Hop Art Studio

Retiring Stamps!

Retiring my digital stamps the end of the month. (October 2012)

So you have only a couple of weeks left to purchase these and help

support Operation Write Home.

It has been a blessing working with Hambo Stamps to help out this awesome organization.

I've enjoyed drawing my little ladies and so happy that Hambo Stamps was able to host them on their site.

 

All images remain the property of Asela Hopkins Copyrighted 2012.

  I retain the rights to all of these image, even after they have been retired.

Please do not alter, reproduce or distribute them without my consent. Thanks!

 

Farm Cat

Copic Markers - B000, Boo, B12, RV23, RV69, RV55, RV66, Y35, YR04, YG09, YG67,0

Just a quick post. The last of the really cute Farm Animals by Hambo Stamps

Farm Cat

I had fun coloring in these adorable digital stamps in unusual colors. Something unexpected!

Who says a cat can't be blue?

I hurt my back this week. Something that hasn't happened to me in a very, very long time. I think I just pulled a muscle. But boy am I stiff.

It's getting better. So should be back to my normal, 100 miles a minute self by next week.

My son has settled in to his new room at the base and is really enjoying it there.

I miss him but I'm also very happy that he's found something that he really loves.

Farm Chick

Copic  Markers Y16, YR15, R29, BV0000, BV00, BV02

Farm Chicken Hambo Stamps

Well my oldest chick has flown the coop.

He left Sunday for his new journey. I'm very proud of all that he has accomplished in the last 9 months.

I know he will continue to do well in the Army.

I don't know yet if he will be deploying right away or not. He'll be in processing for 2 weeks.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed and toes crossed that he sticks around for a bit first.

No matter what happens I know he'll be okay. 

He's doing something he loves and we will keep him covered in prayers.

I have really been enjoying coloring in these cute farm animal digis from Hambo Stamps.

If you haven't tried digital stamps I would highly encourage you to try them out.

Hambo has so many wonderful ones to chose from, including some that I've drawn.

Hopefully I'll get back into drawing soon.

It's been a very busy summer!

Farm Goat

Copic Markers -BV0000, BV000, BV00, BV02, BV04, R81, RV34, C7, Y35

I am loving coloring in these cute farm animals by Hambo stamps. They are digital, which is great. They can be re-sized, printed out and colored. No need to take up precious storage in my house. 

Farm Goat

 

I'm itching to get back to drawing and doing something creative.

But time is precious right now as my son James is home before he has to report to his next duty station. With things heating up in the middle east I'm praying, not only for his safety, but for all of our men and women who are serving. 

I don't know if he will deploy right away or not.

I know he's in God's hand and that what ever happens is not in my control.

My parents, who came up to visit him, don't see it this way. 

It's hard to have to be more mature than those that raised you.

The burden I bear, unfortunately.

They, in a very selfish and immature way, think that we "forced" him to join the military.

Nothing that I can say can change their minds.

It couldn't be farther from the truth.

It was his choice. 

He went to college and he didn't apply himself.

He didn't want to continue to go to college.

He made the decision to join.

And we are very proud and very supportive of his decision.

He is extremely happy in the Army.

And he has excelled in all of his courses.

Because he loves it!

But I have to carry the burden of the guilt that my parents are now placing on my shoulders.

If, God forbid, something were to happen to my son, my folks would never forgive me.

As if I didn't have enough to worry about, right?

So....hence the lack of post. 

I'm bouncing back from the drain that their visit placed on my heart.

And enjoying this last, wonderful, amazing week with my son before he drives off to his new duty station.

I know he will do great!

And I'm very proud of all that he has done.

Keep him in you prayers.

Farm Cow

Copic Markers- V000, V01, V15, W1, W5, W7, Y17, YR15, 0, B05

 I hope these close ups help. Sometimes it's hard to see the blending from just a card picture.

I used 4 violet markers. V15 is the darkest. (The 5 lets you know that it has more pigment)

However, I have found that this rule doesn't always apply! LOL

So what I always do before I color, or blend my markers, is try them out on a scrap piece of paper first. 

Make sure that the scrap is the same as the paper you will be coloring on.

I like Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb.

But I have used other brands, having found similar results when coloring.

Use what works best for you.

You can find this fun cow at Hambo Stamps Digital Store.

Farm Horse

Copic Markers - B12, B05, 0, Y0000, Y00, Y02, Y08, W1, W3, W5,R81, R22, RV34

This is the cutest horse!  I ordered him from Hambo Stamps. Farm Horse

I wanted to used different coloring than you would normally expect to see on animals. I decided a yellow horse would be fun.

(I thought of all those cute lil' girl toys.)

You can see that I used 4 yellows to color in his body. Y0000, being the lightest to the Y08 as the darkest color. Often you will read that you need to go from light to dark. If you have ever worked with watercolors you know that it's easier to build up layers, from light to dark.

Some people will color with markers from dark to light. Putting in the shadows first and then working towards the light areas. 

I have to confess....I do both!

So don't ever feel like you have to be stuck doing it one way because you see how this or that artist color in their images.

Do what works best for you.

With the horse I put down the Y0000 first. Colored all the body in. Then I added the Y08 where I wanted shading. 

After that I used Y02, Y00 and Y0000 to blend. Also, you can use 0 (blender marker) to lighten the areas, highlights.

Remember, that it takes practice to get colors to blend smoothly.

And you have to work over the darker areas with the lighter colors and then go back in and add dark again.

