Ink Sandwiches and Pulled Pastels...ready for summer?

The first project I want to share with you is a technique I developed because I can't work with my copics very well (so far). I found that using Memento on transparencies is not recommended unless you want a big mess. StazOn for transparencies! Live and learn!
The project above is the finished project. I will eventually get step by step pictures, but I wanted to let some of you in on the process as soon as I could get to it. My goal was to display the brilliant colors of Copics in a medium as close to pure color as I could get. The Unity fish stamp from Beach Days and Sun Rays seemed a good place to start.

I began by stamping the fish on the transparency, then colored the fishes. In the process, some of the image lines would disappear with the Copic ink. And the lines weren't as bold as I wanted. So, I began fiddling with a way to put a "cover" over the inks to keep them from being scratched away. What to do...

Looking through my stash, I found my vellum adhesive sheets from Glue Dots. Voila! I stamped with StazOn directly on the top of the adhesive sheet. I peeled away the backing, lined it up with my colored image, then adhered the two. I put a little more Copic coloring to brighten and give dimension to the fishes on the vellum adhesive sheet, then sandwiched the vellum and transparency sheaves between two designer papers. Now I can add embellishments to the card, and mail it without worrying if the careful Copic painting gets damaged. So...I will try to re-do the technique in another project. I will remember to stop and take step by step photos! I hope...meanwhile, here's another project:

The second project was my first attempt to pull pastels (as demonstrated by Gina K. on Stamp TV). You saw my gorgeous haul of chalks in the post below. I thought I would use an image that doesn't automatically make you think of our nation's independence. I dressed it in our traditional red-white-and-blue. I think it conveys what freedom should be for everyone. The freedom to come and go, or linger and enjoy like butterflies.

Well, sweeties - time's up for me right now. So I'll bid you adiue for now. Hope you have a stellar day!

Ta for now, ~ky

My BIG Day.....of shopping!

Ok - I AM NOT a shopaholic. I go into a store with my list, and I rarely stray. I'm not much of a compulsive buyer, either. However....those traits go right out the window when I step into a craft store. I will wander aimlessly. I will reach for every shiney thing.

I will fill whatever size basket the store uses.

I will buy anything on-sale.

I will gravitate to storage and organization products... get the picture?

Karl had to work yesterday in the city (85 miles away) so I went too. While he worked, I shopped. He gave me some birthday money...silly man. I spent it!

I introduced myself to JoAnn's. I had never been in this one before, and like others I had visited, it didn't have a lot of craft stuff. It was mostly sewing items. I did get an artbin to relocate my ribbon storage into. See - organizing stuff. I also hit Michaels, and Pebbles in My Pocket (a locally owned company in Utah and Las Vegas). I got lots of fun stuff that you will see here and there on future projects.

One thing that I was most excited about, were Pebbles in My Pocket crafting chalks. They come thirty in a tray, and I bought 6. Six sets. HALF-a-DOZEN! Do the math - 180 different chalks in three different applications. Three sets in pastel, brights and earth tone (regular chalk, sample below), two sets of glimmers, and one set of metallic creme chalks (sample 2 below). HAPPY DANCE!!!

However, I could not find the chalk enhancer fluid that Gina K uses is her Stamp TV tutorials. Drat. I talked to the store owner, and - get this - she had NEVER HEARD of Gina K!! I told her Gina was featuring her products in her tutorials....almost no response. I asked her if she carried chalk enhancer - never heard of it, what does it do? It turns chalks into watercolors that bind well to cardstock.

Regardless of her ignorance on this issue, I will still give you an enabling alert! These are HIGH quality chalks, with their own applicators. I've been playing with them a little and they are divine. Best of all? You can order online. Pebbles in My Pocket. They have a blog too, so check them out - maybe offer some education! Ask them to carry products. They do have really cute kits, too.

Ok...I'll stop gushing. Thanks for stopping by - I love to read your comments. I love to know you've been here!

Ta for now, ~ky

Hangover on Stamp TV!

Have you been wanting to learn new techniques? I have. I found a terrific place, too! Stamp TV! Yes. I know - it's been there for awhile now. But I just took the time to actually watch a few. They are very clear, and very professional. Try them out.... Go on.... They're free!!

My friend Lee hosted this challenge on Stamp TV. It was to use two or more images from different seasons. So, I started with winter (snowflake on the left), move through spring and summer in the middle, and then late summer early fall with the butterflies. The details are in my SCS gallery!

Enjoy your day! Ta for now... ~ky

Another BRIGHT Day!!

My good friend Lee Murphy just got a great boost - she was promoted to Gina K's Senior Design Team!! WOOOHOOO!!! Go Lee!

I can't help but be excited for such a talented gal, and an all-around sweetheart. Stop by Lee's blog and leave her some love. Gina generously gave her some candy to help her share her news.

I also happen to think the project Lee's sharing there is beyond awesome! Congrats Lee! Remember us "little people!"

Ta for now, ~ky