Pansy

The other day, I was feeling a little out of sorts, so I decided I needed some arty time.  I thought I would do a little doodling with my Copic markers.  I am quite obsessed with Copic markers.  They are alcohol ink artist grade markers and they are blendable and available in over 350 colors.  I have been collecting this a little at a time.  I have even found a few at Hobby Lobby in the clearance bin.

So anyway back to what I was saying about drawing the other day.  So I grab this Watercolor Pad of heavyweight paper.  I am still a beginner with using Copics, but I know that they bleed through many types of paper.  They did not bleed through this paper at all and I did a lot of coloring and many layers of color.  So I was pleased with that.

I wanted it to be somewhat realistic looking.   I mean I want someone to be able to look at it and go, "Yeah that is a pansy".  So I went to Google Images and just typed in "pansy flowers"; and in a second or two there was a page of pansy images.  And since I have more Copic markers in shades of purple AND it is my favorite color I decided that my pansy would be purple.  Then I referred to the Google Images pansies to get the general shape and after that I tried to learn the blend the various shades in a smooth and effortless way (at least that was my goal).

Copic markers are dual tipped with a brush tip on one end and a squarish blunt end.  You can change out the nibs for other shapes and also replace them when they get wore out.  Basically, unless you lose it or the dog eats it, you will have these markers for life and should put in your will who will get them after you go).  I prefer the brush tip for this type of work; and I was trying to improve my "flicking" technique.

Let me know what you think of my afternoon stress reduction session's result.

Another Card from the Bits and Pieces Drawer

Here is the next card that I made in my recent cardmaking session.  Doing cardmaking in sessions means that I have cards ready to go whenever I feel like writing one.  I try to keep in touch with faraway family and friends with my handmade cards.  I like that they can keep them and each time that they look at it, it is like getting a new visit.

 

 This gorgeous tulips in a circle image was a rubber stamp image.  I rubber stamp in batches to and them throw all the stamped images into a drawer, to have them ready to use whenever I get an urge.  I don't know what company made this image, as I unmounted all my wood-mounted rubber stamps a few years ago, to save space.  

The card background is a pale cream colored cardstock.  The stamped tulip image I colored with Copic markers.  I am starting to get a small collection of Copics, which is making shading and highlighting easier.  The tulips are orange, with shading around the edges and a reddish orange at the base.  The leaves are done in shades of green.  The background of the circle is pale lavender and the circle border is two shades of purple.  I stamped the image on white cardstock and then inked it with dusty rose shade of ink; just doing a direct ink to paper technique.

Today's Card From the Bits & Pieces Drawer

Here is the next card I made in my card making session recently - I like that these are made from little bits and pieces that I have saved. 

 

This is another rubber stamped image; long ago; I stamped 1 image from each of my rubber stamps.  This was from that time.  The card itself is made from light colored cardstock.  I stamped the image with a gray ink so that I could see the outline but it would basically disappear after I colored it in.  

This was colored with a combination of Copic markers and Whispers Strokes markers.  Then I tore the edges around image, pulling towards me so the rough edge of the tear was on top, and inked it with Cement Antiquities  Ink Pad from  Ranger Ink.  I really like the effect that it gives.

Then I a Zig 2 Way Glue to glue the finished image to the cardstock.  I love the look of this card it reminds my of a spring afternoon in the French countryside; very friendly and cheerful.

Another Card From My Bits & Pieces Drawer

The other night I got on a slight crafty binge and did a bunch of cardmaking.  I like using up the little bits and pieces of stuff that are too good to throw out, but your not sure what to do with them.  I like to make cards with them.

Here is the next one:

This card was made from light cardstock.  The image is rubber stamp, that I colored in with copic markers, then the background and the torn edge was inked with a pink ink pad.

This is a nice feminine all purpose card; that can be used for a just because note or any other reason.  Having these cards all made up ahead of time, makes it easy to dash off a card when I hear some one is sick or to congratulate them for an achievement, or even just to catch up and stay in touch.

I feel like a card that someone can touch is very special especially in today's electronic age.  A card can be saved and whenever you look at it again, it is like another little special visit from a dear friend or family member.

Another Card from my Bits & Pieces Drawer

In an effort to make something from all my saved bits and pieces I have been making cards.  Here is another card that I made the other night:

This card started with pale cardstock and a vellum quote tag that I colored from the reverse with copic markers; I used YR68 orange; and V09 violet; the violet I used on both sides to make it very bold and pop.  The background was a Zig Watercolor System ColorBrush Twin in pale blue.  Then I edged it from behind with Whispers Strokes marker in a dark blue.  After I glued the vellum down with Zig 2 way glue.  I doodled the decorative scalloped dotted border with a Pilot G2 pen.

Card Making Party

Spent a few hours last night making greeting cards.  These are ones that I make from my bits & pieces drawer. I do these cards in batches.  Yesterday morning I grabbed a small pile of light colored cardstock and turned it sideways and used the sliding trimmer to cut each sheet of 8.5 x 11 inch cardstock.  So each piece of cardstock yields two cards 8.5 x 5.5 inches.  I then use a bone folder to fold each card in half and make a sharp crease.

This card is made with an off-white beigish cardstock.  The quote is a leftover vellum sticker I found in the drawer as where the footprint stickers.  I edged bought the vellum quote sticker and the entire card with Zig Watercolor System Color Brush Twin.  It is the palest blue on the cap; but there is no color name on it.

This card is on light colored cardstock.  The corners and the main image of "Snow" were part of a card with images, but not stickers; that I got at a scrapbook yard sale at the scrapbook store back in Ohio.  Besides fussy cutting the shapes, I didn't do anything but glue the pieces down to this one.

This card is made on light colored cardstock.  The large sun is a Sizzix die cut (Large Sun 38-0184).  The edge of the die cut and the inner circle of perforations have been highlighted with markers and chalkwork.  There is a faint smiley face in the sun.  The word "sunshine" is a sticker.  The "you are my" is done with a copic marker as is the edging on the entire card; I used Copic Ciao YR68 Orange.

This card is from another card (not sticker) that I got from that scrapbook yard sale.  I fussy cut it, then glued it down.  Then I did some pen stitching with a Staedtler Mars graphic 3000 duo marker #71, a brown; but with no color name on it.

These are the first four cards; I made about 25-26 cards last night and will share more.

I like to have these ready, they are blank inside and I can add whatever message I want when it comes time to use them.  I like that I use up all the little bits and pieces of this and that; that I save. 

2 New Copics!

Well now I have two more Copics on their way to me, lol.  Found a good deal on eBay. 

I am getting BV0000 and YR12.

Yippee!!  This will be Copics number 7 & 8.

Now to find some training videos on youtube to help me learn to use these.  So excited about it. 

Drew a little face with the Copics that I already have last night; my daughter and granddaughter were watching; as soon as it was done my daughter asked if she could have it.  I was a little shocked and impressed - she is 17 and is so NOT impressed with everything that I do.

Please send me links to your favorite tutorials for beginning Copic users.

Copics at Hobby Lobby

We went to Hobby Lobby the other night and I was very good.  But of course I had to go by the Copic markers and stare and drool a little, lol.

Well I got talking to the lady that worked back there and she was saying how the Copics never go on sale ( I knew that, :-(   But she said that if you sign up at their website for their weekly emails, that they have coupons in them.  One week it is on a specific item but the next it is a 40% off any regular priced item.  So that could be used on Copics!!

I currently have 4 Copics; and have 2 I won on eBay on the way here; and have totally fallen in love with them.

So far I have:

1.  Holiday Blue BG05
2. Cadmium Red R27
3.  Burnt Umber  E29
4. Salmon Pink RV42