Tobi Crawford ink: 2018

A Year In Review - 2018

December 28, 2018
By Tobi Crawford
0 Comments

That's how many posts I wrote on the blog this year...

I don't know who is still out there reading this, but if you are still around, THANK YOU!

I have been a bad blogger, and I could blame it on China and the fact that blogs are illegal, or the internet and the fact that it's incredibly slow... But the truth is, I just don't "make" like I used to - and it's ok....

I did have a little Christmas cardmaking class with some co-workers, and I had a small card order for Christmas, but nothing like in the past...

But I'm still creating..... When I have time.

I'm trying to perfect Acrylic Pouring and have been puttering around with that...

I broke out the ol' gelli plate and made some art journal backgrounds...

But mostly.... I've been incredibly busy at school.

And life.

And travel...

This year I've been to:

Boracay, Philippines

Panglao, Philippines

Vancouver, BC

Chicago, Il

Toronto, Ont.

Quebec

Bangkok, Thailand

Bali, Indonesia (where I am right now)

My son and I in Chicago to see Hamilton!

These are my blog stats....

And I have had a very deep thought about it.

There is a direct and quantifiable correlation between the amount of blog posts/year, and my effectiveness/commitment/quality of my teaching.

Being a music teacher takes a lot of dedication, but mostly, TIME. When I was in Canada I had so many commitments outside of school that I wasn't directing my energy where I should have: to my students and my music program.

I have learned the hard way, that to do my job effectively, to offer my students the BEST ME, I have to be 100% focused on them and my job. If you look at 2014 - 2018 (my years in China so far), you can see the drop-off. And yes, that means no time/energy for crafting commitments and deadlines.....

I have also recently committed myself to Keto.

If I'm going to continue doing my job the way I'm currently doing it, I need to get healthy!!

I've been on keto for 4 months. Still have a LONG way to go, but I feel really great about what I've accomplished so far...

2018 has been a great year!

Just not a good blogging year.

I wish you the best in 2019.

I will update here when I can.

For now... Do you follow me on Instagram? @jazzytobi

I upload my feed pretty regularly. Life. Travel. Food. And of course, crafts!!

Happy New Year!

Christmas

Poinsettia Tag - Technique Tuesday

November 27, 2018
By Tobi Crawford
0 Comments

Hi, how have you been?

Long-time-no-see again! I have really slowed down on my crafting because, if I'm being honest with myself, I've really stepped up my teaching game at school and over the last couple of years I've become the Fine Arts department head, lead teacher of Student Council, and really just committed myself to being a better overall teacher to my kids....

I used to feel a lot of guilt about putting crafting deadlines and projects/classes ahead of my family and work, and it feels good not to have those commitments in my life any more.

I am still designing for Technique Tuesday, but not in a formal design-team sort of way, and I'm very thankful they let me play with their stamps and dies!

This project is a nod to my crafting roots (Copic markers) and new products/trends (Distress Oxide Inks). It's so interesting to watch trends come and go, and the new thing is inking backgrounds instead of patterned paper, I guess. (Not NEW, new, but you KWIM).

Stamp Set: Perfect Poinsettia by Technique Tuesday

I don't know how many cards or projects I'll get done for Christmas, but this was certainly a good step in the right crafting direction....

Another thing that's been happening in my life is: Keto. I actually did Keto 20 years ago when I called it "Atkins" (I never did the high protein thing... just little-to-no-carbs - so essentially Keto) and I lost over 100lbs. What's different now? More resources like Instagram and Pinterest, and also, I just genuinely wanted to lose weight again... it was time... i was feeling it...

I've been on Keto for three months and I'm doing pretty well! I don't weigh myself because my goal is not a number, it's a feeling, but I can tell you that all of my clothes are feeling pretty damn loose, and that's all the inspiration I need to keep on going... If you're on a similar journey you can join me on my Keto Instagram @tobidoesketo

Anyhoo.... That's all for now!

bookmarks

I Love to Read - Technique Tuesday

September 27, 2018
By Tobi Crawford
0 Comments

Once again, it's been a busy start to the school year, but I'm managing to squeak out a little crafting here, and there...

Today's project is a cute little bookmark:

I used some teeny-tiny stamps from a planner stamp set and repeat-stamped them with Versamark in on kraft cardstock.

It's not an IN YOUR FACE design, but it's cute, crafty, and goes well any book, hahaha.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Supplies:

Stamps - Planner Bookworm Stamp Set

canada

Summer Travels 2018

September 09, 2018
By Tobi Crawford
0 Comments

Whew!!

1 week of school is done and it kicked my butt... I am still feeling a little behind, but that's ok. I am enjoying being back, being busy, and creating music with my kids again!

This summer was busy-busy.

