Thursday, November 17, 2011
Stamp Club
We made the most adorable card on Saturday. I just had to share. It was a cased card that had been cased. Sound familiar?? LOL!
Christmas cards
I thought it was time to start my Christmas cards about two months ago. I am still thinking! But I will post some here and Hope I get feedback on which I should mass produce.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Dog Swaps
Here are my cards that I completed in this month. The first one is the one that has the T.A.C. stamp. The dog's name is Ruffles.
I colored him with Copic markers just as a fill in. I didn't go into blending. Then I added two stickers.
The next card has a stamp I picked up for my friend who has a Schnauzer. This was a very simple card to make.
I hope you enjoyed these simple cards.
I signed up for the June swap which is about cats. (My favorite subject.)
Long Time No Posting!
It has been a long long time since I have posted. So many things have happened in my personal life that actually drained the creative muse right out of me.
In September, I started having tremors, shaking and lose of the use of my legs. There were no signs that would let me know when it could happen. Let me also add that I had a friend whom I considered to be my sister and she was very very ill. We moved to AZ because she did and built our home across the street from her and her hubby. Her illness was so scary to her husband that he had a nervous breakdown. So a lot fell on my shoulders. I am not in the greatest health but I started ignoring myself and trying to take care of her and took her to the doctors continuously. So naturally, my health started to deteriorate so that by the Holidays I was not up to even celebrating them. Linda, in her mental state, thought it meant that I was withdrawing from her because I didn't care about her and no amount of reasoning could convince her otherwise. I suppose this sounds selfish but I felt like a dishrag after she mentally attacked me. I knew To save myself, I had to withdraw to my corner and take care of myself. I got a call from her. She told me that since I had been the only person who ever loved her and she drove me away, she was going to make sure she was out of my life forever. God forgive me, but I got so upset that I couldn't handle her attitude and the lack of listening to what I was trying to say to her. I stopped calling her but kept in touch with her through her husband who had turned himself around at the Holidays and was now feeding her and taking care of her.
Her hubbby calleed me at the beginning of February and told me her kidneys were failing and she had a heart attack. She was in the hospital. It happened because she had stopped eating and drinking right after Christmas. Her kidneys rebounded and she came home. She was supposed to get her heart checked immediately after her kidneys had rebounded but she refused. The following Friday, she was rushed to the hospital again but Jack came over here instead of going to the hospital. He wanted me to back him on putting her in a rehab. I said she needed to find out what happened to her heart. I forced him to go to the hospital but I was sick and didn't go. She had told the ER that she was fine so they discharged her. Grrrrr. Had I been there I would have insisted that they check her in for her heart. Jack fought with them about the rehab and took her home. The next night at 11:30, he called and told me she was gone. I ran across the street and into the house. I didn't notice the police were there. I felt her and she was still warm and I begged and pleaded with her to come back. The policeman told me she was gone and there was nothing I could do. I just laid on the bed holding her for five hours until the ME came. Then I went home.
Two hours later, I was admitted to the hospital with Influenza B and a temperture of 103.2 f. That night I had a dream that Linda was tugging at me to come with her and I was telling her that I couldn't go yet. The nurse and Alan (my hubby) told me they thought they had lost me but I had come out of it. It was unbelievable how many people were in my room. People had to gown up when they came into my room. It was really scary. I was in for a week and told that I was still very sick but if I could act like I was still as restricted as if I was in the hospital I could go home. They told me that I wouldn't get better if I lost myself in grief. It is so very hard to try to concentrate on getting better when you just lost the main character of your life. This happened in February. I am still ill and probably will be for another couple of months but I am coming down from the planet I have been living on and starting to live a new life without Linda (after 51 years.)
I started Paint Shop Pro lessons up again so that I could concentrate on something other than poor me. Then in May, I got the opportunity to get certified in Copics so that I could teach them. I went ahead and did that. It may have been the healthiest thing I did for myself in a long time. I thought I could start stamping again. Stamping has always been my passion.
Then, I got a call from the wife of my most life altering friend, Jim, to tell me that he was very ill and would probably end up in a rehab. We talked a long time and there was a lot of emotion in there. All I could think was "Thank God" I saw him and her when I had gone back to Boston in 2007. All they had were each other. He died the following Monday. Another strike for the Home Team. He had been living on borrowed time for quite awhile and his last ten years were his happiest ever. This probably helped me.
