Wednesday, July 22, 2009

She's Causing a Scene!!

I'm so sorry that you haven't seen me around of late...I think I put myself on somewhat of a stamping sabbatical. There has been a lot going on around here. None of it has been bad, just busy and a little scattering to the brain. Also, after doing the copic certification class, I wasn't able to practice like I wanted (a vacation got in the way), and I kept looking at my markers with fear. Call it performance anxiety, I don't know!! I finally sat down with them last night and started playing with all of them. I'm rusty on the techniques, but I think I've conquered my fear. I know that probably sounds a little weird to some of you, but that seems to be the only way I can explain it. Also, I had to really think about why I make cards and like doing it. Tryout after tryout after rejection after rejection for design teams can get a little daunting and well, very disappointing. So, my soul searching made me realize that I need to do this for me, at least for a while. The Flutter By challenge has always been a lifesaver for me! I'm going to be getting back on my challenge kick, and I've got a million Magnolia cards that need to be made. Instead of just collecting these stamps and supplies, I need to use them! Viva la cards!!

Enough of my mindless chatter...it's Flutter By Wednesday, and we had one humdinger of a challenge this week!! Heather, who's cards almost defy description they are so detailed and amazing, chose the theme of creating a scene with a butterfly and/or fairy and using little or no designer paper (yes, you can use some!). I decided to go with the no designer paper at all. I used stamps, sponges, and nesties to create my scene. I have three pictures for you so that you can see some of the detail. I tried my best with the cutting, but these are some seriously detailed images! The bunnies and flower are from an adorable set called Stinkin' Cute by Firecracker Designs by Pamela. The fairy is from an Inkadinkadoo clear set. The grass in the forefront is a stamp from Savvy Stamps. For the clouds, I used a cloud template and Cool Caribbean ink on the different sizes of Labels Four nesties. I wanted clouds, but with the stair step card, there isn't a lot of height unless you create it!

I used my new techniques on the coloring of the bunnies, flower, and fairy, but I think you can see more detail on the fairy image. The stickles set off the wings a bit more, and there are Martha Stewart punched butterflies. (that woman punches butterflies...how mean!)
We'd love to have you join us for the Flutter By challenge this week...it was a great awakening for me. Thank you to all who read and comment on my blog. I read every comment, and it is uplifting to hear your words of encouragement and praise. I hope you have survived the confession of my existential crisis and know that I'm back on track!! Have a fabulously fluttering day! Stop by Danni's blog and leave your creation via Mr. Linky (if he's MIA, leave me a link here or in Danni's comments!)

Card Details:
Stamps: Grass by Savvy Stamps; Stinkin' Cute by FCD; Beautiful Fairies by Inkadinkadoo
Paper: Wild Wasabi by Stampin' Up; Georgia Pacific white
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Nesties Labels 4; Rosie's Roadshow cloud template; Stickles; Martha Stewart butterfly punch
Copic Markers: Seriously way too many to list, and I forgot to...sorry!!

18 comments:

coldwaters2 said...

Hi Nancy I read your post with interest and kept saying 'yes I feel like that' and 'Yep that's me as well' lol....you are not alone with the feelings you are experiencing I think most of us feel like you at some stage. I know personally it's nearly everyday and I need others to confirm that I am doing ok. I have not applied for many DT slots as I don't think I am good enough and I know I wouldn't be able to handle it if I kept getting rejected time and time again so I stay in my comfort zone and enjoy what I am doing. I visit most blogs that I follow daily and boy there are such gorgeous creations (including yours) that inspire me and make me glad that I visited.

Your card today is stunning and I know that I do not have that creativity or talent to do something like that but I greatly admire yours and I enjoy it. Today you have made me happy.

Hugs
Lorraine x

Lelia Pierce said...

Great job, Nancy! Wonderful idea to use the stair step card for this challenge! :O)

Hugs,
Lelia

Stef H said...

well, it's good to have you back and your card is absolutely fabulous! i love that stairstep card and too bad i don't use it more. but yours sure rocks!

hugs,

Chris Olsen, Glowbug said...

Wow!Nancy this is drop dead gorgeous!! Love your scene and this stairstep card!!

Harriet Skelly said...

Nancy, I can so relate to your "fear" of the Copics. I took the certification class too and still haven't been using them much. This stairstep card is just perfect for today's scene challenge - I love what you did here! And the coloring of the fairy is awesome!! Hugs, Harriet

Michelle said...

WOW Nancy, great job!! You created a wonderful scene!! Looks like a lot of work - way to rock this challenge!!

Heather Schlatter said...

Nancy,

Your post sounds very familier to me!!

I can totally relate I have applied for over 35 teams and the majority of them have been rejections!!! It really made me start to question my talent and crafting ability.

Finally I made a team that the call took forever on and before we even started doing our first Sneak Peaks there was so much conflict and disasterous things going on Cassie and I both ended up stepping down from that team.

Now I do have my two digital teams and that has given me some confidence back, but still not where I would like to be totally so please hang in there it will eventually happen in the right timing and any team would be lucky to have you as I love all your cards!!!

You do have very wonderful talent and I love your cheery posts and attitude so do not let that get you down make cards because you like it and people enjoy your work, not because you feel you have too!!!

Your scene turned out wonderful and I love your stair step technique!!

I have never taken a Copic Coloring Class just mostly self taught with pointers from my good stamping friend and AMAZINGLY talented copic colorer Janna Hull but those pointers were over the phone so it mostly took me practicing to get it!!! Janna is amazing and she has never taken the class either so just keep practicing and it will come to you!!

I found that it helped me most to start out with about 45 markers 3 in each color group so that I could do blending and such. Over the last 7 months or so I have slowly grown my collection to about 140 markers and that has really helped improve my coloring abbility!!!

I get my Markers from Carpe Diem art store on line, and Merri Artist on line and I have gotten some from Eclectic Paperie too. Carpe Diem has his sketches on sale every other week for $3.95 for the sketches and $3.22 for the Chiao markers so that is when I get them and orders over $80 are free shipping. Hope this all helps!!!

Heather

Tenia Nelson said...

Love this, lady....this rocks!!! tfs!!

Danni said...

I think we all question things at some point. I'm happy to hear that you enjoy the FBW and that it helped to motivate you a bit.
Love your card, awesome job and so creative and fun!
Hugs my friend!

Cassie said...

this is so amazing nancy! i love how you created your scene!

please know that*I* always love what you do --- even if I only get by every now and then. Believe in yourself because you are very talented and not only that kind and caring.

I consider myself lucky to get to call you my blogging friend!

Christine said...

Really great card. I love those fold up pop up thingies!

Blessings,
Christine

Ann Kranitz said...

Wow, you put alot of work into this fantastic card!!!

Jodi said...

Omg, this is very pretty! love this scene you made! Awesome job on the challenge!
Hugs
Jodi =)

Linda said...

Nancy, I know what you mean about performance anxiety. Sometimes I look at a card and think should I let anyone see it or not. I have not tried out for a DT. I don't think I could take the pressure. I enjoy the challenges. Flutter By is always fun. The other ones I like are at Stamp TV. You can win stamps for doing a challenge. They just pick your name it doesn't have anything to do with your card. That is OK with me. I won two stamps this month. You get to pick the stamp you want. Your card is wonderful. Doing what makes you happy is the most important thing.

Abi Bundy said...

pretty card!

Michele Spera said...

Oh My friend you are not alone with your feelings, we all have them!! and Ive been using the copics for awhile and I felt the same way when I first started, I had them and wouldn't open them--too scared Id fail, hehe then I had a kind friend that helped me get the basics down and I took the certification class and every day is a learning lesson with the markers and alot of paper used:-) but I have a wonderful time with the markers and use them everyday:-) Your card is wonderful! I love the step card:-) and the colors are great with the scene:-)
Hang in there and if making cards is what makes You happy thats all that matters truely in the end:-)
XMichele speraX

Rachel said...

absolutely gorgeous!!
hugs,
Rachel

Christi Flores said...

How pretty!!!!