Inspirational Quotes

Don't you just love inspirational quotes. They seem to say in words a profound feeling. I personally love this quote, as it speaks of a choice I make to "sing" even when it is difficult.
This sentiment is from the "Beacon of Hope" set in the Scene it collection at Cornish Heritage Farms. One of many beautiful sentiments in that set.
The tree swallows are NEW! They are the stamp of the month for April at the farm and you all know how I love birds!
I colored them with my copics, feathering the Y31 and the R05 together. Softening the edges using the tip to tip technique.
I found a cool vintage button in my grandmother's button jar that finished things off nicely.
The ribbon frame you may ask?
I layed it down strip by strip adhering it with "Fabri-tac" (this stuff is so sticky and really holds to fabric/ribbon). I clipped the corners as I went to give that mitered look.
Finally the paper.....oh yummmm....Graphic 45 that I picked up from my friends at Eclectic Paperie....love this stuff!
Supplies:
Rubber Stamps by Cornish Heritage Farms:
Tree Swallows (SOTM), Beacon of Hope Sentiment (Scene it)
Ink:
Tuxedo Black Memento Dye Ink (Tsukineko)
Paper:
Simply Smooth White, Black (Prism)
Times Nouveau Patterned Paper (Graphic 45)
Accessories:
Copic Markers
Ribbon (Prima)
Vintage Button
Sewing Machine

Enjoy your day!

Monday, monday.

Oh the joy of routine! It is monday, the kids are done spring break, I am home from Toronto and all is right with my world again.

I had a great time in Toronto. Everyone I met and worked with was SUPER friendly. Marianne was a wonderful encouragement to me and we had a lot of fun together too! I was so nervous on my first teaching assignment but my class was awesome! They were patient as I worked through some jitters and we had a fantastic time together. There are some photos floating around as I got to meet some fantastic stampers. Check out Julia, Lesley, Kerry J, Tara, Kimmie (just to name a few). Thank you Toronto!

Since my kids are back to school today I thought it would be fun to show you a card combining a couple of Kims' fabulous sets!
I thought Kims' "Ocean Friends" could use some grad caps as they swim to their school house from "Making the Grade". I colored the fish with copics and used my copics to swipe over my sentiment and color in spots. This is a great way to add a little more interest in the sentiments and also to tie in your colors.
Here are all the details:
Rubber Stamps by Cornish Heritage Farms:
Making the Grade, Congrats Grad, Ocean Friends (Kim Hughes Collection)
Ink:
Black Memento Ink (Tsukineko)
Orange Pigment Ink (Ranger)
Paper:
Patterned Paper (Around the Block)
White, Black (Prism)
Accessories:
Copic Markers
White Satin Ribbon

Enjoy your Monday....I've got a ton to catch up on!

While I am away....

I wanted to inspire you with something I am missing right now. My coffee!
Here is a little gift ensemble that is easy to create but oh so fun in the packaging!
This is done with a mixture of papercraft products and fabrics.
The coffee bag holder is my fav! It is made from felt (yeah you don't have to finish edges!) and fun fabric from Michael Miller (Andalucia line). I stamped my Kim Hughes images on my fabric and colored them with my copics before stitching them to my bag.

The little handle for you to carry the bag is cut with a spellbinder die and LOOK I didn't waste the "cut out part", I pinned it to the front.
Here is how I tied in the fabric with my card. I just used my pinking shears along the edge and stitched it down. I then colored the same images on natural cardstock and colored them with copics, stitching down to secure. Cute, simple and easy!
K....it doesn't get easier than this! I used scraps from cutting the edges of my fabric and used them at my tag top as well as on the front. I used the smallest heart die cut for the little corner accent to tie in that theme as well.

I'm looking forward to flying back home tomorrow. The certification classes went really well out here!
The class I taught was SO gracious as it took me a few moments in the morning to work out my nerves. Once I started coloring though....I was fine.

Have a great day!

Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #60

I have a confession....I deviated A LOT from the sketch. This sometimes happens to me... I started with the sketch but was so inspired by the beautiful paper I was using that it just kinda took me down its' own path. The scallops from the sketch inspired the ribbon and the oval was straight from the sketch as well. I really wanted my image to INTERACT with the beautiful paper so I cut a couple slits along the long branch as well as cutting slits around the mushroom head to fit it in. I love how they are intermingling with each other.
I used my stampamajig to make sure I had good placement of the sentiment, most of the time I just "eyeball it".

Here is a close shot of the mushrooms. If you click on the image you get an even larger photo.
I wanted to show you a close shot because I used a couple of different coloring tools on this paper.

Kraft paper does not color like white paper with copics so what I did was lay base colors down with my markers first. I used E40, E43 for the mushrooms and G24 for the grass.

