Teaser Time!

It is teaser time and you know what that means! It is getting close to the monthly release time at My Favorite Things! Here are a few details you should know about this month's release:
Teasers begin August 28th and will happen every day until and including release day. You can find the list of designers for teasers each day at 11am EST on the MFT Blog.
The release party will be happening on the MFT Forums on September 1st beginning at 8pm EST (that is 5pm for us here in the pacific time zone).
Don't forget to check out our guest designer contest this month. You can find all that info in the forums HERE.
The big "Hop and Shop" day will be release day (September 1st) where you will be able to hop and see all the goodies on the designer's blogs and then do a "shop" the festivities will begin on the MFT blog.


I have a couple of teaser cards to show you today....first up is from a set called "Emma Playing Mommy" and I actually only used an accessory from this set as well as the sentiment:

I paired up this image and sentiment with the sweet vintage posy elements from Melissa Frances. I love to pair cute images with vintage papers! I stamped the carriage on the label and then again on my X-press it Blending Card paper to color with my copics. I cut it out and pieced it over top of the stamped image on my label.
I also airbrushed the corners of my patterned paper to tie in the color from my carriage.
The next card feels COMPLETELY different, it is "Fred Bear goes fishing"....

I just love Fred Bear....he is so much fun to color! I added texture to his fur using the technique you can find in this video. I paired him up with some fun Cosmo Cricket patterned paper and did a little messy stitching around the edges. There is more to this image, I cut off the fish and pond in order to have him fishing for this cute sentiment that comes with the set. Tied up with twine and a mini paperclip!

See you on release day! I have a cute fabric/stamping project to share!

Coloring Techniques for Card Making Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Coloring Techniques for Card Making Blog Hop! Today we wanted to introduce you to a brand new, must-have book that has been written to help shed some light on some of the hottest trends in coloring techniques in paper crafting today.

Coloring Techniques for Card Making features three of the most popular coloring techniques in card making today--water coloring, colored pencils and using alcohol-based ink markers. Each chapter showcases one particular technique and includes an introductions that will help you choose the products that are right for you, and will walk you through the steps to creating one of our featured projects. Easy-to-follow instructions, detailed materials lists and helpful coloring tips will make it easy for you to achieve stunning card-making results. As a bonus, enjoy a chapter that focuses on ways to highlight and accentuate your projects with products such as glitter and gel pens, shading techniques and methods for creating the look of texture with color.

Here is a card that I have in this book....What I love about this book is that all the colors used will be listed and it has a very good how-to. This card is quite a fun technique...but you gotta buy the book to read the how-to (smile).

We are pleased that you have joined us for the hop! Be sure to leave a comment at each blog along the way to be entered for your chance to win a free copy of Coloring Techniques for Card Making!

The designers who are participating in the blog hop are as follows:
Keri Lee Sereika - www.pinklemonade.typepad.com
Debbie Olson - www.debbiedesigns.typepad.com
Jeanne Streiff - www.inkypaws.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com
Trudy Sjolander - www.truesgiftsfromtheheart.blogspot.com
Asela Hopkins - www.hopartstudios.typepad.com
Broni Holcombe - www.bronih.typepad.com/splashesofwatercolor
Kathy Menzies - www.thecreataholic.blogspot.com
Christine Okken - http://christinecreations.blogspot.com
Dawn Lusk - www.dawnanewday.blogspot.com
Laurie Wilson - www.clearlydelightful.typepad.com/clearly_delightful
Sherrie Siemens - (That's Me!)
Chrissy Le - www.paperinkcolor.blogspot.com

Coloring and Copic News

Today was one of those days where I just needed to sit and color. Not for any deadline, publication work or anything in particular....only for the sheer joy of coloring and creating. Sometimes I need that just to refresh my creative juices.
So here is an image that I had in my stash that hadn't seen ink yet....I believe it is a whiff of joy stamp.
Since I was creating for no specific reason I reached into an "older" stash of patterned paper and pulled out this fabulous stuff from October Afternoon. The apples were perfect as there are apples on this little dress. I pieced the card together with a patchwork feel as I was mimicking the dress as well.
ah, the coloring....my favorite part! I used my copics to color her on the new X-press it Blending Card paper from copic....all I can say is WOW...I LOVE THIS NEW PAPER! I finished it off by airbrushing YR31 on the left side (where my sun is) and E33 on the right (where my shade is).

