ISS Blog Hop - Set the Table

It's the last Friday of the month, and you know what that means - it's time to go blog hopping with InStyle Stamps! If you didn't come here from Lysa's blog, then you might want to go to the InStyle Stamps blog to start the hop so you don't miss any of the great projects the dt has in store for you!

Since Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner, this month our theme is "Set the Table". And as usual, we will have some great prizes to give away, so make sure to read all the way down to the bottom of the post to see how you can get entered into a drawing for some great goodies!

For my project, I decided to use the adorable new Anime images, Virginia and William. Aren't they just the cutest little pilgrims?

Around here, "Setting the table" during the holidays always includes a pretty container of seasonal flowers. I decided that my pot of mums needed a little dressing up, so after coloring Virginia and William with my copic markers, I cut them out and used glue dots to attach them to a pair of chop sticks I had laying around (unused, honest!).

The mums came in one of those plain jane green plastic pots, so I rummaged through my collection of decorative pots and found this great tin basket. I added some green ribbon around it, and then used my nestabilities to make a cute flower for the sentiment.

The flower is very simple to make. Just use a scalloped circle nestie in a size to coordinate with your center circle, and snip in each scallop toward the center to make your "petals". The sentiment is computer-generated using one of my favorite fonts, Kayleigh. (Download it for free here.)

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On to the Blog Hop details...

We will be giving away a Grand Prize to one lucky Blog Hop participant and also have a prize for one lucky design team member. To enter, hop through the design team’s blogs, (leaving a comment at each stop, of course!) and then go to the InStyle Stamps blog and vote for the designer who's project inspired you the most. (You're going to vote for me, right? LOL!) Then, in order to be entered into the drawing to win the grand prize, leave us a comment on that post.

I'm the last stop on your hop today, so now you'll want to go back to the InStyle Stamps blog to vote and enter the hop contest.

Thanks for playing along with us today!

Holiday Wall Art

This weeks challenge on Mo's Challenge blog is to make anything but a card. I've had an idea kicking around for some framed holiday art since I made a card with the oh, so sweet Singin So Beautiful last week, so I decided to participate.

Once again, I colored the kitties to look like my two Siamese, Octavian and Emmalee. The image was colored with copic markers (you are going to gasp if I ever use anything else, right?) and then I added Twinklets to the ground for some snow. I thought the sky needed a little something more, so I drew in some snowflakes with a white gel pen and added more Twinklets for some snowy sparkle. To finish off the piece, I used glue dots to attach real miniature bells to Octavian's collar, and then added 3 larger bells and a ribbon to the mat.

I had one heck of a time getting a decent photo of the entire frame, so below is a close-up of the image so you can see it better.


I forgot to take a photo of the copics I used, so sorry! They basically are the same colors I used in this post, with the addition of G85, G82, G40, and G24 for Octavian's collar and hat.

Sweet birthday wishes...

This week's challenge on Copic Buzz is to make a card without any patterned paper. I've been using patterned paper on just about all of my cards lately so this was quite the challenge!



I used the oh, so adorable Bronte and Louis by Mo's Digital Pencil for my image. Bronte and Louis were colored with copic markers, and then had white gel pen accents added.


I added more white gel pen to the eyes to make them more expressive. (click image for a larger version)

Markers used:

Meowy Christmas!

Anyone who knows me, knows how much I adore my furbabies, Emmalee and Octavian. (Emmalee is the lilac point Siamese, and Octavian is the flame point Siamese, shown above.)


When I saw the adorable Singin So Beautiful at Mo's Digital Pencil, I knew I had found the purr-fect image to use on a holiday card for Octavian's foster mommy from Siamese Rescue.

Think she'll like it? The image was colored with copic markers, and I used Spica pens in gold, buttermilk, and clear to accent the bells and red ribbon. The sentiment is computer-generated. I kept the layout clean and simple to make it easier to mail.

This card is also my entry for the Copic Creations challenge #14, coloring with black. (Emmalee was colored with W5, W3, W1, W0, and W00.)

Copics used:

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Boss's Day!

Happy Boss's Day! Did you remember? I have to admit that my co-workers and I completely dropped the ball on this one. Ok, not completely. I did hear a commercial about it on the radio on the way home from work last night, so I at least had time to make a card for my supervisor.

At my office, we have a cabinet that is kept well-stocked with hot chocolate and several varieties of teas and coffees. Pretty much the first thing everyone does each morning is make something hot to drink (preferably accompanied by something to munch on), so I thought that AM Sweet Tooth by Mo's Digital Pencil would be perfect for the card for my supervisor.

I colored the image with copic markers, and then used a Sakura Gelly Roll pen (I think it is stardust) on the spoon and the trim on the mug and plate. I used white Foam Paint by DecoArt (in the fabric paint isle at your local Michael's/AC Moore) for the whipped cream. Once it dries, it has this wonderful "wet" sheen to it. The image needed a little "sweetening", so I added Twinklets onto the cookie and the foam to add a little "sugar".

Copics used:

InStyle Stamps DT Call

InStyle Stamps is currently searching for new designers for our anime images for October 20th, 2009 – January 20th, 2009.

We are interested in fresh, funky, out of the box designs. We are looking for artists with great coloring techniques and photography skills, who have the ability to have fun and post regularly on their blogs. If you fit that mold, please apply for one of our special team positions.

How to apply:

Send InStyle Stamps an email at instylestampsdt@aol.com with Anime Designer in the subject field no later than October 13th. Please include 1 card and 1 non-card project that showcase your best coloring abilities. Within 24 hours you will receive a free digital anime image to create a project for consideration... Your entry must be returned to us no later than October 18th, 2009. An eye coloring tutorial will also be provided.

Along with your email please include the following information:

1. Name

2. Mailing Address

3. Phone number

4. Email Address

5. A List of your present/past design team positions. Note: You will be considered even if you do not have design team experience.

6. A link to your blog and gallery on SCS, PCP, or anyplace else you like to hang out.

7. A brief “about me” summary to include; interests, crafting history, etc. Whatever you would like us to know about you and your experience.

Because you will need to share your InStyle Stamps creations, you are required to have a well-maintained blog for posting your artwork and any information concerning InStyle Stamps. Ability to photograph and post your creations is a must.

As a part of the InStyle Stamps team, you will receive a selection of images to work with each month. You are required to post a minimum of 4 projects per month to your blog using the images provided. We require one non-card project a month. Please note that all images are provided digitally, so the ability to print the images is a must. Please do not apply if you are not comfortable working with digital stamps.

We have a yahoo group dedicated to the Design Team. You would be expected to join this group & participate in discussions with others as well as giving suggestions or ideas when asked.

As a DT member, we would like to see you posting your creations in online stamping community galleries, such as Splitcoast Stampers and Paper Craft Planet. This will help to increase exposure to our stamps and images.

The perks:

You get a badge to display on your blog to show that you are a part of the InStyle Stamps Anime DT!!

Every month you will get 6 digital stamps to design with. They are yours to keep. Remember we require at least 4 projects per month. The projects you create as part of your design team requirements are also yours to keep.

You will receive one free kit per month.

You get a 35% discount on website purchases for as long as you are on the design team.

You will receive a welcome package with a free stamp and other goodies to get you started.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to e-mail Melissa at: InStyleStampsDT@aol.com

We look forward to seeing your submissions! Best of luck!

ISS Sneak Peek + Sketch Saturday #72

This weeks sketch on Sketch Saturday is a cute one, so I decided to play along. I flipped the sketch for my card as it worked better with my image, the adorable new anime from InStyle Stamps, Christmas Tree Chic.


I've always loved decorating our Christmas tree. Ok, I hate the grumbly "why won't these blasted lights work?!?" part, but putting on the ornaments is just so relaxing. I put on my favorite Christmas cd's and spend several happy hours putting each ornament in just the right spot.

Christmas Tree Chic was colored with copic markers as usual. The pretty designer paper is more of the My Mind's Eye Colorful Christmas line. The ornament embellishments were drawn by hand as I couldn't find a stamp the right size. The yummy crocheted ribbon is a Big Lot's find.

Copics used:

Club Anime Color Challenge

It's time for another Color Challenge on Club Anime, and Virginia chose this yummy bedding as our inspiration piece this month:


Here's my take on the challenge:


Meet "Snowman Chic." Isn't she a cutie? She'll be available soon in the InStyle Stamps store, so keep an eye out! Snowman Chic was colored with copic markers (see photo at bottom) and then had SU Dazzlin' Diamonds added to the snowman for some sparkle.


I used Twinklets again on my vellum snowflake embellishment- told you I was addicted to the stuff! - but this time I experimented a bit by adding SU Dazzlin' Diamonds glitter on top of the Twinklets. You have GOT to try this - it is so sparkly and pretty! The photo just doesn't do it justice!

Now what are you waiting for? Go create something and then post a link on the Club Anime blog for a chance to win a great prize package. Not a member of Club Anime yet? Go here for info on how you can join.

Copics used:

Thanks for stopping by!

Mommy's little angel...

Today I made a card for the first ever challenge on Mo's Challenge Blog. The challenge is really simple, you just need to use purple on your card, along with an image from Mo's Digital Pencil. I actually really like purple, but for some reason, I almost never use it on my cards. So this was a fun challenge for me, as it gave me an excuse to pull out my purple copics and give them a whirl.

Isn't this just the sweetest image ever? I'm normally not into angels, but as soon as I saw Michael, I had to add him to my shopping cart. Before I started coloring the image, I actually had the prettiest purple designer paper picked out to use on the card, but once I was finished coloring, I decided that the image was too sweet on it's own to need any fancy paper or layout. I matted the image on black card stock, and then layered that onto a white card base for a simple but elegant card.


For my finishing touch, I added Frosted Lace stickles to his wings, and went over the halo with a Buttermilk Spica pen.

