Saturday Night Challenge

FINALLY!!!! I stopped thinking about it and just did it! It's been so long since I participated in the Saturday Night Challenge at the Scrapbook Cafe! But I was inspired by my Copics Class last night at One Little Spark, and I couldn't wait to play with my markers :) Be gentle with your thoughts, I am a BRAND NEW Copics user and I know I need a lot of practice. I also decided to incorporate another challenge into this card. So, I used Saturday Sketch mytimess22 from Lauren Meader's blog to design this card.

I love this image by Penny Black so I used it as my first ever Copics card :) I was going for the blotchy look on the elephant's cheek, so despite what it may look like that was NOT a mistake that was the look I was going for....LOL! Pat's challenge this week was to make a card using a shaped border, so I used my Stampin Up scallop border and my Martha Stewart picket fence border.

I can't wait to practice some more with my Copics markers :) Thanks for looking and Happy Saturday everyone!

Home from the Copics Class!

I just got home a little while ago and I can't wait to start coloring with my new Copics :) I only have a few so my options will be limited for now until I can add to my collection! The class was really good, it was taught by Heather, Certified Copics Instructor at One Little Spark, a SUPER CUTE stamp shop that I am so lucky to have less than a mile from my home! It was a "basics" class which was perfect for me since Copics are new to me. I can definitely see a new addiction forming though :)

So, here is a card I made for my Etsy shop using another one of Victoria Case's digital stamps. I colored the image with my Bic Markits. I have a lot of practicing to do with my Copics and I will post some cards that I make with them in the coming days :)

Thanks to everyone who left sweet comments on my last post...I am feeling a little better :)

Is it normal?

for a family that was once very grounded and very close to fall apart after a tragedy? I think the answer is yes, but it still doesn't help to make it feel better or right. My mom died a year and a half ago and my family is feeling the ripple, the after effects. How much worse does it have to get before it starts to get better? I wish I knew.
So many strange things are going on right now, things I never thought would happen....fights and angry words and hurt feelings. Some of it involves me and some of it doesn't. I have that nagging pit in my stomach, you know that feeling...the one you had after your first love ditched you, or you caught your boyfried cheating or your best friend betrayed you. I miss my family that once was, my family that will never be the same.
I think it feels better to have it out there, in writing, out loud (so to speak)...even if no one ever reads this, it feels good to type it. The only one that could make me feel better is my mom and that's not possible anymore. So for now, I will just put it out there into cyberspace.
So now I will end this depressing post with a little something cheery. A new magnet I made tonight for my Etsy shop. My therapy.



xx, Nora Anne

Valentine's and an Award

I am so into Valentine's Day this year, the colors are just inspiring me and all of the cutesy images :) I am not so into the "elegant" as much as I am into cute!

Here are some Valentine flat note cards I made for my Etsy shop. I just love the Imaginisce Stamps that I got from Memorable Seasons (awesome site!!!).

I was so excited to receive the Marie Antoinette blog award from a new blogging buddy of mine, http://alliescreativedesigns.blogspot.com/. She is a designer for Victoria Case Stamps and her cards are just adorable!

With that said, I think it is my duty to pass along the award to another bloggin buddy :)

So, I would like to pass this award along to:

Heather http://vanillahevn.blogspot.com/

Stop by and give her some love :)

Thanks for visiting!
Hugs :) Nora Anne

TGIF!

Sooooo happy it's Friday and no plans for the weekend, YIPPEE!!!!

This can only mean some family time, some crafty time, and some time to ORGANIZE! Everytime I come up into my loft though, I get distracted by the computer and my organizing plans go down the tube! I am really going to try to focus this weekend though because the mess is driving me crazy :) Do you have any tips on organizing that have worked for you?!?! or maybe I should say on FOCUSING on organizing! That's where I seem to have a problem :)

I will share two new cards I made this week and from there, I will get off of the computer and begin my dreaded task of cleaning/organizing my space!


The first card is die cut from my Sizzix Big Shot (love that tool!) I have been meaning to make some more baby cards for my Etsy shop.

The second one is another stamp by Victoria Case Designs. This one is a cling cushion rubber stamp, not digital and can be found here. Check them out, great quality!

Happy Weekend everyone and if I ever get organized, I will share some pictures of my space :)
xo Nora Anne

My New Favorite Supply!!!

DIGITAL STAMPS! How cool is that? Definitely saves a lot of space when it comes to storing! I have recently raved about this artist, but I have to say it again...her illustrations are just adorable and I am loving that she offers digital stamps AS WELL AS rubber stamps! And she has new designs coming out regularly!

And if you are in the mood for some CANDY, stop by her BLOG for an awesome giveaway!

This is a card I made using one of the digital stamps that I recently purchased from her!

Some Recent Additions.....

to My Etsy Shop!

Just thought I'd share some new things I listed recently. I have so many ideas floating around in my head, but I just don't have time to work on them all! I guess if I stayed out of message boards and forums and off of blogs and twitter, I might actually get some stuff done!

And The Winner Is......

Jeanne said...
I love these coffee bean earrings!http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18838322
January 4, 2009 1:05 AM

Congratulations Jeanne!!!! Please email me with your home address at noraanne@verizon.net and I will send your wine charms out right away!

