Free Holly Berry Holiday Tag Kit

The Holly Berry Holiday Tag Kit is a special, limited edition bonus gift for qualifying Hostesses during November!

The Holly Berry Holiday Tag Kit includes:
100 Cherry Polka Dot Tags (2.5" x 5.5") (limited edition item available only in this kit)
Holly Berry Vine Stamp Set
8 yards Cherry Grosgrain Stitch Ribbon
Cranberry Ink Pad
Wasabi Ink Pad

Retail value of the kit is $35!  View flyer here.

Email me to schedule your November Workshop or for any questions.


 
For this promotion a qualifying workshop meets the following requirements:
· totals $350 or more
· consists of 4 or more unique orders

Card and Gift Bag for Mommy To Be

On Sunday we are going to my sister in laws baby shower.  I wanted to make something special especially since we are giving her a gift card.  Since I just received some new dies from Papertrey Ink (PTI) and wanted to use them.  I'm very excited about the new Front and Center #1 die. For the card, I forced myself to use patterned paper from my stash.  I know my she is having a girl so i wanted the colors to be girly. Pink of course came to mine.  While perusing my stash, I came across some cute patterned paper from Sassafras Lass. 

I used many dies for this project.  I started by cutting two panels from Kraft cardstock using the Front and Center #1 die.  I decided to put the gift card holder on the outside so I used the Seed Packet Die (PTI) for the pocket.  The "tag" on the inside is made with the Wine Bottle Tag (PTI) trimmed just below the score line.  The Tag is a perfect fit in the pocket.  I use my slit punch to hold the gift card on the tag.  To embellish the pocket i used one of the photo finisher dies to make a band.  I attached the front and back panel to a trimmed down paper lunch bag.  It will be so cute once i find the perfect item to put inside. 

For the card i used a similar layout as the gift bag.  I added a crib image from Sleepy Sighs (a|s) and colored it with Copics. 

This is a picture of it without a giftcard.

 Here is an example of it with a gift card.  I haven't gotten the actual one yet.

In this photo you can see how cool the Startdust Finishing Spray (a|s) is.  I just love it.  Instead of buying shimmer paper, I just use this.   I sprayed it on the crib label.

Supplies:

Paper: Dark Chocolate, Kraft (PTI), Sugar (a*muse | studio, unknown Bazzill 

Patterned Paper: Serendipity and Life is Beautiful (Sassafras Lass)

Stamps: Sleepy Sighs, Essential Sentiments (a*muse | studio), Holiday Photo Finishers, Fillable Frames #9 (PTI)

Ink: French Roast (a*muse | studio), Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Fresh Snow (PTI)

Copics: R30, R21, R89, E43, Y09 (froma*muse | studio)

Dies: Front and Center #1, Seed Packet, Wine Bottle Tag and Photo Finishers (PTI)
Other: Stardust Finishing Spray and Foam Adhesive (a*muse | studio), Dark Chocolate and Melon Berry ribbon (PTI), Designer Label (SU!), Treading Water Border Punch (Fiskars), Designer Brad (CTMH), velvet flower and small brads (stash), Lunch Bag

Another 8x8 Layout For My "Me" Album

For the A|S October Blog Hop, click here.

So in my first post today for the A|S October Blog Hop, I shared a layout that I started and stopped since i didn't know where I wanted to go with it.  I gave it some more attention today and was able to finish it.  I pulled from some of my other stamp collections. 

As I mentioned in the first post, I was inspired by the colors and stripes in my skirt and made the patterned striped paper using the Mad for Plaids stamp set.  I used Papaya, Orange and Cherry ink.  For the subtle background on the papaya cardstock I stamped an image from Beautiful Botanicals in Papaya ink.  I added some images from Avian Notes in Cherry ink.
 

The journal circle is made from the dotted line image in Personal Stationary.  The flower is from the same set with a Pearl Sticker added to the center.  I added the date using Mini Scrapbook Series: Library Ledger (PTI).

For the circle tag I stamped the scallop and sentiment from Tag Its (PTI).  I used the rock and roll technique for the frame using Papaya and Orange Ink.  I used my Papaya and Cherry Tombow for the sentiment.  I embellished the image from Avian Notes with Pearl stickers.

