Stamp Happens » Copics

Prairie Fairy Blog Hop!

Posted on 27-08-2010 | By: Tonya

WELCOME,

to the PRAIRIE FAIRY BLOG HOP and

DIGITAL RELEASE PARTY!

If you came here from Terry’s blog then you are on the right track!

If not, please head on over to the PRAIRIE FAIRY BLOG because you don’t want to miss out on all the fun offers and prizes and the rules at the beginning of the hop!

What’s up for grabs???

Well, not only is the Prairie Fairy offering up some yummy candy at her blog, she is going to be giving out digital prize packs to some lucky winners worth $15 each!

That’s right you could win the newly released images!

There are multiple prizes so make sure you start at the Fairy’s blog so that you don’t miss out on how and what you can win!

Before I show you the hop list, let’s look at my card.

I have to say, it’s been so long since I’ve done one, this was really hard!

I used the new Witchy Gillian image. I absolutely adore Halloween!

I colored her with Copics and used Spicas on her green dress and band, as well as the black buckles.

I am soooo out of practice coloring!

I added a Hocus Pocus embellishment from my stash.

Please note the pearls and lace I was required to use!

And this is the inside. All done!

If you get lost along the way, here is the hop list:

Tonya (me!)

Deonna (guest designer Aug)

Debs R (guest designer this week)

The hop ends at FAIRY FUN FRIDAYS challenge blog where you will hear some new announcements and if you enter a card in the challenge you will get and extra entry into the draws and if you use a Prairie Fairy image on your creation you will get another entry!

The challenge this week is to use PEARLS AND LACE on your card.

Be sure to visit all the DT’s blogs as there are prizes at stake if you do, and we all love comments!

We are so glad you joined us and hope to see your entry at the challenge blog!

Happy blog hopping!

NOTE: Please click the post title to leave a comment. Thanks!

UPDATED LIST!!! Copic Ciao Clearance!

Posted on 24-06-2010 | By: Tonya

Category : Announcements, Copics, SH Shop

Tags: ciaos, Copics, sale

Hi everyone! I’m just popping in for a minute from my summer break!

I want to clear out my Copic Ciao stock since I’ve switched over to carrying Sketches.

So are you ready for this???

All Ciaos below are BRAND NEW and $2.25 each!

First come, first serve.

You pay USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate shipping.

Email me if you’d like to order and I will send you a PayPal invoice.

Thanks!

Ciaos	# in stock
100	4
B23	1
B29	5
B39	2
BG05	1
BG09	6
BV02	1
BV04	1
BV08	4
C3	2
C5	1
E00	3
E47	1
E53	1
E57	4
G17	4
G21	1
G85	1
R27	1
R29	6
R32	2
RV04	4
RV34	1
V09	3
V15	3
W1	6
Y02	1
Y06	2
Y17	1
Y21	1
YG03	1
YG06	5
YG67	1
YG91	1
YG95	1
YR07	2

FHF Color & Recipe Challenge & Mojo Monday!

Posted on 03-05-2010 | By: Tonya

Category : Cards, Challenges, Copics, Cuttlebug, Friends Having Fun, Mojo Monday Sketch Challenges

Tags: Copics, Friends Having Fun, mojo monday, Sweet Pea Stamps

Well, stampers, today I’m putting three challenges together to try and make up for lost time! Let’s get this party started!

Right about now, I’m considering beating Alison with a wet noodle. Talk about CHALLENGE!

And then there is Sarabeth and Margie. And their recipe challenge I’m behind on.

Another wet noodle, please!

These ladies really know how to issue a challenge!

Now obviously, I’m just teasing. Seriously, though, I am truly challenged.

Alison is really good at coming up with color combos that I would never dream of.

And it’s nice because she gets me out of my comfort zone.

Then I feel proud of myself for being able to complete her challenges!

I’ve been putting off Sarabeth and Margie’s recipe challenge because I haven’t been able to figure out a way to NOT use a paper cutter.

Well, ultimately I’ve failed that challenge.

But I did the rest of it!

Here is Alison’s color combination.

And here is what I came up with:

I used today’s Mojo Monday Sketch. I Actually think this color combo worked for me!

I used Bermuda Bay, Really Rust, and So Saffron (SU!).

For the recipe challenge, I needed to use 3 designer papers, a shiny substance, a funny sentiment and to hand cut my papers.

That’s the part I failed on.

I did use 3 papers, Stickles, and a semi-funny (?) sentiment.

These are the Copic colors I used.

Now it’s your turn! Be sure to go on over to Friends Having Fun and play today!