Next I grabbed my prismacolor pencils (insert shocked face here) and added some red, orange and plum and blended. I then added some highlights of white with my pencil and blended that in as well.

The final touch....my new BUTTER colored Atyou Spica Glitter pen by Copic. If you zoom in on the photo you can see all that pretty yellow sparkle right under the heads of the mushrooms.... just the pretty final touch I was looking for.
Here are all the card details:
Stamps:
Tall Toadstools (Cornish Heritage Farms)
Ink:
Rich Cocoa Memento Ink (Tsukineko)
Paper:
A Sweet Life (Webster's Pages)
Kraft (Prism)
Accessories:
Copic Markers
Butter Atyou Spica Pen (Copic)
Prismacolor Pencils
Flower, Ribbon (Prima)
Button (Autumn Leaves)
Oval Die (Spellbinders)
Embroidery Floss

Let me encourage you to "play" with the sketches, let them be the inspiration but let your images and paper choices be truly what LEADS you in creation. Guess that is why sometimes mine don't always look like the sketch but the sketch was an integral part in the inspiration! Thanks Taylor!


Here is the sketch so you can play along in TAYLOR'S challenge.
Don't forget to see what the rest of the cupcake crew came up with:
Vicki Chrisman: This Art that makes me Happy
Jami Sibley: More is More
Monika Davis: M.A.D. Stamper
Ana Wohlfahrt: Ink A Stamp
Donna Baker: Stamp A Maniac
Jackie Pedro: The Scalloped Edge
Lynn Mercurio: Stamperosity
The cupcake sampler this week is Jen Tapler, you can check out her beautiful designs HERE.

Have a great weekend...I am jet setting off to Toronto to teach copic certifications. Next week blogging might be a little light, but I'm looking forward to meeting some of you in real life...it will be fun!

Shoes anyone?

A very spendid mix of some of my favorite things.....The new Graphic 45 paper from eclectic paperie (love this modern vintage stuff!), my copic markers, a fabulous stamp set.....oh yeah, and SHOES!
These things made me feel like I was in my grandmothers bedroom trying on some of her old hats and spraying on some perfume while clunking around the room in her big shoes!
Ah nostalgia, gotta love it!

Here are the close ups. I particularly liked the copic marker effect on this card. Can you spot it? I swiped in three different colors on the main image. Y21,R24, R29. I wasn't looking for a perfect gradient blend but rather a choppy, streaky look to go with the image. I also wanted to draw your eye into the image.
Added some glitz with my spica black glitter pen, yup, the shoes are dazzlin'!








One of the tricks to a good ensemble of cards is to have hints of the same paper and colors in each of the cards. For this card I didn't have any of the blue in the papers so I needed to add it somehow. I initially was going to stamp my shoe and sentiment in black but decided to use a deep denim pigment ink from Ranger. I love the look of a strong silhouette stamped over newsprint.
















Ah, yes, the boots. Love this sentiment with the high heeled classy boot. I used my copic airbrush system to color my flower and to accent the edges of my sentiment. I used the label 1 die from spellbinders as I thought it had a nice curvaceous feel that added to the "look". I also used pearls on all three cards, for this one just some nice accent at the bottom of the boot.

Well, lots to look at today. I think we are going to get some sunshine today! Woohoo!
Have a good one!

Certification Notes

Hi everyone! I am spending this week getting all ready for my trip to Toronto and teaching next week....

Copic is now accepting applications for the June 6th Winnipeg event. If you need an application form just e-mail me:
sherrie@cardcreme.com


I am thinking of doing certifications in Alberta this summer (2nd week in July) where I would swing through Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton. If you are interested in this event just drop me an e-mail and I'll be sure to keep in touch.

It is SNOWING here.....where or where is spring?

Butterfly Monday

Yes, it's monday...Yes, I am trying to be patient waiting for Spring....but....it's just not coming here! In my longing for spring I have created it with my card. A serious butterfly theme just took over here. I started by stamping my butterflies on white card stock and stamping one solid image. I then cut it out using a butterfly die from Spellbinders. Airbrushed the edges and stitched it to my card front. I love this sentiment too!
Here are all the deets:
Rubber Stamps by Cornish Heritage Farms:
Collage Elements I (Kim Hughes Collection), Motivational Centers (Mona Lisa Moments Collection)
Ink:
Lemonade, Watermelon Pigment Ink (Ranger)
Graphite Black Brilliance Ink (Tsukineko)
Paper:
Urban Prairie Patterned Paper (Basic Grey)
White, Black (Prism)
Accessories:
Air Brush System (Copic)
Butterfly Die (Spellbinders)
Sticker Border (Basic Grey)
Ribbon (Offray)
Stitching

A little aside....hubby and I watched "Fireproof" on dvd last night. What an AMAZING movie in SO MANY WAYS! If you need to be encouraged in your marriage and even if you have a very happy marriage it is uplifting and I walked away from it feeling very blessed. I would recommend it to anyone. I had first heard about through Julie and totally wanted to see it in theater only to find out they weren't showing it in theaters in Canada...so I had to wait for dvd. Well worth the wait.....

