Scrappigators

Thursday, January 17, 2013

BIRTHDAY GIRL

Isn’t it amazing how a casual comment can turn into something exciting? That was the case with this layout that is the first of my Scrapbook in a Year program. I used a Hero Arts stamp set and Close To My Heart Cotton Candy ink to create the background, the new Elizabeth Craft Designs cupcakes diecut to create the embellishments, my Pazzle to generate the title, and Paper Cuts Pink Lemonade, Razzleberry, Black Licorice and Sweet Tooth papers. Making the cupcakes was a blast with my Copic markers and SparkleNSprinkle glitter. This kit is jam-packed with product and is selling for $25. If you’re interested in purchasing this kit, email me at diane@scrappigators.com. By the end of next week, you will be able to order on my website (www.scrappigators.com).

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Whaley Under the Sea Tutorial

Under the Sea

By Diane Cook

This is the first of about six stamps on the Close to My Heart Under the Sea stamp set (C1500). My focus on this tutorial is on the coloring techniques. I kept the card construction rather simple. I made the card using scraps from my Pemberly Workshop on the Go kit. I used embellishments from the CTMH’s Mocha Opaques Adhesive Gems (Z1333). You can order this sweet little stamp set from my CMTH website: http://dianecook.myctmh.com.

I used the following Copic markers:
0 – Colorless Blender
B0000 – Pale Celestine
B02 – Robin’s Egg Blue
BV20 Blue Lavender
BV23 – Grayish Lavender
BV25 – Grayish Violet

I also used Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, Tombow adhesive, and foam strips. I stamped my whale image on Copic Express It cardstock.

Step 001 * BV20 - After applying a base coat of 0 –Colorless Blender, then, using a circular motion, color the entire whale with BV20 – Dull Lavender

Step 002 * BV23 - Using circular stroke along Whaley’s perimeter, color with BV 23.

Step 003 * BV20 - Using a circular brushstroke, use BV20 to blend the darker color into the rest of the whale. As you blend, feel free to leave a small area in the center of your image lighter.

Step 004 * BV23 - Now apply a second coat you BV23 inside your first coat of the darker color.

Step 005 * BV20 - Again, blend over with BV20. You will see Whaley darkening with the exception of the center light spot.

Step 006 * BV25 - With a small, circular brush stroke, edge Whaley’s inside perimeter with BV25

Step 007 * BV20 - Soften with BV20

Step 008 * B0000 - Apply base coat of B000 to waterspout

Step 009 * B02 - Accent with B02.

Sep 010 * Assemble your card as you desire. I used scraps from my Close to My Heart Pemberly set. I cut my wave with a Creative Memories border punch. I cut my Whale image to 3”x3” and graduated the matting sizes by either ¼” (for a 1/8” frame) or ½” (for a ¼” frame). I also used a foam strip t pop the waves.

Artsy Me

This is it! This is my first Mosaic Moments Design Team project. I decided on a single-page project because I didn’t want to get carried away. In other words, if it was more than one page it could easily have ended up being a whole scrapbook instead of a two-page layout! Instead of narrative journaling, I created a list of the various creative callings in my life. They are listed in by length instead of order of importance.

I met the first challenge once I decided upon the title -- “Artsy me.” Now, before I talk about the title, I need to share this one little thing . . . and I can share it here because I’m absolutely confident that my husband will not ever trip onto Journella and see what secrets I’m spilling here. When I got the design team notification, I knew that I wanted to stretch a bit and go beyond the box when it comes to creating designs and layouts. That meant, for me, not relying on cartridges and SVGs or MTCs to create my designs. I wanted to do my own! That meant I needed to upgrade to a different diecutter. At first I thought I would get a Silhouette, but I quickly discovered that a Pazzle would better suit my needs. So, I got one. Of course, I failed to mention to my husband that it was coming before it got there . . . well, I did mention it when he wasn’t paying attention, but that’s a story for another time. I was finanlly able to share my vision for the Pazzle’s role in my artistic endeavors on December 20^th after my husband went out for a doctor’s appointment and came back six hours later with a new car . . . another story, another time. So, here I am, reading the instruction book and trying to figure out how to make this thing work! When I selected font, I stumbled across the Consigna Font and it spoke to me as clearly as those silly little knick-knacks do on the Ikea commercial

Having successfully cut my Pazzle, I faced an even bigger challenge! Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve done a screen shot? I think it may have been in the late 80s or early 90s! I couldn’t even find the print screen button on my laptop! It’s not a keystroke I use, obviously. But I did find the print screen snuggled under the home key. But that wasn’t enough. I finally gave up and hit F1 to see what Microsoft had to say about my screen image. It sent me to the Paint program that didn’t seem to want to accept my copy . . . so I accidentally opened a Word document. You’ll never guess what I found there! Right there on the insert tab next to the chart element is a “screenshot” button. My life was complete – and here’s what I found.

What a victory! Once my Pazzle cut the image, I fed my die-cut title into my Xyron 1.5” sticker maker. Then I began the “what-if” search for how to present it on my mosaic page. I considered my options – printed paper, glitter, flocking, and more. Suddenly I found the perfect medium -- some American Craft Foil Paper I bought at AC Moore about four years ago. The next problem – color Now, I want you to know that I’m a gold-kinda-girl. My wedding ring is gold, trimmed in onyx. I wear gold earrings, and I like gold jewelry in general. So why do my current, ex and future daughters-in-law prefer silver? I mean silver’s nice, but gold is GOLD! So I decided to incorporate both colors into my title and subsequent 1” square embellishments.

