Thinking Inking

Yeti for Christmas: MFT Release Countdown Day 4

Welcome! It's Day 4 of the My Favorite Things Stamps Countdown, and I'm in love with this little Yeti! He's just one cute image from the new Beast Friends stamp set. For some reason, he makes me think of Max and the book Where the Wild Things Are. Then when you throw puns into sentiments? Oh, yes. I'm THERE. 

Shown above are the Copic markers that I used to color the Beast Friends images. I also airbrushed some B02 and BV01 in the sky behind the little beastie. I wanted to give the background just enough of a tint that the snowflake die pattern would be noticeable.

You probably can't tell by the angle of light, but I dotted each light bulb with Glossy Accents. I ran the stitched snow die cuts through my Xyron machine to get the glitter to stick evenly. Seriously, it's hard to go wrong with a set this cute, isn't it? :-}

Keep in mind that while I linked all MFT products below, the links to the NEW release products will not work until Release Night, 10pm, EST on Tuesday, October 4. (All other links should work now.)  

I hope you get a chance to visit the MFT Stamps blog to enter for today's prize and to see a full list of links for the DT members showcasing today's release sets! Thanks for stopping by today,

BB Beast Friends	Die-namics Snowfall - Vertical	Die-namics BB Beast Friends	Die-namics Blueprints 25	Die-namics Blueprints 28
Die-namics Stitched Snow Drifts	Boysenberry Premium Dye Ink Pad	Hybrid Ink Pad Black Licorice	Smooth White Card Stock	Blending Card by X-Press It
Heavyweight Card Stock Grapesicle	Cool Diamond Microfine Glitter	Foam Mounting Tape 1/2"

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From All of Us: Release Day 5

Welcome! It's Day 5 of the My Favorite Things Stamps October Countdown, and are there ever some darling stamp sets this month! Today I'm featuring the Merry Everything stamp set. As always during release week, the new items shown will be available on Tuesday evening at 10pm, Eastern, on October 4. Links for new supplies at the bottom of the page will work then; all other links should work now.

Shown above are the Copic Markers that I used to color Santa and his trusty steed reindeer. I airbrushed the background lightly with a Copic B02 and airbrushing system.

In addition to the Merry Everything stamp set and coordination Die-namics, I've also used another new Die-namics set, Stitched Circle Scallop Edge Frames. Pretty much everything else would be MFT items that you might already have on hand.

I hope you get a chance to visit the MFT Stamps Blog for a complete list of participants in today's release blog hop, as well as for information on how to enter the prize drawing on the MFT Stamps Blog. Again, links to NEW products below will not work until Release Night, 10pm, EST on Tuesday, October 4. (All other links should work now.) Thank you for stopping by,

Merry Everything	Die-namics Merry Everything	Die-namics Stitched Circle Scallop Edge Frames	Die-namics Stitched Snow Drifts	Sweet Tooth Card Stock
Blending Card by X-Press It	Steel Grey Card Stock	Proper Pinstripes Paper Pack	Cool Diamond Microfine Glitter	Hybrid Ink Pad Black Licorice
Foam Mounting Tape 1/4"	Versamark Ink Pad	White Detail Embossing Powder

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Art Resources: Shadows and Shading

Welcome! Today I have an unusual post--one that doesn't feature a card. I've been asked the same question in so many classes that I thought I would start sharing an occasional post featuring resources that I've found helpful.

What do you think the number one question is from students in my Copic classes who are just beginning to think in terms of basic art concepts (as opposed to merely sitting down to color with no forethought)? I would say that the big question is often, "Where do I put the shadows?" 

And I've lost count of the number of times that I've responded, "Well, where is your light? Light always determines shadow. The two are inseparable--they go hand-in-hand!" It's definitely a mental connection that needs to be made if you are going to grow artistically, and if you are working in a more realistic (vs. abstract) style. 

One very helpful book on this subject is Marianne Walker's Shadows and Shading book. I have recommended this book to so many people in classes over the past few years. In fact, for a while it was out of print, and I told people to look for it used--it was that helpful! 

What I like most about it is that it isn't just a book of pretty images, but it's a book that teaches you to THINK like an artist--to ask yourself the questions that will lead to a successful piece. It is sorely needed, and I am sure that everyone who colors can learn something from it. Shadows and Shading is not a book on how to draw, nor  is it Copic-specific; rather, it is filled with principles that can be used by people who use Copic markers, or people who can't imagine coloring with anything other than their colored pencils, or people who wouldn't dream of using a medium other than watercolors. Seriously, it's applicable to almost any medium--just good information! It helps you to understand the relationship of light and shadow. It's a book that you may want to read slowly rather than "conquering" in an afternoon. I hope that this will help some of you who have asked for more information on shadows and shading.

Next week (after the MFT countdown and release), I'm planning to share some of my favorite books on learning to sketch. Thank you for stopping by.  I'll have my first countdown card up late tonight!

Glittery Christmas Plaid with X-Press It Glue Markers

Welcome! It's been a week since I posted. And I've been vacationing--okay--traveling, teaching, coloring, cooking, and making a LOT of cards! Most of them are for the upcoming MFT Stamps October Countdown, but  I had a couple of informational posts that I can share leading up to the October projects. Today I toyed with an idea for making my own glittery plaid patterned paper using kraft cardstock, Copic markers, and my X-Press It Medium Glue Marker andX-Press It Wide Glue Marker. I took pictures as I worked--hope that helps!

I started by taping my kraft cardstock down to a square glass surface so that I could use a small T-square to get straight lines. Here I have used to the medium broad (chisel) tip (both wide and turned on end for a narrower profile) along with Copic G46, making lines every 1" apart.

Here I've added G29 for a darker green and some value variety, on the 1/2" lines.

I'm ready to start with my red, but first, it is REALLY important to clean the ruler so that I won't get dark green Copic ink all over my red Copic markers. Yes, the red ink would most like push out the excess green, but I didn't really want end up with ink smears either.

Here I've added two different reds--R27 and R59. (I labeled all of the colors so that you could see what went where.)

I cleaned the ink off of my ruler one more time so that I wouldn't get red ink on the edges of my glue markers. Here comes the X-Press It Medium Glue Marker fun! First I created lines every 1" apart using my T-square and my Glue marker, shown above. 

Next, I carefully added lines in the opposite direction using my X-Press It Wide Glue Marker. (I was working pretty quickly here. I din't walk away and let the glue dry between directions.)

Mmmmm--GLITTER! I sprinkled ultra-fine glitter over the whole 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" sheet, pressed it lightly on, and then dumped the excess glitter back into my plastic container.

Here's a close up; it's subtle, unless you get it at the right angle, in which case it's splashier than you see up above.  This was a pretty quick project, and I was happy with how it turned out. I could see the same thing working well in pastel colors for a baby shower too! The stamp that I used is a Hero Arts Holiday Messages and Tags set. I fussy-cut my tag, but there is a coordinating die, which I would highly recommend if you are cutting very many of these. ;-)

Edited to add: That little white line that you see was added with a white Kirarina Wink after everything else was dry. It just needed something else. . .

Thank you for visiting, and I hope you're having a great week,

Snowflake Sparkle Reveal Night!

 

Welcome! I have one set of cards left for the My Favorite Things Stamps Snowflake Sparkle Kit, which is now available for purchase. 

I thought I'd show you just one close up, but I changed the sentiment on each one, as well as the colors in the snowflake pattern. This is my Christmas card, and I think it would make it in the mail on one stamp--always a plus! ;-)

In addition to a Christmas card, I had a blessings card and a friendship card; it's a simple layout to churn out several, when you get to that panic point of "I need ten cards, NOW!"  The only advice I'd offer is to stamp the largest snowflakes first, and to leave plenty of room between the snowflakes. You can always go back and add more snowflakes if it feels too sparse, but you can't take any off if you realize you stamped too many and have a really busy card--ask me how I know!

Again, the Snowflake Sparkle Kit is available right now HERE at MFT Stamps.

Be sure to visit the MFT Stamps Blog to see more linked samples and to enter for a chance to win a prize! Thank you for visiting,

Snowflake Sparkle Card Kit	Kraft Card Stock	Versamark Ink Pad	White Detail Embossing Powder	Warm Diamond Microfine Glitter
Glossy Accents	Sweet Tooth Pigment Ink Pad	Cornflower Premium Dye Ink Pad	Blue Breeze Premium Dye Ink Pad	Cranberry Cocktail Premium Dye Ink Pad
Olive Hybrid Ink Pad	Hybrid Ink Pad Factory Green	Tropical Teal Premium Dye Ink Pad	Cherry Crisp Premium Dye Ink Pad	Blu Raspberry Premium Dye Ink Pad
Foam Mounting Tape 1/2"	MISTI	Scor Buddy

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Season's Greetings: Snowflake Sparkle Card Kit Day Two

Welcome back! It's Day Two of the My FavoriteThings Stamps Snowflake Sparkle Card Kit Reveal, and I have a white-on-white card to share today for my Out-of-the-Box version. I have to tell you that while I love white-on-white, it's not very easy to photograph well. (So I hope you can see the details.) If you changed the sentiment, this could make a great card for a Winter wedding too!

