Hearts a Flutter -- for Coloring Without Boundaries

I'm soooo excited!  Today, I'm posting on the brand new, innovative, Coloring Without Boundaries, Lacy Sunshine Coloring Blog.  The blog is sponsored by Heather Valentin, and all the images on the blog are Lacy Sunshine.  It's devoted to learning more about coloring.  Wow!  I know I'm going to enjoy this!

Today, I had the privilege of working with the adorable "Lil' Fidgets Hearts a Flutter" digi stamp, found in the Lacy Sunshine Store.

I'll start by showing you the complete colored image, and then I'll show you how I got there.  Here she is, Lil Fidgets Hearts a Flutter:

Here's a step-by-step, starting with skin.  I colored this image with Copic markers.

I used E000, E00, E04, E11, E21, and R 20 for skin.  Her eye is B00, B12, B24, and B95.  I try to use 4 shades with eyes whenever possible.  I think it makes them the most realistic.  I make them darker near the top lid, lighter near the bottom lid.

I thought Lil Fidgets Hearts a Flutter needed pink hair.  Here, I used RV21, RV23, RV25, and RV29.  I started with the dark first, working my way to the lightest color, then going back to my darkest color to add some additional highlights.

Flowers are one of my favorite things to color!  Nature has made them so colorful, so no matter what colors I choose, Mother Nature has more than likely already made a flower just like it.  For this flower, the stem is G20, G21, G24, and G28.  Two-tone petals are B02,B00, B000, Y04, Y02, and Y00.

At this point, all that's left is coloring Lil Fidget's clothing, and the butterflies that surround her.

Here are the colors I used:
Wings -- B000, B00, B02, B04
Top -- V000, V01, V04, V09
Skirt -- G40, G43, G46
Stockings -- BV01, BV02, BV04, RV000, RV00, RV02

Butterflies B11, B15, BG11, BG32, BG45

Here she is, one more time, all colored up, sitting pretty on that flower!

I hope you found a coloring tip (or 2) in this tutorial.  Tune into this blog frequently for more tips from some awesome colorists.  You're sure to learn many things, including new color blends and techniques.  Please join our Coloring Without Boundaries Facebook Group, too!  You'll find even more inspiration and fun there.

Key To My Heart -- Coloring Without Boundaries and Lacy Sunshine

I am super excited to share this post with you today!  Heather  Valentin, artist of the ever-delightful Lacy Sunshine images, has started a new Facebook coloring group called Coloring Without Boundaries.  It is a group to share all your coloring projects.  Today is also the launch of a new challenge on the Lacy Sunshine Challenge Blog.  Visit the blog for details, and to see the fantastic showcase coloring pieces for this uber talented design team!

I used the delightful new image, Lil Tumble's Enchanted Keyhole

Here's what I created: 

 Let me take you through the process of how I got there:

Starting with skin.... I used Copic markers throughout.  E0000, E00, E04, E11,E21,R20:

Then, I added her hair.  I love this hair combo!  It's B99, B93, V04, and I used C01 as my lightest color.  I color my hair from dark to light.  Her green eyes are: G20, G21, G24, and G28.

Next, her dress.  I wanted a color that would match the hair, so I chose a shade of violet.  I used V000, V01, V04, and V09.  I said I color hair dark to light, but the dress, and most everything else, I color light to dark.  I put my lightest (in this case V000) color down first.  Then, I jump to my darkest color (here, it was V09), then work my way back down to the lightest color.

After the dress, I finished the rest of the project --

Keys -- Y11, Y23, Y26, Y28

Keyhole -- E70, E71, E74

Vines -- G40, G43, G46

Flowers -- YG00, RV00, Rv02, RV04

Dragonfly -- BV00, BV01, BV04, V000, BG000, BG01

I wanted to finish this piece into a card, although it isn't a requirement for the new coloring challenge blog.  She just seemed to need something with a key behind her, and a "key to my heart" sentiment.  Here she is, fussy cut and on a card:

I cut the key out on my Silhouette Cameo.  The background paper is from Michele R Designs.  The sentiment is computer generated and cut out with a heart-shaped die. 

