the creative closet by cindy lawrence

An Oldie But Goodie and Some Organizing Fun

Hello friends!

Today, I have an oldie-but-goodie to share with you.  I made this card two years ago for a trade show event I was teaching at, and it's been sitting in "draft" mode here for all that time.  I guess it's about time I posted it, eh?

The stamp is Hay Ride Kiddos from Stampendous, and is an obvious choice for the colorist.  It is a BIG stamp; so it requires no embellishments, just lots of coloring fun.  I colored it up with Copic markers...lots and lots of Copic markers.  I do not have the list of colors I used; but I can assure you, it's a looong list. lol

The texture on their overalls was created by coloring them up with shades of blue (probably B90's).  I then used a spritzer bottle full of Colorless Blender to wet a scrap piece of denim fabric, and pressed it down on the colored overalls, creating the wonderful denim texture.  ***NOTE:  Whenever you're using this texture technique, you'll want to be VERY sure it is your first step.  If you've colored other parts of the image before you use this technique, you're going to add texture to those other parts too...just sayin'.  If you like the look of "denim" skin, then, by all means, go for it. ;)

The ground was stippled, and the clouds were hand-drawn and brought to life with a C1 Copic marker along the bottom of each cloud.

This will be my only blog post until next Tuesday.  I will be knee-deep in several home organization projects, which are long overdue for my attention.  I have cupboards, closets, drawers, and an entire studio that are crying out for my attention.  If I don't schedule the time, it's just not gonna happen.  I always seem to find other things that need my attention more.  Well, this week I am an organizing FOOL...as opposed to my usual state of being, which is just plain "fool". ;)

On the organizing front, have you seen the fabulous planners from Eric Condren?  I had switched my life over to a digital calendar; but it just hasn't been working for me.  I think I am a more tactile person, you know?  I got my planner for 2015 about a month ago, and I am slowly but surely getting it ready to roll.  There are SO MANY gorgeous styles to choose from!  Are they pricey?  YES.  Are they worth every. single. penny?  YES.  There are lots of videos and tutorials on these planners out there on the 'net.  Just Google Erin Condren planners, and you'll have more than enough info on what they're all about.  Now, I had decided that I didn't need all the "fru-fru" to decorate my planner, like washi tapes, stickers, fancy colored pens, etc.  Well, let's just say I now have quite a stash of goodies to decorate my planner with.  It's a sickness I tell ya.  I will do another more-detailed blog post in the near future once I've played a bit, and gotten my planner organized the way I want it.  

If you think you'd like to get one for yourself or as a gift for someone you love, you can get $10 off by signing up for the newsletter.  AND, if you shop through my link, I'll get a $10 gift certificate as well.  Pretty sweet, eh?  Here's my referral link for ya:

 https://www.erincondren.com/referral/invite/cindylawrence0902

You'll want to make yourself a cup of coffee before you head on over there, my friends.  There is a lot to look at, and you are going to want to watch some videos too...promise. :)  
I do hope you have yourselves a FABULOUS week!  I will see you back here next Tuesday for My Favorite Thing's Creative Challenge.

If I don't come back on Tuesday, you'll know I am buried somewhere deep under a pile of my own JUNK.  Send rescue!

Happy days!

~Cindy

Yule Penguins

Hello friends~

Today, I have a couple of samples made with the Yule Penguins set from Stampendouos.  Each of these cards was made for recent classes.

The first card was made for a beginner Copic Marker coloring class. 

You can see that it's VERY simple.  I really wanted them to practice 3-color blending on the sweater and hat, as well as creating a soft sky and a bit of ice to stand on.  I shaded the sweater & hat with V12/V4/V6, the ice with B00/B2, and the sky with BG000.  I also gave the little guy an orange nose with YR14/YR18 and cheeks with R21.  The R21 is a little bit bold; so I used the tip-to-tip technique with the Colorless Blender to soften the color.  The pretty textured cardstock is from Bazzil Basics and the coordinating ribbon is from Michael's.

 

The second card was made for a Copic textures and backgrounds class.

The card background was made with a Sizzix snowflake embossing folder.  The pretty striped paper at the bottom was made with Copic Markers (B02/B95/YR01/YR03) and X-Press It Blending Card.

I stamped the penguin on X-Press It Blending Card using Memento Tuxedo Black ink, and colored it as follows:

*sweater/hat - YG01/YG03/YG07

*sky - B93/B95

*ice - BG000

*nose - YR14/YR18

*cheeks - R21/Colorless Blender

For the sweater and hat, I used a coloring technique called "pointillism", where you dot the layers of color on, rather than blending them together.  The first layer is colored as usual, evenly saturating the paper.  Then the second and third colors are dotted on in the areas of shadow.  Sometimes it helps to dot a full layer of the first (lightest) color on as a final step to help soften the look a bit.  It really adds some fun, realistic texture to anything you want to have that "fuzzy" look.

All that wonderful "snow" texture was made with Copic's Opaque White paint.  For the falling snow in the background, I used an old toothbrush to flick the paint at the colored image.  For the snow on the ice, as well as the fuzzy cuffs, colar, pom pom, and hat brim, I used a tooth pick to add the paint.  Once the paint was completely dry, I scraped it with the toothpick to give it some added texture.  Opaque White is fun stuff to play with, and really adds a whole new dimension to your project!  If you click on the picture, you'll be able to see the texture quite well!

