The Daily Marker 30 Day Coloring Challenge ~ Day 18

Hello Friends! So here we are at Day 17. I did a little something different today. I, like many of you, have a nice collection of card stock. I have 6 different brands of white card stock and since it's time to re-order, I thought I would do a little stamp out and color comparison. Because I really don't want to have 6 different brands of white card stock. I don't mind having two. But, six is too many. So, I set up my MISTI  and stamped out a little scene. These are not going to be made into cards, they were just for comparison purposes.

MY GOAL: I wanted to see how well I could blend the pencils on each of the different card stocks.


I used My Favorite Things Black Licorice Hybrid Ink for all of the stamping. The colored pencils I used were: Faber-Castell Polychromos, Prismacolor and Spectrum Noir. And I used a stamp set from Jane's Doodles. I don't know the name of it, it's one of the goodies that was included in the box I received from Jennifer McGuire.-You can read that post HERE.

So, let's take a look at what I discovered. Just a little disclaimer: I did this comparison for myself and these are the results that I got. I am not saying one card stock is any better than the other, I am just trying to find out what will work best for me.

Okay...the card stock that I used was: Solar White(Neenah) Stamper's Select(Papertrey Ink)  Whisper White(Stampin' Up!)  Georgia Pacific(Walmart)  Recollections(Michael's)  Layering Weight White(GinaK Designs) 

Well, the pictures aren't really telling the whole story because of the paleness of the colors I used. But, I used the same colors on each of the images. And I only used Gamsol on the ground underneath the rabbit. I was surprised at the results! The card stock that I have been using for years, was not the one that yielded the best results.

Here are my top three...

And here's a shock for me, the best results were achieved on the Georgia Pacific! All three brands of pencil blended very well and very smoothly. My second favorite was Papertrey Ink. And surprisingly, Stampin' Up's Whisper White did quite well, also. The Recollections and Neenah, showed pencil marks and I had to use a lot more pressure to get the pencils to blend. That's a problem for me, because I have carpal tunnel on both wrists and having to apply excess pressure, causes fatigue and sometimes pain. So it was really nice to find an alternative. The GinaK Designs card stock is lovely and does best, in my opinion, when I used Gamsol for blending.

So there you have it! Georgia Pacific card stock is a staple in The Hive. I use it for all sorts of things and I will always have it on hand. Other than that, I know which white card stock I will be ordering from now on.

Thanks for the visit!

Blessings~

Flowers, Always...

Hello Friends! It's the 15th of the month and that means that there is a brand new digital stamp set available for you in the Power Poppy shop! This new image is a doozie! It's a bit different in style from what we're used to seeing from Marcella. This one has a folk art feel and I tell you what, I really dig it! Take a look at Flowers, Always....

Isn't it gorgeous?! This image is five and half inches wide and the sentiment fits perfectly underneath it. Marcella drew inspiration for this image from some crewel work she happened upon. And, a little birdie told me that this isn't the only thing she's done in this style. You will have to wait until tomorrow to see what I'm referring to. *wink*

Soooo...let's take a look at what I've done with this beauty. Please click on the image to enlarge it.

I printed the image and sentiment onto a die cut piece of Kraft card stock. I changed the color of the image to gray so I could achieve a "no-line" look. I used a combination of Prisma Color and Polychromos colored pencils. They play very nicely together. I was so inspired by Marcella stepping out of the norm, I decided to step out, too and I used colors that I wouldn't normally choose. I really like the end result. This image was so much fun to color! After I finished coloring, I adhered the focal panel onto my card base with dimensional adhesive. Then, I added a few tiny twinkles to the vase and a few accent dots, using a white gel pen.

You've got to take a moment to buzz over to the Power Poppy blog to see what my Teammates have created to share with you. I know that they will knock your socks off! Then hop on over to the Power Poppy shop and pick up Flowers, Always to add to your instant garden.

And...I didn't forget that today is Day 15 of  The Daily Marker 30 Day Coloring Challenge! I took yesterday off, but I'll be back in the game tomorrow!

Thanks for stopping in today. Have a marvelous Monday!

Blessings~

supplies~
digital stamp set: Flowers, Always(Power Poppy)
card stock: Neenah Desert Storm(Kraft)  Basic Black(Stampin' Up!)  Sweet Corn(GinaK Designs)
patterned paper: Butterfly Specifics(Graphic 45)
dies: Stitched Rectangle(Simon Says Stamp)
punches: Dotted Scallop border punch(EK Success)
bling: Tiny Twinkles(Taylored Expressions)
coloring media: Prisma Color pencils  Polychromos colored pencils(Faber-Castell)
other: white gel pen(Sakura)

The Daily Marker 30 Day Coloring Challenge ~ Day 13

Hello Friends! I hope your weekend is off to a great start. Today's coloring share is a sneaky peek of my Power Poppy DT project. Here, I'm playing with color combos and trying out different brands of colored pencils. As I stated in previous posts, I like to audition different colors before I commit to them on a card. Click the image to enlarge it.

