Cornish Heritage Farms Is Still Open

Just got an email ad thing from them They put everything they have left on clearance!! Good luck all!! Hugs, Barb F

Last BD card for July - whew!

I know its been awhile for me, lots of things going on here. It will be at least a couple more weeks, I think, before I post another. This one is for my soon to be 20 yr. old granddaughter! For some reason, the pirate Tilda and Edwin just seemed perfect for her. Maybe it was the "aargh!" The parrot and aargh came from Cornish Heritage Farms which is closing their doors! I ordered all the stuff I knew I just had to have! And now they are closed and I have a bunch of stuff to "enter" into my system and no time! Hope you enjoy this one half as much as I did making it! I don't think I ever told you before but I only have ciao markers and maybe 5 sketchers, so sometimes my colors are limited. I sure would suggest you try them on a scratch paper of the same cardstock you will be coloring them on before you use them. I do have a master card but it fades over a period of time just enough for you not to be sure.

Here are the copics I used:
YR02, YR07, YR23, Y21, Y28, YG63, YG67, YG03, YG06, E00, E11, E51, E31, E33, E35, E37, E29
R20, W03, W05, W07, 100
Yes, I used black for a change! I didn't think the ink was quite black enough when I stamped it and then later on decided to stickle it with black stickles. I put orange stickles on the roses which are mostly from Wild Orchid although the 3 two toned ones are Prima. I made the background paper for the parrot with a stamp and stickles! I thought it was so cute, so here is a closer look:

I had to make the stand for the parrot and I just love his/her "jewelry! The orange ribbon matched exactly, how lucky was that one! Notice the larger background on the top of the card - I just thought this was perfect. I wish I could tell you about the papers I use, but when I first started buying them, I took them out of their "books" and arranged them by color so I honestly don't know. The stump I put behind Edwin and Tilda is sitting on is also from the Farms. And of course there are little gems! Hugs to you all, I would love if you comment or join my little group! Barb F

BD card number 2 for July

I am half way home for this month! Entered a recipe card exchange and a kit exchange. Used the following copics to color this card: RV 34, YR 23, Y 28, 21, BG 01, 05, V 12, 15, YG 23, E00, 11. Notice that R 20 is missing. I shaded a lot and there just didn't seem to be room for cheeks when I got done so I left it out. I used an oval hand cutter to cut the glitter card stock and white cardstock for the centers. She is on dimensionals. I also put the gift on dimensionals. I thought this card needed a big bow and I had this sheer ribbon which is my favorite kind to use. There are a few gems I colored pink. I used a border to hold the standup part of the card in place. The flowers are from Wild Orchid as they will be for a long time. I placed a whopping big order (first one) awhile back figuring that since they were overseas, it would take some time and also probably cost quite a bit. Well I was wrong on both accounts and now I happily can choose from lots of flowers when I make a card or page or anything for that matter!! Got into a discussion about organizing stamps and if you are interested in what I do with mine, look at the previous post! Hope you enjoy this cutie! Next on is going to be Magnolia for sure as I have the images all picked out! Hugs to you all, Barb F

