michi rhymes with peachy . . .

Round Robin Art Journal

2011-11-03T21:03:00.000-07:00

Hi Everybody,

I belong to a Round Robin Art Journal group of local artists . . . we meet once a month and trade art journals to work on and bring back the following month . . . here are a couple of pages I did for one of the members . . .

The first one is a page with my favorite childhood picture . . . the background is acrylic paint scraped on with a palette knife . . . stamps are stamped with pigment ink and heat embossed with embossing powder . . . I used punchinella aka sequin waste and used acrylic paint to scrape over it with a palette knife . . . stickers and collage images were added and covered with dimensional glue like Diamond Glaze for added emphasis . . . stamps are from Judikins and Sunday International

The second one is a black and white transparency that was given to me from one of our members . . . I used Sharpie Permanent Markers on the back of the transparency and sprayed it with Denatured alcohol and let it drip unti I was pleased with the result . . . then I laid it down to dry . . . the pictures were amateurish Photoshopped (I really know very little about Photoshop) to get it as black and white as I could and whited out the background . . . the background was painted with Sharpie markers scribbled in a paint palette spritzed with denatured alcohol and applied to the background with a brush . . .

Have fun!

ArtBeads.com "Vintage" Project

2011-05-17T20:55:00.000-07:00

I'm excited about the latest ArtBeads.com "Vintage" project . . . it gave me a chance to use "vintage" photos of my immediate family in my beading . . . I was inspired by Nancy Cain, amazing beader. . . I love the way the cool ArtBeads.com Silver-Plated Pewter Pendants frame photos of my family . . .

This was also a perfect opportunity to use the ArtBeads.com charms to embellish the photos! What fun! Here's Mom and Dad . . .

My sister, Janice . . .

Myself . . . this is my favorite photo of my childhood . . . I was a WILD WOMAN!!! LOL!!!!

My sister, Norma . . .

Janice's daughter, Tina . . .

I hope you enjoyed the sharing of my beading AND my family with you! Happy beading!!!!

*Disclaimer: I receive free product from ArtBeads.com in exchange for my designs as an ArtBeads.com Blog Design member . . . opinions are strictly my own . . .

Round Robin Art Journal

2011-05-17T20:27:00.000-07:00

A group of my talented and fun artist buddies decided to participate in a Round Robin Art Journal . . . this is my front and back cover . . . the front cover has my favorite photo of my childhood . . . you can tell that I was a WILD WOMAN standing on the bumper of a pick-up truck on my grandmother's farm in Fresno . . . the back cover has a photo of my dad and myself as a todler . . . I'm really enjoying using family photos in my artwork lately . . . even my next beading project has them as you will see shortly . . . I am really getting excited about getting a copy of my artist buddies artwork in my journal!

The Cat House on the Kings

2011-04-16T10:31:00.000-07:00

This You-Tube Video caught my eye first because it takes place in Parlier, California where I spent my summers with my Aunt, Uncle, & cousins while my mother and sisters stayed on grandma's grape farm in nearby Sanger . . . secondly . . . I love what this woman is doing to save and put up for adoption cats and dogs in an open 6-acre reserve . . . here's her video . . .

What an amazing woman and a wonderful cause!!!!! Please click on following to find out more about her organization . . . The Cat House on the Kings!

A 15% coupon from ArtBeads.com!

2011-02-23T11:33:00.000-08:00

Lucky me and my blog readers! ArtBeads.com has offered their Design Partners and their farmily, friends, and blog readers a 15% coupon with no minimum order requirement good now through the end of February . . . To use the coupon, just copy and paste the code below into the 'Coupon/Gift Certificate/Gift Card Code' box of your shopping cart and click 'apply'. Exclusive Design Partners Coupon code: ZZ-DESIGNER-0211 . . . Woo! Hoo!!!!

ArtBeads.com Winter Enchantment Design

2011-02-07T18:31:00.000-08:00

This winter season inspired me to create something like a snowy winter black night for ArtBeads.com . . . the sparkle is like the stars in that dark blanket . . . the cold snow like the totally stunning Dichroic Murano Glass Beads . . . accented with the sparkle of Swarovski Crystal Rondelles HUBBA! HUBBA!!!!! LOL!!!!! I call this piece Starry Starry Night after one of my favorite painter's pieces . . . Vincent Van Gogh . . . I must say that I am SO impressed with the Murano Glass beads . . . they simply take your breath away!!!!! My latest ArtBead.com Blog Design project tied right in with my class project with talented instructor, Sylvia Valle . . . I've learned so much from her . . . I love this spiral necklace . . . the creative students in the class are such a blast, too . . . Have fun everybody! Disclaimer: I receive free product from ArtBeads.com in exchange for my design (in this case my collaborative design) as an ArtBeads.com Blog Design Team member . . . opinions are strictly my own . . .

An Elegant Slider by my friend, Claire Abelson

2011-01-21T18:36:00.000-08:00

My beading friend, 89-year-old Claire Abelson, recently went on a cruise with her lovely family . . . she wanted something special to wear so she beaded this incredibly beautiful slider and the necklace for the slider, as well . . . well . . . when we all saw this in class . . . all of us simply gasped at its beauty! What a talented lady Claire is . . . and she is generous with her pertinent suggestions to make our beading better! THANKS, Claire!!!! We love you!!!!!!!

ArtBeads.com Road to Tucson Sweepstakes

2011-01-20T17:58:00.000-08:00

Oh boy! Oh boy! ANOTHER great Sweepstakes from ArtBeads.com . . . ask me if I've entered! YES!!!!!!!!!!!! I would totally LOVE to win a trip for two to the Gem and Jewelry Show in Tucson, Arizona in 2012 for three days and three nights! HUBBA! HUBBA! Please click here to link to the ArtBeads.com Sweepstake page to enter!!!!

ArtBeads.com Stocking Stuffer Sweepstakes

2010-11-24T15:31:00.000-08:00

OK . . . so I'm kinda obsessed about contests and sweepstakes in order to win new beads!!!!! MY NAME IS MICHI AND I HOARD BEADS!!!!! I just entered this sweepstake and I HOPE I WIN! I HOPE I WIN! You might, too! Just click here for the details . . . maybe the winner will be YOU!!!!!!!! Good luck!!!!

Woo! Hoo! Another CONTEST!!!!!

2010-11-02T18:50:00.000-07:00

WOW!!! Another exciting contest sponsored by ArtBeads.com . . . this time the awards range from $100 to $500!!!!! The contest entries are being accepted from September 29, 2010 through November 22, 2010 . . . public vote will start November 23, 2010 and will end on December 8, 2010 . . . winners will be announced on December 13, 2010! Please click HERE for details!!!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Autumn Leaves Necklace

2010-10-10T21:20:00.000-07:00

My 89-year-old beading buddy, Claire Abelson, and I had great fun designing the new Fall 2010 ArtBeads.com Fall Project . . . I LOVE leaves and flowers so this theme was perfect for fall colors and leaves . . .

I LOVE to beadweave with the ArtBeads Toho Seed Beads . . . this time I used the round beads . . . but the other shapes are SO exciting, too!!!!!

The Swarovski Top Drilled Bicone I used is listed under "Pendants" . . . I was so thrilled to get the opportunity to use these GORGEOUS Bicones . . . they were PERFECT for beading . . . Ohhhhhhhh . . . I got a little "artsy-fartsy" when I got made a boo-boo and got my camera lens too close to the subject matter . . . but then I thought it was kinda cool so I included the photo in with this blog post!!! Duhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

When you are perusing the website . . . be sure to take a side trip to "Community" where you'll find videos . . . blogs . . . facebook . . . galleries . . . all kinds of eye candy!!!! Have fun!!!!!!

*Disclaimer . . . I receive free product from ArtBeads.com in exchange for my design (in this case our collaborative design) as an ArtBeads.com Blog Design Team member . . . opinions are strictly my own . . .

Beading with a Purpose

2010-09-02T17:28:00.000-07:00

I recently beaded a necklace, matching bracelet, and earrings for a charitable auction for the Medici Foundation which helps support the Cancer Center of Irvine, California . . . I used a classic diagonal peyote stitch for the design . . . I'm also learning to display my work for photography . . .
The following design was prompted from my cousin who couldn't find "canary colored" earrings to go with her outfits . . . I used a peyote stitch for this piece, as well . . .

I hope you like my new pieces!!!!!!

ArtBeads Summer Blogging Fun!

2010-06-20T22:00:00.000-07:00

It's time for ArtBeads Summer Blogging Fun!!! This project features Toho seed beads (some of my personal favorites!!! LOL!!!) . . . Sterling Silver Charms . . . the possibilities are ENDLESS with these versatile beads!!!!!

I must say that this piece was a collaborative effort . . . I started off with a basic plan . . . and then my 89-year-old beading buddy, Claire (photo below) . . . had some AWESOME suggestions that make it the design it is . . . Claire attended the Chicago Art Institute as a young adult . . . it certainly shows by the way her creative mind works . . . I'm so glad I met her!!!!!

I also received a great tip from my talented stamping/beading teacher, Sylvia Valle from Saddleback Valley Unified School District Adult School where she teaches so many wonderful crafts . . . I don't know how she can be versatile in so many media . . . she simply blows me away . . .

I hope you like our collaborative piece . . .

2010-06-20T21:04:00.000-07:00

This is my 89-year-old beading buddy, Claire . . . she's shy . . . LOL!!!!