Immediately I signed up for a swap in a yahoo group that I am in. It was a Dog swap. You send to the name above you and the name below you. I forced myself in a corner so that I had to stamp. I will post the pictures of the cards in the next posting.
I pray for the strength of mind to get my blog going again along with the consulting business with The Angel Company. They are truly a wonderful Company to work for and I am very grateful to them.
Thanks for all who have read this far. I care so deeply for all of you who followed my blog and hope you come back!
In September, I started having tremors, shaking and lose of the use of my legs. There were no signs that would let me know when it could happen. Let me also add that I had a friend whom I considered to be my sister and she was very very ill. We moved to AZ because she did and built our home across the street from her and her hubby. Her illness was so scary to her husband that he had a nervous breakdown. So a lot fell on my shoulders. I am not in the greatest health but I started ignoring myself and trying to take care of her and took her to the doctors continuously. So naturally, my health started to deteriorate so that by the Holidays I was not up to even celebrating them. Linda, in her mental state, thought it meant that I was withdrawing from her because I didn't care about her and no amount of reasoning could convince her otherwise. I suppose this sounds selfish but I felt like a dishrag after she mentally attacked me. I knew To save myself, I had to withdraw to my corner and take care of myself. I got a call from her. She told me that since I had been the only person who ever loved her and she drove me away, she was going to make sure she was out of my life forever. God forgive me, but I got so upset that I couldn't handle her attitude and the lack of listening to what I was trying to say to her. I stopped calling her but kept in touch with her through her husband who had turned himself around at the Holidays and was now feeding her and taking care of her.
Her hubbby calleed me at the beginning of February and told me her kidneys were failing and she had a heart attack. She was in the hospital. It happened because she had stopped eating and drinking right after Christmas. Her kidneys rebounded and she came home. She was supposed to get her heart checked immediately after her kidneys had rebounded but she refused. The following Friday, she was rushed to the hospital again but Jack came over here instead of going to the hospital. He wanted me to back him on putting her in a rehab. I said she needed to find out what happened to her heart. I forced him to go to the hospital but I was sick and didn't go. She had told the ER that she was fine so they discharged her. Grrrrr. Had I been there I would have insisted that they check her in for her heart. Jack fought with them about the rehab and took her home. The next night at 11:30, he called and told me she was gone. I ran across the street and into the house. I didn't notice the police were there. I felt her and she was still warm and I begged and pleaded with her to come back. The policeman told me she was gone and there was nothing I could do. I just laid on the bed holding her for five hours until the ME came. Then I went home.
Two hours later, I was admitted to the hospital with Influenza B and a temperture of 103.2 f. That night I had a dream that Linda was tugging at me to come with her and I was telling her that I couldn't go yet. The nurse and Alan (my hubby) told me they thought they had lost me but I had come out of it. It was unbelievable how many people were in my room. People had to gown up when they came into my room. It was really scary. I was in for a week and told that I was still very sick but if I could act like I was still as restricted as if I was in the hospital I could go home. They told me that I wouldn't get better if I lost myself in grief. It is so very hard to try to concentrate on getting better when you just lost the main character of your life. This happened in February. I am still ill and probably will be for another couple of months but I am coming down from the planet I have been living on and starting to live a new life without Linda (after 51 years.)
I started Paint Shop Pro lessons up again so that I could concentrate on something other than poor me. Then in May, I got the opportunity to get certified in Copics so that I could teach them. I went ahead and did that. It may have been the healthiest thing I did for myself in a long time. I thought I could start stamping again. Stamping has always been my passion.
Then, I got a call from the wife of my most life altering friend, Jim, to tell me that he was very ill and would probably end up in a rehab. We talked a long time and there was a lot of emotion in there. All I could think was "Thank God" I saw him and her when I had gone back to Boston in 2007. All they had were each other. He died the following Monday. Another strike for the Home Team. He had been living on borrowed time for quite awhile and his last ten years were his happiest ever. This probably helped me.
Immediately I signed up for a swap in a yahoo group that I am in. It was a Dog swap. You send to the name above you and the name below you. I forced myself in a corner so that I had to stamp. I will post the pictures of the cards in the next posting.
I pray for the strength of mind to get my blog going again along with the consulting business with The Angel Company. They are truly a wonderful Company to work for and I am very grateful to them.
Thanks for all who have read this far. I care so deeply for all of you who followed my blog and hope you come back!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Copics Demo
On Saturday night, once a month, I go to a Stamp Club that I really love. Last month, Sandy asked me to show the ladies how I use Copics. So last night I took my copics to class and showed them the Sketchers that I use quite frequently. I knew that I had to explain what various reviews said about paper and ink. They asked what I used and I explained that Mementos were my only choice of ink and that I use Neenah Classic Crest 110# but I would get 80# next time I ordered a ream. I showed them what the marker looked like and in addition to the little pictures, the grey line around the marker was a sure way of telling the brush end which I prefer.
Then I explained that as far as I was concerned if you don't use the blending or feathering technique, don't go to the expense of buying them.
They were warned against buying the sets of Copics that Copic puts out because unless you have all the markers from them, you will not be able to blend as easily.
I don't know of any other company that puts out sets of Copics as they should be. TAC has just come out with their Caboodle sets and they are set up so that the individual colors are together as they should be.
For those of you who do not know, Copics are marked with an abbreviation of the color first, next comes how true the color is 0 being the strongest and 9 being the least as it has more grey to it. This is true as you go up the numbering. This does not mean the brightest color. The next number represents the lightest of that color group to the darkest. This again goes from 0-9.
For blending purposes, the norm is to chose the first two as the family and the lightest to the darkest. So for blue denim, I prefer B (for blue) 9 for the least strong pure color, then I chose 3, 5 and 7. So my markers would be B93, B95, and B97. The truth is for the third number I could use any number as long as the first two numbers remain the same.
I really don't want to get into blending here, but an intoduction would be to lay down your lowest number first, using tiny circles to apply. Then check the back of the paper to be sure it is showing through. You apply that color all over the item. Now, without getting into the direction of light, etc, the easiest way is to outline the outer edge of that part of the image with the next marker. Take your lightest marker again and blend them together. I actually like the feathering technique, I flick the light color over the dark until you no longer see where one begins and the other ends. The next step would be to apply the third color where you want your deepest shadows and the take the lightest marker again and flick it over all of the colors so there is no line. It should look like the color just gets darker. You can use mixed media with this BUT the Copics have to be DRY!
I used a white prismacolor pencil to place highlight where I wanted them. Then on my card, I used chalks and a torn piece of paper to make clouds for the background. This poor little girl had her string on her balloon break and she went sailing up into the sky. I sure hope she landed somewhere safe!!
Do you think they may have gotten a little confused? Well then I passed out 3 markers to each of the 8 ladies and a 2 x 5 strip of Neenah and had them do it. Eventually each one of them was blending beautifully. They then all wanted them so it went downhill from there - LOL. One of the ladies is determined to get them so she is booking a party from me to get the Copic set for 1/2 price by having sales of over $100. Then for every booking she gets, when the other person has her party, then she will be entitled to get another 1/2 priced set. She is usually timid but she is more determined then timid and she realizes that she is doing her friends and their friends a favor in these economic times. Our wonderful Company, The Angel Company reduced their prices where all other companies increased their prices. What a Company!!!!!
So that is my saga from last night. Oh one more thing, I used the card in the last post to demonstrate how to do the blending. Go look at it and click on it twice to enlarge it.
Have a great day!
Then I explained that as far as I was concerned if you don't use the blending or feathering technique, don't go to the expense of buying them.
They were warned against buying the sets of Copics that Copic puts out because unless you have all the markers from them, you will not be able to blend as easily.
I don't know of any other company that puts out sets of Copics as they should be. TAC has just come out with their Caboodle sets and they are set up so that the individual colors are together as they should be.
For those of you who do not know, Copics are marked with an abbreviation of the color first, next comes how true the color is 0 being the strongest and 9 being the least as it has more grey to it. This is true as you go up the numbering. This does not mean the brightest color. The next number represents the lightest of that color group to the darkest. This again goes from 0-9.
For blending purposes, the norm is to chose the first two as the family and the lightest to the darkest. So for blue denim, I prefer B (for blue) 9 for the least strong pure color, then I chose 3, 5 and 7. So my markers would be B93, B95, and B97. The truth is for the third number I could use any number as long as the first two numbers remain the same.
