Bountiful by Penny Black

Well, I've taken five days of classes at the Online Card Classes "Copics for Cardmaking".  I haven't done much practicing on the balloons, umbrellas and boxes, but today I decided to pull out a favorite Penny Black image and practice what I've learned about lighting, shading and blending.

4065K Bountiful

Obviously, I have a lot to learn, but one of the messages from the instructors has been to do what works best for you!  I do wish I had known more about the numbering system before I bought my Copic markers.  But I did what worked best for me and most of my color combinations are not from the same number family.

I did enjoy coloring this Bountiful image from Penny Black.  It's a woodblock stamp so will be in my collection forever!

Enjoy your Sunday!  I heartily recommend the class!  You can start anytime and you will have the entire class stored on your computer permanently.  I am counting on being able to go back many times.  The work sheets and handouts are well worth the price of the class.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Watercolor Mimi

Mimi is enjoying the snowfall in this image from Penny Black's T for Transparent set "Frosty Fun".  I had fun trying out my new Peerless watercolors.  How can one resist using a blue that's called "Butterfly Wing Blue"?

30-256  Frosty Fun
 

Things got pretty tricky when I tried doing the face and hair with Copic markers.  I used a black ink that is not compatible with the alcohol in the markers. 

I was very impressed with the intensity of the color that I was able to achieve with the Peerless watercolors.  I'm intrigued by little strips of paper that hold all that color!!  Lots of fun, but I am not precise enough to watercolor small images!!  Things can only improve!!

It's a Run with Scissors Saturday at the Penny Black blog!  I think Spooktacular is the word for it this week.  Just click here to be transported ... or, there's free parking for those who ride their broom!

Thankful for Dies!

Metal dies have made it possible to make beautiful cards quickly, with no smudges from inky fingers!  I've used Penny Black's creative die set Autumn Jewels for the leaves and the Words of Gratitude set for the sentiment.  I cut two of the leaves using gold glitter paper which I distressed a bit with red brick distress ink.

51-071 Words of Gratitude;  51-072 Autumn Jewels

How could it have been two weeks since I posted to my blog?  I apologize for the neglect!  I have been busy, though, making Fall-themed cards.  It's been delightful lately to turn off the air conditioning and open all the windows.  Cooper and I have spent some time in the park; neither of us like to go out in the hot muggy weather. 

Oh, and I have been very busy over on the Penny Black blog.  Come stop by and see what I've been up to.

Case Study #207

Yep!  I have taken over the Penny Black blog again today!  It's all about Christmas traditions.  But before you go, check out my entry for the Case Study Challenge this week.

Debbie Hughes is the muse this month on the Case Study Challenge blog.  I saw this beautiful inspiration photo and knew I had to participate in this week's challenge.
  


I stamped Penny Black's floral image from the Blooming Garden transparent set on vellum and embossed it with white.  I colored the flowers and leaves from the back.  I placed a strip of white cardstock onto the green notecard and then tacked the vellum overlay to the card base with a few zig-zag stitches.  The sentiment is a diecut from the Love Expressions die set by Penny Black.

51-025 Love Expressions;  30-155 Blooming Garden

I'm liking the pink and green color combo!  Reminds me of the Knock Out roses we have growing in our yard.  By this time of year in Alabama, the flowers are showing signs of stress from the unrelenting sun and heat.  I used to plant tons of annuals to brighten things up around our house, but finally gave up after so many summers of losing the flowers by August. 

Have a great weekend!  Hope you'll drop by the Penny Black blog today to catch the latest edition of Runs with Scissors.  See you there ... if I haven't been put in detention!!

Interlocking Background by Penny Black

When I first saw the Creative Die "Interlocking" by Penny Black I knew it would make the perfect background for floral images.  And when I saw the "Pinwheel" Creative Die, I knew it would make a great flower when combined with the "Leaves" Creative Die.  So I finally put the three diecuts together and added a sentiment.  And I love the result!! 

51-029 Interlocking; 51-026 Pinwheel; 51-002 Leaves; 30-207 From the Heart

I was so happy to use some fall colored cardstock!  The hot muggy temperatures we are still having here in Alabama are making me long for cooler fall days.  I added some white pigment ink to the petals and distress ink to the leaves, as well as some Wink of Stella gold.  Couldn't resist adding the little wooden heart to the sentiment banner.

The Interlocking die is quite intricate and I have discovered if I place the die with the cutting edge face up and the cardstock on top of it as it goes through the machine that it cuts perfectly with almost no need to pick out little pieces by hand.  I love time saving tips!!

Hope your Wednesday is going well!  We have been on the "take it easy" bus since we finished painting the living room.  I don't know how long this bus ride will last or where it will take us .. but it beats heavy duty housework!!  Thanks for your visit!