More of US-in's

So sorry that I haven't posted any stamped projects since class started. I have worked on some cards for previewing at the end of the month but for the most part I've been putting together stuff with PhotoShop. My PhotoShop skills are still limited. The practice is fun. :-)

Here's a pic of me and my husband taken on Valentine's Day this year. The other pic is of Ellie at the river.



Have a wonderful day and thanks for visiting me!

Smiles,

Fun with Textures & More...

This time around with the PhotoShop class that I'm taking from Jessica Sprague we learned how to add textures. I added some texture and a frame to this picture of my daughter.

Again here's the before and after photos. :-)



THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SWEET COMMENTS ON MY MODEL. SHE IS A BEAUTIFUL BLESSING!

PhotoShop Masks...

Today I learned how to use a mask in Photoshop. I can see myself using this one over and over.

:-)

Posted are the before and after photos.

LOVE IT!

I am having such a great time learning how to use PhotoShop with Jessica Sprague. Today's assignment was to antique and hand color an image. I did the assignment and the bonus assignment. The one with the stars in the background is the bonus project.



Hope you like them both.

Smiles,

I'm On a Roll...

Here's today's homework. It was to use the brush tool in PhotoShop. Using the brush tool is a lot like rubber stamping but digitally. Really cool! Jessica recommended a site that had a ton of free brushes at Brusheezy.com. What an awesome resource! I downloaded quite a few in a short amount of time. I didn't even make it through the whole site too.

Anyhow, I thought today I'd show the before and after shots of my project.

I hope you find it interesting.

Smiles,

YEAH!!!

I am so excited to have completed my first ever PhotoShop project! With the help of Jessica Sprague's freebie class on Photo Editing: Frame-Ups and Special Effects, I am now on my way to doing some basics in digital design!

I hope I can keep up with the class. My goal is to complete the course and that's it. I'm not going to beat myself up over not being perfect. I simply want to learn how to do some of the very basics.

This is so cool & frustrating at the same time. Thankfully I have my husband here to lend me some guidance when I get stuck. He's such a sweetie!

Anyhow, be prepared to see most of my PhotoShop projects because I won't be stamping as much while I am take this course.

Thanks for your patience!

:-)

July Desktop

Don't forget to download your free digital desktop from The Shabby Princess. Here's what I did with mine! Pictured is little Ellie picking wild flowers.

Smiles,

Sketch SC235

Thought I'd try something that I haven't tried in a very long time... a Split Coast Stampers sketch challenge. When I first saw the sketch (SC235) I couldn't image how I was going to pull it off. I was completely stumped. I've been stamping now about four years and this one intimidated. Crazy haw?!

I actually decided not to do the challenge at all when I came across some stamps that have been neglected that inspired me. I dusted them off and headed to my desk to stamp it out. From there I scrounged up some of my favorite designer paper scraps.

The whole time I was stamping my little daughter had her little chin propped on my shoulder watching every little move I made. She often will wedge herself between my back and the chair to watch what I am doing. It's easy for her to hang out there because I tend to sit on the edge of my seat so my feet can reach the floor.

She got down and played and then came back a couple of times by the time I was done. She always insists to give it a good look over when I am done so she can declare how beautiful it is. Sometimes it cute but most the time she says that it's pretty, smiles, and runs off.

God bless my little daughter.

Smiles,


CARD DETAILS:
Love It & Boho Backgrounds from
Stampin' UP!
Miscellaneous Designer Paper Scraps
Blank Notecard
Palette Ink & Unknown Raspberry Ink Spot
Square Punch from Creative Memories
Scallop Square Nestabilities
May Arts Sheer Polka Dot White Ribbon
Blingy Jewels
Queen & Co Flower Sequins

Triple the Sketch Challenge...

Triple the Sketch Challenge has a $50 gift certificate from the Pink Persimmon up for grabs. You know I am hoping to win that awesome baby! Here's my card made with their challenge layout. I was so relieved that it the sketch wasn't limited to just scapbookpages. I hope you get a chance to play with the sketch too.

Have a wonderful day!





CARD DETAILS:
My Little Ballerina from Clear Dollar Stamps
Pheobe from Basic Grey
Palette Ink Noir Black
Copic Markers: C1, R00, E04, R20, E43, V95, B02, E11, G00, G24, BG05, B00
Misc Ribbon Scrap, Blingy Jewel, Prima Flower, Making Memories Clip

UHU and a Sketch

I came across the UHU product blog, Glue with UHU, not to long ago and they were taking requests for UHU product samplers. I quickly volunteered to have a go at trying whatever UHU product that wanted to send to me. That was on a Friday and by Monday I had this awesome envelope of goodies to play with. They don't usually add more to their packages but on the day I volunteered they said that they would be putting in some surprises.

I received the UHU stic. It's a photo glue stick and is ideal for pictures and paper. The instructions say to apply on the entire area especially around the corners and edges.



So what do I think? I think that it was very easy to use and spread around without getting my fingers sticky. I did miss a few corners and I had to go back and apply the glue in the spots that I missed. It wasn't that hard to fix. True to the packaging it does not bleed through the paper. Just for being objective, I've let my card sit for a day to see how it stays together. So far it's as good as when I first assembled it. I feel comfortable in recommending UHU stic for those projects that call for stick glue. I will definitely finish off the stic they gave me as well as the fun stash of supplies.

THANKS UHU! :-) Using your product was a wonderful excuse to make another card.

Here's the card I made with the UHU stic and Amy R's weekend sketch. Now I couldn't quite get my focal image to fit the exact layout but I tried to get the rest right on. I layered different colors of Stickles on the spots to add more dimension and sparkles. Can you believe that I managed to squeeze in four different shades to them little spots? Yep, four different colors!

Smiles,


CARD DETAILS:
Clear Dollar Stamps Gigi Giraffe & Pond Pals
Retired Casual Curls Sentiments
UHU stic for Photos & Papers
Papers & Ribbons from UHU
Palette Ink Noir Black
VersaMagic Thatched Straw
Color Box Lime Pastel Chalk Ink
Copic Markers: C1, C3, BV23, E57, R02, Y38, E43, E31, Y11, YR31
Stickles: Black Diamond, Cinnamon, Orange Peel, Yellow
Flowers with Bling (Can't remember the manufacturer. Sorry.)

Last Day of Previews...

Today's the last day of the Clear Dollar Stamps sneak peeks for the July release. So what do I have to show you? It's called "Rosebud Castle" and it goes great with the rest of the Rosebud Collection. So without any more delays... take a peek!

Lori (Full view of the stamp sets)
Laurie
Katie
Kim
Linda B
Cassie
Stacy
Tori
Angela
Shawne

Smiles,


DETAILS:
Castle of Flowers
ALL CDSTAMPS LLC STAMP SETS USED: Rosebud Castle

CARDSTOCK AND PAPERS: Fleuriste Cosmo Cricket & Blank Notecard
INKPADS: Gold Embossing Powder & VersaMark

TOMBO MARKERS: 679, 158, 177, 933, 977, 992, 993
IMPRESS MARKERS: 5, 57

ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Making Memories Antique Copper Brads, Flower Soft Christmas Green, & Various Silk Flowers


Rosebud Castle Scrapbook Page
ALL CDSTAMPS LLC STAMP SETS USED: Roesbud Castle

CARDSTOCK AND PAPERS:Basic Grey Sultry & Blank Notecard
INKPADS: Palette Ink Noir Black
COPIC MARKERS: RV10, R00, RV04, E51, W1, E71, W5, G24, YG06, Y11
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Paper Haven Blossoms, Prima Flowers, Brass Brads, Rectangle Doily, Michael' Dollar Ribbon
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: Scrapbook Layout

Fruits & Veggies

It's a yummy post of fruits and veggies. Today's sneak peeks from Clear Dollar Stamps are from two new sets called "Veggie Stew" & "Tangy Trio".

Both sets were fun to play with. Here's what I made...

Please visit the other design team member's blogs for more previews and inspiration:

Lori (Full view of the stamp sets)
Laurie
Katie
Kim
Linda B
Cassie
Stacy
Tori
Angela
Shawne



CARD DETAILS:
Say Peas Bib
ALL CDSTAMPS LLC STAMP SETS USED: Veggie Stew

CARDSTOCK AND PAPERS: My Mind's Eye Designer Paper, The Angel Company Textured Green Cardstock, Blank Notecard
INKPADS: VersaMagic Sage, Palette Ink Burnt Umber
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Coluzzle Circle Cutter, Circle Punch, Sheer Ribbon, Plastic Baby Rattle, & Tombo Marker 922

What's Stewin'
ALL CDSTAMPS LLC STAMP SETS USED: Veggie Stew

CARDSTOCK AND PAPERS: Blank Notecard Oriental Trading Co, CTMH Black Cardstock

INKPADS: SU! Real Red & Old Olive
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Coluzzle Circle Cutter, Circle Scallop Nestabilitie, Miscellaneous Ribbons, Copic Multiliner

Cheery Day NGrant
ALL CDSTAMPS LLC STAMP SETS USED: Tangy Trio & Flannel Background

CARDSTOCK AND PAPERS:Blank Notecard & White Cardstock
INKPADS: Palette Ink Noir Black & Burnt Umber, VersaMagic Sahara Sand, SU! Real Red ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Paper Haven Blossoms, Scalloped Heart Nestability, Doily, Ribbon Scraps, Black Brad, Impress Black Marker
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: No Designer Paper Challenge

Pear It
ALL CDSTAMPS LLC STAMP SETS USED: Tangy Trio

CARDSTOCK AND PAPERS:Blank Notecard & White Cardstock, Unknown DP
INKPADS: SU! Bordering Blue, Color Box Lime Pastel, VersaMagic Thatched Straw ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Circle & Scallop Circle Nestabilities, MS Punch, Dollar Store Cell Phone Bling Jewels

New Stuff...

*EDITED POST TO ADD CLARIFICATION AND CORRECTLY STATE WHAT COLORING TECHNIQUES.*

Hard to believe that it's already the last weekend in June. July is just around the corner now which means that 2009 is going to be past half way over. CRAZY! The end of the month is a fabulous time for me because then I can share all the fun stuff I've been making for sneak peek time with Clear Dollar Stamps.

Today I am sharing Sheltering Lights, Shining Strength, & My Little Ballerina. Sheltering Lights and Shining Strength are two sets that compliment each other. They have a lighthouse theme to them. Whereas My Little Ballerina has a cute girlie ballet theme.

I used a range of techniques. If you have any questions on all the ones I used please send me an email and I'll be happy to assist. So here we go....

The lighthouse cards were all colored with makers. One was done with Copics and the other was watercolored with markers. I have a small stash of Tombo and Impress markers that blend wonderfully on watercolor paper for this technique. To make the images really pop I be sure to emboss them first. I use Ranger's Super Fine Detail EP. It's so smooth and precise. Out of all the embossing powders I've used this one is the best and you can find it in the Clear Dollar Store.

Shining Strength can not only be used with the lighthouse set but it also works well with other stamps too. Here I mixed it up with Liberty to make a masculine card of encouragement. This card was also embossed with the Ranger EP.






My Little Ballerina was very fun to color. Here I've made a regular card and a spinner card with My Little Ballerina. On the spinner card I wanted her tutu to look meshy like a real tutu. I applied Ranger's crackle accent over the tutu when I was done coloring it and let it completely dry. Now it has the effect I was going for! Really cool!



I hope you liked my sneak peeks. I'll have more to share on Monday. Need to see more? Visit the rest of the CDStamps team. Your just gonna love all their creations!

Lori (Full view of the stamp sets)
Laurie
Katie
Kim
Linda B
Cassie
Stacy
Tori
Angela
Shawne

Smiles,


CARD DETAILS:
Sheltering Lights
ALL CDSTAMPS LLC STAMP SETS USED: Sheltering Lights

CARDSTOCK AND PAPERS: Watercolor Paper, SEI Charlemagne, Blank Notecard

INKPADS: VersaMagic Aegean Blue, Aspen Mist, Cloud White, Ranger Black Embossing Powder with VersaMark

TOMBO MARKERS: 992, 993, 977, 526
IMPRESS MARKERS: 7, 8, 9, 57

ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Flower Soft Christmas Green & White, Crystal Lacquer, Clear Micro Beads, Making Memories Square White Eyelets, Nestabilities
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: No Ribbon or Fibers Challenge

Trust in the Lord
ALL CDSTAMPS LLC STAMP SETS USED: Sheltering Lights & Shining Strength

CARDSTOCK AND PAPERS: Basic Grey Periphery, CTMH Black Cardstock, Blank Notecard

INKPADS: VersaMagic Aegean Blue, Aspen Mist, Cloud White, Palette Ink Noir Black, SU! Bordering Blue
COPIC MARKERS: R37, R46, R59, E31, E57, E71, W3, W5, G99, Y11, C3

ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Flower Soft Christmas Green, Crystal Lacquer, Clear Micro Beads, Robins Nest Dew Drops, Michael's Christmas Ribbon, Scribbles Shiny White 3D Paint
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: DT Sketch Challenge

Liberty Shining Strength
ALL CDSTAMPS LLC STAMP SETS USED: Shining Strength & Libery

CARDSTOCK AND PAPERS: Blank Notecard & Wonderland Cosmo Cricket
INKPADS: Palette Ink Noir Black, Tim Holtz Distress Ink Old Paper, Versa Mark & Tim Holtz Fine Black Embossing Powder ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Large Snap, & Sheer Ribbon scrap

Ballerina Spinner Card
ALL CDSTAMPS LLC STAMP SETS USED: My Little Ballerina

CARDSTOCK AND PAPERS: Basic Grey Eva, CTMH Black Cardstock, Blank Notecard

INKPADS: VersaMagic Pink Petunia & Pixie Dust, Palette Ink Noir Black, COPCI MARKERS: C1, R11, RV04, G24, YG06, Y06, Y11, YR31, Black Multiliner
STICKLES: Christmas Red, Black Diamonds, Frosted Lace
ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Nestabilites, SU! Slot Punch & Scalloped Circle, Ranger Crackle Accent , CDStamps Double sided Ribbon, Crystal Lacquer, Karen Foster's Scrapper Floss
SPECIAL TECHNIQUES: Spinner Card

Bright Wishes
ALL CDSTAMPS LLC STAMP SETS USED: My Little Ballerina & Tag Frames

CARDSTOCK AND PAPERS: The Angel Company Fruitti Fusion, Blank Notecard

INKPADS: Palette Inks
COPIC MARKERS: B00, B05, R46, R59, R11, RV13, C7, BV29, Y11, W3, C1, E21, E51

ACCESSORIES AND EMBELLISHMENTS: Nestabilities, Various Punches, Cuttlebug Embossing Flower, Making Memories Cheeky Board Clips, May Arts Ribbon & Misc Ribbon Scrap, Blingy Flower and Rhinestone

JULY 2009 GUEST DESIGNER CHALLENGE

Hop on over to Clearly iStamp for the complete details on the Clear Dollar Stamps designer challenge.

CLICK HERE

Smiles,