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!

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!

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

CH CH CH Changes....

If you have not yet heard, I am no longer a full-time employee at Fun Stampers Journey.  It was a dream job, I was very happy working there and then life happened.  I don't want to share too much but I lost my ability to work full-time.  This means new beginnings for me.  I am still very much in love with the company and all the people that keep the wheels turning.  I helped to finish the next catalog that will be released on October 1st, then I resigned my full-time position.  Sadly, I do not own many FSJ products so a lot of what you are going to see here will be other manufacturers.

I did have my first week of not working full-time and it was busy but I am never too busy to create.  I had ordered some My Favorite Things Stamps a few weeks ago and they just so happened to come in so I made a few things.  I also have a few other good things in the works.  I plan to get a studio set up for some live cast, and to provide some tutorials for color theory as well as some other fun stuff.  I am still writing and will share tidbits of the children's story I am working on as they develop!  I thank you all for understanding while I was full-time that I had neglected my poor blog.  Hang with me friends and we will make beautiful things together! Please share with your friends and family I would love to see this blog grow!

Magical Dragons (Click for Link)

Your Rawr-some (Click for Link)

Llama Love (Click for Link)

Stepped Up Chevron - Click for Link -
This was free for spending $60 or more! WHAT

Quick Post

With the black and white with color pop being so trendy I couldn't help but give it a try with this fun "Sweet Succulents" Set from MFT.

The real secret to this style of card making (Pop with B&W)  is to chose a card base that gives the feeling of the item you are not coloring.  Here I used a "cactus" color as the base which gives even more pop when you see the images are not colored.  Note also that while the image is not colored, I did shade around the cactus.

Fun and trendy.  I hope you give it a try.

Happy Easter Weekend!

Blessings
Erika

Why I do....

WHY I DO...
IS TO SHARE WITH YOU
EVER SMALL AS IT MAY BE
A GLIMPSE OF ME. 

I am creative.  I am by no means the most creative person in the world. In fact, often after I spend only a few moments on Pintrest and am quickly humbled at the amazing ideas that float out there in the creative space of this universe.

I was thinking yesterday, Why do I do this?  Is it because I am a collector?  Am I an artist? Am I creative?  Then the questions that always finds a way into my thinking...  AM I an artist? Am I good enough?  WHY do I torture myself? WHY do I think I even have a chance at being an artist?  WHY do you do this Erika?  

Last night my husband and son went to play racquetball and I sat at my table cutting paper, embossing card front, creating a card to send to a friend in a heated battle with cancer, and I realized why I do...

I do because my art no matter if someone sees it, as campy or amazing is a part of me I can share with a big ugly dark world.  I have a little light (it's really a rainbow of my collections)  that I can cast onto the life of another.  I may not be and "artist" I am okay with that.  I know that my "crafting"  is a part of WHO I am not just something I do.  

I had a downline over yesterday, we worked very hard prepping for her upcoming workshop.  She is new to the business.  She works hard!  I am excited for her.  We spent a good 5 hours designing and practicing for her workshop.  I love sharing with my team.  I love seeing them come up with different takes on techniques, to see them discover something that excites them.   That is WHY I DO... I do because in my deepest places, I have a heart for art. I want to share it with the world

I get scared sometimes, I don't think I am good enough. I really struggle with that lie.   I put myself out there a lot.  I have overheard both good and bad.  I have felt my heart break when someone tosses my little part of me in the trash can. I have felt my heart overflow with warmth when I walk into someones home and see a bit of me still watching over them. I love the idea of one day making my art my sole financial source, and know that that only will happen if I keep myself working hard to better myself.  I am a fighter.  I believe I can do that.  I work very hard in many aspects of my life, wife, mom, bookkeeper, artist, friend whatever it takes to be the best me.  So while some don't see what I do as "artistic"  I choose to see myself as what I pray I CAN be.   I want to encourage you today. You are good enough, you are a blessing in my life, you are what you work hard to be.  You don't have to be the best in the world, just be the best you can be!  

Blessings

Erika

Coloring with LIGHT!

OK bare with me!  This post has many photos.  In the move, I have misplaced my SD card so I couldn't do a video!  In the photo it is difficult to tell, but the red is actually foil paper that releases with the holiday catalog.  YES this cute card was made with Christmas Cuties a new set for the holidays.