My Stamp Storage System - only not mine

Everyone sooner or later discusses stamp storage and I finally found one that works for all my stamps. The gal who made all our Magnalicious pdf files has really saved me tons of work by making those files. Wish I could give credit to whoever's idea this was, I can only tell you it wasn't mine. I organized my wooden stamps by stamping them on sheets of notebook paper according to what was on the stamp - if there are flowers and a note and maybe a sun on this particular stamp, I might have stamped this stamp on the page for flowers, also on the one for words, and on the misc. sheeet (for the sun). I must have about 12 dividers in this notebook! I number this stamp with the next number available (keep a post-it with next number to be used in front of the book) and mark it on the wood block as well as every page I stamped it on to identify it. I have about 50 stamps in each plastic container that I am using for wooden stamps and on the outside I show the sequential numbers that are in the box. I also have other types of stamps with a similar system only using the page protectors for 5 x 7 photos . I haven't catalogued many of them as its quite a bit of work to stamp each stamp and clean them and return them, but except for the Magnolia stamps. The Magnolia stamps have their own book with printout of all those files in it. I star it with red pencil if I own that stamp, and in red is the number of the little plastic box it is in. I can find it easily and when I look thru the book. I know if a own a stamp. If it isn't listed, I stamp it either on the back of the sheet before where I think it belongs (star and number) or on the back of the sheet. I have my background stamps that I have bought also in this book. They are stamped near the images I usually use with them. I also made up a wish list for the whole thing and keep it right up in front in the notebook's pocket and check it out before I purchase to be sure that list gets movement!! I am going to try the baseball card sheet protectors as well as sewing on the ones I already have. I have a label maker that I plan on using to number my "pouches" for the clear stamps, etc. I will skip a couple of thousand in my numbering system so I can keep the wooden stamps separate but also use a letter in front of the number to indicate type of stamp (c =clear ci=cling r=rubber). Thanks for all the ideas from all of you who see your ideas posted here. Finding the stamps by number and picture(image stamped) has been wonderful for me!!
I will add some photos of my notebook pages later today so you might understand what I am trying to explain!! Hugs to you all, Barb F

here's a couple photos of my stamp number books. The second one is for Magnolia stamps.

First July birthday

We have 3 July birthdays - used to be 5. Guess this was a pretty popular month? DH oldest is a nurse and I just had to have this stamp - I am not very good knowing where I get things but I know you all have seen this one around. Sorry for that. The copics I used are E00, E11, E31, E37, C1, C3, B0000, B93, B95, B97, R17, R20.  I used Stickles on her wings, earrings and for some edges. There are a couple of clear gems. I used tim Holtz' old paper distress ink for the background of the nurse and greeting both of which used dimensionals when I mounted them. I used the following Martha Stewart punches: lace edging, pansy edging and cards edging. I also used 2 white ribbons to make the bow. I found that I now really like coloring on Staples cardstock! It is super cheap! I tried it because I was told it doesn't run when you print digital stamps and color with copics. Maybe I should clarify that some. Whether a digital image runs or not depends on 3 things, the printer ink, the paper and the markers. Two of those are constants to me. I have an hp deskjet and that isn't going to change as long as it works! The copics are the markers and that is also constant! So I have been trying different cardstocks. I just can't get over that I can print it and color it and no running either from the printer ink or the copics! I can also stamp it with Memento and same - no running!! So that is my gift to you all!! Hope you like this card!! I do appreciate all the comments you write - sometimes they really make my day!! Hugs to you all, Barb F
Sorry I can't figure out how to move these photos around so it takes less room!!

My first Sympathy card

A friend's Mom passed away this weekend. It is a big loss to everyone who knew her. So I toned myself down a bit and made a card to send. I haven't written inside as yet and used the only stamp that I own that seemed appropriate. I know I have some I could have "put together" to make them say the right thing, but I kind of liked this better. I used Tim Holtz's distress inks for my backgrounds. I also used an embossing folder to get the music notes. There is glitter on Tilda's wings, lace, dress edge and shoes. I used purple gems in the corners and a green one on the bow. I used a metallic pen around my hand cut oval! Got to spend some time on one of those machines! I hope my friend enjoys the card which I can't mail until tomorrow!
Copics I used are:
YG 63, 67, BG 01, 05, BV00, 02, 04, R20, Y21, 28, YR23, E00, 11, 31, 37, C1, C3

 Thanks for looking! Hugs, to you all!

rest of the recipe cards

I just can't figure this layout stuff out - guess if I spent more time on it. Well, here are the rest of the recipe cards that I sent for the exchange. They are all alike as far as the sketch goes and its amazing how different they all look. Hugs to you all on this holiday weekend! Barb F

