I adore Peacocks, and Watercoloring with pencils...woohoo

Hello there

Today I'm sharing the link to one of my latest tutorials on the main post on the Spectrum Noir Blog
using Spectrum Noir AquaBlend Watercolor Pencils.

Seriously, I am a little bit in love with these pencils!  I can't stop using them, the colors are so rich and they are so creamy its effortless!

I'm going to do a couple of tutorials exploring techniques and tips with the Spectrum Noir AquaBlend Watercolor Pencils....so you can find it

HERE - Spectrum Noir AquaBlend Watercolor Pencils  full tutorial  Part 1
Please hop over to the Spectrum Noir Blog to get the link to the YouTube tutorial....

Link for YouTube Tutorial can be found HERE

Thank you so much for stopping by and I really do appriciate all your visits and comments on my little blog :D

Would love to hear your feedback too :D

Crafty Hugs

Sandie xxx

Challenges:
http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.co.uk/ 34
http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 112
http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ 312
http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ dies
http://avenue613.blogspot.co.uk/ 176
http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 155 ag

Say it with Flowers!

Hello there,

I really do apologise for my lack of regular blogging!  I put myself on the naughty step, had a think and promise to try not to neglect it for so long!

So, who's up for the Spectrum Noir Challenge!  All you need to do is grap your Spectrum Noir colouring medium (must be SN materials) and enter the challenge on Spectrum Noir Facebook page

You don't need a blog, just use the tab up on the header, and fill in the details, upload your pic and then you're in for a chance of winning £30/$30 worth of SN goodies!

So, with a flower theme, here's my inspiration as a part of the Spectrum Noir Education Design Team....

The Crafter's Companion Downton Abbey Papercrafting collection is a collection I return to so often.
It's such a rich luxury collection that so many ideas pop into my head when I pick it up!

Here's what I used...

Downton Abbey Stamp set

Spectrum Noir markers:

LV1,2,4,5, LG1,2,3,4

Downton Abbey CD1 - Coordinating paper

Crafter's Companion Matt Black card, Neenah Solar White, Collal All Purpose glue

I do hope you can join in, and I lovvvvveeee flower cards so I'm excited to see all your entries.

Thank you so much for stopping by and please do leave me a little comment before you leave xx

Crafty Hugs

Sandie xxx
http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 112
http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ 312
http://a-step-in-the-darkness.blogspot.co.uk/ 45
http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ 363 vintage
http://ribbongirls.blogspot.co.uk/ May any image
http://avenue613.blogspot.co.uk/ 176

Putting Sparkle on Invitations...

Hello there,

I so love playing with the new Spectrum Sparkle Pens, especially as they are water based so can be manipulated with water creating so many possibilities.

You'll have a chance to see them demo'd again soon so keep an eye on the Crafter's Companion website and facebook page.

Here's one of the samples I have made for some of the shows...

Here's the list of things I used to make these super sparkly party invites!

Style – Party Invites x 4

Spectrum Sparkle Pens – Solar Red, Cosmos, Aquamarine. Moonlight

Crafter’s Companion Stamp Set (US) - Halloween

Technique – Direct to paper

Sheena’s Stamping card; Collal All Purpose glue

Crafter’s Companion Matt Black card

Insert – Craft Artist 2

More pics you say! (hehe)

Thank you so much for stopping by, I really do appriciate all the visits and comments xxx

hugs

Sandie xxx

Challenges I'd like to enter:

http://creativefingerschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 108
http://artbymiranchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ 57
http://www.ribbongirls.blogspot.co.uk/ April
http://a-step-in-the-darkness.blogspot.co.uk/ 44
http://thesisterhoodofcrafters.blogspot.co.uk/ birthdays; so an invite sits so nicely
http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/AG-NO-83.html
http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ 162 girls birthday

Sparkling on the Waves

Hello there,

I'm swinging past your screens to share another make for the amazing Spectrum Noir Education Design Team

Seriously, the Spectrum Noir Blog has so many tutorials, step by steps, downloadable charts for you to take a peek at to help get the most out of your Spectrum Noir products

Nuff said!  Well almost! lol I start out saying I'm not gonna ramble on, but I always do!

