Saturday, November 11, 2017

Take time for you

Sometimes I forget how important it is for me to create.  My life is blessed. I have so many things to be thankful for.  Although I get busy with life, I always have my creativity to fall back on for fun.  Today has been the first time in months since I could just sit and make something fun.  This is the current MFT sketch challenge. I decided to go ahead and give it a go because I have a friend that i want to send a card to, as she has been busy as I have been and has had to make decisions on cutting out some stuff to fulfill our commitments.  Well as we head into the season of celebration, please remember to take a little time to take care of you and reflect on the things that are important. 

Anyway, here are two cards I completed using the latest MFT Sketch.  



Monday, October 9, 2017

Back in the Saddle


Yes, I am a bad blogger!  I am however going to try and get better.  I have moved AGAIN (hopefully the last time for a long time)... so I have been in the process of unloading all my stuff, so much stuff.

 A lot has happened in the last few months in mine and my dear friend's life.  It put in perspective some things.  I realize every blessing is from above and have seen this special someone glorify God in some really hard times.  It has been inspiring.  I have learned that I need to work on completing some things that are important to me. To carry through the dream not just start and out of fear stop working toward that great thing God has planned for me.   I need to prioritize the things that are going to glorify God.  More on that too later.  Life is awesome and I am blessed and thankful for people in my life that are an inspiration to me and so many others. 

 Last Saturday was World Cardmaking Day.   I pulled out as much stuff as I could to work on some new cards.  (See Below).  I also am starting to send cards out to people in need of encouragement.  I am excited to also be working on my novel again.  This is one of those things I am talking about prioritizing...  MORE on that in a different post.  For now, I am just excited to share a few new cards.


Blessings my friends
xoxox
e

Tim Holtz Distress Inks,
Stamps, Stencil and Dies -  MFT
Glitter Cardstock Recollections, Cardstock FSJ
Tim Holtz Distress Inks, Stencil MFT, Stamps &
Dies - MFT, Image colored with Copic Markers,
Cardstock - Stampin' Up! 

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Overcoming

Overcoming fear, it is not a simple task.  I have been a paper artist (card making, scrapbooking, planning and Bible journaling) for over twenty years.  Yes, you heard that right in one aspect or another, I have been messing with paper art for a really long time.  I would also like to think I am not too bad at it.  I have worked in the industry and been pretty successful.  I am very comfortable with my skills as a paper artist.  It took a lot of time, energy, mentoring and practice to master the skills.

Now the fear.  Since I was a small girl I remember my grandfather painted beautifully.  He had a studio in his house, it smelled like turpentine. I remember when we visited him I would be allowed to go into his studio and sit on the little bench and watch him paint.  I loved that. His choice of mediums was oil paint.  I have very vivid memories of watching him mix the colors and then using his brushed to create something from a white nothing.

My fear probably pretty evident by now.  I  recently received some watercolor paints from my children for Mother's day.  They both thrill and terrify me.  I have always wanted to buy a canvas and see what I could make with some paint... but here is the thing, I am afraid it will not be perfect the first time out.  I struggle with this in my art.  Most do.  I am worried I won't make it look like the picture in my head, and if it doesn't I am discouraged.

I tried.  A few days ago I went to my table and decided to just try.  (see above)  I got the paper wet and added color.  It's not the worst thing I have ever seen but it is not the image I had in my head.  I was disappointed.

The silly part.  I was disappointed at my first conscience choice to try and paint something was not perfect.  I mean I've used watercolors as a part of mixed media art, backgrounds for stamped projects and in my journals, but never for a painting.  So my misplaced disappointment has haunted me for days.  I struggle because I want to be at the same level as a person that has been painting for years.  I know in my head it is an unattainable goal but my heart tells me over and over, there is an artist in there-- one that wants to sketch and paint, let her out.  Then I am overwhelmed and choked out by the fear of it not being good enough.

I read a Scripture the other day that helped me (as they often do).

"Cast all your burdens upon the Lord and He will sustain you;
He will never allow the righteous to be shaken."
Psalms 55:22 (NASB)

My burden, it seems so silly, that I want to be good at art.  I mean isn't that why I spend so much time and money trying to achieve it.  Isn't that why I panic at the thought of a blank canvas and say to myself, I can't do this?  Yes, it is a burden.  It may not be a burden to you, or it may seem there are so many other things that I should be burdened with.

