Distinctive Touches

CardMaker - Coloring Red

Are you ready for another tutorial? 

Head on over to the CardMaker Blog today to check out my latest post... How to Color Red. 

Thanks for stopping in!

CardMaker - Painting a Picture

Thanks for stopping in yesterday!  Hopefully you popped over to Kristy's blog to check out my "adding patterns" tutorial... and signed up for a chance to win the new book! (What?  You haven't?  Well what are you waiting for... GO....)

Today I'm sending you on another blog trip... I'd love it if you headed over to the CardMaker blog to check out my post from yesterday... another tutorial... showing you how to create this gorgeous card by painting with your Copics!

Hope you are enjoying the wonderful fall color.  I'm gearing up for my trip to Eugene, OR and our annual Copic team meeting.  LOVE meeting up with the girls and spending time in the beautiful North West. 

Thanks for stopping in - have a colorful day!

How to Add Pattern - SOG

Today's the day... I'm the featured poster over at The Odd Girl blog...

Head on over and check out my tutorial for "How to Add Patterns" to clothing... and see just how I created cute Kaylee's wardrobe!

*Supply list posted on Kristy's blog

Oh, and there just might be something in it for YOU too! 

Copic Watercolor Background

Happy Friday! 

A few months ago (okay... quite a few months ago) I posted on my blog about the "watercolor" artwork that I made for my bedroom using Copics.   (See Post HERE)

 

Here's another sample of the background made into a card...

When Beate Johns saw the samples, she asked me to create a tutorial for Splitcoaststamers... and after all this time, I finally did! 

Please head on over to SCS to check out the step-by-step photo tutorial for this technique as well as a follow along video tutorial. 

I love the abstract quality of this technique and I can't wait to see all of the unique projects made with it! 

Thanks for stopping in!

MIC Copic Coloring Tutorial - Coloring Foliage

I did it!!! 

My first post over on the new Make It Crafty blog...featuring a Coloring Tutorial. 

Click HERE to stop over and read my Coloring Foliage Tutorial and see how I colored up this adorable image!

Thanks for stopping by - have a Colorful Day!

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!

Make It Crafty Challenge - Coloring Red!

Reds...  a dreaded hue for some color artists.  I always tell my students that red is stubborn and needs a little extra lovin' to behave.  LOL

The challenge at Make It Crafty for the next two weeks is to COLOR RED!  Pick your medium...  pick your image... pick your shade... just pick red.  Just in time for Valentines Day!

I colored up this simple card for the challenge (simple layout... more challenging coloring).  I merged Sophie Daydreaming and Park Bench for Two digis to create the scene. 

There are a LOT of different ways to tackle coloring red, so I decided to share a photo tutorial of how I colored her sweater - to give you an idea of my coloring process.

Colors Used:

Step 1: Apply a base coat of the lightest shade.  (R22) Leave any highlights white.

Step 2:  Add shading with a medium/medium dark maker.  (R46) 

 

Step 3: Add a bit of lighter marker (R24) and blend out slightly.

 

Step 4: Add darker shading (R39) and then blend backwards with lighter markers (R46/R24).  I don't ever come back in with the very lightest until the very last step.

 

 Step 5: Add more shadows with darker R59.

 

Step 6: Blend backwards (R39/R46/R24) Using very little ink and letting layers dry a bit in between to avoid over-saturating the paper.

Step 7: Using the lightest color (R22) very gently go over the white highlighted areas.  Do not go over multiple times or try to blend.  Keep these very light.

Step 8: Add cast shadows with RV99 and a tiny bit of B39.  Do NOT blend out. 

Step 9: Here I added texture to her sweater by spritzing a dish towel with colorless blender and holding it onto the colored image.  (Notice I colored her skin already... if other areas are colored, be VERY careful so as not to texturize an area you want smooth.) I also have a tiny bit of bleeding in between her arms.  I am not going to try to fix this with the colorless blender as it will only make it worse.  I am going to be coloring the bench dark browns, so that should cover up the stray red marks.

And then... I colored up her skirt and hair...

 And then I gave her somewhere to sit...

And finished off by airbrushing in a sky.

There you have it... it's not as hard as you might think... just give it a try! Head on over to the Make It Crafty Gallery for other "coloring red" samples from the DT and to upload your own!  I wanna see...

Have a Colorful day!

CardMaker Blog - Coloring Flowers!

Head on over to the CardMaker Blog today to see a step-by-step tutorial on how I colored the flower bouquet for her hair!

________________________________________________________________________________________

Project Supplies
Stamp:         Sweet Pea Stamps - ©Karen Middleton's Rosarna
                    Verve (sentiment)
Ink:              Tsukineko Memento- Tuxedo Black
Cardstock:   Bazzill Basics Paper – Raven, Sugar Cookie, Pinkini
                   X-Press It Blending Card
Markers:      skin – E50/E30/E21/E34/E04/C93
                   hair – B41/C3/C5/C7/C9/ black multiliner
                   leaves – YG00/G43/G46
                   flowers – Y00/RV00/RV52/RV55/RV69
Die Shapes:  My Favorite Things – Open Scallop Doily
                   Spellbinders Paper Arts – Standard Circles
Other:         Copic ABS
                   Sizzix Texture Folder – Textile
                   fabric flowers
                   sponge
                   Foam tape

 

 

I'm a Goddess!

That's right... I'm a Goddess!  At least I felt that way when my sweet friend Julianna Hudgins called me with some exciting news and a special request to participate in the Spellbinders Abilities and Beyond Blog Frenzy.

The Spellbinders Abilities and Beyond Blog Frenzy runs from January 12-20, 2012.

Each day, our fabulous designers will introduce one or more Spellbinders products.  Winners will be randomly drawn to receive all of that day’s newly revealed products! Enter from each designer’s blog, on the scheduled days, to be eligible for the Grand Prize!

Enter to win brand new Spellbinders products!

See Official Rules at Spellbinders (HERE)

Visit the Spellbinders Blog each day for links to the participating blogs.

Visit Julianna's blog and follow her specific instructions for entry.  Her post is open for entries from 12:00 am, January 13, 2012, until 11:59 pm, January 14, 2012, EST.

_____________________________________________________________

Julianna recently announced her partnership with Spellbinders Paper Arts... as a licenced designer for a new line of dies that are FAN-TAB-U-LOUS!  OMG... so unlike anything that is out there... so fresh, so unique, so... Julianna!  She asked if I would like to take part in the reveal of her new line and I jumped at the chance.   

3 of Julianna's new sets: Jewel Treasures, Jewel Goddess, Jewel Stones! (Jewel Font, Jewel Keys & Jewel Fantasies will also be revealed at Winter CHA.)

Here's a quick background... I met Julianna in Puerto Rico almost 2 years ago when we were both teaching at an event there.  I was just starting out as a business person in the crafting industry and completely overwhelmed and boggled at the whole thing.  Julianna and I clicked instantly.  She generously took me under her wing and has been my mentor and friend ever since... helping me grow into the confident business woman and artist that I am today. 

Why is that story important to the release?  Well... because my favorite die set in the new line is called Jewel Goddess.  It is this amazing mix of feminine, tribal, voluptuous curves that represent woman - goddess... and there is no one in the world that represents woman power like Julianna.  She not only is a goddess herself, but she empowers other women to find and embrace their own inner goddess... just like she did for me. 

I have a few favorite "inspirational - feel good" quotes that I wanted to make into cards, and I knew this reveal was the perfect opportunity to pull them out.  I created three separate cards (with similar lines and feel) that I can send out to women in my life who need to embrace their inner goddess!

Here's a quick tutorial for making them...

1.  Supplies Needed:

• Computer printed sentiment or stamped verse
• vellum
• Jewels Goddess die
• 2-3 Copic Various Inks
• Colorless Blender (not pictured)
• Sponge or inking tool
• black cardstock (base and matting)
• white cardstock
• multiliner (black)

2.  Apply 1-2 drops of each color ink onto inking tool.

3.  Apply 1 quick squeeze of colorless blender onto inking tool. 

4.  Pounce inking tool onto surface with quote or sentiment.  (Re-ink if necessary) 

5.  Make sure enough surface is inked to cover die cut area.

6.  Die cut inked quote with Jewel Goddess. 

7.  Adhere cut goddess shape to black cardstock and trim a thin border. 

8.  Repeat steps 2 and 3 and pounce onto vellum. 

9.  Fold vellum in half and draw a wing shape.

10.  Cut out wing shape and attach it to the back of the matted quote.  

11.  Attach to the middle of a piece of white cardstock with foam tape, doodle a frame around the edges and adhere to a black card base. 

Talk about simple... and meaningful!  Here are two of the other cards in the set... using the same inking technique on both Zentangled goddess shapes and on vellum for flames. 

I want to thank Julianna and Spellbinders for this chance to join in her celebration and share my own inner goddess with you all!  (Dies can be found at your local Scrapbook, Craft & Hobby stores. Visit www.spellbinderspaperarts.com for store locations.)

Check out these other amazing designers to see what they did with Julianna's new designs. 

Tiffany Windsor

Katie Hacker

Linda Peterson

Colleen Schaan (you are here)

Suze Weinberg

Spellbinder's Blog

Missy Brozek (Crafters Home)

 ____________________________________________________________

 I love your comments! Unfortunately your comment does not count as an entry, so be sure to visit Julianna's Blog and follow her instuctions for an official entry.

Thank you for visiting and good luck!!

Spellbinders is a trademark of Spellbinders Paper Arts, llc.

Grand Calibur is a registered trademark of Spellbinders Paper Arts, llc

 

 

A New Way to Use Your Copics!

I can finally share one of the projects that I've been working on... Copic Acrylic Skins!

Yes... this was done with Copics!  Isn't it cool?  A totally new and unique way to use Copic markers and ink. 

I have a full write up and photo tutorial HERE on the Copic blog.  Check it out - and then give it a try!  I'd love to see how YOU use Copic Acrylic Skins!

 

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

__________________________________________________

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...

_________________________________________________________

 

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. 

_________________________________________________________

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. 

_________________________________________________________

  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!

_________________________________________________________

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.

_________________________________________________________

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. 

_________________________________________________________

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.

_________________________________________________________

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. 

_________________________________________________________

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

________________________________________________________________________

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 ________________________________________________________________________

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.

 

 

 

 

________________________________________________________________________

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.

 

 

 

 ________________________________________________________________________

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ________________________________________________________________________

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.

 

 

 

 

 ________________________________________________________________________

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!

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.

A Cool (or Warm) Copic Technique!

Today's post is part of the Designer Crafts Blog Connection group.  The first Monday of every month we have a topic and a number of amazing designers post projects and insight into their very own crafting world.

Today we are all sharing our favorite techniques.  Of course, mine is all about Copics!  LOL

Many people LOVE the bright, vibrant colors that are possible with Copic markers.  And while that is definitely ONE of my favorite things about them, sometimes I just don't want that super vibrancy... I want a more toned down look. 

That's where all of those grays come in!  :)

Here's a sample of an image I colored using R22/R24/R27/R29/B12/B24/B26/B28/Y08/Y23/Y35.  Notice how bright the colors are...

Well, the card stock I wanted to pair it with was NOT quite so vibrant... so I pulled out my neutral gray markers!  After adding some gray to the colors to tone down the saturation, I ended up with this...
Notice how the colors are now just a bit less vibrant...  more subtle?  That's what the grays can do! 

I've got a video showing and explaining the whole process HERE on my YouTube channel. 

And here is the image used in a project... it's one of the cards I'll be making on my Florida tour later this month! (Stamp by Stampavie, card stock by Bazzill Basics)

Thanks for stopping by... make sure to check out all of the other fabulous designer's favorite tips by clicking on the link below!

[ DC Connection ]
[ Hop back ] [ Hop forward ]

Splitcoast Product Review!

I'm sorry I've been AWOL for a bit.  I've been organizing a Florida Book Signing Tour, Prepping for the new Copic Mixed Media Event, and teaching some amazing folks in Columbus, OH at my standard and intermediate certification classes. 

(a sneak peak at a mixed media project in progress)

This morning I'd like to share another new venture that has been keeping me busy... the Splitcoaststampers Product Review Team! 

Our very first product review is happening today over at Splitcoast...so stop over there and check out what everyone thought. Click HERE for the product focus review!

The product we reviewed was totally new to me... Daily Window.  The company has all sorts of "window" bags, totes, and accessories that can be decorated in any way imaginable!  A very cool concept for crafters, artists, schools, and home businesses. 

I reviewed their Eight Days a Week bag and a their Design Cube.  I have to say...  I was completely impressed with the quality of these products!  I have used other types of "craft bags" in the past and was never really happy with the quality or the practicality of them.  The Daily Window products BLEW all of those others out of the water.  I have not gone a day without using my Eight Days A Week bag and I've got my Design Cubes displayed prominently in my studio. 

Head on over to Splitcoast to read my full review and see what the rest of the team has to say about Daily Window products.  Visit the gallery for samples of our work and check out the tutorial and video I created to help YOU make your very own shadowbox HERE!

Thanks for stopping in... I'll be back soon!

Final Fabulous Friend! My Favorite Things

Good morning!  I'm back with some more FABULOUSNESS from My Favorite Things! 

This week I colored up two of the cutest images in the Pure Innocence line... 

The first sample uses the image Love You With All My Heart.  This little gal has a HUGE heart and she's perfect for sending loving messages to anyone in your life. 

I paired her up with a saying from the Clearly Sentimental About You set.  (LOVE THESE!) And I've got three more videos this week showing the steps for coloring her.  You can see them by clicking on the links below. 

My Favorite Things - My Heart Is At Your Service - The Coloring Code and Basic Blending.

My Favorite Things - My Heart is At Your Service - Coloring Skin and Hair

My Favorite Things - My Heart is At Your Service - Beyond the Coloring Code Blends

I did add some things to the image once the videos were done... like some textured detail on her dress that I created with a sky blue multiliner and some dots of Opaque White.  I then paired the colored image with dark blue card stock and created a scallop border with the  Die-namics open scallop die and added a layer of patterned paper from Basic Grey. 

 

My second sample uses Ladybug... probably my all time favorite MFT image. 

This little lady is just adorable!  I don't have separate videos for coloring her up, but I do have a video link where I colored her as part of a live-web show interview that I did back in February.  You can view that at the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RG-r8XmJtU

For this card, I colored her up and paired her with red, black, and gray card stock.  I love the way the polka-dots on the card stock mimic the dots on the body!    I used three of the dies in the Layered Labels Die-namics set along with the sweet sentiment.  I wanted to keep the whole thing fairly simple, but I wanted something fun, so I added her antenna with curls of wire so they would pop off the page.

I want to thank Kim and the crew over at My Favorite Things for letting me join them this month as a Fab Friend.  I have had so much fun coloring and making videos with these amazing images.  If you'd like to learn a bit more about me, you can head on over to the MFT Blog for a final posting and my answer to yet another interview question. 

Thanks for stopping by... and have a colorful day!

 

MFT - Fab Friend Friday!

It's me again... your favorite FAB FRIEND!  LOL

This week I want to share some cards that I made with some of my very favorite images.  I am in LOVE with My Favorite Thing's Pure Innocence line of stamps.  They are just sooooo sweet and a joy to color (which as you know is sort of my thing! LOL). 

This first card is made with the little girl from the My Balloon set.  I actually cut the balloon out and then squiggled a wire between her hand and the balloon so it had a 3D quality.  The balloon is popped up on foam tape.  The bright colors and the sweet little girl just made me happy... so that's what I put as the sentiment.  (I used the Layered Labels Die-namics for this.. uber easy!)

And for a little treat for you... I decided to create a video for this next image.  I am always asked about my coloring, so I thought I'd tape myself while coloring the image and share with you.  Of course, I didn't do a lot of editing, so I ramble a bit and it ended up being sort of long.  I split it into 4 videos... each about 4 or 5 minutes long... so you could see what I do. Nothing elaborate... just something simple to get you started.

You can see the videos on my Youtube channel - just started one... will be adding lots of videos in the months to come... or just click on the links below.

Video #1 - Coloring The Skin

Video #2 - Coloring The Dress

Video #3 - Coloring The Hair and Details

Video #4 - The Finishing Touches

 

And here's the final image on a card. 

