Friday

February Challenge: Say YES to NO Lines

Hello Peeps and welcome to another wildly creative and wonderful Friday here on the Power Poppy Blog. Not only do we have fun things to share, we have a brand new challenge to kick off the month, hosted by the lovely, and warm-hearted Cindy Lawrence. So, let's share those details first!



HOW TO PLAY: If you've ever reached for your coloring medium of choice in the hope that the stamped lines below would fade into the background, then this little challenge is just for YOU! No Lines coloring allows your stamped image to appear more like an original drawing or watercolor, and it’s all about stamping or printing the image in a light ink and avoiding dark lines.

Here’s what Ms. Cindy had to share about her challenge “Say YES to NO Lines!” She was even sweet enough to offer a few tips if you've never tried this fabulous technique before!

To color an image using the ‘No Lines Coloring’ technique, stamp or print your image in a light color.  I try to choose a color that makes sense with my image.  For example, if I’m coloring an image of a person, I’ll use a light skin tone or tan ink. For floral images, I often use a pale green, particularly if they have a lot of leaves. I find it also helps to stamp the image again in a black ink on another piece of paper. You can use this image as your reference while you're coloring the lightly stamped image.
When I color up the image, I will often use my lightest ink color to lay out where I’m going to put my shadows and highlights first. This allows you to plan your image without fully committing right away. Next, I color dark to light from the shadows out towards the highlight areas. I find this easier when doing the ‘No Lines Coloring’ technique. You may find the light to dark technique works best for you.

Keep in mind, as you color it is going to look pretty bad before it looks good. It will have an ugly stage for sure. Don't give up on it! I promise it will get better!

Not being able to see the lines of the image presents a little more of a challenge than usual, but it is so worth it for the beautiful painterly look you get in the end. I hope you have fun with it!

Thanks, Cindy! I have to admit, I have never used this technique, so the challenge is ON in my own stamp room as well.

THE OFFICIAL RULES:

  • Use Power Poppy stamps if you have them. If not, it is a great way to win some! 
  • Link your creation below using our Linky (please use the exact URL from your post instead of a generic blog address.)
  • Please mention Power Poppy in YOUR blog or gallery post with a link back to THIS challenge
  • Winner will receive a free clear or three digital stamp sets of their choice from the Power Poppy Shop
  • Enter as many cards as you’d like, as long as they fit the theme of the challenge!
  • Deadline to enter is February 28 @ 8:00 PM EST. At that point, we’ll draw the winner randomly and make the announcement right here on the first Friday in March.

Here’s the full peek at Cindy’s full-of-blue hues creation:


Goodness gracious, that is a feast for the eyes, isn't it? If you want to read up on “how” Cindy created this look, just hop on over to her blog using the link list below! Cindy used Power Poppy's digital stamp set Tulips in Hobnail Pitcher to create this look. If you'd like a few tips on how to change the color of digital stamps after you've snatched them up, just click HERE to one of our tutorials on the topic!

Moving right along! Now that you have all this inspiration and insight, it's time to reach into our bag of tricks to see who won our Power & Spark Winter Blooms Challenge from January! 

We had 49 players last month submitting 56 beautiful entries -- Wowza! There were so many lovely ones, I swear I might have had to pick my jaw up off the floor more than a few times! Random.org threw all those entries into its little random generator and the winner it drew was.....



That means the lucky stamper is....

***BARBARA CAMPBELL*** 

And here's a peek at her absolutely fabulous creation using Power Poppy's Glistening Paperwhites!  


Congrats, Barbara! Your card is so very clever, lively, and well executed. Just a wintertime dream, really! Simply email us at bloom@powerpoppy.com and let us know which clear stamp set or three digital stamp sets you'd like us to send your way.

Before we hand things over to our Bloomies, there were a few Power & Spark entries that deserve a major SHOUT OUT. First up, Nancy Kirk shared an amazing way to get a watercolor look with Copic markers using at least one material most of us have around the house! Here's a peek at her cards and you can catch her video tutorial HERE!


And second, Laine Webb made a gorgeous ribbon-accented box using Power Poppy's Dynamic Duos: Peonies & Tulips. Click HERE for a step-by-step tutorial on how to create this beautiful little gift in and of itself. Just delightful, Laine, we enjoy your work immensely.



Now it’s time to turn things over to our classy and sassy members of the Bloom Brigade to see what they’ve whipped up today for your viewing pleasure! I am 100% sure you'll see even more inspiration for this month's Say YES to No Lines Power & Spark Challenge...




Thanks for stopping by and spending a little bit of your day with us!

We’ll see you here on Sunday with a freshly remixed digi from Marcella’s archives... it’s sure to put some joy in your day with flowers that have a sunshiney personality all their own.

THEN: Tune in on Inspire Me Monday when Guest Designer Corinne Jones joins us to share insights into how she gets all that depth in her Copic Coloring. See you soon!

~Julie

P.S. We know some of you have been having troubles linking up your creations for the past Power & Spark Challenges, especially if you live an ocean away from the U.S. Please try again. We think have figured out the problem, so please see the notes below about how you enter in your link information, it is a bit picky about how the web address is entered -- allowing everyone to share with JOY!

If you continue to have issues, please drop an email to bloom@powerpoppy.com and we will help you get your entry posted! We LOVE seeing your beautiful work, peeps!








28 comments:

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

Congrats Barbara! These creations are all beautiful!