Let's talk about coloring.  It is fun , right?  Most the time yeah it is fun but it can be frustrating when you look at all those "professionals" work and think HOW do they do that?  Well today I hope to shed a little LIGHT (hahaha) on a easy way to ensure that you are using light to your advantage.  A quick story to explain how I came up with this technique.  I love me a good glass mat.  I have the WeR Memory Keepers glass mat and I use it for everything.  I use it to cut with my blades, to smear ink on for backgrounds or to act as a pallet for my watercoloring.  Glass mats are the best tool and one day while watercoloring an image for a card I looked at the mat and realized it has a tool that is remarkable!  Many cutting mats have this as well, but for this story it was the glass mat that gave me an epiphany. I want to begin there... my mat... this mat if you look closely has diagonal lines on it.  They kind of look like "rays" of the sun. I know it is hard to see with the light but they are there.  What I realized is these are great guides for coloring.  I can place the image I am working on on those lines and have a guide for the "highlights" (Figure 1)

That is where our technique begins.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

The first thing I do is I decide what direction I would like the light to come from, in this case I wanted it coming from the upper right so I turned my mat to match that direction.  (Figure 2)Think of it like rays of light.  Then I decide how much light I want on my subject, do I want it to be hard light or soft, if I want it soft I place the image on the lines that are further apart.  As you can see in this image I secure my paper with a little washi tape. If I need to move the paper to get a better angle to color, I move the entire glass mat.  Securing the cardstock allows for my highlights to be consistent.  I will then add the image using the center line which will be my primary source of light (Figure 3 and Figure 4).  After I have stamped the image I begin to add highlights using a pale yellow.  Examine the image and ask yourself where would the light fall.  (Figure 5).  You can also get a strip of paper and follow the highlight line in the center of you image to check where the highlights should fall. (Figure 6).  Once you have your strip of paper, add small amounts of a pale yellow to the areas that would be raised and touch the yellow strip. (figure 7)

 In this set, there is not "chin" so I added a little one by using a slightly darker color.

Figure 4

Once you have the highlights you can proceed by adding some of the shadows. When coloring a face, it is a natural shadow just below the hair line, in the nape of the neck where the head would cast a shadow, under the nose and chin.   (Figure 8).
When it comes to hair, you want to know where the highlights are and then you naturally know how to color the hair. (Figures 9, 10 and 11)  You see that I have the pale yellow in place and I can see the places that would cast shadows better.  Thus adding a darker brown to the hair behind the neck, also on the folds of the hair.  This is also true with the clothing.  I added a bit too much yellow to a wing and the dress so I had to use greys to blend.  It works fine but I should have used a lighter yellow in those areas because the clothing and wings were to remain white.  On the sash (Figures 12, 13 and 14) you can see the effectiveness of adding a bit of yellow.  I made mine a little darker for demo purposes, but you can see how the yellow blends into the blue and literally highlights the places I designated.  Using the lines on my glass mat and my sun strip I was able to find the right spots to highlight.  It really is a matter of once you see the highlights you will naturally see the midtones and shadows.  The lines on the glass mat help me not lose my source of light.  I hope this tip helps you in your coloring.

Figure 5

 

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Any questions?  No problem, just shoot me an email. gzuswins@gmail.com and I will try to get them answered as quick as a cricket!  Thanks for taking the time to read this long post.  I am going to try and get a card and turn this into a video.  I think seeing the hair colored in live action will truly help! 

Again you know I am a Full-Time Independant Stampin'Up! Demonstrator and the Makin'PrettyThings Team Leader. If you are interested in this kind of training and would love to be lucky like me and DO what you LOVE--- CREATE let me know and we will get you signed up for $99.  It doesn't get better than that... Start your own business for $99.  It was the best decision I ever made!  

Blessings Friends

Erika 

Birthday Wishes C.O.W

Last night I put together the Watercolor Wishes Kit.  OHHH I love it. I made all those card in just a few hours and they are all unique and beautiful.  I enjoyed that the kit had everything I needed to complete each of these cards AND extra goodies to make more.  The kit has the block, the STAMPS, the inks, the embellishements, card bases, envelopes, step by step color instructions.  It is just FUN!

SO I was working with these last night and I fell in L.O.V.E. with the stamps set.  The script on the set.  I loved all the beautiful sentiments.  I am all for a Happy Birthday but I really like the Happiest Birthday Wishes it just made me smile.  SO I used the stamps from the Watercolor Wonder kit to create the C.O.W. (card of the week)  I ALSO wanted to share that I will be creating ONE monthly PDF with all the instructions for the Cards of the Week.  If you would like step-by-step directions please just let me know.  


I also wanted to add a quick tip.   As you can see I did not use the sentiment from the In this Together set (133869)  because I wanted to add the Happiest Birthday Wishes sentiment.  When a stamp set has the sentiment on the bottom like the "it's time to celebrate" image from In this Together it is a simple fix.  Simply cut a post-it to cover the sentiment (see below), ink the image, remove the post-it and stamp.

