Distinctive Touches

Thoughts From 2008...

This is the first of a two part post... I'll be doing a "year in review" of 2008 today, and I'll finish up with a "thoughts for 2009" tomorrow.

It seems like just yesterday that I was writing about the year 2007 and now, 2008 is only 24 hours from being done.  Can you believe it?  Gaaaah!  At this rate, it will be 2050 and I'll be doddering around with my walker before I know it!  LOL

Even though it goes quickly, I always like welcoming the new year... there is something calming and freeing about starting over or starting anew.  But before I can welcome 2009, I have to indulge in a moment of sentimental weepies and say farewell to 2008.  (Sniff)

2008 - The Year in Review

• January 2008 brought us unseasonably warm weather and some sleepless nights in our 'storm shelter' as tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma and Kansas.
• My Creative Classroom officially kicked off in January - and the next 12 months were a whirl-wind of successful creative chaos with new classes, new responsibilities, new friends, and new challenges.
• Michael Buble sang his heart out in OK City (and I got to be there to see it!)
• I was honored to be a member of four different (and amazing)  design teams.
• I spent a wonderful week in Phoenix, AZ with my gal pals from the Washington Book Club.  (I have to add...  I think Phoenix is the COOLEST place on earth and I want to live there!)
• Spring found me on the golf course ALMOST as much as my husband.  I took some private lessons, purchased some cute clubs, and practiced my "trophy man" swing.  (While I haven't played in months, I do plan on taking out the clubs again next spring.)
• I satisfied my Copic Craze by becoming a Certified Copic Instructor!
• I started working as a water fitness instructor at a local fitness club.  Along with swimming laps, I am teaching daily classes to an adoring (if slightly waterlogged) audience. 
• I lost 20 lbs... and am sure those last 5 will come off someday... (results of above activity).
• I was a part of something special when one very deserving family was accepted into the Habitat for Humanity program.  They are well on their way to owning their very own home.
• Our own 'leaky' home was FINALLY fixed  (knock on wood)  when we stepped in and took over the repairs!!! 
• I was accepted (and attended) Ranger U - the ultimate in education about Ranger products from Tim Holtz, Suze Weinberg, and Claudine Hellmuth.  (I can't say enough about this experience... really, I can't!)
• Nate traveled (a lot) to Mexico and (a little) to North Carolina for work.
• My husband and I took a swimming workshop that ROCKED OUR WORLD!
• We made some new 'gaming' friends (finally) here in Muskogee - who would have thought? 
• We lost our beloved Urie, but have been blessed with the good health and happiness of Duke, Akira, and Takeo.
• And... The year ends like it begins... Christmas week was unseasonably warm (78 degrees) and severe weather threatened.  Ahhhhh, Oklahoma!

Come back tomorrow for my New Years Resolutions and that cool new project I mentioned on Monday.
Hugs,
colleen

*The photo on the side is an ATC project that I did earlier in the year.  I attached three "About Me" ATC's to a piece of ribbon and made a door hanger.  They are collaged with torn DP and sentiments, stamped, sponged with inks, the picture of me is my own 'photo drawing' technique, and I glazed them with some gel medium that was tinted with some alcohol inks. 

I'm Done!

Happy Monday!  I hope you all had wonderful holiday week.  I was lucky enough to spend a few days with my mother and father in-law... they are such kind souls (and funny too).  I truly am blessed in them. 

Here's a quick peek at the last of my holiday cards.  I can finally cross THOSE off my to-do list!  They made it to the mail box this morning and are heading all across the nation. 

 

I fell in love with this image from High Hopes and knew that it would be among the ones in my holiday collection.  I colored it with my Copics and used the mega Nestability to cut it out.  I kept the layout simple with no bulky embellishments since it was going to be mailed out... you know, I gotta keep my postage fees to a minimum when I have over 50 cards to send!  LOL  Anyway... I sort of feel like Rudolf - all tuckered out after the holiday rush.  (Well, it's not quite over yet... I still have our New Year's Party to organize, prepare for, and throw - Phew!)

