Card Art with Copics: Blessed by Sara Burrier

I'm thrilled to have made some time to play with this wonderful child angel digital image recently released by Crafts and Me.  This sweet Sara Burrier image is named Blessed.

This photo shows my Copic-filled Blessed image . . . Note how the cooler toned wings appear further back while the warm toned banner looks like it's closer.

I layered some Little Yellow Bicycle cardstock and Festive Floral patterned paper from their Christmas Magic Collection.  Martha Stewart's Rings border punch adds a dainty touch to the bottom of the solid matting.  Spellbinders scalloped rectangles shape my Blessed image and Hero Arts sentiment as shown on the card base . . .

A Memory Box Holly Vine die cut adds a dimensional border.  Punch Bunch large holly leaves and several sizes of Kikyou form my handmade flowers.

I've layered a decorative ribbon bow on top of a lace bow.  I don't care for that bulkiness and will likely not do that again.

Here's a view of my card front . . .

Finally, this side view shows my completed card using Sara Burrier's Blessed digital image . . .

I've added this lovely child angel image to this Christmas card.  She'll also make a wonderful image for a Christening card or birth announcement.  Whenever you want to express that you're blessed for knowing someone or reminding them that they're blessed, this sweet image will easily convey such a message.  Ooo . . . have I got plans for her . . .

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Stampin' for the Weekend "What a Cutie!!!" (here)
One Stop Craft "Easel Cards" (here)
Totally Gorjuss "Birds of a Feather" (here)
Sparkle Creations "Handmade Flowers" (here)
Hooked on Crafts "Ribbon and Lace" (here)
Creative Card Crew "Easel Card" (here)
Simon Says Stamp! "Anything Goes" (here)
Papertake Weekly "Dawny's Sketch" (here)
Crafty Sentiments "Banners, Bunting or Flags" (here)
Ooh La La Creations "Punches/Dies" (here)


Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00
hair - E31, E35, E47
dress, leggings - Y13, Y26, Y28
wings - C1, C3, C5
banner - E41, E42, E43, banner letters atyou Spica Gold
birds - R22, R29, R59

Card Art with Copics: Sweet Pea Stamps Moonlight Whispering

The cooler air of Autumn brings along changes in the scenery as the familiar greenery turns into beautiful shades of golds, reds and browns.  Children begin to talk with their new school mates about which costumes they'd prefer to wear when trick or treating on Halloween night.  Some adults may enjoy disguising themselves to attend a masquerade ball.

Many of my favorite rubberstamped images are designed by fantasy artist Ching-Chou Kuik.  This lovely Ching-Chou Kuik image, called Moonlight Whispering, by Sweet Pea Stamps, makes me think of Autumns of the past.  She rests with her furry companion as she breaks for some fresh air before her departure to a masquerade ball.  The ruffles of her strapless, satiny, ocean-toned dress will twist and swirl as she dances.  She needs little embellishment as her matching gloves coordinate beautifully with her shimmering mask that will conceal her identity.  This photo shows a closer view of my Copic-filled Moonlight Whispering image.

This Close To My Heart sentiment, from a stamp set called Autumn Splendor, with a few punched Marvy Uchida maple leaves painted with Diamond Stickles, provides simple embellishments that allow the beautiful floral pattern of daisyd's Autumn Collection paper to peek through.

This photo shows the completed card front and my use of Moonlight Whispering surrounded by vintage tones of autumn colors:

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Sweet Pea Stampers "Fall Colors" (here)
One Stitch at a Time "Favorites" (here)
Paper Sundaes "Anything Goes" (here)
Stamp with Fun "Anything Goes" (here)
Anything Goes "Anything Goes" (here)
Paper Play "Autumn Leaves" (here)
Crafty Purple Frog "Fall Into Fall" (here)
Crafty Catz "Autumn" (here)
Crazy 4 Challenges "Halloween or Autumn" (here)
Fashionable Stamping Challenges "Vintage" (here)


Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00
hair - YR23, R14, E07
dress, glove, mask - BG70, BG72, BG75, BG78
cat - T0, T6, T9, B37 (ears - RV91, RV93, RV95, RV99; eyes - YR20, YR23, YR24)
foliage - YG91, YG95, YG99
outline shadow - C2, C3
airbrushed sky - BG72, BG78, YG93, YG97, BV17
airbrushed moon - YG21, YG93

Crafts and Me Challenge: Stripes

The Dynamite Digi design team at the Crafts and Me Challenge blog wants to see your stripes. Crafts and Me is sponsoring this challenge and offering a whopping SIX digi images as a prize to a randomly selected winner. You can find out more about this challenge and their sponsor here.

I've used Copic colors to fill this newly released image by Sara Burrier named Perched At Dawn.  Diamond Stickles, painted over her wings, adds a little magical glimmer.  A Spellbinders Scalloped Octagons die cut defines the shape around my image.  This photo also shows my attempts at creating a background of morning light in the sky.

I've layered stripes from Bo Bunny's Gabrielle Collection with Bazzill cardstock to create my card.  A bit of Spellbinders Floral Flourishes, layered with Prima Say It In Pearls Mixed Crystals Cream, help to embellish a few square buttons and a light Wishing You Well sentiment adorned with a ribbon bow.

This photo shows my completed card front using Perched At Dawn by Sara Burrier:

Hop over to the Crafts and Me Challenge Blog to see what the digi design team has done with more of the recently released Crafts and Me images. Get your entry in for a chance to win this fabulous prize!

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Charisma Cardz "Sky" (here)
Crafty Catz "Auntie Sue's Sketch" (here)
One Stop Craft "Girlie" (here)
Dream Valley "Buttons" (here)
Digital Tuesday "People Images" (here)
Ooh La La Creations "Punches/Dies" (here)
Papertake Weekly "Creature Comforts" (here)
Ladybug Crafts Ink "Animals" (here)
Anything Goes "Anything Goes" (here)
Creative Craft "Buttons and Bling" (here)



"Top 3" Sept. 26, 2011 One Stop Craft

"Top 3" Sept. 27, 2011 Creative Craft Challenges

 



 

 

 



Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00
hair - E47, E35, E31
skirt/stockings - R12, R14, R17
hairpiece - YG05
wings - R01, R00, R000
bird - BG11, BG13, BG15, BG18
bird beak/legs - YR12, YR15, YR18
airbrushed sky - Y02, YG11, BG11

Card Art with Copics: Sweet Pea Stamps Wait For You

I'm happy that I was able to make some time to play with one of the Sweet Pea Stamps that I received as a three-count grab bag prize for participating in a recent Sweet Pea Stampers challenge.

Here's a view of Ching-Chou Kuik's Wait For You image that I've filled using some of my favorite Copic colors.  I've used Spellbinders Scalloped Octagons to die cut my Bazzill Bling shaped card then cut around my Wait For You mermaid.  A bit of Glossy Accents over the hanging hearts and some Diamond Stickles painted over the fin add some shine and sparkle.

I really want my image to be seen so I added minimal embellishments.  Simple, layered felt flowers from a Stampin' Up! Flower Fusion Too set, held together with a mini brad, adorn a corner of my Inkadinkado sentiment.

Here's a view of the clean and simple shaped card front allowing my image to remain the focal point:

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Sweet Pea Stampers "Favorite Colors" (here)
Totally Gorgeous "Anything but Square" (here)
Cute Card Thursday "Anything Goes" (here)
Moving Along With The Times "Sparkle" (here)
Fab-n-Funky "Bingo" (here) (bottom row:  flower, sentiment, die cut)
Paper Sundaes "Felt" (here)
Totally Paper Crafts "Clean and Simple" (here)


Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00
hair - E47, E35, E31
moon - Y13, Y26, Y28
eyes/hair piece - YG11, YG13, YG17
hearts/fin/top - RV23, RV14, RV19
tail - V04, V06, V09

Copic Creations Challenge: Colorful Fur

The Copic Goddesses over at the Copic Creations Challenge blog want to see your Copic-filled, colorful fur. StampFairy World is sponsoring this challenge and offering a $10 gift certificate to a randomly selected entry. You can find out more about this challenge and their sponsor here.