I have always had a LOT of trouble with the no line coloring, but in the past I think I have always tried watercoloring. I may try again with my alcohol markers. Thanks for offering these great challenges!

Unknown said...

Beautiful technique! (it's kina scary lol) WHAHOO Barbara!

Berina RGA said...

Congratulations Barbara, Nancy and Laine!! And what a nice coincidence! I just printed out a Power Poppy digi in hopes of trying out no-line coloring! I'm really scared to start though! I guess this challenge will be the right push for me to go ahead and start doing :)

Laine said...

So many congratulations to Barbra and Nancy. I am thrilled to have a shout out for my box. Thank you so much, you have made my day!
Laine
xx

Barbara said...

Thank you my friends for letting me know that I was the lucky winner! I am so excited, and pleased that I was the random winner! Congrats to Nancy and Laine.

Patti Willey said...

Beautiful! I appreciate the link to Nancy's tutorial I look forward to giving the background a try!

Patti J said...

Julie, what a great challenge, and the DT has totally hit a home run with their creations! Beautifully done, one and all!

Patti J said...

Sorry, meant for that to say Marcella! Thanks Julie for posting!

aussie aNNie said...

Beautiful 'no lines' example and never tried it myself so a challenge in itself for me. Congrats to winners, and also to spotlighted ladies. Laine you are a winner in all of your creations and this one is a winner...xx

NancyK said...

Congrats Barbara - such a pretty card. And thank you for sharing my video! I will have to try the no line technique this month - I have been wanting to do so for awhile now.

905lovestostamp said...

Cindy, your tulips look like a WONDERFUL work of art!!! I've always admired no-line coloring, but have never tried it. I'm in the middle of a huge reorganization of my craft room, so I'm not sure I can take advantage of this challenge, I've also been wanting to try challenges... Coloring well is my goal or at least coloring better... :) I have always admired your coloring and your great style, I have subscribed to your blog for some time, long before Power Poppy, when you were on the Flourishes Llc team... I was SO thrilled when Marcella started Power Poppy, I am a huge admirer of her stamps!!!

Thanks so much for all of the great hints on no-lines coloring, especially letting us know it will go through an ugly stage... I think I tend to give up when that happens at times in coloring, yet I'll keep going in other techniques. Food for thought that I so appreciate.

Best wishes,

Joanne Lowe

Unknown said...

I'm sorry to be a pest, but I still get that message 'InLinkz Widget Not Allowed' So here is my link to the Challenge....which REALLY challenged me! Thanks so much! http://craftingbytheseashore.blogspot.com/2017/02/no-line-coloring.html

Marcella Hawley said...

Hey Donna... thank you for still giving it a go!! May I ask for troubleshooting purposes, did you try to enter your link without the "http://" before the address?

Ann said...

Beautiful card and no line coloring by Cindy. Congrats to Barbara also.

CherylQuilts said...

Congratulations, Barb, and to the other beautiful card makers who were featured today! Stunning cards. And wow, did the Bloomies delight us with the no-line coloring! What inspiration and talent!! Hugs, all!

Maria Rodriguez said...

Well, I've always been intimidated by the No Line Technique, I've seen plenty of videos and it looks easy enough so I'm going to be brave and give it a try, winning a Power Poppy set is more than enough to get my feet wet with this technique.
Thank you Cindy for inspiring us with your beautiful card.
Hugs,
Maria Rodriguez.

Unknown said...

I actually do not get that nice little blue link to enter my card. I have this message where it should be: "This InLinkz widget is not allowed in this website. You can still view the linkup here." And when I click on the here, which is hi-lighted, it just takes me right back to the post with the same 'not allowed' message. I guess I am going to have to learn how to link up via my phone, I think it's all visible there. I will keep trying. Thank you!!!

Marcella Hawley said...

Ohhh! Hm. Thank you for this detailed info, helpful to know. I will report this info to them. I'm going to add your link manually!

Marcella Hawley said...

I was able to get it to go up, I'm using Safari on a Mac. Donna, what browser do you use on your computer?

Janine said...

I had two goes with your newly available grey line image (the first one) and they are both in my Splitcoast gallery. This one works best http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2782830?&cat=500&ppuser=132530. Still unable to link from UK

واجهات كلادينج said...

Thank You

Robyn Oliver said...

Beautifully coloured tulips Cindy, and congrats to Barbara, Nancy and Laine. I am still unable to link my card for this months challenge... so here is my link http://waterlilycardsbyrobyn.blogspot.com.au/2017/02/happy-birthday_26.html Thanks ladies I do love participating in Power and Spark challenges

Becky said...

http://stampersanonymous13.blogspot.com/2017/02/orchids-for-your-birthday.html Here is my link....Amazon server still down and cannot upload. Thanks for your help!

Marcella Hawley said...

Hi Janine! I just wanted to let you know that we were able to link up your card to the challenge. Thank you so much for joining us!

Marcella Hawley said...

Hi Robin! Just a little note to let you know we added your lovely card to the challenge! Thank you so much, we love having your work represented!!

Marcella Hawley said...

Hi Becky! I'm sorry about the outages yesterday, we had some sluggishness yesterday due to the same thing. Your card is posted in the challenge, and I was delighted to see it!!

Traci M said...

I had a second entry and was not able to upload it on the linky. It is on my blog @ www.tracimajor.blogspot.com
Thank you for the wonderful challenge this month!!

Nicola Gold said...

Oh... I wish I'd known about this challenge when I finished my Kit & Clowder Class 🙁