Copic Stamping - Together by Penny Black - by Nancy Sheads

GOOD MORNING FRIENDS!  I wanted to share a card I made recently featuring the cling stamp Together by Penny Black. Usually these stamps are colored using dye inks, watercolors or water based markers. But I like to color and stamp them using my Copic markers.

The short explanation of the technique is that I place the stamp in my Misti and color directly on the stamp with my Copic markers. I lightly misted the cardstock with Colorless Blender and then stamp the image. The Colorless Blender reactivates the ink on the stamp and leaves and impression on the paper. I explained the how-tos of this technique in a previous post so I'm going to link to it to save time.

I've found that the key to getting a clear image is using Spectrum Noir cardstock instead of X-Press It for the paper. Other paper may work, but I had Spectrum Noir in my stash. And while I used Colorless Blender to reactivate the ink, isopropyl alcohol may work as well, but I didn't test it. All Copic refills, including Colorless Blender, are hard to find right now so you may need to try isopropyl. Spritz the blender lightly on the paper - I found that the small Ranger Mini Misters were perfect for this technique. Just be sure that you are working in an area with good ventilation.

The design of the card was influenced by a card made for Penny Black by designer Jill Foster. Of course, I can't find the card now to link to it, but the idea of the blue inked background and the creating the frame from the Simple Stackers die came from her. For my background, I lightly blended from corner to corner using Distress Ink in Salty Ocean.

The sentiment was stamped with Versafine Clare and heat set with clear embossing powder.

Hope you found some inspiration. Thanks for stopping by and I’ll see you again soon!

~ Nancy ~

SUPPLIES

Paper: Neenah Solar White 110#; Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Premium Cardstock by Crafter's Companion
Stamps: Together by Penny Black; Magical Friendship by Penny Black
Dies: Simple Stackers by Penny Black; Classic Stackers by Penny Black
Inks: Versafine Clare in Nocturne by Tsukineko
Embellishments: Nuvo Embossing Powder in Crystal Clear by Tonic Studios
Copics: B12, B24, B26 (flowers); YG03, YG17 (leaves); Colorless Blender Refill

Mixed Media Tags Featuring Red Castle Stamps by Nancy Sheads for The Queen's Ink

Welcome back to the Queen's Inkling!

I'm back today with a project that is a first for me - mixed media tags! My project features stamps from Red Castle (available exclusively at the Queen's Ink) and Penny Black as well as inks and stencils from Tim Holtz and Ranger.

As you know, my primary medium is Copic markers and the end result is usually a handmade card, but I've been experimenting with other media, including watercolors, colored pencils, and Distress Inks. These simple tags provided the perfect opportunity to explore color and texture with supplies that I already had at hand.

INSTRUCTIONS

I work in a relatively small space and knew that things could get messy quickly. I covered my work surface with an Easy Clean Mat from Tonic to protect it and speed clean up when I was finished.

1. Using a blending tool, apply Distress Ink to one side of a #8 manila craft tag.
   In the case of the first tag, I started in the middle with Mustard Seed, blending each side with Spiced Marmalade followed by Picked Raspberry. For the second tag, I started at the bottom with Chipped Sapphire, working upward from dark to light with Peacock Feathers and Broken China, ending with Cracked Pistachio. I followed with a second coat to make sure that the inks were well blended and coverage was even. 
2. Lightly spritz the tag using a mini mister filled with plain water.
   The water will activate the ink and create a pattern as it dries. Use as much or as little as you want to get to desired effect.
3. Once the ink has dried, stamp the images to be embossed with Versamark Ink. 
   I used Leaves Set 3 by Red Castle Stamps. The images are deeply etched and leave a clear impression. I particularly liked the botanical images and chose those for my tags.
4. Cover with embossing powder and heat set the images.
   Be sure that your heat gun has had a chance to warm up first to reduce warping of your tag.
5. Decide the placement of your stencils and apply Texture Paste with a palette knife. Wash your palette knife and stencil immediate with water. Allow Texture Paste to dry completely.
   Do not use a heat gun to dry the texture paste as it may cause bubbling (unless that's the effect you want!).
6. Once texture paste is dry, lightly dab and blend Distress Ink in the color of your choice over the raised stenciled areas. 
   You can either select a contrasting color to make the stenciled image stand out or match the ink to the background to create texture without additional contrast.
7. Stamp any additional sentiments using a stamping platform.
   I selected sentiments and a butterfly image from the Spiritual Snippets Stamp Set and the Snippets Stamp set, both by Penny Black. I used a Tim Holtz Stamping Platform so that I could stamp multiple sentiments at the same time using Versafine Ink in Onyx Black.
8. Apply Distress Micro Glaze to seal inks.
   A little goes a long way! Buff with a soft towel (I actually used a paper towel) to remove excess.
9. Add a ribbon or other embellishments as desired.
   Don't forget to sit back and admire your work!

SUPPLIES

• Tonic Essentials Easy Clean Mat
• #8 manila craft tags 
• Distress Inks: Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Picked Raspberry, Cracked Pistachio, Broken China, Peacock Feathers and Chipped Sapphire
• Ranger Mini Round Ink Blending Tool and Foam Applicators (one for each ink color)
• Ranger Inkssentials Mini Mister filled with plain water
• Stamps: Leaves Set 3 by Red Castle Stamps; Spiritual Snippets by Penny Black; Snippets by Penny Black
• Tsukineko Versamark Embossing Ink
• Stampendous Detail White Fine Opaque Embossing Powder
• Heat gun
• Palette knife
• Ranger Texture Paste (opaque matte finish)
• Various stencils (I used the custom stencil included in the Tim Holtz Distress Mixed Media Spray Stain Kit)
• Tim Holtz Stamping Platform
• Tsukineko Versafine Ink in Onyx Black
• Tim Holtz Distress Micro Glaze

All supplies are available at the Queen's Ink. Stop by and be inspired!

A Little Penny Black Magic by Nancy Sheads for the Queen's Ink

Welcome back to The Queen's Inkling!

Nancy here today with another Copic holiday project featuring 

the Joy to the World, Believe, and Joyful Wishes stamp sets from Penny Black and

new holiday design papers from the Vintage Christmas Collection by Authentique,

all available at The Queen's Ink.

I love the adorable cats, mice, and hedgehogs featured in many of the Penny Black stamp sets. I hope you do too because I'm going to be featuring more of them in future blog posts. The images are perfect for someone just starting with Copic markers because they are quick and easy to color with a limited number of markers. I also like to mix and match different styles of paper and stamps. Initially, I thought that I wanted a background that was brighter, contemporary, and more graphic. However, the traditional pattern of Authentique's Vintage Christmas Four ended up being the perfect complement to this fun and quirky Penny Black critter, adding visual interest without competing with the central image. 

Students often ask me about the paper that I use for Copic coloring. I've experimented with various papers suggested for use with Copic markers, including papers by Hammermill, Neenah, Cougar, and Spectrum Noir. When selecting a paper, my testing criteria includes:

1. Does the paper have a smooth surface? A rough or textured paper may create a drag on the marker as you color, affecting blending of the ink.
2. How easily does it blend? Some papers work better than others for achieving a smooth ink blend.
3. Does the ink feather or over saturate the paper? 
4. How well does the paper interact with colorless blender? Important if you are using blender for special effects or color removal.
5. Is the paper acid-free? 

Papers recommended by some of my friends were not necessarily a good choice for me. I found that X-Press It Blending Card by Copic works best with my particular style of coloring so that is the paper that I use for personal projects as well as projects in the classroom.  If you'd like to give it a try, stop by the Queen's Ink where you'll find not only X-Press It, but a wide range of Copic markers and other supplies that the store has to offer.

Supplies

Paper: Neenah Solar White 110# (card base); X-Press It Blending Card by Copic; Bazzill Basics in Devil Red; Vintage Christmas Four by Authentique 

Stamps: Joy to the World by Penny Black (image); Believe by Penny Black (front sentiment); Joyful Wishes by Penny Black (inside sentiment)

Inks: Memento in Tuxedo Black by Tsukineko; Versafine in Onyx Black by Tsukineko 

Dies: A2 Matting Basics A by Spellbinders; A2 Matting Basics B by Spellbinders 

Copics: E00, E02, C3, C5, RV10 (cat); R35, R46, R59, YG03, YG67 (gift); E30, E31 (shadow)

Vintage Holiday Card by Nancy Sheads for The Queen's Ink

Welcome back to The Queen's Inkling! 

Nancy here with a new Copic coloring project featuring the
Cozy Cupfuls Clear Stamp Set by Power Poppy and
new holiday design papers from the Vintage Christmas Collection by Authentique, available at
 The Queen's Ink

I love this beautiful, elegant image by Power Poppy so I pulled out my markers and some X-Press Blending Card (also by Copic) and got to work. I'll admit that I looked at that tree and my initial urge was to color those sprigs individually. Crazy, right? So I decided that the better course of action was to dab different shades of green (YG01, YG03, G21, G24, G28) following the lines of branches and the shape of the tree to achieve some depth and variation. 

I used my current favorite red combo (R35, R46, R59) to get a lush Christmas red for the ornaments and used the same combo (adding R32 as a highlight) for the ribbon. If you forget to leave a highlight on the ornaments, you can always add it afterward with a white gel pen.

The sentiment on the front of my card is included with the Power Poppy stamp set (and look at that lovely script!), but for the inside, I decided to add one of the sentiments from the Penny Black Festive Cheer stamp set to capture the feeling I wanted for the completed card.

Here at The Queen's Ink, design papers by Authentique are a particular favorite and you'll find the store stocked with several of the new holiday collections. I used two of the designs from the Vintage Christmas Collection because I thought that the colors and the vintage feel would be the perfect complement for this image. 

Supply list is shown below. Want to see this card in person? Be sure to stop by The Queen's Ink and take a look! 

Supplies

Paper: X-Press It Blending Card by Copic; Vintage Christmas Three and Vintage Christmas Seven by Authentique
Stamps: Cozy Cupfuls by Power Poppy; Festive Cheer by Penny Black
Inks: Memento in Tuxedo Black by Tsukineko (image); Versafine in Onyx Black by Tsukineko (sentiment)
Dies: A2 Matting Basics A by Spellbinders; A2 Matting Basics B by Spellbinders
Copics: R35, R46, R59 (ornaments); R32, R35, R46, R59 (ribbon); YG01, YG03, G21, G24, G28 (tree); G21, G24, R30, R32, E41, E42, E43, C1 (teacup); BV20 (shadow)