Don't give up....just keep working at it and you will eventually get the right "feel" when enough is enough.

 

Fiona's Flowers

Copic Markers - Y17, Y35, E23, E37, E25, E79, E50, E53, R20, R17, YG03, YG63, BG96, C1, C3, BG15, BG72, RV21, RV02, RV55, RV66

New gal I've drawn for Hambo Stamps. All profit benefits OWH.

You can find her at Fiona's Flower Hambo Stamp Digital Store

I thought I'd take some pictures while I colored her in. 

(I tried taking a film of one card I was coloring and well....let's just say...it turned out awlful! But I'll try again.)

 

Farm Dog

Copic Markers - W0, W3,W5, W7, E31, E35, E23, R17, R59, Y38, YR23

Farm Dog Digital  by Hambo Stamps

It's been a while since a posted. After getting home from seeing my sweet son graduate my hubby went to the west coast for a week.

I took advantage of that extra time and did some work around the house.

I hate clutter.

And I often get overwhelmed when I find that stuff needs to be purged and I haven't been able to organize it.

So I didn't get any rest while he was away, instead I spent that week re-arranging, purging, moving and cleaning.

But it felt good.

When we built our dream home, our retirement home, I really wanted my own art room. But I lost that battle. Some things just aren't worth arguing over, you know. The house looks huge on the outside, when you drive by it. And it is the biggest house we have ever lived in.

But big to me is 2500 sq ft. (Considering I spent the first 16 years of my marriage in a 1200 sq fr patio home and then 4 years in a 1400 sq ft home in California with no side, back or front yard. I think 2500 is huge!)

Well, we do have an office, but it's  weirdly shaped and we really need it to be an office.

We have a dinning room now, but we use our dinning room. Yep...one of those weird traditional families that sits down to dinner every night.

I have 2 small bedrooms upstairs. One for each boy.

My oldest, who's now in the Army, I would like to keep that room as is. It has my first bedroom set that we bought when we got married. And I want a guest room. Something that I never had in the past. 

My youngest son will be in his room for several years. One day...when he moves out to start his own life...I'll make that my dream art studio.

Anyways, I have this really cool, old cedar drop leaf chest that I keep all of my scrapbooking papers in, along with other supplies. 

So....while hubby was gone I kept looking at that dinning room table and thinking.

During the day, while everyone is gone, it's empty. 

I want to get back into scrapbooking.

But I need room to spread out.

So I moved the cedar chest to the dinning room

(Hubbies first words out of his mouth during dinner time was..."Hmmm, never seen a chest in a dinning room before.")

Men!

All the rest of my stuff I moved to a tiny space that I re-organized and moved other things out to make room for my stuff.

At least, it's all in one place now.

And I can make a mess and close the door and not feel bad about how it looks.

(Remember I'm a bit OCD when it comes to having things neat!)

So I have a desk upstairs with my coloring supplies.

A cedar chest in the dinning room with my scrapbooking supplies.

And all the rest of my stuff is tucked away....to embarrassed to tell you where, 'cause you'd laugh. Especially if you saw my house. 

You'd be, like.....seriously!

But hey....it's working.

I have 2 new gals that are now available at the Hambo digital store.

I've colored them.
And I just need to make them into cards and take photos.

Gosh...life just doesn't get easier, does it? 

Paula's Prayers

Copic Markers -E00, E53, R20, E25, E29,E57, E49, YG41, Go2, B93, B99, R14, R46, 0

 

Meet the new gal, Paula!

She's one of 3 new gals that I drew.

You can find her at Hambo Stamps and all sales benefit Operation Write Home.

Paula's Prayers

SoleMates

It's been a lonnnnnnng week. I'm giving up caffeine (not 100%, still like a bit now and then. Especially tea.)

But I wanted to stop depending on it to give me a pick me up in the afternoon. 

It was hard the first few days when I cut back. Headaches! But I did it. 

I've only made de-caf coffee in the morning and no afternoon coffee for 3 days - Wednesday through Friday!

(I don't drink soda. Never acquired a taste for them. So didn't have that to worry about.)

I printed out one of Hambo Digital Stamps and colored it in using Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol.

Prismacolor Pencils- 910,926,1004,1011

 

Call Me

This is another cute digital stamp from Hambo Stamps.

Copic Markers - E50, E43, E21, R11, E23, E29, BV0000, BV00, BV02, BV23, C3, C5, C7, YG61, BG93

I really love working with digital stamps.

Don't get me wrong, the clear and rubber ones still pull my heart strings when I pass by them at stores.

But I've tried to live with less "stuff".

And digis....well they only take up space on my computer. That's way cool!

And I can print them in any size. Another plus!

(When you get up in years it's easier to color larger images, just sayin'. Wink)

I am enjoying the new space that I created upstairs, in that small nook. It's just a desk.

But since moving all of my pencils, paints, pens, markers to that desk I find myself drawn to it. 

It's like my own little piece of heaven.

Living in a house of "guys" I really am looking forward to the day when I can finally have my own art room.

I know I have some time till that dream comes to fruition.

Ben's only 15!

(I think I like the idea of his room better than the other room.)

So for now, I just enjoy what I can with what I have.

Life is too short to worry about what we "don't" have. 

We need to just be thankful for what we "do" have.

Hero

I just couldn't resist this adorable digi by Hambo Stamps.  Bird Hero

Copic Markers - RV10, RV55, V05, YG17, YG67, Y08, YR15, Y08, R46, W0, W1, W3, W5, C00, 0

We had a great Memorial Day weekend with the visit of my sweet son. He got to spend time with his friends and us before he had to leave back to post. 

