PaperFections

Divine Design-April

It's the 8th again and time for a Divine Design. As a reminder, or if you haven't visited here before, you can read all about the project here. This is a 6"x6" page that will go in a brag book album along with photo pages of my daughters for my Mom the end of the year (don't worry, it will be a surprise since Mom has no computer!). I'll only get a tiny bit sappy this month about this project . . . I've been thinking about and missing my Dad lately. Maybe it's because he loved his Texas Rangers baseball games and never missed them! Today is opening day for the Rangers' new season -- maybe that's why he's been on my mind. Dad passed away two weeks before my youngest daughter was born, almost 6 years ago. I thought about him when I read this verse: "May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He smile upon you." Numbers 6:24-25. Yes, indeed, I know He is, Dad. I knew I wanted to use Karen Lockhart's Tulips on this project in some way and decided to do a border. This is Ellen Hutson's Stamp of the Month, so... Read more →

Updates: Copic Favorites & Blog Lists

Just a note to let you all know I've added my favorite Copic colors to my left middle sidebar and have been reworking my blog roll. You can find the new blog roll page link directly under my photo on the top left sidebar of my blog, entitled "More Great Blogs to Browse". You'll still find links to other designers and companies I work with (Lockhart Stamp Co & Spellbinders Paper Arts) on my front page here, on the left sidebar. I hope that little bit of housekeeping helps! I'll be back tomorrow with this month's Divine Design project. Read more →

WSC42: Hydrangea Thanks

Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge is today and here's the sketch she created: My sample: I stamped my current favorite flowers of Karen Lockhart's stamps, Hydrangea, with Brilliance Graphite Black on Curious Iridescent Cryogen White and colored with these Copic markers: The small yellow leaves/flowers were colored with Lemon Spica Glitter Pen. The sentiment on the tiny Cuttlebug tag is from Papertrey Ink's Mixed Messages and was stamped in Stampin' Up's Real Red dye ink. Red papers are from Daisy D's Snowflakes & Holly and Paisley Sugarplum 6x6 pads. Card base and scalloped mat is Stampin' Up's Real Red. I did another comparison for you of Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic & Petite Scalloped Circles. The Classic (larger) Scallops are on the left and the Petite Scallops are on the right: I used the Petite Circle on my card, but I'd like your opinion of which you like better -- let me know in the comment section below! Speaking of Spellbinders, Ellen Hutson has their new Tag & Label Trios (at this moment, 3 of the 4 new sets) and Nestabilities new Rectangle Long Classic sets in stock. These were the new dies previewed at Winter CHA in February. Be sure to check... Read more →

CPS58: Flowers in Chintz

I used this week's CPS58 sketch for this card. It uses Karen Lockhart's beautiful Flowers in Chintz stamp, colored with Copic markers, of course! Image was stamped in Ranger's Adirondack Pitch Black ink on Neenah Classic Solar White cardstock before I selected my BasicGrey Infuse papers. Since the Solar White cardstock was very stark against the Making Memories Noteworthy manila lined paper, I colored the background and edges of the image with Copic E50-Egg Shell to make it more vanilla (although some of the background is looking a little washed out in this photo): The image is popped up on dimensional foam tape. I had just been thinking to myself that I hadn't used my stash of buttons on projects lately and this sketch came along that was perfect for these Tres Jolie buttons from My Mind's Eye! They are all tied with Stampin' Up's Linen Thread. I'll have some more of my Inchie ABC's this month, so be on the watch for those. If you like a challenge, how about entering Ellen Hutson's new monthly Inchie challenge. You can read all about it on her new Inchie INKlings blog -- you have until April 20th to enter! Check back... Read more →

Favorite Copic Colors

Since I get asked this question frequently, I thought I'd finally put together a list of my favorite Copic colors and combinations. I've included photos but you know how inaccurate colors can look on your monitor and over the Internet. I would highly recommend that if you have the opportunity, to use someone else's Copics and/or can test them in a store -- that is the most accurate way to select your colors. But by listing some of my favorites, I thought that might help in your decision making. My friend & stamping genius, Debbie Olson, had listed her favorite copic colors on her blog's sidebar and I asked if she'd mind if I did the same -- I thought it was an excellent idea. You should also check out her favorites, because ours vary a bit and it's interesting/good to have a few opinions/different options, too! These swatches are done on Georgia Pacific (from WalMart) white cardstock. I didn't alter my photos other than to lighten them up a bit, but still the RV's shown below are looking a bit too bright -- they are a little more subtle in person. On the Red combos below, the top selection... Read more →