Happy Christmas

Hi Everyone

So this year i have been very un-organised, with presents, the turkey (not ordered one and its too late) and Christmas Cards.  So I have only made a few and in one design.

I've used matt black card for the base and matted with Kraft card.  Using watercolour card I've cut a Snowflake die, bought this on my trip to Slovenia at the Rayher shop and i love it, its by a Slovenian designer and i picked up other ones too.  Then after cutting I've embossed with the Vintage Christmas folder but you can use any snowflake folder.  The reason i love A4 folders is i can emboss large areas in one go and then cut them down, made this card so quick and easy.  Then to complete I've used a sentiment from the Greetings sentimental stamp set and added some black ribbon and a metal snowflake charm.

Happy Christmas and hope you have a fab time and good luck for 2015.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Crafters Companion Blog Challenge December - Thankyou

Hi Everyone

Here's a little Scruffy Little Cat Card i made for the Crafters Companion Blog Challenge in December, the theme is thank you.

Sooooooo  while i have been demoing at craft shows i have found myself eyeing up material on the stands next to us and bought some small pieces to see if i could incorporate them into my cards.

For the card i have used Kraft card as the base and matted with some purple Coredinations embossed and sanded back using the vitnage floral Hessian folder.  The image is Ashleigh from the SLC range and coloured with Spectrum Noir Markers.  Ive also used the Circle Doily die and then just added a few buttons and a metal butterfly.

Colours used areTN1, TN2, TN3, TN6, CR3,  EB1, EB2, EB3, EB5, EB8, IG1, IG2, IG6, PL1, PL3, PL5.

Hope you like it and dont forget to pop over and take part.

Louise xx

December Spectrum Noir Challenge

Hi Everyone

Ok, so I absolutely avoid messy crafty usually as I would rather keep clean.  I hate getting inky and messy and usually when I try I make an absolute mess.  However I love my finished card using Spectrum Noir Aquatints.

This months Spectrum Noir challenge is clean and simple and I love this type of card.  Although true to form I had the ink everywhere and even dropped some on my carpet.  I tried quite a few times to get it out and what worked was Leanns suggestion of lemon juice and bicarb of soda, luckily it came out really quickly as the carpet is a light biscuit colour.  So there is a top tip for you from Leann.  Although I really should be just made sure I didn't drop any in the first place.

For the card base I have used Centura pearl as my base card and matted my topper onto black card.  While browsing on pinterest one night I found a fab card and technique that I thought i would give a go one day and I wondered how this would work with the aqautints.  Here's the link and this ladies card is so much better than mine but this is my first attempt at something similar.

I've used colours 5, 8 and 25 and sorry I cant remember which packs they are out of as I have ended up mixing them up but you can choose any colours you like.  Then I've added the aquatint to a small piece of kitchen roll to use as a type of blotter, or ink pad and picked up the ink with scrunched up cling film.  then stamped with this cling film onto Sheena's stamping card.  I've used snowflakes from one of Sheena's ornate snowflakes stamp sets and finished with as sentiment from the friends and family sentimental pack, using versafine ink in black.

Hope you like it and don't forget to take part.

Louise xx

Spectrum Noir Blog Challenge - November

Hi Everyone

I've tried to get myself in gear to ensure I don't miss making challenge cards as I've missed a few lately.  So here is my second one for November and there's not much time left to take part.  The theme for the  Spectrum Noir Challenge is winter or Christmas and I've chosen a beautiful bebunni image and coloured with my spectrum noir markers.

The image is  Christmas Angel and I've used centura pearl card for the card base.  I've matted and layered with mirri card and some beautiful paper i picked up from an art store in London, ages ago.  Its been sitting in my craft stash just waiting to be used.  to complete I've just added some ribbon, a snowflake and some glamour dust.

Colours used blender, ig1 3 5 8, eb1, pp1 ly1 ly3 jg1, lg2, lg4

Hope you like it and pop over to take part as you just may win a prize.

Louise xx

Crafters Companion Blog Challenge November - Christmas

Hi Everyone

Its just a little short of 4 months since i last posted and i just cant believe how long it is!!! Oh my word............ but i have been so busy with work and other stuff, NEC, Slovenia, trips to London........  (although i do think i should've had time to post at least a few times in those 4 months)  I've also had Labrynthitis??? I'm hoping its just about gone now and i have to say it is the most weird thing ever, vertigo is one of the symptoms and it knocks you for six every time it happens..........

