Well it's about time.

Okay, okay, it's been a while. It seems these days that i'm burning the candle at both ends. It seems with each month I get busier and busier and the one thing I let go is the blog. So, this is my early New Year's resolution to not do that any more. I guess I was a little discouraged with the Tuesday's Technique challenge that I just couldn't get off the ground. It seems that the idea of using a specific technique on a card was intimidating for some folk which I can totally understand. So What I will do is beginning Tuesday July 5th I have revised the Tuesday's Technique challenge to become Tuesday's Tadah! That way people will be more apt to participate using whatever technique, project or other art form that they wish. I have noticed a lot of untraditional pieces that are sooooo.....beautiful. There are some frames and lampshades to die for. Remember that Copic or alcohol markers can and should be used on any and everything. I will post additional specifics of the revised challenge tonight. And for those of you last minute gals, i'm hosting a summer image swap over at splitcoast stampers look for "Last Call" subject heading. It's about to close but we would love to have you join us. I'll chat more this evening. Off to play mom's taxi and then finish up the Copic color combination reference sheet for everyone. Chao and Carpe Diem,

Carlotta :)

Tuesday's Technique

Hi all and Happy April! Tuesday marked the start of the second Tuesday's Technique Challenge. Thanks Rene for your entry last month. I enjoyed it. Being the only entry you win a little prize.  Email me your email address and contact info so I can get your prize to you.  I hope this month we'll have a better turnout. The rules are located along the blog sidebar. I thought I would update my favorite video of the week to provide some inspiration.

Aprils Tuesday's Technique will be to use alcohol inks in your project. Alcohol inks are the best! I don't care if it's Ranger or Copic, I just love it and use it every day. I even colored a dime during a class I took. I will use this for my technique for the challenge even though it's never been forgotten or "lost" by myself. If you need a good reference go, the March 2011 Vol.19 Number 3 issue of Vamp Stamp News has a great article in it. They are also on line at http://www.vampstampnews.com/.  Both the Copic and Ranger web sites have info on alcohol inks as well.  I like to color with them and my Prisma pencils the most because the colors blend well as long as you stay in the same blending families.  I have a sweet Tilda image colored for a simple Easter card that I will submit as my entry for the challenge since she is completely colored with Copics.  Of course I used Stickles and some sparkly fluff for the bunny's tail. There's flowers and ribbon and all things that scream SPRING!  Did I mention we got 10 inches of fresh fluffy snow here on Friday 4/1/11.  APRIL FOOL'S (not)! 

This little lady is just sweet to me. You can click on the image for closer details. I still have to finish roughing up the edges and add a little stitching but I think this one's for  my mother in law so she loves anything I make for her, perfect or not :)  The inside is simple as well. The best part for me is the airbrushed ground and sky.  Thank God for my ABS 3 system whahoo.....  Not too many complaints with that. 
See, simple.  She'll love it.  Ribbon, flowers, the sentiment is from Close To My Heart stamps.  Paper is old as the hills.  Cardstock is Bazzill of course.  Ribbon is random from my gigantic ribbon jar.  Girls who know me, know me well.....I mean this jar is liken hubbies power tool huge!
     Over at Splitcoast the Products and Image Swap forum is alive and well.  What a great way to get stamped images that you don't have.  Have to pinch pennies ya' know.  I'm waiting for my packet of images from the mega swap.  Hopefully this week.  If you're looking for some fun come over and check it out.  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums.   Leave a link to your project or an email link so you can be entered in the drawing.

Tuesday's Technique Challenge

     Happy Tuesday to all.  Today mark's challenge #1 of Tuesday's Technique. Being the first challenge it can contain as many techniques as you like.  Any color theme you like, any season you like, just complete it! You can use any companies images that you like for this as well.  I love all the vendors you know. This challenge has been created to bring all of those stamping and crafting techniques that we learned somewhere along the way back into our focus.  I want to continue to grow as an artist and maybe teach and inspire a little bit along the way.  I am first a photographer so I tend to see things a bit differently anyways.  But, I can't tell you how many techniques I use regularly that I learned through various classes and web sites along the way.  I still over use http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ I can't help it. I also love Technique junkie newsletters as it's jam packed with ideas.  I also use the VSN (Vamp Stamp News) magazine a lot!!!!  The March 2011 issue which you can find at your local stamp and scrapbooking stores contains an  awesome amount of info on Alcohol Inks (Copics) and PhotoShop Elements (Digital  Scrapbookers or photo buffs).
     I can honestly say that my favorite technique is heat embossing.  Especially in the winter months.  (I'm always cold ya know).    For today I just want to give you  an example with a recent card I created.  My official entry will come this weekend.  I don't have a design team yet but hopefully soon.  VK designs will be redesigning this blog to reflect the upcoming growth and change, both on creativity and ideas but also on digital designs as well.  When everything comes together I will be calling for submissions of all techniques, cards, layouts and altered art. I think layouts sometimes get the short end so please try stamping for a layout or two (that's a great technique). I so don't believe that an artist is one or the other: stamper or scrapper!   Please don't forget to scroll to the bottom of the blog to the resources area because I try to add free  informational pages when I can.  I also upload info files to the Magnolia-licious web group as well and feel free to capitolize on all the wonderful international talent and inspirational talent that you will find there.  Enough said, let's get too it...See how many techniques I used on my smiles card.

Let's count.  1. Dry embossing, 2.  Background stamping, 3. Image layering, 4. Copic coloring.  Four techniques.  Let's see what you can come up with by the end of the month.  Link to your blog or photo gallery or other gallery leaving a direct link   and you could win the candy of the month.  This is a work in progress.  Be patient and grow with me.
 Carpe Diem, Carlotta

                                                                          

And the winner is.....

Cricket. You won the blog candy.  Please email me your two mini choices and address.Blustery day today.  If you're lucky enough to have the day off today, cuddle up with a good book and blankie.  No snow though which is good.  Hope everyone has a technique in mind that they want to use for the upcoming challenge on tuesday.  I just might try my hand at paper piecing.  We'll see...Time to start the day...Carpe Diem,
Carlotta

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

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

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