April 3, 2009

Inspiration Notebook-Galvanized Garden Containers

Oh you guys!! You have touched my heart once again! Thank you so much for your wonderful comments. It's ones like this that makes me feel so good:

Anonymous said...
Hands down Mish, you have THE best blog. You are not about telling the world how wonderful you are,as some blogs are!! You are all about helping others and inspiring people with your talent and ideas. I blog hop to loads of spots but you seem to always be about the reader learning something - a gift of yourself. Thank you for being so generous and uplifting - I enjoy having coffee with you each morning!!


I just celebrated my 2 year blog anniversary and I have to say, it's you guys that keep me going. I love to share with you and it's fun to have our little *discussions* via comments back and forth. I'm so glad that I've motivated a lot of you to get your ideas organized. I can usually find a page from my Inspiration Notebook to match each and every project I want to do. It's so much fun to flip through organized pages....now for the rest of my house...that's another story!

Okay, let's move on to a project!! I've been in the gardening/flower mode since we had a few nice days a couple weeks ago and we got to work outside. I pulled out a Whipper Snapper stamp drawn by my friend Anna Wight because she does the best flowers, all with a little touch of country. Well her stamp image (Bucket of Posies) has a bucket on it and I really wanted to color my image to look like an old galvanized bucket.

So into my Inspiration File I dug, knowing I had several sample pages. I found this one that shows vintage watering cans, just the look I wanted to find:

And these pages that show a few more samples, I especially love that old bucket filled with flowers:
And then I snapped this photo right from my back deck, it's my Grandma's old wash tub that I'm going to fill with flowers this summer:
And here's my interpretation from my inspiring photos. For the base card, I used Papertrey Kraft cardstock inked with Fresh Snow ink, Crate Paper patterned paper, ribbon from my stash and Foofala buttons tied with thin twine (Stampin' Up!). I used staples to help adhere the ribbon and to reflect the metal look of the galvanized bucket.
Here's a close up of my galvanized bucket. I'd like to share with you how to get this look using Copic Sketch markers. When I color images like this one, I like to imagine that my Sketch markers are more like watercolor brushes. I use a very *loose* brush stroke and kind of *scribble* on my colors in a very blotchy effect. Yes, I colored outside the lines, zoom in to look at the flowers. But that's okay, there are no rules here. I did the same for the grass and sky(Color: B00 with a Colorless Blender (0)), just using looks scribbly strokes of my Sketch markers. Notice that I used complimentary colors for the flowers with the orange and blues. Amazing tools for coloring, I tell ya!
Now, let's get serious on this galvanzied bucket look. I used these marker colors of blues, greens and grays to get the look: W1, W3, W5, B52, YG93, 0. I did not apply the markers in brush strokes. Instead, I dabbed the color on using the tip of my Sketch markers...think of making polka dots all over the bucket. It looks funny at first but just keep dabbing on the colors, they blend as you add more colors. Zoom in to get a good look...and then go back up to my inspiration phots and zoom in....I really studied those photos for texture and color inspiration. Old galvanized buckets look kind of blue and green and blotchy. Keep adding color until you get the right look. You can go in with a marker and add some final shading strokes. I had so much fun coloring Anna's image!

Now, are you already saying *I could never color like that!*? Don't say that because you CAN do it! Here's proof below. Isn't this another wonderfully colored image with a galvanized flower pot(another Anna image)? My daughter Jordan sat right with me and colored this image, using my guidance. She's TEN YEARS OLD, peeps. I must add that she is super talented and crafty, like her ol' mom so she's ahead of the game a bit...I love that about her, a little *Mini Mish*!! :)

Sooo, get to coloring some buckets now, you can do it!!

32 comments:

Dottie K. said...

Wow this is stunning! Thanks for sharing your technique. Your daughter did an amazing job and does take after you. That must be fun to have her work with you. I always enjoy your blog and it's my favorite to get inspiration from. :)

Heather McNally and Melissa MacDonald said...

Beautiful work as always, Mish! I love your tips on how to color the galvanized tin - I just might have to try this. WOW - your "mini mish" did a FAB job, too!

rudie2shoes said...

Hi! I didn't get to comment on yesterday's blog but I'll do it here. I absolutely love your blog. It is my favorite since I discovered it in December. Actually, yours is the first paper crafter blog I found & I fell in love w/ all your creations. Just wanted to let you know that you've inspired me to continue practicing crafting & hopefully someday I'll get close to being as good as you. Keep up with these wonderful blogs!

Mom2Men (Val) said...

Thanks for sharing your technique. I'm pretty sure I have a metal bucket stamp in my stash. I'm thinking I'll have to try it this weekend. I love reading your blog and get tons of inspiration from your work. For example: I was up at our cabin (in Northern Michigan) a couple of weeks ago and wandered into a Salvation Army resale shop. There sitting on the shelf was about 4 of those little metal molds you keep your buttons in for 20 cents each. I snagged them immediately so I can be "just like Mish" when I grow up.

Thanks again for sharing your gift.

Anonymous said...

Wow!Jordan is indeed as talented as her mom!She colored the image perfectly. Tell her that:)
Maria

Tricia T said...

I'm so glad that your girls are crafting with you. It is a special bond to share. :) I like being able to tell my girls about something paper crafty (like winning blog candy or getting on a dt) or show them a card and have them actually be interested... not just say something nice because they're supposed to - like my ds does! :)

Michelle Quinno said...

I have this stamp and I love it. I usually color in with prismas & gamsol though. I'll have to try my copics. Your coloring is gorgeous!

Andrea said...