Speaking of coloring did you know the Calgary Certification is going to open up to the public at the end of this week? I think that is a first in that location....so all you general crafters out there will get a chance to apply. I would apply now as the applications will be received first come first serve.
You can find the application form on the sidebar of my blog!
Here are the other copic certification details:

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BEGINNER CERTIFICATION CLASSES:

Aug 29th - Albuquerque, NM taught by Jennie Black - Open to the public
Sept 3rd - Branson MO, taught by Lori Craig - Open to the public
Sept 6th - Pittsburg, PA taught by Colleen Schaan - Open to the public
Sept 11 - Oakland, CA taught by Jennie Black - Open to the public
Sept 15th - Covington (New Orleans) LA, taught by Jenn Balcer - CANCELLED
Sept 16th - Minneapolis, MN taught by Debbie Olson & Lori Craig - Open to stores & designers
Sep 25th - Salt Lake City, UT taught by Jennie Black - Open to stores & designers
Sep 26th - Calgary, AB taught by Sherrie Siemens - Open to stores & designers
Oct 2nd - Buena Park, CA taught by Jennie Black - Open to stores & designers
Oct 8th - Jacksonville, FL taught by Colleen Schaan - Open to stores & designers
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Applications have NOT gone out yet for the following locations. Applications go out 60 days from the date of the class. Please do not send us an email about locations that are not open yet:

BEGINNER CERTIFICATIONS OPENING SOON:
Oct 21st - Chicago, IL taught by Lori Craig -
Nov 8th - Richmond, VA taught by Colleen Schaan -
Nov 14th - Halifax, NS taught by Sherrie Siemens -
Nov 20th - El Paso, TX taught by Jenn Balcer -

INTERMEDIATE CERTIFICATION CLASSES:
(Updated August 18, 2010)

Oct 22nd - Chicago, IL taught by Marianne Walker, Evening project by Debbie Olson & Sherrie Siemens -
-Applications for the Chicago Intermediate class have now been sent out. Please fill those out and get them back to us right away, as the class will be filled within a few days. Remember, we will NOT accept applications unless BOTH pages are completed and returned.

You can download an application here.

Spooky Night

Hello again! Well my computer is back in the land of the living....well sort of....The data from my hard drive is gone forever. Lesson learned in the "back up" department!
While I have most things back I have yet to upload photoshop so todays photo is direct off my camera....I usually go into photoshop and brighten the whites due to the cloudy day it is here. Oh well....I am sure I will get all things back to normal soon.

I have a fun card to share with you today....with the cooler weather here I can't help to think about fall...and with fall comes Halloween!
This is the cute "Little Loveosaurus" from My Favorite Things. He was released a while ago and now if perfect for the upcoming Halloween season!
I used some doodlebug papers and embellishments for the card and I colored him with my copics. I used the BV02,04,06,08 combo.
There are a few extra spots that I have added with my multiliner pen on his feet, tail and the back of his head.

A little aside....THANK-YOU to all of you who e-mailed me with birthday wishes. I had a fabulous day Saturday. Hubby and I went to see Michael Buble in concert....he was fantastic! Definitely an entertainer and he has quite the little comedy shtick too.

Enjoy your day!

Computer woes

Just a little note.....my computer has officially gone on holidays tonight. Looks like my hard drive is GONE....I will be out of commission for a little while, thanks for your patience....(if you find my patience can you send it to me).....
no e-mail backups (tough lesson for me today)....

To catch a hummingbird

I never realized how hard it would be to photograph a shy hummingbird. I have been staking this one out for a few days and either he knew when my camera was available and stayed away or he nicely visited our feeder when I wasn't ready.....
They are beautiful little creatures and VERY FAST!
This one has a little red spot on his chin which I managed to capture. Now I have to wait for a very sunny day where I can crank up the shutter speed to try and catch a still of his wings. We'll see.....
You can click on these photos to see them larger if you wish.
Be back friday morning for Taylor's sketch challenge!

VIP blog hop and shop!

Welcome to the VIP blog hop and shop for My Favorite Things!
What is VIP? It is a ONE DAY ONLY product that gives you the opportunity to purchase the WTG set TWO WEEKS early. Here are the details about the VIP Kit:
September VIP (August 17th 10 PM EST through August 18th)
Well Read
Notebook edge dienamics
10 yards (2 yds each of 5 colors) striped twill ribbon
Basic grey basics pad (white)
Neutral baby braddies collection (black, white, cream and brown)
Additional release on VIP night:
à la modes - Time to Celebrate
à la modes - Groovy Girl

FABRIC COVERED BOOK

Here is my fun little project. You all know how I love fabric.... Some of my daughter's books are in quite bad shape. Actually we bought this hardcover book of Black Beauty at a second hand shop and it was in need of a facelift.
I covered the entire book with fabric by Michael Miller (I actually plan on doing this for her school binders this fall). I used some 7-gypsies ribbon tape for the binding.
The main detail is this new image in today's hop. It is "Well Read" and I stamped it with Versacraft ink on both plain cotton fabric and patterned fabric (so that I could fabric piece the couch). I colored the rest of the image with my copics. My white fabric has polka dots on it so that when I colored it the polka dots really showed up.
I then cut it out with a spellbinders nestability die. I ran it through my creatopia (by xyron) to add adhesive to the back side and then added it to the front.
Here is a look at the inside where I colored outside of the image to add some shading.

