Distinctive Touches

Sneak Peak - Whimsy Magazine!

3 great companies partnered up during February to give you amazing images, sentiments and dies... and I was lucky enough to be able to play with them. 

The new Whimsy Stamps Inspirations Magazine is now available for download and it is FULL of great samples from the release along with amazing tutorials, neat gift and decor ideas and gorgeous (I mean GORGEOUS) cards and scrapbook pages.

Here's a sneak peak at my project featuring the new Paris Elements (Make It Crafty), La Jeune Fille à l'Eventail (Little Miss Muffet), and Friendship Notables 2 (Whimsy Stamps)

Head on over HERE to check out the full publication!

 

Make It Crafty Challenge - Coloring Autumn

You all did such an amazing job with the Make It Crafty Coloring Spring challenge that we decided that we needed to challenge you to color FALL!  That's right.  I know it's nowhere near the time for fall... but it's always fun to think about the beautiful shades and jewel tone hues of autumn. 

Head on over the the MIC gallery to see what scrumptious creations the other DT members created. 

Here's my Autumn Coloring Creation...

It was so much fun to plan and color this scene!  I used The Vally Above digi background and added the Hot Air Balloon flying high over the river.  (It wasn't until I posted the card into the gallery over at MIC that I realized that no one was IN my balloon... Ooops, guess it got away from someone!  LOL

Don't forget to fly on over to the MIC gallery to check out the challengers and join in the fun!

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Supplies Used:The Vally Above and Hot Air Balloon digi images (MIC)
Beauty Digi sentiment (Tiddly Inks)
Make It Color Blending Card (MIC)
Raven cardstock (Bazzil Basics) Copic Markers
mountains: C1/BG70/B0000/C3/BV20/BV31
water: B000/B41/W3/B91/B34
fir trees: G43/G16
rocks: C00/C5/W5/W7
houses: E11/E33/E25/E39
foreground trees: Y23/E97/E07
mid trees: Y21/YR24/Y28/E99/YR09
distant trees: Y11/Y38/YR61/Y26/YR27/R08/0
grass/field: BG90/E81/BG93
basket: Y32/Y26/Y28
balloon: V20/V22/V25/V28 and R43/R24/R46/R89/RV99

CardMaker Blog - Quick Copic Tip!

Have you ever wondered how I "fix" my coloring mistakes? 

Head on over to the CardMaker Blog today to read my post about what I do when I get a little ink wild! 

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Image by Saturated Canary
Copic Markers
skin: E00/E21/E34/E93/E95/BV02
eyes: B12/B26
hair: Y11/Y21/YR24/E97 (sepia multiliner)
pink shirt:RV52/RV66
purple shirt: BV11/BV13/BV29
sweater/socks:B60/B63/B66/B69
skirt/earings:BG11/BG53/BG57/BG49
jeans:B41/B45/B99
lips:R22/R29

 

Copic Certification Class Updates!

Our new class format has been a HUGE success and our certification classes are filling FAST!  If there is a class open near you... do NOT wait to sign up... many people have been disappointed by finding out that the class they wanted to attend is already filled. 

If you want to be notified by Copic when there is a certification class coming to your area, please sign up HERE. 

You can also always find open and upcoming classes (and their status) on my blog HERE on the Copic Certification Page.

You will notice that many of our upcoming classes are filled...  but there are still some openings in some of the following locations:

 

STANDARD CERTIFICATION CLASSES

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

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

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

March 9, 2012 Columbus, OH  - CLASS FULL
Taught by Colleen Schaan (change in instructor - Sherrie Siemens will be teaching)

March 8, 2012 – St. Louis, MO 63134 - ONE SPOT LEFT!
Taught by Lori Craig 

March 10, 2012 York, PA - CLASS FULL
Taught by Marianne Walker

March 23, 2012 – PHOENIX, AZ   CLASS FULL
Taught by Lori Craig

 

INTERMEDIATE CERTIFICATION CLASSES

February 18, 2012- Richmond, VA - CLASS FULL
Taught by Debbie Olson

March 3, 2012 Edmonton, AB Canada  TWO SPOTS LEFT!
Taught by Sherrie Siemens    

March 9, 2012 – St. Louis, MO  - CLASS FULL
Taught by Debbie Olson

March 10, 2012  Columbus, OH Intermediate  FILLING QUICKLY
Taught by Colleen Schaan - (Change in instructor - Sherrie Siemens will be teaching)

March 24, 2012 – Phoenix, AZTaught by Debbie Olson  FILLING QUICKLY

 

 Hope to see you at an upcoming class!

