There are some Copic question buzzing around
over at the ILoveKNK Yahoo Group
- Hi ladies - Big wave -
Welcome to my blog :)

Here are some introductory tips I'd love to share with those of you interested in dabbling in the beautiful world of Copic Markers!!

1) Start with light colours like this and then this if you intend to invest because no mater how pretty the other colours may be, you'll get more use and become better at using Copic markers if you start light.

2) There is no difference between the Ciao, Sketch or original markers so buy what is available (that alone can be a challenge - trust me!) The ink is exactly the same in all markers, (and are refillable) and the nibs are interchangable too. The refills can refill a marker about 10 times (approx) so after the initial investment these markers are environmentally friendly!

3) They are like watercolour paints but in a marker format, they blend beautifully and are rich and vibrant and can be used on many many surfaces because they are alcohol based.

4) There is an airbrush system (also on my Christmas list) and I intend to use my DigiCutter to
make "masks" for airbrushing - I'm so excited!

5) Visit ilikemarkers to meet Marianne (the Sandy McCauley of Copics).

BE PATIENT, there are different techniques in applying and blending with Copics and there is a REASON I flew to another province to become certified... there is a slight learning curve and room for frustration if you don't know how to really get the most out of these awesome markers!! They really are incomparable in my opinion to the others on the market - they are awesome!!

... Stay tuned for my "testing" pages from my certification course... :)

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

Vinyl Cutting Ideas for your DigitalCraft Cutter

Wow! I know my digital craft cutter can cut vinyl, and I know that Quickutz sells cutter files for this purpose, but my imagination was seriously stretched when I began realizing the limitless possibilities of what (if I had the time) I could create. I found myself on the http://www.rightonthewalls.com website and it blew my mind! Check them out for some awesome products to purchase or ideas for your own inspiration.

For example, this rightonthewalls quote uses the Aquarelle FREE font that I first discovered when I did my daughter's first birthday thank you cards, how simple and stunning. You have to check them out and see what absolutely adorable things they have... especially the one for twins under the home and then nursery link - how awesome!!



· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

Goo Goo Baby Tent Card - how cute!

So on my way to dinner, driving down the highway I thought OMG!! I won't get to post this cutie becasue I am about to give it away - so what did I do... whipped out my trusty camera and took the pic righ there on the highway - LOL - you know I love you guys, right :)


I whipped this "baby" up in no time ... nothing like hubby saying we've been invited out to dinner at the last minute to a friend's place who's baby shower was postponed because she had the flu (while preggo - yuck!) and the resceduled date conflicts so I really wasn't prepared to bring her a gift and hadn't prepared a card yet. So, I always wanted to try this style of card and had the perfect size of scrap cardstock to fold for it to fit into my cute little 3X3 envelopes and the perfect paper and little buttons to fiish it off. There's a tutorial/template here if you need it, and the ribbon and embroidery floss accent were coloured with my Copic Y21 and the edge of the card too.

¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

It's a Dora tree - How fun!

Some images of Dora and Santa and friends from Google printed on my colour printer, backed by card stock strung up with ribbon and some gingerbread and popcorn garlands - and we have a Dora tree!! What heaven for my 20 month old Dora fan :)

...and the Elf crew who made it happen :)

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

Mini Album - how cute!

I found this cure little album on My Organized Chaos and as soon as I say Martha folding her mini album, I knew I had to share this with you gals ;)

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

My Copic *Candy* Markers

Don't they look pretty as candy?

Here's my mittfull of freebies and splurges from Saturday - thank you Copic and Scrapbook Centrale :)

So my collection barely fits in my little purse thingy - pretty soon I'll be looking for a storage solution - how fun!! Just so you know if I could do it all over again I'd start with a 12 pack of Copic sketch markers in the Lights 000 range. You MUST have those light colours to really get a good blend and those light colours also behave like the colourless blender so they are awesome and a MUST have and nooo I don't have enough of them yet!


In this pic you can see the Copic regular, the Copic sketch and the Copic Ciao markers.

At the Craft store where I live I only found the Ciao's but wish I could have started with the Copic sketches. I also really like the regular ones because they have such a nice small tip. They all have their benefits and I now know how to make them ALL fit into the airbrush system so all is well ;) Here's a pic to compare them with and without their lids - pic thanks to Craft Critique.

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

Lady Rose Dragon

I am so in love with this image by Princess Elemmiriel of deviantART who has FREE lineart available for download - This image is called Lady Rose Dragon and the sepia tone of the printout has really made this a beautiful image and a pleasure to ink up :)

Copic Markers used were:YG06, YG11, BG10, E00, E11, E51, r11

And it was so fun to colour in this ribbon with my markers too :)

I've used the following challenges:365 Cards Challenge - Tied up in knots, Cupcake Inspiration Challenge #34 - apple green, 2 Red Bananas - I Am Thankful, DigiTues #34 - Thank You, and Friday Sketchers #79

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

I cannot begin to describe how awesome the Copic Certification course was

Hello my lovely BBFFs - I cannot begin to describe how awesome the Copic Certification course was on Saturday. I learned a bunch of things I never knew I didn't know! And our lovely instructor Sherrie was awesome! She is also so much prettier in person than her formal-ish blog-pic (tee hee)

I left with 34 Copic Ciao markers and now own 45... some I bought, some were free with the certification class and I got a bunch of free stuff like an entire bottle of blender fluid and paper samples, and reference materials that I just can't wait to - siiighh... so much stuff, so little time!

The display at the store was like CANDY - this isn't the Scrapbook Centrale store pic though, because I was so absorbed in everything was learning I actually FORGOT to take pictures, can you imagine - OMG!!!

It was so cool to see some of Sherrie's artwork up close and personal, like the boat card with the textured sail similar to this one but she used a different technique she told us how to do, some of her fabric work and colouring fabric with Copic markers, and the atyou spika glitter pen on the bottom of the cherries on this card - OMG! Just awesome!

We learned so many techniques, and SAW and got to try almost every product they carry! It was actually mind blowing!

None of my sample work is finished so I'll have to sit down and finish them off and post a bunch pretty soon, I can't believe how tired I am from my 20 hour journey and class. Soon, I'll sit back and go through my notes and share my Ah Ha! moments with you one by one after they digest.

The smaller end brush on Copic markers has a grey ring around the end by the cap... did you notice that before? I didn't think so ;)

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

Finally! Home sweet home.

Pics to follow tomorrow :)

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

YAYY!!! I'm officially Copic Certified!!

Off I go to the Via Rail train station now, after a very full day!



I'm looking forward to selfish 4.5 hours of colouring and practicing the new techniques I learned today. Good thing it's almost dark so I won't be distracted by the beautiful scenery on the VIA Rail trip home :)

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

And let the colouring begin!!!

I am sure right now I could write a thesis on how great my day is going here at Scrapbook Centrale in Montreal's Dorval district, but instead, you'll get little bits over time :)

I sure wish YOU were here so we could meet in person ;)

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

And takeoff....

My flight is leaving... oohhh weeee... Toronto to Montreal here I come!!

Onboard Air Canada's Tango, I'm checking my bag...

1. passport


2. return ticket


3. MY COPICS


4. stamped images to test on


5. digi images pre-printed to test on


6. extra paper - lots of it


7. money to spoil myself with


8. oh yeah... taxi fare


9. what could I have forgotten???
10. Oh yeah... YOU!

AAaaahhh... what exciting things will today hold?

... any bets on how many new markers I'll come home with today?

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

Off to the airport...

Off to the airport now... leaving the beautiful Toronto sunrise for lovely COLOURFUL things today at the Copic Certification Class.

This is the FIRST time I am going to be away from my baby for a whole day ... since conception, come to think about it - LOL :)

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

Copic Certification tomorrow - YEEE HAWW!!

One more sleep - OMG! I can hardly concentrate!