 
I used the adorable little youngster from the Make Mine a Double set for this card along with the Die-namics Open Scallop Border.  Ice cream always reminds me of summer... and the 4th of July... so I went with a red/white/blue color scheme for this one.  Isn't it sweet?

Head on over to the My Favorite Thing Blog today for another "Behind the Scenes" question and answer session. 

Thanks for stopping by!

A Copic Tutorial at SCS

Good morning!  It's an early one today, but I wanted to do a quick post before I head off to the gym. 

I have been promising videos and tutorials... and well, I finally have one to share! 

If you look closely, you can see that there is a Wednesday Tutorial over at Splitcoast for Colorless Blender Bleaching, my very first tutorial over there!  (Also my very first YouTube video!!!)

You can check out the tutorial and video HERE at Splitcoaststampers.

I'd love to see YOUR take on the technique... so give it a try and upload it to the GALLERY there!

Thanks for stopping by and have a GREAT day!

A Botanical Technique Hop - Copic Color Washout

Welcome! 

Tonight GinaK Designs is featuring the new Botanicals stamp set with a special technique themed blog hop event!  I'm so excited to share my technique with you... I call it the Copic Color Washout.  Really, it's very similar to bleaching... but with a colorful Copic twist!  LOL

You will need:

• Copic ABS system
• Copic Marker(s) - I'm using G63 and G67
• white card stock - I'm using GinaK Luxury #80 
• bold or solid stamp image - I'm using one of the flower images from the Botanicals set
• Copic colorless blender solution in a small spray bottle

Step 1:

Apply Copic ink onto card stock using the ABS unit.  I like to apply the ink is a mottled pattern to give it a look of texture.  You can use as many colors as you like.  Here I am using a light and a medium green.

Step 2:

Lightly spritz the stamp with the colorless blender solution.  Two quick pumps should be enough. 

Step 3:

Stamp the image onto the inked card stock.  Hold the stamp down (without rocking) for about 4-5 seconds.  When you remove the stamp, the colorless blender solution will have removed/lightened/pushed the color from the stamped image. 

Step 4:  

Repeat steps 2 and 3 to complete the final image.  (Note - you may need to wipe off the stamp in between stamping so as not to transfer any ink.)  

Finish Card...

And I had such a great time doing this simple technique that I decided to whip up a second sample using browns! 

 

I hope you enjoyed my mini-tutorial!  Please visit these designer's blogs for their project using a variety of techniques all made with the Botanicals stamp set:

• Jessica Fick
• Suzanne Dean
• Colleen Schaan
• Bev Gerard
• Jennie Harper
• Sharri Seffens
• Donna Baker
• Lee Murphy
• Nina Brackett
• Erika Martin
• Brenda Turner
• Giovana Smith
• Tina Gilliland
• Carla Suto
• Linda Payne
• Kay Simmons
• Vicki Dutcher
• Karen Knegten

For even more samples with the Botanicals stamp set, visit the StampTV gallery here: botanicals.  To view more information about the free card kit that is included with the purchase of the Botanicals stamp set, click here.

Thank You, News, Flicking Tutorial... oh, and a Copic Giveaway!!!!

Comments are still open if you would like to comment on the post and tutorial,
but the Blog Candy Contest is now closed. 

I have SO much to share with you today... I'm like a bubbling brook... ready to overflow it's banks!  LOL

First, I have to thank Lynn Lloyd and the fan-tabulous ladies at The Stamp Shack for allowing me to come into their store and their lives and share my love of Copics.  I taught 11 classes over a three day period to a jam-packed store... it was SO much fun!  I can't wait to go back - but I'm thinking that we might want to rent a tent next time to expand out into the parking lot!  LOL

I also have to tell you that I taught my very first Copic Certification Class on Monday!  I was SO nervous - but the gals in the class were astounding... so very enthusiastic and attentive!  They even laughed at my corny jokes and silly dancing!  LOL  I had so much fun that I can't wait for my next one! 

Speaking of that... my next certification class is now open to the public!  I will be teaching a Copic certification class in Birmingham, AL on Friday, May 14th.  Applications are now open to craft enthusiasts...so if you have been waiting to sign up... time is limited!  Do it now!  You can see a list of all currently open classes HERE on the Copic site. 