Recipe Swap - 2nd one

Last Recipe Swap I didn't even think to take photos and this time I did! Since there are 6 of them, I will do it in two posts - There are a lot of people in this swap and I make everyone a bit different. At least this time I used the same general sketch. Last time they were as different as night to day! I didn't really have time right now but I made it as the ones I got back last time (first time) were just too cute! I think I have learned the most from the cards I have received since joining the Yahoo groups! If you don't have a lot on your plate, you don't even have to use Maggie to make yourself some recipe cards!! They are so much fun to have and refer to when you are cooking! Puts a great big old smile on your face! The outside dimension is 6" X 6". The next layer is set in 1/4" all around. The rest is totally up to you. I am going to make a box for them soon. Hopefully SCS will have something I can use. That is such a great site (splitcoaststampers.com) to find how to make things and the dimensions to use to get you started. Lots of Youtube videos. Hope you enjoy looking at these - a comment is always appreciated!!! Hint hint!!I did not keep track of copics, sorry. Hugs, Barb F

Red, white and blue Edwin

This image has been driving me nutty!! I just adore it!! So I finally drew in the stacks of hay behind him so he would have a place to sit that he might actually sit there with a chicken! The fence thing just didn't make sense to me. I would be on the ground after trying to balance on a fence while holding a chicken! Who am I kidding? I am just petrified of chickens! I wouldn't be anywhere near one, let along hold one!! I glitzed this bird up and the egg too because after all, its magical!! Hope you enjoy it! I loved making it!  I also started a few albums in the Magnoliaicious Yahoo group. It is the first Yahoo group for scrapbooking I belonged to so that is why the albums are there. It's a great group as are the other 3 I belong to. Hugs, Barb F

A different red, white and blue

Found this striped paper while I was looking for blue papers and just had to use it. It is blue after all. The sketch is rather loosely my interpretation of the Magnolia Birthday Bash challenge 9. I used the following copics: C1, E00, 11, R20, 17, BG10,15, Y21,28, YR23, W1,3. I just had to have flowers anf ribbons and lots of sparkle!!! I found this paper with the right color of blue and little/big red stars on it. It seemed to be just right. I punched the red lacy, glittery paper with a Martha Stewart punch - love making my own lace!  I do love this image, she is fairly new to my stash! I needed a thank you card and found a nice thank you sticker in my stash. Hope you enjoy this one nearly as much as I enjoyed making her.
We have been doing some major yard work as well as blinds (inside the house!) and I have not had much time or energy for much else. Sorry for the long dry spell! I did make another card but don't have time to post it today. Hugs to you all, Barb

No card - just words!

Thought I might take this time to ask a couple of questions of my followers - whether you are actually signed on or not. I am thinking of teaching a copics class now that I am certified. Do any of you have a favorite card of mine? Why is it your fav? I won't be using Magnolia stamps as I want this to be a beginner class with as few copics as I can get away with. After all, they will be buying the kit and paying me. I think that skin should wait a bit as its not colors you can get a lot of other use with. Fur is not on my near horizon to teach. So whatcha think?
Another topic that has been on my mind is all of these blog candy things. I have never sold anything or gotten paid for teaching anything so I haven't offered any. Do you think I need to yet? I just started this thing in March. I am truly amazed at how many followers I have! I appreciate all of you. You pick me up when I am down! You all give me so much encouragement!
I am working on another stationary box. It is for a group I belong to - a door prize - so I need to get it done. I will post it as it will contain images I have colored, when I am finished with it. I just finished a bunch of recipe cards for a Magnolicious swap.  After I send them and they are distributed, I will post them. They came out really cute! Last time I made each one a different layout - this time they are all the same layout - just different papers and images.  Hugs to all of you!!

And yet another birthday!!

This one is for my younger son, Joe. Today is his birthday and he is all the way across the country. I sure miss him! He and his wife love to cook and bake, hence the Tilda and Edwin I chose. I learned a bit more about coloring fur in my certification class. I did the cat before the class and the bear after it. I am happier with the bear but I will keep trying to improve on it. It is a 5 x 7 card that just opens normally. It was so heavy, I couldn't get it to stand up! I did get a mite carried away with the papers and they were all cardstock! This one's going to cost to mail! Hope he likes it and hope you do too! Guess what?! I actually kept track of the copics! You should find them under the photos if I finally understand this blog thingy!
the bear is the outside of the card. I used the following copics: YG 63, 67; E08,31, 33, 35, 37, 00, 29, 11; Y28, 21; YR 23; B93, 95, 97, 0000; R20. Hope you enjoy it. I know I used the c's for the cat but don't remember which ones.

a paper craft

I saw this made on youtube and of course I had to give it a shot! It was a girlfriend's birthday so that was my reason! She really liked it. I didn't do a whole lot to fancy it up as I made it fairly quick. The only stamping I got to do was the little bees on the blue cardstock. Hope you like it.