First I die-cut the card front using one of the stitched rectangle blueprints, and then I heat embossed white snowflakes on the Smooth White card front. Next, I heat embossed snowflakes on vellum and the sentiment on Cement Gray cardstock and die cut those as well. After glueing the vellum snowflakes on top of the snowflakes on the card front, I used Gloss White Nuvo Crystal Drops to add a little more detail to the snowflakes. 

Just a quick note about the little snowflake ornament: it was an afterthought when I realized that I could heat emboss on top of the sparkle cardstock included in the kit--whoosh--mind-officially-blown! :-} I didn't think that it would hold a clean embossed line, but it has a smooth enough surface that it actually does allow for clean embossing. I die cut four of the same snowflake and then stamped the coordinating image onto each snowflake with Versamark ink. (I used my MISTI tool for proper alignment of each snowflake before stamping, and then I heat-embossed each one with detail white embossing powder. I then glued them back to back so that I had two snowflakes, with fronts and backs. Note: It helps to sandwich a thin cord (or whatever you would hang the ornament with) in between two layers of one of the snowflakes. Finally, using a heavy pair of scissors, I cut just a bit over halfway up from the bottom of the snowflake that had the hanging cord, and made the same cut on the top of the other snowflake so that I could slide one snowflake up onto the other one and glue them together. Easy-peasy! (I hope this makes sense--I'm rambling tonight!)

I hope you get a chance to see what the other girls have done with their out-of-the-box version of this month's card kit--I know that you'll get some great ideas! Also remember to leave a comment on the MFT Stamps blog for a chance to win prizes there. The MFT Snowflake Sparkle Kit will be released on Tuesday night, September 20, at 10pm Eastern time. At that time, the links at the bottom of this post will work.

Thank you for stopping by today!

Snowflake Sparkle Card Kit	Die-namics Blueprints 13	White Detail Embossing Powder	Versamark Ink Pad	Nuvo Crystal Drops - Gloss White
Scotch Quick Dry Tacky Glue	Foam Mounting Tape 1/2"	Cement Gray Prestige Card Stock	Translucent Vellum	Essential Glue Pad
Cool Diamond Microfine Glitter

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Peaceful Greetings: MFT Snowflake Sparkle Kit Day 1

Welcome!  It's kit time again at My Favorite Things Stamps, and today we're sharing the kind of snowflakesthat you won't need a shovel to deal with! If you're familiar with the monthly kit releases from MFT, you'll probably remember that the first round of samples is the "in the box" day, meaning that we use only components found in the card kit, with a couple of exceptions like basic shapes Die-namics and neutral inks. The MFT Snowflake Sparkle Kit will be released on Tuesday night, September 20, at 10pm Eastern time. At that time, the links at the bottom of my post will work.

For both of my cards tonight I used MFT inks from the kit, blended with a blending tool on top of white-on-white embossed snowflakes. Next I die cut snaoflakes to layer on top of snowflakes. For this card, I also used a piece of that silver sparkle paper--I hadn't used any of that before, and I loved that I could get a glitter look without the glitter mess. (I tend to walk around the house sparking from stray glitter about half the time!)

For my second card, I simply switched the orientation and the sentiment. The color that looks yellow above is really MFT's Sour Apple, but it's applied pretty lightly. I'm thinking I might go back and darken the Sour Apple just a bit. On the other hand, it would be tough to blend into the lightness of the blue ink if I did that, so who knows what I'll actually decide. . .

Snowflakes come in handy in my area of the country, so I'm sure I'll be using the Sparkle Snowflake kit again. I hope that you get a chance to check out the MFT Stamps blog for

• complete details on this month's fabulous kit,
• information on how YOU can win a prize by leaving a comment of both countdown posts on the MFT Stamps blog, and
• a link list of those showcasing today's in-the-box version of the Sparkle Snowflakes Kit.

It will be eye candy, I promise! Again, the Snowflake Sparkle Kit will be released on Tuesday night, September 20, at 10pm Eastern time. At that time, the links at the bottom of my post will work.

Thanks for visiting!

Snowflake Sparkle Card Kit

White Detail Embossing Powder

Versamark Ink Pad

Foam Mounting Tape 1/2"

Scotch Quick Dry Tacky Glue

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Black-Eyed Susan: Power Poppy Release

Welcome! Today I have a card to share using Power Poppy's lovely Black-Eyed Susan digital stamp set. For the last month I've been admiring the black-eyed Susans that grow wild on the side of the road near our house, and I have to tell you that the casually elegant simplicity of the Black-Eyed Susan image is perfection! 

Now, for some special fun and DEALS this month:

As we help to kick off Power Poppy’s brand new release of Black-Eyed Susans, we have some other fun to share: a selection of some favorite Power Poppy digital designs are available a special price! These late summer flowers and fruits are in full bloom — ready for you to download, print, and color to your heart’s content! Power Poppy’s brand new Black-Eyed Susans, as well as Pure Prairie Bouquet, Sunshine of My Life, Cuppa Buttercups, and Apples in Season are just $4 each (save $2 per set) OR, get all five digital stamp sets in a bundle for $15 (a total of $14 savings). What’s even better? Play along in our weekend Coloring Contest over at Passionate Paper Creations and Friends using one of these five stamp sets and you could win a $20 gift code to the Power Poppy Shop! Contest and sale closes Monday, September 19 at midnight. A winner will be announced sometime on Wednesday, September 21 on the PPCF Facebook page.

Shown above are the Copic markers that I used to color the Black-Eyed Susan image, which I printed in a medium grayed olive color with my inject printer.

In addition to the Black-Eyed Susan digital stamp set, I used a couple of MFT Stamps Die-namics sets to frame my focal image (Blueprints 15 and Inside & Out Stitched Ovals), along with a simple length of twine to accessorize. 

I hope you get a chance to visit the Power Poppy Blog for more information on the Fall Digi Bundle SALE, and don't forget to check out--and ENTER--the contest! Thanks for visiting,

Power Poppy Blog 
Jennifer Dove
Broni Holcombe
Cheryl Scrivens
Debbie Olson  <<You are HERE>>
Barb Walker
Nancy Sheads
Jessie Banks

Copic News and and an Invitation

Calling COPIC fans and "Techies" everywhere: would you like to help Imagination International, Inc. beta test a new Copic app?  The Studii!o app, a better way to collect and connect with your Copic community, is almost ready to be rolled out. Imagination International, Inc. is looking for beta testers who fit certain criteria; they will be needing Android users, iOS users, and a little later Windows users as well.

If you are interested in being a tester, CLICK HERE for a pop-up window that will contain a short questionnaire to determine whether you fit the test parameters. Thank you in advance for you help!

Next, it's only a little over a week before I head out to Las Vegas for Copic Workshops! Right now we are a small class, and I'd love to invite you to join us if you are in the Vegas area on September 23 and 24. 

On October 14-15, I'll be teaching in Hanover, Maryland. Hanover is centrally located southwest of Baltimore, and northeast of Washington, D.C..

Finally, I'm tickled pink to tell you that our CHA classes for January in Phoenix have now been opened; the really exciting part of that is that our three NEW 2017 Workshops have been announced! You can find descriptions for the three new Copic Workshops below:

Coloring Animals with Copics

Coloring Lansdscapes with Copics

Hand Lettering with Copics

I'll have a new card posted early Thursday morning for Power Poppy's Release Day. Thanks for stopping by,

Infinitely Grateful: MFT Release Replay

Welcome!  I have another September MFT Stamps card to share today; my first card with the Geometric Greenery stamp set was--well--leafy, but not really a Fall card. I wanted to play with Fall colors this time, as well as use a sentiment that could work for Thanksgiving. 

In addition to the Geometric Greenery set, I used some other new September release products as well: the Single Stitch Line Oval Dynamics, and the Chevron Grid Stencil, airbrushed with my Copic markers. (I also airbrushed a hint of BG23 for sky behind the leaves.) 

I hope you get a chance to visit the MFT Stamps Blog for a list of participants in today's Release Replay post--I bet you'll be inspired! Thanks for stopping by today,

LJD Geometric Greenery	Die-namics LJD Geometric Greenery	Distressed Patterns	Die-namics Single Stitch Line Oval Frames	Die-namics Blueprints 13
Die-namics Blueprints 25	Stencil Chevron Grid	Primitive White Heavyweight Card Stock	Kraft Card Stock	Orange Zest Prestige Card Stock
Jellybean Green Card Stock	Jellybean Green Premium Dye Ink Pad	Olive Hybrid Ink Pad	Tangy Orange Hybrid Ink Pad	Latte Premium Dye Ink Pad
White Detail Embossing Powder	Versamark Ink Pad	Foam Mounting Tape 1/4"	Scotch Quick Dry Tacky Glue

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Bold Blooms Birthday: MFT September Release Day

Welcome! The September My Favorite Things Stamps Release is finally here, and I have one last card from the new lineup to share tonight. It's hard to go wrong with Bold Blooms! I chose a sentiment from last month's Essential Sentiments stamp set; its simplicity keeps it from competing with the bolder flowers visually, and it reminds me of type from a label maker when embossed in white embossing powder on any darker cardstock--pure nostalgia!

I used my Sweet Celebration Paper Pack for choosing flower colors, and then stamped and die-cut a fresh little bouquet for a special birthday card. I also used the new Stitched Scallop Basic Edges, paired with the older Stitched Basic Edges Die-namics, for a border separating my floral panel from the patterned paper bottom. I airbrushed Copic BG23 on the white panel before I put the flowers on it to hint at sky. 

Each of the MFT Design Team will have projects to share tonight, so please check out the MFT Stamps Blog for many more cool projects and products, as well as a chance to win fabulous PRIZES! 

Thanks for visiting,

Bold Blooms	Die-namics Bold Blooms	Essential Sentiments	Distressed Patterns	Die-namics Blueprints 27
Die-namics Stitched Basic Edges	Die-namics Stitched Scallop Basic Edges	Ripe Raspberry Prestige Card Stock	Smooth White Card Stock	Sweet Celebration Paper Pack
Hybrid Ink Pad Jellybean Green	Sour Apple Premium Dye Ink Pad	Summer Splash Premium Dye Ink Pad	Pineapple Premium Dye Ink Pad	Lemon Chiffon Premium Dye Ink Pad
Premium Dye Ink Pad Cotton Candy	Ripe Raspberry Premium Dye Ink Pad	Hybrid Ink Pad Orange Fizz	Versamark Ink Pad	White Detail Embossing Powder
Foam Mounting Tape 1/4"	Scotch Quick Dry Tacky Glue	Quickie Glue Pen	Cool Diamond Microfine Glitter

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Hugged You in My Thoughts: Release Day 3

Welcome! It's Day Three of the MFT Stamps Release Countdown--this coming Tuesday is the big evening! I loved this little Jumping with Joy set, and could think of the perfect recipient for this card. It's feeling a little Fall-ish here and I am TOTALLY in Fall mode--can you tell? I pulled out some previously released Fun and Frolic paper and stitched tree dies to pair with the new Jump with Joy stamps and Single Stitch Line Frames Die-namics.

Shown above are the Copic markers that I used to color the Jumping with Joy image., except for the bit of Airbrushed BG23 in the sky. Obviously most of her outfit is paper-pieced from the MFT Stamps Fun and Frolic paper pad, but I did a bit of shading on top of the patterned paper as well, to be consistent with lighting.

Here is the inside of my card--sentimentless so that I have plenty of room to write inside. I love that little Rolling Hills die and feel the need to work it in every chance I get! :-)

If you visit the MFT Stamps blog, you will find a full list of links to today's featured countdown products. Remember also to enter to win a prize while you are there! As always, the links to NEW products below will not work until Release Night, 10pm, EST on Tuesday, September 6. (All other links should work now.)  Thanks for stopping by today,

Pure Innocence Jumping with Joy	Die-namics PI Jumping with Joy	Die-namics Single Stitch Line Circle Frames	Die-namics Blueprints 20	Die-namics Blueprints 25
Die-namics Trees in the Forest	Die-namics Rolling Hills	Primitive White Heavyweight Card Stock	Sour Apple Card Stock	Gumdrop Green Card Stock
Orange Fizz Heavyweight Card Stock	Persimmon Prestige Card Stock	Kraft Card Stock	Fun & Frolic Paper Pack	White Detail Embossing Powder
Versamark Ink Pad	Hybrid Ink Pad Black Licorice

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