My Favorite Color Combo Chart

Hello!
I've received some feedback that you all can not read the numbers on the colors on my combo chart. I'm sorry about that!! I'm including the photo here in a larger resolution. You should be able to click on it and see the numbers.  Please leave a comment and let me know that you can read it.  Thank you lovely people!!

Updated October 20th, 2012

The color combos that have a * in front are Leann's favorite colors from her DVD. Check it out!!

Here's the blank chart also in a larger resolution.

I store my markers in the Spectrum Noir Storage system.

Thank you for visiting!!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Watercolor Effect with Spectrum Noir & Scavenger Hunt Blog Winner

Thank you lovely people for all your nice comments and hopping with the Design Team over the weekend.  I am happy to announce that the winner of my blog is:

Kelly Massman

Please visit the Crafter's Companion Blog to see who won the grand prize!!

And now, for some  coloring -  you know I had to color some more! ;o)  I have a twist to what I shared before. Rather than dipping my paintbrush into alcohol and picking up color. I spritzed the alcohol into the color on the pallet. With this method, my paintbrush stayed wet longer and I had more control of how much alcohol I used with the color - the more alcohol the smoother the stroke.

I colored the background first. I would roll my paintbrush around in the alcohol to get a finer point for tight spaces.

Next, I colored his face and shirt. After I picked up color, I painted the dark areas first, like under his arm.  When I painted the pail, I added less alcohol so the strokes would not be smooth. I think it added a little texture.

Now, onto the duck and flowers. I use the green marker direct for the center of the flowers. I came back later with the yellow marker and colored the pedals again. I also remembered to color the pail handle. :o)

Added color to his shoes and a combo of green, brown and yellow colors for the grass. Sorry, I did not show the complete photo in this one. That camera cord was hanging in the way - don'tcha hate when that happens! :o)

Here, you can see the grass!  I finished by coloring his pants and belt.    Adhered the layers and it was ready to send.  After I finished the complete card, I noticed I forgot to color the little duck's feet. Oops! I colored direct with the marker.  Remember - it's not how perfect your project is the first time, it's how well you can recover from the "boo boos." LOL.

Hope you have a wonderful day!!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Crafter's Companion Scavenger Hunt Blog Hop

Welcome to the Crafter's Companion Scavenger Hunt Blog Hop!!

I'm so happy you hopped by today!! First I wanted to share a card I made using these cute little owls from the the new Stamp It sets.  I dig their little expressions! I colored them with my Spectrum Noir Markers. I added a little dab of white acrylic paint with a toothpick for a highlight in their little eyes.

I used an embossing folder to give texture to the circle background and for an embellishment.  Here are the Spectrum Noir Markers I used:

Now let's get you started on the Scavenger Hunt! There are lovely 12 design team members and each of us have a question that will give you clues to 12 different items that you can find in the Crafter's Companion Store.


Here's how it works:

1. Hop around to all of our wonderful design team blogs (see below for where to go next)
2. Check out our inspirational creations
3. Follow us while you are there so that you can come back and be inspired more in the future
4. Find your "clue" questions, and 
5. Leave us each a comment.   

If you do those few fun things,  you will be entered into the drawing to win the Grand Prize. This GRAND PRIZE includes the complete collection (12 sets) of Peter Rabbit EZ Mount stamp sets!  How fun!

Along the way each designer will have a project to inspire you and also the possibility to win on their individual blogs too!! Each designer is giving away a Cute Companions -Romance stamp set, two embossing powders (one white and one blush rose) and one sheet of EZ mount foam!

This blog hop will run from Friday, April 20th at midnight PST and end at midnight PST on Sunday, April 22nd. Winners will be announced on the Crafter's Companion Informational blog on Tuesday April 24th.


To summarize, here are the steps you need to take.

PLEASE NOTE: Must be a U.S. resident to win.

To be entered to win on my personal blog:

1. You will need to be a follower of me AND Crafter's Companion Informational Blog.
2. And you must leave me a comment letting me know you stopped by to hop along.

To win the Grand Prize you must also:
1. You must leave a comment on Each Design Team members blog.
2. When you find all 12 items, you should email them to Bindy at bindy@crafterscompanion.com.  Please use the subject line:  CC Blog Hop. That way Bindy can easily find your entry.

Ready to get started?? Here is my Scavenger Hunt question...

What allows you to have more stamps in a smaller space? 
Hint, they are semi clear and snap shut.

Here is the order of the blog hop:


1. Stacy - http://scrapwithstacy.blogspot.com
2. Dawn L - http://www.dawnscraft.com
3. Jen J - http://jljdesignscraftingblog.blogspot.com
4. Dawn B - http://dipndotscreations.blogspot.com/
5. Tracy - http://Tracysstampingcorner.blogspot.com
6. Carolyn - http://mspetuniascrafts.blogspot.com/
7. Trena - http://trenastampinhq.blogspot.com/  (you are here)
8. Kathy - http://www.kathysdouble-k-krafts.blogspot.com (go here next)
9. Lisa - http://kycrafter.blogspot.com/
10. Steph - http://blog.artycarty.com
11. Paula - http://phcountrycreations.blogspot.com/
12. Marge - http://www.cacklincrafter.blogspot.com/
13. Make sure you are following the Crafter's Companion Blog - http://crafterscompanion.blogspot.com/

Thanks for hopping along. Now you need to hop on over to see Kathy!. Good luck!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Sneak Peak at Stamp It for Dad

The Crafter's Companion Design Team has a lot going on this week.  In preparation for our blog hop we are being more creative than usual. :o)  We love giving away products from Crafter's Companion because we know how much fun they are to create with!!

Today, I'm sharing a finished card from all the coloring I've been doing. My husband is a handy man. He's out in the garage right now playing with his tools and working on something, while I'm in my stampin' headquarters working on this card.  I thought this image was perfect for him!

I started with coloring this new Stamp It image with my Spectrum Noir markers. I also added some ink to the edge of the script image. I used a  tooth pick and white acrylic paint to add little highlights on the tools.

Next, I used a die cut to cut out the tools image. I left the die on and used a blending tool to add some tea dye Distress Ink to the inside edge. 

All I had to do next was adhere the layers and it's ready for a special note inside.

Be sure to visit the Crafter's Companion Information Blog and Challenge Blog for more ideas and chances to win prizes!  Be sure to visit the Information Blog Friday for all the details on the Blog Hop.

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

It's All About Coloring!

Sharing a post on one of my favorite subjects - coloring!! 


The first thing I'd like to share is how I store my Spectrum Noir Markers.  I like to keep colors families together, so I used these little X-Cubes that I found at my local office store. This type of system allows me to put a lot of markers in one section and they sit right on my desk for easy access.

 

When I got my first set of Spectrum Noir  Markers, I got together with my stampin' sister Marge and we made a chart of our favorite color combinations on some cardstock I had in my stash.  I also filled in a blank Spectrum Noir template with the markers I had. Since then, I've started using Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock for Alcohol Markers and really like how I can blend with my markers, as well as fix little booboos.  I created a new chart with many more circles, as I have collected many more markers and the combinations are endless! :o) I've also been watching Leann's DVD. She shows lots of wonderful tips and techniques using the markers, and she tells us her favorite color combos.  I have an "*" in front of the color combos that I got from Leann.

When I get ready to color, many times I will google the subject or image to give me a guide for coloring. I then compare the colors to my combo color chart and choose my markers. 


At the suggestion of my stampin' sister Stacy, I've added my combo chart to the side bar, along with a blank combo chart that you can print and fill in with your favorite color combos. 

This week the Crafter's Companion Design Team will be sharing some awesome projects featuring the upcoming new Stamp It Release. They'll also be sharing some of their favorite images. Please come back and visit!!  Here's a sneak peak of the sneak peaks.

For even more creative ideas and a chance to win some great prizes, please visit the Crafter's Companion Challenge Blog and Crafter's Companion Info Blog!!


Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Spectrum Noir Markers GIVEAWAY!!! Hurry!

Crafter's Companion's Facebook page is looking for people to "like" them!!  And as a thank you they will enter you to win a 24 pack Brights set of Spectrum Noir Markers!!  Hurry!!  (US Residents only) https://www.facebook.com/#!/CraftersCompanionUSA

I am enjoying my markers so much!! Please visit the Crafter's Companion Info Blog to see lots of beautiful projects using these fabulous markers.

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Gold Embossed Iris

Some of the DT members are posting their favorite images this week at the Crafter's Companion Information Blog, so there will be a nice variety of art work!  I really dig the new release of the Art-Kure flowers and had a difficult time picking one image to feature.  :o) Finally, I made a decision. 

