Distinctive Touches

I'm Here if You Need Me.

Happy Friday all.  I'm so glad it is finally the weekend!  I'm a bit worn out from all of the running around that I've done this week.  It was the last week of my Surface and Design pottery class up in Tulsa.  I've got some really nice pots waiting to be fired in the kiln and I can't wait to see the results of my glazing experiments.  (If they turn out, I'll share pictures.)  

I have to decide whether I'm going to sign up for a third Throwing class on the pottery wheel.  I REALLY learned a lot during the intermediate class, and I would like to go on to the advanced class... but I just don't know if I have time this fall.  I will have to wait and see.  I've got so much else on my plate right now.  (What else is new right?)

We are ALMOST ready for our Fall Kick-Off over at My Creative Classroom.  There are a few new instructors and TONS of new classes!  I can't wait for the opening of enrollment... be watching next week for that announcement! 

And lastly, I found some time to be CREATIVE this week.  I was browsing though the latest uploads on SCS a few weeks ago and was completely drawn in by this card that Jeanne S. created.  It was simply, it was clean, it was perfect!  I knew that I wanted to use the layout in a card of my own... and so I pulled out my Elegant Flowers set from Gina K Designs and paired it with a pretty matching sentiment from Verve.  The irises are colored with Copic markers, punched out with a scalloped circle Nestability, and then sponged with lilac ink. 

It was really hard for me to NOT use any embellishments or doodle any frames on this card, but I think it turned out really pretty!  It would make a super fast and easy thinking of you or sympathy card.

Thanks for the inspiration Jeanne...  and thanks everyone for stopping by!
Have a wonderful weekend.

Teaching In Tulsa!

I'm super excited to announce that I will be teaching a Copic 101 workshop in Tulsa this fall. 

The details are all worked out and the date is set.  If you are in the area and are interested in learning how to use Copic Markers... join me in class!

           

            Where: ScrapHappy's
                        7142 S. Memorial Drive
                        Tulsa, OK 74133

            When:   Saturday, September 26th
                         10:00 am - 1:00 pm

            Cost:    $35.00 (includes three sketch markers and classroom materials)

            Call:     (918) 250-0472 to register

For a full class description and more information, please visit the ScrapHappy's website.

Card Details
Stamps: Sugar Nellie (Pen Pal), SU (Mini Mates)
Paper: SU (Brocade Blue, Night of Navy, So Saffron), Georgia Pacific (White), Basic Grey
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black
Other: Copic Markers, mini buttons

           

As Luck Would Have It...

...I have a card to share! 

Our trip to Iowa was brief but fun.  Stephanie was surprised to see us there (we all squeaked out a few tears) and the party was a big success.  I'm glad to be home though.  Travel with the dogs is always a bit nerve-wracking and this time was no exception.  Thank goodness they are learning to sleep in the truck and drink water out of cups!  LOL

I've been pulling out some older stamps lately and I was a bit nervous about inking this one up again.  I LOVE the fishing Thomas Kincaid image from CHF, but I am always a bit intimidated by it. 

I figured since I was going Copic crazy lately, I'd just continue on in that vein. 

I stamped the image with Memento London Fog to get a softer impression which helps to create that soft light in the background.  I then started laying on the lightest base colors.  This image was so much fun because I could add TONS of color by layering on darker and darker inks.  Just look at how bright and vivid those flowers are and yet how soft and foggy the background is.  And I have to say... I'm so happy with how the water turned out.  Moving water is SO difficult to make look realistic.  It's not perfect, but I'm happy with the results. 

I think it's time for me to break out the checkbook and shop for another Kincaid stamp or two!

Hugs to you... thanks for stopping in today!

Stop and Smell the Roses

I sure hope you all had a wonderful weekend! 

This is a scheduled post... so I'm hoping it shows up in a timely fashion on a Monday morning.

