The Saltbox Sampler

Candle glow

Becky sent me this card the other day and it just made my whole day better.  I "love" the color yellow.  My bedroom has been a different shade of yellow forever.  A year and a half ago I changed it to a sea glass greenish blue and I have never felt as happy since.  Seeing this card reminded me of how much I need my yellow back.  I also love the image.  You will continue to see the "peeking"  mouse in different images throughout the line (like the one behind the yarn ball, the one with the snowball and this one).   He'll be peeking out of a flower pot  very soon...

What would you do?

I asked Lexi to make me a card with the image NOT colored.  I have been pondering whether to add color or just to leave it "blank" and use for a male recipient.    I think I may just color the background.  What would would you do?  Any color preferences?

THE SALTBOX STUDIO NEXT RELEASE

I have been receiving many emails asking when our next release is, so, instead of answering individually, I thought it would be best to post  it here. 

The planned release date is  April 10th with Previews beginning on the 5th.    All following releases will be the 10th of the month they release in as well.

I know you'll love the new release.  I've made sure the sets work alone and with other sets in the line.  Get ready to pull those
fences out! Spring is coming!

Guest card

As I continue the egg basket series, I thought I would post a sweet card from one of our faithful readers "jenstamps".  I like this card because although pastel, it still has a touch of masculine due to the stripes.  Having all boys, I am always excited to see details like these.  Thanks, Jen

Totally Kitsch?

Today's egg basket creation is designed by Becky Rusher.   Often today  this "look" would be labeled Kitsch.  I just don't think it is.  Kitsch actually means "in bad taste"  usually referring to something in the arts whether decor, artwork...  I remember this from my  course on the History of Furniture in college.  The "uppity" chose this word often to describe the lower class style.   I think I will stick with the  word retro-no that's too 50's and 60's . it will have to be VINTAGE.  No bad connection there.

This  card would have been perfect sitting on my kitchen window sill in my shirtwaist 1930's home we lived in Kansas City.  I can just see the cherry print curtains...  And of course it has  Becky's signature pink in it.

 

egg basket continued

On Friday I began the egg basket series by our Design Team.  This is such a fun basket because it can have an easter theme, Farm theme, Kitchen, diner theme, cook(ing), recipe cards...

This card is by Mary Rose.  She created her own  Easter banner using the egg basket and the Banner Year set.  The clouds/sky and grass give the design a great background/foreground look.  She has a tendency to create these cards, call me and get me all excited to see them--and then I have to wait.  Arrggh .   At least I will get to see the cards  "in person" today.    She is moving to Indianapolis  the beginning of April, so, instead of a 2 minute drive to see her creations  it will be a 4 hour one.  (sad face).  I never have taken the time to figure out had to add those smiley faces.

Marker swatches

Those printed color charts just don't do the real marker or pencil color justice.  Therefore, I scanned my  Copic marker swatch page and Prismas I must have all the time and am posting it for you here.  Just click on the link below to download all the colors.  The reds did not come out nearly as accurate on the full page, so I created the reds as there own pix. (See above)
These samples are very close to original swatches.  Remember, screen colors due to monitor and print outs often alter color.  I hope this at least gives you a guideline.

Download copic_prismaspica_swatchesfinal.jpg

Art work from last week update

Here is the art I showed you last week with the finishing touches. (SCROLL DOWN) In the case of each of them I only added a touch of colored pencil (and market around snowman)

For the snowman guy : Some blue pencil around him with Neutral gray #0 marker on top of pencil
For the Sheep:  I added a bit of green in blanket, gray and black for edges , a little green for background/grass and a touch of white in stars
For the Basket: I shaded the background with a rose colored pencil (just a touch)  added edge shadow with a chocolate brown and some black, white highlights and a little dk brown  around flowers in basket (only in certain areas). 

Next tutorial will be  using flat color marker and one step shading with a pencil very close to the color of the marker.

The sun is shining here and I have a nice bright yellow t shirt on--need that color!

Simple

I simply adore this card.  Elena created this elegant piece of art.  Using just a white pencil for highlights creates so much depth without all the additional shading.  The "touch of lavender"  using the sheer A Muse ribbon with the new A Muse stitched ribbon is definitely a winner.

Almost ready

I have been having scanner problems, so as soon as I figure out what the deal is with it I will post the art.  In the meantime I have posted a card that I've got a pix of already.   This card is using our Candle Glow set.  Kelly did a great job with the candle shading and her signature style really shines.