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)

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. 

Awesome Workshop

This weekend I had an awesome workshop with Kristine.  I prepared 3 make and takes for the workshop.  My goal was to do a with Copics, one with mostly stamping and one that is very simple and easy to mass produce.    I think this format worked out well and the ladies had a good time.

The first card we made was a card with Copics.  This card used an image and sentiment from Woodland Friends.  The cardstock is Sugar and Sage.  I made a custom colored cardstock using the YG23 New Leaf Copic to match my tree.  For the truck we used E33 Sand.  The border was done with a 0.3 Copic Multiliner.  For most this was an intro to Copics so i kept it simple with single color no shading.

The second card we did used one of my favorite stamp sets Avian Notes and the beautiful cardstock Blackberry.  The ink used is Blackberry and Sky.  The pink striped tape at the bottom is Washi Tape (summer). This stuff is awesome.  It is a low tack so it is repositionable.  You can also use it to temporarily hold down dies and you send them through your die cutter. It is a great multipurpose product.  The bird was stamped in Blackberry ink and then Diamond Glitter was added.  The rhinestones were colored with RV14 Begonia Pink Copic.  I now only buy clear rhinestones and use my Copic markers to color match my projects.  Since Copics are an alcohol ink they are permanent on many surfaces. 

The last card was a card i have shown here on my blog in the past.  It is a very simple card that can easily be mass produced if needed.  It used Papaya which is currently my favorite color.  The floral image is from Beautiful Botanicals and the sentiment is from Friend To Friend.  The zig-zag is from Mad For Plaids. 

Thanks for checking out my post.

CMC Challenge #17

It has been a crazy two weeks in my house.  My husband has been out of town and work has just been crazy.  I needed a moment to myself so I decided to do the  Color Me Creative Challenge.  I was late to the game, but decided to still play.  This challenge was tagged Spring Break.  Spring Break for me is no different than any other time of the year. I work full time and my kids are too young to be impacted by it. I decided to be inspired by my dad.  He loved fishing and this time of the year was when he would get his boat ready for a season full of fishing.  I will miss those days. 

This card isn't my best coloring.  I couldn't really get a moment to myself so I was coloring this while sitting on my bed with my kids watching TV in the room with me. Hopefully you won't notice the mistakes I had to "cover up" thanks to my kids bouncin' on my bed while i was coloring.

Paper: Sky (a|s), Baby Boy (Wild Asparagus), Cryogen White

Stamps: Best Fishes! (Sugar Nellie)

Other: Copics

The current CMC challenge is all about WHITE.  I can use some practice there so if you are like me and need practice or just want to show off your coloring white skills, then head on over to the CMC Challenge group and join in. 

Another PTI Make It Monday #12 Post

Here is my third Make It Monday #12 Card.  For this one i decided to color on Kraft paper.  This was my first time coloring on Kraft paper.  I like the result.

I did realize today that I need to clean my Copic pen lids and my nibs.  I got some sticky deposits on my image's face that make it impossible to blend.  Suzanne Dean told me how to clean them when i took her On The Road classes two weeks ago.  Fill a bin with some alcohol, toss in the lids, swish them around then use a qtip (if you want) to get in the lids.  Once the lids dry, put them back on.  She also said I can quickly dip the nips in alcohol and then wipe with a "wipe" to clean off the ickyness.  I should be able to do this a few times before i have to replace the nibs. I do plan on coloring another one of these images in the same manner, but will wait until my pens are clean. From coloring on Kraft, I've determined that using colors that end in 0 or 1 pretty much make the paper look greyish....so avoid those.

The image I used is Laundry from The Greeting Farm (TGF).  I have a few images, digital and rubber, from TGF.  You will be seeing more :)  The sentiment is from the PTI set On My Couch.

Here is what i did.....  You can see on the right side of her face where my Copic started leaving stickiness. 

OMG!!!!.. I just realized those are slippers on her feet.  I was wondering why her feet looked funny.. LOL.  I'll get it right on the next card.

Supplies:

Paper: Vintage Cream (PTI), Kraft (PTI), Melon Mambo (PTI)

Stamps: Laundry (The Greeting Farm),On My Couch (PTI)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Other: Black Slick Writer (American Crafts), Copics

Color Me Creative Copic Challenge: Pastels

This is my first Color Me Creative Copic Challenge. The challenge this round is to use Copics to color pastels. This was "challenging". :) It was very easy to fall back into the norm of having color everywhere. Trying to leave more white space requires more effort. I will need to practice this more. What I like about the CMC challenges is that they will get me to use Copics in a manner outside of my norm.

This is the card when I submitted it for the challenge.

I thought it needed more so I reworked it. I added some grounding, Shimmerz to the wings and glitter with my Spica.  Since i didn't have matching cardstock, I made my own with strips of white paper and my Copics.  I still have some more practice to do for the hair, but overall I like it better now.

Anyone know what the stamp image is?

Supplies:

Paper: Stampers Select (PTI), French Roast (a|s), Animal Crackers (Making Memories)

Stamps: ???? I don't know image, Essential Sentiments (a|s)

Other: Copics (BG01, BG05, R85, R83, R81, C00, C1, C2, C3, E00, E11, E21, Clear Spica), Angel Wings (Shimmerz),

CMC Beginner/Intermediate Class Review

Many of you know from my previous posts that I took Suzanne Deans On The Road Color Me Creative Classes.  These classes are a great way to get some hands on face to face instruction with Suzanne.  I have really enjoyed her free You Tube videos but nothing compares to having the one on one interaction.  She  individually looked at our work and provided individual feedback for each technique.  She would even jump in with a marker to show us what we needed to do, if needed.  I highly recommend the classes.  I have not taken any of her online Copic classes (yet) so I cannot offer a comparison.  I do plan on taking some of her online classes as well.  Suzanne stated that completing both of her On The Road classes gets you about half way through the techniques covered in her Online Copic 2 class.  Based on the Online class descriptions and what we actually did in class, I’d say we also touched on techniques in the Copic 3 class.

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.

 

Beginner/Intermediate Class

You will learn how to get comfortable with the markers, learn light sourcing, shading

and highlighting along with other practical techniques to bring your coloring to life!

*briefly learn about the basics of Copics and how they work/tips & tricks

*get comfortable with the markers and laying down color lightly
**Learn how to "f-l-i-c-k" layer/blend colors
*choosing successful color combos and layer colors

*learn about light sources and how to create dimension in your coloring

*shading and highlighting techniques (light & shadow)

*creating good skin tone and hair colors

*shading round objects

*coloring white

*Bridging Colors

*multi-liner pens & Spica pens

*Colorless Blender Techniques/Review

*Blues, Pinks, Browns, Yellows

My Review

At first I wasn’t sure if I needed to take the Beginner/Intermediate class.  I had never classified myself as a beginner or advanced user.  I am just a Copic user.  I had taken a couple classes at my local LSSs (I’m fortunate to have multiple LSSs).  I had seen many of Suzanne videos from a year ago.  I practiced off and on and was actually pleased with how I colored most my images. My method for coloring was similar to Suzanne’s “f-l-i-c-k” technique.   The reason I decided to take the Beg/Int class is because I wanted to improve my techniques for light sourcing, shading round objects and coloring and shading hair .  I tend to ALWAYS light source from the upper right.  I’m not sure why, because my desk light is on the left. My images also have very dull hair and not shiny, healthy, superstar hair.  Looking back at some of my images from class, I’m quite impressed with center light sourcing and my new hair techniques. 

At the beginning of the class she took some time to discuss the Copic baisic.  This part I already knew.  After that portion, there was never a time when I felt like I had made a wrong choice.   Once we picked up the markers we colored for the entire class with the exception of the 35 min break we had for lunch.  Throughout the class Suzanne provided tips, tricks and some of her latest color combos and findings.   In hindsight, the class was a must for me.  The class includes a step my step manual on the techniques we used in classes plus many more.

If I had to offer a suggestion for improvement, it would be to include at least one darker skin tone since I find the darker skin tones harder to blend.  Suzanne does have a You Tube video on coloring African American skin and hair.  I refer to it from time to time.  The technique is also covered in the manual from the class. 

Suzanne provided two types of paper for us to use: Cryogen White and Copic XPress.  The Cryogen white has a subtle iridescent finish so it sparkles.  This is my new favorite paper for Copics.  I will be ordering this.  The Copic XPress paper worked well too.  It just doesn't give that nice sparkle that the Cryogen does.

We colored many different images. Since I know many of you want to see some of the images i did, here are a few of my favorites. 

 

This is the first image we did with center lighting.  I really like this light source.  You can see from my image that I still have some practicing.  That bun....oh my.  The Copics and I were not seeing eye to eye on that bun.  I have some extra images of her so I'm going to find a way to fix that bun and still use her.  

 This is another center light source.  I need to rework her hair in the back because I don't like how the edges turned out.  A great thing about Copics is that I can continue work on this image even though it has been over a week since I last worked on it.

 In this image you can see the shimmer that the Cryogen white paper gives. 

For this bear I was trying to show him as white by giving him some shading and adding some background color.  I plan to go back and give him more shading contrast. 

I hope my review was helpful.  Suzanne's class was beneficial to me.  If you want to improve your Copic skills, consider checking out her online or on the road classes. 

I'll be back to post my review of the advanced class.

It's a Copic Day

Everything I need for my all day Copic class is just about ready.  I still need to pack some snacks, lunch and dinner since it will be an all day affair.

Before heading off I want to share two the first stamps I ever colored with Copics.  This is another image from Mo Manning except I have it i an Acrylic stamp from Stampavie.  It is called 'Sumpins Wrong'.

At the time i started with Copics, I did not have any paper to use.  I did have some Neenah panel cards that I had bought a few years earlier for my son's baptism invitation.  i gave them a try and liked the results.

 In the one on the left I did some grounding.  I really does make a difference.

Enjoy.  I'll be back later to update you on my Copic class with Suzanne Dean.  Off to Inspiration Station.

Copic Class LIVE with Suzanne Dean

Guess where I will be this Sunday...taking two Copic classes with Suzanne Dean.  She is heading to Inspiration Station in Stafford Springs, CT for her next stop on her Color Me Creative Copic Classroom on the road series.

I'm very excited.  I LOVE coloring with Copics and really want to improve my technique.  I feel that i especially need improvement on grounding objects so they don't float in space.  I'm usually reluctant to attempt since i fear I will mess up all the work I did coloring the image.  Of course I could always cut out the image if I screw up (which is what i end up doing).   Cutting it out is faster than starting over. 

I'll be back on Sunday to update you on the classes.  Since I'm taking both classes, I'll be immersed in Copics from 9am to 7:30pm.  How fun!!!!!

Birthday Boy

I have two boys and the majority of my friends' kids are boys.  So you can guess that most of my cards are masculine.  I think it is more my style so it works for me.  Here is the last Mo's Digital Pencil image of this posting session.  This one if Kareem's Balloons.  This image is one of the first images I purchased. I've made a few cards with this one and never seem to tire of it. It is such a great image for a young boy card.  There will be many more of these in my future.  I already have a second image colored and ready to go.  I plan to challenge myself on the next image I color to use colors I haven't used before.

Supplies:

Paper: Stampers Select (PTI), Pure Poppy (PTI), Orange (a|s))

Stamps: So Happy For You (SU!)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Other: Copics, Black Hemp (CTMH)

PaperTreyInk Make it Monday #10

The Make It Monday challenge for this week is Masking with Dies.  The intention of this was probably to use stamp ink to color the image.  However, when i was coloring my image, I didn't have in mind any particular ink color.  I just picked colors I liked. Of course when I was done, I had no ink to match.  I decided to use the die mask and color it in using my Copics.  My die mask came from the top die from Banner Borders.  I used the negative to create the large circles and the center of the positive image for the smaller circles.

The image I used today is from Mo's Digital Pencil.  I've had this image for a number of months and am finally using it.  I think it is a beautiful image.  It brings back memories.  I colored it using Copics.

There is no sentiment because I don't have one that i felt worked.  If you have any sentiment suggestions, please let me know.

 

Since I was in the coloring mood and love the image, I also did a second card.  Although, this one does not fit the challenge.  Again...no sentiment.  Leave a comment if you have a sentiment suggestion.

Supplies:

Card 1

Paper: Stampers Select (PTI), French Roast (a|s))

Stamps: Mother To Be 2 (Mo's Digital Pencil)

Other: Copics, Border Builder (PTI, for the border mask)

Card 2

Paper: Stampers Select (PTI), Enchanted Evening (PTI), Orange (a|s))

Stamps: Mother To Be 2 (Mo's Digital Pencil)

Other: Copics

Mojo Monday 186

The focal of my MOJO186 card is an image from Mo's Digital Pencil.  I love the images from Maurie J. Manning at Mo's Digital Pencil.  I colored in the image with Copics. Since this is a masculine card, I used twine in both locations instead of ribbon as shown in the sketch and eliminated the scallops.

Supplies:

Paper: Stampers Select (PTI), Smokey Shadow (PTI), Orange Zest (PTI) and Papaya (a|s))

Stamps: The Big Guy Golfing (Mo's Digital Pencil), Swingin' Day (a|s)

Ink: Smokey Shadow (PTI)

Other: Copics, Cherry Twine (a|s)

Cards with Copics

Today I'm sharing two cards colored using Copic markers.  I LOVE Copic markers.  I found out about Copics last year and am quickly accumulating more and more markers.  I have about half Ciao and half Sketch.   I was never into coloring images, but now I really find it relaxing and a great stress reliever.

My first card uses a Hero Arts Stamp that i ran out and bought as soon as I started collecting Copics.

I used an atyou Spica pen to add some glitter.

The second card uses a stamp from My Favorite Things.  I just love the innocence of the girl in the image.  This explains why the collection is called Pure Innocence.

Supplies:

Paper:  Pure Poppy and Stampers Select (PT), Bazzil and unknown

Stamps: hero Arts and SU!

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Other: Copics, Clear atyou Spica

Card 2

Paper: Kraft, Pure Poppy and Stampers Select (PT), Bazzil

Stamps: Pure Innocence (MFT), Delight in Everything (CTMH)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), White Daisy (CTMH)

Other: Copics