He is half way through his training and doing really great.

We are so happy for him. He is really excited about the career path that he has chosen.

Here he is when we picked him up at the airport. 

My goodness he seemed all grown up.

Yes, I cried when we said our good byes on Monday.

....he's definitely my Hero.

Meet the New Gals!

Meet Stella

Copic Markers - E00, E41, RV10, Y35, YR23, E33, E15, BG000, BG01, B95, R14, R17, R59, BG90, C3, C5, 0

Meet Summer

Copic Markers-E33, E35, E18, E51, E53, YR30, BG000, B12, B02, YG23, YG63, R29, R59, V95, RV10, Y28, BG72, YR15, W2, C3, C5, 0

Meet Daisy

Copic Markers - RV10, E00, E11, E53, E33, E23, E18, V01, V08, Y35, Y38, R05, BG01, 0

Meet the new gals, Summer and Stella! 

I finally was able to get some coloring done, so Daisy got a shot too.

Things around here, as usual, are busy.

My sweet son James came to visit us from Army AIT. It was a short weekend visit but oh so wonderful.

The hardest part, saying goodbye. I cried my eyes out. 

I really tried to be strong. But when we hugged goodbye I couldn't stop the tears from coming.

I'm happy for him.

He's doing something he's very excited about.

And I know, as a military wife, that this is a good choice for him.

I think he'll do really well in the Army.

And I pray for him daily.

However....

I'm not really looking forward to his next step in this  journey.

After graduation.

Jump school!

But it's what he wants.

And that's okay...

(These digital stamps can be found at the wonderful Hambo Stamps. Profits from the sales of my digis are going to OWH. If you haven't heard of them you have to hop on over there and see the wonderful things that they do. )

Maddie

New gal's in town!

I just finished her this week and colored her in.

Didn't have a chance to create a card but I hope that's okay.

I love to color.

Cards, well....it's been a while.

So artist first, cardmaker....when I can.

Copics -E00,E50, E53,Y11,YR31, YR23, Y17,E81,E33,E23,E77,RV21,R17,R59,B32,B95, G14

Maddie and Cat can be bought at Hambo Stamps.

(There are some cute saying that are part of this set.)

Profits of the sales of my new digital stamps go to support OWH. (See blinky on my sidebar.)

Daisy

 

My new digital stamp is now available at Hambo Stamps!

I'm so excited to be able to share my illustrations again.

I just bought some new Copic markers.

I was such a good girl last year. Nothing bought. Really!

Just yarn and some magazines. 

Okay a few books too!

And since I sold so many of my stamping supplies I had a bit of cash stashed away.

So I decided to spend a bit of it on the new markers.

I will also be getting the set of Ciaos that I don't have.

Then, of course, there are the refills. 

Yikes!

Have a great weekend.

 

Josephine

Copic Markers- W1, W3, W5, 0. B95. YG67, E50, E51, E35, E47, RV00, RV23, RV34, R46

Josephine can be found at Hambo Stamps.

I hope you guys are okay with me posting cards again?

It's actually weird for me.

I've been away from it for so long that when I see a card posted on my blog, I have to wonder if it's mine!

Yikes!

I have a new gal coming out this weekend.

Hopefully I'll be able to get a card done this week so that I can share it with you.

If not....

I'll make sure to post her and links to the hop here on my blog.

Here's my puppy.....

My son took this picture while there was a strong wind blowing and he was just enjoying all of the smells.

(I'm a dog person. But if I could find a cat that didn't shed I might, maybe, someday.....own one.)

Linda

 

Copic Markers-  E00, E21, E33, E35, Y08, YR04, Y38, RV10, BG05, BG90, R29, 0

OMGosh! I'm always running around.

And around,

And around!

This is Late Linda, one of my new digis for Hambo Stamps. Profits of these go to OWH.

Did you know that Hambo Stamps have some really fun challenges?

Now that I'm starting to get back in the game, the stamping and coloring game that is, I want to start working on something fun every week.

They have a great challenge this week, extra folds.

I want to work on it next week. I'm rusty! But I'm gonna give it a shot.

Take a look at all the beautiful cards the design team created.

Hambo Hoedown

I'm so inspired.

And oh my!

Look at the gorgeous fairy card created by Sarah.

It's so nice seeing what people create using my drawings. And I'm so happy to be able to help out OWH.

Not to change the subject....

But a mom can't help but brag....

James passed his first exam this week, missing only 4 questions. He's so excited.

Watch out for Army Geeks!

Celeste

 

 

Copic Markers - E50, E53, RV00, RV10, RV21, Y11, Y31, Y61, YR23, Y38, YG41, G02, BG93, W1, W3. W5, R46, E08, E37, 0

Meet Celeste. I printed her out twice. Then after I colored in the images, wings and mushroom only on one of them, I cut out the body and adhered it to the front of the card. Using foam dots.

I'm thinking now, glitter may have looked really nice on the wings. Maybe next time!

I cut out strips of the grey paper and layered it for the ground. To give it some texture.

(Okay....really to cover up a mistake! But texture sounded better....hehehe)

Fairy Celeste is part of my new digital stamps to help support OWH  sponsored by Hambo Stamps.

I already have 3 new gals drawn up. 

Just need to make them into digis.

Can't wait to share them with you.

I hope you have enjoyed the new digital images that I've created.

I can't wait to hop around the web and see what beautiful cards you make with them.

