Monthly Challenges Info

The first challenge will run through May 2011, all submission will be due by the May 25th. The theme will be weddings!!


This is just the basic information for the monthly challenges - details specific will be posted for that month. I decided to do a monthly challenge and I hope you join along! There will be some sort of prize for product used or from company of the month.


Begins 1st of every month
Ends 25th of every month
Winner selected by random generator on 27th and notified
Winner will have 4 days to respond or another winner will be selected until a response is received.

The challenge can be anything you wish to do...card, layout or whatever you wish to create.
Either a specific product or a company will be chosen each month to use
You will need to submit a photo and it would be great to include basic items you used - you don't have to go into details such as specific c/s, if you used Copics you don't need to provide every color. It would be nice just to have a general idea of what you used since the idea for my blog is learning things and getting ideas.

Here are ways to get chances to win...this will become clearer when I post the challenges
Please be a follower - don't have to leave a comment, go anywhere else..just be a follower

If you use a similar product - 1 chance
Use actual product of challenge - 2 chances

100 Blog Candy

Well I had to pick another winner...off to random generator
Congratulations Deborah King!! And thank you to everyone!

Well it looks like I am getting close to a 100 followers and decided it was time to get some candy together. Here is what it looks like so far...several rub on's (my fav!!), chip board Hero book, stickers, tags, templates, alphabet set,  monograms, stamps (including a frog set that I loved!! you can see him in the photo), and a selection of embellishments, small scrapbook kit and a mat pad. I also raided my stash and included a few items from that also - blank tags, few vellum envelopes, pop-ups, journal tags...Depending on how much fits..I might find a few more things..never know!!!  Well I got a large bubble envelope and have filled it up - was only able to add a few items it was so packed.

I have realized I have no way of contacting some of you...so please leave a comment with an email if you don't have a blog or something..Thanks!

A Touch of Grace

There are a  few reasons that I love blog hops...forget the chance to win something - discovering new blogs is my favorite part!! Jerri with A Touch of Grace happens to be one of them. She amazing and her site is packed with tutorials, ideas, techniques..basically, everything you could hope for!

If you have been following me or even have just gone through my blog you have discovered I love making my own flowers!! Jerri has put together a GREAT tutorial series on making flowers that you must see!!
I strongly suggest visiting her, here is the link for the flower and embossing tutorials.  Trust me when I say you are going to want to spend some time over there and be sure to sign up for her mailing so you don't miss anything! One other tutorial she has is a very unique idea for adding texture to leaves - I loved it and will definitely be trying it!!
I could sit here and keep adding links for a very long time..but I will let you head over and look around. Jerri is also Copic Certified, an alumni for Split Coast Stampers, design team for Spellbinders, and she even has her own boutique! Needless to say she is very busy with an abundance of creativity! I had contacted her with a few questions and she was more than happy to answer them ( I am having embossing issues!! )

To find her boutique

Stamps - where to find your favorites

I am having a hard time getting links to work..if one is broken please let me know!
Since the discovery of Copics I have been looking at more stamps (that I can color in!!) and digi stamps came up. So off to the world of digi stamps! I have found, and others share their favorite digi stamp sites. Since I will guess this is going to get lengthy I decided to just do a posting on them and add them in as I find them. Am I missing your favorite place....let me know so I can add it. Please share your experiences with digi's and sites that offer them!

They have the cutest stamp faces for everything!

Digi stamps

http://bellesnwhistlesstamps.com/index.php

Digi and rubber stamps

Digi and rubber

 

They have a really cute frog set...seen it from a hop.

 

Located here in Cleveland! Rubber stamps

Digi and rubber

Digi

Dig's, Rubber and SVG and JPG files to match!

Peppermint Bunnies

Ok you have to admit these are the cutest things ever!!! Cheryl at CardbyCG made this and I instantly wished I had found it earlier to make some for work!! There is always next year..or maybe a ghost for Halloween....a snowman for winter holidays...ohh my mind is working overtime to find an excuse to make some of these!!!! Hmm and Sam's Club carries these in bulk hehe.

