Distinctive Touches

I'm Making it Crafty!

I'm beyond excited to announce...  I'm guest designing for Make It Crafty today! 

I have been stalking the MIC blog and silently participating in some of their recent challenges (some of you remember my No Lines image attempt and my Pleats and Fabric Folds attempts). 

I found Make It Crafty after another of my favorite digital stamp stores paired up with MIC for a multiple image release.  I have been hooked ever since and was astonished and honored to be asked to participate as a guest designer for this next challenge.  I have to say... I don't normally participate in challenges due to time constraints, but when I saw exactly what Zoe and the gang were up to, I HAD to get involved.  Their challenges REALLY make me step outside my comfort zone and I have to say... my coloring has improved tenfold since I started doing them. 

 
The challenge going on now is Texture... what could be more fun???  Head on over to the Make It Crafty blog for more details and see what everyone's talking about.  Then check out the MIC challenge gallery for loads of inspiration!

Project Info:
Image(s): Spooky House Digi and Elizabeth Digi (Make It Crafty)
Paper: Make It Color Cardstock (Make It Crafty) and Surf's Up and Neptune (Bazzill Basics)
Copic Markers:
    dress - R81/R83/R85/R89/B45/BV29
    skin - E00/E21/E33/BV01
    hair - B41/C1/C3/C5/C7/C9/B39
    shoes, corset, roof - C1/C3/C5/C7/C9
    eyes - YG09
    lips - E04/R59
    metal clasps - Y21/YR24
    windows - Y00/YR21
    wood - E11/E23
    house - E43/E44/0
    ground - W3/YG91/YG93/G94/YG67/0
    sky - BG70/BG72
Other - multiliner, black brads
Texture - fishnet stockings (drawn in), ground, wood, stucco on house, slick leather dress and corset.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Have a colorful weekend!

 

It's Easy with EZ Mount!

As a member of the Splitcoast Product Review team it's my job to be TOTALLY honest with you about the products we are reviewing... and I'm doing exactly that today with my review of EZ Mount Cling Foam and Storage products. 

I have to say... it was an interesting one!!!  I've got a LOT to say about this product.  Head on over to the Splitcoast Product Review Form to find out just what I (and the other members of the team) thought of it! 

While you are there... check out some of the awesome samples that everyone made for the review!  Here's a sneak peak at a few of my projects in the Splitcoast Product Review EZ Mount/Crafters Companion gallery.


 

Thanks for stopping in! Happy Coloring...

 

Give me a ring... Alaine - Paper Testing Winner!

Hi all!  Thank you SO much for taking the time to visit my blog (I don't say that enough) and to leave me comments.  It really is a labor of love for me and I hope to continue to offer both inspiring artwork and educational posts. 

I told you that I'd be posting the winner from my "Copic Paper Compatibility Testing" that I did last week... and well, it's LATE Monday... but it's still Monday - so I'm good right?  LOL

The winner is... (drumroll please...)
35

Alaine said...

Yay - - I am so glad to see an expert try the Hammermill and like it. I LOVE it (and no, I do not work for the company HEE HEE). It is absolutely one of my faves, and for the price it is AWESOME. Thank you for the other options too... I especially like to see the options for different (not such bright white) colors.

So ALAINE... email me your snail mail addy and I'll get a sample pack of my very favorites sent off to you! 

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And for those who didn't win... a little eye candy for the day!  Here's a sneak into my latest addiction... wire wrapping and beading!  This is one of the first projects I made... a ring :) 

While it's pretty kronky and a bit scuffed up from my tools, I think it's not bad for a beginning attempt.  I certainly won't be making Tiffany's-style stuff anytime soon, but that's okay... it's still a fun diversion.

Have a wonderful day!  (Stop back on Wednesday for a fun product review!)

How To Color Fabric Folds - with video tutorials!

I'm so excited today!  I colored my very first Tilda and I'm happy to say... I like the way she turned out!  LOL

Here is the card I created with her... a sweet Happy Birthday card for my dear sister in-law.

Supplies:
image: Happy Spring Tilda (Magnolia)
sentiment: By the Numbers :Die Namics and stamp set (My Favorite Things)
ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)
paper: Surf's Up, Neptune, Rope Swing (Bazzill Basics), X-Press It Blending Card
Copic Markers:
    (skin - E00/E21/E33/E93/BV01)
    (hair - YR31/YR24/E33/E35)
    (dress - B21/B24/B26)
    (shoes - E33/E35/E37)
other:
    white grosgrain ribbon (airbrushed with E42)
    scallop borders: Open Scallop Edge (My Favorite Things)
    blue button
    hemp cord

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I have been playing with coloring pleats and fabric folds and I know I promised you a video... I don't have one... I have FOUR!  LOL  

I'm including the two that I made for this image... it's actually one video that got really long so I split it into two...

Fabric Folds Part 1 - Basic Shape

 

 

Fabric Folds Part 2 - Applying it to an image (Magnolia - Happy Spring Tilda)

  

I also have two more videos on my You Tube channel showing how to do pleats... a more basic version of this fabric technique.  You can find them linked below:

Pleats 101 - Basic Shape

Pleats 101 - Applying it to an image (My Favorite Thing - Little Angle)

I didn't do a lot of "editing" as I wanted to share my though process as I was coloring... so pardon my random babbles!  LOL 

Don't forget to check out my Copic Compatibility Card Stock Testing Results HERE and HERE.  Comment on part 2 for a chance to win!

Go out and color your world!

 

Copic Compatibility: Testing Cardstock - Part II

I'm back... and I have MORE card stock testing results for use with those Copic markers!  If you missed Part I, you can click HERE for the results of my first paper group. 

Today I have 7 more card stocks to cover... from color, to blendability, to feathering to colorless blender effects.  The papers I'm testing today are:

Copic Stamp Paper
Gina K Designs -  Pure Luxury (80lb)
Make It Crafty -  Make It Color
Neenah - Clasic Crest Solar White Smooth
X-Press It Blending Card
Papertrey Ink - Stampers Select White
Xpedx Hammermill - Color Copy Digital Cover 100lb

Let's Get Started...

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Copic Stamp Paper

• slight yellow tint
• smooth surface
• maker catches just slightly on surface
• no streaks
• darkens slightly with layering
• easy blending
• some feathering with lots of layers
• ink soaks through very quickly
• excellent blender effects

Overall Thoughts - an excellent paper to use with Copic markers, but NOT a thick card stock-like paper.  It isn't as thin as printer paper, but it isn't as thick as card stock. 

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Gina K. Designs Pure Luxury

• yellow tint noticeable next to gray/white paper
• smooth surface
• marker flows smoothly across the surface
• some streaks if not fully saturated
• darkens with layers
• blending takes a bit of work
• no feathering
• ink sits on top of paper
• minimal blender effects

Overall Thoughts - This is a very nice paper for Copic users who want a denser paper.  I personally prefer softer papers, but I do find this surface to be very compatible.  It take a bit more work to blend (the flick application technique is a must).  Since the ink sits on the surface for some time, it can get gummy if you layer on too much ink. 

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  Make It Color

• crisp white color
• super smooth surface
• marker flows smoothly across the surface
• no streaks
• darkens a lot with layers
• super easy blending
• minimal feathering with lots of ink
• ink sits on top for a bit before soaking in
• excellent blender effects

Overall Thoughts - What a find!  I love this paper... it is very similar to the X-Press It Blending Card.  Great for beginner or experienced Copic users alike.  Super easy blending and very, very little feathering.  (I had to really soak it to get it to feather at all.)  Love the fact that I can get really crisp blender effects with this!

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Neenah Classic Crest

• bright white color
• has some tooth
• marker snags on the surface
• no streaks
• darkens very quickly
• easy blends
• feathers with layers
• ink soaks in quickly
• excellent blender effects initially but they fade as they dry

Overall Thoughts - I actually like this paper because I learned on it... BUT, I would not recommend this paper for a beginner Copic user as it is too soft and tends to feather a lot.  It blends easily.

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X-Press It Blender Card

• crisp white
• super smooth
• marker floats over the surface
• no streaks
• darkens with layers
• super easy blending
• no feathering
• ink soaks in slowly
• excellent blender effects

Overall Thoughts - LOVE this paper!!!  It's my "go-to" paper... I recommend it for beginner and experienced Copic users alike.  Love that the markers flow so smoothly and the blending is effortless. 

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Papertrey Ink

• crisp white
• some tooth
• marker snags a slight bit
• streaky unless very saturated
• darkens with a lot of layers
• blending a bit more difficult
• minimal feathering
• ink sits on surface for a bit then soaks in quickly
• good blender effects

Overall Thoughts - A compatible paper that I would recommend for experienced Copic users.  (Too difficult to blend for beginners.)  It uses a bit more ink to create smooth blends than a softer paper.   A good choice for colorers who want a denser paper.

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Hammermill Color Copy

• crisp white
• some tooth
• marker snags a bit on surface
• no streaks
• darkens quickly
• simple blending
• little to no feathering
• ink soaks in quickly
• excellent blender effects

Overall Thoughts - I was very surprised by this paper.  Not one that I had used or tested before and I didn't think I was going to like it, but I DO!  It's a good paper for those used to a soft surface.  It would be a good option for beginner Copic users. 

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My final thoughts for the day... I really think that ALL of these papers are good Copic compatible papers!  Each surface is a bit different - so you really need to know your inking style and your own personal preference for paper type. 

My top two picks today...  X-Press It Blending Card and Make It Color - these are actually my very favorite card stocks to work with when using Copics.  Love, Love, Love them! I also want to give a "surprise" shout out to the Hammermill Color Copy paper... it definitely is at the top of my recommendation list.

How would you like to win a sampling of my top picks from the card stock testing? 

Just leave a comment on THIS post telling me what YOUR favorite Copic paper is.  I will be picking a winner (or maybe two) next week.  Commenting for blog candy will be closed on Sunday, October 23rd and the winner will be posted on Monday, October 24.

(Flower image from retired SU set and image stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black)

Thanks for stopping by!

Copic Compatibility: Testing Cardstock - Part I

"What paper should I use with my Copics?"

Inquiring minds want to know, paper companies want to know, store owners want to know, Copic users want to know!  So I'm here to share my own findings on some of the most common papers on the market. 

Now... there are a LOT of papers on the market... and during the next few days I'm going to focus on card stock weight paper.  I'll do more posts later about all of the different art paper options out there too!  Of course, I haven't tested EVERY paper... and I'm sure you probably have some papers in your crafty stash that I don't mention.  That's okay.  After you see how I "test" my papers and the things I look for, you can conduct your own compatibility testing. 

Let's Begin.  Papers Being Tested Today:

WorldWin
    ColorMates Ivory
    ColorMates Natural
    Petallics Snow Willow
    Petallics Spearmint

The Paper Company
    Iced White Metallic
    Artic Snow Metallic

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ColorMates Ivory

• yellowish/ivory color
• slight tooth
• marker "snags" a slight bit on surface
• no streaks if evenly saturated
• darkens quickly with layers
• super easy blending
• does feather with layers
• ink soaks in immediately
• soft blender effects

Overall Thoughts - Too yellow for my personal taste, but a nice ivory paper option.  It is on the soft side, so it does bleed easily.  If you are a beginner or if you color heavy, this is not a paper for you.

 

 

 

 

 

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ColorMates Natural

• light ivory color
• slight tooth (soft)
• marker "snags" just a bit on surface
• no streaks if evenly saturated
• darkens quickly with layers
• super easy blending
• does feather with layers
• ink soaks in immediately
• soft blender effects

Overall Thoughts -I LOVE the color of this paper!  It is a soft paper, so it blends super easily, but it will feather with lots of layers.  If you are used to a soft paper... this is the perfect option for an ivory or off white paper!  It is not a good paper for beginners or heavy handed coloring.

 

 

 

 

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Petallics Snow Willow

• gray/silver very shimmery
• super smooth
• marker floats across the surface
• no streaks even when not saturated
• very light - does not darken at all with layers
• blends well with a flicking technique - more like vellum reactions
• no feathering
• ink sits on tip for a long time (can get gummy with laying)
• subtle blender effects

Overall Thoughts - A very interesting paper!  I actually like the very different look and blending style.  I would not use it all the time, but it is nice to have when I want a special look.  I would not recommend it for beginners, but experienced Copic users would have fun with this surface.  This paper is almost holographic in it's look when you move it from side to side.

 

 

 

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Petallics Spearmint

• yellow/green very shimmery
• smooth coating but the paper isn't smooth
• marker floats across the surface
• no streaks but very "blotchy"
• darkens only a little with LOTS of layering
• blends like vellum - marker tips pick up some color
• some feathering with a lot of ink
• crisp blender effects

Overall Thoughts - I don't care for the color (too greenish) but the shimmer is nice.  The splotchy ink detracts from the colored image and therefore it wouldn't be a paper I would recommend unless you wanted this effect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Iced White Metallic

• slight ivory color - slight shimmer
• smooth surface
• marker floats across the surface
• no streaks even when not fully saturated
• darkens slightly with layers
• easy blending
• minimal feathering with lots of layers
• ink soaks in slowly
• very subtle blender effects

Overall Thoughts - I LOVE this paper for an off white option if I don't need to use the blender marker.  It's just slightly ivory and has a very subtle shimmer.  It's easy to blend on and would be great for beginners and experienced users alike.  Watch out for featering if you are going to layer a lot of ink.

 

 

 

 

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Arctic Snow Metallic

• gold/white shimmer
• smooth coating but surface isn't smooth
• marker floats across the surface
• no streaks
• darkens just slightly 
• blends like a vellum, marker tip will pick up ink
• no feathering
• ink sits on top for a long time but does not get gummy
• crisp blender effects

Overall Thoughts - this is an interesting ppaer.  I might use it for special projects.  I wouldn't recommend it for the beginner Copic user.  It is very difficult to get lots of contrast, so expect subtle blending and colors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My final thoughts for the day... I was surprised by some of these surfaces.  Even though they may not be what I would recommend for daily Copic use, there are some that would be fun to use every once-in-a-while... like the Arctic Snow Metallic and the Snow Willow.  My top two picks today...  ColorMates Natural and Iced White Metallic - both worked very well and gave promising results.  Either would make a nice option for an off white cardstock. 

Stop back on Monday for part II of my paper testing and see how 7 more cardstocks stand up to Copic use. (And a chance to win a sample pack of my top picks!)

(Flower image from retired SU set and image stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black)

Thanks for stopping by - have a colorful weekend!

The New Copic Carrying Case - Your Chance to Win!

It's finally here!!!  The new Copic Carrying Case!

 
Copic now offers a portable case big enough to hold the ENTIRE Copic color spectrum. Here are some deets...

• six removable carry cups fit in the case’s hard shell exterior (each cup is sturdy enough to stand whether completely or partially full)
• holds up to 380 Sketch markers
• The top zipper closure and shoulder strap make transporting your Copic collection a breeze
• just in time for the holidays, this case is the perfect gift for the Copic lover who has everything.

 

I received my case last week and couldn't wait to try it out.  But wait...  where did my case go?  I looked high and low and finally spotted it in my husbands "toy" area.  (Yes, I have my toys and he has his...)  When I opened the case I was shocked to see it filled with little miniature game pieces!  I immediately evacuated those little monsters and trolls and seized my case back. 

Once I had a chance to put my own toys in it (all my pretty markers...) I had to take some pics. 

Here's the case all zipped up and ready to go!

 

Here's the case full of my marker collection.  I have all of the markers except the florescent and you can see... there's still room to grow!  (Or room to add my multiliners and glitter pens!)

And here it is with some paper on top... I wanted to see if I could carry my art portfolio or some extra images too... and Yes I Can!!!

Here is the set up with one of the inside baskets out... perfect for if you only want to work with  a limited number of markers.

 

And here's a photo of all six baskets... full of colorful goodness!

 

I also wanted to check and see how many of my class wallet sets I could fit in and carry...

Speaking of class sets... I'm thinking that this case would be a GREAT way for instructors to carry and use their class marker sets.  Just place each set of markers into one of the baskets, put them in the case and carry to class.  At class... just open it up, take out the class basket sets and place them on the tables... at the end... pack up and voila - you are ready to go...easy peasy!

 

I absolutely LOVE my Copic Carrying Case... I do a lot of traveling and now I can quickly and easily take my whole collection with me.  And my husband? He's getting his own!!!

 

 

What about YOU???  What do you think about the new Copic Carrying Case?

Would you like to *win* one?

Copic Marker is proud to partner with Splitcoaststampers the entire month of October for their annual Hope You Can Cling To campaign for breast cancer awareness.

Splitcoast is hosting daily challenges through the entire month of October, and asking members of the paper crafting community to create cards in support of cancer patients and their families and mail them to national partner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. Copic Marker is pleased to offer FOUR of these great new Copic Coloring Cases as prizes for four lucky participants in the Hope You Can Cling To campaign. It's a campaign of the sweetest type - you have the opportunity to color, spread a little hope with your handcrafted cards and be eligible to win! 

