Welcome to Distinctive Touches...

Thursday Throwdown - Little and Big Challenge

Thu, 7 Aug 2008 12:36:58 -0500

It’s that time again... time to throw down the gauntlet, pull on my gloves, and issue a challenge. It’s time for this week’s Thursday Throwdown!!!!
Since it has been so hot and humid around here lately, I came up with a RED HOT challenge for you this week. No, no... it isn’t a color challenge... we did THAT last week. No... this challenge is MUCH more difficult... and will probably have some of you sweating!
As you know, I’ve been in an ATC mood lately. I can’t help it. They are so much fun! The challenge of creating a visually appealing piece that is so small is addictive. But they are piling up. I mean... I send out cards... but I can’t really sent out ATC’s... what would people think?
What to do... what to do????
I know! Use up those ATC’s and make them into cards! What a great idea! What a great challenge!
Today I want to challenge you to take an ATC and use it on a card. Don’t have any ATC’s sitting around? Make one! (But be warned... they are like Lay’s Potato Chips... you can’t have just one!) For this challenge I used a sheet of red and yellow colored paper (I made it using the distress and spritz technique a while back) for my ATC background. I wanted to keep it simple, so I just stamped a row of blocks and a quick sentiment from Verve’s new set Asian Flair, and added a piece of red satin ribbon with a brad. Easy Peasy! (Remember my previous post about letting a technique take front and center instead of having lots of layers or embellishments?)
So that was the first part of the challenge... then I stepped it up. I created this card using today’s sketch for Julee’s anniversary party. (To see all 12 sketches... click HERE.) Of course, I didn’t follow the sketch 100% (I just can’t seem to follow directions that well...) but I came close. I used the ATC as the main image just slightly set off the large scalloped layer. I didn’t want to use any patterned paper that might clash with the ATC background, so I added a dotted texture to the scalloped yellow layer and I stamped the same funky squares onto the large yellow cardbase in yo-yo yellow to make a subtle pattern. That way, there is pattern AND texture to my card ... yet I am keeping it pretty simple. Part of me wanted to add even more bling and stuff... but I decided to keep it nice and clean. I really like the way it turned out... now I just have to think of who I might send this to. Hhmmmmmmmmm...
I want to thank my players from last week’s challenge. Both Monica and Janine played along with my pink and yellow challenge and the results are just too great not to share!

Monica made this adorable little card. And look at that gorgeous background she created!

And Janine set a beautiful scene with this pretty card. Don’t you just love the non-traditional Sahara colors? Beautiful.

Remember... if you play along with my weekly challenges, please post them here or email me a photo so I can share your creations with my readers.
Hugs,
Colleen
PS - don’t forget to comment HERE for a chance to win some GREAT blog candy! Contest ends at midnight tonight! I’ll be back tomorrow to announce the winner!

What Would YOU Do?? - Mini Vent and then Eye Candy!