The lovely Gerda of StampFairy World, kindly provided me with this digi image of Chubby Halloween 5 sitting wizard bear from the Teddies collection. The stars on his wizard hat make it look as though he’s able to cast some Halloween magic.

I’ve used a few layers of color to fill my furry bear. I began adding color using the popular 3-tone smooth blending technique for some shaded dimension. Using a fun Colorless Blender technique, I pounced a paper towel, dampened with spritzes of colorless blender, to soften some areas of that smoothly blended fur. Finally, I added some of my darkest color to the fibers of a piece of rag and pounced it over places of my image, a.k.a. the nasty rag technique. I love how using these techniques together provides some deep, dark shadows and some soft, light highlights to my furry images.  (This link will take you to another example using the Pounce with Colorless Blender technique.  You can find another example using the Nasty Rag technique here.)

This photo shows a closer view of my Copic-filled purple fur image:

I layered Echo Park’s bats festival paper with Bazzill cardstock to form my easel card. A few Karen Foster green with envy mini brads border my Crafty Secrets’ Costume Cuties’ sentiments that include stamped candy pieces from the same large set.

Websters Pages vintage-inspired netting surrounds my Chubby Halloween bear, while a berry branch with Punch Bunch grape leaves borders one edge.

Here's a closer view of the card front:

This photo shows the decorated inside of my card.  A row of Junkitz’ Halloween buttonz on the base keeps my easel card from sliding closed.

Here’s the completed card showing my Copic-filled, colorful fur on StampFairy World’s Chubby Halloween 5 sitting wizard bear:

Pop over to the Copic Creations Challenge Blog to see how the design team has filled their colorful fur using other StampFairy World digi images. Add your entry for a chance to win a fabulous prize!

I’m entering this card into the following challenges:
Sketch Saturday “Jo’s Sketch” (here)
Secret Crafters “Inspired by a Song” (here) - Do You Believe in Magic by John Cougar Mellencamp
Crafty Emma’s “Make it Magical or Spooky” (here)
Stamp Something “Anything Goes” (here)
iCopic Lover “Contrast” (here)
Totally Paper Crafts “Cute with Buttons” (here)
One Stitch At A Time “Anything Goes” (here)
Paper Sundaes “Finishing Touches - Inside of Card” (here)

Creative Inspirations "Anything Goes" (here)

Copics used:
fur – V91, V93, V95, V99 (techniques: Colorless Blender dampened paper towel; Nasty Rag)
cape, hat – T0, T6, T8
stars, pumpkin – YR12, YR15, YR18
leaves – YG61, YG63, YG67

Card Art with Copics: Crafts and Me Steam Punk House

Steampunk is all about the idea of celebrating the future of yesterday.  Images and embellishments are comprised of items that inventors of Victorian times would have considered futuristic and often include things made of metal.

Crafty Secrets has created vintage and retro-inspired images including vintage text for their sentiments.  These stamps make a perfect union with the Steampunk movement.

Here I've used many of my metal-toned Copic colors to fill this newly released digital image by Crafts and Me called Steam Punk House.

I've layered patterned papers from Bo Bunny's Time Piece Collection with Bazzill cardstock.  I covered chipboard with WorldWin Gold Metallic Foil Mirror Cast Hi-Gloss cardstock then die cut a gear border using a Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations On The Edge Steampunk die.

Here's a view of the front of my card that includes recently released EK Success Jolee's Boutique Steampunk Floral Corners, butterfly punches painted with Diamond Stickles and a saying from the Crafty Secrets Home Sweet Home large stamp set.