I think it's always going to be like that because 1) I have 2 months off every year, and 2) I don't have a "home" in Canada anymore. So in order to not over-stay my welcome while couch-surfing, I am always on the move....

This summer took us to

Vancouver:

We were treated to clean air, blue skies, great friends, and delicious food!!

I also got started on THE MOST PAINFUL tattoo of my life!

I don't know why it was so painful, but it nearly killed me... haha...

Legs hurt!

Chicago:

Deep dish pizza at Giordano's

Architecture River Cruise

We went to Chicago to see HAMILTON, the musical.

It was AMAZING!! I want to see it again, ASAP!

Toronto:

Toronto was mostly about good hangs with my highschool BFF. We hung out, did a little shopping, and mostly just CHILLED!

Ottawa/Quebec

Once again, this destination was about good friends! But I also enjoyed some authentic, French-Canadian Poutine!! (Fries, gravy, and cheese curds... OMG)

Saskatchewan:

My parents live in Sask. and it's always a bonus to see some seriously good storms...

and:

catch a glimpse of galaxies and the occasional northern lights.

Saskatchewan is a photographer's dream!

Back to Vancouver:

If you're interested in keeping up with me and my travels in "real-time",

follow me on Instagram!

I am very, very lucky to have a job that gives me 15-16 weeks of vacation every year, and being that I live in China, I live near some very cool destinations!!

Up next: Bangkok in October, and Bali in December. I can't wait!!

Thanks for joining me on this little vacay recap!

birthday

One Year Older Day: MFT

September 09, 2018
By Tobi Crawford
0 Comments

Hello there!

It’s high time I get back into some challenges, so today I looked up:

MFT’s Card Challenge 401 and it’s another great one that’s easily adaptable.

Here’s my card:

The background is some simple oxide ink through a stencil (linked below), with some wonderful layered butterflies as the focal images.

I don’t have the matching dies, so I fussy-cut them out myself. They were pretty easy! 💪🏼

I popped the butterflies up to make it look like they were floating.

Such a simple, but striking card, no? 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Thanks for stopping by! 💋

Supplies:

Stamps (MFT): beautiful butterflies, Anything But Basic Birthday Wishes

Stencil: TCW Onion Skin

Inks: Ranger Oxide Inks

card

I'm Baaaaaaaaaaaccccckkkkk!!!

September 02, 2018
By Tobi Crawford
4 Comments

Welcome to fall!!

Welcome back to school!!

Welcome back to China (for me)!!

And welcome back to my blog!!

I've had a little hiatus for the past few months, partly intentional, partly I was travelling around Canada and the US for the summer and just plain didn't have time! I had a fantastic summer and I saved a LOT to my favourites on Instagram, and one of the things I'm LOVING right now is simple, beautiful, stencilled backgrounds with a well-coloured image and sentiment. So that's what I set out to make!

I knew I'd be using an image of a bee from Technique Tuesday's Bugs & Kisses Stamp Set, so I chose three shades of Distress Oxide Ink that would fade nicely into each other.

Instead of blending foam, I decided to use the new-ish Distress Blending Brushes to create this fade. It worked well because by using one brush for all three colours, the inks kind of blended on the brush before applying it to the paper. I love how soft and seamless it turned out...

With a well-balanced and harmonious background, a small image and sentiment don't look out of place - it's actually perfect!

Thanks for stopping by after all this time, and I look forward to hearing from you in the comments!

card

Man of the Moment: Technique Tuesday

May 31, 2018
By Tobi Crawford
0 Comments

Hello!

It's been a while, but I'm alive, crafting (occasionally) and trying to survive this year.

My health has never been this bad in my life and a 5 month-long lung infection has me in it's grasp.

But, you know who has been amazing? My husband.

Always supportive.

Always helpful.

And gets me ice packs whenever I ask...

I can't wait to give this to him along with some goodies as a special thank you...

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

What A Guy - Technique Tuesday

Gears on the Border Die Cut - Technique Tuesday

Tim Holtz - square stencil

Distress Oxide Inks

card

Love You Card - SRM Stickers

April 10, 2018
By Tobi Crawford
0 Comments

Hello there!! I'm here to share a colourful card made with Bible Margins: Love clear stamp set.

Are you wondering how you could use bible journal stamps other than in your bible?

Not a bible journaller?

Neither am I, but there are still lots of cute ways to use these stamps on cards, tags, and other projects!

I took the plunge and cut the stamps up to separate the images/words/phrases so I could mix and match for cards and tags. (Make sure you use good scissors if you're going to do this. I used the Tim Holtz large scissors by Tonic. (I actually cut up my stamps often and they are always my go-to scissor. I think it's the serrated edges that make them so good for cutting rubber and photopolymer)

The heart image is what inspired this card, so I stamped it in four different colours (Distress Oxides) and stamped "Love you" (two different stamps) in black ink.

