Beads, Beads and More Beads

Like I needed a new hobby right? WRONG!!! I was given the most beautiful bracelet for xmas by a friend and after doing some research learned that the bracelet contained "lampwork" beads, or Murano glass beads. I decided to try and make my own after looking at prices on Etsy (granted many of these folks have purchased hand made, beautiful beads). I have no clue what this endeavor may hold but will share when complete~!

Oilcloth Bag

I should have done something different with the straps - still may pull off and fix....

Feeling Creative Lately!!

I havent posted/updated here in forever, so thought I'd load a few pics if nothing else, for my own tracking. I've gone back to work and surprisingly enough, have wanted to spend the evenings/weekends doing crafty projects. We wont discuss how neglected the house is tho!!

A gal I work with was talking about sewing and I remembered an almost complete quilt I had done years ago for my daughter. It was just taking up space when it should be sitting nice and fresh on her bed. So I pulled the sewing machine out of it's typical cramped space and moved it to the dining room table where it's lived since. Amazing how much easier it is to play when equipment is easily accessible. So in addition to her quilt, I finished an oilcloth bag I also started years ago and did a quilt in colors I've not used in past (more reds/modern looking vs. the more subtle shabby chic stuff().. I've fallen in love with Moda's line of pre-cut fabrics: charm packs, jelly rolls and turnovers. I have purchased a bunch of these and have several quilts in mind including a baby quilt for a friend. But next up, I will start working on a nautical theme (sailboat quilt) for my oldest and maybe a table runner or two (or wallhanging).. I love the fast/quick (satisfaction now) type projects!! So here are a few pics of recent projects!

Latest card

OK so I've been soo out of scrapping - digi or otherwise forever now. Sad cause I can't even prob tell you what I used on this silly card. Actually I can so email me if you really want to know, but not gonna list cause I dont think anyone follows this - more for me. Hopefully will be helping out on a few yearbook pages soon (for kids' school) which will force me to find my digi groove. Did this card very quickly but given how fast I did it, was fairly happy how it came out. I love my Copics altho didnt layer much color here. I also love that I can quickly make a bday card when I'm out! :) Biggest prob is just pulling all the junk out. I soooo can't wait for the day I have more space!

a Thank You Card, Guy Colors :)

Sooo for me, doing a card with more muted/toned down colors is sometimes of a challenge. I wanted to do a special card for a special friend who spoiled our kids rotten for the Holidays. I'm still on a huge learning curve with these Copic markers but having a lot of fun. I just keep playing! Of course I am addicted and wanting more. This is the thing about the paper crafting world. You ALWAYS want more... the latest and greatest. I swear it has to be right up there with video games in terms of being recession proof. I struggled with my Cricut for a bit today attempting to do something to soften up the hard lines (too many straight/rectangular things going on for me), and got really frustrated. I've had my Cricut (original ) for several years and mostly have appreciated for kids' projects. I'm truly thinking of selling it. My new love: nestabilities with my Big Shot (another piece of equipment I've had for years but with a "universal platform" which was inexpensive, it's taken on a new life... being able to run other company's dies thru). I'll prob ultimately keep my Cricut, cause I'd probably get all of $20 for it or something like that, and I do enjoy using once in awhile to cut numerous shapes for the kids (thinking forward to V. Day).

ANYWAY, the thank you card. Used one of my fav' papers from awhile ago: We R Memory's Boho Chic.. rest is Bazzill. Got the buttons thru a scrap club I was in a few years back. Image is Stampendous Changito Monkey - so cute! OHHH.. and discovered Gina K's pure Luxury paper and it's truly Pure Luxury.... the stamped image is on 120 wt paper which isnt necessary for stamping but what I've been using as I play of late. That with Brilliance or Memento Ink, seems to prevent bleeding.

There are many things I wished I could have done differently here, but given we're nearly a month out from the Holidays, just wanted to finish up and get to him!

Welcome Baby Card!

So it's been nearly a month since I posted and not great about posting here anyway, but had to post this as I'm fairly happy with the way it turned out. I 've learned in the past few weeks, Copics are awesome, but there's a learning curve. Of course you need to have some basic understanding of "coloring, shadowing, etc " (all of which I still need to really learn,) BUT there are some basics you need to deal with in using these alcohol based markers. Paper and ink can make a huge difference and it took much experimenting and research to determine what was gonna work best. The card posted here uses Brilliance Ink on SU Whisper white cardstock. I got a tiny bit of bleed, but not much. The SU ink didnt seem to work well for me at all. I just got some Gina K Luxury, 120 wt paper which is supposed to be great (altho Walmarts generic -Georgia Pacific, 110 wt paper, is supposed to be good too). The inks (in my research thusfar) that seem to be recommended are Brilliance and Memento (as well as a handful of others). On the Copic website you can download a booklet which outlines which inks they feel work best.

AND then there's the incredible Marianne's blog "I like Markers" where I've learned so much. She works for Copics, gives classes, etc. Here's her address:

http://ilikemarkers.blogspot.com

Anyway, the card is a Welcome Baby card for a friend. The stamp is from Pink Cat Studio, Cardstock is Bazill, patterned is K and Co. Used Nesties for embossing (in Big Shot - that was fun) and the new Storybook Cricut cartridge for die cutting.

And just got the SU set Happy Heart Day - sooo adorable and versatile. Can be used for V. Day but also for bdays, thank yous! Given my two older kiddos have to make 50 home made V. Day cards I thought this would be a great set! Hoping to see the new Stampin up catalog soon - hear it's great!

Copics: My LATEST obsession!!

Incredible Markers BUT HUGE price!! I'm wondering if they're available in Korea? They're imported from Japan and wonder if some of my friends traveling might be able to find? Anyway, just got a basic set as my xmas gift and soooo excited to try... yee-haw!! :)

Some great websites on the markers:

www.copicmarker.com
www.copicmarkers.com
http://www.oozak.com/

and this person's blog is AMAZING for everything Copic:

http://ilikemarkers.blogspot.com/