Notice I cut out the image after
stamping it on the post it.
I did this to ensure the least amount of
opportunity for ink to gather. 

I also used a round template to create the visual texture on the card by simply piercing the paper. I felt the card needed a drop shadow and created that by simply adding a very thin piece of Smoky Slate cardstock and lifting it on craft foam.  The image was colored using Copic Markers.

To make this card you would need:  

Copic Markers of your color choice. 

Craft Foam (I use adhesive backed foam)

Watercolor Wishes Card Kit

H Block 

Piercing Mat

Piercing Tool 

Updated Essentials Paper Piercing Pack

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink 

Metallics Sequin Assortment

In This Together

I hope you enjoy this weeks C.O.W.  I am looking for a few contributors to the C.O.W.  portion if you are interested please send me an email at gzuswins@gmail.com   

Hope your challenge cards are coming along nicely.  I look forward to seeing them!  

Have a blessed day and tomorrow I have something I know you will enjoy!  A fun technique for casting light! 

Until then

Blessings Friends

Erika       

C.O.W (Card of the Week)

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Welcome back my friends!

I hope your week is going well!  I have been so busy and so many great new things are in the works.  Did you see the sneak peek of the catalog I posted yesterday?  NO well be sure to check it out right HERE
Normally I will have a challenge for you on Wednesday but with all the new goodies I felt like it was better to show you some sneaks yesterday.  We will get on the challenges soon I promise! Speaking of sneaks be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post to see a few more.

Lets get down to business, today is our Card of the Week (C.O.W.)  I am excited to share a new project with a little instruction for you this week.  I was inspired by this card from the catalog sample, but as always I kind of made it my own. I love that SU! gives us such stunning leaping off points.  This one seemed to fit my mood-- I am happy and grateful for this life I am blessed to lead.  I thank you all for being a part of it.

Today is our Card of the Week.

Thank you for Everything and More

What you will need:

Whisper White Heavy Cardstock (140272)

English Garden Designer Paper (138440)

One Big Meaning  (139420)

Pistachio Pudding Thick Bakers Twine(135635)

Vellum (101856)

Garden In Bloom Photopolymer  (139443)

Put it together:

1. Cut an A2 card base (5.5 x 8.5 - score at 4.25) using Whisper White Cardstock
2. Cut Kraft and White strips from English Garden Designer Pack at 5.25 x 4
3. Cut Whisper White at 4.75x3.5 
4. Cut Vellum Strip at 1.5 x 8
5. Stamp images from Garden in Bloom Stamps onto 4.75 x 3.5 Whisper White bleeding some of the images off the card 
6. Using the Aqua Pens or paint brush and inks add color to the images. This method creates a lovely watercolor look
• Tip: if you have a glass mat smear a little ink on to the glass and pick up ink with a wet brush.  This allows for better control of the amount of ink you pick up and does not dilute your ink pad.  If you don't have a glass mat you can also use the top of your ink storage.
• If you want the centers to be darker like mine are, wet your brush the remove excess water and then load your brush with full saturation of the ink.  
7. Punch one end of vellum strip to create the banner and stamp sentiment about .25" from the punched end  *Set aside to dry or dry with heat gun
8. Tie triple bow with Thick Bakers Twine
9. Adhere Kraft and white Designer Paper to the base of the card
10. Wrap vellum strip around back of the Stamped colored 4.75 x 3.5 whisper white and crease at desired length.  
11. Adhere the excess vellum flap to the back of the 4.75 x 3.5 Whisper White (this ensures no adhesive will be seen.
12. Staple or using a Stampin Dimensions adhere triple bow through the vellum onto the 4.75 x 3.5 Whisper white.
13. Adhere craft foam (or use Stampin' Dimensions) to the water colored 4.75 x 3.5 whisper white image.  
14. Adhere completed 4.75 x 3.5 Whisper White with Vellum attached to the front of the card.  

I hope you enjoy making this fun and beautiful card.  Feel free to play with the colors these could be a beautiful bright bouquet as well. To purchase any of the products you see in our COW visit my website by simply clicking HERE. 

SNEAK PEEKS:

As I promised!  Here are a few more lovelies for you.  If you would like more information on how to become a demonstrator or if you just want to ask a few questions, shoot me an email.  NEVER any pressure. (gzuswins@gmail.com) 

This set... just makes me smile.
I can't wait to incorporate it in a C.O.W. and a workshop! 

How clever is THIS?  I think it is a
great tree for a small space, maybe work?
It would be great advertisement if you wanted
to join my team and let everyone know
The product really does sell itself! 

Have a blessed day my friends... and go Make Pretty Things!  

Blessings,

Erika

For more information on joining my team CLICK HERE.