Supplies:

Paper: Sugar, Cherry, Papaya (a*muse | studio)

Stamps: Avian Nots, Mad for Plaids, Beautiful Botanicals, Personal Stationery, Ovalicious (a*muse | studio), Tag Its #1, Tag Its #4, Fillable Frames #5, Mini Scrapbook Series: Library Ledger(PTI)

Ink: Papaya, Orange, Cherry (a*muse | studio)

Tombow: Papaya, Cherry (a*muse | studio)

Other: Vanilla Pearl Stickers, Foam Adhesive (a*muse | studio), Summer Sunrise ribbon (PTI), 2" Scallop Punch, 1.75" Circle Punch (EK Success)

A|S October Blog Hop

If you are participating in the blog hop, you should have come from Angie's Blog and if not, then you should start from the beginning with Tami's Blg until you come to my blog.

Thanks for joining in for the A*Muse Consultant Blog Hop.  This month we doing something different and are showing scrapbook layout.  I started out as a scrapbooking and slowing became interested in card making.  I hope you enjoy your visit to my blog.

For my layout I am going back about over 8 years ago to my bridal shower.  I'm starting a scrapbook all about me.  I've devoted my other layouts to my kids and now I'm going to focus a few on me.

I didn't like how the layout turned out when i took a picture of it so i decided to scan it.

I started with Blackberry cardstock and added the outline marigold from Marvelous Marigolds to the background to make my own patterned paper.  I stamped it in Heather ink.  I also colored one of the marigolds with my Copic markers.  I added two hearts from Hearts a Plenty covered in Diamond Glitter.  For my journal block i used the dotted line stamp from Personal Stationery and added the Smile sentiment from the Hand Scripted stamp set.

I was planning a second layout but set it aside because I haven't quite got it where i want it yet.  I decided to share it in it half complete state.  For this layout, the colors were inspired from my skirt (see second picture).  We were at a friends wedding that was the weekend after my bridal shower.  I caught the bouquet and my fiance (now husband) caught the garter. He was having a little too much fun putting it up my leg.  For the layout i made the stripes using a stripe from Mad for Plaids with Papaya, Orange and Cherry ink.  I added a subtle leaf image to the background of the Papaya cardstock with an image from Beautiful Botanicals inked in Papaya.  I'm come back to post the final layout.

***See final layout here.***

***See final layout here.***

This concludes the October Blog Hop.  Join us again next month for some Amusing Inspiration.

Supplies:

Paper: Sugar, Blackberry (a*muse | studio)

Stamps: Marvelous Marigolds, Hand Scripted, Hearts a Plenty, Personal Stationery (a*muse | studio)

Ink: Heather, Bubblegum, Blackberry (a*muse | studio), Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)

Other: Diamond Glitter, Twinkle Stickers, Foam Adhesive (a*muse | studio)

My First ATCs

I signed up to participate in an ATC swap.  This was my first time making ATCs.  They are 2.5"x3.5".  For this swap we had to chose a stamp set from a*muse | studio.  I chose Nordic Noel.  I think it is a very classy and versatile set.

I started by stamping the reindeer in French Roast on to Pebble card stock and a sentiment from Holiday Tags in Cranberry.  I added Silver Glitter below the reindeer and around the next using 1/4" super sticky tape and Quickie Pen.  To simulate snow flakes, i added little dots of glue using my Quickie Pen and sprinkled Diamond Glitter.  A Twinkle Sticker colored with R29 Copic Marker was used for the nose. Finally Cherry Bakers Twine was a tied near the bottom and the layer attached to a Cherry cardstock base.

I had an extra ATC, so i used it as a front panel for a card.

All Supplies from a*muse | studio 
Card 1

Paper: Pebble, Cherry (a*muse | studio)

Stamps:Nordic Noel, Holiday Tags (a*muse | studio)

Ink: Cherry, French Roast (a*muse | studio)

Copics:R29

Other: Twinkle Stickers, Silver Glitter, Diamond Glitter, Cherry Bakers Twine (a*muse | studio)

PTI September Blog Hop and Mojo Monday 207

This is my first participation in the Papertrey Blog Hop.  This month we have to use the inspiration photo below.