Speaking of New Years... you need to start thinking about YOUR resolutions.  I'll be sharing mine (along with info about an UBER COOL project that I'm involved in for the new year).  Make sure to stop back again tomorrow for all the details!

Happy Hugs,
Colleen

Happy Holidays

Just stopping in today to wish everyone a...

Happy Holiday

Nate and I spent Christmas Eve with some friends and did our own gift exchange - I got him an electric ukulele and he got me a new MacBook laptop!  We are such geeks!!!  LOL

Nate's parents arrived safe and sound on Christmas day and we have been eating, shopping, and playing games ever since. 

It was 78 here yesterday, so the guys took advantage and went golfing.  We have been under a tornado warning since about midnight last night.  Strange weather for Christmas indeed.

I want to say a quick Thank You to all of you who sent me holiday cards... they are adorning our mantle and bringing warmth to our home.  My cards are finally done, but I have to admit that they did NOT get mailed out yet...  (I know, I know...)  I plan on writing in them tomorrow and getting them mailed on Monday.  I guess my motto this year is better late than never! 

Thanks for stopping by...
colleen

Technique Tuesday - Ummmm, a technique???

Yeah, I know it's Tuesday, and you probably visited thinking you were going to get information about a neat new technique.  But let's be honest here... there is no technique today.  In fact, I think Mr. Technique may have moved away or something.  I called and left multiple messages for him, but he's just not responding.  I'm at a loss...maybe he's just away visiting family... or maybe he's snowed in... that's a definite possibility!  LOL

I hope this cute lil' card will warm your heart and make you forget all about Mr. Technique's absence. 

It's another of my many Colored Christmas Cards (rolling my eyes).  I spent the afternoon putting them together assembly style, and I'm happy to say that I'm almost done.  I plan on passing off the proverbial "pen" to my hubby tonight and having him help me sign and address all these puppies!

This is one of my favorites this year.  The snowman stamp and the sentiment again are from High Hopes and the image was colored using my Copic markers.  I spiced it up with a scalloped mat for the image, a strip of Basic Gray patterned paper (sorry - I don't remember the name).  I chopped up the sentiment and then went just a LIL' BIT nutty with my white gel pen. 

Hope you like it!  I'll be wrangling up another card to share tomorrow!
Hugs,
colleen

Anyone Still Out There?

Wow... I can't believe it has been over a week since I posted last... I'm a BAD BLOGGER.  I apologize.  I know how you all sprint to your computer each morning to check Distinctive Touches... LOL (just kidding)  I'm assuming that most of you have been just as busy as I have... and maybe you didn't even realize I was missing! 

Wanna see what has kept me away from my beloved computer? 

THIS... or should I say THESE... because there are many, many of these piled up on my crafting table.  Well, not all of them are the same... but you get the idea!  I was so late in starting my Christmas cards this year.  I'm not even done yet... I still have about 20 more to assemble.  And then address.  And then mail.  Yeish!  I'll be lucky if they hit the post office before Christmas! 

Never again will I do a "Copic" Christmas!  Bwwaaaahaaahaa.  I (for some kooky reason) decided to make most of my holiday cards with images that needed to be colored.  You know what that means... I was a COLORING FOOL (okay... maybe just a plain fool would be more like it...) for the past few days.  Now don't get me wrong... I love to color... but when it comes to 60 cards... NO WAY!  Simple Stamping is the way to go for next year! 

Even though my arm is about ready to fall off, I really love the way these turned out.  The image is a very "sporty Santa" from High Hopes with a matching 'Fishy' sentiment... perfect for the outdoors men on our list.

Anyway... I just wanted to pop in and say HI.   I'm treading water in a sea of red and green card stock and ink...and I can almost make out the shore... ALMOST!  LOL

I'll be back tomorrow with another of my Belated Holiday Cards!
Thanks for stopping back in...
colleen

Thursday Throwdown - Blog Hopping

Morning all... just a quickie this morning before I'm off and running. 

I haven't had time to get crafty in the last few days, so I have nothing new to show you... but I DO have a challenge for you...

Head on over to one of these "challenge" blogs and join in on the fun.  Whether you enjoy color challenges, sketch challenges, specific manufacturer challenges... there's something for everyone.

• 2 Sketches 4 You
• ABC Challenge
• Color Throwdown
• Cute Card Thursday
• Inchie INKlings
• Our Creative Corner
• Papertake Weekly Challenge
• Sarah Kay Challenges
• sketch saturday
• Stamp Something
• Tilda & Co Challenge Blog
• Whiff of Joy Challenge

There's a ton more "Challenge" sites out there, but these are some of my favorites.

Have a wonderful day!
colleen

Technique Tuesday - Super Simple

Guess what happened last night?  We had a HUGE thunder storm... the whole shebang... thunder, lightening, wind, driving rain... all night long!  I guess just south of us there were tornado warnings!  Who would have thought that we would be having a "spring" storm in the middle of December?  They predicted snow for today... but since it's still in the 60's, I'm thinking not... (well, I'm hoping not!)

 Anyway... I want to share a super simple card with you today.  Since we are all so crazy busy this time of year, sometimes simple is the way to go.  I actually made this card with pieces from my scrap basket.  All I had to do was assemble it and add a bit of ink. I always think white card bases make for snappy looking simple cards, so I started with that.  Then I added a dark green layer for contrast.  That layer had been run though my Big Shot with the Textile Cuttebug embossing folder.  Then, I added the last layer... I had also embossed this white piece with the fancy heart folder.  I ticket punched the corners of each (just too add a bit of shape) and stamped a sentiment on the bottom of the white embossed layer.  After assembling it and popping the smaller white layer up for dimension, I decided it needed just a bit of something.  I wanted to keep it simple... with no real embellishments, so I decided to make the embossing stand out on the white piece.  I used the brush tip of my SU markers and carefully added ink to the raised design.  That really made it pop!

Voila... a super simple card that packs a lot of punch.

Here are some tips for "keeping it simple"

1. Simple cards don't have to be boring - add "fancy" by embossing or inking.
2. Limit or eliminate embellishments.
3. Keep the layers to a minimum.
4. Make sure all of your layers are lined up perfectly!

Thanks for stopping by today.  I send you all Warm Winter Wishes! 

Hugs,
colleen

Hanging In There?

As we all get caught up in the frenzy of the holiday season, it's nice to remember that it's really the little things in life that can bring us joy. 

I've been busy cleaning (well, picking up - which is the precursor to cleaning), doing ump-teen loads of laundry, planning a holiday party, working out at the gym, teaching classes, trying to make at least a few holiday cards, and decorating the house.  It's easy to get stressed out and bogged down in it all. 

I figured that I would share this cute little reminder this week as you all are probably doing the same types of things.  Remember it's life's simple pleasures that fill your heart with joy.  (Stamp is from Whipper Snapper and Sentiment is from Verve.) 

Some stress busting tips for the holiday:

1. When you are stuck in a LONG line at the store and the person at the register needs to do a price check for a Be Dazzler... instead of thinking about how you would like to BEDAZZLE that person right to the moon, take a deep breath, smile at the person behind you and use the time to plan out your new year's eve party.
2. When holiday traffic has you seeing red, pop in a tape of your favorite Christmas music, turn it up loud, and sing along!  (at the top of your lungs and preferably off key)
3. When you are frantically baking and cooking, covered in a layer of sweat-soaked flower, take a five minute break for a cup of cocoa and a sampling of your treats! 
4. When the stress of finding "just the right gift" has your head spinning and your wallet feeling a bit light... remember that it isn't the gift... but the THOUGHT that counts.  
5. And above all else... when those dysfunctional family gatherings have you ready to pack it all up and move to Aruba... I say... GO FOR IT! 

I'll be posting as much as I can these next two weeks... but if I miss a day or two... no need to call the rescue dogs... I'm probably just buried under a pile of sugar cookies and wrapping paper.  (SIGH)

Hugs!
colleen

Friday Featured Card... by Latisha

Sorry about the lack of post yesterday.  I spent another few hours at the dentist office and came home pretty beat.  This morning I'm the proud owner of a swollen lip and some pretty sore choppers.  At least all of the hard work is done now.  Now I just wait for my permanent caps to come in and then have my temporary caps replaced. 

