Hello and welcome to my blog!
I am a freelance illustrator, artist and paper crafter. I hope you will set back, have a peek around my blog, check out my archives and enjoy!
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Some Of My Favorite Creations To Date

Friday, April 29, 2011

Creative Charms "Fair Well" Blog Hop and Some Blog Candy!

Looking for the INKY ANTICS blog hop? Scroll down 1 post. ;)
But....
BLOG CANDY ALERT! Read this post too! :)


Hi Everyone!
The new Creative Charms design team is about ready to take the reigns so Midori decided we would do a "Fair well" hop for those of us who are leaving. I have really enjoyed my two terms with Creative Charms
I have had a blast playing with all of that beautiful bling and meeting some amazing artists!
Today's hop is a scavenger hunt of sorts. Each designer will have a "secret word" that will end up being a phrase that you will email Midori, for a chance to win some awesome prizes! It is sure to be a lot of fun!

You should have arrived to my blog from beautiful Jennifer's blog. If you just happened onto mine, you will want to start back at the Creative Charms blog so you can start your phrase from the beginning! :)

Today, I thought I would share a couple of my favorite projects that I have done with Creative Charms products.

This card is both shabby and blingy because it was done with trash! The "designer" paper, flowers and leaves are all made out of old newspaper and Glimmer Mist! The beautiful White Vintage Brad and White Gradient Pearl Stickers add a touch of class to it! ;)
I just have to mention that beautiful Mossy Rock Hand-dyed ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon too! ;)


Another of my favorite Creative Charms projects is this little tote treat bag that I use one of the "Deal of the Month" kits to decorate. These kits are a great way to add lots of bling to your stash without loosing lots of cha-ching from your cash! :)


I have tons more projects that I've made with Creative Charms so after you finish the hop, come on back and take a peek around my blog. :)

Blog Candy Alert!!!!
I am giving away this eclectic collection of fun Creative Charms embellishments.! There are 50 pieces ranging from 1/4" to 3". Some of them are no longer available so you can only get them here! All you have to do is leave a comment and become a follower if you aren't already. My winner will be chosen and announced on Monday May 22nd as will the winners from the Creative Charms blog hop.


OK...my secret word for the phrase is.....HOP
Your next stop is the super talented Ellen's blog.
But wait....don't forget to comment and "Follow" to have a chance at my bling give away!

Thanks so much for hopping by!

Hugs,
True :D


Thursday, April 28, 2011

Time for an Inky Antics "Box or Bag" BLOG HOP!!!!

Hi Everyone!
My Friend Jackie from Inky Antics thought it was time that the design team had another blog hop. I agree! Fun fun fun!!!
If you came here from Sweet Crystal's blog, you are in the right place! If you just happened on here, you will want to go back to the start at Jackie's blog.
Jackie challenged each of us to create a gift box or bag using the "Gifts in a Snap" stamps.
They are really cool! I used the #V1-1223 Rectangle Box Template and it was so quick and easy to make my little "Chick Teabag Gift Holder".


I also used Inky Antics #0689H "Moments Shared" and #10885H "Tea Time Chicks" stamps to decorate my box.


The designer papers out of the "Out and About" stack from My Mind's Eye. The cardstock is Simply Smooth White 80# and Turquoise 65# from Discount CardStock.

BTW...they are having a 10% off sale through midnight tonight! Go to the RRR blog for the discount code. ;)

I water colored the images then added some distress ink to the edges. I finished it off with a couple of Prima flowers, a brad, and some yummy tea bags.
I get to use it as a gift already...Jackie loved it so much, I am sending it to her! :)


The hop ends on Sunday, May 1st at midnight Central time. We invite you to visit each DT members’ blog and leave feedback about their creation. Three winners will be drawn at random to receive one of our template stamps. The more you comment, the better your chances are to win. (Limit one comment per blog, please). The winners’ names will be announced on the Inky Antics  blog next Monday, so remember to stop back and see if you've won.

The next stop on your hop is the super talented Michelle's blog.

Thanks so much for "hopping" by!
Hugs,
True :D


Friday, April 22, 2011

Showing An Old Photo Some Well Deserved Love Today! :)

Hi Everyone!

Just a really quick post today to share a project and to wish you all a happy Good Friday! :)

Now, I'm not really known for scrapbook pages but every now and then, I'll be throwing one at ya. :)
Today I wanted to share this 12" x 12" layout that I did of my son Kurt and his best friend (at the time) Samantha. They grew up together and Sam lived to the ripe old age of about 14. They were friends for a long time. :) 


The puppy dog image I used is my "Sentimental Puppy" digi that is available @ Clear Dollar Stamps for just $2.50 for an instant download! 
The papers are from DCWV "Pets" stack.


The digi comes with lots of cute sentiments!

 Thanks so much for dropping by!
Hugs,
True :D

Monday, April 18, 2011

"Happy Easter" Card

Hi Everyone!

Today's project is a fun little bunny Easter card.
With an Inky Antics image, Really Reasonable Ribbon ribbon, and K&Company's ~S.W. - "Spring Blossoms" papers, it's easy to make a cute card! :)



The image is the "Bunny Wonders" stamp from Inky Antics.
The flowers are assorted Primas.
The gems are Creative Charm's ~  Pink Gradient Gem Stickers.
I used Really Reasonable Ribbon's ~ Satin with Grosgrain Edge ribbons in Fuchsia and Moss.

This ribbon comes in many beautiful colors. View them all HERE.
One of the best ways to add them to your collection is to order the pre-mixed assortments.
Right now, Bonnie has them in both Pastel and Dark for just $3.99 for each 10 yard set!

Thanks for dropping by!


Hugs,
True :D




Sunday, April 17, 2011

"The Earth Smiles In Flowers" Clear Dollar Stamps Blog Hop!



Hello everyone!
Hope you are having a wonderful Sunday so far. If you are here for the Clear Dollar Stamps blog hop, your day is going to get even better! I am guessing you came from looking @ Barb's best creations. If so...you are in the right spot! If you just happened onto my blog, you will want to go back to the start @ the Clearly iStamp blog so you won't miss a thing! This month's inspiration is from a Ralph Waldo Emerson quote "The Earth Laughs With Flowers". The girls have prepared lot of beautiful cards with lots of pretty flowers for you.

Here is mine. It's done with the "Sentimental Flowers" set that I illustrated for Clear Dollar Stamps.


I fell in love with the papers from Prima's - "Sweet Fairy" and "Fairy Flora" stacks and wanted to use them for this clean and simple card. The background is one of their papers and to me it looks like a beautiful sunset. The flowers, flower centers, and leaves are all paper pieced with assorted papers form the two stacks. I added just a touch of Prismacolor pencil in the flower centers, grass and stems, but that is it. No watercoloring...no beautiful ribbon...not my normal style. But, every now and then ya just gotta mix it up! :)

Here is what the whole "Sentimental Flowers" set looks like.

I really appreciate you hopping along with us today!
Hope you have enjoyed this stop!
Make sure and leave a quick comment on all of the girl's blogs (including mine...*hint* *hint*) so you can increase your chances of winning one of the (2) $10.00 gift certificates that Clear Dollar Stamps will be giving to (2) lucky commenters!

Now on with the show! Your next stop is sweet Linda's blog. I am sure she will have something stunning to inspire you! :)

Hugs,
True :D


CDS STAMPS USED: Sentimental Flowers
CS/PAPERS: Prima
INK: Staz-On, ColorBox cat's eyes Cyan and olive Pastel
ACCENTS/TOOLS: Sewing machine with purple thread, Prismacolor pencils PC921 and 738 1/2, Gamsol
SPECIAL NOTES: The background, flowers, centers, and leaves are all cut from different patterns of Prima papers from the Sweet Fairy and Fairy Flora stacks. The only coloring was just a tad in the flower centers and the grass and stems, then blended with Gamsol. I used the Cyan cat's eye to enhance the color of the "sky" and the Olive on the grass. The rest of the colors came "as is" from the stacks. I love how it looks like a painted sunset sky! :)

Friday, April 15, 2011

Digi Release Day over @ Clear Dollar Stamps and I did 2 1/2 new sets!

