Paper Craftin' with Erica

Vacationing & Illness

It has been a while since I have posted.  Upon being SUPER busy, I've been sick.  It goes a little somethin' like this... a couple of weeks ago, we vacationed in Puerto Rico.  Although our resort was beautiful, the island was not.  Anyway, while there, I became ill... just my luck.  When I arrived back to Wisconsin, I went in to the ER and found that I had a bilateral ear infection, pnemonia in both lungs and I tested positive for Influenza B.  Yay... that was fun.  My entire trip, we assumed I had heat exhaustion and didn't drink enough water; however, we were wrong.  I was very ill.  As a matter of fact, it was the sickest I've ever been in my life!  I felt awful for almost two weeks.  At any rate, I'm now feeling like my ol' self and can't wait to get back to the world of blogging.  See you soon!  XOXOXO

Happy "late" Valentine's Day!

Hi All... I'm back!  Happy 'late' Valentine's Day!  I made this super cute card for Brenda.  I used the February Pixie of the Month (from Pixie Dust Studio) as my main image and then used the "LOVE" sentiment from A*Muse Studio (my first card using A*Muse stamps).  The two felt hearts are die-cut.  How cute is that?

The CMCC Copic challenge this month is the Colors of Love.  The Sisterhood of Crafters has a Valentine challenge going on.  And Cupcake Craft Challenges has an "entwined" theme.  Here are the Copics I used for this project.

So, I just got back from Phoenix.  I went there for my doctoral colloquium.  Phoenix was okay... there didn't seem to be much to do downtown.  The weather was nice, but it was very dry and Brenda was sick the entire time.  We're heading to Atlanta next month and, hopefully, that will be better.  Well, I hope you're all in good health (I'm feeling a little ill). Take care!  XOXOXOXOXO

 

New Camera & A*Muse Studio

I have a couple things to share.  First, I bought a new camera.  I now have a DSLR Canon EOS 7D.  Woot!  Woot!  This camera is very advanced, however, and I'm still trying to figure it out.  What's really new to me is the fact that it uses a CF card in lieu of an SD card.  Thus, I can't just slide it right into my computer.  I also can't figure out how to "hook" it up to my iMac, so I must wait until I buy a USB card reader.  At any rate, I can't post pictures of my newest creations.  :-(  So, stay tuned for some of my creations with my NEW camera.

On a better note, I've recently become an A*Muse Studio Creative Consultant!  I was an Independent Demonstrator for The Angel Company before they closed their doors.  I was sad to see them go, but then Chelsea introduced me to A*Muse.  Their stamps are awesome!!  And they come in their own "stamped" cases.  It is so awesome.  Of course, they have other supplies, but I am just so in love with their stamps.  If you post a comment, you can get an Inspiration Book free (Limt 8).  After posting a comment, I'll send you an e-mail asking for your mailing address.

That's about it for now.  I've been terribly busy with teaching, studying, and training.  See you soon.  **HUGS**

iCopic Pastel Challenge

I attended my Intermediate Copic Certification class in Chicago last Sunday and it was amazing!  I learned so much... and the videos done my Marianne...  Wow!  She is so talented.  I wish I could I could color as GOOD as she.  I would definately recommend this class to anyone who has taken the Standard Certficiation and can't wait until they develop the Advanced Certification!   Anyway, on to my most recent creation for the iCopic Challenge.  The challenge this week is to use Pastel colors.

I colored this image, from C.C. Designs, with my Copics {Y11, Y13, Y15, Y17, R81, R83, R85, R20, B00, B02, B04, BV000, E00, E02, E31, E35, E37, C4, C8}.  Then I sponged around the image.  The background paper is from the Candy Floss collection by Wild Rose Studio.  Know what else I did?  I did some faux stiching... my first time!  I used a Pink Copic Multiliner.  I love everything about this card... except, after finishing, I noticed that it's a little "left side" heavy.  I have flowers AND balloons all on the left side.  Oh, well.  Thanks for stopping by!  **HUGS**

Way Too Long

Guess what??  I was accepted into the Intermediate Copic Certification class and we're on our way to Chicago right now!  Class isn't until Sunday, but we plan on sightseeing... a much needed mini vacation.  I'll post all about it soon after.  Here's a little something I made... very simple.  I used my Copics and a retired stamp set from The Angel Company.