Wed, 6 Aug 2008 10:48:39 -0500

Mini-Vent First... if you don’t want to read about my misadventures with PayPal... scroll down to the card! :)
There has been some talk about the security of PayPal accounts lately, but I had ignored it as it didn’t pertain to me. (Does anyone else do that... I sometimes feel like ignorance is bliss.) I have been using PayPal without any trouble for quite some time now. I even recently got a debit/credit card to be able to use my PayPal money when I am out and about. It was heavenly... until I noticed a charge on my credit card from a company I didn’t recognize. Annie M. Designs... that’s all the info they gave for the company... (well, that and a city and state... Moline, IL.) no phone, no email, not what I supposedly purchased. Nada. It was a pretty small charge... (26.75)... but it still made me wonder... What in the world did I buy from this company and more importantly... HOW? I have not used my credit card for any on-line purchases... only face-to-face ones... and folks... I was NOT anywhere near Moline, IL in late June. I googled the company name... and the only match was for a hand-made clothing store... who knows where they are located... it didn’t say. I emailed with a few questions, but got no response. Hmmmmmm.
Soooo, I did the smart thing. I tried to file an unauthorized transaction claim through PayPal... and guess what... they make you fill out this form... and then print it off and MAIL it in!!! (Okay... I know you are saying so what... but think about it...) My name, address, phone number, email address, AND my full credit card number are written out in plain view for anyone who might find and open that piece of mail!!! How crazy does that sound? (Is it just me??? I can’t bring myself to send that information through the mail!!!) I emailed PayPal this morning (yeah... calling and trying to get a HUMAN is out of the question.) to see if there is any way to file a claim on-line... after all... it is supposed to be secure! For Goodness Sake!!! GRRRRRRRR!!!! They sure don’t make it easy to communicate with them. I may just have to jump in on those PayPal threads and give my two cents worth!
... am I the only one who wouldn’t be comfortable sending that info through the mail? Tell me I’m crazy...
Anyway... onto more pleasant topics. Like today’s card... It is one that I really like! I was doing some blurfing yesterday and I saw these sketch challenges on the Verve Blog... I couldn’t resist playing... and came up with this pretty card.
I started with the sketch (thanks Julee!) and picked the patterned paper before beginning. (Basic Grey) I pulled the soft sky and the not quite navy colors from the patterned paper and went from there. The large, soft sky layer is embossed on the top and lightly sponged with Ranger’s weathered wood distress ink. The flowers are stamped off a few times and then layered for the illusion of depth. I just love this new scallop punch I got so I punched both the patterned paper and the navy matting. The sentiment is from Verve. (My very favorite thing about Verve stamps is the wonderful sentiments.) I switched up the ribbon a bit (the sketch had it all the way across the card - but you know how well I follow sketches - grin!) I finished it off with these adorable little green glass hearts. OMGosh... I just love this card! I’m planning on giving it to my hubby today when he gets home from work. (If you are reading this Nate... please act surprised!) He helped me (again) with some computer stuff yesterday and I just wanted to say thanks! I just hope it isn’t too girly for him...
Okay... I’m off like a prom dress! Headed into the studio to see what fun I can come up with for tomorrows throwdown. I’ll see you then!
Colleen
PS - don’t forget to comment HERE for a chance to win some GREAT blog candy! Only a short time left!

Technique Tuesday - Rock and Roll!

Tue, 5 Aug 2008 17:39:21 -0500

Sorry I’m late today... time got away from me this morning and I got busy... (I’ve decided to unmount ALL of my SU mounted stamps... and jumped right into that today - rolling my eyes!) If you have any tips for getting all of that grunged on, baked on, sticky, old foam off the back... let me know. I go down to bare rubbah and then add Alieens Tack it Over and Over.
I’ve kept you waiting long enough... let me get to today’s technique. I LOVE some of those easier techniques that I learned when I first started stamping. And the Rock and Roll technique is one of the easiest... and one that gives great results. Just tap the stamp into a light color ink... ink it up completely, and then Roll just the edges into a darker color ink to ink up the outside of the image only. Then... stamp away!
I made this super simple Thank You card as an example of the Rock and Roll technique for my Stamptastic Techniques 101 (beginner) class. Isn’t it fun? If you are interested in learning lots of great techniques (through videos, slideshows and handouts) you should check out my two Stamptastic Technique classes HERE at My Creative Classroom.
One thing I have learned about techniques... when you use them on a card, you can keep the layout and embellishments pretty simple... the technique is pizzaz in itself. If it’s been awhile, dig into those techniques YOU learned when you first started... and play with them again!
Hugs... thanks for coming. I can’t wait to show you tomorrow’s card.... WOW!!! (If I can say so myself!)
Colleen
PS - don’t forget to comment HERE for a chance to win some GREAT blog candy!

