PaperFections

March Calendar Copic Technique

I can't believe it's almost March and Spring is almost here . . . I'm certainly ready, how about you?!! For this month's calendar, I used Karen Lockhart's sweet Kate's Garden Flowers, stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto Copic X-Press It white cardstock. (Please forgive the photos -- all the white in this project was throwing my camera a little out of balance and the Copic coloring is looking a little faded here). The flowers were colored with these Copic markers and Lemon Atyou Spica Glitter Pen: The image was die cut with Spellbinders Blossom die and attached to the calendar with foam tape. The background at the top of the calendar was embossed with Spellbinders new Paisley M-Bossabilities folder. Here's how I did an ink transfer technique with the embossing folder: Using Copic BG53 and G43, I colored directly on the raised side of the embossing folder (this is one of the reasons I like Spellbinders folders that are white -- they are easier to see than a transparent folder). Then I misted white cardstock with Copic Colorless Blender Solution (put into a Mini Mister) and very quickly embossed the image. The cardstock saturated with Blender Solution will... Read more →

February Calendar Copic Tutorial

Hello and happy Sunday! I hope you'll join me today over at the Flourishes blog for my Limelight guest post. I have a Copic coloring tutorial, with some airbrushing tips, for my February calendar! Read more →

January 2012 Copic Calendar

I discovered my 2012 Downloadable Grid 2-Pg Calendar will fit in a plastic CD holder! Topped with this sweet Lockhart Stamp Company snowman on an Inchie Arts Black Twinchie Square, colored with Copics, this snowy scene was fun to create! Today over on the Copic blog I have a tutorial on how I created the wintery custom background paper, along with a few Copic coloring tips . . . I hope you'll join me there! {Calendar Supplies}: Spellbinders Create A Flake One dies and Grand Calibur die cutting machine 2012 Grid 2-Page Calendar download, Clear plastic CD holder Read more →

December Calendar

Before I get started with today’s project, I wanted to let you know JustRite Stampers is having a sale through December 19 ! As JustRite's way of saying thanks for a wonderful year, and as a little incentive for Santa to do some shopping for YOU, they are running a Merry Christmas to You Sale! Save 20% off your entire purchase December 8 thru 19 by using this coupon code at check out: JRSALE (please use all caps when entering code). I know I’m a little late with this month’s calendar and I apologize (busy holiday season and all!) -- but here it is, all festive and wrapped up for the holiday! I loved the collage aspect of this pretty Authentique Wonder collection paper, so I tried replicating the look on this beautiful JustRite Cling Musical Notes Labels Twenty stamp: I used Memento Markers to color/ink directly on the stamp, for a multi-colored collage label. Next, I overstamped the "Merry Christmas" sentiment from JustRite's Clear Winter Words set and die cut the label with Spellbinders Labels Twenty Nestabilities. I'll be getting tons of use from this great little stamp set will last you all through the winter and into February... Read more →

2012 Calendar Tray

I had a new calendar idea for 2012 and decided to utilize my 7 Gypsies Photo Tray for it. I'll be showing you these quarterly next year over in Ellen Hutson's the CLASSroom, showcasing different stamping techniques each time! The first quarter for 2012 highlights watercoloring two different ways -- one using Copic Various Ink Refills and the other utilizes the more traditional dye ink pads. I hope you'll join me HERE for all the details of this quarter. You'll be able to follow along and create your own calendars each quarter -- I'll post them at least one full month (4-6 weeks) in advance! Read more →

JustRite Stampers October Release-Final Day!

Today is JustRite Stampers’ last day for October release blog hops, but before we get started I wanted to mention a few things: --Please be sure to drop by the JustRite Inspiration blog this morning -- the winner of the October release blog candy giveaway will be announced! --JustRite Original Halloween Sale: 30% off Happy Halloween, Trick or Treat, and Halloween mini sentiments, just in time for the holiday! You can find these sets over in the Super Sale section of the JustRite webstore, along with some other great steals! Today we have more new introductions in JustRite’s new CLEAR line of stamps -- first is Autumn Words. What a fabulous set, full of great words and leaves you’ll use for scrapbooking, cards and all kinds of Fall projects! Set of 40 Clear Stamps: 5 Decorative Elements, 24 words and 11 numbers, which include autumn leaves, Fall months, Autumn words to mix and match and numbers. The words are designed to coordinate with JustRite Custom Dies: JB 08955 Nested Sentiment Dies and JB -08950 Nested Frame Dies. And Market Place Alphabet -- love this font, which coordinates with the Autumn Words above! A set of 107 Clear Stamps: 54 Letters,... Read more →

Gina K Sept Release Inspiration Hop 2!

