Experimenting with markers

In the past I have intentionally avoided buying stamps where the image would have to be colored in - I guess I'm kind of lazy that way. But recently I have noticed more and more beautiful work that has been colored using markers, in particular, Copic markers. Although I'm sure they are worth every penny, these markers are not cheap. So I decided that I should take my time learning what I can about them before I spend a bunch of money and then decide that I don't like them. In the process of doing that I stumbled across this demonstration on youtube which explains how you can get similar results using Bic or Sharpie markers. Since I have a good selection of Bic Mark-It markers I thought I would give it a try. I didn't know it was possible to shade using markers. I think it turned out pretty well! The adorable little lion is from a set called Circus Animals, by My Cute Stamps.

Oh, and now I really want some Copic's. The Bic's worked well enough, but the Copic's have a huge color selection and have much nicer tips so they're easier to work with.

Inspiration: Paisley

I really love paisley...

Springtime in Utah

I am SO SICK of winter. This is the view from our back door. In the second picture, in the foreground on the left you will see our poor peach tree - covered in budding blossoms...and snow.

I am reminded of the musical Camelot where King Arthur sings, "The winter is forbidden 'till December, and exits March the 2nd on the dot!" I am dreaming of Camelot right now...

Inspiration

I was going to write, "Daily Inspiration," but I think that might create some unrealistic expectations. Maybe I can make this a weekly thing...

My inspiration, this ribbon:
You may recognize this ribbon from one of my previous projects. I prefer not to fall prey to the latest trends, but I can't help myself! I just love the pink & brown, light blue & brown color combinations. Actually, I think my friend Emily is to blame. I have been loving light blue & brown ever since I saw her baby announcement. So cute!

And I think these are the first stamps that I have been excited about in a really long time. I am just not crazy about the direction that that other stamp company that I used sell for has gone. My sister calls my creations "cutesy" but I prefer to call this style "whimsical". I made the dinosaur card with "Dinosaurs RARRR".

And this is a card that I made a while ago for my new nephew, which I thought was particularly adorable. It's hard to tell from the picture, but those are bottle shaped eyelets in the corners! This is good that I am finally getting into boy mode. Daniel is 2 years old after all, and some day I really would like to do some scrapbooking for him.


This on the other hand has absolutely nothing to do with my creativity, but has everything to do with Samara's. She won the "Seriously Gorgeous" award in the 4th Grade Easter Egg decorating contest today. How's that for some bling!

Trying to get back in the saddle

I have had absolutely no desire to blog. I am very grateful for where we are living right now, but I'm only just beginning to realize just how stressed I've been the past 3 months. Combine after Christmas funk with having to prepare to leave our children with babysitters while Paul and I went on "vacation", come home and pack up the house and move, attend a funeral the day we moved, unpack and get settled in time for Paul to start traveling for work and seasonal allergies hitting with a vengeance. I think I'm allowed to have felt some stress - my body thinks so at least. My hair has been falling out for the past 2 months and I'm considering Rogaine.

One of the indicators for my state of mind is my desire to craft. I feel very strongly that everybody needs to have some sort of creative outlet in their life. For the past couple of months I have really wanted to want to create, but I have literally sat down with supplies in front of me and been TOTALLY uninspired. Well, I think I have found some inspiration! I have a huge paper fetish, so of coarse it involves paper. These are some Easter treat boxes that I have made. You can find the instructions for them here. It's a humble re-start, but hopefully the beginning of creative things to come!