Copics used:

As you can see from the photo, I used two custom YR21 copics for the halo. The palest, YR21p, is made from 5cc's blender fluid plus 30 drops of YR21 ink refill. The darker one, YR21pd, is made from 5cc's blender fluid plus 80 drops of YR21 ink refill. These 2 custom markers are by far my favorite yellows.

Labeling Copic Ciao Markers, Etc...

Are you tired of not having the numbers on the ends of your Ciao markers? Do you wish they could look like this?


Inquiring minds want to know how I labeled my Ciao markers, so I thought I would do a quick tutorial. I'm too lazy (and cheap LOL!) to go out looking for specialty labels when I can create my own in the comfort of my own home, using supplies I already had on hand.

How to label your markers:

Supplies needed:

• copic markers LOL!
• scrap pieces of your favorite white card stock
• 1/4" circle punch (mine is the one sold by SU, but I'm sure there are others ones out there)
• fine tipped black pen/marker of your choice (I used a 0.3 copic multi liner)
  
• mini glue dots, 3/16" size works best
  

Step One: Scribble a circle onto your cardstock (I recommend using the brand you generally color on so you will have accurate colors).

Step Two: Using your fine tipped black pen/marker, write the marker number in the circle.

Step Three: Line up the opening on your circle punch over the number and punch it out.


Step Four: Attach your punched out label to the end of the cap of your marker with a glue dot. *note* I always attach mine to the super brush tip end so that I know at a glance which cap to take off.


Easy peasey!

I rather like being able to see the actual marker color at a glance, so I've started to go back to do this to all of my Sketch and Original copics too.

I admit to being rather anal about being able to locate a specific color quickly, so I've applied the same system to my collection of stickles. Just switch out the 1/4" circle punch for a 1".

Whiff of Joy Challenge 50

I've really been in the mood to make holiday cards this weekend, so when I saw the Whiff of Joy sketch challenge, I knew it was the perfect excuse to pull out Lizzie with Muff.


Isn't she sweet? Lizzie was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with copic markers. I went over the swirls on her outfit with a Sakura gelly roll pen, and then added fun flock to her muff, collar, and the pom poms on her boots. For the finishing touch, I added Twinklets to make "snow" around her feet.


For my accents, I made more Twinklet-covered snowflakes. This time, I used vellum for the bottom layer. Isn't it pretty? I like the effect you get with the vellum, so expect to see more of these in the future.

The pretty designer paper is "Falling Flakes" and "Snowflake Stripe" by My Mind's Eye.


By request, here are the copics I used to color Lizzie. The BG72p is a custom mix. The BG70 family is one of my favorites, and it annoyed me that there wasn't a nice light BG70 to use for blending. To make a BG72p for yourself, combine 5cc's of blender fluid with 80 drops of BG72 refill, and then fill an empty copic marker.

Thanks for stopping by!

let it snow...

Yes, I know, it's only October, but it's never too early to get to work on your holiday cards. I've been seeing Twinklets Diamond Dust Crystals used on a lot of holiday cards, and being a glitter addict, I had to get some. (Michael's and AC Moore both carry the HUGE jar of it. $8.99 for 14 oz. Plan on splitting it with someone, because seriously, you would have to use it on 1000's of cards before you'd even make a dent in that jar! LOL!)


Doesn't is make the prettiest snowflakes? It's really easy to use too. Just dab a bit of craft glue (I used Elmer's glue and applied it with a sponge) onto your paper, sprinkle with Twinklets, and shake off the excess. Keep in mind that Twinklets are real ground glass, so make sure to put some scrap paper under your project to catch any that escape. You don't really want teeny pieces of glass left on your work surface.


For my card, I used the adorable Kai in the snow digital image by Mo's Digital Pencil. Isn't he a cutie? I sponged the background with SU Soft Sky ink, and then colored Kai with copic markers. I added some white Fun Flock to the pom pom's, and more of the Twinklets to the snow. The pretty designer paper is "Snowflake Stripes" by My Mind's Eye.

Wags 'n Whiskers

Exciting news: Nikki & Lacey from High Hopes are setting up their very own stamp company, Wags 'n Whiskers! Their new stamps are based on their children and fur-babies. The images are brought to life by the talented lady, Chrissie, formerly an illustrator for High Hopes.

Pop over to Wags 'n Whiskers to enter for a chance of winning a complete set of stamps. And be sure to go back on October 9th for their official launch and blog hop to celebrate the release of these adorable new stamps.

CAS2 - Rockin' with Corrine

Today is sketch challenge day at Club Anime. If you're not currently a member of Club Anime, click here for all the details!

For my project, I decided to make a card for a co-workers granddaughter using the Club Anime image, Corrine.


Isn't she a cutie? Corrine was printed twice and colored with copic markers. After the images were colored, I carefully cut out Corrine and layered her on top of her stool with pop-dots to give the project more dimension. The cord for the headphones is a bit of silver cord that I attached with a glue pen. Once everything was together, I added a bit of diamond glaze to the headphones and iPod for a more realistic look.