The Saltbox Sampler

As promised

I promised I would post the titles of the new  sets coming out in the next release a couple weeks ago.   This is going to be a fun
very true to a Saltbox/primitive/Americana release.  It's my favorite so far.  I just finished watching the John Adams series on HBO.  Loved it. 

As you probably have gathered by now I am an American history buff-having Philadelphia (main line) a huge part of my childhood.  I am actually a Daughter of the American Revolution.  (It's a lineage thing)-  I love the 4th of July and all, so, these sets are totally up my alley.  A few years back I took my boys to Philadelphia the week of the fourth.  In Independence Square outside Independence Hall they reenact  the reading of the Declaration to the public for the first time with crowds cheering and all-- it's so cool.  One thing many do not realize it was actually a few days later  (July 8) when the formal announcement of our independence to the people was done.  Not the 4th.  Now don't panic because the Declaration was signed on the 4th.  The first newspaper to print the Declaration was the Pennsylvania Evening Post on the 6th... 

Here are the titles:
Long May She Wave-July Banner
Willow House-June Banner
Hens and Chicks
Farm Friends
Barnyard
Americana Summer
Americana Companion   

A card from Kelly

I like this card by Kelly because it is simple, elegant, and fun all wrapped into one.  The colours are wonderful.  I am trying to catch up today after quite a weekend.  I'll post on the Dining Out  a bit later.  It was awesome.

A card from Mary Rose

This card definitely shows Mary Rose's style, but the subject matter with the ballerina mouse seems not so "Mary".  I think it's because she has three sons and no daughters.  Lexi assigned her these mice--and she did a great job.

A card from ELena

This card is very "A Muse" and Saltbox combined.  By Elena using the different papers fro A Muse she really gave this card a signature look. The clever use of the houses on the post from A Banner year is adorable.

A card from Lexi

I love bees and the colors yellow and black together.  I collect beehives and such for y Summer decor I put out each year.  So, I had to post this card today.  It's cheerful and sooo summery.  The 80 degree weather is finally here--  Whoohooo!

last of tutorial

Here is the fuzzy version "fixed" with black lines.  Take a very fine black marker such as Pitt or Sakura and outline just inside/around the image. Do not create "perfect" lines just outline quickly.  I suggest  to outline "just inside" so you do not end up with background between the black line and the colored image. Add an eye, nose  and mouth (if you choose)  and then the balloon string. You've now given the imperfect watercolour version a finished look. 

For the  good watercolour  version I only added an eye, nose and balloon string.  I used a gray Pitt marker. I prefer to add just a little outlining for the watercolours.  It really keeps the focus and feel on  the watercolour look.

Tomorrow is my boys' Dining Out ceremony.  This is the military's name for a formal night including awards, promotions those type of things.  It is huge and today, tonight and tomorrow there is much prep work.  Saturday is their Regional Drill Team competition.  They do competitions in Regulation and Exhibition.  My oldest son, Peter  who is also on the Honor Guard/Rifle Team  will be performing a solo.  It amazes me how he can throw 9 pounds of rifle in the air and still catch it and go in to such precise movements.  I can bearly work out with a 5 pound weight--  So, because of these events I will do my best to post, but if not I will I will do my best to post when I get back in town.   I suppose I can time the posts...

Thank you everyone for the kind comments.  No news yet on my "tick" status.  There are about 5  types of infections that I could have.

I am back (sort of)

I have been out of commission for a few days.  In addition to dealing with health issues I got bitten by 7 ticks on an adventure to the woods.  I have to go into the doc today because of the symptoms I am having, so, when I return  I will post the final black line art piece of the tutorial.   Here is a card by our newest Design Team member, Jen to hold you over... Love the use of real bird seed--

Almost finished

Before I post the various options for adding the black to the "watercoloured" piece Here is the finished mouse front and back side.  The front side has colored pencil added for you to see: 1. How to finish the front if not using the back and 2.   Where the colored pencil is added shows you where the darker color of marker/shadowing should be placed for watercolor --

The backside is actually the finished piece for me.  I chose not to add another layer to keep the mouse body quite subdued.

Stuck at appointment

I am stuck at an appointment and cannot get home to post part three of the tutorial.  I will do so asap.  Thankfully, I have an iphone to at least post this.  it's such a handy device for business.  Especially if you work from home and do the Kid thing too.

New Design Team Member announced-beautiful work

Along with the April Release, I am thrilled to introduce a new member of The Saltbox Studio Design Team--the very talented Jennifer Alcivar!  Jennifer has commented faithfully here and on our Design Team members' blogs since the company launch, demonstrating a love for the images.  Then once her order arrived, I couldn't help but notice the designs she posted on her blog.  I've even showcased a few right here.  I asked Jennifer to write a little introduction and elaborate on a few words, so we could all get to know her a little better. 

Here's what Jennifer had to say, and  a few of her beautiful designs.  (above)

I live in the small town of Lantana, Florida with my husband, four children, and three dogs.  I began stamping almost 13 years ago, shortly after the birth of my fourth child.  Scrapbooking and all other altered paper crafts followed a few years later but I enjoy designing cards most of all.  I love being able to create very personal cards for the special people in my life. 

Not too long ago, I saw some of Becky's cards posted in a gallery and was immediately drawn to the warm country charm of The Saltbox Studio images.  They reminded me of home.  I went right to The Saltbox Studio site and haven't left.  It's the first site I check when I get home from work.  Beth sent me an email after I left a comment on one of her blog entries one day and the rest as they say is history.  We hit it off and have been emailing ever since!  I am thrilled to be part of The Saltbox Studio Design Team and I look forward to sharing my designs with you.

Name:  Jennifer Alcivar
Nickname:  Most everyone calls me Jen, my husband calls me Monkey, and growing up I heard everything from Red to Carrot Top due to my red hair.
First stamp: My first stamp was Cinderella by All Night Media and I still have it.
Saltbox stamp of the moment: I started out in *love* with Sheep but now I am totally hooked on Tweets and Tweet Houses.
Stamping style: I think my style is simple and clean with little shabby thrown in for good measure.
Color: My all time favorite color is purple but in stamping I tend to follow the seasons.
Inspiration: I think inspiration is all around you and I usually find it when I least expect it.  I have a little notebook that I carry with me at all times so I can write down ideas before I forget them.
Stamping space:  My stamping room is actually our dining room.  Our house is really tiny and the six of us could not all fit in there to eat together so my wonderful husband thought it would make a great craft room.  Boy was he right!
On my desk:  My 120 piece Prismacolor Pencil set and Gamsol, my 12x12 Tonic cutter, and all the new Saltbox Studio stamps.
A perfect day: My perfect day would be sleeping in (and not waking up to barking dogs), going out for pancakes, maybe some shopping after with my Hubby, and then some time in my craft room.
Beverage:  Ginger Ale and the brand new Ginger Ale with Green Tea
Family: I am lucky enough to be married to my Best Friend, Leon.  (We met over 23 years ago!)  We have four great children, Amanda is 18 and graduating High School on May 20th, Samantha is 17 and loves to design clothes, Toby is 15 and is in Culinary School (How cool to already know what you want to do in life!), and Jessica, my baby, is 12 and totally my shopping buddy!
When I'm not stamping:  You can find Jessica and me shopping at the Mall, Target, or a local craft store.