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

Monday, February 28, 2011

A Couple of CDS Sneak Peeks & Some RRR- Ribbons!

Hi Everyone!

Today is another sneak peek day at Clear Dollar Stamps!
Both sets that I am showing today, will be available on March 1st.
I am also showing off a couple of newer ribbons from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

My first cards are done with the beautiful "Hydrangea" set created by Laurie Wilson.
I couldn't make up my mind what color I wanted to do first so I did them all! :)



The beautiful ribbons are the new "Corsage" ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon.


These cards were done with the "Roses to Die For" set that I illustrated. 


There is a twist on the name  because the images fit the "Blooming Bouquet" dies that are available now. The combination makes for quick and beautiful cards and projects.


The beautiful ribbon on these cards is Really Reasonable Ribbon'sChampagne Diamond Satin.


I hope you will head on over to Lori's blog for a list of all of the other girls who are showing their beautiful sneaks today!

Hugs,
True :D


Sunday, February 27, 2011

Class Pictures ;)

Hi Everyone!
Just thought I would share some of the smiling faces from my class @ Chasing Rainbows in Independence KS. yesterday.
It was such a fun group of ladies!
I taught a simple watercoloring class, and they each created 3 cards.




This is one of the cards they made and I have to say that they all did beautifully! :)

My next class will be April 9th @ 10:30 and we will be doing more advanced watercoloring with popped images.
We will complete (2) heavily layered cards.
 If anyone local is interested in joining us, please contact Jennie or Vickie @ Chasing Rainbows...(620) 331-2600.
Special thanks to the ladies who attended! 
I look forward to playing with you again! :)

Hugs,
True :D

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Welcome to Inky Antic's First Ever Blog Hop!

Hi Everyone!
Welcome to Inky Antics 1st ever blog hop!
Inky Antics now has it's 1st official design team and we are celebrating by having a "bunny" hop.
If you came from Michelle's beautiful blog, you are in the right place!
If you just happened on to my blog, you will want to go back to Jackie's adorable Inky Antics blog where it all starts.
There are 7 stops on this hop. Make sure and leave some love on all of them for your chance to win one of 3  new release Easter Bunny clear stamp sets that Inky is giving away!
This bunny hop ends on Sunday 2/27/11 @ midnight Central time.
Jackie challenged us to think of different things we could have the "Givin' A Squeeze" bunny hold.
Mine is holding a daffodil! :)


The designer papers are form "The Best of K&Company" stack.
The image is popped in several places and watercolored.
I colored the Gradient White Pearl Stickers from Creative Charms with a Copic to match.


I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Party Time Tuesdays ~ "Anything Goes"
Easy peasy!
Lil' Red Wagon ~ "Animals"
Check!
Paper Play ~ "Add Some Shine"
Shinny ribbon, pearls, and nose. ;)
Cute Card Thursday ~ "Shinny Happy cards"
Again....shinny ribbon, pearls, and nose. ;)
Charisma Cards ~ "Spring Has Sprung"
Nothing more "Springy" than a bunny holding a daffodil! :)


Your next stop on our bunny hop is the last...so head on back to Jackie's Inky Antics blog and let us know what you think! :)
But wait!!!!
Don't forget to leave some love here before ya go, so you can be entered in the draws!

Thanks for hopping by!

Hugs,
True :D


Monday, February 21, 2011

SCC TLC313 Card

Hi Everyone!
Today's post is a quicky...I am a busy busy girl today!

I needed to create a card for Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings today so I took a peak at the Splitcoast Stamper's Try a New Technique TLC313 today. It was to create a Bargello card...so I did!  ;)


The technique uses something similar to strip quilting only with paper.
I used the beautiful new Lavender Diamond Satin ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon and K&Company's papers and embellishments.

It is a very simple card but sometimes that's OK! :)

Thanks for dropping by!
Hugs,
True :D



Sunday, February 20, 2011

"Help 4 Katie" Blog Hop

Hi everyone!
Welcome to our "Help 4 Kate" blog hop!

If you came from Jan's adorable blog, you are in the right place.
If you just happened on to my blog, you will want to go back to the wonderful Lori's blog to start at the beginning.

Our Clear Dollar Stamps design team sister and friend, Katie Renz has been diagnosed with stage for gastric cancer. She is a vibrant young wife and mother and is going through the struggle of her life. Awhile back myself and many other wonderful illustrators got together and created a set of digital images to sell to raise funds for Katie's medical expenses. Well...the expenses are still mounting and the set was so popular that we have done it again! There is a brand new set if digi illustrations for you to download! For those of you who didn't see it, the first set is still available too.

For my hop card, I used the stamp set that I illustrated and donated called "Floral Thought For Katie"


Here is what my set looks like.



This is a picture of the new set that is available for instant download.
It is just $15.00 and all of the money from sales goes to Katie's family. ;)


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

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


Friday, February 18, 2011

And The Winner is.....

Thanks to everyone who stopped by my blog during the OWOH hop and left some love!
It was so much fun "meeting" you all! :)
The winner of my ribbons and goodies is....
Congratulations!

