almost cover art? May 22, 2009

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         I made the eybrow of the  July issue of www.cardmakermagazine.com .  What is the eyebrow you ask?  Well it is the itty bity project they place in the upper right hand of a cover.  It is a teaser of what is to come in the inside.  See the card on the top right?  That is mine.  Hey it might be small but it is still there!

Sometime over the weekend I am going to post a blog giveaway.  I noticed I made over 2oK hits on my blog and I now have about 200 friends on twitter and facebook.  The numbers are similar they both start with 2’s so I thought I would give away 2 prizes.  I am not sure what they will be yet .  But I can guarantee they will have a bit of sparkle, a little ink and something to let you make your own cards or scrapbook pages.  So for now sit baack and wait.  I will have a new post up over the weekend.

Social Butterfly May 18, 2009

For those of you who do not know I also tweet and use Facebook.  I love the interaction of social media.  Random thoughts, insight into oepn conversation fascinate me.  NO, I am not a fan of those always promoting something or trying to sell me things.  (Those who are not embarrassed by their shameless self promotion quite frankly should be.)  I digressed, sorry about that.  What are your favorite forms of communication?  Do many of you Skype or belong to multiple chat groups?

Now as far as creativity goes… lately I have been expanding into photography of all sorts.  I have had a nice DSLR for about 5  years.  I thought I needed a newer version and wanted to update.  After a photo session this weekend where I participated as one of many photographers I realized I simply need to learn how to use what I have better.  I might even dig out one of my really old film cameras and try some manual shooting.   I learned so much during this shoot and it was so nice to interact with people who know what they are doing and willing to share and teach.  I took about 800 photos.  After uploading I deleted about a third of them.  They were garbage.  I was trying to shoot in full manual and learning what setting work with what what settings.  I also plan to work with the photos and do some digital editing and photoshop actions.  There are some amazing effects out there that can be achieved by the simple press of a buttom on the computer.

This photo is completely unedited.  I only made it smaller to take up less storage space on my blog.  These were two of the models.  The make up artist was Rachel Green and her work is fantastic.  She has some serious talent in the makeup department.  Kitty the gal on the right was the visionary for the whole shoot.  The props, concepts and creative vision was all hers.  I was mearly along for the ride and to gain some experience and knowledge.

I never would have had the photographic opportunity if it were not for social media.  So I will end this rather long winded post and say -

GO SOCIAL MEDIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A little off season May 12, 2009

Yes, I know it is Spring and the flowers are in full bloom.  Seasons are optional when you work for the print  publication.  Most projects are made 6-9 months ahead.  Plus Christmas is the one holiday that I work on year round.  The demand for Christmas designs is ongoing.    With this set I thought I would go a little non-traditional and cutesy.  The paper is GCD STUDIOS and the stamps are HANNA STAMPS.  Prima Flowers and Clearsnap ink.  Prism Cardstock.  I tend to gravitate towards earthtones even for Christmas.  What are your favorite colors for the holidays?

Baby got back May 8, 2009

No I am not talking about the song.  (I do like the song) This is the add on the back cover of RubberStampMadness Summer 2009 issue.  I cannot wait to see the actual copy and see my name in teeny tiny letters.    Chalk ink is one of my favorite items to use when crafting? Do you have a favorite that you cannot craft without?

Secret obsession May 6, 2009

Well, not so secret.  I have a thing for hands.  Vintage hands in particular.  I have hands placed randomly throughout my house.  Most people do not notice that I have a few dozen.  When I saw this picture from a Tim Holtz class I was smitten.  I love the idea behind the project.  I have a few of this style hand laying around and I think I might need to make my own version with items that are specific to me.  This one has Tim Holtz written all over it.

Names and personalities May 4, 2009

Dress forms are a fun form of creative expression.  You can try out new techniques and get as creative as you want.  It is a very basic form – a blank canvas if you will.  I do a dress form every year or so.  This one is a bit on the traditionally classic side and I gave her the name  of Anne.  Anne with an E.  Kind of like Anne from Green Gables.  She has a smart saucy side to her yet she is very conservative.  The first one that I made was a tramp.  Her name is Roxi.  She came complete with a tramp stamp and a belly button ring.  I will try to post a picture of her next.  Then they will be followed by one I made this past november.  She is more sophisticated and  chic.  I need to think of a nice name for her.  The forms I use are from Creative Imagination – their Bare Elements collection. www.creativeimaginations.us/store/16345.php  They also have a larger one too.