Pamela’s Gallery

First off, if you don’t have the hand color chart for your markers, I highly recommend you print one out and keep it handy! SEE BELOW

Tips:

• Print your color chart on the paper you actually STAMP (or in case of digitals-PRINT) on, so you can see how the markers will actually look.
• Markers react differently to different types of paper, so don’t be afraid to print your chart on several types of papers.
• Write on the corner of the chart what kind of paper you printed it on.
• Doing this ahead of time, helps you to see what the DRIED color looks like too. Much easier to pick your colors this way.
• Here’s a hand color chart for TRIART.  (they don’t actually offer one, so I grabbed their color chart, and created my own spaces for hand color-BOY are there some BIG differences in their chart and my actual colors!!)

Click the image to open full size, then right click and “save image as”. Print out full size,  and use the spaces under each color to color in with YOUR markers. Handy when purchasing more colors too, you can see immediately what you need.

• Here’s one for Copics. (I didn’t have to make this one, they have it on their site)

Since I use both types of markers, I have my print outs in a document protector, one on each side. I have it hanging where it’s easy to grab when I’m coloring too.

Now that we have that out of the way…here’s the link to my coloring video. Sorry I can’t embed it here, seems it’s too big..or I just don’t know what I’m doing…lol…Enjoy!

Coloring Tutorial: I used the buncha daisies digital, I sped up parts of the tutorial so I could fit it all on there. My dd helped me create this, and we set the music to it. (Enya-Lord of the Rings)

Here’s the link for the video. It’s almost 10 mins long, so too big to fit here! TFL

Update: For those of you new to the Copic & Triart world,  here’s some info you may find helpful:

-Triart markers (not to be confused with TRIA markers-which I know nothing about) have three tips on each marker. A fine point at one end, brush tip at the other end, and a chisel tip in the middle of the barrel. (Very handy when coloring larger areas)

-they are alcohol based-permanent markers with low to no odor, light fast, and acid free

-there are several other ‘brands’ on the market ie-Tria,  BIC, Prisma  that also have this type of ink, tho none that are as low in odor (I started with BIC markers, til I decided I LOVED it, and then moved up to the Copics and Triart-which I combine all the time)

-you can color on non porous surfaces like glass, and metal, as well as the basics like paper, water color paper, cardstock etc

-the most popular  ‘types’ of Copics are the Ciao version (so called Kiddie version originally created for kids in Japan-round barrel, lower price point, has  less ink in them and less color choices) and the Sketch version which has a flat barrel (they don’t roll off the table)  and the marker color on the cap ends (which is great when you know the color number you want), and there are lots of color choices.*

-they  blend seamlessly with each other, color in circular motions for larger areas, work quickly and there are no marker lines when you color over an area because they blend so  nicely. you can even create other colors by picking up darker colors with the tip of a lighter color. wont’ permanently harm either marker tip

-the blending pen is NOT for blending. It is really for lifting off color. So if you go a bit out of the line, you can ‘push’ the color back in using the blender pen, you can also create soft highlites on the colored piece by running the tip of the blender pen over the ink.

-there is no WHITE ink from Copic or Triart (at this time). I have heard that BIC recently brought one out, but I’ve not seen it. There are several brands of white gel pen that work great over copic, and stay true to the white color (some pens will absorb the copic ink and turn a tint of white) I’ve had good success with Sakura Gelly Roll white.  You can also purchase white ink in a bottle and apply with a fine brush.

-* altho there are two color lists for the Ciao and Sketch the actual colors (and numbers) are the same, so you can start out with the cheaper Ciao markers and add in the Sketch colors that Ciao doesn’t have.

-can store them vertically OR horizontally and not risk the ink either way (check out my ultimate storage solution idea here!)

-they are refillable. (I’ve not run out of ink yet, so I’ve not messed around with how easy this is….anyone?)

-can purchase other nibs (tips) and change out the tips. so if you ruin a tip, all is not lost.

-can use them with air gun and spray the ink on for wonderful airbrushing

-use dye inks like Memento when stamping. Do NOT use Staz On inks, as Stazon is also an  alcohol ink, and will BLEND with the copics (not what you want when coloring stamped images…lol..)

-you can use them to color digital printed images (some trial and error with what works best for your printer-but there are tons of tips and hints on the web-check out the ones I have right here on the FCD blog!)

-The only CON that I know of is the price. They run anywhere from 2.49 a marker to 6.50 a marker. Shop around. It’s usually cheaper per marker, to buy a set. Use coupons. Joanns Etc. is carrying several of the sets online, and you can sign up for the coupons and use either the 40 or 50% off coupons to purchase.   Other options are EBAY, CarpeDiamStore (my favorite place to purchase both Triart and Copics GREAT prices), Dick Blick, and OOzak. Just google them, lots of options will come up.