Hugs,
True :D

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Coloring Fur With Colored Pencils Tutorial

Hi Everyone!
I got several comments and some emails about how I colored this card that I posted the other day.


I created a video to show you how to get this effect with colored pencils and OMS.

I started with my newest digi stamp set "Purrfect Day", that is available now @ Clear Dollar Stamps for just $2.50 for an instant download.

And....here is the video. Hope you like! :)


Thanks so much for dropping by. I would love to know if you found this tutorial helpful and if you would like more.

Hugs,
True :D

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Multi DT Post Cards

Hi Everyone!
I am combining several design team posts into one so none of them get lost in the shuffle! :)

My first card is done with the latest digi that I designed for Clear Dollar Stamps.


The beautiful ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon. It is their new "Light Green Satin with Grosgrain Edge".
I used "Spring Larch" and "Mountain Rose" cardstocks from The Paper Temptress.


My digi set is called "Purrfect Day" and available now for instant download. 
I hope you will head over to Lori's blog after you have checked out my second card to see the beautiful projects the other girls have created with this month's digi releases. :)

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My next card is a sample for the latest challenge over Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings.
It is being co-sponsored by I Brake For Stamps so I used one of their hilarious "Humorous Seniors" stamps.


I chose "Hovering Henrietta" since the challenge is "Spring Plus Rribbon". Looks like she is doing a little Spring cleaning to me. ;)
BTW...If you like this image, you should really go check out the rest of their "Humorous Seniors"! They are a hoot!
If you do....use the discount code SAVE10TRUE to receive a 10% discount off of your entire purchase!

The pretty ribbon is from the February Ribbon of the Month Club assortment  from Really Reasonable Ribbon.
The cradstocks are Fairway and Flame from The Paper Temptress.



Hope you will head on over to Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings and check out all of the great cards the RRRR girls and the IB4S girls have created for your inspiration!
Who knows....maybe we will inspire you to join in our challenge!
Something else that might inspire you are the prizes.
RRR is giving a $10.00 gift certificate and IB4S is giving away a $25.00 gift certificate so we will have 2 lucky winners!
Wowsers! :)

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

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"Purrfect Day" card Recipe:
CDS STAMPS USED: Purrfect Day digi
CS/PAPERS: K&Company's Super Pad stack, Paper Temptress' Heavenly White, Spring Larch, and Mountain Rose
INK: Laser Printer, Versa Magic's Oasis Green
ACCENTS/TOOLS: ribbon, Antique Pearl brad, sewing machine with pink and aqua thread, Wizard with square and scalloped square Nestablities, Diamond Glaze, Scor-Pal, Scor-Tape, double-sides foam tape.
COLORING: water colors
TECHNIQUES: digital stamp, sewing, watercoloring

Sunday, February 13, 2011

RRRR plus Sparkle n Sprinkle Blog Hop!

Hi everyone!
So glad you hopped by today!
For this month's Really Reasonable Ribbon's blog hop, we are teaming up with Sparkle n Sprinkle so you will get to see some wonderful creations form both design teams.
If you just came from Julie W's beautiful blog, you are in the right place.
If you just happened on to my blog and would like to join us in the hop, please head on back to to Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings to start at the beginning.


 For my card today, I used Sparkle n Sprinkle's ~ "Carrot Bunny". He is also available in a darling set called "Star Bunnies". Yes...he's watercolored...y'all know that is my all time favorite coloring medium! :)



You can also purchase it in their Pastel Diamond Satin assortment .


Or...sign up for their Ribbon of the Month Club and get it in your February assortment.


The cardstock is The Paper Temptress's ~ Heavenly White and Gold.
The designer paper is from My mind's Eye's ~ Summer Song stack.
The rose is from Wild Orchid Crafts.
The leaves are snipped off of Leaf Trim from RRRR.


Make sure and comment on all of the girls blogs to increase your chances of winning one of the super prizes that Really Reasonable Ribbon and Sparkle and Sprinkle have up for grabs!

OK...you are movin' on to Julie Z's awesome project....but before you go....don't forget to leave me some love! ;)

Big hugs!
True :D


Friday, February 11, 2011

Another Inky Antics DT Card plus PSAE blog hop info

Hi Everyone!
Today's card was made using Inky Antic's ~ "Love Watering Can" #2244G stamp.
Isn't it the sweetest thing with all of those hearts? :)


I stamped and watercolored the image twice so I could pop it for some added dimension.
That adorable Leaf trim is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.
Speaking of RRR...right now they are participating in a manufacturer blog hop and there are tons of prizes up for grabs!
Here is a list of the manufacturers that will be giving away prizes:

Head on over to Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings to get started!

I used Basic Grey's "Sugar Rush" paper stack and punched the flowers out of some of the purple to match.


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


Monday, February 7, 2011

Big and Beautiful Bow!

Hi Everyone!

I usually try to do my Monday posts around 7AM-ish but had some issues today.

Before I get to my card, I would like to invite you to come play along in our latest Really Reasonable Ribbons Ramblings challenge. The theme is "Read, White, and Pink Plus Ribbon". Tis the season and I think we are all hittin' those colors so why not join in?
You could win some goodies from Really Reasonable Ribbon and our sponsor Wild Orchid Crafts!
CLICK HERE for the challenge deets!  ;)

This card is not for the challenge. I posted my challenge card HERE.
But....I wanted to show you what a pretty bow the 1 1/4" Silk ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon makes.
So full and beautiful! I used Celery Green but here is a link to all of the silk Bonnie has to offer.




I used another one of the stamp sets that I illustrated called "Sentimental Flowers" available @ Clear Dollar Stamps. The flower and leaves were cut with the really cool SVG files they now offer (for just a dollar) and my Cricut!


The paper is Heavenly White from The Paper Temptress and the jewels are Gradient Gem Stickers from Creative Charms. The beautiful brad is their Pink Vintage Pearl brad. I also used my "Dots" Cuttlebug embossing folder.

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

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Come Fly With Me On The Wings Of OWOH!

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Hi everyone!
I had so much fun last year flying on the OWOH Magic Carpet Ride that when I saw that sweet Lisa Swifka was going to do it one more time, well of course I had to join in!
It is a blog hop that is for bloggers only and everyone who joins in on the hop will be offering a gift prize to give to at least one of our commentors.
It is such a wonderful way for artist from all different mediums and from all over the world to get to meet each other. I still follow and keep in touch with several that I met last year. FFL!  ;)


If you just happened upon my blog for another reason and would like to fly along with us, click the logo above to go to Lisa's blog for a list of all of the participants.

OK...her's the poop on me...
I have been crafting all of my life and dabbled in almost all mediums, my current love is high-end handmade greeting cards. I draw many of my own images and even illustrate clear and digital stamps for a stamp company. I also design for 7 other craft companies. I have been published in magazines and a coloring technique book. The vast majority of my cards are done in watercolor but I also use Prismacolor pencils with Gamsol and Copic (alcohol ink) pens.


Here are just a couple examples of my stamp illustrations and greeting cards:
remember, you can click on them for a closer look.


My "Flower Bunny" has been made into a clear stamp.

My "Just BeeCause" image is available as a digi stamp.

I created this digital stamp set as a donation to raise money for a friend who has terminal cancer.

My "Monkey Business" illustration was turned into a digi stamp.

My "Bear Hugs" was also turned into a clear stamp.

 As was my "We Go Together Like..." set.

My "Brrrthday Snowman" is a digi set also!

Next to my husband of 30 years, Robert, my son Kurt, and the rest of my family and close friends, there is no one I would rather spend my time with then my crafty online friends. I have made many over the 3 or 4 years I have been card making and blogging. I have had the pleasure of meeting many of them in person at craft conventions and in classes.

I love blogging, sharing my craft and meeting new people.
Other things I love in no particular order:
God
The smell of fresh cut grass
Songbirds in Spring
Laughing till it hurts
Puppy breath (I know...this is an odd one)
Crab legs
My English Bull child, Zoey
My feline babies, Quilt, Brother and Nother
Coloring like a kid
A clean house
My craft studio
The sound of my son's laughter
Sudden Summer downpours
Walking in the woods looking for wild mushrooms
Setting behind and hugging my soul mate on a Harley ride
Cappuccino
Lilacs and Peonies
Double rainbows...well...any rainbow
The Cullens  and Jacob
Foot , hand and head massages
and growing old...beats the alternative!  :)

Enough already...on to the good stuff!


To thank you for visiting my blog and getting to know a little about me I am offering some beautiful hand-dyed silk ribbon that I got from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

Here is a close up of a few of my favorites.

I wanted my gift to be something that would be useful to just about any artist or crafter and this stuff is amazingly beautiful! Pictures never do it justice!
There are about 20 yards of assorted colors!


I am also throwing in a 3" x 9" tag that I made with "One Heart" embellishment on it to symbolize OHOW. I will add some extra tickets so you can fill them in and give to your sweetie or use in your mixed medium projects.


It's against my religion  ;)  to send a half empty box so I will add a surprise element by filling it with as many bits, baubles and mixed media embellishments as I can get in it! I want to make the time it takes you to post a comment worth your while!  :)

All ya need to do is leave a comment to be entered. If you don't have an email link on your blog, you will need to add it to your comment. I will ship anywhere for this special occasion!
Another reason I chose ribbon...it's light enough it can "Fly On The Wings" around the world.


I will announce the winner the evening of the 17th.



~+~+~+~Edited~+~+~+~
I thought I would show you a very quick video of my Zoey after the snow. Hope you get a chuckle!


You might want to scroll all of the way down to the bottom of my page and pause the play list so you can hear the video. ;)





I want to send out a special thanks to Lisa for hosting this one more time. I know it is a ton of work but I think for you it's a labor of love.  :)


Hugs to all,
True :D