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. :)

Followers




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

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Sentimental Flowers "Birthday Bud"

Hi everyone! :)
Today's card is done with the "Sentimental Flowers" set that I illustrated for Clear Dollar Stamps. I might be a little biased since it is my drawing, but I find myself using this set again and again. It is just so versatile and sweet...if I say so myself. There are so many sentiments that it is great for many occasions. The SVG file that cuts out the parts on my Cricut make it super fast and easy too!


This is what the entire set looks like.

Download the "Sentimental Flowers Cuttin' Up"  SVG files for just $1.00! ;)


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


Card Recipe:
CDS STAMPS USED: "Sentimental Flowers"
CS/PAPERS: TPT Heavenly White, My Mind's Eye -"Summer Song"
INK: Staz-On Jet Black
ACCENTS/TOOLS: Sentimental Flowers SVG, Cricut, RRR Green Satin ribbon, sewing machine with green thread, Beacon's ~ Fabri-tac glue, Score-Tape, foam tape, Ranger Perfect Pears, Diamond Glaze, Stickles in Lime Green, border punch, WOC Rose
COLORING: Watercolors

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

This is just way too cute not to share!

How adorable are these little sweeties!?!



Have a good one! :)
True :D

Monday, March 28, 2011

"Shopping Chick" Gift Card Enclosure

Happy Monday everyone!
I am playing along with the girls in the SplitCoast Stampers TLC318 Try a New Technique "Follow The Edge" challenge. We were asked to trim around the edge of the image on the front of the card so that part of the inside shows. I made a tiny little 3 1/2" x 5" gift enclosure card.


I used the adorable "Bouquet Chicken" from Inky Antics because I thought her shopping attire would work great for a gift card.
She is stamped and watercolored several times then popped up with dimensional tape.


 The papers and embellishments are from K&Company's Tim Coffey ~ Cottage Garden line.
I doodled around the edges with a Sakura's - Gelly Roll Stardust Glitter Pen.

Thanks so much for dropping by! Hope you have a wonderful week!

Hugs,
True :D



Friday, March 25, 2011

"Wishing You a Beautiful Day" Card

Good morning everyone!
Today's card says it all!  ;)
I'm....

The pretty stamp is Inky Antic's #1574G-"Beautiful Day".

Thanks for dropping by!
Hope you have a beautiful day!

Hugs,
True :D




Thursday, March 24, 2011

OK...Here is Proof That I'm Human! LOL!

Hi everyone!
I have a correction.
The cards I posted yesterday for the Inky Antics "HoneyPOP" blog hop were not right. ;)
This was the first time I used HoneyPOP and though it's very fun and easy to use, I didn't pay attention to which way I stamped the images to cut out from the honeycomb paper. There are only 2 ways to do it and of course...as my luck goes...I did it wrong. Here I am, trying to feature this fun new product and stamp sets, and I goofed! ;)
I thought the cards looked good yesterday, but when a friend (Thanks Jackie) told me that I had cut them wrong, I went looking at everyone else's and saw the difference. So...this morning I pulled it out and fixed them. 
They look so much better now that I wanted to show you how they are supposed to look.
Scroll down to yesterday's post to see the before and the fronts. ;)



BTW...The blog hop is still open until Sunday March 27th so check out all the details on yesterday's post below. You could win one of 3 amazing prizes.

Has anyone else done anything like this or am I the only dork?  ;)
I would love it if you left a comment or tell me about your crafty "ooops" moment.  ;)

Big hugs,
True :D


Wednesday, March 23, 2011

It's an Inky Antics HoneyPOP Blog Hop! :)

Hi Everyone!
The Inky Antics girls are having a "honey" of a blog hop today!
The HoneyPOP blog hop starts on Jackie's Inky blog so if you just happened on to mine, you will want to head back to the start so you won't miss a thing. ;)

The hop ends on Sunday, March 27th at midnight Central time. We invite you to stop and comment on each DT members’ blog, as there will be prizes given away.  Three lucky winners will be drawn at random to receive a surprise HoneyPOP Clear Set and coordinating Honeycomb Paper Pad. The more you comment, the more chances you have to win! (Limit one comment on each designer’s blog post plus the Inky blog, with up to seven comments total.)

We are all showing you a couple of cards done with the new "HoneyPOP" sets. There are seven adorable sets and you can see them all by following along on our hop. 

My first card is done with the monkey set. I think he is just the cutest thing!
The banana DP is from Reminisce and is called "Goin' Bananas". How appropriate!
The DP on the inside is from them also and is called "Palm Leaves"
I stamped the monkey on white cardstock, colored him with watercolors, and cut him out. I stamped him again on the leaf paper, cut the frame out, then glued him to it.


When you open the card, the "POP" part hits you! 
The honeycomb papers are available in lots of colors to coordinate with all of the sets.


My second card is done with the "Easter Chick" set. There are several different images to mix and match on every set. This one also has a sweet chick with an Easter basket. I will do a card with it at another date.
This designer paper is from K&Company's ~ Susan Winget's "Spring Blossoms" stack.


How fun is the inside with that "POP"ed up Easter egg!!! :)
The pretty ribbons that I used on this card are Pastel Green Satin Swiss Dots and Pastel Pink Satin Swiss Dots both from Really Reasonable Ribbon.


To see a video about how the HoneyPOP works and to take a peek at the stamp sets, or to purchase you own,  CLICK HERE.

Please also consider participating in the HoneyPOP Blog Hop Challenge. You’ll find the complete scoop here.

Your next stop on our HoneyPOP hop is the amazing Jovi's blog.  I am sure she has some beautiful projects to share with us! ;)

Before you go, be a "honey" and leave a comment here to increase your chances of winning one of these fun new sets!

Thanks for "hopping" by!

Hugs,
True :D


Monday, March 21, 2011

Grung and Silk ~ Newspaper Card

Hi Everyone!
The challenge over @ SplitCoast Stampers today is "Newsworthy". We were asked to use newspaper on our project. Not my normal medium but I gave it a shot and I am so glad I did!
Quite the contrast with that old newspaper and the beautiful Mossy Rock Hand-dyed Silk from Really Reasonable Ribbon, but I think it added just the class I needed! :)


The crossword puzzle was just the right size for a card. I know the words don't fit "up and down" but I was happy that they fit across anyhow! ;)
I made the roses by twisting strips of newspaper and making "rose" circles on round pieces of cardstock that I covered with Scor-Tape. I then sprayed them with a couple colors of Glimmer Mist as well as the outer edges of the puzzle. I lucked out and there was an article in the paper that was in a green background so I used it for the leaves and just hit them with a little green ColorBox ink to make it match my ribbon better. I added some Gradient Pearl Stickers and a White Vintage Brad from Creative Charms to add a little more class. ;)


I am also entering this card in the following challenges:
ABC- "Q" is for Quote (Use a quote or sentiment)
Our Creative Corner -"Don't Throw That Away!"
(Use something that was destined for the trash can)


I would so love to hear what you think about the "outside of the box" style that I used today!

Big hugs,
True :D


Sunday, March 20, 2011

"It's a ZOO!" ~ Clear Dollar Stamps Blog Hop! :)



Hi Everyone!


It is the 20th so it's time for another fabulous Clear Dollar Stamps blog hop!


If you came from Jerusha's adorable blog, you are in the right place.
If you just happened on to  my blog, head on back to our fearless leader, Lori's blog so you can start at the beginning. You don't want to miss out on commenting on all of the blogs for your chance to win one of two gift certificates for Clear Dollar Stamps. The winners will be drawn from the comments on two random DT'd blogs. ;)
This month's theme is "It's a Zoo!" and the girls have all picked out their favorite CDS zoo critters and made some amazing projects for your inspiration.
I used the "Monkey Business" digi stamp set that I illustrated, for my card.
I colored him with watercolors and popped his nose and feet for some added dimension.
The papers are Basic Grey's ~ Origins stack.
The wonderful trims are Black Leaves and a striped twill (that is temporarily out of stock) from Really Reasonable Ribbon.


You can download this digi set instantly for just $3.00! ;)

We sure hope you enjoy hopping along with us on our fun Zoo trip!
Your next "exhibit" stop is @ Nancy's fun blog.