TFTI

With graduation just around the corner, I thought I’d better get busy creating some check cards…I can’t believe my oldest dd is graduating this year…these years sure have flown by! sniff…

Ok..let me wipe up my tears, so I can write this  tutorial….lol

SOOO easy!

Digital image used: Graduation Word Art (free til May 24th)  Stamps used: Birthday Wishes Paper: DCWV, plain white cs (Office Max 110#)  Colors: Copics/Triart

TIP: Need your brad to match your art?  Choose one of the copics/triart markers you used in your piece, and simply color a silver brad to match!

Step 1: Cut a 12×12 sheet of paper to measure 6.5×10

Cut your 12x12 paper

Step 2: Measure in 5 inches, and fold in half. Now measure in 2 inches from each side and fold in.

Measure and fold

Step 3: Adhere top flap all the way around, adhere bottom flap SIDES ONLY!

adhere sides

Finished card!

Ta da! Wasn't that EASY PEASY?

This check holder fits in a standard sized envelope too!

I’ve got one more template for a check card to show you, but I’m out of time for today….maybe Tuesday….enjoy your Sunday!

Guess what? I’m learning how to create my own video tutorials! up to now, my dd has created all of my vids, but she’ll be leaving me in the fall…(sniff) to go to college, so I figured I’d better learn how to do this stuff before she’s GONE! lol………..here ya go!

I was tooling around the web last week, and ran across this 2007 post by Cindy on Skip to My Lou blog.

She has gathered an incredible variety of words to use when giving Candy gifts, and with Valentine’s Day around the corner, I wanted to share this with you all!

• “You are out of this world” tag attached to a Milky Way or Mars candy bar
• “You deserve an extra payday!” tag attached to a Payday candy bar
• “There is no ’sub’stitute for you!” tag attached to a gift card for the local sub shop
• “You are ‘extra’ special” tag with a pack of Extra Gum
• “Thanks for helping (insert name) ‘bloom’” tag with a bouquet of flowers
• “We appreciate the ‘mounds’ of work you do!” tag attached to a Mounds candy bar
• “Thanks for giving (me or  insert name) a hand” tag with hand lotion
• “Thanks a ‘latte’!” tag with a gift card from local coffee shop, special coffees or travel mug
• “You are ’souper’! - soup mix, custom decorated soup bowls or homemade soup
• “Thanks for holding everything together” tag with fun paper clips
• “Just a note to say you are special“  purchased notepads or post it notes
• “You are a ‘treasure’ tag with Treasures candy
• “You really measure up” tag with a cool ruler, yardstick or measuring tape
• “You are ’sum’body special” tag with a calculator or math game for the class
• “You are the apple of our eye” with a basket of apples (construction paper leaves with nice sayings- you’re special etc. can be hot glued to the stems)
• “You are ‘tea’rrific!” tag with a selection of teas
• “You deserve a ‘break’ today! Thanks for your hard work” tag with a Fast-Break candy bar or McDonald’s gift certificates
• “You are a smart cookie” tag with homemade cookies
• “Thanks for a ‘picture’ perfect year” tag with movie coupons or nice picture frame
• “Thanks for making our school year bright” tag with a package of highlighters
• “Thanks for helping (insert name) grow” tag with flower seeds
• “You are o’fish’ally the best!” tag attached to Goldfish Crackers
• “Thanks for lighting the way” or “You light up our world” with a flashlight or nice candle
• “We are your biggest ‘fan’!”with a cute desk fan, hand held fan or paper fan.
• “Thanks for the ‘time’ you spend with (me or insert name)” tag on a cute clock, fun watch or pretty appointment book
• “We are fortunate to have you!” tag with a Chinese take out box filled with fortune cookies
• “You have been a ‘bright’ spot in our year!” tag with a package of highlighters
• “You are a joy!” tag attached to an Almond Joy candy bar
• “Thanks for giving (me, or insert name) a hand!” tag attached to work or garden gloves filled with candy
• “You have been just ‘write’ for (me, or insert name)” package of nice pencils or pens in a case or container
• “You rock!” tag with pop rocks, rock candy, Rock Star soft drink or painted rock for a paperweight
• “You have been ‘key’ to (my, or insert name) success!” tag attached to a key ring, maybe a pretty handmade beaded one
• “We are ‘nuts’ about you!” tag attached to some nuts
• “You ‘float’ above the rest” tag attached to a balloon or a fun pool float for the summer
• “You are worth more than a 100 grand to (me, or insert name)!” tag attached to a 100 Grand candy bar
• “You ‘mint’ so much to us this year” tag attached to some mints
• “You were ‘mint’ to be a teacher/leader/mother/father/etc!” tag attached to some mints
• “Here is a ‘pat’ on the back for doing such a great job!” tag attached to a gift certificate for a massage
• “You are an ‘amazing’ teacher/leader/boss/etc” tag attached to an Amazing candy bar

Here’s the link to her original post

I tried to contact her by leaving a comment on the most recent post I could find (July 08).  Since it looks like the blog may not be active, I hope she doesn’t mind that I shared this treasure trove of goodies with you all!

For more gift ideas, check out this post on Kitchen Christmas ideas. They are easily adaptable to birthdays, house warmings, and other celebrations too!

Pamela

It’s that time of year again, when FCD will begin it’s search for a new Design Team!!  The submissions will open July 15th, and will close Aug.15th.  More details will be posted as we get closer to July. So if you are interested, stay tuned! In the mean time, here are a few tips!

These FEW TIPS were  put together by members of my  DTs. I hope they help for future submissions.

1. Be sure to scan/photograph your art STRAIGHT, and CROP them…a poorly scanned or crooked image will not be viewed with friendly eyes. We want to see your art, not the table, not your pretty wood floor, etc…cropping is important…..

2. If it’s too far away, we won’t be able to SEE the details. If you are taking a photograph, make sure you are close enough that we can see what it is.

3. Watch things like lighting, shadows, glare, and blurry images. FIX these things with your photo software. If you can’t fix it, retake the photo. Blurry images show either you don’t know how to use your software, or you don’t care enough about your work to present it in the BEST way!

4. Focus on STAMPING!!  FCD tip: This is a stamping DT, we want to see how you use your stamps, it’s great if you can use patterned papers and put together a card, but this is a stamp team, so you need to showcase the stamps.…not those pretty papers. (you can USE the papers, but be sure to include stamped images, not just die cuts). Good tip here, be sure for what ever team you are trying out for that you pay attention to the products requested.

5. Don’t apply for a team, if you don’t really LOVE their stuff…..if you DO love it, shout it out loud!! Enthusiasm is a key part of any design team!!

6. Design Teams mean COMMITMENT! Pay attention to the length of time the team will run, and what the submission requirements are. If you are spread too thinly, your work will suffer. If you have major events coming up in your life that may prevent you from finishing your DT obligation, .reconsider trying out; or ask to submit for an Artist Spotlite position. (Many vendors, including FCD use Guest Designers for special occasions, spotlite art, etc) We vendors rely on YOU to help us get the word out!!

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tips from Jen:

-create balanced projects, use the “rule of 3″

-make sure all your stamped images are stamped cleanly. if you mis-stamp, try again.

-if you stamp something crooked, start over. don’t try to fix it, don’t leave it, just redo it.

-have a nice sharp blade in your cutter to get crisp cut lines with no cardstock fraying. cut STRAIGHT.

-keep layer borders even and straight (for layers that should be straight!) (I can’t stress this one enough!! If you are submitting for a DT, DO your BEST work!!! and watch for adhesives peaking out behind layers!!-PC)

-SCORE, SCORE, SCORE. especially with SU cardstock, it will crease and crack in the wrong spots if you don’t score it and those flaws are visible.

-make sure your coloring is even and stays inside the lines {unless that’s not what you were going for}

-watch your dirty fingers! adhesive and ink transfer easily onto skin, and back to your card where you don’t want it. {glitter does too, LOL}. pay attention or you may be very upset when you get a big smudge at the end of a 3 hour project.

-sometimes if I’m having trouble making a project end up “just right” I walk away from it - either literally, or I start on something else for awhile. don’t force it. you’ll probably find that you will come back later and know just what you need to make it PERFECT.

-always do your best work. if you wouldn’t be willing to post the card you make for all the world to see, then you probably don’t think you have done your best work and maybe you want to revisit the design process.

-however, don’t feel like every project you make has to be a Picasso, or use a special technique, or whatever. if it is a good project, that will come through no matter how many techniques you use. there are times that less is more. (FCD tip:  this is a stamping DT, altho techniques are not required to submit, they do show you are not afraid to get down and dirty…lol-PC)

-also, I got a good tutorial from WAYYYYY back off of Keri Serika’s blog on making your own infinity board for photographing stuff (not like it’s hard, more of the “lightbulb” moment for me).  $0.79 and viola, no more background clutter, and no more cardstock-propped-together lines either in your picture backgrounds.

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tips from Brenda: