Card Art with Copics: Elisabeth Bell's Li'l Lynda's Piano Forte

I'm so glad that I made some time to play with this sweet digital image designed by Elisabeth Bell called Li'l Lynda's Piano Forte.  This sweet little lady is dressed in her best as she sings her little heart out while playing the piano for her doll, puppy and everybody else who cares to listen.  You can find her at the Elisabeth Bell Digital Gallery (here).

Here's a closer view of my Copic-filled image, sized smaller (just 2 1/2" tall) to fit inside of a die cut oval . . .

My sentiment, stamped onto a QuicKutz mini tag, is from a Close To My Heart Annotations set.  A Zip Sweetheart alphabet die forms the letter "B" that I added to my sentiment.  A jump ring holds a brass "wish" charm.

The coordinating handmade flowers are made from my card scraps with punches.  The Bachelor's Button is formed from a Punch Bunch medium and small cosmos, mini sun, and McGill pine branch.  My small daisies are formed from a Paper Shaper 6-petal daisy and Punch Bunch mini sun and birch leaf.  I painted a light layer of Diamond Stickles over each for added glimmer.  Here's a closer view of my flower cluster . . .

I've layered TPC Studio Party Hearty Birthday Wishes and Birthday Candles double-sided patterned paper with Bazzill cardstock to form my square criss-cross card. A Magnolia Doohickeys Tilda Lace Die cut edge provides a sweet lacey border for each side of my criss-cross. I die cut my image and matting using Spellbinders Classic Ovals and Scalloped Ovals.  This photo shows my completed criss-cross birthday card where I've used the Li'l Lynda's Piano Forte digital image designed by Elisabeth Bell . . .

The stamped sentiment on the insert of my card is from a Stampin' Up! Elegant Greetings set.

Here's a view of the insert of my card . . .

You can find more inspiration using Elisabeth Bell's digital images at the Digi Bells Design Team blog here.

Set aside some time to join the Digi Bells this Friday, April 20th, for their monthly blog hop and a chance to win one of Elisabeth's newest digi images.  You still have time to submit your entry at the Elisabeth Bell's World Challenge Blog - Shabby Chic/Distressing challenge  for a chance to win TWO digi images of your choice!


I'm entering this card into the following challenges:
Digital Tuesday "Birthdays" (here)
Divas by Design "Charmed, I'm Sure" (here)
Charisma Cardz "Fancy Folds" (here)
Paper Crafting Journey "3 or more patterned papers" (here)
Wags 'n Whiskers "Anything Goes" (here)
Sir Stampalot "Happy Birthday" (here)

Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93
blonde hair - Y13, Y26, Y28
dress, bow, dolls skirt and shoes - B32, B34, B37
pillow roses - G12, G14, G16
pillow - YR0000, YR00, YR02
piano - T9, T6, T0
puppy - E50, E53, E55
shoe, slip - E41, 0
airbrushed background - BG72, B32



I'm so glad that you stopped by to visit!

~ Rose

My 2011 Blog Year in Review

Karin over at With an "i" For Paper is hosting a Year in Review Blog Hop and offering a $25 gift certificate and another for $15 to randomly selected entries.  What a fun way to highlight some favorite projects or events from the past year.

Click Above Photo to enter

2011 has been an important growing year for me with my blog.  I began the year as a newbie blogger and in the past 12 months, I think I've progressed to at least a slightly-experienced blogger. I've been inspired and encouraged by so many amazingly talented artists.  As I look back through the year, I see how my blog posts show that my papercrafting interests have changed a bit as I'm more likely to skip scrapbooking layouts in favor of card making or other gift giving projects.  I've included some of my major blogging/crafting events below.  These are some things that changed the way I post blog entries or create my projects.

In January of 2011, I invested in a Sizzix Big Shot Pro die cutting machine and with just a few dies I developed an interest in enhancing die cut projects with embellishments.  Here's an example of one of my first Pillow Purses:

In February, I entered my first sketch challenge using Lady Tilda on a card.  I learned how following a good card sketch can help to unblock creativity and get the juices flowing again.

