- AtStudioD

Hi loves. I've been slacking off this month huh? Only 2 blogs!! Well, I come with fantastic news; this is a new blog! And it holds photos, updates and my plans for the next month.

First off let me say thank you to all the new followers. I never thought I'd get 50 people subscribing to me, let alone 85!!! I was thinking of doing a nice giveaway once I reach 200. Do you think it's possible? I haven't decided what I'd give away, but it will be craft related (since this blog is mostly about crafts). I was also going to include a pair of my handmade earrings in the color of the winner's choice. I hope this will excite you to keep checking for new blogs and to tell your friends to follow me also.

June has been fairly busy. I've been able to go to church on a more consistent basis, AMEN!! (minus yesterday when I decided to stay in and rest due to catching hubby's flu-like cold). I have been doing tons of shopping, and I don't normally post photos of my hauls here, but you can check it out on my YT channel if you're interested. I've been involved in tons of swaps (it seems) and have been pushed to better myself creatively. Next month we'll be on vacation for more than a week in Orlando at one of our favorite hotels (Crowne Plaza - such comfy beds - yum!), and I plan on hitting HOBBY LOBBY & a few outlets mad hard!! (sorry the NY ghetto-rican came out)... I have a few swaps set up for July & August and there's TONS more jewelry that I am getting ready to make just in time for a house show. YES! A HOUSE SHOW!! Can you believe it? (God is so good to me.) People actually like my crappy jewelry that they're willing to give me their hard earned $$ for it and even, get this, WEAR IT!! Who woulda thunk it? (yes, more ghetto). Soooo, I think after vacation I'll be relaxed enough, stress & worry-free and ready to dive into making new pieces. If you are interested in seeing what all the "buzz" is about, just check out my ETSY shop. www.StudioDBoutique.etsy.com I hope you find something you like and spend your hard earned money on my crappy stuff too! (lol).

Now for more exciting news. I recently got a nice "starter" set of copic markers and have been testing it out on a few images. The one advice I can give to a newbie is to choose the right paper. Some paper will make the colors look streaky (when they're obviously made to blend well together) and if you don't know this you will certainly get discouraged and not try again, which was the case when I first tried to color some images a friend sent me a while ago. Which, by the way, I can still color with my color pencils.

In any case, I was able to use paper from my LSS and it made a world of difference. My technique (of course) still needs loads more of improvement (and in the future future, I would like to take a copic class at my LSS and even become certified - crazy thoughts, I know!!), but the quality was better and the streaking was absent. Thank Goodness!! So, being that I was excited about my new found LOVE of copics (again, lol); I decided to take that image (C.C. Designs - Cupcake Belle) I colored and make it into a card. Below you will find several photos I took during the making of the card.

I hope you are enlightened (when it comes to copics), inspired and blessed. P.S. The card was made for a H.S. friend on facebook who always, always, always leaves me wonderful comments about my crafting. She's gotta be my biggest fan, (and I love fans), so I thought it would be nice to send her a little surprise. I hope she likes it!!

(click on photos to enlarge)