 I am also using this week's Mojo Monday 207 sketch. 

I started with making my background paper using a stamp from Mad for Plaids and multiple ink colors.  Lately I've made lots of different patterned paper using inspiration from the PTI Make it Mondays.  The snow man and tree are from Holiday Tags.  I colored them using Copics and a Tombow marker.  I've had lots of fun finding ways to use the Snowflake die trio.  For this card, I embossed it with white embossing powder and accented it with a button and baker's twine.  I hope you enjoy.

 I don't think I've ever made a card with as many layers as the one above.  I had to balance out all that layering with a clean and simple card.  This card is also inspired by the PTI Blog Hop photo.  In this card, I made 4 rows of colors using Washi Tape (summer collection).  I added a simple sentiment from Celebrate in Style.

Supplies 
Card 1

Paper: Sugar, Cherry, Papaya, French Roast, Wasabi, Winter Sky (a*muse | studio)

Stamps: Mad for Plaids, Holiday Tags (a*muse | studio)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Papaya, Cherry, Bubblegum, French Roast, Sky, Wasabi (a*muse | studio)

Copics:YG95, YG97, B00, B02, R24, R27, R29, RV14, RV09, YR18, YR09, E47, E49, C00, C1, Y19,

Other: Twinkle Stickers, Tombow Papaya, white embossing powder(a*muse | studio), Hibiscus Burst Ribbon (PTI), Dark Chocolate Baker's Twine (PTI), Snowflake Die Trio (a*muse | studio), Wide Oval Punch (SU!), brown button (from stash)


Card 2
Paper: Sugar (a*muse | studio), Stampers Select White (PTI)
Stamps: Celebrate in Style (a*muse | studio)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Other: Washi Tape - Summer Collection (from a*muse | studio)

World Card Making Day Promotion

World Card Making Day Promotion

World Card Making Day Promotion
October 1st to October 3rd, 2011

Saturday, October 1st is World Card Making Day.
Celebrate your love of cardmaking with A Muse Studio and let’s get stamping!

Host to win!
Host a qualifying* World Card Making Day Workshop and you will automatically be entered into a drawing to win one of five $100 A Muse Studio Shopping Sprees! And, every Hostess will receive a free set of A Muse Studio 4-bar notecards with envelopes - 10 pack ($6 value).

Free Gift with Every Purchase!
Something for everyone! Each customer that places an order at a World Card Making Day workshop, will also receive a free set of A Muse Studio 4-bar notecards with envelopes - 10 pack ($6 value).

Facebook Fun!
Celebrate with us all weekend long as we post fun World Card Making Day challenges and award prizes to our Facebook friends.

* Qualifying Hostess must have minimum workshop sales of $150 and a minimum of 4 unique customer orders to qualify for entry into the $100 Shopping Spree!
* To qualify, Workshops orders must be submitted in the Business Center between Saturday October 1st and Monday October 3rd at 11:59:59 pm EST.

PTI Make It Monday #33: Frosted Images

This weeks Make It Monday over at Papertrey Ink is Frosted Images.  It is a cool technique that I plan to use again.  I already have another sheet of homemade patterned paper ready for my next project.

I'm planning to put this in the mail to a girlfriend of mine.

Supplies 

Paper: Sugar, Blackberry (a*muse | studio), Fine Linen (PTI)

Stamps: Marvelous Marigolds (a*muse | studio), Signature Greetings (PTI)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Blackberry (a*muse | studio), Summer Sunrise, Fresh Snow (PTI)

Copics: YR12, YR15, YR18, V17

Other: Twinkle Stickers, Clear Spica pen

CMC Challenge #26

It is a Fall /Halloween Theme over at CMC Copic Challenge Group.  I'm not usually a fan of Halloween but I have had fun using different Halloween elements on my cards.  The image i used for this card is Dee Dee from The Greeting Farm.  I think she is a cutie pie.  I colored her in some fall colors with a punch of blue.  Added some pumpkins (too cute to spook, a|s) to tie her into Halloween.  For the background, I made my own patterned paper with a spider web stamp.

