Surgery Update and Coloring I've Done

Hi Everybody,

It's been a little while since I've posted.  I wanted to update you.... I had knee replacement surgery on 4/9 and feel like I've made a lot of progress since.  I can get up and down with no help and use a walker but I'm starting to actually walk with it taking normal steps, not limping, so soon I'll progress to a cane.  

I believe within a week I should be back to making cards again.  It's getting easier to be able to sit because my knee is now bending a little better.  I'm not going to lie, physical therapy HURTS.  I had to start going two days after surgery but without it I wouldn't be able to bend and straighten my leg and walk normally so it's just something I'll have to deal with.  

In the meantime, I've started coloring again and wanted to share my completed April Pencil Class at Kit and Clowder using Prismacolor Pencils.  How cute is this image??  

I finished the character from the March Pencil Class but didn't get a chance to draw in the sand, water and sky before surgery so I'll work on that too.  These classes are great because they teach you how to draw in detail to your stamps and to draw in scenes.  

I just got my first Daniel Smith Split of Watercolor Paints and have since ordered a second one so I'm excited about using this new medium to paint.  

I can't wait to start making cards again!  Thank you so much for your support!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Regina

Nighttime Rainy Scene Marker Class

Hi Everybody,

I just wanted to post a completed scene that I colored in a marker class at Kit and Clowder.  I take pencil and marker classes there and people ask why I do not share my work on my blog (I usually just post cards here)... so this stamp is from the March Marker Class by The Paper Shelter.  

I want you to see the difference between the finished colored stamp and the stamp with the background that I drew in myself.  The monthly classes at Kit and Clowder teach you how to draw in detail to your stamp as well as scenes.  This particular scene was so easy to draw in!  I just used a ruler because I can't draw straight lines. 

What do you think???  What a difference just drawing in a sidewalk, grass, sky and rain can make.  I'll start sharing my coloring from these classes because I really am learning a lot of techniques, new color combos that I normally wouldn't think to use, etc.  

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

Regina

Prismacolor Pencils on Kraft Cardstock

Hi Everybody,

I have been taking coloring classes for almost two years, pencil and marker, from Kit and Clowder.  The website is www.kitandclowder.com.  If you would like to take your coloring skills to a new level, I would highly recommend checking these classes out.  Alyce Keegan is an awesome teacher and friend.  

Right now, you can get this cute penguin image and pencil coloring class FREE.  This class is learning how to color on kraft cardstock and dark colored cardstock.  I colored the image and then made a card with it for a friend for Christmas.  I used Prismacolor Pencils to color him. 

I used Thermoweb's Decofoil Transfer Sheets for the frame (red) and the merry die (green) and I used Transfer Gel with a Brutus Monroe Snowflake Stencil and foiled with silver. I embossed the word, Christmas with white embossing powder on a black cardstock strip.  I added Nuvo Drops in various places on the penguin and finished it off with red and silver metallic twine. 

I hope I've piqued your interest in these classes.  Everyone that I have referred has been very happy and has continued on.  There are monthly classes that teach you several techniques in each class for around $15 and there are also specific classes such as Clothing where you learn how to draw in and color pleats, etc., Skin and Hair, Animals, etc.  If you refer a friend, you will receive $10 as a thank you from Alyce.  Be sure to turn in my name if I've inspired you! :) 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Regina

Copic and Prismacolor Scenes

Hi Everybody,

I'm working on some cards and I have one that I can't wait to show you but can't post it until after this person gets it Saturday.  I take Copic Marker and Prismacolor Pencil Classes from Kit and Clowder and someone asked why I never post anything I've done and I don't really know why I haven't.  These are the best classes I've taken, I learn so many techniques in each one.  Here are a few that I've done over the past few months.

I just finished this scene with a Mo Manning image using Prismacolor Pencils.  I may blend out the blue in the sky with some gamsol.  I used a colorless blending pencil but not sure that I like the way it looks.  We learn how to draw in detail to our stamps and scenes.

Prismacolor Pencil Class

Copic Class

Prismacolor Pencil Class

Prismacolor Pencil Class

Copic Marker Class

Copic Marker Class

(I drew in these curtains, very challenging but 

look how awesome they are, we learned the 

translucent technique here

Copic Marker Class

Prismacolor Pencil Class

I was so amazed when I saw colored images and scenes and found out they were done using pencils, because it looked like marker to me so I had to find out how to do it.  I had colored pencils but didn't know the proper way to use them.  These classes are a lot of fun, relaxing, and the teacher's Australian accent is nice to listen to as well. :)


I hope you like my colorings.  Just wanted to show that I do this when I'm not making cards.  If you would like more info about these classes go to Kit and Clowder's webpage.

Thank you for stopping by and have a great day!

