Christmas Landscape Tutorial with Spectrum Aqua

Hello there,

Today I'd love to share with you my first Tutorial as a part of the Spectrum Noir Educational Design Team :D

Using Specrum Aqua markers by Crafter's Companion are so simple to use that they can make bulk making Christmas cards so much easier.

My tutorial will show you how, with just 2 markers, you can use the Spectrum Aqua's to create a snowy landscape and insert.

So, grab a cuppa and settle down to watch how I created this Snowy Landscape with the following materials:

Specrum Aqua Markers from Primary Set – Navy & Aquamarine

Crafter’s Companion 300gsm Watercolour card

Crafter’s Companion Mat Black Card

Red liner tape, Collal All Purpose glue & Tacky glue

Die’sire Christmas Classique die’s: Frosty The Snowman and

Festive Foliage

Follow this link to the Spectrum Noir YouTube channel, where you can view the tutorial:

Snowy Landscape Tutorial with Spectrum Aqua markers by Sandie Gough

Thank you so much for visiting and hopefully supporting my first Spectrum Noir video tutorial by popping over and please leave me a comment to let me know your thoughts :D

Crafty Hugs,

Sandie xxx

Challenges:

http://craftingforallseasons.blogspot.com.au/ 106

http://a-step-in-the-darkness.blogspot.co.uk/ 26

http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/AG-no-44.html 44

Accordian Christmas

Hello there,

Popping in to share another of my samples for the Crafter's Companion Die'sire Accordian Create A Card die Weekender on Create and Craft

It's Fiona demo'ing today (Sunday) so I can't wait to see a different take on these die's, the design team had so much fun with them and everytime we shared our makes there was a different take on them, so versatile :D

Here's what I used to make this design:

Style: Oval Accordion die with Bauble overlay die

Die’sire Nordic Embossing Folder: Scandinavian Village

Stamp set: Crafer's Companion Happy Holidays sentimental rubber stamp set

Cardstock: Sheena Stamping card; Crafter's Companion Matt Black card

Collal Tacky glue, Collal all purpose glue, Crafter's Companion red liner tape

Stick It

Other bits: Copper Scratch Card

Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you catch some of the show's xxx

Crafty hugs,

Sandie xxx

Challenges:
http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ 237
http://deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 108
http://tuesdaythrowdown.blogspot.co.uk/ 254
http://www.addictedtostamps-challenge.blogspot.com.au/ 154
http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/AG-no-43.html
http://creativefingerschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 88

Woohoo it's a Weekender :D

Hello there,

Just a quick shout out from me, I'm sat with my coffee ready to watch Create and Craft to see Leann Chiver's demo's with the brand new Die'sire Accordian die sets from Crafter's Companion

Here's another of my samples for the show:

I had the idea that these dies would be just perfect to send a picture journal card to someone who lives miles away, bringing families closer at Christmas!  I'd just love to see their face when they open it, we will be doing this again for our own Christmas cards :D

Here's what I used:

Style: Accordion Create a card

Die'sire Die’s used: Rectangle Accordion die with Fairy Lights overlay die

PLUS the inner scalloped edge die in the Accordion die set

Stamp set: Crafter's Companion Happy Holidays sentimental rubber stamp set

Cardstock: Crafter's Companion  Matt Black Card, Linen effect card

Collal All Purpose glue, Collal Tacky glue, Crafter's Companion red liner tape

Other bits: Red Pinflair Buff It, printer

A few more pics just coz I can lol

The pic's are of 2 of my children, and we had great fun in the garden messing around to get these pics!  Getting the sentiment held in a place we could see it in close up was hilarious lol

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you like this one as much as I do :D

Crafty hugs,

Sandie xxx

Challenges:

http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 69
http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ 237
http://deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 108
http://tuesdaythrowdown.blogspot.co.uk/ 254
http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/AG-no-43.html

Brand new and a Sneaky Peek!

Hello there,

Oh now we know how much I love a Sneak Peek!  Well.....here's the first of my peeks at the Weekender coming your way this Saturday and Sunday on Create and Craft

This is so fabulous...Brand new concept's for the Create a Card range by Crafter's Companion and are Die'sire Accordian Create a Card and the we have the new decorative overlay's ready for those Christmas makes!

What does that give you?  Well, with the oh so easy to use Accordian die, you can make something like this...

Now my follower's who have been with me for a while just know how much I struggle with thw concept of shaped or multi fold cards...but this was so so so easy to put together you wouldn't believe it!  And oh boy, the variety of styles, toppers, card variety that you can use to make awesome cards is incredible!

Make sure you catch the demo's with our Leann Chivers on Create and Craft:

Here's a couple more pics and what I used to make it:

Style: Accordion Create a Card

Die'sire Creata A Card Die set's: Rectangle Accordion die with Candy Cane overlay die

Die'sire Christmas Classiques dies; Jingle Bells, Poinsettia, Christmas Stockings

And Nativity

Stamp set: Crafters Companion Happy Holidays sentimental rubber stamp set

Cardstock: Crafter's Companion Matt Black Card

Collal Tacky Glue, Crafter's Companion red liner tape

Other bits: Do-crafts Neon light weight card

Crafty Hugs,

Sandie xxx

Challenges:

http://deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 108 xmas

http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ 237 xmas

http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk/ July

http://creataliciouschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ 77 more than one fold

http://creativeladybirdscreations.blogspot.co.uk/ 5

http://avenue613.blogspot.co.uk/ 133 playing twist, a star above the manger 

http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ 156 ag

http://simplypapercraftsforalloccassions.blogspot.co.uk/ 9

http://creativecraftcottage.blogspot.co.uk/ 44 ag

GDT Rocking it for Top Tip Tuesday...

Hello there,

I was recently asked by Top Tip Tuesday Challenge to be a guest designer and I of course said yes :D  It's a fabulous challenge and as the name suggests the Design Team come up each week with some fantastic Top Tips on tons of different crafty things...new design ideas, how to's and quick tips, so if you haven't found them yet just click on their name above and hop on over to join.

Anyway, the sponsor this time is Kenny K Stamps and as I need to make way more male cards (I never seem to do them) I chose to work with this gorgeous little rocker - Anima Rocker
The theme is a Bingo board and I have used the centre vertical line, Embossing, Sentiment, Die Cut (a Tip, when die cutting large word die's, its worth a quick pass to emboss so the edges look totally finished and awesome)

For colours used see list of below 

Inside I once again used off cuts to match it in x

Here's what I used to make this one:
Image: Anima Rocker by Kenny K
Die set: My Favourite Things Dienamics Blueprints #11
Colouring and card base: Neenah Solar White marker paper, Matt Black 300gsm cardstock and Spectrum Noir markers by Crafter's Companion
Skin: FS2, 4, 9, TN3, CR3
Hair: BGR2, 3, 5, HB1, 3
Clothes: IG2, 4, 5, 6, 10, TBI, 2, 3, 6, DR7, 4, CR11
Shading: BG7, 5

Top Tip: When creating a shadow to enhance the dimension of your image, don't colour all the way around it!  Remember where your light source was coming from and then add shadow only where you think it would be the deepest.  You can 'map' this in the lightest possible shade first if you are a little nervous as it won't show later :D  You can see where I have added my BR7 and 5 to on the pics :D

Here's a couple more pics:

Thank you for popping by as always, and do hop over to this weeks challenge at Top Tip Tuesday

Crafty hugs

Sandie xxx

Challenges:
http://cinspirations.blogspot.co.uk/ 322 colouring
http://scrappers-delights-challenge-blog.blogspot.co.uk/ 46
http://digitallysweetchallenges.blogspot.ca/ 140
http://avenue613.blogspot.co.uk/ 133
http://cardsgalorechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ July use a digi or stamp

MDF transformed by our Zoe :D

Hello there,

A quick pop in today to share an MDF make that one of our twin's, Zoe, built covered and sealed herself.

