Copics & Copper

Sticking with the Basic Black and Copper theme...Here is another image from SU!'s Bloomin' Beautiful set (now retired from the last Mini, but I am still hoping it shows up in the Fall/Winter catty.)

This is another image where I have been playing with layering on a lighter copic color, in this case YR00 to create a darker color. I used YR18 to color along the shadow lines in teh image. Then lots more YR00 to blend everything together. For the stem - I did one layer of YG67 on the stem, then several layers of color on the leaves. With the Colorless Blender 00, I removed a little color just from teh center of the leaves to give them some depth.

My goal for this design was to really have the flower POP and be 95% of what the eye sees. But using just the Basic Black left me cold instead of warm! lol Thus the warm accents of SU! Brushed Copper Metallic cardstock, a little frayed at the ends Copper Cord (SU! retired) and Copper Embossing Powder.

Stamps: Bloomin' Beautiful and Hugs & Wishes (both SU!)

Cardstock: SU! Basic Black & Brushed Copper Metallic; Papertrey SS White

Copics: YR00, YR18, YG67, Colorless Blender 00

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Copper Cord (retired SU!), Copper Embossing Powder (CPS) & Dimensionals (SU!)

ENJOY!

Cracked Glass Hawk - Technique Tutorial

This Red Tail Hawk image from CreativePlayStamps is so regal and impressive looking! I tried out my new Koh-i-noor Woodless Colour Pencils as my color medium on this image - along with the blending stump and odorless mineral spirits. I need to learn more about blending with this, but I am happy with my first attempt using trying it out!

I have been wanting to use the Cracked Glass Technique for a very longtime now - and finally got around to trying it. This beautiful Hawk image brought the technique to mind - and I think it works very well together.

Cracked Glass Technique: After your image is done to your preference, smoosh (this is a technical term! lol) the whole piece on your Versamark pad to coat it completely. Then sprinkle the Glassy Glaze Embossing Powder over it, tap off the excess, and heat with your Heat Tool. Repeat this process several times - I did it 5 times and liked the thickness I got so I stopped there. Place the piece in the freezer for several minutes. As soon as you take it out of the freezer, crack the glaze between your fingers by gently bending the paper back and forth until it looks as you desire it to. then finish creating your card/project. Tip: You can sponge some brown (or other coordinating color) ink into the cracks for a more distressed and aged look if you like.

Stamps: Red Tail Hawk and Thinking of You Sentiment sheet - both CreativePlayStamps

Cardstock: SU! Basic Black & Metallic Brushed Copper; Papertrey Stampers Select Vintage Cream

Ink: Adirondack Espresso Dye Ink, Versamark

Accessories: SU! Glassy Glaze, Heat Tool, Twill Ribbon & Mini Glue Dots; Copper Embossing Powder & Blending Stumps (CPS) ; Koh-i-noor Pencils & Odorless Mineral Spirits (GinaK Designs)

YOU Did It!

One of my StampinJewels, Cathy L., designed this for a Father'sDay card. It is such a versatile design, (it could be used for birthday, thinking of you, etc.) that she made extras and gaveone to everyone who came to our last Stampin' Chat! I really enjoy this Noble Deer set by SU! - if you've been eyeing it - get it now cuz it's on the Retiring List! Cathy used a technique called "film strip" - all you need is the SU! Spiral Punch. Great job Cathy - and thanks for sharing your cards! ENJOY!

Bloomin Beautiful Copics

I hope you got this set from Stampin' Up! when you had the chance! It is so beautiful - Bloomin' Beautiful actually! heehee I am hoping it makes it into the Fall/Winter Idea Book and Catalog - but fo rnow, it's gone!

I colored this image using my Copics. I began by layering on B63 - several layers to achieve a darker color. Then I added B23 to the middles of most of the flowers, as well as along the shadow lines. Then I took the Colorless Blender 00 and went over the whole thing until I achieved the blending I wanted. For the leaves and vase, I only used YG67 and YR00 respectively. Many layers of color on the vase, then many layers on the outline and shadowing lines. For the leaves it was two layers of color on the entire leaf, then many layers of color around the edges of the leaf - then the Colorless Blender overall again until I achieved the desired outcome. I am sure this is not an original idea of mine - lol. It is what I came up with in order to use my limited Copic colors while still achieving the shadowing effects I want.

