Love me some Canary Art

...I think I have fallen hugely in love with Krista Smith's Saturated Canary Images - I have been colouring up a storm these past few days and I'm still going LOL!

I completed this Easter project using the very cute Murray - love all the detail in her little stocking legs....the basket was fun to make too! I thought bigger was better when it came to filling it with chocolate... and before next weekend I plan to make few more.

Copics Used:

Skin: - E000, E51, E11 Cheeks RV10

Hair: - E21, E25, E29, E17

Shoes: - Y00, Y08, Y15

Clothing: - R81, R83, R85, B91, B93, B95, Y00, Y08, Y15, YG00, YG11, YG17

Chicken: - E50, Y00, Y17

Grass: - YG00, YG11, YG17, YG45

I did a little experimenting with the grass in this image. At my Intermediate Copic Certification, our instructor, Mandi demonstrated a few different ways to do backgrounds and give our images depth. The "dotting" technique really appealed to me, even though I usually like my card creations clean and simple.

I got a little more adventurous when creating the background to accompany this next card... I used a new image called Blanche....she is a sassy little movie star number. I chose 3 colours from my colouring and "dotted" the whole background....I rather like the outcome and thought it would be a great way to make patterned paper to co-ordinate with my creations - so that is next on my agenda....making my own decorative paper with Copics! and X-Press IT Blending Card (available at Mad for Markers).

Copics Used:

Skin: - E000, E01, E11, Cheeks -  RV42, Eyeshadow - B91, Lips - R24
Hair: - E21, E25, E29
Dress: - R22, R24, R27, W1, W3, W5
Eyes: - E31, E35
Background: - R24, B91, W3

...just a teeny tiny bit of "dotting" on this image, back to my clean and simple format for the heavily pregnant Mrs Ice-Cream and Pickles ....she was such a joy to colour and I kept my card very gender neutral in shades of both pink and blue....I have also entered this card in the Thinking of You Challenge #14 at the Saturated Canary Challenge Blog - I thought it fitted the theme beautifully.

Copics Used:

Skin: - E000, E51, E11, Cheeks/Lips- RV10, Eyes - B91, B93

Hair: - E21, E25, E29

Clothing: - R81, R83, R85, B91, B93, B95

Ice-Cream: - E71, E74, E77, Rv00, RV10, RV21, E50, E51, E53

Cone: -  E31, E35 and brown fine tip pen

Pickle: - YG91, YG95, YG97 - and a few little dots were placed on top ;-)

Cherry: - R22, R24, R27

Here is a little close up pic of both my cards - so you can see the colours a little easier... and don't forget, if you want to add any of the Copic colours, I have used in these projects to your collection, be sure to drop by the Mad for Markers online store.

I created all my own sentiments for these three projects and the font I used was called "Whackadoo" - what a cool name - I love it!

I am off to catchup with my "Scrappy Friends" this weekend - we will be trading our Feb & March ATC's, Copic Colouring, Shopping and generally just having a creatively good time!!

Hope your weekend is fun and full of creative adventure too.

The "H' Party

We have had a fun and very enjoyable weekend, celebrating my nephew's 21st Birthday - it was a dress-up themed event. We were all asked to come dressed in something beginning with "H". Wow! - everyone got into the spirit of the night, and there were some amazing costumes we had Hercules, Hannah Montana, Humpty Dumpty, Highland & Hip Hop Dancers, Helicopter Pilots, Housewives and the list goes on. I have a few photos to share with you - wish I could show you them all... but once again I took 100's LOL!... and it really is impossible to post them all!

This is my family and I - the Hawaiian Tourist, Hockey Player, Hostess and Hippy! - long hair and chockers are not the most flattering accessories for me!!

 ....and from left to right:  my nephew the Hotdog with his mate the Hedgehog, My sister the Hairdresser and her Hooker daughter! and family friends Hannibal Lector and Henry the Octopus - cool costumes aren't they??

and here are some more family friends .... dressed as a Hobo couple and with their very cute duaghter the  Hawaiian Princesss. 

The most popular costume of the night appeared to be all the different variations of  Hippies, closely followed with an array of Hawaiian dressed guests - as I mentioned before, it was a lot of fun and we giggled at ourselves and our silly costumes all night.

The dressup theme also inspired my card creation today - I rushed this card a little but I really needed a little R & R in my "happy room" today, after such a hectic weekend. This is Mod Marci from the La La Land Crafts Stamp range - I thought she had a little bit of a "hippy chick" look to her - she is seated on another La La Land image the Garden Bench....both available at Mad for Markers.

