Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Bad Weather and Health Issues

Sorry I havent posted anything in the past couple days, but we are having yet another bout of bad weather here and it wreaks havoc on the diabetic neuropathy in my legs. Not only does it cause severe nerve pain, but along with swelling and paralysis and inability to walk, it keeps me from even wanting to come online to do my blog.

When I started my blog I was going to call it Coloring therapy because I use my coloring to help me through the times when my diabetic neuropathy acts up and gives me the worst pain. When the pain is so horrible, I color to take my mind off of it. Sometimes it works to help dull the pain, but it also helps me to focus on dealing with the stabbing pains and distracts me from actually yelling out or crying. It is a horrid disease that I would not wish on even most worst enemy and maybe dealing with this pain is why I have little tolerance for conflict/drama/nonsense that many seem to enjoy causing or having in their lives. I seem to have a "Life is too short" attitude now.

So Im sorry I have nothing to share today other than a look into my health, but I have colored some things and will try to post more tomorrow.

*Hugs*
~Andrea

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Pay it Forward

Like any other day I got an email from a blog that I follow, but something in that email caught my eye and I went to check out the details. The blog is of Patricia St. Martin who owns the blog Rubber Stamping Is My Game . On the blog post was this image and it caught my eye again...

Along was the story of how a friend of Patricia's sent it to her and she was basically going to Pay it Forward. What a Great idea. Here are the rules.

I promise to send a handmade card to the first five people who comment on this post. However, there's a catch. You must post this, offering something handmade to five other people.
The rules state that it must be something handmade or homemade by you and needs to be sent to five other people during 2011.

Patricia also mentioned that if you were the 1st to comment, then she would send a homemade card or something homemade sometime this year. Well this sounded like fun so I posted a comment hoping I was the first to reply. Well it looks like I was since there were no comments there before me.

So in keeping with the spirit of the game, I am posting the pic, and am willing to Pay It Forward to the first 5 people who comment on this blog posting. Please leave your comment along with your blog address (for verification of the Pay It Forward badge). If you are one of the first 5 to comment, please send me your email address to ajgood@comcast.net

Good Luck and please Pay It Forward. It might just make someone's day like reading Patricia's blog did for me!

*Hugs*
~Andrea

Monday, January 24, 2011

Tutorials, Instructions and Splitcoaststampers

Splitcoaststampers


I have found the best way for me to learn new techniques is to watch video tutorials. I love going to YouTube and watching the video tutorials. Even if I know the technique, I like to watch the videos because everyone does something different and sometimes I learn a new trick or tip from them. I also go to some of my favorite sites and read about what is new and how to make different cards and techniques.

Today I thought I would share another of my favorite sites, and that is Splitcoaststampers.
If you aren't familiar with Splitcoaststampers, then you are really in for a treat here.

Do you want to have a place where you can get directions and tutorials at the click of your mouse? Do you want to find a place where each tutorial is done in easy to understand step by step instructions and most (if not all) now have video tutorials also. Each tutorial also has a special tag for placing your cards into the gallery to show what you made from using that tutorial. Its great to be able to view how others made the same item using the same directions. All of the tutorials can be found under RESOURCES from the listing at the top of the page.

Say you want a place to store pics of your cards? When you set up your account, you will also have your very own gallery space to upload your cards. You can also visit the main gallery and admire some of the beautiful cards created by your peers. When you upload pictures of your cards you can fill in the list of the materials that you used to make your card. I also use the written material list to keep track of what I used if I want to duplicate that card. You would be surprised how many people will get a card from you and ask, "Can you make one for me to send to Aunt Sophie?" Sure you can..You have it all written down online and you don't have to try to use your memory or look for a slip of paper that you may have it written on. You make the material list as detailed or simple as you like. You can mark down each detail down to the letter and number on each Copic marker that you used to color your image. The choice is yours.

Want to do some challenges? Do you want to join a design team? Want to ask a question? Want to do a swap? Want to sell or are you looking for an item? Use the forum. Splitcoaststampers has those too!

What else does Splitcoast offer? Much more than I can list here, but you can find some amazing work and great tutorials along with others who share the same common interest with you. Click here to go over and check it out.

Stop by tomorrow to see more of the cards I am working on and some oldies but goodies that I want to share with you!

Hope that everyone had a fantastic weekend and are ready to start off this week on a positive note. Im so happy to report that our Steelers will be going to the Super Bowl!! Wooohoo That should start everyone's week off with a huge smile!!

For those of us that still have snow and cold weather, please try to keep warm and lets think spring. Lets hope that the silly groundhog fixes this weather in a few weeks!

*Hugs*,
~Andrea

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Bugaboo Blog Hop Winners and some Valentine's

Bugaboo Blog Hop comes to a close!

Well folks, it has been a truly fun-filled week celebrating the Bugaboo 1st Birthday celebration with their Blog Hop and daily mini challenges. Bugaboo has posted the winners HERE so check to see if you are a winner! *Good Luck*

I am so happy to announce that I won a free digi stamp from Paul Ford's blog. Paul had made 2 different projects and I could select either stamp as my prize. I already own the AKV (A Kids View) stamp, so I selected the JJ digi stamp as my prize. Thanks Paul!!

So Congratulations to all of the winners and a big Thank You to Jodie and her DT at Bugaboo Stamps for putting together a fantastic party for us! Take a minute to send a comment to them and let them know that you appreciate all of their hard work.

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Valentine's

A very dear friend of mine saw my Penny Black card with Mimi and the heart, and asked me if could make some cards for her grandchildren. I was so flattered and after tweaking the design to personalize the cards (hair color/names) I made the following cards. I really love these Penny Black stamps and had so much fun coloring them up and putting the cards together. Hope that you like them!











I keep the cards that I make in individual card bags to keep them as clean as possible. This picture was taken while the cards were still in their bags.


Saturday, January 22, 2011

Penny Black and Copic Creations Challenge Entry

For some unknown reason I am unable to find my article and picture of the card that I made for the Penny Black Allsorts monthly challenge so I am posting my entry here again. I am not sure why it disappeared when it was in the middle of 2 other articles that I wrote, but Im sure stranger things could happen.

Here is my entry for the challenge. The rubber stamp I used is called Mimi's heart and is part of the 2011 Valentine/Amour Catalog. The theme of the challenge is based on the Beatles song: "All You Need Is Love".....so I merely put the image and a charm that says LOVE. Love is all you need !!

Since this is a brand new stamp to me and to the Penny Black line, I am also entering it into the Copic Creations Challenge #42. "What's New?"
























*Hugs*
~Andrea

Thursday, January 20, 2011

TGIF and Challenge Entries Completed!! Wooohoo!

I have finished up the cards for the Bugaboo challenges and have added them below. I had so much fun on the blog hop and working on the challenges. I better get these posted before I run out of time. What a fantastic celebration they put together and it has been a week of fun!

Congrats Bugaboo on your 1st year and wishing you the very best to an even better second year!

Well it certainly has been snowy the past couple of days and we already got 5 inches of snow and who knows how much more we might get over the weekend! I plan on staying inside and keeping warm and making some cards.

Hope everyone is keeping warm and thanks for stopping by!

*Hugs*
~Andrea

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Bugaboo Mini Challenges - All week!!

As I have explained in my prior posts, Bugaboo Stamps is celebrating their 1st Birthday with a Blog Hop and a week of mini challenges. Yes..I am doing the challenges! How could I pass up this opportunity? Using stamps that I am crazy about and a reason to make cards/projects, what else could I ask for? More hours in the day maybe. I will add to this post as I enter the challenges daily.

Friday mini Challenge - Anything Goes
For the Anything goes mini challenge I made a never-ending card. Each time you open the card, a different set of images appear. I picked the two bears in hats to take a picture of because I thought they were so cute. Each page has a different set of bears from the bears set of images. I will take pictures of the other pages and post them tomorrow.

Thursday mini Challenge - Birthday

I must have been in a striped mood on Thursday because this is what I decided to pick. I love how everything on this card really seemed to go together naturally! Birthdays and clowns always seem to go together and the foil stripes on the background seemed to add a birthday feeling to this card. I found some old embellishments and added the present, cake and party hat to the card.


Wednesday Mini Challenge - Sketch Challenge

For the sketch mini challenge, I decided to turn the sketch upside down and add some beads as the announcement. There are so many adorable images to use, it is so hard to decide on just one!


Tuesday Mini Challenge - Bling!


Here is my Tuesday submission for the Bugaboo Mini challenge. The theme is Bling! and Jodie is even giving us a freebie to use ! Click HERE to take you to download the Freebie (scroll to the bottom of the page to find the freebie).

