the creative closet by cindy lawrence

OUT with the OLD: IN with the NEW!

Hey there, crafty friends!

Since it is the very last day of 2016, I thought I'd share a product with you that may remind you of something old, but is really something very new!  Out with the old; in with the new!  

I'd like to chat with you a little bit today about a new product from X-Press It, called Transfer Paper.  It comes in both Graphite & White colors with 20 full 8-1/2 x 11 sheets in each package.  Now, before you say, "Wait a minute, this is not a new product!", let me tell you, friends...  This is not the messy carbon paper from your childhood!  You won't get any permanent smudgy black ink all of yourself and everything you're working on with this product!  

Check out the amazing properties of this product:

• Inkjet compatible- print any image onto transfer paper
• Easy to transfer pattern- using stylus, pencil or pen
• A4 (210 x 297 mm/8.27 x 11.69"); 20 Sheets
• Ideal for tracing onto a wide variety of surfaces (e.g. paper, wood, metal, glass, fabric, canvas etc.)
• Acid free
• Wax free
• Non smudging
• Easily erases like pencil
• Washes out of fabric
  
  
  

This is some pretty sweet stuff!  There are a number of ways you can use Transfer Paper, including with your own hand-drawn images, with photos printed from your computer, or in the fabulous world of hand lettering...and so much more!  If you haven't seen it yet, the amazing Jennifer Dove created a fabulous tutorial over on the Imagination International site.  Check it out HERE, and be prepared to be WOWED!

I've been using it quite a bit recently as I practice my hand lettering techniques.

I began by drawing out my design on an appropriately sized sheet of copy paper or graph paper, depending on the project.  I f you look closely at the image above, you'll see that I carefully measured this out, so that my angles would be fairly straight, and the layout would fill the paper nicely.

Once I had it all drawn out on paper, I then used removable tape to adhere that paper over a same-sized piece of transfer paper.  I then taped that to the final paper I wanted to use for my project.  In this case it was a piece of kraft cardstock; so I could have used either the Graphite or the White Transfer Paper.  If I was using white paper for my final piece, I would have to use Graphite Transfer Paper, so I could see it.  Make sense?  
Then I use a fine pencil to trace the lines of my letters (or images, depending on what I'm working on), putting a bit more pressure on the pencil than I would if I was just writing normally.  

Once I transferred the entire design to my final piece, I was able to go over it with a more permanent pen, then color and decorate it as I wished.  I will add a fun border and frame to this piece to finish it off.


The single letter project above needs to be much more precise and symmetrical in design; so I drew it out on graph paper first, rather than copy paper.

Once I had the design just how I wanted it, I used a sheet of Graphite Transfer Paper to transfer it to my final paper, which in this case is X-Press It Blending Card.

I was then able to trace over it with a more permanent black Copic Multiliner, add some fun designs, and color as I wished with Copic Markers.  Once it's finished, it should be a pretty & cheerful design...perhaps as part of a card or other project for my daughter, Abbi. As you can see, I made a key of the colors I used on the side, knowing that I would more than likely forget when I got back to finish the project.

One of my next projects with the Transfer Paper is a photograph that I took, and would really love to turn into an art piece of my own.  The fact that this stuff is printable, erasable, and acid free has me sold for life!  I promise to share my project once I've completed it!

Have an amazing last day of 2016, friends!  

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

~Cindy

 

Get Wool Soon

Hello, dear crafty friends!

I don't know about where you are; but here in New Hampshire there are a couple of cold/flu viruses making their way around.  My friends and family members are dropping like flies, and it's taking them weeks to get better!  So.... I am disinfecting everything constantly, and I am half tempted to walk around with a mask on like they do in Japan!  With just three weeks to go until I fly out to Phoenix to teach Copic certifications and work at CHA, which is the annual event for our industry, I simply can NOT get sick.  We shall see if I can successfully avoid the plague!  

For now, it is pretty clear that I could use some get well cards!  I created this one with Power Poppy's Get Wool Soon digital stamp set.  I just adore that cozy scene of knitting supplies and a cup of hot java.  I paired it with the "get well soon" sentiment, as well as one of the other great sentiments for the inside of the card.

