Distinctive Touches

Comfort Zone! (CardMaker Blog Hop)

Welcome to the CardMaker "Comfort Zone" Blog Team hop!

After an informal conversation at CHA about our own personal card making styles and how we often wish we could create in similar styles to others, Brooke (our fearless and decidedly devious leader) challenged us all to "Get Out" of our comfort zone and create something that was completely NOT our normal style. 

Ummmm... Brooke, don't you realize that it took me YEARS to be able to actually identify my own "style" and finally embrace it?

I have come to accept that my style is simple, cutsie and colored.  Yup, that's me... with rarely a deviation from the standard. 

So HOW was I going to accomplish this challenge?  Comfort Zone... heck, I would have to get out of my time zone, my end zone and my oh-zone to do this one.

And after all of that fussing and worrying, here's what I created: 

Check it out peeps!  No Stamping, No Coloring, No Cutsie!  OMG... I actually think I love it!  (Although all white cards are a pain in the butt to photograph!) 

How's THAT for changing up my style? 

Make sure to head on over to the other designer's blogs to check out how they tackled this challenge.

CardMaker Blog
Anya Schrier
Carolyn King
Colleen Schaan (you are here)
Kimberly Crawford
Trudie Sjolander

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Supply List
Cardstock:	Express It Blending Card
Patterned Paper:	NA
Image(s):	NA
Ink(s):	NA
Copic Markers:	NA
Dies:	Folk Art Hearts Die (Sizzix)
Other:	Satin Ribbon, White Fabric Flower, Pearl Hat Pin, Embossing Folders

New and Improved!

Welcome to the NEW and IMPROVED Distinctive Touches! 

I'm so excited to reveal my new design!

I figured after 5 years it was time to update the look and reorganize my blog... so after doing a bunch of research, I hired Nicole from The Pixel Boutique to help create my new page.  I have to say... She was SO easy to work with - she was timely and professional and had a great vision for my ideas.  I highly recommend her if you have ANY type of blog or web page design needs. 

I'm pretty pumped about the new look because I had a hand in creating it.  Did you notice "me" in the banner? 

 

Yup - I drew it! It's a self portrait!!!

 

I've been drawing similar images for years (started when I was young by drawing Precious Moments style characters...) and I figured it was time to share a bit of that hobby with my loyal readers.  Of course, I'm holding my Copics and getting colorful! (No, I don't have any intention to draw for profit or start a stamp company! LOL)

There are a bunch of other special little touches that will make it easier to navigate, find important information, link to other resources, and keep in touch. 

To celebrate the new look and changes, I'm giving away PREZZIES! 

I've put together 3 surprise packs of goodies that I will give away to three of my readers.  All three are different and may include: stamps, inks, publications and/or mini albums.   

To win, please subscribe (if you aren't already) and leave a comment on THIS post telling me what coloring tutorial you would like to see me share here on my blog. 

Comments will be closed at midnight on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012 and I will announce winners on Monday!

Thanks for stopping by - come back tomorrow for a "challenging" blog hop!

 

Pardon the Dust...

Just making some last minute fixes!

Come back later in the day for a full reveal and a little party!

Happy Birthday - Treasured Friend

Just a quick post today to let you all know I'm still alive!  LOL 

I've been hugely busy finishing up one big project and starting another.  I can't wait to be able to share some of the things I'm working on with you...  but for now they are still hush hush...

Meanwhile, many of my friends are celebrating birthdays this week - so I decided to post a  greeting for them all...

Celebrate Big everyone... Celebrate Big!

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*Digital images from Hambo Stamps - colored with Copic Markers

CardMaker - Easy Doodle Cards!

Like to Doodle but don't know where to start? 

Head on over to the CardMaker Blog to ready my card making tip on how to make Easy Doodle Cards like these... 

Thanks for stopping by!

Treat Yourself Blog Hop - CardSwaps

Welcome to the CardSwaps "Treat Yourself" blog hop! 

There is a fun crop going on over at CardSwaps this week. Challenges and games will be posted August 8-11, 2012 and you have until 11:59PM EST August 14, 2012 to get your projects posted to the appropriate thread.

At the end of today's hop, you will be taken to the crop and I do hope you join in.

Each member of the hop today will have a "secret letter" hidden somewhere in their post.  Collect the letters along the way and unscramble them to entered into the drawing for a prize for one lucky hopper! (Check out the forums for details and requirements.)

You should have arrived here from Jeanette's blog. If not, go back and check out her blog and collect your letter. Then collect my letter and hop on over to Laura's blog to continue collecting letters and being inspired.

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The theme of this hop is Treat Yourself. While there are many ways that I actually treat myself (Diet Pepsi, string cheese, painting my toenails, watching the hummingbirds), I find that I get the most pleasure out of treating others.  I don't do it often, but sending out a special card for no reason, sharing an unexpected gift, or giving a thoughtful trinket is actually something that I like to do for ME as well as for the receiver.  It's a way that I can "pass it on" and it makes me feel good.  And THAT is the best treat ever!

I want to share a card that I made for a very special friend.  I was lucky enough to do some traveling with her this past week (a special treat for me) and I wanted to send her a card thanking her for being such a wonderful person. 

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Supplies Used
Cardstock:            Blush Red Dark (Bazzill Basics)
                            X-Press It Blending Card (Imagination International Inc)
Pattern Paper:      Summer Fresh (Simply Stories)
                            Minuet (Memory Box)
Stamps:                Seeds of Summer and With Sympathy (JustRite)
Inks:                    London Fog and Rhubarb Stalk (Tsukineko)
Dies:                   Nested Oval Medallion Label (JustRite/Spellbinder Custom Die)
                          Romantic Rectangles and Classic Oval (Spellbinders)
Other:                Wide white ribbon, paper snips, foam tape

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My Secret Hop Letter is:   I (sounds like eye)

In case you get lost, here is a full list of all of today's hostesses.  Stop by each blog to collect your letter and leave some love!

Brooke Smith -CardMaker blog
Jane
Susan
Margaret
Trudy
Golda
Meredith
Jeanette
Colleen (you are here)
Laura
Ivanka
Marlene
Anya
Angelina
Ana
Ashley
Lora

Thanks for stopping by today... remember to take some time this week and TREAT YOURSELF!