December? October? November?

Somebody help me remember...All I know is that it's FRIDAY! woohoo!

The truth is, I was coloring in this Winter image and was planning on making 3 other everyday type of cards last night. I turned on Gran Torino and there went the evening. The next thing I knew, it was 10:45 and I only had this one card done which wasn't even the one I was planning on working on.
Here it is in all of its solo glory:



I'll have to tell you the cheapest therapy for any kind of grumpiness: Color up one of Dustin's digis. I promise you there's no way you can stay mad! They are just so cute, and I love their adorable faces.
I wanted to play more with my Polar white flower soft seen here:

There's something very pretty about the FS on snow images. It feels like real snow, and it has a pretty crystal-y shine to it. There's another technique that I am going to try over the weekend. I am CASE-ing a friend and will promise to name her if I get the card right. Otherwise she'll disown me. haha! I also used the snowflakes CB folder on the bottom for more texture as well as some die cut embellis.
A closer look at the die cuts on top:

I masked and sponged some pretty clouds, that is a MS snowflake flurrying down upon them. I don't own a Cricut so this punch comes in handy when I need winter embellishments. I also used a green Circut flourish that I got from a friend to balance out the card on the bottom. Dareu2Digi Stamp's current challenge is die cuts, so this ties in nicely without me even intentionally trying. ;)

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend with tons of happy plans! If you're planning on making some Fall or Halloween cards, then please visit my Inktegrity blog for a freebie and our first ever challenge. Have a beautiful Friday everyone, thank you so much for your visit. :D

*Love and Aloha*

Tuesday Morning choose your sketch day

Hi everyone and thank you for coming by. I know it's trickier now that school is back in session and everyone is already swinging into Fall, so thank you for your visits to my blog. :D

Tuesday Morning Sketches is letting you choose your own sketch this week. What in the world? Because it's a color challenge! Yes! Melissa decided to shake things up a bit with this color combo:
Fun, right? It looks like a basket of egpplants and green apples. lol!
Here is my take on it using one of Dustin's sweet dragons:


I remember Dustin releasing him during Easter but instead I filled his basket with purple flowers. The sentiment is from SU, ribbon and DP from M's, and the layout is from The Pink Elephant's current challenge.
Thank you all so much for coming to see me! I hope you join in on the fun, click HERE to link up your card and see what the rest of the TMS design team did with this awesome color combo! Enjoy your day please. ;) heehee!
*Love and Aloha*

A Tuesday Summer Morning Sketch

Happy Tuesday everyone!
So you like me rambling, eh? ME TOO! I was so lost yesterday with just a short post. Even DH asked me, "Are you done blogging already?" haha! Now I feel free to talk. ;)

Well it's time for a Tuesday Morning Sketch!

All the stores are carrying sweaters and leggings, leg warmers and winter coats. I don't even pay them any attention because I don't want summer to end. Do they not know how precious these lazy days are? That a Netflix movie at 8pm with popcorn and all the kiddos piled on our couch is worth savoring? That I prefer my ice in a cup and not all over my backyard? Grrr...

So when Melissa gave us the newest sketch for the week and told us that Dustin Pike was sponsoring, well...I just had to use this little fella:

Awww, he just makes me smile. Teddy and I are both in agreement, it's still the perfect time to build sand castles, sleep in, and play outside. And besides, he's already got his winter coat so he's in no rush. ;)

Here is a closer look at the fun flock on his chest area, ears and tail:

Apparently, the ladies over at The Pink Elephant agree too as Summer is their theme challenge this week! Yeah! Maybe we can start a petition and have summer be extended into September. Here is the fabulous Tuesday Morning sketch of the week for you to follow:

I flipped mine to work with the Summer sentiment, as long as your cards have the elements, then let your happy creative side take over. Link your card up to Tuesday Morning Sketches' blog HERE so we can oooh and ahhh over your creation.

