Warm Wishes

Sparkles Christmas Challenge was picked this month by Caz.  Her challenge is to make a card using Christmas Animals.  I can't think of better animals than the little House Mice.  I haven't been coloring much lately and today I am reminded of how much fun it is to color.  I used a combination of Spectrum Noir and Tim Holtz Distress Inks.  The sentiment was created on my computer.  The paper is from a pad I've had for years and I do not know what company it belongs to.  I used Wink of Stella for a bit of glitter.

I'm trying to use items I've had for some time.  I think I accomplished my goal.  I hope to see something you've created.  You can share it at Sparkles Christmas Challenge.

Here's the colors I used:

See you again soon....it's getting closer to Christmas....I'm one card closer!

Hugs from my world to yours,

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy

A Little Time To Play

A neighbor called to see if I'd help her with a project she has taken on.  You know I love a challenge, but you also know I hate repetition.  She is making invitations for a luncheon and she just happened to mention she may also be making favor boxes.  Off I ran to see what I could make before she arrived.  Well, here's the favor box.  I don't know what her colors are, but I figured anything made in pink would be a good example.  This box really is an easy one to create, a bit time consuming, but easy. 

Here's a close up of the top....

I purchase stems of flowers at JoAnn's and pull them apart so I will have lots of petals.  I also purchase boxes of white silk flower petals in the wedding section.  I think it's a good way to get lots of flowers and not break the bank.  If you use alcohol inks, you can color your flowers any color that fits your needs.  I use my Spectrum Noir pens often just for flower coloring. 

My neighbor will be here any minute, I guess I should head over to Valery's blog to post this on the butterfly challenge...this month is Butterfly Bingo....and I've created this using... Pink - Die Cuts - Gems.  B-I-N-G-O!

Off for now, see you in June.  Tomorrow it's Sparkles Christmas Challenge...don't forget to get your Christmas supplies ready!  Check back tomorrow to see what this month's challenge will be! 

Until later.....Hugs,
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

WOYWW 231 - Spending the evening with Santa

This past week has been one I really don't want to re-live.  My brother had back surgery in Wisconsin (about 2000 miles away).  The surgery went well, the recovery not so much.  After two very scary days, it was discovered he had an allergic reaction to the anesthesia.  Not something any of us worried about as he went to surgery.  We were all praying that the back pain he's suffered for 30 years would finally come to an end.  Long story short, several days on the critical list, he is slowly recovering.  FYI:  the medical term is Anesthesia Malignant Hypothermia.  It's a very interesting read on WebMd.  I want to thank my  friends for letting me vent during this stressful time.

Ok....that said, my buddy Virginia purchased a new stamp.  Yesterday she was playing with the stamp and I asked if she would stamp Santa for me.  As you can see she did.  My honey and the two four legged angels are tucked snugly in their beds.  I'm not sure sugar plums are dancing in their heads.  I suspect Sydney is dreaming that she actually caught the pesky neighbor cat that taunts her daily.  So it is now quiet time for me, so I am coloring.  Nothing is more relaxing. This Santa is a Stampendous Rubber Stamp, Jolly Santa # R156.  He is colored with my Spectrum Noir Pens.  I did purchase the new set and I am liking them.  Easier to hold, much more wet, so blending is easier. 

I apologize for the photo....I'm sitting at a small desk in the family room, watching late night TV, with my task light shining on my desk in a room lit only by that light, and the colored flickers coming from the television. 

So lets see what's on my desk.  A cloths pin...hmmmm, it's what I use to hold the pretzel bag closed.  Under it is the prescription advisor I received when I went for my flu shot, and a pretzel.  Of course the Spectrum Noir pens, and Santa.  Then there's the watch and a covered cup, which I am now using to hold hot and cold items.  I had a bit of an accident coloring and decided that coffee stains don't add a thing to my coloring.  There's a calendar I made for 2013, and I'm using it to think about what I shall make for 2014.  So, that's it.  Not overly exciting.

