Marta's Garden

Given the chaos we are having at home, the only solace I find is being able to color a few minutes or hours at night to the hum of the air drying machine in the kitchen. I have to admit I am not a big fan of the bokeh technique, but decided to try it out anyway. I'm not sure if this is for me, but I can honestly say I had fun doing it though. Just not sure the effect is my style. Nevertheless, I learned something new with this month's class project.

Below is my finished project all colored up using Prismacolor Premier pencils. So I now own the entire sets of Prisma, Spectrum Noir, and recently Polychromos. I have yet to complete a project using Polychromos, but I can honestly say I've just about had it with my Spectrum Noirs. I'm just waiting to finish out the pens, and it will be quick given how fast the points break, and then I'll just focus on Prisma and Polychromos.

I can honestly say I am happy how this turned out. The image is called Marta's Garden and it is by Molly Harrison. Kit and Clowder's monthly pencil classes are something I look forward now. It does take perhaps 3x the time to finish something vs. alcohol markers, but I really don't mind. It is very soothing trying to color with pencils, and once you're done, to see what it can look, is really rewarding.

Hope you guys like it! 

Have a great week ahead!

Belated Winter Cards

Hi everyone! My apologies for being MIA recently. I've had a major disaster at home recently and to say everything is chaotic at the moment is an understatement. I've never had to go through living in a house that is also being demo'd at the same time, so I'm a bit off my routine and schedule.

I haven't created much lately, but would like to pop in and share the remaining cards I made using the January Simon Says Stamp kit.

All in all I was able to make 13 cards out of this kit. Not bad huh? Hope you guys like it! Next stop, gotta start making the February AND March kits!

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hello everyone! You didn't think I'd let this day slide without at least sharing some Valentine's Day cards did you? Of course not! I actually made these weeks in advance, but had not had the chance to properly photograph them so that was my last minute to do on this project.

Here are the cards I've done, mostly made with paper from the Heartstrings paper collection from Close to My Heart. These are retired papers, and since I've got a bunch leftover from last year, I thought I'd put them to good use again this year.

Here's a slightly altered version, with the hearts not having the white background. Can't tell which version I like better, but both are pretty I think.

Here's using the Heartstrings assortment button and complements.

And this once with the Poppy extra thick twine to tie it all together.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Hope you all had a great day filled with love!

Simon Says January Card Kit

Hello everyone! So I bit the bullet and finally joined Simon Says Stamp's Monthly Card Kit. I've been drooling about these kits for the last 2 years already and finally decided to just go for it. I've purchased a few in the past, some that I really really love, but then is there really a month that's not to love? They're all so terrific!

Here are some of the card I made using the kit, and I think I've only used up about half of the supplies. I absolutely love Doodlebug Designs Polar Pals paper, and sticker sheet. The colors, the image, so so pretty!

Here's what's in the card kit.

And here some of the cards I've done with it. I should probably take better photos, since these are only taken using my phone.

As usual I'm probably out of season already. But this kit is so amazing it's hard to resist creating something out of it. And heads up too, I will most likely be posting the February kit way after Valentine's Day!

Have a great weekend everyone!

I Love You Baby

This month's Create and Learn uses The Paper Shelter's image "I Love You Baby". I fell in love with it. I love it so much I just had to do it again.

This was my first attempt and I used Prismacolor pencils. I kind of messed up the lanterns. I actually forgot the oval bottom and glow effect, and I wasn't so happy with how the clouds turned out. I also kind of messed up the frog and forgot to add a bit more highlight to it. I still wanted to finish it though so I kept going. I love how the hair on this girl turned out, her skin, outfit and wings. I think the water and ripples were done great too.

I was determined to do it again, because I just love this image so much. I decided to use my Spectrum Noir pencils this time. The last time I used them was July of last year I think. I got frustrated because I thought it was harder to blend, so I upgraded and got myself the full set of Prismacolor. Since then, I've always used my Prismas. For a change I thought I'd use my Spectrum Noirs again. And then I remembered why I stopped in the first place. The breakage was horrible! It feels like every time I sharpen them (I used electric sharpener), it just breaks after a go. Plus it's not as easy to blend, and the white just doesn't give the same effect as the Prismas. I still like how it turned out, except for the sky, I used Gamsol to blend it this time around.

Frankly my hands were so tired I just didn't have enough strength to blend, so I used Gamsol instead. Plus I figured it can give it a better softer look given Spectrum Noirs are hard core and not soft and creamy like Prisma.

I hope you like it too!