I've used Polychromos and Prisma Color colored pencils on Kraft.  This digi set will be available in the Power Poppy shop on February 15th and I will have a card to share on that day, as well!

That's it for me! Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings~

The Daily Marker 30 Day Coloring Challenge ~ Day 12

Hello Friends, happy Friday! Who is ready for a long weekend?! I sure am! I've got another quick post for you to today. I colored this little cutie that I have had in my image box for several years. I don't know what the name of this image is, because I received it in an image swap. But...I do know that she's a Magnolia stamp and I colored her with Copic markers. Click image to enlarge it.

I like how she's just sitting there. I have to find something to put her on...a bench, a rock, a fence. I'll find something!

That's it for me today! Hey! Is anyone out there taking part in the coloring challenge? Leave a message in the comments section, because I would love to see what you're working on.

Thanks for dropping in!

Blessings~

The Daily Marker 30 Day Coloring Challenge - Day Nine

Hello Friends! I've got another quick post for you today. I received a request for an easy to mail masculine birthday card. Soooo....I reached for an old favorite, Lovely as a Tree, from Stampin' Up!  and I did a little watercoloring.

Please click on the image to enlarge it. I used the faux watercoloring technique here. I just inked up the image using a bit of masking and then with a damp brush, I softened the edges. It's a very quick and easy technique and the results are always nice. I added a bit of blue ink for sky and that really made the tree pop. I wanted the perfect birthday greeting and I was so pleased when I came across this one from Papertrey Ink. It fit underneath the image exactly as I had envisioned.

I thank you so much for dropping in today!

Blessings~


supplies~
** I always include a listing of the supplies I use on my cards. But, I can't today. So, if you have any questions about a specific product or item, please email me, using info in the CONTACT tab at the top of my blog. Thank you.**

The Daily Marker 30 Day Coloring Challenge - Day Eight

Hello Friends! I'm just buzzing in really quickly to share my coloring for the day. I used a Power Poppy digital image, called Flowering Branches. It's one of my favorites.

I printed the image onto a die cut piece of smooth white card stock and colored it with Prismacolor colored pencils. I used a Copic marker to create the halo effect.

That is all I have for today. Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings~


supplies~ 
digital stamp: Flowering Branches(Power Poppy)
card stock: 80# Neenah Solar White
die: Stitched Rectangle(Simon Says Stamp)
coloring media: Prismacolor Colored pencils  Copic marker

The Daily Marker 30 Day Coloring Challenge - Day Seven

Hello Friends and Happy Sunday! Today's coloring share doesn't actually have coloring. But, it does have color and that's good enough for me! Haha! Today was a very full day and honestly, I was just too pooped to party and I did not want to color. So, I'm sharing the cards that I am working on for a customer. I am making 15 of these and I really need to get them completed, so that's what I did today.

They are really simple Thank You cards and that is what she wanted. Lots of stamping, a little embossing on vellum, a smattering of sequins, a stitched rectangle and a few rounded corners are what make up this trio of cards.

That is all I have for you today. Thanks for visiting!


Blessings~


supplies~
** I always include a listing of the supplies I use on my cards. But, I can't today. So, if you have any questions about a specific product or item, please email me, using info in the CONTACT tab at the top of my blog. Thank you.**

The Daily Marker 30 Day Coloring Challenge - Day Six

Hello Friends! I hope you've had a nice Saturday. I spent the earlier part of the day visiting my Farmer's Market. I love going each week for fresh fruit and veggies. Right now the beets are wonderful! I really like the beet greens better than the beets! I also buy handmade soaps. LOVE those! This week I purchased a bar called Hugs and Kisses and I tell you what...I wish you could smell it. I feel like this was made especially for me. It has shea butter, rose oil, rose water, and a touch of citrus and vanilla. In fact, when I walked up to the booth, the soapmaker picked it up and handed it to me. He said, "This one's for you. We've been working on this for 6 weeks and we finally perfected it." And perfect it, they did! It is lovely! My new favorite!

And then I did a little coloring in my Secret Garden coloring book. I am still a bit intimidated about coloring in my books. I don't want to make a mistake in them! But, I decided to just jump in and if I mess up a page, I mess up a page. The world won't end! LoL!

So, here's the page I worked on...