Copics Used:

Skin: E000, BV000, E01, E11, Lips: RV42, Cheeks: R20

Hair: E31, E35, E29

Hat/Boots: V12, V15, V17

Vest: R81, R83, R85

Top: YR00, YR12, YR18

Pants: Grey -  W1, W3, W5

Guitar: Y21, Y23, Y26, YR12, YR18

Garden Bench: YG91, YG95, YG97, E51, E53 E55, E57

I have added some white highlights to my colouring using a Size 0 brush and my new pot of Copic Opaque White.... watch out for white highlights all over my upcoming projects LOL! and while on the subject of upcoming projects...stay tuned....while tidying up my "happy room" today I found a few "treasures" -  a big bundle of stamps I have purchased over the past 12 months and forgot about - they have never used - sad but true!!

Hope you have a wondeful day and I will be back soon to show you my new found treasures!

Birthday Blog Hop

Welcome to the Mad for Markers Birthday Blog Hop.....this month the store has been busy celebrating it's 2nd Anniversary with lots of giveaways, the release of exclusive digital images and some wonderful inspiration on the store blogs.... it's been great to have you along for the "party". Today's Blog Hop ends the festivities - the hop is all about sharing birthday celebrations and you will discover some wonderful inspiration for your own Copic Creations...if you arrived here from Kate's Blog , then you are right on track...if not, please go over to the Mad for Markers Challenge Blog and start at the beginning - you won't want to miss a thing!!!

I created two Copic Card Creations for today's Blog Hop - using different images but the same colour palette, both stamps can be found in the Mad for Markers store along with an array of other fantastic stamps featuring birthday themes.

This card was created using a La La Land Crafts Stamp called  Birthday Marci she is super cute with her ribboned pigtails and little panda friend....very appropriate for today's theme.

Copics Used:

Hair - E21, E25, E27

Skin - E00, E51, E11, - Cheeks - RV42

Dress/Shoes - R22, R24, R27

Gift - G00, G03, G07, - Ribbon - B00, B12, B14

Panda - C1, C3, C5, BV000

... this is a "close-up view" of my colouring... you will notice that I have added some thin stripes to Miss Marci's dress - I used a fine-tip felt pen (that I have had in my craft stash for years) and I really like the effect....I think you may see more of this felt pen appearing in my future creations LOL!...I also used my B14 and the very tip of the marker brush to add a dotted pattern to the gift.

my second card was created using a Some Odd Girl image called -  Balloon Kaylee she always colours up a treat - I decided to keep the card design very simple so that Miss Kaylee was the star of the show.

Copics Used:

Skin - E00, E11, E15 - Cheeks - E93
Eyes - B00, B01
Hair - E21, E25, E27
Balloon/Top - G00, G03, G07
Shoes/Skirt - R22, R24, R27
Jacket/Socks - B01, B12, B14

There will be "hidden" prizes for those of you who "hop-along" and visit each of the blogs today - so be sure to leave a comment as you follow each blog for a chance to win a prize or two!!

Now head on over to Alyce's Blog to continue your Blog Hop Journey - enjoy the trip :-)

Life is Busy - but FUN!

Wow! - 2 weeks of March have almost passed and this is the first chance I have had, to update my blog...my apologies if you have been waiting on the next installment. Life has just been busy... every day this month has just been a whirlwind - and I wouldn't have it any other way! It started with a wonderful opportunity to be a wedding photographer's assistant - not taking any photos, only observing and carrying equipment ;-).... it was a wonderful experience. The day was pouring with rain and even from the venue we could see the river rising - our whole region had been put on flood watch. However, the photographer was very calm - he handled the conditions very well and had a wonderful rapport with the couple, this all made the day go very smoothly and I know the photos will be beautiful! I took a photography class with Ben back in January - I love his work, it is very natural and spontaneous and it has certainly changed the way I use my camera. Here are a few photos I took of my youngest daughter, on the weekend trying to put some of those new skills to use.



Next on my busy schedule was a focus on "Creative Memories" - firstly, a worskhop event sharing my latest design work, then preparing for a presentation of my new ideas... to present next month (in Queensland ) followed up, by putting the finishing touches to a Design Team assignment - can't wait to share that one with you!.. a mixture of traditional and digital layouts showcasing some gorgeous new products - yes, watch this space!! Yesterday, I attended a photographic exhibition by a local photographer that I also admire - she has been working on a project that gives a voice to women suffering from abuse - if you are in my local area please check it out - it is truly amazing, all photographed in Black & White and such powerful images...you can find more information here. I thought today, I should take some time-out and do something a little more relaxing - that of course meant reaching for those beloved Copics and doing a little bit of colouring. This year my nephew and my daughter both turn 21, as do many of their friends and birthday cards are high on my list of requests. Therefore, I thought I should simplify the card making process and it started, by limiting myself to the colours used...Copic Markers, Printed Papers and Embellishments. I waste a lot of time on decision making, but I have to admit, I found having a smaller selection of items to choose from, was just as tough.