And if you haven't heard of the wonderful and generous Dustin Pike yet (digital freebies every Wednesday), I interviewed him on my blog back in May. Click HERE to read all about this Dino-mite artist!

Have a wonderful day everyone. :D
*Love and Aloha*

One Knight closer to going home...

Hi everyone! I wanted to share a card that I made for another friend over at Post Pals. It is an organization that lists hospitalized children in the UK to receive happy mail, you can read more about them HERE on their site. I made one earlier in the month for a little girl named Mollie, and was thrilled to see that Dustin Pike is using Post Pals as a chance to win his blog candy. What a wonderful idea!
Using one of Dustin's images, I made this for a little boy named Ethan:


With the stair step technique, I created a little story and dubbed it "One Knight closer to going home." I remember those long drawn out days when our own DD was undergoing chemotherapy, but it was a wonderful moment when DH would call after their weeklong stay and say, "We're on our way home!" :D My base is made with SU's creamy caramel cs, all the other pieces were various scraps. The castle is a clear $1 stamp by Imaginisce, my DS insisted that it needed a moat around it and I drew in its cobblestone path.
(Please note: although I was inspired by it, I am not going to use that original sentiment. Instead, I've chosen "Have a wonderful Knight" out of respect for Ethan and his family.)

Here is a close up of the card:

My Bear in shining armor is colored in with copics and then flocked. His loyal horsie was colored in with prismacolor pencils, OMS and a stump, and instead of the original lead that Dustin drew, I used a scrap piece of twine for this noble steed. ;)

I hope you all participate in Dustin's blog candy/cause for Post Pals. Click HERE to read about it on his blog and to see that poor pinata that he drew! heehee! He is also looking in to American based organizations who do similar projects as well. And if you are a fan (who isn't?) my friend Lisa on SCS {aka wildbasket} is hosting a great swap HERE - even Dustin joined in on the fun. :D Have a wonderful Tuesday everyone!

*Love and Aloha*

Meet Dustin Pike...

Thank you so much Dustin for doing this! I know for a fact that there are so many stampers and crafters out there who would love to know more about the man behind the dragons (as well as your other wonderful characters). So tell us a little bit about yourself, how long have you been drawing/doodling?

I have been drawing/doodling for as long as I can remember. Even my homework in school had more doodles in the blank parts than it did answers...In school I tried to have more art classes than any other, I don't get math, English was OK, but in art classes I knew what I was doing. I joined the US Air Force in 92 with the idea that I would do commercial art, advertising, something in a creative field and boy was I wrong. At Basic training I was informed I would be an AMMO troop, driving bombs and missiles around the flight line delivering them to the jets.I still doodled in the Air Force, designing tattoos for friends, drawing on the bombs before they were sent away. I just kept it going to keep up the practice.

What made you decide to debut into the stamping/crafting world?

About 10 years ago I worked for a printing company in Bountiful, Utah. I designed a whole line of clip art for the yearbooks that they published. After I left there, I found a few places to free-lance and do drawings here and there. 6 or 7 years ago I found a company that would scan and sell my designs for scrapbooks. I did that for a while and then learned how to do it all by myself and went out on my own. I drew a lot of moose, bears and bugs, but somewhere a dragon popped in, I don't remember exactly when but he was born and he's been a part of my art ever since. With my rubber and digi stamps a very good friend of mine Rikki (http://coconutloungecreations.blogspot.com/) sent me an email telling me I needed to look into rubber stamps, my style has clean crisp dark lines that would transfer over very well into the stamping world. I contacted a few companies, joined a few groups and have my first rubber set coming out May 2nd and the second set around the second week of may. In the meantime I found Digital Stamps. Drew a few, put them on Etsy just to test the waters and found myself dragged in...

You are obviously a talented and unique artist, was there a particular artist/illustrator that you liked growing up?