You can find general information for the Hope You Can Cling To campaign, including information on how to play and a handy tracking sheet to keep track of your entries, here. You can find a master list of the challenges presented thus far right here. It's updated daily for new inspiration, and there are a variety of themes, so participation easy. And, just in case you aren't familiar with Splitcoast, it's a free paper crafting community where thousands of card ideas and tutorials are shared in the galleries and their resource archives. It's a fun place to be. You can find the details here. You can sign up for your free account and start sharing here.

I HOPE you'll find a few opportunities to color and participate with me this month. We'll announce our *FOUR* Copic Coloring Case winners the second week of November! Good luck

 

Sizzix Fresh Vintage Blog Hop: ScoreBoard Butterfly!

Welcome... to the second week of the Sizzix Fresh Vintage Blog Hop!

Every Tuesday and Thursday between September 27-November 3, 2011 there will be a new Sizzix Fresh Vintage die featured on 6-10 of the 75 participating designers' blogs.

I'm participating this week and I'm super excited to share my project because it uses a super cute (and very versatile) die - the Score Board Butterfly by Eileen Hull!

I knew right away what I wanted to try with these adorable little butterflies... so I got right to work on this pretty little wall hanging.

Here's what I did:

Step 1 -Apply fusible webbing onto the bottom half of a 6x8 inch and a 4x6 inch canvas and prime with gesso. (let dry completely)

Step 2 - Mask off squared areas and airbrush a variety of different colors onto the surface.  Make sure to use darker shades and apply a nice thick layer of color. 

Step 3 - Drip colorless blender solution (or a light color ink) from the refill bottle onto the surface. 

Step 4 - Quickly blow the pooling and blending ink around with compressed air (using the ABS with my compressor here...)

Step 5 - Repeat steps 3 and 4 as necessary.  Let dry completely.  Each canvas will be unique.

Step 6 - Cut out 3 or 4 butterflies from ScoreBoard.  Apply a thin coat of glass gel bead medium over each cut out. 

Step 7 - Airbrush the butterflies while medium is still wet. 

Step 8 - Heat with a heat tool.  This will "boil" the acrylic medium creating bubbles of texture and will consolidate the color.  It also will "warp" the ScoreBoard a bit giving nice dimension to the cut outs. 

Step 9 - Paint or stamp a sentiment or quote on the dried canvas.

Step 10 - Adhere smaller canvas to larger canvas and attach butterfly shapes.   Paint dotted trail.

 

 I was so excited about how these butterflies were turning out I started thinking about other projects I could do with them...  I just loved the glittery, bubbly, colorful dimension I was able to create with them... so I'm thinking... magnets, pins, hair clips, neckalaces, gift tags with bows... the possibilities are endless!

Thank you SO much for stopping by... you can check out what the other designers did with the ScoreBoard Butterfly Die by clicking the Hop Forward or Hop Backward links in the button below. 

 
Sizzix Fresh Vintage
[ Hop back ][ Hop forward ]

 

FAQ about the Fresh Vintage Blog Hop:
How do I hop around to see ideas using the current featured die?

Every Tuesday and Thursday between September 27-November 3, 2011 there will be a new Sizzix Fresh Vintage die featured on 6-10 of the 75 participating designers' blogs. The navigation buttons for "Hop Back" and "Hop Forward" will allow you to easily hop around and see projects featuring whatever the current die is, since those buttons are programmed to navigate only to the blogs that are participating for that die. On the next Tuesday/Thursday, the buttons will automatically reprogram themselves to navigate to the blogs that are signed up for the next featured die.

What if I start at a designer's blog that isn't one of the 6-10 signed up for that die?

No problem! Simply hit either the "Hop Forward" or "Hop Back" button on the Fresh Vintage navigation widget from any blog's sidebar and you'll automatically advance to one of the participating blogs.

Can I go back and view the ideas for a previously featured die?

Of course! Go to the "Blog Hops" link at the top of the page. It will bring up all of the blog posts where you'll find direct links to each participating blog along with a thumbnail image of the project.

Where can I buy the Sizzix Fresh Vintage dies, by Eileen Hull?

You can visit Sizzix.com to find a local and online retailers for Sizzix products. Also be sure to visit Oh My Crafts, one of this blog hop's sponsors, (between the dates of September 27-November 3, 2011) and enter for a chance to win a Flower Layers #9 die!

The Blog Hop has ended and the navigation widget is no longer in the sidebar. How can I see the ideas?

Go to the "Blog Hops" link at the top of the page. It will bring up blog posts where you'll find direct links to each participating blog along with a thumbnail image of the project.