Friday, February 27, 2009

A Special Birthday Girl!

Yes, this card is for one "cute chick" in particular. Marianne (she does go by "copic lady") has a birthday today! Woohoo! She is such a young thing so she hasn't had as many of these as the rest of us....groan...so we should celebrate!
So in the fun, light spirit that is Marianne I created this "cupcake sketch card" for her today. I used Kim Hughes' Sweet Spring set and YES....I COLORED WITH COPICS...how could I not?!
Notice my little chick shadow? I mixed a couple of patterned paper companies. The black layer is October Afternoon and the background is Basic Grey.
Wishing you a wonderful year Marianne....ENJOY YOUR DAY!

Here is the sketch so you can play along in TAYLOR'S challenge.
Don't forget to see what the rest of the cupcake crew came up with:
Stephanie Hargis: Steph's Stampin' Stuff
Vicki Chrisman: This Art that makes me Happy
Jami Sibley: More is More
Monika Davis: M.A.D. Stamper
Ana Wohlfahrt: Ink A Stamp
Donna Baker: Stamp A Maniac
Jackie Pedro: The Scalloped Edge
Lynn Mercurio: Stamperosity
The cupcake sampler this week is Dana White, you can find her beautiful work HERE!

Enjoy your blog hoppin' and have a great weekend! I have some fun stuff to show you next week!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Certification Update Winnipeg

Hi Winnipeg! Looks like a lot of you are flooding copic with applications for June 6th.....that's great!
Although.....it looks like it might be the wrong form (totally my fault in my haste of excitedness).....I removed the link for today as Marianne is sending me a new form.....stay tuned. I'll post it as SOON as I get it!

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Mother Hen


I wanted to play along in the sketch challenge today at SCS but the sketch wasn't super ideal for the image I was dying to use!
I will make it work....I told myself as I made my latte....
I decided to put my main focal image (the mother hen) on the "background" and the inchies that are in the foreground I made by cutting out sections of my main image. I think it turned out pretty well considering I was "forcing it" a little...

This new image was released yesterday at the farm. Go HERE to check that out!

Here are the rest of the deets:
Stamps:
Mother Hen (Friendly Kritters), Mother Centers (Mona Lisa Moments) by Cornish Heritage Farms
Ink:
Espresso Adirondack Dye Ink (Ranger)
Paper:
Simply Smooth White (Prism)
Weathervane Patterned Paper (October Afternoon)
Accessories:
Copic Markers
Inchies (Inchie Arts)
Twine


Enjoy your day!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Canadian Certifications

Yes, that's right. Yours truly is your "canadian connection" to copic certifications. I will be teaching and assisting in the certification events that are in March in Toronto.

I have tentatively set the date June 6th to do a certification event in Winnipeg.
Victoria Inn
Wellington Crescent,
Winnipeg, MB

Here are some of the details on a certification:

Cost is $120 per attendee.

These classes fill up quickly so please read the following directions to make sure your application is accepted.

Classes are OPEN first to:

• Store Owners/Employees in the Papercrafting or Fine Art Industry
• Teachers who are affiliated with a store
• Designers registered with CHA or members of Design Team(s)
• Sales Reps for Copic or associated Distributors
• Media, Press

(limited seats available for people who have already been certified or attending half-day, see below)

Three weeks before the event, REMAINING SEATS will be opened to:
• Home Party Representatives (such as Stampin’ Up! or CTMH)
• Craft enthusiasts

If you do not fall into one of these categories we will put you on a different mailing list for future Certification sessions.

Here is the application form:
(Removed as I wait for a new form)

E-mail or fax your applications please.

E-mail- orders@copicmarker.com fax- 541-684-0140

Applications are used for adding correct information to the website instructor list. We ask for samples of your work just to get a feel for the type of things you create, be it scrapbook, stamping, altered arts, or fine art. Your application will not be denied if you don’t submit examples.


Class Goals and Outline

People who take this class will be listed on our website as instructors who have completed training. It is still up to you to practice on your own and take the skills you learn and apply them to your own work.

This is a technique-based class. We will NOT make finished samples. Rather, I suggest that you make a Sample Book with techniques and color combos that you like during the class, or take the small images you work on and turn them into projects later.