Christmas Confections Challenge -- at Lacy Sunshine

Today starts the final challenge of the year on the Lacy Sunshine Challenge Blog.  Our theme, for the next 2 weeks, is Christmas Confections.  There are MANY wonderful image in the Lacy Sunshine store that can be used for this theme.  If you use a Lacy Sunshine image in this challenge, next challenge, you'll get a freebie!

For the Christmas Confections challenge, I used one of my favorite Lacy characters -- Sugi....

This is Gingerbread Sugi.  I colored Gingerbread Sugi with Copic markers, then used 2 sizes of a Die-namics stitched die to cut her out and back her. The snowflake banner die is from La La Land Crafts.  All papers are from my stash, and I no longer remember what companies they are from.  Sorry!

Please join us for our Christmas Confections Challenge at Lacy Sunshine Challenge Blog, and stay tuned next year for loads of fun!  Join our Lacy Sunshine Color and Craft Facebook Community to be the first to know of new releases, sales, and see tons of wonderful inspiration. 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
D.L. Art -- December Linky Challenge
D.L. Art Thankful Thursday -- Blue and White
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge -- ATG
PDE Linky Party -- ATG
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge II -- ATG
A Gem of a Challenge -- Christmas
Di's Digi Designs Challenge -- Christmas
Outlawz Saturday Paper A la Mode -- ATG
Outlawz, Twisted Thursday -- Girlie, Girlie
QKR Stampede -- Christmas

Joy To All -- for Lacy Sunshine

Brown-eyed, green haired angels?  Why not?  'Tis the season!  There's a new challenge starting today at the Lacy Sunshine Challenge blog,  and the theme is "Angels Sing".  The image needs to be an angels, not a fairy.  I wanted my angel to be just a bit different than the typical, traditional Christmas angel:

Here she is, in her green haired glory.  This is Angel Boo.  I colored her with Copic markers. I kept the background quite simple to show off the cuteness of Angel Boo.  The sentiment is a stamp from Close To My Heart, cut out with a Spellbinders die.  Papers are from my stash.  Glimmer tape, card stock, and rhinestones are from Close To My Heart. 

I hope you can join us this next 2 weeks for the 'Angels Sing' challenge at Lacy Sunshine Challenge Blog.   Use a Lacy Sunshine image, and you'll receive a loyalty program image for free next challenge!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge -- ATG as long as it's Christmas
D.L. Art Thankful Thursday -- Christmas
D.L. Art -- December Linky Party
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge 2 -- ATG as long as it's Christmas
Christmas Cards All Year Round -- Keep It Simple
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG

Dreaming of Christmas Joy -- for Lacy Sunshine

It's Sunday, and we're starting a new challenge today on the Lacy Sunshine Challenge Blog.  The theme for the next 2 weeks will be "Sweet Dreams of Christmas".  We want to see moons, stars, napping blankets, etc on your projects, and make it Christmas!

This sweet girl, praying for Christmas joy for one and all, is Melanie Boo's- The Christmas Star.   I colored Melanie Boo with Copic markers.  I created the card using my Silhouette Cameo.  I started with a nesting star cutting file, did a little welding to get the card base, then layered the stars from there.  The crinkle ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM. 

There are always new digis showing up in the Lacy Sunshine Store, so check often.  To find out about specials and discount codes, join the Lacy Sunshine Color N Craft Facebook Community.  You'll also find great inspiration, conversation, and friendship there.  

