Long-term Projects

I've been taking a bit of a break from making cards trying to get my daughter's wedding album done. Talk about being a bit behind..........the wedding was just over 4 years ago! One of the big challenges has been taking a picture that had a tripod in the background that I wanted out of the picture.  On the one hand, I wish I had kept track of the hours I spent on this picture, working in Adobe Photoshop Elements.  On the other hand, I'm kind of glad I didn't!!

As you can see on the far right, there is the tripod.  I wanted to enlarge this photo to use as a focal point on the page.  I finally managed to make it disappear!  I can't believe what people must have to do to "photoshop" some of these things you see online.

After all the work, I finally got the page done - minus the tripod!

Whew - it was worth the work!

New Copic Box

I have been looking for a new "home" for my copic markers.  My 31 bag was good for a while, but it was too deep and the bottom of the make-shift filler was allowing the bottom to sag, thus making access to some of the markers quite difficult.

I looked all over for a decorative box that wasn't too deep, had a secure lid, had handles for easy moving, etc.  I also wanted it to be big enough that this could be my last box. I was not so successful at finding one that fit all my needs.  As I was wandering through Staples one day, I noticed a plastic box that seemed to fit all my needs!  It is made by the Really Useful Box company (made in the USA as a bonus), 17 ltr size.

 I emptied out my old box to get to the pieces parts for the new grid.  I was feeling really lazy and didn't want to put all the markers in one big pile to sort out later.  I put a bunch of plastic cups hiding in the closet to use.

Then we got the florescent light grid (the old fashioned kind) from Home Depot and took the carriage bolts, washers and lock nuts from the old grid.  We measure the grid to fit in the new box.

Because I wanted something more decorative than clear plastic, I decided to try and decorate my own.  I took Designer Paper from Stampin' Up from the Quatrafancy design.  I cut pieces to fit the sides, ends and part of the top.  I would like to find a way to cover all the sides and top.

Time to put both the grid and the markers back in!

I took the whole box with me yesterday to a crop. All the markers stayed in place, even when I turned the box sideways for transport.  It also has room to grow so that in the event I ever get all the Sketch Markers, there is room for them!

Sometimes function beats pretty!

Practice, Practice, Practice

So, what we heard as kids - if you want to master a skill - practice!  This is especially true with Copic Markers.  After attending the Certification Classes, I've been practicing.  If you can't get to a class, I would suggest the book series, Copic Coloring Guide by Colleen Schaan and Marianne Walker (Annie's Paper Crafts).  They are fabulous!  Currently there are 3 volumes with Volume 4 set to come out any day now!

After returning from the classes, I pulled the Level 3: People back out. Levels 2 & 3 both come with CD's as a bonus!  The CD with Level 3 has pages with multiple faces/hair to practice coloring.  Those are the things I struggle most with.  So, I have been practicing, practicing, practicing.........

I made sure to use the same cardstock to print the practice sheets that I normally stamp my images on so that the colors will be the same.  I have been using X-Press It Blending Card, designed to use with Copics.

Some of the combos I like, some not so much.  I have 3 hole punched them and put them into my Copic reference notebook.  Now, I can just look at these pages and pick the combination that I want to use.

Now, I am going to try and take on some images to use on cards and hopefully feel better about my "people" and how they look!

So, practice, practice, practice.  It does pay off!!

Copic Certification

Last weekend, I was lucky enough to attend both the Standard and Intermediate Certification classes for Copic Markers.  Taught by the wonderful Cindy Lawrence, we had two full days of coloring and more technique than the brain could hold.

At the end of the Intermediate Class, we had a final project to incorporate many of the techniques.  It also happened to be one of my favorite flowers - lilacs!

We worked blending, shading, cast shadows and more.  I still struggle with the challenge of picking colors, especially for shading. More practice......

It was a fabulous weekend!  I'm so glad that I was finally able to get to the classes.  It was a great experience!

Best part is now being a Certified Copic Instructor!!

Memorial Day

I finally got a chance to play today and decided to make Any Hero Cards for OWH.  It seemed appropriate for the day.  I have lots of red, white and blue scraps, pre-cut pieces, and quite a few pre-stamped sentiments that I wanted to put to use.

To all who have served, Thank You.  It can never be said enough.  Let us continue to honor those whose sacrifice allows us to live as we do.

Wedding Shower Card

A good friend is getting married and I was at a loss for a card that wasn't your typical shower card.  I came up with the following, and am hoping it works!

I combined lots of different elements.  The flowers are Memory Box Die Chloe Stem.  The edge is cut with Stampin' Up Adorning Accent Edgelits and highlighted on the inside with Washi Tape (unknown). The sentiment is from Stampin' Up So Happy For You (in Basic Gray) stamp set and cut with the large label single die from Stampin' Up (retired) on white and Basic Gray.  I added a small bow to look like a bouquet of flowers made from Stampin' Up, 1/4" Sycamore Street in Tangerine Tango.  Two of the Chloe Stems are mounted with dimensionals.

Hope you enjoy!

More Card Kit Cards

Here is another card from the kits I made for gifts.  It is quite simple, but makes an impact!

It could be used for multiple occasions - I hope those who received it have all used it for different purposes!