Thursday, April 27, 2006

One of Us


When I was working on this "faux scrap page" (6X6), I heard the song "Freaks" (or as I call it, "One of Us") in my head from my favorite Hedwig and the Angry Inch sound track. I'm looking forward to seeing the LA Rainbow Carnage shadowcast do Hedwig tomorrow night (12 Midnight). I've seen Hedwig many times including live earlier this month with Donovan Leitch. The colors, the music, the dance...I love it! The last couple of months have been kind of tough on me emotionally and it's been coming out in my artwork. Perhaps you can pick up the theme when you see the rest of the cards I created for SunSpirit Studio here.

I don't remember the floral asterisk's paper's maker but the dotted background paper is Basic Grey. The copper embellishment is from SunSpirit Studio as well as the stamps. The people was punched out from KCRW's monthly program guide. The top left corner was slot-punched (I just found my slot punch and have been using it to tie ribbons through!) and finally, I hand-wrote the words and tag. Oh! And the black flat-back crystals are also from SunSpirit Studio. The green square brads are from Making Memories. Inks used are VersaMagic Cloud White and Charcoal chalk fluid ink from Colorbox.

---edit, the Floral paper is from WE R Memory Keepers.

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Orangetini


Sometimes, after I unpack from classes I find "interesting" pieces of cardstock. A student must have trimmed off some of this orange card and then stuck it back with the others. I, being thrifty and economical (shocking, I know), saved this piece by trimming the edge with deco scissors and then making a quick card. I could now use a blood orange mojito (okay, orangetini will do too)!

The flat "brads" are actually Scrapworks conchos. They went right through the cardstock easily and were easy to "set" with my bone folder.

Speaking of classes, they went really well last weekend. *waves* I hope to see all of you again! It is so much fun to talk with stampers!

I'm almost prepped for my first summer class on 5/16. I am waiting eagerly for the new summer stamps from A Muse. I can't get wait to get my inky hands on them. In the meantime, I'm excited about my upcoming workshop at a local sushi restaurant. Sushi and Stamping, what could be better? Mmm, someone save me some spicy tuna rolls! Here are the cards I'll be teaching including a new cocktails card. No, no, of course I'm not a lush. (shhhhh....)

Aloha


I like to make birthday cards with the person in mind so I generally don't have a batch of pre-made cards. I always find myself creating the card about 20 minutes before I have to leave for the party. Ooops. Being the "Take Ten" queen that I am, I try to spend a bit more time composing the card for special friends. Here's my card for my buddy Mark (the one who took the fab headshot of me for my website). His birthday was on Monday so I'll give it to him on Saturday just in time for the party. Now...handmade gifts...yikes, that'll take a bit more time! I don't even have an idea yet. Uh oh!

I saved the postage stamps from an envelope that came across my desk about 9 months ago. I have various coworkers who save postage stamps for themselves. It was a bit of a struggle to get these away from them. Hahah! I just got these two scalloped circle punches from Marvy. I love those clever lever punches. The fiber is from my stash and I just got these cool matte finish brads from Lasting Impressions.

Monday, April 24, 2006

New Publications


Oh wow, I got my comp issue of Stampington's Catch Up issue on Friday. I have two cards in there! The first one, Just A Line on page 73, is right next to my good friend Lena's card! And the other card, Onesies, is on page 109.

I put uploaded the two cards along with my other publications today.
Oh wow, 20 publications in a year and half...it's making my head spin!

Here's one of the cards. The little copper dangle is from SunSpirit Studio which wasn't credited.

A big huzzah to all those who got published!

Thursday, April 20, 2006

May Classes samples- Summer I/ Monogram at SOC9


Here are the two samples for the Summer I class on 5/16

and the two samples for the Monogram class on 5/31.

I'm looking forward to seeing you all!

Here's my favorite card so far from the Summer class. Meet you at the sand castle!

