My Copic Storage

Are you still as addicted to Pinterest as I am?  

There are so many fantastic crafts, ideas, recipes, and so much inspiration.

I truly think I could browse the pins for hours!

So...the idea for this project originated at Pinterest. (I will share a blog link at the end of this post)

Basically...I wanted a storage solution for my Copic sketch markers.  But I also wanted my storage to be something that I could pack up and take with me.  

Here are the directions for how I made my copic storage box.

I got my box at Michael's for 50% Off.  LOVE a good sale!  

Be sure to take a copic marker (or at least the measurements) with you with you when you go shopping for your boxes.  There are lots of options for your storage box (as you will see in the blog link later in this post) so choose whatever you think will work best for you.  I liked the pretty decorative box I found.

 The next item you will need is an "egg crate ceiling light tile".  My husband found this one at Lowe's or Home Depot.  (you could easily make 2 or 3 copic storage boxes with one)  I measured how large the inside of the box was and then cut the ceiling tile to size.  You will need two layers for each box.  One layer of the ceiling tile will lay flat against the bottom of the box.  The second layer will be elevated to create a nice stand for the markers.

The ceiling tile cuts very easily with wire cutters.  Just lay the cutting edge flat against the spot where you want to cut. 

In order to elevate the second layer of the ceiling tile my husband had the idea to use pieces of the ceiling tile to create a "shelf".  Cut four "shelves" to look like the picture below.

 The picture below shows the shelves inserted in each corner.  The bottom of the shelf will slide down on top of the bottom ceiling tile piece.  And the top shelf will be where the top ceiling tile piece rests.  Be sure to insert these "shelves" so they only block the four corners of your ceiling tile. 

  

 To make it a little prettier I decided to add a little bling to the shelf that showed through each four corners.  I put some Instant Krazy Glue CRAFT on the part of the shelf that showed through the square and then added the bling.  I also used this glue to glue the top ceiling tile piece to the shelf.  You don't want the top ceiling tile piece to pull away when you are removing your copics.  While you are gluing squirt a little glue between the shelf and the box on each corner.  Again, just to be sure everything stays in place.

 All done.  My copic markers fit in the ceiling tile grate perfectly!  They are all organized so I can see exactly what I have.  And in my box there is a little space in the front where I can slide papers and projects that I am working on.  FABULOUS!  It stands nicely on one side (the lid is kind of a "kick stand") so I can use it on my desk.

What a great storage solution.  And CHEAP too.  The ceiling light tile is very inexpensive.  And the box itself was a great price on sale.  SO much less expensive than the copic marker wallets and bags.

Thanks so much to Helen for her blog post that gave me a great "starting point".  You can see her blog post here. 

TTT Winners and July Challenge

Happy Thursday!  And Happy 4th of July to all of our friends in the United States.  Have a safe and happy 4th!

We have some exciting new changes happening at Shelly's Images beginning with this July challenge.  Our challenges here at Shelly's Images will now begin on the first Thursday of each month and will run through the end of each month.  That gives everyone a full month to play along!  Be sure to check out the sidebar for a complete list of upcoming challenges, tutorials, and special events.

The second fun change is that the DT will usually work with a Shelly's Images digi stamp of their choice for each challenge.  That means you get to see lots of different digi stamps each month.  

So...let the fun begin!  To start off we want to announce the winner of our 

Stars, Stripes, and Sparkle Challenge.  

Our "Beary" Favorite project is #4 Jen from ABC Art, Belly Dancing and Crafting. Congratulations! Jen, I will be emailing you very soon with your $6 gift voucher.  (today is July 4th so please forgive a little tardiness on my part.  It may be Friday before I email your voucher) Please also be sure to grab your "Beary" Favorite badge here.

We also want to give special recognition to two other entries that round out our top 3 picks.  

The DT chose #14 Emily Thubbron from Em's Many Thoughts and #11 Suze from Crafty Suze.  Congratulations on receiving this special recognition from our DT!  Please be sure to grab your Top 3 badge here. 

Ready for a new challenge?!!?!!  We sure hope so!

Our July 2013 Challenge is...

Show us what you got! Christmas in July Edition
That's right!  It is our favorite "Anything Goes" Challenge.  But the twist is that your project must have a Christmas theme.

It is the perfect time to get started on those Christmas cards.  Christmas will truly be here before you know it.  We can't wait to see the Christmas themed projects you create.  And remember, you have the entire month of July to enter your projects.  

Need a little inspiration?  How about these great projects from the DT


Marianne using "Best Gift"

Shelly using Christmas Garland

Darlene using Christmas Cardinal

Amanda using Santa


Miranda using Christmas Cardinal

Gerda using Santa's Old Faithful

Jackie using Santa's Old Faithful 

Please click the digi name by each project to visit the digi shop.

Challenge Rules:

1. Link directly to your blog post entry, NOT your entire blog.

2. Shelly's Images are not required (but we'd LOVE to see them).

3. New projects only.  No back linking.

4. Your entry must follow the theme.  For this challenge the theme is Anything Goes with a Christmas Theme.

5. Only FIVE entries per challenge please. 

6. Challenge entry ends at midnight CST on July 31st.  Winners of this challenge will be announced August 1st.

7. Please turn off word verification at your blog if you would enjoy a comment from us.  It is just too time consuming to type in word verification at each challenge entry.  Thank you for understanding.

8. In your blog post be sure to provide a link to Shelly's Images Blog and list that you are entering our challenge. 

Coloring tutorial

Hi everyone. I want to show you how I color my digistamps with derwent soft colour pencils.

This is what you need. Pencils, odorless turpentine, paper stumps, a nail file and of course a digi. Mostly I use 2 or 3 shades of color for 1 thing. Depending on the size I want to color. I do that to get more shadow then with just 1 color.

I start by coloring the flower. I use 3 colors and they are C130, C150 and C160.

I start with C130 and color around the edges.

Then use you paper stump to blend the color to the middle. Do that in circles so it blends well. For big parts I use a large paper stump (number 2) and for little parts I use number 0.

It should look like this after your done.

Then I use my second pencils C 150 and I color some edges but not all. Only the pieces I want to have shadow.

 

Use your paper stump again to blend the colors.

As the last color I use C160 and color the parts I want the darkest.

 Blend the color with your little paper stump.

 

Now it should look like this. You see you get more shadow then with just 1 color.

 

Now you first clean your paper stump with your nail file the get the color of.

On to the next part and that is the ladybug. This is such a small part so I only use 2 colors and they are C110 en C120.

 Color all around and blend.

Put on the second color on the part where you want your shadow. In case at the bottom. And blend.

Now to the last part and that is the leaves and the stalk. I've used C400 and C410.
First color the edges with C400 and blend.

 

Then use C410 and color the parts where you want the shadow. And blend.

This is the finished digi. You can see how much shadow you get when using more shades of color.

Hope you've enjoy my tutorial and have fun coloring.