That's all from me today; but, boy, will I be BACK this week!  I'm talking EVERY DAY this week, my friends!  Tomorrow I will have some exciting news to share, as well as a wee bit o' blog candy.  I recommend popping in tomorrow for SURE! 

Have a productive, wonderful, and HAPPY Monday, friends!

~Cindy 

Witching You a Happy Halloween

Today's card is a fun and simple one that I made with the sweet Kitty Candy Kiddo stamp from Stampendous.  I created it as a make & take project at a recent trade show; so I've kept the details to a minimum. :-)

To get the textured look on the purple cardstock, I simply swiped my Memento Elderberry ink pad down the front of the card several times.

I stamped the image on X-Press It Blending Card using Memento Tuxedo Black ink, and colored it with the following Copic markers:

*skin - E000, E02, E11, R20 (cheeks)

*hair - Y21, E50, E53, E55

*dress & pumpkin - YR14, YR18, Y21

*boots & hat - V12, V04, V06

*kitty - C1, C3, C5

*green accents - YG01, YG03, YG07

*ground - E31, E33

*sky - BG000

That's all, friends!  I am off to Portland, Oregon for a week with the amazing Copic team.  We'll be doing lots of planning and cooking up fun, new ideas for 2013...stay tuned! :-)

Have a very happy Monday!  Thanks for visiting with me!

~Cindy 

Beautiful Dragonflies

Hello Stampers~

I hope you've enjoyed the long weekend if you live in America. :)  I am so very thankful for the men and women who serve our country while we sit home enjoying our freedoms!  May God bless each and everyone of them! :)

My oldest son turned 22 today....yikes!  Where on earth does the time go?!

My card is made with the Dragonfly Vine cling stamp from Stampendous.  This is such a beautiful image that it needs very little hooplah to introduce it.  I chose to emboss the image in white (could have also used clear) on white cardstock.  I then sponged on some Tim Holtz Tumbled Glass & Shabby Shutters Distress Inks.  It's such an easy technique, but really gives a wow effect, don't you think?

The sentiment on the card is from JustRite's Just Because Mini Sentiments stamp set.  I love it when I find a set that has lots of small sentiments, and this one has some really great ones! 

I added some touches of black to really make it pop.  My favorite part is the sweet little dragonfly charm hanging from the bow.  That came from the Butterfly Garden Metal Charms pack from Pink Paislee, and was actually a brass metal color until I got ahold of it with my C9 Copic marker. {grin}  I do so love to color things with those markers!  Here's a close-up for you:

 That's all from me today, friends!  Thanks so very much for stopping by today!

Hugs,
~Cindy 

Out On A Limb

Hello Stampers~

Today I have a simple card to share with you.  I made this one using the Out On a Limb stamp set from Stampendous.  I picked this cute set up at the Stampers Dream store.

The card size is 3-1/2" x 5-1/2", so a little bit narrower than usual.  I used some pretty Jillibean Soup Dutch Mustard patterned papers, and complimented them with Copic markers in coordinating colors.

Here's a close-up of the image:

It looks a bit like this tree suffers from a bit of rosacea, doesn't it?!  I guess I could have been a bit more careful with the rosy cheeks. :)

Here are the Copic colors I used:

The inside of the card, which I forgot to take a picture of, says "I'd go out on a limb for you."  Isn't that sweeeeet?

I do hope you all have a FANTASTIC day today!  I am working and then off to teach a card class in the evening...can't wait! :)

Thanks for visiting today!

Hugs,
~Cindy

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Stamps:  On a Limb (Stampendous)
Papers:  Solar White (Neenah), Dutch Mustard Patterned Papers (Jillibean Soup)
Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers (see photo)
Accessories:  Chocolate Twill Ribbon (PTI), Chocolate Pearls, Dimensionals, White Opaque Pen (eyes), White Button Thread, White Flower Button (SU) 

Warmer Together

Hello Stampers~

So we've been having weather in the 90's, and I'm making winter-themed cards!  I know....I know...

I played with my new Winter Warm set from Stampendous...too flippin' CUTE!  I especially love this sweet little family of snow-people. :)

I used this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch for the layout, and some delicious Olivia patterned papers for a little bit of fresh color. :)  I sponged around the edges of the circle with Soft Sky ink and a sponge dauber.  Then I added some pretty glitter to the snow with a Quickie Glue Pen.

Those cool sparkly foam snowflakes have been in my stash forEVAH; so I have no idea who makes them.

I colored the image in with Copic markers.  Here are the colors I used:

That's all from me today, folks!

I do so hope your day is WONDERFUL, my friends!

 

Hugs,

~Cindy

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Stamps: Winter Warm (Stampendous)
Papers: Neenah Classic Solar White, Olivia Patterned Papers (Basic Grey)
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Soft Sky (SU), Copic Markers (see photo)
Accessories: Quickie Glue Pen, Glitter, White Glitter Dots, White Crocheted Trim, Pink Satin Ribbon, Circle Nestabilities, White Sparkly Foam Snowflakes, Sponge Dauber