Hope you all have a fabulous week and thanks for stopping by!

Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #59

OK....long story with this card....do you remember the song "Sherrie Baby". You know
She he he he he he he herr rie. Sherrie baby. She he rrie? Ring a bell at all? (it's an oldie). Anyway my mom used to sing it to me and sometimes the "sherrie" would get changed to "cherry". Anyway, I just had the tune in my head and a wonderful memory of my mom singing it to me as I made the card.
The cherries are the obvious focus in this card. They are one of the many new fruits and veggies to hit the Farm from the Shady Tree Studio Line. The cherries are from the "Fruit Basket" set.
I colored them with my copics to give it the vibrant "pop" I wanted for the focal image.
The fun funky paper is from SEI and notice the little circle theme going on?



Here is a close shot so that you can see that I am keeping with the sketch. The jewels from Hero Arts are making my circle panel.
Notice how I could use two very different colors on my cherries and still make them blend. I used the Y21 in combo with R24 and R27. The leaves are a pretty blend of YG03 and G21.










Here is the sketch so you can play along in TAYLOR'S challenge.
Don't forget to see what the rest of the cupcake crew came up with:
Vicki Chrisman: This Art that makes me Happy
Jami Sibley: More is More
Monika Davis: M.A.D. Stamper
Ana Wohlfahrt: Ink A Stamp
Donna Baker: Stamp A Maniac
Jackie Pedro: The Scalloped Edge
Lynn Mercurio: Stamperosity
The cupcake sampler this week is Jessie Rone, you can find her beautiful work HERE!

Wishing all of you a "cherry" of a weekend!

Copic Video Tutorial

Time for another video. Who could resist coloring this CUTE little gnome! It is from the new set "Forest Friendzy" drawn by Kim Hughes for Cornish Heritage Farms. Isn't he sweet!
I wanted you to see a photo of this close up, especially if you are watching my coloring video that goes with this gnome. If you click on the photo it will get EVEN BIGGER!














I played along in the sketch challenge today on SCS. It was a fun whimsical design...perfect for my little forest scene. I used some fun bright patterned paper from Scenic route as my color inspiration.
Here are all the card details:
Rubber Stamps by Cornish Heritage Farms:
Forest Friendzy (Kim Hughes Collection)
Ink:
Tuxedo Black Memento Dye Ink (Tsukineko)
Moulin Rouge Hybrid Ink (Palette)
Paper:
Simply Smooth White, Black (Prism)
Patterned Paper (Scenic Route)
Accessories:
Copic Markers
Button (Making Memories)
Paper Frill (Doodlebug)
Twine

Ok....here's the video! Enjoy!

Something Sweet....

is coming to the Farm! This new Kritter is coming next week! He is called "Strawberry Mouse" and is as sweet as they come. I love the contrast with the brown of his fur with the red of the berries!
This is a close shot of my card because I wanted you to see the sparkle I added to the berries after I colored them with my markers. They look like they have yummy morning dew on them!
You can see all the fun Kritters in the Tom Allen line HERE and pop back next week to see this one added to the collection.


Here is the full card. I used this lovely felt sticky backed paper by Prima....so fuzzy and soft!
Here are all the card details:
Stamps by Cornish Heritage Farms:
Strawberry Mouse (Friendly Kritters)
Ink:
Espresso Adirondack (Ranger)
Paper:
Amy Butler (K&Co.)
Simply Smooth White (Prism)
Accessories:
Copic Markers
Spica Glitter Pens (Copic)
Felt Paper (Prima)
Blossom Die Cut (Spellbinders)
Satin Ribbon (Offray)
Letter Stickers

Enjoy your day!

Paradise Found

Oh... to be somewhere warm! We woke up this morning to winter once again. So how to fight the winter blahs? Create summer cards!

One thing I really love about Kim Hughes' sets is that they are so interchangeable and usable together! I combined 3 different sets for this card.
Here are all the deets:
Rubber Stamps by Cornish Heritage Farms:
Paradise Found, Collage Elements I, Ocean Friends (Kim Hughes Collection)
Ink:
Red Pepper Adirondack Dye Ink (Ranger)
Graphite Black Brilliance Ink (Tsukineko)
Paper:
Patterned Paper (SEI)
Accessories:
Flowers (Prima)
Brad (Making Memories)
Sticker Border (SEI)

Have a good Monday!

Taylored Expressions Challenge #58!

Yeah! It's Friday! I just picked up Kim Hughes' brand new sets from the post office and couldn't wait to play! I love the mushrooms in this set...not to mention the giant gnome (I didn't use him this time).

