Little Mousey Thanks

     As yet another month begins, The Outlawz has a new Progressive Challenge and this time the image is supplied by Di's Digi Designs.  While I definitely wouldn't want mice in my kitchen, I can't resist a cute little mouse image and this one just seemed perfect for a fall "Thank You" card.

I started with the sketch from The Outlawz also.

     The image is colored with my ProMarkers, then cut with a "Delicate Garden" die by Sue Wilson.  The  golden background piece and the butterfly are also cut with dies from that same set.  The sentiment is stamped onto green CS, then cut with a Spellbinders tag die.  All the die cut pieces are also embossed.

     I added the flower and a scrap piece for the swirl, feeling like that was enough embellishment given the fancy framing.  I really wanted the frame and image to be showcased instead of covered with embellies.

     I was in the middle of coloring this image when I found an email in my box with news that Kit & Clowder was running a freebie class on all the basic fundamentals of coloring, including shading, highlighting and other important aspects.  While it utilizes alcohol markers for coloring, most of the principles can also be applied to colored pencils and, since I'm struggling with shading and highlighting with my new polychromos pencils, I signed up for the class.

     I've been hesitant to take any of the classes offered at Kit & Clowder because I have this irrational fear of making a mistake and having somebody point it out.  Silly, I know, but I said it was an irrational fear.  :-D  So, I gathered up my courage and signed up for this freebie class, thinking that if I was pleased with my progress, I'd probably pay for a couple (or more) other classes to increase my learning curve.  Does any of that sound interesting to you?  Here's a link you can use for information on the freebie class.  You work at your own pace and there's no pressure to complete it within any certain period of time.  I've done the first section on Lightsource Basics and I'm going to go through the rest of the course topics over the next couple of weeks.

     Challenges:
Colour Your World
Crafting by Designs
Crafty Gals Corner
Die Cuttin' Divas
House That Stamps Built
I {heart} ProMarkers
Lemon Shortbread
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends
Paper Shelter
Passion for ProMarkers
Penny's Paper-Crafty
Word Art Weds.

     I hope your weekend is going well and for those of us in the USA, we still have an extra day before our work week starts again.  Hope you have a great Labor Day but don't "labor" too hard.  :-D  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie

Please continue to leave comments.  The "Word Verification" really isn't on.  BLOGGER INSISTS ON SHOWING THE "CAPTCHA" ICON BUT IF YOU IGNORE IT AND JUST PUBLISH YOUR COMMENT, IT WILL POST JUST FINE.  I WISH I COULD GET RID OF IT BUT THERE'S NO OPTION FOR THAT WHEN THE COMMENTS ARE WRITTEN IN A SEPARATE BOX. SORRY.