A typical class runs:

9 am to 10:30 Papers, inks, and product overview (Basic Overview)
10 min break
10:40 to 12:30 pm Coloring, 4 blending methods, and the colorless blender
1 hr lunch break – Lunch is NOT provided
1:30 to 2:45 Blender effects, altered media, ink effects,
3pm to 4 Airbrushing, Q & A, signing of certificates

Supplies

Your class fee includes an information packet with lots of useful literature and guides. There will also be a paper sampler in your packet. Most of the flyers and information sheets are downloadable off our website, and you can request copies of specific flyers for your future events by sending an e-mail to orders@copicmarker.com

Also included is a product packet. This is a sampler for you to use for teaching or demo purposes. Each packet includes:

2 Copic Markers
2 Sketch Markers
1 Wide Marker
1 Various ink
1 Spica Glitter Pen
2 Multiliner SP pens
1 Sketch Blender Pen
1 Big bottle of blender solution (this will have to go in checked luggage for those flying)

All other supplies are provided, however you may wish to bring the following:

• Your own stamps or stamped-off images
• Your own papers or inks to try (I bring plenty of my favorite, please test your own)
• Embellishments to alter or Airbrush (die-cuts, metal, silk flowers, etc)

We will be using Sketch Markers. If you choose to bring your own markers make sure they are marked so they do not get mixed in with my classroom sets.

Questions?

Please contact Kris about applications and payment in the US toll free: 866-662-6742, outside the US, 541-684-0013 orders@copicmarker.com.

Product questions, contact Marianne office1@copicmarker.com.

I look forward to working with all of you - let the registration begin!!


Monday, February 23, 2009

Stamped Jewelry

I am lovin' that the big chunky jewelry is back in again! This was an easy piece to make out of some polymer clay that I picked up at a craft store. The whole package of clay was $2, I used 1/4 of it to make this pendant. Here is another way to get some more mileage out of those fabulous background stamps you own!

A couple of little tips. For this chunky design, I felt the necklace part needed weight as well. I strung through 4 strands of rope and toggled them at the end.

I also took my silver leaf krylon pen and added a silver rim around the edge of the pendant and the inside of the circle. This helped give a finished look.
First, roll out your clay. I played with it in my hand for a while to "warm it up" and then rolled it with my small pizza roller. Roll it just slightly larger than you want the finished product to be.
Stamp your clay. This is where the DEEPLY etched rubber on background stamps comes in VERY handy. I not only inked my piece but I pressed quite firmly and made an impression as well. I used this wonderful metallic ink by Tsukineko. It shows off really well on the black.
Hmmmm, shape? Well, I'm not the best at free hand so I took one of my spellbinder dies (oval nestie) and pressed it into my clay.
Take your blade and run it around the rim of the die in order to cut out your shape.
I have a little circle cutter (It is used in cake decorating) and I cut out where I want my necklace to attach.
Now bake on a piece of parchment paper to the recommended heat on the clay package...now this was really quick and easy. The necklace looks great with my little black t-shirts.

Enjoy your monday....I'm off to the hospital, a dear friend of mine had a little baby last night! Woohoo!

Friday, February 20, 2009

Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #56!

Something totally fun for cupcake friday! I haven't had a chance to play with Kim Hughes' "Congrats Grad" set yet and thought it would be fun to make some 2010 grad cards.
I used basic grey's "Upbeat" collection.....when your graduating isn't that exactly what you are!
Here are all my card deets:
Stamps by Cornish Heritage Farms:
Congrats Grad, Number Fun (Kim Hughes Collection)
Ink:
Tuxedo Black Memento (Tsukineko)
Paper:
Black, Simply Smooth White (Prism)
Upbeat Patterned Paper (Basic Grey)
Accessories:
Copic Markers
Chipboard (Basic Grey)
Ribbon (Offray)


Here is the sketch so you can play along in TAYLOR'S challenge.
Don't forget to see what the rest of the cupcake crew came up with:
Stephanie Hargis: Steph's Stampin' Stuff
Vicki Chrisman: This Art that makes me Happy
Jami Sibley: More is More
Ana Wohlfahrt: Ink A Stamp
Donna Baker: Stamp A Maniac
Jackie Pedro: The Scalloped Edge
Lynn Mercurio: Stamperosity(Welcome back to the cupcake crew!)