I used mini gems and mini pearls over the multi-colored dots that I colored on the clown's outfit. I also added a tiny pearl to the center of the flower on its hat, and red gems to the center of the flowers in his hands. My favorite blingy part are the tiny flower button bling that fit PERFECTLY over the flower buttons on the front of his suit. To finish it off, yes, more bling.. on the scalloped mat around the image and a background sparkling glitter flower DP from DCWV. Hope you like it. It was fun to make!

Monday Mini Challenge - Blue and White


Here is my Monday submission for the Bugaboo Mini challenge. The theme is Blue and White, so to kick off the start of the mini challenges I thought an announcement card was appropriate.


Another birthday surprise is that Jodie (the artist/owner) is offering 60%...yes, 60% off of all of the Bugaboo Stamp purchases for this birthday celebration week! WOW...When was the last time you could get ANY type of stamp at that kind of discount? All you need to do is when you order your stamp(s) is place the code: KW696782 in the discount box on the order form.

Go ahead and head over to start making cards to enter the mini challenges! If you cant , at least take advantage of the generous discount and pick up a dozen or two new digital stamps here!

Here are the four pages of the never-ending card that I
mentioned above. I really like making these type of cards, it is fun to find images to use on all of the areas of each fold.

Try one..they are fun.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Delayed Posting...More later today!

Due to an extremely busy day and some unexpected issues to address, my blog for today will be delayed. Please excuse my tardiness and I hope to have some new articles for you later today.

While you are waiting, why not enter one of the blog hops, challenges or blog candy listed on my sidebars? Join in the fun and have a good time...that is what my blog is all about!!

Thanks so much for your patience.

*Hugs*.
~Andrea

Monday, January 17, 2011

Bugaboo Birthday Celebration Mini Challenges!

Bugaboo Mini Challenges - All week!!


As I have explained in my prior posts, Bugaboo Stamps is celebrating their 1st Birthday with a Blog Hop and a week of mini challenges. Yes..I am doing the challenges! How could I pass up this opportunity? Using stamps that I am crazy about and a reason to make cards/projects, what else could I ask for? More hours in the day maybe. Its now after 9pm and I am finally getting around to uploading my card. A little late for my liking, but its been done, just needed to get things typed up here and loaded besides the other 15 things I was trying to do today! I will add to this post as I enter the challenges daily.

Monday Mini Challenge - Blue and White

Ok..without further ado....Here is my Monday submission for the Bugaboo Mini challenge. The theme is Blue and White, so to kick off the start of the mini challenges I thought an announcement card was appropriate.
















*Hugs*
~Andrea

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Happy Birthday Bugaboo Stamps !

I want to send out a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Bugaboo Stamps who is celebrating their first birthday today January 15, 2011!!

Bugaboo stamps are created by Jodie Mackrell who is a very talented digi stamp artist. I first came across Bugaboo stamps a year ago and instantly fell in love with them. From the beginning, I have watched Bugaboo grow and change into such a fantastic place. The images keep getting cuter, more whimsical, more adorable and some are belly laughing funny!

If you aren't familiar with Bugaboo stamps, then run over to their site quickly! Here is a link to the shop: http://www.bugaboostamps.com/home.html

Each Friday Jodie gives away a freebie digital stamp and you have a week to download the freebie. Trust me when I tell you that you will actually look forward to Friday even more than you already do!

Another important part of the whole Bugaboo experience is the Design team. I have watched Design teams come and I have seen them go and new ones take their place, but the one thing that I have noticed consistently is that each DT is filled with very ..and I mean VERY talented people. If you make the Bugaboo design team then you definitely have what it takes to be proud of the work that you do. What you can expect to see from each batch of design team members are new and fresh ideas on how to use, display and create with digital stamps. Check them out and visit their personal blogs, you will find some great things and ideas that will make you smile.

Not only does Bugaboo have fantastic digital stamps and freebies on Friday, they have expanded to now having their stamps made into rubber stamps and are available through Totally Stampalicious. Here is the link if you are a diehard rubber stamp fan: http://www.totallystampalicious.com/rubber_stamps_bugaboos.html

Along with the rubber stamps, there are a few other areas in which Bugaboo stamps have grown this year:
  • Mugs, T-shirts, etc at Zazzle with Bugaboo images
  • http://www.zazzle.ca/bugaboostamps
  • Digi Club each Month: For $20 you get 20 digi stamps in a set made just for the monthly club members. If you buy the set for the month, you will be placed in a drawing for a chance to win the next months digis of the month club stamps free!
  • Monthly Newsletter - sign up to have the latest news delivered to your email inbox!

