Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Panda Party

Hello Stamping Friends,

I have a super simple copic card share with you today.  Recently the Washington DC area got slammed with snow.  Floating around the internet is an adorable video of the panda playing in the snow.  It is adorable.  It made me want to get my Panda stamps out and play




Copics used:
Rosy cheeks: R11, 0
Yellow: Y11, Y00, 0
Blue: BG13, BG11

Monday, January 25, 2016

Taking a Viking

Happy Monday!

I'm always looking for masculine cards.  I don't know what could be more manly than a Viking!  This guy looks tough!  I was inspired by an idea I saw on pintrest for the card design. I changed some of the colors and elements around to make it work for me.  I hope you take a Viking to the card too!




Copics used:
Red:  R14, R24, R29
Silver: C1, C3, C5
Boots/Helmet: W5, W3
Skin: E000, E00
Pants: E77, E79
Horns: E43, E44
Hair:

Saturday, January 23, 2016

LOVE Mail

Happy Saturday!

This card is inspired by an idea I saw years ago.   The USPS used to make stamps that said "LOVE" and they replaced the "O" with a rose.  This is my take on their design.    I owe a big thank you to my hubby for designing the postage stamp border for me.  It worked perfectly on this card!



No copics today

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Space Dog

Hello all,

I have a fun birthday card to share today. As you all know I'm a dog lover.   It probably isn't a shock that I feel in love with this image instantly.    I sent this card off to a friend of mine who had a birthday last week.  Hopefully she had a great day!




 Copics used:
Blue: BG10, BG11, BG13, BG15, BG57
Black: N5, N7, N9
Skin: E000, E00, E11, E13
Dog: E41, E43, E44,
Yellow: Y15
Orange: YR15

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

LOVE U

Happy Wednesday,

I can't believe how fast Valentine's day is approaching.  YIKES!!!  I'm starting off this year with a non-traditional LOVE card.   I think this card would be perfect for a friend.

I had a lot of fun making this card.  It uses negative space to create the "Love" in the heart. I'm most proud of about this card is the "u".  I didn't have an alphabet die set that would work.  I started searching for other ways to create a "u".   In my search I found a "hi" work die.  I was able to take the "h" and cut it down to make a "u".  Problem solved!!!



No copics today

Monday, January 11, 2016

Turnip the What!!

Happy Monday,

I'm always on the lookout for interesting or unusual stamps.   Today's card certainly fits into this category.     This card is poking fun with a popular song.   If you have a teenager or 20 something that you send birthday cards too... this card will make them smile.




Copics used:

Purple: V01, V12, V15, V17
Green: G20, G21, G24, G28
Rainbow: R29, R27, YR14, Y15, YG11, YG13, B14, B12, V12, V17, RV17, R13
I used gray to darken up the "Turnip" and to color the question mark, microphone and sunglasses.  I recommend using warm grays, but any gray will work.

Monday, January 4, 2016

Flower of the Month: Snow Drops

Happy Monday,

It is time to share the Flower of the Month card for January.  This month's flower is Snow Drops.   Lisa Grey did a great job bringing these flowers to life.  It can be found here.  I wanted to do something a little different this month.  This month I made enlarged the digi so it would span across a A2 card.

The challenge this month comes from color choice.  Snow drops are a white flower and card stock is also white.  This poses a problem if you want the flowers to stand out and be the focal point of the card.  I decided to color a sky background so the white flowers pop off the page.

I started down at the bottom of the card with my darkest color blue.  I slowly worked through the blues to my lightest.  I wanted the lightest blue to fade to white at the top of the card. I listed all the colors I used at the bottom of this post.  If you are interested I have a detailed DVD class that shows step by step how to create this effect.

To create some depth when coloring the leaves of the flowers I colored the smaller stems/leaves darker green.  I kept the larger leaves a little lighter.  This way they the stems of the flowers didn't get lost against the broader leaves.

Lastly, I added some grey to the flowers to help create a little depth.  I chose really soft tones.  I didn't want the flowers to look grey.

I finished the card off with a simple sentiment and rhinestone.  I tucked it away.  I always try to have a few sympathy cards on hand.  I find when I need them, I often don't have time to make one.  It is nice to be able to raid my card stash.  

Thanks for looking.  I hope you enjoyed January's Flower of the Month.  I think it is my favorite so far in the series.





Copics used:
White: W3, W1, W0
Green: G00, G02, G09, YG67, G94
Blue: B95, B93, B91, B52, B00, B000, 0

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Saying Goodbye to 2015

Happy New Year!!!

It is the time of year where we reflect on the past and set goals for the next year.   I'm so proud of my stamping family.  You all continue to grow.  I'm so proud of your accomplishments.   I can't wait to see what the next year brings!  

This year is going to be filled with change and excitement.  Connor and I are expecting a baby boy in April.   We are excited to welcome this little man into our family!   I plan on taking a creative break after he is born, but I will to be back coloring and creating shortly after.   I'm even planning ahead...you will have some things to work on while I'm recovering.  So have no fear...you won't be rid of me that easily :)!!!

It has been a New Year's tradition on the blog to take a look back and share my favorite projects of 2015.  

This first one has special meaning.  We lost a member of our stamping family this year.  I made this in remembrance of her.   We miss her everyday...






I'm looking forward to another creative year with you all!   
Happy New Year! 
Chris

Friday, January 1, 2016

House Mouse Fall Leaves DVD Class

Hello,

I love House Mouse stamps.  It can be very tricky to get these mice to look realistic.  In this class we look at two major topics.   First we will talk about the process of coloring these little mice.  Then we will cover advanced blending techniques for the leaves.   This class also has bonus journal sheets to help you practice advanced blending.

Skill level: You only need basic blending skills to complete this class.  Some understanding of shadows will be helpful.
Cost: $20        

Copics used in this lesson:
You do not need to have these exact colors
Mice Skin: E000, E00, E93, R11
Mice Fur: E30, E31, E33
Leaves: YR21, YR23, YR24, YG61, YG63, YG67, E21, E23, E25, YR12, R02, R05, R14, YG93, YG97, Y32
Branch: E71, E74, E77

Shadows: BV20, BV23, BV25

Here is the poster for this class.  I'm sorry the print is a little small. I blew it up to the largest size permitted by the web page.  If you like email me and I can send you copy.