I was thrilled to accept an invitation to join the Copic Goddesses design team at the Copic Creations Challenge blog in March and held my first blog give away.  I was introduced to the fabulous fantasy images at Crafts and Me Stamps (Yay!!!). I also had a project published in Magnolia Ink's magazine!

April brought more experimenting with card shapes and styles.  I also posted a photo that was successfully taken under a black light, showing my Copic Fluorescent-filled image on a card:

In May, I had to find a way to add Copic clouds to my images and so began experimenting.  I've used this technique on many of my cards since.

In June I added my first real guy card and held my second blog give away . . .

I was overjoyed to accept an invitation to join the Dynamite Digi design team at Crafts and Me Stamps and began entering my projects into multiple challenges in July.  I also added my first 2011 Christmas card.

I spent quite a bit of time with Spellbinders Labels One dies and in August I posted ten examples.  I also gained my 100th follower!

I dabbled in the Steampunk trend in September . . .

In October, I found Elisabeth Bell's World Challenge blog (Yay!!!).  I also posted various ways to use Spellbinders Labels Two.

I was thrilled to accept my first guest design team assignment at Elisabeth Bell's World Challenge in November.

Adding multi-textures to this multi-layered Christmas card was a fun way to spend some time in December . . .

Oh, it's been a fabulous year in papercrafting, alright.  After looking through all the photos and my posts, I understand better why my dear non-blogging husband, when seeing me with my camera or at the laptop after 7pm, is compelled to ask, "Whaddaya have a blogger tonite?"

Thank you all for your kind words, encouragement, and inspiration.  I am ever grateful.

Here's wishing you a happy and healthy New Year that's overflowing with all good things!

Just Magnolia Challenge: Dancing Tilda

There is an Anything Goes with the Option of Faux or Real Stitching special monthly challenge at the Just Magnolia and  hÄnglar & stÄnglar Challenge Blog.  Their sponsor, Simon Says Stamp!, is offering a $25 store voucher to a randomly selected entry.  Find out more about this challenge and sponsor here.

The My Mind's Eye card challenge is to design a Free-style Anything Goes card using a sketch by the wonderful Anam Stubbington.  They're offering a collection of the winner's choice as the prize.  It's not clear to me whether the winner is randomly selected or chosen in another way.  Find out more about the My Mind's Eye challenge here.

I've inked up my Magnolia Stamps Dancing Tilda from the 2010 Fairy Tale Collection, stamped the image onto X-Press It blending card and filled her with Copic colors.  Here's a close up view of the image . . .

I've layered some of My Mind's Eye papers from their 2007 Tres Jolie Mademoiselle "Mother" stripe/light bleu, "Sisters" floral pattern/bleu, "Girl" Tiny Dots/Bleu with Bazzill dark teal cardstock.  This fabulous double-sided cardstock made wonderful Sizzix Tim Holtz Mini Paper Rosettes.  Simple faux stitching added with an 0.8 black marker adds a handmade feel.

This photo shows the complete card front . . .

I like the consistency of the pleats I added to Dancing Tilda's dress being repeated in the rosettes.

Here's a side view of the card . . .

I have tried again to use Copic markers on X-Press It blending card.  I still don't like it - LOL!!!  I become very frustrated with the color splotches and ink puddling.  Using X-Press It wipes the papercrafting joy right out of me.  I prefer to have some control over my color and ink application rather than have the paper behave as though it's in charge.

Just look at the splotches throughout Dancing Tilda's face.  Ugghhh!!! Instead of absorbing the moisture of Copic ink to allow for a smooth blending, X-Press It paper causes the ink to rest on the surface and the lighter colors push the darker colors out of the way resulting in splotches of color.  It saddens me to think that others who try Copic colors on this paper expect Copic ink to work that way.  It shouldn't.  If this is what you find when you're filling your images using Copic colors, I urge you to try other smooth papers like Bazzill Smooth White.

Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93
hair - E31, E35, E47
dress, gloves, shoes - RV91, RV93, RV95, RV99
crown - Y13, Y26, Y28

Magnolia Birthday Tilda and Sizzix Big Shot Pro Tri-Shutter Card

Easy is good.  I like easy.

Sizzix has a die for the Big Shot Pro that will cut and score a Tri-Shutter Card in a jiffy.  Easy peasy!  Easy is good.

I used My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Market Street "Happy Birthday" Dictionary Paper and within a few seconds I had a fabulous double-sided Tri-Shutter card ready for decorating.  This paper is already vintage-looking so I just added some dark brown cats eye ink to the edges.

I stamped my Magnolia Birthday Tilda from the 2011 You Are So Special collection and filled her using coordinating Copic colors.  I'm not a big pastel kind of person but I had to coordinate with the lighter paper colors.  Here's my somewhat pastel-colored Tilda . . .

I stamped an Art Gone Wild! sentiment from a Birthday View Maker set and cut it out using Fiskars postage stamp scissors. I added a gift stamp from Impression Obsession's Festive Birthday set and a couple layered scalloped circles and blocks of paper. Some Bitty Sparkles add glimmer.

This photo shows the open Tri-Shutter card from slightly above . . .

Here's a more natural view of the open card . . .

When open, this card is 5 1/2" tall and 11 1/4" long.  When closed, it's just 3 3/4" wide so it'll fit nicely into an A2 size envelope.

The current Crafts and Me challenge is to create something vintage-looking and/or distressed.  They're offering a Sweet Pea Stamps Caribbean Treasure stamp to a randomly selected entry.  Find more about this challenge here.

Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, BV00
hair - E31, E35, E47
dress - R000, R01, RV42
socks, bow - YG61, YG63, YG67
shoes - T0, T6, T8
chocolate cake - E71, E77, E79, atyou Spica garnet
candles - BG23, BG0000, E53, Y13
doily - B0000, 0

Sizzix Big Shot Pro Pillow Purse and Magnolia Stamps

Sometimes improvising is the key to unlock doors that seem to block creativity.  I wanted to use Magnolia stamps for an Easter scene but I didn't have any Magnolia Easter stamps.  Hmmm.  Improvise.

I filled my Magnolia Tilda Hanging Ornaments image from the 2010 Merry Little Christmas collection with the intention of cutting off the ornaments.

I wanted a fence to hide some eggs but didn't want a full background so I filled the fence from the Magnolia Fence and Summer Background image from the 2008 Summer and Sea Collection and cut it out too.

I die cut a couple of baskets and several eggs using the QuicKutz Easter Basket die . . .

. . . added some shading using Copic markers and adhered them to my stamped Magnolia images.

I used some older Top Line Creations Easter/Spring Varsity Plaid single-sided patterned paper to die cut my Sizzix Big Shot Pro Pillow Purse.  A little lace pleated under the front flap, a Bazzill Basics Button Vintage Elizabeth for a flap closure, some Diamond Stickles for added sparkle, Martha Stewart fringe scissors for long Spring grass and an Easter Joy sentiment from Outlines Rubber Stamp Co. supplements my Easter scene.

Here's my completed Easter scene decorated Sizzix pillow purse . . .

Since only the bottom half of Tilda is adhered to the base of the pillow purse, the purse flap can still open and close behind her.

My Magnolia stamps Easter Scene is complete without using any Magnolia Easter images.  How's that for improvising?

I've entered this Sizzix Big Shot Pro Pillow Purse using Magnolia Stamps in the current Magnolia-Licious Inspiration Challenge (find more about the challenge here).

I've also entered this project for a #3 Anything but a Card at the Magnolia-licious Easter-Spring Extravaganza Contest (here).  Click here to enter the Magnolia-licious store.