I really don't want to get into blending here, but an intoduction would be to lay down your lowest number first, using tiny circles to apply. Then check the back of the paper to be sure it is showing through. You apply that color all over the item. Now, without getting into the direction of light, etc, the easiest way is to outline the outer edge of that part of the image with the next marker. Take your lightest marker again and blend them together. I actually like the feathering technique, I flick the light color over the dark until you no longer see where one begins and the other ends. The next step would be to apply the third color where you want your deepest shadows and the take the lightest marker again and flick it over all of the colors so there is no line. It should look like the color just gets darker. You can use mixed media with this BUT the Copics have to be DRY!
I used a white prismacolor pencil to place highlight where I wanted them. Then on my card, I used chalks and a torn piece of paper to make clouds for the background. This poor little girl had her string on her balloon break and she went sailing up into the sky. I sure hope she landed somewhere safe!!
Do you think they may have gotten a little confused? Well then I passed out 3 markers to each of the 8 ladies and a 2 x 5 strip of Neenah and had them do it. Eventually each one of them was blending beautifully. They then all wanted them so it went downhill from there - LOL. One of the ladies is determined to get them so she is booking a party from me to get the Copic set for 1/2 price by having sales of over $100. Then for every booking she gets, when the other person has her party, then she will be entitled to get another 1/2 priced set. She is usually timid but she is more determined then timid and she realizes that she is doing her friends and their friends a favor in these economic times. Our wonderful Company, The Angel Company reduced their prices where all other companies increased their prices. What a Company!!!!!
So that is my saga from last night. Oh one more thing, I used the card in the last post to demonstrate how to do the blending. Go look at it and click on it twice to enlarge it.
Have a great day!
Friday, August 6, 2010
My TAC girl
Well, I have been gone quite awhile, but now I'm back!
I have a Copic class to give Saturday which might be today so I thought I would show you my copic girl. The stamp comes from The Serendipity magalogue which came out this winter. The stamp set number is T-3254 and is called Wonder and Joy. What a great set! There isn't one stamp that I don't adore!
The paper is from V-700 Rockin Roxie Matchbook kit. I layered a light pink behind the girl and placed the thing on white card stock.
I used quite a number of copics, So let me list them for each section of the card. First let me tell you that I used Neenah Crest for the Copics along with Tuxedo Black Memento ink.
The Balloon, I used: Y11,13,17 then I used a white colored pencil on the highlight AFTER the copics were dry. The string was done with Y17 and the colored blender to soften the brightness.
The Hair, I used: E 33, 37 ,44
The skin, I used: E 0000, 00 and R08. I love her cheeks.
The top, I used R81, 85.
The pants, I used R 91, 93 and 95. I used the white colored pencil in the middle of each leg. I used it mostly on her knees.
Well, I sure hope this means my muse is back!!! Hope to see you soon!!!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Poignant Thoughts
This is an email I received from Sherrill Graff today and it is so true. It is why I share TAC with anyone I can find:
"started to think about what a friend said to me yesterday as I was bringing her home from the doctors. She had just had the news that she needed to go into the hospital to have more tests run. Uncertainty has set in, and worry too... What she said to me had a great impact. She said stamping over the last few months has brought her out of her shell and has brought sunshine in her life! Stamping has given her a reason to hang out with friends and to spend hours creating beautiful cards to share with friends. Stamping has brought more joy and keeps her out of pain. This is WHY we do what we do! This is why we serve and why we share what we love. We share and serve to lift help and inspire others. We don't just sell stamps we support friends in their times of need. May God bless this friend and may he bless each of us so we can do what he would do if he were standing here with us today.
I believe the light of Christ is in our hearts, lets find something to do to day to serve others.
love you, Sherrill"
"started to think about what a friend said to me yesterday as I was bringing her home from the doctors. She had just had the news that she needed to go into the hospital to have more tests run. Uncertainty has set in, and worry too... What she said to me had a great impact. She said stamping over the last few months has brought her out of her shell and has brought sunshine in her life! Stamping has given her a reason to hang out with friends and to spend hours creating beautiful cards to share with friends. Stamping has brought more joy and keeps her out of pain. This is WHY we do what we do! This is why we serve and why we share what we love. We share and serve to lift help and inspire others. We don't just sell stamps we support friends in their times of need. May God bless this friend and may he bless each of us so we can do what he would do if he were standing here with us today.
I believe the light of Christ is in our hearts, lets find something to do to day to serve others.
love you, Sherrill"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)