Zoe (almost 16!  how did that happen!) has just set off for her 2nd residential as a part of the National Citizenship Service, which is a fabulous opportunity for her and we are so proud that she grabbed the chance to so it.  BUT she was away all last week on an outward bounds adventure, home for the weekend and she's off again till Friday!  One week was bad enough for a Mummy, let alone 2!  I'm sure many of you will know exactly how I feel lol  But at least she has wi-fi and a signal this week so I can stalk her and make sure she isn't being eaten by some big monster or other irrational invention of the Mummy brain!

So, back to her make...a while ago I ordered one of the totally gorgeous MDF Remote/Phone holders from That Craft Place and gave it to Zoe to make as a way of getting her to relax during her exams.  She loves altered art and transforming stuff so these MDF makes are just the right thing for her.  Lisa Horton designs the most amazing laser cut projects that are such high quality and fit together so well that once you buy one, trust me you are hooked!

Here is what Zoe did with it....

Everything she used is available at That Craft Place who you really must check out.  Their web address for the bricks and mortor shop is www.thatcraftplace.co.uk

Materials:
My Minds Eye Chalkboard 12x12 paper pad, MDF laser cut Remote/Phone Holder, Black Gesso, Paint brush, Matt Medium and Gloss Medium by decoart - that's it apart from scissors!

To make it, she thought ahead (which I have got to say never occured to me lol) and drew around the MDF parts on scrap paper BEFORE she put it together and painted it black!  There's a top TIP, as she then had a template for the papers she used to cover it!  doh!  One of the many many reasons I love her so much lol

Another TOP TIP (mine this time lol) was to make sure she sanded the edges of the paper at a 45 degree angle to finish the paper edges.  This doesn't only make it look better and adds a little distressed effect but it also helps the paper bond to the MDF and completes the seal (reduces peeling later).

Here's some more pics:

Thank you so much for stopping by and taking a peek at Zoe's project and if you would like to leave her a comment she would love to hear your thoughts :D

Crafty Hugs

Sandie and Zoe xxx

Challenges entered on Zoe's behalf:
http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.co.uk/ 14
http://a-step-in-the-darkness.blogspot.co.uk/ 25
http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/AG-no-42.html 42
http://simplypapercraftsforalloccassions.blogspot.co.uk/ 9
http://creativefingerschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 87
http://craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.co.uk/ July

Another Christmas Classique

Hello there,

I'd like to share another Christmas Classique Die set make with you today and hopefully you have managed to catch our Fiona Clayton on Create and Craft already with the awesome Weekender bundles from Crafter's Companion.

But if not, don't worry you can tune in today at 11am, 2pm and again at 6pm to see the awesome demo's...

Here's another one of my samples for the show:

and here's what I used to make it:

Style: Tent Fold

Die’sire Classiques Bundle 1

Die’s used: Home for Christmas, Christmas Wreath, Robin

and Foliage, Fence and Gate

Sheena’s Stamping card, Black card, Kraft card, Acetate

Coordinations card, off cuts of coloured  card, Gesso

All supplies are available on the Crafter's Companion Website

Thank you so much for popping in and I do hope you enjoyed my make today :D

Crafty hugs

Sandie xxx

Challenges:

http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.co.uk/ 14

http://deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 108 Christmas

http://www.addictedtostamps-challenge.blogspot.com.au/ 153 Holidays

http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/AG-no-42.html 42

http://simplypapercraftsforalloccassions.blogspot.co.uk/ 9

http://craftingbydesigns.blogspot.co.uk/ start July 15th, Christmas

http://karleighsuechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/christmas-in-july-challenge_1.html Christmas
http://karleighsuechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/christmas-in-july-challenge_1.html&nbsp;</div> 

Words over at That Craft Place Challenge

Hello there,

Well it has been said that I'm never short of words!  so this fortnight's challenge over at That Craft Place Challenge should be a doddle! lol  So with the theme of Words, I decided to team it up with a brand new release digi stamp, a new edition to the Bubbles range at That Craft Place Etsy store

