Hero Arts Poppies & Copic Markers

Wow! After spending a week colouring, I have to say that Copic markers are a lot of fun!!! I was recently away on a business trip for a week and reluctant to face a week's withdrawal pains from stamping, I brought some stamped images and my Copic markers with me. My early efforts in the week were quite .... bad. Really bad. I could blame it on the limited colours, but really, it was just limited skill. Still, any new tool takes some getting used to and in my down-time from my meetings, I would colour away in my little hotel room, happily absorbed in choosing colours and learning to blend. I also learned that the very best paper for Copics is Heather's 130 lb paper. I also used paper from another source, but was disappointed. It may work well for the experienced Copic-wielder, but for the novice, it didn't work. Copic novices, use Heather's paper and you will be much, much happier with the results. No matter how much I soaked it, it refused to bleed, and marker lines were quite easy to remove. I thought it would be a great chance to practice, practice, practice my Copics since that was the take-home message from my certification course. Also, it was easy to pack a SU stampbox full of my Copic collection and a few pages of stamped images. I did bring a few stamps with me (my Nuggitz cubes - perfect for travelling - 4 stamps, 1 block) and my black Memento dew drop for some on-the-spot stamping because sometimes I just don't feel like colouring what's there. (This happened a few times on the trip, so it was nice to have some options.) Are you ready call 1-800-LOCKR-UP yet? I do realize this sounds a bit nutty, and I will admit to being somewhat crazy when it comes to stamping (and knowing obscure words/facts/and other useless tidbits), but since I was allowed through airport security, twice, I can safely claim that I am not ready for immediate committal.

The card posted here was one of my later-in-the-week efforts, probably day 4 or 5. (It was hard to scan in the exact colours, the card base is Pacific Point and the pink cardstock is Cameo Coral, if that helps.) I felt a bit of trepidation turning it into a card (I always feel like that about images that really turned out well). However, I wanted to send a thank you card to the meeting organizers and it seemed fitting to send one I made when I was there. Not that they would know or anything like that, but it's sort of like I want to think about it a wider way to soften the blow of releasing one of my special cards to the mercy of international mail and the non-stamping world, it helps me with the separation anxiety to put some sort of meaning to the card-recipient.

About the making of this card: stamped fabulous Hero Arts poppy image in Tuxedo Black Memento Ink on Heather's 130 lb cardstock. Travelled to new city (not essential to card). Coloured with Copics and accented with stickles (Cinnamon and black in the middles, burgundy going out a bit from the middle.) I used several shades of red and pink and brown, probably 4-5 reds/pinks and 2 browns; I remember the blues, B00, B04, B24 - only blues I have right now - will have to expand repertoire as am getting tired of bright turquoise backgrounds as only non-brown option. Just to let you know, I will start as I mean to go on and not post photos of the ends of my markers. One, because I have some Ciaos and the numbers are on the barrels. Two, because it will mean I will never (a) take the picture or (b) get around to uploading it. If I think of jotting down my colours, I will pass them on, otherwise, just figure I used various shades of light and dark of whatever colour you see. If you want better instructions, come take a class at Heather's ;-)

I matted this on black, then cameo coral (SU) and then on a pacific point (SU) card base (5.25" square). I stamped a pretty dotted flourish (Impress Rubber Stamps) on the card base using New Canvas Palette Ink (PTI). I love that stamp - so useful for something pretty and whimsical but still kind of fresh and not too flourishy-bohemian. (I didn't realize I had such definite ideas about my flourish stamps! I guess I do!) I think this poppy stamp would be great done with fiery oranges (sorry Mum!) as I'm seeing lots of lovely poppies around right now in those colours. Also some beautiful pink ones are blooming in the church garden at the moment. I love poppies!

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you find a way to travel with your stamps too.