I am a cartoon junkie, still pay for premium satellite TV just to get cartoon network Boomerang. AND I have the imagination of a 6 year old. I think I was influenced by Disney of course, but also Hannah Barbera, The smurfs, anything Jim Henson did, mainly Fraggle Rock, The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. On PBS there was a show called "the Secret City" a drawing show hosted by Mark Kistler, he's still around and on the web www.draw3d.com I learned so much from his show I think I might have borrowed some of my look and style from him, mixing it with a little Disney, Henson and anything else I could throw in there...

Since we've read that you have 2 little girls and are obviously outnumbered in your house, where did the inspiration for dragons, monkeys, and teddy bears come from?

I also have 2 boys, my youngest is ALL boy, holy cow, definitely keeps you on your toes, He is my buddy and my shadow, he has also rescued me from the world of tea parties, Bratz and dress up. We like Power Rangers, monster trucks, matchbox cars and anything alien and space related...My oldest is taking after me in the creative department, he is very imaginative and I will have to post a few things of his on my blog here in the near future...

So have your girls or your wife made any kind of character request for themselves?

I draw for my kids all the time, creating coloring pages for road trips to Disneyland. I also have a few older pieces that resemble them, or certain things about them, they each have custom

clip art and paper piecing in their scrapbooks as well.

What exciting ventures can we expect to see from your line in the future?

The one thing I haven't done and is a life long goal is to become an illustrator for children's books. As far as being popular enough to do school visits, I am not sure, I am deathly afraid of talking in front of groups of people even kids. I really don't do well in public speaking. I would like to see a book featuring my art or illustrations on the shelf at the local Barnes and Nobles or on a website...

Finish this sentence for all the Disney fans out there: It's the most perfect scenario - the weather is gorgeous, everyone's in a great mood, you get to Disneyland and the first thing you do is...

Head for Pirates of the Caribbean or the Haunted Mansion, no matter what new ride there is, it seems to be we always head in that direction first, no matter how many times we have ridden it, we always start there...next I hit the closest pin cart or store that carries pins, We are a crazy family of pin traders and I am a sucker for merchandise, I am a marketing directors dream client.

And finally, I just have to ask how the DT call went! Without spilling any secrets or revealing any names, give us an overall review of what that experience was like.

I am over 100 applicants right now. Choosing just 10 is not going to be fun. I thought I would get 30 at most making the decision hard, but do-able. I don't like saying no to people but there can't be 100 DT members...I plan on swapping the team in a few months, mainly to let those not chosen the first go around a chance to show their talents, I am blown away daily by the links and samples sent to me, the things people come up with using a doodle I drew while sitting in the car waiting for the girls to get out of dance class really blows me away...I also look at everything sent, even when I don't get a chance to comment on their blog, I try to do it, but there are days where all I'd do is blog hop and not get any drawing (or housework) done...

One last thing, I would really like to thank my family (sounds like I am winning and award) but seriously, my wife puts up with papers on the couch, roughs on the dining room table, drawing pads in the car and pencils here and there. Even when I am overwhelmed with art or things to do she helps me through. She puts up with a lot, but she inspires me to keep going. My kids as well, they put up with dad making them pose just to see how a charaters arms should look when folded or reaching for something. I owe a lot to them.

***************

Thank you so much Dustin for this interview! Your work is a breath of fresh dragon air to us all, I am so excited to see what the future holds for you as you are already a household name. And many thanks to your wife and her 'honey-do' lists, to your sons for their inspiration, and to your daughters and their dance rehearsals - they are an integral part of what you create! :D

To see more of Dustin's work, visit his BLOG (see the 4/30 post for 10 new fabulous digis) and his Etsy Store , as well as his NEW site HERE to order any of his designs. (Please note: I did not apply to Dustin's DT call. haha! I didn't want anyone to think I was trying to get on his good side by interviewing him. But the best of luck to all who entered, the announcement will be made on May 3rd.) Have a wonderful Friday everyone!
*Love and Aloha*

It's Get-Oh Fabulous Friday!!

