Wednesday, August 15, 2012

life can get messy

I mentioned before that I missed working for Lili of the Valley.  This past winter and spring were just so hectic with family stuff that I didn't really feel like stamping at all.  My mojo completely left me and I had no desire to create cards.  I did still create the occasional card for my design team requirements and I enjoyed it when I sat down to create, but I never felt the desire to do it just for fun.  I ended up leaving a couple design teams during that time as well.  (I left for personal reasons and it was no reflection on the companies.  I still love both companies and the owners of all were wonderful to work for!)  The desire to stamp and create cards didn't really come back at all until last month.  I finally wanted to stamp again!  I think I just needed a break from it for a while.

Lili of the Valley was one of those teams that I left last winter.  I regret now that I left, but it was something I needed to do at the time.  I will continue to use their adorable stamps even if I'm not designing for them because I love them!  They are always some of my favorite stamps to use.  Maybe some day, I might get the chance to design for them again.  If not, I will still use and love their stamps.  Oh, and they have a new release of Christmas stamps coming out next week that look so cute! :)

Anyway, I thought the sentiment on this card was the perfect chance to talk a little bit more about why I left some design teams since I mentioned something about it a week or two ago.  I didn't want anyone thinking that it had anything to do with the companies.



This cute little image is from illustrator Mo Manning.  It's called Buskettie and comes with the sentiment if you purchase the rubber version from Stamping Bella.  You can get it here from Simon Says Stamp.  I colored the image with copic markers, but I didn't write the markers down this time.  Sorry!  The corregated stars are from Close to My Heart and the buttons were from my stash.

Have a great day!

Niki

life gets messy card supplies:
Stamps: Buskettie (Stamping Bella)
Cardstock: X-Press It (Copic), dark orange
Patterned Paper: A Boy's Life (Echo Park)
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento (Tsukineko)
Embellishments:
corrugated stars (Close to My Heart), buttons, twine

Dies: circle nestability dies (Spellbinders)
Copic Markers

9 comments:

Patty from FL said...

Oh, how cute! That little guy is adorable. You did a great job coloring him. I'm sure you'll have the opportunity again some day to work for Lilli of the Valley again...

Beate said...

Oh Niki, I LOVE how you colored the image. I bet that was not easy to give up the LOTV design team, but I totally understand. Sometimes we just have to let some things go so we have time for our family.
Looks like your mojo is ba-ack!!!!
Hugs and smiles

Danielle said...

This is absolutely adorable! Your coloring is amazing! It's hard to give up a design team...it's bittersweet more often than not. Who couldn't love LOTV?! You may be back with them again one day :)

Gabby said...

So cute card Niki! Glad you feel like stamping again. I missed seeing your sweet creations. This image reminds me of my step-son. When he was a baby/toddler, he would eat his meal and when he was done, he would put the plate/bowl, upside down on his head! No kidding! He was a total mess, along with the high chair, floor and anything around him. After he did it a couple times and would not stop (and we never "timed it" right to catch him just before he did it), my husband put a tarp under his high chair. Heehee! That phase, I'm sorry to say, lasted about a yr. :D

Debra said...

I'm so surprised that you needed a break, but I guess we all do from time to time. I adore your coloring skills, you and LOTV just go together! I'm sure you'll design for them again!

Denise M. said...

Seriously cuuuuute! Really loving these corrugated stars you've been using.

debby4000 said...

Oh this card is so adorable and gorgeous too.
luv
Debby

Deb Else said...

This card is so cute! And your coloring always amazes me...I want to be able to color this great! Thank you for sharing!

Lindyloo said...

This is another fabulous example of your talent and although you had to take your break, for whatever reason, I knew you would find your way again. I hope that you are able to get back to the DT for LOTV one day, but if not maybe it's just not meant to be and something else that makes you as happy will be around the corner instead. In the meantime it's lovely to still see you using their stamps to show us.
Best wishes Linda x