Close To My Heart

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Hydrangea Fairy

So I've been trying to learn how to color images with color pencils, and I have to say it does A TON OF PATIENCE to get through an image. That's also one of the reasons why I haven't been making so much cards lately, because trying to finish an image takes so much time. And with only a few hours a here and there to spare, it took a week for me to finish this.

I've learned so much, and swear to go back and redo this image again. I've made mental notes on where I went wrong, and I'm itching to recolor it again using my Prismacolor pencils this time around.

So, here's my first take using Spectrum Noir Blendable Pencils. This is a free image from Yampuff. I suggest checking her page out. She's got so much images that are so pretty and just screaming to be colored.



Here are the colors I used.

Skin - 02, 04, 07, 08, 89, 96, 100
Hair - 84, 108
Dress - 76, 75, 82
Wings - 78. 76
Flowers - 11, 76, 74, 75, 82
Leaves - 44, 46, 60, 48
Sky - 74, 73, 120
Ground / Water Puddles - 74, 73, 55, 116

I also used Gamsol to blend the clouds, and for the rain drops I used Close to My Heart Chalk marker (Z1767). Thank goodness I do have that chalk marker handy, or else I would've gone crazy if after a week I'd have to leave it unfinished a couple of days until I found myself a white marker!

Thank you so much to Kit and Clowder, without you I wouldn't have finished this, nor even come close to this finished work!

Coffee and Friendship

I have this friend at work who is constantly there for me at all times. When I'm feeling down, I know I can easily go to her and vent. When I'm happy I know she's the first person I can share my happy news with. And because of that, she's the only reason I look forward to seeing at work. Whenever I pull up at the parking lot and see her car, I know the day is just going to be fine.
I have had a rough week at work, and her being a good friend, she listened and offered me one of the most reassuring hugs ever. I thought I'd make her this card, to say thank you, and how I truly appreciate her presence and friendship.

I used Close to My Heart Paper Fundaments as the background for this card. I stamped coffee beans as the decorative border. We both love coffee, and just have to have it when we come in the morning.
I used Cup of Cheer for this cute border look, and  MFT's Perk Up stamp set for the coffee image and sentiment. I love how it perfectly describes my sentiments.



Here's the image of the products I used.

B1404 Cup of Cheer
Z1939 Paper Fundamentals
Don't you just love how this basic neutral colors have the perfect designs to it? Love how versatile they are!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Coloring w/ Color Pencils - TGF

Hi everyone! So I've been pretty quiet lately, but it doesn't mean I'm not crafting. I've been occupied lately with learning to color using my color pencils. If you follow me on Facebook you know I've just recently purchase a ton of pencils. So now I have the Prismacolor 150 on top of my Spectrum Noir Blendable pencils. I've also been hooked on adult coloring so I figured why not start using these pencils to color my images like Marci, Anya and the likes. So I've been patiently practicing with the help of Kit and Clowder. I have to admit coloring using pencils takes a whole LOT of patience, of which I'm embarrassed to say I don't have. But, for the love of coloring and crafting, I've been practicing.

Here's my first project/image from The Greeting Farm. I believe her name's Cordelia. More of like an image since I haven't yet really mastered how it is to make layered cards with so many laces and flowers (and yet I call my site shabby chic!). If I only have all the time in the world! Anyway, I digress. So here's my first full colored pencil image.




I embossed the background pink cardstock using Close to My Heart's Heart Embossing Folder (Z3018). The embellishments are from Adorn It, it's the closest I have to flowers. The pierced flourish is from My Favorite Things and I used Sweet Leaf ink from CTMH to make it green. Background paper and image were both die cut using Stitched Rounded Rectangle Stax from MFT.

So for the colors, I used Spectrum Noir Blendable Pencils. I followed Kit and Clowder's instructions down to the last color.

Skin - 02, 04, 07, 08, 89, 96, 100
Hair - 88, 84, 86, 95
Outfit - 1, 61, 62, 63, 116, 54
Pink Accent - 114, 34, 35, 40, 105

I used Strathmore Drawing paper, which probably isn't the best paper out there given the tooth still showing even after 3 layers of burnishing. I'm not sure if it's my pencils or paper, but my next project is to try the same image using Prismacolor pencils. This way I will know whether the problem lies with me, the paper or just the brand of pencils I used.

Hope you guys like it! Would love to hear your thoughts/advice!

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Mod Marci

Hi everyone! Sorry for the long absence, I've been very busy lately at work, and on any spare time I have, I've been into color pencil and adult coloring. Plus given my hand's not supposed to be overused at this point, I haven't really created much lately.

But because I can't stay away from this too long, here's a card I made for this week.



The background of the card was from an SVG cut from the Silhouette store. The words inspire, dream and wish are from a retired Close to My Heart stamp set, I believe it's D1002 Simple Things, and are stamped using CTMH inks.

Here are the colors I used.

Skin - E000, E00, E11
Lips - R21, R24
Hair - E43, E44, E47
Hat, Vest, Boots - E51, E53, E55, E57
Blouse - YR00, YR02, YR04
Guitar - Y11, Y19, E93, E95

I love Mod Marci. This image reminds me of myself when I just want to chill and play the ukulele. It's another hobby I have, which like others, I wish I have more time to do! For now, this will do. 2 hobbies meeting together.

Enjoy!

Friday, July 3, 2015

CTMH Pets

Hi Everyone! I'm sharing some cards today but they're not really 4th of July themed. My hand's just starting to get better, and I don't want to take advantage of it yet by coloring too much, so here are some cards I've made before.

These cards were made using Close to My Heart's Friendly Pets stamp set. I colored these cute adorable pets with Copic markers, and liquid glossed the heart balloons. Background papers used were retired paper packs from Close to My Heart too.





This is what the stamp set looks like, and you can click here if you wish to purchase it.

B1481 Friendly Pets

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy and have a great 4th of July weekend!