Bordering on Romance "Copic-type" Watercolor / OWH Challenge #118

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Hey y'all. Happy Friday! The weekend countdown is on. :) I hope you've had a great week to this point and the weekend gets even better for you!

Where do you find inspiration for your projects? It surprises me sometimes where I get mine and how things often just fall into place. Last Friday I was able to get a ride home with a commuter-friend of mine. Actually she seems like such a nice person, I hope we get to be regular friends too. Hi Michelle! She's a creative person like me and on the 30+ minute ride home we got a chance to talk about stamping and scrapbooking and products we like, love, want to know more about.

Well, she asked me if I used Copics. I told her I didn't for a couple of reasons. 1-There's just so many and to be honest the 're a little intimidating. 2- I couldn't imagine the cost of getting all of them especially when I already have all the SU ones. 3- I had seen plenty of cards using SU markers to create the same effect. I had even tried my hand with ours and had been happy with the results. 4- This process takes so long it's definitely not one I would use everyday.

Wouldn't you know it, in just the few days since that conversation, I saw a tutorial for getting "Copic" results with our markers. Let me tell you I was on that in a Hot Second! Although I had tried my hand at this achieving these results before (by blending multiple colors) I had used it on regular cardstock and while I was happy, I felt like there could be even better results. I knew it was just my lack of experience. The video showed beautiful "Copic" type results, and I knew I wanted to try it! The difference between mine and theirs, watercolor paper. Amazing what a difference in results with just a piece of paper!

Then I saw a sketch challenge over at Operation Write Home and thought it might be just perfect to try the technique again, this time with the watercolor paper.

Here's my card- (Normally I wouldn't do the picture so large, but I wanted you to really be able to see the coloring)

"Copic-type" Watercoloring with Stampin Up Markers

I was so excited with how not only the card but the technique turned out. I'll do an End of the Week Technique on this soon. Because I was doing this for a challenge I wanted to go ahead and post it.

Want to know the best part of the watercoloring? Instead of using multiple markers in varying shades of the same color, I used one marker only for each of the three colors. I used Regal Rose for the main floral image, Island Indigo, for the smaller flowers and Lucky Limeade for the leaves. That's all! No 2 or 3 colors for each image, just one. Can I just say once more, how amazing our products are!?!

What do you think? For a first effort with this, after seeing the video, I think it looks pretty awesome and like it was done with Copics and the tutorial I saw had even better results! I'm sure mine will improve with time as well.

Here's the OWH Sketch-

I stuck pretty close to it. I just extended the border some and flipped it on it's side. Truth be told the whole time I was making it I had it just like the sketch. It wasn't until I had the watercolored tiles applied that I decided to flip it on it's side and then I knew that was how it should be. Luckily I was able to remove my colored pieces from the dimensionals, without damaging them, and re-configure them.

I love the Bordering on Romance stamp set. If it's a favorite of yours too, you only have 3 more days to order it from the Occasions Mini before it retires. We have no idea if it will be carried over to the new annual catalog. 

I used a base of Blushing Bride c/s, cut at 8 1/2 x 5 1/4. The Whisper White c/s was cut at 3 x 5, to leave the 3 x 3 center section. Next I used my Edglet to create the scalloped border, by running it through my Big Shot. I love the added ruffled edge the edgelet gives. Next I used my Adorning Accents Embossing Folder to create the embossed detail. I just love how they coordinate perfectly! I really hope all of these pieces are making a return to the annual catalog! I stamped the little row of flowers using a another stamp from the Bordering on Romance set. It was made to coordinate with the edgetlet and embossing folder. Love it! Of course it makes beautiful borders all on it's own as well. :)

For the focal point I stamped the image in Staz-On, so the colors wouldn't blend with the black ink, on a 2 x 2 piece of watercolor paper. After coloring the image with my 3 markers I cut the paper into quarters and mounted them on 1 1/8 squares of Blushing Bride c/s with Tombow and then adhered them to my WW base with dimensionals. I sponged the edges of all the cardstock except the watercolor paper for added dimension. The final accent was two strips of  Blushing Bride Pleated Ribbon. All products used for this card with the exception of the inks, adhesives, and the WW and watercolor c/s could potentially be gone in just 3 days. Wow, that makes me sad!

Here's the video showing this technique-

Here's a look at the inside-

For the inside, I tried to do the same technique. While I think it looks nice, it doesn't have quite the same impact. This is due to the regular c/s used. You have to be careful with regular c/s as it can breakdown slightly if you apply the color repeatedly to a small area and then try to blend it. I didn't put a sentiment, because I'm not sure who this is going to or for what occasion just yet. It may be a Mother's day card for one of the special women in my life.

I looked up Copics to do a comparison and they have 214 colors in 16 different color families. Their markers are $6.99 each and feature a wide tip and a finer pointed "nib" type tip. Theirs are refillable and you can replace the tips. The cost for a full set of Copics, a whopping $1495.86. WOW! Stampin Up's markers by comparison have 38 regular colors separated into 4 color "families", which coordinate perfectly with all of their papers and accessories. They have both a wide, brush type tip and a fine tip that's perfect for smaller areas or journaling. SU's markers are $3.50 each and you can get the entire set in a carrying case for a total cost of only $109.95, that breaks down to just $2.89 each. Both sets of markers can be refilled. The main difference in the two marker styles was that the tips on the Copic markers were replaceable. However for $3.50 with SU you can just get another marker if needed. Now after seeing that I can get the same results with SU markers for 50% less per individual marker and 1/10th the cost for a complete set, the decision for which to get is pretty clear. Granted if I was doing graphic art or big time illustrating I might feel a little different, but for making beautiful cards, scrapbook layouts and gifts the answer seems pretty simple, at least in my mind and to my budget. *Note- This is just my opinion after doing a price and specifications comparison. You're opinion may vary.*

So what did you think about today's card? I hope you liked it! If you did, I'd love it if you left me a comment! If you liked it please feel free to +1 or Pin it. I've placed the buttons on my sidebar for your convenience. Friends and Followers are always welcome too!

If you need to buy supplies to make your own special projects, you can shop in my ONLINE STORE 24/7. Don't forget our Occasions Mini Catalog ends on April 30. Our Retired Lists are also out. The Accessories are While Supplies Last only and many are discounted up to 60 % off and they are flying off the shelves. Many items are already sold out. Our retiring stamps are only here until May 31. Make sure you don't miss your favorites!

Well, that's all I have for you today. I hope you have an Amazing Weekend filled with Family, Friends and of course lots of time for creativity!

Till next time-

Remember- Life isn't about Waiting for the storm to pass, but Learning to Dance in the rain.

Be Safe,

Shan

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