Distinctive Touches

Copic Class Updates

I'm back from Chicago and playing catch up on all of my work.  I had such a GREAT time with the other gals on the Copic Certification team... what an amazing group of women!  Here we are after a surprise lunch cruise on the Spirit of Chicago... a huge boat that cruised up and down the Chicago shoreline.  We are all a bit windblown and chilled, but we couldn't resist huddling up for a photo or two. 

During the trip we all attended the very first Intermediate Copic Certification class that was taught by Marianne Walker.  What a blast... and I can say, it's a hard-core class full of color theory, design tips and coloring concepts.  I can't wait to start teaching this one! 

We discussed possible locations for both standard and intermediate classes for 2011 and I will be posting my own list very soon (sometime this week).  So be watching for that. 

If you are interested in taking a Copic class but don't feel you need or want the full certification class, you can join me at My Creative Classroom for my Everything Copic class.  It started today and will be the LAST ONE AVAILABLE!!!  I have made the decision to leave MCC and focus on some of the other opportunities that have become available for me.  So if you want to see me on-line...sign up THIS WEEK!!! 

Hugs!

Copic News And Other Updates

I'm busy getting ready to head up to Chicago on Monday for summer CHA!  I'm SO excited...  I'll be teaching and demoing in the Copic booth most of the week - so if you are there, please stop in and say, "Hi!"

Before I leave, I have to finish stamping some images (so I have something to color while sitting in the airport), do a bit of DT work, clean the house (we are having friends come visit this weekend), do laundry, and I should probably think about packing sometime before Monday morning too!  LOL

The crafty things I've been working on are "top secret" for now, so I have no eye candy to share this morning, but I do have some info updates.

If you are interested in a Copic Certification class, below is our list of classes currently open and accepting applications.  Each week new classes are opened.  You can find more information about the classes and get the applications HERE.

CHA Chicago July 26, 2010

Lincoln, NE  August 7, 2010 OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Atlanta, GA August 23, 2010 (This is me...)

Green Bay, WI August 21, 2010

Albuquerque, NM August 29, 2010

Branson, MO September 3, 2010

Pittsburgh, PA September 6, 2010 (This is me...)

Oakland, CA September 11, 2010

New Orleans September 15, 2010

Minneapolis, MN September 16, 2010

Salt Lake City, UT September 25, 2010

Calgary, AB Canada September 26, 2010

My other certification classes that aren't open for applications yet are... 

October 8th (Friday)
Jacksonville, Florida

November 8th (Monday)
Richmond, VA

_____________________________________________________

Other updates...

We have a new look over at My Creative Classroom!  Over the summer we upgraded the website and gave it a make-over.  It has a crisp, fresh look and is even easier to navigate.  Our summer classes are winding down and our fall classes will be posted and open for enrollment during August. 

I will be teaching:

The Coloring Craze - Starts Monday, Sept. 13th

Everything Copic - Starts, Monday, October 4th

The Coloring Craze II - Starts Monday, October 25th

More information and class descriptions will be available soon. 

Thanks for stopping in...  I'll be checking in with short posts from CHA!

Copic Class Updates and A Sneaky Peeky!

I've got purple pinkies, teal thumbs, and fuchsia fingers...

I'm busy getting ready for a Copic Certification Class in Ft. Lauderdale, FL on Monday and I've been re-inking my class markers...  Nothing like a little color to brighten your day. 

While I'm there, I'm also teaching some Copic classes at The Stamp Shack.  These classes filled so fast we had to add a whole additional day to the itinerary!  LOL  Here is a picture of my prep for one of the projects we are doing... and you thought I only colored stamps!  LOL   (I'll share the finished project after I get back... I don't want to spoil the surprise for the folks taking the class!)

Speaking of Copic classes...  we have a whole slew of Copic Certification Classes open to the public right now... head on over HERE to check out the classes that are currently accepting applications. 

I've got my schedule for 2010 pretty much set.  You can check HERE to find out when and where I will be teaching Certification Classes this year... and HERE to see what consumer classes I'm doing too.  

Don't want to travel?  Timing isn't right?  Not in your area?  Check out my Everything Copic class at My Creative Classroom... it started just this week and there is still time to enroll. 

Please email me if you have any questions about any of the Certification classes or about any of the classes I'm offering.

Thanks for stopping in today.  I'll leave you with a little sneaky peeky at something I'm working on... 

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 Copic Color Study - Greens

One of my students over at My Creative Classroom got me hooked on THESE gorgeous fairy stamps from Janlynn.  I purchased both the Willow and the Lavender ones and got right down to business.  I want to share my results for the Willow stamp with you today as I discuss how I was able to color the image (that is mostly green) with a handful of greens, grays, browns and yellow.  

It's a long post... bear with me!

In this photo you will see how I based the general background of the image.  I used a very light color to give the whole image that under-glow. 

  

Next I tackled the skin.  I wanted it to be a bit "dirty" since that is how it looked on the stamp image, but I still wanted it to look angelic.  I used a combination of tan, pink and gray. 

 

The wings were next.  I wanted that yellow glow to show underneath them... yet they still needed that  mottled look.  I did very little blending so as not to lose that effect.

 

Next I added the hair.  I normally blend more than this, but with an image as detailed as this, I didn't want to lost those finer details, so I didn't blend a whole lot.  I wanted the hair to be reddish brown but still have the golden undertone.

 

Then I started with the overall greens.  Each area of the image is a different shade of green... and trying to come up with the right combination of colors that all worked together was an interesting challenge.  Here I'm making the center leaves a bit more yellowish and bright... I figured that I could go over them with a Warm Gray when I was done if they didn't work. 

 

And then...I moved to another area of green!  The focus on this area was a muted gray green... very different from the vivid look of the previous greens.  Notice how the leaves are very close in color and pattern to the wings.

 

Next I added the base for the background.  Notice that I also added the base for the water.  This is just the beginning step and looks a bit weird at this stage.  I also finished off her dress...  I made it just a tad bit darker than the surrounding leaves.

 

When I started adding the super dark background, it really started coming together.   I again used a combination of colors to get just the right tone and to make sure it worked with all of the other shades of green I had previously used.

 

The toughest part for me was the water.  Once the background was done and the water was based, I needed to start building depth and make it reflective.  Here I'm just adding and blending to add more contrast.

 

I finished the water off with some darker ripples and then added the highlights to contrast.  I found out that using a gel pen made it look too "stark" so I added the gel pen and then quickly wiped it away with my finger before it dried.  That makes a nice dry brushed look and I was very happy with it.

 

And here is my final image... A STUDY IN GREENS next to the actual stamp.  I didn't quite capture the depth of the actual stamp, but I think I came pretty close.  It was my first attempt with this image and I'm happy with the array of greens I was able to create.  

Now I just need to work this into a layout!  I sometimes have more fun just coloring the images and I forget all about creating finished projects - I hope you don't mind! 

Hope Your Day Is Filled With Color!

Colleen

So Thankful...

I have truly been blessed and I am thankful for so many things. 

I just wanted to share a quick project that I did with this in mind.  

I'm teaching an "Inching Towards the Holidays" class over at My Creative Classroom and it focuses on four creative holiday projects that use inchies in them.  Some use traditional stamped inchies and some, like this inchie frame, use non-traditional inchies. 

I made this one for fall/Thanksgiving and another in blues (with a layout that is a bit different) for winter/Christmas.  I really like how they turned out and they were so easy to do. 

(Sigh)... time is running short again, I've got a plane to catch in the morning and a busy few days... but I'll be back on Wednesday with something big... I mean REALLY BIG!!!  Stop back then, you won't want to miss it!

Thanks everyone for dropping in today!

November???

I wonder if this is how Ripp Van Winkle felt when he woke from his LONG nap... disbelieving of all the time that had passed him by. 

I can NOT believe it is November; I mean, just yesterday it was June and I was headed to Green Bay for my class reunion!  At this rate, it will be summer again in the blink of an eye!  All of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season will be done and over with without me getting a chance to enjoy it!

Is every one's merry-go-round of life spinning as quickly as mine? 

I needed to take a step back and breath deeply a few times... and that's when I noticed it... the crisp, cool smell of autumn.  Ahhhhhh, there's nothing like the sweet smell of colorful leaves.  Really... leaves have a scent... and colorful ones smell the best.  LOL

That's why I'm sharing this card with you today.  It's using some of my new Inchie stamps and might just make it into my Inching Towards the Holidays class that is just starting today over at My Creative Classroom.  The doodled falling leaves reminded me of those crispy fall leaves outside.  Paired up with some pumpkin pie card stock and a bit of cranberry scallops (hmmm, I'm getting hungry)... these leaves give the distinct impression of fall!

Hope YOU get a chance to enjoy it as much as I'm going to!

Easy Peasy Pretty!

I've been doing so much coloring lately for all of my coloring classes that I almost forgot how to stamp a traditional card!

I was asked to create a mini-tutorial for Everyday Moodlings, our FREE class over at My Creative Classroom.  The topic... masking!  Each teacher approached this topic differently... some used masking fluids and paints, some created mixed media pages with a masked poem, some used stencils as masks with ink sprays and while others masked out images with stamps and post-its. 

Me... I created a brayered background by masking a fancy frame and the setting sun.  I stamped the silhouetted flowers AFTER I took my masks off to give the impression of depth.  You can check out my tutorial HERE.

(If you are not a registered member of the free class, it will ask you for a key code to get enrolled.  Don't have it???  Sign up for our FREE newsletter - get both the key code and all of the latest news on classes and special offers happening at MCC.)

Tomorrow we will be posting another great set of free tutorials on... well, the topic is a secret yet... you'll just have visit MCC tomorrow to find out!

Papertake Weekly... YOU could win!

I FOUND SOMETHING NEW!!!

Sorry to shout...I just HAD TO... you see, I found these new images.   Yup... Uber Cute and PERFECT for coloring with my Copics.  And guess what...  they are Digital!!!  OMG.  I've resisted digital up until now because I really like the feel of wood and rubber, ink and acrylic.  But I saw these adorable "Pixie Chicks" over at Charmed Cards and Crafts and knew I had to give it a go.  It was actually much easier than I thought. 

Here is just one of the sweet little elves... (there are a bunch in the download).  I call her Holly, The Holiday Elf.  (Brilliant - I know!!! LOL)  She is soooooo sweet!  There are all sorts of things in the download for her to be sitting on, but I really just wanted her... so I cropped the excess circle under her legs and it sort of looks like she is sitting on a swing or a wall.  (Oh, okay... so it really doesn't, but I like the way it looks anyway!) 

I used Copics to color her in, Stickles glitter glue for the wings and the fur trim, and a white gel pen for the highlights in her eyes. 

The layout for this card comes from this week's challenge over at Papertake Weekly.  (It sort of evolved from the sketch into this... I would say I was "inspired by" the sketch...)  Check out what their awesome DT did with the sketch..  WOWZERS!  And play along... you could win a $25 gift certificate from My Creative Classroom... good towards ANY class being offered this fall!  (And there are a LOT of them!)

Good luck. 
And thanks for stopping in today!

I'm Craft Class Crazy!!!

Something must be in the air... or maybe it's in the water.  Wherever it is... it is creating quite a stir over at My Creative Classroom! 

Did you know that we opened our fall classes for enrollment on Tuesday?  Yup, sure did!!!  Have you checked out all of the fan-tabulous classes we are offering this term?  No???  Well... what'cha waiting for - get on over there and see all of the amazing new classes (and the super talented instructors).  Whether you are interested in Photography, Digital Scrapbooking, Jewelry Making, Mixed Media, Getting Inky, Fine Arts, or Stamping... we have something for everyone!   (These links are just a smattering of of your choices.)

We've got a lot of 'em... I personally have 15 classes running this fall!  I've been taping video, clicking pictures, and typing till my fingers are numb these past few weeks to get them all ready.  Check out my full class listing HERE and see if there is something that might interest you.  Find your inner artist in my Express Yourself: Portraits in Multiple Mediums, or hang out with me and do some inchie art in Inching Towards the Holidays. 

Don't forget the golden-oldies too.  I'm re-offering a few of my most popular offerings from the past two years.  Learn to color realistic images in The Coloring Craze and the Coloring Craze II, jump on the stamping bandwagon in one of my Stamptastic Techniques classes, or go crazy for Copics in my Everything Copic class. 

I know I will be spending a lot of time over at MCC this fall... both teaching AND taking classes.  I would LOVE to see you there! 

Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Card Details
Stamp: Stippled Rose (SU Retired)
Inks: London Fog (Memento)
Coloring: Copic Markers
Other: Nestabilities die cut, black organdy, Copic Multiliner - black

I'm Here if You Need Me.

Happy Friday all.  I'm so glad it is finally the weekend!  I'm a bit worn out from all of the running around that I've done this week.  It was the last week of my Surface and Design pottery class up in Tulsa.  I've got some really nice pots waiting to be fired in the kiln and I can't wait to see the results of my glazing experiments.  (If they turn out, I'll share pictures.)  

I have to decide whether I'm going to sign up for a third Throwing class on the pottery wheel.  I REALLY learned a lot during the intermediate class, and I would like to go on to the advanced class... but I just don't know if I have time this fall.  I will have to wait and see.  I've got so much else on my plate right now.  (What else is new right?)

We are ALMOST ready for our Fall Kick-Off over at My Creative Classroom.  There are a few new instructors and TONS of new classes!  I can't wait for the opening of enrollment... be watching next week for that announcement! 

And lastly, I found some time to be CREATIVE this week.  I was browsing though the latest uploads on SCS a few weeks ago and was completely drawn in by this card that Jeanne S. created.  It was simply, it was clean, it was perfect!  I knew that I wanted to use the layout in a card of my own... and so I pulled out my Elegant Flowers set from Gina K Designs and paired it with a pretty matching sentiment from Verve.  The irises are colored with Copic markers, punched out with a scalloped circle Nestability, and then sponged with lilac ink. 

It was really hard for me to NOT use any embellishments or doodle any frames on this card, but I think it turned out really pretty!  It would make a super fast and easy thinking of you or sympathy card.

Thanks for the inspiration Jeanne...  and thanks everyone for stopping by!
Have a wonderful weekend.

Favorite Card Friday - Buzzing with Excitement!

I am SOOOOO glad it is Friday!  I feel like I've been stuck in slow-motion this week while the rest of the world is set on fast-forward! 

I'm busy working on some great new videos for my fall classes at My Creative Classroom along with helping the new instructors get set up and ready to rock and roll.  Some of the instructors have been announce and some are still "under wraps"  and I have to say... when you all hear who has joined us for the fall and spring terms you will jump-for-joy!  I know I am!!!  (I know... it's not nice to tease... but I just can't resist! LOL)  You only have to wait a few more weeks to find out who's teaching with us and what classes are being offered!

I'm also coloring up a storm! (Here's a peek at one of the images I've been working on...I'll show you the final projects soon.)  I've been whipping up some samples to send off to The Paper Garden where I will be teaching a Copics 101 class in October.  I'm buzzing with excitement... I just can't stand it!  Tara and I are hammering out the final details... but I can tell you that I will be at The Paper Garden in Amarillo, TX on October 17th  for a demo in the morning and a class in the afternoon.  I'll have cost and sign up details to you ASAP.  If you are in the area, I'd LOVE to see you there! 

And, since I can't show you any NEW stuff just yet, I'll share one of my FRIDAY FAVORITES... 

Details:
Stamps - Stamps Happen: Three Bees, Karen Foster Snap Stamps
Ink - Memento (Tuxedo Black)
Cardstock - (SU Marigold, Bayou Blue, Chocolate Chip) (GP White)
Other- (Copic markers, wide grossgrain ribbon, large brads colored with Copic markers)

Thanks for stopping in today, have a wonderful and safe weekend!

A Sneaky-Peaky!!!

Remember those wood blocks I was searching for in the last post? 

Well, after tearing my studio apart and cleaning out the bins in the closet, I finally found them... and put them to good use!

Here is a Sneak Peak of another Self Portrait project from my new Express Yourself class that I will be running this fall.  I CAN'T wait!!!  I'm sooooo excited about it (the class AND the project).

Now that I'm done with the portrait projects, I can concentrate on coloring up some samples for a Copic Class that I'm going to be teaching in October in Amarillo!  (I'll post specifics as soon as I have them.)

I also am a bit behind in my card making... I have a few birthdays coming up and I unfortunately need a pet sympathy card for a friend. 

Thanks for stopping in... I'll have more later!

Hugs.

Headed North...

I'm HEADED North! 

We just passed the border into Wisconsin...  whoopie!  So far the trip has been pretty good with light traffic and not TOO much road construction (although I'm sure we are in for some here in Wisconsin.)

I've got internet access here in the car, so I decided to update my blog and make a quick post. 

We are headed to Green Bay for my 20 year class reunion and I'm really looking forward to seeing all of my long lost friends.   I'll post later with details of how it went and possibly some pics.

To give you something fun to look at today, I'm going to give you a SNEAKY quick peek at one of the projects I just finished for one of my new fall classes over at My Creative Classroom.  It's obviously only part of the image... I don't want to give too much away yet! 

Can you guess what it is?  (There is a hint in this post actually!!!)

I'll pop back in when I get the chance... thanks for visiting!

