Paper Craftin' with Erica

New Camera & A*Muse Studio

2012-01-25T11:06:09-06:00

I have a couple things to share. First, I bought a new camera. I now have a DSLR Canon EOS 7D. Woot! Woot! This camera is very advanced, however, and I'm still trying to figure it out. What's really new to me is the fact that it uses a CF card in lieu of an SD card. Thus, I can't just slide it right into my computer. I also can't figure out how to "hook" it up to my iMac, so I must wait until I buy a USB card reader. At any rate, I can't post pictures of my newest creations. :-( So, stay tuned for some of my creations with my NEW camera.

On a better note, I've recently become an A*Muse Studio Creative Consultant! I was an Independent Demonstrator for The Angel Company before they closed their doors. I was sad to see them go, but then Chelsea introduced me to A*Muse. Their stamps are awesome!! And they come in their own "stamped" cases. It is so awesome. Of course, they have other supplies, but I am just so in love with their stamps. If you post a comment, you can get an Inspiration Book free (Limt 8). After posting a comment, I'll send you an e-mail asking for your mailing address.

That's about it for now. I've been terribly busy with teaching, studying, and training. See you soon. **HUGS**

We're Smashin' Something Good!

2012-01-11T01:24:41-06:00

Over at CMCC, my personal creative outlet, we are particpating in a Smash book challenge/group/inspiration. It's amazing what we can do with Smash books. I didn't even know they made books just for smashing! How cool is that? Instead of making a generic book, I broke down and bought two "Smash" books... one for me... one for my daughter (whom is 11). This is going to be so much fun!!

My Smash book is plain with black binding. So, I smashed the cover by adding some french lace and bling, flowers, a ton of rub-ons, and a Cricut-made owl. What do ya think? I think it's purrty! My ultimate forever favorite color is PURPLE; however, my new favorite color is PINK. Pink will always come second to my Purple, but I'm definately in a "pink" phase. I want everything PINK.

Anyway, my daughter picked the book with the organge binding because ORANGE is her favorite color. Her book came with blank "indented" designs on the cover, so instead of embellishing, she chose to color it with her Tombow markers. Cool, huh?! Maybe I'll talk her in to adding a couple of small embellishments on there. At any rate, we can't wait to get started on the inside. This will be a mom-n-me project so I can only work on it when she does.... she has homework and dance... she doesn't get much time to craft. So, weekends watch out! Here we come!

Quite frankly, I don't know how I'm going to fit the smashin' in either! I just started school this week (studying for my PhD), started teaching two classes last week (I teach at the University of Phoenix), and have been catching up on work (I run a group home system). Among those things... I am a TV show junkie. I'm having trouble catching up on my shows. Thanks Goddess for DVR. Anyway, thanks for stopping by. **HUGS**

Oh, yeah, here's a few challenges I'm entering... Party Time Tuesdays (Feathered Friend); The Kraft Journal (Favorite Color); and Crazy For Challenges (Something New). I'm also linking up to Making the World Cuter Monday, Make It Monday, and Made By You Monday.

Happy New Year Bling!

2011-12-30T18:23:19-06:00

I made the cutest New Year's card! This week's theme for iCopic is New Year's Bling. I decided a "party girl" must have some funky hair and i love how it turned out! I added lots of sparkle including a glittery hairpiece, glittered jacket, silver and blue bling stickers, a large sparkly flower brad, and liquid pearls. I also added a "New Years" saying!

I can't wait until the New Year. I have three New Years resolutions that I'd love to start on! It is coming a little fast, though. Soon, I'll be swamped. I will be teaching two classes beginning January 3rd and begin my next semester of three courses for my doctoral degree. (This doesn't include work-work and family.) So, here's to a great break and end of the year! Oh, I almost forgot... here are the Copics I used for my card:

Challenges I entered include: Drunken Stampers (Glittery Holiday); Totally Papercrafts (Time to Party); Secret Crafter (Anything Goes); Sweet Stampin' (Sparkle & Bling); Stampin' for the Weekend (Anything Goes); Party Time Tuesdays (Anything Goes); and Simon Says Stamp (Anything Goes).

I'm also linking up to Make It Yours Thursdays and Strut Your Stuff Link Party. Thanks for stopping by. Have a happy and safe New Year! XOXOXOXO

Last Minute Christmas

2011-12-24T23:33:44-06:00

I created a "last minute" Christmas card for two challenges. It was truly last minute because the iCopic challenge ends soon. The other challenge is for Color Me Creative Classroom and challenged us to color with gold, cream, and white.

My project uses more "gold" than cream or white, but I had fun coloring this image from Mabelle R.O. with my Copics. I found that I could create a really pretty "gold" color with the YR group and added some light green and red for the "Christmas" look.

I also used stickles, glitter, and liquid applique (heat set) to the angel girl. I added some gold flowers to go along with the theme. Merry Christmas from my house...

...to yours! Happy Holidays! I'm glad you stopped by. Take care! XOXOXOXO

It's Christmas!

