I Can Hear You Breathing . . .

. . . okay, well maybe not literally, but I DO know you are out there 'cause my site visit numbers keep going up, but hardly anyone ever comments, so I am beginning to wonder . . . (not fishing for compliments or anything, just want to make sure that you aren't visiting my blog by accident . . . click in and think "Whoops!! This is SOOOO NOT where I meant to go!!" Just checking to make sure you are really out there!!

Another busy week has gone by and I have had the chance to play some more!! Did I ever mention that I LOVE the SCS daily challenges?? My technique has changed SOOOOO much over the past year, especially since I joined in on doing those challenges. I was helping my upline sort through some of her old "swaps" last night and we came across one of the very first (if not THE first) cards I ever swapped in her group. I kept shaking my head and thinking, "Did I really MAKE that??" I was pretty proud of it at the time, too! Just goes to show that we ALL learn and grow as we go, thanks to the help of others and their inspiration, right?

Gotta start out with a buttefly card, as I have now completed SIX cards in my personal "Butterfly Challenge". I made this as part of IC95 (for those who are wondering, "What the heck is that?" it means Inspiration Challenge #95 . . . the IC's are posted on Saturdays on SCS). I love gatefold cards. It is fun to be able to open cards in a fun and new way. Staring with a piece of cardstock that is 4.25" x 11", just score at 2.75" and 8.25" and there ya go!! (If you want to create a "vertical" card, start with a piece of cardstock that is 5.5" x 8.5" and score at 2 1/8" and 6 3/8".) I added some Stickles to the outline on the butterfly and the flowers. I kinda cased one of my old cards. Hey, at least I am giving myself credit!!

These cute pumpkins were done for TLC136 (that would be "Technique Lovers Challenge"). The object here was to remake an old card, using exactly the same cardstock colors and layers as before, but use a totally different stamp set! This was presented as a challenge because Beth, the challenge hostess, had just recently attended a shoebox swap where she had prepped everything and was ready to go, but had FORGOTTEN her stamps at home!! She had to borrow something else from the swap hostess. (Like none of us have ever done THAT before!) It was really fun. I also leaned on an old sketch challenge . . . one of my favorites . . . SC94. (A "sketch" is just a fancy word for "layout".) I have also been challenging myself to color with my SU markers. I ALMOST bought some Copic markers a few weeks ago. My ds (Garrett, who is 16 and quite the artist) was with me. As I was stewing over which two or three to buy (those buggers are over $5 a piece!!) he asked me simply, "Why do you want those? You do some great coloring and stuff with the markers and ink you already have." From the mouths of babes . . . he was RIGHT!! Plus, I would never have been satisfied until I owned all $500 worth of those babies so that I could have as much to choose from as possible! I have re-discovered my plain ol', non-Copic SU markers and am LOVING them! They work GREAT on watercolor paper. Plus, I have the whole set, so they match my cardstock beautifully and give me the creative freedom I like! 'Nuf said!

This has to be one of the most favorite cards I have ever created! I just LOVE these dang cute scarecrows! I'll have to admit, I bought this set off of eBay last winter and used one of the stamps (a snowman image) for my Christmas card. This is a very old SU set called "Great Groupings". These guys were soooo dang fun to color (again, using my new/old favorite SU markers). I created this for SC144 (that is the sketch challenge that is always posted for Wednesdays on SCS). I created the pumpkin using three 3/4" circles. It always helps to add a little bit of Bashful Blue around the edges of your image to give them a little bit of depth (which you can't see as well in this photo). That is a little trick I learned from my good friend, Kittie (aka kittie747 on SCS - Hey, girlfriend!! You rock!!). She taught me everything I know about watercoloring! If you use a blender pen and a little bit of ink from your reinker, you can really control the shading. It is fun, fun, fun!!

And . . . finally . . . this one I did yesterday for a combo challenge . . . I combined LSC136 (using limited supplies - only a sentiment stamp and a border stamp - the "dot leader" image from "In the Spotlight" - with some designer series paper to create a layout) and WT134 (the "Ways to Use It" challenge that featured twill tape). I am totally LOVING making square cards! Gives me a whole new "canvas" to work on! I embossed the sentiment and dot leaders with clear ep, as I used chocolate chip craft ink and have NO patience in waiting for it to dry! I also used craft ink on the chipboard flower, which I then covered with Irisdescent Ice ep. I miss the Au Chocolate designer series paper. Wait a minute! What am I saying??? I still have a bunch, so I don't have to miss it at all (YET!!)! Too bad it didn't make SU's big catalog . . .

Lastly, my good friend Deb (debils on SCS), tagged me with a fun little game. So, here are my responses (just gotta figure out who else to "tag" so they can play, too!):

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) - Rusty Highlander

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fav. ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Moose Tracks Pumpkin

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) WWEI

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) - Green Hippo

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)- Marie Hayward

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) - Weiwe

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink put “The”) The Magenta Fresca

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)- Art Wilson

9. STRIPPER NAME : ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy) CK Milky Way

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ) Lorene Ross

Super silly, but fun, nonetheless! Have a great day!!