Friday, February 13, 2009

Blog Candy Fun

I promised Cami over at Our Craft Lounge that I would play her stamping game, and you get to be the winner. Today Our Craft Lounge is releasing 28 new stamp sets. Want to see them all? Click here. My friends thought it would be fun to give away all 28 sets to celebrate our second release, one of EACH new set!

Today, leave me a comment, and I'll draw a winner on Sunday (approx. Noon Pacific Time) for this fabulous Irish Blessing Set that I drew for OCL. Want to see who else is playing the Our Craft Lounge game? Go bug Cami for a complete list.

Meanwhile, here is the card I made using the new Irish Blessing set. I'm not usually one for patterned paper (or papercrafting in general, but when you have peer pressure things change...), but I had this great piece of striped Pool Fun paper by Reminisce. Too bad it was mostly blue. So I took my G14 and G17 Copics and toned it down with some stripes of green. Perfect! Now it's St. Patrick's Day paper in colors that match the artwork. The ribbon is from Offray, and the white paper is Neenah Classic Crest with Memento ink.

My drawing style for this set
I drew this stamp set all in angles and loose chunks. Why? Because when I
draw I get tired of drawing in the same style all the time. I encourage those of you who tend to draw all your stuff in one way, switch to a totally different style every now and then.

Add straight angles where you would usually have curves. Make some lines extra thick and some thin if you always draw with one line width. I love looking through old reference books and changing my style (like when I drew the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland). If you look through my sketchbooks you'll see a variety of styles. I see it as a challenge- have I drawn anything like this before? How can I push myself to be a better illustrator?

One nice thing about the sharp corners on this image- I can color in sharp edges and it looks good. My usual perfectly blended smooth objects would totally look out of place on this artwork. This totally works, and it is much easier to get it to look correct than if I had used perfect blends. Again, it forces me to change my mode of thinking and gets me to make different illustrations than usual.

When you get this stamp set it comes on a card just like you see here. I colored the examples on the set to help you get an idea of where to start your coloring process. I don't expect people to copy the artwork exactly, but know that I color all my examples with Copic markers.

Something special to me about St. Patrick's Day is that I have a hidden talent. I can spot a 4 or 5 leaf clover without even trying. I'll be going for a walk, look down, and pick one out without thinking. I have found thousands over my lifetime. I usually dry them and give them away (think of this set as my personal 4 leaf clover that I'm giving away today). Just a bit of something many of you don't know about me :)

atyou Spica Glitter Pens
The green and gold areas are atyou Spica pens. I haven't talked much about these pens, but now is a great time. Spica pens are micro glass-flake filled pigment pens. They're not gel pens and they're not multiliners. Their tip is actually firm plastic. You can never see the glitter on a computer, but they're really elegant and they're transparent. Right now they're available in 12 colors and a clear, but in April our 11 new colors should be coming in- they're gorgeous!

Unlike the markers, Spica need to be kept horizontal t0 even out the flakes. If they are dropped or shaken then the glitter inside gets unbalanced. Just store them point down for a while to encourage the glitter to flow correctly, then return them to the horizontal state. You don't want them to stay point down, or the glitter might overwhelm the tip.

I was informed by the Japanese manufacturer that the word "Atyou" is kind of like "Wow!" or "Oh!" it's a happy exclaimation. "Spica" is the name of one of the stars in the constellation Virgo. When you say "atyou Spica" don't think of it as the sound you make when you sneeze (even though it sounds that way) think of "Wow! Stars!". If you get a chance to see one in real life you'll agree that "Wow! Stars!" pretty much says it all.

On that note, I'd better get back to bed. Play along, leave a note, go visit the other designers for Our Craft Lounge and win a set of stamps. It's that easy. Happy Valentine's Day!

eta: Of the 28 new sets at OCL, I drew 24 of them. Can you guess which ones I did NOT draw?


270 comments:

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Re said...

I'm having so much fun blog-hopping and making friends this year.

Thanks for such a generous giveaway! I hope I'm chosen as the lucky winner!!

debb said...

Very cute! I so get you on the pressure of papercrafting, watch out you may become addicted! Off to look at all the sets and figure out which 4 are not yours! debb

Ravengirl said...

Wow! Great set!!! I would love the chance to win!

dinadennis said...

I love bad dog! dina

CrazyCuteCards said...

I really like this blog and your great tutorials.
It makes it possible to me to learn other (Dutch) people how to use Copic markers.
I never used the spica's but would glad to try them one day.

cathy said...

What a great set! You are an amazing artist!

Kelly said...

Cute set - thanks for sharing, and thanks for the chance to win.

Mandy said...

I just found you guys and love your cards and blog! Awesome :-)

LISA said...

Cute Card. My favorite set of stamps is Boys Toys.

jackie ranieri said...

Happy Valentine's Day!! Just love the new stamps; sure would be a blessing to win!!
Jackie

CarolG said...

Cute set. Thanks for the opportunity to win.

Unknown said...

Cute set. Thanks for the chance to win.

Susan (coffeeforme) said...

This is a super cute set. Love your card too. Thanks for the great coloring ideas.

Janet L. said...

You're so talented!! The new sets are great. I think In His Name might be my fave.

Jennine Chambers said...

I love this set! I am full blooded Irish American so anything Irish and I am sold!!! I just purchased my own set of the Atyou markers and LOVE them. Ellen Houston is the best bet around! Thanks for a chance to win! I love your work and got emails so I am always up to date on your latest post.

Christi Flores said...

What an adorable card! I love it!

Denise said...

Really great sets! You are talented!!

Pattyjo said...

I am having a ball entering this contest today. This really is fun! I love your Irish theme and the card you made! I love the ribbon design with the decorative ends.
Pattyjo

art party said...

Thanks Marianne. I love the St. Patrick's day artwork. I also love how you did the gradient of greens to color in the hat and the letters. I am really looking forward to the atyou pens. I have about 40 copic markers so far and I whenever I have to stand in line at the post office, I reward myseld with a few new markers. I love them and even though I wish I had all of them right now, it is actually fun to go pick out new colors all the time. I have learned a lot from your blog and always look forward to more. Maureen

Sharri C said...

Great Ideas! So glad I decided to Blog hop today....I found your great blog.Thanks for sharing, SharriC

n2kids said...

The new sets are just delightful. They are cute and whimsical.

Susan said...

Whoa! Look at all the comments when blog candy is offered, lol. Thanks for the tip on Spica pens. I didn't know I needed to keep them horizontal, so when I get home I'm taking my pens out of their current holder and putting them on their side. Thanks for the blog candy offer too. Your drawings make great stamps.

Melissa said...

I don't own any sets for OCL yet and would love the chance to start my collection. Thanks so much!

Donna said...

Love the card! Irish blessings looks like such a fun set... and timely too!

Dolce Deb's Designs said...

Love you card and thank you for the chance to win.

Debbie/Phx AZ

Mary Grace said...

My favorite set is Drake the
Dragon

Marilyn (stampwithMJ) said...

What a great card! Love the set.

Rae said...

Cute sets, all of them. And this one is just in time for my favorite holiday.... Guess what it is. ;)

So glad I found your site. I'll be a frequent vistor.

Thank you for sharing!

carrie said...

I really liked your St. Pat's Day card. I like the contrast of the blue with the green. Thanks for the chance to win some neat "blog candy".

Kathleen said...

WOW!!! 24 of those sets? That's amazing!! I don't have a St. Patty's set and I'd LOVE one! Thanks for the chance~

Christine aka The Stampin' Ninja said...

This is an awesome St Patty's Day card! I love the stripes and LOVE your green bow! Thanks for the chance to win!
Hugs,
Christine aka The Stampin' Ninja

Dawn M said...

All the sets are really cute! Love your sample!

Summer Braxton said...

Cool set... love the ribbon on your card... a perfect compliment

Nicole said...

ETA: I am guessing on your stamp sets that you didn't design! (just for fun!) Are they 'In HIS Name', 'Hello Spring', 'Just Bugs' and (guessing here:) 'Children of the World'?

It's probably going to be the Whispy ones and the Flowers for you, since I love those! Then I will feel bad! HAHA! I do love them all, I guess I am not used to using people/animal images. I will have to work on that, stretch myself to see if I can do it, right??? They are all fabulous, Marianne and I am glad you got the OCL up and running! I wish I had money to buy them all!

Happy Valentine's Day, GIRLY!!
Nicole

Keri’s Kreativity said...

Beautiful card. I just love how Copics make everything just Pop!! Now I need to go check out the new stamp sets.

Keri Parish
firecow1@sbcglobal.net

Patti said...

I rec'd my order of copic markers and spica pens today! I spent my birthday money for these.

Ladybugsinthegarden.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Cute card!

Anonymous said...

Awesome card. I am Irish and am always looking for something unique to work with...this stamp set is just the ticket!

Jennifer Hansen said...

Thank you for the giveaway!

Peggy said...

Really Cute. Thanks for for inspiration that you provide.

Carla said...

WOW! I've never been to your blog before, it's super informative!! I'm so impressed that designed 24 of the 28 new sets!! My word verification is diaria!! HA HA

Cher said...

