Distinctive Touches

Copic Sparkle Winner an Our New Home

What?  It's Tuesday already?  What happened to the weekend? 

Oh yeah...that's right... I was busy buying a home!  LOL

In all the hustle and bustle of the "Big Move" I almost forgot to post the winner of my Copic Sparkle Blog Candy!!!  So without further delay... here it is...

Congratulations to Diane!!!  Diane wrote...

Wonderful blog, wonderful markers! Take care, ~Diane

Posted by: Diane | February 03, 2010 at 12:39 PM

Thanks everyone for the kind comments both about the blog and about the product.  Diane, your Spica Glitter Pens are on their way!!!  

Now for all of you who have been begging for pictures of the new place... here they are!!!  We closed yesterday and headed over for a few quick pictures... oh, and to drop off the new TV that we purchased already!  (Rolling my eyes... the boy's toys!)

Walk along as I give you a tour...

This is the outside front.  I can't wait for the flowers and bushes to start blooming!

This is the most important room in the house... it is my unfinished art studio!!!  I've been designing and planning all week. 

Here is the kitchen... it's pretty awesome!  Now I guess I'll have to learn how to cook.  LOL

Here is one of my favorite things about the house... just look at those windows!  It's the view of our living room from the upstairs balcony.  I somehow have to figure out what sort of curtains I want to use here...  hmmmmm...

Here is the living room from the main floor by the kitchen.  See... Nate's already playing with the new TV.  (more eye rolling)

Here's something pretty cool... our bathroom... or should I say "The Spa" as it has already been dubbed.

Guess what's just off the bathroom?  A walk in closet.  And I do mean walk in... heck... we could probably drive a car in here... it's HUGE!  I'm gonna have to buy more clothes!  LOL

And the bedroom... with a nice cozy fireplace... just flip a switch and ahhhhh - how romantic! 

The view from the bedroom... LOTS of wood!  I love how open it all is.  Our dogs will have a field day running in circles from one walk way to the other.

Here's something strange...  can you say, "Arrrrrrrh"  (This is in the guest bathroom off the living room... it REALLY doesn't fit with the rest of the style of the house... I'm thinking of doing a pirate theme complete with Parrots in there.) 

And some more outside... 

The deck off the kitchen.

 

From the lot line corner... so happy to have some wooded area! The pups will LOVE that.

The back.  Yup... just look at all those windows...   who wants to come help me wash them?

Here's the side with the walk out where my studio will be.

And here's a final shot of the house...  I can't believe it's all ours... (well... it's all the banks... but we will just pretend it's not!  LOL)

We are so incredibly blessed! 

The movers and packers will be here (in OK) this week and we drive back to Atlanta on Saturday.  Then the hard work begins!

Thanks for hanging in there with me though the house tour... I've got some more sneak peeks of beautiful stamp images tomorrow - so make sure to stop back!

Hugs,

colleen

Hope is Faith - A Special Announcement

Announcing...  The GinaK Designs Hope Is Faith stamp set..

The Hope is Faith mini stamp set retails for $9.95. It was created to raise money for the Red Cross to help with the devastation in Haiti. $2.00 of every purchase of this stamp set will be sent directly to the Red Cross throughout the month of February.

As the first responders to disasters around the world, the Red Cross is there to help with the basic needs of these people who have suffered so much. By purchasing this mini set, you will help to make a difference to people who are desperate by supporting an organization that works tirelessly to feed, clothe, comfort and care for those in need.

Here are two cards I made with this beautiful set.  The first one features Theresa's digital paper Wings of Hope.  It is a stunning combination of light pinks, bright pinks, and dusty mauves... absolutely gorgeous and the perfect compliment to the new Hope if Faith stamp set. 

I stamped the butterfly onto both the light and the dark pink word papers. I then heat embossed them with clear EP and cut them out.  I folded the wings slightly and layered them so it gave some added dimension to the piece. 

I was on a 3-D roll and decided to make a graphic B&W card using the same set... and here is the result. 

I fell in love with this Mother of Pearl metallic card stock and knew I wanted to use it on a simple and elegant card.  The Faith is Hope set is the perfect fit...  I embossed the butterfly image and the sentiment in black and then cut out the butterfly, bent up his wings, and attached him to the card.  The jeweled brads are just the right amount of bling to finish off this card.  (Oh I wish you could see the shimmer and shine!!!)

Next on the preview list - I just about CROAKED when I saw this adorable set called Hang In There by Theresa Momber!  She has just the cutest images with just a touch of charm and sass.  I decided to whip out my Copics and color up the tree frog.  I just love the way he looks like he is about to launch himself off of the branch!  I paired some Basic Grey patterned paper with some Chocolate Kiss and Fresh Asparagus card stock and tied it all up with a twill bow. 

For more information on these two fabulous sets, please see Gina's Blog. (linked below)

Check out some more amazing previews at the following sites...

Hope is Faith Illustrator: Gina Krupksy
Hang in There Illustrator: Theresa Momber (Wings of Hope Digital Paper designer)

• Jessica Fick
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Nina Brackett
• Carolyn King
• Tami Mayberry
• Asela Hopkins
• Cathy Tidwell
• Lee Murphy
• Lynn Mercurio
• Kurtis Amundson
• Donna Baker
• Emily Giovanni
• Erika Martin
• Bev Gerard
• Colleen Schaan
• Suzanne Dean
  
• Valerie Stangle
  

Thanks for stopping by - Stop back in tomorrow to see if YOU won the set of Specia Glitter Pens!

- Colleen

What's Glittery, Bright, and full of Bling?

Our newest Copic Regional Instructor - that's who!!!

While at CHA last week Marianne Walker surprised Jennie Black by inviting her to join the team of Regional Certification Instructors.  It was awesome...  after the first shocked, "WHAT?"  and the, "Are you serious?"  came the, "YESSSSSSSSSSSS!" and applause broke out around the table.  (The rest of the team was in on the surprise and we had been very careful not to  spill the beans.) 

Jennie will be supporting the Southwestern Region of the US... and she is already busy setting up certification classes all around her region. 

I'm SO excited to have Jennie join the team.  She is bright, fun, giggly, and full of energy... get the two of us together and it's a non-stop chatter and motion-fest!  LOL  I'm thinking they have us on opposite sides of the US so that we don't get into too much trouble...  (wink)

(Colorful Copic gals!  Top row from left - Lori Craig, Sally Lynn MacDonald, Sharron Harnist and Debbie Olson.  Front row from left - Nancy Zenke, Sherrie Siemens, Marianne Walker, Jennie Black, and me.)

So... our team is celebrating... and you know what that means... BLOG CANDY! 

To help us celebrate the addition of such a fabulous, sparkling personality, each member of the Regional Certification Team and the Blogging Team will be giving away a Spica Glitter Pen Set!  These glitter pens are AMAZING...  so sparkly and so easy to use! 

Make sure to leave a comment on this post for a chance to win.  I'll be drawing the winner on Friday at 10:00 pm...and we will announce the winners on Tuesday.  

To visit the other members of the Copic team... check out the links below!

Northwest: Sherrie Siemens / Marianne Walker

Southwest: Jennie Black

Northern Midwest: Debbie Olson  

Central Midwest: Lori Craig

Southern Midwest: Sharon Harnist

South: Colleen Schaan (HEY - THAT'S ME!)

Northeast: Sally Lynn MacDonald

Western Canada: Sherrie Siemens

Eastern Canada: Sally Lynn MacDonald

Floater: Marianne Walker

Blog Team Member: Michelle Wooderson

Thanks for stopping buy today!  I've got some sneak peeks coming up later in the week - so make sure to come back for a visit then!

Colleen

CHA Recap - from a newbie!

As many of you know, I attended my very first CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) Trade Show last week in sunny Anaheim, CA.  I can't begin to tell you what a wonderful experience it was for me.  I knew going in that it was going to be busy, but I had NO idea how CRAZY busy it really would be.  LOL

 

(I assisted at a Copic Certification class - Sherrie Siemens was demonstrating the ABS.)