 My sons and I are making these cute bunnies for classroom goodies for Easter.  They turned out so cute! :)

First off, I know you are thinking it already...

"Where in the heck is the Gypsy cut file for these A-DOR-A-BLE bunnies? Cheryl always shares her Gypsy files!!"

Well, here it is:

Peppermint Bunnies . gypsy on 4 Shared

To make these yummy bunnies you'll need a Gypsy, the Gypsy Wanderings cart and these other supplies:

Peachy Keen face parts stamp set (or draw on the face by hand)

ATG glue or other glue runner

Scotch Quick Dry Glue

Tweezers

tape

Ink pad 

Peppermint patties candies

- we also add my son's personalized stamps for the back of our bunnies - 

See how cute a personalized stamp is? I love these and they only cost $6 each.

We cut out all out pieces on the Gypsy. On my file you'll see one layer for the head (including the welded ears), one layer for the faces (including the nose cut out), and one layer for the inside of the ears.

With the noses cut out of the faces, we just lined up some Peachy Keen face parts on our stamp block.

Then we flipped our faces and taped a piece of pink card stock to the cover the nose hole.

We also glued on the inside of the ears using Scotch Quick Dry Glue.

How do you like our bunny parts? :)

Next I applied ATG tape to the face and head pieces and my boys put them all together, sandwiching the peppermint patties in-between.  So cute and they really don't take too long. We put 50 of them together in just over an hour.

Here are our happy bunnies.

What an adorable side shot, huh!

We made a tag to match our bunnies.  Here I clipped off the ends of the ear parts. The "Happy Easter" stamp is from Close to my Heart.

We put 25 of the bunnies in one of these $1.50 paint pails from Joann's. We added some plastic Easter grass and some sheer ribbon to the outside and we were done.

So cute right!  Now download the Gypsy file and take some time to craft with your kids today! 

In case you missed it earlier, here is the Gypsy file again:

Peppermint Bunnies . gypsy on 4 Shared

Card Ideas Various Postings - Please read this one.

I have been switching back and forth on how to organize card ideas - for the techniques that I have posted they will be added to them. For others, I will start postings and simply label them until I get a collection of certain techniques and find a tutorial and move the cards to the postings. As always under each image will be credits and link back - if you find something that inspires you...please take a moment to let the designer know. Hey we all like to hear when our work inspires someone - share the love!! One last note, since there are so many amazing creations out there, I will be posting them while waiting for permission (this was another hurdle on how to handle) Since I always try to wait for a response for the tutorials...if you see one of yours let me know (check email to lol) The request might of been sent to your spam folder.
Thanks for taking a moment to read this and I hope you find what you are looking for!! Remember, since each posting will include various techniques and ideas, take a moment to look through all the labels and postings...Enjoy!!

Calendar Card

As I was looking around Jo's site It's My Creative World I came across this amazing calendar card!! She use to teach card making and has taught this one...maybe she can be persuaded to make a tutorial on this. I don't know about you, but I thought this was absolutely amazing beyond words. It looks like a lot of work...but imagine giving this to someone - they would be thrilled to receive this!!

Don't you agree this definitely belongs to be a part of this blog!!

I haven't used my Tombow makers in a long time but broke them out for this. I like the way the fur looks on the kitten.

Here is the card opened a little

This is the calendar up close a bit.

Open a little more.

I found a web site on line that you can download the calendar. (There was no link but if I find it I will add it to this).

You can make this card simple or really fancy with embellishments and decorative papers.

Dryer Sheet Technique

Well I am a happy blogger today, Jo with It's My Creative World has given me permission to share some of her unique tutorials!! Be sure to visit her site...never know what else she has over there. She also has a nice selection of cards that she has made, I saw some for almost every occasion!
Here is the first one that really caught my attention...hmmm imagine using a new one for a summer card - seeing and smelling fresh flower scent?? Yes?? I love trying to see if I can find different ways to do things. Her tutorials are so well done!!

