The Blossom Challenge: Glassy-Eyed!

Welcome to our second The Blossom Challenge from Power Poppy!  We had such a great time perusing your beautiful challenge entries from last month’s The Blossom Challenge of April Showers Bring May Flowers.  Last month’s winner will be at the end of the post!  

I’m your host Christine and this month we’ve got a fun theme called Glassy-Eyed!  We invite you to use an image that is in glass or under glass on your design.  So dig into your Copics, Pencils or watercolour, and any Power Poppy image with glass.  You could even be totally artsy and use a Power Poppy image and draw your own glass vase, snowglobe or cloche!  

Today I’m using the NEW image from Power Poppy called Accentuate the Positive.  What a gorgeous array of flowers and fruit around this pretty mason jar! I printed the image quite lightly for colouring and then used Copics and Prismacolour Pencils to brighten up the blooms.  One of my favourite varieties of Zinnia is Queen Red Lime, they have such a nice fade between lime and rosy red, so I tried to give the flower on the lower right that treatment in my colouring.  

I have a short tutorial on my blog on what I think are important features of colouring glass HERE.  

Things I like to consider when colouring something in or under glass.  

• Where the light is reflecting on the glass
• The width of the glass for colouring, and the bottom edges (if in a vase)
• Will the glass be coloured or clear
• Will there be a water level be and will you define it
• How stems refract and colour fades in water

Marcy has graciously given a special 25% OFF price on some of her best glassy images again during this challenge, all of these beauties on sale are linked here:  

Accentuate the Positive
Cuppa Cupcake
Cuppa Buttercups
Hellebores
Hyacinth Bulb in Glass
Nest is Best
Seaside Sweetness
Single Orchid
Snowglobe Greetings
Sweet & Sugary Snowglobe
Tabletop Tree
Tiny Treasures
Volumes of Beauty
Well Hello Dahlia
Wildflower Mini

Zinnia Parade 

Challenge Details:  We hope you can join us for the challenge this month and create something in or under glass with Power Poppy images! You could win a $20 Gift Code to the Power Poppy store!  Link up your creation BELOW!   

Remember: You MUST use a Power Poppy image somewhere on your design to be included in the Glassy-Eyed challenge.  Entries close on July 16th at NOON.  

Last month’s The Blossom Challenge May Flowers RANDOMLY DRAWN WINNER IS.....Liz Williams with her beautiful Pure Prairie Bouquet!  Congratulations Liz.  Contact Marcy at bloom@powerpoppy.com for your prize code!  

Here’s some gorgeous Glassy inspiration from The Bloom Brigade:  

Essie

Gloria

Barbara

Lisa

Nancy

and Christine

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Inspire Me Monday - Party Essentials

 

HELLO POWER POPPY FANS! I'm back today with another Inspire Me Monday post. Hope you are keeping safe and warm during this blast of cold winter weather. Please keep our friends in Texas and the surrounding area in your prayers as they recover from the record storm that swept the state. 

Let's take a look at today's project! With the cold weather, I was tempted to pull out my holiday stamps and get a head start on my end of year cards, but opted instead to take a look at some of the digital stamps appropriate for any time of the year. So today's project features the Party Essentials Digital Stamp Set, which includes three images and four celebratory sentiments. 

So here's my take on the pile of packages! I intended this as a birthday card, but with a change of colors the image also work for weddings, anniversaries or even Christmas!

If I had paid more attention, I would have remembered that Gloria also recently colored this image as part of her fabulous Inspire Me Monday post a few weeks ago. Be sure that you take a look at what she did! 

Want to know how I colored the image? Get comfy because I've got a coloring video for you! 

And here are the Copic markers that I used.

Thanks for joining me today! Full supply list for my card can be found on my blog. Be sure you check out my Power Poppy coloring videos on YouTube.

Stay safe and warm and keep on crafting!

Nancy

SUPPLIES

• Party Essentials Digital Stamp Set

Inspire Me Monday - Season's Greenings

 

HEY EVERYONE! Nancy here and I'm back today with another Inspire Me Monday post for Power Poppy. Today's project features an image from the Season's Greetings polymer stamp set, also available in digital format as Season's Greenings: Wheelbarrow. I love this stamp set and knew that I had to color this image!