Please join us the next 2 weeks for our Sweet Dreams of Christmas Challenge at Lacy Sunshine.  If you use a Lacy Sunshine image, you'll qualify for a free image at the next challenge!  Whoop!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Crafty Friends Challenge -- for the girls
My Time to Craft -- Let it Snow
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge -- ATG as long as it's Christmas
Scrapper's Delights Challenge -- ATG
Graph It Color Challenge -- Christmas
D.L. Art -- November Linky Party

Celebrate! for Lacy Sunshine

It's time for a new challenge!  It's starts today on the Lacy Sunshine Challenge Blog.  Did you use a Lacy Sunshine image in the last challenge?  You'll get another great one for free for this challenge.  Do you wish you would have used a Lacy Sunshine image so you can keep playing along?  The digi is offered at an incredibly discounted price to get you started. 

The challenge for the next two weeks is a Tic Tac Toe challenge.  Follow the board across, down, or diagonally.

This card uses Cherry Bomb -- Happy Hour Pin Up.  She's colored with Copic markers.

I followed the chart across the top row -- hand colored image, die cuts (I used a Spellbinders die to cut out Cherry Bomb), use a digi.  I also followed the chart using the middle row vertically (die cuts, sparkle, sentiment).  Last, I followed the chart using the last vertical row on the right -- use a digi, ribbon or lace, and pattern paper.  

This is a fun challenge with lots of options.  I hope you can join us at the Lacy Sunshine Challenge blog!  You have 2 weeks. 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

Di's Digi Designs Challenge  -- Tic Tac Toe (bow, digi image, sentiment)
Art by Miran Challenge -- ATG
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG
AUD Sentiments - Bingo (Favorite color - blue - Digi image - patterned paper)
Bloggers Challenge -- birthday
D.L. Art - November Linky party

It's Not Easy Being a Princess -- for Lacy Sunshine

It's time for a new challenge at Lacy Sunshine Challenge Blog.   For the next two weeks, our theme is "Once Upon a Dream" (Fairy Tales).  If you used a Lacy Sunshine image in the last challenge, you'll get a free one in this challenge.  Otherwise, there's lots of great images in the Lacy Sunshine store that fit this challenge very well! 

Every young girl wants to be a princess, right?  When I was young, I loved fairy tales about princesses.  So, for this challenge, my card has a princess image and sentiment....

This is Lacy Sunshine digi "Fairy Godmother Sugi".  I colored her with Copic markers.  A princess should be dresses in shades of pink, yes? And purple is for royalty, right?  

Fairy Godmother Sugi is mounted on a center step card.  I used 2 sizes of a Spellbinder label die to cut out and back the image.  The glitter chevron paper is from Doodlebug Designs.  All other paper is from Close To My Heart.   The sentiment is computer generated. The ribbon is from my stash.  There's also 2 shades of Wink of Stella pens to add more sparkle to the image.

Join us this next 2 weeks for our "Once Upon a Time" challenge at Lacy Sunshine Challenge blog.  Join us on Facebook! There's always great conversations, inspiration, fun, and coupon codes in at the Lacy Sunshine Color and Craft Group! 

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Art by Miran Challenge -- ATG
Brown Sugar Challenge -- ATG
D.L. Art -- October Linky Party
As You Like it Challenges -- Favorite Brights or Pastels (pink & Purple because they're princess colors)
Crafting with An Attitude -- ATG
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG

Boo? for Lacy Sunshine

It's Sunday, and the start of a new challenge at Lacy Sunshine Challenge Blog.  Did you play along last time?  You'll qualify for a super cute image again this time! Complete instructions can be found on the Lacy Sunshine blog.    Today, we start the fun theme of Monster Mash -- just in time for Halloween!

I made a card with a very "scary" monster-like creature.  Be afraid, be very, very afraid!

See what I mean?  This cutie is Phantomana Beastie.  I colored this scary creature with Copic markers, then cut her out with a Spellbinders die.  The sentiment is from Unity Stamp Company.  Papers are a retired pack from Close To My Heart.  I cut the card design out on my Silhouette Cameo, with a design found in the Silhouette Design Store.  The ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon. 

Please join us with your Monster Mash creations at Lacy Sunshine Challenge Blog.  You have 2 weeks, and TONS of creepy cute images in the Lacy Sunshine store to choose from.   Have fun!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
TTCRD -- ATG
AUD Sentiments -- Halloween
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG
D.L. Art -- Halloween Challenge
D.L. Art -- October Linky Party
Crafty Calendar Challenge -- Halloween

Under the Sea Christmas -- for Lacy Sunshine

 Underwater and Christmas.  Do those 2 words go together? That was my thought when I heard that the Lacy Sunshine Challenge Blog's theme this week was "Under the Sea".  But, these are challenge blogs, and we need to challenge ourselves.  So, I took a deep breath, and dove in...

This most adorable Lacy Sunshine digi is Shelby's Sea Mint.  I colored her with Copic markers, and had a great time mixing sea themes with Christmas colors.  Even a land locked Wisconsinite had a great time with this challenge!  Once I was done with the coloring, I used several Spellbinders dies to cut out the image and back it.  Papers for this card are from Echo Park.  The crinkle ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM.  It's part of the Winter Bundle.

Come join us at Lacy Sunshine for our Under the Sea Christmas Challenge.  There are some wonderful images in the Lacy Sunshine store that work perfectly for this challenge.  Color one up, then link it up!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Stars Stampz Challenge -- Pretty Princess
D.L. Art -- September Linky Party
Through the Craft Room Door -- ATG
PDE Linky Party -- ATG
AUD Sentiments -- Christmas - with a sentiment
Christmas Stamping All Year Long -- Lots of Layers
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge -- ATG as long as it's Christmas

Happy Fall Y'all -- for Lacy Sunshine

This is only my second time to post for the Lacy Sunshine Challenge Blog, but I am so in love with these images!  Our theme for the challenge starting today is "Winds of Change." Fall is definitely in the air where I live!

This adorable Lacy Sunshine image is Gusty Oak Flower Pot Pretty.  I colored her with Copic markers. 

I used dies from Lawn Fawn, Spellbinders, and Craftin' Desert Divas on this card.  The sentiment is from Joy's Life.  The beautiful crinkle ribbon is 3 Girl JAM.  Papers are from Close To My Heart. 

This Winds of Change challenge will run for 2 weeks on the Lacy Sunshine Challenge blog.  I so hope you will join us!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Word Art Wednesday -- ATG
AUD Sentiments -- ATG with a sentiment
D.L. Art -- September Linky party
Crafting with an Attitude -- ATG
Crafty Girls Creations -- ATG
House that Stamps Built -- Falling for Fall
Through the Craftroom Door -- ATG

Back to School -- for Lacy Sunshine

I'm very excited to announce that I'm on the Lacy Sunshine Challenge blog team!  Today is my first post.  I love Lacy Sunshine images, so this will be a super adventure for me!

The theme this fortnight is "Back to School".  In the small town where I live, the kids start back Sept. 1, so we are right on schedule with this challenge!

This Lacy Sunshine image is Zoe Back to School.  I colored her with Copic markers.  She is ready for whatever her teachers throw her way!

I used Sangria papers from Close To My Heart to make the bookmark, and dies from Paper Wishes and Craftin' Desert Divas.  The enamel dots are from My Mind's Eye.  The fibers are CTMH.  The sentiment is a stamp of the week from Unity Stamp Company. Feathers are from my stash. 

Please join us the next 2 weeks for our 'Back to School' challenge at Lacy Sunshine Challenges.  I'd love to see what you make!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:

4 Crafty Chicks -- Funky Colored Hair

Crafting with an Attitude -- ATG

Crafty Girls Creations -- ATG

Through the Craft Room Door -- ATG

D.L. Art -- August Linky Party

Word Art Wednesday -- ATG

The Stamping Boutique -- Back to School

Art by Miran Challenge -- ATG

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge -- back to school

Crafter's Cafe Blog Challenge -- back to school

The Sisterhood of Crafters -- School Time

Sweet Stampin' Challenge -- Back to School (sentiment is stamped)