Thinking Inking

A Card and a Copic Giveaway!

This giveaway is now closed. I will be back later today with a winner. Thanks!

Welcome, and Happy Almost New Year! Today I have several things to share, including a card AND a Copic giveaway. For my card I have used a JustRite Wings of Love background stamp--colored with Copic markers, of course! I will list all of the information for the Copic Giveaway first, and them I have stepped out pictures for the colored image after that. 

First, Happy New Year from Copic!

There are so many new things happening in 2013 at Copic that we just can't hold back our excitement.

• In less than two weeks we will be kicking off our new Color & Ink Workshop at CHA. There's still time to register, but space is limited, so sign up now on the Copic Website!

• This year at CHA we will be expanding our fabulous line of X-Press it adhesives. Stop by our booth to see our new glue, glue markers, and double-sided adhesive sheets, along with all of our other fabulous rolls of double-sided tape and foam tape.

• We will be showcasing a lot of new marker sets, including our new three-piece Sketch blending group sets. These are a great way for beginners to start their collection, with markers that go together beautifully. 

To celebrate all the excitement, we are having a fun blog hop among our designers, and giving away a fun prize pack. Each prize pack will include an assortment of three markers from one of our Limited Edition 25th Anniversary sets (fine nib on one side, super brush on the other end). You also get one roll of our X-Press It 1/4" high-tack tape, and a roll of our exclusive 1/4" foam tape.

Leave a comment on this post by 10pm CDT on Thursday, January 3, and then hop over to each of the other Copic designers for a chance to win. Each blog will give away its own prize, so you have eight chances to win! Note: Due to shipping restrictions, contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

Marianne Walker 
Debbie Olson < You are here!
Sharon Harnist 
Sherrie Siemens
Cindy Lawrence
Michele Boyer 
Lori Craig
Colleen Schaan 

Good Luck and happy hopping! Have a colorful 2013!

_____________________________

Now on to my stepped out card for today. . .

Here are the Copic markers that I used for the leaves. I'll list them since the focus isn't sharp on the numbers: YG61, YG63, BG93, BG96, E51, E25, and T1.

I loved these colors for the flowers! They remind me of the azaleas and rhododendrons that I grew up with. Copic markers used: RV21, RV23, RV66, and 0. 

For the birds and the postcard I used these Copic markers: E50, YR31, BV00 (birds), and then G000, BG10, T1, and 0 for the postcard.

I stamped the background image twice (Wings of Love background stamp)--once on cream and once on Kraft cardstock. On the Kraft cardstock, I stamped in Versamark ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. For the cream cardstock, I stamped in Rich Cocoa Memento ink and after coloring, trimmed closely. I used a Spellbinders A-2 Fancy Postage Stamps die template. By the way, everything at JustRite is on sale for 25% off right now--that's a great deal!!!  From the JustRite blog: Take 25% off every item in our store.  Sale includes an additional 25% off all sale items; the website reflects the new sale price. Sale ends Jan 4th at midnight EST.

Don't forget to comment below to sign up for the Copic New Year's Giveaway if you haven't done so already; thanks for visiting today!

This giveaway is now closed. I will be back later today with a winner. Thanks!

From My Heart

Welcome! It's been a few days, hasn't it? I've been enjoying some family time, but today I knew I need to to get back in the saddle and get a few things done. I needed a card for a friend who is very ill. Pink always helps, right? For a focal image, I chose JustRite's Antique Valentine Tags One set, cut with one of the Antique Tags One custom dies. I used a Spellbinders Classic Ovals Small die template to cut the sentiment, then matted the focal image with first a Labels Fourteen mat, and behind that a Labels Twenty Five mat. 

For the lacey layer beneath the focal image, I used a JustRite Lace Background stamp, stamped on heavy vellum with Versamark ink and heat embossed with vanilla embossing powder. (My vanilla embossing powder is really old; I don't know who sells it now.) I used a Copic R21 to shade the pink ribbon on the flourish stamp. and a Copic R24 to tint some white self-adhesive pearls to match the rest of the pink. I also dyed white seam binding with Copic R21 and R81 inks; the R21 was a little too warm, so I added some R81 to cool of the color a bit for a good match. Patterned papers are from a My Mind's Eye Market Street Lost and Found 6" x 6" pad. That's it for today--thanks for visiting!

Unto Us a Child Is Born

Welcome! I thought I would quickly post my last Christmas card for the year today. I finally got the rest of my cards mailed this morning--yes, I know that they won't arrive before Christmas, but at least I got them out. :-}

Want to hear my post office story? [Skip this paragraph if you don't.] It's always an adventure to arrive at the post office on Christmas Eve morning. The line was surprisingly short when I got there, but it took a while since every envelope had to go through that 1/4" template and be weighed. (I did step out of the way when a line formed behind me to let people who had less business to transact go first.) It was kind of funny; if my envelope dropped through the magical 1/4" template, the post office employee picked it up and put it through again, at an angle to see if  it would get stuck that way. . . I'm pretty sure it was a disappointment that thirteen of the envelopes refused to get stuck in the template no matter how many times they were dropped through, and therefore couldn't be charged at the $1.95 rate!  She told me that since she could hear them touch the side of the template as they slipped through, they might get stuck in a machine anyway, and asked if I wanted to go ahead and pay $1.95 each for those too. [No kidding--true story.] Hmmmmm. . . tempting, but no, thanks. I've made my contribution to keeping our postal system open this year! Maybe I'll try a different post office next year. Edited to add: Link to mailing regulations for the USPS. Anything thicker than 1/4" is not charged at letter rate, but at package rate, even if it is lightweight and 4-1/4" x 5-1/2". If you get it for less, then you are just getting lucky!

Okay, on to business! My focal image is from Papertrey Ink's Beautiful Blessings: Holiday stamp set, stamped in Pure Poppy ink. Patterned paper is from Authentique's Festive Bundle 6" x 6" pad. I really wanted to use my Spellbinders Resplendent Rectangles die template, but it was a little longer than I wanted on my standard A-2 sized card. To shorten it, I cut it apart at one of those points on the sides--shown above--and pieced it, removing about 1/2". I knew that once I tied the ribbon over it, the seam would never show. Tricky, eh? ;-) For the background holly paper layer, I used an A-2 Fancy Postage Stamps die template.

That little star is cut with a Spellbinders Potpourri die template, then glittered. I dyed the seam binding with Copic R27 and colorless blender. That's it--my last Christmas card post for 2012. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years!

Christmas Cheer Trio

Welcome! I'm supposed to be addressing cards tonight. But I made three more first. Why is it so much harder to actually address and mail cards than it is to make them? I knew that I wanted to try the popular blackboard look, so I looked through my Christmas paper stash for some papers that had dark gray or black in them. I found a Crate Paper Sleigh Ride 6" x 6" pad. (In fact, I found two of them--oops--must have really liked that one!)

I pulled stamps from my Papertrey Ink stash, including Stylish Sentiments: Holiday and Beautiful Blessings: Holiday. Ink is PTI Vintage Cream, and ribbon is pale aqua seam binding. Buttons are PTI Vintage Buttons.

I used three different Spellbinders die template sets to cut and emboss my blackboard focal images, including Labels One, Large Labels, and A-2 Matting Basics A. So. . . I guess I should get some cards addressed now? I have to get to the Post Office first thing in the morning!

But Ours is my Favorite. . .

Welcome! I have another *love* card to share today. It could be an anniversary card or Valentines card. For me, it will probably be an anniversary card though. For the sentiment I chose an image from Papertrey Ink's Sending My Love stamp set, cut and embossed with a Spellbinders Marvelous Squares die template. I also used Classic Squares Large and Classic Squares Small as extra mat layers between the Marvelous Squares decorative layers.

Those pretty blue patterned papers are from Carta Bella's new Devoted 6" x 6" pad. I dyed some seam binding with a Copic B41 reinker and some colorless blender to coordinate with my paper. See the little rhinestones encircling the "O?" I glued them on, one at a time, with some Ranger Matte Accents. Worth it? Oh yes! :-) That's it for today's card--thanks for visiting!

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Papertrey Ink December 2012 Release in Review

Welcome! Today I have several cards to share with you from Papertrey Ink's December 2012 release, which will be available tonight at 10pm, EST, at Papertrey Ink. I had fun making these cards--a change of pace from the Christmas cards that I've been churning out since late August. My first card is made with Framed Out #11 and its coordinating die, along with the Limitless Layers Heart dies. I chose some fun papers from Carta Bella's new Devoted 6" x 6" pad. I dyed seam binding to coordinate with my Copic re-inkers, and rhinestones are from Zva Creative. 

I *love* the sentiments in the new Sending My Love set! I also used the man die from the Man and Wife dies, paired with more of the Carta Bella Devoted papers. I think my husband will like this card. :-)

What a fun set Love Potion is! Here I paired it with Raspberry Fizz, Limeade Ice, Orange Zest, and Stampers Select White cardstock and ink. I used a Copic G000 and colorless blender to shade the beaker, as well as Copic BG10 and 0 to add faint color outside the beaker and T1 and 0 to add a shadow for the beaker.

For a sweet old-fashioned Valentine, I used the new With All My Heart stamp set, along with the coordinating Limitless Layers Hearts dies and the older Parisian Doily die. Since this card base is only 3-1/2" x 5", it would still fit into an A-2 envelope, even with the protruding doily layer. 

Finally, I have a simple thank you card made with Quilled Elegance. It's a little smaller than A-2 sized. I used the Aida texture plate for the background.

If you would like to see some gorgeous projects with the Papertrey Ink December 2012 release projects, be sure to browse the following blogs! As a reminder, since the sets used in this post are from the December release, they will be available tonight at 10pm, EST, at Papertrey Ink.

Nichole Heady

Ashley Cannon Newell

Betsy Veldman

Cristina Kowalczyk

Danielle Flanders

Dawn McVey

Debbie Olson (here)

Erin Lincoln

Heather Nichols

Jessica Witty

Maile Belles

Melissa Phillips

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Meaning of Christmas card and Spellbinders CONTEST Info!

Welcome! I hope you aren't as far behind this year as I am. Hmmmm. . . Maybe I should just skip this year and send out my cards next year instead? Seriously, while I don't like mass production, I knew that I needed to get some more cards made that were both simple and fairly flat so that they don't cost close to $2 a piece to mail. I also wanted to use some of my pretty Christmas-themed mini decks that were sitting on the shelf with only one or two sheets of paper missing. You know the ones I mean--the ones that you like enough to purchase and hoard, but that will be replaced in your paper affections when next year's lines come out. You have those too, right?

Today's starting mini deck was an Authentique Festive Bundle 6" x 6" pad. I chose a stamp from Taylored Expressions Rejoice! set as my focal image, along with two Spellbinders die template sets  to frame that sentiment. The die template sets that I used were Labels Twenty-Eight and Floral Ovals. I wanted to avoid my favorite bulky accessories--ribbons and buttons--so I used some PTI's Rustic Twine and even pulled out my old eyelet stash and my Crop-o-dile. I also skipped sewing on the card fronts. (My sewing machine may be pouting right now; it is not accustomed to being passed over. . .) I did take time to sand patterned paper edges since I was using vintage papers. So, that's six more cards for the stash, and I don't think that these will require extra postage.

Finally, I've mentioned the Spellbinders Explore Beyond: Craft to Win Challenge in an earlier post, but I just want to make sure that you get this information in case you want to enter to win some great prizes: Spellbinders is currently running the BIGGEST contest they've ever hosted to date! Spellbinders Explore Beyond Challenge: Craft to Win gives you a chance at a $5,000 Grand Prize Package from Spellbinders and their cross promotional partners! They'll also be choosing a 2nd place winner to receive a $1,000 prize package and a $500 3rd place prize package!

Prizes will include products from WorldWin Papers, Want2Scrap, Xyron, KaiserCraft, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L, Basic Grey,Scrapbook & Cards Today Magazine, BoBunny, Fancy Pants Designs, Canadian Scrapbooker, Nikki Sivils, Elmer's, Bazzill Basics,Graphic 45, IMAGINE Crafts/Tsukineko and more!

How do you participate? It's easy!

Simply create an original project using at least two (2) Spellbinders dies. And get creative with it! Push your own creative boundaries...do something different. We'll be looking for those crafters and artists who have really taken on the challenge to truly "Explore Beyond".

Take photos of each step of your project. If chosen as a finalist... You'll be asked to submit these photos.

Submit a photo (of your finished project only!) to the appropriate Spellbinders Flickr Group.

Contest runs from November 26th, 2012 through December 26th, 2012 Midnight EST.

Categories:

Card Making

Home Decor

Scrapbook Layout

Jewelry Making

Fabric Arts

Mixed Media Art

Official Rules:

You may enter more than once in multiple categories. Projects entered must be original. A total of twelve (12) finalists will be chosen. There will be two (2) finalists from each category. Finalists will be announced on December 27, 2012. Finalists will be asked to submit photos of the steps of their projects to validate their originality. Finalists will be asked to mail in their final original project to the Spellbinders office. Original projects must be received by end of day, Friday, January 4, 2013.