My flight left Tulsa on Friday afternoon and I arrived safely in CA later that evening.  There was a tiny snafu with my room (they didn't have me on the list???) but that was quickly settled.  I hauled my jumbo suitcase (almost as large as I am) up to the room and was greeted with smiles and hugs from Debbie Olson and Lisa Strahl.  After I got over my giddy idol worshiping - I realized they were two of the most genuine, down-to-earth, sweet gals. 

 

(Our booth all set up and ready to go... before the bagpipers let the crowds in.)

During CHA it's up early for a quick breakfast before heading over to the show.  Our booth seemed to always be buzzing with excitement, whether it was a group of people learning about Copics for the first time or a number of folks who just wanted to ooh and aahhh over the coloring demos by Debbie and Sherrie (I ooh-ed and aah-ed a lot too!) 

(Sherrie demoing a coloring and blending technique.)

Talk, talk, talk is all it seems I did for 4 days straight!  LOL  By the end my voice was hoarse and I sounded like a elderly chain smoking guy, but that didn't stop anyone from wanting to stop by and listen. 

I was able to sneak out of the booth for a bit and roam the show floor... it being my first time there and all.  I didn't do the photo thing... sorry... I was sort of in awe of the whole thing and didn't think to unearth my camera from my bag.  LOL 

 

(I met TexasGrammy!!!  Bev is the sweetest - we recognized each other at a dinner one night and both jumped up and hugged.  She is as adorable in person as she is on-line.)

I met so many amazing people...  from all walks of life.  I was finally able to meet many of my "imaginary" friends from on-line... it was GREAT to finally meet them all in real life.  I made contacts with a lot of manufacturers and even found a new (to me) product line or two (you'll see more about this in future blog posts.) 

 

 (OMG... I got to meet Kendra and Sankari - GORGEOUS girls... the lighting was bad so I B&W the photo.)

After the show each night it was off to dinner (and sometimes meetings).  And even though we managed to get back to the room at a decent hour each night, sleep just somehow never seemed a priority as new friends chattered into the wee morning hours.  We all decided sleep is over-rated and we would catch up on it when we got home.

 

(Fall colors were a hit in our booth with Marianne Walker, myself, Lori Craig and Nancy Zenke)

And now that I'm home... I'm catching up...  on phone calls... on emails.... on classes...  on the preparations for the move... and yes... I've even managed to sneak some ZZZZZZzzzzs in there too.  

 

(A night out with friends!  Nancy, Sherrie, Marianne, Jennie and myself...all very tired, but still smiling!)

Thanks for stopping by to visit!  Come again soon.  I'll have some sneak peeks, some exciting news, and some blog candy to celebrate with!

Colleen

Fairy Dreams and Wishes

I'm back from CHA and I've got lots to share...  but that will come later!  Stay tuned...

For tonight - It's time to get hopping again with GinaK Designs. 

Tonight's blog hop is showcasing Alicia's set Dreams and Wishes... along with the uber cool photo box that has been the star of Stamp TV this month. 

I don't do much scrap booking... probably because most of the photos that I take are of cards... and how many scrapbook pages can I do of cards???  LOL 

But as we contemplate our next move, I've been taking some photos of the things that I really like here in Oklahoma.  Things that I will miss... like the gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, the field behind our house with the horses and coyotes, the pretty creek that runs through the neighborhood... things that remind me to slow down and enjoy my surroundings.  And of course, I need somewhere to put all of those pictures... since I'm not slowing down enough to scrapbook them yet!   I'm putting them into this adorable photo holder that I made...  

I created the box from a sheet of innocent pink and then layered some Basic Gray Indian Summer patterned paper over smokey slate... and then I added a belly band of smokey slate and attached the image of Alicia's fairy onto it. 

I colored the fairy with my Copics and then added some faux stitching and doodling around the various layers.  

Super simple and very quick... the perfect project for us busy gals!

Check out these links for even more inspiration:

Jessica Fick

Melanie Muenchinger

Lee Murphy

Asela Hopkins

Erika Martin

Bev Gerard

Colleen Schaan

Suzanne Dean

Theresa Momber

Sankari Wegman

StampTV Idea Center

Now, it's your turn! Please hop over to Gina's blog to add the direct link to your blog post showcasing Alicia's Wishes and Dreams stamp set in the Mister Linkey Box. Gina will have a special prize for the one link that she chooses out of all the participating bloggers - check out her blog for the details.

School is Now in Session!

Are YOU looking to learn how to create fabric scrapbooks?  Do you want to learn how to take better digital photos?  Have you always wanted to know how to color? 

Come join us at My Creative Classroom as we kick-off the new Spring 2010 semester!

Our classes are now posted and open for enrollment.  Chose from stamping, paper crafting, photography, altered arts, fabric arts, jewelry making, and die cutting machine classes... there's a bit of something for everyone. 

And to help us celebrate and spread the news, we have started a Facebook Page!  Of course, we couldn't start the semester off with a bang if we didn't offer Prizes and Discounts now could we? 

We are currently running two contests...

#1 - We are giving away $30 scholarships to 5 lucky FANS of our Facebook page during the week of January 25th.  One lucky winner will be drawn each day of that week.  You have to be a fan to win... so check out our page HERE and become a fan!  

#2 - We are starting up our "guess the topic" contest again.  Last fall we hosted several contests where students had to try and guess the next topic in our FREE class, Everyday Moodlings. Here is how it works.

1. Below you will find the first clue to the topic we will be covering next week in Everyday Moodlings.
2. If you think you know the answer, email it to contests.mcc@gmail.com
3. Sign up for our newsletter to receive more clues and enrollment information for Everyday Moodlings.  (Already signed up for the newsletter AND the free class?... just sit back and wait for clue #2!)
4. Once the project is posted in Everyday Moodlings we will choose a winner and email them.
5. The winner will receive a $25 scholarship towards any class of their choice.

Here is your 1st clue: This item is regularly used in scrapbooking. Crafters used to be able to buy them at craft stores in a large rotating tower. Email your guess to contests.mcc@gmail.com

Click here to sign up for our newsletter and receive additional clues.

Sound interesting?  Here are the classes that I will be teaching this term.  I would love to have you join me...  

Amazing Alcohol Inks

All in Once Space: Inspiration Journals

Express Yourself: Portraits in Multiple Mediums

The Coloring Craze

The Coloring Craze II

Everything Copic

Stamptastic Techniques 101 (Beginner)

Stamptastic Techniques 102 (Intermediate)

Layered Collage for Cards

Unsure of how on-line learning works?  Check out my MCC Info page HERE for more details.

Have a wonderful day! 

Colleen

A Sneaky Hambo Hop!

What a GREAT morning it is today. 

It's Wendesday and time for some fun... so let's have a HAMBO HOP! 

What's a Hambo Hop you ask?  Only the coolest, greatest, most fun blog hop evah! 

All of the design team members (past and present) for Hambo Stamps are getting together
to surprise Monica and Tim (the awesome owners) by sharing some super samples with some of their newest stamps!

Why?  Well, because WE LOVE HAMBO!!!

SURPRISE Monica and Tim!!!

My contribution to the hop is this cutie patotie card. 

I used Tim's new Thief digital stamp and colored it in with my Copics.  (I printed the image on Georgia Pacific paper and heat set it with my heat gun for just a few seconds and I had no trouble at all with the printer ink smearing.)

I just love the way this guy is sneaking away with a bag full of hearts!  I can't decide if he is truly terrible or absolutely adorable!  LOL

I stamped some words "you stole my heart" around the outside and doodled in a frame. 

This stamp is so perfect for Valentine's Day, anniversaries or just about any other occasion.  I've even thought about masking off the hearts and filling the bag with other things... chocolate, cupcakes, presents, flowers... you name it!

Okay... I'll send you off to SNEAK over to the next blog on our hop... Isabelle!

If you are joining from my blog or just popping in, you can join the hop at any of these blogs:

Asela

Colleen (you are here!)

Isabelle

Jane

Libby 

MacKenzie

Melissa

Thanks for stopping in... and don't forget to visit Hambo and give Monica and Tim some love!

Copic at CHA and other Certification News

Soon... very soon, I'm going to be jumping on a plane and heading to sunny California!  (At least I hope it is sunny.) 

