Distinctive Touches

Catching Up - (and a blog hop!)

Did you ever had one of those dreams where you are running and running and just don't ever seem to go anywhere?  That's what my world is like right now!  I'm trying and trying to catch up on everything... and it seems the faster I work, the more I have to do!  LOL 

But you know me... I'm a trooper and I'll just keep running... some time (hopefully soon) I'll reach that finish line. 

In the mean time, I want to share one of the cards I made for one of the MANY birthday's I've missed in the last month or two.  My MIL is always so good about sending cards for all of the special little occasions... and I couldn't even get a birthday card out to her on time this year.  I'm SUCH a bad DIL! (But she is the bestest and will forgive me...  because she loves me!)

I used one of the gorgeous flower images from the Feb. Card Kit over at GinaK Designs. I wanted a whole field of flowers, so I stamped the image multiple times (without re-inking) to get the feeling of depth.  I then colored them (it was so quick and easy with this image!) with my Copic markers (see the color photo below).  

I framed the simple image with Lemon Drop and Creme De Methe card stock (two of the soft spring colors that are now available). 

I stamped the birthday sentiment and cut it out with one of the label Nesties and then cut it so it hung on the bottom of the field of flowers.  I set it off with some buttons and ribbon also from the new Spring collection. 

This was SO easy and turned out so well... I may make a bunch of them (in different Spring colors) so that I'm ready for all of the birthdays I have coming up!  

For even more ideas with the Spring Florals stamp set, please check out these links:

Jessica Fick 

Bev Gerard

Colleen Schaan

Sankari Wegman

Suzanne Dean

Sharri Sevens

Tina Gilliland

Giovanna Smith

Melissa Cash

Carolina Buchting

Jennie Harper

Brenda Turner

There are many more projects that can be found in the StampTV gallery by clicking on this tag: springflorals

Enjoy all the samples tonight!  If you haven't purchased this stamp set yet, please take note that the free Card Kit will be included with each purchase until March 18th.  At that time, the next card kit stamp set will be released.

I promise I'll be back later in the week with some updates on Certifications and some other fun and exciting news! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Is it SPRING yet??? CKC - Blog Hop

Seriously... I'm SO ready for spring!  We are in the midst of yet another winter storm and the temps just keep dropping.

Luckily, I've got something which reminds me that spring can't be too far away...  The new GinaK Designs Card Kit stamp set called Spring Florals. 

For a limited time*, a free Card Kit will automatically be included with each purchase of the Spring Florals stamp set. The entire kit includes the stamp set, a binder sheet, the instructions and materials to make 3 complete cards for $19.95.   

*This offer is valid until March's release, when a new Card Kit stamp set will be released.

Check out samples from this month's card kit on Jessica's Blog HERE... they are simply stunning!

I decided to do a series of my own cards showing just how versatile this set can be.  I stamped and colored all three flower images and then gave them a soft yellow glow by masking them off and airbrushing around them.  I cut each image out using a different shape and created a variety of card styles...

This first card is clean and simple. 

The second card I wanted to do something just a bit different, but I wanted the results to be soft and elegant... nothing too fancy.

This last card is my "layer it up" card...  and of course I added the doodled frames too!

You can check out more previews tonight... Nina's Lovely Labels - which coordinates beautifully with Spellbinders Labels 1, 4, 8, and 9, and a wonderful digital paper pack designed by Nina called Swing into Spring that compliments the new Spring Assortment paper pack.  For even more information on these new products, please visit the Lovely Labels Illustrator's blog Nina Brackett.

Then, check out these designer's links for even more samples made with Nina's stamp set as well as the new Free with Three stamp set called Inside & Out as well as the Spring Florals card kit:

Gina Krupsky

Jessica Fick

Theresa Momber

Melanie Muenchinger

Carolyn King

Tami Mayberry

Lee Murphy

Lynn Mercurio

Kurtis Amundson

Donna Baker

Emily Giovanni

Erika Martin

Bev Gerard

Colleen Schaan

We'd love to have each of you make plans to join us tomorrow night for the big Release party over in Gina's Forum on SCS! The virtual party starts at 7pm CST and is filled with contest questions from Gina, challenges from three of our designers, and tons more samples from the entire GKD team!

