HOW FUN!

Copic Markers 101 - Coming soon :)

Are you looking for some information on Copic Markers?

Don't worry, some tutorials will be coming soon.

I'm a Copic Certified Designer and I believe that to start using Copic Markers you don't need to buy sets with a large variety of markers - they aren't a cheap "collection" and in scrappy-world we have so many new toys and gadgets and embellishments (gasp!) that to invest a couple hundred dollars in markers that you MIGHT use is not really practical.

 I sincerely cherish my Copic markers and love them like my babies, but $900 later, (and a pland and a train and a... ya!) and a long learning curve for me, I can't say that I have the time to use them like I should, to justify my investment, it's purely because I love them and what they can do for me that I spent my small fortune ;)

I encourage newbies to pick a few colors they love and buy in sets of 2 or 3 and choose markers 2-5 numbers apart and build a collections of colors they will use in those individual markers, and a colorless blender pen of course is a must!

So... think about your stamps or digital images that you would want to color and take a look at the Copic Constellation of Colors (that's what I call it) LOL, don't be overwhelmed... just email me offline and I'll coach you through it.

Then you will likely purchase:

• a colorless blender pen - a must!
• a gray that ends in an 01 or an 05, I personally like C1 or C5 the best (choose one based on how light or dark the other colors you choose are).
• two skin colors (I like E50 and E00, or others)
• two of each color you think you will use, eg pinks, blues, greens (maybe add browns for hair colors, but remember your collection will grow)

That's 10 markers... a $50 - $60 investment - to start AND I'll suggest some paper brands that work better with Copics so add another $10 and you'll actually use them YAY!  ... and be happy and be able to choose your future Copic markers knowing what you like, want and need.

I hope that helps, and I am planning to offer tutorials, so have no fear, just follow this blog and give me a few months to get myself organized to launch it. Here's my soon to be launched blog Pretty Little Paper Things and one particular post click here that shows ONE Copic technique, of many that are possible... later on ... ;)

If you'd like my help, please leave a comment.

Have a wonnnnderful day!

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

Waterfall Sympathy Card

This card was made in memory of my dear Grandma...

Some tips on making this waterfall style card - score the tab/turn at the edge of the paper where it sits when laid flat, use a good heavyweight card stock for the paper that is pulled,  and use adhesive under the brads *only* on the paper bar that the tab is being pulled under.  

And the tutorial - thanks Dawn!

Stash used to make this card were:
Verve Forever in Our Hearts Stamp Set, Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Pumice Stone, Basic Grey Capella Paper pack, StampinUp Early Espresso ink and marker, Scotch ATG 714 gun and adhesive, Fiskars Trimmer (my fave!), misc ribbon, brads and card stock from my stash.

Have a wonnnnderful day!

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

http://prettylittlethingstocut.blogspot.com

What should I journal about??

This is suuuch a hilarious and typical pic of my darling two year old, so I'm hoping to use it as the only pic on a scrapbook page.  This is something I don't normally do unless the pic or the moment is really special.  This one certainly fits the bill, especially since she is now an expert Skype'r and thinks the web cam is her personal TV!

So... do you have any ideas about WHAT I could journal about with this pic?


Thanks and have a wonnnnderful day!

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

Curl freedom!!

I love it!!  

I feel so free, so natural and soooo cute!!!

It's a little messy because I keep playing with it LOL!!

So... what do you think???

Have a wonnnnderful day!

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-

¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-

((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

Curly Hair Genius!

Okay peeps, this is freshly woken up... the before pic!

After 30 years of long hair - with a minor blip with a summer afro in grade 2, boy I cried - I have my appointment this evening with my Curl Guru, Jonathan Torch !  I have been mulling this over for 4 years and booked todays appt in June just to make sure... and I am sooo excited!  Okay, off to shower and brush my teeth (ha ha haaa... gotta love computers)...

Stay tuned for the AFTER pic tonight!  AND a very special baby book I have one last touch to add on, but the parent s are so busy with my brand new nephew - they haven't sent me the last piece of info - LOL !!!

Have a wonnnnderful day!

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

Birthdays and a birthing day coming up!!

I got my 1/4 inch ATG gun-714  for my birthday and woooo hooo I love that thing!!!  I use it on paper, ribbon, just EVERYTHING!  I'll post about that in a separate post - it deserves it's day in the spotlight ;)


I have been up to so so sooo much, and I have to apologize since when I finally get into my crafting "zone" I completely forget to take pictures to share with you - so sorry.  I have been using laundry time during weeknights as an excuse and kind of a timer so I can get a chance to create.


First things first, my sister in law is due with their first child on Sept 6th, so you know I have been up to something to welcome baby, right?  ... stay tuned they're *both* coming soon ;)  Also, my brother (the father to be) and cousin both have birthdays this week so I've created two cards for them.


My cousin won't believe I made this card, just the way he is, so I purposely put his name and the year behind a Tim Holtz fragment so there would be no doubt LOL.  It's all PTI Enchanted Evening ribbon, background paper and ink - and the PTI Birthday Basics stamp set.

  

This one just evolved because I really like to use my scraps so I used scrap ribbon and misc paper and ribbon and eyelets and my cropadile and it just evolved :)  I also used the PTI Birthday Basics stamp set, and som ecute gear-looking things I had found at my Dad's he said I could have LOL

  

Again, when I use my web cam the pic turns out the mirror image - sorry I really don't know how to fix it LOL.

Have a wonnnnderful day!

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

1000 Sheets blog candy - GASP! How awesome!!

Click here for our chance to win - just so so sooo awesome :)

She's been so good to me...

... and all she wanted was a medium-double-double, so here's my thank you using a cardboard hand protector that I fixed up using the Kioshi paper pack, my QuicKutz 2X2 dies, spellbinders scalloped circles, stickles, some awesome brads, my Cropodile, ribbon from my stash and some Tim Holtz distress inks.  So, off I go to get her coffee, to use this cute hand protector with... BTW, the flower is the part the hand cannot reach, so it's not in the way, and the ribbon is soft on the hand - I love it!!

Have a wonnnnderful day!

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

http://prettylittlethingstocut.blogspot.com

I'm running my Craft Robo and KNK Studio GE on my iMAC!

I did it!!!

 I've got my iMAC, with my Parallels Program which allows you to run Microsoft windows within a window of the MAC machine. I've installed my Silhouette/Craft Robo and it works - and I've installed my KNK Studio GE 8 and it also works with my cute little dongle!

This is pretty revolutionary - the fact that I can create and cut on my iMAC instead of a PC is pretty darned awesome!  Especially with this huuuge beautiful screen ;)  I've attached some pics and encourage anyone who has any questions to give me a shout!

and my cut flowers ...

I did it, I did it..... IIIIIIIIIII did it!!!  

I'm doin' the happy dance - thank youu Sandy :)

Have a wonnnnderful day!

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

http://prettylittlethingstocut.blogspot.com

Lovin Grannies :)

image - Mo's DP - Mumu

Carte Postal TH Star Booklet

I got this wonderful idea for making mini books that open up into stars and have made quite a few really cute ones over the last year.

So, I decided to whip one up using the Tim Holts Vintage Shabby paper pack, the distress inks and Martha Stewart butterfly punch to create this album for a birthday present. I also did some money-origami and folded $5 bills into shirts and stuck them in on one page.  I added some cute embellies and ribbon from my stash and it was perfect!

· ´¨¨)) -:¦:- -:¦:-

¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Live with integrity.... -:¦:-

((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Create with passion!

-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´* -:¦:- NikkiNix

Tips & Tricks: embossing faux snakeskin paper

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

Diaper Cake

It's been awhile... from baby shower to diaper cake to 72 thank you cards... I've been busy and have not posted about what I've been up to :(  

More to come soon ;)

Have a wonnnnderful day!

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

DIY Paper Storage

The Knack(SM) - Where Kids Discover(SM) - Construction Paper Storage

What a great DIY :)

Happy Father's Day!

This card for my Daddy was a combination of a lot of trial-an-error.  One day I'll replicate it and do a video tutorial but in meantime, here's what I did: I got this great wood stamp which I've been wanting since I saw the PTI wood grain released, and I stamped it up in SU chocolate chip, then clear embossed the actual stamp, then I used a bunch of inks I had at the time and distressed it a bit and blended on top over and over until I liked the outcome.

 Then I used Mo's Big Boots to Fill AfAm image (can't seem to find that link), coloured it with copics, cut it out and clear embossed the entire thing so it would look right next to the embossed wood grain.  The paper is from the boy paper pack I mentioned in a very recent post and  of course, my distrezz it all, which I love!!

I made some notes about which inks I used n my wood grain but really, I think I'll start from scratch the next time.  I also want to try this hardwood flooring wood-technique I found as well :)  

Please excuse my poor quality pics and mirrored images, when I use my web cam, that's what I get :(


Have a wonnnnderful day!

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

Butterfly card/album

I found this fffaaaannntastic tutorial today, here's the butterfly album, and here's the tutorial.  I sincerely believe if you have a die cutting machine, like the Silhouette or the KNK, this would be an awesome, and easy project!!  I have all intentions of making one, but not for a few months so I was inspired to play with the shape and make my own template inspired slightly by my Martha Stewart butterfly punch shape.  

Here's my template making escapades 

...and then I made a cute birthday card in the meantime, waiting for the munchkin to finally fall asleep - all experimenting with my butterfly shape.  I like it!

Have a wonnnnderful day!

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

My baby made me a card!

... and we chose and stuck the eyes on together, ... it's me, she said, can't you see it ;)

Have a wonnnnderful day!

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

Daddy's are a little girl's best friend!

Here's a book I made out of scrap, duplicate pictures I had of my daughter and her Daddy.  I am absolutely thrilled with how it turned out.   I used my Zutter bind-it-all and Distrezz it tool and some really great boy paper and metal embellies I recently picked up.  Her Daddy will love this keepsake ;)

I must say that I am trying so so soooo hard to create "boy" stuff for this time of year with my anniversary and Father's Day so it's  stretch for me, but I am liking th rustic twist and distressing wasn't so bad ;)  I even distressed the pictures!!  This boyish paper stack was really helpful - there's a pic below.

Sorry these posts are so brief, I am trying to catch you all up :)

That last page has a pic of her at 3 months on his very first Fathers day... and the pic below is of her 2nd bday just this past March - MY how time has flown.   SHE told me to put stars so I emphasized them with some stickles ;)  She's so cute!  The back page of the album is some journalling about our trip to the store shopping for his gift, and how she paid the cashier and held the bag the whole way home (in her car seat)  I am tempted to leave it int he same bag and just add a bow - LOL!

Have a wonnnnderful day!

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

http://prettylittlethingstocut.blogspot.com