Bunny Remix

 Every once in a while, I like to revisit an older card design and update it a bit.  I made the original card six years ago.  The paper colors of the original card have both been discontinued.  It forced me to pick a bolder color palette.  I really like the depth it brings to the card.  What do you think? Do you like the original or the remake?

I made a video many years ago on how I colored the original.  You can find the link at the bottom is you are interested.  It was one if the first videos I ever made.  The lighting is terrible, but you can see how I colored it.  

Old card on the left; updated card on the right.

Copics used:

Bunny: C3, C2, C1, 0

Pink: R20, R00

Flowers: Y15, YR12, YR16

Green: YG13, YG27

Water: B00, B000, 0

Ground: E44, E43, E41

Glitter on the flowers

This video will not play unless you are on the blog or on Youtube

It's Christmas

Hello,

I just got home from the craft show at the Senior Center.  It is always a pleasure to see what all those talented ladies are making!   I made a list of things I hope to complete by next year's craft show season.  I'll be happy if I can accomplish three things off of it.  For Christmas, what I really want is more time!

This cutie polar bear has been waiting patiently for his turn on the blog.  I love how he has this itty bitty present balanced on his nose.  The penguin looks like he can't wait to open it! Isn't Christmas exciting??

Copics used:
Bear: E50, E51, E53, E55
Green: G43, G46
Red: R29, R39
Black: W9, W7, W5
Blue: B00, B000, 0
Orange: Y17, YR12
I put glitter on the snow

The Icing on the Cake

Happy Monday!

When I was making this cards I started to realize how lucky Cinderella was.  All she had to do, was start singing and the mice, birds, and other critters would come and help her with the housework.  I'm not a huge fan of mice...but if they came and helped me clean the house and cook dinner I would get over it.   If anyone knows where Cinderella got her furry helpers let me know... there is always something that needs to be cleaned.

Copics
Mice: E30, E31, E33, E35
Jam: RV63, RV66, RV69
Umbrella: Rv63, RV66
Blue: B00, B000
Grey: C1, C3, C5
Ground: W3, W1, W0
Pink box: R000, R00, R01, R02
Cake: E55, E53, E51, E50
Glitter on the sugar

Penguin Helpers

Hello Stampers,


This week of marathon cards continues....  this card is a little outside of my normal.  I'm not big on bold backgrounds on cards.  I like the all the focus to be on the main image.   I love all the blues on this card and I guess it all works together.  

This card was a little tricky too.  I noticed the penguins were missing bellies.  Hopefully you can't tell from the photo, but I drew in the lines to make bellies on the penguins.  The artists just left them plain. The biologist in me...just couldn't let it go...so out came my black multi-liner.  I hope you like their white bellies.

Penguin: T9, T7, T5, T3, T1, 0, R20
Snowman: B000, B00
Dark Blue: B32, B34, B37, B39
light Blue: B91, B93,
Orange: Y17, YR12, YR14
Gray: C3, C1
Snowman hat: W7, W5, W3

I finished the card off with drops of perfect pearl for snowflakes.  Glitter would also be very pretty.

Baby Weight

Hello all,

Just wanted to share this bundle of Joy with you tonight.  Love this bear!

Copics used:

Bear: E40, E41, E43, E44, T5, T7, R11
Yellow: Y11, Y13, Y17
Pink: R00, R11, R20
Ivory: E50, E51
Grey: C3, C1, C0
Basket: E31, E33, E35
Ground: W3, W1

Brighten My Day

Hello all,

I have a surprise for you today.  My goal is to make a series of videos on copic marker techniques.   It is a time consuming process, but if you can be patient with me it is a challenge I'd like to take on. Today I'm sharing my second video attempt with you.  Please feel free to share any feedback you have.   There is always room for improvement.    The video is at the bottom of this post. 

 I have a new glitter pen.  This it the first time I've used it. I love it!  It is like a glitter paint brush, so you only apply a thin layer of sparkle.  It is very subtle.  I'm curious to see how long the glitter lasts in the pen....there is only one way to find out... use it!

 I used a black multi-liner to extent the ground across the entire bottom of the die cut for consistency. 

