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, January 27, 2012

My Pins for CHA


Hello Everyone!
Just one more day and I leave for my very first CHA!
I'm so excited.
I wanted to pop in today and show you the pins I made to match my outfits while I'm there.
They were made with eggshells plus products from Helmar, Want2Scrap, Ranger Ink, Faber Castell, Really Reasonable Ribbon and Prima.


The pretty Capri Blue ribbon pin will be worn every day even though it doesn't match anything I'm wearing. You see, its a special pin honoring my friend Katie who passed away last year from gastric cancer. This CHA might have been a chance for us to meet face to face had it not been for her illness. CANCER SUCKS!

In case you missed it, here is a video that I created sharing my version of the "Eggshell Mosaic" technique. This technique is not my original idea. It has been around for years, and can be done in lots of ways with lots of different products. Make sure and check out YouTube for other artist's videos! :)


And here is a link to an article I did for CardMaker blog called "Dreaming of CHA" if you would like to see some of the things I am looking forward to doing while there.


If you are traveling to CHA, travel safe and I'll see ya there!
Thanks for dropping by today!


Wednesday, January 25, 2012

"Dreaming of CHA" on CardMaker Magazine Blog



Hi Everyone!

It's just 3 days until I fly to Los Angeles to attend CHA!
I am so excited! :)


I wrote an article about what I would like to do while there for the CardMaker magazine blog.


I would love for you to head over there and check it out! :)


Sunday, January 22, 2012

Check OUT The Book I Created As a Record of All of My Favorite Cards and Other Crafty Things! You can do one too! :)


Hello Everyone!

A couple of my friends suggested that I take some samples of my cards to CHA in case anyone would like to see "what I do". I had originally planned on just carry-ons and didn't want to drag cards because my favorites are thick with lots of embellishments and they would have taken up lots of space in my bags.
I also have lots of photos stored on my computer and need to purge for space.
My fix for that was to create a book to keep all of my favorite cards in!
I had a blast making this book! :) You can make them super quick by using the pre-made layouts and simply insert your photos, or you can do like I did and completely design it yourself. I wanted to choose the colors and embellishments that would coordinate with and best showcase my cards.


I thought I would share a few pages with you.
Remember, you can click on the images to enlarge.





I did a few pages with my clear stamp and digi stamp illustrations.



I also added pages of  my design teams past, current, (and one that's coming). :)


I didn't show you here because I didn't take the time to clear it, but I also scanned the pages of the publications I have had cards in. I'm pretty much keeping a record of my entire crafting hobby.
I've derided to do a new book each year now also. I am saving my favorite creations as I go in a special folder so It will be super easy to find them when I'm ready to create the next book.

How did I do it you ask?


You are going to LOVE it!
You can create soft cover or hard cover and they are super inexpensive. Prices start as low as $4.89!
You can also create cards, stationary, and calendars.
Today and tomorrow you can get 30% OFF!
Click HERE and use code "BOOK30".

Thanks for dropping by today!


Tuesday, January 17, 2012

My January Digi Releases!



Hi everyone!

It's digi release day over at Clear Dollar Stamps and I'm showing four new sets that I illustrated.

The first is the pre-colored version of  "We Go Together".

This would be an AWESOME set for Valentine's Day or for BFF's or little love notes for your sweetheart.


This is what the set looks like.
It is available for instant download for just $4.00.


The next couple of samples were created with colored "Snow Tweet" digi sets.
They are available in 2 different color variations.


"Snow Tweet in Blue" pre-colored digi stamp and paper set just $3.50.



"Snow Tweet in Green" pre-colored digi stamp and paper set $3.50.


My final sample was requested by one of my CDS crafty sisters who needed a bible and coffee image for some of the ladies in one of her groups at church. It has lots of great sentiments to go with it. It is called "Morning Devotions". 


I coloerd the ribbon bookmark in several colors so it can coordinate with lots of different designer papers and cardstock. Of course you can always color the line art version any colors you would like. :)
"Morning Devotions"  is available for instant download for just $3.00.


I also want to share my latest digital paper sets.
This is my "True-ly Sweet Dots".  There are 8 different sheets that fade from one pastel color to another.
This set sells for just $3.50 and is available for instant download in either 8 1/2" by 11" or 12" by 12" formats.

My second set is "True-ly Sweet Dots 2". It has 12 different pastels that are "textured" and lightly distressed. 
It is available for instant download for just $4.50 in either 8 1/2" by 11" or 12" by 12" formats. 


All of the cardstock used on these cards is from Discount Card Stock.
All ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.
They were all constructed with Helmar adhesives.

I would like to invite you over to the Clearly iStamp blog to see what the other girls have created with my digis and the other new releases for this month.

Thanks for dropping by!


Saturday, January 14, 2012

And the Winner of the RRR Ribbon Set is.....

......Kathy

Thanks to everyone who left comments on my post on my blog and/or my post on the CardMaker blog.
I wish you all could win!
Kathy, send me your snail mail addy and I'll have Bonnie send your ribbons your way.
Special thanks to my friend Bonnie from Really Reasonable Ribbon for sponsoring my blog with the January Ribbon Club set!





Friday, January 13, 2012

CardMaker Magazine Blog's "Sweets For Your Sweet" Blog Hop




The theme this month is "Sweets For Your Sweet".
The girls were asked to use images with something sweet on them. I wanted to use my "Heart Hugs Teddy" but he was just holding a heart. I did a little creative doodling by adding a bow, and now he is holding a big box of chocolates! :)


I created a tri-fold card with a lower pocket that's big enough for a yummy chocolate bar.
Sweet gift right?  ;)


The "Heart Hugs" digi is available for instant download now for only $4.00.

Download it now for just $3.50.

The cardstock is Brilliant White, Posh Milk Chocolate Felt, Medium Herbal Garden Prismatic, all from Discount Card Stock.
The pretty White Satin w/ Grosgrain Edge ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.
The White Pearls are from Want2Scrap.

Please visit the CardMaker blog to get started.

Here is a list of the other girls on the team.
They all have some super sweet projects to share with you! :)


When you have finished the CardMaker blog hop, head on back here and join in the Really Reasonable Ribbon hop that is going on today too! :)

Thanks for hopping by today!


Time For Another Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog Hop!




Hi Everyone!


It's 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.


This month's Ribbon Club kit has lots of beautiful Valentine themed ribbons in it. 
When Valentine's Day is over, they can still be used for all occasion cards.


I decided to use my new "Conversation Hearts" and digital papers that I illustrated for Clear Dollar Stamps, to create a little Valentine's Day treat bag.
The cardstock is Brilliant White and Dark Papaya Puree from Discount Card Stock.
The ribbon is from this month's Ribbon Club set.
 This is what the "Conversation Hearts" digi set looks like. 
It's just $3.50 for instant download! :)
If you aren't a ribbon club member, now would be a great time to sign up!
You get automatic shipments of 10-15 yards of assorted beautiful ribbons for just $9.00 domestic and $11.50 international!
This is what the entire January club kit looks like...

Bonnie will be giving away a January Ribbon Club kit 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 Judy's joyful blog. You're gonna love it! :)
Thanks so much for dropping by today!
Hugs,
True :D
           

Thursday, January 12, 2012

My Helmar/ May Arts Mixed Media Canvas "Dare to Dream"


Hi Everyone!

Today is my day to post over at the Helmar blog and I thought I would share my project here too.
I am in love with K&Company's "Abrianna" stack but some of the prints are just too big for my cards.
I decided to use one of them for a mixed media canvas!
Here is my "Dare to Dream" piece, inspired by my friend Tracy Weinzapfel's canvases.


It is a special week  because...

For this project I used:
Helmar Decoupage
Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots,
Helmar Fabric Stiffener and Draping Liquid

I also used some of May Arts stunning wrinkled ribbon.
Check out Really Reasonable Ribbon...they carry lots of different colors of it! :)

Here are a couple of close-ups.



Other products used:
8"x10" stretched canvas
purple acrylic paint
K&Company's Abrianna Acetate Icons and Layered Accents.
Ranger Ink's Adirondack Alcohol Ink in Bottle, Butterscotch, Cloudy Blue, and Wild Plum.
Want2Scrap's Sage Green Pearls
Deja View's Wonderful Words Rub Ons
Plaid FolkArt paint
calligraphy pen and ink

You can see some of my "HOW TO'S" over at the Helmar blog. While you are there, you should really check out the awesome Helmar/ May Arts projects the other girls have created this week!
Then you should head over to the May Arts blog and see what they have been busy creating! You won't be disappointed!

I would love  to know what you think about my canvas before you go! :)



Monday, January 9, 2012

My Latest Clear Stamp Illustration from CDS Releases Today!



Hi Everyone!

Sorry I have not posted much the last week or so. I have been in full blown CHA mode making samples and trying to get all of my DT work that needs to be done before I go.

I do get to share a card with you today that was created with my "You Lift Me Up" illustration that is available now @ Clear Dollar Stamps.


The Brilliant White cardstock is from Discount Cardstock.
The designer paper is Abrianna from K&Company.
The pretty Wild Rose Grosgrain ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.
It was colored with Shinhan Touch Twin markers.
It was machine stitched then assembled with Helmar's 450 Quick Dry Adhesive.

This is what the set looks like.


Thanks so much for dropping by!

Please visit the Clearly iStamp blog to see all of this quarter's other releases and the beautiful creation that were done with them.


Thursday, January 5, 2012

My CardMaker Magazine Blog Post and Comment Candy!



Hi Everyone!

Today was my turn to blog about one of my favorite tools or products on our CardMaker Magazine blog.


I would LOVE for you to head over there and check it out.
Here is a teeny tiny sneak peek at the project I am going to be sharing with you there.


Because my favorite product post is about ribbon, I asked Bonnie from Really Reasonable Ribbon, if she would like to sponsor my post with some blog candy, and she graciously said yes.
This is the January Ribbon of the Month club assortment. Isn't it yummy? ;)


For a chance to win it, all you need to do is pop over to our CardMaker Magazine blog, take a peek at my card, then come back to here and leave a little love in the form of a comment.
I will draw a winner on 1/14/2012.
 BTW...I would love to know what your favorite style of ribbon is!
I have been on the RRR design team for almost 2 years now and am always blown away by the value and beauty of the Ribbon Club assortments. I love to be surprised every month when I open up my RRR package! 

I would also like to invite you to head over to the Really Reasonable Ribbons Ramblings blog to sign up for the wonderful set of  "2nd Blogaversary Candy" that Bonnie is giving away.
Just look at all of these goodies! :)


Thanks so much for dropping by today! :)