Sunday, December 20, 2009

Whimsy Advent Event Here! Prize available! Plus: Copic Tip

Very present helpers2 front
Happy Sunday! I am so glad you stopped by today, because today is Day 20 of the December Advent Event over at Whimsy Stamps! Every day until the 24th, Whimsy is offering up a prize to someone who leaves a comment on the DT member's post who is hosting the contest for that day. Today, that hostess with the mostess is me (even though I'm not really a member of the DT)! So leave a comment here to be eligible for the daily prize giveaway which is the stamp I chose to use on my card today, "Very Present Helpers".
I will choose a random winner on Monday Dec 21, so check back here to see if you're the lucky one!

COPIC TIP: BLENDING FROM VERY DARK TO VERY LIGHT COLORS:

I stamped "Very Present Helpers" with Tsukeneko Tuxedo Black onto Gina K's Pure Luxury cardstock. Now, I love the markings of a Siamese cat, and it was a cinch to do with Copic markers.
I colored the cat's whitish areas using a combination of R000, E0000, YR00 and E30. Then I used some warm greys on the ears and paws: W1, 3, 5 and 7. At first the lines of demarcation between the light and dark fur was very distinct.
So, to get a really soft blend of the warm grey into the off-white fur, I gently brushed the tip of one of the light colors I was using for the whitish areas (R000) onto the tip of the grey (W3). My daughter saw this and she shrieked, "You just ruined your marker!" Ah, but no, darling daughter, I said. ! Not with Copics! You can do that and not worry, because as soon as you start to color with it, the dark color comes off the tip of the light marker! In fact it cleans off completely, leaving no stain! And that is why it is a perfect method for blending from a very light to a very dark color!
So once I had some grey on the tip of R000, I made tiny sweeping brush strokes starting in the grey area and working my way towards the line where the two colors met. I had to touch R000 to W3 several times per paw, and kept making brush strokes until I was happy with how it looked. Here is a close-up:

DSC00877

Perhaps the in the new year, I will have the time to do up a video showing this fun technique. I would like to try!
Here are the rest of the colors I used on this image:

gift: B66, 69 with silver stickles
bow: R81, 83 and blender pen for highlights
R21 inside the kitties ears and on the paw pads
Background: C0, 1, 2, 3 4, RV00, 10, 91, BV20, 45

I made the pink and white candy canes with Sculpey clay. I am happy as can be with modeling clay in my hands. It is fun stuff!
I thank Niki Estes for inspiring me to use ribbon on the corners like that! And I thank Deb (88 keys) from SCS for the ribbon, which she gave me a loooong time ago.
I hope to chat with you soon! Thanks for coming by, and God bless you!

51 comments:

  1. I love all of your illustrations! Thanks for the copic tips. Your coloring was gorgeous!
    hugs,
    Gini

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  2. So adorable Crissy......I *love* the Siamese kitties!! I've done that with my markers as well & got the same reaction from my son, lol!! Thanks so much for always explaining exactly how you create your amazing projects!!! I miss you lots....& hope you have a very merry Christmas & a FANTABULOUS new year!!

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  3. I just love this stamp--so so cute! Your colouring is so amazing--you make these images come alive. The candy canes are cool too! I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and let you know that one of the biggest highlights for me in 2009 was meeting you in person!! You're gold my friend!
    God Bless!
    Sarah

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  4. Your card is gorgeous Crissy and your colouring is incredible as always!! I love that tip of touching the marker tips. SOmetimes it is the perfect way to blend!! :)

    Wishing you an incredible Christmas season with your family!! xx

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  5. these kitties are adorable as Siamese! but then I am such a cat lover and yours is one of my fave stamps from Whimsy! :) such a wonderful card!
    Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  6. Hello,

    oh i like this stamps!
    Very nice colored.
    I like all your cards to see.
    Sorry for my englisch but i try it so good as I can.
    Very nice christmas days.
    Greatings from Holland.
    Jenny

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  7. Crissy,

    This card and stamp is just too CURE...especially since I have a NEW kitten in my life and SHE is Siamese!...new breed to me!

    She's very mischievous!

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  8. Hiya,
    Wow, what a fantastic card. I love the colours you have used. The copic tips are fabulous - now - all I need...........are the copics!!!
    Hugs
    Dawn xx

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  9. Love this kitty image, beautiful colouring nd those candy canes look like marshmallows, so yummy!

