Blog 4 Boobies Card Auction

So I have obviously neglected my blog, but what better reason to return than for Blog 4 Boobies Card Auction. The wonderful people at Skipping Stones Design organized this amazing blog hop with over 65 designers across seven days. I was so surprised and honored to be asked to join this great cause. So let me show you what I have.

I used the Damask Darling and Always Here stamp sets to make three cards. When bidding, keep in mind that you are bidding on all three cards. The background and butterflies are stamped on Tim Holtz watercolor paper and watercolored. The other supplies were things I pulled from my stash.

What do you think? I don't know about you but I love stamping and these stamps were a breeze to work with. The designs stamped cleanly and did really well on the watercolor paper.

Here's the info on how you can be a part of this blog hop. Thanks for stopping by!

StacyC

Today's blog hop list - make sure you visit each one to see their amazing creations!

Skipping Stones Design
Amy Tsuruta  
Stacy Croninger - you are here! :)
Jennifer Buck 
Lee-Anne Cross
Rahmat Gouse
Adam Karle (link not available at post time - check Skipping Stones Design for full list)
Lori Kobular
Tanja Kabel 
Mendi Yoshikawa

There are 3 ways that you can help, and join in on the fun(draising)!
1. You can help by Shopping!
For every stamp set that you purchase during June 1st through the 14th Skipping Stones Design will donate $2 to the Komen Foundation. Stamping and shopping that you can feel good about! Skipping Stones Design is celebrating “blogs 4 boobies” with the release of two new stamp sets!

2. You can help by Bidding!
Another way you can help us raise money for the Komen Foundation is to bid on a project or card along the blog bounce (hop). YES! EVERY Single card/project along the Blogs 4 Boobies bounce is up for auction. We recommend a starting bid of $5 or more. Your Bid not only includes the card or project but shipping to your home as well. Please Note IF you want to bid, and live outside the U.S. we would request that you pay the difference of shipping charges between where you live and what it would cost to ship within the US. *See how to place a bid for more detailed instructions.

If you are the highest bidder 7 days after the first post date 8:00 p.m. mountain time then you WIN the card/project that you bid on.

3. You can help by Telling Your Friends~
Help us spread the word about “Blogs 4 Boobies” the more people that know, the more money we can raise!


How to place a bid on a card/project
Step #1
Find the comment section of the blog that shows the “Blogs 4 boobies” card or project that you want to buy.

Please note you may only bid on the card/project shown in the specific “Blogs 4 Boobies” post. Any bids not placed on the correct post will be considered invalid.

Step #2
Once you are in the “blogs 4 Boobies” comment section fill in the dollar and cents amount of what you are willing to pay for the card/project. We recommend a starting bid of $5 or more. Remember your bid includes shipping as well as the card/or project. 100% of the money from your bid will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Step #3
Next to your $ bid please type in your email address. During a silent auction bidders sign their name next to their bid. Typing your email address is the electronic equivalent of signing your bid. Also it will help the blogger contact you if you are the highest bidder.

Step #4
Watch and wait.

Once you have entered your bid/comment sit back and wait. If someone out bids you then you may bid again. Bidding will continue until 8:00 p.m. Mountain time 7 days after the first post.

* Please note that the participating stampers/bloggers will probably re-post their Blogs 4 Boobies card/project during the week of bidding in June. When the blogger re-posts their project then the bidding will continue on the NEWEST post and that comment section.

“What do I do once I place a bid”
Watch and Wait
The “Winner of the Auction” will be the highest bid (that includes an email address) in the comment section of the MOST RECENT Blogs 4 Boobies post at the end of the silent auction. Please note that ALL cards/projects WILL BE REPOSTED seven days after their initial post. The auction will end at 8:00 p.m. Mountain Time seven days after the first post .

Things to keep in mind:
Near the end of the bidding you may not see bids as they come in. Most blogs have a comment feature where the blogger must approve comments before they are published. So bid high. You might have the highest bid.

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Building a sandwich

Earlier this week I compared life to a sandwich on Facebook and I truly feel like that's what life is like - you have two pieces of bread with stuff in between. Sometimes it stays an open face sandwich for several years and other times the sandwich building process is quick.

My time with Paper Crafts and Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking is a sandwich with lots of layers and a long time in building. In two days I will place the second piece of bread on this sandwich. But what a wonderful sandwich it is! And as I said in an earlier post, the people are what has made this amazing.

Today an wonderful group of people hosted a blog hop as a final tribute to the magazine. My work day was busier than I planned and so I didn't get to the hop until tonight. And well, I'm slow reading because I want to comment on each post. But I WILL make it to each and every post.

For now, let me say Thank You! This crafty community will live on as will the friendships and creativity.

I made this card for the March 2015 issue (that won't be published) using Ruby Rock-It's Handi Scandi line, but it seems appropriate for today.

I'm off to read (and cry) over a few more posts before I head to bed. If you see me tomorrow, please don't comment on my puffy eyes :)

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Gratitude

The last two weeks has brought unexpected changes. The magazine I have been involved with the past 10 1/2 years is no longer being published. Yes this means I am looking for a new job. But honestly, that's not the hardest part of this change. It's the people, the connections, the creativity, the passion, the love, and so much more.

This has been so much more than a job. I feel like I've poured my heart and soul into each position I've held, from editor, to events manager, and back to editor. What started as a hobby became a way of life. And I have loved sharing my love of paper crafting with so many through print, online, and in person (teaching classes).

There are some drawbacks, like not making cards at home unless it was for a project at work. But that small trade off has been worth it for all the other things I've gained.

But I have much to be grateful for. I have met so many incredible people. Been inspired in more ways than I can count. Traveled to tons of places in the U.S. and internationally. Learned, taught, laughed, loved, created, and so much more. My heart is truly full!

And so I move on to the next adventure in my life. I look forward to figuring out what that will be and hope it reveals itself quickly :)

I'm also grateful that the internet (mainly Facebook) allows me to stay connected. It may seem like a small thing, but it helps ease the pain that I feel when I think about not being a part of the magazine, because it really is all about the people. The ones I worked with on a daily basis, the ones that I worked with as they designed projects for publication, the ones I met and taught or hung out with at events, the ones that make the amazing products we create with. I need you (and you know who you are) to keep me inspired, smiling, young at heart, creative, laughing (mostly at myself), and in touch with reality. Thank you!

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and have much to be grateful for. I know I do!

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Making Cards!

The instruction portion of the class is finished and moved into other things you can do with your Copic markers like create backgrounds, color things like rhinestones, and other fun stuff. In the midst of this was World Card Making Day. I'd love to say I made cards on Saturday, October 4 (the official day), but I didn't. So I had an extended World Card Making Day and did my creating on Sunday (the day after).

It was absolutely amazing to work on cards! Some days the creativity just flows and that's the way I felt. I'm not saying these are the greatest cards ever made, but I personally felt creative and for me, that's what mattered.

I used two of the images I colored for practice purposes to create cards. The first one used the adorable pup! I placed him on a rolling green hill that I accented with grass patches using my Copic markers. The sky is patterned paper from Crate Paper. And the sentiment is from Technique Tuesday (designed by the very talented Teri Anderson).

The next card used the butterfly. I love this butterfly and knew it needed a doily with it. I'm not sure the green flower was the best color option, but it works. And.......I used my Silhouette! Wahoo! I die-cut the sentiment with a cut file I downloaded.

The final card is one I made from a Sweet Stamp Shop stamp (LOVE that elephant - which is the whole reason I bought the stamp set). I also played with creating a background using my Copic markers. The sky didn't turn out like I had hoped because I don't have light enough markers, but it gave me a chance to really play with the colorless blender to create a few clouds. And I really like how this card turned out. I made it with someone specific in mind and can't wait to send it to her.

So there you have it! My day of card making. Phew, I'm exhausted :) I'm sad that the class is pretty much over but am so glad I took it. I've learned a ton and it motivated me to get creative.

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Sweet animals

Oh how I love animals! Dogs and foxes are high on my list for cuteness factor so I was quite excited to have them on today's practice sheet. The techniques we learned were coloring fur. And it was fun!! I didn't have much time to play, but the two animals I did I thoroughly enjoyed. When I snapped the photo, I noticed that I hadn't made note of the colors I used - that's how involved I was in coloring. So here's today practice images.

I'm pretty sure I won't have anything for tomorrow as I have work stuff to do tonight. Makes me sad, but that's the reality of life - work before play. See you soon!

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And I'm behind...

No big surprise, but dang it, I was going to stay on top of the practice for this class. But life happens and so I'm just now sharing my day 5 practice. We learned about coloring skin and hair, which turned out to be a lot harder than I thought. The hair especially. I'm fine with the sides, but the top section isn't going the way I want - it feels like it's one big blob up there. But I do love the highlighted look I managed for the sides.

