Monthly Archives: August 2008

I just can’t seem to put down my Copic Markers these days! I think the more I use them and learn, the more I love them! I think perhaps the secret is just practice and more practice. Of course a few tips here and then doesn’t hurt either! Very fun and graphic images are the easiest to start coloring on. As you learn more about blending, you can work up to more detailed images. Copic markers are fabulous for so many things. I love using them on things like ribbons, flowers and other embellishments to get a custom color to match my design. This design was created for a Copic marker review on Craft Critique.

As today is Thursday, it’s time for another Ways to Use It Challenge. This week I’m challenging you to find ways to use Copic Markers. I can’t wait to see all your ideas. Don’t have Copic markers, why not try regular markers? Using them on watercolor paper can achieve a similar look…just call it Faux Copics! 😉 Here’s the Challenge….

Love it the Bridge

This is one of the Thomas Kinkade images I colored while on vacation. Yes, it does take a little time to get the subtle variations of color but I think the results were worth the time. Not only that, I really enjoyed sitting and relaxing while the boys were napping. I don’t often get that kind of quiet time and I think I learned quite about about coloring these images by just taking the time to do a few over a few days.

I decided that this image would make a great anniversary card for my hubby. We’ll be married 19 years in October. Yay…I’m actually ahead for once! He’s not much of a fan of my stamping but he does love the Thomas Kinkades. Actually….I had a few extra images sitting on the table with my Copic markers at the cottage. He picked up a few to try coloring them (shhh…don’t tell him I’m writing this!) and I do believe he has a new appreciation for my coloring skillz. 😉

Quick Tip: To get very subtle variations of color, color your section with the lightest color first. Saturate the paper well. To shade subtly, touch your lightest color marker nib to a darker coordinating ink to pick it up. Apply to areas you want to shade. This will not harm your lighter nib. Remove excess shaded ink onto scratch paper.

By using some dark “flourishy” patterned paper from Basic Grey, I kept this design rich and masculine looking without taking away from the coloring of this image. To highlight the focus on love, I painted a tiny heart and a beautiful Grungeboard flourish. I’m loving this Grungeboard! You could never punch out a chipboard flourish this fine!

Happy Thursday and happy stamping! Hope you take the time to join in the challenge!
Julia

Supply List:

Stamps:
–Cobblestone Bridge (Thomas Kinkade line) by Cornish Heritage Farms
–Bridge Between Two Hearts (Thomas Kinkade line) by Cornish Heritage Farms

Ink:
-Pitch Black Adirondack ink by Ranger
-Brushed Corduroy Distress ink by Ranger

Paper:
-Simply Smooth White cardstock by Prism
-Kraft and Suede Brown dark cardstock by Prism
-6×6 paper pad by Basic grey

Other:
-Tim Holtz Grungeboard
-markers by Copic
-button by Autumn Leaves
-Distress Crackle Paint

I adore Grungeboard! This fabulous Tim Holtz product is so flexible and cool…I just can’t believe how many things you can do with it! Stamp it, ink it, paint it, twist it…. just a few of the many great uses for it. If you’ve never tried Grungeboard…it is a chipboard-like product but with a huge difference! It can bend with out creasing, punches out easily without tearing, and you can purchase it plain or in many different embossed patterns. Add that to some die-cut shapes with some serious attitude…I’m hooked!

Today’s CHF Chicks Weekly challenge is to use Grungeboard in a project. We’d love to have you join us! Here’s the details! Also…if you’re interested in trying out the Grungeboard…it’s the CHF Product Spotlight for the next two weeks. That means a sale! You can also find lots of great ideas on what to do with it here. Be sure to check out the other designers’ projects as there are lots of fabulous ideas to inspire you!

Kristine, Michele, Kim, Lesley, Lori, Becky, Dawn

Ticket For Love

For my design, I had lots of fun using four different techniques on my Grungeboard. On my Grungeboard heart…I first inked it up with Worn Lipstick Distress Ink, sponged the edges and then stamped it with my French Script Backgrounder. The one technique I was dying to try out was stitching my Grungeboard and it worked extremely well. On my Grungeboard key, I covered it with my silver Krylon pen. It held the paint extremely well and dried very quickly. I like that.

To create my scrappy style background, I simply inked up only part of my 6×6 Aged Sheet Music Scrapblock™ and stamped my Kraft cardstock. The word embrace from the Big Inspiration set is stamped up the left hand side. Tickets are hugely popular right now and Lesley’s The Ticket Counter from the Rummage Bin line is so much fun to play with.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful start to your week!
Julia
Supply List:

Stamps:
-Ticket Counter (Rummage Bin Line) by CHF
-Aged Sheet Music Scrapblock™ by CHF
-Big Inspiration (Mona Lisa Moments line) by CHF
-French Script Backgrounder by CHF

Paper:
-kraft cardstock by Prism
-patterned paper by My Mind’s Eye

Ink:
-Burnt Umber and Black Palette ink by Stewart Superior
-Brushed Corduroy and Worn Lipstick Distress inks by Ranger

Other:

–Tim Holtz Grungeboard Elements
-sewing machine
–Silver Leafing Krylon Pen
-hemp cord