PaperFections

Fall Photo Tray Decor

Today I have this 13" Fall home decor piece to share. It uses 7 Gypsies' fabulous new black photo tray. I had fun creating each of the 4" x 6" panels with Basic Grey's new Pyrus Fall themed papers and glittered chipboard pieces, along with a pumpkin and falling leaf ... I can't wait for the days to cool down and to see the changing colors of the season! I hope you'll join me in the CLASSroom for some tips on how to create this fun scrappy project that can also hold treasured family photos of the season! Read more →

Framed Wildflowers

Happy Monday to you! Today, I have a card to share that was made with a beautiful new wildflower background stamp set illustrated by my sweet fellow Texan friend, Melanie Muenchinger! I would venture to say that if anyone could illustrate a gorgeous wildflower stamp, it would be Melanie since she lives near the beautiful Texas Hill Country that is famous for its wildflowers! I stamped the background with Jet Black Archival ink onto Gina K's Pure Luxury White heavy base weight cardstock and then colored the white negative spaces of the wildflower images with Copic markers RV23, RV09, YG03 & YG63: pic Next, I framed the image with a Spellbinders Scalloped Edge Frame die, cut from a Raspberry Memory Box notecard. Then I put down a strip of Copic's new X-Press It Double-Sided High Tack Tape along the bottom edge of the scalloped frame and ruffled up and stuck some green ribbon to it -- so quick and easy to do, with big impact! A Spellbinders Tags Trio die was used to die cut the "Thank You" sentiment from this stamp (there are ten great sentiments in this set from which to choose!), and then I sponged Memento Rose... Read more →

Copic X-Press It Blending Card Winners!

Hello everyone -- I hope you are having a super Saturday! The winners of my Copic X-Press It Blending Card samples giveaway, chosen by Random.org are as follows: Who is: 93 Ashley Nguyen Newell said... I'm super excited about all the new Copic stuff! Thanks for a chance to win! Who is: 135 Rebecca Ednie said... Oooh, I've been wondering where to buy this, a free pack would be amazing and I vow to only use it for Copic projects! Who is: 3 Jerry Amundsen said... Thank you for the opportunity to try the new paper. Who is: 46 mary nielson said... Would love to try some X-press cardstock to see how it handles the copic markers. Thanks for the chance, Sharon. Will have to get the smaller copic chart. Congratulations, everyone -- I think you will love this fantastic new cardstock! Now by SAMPLES, I meant a few pieces of this cardstock so you can try out coloring some images on it. After coloring just one image on it, I was hooked! After Rebecca's comment above about the opportunity to win a free pack, along with the graphic pack of paper I used, I can certainly see where someone... Read more →

Witchy Inchies!

Happy Friday to you! This week's JustRite Friday Challenge is to use this sketch I created for your project inspiration (the flower represents any kind of embellishment you'd like to use): Here's my sample wall or door hanging (measuring 6-inches square), using JustRite’s Witch Way to the Treats and new Myriad Pro 50-point font: I stamped the witch, Boo and ghost images with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto Inchie Arts Ivory Inchie Squares and then colored the squares with Copic markers G82, Y21, and BV11 to match Cosmo Cricket's new Matilda papers. I used the Inchie squares and color scheme for Embellish Magazine's 2-week Embellish Squares Color Challenge that started today. You can read all about their challenge by clicking on the link above and the HUGE prize package is sponsored by Inchie Arts! To create the "Happy Halloween" sentiment, I used JustRite's Myriad Pro font and stamped it with white pigment ink onto the patterned papers. I mounted the papers onto Ellen's Craft-a-Board and then punched holes in the top and strung ribbon through them to create a hanger. I'll be back to announce the winners of my Copic X-Press It Blending Card giveaway a little later ... my... Read more →

Copic Updates & Giveaway!

Good afternoon -- I have a few Copic announcements today! First, I want to mention that I've updated my Copic Info page with the latest Certification class details, which include the new Intermediate Certification class that just opened up! This first Internediate class will be held on October 22 in Chicago and anyone who has already taken the Beginner Certification is eligible to apply. You'll find all the info and application for this first Internediate class (and all the other Beginner Certifications) HERE on the Copic site, at the bottom of the page. Also, the new pocket-sized Copic color chart is now available at Ellen Hutson LLC -- you can find it HERE. This is a checkbook-sized blank color chart that you can color with the markers you own and then carry it with you for easy project coloring reference or to remember which colors you already have when you go shopping! I'd also like to GIVE AWAY some samples of Copic's new X-Press It Blending Card that was introduced last month at the Summer CHA show and should be starting to hit retailers any day now. If you would like to try out this awesome new cardstock, please leave... Read more →

