You're So Kind (Bokeh Technique)

The Bokeh Technique is all the rage right now and so I thought I would give it a try last weekend.  I haven't perfected the blending but I still like how this card came out.

I used Canary and Cotton Candy ink, applying the ink with a Sponge Dauber.  Then I cut a template, with several circles, using some circle punches, and sponged on White Daisy Ink (also using daubers).  I applied several coats of the White Daisy ink to give some different hues and for it to stand out.  (I love the White Daisy pad for various reasons.)

I stamped the butterfly from the Paper Bird stamp set and then outlined it with a Journaling Pen.  Both the butterfly and sentiment were stamped in Black Ink but after the background was allowed to dry completely.  (The Paper Bird stamp set is only available as a hostess item.  You can get it when you collect and/or place a $150 order.  Contact me if you're interested and I will do what I can to help you earn it.)  It really is a fun stamp!

The polka dot paper is from the Brushed paper pack and I love it!  I added some Pixie Extra Thick Twine to finish it off.  I am definitely going to continue to play with this technique and will share when I do.

If you aren't familiar with the bokeh technique, search it on YouTube and you will find some great tutorials there.

Have a blessed day!

Joy Captured

This past Saturday, I held a team training in Grapevine, Texas in conjunction with Joy Tracey and some of her team members.  It was a great time - both creative and productive - and I always enjoy getting together with them who have quickly become my friends.  

This was a layout I created to recognize the top seller from each of our teams.  It was created with the Brushed paper packet and the stamp set that comes with the Workshop on the Go.  It is adorable!  I also cut out these daisies from our Art Philosophy cartridge, cutting out a 1" circle to fit in the center.

I did stamp and fussy cut the butterfly to add some fun dimension and a few strips of Silver Shimmer Trim finished the layout off nicely.  

The butterflies, flowers and sentiment are all 3-D, of course.  :)

Here are a few photos of the girls busy at play (errrrr work) as they create some of their projects.  Gotta love when this is called "work"!

 Here is Joy and I!

Make it a MARVELOUS MONDAY!  I intend to!

Imagine Layout - Color My Dare

I am participating in the Color My Heart Color Dare #137 challenge.  We were asked to incorporate these colors into our creation so this is what I came up with!

I used the Brushed paper packet and Complements to create it.

This layout was so "soft" in color - I love how it turned out.  The Complements (aka stickers) are transparent.  For the purpose of my creation, I did place them on White Daisy cardstock and then fussy cut them so they stood out nicely on the layout.

I did use zip strips as the vertical border on the left side of this page and for the striped border on both pages.

I have some other layouts I created with the Brushed paper pack to come out over the next two days.

Thanks for stopping by!  Wishing you a great Monday!

CTMH Technique Blog Hop - Blank Canvas

Thank you for joining us this month as we highlight the "Blank Canvas" technique as showcase on page 32 in our Annual Inspirations Idea Book.  

If you are coming from Aggie's Blog, you are on the right track.  I am the start of this blog hop.  I list of participants is contained below should you get lost along the way.

We were asked to show the fun and benefits of crafting on our My Creations 6 x 6 Canvas Display.  I have seen so many fun ways they have been used and am excited about what you will see through this hop.  I decided to give my hand at "She Art", a mixed media project, and this is what I came up with!  Does she look like me?! 

My friend, Leisa, sketched out on some scratch paper - it was interesting to see how she sees me - and then I used it to create this home decor' item that I will place in my office area.  

I paper-pieced various types of B&T (much of which came from the Brushed paper packet; the heart was cut out of Yuletide Carol B&T) and various colors of Cardstock.  I cut out some of the floral images from the B&T, cut the honeycomb pattern from the Artbooking Cricut cartridge, and just added some goodies here and there to cutesy it up.  While a bit intimidated when I started, I was pleased with the finished result.  (I used Modge Podge to both adhere and seal my artwork.)  I hope you like it as much as I do!  

Thanks for stoppin' by!  Let me know what you think of my out-of-the-box creation before moving onto Belinda's Blog!  

Here is a list of participants:

1. Melissa Robinson *YOU ARE HERE
2. Belinda McLane
3. Di Crawford
4. Darlys Recker
5. Melissa David
6. Michelle Loncar
7. Marianne Hancock
8. Aggie Peters

Happy hoppin'!

CTMH Technique Blog Hop - Handmade Hues

This month we are showcasing "Handmade Hues", a technique highlighted on page 66 in our Annual Inspirations idea book.  This technique encourages you to use our ShinHan markers to turn "images into picturesque embellishments".

If you are coming from Wendy's Blog you are on the right track.  Thank you for joining us!

I had fun creating this card with the Brushed paper packet. I was proud of myself for using the red color to outline the bird and then using the pink to shade him/her in.  I love the look it gives off and it really photographed well in these photos.

The card design came from our "Wishes" How-to book.  I like it because it was simple and allowed me to showcase the markered images and patterned paper with ease.  I added a few Black Sparkles to finish off the card and couldn't resist stamping the sentiment, "Have a beautiful day!"

I used the Happy Birds stamp set and Brushed paper packet - which is absolutely fun and beautiful! 

 

I do wish you a beautiful day and hope you will hop on over to Michelle's Blog to see what she has done with the ShinHan markers.

Happy hoppin'!

Artiste Treat Box

I conducted a Close To My Heart Gathering today where the Hostess invited several of her friends to join the fun!  I highlighted our AWESOME products and then demonstrated a project they were able to duplicate.  The hostess benefits from the FUN we had and from the purchases made by her guests!  Right now it looks like she will have at least $60 in Hostess credit to spend AND she will get an item of her choice at 1/2 off!  Yeah her!

Click on image to enlarge or click on link at bottom of post.

We made this CUTE box I cut from our exclusive, Artiste Cricut Cartridge.  It was cut "Fit-to-Page" which ended up measuring 8 1/2".  It's a good size box, 2 3/4" cube when folded; plenty of space for that fun goodie (aka chocolate) but not too big to break the bank.  LOL

We used the "You Mean the World to Me" and "Happy Birds" stamp sets for the front of the box. Chalk It Up was used for the polka dot pattern paper and a little Aqua Dot was perfect for the flower center.

By the way, this box was showcased on page 98 in the NEW Annual Inspirations (aka Idea Book).  Look how cute they are created from the Brushed paper packet.

I absolutely LOVE sharing Close To My Heart with others!  If you would like to earn FREE products by hosting a Gathering (aka Party), I would love to help you do so.  In this day of technology, you can even have a party long distance and invite acquaintances from all over the country who can purchase from your event and contribute to your hostess rewards.  Contact me with any questions or to get yours scheduled!  Visit my website to see what fun products you can earn for FREE!  

Off to create some more!  Happy Saturday!

Thanks So Much!

I am lovin' the new paper packets from Close To My Heart.  This card highlights our "Brushed" paper.  Isn't it too fun?

I had a blast making this card last night.  I used the "You Mean the World to Me" stamp set that has four awesome sentiments and pulled the floral image from "Happy Birds Seasons & Nature".  I felt the need to add five Flamingo Dots just to bring balance towards that side of the circle.

 Here is a close-up of the focal points.  I made sure to 3D them all for a better effect.

This is the sketch that inspired me to create this card as found on Monday Mojo 356.

I hope you are enjoying your Saturday wherever you are!  I am spending the day CREATING and wouldn't want to be doing anything else!