Hi Friends!! My daughter and I have been practicing drawing Shojo manga. . .basically, it's drawing cute girl images. I've never drew one and the girl on my card is my very first ever. Actually, it didn't turn out the way I wanted it . . .I messed up on her eyes. Her eyes were cock-eyed because I had drawn the reflective white on her pupil on opposite sides and well, it looked strange so I had to color over her pupil with black ink. I also messed up her lips.
But, I decided to use this image on a card because it's my first drawing and it's a start. I created this card for my daughter. She had a cumulative of 4.0 on her last report card so I created the card with my first drawing to give to her. I am so proud of my daughter for working so hard in school. On Friday, we took her out to dinner to celebrate her awesome grades and hung out at Barnes & Nobles afterwards.
We decided to buy a Manga book (Japanese comic) and yesterday, my daughter and I spent the afternoon trying to draw girl images Manga style.
I seriously have a long way to go but I'll practice and I may one day be able to draw manga like the comic books! LOL!
Today is "Cosmic Bowling" day! Whoohoo! I love Cosmic bowling. I can't wait. . .it's just so fun!
Anyway. . . a little bit about my card. By the way, I named my very first Shojo manga "Alexis". . .my daughter's name. It doesn't look like her but that's okay. I scanned my image so I can use her again for future cards.
I colored her with my Copic Markers. Nothing much else to the card other than adding the Prima flower, ribbon, and heart charm.
Hope you all have a fabulous day!!
Card Details:
Image: Alexis (hand drawn), Marcella (Sentiment)
Paper: K&Co designer paper, SU Cameo Coral, Close to Cocoa
Ink: Copic Markers, SU Brilliant Blue
Accessories: Making Memories ribbon, Prima flower, Joann heart brad, silver metallic cord, heart charm
Hi Friends! I just wanted to let you know I posted a written tutorial on my Stampin Inspirations Club Site! It's a cute album especially for Valentines. Check it out!
Hi Everyone!! Just a card I made! Whoa, it's bright, Maria!! LOL! I know. .. it is, huh, with all that yellow. Did you know. . .I rarely use yellow for my cards but lately I've been using it more often. Not sure why. . .I think it's because the designer papers that I've used had yellow in them.
Anyway. . .I decided to use my Pink Cat Studio "Kiki Kitty" stamp set. . .I drew in the flower background anda bit of grass around Kiki just to fill in space.
Do you see that punched corner design? Well, I think I've had the corner punch like. . .forever and have never used it. I decided, after looking through all my different corner punch to finally take it out of its package.
I colored the image using my Copic Markers and cut around the oval shape using my Fiskar Mini Scallop Scissors.
Be sure to stop by Pink Cat Studio's web site to check out all the fabulous stamps and the gallery for more samples of cards and projects!!
Card Details:
Stamps: Pink Cat Studio Kiki Kitty
Papers: K&CO designer paper, SU Sunny yellow, Blue Bayou, Teal (?)
This is our other dog Dakota. . . the naughty one! LOL! He is very mischievous, hyper, and very, very sneaky. He loves to steal treats from our other dog Phoenix and hide them. Later, he'll go and get it and eat it all by himself. We bought Dakota the same time as Phoenix when they were both 6 weeks old. According to the previous owner, Dakota is part Shitzu & Border Terrier. Yeah right. . .I don't think so. I think he has to be part Papillon but we don't know. We just know he is a mixed breed dog. As you can see in the photo, when he thought no one was looking, he was digging out the filling of his toy.
Despite being mischievous, he is simply adorable. He is a true lap dog and every opportunity he has, he'll try to sit on your lap. When he does something naughty, he knows. . .he'll give you a sheepish look and look away when you look at him . . .he'll avoid eye contact. . .like a guilty person. He can be naughty but he is a very sweet dog.
Hello Friends!! I'll call all of you friends from now on, okay! LOL! I've been exercising daily (treadmill and elliptical machine) and I can't say I'm enjoying myself.
Is there any one you envy? You'll probably be surprised with my answer. It's not rich people, beautiful people, talented people or successful people that I envy. I envy people who love to exercise, go hiking, skiing, and all those outdoor activities. . . .all healthy and full of energy. I wish I could love exercising and doing all those fun stuff. I would be healthy, I would have energy, and I would probably be tone and thin. LOL!! I also wish I could be a vegetarian. Seriously.. ..I look at them and I do wish I was like those healthy people. LOL!! I really do admire them. How do I get to be like them? I do try and I am so not enjoying myself. . .whenever I exercise my legs hurt, my body hurts, and it makes me hungry. LOL!