Our sweet Monika was a little busy this week having a baby! So she isn't playing along in the sketch but I think we should hop over to her blog M.A.D. Stamper and give her some congrats! (You'll want to see her sweet baby photo too!)

The cupcake sampler this week is Pam Varnell, you can find her sweet creations on her blog...Stamping Pam!

Wishing you all a fabulous weekend!

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Thomas Kinkade Blitz


We are having a Thomas Kinkade Blitz in the forums at Cornish Heritage Farms. So get out those fabulous TK stamps and come join us HERE!

So for you today, I have a very special card. It is a Thomas Kinkade and you NEED to pick up the APRIL issue of Crafts 'n Things! There is a full two page spread and tutorial on how to color this image using copic markers. It turned out SO well and I was THRILLED to say the least!

All the details, specific copic marker colors I used are all in this article....


Here are the rest of the "blitzing" details so that you can join us!
Thursday February 19th -Challenge #1 (TKC01)-Monochromatic Challenge, simply stamp your TK image in a single color of ink for a beautiful monochromatic image

Friday Feb 20th - release day and 2 challenges to participate in

Challenge #2 (TKC02) - Spotlight Challenge - use the spotlight technique to spotlight a part of your TK stamped image

Challenge #3 (TKC03) - Multiple Inks Challenge - try using two or more colors of inks on your Thomas Kinkade image...think Spectrum pads or inking with two different inks

Saturday Feb 21st - our final challenge day

Challenge #4 (TKC04) - Embossing Challenge - whether you emboss your stamped image or try out a cracked glass technique, we'd love to see some fun embossing for this challenge

Challenge #5 (TKC05) - Methods of Coloring challenge - What's your favorite way of coloring the Thomas Kinkade Images?! They are so flexible! Do you like chalks, Copics, watercolor, colored pencils? For this challenge color in a Thomas Kinkade image with your favorite method. We can't wait to see them!


Rules:
- Use Thomas Kinkade stamps by Cornish Heritage Farms
- Upload your project to the Cornish Heritage Farms Gallery using the appropriate keyword
- Please post a link to your design back in the CHF forum thread for that day
You may double up your challenges but please submit your design to only ONE of the challenges to keep the chances fair for everyone. One project = one chance to win
- You can create as many designs as you wish for each challenge

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Feel Better

I know lots of people are trying to kick the lingering cold and flu bugs....so here is a simple card for you! I paper pieced the mug and used this fabulous paper from Webster's Pages...I just LOVE their paper. I used the copic markers on my wood embellishment to tie in that wonderful pumpkin color. A little bit of stitching and voila...a simple card.

Here are the complete card deets:
Stamps:
Comforting Hugs (Kim Hughes Collection) by Cornish Heritage Farms
Ink:
Rich Cocoa Memento Dye Ink (Tsukineko)
Versamark (Tsukineko)
Paper:
Mystic Light (Prism)
Ginger. Natures Way Patterned Paper (Webster's Pages)
Accessories:
Copic Markers
Wood Flourishes (Kaiser)
Ribbon (Offray)
Vanilla Embossing Powder (CHF)
Sewing Machine

I'm under my sewing machine today, working on some new projects with some awesome new rubber I received yesterday! Hope to show you some of that soon!

Have a great day!

Monday, February 16, 2009

Missing you

Have you seen the newest scrapblock from CHF? It is called Vintage City...and wow, is it cool! It has this neat "old world" feel to it. I paired it up with a vintage image (Tulip girl) and made sort of a "missing you from miles away" card.
I colored the tulip girl with my copic markers and sponged the edges with some vintage photo distress ink. The polka dot patterned paper is from Crafty Secrets and that Fab-O ribbon is from Prima.
Spending my monday getting caught up.... how about you?
Have a good one!

Friday, February 13, 2009

Time to Refurbish!


Hmmmm... what could this be?

















My lamp! Yes, I have had this lamp for years and it has always had this kind of ho-hum look, but not anymore! I decided to dress it up a little with some paper flowers that I created using the spellbinder Dahlia dies, Prism papers and my Cornish Stamps!

