The Observation Car

These new Stampavie stamps are so CUTE!  The rabbit with the pencil (Just to Say) could be used any time of year with any message.  I used a spring saying from Hero Arts.  The cardstock is Stamp Express quality cardstock, the designer paper is BoBunny.  The punch is Martha Stewart.  All colors are Copic Markers.  Several folks have asked that I publish the colors I use.  So, beneath each card I have listed the Copic colors.  But, know that you could use any 2 shades of a color family that you happen to own.  If you would like more colors, check out our selection at our on-line store.

The Easter chick is cut out with a labels 1 Nestabilities die.  Again the cardstock is Stamp Express quality cardstock, designer paper is BoBunny, markers are Copic, flowers are Prima, and the words are from Judikins.  What fun these were to make.  Order your Stampavie stamps now from our store to be ready for the Easter season.

Happy Spring card

Copic Colors used for the Happy Spring card:
Bunny’s ears - R00 with R20
Bunny - C1with C00 and T3
Pencil - E00 with E33 and Y15 with Y17

Easter Chick card

Copic Colors used for the Easter Chick card:
Egg - B60 with B23
Ribbon - R11 with R20
Chick - Y11 with Y15
Chick’s Beak - Y38
Grass and Leaves - YG11 with YG13
Pansies - V12 with V17 and Y02 with Y26

We had such a good time at the Gettysburg Scrappers Dream Vacation event that I want to share some of it with you.  Our booth featured make-it/take-its with Margaret keeping it lively.  The Scor-pal and Copic Markers seemed to be a big hit.  Here are some photos of the gals working on the projects.

We also introduced two new stamp companies; Just-Rite and Stampavie.  Two of the 12″x12″ pages we had on display are below.  All images were colored with Copic markers.  Bo-Bunny’s double sided paper got a lot of raves as did the Scor-tape.  These products are now selling on our web store with the exception of the Bo-Bunny paper. That will be coming soon!

If you have never attended an SDV, consider the upcoming one in August at Hagerstown, MD.  We’ll be there! If you’re interested go to their website at www.eventpathunlimited.com/events/

Let Your Dreams Take Flight page

Sweet Spring page

Below are some pics taken at our vendor booth at the Gettysburg SDV. Perhaps you’ll see yourself in some of these.

Copic Markers are alcohol ink markers that can be refilled.  They blend easily, and make your work look professional.

Here are some tips for starting out with Copic markers:

1.  Work on a piece of cardboard or chipboard.  Colors tend to bleed through, and you need something absorbent underneath your work.  If you use a craft sheet or tabletop, the colors will puddle and pop up in places where you don’t want them.

2.  Stamp your image with Memento ink.  Ancient Page needs to be dried with a heat gun.  Staz-on is alcohol based and will bleed when you color.

3.  Use the special Copic cardstock for best results.  We tried many various papers and found this to be the best.  Both cardstock and inks are available at our website store.

4.  Use 2 or 3 colors from the same color family.  The tendency is to start too dark.  You need light colors for a base, and then the darker ones for shading.

5.  The blender pen is not for blending.  It actually is an eraser.  Use it to take color out for highlights and to correct small mistakes.

6.  After stamping the image, start with the lightest color.  Fill in the outline with small circles.  Then shade with the next darker color.  Sometimes the stamped image will have tiny dots where the shading should be.  If not, decide for yourself where the image should be darker.  Then go back over the entire image with your first color to blend.  Do not press hard.  Just let the pen glide over your work.  Notice that there is no pilling of the paper when you go over it (if you used the recommended paper).

7.  Now you can add the next darker color and then again go over the entire image with the lightest.  This is the easiest way to shade and blend for the beginner.  We will add other methods later when you have practiced this.

Here is a tutorial on shading by this method:

Step 1: Stamp with Tuxedo Black Memento ink

Step 2: Color in tiny circles with light colors. We used G12 sea green, RV10 pale pink, and Y02 canary Yellow.

Step 3: Shade with darker colors. We used G17 nile green, RV14 begonia pink, and cadmium yellow.

Step 4: Go over with lighter colors again to blend colors together.

Step 5: Cut out and layer. We used Spellbinders Nestabilities Circles (plain for the image and scalloped for the pink mat. Add to card as is shown here or put it on a project of your choice.

We all need to reduce the stress in our lives.  This art form is an ideal way to work on that, plus it lowers your blood pressure! (so I am told)  The repetitiveness of the doodling is the “zen” in the process, while the lines and doodles are the tangles.  Try it and I think you’ll enjoy the way it makes you feel.  The typical zentangle is done with black on white, but I also like the look of white gel pen on dark cardstock.  Of course I had to try color, so I made backgrounds with the Copic refills on a felt applicator.  Then I zentangled on top of the color.  Sometimes I used a stamp as a base and doodled around the images.  Other times I cut the pieces up  or punched out shapes after I doodled.  The possibilities are endless.  Try some designs yourself and let me know what you think.  The only tools you need are paper and markers.  Have you Zentangled today?

My First Attempt

Cardstock: Paper Cut
Pen: Slickwriter from American Crafts
Flower: Prima

Love

Cardstock: Paper Cut
Pen: Jelly roll from Sakura

Autumn

Cardstock: Paper Cut
Pen: Slickwriter from American Crafts
Background: Copic reinkers on glossy cardstock

Butterfly

Glossy Cardstock: Paper Cut
Pen: Slickwriter from American Crafts
Background: Copic reinkers on glossy cardstock
Butterfly Die: Accu Cut
Rhinestones: Hero Arts

We have had so many questions by e-mail on our Copic marker classes, I thought we could describe them here for all to see. If you still have questions, feel free to e-mail me with your specific thoughts.
Copic 101 is a basic class for starting out. We cover the four methods of coloring and shading with the Sketch markers. Everything is pre-stamped, so all you have to do is color! We also cover the types of ink, paper, color selection, and benefits to using the Copic Sketch markers. We complete 3 or 4 cards. And, we include color charts, and 3 markers in one color family. The cost is $40.
Copic 102 is more advanced. It includes more coloring techniques, refilling your markers, using the blender pen and blending solution, and air brushing. You will complete 2 or 3 cards, airbrush a flower, airbrush a gem, and stencil with the airbrush. A blender pen and small spray bottle of solution come with the class fee of $25.
Register now on our website and learn to color like a pro!