the creative closet by cindy lawrence

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

 

Soak Up the Sun & a Little About Copic Multiliners

Hello friends!

Can you believe tomorrow is JULY?!!  Good gracious, I really want summer to slow down.  I guess I had better make the most of every single moment before it's gone!

Today, I'm sharing a card created with A Day in Paradise from Taylored Expressions.  Now that is the perfect summer time place to be!  All that's missing from that picture is my booty in one of those chairs, a good book, & an ice cold beverage in my hand....okay, and my sweetie pie sitting right next to me too. :)

You can get full details about the card over on the Taylored Expressions Blog, complete with detail pictures and a full description of how it's made.

Here's a look at the Copic colors I used to color the scene:


I wanted to chat with you about Copic Multiliner pens, specifically the colored pens.  They are pigment-based and compatible with Copic Markers.  They come in 8 colors and up to 7 different nib options.  They are waterproof, archival, and acid free.  So, for all you scrapbookers, these are the perfect choice for journaling in your scrapbook!  With 8 colors plus black to choose from, you will be able to match your pages perfectly.  

One of my favorite uses for the Multiliners is adding fine detail to a colored image.  For instance, the adirondack chairs in the image on my card above benefit from fine streaks made with a Sepia 0.5 Copic Multiliner.  My students often ask me about using them to get those fine streaks when coloring an image with hair.  I say, YES, absolutely!  You can get the finest of fine streaks with your Multiliners; so why not?!

I also always have 0.3 & 0.5 Multiliners on hand in every color because those are the sizes that most stamped images are drawn in.  If you happen to stamp an image unevenly, or it doesn't fully stamp, you can finish off the lines quickly & easily with your Copic Multiliner.  Sure beats throwing it in the trash and starting all over, doesn't it?!  

If you love to sketch, there is no better pen than a Copic Multiliner...especially given that they are compatible with Copic Markers.  You can draw your design and then color it in with your Copic Markers immediately aftewards.  The Multiliners dry instantly on X-Press It Blending Card.  No need to jump around to different mediums.  Copic offers everything you need right in one place!

The Multiliners are also excellent for adding fun details, patterns, & doodles to your projects, such as the dots around the sentiment on this card (Cobalt) or the beach sand under the chairs (Warm Gray & Brown).

I also like to use my Copic Multiliners for almost all of my writing.  That is the pen I carry in my purse.  They are what I use to write inside my cards (in a matching color of course).  It's also the pen I reach for to write in my journal.  I truly don't leave home without them.  Best. Pens. EVER.

I hope you've enjoyed today's creation and a little bit about Copic Multiliners.  Have an amazing day, friends!

Thanks as always for stopping by!

~Cindy

 

Handy Man Thanks

Hello friends!

It's my turn to post over on the Taylored Expressions blog!  I have a fun masculine card to share with you this time.  This one showcases the Moka Tim Handyman set and Brick embossing folder.  

You can check out lots of full color photos and all the details for this card over on the TE Blog.

Have a beautiful day, friends!

~Cindy

 

Hug in a Mug

Hello friends!

Today I have a peek at a card I created for Taylored Expressions.  It's my turn over on the TE Blog today.  I am loving all of the coffee related products in the TE Store, coffee addict that I am!  

Hop on over to the TE Blog to read my post, which has full details and lots of photos of my project.

Have a beautiful day, friends!

~Cindy

 

Rosy Posey Friend

Hello crafty people!

How are you on this fine day?  It is a perfect 70 degrees & gloriously sunny here in southern NH, and I am enjoying every minute of it! :)

It is my turn on the Taylored Expressions blog today, and I'm sharing a pretty card made with the Rosy Posey stamp set, coordinating Rosy Posey die set, and lots of other fun TE goodies.  

For full details on the card, swing on by the Taylored Expressions blog, and leave me some love. :)

Hope you have a most beautiful day, friends!