Welcome to Day 2 of Gina K Designs’ September stamp set release inspiration blog hops! Remember, all of the new September release stamp sets are now available in Gina’s store! I want to thank you all for all of your inspiring comments yesterday … I always love reading them all, they sure do lift my spirits! Our first stamp set being featured today is: Celebrate the Season by Theresa Momber -- such a great all occasion set for any season and any crafting project! Since my girls have already been asking how long it is until the biggest candy day of the year, I thought a Halloween countdown calendar was in order! I printed my full-sized 8.50” x 11” calendar (available as a free download from my Downloads & Tutorials page) onto Gina K’s Ivory Layering Weight Cardstock. The calendar topper is made with some gorgeous new Echo Park-Apothecary 6x6 patterned papers, backed with Gina’s Black Onyx Heavy Base Weight Cardstock, die cut with Spellbinders Classic Postage Stamp Edgeabilities die (I trimmed the edges off to be squared): I stamped the silhouette images all in black onto the patterned paper -- I like the striking look! The 1-inch pumpkin square... Read more →

2012 Calendars Now Available!

(Click on photo for a larger view) Just a quick note to let you all know that my 2012 calendar downloads are now available (all have the months printed on them), older samples of which can be seen above. You can find download instructions and pricing on my Downloads & Tutorials page. And if you want a little more inspiration, you can view all four years of my previous calendars by scrolling down on the right side of my blog sidebar, to my Galleries & Photo Albums, or click HERE. EDITED: I also have this new 1-page landscape (11" x 8.50") calendar option (shown above), which I designed so it could be used many ways. There is enough room at the top to make this a full 2-page calendar that you attach a decorated page to the top with your choice of bindings. Or the page can be cut into thirds and bound on the left sides and decorated front and back covers attached! Or, if you look closely at the photo above you can see where I've scored the page into thirds (pamphlet fold) and also scored the right side to make a flap and adhered it together to... Read more →

Gina K May Release Blog Hop 2!

Welcome to Day 2 of Gina K Designs’ May release stamp set inspiration blog hops! Our first stamp set being introduced today is: Dreams by Tami Mayberry: I loosely used this week’s CPS #220 sketch that Gina K Designs is sponsoring (check the CPS blog tomorrow to see the GKD prize package you could win!): For my June calendar topper: The calendar page measures 8.50" x 5.50" (a half sheet of cardstock). Tami’s beautiful oval butterfly frame stamp was colored with Bahama Blue, Rich Cocoa and Rose Bud Memento Markers directly on the stamp, then stamped onto Gina’s Ivory Pure Luxury Heavy Base Weight Cardstock. The image was die cut with Spellbinders Classic Oval Nestabilities and the edges inked with Antique Linen Distress Ink -- I love the rustic vintage feel to this stamp set! The image was popped up with foam tape over a folded 4” white doily (it appears those sold out quickly in Gina's store, but check back -– I’m sure they’ll be in stock again soon). A butterfly was cut from the patterned paper and attached to an aqua seam binding bow. Our second stamp set today is Birthday Bash by Rupa Shevde: You can find... Read more →

Summer Countdown Calendar!

Happy Friday, everyone! My kids have been asking for a Countdown to Summer calendar, so here it is! I made it for the new JustRite Friday Challenge posted today, which is to use these colors for inspiration: I made the 8-1/2" x 11" computer generated calendar myself and it is available as a free download: Download 2011 Summer Countdown Calendar_SharonHarnist. It can also be found on the Downloads & Tutorials page of my blog. You can find more details about my calendar over at the JustRite Inspiration blog today. You'll also find full challenge details there including the prize packages which include Copic markers (which I used on this calendar), Marianne Walker's Shadows and Shading Guide and JustRite stamps! Hope you all have a fabulous weekend! Read more →

Gina K Designs April Release Hop 2

Today is the second of three Gina K Designs team blog hops to showcase the newly released April stamp sets that are now available in the store! So we hope you’ll sit back, relax and enjoy! Make sure you visit and leave a comment on each of the design team members’ blogs because we're giving away some stamps! Two lucky readers will each win two stamp sets of their choice along with a surprise embellishment pack including ribbons, buttons and more! First today is Branching Out by Melanie Muenchinger: I love this fresh idea for pretty frames in any shape you could need! I still have lots of ideas for this set to get onto paper and I hope to do that before the month is over! I stamped the round frame with white ink onto GKD Pure Luxury Heavy Base Weight Cardstock Kraft cardstock and die cut it with Spellbinders Classic Circle Nestabilities dies. Green solid paper from Prima’s Madeline 6x6 patterned papers was die cut with Scalloped Classic Circle Nestabilities and then framed with Fleur De Lis Motifs die cut from GKD Ocean Mist cardstock (this is quickly becoming my favorite color!): I made this card for Jimmi’s... Read more →

April Calendar

(Stamps by Hero Arts) April is here and hopefully Spring is also here to stay! My April calendar, using a bunch of the new 2011 Copic Sketch marker colors and gorgeous Hero Arts stamps, is posted today over in the CLASSroom. I hope you'll join me there for all the details! Enjoy your weekend! Read more →

Charmed JustRite Blog Hop!

We're wrapping up JustRite Stampers' introduction of March release stamp sets with a team blog hop today, using this darling new cling stamp set, Charmed, which is currently in stock and shipping: And more good news . . . there will be Spellbinders co-branded JustRite Custom Charm Dies to match! You won't find these dies aywhere else but JustRite! The largest dies in each shape range from 1.50" to 2.25" and coordinate with all of JustRite's 1-5/8" stamps! The dies will be available a little later this month -- be sure to watch the JustRite Inspiration blog for updates. But the JustRite designers already have sets and will be showing you TONS of wonderful uses with these dies over the next few weeks! Here's my project -- my March calendar! My 2011 Downloadable Grid Calendar is printed on half a sheet of cardstock (measures 5.50" x 8.50"). I thought this particular birdhouse from JustRite's 3-1/4" Birdhouses set was VERY Springy and would make a great March calendar accent! I stamped the birdhouse on Neenah Natural White cardstock with Memento Rich Cocoa ink and colored it with these Copic markers and Melon & Buttermilk Atyou Spica Glitter Pens: Next, I added... Read more →

February Calendar

I finally finished my February calendar -- at least I got it finished before the month was half over (just barely)! As a reminder, I'm using a new size of downloadable calendar I made -- these are half sheets of 8.50" x 11" cardstock, measuring 5.50" wide X 8.50" tall and computer printed right onto ivory cardstock. The top is decorated with Echo Park Be Mine paper and accented with this sweet new Lockhart Ribbon Heart stamp: I stamped the heart with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto Copic's X-Press It Blending Card and colored it with these Copic markers Atyou Spica Glitter Pens, to match the printed paper: I free-form cut out the heart and solid pink cardstock mat behind it and popped it up on foam tape. The wonderful sentiment is from Gina K Designs Winter Wonderland Stamp TV Kit -- so pretty! I stamped it with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto Neenah Natural White cardstock, cut it into a banner shape, and then accented the edges with Copic R85 marker. Tied buttons and black ribbon hangers finish it. I promise to be early with my March calendar . . . like probably next week! I hope you are... Read more →

Blast From The Past ~ Oldies But Goodies ~ Valentine Countdown!

Good morning! I'm participating in two blog hops today, both of which challenged us to use stamp sets we've had at least six months (and probably haven't used yet?)! And my girls (8 and 11) told me it was time to take down the Christmas countdown calendar we had on the refrigerator, and they wanted a new one -- so that's how this Valentine countdown calendar came about! I used a very sweet Taylored Expressions stamp set, Beary Special, released in July 2009. My girls LOVE animals (stuffed or real) of ANY kind, so they flipped when they saw their new calendar! I stamped the animals onto TE Choice Buttercream cardstock and The Girl's Paperie patterned papers and colored them with these Copic markers: Yes, you can usually successfully color with your Copics on patterned papers -- see how much added interest the coloring adds to the red dotted paper bear at the top of the calendar (other animals were colored totally with Copics): and to the puppy at the bottom of the calendar: All of the animals were cut out and popped up on foam tape. Copic's X-Press It Double-Sided High Tack Tape was used to hold the rick-rack... Read more →