So much new stuff this week… new stamps, dies, markers… yes, markers! My wonderful husband had the postman bring me my first set of Copic Markers. They are Magnificent. What surprises me the most about them is how soft the tips are. A quick story- last month I went to Pretty Pink Posh’s Birthday Party. Paulina-the owner- had two amazing women there teaching the projects they created for the party. Crystal Thompson and Heather Hoffman. If their names sound familiar, it’s because their talent has them on several design teams. One of Crystal’s projects needed Copic coloring, and she provided the Copics. I fell instantly in love. They are more graceful than the Spectrum Noir markers that I have. Now don’t get me wrong- I still love my SN’s, but when I came home and told my husband about the Copic markers, he secretly ordered me a 72 set. They arrived today. So I pulled out the Ride with Me stamps and Dies by Neat and Tangled and started stamping and coloring.

Before I start, here’s the products I used: Neat & Tangled Ride with Me stamps and dies, MFT Stitched Rectangle Stax 1, MFT grass die, Misti, Memento ink, Copic Markers, Big Shot Machine, Nuvo Crystal Glaze, Distress Oxide inks, foam tape, Nuvo clear embossing powder., not to mention normal tools (scissors, tweezers, etc.)

First I stamped the images. I lined them up in the Misti, using the uncut dies as my guide.

I then picked out what markers to use, going off a hex chart I filled out earlier. For the bear I used: E51, 21, 35, 37; R32. The Fox: E29,08, YR04. The blue bike: B23, 24, 32. The purple bike: BV00, ,02 ,04. Seats and Baskets: E33, 21, 51. Wheels and Chrome: C3,5,7. I didn’t take note of the back basket, I just picked 3 coordinating browns, and colors that looked good for the moving supplies and for the present. Next was working on the backgrounds. I of course pulled out my favorite Distress Oxide inks and started blending on Bristol Smooth paper. I kept the moving day card light, using Wild Honey and Worn Lipstick. I also used MFT’s Radiant Rays stencil for some extra depth. For the Happy Birthday, I used Black Soot, Wilted Violet, and Salty Ocean. After blending, I splashed water droplets on the paper, dabbed dry, and splattered water-downed ink onto the papers- white on the night background, and orange on the day background. Now it was time to build a scene. I used MFT dies to cut the hill and grass out of cardstock. Because I wanted to have a stitched frame, I die cut the hill and grass to size. 

Next I positioned the characters where I wanted them to be in the Misti. I did it this way so I knew where I wanted to stamp the sentiments. I stamped Moving Day, pout foam tape on the characters, adhered them to the card front, then realized I stamped the sentiment too high. So I stamped hearts to fill in the empty space. I colored the hearts red, then added Crystal Glaze for shine. For the finishing touch, I added bows to the characters so they were my husband and I.

For the birthday card, I curved the greeting to match the hill, and heat embossed with white embossing powder. I also sprayed Shimmer Spritz on the background for added texture.

I think that covers all the steps. I did take awhile making these cards. I’m glad I didn’t rush them.

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Angelica Conrad