Colour Solutions...Copics and Blendabilities Make Peace with a CTMH Gal

I've had SO much fun playing with my markers since my initial frustration. I found a Blendabilities Colour Chart that I filled in with the markers so I could see what they really look like, up close and personal, one layer each, dried on Whisper White Cardstock. 

Here's the link:

Blendabilities Colour Chart

My amazing Stampin Up Demonstrator and dear friend, Doris Male, was so sweet, and last year gave me a ring of sample papers from SU. So I took the ones that matched up with the Blendabilities and attached them to the outside of the chart. You'll notice, as I did, that Rich Razzleberry, the one I chose to compare with Copics the other day, is the least coordinated. I find the paper quite warm, and the markers dry quite cool. Funny, of course, that I would pick THAT one to use...noticing the rest really do coordinate rather nicely with their 'actual' paper colour!

Then I got out ALLLLLLLLL my Copics, which are a lot, as it turns out, and coloured them on their colour chart as well: Copics Colour Chart. Because I didn't want to have two charts, one for my Ciao and one for my Sketch, I coloured half blocks for the smaller Copics, the Ciao markers. But at least now I know my WHOLE set. And my stepdaughter will be thrilled because I had a bunch of doubles. She is an amazing artist!

Here is the final product of my last two days of work!

Believe In Yourself Card

My friend Crystal inspires me - she is a single mom to three small boys, running a dayhome to make ends meet, dealing with complex "ex" issues...and does it all with grace.

She just won 2nd place in a local contest to get a bedroom makeover, and I wanted to send her a card to let her know how much I think of her.

I chose my CTMH "Bliss" paper. I love how the creams and greys mix- not what would have thought to do - with a touch of barely there green.

I have a card pack from Michael's where eavh card measures 5.5" x 4". I cut a lovely chocolate brown patterned paper at 5.25" x 3.75", then Gina K. Ivory at 5" x 3.5".

You MUST use good paper with Copics and Spectrum Noir Markers. Gina K. Is THE BEST I have used - and I have tried probably about a dozen different brands. It is also very economical!

I chose really light Copics. I wanted to stay with the subtleties of the paper. I then used my Spellbinders to cut AND emboss...and Tim Hotz Distress pad to shade in that barely-there green.

Distress Inks ARE alcohol marker friendly. They won't smudge your work at all!

I don't usually do anything on the inside of the card, but this time I added the sentiment to the inside. I also layered some cardstock and stamped the brown butterfly.

Here is the finished product - added some double stitched ribbon!

NOW YOU DO IT!

Copic vs. Spectrum Noir Markers

I finally got my new Spectrum Noir Markers! Now, let's be clear - I have over 120 Copic Markers, a mix of both Ciao and Sketch. I never allowed myself the luxury of purchasing Copic Originals due to the cost. However, I really, really REALLY wanted them because I wanted that nib! That fine, fine nib. I did a lot of work developing my skills with the finer brush tip of the Ciao and Sketch, but it is still difficult to get some of the smaller areas on a fine stamped image. The brush sometimes 'brushes' out of the desired area...I'm NOT talking about bleeding, I'm talking about colouring outside the lines when you don't want to. 

I use the finest paper by Gina K. and also some 'specially made for Copics' paper I found online. 

Sooooooooo....when the Spectrum Noir came to my attention with its magnificent square barrel and gorgeous fine tip, I couldn't resist...and the price tag is AWESOME compared to a Copic! (Ciao, Sketch or Original! Yay)

In conclusion, I LOVE the new Spectrum Noir. It colours slightly differently than a Copic, but in a way that is a fun and pleasurable experience. Here are the pros and cons of each:


Spectrum Noir Pros:
Great blending
Fantastic Nib
PRICE!! Super price


Spectrum Noir Cons:
Limited colour choice - I'm sure this will change
**Lid colour does NOT match ink colour - test FIRST!


Copic Pros:
Exquisite blending
 Endless colour choice, also due to exquisite blending


Copic Cons:
Fine Nib not available for Ciao or Sketch
Prohibitive Cost

Thanks for watching. 

Copics on Canvas

I experimented tonight with a photo I took years ago. It was of an orchid my husband gave me. I decided to try to see if I could colour it with Copics on a canvas. 

It is NOT a great work of art, for sure, but I had great fun with it. The only problem is the canvas kind of chews up the Copic tip - so I won't be doing it again...

NOW...DON'T YOU DO IT!! (Unless you want to lose your Copic tips....)

Ballerina Card

My daughter is done her dance class tomorrow so I decided to make her dance instructor a card! I used my Fleur-de-Lis Rectangle Spellbinder, a gorgeous Magnolia stamp, and of course, COPICS!!! Sometimes I just have to colour...you know the feeling. I highlighted the tiara and the swirlies around Tilda with my Versamark pen and added CTMH Glitter. And to finish it off, of course, My Pink Stamper stamps.

NOW YOU DO IT!

Manly Pedestal Card

 I had some leftover paper and even some coloured images from my last project. I thought it would be fun to make a pedestal card for my dad, using this picture of him from last summer. He was doing chores and pushing my little guy and my nephew in the wheelbarrow. My dad is also Mr. Camping-Extraordinaire, and although this isn't 'camping', his acreage often has a campfire going and it's all about FAMILY.

 I used the piece of 'Outdoor Denim' cardstock, cut at 4.25" by 12" and scored at 6" and 8.5". I'm not sure I like such a shallow fold...we'll see how to change it in the next pedestal card.

I cut these layers to fit perfectly the first layer - 4.25" by 6", and then the inner layer 4" by 5.75". The lower panel is similar - 3.5" by 4.25" then the layer is 3.25" by 4". 

I cut the bear image out and layerd it with my Nestabilities; the tree and fire I cut out using my Honeybee scissors. As much of a Cricut girl that I am, there is something so nice about cutting with scissors!

I used a LOT of pop dots, some grommets and hemp to finish this fun card!

NOW YOU DO IT!

Fun Fishing Layout

I've really been in the mood to colour with my Copics lately...and I chose inspiration for this layout from the "Beary Best" stamp set (C1363) from CTMH. I rifled through my paper packs - which are numerous (shhhhh!) and picked the "Back Country" pack. I then used my Copics and coloured the bears to match up with the paper. That's what I love about Copics - they can match and blend to any colour - complete perfection!

I set the bears on the background paper while colouring to ensure I blended properly and got the desired colour. These bears are SO cute and I decided to give them little pink tummies. I cut them out using circles from Spellbinders Nestabilities and embossed them as well.

I used CTMH's "Cherish" to decide on a layout. I don't always use the books for ideas, but sometimes when I have been so busy making cards (oops!) I need some help getting back in scrapbooking mode. That is when I grab a paper pack, grab a book for layouts, and go to work. 

I distressed and inked the edges of the background paper. As a result of how good it looked, I decided to put the papers a little further in the border - to show off the distressed edges. I also found some unmarked ribbon in my stash that matched PERFECTLY!

I used my Scrap'N Easel to place things how I liked....

I was somewhat concerned about the black and white picture of my little fella - that it was a little too 'cool' for such a 'warm' layout. I pulled out my Tim Holz distressing inks and made it a little warmer, a little more sepia. 

I used two more fantastic stamp sets to add embellishments - D1468 - "On This Day" and W329 "Dream Big"...really cute little sets. I embedded them in the layout like tickets. FUN!

I added the bears, some more ribbon and we are done!

NOW YOU DO IT!