2011-12-19T00:15:40-06:00

Well... almost! In light of the upcoming holiday, I have a special card for you. I colored her with my Copics, of course. I added liquid applique to the fur (which I heat set to make it fluffy) and to the holly (which I didn't heat set to keep it shiny).

I added airbrushed Spellbinders dies behind the image for dimension, as well as used Washi tape (from iCopic) on the top and bottom of the card. I'm playing along with iCopic and Card Makin' Mamas for their Christmas themes. I'm also linking up to Debbiedoo's Newbie Party. Thanks for stopping by! XOXOXOXO

Merceydeis & Trina

2011-11-27T19:06:31-06:00

I bring to you... a scrapbook page I created a little while ago. Merceydeis and I spent some time with Trina a few months ago and I couldn't help, but scrapbook this picture. They are both so photogenic. I used a brand variety of papers and a few embellishments. Of course, the picture is crooked because I'm not all that great at taking pictures of 12x12 pages.

I'm linking up to a few "show off" sites this week. Check them out... Debbiedoo's Newbie Party... Savvy Southern Style... Skip to My Lou... Making the World Cuter... Sumo's Sweet Stuff... My Backyard Eden... and Somewhat Simple. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Mine was quiet and 'oh so' nice. Thanks for stopping by! **HUGS**

Basic Copic Coloring Techniques

2011-11-20T14:28:13-06:00

There are four main coloring techniques with your Copic markers (and I have provided instructions in four easy steps each). They include: marker blending, feather blending, pointillism, and cross hatching. There are many ways to blend colors with your Copic markers. Personally, my favorite is the feather blending. You can get a nice, even soak while blending three or more colors smoothly.

Marker Blending - Blending with Circles

This is the most common blending technique. It works well for larger areas with similar colors. Start with lighter colors and then blend with darker colors. Step One: Color in circles evenly with your lightest color (V04) while soaking the cardstock. Step Two: Add your darker color (V06) to one side by lifting up at the end of the stroke. (3) Go back over your darker color with your first color (V04). Step Three: Add your darkest color (V09) to one side, but less area than your middle color. Step Four: Use your first color (V04) to blend the three colors together.

Feather Blending - Feathering/Flicking

This method is used to color long, slightly narrow areas. As I mentioned before, this is my favorite technique. Be sure to use the brush side and remember to layer your ink in one direction. Step One: Stroke the first color (YR04) using the side of the brush and lift up at the end of each stroke. Step Two: Add your second color (YR07) to one side about half the way using the same technique in step one. Step Three: Add your darkest color (YR09), still using strokes, about one-third of the way. Step Four: Go back over your second and third colors still using the strokes with your lightest color (YR04). I have left a part of the circle white to show you what the strokes should look like.

Pointillism - Dots

This technique is a little more difficult in that it is hard to get "perfect" dots. Don't worry if you don't get it the first time... just continue to practice and, trust me, you'll be very happy with the results. This technique is great for backgrounds. Step One: Cover the entire surfance in "dot" form using light pressure with your lightest color (R81). Step Two: Add your second color (R85) using the "dot" technique to the outer part of the surface. Step Three: Add in your darkest color (R89), again, using the same technique. Step Four: Use your lightest (R81) color to go over the dots one final time.

Cross Hatching

This is a great technique to add texture and dimension to your project. Step One: Gently draw lines across your image with your lighest color (B91). I use a combination of thin and thick lines. Draw both horizontal and vertical lines. Step Two: Use your second color (B95) to add more hortizontal and vertical lines covering about half the image. Step Three: Use the darkest color (B99) to do the same. Step Four: Blend with your lightest color (B91) by drawing lines. My example is very basic to show you the lines. The more blending you do, the more "even" it will look.

When you first try these blending techniques, use lighter colors, given that darker colors quickly get too dark. Once you are comfortable with blending, it will be easier to add in darker colors. Note that using colors too far apart on the color system makes the blending more difficult. Keep your colors within the same family and within 2 or 3 digits.

Happy Halloween... Late

2011-11-19T13:35:15-06:00

I have a little Halloween treat for you... better late than never... and it was published in The Bug Magazine! Unfortunately, The Bug Magazine is no longer being published; however, they still have PDF copies available if you're interested.

I hope you all had a great Halloween. Merceydeis was a beautiful fairy and we had a fun time trick-or-treating with friends. See you soon... I have some great posts coming up. Thanks for stopping by! **HUGS**

Birthday Boy

2011-11-03T17:10:06-05:00

Boy, it's been a long time since I've posted! I haven't been on here for a little over 3 months! I can't believe it. I have been so wrapped up in work, school, and teaching that I lost my creative mojo! Well, I finally have it back! Yay!

