Archive for September, 2009:
Reader of the Week:
This week’s Reader of the Week is Meahni Pieterse, who comes from across the Globe. Let’s see what she has to say about colouring and lions in her backyard.
Your blog name, Animal Factory, is interesting. Tell me about your name.
When I registered my blog I couldn’t think of a name, I looked around the room, and there were all my dogs laying on the floor in front of me. The floor was just about covered with dogs – so I decided on Animal Factory. Nothing to do with crafts I guess, but I love animals more than anything in the world, so I was happy with that name.
Tell us a little bit about where you live, and what it is you love about it.
I live in Johannesburg in South Africa, it’s a beautiful country, but sadly the crime is busy driving everyone out of here. For some reason though, I have no plans of leaving, it is home and I love it. I can drive about 30 minutes and see wild animals, lion, rhino, leopard, zebra, giraffe, the list goes on. We have probably got one of the best climates in the world, even though our winter is cold and I hate it, it’s still easier to cope with than the long winters some overseas countries experience. I think I would die – lol! We also have space here, lots of space, it’s probably what draws tourists from Europe here, but then again, did I mention the weather, hehehe.
I live in Canada, and there are a lot of misconceptions about my country. For example, I am asked if we have polar bears in my city. The answer to that is, no. Polar bears live way up north.   Do you find the same thing–living in South Africa? Please share with us.
Oh definitely!!! We get asked all the time if there are lion and elephant roaming our streets. Sadly, there aren’t 
Stamping Bella is one of my favourite lines of stamps. Tell us a little bit about Stamping Bella, and being on their design team.
I got to know of Stamping Bella through my fellow DT member, Paula. It was her fantastic work that inspired me to start a Bella collection, and I just love them. I participated in a few of the Bellarific Friday challenges, and one day, out of the blue, I got an email from Emily herself. I was like, huh, why is Emily looking for me, then I read her mail, and nearly jumped right out of my skin. She was inviting me to be on her design team, who could say no to that!! I was a little nervous at first and thought how will I manage, there are such talented ladies on that team, will I have enough time, will I be able to make deadlines! Well I can tell you, Emily is probably one of the most relaxed people I have ever met, not that we’ve had the pleasure of meeting in person. If you can’t make it, you just let her know and she’s like, okay do it when you can manage. My fellow DT members are all great too. I unfortunately never get to spend time with any of them, not in person nor on the phone, but thank goodness for the internet! It is genuinely great to be a Bella Babe! I love it.
You have an interesting live talk feature on your blog. For those who are unfamiliar with it, please tell us a little bit about it.
Oh I always start a post and never know what to say. I mean the point is to share a card, not to waffle on about what I did the past weekend, but somehow, silly little things always creep in there. I pretty much write what’s on my mind at the time, and my fingers type as my thoughts go. It is always just off the top of my head, nothing I plan in advance.
Your colouring is outstanding. Can you tell us what mediums you like to use, and can you share any tips with us?
I only use pencils. Mostly Prismacolor and on the odd occasion Lyra and I blend with Sansador or Grumtine (for those in the States and Canada, it’s the same as Gamsol) and I stamp on the paper Stampin Bella sells, it great for pencils and copics. I was introduced to pencils by Paula Williamson, she is the master, I do not think there is anyone out there who can do with a pencil what she can. I used to love to colour as a child, but never took any art classes, I would’ve loved it, so don’t ask me why not.
I find that it helps a lot to study other people’s work, if it inspires you, then study it carefully and pay attention to what they do. I try not to be afraid to experiment, although when I have spent a bit of time colouring an image, I do not wanna mess it up, but I do try and mix colours a little, or try different techniques for shading. I learnt recently that one can add a little blue to red or a little red to green, for shading. Of course you must be careful not to overdo it or you make a new colour, like blue and red would make purple, but a little bit works really well. Always do everything in moderation and then add if you find it works for you. Don’t overdo it as you can usually not remove it once it’s on paper.
Do you have a favourite paper line?
I have no favourite paper line, but I do love the 6×6 pads from Basic Grey! I buy any paper that draws me. I think sometimes it depends on my mood, as I have bought paper I thought at the time was beautiful and then looked at it a month later and wondered, what the heck was I smoking, lol!
Do you have other hobbies?
I do indeed, but have no time for any of them. I like to do decoupage, beading, mosaic, DIY – oh no wait that doesn’t quality, that’s compulsory. When you have a house where there’s always something that needs attention, DIY starts feeling like a hobby. I LOVE doing jigsaw puzzles and bought a 3000 thousand piece in December last year, needless to say, the box is still sealed 
To view more of Meahni’s work, visit her blog Animal Factory. Shout out a hello and tell her Beth sent you.
