Author: Erika L Hayes

On the long, dry, tedious road of life, don't lose sight of the lush oasis of your imagination.
Altenew LLC, Autumn Blessings, Colored Pencils, Embossing Folders, Faber-Castell Polychromos, Fall Vibes, Paper Art, Prisma, Sizzix, Warm Blessings

Fall Vibes, Warm Blessings and Altenew, LLC

Erika L Hayes

When I see a stamp set that I click buy without even a thought of the price, I know I need to get it. That is just what happened with this Altenew set. I got an email and opened it, and when I saw this set, I was gaga. (Did you know they give away a gift certificate in every one of the emails they send and if you are signed up to get them you have a chance at winning? GO SIGN UP NOW! Click Here scroll all the way to the bottom).

I had to have it. I ordered it and when it showed up I thought oh my it is as beautiful in person as I had hoped. I ordered the Autumn Bounty and Warm Blessings sets and with them made this card. (If you are interested in Altenew stamps please use this link . I don’t get paid for anything but that is my referral link I get points which are helpful šŸ™‚ Thanks! )

I first thought I would color with markers but something about this image cried out for colored pencils. I also used the Sizzix 3D leaves on the kraft paper.

Prisma & Polychromo pencils used to color this image.

Enjoy the Pumpkin Spice season my friends. Peppermint season will be here soon enough!

Blessings!

Day One, OCC Simply Watercolor Christmas

Simply Watercolor Christmas

Erika L Hayes

Yes, I am a forever student. I just began the Online Card Class Simply Watercolor Christmas. Yesterday was day one. Using the ideas from the instructors I completed two cards.

Watercolor Project #1 – Gift box
Watercolor Project #2 – Christmas Tree

While my cards are not my favorite, I did discover something fun in class. I love the way Kristina showed me how to get a more opaque look from the metallic paints. A couple things that I would point out.

  1. MAKE sure your paint is DRY before removing masking tape
  2. Burnish the side of the tape that will be holding back the watercolor
  3. Keep those pencil lines light and when possible, use water soluble pencil
  4. Don’t be afraid to experiment.

On my tree, I wanted to make a big star, but I wanted to highlight the paint not the die cutting. Because the sentiment is large, I decided to paint the star.

Problem: I am not so good at star painting. Like they are more than primitive stars more like toddler star.

Solution. I die cut a star from masking tape. My original though was to use it as a mask, but I couldn’t use the negative space because it was so thin on one side and I didn’t think the tape would hold the watercolor back. (There was other stuff on the die cut).

Second Solution: I used the positive edge of the star placed it over the tree, and outlined it very carefully with the gold paint. Removed the tape and then filled in the star. It work wonderfully!

Something I love about taking classes, they make me think. I must not fall back on my comfortable way of doing things. That star is my happy for this first class. I love how it looks on that tree! It really was the finishing touch.

Stay tuned for more projects.

Uncategorized

Northwoods Stamps – Fall is in the air

Erika L Hayes
Colored with Prisma and Polychromo Pencils

I am a fan of all stamps. I like when they are clear or red rubber or even blue! I do however, have a few favorites in every category. One of my favorites in the red rubber collection is Northwoods stamps. I was lucky enough to stumble upon them at my FAVORITE local scrap/card making store Scraps of Love (They do have an online shop and do have this stamp set. They are a local business that you can support and I encourage you to do so.)

I really do love the clean, crisp lines of red rubber stamps and the detail the artist can get in the stamp image. This card is for my Mother In Law (the best person I know in the universe) and if you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave them below. I love hearing from you!

Blessings

Simon Says Stamps

SSS Sept 2020 Kit – Missing You

Erika L Hayes

There are a few stamp sets that just are perfect. When I saw the September kit I liked it, wouldn’t say loved it. Then it arrived. I got a closer look at the products and the papers and my mind was changed completely!

My eldest daughter lives in a different state and I like to send cards, but recently I haven’t been inspired to make a “missing you” card. Once I began digging in this kit I realized just what I wanted to do. I made a slime line card for her. I have never sent her a slim line card but she will soon get this one!

Challenges, Copic Markers, MFT, Paper Art, Uncategorized

Superstar Card Contest

Erika L Hayes

Well, it has rolled around again and I am going for it in two categories. Color Virtuoso and Clean and Simple. I am excited to share my creations for the contest. I am both proud of myself and I am nervous for getting back in the game. I’m also considering looking for a Design Team to join. It has been a while but I am in my own craft room again so that makes it a little more fun. I also know that I love working under deadlines and truth be told, I kinda miss it! So why not. I always loved working on DTs.