Dryer Sheet Technique

Items needed for project:

Used dryer sheet

Various cardstock for your card and ribbon (optional)

Dazzling Diamonds glitter or one like it

A printed digi image (you can also use a rubber stamped image)

Type of adhesive such as Xyron, glue stick, double sided adhesive sheets or spray adhesive

This is a very simple technique to do. I will show three different adhesives used. The glue stick, double sided adhesive and Xyron.

Glue Stick

1. 
   
   1. Cut your used dryer sheet about ¼ inch bigger than you stamp image.
   2. You will take your printed or stamped image and cover the entire surface (the image side) with glue stick. Make sure you get all the way to the edges.
   3. Carefully lay your dryer sheet over the glue and smooth down. It might be a little bumpy in spots but that is ok because it just gives it more dimensions.
   4. Now turn you image over and adhere the extra to the back of the cardstock (you can cut the extra off but this gives it a more finished look).

I used a double sided tape so that is would show up in the picture. You can just use the glue stick as well.

This is what is should look like after you have either trimmed or adhered the excess to the back.

5. Turn you image back over and sprinkle the glitter over the entire image and tap excess off. I use a coffee filter to catch excess glitter for reuse.

This is where the real beauty shows. Got to love glitter!

Next up : Double sided adhesive sheet. You will notice that it has a slight tint and relatively even. Some may like this look. I used one call Therm O Web for my double sided adhesive.

Double sided adhesive sheet

Apply the double sided adhesive sheet over your image and cut down to size. Once this is complete peel to expose your adhesive then follow steps 3, 4 and 5 from Glue Stick method.

Next Up: Xyron

Xyron

Run your image through your Xyron machine. Make sure you put your image through the Xyron upside down so that the adhesive will be on the front of the image Once this is complete peel to expose your adhesive then follow steps 3, 4 and 5 from Glue Stick method.

You will notice that this is similar to the Glue stick method as far as appearance.

Here is a shot of all three methods I used here for you to compare.

The next part is up to your creativity, putting a card together. I have photos of each method used with my card design. I think a snow scene or a stained glass image would look really nice using this technique.

I hope you enjoyed this and that it will inspire you to try making cards and projects using this technique. I know that this goes back a number of years but seems to have resurfaced again. As they say,”something old is new again”.

Here are a few that she made....

This is done using Stampin Up stamps. I used a dryer sheet over the images using a glue stick and then sprinkled glitter on to the while the glue is still wet.

This is the same technique just done with fall colors.

Sandwiches for Spellbinders and other Machines

******Note on using plates******
I just learned that you should not mix plates between machines. Even if the thickness looks the same you can damage your unit and thus void warranty.

I am still working on this...whenever I come across one I will add it...if you have one to share let me know!

Spellbinder Wizard

Spellbinder Wizard Cutting Sandwiches

The sandwiches below are written so that the first item will be placed directly on the work surface and each additional item will be stacked on top. After stacking, run through sandwich through the Wizard. For more information on Spellbinders’ Die Templates universal application with other die cut machines or other dies used in the Wizard, check out our Compatibility Guide Linked.

Air Dry Clay

• White Master Mat
• White Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Air dry clay rolled to 1/16th inch thick and dried
• White Master Mat

Aluminum Cans aka pop cans, soda cans or Coke cans, depending on your region

• White Master Mat
• White Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Aluminum Can, cut into small pieces
• White Master Mat

Balsa Wood 1/32"

• White Mat
• Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Wood
• White Master Mat
Run the wood through the Wizard once or twice to cut. For embossing, swap the White Spacer plate for the Tan Embossing Pad, as in a paper embossing. You may need to wet the wood to get it to emboss.

Craft Foil

• White Master Mat
• White Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Paper or Craft Foil
• White Master Mat

Embossing Enamel Veneer
• White Master Mat
• Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Baking Parchment
• Veneer
• Baking parchment
• White Master Mat
Prepare a veneer of embossing enamel: Apply a layer of embossing ink on a sheet of baking parchment. Sprinkle on a thin layer of embossing enamel (thermal embossing powder), heat and cool.

Felt

• White Master Matt
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Felt
• White Master Mat
For a more precise cut,  layer a piece of cardstock on top of the felt and run the sandwich through the Wizard twice. It may need a couple of snips with a scissor to finish the cut.

Fun Foam

• White Master Mat
• White Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Fun Foam Sheet
• White Master Mat
If using adhesive backed foam, place the foam side to the die. This sandwich is for regular thickness craft foam, not the thicker ‘door hanger’ sheets.

HVAC tape

• White Master Mat
• White Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• HVAC tape, shiny side to die
• White Master Mat
HVAC tape is an aluminum tape with a release liner. It is sold in most home improvement stores and is usually found in the heating and air conditioning department. Do not confuse this with duct tape.

Paper or Cardstock

• White Master Mat
• White Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Paper or Cardstock
• White Master Mat

Puffy Paper

• White Master Mat
• White Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Puffy Paper (Dow product)
• White Master Mat

Shrink Plastic

• White Master Mat
• White Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Shrink Plastic
• White Master Mat
• May need to run through twice
Different brands of shrink plastic yield different results as not all shrink plastics are the same thickness or density. Lucky Squirrel brand works well.

Styrofoam (Use with a picnic plate or to go hot cup)

• White Master Mat
• White Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Styrofoam
• White Master Mat
After cutting and embossing, try heating to shrink

Unbaked Polymer Clay

•White Master Mat
• Plastic Wrap
• White Spacer Plate
• Prepared Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up*
• Powdered clay
• Plastic Wrap
• White Master Mat
*Roll clay to 1/16" thickness, powder (baby powder or cornstarch) the clay and the die. Protect the White MAster Mats by using cling wrap (Saran). After cutting, place the die with clay still intact into the freezer to firm up the clay and to assist in removal.

Spellbinder Wizard Embossing Sandwiches

Spellbinders Wizard provides 3,000 pounds of pressure to bring about some of the crispest dry embossing found in the craft market today. To assist in the process, try misting paper with water or other specialty embossing product, before running the sandwich through the machine.

Air Dry Clay

• White Master Mat
• Texture sheet or other item that will emboss
• Dried clay sheet
• White Master Mat
See cutting air dried clay for more information.

Balsa Wood 1/16" (will not cut)

• White Master Mat
• White Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Wood
• White Master Mat

Brass Stencils

• White Master Mat
• Brass Stencil, writing side down
• Cardstock or foil
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Master Mat

Charms

• White Master Mat
• Charm: flat fabric, thin polymer shape, flat finding
• Cardstock or foil
• One to two Tan Embossing Pads
• Blue or Black Mat

Cuttlebug™ embossing folders (any size)

• White Master Mat
• Folder with paper or cardstock inside
• White Master Mat
If too hard to run through, follow this sandwich:
• White Master Mat
• White Spacer Plate
• Folder with paper or cardstock inside
• Blue Master Mat (from charm kit)

Fiskars® Texture Plates

• White Master Mat
• Fiskars® Texture Plate
• Paper of Craft Foil
• Tan Embossing Pad
• Blue Mat
See Compatibility Chart for other company’s embossable items.

Leather

• White Master Mat
• White Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up or Brass Stencil
• Misted Leather
• White Master Mat or Blue Master Mat (charm kit)    
Experiment with thickness of leather. Thicker leather will emboss well but not cut.

Metal words, letters

• White Master Mat
• Thin metal word or letter
• Craft Metal or Paper
• Tan Embossing Pad
• Blue Mat

Organza bags

• White Master Mat
• Tan Embossing Pad piece
• Bag with item to be embossed inside
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Mat
Size the Tan Embossing Pad to just fit the item being embossed and place them both inside the bag

Plastic Sun Catcher

• White Master Mat
• Plastic sun catcher, approximately 1/16" thick
• Craft Foil
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Master Mat 
If the foil gets cut through in some areas, substitute a piece of craft foam for the tan polymer pad.

Paper or Craft Foil

• White Master Mat
• Spellbinders Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Die cut paper
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Master Mat

Spellbinders Texture Plates (metal)

• White Master Mat
• Spellbinders texture plate
• Paper or Craft Foil
• Tan Polymer Pad
• White Master Mat

Styrofoam with a stamp

• White Master Mat
• Unmounted Stamp
• Styrofoam
• White Mat

Textured wall paper

• White Master Mat
• Wall paper
• Foil
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Master Mat

Velvet

• White Master Mat
• Unmounted Stamp
• Velvet, nap side down
• Blue Mat
Spray back of velvet with water, heat with heat tool, run through. 100% cotton velvet works best but rayon blends will work well also.

Vinyl sticker embossing

• White Master Mat
• White Spacer Plate
• Prepared acetate with stickers
• Cardstock or foil
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Master Mat
 Make a custom design by applying vinyl stickers onto a sheet of acetate. A deeper emboss is achieved by applying a second layer of sticker (identical design) on top of the first.

Spellbinder Wizard Make An Embellishment

To embellish the Spellbinders Die Templates, leave the die cut paper, either embossed or not, inside the die. Color through the holes, using it as a stencil: chalk, paint, pens, etc.

Bottle Caps:
Flattening
• White Master Mat
• Piece of Paper
• Bottle Cap, flat side down
• Tan Embossing Pad
• Blue Mat 

Reproduced in Metal

• White Master Mat
• Tan Embossing Pad
• Flattened Bottle Cap, face up or down
• Craft Foil
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Master Mat

Set  eyelets:
In cardstock
• White Master Mat
• Tan Embossing Mat
• Paper with eyelets inserted into holes
• Eyelet Setting Plate
• Tan Embossing Mat
• Blue Mat
The eyelets must stay in the holes when turned over for this technique to work. Using a Japanese Screw-punch can give some flexibility with the hole sizes.

In leather
• White Master Mat
• Tan Embossing Mat
• Leather with eyelet in it, end to be flattened facing up
• Steel plate
• Blue Mat

Snap setting sandwich
• White Master Mat
• Paper or fabric with the snaps in place (one part of each two-part snap on either side)
• Tan Polymer Pad
• White Master Mat.
This sandwich allows setting of a single or multiple snaps in paper or fabric.

Techniques

Apply Rub-ons

• White Master Mat
• Paper or foil
• Rub-on image
• Two Tan Embossing Pads
• Finish with Blue or Black mat
• Carefully remove rub-on backing after running it through

Bone folding

• White Master Mat
• Item to be folded (Card, Page Element, Wire, Metal, etc.)
• Piece of Paper
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Master Mat
Catopia Using Clearsnap’s Cat Eye Chalk Ink, smudge colors randomly onto glossy cardstock. When satisfied with the combination and amount of color, buff gently with a paper towel. Use the colored paper as any normal paper but with surprisingly wonderful results when cut with Spellbinders Die Templates.

Cutting/embossing 1/32" Balsa Wood

• White Embossing Mat
• Spellbinders Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Balsa Wood
• Blue Mat
Before using the sandwich to cut, give one side of the wood two coats of Mod Podge. Let dry. Place the treated side up in the sandwich. The wood will emboss and cut at the same time.

Faux Stained Glass

• White Master Mat
• Spellbinders Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Clear Transparency
• White Master Mat
Emboss the stencil into the transparency. Color using a flowing medium, such as stain glass effects paint, Sakura Glaze pens or alcohol inks. The colorant should flow into the sunken embossed areas.

Faux Pounded Flowers for those with allergies or without fresh blooms

• White Embossing Mat
• White cardstock
• Prepared faux flowers
• Waxed paper
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Master Mat
Use Clearsnap chalk inks and apply onto cheap silk flower… ones you don’t mind throwing away.

Line art turned into an embossing stencil

• White Master Mat
• Spacer Plate
• Handmade embossing stencil
• Paper or Craft Foil
• White Mat
Outline a simple art piece such as a line drawing, text, logo, etc. with a medium that has depth such as: hot glue, gesso, wire, UTEE, etc. Allow to dry. Complete as many layers as desired. Use the above sandwich to emboss paper or foil.