Anyway. . .I created the video tutorial above a while ago and the written tutorial over a year ago. If you take a look at the written tutorial below, you'll see that my photographic skills have improved. LOL!
Actually, it's not my skills that have improved, it's my camera. It really helps to have a good camera.
All of my written tutorials in the past have been stored on a host web site which I pay for and to reduce my expenses, I want to discontinue the web site so I'm slowly transferring my old written tutorials to my blog site so you'll be seeing more tutorials on my blog that you may have seen before but I'll be adding new and updated cards to show in conjunction with the old tutorials.
Today's tutorial is on creating this flower frame shown on my card. It's very simple to do. The video tutorials slightly varies from my written tutorial in the size of the card stock that I used but it's the same basic concept.
With my current card, I used designer paper rather than card stock and I detached the flower frame from the base which you can do if you punch each petal closer together so that it separates from the base card stock or designer paper.
To create the faux stitching, I used a Sakura opaque gel pen and just drew them on. Very simple. I colored my image using my Copic Markers and added a bit of Stickles to the flowers. That's about it. Anyway, try out the tutorial and if you do create a card, let me know, I'd like to see what you created!!
Card Details:
Stamps: The Paper Company (sentiment) Paper: Autumn Leaves designer paper, SU Cameo Coral, Green Galore Ink: Copic Markers, Sakura Opaque gel pen Accessories: SU Slit Punch, Key Tag Punch, Making Memories ribbon, Prima flowers, JoAnn brads, Coluzzle Circle template
Slit Flower Frame Tutorial
Materials
Card Base (4 1/4" x 5 1/2")
Card stock (4 1/8" x 5 3/8")
4 x 4" white card stock
3" circle punch or shape cutter (Colozzule, Fiskar, etc. . .)
Stampin Up Slit Punch
Foam tape or dimensionals
Sponge dauber and scissors (optional)
Rubber stamps and Embellishments
After punching or cutting a 3" circle through the card stock, with you slit punch, create the petals around the reverse of the punched circle.
When punching around the circle, leave approximately 1/8" space from the edge of the circle and between each slit punch. Allowing the space ensure that you don't completely cut out the flower.
Optional: If you want to cut out the flower completely, punch the slits close together, touching one another with each punch so that it can completely cut off from the base to create a separate flower punch.
After punching with the slit punch, your flower should appear like this, still intact with the base. Pull each punched petals a little forward so that it appears 3D
Optional: To make the punched flower more prominent, color the edge of each petal by inking it with a sponge dauber
Optional: To embellish the flower, add dots to each petal using an opaque gel pen and add leaves with a sentiment stamped on to it.
Lay the completed flower frame on to a white card stock and stamp your image.
Color the image and adhere it to the card base. Be sure that the flower frame is aligned and centered with the image.
Add foam tape to the back of the punched card stock and complete the card by laying it over your image and card base
Hi Everyone!! I wanted to share a few RAKs I received from such wonderful blog friends. I was waiting to post them when I didn't have to post a design team card. I didn't want to post over it because they deserve a day all for themselves!! I cannot express how touched I am to have received such beautiful cards and gifts from my sweet and kind blog friends.
It's interesting because I keep in touch with my blog friends and readers more often than I do with my family and in person friends in Hawaii (via email and blog). They also know more about my day to day life than my family and in person friends. As a matter of fact, I have only very few real life friends that craft and none of my family members (non-immediate) blog or even read them. I don't think they even know what blogging is. LOL!! So to some degree, I have a greater connection on a regular basis with my blog friends than I do with my real life friends.
So . . .when I receive these RAKs. . .I feel touched and am very grateful to receive them. They have a special meaning in my life.
This RAK is from Tracy of Tracy's Happy Place I think Tracy and I met via blogging when I started on my "Journey to Skinnyville"; a blog that I had started over a year ago to motivate me to lose weight. which I failed to keep up. She has always been a big supporter of my journey and vice versa. . .we now have a group blog "Sistahs of the Traveling Tee" with Jen, Ellie, Adrian, Tina, and Deborah. Tracy is a wonderful person with a big heart. She is extremely talented and makes the most beautiful cards. Thank you Tracy for sending me such a beautiful card!! I truly appreciate it.
Tracy also hosts a monthly RAK swap so be sure to stop by her blog to join in the swap!!