SRM Stickers Supplies:

Bible Margins: Love clear stamp set

Solid Maraschino Twine

card

Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful - Technique Tuesday

March 24, 2018
By Tobi Crawford
1 Comments

Hello out there!

I've almost recovered from my 2-month lung infection and starting to my creative (as well as physical) energy back. I am so thankful to be healthy again... That was easily some of the toughest months of my life and I'm glad it's over!!!

So, I don't know about you, but I ordered the latest release of Oxide Inks and they were sitting pretty on my shelf just waiting to be used...

I created this background by sponging through a die cut circle. I only used two colours (Picked Raspberry and Squeezed Lemonade) and blended them in the centre to create the orangey colour.

Isn't this a gorgeous image?

It's this month's Greenhouse Society set called: Cherry Blossoms.

I stamped it in Versamark and heat embossed it with Black. I then coloured it with watercolours (Prima) and handcut it out.

Thank you for stopping by today!

Have a great weekend.

card

Hello!!!! - A Random Card

March 10, 2018
By Tobi Crawford
1 Comments

Hello there!

It's been a while.

I've been sick...

Nothing serious, but I've definitely had my life, work, and vacations impacted.

Fever/sinus infection/lung infection that lasted over 2 months.. It's sucked.

It's crystal-clear to me how much I rely on my health to be creative. I am the kind of person who is VERY undisciplined with my creative work, and if I'm not inspired, it's like I can't work.

That. needs. to. change.

I work well with goals and deadlines, and the key is, to impose deadlines on myself.

If any of you have TIPS on how to stay productive, please share!!!

This card was made for a purpose, that's why it got done, lol....

I designed a class for beginning cardmakers here in Shanghai, and the topic is:

Watercolours!

This card is super simple and the watercolour technique was a simple one: paint blobs of random, pretty colours onto a stamped piece of cardstock. The trick is not to blend as it will start to eat away at the paper. The colours will dry soft and pretty as long as diluted paints are used...

So again, if you have any wise words for me, or tricks you use to keep yourself creating, please let me know... I am in a slump...

Thanks, as always, for stopping by!

Supplies:

Background stamp: Flurry & Pine - Stampers Anon.

Gold Leaf: Technique Tuesday

Sentiment: Altenew- Cities Abroad

card

Hug You Card - Technique Tuesday

February 09, 2018
By Tobi Crawford
0 Comments

Hi there!

Have you checked out the new designs from Technique Tuesday lately? SO many cute stamps with clever and punny sentiments, I'm in love!!

Like this set, for instance! It's called "A Little Prickly Stamp Set" and it's just chock-full of clever sayings to go with the cute cacti.

Thanks for stopping by!

card

Jute Twine Heart - SRM Stickers

February 06, 2018
By Tobi Crawford
0 Comments

Bold statements call for bold elements! Today I'm sharing a card made with a large Jute-twine heart that is so easy, I don't know why I haven't done it before!

You will need:

Jute Twine

Matte Medium (I used a local art store's generic brand)

Wrap twine into a circle and tie the ends off.
Form a heart (or whatever shape... the twine is relatively stiff so it mostly kept it's shape
paint on a generous amount of matte medium.
re-form the desired shape and allow to dry. (i used a couple of cups and a pincher tool to keep my twine from moving)
once dry, pick away any glue-boogers!

I adhered the heart to the card with white glue.

I finished off the project with a big, bold sentiment from the Big Love Clear Stamp set.

Thank you for stopping by today!

card

Thanks, mate! MFT Stamps

January 29, 2018
By Tobi Crawford
0 Comments

Hi there! I had a few minutes to throw together a card for a couple of coworkers who are leaving our school mid-year. They are a couple from Australia so I knew that the set would be perfect for them!

Yes, I know that the masking it’s not great, but like I said I only had about 30 minutes to color and put everything together so there was no time for perfection! And the reality is that non-card makers would never notice the mistakes so I decided to not stress about it... that was a first for me, ha ha.

I’ve been a little low and Moto lately so I turn to MFT‘s color challenge #86 for the color scheme

Thanks for stopping by!

card

We’re Stinkin’ Cute Together - Technique Tuesday

January 14, 2018
By Tobi Crawford
1 Comments

Something you should know about me: I HATE poo. 💩 A phobia of poo, if you will...

this stamp set, though, is kinda funny!

Reminiscent of the famous 💩 (poo emoji) this set is cute, and paired with some punny sentiments it’s a good fit for people with a dirty sense of humour!! I pulled out the ol’ Copics to color the images, and added some brown shading with chalk pencils.