Cuttlebug - distress look?

Wow, I hadn't realized how long it's been since I posted.  I've been playing quite a bit with the new cuttlebug folders I got for Christmas.  I haven't created a lot of finished projects with them, but having fun experimenting and seeing what I can do.  I did this one with the cuttlebug birthday folder.  I distressed it with white pigment ink and did the edges with a dark brown marvy ink.  I ran the blue cardstock through the cuttle folder too and cut out some of the words to help pop out the word "Happy Birthday".  The cupcake is done with Martha Stewarts punch/stamp combo.  What cool gadgets she makes!! Love this one.  The candle is just made freehand with a bit of ink.  Did I overdo the distressing?  Distressing is just not my forte! 

Happy New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!  Wishing all my friends the very best the new year has to offer.  I hope all your dreams become reality and all your wishes come true.

We had an incredibly relaxing holidays.  I've never been home during this week in all the years of my marriage.  We've split this week half between my folks and half between my husband's family.  This year, we stayed home and it was simply marvelous.  In the meantime, I've been quite busy this past month and will be posting my art projects that I did in the next couple of weeks.  In the meantime, I've been playing with the gifts I got on Christmas.  One of the gifts I want to give myself is playing with a photo editing program.  In some of my past jobs, I jused to do a lot of creative work with painting programs, but I've been a SAHM mom for more years than I can remember!  There are so many new programs out there and I just want to get back into working with some of these programs again.  I love looking at all the pictures people can do special effects and drawings with.  This year I really look forward to expanding my skill base and techniques and I hope you'll be there with me through this journey!  I wish you all the best on your artistic journey too!!