Make a Difference

We’re in the middle of a most wonderful weekend at the Craig house. We enjoyed a fabulous evening with friends last night. Wes grilled delicious tenderloin steaks, real people conversation and lots of laughter. Today it’s been an absolutely gorgeous 79 degrees ~ the girls and I took a picnic to the park and then went to the pool. It was a little chilly for me, but they had fun. Tonight we enjoyed hot dogs and marshmallows at our fire pit. I’ve even had time to stamp today, and have things lined up for the next few days here on the blog.  This weekend has been a long time coming, you know what I mean?   

This card is an effort to use a few new things that I fell in love with at CHA. Imagine the fun! The base cardstock is from Core’dinations, Nostalgia Collection, and I really like the thick texture - something different. See how I’ve sanded the edges? The patterned paper is from October Afternoon - Detours collection. Chipboard butterfly from Jenni Bowlin. The ‘imagine‘ stamp is from Mona Lisa’s sentiment set, Big Inspiration.  The buttons are from fo0f-a-la. I can’t remember where I got the wide weave twill and the stick pin is from Fancy Pants.  Thanks for looking ~ I’ll see you tomorrow with a CHF Challenge Chicks Creation.

Sources: Big Inspiration - Cornish Heritage Farms, Core’dinations - All that Scraps, October Afternoon - Stop and Scrap, Chipboard Butterfly - Jenni Bowlin, Foof-a-la buttons and Fancy Pants - both from Archiver’s

The first time that I color a detailed image, like this Santa’s Lap from the Saturday Evening Post collection at Cornish Heritage Farms, I try to color it similar to the label. I find that very helpful in getting my bearings with the image…the shading, the shadows, etc. Then I like to try to branch out and try my own color schemes. I still use that original label as a reference, but it’s somewhat easier the 2nd and 3rd time around. So, if you struggle with an image that you see beautifully colored in your mind but not the same affect on paper, keep trying. When I recently completed my Copic Certification, I was shocked when Marianne (marker goddess) said it sometimes took her HOURS to color an involved scene. I don’t know why I thought I could do it in 30 minutes… eye rolling here.

This was an image I colored at the lake this past weekend. I used the panel to work into this week’s Sketch Challenge at Splitcoast.

The key with Copics is patience and giving the ink enough time to give you solid coverage. This is how this colored image looks from the back. See how the ink soaks through and gives you almost a complete picture on the back of the cardstock? This soaking is what gives you the ability to meld you colors together and move the color for shading.

See you tomorrow with some fluttering inspiration….

When the sweet folks at Cornish Heritage Farms told the design team that they had landed a licensing agreement with the Saturday Evening Post, we were stunned, not about the deal but the opportunity!! The wealth of true American art that is represented in their vault is amazing, and I’m very excited for the opportunity to work with some of the images. Cornish Heritage Farms has been able to secure licensing agreements (like Saturday Evening Post, Elvis Enterprises, Thomas Kinkaid, GM Corporation) because of their incredible commitment to quality and customer service. Those things are what make Richard and Liz Pomeroy tick….quality, attention to detail and customer service. You probably think this is a designer blah, blah, blah - but rest assured, I’m a satisfied customer, first and foremost.

This image is the first Christmas image to be released for the SEP line. Santa’s Lap will be available next week. Friday, I believe. I’ll try to have some more samples to show you between now and then…for now - enjoy dreaming about what you’ll whisper to Santa this year. Maybe that will keep your mind off of the 100 degree temps across the midwest this weekend.

• Stamps: Santa’s Lap, Winter Vintage Signage - Cornish Heritage Farms
• Cardstock: Tawny Light, Classic Red and Super Smooth White - all Prism
• Ink: Adirondack Espresso Dye
• Accs: KaiserCraft Red Pearls, Spica Glitter Pen and Copic Markers

Ashley came to me this morning saying, “Mommy, I checked the temperature. It’s only 74 degrees, can I please have hot cocoa?” I still have a cup of coffee most mornings, so who am I to deny the child hot cocoa in the mid of summer?

