Steampunk Romance Annie: CMC Challenge

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A BIG "hello" to all my cyber friends! I hope you had a wonderful, safe holiday! I worked on Thanksgiving in the Emergency Department but had a fabulous celebration friday.

Color Me Creative has a new fun challenge for you. Let's see how funky you can color hair. Any color will count as long as it is not a natural color. Hey, what about a rainbow colored hairstyle?, Now why didn't I think of that sooner?

Our wonderful sponsor for this challenge is Simply Betty. Check out her wonderful selection!
The prize will be ........ drum roll.....

**Prize from our sponsor Simply Betty Stamps!!

**1 pack of Cryogen Cardstock

In Addition, each month  Suzanne Dean will take EVERY CMC Challenge Entry for that month and pick a random winner!  That winner will win a $50 Gift Certificate to Oozak.com! 

So we will have 1 Challenge Winner for EACH Challenge (prize listed below each challenge) AND 1 winner from all that month's challenges to win the Oozak Gift Certificate!  Two ways to win, but you gotta play!!

 
      

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In keeping with my commitment to try to do something different on my cards - I selected a digi image by Simply Betty called Steampunk Romance, Annie. I am just loving these images! I will be visiting them often!

Techniques:
Unusual hair color
Altered image by adding fishnet stockings and coloring them sheer black. Talk about fun!
Copic alcohol markers
Tip to tip inking
On paper blending
Stenciling background


Measurements:
Base card 11" x 4.25" (score at 5.5")
Base layer 5.25" x 4"
Top layer 5" x 3.75"

Stamp:
Steam punk Romance, Annie -digital (Simply Betty)

Ink:
Copic alcohol ink markers (.too, Ink)
Memento (Tsukeneko)
Memento Tuxedo Black. (Tsukeneko)

Tools:
Computer, printer. And editing software
Paper trimmer
Score tool
Scissors
Stencil and brush (martha Stewart)
Adhesive
Ribbon
Pearls

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Tip for the Day:
Save BIG $$$ by investing in an ATG gun and buying the tape from on online store like The Tape Depot. I go in with friends and we place an order for 144 rolls of tape, split the cost and it comes to less than a dollar a roll! :D


I hope you have a wonderful day.  Thank you for stopping by and spending some time!

Hugs,

Marie

Nicecrane Designs: Sweet Little Girls Card

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Happy Tuesday to all of you!   I hope your week is starting out well!    I do my volunteer work at the Crisis Cente this morning and then I start back on my real day job in the Emergency Department Wednesday - Tuesday... with the exception of Friday.  I am off Friday and will be celebrating Thanksgiving on that day.

Do you LOVE "vintage"?   Ignacio Molina, graphic designer from Nicecrane Designs created the most adorable vintage images.   Take a look at this card I created with his wonderful "Sweet Little Girls" set.   

You can see the images that are available on this wonderful set.   Don't miss the big sale... 50% off your entire order!   

Nicecrane Designs

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For my Design Team card I chose to use the wonderful image of the little girls sewing.  I think they all fit the vintage theme  but my eye went to this image immediately.   

These are the Copic alcohol ink markers I used for this image.  It is mostly done in a  monochromatic technique but I wanted to add the BG10 on top of the brown ink on the apron to make it stand out a little more and to coordinate with my background paper.     I also used some E70  on top of my E47 in the darkest of shadow areas.

 Techniques:

• Inking:  Direct on paper
• Inking:  Indrirect Tip to tip  
• Copic Alcohol Ink Markers
• Vintage coloring
• Digital image

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I want to thank you for stopping by and spending some time on by blog.   Stop by and check out Ignacio's creations.  Some of his other Christmas images also fit the vintage theme... 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving from my hope to yours    

Hugs,

Marie

Thinking of you: Stamper's Quest Feature

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Happy Monday to everyone!   It is a bright an sunny day here in California!

Stamper's Quest has published this card along with my detailed tutorial for the November Feature this month.   I am not permitted to  post my tutorial for you on my blog but you can find it HERE.  Stamper's Quest is a free on-line E-magazine that is filled with fantastic cards and projects along with detailed tutorials.  Hope to see you there!

Hugs,
Marie

Special Blessings

It is that time of year when we are reflective of our blessings and of what we are most grateful.   Some of the things at the top of my list:

• my health
• the fact I am still employed 
• have shelter and food
• and most of all.......my family and friends.  Those I love and those that sustain me each and every day.   

I have a very special person that is celebrating a BIG birthday today and I created this card for her.  I know it isn't spring... but she really loves birds and nature so I selected  this special nature stamp.   I hope she enjoys it!

Measurements:
Card 5.5 in x 4.25 in. 