Want to know how I colored the image? Well, grab a favorite beverage and a comfy chair because today I've got a coloring video for you. So sit back and let's roll the video!

In case you missed it in the video, here are the Copic markers used for this image. 

That's all for me today! Hope you found some crafty inspiration!

Nancy

SUPPLIES

• Season's Greetings polymer stamp set
• Season's Greenings: Wheelbarrow

Inspire Me Monday - Kick Start Your Mojo

Hello, Friends! This is Gloria Stengel with your Inspire Me Monday post! It has been a long time since I have been able to contribute to the blog, but you will be seeing me on a more regular basis for Inspire Me Monday and Creative Confetti posts! My creative mojo has finally started to come back to me!

After chatting with the rest of the Power Poppy Team, it turns out we've all been struggling to be creative! And, we are guessing you are struggling, too! So...we have been sharing some ways to get your mojo back! The Inspire Me Monday and Creative Confetti posts are designed to help you get past your creative block.

For me, when I am in a DEEP slump creatively, the best thing for me to do is to watch a tutorial, take an online class, or attend an in-person workshop. Nothing gets my creative juices flowing like following along with a tutorial or color-along! 

In January 2020, I had just been to Jenn Dove's Copic Boot Camp and I figured that the creative sparks would carry me for months and months! Then, COVID-19 came along, followed by some issues with arthritis and migraines...and POW! All my mojo got zapped! Plus, I lost all my coloring confidence. 

I love in-person workshops like Jenn's boot camp, which is a 4-day, extensive, in-person, Copic coloring workshop. I have attended the boot camp twice, November 2016 and January 2020. The first time, I learned so much about Copic coloring, the second time I was able to refine some of my skills and gain so much confidence! (Jenn is taking reservations for 2020, click HERE.) Jenn also has a blog filled with inspiration, Just4FunCrafts.

I colored this Pumpkins and Pears digital image at Jenn's Boot Camp, using a sepia technique. This was a technique that I had not tried in a long time, so taking the class helped me to have confidence that I could try it again! I hope that just looking at this will inspire me to give it another go!

If you cannot sign up for an in-person class right now, try to find some online content to jump-start your mojo. If you feel that your confidence has left the building, try looking at your past projects! Take inspiration from them! You will see that you CAN do this!

There are a myriad of FREE online tutorials, especially on YouTube. But, for a few dollars you can purchase a tutorial on sites like Patreon. One of my favorite online instructors is Amy at Vanilla Arts, Co. Amy has FREE content, one-time workshops, and a Livestream subscription! She has offerings for all price points!

This project was part of Amy's Verdant Spring Workshop using the Bowl of Beauty digital stamp set. I colored along with Amy using Copic markers and Prismacolor pencils. Amy gives great instruction for each technique, and then she allows you to finish the project on your own. (The skill level for this project was intermediate level + skills practice for advanced students, it is not for beginners.) This online class was just what I needed to get my mojo flowing! 

Make sure to sign up for Amy's newsletter Vanilla Beans, plus look for her posts here on the Power Poppy Blog!

Here is another version of the Bowl of Beauty image that I colored last summer. I pulled this out and put it on my desk to inspire myself! This is proof that I CAN color, which gave me a big boost of confidence!

After I finished Amy's online class, I also pulled out some class materials from Kit and Clowder, which is owned by Alyce Keegan. Alyce is an Australian-based artist who teaches online coloring classes for markers and pencils. The classes are a monthly subscription, but there are also stand-alone technique classes and lots of FREE content available. Alyce has a THRIVING Facebook page as well. Alyce's classes are for ALL levels and come in both marker and pencil versions.

I took several of the Kit and Clowder classes a few years ago and often refer to the class materials when I am stuck on a technique. The image above is from the Everything's Rosy digital set. After taking the Kit and Clowder February - March 2017 class, which taught how to color the roses and mug on the left of the image using lots of pale pinks, I decided to try on my own to color a patriotic-inspired picture! I am still amazed that I was able to color such deep reds and dark blues!

Being blocked creatively for so many weeks made me feel so anxious! But, taking a class and looking over some past workshop materials really helped. I ended up coloring this image from the Heart Abloom digital stamp set! I could feel myself relaxing and getting in the groove as I colored. 

