Morning Choice

No.1 was my choice!

When looking at the three choices this morning

the softness and delicate coloring of the leaves

made my choice very easy.

I am very glad that I waited as No. 3 was my first choice.

 

Distress Marker colors:

Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters, Crushed Olive,

Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany, Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo and Antique Linen.

Accented the Forest Green Cardstock with shades of

Moss Green and Gold.

 Embossed Holly & Swirl Cardstock I 

used as a "ribbon" trim.

I will craft the other two choices and will use the

Embossed Holly & Swirl Cardstock as a background.

Imagination!

-Elaine

Supplies:

Cardstock: Kraft - Speckletone, Green's - Bazzill, Ranger Specialty Stamping Paper

Embossed Cardstock: Michael's

Stamps: Snowflake and Holly - Penny Black, Sentiment - Savvy Stamps

Coloring: Distress Marker(s)

Embossing: Martha Stewart Embossing Stamp Pad and Antique Gold Powder

Embellishment: Hero Hues Pearls & Gems

Tools: Fiskars Paper Cutter, Tomboy Adhesive, We R Memory Crop-a-Dile

Christmas in May

Turned on the Christmas music and had a fun day coloring!

Quite relaxing...coloring!

The stamp I choose is a Penny Black - Snowflake and Holly.

I thought it would be perfect with the patterned paper I had.

Deep Green Embossed Holly with Swirls.

I decided to try three different techniques to color using my Distress Markers.

With the three different techniques I used the same exact colors.

They all took on different shades of the colors.

No. 1 -  I colored directly onto the stamp with the Distress Markers.

Then I stamped the image on the cardstock.

The colors are very soft with a watercolor influence.

Colored on Ranger Specialty Stamping Paper.

No. 2 - After stamping the image I colored using

 Distress Markers directly on the Ranger Specialty Stamping Paper.

Blended so slightly with the water brush.

The colors are very deep and rich.

No. 3  - After stamping the image I picked up the

Distres Marker color off the craft sheet using the

Tim Holtz Water Color Brush.

The colors elegant and beautiful when watercolored.

Colored on SSS watercolor paper.

Now, the question is which one do I complete for my Christmas in May card?

I can't decide...so I am going to choose in the morning.

Check back!

Imagination!

-Elaine

Print and Solid Cardstock

 Happy Birthday! 

In Print and Solid Cardstock!

We celebrated two BIrthdays recently and I thought

it would be interesting to craft the cards using the same layout.

The difference one is using printed cardstock and 

the other one is using solid cardstock.

Happy Birthday to Per!

A wonderful man who my niece choose to become her husband!

We could not be happier!

 Distress Marker colors used:

Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint. Tattered Rose, Dried Marigold,

Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Worn Lipstick, Fired Brick,

Old Paper and Pumice Stone.

Printed Paper version is very fun and 

the colors blend beautifully!

The Solid Paper version is quite elegant.

Perfect for my husband, Ed.

Copic Sketch Markers colors used:

R32, R35, R37, R24, R27, R29, C1

Do you have a favorite? 

Please comment as I would love to know!

Imagination!

-Elaine

Supplies:

Cardstock: Kraft - Speckletone, Solid Paper - Bazzill, SSS Watercolor paper, Flourishes Basic White paper

Printed Cardstock: BasicGrey - Out of Print Batik and Odds and Ends

Ink: Printed - Archival Jet Black, Distress Ink Broken China

        Solid - Adirondack Espesso, Color Box Warm Red

Stamps: Stickable Stamps - Birthday Cake #F512S, Sentiment - A Muse

Coloring: Distress Markers and Copic Sketch Markers

Embellishment: Atyou Spica Clear Marker, Pebbles Jewel Candy Dots, Kaiser Rhinestones,

Ribbons: Tri-Mar, Uni-Ball Signa White ink Pen

Tools: Rubber Stamp Concepts Super Adhesive Tape, Tomboy Adhesive Tape, Fiskars Paper Cutter, Tim Holtz Water Brush

Flower Cart

In April's Third Thursday Tools

I mentioned that Patterned Papers were 

my inspiration for Spring!

The next two weeks I will be 

crafting cards with patterned paper!

As you can see I love flowers!

I challenged you to visit and shop with one of your favorite retailers.

That is exactly what I did!

I purchased the Flower Cart stamp at

Peddler's Pack shop located in Beaverton, Oregon.

My color chart showing the colors that I chose to
coordinate with the patterned paper.

For the first time I colored with Distress Markers.

They are a joy and fun to color with!

First, I colored the cart part of the stamped image.

Using the Tim Holtz Water Brush (fine detail nib).

I picked up the color after applying it to the craft sheet.

Brushed Corduroy, Walnut Stain and Mustard Seed.

Second, I colored the flower pots in

Rusty Hinge and Chipped Saphire.

Then I began coloring the flowers!

I colored them directly on the watercolor paper.

Aged Mahogany and Spun Sugar for the flowers.

Peeled Paint and Shabby Shutters for the leaves.

I did use the water brush to "blend" the colors slightly.

The middle flowers I choose blue shades.

Tumbled Glass and Stormy Sky for the flowers.

Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters and Crushed Olive for the leaves.

A hint of Pumice Stone for the tags.

My final flowers were Dried Marigold and Spiced Marmalade.

Leaves were colored in Peeled Paint and Crushed Olive.

Added a few Jewel Candy Dots on the spokes and pink ribbon!

Now, it is time to start choosing the next color palate!

Imagination!

-Elaine

Supplies:

Cardstock: Kraft - Speckletone, Shades of yellow - Bazzill

Printed Paper: Floral - BasicGrey Picadilly Home Sweet Home, Dot - Fancy Pants Marbles

Ink: Ranger Archival Ink - Coffee

Stamps: Peddler's Pack Flower Cart

Coloring: Distress Markers

Embelllishments: Pebbles Jewel Candy Dots, Pink Ribbon - Flower Market

Tools: Tim Holtz Distress Tool and Water Brush, Tomboy Adhesive, Glue Dots, We R Memoires Corner  Chomper, Rubber Stamp Concepts Super Adhesive Tape, Fiskars Paper Cutter

Third Thursday Tools!

Retail!

You are probably wondering how retail could be a tool?

It is so simple...without our brick-n-morter, internet and conventions

where would we purchase the tools we use daily!

I have overheard many women at conventions speak about retail stores closing.

Why is that? Can the customer base change this?

I think we can!

I challenge you to visit and shop in a brick-n-morter store in your area!

Retail Stores to visit in the Portland Oregon Area

Amazing stores filled with everything anyone could need.

From stamps,markers, inks, paper and tools!

Peddler's Pack - Beaverton, Oregon

Main Street Stamp and Stationary - Tigard, Oregon

Life's a Scrapbook - Sherwood, Oregon

Whimzee's Scrapbook Studio - Beaverton, Oregon

Paper Parachute - Hillsboro, Oregon

Where did all the stamps come from? A retailer!

What if you don't have a retail store in your area?

Internet shopping!

A few of my favorite on-line shopping retailers.

Flourishes

Ellen Hutson

i (heart) papers

Papertrey Ink

Where did the inks and tools come from? Retailers!

Also, there are the papercrafting conventions.
CK Scrapbook Conventions and Scrapbook Expo.

There are many other retailers I stop in when traveling.
Scrappy Craft - Phoenix, Oregon
Stampin' Cat Studio - Salem, Oregon
Archiver's - Boise, Idaho

On my to go visit and shop list:
Impress Rubber Stamps - Seattle, Washington
Rubber Stamp Expo - Spokane, Washington

Share with me your favorite places to shop...
either bricks-n-morter, internet or papercraft convention!

Imagination!

-Elaine

Christmas in April...May!

How do I the explain the meaning of each Christmas Ornament?

With each ornament that I place on our tree my eyes start to tear.

Tears of joy and some sadness.

Each ornament represents a time in my life.

From going to school, career, family, parents and especially my husband.

It was fun to color this Hero Arts stamp in

traditional Christmas colors and non-traditional colors.

Shade of Baby Blue with shades of green and red tones.

Also, matching the patterned papers.

Ornaments with a stripe background.

 Every Christmas the tree has a special place in my heart!

Check back on May 25th for my Christmas in May card!

Imagination!

-Elaine

Supplies:

Cardstock: Kraft- Speckletone, Moss Green - Bazzill, Patterned - Ornaments - SEI Brillant Bulbs,

Stripe - Scenic Route Paper

Ink: Adirondack Espresso

Stamps: Hero Arts Hanging Christmas Ornaments

Coloring: Copic Sketch Markers - YG93, YG95, YG97, B0000, B91, B93, R11, RV32, R56, R24, Y21, Y26, E31,  E43, Y28

Embellishments: Ribbon - American Crafts, Pearls- Kaisercraft, Atyou Spica (highlights)

Tools: Fiskars Cutter, Tomboy Adhesive, Therm O Web Foam Squares, Tim Holtz Edger, Crop-A-Dile Chomper

Spring Floral Bouquet

The colors of  Spring Flowers are very beautiful.

I thought I would share with you the bouquets 

from my Mother-in-law's Birthday luncheon.

Tulips, Sweet Peas, Ranunculus, Grape Hyacinth and Limonium.

Shades of pink, orange, purple, yellow accented with soft gray.

Taeko enjoyed her floral bouquets as much as I did creating them!

Imagination!

-Elaine

May Day

April Showers bring May Flowers!

April Showers provide the needed water for the May Flowers that bloom!

On the first day of May tradition shares with us that you are to leave a small bouquet of flowers on the doorsteps of friends and neighbors. The giver of the flowers rings the doorbell and runs away. If you catch the person leaving you flowers, a kiss is exchanged.

This beautiful bouquet of flowers was left on my doorstep. 

Two sweet young girls who live on our block was out delivering

 May Day bouquets to everyone.

My first May Day floral bouquet delivery I have received!

Now, when I walk past their home and look at their garden of flowers

 I will have a very fond memory of May Day!

Did you receive a May Day bouquet?

Imagination!

-Elaine