I am so full of it lately, aren't I? Information that is!! HAHA! And for all you jokers, I know what you were thinking. tsk tsk... :D

Hi everyone! It has been a while since I've posted any helpful Get-Oh Fabulous tips so I thought I'd share a quick one with you. This is my inexpensive way of storing unmounted stamps:

My buddy Jen (go90feet) on SCS gave me this tried and true tip and I LOVE it! It's a simple photo storage box (the type that they sell everywhere, these were 3 for 5$ at M's). The white cards are large index cards that are laminated. That's it! I trim them down to size, then put the stamps on one side, and the images on cardstock on the other. In this case, TGF's stamps come with an adorable little index card that I just adhere to the front. It's sooo easy to sift through! This is my TGF box, I don't think the lid ever goes on it. haha!

Now on to some cards...

Here's one that I made for my bff back home with Dustin Pike's free digi. We were like sisters in high school, except that she is 2 years younger, stands at 5'9", has the perfect beach body (even 'til this day after 3 kids), and looks like she just stepped off Glamour magazine without having to put on any makeup. haha! I am like the Danny Devito in Twins next to Arnold Schwarzenegger!

She emailed me recently and is going through some things, so I'm sending her this card, some happy mail, as well as many prayers and positive thoughts. I still feel protective over her as she is the little sister I never had. :D

Here's another card that I made for a family that I know from church:

Isn't this the prettiest instrument? They are from Hawaii and their DD was my 4yo's Vacation Bible School teacher this summer. Malia is soooo sweet, one of those girls that you just hope your own daughter turns out to be! She also plays the violin like I have never seen before, so effortless and she is incredibly humble about it. They did such a good job at Easter Sunday so I thought of her immediately when I saw this image from The Digi Shack.

Here is a closer view, I angled it so you could see the crystal effects that I coated on the violin:

The quick details, this was a lightly printed DP that I found in my stash. I burned the edges - literally, with a match! My house smelled like a bonfire. haha! I wanted to have a really aged feel to it. I ran it through my Allegro CB folder, then sponged randomly over it. I distressed the edges of both the DP and the card itself. I think I'm going to make another one for DS' band teacher. They have a Band/Chorus trip coming up next week and she has done an amazing job the past 20 years. That's incredible considering how many middle schoolers she takes responsibility for!

Okay, that's all my cards for today BUT I still have some fun stuff for you.

Toni from The Digi Shack graciously emailed the DT with free images to give away to our blog buddies! They are a set called SWEETS and features ice cream cones, sundaes, and sentiments. If you would like this emailed to you (it's in a pdf format), please email me at jonjinko@hotmail.com with the subject line FREE SWEETS. I will then send it to you via email. This offer will self destruct on May 1st. LOL! Haha! It's only good until the end of April, so pass this along to friends. :D

And speaking of sweet, thank you all for your wishful thinking!! Since I had the most incredible week ever making both Design Teams that I am super excited about, I decided to do 5 blog candy packages! Iwas so nervous doing random.org because I wanted everyone to win! Here were the random generated numbers: 33...35...14...4...1

Congratulations to (in order):

Robin (Robin's Arful Musings)

Randi (The Dark Mermaid)

Tammy (Fun Paper Candy)

Maria Matter (Joyful Stamper)

Liann (the Hula Hello Kitty avatar - haha!)

Send me your snail mail addys girls and I will get these out this weekend!! :D

Okay, one last thing...Modern Sugar Blvd. will celebrate its grand opening on April 20th. You've seen Shop Girl, now here's another fabulous one in her store on Monday...

LOL! Did you really think Candie would let us show you everything? hahaha!! Have a super weekend ladies! I'll be back tomorrow with a quick post to let you know the winner of our sketch challenge by Maria Bell. If you haven't entered yet, you have until midnight EST to give it a shot. Click HERE for the original post and sketch. I've got a great prize for the winner from The Greeting Farm! *Love and Aloha*