Inked up Art-Kure large Iris image with gold ink pad, stamped onto  Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock for Alcohol Markers, sprinkled with clear embossing powder and heat set.
 

I used Tombow Dual Brush Pens to color in the lovely flower image. I find this smooth cardstock is extremely versatile and works well with waterbased markers as well as with the Spectrum Noir markers.  I made a greeting card with this same embossed image and Spectrum Noir markers over on the Crafter's Companion Challenge Blog  for the challenge this month. Please click over and join in for the chance to win!!

The design paper is from Club Scrap.

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Family Cookout

Happy Tuesday! For this project, I'm using an idea from Stacy.  Last week on the Crafter's Companion Information Blog,  Stacy shared a beautiful smile page and talked about using a sketch layout as a starting point to help layout your scrapbook page.

I'm in the process of capturing some precious memories in our family - make that the slooooowww process.  My art work is displayed in greeting cards, and I'm stepping out of my comfort zone because I really want to capture these special events.

For several years, we have had a family cookout.  During the summer, my side of the family and my husband's side of the family all gather at my cousin's house and spend the whole day together. As soon as the sun went down, we would have a bonfire - with marsh mellows, of course!  My cousin lives out in the country,  next door to his parents. My Aunt and Uncle had cows, chickens, ducks, rabbits, dogs, cats and a huge garden - a real farm. You can image all the fun the kids had!  These two pages capture some of the fun at one of our gatherings.  Sheena's new images coming out next week worked great to compliment the pages!   I added some color to each image with my Spectrum Noir Markers.

I stamped out the images on Ultra Smooth Premium White Card stock for Alcohol Markers.  Starting with the duck image, I used TB3 to color the water. I "painted' the color on using the painting technique I shared in a previous post - click here to see it.  I colored directly on the card stock to shade around his feathers with BGR1 and used the blender pen to soften the color. For his feet, I used OR1 and CR10. I had decided that I would use a white border for my photos since my base paper is so dark. I wanted a black layer under the duck image. Rather than adhere another layer, I used the True Black Spectrum marker to create a border.

For the cows, I decided I only wanted to color the one in the front and the grass.  I used TN8 and TN9 to color his body. As with the duck's feathers, I used BGR1 for shading in the cow's white areas. I used TN2 to add a little color to his face, and EB1 and PP1 for his nose. I added color to the grass, and across the bottom with DG2 and drew a border like I did for the duck.

Before gluing everything down, I tried several different layouts using various sites I found on line. When I picked the one I liked, I took a snap shot so I could remember. :o) My brain space  is quite full and I really do need an additional drive to plug into the back of my head, but I have not found one on Amazon yet. :o)   The embellishments are from Shelly's Buttons. The base card stock and title letters are from Club Scrap.  The picture of lemonade was just the right size to cover up my 'boo boo.' :o)  Was moving a little too fast with my marker border to match the cows and duck layers.  Remember, it's not how perfect your creation is the first time, but how well you can cover up the boo boos. LOL!

Here are the markers I used:

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena

Mother's Day Iris

I made this card for this month's Crafter's Companion Challenge Blog. The theme this month is Mother's Day.  As soon as these images came out, I knew what I wanted to do!  I chose this lovely Art-Kure Bearded Iris.  This is what I did:

Inked up image with gold ink pad, stamped onto  Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock for Alcohol Markers, sprinkled with clear embossing powder and heat set.  NOTE: Use only clear embossing powder with alcohol inks.

Then, I started coloring - my favorite part! Sometimes I stamp several images and just color.  :o)  I started with the leaves. I used the tip to tip technique.  In each section, I laid down a base color of my lightest green, CG1. Then I took the tip of my CG1 and pick up the darker green DG3 and colored, started where I wanted the darkest color. As I pulled the color, the dark ran out and it blended beautifully.  I repeated to completed color all the green.

Next, I moved to the pedals. I colored the yellow first and then pulled the lavender from the outside in, following the pattern of the flower.  Here are all the markers I used:

The design paper is from my stash - the unmarked pile. The ribbon is recycled from a gift. Save that ribbon! :o)  Please visit the Crafter's Companion Challenge Blog and Crafter's Companion Info Blog for more ideas!!

Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

Trena