Y'all know that I'm not a big colorer. The drive to keep things simple lives strong in me, and coloring isn't simple. It takes practice, skill, and time...much more time than inking a block image up and stamping it and being d-o-n-e, done.
Not coloring much hasn't kept me from experimenting with and buying just about every coloring medium known to stamping. I have watercolor pencils and crayons, Prismacolor pencils, Twinkling H2Os, chalks, SU reinkers, SU markers, Memento markers, and Bic and Sharpie markers. I can honestly say I've not gotten my money's worth out of any of these, but at least most of them don't go bad, so eventually, if I live to be a hundred, I might actually use some of them half up.
Can you say "conspicuous consumption"?
Knew you could.
Anyway, I deliberately didn't buy Copics, figuring Bics and Sharpies were adequate to my very simple need, and until Wednesday, I only had seven Copics: six of them I'd won as blog candy, and the seventh was the light cool gray I bought with the expectation of outlining images. All the cool stampers outline, you know.
There's a reason you've never seen an image with a marker by me. Seriously.
Anyway (again), when I started coloring the outline vases from Gracious Vases, I discovered that they look really nifty with monochromatic shading. Which made me go through all my markers to see what colors I could use. Which made me realize that the Bic and Sharpie markers are sadly lacking in light colors. Which made me want to supplement my stash with some light Copics.
In addition, the cap colors on the Bics and Sharpies aren't entirely accurate. Which was annoying when colors didn't turn out like I wanted. Which made me get all AR/OC at 11:00 Tuesday night. Which made me make a chart so I'd really know what sort of monochromatic shading I could do. Which made me really tired the next day. Which weakened my resolve to stay away from Copics. Which made me spend an undisclosed amount of money at Marco's Paper and Hobby Lobby.
Hey, I used a coupon at Hobby Lobby.
Oh, Lordy. I'm so very crazy.
So here's the chart. I stamped a bunch of the vases on a spare sheet of paper and then colored them all in. The ones I liked, I cut out and glued onto this chart. That way, I didn't have to be neat coloring (you try staying in the lines after midnight while completely manic!) and those combos that didn't work too well could easily get pitched in the trash.
Now, finally--I'm sure you thought I'd never shut up and get here--the card:
The shelf is a ribbon stamp from Faux Ribbon (Papertrey), and the sentiment is from some set by StampinUp. The colors make me think of the 1970s. The vases are stamped on scrap paper, colored, and cut out...because I ran out of Gina K cardstock and couldn't color on a one-layer card without the marker bleeding through.
Yes, I got my shipment of Gina K cardstock yesterday so I can once again make one-layer cards colored with markers.
The end.
Supplies
stamps: Papertrey Gracious Vases, Faux Ribbon; SU sentiment
ink: Palette dark chocolate
paper: PTI vintage cream
accessories: Bic/Sharpie markers
Wow. You really are AR/OC. And you are an AR/OC enabler. I want that chart!
ReplyDeleteYou've got the bug now....LOL!! Cool card!
ReplyDeleteFunny! My sharpies weren't really doing it for me today, either. And yes, Copics come in so many light, soft colours. And they shade so nicely and don't seem to streak. Sigh. I must stay strong. Of course, you come along and make a fab card AND tell me you've bought more Copics!
ReplyDelete(Also, I just read your labels for this post. Too funny! :P)
You are my hero! Can I be you when I grow up? I have a squillion Copics, and never the color(s) I really need. Plus, I have no idea which colors to pair to accomplish this fabulous shading.
ReplyDeleteI need to do what you did here, but have no patience for it. I might have to save that photo and enlarge it so I can read your marker colors. Well, I might! :)
Nice job, and you are not loony unless I am, too. Wait ...
What a wonderful idea the floating shelf is with the vases! LOVE LOVE LOVE it. (As I do with just about every card you design.) I, too, tried to stay off of the Copic boat, but they are amazing! I purchased Autumn Abundance just so I could use the Copics that I just *had* to have. :o)
ReplyDeleteSo cute!! Your coloring looks great!! Love this!
ReplyDeleteI love your dialogue :) I can see myself doing the same thing LOL! I have stayed away from Copics as I have some Twinkling H2Os to use up LOL! Lovely cards and well done on the colouring ;)
ReplyDeletewow, what a creatively fabulous card.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you about colouring, I don't do it either, and for pretty much the same reasons :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I have to colour I use an aqua brush and my SU ink pads or SU markers.
And, off the topic...I knew you would rock that PTI Gracious Vases set as soon as I read you had bought it. Gorgeous cards!!
Beautiful card! And I got a real chuckle out of your post. I too have struggled with buying Copics - finally broke down and bought some and decided I really prefer the look of watercolours (regular ones and Twinkling H2Os). I made a set of 20 cards for a friend all using the same image and used it as a chance to colour the same image with different mediums - ink, markers, Copics, watercolour paints, watercolour pencils, regular coloured pencils - the watercolour paints made me the happiest, both in the doing and in the finished result. Maybe I need paler Copic colours as I didn't like the deep intense colours I used. Thanks, Susan, for your wonderful blog!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute card and I love that you finally broke down and bought some copics, made me *giggle* :)
ReplyDeleteOh, Susan, your card is lovely, but I'm focused on that awesome chart. I love it! I love this post. Thanks for the giggle. :-). Oh, the sentiment looks like it's from Trendy Trees.
ReplyDeleteMichelle.
Hmm - I only have about five copics too as they are expensive to buy in the U.K. - I tend to use pro markers and Marvy Uchida have recently introduced their own alcohol markers which aren't bad and about a third of the price of copics.
ReplyDeleteI love your card and chosen colors Susan
Kathyk
I enjoyed the entire process. Love my Copics!
ReplyDeleteLOL!!! I'm so glad that I'm not the only one who stays up late doing crafting things!! Love the colour chart - excellent idea. And I have to say that the vase cards are just brilliant. I know what you mean about colouring mediums - watercolour paints, acrylic, H20s, chalks, pencils - lots of ink pads, Sakura pens - you get the gist!!!
ReplyDeleteHee hee ! What an entertaining post. AND . . . I think your card is totally gorgeous even if it IS stuck in 70s colours! I still think it's LOVELY!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Sandra
Beautiful card, Susan. (You had seven Copics. I wonder how many you have now ;)
ReplyDeleteSimply amazing..boy you had a fit at 11pm...that resulted in something spectacular for me to see!! super!! now we can have lessons in using copics..love to see those..I just graduated from sharpies to bics...copics? might have to sell my house to get some!!
ReplyDeleteAnd those vases are still arranged in color families..trust you to keep them in order too!!
p.s. the question I'm dying to ask...how badly did you break down? how many copics did you end up buying?
Stunning card and I have similar shelf to this both above our bed and in our dining area...could be my home!!!! Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteWow, is this ever a pretty card! I love your coloring, and the colors you chose. The placement of the vases on either side of the sentiment, all put upon a shelf, is genius. I really love this card! And your chart is awesome. But now I gotta' tell you, your coloring (are these REALLY Copics?) is so great; I'm really impressed. I am, however, disappointed you've gone over to the dark side with Copics.........but then, I don't think this card would have been as lovely using anything else. Bummer. I don't want to buy Copics, I don't want to buy Copics, I don't.....
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the dark side. LOL Copics are so addictive. I'm patiently waiting for the stamping convention to come to town in August. And, that is where I can pick up lots of Copics. Hey, I hope they have refills this year. :) Love the idea of making the shelf with a strip of ribbon. Sweet!
ReplyDeleteWell, Sue, this card didn't use Copics...I made it before The Purchase. Plus, I only bought 10 new Copics, all in lighter shades, and only plan on buying four more (still need a light blue combo and olive green). HL had a set of six that I used my 40% coupon on, so the damage wasn't as bad as it could have been!
ReplyDeleteLike the 'shelf' with the vases-neat card. I love 40% off coupons!
ReplyDeleteSusan-great card! Love my Copics, and over the long haul are not that expensive. A lot of people don't know they can be refilled. Refills cost about the same as 1 Sketch, but each refill bottle will refill the marker about 6-7 times. I have yet to refill 90% of my Copics, so you know that the ink lasts a long time! I have Memento markers for when I want to watercolor images, but shading with Copics is fabulous. The addiction has started-congrats.
ReplyDeleteThis lovely card was definitely worth the effort!!
ReplyDeleteHi Susan, Having succumbed to Copics last year I can only say, how did you manage without them? LOL There is one drawback, they bleed through the paper/card so spoiling the insides of your cards, I line mine to get around that mess but I can't imagine you would want to go down that road, y'know one layer and such :0)
ReplyDeleteYour card today is fabulous, I love that beautiful tidy line of stylish vases and wonder how much longer I'm going to cope without them, Ha ha! Gay xxx
Fabulous card, Susan! I have the same marker issue as you, but my stash now includes a couple of pale Copics (LSS store)and a couple of pale Prismacolors (I can buy these with 40% coupons at Mikes). Thanks for the chart!
ReplyDeleteJust call me an enabler: Carpe Diem has sketch markers for 3.95 (it shows up in the cart) and free shipping on 13+, http://carpediemstore.com/mlistCategoriesAndProducts.asp?midCategory=330
ReplyDeletea beautiful card and I really like the shelf you created for those vases.
ReplyDeleteI love the card and you colouring looks amazing. The lead in to the card sounded so familiar!
ReplyDeleteYour chatty emails always make me smile, and I can so relate to unused coloring tools and impulse purchases. I, however, would NOT have gone to all that trouble to make that color chart! Uh, uh...no way. The card is fabulous - I love it! Another stellar performance, Miss Susan!
ReplyDeleteOh my, you really are afflicted aren't you? Love the chart and the card! I have some outdated orange shag carpet if you are in need of anymore 70's inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI love the "Proof that Susan is Looney" tag. Anyway, I could certainly use more of your looni-ness. It's a onetime time investment that will save you oodles later on. I can never seem to find the time to do this sort of time saving activity.
ReplyDeleteCard is...simple-y...elegant! You've done it again!
ReplyDeleteSimply brilliant!
ReplyDeleteLOVE this - just perfect - I believe I have that shelf in my bathroom!
ReplyDeleteLove your chart and your card (will try this when mine eventually arrive) and thanks for the laugh. You do realise it is a very slippery Copic slope and I admire your resolve.
ReplyDeleteLove your vase cards. But then again I love everything you create. As soon as I saw the vases I wanted the set. Went to all the scrapbooking stores in my area and couldn't find it or anything similar. Any suggestions where I might find it? I love to colour and use all my pencils, copics and bics. Can't wait to see what you create tomorrow. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSheila
You've been bitten! :D
ReplyDeleteI knew I was in trouble when the hubby said "You have a LOT of those markers!" and I responded with "See this color chart? I don't have ANY of the empty boxes!"
*sigh*
Welcome to the wonderful world of Copic markers. I stayed away from Copics for a long time but now I even own a compressor and it's soo much fun air-brushing. There's no going back! Pamela
ReplyDeleteGreat card love the vases sitting on the shelf and pretty neat colouring too Luv Sue x
ReplyDeleteSusan, you are truly OCD in a warm and fuzzy way. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL! Enjoyed this post so much I had to comment! You had me laughing so much... at least partly because I had resisted the Copic craze for so long but finally broke down a while back! I've been buying only with coupons at Hobby Lobby and a few at Michaels until just last week when I placed an order online for an undisclosed amount! Even after that big order, I still found myself with coupons in hand at Hobby Lobby still finishing out certain color combos! I guess when you start with
ReplyDeleteCopics it never ends! Thanks for making me laugh about it!!!