Girl with Freezie card

Good afternoon! It's HOT here!!! And after just walking to the post office and back I decided to get a Slurpee from the 7/11 ... aka a Freezie ... perfect day to share this summery card that Rose made with our Girl with Freezie image.

We are giving her away for free this month on our facebook group ... the only catch is... you have to make a card and post it in the group (and wherever else you like online with a link to Mad for Markers) If you do this you will receive the following months image as well :D


Rose has coloured this image with her zig clean color pens. 

Thanks for stopping by!

The Mad for Markers Team

Mix Media Tag Steampunk Brianna!

Morning, Morning!   
I am so very happy and excited to announce that I am part of the design team for Mad Markers! Yay!
Thank you very much Sammi for this opportunity.  Perfect timing in my journey of the art world.
Being part of a design team is an awesome responsibility as you get to design for the artist using their  illustrations each month and you get to tell the world all about it! The best part is meeting LOTS of many wonderfully talented people. :)   LOVE it!

For the last two days I have been working diligently in the studio on my first two projects. I am very happy with how they turned out and am very excited to show you one right now! I absolutely love this Steampunk image Sammi drew...Steampunk Brianna! She's perfect! I knew right away what I wanted to create: a mix media tag.  I just wished I had metallic paper in the studio. LOL  thinking...thinking...oh oh! the hamsters in my head are scurrying now  :) I can't begin to tell you how excited I am about how my tag turned out! My kids were thrilled when they saw it! I don't want to part with it.

Here is how I made this cute tag.  I used a package label for this project and a slew of distress inks. I will confess now that, yes, I am an ink addict; I will ink just about anything.  I distressed the tag with various colored distress inks and distress paint to give the tag texture and a grunge look. The gears, sentiment, and tab are cuts I bought at Silhouette to use with my Cameo. (Can't live without it.)   To give these elements more depth I used ink and glitter; sadly the glitter is not showing on camera, but let me tell you this tag sparkles!

My favorite part of creating any project is using my Copics... I cannot imagine my world without Copic Sketch. Below is the Copic Color Recipe I used for  Steampunk Brianna. One more thing, before I forget (and I nearly forgot :)), I used  Copic Spica glitter pens for some added sparkle.  If you haven't seen Spica Glitter pens I highly recommend checking them out. Like Lays Chips, you can't have just one! One important tip: unlike the markers Spica must be laid horizontally.

Copics I used;

E30   E50  YR14  YG06  G20  C5

E33   E21  YR16  YG09  G24  C7

E37   R22  YR18              G28  C9

Head on over to Mad Markers to check out the Steampunk collection as well as many other AWESOME stamps and stencils!

Getting in the Birthday Spirit....

Good afternoon Copic Lovers.... to get in the spirit of the birthday celebrations that have just kicked off for Mad For Markers this week, I thought I would use a birthday themed image this week. I just couldn't go past Tiny Baker Tia and her cute little cupcake with a cherry on top. To colour in the cherry on top.... I couldn't go past the gorgeous new R56, which is one of the new colours only released a couple of weeks back.

Materials Used

Odd Girl Stamp - Tiny Baker Tia

Mad for Markers Copic Journal

Copics Used

Skin: R0000, R000, R00, R01, R02, RV000

Eyes: BG10, BG11, BG12 & Opaque White

Hair: E43, E44, E47

Clothes: RV0000, RV000, RV00, RV02, RV04, T3 & T5

Cupcake: R56, E23, E37, E39, N3, N5, E70

Don't forget to head on over to the Mad For Markers store for all you Copic needs. Be sure to also check back each day here on the blog, and our Facebook page to see how we are celebrating our 2nd Birthday... you never know you might just win a little something ;-)

Till next time,

Rach xo

2 Year Birthday Celebrations begin!!

Good morning everyone! I am excited to post today as it is the start of our birthday celebrations.. on this date in 2010 I nervously sat in the NSW Dept of Fair Trading to see if I could register the name Mad for Markers... and voila! The name was registered... the next month was spent getting in stock and waiting for the website to be designed and then for me to enter all the product... on the 22 March 2010 the website went LIVE!! And so we are celebrating Mad for Markers birthday ALL MONTH LONG!!

I am very grateful to my Customers, Readers, Design Team and of course my friends and family to help Mad for Markers continue! Without you all I would just be sitting here with a bunch of markers hehe!! This way I get to share my bunches of markers - SO THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!

So what's going to happen all month you ask??

Well.. we will have a bunch of giveaways... you will be able to enter each day on either the blog here or on our facebook page depending where the giveaway is held ... We have... a sample pack of Xpress It blending card for each day of the month, a load of digi images, Spicas and maybe more... so don't miss out!!

We might have an extra challenge or two ... perhaps some games....

