While coloring copic I found

Now even though I am a little bit new to copics I am not new to watercolor. While watercoloring I used to use Viva paper towels for picking up or sopping or mopping up extra watery paint. Also used sometime to lift colors and give fun effects. You can use ordinary tissue or paper towel but in watercolor unless you are careful you find that these leave fibers behind which the brush picks up. Viva is nice and thick  unlike regualr tissues and has no texture unlike the quilted paper towels.
Now a few days back I said how the bee paper got saturated quickly especially with the copic way of blending (not flicking) or while using dark colors like reds.
So I decided why not use these paper towels. (in this case ie with copics you can probably use the tissue too) to mop/blot the colors like red which float on the surface even after just a couple of layers. And I did find this worked a bit. Happy discovery.
Oh and I think I am going to settle on starting with the  medium  colors and most of the time go with flicking method to color.
Still have to ways to go before I get comfortable with copics but I like the improvement so far.
I may even start mixing media soon like bringing pencils and pastels and watrcolor pencils too.

Learning from mistakes

As you saw I posted my final project for the created from color. I almost got everything but forgot one tiny bit. Shadow from the hat on the - forehead. Eeks! I got the hair but by the time I came to color face (which I do last I was so happy that things were going well I forgot ). Thanks to Melissa - CFC (created from color) for bringing this to my attention.
So I have corrected the image. I had to go in with a C3. Now the paper was fairly saturated already so couldn't do much. Always better to get it right the first time I guess and go with gentle touches on paper instead of pushing the color in.
Oh I found that viva paper towels do such a great job of picking up the pooling colors on paper.
I used to use this while watercoloring as this paper towel doesn't leave fiber bits on the image and it is smooth so also does not leave texture and is thicker than tissues. Well it does help with copics too.
My corrected image with C3 and then E11 added. I did not want to blend too much because of the blotching that occurs with too much saturation

The before picture for comparison

Distress Inks and Stamping

Hi ya everyone, Melissa here from Melissa Made sharing with you a brief tutorial on using Distress Inks to paint an image.  Thank you Pam for allowing me to share at The Bug Bytes today.  I've made a video tutorial to share with you, but first I will share with you the supplied I used to create this fun card.  All supplies were purchased/supplied at iCopic and from Sheila a Close to My Heart representative.
Supplies:
Distress Inks - Broken China, Mustard Seed, Peeled Paint and Spiced Marmalade
Staz-On
Paper - Ranger Inkssentials and My Mind's Eye - Stella Rose
Water filled brush
Adhesive
Twine
Stamps - Close to My Heart - A Garden

This paper from Ranger worked amazingly with the Distress Inks.  The paper didn't pucker or change at all!  This is amazing really as even watercolor paper changes a bit.

 This is a very easy technique and can be fun and add a unique twist to your artwork!
For more fun projects please visit me at Melissa Made!

Dress Up

This is a image I colored for my Created from Color copic class (Kristy and Melissa) this week.
Make sure to register for their new class if you havent already done so and are interested in learning copics.
 The digi image is Dressy Kaylee from Some Odd Girls

Paper used for stamping is GinaK 's pure luxury cardtsock.
Copics used -
Greens - G28, G24, G21, G20
Oranges - YR18, YR16, YR12
For Hair  - E29, Y21, E55, E51
For Skin - E0000, E00, E11, R02
For Sand - E33, E31, E30
I also used C00 and O around the image,

No I usually do not keep track of copics used. as I just pick it up but this time I did keep track. :)

Out of all the fish in the sea - Prom

Out of all the fish in the sea - an idea for prom and as a result this card.

The card is an easel card using the easel card base from silhouette online store. And so is the paper ribbon. The words were typed on silhouette studio with a font I had and then cut with SD. I mostly use SD for print and cut. Paper for stamp is GinaK. Love this paper but you need to use double cut with silhouette on thickest setting. It is advisable to keep the cuts simple. . The fish was hand drawn and cut. The image is from Mos Digital Pencil. I have used diamond skittle. I am happy with the way I am coloring now.  I got to practice reflection too - Yeah. Sadly the stickles glitter is covering it up a bit.

Car and dump truck pictures

Good morning!  I'm Kim from Kimberli's Creations, this is my first post as a member of the Design Team at The Bug Bytes and I'm so excited!!  Thanks to Pam for asking me to join this great group of designers on her blog!

Today I have some pictures to share that I made for my oldest son's room!  I found a great quilt for his new room a couple of months ago but couldn't find any pictures to match, so I decided I'd make them!  Its taken me awhile but I finally got a few done and I'm really liking how they're turning out!