I DO have a great card to share with you today... actually I have TWO!  Since it's Friday, I have my Featured Card to share and of course, the card that I made in response to it.

Today's Featured Card is this GORGEOUS holiday greeting from Latisha.  I was browsing the gallery this week... really feeling a bit of the holiday blues, when I saw this card.  The thumbnail was pretty... I clicked on it and BAM... the card is AMAZING!  I fell in love with the vintage Santa.. and when I found out it was a piece of patterned paper cut into the strips for the layout I was ga-ga for it!  Inspiration For Sure!

I ran into my craft studio and riffled through my patterned paper to see if I has some that would work for this technique.  Drat... none... (pout)

I didn't let that stop me though.  I pulled out my own vintage holiday stamp and went to town.  The stamp is called Tin Can Mail and is from Inkadinkadoo.  (Ummm, no idea why the name ... seems a bit weird to me, but I'm not complaining as it is a really cool image.)  I stamped the image on white paper and decided NOT to color it.  (I know, I know... I really was feeling a bit crazy!) I used my new labels nestability to cut out just a portion of the stamped image.  I wanted to use a bunch of different shapes in my layout, so I used the funky label, an oval, a rectangle, and of course, I mounted them on a square card.  I wanted lots of layers too.  I stamped and embossed a snowflake image (sorry, don't know the company) and cut it out.  A few little embellishments like the brads and the stitching finish it off nicely.  

I REALLY wanted to make this more vintage'y" by adding some distress ink... (after all, that is part of what I liked about Latisha's inspirational card) but I decided to keep it stark.  Part of me still wants to ink it up and color it in.  (M_U_S_T _ R_E_S_I_S_T)...

I hope you like it.  I have to thank Latisha for her stunning holiday card... it got me up and in my studio.  For even more inspiration from Latisha, you can check out her blog HERE... it's amazing!

Have a Wonderful Weekend Everyone.
Colleen

All I Want for Christmas...

Is my Two Front Teeth! 

You've all heard that song right?  Well, for me... it has been true on more than one occasion.  You see, way back in 3rd grade I was the victim of a horrible accident.  I refer to it as "Face Meets Brick Wall"  Oh Yeah!  Knocked my two front teeth clear out (well, to be honest, they really broke off and I was left with little nubbins).  Years of dental work and lots of money gave me back my smile, but today...I'm NOT smiling. 

One of my caps (permanent) stared looking a bit strange a while back and I saw what I thought was a crack forming.  Of course, I put off going to the dentist... until now.  I went in this morning to find out if it really was cracked... and the verdict was not good.  My caps were at the end of their long life and needed to be replaced.  UUuugh.  They jumped right in and started today.  Off came my caps (a horrible ordeal even though I have had root canal on those teeth and am not supposed to feel anything) and in came that nauseating thick goop that they use to make impressions with.  GAG!!!!  

I survived with the help of a bit of Novocaine, some wonderful "feel good" gas, and a massaging chair (I LOVE my dentist).  I now am the proud owner of a gigantic temporary cap... it's actually one cap that they sanded down the center to make it look like two teeth.  And of course, because I'm all frozen and goofy... I now lisp.  It's NOT cute... 

So yes... that's my Christmas gift (insurance is wonderful, but it is still a HUGE chunk of change).  I'd sing a few bars of that song for you.... but between the drool and the lisp... it wouldn't be enjoyable for any of us.

I had a card to share... but I think I'll wait until tomorrow.  Thanks for hanging out with me today.  Misery loves company you know! LOL

Hugs,
colleen

*PS - the photo is my OLD smile... there's no way a camera is getting close to my mouth right now! LOL

Technique Tuesday - Bling A Bling!

Morning Peeps...  I figured it was time to put up my Holiday Banner... hope you like it!

I hear it's snowing up by some of you.  Brrrrrr, we had a few tiny flurries over the weekend, but nothing serious.   In honor of the white stuff, I made this simple card.  The image is from Whipper Snapper and it is one of my favorite winter scenes.  I like it because I can whip out a bunch of images in no time; the coloring is pretty simple.   For this sample, I used my Koh-I-Noor colored pencils and blended lightly with OMS.  The white parts aren't really just white... I shaded all of the white snowy areas with a very light blue to give it that cold feeling.  And to top it all off, I added Ice Stickles to the icy stuff dripping over the top of the word.  This card is in honor of my mom... who just found STICKLES!  And so my quick technique for today is adding a bit of bling to your cards... with Stickles.

