Spectrum Noir March Challenge

We have an ANYTHING GOES challenge for you over at Spectrum Noir. Check it out:

Here's the bonus sketch to inspire you. The challenge is your choice...Anything Goes or the optional Sketch. Get all the challenge and prize details HERE. The only thing we ask is that you use Spectrum Noir coloring products on your project. Simple :)

I colored this absolutely ADORABLE image from My Favorite Things, using Spectrum Noir AquaBlend Watercolor Pencils: Apricot, Coral, Ginger, Grapefruit, Dove Grey, Dark Slate, Charcoal Brown, Sorrel, Parakeet, Bottle Green, Beeswax, Mango, Regal Blue, Aegean Blue, Chrome Orange and Dandelion

What a cute little Spring scene :) This card is sure to brighten a friends day. I die-cut the circle from Spectrum Aqua Watercolour cardstock using my MFT Cross-Stitch Circle STAX Die Set. Then I stamped the main image and "Hello" sentiment with black ink. Next I colored with the AquaBlend watercolor pencils and blended with a watercolor brush.

The bunny and chick are stamped on a scrap of watercolor cardstock, then colored, trimmed and adhered with dimensional foam adhesive. For the chick, I also inked up just the feet on the stamp and then stamped onto the circle panel. When I trimmed out the chick, I just cut off the feet. It's way easier that way...not to mention the added dimension.

I hope you have some crafty time this month to join our fun challenge. Make sure to enter your work for a chance to win £30/$30 in Spectrum Noir goodies here: March Spectrum Noir Challenge


Happy coloring!

Supplies:
Spectrum Noir AquaBlend Watercolor Pencils
Spectrum Aqua Watercolour Cardstock
Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock
My Favorite Things - Spring Friends Stamp Set
My Favorite Things Die-namics Cross-Stitch Circle STAX
My Favorite Things Die-namics Basic Stitch Lines
My Favorite Thing Plaid Patterns 6x6 Paper Pack
My Favorite Things Die-namics Blueprints 27 
My Favorite Things Die-namics Circle STAX Set 2
Pink Cardstock
VersaFine Onyx Black Ink
Water coloring brush
Clear Sequins
Gemini Die cutting Machine
Multi Matte Medium
Dimensional Foam Adhesive
Adhesive Tape Runner

Grateful

Hello again and Happy Friday!

There's a great sketch challenge over on My Favorite Things Blog this week. Here's my creation:

This is the sketch:

I used the a super cute stamps and dies from the Pure Innocence Collection called Jumping with Joy.  I also used MFT STAX Nested Shapes dies to die-cut the layer panels - Wonky Stitched Rectangles, Stitched Mini Scalloped Rectangle, Stitched Rectangle and Stitched Fishtail Flags.

The green polka dot sweater and beanie are stamped and fussy cut out from My Favorite Things Fun & Frolic Paper Pack. To give the designer paper some extra dimension, I did some shading with the BG3 Spectrum Noir Marker. It really makes a difference!

All the coloring is done with Spectrum Noir Markers as follows:

Skin - FS2, FS3, CR3, TN2
Hair - EB3, GB8, GB4
Pants - GB6, GB4, BG1
Boots - EB5, EB3, GB8, GB4
Pants - GB6, GB4, BG1
Boos - EB5, EB3, GB8, GB4
Scarf - OR3, OR1, GB3
Shirt - GB5, OR1
Leaf - DG3, GG2, DG1, CR7, OR1, GB5, CT4, GB6, GB1
Shading - BG3

I also die-cut the rectangle panel from the Fun & Frolic Paper Pack. Those tiny leaves were my inspiration for the colors and leaf stamps used on my card design.

The sentiment is stamped and heat embossed in white. I also finished the inside of the card.

Seriously...I'm jumpin' with joy at how CUTE this turned out! Soooo happy I played the challenge this week over at My Favorite Things. I'm gonna have to do this more often! My stamps are happy...and so is my heart :)


Have a fun day!

Supplies:
Spectrum Noir Markers
My Favorite Things Pure Innocence - Jumping with Joy Stamp Set
My Favorite Things Pure Innocence - Jumping With Joy Die Set
My Favorite Things Stitched Fishtail Flags STAX
My Favorite Things Stitched Rectangle STAX
My Favorite Things Stitched Mini Scalloped Rectangle STAX
My Favorite Things Wonky Stitched Rectangle STAX
My Favorite Things Fun & Frolic Paper Pack  
My Favorite Things Cardstocks
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
Distress Inks
Ink Blending Tool
VersaMark Ink Pad
Anti-Static Pouch
White Embossing Powder
Die-Cutting Machine
Heat Embossing Tool
Dimensional Foam Adhesive
Adhesive tape runner

And don't forget to check out all the tutorials and videos over on the Spectrum Noir Blog. It's a great resource for all levels of crafters!