This little pouch is made with Lesley’s newest Vintage Winter Signage set. I’m picturing cute teacher and neighbor gifts with this in the coming months. The body of the pouch is 4.25″ x 11″ - scored at 5″ and 6″, it’s folded up in a U shape with a 1″ wide base at the bottom. Then a Suede Brown topper is fitted over the top to close it up. You could use a velcro dot or ribbon to keep the pouch tight. A glue dot or two on the inside holds the cocoa snug as the sides are open.

• Stamps: Winter Vintage Signage & Daisy Chain Scrapblock (TM) both from Cornish Heritage Farms
• Cardstock: Super Smooth White, Intense Pink & Suede Dark Brown Prism - available from Cornish, as well
• Ink: Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate
• Accs: Copic Markers, Inksentials White Gel Pen - Ranger, Scalloped Petite Ovals Nestabilities - Spellbinders, May Arts Ribbon from Jody Lynn and bling, bling bling KaiserCraft

As these last few weeks of summer vacation slither on by, I am lovin’ all the Christmas in July. This is my sweet, handsome Elvis - Blue Christmas from CHF, available now. Do you get the Cornish Heritage Farms newsletter? Liz announced last week that she and I will be at the Elvis Expo in Memphis in just 2 weeks, August 13 & 14! If you’re in the area, please stop by our booth and say hi! We’ll have plenty of beautiful Elvis red rubber, some samples for you to oogle up close and maybe even chocolate. I’d love to meet you if you are a Memphis local reader or in town for the big festivities.

Not going to be in Memphis? Well, NO PROBLEM! Visit vicariously! I’ll be hosting an online class at Cornish Heritage Farms on Tuesday, August 12th - LIVE from Memphis, TN. You can read about my free class and sign up HERE! I’m really excited to share this super quick and cute project idea with you. It is smack your forehead easy with a very short supply list, so I hope you’ll hang out with me and create a project. I’m hoping to share some Elvis and Memphis photos with you that night, as well!

Right now, I have one hour before my darling daughters come home from a playdate, and I’m gonna see what I can do with a few pieces of new, red rubber that are laying on my desk. Have a great afternoon!

Living in north, central Missouri, flooding has caused lots of problems this spring. Even as the water subsides, it has left it’s mark. Just today, we talked about a golf course entirely under water on our way to the city. An entire season’s income gone for the family that owns the course. So sad, and yet in my corner of the midwest we consider ourselves very fortunate compared to our Iowa and Illinois neighbors.

Splitcoaststampers is hosting a NOT A RAFFLE to benefit Midwest Flood Relief efforts. You can read all about it and see the special gallery link HERE. This project is one of the prize items that I am involved with: a collection of Divine Design.

Every month five friends who love Jesus participate in a monthly challenge with many members of the Splitcoast community. We call it Divine Design! The rules are few, the projects beautiful and the back stories are often touching. Feel free to join angelwilde (Angel Wilde), ncmorgan (Nancy Morgan), Jami (Jami Sibley), tayloredexpressions (Taylor VanBruggen) and myself on the 8th of each month. You can read about the open challenge HERE.

This donation for the Midwest Flood Relief Project is a collection of Biblical scripture inspiration from all 5 of us. We have each selected a few of our favorite scriptures to include in this bound book. Our hope is that you will be inspired and encouraged as you thumb through these pages.

Thanks so much to each of the community members who helps us in this Midwest Flood Relief project with your generous donation.

• Stamps: Silhouette Blooms - Kim Hughes Collection - Cornish Heritage Farms
• Cardstock: Pink Paislee
• Ink: Pumpkin Spice VersaMagic
• Accs: Buttons, Primas, velvet ribbon, KaiserCraft bling, sewing machine

Another few favorite CHA releases - Vintage Winter Signage from Cornish Heritage Farms (available tomorrow) and Good Cheer Paper from October Afternoon. October afternoon was one of my favorites at the Winter CHA show, and they did it again last week. You can see reports on their new releases HERE. This particular pattern of paper is called Sleigh Ride, and it goes wonderfully with the Sleigh Ride stamp! Good times! Oh, and the itty bitty bling - you can get it from Taylor, HERE. (I see they are temporarily out of stock, but I’m leaving the link because Taylor has other cool stuff!)