This is what Claire used to look like when she was a young ballerina!!!This is my multi-talented art teacher, Sylvia Valle . . . she's really special . . . I'm so lucky to have such sweet and talented beading buddies and teacher!

Friends of Sylvia Valle Volume 3

2010-06-09T17:00:00.000-07:00

We had our last class meeting of my special and talented rubber stamping and beading teacher and gave her a scrapbook with highlights of the year and a scrapbook page by each of the students who participated (and some former students, as well!!)! This is the third year in a row that we did this . . . and our dear teacher, Sylvia Valle, was so touched by it . . . she was almost speechless!!!!! Here are the scrapbook book cover I beaded and some of the photos . . . Sylvia's classes are offered by the Saddleback Valley Unified School District Adult Education Department http://www.goadulted.com/ . . .

2010-06-09T16:29:00.001-07:00

2010-06-09T16:00:00.000-07:00

Happy summer everyone!!!!!

Happy Wedding Shower Tina!

2010-05-20T15:07:00.000-07:00

My only niece from my side of the family is my sweet Tina (Christina) who is getting married in June . . . her Bridal Shower is Saturday . . . here is the card I made for her . . . a kind of BEFORE and AFTER of her life, so far. My sister adopted Tina from Korea when she was only 3 months old . . . she was fat and healthy and they let her fly with the agency when she was very young . . . how fortunate we are to have such a wonderful niece in the family!!!!! Best Wishes Tina!!!!!

I'm totally loving these Sterling Silver Leaf Pendants & Itty Bitty Swarovski Bicone Crystals!

2010-03-08T16:14:00.000-08:00

I'm totally loving these new beads sent to me by ArtBeads.com in exchange for my design . . . I am so fortunate to have been chosen to be on their Blog Design Team! This time I got to choose these BEAUTIFUL Sterling Silver Leaf Pendants and GORGEOUS 2.5 mm Swarovski Bicone Crystals in Silver Shade . . .

Here is the link for the AWESOME center Sterling Silver Leaf Pendant . . .

. . . and the two smaller Sterling Silver Leaf Pendants flanking it . . .

The beaded leaves are beaded 11/0 Toho beads also sold by ArtBeads.com . . . they are having another of their GREAT DOLLAR SALES until 9:00 AM (PST) Thursday, March 11, 2010 . . . I'm on their newsletter email list to get their sale announcements . . . they have FANTASTIC sales!!!!THE BEADERS FLORAL written by Liz Thornton & Jill Devon is the book where I found the leaf pattern . . . what an INCREDIBLE book . . . it's published in the United Kingdom . . . my beading buddies and I were able to get them from Canada for less $$ than directly from England at Beadfx . . .

I hope you enjoyed this piece!!!!!

*Disclosure . . . I receive free product from ArtBeads.com in exchange for my designs on my blog . . . opinions are strictly my own . . .

WINNER WINNER WINNER!!!!!

2010-02-22T09:56:00.001-08:00

THANK YOU to everyone who participated in this exciting drawing!!! You are ALL winners to me!!!!!
Dh#2 pulled an entry from the hat (so to speak!! LOL!!!) . . . Drumroll, please . . . the winner of the $25 Email Gift Certificate from Artbeads.com is SHIRLEY BOWERS!!!!! Woo!!! Hoo!!! CONGRATULATIONS, Shirley! May you have TOO MUCH FUN with your beaded treasures!!!!! ArtBeads.com will contact you for your $25 ArtBeads.com Email Gift Certificate . . . YOU ROCK, GF!!!! LOL!!!!!

ArtBeads.com $25 Email Gift Certificate Blog Giveaway

2010-02-09T18:48:00.000-08:00

What a great time for beaders! ArtBeads.com is sponsoring a drawing for their blog team designers (moi . . . LOL!!!!) to offer to their readers! All you have to do leave a comment on my blog with an EMAIL ADDRESS so that I can contact the winner!!! I will draw one winner after Monday, February 22, 2010 @ 12:01AM (PST)!! That's Washington's Birthday (I still have a little bit of school teacher left in me!!! LOL!!!) Good luck!!!!!

Acrylic Paint Technique on Gold Technique

2010-02-01T14:07:00.000-08:00

One of my many groups has two lotteries each month . . . this month was my turn and I elected to create a "Gold" card using acrylic paints . . . Images are from A Stamp in the Hand . . .
First, I just took a piece of gold (not mirror gold) cardstock . . .

I put a small dab of acrylic paint on a non-stick teflon sheet and a big dab of acrylic glaze medium . . .

The two were mixed with a plastic palette knife . . .

Spread the length of the cardstock . . .

2010-02-01T14:04:00.000-08:00

I labeled the back of the cardstock "top" and "bottom" . . .
Lay the cardstock gold side down on the spreaded color . . .

Lifted the cardstock from the "bottom" . . .

Repeat with two other colors . . . I like to lift it in the same direction from the bottom for consistency . . . until I covered the cardstock with color leaving the gold cardstock showing in various places . . .

2010-02-01T13:53:00.000-08:00

Here are samples . . . the first one is the original background for the card . . .

The second one is a second generation one with left over paint making it lighter . . .

The third sample is done on silver cardstock . . .

The fourth sample is done on watercolor paper . . .

These acrylic paints and mediums are so versatile and fun . . . I could play with them all day!!! LOL!!!

Craft Super Show dot Com

2010-01-23T20:31:00.001-08:00

This year we were lucky enough to have CHA Convention (which is for wholesalers/retailers in the craft industry) hold a CraftSuperShow Convention for the public the two days before CHA started in Anaheim, CA . . . I went for both days and I'm glad I did . . . there was PLENTY to see and participate in demo's and Make It Take It's . . . I even saw one of my very favorite Mixed Media Artists, Chris Cozen, who introduced her newest book . . . MIXED MEDIA AND COLOR . . . published by Design Originals . . . here's a photo of Chris Cozen and myself and she's holding up a copy of the book! I LOVE her books and techniques!!!!!
One of the booth workers was wearing a GORGEOUS necklace that her friend made for her . . . I just had to take a picture of it and show you . . .

I know I need another hobby like a hole in the head . . . but my mixed media buddy, Marilyn Gallas and I couldn't pass up this quilted postcard which only took 30 minutes to make at the Janome Sewing Machine booth . . .

This charming card was a Make It Take It at the Joann's booth using K & Company Papers . . . it was so easy yet it looks so delightful!

I hope they decide to hold the CraftSuperShow in Anaheim again next year . . . I would LOVE to attend for both days, again!!!!!

Happy 88th & 89th Birthday!

2010-01-21T21:45:00.000-08:00

Happy 88th Birthday to my Uncle Fuku! Apparently, like, I didn't know this, but, the 88th birthday is an important birthday in Japan . . . so my cousin Jeanne is throwing a birthday party for my Uncle Fuku at Hop Li, the family favorite Chinese Restaurant in China Town, Los Angeles, CA . . . here's his card . . . he is an Elvis fan!!!!!
One of my fellow student beading buddies in Sylvia Valle's class, Claire Abelson, is turning 89 next month . . . she is totally AMAZING and sharp as a whip! In fact, I think she's sharper than I am!!! My memory is F-A-D-I-N-G!!! LOL!!!!

Both of these pieces are mixed media using acrylic paints inspired by Chris Cozen, Traci Bautista, and my own experiments! Stamps are from Stampsmith please email Estelle@stampsmith.net for scans of her AMAZING movie star stamps! YUM! YUM!!!! LOL!!!

Tim Holtz Blog Prize!!!!!

2009-12-12T16:01:00.000-08:00

OHMYGOSH! OHMYGOSH! OHMYGOSH!!! I was one of the winners on Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of Christmas Blog . . . He sent OODLES of his cool vintgage metal embellishments! They're BEAUTIFUL! So . . . I'm a double winner . . . I win from his AWESOME tutorials AND this prize! All I did was leave a comment on his blog . . . he chose 20 winners from each day of comments! YEEEEEK!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Michi's Extra Role in TV Show MEDIUM

2009-11-28T12:08:00.000-08:00

Here's a "blurb" about an extra role I have in the popular TV show, MEDIUM . . . I THINK it's coming up on Friday, December 4th, 2009 at 9:00 PM Pacific Time on Channel 2 (KCBS) . . . I'm wearing a black jacket, black pants, red top, name badge, reading glasses, carrying a clipboard . . . I'm one of about a dozen extras who play bio-tech employees who walk in the background . . . back and forth . . . back and forth . . . back and forth . . . you get the picture!!! LOL!!! I hope I don't end up on the cutting room floor after I've told all my friends and family!!!
How EMBARRASSING!!!! LOL!!!!! Have fun!!!!!

Say now . . . if YOU'RE interested in being an extra in the entertainment business . . . the largest extras agency is http://www.centralcasting.org . . . "See you in the movies!!!!"

Cubic Zirconia by ArtBeads.com

2009-11-28T11:21:00.000-08:00

Hi Mixed Media Artists!
I was fortunate enough to have my blog noticed by ArtBeads.com . . . I'm proud to say that I am now a member of their Blog Design Team . . . for the months of November/December . . . ArtBeads.com's Blog Team is featuring shiny, sparkly, colorful Cubic Zirconia . . . here are my designs featuring a colorful bracelet made with their beautiful Cubic Zirconia Coin Beads . . .

A beaded choker with a Cubic Zirconia Lavender Oval Length Drilled Bead . . .