Hugs,

colleen

For the LOVE of COLOR!

You know how when you find some cool new product and you want to tell your friends all about it?  Or you see a totally cool new technique and you can't wait to share it with others? 

That's how I feel about a class that I just took.  I can't wait to tell you all about it!  I'm SOOOOO geeked that I can't hardly sit still! 

You all know that I am a fiend for color; that my world is filled with aquamarines and fuchsias and periwinkles, a few drops of crimson and a dab of chartreuse, a touch of lavender and a hint of tangerine... but did you know that I'm not alone in this obsession? 

I mentioned in a previous post that I was taking a class with Teri Martin over at My Creative Classroom.  Teri is a tremendous artist who is known for her watercolor and text/calligraphy combinations.  Well, Teri is almost as crazy for color as me... and her class was all about color... and how to achieve a color pallet that worked together using just three basic colors!  

I don't typically work in watercolor, but I figured I would give it a go in her class because... well, because I wanted to learn something totally new and push myself to use a medium that I wasn't as familiar with (although she told me I could do the same thing with my acrylics). 

I learned how to make some wonderful and stunning color pallets... with all of the colors working together PERFECTLY!  It was amazing.  We also were prompted to make some mini-painting "studies" and while I was very nervous about those, I jumped right in.  This was one of my favorites that I did.  I really like the blue and purple background... and the text... well, let's just say that I'm going to be a VERY attentive student in Teri's future calligraphy classes.  LOL

I know a lot of my readers are color crazy like me... and I TOTALLY recommend Teri's class Understanding Color (I'm told she is going to be offering it again in the fall).

That's it for now...

Have a colorful day!

colleen

 

Golden Oldies!

Just a quick post today as I am trying to put the finishing touches on the Ark my husband and I are building. 

(Just Kidding!)  Seriously, it is STILL raining here... and with all the rain our backyard has become a stream...  I'm waiting for the salmon to start spawning!  LOL

Actually, I've been busy painting color wheels for a class that I am actually TAKING (not teaching) at My Creative Classroom from Teri Martin...it's awesome!  You all know how much I love color... and that is the focus of the class... so I'm in a Heaven of Hues! 

 Speaking of color and classes... my current Everything Copic class is winding down and the students have blown me away with their awesome samples.  In fact, one of the fine ladies put some images in the class gallery that blew me away.  Besides being colored expertly, they were the funniest images!!  I had to ask where they were from... and of course, I bought one!!!  (The images are from the Golden Oldies collection by Art Impressions.)

Since my hubby is a golf fanatic (and until I can play again, I'm a golf widow...), I knew I needed this stamp. 

Here's a card I made with it for a friend's birthday...  It's not the best coloring job I've ever done, but I wanted to try for a bit of pizazz with the stripes and plaid.  Guess I still need to work on those huh? 

Anyway... I thought it was a stitch... and the sentiment (also from the same collection) just made me laugh. 

I've got to get back to turning out that Ark... who knows when the animals will start coming two-by-two!  LOL

Hope you have a "happenin' day!"

Color and Texture - A Painted Canvas

Hi again... are you surprised that I'm posting two days in a row?

I got some time in during the past couple of days to do some more painting.  I don't paint people or landscapes... or anything else recognizable.  I like to do more abstract idea painting... you know, the type of stuff that nobody but the painter really gets.  LOL

I've been doing a lot of reading on creativity and doing a bunch of "soul searching" exercises and then taking those ideas into the studio.  It's been a lot of fun.  I'm learning to just sort of let go and create. 

These canvases are some of my first creativity inspired works.  I can't believe they took me WEEKS to do... and I'm not real sure they are finished yet actually. 

I started with some stiff molding paste... frosted it on in some places and tapped in on in others to create a variety of textures.  (I LOVE texture in paintings.)  Then... I just started layering!  The fist session I added four or five washes (paint thinned down to create a glaze) of blues... from light lavender to dark navy.  I added the color and blotted some of it off with a rag... leaving more color in the various textured areas. 

The second session found me adding more color with opaque layers of navy and black and white... mostly dry brushed on.  I also added some sprays with Stream and Lettuce Adirondack Colorwash Sprays from Ranger.  They were a lot of fun to use.  I spritzed some water on the canvas then to get the colorwash sprays to spread and smear a bit.  I had to spray the surface with a fixative before moving on to the next step or the colorwash sprays would continue to react with my paints.

