Today I can share one of the projects I mentioned in my last post!  Hooray!  The project I’m sharing today has been a welcome distraction while I battle with Project Get Organised and Project Clearout, as I’m sure you can imagine. 

I am thrilled to be joining in the Make it Crafty hop today.  Thanks for having me girls! When Zoe emailed me with the details, I was just a little bit excited.  A brand new artist joining the already awesome Make it Crafty team, AND an underwater themed release. HELLO!  Needless to say, today’s project won’t be the only one you see from me with the new images – there’s a dolphin scene in there with my name all over it!

Another reason for my excitement was that this release provided the perfect opportunity to play with a technique I’d read about late last year, but simply didn’t have the time to try out.  So, thanks Zoe!  I enjoyed a very fun evening getting messy, exploring a new technique and using some of the much neglected products in my stash. 

I found this technique to create a cool underwater effect in a book I bought last year, which features Copic Markers, but I simply used my ShinHan Touch Twin Markers, and you could use whichever brand of alcohol based marker you prefer!  Some will produce better results than others, but the principles are the same.  I printed my image on my favourite colouring cardstock – Make it Colour Blending Card, which definitely passed with flying colours during this colouring session!

For the people on the Touch Twin Markers & More FaceBook page who wondered whether anyone actually uses the chisel end of markers – this is just one of the instances in which they come in very handy indeed! 

After printing the mermaid digi (changing the transparency so that it printed out with slightly less bold lines), I covered the whole image with three markers GY166, BG179, PB185, working from top to bottom and starting with my lightest marker.  At this point it doesn’t matter if the lines are sketchy and messy.  Then, using a pipette, I sprinkled Isopropyl Alcohol (you could also use colourless blender) over the whole piece, creating a bubble effect.  Then, once it had all dried, I started working on colouring the image (full colour list below).  After colouring the whole image, I used Masking Fluid to create some coral shapes at the bottom, allowed that to dry and then painted over the entire piece with Liquitex Glazing Medium mixed with some Golden Fluid Acrylic in Cobalt Teal.  PHEW!  Here’s a close up pic that shows the effect beautifully:

The technique I used can be found in this book: UK READERS: Shojo Wonder Manga Art School: Create Your Own Cool Characters and Costumes with Markers US READERS: Shojo Wonder Manga Art School: Create Your Own Cool Characters and Costumes with Markers.

To save any further waffle, here’s a full supplies list!

Make it Crafty – Mermaid Lola Digi

Make it Colour Blending Card, Spellbinders Grand Nestabilities Labels 23, Microbeads, Glass Bubbles, Make it Crafty Lasercut Chipboard.  Core’dinations cardstock. Golden Fluid Acrylic – Cobalt Teal, Liquitex Glazing Medium, Isopropyl Alcohol or Colourless Blender Solution. Distress Ink Pad – Peeled Paint (used on the chipboard leaves).

ShinHan Touch Twin Markers used:

Sea background: GY166, BG179, PB185  Skintones: YR132, YR133, R139, B182, BG3 Eyes: B63, B67 Tail: PB183, PB185, BG3, BG5, B182 Hair: BR107, BR97, BG3, BG5 Top: R136, R139, BG3

** ALERT: GIVEAWAY!! **

Well done for bearing with me this far!  As a reward (haha!) I am giving away the gorgeous Mermaid Lola digital image I used in my project.  All you have to do is  leave me a comment on this post and a winner will be announced on Monday 7th May! 

You can win more fantastic prizes by commenting on the other blogs in today’s hop, PLUS there are THREE Prizes up for grabs for commenters over at the Make it Crafty Store Blog.  The hop finishes on Sunday 6th May and winners will all be announced on Monday 7th May. 

MORE CANDY! If you check out THIS POST Zoe has another awesome prize pack up for grabs, available to people who subscribe to the blog via email.  Make sure you don’t miss out!

Your next stop on this fabulous hop is TRACY’S BLOG and I know she has something gorgeous to show you!

Full Hop List
Alyce – http://kitandclowder.blogspot.com/
Julie – http://www.stampwithjulie.com/
Delphine – http://delphinesplace.blogspot.com/
Barbara – http://forgottenscraps.blogspot.com.au/
Sandie – http://sandieshores.blogspot.com/
Elaine – special guest – http://quixoticcards.com/blog/
Tracy P – http://crafteezee.blogspot.com.au/
Debbie – http://www.debbiepsplace.blogspot.com/
Jane – http://janesboxofcolours.blogspot.com/
Zoe – http://makeitcrafty.com/crafts-blog/zoes-blog
Store Blog – http://www.makeitcrafty.com/store-blog/category/featured-products

In the meantime, I thought I should give you a little update on the latest arrivals at Quixotic Paperie!

Earlier this month saw the arrival of the latest fun release from STAMPING BELLA.  More of those popular Uptown Girls along with some irresistible cuties from Amariah Rauscher, Christy Croll and Mo Manning.  These have been flying out the door, so don’t hesitate if there are one or two you have your crafty eye on!

Then of course, there was last week’s KRAFTIN’ KIMMIE STAMPS release.  So much fun with Annie Rodrigue’s new Oz themed stamps, cute bugs from Emilie Goulet and a new Lulu set from Cheryl Alger!

This week has been a bumper one so far, with more fun just in stock in the form of new My Mind’s Eye 6×6 pads and more.  The arrivals so far have been awesome:

  

The latest ARTISTIC OUTPOST release is here, with restocks of some popular sets, which are already flying out, so be quick!

FINALLY!  Today I uploaded a pre-order for the latest (and maybe cutest!) from the ELISABETH BELL FOR SCACD STAMPS range!  There are some adorable new summer themed Peekers and a re-release of some stamps you may have seen before – Guardian Angels.  These are all available either in sets or individually, and there are three sets to collect!

Basically, whatever your style or taste, I’ve got it covered.

** The new stamps will be available to order on Sunday 22nd April from Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps in Canada (now!) or in the UK/Europe from Quixotic Paperie (after 9am GMT)! **

You can see the full hop list over on the Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps blog if you are just joining us or if you are lost!  If you are already on the hop you should have hopped over here from ALICE’S BLOG.

As you know if you read yesterday’s post, I love the Wizard of Oz, so choosing the stamps to use for today’s card was a no-brainer!  I have used two of Annie Rodrigue’s new stamps – Scarecrow and Tin-Man.  This would be a fun friendship card or maybe a “just because” or birthday card for a Wizard of Oz fan.

The image was coloured using ShinHan Touch Twin markers on Make it Colour Blending Card. The designer paper is from the Echo Park For the Record pad, and the flourishes are Make it Crafty Lasercut Chipboard.

That’s it from me!  Your next stop on the hop is Krafty Guest PEGGY’S BLOG.

** The new stamps will be available to order on Sunday 22nd April from Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps in Canada or in the UK/Europe from Quixotic Paperie! **

Today is also the start of a new challenge!  You can find out all about the challenge and see which of the Krafty Girls have previews today by checking the Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps blog. Be sure to leave a comment at every stop as two lucky commenting stampers will each win a package of three of the new Annie Rodrigue stamps! Plus if you enter the challenge this week you could win one of the new stamps as seen on our hostess’ card!

On my card today I have used COWARDLY LION.  Love it!

The image was coloured using ShinHan Touch Twin markers on Make it Colour Blending Card. The designer paper is from the Graphic 45 Magic of Oz pad which I have been hoarding (yep Wizard of Oz is one of my loves!).

That’s it from me! Join us tomorrow for the big release day hop!

You can find out all of the Krafty Girls who have previews today by checking the Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps blog. Be sure to leave a comment at every stop as two lucky commenting stamper will each win one of the new Bug Buddies stamp sets!

** The new stamps will be available to order on Sunday 22nd April from Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps in Canada or in the UK/Europe from Quixotic Paperie! **

On my card I have used the adorable bee from Bug Buddies 2.  So cute!  These images will easily lend themselves to quick and easy cards, or if you want to make something more involved.  As you can see, I’ve gone for quick and easy!

Too fun!  The image was coloured using ShinHan Touch Twin markers on Make it Colour Blending Card. The designer paper is from one of my scrap boxes, I think it is from an old K&Co pad.

That’s it from me! Join us again tomorrow for more peeks at the latest release and of course, the latest Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps challenge!

Today we are sharing peeks at the new set from Cheryl Alger – PLAYTIME LULU!  So cute, and we know you have been loving the adorable Lulu sets so far!

You can find out all of the Krafty Girls who have previews today by checking the Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps blog.  Be sure to leave a comment at every stop as one lucky commenting stamper will win the new Playtime Lulu stamp set!

** The new stamps will be available to order on Sunday 22nd April from Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps in Canada or in the UK/Europe from Quixotic Paperie! **

On my card today I have used one of the adorable images from the set.  So cute!  These images lend themselves easily to clean and simple cards or more detailed creations.  They can be quick to colour up, or you can take more time and add a little extra detail.

Adorable!  The image was coloured using ShinHan Touch Twin markers on Make it Colour Blending Card.  The designer paper is from one of my scrap boxes and I believe it was from Stampin’ Up.  The flower was die cut using a Magnolia Doohickey die, and the leaves behind it are Make it Crafty Lasercut Chipboard – Round Leaves.

That’s it from me!  Join us again tomorrow for more peeks at the latest release!

If you’re already on the hop, you should have hopped here from DANNI’S BLOG.  If not, why not pop back to the start at Danni’s blog and go from there; I can promise there will be lots of gorgeous inspiration along the way.

Isn’t she gorgeous?  This image is CLASSIC EYES and she is available from Quixotic Paperie here in the UK or for my US/Canada readers she is also available from Susana’s Custom Art & Card Design.  You can grab her on her own, or as part of a fabulous set!  There are two sets to collect – Eyes of Dreams and Eyes of Beauty.

The beautiful designer paper is from the My Mind’s Eye “Paris & Co” pad.  I used my new Spellbinders Floral Ovals to add some elegant flair!

The image was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Make it Colour Blending Card and coloured with ShinHan Touch Twin Markers (the markers are available in sets from Susana’s Custom Art & Card Design).

That’s it from me!  Hope you enjoyed checking out my card today.  Your next stop on the hop is LORI’S BLOG.  Enjoy and HAPPY FRIDAY!

You may have noticed recently that I have slowly cut down on a lot of my Design Team commitments.  Last year was crazy, and I need a little room to breathe!  I’m hoping that in the coming months I will be able to share more varied and creative projects as a result of shedding obligations and learning to say “no” (even when I really would love to join in with something).  Today I have the first fun “just for me” project to share!

Some of you may be aware that I have a stash of Magnolia Stamps products.  They were one of my first stamp obsessions, and although I haven’t inked any up for quite some time, I still have difficulty resisting them.  With my recent spring-cleaning/reorganisation efforts I have rediscovered my stamps and made them easier to access, so you will be seeing some Magnolia Stamps creations here and there (I’ll be sharing the new crafty organisation efforts in a post soon).

As much as I love to create them, I don’t actually send a lot of cards, or rather I don’t send a lot of cards to people who would appreciate most of the Magnolia Stamps images.  Sad but true!  So, since I love them and particularly love to create little scenes with them, I decided to create a fun keepsake project just for me.  When I rediscovered a SMASH journal I bought a few months ago, I decided this would be perfect as a book to house my Magnolia Stamps scenes.

The journal is also a perfect way to use the Magnolia Stamps papers I have been hoarding.  I hoard them because I love them, so what better way to use them than on a project for myself?

The scene was created using a couple of my favourite stamps – Hugo the Snail and Mushrooms with Snail - I have a few odd little obsessions, snail and mushroom/toadstool images happen to be among them.  I stamped the scene using Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Make it Colour Blending Card and coloured with ShinHan Touch Twin Brush Markers (details below).  Then I cut the scene out using a Spellbinders Grand Labels Four Nestabilities die.

The papers are Magnolia, and the lace border is a Magnolia DooHickey Die.  I embellished the page with another favourite – Make it Crafty Lasercut Chipboard (coloured with a ShinHan Touch Twin marker), and also some stickers from an Echo Park kit.

Colouring Info:

As mentioned above, I coloured the scene with ShinHan Touch Twin Brush Markers on my favourite paper for colouring with alcohol based markers – Make it Colour Blending Card.  I love the Make it Colour cardstock because it stands up to a lot of layering and blending.  Those tricky reds are less problematic for me than on other papers I have used, and so this scene was a joy to colour rather than frustrating.

I am really thrilled that colouring and crafting are once again becoming a form of therapy for me, rather than a source of stress!  It’s the way it should be, and I highly recommend it. Thoroughly looking forward to sharing more Magnolia scenes and other fun!

Anyway, I hope you’re enjoying a wonderful weekend.  So far I’ve done a lot of “pottering”, getting caught up with chores.  Today I’m going to relax with some “just for fun” colouring – the best kind of therapy!

First though, I’d like to share a card with you!  The lovely Beate Johns asked me if I would like to join in with a new challenge this week.  Beate and some friends are starting a fun bi-weekly stamping challenge: Crafty Friends Challenges and the first challenge begins today.

The first challenge is a nice simple one – VINTAGE.  You could interpret this a number of ways in your project.  I went with a vintage themed stamp, one of my favourites actually and it is a testament to how crazy the last six months have been that she is only just making it on to a card!

The stamp featured on my card is The Georgian from the SCACD Stamps Carmen Medlin range (available in the UK at Quixotic Paperie, available in the US at Susana’s Custom Art & Card Design).  How gorgeous is she?

The image was coloured using ShinHan Touch Twin markers on Make it Colour Blending Card.

ShinHan Touch Twin Marker colours used:

Skintones: YR132, YR133, GG1 Hair: BR9, BR96, BR94, WG4 Outfit: P146. PB75, PB76, BG3, BG5, BR109, BR104, CG1, CG4, CG9

I totally CASEd Beate with this card.  It was entirely her fault that I treated myself to some of the latest Spellbinders dies, and so it seemed fitting!  You can check her gorgeous original card HERE.  Thanks for enabling me Beate, I think these may just turn out to be some of my favourite dies.  Love how the image can still be the focus, but the card is also quite decorative.

That’s all!  I hope you’ve enjoyed checking out my card today, and perhaps you’ll find a little fun crafty time to play along with the challenge.  You should definitely pop along to the Crafty Friends Challenge Blog and see what the talented team have been up to!

Today is also the start of the latest Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps challenge, which is HEAVY METAL.  Either add metallic or faux metallic embellishments to your card or colour an image that features metal!  Well, you can’t get much more metallic than a car, so here’s my card featuring one of the awesome images from the new exclusive kit!

Isn’t she fun?  Very Spring/Summer too, which fits with the weather we’ve been having in the UK over the last couple of weeks.

The image was coloured using ShinHan Touch Twin markers on Make it Colour Blending Card (colour map below). Buttons from stash.  Paper is from my box of scraps and is from an Echo Park kit (I WILL empty this giant box of scraps!).

That’s all from me!  Make sure you join in with the challenge to be in with a chance of winning some awesome Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps!