Operation Write Home Stars & Stripes Sketch #12

My card today is for the Operation Write Home Stars & Stripes sketch challenge #12.  Jodie at Bug A Boo stamps gave a free digi image last Friday that I just had to color.

When I printed and colored the first digi stamp (below) it was 4 1/2 inches tall, I had a hard time fitting it onto a quarter fold card so I had to go back to my computer and re-size a little! 

It was a lot of fun to color the digi stamp that was so big, good practice blending colors too. I also had time to think about what I wanted my finished image to look like.  That lady bug is in a jar and I wanted my jar to look real! 

After coloring the lady bug in a jar a second time and carefully cutting it out I applied Stampin' Up! Crystal Effects to the jar area.  As I picked it up to make sure it was smooth and even I dropped it.  You guessed it - it landed wrong side up.  After picking it up I waited for it to dry and applied a little more Crystal Effects to smooth out the damage. 

Supplies used:  Copic markers R59, R29, R24, E27, E31, YG11, YG13, YG17, C8, C3, C2, C0 & B00.  Card stock:   Kraft, Nut Brown, Leaf Green, Red Linen and Neenah Solar White.  Cuttlebug leaf embossing folder, Papertrey Ink ric rak die (the parts you usually throw away) and black half pearls. 

Here's one more picture to try to show the shine on the jar. 

I almost forgot I have fun news to share with you!  I'll be leaving Sunday and traveling to Phoenix to go to a Copic Certification class Monday morning.  I've been signed up and had hotel reservations for about six weeks now.  Since it was so far off I've just kind of put it out of my mind,  I need to bring it back out and get excited!!