The Sakura Quickie Glue Pen - OH MY GOSH! I found this on my little shopping trip at CreativePlay last weekend while picking out the Sakura Stardust Glitter Pens. This is a MUST HAVE item! No kidding!! I used it to outline my large oval, as well as dot the centers of the flowers in the vase. Then applied the Blue Boy Ultrafine Transparent Glitter. The card just needed a little something more - so I took a chance and outlined the Almost Amethyst Prints Double-Sided Paper and applied the Blue Boy Glitter again - POP! This little gem of a glue pen is *THE EASIEST* glue applicator I have ever used or seen! RUN, don't walk, over to CreativePlayStamps and get yours today - and be nice and get some for your favorite stamping buddies too!

Stamps: Bloomin Beautiful (SU!), Thinking of You (CPS)

Cardstock: SU! Almost Amethyst, Garden Green & Almost Amethyst Prints DSP; Papertrey Stampers Select White

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Copics: YR00, B63, B23, YG67, Colorless Blender 00

Accessories: Sakura Quickie Glue Pen; Blue Boy Ultrafine Transparent Glitter; SU! Large & Small Oval and Ticket Corner Punches, Dimensionals, Lt. Blue Narrow Organdy Ribbon (retired), White Eyelets, & Crop-a-dile. ENJOY!

CreativePlayStamps Visit!

I just remembered I didn't tell you about my visit to CreativePlayStamps this past Sunday! We had a nice visit between our two families of cousins. Laura and I had fun stamping and coloring images, and talking "shop". I even got to see their product stores - and of course do a little shopping! Art & Laura (CPS owners) have a list of ideas for CreativePlayStamps.com so look for lots of great things to come in the next year. I love their enthusiasm, as well as their unique stamps and selection of paper-crafting products.

So what did I pick up on this visit? More Glitter! Some of which I am hoping to do another Fourth of July design with this week. Also Sakura Stardust pens and a Sakura Glue Pen! Yep - you read it correctly, a glue pen! How cool is that? And how easy will it be to add a dot of glue for littel bits of glitter, and other embellishments? It was VERY dangerous being able to look at all their stock in person - all those colors of Glimmer Mist and Glitter..... I learned a little about Grungeboard too.

Head on over there and see what's ON SALE!

Star-Spangled Jumpsuit Elvis

So I'm blog surfing, and looking at this Elvis design sitting on my computer desk as a reminder to upload it next. That's when I realized that it was past midnight - and since I'm still up, I could upload today's design! Silly, I know - but I am thrilled easily (most of the time!) lol

I am loving the color of this Pewter Ultrafine Opaque Glitter and the Essential Glue Pad - both of which I got from CreativePlayStamps. I was asked if I use a fixative on the glitter. I don't. I tap it off by flicking the back of the cardstock a few times. Otheriwse, I think the Essential Glue Pad does okay keeping it on. Of course, it will come off if you rub on it alot - but *everyone* needs a little glitter in their life! ;)

FUN is the best way to describe the Elvis images from Cornish Heritage Farms. Here, I've used Jumpsuit Silhouette & Elvis Is... (backgrounder - though ths one is harder to see in the scan as it is stamped tone on tone Real Red.) I think the Elvis Is.. should have included "All American" and "Star-Spangled" along with all the other great words it says. :)

I'm hoping to get at least one more design together to celebrate the USA's Independence Day on July 4th - but just in case, I think Elvis has the star power to handle it! I was thinking about using this card as a birthday card and writing inside, "Thought you deserved a big star for you birthday!" :)

Stamps: Jumpsuit Silhouette, Elvis Is... (Cornish Heritage Farms)

Cardstock: SU! Real Red, Brilliant Blue & Whisper White

Ink: SU! Real Red & Essential Glue Pad

Accessories: SU! Star Eyelets (retired) & Pewter Ultrafine Opaque Glitter

ENJOY!

Happy Hoppers Balloons

Have you checked out these Happy Hoppers images over at CreativePlayStamps yet? They are adorable, and fun to color. Coloring - such a stress reducer, and it helps keep me feeling young. And there are *so many* coloring mediums available now, that there is something for everyone. For this cute bunny, I chose my Copic Markers so I could keep practicing shading and blending. All supplies, except image, are SU!

Stamps: Happy Hoppers

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip & Pumpkin Pie

Copics: YR04, YR14, Y15, Y17, B21, B23, RV10, RV23, E25, E31

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black

Accessories: Love & Happiness RubOns (retired), Pumpkin Pie Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Bashful Blue 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon ENJOY!