For some helpful tips on how Gina's Release parties work on SCS, check out this discussion on StampTV.

Copic Sparkle Winner an Our New Home

What?  It's Tuesday already?  What happened to the weekend? 

Oh yeah...that's right... I was busy buying a home!  LOL

In all the hustle and bustle of the "Big Move" I almost forgot to post the winner of my Copic Sparkle Blog Candy!!!  So without further delay... here it is...

Congratulations to Diane!!!  Diane wrote...

Wonderful blog, wonderful markers! Take care, ~Diane

Posted by: Diane | February 03, 2010 at 12:39 PM

Thanks everyone for the kind comments both about the blog and about the product.  Diane, your Spica Glitter Pens are on their way!!!  

Now for all of you who have been begging for pictures of the new place... here they are!!!  We closed yesterday and headed over for a few quick pictures... oh, and to drop off the new TV that we purchased already!  (Rolling my eyes... the boy's toys!)

Walk along as I give you a tour...

This is the outside front.  I can't wait for the flowers and bushes to start blooming!

This is the most important room in the house... it is my unfinished art studio!!!  I've been designing and planning all week. 

Here is the kitchen... it's pretty awesome!  Now I guess I'll have to learn how to cook.  LOL

Here is one of my favorite things about the house... just look at those windows!  It's the view of our living room from the upstairs balcony.  I somehow have to figure out what sort of curtains I want to use here...  hmmmmm...

Here is the living room from the main floor by the kitchen.  See... Nate's already playing with the new TV.  (more eye rolling)

Here's something pretty cool... our bathroom... or should I say "The Spa" as it has already been dubbed.

Guess what's just off the bathroom?  A walk in closet.  And I do mean walk in... heck... we could probably drive a car in here... it's HUGE!  I'm gonna have to buy more clothes!  LOL

And the bedroom... with a nice cozy fireplace... just flip a switch and ahhhhh - how romantic! 

The view from the bedroom... LOTS of wood!  I love how open it all is.  Our dogs will have a field day running in circles from one walk way to the other.

Here's something strange...  can you say, "Arrrrrrrh"  (This is in the guest bathroom off the living room... it REALLY doesn't fit with the rest of the style of the house... I'm thinking of doing a pirate theme complete with Parrots in there.) 

And some more outside... 

The deck off the kitchen.

 

From the lot line corner... so happy to have some wooded area! The pups will LOVE that.

The back.  Yup... just look at all those windows...   who wants to come help me wash them?

Here's the side with the walk out where my studio will be.

And here's a final shot of the house...  I can't believe it's all ours... (well... it's all the banks... but we will just pretend it's not!  LOL)

We are so incredibly blessed! 

The movers and packers will be here (in OK) this week and we drive back to Atlanta on Saturday.  Then the hard work begins!

Thanks for hanging in there with me though the house tour... I've got some more sneak peeks of beautiful stamp images tomorrow - so make sure to stop back!

Hugs,

colleen

Hope is Faith - A Special Announcement

Announcing...  The GinaK Designs Hope Is Faith stamp set..

The Hope is Faith mini stamp set retails for $9.95. It was created to raise money for the Red Cross to help with the devastation in Haiti. $2.00 of every purchase of this stamp set will be sent directly to the Red Cross throughout the month of February.

As the first responders to disasters around the world, the Red Cross is there to help with the basic needs of these people who have suffered so much. By purchasing this mini set, you will help to make a difference to people who are desperate by supporting an organization that works tirelessly to feed, clothe, comfort and care for those in need.

Here are two cards I made with this beautiful set.  The first one features Theresa's digital paper Wings of Hope.  It is a stunning combination of light pinks, bright pinks, and dusty mauves... absolutely gorgeous and the perfect compliment to the new Hope if Faith stamp set. 

