release

Hello everyone.  After fighting the war with the flu I think I am finally winning.  It was such a blessing to be able to take a full shower without the fear of passing out and to sleep through the night for 5 hours without the fits of coughing.  Life is beginning to look good again, and my heart is filled with joy and peace once again.

Sounding a bit dramatic but I truly felt like I needed to call my attorney to go over my will.  The worse flu I have ever had!!  But I am winning this fight one cough or germ at a time (smiles).

Now that I'm up and on my PC again, I have to say I am real excited about all the new releases coming out next month.  Have you seen the new releases coming from Graphic 45?  They have done it again with three new collections and of course I am anxiously waiting for them to hit the shelves, although I will limit myself to just one (maybe two) complete collection.

There is the Botanical Tea Collection, All Sports Collection and By the Seaside Collection.  The colors aren't as bold as French Country and not quite as pastel as Secret Garden or Sweet Sentiments.  These new colors are rather mute and subtle so I'm not sure how I feel about them.

I decided not to do any pre-ordering this time, and my hope is that I won't later regret that I made this decision.   After looking at the new releases and the projects the team created I decided to expend the rest of my newly found energy on a project/tutorial offered by Graphic 45.

Now I am ready to share it with you.  The card is only 5.5 x 4.75 but I like how it turned out.

I used the gorgeous "French Country" paper collection and matched it with Tim Holtz's postage stamp die to create the frame.  I then layered my paper and added a border punch on one of the layers.  The center of the card I have a pocket tag from the French Country chipboard sheet.

I fussy cut the big sunflowers and used foam tape to pop them up and then I cut the words out from one of the sheets and popped them up as well.

I followed the tutorial pretty much but as usual I started making my own little changes along the way.  The inside I created using the negative of the die cut from the front and added a few leftover scraps to finish it off.

Now I'm off to bed...still trying to make sure I get enough sleep to allow my body to finish healing.

There's still time to enter our challenge to be eligible for our first prize winner, selected on the 15th as well as our monthly prize at the end of the month.

Until our next rendezvous, be safe and allow your creativity to flow.

Hugs ~Lesia 

Just For The Men

Hey Out There!! Can you believe that Father's Day is just around the corner and I hope all your crafters have been working away creating those cards for Dad and friends that are dads. Well I certainly have and I have a couple of cards I created for my boys that I would like to share with you so here goes.

My first card was inspired by the very talented Marianne, a lady that I think is absolutely marvelous in her designs. She challenges me with her work and I love it.  Here is another photo showing where your personal message would go.

I used Kraft paper and inked it up a lot and I mean alot. The patterned paper is from a papaper pack I discovered at Tuesday Morning (who knew, right?). I love how this card turned out.
Card Statistics:
The base is 5x7 and the 1st mat was cut at 4.75 x 6.75. The second mat  was cut at 4.5 x 6.5.  The border measures 4.5 x 2 and the straps measure 2 x .75. The personal message insert measures 4 x 7 and its mat is 6.08 x 3.5.

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Tammy's Scrapin' Corner - Father's Day/Male
Try It on Tuesdays: Anything Goes
The Kraft Journal-Cards For Him 
Make It Monday - Always Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp and Show - Anything Goes
Cards For Men - Challenge 12 Father's Day

This is the most challenges I have ever entered at one time! Thanks for stopping by.

Fan Cards and Tent Cards

This is starting to be a habit...finding tutorials and trying them out. You've seen my little gift box which wasn't so bad, but for my next test I had to contact the creator of this little fan card. Granted mine is amateurish (is that a word) to say the least so if you would like to see the master creator's version visit Inky Angel's blog for one of her fabulous fan designs. This is my first attempt but I promise you I will try again and hopefully will do better. 
When I tell you that I had to bring out math books, reach out to family members I am not joking! Between radius, diameters, protractors and compasses, I wasn't sure I would get the concept...but now that I have, everyone should watch out.   
This first snapshot is the card laying on its side (It's a bit darker than it really is). The Tim Holtz clip in the upper right corner doesn't belong (that reminded me of the kid's song that says "which of the items doesn't belong", and for some reason I found my words funny...go figure. Anyway as I was saying the clip is there because I made a small mistake that couldn't be corrected so I had to use the clip to keep the card closed. That's how we learn right? Well the next snapshot is the fan standing up.
This snapshot got lighter (but a more true color) and I'm not sure why, but here you can see the little pocket on the front that holds a tag where the sentiment can go.  By the way before you put the pieces together you really must decorate...that was mistake number 2 for me. Yep this little project had lots of mistakes for me...but it sure was fun figuring out things.  Glad I used regular paper and not my paper stash that I have yet to convince myself that it will be okay to cut.  I know you ladies know what I am talking about....be honest.  .    

My final snapshot shows the fan open. Excuse the non-decorations but like I said lots of learning opportunities came with this project. Katie was kind enough to share her secrets with me just so I could get started. Be sure and visit her blog so you can see how lovely this fan can truly be. Here's the link to her  Shabby Vintage Fan Card and the link to fan #2.  She also created a tutorial along with another fan card which is stunning.  Click here for the tutorial and yet another fan card.

The next card I want to share was fairly simple if you follow the instructions correctly. By the way I recommend that everyone have at least one cutter that has measurements in centimeters and inches.  It comes in handy. The next card is another tutorial so I didn't do a lot of planning for it but it turned out okay.  Here you go.

It turned out really cute although my snapshot doesn't show it that well.  I stamped and colored Tilda and then cut her out so she could dangle in the oval cutout. In hindsight the next one I make I will add a scenary behind the oval so it will add an illusion to the card, additionally decide a different way to dangle the image should I use one.  This little card has great potential and has invoked a lot of ideas for me.  I actually excited about creating my next one.  The next snapshot is missing...forgot to take the snap.  It was one from the side so you could see how I put the pieces together to form the tent. I'm adding the tutorial to my blog in case anyone wants to try their hand at it. You would put your personal message on the back of the card and by the way it folds flat to create a 6x6 card. I wasn't going to show the back because it is so unfinished. 

Like I said on the back you would place your personal message and/or greeting.  I was trying to show that but was in to much of a hurry and the camera captured my mistake....my sentiment is crooked...not a little...it appears to be the Leaning Tower of Pisa..(so sad).  But it is what my BFF (Joyce) and I refer to as a demo card, but I broke the rule that states a demo will never be posted.  She is going to talk about me and I can hear her now "what were you thinking" or "how do you plan to fix that." She's a funny gal but she is my BFF and she'll get over it, then proceed to figure it out and show me the error of my ways.  After all in the end she'll love me anyway (at least I hope so).

And to all my followers I love you guys and hope you will continue to

"find beauty in all things, and then go create your own"