Archive for March, 2010

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.