Crafting Mania Pt 1 - Day of Firsts

** Just a Reminder **  Don't forget, if you haven't already, check out my Giveaway and get your name entered into my drawing :-)  I'll be announcing the winner on August 1st **

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I had a LONG week at work this week.  Our owners were in from Italy, we did a "Chinese Fire drill" with some offices (I got bumped to a corner office with an awesome view!), and I'm just plain old worn out.

Hubby and a couple of his friends went to go see the new Batman movie, so I took advantage and spent practically the ENTIRE day in my craft room.  For some reason, being as exhausted as I am, my creative juices were overflowing and I needed to do something for me.  We did throw in some shopping (a craft store that's kinda local to the Cleveland area that I haven't been to in a LONG time) and then dinner with some friends, but other than that... I've been crafting like crazy!

It's also been a very big milestone day for me.... a day full of firsts :-)  I'm still relatively new to the paper-crafting world, so I decided to broaden my horizons and try some new stuff.

#1: First Time Coloring:  Harry Potter Just Because Card

I found the Digi Stamp from the "Har Repotter" set from Bugaboo Stamps.  They're running their "Christmas in July" special for 50% off your entire purchase, so I bought the set :-)  When I was at the store buying the Star Wars paper for Hubby's card I grabbed a sheet of one of the double-sided Harry Potter papers that had the Gryffindor crest on it.  One of my best gal-pals is a HUGE Harry Potter fan and I knew I just had to make her a card.  No particular reason than just to say "Hello," but I think she's going to FLIP!

I was looking for a less-expensive alternative to Copics, and while Googling, I stumbled upon a bunch of YouTube videos for using regular colored pencils and a product called Gamsol.  You basically color the outlines of the Digi Stamp and then use the Gamsol and some blending stumps to pull the color into fill the rest of the shape... kinda like using watercolor pencils.  I used a different version of the mineral spirits (Gamsol) called Turpenoid from Hobby Lobby and it worked like a charm with my plain old big box of Crayola colored pencils.  I may end up doing a video showing how I did it, so if anyone is interested, let me know :-)

#2: First Time Using Cuttlebug Embossing Plus Folders - Anniversary Card

I bought one of the Cuttlebug Embossing Plus folders on clearance at my local JoAnn's a while back, but had NO idea how to use it.  After watching a couple of videos, I figured I'd give it a try.  This one is called "He Loves Me" and it's gorgeous!  I used it on the front of the card and then flipped it over and used the stencil part and my Tim Holtz Victorian Velvet to ink the embossed parts.  It is SO COOL!!!  I used the same Victorian Velvet to color a plain piece of white cardstock for the inside so that it would match the outside, and then attached the punched out heart to the inside so it pokes thru the window.  I'm so incredibly impressed!!  I see that Cricut.com has these folders on sale right now, so I may allow myself off of my spending freeze so I can grab a couple of the others that I've had my eye on :-)  Again, if you'd like a video demo, just let me know!

I've got a couple of other projects that are in progress, just not ready to photograph yet.  Hopefully tomorrow, but we've got the in-laws coming so I don't know if I'll get a chance to post.

BTW..... this is what my poor crafting area looks like right now.... It's been a very productive day!

G'Nite crafty land!!