Happy Snowday!

A short post today.  We here in Massachusetts actually had a REAL snow day today. No school for the kids, sticky snow so that you could make a snowman if your heart desired.  A real stay in your pj's kinda day! What did I do? Yup colored up an awful cute Magnolia image and made my sister in laws birthday card! I know she'll like it because its her favorite colors.  Tell me what you think, I'm going to enter it in an anything goes challenge too.  It was just a nice relaxing day with my Copics and my kiddo.  Too bad he had to study most of the day for midterms.  Oh well, he gets to play enough! The image is Tilda with Tulips, colored with Copics and a little bling here and there.

Copics used:  Yikes->Dress, Bow, & Socks:  BG000, BG02, BG05, BG07, BG09, B28, B29, Shirt: V22, V28, BV31,BV00, Flowers: RV00, RV52, RV55, BV0000, BV01, BV02,BV31, BV34, G00, G40, G42, G46, Skin & hair:E00, E000,E11, E40, E41, E42, E43, E44, R20.  To shade a bit and take the edge off I used C00, C2, C4 and W7.

I tend to keep the inside simple so that I can customize it to whom ever it is i'm giving it to.  Tomorrow I may even get to play a little more, who knows.  I definately need to do a little stash shopping. MarkerPop! will be a stop as I need to build up my Copic refill supplies.  I have a couple Crops coming up and a class so I want them all to be nice and juicy!  Have a nice rest of the week and if your getting snow, just remember.....No two snowflakes are alike!
Carpe Diem

Happy or not...

This is going to be a VERY short post today. Have to spout... Can I just say that I'm so sick and tired of people thinking that they can dictate what we share on our blogs.  Whether it be photos, artwork, creations...whatever...unless it is from someone other than myself or from  someplace else, it's mine.  All of the videos and some recipes that I share that are not mine, I make sure to post them up front and center and give credit where credit is due.  But I want all to know that I support the local small business.  My local scrapbook store gets as much of my business as do the internet stores and they never tell me what I can and can't put up on my blog. Small business is what needs our help.   My coloring is my coloring.....my teachers are my teachers....and my business is MY business. Just some food for thought and a little bit of venting...Just remember to follow the rules... Carpe Diem!

Happy New Year

Well,  as we ring in 2013, I'd like to send out many holiday wishes and thoughts.  Here in my home, we have had an awesome 2012, from Crops to  camps to skiing and sports... it's all been good.  As most of you know I have a very sports minded and athletic high school freshman.  I will not jinx him in the injury column but we have been blessed.  As well as with his academic profile.  Curtiss was named today to the local newspapers fall all American athletes list for golf.  He and his teammates should be very proud! No hard work goes unnoticed.  As parents and grandparents it is very difficult to instill and engrain these basic principals of life into our youth.  So many negative outside influences working against all that is good.  I somehow just keep coming back to the one we all know so well... "Do unto others as we would want done to ourselves."  Pretty simple.  The golden rule.  Today I tried some new "rules" to follow, (self imposed).  I have always been a little "light handed" with my Copic strokes.  Trying not to oversaturate and make images too dark, (less is more right?).  Well, despite many different style and artist inspirations I am still trying to hone my own Copic coloring style.  Being slightly tone deaf and blessed with supurb grey to white to black color differentiation I often get stuck when using the deep hues and with shading.  I have admired Suzanne Dean, Marianne Walker, Zoe and just recently Mindy Baxter's coloring styles and have even enrolled in a class or two.  But for the first time today when trying to apply some of Mindy's techniques for my images I felt like an alien overtook my markers.  Very dark for me but I loveeee how my card turned out.  Her class is called Shades of Grey which is a series of videos to help with advanced shading and backgrounds which is offered over at the CMC Classroom.  Definately food for thought.  For more information go here- "Shades of Grey".  Let me know what you think of my card front with a comment. If you're not a follower, please do! I forsee lots more resources and tutorials in the year to come and besides...You NEVER KNOW who might win a little sweet blog candy!  After all, who needs fireworks???!!!!
     I'm still working on the inside as I think this one will be for my son to give out on Valentine's Day. Many, many, many Copics were used, even the colorless blender! (Ugh, which I Neeevvverrrr use!) I do like how it turned out though.  Cardstock is from Bazzill, DP is by Authentique Paper (tag and sentiment too).  Love this line! The collection is called "lovely." Dies are by mftstamps and spellbinders (labels one).  For me,  this card is different because there's not one button or flower!  Am I regressing? Can I just say that for a Great shading perspective, Mindy's class rocks! Is simple, cheap and easy to follow and incorporate into your own "style."  I didn't use the images that she used but it works!  I hope 2013 Gives you all more time for Craftin', coloring, scrapping or whatever it is that you enjoy doing!  For those of you who know me well, this sure is the most relaxing part of my world.  It's my escape!  A quote I found to leave you with...I just love it and if you love this site,  feel free and share the love!......"Love is the keynote of the universe--the theme, the melody"-Henry Abbey...Happy 2013!

