Paper Craftin' with Erica

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**

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

PerarlEx Thanks AND an Eclipse Shout-Out

I made this card for a tutorial on my CafeMom group, Stampers Anonymous.  I used the Ever So Thankful stamp set from The Angel Company and rocked it.  I used StazOn ink to stamp on the clear acetate... then ran it through my Xyron... then PearlEx'd it... then ran it through the Xyron again... then finished off my card.

I also dry embossed it and sanded the raised portion to make the embossing pop.  Cool, huh?

And now, to the really good stuff...

 

Although this is a "paper craftin" blog, I have to give a shout-out to ECLIPSE.  Woot!  Woot!  I can't believe it's coming out this Saturday!  Anyone going to a release party?   Holla if your a Twilight Saga fan!!  Thanks for visiting my blog!  **HUGS**

I'm Published in Scrap & Stamp Arts!

Guess what?!  I received December's issue of Scrap & Stamp Arts magazine in the mail and yesterday and.... my 3-page article about Coloring with Copic Markers is in there!!  How exciting is that?!

Hurry up and pick up your copy!  The article features two cards I made (one has already been posted on my blog and the other I'll post soon) and basic coloring techniques.  This is an amazing magazine filled with tons of projects... many by fellow Angels.  Thanks for stopping by!  XOXOXOXO

I've Been Published in ScrapStreet

Yay!  My design team, at Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturdays, and I have been published in ScrapStreet, an online magazine for crafters!  Our article is called Blog Bay and my card is on page 37.  Be sure to stop by to read our article and check out the other members' projects!  Here's my creation:

Isn't it darling?  I used almost an entire stamp set on this one.  The little girl was my first stamp.  After masking her, I stamped the house, fence and sun.  I then lightly airbrushed the sky and grass.  It turned out to be a pretty cute little collage!  Here are the products I used:

Copics: E00, E25, E27, E31, E33, E93, B02, B04, B07, B34, Y35, Y38, YG03, TG05, V06, V09, V93, V95, YR68, R46, R85, C-4, ABS

Thanks for stopping by.  XOXOXOXO

I'm a Certified Copic Designer

Couple of reminders before I tell you about my A-W-E-S-O-M-E experience in Illinois.  First, don't forget to sign up for my blog candy!!  You have until Friday.  Also, please take a minute to fill out my survey regarding online classes.  Everyone that does will be entered into a drawing for a prize package.  It's only 5 questions... I'd really appreciate it.

Okay, so... guess what?  I'm officially a Certified Copic Designer and will soon be listed on Copic's Instructor list.  Yay!  I drove down to Bloomingfield, IL which is about 4 1/2 hours from me.  I spent all day learning about Copic markers and meeting some great people.  Here are a few of the ladies working hard on their projects.  Click on the pictures to enlarge.

  

The first picture is of our instructor.  It's not a great picture, though... anyway, she was an excellent teacher.  She is a regional instructor for Copic marker and is an account manager at Splitcoaststampers.  The other three pictures are of some great ladies at my table.

I will be offering some online Copic classes, so keep a look out!  I'll be back soon with some more creations!!

Blog Candy!!

It's time for some Blog Candy!  There are a few reasons I'm doing this. (1) To celebrate my Golden Birthday on April 29th. (2) To Pay-it-Forward since I won my friend's blog candy. (3) To celebrate my graduating with my Masters degree. (4) To celebrate my acceptance into a PhD program.  (5) Because I love all of my followers. (6) and.... To celebrate the end of my first theatre experience.  This candy is two-part, which means... two candy packages!  The first prize package is a "Spring" package.

All you have to do is enter your info in the "inlinkz" below.  Please use your real name... that's how I can remember which blog/website I visit.  For the second package, you need to leave a comment, become a follower of my blog (either by entering your e-mail in the Feedblitz area or becoming my friend in Blogger) and post a link to this blog candy on your blog.  The winner will be chosen by the Random Generator.  This is my "Holiday" package for the second half of my candy.

You could be the winner of both these great candies!!  Blog candy ends June 18th and the winner(s) will be announced by or before the 20th.  Good luck.

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

The Twilight Saga

How many of you are fans?  I am so excited that New Moon comes to theatres this Friday!  How exciting is that?!  I am reading New Moon, for the second time, and hope to finish it before I watch the movie.

Although I'm a die-hard fan, I refuse to go to the midnight showing or the day of opening.  I want to be able to enjoy the movie without it being stuffy, crowded, hot... and without a bunch of young girls "ooh"ing and "ahh"ing.  Guess what?  I found a Twilight rubber stamp set!!

Apparently, they are rare and under limited production.  I guess I just happened to be at Barnes & Noble at the right time!  I can't wait to use them although I have no idea what to use them for!  Be sure to hoot and holler if you love Twilight.  I wouldn't mind stamping some images for you guys (unless I get bombarded with requests in which case I'll have to draw names from the comments).