Supplies:

Stamp:  Birds Nest  (Inkadinkado)

Paper:  

Pure Luxury Fresh Asparagus (GKD)

Pure Luxury In the Navy (GKD)

Pure Luxury Pure White  120# (GKD)

Cryogen for focal image (Curious Metallic)

Ink:

Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukeneko)

Memento Bamboo Leaves (Tsukeneko)

Copic Alcohol ink Markers (.too, Inc.)

Tools:

Arylic stamping block

Scissors

Scor-Pal (Scor-Pal)

Paper trimmer

Cuttlebug (Provo Craft)

Holly Ribbons Embossing Folder (Provo Craft)
Jumbo Sponge Dauber (Tsukeneko)
Small/Large Oval Nestailities Die (Spellbinders)

Copics:

Nest:  E40, E44, E47, E37, a touch of BG000

Eggs: BG000, BG10, BG32, BG34, BG45 and a touch of R30

Flowers:  R000, R11, R19, R85, BV23 and C2 for shading

Leaves: G 40, G28, YG63

Butterfly:  E33, Y35, Y38, Y00, 

Background:  Copic watercolor effect with BG000 and W2

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Hugs, Marie

Nicecrane Designs : Denslow's Night Before Christmas

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Happy Friday to everyone!   I am so excited to  post this cute little image created by Ignacio Molina from Nicecrane Designs   He is so very talented and I love his images.  Ignacio has images that are already  colored and  images uncolored for those of us that are Copic lovers!    

Nicecrane Designs

This is my Design Team card for Nicecrane Designs.  In keeping with my commitment to try to add new things to my work.    I combined two separate images.  I am still trying to learn Pixelmator on my Apple.  I am still trying to learn how to merge pictures!   I  would have liked to have the children closer but could not figure out how to do that yet.. I will work on it!   I added stones so the image would be grounded.  I practiced with keeping the back of the children dark so my light source just came from the candle.   I like the vintage look!

A direct link to this fabulous digital image can be found HERE

Thank you for stopping by..... off to make more cards!

Hugs,

Marie

CMC: Mermaids, Mermaids, Mermaids!

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Color Me Creative  is having a challenge featuring "Sea" colors!   The wonderful Michelle Perkett is our sponsor for this fun challenge.  The winner will receive 1 package of Cryogen paper from Curious Metallic, Inc.   If you have wondered how this paper works - this is a perfect opportunity to win some for FREE!     I love this paper and use it on a regular basis with my copic markers.   Michelle is also offering 50% off on her wonderful images through 11/12.   Now is a good time to stock up!   Let me see......   twice as many dig's for the price of one!!! LOL

Challenge details can be found at  CMC Challenge.   You do not have to be enrolled in the classes in order to participate in this challenge.  You just have to use alcohol ink markers!   I hope to see you there!   

 I had the opportunity to take my standard and intermediate certification from Marianne Walker  a couple weeks ago in Hawaii. 

 and

 I just LOVE Marianne's work!  I have been following her blog for some time now and trying to study her work.   It can be found at I Like Markers    Marianne's philosophy is that being an artist is a state of mind.   It doesn't involve how well you can draw or how much schooling you have had.... It comes down to how you see the world and interpret it into your chosen medium!    Wow!  That bit of food for thought is worth the cost of the class right there!    

 During our break,  I mentioned  to Marianne that I was "stuck".   You know what I mean!!!!   She took the time to look at my work and give me some excellent constructive criticism.  She said I have learned the rules of Copics well.... and now it is time to break the rules.    Oh no!  Break the rules?  LOL!   Marianne said if I just stick to the rules.. the cards will be  nice cards  - but just that.... nice cards but not memorable.   I need to add texture and unusual color combinations!   I need to experiment.   I am going to take everything she gave me to heart and definitely try this!      AND THE JOURNEY STARTS!!!  Everyone may not like my work but no one can say it will be boring!  I am going to be committed to the following:

1. Study each image before I start coloring to see where shadows will go if applicable.
2. Texuturize at least a small portion of of every picture
3. Have some unusual color combination....  It may be a large or small section... But it will be  there and it will be different LOL
4. Know what element in the picture or image I want to stand out and shade and color in a way that the lighting falls on that element.  Make it "POP".  
5. Try to do my layout in a manner that the eye will be forced back to the image rather than off the paper
6. Not get carried away with my bling... make certain that the viewers will not look at the bling... but my picture.  I will have spent hours on my picture and a few seconds putting the bling on the card.   I want people to look at my   image! :D
7. Not get frustrated that these steps will S L O W me down! Sniff Sniff
8. Commit an hour looking at the objects around me or the image I am working on for every hour  I spend coloring  the image
9. Remind myself to look frequently  at my image from a distance and see what I need to re-work.

Wow.....   I am so grateful for the opportunity to have a class by this wonderful woman.   I sure hope I can do the things I say I am committed to do!    I must post my list right in front of me!    (Are there more hours in the day?)   