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

Operation Christmas Child - how fun!!

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

Copic Certification and Certi-fiction

... I'm going to Montreal to become Copic Certified in 4 more sleeps - woot woot!!

Check this out: Copic Certification and Certi-fiction from InkyHeart :)

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

This tutorial deserves an honourable mention!!

I love cutting and creating my own die cuts and this Auto-Tracing for KNK Studio is Sandy's BEST tutorial yet :) Check out the awesome KNK Studio GE package deal & tutorials by Sandy at http://www.iloveknk.com/

Paint Chips for inspiration

This is an awesome idea for coming up with neat colour combos - thanks Vanilla Joy! :)

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

When swine fly?! Ya right ;)

So my poor little monkey was diagnosed with H1N1 and is on antiviral drug Tamiflu and an antibiotic for an ear infection. It started last week with a runny nose (me too) and a bit of a cold. On Sunday/Monday I felt like a I go sideswiped by a Mack truck (my flu) and spent Monday in bed. She was fine... another baby at the sitters was also not 100%, and then they both ended up with fever... and the sniffles worsened, then the ears started hurting and what was supposed to be a healthy baby visit ended up as an H1N1 diagnosis!

SO in the last 6 days she's been almost permanently attached to me so I haven't been able to get much of anything done creatively, let alone laundry from all the the puke - YUCK - not only from the flu, the meds!!!

Anyhow... some points to note from her Peed in how do differentiate between the regular cold, the flu(s) and the H1N1:
- if there's a fever, it's not a cold, it's the flu
- if there's a fever with CHILLS - it's likely a H1N1
- H1N1 can affect people in different ways, from mild to severe. What we hear on the news is very severe, most cases we never hear about EXCEPT when the pharmacy says they are backordered for the meds ;)
- Those people who get sick and are back to regular activities in about 4 days probably had a slight case of H1N1

** What the news doesn't tell you... just becasue you had "a" flu already this season, doesn't mean you won't get it again and if you do get hit a second time, your body's defenses will already be compromised so you'll get a worse case of a flu and if the second time around happens to be H1N1 it will knock you off you feet!!! It's a very unusual and aggressive flu that we haven't seen in a very long time/lotta years and what is unusual is that it unusually seems to affect healthy young people making it pretty scary!

The H1N1 swine flu is a disease that afflicts younger people more-so than normal flus, and can be especially serious for those underlying medical conditions eg. asthma, heart disease or lung disease, cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, those under 6 months of age, pregnant women, etc etc are at a much higher risk. If you have a fever and chills - seek medical attention!

So baby is doing well, and back to jumping on the bed singing "no more monkeys" and is enjoying all the hugs and kisses and attention. The other 2 adults living in our home are healthy as ever and both have shared the same living space, kitchen and we all eat together at the same table at the same time. We do however use the dishwasher for all things that come in contact with the mouth with hot water and I use Lysol wipes on most shared surfaces every night. And as an extra precaution, all soft toys have been put into hiding and all the plastics that can be easier sanitized (from puke) are all she's got playing with right now - except the stuffies in her bed ;)

So, the bottom line is, they'll likely diagnose you H1N1 becasue they can't really tell the difference... without blood work which takes about 2 weeks to get the results of (waste of time and money) so once diagnosed, quarantine the infected person for 5 days and if they are younger, have a healthy person care for the child and if you are reading this going WTF?! Reeelaxxx... just eat well, sleep well, wash hands often, keep your hands away from mouh, eyes and nose and be smart & keep healthy!

This is Dr.Nix reporting... over and out ;)

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

(P.S. I'm not a real doctor and what I have summarized above is FYI from the MD and my own musings all mixed up and not the opinions of anyone qualified to diagnise or give a medical opinion)

Awesome survivor digi image :)

This one from Sassy Studio is a gotta-have and $1 will be donated to the Cancer Society - just awesome!

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

Cards for Men anyone??

I wish I had the bandwidth for making some Cards for Men like this one below - do you?? What an awesome Challenge Blog; I look forward to being inspired!!

(Click on the image to go to the source)

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

Paper Ornament Tutorial

Here's PSS's Ornament tutorial. I am so excited to make some of these with my digital cutter and making my Christmas tree baby-friendly this year :) I'll be sure to post about out November Tree Decorating Festivities :) Thanks for the inspiration Betsy!!

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

Simply stunning

You absolutely have to click here to see this card in all it's splendour - I just HAD to blog about it!

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

Tips & Tricks: Paper storage

I wish I had found these before I spent a mini-fortune on my bulky 12X12 paper shelves ;) I won't say I'd trae them but this would have been nice to find when I was just starting out.

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

Tips & Tricks: The birch tree

More white for big kids to play with ... this time with pencil crayons - thanks for *this tutorial* posted by Ellen Hutson & created by Debbie Olson :)

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

Watermarks and copyrights

Ever wanted a watermark to protect your images? How about a free copyright? I love what I create and although I blog to inspire, I'd hate to see my creations pop up somewhere else without acknowledgement or permission.

So without further adieu... All content, including designs, concepts, text, and photographs are COPYRIGHT ©2009-2010 Nikki Morrell. Original artwork is shared for your personal inspiration and enjoyment only and may not be used for publication, sale or contests... and honestly now, you can totally make your own ;)

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

Sweet Memories

After 12 long days of suffering a dear friend of the family passed away on Thursday. Her family flew in from all over the world to be with her in her last moments, all arriving within 3 days of the doctor's suggestion to say their goodbyes. They did, and she STILL kept on for 9 more days ;) (most had to return home - smile) This was so typical of her lasting and enduring spirit ! Her funeral is today and my dear family all asked if I had a sympathy card they could "order" and of course I said yes BUT then realized, OH NO!! My pretty new stash of sympathy cards are all the same... OMG... I have to make new ones!

May the beautiful memories

that fill your heart

help to also bring you comfort.

Praying for friends to comfort you,

faith to uphold yo

and beautiful memories

to heal your heart.

A special life has passed from our sight

but never from our hearts

See this post.

And another:

Her memory is our keepsake

with which we'll never part

God has her in his keeping

We have her in our hearts.

Well, I googled and searched for just the right words and Bonnie at the Craftiblog had me coming back again and again to her sentiment, so thanks Bonnie, one of the 3 cards has your beautiful sentiment.

• I've used a mish mash of papers and value pack cards and envelopes, and embellies and some silver pigment ink to ink some of the edges, and...


• Plain white ribbon: I coloured the ribbon to match with Copic markers B00, BG10


• The images were from Mo's digital Pencil' called Robin and the Lilacs from Sketching Stamper


• Copic Markers - skin: E51, E00, E11 lips/cheeks: R11, Hair: E31, W35, Cloud/clothes/wings: B00, BG10, Y00... and a little stickles diamond to finish off the halo & wings & the lilacs mainly BV00 and some other purples and pinks for texture,leaves: YG11, YG06 and G17


• The hole punch I used and never blogged about yet was the 2 inch reach - ribbon that punches 2 slits perfect for threading a ribbon through. It's pretty neat and I was thrilled to get a 40% off coupon for this baby at Michael's.

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

Holiday Tags - Vinatgge Ornaments

An awesome tag idea from paper-scissors-superheroes :)

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

Tips & Tricks: Crayon Resist technique

Wooo hoooo!! I get to play with baby girl's crayons! Which kid uses a white crayon anyway... those are for us BIG kids to play with :)

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

Mo's Digi Challenge & Bog Hop!!

Mo's Challenge Team has a new challenge today and is it ever fun!!!

But it doesn't stop there... there's alllsoooo a:

OOoooohhh how exciting!!!!!

Here is a list to keep you headed in the right direction: Lori, Cheryl, Jak, Elaine, Suzanne , Mina , Kerttuke, Mel, Michelle & Rach - Happy Hoppin!!!

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix