Splashing with Friends and some news.....

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Biscotti

I was able to do a bit of crafting these past 2 days - which is exactly how long it took me to finish this card! ;) but finish I did...... which makes me very happy!

Isabella's Sketchbook has started a brand new challenge blog, so I thought I would try to work up a card to submit. For the first challenge, the players are to use a sketch. This fun image, Beach Friends, is one of the very first I bought. It reminds me of my boys on the beach as they were growing up in Florida. We always lived near the beach and spent many many days there before moving to Ohio.

Check out the store for a wonderful sale going on. also as you may remember, she has a DT call-out going on through the end of April if you are interested.

The papers are from the Basic Grey Lime Rickey collection. I added a metal tag from Flair Designs, a Prima flower, shells, twill ribbon, and buttons. The little seed button reminded me of some of the neat seed beans my Dad and I used to hunt on the beaches in Texas as I was growing up. As you can tell, I have many fond memories tied to the ocean and times at the beach.

The main image has a few little deets that I want to point out to you. For starters, the inner tube, sunglasses, and swimming goggles have all been covered with crystal effects. The hat's bow was painted with pink shimmerz. I used my white gel pen to add polka dots to the tote bag as well as to go over the tummies of the penguins to give them more depth. Now I was using my ink squirty tool with caramel first to give a little more character to the main piece. it looked neat, but needed just a hint of a darker color, so I pulled out the cocoa marker. things were going grand with just a light touch until I got to the right side (the finishing portion, of course) when the marker globbed a BLOP of ink right over the head of that cute little penguin wearing the red bathing suit. awwww pooey..... now what to do? well I always told the ladies in my stamping classes that there were no mistakes, only moments of 'whimsy'. so I got heavy handed with the ink squirty tool, which I did not originally plan to do, and went to town. it ended up looking okay, but then led me to do another of my fave techniques - a water and ink distressing to the edges of the cs.

Using the Direct To Paper technique (DTP), ink the edges of the cs heavily. For the next step, I keep a little bowl of water nearby. Dip your finger into the water and then run it along the edges of the cs. This allows the water to absorb into the paper and also lets the ink soak into the paper as well. As I rub my fingers along each edge, I use my fingernail to rough up the edges some. This adds to the distressed look as the cs dries. Give it a try sometime!

now for the news portion - I had told you that I was going to be leaving my DTs because of my health. Well when I sent out the notices to the companies and challenge blogs that I represent, many of them let me know that they did not want me to leave. All that they would ask is that I submit as I was able, even if it was only once a month and even if I couldn't start until next month or so. How amazing is that?! Talk about making a person feel loved!!! I am just so very very blessed! So every once in a while you will still be seeing some company posts here. and every once in a while you will see some of my own things as I am motivated and able. God is good - so very very good. Every day! :)

Creative Card Crew -Aged/Vintge/Distressing

Charisma Cards - Animal Magic

Simon Says Stamp - Its So Distressing

For Fun Challenges - Anything Goes

Totally Papercrafts - Let's Go Digital

Pile It On - Animal-rific