Mish - FANTASTIC job doing the buckets - what a great look! I have 9 year old and 6 year daughters who LOVE stamping too - what is more fun to do with them than that I ask you? NOTHING - I love it! The anonymous poster was absolutely right. I NEVER get tired of reading your posts - as well as your obvious crafting talent you really have a talent for entertaining us in just the right way. Thank YOU!!!

Gayle said...

Wow!! You always brighten my day with your designs and today was no exception. I love this card and the one that your daughter did is beautiful. I wish we were neighbors! You have such a warm welcoming nature about you and makes your blog so much fun to read everday. Thanks for the tips and the inspiration notebook!! Gayle

Dana Gustafson said...

Amazing coloring techniques! This makes that adorable stamped image come alive. I love that you had your daughter going right along side of you. So much fun! Thank you for all that you share here on your blog!

DeeDee said...

OMG Mish! You have a little artist on your hands with Jordan...WOW, she did a great job! Your card is gorgeous as well...but we already knew that! LOL! THANKS for always teaching us something. I've learned alot from you and your Copic markers! HUGS!

Elizabeth S. said...

These are great!! Thanks for sharing your technique. I love the old galvanized buckets. I am going to get a stamp now so I can give it a try.

Prairie Scrapbooking said...

I completely agree about how wonderfully easy Copics are for colouring. My 5 year old sits next to me whenever the markers come out, and she does an amazing job too. (I don't know what she'll do in Kindergarten with Crayolas, etc. hahah) Your work is always amazing, and I check out your blog very regularly for inspiration.

patriciad said...

Sooo darn purty! Jordan did a great job too. I see the apple does not fall far from the tree! OH, btw, I found some of that super cute Cosmo Cricket Girl Friday paper you've been using lately-FINALLY. Thanks for not buying it all up like I thought you did.. ;-) Seriously, for awhile I thought you had the entire stock of it in the entire country! Now I'm digging this October Afternoon stuff. Geez, I need sooo much help. Thanks, as always, for all the fun ideas. A day without Mish is like a day without sunshine! :-)

Shelley said...

Beautiful, and always inspiring :)

Tracey McNeely said...

I am with Anonymous in that your blog is the first hit in My Favourite Scrapbooking Blogs folder in favourites! I love your style and the inspiration you give to your followers. I hope you keep on going because I love your blog! I hope we will get to see a photo of gramma's wash bin when it is blooming with flowers.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful lesson and beautiful cards! You are an excellent teacher. Your instructions are clear, and you are so motivational. Your enthusiasm and joy in sharing is evident in a the printed word, not an easy task. I've only been stamping a few months, and your blog is so helpful. I've been coloring with Prismas and enjoy seeing which stamps you use for coloring. I too like the simple country look. Lastly, please tell Jordan she looks like she's ready for publication!

Gabriela (Gaby WIth An Eye) said...

OMW - You've certainly captured the galvanized look on your bucket. It's perfect with those little flowers colored to perfection.

Karen said...

Where to start. You and Jordy made some beautifully colored images. Love all the inspiration you give all the time. Your cards always move me to create. I don't have Copics, but your coloring ideas work in many mediums. (I am a colored pencil freak). I adore the bucket and without your guidance, I would never have thought to color it so beautifully. Have a super weekend.

Heather said...

I visit your blog everyday, you truly are an inspiration with your creativity and I’m always inspired by you. After visiting your blog I purchased my first Copic makers and I’d like to thank you for sharing with us, your tips and techniques as I need all the help I can get!!

Jill said...

Love your card. I especially love your inspiration journal idea and how you are sharing your inspiration photos along with your completed project. Thank you for sharing so much! I love reading your blog!!

Debbie Fisher (debbiedee) said...

WOWZERS! I don't have enough copics yet to create this *yeah right like I could, but a girl can dream), but I did color an apple tin bucket that will be on my blog Sunday. (it's for some DT work)

Are you getting bad weather now? We are in for a 2 day blizzard, so moving all the cows that are about to calve into the barn and getting ready for a white out.

Kay said...

Well, I gotta tell ya Mish ... since I found your blog and shared it with my sister, we now head off to our respective craft rooms 600 miles apart and make a "mish inspiration" and then get on the phone just giddy with our results! You really are an inspiration, and you make me feel like if I ever had the chance to meet you in person, I would feel as though I were meeting an old friend!

Linda Carson said...

Great inspirational blogging!! Thanks!

Becky said...

This really is lovely. Thanks for the tips on how to color, because I need all the help I can get :).

Jean Franks Beck said...

Mish, that looks outstanding!! What a difficult look to pull off, but you've done it. I just got myself about 30 Copics, and I sooooo appreciate tutorials :) Love your style. Thanks thanks thanks!

Gerri K said...

I agree with your anonymous comment. Yours is the first blog I go to every day!!! Your card today is beautiful, as always!!

Pamm said...

Wow! I am blown away by you and Jordan's work! I have that stamp too and have worked and worked trying to get it to look like that! Now I know how!!! YEAH! How wonderful to be able to have your daughter sit and "COLOR" with you. TFS.

CreativeMish said...

I have an old watering can like that... Your card is fabulous! I love your idea of the inspiration book. I need to start doing that... I keep things mostly in my head

Unknown said...

Thank you so very much for your tutorial on coloring galvanized buckets! I have one with pussy willows in it that I've looked at for two years and never used because I was so stymied as to how to color the bucket beyond using a silver marker! (Doesn't work!) It's pussy willow time around here so, guess what my next card will be! Thanks again for the detailed explanation.

SueB said...

HAD to drop in and thank you for sharing your galvanized cans coloring - t'riffic stuff!

SweetMissDaisy (Anna Wight) said...

Beautiful job by you and your mini-MISH! =)

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