hahah Okay that can be misconstrued…I just received 1 of my 3 “Stamps Happen” Fairies in the mail today (the other 2 are on backorder :(  I found these are cheapest at 1,2,3 Stitchand I had no idea how big the image was or how intricate the design would be…This one is called “The Candy-tuft Flower Fairy”

As always I doodle in my composition notebook to determine what the best colors are going to be and which medium I should use, jotting down all colors should I need to reference it at a later date. I tried my Copics which I just do not have enough colors for blending. I did a quick doodle with my watercolor crayons and given the right paper and amount of time, I think that will be my next project because it was very vibrant and I think this image was made to be watercolored. However, I ended up using my-favorite- prismacolor pencils…below is my notebook photo with the stamp which is wood mounted and well worth the cost!

 The final project took about 2hours give or take. I had NIN on and lost track of time (so much fun!)  I am pleased with the result but think I could have done a better job. I was getting to the point where I just wanted to be done and feel i skimped on the detail a bit… A lot of work but very pretty,

If you like it, leave a comment and let me know people are actually looking at my blog TFL!

I have been wanting to get Copic Ciao Markers for quite some time since they seem to be the latest craze amongst stampers.  I just could not justify spending $3-5 per marker! I thought I would get a starter set or two to see if I liked them from Hannah Stamps. These were the best colors/sets offered for the best prices around so I ordered and they arrived very quickly!

 I have to admit I was both excited to jump in and intimidated. I clearly need to practice with these as I am not nearly as comfortable coloring as I am with my prismacolor pencils.I only have 24 colors so I did my best with the coloring and blending and must admit- they are very very nice! I could see how one can become addicted to these! Very vibrant colors and they take to the paper like no marker I have ever used before.  Naturally, I have 12 more on their way…yet I still think they cost way too much!

The above images/doodles are the very first time using Copic markers so go easy on me. The images are from my favorite: Rubber Romance divas and the awesome Bombshell Stamps. (love that lil devil!)  TFL!

This is Trisha- Spa Diva one of the new Rubber Romance Diva stamps. I have accumulated quite a large amount of these divas and I just need to make the time to play.

One thing I am happy to say I have started is a composition notebook of doodles, stamp sketches, notes for colors used, images and resources I have clipped for inspiration and reference. I think everyone should keep some sought of “art diary” and here is a page out of mine from today. These are all of my new RR Divas and some prisma colors I have noted ….

I love these Diva girls. Thanks for looking.

There are several blogs that I visit every day and I may not leave comments but its part of my daily ritual to admire their work and get inspired. To my surprise, I received my very first and only blog award! How cool is that! People are look at my blog afterall!

I’m not want to play along but I was way too excited to pass this up so here it goes: The rules…
1. The winner can put the logo on their blog
2. Link the person you received your award from
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of the girls or boys you’ve nominated. 

Since I can only pick 7 blogs for this award, the winners are:

1.      Valita’s Designs and Fresh Folds. She has some truly amazing stuff on here

2.      Stamperosity- where curiosity meets creativity. I admire the work on here, some really cute things

3.      My Paper Creations- by Niki Estes has amazing stuff!

4.        I like Markers- I am addicted to this blog- the best advice for copic coloring she is truly talented

5.      Card Crème- Sherrie does amazing work and her blog is awesome!

6.      Inkin it up- I love her MFT samples.

7.      Prairie Paper & Ink- I love Amy’s work and she always has great new designs posted.

Lastly, a HUGE Thank You to Sarah who’s blog inspires me daily. I discovered her blog when doing some homework on Copic markers and have been lurking since! Thanks Sarah!

Here is another design from my Bombshell stamps called ”Lady Luck” I love gambling and I think this set is adorable! I think she could be very versatile and used for a lot of various occasions. I used 4 of the stamps from the set: The lady luck, the small horseshoe, the “lady luck banner, and the $100 bills. I drew the rest and I think I like the layout.

 I used my favorite prismacolor pencils: Greens: marine green, celadon green, Blues: ultramarine, true blue, Copenhagen blue, Mediterranean blue Flesh: light umber, peach beige, beige Reds: Terra cotta, rouge cramoisi, crimson lake, burnt ochre, poppy red Other: black and grass green

Bombshell stamps is my favorite new stamp company! If you are on the fence about ordering- JUMP! The prices are right and the quality is superior to other stamps I have used- You won’t be disappointed!

Thanks for Looking!

 have been lurking around the Bombshell Stamps website for a few months and finally decided to take the plunge and get a few sets and the prices were great~ I have always loved the designs and couldn’t wait to get my hands on these stamps and play!

I couldn’t believe how fast the 3 sets arrived and what great quality thick red rubber! Awesome customer service (They included a coupon for my next purchase which I will be using!) I think the best part is the easy storage of these sets! They come with a sheet that has images of all the stamps and fits inside a CD case cover and all of the sets FIT IN THE CD! I absolutely love that!  Below is a photo of my sets in CD cases and my first card using the “Mans Ruin” set.

I did some research on Vintage Tattoos and discovered the “Sailor Jerry” designs. I needed a reference for coloring and found the below image on the left to use and mine is on the right. I have been doing my research on Copic markers and I just can’t justify spending that kind of money- after all who needs copics when you can get results like this using the awesome Prismacolor pencils! I have the 120 color set and it was the best purchase I have ever made.

Prismacolor Pencils used: Give or take a few that I may have left out :)   Reds are: Crimson Red, Poppy Red Skin color: Peach Beige, Beige, Cream, Burnt Ochre, Other colors: black, bronze, yellow ochre, powder blue

 For a better close up look of my first creation- (I am very pleased with the outcome)

Thanks for looking!

 Okay I think I’m addicted- Day Two- 7/27/08

This is what I came up with today using the “Bombshell Angel” set. I found a reference photo for coloring from a Sailor Jerry Tattoo site- under his mermaid designs. I used exactly the same Prismacolor Pencils color scheme as before (listed above) but blended a lot of black for shading with the tortillian paper stump/blender (My favorite drawing tool in the world!)

For a closer look at just the card itself: (I used a patterned paper I found at Michaels that came in a matt stack called “Rock Star” really cute pattern paper in it and this one seemed fitting..

Thanks for Looking!

I made this card with the SU “Farm Fever” stamp set.  This is colored with prismacolor pencils and the snout, hands and bed is actually popped up for dimension but it is hard to see in the photograph. I always loved this set for a get well card. No card is complete without the use of the cuttle bug background. I used paisley and swiss dots embossing folders. I think it came out cute.

I am on a Rubber Romance Stamp kick! I love their divas and I just about collected all of them. Now to find the time to actually use them. I am using this Chef for my sisters catering business as a Thank You card (last year I used Chefabella). I think she came out elegant.

The image is colored with SU MM markers and and the cake and bowl is actually popped up for dimension although I am not certain its visible in the photo. These were so quick and easy.. love em.

I bought this stamp because one of my favorite stamp stores “Impression Obsession” was having a sale and this was technically free…. I think I fell in love with this on my first attempt

I made the golf ball circular card with “Tiny Bubbles” cuttle bug embossing folder and colored the image with my prismacolors. The sentiment is from my other favorite stamp store “MFT” and it is from the “Lets hear it for the boys” set. I think it came out adorable- too bad my father in law has no interest in golf…

I love the Rubber Romance Divas and have accumulated a pretty good collection of Divas but never make the time to enjoy my stamping. Today I was determined to play and play I did. My first creation is with “Melanie” the shopper. I paper pieced the hat, dress, and shopping bags and popped a few few dimension but not sure the photo captured that. I love the way it looks though!

The next Diva for the day is called “Paige” and I love how she is sitting on the present. I spent a lot of time adding layers and dimension on the dress making it poofy and frilly but again not sure if the photo captures that. I paper pieced this as well and love the way she came out. Had way too much fun today….