And that leads me into my next little bit of exciting news...  I am SO thrilled to announce that Jenn Balcer (part of the famous face of Splitcoast) has agreed to join our Regional Certification Team!!!  Woot-Woot!!!  Jenn will be working with Sharon Harnist to cover the great state of Texas.  I know she will do an amazing job... she is SO uber talented!

To welcome Jenn to the team - we obviously have to have a celebration...so let's give something away!  How about a 24pc Copic Wallet!!!  (sorry - markers not included LOL)  This is the perfect way to transport 24 of your FAVORITE colors to a crop or take them to the beach or to your next doctor's appointment.

Post a comment telling me where your favorite place to "get crafty" is... to be entered into the drawing.  I will be ending comments and drawing a winner at midnight Saturday (24th).  

For me... I like to get crafty just about anywhere... but my "temporary studio" is my favorite crafty place and I was able to sneak a few minutes of time tonight to do a little tutorial for you.

______________________________________________________________

Copic Blending 101 - Flicking

One of the easiest ink application techniques is called flicking.  It is a way of applying layers of color AND blending all at the same time... and it creates beautiful effects. 

Here's a flick...

 

Notice how the top and bottom flick are nice and smooth and the middle flick has a blob on the end?  Try not to blob... 

Basically the flicking motion is snapping your fingers and wrist in a motion that brings the marker tip down to the surface of the paper, across, and up all in a super quick movement.  Remember that blob?  That's because I didn't have my flicking going fast enough and I set the marker tip on the paper for a quick second before stroking it to the side and up.  Remember to get it moving BEFORE it touches the paper. 

Okay... so we start coloring like normal... apply a layer of the lightest color.  This stamp is HUGE (seriously - it's as large as my whole hand) so I am only coloring one wing at a time - remember... wet on wet to blend well.

 

Now I start flicking!  I add the second color (medium) to the wing in a flicking motion... flicking towards the lighter area. 

 

I add the third color (darkest) to the wing also in a flicking motion... flicking toward the light.

 

Now I start blending.  I add the color up... (light, medium, dark) and I blend backwards (dark, medium, light)  Remember - we blend two colors together with the lighter of the two colors.   So here I am blending the dark and the medium purples together with the medium color.  To blend, I actually do a "double flick" and flick to both sides (sort of in a swinging motion) to blend the two colors together without removing the darker color.

I continue blending.  I move on to the area between the medium and the light.  I use the lighter of the two (the light) to blend.  Double flick... away I go! (Sorry - I don't have a photo of this one.)

Now technically you're done... you've colored and blended the inside of the wing from dark to light.  But I like to get fancy... so I'm going to go from that light - back to dark... in a different color! 

I'm pretty limited in my flicking motions... I can only flick in one direction... so for this, I'm going to turn my paper 180 degrees.  Now I'm going to add color to the outside of the wing... going from light (in the middle) to dark (on the outside)... I already have a light color down.. so I flick my medium color towards the light center...

 

Then I add my dark layer - again flicking towards the light...

 

And then I blend... remember - always use the lighter of the two colors and "double flick" to blend easily.

 

Here's what the wing looks like when it's done...

 

Here are some other samples of the same concept...

And here is the finished card that I made with my Flicked Butterfly... I call it a flickerfly...  I think it's purrrrty!  Of course, I had to add a touch of bling with the Specia pen. :)  

 

I hope you've enjoyed the news and the tutorial... and I hope you join me (and the rest of the team) in our celebration to welcome Jenn to the team! 

(Okay... isn't that butterfly image GORGEOUS? And it's HUGE... it's seriously as large as my hand... that's a 5x5 card... Holy Humongo! I got this and many other amazing images at CHA from a new found company called Elusive Images.  Glenda is the owner/designer/artist/teacher extraordinaire!  Her images scream to be colored... or inked... or embossed... or foiled... - you get the idea.  They are stunning... and I can't wait to show you more of what I've done with them!  Thanks Glenda!)

Thanks for stopping by!  Don't forget to visit the rest of the team for a chance to win! 

Lori Craig

Sherrie Siemens

Sharon Harnist

Jennie Black

Jenn Balcer

Debbie Olson

Sally Lynn MacDonald

Colleen Schaan

Michelle Wooderson 

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