Feathered Friends tutorial and a giveaway!
In July, Alicia, Jessica and I were lucky enough to go to the Copic Certification class in Milwaukee where we became a "Certified Copic Instructors." I had a great time playing with some of the other types of Copic markers, pens and tools that I had never had the chance to try before.
Marianne, the instructor was lots of fun and demonstrated some techniques that I hadn't seen before. One of them was using something she called "nasty rags." LOL! I didn't know what to expect. But once I saw it, I knew I had to share it with you!
Instead of "Nasty Rags,"
I'll call this technique "Adding texture with colorless blender solution."

If you look closely at the owls, they've been colored with Copic markers but they also seem to have feathers!
Here's how you can create this same look on your cards.
First, stamp your image. In this case, I used the two owls stamp from "Owl always love you." I stamped them using a Black Memento Ink Pad.

I used three colors of Brown to color my owls, E31, E35 and E37. I began with my lightest marker, E31 and colored the bellies of the owls.

Next, I colored E35 outside of the lightest brown.

And then, finally, I added the darkest brown, E37 to the edges.

Then, I went back to my lightest marker again and colored, starting at the center and working my way all the way to the edge to blend the three colors together.

Once I blended both owls, I cut a tiny piece off of a wash cloth. Then, I squeezed some of the colorless blender refill onto the cloth.

I gently placed the piece of wash cloth over the owl and pressed lightly in the center of each owl's belly.

And here is what it looked like when it dried.

See how feathery they look?
And here is a close up of my finished card.

Card details:
Stamps: Owl always love you, Whatever Floats your Boat(greeting)
Card stock: Stampin' Up Really Rust, Whisper White and Basic Black
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey Ambrosia
Other: Copic Markers, Copic Colorless Blender Refill, Nestabilities Tags Trio, Basic Grey Brads (Archaic,) Bling and Dazzle Screw Brads, EK success Curved Corner punch, Metallic Rub-on paste(on tag)
Would you like a chance to win a Copic Colorless Blender refill? Leave a comment here and I will randomly pick a winner on Tuesday.
I hope you enjoyed tonight's tutorial. I'll be back with more soon!
Hugs,
Gina K.
Marianne, the instructor was lots of fun and demonstrated some techniques that I hadn't seen before. One of them was using something she called "nasty rags." LOL! I didn't know what to expect. But once I saw it, I knew I had to share it with you!
Instead of "Nasty Rags,"
I'll call this technique "Adding texture with colorless blender solution." 
If you look closely at the owls, they've been colored with Copic markers but they also seem to have feathers!
Here's how you can create this same look on your cards.
First, stamp your image. In this case, I used the two owls stamp from "Owl always love you." I stamped them using a Black Memento Ink Pad.

I used three colors of Brown to color my owls, E31, E35 and E37. I began with my lightest marker, E31 and colored the bellies of the owls.

Next, I colored E35 outside of the lightest brown.

And then, finally, I added the darkest brown, E37 to the edges.

Then, I went back to my lightest marker again and colored, starting at the center and working my way all the way to the edge to blend the three colors together.

Once I blended both owls, I cut a tiny piece off of a wash cloth. Then, I squeezed some of the colorless blender refill onto the cloth.

I gently placed the piece of wash cloth over the owl and pressed lightly in the center of each owl's belly.

And here is what it looked like when it dried.

See how feathery they look?
And here is a close up of my finished card.

Card details:
Stamps: Owl always love you, Whatever Floats your Boat(greeting)
Card stock: Stampin' Up Really Rust, Whisper White and Basic Black
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey Ambrosia
Other: Copic Markers, Copic Colorless Blender Refill, Nestabilities Tags Trio, Basic Grey Brads (Archaic,) Bling and Dazzle Screw Brads, EK success Curved Corner punch, Metallic Rub-on paste(on tag)
Would you like a chance to win a Copic Colorless Blender refill? Leave a comment here and I will randomly pick a winner on Tuesday.
I hope you enjoyed tonight's tutorial. I'll be back with more soon!
Hugs,
Gina K.





