Holiday Hugs

Hi everyone!

The other day I spotted a great sketch challenge over at the My Favorite Things Challenge Blog. I designed this card based on the challenge layout.

Here's the sketch. I just love it! There are so many ways to create with this classic sketch.

The stamp set I used is Pure Innocence Holiday Hugs Snowman from My Favorite Things. I colored with Spectrum Noir Markers:

Snow - BT1, Blender
Hat - IG1, IG3, IG5, IG7
Nose - GB3, OR1
Scarf - DG1, DG2, CG2

Have you started coloring any winter themed images yet? Snowmen images are some of my favorite to color. Not only are they easy to color with markers, but they can also be covered with GLITTER! And you KNOW how much I looooooove my sparkly stuff!!

Clean and simple...just the way I like 'em. :)

Hugs,

Supplies:
Spectrum Noir Markers
Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock
My Favorite Things Holiday Hugs Snowman Stamp Set 
My Favorite Things Snowflake Flurry Stamp Set
My Favorite Things Cardstock
My Favorite Things Stitched Oval Dies
My Favorite Things Homespun Stitch Lines 
My Favorite Things Blueprints #29 Die Set
My Favorite Things Green Ink
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
Clear Sequins
Cool Diamond Microfine Glitter
Glue Pen
Dimensional Foam Adhesive
Liquid Adhesive
Die-cutting Machine

Build A Snowman

Hello crafty peeps! Here's the new challenge for this week over at Fresh Brewed Designs.

The Challenge Theme:  Build A Snowman

Since I didn't have an official "snowman digi image" from FBD, I had to think out of the box to complete this challenge. Here's what I came up with...

I made a DIY snowman and tucked him on a coffee mug. HA! Hey...I got the job done...and it turned out pretty darn cute if I do say so myself.
 

All the coloring is done with Spectrum Noir Markers:

• Greens - CG4, CG3, CG1
• Reds - DR2, DR5, PP1
• Shading on bow and candy cane - GG1, Blender
• Shading on showman -  IB1, Blender

I printed the Candy Cane Latte Digi stamp image and Let it Snow Digi sentiment directly on the white card base. I printed the mug 2 more times, colored, fussy cut and layered with dimensional tape. The snowman eyes are black pearls. His cute little smile I drew by hand with a black marker. A few snowflakes for good measure and enough sparkly glitter to build the rest of the snowman!

Get all the challenge details over at the Fresh Brewed Designs Challenge Blog. Hope you can play along!

Supplies:
Fresh Brewed Designs Digi Images
Spectrum Noir Markers
Crystal Glitter
Black Pearls
White, Black and Orange Cardstock
Printer & Computer
Glue Pen
Dimensional Foam Adhesive
Snowflake Punch
Corner Rounder Punch
Circle Punch
Black Marker

Cool Christmas Greetings

Hello friends! Here's a card I made using a new stamp set from Crafter's Companion USA colored with Spectrum Noir Markers. I totally LOVE this NEW Nordic Christmas Collection! I bought all 4 stamp sets :)

Over on the Spectrum Noir blog, we have tons of helpful information and tutorials for coloring with Spectrum products. I was poking around the other day and ran across a post on coloring with reds. Lis Murphy has some great information to share, and I wanted to pass it on to you. By coloring a darker gray in the shadow areas, and then coloring with the reds over it...you get wonderful shading. Go read her post on the SN Blog HERE. Would you be so kind and leave a quick comment on the post, I know Lis would love knowing you stopped by.

I used different gray and red colors than what Lis did in her tutorial. If you don't have all the same colors listed on a tutorial, this shows that it still works beautifully with other color combinations. The colors I used for my reds are: BG6, DR6, DR2 and CR6.

I did the same with the green areas. BG6, DG3, CG4, CG1.

Here's a complete list of marker used to color the images:

• Reds - BG6, DR6, DR2, CR6
• Greens - BG6, DG3, CG4, CG1
• Blacks - BG10, BG8, BG6, BG4, BG3, BG1,Blender
• Snow Shading - BG3, BG2, BG1, EB1, Blender
• Gingerbread Man - EB1, EB3
• Nose - BG3, OR2
• Star - GB3

The white card base is embossed with the NEW Crafter's Companion Sheena's Festive 5x7 Embossing Folder - Frosty Ice Border. To give it a fun "frosty ice" look, I applied the most awesome Crystal Glitter from Stampendous. While the glue under the glitter was still wet, I sprinkled on some clear embossing powder. Then, I carefully heat embossed, making sure not to scorch the glitter. I got sparkle and gloss shine all mixed in. It turned out really cool!

I added black, green, yellow and crystal glitter in various other areas of the images. Both red hearts are covered with glossy. There is also a little red rhinestone on the hat. A little fussy cutting gave the images a "die-cut" look. 

Thanks for stopping by today.

Supplies:
Spectrum Noir Markers
Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock
Nordic Christmas Cool Christmas Stamp Set
Sheena Festive 5x7 Embossing Folder - Frosty Ice Border
Stampendous Crystal Glitter - Multi Fine
Clear Embossing Powder
Misc. Crystal, Red, Green, Yellow and Black Glitters
Red Rhinestone
3D Crystal Lacquer
VersaFine Onyx Black Ink
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
Embossing Machine
Heat Embossing Tool
Dimensional Foam Tape
Tsukineko Glue Pad
Black String
Glue Pen

Nordic Christmas Sneak Peek

Time again for a Crafter's Companion USA Sneak Peek! We are getting ready to release the most adorable Christmas series! OH MY...just wait till you see all the festive goodies in this collection!!

Here's a peek at one of the new stamp sets - Cool Christmas

Oh what FUN it is! This card can be used to tuck in a gift card or certificate, cash or check, pictures, etc. I printed my own double-sided cardstock from the digi papers and elements that are on the NEW Nordic Christmas Papercrafting CD-ROM. THUD!

I confess, in the past, I haven't been much of a "digi" crafter. But over the last year, I've actually started to love it. I mean REALLY love it! All the stuff that comes on a CD or DVD just blows my mind! Let's just say I'll be printing all my gift tags this year. The Nordic Christmas Papercrafting CD contains much more than just standard stuff for Christmas cardmaking; you’ll be able to create loads of festive items, including fun table decorations, tags, trinket boxes and more!

I stamped the snowman with Memento Gray Flannel Dye Ink and did some simple coloring with Spectrum Noir Markers. The sentiment is stamped with Love Letter Memento Luxe Ink. Some crystal glitter and clear sequins added sparkle and shine.

Spectrum Noir Markers:

• Reds - CR3, CR7
• Soft Shading on Snow and Hat - IG1

Here's the front of the card.

 I tied with a piece of gray jute around the card to keep it closed.

Stay tuned! The entire collection is being released...very soon! Hint Hint: More sneak peeks on the other design team members blogs and Crafter's Companion US Facebook Page.

Supplies:
Crafter's Companion Nordic Christmas Cool Christmas Stamp Set
Crafter's Companion Nordic Christmas Papercrafting CD-ROM
Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth White Cardstock
Spectrum Noir Markers
Memento Dye Ink Pad Grey Flannel
Memento Luxe Ink Pad Love Letter
Scoring Board Adhesive
Glue Pen
Crystal Glitter
Clear Sequins
Gray Jute Rope
Computer and Printer
Paper Trimmer and Scissors