A Rainbow Masquerade

I think she is ready for the masquerade ball, don't you? This pretty gal is called Rainbow Beauty from Loralie Art Stamps. After digging my heals in for many years, I finally got into the Copic Craze. I told myself I didn't want to get started with the Copic markers because of the expense and there were just too many colors. And knowing me, I wouldn't be able to have just a few of them- no sir. I guess they are sort of like potato chips, you can't have just one and before you know it, you have eaten half the bag. Well that is exactly what happened. I now have a very nice collection of Copic markers and worth every penny. Frankly it was a bit overwhelming for me. I couldn't even imagine which colors to start with. I tried to start with colors I liked but would buy three in a color family for blending. I then started to take classes at Mary Maxim our local stamp store and I would buy the colors needed for the project . We have a great teacher by the name of Cathy Groden who is Copic certified. The best thing is the classes are free and we just need to bring our own markers.

For the card we added a bit of glitter to her mask and tulle under her dress. The paper is from Graphic 45- another love of my life. The shadowing behind her is done with Prismacolor pencils- Jasmine and a bit of French Grey under her feet.


Below is another one of my Halloween creations. The bats were a find at JoAnns and are actually clothing patches. I didn't realize that until I peeled off the backing and realized they weren't sequin stickers. Sometimes I have to just sit and laugh at myself. Lord knows others are already doing so.
The flower is Prima with a Making Memories Spellbound brad in the center. I finished off the bottom with a MS Drippy Goo punch. The DS is DCWV under a piece that I embossed with the Skull Cuttlebug folder.

Well there you have it. Halloween almost here and gone. I have to try and pull my Halloween costume together this week. We have a neighborhood party each year. In years past we have gone to three different houses like a progression party, but the last two years we have all paid $40 a couple for liquor and to have a tent rented with tables and chairs and a DJ. The tent is set up on our neighbor's tennis court. It gets decorated to the nines and we all bring a dish to pass. Last year it was a beautiful warm evening. Let's hope this year is just as nice. My witches costume isn't the warmest.

~Have fun and enjoy!

It isn't my favorite color

Orange isn't my favorite color but you would have never guessed it by my projects of late. It must just be the fall season with the leaves changing colors and Halloween being right around the corner. My DH says this is the reason that I like to shop at Lowes rather than Home Depot. He said there is too much orange for my taste. He might be right for a change. I'll let him have this one.

I have received a lot of compliments on the chunky tag from my last post. I really had wicked fun (that one is for you Elliot) creating it because it was so personal and I love the way it looks in my foyer. I have created a few more but that is for another time.

Today's card was created using Tim's Patchwork texture fades embossing background and die cuts from K&Company called Handmade which I found on clearance at Michaels. I love crowns so of course that had to be a highlight of the card.

We had gorgeous weather this past weekend so we sat outside and soaked up the last of it. We went out for dinner and ate outside watching the sun set over the lake. There were a few white swans that decided to stop by and make the evening even more memorable. If I hadn't had known better I would have thought it was still August. And to top off the night we went to Michaels on the way home. The hubby had a coupon and so did I- double heaven.

I better get working on some Halloween cards since it is right around the corner. I still have to come up with ideas for costumes for DH and me for our neighborhood party. Any ideas, please send them my way.

~Have fun and enjoy!