Here is another quick card using Lesley Langdon’s Rummage Bin set: Primitive Christmas! and the reverse side of the Sleigh Ride paper. Her images in these two releases are just wonderful. The house is stamped with Pearlescent Chocolate ink and colored with Copic Marker (B000). Can’t wait to show you all of the vintage winter images from CHF tomorrow.

I’ll see you tomorrow - right now, I have a date with the cutest little 8 year old and a checkerboard. Have a great day!

In honor of my 12th wedding anniversary yesterday, here’s a card for my dear, sweet husband. While he’s not a ‘cowboy’ in true definition, he say’s “y’all” a lot, works in the agriculture field, drives a pick-up and lucky, lucky for me….I get to wash my fair share of Wranglers. Our first date was the 1992 Dodge City Round Up, so he’ll always be my cowboy.

This falls into play with the CHF Challenge Chicks today to create a masculine card. I used ‘For the Men’ from the Rummage Bin line and beautiful new paper and accents from Prima (I got mine from sweet Jacksonbelle). While masculine cards can be hard to wrap your mind around, my stand-by is clean lines and simple stamping. I’ve used a paper punch and distress inks to give it a western feel.

There is *SO* much going on this week with CHA departure in just 2 days! Make sure you stop by Mona Lisa’s blog for incredible new licensing agreement information…can you believe Saturday Evening Post?? Check out the other chicks for more masculine inspiration (and other exciting CHA pre-sneaks for product and new art!): -Kristine Reynolds, Dawn Lusk, Julia Stainton, Michele Boyer, Val Stangle, Kim Hughes, Lisa Silver and Sherrie Siemens

I’ve been working with the new Aimee Nugent Christmas line for several weeks. Today is release day and all of the Aimee images and coordinating Christmas sentiments that I have been using are available for purchase.

This main image panel started out as Cryogen White (shimmery). I used the Emerging Color technique found here at Splitcoast, so the words O Holy Night were actually the first image applied to the cardstock. I love this technique - it’s fun, not too messy and generally good for a few oohs and ahhhs.. I love the colors of this Christmas paper from Webster’s Pages.

Editted: Most of the CHF team has peaks of another fabulous new product that will be unveiled at CHA on their blogs, so almost any link from the team sidebar will get you a free shot at some hot stuff. The eye candy I’m posting is from sweet, sweet Kim Hughes. Look at this gorgeous CocoMocha paper that is being shown at CHA! Good stuff!

• Stamps: O Holy Night - Christmas Expressions & Three Wise Men - Aimee Nugent - both from Cornish Heritage Farms
• Cardstock: Cryogen White, Spring Willow Medium, Blush Red Medium and Webster’s Pages patterned paper
• Ink: Cranberry Adirondack - Ranger, VersaMark - Tsukineko
• Accs: Ribbon, Brads & Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities

I have been wanting to try soldering for a long time and got this kit a month or so ago. I love the collage type stained glass charms that the really artsy people make. So, I packed up all the stuff, headed off to Wes’ work bench in the basement, and this is the result of my first try…well actually, my third try. I discovered that to work down there in the man-cave, I need 3 more hands and an OTT light. I sure hope that lead solder will flake off of his big ole manly man work vise.

This image is, perhaps, my favorite Thomas Kinkaid stamp in the CHF collection, The Forest Chapel. Here I have stamped it in Brilliance Pearlescent Beige and then accented with swirls from the Beautiful stamp set in Pearlescent Chocolate. The ‘divine’ and ‘design’ are BOTH from the Sassy Petites stamp set (released today along with Christmas Expressions). Isn’t that cool? DIVINE DESIGN!! I’m going to try to make a few of these charms, and hopefully improve my solder skills along the way.

I’ll see you tomorrow! Have a great, fabulous day!