Please, leave me a link to your creation.

I would love to be able to see it!

Thank you for supporting OWH.

Thank you for supporting Hambo Stamps.

Addison

 

Meet Addison. I had a blast drawing her. You can find her here at Hambo Stamps Digital Store.

Copic Colors- E00, E21, E53, E31, E33, E35, E37, E47, E93, B00, B97, B95, C00, C1, C3

Remember that the profits from the sales of my new digital images go to OWH.

Last year when I decided to take a break from stamping and illustrating everyone, including my family, thought I was nuts! LOL

Really....a break?

But you're obsessed about it.

Look at all of those markers? $100's of dollars....let just add it up, hubby said one day....let's not! I replied.

(And I don't have ALL the markers! Imagine what he would say if I did have every one. All I have are the original 4 Ciao sets plus the 0000 set)

But I was serious. 

I quit teaching, I quit stamping and I quit illustrating. 

I learned to knit. 

And I enjoyed the year I had with my son before he left to the Army's basic training.

Sometimes.....we have to let go of something that we love inorder to focus on something that is more important.

I will always be an artist, just like I've told my son that he will always be an artist.

Just because he's in the Army doesn't mean that he has to give up drawing. 

I just sent him a care package and in it a little surprise.

A new sketch book with a set of black and a set of colored markers. No, not Copic. But thin ones for illustrating.

(Like the new Prismacolor ones, without the brush tip.)

So....

this year.....

with some of the stresses of last year gone....

with the joy of knowing my son is doing something he loves....

with my passion for illustrating tapping again at my heart....

I'm so happy to be able to share on my blog again.

Hang in there.....

it's gonna be a process for me to get back into stamping again.

And...

I honestly don't think I'm gonna get as involved as I once did.

This time...

It's on my time!

Serena Mermaid

I have some exciting news!

One of my dearest friends has been sweet to host my illustrations on her site. Hambo Stamps !

Not only that but the sales of my new digital images will benefit Operation Write Home.

As you know from reading my blog my son is now in the Army.

And I can't tell you enough how important it was for him, as well as for us, to receive a card or letter.  

I'm nervous and excited at the same time about this premier.

I've been having a blast playing with my new illustration style and I am so happy to be able to share it with you. You already got a glimpse of 2 of my new gals, Trena and  Bella, but now you get a chance to see all of them!

To see samples of all the new images please go to the Hambo Hoedown.

I hope you enjoy using them on your cards as much as I've enjoyed drawing them.

Meet Serena.  

She is printed out on Neenah Classic Crest White Super Smooth paper. I then spray the image with Krylon Workable Fixatif. This makes sure that the ink on the paper, from your printer, will not smear when you color in the image. I have tried other sprays but found that, for me, this one works the best.

Copic Colors - E50, E51, Y02, Y15, Y11, YR23, W00, W1, W3, YG03, YG63, YG91, 0, B02, BG05, RV14, RV21, R17

You can purchase all the new digital stamps at Hambo's "New Arrivals"

Please remember, all digital images are copyrighted Asela Hopkins for Hambo Stamps.

You can use them for your own personal use and to create cards. Handmade, not mass produced.

I think this clears up Copy Right questions. (Thanks Maurie J Manning!)

Coffee Please

Copic Markers: R0000, R20, RV13, R22, RV29, C1, C5, E00, E53, E33, E37

(Oh Yes! The paper I use, thanks for asking -Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80 lb. Or you can use just Neenah Classic Crest if you can't find Super Smooth.)

My coffee maker died. Yep, the second Keurig I've owned in one year. So I went out and bought something different.

Now, I like the machine I found. It makes single servings.  No K cups. The coffee tastes great to me.

But....hubby....well not so much.

So I'm off to buy the good ole' stand bye Mr. Coffee maker. Yep, no more single servings at my house.

Oh well. Pick your battles I always say.

This is another adorable digital image by Hambo Stamps.

I printed her twice and cut out the little hand and popped it up over the coffee cup.

 

I have become a drawing fool lately!

I'm on my third drawing, a mermaid. She's cute.

I'm thinking I may post them as freebies for everyone to use.

I'll explain why, if I do decide to share my artwork, I will not be making them into rubber.

Or selling them as digi stamps.

And why they will be for free.

Changin'

Copic Markers -BG0000, BG01, BG09, RV10, RV23, YG0000, YG03, YG63

 

Isn't he the cutest? Just gotta love Tim's digital illustration for Hambo Stamps.

I wish, beyond wishing, that I had half the talent that Tim does when it comes to illustrating cartoons. Man can he draw!

I've also created one more card this week. Crazy, huh? 3 cards in one week. I must have a fever. 

Coloring fever that is.

I'm still trying to learn how to draw cartoons. Don't get me wrong I can illustrate, in my own style. But I want to get to the point of being able to just draw silly little cartoons like I see my boys drawing. Both my boys are really talented. 

I know it's just practice, practice and more practice. And then you find your own unique cartoon style. 

I'm just more of a realistic illustrator. Need to have something to look at to either get inspired or as a reference for an illustration.

I'm not giving up, but boy is it frustrating....lol.

Hope you enjoy my cards. 

(I'm using old paper packs from last year, can ya tell? Wink....not ready to get back to spending on paper, embellishments, keeping up with the Jones. Not stressing....this is all about having fun!)

Yes, I'm still knitting and crocheting. It's so relaxing. 

Mummy!

