Distinctive Touches

Make It Crafty Challenge - Coloring Red!

Reds...  a dreaded hue for some color artists.  I always tell my students that red is stubborn and needs a little extra lovin' to behave.  LOL

The challenge at Make It Crafty for the next two weeks is to COLOR RED!  Pick your medium...  pick your image... pick your shade... just pick red.  Just in time for Valentines Day!

I colored up this simple card for the challenge (simple layout... more challenging coloring).  I merged Sophie Daydreaming and Park Bench for Two digis to create the scene. 

There are a LOT of different ways to tackle coloring red, so I decided to share a photo tutorial of how I colored her sweater - to give you an idea of my coloring process.

Colors Used:

Step 1: Apply a base coat of the lightest shade.  (R22) Leave any highlights white.

Step 2:  Add shading with a medium/medium dark maker.  (R46) 

 

Step 3: Add a bit of lighter marker (R24) and blend out slightly.

 

Step 4: Add darker shading (R39) and then blend backwards with lighter markers (R46/R24).  I don't ever come back in with the very lightest until the very last step.

 

 Step 5: Add more shadows with darker R59.

 

Step 6: Blend backwards (R39/R46/R24) Using very little ink and letting layers dry a bit in between to avoid over-saturating the paper.

Step 7: Using the lightest color (R22) very gently go over the white highlighted areas.  Do not go over multiple times or try to blend.  Keep these very light.

Step 8: Add cast shadows with RV99 and a tiny bit of B39.  Do NOT blend out. 

Step 9: Here I added texture to her sweater by spritzing a dish towel with colorless blender and holding it onto the colored image.  (Notice I colored her skin already... if other areas are colored, be VERY careful so as not to texturize an area you want smooth.) I also have a tiny bit of bleeding in between her arms.  I am not going to try to fix this with the colorless blender as it will only make it worse.  I am going to be coloring the bench dark browns, so that should cover up the stray red marks.

And then... I colored up her skirt and hair...

 And then I gave her somewhere to sit...

And finished off by airbrushing in a sky.

There you have it... it's not as hard as you might think... just give it a try! Head on over to the Make It Crafty Gallery for other "coloring red" samples from the DT and to upload your own!  I wanna see...

Have a Colorful day!

CardMaker Blog - Coloring Flowers!

Head on over to the CardMaker Blog today to see a step-by-step tutorial on how I colored the flower bouquet for her hair!

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Project Supplies
Stamp:         Sweet Pea Stamps - ©Karen Middleton's Rosarna
                    Verve (sentiment)
Ink:              Tsukineko Memento- Tuxedo Black
Cardstock:   Bazzill Basics Paper – Raven, Sugar Cookie, Pinkini
                   X-Press It Blending Card
Markers:      skin – E50/E30/E21/E34/E04/C93
                   hair – B41/C3/C5/C7/C9/ black multiliner
                   leaves – YG00/G43/G46
                   flowers – Y00/RV00/RV52/RV55/RV69
Die Shapes:  My Favorite Things – Open Scallop Doily
                   Spellbinders Paper Arts – Standard Circles
Other:         Copic ABS
                   Sizzix Texture Folder – Textile
                   fabric flowers
                   sponge
                   Foam tape

 

 

Copic Compatibility: Testing Art Paper

Just a super quick note to let you know that I have a post on the Copic blog for testing a variety of art papers.  You can check it out HERE. 

Have a colorful day!

 

Copic Watercolor

Just a quick post today as I finalize projects, clean the house, and pack for CHA!  Just a few more days to get it all done. 

I wanted to share something new that I've been doing with my Copics lately... Copic Watercoloring!

Isn't this cool?  We purchased a new bedroom set and our linens are plum, white and silver and they look so stunning with the dark wood of the furniture.  I decided I wanted to make my own artwork for the room and I had the idea of trying to create an abstract painting with a watercolor look.  

I decided to play around with the technique and these are a few of my sample pieces.  I just LOVE the way they turned out!  I paired them up with these extra-large saying stamps from 10 Second Studios...

Super Geeked!  I can't wait to get to work on my bedroom paintings next. 

Sorry to post and run... I'm off to start packing supplies for CHA! (If you are going to CHA - stop by the Copic booth and say hi!)

The Grass Is Greener...MIC Challenge (w/Video)

I'm back with another great challenge from Make It Crafty!  This time, we are thinking spring (or summer) and challenging you to create GRASS! 

That's right...  Bermuda, Crab, Blue...whatever type of grass you want! 

For this challenge, I paired up the new Fairy Poinsettia and Sitting Flowers digi images to create a colorful scene.  Of course, I like to color BIG... so this is printed full size on an 8.5 x 11 sheet of Make It Colour cardstock.  (I cut the top 1.5 inches off when I cropped the photo). 

I filmed myself coloring this image and have turned it into a speed coloring video for you all. I hope you enjoy!  (If you have ideas for other tutorials or speed coloring videos... just let me know.)

 

You can visit my Youtube channel for even more fun Copic coloring HERE. 

And don't forget to head on over to the Make It Crafty Gallery for the newest challenge and for some amazing samples of "Coloring Grass" from the DT members and guests. 

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Supplies Used:
Fairy Poinsettia and Sitting Flowers digi images (Make It Crafty)
Make It Color Blending Card (Make It Crafty)
Printer
Copic Markers
    skin E00/E21/E33/E93/V22
    hair C3/C5/C7/C9
    dress and flower centers RV10/RV52/RV55/RV66/RV69
    wings E00/B00/B41/B45
    flowers V20/V22/V25/V28
    grass and stems G40/G43/G46 and G20/G21/G24/G28 and G14/G16
    colorless blender for texture
Copic Multiliners (olive, purple, pink, wine)

 

Sweets for my Sweet! CardMaker Blog Hop

Welcome to another CardMaker Blog Hop!  Today we want to share with you some SWEET cards for the upcoming holiday...  one of my favorites... Valentine's Day! 

While I try not to indulge myself... this sweet little mouse just can't help it... just look at those yummy chocolates! 

This image is Chocolate Cocoa, a digi image from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  I printed him out fairly large and colored him with my Copics.  It was a bit of a challenge getting all of those different brown tones in there, but I love how it all turned out.  Those truffles look scrumptious! 

Head on over to the other designer's blogs for even more YUMMY card ideas!

Tami Mayberry
Carolyn King
Trudy Sjolander
Kimberly Crawford
CardMaker Blog

 

I'm a Goddess!

That's right... I'm a Goddess!  At least I felt that way when my sweet friend Julianna Hudgins called me with some exciting news and a special request to participate in the Spellbinders Abilities and Beyond Blog Frenzy.

The Spellbinders Abilities and Beyond Blog Frenzy runs from January 12-20, 2012.

Each day, our fabulous designers will introduce one or more Spellbinders products.  Winners will be randomly drawn to receive all of that day’s newly revealed products! Enter from each designer’s blog, on the scheduled days, to be eligible for the Grand Prize!

Enter to win brand new Spellbinders products!

See Official Rules at Spellbinders (HERE)

Visit the Spellbinders Blog each day for links to the participating blogs.

Visit Julianna's blog and follow her specific instructions for entry.  Her post is open for entries from 12:00 am, January 13, 2012, until 11:59 pm, January 14, 2012, EST.

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Julianna recently announced her partnership with Spellbinders Paper Arts... as a licenced designer for a new line of dies that are FAN-TAB-U-LOUS!  OMG... so unlike anything that is out there... so fresh, so unique, so... Julianna!  She asked if I would like to take part in the reveal of her new line and I jumped at the chance.   

3 of Julianna's new sets: Jewel Treasures, Jewel Goddess, Jewel Stones! (Jewel Font, Jewel Keys & Jewel Fantasies will also be revealed at Winter CHA.)

Here's a quick background... I met Julianna in Puerto Rico almost 2 years ago when we were both teaching at an event there.  I was just starting out as a business person in the crafting industry and completely overwhelmed and boggled at the whole thing.  Julianna and I clicked instantly.  She generously took me under her wing and has been my mentor and friend ever since... helping me grow into the confident business woman and artist that I am today. 

Why is that story important to the release?  Well... because my favorite die set in the new line is called Jewel Goddess.  It is this amazing mix of feminine, tribal, voluptuous curves that represent woman - goddess... and there is no one in the world that represents woman power like Julianna.  She not only is a goddess herself, but she empowers other women to find and embrace their own inner goddess... just like she did for me. 

I have a few favorite "inspirational - feel good" quotes that I wanted to make into cards, and I knew this reveal was the perfect opportunity to pull them out.  I created three separate cards (with similar lines and feel) that I can send out to women in my life who need to embrace their inner goddess!