I have always liked topiaries and I think this page is really fun! I used my Faber-Castell Polychromos for coloring. Please click the picture to enlarge it. I like the two page spreads, too. And here, Ms. Basford suggests that we draw our own topiary in the pots that she's left empty. I won't be doing that. I'm no artist. I will simply color the pots and be done with it! Look at how cute this page is illustrated, though! So many cute shapes! My favorite, of course, is the heart. And next in line would be the flamingo. But, the rabbit is also cute and his pot has a trim of carrots on it! So clever!

 
Oh! Here's a bit of news, maybe you know about it already but, Johanna Basford, the illustrator of this very popular coloring book series, will be releasing TWO new coloring books this year. The first one will be released in August and it's called Magical Jungle; think elephants, iguanas, tigers, tropical hummingbirds, toucans and tree frogs. I've seen Ms. Basford's sketches from this book and it's going to be another winner. The next one will be released in October and it's called Johanna's Christmas. I cannot wait to see this one! I've seen a glimpse of a sketch from this book and I saw ornaments, nutcrackers, snowglobes, presents and stockings. Sounds like another one to add to my collection. Remember, there are three so far: Secret Garden, Enchanted Forest and Lost Ocean. I have them all and have not finished one page in any of them! Hahaha! But, no matter. I like collecting the books and leafing through them. The illustrations are incredible. This is a peek at another two page spread from The Secret Garden.

Well, I think that's it for me today. But, before I sign off, I wanted to share something with you...My blog and my art are my Happy Place. When I am creating and sharing with all of you, it's a moment in time where I can forget the challenges and struggles, hurts and heart breaks that life brings. I do have cloudy days, some really cloudy days and for those of you who know me behind the scenes, you know of what I speak. But, I choose JOY daily and I like to uplift, encourage and inspire and that is what is reflected in my art and on my blog. Please know that I appreciate each of you who chooses to visit The Buzz. And even though many of you never say a word, I know you're there and that means a lot to me.

Have a wonderful Saturday. Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings~


supplies~ 
coloring book: Secret Garden(Johanna Basford)
coloring medium: Faber-Castell Polychromos colored pencils

The Daily Marker 30 Day Coloring Challenge - Day Four

Hello Friends! Gonna be another quick post today. I was not able to make a card with my little snow dude that I started on yesterday.  But, I did finish coloring him. After I finished coloring, I covered him with a mask and dusted blue ink around him. Then I added Sparkly Fluff to his hat, Crystal Effects to his eyes and to the cocoa in his mug. And finally, using a clear Stardust glitter pen, I accented different areas to add a bit of sparkle. Click to enlarge.

 

Hopefully this weekend I can get him onto a card. I've pulled the papers! Just need to put it all together. Check out yesterday's post HERE to find out more information about how to get this image for just $1.00!

Thanks for stopping by!

 Blessings~


supplies ~
digital stamp set: Snowman and Cocoa(From The Heart Stamps)
card stock: 80# Neenah Solar White
inks: Tumbled Glass, Broken China Distress ink(Ranger)
dies: Stitched Square(Simon Says Stamp)
bling: Clear Stardust glitter pen(Sakura)
coloring medium: Polychromos colored pencils(Faber-Castell) 
other: Crystal Effects(Stampin' Up!)  Sugar Sparkly Fluff(From Our Craft Lounge)

The Daily Marker 30 Day Coloring Challenge - Day Three

Hello Friends! Super short post this evening. I have a DT deadline and a few more cards to crank out before Friday, but...I did want to get in a little relaxing color time! I put on a Michael Buble' CD, brewed a pot of Earl Grey de la Creme Steeped Tea-soooo yummy...and colored this little guy. He's part of the freebie digital stamp set that I was given for participating in the From the Heart Stamps monthly challenge. 

I printed him onto smooth white card stock and colored him with my Polychromos pencils. He's a work in progress and I will finish him up tomorrow and put him on a card. I know there are many of you who live in snowy climes and probably cringe at the sight of snow people images but, I live in sunny Southern California and although my little town does get snow, it's very rare and it's not a lot. I really like snow folk and Faith, the illustrator at From the Heart Stamps draws some super cute ones. She has this series of snow people called Project 100 Snowmen, the images are adorable and they only cost $1.00! No joke. And they are loaded with word art! In fact, the image I am featuring here, Snowman and Cocoa has 6 sentiments in the set and it's only ONE DOLLAR. Check it out!

That's it for me. Thanks for dropping in. I'm relaxed and feeling all warm and cozy after drinking my tea. I'm going to bed now. Good night.

Blessings~


supplies~
digital stamp set: Snowman and Cocoa(From The Heart Stamps)
card stock: 80# Neenah Solar White
dies: Stitched Square(Simon Says Stamp)
coloring medium: Polychromos colored pencils(Faber-Castell)  

The Daily Marker 30 Day Coloring Challenge - Day Two

Hello Friends! I finished the Tatted Lady from yesterday's post. And here she is...