As always, Carpe Diem...

December de-stressing

Hi again,
     I'm trying to de-stress today by coloring. It's much better for me than eating!  As promised I finished up a holiday card using the talented Mo Manning image of Little Elf Mim.  I think he's so cute.  I wanted to practice coloring glass or reflection and I like the way it turned out. I'm not sure but I just may add liquid glass over the ornament to make it pop.  The paper is AC Patterned paper:  Merrymint, embellis are from my stash, as is the ribbon. I'd love a comment to see what you think.  I'm going to try to find a video tutorial to share on coloring glass and shiny surfaces.  The card is being sent out to one of my "most" crafty friends as I know she will appreciate it.
     I'm also very excited, I just made my second purchase from Groupon.  I will be taking a digital photography and web design certification course.  Much fun! On the never ending quest for the perfect photo.  Of course it will be of my teen not a nature scene or something the like of.
   

The Copic's used:  BG11, BG32, R20, R22, R24, R29, R89, G40, G43, G24, YG63, YG67, YR21, YR30, C00, C3.  Not too much else today.  We have Curtiss's first high school basketball game tonight.  He and I went to the St. Bernard's first hockey game of the season last night to watch all his buddies play.  What a great game! As I've said before...High school games are just as exciting as any other sporting event. Going to decorate the tree at some point too...Enjoy your day, and 

Carpe Diem!

Where's the snow!!!!????

Okay friends, I'm a little peeved today.  Sat down to do a little gift wrapping and then wham! It occurred to me that its Dec. 10th and we have absolutely NO snow! Not even one little one. With only 14 days til' Santa comes mother nature better step on it!  People who live in New England live here for many reasons of course, but one of my main reasons is for a white Christmas!  Since I have to shovel the rest of the time can I at least have a white Christmas!  Felt a little like Christmas for me today.  I just went up to get the mail and my card kits arrived from North Dakota, yahoo what cute kits!  I got my cup of Apple Cider, the desk is clean and I just cracked open a bag of Reeses Peanut butter cups.... can you say Woop, Woop! I finally put up another more recent slide show of my craft room.  It's pink, small and all mine! Have to giggle though, I'm not really a "pink" person but I did this to hopefully keep my son out of my markers and papers!  Didn't work so well unfortunately.  Also, I wanted to show everyone this adorable storage tote for Copic sketch markers that I found on Etsy. I absolutely love it and and am going to but another for the rest of my markers.

It took me soooooo long to find something that I liked.  I even made my last storage case.  I love this tote because the handles are sturdy.  What this photo doesn't show is the slots for each individual marker or pen.  It's a hard plastic and the markers fit Perfectly!  Here's the link to  Stampin dog designs

I came across a bunch of new to me challenges while I was blog hopping this week so I'll share.

Totally Tilda

Marvelous Magnolias

Crafty Creations

Digistamps 4 Joy

The Crafty Pad

Pixie Dust  and

Divas by Design.  Oops forgot the Totally Gorjuss site as well.  Tomorrow I vow to post a project.  Happy Craftin', wishing for snow, and as always...Carpe Diem!

Not just apple pie on a fall day...

Well I just finished listening to the movie The Thomas Crowne Affair again, for like the um-teenth time as I'm peeling and coring apples.  I want to make a pie tonight to give a little warmth to the day.  It's been rainy here all day, much like everywhere else and I'm not very good at being in solitary confinement at home.  I did manage to quickly color up this cute little "School Girl" by Tiddly Inks.  I had parents welcome night at my son's high school last night and was gently reminded that grades will close on Nov. 2.  So, In anticipation of some good grades from my niece, I colored this card up to hold a gift card.  She's a Freshman just like my son so this first report card will be huge in terms of accomplishment.  Well, and my smartie pants is just that...A smart pants! He and his school golf team made the local Central Ma. newspaper yesterday as they're doing well.  I feel for them today though.  Pourin' rain! Not too fun to golf in.  I'm so excited, Sunday I will be going to the Inspiration Station to spend a few hours with the oh so talented Suzanne Dean coloring hair!  Stafford Springs, CT is only about 1 1/2 hours from me so there was no way on earth was I going to miss that one.  In my multitasking of the day I am in the process of making an apple pie so I need to keep my fingers crossed.  Well there's another tornado watch here until tomorrow morning.  The western part of Massachusetts has already had several major ones in the past year I hope this one spares them!  Soon all the "leaf peepers" will be out and hikers walking and enjoying the foliage.  That's probably my favorite part of autumn...Crisp air, long walks, hot apple cider, Woop, wool.  Even Dunkin Donuts apple cider is good this time of year.  Soon we'll have to think about adding mint to the hot chocolate and which carols to sing.  For now I'll just revel in all things apple...Join me...

