AEDM (Day 13) - A Tale of Two Trees

The Illustration Friday topic for this week is TREE which sounds simple and straight forward enough, right?  

The first attempt at TREE was this bonsai-looking thing done with metallic/white Sharpies on a Citra Solv page.  While I really liked the look I felt there was not enough contrast for the tree to show so decided to go an entirely different direction with. . .

 this tree.  This poor naked tree on the stark white background needed something. . . how about a quote from Thomas Fuller? yes, that helps but we need more.  How about some ink splats?  Yup - that's good but still more.  After airbrushing brown on top and bottom with my Copic markers and adding a dash of Washi tape I am finished but still feeling not quite right.

 However, as a spread in my art journal, the contrasting trees on opposing pages somehow seems right. . . so I will leave it at that.  Good thing about an art journal - if you don't like what you see just turn the page!

Check out all the creativity on Art Every Day Month

PDCC100 - Airbrushed Hello

WHOO HOO - The Play Date Cafe is celebrating their 100th challenge and I wanted to try something that I hadn't done in a while - airbrushing with Copic markers.

During a recent visit to Joann's two different sheets of  ki memories paper made it into my bag of goodies.  

While the Copic Airbrush System was out and assembled I went ahead and airbrushed two pieces of cardstock to have another for the ol' stash for a different crafty time.  Stamps used include the Monogram Frames and Darling Dots Background from a•muse|studio.

Congrats to the Play Date Cafe Challenge on their 100th challenge and for the next 100 to come!  

Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger - Strictly Stripes

Tuesday Trigger time!!  This week's Moxie Fab trigger is based on the picture of the stripey, woolly mittens below -

One of the things I enjoy about trigger challenges is trying to imitate the textures represented in the photo.  Flocking would do the trick - RATS, I don't have near enough different colors of flocking - time to get crafty!

I added white flocking with adhesive spray - I actually added it in about three layers - 

That looks nice and soft, eh?

Time to crack out the Copic markers and my airbrush.  The flocking base is 3" x 3" and I made marks every 5/8" so that my stripes would be even.  I blocked off each stripe and airbrushed until my fingers were nice and "Copic-y" too - a definite hazard with the airbrush!  

 

Quick tip - I use this Elmer's Sticky Out to clean the markers from my fingers.   Smells way better than using Copic Colorless Blender and saves my blender for Copic techniques.

Adorable A Muse stamps (mittens and sentiment) finish up this fluffy card!

PDCC#60/Card Patterns Sketch #95

This week's Play Date Cafe Challenge is to use black/white with a splash of yellow.  Apparently, I went black/yellow with a teeny splash of white. 

The sketch is from the Card Patterns blog.  Once I finally figured out what I wanted to do the card came together really quickly but it took me a while to figure something out.  Connor and I have been sick with bad colds for many days now - today's big accomplishment is that fact that I changed all the sheets - it was time to get out of the sicky bed.  I slept away most of the weekend.

The pearls and black shimmer ribbon is from A Muse.  I LOVE the houndstooth butterflies!!  They came from Making Memories' Paper Reverie Noir collection.  Wonder what kind of flowers you have to plant to attract those?  The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink and was cut out with a Nestabilities die and airbrushed with two colors of yellow Copic Markers to get that mottled look that is in the background paper.  The flocked paper is from the La Creme matstack.
BTW - CAT won the blog candy from a previous post!

Airbrushed Fall

Had the urge to airbrush the other day and decided to incorporate my new Slice machine and some new A Muse stamps. First I cut out the tree shape from my Slice design card (Fall Back to School) at its biggest 4" size. After adding a little removable adhesive it was attached to a piece of white cardstock and airbrushed with Copic Markers (BG10, E53, YG11). A Muse's Leaves Trio stamps was inked in Pear Tart ink (Momento) and then rocked in rust and maroon inks and stamped randomly on the tree.

Ranger's trusty ink blending tool added a little sponged look to the edge. Stamps - A Muse 6-4168D Leaves Trio, 9-8615C Beautiful Autumn

Ink - Momento Dye Inks in Pear Tart, Potters Clay, Rhubarb Steak and Rich Cocoa, Ranger Distress Ink in Old Paper

Paper - White and kraft cardstock

Accessories - Copper cord, Copic ABS, Copic markers, Ranger Ink Blending Tool, Slice

Sneak Peek - Calendar Class!

Here is a sneak peek of next week's calendar class - we will use our favorite A Muse stamps, Copic Markers, the A Muse gingham papers in pink, green, red, blue and yellow plus kraft papers and the bind-it-all to create this useful 2010 desk calendar. Not only is it cute and practical but A Muse is using the calendar to raise funds for a worthy cause - Water 1st.

Yesterday we had fun with Copic markers and the airbrushing tool! 2/3 of the students in class decided to purchase the Airbrush System - they will be having lots of fun!

World Cardmaking Day!

This Saturday, October 3rd is World Cardmaking Day!! Does that make it mandatory that you come to Serendipity? I think YES!! I will be at the shop from 1pm - 5pm and we will make this fun make 'n take card featuring heat embossing and A Muse stamps.
There will be a SECRET sale and a prize giveaway!! There are lots of new A Muse stamps and Ranger products to tempt you!

We had fun this week at the A Muse Frame It! class - Don't forget there is a Copic Class featuring airbrushing this coming Wednesday (10/07/09) - This is a fun technique and much easier than you'd imagine!

Copic Class plus a Reunion!

We had a great time in class on Saturday with a special bonus - a reunion!! Did you see the ladies in the first photo? Janie Nichols was Theresa's teacher (her favorite teacher!!) in 6th grade. Theresa and Janie had LOTS to reminisce about! What a special time!

Sneak Peek - Copics and Airbrushing!

Ever since I airbrushed my shoes I've been thinking about a class with the Copic ABS (air brush system). Airbrushing opens up all kinds of great crafting areas/ideas - This card is one that we will be making in class - I airbrushed over an Impressabilities die from Spellbinders. I love that this card is so soft and pretty while still being crisp and graphic. If you've ever wanted to try your hand at airbrushing than this is the class for you!! I'll be teaching it on Saturday at Serendipity and again in October - look at my sidebar for class times and the number to call Kim to register. We'll also be reviewing basic Copic information so this class will be great for ones who've never used Copics and for those who are ready for the next step!

Stamps - A Muse Trees 1 acrylic stamps, 9-8230C Road to Friend

Ink - Momento Tuxedo Black

Paper - A Muse 4b Latte notecard, white cardstock, black cardstock

Accessories - Copic Airbrush, G82 Copic Marker, A Muse Stitched Black Ribbon, Impressabilities metal die