Backyard Bird Tags

This week, JustRite Stampers is formally introducing their August release of stamps. Today I have some tags to share with you that use all of the center images from the beautiful new Backyard Birds set: I stamped the bird images with Memento Rich Cocoa ink onto some plain white tags I purchased at the office supply store and then colored the birds as true to life as I could with Copic markers, by Googling the bird images. They are, from left to right: Hummingbird, Cardinal, Robin, and American Goldfinch. These birds are so much fun to color! Here are closeups of the Hummingbird & Cardinal tags (click on any photo for a larger view): I airbrushed the backrounds of the tags with Copic B000 and then sponged the edges with Memento Desert Sand ink. Next, I created the words with JustRite's Times New Roman 25-point Uppercase Font and stamped them with Rich Cocoa ink. And here are closeups of the American Goldfinch and Robin tags: I hope you'll pop over to the JustRite Inspiration blog today, to see some more samples from some of the other JustRite designers! JustRite Stampers: JB-09230 Backyard Birds, JB-08655 Times New Roman 25-point Uppercase Font... Read more →

Recently Refilled Copic Markers

It's been a while since I last checked all my Copic markers to see which ones need refilling. I did that a few weeks ago and made note of which ones were getting dry. This means these are some of my favorite most-used colors, so I thought it might be helpful to post those colors for you: BV000, V01, V12, V15, R81, YR00, Y21, YG03, YG13, YG93, YG95, G21, G24, G40, BG000, BG11, BG72, B000, B21, B23, B32, E31, E50, C1, W1 ... LOL, more than just a few! I had quite a lot of other colors that were getting dry but had to order the refills for those and will let you know what those colors are as soon as I get them refilled. You can see my previously refilled colors on my Copic Info page. If you need information on how to refill your markers or how to know when they need refilling, here are a few references for you: Refilling Copic Markers - Copic Library Refilling Markers Part I, When Should You Refill? - by Marianne Walker Refilling Markers Part II, Different Methods - by Marianne Walker Refilling - Troubleshooting - by Marianne Walker Basically, when you... Read more →

Copics Now Available at JustRite Stampers and Your Chance to Win Some!

Today's JustRite Friday Challenge is a fall color challenge. You can find all the details of the challenge and my project over at the JustRite Inspiration blog today. I used this beautiful brand new Backyard Birds set from JustRite, combined with the challenge colors of olive, chocolate & pumpkin (more on the challenge is detailed at the bottom of this post). I made the suggestion for a bird stamp set and one of JustRite's fabulous illustrators brought it to life beautifully, I think! There are four fabulous bird images in this set and I colored one of them to resemble a Baltimore Oriole -- I hope I did it justice with my Copic markers! Speaking of Copics, JustRite is now carrying a selection of 96 Copic Sketch markers in trios & quads (and also available individually) that I helped select. Since the number one question I'm always asked is "Which colors go well together" and "What colors should I start with?", we chose a great range of color groupings that you can be assured will blend well together for expert results! There's a great 2-page chart you can download that shows all of JustRite's Copic color collections, so you can... Read more →

Black, White & Pink INspiration!

Today in Ellen Hutson's the CLASSroom, I'm sharing this Lockhart Roses in the Window card that uses an Inchie Arts Twinchie Square for a Spotlight Technique with Copic markers. I hope you'll join me to see how simple (and glittery!) it is! Read more →

New Intermediate Copic Certification Details!

Here's what you've been waiting for ... details of the new Intermediate Copic Certification Class! (Reposted from Marianne's blog)! INTERMEDIATE CERTIFICATION DETAILS: Chicago, Oct. 22nd, Taught by Marianne Walker, Project by Sherrie Siemens and Debbie Olson (The next Intermediate Certification will be before Winter CHA, then regularly thereafter) The application for the Intermediate class will be available hopefully by this Friday. Below are the technical details of the class for those of you who are interested in attending. I will have more information about specific topics as time progresses: • Class size is limited, so apply early. • Class runs from 9am to 4pm with a 1 hr. lunch break, then 6 to 8pm for the project. You MUST be available to attend the whole day or you will not be listed as having completed the training. People who cannot attend the evening event will not be accepted into the class. • Fee: $199, due within 3 days of accepted application. NO EXCEPTIONS! Demand is very high for this first session and you will be bumped if you do not pay within the 3 days. Same cancellation policy as with regular certification (see the details section where regular applications are... Read more →

Back-to-School Time and a Free Gift!

Yes, it's back-to-school time already ... where did the summer go?!! Today's JustRite Friday Challenge #031 will help get you ready to meet the new teacher or scrap that precious first day of school photo! You can find all the challenge details and my full card (shown above) over at the JustRite Inspiration blog today -- I hope you'll join in the challenge, because the prizes are sponsored by Spellbinders! Also, JustRite has a free gift for you ... their 2010 Catalog & Idea Book! Simply visit their website and place an order for their catalog. During checkout, use this coupon code: IDEAS811 in the box marked promotional code and the catalog is yours absolutely free -- they will even pay the shipping for the catalog (shipping offer applies to USA only)! Coupon code expires on August 31st! Thanks for visiting today ... I hope you have a wonderful weekend! I'll still be scrambling and doing some back-to-school shoppping! Read more →

Whimsical Copic Faux Bleach Snowflakes

Today's new JustRite Stampers introduction is for a sweet stamp set called Whimsical Christmas. I decided to use the two snowflakes from this set along with a cool technique called Faux Bleach. You can view a video tutorial on this technique at Splitcoaststampers HERE. The technique uses alcohol inks, so I used my Copic Various Ink Refills. The tutorial says to use glossy cardstock, but I used a white #8 tag. I started by clear heat embossing the snowflakes after they had been stamped with Versamark Champagne Dazzle ink -- I love that the snowflakes have a pretty, subtle shimmer to them! Then I used Copic Various Reinkers in B23, B41 & BG11 on Ranger's Alcohol Ink Applicator Tool and pounced the color all over the tag. Per the tutorial instructions, after ironing off the embossing powder, here's what my tag looked like ==> Next, I stamped the center sentiment from the Whimsical Christmas set with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto Neenah Natural White cardstock and die cut it with Spellbinders Classic Circle Nestabilities Sm-3 die. While the cardstock was still in the die, I airbrushed the center with Copic BG11 marker. The same process was used for the snowflake... Read more →

JustRite Vintage Christmas

JustRite Stampers is introducing another Christmas stamp set today, called Vintage Christmas. As you can see, there are four fabulous holiday icons in this 3-1/4" round set, including one of my very favorites, a vintage Santa! I decided to take this opportunity to finally scrap my oldest daughter's very first visit with Santa when she was only about one month old ... everybody say "Ahhhhh"!! :) I stamped the Santa image with Memento Black ink onto Neenah Natural White cardstock and colored him with these Copic markers: Next, I die cut Santa into a tag shape and added this beautiful "I Believe" sentiment from JustRite's new Christmas Nested Sentiments set. I used Memento Desert Sand ink to sponge around the edges of the tag. For the banner journaling, I used JustRite's Times New Roman Uppercase 25-point and 15-point fonts and stamped it with Memento Rhubarb Stalk ink, then just hand-trimmed it into the banner shape. The photo is cut with a Spellbinders Labels Eight die. You can see more design team samples using this stamp set over at the JustRite Inspiration blog today! JustRite Stampers®: JB-09785 Vintage Christmas, JB-09255 Christmas Nested Sentiments, JB-08117 3-1/4" wood stamper, JB-08060 Times New Roman... Read more →

JustRite Christmas Ornaments

JustRite Stampers is introducing this beautiful Christmas Ornament stamp set today over at the JustRite Stampers Inspiration blog. You can check over there to see some more fabulous design team samples using this set! This is the same stamp set I used on Friday for the ornament card below this post. Here's what I created with it today: I love that with just a change of colors I can get such different looks with this set ... I'm sure you'll be seeing many more cards from me using these stamps! I stamped the ornament with Memento Rich Cocoa ink onto Neenah Natural White cardstock and then colored it with these Copic markers to match Cosmo Cricket's new Mitten Weather papers! (Click on photos for a larger view) I thought this pretty medallion paper matched the pattern on this ornament quite well! The ornament was then cut out and popped up on foam tape over some narrow white satin ribbon that I colored with the E41 Copic marker so it would match my cream card base. The sentiment is from JustRite's new Christmas Nested Sentiments that will make its debut later this week (but is already shipping!). I stamped it with... Read more →

JustRite Christmas on Copic X-Press It Blending Card

Here's that project I promised you yesterday, colored with Copic markers on Copic's new X-Press It Blending Card -- look at how vibrant the colors are! This card is for JustRite's Friday Challenge #030, using an inspiration photo as inspiration for your project. You can find all the details about this week's challenge over at the JustRite Inspiration blog. Here's a closer view of this beautiful new Ornament stamp from JustRite Stampers (click on images for a larger view): Currently, this cardstock only comes in white. Some of you who regularly follow my blog may have noticed I've mentioned many times my phobia of white, LOL! I usually color on an ivory cardstock. But the Copic ink color is so pretty and vibrant on this cardstock that I compensated and used my Copic E50 Egg Shell marker to color any of the remaining white areas of the cardstock ... problem solved! :D The white paper doilies were airbrushed with the E50 marker, so they would match the ivory cardstock base I used. The Copic X-Press It Blending Card is currently available for retailers to order through your normal Copic distributor. If your favorite retailer isn't aware of it yet, let... Read more →