Color secrets revealed


I'll tell you a secret, I don't know what I'm doing sometimes. Whenever someone askes me about my color combinations and if I use a color wheel, I have to say no. It just feels natural to me which colors go together and I am not concerned about matching. I like to use similiar shades (monochromatic) or contrasting colors together. But usually, I pick similiar colors like orange and pink or green and blue. Right now, my favorite combination is pink and green.

Nicole made my day yesterday when she wrote in her blog about my color choices and designs. I usually stick to 2-3 colors but occasionally will go a bit wild and crazy and use every single color I can. For those who want to experiment with color, go through a magazine or color catalogue and pull out things that look interesting to you- design, color, ads, etc. And then start finding the patterns of what you picked out. Did you pick out classic color combinations like red, white and blue or "different' combinations like fuschia and purple? I find inspiration in bright colors like lime, orange and bright pink. One of my favorite things to do is to tweak traditional color schemes for holidays. I might do pink and light green (yum!) for Christmas or bright colors for Easter (instead of pastel yellow and lavender).

I keep a book of magazine tear-outs I've saved and will go through it periodically to be inspired and re-inspired all over again. What I make might that night might not actually be a duplicate of colors I looked at but I often am invigorated to start from that point.

The other day, I had thrown my orange towel and blue pajama pants into the laundry hamper. I thought, "hmm, I love this color combo. I don't use it enough." That night, I made this card. If you look closely, the colors are blue and orange but there's also dashes of green, white and black. These colors almost appear neutral because of the main colors.

Summer's a great time to experiment. You never know when inspiration may strike you. A yellow tennis ball and green grass (like yesterday's card) might find its way to your stamping.

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

fonts


I love these new acrylic alphabet stamps from A Muse. They stick like crazy to the clear mount. I only wish they cleaned better but that's the price to pay for any acrylic stamp. My Ultra Clean (from Stewart Superior) takes off the toughest stains but not on acrylic. When I spoke with SS at CHA, they said no cleaner on the market will clean stained acrylic. Hmm, I wonder if acrylic stamp manufacturers will make something to repel stains soon.

Oh dear, I want more alphabet stamps now! I'll have to order them soon since I'm developing my Monogram class. That should be fun. I already have some ideas.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Summer Classes scheduled at SOC9

All classes will be held at Stampin' on Cloud 9 in Monrovia, CA from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
Please call or visit the store to pre-register.
Stampin' On Cloud 9
403 S. Myrtle Ave
Monrovia, CA 91016
(626) 358-2886



Tuesday, May 16: Summer I
Just in time for summer, you’ll have fun making 6 sizzling hot cards. See all the latest stamps from A Muse’s new summer line. Please bring scissors, adhesive and pencil with eraser for notes. Detailed supplies lists will be provided.

Wednesday, May 31: Monogram
Use a mix of A Muse’s latest acrylic alphabet stamps with favorite wood mounted stamps to create 6 fun and fabulous cards. Please bring scissors, adhesive and pencil with eraser for notes. Detailed supplies lists will be provided.

Friday, June 2: Summer II
Come and play with the new A Muse summer stamps. Create 6 sunny and cute cards. Please bring scissors, adhesive and pencil with eraser for notes. Detailed supplies lists will be provided.

Friday, June 16: A Muse Sparkle
We'll use glitter, Twinkle Stickers and A Muse's fun images to make 6 cards that sparkle and shimmer! Please bring scissors, adhesive and pencil with eraser for notes. Detailed supplies lists will be provided.

Friday July 7: Christmas in July
Don’t buy store-bought cards this year. With A Muse’s adorable holiday stamps, create 6 perfect cards to send to friends and family. Please bring scissors, adhesive and pencil with eraser for notes. Detailed supplies lists will be provided.

Tuesday, July 25: Quick & Easy
Need a thank you or birthday card in a hurry? Make 6 perfect cards for any occasion using quick and easy techniques. Please bring scissors, adhesive and pencil with eraser for notes. Detailed supplies lists will be provided.