* * * * *
Edited 5/14/11 to add:

I've just reviewed the March 2011 issue of Magnolia Ink Magazine and found my Magnolia Easter Purse published on page 59 of the Spring issue.  Woo-Hoo!!! ~ Rose

Published in March 2011 Magnolia INK Magazine

 

 

Copics Used:
Skin - E0000, E00, E02, R20
Hair/Fence - E47, E35, E31
Shirt/Socks - V12, V15, V17
Pants - YG11, YG13, YG17
Eyelet Lace - YG21, 0
Basket - E31, E0000, E47
Bow - BV11, BV0000, BV17
Eggs - YG11, BV11, YR20

Just Magnolia Challenge - Heartbreaker Edwin

The current sketch challenge over at the Just Magnolia and  hÄnglar & stÄnglar Challenge Blog involves using circles.  There are two prizes offered for this challenge:  a £10 voucher for Dies to Die For and a Stamping Set of Promarkers from Letraset.  Find out more about this challenge here.

I challenged myself a bit for making Magnolia Stamps Heartbreaker Edwin from the 2010 Raising the Ceiling Collection look like a heavenly angel dressed in white.

A set of tropical white flowers from Bazzill Basics and a 2.5" Imaginisce Flower Shower Now and Forever Collection with netting further support my heavenly theme.  Accent Depot Music Note brads align nicely with my background paper.

I used QuicKutz circles to die cut white and gold Bazzill cardstock.  This Maya Road Signed. Sealed. Delivered. sentiment flows beautifully here.

A bit of Creative Imaginations Marah Johnson cream music paper and a couple of punched corners continues my heavenly theme.  Here's the completed card that I'm entering for the Just Magnolia and  hÄnglar & stÄnglar Challenge using Bev's sketch.

So, what do you think?  Now that you see the card, in full context, when you look at the image of Edwin, do you think he's wearing the clothing of a heavenly angel or does he just look really dirty?  I can remember putting some of my children's socks through the laundry that looked like that.  LOL.

Copics used:
skin - E000, E01, E11, E93, W3
hair - E31, E34, E39
clothes - E41, W3, W5, 0

Copic Creations Challenge: Blues

The team over at Copic Creations is challenging Copic lovers to use their Copic "blues." Sugar Nellie is sponsoring this challenge and offering four of their stamps to the random winner of this challenge. Take a look at the stunning images that Sugar Nellie produces and distributes. Their stamp artists do show some very beautiful work. Find out more about this challenge and the sponsor here.

Blue is associated with stability and is said to symbolize loyalty, wisdom and sincerity. It produces a calming effect and is good for the body and mind.

I was drawn to this 2010 Kathy Hare Sugar Nellie image named Worried. I found something touching about this little guy with his bear and this image seemed perfect for filling with "blues."

Once filled, this image still seemed a little flat to me . . . maybe more texture will help . . .

So, I covered my dried colored image with a negative mask and prepped it for a colorless blender technique. I crumbled a paper towel, spritzed the towel with a touch of colorless blender and touched it to the surface of my bear. Using colorless blender straight from the bottle can make it too wet so I like to spritz the solution from a mini spritzer.

Repeating that a few times really softened up the layers of color for my bear and gave him some wonderful texture . . .

Oops. I pounced a little too heavily with the colorless blender and wet the paper so much that my color seeped beyond the lines of my image. I plan to airbrush a background so I'm not worried about that right now. These bright blues can be tough to push back inside of the lines of the image so when I plan to keep the background white, I'm more careful and use more very light layers.

I used a QuicKutz scalloped circles die and die cut my image. Keeping that die in place, I masked my image and began airbrushing my background. I like the results best when I aim the spray directly over my mask and allow the overspray to add the color to my background. With the die and mask in place, I added a few spritzes from Ranger's Perfect Pearls Mists in perfect pearl to give some shimmer to the background. It sure doesn't look pretty at this stage . . .

