One Photo layout

The first day of the Virtual crop over on Ivillage is done. Oh my goodness, I have gotten a lot done, and I have had a good time hanging out with other scrappers. After the make and take from yesterday we rolled up our sleeves and got to work!! First challenge- to create a one photo layout. This is something I rarely do, I usually use at least a couple of pictures.



I love this layout!! I love the paper (retired from The Angel Company), I love the photo, and I especially love the memory. LOL This is hubby enjoying his first Kobe Beef burger. When making our Life List (aka Bucket list) a couple of years ago having a Kobe burger was on Hubby's list. Imagine his surprise when we tried a new to us restaurant in town and Kobe was on the menu. (And no, I don't take a camera every time we go out to eat. LOL It just so happened that we had just left Build a Bear with the kids. ) The journaling is tucked under the photo. Oh, and the photo is tucked under the torn paper because I wanted to hide the black straw that was in his soda. LOL
Well, gotta run, it's going to be a busy day with Day 2 of the Virtual Crop.
Until later~

Virtual Crop make and take-

9 am EST kicked off our Virtual Crop on ivillage. We started off with a Make and Take- we all love those, right?!? We are making magnetic calendars using 4x4 coasters. I like these little calendars- they pack a big WOW in a little package- and with little work. They are also a great way to use up scrap paper, and make a cute little add on gift.
I sent each lady participating in the make and take some coasters, a calendar with red liner tape attached, and some magnetic strip. They each provide their choice of paper , embellishments and adhesive.

Once my paper is adhered I like to sand the edges- that gives the paper a nice fit to the coaster. (You could also use a utility knife to trim any extra paper.)
I then inked all my edges, embellished (don't you love the strip of scrap paper I used in my ribbon slider?) and added a strip of magnet to the back. (I used scissors to cut a strip from an old magnetic business card.)
I used an eraser on a new pencil tapped on my ink pad and the to my calendar to mark special days for the month. As I remove the previous month I will mark the next month- this keeps the pages of the calendar flat.

Edited to add- Here is where the calendars can be ordered- Stamp on This.
Until later~

This and That 1-28-10

Would you like to see what I have been working on? I have been playing a lot with my Copic markers. In the process of learning how to use these fabulous markers I have rediscovered (and developed a new love for) some of my older stamp sets!! {However, I do think my Prismacolor Pencils and OMS are feeling a teeny bit neglected lately.}

Some of these images will make their way onto my Valentines this year. In addition to working on my Valentines I am also working on several things for our Virtual Crop going on Friday and Saturday at ivillage. I have many things planned this weekend for the ladies there, I know we are gonna have a good time.
Today's blessings:
-Mom had wonderful news from 2 Doctors this week-after a year on dialysis her arteries look great, and the fluid they drained from her abdomen last week did not contain any cancer
-Looks like Hubby's mom may not have Congestive Heart Failure after all
- My sister has come to visit twice this year
-Pastor's sermons on Prayer have really challenged (and encouraged) me
-Hubby was able to help out a friend in dire need
-The kids are doing well
-Taxes are done for the year!!
-A Hubby that understands the importance of my card "ministry" and encourages and supports me both financially and emotionally!!

Until later~

Pretty Posie Copic card

I am loving Copics!! As I was sitting in the Copic Class I could not get this stamp set out of my mind. (It is the retired Pretty Posies stamp set from TAC. This one will always be a favorite of mine!!) I knew this would be the first image I would "try on my own." Yep, I was right- this is an excellent stamp for coloring with Copics!!
Oh what fun-Copics, Memento ink, Nestabilities, Versamark, Bazzill cardstock, Scrapper's floss, a button and the Corner Chomper. Have I told you lately that I LOVE making cards?? =)

Until later~

2 looks one stamp

I love rubber stamps, you can do sooo much with them. Here is just one example. I used the sprigs stamp from TAC on both cards. The top card is colored with markers. The second one I used a heart puch and cardstock. I love that I can get 2 totally different looks from one stamp. Pretty cool, huh? Now, it's your turn..... (and I want to see!! so please leave a link.)

Until later~

My first Copic Card

I took a Copic class on Sunday, and this is the card I made. We learned so much about Copics- like the gray band is on the brush tip end. The instructor covered the difference in the types of Copics as well as tips on the right inks to use (Memento was recommended) and the different types of cardstock to use (She recommended Prisma, but I have been using the TAC white and it works very well.) We learned and practiced 4 blending techniques- Marker to paper, tip to tip, feather blending and palette blending. Then the fun began- we got to create this lovely card and then we got to SHOP!! My class filled so fast that another class was added.
I will say that in real life the blending looks better, for some reason in the picture it looks a little more harsh. Maybe, it was just the way the light hits it?
I would definitely recommend Copics to anyone who likes to color her stamped images!! You will need to practice to see which technique you like best.
I can hardly wait to add to my Copic Marker collection!!
Some things I thought you might like to know:
* Copics are alcohol based ink (even going over the same area several times will not cause your paper to pill)
* they color "layers" on you paper, you can do some shading by just using the same marker (this gives you a slight shade)
*to blend you color light OVER dark (I know, sounds crazy, and will NOT ruin your lighter marker)
* markers are refillable and nibs are replaceable
* Copics are not just for paper!! The gem pin on my card started our clear. You can color buttons, acrylic, ribbon, brads.........
*The color is digitally mixed, so colors do not vary from batch to batch. (For example E55 is still the exact same color as it was 10, even 20 years ago!!)
I am off to play.....
Until later~

Christmas Snow globe

I mention in my last post about being the Community Leader for the Scrapbooking board at ivillage. I posted my first challenge over there yesterday, the theme is Holiday. We are to create a project for the Holiday of our choice. This is a picture from our Christmas morning 2008. I had seen this idea on youtube (sorry, I can not remember the original poster) and being a collector of Snow globes I had to try it. I used the Cricut Design Studio to figure out sizes on everything. (I love designing my entire layout in design studio so I can "see" how it is going to look before I start cutting.)
I used several Cricut cartridges- Pooh and Friends, Doodlecharms, Storybook, 50 States and Tags, Bags, Boxes and More. All cuts were either inked or the edges were distressed with Tombow markers. The Cardinal and Poinsettia are pop dotted for extra dimension. Stickles were applied to the centers of all the snowflakes on the globe, the eye of the Cardinal, the leaves and flower. A tiny gold brad was added to the center of the layered flower. I used the Corner Chomper on the photo and mats. The grey Tombow marker was used to add a little shadow around the entire snow globe.
I hope you enjoy!!
Until later~

The New Year

(Our 2010 Calendars- Love the Bucks one!!)

For some reason I always look forward to a New Year. I love the "cleanness" of a de-Christmased house. I love new calendars- I can hardly wait to start filling in those dates that are only important to our family. I begin to wonder what lies ahead and recall what lies behind. I know there will be some changes for us in 2010, and I am certain there wil be some surprises.
I haven't written down my goals for the year yet- I am still pondering those. I do know a few things I hope to do...

I do hope to update my blog more often- which means creating more often!! LOL
I have a Copic marker class I have signed up for on Sunday. (I am so excited!!)
I became the community leader last month on a Scrapbooking board at ivillage. Ivillage was the first message board site I joined- almost 6 years ago. I am expecting the community there to grow this year.
I have started cleaning my studio. I want to have friends to scrap with.
I want to get Hunter ready to start school in the fall. (That does not seem possible!! Because he has an Early September birthday I have got to spend another year with him at home.)
I am not sure what the year holds instore for Hailey- but I am sure it will be an adventure!! LOL
My dear Husband was ordained as a Deacon in our church yesterday. We are looking forward to serving our church, and we are wondering what the Lord has in mind for us.

I LOVE new beginings!!

Until later~

Happy New Year!!