Zooming Past May... And It Hasn't Even Started Yet!

Unfortunately it has been forever since I have had a chance to blog.  This month has flown past us with super speed.  I am still nose deep in flower orders, and really just trying to catch up.  Of my 1140 paper flower order, currently down to 100 to go!!!  Once that order is done, there are 5 more lined up behind.  But only orders of 20's or so.  I have to say, sometimes it truly felt like there was no end.  Spending all of my time day and night mass producing.   But now there is an end in sight, and I can't wait to be creative again!!!

 

Easter has come and gone, and with it brought my 31st Bday!  That's right now I get to classify myself as a 30 something...  Yup this year was an Easter Birthday for me. 

The last time Easter fell on April 24th was 1859. 

And the next time Easter will land on April 24th is 2095!  So if I can just hang in there that long, it will be my 115th Birthday.  Don't for see that happening, but you never know!

 Truly I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful day with family.  Both of my parents had to work on Easter, so I went to their house and cooked a big Bday dinner for when they got home.  We feasted on Schnitzel( my absolute fav), mashed potatoes and green beans. And topped the whole thing of with a freshly made fruit pizza.   Delicious!!   Also amazingly the Sun made it out for a few hours Sunday too.  As opposed to the month long rain that never ends...

Here are some pics from the weekend!

This is the view outside of my studio window, there are horses that are usually out there too. But since it was between storms they were still stabled.

Oh and I almost forgot the most exciting news!  As a Bday present, I received a video camera just for making You Tube Videos!!  So look forward to more of this to come next month!!!

Woohoo!!!!

Speaking of next month, in May I will be a guest of Ready Set Create online Scrapbooking Magazine!  In the beginning of February I sent them a big box of product to create with.  And in May I get to see all their wonderful creations they made!!  They will give a product write up, and have an add up all month for my Etsy store!!!   (Sorta like my own Mini Design Team for the Month.)   

Super Exciting!! 

Also just found out that we will be heading to Florida in the next few weeks to come to visit family...  Looking forward to this since it has been a long time since Skye and I have gotten a chance to travel.  But couldn't have come at a more hectic time...Finishing flower orders, restocking retail stores, playing with my G45 supplies for design team projects, designing upcoming kits/classes and I desperately need a car!!!  Somehow it will all get done. 

Always work better when the pressure it on....

    I am missing blogging, and am looking forward to the time off to have some great experiences to blog about, not to mention some new pictures for scrapping!  But of course there will be no travel without Internet and my laptop, so I can keep you all up to date! 

On that note I am off to try and catch up with orders so I can play soon! 

Hope you had an outstanding Easter, and Thanks so much for stopping by!

Nicki Chicky

Big Day In The Spotlight - Graphic 45 Design Team Intros

Good morning all!  Happy Wednesday!  And might I add what a happy Wednesday it is for me.  The sun is shining,  the birds are chirping and today is my Big Intro onto the Graphic 45 Design Team! YAY!!  If you haven't already, make sure to stop by the G 45 blog and leave a comment for a chance to win a yummy G45 stash including a Once Upon A Springtime 8x8 pad!! 

Now onto the showing...  Let me just start by saying what an honor it is to be chosen as one of the lucky 13 for the Graphic 45 Design Team!!  It truly humbles me to be a part of such an amazing company, and to work with such an oustanding group of  inspiration and talent that is my team!  Looking forward to a great year of learning, sharing and inspiration!

If you aren't already familiar with the Design Team call, I will catch you up quick.  In the second round of judging for the  G45 team, we were all to submit 3 projects directly to their office in Oregon.  We were to send one layout, one card, and one altered art creation.  I decided to create 3 brand new pieces just for the occasion. since it is not everyday you get such an amazing opportunity!

So enough talking and onto the show!

This fun pennant looking border along the top was created using a Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz stamp I got from the Stamp Away last August! 

Couldn't resist using the " Owl Theater" sign, or the Owl.  Or that cute little dog!

Love, love, love this Moon!!  And look at her fun paper pieced umbrella using a stamp!

One thing about Graphic 45 papers I love, is all the vintage images that are just waiting to be cut out!

