An artful gift set

good morning!

we have had DREAM weather here in NoVA and that means we have been out in the gardens A LOT!  and we still have more to go.  especially when we get to the butterfly garden i want to put in on the side of the house below the deck.  (hubby is flinching as he reads this hee heeee) sorry honey! 

The current Think Ink challenge is to use a book or CD album for inspiration – mine is one my mom gave me while i was down there visiting called Hello Cupcake (and the newest version is about to come out!):

i used the adorable little cupcake from Artful INKables’ Birthday Best set and then i spent a good bit of the day Sunday with my latest issue of  Technique Junkies – simply a MUST HAVE newsletter subscription.  i learn SO much from Pat and her group!  She has a sketch challenge in it now so i decided to play along:

and i had so much fun i made a card AND a gift bag!  the four panels all use a different technique featured in the current newsletter.  The panels are from top left Glimmer Mist Watercolor, Washed Colors, Metallic Parchment, & Faux Velvet.  I love them all but i have to say the Metallic Parchment and Faux Velvet ROCK!!!!!  they are just heavenly in real life!

I colored the cupcake’s chocolate frosting and candle with copics and paper pieced the wrapper with some of the Glimmer Mist Watercolor paper I made.  Talk about lots of ideas for ways to use my Creative Inspirations Paints and shimmering mists – here i used Radiant Rain.

I finished each piece off with a few glittered skittles from my store.  i think this would make a great set for a guy!  we have an early morning run to walmart today so we can make it to open gym at Little Gym.

have a great day!