Muted Floral Bouquet

This will be probably be my last of summery type cards as I'll be moving on to Fall and Winter here soon. But I just couldn't pass up the season without showing off one of Karen Lockhart's watering can bouquets. This card came together so easily by using a Spellbinder's cut and embossed oval template and the next size bigger scallop Spellbinder's die template. This simple matting system gives just enough detail that it doesn't overpower the focal image, yet there's plenty of interest to still make it an attractive yet simple card. Patterned paper is from Basic Grey and grosgrain ribbon is from Stampin' Up! Base note card is from Memory Box. The scallops were stamped with a little Papertrey teardrop clear stamp.

For the coloring, I want to start showing you some simple things that you can do with your Copic markers. I know there is a lot of discussion about the Copics right now......some of you absolutely love them like I do, and some of you are not quite sure about the Copics for various reasons. Ellen has given some great product reviews about the Copics as well as myself, Trudee, JulieHRR, Debbie Olson and many others. You can visit past posts on all of our blogs about those details. But what about those of you that now have purchased your Copics, have tried coloring with them, and are having some troubles? Your coloring doesn't like like what we do, you can't get them to blend, you aren't as artistic as others....all comments I've heard or read on other blogs or message boards. Well, here's my feelings for those of you that are needing some help: Hang in there and stay tuned to blogs/websites that offer help with the Copics. These markers are a very high quality, artists tool and with that comes the need for continued education. It's just like working with watercolors, or other paints....you need time to get a feel for how they work, you need to practice, practice, practice, and you need to get some education about how to use them and what all they can do for you. So be patient, keep working with them, find the right inks and papers that you prefer...and stay tuned. I really want these to work out for all of you that have made the investment of the Copics. You paid good money for them so you need to be totally satisfied with the end results. You can do it, and I am glad to help you out with any questions you have.

Sooooooo with all that said, I have a card that ANYONE can do for today. The focal image was colored with Copics in a fun way that I will share and then I used the Copic Air Brush System to give the entire background a pink color wash.

For the colored watering can: It's so simple, you won't believe it. I grabbed up what Copics I wanted to use for the can and flowers. I based my color selection from the patterned paper. So I chose a few greens, blues, pinks and a yellows. I took the lids off all the markers and then held the markers in my left hand, open tips up. Then I just started dabbing color onto the stamped image. I didn't outline a thing, I just kept dabbing my Sketch tip end onto the paper. I totally blended the colors by just letting each color bleed into the next color. If one color was too dark, I used the colorless blender to lighten it. If one color needed to be darker, I dabbled on a darker shade of that same color. To keep within the lines of the stamped image, I just let the colors bleed to the edge and just filled in a little. But there is no base color colored in. This was so fun and it's a fast way to color also, plus it gives the image a real watercolored look. Now I know you can do this! Go try it and let me know how it works out. Keep your colors within just a few shade differences, keep your colorless blender handy and just be very *loose* with your coloring. My painting and rendering teachers always said that in college *be loose*......meaning don't overthink things, just do it.....with a light hand. Let me know how it works for you!! This is a great way to get to know your Copics.