Oh my goodness, what a simple and ingenious technique that I would have NEVER even thought about!! Thanks so much for sharing!! And for always offering such great blog candy!
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Oh, that is SOOOOOO totally coool!!!! How totally awesome! I love the depth and texture that it gave to your creation! I am truly amazed!!!
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Wow, what a great technique! I am going to buy the colorless blender refill first thing tomorrow...Thanks for the tutorial!!!!!!
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Beautiful, and you make it look so easy. I hope I can do as good a job as you.
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Wow, that looks just like feathers, what a great technique!!
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What a great tip! I wonder if it would work with Ranger Ink blender medium (just in case I don't win the copic blender refill). Since I love owls, I can't wait to give this a try. Thanks for the tutorial!
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Wonderful tutorial! I love the close-up as we can definitely see the result; thanks........hope I'm a winner!
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great technique--works great with the owls. And I do like your name for it better.
Thanks for sharing
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That would be a great thing to have when I finlley order my markers.great blog candy and I love the owl they really cute...
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Ohhhhhhh...I *need* to get some copics! What a cool technique!
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can't wait to try this with my new copics!
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Sheer brilliance!
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This is an awesome technique! I can't wait to try it!
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Gina: Who would have thought that you would get that kind of results from a small piece of a washcloth. Thanks for sharing this tip-and CONGRATS on your certification. WOW! Kadie
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Oh my gosh...that is sooooooo cool.
This might sound like a dumb question, but would this work with the gamsol?
Now I think I have to start looking at copics again. I was liking my Bic markers..but....I think I could really dig having a set of copics...
SO PICK ME!
ansa
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Really cool, realistic looking owls!
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What a COOL idea!! There is never an end to the amazing things we can do with stamping and paper crafting. Thanks so much for sharing this trick. I have Copic markers...but none of that magic juice!! I totally need to get some of that right away!!
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This is a great technique which I am looking forward to trying very soon!
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WOW!! What a super cool technique!! Thanks for that!!
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This is an awesome technique..>Thanks so much for sharing with us...and for the giveaway offer.
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Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful tip. The feathers look so realistic with just a solution and a rag. Fabulous look! Hope I win!!!
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OMGosh, I LOVE your owls! CUTE!
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Cool technique!The owls are too cute!
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What an awesome technique. Now if I only had the copic markers so I could try this. I would love to color like you do.
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that is too cool... Would love to win some of that too try this technique.. Are you going to toss in the face cloth too..hehe
Thanks for sharing your talent
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"Great" Tutorial Gina--very "clever" how you did the bellies!!!
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The feathers look like they were part of the stamp. Awesome tutorial. You always amaze me with the blog candy that you give away, you are such a generous person.
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I love these little owls. Thanks for the instructions for coloring them. The washcloth technique is really cool. I will try that.
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Wow! That is a super cool technique. They look so real. Great tutorial as always.
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Nasty rags does have a funny ring to it
Love the card and the idea!
Thanks for sharing...and the chance for the giveaway!
Kristen
outside Charlotte, NC
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This is very cool!!
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Now that is really cool! I don't have any copics *yet*, but getting little tips like this help me understand the why everyone loves them
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Amazing! I get her blog along with yours and love them both. So much information you two have. Thanks for offering the blender refill!
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I love your website and love to use copic markers. I hope you receive this comment as I am away from my computer and trying to do this on my phone. I am at a horse show.
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TFS your wonderful tutorial. The feathers really are very realistic looking, and to think just a bit of blender solution and a rag did the trick, wow! Hope I win your generous gift!
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What a cool idea! Thanks so much for sharing a great idea. Would love to win this. Thanks again.
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Hi Gina,
What a neat idea on the owls belly. They really look look like they have feathers. How do you think of all these things?
Thanks for the opportunity to win something new.
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OMG, that is so awesome, I was reading and saying to myself I have to get one of those and then voila...I would love the chance to win that.
Thanks
Sarah
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This is a great idea! It just adds so much to the owls. Thanks for the tutorial!
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Thanks for sharing, what a great technique. Your card is so adorable. Thanks for the giveaway!!
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Totally cool! How do they come up with these wonderful ideas?? I have to try this! Thanks
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great card and technique. I would love to win...thanks for the chance.
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This is the cutest idea ever - great tutorial. Thanks so much!
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You make it all look so easy. That is a great tutorial. Your pictures really captured the technique. Thanks for sharing. Darlene
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How cool! Those owls are adorable. Thanks for sharing this technique.
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What an awesome tutorial. I love the look it gives to the owl's feathers. Thanks for the opportunity to win a bottle of the Copic Colorless Blender Refill.
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I learn from you all the time. This is the coolest thing! I can't wait to try it out.
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Gina, what a great way to add that feather look. Love that product, can't wait to try it! Christina A. GCBSamador@sbcglobal.net
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Not much to say tonight except - PICK ME! I love all your ideas and love how you share!
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Awesome card , love the texture you created on those owls ! That colorless blender is awesome stuff , would love to win a refill .
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That is so cool!! I would love to win a refill!! Thanks for sharing the great ideas!
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I love the copics..I don't have any yet but would sure like some..especially the newest and latest one..great affects to the card! and great tutorial by the way!
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So simple but so effective, great idea! TFS...would love to be the winner..yeah!
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Why does everything that seems complicated become quite simple after your tutorial?! Loved today's lesson and am anxious to try it out after I get the colorless blender. Thanks for sharing.
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Gina, you are so clever to come up with such a neat idea for the owl's feather. It makes me really want an owl stamp and to purchase and learn how to use copics.
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WOW; amazing how they look like they have feathers; love them! Funny she calls the technique "nasty rags" - LOL!
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This is just amazing! When I first saw it I thought it was going to be really complicated but it's wonderfully simple!
Hugs and Blessings
Alicia
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Very cool effect. I can't wait to see whagt else you have to share with us
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You clever devil. Pick me so I can be a copy cat.
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Really cute card. I will have to try this when I get the makers.
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You clever devil. Pick me so I can be a copy (copic) cat too!
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Very cool technique!!
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Thanks! Love the way the colors looked after the washcloth. How did you ever think of that?
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Love this technique. Can't wait to try it!
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Genius!!!! Can't wait to try this technique ... 'course that calls for the Colorless Blender refill but that's a minor detail, lolol!
Great card and great tutorial; thanks for sharing!!!
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what a great tutorial, can't wait to try it!
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Thanks! Love the way the colors looked after the washcloth. How do they ever think of these things? Great technique!
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What an unique technique! It looks fantastic!
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Your card and technique is stunning!
I'm new to copics and preparing to get my first set! Whoohoo! THis will give me something to try out hwen they arrive. I so hope I get lucky enough to get the blender solution ...... drooooooooling!
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Wow. You did a great job with the blending. I am going to have to give the blending solution a try. Maybe I will win one. LOL
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You are always so generous with your giveaways. By the way love the owl.
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Hi Gina! Thanks for that tutorial! What a great technique!
Angie
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That is fantastic. I'm just getting into the Copics and love that you shared that little technique. TY!!
BeckyL
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WOWIE ZOWIE! This is AWESOME!!
Thanks for sharing!
d
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I see Copics in my future.....Love the tutorial.
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Love the card and the feather effect on the owls!! Would love to win!!
Kathy Brown
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Super cute technique!! The owls are adorable with their feathers!!
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What a great technique - it makes the owls look so realistic. Thanks for sharing this with us.
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I sure like " Colorless Blender" a whole lot better than "Nasty Rag" :o) and love your owls. I would love the chance to get it. Hugs n' Stuff, Lynne
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What a fantastic idea. I hope I win. Will you send me the washcloth too? :O)
Thanks for the opportunity, and for sharing your knowledge!
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This is cool! It really makes the owls look like they have feathers. Hard to believe this is just copics and blender solution. Great tip.
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I love learning new tricks; this one is so cool! I'm going to try it as fur on a dog stamp : )