Here is a shot of just the shade. I love my die cut felt butterfly....gravitating toward the cluster of flowers. I airbrushed the centers of these flowers and a few of the buttons (to make them black) and added a suede ribbon trim to the top.
New lamp!

Wishing you all a surprise filled Valentine weekend! I know my sweetie has a special dinner he is making for me... a collective "ahhhhh". Yes, he is the best!

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Fabric...just can't put it down!

Do you think I could put the fabric away?....no.... especially when today's Ways to use it challenge on SCS is to use fabric! Woohoo! I love putting my fabric through my die cut machine with the nesties and that is what I did here and also added a strip along the middle. I used the fun Michael Miller fabric that paired up really well with the Amy Butler Patterned Paper.
The fabric and the paper just scream spring so I thought the Kim Hughes' Sweet Spring would be a fabulous image addition.

Here is a close shot of the flower....how fun and funky! That little brad I picked up at Michael's the other day too.
Hope you play along with the challenge today, I am going to enjoy going through the gallery to see everyone's fabulous fabric projects!
Here are all my card deets:
Stamps by Cornish Heritage Farms:
Sweet Spring (Kim Hughes Collection)

Ink:
Rich Cocoa Memento (Tsukineko)
Paper:
Amy Butler Patterned Paper (K&Co)
Simply Smooth White, Suede Brown Dark (Prism)
Accessories:
Copic Markers
Felt
Fabric (Michael Miller)
Brad (Colobox)
Sewing Machine

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Can you tell I love fabric?


Yes, that is fabric on my tree. I did the same thing you would do with paper piecing but used fabric instead. I stamped my tree on the fabric and cut it out and then to secure it to my card stock I stitched along my stamped line....what neat texture it brings to my tree!
This is a close shot so you can see that it is stitched on. I cut out my branches and just laid them over top to give it even more dimension.

Here are all the deets on this fun card.....Wishing that spring/summer would come SOON!
Rubber Stamps by Cornish Heritage Farms:
Spring Trees, Bear Hugs (Kim Hughes Collection)

Ink:
Coffee Bean Brilliance, Rich Cocoa Memento (Tsukineko)
Paper:
Urban Prairie Patterned Paper (Basic Grey)
White Card Stock (Neenah)
Accessories:
Fabric (Moda)
Copic Markers
Twine
Sticker Border (Basic Grey)
Sewing Machine

Monday, February 9, 2009

Mushroom Village

So are you ready for some Monday whimsy? I thought this would be a fun way to start the week. I made these really fun pincushions out of old wooden thread spools. The mushroom tops are stuffed "yo-yo's". I stamped a few of my favorite wooded creatures on white fabric using brilliance ink and then colored them in with my copics.
I used my largest spellbinder circle dies to cut them out and then stuffed them to make my little mushroom village.
This would be a darling gift idea for someone who sews.












Here is a "ground level" shot of my village.
The top view shows you all the fun images that I colored in. They are all from the Kim Hughes Collection at Cornish Heritage Farms.
Happy Monday!!!

Friday, February 6, 2009

Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #54!

Yes, I'm still on my flower kick...can't quite get enough!
There is something to be said for black, white and red....in this case...black, GREY and red. My favorite part of this card is the airbrushing of the grey (W3) copic marker around these pretty poppies. I kept my spellbinder die on my image and airbrushed it BEFORE taking my die off. This is how you get that pretty white edge without adding another layer of paper.
A close look at the new Spica pens from Copic. I used the lipstick and butter on the flower and the mint on the leaves. Just a pretty shimmer....
Here are all the card deets:
Stamps by Cornish Heritage Farms:
Poppy Pair (Shady Tree Studios), Nature Silhouettes (Kim Hughes Collection)
Ink:
Tuxedo Black Memento (Tsukineko)
Paper:
Ambrosia Patterned Paper (Basic Grey)
Black, Simply Smooth White (Prism)
Accessories:
Copic Markers
Air Brush System(Copic)
Butter, Lipstick Spica Glitter Pens (Copic)

Label 1 Die (Spellbinders)
Acrylic Charm (Tim Holtz)
Jewels (Taylored Expressions)
Satin Ribbon


Here is the sketch so you can play along in TAYLOR'S challenge.
Don't forget to see what the rest of the cupcake crew came up with:
Stephanie Hargis: Steph's Stampin' Stuff
Vicki Chrisman: This Art that makes me Happy
Jami Sibley: More is More
Monika Davis: M.A.D. Stamper
Ana Wohlfahrt: Ink A Stamp
Donna Baker: Stamp A Maniac
Jackie Pedro: The Scalloped Edge
The cupcake sampler this week is Wendy Bond, you can find her fabulous creations HERE!