So its nearly Christmas and I've not even bough one prezzie either.  But here is my card for the November challenge.

I've used Spectrum Noir Aquatints for the firs time, (i really don't like messy crafting), although i love the finished effect.  The colours ive used are 05, 08 and 25.  I htink 05 and 25 are from the pretty pastels and 08 is from the landscape set but i have mixed all my colours up so i'm unsure.  I've stamped with versamark onto Sheena's stamping card, using Sheena's snowflake stamps and heat embossed with white embossing powder.  Then I've masked off the top and bottom section of the card with stencil tape.  then to achieve the effect i have made my own blotting pad with aqua tints and kitchen towel and stamped the pattern with scrunched up cling film.  you can find a clip of how to do this on you tube and its soooo easy. However mine is not as good as the orginal one in the video. Then to finish I've stamped a few snowflakes in the darkest aquatint colour.  The sentiment is from the seasons greetings set of  stamps and the card base is centura pearl hint of silver matted with some black card.

Only 8 days left to join in and win a fab prize.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Spectrum Noir Blog Challenge - Nature

Hi Everyone

Today's card is very simple and its for the Spectrum Noir Blog Challenge for August, the theme is nature.

So while demoing the spectrum noir pencils i usually colour a very simple butterfly image in with only 3 Spectrum Noir Pencils pencils to showcase how simple the pencils are to blend on their own. This is with a mixture of colours, it doesn't always have to be 3 shades of the same toning colour. I've coloured a fair few of these now but never finished a card with it.  The three pencils i have used are all from the essential set, 11, 56, 67.  I've used no blending solution or paper stumps this is just the 3 pencils blended together.

The Card base is made from CC black card stock, I've matted the butterfly onto Sheena's stamping card after stamping a little leaf flourish in shabby shutters distress ink.  The butterfly digi is on the spectrum noir DVD but you can also buy a rubber stamp, Flying Colours.  The sentiment is from the greetings set of vintage floral sentimentals, I just love these they come in handy time after time.

A very simple but effective card i think and i just love the colours.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Spectrum Noir Blog Challenge - Summer

Hi Everyone

A little summery card to share with you today and this is my card for the July Spectrum Noir blog challenge, which is Summer.  And you only have today and tomorrow left to enter....... July is coming to an end............

So I have used my Spectrum Noir markers and Spectrum Noir Pencils with a beautiful Skipping  image from Lily of the valley, as it reminds me of summer with her pretty summery dress on too.  My base card is Kraft card and I've matted with nitwit papers, promises and promises solids.  I bought the frame a while ago but not found a card I wanted to use them on as they are so special, so thought this was perfect and centered it over a sentiment stamped in dusty concord distress ink.  I've used white Frantage on the main image and added a few pearls and lace ribbon and finished with a very small flower die  and added a little bit of bling from Chloe.

colours used

FS1, FS3, FS4, TN2, TN3, TN4, EB1, EB3, EB8, LV1, LV2 blender, cr3, pencils 81, 89, 96 with blending solution and paper stumps

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Crafters Companion July Challenge - Sentiments

HI Everyone

Well I'm a month behind I must try to get up to date but the weather is just so nice.............

So July is nearly over but there is just time to enter the Challenge if you haven't already entered.

So this card is one i made using sheenas embossing folder from her taste of india range.  I've done this card twice at demo's and also at a recent workshop and everyone loved the effect.   I've used glycerine as my adhesive fort the embossing powder and its so easy. I've tried and tried with versamark and i just cant get the hang of it.

So all you need to do is using a hard brayer is paint glycerine over the roller and then transfer it to one side of your embossing folder, this one is ornate screen.  then emboss as usual through your die cutting machine, i used the reverse of some centura pearl card.  Then sprinkle with your chosen  embsossing powder, I've chosen gold.  then heat emboss to set.  Once you have done this then choose a couple of distress inks and apply with cut and dry foam.  I've used fired brick and seedless preserves.  then cut your piece of card down to fit your desired card blank.  I've used Kraft card and matted with black card.  then finished with some black ribbon and the sentiment is from sheenas Mandala stamp set, stamped in black embossing powder and cut out using tags 1.  Then to complete ive added a few drops of liquid pearls in a matching purple colour.

Hope you like it

Louise xx

Good Friends

HI Everyone

Card number two in two days and loving colouring in with my markers.  So yesterday my colour scheme was green and pink but I also bought some lush blue papers too at Doncaster so had to have another play.

The stamp is another Sherri Baldy stamp called Good friends but again i cant see where its for sale, it was on Create and craft but its sold out.  I've made my card base from Kraft card and matted with Maja Design Vintage Autumn Basics, its double sided so the criss cross reverse matches perfectly.  The frame is cut using a Cameo Frame and then I've cut the image out and placed her on top.  I've then added a wooden heart, banner cut in Kraft to match and just a few pearls.  The sentiment stamp is from the main image stamp set.

Spectrum Noir Markers  used  FS1, FS3, FS4, TN1, TN2, TN3, TN4, EB1, EB3, DG2, IG1, IG3, IG5, IG7, IG9, IG10, True Black, IB1, IB2, IB3, GB1.

Spectrum Noir Pencils used 15, 108, 96, 89, 71, 04,119

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Start with a smile

Hi Everyone

Its been a while since I made a card and I've lost my inspiration and cant think of anything to make really.............  so today I thought I would have a go and used a lovely pink flowery paper i bought while at the Doncaster crafty show last week.  This stamp is called start with a smile and I bought it from create and craft a few weeks ago.  its sold out though and I cant find it anywhere else to link to it, sorry.  The presenter on create and craft was using our Spectrum Noir Markers too so i thought i would have a go.  Colours listed below, with the addition of the Spectrum Noir Pencils I have used too.

The card base is made using Kraft card and ive matted a Pion card stock, called my precious daughter, baby doll onto plain white card.  The green card is from a a Nit wit pad called Beach Bliss and ive used a My freind sentiment from Lily of the valley.  Ive added a few brads and rose lace and diestreed the edges with frayed burlap distress ink, this is also added to the wooden butterflies too.

Pens used, FS1, FS3, FS4, TN2, TN2, TN3, TN4, EB1, EB3, EB5, CG2, PP1, PP3, BG7, BG5, blender pen
Pencils 41, 90,89,57,92

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Spectrum Noir Challenge - Backgrounds

Hi Everyone

This months Spectrum Noir Challenge is Backgrounds and I have to say I like the safety of colouring a pre stamped image in rather than create my own backgrounds.  But...........   there are lots and lots of different backgrounds that can very easily be created. on the spectrum noir blog, there are lots of ideas from simple dottie backgrounds to the more detailed backgrounds on Leanns Spectrum Noir Intermediate DVD.  I've also included a detailed cloud tutorial on the website and Leann also shows one in her dvd too.

So mine is just creating a sky with a few clouds, easy peasy...........  The stamp is Toadstool village 3 from the house of zandra who has some fab images just waiting to be coloured and I've coloured using the following pens and pencils

Spectrum Noir Pens IB1, IB2, IG1, Eb1, EB2, EB3, CR3, CR8, CR11, DR1, DR7, DG2, DG4, HB1
Spectrum Noir Pencils 89, 117, 96, 28,58

I've made the card base from watercolour card and embossed with the Make a wish 6x6 folder.  the image is matted onto kraft card inside the card after cutting an aperture with a circle in the front of the card.  The sentiment is from the verses sentimental stamp set and i then finished off with a wooden butterfly coloured with DR1.

Hope you like it and don't miss out on the chance to win a fab prize.........

Louise

Sruffy Little Cat Jess

Hi Everyone

I've got a fab exclusive stamp from Scruffy little cat to share with you, its only available to club inspire members when you buy from the cc website.......... Its a Members week special offer but hurry it finishes tomorrow, also see details on crafters companion blog


Ive used Crafters Companion Black card for the base and matted with 2 patterned papers form the Scruffy little cat darks pad.  The image is cut using the Caemo frame set and I've used a sentiment from the sentimentals stamp range.  then ive just added some black lace, gingham ribbon and a sparkly butterfly from choles onto a couple of roses made using a Marianne rose die.

Spectrum Noir markers used

FS1, FS3, FS4, TN2, TN3, TN4, EB1,EB3, EB5, PL2, PL3, PL5, IB1, IB3, BT9, IG4, IG6, IG8,

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Crafters Companion June Challenge - Tags

Hi Everyone

I coloured the lovely Ashleigh while demoing at the Bolton show a few weeks ago and have just made it into a card.  As I've added my favourite tags i was hoping it may give you inspiration so you can enter this months challenge while there is still time.

For the card base I've used Kraft card and matted onto watercolour card, the patterned paper is from a nitwit paper pad called country lady and I've distressed the edges.  The two tags are made using scalloped tag dies and then I've added some Hessian tape a few pearls and a beautiful embellishment i also bought at the Bolton show from Chloes stand, called daisy pearl.  the distress ink colour used is gathered twigs.

Spectrum noir makers used
FS1, FS3, FS4, TN2, TN3, TN4, EB1 EB2,EB3, EB5, IG2, IG4, IG6, IG8, DG2 and DG4, LY2

To enter the challenge follow this link

Hope you like it.

Louise

Spectrum Noir Blog Challenge - May Flowers

Hi Everyone

Gracie and I spent a crafty afternoon yesterday making cards and she made some shrink plastic shapes too.

This months Spectrum noir challenge  is flowers so here's the card using the Romance Create a card die on watercolour card, backed with bright pink Coredinations, (Gracies choice). The flowers are made from vellum and coloured with CR11 and CR5, spectrum noit pens in the centre, made using the blissful flower quilling die. Love making these flowers, I've also added a few leaves too.

Hers what Gracie got up to with her Shirnkies and the heat tool, supervised of course.

Hope you like the card and there's just a few days left to enter the challenge blog.

Louise xx

Bamboo on Kraft Card

HI Everyone

For my recent spectrum noir post i shared a card i made used the new Neenah Desert Storm from crafters companion and my spectrum noir pens .  The full tutorial with colours used is located on the Spectrum Noir blog.

The stamp is Bamboos favourites, backing papers are maja design and I've cut a scalloped circle to mount bamboo onto.  I've used aged rose frantage on the edges of the striped paper to match the metal butterfly.  the die is a Butterfly Flourish and then just a little lace decorated with pearls along the bottom.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Crafters Companion Challenge May - Masculine

Hi Everyone

Today I am sharing a card I made for a demo at Mb Crafts, Cleethorpes a couple of weeks ago.  It was the first time i demonstrated the spectrum noir pencils and i have to say everyone loved them.

So this months Crafters Companion challenge is Masculine and I am like a lot of other people out there and struggle for ideas for cards for the men or boys, so i took the easy option and chose a fab image from CC's Angelica and Adam range, called Pirates Ahoy.

I've matted papers from the Male 6x6 paper pad onto white centura pearl pearl card, also using cc matt black card too.  The colours uses for both spectrum noir Pens and Pencils are

pens tn1, 2 & 3, eb1, eb2, eb3 fs4 & 8, ig1, 2, 5, 7 & 9 tb2, 5,& 9, DG2
pencils 52, 65, 66, 89, 104 & 120.

then I've finished off with a few black pearls and a sentiment from my stash.

Hope you like it and pop over and take part if you have time.

Louise xx.

Scruffy Little Cat

Hi Everyone

Crafters Companion are launching a new range of stamps and matching paper crafting items on 9th May and here is my first make.  The stamps are fab to use with my spectrum noir markers and pencils.  This lovely girly is called Pixie.

I've used watercolour card as my base and matted with Kraft card and matched some Wild Rose Studio Polka Dot dottie papers to the colouring i have done. I've not kept a list of colours used but when finished with the Spectrum Noir pens i highlight areas to add depth with my new Spectrum noir pencils.  I've then coloured two wooden flowers with my spectrum noirs and sewn around the outside of the matting,.

Don't forget to watch Leann on Friday as she will have the whole new range and the spectrum noir pens and pencils, ooo  and a new DVD for pens and pencils too.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Shades of Grey

Hi Everyone

Time to share my latest Spectrum Noir Tutorial with you.  This time i have kept my card very simple and I just love the finished result.

