Crazy Eight Stencil Class Akron 2025

 Hello friends. 

Thank you so much for joining me for class today.  It was pleasure to meet you.   I love these quad stencils.  I love that you are making a set of coordinating cards to help refill your card box or to give them as a gift.    You can buy the ones we used at Taylored Expressions.  I would appreciate it,  if you told them I sent you.  Just write you took Chris O'Malley's class in Akron.  It might help us get a discount next year!

1. Remember to fill in the four tiny boxes on the edge of the stencils for perfect alignment.   On some stencils it really matters and the only way to get good placement. 

2. Remember to blend in circles and in both directions

3. When you are done blending trip 1/4 inch off each side of your paper.  Then cut at 4 inch and then at 5.25 inches.  You should end up with four panels.  

4. When I finish my panels off into cards.  I personally like to keep them simple.  Look for places to anchor your sentiments, so they are not just floating.   I love using tags, or vellum circles to help the sentiment stand out from a busy background.  

Sending A Smile Akron 2025

 Hello friends. 

Thank you so much for joining me for class today.  It was pleasure to meet you.   Below is all the photos.  If you have questions,  let me know I can get you the copic colors or other information that you need. 

The topic of paper was popular today.  Here is the link to the correct type of paper.  Neenah makes several kinds of paper and it can be confusing.  This is the paper that I use to color with copics.  I also use it for pencils...but you plan to do a lot of layering you should invest in specialized paper.  

The second question that I got asked what the cheapest place to buy copics.  Click here.

This is a good source for gamsol. 

Key points from class:

Remember that you will probably have to modify your stamps to make it work.  I try to figure out where the natural break is in the stamp.  If it leaves a weird gap,  use a small stamp to balance your sentiment. 

Design tip- try to make the outside of the card look innocent...so they are surprised when they see the inside.  I also try to keep the card simple.  Focus on the joke don't get distracted with other things.

Look for silly critters to compliment your snarky stamps.  They make it the easiest to make cards. 

Great companies to look for snarky stamps are 

1. Technique Junkies- (sadly closing)

2. Art Impressions - Girlfriend line is hilarious

3. Riley and Company

4. Ink Road- (partially closed)

5. Stamping Bella- oddballs are great for characters. 

6. Whimsy Stamps- great mix of serious and goofy stamps

Here are photos of the cards.   There might be slight variations of course depending on what class section you were in.. but they were all very similar. 

Touch of Color Akron 2025

 Hello friends. 

Thank you so much for joining me for class today.  It was pleasure to meet you.   Below is all the photos of the cards we made today.   There are a lot of ways to add color to a project.  I hope you had fun experimenting with watercolor, pencils and alcohol markers.  The theory behind adding the colors are the same, the process is just a little different.  Hopefully you found something you enjoy.    Please let me know if you have any questions.  You can always email me. 

The topic of paper was popular today.  Here is the link to the correct type of  paper.  Neenah makes several kinds of paper and it can be confusing.  This is the paper that I use to color with copics.  I also use it for pencils...but you plan to do a lot of layering you should invest in specialized paper.  

The second question that I got asked what the cheapest place to buy copics.  Click here.

This is a good source for gamsol.