Talent is Optional

I took the image from the stamp image and shrunk it down a little.  If you look closely you can see that this image is colored a little differently than the larger image I showed yesterday.  Just click on the picture to get a larger view.

I removed the little bee and the expression marks from the image. Tip: I used a correction tape runner to remove the items I didn’t want and then re-scanned the image.

I made the bee so it could be 3D.  I bought a stamp from M’s for $1 not too long ago and it had the bee and a saying “bee well”.  I stamped it twice; one time to get the bee with wings attached and the second time I stamped it on vellum  to cut out a second set of wings .  I took the first stamped image and colored it and stickled it and let it dry.  On the vellum wings I used a glue glitter (not Stickles) that was a holographic white and set it aside and let them dry.   Once dry I cut out just the bee and cut off the antennas, we’ll make them out of thread, and I cut just the wings out of the vellum stamped image.

Once everything is dry I covered the bee with Glossy Accents and then stuck the vellum wings into the Glossy Accents and made sure they were sticking up.

I created the antennas by taking a piece of black thread and folded it in half.  I placed a drop of Glossy Accents on the back of the bee and laid the thread down into the Glossy Accents.

I then cut the thread to the length it needed to be for the bee.

I raised the finished bee up on foam to give it a little lift, this along with the vellum wings gives the bee the feeling that he/she is flying over head and of course that little gray bunny is watching.

I also added a trail of a flight pattern up the side and across the top.

The image did not come with grass so I added it by starting out with a zig-zag stitch in green using Sulky thread and then  added addition color using Copic Markers.

This added some additional interest and texture to the card.

This is the back of the stamped image.  As you can see the color of the Copic Markers are bleeding through.  According to everything I’ve read this is a “good thing”.  It shows how well you have saturated the image.  Yeah, the purple egg is really saturated because I was having trouble getting it to look like I wanted it.  Which brings up a great things about Copics is you can add more color or use the blender pen to take away color and work it until you get just where you want it.

I also wanted to show you the back so you could see the zig-zag stitching.  When you look back at the previous picture it shows you how much the Copic Markers add to the stitching.

Here is the finish project.  I used Stampin Up’s ticket punch (with the corner guides removed) to cut the small half circles in the pink mat.  This helps keep the ribbon in place on the mat.  I also used the Swiss Dot CB embossing folder on the pink mat.

I used various colors of Tim Holtz’s Distressed inks to ink the edges of the card and mats using the foam applicator.  By the way you can use that foam applicator to achieve the same look with any stamp pad.

The inside was done very similar to the outside except I distressed the edges of the yellow mat with the edge of my scissors and then inked them.

Yep! That’s ducky that I had colored earlier.  I just cut him out and glued him right on top.

He was the perfect color and a cute surprise when you open the card (remember I colored him on watercolor paper).

I love the way this turned out and these little bunnies are a combination of using the Copic Markers and Prisma Color Pencils using MCPT (Magic Color Pencil Technique).

The yellow bow is in the upper right side to represent the sun.  I think it came out so cute.  Yes, I know there is a lot of work in this project.  Unfortunately, I agonize over getting these things perfect and I can’t help but put in all the little details and get the coloring just right.

Thanks so much for stopping by and please leave me a comment I would love to hear from you and what you think!

First let me say, I don’t know what is going on with this post but I couldn’t get the images to spread out like I wanted them.  Oh well!

Because most pens need to be stored horizontal I came up with this idea.  One of the things that makes this nice is that you can make it as large as you need it and you can add to it as your collection of pens grow.  You know that it will grow especially if you get into Copics.

You can find these cylinders at the Container Store and they run $1.59 each.  You can have a storage of 10 for around $16.  Because they are plastic they will have a tendency to slide so I purchased Self-Stick Rubber Pads, you get 18 pads for about $3.00 at the Container Store.  You might be able to find them cheaper at Wal-Mart.

I remove the lid and put it in my stash to use another way or time.  I then added 4 pads to one side of the cylinder.