I have used:
Papermainia Paper for the backing and black card stock, twine to make this 7x7 card and I have made sure that all of the over-hangs (top tip again lol) don't excede 8x8 so it fits in a standard 8x8 envelope :D
Pop over to That Craft Place Facebook Page to see all the goodies they have for your crafty stash or visit their bricks and mortar shop.
Before printing, I added a background in Craft Artist 2, I made this one using stencils within the program from Daisy Trail

I have coloured him with Spectrum Noir markers:
Skin: FS2, 4, 9, TN3, CR3
Hair: EB2, 5, 7
Clothes: IG1, 2. CR1, 2, 3

And finally added the wording, cut using the 1" Contemporary Alphabet die's (upper and lower case) by Crafters Companion, and don't forget that That Craft Place also stock Crafter's Companion products :D  superb! xxx

Here's a couple more pics:

Not happy with his face!  blending went a bit (more than a bit) wrong!
But in the spirit of a warts and all blog, I wanted to show you all :D
We learn every time we create xxx

Thank you so much for stopping by and we hope to see you this fortnight in the That Craft Place Challenge

Crafty hugs

Sandie xxx

Challenges:
http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ 236
http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.co.uk/ 91 die cuts
http://a-step-in-the-darkness.blogspot.co.uk/ 25
http://cinspirations.blogspot.co.uk/ 322 lets colour
http://scrappers-delights-challenge-blog.blogspot.co.uk/ 46 July
http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/AG-no-42.html 42

Sneak Peek of Christmas Classiques...

Hello there,

A little sneak peek for you of the new Christmas Classiques Die'sire die collection.  They are just perfect for making both small and large cards and you can see them all on Create and Craft this weekend at great prices as their Weekender :D

Here's one of my samples that the lovely Fiona will have with her for the shows:

The card inside the box measures 3.5" x 3.5" with an acetate front and the gorgeous new Poinsettia die from the range :D  The windows on the box it comes in are also in the new range and are so versatile....
Here's what I used to make it:

Style: Card in a Box

Die’sire Classiques Bundle 2

Die’s used: Church Window, Poinsettia, Ivy

Centura Pearl hint of Gold, Acetate, Big Score, Cut N Boss,

Collal Tacky glue, red liner tape

Green card, Red card

Really hope you can catch the show's, if not set record and enjoy it later with a cuppa...Fiona will have some superb demo's up her sleeve, not to be missed xxx

Crafty Hugs

Sandie xxx

Challenges:
http://avenue613.blogspot.co.uk/ playing twist; shaped, Christmas, Gold
http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk/
http://craftingbydesigns.blogspot.co.uk/
http://notjustcardschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ 22
http://deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 108 Christmas
http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.co.uk/ 91 die cuts

Giggles and Bows....

Hello again,

I had so much fun colouring this image and just had to choose it as my first make this month for Spectrum Noir Education Design Team.

She's from the gorgeous Crafter's Companion Scruffy Little Kitten Rubber Stamp range and her name is Lettie - isn't she just adorable!

Here's what I used to make her:

Scruffy Kitten Lettie Rubber Stamp set: using SN’s

Skin: FS1, 2, 3, TN3, CR2

Hair: GB10, 9, 4, 1

Clothes: IB1, 2, 3, CR7, FS8, 6

Flowers: PP4, 2, 1

Cat: TN8, 6, GB7

Die’sire Lace Flower Die & Doily Heart dies

Neenah solar white cardstock

Papers: First edition

Flowers and peals from my stash

To see more fabulous projects using Spectrum Noir markers, pop over to the Spectrum Noir site and join in the July 'Summer' Challenge :D

Here's a couple more pics:

Thank you so much for popping by, I really do appreciate every visit xxx

Crafty Hugs

Sandie xxx

Challenges:

http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 68
http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ 234
http://notjustcardschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ 270
http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.co.uk/ 90 die cuts
http://cinspirations.blogspot.co.uk/ 321 girlie
http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.ca/ summertime
http://artbymiranchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ 36