. . . and matching earrings . . .
I have to confess . . . not only am I on their Blog Design Team . . . I'm probably one of their best customers . . . if you sign up for their email newsletters . . . they have the BEST sales . . . watch out for their DOLLAR SALE when it comes out . . . AND . . . shipping is free . . . HUBBA! HUBBA!!!! LOL!!!!

GREY SAVE dot ORG

2009-11-16T14:19:00.000-08:00

One of my retired school teacher buddies from my old school, Louise Winders, is SO involved with Grey Save . . . a Greyhound Adoption Group Serving Southern California . . . she's already adopted three gentle, mellow, soft greyhounds that are such wonderful companions for her . . . here is more info on the organization . . .

Grey Save

(866) Grey-Save

(866) 473-9728

info@greysave.org

Greyhound Adoption Group

Serving Southern California

http://www.greysave.org/

What a wonderful cause . . .

Chris Cozen Workshop

2009-10-22T14:15:00.000-07:00

I was SO fortunate to have been able to take classes with Chris Cozen from Golden Paint Company . . . it has been on my WISH LIST for a long time! I was in AWE of her knowledge of the Golden products and what they can do for you as well as her gift at mixed media art . . . the first piece is my only "finished" piece learning to use Golden paints . . . glazing liquid . . . collage . . . stamping . . . transfers . . . stencilling . . . it was a lot to absorb in a 6-hour class, but I LOVED it!!!!! The following three pieces were practice pieces learning to use the materials and techniques!!

2009-10-22T14:14:00.000-07:00

The second class I took involved using the new Golden Open Acrylics which allow the artist a greater period of moving the paint before it dries . . . it felt so smooth in the application . . . it was amazing!!!! This piece uses Golden Tar Gel which gave me a clear layer to work on . . . it's also "stringy" in texture which is totally fun to work with!

The next of the samples show how to use acrylics to look like watercolors . . .
The following is a sample of painting on top of dried Golden Absorbant Ground . . .

The next two pieces are paint on Golden Molding Paste . . .

2009-10-22T14:13:00.000-07:00

The following shows a resist we were able to do with the mediums . . .

If you ever get a chance to take a class with Chris Cozen . . . I highly recommend it! I learned SO much in such a fun, nurturing atmosphere . . . Chris Cozen currently has two incredible books out . . . Altered Surfaces and Transfers and Altered Images . . . I highly recommend them, as well . . .

Have fun everybody!!!!!!!

The Encyclopedia of Greeting Card Tools & Techniques

2009-09-01T14:54:00.000-07:00

One of my stamping buddies, Pat Newman, recently introduced me to The Encyclopeida of Greeting Card Tools & Techniques by Susan Pickering Rothamel, owner of USArtQuest . . . Pat and I met at Sylvia Valle's Greeting Card Class held here locally through Saddleback Valley Unified School District Adult Education . . . This book has so many tips on tools and techniques in it . . . the samples are also wonderful!!!!!

Paper Transformed

2009-09-01T14:45:00.000-07:00

I'm also loving this book, Paper Transformed . . . A Handbook of Surface-Design Recipes and Creative Paper Projects by Julia Andrus, creator of Ranger Ink's Perfect Pearls . . . WOW-WEEEEEEE!!!! Does this book have great tools and techniques, as well!
I love 'em both!!!!!!

Cards For Heroes dot Org

2009-08-18T19:14:00.000-07:00

My second grade retired public school teacher/stamping buddy, Judy Justice decided she wanted to get involved with Cards for Heroes dot Org http://cardsforheroes.org/ . . . she invited a few of us retired teachers (all from the same school) to spend the day with her making cards for soldiers serving overseas for them to send to family and friends . . . we decided to make cards from the beautiful ATC's we exchanged in our card making class last spring . . . Here's Judy . . .

Kay Davis, retired third grade public school teacher/stamping buddy, was there being super productive, as usual . . . whenever we get together to stamp . . . she's the one that gets the most done!

Irene Tatsuta, retired second grade public school teacher . . . volunteered for YEARS after she retired . . . she helped teachers prepare learning tools like bulletin boards, charts, etc. in so many ways . . . she helped me many a time and asked nothing in return . . . here she is . . . volunteering again . . . this time for our troops overseas . . .I couldn't believe all that we accomplished and had a good time, to boot!!!!! There were cards all over the place by the time we called it a day!!!!!

Jessica Sprague Digital Workshop Part 3

2009-08-11T20:27:00.000-07:00

I'm getting back to my complimentary digital workshop given by Jessica Sprague . . . here the project is TEXTURES . . . vintaging a photo by desaturating the color . . . adding texture . . . adding softness . . . getting a "grungy" look . . . here is the before and after of this technique . . . The following images are compliments of Elizabeth Golden . . . again, before and after . . .
The following project is adding more texture . . . type . . . and vintage color . . . again, adding grunge . . . here are the before and after . . . this image came with my computer . . .

Jessica Sprague Digital Workshop Part 4

2009-08-11T20:21:00.000-07:00

The next project is Selective Spot Coloring . . . here you see the original photo . . . then one with the color stripped out and just the Toucan color painted back in . . . These photos came with my computer when we purchase it . . .

The next project is a story board . . . taking three separate images and incorporating them onto a background . . . The following images are compliments of Dover Publications . . .

Jessica Sprague Digital Workshop #5

2009-08-11T20:20:00.000-07:00

The final project was a Collage made up of separate photos and parts of photos . . . Photos are compliments of Dover Publications . . .

I am truly NO COMPUTER GENIUS . . . but Jessica Sprague truly makes it a successful venture!!!!!

I LOVE BLING!!!!!

2009-08-03T13:47:00.000-07:00

YUM! YUM! YUM!!!!!!!!!!! I love BLING!!!! These Swarovski Crystals from ArtBeads.com are SO lucious! The first piece is made with Swarvoski Beads and nylon covered beading wire . . . I like the way it really shows off the BEAUTIFUL crystals . . . Please click on the highlighted words to link to their website . . .My second piece features a Swarovski Pendant . . . a deep purple with a BEAUTIFUL blue center . . .I made a bracelet and earrings to match . . .ArtBeads.com also has GORGEOUS Swarovski Crystal Rhinestones . . . Whew!!!!
HUBBA! HUBBA! I DO love this BLING!!! LOL!!!!!!

Jessica Sprague Digital Workshop #1

2009-07-27T22:40:00.000-07:00

Jessica Sprague generously offers occasional free digital workshops . . . I am a total NOVICE when it comes to anythng digital, but I signed up for her class . . . downloaded a free 30-day trial of Photoshop Elements . . . and am in the process of taking her PHOTO EDITING: FRAME UPS AND SPECIAL EFFECTS workshop . . . The first project is a PNG Frame (please don't ask me what that means . . . I really dunno . . . LOL!!!!) . . . the first photo is a BEFORE and the second one is an AFTER photo with the PNG Frame and Word Art . . .
The next example is also PNG Frame and Word Art . . . again, a BEFORE and AFTER photo . . .

Jessica Sprague Digital Workshop #2

2009-07-27T22:16:00.000-07:00

The next projects were Frame, Brush, and Tint lessons . . . again, here are the BEFORE and AFTER photos . . .
This Grunge "Clipping Mask" is my personal favorite . . . I LOVE this look . . . it is SO cool . . . I'm anxious to continue my lessons to find out more . . .

The Way to Know Life is to Love Many Things

2009-07-25T21:51:00.000-07:00

Here's another piece with an acrylic paint background . . . the Laurel and Hardy image is a rubber stamp from Stampsmith . . . if you wish to see the owner's wonderful array of movie star stamps . . . please email her directly at Estelle@stampsmith.net . . . the writing is from Stampington . . . the verse is from Wordsworth . . . I am totally ADDICTED to these movie star stamps! My dear, departed mom used to purchase movie magazines called PHOTOPLAY and MODERN SCREEN . . . sheesh!!! Am I dating myself or WHAT?!?!?! LOL!!!!! Have fun!!!!!

Kreativ Blogger Award

2009-07-21T12:51:00.000-07:00

I am so fortunate to be awarded the Kreativ Blogger Award from Marilyn . . . a very sweet person and a very talented artist . . . THANK YOU, Marilyn!!!!!!!
1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog (and it's okay to brag).
3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.

1) I was a pretty good 4-Square player in elementary school . . . my friends used to call me . . . LITTLE DYNAMITE!!!! LOL!!!!

2) I once took a Stand Up Comedy class and the final was a performance at a local comedy club . . . I giggled through the entire performance, I was SO embarrassed!!!! ROFL!!!!!!!!

3) I read books and took classes on positive thinking while selling real estate in the '70's . . . I learned that the only thing in my life I could control was my thoughts . . .

4) I think comedy and tragedy are closely related . . . Robin Williams is a gifted comedian AND a gifted dramatic actor.

5) I respond positively to positive reinforcement.

6) I am fortunate to have been the off-spring of simple, honest parents.

7) I like Diet Vanilla Coke Zero . . .

5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers
6. Post links to the 7 blogs your nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs, letting them know they have been nominated.

1) Suze Weinberg
2) Suzanne - Oxford Impressions
3) Wendy Vecchi
4) Sebenta
5) Sandra Evertson
6) Robin Beam
7) Roben-Marie
8) Debi Wind

CONGRATULATIONS Kreativ Bloggers!!!!!

