Thankful for fall!

September 23,2014

I can't believe it's been so long since i've posted or felt crafty! with fall comes all that I love, the earthy colors, pumpkins, apple crisp, Halloween and Thanksgiving! Not to mention back to school! So I've decided today to clean my little craft room (Yes we all know it's little), place a Close to my heart order and prepare to craft the fall away! It seems that summer keeps us all just a little too far apart and a whole lot of busy! Football season and our New England Patriots, well that's a surfier combo to take over a Sunday afternoon! Back to comfort foods! Yum yum, that makes all this running even more tolerable! I wanted to share two pasta recipes with everyone that I found in the Taste of home 100 most requested recipes magazine from earlier this year. They have definately been a hit at my house.


                                   
They do well at the potluck's too. It's 58 degrees here today, I definately think i'm going to hot yoga tonight! Oh I almost forgot...For those who have asked were I purchased my pretty Copic Marker holders It was atGretchen Weller's Etsy store Stampin' Dog Designs. But I think she only takes orders by emailing her through the store first.  Another promise I am making is to color more! Halloween cards, Christmas cards, ect....I've got to get a move on! Well, that said, I guess i'm officially back! Happy Fall & Carpe Diem!

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!

Back in action

June 20, 2016

Well, well, well, it's been a long time since I last posted and so much has happened!  I'm changing jobs...Curtiss graduated from 8th grade...Mass got hardly any snow this winter...Went to Indiana...Went and survived training exercise at Ft. Dix, NJ...Entered the world of mom of a teen...Attended an amazing cooking class...Signed up for both sailing and flying lessons for this summer...Babson college Lacrosse tournament...Lost 23 pounds...started running again...met some really cool cats at my job...learned to shoot a gun (better)...Whew!  Not to mention, another birthday...Well, let's just say i'm 30 again for the 10th+ time...Hung out in Springfield, Providence and Hollywood (all great fun)...Met Suzanne Dean...Read all the 50 shades books...All the Twilight books...Currently reading the biography about Cleopatra...Did I mention I discovered P90X?...Looking forward to more crafting, more classes and meeting more good friends.  Keep on crafting' and as usual...

Carpe Diem,

iheartscrapbookingink: And the winner is.....

iheartscrapbookingink: And the winner is.....

And the winner is.....

Our very own Rene Comstock! Congratulations and happy shopping.  Look out icopic.com we've got one happy shopper out there.  Ok so today I finished a lovely Christmas card using one of Mo Mannings BEAUTIFUL illustrations. But OMG so many Copics were used for the hair! I just LOVE her hair!  I think this is a perfect image to practice wavy hair skills!  I found a super awesome tutorial on brunette hair coloring done by Mary Giemza. OMG, Mary is super talented! Really folks check out her blog at My cardz my passion.
     I love it when I stumble onto a really motivating blog such as hers. It got me to finish the card I was working on for what seemed like forever.  And I couldn't decide if I wanted to color it with Copics or colored pencils because I love both.  But I knew I wanted to do the hair with my Copics sooooo, I ended up using both!  Hope you like it.

Along with my Prisma pencils and Gamsol, I used Copics:  R20, 29, 32, 81, E00, 000, 02, 21, 29, 35, 37, 31, 39, 43, 47, 50, 51, 53, B000, BV13, G05, 59, The red Spica marker and a white uniball marker.  The DPs are Memory Box and Some embellies from K&Company and Wild Orchid.

 I am going to post it on Mo's blog if there is a reader gallery or challenge available.  Then tonight i'll start another. Can you say relaxation?

 I decided,  because I just love a challenge, I am going to begin hosting a monthly challenge. The 1st Saturday of each month the challenge will post and remain open until midnight the last day of the month. I tried before with Tuesday's technique but there wasn't that much of a response.  So I've decided to start Carlotta's Creation Nation Challenge or to be known as the CNC. I think for inspiration I will use mostly photos and sketches.  I will also be looking for DT members to create inspirations with me  and expand iheartscrapbookingink to include layouts  and all kinds of handcrafted comforts from the heart.  If you or you know of anyone wanted to be a part of the design team please send me an email at c_vachon@msn.com telling briefly why you would like to join, which area of papercrafting you enjoy the most and how long have been crafting.  We will require an active blog and email address,  and you must have a photo gallery of your work.  At some point we will all take part in some sort of tutorial development as well.  I love to teach as well as learn so this is important to me.  I can never have enough good resources.  Deadline for applications will be October 31, 2011. November will be a great month to start the challenge because most of us will be in the throws of the Holiday preparations like Christmas other holiday cards and Oh those decorations.......... Have a wonderful week everyone!