This sweet, vintage sentiment from the same Crafty Secrets set makes a nice addition to the lightly decorated inside of my card:

Here's a full view of my completed easel card using the Crafts and Me Steam Punk House:

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Cupcake Craft "Patchwork Quilt" (here)
Hooked on Crafts "Spring Has Sprung" (here)
Stamp with Fun "Autumn" (here)
Daisy Doodles "Anything Goes" (here)
Anything Goes "Vintage/Shabby Chic" (here)
Ladybug Crafts Ink "Anything Goes" (here)
Truly Scrumptious "Decorate the Inside of Your Card" (here)
Paper Play "Use 2 or More Stamped Images" (here)
Delicious Doodles "Fresh Start" (something new) (here)

 

 

"Cupcake Cutie" Sept. 12, 2011 Cupcake Craft

 

 



Copics used:
copper - E02, E33, E37, E39
silver - C1, C3, C5
gold - Y13, Y26, Y28
leaves, grass - YG11, YG13, YG17
door - E31, E35, E47
curtains, sheet, sock, window glass - B000, 0
butterflies - V04, V06, V09
flowers - RV14, RV19, RV23
airbrushed sky - B02

Card Art with Copics: Crafts and Me Bottom of the Garden

Sometimes a background image can be the perfect focal point for an everyday card.  I've found that this beautiful Crafts and Me image called Bottom of the Garden is a joy to fill with color and will be an appropriate image for most all-occasion cards.

Here's a closeup of my Copic-filled image where I've added some Yellow Stickles glitter glue to the wonderful flower centers for a little bling.

I've layered Best Creation's glittered falling leaves paper with Bazzill cardstock to make my easel card.  A QuicKutz scalloped square cookie cutter die cut mats my image while QuicKutz pennant die cuts provide a garland/swag base for my EK Success maple leaf punches that I've painted with Diamond Stickles.

This photo shows the completed front of my card where I've used a Stampin' Up! Best Yet friendship sentiment:

I've decorated the inside of my easel card very lightly as you can see here in this photo of my finished layered, colorful garden party card:

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Everybody Art "Autumn" (here)
Sketch Saturday "Lisa's Sketch" (here)
Crissy Armstrong's Monthly Challenge "Friendship" (here)
Papertake Weekly "Anything Goes" (here)
iCopic Lover "Glitter" (here)
Crafty Catz "Ribbons" (here)
Dream Valley "Picture Inspiration" (here) - Garden
Simon Says Stamp! "Multifold Card/Creation" (here) - more than one fold
Truly Scrumptious "Decorate the Inside of Your Card" (here)
Charisma Cardz "Inspired by a Song" (here) - Garden Party by Ricky Nelson

Copics used:
clay pots - E02, E33, E37, E39
black pot - T0, T6, T8
shovel - C1, C3, C5
handles - E53, E55, E59
broom - Y13, Y26, Y28
wooden fence - E31, E35, E47
grass - YG11, YG13, YG17
poppies - R22, R29, R59
mums - YR12, YR15, YR18

Crafts and Me Challenge: Buttons and Bows

The Dynamite Digi design team at the Crafts and Me Challenge blog wants to see your buttons and bows.  Crafty Ribbons is sponsoring this challenge and offering your choice of a back-to-school or cherry pick ribbon set as a prize to a randomly selected winner.  You can find out more about this challenge and their sponsor here.

I've used this beautiful, newly released Hannah Lynn steampunk image named Miss Mirabelle.  She's using old world futuristic goggles to hold her hair back.  Her metal wings are piped into place.  It seems appropriate to dress her in a silver metallic suit.  This photo shows a close-up of my Copic-filled Miss Mirabelle image.

I've created a money holder pocket card that should fit into a business sized envelope.  The card is 8 1/2" long x 3 5/8" tall and has a pocket inside to hold some cold, hard cash as a gift.  This photo shows how the inside of the card looks with an "empty" pocket.

I've layered some Graphics45 Steampunk Debutante Modern Marvels papers with Bazzill cardstock.  Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations On The Edge Steampunk adds some bordered gears.  I've included some Spellbinders Donna Salazar Sprightly Sprockets die cuts using Paper Temptress Copper Ore and Glamour Gold Glossy with Paper Cut's Metallic silver cardstock and StarDream's Bronze Metallic text papers.  Those papers have also been punched with Punch Bunch leaves, small blossom and mini flower to coordinate metal-looking flowers with a Bazzill Basics walnut gem in the center of each.  A Bazzill Basics Vintage button is centered over the ribbon double bow.

As steampunk is the idea of celebrating the future of yesterday, I've included this Victorian text sentiment from the Crafty Secrets Medium Mouse Party set.  EK Success Jolee's Boutique has recently released a line of Steampunk layered stickers like the Gear Corners I used on this sentiment.

This photo shows my completed card demonstrating Hannah Lynn's Miss Mirabelle image and my attempts at providing her with an appropriate steampunk'd base.  I'm really lovin' the look of those Tim Holtz idea-ology Adornments Regal wings extending Miss Mirabelle's wings from the image to the rest of the card.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Charisma Cardz "Anything Goes" (here)
Cute Card Thursday "A Pinch and a Punch!" (here)
Paper Play "Make Your Own Flowers" (here)
Moving Along with the Times "Handmade Flowers" (here)
Emerald Faerie Garden "Buttons" (here)
Crafty Purple Frog "Birthdays" (here)
Paper Crafting Journey "Sketch by Jackie" (here)
One Stitch at a Time "Use a Digi" (here)
Secret Crafter "Colors of Autumn" (here)
Craft Your Passion "Anything Goes Add a Flower" (here)

Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93
hair - E31, E35, E47
gold - Y13, Y26, Y28
silver - C1, C3, C5
copper - E02, E33, E37, E39
eyes - BG93, BG96, BG99
outline shadow - BG99

"Top 3" Sept. 15, 2011 Paper Crafting Journey

Handmade Dimensional Flowers using EK Success Quilling Punches

It makes me happy when my embellishments coordinate with my projects. There’s something special about the polished look of a card, layout or other paper crafting project that includes handmade embellishments that blend with the rest of the project’s elements.

EK Success has recently added another fabulous punch line to help me get that beautifully coordinated look that is so appealing to me.

I’m going to share some photos of samples that I’ve made for my favorite local scrapbook store, The Scrappers Cove in Milltown, NJ, using the latest EK Success Quilling Punches.

Each of the flowers shown here were created by first punching two 12” strips of double-sided paper. The bottoms of the strips were adhered to each other, allowing the flower petals to overlap each other. I like to use a thin line of Zig wet glue pen because it gives me enough time to shift the paper slightly and make sure the edges match up, where needed. These quilled punched flowers are about 2” diameter and stand about 1” or less tall.

The top border of each tag shows the detail of the punched strip before it’s curled into a full quilled flower.

The soft, rounded petals of this purple flower is made by using the Carnation punch.

This fun, pointed petal, variegated black and tan flower is made from the Dahlia punch.

The petals of this great orange-toned flower are shaped by the Doily Petals punch. Here, I’ve included a Studio112 adhesive pearl in the center.

This pretty blue flower is made from the Gerber Daisy punch.

This photo shows the four flowers made by using the recently released EK Success Quilling Punches:

I’ve painted a thin layer of Diamond Stickles over each petal of these flowers for some added glamour.

While these dimensional flowers may be a bit too large for cards or layouts, they’ll be beautiful additions to tags and other projects.

I did attempt to make the flowers smaller by overlapping two 6” punched strips. My thoughts about ½ the strip size resulting in ½ the flower size were proven wrong. The flowers made from shorter strips resulted in quilled punched flowers slightly less than 2” diameter and standing about 3/4” tall. Not much difference at all in size, just fewer petals.