I found some black 10x10 frames at Michael's - they were on sale, so they ended up being less then $4 each!  His quilt has a mix of construction vehicles and cars so I went through the Cricut carts that I have, to pick out some that looked similar.  I used a car and dump truck from Boys Will Be Boys and a car as well as the roads from Everyday Paper Dolls.

For the paper, I used mostly Echo Park "Little Boy" collection with some from the "Springtime" collection and then I filled in with cardstock from my stash where needed.

I did step-by-step photos for you, as I created the first picture, so you could see my process...I started with laying out my paper on my mat, once I had it all set up on my Gypsy...

Here it is cut...

This is a trick that I want to share with you, that I learned from my friend Tracy!  Instead of wasting a whole 12x12 sheet of paper, since you will only be seeing the edges, she cuts out the middle to be able to save to use on another project!  It seems so simple (and GENIUS! ;-)- thanks Tracy!) but I honestly never thought about doing that - it kills me to think of all the paper I've wasted over the years by not doing this!  But I'm glad she shared her trick, because now I do it as much as I can!!

So here is my background paper, cut down to 10x10 then I cut the middle out - leaving enough of an edge to adhere my picture onto.

And here the scene part of my picture is adhered to my background paper and you can't even tell that the middle is missing!  :-)

I used Imaginesce colored foam tape to pop up the cars - I like it because its not super thick, so it still gives it dimension but since they were going in the frame, I didn't need too much dimension.

I inked the edges of everything using my Quick Quotes PowderPuff chalking ink- I can't say enough how much I love this ink and how smooth it glides on the edges as you ink!

And here are the completed pics - framed and ready to go!  I can't wait to see my son's reaction to his new pictures!  I'd love to be able to take pictures of them hanging in his room to show you, against his blue walls, but he's asleep - so that will have to be done later!  ;-)

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Hope you have a great week!!

CMC Birthday Bash

Color Me creative classroom by Suzanne Dean is having it's 2nd year birthday bash and each day has some fun events one can participate in. Day 4 had this sketch challenge by Tina

So my card for that is

The image is from Mo's digital pencil called Abby celebrating (http://www.mosdigitalpencil.com/products/Abby-Celebrating.html)

Everything was print and cut using the silhouette SD. The pattern paper is a silhouette pattern.
 I am enjoying coloring. It is so therapeutic. I am getting better at folds :). Thanks for reading . Hope you do go and break out the markers and start coloring too.

Hi all! I am Nonna from Nonnas Scraps and I am so excited be visiting here today! Thanks "BugBytes" for having me!

I don't know about you, but sometimes, I just need a little extra inspiration. Having the web at my fingertips has become so important to me! Let me introduce you to a great site for inspiration and "mojo," Mojo Monday. Here is a sample of what you will find:

The sketches are wonderful and the photos inspiring! I highly suggest visiting. But, wait! There is more...

An E-quaintance has this great blog: MichelleMyBelle. She has gone one step further by creating a card layout in Make the Cut software based upon these layouts. Not only does she have a great layout, it is ready to go into any project---almost immediately! And, she is so generous! There are numerous layouts just waiting for you and me to use with the correct software!

I needed a welcome card seemingly yesterday and Michelle came to my rescue!

• The design is found at Mojo Monday 233 March 19, 2012, (http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/), designed by Teresa Kline and converted by  MichelleMyBelle (http://michellemybellescreations.blogspot.com/). 
• Software for your cutting machine ( I use MTC and my Zing)
• Lettering Delights SVG files: Bee Yourself
• Digital papers: Lettering Delights Dandelion
• Card base: 8.5 x 5.5"
• Home Printer
• Assorted Glues
• Assorted embellishments

Open Michelle's file in the MTC software.

Setting everything up in the software make assembly sooooo easy!

Upload the cutting files of choice and size appropriately. 

In MTC, "texturize" the different shapes to add digital paper...

Wow! Makes it my own quickly---but so easily. Now to add a sentiment

with one of the fonts installed on my computer (Script MT Bold)...

Check the whole thing in print preview. (I like the way the black color on the font

balances the bee!)

Next, arrange the cuts on the Print and Cut mat in the software...

The images on the left will be printed on one 8.5 x 11" piece of paper. 

Using the layer feature of MTC cut the shapes (the lines on the hive and the lettering 

are printed only, not cut). The images to the right (circled) will be printed and cut on their own 8.5 x 11" sheet of paper using the  "page" function of the software.

After each sheet is printed return to the software. It is time to cut the different shapes. First, "hide" the layers that are not to be cut (remember, these have been printed!)

The on-screen page changes from this

to this:

Now only the outlines of the shapes will be cut. (The black beehive is the hive's base layer from the SVG file from LD.)

Send the files to the cutter and quickly have fun assembling them! Seriously, it too more time choosing the bee and the hive than it did assembling the card. Genious!

I hope that you have enjoyed your visit today....

Pink Zebra Birthday Party

Hey Everyone,

LisaB here from Rather B Scrappin,

So early this month I turned to big 3-0!!!

I had a party at my house and I made a few decorations for it. This banner was on the outside of the house. It says Happy Birthday! 

I got this frame for the dollar tree and took the glass out of it. I painted it pink!

This sign was outside, near the front door!

I also made this banner for the inside.
It says "Lisa is 30"

 We had a candy bar!

I got these three blocks are Michael's and painted them.

Then added the words Fabulous, Flirty and 30!

I hope I was able to inspire you today! Thanks for stopping by and checking out the Bugbytes

Until next time!

Little Rapunzel

Hello
I am a designer today on  Shes a Sassylady.
Sheila is an awesome lady and a wonderful friend.
Lately I have been coloring with copics. Still have ways to go before I am happy but here is a project made with the stamp I colored. This lovely digi stamp is from Elisabeth Bell called Little Rapunzel! I love her creations.
Here is the card .

No die cutting machine for this one - just Martha Stewart loopy punch for the border and corners and ek success retro flower punch for the flowers. Stickles ; ink; Cardstock ; (GinaK pure luxury cardstock for the for the stamp ); pattern paper;  Floral pin and some beads for the stickpin ; cake doily ; length of yellow polka dotted ribbon - 1/4" inch and a chipboard with flocked swirl (from 3 birds) and last but not the least copic markers for coloring the image. Since the card is is odd sized I had to hand make the envelope. To close properly one piece of 12 x 12 was not enough so I added the yellow cardstock to both the front and back and made it decorative and functional.
A closer look

And the inside of the card and the back of the envelope

Thank you all readers for reading this post

I love candy!

Good morning! This is Beatriz from Amazing Grace. My project today is  this layout. The candy store is  from My Community Cricut Cartridge (size 10"). I was inspired by these beautiful papers from Best Creations.


Hope you have enjoyed this project today. Thank you for stopping by and thank you Pam for having me once again! Have a great and blessed day!

Some copic coloring CMC CHALLENGE #39

I am taking both Melissa's and Suzanne's class. Love Suzanne's coloring technique.  And if you have also read my previous post you know I have become a stamp junkie.
Suzanne has a challenge once in every 2 weeks I think. I am not quite happy with my coloring yet but I thought why not start somewhere. So here is my attempt. I probably could have done a better job if I had colored on a better paper. This is Bee paper and I do not like it very much. Prefer Ginak to this. I also need to try out the cryogen paper which I will be getting soon. But I had already printed out the digital image and so went with it. The reason why I don't like Bee that much is after just 2 layer of coloring the paper refuses to accept more ink and starts becoming blotchy. It does not soak through but it does not help in blending. In this image I had go and to choose to color in red which needs more blending didn't I? Lol.
Anyway here is the card I made. One always needs to keep the early images as one can later compare how far one has improved! So here is the card without much adieu

I like the skin and hair but I should focus more on folds.
Now both these coloring was done under pressure I should say. I had a guest who wanted me to show her how I color in front of her. I told her I am a newbie but she insisted. Here's the other. I made that into a bookmark later for her

The first image is a digital stamp by SomeOddGirl called Flower Girl Mae
And the 2nd one is stamp by Suzanne Woolcott Gorjuss girl - goth girl.

Momma's Main Man - A Diaper Bicycle

It's Sabrina from Sabriolet Designs here with your Sunday morning edition of The Bugbytes.  My sister is hosting a baby shower in a few weeks and I thought I would come up with a few unusual items for her to use.  I have been wanting to make one of these baby diaper bicycles for some time now.  I couldn't believe how absolutely easy it is, and well, there wasn't a whole lot else for me to do other than add the baby supplies.  I did add a few ribbons on the handlebars, but that's it.  First time NOT using my Cameo in a long time - go figure!  I think it turned out very cute and I am hope the Mom to be loves it.

Supplies Needed:
Size 1 Diapers - there are approximately 60 of them here
2 bibs, 2 receiving blakets
1 stuffed animal
1 bottle or sippy cup.

Thanks as always to Pam who has graciously allowed me a the opportunity to post my projects on your blog.  I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!