Stickles are a glitter glue from Ranger.  They come in lots of yummy colors and now there are even new Distressed Stickles (with bigger chunks of glitter).  How do you use them?  Easy... they come in a tiny bottle (like ink refills but with a longer tip) and you just gently squeeze the bottle to apply the glitter glue anywhere you want.  Instant Bling! 

Now... there are some tips I've learned. 
#1 - The glitter is colored, but you can't use the glitter glue to actually color a complete image... (well, you CAN, but you won't get full colored coverage).  You need to color your image first and then add the glitter as an accent... it will pump up the volume on the color and add lots of sparkle.
#2 - If you are planning on embossing an image that you also want to add sparkle to, EMBOSS FIRST!  Otherwise you will end up with shinny sparkle on future embossing projects, whether you want them or not.  LOL
#3 - Add Stickles LAST...  I can't tell you how many times I've added my Stickles and then tried to draw in a stitched frame or add a stamped sentiment.  Yeah, sparkle is pretty... but not smeared all over your card!
#4 - On that same note... Don't Touch The Stickles!  I know you are impatient... and you are super excited about the blingy-bling on your card... but please... Keep Your Hands OFF!!!  At least until it is completely dry.  (And no, it's not a good idea to use your finger to test if the glob of Stickles is dry yet... leave it alone!)

There it is...  my Stickles Words of Wisdom.  If you haven't tried Stickles yet...  OMG... What are you waiting for??? 

Have a Sparkly Day!
colleen

PS - if you are really into learning some awesome new techniques, head on over to Tim Holtz's Blog... he is on Day 2 of his 12 days of Techniques... and there is a giveaway each day... he's amazing!

It's a Zoo out there!

So, did anyone head to the malls on Friday for the super sales?  Not this chick... I'm NOT a shopper and I don't care for crowds, so hitting the stores on the busiest shopping day of the year would not be on my "to do" list.  LOL  I bet it was a zoo....

Speaking of... that's were I headed this weekend!  Yup, Nate and I braved chilly temps and lowering skies to spend some quality time with the some real animals!  I LOVE going to the zoo.  Sometimes it makes me sad to see the animals all caged up, but most of the time I'm just so excited at the opportunity to see live animals that I would never get the chance to see otherwise. 

With the weather being bad, we practically had the whole place to ourselves... it was AWESOME!  I think we saw a total of 10 other people during our two hours there.  No fighting crowds to get up close, no strollers to bump into, no noisy school groups running around screaming... it was heaven! 

Not all of the animals were out, but most of them were, and I was able to get some great pictures.  This rhino was amazing... it was HUGE, GIGANTIC, MASSIVE... and for some reason, green???  Then there was this super cute koala/raccoon/fox thing... it had the cutest little face!  OMG.... I of course, wanted to jump right in an pet it.  The darn thing would probably have ripped my arm off and had it for dinner!

My all time favorite animals are the large cats... lions, tigers, pumas, jaguars... and of course, the Cheetah!  There were two of them and they were sooooo pretty!  Sleek and powerful.  They were moving around quite a bit and checking us out.  Good thing the fence was REAAAAALLLLLY high!  I wouldn't want to come face-to-face with one of those babies!

And oh.... probably the best part... THESE BEARS!  I don't think I had ever seen a grizzly bear IRL before.  Man... those guys are Big...I mean Tank Truck Big!!!  Cute as a button those... and funny too!  They rolled around and dug this huge hole... and well... pooped too.  Nate took a photo... gross!!!!  And guess what... Bears don't S*#( in the woods... they do it in a pond!!!!  Bwaaaa haaa haaaahaa!

Okay, chatty Colleen here has to get going.  I have something "artsy" that I'm working on and I can't wait to show it to you.

Later Gator (oh yea... we saw those too)
Colleen