A boat themed card and cute little 3D boat

OOOhhh here's a cute idea!

Thanks Nicole!

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

My scor-pal in action

Here's my scor-pal in action:)
I'm expecting the mat as well!!

http://www.scor-pal.com

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

Making a paper bow

Here's the file and the source of this info.
· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

The Iove yous...

This is such a sweet idea... our song... thanks LilyBean

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

Aussie friends - acordian card

NikkiNix waves a biiiiggg hello...

Here's a special card idea for Maxine, my new Aussie friend and her group of Copic marker-loving-stamping chicks - enjoy ladies, and leave me a comment on how it's going :)

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

The Scor-Pal

I've had my eye on the scor-pal for a long long loooong time, and hesitated because I have been able to "make-do" with rulers, a bone folder that I got many years ago, good luck and trial and error... Then, the lovely, talented Bonnie over at Craftiblog posted a gift card holder she made from a tutorial, and I was inspired... sostarted scouring the net for a great deal on the scor-pal :)

Everywhere I called locally didn't carry them, or were out of stock, I wanted the real-deal because they have a self-healing mat you can put over it, it's 12X12 just like my sacrapbook pages which serves as your workspace which I really like! I have a self-healing mat from Creative Memories which is honest to goodness, about 10 years old, and it's a little small sometimes, so the larger surface will certainly be welcomed. So, from local shops, Craig's List, eBay, Kijiji, and all those fun stops, there were none to be found for a reasonable price. Most would have killed me on shipping to Canada... except the actual skor-pal website!!!

Would you believe they have free shipping anywhere in North America (includes Canada), and that they ship from British Columbia (in Canada) to avoid customs charges AND they are selling their product at par!!! You have to phone or email in your order to get this promo though, and I did - and they were true to their promo - OMG!!! This is priced better than the scrapbook stores in my area too!! So, i emailed the my order details and soon enough, I got aPayPal invoice for exactly what I had asked for - in Canadian dollars and with free shipping... AND in British Columbia, they have less taxes than we do here so I scor'd again ... scor-pal... get it ;) This is well worth the wait, I am very excited!

Now, without any further delay, here are the awesome tutorials from StampTV:

Part 1

and

Part 2

Beauuuuu'deee'fulll!

UPDATE... Diana over at scor-pal is so lovely, she reminded me about this great resource for ideas!!

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

Merry Christmas everyone :)

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

Beautiful Exploding Boxes

Well now I've gone and taken this post to the next level with an even easier do-it-yourself tutorial I found over at DieCutsRUs :) Enjoy!!

Check out more box ideas at http://magic-boxes.blogspot.com/

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

Merry Copic To You Too InkyHeart!!

I'm sure I won't have a chance to post again for a little bit so best wishes to you and yours !!

Other than my tropical blog candy, the fantabulous InkyHeart has the most wonderfullest Holiday gift for everyone on her website. I bought it here and sincerely love it - but now, it's free - click the pic to go to her present to you :)




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

December Birthdays

Aren't December birthdays so hard? It's so tempting to theme the card with the Holiday season, but it's a birthday... wha'doo'eye'dooo?? So I compromised with this birthday card for a friend who's birthday is Dec 21st.

Here's a neat technique using the Copic Colorless Blender "refill solution" where I coloured the jeans and then dabbed colourless blender onto a texture stamp and then stamped the blender on the pants to get the texture - awesome!


I didn't keep track of the Copic marker numbers but gathered them off the table for this pic. I can determine which colours I can see when I look at this so ask if you are interested. I am having major wireless keyboard problems and therefore typng and p eting is quite a chore :( Sorry.
Once I was done, I used Flower Soft to make the snow look more realistic, another fun product.

Ta daa :)

Recipe:
- Stamp: Cornish Heritage Farms SL-3136WUM Cheesecloth backgrounder
- Stamp: Winter WOnderland by Sugar Nellie
- Polar WHitre Flower Soft & glue
- Copic Markers & Colorless Blenderon Neenah paper
- Misc paper and card base

Challenge:
- Today's Sweet Sketch Wednesday

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

Ornament Ideas

Sharon posted this beautiful idea inspired by the tutorial below.

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

Homemade Christmas idea

How fun would this (or a cooler customized version of it) be as a hand-made gift?

Thanks to Vanilla Joy for the idea

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

Ribbon Wreath

Thanks to Mustang Sarah for showing me this beautiful idea from Stamp n Design who has a video tutorial on how to make a ribbon wreath - it's stunning!

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-

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

BLOG CANDY ALERT!!

Happy Blogoversary to Meeee ;)

It will be my blogoversary soon and since you ladies have really been a wonderful and inspiring part of my daily life, I'd like to thank my BBFF's with some BLOG CANDY!!!
Pa rum pa pum pummmm!!!

The prize:
A "pretty little thing" from my 2-week Caribbean cruise that could be used as an embellishment on a card, scrapbook page or other creative pretty thing :) Yeah... I will search 12 Caribbean islands for a pretty little souvenir for YOU my wonderful BBFFs - how fun!! (BBFFs = BestBlogFriendsForever = followers)

The details:
Just become one of my BBFFs before the deadline and you're in! If you are already a BBFF - you already have an EXTRA chance of winning. I've printed my original BBFFs list, and I'll print a current list on the deadline and cut em up and stick them in a seashell and pick the lucky BlogBabe ;)

Buuuttt... since comments are really really fun, I'll file my email notifications of comments in a folder and then print and cut up the names so as many comments as you leave is as many MORE chances you get to win this Pretty Little Tropical Thing. Let me be clear, comments are fun but are not necessary to win - it just increases your chances of getting lucky!! WOOT! WOOT!

The deadline:
Upon my return - on Tuesday Feb 23rd - I'll select a winner. I am so looking forward to shopping for something pretty for YOU while cruising the high seas to Barbados, St.Vincent, Grenada, Curacao, Bonaire, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Tortola, St. Kitts, Antigua, Dominica and back in Barbados :)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
(tee hee - no pun intended!!)

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

Colouring with Copic Markers 101

Marianne, the Product Specialist at Copic Markers
created this PERFECT
Colouring with Copics 101
Video - take a peek :)

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

Copic Markers and choosing your Paper

Man... this has been THE most frustrating part of my experience with Copic markers - finding the right paper to use them on!! Can you imagine that? My learning curve and frustration... was paper related and not product related.

At the Copic Cert course they give you a packet of sample papers (and markers and pens and all kinds of stuff) but in that sample pack, I focused on the paper... to this point because Copics tend to bleed through the paper, I'd tried everything and settled for watercolur paper which I ended up getting at Wamart! It was beige, and not white, (groan) and a little rough but the marker tips were strong so weathered the paper well BUT three of my most used markers dried out wayyy too soon. The watercolour paper was just drinking markers dry! I learned why at the Certification course so was VERY interested in trying the recommended papers.

So let's settle on the Prism, and the Neenah and my experiences with each.

Overall, the Prism took the colour immediately, you use so little product, it's awesome! There was zero bleeding over the edge of the image but I found in larger spaces I personally couldn't blend the colours together when doing shading on the Prism. If I wasn't blending, the Prism would be the easiest to work on. I wasn't happy especially in the blending on the face - the largest surface!

The Neenah on the other hand was as smooth as melted chocolate, and I was immediately in love! I used colours that were very different tones, a bright (like the bow) and a deep for shadows of the shirt and I loved how they blended on this paper, especially in the face :)


I also took it one step farther and kept colouring the girl's shorts. I believe coloured with 10 different colours on each and the Neenah had a bleed up into the Tshirt and the Prism had no bleeding at all, just my lazy strokes. (See the series of colours on the bottom of the Prism pic for reference - total 11 colours on those shorts).




So here I've taken the same stamp on each paper and used the exact same markers, in the exact same way on each paper and again the Neenah took more ink offering what I think is more intensity of colour and a seamless blend while the Prism was beautiful, I obviously prefer the versatility of the depth I got with the Neenah. I took one step furher and brightened the image and you can see even further the blending I think.

Okay one more exampe:




Lightened again with so very little ink as thes images are 3x bigger here than in real life and with just the tip of the marker you can see the Neenah blends easier.

I love the Neenah *obviously* and bought a ream of it because I am seriously challenged in accessing Copic products in my area, but you may prefer another paper. It depends on your colouring style, the project, and your own personal preference to try try try and enjoy experinting!!

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

Copic Various Inks - Other uses

Here's a perfect example of another use for the Copic refills

... other than refilling your markers, and being environmentally and economically friendly...

Isn't it stunning! WOWZA!

Click here for Ellen's tutorial, and scroll down to the pic above.

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

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