The third session had me stamping some background patterns in white paint onto part of the canvas.  Since it's textured, the stamp didn't stamp clearly... but that is okay.  I also added scraps of painted book pages for a collaged effect.  I glued these on with Matte Medium and then added some drops and spritzes of colorwash spray again over the top. 

The last session saw me adding the pieces of metal mesh and the white cup rings.  I don't think I'm done yet... each time I look at them, I see something else to do or I feel the need to add something.  I think it's going to be some sort of text or writing...  but I'm not positive yet.  So far...each of the other layers sort of "spoke" to me and I just went with it... so I'm trying not to force the next step... if there is one. 

It was so much fun creating this piece... totally a process adventure instead of a "final product" piece... which I'm having fun with.  I'm actually thinking of offering an on-line class at My Creative Classroom this fall that takes you through the whole creative process like this... but I'm not sure there would be interest... what do you think?

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Hugs!

Rubbah!!!

Guess what I got in the mail last week???  NEW RUBBAH! 

It has been months since I've felt like stamping... or crafting in any sort of way... in fact, it's been months since I've even felt like BUYING anything crafty.  But that all changed when I stopped at the Sugar Nellie site two weeks ago.  I went nuts... I bought SEVEN... count 'em 7 new stamps!  It's crazy!  I have so many stamps they are coming out of my ears... and here I go buying more. 

I just couldn't resist the adorable Elizabeth Bell images... and since I'm a coloring freak, they are the perfect images for me. 

This one is called Sweet 'n Sassy...  hmmm, looks a bit like me don-cha think???  LOL

I went a little crazy this weekend and inked up all 7 stamps and started coloring them!  I had no cards or projects planned for them... I just felt like coloring.  So that's all you get today... just a colored image!  (Sorry... the energy level is up a bit with some B-12... but I still get pooped easily.  Maybe next week I'll whip up some cards with all the images.)

I colored this cutie patootie with my Copics.  I gotta tell you, I just can't stop using them... I love how easily they blend, how smoothly the color goes on, how the colors just seem to pop!  What a joy to use. 

And speaking of Copics... My Everything Copic on-line class begins next week.  The class is open for registration... click HERE for more details and a full class description.  Come join me in my Copic craze! 

Hey, wanna maybe win a class for free?  (With me or with some of our other talented teachers over at My Creative Classroom.)  Well, Jeri (the owner) turned the big 40 and is celebrating with us all!  We are having a birthday bash in the FREE classroom Everyday Moodlings...  there are challenges, discussions and tips... and of course... presents!  Jeri is sharing by giving presents/prizes to some lucky winners this week.  Go check it out...  There is a FREE seat in my upcoming Copic class up for grabs!  Hope to see you there.

Hugs all...
Have a marvelous Monday!

Technique Tuesday - Polished Stone Plus!

Happy Day... Happy Day!  Hope you'e having a good one!  Just a quick post today with my technique.  I've got LOTS to get done.

Today's technique is a combination of two very simple alcohol ink techniques.  It's been awhile since I've played with my inks, so I figured it was time for some fun.  I call this the Polished Stone Plus... since it starts with the polished stone technique and then I add the drop and spread technique over it.  

You will need:

• glossy card stock
• 2-4 colors of alcohol inks
• alcohol ink blending tool
• alcohol ink blending solution

Here's how it's done:

1. Squeeze a drop of each color ink onto your blending tool.  (Did you know that you need to get the tip of the bottle down into the felt and then squeeze for about 2 seconds to get the right amount of ink?)
2. Pounce the brayer onto the glossy card stock.  Keep moving either the card stock or the blending tool so that the ink "spots" are random. 
3. Fill up the entire piece of card stock with ink
4. Now for the "Plus"part of the technique... Gently 'shake' the alcohol ink blending solution over the inked card stock.  Just give it a few shakes... like you are putting salt on some fries!  (You will notice that the ink on the surface moves and creates puddles on the paper.  COOL)
5. Lastly, take the darkest alcohol ink color and gently shake out a few drops onto the card stock also.  These spots will remain small and intact where they meet just ink and will spread and blend where they meet the blending solution. 

That's all here is to it!  Create breathtaking backgrounds in no time at all. 

Here I've stamped some flourishes in black, added a black layer and strip, and then added a quick sentiment on red.  EASY PEASY!

If you enjoy my Technique Tuesdays and want to learn even more awesome inking and stamping techniques, join my Stamptastic Techniques 101 (Beginner) or Stamptastic Techniques 102 (Intermediate) class over at My Creative Classroom.  Our spring term starts this week and there are lots of fun new classes being posted!  Head on over and check them out - and hey... bring your friends!

Happy Hugs!
colleen

Cow's It Going?

Just a quickie today... I'm taking a quick break from my writing to well... write!  LOL  I am in the middle of creating my materials for a new class that I'm offering this spring over at My Creative Classroom.  I am going to be teaming up with the UBER talented Kylie Hopkins to do a "scrap booking/creative writing" class.  I can't give too much away yet, but I CAN tell you that it is going to be a HUGE hit... I can feel it in my bones. 

So anyway... I took a few minutes this morning to whip up this card and I wanted to share it with you while I'm taking my break. (You'll have to excuse the greenish tinge of the white paper... I forgot to fix that in my photo editing software.)

This Whipper Snapper cow is just one of my favorite images (I know... I say that about all of them, but who can resist such a pretty cow?)  I stamped it in Adirondack black ink and colored it with my Copics.  I picked the bright greens and yellow for the colors from the grass and the bell in the image... plus, I wanted it to be bright and cheery! 

I sponged some shabby shutter distress ink onto the green layers and some scattered straw distress ink onto the yellow layers... and built it up.  I'm getting into the whole twist and tilt look with my layers.  I stamped "Cow's it going?" with my Karen Foster stamps and added a metal swirl, some brads, and a bright ribbon to finish it off.  I sure hope this brightens your day!

Thanks for stopping in today.  I'll be back tomorrow with another Thursday Throwdown!

PS - How do you like January's Blog Banner... a bit of Industrial Craft for you...

Hugs,
colleen

Thoughts From 2008...

This is the first of a two part post... I'll be doing a "year in review" of 2008 today, and I'll finish up with a "thoughts for 2009" tomorrow.

It seems like just yesterday that I was writing about the year 2007 and now, 2008 is only 24 hours from being done.  Can you believe it?  Gaaaah!  At this rate, it will be 2050 and I'll be doddering around with my walker before I know it!  LOL

Even though it goes quickly, I always like welcoming the new year... there is something calming and freeing about starting over or starting anew.  But before I can welcome 2009, I have to indulge in a moment of sentimental weepies and say farewell to 2008.  (Sniff)

2008 - The Year in Review

• January 2008 brought us unseasonably warm weather and some sleepless nights in our 'storm shelter' as tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma and Kansas.
• My Creative Classroom officially kicked off in January - and the next 12 months were a whirl-wind of successful creative chaos with new classes, new responsibilities, new friends, and new challenges.
• Michael Buble sang his heart out in OK City (and I got to be there to see it!)
• I was honored to be a member of four different (and amazing)  design teams.
• I spent a wonderful week in Phoenix, AZ with my gal pals from the Washington Book Club.  (I have to add...  I think Phoenix is the COOLEST place on earth and I want to live there!)
• Spring found me on the golf course ALMOST as much as my husband.  I took some private lessons, purchased some cute clubs, and practiced my "trophy man" swing.  (While I haven't played in months, I do plan on taking out the clubs again next spring.)
• I satisfied my Copic Craze by becoming a Certified Copic Instructor!
• I started working as a water fitness instructor at a local fitness club.  Along with swimming laps, I am teaching daily classes to an adoring (if slightly waterlogged) audience. 
• I lost 20 lbs... and am sure those last 5 will come off someday... (results of above activity).
• I was a part of something special when one very deserving family was accepted into the Habitat for Humanity program.  They are well on their way to owning their very own home.
• Our own 'leaky' home was FINALLY fixed  (knock on wood)  when we stepped in and took over the repairs!!! 
• I was accepted (and attended) Ranger U - the ultimate in education about Ranger products from Tim Holtz, Suze Weinberg, and Claudine Hellmuth.  (I can't say enough about this experience... really, I can't!)
• Nate traveled (a lot) to Mexico and (a little) to North Carolina for work.
• My husband and I took a swimming workshop that ROCKED OUR WORLD!
• We made some new 'gaming' friends (finally) here in Muskogee - who would have thought? 
• We lost our beloved Urie, but have been blessed with the good health and happiness of Duke, Akira, and Takeo.
• And... The year ends like it begins... Christmas week was unseasonably warm (78 degrees) and severe weather threatened.  Ahhhhh, Oklahoma!

Come back tomorrow for my New Years Resolutions and that cool new project I mentioned on Monday.
Hugs,
colleen

*The photo on the side is an ATC project that I did earlier in the year.  I attached three "About Me" ATC's to a piece of ribbon and made a door hanger.  They are collaged with torn DP and sentiments, stamped, sponged with inks, the picture of me is my own 'photo drawing' technique, and I glazed them with some gel medium that was tinted with some alcohol inks. 

Santa's Lap - It's all in the details.

I have a card today that I can't wait to share!  I'm so super excited about how this turned out. 

As you know, I'm a coloring FREAK!  I love coloring in images using just about any coloring medium.  Lately though, I've been focusing on my Copic markers and my Koh-I-Noor pencils.  (Oh, and my Peerless Watercolor Papers... and my Twinkling H2o's...and acrylic paints...)  

I am just finishing up The Coloring Craze II over at My Creative Classroom and this last week's lesson is all about how to color in detailed images.  You know the ones... the Sandra Kuck and the Thomas Kinkade types.  So many people are intimidated by these - and I used to be too.  But... with lots of practice and TONS of patience, I learned how to create my own 'works of art' with these beautiful images. 

In class, I used this Santa's Lap image from The Saturday Evening Post collection over at CHF to demonstrate the technique.  I have to be honest and say that it took me more than an hour or two to color this image, but it was SO worth it!  I love how rich and vivid the results are.

I used my Copics to color it in and then I used Ranger's tea dye, antique linen, and walnut stain distress inks to give a slight distress look to each of the layers.  I pulled out some Basic Grey patterned paper and layered it with Always Artichoke and Chocolate Chip card stock.  The rest is pretty self-explanatory. 

I am so thrilled with how this whole thing came together.  It obviously isn't going to be my fall-back holiday card (I would have had to start back in April to color them all)... but I may make a few more that are similar for the very special people on my list. 

Here's to a FABULOUS week.  Thanks for stopping by!
Colleen

Friday Featured Card... by TheresaCC

Good Afternoon!  I would have posted earlier, but today's card is a doosie... and it took me a while to get mine done.

I was browsing the SCS uploads yesterday and came across this gorgeous card by TheresaCC. It immediately caught my eye (and apparently lots of other eyes too).  I fell in love with the colors and the great distressing that was done on it.  After studying it for a bit, I realized that the layout was completely new to me and really was interesting.  (She has a mini-tutorial on her blog about how to make that awesome swirly border for the sentiment oval HERE.)  I decided that this was going to be my Friday Featured Card.  I didn't even go any further in the uploads.  I knew that this was the one for today!

I wasn't sure if I was inspired more by the colors (I have a color thing) or by the neat layout.  I figured that I wanted to try the layout... so off I went.  I started out by picking an image for the focal point oval.  I had the adorable Sugar Nellie knight stamp all colored with silvers, blues, and greens... and it fit perfectly, so I cut that out and prepared all my layers.  (I sponged weathered wood, china blue, and shabby shutters distress inks onto each layer of card stock.  I texturized the green layer with a screen pattern, and I mounted each layer on a piece of black card stock.) 

 I then made the big bow with silver wide organdy, thin blue grosgrain, and a piece of silver cord.  When I started putting my card together, I realized that the bow was too girlie for the knight image.  What to do, what to do???  I decided I liked the feminine look today, so I went in search of a more suitable image.  I came across this bird from my new Inkadinkadoo set and figured it would work.  I stamped it on white with black pigment ink and then sponged shabby shutters distress ink over it to cover the white.  Then, I set to work painstakingly cutting it out.  A few of the swirls at the bottom didn't survive the sharp blades, but I think it looks okay.   I fancied it up by adding some stamped swirls on the blue layer and the blue grosgrain ribbon on the left. 

If you look closely, you can see that I moved a few of the layers around a bit from Theresa's layout.  I do that a lot.  I have an original idea in mind and cut out all the pieces... and then I play around with them and move the around.  I moved the smaller blue layer off-center a bit to give me a more room for my sentiment (from Verve).

While it took me longer than I expected, I really like the results.  Thanks Theresa for inspiring me to be creative today.

Before I sign off for the weekend I just want to add a quick public service announcement (read - advertisement for my class...) LOL

My Everything Copic class starts on Monday!  Time is running out and it is filling up fast.  If you are interested in learning "EVERYTHING COPIC" hope on over to My Creative Classroom and sign up HERE.

Have a Super Duper Weekend!
Hugs,
colleen