Welcome Baby Card!

So it's been nearly a month since I posted and not great about posting here anyway, but had to post this as I'm fairly happy with the way it turned out. I 've learned in the past few weeks, Copics are awesome, but there's a learning curve. Of course you need to have some basic understanding of "coloring, shadowing, etc " (all of which I still need to really learn,) BUT there are some basics you need to deal with in using these alcohol based markers. Paper and ink can make a huge difference and it took much experimenting and research to determine what was gonna work best. The card posted here uses Brilliance Ink on SU Whisper white cardstock. I got a tiny bit of bleed, but not much. The SU ink didnt seem to work well for me at all. I just got some Gina K Luxury, 120 wt paper which is supposed to be great (altho Walmarts generic -Georgia Pacific, 110 wt paper, is supposed to be good too). The inks (in my research thusfar) that seem to be recommended are Brilliance and Memento (as well as a handful of others). On the Copic website you can download a booklet which outlines which inks they feel work best.

AND then there's the incredible Marianne's blog "I like Markers" where I've learned so much. She works for Copics, gives classes, etc. Here's her address:

http://ilikemarkers.blogspot.com

Anyway, the card is a Welcome Baby card for a friend. The stamp is from Pink Cat Studio, Cardstock is Bazill, patterned is K and Co. Used Nesties for embossing (in Big Shot - that was fun) and the new Storybook Cricut cartridge for die cutting.

And just got the SU set Happy Heart Day - sooo adorable and versatile. Can be used for V. Day but also for bdays, thank yous! Given my two older kiddos have to make 50 home made V. Day cards I thought this would be a great set! Hoping to see the new Stampin up catalog soon - hear it's great!

Copics: My LATEST obsession!!

Incredible Markers BUT HUGE price!! I'm wondering if they're available in Korea? They're imported from Japan and wonder if some of my friends traveling might be able to find? Anyway, just got a basic set as my xmas gift and soooo excited to try... yee-haw!! :)

Some great websites on the markers:

www.copicmarker.com
www.copicmarkers.com
http://www.oozak.com/

and this person's blog is AMAZING for everything Copic:

http://ilikemarkers.blogspot.com/

Paper Doll Set - TOOO FUN!!

Ok so my next venture of late was to do a Paper doll set with another MFT set. I love this set and so do my kids! They've had more fun coloring in the images and cutting out and playing with them. I stamped the images, colored and then laminated with my Xyron. Unfortunately the Basic Grey magnets aren't sticking real well as the magnets are so strong they slide off the laminate. I'll have to play with some of my different glues. All and all tho a super fun project.. but like doing anything with kids around.. already missing one of the pieces - oh well!! Will tackle next time we've got the stamps out.

Here they are:

Inside the tin.. extra dolls and their dress-up clothes! The missing piece which will hopefully show up is a super cute green tu-tu!

With Mermaid and bear outfit on

Outside of tin... doll is magnetized so can be removed.

Back into Paper Crafting!

And having a lot of fun! I go thru spurts and every year about this time, I jump back into paper crafting. I'm loving the MFT - My Favorite things stamps as it allows we adults to act like kids again and *color*!! :) Sooo much fun. I did my Flopsey bunny card with my Prismacolor pencils but I didnt have a smooth white cardstock so it didnt come out great. But all in all, was fun and will file and def use in future. I want to build up my stash of homemade cards so I dont have to do them at the last moment. So here's Flopsey:

Just catching up:

and yes.. lots to catch up on!

Only a few LO's... I'm pathetically behind! Have spent Fall doing some un-eventful invites to bdays and other get-togethers...In other words not a lot of interesting stuff to post:

Ok so here they are:

Artemia Quick page (page by artist Colleen)
"after5designs"
http://www.afterfivedesigns.com/
A Benefit Digi pack for a family hit with a tragedy!

Asian Artistry Kit from Jen Andersen (After Five Designs)
Japanese foliage stamp: Design fruit

A Little Journal I made for Ellie!

for school...

used a Hambley overlay, basic grey papers (Blush), a 7 gypsies "tied" kit and the 7 Gypsies gaffer tape, KI Memories Icicles (letters.. which seem to get harder and harder to find), Tiim Holtz distressing ink...fun. fun!

I continue to be sooo behind!

We learned about 10 days ago that Andrew's foster mother will be visiting the US. We're so thrilled for her and actually contemplated going as we so regret not travelling to bring him home. But for so many reasons feel it's not a good idea, and that's been hard. So I've spent this time, doing a photo montage DVD for her as well as a Shutterfly album of his second year. It was hard doing a pre-planned album (when you digi-scrap) in many ways but worked beautifully and got it done fairly quickly. I so hope we can meet her soon. The first LO is Anderews 21st month LO.. And yes, for anyone who follows I'm missing month 20.. have the pic and just need to do. The "Reflect" LO of my dd was also done (as was Andrew's LO) with a pic from our recent trip to Lake Tahoe. I used Randi Oh's beautiful "Flora " mini kit. It's available at Gotta pixel and eventually will be available at "A Cherry on top (ACOT)"... So that's the scoop .. For anyone wanting to see Andrew's photo montage will post that link too!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com