So who is next on the hop?....It is the wonderful BARBARA. Go and enjoy her fabulous eye candy!

The à la modes in Time to Celebrate

The My Favorite Things design team is showing off the new à la modes being released August 17th! That's today!
I am showing you "Time to Celebrate"....I just love her topsy turvy cake.
For the full list of designers participating in today's teaser you can check out Kim's blog at 11am EST.

Here I colored "time to celebrate" with my copics and then airbrushed my white paper with E41 and E44 to give it a little of the vintage kitchen flavor.
I added the frosting with some distress stickles and added some extra frosting to my chipboard spatula with the stickles as well.



Here are my full card deets:
Stamps:
à la modes (Time to Celebrate) by My Favorite Things
Paper:
White (Neenah)
Cork Sheet (MFT)
Material Girl Collection (Cosmo Cricket)
Accessories:
Markers and Airbrush System (Copic)
Blossom Die (Spellbinders)
Chipboard Flowers (Cosmo Cricket)
Chipboard Kitchen Pieces (Maya Road)
Vintage Photo Distress Stickles
Twine

What are the à la modes? If you missed the info on them last month:
* à la modes will be available only in rubber
* Each set is produced in the USA using the higest quality rubber, with the deepest etch possible.
* Each image and sentiment is backed on cling foam and scroll cut, making it ready for stamping right out of the bag!
* Packaged in a clear hang bag, we've also provided the ideal storage solution by including a thick laminated header card in each set that can be used to store the stamp set, in its entirety after purchase.
* $10.95 for the 3 x 4" set

Make sure to come by for the VIP hop tonight....I will be here at 7pm (Pacific Time) to show you a FUN project! See you then!

Sketch Friday!

No stamps today....just fun with patterned paper. I cut out these images from the large sheet of Melissa Frances patterned paper and then colored them with my copics. I sponged the edges with walnut stain ink and then placed them on my card front.
The cute little rub-on sentiment is also Melissa Frances....
Isn't this little crystal moon bobble over the top sweet! I love that it ties in with my sentiment too!

As you can see I altered the sketch a little. I was stumped with this one for a while thinking that it looked too segmented....so I turned it on it's side and ran my ribbon along the bottom.

Here is the sketch so you can play along in TAYLOR'S challenge.
Don't forget to see what the rest of the sketch crew came up with:
Jami Sibley: More is More
Monika Davis: M.A.D. Stamper
Melissa Sauls: In Stamping Mode
Lori Craig: Making a Difference
Rachel Sztonyk: Gingerbread Gallery
Alice Lihsuan-Wertz: Alice's Little Wonderland
Lisa Hjulberg: The Craft's Meow
Rosie Hughes: Love my Craft Room

The Geek

Geeks truly rule....this was made very evident to me in the last couple days as my email was down and I was at the mercy of the "geeks"! It is amazing how much I have come to depend on modern technology.
This "geek guy" was the perfect size for this label from the boyfriend collection of cosmo cricket. I only did a little bit of coloring (shading) with my copics and then let the image stand alone. Sometimes I find images are stronger if you only shade around it verses coloring the whole image in.

Anyways, you will notice that my posts are a little less frequent these days....this is due to the fact that summer is quickly coming to a close and I am enjoying the last few weeks of summer with my family. I know that fall is quickly coming with all the wonderful schedules and routines (I actually really enjoy routine)....but in the meantime posts will come when the mood strikes or releases happen.

I am currently staking out a hummingbird with my camera....seems like he only wants to come when I don't have my camera in hand...lol! Oh well, I am enjoying the stake out game as long as I have a great cuppa to tie me over.

Here are the card deets:
Stamps:
Geek Guy (My Favorite Things)
Ink:
Charcoal Versacolor (Tsukineko)
Paper:
Boyfriend Collection (Cosmo Cricket)
Gray White Wash Collection Card Stock (Core’dinations)
Accessories:
Journaling cards (Cosmo Cricket)
Copic Markers
Tiny Attacher, Tiny Stapler (Tim Holtz)
Alphabet Chipboard (Schoolhouse Collection by Cosmo Cricket)
Sanding Block

Sketch Friday!

Yes, I get excited about white card stock! If you didn't have a chance to stop by yesterday make sure you take a look at that post and videos to see what I am talking about. The new card stock called "X-press it Blending Card" that you can get from copic.....a dream! I used it in today's card!
I took a couple of the images from the coffee and tea clear set by Hero Arts and stamped them on my new card stock. I stamped the toaster first and then made a mask with the new Mask-it product from copic and then stamped the coffee pot. I created a mask for the coffee pot too so that I could airbrush the background.
In efforts to match the early bird paper from Cosmo Cricket I used the colors YG03, YG93 and then came in with C00 to cool down the tone to match my paper. The stainless portions were colored using a series of grays.
As you can see my die cut machine had a little work out where I used my circle and blossom dies from Spellbinders for the main image and the Jumbo Scallop and chain dies from My Favorite Things. I cut a variety of material too....felt and cork that I bought at MFT!

Here is the sketch so you can play along in TAYLOR'S challenge. Yes, I know I deviated once again from the sketch but that is the power of inspiration!
Don't forget to see what the rest of the sketch crew came up with:
Jami Sibley: More is More
Monika Davis: M.A.D. Stamper
Melissa Sauls: In Stamping Mode
Alice Lihsuan-Wertz: Alice's Little Wonderland
Lisa Hjulberg: The Craft's Meow
Rosie Hughes: Love my Craft Room
Lori Craig: Making a Difference

Thanks to you who come and visit my blog...and even comment...I treasure your comments and appreciate your kindness to me! Enjoy your weekend!

Fall Certifications, New Copic Product and Videos!

Go grab a cuppa....today's post is a dooozie!
First of all....the finished card. I will show you how to do all the coloring in the videos below...I have a new camera so I was able to get in closer that you could see a bit better.

Why the new videos?....Because I have NEW paper! Yes, copic released a few brand new products at CHA, one of them being my new favorite paper :)
It is called X-press it Blending Card Stock and it is from our fabulous Australian distributors. Ask for these new products from the stores where you buy your copics as they will be able to order the new paper, masking, and tape products from copic.

Back to the card....After I was done coloring her up I added some great Melissa Frances paper and rub-ons....cute!
Here is a close up of her colored....this is sweet little "Make mine a double" pure innocence image from My Favorite Things.
On to the videos....there are three.

If you would like to see the videos larger then view them directly from youtube and you will get a larger screen.
This first video is the coloring of her skin on the new X-press it blending card stock:

Video #2 Coloring of her dress and hair (one thing I did realize after everything was uploaded is that my camera focused on my tablecloth...therefore the image has a slight blur...sorry bout that, I will pay more attention to that in upcoming videos)

Video #3 New masking product with airbrushing


Here is what is on deck for this upcoming fall....did you see I am going all the way to Halifax! First time for me out in the Atlantic provinces!

UPCOMING CERTIFICATION CLASSES:
(Updated August 3, 2010)

Aug 7th - Lincoln, NE taught by Lori Craig - Open to the public
Aug 21st - Green Bay, WI taught by Debbie Olson - Open to the public
Aug 23rd - Morrow (Atlanta), GA taught by Colleen Schaan - Open to stores & designers
Aug 29th - Albuquerque, NM taught by Jennie Black - Open to stores & designers
Sept 3rd - Branson MO, taught by Lori Craig - Open to stores & designers
Sept 6th - Pittsburg, PA taught by Colleen Schaan - Open to stores & designers
Sept 11 - Oakland, CA taught by Jennie Black - Open to stores & designers
Sept 15th - Covington (New Orleans) LA, taught by Jenn Balcer - Open to stores & designers
Sept 16th - Minneapolis, MN taught by Debbie Olson & Lori Craig - Open to stores & designers
Sep 25th - Salt Lake City, UT taught by Jennie Black - Open to stores & designers
Sep 26th - Calgary, AB taught by Sherrie Siemens - Open to stores & designers
Oct 2nd - Buena Park, CA taught by Jennie Black - Open to stores & designers
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If you would like the details and application forms for these events click on THIS LINK.

Applications have NOT gone out yet for the following locations. Applications go out 60 days from the date of the class. Please do not send us an email about locations that are not open yet:

OPENING SOON:

Oct 8th - Jacksonville, FL taught by Colleen Schaan - Opens next week
Nov 8th - Richmond, VA taught by Colleen Schaan -
Nov 14th - Halifax, NS taught by Sherrie Siemens -
Nov 20th - El Paso, TX taught by Jenn Balcer -

Whew! That's it for today!

