Time to Share the "Love"

...love of Copics that is!!

I often get asked what is the most favourite thing I love about my Copics - and it really is a tough question to answer! I love the vast colour range, I love how easy they are to blend, I love their versatility - I love.....yes the list goes on an on. However, I truly just love colouring in with them. As you are aware I have a passion for all sorts of Arts & Crafts but there is something very therapeutic about colouring. I find colouring very relaxing . I often have heaps of images stamped out on my X-Press IT Blending Card ready to go and when life gets tough I reach for them... and my 'beloved' Copics and have some good old chill-out time. I have been doing that a lot lately LOL!... and finally got to spend some time the last few days, making these coloured images into cards - here is a couple I thought I would share.

This is 'Hip Hop' girl  a 'Hanglar Stanglar' image coloured with my favourite shades of Pink - R81, R83, R85 & Blue - B91, B93, B95. I consider these a "must-have" in any Copic Collection.
 
The gorgeous pink embossed paper used for this card is from Kaisercrafts Paper Pad Miss Nelly and the beautiful paper flowers are by "Hooked on Craft" available from Karen & friends at scrap2relax - a very apt name for a store considering today's post LOL!!


The sentiment I made up and printed out on my computer using the font CK Journalling ( another favourite! )

..and this sweet 'Lily of the Valley' stamp is sure to cheer anyone up - that teddy-bear is so stinkin' cute! Mr Teddy was coloured with E31, E33, E35 and E37 - his rosey cheeks were courtesy of a little more R83 and his caring Nurse was coloured in with Warm Greys - W1, W3 and W5 and Red - R22, R24, R27
 
I made this card using the "Gertie" papers from My Minds Eye Stella Rose collection by Jen Allyson and another sentiment I made up myself.




I hope you get to have yourself some "chill-out" time this week with your favourite Copic colours and don't forget to check out the whole colour range available at Mad for Markers

Enjoy

New Stamps, Cards & Digi Papers

This post is long overdue and although I have lots of things to share,  I have no excuses.... just haven't found the time to blog.... I do however, have some exciting news to share. Firstly a little "Woo Hoo" to me!! ;) Last weekend I attended the Copic Certificaton Course in Melbourne - it was a lot of fun, I learned lots and can now share some wonderful new techniques with you.

Here I am with the lovely Mandi -  who was our instructor and as you can see we were a little weary after our long day in the classroom....but not as tired, as my new colouring friend Natalie from Seriously Scrapbooking in Adelaide, who flew in just for the day, to attend the class. Thanks for sharing the day and your wonderful chipboard designs with me Natalie.... it was lovely to meet you.

I came home very enthusiastic and had a great time experimenting with new colours and techniques. However, I have also been busy putting the final touches to the new design team and challenges at http://www.fortheluvofart.com/ - be sure to visit and check out all the fun and inspiration we have in store for you there. This weekend I spent my time combining my love of Copics and Digital Designs and created these cards.

This card uses one of my favourite little Hanglar images, combined with some gorgeous B/W patterned paper from Angel Hartline's Digital Kit - "One Fine Day". This is one of my all- time favourite kits it is a stunning collection of papers and embellishments in classic Red, Black and White - you can find it here http://angelhartline.com/angeltown.html

..and this little Hanglar cutie is called - Allahjartns which aptly means girl with heart ...lots of pink and glitter on this one LOL!! - Pink Stickles used on the heart, Distress Stickles - Antique Linen added to the flowers and the lovely Music print is a Digital Paper from  ATC Art v.1 from Angel Hartline Designs. 

During the Copic Certification we got to play with the new La La Land Craft Stamps and I have the pleasure of announcing that the La La Land range of stamps are now available to order online - at the Mad for Markers store  - http://www.madformarkers.com.au/ - Woo Hoo!! - these are just some of the cutest little images you have ever seen! The stamps are deeply etched cling cushion rubber, all cut, ready to use on your acrylic blocks...the Marci and Luka characters truly are gorgeous images to colour and the animal creatures are simply adorable - especially the sweet little "Easter Bunny"! - perfect timing for your Easter Card making.

I chose to share "Luka with Truck" with you today - just to follow along with our Male Card Theme over on the Challenge Blog at M4M - and if you look closely at the photo you will see a "sneak peek" of Miss "Sugar & Spice Marci" - very cute!