Make your own foam stamps

• White Master Mat
• Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Craft Foam
• White Master Mat
Cut the foam craft sheet. Emboss. Adhere using temp adhesive to a CD case, plastic block or wood block.

Making shaker/shadow boxes
• White Master Mat
• Spacer Plate
• Spellbinders’ Die Template, with ridges or cutting edge up
• Craft foam with adhesive back
• White Master Mat
Nestabilities Die Templates make creating small shaker and shadow boxes a snap! Cut several identical frames. Craft foam provides nice depth and is easy to cut. Mount the first frame onto a piece of decorative cardstock. Layer on 2 to 3 more frames. Insert shaker elements or artwork. Place acetate on top of stack if making shaker box. Place last frame on top (this one may be cut from cardstock or foil.)

Polymer Clay flattening

• White Master Mat
• Tan Embossing Mat
• Clear Plastic Wrap
• Raw Clay
• Clear Plastic Wrap
• Blue Mat
Peel wrap away from the Tan Embossing Mat and then from the clay.

Pressed Flower Transfer
• White Master Mat
• White cardstock (watercolor paper is ideal)
• Fresh flowers such as pansies, Johnny jump-ups, etc.
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Mat

Reflections Technique
• White Master Mat
• Spellbinders Die Template, cutting ridges facing the Master Mat
• Die Cut, lined up with the embossing holes
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Master Mat This technique is used to make a mirror image of a die cut. For instance, if the giraffe normally faces to the right, this sandwich will create one that faces to the left. Begin by die cutting the image as usual but do not emboss. Remove the die cut and line it up over the image from the back of the die. It is helpful to use a piece of removable tape to hold it in place. Run through the Wizard. The die cut will not be embossed around the edges, but once inked and embellished; it will resemble any other die cut.  

Spellbinder Wizard Transfer Techniques

Photo Onto copper
• White Master Mat
• Tan Embossing Mat
• Foil, prepared for transfer
• Photo printed on transparency, face down
• White Master Mat
Prepare the foil by applying a thin layer of Omni Gel or Golden Gel Medium in any finish.
Photo Onto Fabric or Leather
• White Master Mat
• Wax Paper
• Canvas
• Image sprayed with Transfer Medium
• Waxed Paper
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Mat
Inkjet onto Fabric or other porous surface

• White Master Mat
• Canvas or paper
• Print out, face down
• Tan Embossing Pad
• White Master Mat
Cheap photo paper and regular (not archival) inkjet prints make beautiful, detailed transfers onto paper, cardstock, fabric or other thin, porous material. Use a graphics program to layout images/words. Be sure to reverse any words so they will transfer properly. Print the image onto glossy photo paper using good or high print quality. Mist your fabric (paper or twill tape, etc.) so it's damp. Hold your printout vertically. Spray mist into the air and then wave the printout through the mist so it gets wet. A few mists should do it—use care that the ink doesn’t get so wet that it runs. 

Spellbinder dies and the Vagabond

Solo Platform
Sizzix Wafer-Thin Die Adapter
one clear cutting pad
Spellbinder die, cut side up
cardstock
one clear cutting pad

Signature in Postings

Have you ever seen everyone's signature at the bottom of their postings? Here is the link on how to make your own..and FREE!!! After you complete it google how to add signature in blogger postings and follow directions on how to edit the footer in HTML. I also added mine to my email!

My Live Signature

Canvas...Creating art beyond your scrapbook!!

I had seen this done and I was blown away and how wonderful they looked!. Do you have a special moment, or want to create a beautiful piece of art for someone? Here is the solution - take your scrapbook page and move it out of the scrapbook to create a one of a kind piece of art that can be hung or displayed. Not sure where to begin, the let Canvas Corp show you supplies and how to create your own masterpiece. While they are giving their site a make-over you can head over to their blog Canvas Corp for even more idea, challenges and prizes. The possibilities are endless, and with ideas being shared and all of the resources here - your new passion is just a click away...what are you waiting for??