Thanks to all who participated.

xo, Nora Anne

Blog Candy from Victoria Case

If you haven't heard of her yet, she is an AWESOME illustrator that also does rubber stamps and digital stamps. I discovered her recently on Etsy and just LOVE her work!

She is doing an awesome giveaway on her BLOG, so make sure to check it out! Here is a photo of a portion of the prize package! Don't forget to enter, the winner will be drawn on January 16th!

Etsy Spotlight and a Valentine's Giveaway!

Thank you for stopping by today! My post is much longer than usual, so please be patient with me! There's a prize at the end :)

One of the things I love so much about Etsy is the feeling of community and the great people I've met. One Etsy seller that has gone out of her way to offer GREAT advice and suggestions on my shop is TheeGreenPea. In addition to her being so sweet and helpful, she is SUPER talented and has some really cool, unique things for sale in her shop.

It is really hard for me to pick a favorite, so I will just share a few different items.

This bracelet is really pretty and I think it can be worn casual or dressy.

She also makes cigar bracelets that are really fun!

Another popular choice are her salt and pepper shakers, I need a set of these!

So, enough about me and my faves! I want you to learn a little bit about Heather, the owner of TheeGreenPea.

1. Tell me a little bit about yourself (family, location, profession, etc.)

I'm originally from Nashville, TN. I graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor's of Science degree from Middle Tennessee State University. I am currently working as a Leasing Agent and enjoying the switch from working mainly in the Human Resource field. Working in sales has taught me a lot about advertising and how to get the word out there about my new shop on Etsy. I opened at a great time...Christmas this past year! New Year's Eve 2006 changed my whole life and is also why I am now living on the West Coast! I was in Hawaii on vacation with a friend when I met my husband who is currently serving in the United States Navy. He had just pulled in for his last liberty port at the end of a six month deployment. We met New Year's Eve and danced the night away. We married in July 2008 and we are currently stationed in Bremerton, WA...about an hour ferry ride from Seattle. Yes, it rains all the time, but I love it out here! We do not have any children yet, but are anxious about starting a family.

2. Do you sell your creations anyplace other than Etsy?

No, not yet. I am hoping to start another shop on a different site as soon as I get this one up and running with lots of frequent shoppers!

3. How did you come up with your shop name?

Actually, it is kinda interesting...my friends love the different things I have made in my house and they are really why I finally opened a shop up. The #1 favorite item I sell among my friends is the sample liquor bottle salt n pepper shakers. They are always bringing me different things they would normally throw away and tease me into trying to think of something to make out of it...so, it has become a challenge. So, 1 night I decided "you guys want me to open a shop give me some names!" My hubby, my biggest fan and supporter actually came up with it and won the contest of name that shop!

4. Do you consider yourself an artist or a crafter?

That is a good question...I look at it this way...every crafter is an artist in essence. I love making jewelry which is a craft. Because I don't follow a pattern...that makes me an artist because I put my thoughts, my design, my ideas into crafting jewelry.

5. If you do not do this full time, would you like to someday?

Honestly, opening this store is a dream come true. Doing this full time? Now that would be a wonderful extension of that dream. Being a military family we move a lot. It is hard enough to find a job in a town you have lived in your whole life, but when you move like we do..it's hard to keep with the same trade. This is actually why I started my Etsy buisness! I can take this with me no matter where we are located in the world!

6. When did you start creating? and have you done other crafts/art or just what you currently do?

I have been creating gifts for people since I knew what giving was..lol I have always loved making/giving. My other hobby is card making and scrap booking! I go to a class once a week. It's amazing to me how many times I come home from that class where I have worked with paper and stamps all day and incorporate a new technique into my shop art.

7. What are your other interests or hobbies outside of crafting/art?

I love biking, hiking, fishing, dancing, reading, rock climbing, yard selling, playing Xbox/Wii, geocashing, and charity work.

8. What are some other crafts you would like to get into in the future?

Making purses...got to know how to sew for that 1! I have some ideas for recycling cloths into purses/bags. I also want to learn how to make resin items. Wire art is another! I got a kit for Christmas so, watch out for some new items!

9. Is there anything else you would like to say?

You never know what you will find in my shop so, be sure to check back each week! I will ship internationally! If you are an international customer, please email me and we can figure up the shipping! I also wanted to give a big thanks to you Nora Anne for giving me this opportunity to share! Also, if you mention in your order you found out about my shop here on Nora Anne's blog I will reimburse your shipping costs thru PayPal.

Now, I bet you thought I forgot about the GIVEAWAY!!!! No, of course I didn't!

I'm getting there now. One lucker winner will receive this set of Valentine's wine glass charms from my Etsy shop.

All you have to do is visit Heather's Etsy Shop, TheeGreenPea, (that in itself is a treat, I'm sure you will like what you see!) then leave a comment back here on this post letting me know what your favorite item in her shop is. To earn 5 extra entries into the drawing, make a purchase from her shop. Comment back here with your Etsy Transaction ID # and you will be entered a total of SIX times!

On Friday, January 9th, my very unbiased 2 1/2 year old son Luke will be picking the winner out of a hat! or maybe a bowl....we'll see :)

Good luck to everyone who enters and thank you!

xo, Nora Anne