Nancy's Romance

Comparing Colored Pencils

2008-07-25T09:32:00.000-05:00

There have been some questions lately about how well the different kinds of pencils work with a blending medium. I thought I'd give it a try with the pencils I have around the house. Here's an image of the four kinds of pencils I used. The blending medium I used was a Prisma blending marker (it's my personal favorite, but I can also do OMS if there is an interest.) I didn't have any regular crayola pencils on hand, but I recently got these True Life pencils. They go on in several different colors, but blend really well together. I like the look, but since there were shades of green, yellow and red in this particular pencil, it's not really a red like the others. I can see a use for all of these pencils. Obviously the Prang was not as smooth or as dark as the others, but it could work really well for pastel needs like baby images. The Prisma was by far the smoothest and the darkest, but RoseArt did pretty well if you are looking for a more affordable option. I'll have to get a small pack of regular crayola pencils to see how they do. The True Life pencils are not as smooth as the Prisma, but they do go on pretty dark.

Froggy Gift Tag

2008-07-13T10:52:00.002-05:00

I ordered these new clipart cds. Love them! You can print them out and use them just like stamps. Here's a little tag I made using one of the images, prisma pencils, prisma blender pen, stickles, Souffle pens, button and embroidery floss.

A New Line In My Jewelry Collection

2008-06-20T14:53:00.002-05:00

Introducing Bohemian Butterfly! This is a line of necklaces I'm making using brass and brass plated finding, glass seed beads and other accent beads. This necklace is about 18" long. It'll be going up in my Esty shop next week (I have a lot of stuff to add.) These necklaces will be priced at $15.00. They are affordable and fun. Hope you'll check it out! I call this on Bohemian Butterfly Loves the USA!

Welcome Baby! Monkey Banner BBTB Contest

2008-06-20T14:13:00.004-05:00

I love this website:

http://regina-bittenbythebug.blogspot.com/2008/06/contest-time.html

And they are having a contest. This is my entry. I used Zoobaloo, Celebrations and New Arrival cartidges with the Cricut. It's a little hard to tell in these photos, so I'll tell you a bit about the details. I used stickles to make the hearts on the monkeys and to accent the hanger and there are some pop-dots under the monkey noses for dimension. I also did some spots of sewing with yellow thread to tie the colors together throughout. I stamped the blue blocks and distressed the edges. Thanks for looking and wish me luck!

Hello Kitty

2008-06-15T12:16:00.002-05:00

I figured out how to use Inkscape to make a paperpiecing pattern so this is my first try. I'm pretty please with it. We'll be hanging it in our oldest DD's room. Oh, I converted this image to an svg file and cut it on the Cricut using SCAL. Thanks for looking!

A couple of gifts

2008-06-07T07:51:00.002-05:00

I used my cricut to make the boxes for these gifts. The cartridges I used are Doodlecharms for the tag and ladybug and Tags, Bags, Boxes and More for the boxes. I also made the little bracelet. It was for my niece as a dance recital gift. Thanks for looking!

More Bracelets

2008-05-31T07:33:00.004-05:00

Just finished up these two bracelets. I'll be putting them on Etsy as soon as I can sit down to write the descriptions. The first one is called Jungle In My Garden and has brown and green beads with animal pewter charms (Lion, Chimp, Elephant and Giraffe). The second one is Flamingos In My Garden and has flamingo colors and charms. Thanks for looking!

Robot Gift Tag

2008-05-31T07:00:00.003-05:00

My DD is going to a party today so I made this for the b-day boy's giftbag. I used Inkscape to convert a clipart to an .svg file and cut it on my Cricut with SCAL. Learning this technique has opened up lots of possibilities. Good times. :)

A Couple Of Cards

2008-05-30T09:56:00.003-05:00

I recently purchased the Design Studio and Sure Cuts A Lot for my Cricut and have been playing with them. Here's the result. The whale card was made using SCAL and a doodlebat that I purchased from Lettering Delights (http://www.letteringdelights.com/). I believe the doodlebat set is called DB Animal Occasion. I also used DB Pretty Borders (http://www.scrapnfonts.com/) to make the scallops. The sun is from the Doodlecharms cart. Texture plate by Fiskars, some ink, a background stamp, dimensional paint, sewing.

The safetypin card was made in DS using the New Arrival cart. I think I also used DB Pretty Petals - Solid (http://www.scrapnfonts.com/) for the circle scallops and DB Pretty Borders for the borders. Cuttlebug embossing folder, dimensional paint, pop dots, ink. Martha Steward border punch, sewing.

Thanks for looking!

In Honor Of Summer

2008-05-30T06:58:00.005-05:00

I've actually finished several pieces, but I haven't had the time to take the photos and edit them for the web. Here's one that's going up on Etsy as soon as I get the time to write out the description. It's called Ocean In My Garden and has lots of vintage lucite flowers, seahorses and leaves, some glass beads and pearls, some crystals and some ocean themed pewter charms. Thanks for taking a look!

Pirates In My Garden!

2008-05-10T22:37:00.007-05:00

Arrrrrgh, there be pirates in me garden. ;o) I just put this bracelet in my Etsy shop today. It's got lots of black and white flowers, pirate skull charms, lock and key charm and toggle, dice and other assorted beads all attached to a gunmetal chain. It's not for everyone, but I know there is a brave woman out there that will wear this with style.

Mother's Day Gift

2008-05-10T17:56:00.005-05:00

I made this bracelet for my MIL. I hope she'll like it. I also made the little purse gift box. It closes with a velcro dot. Very fun! Thanks for looking.

Spring In My Garden

2008-05-05T14:25:00.004-05:00

It's beautiful here the last couple of days, and I've been inspired to make something fitting the season. This little charm bracelet went up on my Etsy shop today. Thanks for looking!

Mermaid Wall Art

2008-04-30T09:14:00.006-05:00

This framed wall art of a little mermaid is going up on my Etsy today. The size of the paper piecing is 11x14. The overall size is about 18x22.

She's got some pretty fancy accessories including a necklace, bracelet and ring. I hope you can see her details in these photos.

Thanks for looking!

Ladybugs!

2008-04-29T11:55:00.005-05:00

I'm entering this crazy world of blogging and Etsy. This is the first set that will be going up in my Etsy shop as soon as I can figure out how to do it. ;o)

This is a birthday kit that includes 10 invitations with envies, a banner, pin the spot on the ladybug game (11 players), 10 cake boxes for treats (they can be arranged to look like a whole cake as show) and a 2 page scrapbook layout. Many hours went into the making of this kit. There is great attention to detail, and I'm sure it would be perfect for a sweet little girl's birthday party. Hope you like it!