Enough about me, I wanted to share my cards for the Superstar Card Contest. So, here they are:

Coloring Virtuoso – I spent a lot of time making sure each house was different and adding texture to the buildings. I also had to alter the puppy to make him to not be itching his ear.

For the Clean and Simple Category, I used a set that is most often used as a “fall” card. Lots of orange and reds. I went another way. I also didn’t make a “fall” card. I really enjoyed making this card and sharing it. I am very happy with the result of this one.

There you go now I wait, with a flip floppy stomach. I don’t know why it makes me so nervous other than having another person judge your work šŸ™‚ I like them and I know that’s all that matter but there is so much talent out there, so many better than mine. What I do know is you can’t win if you don’t enter šŸ™‚

Be blessed my friends!

Copic Markers

Building a Card Stash

Erika L Hayes

Yes, it’s one of the best things about being a card maker. You have a card for every occasion– well maybe. It has been my experience that sometimes I think I have a ton of thank you cards then I go and look for one and oops they are all gone.

I learned something once from a good friend of mine, Kim Kesti, that you can make a card to the point of a sentiment and stop. She told me this is how she made many of her cards so she always has one at the ready. WHAT a great idea. I don’t usually do that, but I do have a small stash of cards that don’t have sentiments so when the time comes and I need one, I can grab a “blank” as I call them and pop on a sentiment that works.

This stamp is perfect for this idea. Crafter’s Companion along with artist, Molly Harrison created this beautiful stamp (clear stamp) set. Her line is focused on mythical creatures.

I purchased this stamp at my local store, Scraps of Love, you can find it here
Copic Markers, MFT

A special thank you…

Erika L Hayes

COVID-19 has taught us many things, one being that we have amazing people willing to put themselves in harms way to help others. I have been awed at the people in the medical field that continue to get up and go to work each day. Not only them but our hard working friends in the grocery stores. I have made many cards to send out to some healthcare professionals and am working on making some for the others out there working to allow our country to continue to function – I also would like to say, I owned the stamps, but My Favorite things made digital images available for everyone to create with. Hop over there and find them on the blog (Click HERE)

All items to make this card were purchased at My Favorite Things Stamps
(exception Copic Markers and Polychrom Pencils)
https://mftstamps.com/

Not my best picture, but hope you enjoy!

30 day coloring challenge, Challenges, Copic Markers, Hero Arts, MFT, OCCStampHappy, Paper Art

Day Three of the Coloring Challenge

Erika L Hayes
Follow Me on Instagram: gzuswins

I am usually pretty pressed for time on Tuesday nights (I create mostly in the evenings) but when you have awesome products it helps. I love that Clearly Besotted gave me the cute backdrop with the stamps which of course extends it uses. I also just made the holly leaves in her hair into pedals. Finding the right sentiment was easy, just grabbed my Hero Arts bin of sentiments and these (which I got as part of a class on Online Card Classes) were perfect.

I used both Copic markers and Colored pencils to color in the images then inked the clouds using the My Favorite Things stencil. I think what I liked best was the use of grey on the mushrooms and rocks. I mixed cool and warm greys to achieve the depth. Anyway, that’s today! Thanks for stopping by. Feel free to leave a comment on your favorite coloring technique!

Uncategorized

Day 2 of the Coloring Challenge

Erika L Hayes
Follow me on instagram @gzuswins

I really loved this new set by Paper Smooches. It was fun to color. I added the kitty’s stripes and it really was a fun texture to add. I love that a simple care like this will cheer someone up!

So far, so good and I am 2 for 2. Tonight may be the challenge!

Uncategorized

The 30 Day Coloring Challenge

Erika L Hayes
Join the challenge

I took an online coloring class a few weeks ago at Online Card Classes. It was there I learned about Katthy Racoosin @kathyrac and her 30 day challenges. I decided to do this challenge which is simply 30 days of coloring for 15 minutes or more. Pick something and color, color it, and post it on the facebook page. It is to keep you nice and calm. Last night I began the challenge and wanted to share what I made. I suppose I will be behind as I usually do my creating at night.

DAY ONE :

AALL Create: Best Mates
Copic Markers (March Coupon Code HUE247 for 25% off
Faber Castell Polychromo Pencils
Prisma Premier Pencils
My Favorite Things Extreme Black Ink

I hope you enjoy the next thirty days of coloring. Feel free to leave any coloring tips in the comments!