This wonderful RAK is from my SBS2 AnnMarie of AnnMarie's Stamping Adventure. She is one of the moderators along with Mel of our SBS group. She is a wonderful moderator and she comes up with great swaps and challenges!! She keeps our group going and she is doing a fabulous job!! I was shocked to receive a package of wonderful goodies from her! Gosh, look at it. . .so many stuff to play with!! Thank you so much AnnMarie for being so thoughtful . . .and I mean seriously thoughtful. She didn't have to send me anything but she did with the kindness of her heart. I am grateful to have you as my blogging sistah!!
I am going to have so much fun playing with the stamp set and the scrapbook embellies. The lotion will also be put to good use. I have eczema (allergic reaction) on one of my fingers and it looks yucky when my hands are dry so the lotion will come in handy. Thank you AnnMarie
This wonderful and beautiful RAK is from Sankari of Sankari's Sunshine Corner. She also is the design team member of "Paper Craft Planet" and the co-host of the challenge site "Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge". I met Sankari in blogland. . .she was, initially, a reader and we emailed one another. She started her blog in May of last year and wow! in such a short time she has done so many wonderful stuff!! Way to go, Sankari!! She is so creative with her cards and she is so on top of all the challenges in blogland!!
If you've never chit-chatted with Sankari. . .well, she is the most sweetest person ever. Like her blog title she is a "sunshine" in blogland.
I was surprised when I received her wonderful RAK. I mean. . .seriously!! My husband loves to buy things online and he always thinks that all the boxes delivered to our house is his. Well, Sankari's package was no exception. He actually left it in his room thinking it was his. When he opened the package, he realized that it was "MY" package! LOL!!
Oh, my check this coffee and tea set!! Isn't it awesome or what? It's perfect. . .the design reminds me of designer paper. Only a crafter would know to make such a fabulous choice in design. I will also put the scrapbook embellishments she sent me to good use. I have a bunch layouts that I plan to create this year so they are perfect!!
Here is the card Sankari sent me! If you haven't seen her cards, they are all so unique and she adds so many beautiful touches to them. You gotta check out her blog to appreciate what I'm talking about!!
Thank you Sankari. . .your sunshine brightens my day when I visit your blog and receive your emails!!
This beautiful card is from my SBS2 sistah Crissy of "Scrapbookin Fool". Wow, thank you Crissy for sending me such a beautiful card!! Crissy is my blogging sister and have always been so thoughtful!! I really appreciate her thinking of me! Her card is so pretty, especially in person and if you check out her blog, you'll see what I mean. She is one creative and kind sistah!!! She has always been an active member of our group! Thank you for your kindness!! I look forward to more sistah activities with you!! See you on Ning!!
This AWESOME RAK is from the talented Ms. Risa of Life's Simple Pleasures!! I met Risa in blogland from I think when I first started blogging! We've come a long way. She was also a designer diva with me and the other gals at Little C's. Risa is one of my most regular commenter on my blog. She has been a wonderful blog friend who is always thoughtful and kind to me. I so appreciate her friendship.
She is one of the most talented card makers around in blog land. Her coloring skills are like. . "wow"!! She sent me some wonderful goodies. . .candy, coffee, and a stamp from Whiff of Joy!! Wow, I love them all!! I can't wait to eat the candy and drink the coffee! I don't have a Whiff of Joy stamp so I can't wait to ink it up!!!
This is a card from Risa. . .okay. .as you can see her card is beautiful and her coloring is awesome. Her cards are as beautiful in person or not more so than what you see on her blog!
Thank you Risa for always thinking of me! You are the best!
This RAK is from the talented Monika of "Mad Stamper". Monika is one of the DTs at "Taylor's Cupcake Challenge", "Baker's Dozen" and "Dutch Dare". Wow, she's got a lot of things going!! I think I met Monika in blogland when she participated in my challenges that I no longer do. Since then she's kept in touch!! If you've never visited her blog. . .she makes the most elegant cards and I am always in awe of her work.
Thank you Monika for sending such a beautiful card and thinking of me!! Whenever I receive a card from you, it always brighten my day!!
This RAK is from Rita of Rita's Little Corner!! I met Rita in blogland when I was a newbie blogger and we've kept in touch since then!! She always take the time to comment my posts and always so kind to think of me on my birthdays and Christmas. I'm so grateful to have met such a kind and wonderful person. She makes beautiful cards and projects on her blog and always have a story to share about her life!!
Rita actually sent a good bag of M&Ms that is not included in the picture because without thinking, I ate it before I could take a picture of it!!! LOL!!
This is the card Rita sent me. . .her cards are beautiful on her blog but especially in person. You can't see it but the image is very glittery!!
Thank you Rita for the goodies. . .I wanted to drink the cocoa and the tea but I had to wait until I took of a picture of it!! LOL!!