Blog Candy (Not Halloween)

It's here.  Veronica did an absolutely gorgeous job on my new blog! As I stated before, well worth the wait!  It's going to take a little getting used to though.  Hopefully now you will all have a more enjoyable time when you stop by.  I have a few projects to finish up and I'll post to the gallery.  In celebration of my new blog i'm going to have to give away some candy.  Those of you who viewed my old blog.....what a difference huh?  I want to send a hello out Stacy and Crazy for Croppin' here in Mass.  I'm looking forward to the Annual fall escape to the Cape weekend in Hyannis.  I hardly ever go to Cape Cod in the summer anymore because it's too gosh darn crowded.  I love people don't get me wrong just not that close to me when i'm in a bathing suit! LOL.  I think all girls should go away without their family for at least one week-end a year to recharge.  I know so many women who don't!  You can bet your sweet katookus i'm bringing my Copics! All three hundred of them! To celebrate my new blog design i'm going to give away a twenty dollar gift card to use at Mo's Digital pencil or other site of your choice.  Just leave a comment and let the random picker choose this Saturday night October 22. Since 22 is one of my favorite numbers!  Thanks for stopping by more projects on the way. Carpe Diem

Carlotta's Coloring Corner: Blending Two Different Colors

So Excited!

I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. Let's just say that this blog has been under construction and is almost ready to have its facelift unveiled. I will be singing the praises of VK Design Co. for a long, long time. Hope you all love it as much as I do. Now there should be no lack of motivation to sit down and journal this whirlwind adventure that we all call life. I am also working on a developing a monthly challenge to help inspire and motivate everyone to dabble and explore their own inner creativity. Lighting the perverbial fire under each other! I'm not sure if it will be a color/theme challenge or a sketch challenge just yet. I love both but don't want to be too limiting. Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated as there wasn't too much interest in the Tuesday's Technique challenge. In the near future I will also be looking to put together a DT for the challenge. I'd love any ideas you come up with. Just leave a comment on this post. Since it is almost Halloween I feel the need to make something with a goul or gobblin on it. If you have a creation you'd like to show off just leave a comment and we'll get Mr. linkie busy! Hope everyone is having a good week so far. No rain in New England today yahoo (I think we may be on a roll). Although I should bite my tongue because it could be snowing right now somewhere. Carpe Diem and be safe. Carlotta

Fall's splendors

The foliage here in New England is almost at its peak. Gorgeous to say the very least. Soon the snow will fly and some of us will be stranded with nothing more to do but scrap and stamp! Yahoo! Sign me up. For anyone who would like to join, I have a winter image swap open over at splitcoast stampers. Here's the link if you'd like:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/products-images-f112/new-open-holiday-image-swap-happy-holidays-all-t539674.html

Also it's a very exciting time for my blog. Veronica from VK designs is working on my new design. I figured that after two years, it deserved an overhaul or rather a transformation :) If you get a chance you should hop over to her site to check out the beautiful work she has done. It's WELL worth the wait! You can check it out over at http//www.VKdesigncompany.com. Another addition to the site will be a photo gallery for inspiration (and a place to call home for my creations). I've added some music via a playlist at the bottom of my blog as well for you to enjoy if you like. I chose not to have it turn on automatically because when I stumble upon sites that do this, it nearly scares the bejesus out of me!

So sunny boy is having a friend over today. Maybe I'll do a little baking. I've got apples to use up and got a couple good recipes over at NestleFamily.com that I'm itching to try. It's funny how every week end gets jam packed with stuff to do but during the week, there's only enough time to cook and clean. Must have something to do with that dirty four letter word......work! Oh, good grief, I almost forgot, from now on, my video of the week I'm going to try and just feature coloring tutorials and techniques. It seems that that is what the majority of people have questions about. There is also a new resource page full of copic color combinations to get the newbies started out. I'd like to share a photo with you all that I took this morning standing out on my deck. It sure screams fall to me. Grab a cup of apple cider and enjoy your day! Carpe Diem, Carlotta

TGIF to all!

Well its been 10 years since the 9-11 act against the U.S. Hard to believe, since it seems like just yesterday. The news clips and images seem so fresh. This is one part of American history I wish could be rewritten. Unfortunately our children's children will be asking us about it someday. It will be recollected again and again, so many different ways, with so many different emotions but with common thread....There were so many brave and caring people who tried to help. It made New York City and the entire U.S. a kinder place. People helping people. From here in Boston to Washington D.C. to California and Alaska. We all felt something, a desire to help.
I will watch the memorial on Sunday with both sadness and joy. Joy only in knowing that the families of those lost have managed to fight through and grow. Living, in the aftermath. I send a prayer to them all and gently reaffirm, WE WILL NEVER FORGET!
For a lighter note, hop on over to Susana's custom art and card design site for a peek at all the new and cute stamps by Sylvia Zet. OMG, another collection I'm going to have to purchase! You can find them here. http//www.susanascustomartandcarddesign.com

Hope everyone has a nice weekend and take advantage of any warm weather that may come our way. It won't be long till' the white stuff flies ;)

Carpe Diem,
Carlotta

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