I'm loving these acrylic paints!

2009-07-21T12:47:00.000-07:00

I'm loving playing with these acrylic paints especially since I took that workshop with Traci Bautista recently . . . her colors and whimsical technique is truly "freeing" . . . here are a couple of cards I made for my Persnickety group (one of my 49 Yahoo groups . . . not all active, of course!!! LOL!!!!!!)

The first one has a Stampsmith image of Audrey Hepburn (my personal favorite!!!) . . . if you would like to see her FABULOUS stamp images of movie stars . . . be sure to email the owner at Estelle@stampsmith.net and she will email them to you . . . they are not on her website . . .

I'm in LOVE with this image of a vintage car from the Tim Holtz Collection at Stampers Anonymous . . . I use it a LOT!!!!! LOL!!!!

I painted onto a page of a vintage book page from a used book store . . . Audrey is actually stamped with Ranger Archival ink onto the sticky side of ordinary clear packing tape (from WalMart or any office supply store) . . . let dry . . . paint the back with acrylic paint such as Liquitex Unbleached Titanium (I mixed it with Portrait Pink for the flesh color) or Golden's Titanium Buff . . . let dry . . . adhere to background with Liquitex Gloss Medium & Varnish . . .
This kitty ATC has images from Magenta and the little silhouette kitties are from the now closed PSX Company . . . the kitty sticker is from Michael's.

These acrylic paints are TOO MUCH FUN!!!!!!! LOL!!!

Honest Scrap Award

2009-07-03T11:00:00.000-07:00

What a delight and honor when I found that Debi Wind had nominated me for the Honest Scrap Award! THANK YOU, Debi!!!! Along with the award comes the follow task. I must list 10 things about myself and then pass it on to 7 others.

1. I am a short, chubby, old Asian broad with dyed hair!! LOL!!!

2. I love kitties, but dh#2 won't let me have one! BUMMER!! LOL!

3. I think that stampers/mixed media artists are the friendliest people!!!

4. I started watching Maury Povich since MIL#2 moved in with us . . . have you watched this show? One lady (?) had twins, but only one twin passed the DNA testing for the father of the child . . . sheesh!!!! LOL!!!

5. Jackson Pollack is one of my favorite contemporary artists.

6. Audrey Hepburn is my favorite actress.

7. Will Smith is currently my favorite actor.

8. My dear, departed, daddy taught me to back into our driveway because we lived on a very busy street and it was too difficult to back out into it.

9. My dear, departed, mother once found out that dh#2 was doing the laundry while I was on the phone with her and said . . . YOU JUST TELL THAT DH#2 . . . I'M GLAD HE MARRIED MY DAUGHTER!

10. I'm grateful that my dear, departed, daddy MADE me go to college!!! LOL!!!!

Here are the 7 people I am sending this award. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

1. Linda Cameron
2. Cory
3. Claudine Hellmuth
4. Nancy Curry
5. Mary Jo McGraw
6. Judi Watanabe
7. Traci Bautista

Altered Book Collage

2009-07-01T14:01:00.000-07:00

I joined a creative and fun group . . . Altered Books . . . where the owner is having a big birthday bash swap . . . here is my submission . . . the Audrey image is from Stampsmith . . . if you email the owner, Estelle@stampsmith.net . . . she'll email you scans of her AWESOME movie star images she has on sheets of rubber stamps! They are so much fun!!!!!

Karma Award

2009-07-01T14:00:00.000-07:00

How exciting it was to learn that Robin Willis nominated me for the Karma Award! Robin is upbeat and delightful and so is her art! THANK YOU, Robin!!!!
The wording for this award is as follows . . .

The Karma Award: These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind of bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

It is SO difficult to narrow the list down to only eight bloggers when there are so many talented and caring bloggers out there . . . I gain so much from the generosity of fellow bloggers . . .

1. Tracy Kaufman
2. Corinne Stubson
3. Valerie Foster
4. Susie Jefferson
5. Veronica Stewart
6. Michele
7. Rebecca Clarke
8. Kelly Rae Roberts

CONGRATULATIONS to these talented artists/bloggers!!!!!!

Use the Muse II Contest

2009-06-22T11:17:00.000-07:00

Hi Everybody!
For those of you who like contests and prizes . . . and who doesn't!!!!! ArtBeads.com is sponsoring Scarlett Lanson's Use the Muse II Contest . . . please click here for rules and regulations!!! Good luck!!!!!

More Traci Bautista inspired work . . .

2009-06-19T16:01:00.000-07:00

Taking Traci Bautista's workshop really re-charged my muse . . . I took out my acrylic paints to make this ATC and card for a yahoo group I'm in . . . after I used 2-3 colors in the background . . . I used a wide angle plastic palette knife with a bit of paint . . . a plastic putty knife would work just as well . . . . I bought a set of three at WalMart for about $2 . . . pushed it down into the painting surface and lifted it straight up to get a nice texture on it . . . I repeated it in several places . . . The images are all A Stamp in the Hand stamped in black pigment ink and heat embossed with black embossing powder . . .My second piece is a xeroxed color copy of a Traci Bautista inspired background I did with acrylic paint . . . I added Liquitex Acrylic Glaze Medium and Golden Soft Gel Gloss to add dimension to the background . . . The image is from The Stampsmith . . . if you ask Estelle . . . Estelle@stampsmith.net . . . she'll email you her AWESOME movie star images she has available in rubber . . . I made my Audrey Hepburn image into a packing tape transfer, adhered it to the card . . . then beaded the edge . . . It's so much fun to get back to acrylic paints!

Traci Bautista COLLAGE UNLEASHED Class

2009-06-14T16:21:00.001-07:00

I was fortunate enough to have taken a class by Traci Bautista, talented author of COLLAGE UNLEASHED, on Saturday . . . I did have to leave early for a retirement party for my old school . . . so I worked on the rest of the project at home using Traci's wonderful book as a guide . . . I was also surprised and thrilled to learn that she holds classes ONLINE and has a new line of collage products . . . WOW!!! What a talented and smart lady!!!!!

Traci used the backs of flat rate "boxes" (cardboard envelopes) from the post office as canvases . . . she also uses brown bags like the ones from Trader Joe's . . .

My finished project is my interpretation of Traci's technique especially since I had to leave class early . . . I seem to fall back into the comfort of using stamps . . . I used foam stamps . . .

I think what I gained the most out of Traci's class was the idea that collage is a "fun" activity . . . I enjoyed feeling free of the restraints of trying to make my piece "perfect" . . . I'm thinking that's where she gets the vocabulary "unleashed" and "graffiti" from . . . How cool!!!!! LOL!!!!

Friends of Sylvia Valle . . . June 2009

2009-06-14T16:14:00.000-07:00

My weekly greeting card/beading classes I attend has come to another end of school year . . . I made a scrapbook for our dear teacher, Sylvia Valle, with Basic Grey PERHAPS Collection papers . . . an alphabet die by Quickutz called ELIZA die cut from silver cardstock . . . Sylvia's name is emphasized by adding Ranger's STICKLES glitter glue on top . . . then beaded on the edge . . .

Many, many students contributed to this scrapbook with individual pages in their own style . . . Sylvia was thrilled with her gift . . .

I hope you enjoy my contribution to the scrapbook!!!!

2009-06-14T16:13:00.000-07:00

2009-06-14T16:11:00.001-07:00

Moth Orchid

2009-05-24T21:05:00.001-07:00

I recently participated in a "dimensional flower" card lottery in one of my 43 Yahoo groups (not all active, of course . . . YIKES!!! LOL!!!) . . . it gave me an opportunity to use a punch and a book I've been HOARDING for years!!!! LOL!!! Here's my card . . .The book I used is Floral Punch Craft VI Orchids and More by Leone Em . . . I flipped over her sophisticated punch flowers . . . they look so real and I LOVE orchids . . .

I used a Punch Bunch punch made especially for this flower . . . it took me a while to get the first one done . . . but by the time I finished the first one . . . the others came easier . . .

I also used my new Cuttlebug "Swiss Dots" embossing folder to make little dry embossed polka dots on my white cardstock and used my Fiskars' border punch for the nice lacey edge . . . I think it looks like a nice "girly" card!!!!! What do you think?!?!?! LOL!!!!!

OHMYGOSH! I fell in LOVE with this Leonardo da Vinci bronze pendant!

2009-04-24T08:41:00.001-07:00

OHMYGOSH!!!! I totally fell in LOVE with this Leonardo da Vinci Pendant (Bronze Metal Pendants) from ArtBeads.com . . . Please click onto the highlighted words to link to their website . . . I even broke into my stash of Swarovski Crystals to design a piece with it . . . those of you who know how much I hoard my good stuff know this is a big break through for me!! LOL! I hope you like it! Excuse me while I dash . . . I have to take advantage of the ArtBeads.com Dollar Days Sale . . . up to 60% off on selected items through Tuesday, April 28, 2009 . . . Eeeeee-YAOW! I love to go shopping!!!! LOL!!!!!

MIL#2's Caregiver's Cards!!!!

2009-04-05T19:00:00.000-07:00

MIL#2 and we are so fortunate to have such caring and gentle caregivers for my 85-year-old MIL#2 who suffers from Alzheimer's and a bad heart . . . recently I showed Audrey how to do some beading and card stitching and folding to pass the many hours she and the other caregivers spend being there for MIL#2 . . . here's a photo of Audrey (in the glasses) and myself from today . . . the cards she made this week-end are on top of the fireplace mantle . . .