House Mouse Winter Wonderland

Happy Monday stampy friends!

Let's get in shape for the week, shall we! Over on the House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge Blog for challenge #228, I have a fun theme for everyone: "Shape It Up"  Create a shaped card.

The new Die'sire Create-A-Card card base dies from Crafter's Companion are PERFECT for making a shaped card in a snap! I used the set called Rosie. It has 6 dies of the same shape in various sizes.

My House-Mouse image (which is as cute as they come!) is stamped and heat embossed on Spectrum Aqua Watercolor Cardstock. Then  I watercolored with Spectrum Aqua Markers. I LOVE these markers!

Marker colors: Desert, Charcoal, Sepia, Spice, Chestnut, Boulder, Begonia, Scarlet, Fawn, Teal, Peach, Tan, Slate and Black.

By heat embossing the image, it made it super easy to watercolor. The embossed raised edges help keep the color from bleeding into other areas. The sentiment stamp is from Crafter's Companion Nordic Christmas - Cool Christmas Stamp Set.

The Spectrum Aqua markers are dual-tipped – at one end, there’s a soft brush nib for flexible line control and a more natural art surface feel. And at the other, a precise fine tip for definition and accurate line work.

I can't tell you enough how awesome that fine tip end is for coloring in very small areas. It worked great for the branches and the little mice hands. I used a lightly dampened small watercolor brush to blend it out.

The fine tip end of the black Aqua Marker was also perfect to color the little string tied from the nut shell to the mouse.

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You can get more info on the Spectrum Aqua markers on the Spectrum Noir Blog.

To join in on the House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge - Shape It Up Chalenge - click HERE for all the details.

Have a fun day!

Supplies: 
Spectrum Aqua Markers
Spectrum Aqua Watercolour Cardstock
House-Mouse Stamp - Reindeer Games
Crafter's Companoin Nordic Christmas - Cool Christmas Stamp Set
Crafter's Companion Die'sire Create-A-Card "Rosie" Die
Gemini Die-cutting Machine
Versafine Onyx Black Ink
Clear Embossing Powder
Anti-Static Powder
Heat Embossing Gun
Crystal Glitter
Art Glitter Faux Snow
Liquid Adhesive
Dimensional Foam Adhesives
Woodgrain Printed Designer paper
Heavy Red Jute Twine or Cording
Ranger Distress Ink - Ground Espresso
Ink Blending Tool

Get your Kraft on!

Join us this month over at Spectrum Noir for the September Challenge!

Color up ANYTHING you want using your Spectrum Noir alcohol markers, Sparkle markers, blendable colored pencils, watercolor pencils, Spectrum Aqua markers, AquaTint inks, or Colorista products, put it on any card or project that also features kraft cardstock, and you can play along with us!

Here's a card I made using Crafter's Companion Kraft Cardstock for a clean and simple card.

I stamped images from the Crafter's Companion Sheena's Perfect Partners Home Life Collection and colored with pencils from my Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils Essentials Set. The colors I used are 001, 015, 056, 058, 095 and 117. (FYI - The brand new ColourBlend pencils now have color names instead of numbers.) I just love how organic the colors look on kraft cardstock.
 

For the sentiment , I stamped and die-cut the image, then tucked the end under a little slit that I cut using my craft knife. I tied a bow around the pick using bakers twine, then adhered to card front with dimensional foam tape. Using a fine line black pen, I doodled around the outer edges of the card front.

Get all the challenge and prize details HERE.

Happy Crafting!

Supplies:
Spectrum Noir Blendable Colored Pencils - Essentials Set 
Crafter's Companion Sheena's Perfect Partners Home Life - Dig for Victory Stamp Set
Crafter's Companion Sheena's Perfect Partners Home Life - Dig for Victory Metal Die Set
Crafter's Companion Sheena's Perfect Partners Home Life - Home Grown Stamp Set
Crafter's Companion Kraft Cardstock
Die-Cutting Machine
Black Ink
Black Fine Line Pen
Bakers Twine
Dimensional Foam Adhesive
Craft Knife or X-Acto Knife

Stay Cool

Here's a refreshing card that's totally needed for the hot weather we are having here in the Phoenix area!

It's also a perfect card for our "Use A Die" Challenge going on this month over at Spectrum Noir. I thought it would also be a great time to show something fun and different using your dies and Spectrum Noir Refill Inks.

I used several die-cuts on my card. The dies and stamps are all from My Favorite Things. I can't get enough of their products. They rock!

If you look closely, I die-cut the cup and lid from clear acetate. To make the coffee effect (on the back side of the acetate piece) I sponged some Ranger Picket Fence Distress Paint on areas. Then I added white embossing powder and heat set. Next, I dripped on some EB3 and EB9 Spectrum Noir Refill Inks and tapped around with an alcohol ink blending pad to mix and and blend the inks. It turned out AWESOME!

The band around the coffee cup is made from the same cup die. I die-cut with white cardstock, then trimmed away the ends. I colored with Spectrum Noir Markers IB1, IB3 and IG1.

The pierced rectangle panel is die-cut from white cardstock, but before removing the paper from the die, I sponged on some Mustard Seed Distress ink. Had to get some summer sun color on the card! LOL

Go check out all the June Spectrum Noir Challenge details HERE.

Stay cool and creative,

Supplies:
Spectrum Noir Refill Inks
Spectrum Noir Markers
My Favorite Things Stay Cool Stamp Set
My Favorite Things Cool Cup Die
My Favorite Things STAX Pierced Rectangle Die
My Favorite Things Fresh Dots & Stripes 6"x6" Paper Pad
Crafter's Companion Heat Resistant Acetate
Spectrum Noir White Cardstock
Red Cardstock
VersaFine Onyx Black Ink
Distress Ink Mustard Seed
Ink Blending Tool
Ranger Picket Fence Distress Paint
White Embossing Powder
Clear Embossing Powder
Heat Embossing Tool
Alcohol Ink Applicator
Die-cutting Machine
Red Rhinestone
Dimensional Glue
Glue Pen
Crystal Glitter
Liquid Adhesive
Tape Runner
Pretty Pink Posh Sparkling Clear Mix Sequin

Creating a Landscape Background

Hello everyone. I've got a new tutorial posted over on the Spectrum Noir Blog. It's a super fun and easy way to create a landscape background using Spectrum Noir Refill Inks.

Click HERE to pop on over and see the Landscape Background Panel step-by-step tutorial.

BONUS!!!
Here's how I created the rest of the card:

1. Stamp and heat emboss the sentiment from Crafter's Companion Bebunni Floral Collection - Bloom & Grow Stamp Set on landscape background panel.

2. Die-cut and emboss the fence using white cardstock. Color the grass using Spectrum Noir Markers DG2, CG2 and DG.

3. In order to make the fence fit perfectly across the background panel, cut it apart as shown. Adhere the 2 ends down on the background panel first, then center and adhere the middle fence piece.

4. Die-cut and emboss the daisy border die from white cardstock. Color the stems, leaves and ground using Spectrum Noir Markers DG2, CG2 and DG3. Color the flowers using CT4, GB3, GB7.

5. Trim off the end of each strip to fit across the panel in front of the fence. Adhere the ends pieces on the fence. Adhere the 2 daisy borders to panel.

6. Die-cut and emboss flowers and leaves from Floral Delight In Bloom Metal Die Set. Color leaves with Spectrum Noir Markers DG2, CG2, DG3. Color flower centers wiith CT4, GB3 and GB7.

7. Snip off the bottom of 1 leaf. This will make 3 pieces to be used for the flowers.

8. Adhere leaves to background panel. Attach flowers with dimensional foam tape.

9. Mount landscape panel to white note card with dimensional foam tape.

10. Add a bit of glitter glue on flowers for sparkle.

DOUBLE BONUS!!!
 Have you seen our challenge this month over at Spectrum Noir? The challenge is to use flowers! What a perfect theme for May..don't you think?!

 Get all the challene and prize details HERE. As always...you could win a little sumpin' sumpin'
 

For more inspiration and creative design ideas using Spectrum Noir Refill Inks, visit the Spectrum Noir Blog. We have TONS of fantastic tutorials, videos and samples to inspire you...no matter what level of coloring you are at.

But WAIT! Even MORE fun hangouts for you!!! Follow us out on these other social places:
Spectrum Noir on Pinterest 
Spectrum Noir on YouTube
Spectrum Noir on Twitter
Spectrum Noir on Facebook


Have a great day!

Supplies:
Spectrum Noir Refill Inks
Spectrum Noir High Gloss Cardstock
Spectrum Noir Markers
Spectrum Noir Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock
Crafter's Companion Sheena Decorative Metal Die - Country Fence
Crafter's Companion Sheena Decorative Metal Die - Daisy Border
Crafter's Companion Signature Collection by Sara Davies Floral Delight - In Bloom Die Set
Crafter's Companion Bebunni Floral Collection - Bloom & Grow EZ Mount Rubber Stamp Set
Ranger Archival Ink - Olive
Ink Blending Tools
Clear Embossing Powder
Stickles Glitter Glue - Orange Peel & Yellow
Die-cutting/Embossing Machine
Dimensional Foam Adhesive
Liquid Adhesive
Heat Embossing Tool
 

Pastel Pencil Wash

Have you played the April Pastel Color Challenge over at Spectrum Noir? I hope so! We have so many great entries.

For my "pastel color" design, I created a pastel rainbow watercolor wash background. To do this, I used the new Spectrum Noir AquaBlend Watercolor Pencils on woodgrain textured cardstock. Super duper easy! I lightly scribbled each color on the textured cardstock, then used a waterbrush to blend it out.

Pencil colors: Primrose, Papaya, Soft Red, Violet, Sky Blue, Aqua, Bamboo, Kiwi
 

The tag is stamped with a sentiment from My Favorite Things Chalkboard Greetings Stamp Set. I love what it says! It's stamped with Versamark and heat embossed in white. 

Get all the April Pastel Color Challenge details and enter your design HERE.

Have a creative day!

Supplies:
Spectrum Noir AquaBlend Watercolor Pencils
My Favorite Things - Chalkboard Greetings Stamp Set
VersaMark Ink  
White Embossing Powder
My Favorite Things Pierced Tag Die Set
Avery Elle Small Stitched Rectangle Die Set
Cropadile Eyelet Setter and white eyelet
Score Board (The Ultimate Crafter's Companion)
Pink Heart Rhinestones
Colored Cardstock
Paper Cording
Woodgrain Textured Cardstock
Heat Embossing Gun
Watercolor Brush
Dimensional Foam Adhesive
Diecutting/Embossing Machine

Happy Birthday full of Sparkle

I've always loved playing challenges. They inspire me and give that extra little "push" to be creative in so many different ways. Plus...we all love to win prizes...so that was even more reason to enter...right? ha. Gotta love gettin' that free happy mail! So how about you? Are you a challenge player?

Over at Spectrum Noir, we have a new challenge every month. That gives you plenty of time to create.  You still have time to play our March Challenge - Show Us You Sparkle. Click HERE to get all the details.

Also, over at Fresh Brewed Designs, we have a new challenge every week. This week our theme is Happy Birthday. Click HERE to get all the details.

I combined both challenges to come up with my card design. I mean...come on! Birthdays and Sparkle belong together! LOL

Isn't that soooo fun?!!! A birthday card that is FULL of the most wonderful sparkly things! The digi stamp is from Fresh Brewed Designs new release. It's called Lil Sweetie Make A Wish. ADORABLE!

I colored it with Spectrum Noir Markers:

• Frosting - LG1, LG3, LG5
• Cupcake - DG1, CG1, CG3, CG4
• Arms/Legs - LG1, LG3, LG4
• Candle - CT1, CT3, CT4
• Shading - GG1, GG2, GG3

Then I colored with some Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens:

• Frosting & Green Candle Stripes - Soft Jade
• Cupcake Wrapper, White Candle Stripes & Under Feet of Cupcake - Clear

For even MORE sparkle, I added yellow glitter on the candle flame, and crystal glitter on the cake and frosting!

AND...for even MORE sparkly birthday fun, a shaker window overflowing with shinny sequins and seed beads. The stitched dies are from My Favorite Things and Lawn Fawn. All the fun sequins is from Pretty Pink Posh. LOVE that stuff! I stamped and heat embossed the sentiment from Simon Says Stamp.

I hope you can play along with the challenges. They truly are a great way to get your creativity flowing.

Enter the March Spectrum Noir Sparkle Challenge HERE
Enter the Fresh Brewed Happy Birthday Challenge HERE

Supplies:
Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens
Spectrum Noir Markers
Fresh Brewed Designs Digi Image
Simon Says Stamp Birthday Messages Stamp Set
Crystal and Yellow Glitter
Pretty Pink Posh Sequins
My Favorite Things Blueprints 18 Die Set
Lawn Fawn Small Stitcked Rectangle Die Set
Crafter's Companion Clear Acetate
Clear Embossing Powder
VersaFine Onyx Black Ink
Spectrum Noir White Cardstock
My Favorite Things Fresh Dots and Stripes 6x6 Paper Pack
A Muse Studio Margarita Cardstock 
Die-cutting Machine
Heat Embossing Tool
Liquid Adhesive
White Gel Pen
Dimensional Foam Adhesive
Computer and printer