Warning - Contraband in use.....

Since being introduced to the world of stamping in April, I've pretty much stuck to using Stampin' Up! products. Sure, I've used a little bit of DP from other places and a few Primas, but mostly it's been SU all the way. Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE SU, but there are a few things that I've seen on other blogs that have been tempting me for a while now. Name Hanna's, Bella's, Copic markers, other DP....well the list is constantly growing from reading way too many awesome blogs. Those of you who always read my blog may remember that I mentioned that I caved and bought some Hanna stamps (awesome service btw) and some Copics. Well, here is my first card using those products:

I had to wait until the acrylic blocks arrived (which was yesterday) as well as some different ink for stamping. Stazon runs...NOT GOOD!!! But I have been reading Marianne's blog I Like Markers, and she recommends Memento ink for colouring with Copics and luckily for me that arrived yesterday too! (Tuxedo Black in case you were wondering). Now, I have a fairly limited range of colours (at the moment!) and I was colouring on SU's Whisper White, which is a coated CS and therefore not ideal for blending colours (have some other stuff on order), but I am pretty happy with how it turned out for a first go. There's some of my new Prima flowers on there too, with rhinestone brad centres, some Petals and Paisleys DSP and the CS is Orchid Opulence and Tempting Turquoise. The circle clip is from the Antique Brass Hodgepodge and the ribbon is Turquoise.

The Copic markers are from a set on the Hanna site called "Spring", which I thought was rather appropriate for the weather we've been having! I won't mention who inspired me to buy these particular Hanna stamps...if she's reading this she knows who she is...but the person in question had a number of cards made with this set in an issue of Stamping and Papercraft a while back and after that I really did NEED it...LOL! Please note that Hanna's shoes and handbag match both each other and the trim on her dress....PMSL!

So there we have my first real foray into the world of contraband. I somehow feel that I'm now on a slippery slope and that you will be seeing all sorts of non-SU stuff in the future....but don't worry too much. I love my SU stuff too much to ever give it away completely :) and I'm sure a little bit of SU something will make it onto all my cards.

Tomorrow I will have my first BIA project to show you....an art journal I've created....Lauren will be proud of me :)...and maybe even the first crazy page I've made for it too.

Have a great day,

Kristie