Also, I'm feeling like I need other options for skin tones. I made what I have work, but if I'm going to do people on a regular basis, I want different colors. But honestly, I think I'll be coloring more animals and inanimate objects than people so for now, I'm good.

You'll notice I only did the skin on the first girl because of the lack of color options. The hair was what I really wanted to focus on.

Next up is animal fur, which I should have colored today and didn't get to so maybe tomorrow!

Happy creating!

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Hello Friday!

Some weeks Friday can't come soon enough and that was the case this week. Today I worked on my coloring practice earlier, because I'm not sure I can stay awake late tonight :)

This practice was all about lighting and shadows. This was so much fun! Plus, we were practicing on flowers, which I love. I also decided that I like the color combo for leaves on the right flower better - it's more subtle.

I'm going to branch out this weekend and try my own design. I know, living on the edge but I have a donut stamp that's just begging to be colored.

Enjoy your Friday night!

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Day 3 - New paper, new fun

I printed my practice sheets on the new paper and it's working okay. For practice sheets I'm okay with it, but I think I need to invest in the Neenah paper and see if it is different than this version of Neenah I got at Office Depot.

Having said that, I had fun using grays to add shading to my images. I really like it for some colors like red and orange, as well as the lighter colors, because it is hard to keep them light and still have shading.

I also discovered that I really like yesterday's practice images better than the ones for today. I felt much more inspired with the bird and butterfly. But it was easier to practice shading on the mug than the umbrella. No biggie - it's all just for practicing and I definitely look forward to coloring each day and watching the new videos.

Here's today's photo:

And now I'm off to learn new things!

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Copic Coloring Day 2

Today's coloring involved combining two unrelated colors and blending them. There were two different approaches. One was picking up the darker color by touching the tip of the lighter pen to the darker pen and then feathering it onto the colored image to blend the dark with the light. I did this with the blue and yellow bird and it worked pretty well.

The second approach you colored the darker color on an acrylic block (or acetate or another slick surface) and then you pick up the color from the block with the lighter pen and feather it onto the image until it is blended. I used this for the butterfly and the green and brown bird. I LOVED doing it this way. I felt like I had more control and it reminded me of when I watercolor.

Also, I bought new paper today, but didn't get my practice sheets printed on it yet. I'll give it a try tomorrow, but today's coloring was a little easier with what I had.

Can't wait to try today's techniques! Off to watch the videos.

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Copic Coloring for Card Makers class

Who would have thought that taking an online class would get me to blog again? It's a Christmas miracle :)

Each day we have practice sheets to work on after watching videos with coloring tips. I've decided to give myself a break each day at work (during lunch) to color. Today was the first day and I had so much fun! But I also discovered that the paper I printed my practice sheets on are not great quality. The ink didn't blend well and it bled outside the lines (although there are some that I purposely colored outside the lines on).

So, I'm on the hunt for the paper I should have bought in the first place. Unfortunately, my procrastinating caught up with me this time and that's why I used the paper I had on hand. Lesson learned!

Here's my practice sheet from Day 1 - not everything is colored because I got frustrated with the paper, but what I did color has me excited to dive in again!

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A Moxie Fab Send Off

Hi, you should have arrived at this blog post from Jane Beljo. Welcome! So much has happened over the past years that Cath and I have worked together that I'm not sure I can put it all in words. I'll always have memories of 3:00 Cath, getting lost in NYC, lunches on Cath's porch, razzing about getting my nails done, chats about life and the future of Paper Crafts magazine, and so much more. Life is good!

But I want Cath to know that I will miss working with you but I know that you'll always be a part of my life. Even if it is through virtual means.

Good luck my moxie fab friend!

I had great plans to make a traditional card but I didn't make it to the craft room. So I made this digital card using one of my favorite simple printables from Paper Crafts (you can download it here). The digital papers and accents are from Sweet Shoppe Designs (a free download you can get here).

If you're following the blog, the next person on the list is Susie Moore. Have fun hopping!