Colorful Hugs! Colleen

 

 

Splitcoaststamers Product Focus - Faber Castell

I always love to test out new products and when I heard that we were going to be playing with Faber-Castell products for our latest Splitcoaststampers Product Review I was giddy with excitement. 

You can read our reviews of the Design Memory Craft line HERE at Splitcoast. 

For my post today, I thought I'd walk you through one of the art journal pages I made while playing with with all of the scrumptious goodies. 

I started with some scribbles of yellow and orange Aquarelle Pencils.  I spritzed with water and blended a few spots with a sponge to create some hard line looks. 

 

I added more water and used the paint brush to softly blend out the rest of the areas.  (I like the mix of soft washes and streaky color.)

 

I used the Stampers Big Brush Pen to color directly on my stamp.  (You can mix colors too!)

 

Stamped the images repeatedly in orange and red.

 

Applied ink directly to the paper (around the edges) with the Stampers Big Brush Pen.

 

Outlines my images and added some scribbles of Gelatos... OMGosh... these are to-die-for yummy!)  (Added a bit of water to blend in some areas and left some just finger blended.

 

Added some doodling with the metallic pen.  (Found out this is only waterproof after it is completely dry!  LOL)

 

Added the journaling with the Artist Pen... love the coordinating color sets. 

 

And here it is... the finished product!  LOVE the vibrancy and color!

Check out the gallery HERE for other designs by the review team!  (I have to say... they are AMAZING and very diverse!)

Thanks Faber-Castell for making a quality product that is easy to use!

Copic Coloring Guide... The NEXT level!

It here... it's here!!!! 

 

YES - book 2 is out! 

I can finally share the exciting news!  Marianne and I are excited to announce that book two in the Copic Coloring Guide series is back from the printers and now shipping! 

Copic Coloring Guide Level 2: Nature

When we started working on the original Copic Coloring Guide, we knew there was a series in there somewhere... but we also knew it would be a long process and we wanted to do it right. 

We began with the Copic Coloring Guide as a "starter" book for people new to Copics or for people who wanted a review of the basics.  It gives readers the "who, what, where, when, why and how" of Copic marker use.  We also wanted to inspire readers with beautiful projects, so we included a variety of projects and split them into skill level. 

Book 1 - The Copic Coloring Guide

The book was was a resounding success and we had so much support that it was completely humbling and somewhat overwhelming. 

Book 2 - The Copic Coloring Guide Level 2: Nature

What the Copic Coloring Guide Level 2: Nature is...

We share step-by-step, photo-tutorials on how to color some of the most commonly asked-for objects.  We step-out how to color white, black, foliage, flowers, fur (and other things commonly found in nature)... how to ground your images with a base and background... we've cover alternative coloring and blending combinations (not just the what, but the why), and a whole lot more! 

We listened to reader feedback from book one and we decided to include the actual images we used in our tutorial section so that the reader can print them out and practice along with us!!!  How cool is that? 

We kept the layout crisp and clean and the tutorials clear and concise.  You will notice a common "look" in the books of the series.

Many readers wanted more tutorials.  We did just that.  We have included more tutorials and switched the focus to the coloring steps for the projects to showcase them more.  Don't worry, for those of you who still want card assembly instructions... we've included those on the CD too!  (That way you get it all!)

What the Copic Coloring Guide Level 2: Nature is not...

It is NOT a book that teaches you how to draw Manga.  It is NOT a book that will teach you how to color Manga.  It is NOT a book that teaches you how to draw.  (See a common theme here?  If in doubt... check out the title and cover page!)

I'm so super excited about this book.  It was a labor of love and I got to work with the most amazing group of editors and designers.  We wanted to pass along our love of Copic coloring to you... and we hope you will find new ideas, reflect on previous knowledge, expand your skills, and be inspired by amazing projects.  We hope that you will love it as much as we do. 

If you want your copy of the Copic Coloring Guide Level 2: Nature, head on over to Annie's Attic and order today or ask about availability at your local craft store... and then get ready for some colorful fun!