With a complete online resource nothing should hold you back now!!  Here is a peek at what you will find with them....I got lost on their site looking around!!

With a feature Friday, you will see something new every week to try - and with a list of supplies and photos. Here is the current Feature Friday...with all the details on the site.

In the Let's Get Creative section you will find ideas and projects to get you started and keep you going!! Are you wondering how to move from your paper to canvas...they have a number of helpful hints and ideas to get you there...check out this amazing piece!!!

Let's Craft - more ideas and projects along with contests like this one - making banners!! Already thinking about the projects you can create??? Learn how to using other mediums like burlap here!

You have taken the plunge and have decided to create your own art...In the section Let's Decorate you can find even more ideas and and learn how to display it! I just love this photo wreath!!

Don't miss out on Let's Design, where you learn how to transform your area with help from professionals..they even have a kit you can buy to learn HomeSpacing. IMHO I thought this was great!! I don't know how many times I have rearranged and decorated so I could get the right look and feel in a room!

And don't forget to check out Love It! where they will showcase projects from all over!

With all of this at the click of a mouse....what are you waiting for??

Copics To Copic of Not...That is the Question..

Last night I was talking with Dana from the group Split Coast Stampers. I had just been asking a variety of questions unrelated to each other (learning all sorts of lil tid bits!!). Then she made one comment - and it caught my attention completely!! "I just love my Copics!!" All I could think of was why????? The cost, wasn't impressed with what I thought was a competitors brand, they don't last long, ruining the tips when you blend - these were reasons I never looked twice at them. You know me...I asked why and brought up all my reasons - in some detail so she really understood. Her response to me...will forever more change my view - thus the need to Copic!! So let's go Copic!!

First off the very basics:

The main differences

-The number of colors available

-Airbrush Compatibility

-Ink Capacity

-Nib Types

-All use same refills (which are very inexpensive!! Bonus!)

Sketch Marker is available in 344 colors - shares nibs with Ciao

Copic Marker comes in  214 colors - most nib choices - these only fit Copic

Ciao is available in 144 colors - holds least amount of ink, won't fit into airbrush system

Airbrush Systems, you will want to purchase only the Sketch and Copic Markers.  The body of the Ciao marker is too small to fit into the Copic Air Grip. I strongly suggest searching videos if you have never seen this - very unique and amazing effects.

Want to know what a Copic is...well the best place to begin at Copic. Of course they are loaded with everything - you can even d/l their color charts to keep track of which ones you have. I called them as I was overwhelmed as to where to start my collection - yes they have help for that!! All you need is a basic starting color and they will help to choose 3 colors that will work well together with their color palette.

By now I am sure you have checked out pricing..ouch I know!! So I did a little bit more research on where others purchased them. A number of companies were pointed out, and some clubs as well - I don't mind signing up if it means great pricing..but customer service and shipping has to all be there as well. To narrow down one company at times seemed difficult, but once again Dana to the rescue!! She recommended Oozak.com and since she obviously knew her stuff when it came to Copics I took her word and headed over to Oozak, set up an account and placed my first order! All I can say is she has now been correct 100%, they don't even nail you on shipping!!!! I see a bright future with Copics (and without breaking the bank!!!).  Next step....Learn!!

Now that we have the details out of the way...let's have fun and see what people are doing!!!

If you haven't figured it out I love You Tube!! As I was drowning myself silly in videos in the side panel was one marked Copic Basics : A Beginner's Tutorial - well hey perfect for me!!! This is not a company that sell it...as I began watching it I realized I was completely consumed IMHO Suzanne really does an excellent job at explaining AND showing what the basics are, I will admit I learned a lot from her and even subscribed to her. I hope you enjoy her tutorial as much as I did!!!

You know I will be adding to this as I discover this Copic world!! LOL are you realizing that I truly had no clue about these!! I have been led to people that are amazing with their Copics and will be adding tutorials and links as soon as I get it all sorted out!
Until next time....