Have you checked out Craft Critique today? They are a chattin' about Kim's new sets....hop over there for a chance to win some new rubbah!
For this card I decided to deviate from my typical "yellow green" and go the more primary color route. I stamped and colored (with copics) my little scene first and then cut it up and laid it on my Scenic Route background paper. I frayed out my ribbon a bit and swiped some color on the sentiment. I HAD to add the "cheeky clip" because I knew I had ribbon that was the perfect match!

Here is the sketch so you can play along in TAYLOR'S challenge.
Don't forget to see what the rest of the cupcake crew came up with:
Stephanie Hargis: Steph's Stampin' Stuff
Vicki Chrisman: This Art that makes me Happy
Jami Sibley: More is More
Monika Davis: M.A.D. Stamper
Donna Baker: Stamp A Maniac
Jackie Pedro: The Scalloped Edge
Lynn Mercurio: Stamperosity
The cupcake sampler this week is Broni Holcombe, you can find her beautiful gallery of creations HERE.

Did you know that Taylor has had her store for a year?! Time to celebrate! Here are some details on the festivities!

The Taylored Expressions First Birthday Bash Sweepstakes

Taylor is celebrating the First Birthday of the Taylored Expressions Store and she wants to invite you to the party! The festivities will last all weekend long with games and prizes on her blog!
There will be drawings for Party Favor Packages for three days - Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with a different package given away each day. PLUS on Monday there will be a Sweepstakes Grand Prize winner drawn from all the orders placed at the Taylored Expressions Store from Thursday through Sunday. In order to enter today's drawing all you have to do is participate in the TECC sketch by Sunday night!

Enjoy the weekend everyone!

ATC Beauty

What fun to play along with Kim Hughes' challenge today on SCS. She challenged us to create ATC cards. These little works of art are on a small 2.5"x3.5" canvas. I found that creating in this size it is ALL ABOUT THE DETAILS.
So here is a close shot of some of the "details".
My flower is doubled, this way I could roll up the top flower to give dimension. I stitched on my sentiment which was stamped with the aged sheet music scrapblock in red and the tiny sentiment with the sassy petites from Cornish Heritage Farms. I topped off the sentiment using the red tiny twinks from Taylored Expressions.

Here is a full view shot. I started with kraft paper. Stamped my sheet music in latte ink. Stamped the piano girl in black. I then laid Tim Holtzs' flourish mask and sponged in vintage photo distress ink. To give a washed color to the girls' dress I swiped some R17 on a transparency and then used my waterbrush (filled with copic blender) to pick up the color and wipe it on. I used the red spica pen for the bows in her hair.
Sponged the edges and added a black rub-on to the base....phew, lots of technique stuffed in a tiny package. I think this will make a great gift tag for my daughter. She is taking her grade 7 piano exam this year.....she is my little baroque princess.....

Have a great day!

Recycle, recycle....another stamped quilt

Do you have some old jeans and t-shirts kicking around? This quilt requires 5 pairs of old jeans and 10 old t-shirts. I made it for my hubby just before Christmas. You can see it with full instructions and sizes in the Aprils' edition of CRAFTS 'N THINGS!

I stamped all the alternating blocks of denim with the Fiery Floral Scrapblock....it has this wonderful urban grunge quality to it.

Here is another photo of it. I stamped in many different colors and tried to coordinate that with the old t-shirts I was using.
Quilts can easily cost HUNDREDS of dollars....this one didn't cost me a cent! My hubby and kids fight over it because it is large and lays nice and heavy against your body. Perfect to cozy up with!

Thanks for coming to look and I will get back to paper soon....you know I just can't stay away from fabric....it is a lot like patterned paper (very addictive!).

Enjoy your day!

Baby Blessings

I shared last week that one of my close friends had a little baby girl. I was so excited as I had the perfect scraps left of beautiful material from Michael Miller to make a quilt! These scraps are from the "Ginger Blossom" collection.
Here is a close shot of my favorite part of the quilt. The "P" I traced a large chipboard letter onto my fabric, cut it out and zig zagged it into place. I finished her name with the alphabet stamps from the Kim Hughes collection. The little sheep and chick are stamped from Kim's "Sweet Spring" set as well. I colored in a little definition with my copics and added some grass ground cover.
I hope I am encouraging you to use your stamps for SO MUCH MORE than paper.
As for the pattern of the quilt. Well, I didn't follow one. I had a specific amount of fabric left in the different patterns so I drew out on a piece of paper how far each swatch would go and made my pattern accordingly.
Here is a shot of the full baby quilt. How fun it was to make something for such a special lil' bundle!

Enjoy your monday!

Psst.....did you notice the new little feature on my blog. I have been seeing these question/answer boxes around and thought it was a great idea. So if you have anything you want to ask or just want to chit chat....there it is on my side bar....