MFT Blog Hop and Shop!

Yeah.....It is release day at My Favorite Things! SOOOO many sweet things this month and I am really pleased with the little journal I get to show you today!
First off, blog hop info...
If you have come here from Lisa's you are hopping along just fine...If you are a regular visitor of my blog you might want to start at the beginning of the hop which is Kim's blog.
I get to show you a darling new Die-namic Die called "Sheltering Tree and Leaf Trio"! This is the same tree from the fabulous Stephanie Fizer set "Sheltering Tree". So now I have the stamp and a wonderful die to match! I used them both on my project below....plus the newest Fred Bear as well!
We are going to be going camping and I thought this tree was perfect for the little journal I was making.....we are going to camp in the wonderful redwood forest in Oregon, those trees are no short of spectacular!
I stamped a little scene, first by stamping my new Fred Bear and then masking him off to stamp the trees from the "sheltering tree" set. My last tree was the tree die and leaves which I cut from MFT's felt.....like buttah!
Here is a close up of my scene, colored with my copics. I also used my airbrush system to give my background trees just a hint of color.
Now that you have seen my project...the next stop is Michele's Blog! She always has something fabulous to show off....I totally admire her sense of pattern and color....yup, she rocks! Enjoy!

Teaser Day 4!

It is teaser time and you know what that means! It is getting close to the monthly release time at My Favorite Things! Here are a few details you should know about this month's release:
Teasers begin July 31st and will happen every day until and including release day. You can find the list of designers for teasers each day at 11am EST on the MFT Blog.
The release party will be happening on the MFT Forums on August 4th beginning at 8pm EST (that is 5pm for us here in the pacific time zone).
Don't forget to check out our guest designer contest this month. You can find all that info in the forums HERE.
The big "Hop and Shop" day will be release day (August 4th) where you will be able to hop and see all the goodies on the designer's blogs and then do a "shop" the festivities will begin on the MFT blog.

Here is my fun little teaser.... I used this new Jolinne image and colored her with my copics. I cut her out using the top of the ice cream cone from the spellbinders nesties....this happened to fit my little glass container perfectly.
I thought this was a cute way to give away something sweet....in my case I put some chocolate chips inside.
Here is a quick little shot of the tag "With sprinkles on top"....

Ready for some TOP-SECRET news? Today, there is a prize hidden on one of the designer's blog posts. As you make your way through the Teaser Time posts, simply leave a comment on each blog, for your chance to win one of the Brand Spankin' New stamp sets being released on August 4th. A winner will be chosen from the comments on the pre-selected blog before tomorrow's teaser list goes live, and will be posted on Kim's blog HERE. Be sure to check tomorrow to see if YOU are the winner. You can play along each day for your chance to win. We will be giving away NINE new stamp sets this week! As always, you can find the master list of participating designers HERE on Kim's blog.

See you tomorrow for the big blog hop and shop release day!

Teaser Day 3!

It is teaser time and you know what that means! It is getting close to the monthly release time at My Favorite Things! Here are a few details you should know about this month's release:
Teasers begin July 31st and will happen every day until and including release day. You can find the list of designers for teasers each day at 11am EST on the MFT Blog.
The release party will be happening on the MFT Forums on August 4th beginning at 8pm EST (that is 5pm for us here in the pacific time zone).
Don't forget to check out our guest designer contest this month. You can find all that info in the forums HERE.
The big "Hop and Shop" day will be release day (August 4th) where you will be able to hop and see all the goodies on the designer's blogs and then do a "shop" the festivities will begin on the MFT blog.


Here is my little teaser for today. This is a new Pure Innocence girl....isn't she sweet in her nightie!
Grandma makes new nighties for each of the grandkids every Christmas so this is a perfect image for me to use. I did kind of a quilt background with Melissa Frances papers to go with the homespun feel of this. I colored her with my copics and then cut her out and mounted her on a vintage label. I died my seam ribbon with YG95 shimmer spray and found a button out of my grandmother's button jar to match.

Ready for some TOP-SECRET news? Today, there is a prize hidden on one of the designer's blog posts. As you make your way through the Teaser Time posts, simply leave a comment on each blog, for your chance to win one of the Brand Spankin' New stamp sets being released on August 4th. A winner will be chosen from the comments on the pre-selected blog before tomorrow's teaser list goes live, and will be posted on Kim's blog HERE. Be sure to check tomorrow to see if YOU are the winner. You can play along each day for your chance to win. We will be giving away NINE new stamp sets this week! As always, you can find the master list of participating designers HERE on Kim's blog.

Come back tomorrow for another SWEET teaser!