Regina

Cas-ual Friday Stamps Challenge - No Dies

Hi Everybody,

I am taking a Copic Marker coloring class at www.kitandclowder.com and I love them!  Alyce Keegan is such a wonderful teacher and friend.  The leaves on the card are from the Nature Class colored with Copics.  How realistic are those droplets.  She teaches how to add detail to your images such as that to make them realistic.  I stamped and embossed daisies on the background with the Ranger Silver Pearl Embossing Powder that I love.  It's so much softer than white I think.  I wanted a light, soft, pretty background and have the leaves popped up to stand out and be the star of the show. I used Platinum pigment ink, which I never use, for the background.  It called out to me for some reason and I colored the flowers with Zig Watercolor Markers.  I added a few black dots.  I always tend to lean toward using sequins but the dots seemed better for this one to me.  Then used the Misti to stamp the sentiment at the bottom.

I am entering this card into a challenge over at CAS-UAL FRIDAYS STAMPS.  Have you been to their store to check out all of the cute stamps and dies??  Here's a link to their ONLINE STORE.  The challenge this week is NOT to use dies on your card, only stamps.  Lately I've been using a lot of dies, not only because they are quick, but also because there are so many cute word dies out that I tend to use one on most of my cards now.  I probably would've used a Hello word die on this one but I really like how the stamped sentiment looks on this card.

The name of the challenge is CFC-170  No Dies Allowed.  Pretty simple so check it out and enter for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the fabulous store.

Supplies Used:

• Gina K Designs 120# Heavy Base Weight White for base, Grass Green
• Strathmore 140# Cold Press Watercolor Paper
• Technique Tuesday, Budding Poppies
• Gina K Designs, Especially For You
• Versafine Black Onyx
• WOW Clear Gloss Embossing Powder
• Ranger Silver Pearl Embossing Powder
• Brilliance Platinum Planet Ink
• Copic Markers
• Zig Watercolor Markers
• Faber-Casteel Black Waterproof Pen for the black dots

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Regina

Poppies

Hi Everybody,

I made another card with a poppy image that I colored as part of the Nature Class at Kit and Clowder. Keep in mind when you see my coloring of flowers in this class, I drew in all of the detail.  That is what you learn in these classes as well as color combos, technique, etc.

I made this card as a Thinking of You card for someone going through some things she shouldn't have to be dealing with.  I hope it puts a smile on her face.  I also made a matching envelope liner and stamped the flap of the envelope.

(I apologize for awful inside photo.  I forgot it when I was taking other ones)

Do you think I could've popped on a few more layers??  LOL!  I couldn't decide what colors I wanted to use so it looks like I used everything I had in my head and then some.  :)

I know the card doesn't have a lot of detail to it but I think when you color an image, it doesn't need much more than that, do you?

Supplies Used:

• Gina K Designs White, Red Hot, Black Onyx Cardstock
• Close To My Heart Slate Cardstock
• Poppy Image from Nature Class at Kit and Clowder
• Rectangle die with the x's (my mind just went blank on what these are called)
• Copic Markers
• Clear Sequins, Pretty Pink Posh (LOVE THESE)
• Wink of Stella Clear Shimmer Pen
• Lawn Fawn Scripty Sayings Stamp Set
• Paper Smooches Religious Words Die Set
• Right At Home Happy Mail Year 2
• Papertrey Ink Envelope Liner Die

I hope I have inspired you to color up an image as the focal point of your card.  Layer it up like I did as well!  :)

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Regina

Hand Colored Daffodil Sympathy Card

Hi Everybody,

Sympathy cards are not my favorite cards to make for obvious reasons but in my opinion, they don't have to be in colors such as black, kraft, etc.  I try to make them pretty and actually use cheerful colors.  I want them to smile when they get the card. What do you think?

I am taking coloring classes at www.kitandclowder.com, the marker and pencil classes.  I've been taking them since January 2016.  I should post some of the scenes I've colored.  Anyway, the reason I'm telling you this is because I colored the daffodil on my card today using copic markers.

I thought it would be extra special to put something cheerful that I colored on the card.  This flower is part of the Nature Class at Kit and Clowder so if you love to color flowers, you should check this class out.  I also found it interesting to compare this daffodil that I colored a year ago and then this one.   Here is the one from a year ago....

Please excuse the bad photography on the first one.  I have noticed that I am learning to not be so afraid of using the darker colors and I am using more of the strokes/flicks.  What do you think?  What a difference a year can make!  Anyway, just thought I'd share this with you lol.

I've been wanting to use this leaf cut out die for a long time so I thought it would add a lot of interest to the background without taking away from the colored image.

Inside Card...

Supplies Used:

• Gina K Designs 120# White Heavy Base Weight Cardstock, Layering Weight White and Sweet Corn 
• Daffodil Image from Nature Class at www.kitandclowder.com
• Sentiment on front of card, Gina K Designs stamp set, Delicate Damask
• Sentiment Inside, Gina K Designs stamp set, Botanicals 
• Leaf Cut Out Die, Gina Marie Designs
• Impression Obsession Small Butterfly Dies (does not have name on package, just a number, Die 046A
• Memento Black Tuxedo Ink
• Copic Markers
• Eyelet Outlet White Enamel Dots

If you would like to improve your coloring skills, I highly recommend the Kit and Clowder classes and check out their Facebook page.  There are always give a ways, free digis, etc.  I hope I've inspired you to use cheerful colors to make a sympathy card if you're used to using neutrals.  

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Regina