Here's a quick tutorial for making them...

1.  Supplies Needed:

• Computer printed sentiment or stamped verse
• vellum
• Jewels Goddess die
• 2-3 Copic Various Inks
• Colorless Blender (not pictured)
• Sponge or inking tool
• black cardstock (base and matting)
• white cardstock
• multiliner (black)

2.  Apply 1-2 drops of each color ink onto inking tool.

3.  Apply 1 quick squeeze of colorless blender onto inking tool. 

4.  Pounce inking tool onto surface with quote or sentiment.  (Re-ink if necessary) 

5.  Make sure enough surface is inked to cover die cut area.

6.  Die cut inked quote with Jewel Goddess. 

7.  Adhere cut goddess shape to black cardstock and trim a thin border. 

8.  Repeat steps 2 and 3 and pounce onto vellum. 

9.  Fold vellum in half and draw a wing shape.

10.  Cut out wing shape and attach it to the back of the matted quote.  

11.  Attach to the middle of a piece of white cardstock with foam tape, doodle a frame around the edges and adhere to a black card base. 

Talk about simple... and meaningful!  Here are two of the other cards in the set... using the same inking technique on both Zentangled goddess shapes and on vellum for flames. 

I want to thank Julianna and Spellbinders for this chance to join in her celebration and share my own inner goddess with you all!  (Dies can be found at your local Scrapbook, Craft & Hobby stores. Visit www.spellbinderspaperarts.com for store locations.)

Check out these other amazing designers to see what they did with Julianna's new designs. 

Tiffany Windsor

Katie Hacker

Linda Peterson

Colleen Schaan (you are here)

Suze Weinberg

Spellbinder's Blog

Missy Brozek (Crafters Home)

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 I love your comments! Unfortunately your comment does not count as an entry, so be sure to visit Julianna's Blog and follow her instuctions for an official entry.

Thank you for visiting and good luck!!

Spellbinders is a trademark of Spellbinders Paper Arts, llc.

Grand Calibur is a registered trademark of Spellbinders Paper Arts, llc

 

 

Copic Certification Class Changes and Updates

Copic has some new and exciting things in store for you this year and I'm excited to share our newly-updated Copic Certification program. We have listened to our VALUED customers, and have made some changes to our program. 

• Beginning in 2012, we will be offering "back to back" Certifications for our Regular and Intermediate classes in many locations! This will make it more cost effective for our students who have to travel for our classes.  This option may not be advisable for everyone... keep in mind, the skills needed for the intermediate class will still be required as we DO NOT take class time during the Intermediate to go over basic blending skills.  You choose what's best for YOU.
  
• You will be doing more "hands on" coloring during the classes and making a portfolio to take home with you. This is a major change to the Standard class!  You asked for it and we've listened!  Students will be coloring specially drawn images during the class allowing for more personalized feedback.  Students will leave the class with a portfolio of their work and additional images for practice. 
  
• Classes are no longer geared specifically to stores or instructors.  Everyone is welcome!  There will be no waiting period for "enthusiasts" to apply for the classes.  ALL applicants will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis at the time they apply.  While we still cover the product basics (the foundation of successful Copic use), we will no longer focus on marketing or teaching topics (although questions about these are still very welcome).
• Apply On-Line!  We've made it even easier to apply for classes with our new "on-line" application process!  Just visit the Copic website (or my Copic Certification Class page) and click on the Apply On-Line link. 
  

You will LOVE our new format!!!  

Classes fill quickly, so please submit your application as soon as possible!

If you have more inquiries, feel free to contact Nancy, at nancy@copicmarker.com.

If you know of someone that may be interested in becoming Copic certified, please forward this information to them.

Here are brief overviews of our Standard and Intermediate Certification classes and our current list of classes open for enrollment.  I will continue to update the list of classes on my Copic Certification Class page HERE... please check that page often for new class listings.

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Copic Papercrafting Standard Certification Classes

The Copic Certification Class encompasses education of the most important aspects of Copic’s product lines.   It includes hands-on education of product knowledge, blending techniques, answers questions to common problems, and testing and selecting your inks and papers. You will receive a kit of Copic products, a 68 page manual and an opportunity to make a portfolio of all the techniques you learn in class.  You will also have an opportunity to sample each of our markers.  We cover their function and the differences between each one.

Things covered in class:
—  Three common mistakes and how to identify, test and use your materials
—  Four different blending techniques
—  How to create texture and erase mistakes
—  The Copic numbering system
—  How to choose colors that work well together from the Copic Color Wheel
—  Airbrushing with both the ABS-1 and the Air Compressor / ABS-3 setup and understand how each works.

COST / CLASS TIMES

Classes run from 9am-4pm. Cost is $120 per attendee ($60 for re-takes).

Before applying, please download and read the additional class details below for information about refunds, detailed day-of-class schedule, and class re-takes.

» DETAILS - click for a full class details and outline.

 

Standard Certification Classes Open for Enrollment

January 27, 2012- Anaheim, CA
Taught by Sherrie Siemens

    Red Lion Hotel
    1850 S. Harbor Blvd.
    Anaheim, CA 92802
    714-383-6196

    » DETAILS
    » APPLY ONLINE

 

February 3, 2012-San Diego, CA
Taught by Lori Craig 

***This class runs from 10am-5pm*****

    Residence Inn by Marriott San Diego Downtown
    1747 Pacific Highway
    San Diego, CA 92101
    619-338-8200

    » DETAILS
    » APPLY ONLINE

 

February 17, 2012-Richmond, VA (FULL)
Taught by Debbie Olson

    Courtyard by Marriott Richmond North/Glen Allen
    10077 Brook Road
    Glen Allen, VA 23059
    804-266-6900

    » DETAILS
    » APPLY ONLINE

 

February 25, 2012-Miami, FL
Taught by Lori Craig

    Miami Airport Marriott
    1201 NW Le Jeune Road Bldg A
    Miami, FL 33126
    305-649-5000

    » DETAILS
    » APPLY ONLINE

 

March 2, 2012-Edmonton, AB Canada
Taught by Sherrie Siemens

    Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Edmonton Int’l Airport
    3916 84th Ave
    Leduc, AB Canada T9E 7G1

    » DETAILS
    » APPLY ONLINE

 

March 9, 2012 Columbus, OH
Taught by Colleen Schaan

    Courtyard by Marriott Columbus West
    2350 Westbelt Dr.
    Columbus, OH 43228
    614-771-8999

    » DETAILS
    » APPLY ONLINE

 

March 10, 2012 York, PA
Taught by Marianne Walker

    Holiday Inn Conference Center of York
    York, PA 17408
    717-846-9500

    » DETAILS
    » APPLY ONLINE

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Copic Papercrafting Intermediate Certification Classes

Copic Papercrafting Intermediate Certification Classes are open to anyone who has successfully completed the Standard Certification class. In addition to the class application, you are also required to complete a coloring sample before you will be accepted to a class. If you have already taken the Standard Certification Class and would like to take your techniques to the next level, we encourage you to apply for this class!

Topic covered in class:
—  Shading, shadows, and color
—  Composition & design in Papercrafting
—  Coloring tricky situations (trees, reds, faces & skin tones, hair)
—  Applying coloring & design concepts
—  Improving design on your own

COST / CLASS TIMES

Classes run from 9am-4pm with a 2 hour lunch break, then from 6pm-8pm for the project.
Cost is $199 per attendee ($100 for re-takes).

Before applying, please download and read the additional class details (below) for information about refunds, detailed day-of-class schedule, and class re-takes.

In addition to the online application, you must complete and submit the coloring test in order for your application to be considered.

» CLASS DETAILS
» COLORING TEST

 

Intermediate Certification Classes Open For Enrollment

January 28, 2012- Anaheim, CA
Taught by Sherrie Siemens

    1850 S. Harbor Blvd.
    Anaheim, CA 92802
    714-383-6196

    » CLASS DETAILS    
    » COLORING TEST
    » APPLY ONLINE

 

February 18, 2012- Richmond, VA
Taught by Debbie Olson
    Courtyard by Marriott Richmond North/Glen Allen
    10077 Brook Road
    Glen Allen, VA 23059
    804-266-6900

    » CLASS DETAILS     
    » COLORING TEST
    » APPLY ONLINE

 

March 3, 2012 Edmonton, AB Canada
Taught by Sherrie Siemens
    Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Edmonton Int’l Airport
    3916 84th Ave
    Leduc, AB Canada T9E 7G1

    » CLASS DETAILS     
    » COLORING TEST
    » APPLY ONLINE

 

March 10, 2012  Columbus, OH Intermediate
Taught by Colleen Schaan

    Courtyard by Marriott Columbus West
    2350 Westbelt Dr.
    Columbus, OH 43228
    614-771-8999

    » CLASS DETAILS     
    » COLORING TEST
    » APPLY ONLINE

 

I will be posting classes being held within the next four month period on my Copic Certification Classes page HERE as soon as they are SCHEDULED and BOOKED.  Please check that page for continuous additions, updates, and changes. 

Questions?  Just Ask... I'm happy to help!

New Copic Colors!

Announcing -  12 New Copic Colors!!!!

People are already talking about it...

In February 2012 these carefully chosen colors will be available in the Sketch Marker style, as well as Various Ink, bringing us to 358 total Copic colors.

G43 Pistachio, G46 Mistletoe, BG57 Jasper, BG90 Gray Sky, E84 Khaki, E89 Pecan,
BV34 Bluebell, V22 Ash Lavender, V28 Eggplant, RV52 Cotton Candy, R56 Currant, YR27 Tuscan Orange

  

I got a chance to play with the new colors and I am SO excited about them.  These are some of my favorite colors!!!  They really help to flesh out the current color families and they fill in some of the blanks, pairing with individual markers that were already produced. 

Here are some samples of the new colors and suggestions for which markers to pair them up with.

Two new markers pair up with the currently "lonely" G40 to give a nice, rich green combination.

 

A new shade (BG90) helps to lighten the other BG9's in the collection and allow for more contrast.

 

Two new colors flesh out the big jump in the E8's that were introduced last year.  I LOVE this combination and I'm thrilled with the additional two shades!  (This combination looks green next to green tones and brown next to earth tones.) 

 

My new favorite color is YR27.  I use the YR2's a great deal and am thrilled that my color family can now go even darker!

  The violet collection was somewhat lacking... so two new colors (V22 and V28) flesh out the current V2 color family.  LOVE the contrast the two new shades create!

 

A fun new color is R56 and it blends beautifully with the current R59 to create a dark, currant color.  When I blended them together, I thought they were both fairly dark. Since I like to have a lot of contrast, I added RV32 as the "light" shade in a blend and it worked beautifully.  Other colors that work well as blend-able lights for this group are R81 and RV11.

 

As you know, I love my blues... and the new BG57 blends beautifully with our current "loner" BG53.  If you want to create even more contrast, you can start with a layer of B000 for a bluer tone or a BG11 for a greener tone. 

 

Another current loner (BV31) is paired up with the new rich BV34.  This is a gorgeous combination!  To create even more contrast, start with a lighter layer of BV0000 and/or go even darker with BV17 or BV29.  YUM!

 

People wanted pinks... and I think the new RV52 really hits the spot.  It pairs up with our current loner RV55 to blend into a soft cotton candy sweetness.  If you want to darken it up a bit... add a touch of RV66 for contrast.

I can tell a lot of thought went into picking and creating these colors to help expand the current colors... not just to create more colors. 

And here's my very first image - colored with the new colors!

 

Digi Image by Whimsidoodles
X-Press It Blending Card
Copic Sketch Markers Used:
    skin - E00/E21/E33/E95/BV01
    hair - YR20/YR23/YR27
    clothing - E81/E84/E87/E89
    stem - G40/G43/G46
    flower petals - RV52/RV55
    flower center and belt - RV32/R56/R59
    shoes - E31/E35/E37

 

So... which new color is on YOUR shopping list? 

 

 

 

Card Making Adhesive Tips!

Adhesive woes got you in a gluey mess? 

I'm sharing a few tips for using adhesives over on the CardMaker Blog today.  You can read my full article in THIS POST.

Card inspired by Michelle Woerner's card on page 70 of the January 2012 issue of CardMaker. 

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Supplies used: Cardstock from Bazzill Basics Paper Inc.; Journey Collection printed paper from Authentique Paper; Picket Fence Tablet printed paper from LilyBeeDesign; Memento ink pads from Tsukineko LLC; distress ink pad from Ranger Industries Inc.; First Flower stamp from Loralie Designs; Beautiful You stamp set from Verve Stamps; Lacey Squares (#S4-295) and Postage Stamps (#S4-348) die templates from Spellbinders™ Paper Arts; Copic® markers (B41/B45/G21/G82/E43), Multiliner (Sepia .3), Opaque White pigment, Copic ABS and X-Press It Foam tape from Imagination International Inc.; Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive liquid glue from 3M.