So pic time

Card Designed by Sandie Gough
But the real heros are the artists and suppliers:

Image: Creative Expressions, Designer Lisa Horton 

Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens:

Blue Topaz, Moonlight,  Sea Breeze, Sand Dune, Teacup

(Technique – colored small area’s of the waves, then change color, and repeat. 

Effect – random color for a natural look)

Crafter’s Companion – Matt Black Card, Water Color Card, White Hammered Card

Diamond Press – Starter set, Sentiment die,  stamps on tag

Coordinations card – shattered pad

Collal 3D, All Purpose and Tacky Glue

I adore this collection of stamps and matching MDF, although I haven't used the MDF pieces, just the stamps alone make an awesome mascaline card.

The sea/waves stamp has been repeat stamped a fair few times to get the size of background I needed but it was so simple to line up.

The starter set of dies with The Diamond Press are just awesome.
I love it when I can die cut a sentiment from the backing papers

Simple layering

Thank you so much for stopping by and please do leave me a comment before you go.  It would be ace if you could click to follow my blog so you can take a peek at my next project!

Crafty Hugs

Sandie xxx

Popped into a few challenges :D

http://creativeladybirdscreations.blogspot.co.uk/ 14 ag
http://bunnyzoescrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/april-challenge-travellingtransport.html sailing x
http://craftingbydesigns.blogspot.co.uk/ boys to men
http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ 309
http://www.addictedtostamps-challenge.blogspot.co.uk/ 191

Spectrum Noir's with BeBunny Step by Step

Hello again,

It's still very exciting when I pop by to let you know a tutorial of mine is now on the Spectrum Noir Blog!

Here's the final card featuring BeBunny...

You can find the step by step tutorial for colouring BeBunny CLICK HERE

Hop (hehe!) on over and you will also find the full list of the materials I used to make both this and the alternative technique card!  Yes, I made two versions of BeBunny!  Using different texture techniques for comparison...

Thank you for stopping by and I really do hope you can pop over and comment on my tutorial...

You can find my tutorial HERE

Hugs

Sandie xxx

Challenges I'd love to enter:

Pretty in Pastels...with a twist

Hello there,

It's time to share my inspirational post for the Spectrum Noir challenge over on their facebook page.

The latest challenge can always be found on the page header buttons and if its hiding, it will be in the 'more' drop down.

Here's the FaceBook page link SPECTRUM NOIR

The theme is 'Pastels' and I thought I'd stick with my CAS style BUT (lol) I seem to be in a grungy mood with my crafting so its another grumpy grunchy make lol hope you enjoy it as much as I do, everytime I see her she makes me chuckle lol

hehe this one does make me have a little chuckle to myself every time I see it!  But apologies if it offends anyone, but hopefully you'll all be laughing along with me :D

Here's what I used to make it:

By Sandie Gough

Style: Tent Fold

I used the brand new SpectrumAquaBlend Pencils that are so highly pigmented I adore them even more: 

Black, Opal Blue, Indigo, Grapefruit, Ginger

Crafter’s Companion Watercolour card, Centura Teal Green card & White Hammered card

Collal All Purpose & Tacky Glue

Image – Taylored Expressions, Costume Grumplings

Worn Lipstick – Distress Ink; Cobalt Blue – Archival Ink

I just adore these stamps, they just make me smile 

Thank you so much for stopping by and don't forget to grab your Spectrum Noir products and join the challenge.  We're over on the FaceBook page

Hugs

Sandie xxx

Challenges:

http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ 272
http://tuesdaythrowdown.blogspot.co.uk/ furry friends 288
http://a-step-in-the-darkness.blogspot.co.uk/ 43
http://scrappers-delights-challenge-blog.blogspot.co.uk/ 54 ag
http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ green and pink (lots of pink, green in grasses and card
http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/AG-NO-80.html
http://simplypapercraftsforalloccassions.blogspot.co.uk/ 27
http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ 193 ag
http://www.ribbongirls.blogspot.co.uk/ April

Spring is Blooming

Hello there,

Just thought I'd pop on my blog to share some Spring blooms with you all.