Another birthday!

This is the card I made for Marissa's brother, Brad. I love this image and this time am really happy with the way I colored it. I can't believe how much I have progressed in such a short time. I did post a card with this image just a couple of months ago. It was one of the first ones I did. I have covered some of my writing as I had forgotten to take photos (among not keeping track of copics), because I wanted to show you the darling cardstock I found. It came in one of those smaller sized books. I fell in love with the little guy on it. Just too cute. If I get enough requests, I will figure out which book I took it from. I did the background with Tim Holtz's distress inks and foam tool, The culprit that started this whole card making thing! And Jennifer McGuire's series called "thinking inking". It's on Youtube.com. She did 3 videos for something like 8 weeks. There was a pdf file available for each program so I made a notebook to refer to.

I didn't like the way one of my buttons looked, so I glued a jewel into the center. I do get tired of twine. I have also used stickles at times. I missed my flowers. Will have to find something to replace all those flowers and ribbons. Guess men don't really care. Hope you like this one. The green cardstock has silver scrolls which fancy it up a bit. Hugs, Barb F

Marissa's Graduation

Well, mark another grandchild starting out on their life! Don't they grow up quickly? I never thought so when my 4 were home!! Marissa's school colors were black, red and a touch of white. This was my first attempt at darker skin and by george - it came out almost exactly her skin color!! Not bad considering she lives 5+ hours of driving away! I made a regular type card. Marissa loves giraffes and I couldn't find a place for the cute stickers I had bought ages ago for something for her, so I made a couple of bookmarks using the same papers. I found out that red paper doesn't photograph as red as it is - or maybe it does depending on whether it is a scarlet red, or a pink red. The camera knows! I just had to have that Bildarma flower stamp as I am so in love with them!! I had cutout a shiny black paper to cover my coloring of the robe just in case. That was a trip -- try finding an ink other than white that shows up on black enough that you can cut the stamp out!
The front has no coloring at all. Just a couple of pieces of dp, a sticker, lots of flowers, ribbon and jewel!

Now I did keep track of the copics - yeah! R22,27,37,59; E08,31,33,35; YR23, YG63, 67, 06; C01,03,05,07; 100; Y15,17; G21, 28. Tilda is on dimensionals as are some of the balloons and some of the flowers. I ended up drawing some of the balloon strings. Just got this wonderful heart corner punch set and had to use it. I used it on the glitter red paper for the sides - it has to be a standard size for the corner things to work with the sides. Mine wasn't and it was wayyyyy too late to correct that oversight! I stickled Tilda's socks and tassel as well as the flat technique which is what I call it when you pat the stickles, on the background.

Hope you think this was worth the wait. It has been one hectic week, finishing up stuff around the house and getting things ready for my trip. I do have another card that I made for Marissa's brother's birthday. I gave that to him when I first got there. I will post it another day hopefully soon as I am ready to call it a night. Hugs to you all!! Barb F

Happy Anniversary

This is a standup card with a twist that I gave my DH today as part of his anniversary gift. I got a beautiful smile as well as a fab gift of jewelry!! I colored the little guy in the boat awhile back so I can't tell you for sure which copics I used, but here are what I can recall for the rest of the card. The deep blue water is designer paper - wish I could color so good!!

 E50,51,53,57, 00,11,02, 49,31,33,35,37,29,21; Y02, 15,17; YG67: G14,17: W1,3: C1,3,5,7, YR68, 61, B0000,93,95,97,23,24,60,32; R20,22,27. Here is the shed:

Here is cutie Edwin:  :  and Edwin & the boat:the bear:

I used a lot of stickles as you all know I love sparkle! I used distress stickle on the gold fish mounted on the shed. Lime green stickles in the flower boxes and also flower soft. I always color first as I am never sure what I would like before I do. I did the pail after coloring  - I kind of pat the stickles to eliminate any dimension from the stickles. Some places, like the bear's eyes and nose (black stickles) are done to look like beads. You can look and see all the rest of the stickles. Here is how I did the boat.

I cut an "L" tab from heavier cardstock and glued DP to the back of the part that was to be glued to the base (which I covered with DP first). I glued the other end of the tab to the back of the boat at the end which protruded the farthest down. I had to cut the shape so it wouldn't show from the front. I use scor-tape when I want to be sure my glue job will last forever. I know I am just taking someone's word for it, but I can never undo it, so I feel more confident. As forever goes, I haven't lived long enough to say it and mean it!!

See all that neat shading under the dock? Well, it was the result of a horrific accident! One of my copics dropped out of my hand and whoops ! I had a dark brown streak over my nice water which was slightly shaded. So I grabbed up all my lighter copics that were just laying there - they were all capped like usual. The one I dropped, well, I was using it for some touches somewhere. So now I know, you can't get that deep dark of copic completely out and I went with what a real shadow might look like colorwise under a real dock and this is what I came up with. But I really want to thank Suzanne Dean!!!! She said you could remove more than normal amounts of dark inks if you tried using the blender and had a softer pad underneath. I used my padded lap desk and wow! I didn't have anywhere near as much ink to contend with!! Since it took me hours to get this card stamped so I could color it, I first had to calm myself down from having a heart attack!! And I might say, my entire card was basically colored at that point - I was just fine tuning which I can't usually do until everything is colored! Hope you enjoy it as much as my Darling did!! Hugs, Barb F   PS, I won't be too productive online as I have lots going on in my life right now.

Little comments I left out

These are a few things you would see if you were looking at my Happy Box in person. Tilda's violin is glossy accents, There is an acetate curved piece (colored with gold alcohol ink - Tim Holtz) by the center Tilda. I put it there mainly to hold a bow in "thin air". Colored it so it would look nicer as I didn't like the look after I saw it clear. The packages by her feet are each made at a different distance from her - 3d effect. The flowers behind her are to cover the cardstock pieces that hold the whole thing up. I put glitter on all the big white flowers and the few I colored from stamping. The Tilda in the middle also has glitter on her socks and wand and the stardust around the wand. I used one of those bow ezy things so my bows would be the same size. I had a cupcake stamp from somewhere that I cut the very top off and I put those 3d stickers on Tilda only so I could get the box lid shut! I had intended to add a sentiment on a springy thing in the center and also to add Tildas to each panel on the outside of the box. I was also going to add a much more fancy top than I ended up with. Now maybe you can enjoy looking at this more. I have lots of gitter and most of my papers have lots of glitter!! I only do wish I had not used black cardstock. I think the blue or green or pink would have been much better - I ony had black and white 12 x 12 to chose from. Guess I should have shopped better! nHugs to you all!!

Ink Lover's Paradise: My Happy Exploding Box!!

Ink Lover's Paradise: My Happy Exploding Box!!

My Happy Exploding Box!!

I hope you all really enjoy this as it took me all week to do it! I had to scale back on what I was planning as I would still be working on it! Here are all the copics:
C1,3,5,7; Y8,21,28,63,67; RV000,21,23,29; YG00,3,23; B0000,00,2; E00,`11,31,33,35.37,29; YR23; R20. I use E00 on the face and E11 for the shading with R20 for the cheeks - always so far!I am posting 13 pictures if it will let me at one time. I am also entering it in Magnolia-icious birthday bash which is why I made it.

I came up with a neat way to use it since I am not giving it away. When it is one of the grandkids birthday or anyone else, I will let them open my birthday box! Inside I will put a lottery ticket or cash or gift card for them! Well here goes - hope you like it! Hugs, Barb F