Spectrum Noir Blending Embellishments Step by Step

Hello there,

Just popping in to let you know my latest video tutorial for Spectrum Noir Design Team is still on the Crafter's Companion Blog

This tutorial goes back to basics and shows how to practice the basic blending technique with Spectrum Noir markers, but in a way that uses up scrap card stock in a very useable manner.

Blending is one of those techniques that takes practice, and the tutorial covers 4 easy to put together note card designs that utilise the blending technique in a fun and surprisingly quick way. 

The ideas covered in this tutorial can be used to try out new colour blends and also to build a library of blends for future use when colouring up full images and scenes.

Please pop on over to the blog now to see my tutorial HERE 

Here's a sneak peek pic:

All colours and details for the step by step video are on the Crafter's Companion blog now!

Take a peek HERE

Thank you so much for supporting me and my little blog and for popping by today :D

I do hope you hop on over and let me know what you think of my quickie makes xxx

Crafty Hugs

Sandie xxx

Challenges I'd like to enter:

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

New Release is out YAY...meet Bubbles!

Hello again :D

It's brand new release time!  I loooove new releases...

That Craft Place has a new range of digi stamps in the Etsy shop - Bubbles!  So with several new characters to choose from I decided to make a set of note cards and a wallet to keep them in so I could showcase a few of them together (couldn't decide if I only had one, they are all just lush).  I have to thank the totally awesome Ginny from her own blog, RubberMAD for making me think of note cards...she showcased a set of 6 a few weeks back (although her colouring is way way better) and that gave me the idea to try something similar :D

So here it is...

There are 2 note cards each side, the other two are underneath...see the pics further down...

Here's the important stuff:
The brand new images can be found here in the That Craft Place Etsy Shop
Don't forget to share your That Craft Place makes in the That Craft Place Natter and Chatter FB group

Crafty materials can be found at That Craft Place Facebook Group or their bricks and mortar shop
The backing paper is printed on textured card and the pattern was made in Craft Artist 2 pro and the rest is Graphic 45 Precious Moments
I also used red card, kraft card, purple, orange and blue card, Cosmic Shimmer Acrylic glue, bakers twine, paper clips, black card and twine
The dies used for all of the die cuts is: MFT Dienamics Blueprints 11

Here's some more pics:

Thank you so much for stopping by and I really hope you follow my little blog so I can keep sharing crafting with you :D

So, the new release Bubbles digi stamps can be found HERE and I adore them :D

Happy Crafting :D

Sandie xxx

Challenges:
http://a-step-in-the-darkness.blogspot.co.uk/ 23
http://scrappers-delights-challenge-blog.blogspot.co.uk/ 45
http://simplypapercraftsforalloccassions.blogspot.co.uk/ 6
http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.ca/ 283 CAS
http://creativefingerschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 83
http://artbymiranchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ 34
http://thesistersofcraft.blogspot.co.uk/ June

Use a Die Cut for the Crafting Muskateers Birthday!

Hello again,

It's the 2nd Birthday for the Crafting Muskateers Challenge Blog and we are launching our May challenge today too!

The theme is Use a Die Cut and there are 2 fabulous sponsors this month too...The Hobby House and JGD Crafts!  Both are gorgeous craft shops so please pop on over and join in the challenge to be in with a chance of winning some goodies.

Being a Design Team member has its perks, one of which is we get to play with some totally amazing stamps.  As you know I'm also on a couple of other DT's and when I joined the totally awesome That Craft Place team their challenge was sponsored by All Dressed Up Digital Stamps so I got to play with this darling image, but I was too late to hook it into the challenge (which was ages ago and I can't believe I had forgotten about this gorgeous stamp!), so I thought I'd show her with the Crafting Muskateers for the first time...