This beautiful card is from Wanda!! She was once part of my CTMH online club!! Wanda has always been such a kind and sweet person! She was a wonderful club member! Wanda doesn't have a blog site but I believe she's going to start one. I hope she does because she makes such pretty cards and scrapbook layouts! She needs to show us her wonderful talent!! Thank you Wanda for thinking of me. . .you are a kind and sweet person!! I really appreciate it!
Hi Everyone!! Are you wondering what Tilda is giggling about all by her lonesome? I was wondering the same thing! LOL! Maybe she's stoned? LOL. . .just kidding! Or. . .she may just be high on life. . . I sometimes giggle all by myself. LOL! No, I'm not crazy. . .I sometimes think about something and I'll giggle not realizing people are watching me and are wondering if I've gone "psycho". . .if you know what I mean!!!
Anyway, just a card I worked on today. I was sitting down coloring the image last night and I realized Tilda suppose to be sitting on something. Well I didn't have an accessory stamp for Tilda to sit on so I drew the bench and butterfly my self. Not the best looking bench but I wasn't sure how a bench should look. Well, this is my version of a bench! LOL!
Anyway. . .I colored my image with my Copic Markers. Hey. . .I actually colored an image using my Prisma color pencils. . .I posted the card on "Stampin Inspirations Club Site". I haven't used my pencils for such a long time.
It's funny. . .when I first worked with Copics, I thought it took longer to color my images compared to the Prismacolor pencils.
Well. . .now, I think it's quite the opposite. Coloring with my Copics is way faster than coloring with my Prismacolor pencils. Anyway. . .nothing much else to the card.
Want this stamp image. . .stop by Little C's Stamp n' Things. . .she carries this awesomely cute stamp and whole bunch of other cute stamps and products. Click on the Little C's banner above to link to Little C's store!!
Hope you all have a fabulous day!!
Card Details:
Stamps: Magnolia Giggling, Fiskar clear stamps
Paper: Fiskar Cloud 9 designer paper, SU Blue Bayou, Close to Cocoa
Ink: Copic Markers
Accessories: Prima flowers, grosgrain ribbon, hemp cord, JoAnn Heart brad
Hi Everyone!! I created this mini purse album for my husband. I'm going to give it to him for Valentines Day. I thought he would appreciate a little mini album. I always give him some sort of mini album for his birthday, our anniversary, and Valentines.
I usually give him a family type mini album but because this one is for Valentines I thought one of him and me was more appropriate.
I never know what to give my husband for Valentines. Isn't it usually the guy suppose to be buying for the girl? LOL! I don't really buy him anything for Valentines but a card and maybe some sort of mini album that I create. What do you give your husband? I think I need a few ideas on what to give him.
My husband is wonderful because he'll go all out and buy me flowers, candy, dinner, and some sort of nice gift. He is really a romantic kind of guy. . .much more so than I am. I'm really practical.
Here is the album with the page inside the album. I used my Pink Cat Studio Lily & Billy Sweethearts set.
With the Lily & Billy image I drew the heart flowers . . .I thought it would be cute to add pretty hearts.
Here is me and my husband . . .actually, it's a picture taken a few years ago when I was skinny. I was looking for a current photo but there isn't any good ones with me and him together so I had to use the old photos.
Here is another photo. Both photos were taken when we were on a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii!! We had really great memories of our trip so I thought the photos were appropriate for Valentines Day.
Anyway. . .hope you all are having a great Inauguration Day!!
Project Details:
Stamps: Pink Cat Studio Lily & Billy SweetheartsPaper: DCWV designer paper (I think), SU Pink Passion, Pretty In PInk, Chocolate ChipInk: Copic Markers, SU Chocolate Chip, Pink PassionAccessories: Prima Flowers, JoAnn Heart brads, SU Regal Rose Grosgrain Ribbon, Prima Flowers
Hi Everyone! I justed wanted to let you know I posted a video and written tutorial on my Card Inspired blog site on how to line or cover a heart/round box with designer paper. Anyway, check it out when you have the chance!!
Hi Friends!! My daughter and I have been practicing drawing Shojo manga. . .basically, it's drawing cute girl images. I've never drew one and the girl on my card is my very first ever. Actually, it didn't turn out the way I wanted it . . .I messed up on her eyes. Her eyes were cock-eyed because I had drawn the reflective white on her pupil on opposite sides and well, it looked strange so I had to color over her pupil with black ink. I also messed up her lips.
I seriously have a long way to go but I'll practice and I may one day be able to draw manga like the comic books! LOL!
Hope you all have a fabulous day!!
This AWESOME RAK is from the talented Ms. Risa of 
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