Holly cow Batman! I made a card. It's been a long while. And boy did it feel awkward. But it was fun coloring in Tim's new digital image. I've always loved Hambo Stamps and when I saw this cute little guy I just had to have him. You can find more of thier wonderful stamps and digitals here

I've updated my SU! sales page. All orders have shipped. There are still plenty of stamps left. I'll leave the page up till the end of the year. After that, what's left will most likely go back into storage.

Christmas Window

The chill in the air makes me want to start making Christmas card. I used Christmas Window by Hambo Stamp for the focal image. It reminds me of our living room. The tree sits right next to our fireplace, stone with a large wooden mantle. Above it a mirror.

I tried to use a softer color palette with my Copic markers.

The snow was created with Liquid Applique by Marvy.

By the Fire

Boo! I love campfires and scary stories. This is a cute digi stamp by Hambo Stamps. With the weather really cooling down, especially in the evening, it makes me want to sit around a nice hot fire.

I used that really cool black ribbon that I just bought from Hambo Stamps. You can find all kinds of beautiful ribbon on sale. 

Colored in using Copic Markers.

Over the Fence

 

Well it's been a busy week. I've been working on photographing more stamps to add to my Etsy shop and also working on previews for next weeks new stamp release for Ginak. I can't wait to share my newest set with you. It's a subject that I love to draw!

I'm still on my Halloween card making binge. I love the bright and fun colors of the season. Hambo Stamps has really fun images for me to color. I actually combined 2 digital images together using Adobe PSE. I opened the fence and then opened the witch, making sure to make the area around her transparent. Then dragged her over top of the fence image. I printed it out twice and colored it in using Copic markers.

 Have a great weekend.

Wee Vampire

 

Eeeek! I'm loving working on Halloween cards. And using Hambo's adorable Wee Henry Vampire was so fun. I used my Copic markers to color in the image. Added a bit of green to his complexion. The front of the cape is popped up.

 I'm diligently  working on photographing my Halloween cards so that I can upload then to my Etsy site. I wish at times that I had a Genie that I could use to do these tedious chores. But alas, I don't!

Bewitched...

 

Getting into the Halloween card making spirit. This is another fun image by Hambo Stamps. I colored her in using Copic Markers. Lots of fun!

 

Now for the winner of my newest set Boo!...

Congrats...

Carrie C said:
"Ooooo, I love this set - and the card you made with it. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. Such fun to make Halloween cards and decorations. Thanks for the chance to win!" 

Email me your mailing address and it will go postal ASAP.

Thanks everyone for the comments.

Ice Cream

 

Having cute images to color is really easy with Hambo Stamps Digital images. I love Tim's art! I wish I could draw cartoons like he does. But I don't even have to 'cause I just hop on over to Hambo's site and find what I want. Easy peasy.

 Ice Cream Man  was so much fun to color and create a card with. It's the perfect card to help celebrate this last weekend of summer fun.

Have a great Labor Day weekend.

Time Out

 

Well it's back to school week and I'm enjoying my mornings again. I just need to get into a new routine. Still have my oldest here who starts college next week, but after that I should be able to get more done around here. It's funny even when they are older they still take up some of my time. (Granted, not near as much as when they were little.)

I'm really loving coloring in Hambo's stamps! This image reminded me of my boys. They had and still have quiet the imagination. I can picture them at the playground pretending that they have a friend dinosaur to play with. 

Creating a smooth background with Copic markers is really hard. You can achieve a smooth look by masking off the images and then airbrushing the background. Or you can do what I did, not even try to make it smooth! I cross hatched 3 blue marker colors over and over again to create the background blues. I like it. It's a nice contrast between the dinosaurs smooth skin and the layers of the background.

Lots of Copics used!

B32, B95, B12, B39,0, Y02, YR23, E51,E53,  E35, R27, G0000, G000, G02, YG41, BG96, W1, W3, C1, C5 

Copic Creations Challenge 33 - Reflections

 

This copic challenge is reflections. It can be on anything that has a reflection. Hop on over to the Copic Creations Blog  and you will find a list of tutorials that will help you with your coloring. And the samples by all of the design team is amazing!

This weeks prize is by Suzanne Dean! You won't be disappointed.

 

0,C1,C3,C7, E00, E21, E35, E29, YR23,YR07,RV10,R27,R59,B00,B05,B45,B95,YG11,YG67,BG96

I used this oh so cute digital stamps by Hambo Stamps. For the reflection I cast the shadow into the water.  I colored in the darker colors into the water first, the browns, some red and so forth. Then I went over it with the blues to blend it in. I wanted to create a sense of depth underneath the peer and his feet.

Just Beecause

 

Oh goodness have I been in a major funk this week! I don't know if it's because of all the stresses that I've been dealing with around our tiny little neighborhood (why can't everyone just get along?). Or maybe it's because summer is coming to an end and school is about to start. But I really hope to pop out of what ever has got a hold of me and get my creative juices flowing again.

I used another adorable image by Hambo Stamps as the focal point. I colored it in using Copic Markers and added a bit of Diamond Stickles to the beehive. I then used Cosmo Crickets Tiny Type stickers to create the saying.

Peeps!

 

 
This little birdie image is so cute. I know I'll be using him again and again. I stamped him one on top of the other and then stamped him again 4 times on a separate piece of paper. I colored these images in and cut them out. Adhering them to the ones stamp in a row using adhesive dots. Copic markers were the perfect coloring medium for them.

You can find this bird image at Hambo Stamps.

Say Cheese

 

I just couldn't resist using this paper with this cute Hambo Stamps image. The little mouse and cheese are two images and they are perfect together.

My son has the sweetest hamster. This little mouse reminded me of her.

  I'm a big sucker for animals. Grew up with a dad that raised every abandoned bird and helped every injured animal. He still has a ton of critters, from pigmy goats to Koi's. If it was up to me I'd probably be following in his footstep. But..... one has to be practical. (Oh ya and then there are those pesky zoning laws! LOL) 

I colored him in using Copic markers.

The background paper is Max & Whiskers by Basic Grey. 

Thank you everyone for the sweet comment about my first video. I'm so glad it was helpful. I will definitely plan on making more in the future, as time permits.

Beast Friends!

 

I'm a huge fan of Hambo Stamps. I love all of their images. Being the mom of two boys I love to be able to find stamps that are perfectly suited for boys. 

,This dinosaur-monster is great! When my 13 year old saw him stamped on my paper he just had to ask if he could color him. Since I had stamped several of this image I gave him one to work on. He made him green with yellow spikes! Way cute.

I used CPS- Card Sketch Challenge, for this week, as the inspiration for the layout. I love using sketches to motivate me to create something. There are often times when I get a creative block and the sketches are exactly what I need to get me started.

(I decided to go with the darkest color next and then follow that with the medium to blend.)

Finishing my blending with the lightest colors.

All done! I'm going to have fun with this little monster, coloring him all kinds of ways. 

Copic Markers- V000, V12, V15, V17, YG11, YG63, Y08    

  
 

Copic Creations Challenge 29 - Animals

 

I'm so excited to be able to use a digital stamp image from one of my favorite stamp companies Hambo Stamps!

This weeks challenge at Copic Creation Challenge Blog is coloring animals. And Hambo has really fun stamps, perfect for this challenge. I used this adorable Prince frog digital for my card. Hop on over to the Copic Creation Blog and see all of the gorgeous samples that the design team created.

               
 

Normally I color the entire body with the light color, but in the first picture I decided to just color in the light areas and leave the darker areas untouched. Just something different. I still went over all of the image using the lightest color to blend.

 

Copic Markers - Y11, YG03, G24, BV0000, BV00, BV13, Y17, YR23 

It's Hambo Time!

The very first design team I was on was Hambo Stamps and I have continued to love Tim's illustrations. Monica's sayings are always hilarious and I loved working with the 2 of them. 

In honor of them today we are having a special blog hop.

You're next stop will be to the very talented Colleen's blog to see what beautiful creation she has made using Hambo stamps

 http://www.distinctivetouches.com 

 

This cute image was one of the first stamps I got from Hambo. Isn't she a hoot! I used Copics to color her in.

The other wonderful bloggers joining in today will be

  Isabelle Jane Libby MacKenzie Melissa

Beary Thanks

 

Have you tried digital stamps yet? They are a wonderful alternative to rubber or acrylic. What you get is a digital image sent to your computer that you can download and print out. Please respect the illustrators when you purchase these types of digital images and do not reproduce them for profit (except when you are using them on card fronts etc.) Also, don't forward them to your friends. I don't want to get into the specifics of copyright laws but ignorance is no excuse for doing something that is wrong, KWIM?

Okay, anyways. This adorable bear is illustrated by Tim for Hambo Stamps. Isn't he the cutest ever! (The bear I mean, well....Tim you're adorable too. Wink, Monica.)

I printed him out on card stock, not copier paper. When you are coloring in digital images that you print out on your home ink jet printer just remember to either heat set the ink or spray it first with a fixative other wise the ink my smear when you start to color them.

I used Plaids Acrylic Spray Sealer. I sprayed it very lightly. Warning: Please, if you use this stuff spray it in a very well ventilated area as it has a really strong odor. I am going to try to find something else to use on the print outs. I will let you know what I find works best for me.

I used Copic markers to color him in (arghhhh...wrote all the marker colored down and now can't find the list!)

You can see from the first picture, of another cute digital stamp by  Hambo Stamps, that when you color over the lines the ink will smear. It seems to be worse with the lighter browns that we like for skin tones.

In the second picture  you can clearly see that the ink lines are nice and crisp. I was able to blend and had no problems with the lighter colors.

Now remember I said to spray lightly if you are using Plaids sealer. I tried another print out and applied the sealer with a heavier hand and even though you can still color with your Copic Markers the sealer created a surface that I didn't like. It was harder to blend and it looked mottled. So experiment when you are appliying a sealer over your print outs.

To see Tim's awesome digital and rubber stamp illustrations you can visit their site Hambo Stamps.

Found my list!

Copic Markers: C3, C5, B95, G21, G94, YR23, E21, E33, E35, E08, E47, R20, R46

Wishing You Well

With the cold snap hitting a large portion of the US right now I hope my friends stay well. Especially hard to do when you have little ones bringing home all kinds of germs!

I'm sharing anothercard I created using a cute stamp I purchased from Hambo Stamps.

I went with the St. Patrick day's theme with a bit of a twist. I thought that the Well and the saying played perfectly into the theme of the holiday.

I used mostly Prismacolor Markers with a few Copics to color it in with.

To create the clovers I used a flower punch. I trimmed one of the flower petals with my scissors to create a stem. How cool is that!

 I have lots of stamping to do this week. I'm waiting for a special package to arrive from GinaK Designs!

I'm really excited for the time when I can share with you what came in the box.

Yippee Yahoooooooo!

