I {heart} new toys!

Stamps: Tilda, Oak Tree ,& bench: all by Magnolia.
Paper: White; Always Artichoke; Chocolate Chip; Close to Cocoa
Ink: Memento Black; Copics; White Sharpie
Other: Heather Flower Soft
Card Measures 5x5


So what did I do all weekend that I only got 7 cards done? I practiced coloring with my new Copic markers!! With my current favorite stamps by Magnolia. Blending...shading...it will take way more time to get better with them...but I am enjoying them! I really had no intention to buy them. Remember this post? hahahaha...That post came after I took a Copic class at a LSS. I thought that taking that class would show me how to use them and I would like them or I would continue to feel that they were no big deal. However, I did feel that the class instructor was not that great. There were too many people and not enough markers, so we were rushing to use them. The images that the instructor had us use were small...there was hardly room for blending. They were those stick people by American Art Stamps. (Nothing against those stamps...but they weren't ideal for selling the wonders of Copics to me). So I happily continued on with my reinkers and aqua brush. Apparently I have been overworking my aqua brush and should have ordered a new set from SU! (they have the ones I like the best.) So lately it has been frustrating to color. nothing turning out the way I want. Then about 2 weeks ago my SBS24 sister, Wendy, started using Copics too...and she did such a nice job. She said it was her first itme using them...she made it look easy. So I emailed her and asked her a few questions. She easily started to swap me. After all, just a few days before I had gotten an email from a friend with a coupon code for 20% off an entire order at this store. I figured that between Wendy's inspiration and the coupon code I was being sent a message from the stamping gods to finally take the Copic plunge. LOL! I knew that when the time came, I couldn't just buy 5-6 or 11-12 to try out...because I wouldn't get the desired effects. So I started researching about what colors I should buy. I was not going to just start randomly picking out colors that I liked, but were useless together for blending and shading. That would only lead to me getting frustrated and wasting money. I did have a little bit of a clue about the idea of picking numbers that were about 2 shades different. (ie: YG93, YG95 and YG97)...but knew not much else about picking colors. I spent a lot of time looking at Debbie Olson's and Sharon Harnist's blogs. They are both fab with their Copics. When I ordered my Magnolia's I joined a Magnolia-licious Yahoo group...there are some seriously talented women on there. When it came to choosing a skin color I sent out a message to that group and got some great responses. But Suzanne Dean was so sweet and not only helped my with skin color choices...she gave me suggestions and lots of guidance in choosing good selection of Copics for my first order. She spent a good amount of time emailing back and forth with me. I really appreciate her help. She's like the Copic Angel sent to me by the stamping gods. LOL! You really should go check out her FABTASTICAL creations on her blog.

The card above is my first Copic Creation. It was love at first blend. So I spent much of my weekend taking my time and coloring images with my brand new toys. It was really nice to be able to waste away time just coloring and trying out new stuff. One thing I really need to work on is grass...I realized that I had no idea on how to make fool proof (aka: Kerry Friendly) grass. so forgive my polka dotted bar! ;)

Have a Gleeful Tuesday!