As you stack the cylinders up this will keep them from sliding around.

Since my stack of these cylinders is getting pretty large (I have 20 of these) I’ve started using little binder clips to clamp them together ever so often.  This helps gives a large collection of cylinders added stability as the collection grows.  This also creates a nice storage for my small binder clips ( I use these as clamps sometimes for things I need to hold in place until the glue dries).

Because the cylinders are clear it makes the area feel open.  I’ve been very happy with this storage system and have invested somewhere around $45.00 over a period of a couple of years.  The storage I’ve seen for pens usually runs around the same price, is large and bulky and does not have 20 slots for your pens.  The other nice thing about this storage, especially with Copics, is I can put like color hues together rather than color coding (BG – Blue Green, RV- Red Violet).  I more interested in what colors can be combined together to get a nice graduation of color and storing them together makes me think about colors differently.

Hope this gives you an idea to create your own storage.  When you go into a store look outside the normal storage items and see if you can find something that fits your need to a “Tee”.

I’m finally getting the “knack” of using Copics (click on the picture to make it larger).  I really can’t tell you how important it is to have the correct color combinations of markers.  Tip: Start with the lighter version of the colors first, example RV00, RV02, RV06.  I started with RV34 and then had nothing to be the light or dark .  Be sure to read my other suggestions here is the link.

Last year I belonged to a MCPT (Magic Color Pencil Technique) card challenge on the Circut Message Board.  April, the lady that kept the challenge going, would send the challenge image for the month stamped (on Bristol Smooth) and then additional stamped images just on regular card stock.  I took all of those stamped images and scanned them into my laptop now they are digital stamps and this is one of those cute images.

This stamped image is colored with a combination of Copic markers and MCPT.  I first colored everything with the Copic markers and then where I needed additional light, medium or dark I used the Prisma Color Pencils using MCPT.

I love the results, in the areas that I felt my coloring with the Copic markers was still rough the MCPT smoothed the image out and added an additional layer of depth.

The gray halo around the image is done using MCPT.  You can see this technique demonstrated @

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCCo9799dWo

I’m not crazy about this little bee, nor the black line marks around the gray and reddish-brown bunnies.  I couldn’t tell if they were suppose to be whiskers or expression marks.

I changed this up when I took this image and made a card.  That is what is so good about digital stamps and since I’m running out of room to store wooden stamps and acrylic stamps I’m getting ready to increase my digital stamp inventory.  I can also take my wooden stamps and acrylic stamps and stamp them, then scan them and make them digital.

After I got the coloring done I went back in with Stickles, some Glossy Accents and the little white highlights are done with a white Sakura Souffle pen.  I have various white pens that I tried but this worked the best this time.  The only issue with this is that when you first mark with the ink of the Souffle pen it doesn’t show up that much.  It gets more intense as it dries.  I’m looking for Sharpie white poster paint extra fine pen (this is suppose to mark on anything), but it looks like I’m going to have to order over the internet I haven’t found it at any office supply store yet.   I also used Scribbles 3D paint in various colors (copper, black, yellow) on the top of the flower.

I’m working on a card using a smaller version of this image and a 3D bee so be sure to check back and check it out.  Also, please be sure and leave me a comment, I would like to hear from you!

Remember this little $1 M stamp, cute, cute, cute.  Especially, for a $1.

I found some watercolor paper  in my stash and decided I would try the Copics on that type of paper.

In my further research on what type of paper to use, I headed over to the Copic website (here) and snooped around and watch a few tutorials.  They suggested that you use a paper that would absorb the ink so you could get good saturation.  The watercolor paper does that.

I think you can tell I’m getting a little better.  Yeah, I colored a little bit outside of the lines but the shading is beginning to look right and I think the watercolor paper may make it feather out a little bit.

This image is done on a shimmer paper I got at M’s.  I read on another post (sorry, I don’t know whose I’ve read too many) that she liked to use a shimmer paper.

I liked the way this came out also.  Whew! I’m beginning to feel like I’m making some progress in this technique.

There are three different types of papers used on these images.  To get a closer look click the picture to make it larger.  The little duck (which at the moment is my favorite) is done on watercolor paper.  The little girl (which is one of my first colorings) is done on just plain ordinary card stock.  The lilacs are done on Bristol Smooth (you can get this at M’s).

I’ve order some paper from Gina K’s (here) because according to Suzanne over at ScrapBitz (here) this is her favorite.  I must say out of all the tutorials and things I’ve watch Suzanne Dean’s stuff is what I like the best so far.  She also has some great new things happening so be sure and check her out!

I’ve ordered some new Copic pens which will probably be here by Friday or Monday.  I’m hoping the paper from Gina K will arrive about the same time.  I’m not going to be making a card until I get the technique down better but I thought you might learn from some of my mistakes if you are interested in Copic pens.

Hey, my BFF’s son is back in the US from Iraq for a few days.  Welcome home Kevin!!!!  We are praying for you!

This was a gift to me from my husband when we moved into our new home.  That was 24 years ago this July.

We still live in that home and it fits perfectly in the entry way (just like the home was built for it).

Unfortunately, about a year ago I stuck the key in to open the door and wind the clock and the key broke and I couldn’t get the door open.

We’ve all had those things we needed to take care of but never got around to it.  I have carried the broken key in two cars now just in case I went by a clock place.

Today was that day.  Went to the Dentist, stopped by Einstein Brothers for a cup of coffee and a Chocolate Chip Bagel with  a smear of strawberry cream cheese (I know don’t even start).  Right next door was a King Aurthur clock store.

In case you can’t tell what this picture is, it’s the new key in the door.  At first I panicked it didn’t want to go in the key hole.  But after working with it a little bit I got it in and it opened the door.

This key, this one little simple key cost $16.45.  I just think that is way to much for something that really is not a true key.  All the keys to Grandfather clocks are the same the only difference is the design on the handle.

I was happy to be able to get the door open.  I blew out the dust, oiled it and wound it up.  The cat (Henry) had never heard the clock strike.  I wish I could have gotten a picture of his expression when it started chiming.

Hmm, I might have just wasted $16.45.  That chiming can get annoying when it starts hitting that 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00 hour……..rats, I liked the peace and quite (LOL).

P.S.  ”Happy Birthday Melba”!   Today is my Step-Mom’s birthday.  She would have been 88.

Have you ever seen something that the moment you looked at it made you smile?

That is exactly what these measuring cups did for me.

Each one looks like a little flower bowl but there is a mark showing you where the line is to equal the amount the measuring cup is designed to hold.

Each “measuring cup” is a different flower shape (smile, smile).

I don’t know how exact these are going to be, but they are cute enough to leave them out on the counter.

I think they will add a nice little pop of color.  They are brand new at World Market.  I get in trouble every time I go into that store.  I can always find something I think I can’t live without.

These just make me smile and look forward to Spring!  I’m so ready to see something budding out and turning green and run to Walmart to get allergy medicine.  Bring it on Spring, I’m ready for you!

Hey this is National Craft Month, check out this video (here) and see what you could win. Sorry, I tried to embed it but it wouldn’t work for me.   I so want that Raspberry CB.

I’ve been trying to figure out what paper I want to use with the Copic Markers.

I was at HL and found this paper.

I thought this would be perfect, it says in the suggested pens, “Copic” and various other pens.

I opened it up and noticed that it was “super slick”; however, the paper was very thin.  I figured if it worked out nicely I could always glue to card stock.

I laid down the first color and liked what I was seeing.  Now keep in mind I’m very new at this so I’m just going by what I think is looking right.

I know the stamping is not that great but I was just practicing.

Yeah, I’ve got a lot to learn with these markers.  After I started adding more color and trying to shade I didn’t like what I was seeing. If you click on the picture it makes it larger and even looks worse.