Finding cute boy images can sometimes be hard. But Hambo Stamps always has the funnest images. I love this little guy that Tim drew for Hambo Stamps! Ain't he just darling?!!!

http://hambostamps.com/

I just clicked on their new stamps. Oh my! I need to get on the phone and order some. The Surfer Pig and Party Sheep. How fun!

I stamped the little cowboy using memento ink and colored him in using Copic and Prismacolor markers.

For the mountains in the background  I colored them in first in orange and then started adding layers of grays and browns to mute it.

The background is Cuttlebug embossing folder Paisley.

Ahhhhhhhhh! Looks like a missed a finger. Well....I'll just need to go back and color it in. LOL.

That's one thing that is so cool about alcohol based markers. You can always go back in and color and layer. The new marker strokes re-activate the old layers.

My hubby was looking at something I was coloring in last night and said that the image looked watercolored. Yes! Now that's the kind of compliment I love to hear.

Honey, Bee Mine!

What a week! I've been busy with all sorts of stuff. Some fun, others not. But hey that's life, right? Makes things interesting.

Aren't these just the cutest mushrooms you ever saw! I couldn't wait to color them in when my package from Hambo Stamps arrived. I can see so many different sayings working with this stamp.

I used another of GinaK's sayings.

I didn't keep track of the markers I used (Note to self:GET BETTER AT THAT!)

I used mostly Prismacolor markers. If you practice a ton with these markers you will get really good at using the larger chisel tip. Even being able to color in small areas. The key word here is "Practice". Like with anything else in life it just takes time to get really good at it. Now for some, it may take less time, and others a whole lot more time.

But in the end you will be much happier with the materials and methods that you are using if you stick with one thing long enough to become proficient at it.

Some Bunny's Sick

I'm a big fan of Tim's illustrations for Hambo Stamps. His drawings are so fun and whimsical. Lately I've been enjoying how he takes their stamps and creates these amazing scenes with them. On Monica's blog  http://hambostamps.blogspot.com/ you'll find a wonderful array of Tim's step by steps of how he draws and colors.

This is one of Hambo's newest stamps. I just love this little bunny. Reminds me of when my oldest son broke his foot. He hobbled along in JR High, from class to class, with crotches. Poor thing.

I stamped the bunny using Memento Black. I love a true black ink when I stamp my   images. And it works beautifully with Alcohol based markers. So far, knock on wood, I haven't had any problems with it smearing.

Now I want to apologize for not knowing the scrapbooking papers I use on my projects. You see I have very, very, very limited space to work in. Actually, if you ever saw where I create you would think I'm crazy! (And it's not the spot I showed before, I've since relocated. That cute little alcove is now used only for illustrating and coloring.) And since this is the case, I will come home and cut my larger sheets of paper down to 6x6 sizes. And then they all get dumped into one place. I wish I had the room (one day-dreams can happen, right?) to have my 12x12 sheets nicely organized by manufacturer.

After I punched out the corner embellishments I embossed them with my Cuttlebug folder and then lightly smeared Close to Cocoa (SU!) ink on them.

I used my Prismacolor Nuetral color Markers and 1 Copic brown to color in the bunny. To make the cast I used Prismacolor Eggshell and then the blender pen to create that smeared look.

Stamps: Rabbits Foot (Hambo Stamps) Get Well (Impression Obsession)

Ink: Memento Black
Cardstock: SU!, Bazzill, Scrapbooking
Accessories: Brads,
Tools: SU! round flower punch, circle punch, EZ Corner Tags punch, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder
Prismacolor and Copic Markers

Happy Birthday Monica!

Happy Birthday Monica!

My very first design team was for Hambo_STamps. I love Monica's wonderful sayings and Tim's perfect illustrations. Unfortunately, I had to resign my position on Monica's design team when I joined CHF. But I never stopped using or promoting Hambo Stamps because I love them so!

So enjoy your day today Monica and thank you for your friendship, encouragement and wonderful stamp line!

Hop on over to all of these wonderful blogs to see the special creations made for this special day:

http://web.mac.com/cschaan1/Site/Distinctive_Touches/Distinctive_Touches.html

http://toyzhaven.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com

http:// inkerbelle.blogspot.com

http://janesaddiction.typepad.com/janes_addiction/

http://jarfullofjoy.blogspot.com

http://www.inkinitupwithkendra.typepad.com

http://stampinlibby.blogspot.com/

http://midnightscramper.blogspot.com

http://tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com

Relax and Enjoy the Day

I made this card last week. What a cute image! You can find it at Hambo_Stamps.

I stamped the image twice and I colored it in using my Prismacolor Markers. For the skin I used Copics. I cut out the feet and the head.

For the bubbles. (Which were a blast to make!) I added some pearls. They come with adhesive on the back. A lot of different manufactures are making them at the moment.  I then surrounded them with Ice Stickles by Ranger (Crystal Ice Glitter Glue). It is so cool in real life.

I watercolored around behind the tub and drew in the line for the floor.

The saying is by Stampin' Up! I embossed it and then punched it out using Martha Stewart scallop circle punch. I placed a button on top to cover the small gift package in the center. The decorative edge is by Martha Stewart.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Missed Ducky

Living next to a new pond has it's challenges and rewards. One thing is the explosion of growth! Shall I just say the frogs have been busy! LOL.

And Cattails. My hubby and boys were thinning them out the other day. Messy, messy!

As time goes by the pond will come to it's own. The fish will grow and there will be less frogs. And eventually the ecosystem will be balanced.

I love Tim's illustrations. I'd give anything to have his talent for drawing cartoons. Wow! You can find this cute duck at Hambo_Stamps. I stamped him using Archival Brilliance Black and colored him in using my Prismacolor markers. (I actually bought 2 Copics at Hobby Lobby last week. Hmmmmm...)

I drew the background and colored it in using my markers and outline them in black. I used SCS sketch challenge for Wednesday the 2 on this card.  I stamped the word "missed" and punched it out using a Martha Stewart punch.

I found the little pearls at JoAnns.

What's Up Chick?

Can you believe the temps got up in the 80's! Ouch....today it's going back down to normal temps for this time of year. The warm temperature made me think of spring. I love spring.

I pulled out another adorable new stamp design by Hambo Stamps. Dirty_Bird.

Love coloring it in with my Prismacolor markers. I added some stitch lines on the background paper using my Signo Gel Pen.

The saying is also by Hambo Stamps and can be found on the new arrivals page.

I finished the card off with some flowers.

Thanks everyone for your kind words, prayers, thoughts, and emails for me. You guys are so sweet. Really enjoy all the stories you have shared with me about your experiences building a house. And you always encourage me to keep on doing what I love to do.

Big hugs.

Bee-Hive Yourself!

Last week I ordered two wonderful new stamps from my dear friend Monica, owner of Hambo Stamps. This is one of their new spring line of stamps, Tree Hive. It can be found at New_Arrivals.

I stamped the image using SU! Black and colored it in with my Prismacolor Markers. See, I still haven't bought new markers!! Use what you've got baby....hehehehehe

I embossed a sheet of SU! Barely Banana paper by putting it in the Cuttlebug Tiny Mosaic folder and smashing it with my Sizzix. Then I passed my SU! Saffron ink pad over the raised areas of the paper.

Using my Signo white gel pen I created a line just inside the black square behind the hive.

Monica also has a wonderful blog and a amazing team of designers. Check it out http://hambostamps.blogspot.com/

Things move fast some days and then slow down again at the home site. I'm getting a bit anxious for it to come to an end and move in. We will still have to wait one more month after we move in to get all of our belongings. I figure that I've waited this long what's one more month any way. One thing is for sure, I'm going to be selling a ton of stuff once I do get them out!

Orange and Black

So I'm in a Fall kind of mood. Got in the swing of things yesterday and created two similar color themed cards. So I thought I'd share both of them today.

The first one is fairly simple.

I used a Michaels $1 stamp of pumpkins I found. I colored them in using 4 Prismacolor markers - Canary Yellow, Spanish Yellow, Orange and Terra Cotta.

I first did a base coat of Canary Yellow. Next I added Spanish Yellow, allowing the Canary to show through as the highlights. Orange is next and then Terra Cotta along the edges.

Again, just a little bit of shadow added around the pumpkins with my Cool Grey 10%.

On the next card I used Impression Obsession's MC149_Build_A_Tree. This is a really versatile set. I just knew it would be fun as a Halloween tree.

The bones and the saying are by  Hambo_Stamps. I used a white gel pen to color in the bones. How did I make the tomb stones? Glad you asked! I used a stencil I made using SU! window punch. I placed the stencil over the paper and colored it in using my Prismacolor grey markers. And guess what? That's how I made the moon. I used a circle stencil I created and colored it in with my Prismacolor marker. Oh yea.!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week so far. I know I sure am.

Oh I Believe

Making_Angels and Snowflake_Duo are the cute stamps that I used to create this card. I've used this layout before. I thought it was a good way to highlight the watercolored image.

This time I didn't use dye inks to watercolor this image. I used Prismacolor Watercolor Pencils. Yep! I figured if I own Prismacolor pencils and markers, and love both of them so much, I should add the Watercolor Pencils. I used my Michaels 40% off coupon to purchase them some time ago.

Working with watercolor pencils is very different than using dye inks or watercolor paints. I first colored in the areas that I wanted darker. For instance the blue around the edges of the girls body. Then I wet my brush and placed it over the darker edge and drew the pigment outwards. I also applied the wet tip of the brush directly on the pencil to pick up the color. Then I applied it to the paper.

For the snowflake background I first stamped the snowflake using a darker blue than the paper. Then I stamped once again over the blue snowflake using white craft ink. This offset image makes the snowflake appear three dimensional. Very cool!

I stamped and cut out the smaller snowflake within the larger one. Adhered it to the corners of the image and applied some sparkle.

The sayings is also by Hambo stamps.

Hanging out

I'm going batty!

Naw, not really. But ya know once a month I sure feel that way. LOL ....shhhhhhh don't tell anyone.

I stamped Hambo's Flying_Bat twice on SU! Shimmering white card stock. Then I drew in a tree branch and colored it in using Prismacolor Grey 20%. I hand lettered the saying.

For the corners I used Marvy's Square Scallop punch (large) and created some scallop corners.

Just take a look at the pictures to see how I did it.

Really easy, actually.

Just cut the edges off of the square scallop. I used an exacto blade but you can use scissors. And check out the cute square that's left over! Oh the possibilities.

I love to use the supplies that I already own in new ways. Instead of going out and buying something.

Talking about buying.

I really tried to find something at Michaels to use my 50% off coupon. It seemed like such a good deal to not try to find something to use it on. But I just couldn't. Again, I just don't want to buy something and have it sitting there. So I gave my coupon to the check out lady at the grocery store. Brought a big smile to her face.

Worth millions!