So, I created this card for a friend of mine and for the iCopic blog challenge... manly theme. Isn't he adorable? Notice the cool hair highlights I gave him? I colored him with these Copic markers:

Well, I hope you are all doing great... hopefully, not as busy as I am. I haven't had much time to blog hop either, but I will be visiting your blogs soon! Oh, and stay tuned... I'll be posting my latest Halloween creation, too (better late than never)! Thanks for stopping by! XOXOXO

iCopic Pastel Challenge

2011-07-24T01:56:16-05:00

I attended my Intermediate Copic Certification class in Chicago last Sunday and it was amazing! I learned so much... and the videos done my Marianne... Wow! She is so talented. I wish I could I could color as GOOD as she. I would definately recommend this class to anyone who has taken the Standard Certficiation and can't wait until they develop the Advanced Certification!   Anyway, on to my most recent creation for the iCopic Challenge. The challenge this week is to use Pastel colors.

I colored this image, from C.C. Designs, with my Copics {Y11, Y13, Y15, Y17, R81, R83, R85, R20, B00, B02, B04, BV000, E00, E02, E31, E35, E37, C4, C8}. Then I sponged around the image. The background paper is from the Candy Floss collection by Wild Rose Studio. Know what else I did? I did some faux stiching... my first time! I used a Pink Copic Multiliner. I love everything about this card... except, after finishing, I noticed that it's a little "left side" heavy. I have flowers AND balloons all on the left side. Oh, well. Thanks for stopping by! **HUGS**

Way Too Long

2011-07-15T13:01:15-05:00

Guess what?? I was accepted into the Intermediate Copic Certification class and we're on our way to Chicago right now! Class isn't until Sunday, but we plan on sightseeing... a much needed mini vacation. I'll post all about it soon after. Here's a little something I made... very simple. I used my Copics and a retired stamp set from The Angel Company.

Isn't she cute?? Anyway... it's been WAY too long. I haven't posted since April! I can't believe it... I miss you guys and I miss visiting your blogs. My goal is to get back in the game and start blog hoppin' soon. I have just been so busy with work and school. Anyway... on to bigger and better things! See you soon!

The Joy of Easter

2011-04-09T20:54:09-05:00

It's time for another blog hop with The Angel Company. Since this is a 'seasonal' hop, I made a cute "Happy Easter" treat filled with jelly beans. The image stamp is from The Joy of Easter set and the sentiment stamp is from the I Love Easter set. I used my spellbinders die, stamped the image, and then colored with my Copics. Copics used: YR15, YR16, Y35, Y38, G05, G07, BG05, BG07, BG09, V04, V06, RV29.

I airbrused the background with B02 and stamped Happy Easter on a tag (and added some bling to each end). You know those clear containers that The Angel Company stamps come in? That's what I used to adhere everything to (and to put my jellybeans in).   I then added a small bow at the top.

Thanks for stopping by. XOXOXOXOXO

Toodle Loo Cutie

2011-04-04T08:42:40-05:00

I am taking part in Debbie Doo's newbie party... helping us make friends and see how others blog. I was referred by my bloggin' friend Daniella.

I made this 8x8 scrapbook page of my daughter sleeping. Although she is going on 11 now, I had to scrap this perfect baby picture of her. I didn't use any stamps this time. Everything you see here, other than the flowers is from the Toodle Loo collection by The Angel Company.

That strip up top looks like ribbon, but it's actually a strip of patterned paper. I also cut out the three little squares with animals from the patterned paper and pop-dotted them. Toward the bottom, you'll see a tag also from the Toodle Loo patterned paper collection.   Thanks for stoppin' by. **HUGS**

Create a Critter Bunny

2011-04-01T21:55:53-05:00

Here's an 8x8 scrapbook page I made for a class at My Creative Classroom with Cara Miller. It features the bunny (and carrot) from the Create a Critter Cricut cartridge. Aren't they adorable?! I outlined the eyes, nose, and ears of the bunny with Copic Spica glitter pens (same for the carrot).

I spritzed all three die-cuts with Sparkle Shimmer Spritz. Can you tell through the picture? I also used my Cricut markers to draw the "friends" before cutting it out. There are just so many things that a photo will not capture with crafty pics. Thanks for stopping by! XOXOXOXO

Wishes Do Come True

2011-03-25T03:51:44-05:00

Here's a card I made for a birthday card swap in The Angel Company's Paper Crafting Community and challenge in our Artistic Paper Crafting group. I used the Maggie paper collection from The Angel Company, as well as a stamp from their Cupcake Cuties set. I colored my cupcake with Copics, but didn't do too much shading because I covered my cupcake with sprinkles (glitter). I then airbrushed the smaller Spellbinder diecut.

Challenges Covered: (1) Crafty Cardmakers - Special Birthdays; (2) Charisma Cardz - Birthday for a Teen; (3) Paper Cutz - Three Patterened Papers.

I've been staying pretty busy with school work and work/work. I attended my first doctoral Residency in Denver last month (drove 14 hours straight to get there). It was an awesome experience. I have to complete 4 Residencies before my dissertation (within the next two years). It's a lot of work, so I won't be posting as much as I'd like.

I hope you all are doing well. Take care! XOXOXO