Oh! And of course there’s the color of Mosaic paper. I opted for Pewter because it offered a softer backdrop for Artsy Me than black or white. Once I finished with my titling, the rest was a piece of cake, sort of. I can’t say that the photos convey the artsy story I hoped for, but they do present a collage of sorts. These photos cover about five or six years and are but the tip of the iceberg. I write and produce Christian audio plays that we perform in prisons, with homeless shelter clients, and in churches. I also minister through audio theatre and storytelling on the mission field. Not only do I teach others to do what we do (directing), but I’ve been known to preach from time to time – in this case both in Granada and Trinidad, West Indies. So that’s one side of artsy me. I am also a writer and have taught classes at several writers’ conferences. Best of all, I’m a grandmother of three – the two youngest are shown in this first project.

My husband used to tell people that God stuck this funnel in the top of my head and keeps pouring ideas in it . . . even when I was in the Air Force, the artsy or creative side of me hovered in the forefront, refusing to be ignored. So, for me, recognizing and preserving the creative me in a highly pragmatic environment continues to be my challenge. I have a few years under my belt and am thoroughly intrigued about the “what’s next” that promises to unfold in the road ahead. I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone on the design team and to rise to the challenges 2013 promises to present.

Friday, December 21, 2012

Blue Roses

We get to do something with our Copic markers that nature cannot! We get to create a blue rose. Apparently, roses do not have the gene they need to enter the blue spectrum. They have come to symbolize mystery and longing for the unattainable. So, if you see a blue rose at your local florist, it is most likely a white rose that was dyed blue somewhere along the way.
With all the end-of-the-Mayan-calendar predictions, what is more fitting for a new year Copic floral class than one that features the unattainable blue rose? In this case, our rose is part of the SparkleNSprinkle collection (Stamp # 3184-402N also in Stamp Set #402). This is also the first of our four-marker classes that we’re introducing to our students in 2013. The four colors in this care are B12, B24, B26 and Y15. The Colorless Blender is a staple and she be brought to every class.
My $17 kit includes everything except the markers, adhesive, foam dots, Memento Stamping ink, Chipped Sapphire Distress Ink . It also includes a step-by-step illustrated instructions, the cushioned-for-acrylics stamp and enough product to complete three cards. Visit our website at www.scrappigators.com for ordering instructions.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

New Classes: Latte Monkey

I'm busy, busy, busy trying to nail down our 2013 plan. I had grand ideas about how I was going to be working two months ahead on everything. It was a plan, but it's not quite going as I expected. Here we are on the 15th of December and I've only almost finished two kits; not the eight I intended. My first project falls under two separate categories (I have about five). For some strange reason, it took me four days to nail down the coloring technique for this little guy. I designed him so my students could color him with either Copic Ciao or Sketch markers. My little caffeinated monkey boy falls into one of two categories: Critters or Coffee, Tea or Me. My other Copic categories are: Florals; Aquatics; People; Birds; Faithbuilders. I will be teaching a minimum of four Copic classes a month with most of projects fitting into these categories. For those who cannot attend a class, kits will be available to purchase.

Latte Monkey is a CC Designs stamp and my first product kit for 2013. The kit includes the stamp, illustrated directions and enough product to complete three cards. The kit will be available on our website after January 26th. It requires the following markers: 0 - Colorless Blender; BG000 – Pale Aqua; E000 – Pale Fruit Pink; E00 – Skin White; E02 – Fruit Pink; E33 – Sand; E37 - Sepia; E53 – Raw Silk; R85 – Rose Red; Y28 – Lionel Gold. I will be teaching our Latte Monkey class in Dover and Millsboro. Check our website (www.scrappigators.com) for additional details and options.

While I plan to post my second project on Monday, I do want to extend Christmas blessings to you all and pray for joyful family time and traveling mercies as you handle the many details of the holiday season.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Copic Adds Blending Trios to Set Inventory

I just saw on my Facebook home page that Copic is adding some new kits to their line -- Color Fusion and Sketch Blending. These are actually three-color blending sets designed to take the guesswork out of building your inventory. The markers still cost $6.99 each but you're purchasing them in groups of threes. Copic is offering 13 color combinations.

Instead of buying the set, check your inventory and see what you need to purchase to add these blending trios to your toolbox:
Sketch Color Fusion :
Set 1: V20, V22, V25;
Set 2: RV000, RV52, RV55;
Set 3: E04, R56, R59;
Set 4: YR20, YR23, YR27;
Set 5: G40, G43, G46:
Set 6: B01, B04, B06.
Sketch Blending Set :
Set 1: G40, G94, G99;
Set 2: B12, B14, B16;
Set 3: RV63, RV66, RV69;
Set 4: R12, R14, R17;
Set 5: Y00, Y13, Y18;
Set 6: E95, E97, E99;
Set 7: E70, E74, E79.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Copic Green Poinsettia

I love this stamp. After I created six red poinssettia kits for my students, I decided I wanted to make a white one. The project took on a life of its own and became a stunning green.