When selecting what it was that I wanted to use for the Stamp of the Month project this month I decided to use the Autumn Wreath being that it would be appropriate for both fall and Christmas. Not only can you color this wreath in "autumn" colors, but it is easy to switch your color palette ever so slightly and turn it into a Della Robbia style wreath for the holiday season. I'm not certain if you will remember a card I did last year about this time in which I used a more traditional "holiday" oriented selection of colors. I thought I would share it with you again so that you can have yet another alternative to view while coloring your image.
This month I wanted to share a more vibrant look. I love the new Memory Box paper collection, Studio. The colors are so vivid. Rather than going with the more traditional Holly Berry (which does look awesome with these papers) I wanted it to be a little more offbeat and selected the color Persimmon (I apologize for my inability to get the color correct on my computer screen - Persimmon looks just like the fruit - a fun pinky/orangey/red tone. How is that for a description? - LOL!) which we will be adding to our store soon. This allowed me to select vibrant colors for coloring in the image.
This time I used a combination of Copic Marker and Prismacolor pencils. To begin coloring the image I used the lightest Copic colors. By quickly coloring the entire wreath I was able to define where my colors would be placed.
During this application I work extremely fast - not worrying too much about precision. I then start layering the colors. Wouldn't you know it - the pictures I took of my coloring process were blurry - LOL! So I did a little "replication" below (this time I colored on white rather than the natural white) of only the bow section to share the step by step progression. I have often referred to using a plastic palette (at times I just grab the nearest acrylic block - at others I prefer to use something white so that it is easier to "see" the light tones) and so I wanted to share a picture with you being that a picture is worth a thousand words.
In the tray above I colored R59 - one of the darkest reds currently in our color palette. I then used R14 to "pick" this color up off the palette with the tip of the marker.
On the bow above I colored the lower portion of the bow using R14 dipped in R59. As you can see I start coloring up at the bow intersection where the "shadowing" would make your bow appear darker, dragging the color out to the end of the bow. As you color the marker color lightens back to it's original color. I then colored the top portion of the bow just using R59. I left the right side untouched and came back in on the left side with R14 to help "blend" the R59 out. As you can see the color is much more "defined" at first from the color right next to it, when utilizing this method. There are many different ways to arrive at a "similar end". Picking the darker color up with the marker that you laid the first color down with, allows for the easiest of blending.
Never fear that you will "contaminate" your lighter color with the darker color. Simply scribble your marker off on a piece of scratch paper - voila you will once again have a like-new marker with it's original color back again.
Lastly I came back over top of the Copics with a variety of reds, and a Sand, Prismacolor color pencils. The texture and sheen that develop from this type of application are completely different then when using the Copic markers alone. Pictures can never seem to truly capture the variety of depth that is achieved using this method. You can see it best on the pears below, where the contrast is the greatest, how beautifully Prismacolor pencils "mingle" with Copic markers.
This month's kit is finished off with the wonderful funky texture of the velvet rick rack, antique copper brads (don't be afraid to use these en masse being there are 100 in the package) and Dill cardstock.
I will happily tell you that the order has been placed for the Copic markers that will match the Stampin' Up! colors, but I do not yet have any clue as to when those will actually arrive. It takes a while you know - LOL! So keep watching our blog and as soon as we having something more definitive I'll share the details with you.
We are still awaiting our Nestability restock, as well as the new dies that have been ordered. The Nestabilities will not be here until mid-month. Hopefully the new dies will arrive before I head out so that I can get them up on the store. We have hearts, scalloped hearts, paisley and scalloped paisleys, petite ovals and their coordinating basic shapes (these ovals are a different size then the classic ones) - I think that you will enjoy these new products. We are waiting each day for that truck to arrive :D
I have another bracelet kit that Debbie put together just waiting for me to get it up. It is absolutely "charming" (ha!ha! boy I am SO not funny when I'm tired) watch for it shortly.
We are off to Disney World in two days!!! Our summer trip had been "postponed" due to my foot and so we are now on our way. Slow but steady - right?!? The girls - Beth, Malena and Malin, will all be here keeping things running smoothly and take caring of you and our pup, Jasper. I am so excited to be taking my littlest for her first real visit to see the mouse. We tease her that she has been there before, but she seems to think that being one just doesn't count - LOL! I hope to be back one more time before then, but as you can see by the few posts of the last few weeks life is spinning out of control. I can promise you that I have some wonderful things in store for you to celebrate our one year anniversary the end of this month (big wink!). Take care and have fun being creative!!!
I love the top card so much. Where did you find the dark green ribbon?
Posted by: Tiffiny | November 16, 2007 at 11:39 PM
i recieved my copics today. yea. i can't wait to play more with them. thanks for all the good info about the markers.
Posted by: joslyn | November 13, 2007 at 09:17 PM
Ellen, this is just sumptuous! (Hope I spelled that correctly.) Have fun on vacation!
Posted by: Debbie Olson | November 09, 2007 at 01:19 PM
Your cards are so beautiful!! Thanks for all the details!
I can't wait to see the new goodies you have coming!
I had so much fun with Debbie's kit, I had to buy more bracelets.
Have fun at Disney!! It's one of our very favorite places too.
Posted by: Rose Ann | November 07, 2007 at 06:14 PM
Thansk for all the information. You have been so helpful! Have a great trip.
Posted by: Kelly Grundhauser | November 06, 2007 at 03:35 PM
Hope you have a fabulous Disney trip, Ellen -- what fun! We went this time last year -- good times! Can't wait to make a card with my SOTM kit -- I can't believe I happened to pick out some of the same products before I saw this! :D
Posted by: Sharon Harnist | November 06, 2007 at 07:58 AM
have a great trip love the stamp and the tutoring Thanks
Posted by: Kostvig | November 06, 2007 at 07:44 AM
Ellen,
Enjoy your much deserved vacation! We will all still be here when you get back. I hope the foot is healing nicely. What a rough summer you have had! Enjoy your sweet family and thanks for all you do for us!
Lesa
Posted by: Lesa | November 06, 2007 at 07:32 AM
Beautiful! Thanks so much for the step-by-step instructions for using the darker colors. Off to practice LOL!
Posted by: Shawna S. | November 06, 2007 at 06:59 AM
Oh, goodie. You'll be just down the road from me as "The Attractions" are about an hour south of Ocala. Have fun visiting Mickey and his pals!
Posted by: kathynruss | November 06, 2007 at 05:21 AM
This is a gorgeous card, Ellen! I love how you colored with the copics and the pencils. I appreciate you showing us how to do this. I am not that great with the markers yet--practice, practice--I say! :) Have a wonderful time on vacation!!
Posted by: Kelly a.k.a. Littlekel90 | November 05, 2007 at 06:33 PM
Oooh! This is so rich and cute all at the same time! Really pretty card! Have fun on vacation!!!!
Posted by: Julie Campbell | November 05, 2007 at 05:17 PM