Thursday, March 03, 2011

*NEW* Forest Animals Digi Release, ISO Guest Designers, Copic demo, and 600th post giveaway!

Hi! I hope that you are doing well!
I have been fighting a sinus and ear infection.
My youngest has had a high fever and sinus/chest congestion.
But together, we have been trying to "roll with the punches".
It's funny how things keep coming at you when you are down, but it's all good in the end.
Keiji has this funny habit of skidding across the wooden floor and falling hard when running through the dining area. He always pops up quickly and (with both hands up in the air) says "I'm okay... I'm okay!"  Well, it's been a trying year, but I'm doing okay. I know... it's kind of cryptic but I can't share too much right now. You'll all find out soon enough. I hope. In the meantime, I'm doing okay. :)

Anyways, this is my 600th post.
I know! Crazy, right?!
So in honor of this, I'm going to give away a few things.

In a nut shell...
 SEI Chiplets (Mimosa)
Amuse 10 Square Notecards and Envelopes
K&Co Life's Journey sports charms
Doodlebug Crushed Red Velvet Flock
Prima "Artful Collage" flowers
SU Twill Tape ribbon
SU Original Alpine felt ribbon
Stamped images of Tilda and Edwin on Xpress It Blending Cardstock
Handmade treat holder
AND
If you help spread the word and I get more than 25 entries,
then I will throw in a Copic marker of your choice
(Copic/Sketch colors must be available at Memories Live On).
If I get 50 entries, I will give you two Copic markers.
If I get 300 followers, then I will add a third color to your prize!
So spread the word!

Photo will be posted soon!

Simply leave me a comment... preferably a nice one.
It could be about the Copic demo featured below or about my commentary up above. How about something to do with Pink Cat Studio looking for guest designers... or the new super cute Forest Animals digi release? You have to know what I've posted about, so be sure to read the entire post. 
ALL of it. 
ROFL! 
It's long. I know. 
Just read what applies and scroll through the rest. :)

I'll randomly pick a number using a random number picker Wednesday, March 9th and post it on Thursday, March 10th with the new St. Patrick's release from Pink Cat Studio.


Did I say Guest Designer? 
I did!


Melissa at Pink Cat Studio is looking for 2 guest designers for her St. Patrick's digi release on March 10th. I can tell you right now it's downright adorable. But then again, all of the Pink Cat Studio releases are too cute for words. Hmmm... perhaps I'm a wee bit biased. Naw! Just a HUGE fan. :) You can find more info about the GDT spot HERE. By the way, if you are in need of a push, you have until 9pm EST tonight. That's right. Go find or make a card using any PCS image (rubber/digi) and post the link HERE right away. Don't even think about it. Just do it.

Now for the *NEW* Forest Animals digi release 
from Pink Cat Studio!



These digis are now in the PCS store and there is a great deal on a Value Pack if you want to buy the whole set. If you make a purchase in the digi store today you will receive the "Tree Stump" and "Chimney" digi stamps for free! The critters look really cute if you cut them out and sit them on the tree stump or the chimney!
I didn't put a card together for this week but I did put a mini Copic demo together for you. Quite a few requests have come in for visuals of how I color with Copics. I really wanted to do a video of my coloring in the image but I can not find the charger for my Flip. Instead, I have taken a few pics showing the different steps I take to color with my Copics. Next time, I'll show a video. Okay?
I chose the sitting racoon as my image.
Isn't he cute? The racoons come as a pair HERE
Copic Demonstration by Izumi 

You want to know who Izumi is? 
That would be me. :)
Most of you who are on FB would know that by now.
If you didn't, then you will have to get used to it.
I'm just tired of being plain Jane... is all.

note: Image was stamped on Xpress It Blending Cardstock
It is the BEST paper for Copics. 

Step 1
I colored the entire image with W3.
Nothing fancy. 
Just some straight forward quick coloring in small circles.


 Step 2
I decide where my light is coming in from 
(See pointer in upper left hand corner).
I use the same W3 to color in where I want to see some shading.


Step 3
I want the areas around his eyes and on his tail to be darker.
I select N4 to start with.
I use N4 a second time to add in the shading.


Step 4
I use W5 to add darker shading.


Step 5
I use N6 to add darker shading to the eyes and tail.


Step 6
W7 is added to deepen the shading.


 Step 7
N8 is added to deepen the shading around the eyes and on the tail.


Step 8
W3 and N4 is used to blend the layers.
Once again, it's simple and quick small circles.
I went over the lines a few times to get them to soften up.


