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!
I would love it if you would "Follow" me and visit often! :)

Click directly on the green arrow below to hear a quick message from me. :)

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PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO VISIT MY OTHER PAGES AND TO GET TO KNOW A LITTLE MORE ABOUT ME. ;)



Some Of My Favorite Creations To Date

Friday, July 29, 2011

A CAS Card Done With My Freebie Paper ~ Come Get Yours! :)

Hi Everyone!
Yesterday I posted a freebie digi paper that I created just for my followers as a thank you gesture.
It doesn't get much simpler then using the paper I created!. I already "inked" the edges of the paper digitally and sized it for both 6" x 6" and 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" cards.  All I did was print out the smaller size paper, trim it, stamp a nice sentiment, and add a flower and ribbon. I am guessing the card took about 5 minutes to make!
I chose to design my first freebie with lots of assorted colors so it could be paired up with many colors of cardstock or embellishments.
Here is my card....


I think it looks great with that orange Prima flower and the pretty Apple Shimmer Satin ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon.
Both the card base and my "designer paper" are done with Discount Card Stock's - Brilliant White.
If you would like to have my "freebie" digi paper, just become a follower (if you aren't already), leave a comment below, and email me HERE.
See the paper HERE on yesterday's post. :)
Thanks so much for taking the time to drop by again today!

Hugs,
True :)


Thursday, July 28, 2011

Freebie Alert!!!! I Designed A New Digi Paper Just For My Followers! :)

Hi Everyone!
Each time I have a blog candy give away, I always feel bad because there can only be one winner and I am so thankful for ALL of my followers!
I have been having so much fun designing digital papers that I decided to do one just for my followers!

I used lots of bright pretty colors so you can team it up with lots of different colors of cardstock.
I made it in both 6" x 6" and 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" sizes.

How do you get them you ask?
Simply become a follower (if you aren't already), leave me a quick comment below, and EMAIL ME HERE.
*** Please make sure and email me at the above link and not my regular email. I have set this one up just for the freebies so I can stay organized. Thanks! ;) ***
I will send the zip file to you as soon as I see your email and check that you have become a follower and have commented below. 
All I ask is when you use my freebies, that you give me credit for them and link back to my blog when possible.
Please do not share the files but please send people back here so they can get a copy for themselves the right way. ;)
If I get lots of takers, this might just have to become a regular thing on my blog. I LOVE sharing! :)
Please spread the word to your friends, on your blogs, Facebook or where ever! The more... the merrier! :)

Thanks so much!
I truly do appreciate you all and look forward to seeing what you create with my freebie!  :)

Hugs,
True :D


Playin' Along With The Girls @ SCS With My "Garden Of Life" digi and Paper Set

Hi Everyone!
The girls over at Split Coast Stampers are doing an "Altered Ribbon" " Ways To Use It" challenge today and you all know how much I LOVE ribbon. I just had to play along!


My card is done with my "Pre-colored Garden Of Life digi" that is available over @ Clear Dollar Stamps.
I had a lot of fun creating this colored version with matching papers. I hope you will all check it out!  :)
It is just $3.50!
 It's also available in black and white for just $2.50!

To qualify for the challenge, I altered some pretty Grosgrain Edged White Satin Ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon, by coloring the grosgrain edge with my G24 Copic marker and then I stamped the  sentiment directly on it. The sentiment is from CDS - "Heartfelt Sentiments" clear set.

The layout is from yesterday's SCS sketch challenge so I can play with those girls too!


The pretty cardstock is Brilliant White (that is what I printed my paper and flower on) and Cyclamen Cascda both from Discount Card Stock.

Thanks for dropping by today my friends!

Hugs,
True :D


Wednesday, July 27, 2011

And the Winner of the Tombow Markers Blog Candy is.....



Kathy said....
"I've been wanting to try out these markers, I keep seeing them listed in supplies. I LOVE coloring and can't resist another way to do it! I got my Cardmaker magazine yesterday...there you are!!! How awesome...very well deserved!

Kathy"

Kathy, please email me with your snail mail address and I will get your markers to you.

Thanks to Tombow for sending me the markers and other fabulous supplies to play with! :)



I would also like to thank everyone who left a comment. I truly appreciate each and every one of them. 
You all visiting my blog makes the time it takes to post so worth it!

Hugs and happy crafting!  :)

True :D

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Sometimes You Just Gotta Color! ;)

Hi Everyone!
I don't have a card today. Been pretty busy around the house!
I did set down to take a break though.
I am still learning my AutoDesk SketchBook Pro coloring program and the more I learn, the more I love it!
Major "Big Girl Crayons" is what I'm talkin' 'bout!!!
I stamped and scanned this adorable #2245J "Birthday Owl" from Inky Antics so I could color him on my computer. Soooo much fun!
Sure wish I could find a job coloring! LOL!
Dream job...dream job!   :)


I will turn him into a card another day, but right now, I have laundry calling my name!  ;)

Have a wonderfully crafty day my friends!

Hugs,
True :D

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Inky Antics/Tombow Blog Hop and I Have Blog Candy!!!! :D

Hi Everyone!
So glad you hopped by!
Today the Inky Antics girls are doing another blog hop. We have teamed up with the wonderful Tombow team to show you some Inky/Tombow goodness!
If you are here from sweet Debbie's blog, you are in the right place. If you just happened onto my blog, you'll want to go back to Debbie's where it all starts. ;)
Our Inky friend Jackie sent us all some fun Inky Antics stamp sets and a bunch of product that Tombow sent her to give to us!
Here is the card that I did using Inky's adorable #1099OMC - "Bug Be Gone!" clear set.


Of course it was colored with Tombow markers and assembled with Tombow adhesives! :)


The cardstock is from Discount Card Stock.
The ribbons and trims are from Really Reasonable Ribbon.
The designer paper is from K&Company.
The gems are from Creative Charms.

* See the video below for the exact names of the products and a super quick Tombow coloring tutorial
by me!*



***BLOG CANDY ALERT!***
As I stated in the video, I already have every Tombow marker they make, but I am still glad that they sent me this set because now I can share with one of you!  All you have to do is become a follower, if you aren't already, and leave me a comment. It's that easy! :)


The blog hop ends on Sunday, July 24th at midnight Central time. Please visit each DT members’ blog to view their project and leave feedback. The more you comment, the better your chances are to win. (Limit one comment per blog, please). One person’s name will be drawn at random to receive a fun Inky/Tombow prize pack, similar to what each of our designers received to make their projects! The lucky winner’s name will be announced on the Inky Antics blog next Monday, so remember to stop back and see if you’ve won.



This is the package you could win from Inky/Tombow for commenting.

To check out what the Tombow designers have made and get another chance to win prizes, please click here.
Your next stop on the hop is the amazingly fun and talented Tex's blog.

BTW...for a funny "bug" story, scroll down to yesterday's post before you go. I can laugh now but at the time....Geeeez! :)

Hugs and happy crafting!

True :D


Monday, July 18, 2011

I Was Attacked This Morning! :)_

Hi Everyone!

I have a funny story to tell you all today!
I was outside this morning taking a picture of a card on the deck for an Inky Antics/Tombow blog hop tomorrow, when I thought a humming bird buzzed me. I turned to look and it was a huge wasp of some kind carrying a cicada that was as big at it was! I snapped this photo as he was trying to pull it down through a knothole. There is an area of the deck that always has tons of dead cicadas laying there. We have often wondered why they go there to die.  Well... mystery solved. they don't die there, they are brought there by this crazy huge wasp!

Here is the funny part...
(I can laugh now but at the time, I almost tinkled my granny panties!)
I picked up a hand shovel that was laying there, and thought I was going to cut it in half by whacking it with the edge of the shovel.
Well....you guessed it....I MISSED!!!
Picture me in a housecoat, bare foot,  hair still up in a messy bun (yes...I'm being lazy this morning) running around the back yard swatting at this huge bug/bird with a stinger that is now totally pissed off and dive bombing me! Both arms were flailing in the air as I swung at it with  the shovel and my bare hand. I hit it a couple of times with my hand before I managed to get into the house!
I waited about thirty minutes until the coast was clear then went back out to finish shooting my card. Well...you guessed it again...he was waiting for me! I no sooner sat down in a deck chair and he started dive bombing me again!
Another mad dash back into the house for me!

