Sat Chat on a Wednesday, prefect way to end this weird year!

Hi friends! Isn’t the week between Christmas kind of like being in a time warp? Actually I have kinda felt time-warpy all year. Here’s to 2021, am I right? Here is the last Sat Chat of the year!

Stuff I mentioned:

• OMG! I just ordered the Derwent lightfast 72 set, the price went way down on Amazon so I snagged one but now the price went up so I recommend Blick because they currently have the best price if you want to try a set.
• I mentioned elaborating on my thought of the craft/cardmaking industry but you know, I don’t think my stance has changed from this video 2 years ago. However that video really didn’t talk much about being on design teams and many viewers were curious about that aspect so I made a new video on that and you can watch that video here.
• The tutorial for my watercolor/colored pencil portrait is up in Critique Club *This is a 2 hour narrated lesson. You also have access to 48 long, intermediate/advanced real-time painting projects when you join. Critique club is $5/month and you can cancel anytime. You can even upload up to 2 projects per month for an in-depth critique from me if you wish:) The timelapse was posted on my blog the other day for all to enjoy:)

Well that’s all for today! I’ll be back with another sat chat in 2021 (as long as people are still interested in them) and other crafty goodness until then. Happy crafting!

Too much time on my hands?

Hi friends, last week I did a toughly enjoyable and puttery project. I revamped my 25 year old address book from High School.

Over the years I used up all of the inserts and it was in shambles. Now it’s so pretty. I just need to copy the addresses back in. Watch the video to see the transformation!

Supplies (affiliate links used)

• Binder style address book
• Acrylic pouring paint
• 5″x7″ gel plate
• Pastel Cardstock
• Alphabet foam stamps or stencils
• random pattern stencils
• soft rubber brayer
• Line stamps
• Office punch
• Paper trimmer

This was fun, I hope you try making something you own drab to fab! Happy crafting!

Capturing Carefree Youth in a Portrait

Hi friends! I hope you had a nice holiday. I took a couple days off and for the first time ever I did not have the urge to pack away the Christmas decorations on December 26th LOL! In fact, they are still up! Will they make it to New Years Eve? Hmmmm…

Today I am sharing a time-lapse portrait I painted of my daughter Maizy. The real-time tutorial for this is up in Critique Club. This is the 48th lesson I have posted I Critique Club and members can access them all for only $5 a month and I post 2 new tutorials every month of a more advanced, longer nature than what I do on YouTube. You also get a monthly inspirational art prompt and you can upload up to 2 paintings a month for a critique from me. If you want to grow your skills as an artist we’d love you in the group!

Now on to the show!

Supplies (affiliate links used)

• Turner watercolors, Artistico paper and Mimik watercolor brushes from my Signature set
• Derwent Lightfast pencils and Derwent Drawing pencils (also very lightfast and usually cheaper and have more lead. Both options offer open stock if you want to try a couple pencils before committing to a full set. The lightfast line is around $4 each and the Drawing is around $2 each.)
• White gel pens (Arteza)

That’s all for today. I am still on relaxation mode. I got some new books, vegan candy and there is a Doctor Who marathon on so I have things to get to LOL! I hope you had a nice holiday and til next time happy crafting!

Let’s Paint a Loose Style Winter Bouquet!

Hi friends! Today we have a fun and relaxing winter bouquet to paint in watercolor!

The berry branch on the left is a bit excessive, you might want to tone that down a bit!

And I solved the mystery of the weird paper! Have a watch!

Supplies (Affiliate links used)

• Altenew artist watercolor set of 24 (40% off 12/22-12/23 2020)
• *Other comparable brands that are cheaper if you miss the sale or want to shop Amazon: Artsy 24 watercolor set or Doodlehog 36 set (note, the 48 set paint is different, go for the 36 set if you want the better paint) Also available with a waterbrush set
• Brushes: Creative Mark Mimik (faux squirrel) *Here is the faux Kolinski if you prefer a firmer brush
• Reference photo
• If you want the weird paper you might be able to order it from my friend April wo owns A Little Creative on Etsy. I think she has some sketchbooks left but was reluctant to list them after the issues I had with it. I mention this because a couple people said they wanted to try it after the time I had with it last time hahaha!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and you find some relaxing time to paint or hey, put it on for company in the background as you wrap presents, cook or do housework (I like to do that LOL!) I have another project to post before Christmas but If I don’t see you have a merry one! Happy crafting!

Cute little gift box!

Hi friends! Many of us are in the countdown the Christmas and you might be in need of a last minute gift or a cute DIY packaging idea and I have got you covered with today’s project!

You can follow the steps in the video below or head over the the Ohuhu Blog for written instructions!

This video is sponsored by Ohuhu, they just released a brand new set of super-light pastel tone alcohol brush markers. See them here. Also available on Amazon.

Supplies:

• Cardstock in White, lavender, mint green, pastel blue and pastel pink
• Stamping ink in black and Turquoise
• Stamp (House Mouse Designs: Marshmallow Bounce)
• Ohuhu Pastel Alcohol Brush Markers
• Ribbon
• Double sided tape
• Paper Trimmer
• Scoring Board
• Snowflake punch or die-cut (optional)
• Rhinestones (optional)

You can use the cute gift box to wrap other things too such as a notecard set or baked goods. The sky’s the limit! I hope you found this project useful and til next time happy crafting!

DIY Brush/Chopsticks Rests

Hi friends! I have a fun DIY project that you can make for yourself or s a gift for any painter, calligrapher or foodie!

I love how these little rests can keep my pens or brushes from rolling away mid project. Watch the video to see how it’s done!

This video is sponsored by Smart Art! They offer surprise art subscription boxes as well as curated art bundles and ship to many countries worldwide. Learn more or subscribe today! I used supplies from the November 2020 Smart Art Box for this project

I used air dry clay but you can also use oven bake clay for this project and have it ready to use sooner. You can also choose a colored clay if you don’t want to paint it. That’s all for today, happy crafting!

Sat Chat! Leaving the House and Blog Tinkering!

Hi friends! Don’t worry you are at the right place! If it is looking a little more modern and chic around here it’s because after 12 years of blogging I finally updated my site layout. Fancy Huh?

Lunch yesterday was delicious, as was the margarita! Shopping is done too and I am relived as it’s only going to get busier out there. It’s gonna be a weird Christmas for sure but we will make the best of it!

Stuff I mentioned:

• The content pool on my community tab
• Ohuhu Pastel marker review

It’s almost time for my yearly craftroom reorganize session. I love going through everything after Christmas and cleaning. A lot of stuff was used up this year with the kids home and other than supplies for work I haven’t purchased much so I am thinking I might have some empty shelves once I go through everything, what a concept!

Have a wonderful weekend and week ahead. Stay safe and healthy and happy crafting!

Dreamy Pastels!

Hi friends, its a two brand marker review week here on my channel! Today I am reviewing the much anticipated Ohuhu 48 set of pastel toned alcohol brush markers. I like Ohuhu, they are constantly giving their customers what they ask for. When they came out with the Ohuhu classic dual tip markers their customers asked for brush tips, They came came out with the brush tip markers and customers asked for skin tones and now pastel tones which they delivered with gusto. They also managed to keep the quality high and the price low. Of course nothing is ever perfect for everyone so see the pros and cons in today’s video!

Disclaimer: These markers were sent to me for review, affiliate links are used at no additional cost to you.

Product features:

This set of 49 markers includes a colorless blender and 48 pastel alcohol markers featuring a chisel tip on one end and a brush on the other. It comes in a cloth storage bag and comes with swatch cards to color, a pamphlet with a printed color reference, and a plastic sheet to use in sketchbooks to prevent ink bleeding onto the next page. Generally, really light shades of alcohol markers are only found in expensive brands so it is really nice to have an affordable version.

Pros:

• Price
• Brush Tip
• Super pale shades
• Blends and layers well
• You can blend these colors to white with the clear blender
• Compatible with other alcohol markers
• Marker ends match ink color (one coat on marker paper)
• Caps stack on the ends of the marker
• All new colors not included in any of the “Honolulu” series (brush) Ohuhu Marker sets. *Although 3 were pretty close matches to ones in the 120 set.
• The Brush nib is reversible if it starts to fray with use.

Cons:

• In general paler tone markers tend to dry out sooner due to high alcohol content, these are all juicy now tho.
• The brush nib is a fiber nib as opposed to a rubber nib like Copic and is a bit stiffer than Copic. I have not had a fraying or desalination issue with Ohuhu Brush markers but it is worth mentioning.

Bottom line: I really like the results I got coloring with this pastel set and I am going to add them to my daily marker rotation. This is the pale budget set we have been waiting for! I do recommend adding this to a general assortment as you will not have the contrast you need for many subjects but I really couldn’t ask for more in a pastel set. If you want a marker set to start out with and you don’t have any others I still would recommend a general assorted set like the 120 dual brush set but if you have other alcohol markers the pastel set will be a wonderful addition.

I hope this was helpful, til next time happy crafting!

Parkoo Review! (Yep, more cheap alcohol markers LOL!)

Hi friends! There is a staggering amount of affordable alcohol markers now, these even make Sharpies look expensive!

Today I am testing out the new set of 80 dual tipped Parkoo markers and I’ll share a rainbow blend tutorial as well. Even if you are not in the market for markers it’s fun to learn abouty new ones I think!

These Parkoo Dual tipped alcohol markers are available from Amazon in an 80 pack with reusable storage case. *This product was sent to me for review from Parkoo and Amazon affiliate links are used at no additional cost to you.

Product details: This is a set of 80 dual-tipped art markers featuring alcohol ink and bullet/fine and Chisel/broad nibs in a clear storage box similar to an ArtBin marker box.

Pros:

• Price: About 40 cents a marker currently
• Great selection of colors, one of the best ranges for an 80 color set I have seen including skin tones and pastels.
• No Duplicate or same-y colors.
• Sturdy reusable clear plastic storage box with a removable divider (handy if you wanted to build a marker rack for keeping your markers in order.
• Inks blend well and are on the Shinhan/Art-in-Fly refill range in case you wanted to purchase refills and I think the Arteza replacement nibs would fit these as well (Disclaimer, these are not sold as refillable but it can be done)
• Also comes with an opaque silver and gold marker that appears to be waterbased (no smell)
• Comes with a hex format hand color swatch chart

Cons:

• Does not come with a clear blender marker
• My only complaint with the range of colors is that I would rather have a couple more warm and cool greys instead of the blue-greys and green greys but that is a personal preference.
• Caps do not match ink color exactly-must swatch

Bottom line: I think this is one of the best color ranges I have seen in a budget set of 80 markers. They blend well despite the fact they do not have brush tips. I love the reusable storage and range of colors. If you are not set on brush tips these are a great choice.

I hope you enjoyed this, happy crafting!