The die's used for the flowers are of course from the Crafter's Companion Die'sire Classiques collection, Delicate Flowers

The size is a landscape fold 5" x 7" and I had a relaxing session watercolouring this epic stamp

And here's the list of what I used

Die’sire Essential Delicate Flower die set

Die’sire Fancy Edge’able; Fancy Lattice

Spectrum Sparkle Pens:  Sage, Fig, Sand Dune, Biscuit, Teacup

Spectrum Aqua Markers: Sunflower, Sunset, Moss

Crafter’s Companion Thelwell Stamp

Downton Abbey Paper pad

Crafter's Companion Cream Stamping Card and Matt Black Card

Collal all Purpose glue, Collal Tacky Glie

Pearls from stash

As an added extra I have multi layered the inside of the card with matching papers.  I always think this really does smarten up the appearance of the card, but that could be just me lol

Thank you for stopping by and don't forget to hop over to the Spectrum Noir webpage to see lots of how too's and step by step posts to inspire you xxx

hugs

Sandie

Challenges:
http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 106
http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.co.uk/ 31
http://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 182 use a die
http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ 272
http://mmmchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ watercolour
http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.co.uk/ 110 die cut
http://craftingforallseasons.blogspot.co.uk/ 123 die cuts
http://www.ribbongirls.blogspot.co.uk/ April

April Inspiration...

Hello there,

I found a fabulous tutorial for my inspired by post this month as a part of the Spectrum Noir Education Design Team...its using yellows!

Not a simple thing for me, it's not a colour I am drawn too and seem to dodge if I can.  I'm not sure why but its always seemed a strange colour to me lol

So, in the spirit of pushing out of my comfort zone I have used a fabulous tutorial and you can find it HERE by Mari Kocjancic

Here's what I used to make him:

Inspired by previous tutorial:

http://www.spectrumnoir.com/coloring-yellow/

By Sandie Gough

To be published on my blog - Monday 4^th April 2016

Materials used:

Spectrum AquaBlend Pencils: Crocus, Primrose, Papaya, Pineapple

Distress Ink – Squeezed Lemonade

Crafter’s Companion Watercolor card, Centura Chocolate

and Crafter’s Companion Hammered White Card

Archival Ink – Coffee

Collal All Purpose & Tacky Glue

He's another one of my new stash that makes me smile...a lot!

Thank you so much for stopping by and I'd love for you to follow my little blog 

Hugs

Sandie xxx

Challenges:

http://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 182; used my trusty corner punch I love it!
http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 106
http://www.addictedtostamps-challenge.blogspot.co.uk/ 187 make a mark
http://cinspirations.blogspot.co.uk/ 248; anything goes
http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ 192
http://creativefingerschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 106
http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ 357 April Fools/Humorous

Time for a little Sparkle.....

Hello there,

There is still time to show your Sparkle over on this months Spectrum Noir Facebook Page Challenge and I've decided to use the fabulous Spectrum Aqua Markers

After spending some time using lots of embellishments for a few samples lately I went for a Clean and Simple design for this one...

I just adore that sentiment, it makes me smile so much lol
Here's what I used:

By Sandie Gough

Style: Tag Top A6

Stamp: Taylored Expressions – Grumplings

Spectrum Aqua Markers – Terracota, Scarlet, Desert, Boulder

Crafter’s Companion Matt Black card, Centura Red card, Sheena Stamping Card

Die’sire Bunting Die
and of  course the bling brings the sparkle!

Versa Fine ink, Collal Tacky glue and Collal 3D glue gel

Thank you so much for stopping by and do hope over to the Spectrum Noir Website and join the challenge on the Spectrum Noir Facebook Challenge (remember you don't need a blog!  you just need to list the Spectrum Noir products you've used and upload to the challenge page)

Hugs

Sandie xxx

Challenges
http://a-step-in-the-darkness.blogspot.co.uk/ 42
http://thesisterhoodofcrafters.blogspot.co.uk/ picture inspiration - I've taken the red
http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/AG-NO-78.html 78
http://simplypapercraftsforalloccassions.blogspot.co.uk/ 26
http://creativefingerschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 105
http://avenue613.blogspot.co.uk/ 169
http://www.ribbongirls.blogspot.co.uk/ any image

Downton is back with some new additions...

Hello there,

I adore the Downton Abbey range of die's and papercraft stash so much, it has everything for any type of card!  Male, female, really girly, full of stuff, clean and simple or completly modern!

So, I thought I'd share on of my samples for the show.....

I adore this frame die!  Its everything all in one, ornate and layers, so versatile and just look at that Sway and Tails round the box, that's a die I am gonna have so much fun with....

Here's the full list of what I used; where I have added a 'set' number, that will relate to the bundles on Hochanda starting from tomorrow...

Die’sire Downton Swag’s & Tails Die – Set 1

Die’sire Downton Ornate Square Frame – Set 6

By Sandie Gough

Centura Pearl Ivory, Chocolate & Teal card

Die’sire Downton Candelabra Die

Downton logo from packaging

Collal Tacky Glue, Crafter’s Companion Red Liner Tape

Candle and shredded tissue from stash

I really hope you can catch one of the show's but if not the design team will be posting sneek peeks too :D 

Or stop by the Crafter's Companion Website or FaceBook Page for loads more details....

Hope you stop by again soon and please leave a comment before you go as I just love reading them xxx

hugs xxx

Sandie 

Challenges:

http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ 269 ag

http://a-step-in-the-darkness.blogspot.co.uk/ 41 ag

http://thesisterhoodofcrafters.blogspot.co.uk/ use your dies

http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/AG-NO-77.html

http://juliaspirichallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 14 anything goes

http://creativefingerschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 105

http://avenue613.blogspot.co.uk/ 168

http://thesistersofcraft.blogspot.co.uk/ March

http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ to a special female

Inspiration shared...

Hello again,

So, as a part of Spectrum Noir Education Design Team, I just love that we have to look at past tutorials and see what inspires us, and which one we will take on for our make!

Inspiration isn't copying, its finding something in the piece that spark's your own creativity.  A layout, a colour, a technique or a combination of things within the piece.

This month, I took inspiration from Spectrum Noir tutorials featuring Backgrounds.  Its a part of colouring I am still trying to master when its in combination with an image, especially if its an image I've spent ages colouring!

But as I'm in a CAS mood I thought I'd go for it!  The sentiment and the spirit of this one seemes just right hehe;

The ground was the bit I was worried about and took the most time to do because I kept walking away from it lol  I am pretty pleased with it in the end!

Here's what I used:

Spectrum Aqua Markers: Aquamarine, Chestnut, Sunflower, Orange, Yellow, Jasmine, Tan

Technique used – faux bleaching for the sky and clouds

Crafter’s Companion Watercolour card, Stamping Cream Card, Centura Chocolate card

Coordinations Naturals Paper Pad – brown

Image – Taylored Expressions, Ducks in a Row

Collal All Purpose & Tacky Glue

Flat Back Gem

Thank you so much for stopping by and I highly recommend a visit to Spectrum Noir to take a peek at the tutorials, and check out the new goodies at Crafter's Companion UK

Hugs

Sandie xxx

Challenges:

http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.co.uk/ 29
http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 103
http://notjustcardschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ March
http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ 103
http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/AG-NO-76.html
http://creativecraftcottage.blogspot.co.uk/ sentimental
http://creativefingerschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 103
http://lacysunshinechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ ends 26th March, colouring
http://avenue613.blogspot.co.uk/ 167

A Little Sugar Love...

Hello there,

It's that time again, time for my DT inspiration for the new challenge over at That Craft Place

The theme is always anything goes, so I hope you can join us this time xxx

I have gone back to one of my fav That Craft Place images, I've got a major soft spot for Sugar!

I had a play this time with hard shadow lines fading to white and I really like the edgy look it gives, will try this again for sure!

Here's the materials used:

Image - That Craft Place

Style: A6 Tent Fold

Colouring: Spectrum Noir makers

Skin: FS2, 4, 6, 8, TN2

Hair: EB6, 7, 8 

clothes: PP1, 2, DR3 

hearts: DR6, 7

thanks for stopping by and make sure you check That Craft Place blog on the 15th of march for my new easy pleats tutorial.

hugs 

Sandie xxx

Challenges:
http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ 268 ag
http://notjustcardschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ 30 March
http://a-step-in-the-darkness.blogspot.co.uk/ 41
http://cinspirations.blogspot.co.uk/ 246 pretty
http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/AG-NO-76.html
http://simplypapercraftsforalloccassions.blogspot.co.uk/ 25
http://chocolatecoffeecards.blogspot.co.uk/ 104 colour challenge
http://artbymiranchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ 53 ag
http://thesistersofcraft.blogspot.co.uk/ March ag
http://www.ribbongirls.blogspot.co.uk/  ag