Step 9
I had lost some of the shading so I go back to my W5.
I gently add soft shading by "flicking" so that it blends easily.


Step 10
I do the same with my N4 to the areas around the eyes and on the tail.
I want to cool down the areas under his neck and in the crook of the tail so I add N4 to those areas as well. Also to the area under his bottom and underneath the tail.


Step 11
Can't forget his ears and nose...  need some color!
I use RV42 to add pink to his ears and nose.


Step 12 
The pink is a bit too pinkish so I tone it down a bit with W1.



SO... what do you think?
I'll be posting pictures of my Copic Samples that I made for my classes at Memories Live On tomorrow so be sure to come back. I will also be posting a picture of the giveaway so check back for that too.
Remember to leave some love and you will have a chance at winning that prize I posted up above.
GOOD LUCK!

Bye for now!

Friday, February 25, 2011

Simple Boy Birthday Card


Happy Friday!

I hope that your week has been a good one.
Mine was long... very very long.
Does anyone else have "ski week" at their elementary school?
That's an entire week off for the children, plus the weekend before and after the week off. 
9 days off from school!
It wasn't so bad when I was teaching preschool and I looked forward to the time off.
Trying to keep my boys off of the electronic stuff and tv was difficult.
This summer, the boys will be going to camp! lol!


I wanted to put together a quick "boy" birthday card.
I didn't have very much time to spend on it.
I'm not very good with "masculine" cards so I'm quite pleased with how this turned out. I think the coloring needs more work on it but I only had 15 minutes to put this one together.
Hope you like!


Image:
Pink Cat Studio

Paper:
"Dawson" 
Three Bugs in a Rug

Copic colors used:
YG0000, YG23, YG25, YG63
R46, G14, Y15, Y38, B05, BV02
N2, N4

Accessories:
Silver Brads and dimensionals
Stampin' Up!
Standard Circle and Big Scalloped Circle
Nestabilities

Ink:
Broken China
Ranger


We're sort of expecting snow tomorrow...
in San Francisco!
How crazy is that?!

Whatever happens in your neck of the woods,
I hope that it's a good weekend for you!

Bye for now!




Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Introducing Luibell, Gladibell, Finnbert, and Ninbert



Hi everyone!
I'd like to introduce you to four new characters that are joining the PCS family this week.
Please welcome these adorable Gnomes:
Lulibell, Gladibell, Finnbert and Ninbert!
 These digis are in the PCS store and there is a great deal on a Value Pack if you want to buy the whole set.

If you make a purchase in the digi store today you will receive the "Gnome House" digi stamp for free!

This week we are welcoming two guest designers:
Allison Fillo & Maylee Pham
Welcome, ladies! It's a pleasure having you join the team this week!
Interested in a GDT spot? Melissa is looking for guest designers for upcoming releases. More information will be posted soon so keep checking back!
 
I did mention that the Gnome House (or what I like to fondly refer to as the "gnome home") is available to you for free with a purchase today (Thursday, Feb. 24th), right? I had SO much fun playing around with this image! I even pulled out the big air compressor to air brush with my Copics! Like I said, I had fun... lots and lots of fun.
 
I printed the image out on Xpress It and cut the roof off of the bottom of the house. Using R24, R27, R29, and R59, I airbrushed the entire roof red. E30, E33, E35, E39, and E49 were used to airbrush the bottom of the house. Then I printed a second house and colored the decorative elements to the house with my Copics. Finally,  I cut each element out and attached them to the airbrushed home with dimensionals (SU!).
 
 






 
Here's the final card:
 



You can check out the beautiful projects made by the fabulous PCS Design Team, HERE!
Wishing you all a wonderful day...
Bye for now!


Wednesday, February 16, 2011

*NEW* Rapunzel & Prince Digis AND 10 Free Sentiments from Pink Cat Studio

Looking for the HUGE Valentine's Day Blog Hop?
Click HERE!




 


I am so excited for today's Pink Cat Studio Digi Release of  Lily as Rapunzel. Well okay... I'm always excited about Melissa's releases, but this one is so pretty! Just look at her with all of that beautiful hair! Melissa even drew Billy as the Prince! Such a cute couple!!
If you make a purchase in the digi store today you will receive the "Bird Holding Flower" digi stamp for free! It will be emailed to you separately and within 12 hours after you place your order.
If you look close you can see that the little bird is up on the top of the tower. He brings Rapunzel fresh flowers everyday for her hair. Such a sweet little bird!


If you see digis that you like, they can be purchased from the PCS website.

Melissa has also added 10 new FREE fairytale theme sentiments to the website!
Check them out here.
Here's my card...
I'm sending this one in for my friend Siobhan's new challenge site, Use It Tuesday
So the catch is that we're supposed to use an image from our scrappy stash that has never been used before... digi, rubber, clear, etc. I haven't had much time at the craft table but I really wanted to show her some support by entering a card of some sort. I hope you don't mind that I'm used this image, which is technically the first time I am ever using it. lol!

Copics List

Skin: E0000, E00, E11, BV00, R20
Hair: Y21, Y23, YR31, E35
Dress: R85, R89
Flowers: RV69
Castle: 0, N0, N2, N4, N6, B99

Designer Paper
3 Bugs in a Rug "Chloe"

Accessories
Pearls (Kaiser), Ribbon (SU), sponge

Techniques
Sewing, distressing, 0 blender

Ink
Ink Jet, Antique Linen (Ranger), Black marker (SU)

You might want to see what the rest of the Pink Cat Studio DT has created with these images... they are fabulous!
You can view them all HERE!

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!


Monday, February 14, 2011

Taylor's Virtual Valentine's Day Blog Hop


Itty Bitty Betty is pulling a wagon chock full of valentines for...

Taylor's Virtual Valentine's Day Blog Hop!

If you are coming from Emily's awesome Art From The Heart blog, then you are on the right path! If not, please start from the very start of the HUGE blog hop so that you don't miss out on anything!

Now, if you haven't already noticed, there is a looooong list of hoppers and prizes! You will have until Thursday, Feb 17th at 6:00 PM EST to get through this amazing list of talent and creativity. The more comments you leave, the more chances you have to win. Taylor will draw comments from random blogs (all using random.org) for the 21 prizes from our generous sponsors. A full list of winners will be posted here on Friday!


I have a few valentines to share with you from Pink Cat Studio, who is one of the sponsors for this hop. Melissa is giving away 5 digis of your choice to the winner! There are so many more prizes being offered so keep scrolling!

Bronty Valentine wishes you all a "Dino-mite" Valentine's Day!


Lily Lovebug wants nothing but sweet hearts this Valentine's Day!



Here's a little heartfelt "Thank You"
to you all for stopping by  from Squirrel Valentine!


The prizes are fabulous!
Take a look...

 StampInsanity - a set of choice for one winner


 Meljens designs - 4 digis to one winner


 
Pixie Dust Studio -   2 digis to one winner



Lizzie Anne Designs - $10 gift certificate


Christian Paper Crafts - 1 year general membership


Paper Pretties 
1 person will receive Timeless Love stamp set;
2 people will receive 5 digis of their choice from the store


Karber Digital Images - 2 digis to one winner


 Di's Digi Downloads - 5 digi images to one winner


The Scrappychick Boutique - 2 6x6 Cosmo Cricket paper pads to one winner


Stampendous - 4 cling rubber stamps from new release to 1 winner

Pink Cat Studio - 5 digis of winner's choice to one winner


Amber Ink - $10 gift certificate
AND more if people use an Amber Ink product - see deets on their blog!

Simply Betty Stamps
Simply Betty Stamps - 3 digis of the winner's choice


Mark's Finest Papers - set of their choosing to the winner


 Dreamweaver's Stencils - a couple stencils, pearlescent embossing paste and a palette knife


 Chi Chi Memories - Meaning of Love Digi Stamp Set to one winner

Little Potato House
 Little Potato House - $20 gift certificate


 Kenny K digis: 4 digis to one winner
AND 2 digis to anyone who uses a Kenny K image for their hop card

Just a reminder that these terrific prizes are going to be handed out to random commenters on blogs. The more love you leave, the more chances you have to win... so be sure to hop along all the way with us! You have until Thursday, 6pm EST to leave comments. Taylor will use random.org to select the winners of randomly selected blogs and post them on her blog on Friday

Time to hop on over to Kimme's "Life of a Princess" blog! 
Before you go, please be sure to get in on the chance to win by leaving me a comment!

Just in case, here's a list of our awesome bloggers:
BTW - I went through the blogroll over the weekend and WOW!
There is such amazing talent on this list... I'm honored to be part of this group!
Joyce Martens (Jolara) - http://jolaras.blogspot.com/
Jane Matsumoto - http://whoopsiedaisy-jane.blogspot.com/ You Are Here!
Heather Lee-Reppen - http://inkonmyear.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Dove - http://just4funcrafts.blogspot.com/        
Kristi Parker Van Doren - http://kristiscreativecafe.blogspot.com/


GOOD LUCK
and
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!