Creating Custom Colors

Posted on 28-04-2010 | By: Tonya

Category : Coloring Techniques, Copics, Instructions

Tags: color, coloring, Copics, custom, Instructions

One thing you can do with Copics is create your own custom colors.

You can buy an empty marker and add the ink combos if you’d like.

This post, however, focuses on creating custom colors without mixing ink into a new marker.

In this first example, I’ve use RV09 and R35 to create Melon Mambo.

Note that I have written the color and the color combo down.

I also put the color on a specific piece of paper and need to note that. (See below)

Writing it down saves me the trouble of figuring out the combo later. Very handy!!

So how do you figure out a color combo?

Please remember, I am not an artist.

There are probably more accurate, advanced ways to do this.

This is just my way, the regular Josephine Stamper.

I always color my images based on the paper I will be using.

Here, I’m going to use BoBunny’s Popsicle designer paper and I need to match the red.

First, I find a similar color. I’m looking at the Rs (reds) and I think R29 is close.

However, it is not brown enough.

So then I move over to the Es (Earth or browns!).

I note that E08 is incredibly similar but it lacks the red I really need.

So I use the combination of the E08 and R29.

I color (one layer E08, one layer R29) a swatch and let it dry to compare it to my paper:

I think I’ve got a good match!!

So I write down the recipe on the swatch.

Here, I’ve used Neenah Solar White.

I’ve created the BoBunny color Wild Berry Red.

Note that my recipe says E08-2. That translates to 2 layers of E08.

Then I dig out my artist book that Julie made me.

Isn’t it gorgeous?

And I make a page for “custom Copic colors” and adhere both swatches in the book.

This way, I can go back later and quickly find what I need.

Hope this helps!!

Paper Awareness

Posted on 26-04-2010 | By: Tonya

Category : Coloring Techniques, Copics, Instructions, Techniques, Tips

Tags: Copics, neenah, PaperTrey Ink, pti

Let’s talk PAPER AWARENESS!!! What exactly does that mean? It means that all paper is not the same when using Copics.

Choose your paper wisely!!

For example:

Stampin’ Up! Whisper White is not a good choice for Copics. SU’s paper is made for water-based markers and your Copics will just make a complete mess if you try and use them with it. Been there, done that!
Neither is water color paper. It is also made for water based products (hence water color!! lol) and your Copics are just going to absorb into the paper wasting your high dollar ink.
I like PaperTrey Ink’s white paper. This has been my “go-to” paper for quite some time now.
I also like Neenah Solar White 80 lb paper.

Neenah Solar White is now being stocked in the Stamp Happens Shop!

How do you know if your paper is going to work well for you? Test it.

Testing your paper is simply the easiest way to know if you’ll be frustrated and disgusted…or happy. In fact, some paper might work well with certain images but not others. Your best bet is to just test the paper.

I recommend testing your paper by:

Printing a digi image on it.
Stamping an image on it (use all inks you plan to use).
Use both a simple image and a detailed image for each. This is incredibly important!!!
Take one sheet of your paper and do all these tests on it. Label the bottom of the paper with the brand name so you’ll remember which kind it is.

I’m not sure if you can really tell that there is a slight shade difference here. But there is.

This difference is precisely why you need to print your Copic color chart on a piece of the white card stock you normally use.

The paper will slightly affect your ink!

Here are two circles I’ve drawn with Copic Multiliners.

You will notice that the finer the image is, the more prone the Copic ink is to spreading.

Neenah paper is great with thicker lines, but you can possibly run into issues with finely drawn images.

BE CAREFUL.

Practice coloring finely detailed images so you can figure out where to stop coloring.

I would be better off stopping the coloring right before I get to the edge.

The ink can then spread on it’s own to the edges.

JUST PRACTICE!

You’ll note, I don’t have the same problem with PTI.

PTI is a heavier weight paper which may be the key. I’m not a paper “expert” so I’m not certain.

I’m used to coloring on PTI so I need to practice using the Neenah.

A final word of caution.

I added another color to the middle of the Neenah ink circles above.

Note how the ink spreads even further.

This is incredibly important for those finely detailed drawings!

You will get spreading! Make sure you account for it!

Stop your coloring before you get to the edge!!

Neenah is a great paper.

It just takes some practice if you are used to PTI.

Winners never quit and quitters never win…

Posted on 24-04-2010 | By: Tonya

Category : Cards, Coloring Techniques, Copics, Mo's Digital Pencil

Tags: Copics, mo's digital pencil

I wanted to share this card with you quickly. I was intending to post some Copic information on paper but I worried that I’ve posted too much talk and not enough project lately so I decided to wait until tomorrow to share the Copic info.