~Cindy

 

Coloring Woodgrain & All the Things

Hello, my crafty & creative friends!

Today, I'm sharing a peek at a card I made for Taylored Expressions.  It's my turn on the blog; so you'll find full details & lots of photos by clicking HERE.

Whenever I do woodgrain, I always get comments like "How do you do that?"  "It's so realistic."  Well, first, let me tell you that it is truly NOT hard to do.  Second, wouldn't it be great if there were a guide you could follow?  Funny you should ask...because there IS! :)

In addition to their many other coloring guides, Copic has come out with the perfect guide for coloring all the things.  Check it out:

So, you've never even held a Copic marker in your hand?  Great!  This book, written & illustrated by the amazing Marianne Walker, will teach you just what you need to know to get started.  

Oh, but wait... You're an experienced Copic color artist?  Great!  Of the many great techniques taught in this book, you are sure to learn something new.  

Each tutorial  carefully guides you through all the steps necessary to color many images.  Projects start simple and progress through more complex techniques.

Oh, and did I mention?  It INCLUDES beautiful line art for each tutorial to photocopy and color along!  Now, that's a deal that can't be beat.

AND...YES!  Woodgrain is one of the many techniques taught in the book...step by step, complete with full color photos and written instruction for each step.  You'll be a woodgrain expert in no time!

Now, hop on over to the Taylored Expressions Blog for all the details on my card.  THEN, hop on over to the Copic Store to get your copy of Intro to Coloring With Copic Markers.

Have a very happy and COLORFUL day, friends!

~Cindy

 

All You Need Are Cute Boots!

Hello & a very happy Thursday to you!

Yesterday was my turn to post on the Taylored Expressions blog.  I will keep this post short & sweet, and simple direct you over to the TE Blog for lots of full-color photos and all the details on how to make the card above.  

It was such a fun card to make!  It's so true that a cute pair of shoes or boots can put a little extra spring in your step, even on the rainiest of days. :)

Have a beautiful day, friends!

Thanks for swinging by today!

~Cindy

 

Spring Tulips & a Ray of Sunshine

Hello, hello, my friends!

It's my turn over on the Taylored Expressions blog.  I have some springy goodness to share with you!

My card was created with the Spring Tulips stamp set and an array of awesome TE products.  You'll just have to hop on over to the Taylored Expressions blog for full details, product links, and lots of photos. 

Have a fabulous day, friends!  Thanks for peeking! 

~Cindy

 

Just Chicken In

Hello friends!

I am blogging over on the Taylored Expressions Blog again today!  My project is a fun card made using the Happy Hens Stamp Set & Die Combo and Chicken Wire Embossing Folder.

Here's a look at the Copic colors I used to color the images:


Be sure to hop on over to the Taylored Expressions Blog for full details, lots more photos, and links to the supplies I used.

Have an AMAZING day today, friends!

~Cindy

 

Hey Foxy

Good morning, friends!

How are things in your neck of the woods?  Here in New Hampshire the temps have finally dropped to our usual freeeeeezing February temperatures.  This weekend, we're in for some sub-zero weather...just a little reminder of how it's "supposed" to be.  I am NOT complaining at all, though.  We've been so very blessed to have a mild and mostly snow-free winter thus far.  For now, I'm layering up, and learning all about running in the c-c-cold.  It's not nearly as bad as I thought it would be.  Tomorrow morning, I'm involved in a a local 4-mile race, and the "feel" is supposed to be -10F, due to a good wind.  Ooooh, boy.  That'll put us to the test now, won't it?! :)

Sooo...about that card up there!  The dies and stamps are from Taylored Expressions.  It's my turn on the Taylored Expressions blog; so be sure to hop over there for full details on the card, all of the yummy supplies used to make it, and lots of full color photos.  It was a fun one to create!

Here's a peek at the Copic colors I used to color Mr. Fox:



Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you have a BEAUTIFUL and WARM weekend! 

~Cindy