Enjoy your weekend!

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

On a flower kick....


I just HAD to show you a close up of this sentiment....It's one of my favorites! I took my BV000 marker and swiped over my favorite words in this sentiment too.
Pure stamping, I don't do it that often anymore with all that yummy patterned paper that is on the market but sometimes it feels so good to get back to the roots of stamping!
I stamped my background in "London Fog" memento ink...it is such a pretty grey that looks wonderful with lavenders.
I cut out my flowers with the peony die from Spellbinders on Claudine Hellmuths' sticky back canvas. I stamped the canvas in eggplant ink and scuffed the edges....now ribbon....hmmm, nothing I had matched! I took some white cotton ribbon from the fabric store and airbrushed it to match (BV08)....perfect!
Here are all the deets:
Stamps by Cornish Heritage Farms:
Tulle Damask (Scrapblocks), Wedding Centers (Mona Lisa Moments)
Ink:
London Fog, Tuxedo Black Memento (Tsukineko)
Eggplant Pigment Ink (Ranger)
Paper:
Natural Smooth, Purple (Prism)
Accessories:
Sticky Back Canvas (Claudine Hellmuth)
Peony Nestabilities (Spellbinders)
Button (Making Memories)
Twine
Ribbon
Copic Airbrush System (to color the ribbon)
Sewing Machine

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Waste not....

One of the crafting oaths we take is to NEVER throw things away...right? That is why our craft rooms often look like a true mish mash of things and scraps. Yesterday I made that nifty little felt frame for my card. In order to achieve that frame I laid 2 nestability die cuts down on my felt and cut. I used the frame but could not "Bear" to throw out that remaining yummy felt cut out....so you see it here today!
Lots of fun little details in this card. The felt ric rac I picked up at my local fabric shop and yes, I airbrushed it to the perfect shade of green. The bear I colored with copics and then covered him with glossy accents (ranger) and then took my heat gun to him and overheat the glossy so it bubbled up and gave him texture. I was experimenting and it came out really neat!
Here are the rest of the details:
Rubber Stamps by Cornish Heritage Farms:
Bear Hugs (Kim Hughes Collection)
Ink:
Espresso Adirondack (Ranger)
Paper:
Weathervane (October Afternoon)
Accessories:
Copic Markers
Air Brush System (Copic) to color my felt ric rac

Stickles, Glossy Accents (Ranger)
Flower and Circle dies (Spellbinders)
Suede Brad (Making Memories)
Felt Ric Rac
Glossy Accents (Ranger)
Sewing Machine


Enjoy your day! I'm off to my studio to play!

Monday, February 2, 2009

February Monday


Someone please tell me where the month of January went?
Did it fly for you too?
I had so little time to play along with splitcoast challenges for the month of January that I thought I would get my February and my monday off to a good start. Here is my version of the "recessed window" challenge over on SCS today. Using some new nestabilities dies from Spellbinders I created this lush felt frame. It wasn't quite the right color though, so out came my air brush system from Copic.
The jewels were also clear, but I wanted to warm them up for this card so I airbrushed those too....it took like 5 seconds! Love that!

Hope you all get a little "play" time today! Here are the rest of my card details:
Rubber Stamps by Cornish Heritage Farms:
The Shoe Boutique (Rummage Bin)
Ink:
Espresso Adirondack (Ranger)
Paper:
Suede Brown Dark (Prism)
Nature's Way Patterned Paper (Webster's Pages)
Accessories:
Copic Markers
Air Brush System (Copic) for felt frame and clear jewels
Blossom Nestabilities (Spellbinders)
Felt
Jewel Flourish (Prima)