Isn't she cute??  Anyway... it's been WAY too long.  I haven't posted since April!  I can't believe it... I miss you guys and I miss visiting your blogs.  My goal is to get back in the game and start blog hoppin' soon.  I have just been so busy with work and school.  Anyway... on to bigger and better things!  See you soon!

Wishes Do Come True

Here's a card I made for a birthday card swap in The Angel Company's Paper Crafting Community and challenge in our Artistic Paper Crafting group.  I used the Maggie paper collection from The Angel Company, as well as a stamp from their Cupcake Cuties set.  I colored my cupcake with Copics, but didn't do too much shading because I covered my cupcake with sprinkles (glitter).  I then airbrushed the smaller Spellbinder diecut.

Challenges Covered: (1) Crafty Cardmakers - Special Birthdays; (2) Charisma Cardz - Birthday for a Teen; (3) Paper Cutz - Three Patterened Papers.

I've been staying pretty busy with school work and work/work.  I attended my first doctoral Residency in Denver last month (drove 14 hours straight to get there).  It was an awesome experience.  I have to complete 4 Residencies before my dissertation (within the next two years).  It's a lot of work, so I won't be posting as much as I'd like.

I hope you all are doing well.  Take care!  XOXOXO

First EVER Cricut Cruise

Wow!  It’s been a SUPER long time since I’ve posted.  That’s because I’ve been SUPER busy.  Last month I went to Denver for my first doctoral Residency.  It was a wonderful experience.   What’s even more wonderful is that we just got back from a Cricut Cruise.  Yep, you read it right.  Brenda and I went on a 5-day cruise to Key West and the Bahamas and it was a Cricut crafting cruise, nonetheless!

It was held by Cara Miller who is just absolutely wonderful.  She’s also the creator of the Whisper, which I just had to purchase while on the cruise.  Cara taught us all the inner-workings of the Cricut and how to cut chipboard, transparency, shrink plastic, vellum, and vinyl.  She also taught us how to use the markers, which I was always too afraid to use.  We made a ton of fun projects and spent a lot of fun time together.  It was such an amazing experience.

There I am way in the back.  Lucky for YOU Cara is hosting ANOTHER Cricut Cruise in October!  Unfortunately, I can't make this one.  My doctoral studies are just too demanding; however, you have a great opportunity in front of you.  Visit Cruise & Crop for more info.  I will be posting pics of some of my cruise creations soon!  Thanks for stopping by!  XOXOXO

Apple Girl Card

Okay, so here is one the cards that was published with my article in Scrap & Stamp Arts magazine.  This is another one I used my Copic Airbrush system on.  I recently got the compressor... now I need to figure out how to use it.  The stamp set is from Apple Girls by The Angel Company and the paper is from the Miss Moxie SWIC and cardstock.  I used stickles around the scalloped circle.  Copics I used: E00, E25, E29, E95, V12, V15, R35, R37, YR15, YR16, YR68, Y35, YG17, 0, ABS.

 
 
Well, I've been pretty busy preparing to teach.  I started teaching Healthcare Management (undergraduates) at the University of Phoeinix today.  I've spent the last two weeks preparing for class.  Then, I'm swamped with regular work.  One of my systems is NOT working and I really need to get stuff done.  So, I'm a little stressed out right now.  PLUS, I seemed to have lost my crafting mojo.  I hope I find it soon!  Take care... HUGS to all of you.  XOXOXOXO

Holy Cow! Where Have I Been?

I can't believe it's been well over a month since my last post.  I became so overwhelmed with my play, that I hardly had time for anything else.  My opening night was April 30th and the last performance was May 16th.  That's NINE performances.  I was pooped.  Our play was called In the Rest Room at Rosenblooms written by Ludmilla Bollow.  It was absolutely hillarious and I had the best part!  After three weekends in a row, though, I was ready to stop.

Merceydeis got a part in the children's community play (like mother, like daughter).  Anyway, this is Ceydei's first play.  She got the part of the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland, Jr.  She also just started Softball league... and will be doing swimming, summer school, tennis and lyrical jazz this summer, as well.

I celebrated my Golden Birthday on April 29th and didn't do much because I was preparing for the play.  Anyway, I'm back on the wagon and rearing to get my craft on.  Oh, and be on the lookout for some blog candy.  I just won a great package from my friend, Danielle.  So, I'm paying it forward.  Stay tuned.  Drop me a line and let me know how you like my new blog design.  I had some complaints about the words being too small while viewing with Mozilla.  It's now fixed... thanks to my wonderful blog host, TypePad.

Happy Memorial Day!  XOXOXOXOXO

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