Faith

Here's another version of the Lily stamp from Crafter's Companion Sheena Perfect Partners Collection that I colored with Spectrum Noir Markers. If you missed my first Lily card design, click HERE.

I wanted to show you how the stamp and matching die sets can be used in a different way. I used the Lily Die Set to die-cut all the flower elements from stamp masking paper. Then I used the cut out pieces for the masking technique. It's a super easy! Because the Crafter's Companion Perfect Partners dies are made to perfectly fit the stamp images...they are fantastic for masking. When designing with the masking technique, remember to always stamp the foreground image first, then work you way to the background.

Coloring is done with Spectrum Noir Markers. Notice how I added the shadowing around all the layers...and in the background around the image. Adding the shadowing really makes the finished design look dimensional! Don't skip that part ;)

• Flower petals DR6, PP6, CR1, GB3, CT2, LY2, FL3, FL1
• Flower Centers DG3, LG5, CG3, CT3, CT4, FL2, FL3
• Leaves DG3, LG5, CG2, CG3, CG4
• Shadowing GG3, GG2, GG1, Blender

A hint of Clear Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pen was added around the edges for a faint shimmer - which can be seen in the closeup pic. I love how this looks so dimensional, yet is all stamped flat on a white notecard.

The sentiment is stamped and heat embossed on vellum.  To avoid extra postage fees for mailing, stamp the sentiment directly on the note card and leave off the clear rainstone embellishments.


Need more inspiration and creative design ideas?

Visit the Spectrum Noir Blog for more great ways to use markers and sparkle pens. We have hundreds of fantastic tutorials, videos and samples to inspire you...no matter what level of coloring you are at. Don't forget to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and enter your email address to "Subscribe" to our newsletter!

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Thanks for stopping by today.

Supplies:
Crafter's Companion Sheena Perfect Partners Victorian Floral - Lily Stamp Set
Crafter's Companion Sheena Perfect Partners Victorian Floral - Lily Die Set
Spectrum Noir Markers
Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pen
Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock
Masking Paper
Die-cutting Machine
Vellum
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink Pad
Versafine Onyx Black Ink Pad
Anti-Static Pouch
Clear Embossing Powder
Heat Embossing Tool
Clear Rainstones
Adhesive

My main squeeze!

Hello Friends! Another day...another fun project to share. This card can be sent for any happy occasion. It's sure to give a little chuckle and a smile.

The stamp is from Eat Cake Graphics. It's called Main Squeeze. Isn't it a HOOT?!!!

I colored with Spectrum Noir Markers:

• Hair - EB3, EB8, GB8
• Skin - FS1, FS2, FS3, TN2, CR3
• Mouth - FS7
• Dress/Shoes - BT2, BT4, BT5, DR2, DR5
• Pants - EB1, EB2, GB8
• Shirt/Shoes - GG2, GG3, Blender
• Shading - IG1, HB1, Blender

To create the shaded "frame" around the image, I masked off the area and lightly blended with distress ink. Super simple and very effective! The hearts are die cut and colored over with Clear Sparkle Pen, then covered with Glossy Accents.

The sentiment stamp is also from Eat Cake Graphics. It's called In Her Handbag. The full sentiment actually says "In her handbag was chocolate. She was happy."  I just inked up and stamped the part I wanted. That's a great way to get more miles from your sentiment stamps!

I also wanted to share a great "Coloring Curly Hair Tutorial" by Dilyana over on the Spectrum Noir Blog. Super simple I tell ya!

As always...thanks so much for stopping by! I hope I've inspired you to pull out your supplies and get a little creative today.

Supplies:
Eat Cake Graphics Stamps
Spectrum Noir Markers
Spectrum Noir Clear Sparkle Pens
White Cardstock
Red Cardstock
My Favorite Things Dies
Die-cutting Machine
Memento Tuxedo Black Dye Ink
Versafine Onyx Black Ink
Ranger Distress Ink
Blending Foam
Masking Tape
Glossy Accents
Dimensional Foam Tape
Adhesive Tape

Meet the Mummies

I'm a complete sucker for cute Halloween stamps! Like these from Eat Cake Graphics! EEEK! I love 'em! And check out the really cool shadow effect! I did that with 1 Spectrum Noir Marker!

If you didn't already know...there are TONS of great tutorials and techniques that are available on the Spectrum Noir website.  Create a Deep Shadow With a Mask is one of them.  So head on over to see how I made the cool shadow on my card. Sooo EASY! All the coloring is done with Spectrum Noir Markers - which are listed at the end of my post.

The Mummies stamp is so fun! Such a cute couple :) The Bat Garland image is stamped with black pigment ink on slate cardstock -- then embossed with clear ep. I stamped it again on a scrap piece of white cs and cut out 2 more to pop-up on the main layers. To make the large circles - I used my EK Circle Cutter Pro. I LOVE that thing! Happy Halloweenie is the PERFECT sentiment for this fun card.

I hope you give this technique a try. It's really fun and easy!

Have a great Friday!

Spectrum Noir Markers:
Shadow - IG1
Mummy Wraps - IG2, BG1, Blender
Hair - IG2, IG4
Bat Bucket - IG2, IG4, IG7, IG10, CG3, CG4
Leaves - CG3, CG4
Glasses - BT1
Faces - FS2, FS4, CR3
Lips - CR6
Ground - IG4, IG7, Blender

Haunted Neon Invitation

Hello friends! Have you seen all the WICKED COOL Halloween Stamps from Crafter's Companion? They are AWESOME! Go check 'em all out HERE. On my card today, I've used the NEW Happy Haunting Set. It's full of great images and a spooky sentiment that's perfect for party invitations.

I've used a few fun techniques on my card design that I'll be sharing with you. All the supplies are listed at the bottom of my post.

First, we are going to create a BIG moon as a background on a white cardstock panel.

Die-cut or punch a circle to use as a mask. I used Eclipse Tape, but you can create a mask with any scrap paper by adding temporary or re-positional adhesive on the back. You just need the mask to stay in place, with all the edges securely tacked down, while you're sponging the ink.



Tap a Sponge Dauber on the Radiant Neon Electric Orange Ink Pad. Begin sponging the ink in a circular motion -- starting on the mask -- then moving outward onto the cardstock panel. Doing it this way will give you a smoother blended look.

Remove the mask and you have the PERFECT background for our stamped images! This really creates fantastic depth.

Stamp the spider and sentiment as shown in picture. Then stamp an extra spider and the skull on scraps.

Color the spider body with Spectrum Noir Marker CG3. Shade the skeleton head with IG2.  Use a fine tip marker to extend the spiders silk thread to the top of the panel.

 
This next technique is a great way to stretch your ink pads. We're going to color all the eyes with the Neon Yellow Ink.

Simply pick up ink by tapping a sponge coloring tool -- such as the Fantastix from Tsukineko -- directly on the ink pad and then color the image.

I love making DIY cardstock to perfectly match my projects. If you have white cardstock and ink, you are set!

This panel will go under the main image panel - so we only need to sponge ink on the outer edges.

The last technique is paper piecing. See how the spider on the far left is stamped on the orange pigment ink? If we color it with our Spectrum Noir Markers, it could damage the nibs. It would also be very difficult to match the color of the spiders. The solution --- paper piecing.

Trim out the body of the extra spider. Run a black marker around the cut edges. This is so the white cardstock doesn't show on the sides. Adhere flat as shown in picture. 

Here's how to finish up the card:

• Using 6" x 6" Chevrons Embossalicious Embossing Folder, emboss front of a lime green card base.
• Punch the bottom edge of Black Pearl Shimmering Cardstock panel with border punch.
• Assemble all the layers flat onto front of card.
• Add green glitter to spider bodies - including the spider on the skeleton head.
• Fussy cut skeleton head and adhere with 3D Foam Adhesive.
• Wrap bakers twine around the card and tie.

Thanks ever so much for stopping by!

Supplies
Crafter's Companion EZ Mount Stamp Set - Happy Haunting
Crafter's Companion Shimmering Cardstock - 6" x 6" Black Pearl
Crafter's Companion 6" x 6" Embossalicious Embossing Folder - Chevrons
Radiant Neon Ink Pad - Electric Orange
Radiant Neon Ink Pad - Electric Yellow
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink Pad
Spectrum Noir Markers - IG2, CG3
Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock
Sponge Daubers
Double Sided Adhesive Foam
Fantastix Coloring Tool
Eclipse Tape
Green Glitter
Border Punch
Circle Die or Punch
Bakers Twine
Fine Tip Black Marker
Black Marker

The Perfect Day

Just in case you missed this over on the Eat Cake Graphic Blog - A Sprinkling of Samples & Techniques...

Eat Cake Graphics stamps are soooooo FUN!!! This little lake scene takes me back to my childhood. The only thing missing is the boat and water ski's :)

The stamps I used are all from Eat Cake Graphics:
1057-D Lilly Puddlesworth
1058-E Ben Puddlesworth
6026-H Pier
7069-O Little Line of Trees

Everything is colored with markers. The water is airbrushed with markers. I did some masking to create the scene of trees behind Lilly and to airbrush the water.

I die-cut a piece of clear acetate with a border die to create a fun dimensional layer to look like water. In the close-up pics you can see where I colored over places with a clear glaze pen and shimmer spray.

I've got all the details step-by-step on how to create this design. You can get'em HERE over on the Eat Cake Graphics Blog  :)


Here's to a perfect day!

Sunset on the Highlands

I love a good challenge....and this month our challenge at Crafter's Companion is to make a Masculine card (or project). YAY! I love creating guy cards!

Click HERE  to go directly to the USA Entry Form for the May Challenge. Click HERE to go directly to the UK Entry Form for the May Challenge. Also, at the top of both the USA and UK Facebook Pages, where the Twitter and Pinterest feeds are, there's a tab that says 'Monthly Challenge'. You can click on that to enter as well. 

For my "guy" card I used a stamp from Crafter's Companion called Silhouette Highlands. It's from the Sheena's A Little Bit Scenic collection.

To create the sun -- I made a stencil by punching a circle from a piece of scrap paper. Then I cut out a mask of the mountains stamp. Next -- put the mask down on the mountains you have stamped on your cardstock...and then place the circle stencil on top. Then I inked and shaded the sun using 3 colors of Radiant Neon Inks with large sponges. The best part is next...lifting off the stencil and mask to reveal the sun setting behind the mountains! Sooooo cool!

Making a faux wood cardstock base was quick and easy! Here's the before and after pics:

All I did was take the Distress Ink pad directly to the paper (Naturals Ivory CS from StampinUP!)and swipe it down. Do that across the entire card front.

Did you see the other card I made using this same stamp set? You can see it HERE. Oh...and stay tuned...I have 2 more that I made with this set! Yup...I was havin' sooo much fun that day!

I hope you have time to make a few "man or boy" cards this month. They can be for any age ;)


Have a great week!

Supplies:
Stamps - Crafter's Companion Sheena's A Little Bit Scenic - Silhouette Highlands
Ink - Radiant Neons Electric Yellow, Orange and Coral Inks; Ranger Distress Pumice Stone, Forest Moss and Walnut Stain Inks; Archival Black Ink
Paper - StampinUP! Naturals Ivory Cardstock; A Muse Studio Eucalyptus Cardstock; large sponge daubers; 3D Foam Adhesive

Harvest Blessings

Have you ever heard of Mortise Masking?

Well...here's a card I made using this technique.


First - I made a mask by die cutting out a piece of cardstock using Spellbinders Labels 8 set. Next - I put the mask over the card base and stamped the Mesh Background. Then - leaving the mask in place, I used a Sponge Dauber and inked around the edges to darken it up a bit.

THAT my friends is Mortise (reverse) Masking.
PRETTY DARN COOL!

I LOVE the NEW A Muse Studio Holiday Catalog that was just released...but lets not forget the AWESOME holiday stamp sets available in the regular catalog. Like the sets I used on my card: Harvest Blessings, Happy Jacks and Mesh Background. BUT...I did use the NEW Wasabi ink on the Mesh Background and NEW French Roast Flocking on the pumpkin stems. MAN I love getting new stuff!!!

Julie Ebersol - Director of Education for A Muse Studio - did a fantastic video showing how to do this technique. Check it out!


Don't forget to leave a comment on my Monday Blog Post for a chance to win a prize! I only have a few people that left comments....so get on over there and enter! :) I will pick a random winner this Saturday (Aug. 27th)

All supplies are available from my A Muse Studio website.

Recipe:
Stamps - Harvest Blessings, Mesh Background, Happy Jacks
Inks - Evergreen, Pumpkin, Nutmeg, Buttercup, Wasabi; Versafine Onyx Black
Papers - Kraft cardstock, Sugar cardstock (used to make mask)
Misc. - Spellbinders Labels 8, Big Shot Die Cut Machine, French Roast Twine, French Roast Flocking, Sponge Daubers, Quickie Glue Pen, 3D Foam Adhesive

For my Dad

Today is my dad's birthday.

Happy Birthday Dad!!!!

Here's the card I made for him.



Isn't this image and sentiment a hoot! Speaking of hoot...my dad is just that. He is sooooooo funny! I think a little of his humor rubbed off on me ;) Love ya dad

I did some masking on the sentiment so part would fit on the front ...and the last part is on the inside of the card. Coloring done with Copic Markers. The dog's tag is colored in with a Sakura Stardust Glitter Pen. The layout is Splitcoaststampers.com Card Sketch Challenge #253.

Recipe:
Stamps - Inkadinkado Patterned Pets, Great Impressions Sentiment
Paper - Bazzill cardstock, Elements by Creativity Inc Winter Blues Patterned Papers
Ink - A Muse Black Dye
Misc - Copic Markers, Paper Piercer tool and mat, Sakura Stardust Glitter Pen,

With Enough Caffeine Anything Is Possible!

Super Crab!

More A-MUSE-A-PALOOZA Fun! This card was made for Elena's "Out of the Box" Challenge.

That Little Crab is really strong to be able to hold up that huge To Go Cup of coffee!! I put a little sparkle on him with a Clear Spica Glitter Pen. If you click on the pic and get a closer look...you can see it and see that I used my Inkssentials White Opaque Pen and put dots his eyes. The sand stamp is from StampinUP set It's a Shore Thing. I used my Aquapainter with SU Creamy Caramel Classic ink to color the sand. Dots of the Clear Spica Glitter Pen around the ground for some added shine.

The sentiment and coffee beans are from an A Muse clear set called Coffee Break. Dots under the sentiment are done by hand with brown marker then topped with Clear Spica Pen. I'm really lovin' my coffee stamps ;)




Recipe:
Stamps: A Muse Art Stamps - Tiny Crab, To Go Cup, Coffee Break Set, SU - It's A Shore Thing
Paper: GP White CS, Bazzill Brown Textured CS, Doodlebug - Red Dot Patterned
Ink: SU Close to Cocoa Classic, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Adirondack Red Pepper, SU Creamy Caramel Classic
Misc: Copic Spica Clear Glitter Pen, Prismacolor Markers Cinnamon Toast and Dark Brown, Ranger Inkssentials White Opaque Pen, Misc Brown Ribbon

Tip: To stamp the cup in the crabs hand and the sand round the crab...I used a technique called Masking. See a tutorial HERE on Splitcoaststampers. I also used masking to stamp the red on the card below.

Twinkle-Time Challenge

Even more A-MUSE-A-PALOOZA fun with my To Go Cup. This card was made for Taylor's Twinkle-Time Challenge.

I used several A Muse stamps to create my card. The sentiment is from a clear set called Coffee Break. The outlined frame is from a clear set called Cowboy Frames. The red Oval stamp under the To Go Cup is also from A Muse. Do you see all the Twinkle in the corners of the frame! The silver cord tied at the top added even more Twinkle! I made the scalloped strip on the top with the Slit Punch from Stampin'UP! The layer under the sentiment - I punched the edges with a scalloped corner punch. Then I sponged around the edge of the sentiment which was punched out with SU Word Window Punch.



Recipe:
Stamps: A Muse Art Stamps - To Go Cup, Cowboy Frames Set, Coffee Break Set, Small Oval
Paper: GP White Cardstock, Doodlebug - Brown Dot Patterned Paper
Ink: Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Close to Cocoa Classic, Ranger Adirondack Red Pepper
Misc: Prismacolor Markers Cinnamon Toast and Dark Brown, CTMH Red Blings, SU Slit Punch, SU Word Window Punch, Marvy Uchida Scalloped Corner Punch, SU Silver Cord