Signature ATC’s

Mon, 4 Aug 2008 12:45:11 -0500

Phew... what a HOT weekend! I keep telling y’all that I love the heat, but I’m starting to wilt! It was 102 on Friday, 105 on Saturday, our thermometer read 114 yesterday! (gasp) and it is on it’s way to 108 today!
To beat the heat, I spent most of the weekend inside. (Although we headed to the lake on Friday night and had a GREAT time.) I have been working on my Fall/Winter term classes and I finally have them all posted and ready to enroll. I am offering 9 of them for the fall term... some new and some that I’ve successfully run in the past. I will be adding bits and blurbs here on my blog about each one as the month goes on. (I am not teaching during August as I am helping to train the new instructors and working with our new manufacturer partnerships.)
One of the classes I am most excited about is The ABC’s of ATC’s... I started getting into ATC’s a while back and have really had fun playing with them... the small size is both challenging and freeing. Here is one of the ATC’s I made this weekend. I am playing around with a technique that I am going to be teaching in the class called photo drawing. Isn’t it cool?
Do you recognize the picture? It’s ME... in my blog avatar! I used all sorts of fun techniques on this ATC... collaging, glazing, distressing, photo drawing... and it actually is part of a larger project with a bunch of ATC’s... but I can’t show it to you because I have decided to submit it for publication. (Wish me luck!)
If you think you might be interested in learning more about ATC’s and making your own signature ones... check out the full description HERE. I would LOVE to see you in class.
Thanks for stopping by...
*Did you check out THIS post for a chance to win some AWESOME blog candy? Spread the word!
Colleen

Friday Featured Artist - Jessica Rone oh... and did someone say BLOG CANDY?

Fri, 1 Aug 2008 12:22:46 -0500

Another week bites the dust! It is August already and the kids are starting to think about back to school. Tough to do when the temps are over 100 every day. Today we are going to beat the heat with some friends. They invited us along on a boat ride and dinner on the lake... sounds wonderful!
Now... onto today’s card. My search through the new uploads this morning found me coming back to this card over and over again. Isn’t it just the cutest? Look at that adorable image! The things I like about this card are: EVERYTHING! I think the fun color combination (orange, green, and blue) is so great and summery. The layout is ROCKIN’ and the image is to die for cute!
The talented creator of this card is Jessica Rone from “Can You Say Addicted to Stamps?” Her style is just adorable... and she has just showcased some new images from Paper Pretties. You can check out more of her work in her gallery HERE.
If you stop and visit her blog... make sure you say HI and leave her some lovin.
Now... onto the card that I created in inspiration... It started out using the exact same layout... but as I worked along, it sort of morphed into a little different look... but that is okay... that is how inspiration works...
My card uses pinks and greens with a touch of blue instead of the orange... which is funny, since the orange is what struck me first about Jessica’s card.
But anyway... it is pretty simple to explain. I really like the look of multiple matting... so this was great fun. I used an image from Stampavie and colored it with my K0-In-Oor woodless pencils and OMS. I hemmed and hawwed about adding a sentiment to the front (either stamped onto the patterned paper or added as a small jeans tag)... but decided to keep it super simple. What do you think?
(I think I need to work on my lighting when I take photos lately... I notice that they just don’t have the same bright look anymore... hmmmmm better check my camera settings!)
Okay... now onto the fun stuff... FREE STUFF!
I am happy to say that I am nearing the 50 thousand mark for blog visits... and I want to thank you ALL so very much for stopping in each day and spending time with me. I blog because I love to write, I love to create, and I love to share... and it makes me happy to know people are enjoying my posts and coming back for more.
To thank you, I have a $10.00 gift certificate from 7 Kids College Fund up for grabs! 7 Kids is one of the few places that offers Stampavie images (along with a few other “hard to find” ones). They stock a wonderful variety of stamps (all different companies), great stamping products, and other neat supplies. Check them out... and start making your wish list... one lucky winner will get $10.00 to help fund their shopping spree...FROM ME!
How can you win? Just post IN THIS THREAD... and tell me one thing you enjoy most about August. You have until next Thursday (August 7th) at midnight to enter. I will let the random number generator pick the lucky one and I will post the winner on next Friday’s Featured Artist post.
Good Luck... Thanks for Stopping By... and Have a Great Weekend. MWAH!
Colleen

Thursday Throwdown - It’s Time To Create... using Pinks and Yellows

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 09:33:24 -0500

Sorry to leave you hanging yesterday. I know that you all sit at the computer anxiously waiting for my posts... (Bwaaa haaa haaa! J/K) I got busy and there just wasn’t time enough in the day.
If course, since today is our big challenge day here at Distinctive Touches, I couldn’t NOT show up for it.
Today’s challenge is a pretty easy one... I challenge you to use EITHER the colors in my sample card, OR the layout. It can’t get better than that right? Here’s the sample:
I couldn’t remember if I showed this card to you all or not... I didn’t have it watermarked, so I decided that I probably hadn’t put it on my blog yet. It is one of my all time favorite cards... so if I DID show it to you already... well... take a gander again I guess.
This was a card that I has published in the Technique Junkies Newsletter at the end of last year. I (HEART) this card!
I created the background by adding pink and yellow watercolor crayons to a plastic pallet, getting them wet, and then picking them up and applying them to wet cardstock with a patterned foam roller. I just love the muted and blended look. I decided to keep that soft look with the main image panel too and stamped the flowers from BoHo Blossoms from MFT. The rest of the layout is pretty simple, yet adds to the soft look of the card. The punched corners are the perfect place to add colored brads and the cardstock piece of the left side was just the right place for a ribbon. Don’t forget the jeans tag for the sentiment.
So... can you do it? Use either pinks and yellows on a card OR create a card with that layout... OR... do both! Remember to post a link to your cards so I can share them.

Last week I had a simple sketch for you to follow and I managed to snag a few takers.

Janine B (Jay bee) got creative again with these two super adorable cards!

And Libby joined us to showcase this fun and COLOR-ful card!
Thanks for playing along ladies.

I’m nearing a big number mark here on my blog... and I think it is time to celebrate! Stop back in tomorrow for another great Featured Artist and a chance to win some CANDY!!! See You Then!
Colleen

Technique Tuesday - Airbrushing and Masking

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:19:22 -0500

Another sunny and warm day here in Oklahoma. My flower bed looks so much better now that I had a chance to get out there and kick some weed butt.
Before I get into the deets of today’s card, I want to thank all of you who emailed me yesterday and today to let me know you couldn’t comment on my blog post yesterday. I found out right after I posted... (when I got the error message) and looked into it. Long story short... when the hosting site was bought/sold there were some glitches... the comments being one of them... well, they decided to fix the issue... and of course... now mine is broke...go figure! So I will continue to post in the hopes that some day soon... today even - hopefully... you will all be able to participate.
Now... for todays card... I have been playing with my airbrush system from Copic lately and I am really having fun. It brings back memories of my college art classes! Here is a card I made using the airbrush system and the masking technique. First, I cut an oval out of a scrap sheet of cardstock and placed the oval in the center of my card. I used the airbrush system and sprayed violet, blue violet, and then blue onto the card. (I was doing really well until I got a bit carried away with the dark blue on the right hand side there... ) I then removed the oval mask and placed the other part of the “template” over the airbrushed part of the card. (So I used the oval template first and then the negative part second.) I then whipped out my silhouette flower stamps and layered them in almost amethyst and lilac. I wanted one dark flower to frame the left side of the circle. I then removed all the masks and doodled in some frames and added a sentiment (from Verve). The three small pearls help set off the sentiment and add some texture.
That’s it from me today... hope you have a GREAT one!
Colleen