Now...don't monkey around and forget to leave a comment before ya go! :)
Better chance of winning some sweet stuff! :)

Thanks for dropping by!
Big hugs,
True :D


Friday, March 18, 2011

Another Home-made "Prima-like" Flower Card

Hi Everyone!
I lucked out again over at Split Coast Stampers!
I made this "Prima-like" flower last night in hopes that I could use it in today's SCS  "Free 4 All" challenge and the theme for today's F4A56 turned out to be "How Does Your Garden Grow?"


I just got these beautiful K&Company ~ Susan Winget papers and embellishments yesterday and colored my flower to match it. Turned out pretty good if I say so myself!
The beautiful ribbon is a brand new style from Really Reasonable Ribbon called Pastel Green Swiss Dots satin. It is one of my new all time fave ribbons! Yummy! :)


For those of you who missed the original post I did on my home-made flower last night, here is a picture of the Prima flowers that were the inspiration for mine. 
See...none of those colors would have worked with the colors in this paper so having the ability to make them in whatever color you need is soooo cool!


Thanks so much for dropping by!

Big Hugs,
True :D


Thursday, March 17, 2011

Another Home-made "Prima-like" Flower ;)

Hi Everyone!
I had so much fun making the flower that I posted the other day, that I thought I would try another style.
I absolutely LOVE Prima's Cloissone Bronze flowers and have bought some but just haven't been able to make myself use them because they cost a $buck$ a piece unless you can find them on sale! Uggh!

Sooo..... I broke out with some white cardstock, Glimmer Mist, and some other crafty goodies and made something similar.
What do ya think?


I used a flower punch that I had to start it so the shape is different and I blinged it up with colored pearls and gold embellishment intentionally making it "my own". ;)
Of course, I always team up my flowers with leaves, so I thought I would make one to match it perfectly.
I need to get a finer point glue pen for my gold embossing but I guess what I had worked for now. ;)


These whip up in no time at all and cost very little so I will have no problem actually using them! LOL! :)
Because of the response to the flower I posted the other day, I am going to do a tutorial for that one very very soon.
Would you like a tutorial to see how I did this one as well?

Big hugs!
True :D

And the winner of my Ribbon Ring comment candy is.....

...Dawn L!
Thanks to everyone who played along with me and the team during our Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings organization week.

I would also like to extend a special thank you to our wonderful co-sponsors:

Melissa with Ribbon Ring 
Melissa, generously provided the RRR design team with Ribbon Rings plus extras to share as prizes!

Lou Ann with Creative Touch ~ Ribbon Spoolers
Lou Anne also gave Ribbon Spoolers to the team plus extras for prizes!

Renee with Simply Renee 
Renee donated a wonderful Clip it up for one of our participants!
The winners from the Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings blog, who won these fabulous prizes, can be seen in THIS POST.

Thanks again everyone!
Hugs,
True :D

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Hand-made "Prima-like Flower" Card

Hi Everyone!
Yesterday I took a stab at making a "Hand-made Prima-like" flower and I think it turned out pretty cool!
I wanted mine to be a little different so I used Bazzill Swiss Dots paper, some assorted flower punches and the twist is the seam binding that I got from Really Reasonable Ribbon. I died it all with Glimmer mist and added some glitter.
I was hoping that whatever sketch challenge that they posted on Split Coast Stampers today would allow me to use it. 
Guess what...a flower is the focal point of today's SC324 challenge! WoooHooo!
I whipped up my card and here it is. ;)


The stamp is from the "Roses To Die For" set that I illustrated for Clear Dollar Stamps.
The Olive Wrinkled ribbon on the sentiment is also from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

Here is a close-up of my home-made flower.

Would you like to see a tutorial on how to make the flower? If enough people respond "yes" I will try to get one made soon.

Thanks so much for dropping by!

Hugs,
True :D


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Card Recipe:
CDS STAMPS USED: "Roses To Die For"
CS/PAPERS: K&Company's SW Spring Blossoms , PaperTrey INK
INK: CDS ~ Red Velvet Cake
ACCENTS/TOOLS: Cuttlebug and Tim Holtz Distressed embossing folder, sewing machine and burgundy and green thread, half pearls, green ribbon, Score tape, Fabritac Glue. Also, Vintage Pearl Brad, white seam binding, Bazzill Swiss Dots, assorted flower punches, Glimmer Mist, and burgundy glitter for the hand-made flower.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Time for The March Digi Releases @ Clear Dollar Stamps!