For your chance to be in the spotlight, just leave a comment on one of my posts and your name will go into the random drawing.
Subscribe to the comments for this postTechnique Junkie Treasure Hunt, ARRR
Ah maties, this here is our third treasure hunt. Arrrr.  The Design and Turbo Teams of the Technique Junkie Newsletter, have put together some awesome cards using techniques from October’s newsletter. Issues will be mailed this week. Arrr!
My card shows off my Decorated Pretties flowers. Shiver me timbers, they are fun to make.
Arrr, didn’t Pirate Lisa design something spectacular! Blowed us away she did!
Did you come from the beginning of the Treasure Hunt map? If not, why don’t you start at the beginning of the map and continue right through to the end of this short little journey. If you want to start from this location, that’s fine too ‘mate. Before you stumble upon the next seabearing treasure, you need to pick up the treasure found right here in the lobster shack with me. Here ya go matie–here is your letter O. Arrrrr.
Jump in the boat I left on the shore, and continue on ’til you meet up with Pirate Ann. I hear she has some great treasure for you too! I took a peak at her technique and shiver me timbers it is beautiful!
The prize will be announced by Pirate Pat. Make sure you leave a comment on Pirate Pat’s blog for your chance to win!
- Pkg of Paperclay for Petroglyphic
- I jar of Smooch ink
- Micro Pearl Pearl Ex for Jeweled Acetate
- Glitter for PK Glitz Technique
- 3 Stamp Sets
$10.00 Gift Certificate from Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps
Come back next month, where we will scrounge up more treasure for you to hunt down, Arrrr!
Tutorial Tuesday will resume next week ‘mates. Pirate Snow is sick.
Stamp:Â I brake for stamps; DP:Â BasicGrey; Flowers:Â Hero Arts; DP; Cardstock:Â So Saffron
Good news and bad news
Bad news first. My baby is sick.
Donnie and I came home from breakfast yesterday and were curious why Snow wasn’t at the door to greet us. We yelled out for her and she let out a horrifying scream for us. We ran up the stairs, two at a time, and found her collapsed and lethargic in the hallway. Donnie gently reached down to pick her up, while I ran downstairs to call our vet.
Apparently, I have the only vet in town that will not see a customer after hours–they have us drive 70 miles away to London (South Vetinary by the way). We called Blue Cross animal hospital and they refused to see us because we weren’t a customer. Donnie called the Humane Society who convinced Blue Cross to see her, and 5 minutes before we were to leave the house, the Humane Society called us to say that Blue Cross had an emergency with their own customer and will not see us. Needless to say, we are on the hunt for a new vet!
We drove Snow to London’s emergency clinic where I gave a history of loss of weight loss (why didn’t I know that was a serious problem in a puppy?!) and small appetite (but don’t small dogs have tiny appetites?). After bloodwork, we were told in a round-about way that there is kidney and liver failure. She has no muscle mass and has been sick for a very long time, yet showed absolutely no symptoms. All through our meeting with the vet, Snow layed like a ragdoll in my arms.
After buckets of tears from the both of us, we left snow in London for the weekend, where she will be hooked up to IV and monitored. On Monday morning we have to pick her up at 8:00 a.m. and bring her back to Sarnia for an ultrasound, as London’s only ultrasound vet is on maternity leave.
I will keep you posted
This morning I called for an update, only to hear, “didn’t you call me an hour ago?” I replied, “I guess that was my husband, I’ll get an update from him.” She must have known how much anxiety I had because she said a little more gently that Snow’s bloodwork has become normal after the IV throughout the night.
I’ll keep you posted.
Onto the good news.
This week’s winner of the fairy tale challenge is…..
Silvia of Sillyscrap
Yahoo!
SD Challenge 10: Four Seasons
Well, fall is officially here. It is my favourite time of year. There is something comforting about wearing sweaters at night, seeing the trees change colours, and a cup of hot chocolate after a walk in the cooler temperatures. To celebrate our changing season, we have a challenge that is perfect for us–four seasons. Each of us used our Four Seasons stamp set.
Please join us and show off your talent. Show us anything related to the four seasons. Pick one of the seasons, or all four–the choice is yours.  You are welcome to use any product. Of course we’d prefer that you use images by Sunflowers and Dragonflies Creative Designs, but feel free to use other images if you don’t have one of ours. This week’s prize is our Four Seasons set of stamps and a box of Prima flowers.
