Confession Time about handmade cards! I used Heidi Swapp Color Magic paper and Pink Paislee's Mistables paper, Artisan Collection with Color Shine

Wow, it has been a while since I have blogged.  It starts to get very busy around this time of the year for everyone so I like to take some time to really enjoy some down time.  Our recent down time was a trip to New Orleans and Grand Isle, Louisana during fall break  My kids, two of their friends and I had a blast.  This trip was extra special because I met a crafter friend for the first time.  My friend Anna and I both took Heidi Swapp's the Art of Observation class and got to know each other through the on-line class and then continued to communicate via email and phone calls when the class ended.  Anna invited my family to Grand Isle, probably not really expecting me to take her up on her offer but I did! She was a gracious host and we even had some time sharing and creating together.  None of us wanted to return home but all things must come to an end.

As my kids have been back in full swing of school, my husband busy at church, I have been doing lots of different activities.  As you may know, I have a space at the boutique The Shoppes at Brownstone Village.  I have been sprucing things up and trying to get ready for the holiday season fast upon us.

I have also been having an incredible time playing with Heidi's Color Shine misting spray.  I shared several posts ago about this great product and I finally put it into real action with making lots of homemade cards.  I have to say, after using it quite a bit, it still stands up to the high quality it was in the beginning.  Some sprays simply give out after a while but not this one.  It is awesome to the very end (thank goodness for back up bottles!).

I have a confession to make and hopefully I am not the only one like this.  I can be a bit selfish when it comes to giving away my handmade things.  Yikes, I said it.  Here is the good news.  I have figured a way around my selfishness.  If I have a lot of something (such as cards) then I don't feel bad at all giving some away.  So, I have been making card after card after card.  Now that I have quite a stash, I can start blessing those around me and not feel selfish at all!  All the cards were made using Color Shine on either Heidi's Color Magic paper or Pink Paislee's Mistable paper.  I would love to know what you think of the cards and feel free to email me pics of your homemade cards.  I am always looking for inspiration.  Thanks for reading and have a great upcoming week!

Adorable Kids + Color Shine = Fun Layout with Color Magic paper and Pink Paislee's Artisan Collection

 Happy Monday and Happy October!

Wow, Christmas music will be playing on the radio soon.  We all say it, don't we?  "I can't believe how fast time goes."  I woke up asking myself this question:  Am I letting time fly past me or are do I take in all that is happening to me?  I would have to answer that I am probably 70/30.  70% of the time I truly take in time with my family and friends and enjoy each day to the fullest.  I need to think more about this but I probably won't (at least I am honest!).  You see, I am a doer and not so much a thinker.  This doesn't mean I don't think.  It means my personality is such that I don't spend lots of down time thinking through life and all the ups and downs.  I pretty much go with the flow. 

Enough of my thoughts...hey I did think!  This is my latest layout and I chose one that is outside the norm for me.  I have been wanting to try this style for a some time as it was inspired by a new friend, Judy, from Barcelona.  She is a fabulous artist and all of her layouts are so colorful.  Check out her blog (http://www.judyscrap.blogspot.com). 

I have sprayed the background paper with Color Shine.  I did this several ways.  Because Gold Lame is a lighter color, I sprayed that fairly close to my paper.  I didn't want as intense of a Mint Green color, so I sprayed it in the air like perfume and then waved my paper under it.  I explained that in my last post if you want to do this, it is best to go outside unless you want a light coating of Color Shine on your floor.  Good thing it washes right off with water.  I then sprayed one spray of the Mint Green in a bowl and grabbed a straw.  I dipped the end of the straw into the color.  NO, I did not breathe in at this point and please don't do that either. I then blew into the straw and onto the paper to give it a medium spray look.  Then for the larger splots, I dipped the straw back in the bowl and tapped the straw in various places on my paper.  I also did the straw method with Sweet Cherry.  Now, you can use the actual cap of the Color Shine as it has somewhat of a straw attached to it.  However, this really gives bigger splots that what I wanted. Whew, I hope that all makes sense.    

Here is where I used more of the Mint Green:  on a Color Magic Note (to the right of the banner), on the edges of the paper below (took a sponge and dipped it in my bowl and edged the paper with it), on the chevron strip under the Sunshine Trimming (which was sprayed with Gold Lame), on the Pink Paislee Artisan circle to the right of the pic and finally on the chipboard butterfly.  I used Sweet Cherry on a piece of white glitter paper that the photo is backed on.  I used a toothpick and again dipped it in the bowl of spray and painted the middle and edge of the butterfly.  Finally, I used a sponge to individually color the Color Magic banner. Thanks for reading.  Make it a great day!