Coloring corner

Carlotta's Craft room

Monday, February 28, 2011

Happy Last Day of February

Hi everyone.  Well, March comes in like a lion and leaves like a lamb. Oh how it proves to be so true.  We are surrounded by rain and ice today here in New England. There's a very fitting song, "Slip slidin' away" for those of you old enough to remember this one.  So true. Let's just say, 4 wheel drive isn't all that it's cracked up to be in some areas.  Well you tube rejected my Tiny Heaven video because it was too long.  Imagine that.  Back to the drawing board.  I received the Magnolia Spring kit this evening. Yahoo Sweden.  FYI, if you scroll to the bottom of my blog you will find a resource area.  I just posted the instructions on how to make custom colored embossing powder using your Pearl X or Pearl powders.  Very simple.  Can use for the technique challenge.  Another after thought I had was to remind people that they can increase their embellishment stash with things as simple as buttons and paperclips.  Glue one to the other and budda bing! You saved yourself  $3.99 from Michael's.  Lately, I'm all about the saving because the life expectancy of my Mac computer is dwindling quick.  It is so rare for a Mac to get a virus, but I'm told once it does, the integrity is never the same.  I am both fluent in iphoto and photoshop cs and elements and prefer iphoto and idvd by far.  So much easier. 
     Since it's the first day of March tomorrow, do something crazy with your crafting that you haven't done in a long time or ever!  Complete it, (so it has to be reasonable) then, on 3/17/2011 celebrate it.  That way you don't have to be Irish to celebrate.  I am only Irish by marriage but I but I could pour you a nice glass of Guiness off tap.  I learned a few tricks in college from the boys.  Wish on that clover, look for shamrocks but be weary of any leprechauns.  Wear lot's of green, just don't spend too much.
Carpe Diem, Carlotta

Saturday, February 26, 2011

My Tiny Heaven

     Happy Saturday to everyone. I've got some exciting new stuff to share with everyone.  First, starting in March  I will be hosting a new monthly challenge here on my site: "Tuesdays Technique challenge". Okay the rules are pretty simple and will be listed on the sidebar of my blog.  Long story short, create a card or scrapbook layout using at least 2 different techniques.  For example:  Embossing and resist embossing, Colored pencil & Copic coloring on the same image or even distressing and tearing.  Remember all those techniques we learned and loved once but never use now?  Remeber paper piecing? Here's a partial list to get your creative juices flowing: colored pencils, markers, watercoloring, distress ink coloring, dry embossing, heat embossing and emboss resist, using chalks. glitter, microbeads, tie dye coffee filters, masking, walnut ink resist, embossed foil, twinkling watercolors,ect......the list goes on and on.  For more ideas please hop on over to the expert Patricia Huntoon at http://www.techniquejunkies.com/ .  The challenge will be the first Tuesday of every month.  On the last day of the month one random lucky person will win a little blogcandy.  It's as simple as that.  I am trying to  help folks try and break out of their ordinary. You know, "thinking outside of the box."  *****If you leave a comment with your thoughts at the end of this post by Monday morning 2/28/11 you just might be a winner!   you will be eligable to win 2 mini Magnolia stamps of your choice!!!!! Shuuuush don't tell everyone now.  Some secrets are good.
     Well now i'm starting to sound like a broken record but yes, it's supposed to snow again today here in New England. One good thing about it though, we'll be skiing into May ;) Anthing to keep the teen busy and occupied. Curtiss had oral surgery yesterday under general anesthesia. LOL a drunk 13 yr old.....and yes, I did video tape him. Too funny. He'll be getting braces this fall so we're getting the prep work done now. I want to give a special shout out to my friends over at Clear and simple Stamps. I just love their designs. You can see them and check out their blog at http://clearandsimplestampsonline.com/blog. There are so many creative minds out there. Also a big hello to the yahoo group scrapbookingrooms. This post is for you. I finally made a small video tour of my craft room which I often refer to as my tiny heaven. I hope you can find ideas from it that you all can use in your room.  I'm not proficient with my new camcorder yet. For that I appologize.   I have to say, youtube.com is not cooperating today.  Maybe I can get the video up by tomorrow for you.  That would be ideal.  Have a warm and wonderful weekend of stamping and scrapping.  I will be working at the local "home show" this afternoon for the Pampered Chef.  This usually puts me in the springtime mood.  You know, inside and outdoor house work.  Planting and grooming shrubs. Tulips, Crocus, ect...Would I love to see a Tulip right about now.    Think springtime thoughts and maybe sneak a mini Cadbury cream egg. It's never too early.  Besides, Easter seems late this year.  It's at the very end of April.


 Carpe Diem, Carlotta

Monday, February 21, 2011

Happy Presidents Day


Smiles to you all. It's going to be a short post tonight, as usual, I've run out of me time. Well, no surprise. It's another snowday here in MA. Can you believe all this snow has created a new job occupation, are you ready for this? "Roof Rakers" People are making good money clearing the snow off the rooftops. Who would have thought?

Well, I managed to complete an adorable springtime card featuring a Victoria Case stamp Lazy Days from her summer 2010 collection. You can find the line at Susana's Custom Art and Card Design on line. The yellow and peach make it so cheery. I needed that. For only a few moments to dream and escape the snow. I was also able to clean my scrap and stamp room (my tiny heaven) as some of you know it. I fell short of time once again, but I was going to film a video tour so you can see how far it's come. I can even let you into the drawers and bins with out you getting shocked. I still need a lot more word art for the walls. It's so girly being mostly pink and white but as you'll soon see, its tastefully done. Thank goodness for Copics andThe Cuttlebug. Mine all made the trip back from GA unharmed. It's the small things in life I guess. I'm going to curl up and say goodnight. May you all have a lovely sleep. Carpe Diem.
Carlotta


Monday, February 14, 2011

Valentines Day Cheer

Well friends, I can't believe it, Valentines Day. I survived my "bootcamp!" Being away from your family for any extended period of time is hard enough, but when something is expected of you and your job depends on it, it's an entirely different story. I know why many of our service people are under the age of thirty! Although for those of you over 40, I represented us well. My PT times were better than many of my junior. Self defense classes were an eye opener and it hasn't hit me yet but I did well on the firing range considering I was scared of guns and only considered their use to obtain food for those of us who eat meat. Today I have to confirm and stand by my belief that "home is where the heart is." I packed a whole xtra suitecase with my Copics, stamped images, paper, photos, camera, ect.......You guessed it, I didn't get a single card or layout done. But...I lost 10lbs, watched SALT, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Toy Story 3, New Moon, Eclipse and several other current movies and I finished Patricia Cornwells new Port Mortuary. Did I mention that I met her at a book signingI just before I left? She is my literary idle, and YES a Pathologist! I even got a photo on my phone. I am not changing my video of the week as it is still my favorite besides Suzanne Dean's new videos. But I am going to make this tissue box if it's my last UFO (Un-finished object). You quilters know what this is all about.
I'd like to welcome all the new members to the Magnolia-licious yahoo group. We just keep growing and growing and growing! My postal carrier thinks i'm nuts doing all these swaps but I just remind her that it keeps both of us busy. Hope you all have a wonderful Valentines Day with those you love. Carpe Diem, Carlotta