I'm off to bed.  I'll link this to Julia's fun place to meet in the morning.  Night night all, I hope your Wednesday is happy, safe, and crafty.  How about hopping over to Stamping Ground and giving Julia a shout out. It is fun to play along, so how about it.....want to come and play?  It's a busy day tomorrow.  I have 4 birthday cards to think about making, I hope something comes to me while I am sleeping!

Hugs from a quiet night in Northern California,
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Ho Ho Ho

Yesterday I had a fun play day with Brenda and as she die cut, I colored.  Today was a great day with the Monday group and I assembled my card with them.  Aren't girl friends the best way to spend time.  I don't know what I'd do without them!

Isn't this Santa the best?  I always get emails asking what I used to make the card.  The Santa is called Jolly Santa-80126 and  it's from Stamps Happen.  The Ho Ho Ho is from Northwoods and it's number 08231.  During Karen's Anniversary crop I was lucky enough to win the 6x6 paper pad by Echo Park Paper Co.  It's called tis the Season.  I colored the image using my new Spectrum Noir pens, and the tiny detail on the Ho Ho Ho was colored using my Sharpie pens with the micro tips.

The inside is about as simple as you can get.  I like to repeat something from the outside and I think this worked well. There is enough room for a sentiment or a short note.  I can't decide what I am going to do, but there's time to think about it.  I'm thinking maybe my granddaughter will get this one.  So a note is probably what I will put inside.

Enough said....actually I can't think of anything more to say, other than I had fun coloring this image.

I'm going to add this to Craftyhazelnut's Extra Christmas Challenge Extra - Anything goes, and then I'm also sending this over to Di at Pixie's Crafty Workshop - Snippet's challenge. 

For now it's sending wishes for a most crafty week.
Hugs,
Mary Mac
AKA:  Glitter Grammy

Just Playing With My Pens

Tomorrow my friend, Brenda is coming to play.  I thought I'd show her that I really have been practicing with my Spectrum Noir pens.  I'm a product of water color markers, so trying to teach an old dog new tricks has been an adventure for me.   I'm 67 and I'm loving learning something new!

Here's what I've learned so far....I love the vibrancy of my Spectrum Noir pens and I love the price.  When I was thinking (and I did so for about a year) about which pens to purchase, Copics or Spectrum, I chose the Spectrum because of the price.   In comparing the two brands, I think the ink is the same, both give great color.  I've found the Copics have a more brush like tip, and the Spectrum's tips are a bit more stiff.  I'm still learning to blend.  I think when you come from a water color background you tend to be careful blending so you don't have mush.  What I like about the Spectrum pens, you can blend and blend and you don't really get mush.  I'm still working on leaving light areas, but I'm feeling more confident about going over the areas more than once. 

Painting in the background scared the holiness out of me.  Once I got started I found it was pretty easy, and the upside, if you stop and start, you don't have lines.  That's really cool!  If you like to futz with your coloring, you can futz away.  I did a lot more playing with the snowman and I may go back and play some more.  The little mice need work and that's a plan I have for later today. 

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Don't get me wrong, I still love my watercolor markers, and I do like the softer  colors I can get with them. I like how easy it is to leave white space.  My little snowman was water colored.   The water color pens are a great choice money wise. I've had my Tombow markers for over 10 years, I've used them often, very often actually, and I've only had to replace a few of them.  You will be refilling your alcohol markers quite often, I suggest you keep track of the ones you use most often and purchase refills for them.  It seems the lighter shades need to be refilled more often.  Refilling is very easy, keep in mind the big thing to remember is don't over-fill them. 

The bottom line, as one of my co-workers would say, is... The question you need to ask yourself is...what do I want from my pens?  There is a learning curve with each, and  they both are investments.  Both will serve you well.  I guess I should add, my comments are what I'm learning, I don't get paid to say anything I've said.  It's just me, just sayin!

