Anniversary wishes and crafty friends ♥

Hi friends!

27 years ago, my husband and I said "I do!"

We met as teenagers

 and had a long dating and engagement before we got married

and have been together for 36 years ♥

He jokingly tells everyone "I should get a medal!"

 And I didn't know I married a comedian :)

#OCCSpringCardCamp continues!
 

 And this is my homework from the last class taught by Kristina Werner.

I loved her class so much!

She takes her time and is very detail oriented so it's easy to follow

and I just love the set of cards I made with this class.

  

It's no secret that I love bright, bold, whimsical colors ~

the more colorful, the more cheerful they are ♥

 I chose these 3 patterned papers from an Echo Park 

Summer Loving paper pad.

For the sentiments, I've used Simple Strips at Taylored Expressions.

The stitched dies are from My Favorite Things and

here's a close up on one of the cards ↓

  

 I'm smiling HUGE because I chose 3 of the simple strips at random

and I noticed at the time of blogging that they all start with H!

Just like Happy ♥

 

 Thanks for stopping by today!

Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥

~Kelly

Road Trip coloring challenge - class continues!

Hi friends!

Happy Monday!

It's a holiday here in the USA and many of the kids are off of school

and so many offices are closed.

But class is in session with Kathy Rac's online coloring road trip!

I am SO glad I signed up for these online classes 

as it's an immersive learning experience 

with so many tricks and tips

and it's always nice to connect with talented artists ♥

I watched and listened and taken lots of notes.

I've been practicing and been more FEARLESS in my coloring,

and am excited to make a few more cards with my practice pieces.

Here's my homework from Day 2/3:

 Color Mash:  We learned about color mashing, sweet spots and the trash factor.
I adored the instructions from Debby Hughes
from Lime Doodle Designs.
I used copic markers as my alcohol base ~
and with familiar color family, it's easier to get the blending to 'mash'and marry them together.

Here's my first attemp using Neat and Tangled Christmas Helpers.
I also used the lifting 'rag' technique we've learned from Kathy
although I need to practice this much more!

Faces:  Kathy also has a great learning session on coloring faces
and wow, light bulb moment for me!
Big difference when you use her fearless technique!
The difference is subtle yet you can see more definition
and oh. my. word.
Those dotted cheeks!
I learned that 'technique' years ago and looking at it now ....... oof.

Okay, moving on!

Dots and lines:  the use of pens to give your images that little lot extra!

 

Quick card for my sweet granddaughter, Alice ♥
I gave her dress some dots and 
shaded the hair and owl with the pencil/copic technique.

Homework done :)
I'm sure it's time to get up, stretch, and go for a Starbucks!
Yes, please!

Thanks for stopping by!
Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥
~Kelly

The Coloring Challenge - Road Trip!

Hi friends and happy Sunday!
Class is in session!

Today I'm sharing a little bit of coloring as a participant

 of Kathy Rac's coloring challenge.

Yes ... that Kathy Rac! ♥

She's been an inspiration to me for many years now 

and her celebrated #thedailymarker30day
 is one of my favorite crafting adventures.
  I was so SO sad when she came to Florida to the My Favorite Things boutique
 and the class was sold out so quickly.

It was on my daughter's birthday and about 4.5 hours from my home, one way!

 BUT!

 What's the next best thing?

  Sign up for her new online classes! 

I fell last week and was injured on my dominant right hand

 so I'm coloring one handed-ish and typing one handed-ish

but I. am. determined!

The ER sent me home with instructions to

 'be a little more careful and R.I.C.E. my hand."

I heard 'add a little rice to your hand" and 

thought white rice? brown rice? fried rice?" 

 Is this a new thing?!

My husband says I am constant entertainment.

I'm surprised he takes me out of the house, LOL!

*giggling!*

Back to class!

 I love love LOVE what we've been learning in the classes -

 what to do, what perhaps not to do.

 It's about about learning, practicing, trying our best yet keep it fun!

Which was a great tip for me ~

I'm an adventurous soul by nature.

There's not much I won't try and the higher, the wilder, the better!

However, I'm a cautious cardmaker.

I don't know why.

I fret too much a card design and layout,

is this the right color combo (i.e., "the pinks don't match!")

and I rethink the mess out of most of my image coloring.

I've tossed more than I can count and probably restarted double that.

One thing she's teaching us:

Don't overthink it.

Be Fearless!

I started out with a Gina K Designs Vibrant Blooms stamp and die set.

I think the best flower choice for learning in Class 1 could be bigger, bolder ~

but I was super excited to stamp it up and color it that I just went for it.

It still has the nooks and crannies

and I took a plunge into fearless

 by adding grey, bright orange and brown to my sunflowers.

Is it perfect?

Nope!

But do I love it?
Yep!

I love the pop of color from the orange and the sweet spot white spaces!

I can't wait to make this into a card :)

Thanks for stopping by today!
Big hugs, bigger blessings ♥

~Kelly