For all your hard work...

I think my niece will love it!  She loves sponging, so that's how I did the background and the DP was just from my stash of scraps,  I ran it through my Grand Calibur Spellbinder for a different shaped card. I think i'll give her a Dick Blick art supply gift card.  Seems only fitting.  Maybe next post will be from the Pumpkin patch...Until then, Carpe Diem.

Eagerly Approaching Autumn

     Hi everyone! Happy September, and Happy everything that  makes  September special.  I'm so excited today I can't stand it! Although, i'm a little bit confused because it's 85 degrees out here in Massachusetts but it feels like fall.  Signs are out for apple picking, Dunkin' has their Apple Cider, apple pies and apple crumb muffins back and the Pumpkin Swirl latte is to die for according to Curtiss. I was so happy to have had a large apple cider!  For me it doesn't get much better than that. I did as promised and took the entire summer off from bloggin'! Seeing as how this was the last summer before my son entered high school.  I figured it won't be long before it's no longer "cool" to just hang out with mom.  We did a lot of nothing, went camping, shopping and to a Whole bunch a' lacrosse tournaments!  You name it, my truck has seen it...Mass, NH, NY, MD, Long Island, PA, jeesh..Thank Goodness Toyota makes a great product.  Now that he's a Freshmen the level of business is one up.  He's attending the local Catholic Central High school  and is playing on the golf team now then basketball.
     I baked blueberry muffins last week end and i'm going to pick up apples tonight for a bread.  Some of the leaves are starting to change here but we're still about a month from peak foliage.  Good because leaf peepers add to my weekend commute on my weekend to work.  I hadn't been to any crops in a while and I've registered for two;  Ready...Set...Crop's Fall Frolic Weekend in Westminster, MA Nov.2-4 and Cool Crops February Andover, MA Crop 2/14-2/17.  RSC can be found here and Cool Crops on google if you like. I can't wait, it seems like forever since i've gone away to crop/craft. Well (almost) hee hee.  Today I treated myself to a trip up to Absolutely Everything in Topsfield, MA.  This scrapbooking store isn't as big as Archivers but it is BIG! They have a Great on line store too that can be found  here.  I got a few new Magnolia stamps: Scooter Tilda, Tilda hugging a heart, Tilda and Wiola, Cuddly siblings and the Tropicana Tilda (not the real name but close) and a nice Penny Black clear stamp set. But man lately i've been on a roll with the Digi stamps.  There are sooooo many great sites.  I bought a bunch from Saturated Canary and Wee Stamps I love Krista & Sylvia's images. The girls are gorgeous, with those eyes to die for!  So much fun to color!  Here's a card that I colored up and assembled last night.  I still have to do the inside though.  I ran out of oumpf!  It's just a "Hello" card to have on hand. I love everything about it!  The Stamp is a digital image i've had for a little bit by Sylvia Zet.  She is "Silver Fairy" and can be found here.

The DP are Memory box- "Viola," Cardstock is Bazzill, Memory box dies, Cuttlebug embossing folder and machine, Marvy Puch, Prima flowers, The pearls are from Recollections and the doily from my stash of UFO's and of course all those Copics! Clothing and wings:  YG91, YG93, YG95 & YG97. Creams in wings-E40, E41, E42, & E43. Hair is E31,E25 & E50, Skin-E000,E02, E11, & E35. BV01 for her hair flower. The bell on the end of her wing is the Sand at you Spica pen from too marker company.  Hope you like her. I had fun with this one! I will enter this into a few challenges as well. Why not?
     Tonight i'll ink up some Maggies for the upcoming card kit swap over at Magnolia-licious yahoo group.  It will get going again in October led by the infamous Audrey. Lots of country fairs and carnivals coming up this time of the year too. The Big E starts next week which is huge! It's the Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, MA.  you'll becha' there's something there for everyone! Along with fall comes my running again.  I don't run in the summer months because I'm afraid of heat stroke, dehydration and all the other just plain old bad stuff that could happen. I'm looking forward to a little, no alot more me time. No more crazy traveling for work.  I'm back in the Intensive Care Setting where I belong.  Critical Care Medicine is much more exciting to me than Internal Medicine.  Oh, almost forgot, wanted to say hi to the library group Copic class that I held a couple weeks ago.  Hope you're all coloring like Crazy.  I also can't wait to see Suzanne Dean again in CT. at the Inspiration Station.  She'll be giving some of her CMC classes "on the road" the end of Septemper.  She does such a nice job with the classes as well. Busy, Busy, Busy...Guess that's one way to keep the old mind Sharp.  Stay posted, I will begin a card kit swap from this Blog as well in the next few weeks.  A great way to get enough materials for Christmas cards.  Happy Stamping and Carpe Diem!