Flying High!

Last week was my 12th wedding Anniversary, time sure flies when your having fun! We had a really nice evening, we went out for dinner, which was a lovely meal at a new Chinese Restaurant near us and then we came home for some desert that I mad made during the day, a lovely Choc Mouse tart with Orange caramel! Yummo!

This is the card I made my Husband. I also made a shadow box for him, but I will show that another time!

I love this Saturated Canary stamp, she is just sooo adorable! She is also available in the Mad For Markers Store! 

Copic Colors Used:

Hair - R59, R29, R27, R24

Dress - B69, B66, B63, C3, C1, C00, BG34, BG32, BG11

Shoes - B69, B66, B63

Kite - E43, E42, E41, C1, C00, B66, B63

Skin - E11, E01, E00, E000

Also Don't forget that Mad For Markers is going to be at the Sydney Paper Arts Festival in Penrith this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so if you are in the area pop in and make sure to come and say hello to the Mad for Marker Girls!

Time for Some 'Royal' Treatment!

I just LOVE this 'Some Odd Girl' Stamp 'Royal'. She is just the most perfect stamp for practising those pleats and folds. I have to admit that I have colored a few up of late, you know what they say, 'Practise makes Perfect!' LOL! I think I'll keep practising!

Copic Colors Used:

Hair - E79, E37, E35, E31

Dress - R83, R81, RV00, R000

Skin - E11, E00, E000, R20

Eyes - G00, G000

Now don't forget that if you are in the Sydney area on Saturday, Mad For Markers is hosting the very Talented Irina Blount from La-La Land Stamps and she is doing a Fabulous Project Class, you will not want to miss it! I for one am flying from Melbourne just for the day to do the class, it is going to be heaps of fun!

For more details click here!

Some Odd Girl Bliss!

I am running a little late with this post...sorry! I started to post this last nite, but I had a really bad headache so didn't finish my post till now. So my photo is not the best as it was taken last nite and I also found that one of the kids has dropped a dob of glue onto her dress, hence the shiney bubble on her dress lol! Gotta love them sometimes!

Anyway this beautiful girl is one of the 'Noveau Odd Girls', Bliss. She is just adorable and great to color if you want to practice those folds with. She is available from the M4M store!

Copic Colors Used:

Dress - C8, B99, B97, B95, B93

Skin - E13, E11, E00, E000

Hair - E18, R46, E08, YR14

Flowers - YG17, YG13, YG11, R89, R85, R83, R81

Copic Color Combo's Journal

I have been writing Copic color combo's down here, there and everywhere, but of course I could never find what I had done with the pieces of paper. So, I have started to keep a Copic Journal of color combo's I like. The hope is that eventually it is nice and full and when I am looking for some color combos I can just flick through my book and there I will find the color combo I am looking for.

Here is my first page in my Copic Color Journal. Of course I have done Red Hair Combos first, I do have a house full of red heads, including myself, So thought this was the perfect first page!

We would love to hear how you keep all your Copic Color Combo's. Do you have pages here, there and everywhere or do you have some sort of system going?

I will make sure to show you my next page when it is done.

Happy Colouring! Oh and for those people who are after the new 2012 Copic Sketch Colors I have it on very good authority that they have arrived in the store today, so make sure to head over to the M4M store and get yours!

Saturday Sharing

Hello and Happy New Year's Eve to our Copic Lovers!

This card is "Hot off the Press" and my very last for 2011. On behalf of the Mad for Markers team I would like to thank you for your loyal following of our blog and colouring creations. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for joining in on the fun of our blog challenges and sharing your amazing Copic colouring with us throughout the year. We wish you love, happiness and even more Copic fun in 2012.

The sweet little image is called Kisses and is a Mo Mannning digital stamp.

Copics Used:

Skin:  E11, E00, E000
Cheeks/Lips: R20, RV42
Hair: Y21, Y23, Y26
Dress: R81, R83, R85/ Frilly Edge - C1, C3/ Ribbon BV000, BV00, BV02
Flowers/Leaves: R85, R81, Y08, YG41, YG45, YG67


Happy New Year!!

Chris x

Ahoy there!

I love this TGF Oliver stamp, he is such a cutie! I haven't had a chance to use him for a while and when I was asked for a boys card recently I decided to pull him out and ink him up.

This was a card a made for a little boys 1st birthday. Apparently the Mother of the little boy who recieved the card was so happy with the card that she has framed it! Can't say that any of my cards have ever been framed...hehe! Well there's a first for everything!

Copic Colors Used:

Skin - E11, E00, E000

Hair - E29, E27, E25, E23

Clothes - B12, B14, B16, C1, C3

Boots - E37, E35

My card was colored Using Xpress It Blending Card and Copic Sketch Markers, all of which are available over at the Mad For Markers Store.

Princess Anya!

Last weekend we went to a christening of our friends little girl and my Hubby was lucky enough to be asked to be her Godfather. It was a really nice day! 

I just love this Princess Anya, she is such a cutie and I thought she would make the perfect Christening card!

Copic Colors Used:

Hair - E79, E37, E35, E31

Crown - YR24, Y17, Y15

Dress - RV10, RV00, 0, W1, W00

We currently have 5 12yr old boys over for my sons sleepover party and I can see it is going to be a long night....hehe! Hope you are all having a good weekend!

Saturday Sharing

Hello & Happy Weekend to our Copic Lovers !

In my previous post I mentioned one of the things I love about my Copics is their versatility and my current card creation is a true example of this. I am currently participating in a Shabby Chic challenge with my group of Scrappy Friends - it is not a genre I often work in...so this card became my "test" sample....it was so easy to colour in all my embellishments with my Copics and not nearly as messy as paint and inks!

The Mannequin Dress Form chipboard was coloured with B97 - Night Blue, The white ribbon around the waist was coloured with R85 - Rose Red. The pink flowers were originally cream in colour, but I brushed over them lightly ( to give an uneven/distressed look ) with R81 - Rose Pink and the petals of the smaller flowers were brushed on the edges with B21 - Baby Blue. Very happy that everything ended up co-ordinating with the colours in my patterned paper - Yep! I love my Copics!

Don't forget the Mad for Markers store has Twiddleybitz, Seam Binding and Adhesive Pearls & Rhinestones available to purchase that can be colour matched with Copic Markers to co-ordinate with your coloured images or decorative paper - you can check these out and all the other fabulous products available from the store next weekend at the Penrith Papercrafts Festival. Sammi will be there with some of the talented Design Team girl - be sure to pop along and say Hello! :)

Enjoy

Chris x

Just a little Late....

Hey there Copic Lovers! Nothing like being a little late...hehe! Anyway they say 'better late than never', so here goes!

Ok so this post was supposed to go up this morning, but it just kind of slipped my mind. This card is a card I have done for a special friend of mine, who is always about to cheer me up and always has something nice to say, she is just beautiful and I have to say that I think she is just the sweetest person I have ever met! And of course true to the title of this post, it is a little late in getting to her for her birthday, which was a couple of weeks ago...again, 'better than than never'...hehe! Anyway I hope she likes it!

Copics Used:

Hair - E27, E25, E23, E21

Skin - E11, E00, E000, R20

Dress - RV13, RV14, RV10, RV29, RV25

My Card is colored of course with Copic Markers and I have used Xpress It Blending card, which is just one of my absolute favourites to color on! All of which are available in the Mad For Marker Store.

One for the Boys

As we celebrate Father's Day here in Australia today - I thought it was a good opportunity to honour the boys. I'm such a "pink" girl that I find creating masculine cards really difficult....but I have been challenging myself to step away from the pretty pink colour palette and work with some new ( for me ) Copic colours with "boy" things in mind ;)

This is my attempt into the realm of "manhood" a card based on the sketch I mentioned in yesterday's post. Once again, it is a digi stamp by Mo Manning called "Big Guy Grilling".

Copics Used:

Shirt - YG93, YG95, YG97

Shorts - B91, B93, B95

BBQ/ Hat - R24, R27, R29

Skin - E00, E11

Sausages - E33, E35, E37

Utensils - C3, C5, C7

Oven Mitt/ Packages - YR04, Y21, Y23, Y26

If you are wanting to try your hand at creating boy cards the Mad for Markers store has some great stamps for you to practise with...... such as My Guy Ian, Ahoy Oliver,Wild Sprouts Logan and don't forget Edward and Ryan.

Have a great day with your Dad and I look forward to seeing your "boy cards" in our upcoming challenges.

Chris xx

Saturday Sharing

I've taken a slight detour this week and won't be sharing a "Layout"  today because I have some exciting news for you from the Mad for Markers store.

I have the pleasure of announcing that the La La Land range of stamps are now available to order online - at the store - Woo Hoo!! - these are just some of the cutest little images you have ever seen! The stamps are deeply etched cling cushion rubber, all cut, ready to use on your acrylic blocks...the Marci and Luka characters truly are gorgeous images to colour and the animal creatures are simply adorable - especially the sweet little "Easter Bunny"! - perfect timing for your Easter Card making.

I  chose to share "Luka with Truck" with you today - just to follow along with our Male Card Theme over on the Challenge Blog - and if you look closely at the photo you will see a "sneak peek" of Miss "Sugar & Spice Marci" - very cute!



Copics Used:
Hair - E31, E33, E35
Skin - E00, E11, R20
Jacket - YG93, YG95, YG97
Pants - B93, B95, B97
Shirt - Y21, Y23, Y26
Truck - C-3, C-5, C-7, YG23, R35, R37

If you would like to see these stamps in person don't forget to visit the Mad for Markers stand at Paperific  (Melbourne ) on 1st-3rd of  April -  the full range of Ciao and Sketch markers will be available and we will also have the April release of The Greeting Farm stamps -We  look forward to seeing you there!

Cheers
Chris x

Scrappin' Saturday

Good Morning - Copic Lovers - I hope you are all enjoying the last weekend of Summer here in Aus.

The layout I'm sharing with you today is some of my favourite photos of Little Miss Mali the baby elephant at the Melbourne Zoo. On the day I took these photos Mali was celebrating her 1st Birthday and like all babies was loving the attention. Unfortunately, I didn't get a pic of her sitting on her cake but I took 100's and I mean 100's of her playing in the water.

I had so much fun with this layout, designing my own patterned paper with
Copic Markers. The striped paper was created using the Chisel/Broad tip of YG95, E27 and Y26. Here is a closeup so you can see exactly how it was created.

After I ruled my lines, I cut it into strips but as you can see, cutting shapes from the lined pattern would give you some unique embellishments for your layouts too. You will also notice that I have an "inked" edge around my page and the larger mat of paper - this I also created using my markers. I ran the edge of E27 around the outline of the paper and it gave me the same type of appearance as distressing ink - I love the effect!! The Birthday Girl ticket is a digi stamp coloured in with Y26 and the Leaves and Vine is a stamp I coloured in with YG93, YG95, YG97 and E27 just to add a finishing touch to my page.

We would love to see what you come up with... using your Copic Markers to custom design your own patterned papers...and whatever you come up with - a card, a layout or an off the page project we would love to see it and would be happy for you to post on the Mad for Makers facebook page.... http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mad-for-Markers/115176458499228
We LOVE seeing all your work  :)

Cheers
Chris x.

Scrapping Saturday

Oh My Goodness!!...hasn't Mother Nature delivered us the most extraordinary week here in Australia? The highest summer rainfall in over 100 years, some snow in the high country, heartbreaking and tragic floods in Queensland. In my little part of Victoria, we have had rain all week, our river systems are on flood alert and the humidity levels presently rival those in Darwin - all unheard of at this time of the year!! This might all sound dark and dreary but there is still beauty to be found in the great outdoors - the huge raindrops on my roses were testimony to this. In between the showers of rain, I managed to take some lovely photos. Then yesterday I created a layout using my rose photos accompanied by a poem I found online.... full of gorgeous sentiment ( be sure to check it out on my blog ). I complimented the layout with some rose embellishments I created using X-Press IT Blending Card, some stamped images and my Copic Markers. After colouring my images, I added a textured look to them by "dotting" randomly over them with my Colourless Blender. I decided to tear the images from the card rather than cut around the image outlines with my scissors...this added some extra texture. I then ran my marker around the torn outline, this disguised the white edge of the card and added more depth to the colour. I rather like the effect!

Copics Used:
Pink Rose - RV25, RV32
Orange Rose - YR00, YR02
Leaves - YG45, YG63, YG67

and here is a close-up of my roses and leaves

I have also taken a photo for you of the pink rose image before I tore it from the  X-Press IT Blending Card and coloured it. To stamp this image I coloured the rubber with the broad ( chisel ) tip of my Copic Marker then stamped directly onto my card. You have to work quickly when applying this technique as the ink drys very fast. I have my stamp cleaning pad beside me and as soon as I stamp the image I clean my rubber and this has prevented any staining.

as I sign off today... my wish for this week.... is for the rain to stop, the waters to recede and for the donations to keep pouring in to assist those affected by the floods.

Chris xx

Scrapping Saturday on Tuesday!!!

Yes, I'm confused! - I've lost all track of time, the holiday season tends to do that to me...I'm so out of routine and not at all motivated to do anything. However, I have managed to have a little play with my copic markers and completed a quick layout that I plan to frame. The photo is one I recently took of my daughters, I just love it! I really wanted to enhance the pretty pastels of their clothes but I had a hard time matching cardstock and embellishments. I finally found some peach and cocoa coloured cardstock in "my stash" and some pink and mauve flowers/buttons that matched Stacey's floral top....but to finish it off, I really needed to find some peach coloured enhancements too. I had some large paper flowers that have a lovely shape to them but they were not the most flattering colour (for this layout)...I turned them over and discovered they were white on the back. This is when I reached for my"trusty" copic markers and decided the best option was to re-colour them, so that they could become that perfect peach colour! I chose YR02 and outlined the flower petals and the crease lines...then YR00 to colour in the rest of the flower and to blend the YR02 highlights. A pretty layout always deserves some bling and Mad for Markers stocks Adhesive Pearls and Rhinestones in packs of 100 that are ideal for this... they too can be coloured to co-ordinate with your photos and papers. Currently, Mad for Markers has 10% off all stock and this makes the packs of Pearls and Rhinestones $3.15 each -  fabulous value and the perfect opportunity to add these to your own craft making stash!!  I used both YR02 and E04 to colour my pearls, some I used in the centre of my flowers and some I just scattered around the flourishes. This is my finished layout and I think it will look best in a dark timber frame.

and here is a "close-up" of the large flowers

My plan this week is to get myself back into routine and out of holiday mode...if this all goes well, I should be back here on "Saturdays" with some layouts to share with you ;)

Happy New Year

Chris xx

Bonnie with Flowers!

Hi There Copic Lovers! I am sooo glad it's Friday today, could really use a big sleep in tomorrow. Although not too sure if I will get that with 5 kids...hehe! I can try right! Anyway onto our current challenge, which is to use a digital image. I have used another Spesch Stamp, called Bonnie with Flowers, isn't she just adorable!

Copic Used:

Skin - E11, E00, E000, R20

Grass & Flowers - YG97, YG95, YG93, YR00, YR02, Y13, Y000

Sky - BG000

Dress, RV34, RV32, E04

Rabit - C00, C1, C3

Hair - E79, E57, E33, E31

Hope you all have a great Weekend!

Spesch Stamps

Happy Friday Everyone! Don't you just love these Spesch Stamps! They are just GORGEOUS! Thanks so much to the lovely Tracey for letting the DT have a play with them. This image is Alice and she is just sooo adorable, I loved coloring her. Make sure to pop past Spesch Stamps and see for your self how fantastic they are!

Copic Colors Used:

Hair - E55, E53, E51, E50

Mushroom - E41, E42, E43

Dress - B99, B97, B95, B93, C1, C00

Skin - E11, E00, E000, R20

I have also used B18 to color my ribbon and flowers!

Now don't forget that our challenge this month is to color with your Copics a digital image and the winner of this months challenge will get a voucher to Spesch Stamps. So get coloring and get your entry in!

Also don't forget that we have our DT call still on, so if you have been thinking about putting your hand up, stop thinking and just do it..hehe! I can guarantee that you will have an absolute ball with us lovely Mad For Marker girls! Can't wait to see your entries!

Can One EVER be sick of Pink!