A celebrity panel of judges will review the twelve (12) final submissions and narrow it down to three (3) winners. Winners will be announced on Friday, January 11, 2013. There will be one (1) Grand Prize winner of a $5,000 prize package and the project will be featured at the Spellbinders booth at the Craft and Hobby Association show on January 12, 2013. There will be one (1) 2nd prize winner of a $1,000 prize package and featured on the Spellbinders blog. There will be one (1) 3rd prize winner of a $500 prize package and featured on the Spellbinders blog.

Legal:

All federal, state and local taxes are the sole responsibility of the winners. By acceptance of the prize, winners agree without limitation to the use of his/her name, photograph and/or likeness for publicity purposes without any additional compensation. Winners agree to be bound by these rules and the decisions of the Spellbinders panel, which are final and binding in all matters regarding this event. Winners agree that the event and its representatives affiliates, agents, directors, officers and employees have no liability whatsoever for any injuries, losses or damages of any kind relating to or arising from this event or resulting from participation in this contest.Contest is not open to Spellbinders Employees, Various Team Members, or their immediate family members (Grandparents, Parents, Siblings, Spouses, Children).

Thant's it for today--thanks for visiting!

You Shine!

Welcome! Today I have a fun little Christmas card to share. The focal image is You Shine from My Favorite Things. Those Christmas tree lights intrigued me--I needed to color them and gloss them up! Papers are from Carta Bella's Merry and Bright 6" x 6" pad--perfect cheery colors for the You Shine image.

These are the Copic markers that I used--sorry for a less than stellar picture. I had my son holding them for me in the library, where I was coloring while he studied. :-)

I used Ranger Glossy Accents on the light bulbs to give them shine. I wasn't worried about the Glossy accents smearing the Copic ink, but I did avoid getting it on my Memento ink outlines since Memento is water-based. I used a cotton sweater scrap saturated with Copic colorless blender solution to create texture in the girl's sweater.  I used three Spellbinders Paper Arts die templates: A-2 Fancy Postage Stamps for the focal image, Nested Lacey Sentiments for the sentiment banner, and Splendid Circles for the doily layer. Finally I added glitter to the star headband and did some stitching on the background papers. 

That's it for today--thanks for visiting!

Peace, Hope, Joy

Welcome! I've been in a clean and simple mode lately and wanted to play with white and silver for today's card. I chose shimmery white cardstock for all of the pieces, even though I eventually coated the tree die cut --2012 Holiday Tree--with silver embossing powder.  

Other die templates that I used were Nested Lacey Pennants (for the sentiment banner), and Labels Twenty-Eight for the layer beneath the tree. I used a silver paint pen to edge the Labels Twenty-Eight die cut. To coat the tree in silver embossing powder, I mashed the tree die cut into the Versamark pad, then coated it with silver EP and heat-embossed it. I used tiny pieces of foam tape to raise the tree off of the Labels Twenty-Eight mat layer. Sentiment is from the Taylored Expressions Rejoice! stamp set.

Have you entered the Spellbinders Paper Arts Explore Beyond contest yet? They're giving away $5,000 in prizes from WorldWin Papers, Want2Scrap, Xyron, Kaisercraft, Graphic 45, Bazzill Basics Paper, BasicGrey, Bo Bunny, Fancy Pants Designs, Elmer's and MORE! Entries are being accepted through December 26th! Two finalists will be chosen from each category. Entries are low in jewelry making, mixed media art, and home decor.  Check it out here: http://bit.ly/CreateToWin

Thanks for visiting!

Season's Greetings

Welcome!  I just got home from South Carolina last night. My dad has been pretty ill but is now out of the hospital. It was good to spend time with my parents, though I wish it had been under different circumstances. I have several projects to catch up on, but after that, things should start getting back to normal on my blog until CHA time in early January.

This Winter Trees CG471 stamp set by Hero Arts is a lovely one--it makes a classic, simple card--perfect for mass production for sure! For the sentiments I used HA's Holiday Sayings CL343.  To ink the stamp, I mixed a couple of chalk inks: Colorbox Fluid Chalk French Blue ink and Versamagic Aegean Blue Chalk ink. When I mix inks on a stamp, I always ink the stamp with the lighter of the two colors, then ink it again with the darker of the two colors so that I don't darken a lighter ink pad. So far it doesn't seem to have hurt my darker pads either. Card base and white image layer are Shimmery White cardstock, and the blue mat layers is PTI's Blueberry Sky. I wanted a frosty bell, so I used a glue pen to coat the bell with glue, then sprinkled it with a fine glitter. 

That's it for today--thanks for visiting!

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