Roses - and Colored Pencils

Hooray for Friday! Do you have plans for a wonderful weekend? Here's wishing for some super weather to enjoy whatever it is that you may be doing.

My pedicure /manicure yesterday was much better than the first one I had (at another shop). After watching on the first visit the operator just took the loose instruments from a drawer at the table, I became concerned with how the tools had been cleaned (whether they had been sterilized or sanitized properly after being used on another customer). When I called for a repeat appointment, I asked about this, and the person answering the phone said I'd have to speak with the manager - who was out just then. I thought "Hmmm, everyone in that shop should be able to answer that question." So I called another place and asked this question, got the info I hoped to hear and made an appointment. The tools used on me were taken from a sealed bag - and I was informed that the tools are cleaned with antiseptic, then put into some kind of an autoclave - in the bag, and the heat seals the bag until it is opened to use on a customer. Right answer! The technician at the 2nd shop, was much more thorough in what she did with the cuticles on hands & feet, did some wonderful treatment on my dry heel skin - so I'm glad I went to a different place.

I'm still trying to work with colored pencils now & again. Today's card is an image I colored some time ago, wasn't happy with it, but decided it would be ok on a card. Here goes:

The image did not stamp crisply, even using the stamp press. Believe this is one bought at a garage sale - in a bag with some other stamps.  I think Derwent Colorsoft pencils were used on the image, but it was difficult to see on the image just where to shade and highlight. I finally used a white gel pen to add some highlights after finishing the coloring.  On this image,I tried to touch the white to the image, then blot it with my finger so there's not a harsh white mark. This may be something others knew to do already. After moving the image out of my way for a whle, I decided what the heck, make a card with it.

- Die cut the opening of the card base with a S/B classic square & adhered the image behind the opening. Used Gold Squares One to emboss the center opening after die cutting. I'm not very successful with those gold dies that just emboss. (these are different from the S/B Imperial gold which do cut & emboss).  I've yet to have one work well to give a nice embossed edge. I like the S/B Imperial Gold dies, but not the Gold Squares or Ovals. Probably operator error, but I've viewed the S/B tutorials so many times and STILL can't get these to work well. Any suggestions???

- Swiped Memento Angel Pink over the embossing folder, and then ran the card front through the Big Shot. This covered up the previous embossing that was just around the square opening (from the Gold square failure).

- MB leaf & Dee's Distinctively swirls were cut from white snippet and sprayed with Lindy's Starburst sprays in greens and pinks. This will be a  good card to have in the stash and can be adapted for whatever occasion is needed.

Thanks for joining me today, and Big Hugs.