I chose my own colors, and used a combination of Copic markers and Prismacolor pencils, with a bit of fine liner marker and gel pen. I feel that my slump is at an end and that my creative mojo is coming back!

To find my favorite coloring classes, clicks the links below. I also search YouTube for my favorite colorists to see if they have any free content to watch. I hope this inspires you to try some online tutorials to help you with your creative block!

Jennifer Dove Boot Camp
Kit and Clowder (Alyce Keegan)
Vanilla Arts, Co. (Amy Shukle)

Thank you so much for joining me ! If you'd like to see more of my work, please visit my blog, Scraps of Life. 

Until next time!

Gloria Stengel

Inspire Me Monday: Just a touch of color

Hi all! Happy Monday! I have a quick little tutorial for you today that is super fun and super quick with, I think, dreamy results! Working full time, I don't often have hours to color. While I love, love, love it and enjoy every time I can spend in my crafting space coloring, it's not something I can do often. I have made a huge promise to myself to send every card I make and make a point to create for those special occasions. So, how can you create a card in a jiffy that's special with a burst of color? Why not try stippling color! You're about to see what I mean!

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• Two shades of dye-based ink for each area you would like to color
• Small stipple brushes for each color family
• Water Brush
• Stamp set of choice

I started by stamping the image from the set Simply Camelias in Bamboo Leaves Memento ink. It's a nice crisp color but not overwhelming like the color black might be with this technique.

To start, I grabbed one of my small stipple brushes and the Bamboo Leaves ink pad and started to tamp down color. I dabbed on the color, refreshing my brush with ink after every 4th or 5th touch. I knew when the color started to really fade, it was time to add more ink! You can see below that I loaded color at the center veins of each leaf. After I was done with the Bamboo Leaves color, I added more green using New Sprout Memento ink.

I then went to the center of the flowers using Angel Pink Memento Ink...

From there, I knew the stems would remain colorless unless I decided to color them another way. So, I grabbed my water brush and, using the ink on the lid, picked up the color with a water brush.

... and painted up the stems! I love how doing this gives it a soft look in the end.

Once I was done with this step, I really thought the centers of my flowers could be a little bolder, so I added Memento Rose Bud ink to the centers...

I think the result is a little dreamy color! Before I layered up my creation, I did load up my water brush with a really wet brush, picked up more of the Bamboo Leaves ink from my ink pad lid, and then flicked on additional color around my image for a fun effect. I accented with some sequins and added a sentiment, also from the Simpy Camellias stamp set. 

Just to show how fun this technique can be with different stamp sets, I used Power Poppy's lilac branch from the retired Lilac Time stamp set. Now, this clear set may be retired but you can get this same effect using the digital stamp set. I would just convert the image to a light grey or light green like I used. The digital version of this set is called French Lilac and... it's on sale right now!

For the flowers, you can see that I used Lulu Lavender, Sweet Plum and then the same greens -- Bamboo Leaves and New Sprout -- for the leaves. That little ladybug was super easy. I just dabbed on some color from my Rose Bud ink pad. For the ink splotches added to the background, I used Lulu Lavender.

And, if you look real close, you can see the little dabs of glitter glue that I added to the centers of the flowers just for a little extra pizazz!

And that, my friends, is it -- a quick and easy way to add color in a jiffy! I think Marcella's illustrations are so beautiful, this soft use just shows them off all the more!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I'll be back again tomorrow to usher in another edition of our Creative Confetti Challenge! So, swing by and see what I have in store!

Inspire Me Monday: Experimenting with a Copic Airbrush & Blender Solution

Happy Monday everyone!  I’m Allison Cope your hostess for today’s Inspire Me Monday!

Today I thought I’d do a little experimenting with you with some Copic related tools.  So I pulled out my Copic Airbrush System and some Copic Blender solution and had a go at it!  I also grabbed the fabulous “Cabbage and Kale” clear stamp set (Which is a STEAL right now in the Power Poppy Shop!!).

Come and join me at my desk as I use these tools to create a unique card front panel…

 Click here to view in HD.

Here’s a look at the final card…

I used the “Burst of Kindness” stamp set for my "Thank You" sentiment.

Thanks for joining me today!  I’d love to what you can make using these ideas today! 

Happy creating!

~ Ally ~


stamps: Power Poppy (Cabbage and Kale, Burst of Kindness)
cardstock: Recollections (110# White & 65# Black)
inks: Memento (Pistachio), Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps (Wicked Black), Copic Markers, Copic Blender Solution, Polychromos Pencils
dots: Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps (Party Time Dots)
tools: Copic Airbrush System

Inspire Me Monday: Add a little sparkle to your life!

Hello all! Everyone who knows me, knows I love my sparkle! In fact, there are very few cards in my stash that don't have something that brings a little razzle-dazzle, whether it is a rhinestone, a sequin or, my favorite fine iridescent glitter glue.

Today for Inspire Me Monday, I am going to show you how you can "paint" on a little sparkle! Now, while I discovered this technique by accident, I am sure I wasn't the first to do it. So, you might have seen this before or even tried it yourself. But I thought it was fun enough that those of you who haven't seen it, should know about this little technique!

All you need are some markers, a Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush Tipped Pen, and a plastic palette.

And, here's how easy this little technique is! I am sure there have been times when you have scribbled a marker onto a plastic palette, only to pick it up in a muted form with a water brush? It's an easy peasy kind of watercolor but here's the fun part! You can do the very same thing with a Wink of Stella Glitter Brush Pen!

So, I started by scribbling on some markers to my palette to get started!

So, what am I coloring, you ask? This perfect sentiment from Power Poppy called I Can Do All Things.  Could this be more perfect for a time such as this? And, did I mention this digi stamp is FREE? I printed on cardstock and then accented the lettering with some Copic Markers BG0000, BG000 and BG10.

And then, I got to coloring! You can see looking at my palette, all the little scribbles from where the nib of my brush pen just touched the marker ink. When the marker gets too faint, just scribble on some more!

And, just like when you are using a water brush, make sure to clean off the tip of the brush in between colors...

And you can see, when you clean the brush, it comes really clean. I think it is the synthetic fibers that makes it so easy to wipe off the previous color ink, which is wonderful!

And here's a peek at the sparkle! It's hard to capture in a photo, but I think you can see the bits of shimmer if you look close. I also added a little white gel pen every now and then!

And here's what my finished work looks like! I might make this into a card but for now, it is going to sit on this easel at my work desk. Sometimes you just need that visual reminder to tell you who is in charge in this world. 💗

Want to give this super easy technique a try? Link up your creation below in the comments section. I would love to see YOUR take!

Before I let you go, I did want to mention a couple of things! First up, if you are really looking lately for some uplifting sentiments to help your spirits soar, Marcella is working on some for just this reason! Stay tuned for more on that!

And, did you see this?

This fabulous sale is ongoing! With life being moved indoors for a bit, there's no time like now to pull out our favorite coloring mediums and relax with a little bit of coloring... or painting! Just click HERE to jump on over to the Power Poppy Shop!

Until next time!
Julie 

Inspire Me Monday - Zinnia Parade

Hello Power Poppy Fans! Nancy here with this week's edition of Inspire Me Monday. I have a new card with a few flourishes (literally) as well as a new coloring video so let's get to it!

For today's project, I'm featuring one of the images from the Zinnia Parade Digital Stamp Set. This set is so versatile. It includes the full parade of six different flowers, a trio, and a large single stem, all presented in special vintage cups and vases.

I selected the image of the single large stem and I colored it with Copic markers. I picked the colors based on a design paper that I was going to use in the card layout. The markers are shown on the color map below.

However, when it came time to put the card together, I decided that the design paper was too busy. I substituted a solid card stock out of my stash, but then the card was too plain. So in the end, I rummaged through my ever-growing collection of stencils. Using texture paste, I added a few flourishes to the background. And then it was just right! 

As promised, I have a new coloring video so grab the popcorn and get comfortable. Let's roll the video!

STAMPS

Zinnia Parade Digital Stamp Set

COPICS

R24, YR04, Y15 (petals); G20, G24, G46 (stem); BV31, BV34, BG11, BG23, BG15, E41, E42 (vase); BV34, E41, E42 (shadow)

Be sure you check out my Power Poppy coloring videos on YouTube.

Thanks for joining me today! See you again soon!