OMG NO!!!! Well not me anyway...hehe! Hi there Copic lovers, Emma here with some Pink inspiration for you. This Gorgeous girl is called Thursday, isn't she just adorable! I just love these Greeting farm Creeper Girls!

Copic Colors Used:

Hair - RV09, RV06, RV04, RV02

Clothes - C10, C9, C7, C5, C3, C1, BG78, BG75, BG72

Shoes - RV00, RV02, RV04, RV06

Hat - V09, V06, V01, V000, C9, C7, C5, C3

Well we have so many Gorgeous entries into our Coloring Pink Challenge, but don't forget if you haven't got your entry in then you only have one more week left to enter! So don't waste any time, get coloring PINK

Tilda visits Mad for Markers.

Yes I know I'm naughty, the Challenge is PINK and my inspiration is not....SORRY, I have had a dreadful headache (again) and I'm off to Bali early tomorrow, and I just didn't get the PINK one done, i has coloured this one on the weekend so she will have to do lol (SORRY Sammi).
The Copic's I have used are-
Skin- E00, E02, E11, R20
Hair- E47, E49
Clothes- R24, RV29, YG16, YG11
Shoes- E25, E27, YG06
& Blending pen 0
The pearls were white and they have been coloured with Copic's also, I have started buying white embelishments now because it is so easy to colour them with Copic's and then they are a perfect match, and of course ALL your copi's, Spica pens and paper for colouring are available from Sammi at the Mad for Markers on-line Store, so check it out!
Please join us in our Challenge we would love to see your PINKS.
hugs
Sue x

It's all about Pink!

Wow isn't this an awesome Challenge, 'Pink'. and Copic's has such a great range of Pinks, it's just so easy, the hardest part is deciding which colours to use!
And wow the gorgeous and talented Design Team have done a Fantastic job with their 'Pinks', now we want to see yours.
I have used 'Tilda with Bow' she is my favourite the Copic's I have used are-
Skin- E00, E02, E11, R20
Hair- E25, E27, E29
Clothes- RV20, RV21, RV23, T0, T04
I have used X-Press It Blending Card, which is specially selected for use with Copic Markers, it allows perfect blending, this and all your Copic needs are available from Sammi at 'Mad for Markers on-line Store'.
Looking forward to seeing yours,
hugs
Sue x

Colouring on something other then paper Challenge.

Hi all sorry that this is such a late post, here in Western Australia it is just after 10am, and I posted this weeks Challenge on my blog but forgot is was my turn to post here too, I thought Tracey was late (which she never is), then I realised it was ME!

The Challenge over here at 'Mad 4 Markers' is to colour on something other then paper, I decided to do a wooden Jewelery Box, this did not come out quite as hoped, the colours didn't seem to want to blend, and the lighter colours didn't show up to well so I went to a shade or two darker, then I smudged some black right on the front, but oh well 'doesn't matter' lol. Think it still needs something?? What do you think ? I think it still looks a bit plain.....any suggestions?
I got the box from Spotlight and painted it with Jo Sonja's ' Pearl White', the image is from CC Designs 'Gretel', the Rhinestones were added with my heat gun.
The Copic's I used are-
Face/Skin- E11, RV02 cheeks
Wings- RV20
Clothes- RV04, B23
So enter the Challenge this weeks top creator will be chosen as a Guest Designer for our next challenge (should you choose to accept) as well as receive a voucher for $16 (which will get you 2 sketch markers or 3 ciaos in the store). Wow wow how easy is that! Can't wait to see what you come up with.
hugs



A note from Copic Australia - working with Copic directly onto an unsealed painted surface could damage the markers (the markers could transfer the paint onto the nibs).

We suggest that the painted surface be sealed with a waterbased sealer or varnish, before colouring with Copic. However, we suggest you stamp the image onto the paint before sealing it or it might be difficult to find an ink to stamp with which will work on top of a sealer or varnish but will not bleed with Copic. You will then be set to colour without risking damage to your markers - although you still probably will not get the smooth blends you are used to when working on paper such as the X-Press It Blending Card. It will still look great though and the colours should come up brighter.

So basically we suggest:
1. Paint
2. Stamp
3. Seal or Varnish (waterbased)
4. Colour with Copic