Supplies 

Paper: Sugar, Slate (a*muse | studio), Aqua Mist, Orange Zest (PTI)

Stamps: Dee Dee (The Greeting Farm), Too Cute To Spook, Spooky Boo Day (a*muse | studio)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Pebble (a*muse | studio)

Dies:  Banner Die ( PTI)

Copics:E00, E11, E13, E25, E29, E33, E37, Y15, Y17, Y19, YR00, YR12, YR15, YR18, BG10, BG13, BG15, BG18, W1, W1, 00

Other: Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch (SU!), Corner Chomper (WRMK), Sharpie Poster Paint Pen

PTI Make It Monday #32: Stamping with Acrylic Paint

This week's PTI Make It Monday is Stamping with Acrylic Paint. This was definitely a stretch for me.  I've never used acrylic paint other than as a kid.  I bought some paints years ago and fortunately it is still good.  My color combo for the card was dictated by the paint colors i have.  I used all three colors I have but am already thinking of doing a monochromatic card as well.

I used the first stamp set to come to mind and that was Grunge Me.  The paint colors I used are Huckleberry, Creamsicle and Cherry.  Cherry was very close to PTI Berry Sorbet so I used the cardstock as a layer for my panel that i stamped with the acrylic paint.  I have to admit that i wasn't sure where i was going with the card when i started. I then used Ad Sense dies for additional layers.  Last I cut out the guitar from a|s Rock Star and added a sentiment from the same set. In the end I like how it turned out.

Supplies 

Paper: Sugar (a*muse | studio), Berry Sorbet (PTI)

Stamps: Rock Star (a*muse | studio), Grunge Me, Ad Sense (PTI)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)

Dies:  Ad Sense dies ( PTI)

Ribbon: Enchanted Evening Bakers Twine (PTI)

Other: Huckleberry, Creamsicle and Cherry Scrapbook Shades Acrylic Paint (Li'l Davis Designs), foam dimensionals

PTI Make It Monday #31: Creating Backgrounds with Non-Background Stamps

I love this technique of using non-background stamps to make backgrounds.  It is a great way to make custom patterned paper.  For this technique, I used images from Nordic Noel from a*muse | studio and the Mat Stack 2 die from PTI.  The upcoming PTI release of the Mat Stack 2 Layer would have been perfect for this card, but since it hasn't been release, I used a 2" circle to give it a layer.

I don't always know in the beginning how my cards will turn out.  Many times I don't know what base cardstock i will use until i'm done with the layer.  I had planned on either using Cranberry or Eucalyptus as my base but decided that i like the non-traditional Onyx (black) as the base.  It really makes the colors pop.

On the inside I stamped a sentiment from Holiday Greetings Inside & Out also from a*muse | studio.

You can see some additional card backgrounds made with non-background cards here.  I did these as a part of a blog hop. 

Supplies 

Paper: Onyx, Winter Sky, Eucalyptus, Sugar (a*muse | studio)

Stamps: Nordic Noel, Holiday Greetings Inside & Out (a*muse | studio)

Ink: Winter Sky, Eucalyptus, Cranberry (a*muse | studio), Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)

Dies:  2"Circle Punch (Fiskars), Mat Stack 2 die ( PTI)

Ribbon: Black (unknown)

Other: brads

Inky Fingers Blog Hop

Welcome to the First Inky Fingers a*muse | studio Blog Hop. Our theme is Autumnal Splendor!

If you are visiting my blog as part of the Blog Hop, you should have come from Liz's blog.  It is the first stop in the Blog hop.

For the hop I have decided to focus on the versatility of the stamp set Seasonal Branch.  This is a great set for year around use.  It includes leaves, flowers, snowflakes and berries.

The first card below is inspired by the wonderful colors of fall.  Wasabi, Orange and Papaya are the focal colors.  The branch is stamped in Pebble ink onto Vanilla cardstock.

Yesterday we went to Fishkill Farms Apple Orchard for a birthday party.  I wanted to make a special card for the birthday girl.  This time i stamped the branch in French Roast.  The School Days stamp set would be the perfect set to use to add the apples.  Since I don't have that set, I used School Time from PTI. I clear embossed the large apple and added it to a felt scalloped circle.  I hope she enjoyed the card.