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  10. Your card is adorable! I love the cat image and the way you colored it. I like the embellishments that you added. You did a great job!

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  11. This is so darn cute! I just love how you colored the kittens. The border punch is so fantastic. The candy canes look good enough to eat.
    Have a great day,
    Liz

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  12. Cute image! I'm typically not into cats, but this is very cute.

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  13. , lovely card...the sculpy claaaaay work is just great...my daughter-in-law recently sent me some clay embellesments that she made for cards also...of course I would love to win. lynn

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  14. Excellent tip Crissy and a tutorial would be wonderful. This card is just so beautiful, your colouring is astonishing.
    Pinky

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  15. So gorgeous card, love the image and fab colouring! Hugs,moni

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  16. What a gorgeous card Crissy,i love your image and colours.

    Hugs Riet.xx

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  17. This is stunning, love what you have done to create Siamese kittens. I really NEED to add this fun stamp to my collection.

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  18. Oh hon your image is just darling and colored beautiful dear as always. I always love your tips you give us with the copic's dear.
    Big hugs and have a Merry Christmas dear

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  19. This is a gorgeous stamp and love your work.

    Happy Christmas

    Hugs Ali x

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  20. Such a cute image Crissy! Love the candy canes and the bows, the beautiful ribbon...it's fabulous!

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  21. Crissy,
    What an inspiration! I love the way you colored the cat's paws and the candy canes are so-o-o cute! What a gorgeous family too. Have a wonderful Christmas. God bless you with health and happiness.
    Sandy

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  22. Wonderful card Crissy!! Very cute image as all your images are must haves :) Thanks for sharing and inspiring all of us. Excited to know you will be sharing your techniques in the future :D
    Blessings of thanks
    Mary Lou

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  23. Crissy,
    Your colouring is superb and I would love to win the little pussycat stamp.
    Rene from OZ xo

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  24. This is a beautiful card and love the image and how you have coloured it

    Love Dawn xx

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  25. This is so cute and beautiful and I just love the colouring of those kitties, it's awesome!!

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  26. This is gorgeous, love these little guys, and the coloring is fabulous

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  27. That Kitty stamp is so gorgeous!!!

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  28. I just LOVE the Siamese look you've given these cute kitties, Crissy. Your card is stunning - love it!
    Hugs, Lillian

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  29. wow this is just beautiful, love the nesties that you used as background too!

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  30. These are sooooo cute! Love how you coloured them and want to say thank you for the little tutorial, must try that.
    Thank you for the chance to win this cutie.
    Hugs Yolanda

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  31. wow, ur card is stunning!
    i like the colors, the frame and the gift looks great.
    thx for the chance :)

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  32. Gorgeous card and fab image i love the sparkle on the present(great idea).
    Merry Christmas and Happy new year to you Chrissy.
    (hugs)
    Trish (-:

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  33. Your illustrations are always so cute! Thanks for the copic tip!

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  34. You did a gorgeous job on this card. I love kittens. Thanks for the copic tip.
    CeeGee (Cathy)

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  35. Gorgeous Crissy!

    Merry Christmas!
    Blessings, Maria

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  36. I love the kittens and ribbon! The highlights on your ribbon is awesome!
    Thanks for a chance to win a great stamp.

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  37. This is adorable Chrissy! I love how you colored the cats.

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  38. What a cute card! Those little kitties remind me of my OWN little furball - into everything! =D

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  39. Aaaah, this is so delightful. Love the design and the oh so cute image.
    Hugs
    Desire

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  40. Hi Crissy!

    This is just adorable...your colouring, as always, is fantastic!! I am a big fan of tip-to-tip blending, and use it pretty much every time I colour! (I think it's funny to watch people's faces when they watch this method, lol. They ALWAYS think you've ruined your marker!!)

    Melanie

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  41. Absolutely gorgeous, Crissy! Your coloring is amazing on those kitties and what a cute image! Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!!

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  42. Totally Gorgeous Crissy!!..the image and coloring is Fabulous!!..Wishing you and your family a Very Merry Christmas...and only the Best in the New Year!!...Hugs, Ila

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  43. Gorgeous card, Crissy
    I just love the image and your fabulous colouring!!

    Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!!

    Karen x

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