 

 

Little Lullabies - CardMaker Baby Blog Hop

I have to admit... when Brooke and the CardMaker Blog team said we would be doing a hop about BABY cards... I freaked a little.  I mean, what do I know about babies?  What's a baby announcement supposed to say?  Do I even OWN any baby stamps?  

Well, the answer to the last question was a resounding no. (How in the word have I survived in the card making world for the past 20 years without ever making a baby card?)  So... that was my first challenge - find an appropriate image.  I decided that I didn't want an actual baby - so constricting, so I searched for an image I could use for multiple "baby" events... birth announcements, birthdays, showers...

I found this adorable little stitched and stuffed bunny at Pixie Dust Studios!  It is perfect for any "baby" occasion and he (or she) is just sooooo cute! 

So, I colored the little baby bunny up in both pinks and purples (for a girl card) and in blues and greens (for a boy card).  I know that some people are against "color coding" for babies... and in that case a green and yellow bunny would be perfect! 

I added a cute sentiment from Sweet & Sassy and created a super simple baby announcement card.  Nothing too frilly or to fussy... after all, a new mommy will be busy pampering her bundle of joy and won't have a lot of time for fancy card making. 

Now I need some friends who are willing to have little ones so that I can send some cards... Anyone???  Anyone??? 

For more great Little Lullabies, check out these designer's blogs:

Tami Mayberry

Carolyn King

Trudy Sjolander

Colleen Schaan (you are here!)

Kimberly Crawford

CardMaker Blog

Supplies Used
images - Pixie Dust Studio and Sweet & Sassy
cardstock - X-Press It Blending Card, Midge, Kelvin, Mauve Ice, Iced Pink (Bazzill Basics)
Copic Markers - R000/R30/R81 and V0000/V01/V20 for girl card, B000/B21/0 and G20/YG41/0 for boy card
circle shape die (Spellbinders)
white gel pen
small pearls (KaiserCraft)

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Check back in tomorrow for my BIG announcement and some exciting news!!!

Make It Crafty Challenge - Spring Colors!

I really enjoy spring... it means my favorite season (summer) is not far behind!

This week our Make It Crafty team is challing you to color with spring in mind.  Whether you see specific colors, patterns or textures, we want to see how YOU color spring! 

Here's my sample:  I LOVE the way this card turned out!  I don't usually do kiddy-wampus layers, but I just had to add a touch of tilt to this one. 

I used the Timber Top Ridge background and added the Geeky Love couple to complete the scene. 

I wanted to keep the colors vibrant  - so I stuck with yellow greens and greens for the foliage and fully saturated colors for the images. (see below for a list of colors used)

Spring has sprung here in Georgia and I am ready and waiting to pull out those flip flops for summer.  In the mean-time, I'm going to go color! 

Thanks for stopping by.  Make sure to head on over the the MIC gallery for more springy inspiration... and don't forget to enter your own artwork in the challenge!

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Supplies Used:
Make It Color Blending Card (MIC)
Raven and Blue Jeans cardstock (Bazzill Basics)
Timber Top Ridge and Geeky Love Digital Images( MIC)
Wild Thing sentiment (Verve Stamps)
Tuxedo Black ink (Memento)
Black multiliner (Copic)
Copic Markers
grass:YG21/G43/G14/G46
Leaves: YG21/G43/G14/G05/G16
tree: E33/E17/E29
rocks: c1/c3/c5/c7/w7/w5/w3
skin girl: E50/E21/E04
skin boy: E41/E21/E34/E04
jeans: B91/B93/B95/B99
boy sweater: Y00/Y11/Y04/Y35
boy shoes: c1/c3/c5
boy hair: E33/E39
Girl sweater and skirt: R81/R83/R85
girl hair: Y32/YR24/E97
flowers: Y13/Y38
sky: Boooo
clouds: B91

Copic Watercolor Art

Remember THIS post?  Well, I decided to use that same "watercolor" technique and create some artwork for our bedroom.  We just got a new bedroom set and I desperately needed something to fill the wall space. 

These are the three pieces I created...  I love them all...  (the photo of the middle one didn't turn out well and you can't see the dark spot of pink near the bottom... it only looks shiny here.) 

They really look nice above our bed! (ignore the messy sheets please!)

I've got a few more things I want to do for decor in this room... and then it will finally be done!  Only two years after moving in!  LOL

Thanks for stopping by - have a colorful day!