This is Nevaeh a digital image from Krista at Saturated Canary - she is simply gorgeous!

Copics Used:

Skin- E000, E01, E11 - Cheeks/Lips R20/R42
Hair - E27, E25, E21
Dress/Shoes - R21, R22, R24
Stockings - W1, W3, W5
Sash/Petticoat - B91, B93, B95

I added some clear kindy glitz to the dress, but for some reason it photographed a bit like a gold speckle - see my photography skills have much to improve on LOL! I kept the embellishments to a minimum too, a few flowers & rhinestones, a lace doily and a computer generated sentiment. I thought I would enter it in the current challenge at Saturated Canary - there are some beautiful cards being shared over there.. using doilies as embellishments...very inspiring work.

The other card I completed today was using one of the new Mad for Markers Digital Images - this one is simply called Birthday Girl #1 - aren't her striped stockings adorable? I used the same colour combination and decorative product to make this card and despite my initial hesitation with limited choices - I am happy with the outcome - head on over to the Mad for Markers Blog for more information on this creation and the 2nd Birthday celebrations of the online store. You might also want to check out the Mad for Markers Challenge Blog - this month's challenge is all about colour limitation too...with lots of Monochromatic Fun.



If you have managed to read right to the end of this blog post I applaud you LOL!! ...and what comes next on my busy life agenda you may ask? - well stay tuned, I am off to Melbourne on Sunday to participate in the Copic Intermediate Certification. I am looking forward to learning some new techniques to share with you soon.

Birthday Celebrations

Today's post is a "shout out" to the wonderful Sammi at Mad for Markers who is celebrating the 2nd Anniversary of her online store...it was about this same time, that I "rediscovered" my passion for colouring and started adding to my collection of Copic Markers. I met Sammi at a Papercraft show in Melbourne and her enthusiasm for Copic colouring was contagious and I was thrilled to learn that she could supply all my Copic needs by mail - a huge bonus for someone living in the country! - and her customer service is simply WONDERFUL!  Since then, I am the proud owner of many new Copic colours. I joined her online, at Facebook and the Mad for Markers Blog... and have learnt so many fantastic techniques and made great new friends...and now, I am honoured to be a member of her Design Team.

To celebrate the 2nd Birthday of Mad for Markers, Sammi will be hosting a month of celebrations - commencing today with lots of giveaways on the Mad for Markers Facebook Page and Blog - It will end in the release of the 3rd Volume of  - Copicendium - a mini ideas book of inspiration....and a huge DT Blog Hop - you are very welcome to join in the FUN - and we would love to have you at the PARTY :)

...and.. as a tribute to the occasion, I thought a card creation would be very appropriate.

This Sweet Miss is called Copica and was designed by the very talented Krista Smith of Saturated Canary, this is a digi image printed up on X-Press IT Blending Card - and with her pocket full of Copic Makers...she looks very much like Sammi, the first time I met her :)

Copics Used:

Skin - E00, E01, E11 - Cheeks R20

Lips - RV42 - Eyes - B12

Hair - E27, E25, E21

Dress - R81, R83, R85

Apron - V12, V15, V17

Striped Top - Y38, YR23, YR21

Stockings - W1, W3, W5

Copic Markers - W1, W3, W5 - and a combination of my favourite colours

Looking forward to "seeing" you at the "party"

Some Tropical Playtime

...this week... I have been looking through the photos, my daughter and her friends have been sharing.. from their Fijian Adventure - Wow! what an amazing trip they had...living in a traditional village for a few days and experiencing island life in 3 different backpacker resorts...I have really enjoyed the pictorial journey, they have taken me on ...and it has inspired my latest card projects. On the last day in the village the villagers said goodbye in a traditional Fijian ceremony - all the volunteer participants were adorned in a necklace, made from tropical flowers and then had their faces covered in talcum powder and in some instances, paint (the significance of this, I am unsure of ??).

I love the lush green foliage of the tropics and the bright pinks, yellows and oranges of tropical flowers, they just "ooze" happiness. Therefore, they were the colours I reached for in my Copic Collection when it came to creating these cards.

The images are both digital stamps from Mo Manning - "Pineapple Girl" and "Kalei"....an adorable tropical feel to these island cuties!