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For my first card, Marianne was generous enough to look at it an help me pep it up.   Some of her suggestions were to add texture to the background. I added colorless blender.   She then suggested I darken the shadows of the face.  (Actually, possibly put lavender in it!!!! yikes....   I will try that in the near future)  Marianne also suggested I add come of my main color over the eyes.  I like it!    She helped me add some definition to the shadows between the eyes and lastly..... put a little of the sea colored background into the hair!!!   I said... "You want me to add what?!!!!" LOL     I really like how it turned out! Wow!  Thanks Marianne!

I decided to try something different by using the same image and same idea of adding texture and my non-traditional color combinations but in a way that will allow the mermaid to have an ethereal mood.   How is that?!!! LOL    I did the same colors I just made it lighter and used a lighter background.   It looks very different but the colors are the same.  

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I am just going to commit to looking at my its and try to integrate anything I can to step-up my images and designs   I am going to try to have "fun" with my art!

I want to thank you for stopping by and spending some time with me!   

From my home to yours - Happy HOLIDAYS!

Hugs,

Marie

Nicecrane Designs: Sweet Little Angels

Happy Monday!  I hope your week is starting well!   I am back from Hawaii and had a wonderful time taking my Certification (Standard and Intermediate) classes.  My instructor was the wonderful graphic artist, Marianne Walker.  I learned so many new and wonderful things about Copic markers.   I can hardly wait to try them out! 

Speaking of fabulous graphic artists.....   I created this card with a digital stamp designed by Ignacio Molina, a wonderful graphic artist from Spain.  You may have heard of his site - Nicecrane Designs  If you haven't had the opportunity, you should give it a try.  there are many wonderful images that can be used with your alcohol ink markers.    For those who choose to not color with Copic or other markers, Ignacio offers digital images that are fully colored and shaded for your card or craft projects.  They are gorgeous!   

                                                 

I created my Design Team card with this wonderful digital image  from the collection "Adorable Little Angels"   I used my tree embossing folder and Cuttlebug (Provo Crafts" to provide texture to the background.  I colored my image with Copics B0000, B00, B02, C00, C1, C3.  I added texture to the darkest shadow areas of the wings by coloring with a AtYou Spica Silver glitter pen (.too, Inc)  I added G38, YG63 and G40 to the green garland.  

Thank you for stopping by and spending some time.  I Hope you check out   Nicecrane Designs and see what all the excitement is about!    I will be posting my Color Me Creative Design Team card Wednesday so stop back soon!

Happy Holidays from my home to yours!

Hugs,

Marie

THCRD: I am Published!

Aloha from Hawaii!   Having a wonderful time!   I am just so excited to share with you that I was published in the fabulous craft e-magazine, Through The Craftroom Door.  Suzanne Dean gave me special permission to post the card that I created for this wonderful magazine.

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The stamp is a digital image from Mo Manning.   

 Suzanne also gave me permission to post the entire tutorial later this month...   But don't wait for that.  Check out this wonderful magazine at  Through The Craftroom Door..  It is filled with crafting tips,  tutorials challenges... everything an addicted crafter would need!

Hugs,
Marie

Little Fireman : CMC Boys, Boys, Boys Challenge

Dedicated to Lisa and her wonderful family.

Happy Thursday to all my wonderful friends!  I am in Hawaii taking a much needed vacation.   Of course, I brought my copies along so I could take the basic and intermediate Copic Certification class taught by Marianne Walker.   It's a rough life but someone has to do it! LOL!

I wanted to get this post up and let you know that Color Me Creative has a wonderful challenge with a "boys" theme. Get out those Copics or Pro Markers and color some cute boy images!

Our wonderful sponsor is:

**Prize from our sponsor Mo's Digital Pencil is a $15 Gift Certificate to spend at her store!!

**1 pack of Cryogen Cardstock

For my Design Team card I selected a cute little image by Mo Manning. called Playing Firefighter.  I dedicate this to my wonderful friend Lisa whose husband is in the military serving as a firefighter!  

Stamp:  Playing Firefighter digital image (Mo Manning)

Copic Markers:   

R20, R0000, R22, R24,W1, 

C3, C5, C7, C9, 

Y04, Y02, Y0000, 

B06, B04, B02, B000

G28, G24, G20

I must apologize for my coloring.  We needed to work ahead on our Design Team cards and I did this just before taking Suzanne's  On The Road Class and realize that I needed to blend much better....  but hey...  maybe I will see my improvement!   That's what I am taking away from her wonderful class.... Blend! Blend! Blend!

Thank you for spending some of your precious time with me on my blog.  I know we are busy and I do appreciate having you stop my.  It means so much!  Thank you!

Back to vacation!  LOL

Hugs,

Marie