My last card today started out to be a birthday card for my husband whose birthday was yesterday but it ended being borderline feminine so i gave him a different card.  In this card I stamped the branch in Slate. I added owls from Spooky Boo Day and Friends Fur-ever stamps sets.  They fit perfectly with the sentiment from Friends Fur-ever.

Next, please continue on to Anna's blog and enjoy the rest of your journey.  Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Card 1

Paper: Vanilla, Papaya (a*muse | studio), Orange Zest (PTI)

Stamps: Seasonal Branch, Essential Sentiments (a*muse | studio)

Ink: Pebble, French Roast, Wasabi, Orange, Papaya (a*muse | studio)

Dies:  Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Ribbon: Wasabi Satin (a*muse | studio) 

Card 2

Paper: Sugar, Cherry (a*muse | studio)

Stamps: Seasonal Branch (a*muse | studio), School Time (PTI), So Happy For You (SU!)

Ink: French Roast, Fern, Cherry (a*muse | studio)

Dies:  Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Ribbon: Cherry Satin (a*muse | studio) 
Other: French Roast Felt 

Card 3

Paper: Slate Woodgrain, Vanilla, Pebble, Cherry (a*muse | studio)

Stamps: Seasonal Branch, Friends Fur-ever, Spooky Boo Day (a*muse | studio)

Ink: Pebble, Fern, Cherry, Slate (a*muse | studio)

Dies:  1" Punch (EK Success)

Ribbon: Onyx Twine (a*muse | studio) 

Winter Wishes

It is September in New England so I know it won't be long before Winter is here and we are out shoveling snow.  The card today is inspired by SNOW.  I started with a tag made from French Roast Felt.  I kept my base colors neutral with Pebble and Vanilla and chose Cherry as an accent.  The pattern on the Vanilla layer was made using the negative from my die snowflake and Pebble ink.

Supplies:

Paper: Vanilla, Pebble, Cherry Woodgrain, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas  (A*Muse Studio)

Stamps: Holiday Tags (A*Muse Studio)

Ink: Pebble, French Roast (A*Muse Studio), Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Versamark (Tsukineko)

Dies: Snowflake Trio, Classic Tags (A*Muse Studio), Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Ribbon: Cherry Satin, Cherry Bakers Twine

Other: Copics R24, R29, B02, B04, French Roast Felt (A*Muse Studio), BigKick (Sizzix), White Embossing Powder (A*Muse Studio), Crop-a-Dile (WRMK),

 

A|S September Blog Hop

If you are participating in the blog hop, you should have come from Sarah's blog and if not, then you should start from the beginning with Samantha's blog until you come to my blog.

Thanks for joining in for the A*Muse Consultant Blog Hop.  You are in for a treat.  We are in the middle of A*MUSE*A*PALOOZA so we will be showing you lots of new products from our Holiday Supplemental Catalog.  During A*MUSE*A*PALOOZA hostesses can earn a free exclusive stamp set and more money for free products.  Check out this post for more info.


Now on to the cards to share today.

Halloween Cards

Card 1

Card 2

For the first cards (which are two cards with same idea just a slight variation) i was thinking about the window of a haunted house. I started with the Pebble cardstock and cut out a window with a Nestibilities die.    To cut the window frame from Slate cardstock, i use the same Nestibilities die plus the next size up.  I then cut strips of Slate cardstock to make the window slats.   On the outside I stamped the spider web and sentiment from 'Too Cute To Spook".  On the inside I stamped the ghost and bats also from 'Too Cute To Spook' and the sentiment from 'Spooky Boo Day'.  To add a little 'Boo' to the ghost, i covered him in Diamond Glitter.  Isn't he (or she) cute?  On the front of the bottom of second card, I used the left over slate paper from cutting the window frame to add an embellishment to the bottom.  Is it a fence? Broken house framing?  Use your imagination....I did :)

Christmas Card

One of the many things I love about A*Muse Studio is all the great ideas we get for cards and projects.  This card came with our Holiday Workshop Bundle.  A|S just makes it so easy for us with step by step instructions to help you get started and get inspired.  The card base is Vanilla cardstock, layered with Cherry and Vanilla cardstock.  The images and sentiment for this card are from the 'Nordic Noel' stamp set. The deer stamped in Wasabi ink.  Fern and Cranberry ink were used for the leaves and berries.  The sentiment is also stamped in Cranberry ink.  Washi Tape from the new holiday assortment was added to the bottom.

I hope you have enjoyed the cards I shared today.  Please visit again for more ideas and the latest A*Muse News.

Now on to your next stop Pamela's blog.

New A*Muse Goodies...A*MUSE*A*PALOOZA

This weekend I opened up my new goodies from A*Muse Studio.  Since today is the first day of A*MUSE*A*PALOOZA I am posting pics of a couple cards I made.  I made some sketches for few more cards but can't make them until my next order arrives. 

This card was inspired by a card i found on the consultant side of A*Muse Studio.  The Wasabi (lower left block in first image) and Cherry Woodgrain are NEW.  The santa hat and sentiment are from the NEW Naughty or Nice stamp set.  At the bottom I added Washi Tape from the NEW Holiday Washi Tape collection.  A*Muse also came out with Baker's Twine in cherry, onyx and french roast.  Each spool is 280 yards.  To enhance the hat I added white flocking.

Supplies:

Paper: Cherry, Fern, Wasabi, Cherry Woodgrain, Sugar (A*Muse Studio)

Stamps: Naughty or Nice (A*Muse Studio)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Other: Copics R24 and R29, Washi Tape- Holiday Collection (from A*Muse Studio), Cherry Twine, Jute, White Flocking

PTI Make It Monday #29 Freestyle Copic Coloring

So today's PTI Make it Monday #29 is Freestyle Copic Coloring.  I now have permission to color outside the line to "add artful scribbles, slashes and brushes of color". I decided to make a birthday card using the present from PTI Tiny Treats: Christmas and adding different splashes of color to each present.  The colors I chose were Copic RV14, YR15 and YG23. To add more color to the card i added in Washi Tape-Summer from A* Muse Studio.  I think the torn edge is a nice mimmick to the free from edge of my "scribble".  I just love using this stuff. It is low tack masking tape that is translucent and repositionable.  It is also great for holding down dies for sending through your die cutter.  The sentiment is done in Grass pigment ink and taken from Essential Sentiments, both from A*Muse Studio.

 

This is pretty close to a single layer card.  The washi tape is very thin so it doesn't add any bulk to the card.

Supplies:

Paper: Stampers' Select (PTI)

Stamps: Tiny Treats: Christmas (PTI)

Ink: Grass (A*Muse Studio)

Other: Copics RV14, YR15, YG23, Washi Tape- Summer Collection (A*Muse Studio)

A*MUSE*A*PALOOZA is here!

A*MUSE*A*PALOOZA is here which means the new44-page 2011 Holiday Catalog is available.  See the new holiday stamp sets and TWO new colors...Wasabi and Pebble.  You will find it chock full of great ideas and inspiration.  


Hostess Bonus Days
Booking workshops is easier than ever with A-MUSE-A-PALOOZA Hostess Bonus Days!  Hostesses will receive an exclusive stamp set for hosting a qualifying workshop during A-MUSE-A-PALOOZA

and when your workshop sales reach over $250, you will receive more Hostess dollars to spend on free product! 

$150.00 - $249.00 $25 in free product
$250.00 - $349.00 $50 in free product take 50% off any 1 stamp set
$350.00 - $449.00 $70 in free product take 50% off any 1 stamp set
$450.00 - $549.00 $90 in free product take 50% off any 2 stamp sets
$550.00 - $649.00 $110 in free product take 50% off any 2 stamp sets
$650.00 - $749.00 $130 in free product take 50% off any 3 stamp sets
$750.00 - $849.00 $150 in free product take 50% off any 3 stamp sets
$850.00 - $999.00 $170 in free product take 50% off any 4 stamp sets
$1,000.00 and up $200 in free product take 50% off any 4 stamp sets

 

A*Muse Studio August Spotlight

Each month, select stamp sets will share the A Muse Studio Spotlight with a gorgeous color palette to create projects that showcase the versatility of paper crafting. And during their time in the Spotlight, you can save on the stamp sets used to create these fabulous projects!

From now through September 14, you can save 10% on the stamp sets used to create these fabulous projects!
Rock Star
The Mighty Jungle
Past Due
Personal Stationery
School Days


And, for a limited time, order the special Collegiate cardstock assortment pack - an easy way to get the look showcased in this month's spotlight.

Collegiate Assortment Pack contains four sheets each:
Cranberry
Buttercup
Fern
Winter Sky
Eucalyptus

Contact me for more info or visit my webstore.

CMC Advanced Review

Wow, it has only been 4 months since I took this course, but I still want to come and provide my review that I started and did not finish.

You can find my review of the Beginner/Intermediate Class here.

The class description below is taken from her class website followed by my review.  Visit CMC Road website here for more details, class schedule and availability.

 

Advanced  Class

You This class features harder techniques and colors! You need to know the basics before you take this class as I do not repeat that information. If you take the Beg/Interm. class YOU WILL be ready for this class!

*coloring with reds and blacks (the most difficult to blend)

*advanced hair coloring
*glassy objects, round objects
*feathering and background techniques

*coloring landscape

*coloring textured items

*metallics

*coloring folds, pleats, ruffles with light sourcing

*flowers/leaves

*high contrast coloring

*intro to airbrushing

My Review

Although i had debated whether or not to take the Beginner/Intermediate class, I knew i needed to take the Advanced.  If you are like I am, and feel you know the basics and are looking to learn more...then this class is for you.   This class really pushed me.  In response to my review of Suzanne's Beginner/Intermediate class, she commented on me "abandoning" images.  There was no question that i was "abandoning" images in the Advanced class.  Suzanne gave us multiple copies of the same image to practice our coloring.  There were times where my image was going in the wrong directions (PLEATS and FOLDS).  So i "abandoned" (PLEATS and FOLDS) it and moved on to another copy of the same image to start over. Did i mention that pleats and folds were my biggest challenge.  You will see.  


As i mentioned in my earlier review.  Suzanne always took the time to provide individual feedback on our technique and coloring. If you have the opportunity to take one of her On The Road classes....i highly recommend it.

I'll explain a little bit about what we did as i share some of the images i colored.  The first image we did was coloring a glassy object.  The challenge here is that glassy objects have reflections.  If i had to choose which technique I thought would have been the most difficult, I would have selected this.  Now i know it is PLEATS....did i say pleats again?  


This image was colored using the Cool Grays.  I need to find a cute saying to go with this image.

This next image was also using the Cool Grays, but this time to color a metallic object. I think it will pop more once i add some vibrant colors to the flowers.

We worked on feathering techniques in small images.  Although I know most apples are not completely red or green.  I typically color them that way. This next image we did made we realize how utilizing the two colors together really make the apples more realistic.

So...now onto the PLEATS and FOLDS.  We did a progression with the pleats.  The first image has the pleats well defined which made it easy to know where to place the shading. In the second image you can determine where the pleats and folds should be based on the curvature of her dress.  In the last image, we had to determine the location and use shading to define the pleats and folds.

In the image above, the stamp provide details of the location of the pleats making it easy to determine where to highlight and shade.

 In the image above, you can tell by the curvature at the bottom of her dress and the stamps image where the pleats and fold should go.  With this image I did find difficulty in determining the length and width of the shading i needed to add.  In hindsight, it did not turn out as bad as I originally thought.    You can also see in this image that we worked on coloring black hair.

 This is where it all started "abandoning" my work.  This image required you to determine where the shading should be and i was having some difficulties.  I think i could have gotten it if i had a visual.  The next time i have to this i will make my own visual.  I don't recall which image i started first but I can say that Suzanne did help me fix the one on the left.  Can't you tell...it doesn't look half bad.  

In the class I was in, we did not get to the airbrushing. 

Just like the Beginner/Intermediate class, we received a manual for the classes including the techniques we covered and much more that we did not. 

I hope my overview was helpful.  I found Suzanne's classes to be worth every penny.  Having someone with her experience providing personalized feedback is not something you can get from watching a video or reading a blog.   If you want to improve your Copic skills, consider checking out her on the road classes.  If that isn't possible, look into her online classes.