VIDEO: Focal Pointing Background Stamps

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We have FINALLY gotten a break in the heat and are into our normal hot & dry season, so that is a good thing, and it makes me want to bring you sunny cards. 

I'm still in a battle to save my plants, but at least I can walk outside to water them without melting. When I walked to the mailbox today I even felt a cool-ish breeze! Miracles!

My neighbor has these stunning poppies lining her "hell strip" - that no man's land between a sidewalk and the curb, if you're unlucky enough to have a yard with a sidewalk in it. 

The hell strip is the bane of Texas yards. There are varied responses to them. The first, and drastically wrong response, is to put down black plastic and rocks. Not only is this ugly and raises the temperature in your yard, as does all rock, but the weeds will still come. The second, sad response is to toil ripping that all out and plant grass. Because it's bounded by concrete, this will fail. It's too hot, and the grass will just cost you water and make you sad. Smart people enter round three - which is to fill it with native plants. They can survive the elevated temp of the concrete, and will come back year after year. So our native poppies grace my neighbor's hell strip and they are GLORIOUS in the spring.

That is what inspired today's post, along with a card I did a while back, which you can see here. I used a similar technique on these gorgeous poppies, with a little more detail in the background - you'll see that in the video below. The sentiment is from this set and I used these pencils.

This is another DTGD sneaky peeky.

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Bujo/journaling supplies - 10% off with code UNDERSTANDBLUE

Here are all the supplies I used:

Poppy Stamp [ HA | ELH ] Sentiment stamp [ HA ] Colored Pencils [ BLIC ] Yellow Ink [ HA ]

Here's the video:

I hope you have a great holiday if you are in the US. In Texas that means staying inside! We will do a little grilling, but it's not an all day picnic type of operation where I live. What are you doing/cooking?

Loveyameanitbye.

Some Things Never Get Old (VIDEO)

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I rustled up an old technique this week - one I did at one of my very first retreats - and one that I discovered by accident while trying to do something completely different. You know - the way all good techniques get invented!

This week on my live we were talking about how crafters forget techniques. They're new, they're fun, and then there's a new, fun one, and another and another, and before you know it - EOINA when you rediscover an oldie but a goodie.

This little trick involves this photo paper, Distress Oxides, white paint, a Magic Mushroom and this stunning embossing folder. When I was done with all the colorful fun, I added a sentiment from this set, and can you see the three little circles of glitter paper?

I used the same technique in fall colors, and cut that panel in half for two cards for a secret upcoming Dare to Get Dirty challenge next month. The sentiment is from this set - free with purchase - and I used this background paper.

The other side had less Crackling Campfire and Vintage Photo, so it was overall lighter. 

The paper is from this pad. The sentiment is from the same set as above. (free with purchase)

Here are all the supplies I used

3D Tree Embossing Folder [ HNB ] Free with Purchase stamp & die [ HNB ] Adventure Sentiments [ HNB ] 4x6 photo paper [ AMZUS ] Magic Mushrooms [ LCL ] Amsterdam white acrylic [ JGG ] Spring paper [ HNB ] Vintage Photo [ JGG ] Villainous Potion [ JGG | ELH ] Crackling Campfire [ JGG | ELH ] Peacock Feathers [ JGG ] my NOT microfiber towels [ AMZUS ]

Here's the video

Hope you are cooler than we are here in Texas!

CURRENT COUPON CODES

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OLO MARKER

15% off anything at Marker Universe or any of their other sites - Understandblue15.

10% off at Sweet Sentiment with code UNDERSTANDBLUE

10% off the whole store at A Colorful Life Designs - LydiaFan10

5% off at LBC here with code LYDIA5

Arkon Mounts -  - 20% off sitewide with code UNDERSTANDBLUE

Bujo/journaling supplies - 10% off with code UNDERSTANDBLUE

10% off everything at Acorns & Twigs with code UNDERSTANDBLUE

What's your favorite EOINA technique lately? 

Love yeameanitbye.

You'll Never Catch Me Wishing For Snow, BUT...

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I decided to start dealing with this weird heatwave by creating fiction. Specifically, snowman fiction. 

I mad a TON of Christmas and winter cards yesterday - most for Dare to Get Dirty next month, and it was like imaginary air conditioning. I have zero interest in real snow, despite the heat, but I do love snowmen, and this little snowman & snow baby image kicked off a day of winter cards! 

I stamped them in Fadeout Ink and then colored them with my fave colored pencils - so blendy. The coloring was super simple - I used two greens, two reds, an orange, two blues (dark blue for shadows), brown, black and grey - but you can still get a lot of depth with limited colors.

The paper you use matters - you want something with a little tooth, even with super blendy pencils - this is what I use for a bright white pencil paper. 

On my card base, I used this black gingham paper - I wanted something simple. 

I'll have a sped up coloring video of this image on the socials later, so be sure you're subscribed - Instagram, TikTok and YouTube most likely - I ran out of time to edit this weekend.

Loveyameanitstaycoolbye.

CURRENT COUPON CODES

20% off anything at Glassboard Studio  - UNDERSTANDBLUE.

OLO MARKER

15% off anything at Marker Universe or any of their other sites - Understandblue15.

10% off at Sweet Sentiment with code UNDERSTANDBLUE

10% off the whole store at A Colorful Life Designs - LydiaFan10

5% off at LBC here with code LYDIA5

Arkon Mounts -  - 20% off sitewide with code UNDERSTANDBLUE

Bujo/journaling supplies - 10% off with code UNDERSTANDBLUE

10% off everything at Acorns & Twigs with code UNDERSTANDBLUE

DIY Squirrel with a Waterproof Pen

*Compensated affiliate links may be used at no additional cost to you. No posts here are sponsored or paid.*

I noticed something while looking at this adorable mouse stamp. Other than the tail, he looks JUST like a squirrel! Face, teeth, little hands and ears - all of it! 

So I hatched a plan. Just me and my waterproof pen.

Because of the way this image was designed, it was really easy to mask off the mouse's tail, as you'll see in the video short I did. I also masked out a moon with my circle dies. Then I stamped the image over the tail mask to omit it. I used this fabulous waterproof pen - this is my envelope addressing pen because the envelope can get wet and still make it to its destination - to make an easy squirrel tail, using the same little flicks the artist used on the mouse's body. 

With the mask for the moon on, I ink blended the whole thing in blue and purple - don't worry that ink gets on the squirrel. It won't matter.

Then I removed the mask and watercolored the whole thing! SO CUTE. 

CURRENT COUPON CODES

20% off anything at Glassboard Studio  - UNDERSTANDBLUE.

OLO MARKER

15% off anything at Marker Universe or any of their other sites - Understandblue15.

10% off at Sweet Sentiment with code UNDERSTANDBLUE

10% off the whole store at A Colorful Life Designs - LydiaFan10

5% off at LBC here with code LYDIA5

Arkon Mounts -  - 20% off sitewide with code UNDERSTANDBLUE

Bujo/journaling supplies - 10% off with code UNDERSTANDBLUE

10% off everything at Acorns & Twigs with code UNDERSTANDBLUE

Here are the supplies I used.

Daisy Mouse [ SPL ] Waterproof roller ball [ AMZUS ] Daniel Smith Watercolor [ BLIC ] Stormy Sky [ SSS ] Wilted Violet [ SSS ] Cold Press Watercolor [ BLIC ] Circle Dies [ HA ] Masking Paper [ AMZUS ] White Paint Pen [ JGG ]

My own tree puppies are super hot, so they're not coming around much. I try to keep the birdbath full (it evaporates REALLY fast in this heat) and I put out cold grapes in the morning, which they love.

Are you in the Fan Club? Dare to Get Dirty has been scheduled - I'd love it if you'd join us! Today's card is actually a sample for another host's challenge, but you'll never guess what the challenge is!

We have dozens and dozens of creative challenges, lots of social time in a safe, private forum, and prizes! You do need to be a Fan Club member to play along, so if you're not, you can join here!

Here's the quick video with squirrel facts:

@understand.blue #DIY squirrel #watercolor with fun #squirrel facts 🐿️ #squirrels #squirrelsoftik #stamping #crafting #papercrafting #treepuppies ♬ original sound - Understand Blue

Loveyameanitbye.

Now Playing in My Garden + DTGD Sneak Peek

*Compensated affiliate links may be used at no additional cost to you. No posts here are sponsored or paid.*

I weeded for an hour this morning and the heat is intense. Our heat index is supposed to be 120 today. that's a first for Austin. I'm totally acclimated and it really sucks the life out of you. You have to be super careful, because hyperthermia sneaks up on you and is very deadly. So even though I got out early, I was sapped after sweating buckets for an hour. 69% humidity makes it pretty horrendous. 

However, I'm in a fight for all the beautiful plants in my yard this year and I'm going to win. I was inspired to make a few cards based on what's happening in my garden right now. This is a list of what's blooming:

• Butterfly bush (inspired card #2)
• Bee balm - a hot pink and a lavender
• Blue, purple & red sage plants
• Shrimp plants - two red varieties and two yellows
• Yellow & white Lantana
• Blue plumbago
• Garlic Chives
• Echinacea
• Devil's Trumpet

Aside from my two shrimp plants though I realized that the real hole in my color spectrum is yellow, so I'm going to have to fix that. 

Too hot to do anything not on paper though, so I came up with maybe an unexpected color combo for this beautiful layering stencil today - I used Gina K. Inks for this beauty - all listed below. The sentiment is from this set. I am living my garden dream this year - if I can get them through this excessive heat spell!

The next card is inspired by my butterfly bush - after the freeze, the recommendation was NOT to prune anything - just let it come back uninjured and that was great advice - this year I kept a journal of the dates each plant started to emerge, because I have a feeling these extreme weather events are here to stay - and I need to know how long to wait. Plants that are allowed to come back from freezes are MUCH hardier and more likely to survive long term so it's important not to rip out something that looks dead. Just be patient. 

As a result of that, some of my plants got leggy right out of the gate - notably my oregano and the butterfly bush. The butterfly bush was SO leggy I didn't even see it had bloomed because the bloom was buried way out in the grass! But it's beautiful! 

So I used this curvy layering butterfly die to do a little trick you will see at Dare to Get Dirty, which takes place in July, and I can't wait!

The background was made with this cover die. 

Here are all the supplies I used

Layering Roses [ CRF ] Curvy Butterfly [ CRF ] Sentiment set [ CRF ] Cover Plate Die [ CRF ] Prickly Pear [ GNK ] Wild Dandelion [ GNK ] Warm Cocoa [ GNK ]

CURRENT COUPON CODES

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OLO MARKER

15% off anything at Marker Universe or any of their other sites - Understandblue15.

10% off at Sweet Sentiment with code UNDERSTANDBLUE

10% off the whole store at A Colorful Life Designs - LydiaFan10

5% off at LBC here with code LYDIA5

Arkon Mounts -  - 20% off sitewide with code UNDERSTANDBLUE

Bujo/journaling supplies - 10% off with code UNDERSTANDBLUE

10% off everything at Acorns & Twigs with code UNDERSTANDBLUE

How does YOUR garden grow this year? I'd love to hear about it!

Loveyameanitbye.

VIDEO: Coloring Book Paper Piecing, Discount Code & a Fine Art Cross Stitch Pattern!

*Compensated affiliate links may be used at no additional cost to you. No posts here are sponsored or paid.*

I haven't had a weekend in a while - work has been bleeding over - and I also haven't been on a vacation in a long time, and I needed a break from my routine, so I decided to try my hand at something I've wanted to do for a long time - designing a cross stitch pattern. So more on that in a bit.

Today I'm headed back to my Crafty Rewind series - helping you get more out of products you've already bought instead of showing something new.

So we are rewinding to almost exactly a year ago when this BEAUTIFUL lighthouse die was released. I combined that with this stunning coloring book and black and white cardstock with a few tips in the video below. 

Oh - and before I forget - 

You can get 10% off anything at Hero Arts including the Mixed Media Stamp-Along event I'm teaching at - with code 

LYDIA10 at this link until June 30. 

CURRENT COUPON CODES

20% off anything at Glassboard Studio  - UNDERSTANDBLUE.

OLO MARKER

15% off anything at Marker Universe or any of their other sites - Understandblue15.

10% off at Sweet Sentiment with code UNDERSTANDBLUE

10% off the whole store at A Colorful Life Designs - LydiaFan10

5% off at LBC here with code LYDIA5

Arkon Mounts -  - 20% off sitewide with code UNDERSTANDBLUE

Bujo/journaling supplies - 10% off with code UNDERSTANDBLUE

10% off everything at Acorns & Twigs with code UNDERSTANDBLUE

Here's the video:

Okay - so here was my idea for the cross stitch patterns. I was looking at these stitch cards, and to me, they look like picture frames. So that led me to thinking about art and treating them like a little canvas. 

I started by coloring the card black with an OLO marker. You'll see variations on this as I do more.

I also wanted it to have a soft, impressionist look, so I didn't do any back stitching. When I hold it at arm's length, the detail's of the painting pop out from the soft color variations I used.

I'm not going to lie - this was a really hard process! I have a new appreciation for the people who make patterns!

Here's what it looks like stitched - one of my favorite paintings in the world - Vermeer's Girl With a Pearl Earring. It's going to look so cute in a little mini art gallery on a wall!

This painting also inspired the Hero Arts set!

So if you want to give it a try, you can purchase the pattern here!

If you're a member on Patreon, you can get this pattern for free - email me for a coupon!

What do you do to break up YOUR routine when there's too much work and not enough play?

Loveyameanitbye.

VIDEO: Nostalgic Road Trip Art Journal Page

*Compensated affiliate links may be used at no additional cost to you. No posts here are sponsored or paid.*

I have a nostalgic video for you today - a little nod to the road trips we used to take in the summer when I was a kid. 

This used to be the least expensive way to see the country - you could get motels and campgrounds cheaply, eat cheaply at Howard Johnson's etc. and you could see so many cool things and DO so many cool things for absolutely zero dollars.

So when I saw this gas pump image, I knew I wanted to journal it. 

I used a speed journal page to start with - and yes - I promise my speed journaling class will be up soon, and I used a royalty free image as the base. It's REALLY important that you seek out images that are licensed for use like this - Google images is not a free shopping mall. This has been a hot topic lately in the true crime community and it's important! In the video, I'll talk about some resources you can find licensed images within! I also personally think everyone should use the share button when they use one of these free images, because this is how photographers are being discovered for paid work. It just takes a second but it can mean a lot.

I used matte gesso, rust and teal watercolor, this label tape, and clear ephemera stickers. I did some texture stamping with this set, and used paint markers for the rest. Wait until you see how I got motion in some of the color - so fun. I like this landscape journal - it was a watercolor journal, but I don't recommend it for watercolor, because the sizing is very inconsistent - but it's perfect for mixed media as watercolor paper often is - even bad watercolor paper!

CURRENT COUPON CODES

20% off anything at Glassboard Studio  - UNDERSTANDBLUE.

OLO MARKER

15% off anything at Marker Universe or any of their other sites - Understandblue15.

10% off at Sweet Sentiment with code UNDERSTANDBLUE

10% off the whole store at A Colorful Life Designs - LydiaFan10

5% off at LBC here with code LYDIA5

Arkon Mounts -  - 20% off sitewide with code UNDERSTANDBLUE

Bujo/journaling supplies - 10% off with code UNDERSTANDBLUE

10% off everything at Acorns & Twigs with code UNDERSTANDBLUE

Here are all the supplies I used:

Gas Pump Stamp Set [ HNB ] Gas Pump Dies [ HNB ] Clear Ephemera Stickers [ AMZUS ] Label Tape [ JGG ] Background Texture [ CRF ] White Paint Pens [ BLIC ] Black fine paint pen [ BLIC ] Teal Watercolor [ HA ] Rust Watercolor [ HA ] Thick matte gel medium [ BLIC ] Black ink [ HNB ] White ink [ HNB ] Matte Gesso [ ACH ] The one true glue stick [ AMZUS ] Liquid Glue [ HNB ] Silicone Brush [ AMZUS ] Landscape Journal [ BLIC ]

Here's the video!

Loveyameanitbye.