This Scripture (after reading and re-reading it many times) has a little word in it that is really important. Most read by skipping over some words in an effort for our brain to save time, we do it without even noticing.  It is that little word however that makes this Scripture applicable to my silly burden.  It is the word "all".  This does not say, "Cast a few," or "Only Cast your sickness, or finances" it says CAST ALL, That is the thing about God, He wants to carry all our burdens not just the ones we feel are "important" if it is a burden, odds are it is important (to you, even if no one else knows).

I am creative.  I like to make things, pretty things.  I love to write stories. I love to take nothing and make it something.  I think this is one way I am like God.  I think He understands that my desire to make something pretty.  Look he made you, He gets it.  While God is the ultimate Creator, I do not try to come close to the beauty He gave us, I do like to copy it. (Highest form of flattery they say.)  I guess my first try is not as bad as I think it is, because when you look at it, you can't see what is in my head, you simply see a creation with paint and water.  I think I am overcoming my fear, and I want to learn more about watercolor and painting.  I think if I try and I practice I could one day create something that I really like.

Cast way friends!  I am, I plan to move forward learn more and maybe have a small mastery of this medium simply because my heart knows deep down this has been a life longing.  I will not allow my fear of failure hold me, prisoner.
Be Blessed!

Thursday, June 1, 2017

On a Roll...

Good Morning!
Last night after five days at camp with twelve kids I was able to sit down and make something fun. Then had to go move my daughter to her new home.

 I decided to check out the My Favorite Thing Challenge and saw the sketch and I will be honest I didn't like it.  In fact, I thought of skipping it. However, here at thinking*through*design, we don't give up on challenges.  I decided to further my challenge and pulled out my MFT bucket of stamps and closed my eyes and said I will use whatever I pull out.  Here is the result.....
Sometimes you just have to Roll with it
June 1, 2017
Colored with Chameleon Two Tone Pencils
Fun Stampers Journey - Journey Glaze
All other products - My Favorite Things 

I also wanted to share the actual sketch from MFT - (MTFWS335) is the challenge I used. 

I was surprised how quickly this card came together, but I guess when you have only been able to sketch for five days once you get home you are ready to rock and roll!  I finished this card in less than an hour!  So it would be a fast and simple card and you could easily change up the sentiment or even the stamp set.  I adjusted the design only because the floating banner was killing me. I had to ground it!  LOL and thus grounding it also grounded the focal point of the card.  It was a fun card and I really am happy with how it came out. 

Have a great day
Erika


Thursday, May 18, 2017

My Favorite Things Challenge



I completed another MFT Challenge. My sketch is flipped and it was not really for any other reason but because I cut it on the wrong side. I liked it and went with it.  That is the best thing about sketches. You can flip then and flop them. You can make them your own.  I know how much I enjoy having a good launching point and how great it can be to just relax and create sometimes.  I decided to use both the current challenges and make them into one.  Keeping it simple was nice too. I don't alway follow a sketch but I liked the lines in this one.  I hope you enjoy it too!  Give it a shot then post it! Oh and keep take a moment and print out the challenges keep them in a notebook for reference.  I know every one needs a mojo jump once and a while. 
Blessing 
Erika


Sketch from My Favorite Things 
Color Challenge - My Favorite Things

Friday, May 5, 2017

Just one of those days

Ever have one of those days?  You know, seems like you are spinning your wheels and getting nowhere?  Yes?  Good, then you can relate to this post.

Yesterday was that day.  While I accomplished a lot of stuff I just struggled all day.  In fact, I was at practice and had to leave because my mind was just not in the right place.  I came home and went into my creative space.  I even was struggling there. I sometimes struggle to feel like I am doing enough.  Like I am just not good enough.  I suppose that is why ART is so valuable to me. I was in my own head, and then I remembered, you can just color.  That always makes you feel better. If nothing comes of it (production wise, ie, a card/decor item/whatever), it is okay. Just color. So I wrestled with what set to color and I was feeling a little prickly so I picked the "Stuck on You" Set from Fun Stamper's Journey.  I grabbed some pencils not Copics I know shocking, but I needed the layering process. I needed to shed the lie that I am not good enough that was rolling around in my head and I do that in layers. So with every layer, I added good feeling. I liked how my cacti were coming out and it reaffirmed in me that I am okay with being okay.  Here are the results of my efforts, not just ONE but three cards. They are similar, but not the same. So I hope you like them!