Tuesday, August 8: Hip to be Square
We'll create 6 general occasion cards using creative layouts designed to work with A Muse's delightful square note cards and Pretty Little Papers. Please bring scissors, adhesive and pencil with eraser for notes. Detailed supplies lists will be provided.

Tuesday, August 22: Just for Fun
You don't need a special occasion to send someone a smile--these fun, whimsical A Muse designs are sure to evoke happy thoughts, no matter the reason! You'll create 6 just for fun cards. Please bring scissors, adhesive and pencil with eraser for notes. Detailed supplies lists will be provided.

**I'll be working on class samples soon. The new summer stamps are shipping this week to instructors. Whee! I can't wait!

Monday, April 17, 2006

Great weekend!


I had a fantastic time teaching at Violet's on Saturday. This is one of my favorite cards I taught. For all the class cards, visit the gallery here.

I have a couple more from the class that I need to scan in and load but you get the gist. :)

I'm looking forward to the upcoming four classes this weekend at SOC9 and Ultimate Hobbies. Check the class schedule here.

There is still PLENTY of room so you don't want to miss them! My classes don't repeat so you'll be seeing brand new ideas!

Thursday, April 13, 2006

Classes!


I'm so excited to be teaching at Violet's Rubber Stamp Inn on Saturday. We're going to have a fun and fabulous day. It's not too late to sign up. Check out my classes schedule for more information and you may view class samples here.

I've noticed Stampington uses one of my cards a lot in advertising their Take Ten issues. I finally captured the image for posterity. The bottom middle image is from my Cat's Pajamas card. Love that Sprinkle! I will eventually load scans of my published work in the gallery but until then, here's a little peak.

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Cutting it out helps


I was working on class cards but just didn't like how the little knight was looking I had him on the inside peeking out with the castle in the corner. I ended up cutting up the card and redoing this as a "collage." The silver doodles are my own.

I'm not sure I entirely like it but it's definitely more interesting than the original card.

Live and play! I love the artistic process.

Monday, April 10, 2006

Love Your Life


I broke out some patterned paper I had been hoarding. It's from Urban Lily. I've hoarded this paper so long, I heard the company is going out of business! Maybe I should keep hoarding it? Won't it be worth something? Nah! I love the colors of this. Stamps by A Muse.

I'll try to get the three photo corners cards I made over the weekend. Actually, I made a total of 12 cards. They are either destined for possible publication, craft fair or heck, just because. I am glad I had some time to use new and OLD paper from the scraps on my desk. Heh!

Thursday, April 06, 2006

Heidi Swapp


I should really use those Heidi Swapp photo corners Sandy of Monkey Love sent me recently. They are the most beautiful combination of orange and pink. I love the color orange but sometimes when I work with it...it's too orange! I think splashes of pink and lime green really makes it pop. Okay, that's my goal this weekend. USE WHAT I HAVE. No more crafty shopping for a while.

Lyndsay sent me this picture of us with HS at CHA recently. I uploaded it and a few others here in my gallery.

Maybe one day, I'll be able to download the pictures from my camera! I have about 60 pictures from CHA, class boards and other assorted goodies. But getting my darn camera to work with the computer has been a major hassel.

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Hey Stamp Lady!!!

My website has gone live!


Many thanks to Tracey and Andrea!

Monday, April 03, 2006

simple, SIMPLE


I'm starting to make cards for the craft fair (which I have yet to hear from...eek!). I made 11 of these last night (sending one for possible publication). All stamps by A Muse, paper by Paper Fever, ProvoCraft. Unknown brad, flower. Offray ribbon. Design by SLD.

I'm just way too excited by buying the McGill 2" reach double ribbon punch! I got it this weekend (along with way too many things of ribbon at Ms). Ribbon is $1 for the dots, checks, dashes ribbon and their older style ribbon is on clearance for $1 as well.

Oh, pics!

Sue of Buzz and Bloom uploaded pictures of me and some others at the recent Carson convention.