I stamped the butterfly onto both the light and the dark pink word papers. I then heat embossed them with clear EP and cut them out.  I folded the wings slightly and layered them so it gave some added dimension to the piece. 

I was on a 3-D roll and decided to make a graphic B&W card using the same set... and here is the result. 

I fell in love with this Mother of Pearl metallic card stock and knew I wanted to use it on a simple and elegant card.  The Faith is Hope set is the perfect fit...  I embossed the butterfly image and the sentiment in black and then cut out the butterfly, bent up his wings, and attached him to the card.  The jeweled brads are just the right amount of bling to finish off this card.  (Oh I wish you could see the shimmer and shine!!!)

Next on the preview list - I just about CROAKED when I saw this adorable set called Hang In There by Theresa Momber!  She has just the cutest images with just a touch of charm and sass.  I decided to whip out my Copics and color up the tree frog.  I just love the way he looks like he is about to launch himself off of the branch!  I paired some Basic Grey patterned paper with some Chocolate Kiss and Fresh Asparagus card stock and tied it all up with a twill bow. 

For more information on these two fabulous sets, please see Gina's Blog. (linked below)

Check out some more amazing previews at the following sites...

Hope is Faith Illustrator: Gina Krupksy
Hang in There Illustrator: Theresa Momber (Wings of Hope Digital Paper designer)

• Jessica Fick
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Nina Brackett
• Carolyn King
• Tami Mayberry
• Asela Hopkins
• Cathy Tidwell
• Lee Murphy
• Lynn Mercurio
• Kurtis Amundson
• Donna Baker
• Emily Giovanni
• Erika Martin
• Bev Gerard
• Colleen Schaan
• Suzanne Dean
  
• Valerie Stangle
  

Thanks for stopping by - Stop back in tomorrow to see if YOU won the set of Specia Glitter Pens!

- Colleen

What's Glittery, Bright, and full of Bling?

Our newest Copic Regional Instructor - that's who!!!

While at CHA last week Marianne Walker surprised Jennie Black by inviting her to join the team of Regional Certification Instructors.  It was awesome...  after the first shocked, "WHAT?"  and the, "Are you serious?"  came the, "YESSSSSSSSSSSS!" and applause broke out around the table.  (The rest of the team was in on the surprise and we had been very careful not to  spill the beans.) 

Jennie will be supporting the Southwestern Region of the US... and she is already busy setting up certification classes all around her region. 

I'm SO excited to have Jennie join the team.  She is bright, fun, giggly, and full of energy... get the two of us together and it's a non-stop chatter and motion-fest!  LOL  I'm thinking they have us on opposite sides of the US so that we don't get into too much trouble...  (wink)

(Colorful Copic gals!  Top row from left - Lori Craig, Sally Lynn MacDonald, Sharron Harnist and Debbie Olson.  Front row from left - Nancy Zenke, Sherrie Siemens, Marianne Walker, Jennie Black, and me.)

So... our team is celebrating... and you know what that means... BLOG CANDY! 

To help us celebrate the addition of such a fabulous, sparkling personality, each member of the Regional Certification Team and the Blogging Team will be giving away a Spica Glitter Pen Set!  These glitter pens are AMAZING...  so sparkly and so easy to use! 

Make sure to leave a comment on this post for a chance to win.  I'll be drawing the winner on Friday at 10:00 pm...and we will announce the winners on Tuesday.  

To visit the other members of the Copic team... check out the links below!

Northwest: Sherrie Siemens / Marianne Walker

Southwest: Jennie Black

Northern Midwest: Debbie Olson  

Central Midwest: Lori Craig

Southern Midwest: Sharon Harnist

South: Colleen Schaan (HEY - THAT'S ME!)

Northeast: Sally Lynn MacDonald

Western Canada: Sherrie Siemens

Eastern Canada: Sally Lynn MacDonald

Floater: Marianne Walker

Blog Team Member: Michelle Wooderson

Thanks for stopping buy today!  I've got some sneak peeks coming up later in the week - so make sure to come back for a visit then!

Colleen