Any other pictures I need to take today will be done under the Ott Light!  :)

Between my morning coffee and the wasp induced adrenaline rush, I'm hopped up and ready to hit my craft studio running!  :)

Hugs and happy crafting my friends!

True :D

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Clear Dollar Stamps "Summertime" Blog Hop.

Hi Everyone!

It's time for another Clear Dollar Stamps blog hop!

If you came here from my sweet friend Lisa's blog, you're in the right place! If you just happened onto my blog without knowing about the hop, head on back to Lori's Clearly iStamps blog so you can get in at the beginning. You don't want to miss any of the team's amazing creations, or your chance to win one of two awesome prizes form Clear Dollar Stamps!

Now, I'm sure you have all seen several cards from me lately done with the "Ice Cream Cone" stamp I illustrated. Well.... guess what. Nothing says "summertime" like a double scoop ice cream cone, and since the theme is "Summertime"... here's another cone card! LOL!


For this one, I decided to paper piece the cone and ice cream instead of coloring it. You just can't find a better paper pad for piecing an ice cream cone than Basic Grey's "Two Scoops"!!!! 
It's an oldie but goody! I love how the  papers color coordinate for both the cone itself and the background papers. The pretty brad is also from the "Two Scoops" collection.
I just colored the cherry with a red Sharpie marker and added some white highlights with my Sakura White Gelly Roll Pen.

All of the ribbon and trim are from Really Reasonable Ribbon. They are:

Here is what the "Ice Cream Cone" stamp looks like. 
It is 1 5/8" x 3 3/4" and is just $4.99.


It's also available in a smaller version in my "Birthday Party" set for just $14.99


Your next stop on the hop is the ubber talented Laurie's blog.

Remember to leave a comment all all of the girl's blogs to increase your chances of being one of the two random commenters drawn from a random CDS DT's blog!  :)

Thanks for hopping by!
Hugs,
True :D


Saturday, July 16, 2011

A Cake Inspired ATC

Hi Everyone!

Just a quick post here today.
I woke up @ 4:30 this morning with an agenda. Playing along with the girls @ Split Coast Stampers "Inspiration Challenge" was not part of it, even though I so love to play with them!
I thought I would just set down and take a peek at today's challenge while I drank my morning coffee. Big mistake! Busy or not, I had to play along! The inspiration was a wonderful cake decorator's blog called "Maggie Austin Cake". I decorate cakes also and was so inspired by her creations that I decided to play along.
I did do an ATC because of course the cake I chose was very labor intensive and would have taken way too long on a full size card. I can only imagine how much time it took Maggie to make her cake! 
BTW...I checked out her pricing and her cakes START @ $10.00 per serving! I want to make cakes like Maggie! I guess I would also need her customer base too though!  :)

Here is my ATC...


Here is the inspiration cake I chose...


I simply drew the image on by hand with a pencil, colored it with metallic watercolors, then darkened the lines with a black Copic pen.

Thanks for droppin' in!
Have a great weekend!

Hugs,
True :D


Friday, July 15, 2011

"Cool It!" with RRRR and an Yummy "Cool" Salad Recipe!

Hi Everyone!
It's the 15th of the month which means it's time for another fun Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings challenge.
I think we are all in the "Summer" card making mode so why not jump on in and enter our challenge? You could win a great prize from Really Reasonable Ribbon!
The theme this time is "Cool IT!". With a record number of days in July over 100 degrees, we could all stand to "cool it"!  :)
For my card, I used the "Ice Cream Cone" stamp that I illustrated for Clear Dollar Stamps.
I chose to use "sherbet" scoops for my cone to match the pretty Lemon Diamond Satin and Orange Swirls from Really Reasonable Ribbon.


I used a Fine Tip Sharpie marker do doodle the frame around the cone and the sentiment.
The image was colored with Prismacolor pencils. I like to carry elements throughout my card. If you will notice the diamonds on the ribbon, the diamonds on the cone and I also crosshatched over the image piece, including the cone. I kind of like the effect! :)


Here is a look at my stamp. It sells for just $4.99 @ Clear Dollar Stamps!

My son and daughter-in love went to the Branson area for their honeymoon and stayed at an amazing Bass Pro resort called Big Cedar Lodge. Hubby and I stayed there last year and they have the most wonderful restaurants on site. I told the kids they had to try the Blueberry Poppy Seed Dressings that The Devil's Pool Restaurant serves. They did and liked it. They were super thoughtful and brought us home a bottle! Mmmmnum yummy! :)

I love it on my special concoction salad I like to call "True's Spinach Salad". Real original right? LOL!
I got a brand new camera the other day and wanted to try it out so...you get to see my salad! :)
I just thought it was a good subject matter for testing the "background de-focus" feature on my camera. It turned out good thus the bonus recipe post! LOL!

Click the picture to make your mouth water! :)

I don't measure when I make this but I can tell you what is in it and you can add whatever amounts of each ingredient you like to suit your own taste.

True's Spinach Salad
Baby Spinach
Lightly seasoned sauteed chicken chunks (salt, pepper, a little seasoned salt) *cooled*
Sliced dates
 Crumbled goat cheese
Sugared whole almonds 
Seasoned Croutons
Blueberry Poppy Seed Dressing

It sounds like a very odd combination but it is truly ma-vo-lous! :)

Head on over to the Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings blog to check out the other girl's beautiful projects and to find out how you can join in on the fun!  :)

Thanks for dropping by!

Hugs,
True :D


Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Hip Hop Flip Flop! Another RRRR Blog Hop!!! :)

Hi Everyone!

It is the 13th of the month so it's time for another Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings blog hop!

If you found your way here from Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings, you are in the right place!
If you just happened on to my blog, head on back there, because that it where it all starts! :)
You don't want to miss any of the awesome projects the girls have created for your viewing pleasure...or a chance at a great prize from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

Here is my card...


I did a bit of CASEing this time, I saw an adorable card with a "flip flop" tutorial that Vickie Papaioannou did for the Lily Pad Cards blog. You should really go check it out! :)   HERE'S THE LINK.
BUT WAIT!!!!
Don't head off to check out the tutorial until after you have left a comment.  You can't win the hop prize if you don't leave a comment!  ;)  ;)
When I saw Vicky's card, I knew instantly which of this month's Really Reasonable Ribbon's July Ribbon of the Month Club styles I would use. It just screams FLIP FLOPS!  ;)



Here is a close up of the fun ribbon and flip flops.


I used some pretty My Mind's Eye "Summer Song" designer paper, Discount Card Stock's amazing 110# Brilliant White (card base and square) and 130# Brilliant White (for the bottoms of the flip flops).
The fun sentiment is from a discontinued  Simon Says Stamp original set. Sorry...didn't realize it until I went to link it. ;(
BTW...I thought the sentiment worked perfect even though it came from a "frog" set.  We are on a "HOP", the flip flop tutorial is so fun I want to SKIP, and before long, you will be "JUMP"ing on the the next link of the hop!  :)

Bonnie will be giving away a July Ribbon Monthly Club kit plus some other goodies to a random commentor so please make sure and comment on all of the girl's projects to increase your chances of winning!



Your next stop on the hop is Andrea's Creative Paper Trail. You're gonna love it! :)
Thanks so much for dropping by today!
Hugs,
True :D
           

Monday, July 11, 2011

Sharing Another of My Cards From The "Coloring Techniques For Card Making" Book

Hi Everyone!
It's been almost a year since I was involved with the amazing Annie's Attic book called "Coloring Techniques for Card Making" and I have yet to share all of my cards that were in it! We were asked to wait 6 months before sharing on our blogs but I kind of forgot so here is another. I will post the remaining cards very soon, so keep checking back! :)
This card is titled "We Heard The Buzz!" (because of the sentiment on the inside) and can be found on page 38 of the book. 


I would love to share the card recipe with you but you will have to check it out in the book.  ;)
It is available online or paperback.


Thanks and hugs!

True :D


Saturday, July 9, 2011

Welcome to Day 3 of CDS Product Parade! Things Are Getting a Little Nutty! :)

Hi Everyone!
I get to show you 2 more stamp sets that I illustrated for Clear Dollar Stamps today!
My first card was done with my "Squirrel Chatter" set.
I used Discount Card Stock's - Midnight Black, Oatmeal Hopsack, and Brilliant White.
The pretty Brown Swirls ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.
The image is colored with watercolors.


The set is just $7.99!


The second was made with my "My Little School Bus" set.
I used Discount Card Stock's - Bazzill Raven Stripe, Brilliant White, and Posh Red Twill.
The apples are cut from a piece of The Paper Studio's - Apples On Black paper.
The image was water colored.
True's Tip #1...The reds were all done with a red fine tip Sharpie marker. They really work well for vibrant reds!


This set would be great to make cards for teachers, bus drivers, or a cute lunch bucket surprise note for the kiddos! It would also look awesome on a "Back to School" or "School Days" scrapbook page!  ;)
True's Tip #2...Buy this set for a small teacher's gift. It would also be a great stamp for them to use to let students know they have done a "Great Job!". The teacher could stamp it on the kid's good papers and then the child could color it in. What a great insensitive to to a good job!
You could make the teacher a card with the set, then slip it inside of the card as the gift. I think any teacher would be thrilled!
It's just $5.99!  :)

If you missed my peeks from yesterday, scroll down one post.

If you would like to have fun on a blog hop and have a chance at winning some Discount Card Stock papers or The Twinery Twine, scroll down two posts.

Scroll down a little further and you can check out my big news! ;)

After all of that....head on over to the Clearly iStamp blog and check out all of this month's other releases and the pretty projects the girls have made with them!

Thanks for dropping by!

Hugs,
True :D


Friday, July 8, 2011

Day 2 of Clear Dollar Stamps Product Parade! I Have a Fun New Set to Show You!

Hi Everyone!
Today I get to share the new "Birthday Party" set that I illustrated for Clear Dollar Stamps!
Lori liked the set so much that she also made a few of the images into larger stamps that would work great for larger cards or scrapbooks!

My first card is from the actual set. There are several fun banners and other yummy images in it plus coordinating sentiments!


Card Recipe:

CDS STAMPS USED: "Birthday Party" designed by: Trudy Sjolander
CS/PAPERS: Discount Card Stock - Brilliant White, The Paper Studio - Celebrations StackINK: Staz-OnACCENTS/TOOLS: Really Reasonable Ribbon' s - Purple Mini Ric-Rac and Grape Satin Swiss Dots, SU - oval and scal. oval punches, orange bradsCOLORING: water colors

Here is a shot of the stamp set. It is available now for just $14.99.


This card was done with the "Ice Cream Cone" that was made into a larger stamp.



Card Recipe:

CDS STAMPS USED: "Ice Cream Cone" designed by: Trudy Sjolander
CS/PAPERS: Discount Card Stock - Brilliant White INK: Staz-OnACCENTS/TOOLS: Really Reasonable Ribbon's - Funny Vertical Striped Pink and Brown ribbonCOLORING: water colors and red fine tip Sharpie marker

The "Ice Cream Cone" stamp is just $4.99!

This card was made with the "Birthday Cake Slice" stamp that was pulled form the set and made larger.



Card Recipe:

CDS STAMPS USED: "Birthday Cake Slice" designed by: Trudy Sjolander
CS/PAPERS: Discount Card Stock's - Chocolate and Natural Parchment (on the cake layers), The Paper Studio - "Sweet Pea" stackINK: Staz-OnCOLORING: watercolors

This stamp is available for just $5.99! 

I invite you to head on over and check out the Clearly iStamp blog to see what the other girls have created with my stamps and the rest of the new releases!

Thanks so much for dropping by!

Hugs, 
True :D