I had a positively horrible time coloring this image. Do you ever do that? Do you work so incredibly hard on something that there is simply no way you can throw it out? I am not sure if I have ever worked so hard on a craft project and been so frustrated.

I am actually on a learning curve here. I am working with a different paper (to be discussed soon) and I recently ~~overfilled~~ refilled my Copics. So this image went through the ringer.

This is an adorable digi by Mo’s Digital Pencil. I love her. Like the rest of the world, I’m having a computer issue lately. More specifically, my battery is shot. If I unplug my laptop, the computer immediately turns off. And my printer is in another room and it’s all a huge PITA to try and print off images so when I hit mistake number one on this card, I was determined to make it work. I didn’t want to go through a huge deal with my laptop!

What was mistake #1? Overfilling my E00. I touched the tip down and SPLAT!!! A huge drop of ink gushed out onto the paper. I had originally wanted to make this cute fairy a little lighter skin toned. But I pushed forward.

Mistake #2: Learning curve on detailed images and new paper. To be discussed tomorrow. These finely detailed images have to be colored with caution on certain types of paper. That is, “lighter” weight papers.

Mistake #3: The wings. This is where disaster seriously struck. I didn’t like the original color of the wings. But the entire image was colored and “finished”. I tried lightening the color (they were yellow) but I didn’t like the effect. So I tried adding white. Which looked horrible. So I added black back which looked worse. And then I tried to clean it up and got smoke gray mixed with yellow.

Lesson??? I had an extra image nearby. I colored the wings in this faux white (using a B000), cut them out, and glued them over the ugly mess. If you persevere, you can usually find a way to make your mess work.

And here is the finished card again. Ultimately, I like this hot mess.

One last thing…despite what some Copic instructors might say…white gel pens are the bomb.

Sorry people, by the time I got finished with my insane mess…there was no way to keep up with the colors I used.

A quick note…

Posted on 24-04-2010 | By: Tonya

Category : Announcements

Tags: Copics

Hello all my wonderful stamping friends! I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend.

I want to talk Copic Products with you for a quick moment. Actually, I also need a little help from you too!

If you’ll look under my Copic Info tab at the top of my blog, you’ll notice I’m adding new Copic information. In fact, I’ve got more to add today and even more over the next few days.

There are a lot of Copic tutorials and instructions out there by some absolutely uber talented gurus. I love visiting Marianne Walker’s I Like Markers blog because I learn sooooo much. So why in the world would I add to all of these fantastic contributions? Well, here is my answer.

I’m me. I see things through “my” eyes as a stamper. A hobbyist. I’m not a trained artist who went to art school. I’m not a naturally talented illustrator. I’m Josephine Stamper who came into this craft as a hobby. And I love it.

So my Copic information is directed to all the other Josephine Stampers out there. Those who aren’t knowledgeable about color and design theory. Those who struggle with lighting, texture, and depth. Those who want to know how to color well because they are kids at heart and loved their Crayola Crayons. Just the average Josephine Stamper.

So you won’t get a lot of fancy stuff with me. My stuff might not even be “artistically” correct. But it works for me. And I’m learning. And as I learn, I want to share that information with you, my fellow Josephine Stampers.

A lot of people are really intimidated by Copic Markers. And why not? The amazing talent out there raises the bar for everyone! But seriously, stampers, this is about “following your bliss” and being happy with what you create. You don’t need (nor do I) to compare yourself with anyone else. Let me share with you my own Copic experience…

When Copics first hit the stamping market a couple of years ago, I decided to try them out. I love coloring after all!!! I hated them. They didn’t color like the Stampin’ Up! Stampin Write Markers I was used to. I didn’t know how to use them and the colors were foreign to me. I didn’t know how to pick colors, how to buy them, how to use them or anything. And none of my stuff looked like Cami Turnbow’s!! I got rid of all my Copics. I decided I was having none of it.

But the market kept growing and people really, really started using them so I decided to try again. This time, after I bought some new markers, I contacted Cami for some tips. She was extremely kind to me and gave me some much needed advice. I didn’t give up. I practiced and practiced. I visited blogs and observed. And then I finally felt comfortable posting. And I’ve been growing since. And now I’m a Copic Certified Designer.

But what, exactly, does that mean? It means I know the product. It doesn’t mean I’m Marianne Walker. It means I’m still growing and learning. I want to encourage those of you who feel intimidated about your Copics to keep practicing with me. In fact, what I really want is to help you. I want to help all the Josephine Stampers out there love their Copics.

So what do I need from you? I need to know what stumbling block you are experiencing. What “thing” you’d like to learn. Can you leave me a comment and share? I’ll be making tutorials based on these answers!

Thanks,

Josephine Stamper aka