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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Winner and Prize

Well, have made it to the shop to photograph the prize for the new challenge! And I am here to announce the winner for the Bling challenge!

First thing, the prize for the Colour Challenge is a great pack of goodies from My Minds Eye and American Crafts. There is a selection of double sided papers, a goody bag filled with assorted die-cuts, frames and transparencies and a pack of Remarks letter stickers! Very cool! So there is a prize pack like this for each of the winners from the layout blog and card blog.

Note: contents may vary from picture displayed, but will be of an equivalent value

And now for the random winner:


Number 2 on the card blog is...... Anne Patterson! Congratulations Anne , contact Leisa or Kerri at the shop to collect your prize!

PS Anne, I think you need to hide from Cynthia for a while, or perhaps share your booty with her!!

Monday, September 27, 2010

Challenge #3

Here we are another fortnight gone already. They really are rolling around pretty fast aren't they??!! So are we all "blinged" out and ready for another challenge then?? This is going to be an easy one too. We like easy here at Scrapbook City, we don't want to have to think too long and hard about things!

This challenge is a colour combo challenge! Spring is in the air so we selected a nice bright "Springy" kind of palette. All you need to do is use this colour palette as the basis for your card. These are the only colours besides white and black that you can use, but you can vary the shade (darkness) or tint (lightness) of them a little if you need to! And for some "colour theory" ideas to help get you started think about the 60 30 10 rule for combining colours. 60% use of your main colour, 30% of your second colour and 10% splash of your highlight colour! You have five colours to choose from so that should be easy!


Here is some inspiration for you from our wonderful card makers.

Card by Nicole

Card by Sandra

Once again you have two weeks to link your creation to our gallery, and once again we have an awesome prize up for grabs! Prize details to come later today (I have to get me to the shop to take a photo!!!). And because we have put this challenge up a day later than usual you will get an extra bit of time to get your entries in! It is only fair after all!!


Sunday, September 26, 2010

Hello!

Hello, and happy Monday to you all! Just a quick reminder that you have a little under two days to do your Bling challenge and get it linked. So far there is only one entry, so get an entry in and give Cynthia some competition! The prize is the great i-Rock tool with some accessories from Imaginisce.

Also, Scrapbook City had their retreat over the weekend and there are now some photos up on the retreat blog. If you weren't able to attend check them out for a bit of a giggle, and if you were, go and check them out to remind yourselves of the hysterics from Friday night!

Catch you soon!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

A couple of Copic marker tips

In my previous post I mentioned the Colorless Blender No 0. The two main reasons I use this marker are: removing mistakes and removing colour, for example:

going outside the line on the face of the stamped (with Memento Tuxedo Black ink) image
Use the non brush end of the blender pen to push the colour up to the line - dont go over the line. If a darker colour, you may need to let the first coat dry and then repeat the procedure

I could have worked on this a little more, but just wanted to show you the basic steps.


In this image, I lay down the basic colours for the apron, and then wanted to give the fabric a 'lighter' look - make it look more flowy (if that's a word). I used the blender pen, let it dry and then checked and added more to try and obtain effect I was looking for







. . . and with some of the colour removed




This is the finished look I was trying to achieve


Tips on air brushing soon.

happy crafting!


Sunday, September 19, 2010

My Copic Marker journey . . . so far

Hello everyone, my name is Rita and I am your card blog host for this week.

Welcome to my COPIC JOURNEY . . . so far
Who would have thought! I have been an avid scrapper of mainly layouts and beyond the page items for many years, followed by making cards to give to family and friends. I like to use my Spellbinder, Cuttlebug and Cricut machines, but have now discovered stamps, and what is more – stamps coloured with Copics. I now have a magic tool to enhance some of my projects and look at colours and designs in a different way. The markers work so well with all projects requiring some extra colour or a little bit of oomph!
How did I start? - I arrived at Scrapbook City one day and was greeted by Leisa with ‘guess what we have in stock now?’ and that was the beginning of my journey (thanks Leis!) . . . what a new world! I prefer the Sketch Markers carried by the Store because:
· They are easy to find (with the number on the lid), and store
· In my opinion, a beginners guide of colours would be to have at least two Copic colours from each colour family ( illustrated below) for blending and highlighting your project (however, it is hard to stop at 2!)

· The Sketch markers are Airbrush compatible (more of that later in the week)

· Unique shape - they dont’ roll away from you when you put them down on the table



To get started colouring with Copics, my basic necessities are:
· Blending paper
· Colourless Blender pen/ink (refillable) – this pen is used for making colours lighter and for fixing
mistakes (more later)
· Ink your favourite stamp with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (fade-resistant dye ink)
· Copic Sketch Markers of your choice (also refillable)

There are lots of on-line tutorials and I have a couple of favourites – it is a matter of personal preference I think. When I first started colouring with Copics, I realised very quickly not to get too disappointed if things don’t work out immediately – it is a matter of practice and personal preference to gain the end result.


Here is a very quick idea for using Copics . . .
For this image, I have purposely used the feathered look to highlight the shading of the two colours (from each family) used. For me, this image lends itself to this type of colouring as well – a bit quirky.

That’s what I love about Copics – you can add as little or as much as you like to achieve the effect you are most happy with.




Choosing and experimenting with colour combinations on blending card


Step 1 – Laying down base with E000




Step 2 – adding highlights with E00 and R20 for cheeks



Step 3 - V15, V12 and a touch of V000
for Dress and shoes




Step 4 – same colour combination for flower, but added Y35 & Y38 for middle of flower


Step 5 – RV 11 & RV14 for handbag and necklace




Step 6 – E51 & E53 for hat and BG000 for mirror reflection





Step 7 – C1 & C3 for ground and Ranger Star Dust stickles on purse, flower & necklace (a girl has to have some bling J)




And the finished card . . . . using Spellbinders Classic Ovals large, edged oval shape with Spun Sugar Distress Ink, mounted on to embossed Bazzill cardstock (using Cuttlebug), layered onto purple Bazzill cardstock. Added a little Copic pen to the embossing with a touch more of the Ranger Star Dust stickles.
I have come a long way on my short journey so far, and look forward to learning something new all the time. I would love to hear about your Copic experiences too!
It would be great to catch up with other Copic enthusiasts at the upcoming Scrapbook City Retreat next weekend! (perhaps you could share your photography skills with me too J )

Friday, September 17, 2010

Bling Tip #2

Hello, I'm back again with another bling tip.


How often have you not had the right coloured rhinestones/pearls for your project? If you are like me too often - and I have almost every colour available! LOL. That brings us to today's tip:


Bling Tip #2 - Alter the colour of Rhinestones using Copics





In this card I altered clear rhinestones with a pink copic marker to coordinate with the butterly on my card. Just a few brush strokes with the wide end of your copic marker on the top and they are transformed to a new sparkling colour.





I have also added extra sparkle to my "Fairy Girl" card with dollop of scattered straw distress stickles on the wand, and spica glitter pen on her wing. Also after distressing the edges of the paper, I brushed perfect pearls on the ink and set it with water. It looks so sparkly in person - unfortunately the photo (and my photography skills) does not do it justice.


Thanks for stopping by. Nic

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Bling Tip #1

Hi, Welcome to the third week of Scrapbook City's newest blog - Card City!

In case you missed it, this week is the start of our second challenge - "Bling". Create your card using bling and link it to the blog to win a fabulous i-rock tool and gems from Imaginisce.

This week I will be posting a few of my favourite "bling tips" to get you cruising.

Tip#1 - Editing a Bling Swirl

My favourite thing to do with a bling swirl, is to edit it so that I get the swirls I need, where I need them. I don't want half my swirls to be covered up by my other embellishments, or to use more than I need to. Yesterday I was decorating a candy jar and I wanted just a little bit of bling and a couple of swirls, but all I had was this set of rather large Zva Creative swirls. No problems.

First, I left all the bling on the clear sheet and laid it over my project and chose which swirls I wanted to use. Then I trimmed off my chosen swirls and attached them to my project, taking care to layer them where they wouldn't be hidden by the flower.

Here's a photo of my leftover sheet, (you can see the impression left behind of the swirls that I removed):





And, Presto! I got exactly what I needed to enhance my project, and I still have a lot of bling to use for next time.




See you tomorrow with another bling tip. Nic

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Kaiser Craft Winner


Time to draw a winner for the Kaiser Craft challenge! We plugged our numbers into the random number generator and got #3, which is Cynthia! Congratulations Cynthia! Contact Leisa or Kerri at the shop to collect your prize. Thanks to everyone who played along. Hopefully we will see you back for the next challenge!

Monday, September 13, 2010

New Challenge

Well, two weeks has come and gone just a little too quickly. But on the bright side, this means a new challenge for you to try! Once again we have a great challenge with some wonderful samples by our girls and better a awesome prize!! So, do you want to hear what the challenge is???

This is going to be a really easy challenge for you I am sure. "Bling". That is pretty much it! Create a card making good use of bling and link it to our blog here using the link tool (or email us at info@scrapbookcity.com.au with your picture) and you have until Tuesday 28th September midnight to get it there.

Now remember there are many different things that fall into the bling category. Gems, pearls, glitter, glimmer mist many things for you to use! So now, lets check out the samples from our girls.

Card by Sandra

Card by Rita

I have a couple of extra pictures of Rita's card to show you how exquisite it is, something that is hard to get through in photos alone though! This card is an open out kind of card with bling through it all!

So, you can see from the photos that the card opens out like a book then flips open to reveal a secret tag in a pocket! Just gorgeous!

Two different ways to use bling on your cards! So hopefully you are all inspired now, but one last bit of inspiration check out the prize! The randomly drawn winners (one from the Card Blog and one from the Scrapbook Blog) will receive a great new i-Rock tool from Imaginisce with a selection of gems to go with it!


So, what are you waiting for?? The winners will be announced on Wednesday 29th September. I am looking forward to seeing lots of great cards full of bling!

Our Kaiser Craft challenge winners will be posted tomorrow too, so keep an eye out for that. There is still a little time to get your entries in for that one so hurry!

Til next time.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

What to do with lumpy bumpy cards

Do you love the look of lumpy bumpy cards, but hate that they don't fit into envelopes?? Yes to both from me! Sometimes I make an oversize envelope, but it doesn't look that great, so I decided to make something else - a box to pop it into.

Yes, of course, another Spellbinders card from me - LOL - this time using the Fleur de Lis Pendant die as well as the Spellbinders Impressabilities for the embossed look. The two toned teals are core'dinations cardstock. There's some ribbon too, and a Prima flower in the centre. I love Prima flowers, but they are very lumpy and bumpy!



So, to solve my problems with this card (well, some of them anyway, as the next problem would be postage - lucky I was hand-delivering this one though!), I made a box to pop it in.


I used my Martha Stewart board for the box, and it was pretty easy. My card was just under 6 inches by 6 inches. I made the base of the box 6x6 and had 1 inch sides, so I cut a piece of cardstock that was 8x8, and scored at 1 and 7 inches. I turned it 90 degreees and again scored at 1 and 7 inches. Then it was simply a matter of folding along the lines, cutting in at the corners, a quick staple or adhesive, and then you are ready to decorated it. I the matching Fleur de Lis borderabilities, along with some pearls and flowers - and there you have it - a custom made box for a lumpy bumpy card!

It's not so hard - give it a try and let me know how you go.
Sandra

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Whoops!!

OK, this is a card blog, and you'll notice I popped up a layout to demo my flowers, but of course you could use these flowers on a card too. Sorry if you wondered what I was doing putting layouts on the card blog!  I have used these on cards many times before but I'm writing this post while I'm away from home and this was an image I had that shows off these flowers well.

Handmade Flowers using Spellbinders Dies

Hmmm, is this getting a bit repetitive?? All this talk about Spellbinders, but I do love them! Some of my favourite flowers are made using the Blossom dies. I use every size in the set, scrunch up the die cuts, sand them a bit, then ink them up. You can use glue dot or double sided tape to layer them up, or use foam dots to give more dimension. I finish them off with a button in the middle. I just love them!

Here's a layout I made with the Kaisercraft Devonshire range with my homemade flowers and leaves. When I did this layout, the new dies that Leisa was talking about in the previous post didn't exist, but here's a great use for them now! There's also some Green Tara lace, Prima Bling, a cuttlebug embossing folder and some felt Maya Road flowers.



I am so glad I have discovered the Spellbinders. I'm not telling how many I have, but I think I'd have one for most any occassion!!

Thanks for looking.
Sandra

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

An exciting new company now in store

Hi Everyone, it's Leisa here. Now I am about to steal Sandra's thunder, she is your blog host this week, but I am so excited, I just have to tell you about this new company that I came across whilst I was at CHA.

Have you heard of Heartfelt Creations. Well I had never, but I accidentally came across them at the show, and they had the most beautiful booth.

They are a company who make stamps, but now they have teamed up with Spellbinders, and have exclusive dies, that match their stamps.

Take a look at these stamps and matching dies (Spellbinders)........


now they are not much to loook at, but take a look at what you can create with them. It was the cards and creations that almost took my breath away.


and this one

Click here to see them in the online store.

I also have some really beautiful Christmas stamps and diecuts here in store, and I will load them onto the site shortly (I am just waiting to get some images for them).

But Sandra is currently playing with these, so I am sure you will hear more about them soon.

Leisa

Monday, September 6, 2010

Some thoughts on Spellbinders ....

Hi Everyone - Sandra here. For those who know me, know that I have a minor obsession with Spellbinders!! I LOVE THEM!! I was in the store today and was checking out the new releases - OH MY GOODNESS - I think they are the best yet.

I am rather fond of the pendants range and this one is no different. Now, before you think - it's a snowflake and we can't use that in Australia for Christmas cards - think again. I love the look of it for just a centrepiece in a card. It would be stunning. And look at that round circle - that could pass off as a cog (can't get enough of them for boy stuff).


Another favourite of mine was Labels 14. Yes, I have a few Spellbinders labels too which I find great for journal spots in scrapbooking layouts, but look at this one - it could be a cloud!


And the last one I want to share is the Christmas shapes called Fanciful Holiday. Not only would this make great elements for cards or layouts, but you could use these shapes as masks on your cards, layouts or projects.




Let me know what you think of the latest Spellbinders release. Do you use Spellbinders? If not, this might be a good time to start - but, be warned, it is addictive!! All you need is a Cuttlebug, Big Shot, Wizard or other die cutting/embossing machine, and you'll be on your way to days of fun.

Thanks for dropping by.

Sandra
x

New CHA Stock Everywhere


Hello Everyone,


Well this last week its felt like Christmas time here at Scrapbook City. We had 19 boxes arrive yesterday and many many more are on the way.

But for all you fellow card makers out there, I thought I would let you know about a couple of very exciting arrivals.

Firstly the new Spellbinders have arrived. Check them out here. Please be quick though, we only had a small number of dies arrive, and I believe the US is already out of stock of them.

Secondly you must must check out the beautiful new Prima Flowers, Papers and Embellishments that have arrived. I know you will love them. See them all here.



Also I know that all cardmakers just love Cosmo Cricket, particularly the 6x6 paper pads. Check out the new "Togetherness" collection here.


Have you seen the new stamps from Darcie yet. Why not come along to a class if you can, to complete these 4 fantastic Christmas cards, or if you can't make it, when you buy the stamps, you will receive complimentary colour instructions. Check out the stamps here.