Bugaboo stamps also has a blog page: http://bugaboostamps.blogspot.com/
Visit the blog to keep up with the latest news.

The Bugaboo Challenge page is: http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/
Join in and play a challenge to win free digi stamps!

To celebrate their First Birthday, Bugaboo is planning a blog hop. I have posted a link to the details in my left sidebar. Just click on the image and it will take you to the page to find out how to play along!

I hope that everyone stops over to wish them a Happy Birthday and have fun with some really great people!

*Hugs*
~Andrea

Friday, January 14, 2011

Happy Birthday Bugaboo Stamps!

I want to send out a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Bugaboo Stamps who will celebrate their first birthday tomorrow January 15, 2011!!

Bugaboo stamps are created by Jodie Mackrell who is a very talented digi stamp artist. I first came across Bugaboo stamps a year ago and instantly fell in love with them. From the beginning, I have watched Bugaboo grow and change into such a fantastic place. The images keep getting cuter, more whimsical, more adorable and some are belly laughing funny!

If you aren't familiar with Bugaboo stamps, then run over to their site quickly! Here is a link to the shop: http://www.bugaboostamps.com/home.html

Each Friday Jodie gives away a freebie digital stamp and you have a week to download the freebie. Trust me when I tell you that you will actually look forward to Friday even more than you already do!

Another important part of the whole Bugaboo experience is the Design team. I have watched Design teams come and I have seen them go and new ones take their place, but the one thing that I have noticed consistently is that each DT is filled with very ..and I mean VERY talented people. If you make the Bugaboo design team then you definitely have what it takes to be proud of the work that you do. What you can expect to see from each batch of design team members are new and fresh ideas on how to use, display and create with digital stamps. Check them out and visit their personal blogs, you will find some things and ideas that will make you smile.

Not only does Bugaboo have fantastic digital stamps and freebies on Friday, they have expanded to now having their stamps made into rubber stamps and are available through Totally Stampalicious. Here is the link if you are a diehard rubber stamp fan: http://www.totallystampalicious.com/rubber_stamps_bugaboos.html

Along with the rubber stamps, there are a few other areas in which Bugaboo stamps have grown this year:
  • Mugs, T-shirts, etc at Zazzle with Bugaboo images
  • http://www.zazzle.ca/bugaboostamps
  • Digi Club each Month: For $20 you get 20 digi stamps in a set made just for the monthly club members. If you buy the set for the month, you will be placed in a drawing for a chance to win the next months digis of the month club stamps free!
  • Monthly Newsletter - sign up to have the latest news delivered to your email inbox!

Bugaboo stamps also has a blog page: http://bugaboostamps.blogspot.com/
Visit the blog to keep up with the latest news.

The Bugaboo Challenge page is: http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/
Join in and play a challenge to win free digi stamps!

To celebrate their First Birthday, Bugaboo is planning a blog hop. I have posted a link to the details in my left sidebar. Just click on the image and it will take you to the page to find out how to play along!

I hope that everyone stops over to wish them a Happy Birthday and have fun with some really great people!

*Hugs*
~Andrea

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Some of my work - Prismacolor Colored Pencils

Since many of you are still getting to know me, I think you will learn things about me from the type of cards that I design and the images that I select. As you may already know from the left sidebar on the home page of my blog, I love my rescue dogs. Who am I kidding..I love ALL dogs!! But I also love cute, sweet adorable animals of all types and it shows in many of my cards. I am the one who will pick the cutest animal image and spend hours coloring it just to show off its cute image and to make someone smile.

I have a list of many different sites that offer cute, whimsical, adorable images for my cards. For my first card below I decided to use an image from a wonderful artist that does incredibly cute, sweet, adorable images. I selected the digi named : A message from Mouse

This image was drawn and created by Diane Carubia of Di's Digi Downloads. Here is a
link to her site: http://disdigidownloads.blogspot.com/
Please stop by Di's site and check out her adorable images. If you need to make someone smile, these are the images to use! I hope you like Mouse as much as I enjoyed making him!


Image: A message from Mouse
a digital stamp from Di's Digi Downloads
Sentiment stamp: Anita's Rubber Stamp

Coloring medium: Prismacolor Colored Pencils and
Gamsol (odorless Mineral Spirits)

Misc: Blending stump to blend the colored pencils
Scalloped circle punch- 2 inch
Electric Blue Sheer ribbon
Martha Stewart Doily border punch
Bazzill Card stock
HP Inkjet printer to print image

Card Size: A7 (5 X 7 inches)



The second card I made was using a freebie digital image that I downloaded off of the internet and believe it is from Digital Stamps 4 Joy and is called Ashleigh Angel. If I am mistaken, please contact me and I will post a correction since I sometimes file my images in the wrong folders..LOL Oops...just let you know something else about me...I can mix things up! If I am right, Thank you Digital Stamps 4 Joy for your wonderful Freebie Image!!

I only used Prismacolor colored pencils on this image without using any Gamsol. I wanted to show that you can still blend the pencils without needing anything else. It takes time and just the right pressure, but after practicing, you will get the hang of it. I also used some clear ultrafine glitter that I got on sale at Michael's after last Easter. They had a package of about 15 colors of glitter on a card in little bags and I think it cost me about 35 cents since it was on sale. I think it is perfect for wings, snow, and just little touches of sparkles. I haven't used any of the colored glitters yet, so beware...they may show up when you least expect it!

Image: Ashleigh Angel from Digital Stamps 4 Joy
Coloring Medium: Prismacolor Colored Pencils
Misc: Ultra fine Glitter (for wings)
Scalloped Circle Nestabilities for image
Lacey Circle Nestabilities for card
Hero Arts Card stock for card
HP inkjet printer for image



Card Size: 4 1/4 inch circle
it will fit into an A2 (5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inch) envelope


This is the first time I tried to make a card made using a Spellbinders Nestabilities die cut. I really like the way it turned out!

The third card that I made was using a Memory Box rubber stamp named Adore Peony Collage. This rubber stamp caught my eye at my local stamp store (LSS) and it brought back the memories of the peonies that we had growing in our front yard when I was growing up. I saw a sample card displayed with this stamp at the store and knew I wanted to duplicate it. This is my version of that sample card. It was quick and simple and fun to make.


Image: Adore Peony Collage (G1433)
a rubber stamp from Memory Box

Coloring medium: Prismacolor Colored Pencils and
Gamsol (odorless Mineral Spirits)
Tim Holtz Distress Ink by Ranger: Antique Linen

Misc: Blending stump to blend the colored pencils
Small piece of sponge to apply distress ink to edge of image
Bazzill Card stock for matting and card
Memento Ink: Rich Cocoa to stamp image

Card Size: A2 (5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches)





If you have any questions regarding using colored pencils, gamsol or this technique, please dont hesitate to post a comment question below.

*Hugs*
~Andrea

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Welcome to my Blog!

Well I have finally given in and created a blog! Please be patient with me as it is going to be a work-in-progress and I will learn as I go.

Let me introduce myself.... I am Andrea and I am a Mom of two fantastic teenagers and two absolutely adorable rescued dogs! We live in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh, PA and I am a 'born and raised' black and gold sports fan!

I have created this blog in order to showcase a passion of mine which is Coloring. Yes, I said Coloring....but maybe not the way you may think when you hear the word coloring. Coloring probably is one of the very first life-skills that I learned and I color almost every single day. From my coloring I create cards....all sorts of cards... Birthday cards, Holiday cards, Note cards, Fancy folded cards, Sympathy cards.... you name it, I make it.

Why coloring? It relaxes me. It creates images that practically come to life on paper. I can create images for greeting cards and use my colored images to put a smile on a someone's face. I use many different types of media and hope to share some of my work here with you. I color images of all types. From rubber stamps to digital images and alterable items. If I can color it, I usually do!

I hope to make some new friends and make contact with many that I have met along the way when I color. I will try my hand at some tutorials of items that I make and hope to learn some from you too!

I will also be using this blog to share news of different groups which have exciting news to share. I will also list some of my favorite 'Go To' sites if you are looking for something specific. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. If I don't know the answer, I will find out the answer for you! Iknow many talented folks and between us, we have a ton of fun things to share.

I hope you enjoy my blog and stop back often. Please feel free to sign up as a follower and leave a comment or two if you like. As I mentioned before, I am still learning about blogging. Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

So get out your favorite coloring tools, relax and color like the kid you are inside!

*Hugs*
~Andrea