Hi everyone!
This is my second post for the day so please remember to scroll down before ya go to see what else I have been up to! :)
It is digi release day over @ Clear Dollar Stamps and I illustrated 2 1/2 sets!
The 1st card I am showing you was done with my "Sentimental Kitty" digi set.


I watercolored the image then added in some tabby markings with a grey Prismacolor pencil.
The papers are from The Paper Studios's "Celebrations" stack
The Lime Wrinkled Ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon. I heated it with a heat gun to melt some texture into it. 


This is what the whole "Sentimental Kitty" digi set looks like.
It is available now for instant download and it's just $3.00! :)


This set would be adorable paired up with my "Sentimental Puppy" digi set too! :)
He's just $2.50!

My next cards were done with my "Sentimental Fruit" digi set.


The papers are from My Mind's Eye ~ "Summer Song" stack and the beautiful Green Glitz Ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

I watercolored the images.
Click the pictures for a closer peek.



 This is what the "Sentimental Fruit" set looks like and it's available for instant download for only $3.00!


There is also a pre-colored version that my friend Laurie Wilson colored, for those of you who want a quick card. It comes with coordinating digi papers too and it's just $4.00 for all! :)


I hope you will head on over to the Clearly iStamps blog for a peek at the beautiful creations the other girls have done with these sets and the other new digi releases!

Thanks so much for dropping by!
Hugs,
True :D

"Violets and Lilacs and Plums, Oh My!" RRR Challenge

Hi Everyone!

We started a new challenge over at Really Reasonable Ribbons Ramblings today called "Violets and Lilacs and Plums, Oh My!" You can use either the colors, the flowers or fruit plus ribbon.
This challenge is sponsored by Our Daily Bread Designs so I used a pretty stamp set they sent me called "The Lord Has Risen".


I watercolored my image.
The designer paper is from Prima's - "Fairy Flora" 6" x 6" pad and the leaves are their Mulberry Rose Leaves. I added some watercolor to them so they would match the color of the ones on my image.
The pretty Purple Gradient Gem Stickers are from Creative Charms. I sewed tiny seed beads in all of the Nestabillity scallops, and painted an extra flower as an embellishment. Of course, I also just HAD to add some stitching! :)


I hope you will head on over to Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings and check out the over a dozen stunning cards the RRR and ODB girls have created for your inspiration.
We would love for you to join us in the challenge too. You could win some pretty RRR ribbon or a $25.00 gift certificate from Our Daily Bread Designs!

Thanks for dropping by!
Hugs,
True :D


Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog Hop and My PSA Essentials Card


Hello All!
It is the 13th of the month which means that it is time for another fun Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings blog hop! 
If you came from Cheryl's sweet blog, you are in the right place. If you just happened on to the hop here, you will want to start back at the beginning at RRR design team blog.

When I saw the pretty yellow dotted ribbon in Really Reasonable Ribbon's April Ribbon of the Month set, I instantly knew I wanted to use my K&Company's ~ Susan Winget "Spring Blossom" specialty paper. I think it is a perfect match! :)


Libby O from PSA Essentials sent me lots of goodies to play with and I used one of the "Peel & Sick Packs" called "PSA*Dare To Dream". She also sent me a really cool stamp body that inks and stamps all in one movement, but for this card I just used an acrylic block so I could use colors and embossing powders to match my designer paper.
Here is a closeup of that sweet yellow ribbon and the darling stamp.


You should really check out  Really Reasonable Ribbon's - April  Ribbon of the Month Club package. Bonnie picked out lots of pretty spring themed ribbon  for this set.  :)
This would be a great time to sign up if you aren't already.



Your next stop on the hop is the wonderful Tilly's blog.  ;).

Remember to leave a comment on all of the hop blogs for your chance to win some beautiful ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon!

BTW...we have just signed on a bunch of awesome new designers to join us on the Really Reasonable Ribbon design team. Head on over to THIS POST to meet 'em! :)

Thanks so much for dropping by!

Hugs
True :D


Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Turkey "Fries", Wild Mushrooms and a Coloring Tutorial with Prismacolor Pencils and Gamsol ;)

Hi Everyone!

Did the title get your attention?  ;) LOL!
What do these things all have in common you ask?
Well, they are all things I did last night.

Hubby and I ate like hillbillies last night! 
We love hunting wild Morel mushrooms and 'tis the season. These were fresh picked yesterday.
It is sad that they are only in season for a few weeks each year. :(


I also found some turkey fries at the grocer's the other day and you almost never can find them.
For those of you who don't know what turkey fries are...let's just say that only male turkeys have 'em. :) 


I paired them up with a big batch of Morels and we had us a down home, finger lickin', country fried supper!


OK...now for the crafty stuff....
I did a coloring tutorial for Clearly iStamp with Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol.

Here is the card I created for the tutorial.


The paper is from K&Company's ~ Susan Winget's "Nature" designer stack.


CLICK HERE to see the tutorial...after you leave me a comment...hint hint. :)

Thanks for dropping by!
Hugs,
True :D




Monday, April 11, 2011

Creative Charms Design Team Call


Hi Everyone!
My second term with Creative Charms will come to an end May 1st. Midori is doing a design team call now and I thought I would help her put the word out. I have some very talented followers and would love to see one of you replace me! :)
Here is the DT info:

DT Call ~ Monday, April 11 – Sunday, April 17
Creative Charms is an embellishment manufacturing company and we are looking for a designers to add to our design team. We are looking for several people who are passionate and excited about sharing their ideas and creativity. The designers we are looking for are in at least one of these categories: scrapbooking, card making, and altered design.

The designers shall:
·         Post twice a month to the Creative Charms blog
·         Post to their own personal blog and Facebook any specials and giveaways
·         Contract for at least three months with an optional 3 month extension

Compensation of $30 of Creative Charms product each month with additional monetary compensation for publication in print magazines.

To apply please email the following to midori@creativecharms.com with the subject line Design Team.
·         Name
·         Address
·         Phone Number
·         Email Address
·         Blog Address
·         3 of your favorite projects
·         Design team experience (past and present)
·         List of projects that have been published

Good Luck and hugs,
True :D

Wedding Ensemble With Really Reasonable Ribbon

Hi Everyone!
Today is the last day of a week full of inspirational wedding projects over @ Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings. You should really head over and check out all of the beautiful creations!

I have been ready for this event for quite some time. I made my son Kurt and future daughter-in-love Kristin's invitations and all 100 are just setting on the pool table waiting to be mailed 8 weeks prior to the wedding.
They chose Canary and Mermaid for their colors so of course the invitations had to match!  ;)
For this set, I used several Really Reasonable Ribbon ribbons.
The pretty ribbon on the invitation is Satin Grosgrain Double Band Teal. The ribbons on the favor are 1 1/4" White Silk and Satin With Grosgrain Edge Light Yellow. The RSVP's also have a piece of the yellow satin.


The wording for the invitations and reply cards was done on my computer, then my dear sweet hubby and I added the floral stamping and heat embossing. (if you add 'em up....that was 600 individual stampings! Ugh!) The candy favor is done with a darling stamp from PSA Essentials from their "Mr. & Mrs. Peel & Stick set.
Jelly Belly's are Kristin's favorite candy so it is great that they have colors to match! :)
We also added about 600 pieces of bling!


Here is a peek @ The pool table. ;)
I have been a busy busy girl!  ;)


Thanks so much for dropping by!

Hugs,
True :D