VC_Rocks blog hop #2

If you're looking for new paper crafting ideas this weekend, be sure to check out the VC_Rocks Blog Hop.  This month features products soon to be off the market as well as some of the newest releases.

If you've already started the hop, then you've probably just come from Holly Podkowa's blog.  You can also find all the blogs on the main VC_Rocks site in the event you need to back-track.

Below I've created a floral card using the new Newsprint designer sereis paper and "Because I Care" stamp set. You can see the flower is a hydrangea, but who says you have to use the typical blues and pinks of the actual flower?

The main image was stamped with the Cherry Cobbler dye pad and mounted on Coffee Crumb and Espress.  Funny how many of the new dye pad names relate to food. 

A few close ups for you.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my projets.  Your next stop is Angela Walters.

Tour de Freaks ~ June 2010

Yep, it's the 20th of the month which means another Tour de Freaks blog hop.

I'm setting up now but the hop doesn't officially start until the 20th.  So, if you're here early be sure to come back Sunday morning when all the links are working, allowing you to view full-circle.

If you're already been touring this month, then you've probably just come from  Debbie Currier  and her beautiful art work.

The projects for bloggers this month was to focus on the products offered in the upcoming 2010-2011 SU! catalog.  It was hard narrowing down what to use.  Here were my final decision.

First up, a french style card using the yummy new Early Espresso and Cherry Cobbler.  Those two colors sing out to me, especially with the new Artistic Etchings stamp set.  Extra texture was created with a new embossing folder and some super think espresso ribbon. 

These colors are so rich, like those dark chocolate covered cherries during the holidays.

Here's a fun 3D project.  It's a magnet friend coaster.  I've been smitten with sewing on my cards and knew it would jazz up those plain strips.

With the "FRIENDS" text displayed so prominently, you'd had to give it to someone.  Wouldn't this brighten up her/his dull file cabinets at the office?

Once again I used the new embossing folder.  The new "Friends Never Fade" stamp set was used to add the stamped Espresso and Marina Mist (blue) on the strips.  In addition, I stamped the flower from the set 3 times, cut out selective pieces and then reassembled to create a 3D flower.

Isn't that thin ribbon super cute?  So dainty.

A little close-up of my stitching handy work.  I figured out the other day how to make a stitch backwards, LOL, (and I don't mean by turning around the paper/fabric).  My sewing skills are very limited, but THIS I can do!

I hope you've enjoyed my projects.  It's time to head on over to Jen Smith's beautiful blog by selecting the button below.  Thanks for joining me.  Enjoy the rest of your tour. 

Golden Moleskine Page

Can you believe it's already Thursday?  The day is almost over and here I thought it was Tuesday, a sure sign that my mind is overly occupied.

I've been having fun playing in my moleskine journal lately, focusing on layers, textures and faces.  It's very easy to work on several pieces at one time.  Working on layers doesn't require to much concentration so I can keep and eye on the kids, opposed to having to draw detailed images.

Here are two of the partially completed pages I've done. This page started with layers of printed paper, paint.  There are several layers of paint although it's difficult to tell.  While it was still wet, I closed the book for 3 minutes or so and opened it, thus the white holes and torn paper in the middle.

After the paint dried I attached my face drawing.  She was sketched and colored while sitting out at the pool watching the kids swim.  It started with just a face, and when it came time to cut her out I included the white headdress.  I'm not even sure if you call it a headdress.  It's going to be red, or at least have red hearts on it.  

Here's a close-up of her eye.  Don't ask me what the deal is with those wide eyelashes.  I just let the pencil take control.

I'd like to take the time to remind you that the Tour de Freaks is coming this weekend.  The theme will be new products/stamps from the SU! catalog.  Hope to see you then.

Melanie

Simple Beauty

My head is over occupied lately.  Started a new job last week which requires focusing solely on 'office' work during the day.

Then there are the kids.  Now that I'm working again they won't be able to swim mid-day any longer or play at the park.  I want their memories of summer (as a kid) to be fun-filled.  We'll just have to adjust work on adjusting those fun-filled days on the weekends.

Lastly, my thoughts on are this BP oil spill.  Oil spills have been in the news before, but never so close to home.  The images of those brown pelicans were horrid.  Fisherman, whose livelihoods depend on the gulf.  Beaches and marshes filled oil.  It's heart-sickening.

Let's move on to something more light-hearted.  Ever since Memorial Day I've been sketching.  Sketching has become my sort of refuge when my mind is over-filled.  It's relaxing.  I've minimized supplies so I can take what is needed anywhere, whether it's the lake, doctors office or the back yard.  Just a moleskin, a few select Prisma pencils, erases and pencils.

Here's a simple sketch of a woman.  Not much color really.  I was going for simple beauty.  The image was drawn while referencing one of those black and white movie star photos, can't remember which actress though.

Her hair could use some work toward the back, but then again, it looks nice kind of whispy.   The darker hair at the top of her head, red lips and shadow of her neck balances out nicely. 

A close-up of her neck. 

Look at the time!  Time to hit the shower and head off to the office.  

PCS June ~ Just Visting

The time has arrived for another release of the online crafting ezine of Paper Crafters Sampler.  This month's theme is "Just Visiting", appropriately titled for upcoming summer vacationing and visits to family and friends.

Every issue of PCS thus far has been outstanding, but the June sampler is a doozie!  Filled with several hand-crafted gift ensembles to offer your hostess, you'll have one heck of a time choosing which project you'd like to work on first!  Whether you're looking to jazz up an already existing 'store bought' gift or create an entire gift-set of your own, you'll find it in this issue.

Here's a sneak peek of my project:

One of our design team members took the time to make a bright and beautiful quilt!  What an amazing gift for a hostess.  Remember, you'll get instructions for completing this project in the June sampler, along with instructions for seven other gift projects.  Now, here's a little sneak peek of the project Virginia's created for this months sampler:

If you're interested in preordering this June issue, simply select the Buy Now button below and you'll get access to the group beginning June 11th.

I'd like to give a BIG THANKS to the PCS design team for creating so many FABULOUS projects.  You are ALL amazing!!!

$12.99