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