Nate and I decided last minute to head up to Waterloo to help his sister celebrate her 30th birthday!  (Happy B-day Steph!)  I spent the end of the week cleaning the house, doing laundry, and packing up for myself and our two dogs (my hubby can pack for himself... that way I don't get blamed when something is forgotten LOL).

I just wanted to share a bright sunny card with you on what I HOPE is a bright sunny Monday... 

Just because...     I wanted to share.

Isn't this just a pretty card?  (If I do say so myself!!!) 

The Stippled Rose (retired SU) is probably my number one "go to" stamp for sympathy cards and for anniversaries or weddings... anything that needs to be subtle and elegant.  But today I decided to use it on a card that was just a bit more... well, fun!

I stamped the image repeatedly and then got to work coloring.  I typically color the roses in a light purple or a pink or red... but again, bright and sunny won the day and these became a golden yellow.  I also have never done this stamp with my Copics.  I usually reach for my watercolor crayons so that I can get a soft velvety look... but this time, I wanted a bit more vibrancy... so Copics it was!  I am REALLY happy with how they came out.  I can almost smell them! (ahhhhhh...)

Anyway, I wanted to keep it simple so I just quickly matted the image layer with black and some sunny yellow... added a quick sentiment... and Voila... Fini!

Hope YOU are all having a Bright Sunny Day!
Thanks for stopping in!

Speeding By to Say...

Zippity Quick today! 

I just wanted to drive by and send a BIG Birthday Wish to the one-and-only Monica!

Monica...  I hope you have a FAN-TAB-U-LOUS day!  Make Tim do the cooking, the kids to the cleaning, and YOU my friend... you just do the relaxing! 

Hugs to you!

Card Deets
Cardstock: SU basic black, green galore, tempting turquoise
Stamps: SU (happy birthday greeting), Whipper Snapper (clown car)
Color Medium: Copic markers with Twinkling H2O's
Other: Dots embossing folder, scallop die cut, buttons, spiral clip, ribbon, faux-stitching

Have a Wonderful Thursday Everyone!

Eat Up!

It's a HOT, HOT, HOT week here in Oklahoma and I'm enjoying every second of it.  The temps are supposed to be in the triple digits all week.  Sigh... love it! 

For all of you who think I never do anything but work, I just have to tell you about a fun little day-trip we took this past weekend.  A fried of ours is a member at this little "club" where members all own cabins on the river.  Most families spend the entire summer at the cabins and everyone knows everyone.  There is even a "main house" where meals are served if you don't want to spend the time cooking.  It's pretty cool.

Anyway... we tagged along and spent part of the day there on Saturday.  We arrived in time for lunch (burgers and hot dogs) and then jumped into canoes and "floated" down the river.  Along the way we hopped out (most of the river was only about knee deep) and did some fishing.  It was a blast!  After spending the afternoon floating down the river and soaking up the sun, we showered and headed out to a "cocktail hour" before dinner.  Dinner was a shrimp boil and boy... it was delish!  After a few more hours of socializing and making new friends, we headed home with full bellies and tired bodies.  It was bliss.

Of course, Sunday brought back work... and I spent some time in the studio making cards.  Here's one of my favorite ones from the bunch.  It's cute and simple. 

I've been trying to plan ahead a bit and do some holiday samples.  I can't remember who makes this stamp... but I use it every year around Thanksgiving.  I'm not a big turkey eater... I'd prefer ham... so this is right up my alley! 

I colored the image pretty simply with Copic markers.  I used my circle Nestabilities to cut out the image and mat it with the scallops.  The Happy Holidays sentiment is from SU. 

I haven't used Kraft card stock if forever... and I just love how this combination turned out.  (Kraft, Night of Navy, Pumpkin Pie)  I also used just a touch of Ranger's Distress Ink (Tea Stain and Marmalade) to grunge up the edges. 

A bit of paper piercing and a wide bow finish it off.  Quick and easy! 

Okay Peeps... I have to run.  I've got a card or two to work on before I head out to Tulsa for another pottery class.  (I promise to show pictures of some of my successful pots soon.)

Have a Happy Day!