If the bulk doesn’t bother you, you’ll enjoy using these quilled punches on your cards and layouts as well as other paper crafting projects. It’s always fun when you have to stop and admire your own work! It’s really great when you can’t help but exclaim “Wow!” at your own special creation.

As for the other elements of my tag samples, here’s what I used:

QuicKutz rounded tag die cut using piece of manila folder
Stamped with Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Collection Festive Sounds
Edged using Distress Inks Vintage Photo, then Walnut Stain
Dymo Label Maker attached using Tim’s Tiny Attacher stapler
Spellbinders Floral Flourishes
Punch Bunch Dahlia Leaves


I'm entering this project into the following challenges:
Crafty Creations "Dies n Punches!" (3+ different) (here)
Charisma Cardz "Anything Goes" (here)
Cute Card Thursday "A Pinch and a Punch!" (here)
Paper Play "Make Your Own Flowers" (here)
Moving Along with the Times "Handmade Flowers" (here)
Totally Paper Crafts "Not A Card" (here)
Wags 'n Whiskers "Anything but a Card" (here)

 

 

"Top 3" Sept. 8, 2011 Moving Along with the Times

 

 



Copic Creations Challenge: Pretty In Pink

The current challenge over at the Copic Creations Challenge blog is to show use of your Copic pinks.   Susana’s Custom Art and Card Design (a.k.a. SCACD) is sponsoring this challenge and offering the entire SCACD exclusive Peekers #2 Collection to a randomly selected entry. You can find out more about this challenge and their sponsor here.

SCACD provided me with this adorable Sweet Cheeks Peeker image by Elisabeth Bell. Her sun suit looks like perfect beach attire for an end-of-summer shore visit. She looks so thoughtful at her young age and I hope that her curiosity doesn’t get the best of her.

This photo shows a closer view of my Copic pink filled image:

I’ve attempted to place her on the shoreline as though she’s considering the rolling water or perhaps what’s below it. The sun is setting and it’ll be time to leave soon. Should she reach for that sea treasure or not? Hmmm.

After masking my Sweet Cheeks image, I stamped a Sarasota Stamps Naples Pier, a Sarasota Stamps clouds image and a Rubberstamp Tapestry shell as I tried to portray a beachy background.

I embellished a bit with Spellbinders Floral Flourishes, Marianne Design's Decorative Elegance and Punch Bunch and All Night Media flower and leaf punches.  A K&Company Sea Glass Metal Art charm adorns the ribbon.  The "imagine" sentiment is by Inkadinkado.

Here’s the completed card demonstrating my use of Copic pinks as well as my attempts at portraying an ocean sunset.

Hop over to the Copic Creations Challenge Blog to see what the design team has done with these sweet Elisabeth Bell Peekers images made exclusively for Susana's Custom Art and Card Design.  Get your entry in for a chance to win this fabulous prize!

I’m entering this card into the following challenges:
Wags ‘n Whiskers “Outdoor Fun!” (here)
Stampin’ For The Weekend “Holiday” (means vacations) (here)
Make It Colourful “Sunset with Clouds” (here)
Secret Crafter “In The Sea” (here)
Fashionable Stamping Challenges “Ribbon or Lace” (here)
iCopic Lover “Water” (here)
Creative Card Crew “Anything Goes” (here)
Creative Craft “Just CHARMing” (here)
Crafty Creations “Dies n Punches!” (3+ different) (here)
Papertake Weekly Sketch (here)



"Spotlight" Sept. 3, 2011 Secret Crafter

 

 

 

"Top 3 Ensemble" Sept. 13, 2011 Fashionable Stamping Challenges

 

 



Copics used:

skin-E000, E01, E11, E93
hair- E31, E35, E47
outfit, hairbow-R0000, R00, R02
airbrushed sand-E43, E42, E41, E44
airbrushed water-B37, B34, B32
airbrushed sky-YR14, YR12, YR02, R43, B12, C3, C5