Time for some coloring...

I spent time doing some organizing today.  There has been so much going on that many things have ended up in piles.  I try to be a fastidious crafter who always works at a clean desk and returns all supplies to the proper place as soon as the project is done but it just doesn't work for me!  I like to have bits and pieces on my table to inspire random thoughts and unusual combinations.  Every so often I am visited by the organizing fairy who tells me that I'd be happier in a neater space - so I try again!

Last month, I received the full set of ProMarkers from Letraset.  I have enjoyed working with the markers and now it is wonderful to have the full range of colors.  There are 148 markers in the set.  It is difficult to keep all of the colors in your mind so I made myself some color charts.

You can download color (or colour) charts from the Letraset website - here is a LINK to the page.  You can download a printed version of the colors or blank charts to color yourself.  I decided to print out the chart on two colors of cardstock, white and ivory, since these are the colors I would use most often.

On white the marker colors are bright and clear.  I used the same cardstock that I am using for my stamped images right now - just basic white cardstock from the office supply store.  I have ordered some "fancier" cardstock to compare the results and when that arrives I will print out another blank chart and have fun filling it in.

On the ivory cardstock the markers appear deeper and more jewel-toned.  The difference is small but the color does change a bit.  I am also doing some experiments with using the markers on different colors of cardstock - I'll share those another day.

 

The image that I colored was a gift from my friend Enfys.  When we were at CHA together in January with the Scrappy-Go-Lucky team, Enfys brought some stamped images to share with each of us.  She marked the backs with initials and this image is from Lili of the Valley (you can see it on their site HERE).  I colored it and then added more color for the background sky and grass.  I was just practicing and did not keep careful notes on the colors I used - I did try to blend the shades and place darker colors in the shadowed areas.  I cut out the image with an oval Nestabilities die from the petite scalloped ovals set.

 

The alcohol ink colors will go through the cardstock so you need to be sure to have a few sheets of scrap paper below the piece you are coloring.

I cut the next larger size scalloped oval to mount the colored image.  I chose the card base to coordinate with the grass colors - it is "spring moss" from Papertrey Ink.  The image alone on the card looked too plain so I looked around on my table and saw some leftover pieces of pink cardstock and added a 3 3/4 x 3 3/4 inch square behind the image.

 

The sentiment stamp is from Hero Arts.  It was part of the class set I received at CHA and it is part of a sympathy set - you can see the set HERE.  While it is from a sympathy set it could also be suitable for other situations and would also work for a get well card.  I stamped it in brown ink to coordinate with the little dog.

This is not at all my usual type of card but it is fun to try something different.  I am continuing to experiment with the ProMarkers and have found them easy to work with.  I do need to more practice but the beauty of working with these markers is that they do a lot of the work for you.  Sometimes the colors have to dry before you can get the full effect and I need to learn to be patient with the process.  It is relaxing to "play" with the colors.

If you'd like to try some of these markers, Enfys is hosting a great giveaway on her blog right now.  You can get all of the details HERE (and I already told you the answer to the question!).  You could win all three of the new blending sets - that's a total of 36 markers!  Good Luck!


The snow stayed away but it is still cold here - here's hoping the weekend weather improves.

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