I really want people to know  Copics aren't the only pens on the market, and though the Spectrum Noir pens are less known, the results are equal to the Copics.  Spectrum also has tons of videos and PDF tutorials on their blog page.  Check them out here.  It's a great place to learn.  I've got lots to learn, and I guess I should stop yapping and get busy learning.

Have a most wonderful weekend.
Hugs from Northern California
Mary AKA:  Glitter Grammy

WOYWW 191

Well, here it is....my desk for this week's WOYWW 191.  My son and his family spent two weeks in Canada skiing Whistler Mountain.  When he and his wife shared photos on Facebook, I thought it might be fun to snag the photos and make a little album to share with them.  What you see on my desk are photos I printed and matted on black cardstock.  My album will be wire bound and the pages will be 6 by 12.  I'll be using Carta Bella (Winter Fun)  and Echo Park (Winter Time)  papers.  I have to add a plug for a new tool I found.  I have a really hard time matting things that are even on all sides.  I was reading a blog last week, and I saw a link to a tool called Perfect Layers and Perfect Square.  I went to the site and viewed the videos.  Well, long story short, I had to have a new tool.  I ordered 3 rulers and the square.  It didn't take long for them to arrive.  And guess what, it's a tool that I'll be using often.  The rulers really are easy to use.  I did need to learn to raise the edges a bit to allow the ruler to catch them, but once I figured this out....it was easy and made the process very easy.  If you want to have a look...check the rulers out here. 

Ok....moving along.  This week has been very busy and very productive.  My buddy Brenda came on Sunday and while she worked on her project, I worked with my Spectrum Noir pens.  Before Christmas I purchased this Northwoods Rubber Stamp (P8712).  And here's what I created.  I colored the image on white paper, cut it out and then stamped it on the patterned paper.  I glued the colored image over the stamped image and then did a bit more pen work. 

The inside of the card is pretty simple too....

I wish I could tell you the name of the patterned paper, it was a 4 x12 piece I found in my snippet box and I thought it kind of looked like old worn wood.  The pumpkin is a Cuttlebug die and embossing folder that I cut on a scrap of orange paper and then colored with my pens.  I know, it's a Fall card, but I've wanted to color the image since I purchased it and finally found the time.

Are you still awake?  Ok....sorry this is so long, but I've had a busy and productive week.  Next week will be busy too, so I'll post as much as I can in one post.....grab your coffee (unless it's night time in your world) and hang in there, I'm almost done.

 Last weekend, my CardMaker Magazine arrived and on page 77 I saw a card that I really liked.  Michelle Woerner created the card.  Now, I didn't have the same supplies needed to create it, but I had some of them, and some items that were close.  So....this card will be sent to my friend Thelma.  I know she'll love it.

And finally, if you've read my blog before, you'll know about my shadow box.  This project is going to be on-going for awhile, though I do hope to finish it within the next few months.  It's kind of like a puzzle.  When I find pieces to add to each section, I lay them out.  When I'm happy with what I've found, I put the section together.  I started with January then a light bulb came on and it dawned on me that if I built it from the bottom row I could remove the wooden sections and it would be easier to build in the small area.  Next section will be October.....don't hold your breath, I've been working on this for 6 months and I only have 3 sections completed.

So, now you know what I've been up too.  What's been happening in your world?

I'll be linking to What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday. - Thanks Julia for giving us a place to share our creative space.

And of course Di, I think I use up snippets just so I can come and play.  Check out Pixie's Crafty Workshop.  

I know sometimes I sound like an ad for product....I really am not.  I just enjoy sharing products I love, tools I can't live without, and friends I've met along the way. No money exchanges hands when I mention product....now mind you....if anyone wants to turn me into a wealthy woman...I am not opposed!  LOL!

Well, that's it for me...at least for now.  Is that a collective sigh I'm hearing? 

Have a most creative week.  I'm hoping that tomorrow I'll be busy booking Dee Dee and my trip to Australia and New Zealand....keep your fingers crossed that we can find some great prices on airplane tickets.  Our husbands are staying home...it's girls (ok, old broads gone wild).  I can hardly wait!

Hugs to all,
Mary

WOYWW #190 and Snippets Galore

First I'll show you my clean desk.  This is what it looked like on Tuesday morning.....

Pretty tidy I'd say.  I wanted to show my new pen holder from Crafters Companion.  It's neatly holding all my little pens....ahhhhh I am happy to have them in a holder and not in boxes. 

Here's my desk on Tuesday afternoon, evening and early Wednesday morning.  I finished cutting a card and then felt guilty for not fixing a nice dinner for my husband...so off I went to put something good together.  I never got back to my desk until this morning.  So, after rising and shining (well rising), and while everyone was still tucked in their beds.  I finished my card.  Here it is....

This is a format I've grown to love.  I've used up several scraps making this card and it always turns out well.  Somewhere in posts gone by I've posted another with this layout.  If you want to go back I'm sure it will be pretty easy to spot. 

If you feel like a walk around cyber space....let those fingers take you to see what Julia's folks are up to.  Check her blog out here:  Stamping Ground can you believe it's WOYWW 190... whew, that's a lot of sharing! 

And, if you've got snippets laying around, and don't we all, pack them in a pouch and head on over to the playground.  Always lots going on there.  Share what you've made from snippets and be inspired by Di and the gang.  Mind you, Di runs a tight ship on the playground, so no running with scissors, and don't let her catch you eating the glue...my school glue was wintergreen flavor, oops, I mean... but then how would I know....heavens I would never eat school glue!  Check out Di and the playground pals at Pixie's Crafty Workshop.  Tell them I sent you!

Lots to do today, I guess I should shake a few tail feathers and get moving.  Happy Crafting and see you all soon....Just a little reminder....I look in on your blogs often, I don't always comment, but I certainly am glad you are there to inspire me.  Thank you for being you!

{{{{Hugs}}}}
Mary Mac

I Am Thankful For You and Spectrum Noir Challenge

A quick post wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving.  I am so very thankful for you.  This little Beatrix Potter Rubber stamp reminded me of how thankful I am to have my group of buddies.  We laugh together, cry together, support one another and create together.  You all make my life so much fun! 

I used my Spectrum Noir pens to color this sweet image.  I'm happy with how it turned out.  So happy in fact, I'm going to enter it to the Spectrum Noir Challenge. Check out what the others are doing here 

And these are the colors I used:

Off I go for now, Happy Thanksgiving!
Hugs
Mary

Hugs,
Mary

I Love Coloring and Using Bits and Pieces

I must say I am LOVING the alcohol inks.  I think what I love most is the ability to use for both rubber mounted stamps and digi stamps.  Something I couldn't do with my water markers.  I don't want them feeling bad, as I truly love my Tombow markers and they will always be an important part of my craft room.  They now share their space with my Spectrum Noir pens Check the link out for a great video showing how to color..  I'm certainly not yet the colorist I want to be, but I'm learning.... The rubber stamp I used is from Northwoods Rubber Stamps.This company is new to me, however, they've been around for quite some time.  They are worth a look as they have beautiful stamps.  I colored using the colors below: 

I've decided that I'm going to list my colors with the image in a book.  This will make it easier to remember what I've done and I won't have to think each time. 

I cut the image and glued it to a scrap of black that I'd die cut using the Spellbinder scallop die and then taped it to a card base that I dug out of the scrap bin.  I guess I must have used the embossing folder some time ago and it wasn't what I wanted....ah...love using what I save.  With that in mind, I'm going to post it to Di's,  Pixie's Crafty Workshop.  If the weather at the Playground is anything like we're having here, no one will be playing outside today.  We are getting much needed rain!

Happy crafting, see you all soon.

Hugs to all,
Mary
AKA:  Glitter Grammy



 

WOYWW 177 - Carta Bella and Pixie's Crafty Workshop

Saturday was Carta Bella Day at Karen's - Paradise Scrapbook Boutique

Well, here we are.  This is the afternoon group, our project was a  2 page lay-out using Carta Bella Christmas Day papers. (If you haven't seen them, might be worth a look at them)    The morning group ran out before photos could be taken, or more truthful, before we remembered to take them. The big kid in the back is Lindsay, the Carta Bella guy who tried keeping us all in line...I think it might have been easier to herd cats.... we did have a good time!

And here's Karen, I'd like to thank her for bringing Lindsay to her shop.  It was a fun day and we left with loads of goodies....

A few days ago, I posted a photo of a card I made using snippets left from making the Christmas album.  Thanks to Lindsay, I have many more snippets and below are a few of the cards I made using them.  I've gotta say, albums are a great way to collect snippets, not that any of us need help collecting them.  I'll be posting these cards on Di's blog....and I hope to spend some time tomorrow seeing what the others have been doing.  Di reminded me that Thursday is Rudolph Day over at Sarn's blog page.  If I get my act together, maybe I can actually make another card....Oh...I just remembered a new Memory Box die I purchased last week....I'll be making a Rudolph card using that...(that is if I don't forget!)  It's not too late, if you want to play along...

 

 

 

I made this card this morning.  I purchased the Spectrum Noir pens and though I haven't been doing much coloring lately, it's always been something that I've enjoyed doing.  I've got to say, using the pens is different than water color and after watching video's I'm learning to get the colors I was hoping for. I'm still working on shading.  So, about this card.  The papers are from CartaBella, the rubber stamp is from Stampabilities and is called Christmas Tale (not new, from 2003)  The dies are from Memory Box and Spellbinder.  All of these cards are made from snippets,

 

Do you want to see the mess I made making these cards?  It's Wednesday and it's the day to share our work desks...so, thank you Julia for giving us the place to post our little messy work desks.  Check out the other creative desks and see what was created there....and if you're feeling brave....post your little corner of creativity...

Oh....while going through the blue box, I looked through the lid and saw this.....

I always knew there was someone helping me put my projects together.  I had to laugh, I don't remember putting any of these parts in this order, although I do remember putting the epoxy pieces on the pink pad...do you think maybe, while I was sleeping, the pieces crept onto the paper pad?  OK, I can pretend...

Off I go, tomorrow it's supposed to rain and I'm hoping to get into my room to tidy up, and then make another mess playing with my pens and stamps....

Until next time....Happy Creating!
Hugs to all,
Mary

 

 



 

 

The Devil Won

Now isn't that a title....here's the story.  I've been fighting the urge to purchase the Spectrum Noir pens.  The little devil on my shoulder thinks I REALLY, REALLY need them and the Angel says, Use the pens you have, you know you love them.....(which by the way I love my Tombow pens), however......This is what I made with my Spectrum Noir pens...

The devil won by convincing me that I needed them, more than wanted them and I did have that coupon in my purse.  So, I purchased several sets of 6 only to find out that there were 4 more sets of 24 that I NEEDED too.  Merry Christmas to me, and Happy Birthday, Happy New Year, etc.....

I love to color, I have since I was a child.  I must say,  the devil really didn't have a lot of work to do to talk me into this purchase.  I do hope I spend many hours this winter coloring. 

I do like how vibrant the colors are, there is, for me at least, going to be a learning curve.  I'm used to blending and shading water colors and this is a bit different, but fun.  The rubber stamp is All Night Media and it's an oldie from 1996,  it's name:  Stained Glass Poinsettia #602J.  I'm thinking about doing this again, stamping in gold and heat embossing.  If this becomes more than a thought, I'll share a photo. 

I'm going to head on over to the playground and see if Di is working on the tree house and have a round or two of dodge ball with the others.  It is Sunday, so I shall be very careful not to ruin my Sunday best!  If you have no idea of what I speak, check out Di's Crafty Workshop.  I'm hoping that many more friends come to play.  There's a new tree house being built, the playground is full of silly "children" and a  two lovely chickens.  This week a new "kid" came to play, check out her blog and see what she brought to share.  Welcome Kate. 

I have to tell a short story about a missing stamp.  I spent hours ( and I mean many hours) over the past week fretting while looking for it, and during this process, I did manage to clean up a few areas that were in serious need.  After going through the trash bin, and not locating the stamp and nearly giving up, I went to the stamp drawer to pull out a stamp to color....guess what I found.  You're right, the missing stamp.  Who knew I'd find it in the proper place.  Geez!  Does this tell you I don't often put my toys away!  I'm glad it's returned to the fold! 

Off to play I go.  Busy week ahead.....Saturday is Karen's big anniversary crop and I need to get things ready to play.....With a little luck I may actually finish a project there.  I must admit there will be many wonderful distractions, friends I've not seen in awhile, lots of new items for sale....food and lots of laughing.  Probably more laughing than crafting.  If you want to see her shop, check it out here.  Lots of beautiful items that's for sure. 

I guess this will be the last post in September....where does the time go?  It's just flying by!  I'm hoping to post the photos for my October class...Maybe tomorrow...

Have a crafty week, hugs from me to you...
Mary
AKA: Glitter Grammy

 

Autumn Is In The Air-Thank You and Let's Recycle

Ok everyone, get up off the floor! Yes, I can rubber stamp and color.  I just haven't done it in awhile.  Today Brenda brought her Spectrum Noir Alcohol ink pens over and we played.  I have to say, I'm new at this, I've been a Tombow girl myself and I've been fighting the urge to try the alcohol ink pens.  I've got to say, I am impressed....  What is most impressive....I die cut and embossed the pumpkin on orange card stock.  The leaf and tendril was also orange.  I took a green pen and started coloring over the orange....Can you believe it?  I couldn't!  Amazing!  Now, I need to save my pennies so I can purchase the pens.  I don't know the difference between Copic and Spectrum Noir, does anyone?  With the exception of color, these pens look the same, are refillable...there aren't as many colors, but there are plenty....If anyone can educate me to the difference, I'd appreciate it. 

So, how'd I make the card?  With the exception of the card base, everything is made from snippets.  It's funny, I've been saving the stripe piece for a long time.  Only it was the other since I planned on using.  I think the stripes are perfect for this card.  The sentiment is a Hampton Art stamp that came from a clearance bin.  The scarecrow is from Stampendous.  I probably bought this stamp 12 or more years ago.  The pumpkin is a Cuttlebug die and embossing folder, as is the maple leaf peeking out from the inside.  Yes, that is a Spellbinder die or two....I'm going to post this card over at Pixie's Crafty Workshop.  I know there will be lots of friends posting there.  You might want to check it out, after all....I know you have snippets too!  The gals I've met there are so much fun and you can skip onto the playground and have a go on the swings. 

I know I don't look a day over 35 (now is where you say...35!  I was sure you were younger than that!)  but....I had a birthday, and it was so much fun hearing from my kids and grand kids, family and friends, opening cards, going out to dinner with the neighbors and enjoying the beautiful flowers.  I have to smile every time I walk past my dining room table....Isn't it beautiful!  Thank you everyone who made my birthday so special.  I love you all!

Brenda brought a bouquet that someone had given her.  She thought I might want to disassemble it and she was sure I could find a good use for some of the parts.  This is what she gave me....

 

 

And this is what I saved......

 

I'm sure I can find a good way to use these flowers....I guess I should get off to bed.  Tomorrow I'm cropping with the Monday group and going out for another birthday lunch....I love birthdays!

 

Sending happy crafting wishes to all....and don't forget, it's not too late to enter my blogaversary give-away.  Check previous posts for exactly how to enter!

 

Hugs to all,

Mary AKA:  Glitter Grammy