Thanks... It’s a Guy Thing

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:22:57 -0500

Morning all! I sure hope you’re keeping cool out there. It has been over 100 degrees here for the past few days... and it doesn’t look like it is going to let up any time soon. While most people HATE the high temps and are running around looking wilted, I am reveling in it! I LOVE the sweltering sun... bring it on. I’m planning on heading out to do some weeding in the flower bed soon (yeah, I love doing that stuff at high noon when the sun bakes my skin), so I want to get this posted fairly quickly.
Over the weekend, my hubby had some friends over for a big poker game. One of the guys pulled me aside and asked me if I would make a “really nice” thank you card for a friend of his who lives in Mexico. (I was pleasantly surprised that he asked and it must have shown on my face because he said, “Well, you make such beautiful cards...and I really want to send him something special.”) WOW!!!! talk about a nice compliment!
So... after finding out a bit more about what style he was looking for, I went to work. This is the finished product. What do you think? Honestly??? He wanted something “international” or travely... and also something not too girly or fru-fru. I think this card accomplishes that. I started by searching though my HUGE patterned paper stash and came across some “destinations” paper by Paper Studio. It was perfect! I pulled the chocolate chip and the buckaroo blue from the patterned paper for the main colors of the card. Each layer is sponged with Ranger tea stain and walnut distress ink (even the cardstock pieces). I dry embossed the large blue layer to give it more texture too. The circular “postal” image is a stamp from Autumn Leaves. I cut around it and popped it up on pop-dots. The wide grosgrain and the brown brads (they were silver but I colored them with my Copics to match!) are the only embellishments... I didn’t want it to be too girly!
I do like the card, but I’m not totally satisfied with it. It seems almost too top-heavy... I am thinking of re-making it as a regular A-2 size card with smaller panels... but the same layout. I’ll let you know how it turns out. (If you have any other suggestions on how to improve it... I’d be more than happy to hear!)
Okay... I’m off to lunch and then headed out to bust those weeds! I’ll be back tomorrow with another neat technique!
HUGS,
Colleen
*edited to add... it was brought to my attention on Monday that you were unable to comment on my posts. I’m looking into it and hope to have it fixed soon.

Friday Feature Artist - 88Keys!

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:27:22 -0500

I had a blast looking through the gallery at SCS this morning. As you know, I have decided to pop in the gallery each week and pick out a card that I LOVE... and then share it with you.
This week I had a tough time! There were so many great cards!
Today I picked this card from 88Keys. Isn’t it purrrtty? I love the colors... the blues and greens are just so calming. And I love that it is a simple layout but an elegant card.
Check out more cards by 88Keys at her blog, Feeding My Soul.
I’ve decided that I will make my “Friday Feature” even more exciting, entertaining and enjoyable... by using the card I pick to showcase as an inspiration for my very own creation.
Sooo... without further ado... here is the card I made based on the card by 88Keys.

I made it a square card (just because I am LOVIN’ the squares lately), and changed the color scheme, but the rest is pretty much the same. This was the very first time I used this stamp set... I have been totally afraid to use these silhouettes... but I was inspired!
I distressed the edges (something I haven’t done in a LONG time) and popped both of the patterned paper layers up for dimension (which is why the ribbon looks wonky on the right hand side).
I really like how the card turned out... but I wish I would have stamped a script or a background on the large layer of patterned paper like 88Keys did. I think that would have really pulled the look together. (Oh well... next time!)
Thank you 88Keys for being an inspiration for me today.
Colleen
PS - Wanna see something funny? Click HERE for my latest DT project from Say It With Letters... (don’t say I didn’t warn you) LOL.
PPS - I tried to add a “supplies” box on the last few cards I did, but they haven’t been working out right. I’m still working on it thought...maybe this will be the day!
Stamps: Flower Silhouettes - Clearly Inspired, Asian Flair - Verve Stamps
Paper: Infuse - Basic Grey, Rust/Chocolate Chip - SU
Ink: Timer Brown - Adirondack
Accessories: wide grosgrain - SU

Thursday Throwdown -Simple Sketch

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:05:37 -0500

Today I want to share a card that I almost forgot about! (I remembered after someone posted on SCS trying to find a movie popcorn stamp!) I created this card for my Hambo DT last month... I was sort of unsure what to do with the movie theater popcorn (besides eat it I mean!) but I eventually decided to stamp them and cut them out.
Once I decided to cut them out, this layout just sort of happened. I have always liked doing a simple card with a horizontal strip across it.
I stamped, colored, and cut out the five popcorns (mmmmm, yummy!) and then mounted them on a strip of banana cardstock that I had run through my embossing machine with the screen texture plate (for just a tad bit of interest). I also added some lemon yellow liquid pearls to the corn to make it a bit 3-D.
I liked the red, yellow, and white colors in the images, so I used that for the whole card. It looks almost good enough to eat! I also stamped the ‘admit one’ ticket and cut that out and popped it up with dimensionals on the bottom of the card. I figured this would be the perfect card to include with a gift certificate to the movies for a friend!
Your challenge is an easy one... while I am away... head to your craft room and GET BUSY! I want to see a card from EACH one of you... using this basic layout. Come on... it’s an easy one! Remember to add a link to your card or send me a photo and I will share it with everyone when I get back. (Still more on that later!)
Last week’s challenge (okay... it was two weeks ago now...) was a toughie! Using only neutrals for a monochromatic card! But... as always, I had some readers who stepped up and delivered!