I'll be attending my very first CHA event and I'm so excited!  I will be assisting Sherrie Siemens during the Copic Certification class on Saturday... (There are actually two certification classes being held at CHA this year...)

Jan. 22nd, Anaheim, CA Taught by Sherrie Siemens & Kathy Sanders Open to Stores and Designers, Opens to the public next week

Jan. 23rd, Anaheim, CA Taught by Sherrie Siemens, Colleen Schaan, & Kathy Sanders Open to Stores and Designers, Opens to the public next week

If you've been waiting for a certification class and you are going to be in the area... don't wait... sign up for one of these two classes NOW!  Be the first to receive the all new Certification Manual - click HERE for more details.  

Don't worry if you can't see me at CHA... I have markers and will travel!  LOL  I've been working on my spring schedule for certification classes and have two already set up and more in the works.  You can always check out my Copic Certification Class page HERE to get the latest updates. 

Here's what my schedule looks like so far...

Certification Class Schedule for the Southern Region for 2010

March 13th 2010 (Saturday)
Lafayette, Louisiana
The Courtyard Lafayette Airport (Marriott)
*Applications available beginning the week of January 17th

April 19th 2010 (Monday)
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The Courtyard by Marriott - Fort Lauderdale East
*Applications not available yet

You can find more information about other Certification events and Applications for open events HERE.  

Come join me and make your world a colorful place!

Colleen

Wishes and Dreams - Copic Coloring Tutorial and Blog Hop!

Okay all you coloring fanatics out there (and I know who you are...), I have a GREAT new stamp set to show you tonight!  The amazingly talented Alicia Krupsky (daughter of the equally talented Gina Krupsky) is the artist behind this month's Card Kit Club Exclusive Set over at GinaK. Designs. 

Alicia created a rockin' set called Wishes and Dreams that is filled with fun Manga-style illustrations and dreamy coordinating sentiments.  This month only, every purchase of the Wishes and Dreams stamp set includes the new Card Kit that Jessica has designed specifically for this set!  That's right - every purchase! Included in the kit will be the written instructions and cut card stock needed to make 3 cards along with the stamp set. All this will be available for $23.95. This is a limited time offer though - after January, the stamp set will be sold alone.  Take a peek HERE to see the adorable cards that Jessica made with this month's kit! 

To help showcase this set, I've created mini-tutorial showing how I colored this little lovely.  I know many people are intimidated by images that need to be colored, but these adorable little gals almost color themselves!  

I always like to start with the skin.  (I don't have a reason... I just like to.)  Here I used E000 and E00.  I wanted to follow the true Manga style, so I didn't blend it out too much.

I then moved onto the hair.  I wanted a nice dark, blue-black final color, so I started by coloring strokes of C3 and C5.  Notice that I left the center lighter.  This will end up being where the highlights in her hair are. 

I then added some strokes of C7.

And some C9.  Notice that as I go darker, I add fewer strokes of color.  I also haven't blended it at all at this point.

And then since I wanted that dark "bluish-black" look, I added a few strokes of B99.  It's a super dark blue - so use it sparingly. (I've actually added in a bit too much, but I still like the results.)  At this point you can leave it all in strokes or you can blend it together just a bit with the C1 or C3.  Just don't over blend... you want to keep the stroke marks visible for this style.

Then I colored in the wings... I wanted them very light, thin, and almost skin like... so I used very light yellows with a touch of pink. 

Next I've colored the eyes.  Since I'm a blue-eyed gal... most of my images have blue eyes too.  LOL  Here I've done things in the opposite order than I normally color.  (It's a small space and I don't want to use too much ink and chance it bleeding out.)  I added a dot of the B99 to the top of the eyes, then added a dot of the B24 just under that, and then blended them out with the B21.  This gives the illusion that she is looking up a bit.

For the clothing I kept it simple.  I wanted her to be wearing an all pink outfit (gotta coordinate you know)... so I started color blocking all of the clothes in R81 and then adding a touch of shading with the R83.  (I am adding the darker colors to the clothing with a feathering motion.)

