Paper Craftin' with Erica

Bottle of Chirp - SSDS Sketch Challenge

Today starts a new challenge over at Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturdays.  This week we have a sketch challenge... and it's my very FIRST creation as their design team member!

Challenges Covered: 

Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturdays - Sketch

If the Shoe Fits... Scrap It - Recycle (the yellow tissue paper)

The Sisterhood of Crafters - Thinking Outside the Box (made flower out of circle punches)

Stamper's Anonymous - Recipe (stamped image, circles, two patterned papers, brads)

 

Don't forget to check out the SSDS design team's creations.  Try out the sketch for a chance to earn digital stamps.  Copics: B34, B37, V15, V17, G07, G09, Y17, Y19, RV25

It's Official! I'm a Design Team Member!

I was recently informed that I made the design team over at Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturdays.  I am so excited as this is my first design team opportunity.  Hop on over there to check out the other talented members.  Don't forget to join us for challenges on Saturdays!

Acting, Blog Makeover and More

Guess what?!  I'm going to be in my first play ever!  I auditioned last night (and the night before) and I got the part... not the part I wanted, but a BIGGER part.  It's my first time on the stage and I thought I'd be better at a smaller part.  Apparently, the director really wanted me to play Myrah... which is a HUGE part... I'm a little nervous about memorizing the lines.  The play is called "In the Rest Room at Rosenblooms."  The entire play takes place in the lounge of a rest room at a department store.  There are four characters... women in their 60's and 70's.  My character is a bit loud, brazen and boisterous (I can totally play her well).

I'm really excited, but I'm going to be really busy for the next seven weeks!  That means... less time for scrapping and blogging.  It didn't come at the greatest time either.  I have 3 weeks left of school and it's really difficult.  I'm also the PTO President at Ceydei's school and I've got the spring Carnival to run.  Plus, I have to do the dance studio's performance program in a little over a month.  AND it's "auditing" time for work so I have to keep up with the bookkeeping and taxes for the next 3 months.  Not to mention... Ceydei's and the clients' schedules!  Aaahh!  Brenda is going to have to sacrifice a lot of time for me to do this.  Wish me luck!  I wish you all could be there!

As some of you know, I've recently moved my scrap room to a different part of the house.  I used to use a bedroom in the upstairs of my house; however, when we took in two disabled clients, I needed that "extra" bedroom.  So, we moved my crafting area to the finished basement.  We have a huge basement with a bedroom and full bathroom.  Half of it is my area, a part is the "living room" area and the other space is for Merceydeis' toys and junk.  I like this set up SO much better because I now have the room to have more guests come over to scrap and even for me to hold classes/workshops!  I have posted pictures.  Click here to check it out!

So.... have you noticed my blog makeover?  Cyrstal from NewShop created it for me.  She was SO flexible and did everything I wanted (and perfectly).  I'm so excited!  She also created an Etsy shop banner for me (my new Etsy shop opening will be placed on hold until after my play) and a sidebar blinky.  It's on the right sidebar of my blog.  Feel free to grab it and place it on your blog!!  Show me some love!  Leave a comment and let me know what you guys think about my blog makeover.

I hope you're all doing well.  Take care.  XOXOXO

Love is Special 12x12 Layout

My clients got their pictures taken this year at their Handishop (sheltered workshop) Christmas party.  Sandy asked if I would scrap and frame pictures for her.  Here is the one I made for Steve (her boyfriend).  Sandy currently lives with us and we take her to her "boyfriends" house every Saturday to visit.  They are so cute.

 

I used the Amberly Grace paper collection and the matching cardstock from The Angel Company.  I also used one of the tags that comes in the collection.  The sayings on the top right are rub-ons and the saying on the tag at the bottom is from the More Abundance stamp set.  I had a little trouble with the colors, but all in all, I think it turned out pretty good.  Thanks for looking.  **HUGS**

Art Journal - Lesson 5 and Lesson 6

The topic for Lesson 5, in Art Journaling class by Marit, was Journaling.  I loved how it turned out although I didn't do much.  The background is Amberly Grace patterned paper from The Angel Company.  The tags used were also from the Amberly Grace collection.  The chipboard letters are glittery.  I inked edges and added some metal embellishments.

I chose to write my favorite quotes by Mohandas "Mahatma" Gandhi.  As the "great soul" I am truly inspired by him.  For my journaling, I used the long and narrow style from Marit's examples.

Lesson 6 in class was Gesso.  I have never used it before and I was so excited to use the Gesso, but I had problems with it.  It doesn't have the texture that I expected it to (despite the fact that other classmates had a great texture affect).

I mixed pink paint with Gesso and painted the whole thing.  Then I sponged some yellow in a few places.  I added the embellishments and sponged more pink over them.  After it dried, I painted some crackle paint on the live, laugh, love and a couple flowers.  Then I sprinkled glitter and microbeads over the whole thing.  I'll have to try this one again!

Enjoy!!  **HUGS**