The stamp is from Indigo Blu and this one is called Rose Blush, how beautiful is it.  AND while trying to find the link for you I have just spotted more of the same type so I can feel my bank balance taking a hit, there is a clematis, anemone etc, stunning!!!

The colours i have used and a tutorial are all located on the Spectrum Noir Blog and I think I have only used 6 or 7 shades of Spectrum Noirs so not a lot of work required an i think the colouring took me 20 mins max. My card base is made with Watercolour card and I've used Neenah to colour on to, with a hint of black matt card to layer with.  The stamp is a Stamp it Australia stamp set, sentiment swirls, its such a useful stamp set to have and the font is beautiful.

I think this one will be used for Kevin s Mams next birthday.

Hope you like it

Louise xx

Alva Colour

Hi Everyone

Just sharing with you today I card I have forgotten to blog about as it was shared on the Spectrum Noir Blog in February.

I found this stamp Alva Colour while browsing the web and treat myself at Christmas time I think on the Bunny Zoe website. I just love fairies and I think this goes back to when my sister and I read about the young girl who had photographs of fairies at the bottom of her garden, which of course all turned out to be fake.   It was one of the first sites I found when starting to make cards and I love it, there's so much to choose from.  The spectrum noir markers used are all listed on the blog and my card base is using, Kraft cardstock.  I've matted onto coredintations card and then used a sheet from a paper pad, Country Lady, Margaret and I shared a pack when we visited the NEC last year, so its a good way to feed my paper addiction but not have so many in my collection.  The roses and leaves are made using the same papers and card using Bitty Blossoms dies and the borders are Damask accents.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Crafters Companion April Challenge - Floral

Hi Everyone

This months Crafters Companion Challenge blog has changed and its all run via facebook, click here for information on how to enter.

So I really had to make a card using the fab new Create a card Dies, they are coming back soon  I promise and I've used our fab quilling dies. I just love these too.  I've used Kraft card as the base and then matted with Neenah card underneath the patterned paper from my stash and used the Enchanted create a card die.  I've stamped using a sentimental Memories are made  stamp set in pumice stone distress ink.  The flowers are made using the Dahlia quilling die and then I've cut leaves in Kraft card to match using Leaf 1 and then scored veins using the Springtime treat board.  Then to finish I edged with the pumice stone distress ink around the patterned card and also the petal tips, then finished with pearls in different sizes.

Oh and are you loving the new Crafters inspiration magazine.  I was away on my hols when it was released and had a really busy first week back at work so I've just browsed through it this morning.  I have to say Louisa has done a fab job it contains lots of stunning cards and projects by a lot of the team at CC and DT members.  Amazing well done everyone!!!



Dont forget to pop along to the challenge and take part.

Hope you like my card.

Louise xx

Spectrum Noir Challenge - Green

Hi Everyone

For the month of march the spectrum noir blog challenge has been green, something to do with a certain St Patrick i think.

Here's my challenge card and you can find more on the blog page.  I've used the Soar stamp from the Rachelle Anne Miller range and coloured her with Spectrum Noir markers.  The colours used are listed below.  The papers are from my stash and i matted them with Kraft card.  i made a couple of tags using my Favorite tags dies.  Then added a button and a few flowers.

blender, TN7, TN4, TN3, TN2, TN1, EB3, FS4, CT1, CT3, CT4, CG4, CG3, CG2, CG1, CR3, EB1

There's only today and tomorrow left so hurry if you would like to enter.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Crafters Companion Blog Challenge - Monotone

Hi Everyone

I cannot believe the last time i posted was 1st February, that must be the longest time ever for me............  I know i know its the old reason I've been so so so busy.  But i am still making cards and this one is for the crafters Companion blog challenge for March, Monotone.

So..........  i couldn't resist a new Rachelle Anne Miller stamp brand new this month from Crafters companion this one is called Squeeze.  I've chosen very pale mauve colours for the main card and matched this colour scheme into the lovely image too, with my spectrum noir pens.  I've used watercolour card for the base and last weekend i helped out in retail packing in the cc warehouse, which might've been a good idea before i started looking on the shelves to see what i fancied.  so i ended up buying lost more stash and the paper on the card below is from a six by six paper pad by Wild Rose Studios, called Antique Library.  I've matted with Kraft Card card and then added a couple of paper roses to match and then sewn it all together.