WOW! You are quite an artist maam'...ty for sharing...my top fav would be the whispy blooms...I luv your Irish card (I AM IRISH! too ...tyvm Cher

Sew This N That said...

Beautiful card Marianne, I wish I could come learn to colour like you but being in the UK I am too far away. If your ever over here in my kneck of the woods I will make you a cuppa :0)
**Hugs** Heather x

Karen Gladney said...

Fantastic card. Love it.. You blog is such an inspiration. Would love to take your certification but don't think you will come to where I live... I live in Newfoundland. If you are ever thinking of coming to my area, I would love to know about it.

Nancy Dawson said...

I am so eager every day to rec your updates. Your instructions are fantastic and great for the beginner. Your work is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing. Nancy

Kimm BT said...

I am loving my Copics and thankful for your blog... I've learned so much from you!

otter5057 said...

i am so encouraged to see people who work outside the box. i do not do well with strict instructions and "have to do's". love the comments, fun card. thanks!!

Sheri said...

I love all of the new sets. Granny has to be my favorite - she even looks like me errrr I mean my sister :)

The Traffic Cop said...

Too, too cute! I love your blog...there's always something on it I've never seen before. :)

Lynne in NI said...

Hi Marianne
I'm so pleased I've discovered your blog as I'm about to make my first purchase of copics and was a bit daunted! Now I know what to put on my wish list! Love your colouring and all the new stamp sets are gorgeous!
...I'll be back!

Peggy said...

I love all the new sets. Since I am a "collector" of St Patricks day stamps, that is my fav!!

Unknown said...

Love all the new releases - Love your card.

Velta said...

This set is just precious...I would love to win this one...alas, I am number 256, I think, but ya never know...thanks for the info on the Atyou pens...I have them and love them :)

Theresa Tyree said...

Hi Marianne! I love all the new stamp sets. If I had to guess one of the four you "didn't" draw, I would guess you didn't draw the whispy patterns set. Am I right? I love the St. Pat's set. I got to a university where St. Pat's is really big. Did you know he is the patron saint of engineering? Since I go to an engineering school, St. Pat's is really big. We even have two days off the week of St. Pat's! Now that is cool!!

Marie said...

I love the card. Thanks for all your great new stamps. You are so inspiring.

Linda said...

I just found your blog this morning and looking around you have much that I can learn from, looking forward to going through your blog.

Soozie4Him said...

Very cute set - so you drew 24 of them? Hmmm.....

Susan, aka Soozie4Him
moot96 AT aol DOT come

Anonymous said...

Hi Marianne! I first wanted to thank you for sharing your knowledge with us and that because of you I love using my copics! If you ever decide on coming over to Calgary, let me know I would love to get certified :) I just love OCL and am super excited for all the new sets! For the ones that you didn't draw.....hhhmmmmm, I'm guessing In His Name, Children of the World, Baby Shower and Lovin from the Oven. Thanks for the opportunity.

jan farnworth said...

very neat card loved all the sets.

**CrEaTiNgWiThAlOhA** said...

i love all of your coloring with copics you make it seem so easy...TFS

Anonymous said...

As an Irish lass, I think that I need this set. Pick me- Pick me- Pick me! LOL

Colleen

Sunshinecoastgrl said...

Oh these stamps are so lovely!! I like the St paddy's day set Thanks for the chance at winning them. Colleen

Unknown said...

Wow! I wish I could draw like that. These sets are so wonderful. I love Pat the Bad Dog and Growing Gratitude. I can't wait to come back and see which ones you drew.
Pam Hricenak

Kelli said...

I just bought my daughter a set of 12 spicas, she doesn't know yet. She loves the ones she already has.

Char in So Cal said...

I see you have not drawn yet so I am hoping I am not too late too sign up. Mt Fave new OCL set is Lovin From the Oven.

Thanks for the op to win!

Char in So Cal
{scrampaddict}{ at} {cox} {dot} {net}

Lisa C. said...

LOVE the sets and thanks so much for the info on the spica markers, can't wait to try some!

Denise said...

Leave it to my husband to decide that we go computerless for the last 3 days and I miss out on great candy. Maybe not too late so I will try! And OMG the Granny support team is sooo funny!
Denise Wells
mamascollections@aol.com

Creative Tara said...

thanks for the inspiration!

Anonymous said...

Love your card..

Dana said...

qUESTION- I have a set of Spica pens (LOVE them!) but my pink no longer works. :( What can I do to get it working? I'll try the vertical then horizontal to see if that fixes it but I'm not optimistic. The rest work just fine.Thx!!

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