I’m pretty sure this is the operator and not the paper.  After all when you look at the cartoon in the first picture their coloring looks a lot better than mine.    Hmmmm, I’m not digging this paper at all.  I’m not going to get rid of it just yet.  I figure I may revisit this paper after I get better and more knowledgeable in what I am doing.  I think I have a long way to go but I’m not going to give up.

Hi Everyone, wanted to apologize for not having any new post.  I thought I had several scheduled but I was wrong.  I’ll be working on somethings today and try to have some new stuff up.

This just blows me away.  About once a year I get a package in the mail from Kable Products, in Fairfield, Ohio.

I received these Kimberly Hodges, Embossed Stickers.  They are really cute but for the life of me, I don’t know how they got my name and address or why they send it to me.

At my church (Elevate) we are currently in the process of 40 days of kindness leading up to Easter.  I don’t know if I’m just more aware of random acts of kindness because I’m doing my best to pass them out or if because I am showing the love, God is returning the blessings.  Either way if you sent me this RAK, thanks it absolutely made my day.  I can’t wait to use these on a card or maybe include them in my GS or GD’s albums.

Also, if you sent me this let me know I would love to return the blessing to you.

I started watching some Youtube videos on how to use Copic markers and I just had to have some (“of course I did”).

I had this card that had been stamped with one of the Magnolia stamps (I don’t own any) and it is not on the best paper for this type of process.  However, to practice and see how these alcohol inks worked it was nice to work with her while I watched a video and mimicked the process.

I’ve got a lot to learn with this process.  Although the look is very similar to the Prisma Color Magic Pencil Technique, the process is different because these are alcohol inks. Shading with alcohol inks is very different from shading with colored pencils.  I can manipulate the color pencils better, once alcohol inks dry it’s a different process to get them blended.

I also have a very limited number of Copic markers at this point.  You know I can’t resist having a bunch of these. If you click on the picture you will see there are places that look a little rough.  That’s because I didn’t have the right color to go back and blend with and although Copic markers has a blender pen, it does not blend it lifts ink.  That’s alright, that is how you learn.  The paper you do this on is very important also.

The flowers on the left are Copic markers and the ones on the right are Prisma color pencils using the MCPT.  They are both beautiful and they look a little different because I only had a few colors that were the same as the color pencils.

As you can see though the Copics have a richer color and the Prisma Pencils a white cast or light cast.

There are a few things I would do a little differently.  I searched the Internet for Copic markers and thought I had found a good price.  Unfortunately, today I found them at http://www.carpediemstore.com/mlistCategoriesAndProducts.asp?midCategory=336 for $3.95 instead of $6.45 ea.  You pay a little more for shipping (depending on where they are shipping but to Texas about $12.75) but the savings on the pens are worth it and they ship from CA no taxes to us.

These are Sketch Copics not Ciao.  The difference is Sketch Copics are oval in shape (they won’t roll around on your desk).  Is that important?  Yes, because as you get to coloring you can have 10-20 pens on your desk at a time.  They are a little larger so they hold more ink, there are more colors in the Sketch line than there is in the Ciao line and the Sketch Copics cost more (because they hold more ink).

Susanne over at http://www.scrapbitz-tutorialsandtemplates.blogspot.com/ has a Copic Starter List (scroll down about 2/3’s of the way). I wished I had seen this information before I took the advice from someone else on what colors to buy to start out.  If you are interested in starting this type of coloring you will also want to consider if you will be coloring objects vs people.  If you will be coloring people then you want to be sure and get the Copics that do the skin tones you want.

Also,  I would go to http://copicmarker.com/library/ and scroll down and print off the blank color chart.  You can see the colors on line, use the information Susanne’s website provides and use this chart to see how the numbers fall in the various color hues.  Like she says you don’t need every color (shoot!) but you do need to get the dark, medium and light in the color families so you can shade and blend appropriately.

I hope this helps anyone out there who is thinking of getting these markers.  They are truly vibrant and I know once I get the right paper and technique down I’m going to be doing a lot of this.  Coloring is so soothing.

Let me know if this helps and like Susanne says “hugz”!