My first blog post

I decided to start this blog to keep a log of my journey into the stamping world. Although I have scrapbooked for a long time I have never stamped and am finding it is just as addicting as scrapbooking. I chose stamping because I was looking for something like scrapbooking that I can do on a smaller scale. I don't have a lot of spare time with 2 little ones and another one on the way and I found that I wasn't ever able to finish my scrapbook layouts because I had so much going on. Below is one of the little guys who takes up a lot of my time. As you can see, he can make quite the mess (he is 1 and into everything).



I also have a 6 year old boy and am expecting a little girl in May. With all the craziness crafting is my escape. I love to relax and create with any spare time I have (mostly when Kiddos are sleeping).

So I started my stamping journey by ordering some cute SU retired sets that I got a really good deal on (one being frogs and flies which I just love). I also ordered some inks, SU chalks and blender pens and some copic markers that everyone has been raving about. I only ordered 6 copics to being with as they are expensive and I wanted to make sure I would like using them. Here is my first attempt at a lilly pad from the SU frogs and flies set. I think I did pretty good and have now placed 2 more orders for more copics as I already LOVE them! I ordered a lot more lighter colors so I can highlight better.





I stamped the image with black ink it up dye based ink and it ran a little with the copics so after doing some research I am going to get some brilliance black ink and see how that does.

While waiting for my new copics to arrive I decided to try my SU pastel chalks with the blender pen. I quickly realized I will need water color paper for this technique as the CS I was using began to peel and I was not able to blend the colors the way I wanted. The chalks do give a nice effect though but not as bright as the copics. I will use them on occasion once I get some watercolor paper but think I will mostly be using copics.

I have also ordered a cuttlebug and am waiting for that to arrive. I already have a card started but have to wait for the rest of my copics to arrive to finish so will post a pic of my first card when it is done. Hopefully I will receive some more goodies in the mail tomorrow!

I have my eye on some Bella and Whiff of Joy stamps but will wait a bit on those. I am trying to take it slow and start with the basics. There is just so much out there I feel I MUST have!