Again, I used Faber-Castell Polychromos but, I also used a few Spectrum Noir and a Prisma color pencil today. I just really like this illustration, so many ways to interpret it. I think I'm going to frame this one and give it to my mother-in-law. She will really appreciate it.

Sooo...here's a little close up of her face. I added some makeup. Her lips get their sparkle from a Wink of Stella glitter brush and their shine from a touch of Crystal Effects.

I have to admit, I didn't really know exactly what the tattoo on the right is. I could make out a butterfly, but that was about it. So, I added a few colors to give it a sky/rainbow feel. According to the illustrator, the tattoos are replicas of what the illustrator has. I think that's very cool!

Hmmm. Not sure what I'm going to share tomorrow. I have 20 cards to make, with no coloring. Straight stamping does not come easy for me. Soooo...I may be in for a looooong day.

I hope your Tuesday has been terrific! Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings~

supplies~
coloring sheet: Tatted Lady(Shacream Artist)
card stock: 80lb Neenah Solar White
coloring medium: colored pencils Polychromos (Faber-Castell)  Spectrum Noir  PrismaColor
bling: Clear Wink of Stella glitter brush(Zig)
other: Crystal Effects(Stampin' Up!) 

The Daily Marker 30 Day Coloring Challenge - Day One

Hello, hello, hello my friends! Oh my goodness, here we are with another 30 Day Coloring Challenge! This is number 4! I have come to really enjoy the challenges. Not only because they put me in the mood to color each day, but also because I get to see so much inspiration and so many beautifully colored projects. If you are not familiar with the 30 Day Coloring Challenges, hosted by Kathy Racoosin, click HERE to read all about it.

I really want to master my colored pencils, so you'll see a lot of images colored with them. And, I am going to focus on COLORING and not put a lot of time into making cards. I have to keep reminding myself that this is a coloring challenge, not a card making challenge! I am also taking a class with Kit and Clowder, called Perfecting Pencils, and I may share some of my homework, as well. The class was highly recommended by an amazing colorist and card maker, Julia Altermann of Just One More Card blog. Visit her. You will not be disappointed! I will also be sharing incomplete work, or works in progress. Because this is a stress free challenge, it's very relaxed and we're just having fun doing something we love. And some days, I may not post anything. That's the beauty of this challenge. No hard and fast rules...just easy breezy coloring.

So...let's get to what I worked on for today. I connected with Shacream Artist on Instagram and I discovered that she had a few free downloads on her Facebook page. I clicked over and snagged them. This is one of the coloring sheets she graciously gave to us for FREE! This Tatted Lady is a work in progress...

I printed this beauty onto white card stock and colored her in with Faber-Castell Polychromos colored pencils. I usually shy away from coloring people, because I don't like the way my skin tones turn out. I think her turned out nicely and I hope to get better as the month progresses. Anywho...she was a lot of fun to color! I will work on her some more tomorrow...maybe. Tee hee hee! You just never know with me. I might decide to watercolor a hedgehog instead!

That's all I have for Day One. Have a marvelous Monday. Thanks for stopping in! See you tomorrow.

Blessings~



supplies~
coloring sheet: Tatted Lady(Shacream Artist)
card stock: 80lb Neenah Solar White
coloring medium: Polychromos colored pencils(Faber-Castell)

Are YOU Ready?!

Hello Friends! Have you heard that there is going to a be FOURTH go round of Kathy Racoosin's 30 Day Coloring Challenge? Are you ready? It starts on February 1.

If you're not familiar with this challenge, you can click HERE and read all about it. It's loads of fun and lots of coloring inspiration gets shared. I've participated in all of the previous challenges. It's really easy...just carve out some time every day to color something. It doesn't have to be a masterpiece, it doesn't have to be a finished project, doesn't have to be a card...we're just coloring here, folks! Soooo much fun. You can follow along on Instagram too. I've even created a board on Pinterest, HERE, where I store all of my challenge pieces.

Sooo gather some stamped images, digital images, coloring books or pages and whatever coloring medium you like and get ready to color! If you want some inspiration or maybe some fun, new things to color, I have a few links for you...

Power Poppy Digital Stamps

From the Heart Digital Stamps

Karla Dornacher

Free Printable Coloring Calendar

Yummy Cupcakes-free

Owl Family-free 

Hattifant Coloring Pages-free

I Love Everything-free 

Lots of Houses-free

There are many, many free coloring pages online. Just do a Google search! I hope you will join us. Kathy posts something every day, she shares techniques and tips and she has giveaways, too.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings~