It's All About The Journey

A Card For Tomorrow Nights Swap

The pressure was on. I have a swap tomorrow night with my up-line and 2 other SU demonstrators. I had to have two cards made and three each of the 2 that I decided to make.  When I feel stressed I have a very hard time being creative. But late last night I finally came up with a card that I felt and still feel is okay. Not great just okay.

All products used are from Stampin' UP! 

The stamps that I used are Heartfelt Thanks, Itty Bitty Backgrounds, the Linen background stamp and Warmest Regards.  Papers used are Whisper White, Regal Rose , Basic Black and Mellow Moss.  Stamping pads: VersaMark and Basic Black.  I used VersaMark for the background and I used Regal Rose and Mellow Moss Stampin' writer marker. I used the markers on the Heartfelt images. After I inked the stamp up really well I than spritzed the stamp with water so that I would have a water color image. Using Basic Black ink I than stamped over the image.  I also stamped the sentiment with basic black ink.  After all of the stamping was done I than added mellow moss ribbon to the first mat and assembled the card. As you can see it is a very simple looking card. Now that I have finished my card I started working on my Itty bitty chipboard book. So far I am having a blast with this. I Will post it as soon as I am finished making it. The pressure is off and now I feel lots better. :)

Quick & Easy

I made this card in about 20 minutes. It took me that long only because I like taking my time coloring. Coloring relaxes me. For me, making a card in 20 minutes or less is very rare. Even though my cards are not very fancy I tend to labor over each and everyone of them. As a result it can take me an hour or more to create one card. When I do special projects I have been known to take weeks to create what I think will look good.  That's just the way that I am. By no means perfect but a little hard on myself. Anyway, this card is simple but I like how it came out. The stamp is another dollar special from Michaels. The stamp is by Katie & Co.  After I stamped the image and colored it all in I added the sentiment "Kick up your heels and have a great day" made by Make An Impression. I added the Candy Dots made by I Kan dee. I love these little dots. They remind me of the candy I used to eat when  was a child.  All card-stock by Stampin' UP!

It's Tool Time - Late

In a previous post I said that I would have a tool time every Thursday.  Well, I am late! Although it is Saturday 1:14 AM. I thought I would post a picture of  more tools that I use to when I am stamping, scrapbooking or paper crafting.  In the first picture are 3 different  sets of  colored pencils that I use. PRISMACOLOR pencils (0n the left) are in my opinion the best coloring pencils that you can use. The colors are rich and they have large cores so that you get a smooth lay-down. Coloring with them is like coloring with butter. Well not quite like butter but softer and smoother than any other pencil I have ever used. I use them when ever I color one of my cards or other projects.  In the center of the picture are water color pencils that I have used for a couple of years.  They are made by Derwent Cumberland Pencils.  I had tried a few other brands of water coloring pencils and they were good but I prefer the Derwent pencils. The color is so much prettier and looks wonderful . After I have colored my images I use a paint brush, dip it into a little bit of water, and than blend the colors. I have been very happy with the results. On the right are my old stand by Crayola pencils.  I still use them and I can not part with them. Their web site is quite colorful and fun to visit. If you have children than check it out with them.  Having coloring pencils and water  coloring pencils are a must when making some cards and paper craft items. I would be lost without them. I love looking at all of the different colors. It makes me feel happy.