The patterned papers are from Echo Park's Love Story collection, an oldie but goodie. :)  I thought the color palette was a fun one!  I mimicked the polka dots from the paper in the coffee cup by adding opaque white dots using my Kirarina Wink White Pearl Pen.

I printed the image in black ink & the sentiment in red ink onto X-Press It Blending Card.  I then colored the image with the following Copic Markers:


You may notice that one lone Spica Glitter Pen in the bucket.  That is the Silver Spica Pen, which I used to color the knitting needles on the image.

Here's a peek at the inside of the card:


I added layers of black cardstock and patterned paper, as well as printed the image on X-Press It Blending Card.  I then added just a bit of color to the open areas of the block lettering with a couple of my Copic Markers.  I like to dress the inside of my cards up just a bit...nothing over the top, but enough to feel special.

Next up, you'll want to swing by a few of the other Bloom Brigade designers to see their fabulous creations today.  

• Allison Cope
• Christine Okken
• Cindy Lawrence <---You are here!
• Julie Koerber
• Marcella Hawley

Thanks so very much for stopping by today!  Have a beautiful Friday, friends!

~Cindy

 

So Many Copic Classes Coming in 2017!!!

Hello, my crafty friends!

I do hope you enjoyed your Christmas or Hanukkah, or whatever you celebrate!  We had a truly lovely family Christmas.

With 2017 only days away, I thought I'd pop on here to remind you about our upcoming line-up of Copic Classes!  We have Standard & Intermediate Certifications, as well as seven different workshops for you to choose from!  Hey, choose them ALL if you are able! :)  We have three brand-new workshops for 2017, and I just KNOW you are going to love love LOVE them as much as we do!

I have just updated my class locations page for the entire 2017 calendar year.  So, click HERE for all the details, and be sure to mark your calendars!  Looking forward to coloring with you in 2017!

Blessings to you & yours!

~Cindy

 

Sweet Holiday Wishes

Hello and happy Friday, crafty friends!

Today's card is made with a super sweet set from Power Poppy called Frosted Gingerbread.  This is such a wonderful set for Christmas, complete with 7 yummy images, including the sweet cottage, candy border, and several sweetly hand-lettered sentiments.

My card has a Kraft base, white layers, and pretty patterned papers from Basic Grey's Aspen Frost collection.

I stamped the image in Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto X-Press It Blending Card, and colored it with the following Copic Markers.

Here's a peek at the inside:


I simply stamped sentiment and left-over strips of patterned papers finish off the inside nicely.

Don't forget to play along with this month's Power & Spark Challenge!


Now, you'll want to swing by some of the other Bloom Brigade blogs to see their fabulous creations.

Cindy Lawrence <---You are here!
Marcella Hawley
Stacy Morgan
Tosha Leyendekker

Thanks so very much for stopping by friends!  Have a beautiful Friday!

~Cindy

 

How I Refill My Copic Markers and Copic Classes Coming Your Way!

Hello, crafty friends!

I thought I'd pop on today and share some tips with you about refilling your Copic Markers.  There are a few ways to do it, with pros and cons to each.

So, when do we need to refill our markers?  When they are dry, obviously! :)  How can you tell your marker is dry?  You will notice it starting to drag across your paper, rather than gliding smoothly.  The chisel end especially will color streaky.  Sometimes you'll hear a squeaky sound when coloring, which is another sign that the marker is in need of refilling.  Finally, if your tip starts to have a white or blotchy appearance, you most certainly need to refill the marker.

Let's chat about the Various Ink Refills.
Copic Various Ink Refills are available in all 358 colors, and are compatible with all marker styles. Empty ink bottles are available for mixing custom colors.  Depending on the marker style you are using, you can refill a marker a number of times with one bottle of Various Ink Refill.  Here's the breakdown:


I, personally, mostly use Copic Sketch Markers; so I would get 12 refills out of each one of my markers.  That's a pretty sweet deal, eh?


For my example today, I will be refilling my G20 Copic Sketch Marker.  