Now for the big reveal . . . I love this part. It's like a wonderful surprise every time . . .

If my mask doesn't fit precisely over my image, resulting in a halo of white in places, sometimes I leave them alone and let them act as natural highlights. The only way to correct those areas is to very lightly (very, very lightly) stipple tiny dots of medium gray to cover that white.

This Top Line Creations genuine boy plaid paper seemed perfect for the outside of a fun Spinner Card. Magnolia's Doohickeys Bon Voyage Foliage and Shabby Chic White Garland added a simple border with some May Arts ribbon.

This sentiment is from a Hero Arts Woodland Creatures set . . .

Spin the wheel on the right to read this sentiment from another Hero Arts set . . .

Spin the wheel again to see one of my favorite Motivet sentiments . . .

Why not use your Copic "blues" to fill one of your favorite images? Enter this Copic Creations Challenge for a chance to win Sugar Nellie's fabulous prize.

Copics Used:
Skin - E50, E51, E53, R30
Hair - E31, E35, E47
Pants - B91, B95, B97
Shirt - B21, B24, B28
Bear - B41, B45, E95, 0
Airbrush - C5, G82
faux stitching - atyou Spica sky blue

Sizzix Big Shot Pro Match Box

I had some fun playing with the Sizzix Big Shot Pro Match Box die cut.

I used KI Memories Posh foliage double-sided patterned paper for both the surrounding section of the box and the sliding insert piece.  There are four sides and the full top of the box to decorate.

Here I placed Circus Tilda from the Magnolia Stamps 2010 Cozy Autumn Collection inside a QuicKutz oval die cut.  I also used a Magnolia Doohickeys tag die to give you an indication of the size of the box top.

This finished Sizzix Big Shot Pro Match Box is 3 5/8" x 5 1/4" x 1 1/8".  The insert slides out easily making it a nice container for including small gift items.

(Ooo . . . this is the first time I've filled this Circus Tilda image.  Next time, I've got to remember to give her something to sit on instead of having her float in mid air - LOL!!!)

Copics used:
skin - E000, E00, YR00, R20
hair - Y13, Y26, Y28
dress/headcover - BG13, BG15, BG18
eyelet - E31, E35, E47
outline shadow - C3, C1
shoes - T0, T6, T9

Copic Creations Challenge: Warm Colors

The current Copic Creations Challenge involves using Copic's "warm" colors.  Bugaboo Stamps is sponsoring this challenge and offering 7 Bugaboo Stamps' images as the prize to the random winner of this challenge.  Find out more about this challenge and sponsor here.

Warm colors are usually yellows, oranges, browns, yellowish-greens and orangish-reds.  A warm pink is a peachy pink (as compared to a purplish-pink).  A warm green is a yellowish-green (as compared to a bluish-green).

I've filled my Beach Tilda from Magnolia Stamps 2009 Lazy Summer Days collection with warm orange and yellowish-green tones.

My Longing Tilda image from the Magnolia 2010 Fairy Tale collection is filled with warm tones of yellow:

The "warm" tones of Best Creation's Surf's Up double-sided glitter paper with light and dark orange Bazzill card stock make a nice background for another Side-Step card (see my Side-Step card in cool tones here).

I used white cardstock to punch a few flowers and leaves using punch bunch small blossom, blossom corner and small birch.  I filled the punched shapes using coordinating Copic "warm" colors then coated them with Diamond Stickles.  A QuicKutz Accent die cut adds some swirly flair to these flower clusters.

Here's a side view of this Side-Step card showing my use of Copic's "warm" colors . . .

Copics used:
skin: E000, E00, YR00, R20
hair: E31, E35, E47
Tilda bathing suit/flowers/leaves: YR21, YR23, YR24, YG21, YG23, YG25
water: BG0000, 0
Tilda dress/hair bow/flowers: Y02, Y04, Y08
flowers:  R21, R24, R27