Wednesday, November 4, 2009

My Kind of University! Cuttlebug Challenge news!



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This crazy Thanksgiving card is for my favourite vegetarian;
it says:

"The turkeys are tickled pink!
They're thankful that you're a vegetarian.
I'm thankful that you're just so wonderful!"

(the text is embossed on vellum, printed from the computer.)
The papers are from Teresa Collin's Journal it Girl kit!

If you're lookin for some sublime inspiration
and/or challenges to try...


my Caardvarks peeps are on a roll this week here!
(Circle of Friends Challenge sponsored by Clear and Simple)

went live at midnight Thurs! :o)
+
...Mo's Challege DT is always making some gorgeousness here
challenge should be up in the morn :o)



1...BIG news at the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog
2...Embossing Copics (or other markers)
3...Today's Challenge: Be Inspired Wednesday #56




I'm so excited!!! Teresa Collins and Jamie Harper are
guest designers on the Cuttlebug blog starting today!!!

and if that wasn't enough
,

The Cuttlebug Challenge Blog is opening a University (online!):
Cuttlebug Challenge University. With detailed tutorials.

Cindy is starting it out with a bang--Fabulous pictorials on a red-hot topic:

Here's a digital Copic trick, that I discovered the other day--to add to the mix:

You can emboss Copics!

Nope, I'm not some crazy turkey... (well, ya I am) but that doesn't change the fact that you can emboss Copics. See the embossed dots & stripes on this turkey's feathers?


Click the photo, if you'd like to see it closer up.

This turkey is This turkey is a Pink Cat digital image from here. He's printed on Vellum cardstock, and he is mostly coloured from the back of the vellum (to prevent ink smudging & give a soft look.) BUT I wanted to try & add some interest to the front of the vellum too, so here's how that went...


How to emboss Copics:
(works with other markers too)

The key is a cardstock that will resist the ink. I used Vellum cardstock here, but you could experiment with some other quite 'waterproof' cardstocks.


  • Vellum cardstock
  • Well-inked Copics (or other markers)
  • Image to colour (digital/stamped)
  • Clear embossing powder
  • Heat gun
  • Anti static bag (or an old fabric softener sheet)
Step 1) Make sure your Copics are very juicy (refill if need be)

Step 2) Print your image (or stamp one)

Step 3) Colour sections: Working on the vellum--in sections so the ink doesn't dry on you--stipple (add Copic marker dots) or add lines of Copic colour.)

Step 4) Sprinkle on clear embossing powder while the inked section is wet (you should see a shine to the Copic colouring, if not simply go back & add more ink) :o)

Step 5) Heat gun the embossing powder, gently, to melt it.

Step 6) Move onto the next section, embossing until you have the effect you want.

No copics? No worries! If you work in sections on Vellum & sprinkle the e.p. on quickly enough this should work with other varieties of marker too.

Here are the results I got with dots & stripes of
Copic colouring covered with the clear embossing:

pink dots-- Dark pink RV34& Crimson RV29)
and turquoise stripes--Aqua BG-15 & Duck blue BG49)

His feathery tummy was done by just picking up Copic colour on a colourless blender & using feathery strokes on the vellum (the vellum lets you go back & fix areas, since it's rather non-porous & doesn't hold the ink fast.)

-2-
Cuttlebug Challenge Blog
Be Inspired Wednesday #56



Teresa Collins & Jamie Harper (Challenge #56)
PART #1
PART #2


To emboss the Teresa Collins Journal it Girl paper,
I used this homemade embossing plate:

Please click if you'd like to see how it (and

other varieties of DIY plates) were made.

Thanks so much for stopping in,


P.s. The Cuttlebug Challenge blog is also giving away the new Provocraft folders--Hope you win 'em!

E.T.A. again Sorry gals n guys, Cleaning was really hard on my lungs, so I gots ta take an eensy blog break--longer than the one day I thought it'd be. Be back really soon & thank you in advance for your patience. xox mel

E.T.A.
Just a quick note, to let ya know I'll be posting late today (Thursday)--maybe in the evening...It's been a beautiful week but it's been a busy one! (Can't thank You enough for the copious amounts of way-too-kind kindness!!! You made my week a blissful one!)

I hafta clean house for out-of-province company.
(Our local company knows we aren't exactly neat freaks. heehee)

Here's a purse pictorial & template
that I made with "Journal it Girl"

back in September (in case
you missed it.) ;o)

21 comments:

Steph Zerbe said...

Shut up!! I read the tutorial for custom embossing...you are so cool girl!! I am so doing this. BRILLIANT!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

Jenn K said...

Wow what a great tutorial for embossing in a new way!! AWESOME! And I so love your turkey card!

Shantaie said...

Mel, you are such a pioneer!! what a cool way to emboss with markers..and REALLY??? your homemade embossing...ummm yeah genious!
Plus I love this card, its so cute!

csroyal said...

OMGosh, another fabulous method of using digis and markers, Mel! Gotta try this technique really soon! and I love the card and sentiments!

Thanks for linking me, too! :)

June Houck said...

Is there anything you don't know? You are outstanding in every way. Your coloring/shading are beautiful and your humor cracks me up :)

Barb said...

OMG... that turkey is so stinkin' cute! Thanks for the tip on heat embossing with markers :)

Kim Etherington said...

That's one cute Turkey! Love the embossing on the feathers. Love his colours and the layout of the card!

Unknown said...

just amazing, I love your card.

Karen said...

HOw fantastic is your card Mel! I love the sentiment and all your scrumptious details!

Hugs,
Karen

Merry said...

Too clever....with the copic embossing. I love how you have added the vellum words around the image. Wonderful card.

C. Sage Deerborn said...

Your work is always above everyone else's. Thanks for sharing all of the info that you do. I always get a kick out of your projects.
It was so sweet and kind of you to take the time to visit my blog. Thanks for the well wishes. Hope you are doing better too.

Kathlene said...

So many things to rave about on this sweet card--love the cut vellum pieces for the sentiment, and embossing your markers...♥ it! TFS!

Dawn said...

why am I not surprised that YOU would do this!!! emboss with copics...no way, but yeah... you did it! I loooooove that turkey!

pure genius..yup, that's you

Allison Rankin said...

Love this technique idea...looks super cool close up!

Meda said...

Well, aren't you the queen of embossing?

Elena said...

Brilliant idea with embossing! Fabulous card! Love all of the detailed work!

Pryn said...

This looks awesome! Can't wait to try it. TFS :)

Anonymous said...

Great work yet again. Just caught up with your blog.... gee you've been a busy gal!

Maria said...

Hiya Mel!!

Gosh, it's been a while! You're still slaving away making such beautiful creations! I miss stopping by regularly and looking at all you awesomely beautiful creations. . .life is so busy nowadays. Lately, it's only been about posting and getting the hella outa blogland. If I stick around, my day just go right out the window!! LOL!

I love your embossing technique . . .you come up with such fab ideas for every piece of artwork you create!! Hey, I never thought to color the turkey's eye blue. . .thanks for the great idea!!! He looks much better with blue eyes!

Just wanted to let you know that I'm still exercising. . .lost 14 lbs so far. Can you BELIEVE it! The most I've lost in the last 5 years! Are you still walking? Touch base when you have the chance!!

Maria

Michele Kovack said...

Really? Embossing with Copics? Who would've thunk it! LOL! Awesome card, your coloring is just fabulous!!!!

Cassandra said...

I have got to buy those embossing folders so I can make my own too! I love how versatile they are! Thank you for sharing your talent with us!
Hugs!
Cassandra