Colours used,

TN7, TN4, TN3, TN2, TN1, EB3, FS4, CR3, EB1, EB2, BG1, BG2, HB1, HB2.

I've just got back from a demonstrator training event which has run over the last 3 days that Leann and I delivered and its been absolutely brilliant (yep that's my opinion) i've met lots of lovely crafters who are all willing to become our demonstrators and both Leann and i will be getting back to them soon with details.

The back to work tomorrow but on weds night I'll be off to the Hobbycraft show at the NEC Birmingham for 4 days.  I'm looking forward to seeing what new stuff there is, although i don't need one single thing, but i cant resist a little look just in case.  Dawns coming with me too so i should have some photos to share.

Hope you like it and pop over to take part as you may just win a prize.

Louise xx

February Challenge - CAS Card

Hi Everyone

This months Crafters Companion Blog challenge is a CAS card, clean and simple.  I just love making these types of cards as they are really quick and easy.

I've used my Florabunda 6x6 embossing folder with some black crafters companion  card matted onto Kraft card.  (my two favourite cards types of the minute).  Don't hang around as the Kraft card is going to sell out soon and wont be back in until late February...........

Then all i have done is added some cotton ribbon and a paper flower made with blissful flower die.  This is from some text paper i had in my stash but i think it would be just as good with newspaper and distress ink. The centre is just a cut of strip of the black card.  Then a couple of die cut leaves to match

You have a whole month to take part so pop over and give it a go.........  you just might be lucky.

Hope you like it

Louise xx

Animals or Critters

Hi Everyone

OMG how are we nearly at the end of January?  I've been going to share this card for a while now thinking i had ages left but there's only a couple of days to go before its feb.

So the theme is animals or critters for the Spectrum Noir blog challenge of January.  I've chosen butterfly's from a Stamp-it Australia  stamp set and matched it with an embossing folder, ornate butterfly.  To create the background I've scribbled 3 shades of spectrum noir pens, using the chisel end of the pen onto the reverse side of the stamped image embossed in black, onto some heat resistant acetate.  Then I've spritzed it with spectrum noir blender solution popped into a spray bottle and dabbed it with cut up kitchen pan scrubber.
The colours I've chosen are LV2, LV3 and BP3

I love the effect after you matt this onto gold mirrir card.  The card base is made using crafters companion matt black card and I've embossed two shades of centura pearl card to match, then finished off with brads and a sentiment.

Ok, now i have realised its nearly February i need to quickly make two new challenge cards, one is masculine and the other is a clean and simple card.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Creating Clouds

Hi Everyone

Today's card to share with you is a card I made for the Spectrum Noir Blog, showing how I created clouds on the card below.  There's a full step by step picture tutorial on the blog so why not give it a go.

The image is called Meant to be and i just love it.  I've used backing papers from my paper stash, the polka dot is from Anna marie designs and the black and grey is from a papermaker pad.  The dies set I've just for the image is the cameo frame.  I've added a sentiment from my stash and the dies for the flowers are bitty blossom, a Marianne flower fantasy die and also a Britannia leaf die.  For the base I've used my favourite crafters companion matt black card and i even got my sewing machine out to edge the matting.

There is a full list of the spectrum noir markers used on the blog.

I have to say i love the clouds and you can add as many or as few as you like.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Hearts, Hearts and more Hearts

Hi Everyone

Today i am sharing you the card i made for the Crafters Companion Challenge Blog and Januaries theme is hearts.

I've used the fab new Bebunni stamp range, this one is aptly named Hearts and coloured with Spectrum Noir Pens, I've used IG1, IG2, IG5, IG7, PP1, PP3, PP5, EB1.  The die cut heart is from the Heart Doily Die set on coordination's card and the backing paper is from a nitwit collection, embossed with the A4 Patchwork Quilt folder.  The sentiment stamp is from the same stamp set and i have finished off with some white lace from my stash and a xcut paper punch.

The challenge does not finish until the end of January so pop over and take part to win a fab prize.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx