A "fan" of my friend

I'm a fan of my friend.  She is a mom to two little girls and work full time.  She recently got a position and it is a significant career advancement.  I'm so proud of her.

Instead of sending her a Congrats card, I've made this one:

I'm sorry the picture doesn't have the best quality and guess what?  I can't figure out why! Argh!

I got the inspiration from the Muse here. 

Apparently I was drawn by the sketch of the Muse.  Similar to the Muse, I used the simple pattern as part of the background, then put the focal point in a circle to the right of the card, then a sentiment to its left.  While the Muse used watercolor to color her image, I used color pencils.  I like her colorful image on the black and white background, but I chose to have the colors spread across the focal image and the background.

What a fun challenge!  I learned how to dissect an awesome card and used some of the elements on mine! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Eggstra Special

Alright I am getting back onto my Easter card making.  Before I started making the Easter cards, I had browsed various challenge blogs in search of a sketch to work on.  I did start the card with the sketch in mind, but later on I simplified it to the extent that the original sketch was no longer recognizable.  LOL.  Time is really limited as Easter is approaching but I still haven't finished my cards!  I cheated by making simpler cards.

This time, again, I used Prismacolor pencils to color the images.  I also used gamsol to blend the colors.  That gamsol does make a huge difference!  Even though I am not seeking to color images with a realistic look with shades and such, gamsol helps blending the pigments evenly as if I had colored them with markers.  I can see how helpful gamsol could be if I use different tones of colors on a single image.  Compared to markers, color pencils could be frustrating because it could take a long time to color to make it a solid image.

My card is entering the following:
Deep Ocean Challenge - Easter/Spring
Die-Cutting Divas - Anything Goes
Addicted to Stamps - Holiday
The Crafter's Cafe - Easter
Crafting by Design - Anything Goes
Double Click - Funny/Punny
Moo-Mania and More - Eggs
The Paper Shelter - Easter time

Thanks for stopping by!

Fortune Cookie

I'm in the middle of making Easter cards but as always, I got distracted easily.  So today I am sharing a birthday card:

I'm using the Lawn Fawn Good Fortune set to make this simple birthday card.  I have always had difficulties making a guy's card and every time I feel that I have run out of ideas.  While I have an absolutely overflowing amount of supplies, they do not appear to be that great for manly cards.  I'm so glad that this Lawn Fawn set has cute images that are great for masculine cards, and also feminine cards.

My card is entering the following:
Simon Wednesday Challenge - Happy Birthday
Penny's Paper Crafty - Anything Goes
Inspiration Destination - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Easter!

I'm rushing to get this post up as the challenge is about to close.  I'm sorry if you see typos and mistakes everywhere.

One exciting thing I'd like to share is that my nephew was born at the wee hours this morning.  Yay!  And I guess you could tell why my crafting schedule was off this weekend and why the rush here.  Nevertheless I'm very excited to have a new family member!

I realize that I still need to send out a few Easter cards.  Here's one that I made this evening:

I was inspired by the sketch at Atlantic Sketch Challenge:

It has been a long time since I played along and I can't tell you how much I miss sketch challenges!  I'll sure play more frequently!

I'm entering my card to:
Robyn's Fetish - Easter
That Craft Place - Easter/Spring
Challenge Up Your Life - Easter
My Time to Craft - Easter Animals
Atlantic Sketch Challenge - see above sketch

Love You

Early this year I bought the 6x6 Kiss Kiss paper pack from Crate Paper.  I made my V-day card then it has been sitting alone (collecting dust as friends as well).

I'm so glad to have learned a new way to use patterned paper with die cuts:

I learned this technique in a recent online card class and am in love with it!  I just have so much patterned paper that needs some love.  A new technique = an incentive to use my paper stash.  Yay!

I am linking my card to the following:
Crafty Gals Corner - Anything Goes
Creative Moments - Anything Goes
Through the Craft Room Doors - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by!

Creativity booster

Mistakes.

Yes, I think mistakes do push me to be more creative.  At least in this occasion.

I learned a new trick to use dies in a recent online class.  I tried it out to make a background for a card and liked it a lot.  But when I put everything together to become a card.......................omg, I trimmed it a bit too small.  It was originally a 4.25 x 5.5 panel, so I did have some wiggle room.  No big deal, I thought.  The next thing I knew, I messed up the stamping.  Oops.......Now I gotta trimmed it even smaller to be a square.  So what you saw above was just part of the background I made, due to mistakes.

I know some people have no problem sending the not-so-satisfying ones to trash but I usually become so obsessed that I didn't want to throw it out immediately.  I want to salvage as much as I could.  In this occasion, I think it looks fine. 

Of course, I wouldn't be able to not try out the technique again:

I've made it a landscape card this time and I think it is equally pretty.  Love this technique!

I'm entering my card to the following:
Crafting from Your Heart - Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes
Get Creative - Die Cuts

Thanks for stopping by!

Miss You

Happy Wednesday everyone!

My throat has been sore since last night.  When that happens I know that my body is "on strike" as it has been working too much overtime.  I meant to take as much as possible but I couldn't until I've finished this card:

I have had much fun with Copic coloring but this time I decided to paper piece!  Just as fun!  I honestly don't think I can color the elephant well as it has a big area for coloring and I'll save it for some experts.  Giving it color by stamping it on color cardstock is pretty cool, anyway.

I'm linking my card to the following:
Addicted to stamps - Anything Goes
Inspiration Destination - Anything Goes
Scrapper's Delights - Anything Goes
Whimsy Stamps - Use a Die Cut
Kraftin' Kimmie - Anything Goes
Party Time Tuesdays - Anything Goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Alright it's really time to take some rest.  I figured that that's the best medication I can give my body.
Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting!