Copic Classes

This weekend I had the opportunity to take two classes in Richmond on how to use my Copic markers. I got my first 72 for Christmas, and have been adding to my collection for the last couple of months. There are 358 total (sigh) and maybe one day I will have them all! Anyway, they were fabulous classes (especially the Intermediate, as the Beginner was truly a beginner [think "What are the different types of copics?"] and the whole class is like "duh!") and I learned a LOT. The main goal was for me to become a more confident artist, and to learn that I don't need someone else to validate my work- I can be happy with it and like it for no other reason than I like it. We did learn some shading and blending techniques, as well as 9 hours worth of other stuff. 

I drew a tree.

I practiced "feathering" pink and yellow after the beginner class. 

Saturday we learned about shading skin tones. 

I have absolutely NO human stamps/images to practice with.

I did not draw this tree. I colored it, though.

This was my first experience shading with red. And the dog needed spots. 

More skin practice, along with hair. Oddly enough, after I finished I looked over at the lady to my left, and she had colored her girl's hair grey, too. 

Our "final project" we completed from 6-8 Saturday night. 

I didn't like the brightness of the leaves, but she told us what colors to use, so YG03 became my friend.

This evening, after getting home, I colored these violet tulips.

Here is a close-up. I think I'm getting better.

It started snowing on the drive home today, and we're finally getting our first snowstorm of the season. We're supposed to get 5-8 inches tonight... looks like we've already got around 6. 

And lastly, here is my cutie pie Alex wondering why there is no food in his bowl after running around outside tonight. 

"Congrats" Baby Book

One of my co-workers' wife is having a baby girl next month, and each person is to write a prayer/suggestion for Baby Ava. The nurses asked me to make a book for everyone to write their notes in. Here is what I came up with. 

 The biggest difference is that instead of places for pictures to go, the book is filled with white paper for everyone to write their notes on.

 I made one page big, for those who want to write super-small or super-long notes. There aren't quite enough boxes for each member of faculty to write a note, so hopefully this page will get used a lot!

 The last page is a vellum pocket I made to hold any baby cards.

 And the back cover-

New Girl Book

During my sick day today (after I finished being sick), I managed to finish a book I started on that I made using paper I picked up after Thanksgiving on sale. I have no reason to make it, other than the paper was cute and I've been wanting to use Kate's ABC's. 

Another cute view of the front :-)

Cards and Another Tutu

Here is a set of 4 birthday cards I made randomly last night. Almost every day this week I've started to clean my craft room, then find something amazing and sit down to play with it- and never finish organizing. This is what I played with yesterday. 

I put them in clear envelopes and stamped "Happy Birthday" on them, then stored them in one of these clear boxes that are so neat from Papertrey Ink.

And here is another tutu I made this morning (last day of Christmas vacation, you've got to be kidding me if you think I'd wake before noon) afternoon that took about an hour. I love these things, and they turn out SO cute. Here is a little more detail in how they're made. 

Step 1. Put a stretchy headband around a chair

Step 2. Cut about 40 strips of tulle 6x24 (or longer) 

Step 3. Make a U shape with the tulle and pull the two open ends through the closed end around the headband to make temporary knots

 Step 4. Pull petals off of flower stem (I like hydrangeas) and hot glue a small pearl to each center

Step 5. If desired, glue petals on strips of 24 inch ribbon to add to tutu, otherwise, glue petals onto tutu. I did both, using about 30 flowers total

 Step 6. Make a hairbow using leftover petals

 Step 7. Admire your beautiful tutu. This one will be really cute with a black leotard. 

 Here is is all laid out. It will stretch to fit just about any size. Of course the smaller the waist, the fuller the skirt. The leotards I found were size 2-4, which will be perfect for most any girl in this age range.

Purple Tutu

I decided to make A's Christmas present this year. A is my best friend's daughter, who turned 2 back in September. I bought a lavender leotard online for about $10, then made a tutu and matching hairclip, which I put in an organza bag. I used a stretchy headband for the base, and added strips of 30 inch tulle fabric (6 inches wide, 1 roll of 25 yards), then some pretty ribbon. I glued hydrangea flowers on the ribbon and sparsely on the tutu for decoration, and glued a small pearl in the center of each flower. It turned out beautifully. It's soooo much prettier in person. We haven't exchanged gifts yet so I don't know if she'll love it, but I sure hope she does! 

New Car!

Since we have not had ANY snow so far this year, on the Thursday before Christmas I had to get something white and lovely in my yard to make me smile! We ended up with a 2011 Dodge Challenger. So far, I'm loving it! I ordered a stripe kit to add a thick black pinstripe down both sides, so hopefully that will come in the next few days. We traded in the Equinox since this has a pretty big trunk (so I can still haul a crap-load of stuff as necessary) and it gets slightly better gas milage. And it's freakin' awesome looking. That's the best part! 

Kymberlee's Birthday Card

Here is Kymberlee's card, now that she's finally about to get her package. I don't know what my issue has been with going to the post office lately, but it just isn't happening these days.  Anyway, I think it turned out cute. I used my new Copic Markers that Channing bought me for Christmas to color them (yes, he gave them to me early!) I'm also going to a Copic Class soon so hopefully I'll become better with my coloring.

In no particular order...

First up- a quick "Thanks" note to go to each of the wonderful ladies who ordered something from my Pampered Chef party a couple of weeks ago. I was able to get a lot of AMAZING things, and perhaps spark my interest in cooking again... (yeah, right!) 

Item number 2 on the agenda: my mom's birthday card this year. Pretty simple with the paper (my last Little Red Scrapbook Kit)- I love love love this bird from Reminisce Accents. The stamp is from Papertrey Ink, saying "Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art." I thought it to be quite appropriate for my dear mother.

 Pictures three and four are from Thanksgiving Day. I cooked some chicken to go in the dish I was taking to my aunt's house (and burned it terrible, I might add) so I had to open up another pack. Since I had some leftover, I went ahead and cooked it... and created the most delicious meal I have EVER prepared. This was seriously the best chicken I've ever tasted (using Smoked Applewood Rub-or something similar- from Pampered Chef). Picture Four is my Chicken Nacho thing... not sure what it's called but its gorgeous and tasty. It is prettier draped with sour cream, but I don't like it, so it's a no-go on this one!

Here is a surprise package I got in the mail from Kymberlee. My school kids LOVE the packing material (these quickly became "reading buddies" in one of my workstations) and the crayons will come in handy next semester when I tell my kids to get out their new supplies and they ALL say "But I already used mine!" lol... happens every year! Anyway, the big item is that shelf/box thing laying flat beside Nemo. Just wait to see what I made...

Ta-Da! I didn't make you wait long. Here is the cutest little Advent Calendar I've ever created. My dear husband spray painted the edges of each box for me so that I wouldn't have to hand paint them all. I did paint the shelf dark red (then mod podged for safety!) and added all of the freakin' cute embellishments. The paper is last year (or the year before's?) Recollections Christmas. I love it. My husband loves it, too. He will enjoy it even more next year when there is a treat each day of December.

And next time I shall have a birthday card for a dear friend whose birthday is in December... that time of year when the only paper sitting on my table is red, green and/or involves glitter. How can I possibly NOT use such things on her card!?!? Lucky for her... only the dark green made it on.

Oh Oh Oh! Anddddd I got my Christmas present from Channing in the mail a couple days ago... my very first set of Copic Markers. I've been practicing and watching you-tube videos like CRAZY to learn. All for now!