Hi again everyone!
This is my second post of the day so I hope you will scroll on down after you've read this post to see what else I have been up to. ;)

Today is digi release day @ Clear Dollar Stamps and I have 2 projects to show you.
The first was done with my "Sentimental Puppy" illustration. This is not the project I had planned on showing for this image. When I checked out Split Coast Stampers this morning they had a pretty color combo challenge going on today so I ran to my studio, whipped this card up, got photos done and changed my post. I will show the original project next week. :)


The digi set is available now for instant download @ Clear Dollar Stamps for just $2.50

The next project is a card set created with Laurie Wilson's ~ "Yummy Cupcakes" digi.
It comes in black and white with colored images too.

 I used  the pre-colored green frosting cupcake for my card set.


The ribbon on these cards is also from Really Reasonable Ribbon and is from their March Ribbon of the Month Club set

I hope you will head on over to Clearly iStamp blog ad check out the links to the other girl's digi release posts.

Thanks for dropping by!

Hugs,
True :D


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Puppy" Card Recipe:
CDS STAMPS USED: Sentimental Puppy digi
CS/PAPERS: DCWV The Pet Stack, Kraft, and Bazzill
INK: Ink Jet Printer
ACCENTS/TOOLS: Wizard with square and square round Nestabilities, sewing machine with turquoise and tan thread, Diamond Glaze, bone button, Turquoise ribbon,
COLORING: watercolors
TECHNIQUES: digital stamping, sewing, scrapbooking

~*~*~*~*~*~
"Yummy Cupcake" Card Recipe:
CDS STAMPS USED: "Yummy Cupcakes"
CS/PAPERS: K&Company's ~ Summer Song, Papertrey Ink. White
INK: inkjet
ACCENTS/TOOLS: Wizard with oval and scalloped oval Nestabilities, Cuttlebug Birthday and Swirls Folders, Stickles, brads, purple ribbon, Diamond Glaze, sewing machine with green thread, corner chomper. Scor-Pal, Scor-Tape


Time For a New Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge!!!!

Hi Everyone!
A new challenge starts today over @ Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings.

The challenge is called "One For The Boys". If you are like me, you make 99% of your cards for girls/women and when you need a "guy" card, you have to rush to get one done. Why not join us in the challenge and make a card for a guy to have on hand for the next time you might need one? Or just get a jump on the next guy birthday you have coming up. Of course since it's a RRR challenge, you also have to use ribbon or like me, use trim. ;)


The fabulous papers are Brown Bag,  Heavenly White, and Green Crepe all from The Paper Temptress.

I colored this little guy with watercolors and had a bit of fun by coloring his hammock to look like a banana! :)
The sky was sponged with shimmering chalk. I used Stickles on the sun and in the water...which looks a little speckled in the photo but nice in real life. :)

The image is from Dustin Pike, this week's co-sponsor.

Come on over to the Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings and take a peek at what our design team plus some special guests have whipped up for your inspiration.
If you join us, you could win some awesome ribbons or a gift certificate from our co-sponsor!

Thanks for dropping by!

Hugs,
True :D


Monday, March 14, 2011

Sharing One of My Inky Antics Cards That Got Published!

~*~*~ Looking for the Really Reasonable Ribbon's blog hop? Scroll down 1 post. ;) ~*~*~

Hi Everyone!
Last year I was honored to have been asked to be a co-contributing artist to a wonderful book called "Coloring Techniques For Card Making" written by the fabulous Keri Lee Sereika and published by Annie's Attic.
I had 5 cards in this awesome book and got to show the 1st one when we did a release blog hop back in August. You can see that card HERE
Since Annie's Attic bought publication rights, my friend Tanya Fox (editor of the book) said we have to wait 6 months to show any of the other photos on our blogs, which is only fair. ;)
 Time flies and it has been over 6 months now, so I thought I would share one with you today.

Funny thing is, I used an Inky Antics stamp called "Turtle's Balloon" and am now on their very first design team! Small world! ;)




I can't give you the card recipe or details but you can find them on page 42 of the "Coloring Techniques For Card Making" book. ;)

You can purchase either the soft-cover copy or the PDF Electronic Download version.

I will post some of the other cards that were published within the next couple of weeks so keep checking back! :)

Thanks so much for dropping by!

Hugs,
True :D