The first thing that you will find very helpful, regardless of how you choose to refill your markers, is to remove both caps.  Next, choose your method.

The graphic below explains the Drip and Dab Method, as well as the Booster Method.


Both of the above methods work great, and give you accurate results.  Now, if you're like me, and you have no patience whatsoever when you're in the middle of coloring an image, you'll like the method I use even better. ;)

Once I've removed both caps from my marker, I pull the chisel nib right out of the marker.  You can do this with your fingers or, if you'd like to stay inky free, the Nib Tweezers.  The tweezers prevent nib damage and keep your fingers nice and clean.  I just pull my nib out with my fingers, in part because I get little to no ink on my fingers due to the marker being on the dry side, and in part because I HAVE NO PATIENCE! :)  ***It is important to note that I never ever (did I say NEVER) pull on the super brush nib on the other end of the marker!  That nib is much more easily damaged; so the only time I pull that one out is when I have to replace it entirely.  Always, always pull out the chisel nib!


I then drip the Various ink into the cavity of the marker where the chisel nib used to be.  You can hold the marker over a trash can or another surface that you don't mind getting inky.  I usually just do it wherever I am; but I do have a pretty steady hand.  

The standard is to add 2-3 cc's of ink to your marker when you refill it.  There are markings on the body of the Various Ink Refill to show you how many cc's you are using.  I don't like to do unnecessary math; so I just drip into the marker until I see the ink starting to flow into the super brush nib on the other end of the marker.  This is why I always take off both caps!  Now, it is very important for you to STOP refilling your marker as soon as you see that ink flowing into the opposite nib.  If you continue to fill the marker, you will get a drippy nib.  Have you ever had a marker drip on your project, mid-way through coloring???  So annoying, right?!  Overfilling is most likely the culprit.  So, be aware of what you are doing, my friends, and STOP when that super brush nib is wet again.

Once you get the hang of it, filling your markers this way is SO fast & easy.  You will never bother with the slow Drip and Dab Method or that scary looking Booster again!

It's as easy as that, my friends!

Please trust me when I tell you that for the Colorless Blender you will need the 200cc bottle, not the 25cc bottle!  You will use it far too often to bother with the small one!

I hope my tutorial today was helpful to you!  Now I need to buy myself some more Various Ink Refills.  This tutorial reminded me that I'm missing a few important ones.

Before I go, I want to make sure you are aware of the fabulous new Copic Workshops coming your way in 2017!


You do NOT want to miss out this year!  For a list of upcoming dates and locations, click HERE.  Hope to see you at a class near you!

Have a terrific day, friends!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

~Cindy

 

Sparkly Forest Greetings

Hello friends!

Today, I've pulled out my all-time favorite die from Taylored Expressions, Seasonal Trees.  It is not only stunning; but it allows you to create a beautiful card with very little effort.  I die-cut mined with Sugar Cube card stock, and added beautiful shimmer with a Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush.  I backed the die-cut with some festive patterned paper from My Mind's Eye's Sugar Plum collection.

Here's a better look at the shimmer:


Isn't the shimmer just SO pretty?!  I dressed the trees up a bit more by adding some tiny iridescent rhinestones.  I think it's super festive and yet simply elegant at the same time. :)

Here's a peek at the inside:


The sweet floral image and sentiment on the inside are from Power Poppy's Glistening Paperwhites stamp set.  The sentiment on the front of the card is also from that set.

Thanks so very much for visiting with me today, friends!  I hope you enjoyed a lovely weekend! 

Have a most fabulous Monday!

~Cindy

 

Merry Christmas With Extra Kisses

Hello crafty friends!

I'm back in full Christmas mode with today's card.  In fact, this one was so quick to create that I will probably make a few of them.  My Christmas card goal is 40 this year, and I have 21 made....and two weeks left until Christmas.  Yikes!  So, some mass production is going to have to happen, or I'll need to cut my Christmas list even shorter.  The days of sending out 100 Christmas cards are long gone.  Now, I keep my list much shorter, and try to send cards throughout the year to my friends and family around the world.  As much as I do love receiving Christmas cards, I especially love finding a random "just because" card in my mailbox.  Don't you?  This past year I was so much better about sending those, and hope to do the same in 2017.