I then added more shading with R85.

And then added the darkest color R89 and blended it all together.

And here she is... all colored in and ready to give you warm Birthday Wishes. 

I can't wait to ink up and color the rest of the images from this set...  I know all the rest of you coloring crazed folks out there are going to LOVE it just as much as I do.

For even more inspiration with our new stamp sets being previewed tonight, check out these GinaK Designers' links:

• Nina Brackett {Illustrator of Heartily Yours}
• Gina Krupsky {Illustrator of Love Notes}
• Jessica Fick
• Theresa Momber
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Carolyn King
• Cathy Tidwell
• Lee Murphy
• Donna Baker
• Lynn Mercurio
• Erika Martin
• Emily Giovanni
• Tami Mayberry
• Bev Gerard
• Colleen Schaan
• Valerie Stangle
• Jen Charboneau 
• Suzanne Dean

Thank you all for stopping by and visiting tonight! 

Colleen

Card Details
Stamps - Gina K. Designs (Wishes and Dreams)
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper - Gina K. Designs (Luxury White 80#, sweet corn, black onyx, and wine with everything )
Coloring Medium - Copic Markers (see tutorial)
Other - Luxury Ribbon

Rupa Has Sung From Her Heart! - GinaK. Blog Hop

Now that the hustle and bustle of Christmas is over, I'm moving on to the next happy holiday...  my favorite... Valentine's Day!!!  I have a few Valentine stamps in my collection, but nothing that was jumping out at me this year... that is... until I saw Rupa's new set Sung from the Heart.  It sang out to me and I knew it was the perfect set for my (HEART) Day cards this year.  

There are so many adorable images in this set!  And the coordinating sentiments... oohhhhhh - a mix of everyday and elegant.  I just love them.

I decided to challenge myself by using this set to create a few "simple" cards.  You know the ones... the one-layer, minimal embellishments, clean and crisp designs.  They may look simple, but CAS (clean and simple) cards are one of the hardest types for me to do.  With Rupa's new set though... it was well... SIMPLE! 

 

Card Details
Stamps - Gina K. Designs (Sung from the Heart)
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper - Gina K. Designs (Luxury White 80#, Wine with Everything, Black Onyx )
Coloring Medium - Copic Markers (R83,R85, R89)

I used the same image on both samples because I wanted to show just how easy it is to change up the look.  On  the first sample I stamped the image (heartstrings) just once in the center of my paper.  I ran it through my Big Shot and embossed a square frame around it.  I then stamped the image again on some scrap paper and colored and cut out three of the hearts.  I colored my main image with Copics and then attached the cut out hearts with pop dots (I colored them pink also so they would blend in from the side).  The sentiment is stamped on the bottom right and a doodled frame pulls it all together.  The whole one-layer piece is mounted onto the new textured Wine with Everyting card stock.  YUMMY!

Card Details
Stamps - Gina K. Designs (Sung from the Heart)
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper - Gina K. Designs (Luxury White 80#, cranberry tart, black onyx)
Coloring Medium - Copic Markers (R33, R35, R37)

In the second sample I used the same image but I masked off the top bar and stamped the heartstrings repeatedly across the top of the paper.  I then colored them in with Copics, added some bling with my Spica glitter pens, and then stamped another sentiment on the bottom.  I dotted a frame around the sides and bottom and then colored some pearl gems with my Copics and added them for a bit of dimension.  Voila - my clean and simple cards... perfectly easy for once! 

Rupa's Sung from the Heart is only one of the many new sets that we are giving you a peek at tonight...

For even more inspiration with our new stamp sets being previewed tonight, check out our other GinaK Designers' links:

• Tami Mayberry {Illustrator of Happy Hearts}
• Gina Krupsky
• Jessica Fick
• Nina Brackett
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Theresa Momber
• Carolyn King
• Cathy Tidwell
• Lee Murphy
• Donna Baker
• Lynn Mercurio
• Erika Martin
• Emily Giovanni
• Colleen Schaan
• Sankari Wegman
• Valerie Stangle
• Asela Hopkins

Thanks for stopping by tonight! 

Colleen