BIG NEWS:Â OUR NEW WEBSITE IS UP.
Please post a direct link to your challenge project (with a link back to the this challenge) from either your blog or an online gallery so we can view it, no later than Saturday afternoon. If you upload to an online gallery, please use the keyword S&D10.
As always, the Design Team have some awesome things to show you…
Beth uses Four Seasons stamp set
Kim uses Four Seasons stamp set
Jennifer uses the Four Seasons set
HAVE YOU SEEN OUR NEW WEBSITE?
Technique Junkie Simple Whitewash Technique
Can you believe I still have Cool Caribbean cardstock around? I bought six packages before it was discontinued, and I’m down to my last package. What will I do?! LOL
The background technique is Simple Whitewash from the August issue of the Technique Junkie newsletter.
Adirondack Chair:Â Inkadinkado; Sentiment:Â Sunflowers and Dragonflies Creative Designs; Flourish:Â Fancy Pants
This is another example using the Simple Whitewash Technique.
During a visit with my mom, in Georgia, we visited Patricia’s Dibona’s studio and store, and this is what I picked out. Patricia had original art that used this image, on a much larger scale. She is so talented.
Leave me a suggestion for next week’s tutorial, and your name will be entered in the draw for a chance to be Reader of the Week.
Stamp:Â Dibona’s Studio; Flourish Stamp:Â Fancy Pants; Flowers:Â Prima
Reader of the Week: Margie Cortina
Oh Bumble is me Margie. Interesting and catchy name for a blog. Interesting interview.
This interview was very fun for me. Reading Margie’s blog, I felt I got a real good sense of who Margie is. Margie agreed. She said I asked questions that made her feel like I did know her.
When I randomly choose my reader of the week, I take the time to read the blog that I am going to highlight for you.
Rules for being chosen as my Reader of the Week. Simple. Leave a comment on one of my posts and your name is entered in the random drawing.
Margie has a newly designed blog, and I’m sure she would be thrilled to have you shout out a hi. If you do, please let her know that Beth sent you.
Your blog name, Oh Bumble is Me…Margie, is a cute name. How did you choose it?
Thank you 
Choosing my blog’s name was actually quite easy… I was looking for a word that screamed who I was… my DH tried to help and pointed out the fact that I always do what I want to do even without know what it is that I am doing – does that make sense? LOL! It did to me!
Bumble means to stumble, to mumble, to be clumsy and also to create a humming sound – that’s all me! I’m clumsy and always mumbling my apologies, I always stumble upon things, usually by accident - my way of creating and learning, and I’m a huge hummer! I’m always humming my favorite song or nursery rhyme; Bumble also sounds like bubble, which suits my bubbly personality and constant ramblings! Yes, I am one of those people who starts talking/typing about something and then ends up on something else
What is your favourite thing about blogging?
So many different things! I am actually a bit shy in real life, so my blog gives me the opportunity to just be myself without any hesitations, and let’s me share what I love to do with everyone. It’s helped me be more outgoing, adventurous and carefree. Being a SAHM can be lonely at times, it helps know that I have an outlet to ’speak’ to people and reach out and know that I am not completely alone, that their are other people that understand me… And of course, I love seeing everyone’s blogs and making new friends all around the world! So many very special, kind-hearted and talented people! All so caring and helpful! The comments that I receive are so encouraging I love blog-world!
How did you start rubberstamping?
My little sister, Sara, introduced me to scrapbooking and then later on to rubberstamping by taking me to a Stampin Up! demo last year… I immediately feel in love with stamps! The artist within me was screaming to come out and start coloring! I love to draw, but stopped once life got too busy with family and kids. Stamping has been the closest thing to drawing and I love it so much!
How long have you scrapbooked?
I have been scrapbooking for a little over a year now! I wish I had more time to get all of my creative ideas accomplished… I wish I had know about it all sooner!
What stamp lines are your favourite?
Anyone who knows me knows that I am a HUGEÂ Greeting Farm fan – they’re all so cute and versatile! I also love Rachel Anne Miller samps, Dog Gone Stamps and I cannot wait to get my hands on some Gorjuss stamps!
The world of Digital stamping has also snuggled into my heart! I love having the freedom to alter the size of my image to fit any card or layout.
Do your boys stamp or scrapbook with you yet?
Oh yes! My boys love to get inky and have been for the last 6 months! They have their own Cuttlekids and separate basket of dollar stamps, 2×2 dies, inks, etc. Crayola has created a scrappy line just for kids and of course, they enjoy my scraps and have ‘borrowed’ many of my Ian and Wild Sprout stamps… if I’m missing something, I know exactly where to look, lol!
Tell us about the Operation Nice blog.
My sister, Sara of Scrap Happie, was one to tell me about Operation Nice and organized a blog hop in honor of it too last month…
Operation Nice is a blog created by Melissa to remind people that “a little bit of NICE goes a long way.” It’s a way to remind yourself and others that kindness means a lot, you don’t know what the person next to you may be going through and just reaching out and doing the smallest gesture can change that person’s view, hope and world! Also, you will find NICE challenges, giveaways, downloads and ideas on plenty of NICE things to do, share and how to ’pay it forward’! It’s a wonderful and encouraging place to help yourself be a better, NICER person everyday!
Do you participate in any forums?
Yes, I do! I have 2 that I visit often when life isn’t so crazy, one is fairly new and the other is an old time friend
I just recently joined Label Tulip; I fell in love with their kits, which I just signed up for and these group of ladies are extremely talented! I hope to get to know everyone and am prepared to learn so much, especially on how to create more layouts – I still struggle with cutting my pictures, lol!
My other forum to visit is Twilight Tuesday!!! I’m a huge fan of Twilight and this group of gals just makes it even better and more fun! Who knew that a book made into a movie would create such a stir amongst the scrapbooking and cardmaking world! There ongoing discussions not only about Twilight and Edward but also about scrapping, stamping, other books, news, etc. There is a topic for everything and anything… and did I mention Edward
Edited to add: I recently saw a wonderful Twightlight stamp set at Barnes and Noble bookstore. How fun for Twightlight ans.
Thank you, Margie, for playing along.
You can shout out a hello to Margie at Oh Bumble is Me…Margie.
Tutorial Tuesday: Inchie Art 2–Toothbrush Distressing
I have a new love for inchies, and couldn’t resist buying these inchie stamps, called Butterflies and Birds, by Inkadinkado. Not wanting to let them get lonely, I quickly put a tutorial together, and stamped these cuties out.
My coordinating background is a technique from the Technique Junkie’s Newsletter. With so many past and current techniques, you are sure to find one that is suited just for you!
Time to get painting, so let’s begin by pulling out that paper you bought and now say, “What was I thinking?!!” Let’s do my Toothbrush Distressing technique.
Supplies
Stamps (inchie stamps or small images)
WHAT AS I THINKING paper
Variety of Acrylic Paints
Old Toothbrush
Ink pads
Versamark
Embossing Powder (clear and colour)
Heat Gun
To start Step 1, pull out your “What was I thinking?!!” paper and scrap paper. In my case, I had 12 x 12 paper and used a corner for scrap as I did not need the entire sheet of paper for this project. I did paint most of the paper because I wanted to create extra inchies to use later.
Take your toothbrush, dip it into acrylic paint, and wipe off excess paint on scrap paper. Pull your toothbrush across your paper in short little strokes. You will continue adding a variety of colour until you are satisfied. Pull your toothbrush in different directions.
When there is a strong colour difference, you may want to mix the two colours together.
Cut your inchies out. Be sure to make extras because experimentation could ruin many inchies. While filming this tutorial I made many mistakes in my experiments, and ended up going in the direction of rubberstamping onto this background, rather than embossing. Unfortunately, I lost a lot of inchies in the process.
Rubberstamp onto the inchie.
This step is optional:Â Apply VersaMark over top of the background and inchies, sprinkle with clear embossing powder, and heat emboss.
You may wonder why I chose to clear emboss my background and inchies. I like to embellish and work my cards to the max, and only stop when I hit the wall separating “awesome” and “gaudy–overkill.” Embossing powder enhances the quality of work when using the right products. In my case, this template makes my paper look like leather once embossed. When you maximize your talent, you are able to show your love for the recipient. If you sell your cards, you are able to ask for more money.
I hope you enjoyed today’s tutorial.
For a complete listing on tutorials, see my Tutorial page at the top of the page.
Blog Candy Alert
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You have until September 30th.
Some Bunny Loves You
Happy Monday! Today is the first day back to work after a two week vacation. What did I do? Believe it or not, 90% of the time was spent in my studio getting caught up.
White Rabbit is part of our Alice in Wonderland series. Image was coloured with Prismacolor pencil crayons and OMS. Butterfly punch was used, and lots of Prima flowers were added.
Have a great day!
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