My card today is created with the newest Power Poppy digital stamp set, called Stand Here.  It contains the sweetest mistletoe image, as well as two perfect sentiments.

The pretty plaid patterned paper is from My Mind's Eye's Sugar Plum collection.  I printed the image in black ink on X-Press It Blending Card, and colored it with the following Copic Markers.

Remember to play along with this month's Power & Spark Challenge!  Simply click the graphic below for all the details.



Now you'll want to swing by the other Bloom Brigade designers blogs to see their fabulous creations. 

Cindy Lawrence <---You are here!
Julie Koerber
Kathy Jones
Katie Sims
Marcella Hawley
Stacy Morgan

Have an amazing day, friends!  Thanks a million for stopping in for a visit!

~Cindy

 

A Very Happy Birthday Orchid!

Hello crafty friends!

The Power Poppy Bloom Brigade and Instant Gardeners have something fun to share with you today!  It's a brand-new digital stamp set called Orchid Dreams, and it was created in honor of our very own Rhea Weigand.  You see Rhea is celebrating a VERY big birthday today!  Please join us in wishing her a very happy birthday!  Rhea just returned from Hawaii, and so Marcy thought it most appropriate to create a tropical-feel digital stamp set for her.



The Orchid Dreams digital stamp set is on sale this week for just $3; so snap it up now for a great deal!

I created my card with mostly white layers, and a bit of patterned paper from Echo Park's Victoria Gardens collection.  I die-cut the layers with some banner dies.  

The orchid image was printed in black ink on X-Press It Blending Card, and colored with the following Copic Markers.


Here's a peek at the inside of the card:


I printed the sentiment in black ink, added a bit of color to a couple of the words with Copic Markers, and added a couple of left-over strips of patterned paper to the top edge to dress it up.  Simple, but effective.

Now, you'll want to swing by the other designers' blogs to see the special birthday creations they've made for Rhea today.

Allison Cope
Cindy Lawrence <---You are here!
Julie Koerber
Marcella Hawley
Barb Walker
Nancy Sheads
Jessie Banks

Before you go, I have one more stop I think you'll really enjoy, the Passionate Paper Creations page on Facebook.  It's Rhea's own papercrafting group, and I just know you'll find some great stuff there!

Have a terrific Tuesday, friends!  Thanks, as always, for stopping by to visit!

~Cindy

 

Sweet Treats & Snow Globes

Good day to you, crafty friends!

I'm on a roll this week with my Christmas cards...trying to get them done!  Of course, it would help if I didn't make them so complicated, right?!  

Today's card design is simple; but the image itself involves lots of detailed coloring (which, of course, is my favorite part!).  Check out all of the Copic Markers I used to color this one:


They almost didn't fit into the bucket! Hah!  The image is from Power Poppy's Snowglobe Greetings digital stamp set.  The detail on this one is just stunning, and it comes with a sweet greeting too!

Here's a close-up view of the colored image:


I printed the image on X-Press It Blending Card.  Can you see the sparkle on the snow & Santa's fur trim?  I used a Clear Spica Glitter Pen to give it a bit of festive shimmer.

The pretty patterned papers are from Kaisercraft's December 25th collection.  A bit of gold cording and a scattering of sparkly gold enamel dots finishes off the details.

A new month brings a new Power & Spark Challenge!  This month's challenge is the Sweet Treats challenge, and our hostess with the mostest is the fabulous Christine Okken!  All you have to do to play along is create something that will be a sweet treat for someone else this holiday season.  It can be a card, gift tag, hostess gift, you name it!


Click on the graphic above for full details and to play along with us all month long!

Next up, you'll want to swing by the Bloom Brigade blogs to see their fabulous creations!

Allison Cope
Christine Okken
Cindy Lawrence <---You are here!
Julie Koerber
Kathy Jones
Marcella Hawley
Stacy Morgan

Thanks so very much for stopping by today, friends!  Have yourself a BEAUTIFUL Friday!

~Cindy