Did you hear my big news???

Imagine me jumping up and down when I heard this (scroll down to about 7 lines from the bottom)

Yippee!

This is Why I Blog

I originally resisted blogging because it was just one more thing for me to do. I love SplitCoastStampers and spend most of my computer time there. However, I do lots of projects that are NOT stamping and wanted a place to show my work to friends. So, here is an example. I made a birthday card for a friend who stamps so I didn't want to stamp it (she could do that herself!). I painted this lovely palm/ocean scene on watercolor paper with acrylic paints. I then assembled that card like a stamper would.


Main Image: Hand Painted by Moi!
Stamps: Crab & Company
Paper: Bazill
Ink: Chocolate Chip & Brilliant Blue
Accessories: Horizontal slot punch, May Art's ribbon

Thank You's - Was busy last night

I made this thank you for the body shop that repaired my car. What? You wouldn't do that? Well, it is my brother-in-law's shop and he spoils us rotten so I think he deserves it. Please note that my car was hit while I was at Archiver's buying my Score-Pal! Ha!

YES! Glitter for guys too.....when its chrome! I colored the "chrome" of the truck gray and then hit the high spots with some glitter pen to make it shine. The very faint edges of the flames were hard to see in the blue truck so I went over them with a white gel pen (DH's idea!).

I received this image from Stamping in Kansas (thanks Kris!) in the PIF Images thread.

Stamps: Classic Pickups, Making Tracks wheel, Short & Sweet
Paper: Bazzill
Ink: Going Grey
Accessories: Photo corner punch, Word window punch, Prismacolor pencils & baby oil, glitter pen, white gel pen



These two cards were made for DS's team to give to their 2 coaches at the end of the season. Now that would mean today at 9:00 am. I finished these at 2 am with 7 whole hours to spare! LESSON LEARNED: Wipe fingers off A LOT when using that white ink. I got it everywhere!

Stamps: Pink Cat Studio Billy & Billy's Background Plate 4, Stamping Bella Tyler the Jock
Paper: Bazill
Ink: Whisper White, Real Red, Virsafine black
Accessories: Circle Punch, white gel pen, copics, Spots & Dots embossing folder

Enjoy!
Michelle

Cupcake Shop

This was the perfect sketch for me! I had SOOOO much fun! Can't you see that little boy's face smooshed against the window? Think the dog is saying "come on, let's go"?

Brick Wall made with copics. You can find the instructions here.

Side walk, curtains, light all sponged using post it notes to mask.

Awning made from word window punches (not my idea but I can't remember where I saw it, sorry!). I ran then edge thru the score-pal to make a crease and sponged with gray. I bent the creased edges down just a bit so it lifts off the paper a tad.

Cupcake icing has dazzling diamonds on it and is up on popdots.



Stamps: Inkadinkado cupcakes, Gina K. Retro Boutique, MFT Gone to the Dogs, Lively Little Ones
Paper: Bazill
Ink: Going Grey, Blue Bayou, Summer Sun,
Accessories: Copics, Word window punch, heat & stick power, dazzling diamonds, fine black marker, score-pal

Enjoy,
Michelle

SC182 Gardenia

I'm baaaack! I've been quite busy this week with DD in dance recitals, work , and hosting the PIF Images thread. Glad to finally find a few minutes to make a card.

I created this card for challenge SC182. I knew I wanted to do this challenge as soon as I saw it even though I wasn't going to have time right away. I needed the practice in lining up the squares and also in mixing patterned papers.

For the "sky" and "grass", I stamped Gardenia on a scrap paper and roughly cut her out (left white all around). Then I sponged the "sky" in Soft Sky and the "grass" in Wasabi.

For the wing, I colored in with Copic B02 and then paper pieced vellum over it for a soft look. I then added glitter pen accents, of course. She IS a fairy.



Stamps: Stamping Bella Gardenia Greenthumb, Background Sampler
Paper: SU Soft Sky, Bazzill
Ink: Soft Sky, White, Wasabi
Accessories: Copic markers, Raindrops, Square punch

HSPJ2 Riley Wish Upon a Star

I did this card for the Hanna Stamps Challenge HSPJ2 which was to create a card using stars. I tried to do this card in only one hour and would have added several more things if given the time. The one hour time limit was a great exercise. I'm going to do that again.

I started by stamping Tent Riley and just the fire from Campfire Riley and stamped a couple of extra sets on scratch paper. I quickly colored the "good ones" in with Copics. I rough cut (no time for details) the pieces on scratch paper and ran them thru my Xyron to make them sticky and used them as masks. Next I embossed the stars in the sky with silver embossing powder. Finally...the fun part...sponged Summer Sun in a circle between the fire and tent. Then sponged a ring around the yellow with Soft Sky. Next sponged a ring around the Soft Sky circle with Blue Bayou. Finally, sponged all around the edges with Night of Navy. Don't forget to wipe off your embossed areas with a paper towel so they shine again. I could do this sponging thing all day! Then I moved on to assembly.

LESSON LEARNED: If your going to do a card in only one hour using lots of Night of Navy ink, make sure your ink spot is not dry!

Stamps: Tent Riley, Campfire Riley, Pink Cat Studio Billy Background Plate, Short & Sweet, Background Basics, Canvas Background
Paper: SU Night of Navy, Real Red, So Safron, Silver form LSS
Ink: Summer Sun, Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Night of Navy, White
Accessories: Virsamark Pad, Silver Embossing Powder, Copics, used Cricut to cut star, Double Rectangle Punch

I've been TAGGED!

Last night I was tagged by the lovely Denise (aka Peanutbee). Here's where you can find her fabulous work.

Now for the questions:

1. Ten Years Ago....
I was 6 months pregnant, working full time, and finishing up my Master's degee (last class was 4 days before DD was born!). I was also just starting to paint around this time.

2. Five Things on My To-Do List Today:
Hey, maybe publishing to the world will keep me on track! These are in no order.
A. Make some updates to my blog
B. Clean our 2 1/2 baths
C. List some items on the bay (so I can make a frivolous stamp purchase later!)
D. Make at least 3 cards (needed this week)
E. Prepare costumes, accessories, shoes, makeup, etc. for DD's dance recital this week (she's in 10 dances across 3 days!)

3. Snacks I enjoy
Chocolate chip cookie dough (yep, not cooked!), soda, any cake or pie

4. Things I would do if I were a millionaire
Donate Donate Donate, buy stamps and shoes

5. Places I have lived:
Not too exciting here, just Illinois and Missouri (a total distance of 45 miles)

Now, I'm only going to get a C+ on this because I'm only tagging 3 others:

Kim (my Bella Friend Forever)
Jen Marie (who wins everything and encouraged me to start doing challenges)
Shannah (who teaches me about life and stamping in Australia!)

Enjoy!
Michelle

Buttons and Brads Turtles

This was a tough challenge for me because I don’t own a lot of buttons or brads (all $$ go to stamps!). I just received these turtles from JPGreendawn and really wanted to use them so I found some buttons that could serve as their shells.

LESSON LEARNED: I’ve been having some problems with missing a spot when I color an image with my Virsamark pen and emboss. When I sponge or brayer over the image, I get tiny spots of the new color. This time I colored over each part of the image 2 times and then embossed. It worked great!

Enjoy!
Michelle

My First Cupcake Challenge

Can you tell I'm using my lightbox now? First let me say I received these lovely cupcakes from MLandrum and the dew drops from MHDonahue...Thanks! Each cupcake is individually cut out and up on popdots. The "icing" is highlighted with a glitter pen.

I'm really beginning to hate white around my main image so I sponged around it. I was inspired to do this by this card:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/951601

LESSON I WISH I'D LEARN: See I didn't print out the sketch so missed the rounded corner. When will I learn?

Enjoy!
Michelle

Keeping busy....

Yeah! More cards!!! I'm keeping up with that goal of mine. Here ya go:

I made this card for the card sketch challenge SC181. The end result is nothing like the idea I originally started with. My friend Janette (Blessingsx3) always does something with every layer of her cardstock and I always like the look. I challenged myself to do that here.The apricot cardstock layer was first scored with my score-pal. Then I stamped an eggplant flower in each diamond. Next I sponged eggplant around the edges. I wanted to bring out the grid a little more so I attempted to sponge on just the grid. I ended up getting some onto the flower area and thought it looked great so I just ran the sponge all over the whole piece. It really toned down that bright apricot.

LESSON I NEED TO LEARN: First pickout cardstock, then color! When will I get it!

Stamps: Penny Black Chit Chat, Polka Dots & Paisley, Seeing Spots
Paper: SU Celery, Eggplant, and Apricot
Ink: SU Eggplant and Apricot
Accessories: Scorepal, SU Apricot ribbon, copics, black Micron pen, white gel pen, sponges

Created this for challenge WSC53. I was just experimenting with creating the big wave so not sure I could actually document what I did! Hard to see in the photo but I used my glitter pen arround the edge of the white water to give it some sparkle. Here's a closeup of that dude.

Stamps: TAC Hang Loose, WS Sunnin Mouse, Trees Three, Itty Bitty
Paper: SU Yo Yo Yellow, Tempting Turquoise, Taken with Teal
Ink: SU Cool Carribean, Tempting Turquoise, Taken with Teal, Brilliant Blue
Accessories: Copics, circle punches, white gel pen, glitter pen, virsamark pad & pen, embossing power

Enjoy!

Michelle

Catching up

Shew, I've been busy so I need to catch up here. On Tuesday, I continued with my "card a day" goal. I created this Billy cards for the SCS color challenge:




Sky, Black, and Craft screamed cowboy to me! Billy's hat, shirt, and pants are paper pieced. His belt buckle and spurs have a glitter pen applied to make them shine!

Stamps: Pink Cat Studios Billy and Billy's Backgrounds
Paper: SU soft sky, Bazzill Kraft and Black
Ink: Versafine Black
Accessories: Tab punch, twine, glitter pen, copics

On WEDNESDAY, I did some research and made a light box out of items I already had around the house....a cardboard box approximately 12 x 12 x 12, tissue paper, white wrapping paper, and adhesive. If you google "how to make a light box" you'll get several sights with the same basic idea and detailed instructions. I cannot believe how much difference this makes! Here she is:

I started on the SCS Wednesday sketch challenge but it just wasn't coming to me.

On Thursday I FINALLY finished a card for the sketch challenge. Here she is (looking NOTHING like my original idea!):

I made this card for the card sketch challenge SC181. The end result is nothing like the idea I originally started with. My friend Janette (Blessingsx3) always does something with every layer of her cardstock and I always like the look. I challenged myself to do that here.

The apricot cardstock layer was first scored with my score-pal. Then I stamped an eggplant flower in each diamond. Next I sponged eggplant around the edges. I wanted to bring out the grid a little more so I attempted to sponge on just the grid. I ended up getting some onto the flower area and thought it looked great so I just ran the sponge all over the whole piece. It really toned down that bright apricot.

LESSON I NEED TO LEARN: First pickout cardstock, then color! When will I get it!

Stamps: Penny Black Chit Chat, Polka Dots & Paisley, Seeing Spots
Paper: SU Celery, Eggplant, and Apricot
Ink: SU Eggplant and Apricot
Accessories: Scorepal, SU Apricot ribbon, copics, black Micron pen, white gel pen, sponges,

Enjoy!

Michelle

A Card a Day, A Card a Day

I've been trying to complete one card each day and have started doing some challenges. I cannot believe how much I've learned in just ONE week. So, I have a couple more to post:

I decided to stretch and use a color combo I wouldn't normally choose. I received these wonderful beach umbrellas from JenMarie thru the PIF images thread.

I used Michelle Zindorf's instructions to brayer the sand, water, and sky. I probably sponge more than she does tho. To make the clouds, I cut a small makeup sponge into a small round shape. I sponged SU white craft ink into little cloud shapes. I then wiped the bottom of the clouds gently with my finger to blend them in a bit. I used a white pen to highlight the clouds a bit.The umbrellas are colored with Prismacolor pencils - they've been neglected lately!

LESSONS LEARNED: Don't think you can memorize the sketch. Print it out. It will save you time in the end. Guess you can imagine why I said that!

Stamps: Trio of Umbrellas, Short & Sweet
Paper: SU River Rock, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red
Ink: SU River Rock, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Cool Caribbean, White, Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, and Adirondack Sail Boat Blue
Accessories: Prismas & Baby Oil

I created this for the Our Creative Corner Challenge found here:http://ourcreativecorner6.blogspot.c...challenge.html/

My first attempt at paper piecing.The guava like rectangle that says "can ya dig it" was first stamped with Virsamark, then I used only the flower (careful not to ink the stem) to stamp off and then on to this textured paper, I did the same with Wild Wasabi ink. Gave an aged feel I really liked.

Stamps: MFT Can ya dig it
Paper: SU Chocolate Chip, Bazzill
Ink: Brilliance Black, Chocolate Chip, Wild Wasabi, Virsamark, Really Rust
Accessories: Slit punch, circle punch

This card is for my DH on Father's Day.Notice that I used virsamark all over the Brocade Blue layer but only embossed the one in the upper right corner.The DP is All the Marbles from Paper Loft

Stamps: Grillafella, Billy's Backgrounds, Background Sampler
Paper: Night of Navy, Brocade Blue, Real Red
Ink: White, Night of Navy
Accessories: Copic Markers, Brads

Enjoy!

Michelle

12th Anniversary Card

5th times a charm! Took me 5 times to get that moonlight right. These cute little mice are from JBGreendawn on the PIF Images thread. Good thing Stacy sent me 6!

Obviously I love Michelle Zindorf's work and run to the computer each morning to see what she has created next. Can I say I cased all of her cards for this?

I colored the image in with copics (even tho I didn't have the correct ink for copics so I just used a light touch so it didn't smear). Waited a minute to make sure it was dry and then colored over the entire image with a Virsamark Pen. Then embossed. Now in some of my earlier attempts, the Blue Bayou leaked into the tale and moon areas so I took an extra step and also made a mask from one of my earlier attempts. FINALLY, I got to Brayer Soft Sky across the middle of the page. Then I brayered Blue Bayou across the very top and bottom. Now I'm not the queen of brayering yet so I used a sponge with Blue Bayou to darken the sides around the mice. I also sponged some Night of Navy in the corners and under the mice to shadow.

Shew. Hope you love it as much as I do.

Stamps: Together Under the Moon, Swirls V:I
Paper: SU Blue Bayou and Certainly Celery
Ink: Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Night of Navy
Accessories: White Pen, Copic Markers

Michelle

Father's Day Card

Finally finished this guy! I spent several days moving things around until I liked it. I layered SU chocolate chip cardstock and Bazzill Leapfrog (similar to Wasabi). I ran the edges thru Tim Holtz Brushed Corduroy Ink. The main image, Golfafella, is colored with Copic markers. The golf ball is cuttlebug Tiny Bubbles I received from the PIF image thread (thanks Mindy & Monica!). I cut it out in a circle shape, turned it over so the "bumps" go inward, sponged a little going gray around the edges, and used my blender pen with going grey to add a shadow to the left side of the little circles. The faux grass is hand cut.

Stamps: Golfafella, Alphabits
Paper: SU Chocolate Chip, Bazzill Leappad, Wasabi DP, GP White
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Brushed Corduroy
Accessories: Wasabi Ribbon, CB Tiny Bubbles, Copic Markers

Enjoy!
Michelle

Mom's Day Painting

I also wanted to publish a pic of the painting I made for my Mom for Mother's Day. She has been hinting for a while that she'd like one for her office. So I decided at noon on the Saturday before Mother's Day that I'd do it (typical last minute Michelle kinda thingee). It took me about 6 hours and at the end I discovered I had made a critical error that could not be fixed. On the right side of the window frame, I didn't leave enough pieces for both parts of the frame (the one on the wall and the one spanning to the outside). The left side and the right sides of the window should have been the same. NUTS! There was no changing it at that point as it was getting late (and I still had to make 2 Mother's Day cards!). So here it is:

I haven't painted in a while and I was feeling really rusty while doing this. It's also much more "cutsey" that I'd like. I'd really like to see my painting getting more realistic. Exactly when will it be announced when Mother's Day is next year so I can get a head start? Ha!

Michelle

Rockabella for Mindy

Let's try this again....My first post didn't make it in correctly.

I was trying to show you a card I made for my sister's birthday. I even made it EARLY (trying to work on my last minute problem). Here she is:


What you can't see very well in this pic is that the 2 half circles have Rose Red skull and crossbones stamped in them and then they are highlighted with a glitter pen. Here's a close up:

Enjoy!

Michelle