hskelly joined us to share this bright card... while the turquoise stretches the rules a bit on the “neutral” part... I just had to share because it was sooooo cute! I love how fun this card is.

And Jay Bee was again busy... creating these two delightful cards. How adorable is that giraffe??? (I love the background you created.)

And this stunning birthday card using grey and silver... just lovely!

Thanks for playing along!

I’ll see you all on the flip side! (In a week or so)

Thanks for visiting...
Colleen

Your Attention Please!

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:58:24 -0500

I made today’s card for all of the special GETTERS in my water fitness class. I think they will get a hoot out of it. (Sorry... I couldn’t resist!) Let me explain...
Did you ever notice that the world is full of two types of people (well three actually). There are people who were born to complain... I call them the “attention seekers.” Then, there are the people who are always positive... I call them the “attention getters.” Lastly, there are the people who waffle somewhere in between... I call them the “attention givers.”
As I was teaching my water fitness class this morning, I saw a clear division between the seekers and the getters! I have two people (who shall remain nameless) who complain about EVERYTHING! I do what I can to placate them and make them as happy as possible, but man... they wear me out with their negativity!
On the other hand, I have this small group of women who are SOOOO wonderful to be around! Know why? Because they are super optimistic. No matter what comes their way... they put a positive spin on it. And guess what... they GET lots of attention because everyone likes to be around them!
Everyone else??? Well... they all give their attention to either the seekers or the getters... never making much of an impact on anyone.
Me... I wanna be an attention GETTER! So I have vowed to be as positive as possible... in every situation. I want people to flock (can I use this as a pun again for the owls?) towards me because they enjoy my personality... not because they want to wallow in misery with me or because they like the attention I give them. Getters are just more fun!
What about you? Are you a seeker, a getter, or a giver???
Thanks for stopping by!
Colleen
Supplies Used Stamps: Pink Cat Studio Paper: SU - Real Red, Lovely Lilac, Marigold Other: Copic (E31, E33, E37, BV04, BV08, R22, R27, R29, YR04, YR09), dots embossing folder, treading water punch

Technique Tuesday - Alcohol Ink Resist

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:40:18 -0500

Thanks for the warm welcome home... it is nice to be back and getting in the swing of things again.
Today I want to share a card that I made with the idea of “simplicity” in mind. I have been trying to create less elaborate cards lately due to the rush of summer activities and crazy schedules. There is also another reason I am trying “simple” cards... because they challenge me.
You all know that I am a cutsie-coloring-layering-doodling-gal. Well... I am trying to “expand” my style... trying to think more “outside-the-box” which for me... means trying something new. I figured that I would combine my technique samples and the idea of making simple cards and create Simple Technique Cards! LOL
I adapted the magic snowflake technique (found in the resources of SCS) to create this beautiful background. I have been getting full use out of my Ranger Alcohol Inks lately... and since you seemed to like the last technique sample so much, I thought I’d show you another one. By using alcohol inks instead of dye inks, the colors are able to build on one another adding layer after layer of vibrant depth! I just LOVE this one.... (purples ARE my favorite colors!)
To create the card (remember... simple) I added a few black rub-on flowers and attached some black gems to the flower centers. While I like the way it turned out, I think I may add some black stitching around the colored layer to help it POP. What do you think?
I’ll be popping back in tomorrow with more eye candy! See you then.
Colleen

Home Again... and I’m Certified!