Saturday, April 22, 2017

My Favorite Things Challenges



Imagine how excited I was to hear that my big sister won Teacher of the Year!  VERY excited!  I could not wait to get in my craft space and make her a card.  I had the sketch and the color challenges on my desk so I said, why not!  

Here is the challenges I used: Color challenge #67 and Sketch Challenge #329



I love this stamp set because it is perfect for her.  SHE IS AMAZING!  Did I mention that she is a teacher for 7th & 8th graders?  Yeah so now you understand too!  I love that she puts so much effort and love into her job.  SHE deserves this award and so many more. She is not just a teacher, but she is in charge of the entire after school program and acts as the administrator for that program.  She is a mom to four great kids and a loving wife and an adventurer galore. She is inspiring and hardworking, best of all she is my big sister.  To my sister Heidi, congratulations on this award, to deserve so much more.  

LOVE YOU sister

Saturday, March 4, 2017

Hugging you with my WHOLE heart!



I love when I can mix up my stamp sets. I love that I was able to pull the heart off one set and the flowers off another and of course the sentiment from another.  It makes me feel like I am getting a lot more for my money.  I think one of the reasons I love this card so much is that the colors (though not so hot here) are fantastic.  I really messed around with the yellow-greens and greens in the dinosaurs. I was even able to bring in a Tonal Grey.  Here is a card that unfortunately I will be sending out all too soon as a dear friend lost her mom this week.  So I want her to know that while I am a long way in terms of distance I am not in my heart.  I think that is what I love so much about making cards, you get to send a small piece of yourself when you send them out.  I hope you enjoy this fun little card. I used a lot of MFT in fact, wait, it is all MFT.  So just pop over (click HERE) and you will find everything you need with the exception to the Copic Markers, which I got at BLICK Art Supply I am sure. Again, if you would like a list of the Copic Colors I used just let me know I will be happy to list them.

Also, I am thinking I really need to get some FSJ stuff, I miss creating with those fantastic Red Rubber Stamps!  Anyone with me?  Maybe a challenge!  Would you like some challenges?

Blessings
e

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Rainbow Dragons

At one time I was the girl who bought it all. I had to have everything that was latest and greatest. Oh, how I do not miss those days, playing keep up with an industry that expels new product at an ungodly rate. I felt if I didn't have the newest things that I wouldn't be able to compete for Design Team positions, for magazine pick-ups and so many other things that were just silly.  So I recently for the first time purchased some of the Tim Holtz Distress Crayons.  I came home and began playing with them and decided they were a good investment. I really like the cream medium they offer. I also love how they react with water.  I made this cute rainbow card.
 
I gathered some fun supplies. I had just purchased three of the Distress Crayon Sets,
but this one is the brightest, of course, I used it first. 

I scribbled a little on my craft mat. 

I just used my fingers to smear the crayon over the stencil.
I also added a bit of water to the pink and the darkest blue to fade out
and complete the wall. 

Add a piece of tulle behind the die cut circle and
a few die cuts, a fun Copic Colored dragon and spritz of shimmer,
and like MAGIC you are done with a fun card.


Well. I told you all I was trying to add more post. I actually have another ready! I will be typing it up tonight - See you all later. If you would like the color combos I used for the Dragon let me know. If it is something you are interested in seeing on future post let me know and I will post them from now on.   

Blessings Friends
Please leave your comments here I LOVE reading them. 

Saturday, February 18, 2017

POP IN

Hello Friends
I have been busy making stuff again. Seems I need to be more consistent on THIS blog.  I have been working on a writing project and that makes me disappear often.  Anyway, I do hope to get better at posting to this blog but truth be told, I often wonder if the world needs one more artsy fartsy blog-- then I decide, yes, yes it does.  I also realize how much information in this industry is inside my head.  I really do love paper and the art that accompany it.  Therefore I am going to do my best to post on a regular basis to thinking*through*design, it may be challenges or other stuff, but I need to be in communication with other artist, I really must.  With all that said, here is a card I made for a challenge over at  My Favorite Things Challenge Blog.
And this was one of my interpretations of this card.  I have another one on the table but it is marinating currently. I will share it at a later date.  Without further adieu...



Here is the original sketch - Let's see what you make with it.


Please feel free to leave comments, I love them and love to hear what you are thinking.  A thought on this design is the colors were chosen because of the analogous color scheme in my head, All that means is I chose the blue then crept around the color wheel until I reached yellow.  You will notice there are five different colors on this that I blended using water and the ZIG clean color markers.  
Thanks for stopping by! 
Blessings
e