Kristina Werner Colour Inspiration #31

Ohhhh I didn't think I was going to make this one but Kristina extended the deadline due to technical difficulties with the "Mr Linky" box.

This week's challenge is inspired by a photo that Kristina took of a wreath.

So I based my card on this wreath stamp that I've had for years!!

These are some close ups of the colouring and also the glaze I added to the oranges and berries.

The Eggplant Envy layer is stamped with a woodgrain background stamp. Can you see it better in this photo?

I also sponged some Close to Cocoa around the white piece and popped it up with dimensionals.

The white layer is all one piece and you might be wondering how I did this with my Big Shot Top Note die.

Here's my secret....

When I get a new die I cut it out in both chipboard and in clear plastic (recycled packaging is what I use). Then I can use these for masking, sponging AND as stencils.

That's what I did - I lay down the plastic die cut on top of my stamped image, traced around it and then hand cut it out. I added the stitching (normally cut with the die) by hand with my Close to Cocoa marker.

I coloured in my wreath with these COPIC markers and used the Sakura Gelly Clear Glaze pen to add the shine!

Box Contest

A while ago I ordered some nifty new storage boxes for my Cricut cartridges. They hold 8 cartridges and they take up less space than the originals the cartridges came in.

So I took the old individual cartridge boxes into the Scrap Arts store to see if Shelley wanted them for her kids classes.

She took one look and said - let's have a contest!

I thought it was such a good idea but I had no time to make up a box for the contest - it was supposed to close yesterday but today I found it I have until Monday.

I took a few minutes tonight to make mine - had the idea in my head for a while!

The inside poem reads -

"Each evening as Good-Night is said,

Have a kiss and hop into bed.

When the kisses are gone away,

Christmas will come the very next day!"

Sorry I don't know who originally wrote the poem but I have to say MANY THANKS! I've used it several times to make other projects including this Kiss Countdown.

The kisses are Hershey's Kisses and yes they are glue-dotted into the box!

Question?

Just a quick post....

Today I'm going to teach my last Christmas Card Camp before the holidays. No new cards just the ones I made a while ago. See them HERE and HERE.

I've been running around busy with the kids' and dogs' (check out their blog HERE) that I haven't had any time to create any new projects that I can post right now.

However I have been shopping and have lots of new "toys" to play with. Once this class is over I'm taking some time off (going to Bermuda on vacation and then there's Christmas!) but when I get back I'm going to try and create more by participating in Challenges and working on Design Team stuff. Please bear with me while I shift my focus from classes back to creating for fun.

When I first started my blog I used to post a weekly question - something that made you go "MMMM". So while I'm contemplating my change in direction I'm going to leave you with something to ponder...

Would you accept a much less enjoyable job paying twice what you make now? If you received the same pay regardless of your job, what kind of work would you do? If you were financially independent, would you continue to work? If not, what would you do?

NO comment necessary but if you want to share your thoughts or comment on my new blog backgrounds please go ahead!

Thanks for stopping by today...

Last Call for Christmas!

My LAST Christmas card class will be held at the Scrap Arts store (in North Vancouver) on Sunday, November 16th 12-4pm.

This is a camp style class with lots of time to make 16 BEAUTIFUL Christmas cards (4 of 4 designs).

As an added bonus I'm including a free stamp for each camper!

Please call Scrap Arts at 604-980-8811 to register.

Making time for a Challenge!

I really don't have the "spare" time for this today but I made the time because I've been wanting to do Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration Challenge for a long time!

I've had this card in my head for a while now and needed to get it down on paper. Does that happen to you?

Anyway here it is Color Inspiration Challenge #30:

Crop-a-dile Tip

Here's a tip to help you never forget the settings for your crop-a-dile!

Mine is pink and I wrote on the inside of each handle with black Sharpie the settings.

1/8 C3 & 3/16 A2

ETA 11/16: I've had a couple of inquiries to what A2 and C3 mean. So I'll explain further.

Those settings refer to the little black blocks on the end of your crop-a-dile. One is lettered A, B,C,D (that's the one with the prongs) and the other is numbered 1,2,3,4.
I know, I know get out a flashlight and your magnifying glass! LOL! It's so small but trust me they are there.

A2 is the setting for the 3/16 sized eyelets - A on one block (with the prongs and the flat and recessed sides) and 2 on the other.

C3 is the other setting for the 1/8 sized eyelets - C on one block (with the prongs) and 3 on the other.

To move the blocks around you may have to pull them out and then turn. Remember to shove them back in and lock the block back into place.

I hope this helps to clarify things for those that were wondering what the heck I was talking about!

If your's is the black handled one then you might be able to write on the inside with a white gel pen.

It's not really noticeable on the inside and the marker stays on because it doesn't really come in contact with your hand when your using it

COPIC Watercolouring

I learned a fabulous tip at the COPIC class on Sunday - Watercolouring with your COPICs!

We were practicing blending with our markers using a piece of plastic to pick up colour.

Marianne came over and showed us how she had a aquapainter filled with blender solution. She picked up some colour and started colouring in my image.

I played around for a bit and here's a quick example.

COPICS for Sale

ALL MARKERS ARE NOW SOLD!

I was updating my hand coloured COPIC Colour Chart last night and discovered that I have some duplicates!

If you're in Canada and interested in buying these off me - $5 CAD each (+ shipping) - send me an email.









COPIC Original - E25 Caribe Cocoa, Y13 Lemon Yellow, YG03 - Yellow Green, R29 Lipstick Red, Y17 Golden Yellow

If you're interested send me an email!

Certifiably Certified and COPIC x 2!!

I had the privilege of attending not one but 2 COPIC classes taught by Marianne Walker (COPIC guru).

The first class, held on Sunday in Maple Ridge BC was put on by Haroldine Wingfield (Be Creative in Maple Ridge). Haroldine's store, Be Creative, carries a nice selection of COPIC products at very competitive prices.

This was a 2 hour introduction class geared towards customers with lots of general info, tips and hands on practice. Be Creative put on 3 of these classes during the day!

The second class, held today in Richmond BC, was the COPIC Certification Training Course. It was co-sponsored by Open Page (a wholesale company out of Toronto).

This class was open to store owners, store employees, designers and instructors. It was an all day thing with lots of hard work - colouring in circles - and trying to get the perfect blend!

Again lots of tips, tricks and info as well as some laughs - I just have to say that Marianne has the smoothest backside!

Here's a photo of me getting my certificate from Marianne. This is my "license to colour"!



I took copious notes and will transcribing them to my blog over the next few days along with some samples of what I've done with my new found "expertise".

Stay tuned...

Poor Girl's COPIC Air Tool

Alysabeth asked if the Stampin' Up! Spritzer Tool worked with the COPIC markers.

The Colour Spritzer Tool (#107066) is made by Inkworx and sold by Stampin' Up! on page 193 of current catalogue for $16.50 CAD.

Well some of us over at the COPIC CRAZY Yahoo Group got to thinking and experimenting with ours.

I thought at first - no way - the barrel of the COPIC marker is too thick to fit in the Color Spritzer Tool holder.

BUT WAIT - Bridget discovered that there are two parts to the holder and once you take the screw out (or loosen it) the inner part can be removed allowing the Sketch marker to fit!

I had to try this myself and it works like a charm!

If you keep the marker barrel flat you can tightern the screw to keep the marker in place.

Since I have both Original and Sketch markers I tried the Original COPIC marker and it fits too!

You just need to take the screw out completely but it does fit in there nice and snug!

I used the Chisel Tip end of the marker for this and it works very well as long as longest point is right against the spout of the spritzer tool.

Just a word of warning - I don't know this for sure but I suspect that using an air tool may dry out your markers faster than just colouring with them!

Please note that this is a manual pump tool and so the results will not be the same as the constant air pressure from the COPIC system.