This wonderful book, Classic Cards by Marrian Piers, recommended by my stamping teacher, Sylvia Valle, has allowed me to give condensed instructions to our wonderful caregivers and let them learn mostly on their own . . .

Here are samples of Audrey's work . . . she did all of these this week-end!!!! I think she did a FABULOUS job!!!!

2009-04-05T18:56:00.000-07:00

What a combination . . . talented AND kind!!!!!!!!

Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink Splatter Technique

2009-03-15T14:58:00.000-07:00

One of my 43 Yahoo Groups (not all active, of course! LOL!!!) had a Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink Splatter Technique Mingle . . . Please click on the blue underlined title to link to video . . .
I used a cocktail stirrer instead of a can of compressed air to "blow" the ink around . . . the ink I used was Pinata Alcohol Ink from USArtQuest . . . the "cloud" stamp is from A Stamp in the Hand . . . the "butterfly and flourish stamps" are from a $9.99 inexpensive set of 5 clear stamp sets I bought at Costco that were made by Inkadinkado . . . the bird stamp is from Impression Obsession . . . the adorable birdhouse die cut is from Printworks Collection . . .

I seem to be obsessed with bird houses and birds lately . . . hmmmmmmmm . . . LOL!!!!!!

Have fun!!!!!!

Mulberry Paper Collage Technique

2009-02-03T16:16:00.000-08:00

This is an oldie but goodie technique using Mulberry Paper collage backgrounds . . . it can be used to make surreal landscape images . . . or not!!! LOL!!!! I purchase mulberry paper from craft stores . . . Asian stores . . . and stamp conventions . . .
First . . . I laid out some pieces of mulberry paper to see which colors might look well together . . .
After that decision . . . I traced a path with my aqua-brush (using a brush with water works just as well) . . . That makes it easier to tear the delicate mulberry paper . . .
I continue the procedure to all my colors until I'm done . . .

2009-02-03T15:31:00.000-08:00

I brush Elmer's glue (or PVA glue) onto the first piece with a sponge brush . . .

I carefully lay the mulberry paper down on the bottom of the cardstock . . . I like to "push" the fibers outward from the paper for more texture . . .

Here you see me "pushing" more fibers outward from the paper to create a "stringy" effect . . .

After all the layers are added to the cardstock . . . I sponged on Scribbles Glittering Crystal . . . it's a fabric paint from the craft store . . . let dry . . .
Before I stamp my clear acetate . . . I make a "template" by outlining the same size cardstock so that I can see where I'm stamping onto the clear acetate . . .

2009-02-03T15:30:00.000-08:00

I like to use Black Staz On ink to stamp images (this one is a Kodomo Inc. set Bamboo Lake 6868-001) on my clear acetate . . . I purchase ordinary transparencies that you write on from the office supply stores . . . they're less expensive than the heat-sensitive kind . . . I have yet to find an ink that can stamp a "perfect" image on the shiny surface, and I DO have to go back and fill in "holes" with a black Sharpie marker, at times . . . but I find that this product does the best job for my purposes . . .Careful . . . the inked stamp slips easily on the shiny surface . . . press gently and lift straight up . . . Now . . . you probably never make a mistake like I do . . . but when I do with the Staz On ink on clear acetate . . . it's easy to fix with a spritz of ordinary rubbing alcohol and a paper towel . . . I even use rubbing alcohol to clean my sticky fingers . . When I am happy with my image . . . I am ready to adhere it to my mulberry paper collage background.
My Xyron machine works nicely to put sticky stuff on the back of my clear acetate image . . . I understand that JudiKins Diamond Glaze and Ranger Glossy Accents work, as well . . .
I hope you liked this technique . . . Have fun!!!!!

YIKES! Another Blog Award!!!!!

2009-01-30T08:15:00.000-08:00

OHMYGOSH . . . my dear papercraft buddy, Sue Shute, has nominated me for One Lovely Blog Award!!! How exciting!!! THANK YOU, Sue!!!!!

I have the pleasure and priviledge of nominating 7 bloggers with outstanding art and sharing with the art community . . . here are my 7 nominees . . .

1. Suze Weinberg
2. Nettie Moss
3. Kelly Burton
4. Arlene
5. Toni Curtis
6. Eileen
7. Shar Briss

Please feel free to click on their highlighted names to link to their blogs!!!! THANK YOU, again, Sue!!!!

. . . and still ANOTHER condensed CHA Report

2009-01-28T08:08:00.000-08:00

I was totally FLOORED by the displays at the Jolee's Jewels booth . . . these were in a contest sponsored by Jolee's and were totally magnificent examples of Swarovski Crystal creations . . . I totally feasted my eyes on these beauties and more! Please click on these images to see the enlargements of all the gorgeous beadwork!!!!

What an thrilling week this has been! I'm totally fortunate to have been able to view and participate in this extravaganza!!!!!!

Still ANOTHER condensed CHA Report

2009-01-27T16:18:00.001-08:00

Today was another exciting day at CHA . . . Suze

Weinberg demonstrated her famous UTEE and made a wonderful dimensional finish on her charm . . . the "glitz" you see on the background is deceiving . . . it's simply foil paper in the back . . . a trimmed Mona Lisa collage image . . . and she finished it off with sparkling Stickles on the corners . . . her own designer Stickles colors . . . I was so thrilled when she actually gave me her sample!! I LOVE Mona! LOL!!I was captivated by the Environmental Technology Inc. booth which had an Easy Mold made out of silicone rubber that could be put into the oven with the polymer clay in it . . . therefore, detailed and delicate shapes such as old skeleton keys can be made of polymer clay without fear of breakage while removing the clay from the mold before baking . . . how novel!!!!
Suzanne McNeill, author of Creative Dyeing for Fabric Arts published by Design Originals (it must be so new it wasn't on the website yet) . . . had a workshop using permanent markers on coffee filters . . . a cloth doll . . . and a silk scarf . . . everyone's came out differently . . . what fun!!!!
This sample is from the Creatively Green Metal Raku Workshop taught by Rebekah Meier and Barbara Matthiessen . . . Rebekah taught painting and metalwork techniques using tools from Walnut Hollow . . . Barbara Matthiessen is from the company Earth's Safe Finishes, paints and mediums that are environmentally friendly . . . I was amazed at the amount of pigment in the colors and, yet, they were "green" . . .

CHA had much to offer . . . I didn't get to see everything in detail, but what an exciting opportunity to be there in person!!! Wow!!!!

Another Condensed CHA Report

2009-01-26T21:24:00.001-08:00

Today was another exciting day at CHA . . . I stood in line to do a Make It Take It at the Ranger booth . . . it is always so popular and the new Tim Holtz products are such innovative ideas!!! Here's a tag out of Grungeboard . . . he now has a Paper Grungeboard . . . the cutest and practical tiny stapler . . . new stamps at Stampers Anonymous . . . new Ranger products . . . many of his new line is SO new that I couldn't find a link to them except for the stamps and the Ranger products . . . he is UNBELIEVABLY talented!!!!! What a creative mind!!

Heidi Boyd, author of Simply Beautiful Beaded Jewelry, gave a workshop using hardware materials . . . like from the hardware store!!!! I just couldn't pass that up!!! Here we made a lovely necklace using stainless steel washers from Ace Hardware!!!!! They really look aesthetic!!!!! LOL!!!!

Amate Studios had a wonderful Make It Take It using their charm backings and the Suze Weinberg UTEE and Melting Pot . . . I love the way the gold swirled in the fuchsia color . . . it's really gorgeous in person . . .

Jolee's Jewels had another easy and beautiful Make It Take It . . . today we made a charm bracelet using the most adorable insect charms and Swarovski Crystals . . .

I have more photos to share . . . but it's getting late and I have to get up at 5:00 AM for a 7:00 AM workshop tomorrow . . . more to come!!! LOL!!!!

condensed 2009 cha report

2009-01-25T20:33:00.000-08:00

I was fortunate to have been chosen to attend the 2009 CHA (Craft and Hobbies Association) Convention for January 2009 by Deborah Sandoval of Blended Palette Boutique this year . . . I was also fortunate to have been able to attend in workshops . . . the first one was with Patti Brady, talented author of Rethinking Acrylics: Radical Solutions for Exploiting The World's Most Versatile Medium . . . Among other skills . . . she taught us how to use the new Golden Paints Digital Grounds . . . the directions which are online . . .

The first scan is of a inkjet print onto the prepared Digital Grounds . . . I love the way it was simple to "trim" the transparency using a brush dipped in water rubbing gently on the areas I wished to remove . . . I added color to the back of the transparency with acrylic paint on the evening gown . . .
The second scan is the transparency on a colored and textured background . . .

What a thrill it was to be able to take a workshop with the famous and talented "Polymer Princess" Lisa Pavelka, author of the book Polymer Extravaganza and the successful DVD Polymer Clay Treasures . . . this complicated-looking brooch was amazingly easy to do . . . Lisa has also introduced a new line of her own line of products through JHB . . This adorable door hanger was a Make It Take It at the EK Success booth . . .

This elaborate looking earring by Jolee's Jewels was an amazingly quick and easy Make It Take It . . .

We totally had so much fun at Suze Weinberg's THE QUEEN BEE Hot Wax Stylus class . . . she kept us laughing all the time!!! It was to our delight that what appeared to be a complicated technique was totally fun and playful!!