TFS
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Oh wow! What a fab card! And great tutorial! I'd love to win! Thanks!
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What a great tutorial! Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
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Great job! The owls look fantastic! I'd love to be able to do that. Thanks for sharing this.
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WOW! That is so clever of you. Thanks for sharing all the great inspiration!
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That is amazing Gina! I need copic markers so bad! I am just amazed at how amazing the finished results always look! Thanks for the chance to win!
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WOW, what a cool effect! I would love to win a refill. Thanks for sharing!
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Your card and technique is stunning!
I'm new to copics and preparing to get my first set! Whoohoo! THis will give me something to try out hwen they arrive. I so hope I get lucky enough to get the blender solution ...... drooooooooling!
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What a cool technique!! Thanks for a chance to win.
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How adorable! I just got my first copic markers yesterday and am planning on playing with them this evening! Thanks for my first "special" tech. lesson!
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Thank you so much for doing a tutorial on this! I've been wanting to try this, but was unsure how to do it! Now I NEED to get a colorless blender refill!
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I loved the technique!!!
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This would be a great technique for adding texture to clothes, too, and hair. I'm getting ideas.
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Thanks for this tutorial. My copics have been a huge investment for me. I'm really grateful for the help. I'm loving it all - Nimmy
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Thanks Gina for taking the time to share this! I love your blog and look forward to each entry because they are always filled with inspiration. You are a gem!!!
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Gina, that is the coolest trick!! I love how it looks like feathers! I would love some colorless blender, as the store that carries Copics near me doesn't carry the refills! And then I can try that very cool trick!!
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Thanks Gina for taking the time to share this! I love your blog and look forward to each entry because they are always filled with inspiration. You are a gem!!!
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WOWIE ZOWIE! This is AWESOME!
Thanks for sharing,
d
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Would always love a chance for anything free! :o) Your card is great - love the effect!
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Thanks for an awesome tutorial. I love the idea of using a washcloth to give the owl's bellies texture...to cool!!
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This is such a neat technique! I love the texture it adds. Thanks so much for the tutorial, Gina!
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What a wonderful effect and a super adorable card. Thanks so much for sharing!!!!!
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That is a very cool technique! Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks for the tutorial, I only have the blender pen so I will have to wait until I get a bottle of solution
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That was such a cool tutorial!! Thanks for your great ideas.
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Wow! What a fantastic tutorial. I LOVE the look you achieved using the colourless blending solution. Thanks so much for sharing this info!
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Amazing! I really need to start playing more. I'm adding the copic markers and blending pen to my Christmas list !!! You gals just blow me away with the things you come up with. Thanks for the inspiration. This one is getting printed out and saved for referece!
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love this card, what a great idea with the coloring of the owls. I would love to win so I can try this tech.
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That was a really great tutorial! I would have never thought of using a wash cloth! Thanks!
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THUD!!! That's me falling off my chair. Just goes to show that you can't throw anything out...we may need it for a new tutorial!! I so need some of this stuff.
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How cool is that!! I'm still learning how to use my Copics, but I love all the different looks you are able to achieve with them. TFS!!
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thanks so much for showing how you coloured them in. I will definitely be printing this out for easy reference when I figure out how to use the Copics ... Love your card and those owls are just too darn cute!!
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Wow something so gorgeous from a "dirty ole rag.. really how do you people find these wonderful helpful ideas. Thanks so much. As soon as I get my colorless blender refill I will enjoy trying to mimic this. thanks again for sharing MaryAnn
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I just ordered my 1st set of copics and i can't wait to start playing! Thanks for the tutorial and the opportunity to win.
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Really a cute effective way of adding interest to the owl. Thanks for the great idea.
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Awesome, wish I could do that. I just get a big glob when I try to use my copic.
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Wow! That is so cool! I just can't wait to try that technique out! I have been wanting to play with my owl set. I might just have to try that out right NOW!! Whooooo....needs sleep?
(he-he! Just a little play on words with the owl set!
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Wow! How cool is that!!
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Thanks, Gina! That's a great technique!
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What a great tutorial!! I love the way the owls look like they have feathers. I so want to try that technique. Thanks for sharing.
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wow! this looks great,,,thanks for the great tutorial
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LOVED the tutorial Gina...thank you!
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Thanks so much for the tutorial. Ican't wait to try it.
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That is amazing!
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Thanks, Gina, for the great tutorial for bird's feathers. I have plenty of bird stamps, as I am sure do most. What an easy way to make those birds chirp! Thanks, again,
Chrysi M.
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Awesome card Gina and a great tutorial!!! I would love to win!!!
God bless
Giovana
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Thanks so much for the awesome tutorial. I just love the way you showed how to color in those owls and then with the washcloth and the blender refill-WOW. I love it. I can't wait to try it on something...soon.
As always thanks for your generosity with all of your free gifts. You, though are the reason we read your blog. You are the inspiration for all of us. Thank you!
Cheri
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what a great technique I can't wait to try it out.
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Wow -- what a great tip to add some dimension to colored images. Thanks for sharing.
Candyf
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Thank you so much for giving us this tutorial!
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That is amazing. I love all your tips. Thanks so much for sharing.
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Another GREAT technique. Those copic markers make magic. I don't have any of the copics but wonder if it would turn out this great with other markers.
Thanks for another GREAT technique.
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SHUT UP!!! That is the COOLEST thing I think I've ever seen. I can just imagine the different looks you could get just by changing out the texture of your cloth! Now I just need to build my Copic collection since the 14 I own don't allow for much blending, LOL!
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Now, is the same stuff as the Tim Holtz alcohol ink blending solution??? Just curious so I don't buy two of the same type of product! Thanks for the tutorial!
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Well how freakin cool is that?! I kne how to make little marks with the colorless blender pen, but using the rag is just too neat! My colorless blender pen just happens to be really low on fluid too, so I'd love to win this give away!
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Thanks for the tutorial. You always present your techniques in such a way that it's easy for me to understand
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Great tutorial! That really adds a nice textured look to the owls. I look forward to your sharing more of the Copic techniques you learned!Thanks for your generosity!
DeniseB
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That is so awesome! I love it!
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Thank you for sharing this technique. I wish I had an owl to practice it on!
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I have never played with the Copic markers before, but they look totally awesome to use. What a cute way to make something look more realistic. This is so cute and looks so simple.
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Thank goodness I read the tutorial! Had I tried to figure that out on my own, I'd be working on that from now until Christmas trying to figure out how you did that.
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Just received my first order of copics and need some practice using them. Your tutorial is so helpful and the extra techniques are great.
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Wow Gina, what a great way to add a different texture/look to a card! How cool is that?! Thanks again for a chance to win!
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I love your tutorials - you make it so easy to understand!
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What a great tutorial! The Copic Markers are amazing and you showed us yet another way to use them to create lifelike images. Your photographs are exceptional and are one of the reasons I love your website.
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Those owls look positively amazing with your technique, and your tutorials are always so easy to follow! I'm crossing my fingers that I can win this so I can try it for myself! Coloring doesn't exactly come easy for me, but this looks like it will be a huge help!
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I LOVE Marianne's site. I look on it every week day for her daily tutorials. I hadn't seen the "dirty rag" technique and look forward to testing it out! Thanks for sharing!
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What a cool technique! Your owl card is so cute! Definately want to try this .... so I need to win, please!!!
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WOW! That's amazing! There is sooo much to learn about what copics can do. I can't wait until I get my Ciao sets completed and have alot of colors to play with! You did a great job on those owls! Thanks (as always) for your generous giveaways!!
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What a cool technique!! You are right, anything is better than calling it Nasty Rag, that sounds bad....Thanks for the chance to win a great prize.
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Wowzer! I love this technique. Thank you for sharing it with all of us.
Your card is awesome.
Mary
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Pretty neat looking owls. Liked the technique and I hope that I will win!
Thanks
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Oh my gosh, what a cool technique! I can see this on anything fuzzy/furry/feathery, heck, great way to add texture to lots of things. Thanks for sharing it
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Wow what a cool technique!! It really does look like feathers.
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Love your card and the owls are j