Here is the video of me coloring the image.  A special thanks to my husband, Connor for editing it and adding all the text to the video.

*There is no sound for the video.

Copics Used: 

Bunny: N0, N1, N3, 0, R11, R00

Flowers: Y11, Y15, YR14

Stems: YG03, YG06, YG67

Center of Flower: YR23, YR27, E99- Brown multiliner

Water: BG10, BG11, BG15, 0
Ground: E41, E43, E44

On the Move

Hello friends,

The local news station just did a story about people who are allergic to cold weather!  Is that really possible?  Maybe that is my problem.  LOL...     As the snow falls, I sometimes dream about moving closer to the Equator.   I don't think my husband will ever agree... so making cards about moving will have to do.

Some of my students requested cards for either New House or Moving.  They are good to have on hand. I thought this could be a good card for the young adult going away to college or getting a first apartment.

I love the finished accent at the top.  I threaded the string through the button and then glued it to the ribbon.  The ribbon is just folded in half and glued.    I also used a brown marker to make the faux stitching around the edge of the card.

Copics used:

Bear: E30, E31, E33, E35, R00
Mouse: C1, C3, C4, C5, R00
Rabbit: T0, T1 and R00,  R11
Grass and Plant: G40, G43, G46
Pot: E95, E97, E04, E07--I had to play with this a lot.
Lamp: YR00, YR01, Y21, Y23, B12
Cups: YR00, YR01, YR02
TV: T4, T5, T7, T9   Screen: T0, T1
Red: R24, R29, R39
Couch: B00, B21, B23, B24- this is a little challenging.  You can pick easier colors if you like.

Beary Nice Tree

Hello Friends,

Only two more days left to Christmas.   However, the weather has been more like summer.  We have had a break in the weather.  All the snow has melted and turned to mud.  Perfect weather to take the dogs for a walk!!   We happened upon upon Connor's elementary school.   They had a great time playing on the slide!   Not your typical Christmas activities, but enjoying ourselves nonetheless.   Check out the card below... the last of the Bears for a while.  I love this series of stamps.  This one might be my favorite!

To help us get back into the Christmas Spirit.  I stamped the flourish in Garden Green ink on Garden Green paper.  The bear stamp is from Lili of the Valley.  His name is James.   He is so so cute!!

Copic Used:

Brown: E30, E31, E33, E35, E37

Red: R24, R27, R39

Gold: Y00, Y17, Y26

Green: G43, G46 accented with G82, G84, G99 (maybe a few others)

Ground: any shade you want your carpet to be

Gated Penguins?

IT IS FRIDAY!  Congrats friends, we made it through the work week.  I'm off to see my Brockport Crew this afternoon.  I can't wait to make some Christmas cards with lively bunch.  

Today's post is a first for me.   I have never made a gate card before.  I really like the style of this card.    I'm excited to play around with this card layout.  I took lots of photos of this card,  hopefully you can get a feel of how it is put together.

white paper is embossed with snowflakes

Copics used: 

Black: T5, T7, T9, 100

Yellow: Y15, Y17

Cheeks: R11

Snow: B00, B000

Stool: BG45, BG49

Red: R24, R27, R29, R39, 

I put Stickles on the snow and used my finger to spread them out, so it would look smooth. I love how they look like sun is reflecting off the snow. 

If I were to color this card again, I'm not sure I would color the banner red. I think the red is too harsh.  It overpowers the card a bit.   I had a hard time picking colors.  Red and Green seem to be obvious choices, but not sure they work.   My only thought is to leave the banner white and color the sky.  Any suggestions? 

Have a creative day!!

Santa Stop Here

Hello Stamping Buddies,

My sister adopted a dog this past May.  The dog shelters in Atlanta, Georgia were overflowing. Rather than put down the overflow of dogs, kind strangers created a caravan to bring dogs to shelters that have room for them.  A few of them landed in a shelter near my Mom's house. My sister happen to fall in love with this Georgia Peach.  This week has been Bindi's (the dog) first experience with snow.   The Southern Belle shivers in the cold. Bindi has become best friends with the heating vent in efforts to stay warm.   My sister has bought her some clothes to help this poor pup to survive a New York winter.   She doesn't look happy about it, but it is better than freezing!