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:46:44 -0500

Did you think that I disappeared? I’m sorry about not posting on Wednesday or Thursday before I went on vacation. I had my posts all written up but they were making changes to the site that hosts my blog, so I was unable to post. I have the upgrades downloaded, so today’s post SHOULD work! (I’m keeping my fingers crossed.)
Wanna hear all about my break? It was AWESOME! We spent some time with my in-laws (we went to an art festival and played an outdoor bean-bag toss game quite a bit). We spent some time with my family (we were able to head out to the bay although no one was sailing due to the crummy weather). And of course... I attended the Copic Certification class in Milwaukee! YIPPIE! I can’t tell you how excited I was. I learned a ton of new things (lots of fun new techniques) and I was able to meet up with some fellow SCSers! (Hello goes out to Kathy, Kecia, Linda, Sharon, Alice, and Annette!) And of course... I was FINALLY able to meet Gina K and Jessica Fick (jessjean) face-to-face! They are the sweetest ladies around! We had lunch together and it was like we were long lost friends. I’ll be sharing SOME of the new tips and techniques that I learned in class here on my blog once I get things back in order. I am also putting together some classes over at My Creative Classroom specifically for Copics... I’ll make an announcement here when it is up and ready for registration.
Since I have had NO stamping time for almost two weeks, I’ll show you one of the images that I have been playing with. It is from Eat Cake Graphics and I wanted to try out some of the new techniques I learned in class. Eventually it will make it’s way onto a card... I hope!
I hope you all had a wonderful week while I was away and that you are ready to get back to work with me!
Hugs,
Colleen

Technique Tuesday - Drop and Spread ‘Em!

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 09:51:21 -0500

No no... your not in trouble with the law... it’s my new technique! Do you like the name? I’m not always real creative when I come up with names for the techniques I make up... so you can probably guess how this technique is done.
I have been playing a lot with my Ranger alcohol inks lately and I have been trying out new things. This is one of the “techniques” that I made up. (Well, at least I haven’t seen it before or heard of it... so I consider it made up.) I call it the Drop and Spread technique. It has officially become my very favorite alcohol ink technique.
Of course... I can’t tell you all the details, because it is one of the techniques that I am teaching in my alcohol ink class at MCC, but I will give you a few hints. The title for one... (remember, I said I wasn’t all that creative...) and of course you know it uses alcohol inks. I also used a background stamp (SU-Bambo), a piece of acetate, and some black and pumpkin cardstock... oh, and a black ribbon too.
Seriously... it took me all of 10 minutes to put this card together. And I really, really like it! I hope you do too.
Have a wonderful day! I’ll see you tomorrow!
PS - I know that some of you are disappointed that I am no longer doing full step-by-step tutorials on my blog. I hope you can understand and respect that as a business decision. The purpose of my blog is to inform AND inspire, and I hope I am still able to do that for many of you. I appreciate every single one of my readers and am always open to feedback. Big - Happy - Hugs!

Just a Note!?

Mon, 7 Jul 2008 13:05:39 -0500

Hey All! I have just a real quick post today. I’m getting geared up for my trip and I have so much to do! I took a break last night from my cleaning and laundry to do a bit of “color therapy”... you know... coloring! I loved it as a little kid and now I think I like it even more. There is just something about coloring that relaxes me.
So... I grabbed my Copics and inked up my little Sugar Nellie “knight” stamp (I’ll have to search for a link for you) for the first time and started in on that. It was a bit of a challenge working with mostly grays, but I really like how the little guy turned out! I wanted to do a very simple card (because I like to focus on the main image when they are so darn cute), so I just did a few layers of red, black, and grey with the main image popped up. The only additional “embellishments” that I added were the ticket corner punch on the main image, the doodled frame, the paper pierced red strip, and a black “gem” that I added to his shield. The sentiment “Just a Note” is from Verve Visual. I tried to get a bit creative and crossed out NOTE and stamped in KNIGHT with my Karen Foster Snap stamps.
Sweet and Simple... a look that I often struggle with, but I think this turned out pretty darn good. (If I do say so myself!)
I’m off and running! I’ll be back tomorrow with a fabulous new technique for you... see you then!