 
Copics Used:


Hair - E31, E33, E35

Skin - E00, E11, R20

Jacket - YG93, YG95, YG97

Pants - B93, B95, B97

Shirt - Y21, Y23, Y26

Truck - C-3, C-5, C-7, YG23, R35, R37



If you would like to see these stamps in person don't forget to visit the Mad for Markers stand at Paperific (Melbourne ) on 1st-3rd of April - the full range of Ciao and Sketch markers will be available and we will also have the April release of The Greeting Farm stamps -We look forward to seeing you there!

A Special Delivery

Today the postman delivered the most wonderful little package from a lovely young lady in Finland...

..and of course it wasn't long before it was unpacked and the gorgeous "Hanglar Treasures" were stamped  on my X-Press IT Blending Card... ready to go! These little characters are ever so cute and such a joy to colour!!  This first card was made using "Humletjej" from the 2009 Collection and of course "pink and green" were my colours of choice LOL!!

Copics Used:
Skin - E50, E51, E53, R20
Hair/Shoes - E35, E33, E31
Hat - (Flower) - RV00, RV02, RV04 (RV06)
Green Stripes - YG93, YG95, YG97

To make up my card, I chose some pink and white cardstock and complimented it with some paper prints from Kaisercraft - "Daisy Chain" from the Country Grove Collection and "Twinkle" from the Wish Upon Collection. Then embellished with some rhinestones, silk flowers, ribbon and a heart shaped pin.

The second card was made using the little character from the 2008 Collection, her name is "Blomstertjej" which means "Flower Girl".

Copics Used:
Skin - E50, E51, E53, R20
Hair/Shoes - E35, E33, E31
Dress - Y11, Y15
Spotty Pants - BG01, BG05
Flower - YR02, YR04, YG00, YG95

I used aquamarine and white cardstock and again used some Kaisercraft prints from the "Lilac Avenue" and "Devonshire" collections to make up the base of the card - the lace trim is a Martha Stewart punch, the little butterfly I punched from white X-Press IT Blending card and coloured it with Y11, Y15. I also used the Y15 to colour in some adhesive pearls and I added these to the centre of the flower and the butterfly. The sentiment is a clear sticker. The "faux-stitching" was done using a Black 0.1mm Multiliner Pen which you can purchase from http://www.madformarkers.com.au/catalog/ and the little white "freckles" on my little girls faces was done with a white gel pen.

and here is a close-up

and as an added treat.... I am sharing with you the sketch that I based both these card designs on.

Enjoy! :)

Creating Monsters

I've been admiring the work of my friend Andrea over at www.stampinmoments.com while there, I fell in love with the Lil Monster by Annabelle Stamps and all the beautiful cards Andrea had created with him.......and I just had to add him to my collection of toys. The first card I created with him was very much inspired by Andrea - I took her fabulous idea of replacing the balloon in his hand with a flower.


Copics Used:
Monster - E31, E33, E35
Jumper - B93, B95, B97
Crown - YG63, YG67
I also coloured a white paper flower with B95 - the patterened paper is from my old Stampin'Up stash, the sentiment is also from Stampin'Up - Oval All set.

I've actually done lots of blog hopping lately and as always, it sparks another addiction LOL! - my newest being Hanglar Stanglar Stamps -
how cute are these little Scandinavian images?? - I so NEEDED to add these little beauties to my collection.....there was a slight problem though, they are only available in Sweden, Finland and Norway...but I am grateful for student exchange programs and friends in just the right places... 'cos this allowed my new addiction to become a reality!! - lucky me!! - so without further ado, I introduce my first Hanglar Stanglar cutie to you. This is Sommartjej ( Summer Girl ) from the 2008 collection.


to colour her I used RV10, RV13, RV21, B93, B95, B97 - the blue patterned paper is from the Kaisercraft - Lovestruck range
( very apt!! ) and the pink paper from EK Success is called Pollyanna - the large pink rosebuds are from Prima's fairytale collection.

While on the subject of creating monsters and finding new addictions - my eldest daughter has decided to try her hand at some Copic Colouring and card making - these are her first ever creations and now I am a little frightened that I may have to share my toys - not sure how I am going to handle that LOL!! - but it was fun to "play" with her and she did a fabulous job.