As you can see I am a very detailed cutter.  I just love looking at the papers and bringing everything together with a new fresh twist.  

For this layout I ended up using 3 different lines.  Le Cirque, Curtain Call, and some Fashonista Collection I had stashed away for a rainy day.  It probably look atleast 50 pop dots for this entire layout.  From all the layers for the curtains, to pop dots behind all the people in specific places.  I really wanted to create a flow for the eye with  layering and dimension. 

The picture I used is an old photo of my Grandma Theda.  She was still young and full of life in those days.  It was a time in her life when anything was still possible, and the world around her was just unfolding.   Speaking of the photo, when I was creating this layout, I couldn't find my photo paper anywhere!  I was freaking out and tearing through bookshelves, looking under everything.  But never to be found.  So I decided to print onto my cream printer cardstock instead.  And you know I really think I love it more.  Gives it such a rich and vintage look, and really even better looking inked than my regular photo paper.  Have to love happy accidents!  

For the title I used a mix of white Basic Grey letter stickers, stamped with black script using the Hero Arts Script stamp.  The "Dare To"  was created using a computer to warp my lettering, then printed off and hand drawing a banner around it, cut out and scored just so to give dimension. 

Supplies Used:

Papers: Graphic 45 Le Cirque - Under the Big Top, Magnifique

                                G45 Curtain Call - Moulin Rouge, The Cinema, Applause, Top Billing, Let's Dance, All That Jazz, Curtain Call ( may have been better off saying what I didn't use)

G45 Fashionista Collection - En Vogue, Buttons A La Mode

Stamps: Stampers anonymous Pennant border(U4-1147), Paper Parachute(Umbrella), Hero Arts(Script)

Dies: Spellbinders Inverted Scalloped Square

Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Inks Antique Linen, Ranger Adirondack Inks (Red Pepper), Tsukineko  Versafine (Onyx Black)

Extras: Tim Holtz Grungeboard, 7 Gypsies Industrial Gears, Silver craft glitter, pop dots, silver paint, hemp twine, Clip Art (owl and mushrooms)

For my Altered Project I was already working on something with the Le Cirque line that was just perfect  

The idea started with the Elephant.  He just seemed like the perfect tight rope walker carrying his little fan with his trunk.  Then the whole thing unfolded into the Flying Circus.  The wings were actually the last thing I thought of, really pulling the whole idea together. 

Supplies Used: 

Papers:  Graphic 45 Le Cirque - Cirque Parade, Greatest Show On Earth, Bohemian Floral, Under the Big Top, Magnifique, Le Cirque

Extras:  Tim Holtz Precut Grungeboard shapes, 7 Gypsies Tin Borders, Hemp Twine, Blue craft Paint, White Craft Paint 

Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Inks ( Black Soot), Ranger Adirondack ( Lemonade)

And last but not least for my card I used  G45's yummy Steampunk Debutante.

This is a card I love to create, with vitage book paper that looks like it is being broken through.  A very simple technique to achieve with a very elegant look!

I just love the Tim Holtz On the Edge Dies and it really worked perfect in creating this card! 

Supplies:

 Papers: Graphic 45- Steampunk Debutante - Time Flies, Victorian Transformers, Ephemera Extraordinaire, Magnifique

Extras:  Old Book paper, Tim Holtz Grunge Board, Tim Holtz On the Edge Die, Craft Paint

Thanks so much everyone for stopping by today and sharing in my excitement.  The Intro on the Graphic 45 blog couldn't have hit home more!  Such an amazing team, and I truly look forward for what is to come! 

Recieved my box of supplies last week, and already head first into creating my first piece for the Team! 

Super Exciting!  Stop back soon to see what I have been up to! 

And make sure to Keep up with Graphic 45 for the next few weeks to meet the rest of this outstanding team!

Have a wonderful Wednesday, and thanks for all your support!

Nicki Chicky

 



Just a little reminder...

Happy Tuesday all!  Just wanted to stop in and give a little reminder to head over to Graphic 45 tomorrow for my day in the spotlight!!  YAY!  So exciting!   Also don't miss out on the fantastic giveaway they have this week, so make sure to leave your comments to be entered!  Then head back over here to see more pics of my designs, some tips, and get to know me better! 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Happy crafting!

Hope to hear from you tomorrow!!!

Nicki Chicky

Business as Usual

Life has been pretty busy lately.  After the excitement of making the Graphic 45 Design Team, I had to get back to business as usual.  Still trying to finish up an order of over 1000 paper flowers.  Still 400 to go...I have till the end of this month to get them all done.  Flowers are still flying out the door at Sobo Style and they are preparing for their big 10 year Anniversary May 7th and have placed another large order!!  Looking forward to hopefully delivering them personally myself and attending the event too!

On April 2nd I set up shop at Bloody Prom!  

I know this sounds weird, but really it  was a lot of fun.  Can't go wrong when you get to mix fancy clothes with a  little blood and gore!!  It was an event held to raise money for an Indy Film being produced here in the Dayton Area called Kiss Me Dark. Set up in an old stone church basement.  There were Dj's in the ballroom, and about 10 vendors selling.  Of course I had to get all bloodied up, and I had a truly amazing time.  Here is a glimpse of me at my booth!

Thanks to everyone who came out to show their support! Always great meeting new and exciting people as well as fellow talented artists!!!  

Onto the second order of business.  I just found out that one of my flowers were published in Somerset  Life 2011 Spring Magazine!  My mom called me the other day b/c she saw the picture and wondered if it was really mine.  Not knowing anything about it,. I wanted to see the picture to make sure.   Instantly I set out to find the blog of my customer.  Surely if she is getting published in Somerset she had a blog?  Luckily it didn't take too long to find since her blog was named after her etsy name.  And sure enough, there was my flower reflecting on the back.  So neat to see something you have created, inspiring others to make amazing things!

    And then getting them published too! 

Stop by and check out more of Stephanie's wonderful designs here.

That's it for today!  Off to knock some of the paper flowers off my list before this INCREDIBLE box of Graphic 45 supplies comes.  Can't wait to get started playing!

Make sure to stop by Graphic 45 over the next few weeks see the introductions of all the New Design Team Members for 2011 and all their amazing designs submitted to Oregon during try outs. 

My day in the spotlight is next Wednesday April 13th and I am super excited to share my designs with the world! 

Stop back by here Wednesday for more details on my 3 designs, and  leave a comment letting me know what you think!  Always looking forward to hearing what you all have to say! 

Tomorrow is Friday, Woohooo!

Hope everyone has a relaxing weekend filled with sunshine!

Thanks for stopping by!

Nicki Chicky

Official Graphic 45 Design Team Member 2011 = Super Happy Dance!!!

Been trying to distract myself all morning from the anticipation of today's announcement.  Didn't want to sit and hit refresh all morning and feel disappointed if I didn't make the team.  There was such amazing talent that had made the 25 finalists.  And would have been pleased that I made it that far. 

 But the list is up, and I made the team!!!! Super Exciting!! 

And here is the list of the New Graphic 45 Design Team members for 2011(in no particular order)

1 - Lynette Carroll - Braintree, MA

2 - Jane Tregenza - Australia

3 - Tara Orr - Canada

4 - Laura Denison - Maple Valley, WA

5 - Robin L. Shakoor - Fredericksburg, VA

6 - Sherry Cheever - Jeffersonville, IN

7 - Michael Jack Putman and Lesley Fisher - Mesa, AZ

8 - Nicole Eccles - Springboro, OH

9 - Nancy Wethington - St. Louis, MO

10 - Hilde Janbroers - The Netherlands

11 - Yuka Hino - Japan

12 - Melanie Forbes - Australia

13 - Gloria Stengel - Oceanside, CA

I am looking forward to getting to work with this  incredible group of talented artists. 

And am truly thankful for this wonderful experience!!

Congrats to everyone who made the team, and to all the 25 finalists who poured their heart and soul  into their creations!  Never give up on your dreams!!

Thank you so much to Graphic 45 for this fantastic journey!

Hope you have an amazing weekend!

Nicki Chicky