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My Food Pyramid

The more I thought about the concept of my food pyramid the more I realized it really isn't a pyramid, it's more a wiggly rectangle that changes based on my mood or current goals. But there are some things that are definitely always on my "pyramid" and here they are:

• Chocolate - I love it in all forms (milk, dark, white) and even when trying to eat better I find ways to work it into my day
• Breads - I can live without bread but life is not as happy as when it is in my life; again, not picky about the type of bread except I'm not a fan of rye
• Salads - this item is a favorite if someone else has done the work; although I still will make my own, I much prefer the salad bar approach with lots of options
• Pasta - plain, with sauce (although prefer pink to red), with veggies, with meat, and although technically not pasta, spaghetti squash is a nice stand in
• Food - I know, that's what this list is all about; it's hard to narrow it down to just a few things because I love food :)

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Lists, lists, and well, lists

It's been a busy week and I'm behind on my lists (well the ones I want to do - I did skip one I think). So here they are.

I ask for help when...

• I'm told to (yes, there are times I've been told to)
• When it is something I can hand off with very little explanation
• When I'm trying to teach someone how to do it
• I physically can't do it myself

Qualities I admire in others...

• Honesty
• Good listener
• Compassionate
• Good singer
• Creative
• Hard worker
• Dependable
• Animal lover

Comforting me this week...

• The hounds - there's nothing like snuggling with them
• Chocolate - lots of it
• Checking things off my to-do list (not as many as I would like, but still happening)
• Singing at the top of my lungs in the car and a little seat dancing too
• Knowing I can sleep in on Saturday

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Favorite Things About My Home

There's nothing like being home - it's comfortable, peaceful, and full of things I love. As far as the physical aspects, my favorite things are:

• My bedroom is huge so I can rearrange the furniture whenever I want
• The gas fireplace - flip a switch and instant fire
• The wood floors make it easy to clean (their relatively new)
• The basement is finished so we can have people upstairs and down when there's a large group
• Lots of shelves - plenty of room to display things, especially at Christmas
• Speaking of Christmas, room for five trees (four full size and one skinny Alpine tree), plus the village and nativities

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Things only a dog lover would understand

I picked dog lover, but I'm pretty sure any pet lover could be inserted in here and it would work. But since dogs of the hound variety are afoot in our house, dog lover it is.

• Replacing a chewed remote control five times
• Sleeping in one third of the bed so they can stretch out
• A pantry of dog treats that rivals the human pantry
• Buying a squeeky toy because it has a unique sound when there's a whole basket of them at home
• Holding a 58 pound "pup" on your lap while they sleep because it's your "baby"
• Throwing the favorite toy over and over and over until your arm feels like it will fall off, in a game of fetch

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In My Junk Drawer

I have a personal junk drawer - the one beside my bed, but there is also one in the kitchen. That one is beyond hope and so I'll focus on my side table drawer. It really isn't a junk drawer as much as a catch all. There's a lot in this drawer, so I'll just give a few highlights :)

• Glasses case, plus cloth and spray for cleaning my glasses
• Nail file and clippers
• Unisom
• Digital photography list
• Foot cream
• Pens and pencils - a variety
• Cough drops

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Weekend Essentials

These are the things that I would love to have happen on the weekend. Some of them do, others do but not every weekend. Regardless, I love my weekends.

• Sleeping in on Saturday
• Grocery shopping
• Watching TV (often catching up on what was DVRed) or a movie
• Going to church

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Favorite Things About This Month

I honestly don't know that September is one of my favorite months. It isn't a bad month, just not a favorite. But there are a few things that I really like about September:

• The weather cools down
• The leaves start changing color
• This year, I like September because I'm not traveling for work; last year by this point I just wanted to stay home

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Things My Family Taught Me

Growing up tends to teach you a lot, no matter what type of family you have. So what did I learn? Here you go:

• How to fish - not that I did it much as a teenager, but we did a lot when I was younger
• How to create a shopping list - plus I loved to go grocery shopping so I did it all the time
• How to play softball - even if I wasn't very good
• The love of football - hard to not love sports when you grow up with all brothers
• The love of baking - we went to Grandma's every year to spend a day baking

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Weird Things that Make Me Cry

I'm the first to admit that I cry easily - sometimes more than others. But there are a few things that get me every time. Some may think that's weird in and of itself. But that's me :)

• Other people crying - whether they are happy or sad tears when others cry and feel the need to join in
• The Purina commercial "I Can be Great" - seriously one of the best commercials!
• Most touching movies like Return to Me or Les Miserables or Brother Bear or Sense and Sensibility or...I could go on but you get the idea
• When I'm mad or right after a very stressful moment - I can keep it together in the moment but once it is over I am a basket case

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