Copics Used: Pineapple Girl

Skin: E000, E01, E11, Cheeks: RV42
Hair: E25, E27, E21
Dress: Y38, Y26, Y21,YG11, YG13, YG17Lei: RV55, RV02, RV10, Y38 - Blossom Spica Pen
Pineapple: Y38, Y26, Y21, YG11, YG13, YG17 - Buttermilk Spica Pen/White Gel Pen

Copics Used: Kalei

Skin: E33, E35, E37, Cheeks RV42
Grass Skirt: YG97, YG95, YG91
Hair: Black, E04, E77, E79
Top:Y38, Y26, Y21
Lei: RV55, RV02, RV10,

It was fun to use the same combination of colours on both these cards - and end up with different results. I also experimented with different skin tones (very new for me). I even added "rosier" cheeks by using RV42 instead of my favoured R20 - actually, I reached for a whole new colour combination of pink for these cards - I felt my usual combination of R81, R83 and R85 was not vivid enough for a tropical theme. If you are looking for new pink combinations yourself, be sure to pay a visit to the Mad for Markers Challenge Blog the DT have been sharing some gorgeous creations using R or RV Copic Makers - don't be afraid to join in too :)

The sentiment on both cards were created using "A Little Pot" font - I like to use my computer to generate my sentiments as it means I can create the perfect sentiment for my theme.... these were inspired by the greetings of the Fijian and Hawaiian people...and I thought they were perfect for the current challenge at Mo's Challenge Blog :)

One of the most famous expressions in Fiji is “Bula” (pronounced boolah). It is the Fijian word for “hello”. “Ni sa bula vinaka” is the full correct greeting- meaning “a warm hello,” but ‘Bula’ is more commonly used, especially for visitors to Fiji as it is quick and easy to learn and understand. 'Bula’ is as significant in Fiji as “Aloha” is to Hawaii - 'Bula 'represents more than just ‘hello’, it also means happiness and health.

The formal way  to say goodbye in Fijian is 'ni sa moce', pronounced 'nee-sah-moh-thay', though it is mostly and simply said as just 'moce'. It is also the word for goodnight. 

- until next time... "moce - my friends"

Many Happy Moments

.....yes, I have had a wonderful few days!! :)....and lots to "tell" you LOL!! Firstly, my baby daughter is home "safe" from her Fijian Adventure. If you have been following my Photo-a-Day project, you may remember a couple of weeks ago she left on a Student Volunteer Program in Fiji. She was really looking forward to helping out in a remote village, repairing buildings, teaching English & hygiene to children and learning Fijian customs during her homestay. There was also some time for a little holiday....a planned "island hopping" trip in this beautiful tropical paradise. However, all didn't go to plan! - they were evacuated from the village, due to rising flood waters, chased by the effects of Cyclone Jasmine (and placed in "lock-down" for 2 days at a backpackers hostel) and then plagued by rough seas and endless days of rain for the remainder of the trip - so yes, a very Happy Moment to have her home!!

This photo shows the volunteer group being guided across the flooded bridge at the village - my daughter and my niece are in the centre of this photograph.... being lead by the man in the red hooded jacket. - Scary Stuff!!

....and these photos show a little of the contrast in weather during her time in Fiji - building a wall in the meals area of the local school, in the mud and rain... and then "holidaying" on Naviti Island with another storm approaching...it has certainly been a trip to remember and she has over 1000 photos to prove it LOL!! - Yes I have taught her well :)

This morning the Happy Moments continued when my postman delivered a wonderful Copic Storage Case that I was able to redeem as part of the Copic Rewards Program......I couldn't wait to place my beloved Copics! inside it.... and "look" there is still room to purchase more!

If you would like to earn one of these fantastic storage cases yourself, all the details can be found at Mad for Markers....I know you will "love" it and feel so much more organised! :)

After this delievery, the Happy Moments continued - you may have noticed??... that my blog, has a whole new look to it today??! - yes, the lovely- sweet Kristina Proffitt of Two Happy Mamas created this gorgeous blog design - designed by her, especially for me!! I am thrilled, beyond happiness with this "new-look" blog.... it includes my favourite colours, allows me to share larger photos and is totally, so much more me - Thankyou, Thankyou - Thankyou, Kristina.

...and in honour of this blog "make-over".... and the fact that my Copic Markers are now organised and stored in their new home.... and I am bursting with happiness.... I thought I should create a new card to share.

This is "Smell the Flowers Tia" from the Some Odd Girl range of stamps available at Mad for Markers.

Copics Used:

Skin - E11, E01, E00, R20

Hair - E25, E27, E21

Dress - B32, B34, B37

Flowers/Shoes - R81, R83, R85

Grass/Leaves - YG91, YG93, YG95, YG97

Ladybug - W3, W5, Black100, R24, R27

I hope you have enjoyed today's post and my "new look blog" and "your" week is full of Happy Moments too!