Distinctive Touches

MIC Recolor Challenge

I'm always telling my students NOT to compare their work with other students.  I think that is unproductive and can lead to all sorts of conflicting emotions.  While I think it's good to use other people's work as inspiration, I definitely think it's more productive to compare yourself with... yourself!  LOL

Our challenge over at Make It Crafty right now is to do exactly that.  Take an image that you colored previously (preferably a few months past) and recolor it.  It's a GREAT learning challenge and no matter how advanced you are in your coloring skills, there is always room for improvement!

Here are my samples for the challenge. 

I colored the Cheery Santa digi image about 6 months ago. (Image on the left.)  It was okay.  I didn't really do anything wrong in my coloring, but I sure left room for improvement!  Look at the image on the right.  That's my re-color of the same image for the challenge!  Just look at the difference in contrast!  The re-color is MUCH darker and I payed attention and added cast shadows too! 

Here are both colored images on cards.  While I am not all that fond of the "drab" coloring on the first card, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the layout! 

 
And while I love the coloring (and added detail of the scene) of the second card, I am not as fond of the layout!  LOL 

I guess the next step is to color up Cheery Santa again... using lots of contrast and more realistic skin tones (like the second attempt) and put him in the layout from the first attempt. 

Like I said... it's always a learning experience!

Stop in the MIC gallery to see what others are doing and learning from their re-color challenge.

____________________________________________________

Copic Colors used in original
Skin: E00/E02
Beard and Fur Trim: C1/C3
Red: R22/R24/R27/R29
Black: C1/C3/C5/C7

Copic Colors used in the re-colorSkin: E00/E21/E34/E93/BV01Bear: W00/W1
Fur Trim: C00/C1/C3/C5Red: R22/R24/R29/R59/RV99Black: C00/C1/C3/C5/C7/C9
Tree: BG10/G40/G82/Y00
Snow: BG0000/YG31
Bricks: E93/E97/E99/E44/0
Sky: BG70/BG72/0

 

 

Thursday Throwdown - Collage It!

Sorry about not posting yesterday.  I had class in the morning and then spent about two and a half hours in the dentist's chair.  My caps (for my front two teeth) finally came in... AND I had to have another cap replaced!  I had root canal on another tooth about a year ago and on Monday night half of that crown fell off... I was finally able to get in yesterday and have ALL of the work done.  Now I've got my permanent front teeth in and a temporary cap on in the back. 

Enough with the tooth talk... let's talk throw downs! 

I've been on a collage kick this week, so I figured it would be a good challenge to throw down.  I CHALLENGE YOU TO MAKE A STAMPED COLLAGED CARD/PROJECT!  There... I said it, it's done!  You're challenged.

To help you out, I did my Technique Tuesday post this week showing just how to create these lovely cards... and guess what?  They are EASY!  Go ahead, try it!!! (And then email me a photo or post a link to your results!)

Here's my sample.  I was completely in the "collage groove" when I made this.  I actually built the card around a black and white party coaster that I had left over from a birthday.  I was actually going to incorporate it into the card, but it didn't seem to want to play with the other elements. 

I used vanilla, Sahara sand, and black card stock.  The main sentiment is actually a clear sticker that I applied over the vanilla CS.  Each layer is "collage stamped" and sponged with distress ink and then layered in Sahara Sand.  (Looking at it now, I realize that I had planned on adding a third matted layer in black.  DARN!)

A few puffy, black stickers and photo corners and some black jewels finish off this one.  I was aiming for sophisticated and elegant with a manly flair. 

Now it's your turn!  Collage me a card!!!  READY - SET - GO!!!!

Last week's challenge resulted in this pretty product from Janine.  She definitely puts the "girl" in "girlie" with this card.  It's just stunning!  Thanks Janine for playing!

Hugs all! Thanks for stopping in.
colleen

Thursday Throwdown - Girlie Girl!

I'm Late... I'm Late... for a very important date! 

With YOU all...

Sorry I'm a bit behind on today's post.  I was feeling a bit ookie last night and most of today, so I took it easy and curled up on the couch to rest.  I'm feeling a tad bit better now, so I thought I'd hop on-line and throw you today's challenge!  Are you ready??? 

It's time to be a Girlie Girl!  Those of you who know me know that this is TRULY a challenge for me.  I'm rough and tumble, tom-boy all the way... and yet, every once-in-a-while I enjoy a bit of femininity... and so today's throwdown is to make a card (or any other type of creative project) that is full of sugar and spice and everything nice... you know, all the frills and the ribbons and the pretty-in-pink stuff.  LOL

Here's my card for the challenge.  This adorable Sarah Kay stamp from Stampavie is one of my favorites to use for love/anniversary/wedding kind of cards, and it was just too sweet to pass up for this challenge.  I colored the image with my Copics - of course... have I used anything else lately???  (Are you all interested in knowing exactly what colors I use on my images or would I be boring you with details?  I tend to use a LOT of colors...) 

The pink and brown patterned paper is from Basic Grey (Phoebe I think).  I was planning on using a piece with bright flowers on it, but this one just sort of looked right.  I used Pomegranate, Pixie Pink, and Chocolate Chip card stock for my layers.  Of course, I couldn't do girlie without a bunch of scallops and polka-dots.  The two hearts are grungeboard pieces that I painted with Claudine Hellmuth's new studio paints and then gave them a thin layer of Pearl for a bit of shimmer.  The sentiment is an old/retired SU Valentine's Day set... it just seemed to fit... so again, I went with it.

I almost went completely feminine and added stickles, but I didn't want the card to be too over-the-top, so I resisted.  I think it will make a wonderful anniversary card for a friend of mine.

There you have it - Today's Throwdown... GET GIRLIE!  I know for some of you this will be a snap... and others, well.. that's why it's called a challenge!

 Eons ago, when I did my last challenge (before the hustle and bustle of the holidays took over), I challenged you to find a long lost stamp and use it.  I am thrilled to finally share this submission.  Dina sent this in... isn't it GORGEOUS?  Dina is the gal that did my watermarks (which I LOVE) and I have to admit that I am totally jealous of her water coloring skills!  She's AMAZING!  Thanks Dina for playing along.

Have a wonderful rest of the day.
Hugs,
colleen

Thursday Throwdown - Blog Hopping

Morning all... just a quickie this morning before I'm off and running. 

I haven't had time to get crafty in the last few days, so I have nothing new to show you... but I DO have a challenge for you...

Head on over to one of these "challenge" blogs and join in on the fun.  Whether you enjoy color challenges, sketch challenges, specific manufacturer challenges... there's something for everyone.

• 2 Sketches 4 You
• ABC Challenge
• Color Throwdown
• Cute Card Thursday
• Inchie INKlings
• Our Creative Corner
• Papertake Weekly Challenge
• Sarah Kay Challenges
• sketch saturday
• Stamp Something
• Tilda & Co Challenge Blog
• Whiff of Joy Challenge

There's a ton more "Challenge" sites out there, but these are some of my favorites.

Have a wonderful day!
colleen

Thursday Throwdown - Long Lost Stamps!

Morning peeps!  It's time for another challenge here at Distinctive Touches.  Since I used my "challenge card" for yesterday's post, I decided to keep with the same theme for today's challenge and make another card. 

I've been feeling a little guilty lately about how many stamps I own... you would think with over 300 sets that I would be able to use a different one each day... but nope, I have my favorites and stick to the same 30 or so most of the time.  What a shame! 

So today's challenge was to use a stamp that I haven't used in a LONG time.  Yesterday I used Roses in Winter.  Even though I don't use it a lot, it IS one of my very favorites for making sympathy cards or wedding cards.

  To make sure I really challenged myself, I dug through a bin of "miscellaneous" stamps I have tucked away in the back of my stash.  I came up with this adorable Stacked Holiday Friends from Provo Craft.  

OMG... this stamp is over 10 years old!  And I don't think I've ever inked it up!  I have no idea why... it is just so darn adorable!  I knew right away that this was the image I wanted to use for today's challenge.  The card turned out way cuter than I originally had hoped... I measured and cut all the pieces and started laying them out when it struck me that I could use this as a strip along the side if I flipped the card over (I originally had it tall).  So, a few minor changes and here are the results.  I LOVE it! I colored the image with my Copics and stamped the sentiment from Lizzy Anne Designs (also a stamp that I haven't used in over a year).  I added some texture to the saffron layer with my cuttlebug Dots folder and brushed white pigment ink over the top to make the dots stand out a bit more.  Some faux stitching and a quick ribbon tie pull it all together.  I added a tiny speck of sparkle to the star on the tree with some Stickles and the snowman is 3-D with a coating of matte glossy accents.

I'm SO excited about this card... I think I may have to start mass-producing these for some of my holiday cards.  What do you think?  Is this image a keeper?

Thanks to Jay Bee (Janine) for playing along with last week's "cut it out" challenge.  She posted this fun card... now THAT'S a lot of sparkle...Vegas style! 

To play along with my Thursday Throwdowns, just leave a comment in this post with a link to your card or email me a photo. 

Hope you all have a fan-tabulous day.  Thanks for stopping by!
colleen

Thursday Throwdown - Cut It Out!

 Ahhhhh, Thursday morning.  Up bright and early to walk the dogs.  There is a nip in the air (although it is supposed to get up into the 70's today) and the neighborhood is quiet.  That is... Until we stumble upon some deer quietly drinking by the stream.  Then, all of our pups calm submission goes out the window and he becomes MASTER HUNTER!  He is just so darn curious about every other animal out there... he thinks they all should be his friends.  (Tell that to the stray cat that we also scared up out of the woods.) 

When we got back from our walk, the horses (from the field behind our house) were visiting, so of course Takeo and Akira wanted to go and have a chat...  I took some pictures of the horses munching happily away while my dogs went barking and running in circles (showoffs).  I'll have to share them with you as soon as I get them uploaded.

So... that was my morning.  How about you?  Having a good one?  I sure hope so.

How about a challenge?  Are you up for it? 

Today's challenge is a fun one... (aren't they all?)  I want you to cut it out.  LITERALLY!  Your challenge is to use an element on your card/project that is cut out... and popped up.  I like dimension! 

You can cut out the whole image, one part of the image, or cut the image up into parts and paper piece it back together... totally up to you.  I just want you to cut it out today! 

Here's my sample.  I got some new stamps from High Hopes a while back and finally got to ink them up.  I figured this scarecrow would make the perfect "cut it out" card.  I stamped the image on white card stock and colored the wooden cross, the grass, and the wheat stalks with my Copic markers.  I then stamped it again and colored the scarecrow.  I then cut the scarecrow part out and popped it up over the original image.  He looks so darling.. just hanging around.  LOL  I  did a bit of faux stitching around the edges and cut the sentiment in half (also from High Hopes) and popped that up also.  

What a fun card this was to make!  I just love the look of paper piecing... I hope you play along.

Last week I challenged you to get your butt in gear and kick out a few holiday cards.  Here are some of the wonderful creations that were submitted.

Janine (Jay Bee) made this "homey" holiday greeting for friends.  I just love the rounded corners and the way she did the ribbon bow... cool!

Mom sent a bunch (she's on top of things) and I picked this one to share today.  I think it looks so elegant!  The embossing is gorgeous and the sparkly ribbon really is a nice touch.

 And Jessica Fick (JessJean) shared this adorable card with us (it's a sneak peak at one of the new releases for Gina K).  Those carolers are just soooooo funky!  Love it.

Thanks for sharing gals... and thanks you all for stopping in.  I'll see you back here (same time, same place) tomorrow to share my Featured Card.  Hope you all have a GREAT day!

hugs,

colleen

Thursday Throwdown - Holiday Color Combo

Thursdays are quickly becoming a busy, busy day for me.  I teach my water fitness class at 1:00 which seems to cut right into the middle of my day.  Good thing I'm turning into a morning person and hauling my butt out of bed every morning at 6:00... otherwise I'd never get anything done.

Today I have an easy challenge for you.  (Well, not too easy.. otherwise it wouldn't be a challenge now would it?)  It sort of hit me that the holidays are just around the corner and I haven't even started to make preparations.  Usually, I have a bunch of holiday cards all made up and ready to send out on December 1st... this year... I haven't even had a thought in my mind about holiday cards!  Oey, Vey!  I need to get a movin' on that!

And since I KNOW I'm not the only one who hasn't started working on their holiday cards... I figured what better way to help my readers than by challenging them to GET STARTED!

That's right... today's challenge is to show me one of your holiday cards.  (From THIS year folks... no cheating and showing me one from last year...hoping that I won't notice! LOL) 

I like to make a bunch of different designs for the holidays.  If I try to make 100 of the same card, I get bored after the first 5... so I like to change them up.  Some "easy peasy" cards for my general acquaintances and some super-duper-fan-tabulous creations for my fav. friends and family.  Here's a sample of one of my easy-peasy cards for this year.  Super Simple... yet I still think it looks nice. 

Now my super-duper-fan-tabulous creations?  Well, let's just say I'm still working on them.  I have one that I'm coloring the image for... and so far I have spent over 4 hours on it... so yeah... that's not one I'll do a bunch of!  (I'll share that one with you when I get it done... oh, sometime around December 24th!)

So show me your holiday cards!!!!  (Don't have them started... Get On It... I challenge you!)

Two weeks ago I challenged you all to share your fall creations, and I did get a few takers.

 Janine B made this gorgeous card for the challenge.  I am just in awe of that stunning background girl!

And my mom made this sweet "Seasons Frame" (fall shown) as a class for her customers.  I just love how it turned out mom... simply FALL-Tastic!

Remember to email me photos or make a link to your sample if you decide to play this week. 

Until tomorrow!

Colleen

Thursday Throwdown - Fall is Here!

Welcome Back!  I'm so excited to bring you another Thursday Throwdown!!!  For those of you who are new, each Thursday I like to challenge my readers to try a little something new... sometimes it is a sketch, sometimes a color combination, sometimes a theme... and sometimes I just go all out and challenge them to step outside the box. 

Fall has been fast approaching for most areas of the US... although here in Oklahoma I've been able to ignore it as I bask in the 75-80 degree temps.  Today... that all changed!  After a very chilly night, I woke to temps in the 40's... Brrrrrrr!  I figured once the sun came up it would warm back up.  NOPE...  42 it is... I guess fall finally found me! 

So, to help "usher" it in, my challenge today is to make a FALL card.  Use fall colors, use fall patterned papers or stamps, make a card in a fall shape... whatever you want... just celebrate FALL! 

My card is pretty simple.  (After all, my poor numb fingers don't move so well and I can't seem to get my liquid glue to thaw enough to add more embellishments... just kidding!) 

I actually saw this sketch and loved it... I think it was Beate's from two week's ago or something.  Anyway... I used some Della Fantasia paper from The Paper Studio for this one.  Very rustic and fallish... they were perfect.  I distressed each of the layers (yup... that's my new thing now) and stamped a simple "smile" across the orange strip.  To add just a little pizzaz to the card, I cut out one of the star shapes from the paper and popped it up on the card.  Easy Peasy...

Now it's your turn!  I challenge you... Make It Fall!  (Remember to add a link to your card in the comments or email me a photo so I can share!)

Hugs,

Colleen