There She Goes Clear Stamps: September 2010

Thursday, September 30, 2010

~Trendsetting Spotlight on Sharon B~

It's time for the Trendsetting Spotlight! Each Thursday we feature a card made by someone who has participated in the previous week's TSG Challenge. Would you like to be in the Trendsetting Spotlight?? Join in the fun by participating in our weekly challenges posted every Monday!

This week I am very pleased to be shining the spotlight on Sharon Basel. Sharon stopped me dead in my tracks with this designer kitchen card made with A Woman's Place.

Who wouldn't want this kitchen?! Cool, huh?

Let me tell you a bit about Sharon. She has always been a crafter and has dabbled in many crafting hobbies, making homemade gifts and the like since she was very young. She first got involved with stamping 7 years ago when she attended a Stampin' Up! party. (For those of you who follow this feature, are we starting to get the idea that Stampin' Up! is like a gateway drug? LOL) A couple of years later she was invited to a stamp club and her obsession took off from there.

Sharon's doesn't claim to have a "go-to" embellishment, but does confess to having an affection for buttons. She has not been published, yet, but has been recognized in a variety of online challenges. You can add this one to your list, Sharon!

Sharon's other hobbies include sewing, which she says is a lifelong passion. She also likes to read, playing piano, stamping with her daughter and playing golf with her son.

Sharon says, "I’m from Michigan and live in West Bloomfield, a suburb in the Detroit area. I work full-time as a public relations professional in the automotive industry which is very challenging these days, so stamping is my way to relax from the stresses of the working world. I am blessed with two wonderful children – my son is a high school freshman and my daughter is in middle school – they are my pride and joy. I also am lucky to have a husband that supports my stamping addiction! We are a family of animal lovers currently with a West Highland Terrier called “Tillie Mae” and “Thumper” the rabbit that Santa delivered to our home about six years ago. At one time, animals out-numbered humans in our house 2:1 and included cats, hamsters, a guinea pig and fish besides the dog and rabbit!".

Sharon, it has been a pleasure to get to know you. If you would like to read more about Sharon and see more of her beautiful work, you can visit her blog: Inklined to Stamp.

Hugs!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Wednesday Trends - watercolouring tutorial

Hello crafty peeps! This is Iwona bringing you my first Wednesday Trends post :)

Did you notice that watercolouring becomes HOT?? I thought that I'll show you how I colour my images, using my good ole' watercolour pencils and some chalks. It's easier than you might think!

(Due to the large number of photos I reduced their size, but feel free to click on any of them, to see the enlarged version)

I stamped an image from the Puppy Love set on a piece of paper (the smoother the better!), with a permanent ink. I use and recommend Versafine.

I picked three shades of brown, to colour the dog's body:

Coloured it in with the lightest shade first:

than shaded it with darker browns, covering wider parts with the middle brown, and accenting only with the darkest shade. I placed the pencils so that they'd represent where the light comes from.

I coloured the rest in the same manner, but using only the lightest brown for the spots, and only the darkest one for the nose & collar. I used different pressure & density of colour, to make the shades.

Then I picked three shades of red, for the hearts:

coloured them in with the lightest colour:

and shaded with the remaining two:

After I was satisfied with the depth of colour, I picked my waterbrush, and blended the colours.

Important tip for blending - always start from the lightest part, and work your way to the darkest corner in small and swift circular moves. This way your colours will be evenly distributed. Starting from the darks will make you "drag" the colour into the lighter area, while too straight strokes will push your darkest colour back or even remove it completely.
You'll need some practice, but you'll be able to "catch" it very quickly.

Now I pulled out my chalks (Pebbles)

I made a faint line with the green chalk, where I wanted the ground to end:

then picked up some more colour and applied it below - again, I worked in circular moves, and used more pressure where I wanted the colour to be more saturated:

I used a darker shade of green for the shading, and picked up some light blue for the sky:

lastly I added shading around the image, with the darker blue:

A couple of tips for chalking:
- use your finger to smooth out the colours if desired,
- if you happen to run your chalk over the image, simply take a baby wipe or even wet your finger, and tap it lightly over the chalked area. This will remove all the excess.

Here's the finished card!

I hope you enjoyed :)

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Trendsetter Tuesday - Iwona

The There She Goes Trendsetters have included the best stampers around since the beginning of the company, two years ago. It's not uncommon for one of our own to be tapped for the Splitcoaststampers Dirty Dozen. So when this week's Trendsetter, Iwona, came on board it was no surprise that she also stepped into the Dirty Dozen just weeks later.

Iwona is a prolific stamper. I am always amazed at the number of cards and projects she produces. They are all amazing quality pieces, too!

Iwona's blog: Random Acts of Creativity

Here are a few of my favorite Iwona creations.......

This cutie made with Hauntingly Delightful just tickles my funny bone.

Then we switch gears and find a gorgeous creation made with Autumn Mosaic.....

And look at the colors and details on this delightful BEE Happy card....

Iwona, you are such a joy to know and so enthusiastic. Your wonderfully detailed cards are an asset to There She Goes! Hugs!

Monday, September 27, 2010

TSG74 Iwona’s Inspiration Challenge

This week we have a fabulous inspiration challenge that is brought to our featured Trendsetter Iwona! There are so many great elements to this image that are perfect to get that mojo flowing. You can take your inspiration from the colors, shapes, layout, textures, etc. Have fun and we can’t wait to see what you come up with!

To be eligible for the giveaway, you are to create a card that is inspired by the provided picture, then come back to the TSG Blog to add your name and a link to your project in the InLinkz that is located at the bottom of this challenge post. This challenge is open until the winner has been announced on the following Monday (Oct. 4). The winner will get a $5 gift certificate to use in the TSG Web store!

By participating in this challenge, you may also find yourself in the Trendsetting Spotlight that shines on the TSG Blog every Thursday. We will be on the look out to find challenge cards that stand out and show Trendsetting qualities. TSG stamps are not required to participate in the challenges but are appreciated :)

You do not need to have a blog to be able to participate in the TSG Challenges! You can simply add the URL link from your project after it has been uploaded to your online craft gallery. If you upload your card to an online craft gallery, please use the keyword TSG74 so we can check out your beautiful work!

Need some inspiration to help you get started? Check out these great cards made by the following Trendsetters!
~Iwona
~Angela
~Sandra
~Julie
~Piali
~Holly

Have Fun!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Birthday Bash / Blog Hop Challenge Winners!

Congratulations to all of the winners! Please scroll down for this week's fabulous WIR!!

Cattitude Blog Hop Challenge Winner: Saskia
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:4
Timestamp: 2010-09-26 01:17:57 UTC

Autumn Mosaic Blog Hop Challenge Winner: Cathy D.
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:21
Timestamp: 2010-09-26 01:16:55 UTC

You're A Hoot! / Hauntingly Delightful Blog Hop Challenge Winner: Erin G.
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:19
Timestamp: 2010-09-26 01:16:06 UTC
($50 TSG Gift Certificate) TSG Birthday Bash Party Games Winner: Meredith aka Crafty Math Chick

($50 TSG Gift Certificate) TSG Birthday Challenge Winner: Melissa C.

Week In Review (Sept. 20 - Sept 26) & Card Give Away

What is Week In Review (WIR)?- WIR is where we showcase cards made by the Trendsetters and myself throughout the week. Not only to you get to see gorgeous projects made using TSG stamps, but you also have a chance to WIN one of these cards! Leave a comment on this post and next WIR I will choose a winner using a random number generator. That person will then get to pick out their favorite card and the Trendsetter that created it will send it to them :)

Sandra