The Celebrations will culminate on the 22nd March with a BIG Copical blog hop!!! WITH more fun prizes!! You will be able to sign up to participate on Monday right here :)

I thought it would be fun to have some Mad for Markers Birthday Digis to colour... so I have drawn up a number of images... which are available in the store TODAY for you to purchase... and they might sneak into some prizes throughout the month also ;)

First up we have Lady Copical Cupcake

Birthday Girl #1

Copical cupcakes

Copical balloons

+ there are a few others including a fun birthday scene.. which you will see on the cover of Copicendium this month (should be about a week away)! Oh and in case you were wondering Lady Copical likes to hang out with a bunch of her friends and colour, colour, crop and colour... Here she is below with her bag ready to join her friends... if you are lucky you might just get to meet them this month!!!


OK... I couldn't go without giving you a sneaky peek at the cover of the next Copicendium! :)

OK... Let's kick off the prizes... If you comment on this post and leave your blog address (where you have linked up our party using the badge at the top of this post) you will go in the draw to win a free digi (winner revealed tomorrow)!!

Something new...

Good morning Copic lovers, Rachael here for today's post. After some nice celebrations yesterday to celebrate Australia Day, the weather has turned completely miserable, but it is the perfect colouring weather. With the current challenge over on the Mad For Markers Challenge blog, I decided to challenge myself too and try a couple of different colour combinations. My Mad For Markers Copic Journal is just perfect to trying new colour combinations and also a great place to keep a list of new colour combinations I may stumble across blog hopping. Today I'm sharing two new combinations, one for blonde hair and one for skin. I'm really loving the blonde hair colour combo... think I will be using this one again.

Stamp: La La Land Birthday Marci

Mad For Markers Copic Journal

 I hope that I have inspired you to give it a go, if I have leave a comment and I will pop on over to your blog and check it out.
Till next time, happy colouring
Rach xo

Mondays Messages from Mad for Markers

Good morning, I hope everyone had a GREAT weekend! Did you get some Copic colouring done? I have been busily colouring up some images that I can't show you yet as they are for upcoming releases for some digi stamp companies... stay tuned :D I have also been "practicing" my drawing and have decided to do a drawing a day to try and improve ... this involves sketching an image, inking the sketch with a multiliner and then colouring it with Copics! An example is below.... **Freebie image to colour available on request**

FIRSTLY - Some News ::

The 12 new sketch colours are being ordered THIS week.. so if you would like some then please let me know ASAP (preferably today).

Copicendium 1 & 2 are available now for you to purchase ... we are currently working on Copicendium #3 - if you would like to submit a creation for this edition then please email sales@madformarkers.com.au :) We would love some Birthday, Summery or Valentines creations!

Dates: We are currently making plans for what's happening at M4M this year... we are looking to set some Bexley - Sydney class dates ... if you are interested then please email us...
Elsewhere - if you are interested in a class in your home (with a group of your friends) then please send an email and we will see what we can organise.
In Melbourne - I am looking to run a day of workshops / colouring in Melbourne this year.. just need to work out details... would you be interested???


Ok enough news for today :) Here are my sketches and finished image for you to see... I have done this practice drawing in one of my little M4M journals (A6 size made from Xpress It blending card) ....

# 1 - rough sketch with graphite pencil

#2 - after being sort of happy with it I inked the image with a 0.1mm black multiliner and erased the pencil lines completely...

and then I brought her to life with COLOUR :D By colouring her with my beloved Copics...

Copics used: E42, W4, W00, B91, B95, B97, E31, E33, E35, E37, B02, B04, Y13, Y15, Y19, E000, E01, YR0000, E11, R30, R35, R37, YG17
A6 Xpress It card journals can be bought HERE!

** Freebie image to colour ** I transfered her to my computer and cleaned the image up a bit more on my Wacom.... and she is now in digi form... send me an email and I will send her to you as a jpg or png to colour up!! :)

Saturday Sharing

Hello & Happy Weekend to our Copic Lovers !

I am sharing a monochromatic creation with you today - because I often get asked by my friends, about to begin their adventure into the wonderful world of Copics - these 2 questions - What colours should I begin with?....and What can I colour, if I only have a limited colour range? My advice, is not to think to hard about either LOL!! I started with an Asssorted 12 Sketch Set and then when I discovered all the cute little people images to colour, I added skin tones (E- Earth Colours) and built up my collection from there. You will be amazed by what you can do with a stamp and a limited range of  colour shades & hues - if you think in terms of "grayscale" or "black & white" you can do clever things with just one colour family.

This sweet little "Hanglar Stanglar" image was coloured, in an array of colours from the E- Earth  family of Copics and made into a card using papers and embellishments of the same hues. I did use a little R20 in her cheeks, but otherwise I used a combination of these 6 colours.

Skin - E13, E01, E50

Hair - E37, E35, E31

Clothing/Shoes - E37, E35, E33, E31, E50

...even if you do have a vast collection of colours - this can be a fun thing to challenge yourself to do - why don't you do some experimenting this weekend??

..and if.... you are wanting to build up your collection of Copics? - now is the perfect time to do so because.... to celebrate 20 years of Copic Markers in Australia and New Zealand, and to thank all the Copic users, COPIC AUSTRALIA have established a rewards program...where every purchase of a Copic Maker can earn you some great goodies. Mad for Markers is a Copic Rewards Partner - be sure to check out the store for all the details.....

Chris x

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

Happy Easter Copic Lovers,

I hope you are all enjoying the Easter break, spending time with your family, eating lots of chocolate and finding time for a little colouring.

I am sharing some of my Easter themed projects with you today... firstly a little pillow gift box
( filled with chocolate! ) and a card...both created with some sweet Magnolia images from the 2011 Butterfly Dreams Collection.

Copics Used:

Happy Easter Pillow

Skin - E00, E11, E000 - Cheeks - R20

Hair & Boots - E31, E33, E35

Basket - E33, E35, E37

Dress - R81, R83, R83 - W3 - Colourless Blender

Easter Eggs - Y21, Y23, R35, R32, G00, G02, B00, B01, YR07 YR00, B91, B93, YG03, YG00

Forever Friends Card

Skin - E00, E11, E000 - Cheeks - R20

Fence & Boots - E31, E33, E35

Hair - E33, E35, E37

Hat - Y21, Y23, Y26

Top & Ribbon - RV91, RV93, RV95

Pants - B91, B93, B95

Daffodils - Y21, Y23, YR07, YG93, YG95, YG97

The sky and grass were airbrushed with B21, YG93 using the Air Brush System Set 1 it is a complete set ready to use. It comes with the Airgrip, Aircan 180 (approx.40mins of air ), the Air Adapter, Airhose and Can Holder and is available to order online in the Mad for Markers store.

I also want to share another card I made for Easter using Bonnie from Spesch Designer Stamps - she is so cute and with her precious little bunny she is the perfect image for your Easter friendship cards.

Copics Used:

Skin - E00, E11, E000 - Cheeks - R20

Hair - E13, E15, E17

Dress - V12, V15, V17

Ribbon & Trim - BG11, BG13, BG15

Bunny - R20, W1, W3

I added some texture to the dress by dabbing some fabric with some colourless blender ink and pressing it over the coloured image.....I love all the fun things you can do with the colourless blender... make sure you add one to your next Mad for Markers order, if you don't already have it in your Copic Collection.

...and if you have some other creative ideas using Copic Markers don't forget to send in your submissions for Copicendium ... a mini-magazine/ ideas booklet to be produced by M4M - devoted solely to the use of Copic markers...



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

Mondays Mad for Markers News

NEW colours.... We received and sold out of the 12 new Sketch markers already - so we are taking preorders on the new colours.. but these will be a few weeks away as our supplier will not be getting more stock in for a couple of weeks!

We have stock of the new Ciao colours that came out earlier this year!

COLOUR Conference in October
Today was the cut off date for deposits to the Colour conference in October but we have decided to extend it until after Paperific.. so the new date for deposits to be in and registrations completed is 7th April!!

Love colouring then this weekend is for you... a chance to colour, learn and be inspired.. and there might be a few goodies up for grabs during the weekend (as well as a chance to SHOP!!)

PAPERIFIC ... we are in the process of getting organised and thinking up some fun bits and pieces for our stand...

I have been busy this past weekend cooking up one special thing for the show... and I thought I would give you all a little sneaky peek now...






What could it be???? tee hee.. Come to Paperific the first weekend in April to find out!!!

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.

some fun changes around these parts... :)

You may have noticed this blog has sadly been a bit quiet since we started the new challenge blog last year and whilst that one is raging with the DT contributing wonderful daily inspiration on the challenges... this one needs to be re-energised!!

Here is a little look at what you will definitely find here in future ...

Mondays we will share Mad for Markers news.. what's going on at M4M, new products etc!!
Tuesdays will be Tutorials and tips on using Copics
Wednesdays will be Design team day!
Thursdays will bring some fun and games to all who want to join in!
Fridays we will be featuring customers/ facebook friends/ fellow copic addicts :D
Saturdays will mostly still be Scrapping Saturdays!!

Ok.. now for a little bit of eye candy for you... Today is release day at our very own Design teamy Tracey's stamp company Spesch Stamps ..and this is one of the NEW stamps ... I'm telling you that these digi stamps are perfect for colouring with Copics...

the colours I've used are:
Rooo, R00, E02
G82, 85,
B91, 93, 95, 97, 99
Y21, 28
RV91, 93, 95, 99,
E40, 41, 42, 43, 44
N4,6,7,9,100
B0000, B000, 0

pop back tomorrow for some DT news!! :D