Suze generously gave me permission to post our picture from her workshop on her blog to my blog . . . that's me peeking over her shoulder to the right of Suze . . .

I am SO looking forward to tomorrow for more of CHA!!!!!! LOL!!!!

Spritz . . . Drip . . . Splatter Technique

2009-01-14T22:00:00.000-08:00

One of my 43 Yahoo Groups (Yes, I know . . . I must be obsessive/compulsive or something!!! Sheesh!! LOL!!!) . . . not all of which I am active, of course, had a second 120-page Technique Swap in February 2009 . . . the first one was AWESOME . . . I received 120 incredible techniques from 119 other mixed media artists!!! I decided to put my technique on my blog to share with others and for clarification to my fellow swappers . . . here's a photo of some of my pages drying in my craft room . . .

I made homemade color spritzers from 1 teaspoon Ranger Adirondack dye re-inkers and added distilled water to fill a 2 oz. spritzer bottle from Wal Mart I purchased for 50 cents each . . . I used a cardboard box to place my cardstock in for spritzing . . . DON'T ASK ME WHY!!!!! (Whadda mess I made!!!!!) Sheesh!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!! I spritzed the first color sort of horizontally into the cardboard box . . . I held the cardstock vertically to let the color drip . . . then placed it down flat when I was happy with the result . . . let dry . . .

I did the same with the second color . . .

I then made a "mask" by using my die cut machine to cut out a butterfly and lay it on top of my cardstock . . .

2009-01-14T21:55:00.000-08:00

Next, I spritzed my third color over the mask . . . and splattered the darkest color by unscrewing the cap from the spritzer . . . holding the stem over the cardstock . . . and tapping the cap until enough color splattered onto the cardstock . . .

Then I removed the mask . . .

You may or may not need to use the "reverse" mask to guide you to add dimensional glue (Ranger Glossy Accents or JudiKins Diamond Glaze) to the image . . .

That's it!!!! Only 119 more to go!!! KIDDING!!!! I'M JUST KIDDING!!!! (sort of!!!) LOL!!!!!!

Other references for color spritzer recipes can be found at http://www.fredbmullett.com/ . . . go to COLOR . . . then go to CLICK HERE ADIRONDACK COLOR WASH CHART and http://timholtz.typepad.com/ . . . go to FEBRUARY 2008 . . . then to MARCH TECNIQUE CHALLENGE . . .

Have fun!!!!

Kreativ Blogger Award!!!! YIKES!!!!!

2009-01-02T17:15:00.000-08:00

This has been a FANTASTIC year!!!! I'm so fortunate to have won another blog award!!! This one is from Sharon House on December 10, 2008!!! THANK YOU so much, Sharon!!!! The rules of this award are pretty straight-forward. I am to name 7 things that I really love and pass the award along to 7 deserving bloggers.

Seven things I love:

1. I love that fact that I was lucky enough to find dh#2 whom I wish to grow old with (he's say . . . what do you mean . . . you ARE old!!!! LOL!!!) . . .

2. I love the fact that I am descended from simple, hard-working people . . . I miss my parents very much . . .

3. I love my normal dysfunctional family . . . heck . . . if we were perfect, we wouldn't be human!!!! LOL!!!!

4. I love my in-person and internet friends . . . they have brought so much joy into my life . . .

5. I love to laugh . . .

6. I love to make art with friends . . . it's a social thing to me . . .

7. I love harmony in my life . . .

7 deserving bloggers I'd like to pass along this award to. It's such an educational and pleasureable experience to visit the blogs of others.

1. Zeborah Loray
2. Dawn T. Heath
3. Aparna Sordi
4. Snow Davidson
5. Sue Shute
6. Francine Groulx

7. Vicki Holdwick

I'm still making Christmas Presents . . . YIKES!

2008-12-27T12:48:00.001-08:00

Well . . . here it is Saturday, December 27, 2008, and I'm still making Christmas presents . . . my family and friends had liked the beading I had done, soooooooooo . . . they told me what they liked and I'm making more jewelry for them . . . here are some of the samples . . .

They also liked my two first beading projects that were featured in my blog on October 26, 2008 . . .

Happy New Year everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been tagged!!!!!

2008-12-27T12:06:00.000-08:00

I've been tagged by Vicki Holdwick on November 19, 2008!!! Hee! Hee!!!!! Here are the rules . . .

1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.

2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about these eight things and post these rules.

3. At the end of your blog post, you need to tag eight people and list their names.

4. Don't forget to leave a comment telling them they've been tagged and to read your blog.

*****************************************
Here goes . . .

1. I'm a short, chubby, old Asian broad with dyed hair who is an actress wanna-be.

2. I am fortunate to have a normal dysfunctional family!! YUCK! YUCK!!!!!!

3. My "smeller" is broken.

4. I love Julian Pie Company's Natural Apple Pie from San Diego . . . it's sweetened with apple cider instead of sugar . . . YUM!!!!!!! Tastes homemade!!!

5. I think retirement is a GREAT INVENTION!!!!!!!

6. I enjoy being mostly a couch potato with dh#2 . . . he watches TV while I do beading in the evening.

7. I don't have to do the laundry ever since I turned dh#2's underwear PINK!!!! LOL!!!!

8. I like station wagons!!!! I am SO boring!!! LOL!!

Here are the eight people I am tagging . . .

1. Gloria Alexander
2. Peggy Gatto
3. Val Foster
4. Cindy Elliott-Park
5. Sharon House
6. Reva Solomon
7. Marva Plummer-Bruno
8. Michelle Secretario

Christmas Gifts to the Neighbors!!!!

2008-12-18T20:20:00.000-08:00

We have the sweetest neighbors . . . when we moved here 5 years ago . . . we found little packages on our doorstep during the holidays . . . homemade candy, cookies, etc. . . all from our new neighbors!!! What a warm feeling I feel in my heart when I find the goodies on our doorstep or a child delivering a package from the neighbors!!!!! I decided to reciprocate by making a package of 4 handmade greeting cards wrapped in cellophane bags and a bow . . . here are a few from this year . . .

This one is stamped on K & Company Mira Collection scrapbook paper . . . the stamp is the Michelle Ward Clear Stamp set from Stampington . . .

The second one is also from the K & Company Mira Collection . . . the stamp is from Christine Adolph's line from Stampington . . .

The third one is another K & Company Mira Collection with a Christine Adolph stamp from Stampington . . .

The fourth one is on K & Company Urban Rhapsody Sugar Rush Flat with another Christine Adolph image from Stampington . . . I hope my neighbors like their gifts!!!!!!

Another Blog Award!!!!!

2008-12-18T15:01:00.000-08:00

OHMYGOSH!!!! I am SO fortunate to have been nominated for The Marie Antoinette A Real Person A Real Award waaaaaaaay back on November 11, 2008 by Diane!!! THANK YOU so much, Diane!!! I'm trying to catch up slowly after a family illness . . . Diane's blog is AWESOME!!!! Please click on her highlighted name above to view some of her VERY cool artwork!!!

Here are the rules for this award . . .
1. Please put the logo on your blog. 2. Place a link to the person from whom you received the award. 3. Nominate at least 7 or more blogs. 4. Put the links of those blogs on your blog. 5. Leave a message on their blogs to tell them.

My nominations are as follows:
1. Donalda Cox
2. Sherre Hulbert
3. Cassia Maria Nasser
4. Burning Rubber
5. Cynthia Powell
6. Laura Kay
7. Kelly Kilmer

Beading has been my saving grace right now . . .

2008-11-22T18:49:00.001-08:00

My beading hobby has been my saving grace right now since my dear 85 year-old MIL#2 fell four weeks ago . . . I was able to take it to the hospital with me while she was there for 10 days and then to the assisted living home to visit with her while she is recuperating from complications of the fall . .

I've also been able to spend more time with dh#2 in the family room watching TV together while I bead . . . it's time that we can spend being supportive of each other especially right now . . .

These beaded cards are projects from my beading class with Sylvia Valle at the Rancho Santa Margarita Community Center where she teaches Adult Education classes . . . the beading has been so therapeutic during the family illness . . . I am so fortunate to have found this additional hobby!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!!

Michi's First Two Beading Projects

2008-10-26T07:57:00.001-07:00

I started a weekly Beading Class with my wonderful art teacher, Sylvia Valle, former instructional editor for Stampington for 11 years, who teaches at the local community center in Rancho Santa Margarita . . . some of her old (oops!!! FORMER students . . . FORMER students . . . not OLD students!!!! YIKES!!!! MY faux pas!!!!! LOL!!!!) students carpool all the way from Manhattan Beach in L.A. to take her classes . . . here are my first two projects . . . they are both bracelets using cube beads . . . but I decided to make the first one a watch . . .

The second bracelet was a lesson on increasing and decreasing rows . . . I have a feeling that this hobby could be ADDICTING!!!!! LOL!!!!!!

Ciao Y'all #9

2008-10-22T09:42:00.001-07:00

Jeanne and Janice at St. Mark's Square . . .
St. Mark's Square . . . during high tide . . . sometimes it floods . . .
Our room at the Hotel Savoia and Jolanda right on the canal a short walk from St. Mark's Cathedral . . .

This was such an amazing vacation . . . it's a special one with all the sights, sounds, tastes, (oh, the food is divine!!!!! LOL!!!!) and experiences!!! I was so glad to experience it with my family . . .

Ciao Y'all #8

2008-10-22T09:32:00.001-07:00

Time for a laugh stop . . . I thought we were the only countries with a 99 cent store . . . boy, was I surprised to see this . . . LOL!!!!
Here we are in a water taxi from the train station onward to our hotel in Venice . . . my sister, Janice . . . myself . . . my cousin, Jeanne . . . my sister, Norma . . . my brother-in-law, Bob . . .
Venice is a series of canals and islands build in a marshland . . . it is slowly sinking into the water and can actually have water in the sidewalks and plaza areas in high tide . . .

Lookie how close to the water this door is . . . it is totally amazing!!!!

Ciao Y'all #7

2008-10-22T09:00:00.001-07:00

This was a tour to Chianti . . . this building is a former palazzo (palace) which is now a famous winery . . . it really looked like a palace . . .
What a magnificent view from the winery . . .
We were able to sit at tables in the winery to taste their wines . . .
This charming village is Greve in Chianti . . . instead of the town square being open for the public . . . this village has decided to make it a parking lot . . . land is so scarce here . . . the parking lot is very full . . .
This small church services Greve in Chianti . . .

Ciao Y'all #6

2008-10-22T08:44:00.001-07:00

Our tour to Siena was fascinating . . . Siena was once a major center of money lending and trade . . . there are still many banking insitutions in Siena . . .
The duomo in Siena is majestic with beautiful gold leafing and sculptures . . .Inside the duomo . . . we were fortunate to have arrived in October when they uncover the protected art on the floors for us to view . . . it was simply fascinating . . .
Beautiful art is everywhere . . . the outside . . . the inside . . . the floors . . . the ceilings . . . the artifacts . . . they even have a space set aside for gifts from those who wish to leave an object of gratitude to the Virgin Mary for saving their lives . . . I even saw motorcycle helmets in that area . . .

Caio Y'all #5 !!!!

2008-10-22T08:35:00.000-07:00

This is a photo of my cousin, Jeanne, and my sister, Janice on the long uphill path in the quaint village of San Gimignano . . .
This is my brother-in-law, Bob, and his wife (my sister) Norma . . .
I was totally surprised at my older sister walking straight up to the top of the hill . . . Jeanne and I pooped out and ate a Gelato (Italian Ice Cream) YUM!! YUM!!!

Caio Y'all #4 !!!!

2008-10-22T08:20:00.000-07:00

Here's a photo of my sister, Janice, in our room at the Hotel Berchielli on the Arno River about one-half a block from Ponte Vecchio . . . it was very nice . . . one of the cultural differences we noticed was that their wash clothes were made of linen instead of terry cloth . . . something we would not have thought of . . .

We walked to the train station many times to catch our tour buses . . . this time we went to Pisa where we saw the Piazza dei Miracoli . . . construction which began in 1063 . . .

This is only a "fair" pic of me "holding up" the Leaning Tower of Pisa . . . my sister took a better one, but it's still in her camera . . . there were lots of us tourists taking pictures like this one!!! LOL!!!

Caio Y'all #3 !!!!!

2008-10-22T08:10:00.000-07:00

The Palazzo Vecchio (Old Palace) is the town hall of Florence . . . what a magnificent building . . .
I apologize for the blurry pictures . . . this was at night and it was difficult to get a clear picture of the stores on Ponte Vecchio where lots of jewelry and leather could be found for sale . . .
This is a photo of Ponte Vecchio across the water from the neigboring bridge . . .
My two sisters, cousin, and brother-in-law had lunch in this quaint restaurant between buildings . . . the land is so valuable that so much is built up . . .
My brother-in-law just loves his new BlackBerry phone/text-messaging/internet access/email toy!!!

Caio Y'all #2 !!!!!!

2008-10-22T07:59:00.001-07:00

Florence is a city of many narrow streets, churches, and vendors . . . it reminded me of the condominiums and shared wall residences we have here in the cities of the United States, but they thought of it first!!!! LOL!!! There is lots of walking . . . lots of Vespas (motorcycles) . . . and very small cars (Peugeot . . . Fiat . . . Honda Jazzy AKA Fit . . . Toyota Yaris . . . etc.).

The Duomo (cathedral) has a distinctive skyline . . . it was started in 1296 . . . it is fascinating to see the different styles change in parts of the cathedral as the centuries changed from Romanesque . . . to Gothic . . . to Baroque in some of the buildings . . . how totally fascinating!!!!

Caio Y'all !!!!!

2008-10-22T07:35:00.000-07:00

October 11th through October 20th, 2008 . . . I was fortunate enough to visit parts of Italy with my two sisters, cousin, and brother-in-law . . . dh#2 stayed home to take care of my MIL . . .

We spent 6 days in Florence seeing the most incredible sights . . . Santa Croce was the first sight . . . this Franciscan church was begun in 1294 . . . the building itself . . . the paintings, scultures, tombs in the floor, were all incredibly beautiful . . . it is breathtaking to see it and imagine what it was like to have lived back then and all the artisans who created it and the patrons who financed it . . .

WOW!!!!! . . . another blog award!

2008-09-29T08:25:00.000-07:00

Double OMG!!!! I won another Blog Award . . . this time from Val Foster . . . what an honor!!!! THANK YOU, Val!!!!

In accepting this award, I agree to:

1. Display the logo and link to the one who award it.

2. Nominate at least 7 blogs to receive the award.

3. Add links to those 7 blogs to my blog.

4. Leave the nominees a message that they have been nominated to receive the award.

These are the names and links to the artists/bloggers I choose to nominate. It is SO hard to narrow down the number of incredibly BEAUTIFUL and TALENTED bloggers down to just a few . . . I chose these blogs because of their beauty, artistic talented, the generosity of sharing their knowledge, and just downright nice people!!!!!!!

1. Marilyn Gallas

2. Trisha Too

3. Diane

4. Vicki Potter

5. Wanda Hentges

6. Jennifer R.D.

7. Teesha Moore

8. Susan Chong

9. Judy Cantrell

10. Kelly Snelling

11. Randi Feuerhelm

12. Linda van Vliet

13. Dianne King

14. Kathryn McAllister

15. Nicole Kowalk

16. Neda, Austin, Texas

17. Patty Szymkowicz

18. Gaby-Cajubrasil

19. Linda Cain

20. Dede Warren

21. Sarah Whitmore

22. Anne, Bullesdorees

23. Kimmie

24. Diana, Ravenna, Ohio

25. Cathee

26. Roberta

27. Robin Willis

28. Sandie Reid

Audrey

2008-09-03T19:40:00.000-07:00

Ohhhhhhhh . . . I'm behind in my posting, again . . . here's one of my favorite cards from waaaaaay back . . . the image is from The Stampsmith owned by a fine and sweet lady, Estelle Lander Smith, who makes AWESOME images . . . when you look up her website . . . be sure to email her and ask her to email you her movie star images . . . Eeeeeeeeee-YAOW!!!! They are incredibly WONDERFUL!!!

Directions . . . the main image was stamped in Ranger Adirondack Denim ink . . . the other images were stamped in Colorbox Chalk Inks in Olive Pastel . . . Prussian Blue . . . Pink Pastel . . . Using a speckle stamp, Printworks, stamp texture on background with chalk inks . . .

Using a 6" square quilters ruler . . . pencil a rectangle around the main image . . . using a metal ruler and craft knife . . . cut out the rectangle . . . line rectangle with gold leafing pen . . . mount on navy blue cardstock . . . mount onto background . . . line background with gold leafing pen . . . mount on folded navy cardstock . . .

Using craft tweezers . . . arrange the pressed flowers until you are happy with the design . . . use a very small flat angled brush to apply PVA glue and adhere to the card . . . let dry . . .

Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!

OHMYGOSH!!!! An Award!!!!!

2008-08-18T19:30:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU to Marilyn for passing this award to me . . . I've only started this blog this year . . . this is SUCH an honor . . . I could not have done it alone . . . I had some very special internet mixed media buddies helping and encouraging me along the way . . . Now it's my turn to pass this award on to other bloggers . . . it's a tough choice since there are so many AWESOME blogs out there . . . I had to narrow it down . . . my choices were based on contribution to the community in their writing and their art . . . beautiful artwork . . . tutorials to inspire other artists . . .

CONGRATULATIONS to the bloggers listed below who now have the opportunity to pass on this award to their choices . . . Here are some pointers of passing on this award . . .

1. First put the logo on your blog.

2. Link the person who passed on this award to you on your blog.

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.

4. Put links of those blogs on yours.

5. Leave a comment on the blogs of "peeps" you chose, advising them they have won the award. Here are my picks . . .

1. Annette Husband

2. Cindy Roland

3. Flo Hollingsworth

4. Gayle Page-Robak

5. Jan Hoefler

6. Joe Nathan

7. Leandra of Paper Artsy

8. Lisa Gifford

9. Lori Roberts

10. Tim Holtz

Please visit the blogs of these AWESOME artists and enjoy their wonderful contributions to the art world!

WHAT IS IT!?!?!?!?!?! LOL!!!

2008-08-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

Sheesh!!! Some of my Stamping/Mixed-Media Arts Buddies have the most BEAUTIFUL gardens like Gayle Page-Robak and Marilyn Gallas . . . so I threw some seeds in the backyard a few weeks ago . . . Now . . . I have some stuff growing, but I didn't label them and I don't know what some of it is . . . I DO recognize the one sole stalk of corn that survived . . . and some carrots . . . but I have a bunch of others that I can't remember what the heck I planted!!! Sheesh!!! Do you recognize any of these? DUHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5

What is It? Part 2

2008-08-18T07:59:00.000-07:00

#6
#7
#8
#9
#10

What is It? Part 3

2008-08-18T07:58:00.000-07:00

#11

Lori Roberts' AWESOME Oil Pastel Technique

2008-08-09T10:28:00.000-07:00

I was in such AWE of the Oil Pastel Technique by Lori Roberts of Paper Imagery Designs (Altered Arts Expressions Blog). . . I tried it out myself using A Stamp in the Hand images . . . Lori is a talented artist and a good friend . . . what do you think?

Traci Bautista COLLAGE UNLEASHED Experiments

2008-08-03T12:27:00.000-07:00

The more I read and experiment with Traci Bautista's COLLAGE UNLEASHED . . . the more thrilling her techniques become . . . I'm not good at following directions nor recipes so these are my INTERPRETATIONS of her techniques . . . Chapter 1 deals with paper towel dying . . . instead of dipping the towels in dye . . . I used my purchased and/or homemade color washes . . . homemade color wash recipe can be found at http://www.fredbmullett.com/ . . . Click on TECHNIQUES . . . Click on ADIRONDACK COLOR WASH SPRAY CHART . . .
Chapter 2 deals with Paint Scraping . . .
Yesterday, my family friend/stamping buddy, Lori Tokita and I experimented with Chapter 3 . . . Crayon Techniques . . . we were amazed at how exciting ordinary crayons could be in an art form . . . my internet stamping buddy, Cathy Yamashita, taught me how to do the spots . . .

I hope you can experience the adventure of this book first hand . . . I'm so glad I heard about it through my internet stamping buddies!!!!

My Messy Stamp Room

2008-07-26T08:39:00.000-07:00

One of my local stamping buddies, Kerry O'Connell, asked me to email her pics of my stamp room . . . sooooooooooo . . . here are some pics of my messy stamp room . . .
This is my "standing" work space . . . after back surgery . . . standing for long periods of time is easier on the back than sitting which is very hard on the tail bone . . .
I try to "lift" supplies up from the work area with wire shelves from Wal Mart and/or Target . . . it gives me more space for creating and/or storage . . . my stamp press is stored underneath my TV . . . my power punch is stored underneath some Sterlite drawers . . . I like storing colored cardstock upright in a bookshelf according to color family . . . it's easiest to see the colors . . . white, is another story . . . I find I need to separate them by type . . . Kromekote . . . textured . . . matt . . . etc. . . specialty papers get sorted separately . . .
Stamps I use a lot are stored on large acrylic frames according to stamp companies since the "style" will match each other . . . I have lots of Sizzix dies and three die cutting machines . . .
I also store some stamps according to category, such as PEOPLE . . . OCCASIONS . . . FLOWERS . . . etc. . .

THANKS for visiting my messy stamp room!!!!

DISCLAIMER: This does NOT include the stuff I have stored in the Master Bedroom . . . the Master Closet . . . the garage . . . the extra frig in the garage . . . and the attic!!!!! LOL!!!!!

Have fun!!!!!!

This is going to bore you silly . . . but . . .

2008-07-19T07:22:00.000-07:00

YIKES!!!! I haven't posted since June 17th . . . Here it is July 19th . . . time sure flies when you're having fun!!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!
Here are some of my Art Journal entries . . . one technique . . . a sample of a color chart . . . a sample of color combinations that appeal to me . . .
I've been playing with color and background techniques continuing to be inspired by Chris Cozen's ALTERED SURFACES and, now, Traci Bautista's COLLAGE UNLEASHED . . . what a playful spirit Traci Bautista encourages . . . I'm anxious to try more of her techniques . . .
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz . . . are you still awake?!!?!?!?! I hope I didn't put you to sleep with this basic information . . . I hope you totally HAVE FUN!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Collage-y Art Journal

2008-06-17T18:31:00.001-07:00

One of my talented internet stamping buddies, Lori Roberts, encouraged me to experiment with collage images recently . . . these are from Paper Imagery Designs . . . I combined them with Paper Bag Studios rubber stamps to create front and back covers for an art journal I just started . . .

The beautiful printed papers were part of a printed paper swap from one of my groups . . . the front cover was swapped from Kathryn McAllister . . . the paper is beautiful on its own . . . but really set off a nice contrast to the blue outfit of the little boy . . . The back cover was swapped printed paper from Francine Groulx . . . I felt the delicate nature of the collage image deserved a likewise softly printed background . . .

What a cool swap that was!!!! It's TOO MUCH FUN having internet stamping buddies!!!!! LOL!!!!!!

Friends of Sylvia Valle . . . June 3, 2008

2008-06-04T11:05:00.000-07:00

This week was the last meeting of my stamping class at the local community center, taught by Sylvia Valle, the former instructional editor of Stampington for 10 years . . . summer vacation is here and all her students including me await to take her classes, again, in the fall . . . I volunteered to make a Thank You card from our class . . . but at the last minute had a BRAINSTORM to make a memory book with photos of each student on a memory book page designed by the student . . . everyone did such a BEAUTIFUL job and were so positive and supportive of my last minute idea . . . here are a few pages that I created for the book . . .
The local newspaper published an article on her classes at the community center . . . what a perfect subject for a memory book layout . . .
Sylvia can have 25 students or more in her Greeting card class . . . and she warmly welcomes new students never saying her classes are FULL . . .
I can't believe how talented this gracious lady is . . . she also teaches (and LOVES) beading, calligraphy, journal writing, bookmaking (bookbinding), and probably other stuff I don't even know about!!!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She tells us that her teaching is a LABOR OF LOVE!

You just gotta love this special lady!!!!

Experimenting with Acrylic Paints

2008-05-26T09:24:00.000-07:00

Last Friday . . . dh#2 was away for most of the day . . . so I was able to invite some of the retired teachers/stamping buddies over to play . . . I served my FAMOUS Costco pizza and Bag 'O Salad (salad that comes in a bag!!! LOL!!!!)!

We played for 6 - 11 hours . . . I decided to experiment with some techniques I found in Chris Cozen's ALTERED SURFACES, her new AWESOME book . . . but as I was telling Lisa Gifford, an internet stamping buddy who owns STEP OUTSIDE YOUR BOX SATURDAYS, an internet mixed media challenge group . . . I was too CHICKEN to use my expensive paints so I used Liquitex BASICS to start off my experiments with . . .

I used modeling paste . . . stencils . . . string gel (also known as tar gel) . . . splattered paint with a silicon basting brush I bought 2 for a dollar at the dollar store . . . scraped paint with an old credit card thingy (Traci Bautista technique) . . .

All images are Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz Collection . . .

Do you like it?

Mr. & Mrs. Paper Artsy & Family

2008-05-20T17:46:00.000-07:00

Woo!!!!!!!! Hoo!!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't win first place . . . but I qualified for "highly recommended" for my entry in the Paper Artsy Big Fat Competition contest for May 21, 2008 . . .

My family friend/stamping buddy, Lori Tokita, encouraged me to alter a papier mache box . . . that introduced me to 3-dimensional objects . . . I found this charming wooden bird house at Joann's for only one dollar which became my altered object for the contest . . .

I painted gesso and Liquitex Basic White acrylic paint on the birdhouse . . . the trim was painted with Joann's Magenta Craft Paint . . . inked the School Boy and Strange Little Girls in Kaleidacolor Spectrum . . . spritzed the stamp with denatured alcohol (I hope this doesn't damage my stamps!!!! YIKES!!!!! LOL!!!!) . . . let it drip until I was happy with the result . . . let it dry . . . huffed on it to re-moisten . . . stamped it on white glossy Kromekote cardstock . . . the other images were stamped with the Spectrum Kaleidacolor without spritzing . . .

The stamped cardstock was trimmed to fit and adhered with PVA Glue . . . then sprayed with Krylon Triple Thick Crystal Clear Glaze with plenty of ventilation . . . let dry . . .

The charms were inspired by Sharon Diskin from LuminArte . . . they are shrink plastic stamped with Staz On ink . . . beads and charms were added to embellish . . .

Whew!!! I now have a new respect for 3-dimensional artists!!!!

Mitra's Birdie

2008-04-14T10:52:00.000-07:00

I simply couldn't resist this bird stamp at the lss . . . all the black images on this card are from Impression Obsession . . . The card was inspired by the beautiful K & Company Mira Collection printed papers . . . The technique is from Leandra of Paper Artsy fame . . . I used Ranger Ink Adirondack Popsicle Orange dye ink stamp pad to ink up my brayer . . . rolled off the excess ink on a piece of scrap paper . . . LIGHTLY brayered HORIZONTALLY on my glossy white Kromekote cardstock . . . after cleaning my brayer . . . I inked up my brayer with Adirondack Raspberry . . . again, rolled off the excess ink on a piece of scrap paper . . . LIGHTLY brayered VERTICALLY on my cardstock . . . scraped the edges with the Raspberry stamp pad . . . stamped the bird in Raspberry and Orange . . . stamped the flourish from the Michelle Ward Collection from Stampington in Raspberry . . . let dry or heat set . . . used a non-stick static pad on the card . . . embossed the bird, dragonfly, butterfly, and words with Black ColorBox pigment ink and black embossing powder . . .