Bindi

Bindi (aka Cookie Monster)

I have another James the Bear card to share with you today.  I'm loving this series of cards.  Bindi and I share our dislike of the cold, but this bear is embracing the experience. 

Copic Details:

Bear: E30, E31, E33, E35, E37
Wood: E71, E74, E77
Paper: E50, E51
Red: R24, R29,
Black: T3, T5, T7, T9
Snowman: W2, W1, W0
Ground: B00, B000

My one regret: I made the snowman's nose too dark.  It was suggested I make his nose match his hat.  I love trying new things... but this one.. not for me.  It should be orange in my opinion.

Optional: You could put glitter on his hat.  I didn't, but many students wanted to add a bit of sparkle.

A Stocking was Hung

Hello,

I had a wonderful opportunity today to drive up to Rochester for Rubber Stamp Garage Sale.   I'm not sure if you can relate, but it isn't hard for rubber stampers to outgrow their craft rooms.  There are just so many cute stamps out there... and we want them all.   She had a wonderful selection and my Mom, Debbi and I scoured the tables.  I came home with about 30 new stamps and yards and yards of ribbon.  I'm so excited to ink them up, not sure where to start.

While I figure it out,  I wanted to share another one of my Bear Cards.

Love the poinsettia embossing

Copics:

Bear: E30, E31, E33, E35,
Red: R24, R37, R39
Bed: E70, E71, E74, E77
BG: BG01, BG02, BG05
Warm Grey: W1, W3, W5

I airbrushed the background.  If I had to do it again I would pick a different color.  I wanted a neutral color, but it is too close to the bear color.  Oh well...live and learn.

Beary Nice Gifts

Hello Stamping Friends,

I had a very busy weekend. I'm still trying to catch up from being sick last week.  I spent Saturday at wonderful craft show.  I was delighted to meet so many interesting people.  I hope to see many of you at future classes.   I wanted to make some Christmas cards to sell at the show, so I dug out some favorites.   I can't get enough of these bears.   I have been working on a series of cards using James the Bear.  Here is the first of many Beary Awesome Cards!

Love this embossing folder, it reminds me of gingerbread

copics used

Bear: E30, E31, E33, E35
Red: R24, R29, R39, R59
Green: G43, G46
Ground: BV20, BV23
Gold: Y28
I made his nose darker with black copic
finished his hat off with Glitter

Birthday Girl

Hello,

Today I'm sharing one of my favorite cards.   I made it a few years ago, but I have been hogging it.  I thought it was time to share it with the world.   The little girl is a Lili of the Valley stamp.  Her skirt and headband are embellished with Stickles.  

Copics

Pink: R81, R83, R85

Skin: E00, E000, R11

Hair: I think Y21, E30, E31

Cake: E31, E33

Frosting: RV00, RV02

Shoes: E40, E41

You Are My Sunshine

Hello Stampers!

Just a quick post today. I hope this brings a little sunshine to your day! 

 I used a stamp from Lili of the Valley to create this card.   It is simple and sweet! 

 Copics used:

Green: YG03, YG06
BearL W1, W2, W3, W4, R00
Pink: R20, R21, R22
Background: BV01
Yellow: Y11, Y13, Y15, YR12

Beary Cute

Hello Stampers,

Today is my first post of the New Year.  I have enjoyed taking the last week off, but I'm ready to get inky.  This little bear is part of a larger set from Lili of the Valley.   The bear has such a sweet face.

This card is going to be included in my Card Lover's Class this month.  Class is on Jan 12th in the Rochester, NY area.  Jan 18th in the Corning, NY area.  Please send me a note for more information. 

Copics Used for Purple:
Grey: C4, C3, C2, C1
Nose: C5
Cheeks: R01
Flower: BV04, BV01, BV00, Y15, YG67, YG05

Copics Used for Blue:
Grey: C4, C3, C2, C1
Nose: C5
Cheeks: R01
Flower: BG000, BG02, BG05, Y15, YG67, YG05