Little Flower Girl from All Dressed Up

Coloured in Copics

Matching insert as always

I used this card for a commission make and the recipient was very happy too :D

Here's the what's and how's:
Image coloured with Copics on Super Smooth card (That Craft Place)
Papers are from The Works!  some interesting stuff in there if you dig around :D
The letters are a stamp set I had in my stash and I punched them in 1" circles (Xcut punch)
Then pearls and ribbon of course and a bit of matting and layering using my current fav die set (the theme lol)...sorry its here again lol MFT Dienamics Pierced Circle Stax Set

Here's the close ups

Thank you for popping by and do go over and take a peek at the rest of the teams inspiration and join in this months Use A Die Cut challenge at the Crafting Muskateers Challenge and wish them a Happy 2nd Birthday, don't forget to enter too x

Happy Crafting :D

Sandie xxx

Challenges:
http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.co.uk/ 9 ag
http://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ 135ag
http://a-step-in-the-darkness.blogspot.co.uk/ 20ag
http://avenue613.blogspot.co.uk/ 122 playing the twist, feminine
http://www.ribbongirls.blogspot.co.uk/ May, for a Mum
http://alldressedupchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ 34 ag

Guest Designer over at Karleigh Sue Challenge

Hello again,

I was asked recently by a good friend to guest DT over at the Karleigh Sue Challenge Blog for their Pin Up Challenge and of course I couldn't refuse :D

The theme is 'Foolish Thoughts' and I was given the perfect image to play with:

Image: The Sea Can't Hold Me by Karleigh Sue Digital Stamps

I thought I'd try a DL make for a change...I realised I have never blogged one and haven't even made one for omg it must have been years!
I really enjoyed the challenge so may well make some more this shape, watch this space lol
I made my own DL as it was easier and means I am not limited by the card blanks I have, DL envelops are also easy and cheap to get so another plus!

Here's what I used:
Crafters Companions: Centura Pearl Hint of Gold A4 card (cut to size; using the Ultimate Crafters Board I scored at the tri-fold A4 line and then folded, this gave me the DL and I simply cut off the rest).  The left over piece of card was used as the mat on the front :D  you know how I hate waste lol
That Craft Place: 160 gsm super smooth card; copics, copic refills; twine;
Very CAS make for me...the only embellie is a safety pin (colour tinted with Copics) and 3 charms.  I made the jump rings with craft wire and then added them with bakers twine.
My Favourite Thing: Dienamic Pierced Circle Stax die set....I know, that one again!  Seriously I think I'm addicted and may need an intervention lol or a new die set to play with! lol
The other card used was purchased at the NEC last month, and that is about it :D

Here's the close ups:

Hope you like my new way of adding my Copic colours(the blob was my dark blue Copic!) lol I saw it on a fellow blogger's post and thought what a super idea :D  I love how blogs enable us to share ideas, but the downside is we just want more and more stash! lol

Thank you for visiting and please leave a comment before you go, every one is very much appreciated as are followers, so if you aren't following me already I would love it if you could :D

Don't forget to check out the Karleigh Sue Challenge Blog for the DT's fabulous projects too and it's a monthly challenge so plenty of time for you to join in..you don't have to use a Karleigh Sue image, but it would be grand if you do :D
The Karleigh Sue Digi Store can be found HERE

Before I go a big thank you for Cheri and Rachel for asking me to guest design :D

Happy Crafting :D

Sandie xxx

Challenges:
Little patch of crafty friends - 7 ag
Crafting from the heart - 55 ag
Not Just Cards = 17 ag
Craft Your Passions - 257 ag
Tip Top Tuesday - 3 of something = I have 3 charms
Creative craft cottage - 37 use die cut
613 Ave Create - 117 AG
Creative Ladybird challenge - 2 ag

New Release Inspiration

Hello Again,

An extra post from me today to showcase some brand new designs from a new Digital Stamp Shop called, Rosey Hearts

I had the fabulous opportunity to play with some of the new releases and I'd love to share them with you...

I have made a full project with Pisces from the Zodiac range of digital stamps...

Pisces by Rosey Hearts

As always, matching insert as a final touch

I loved working with this one, and my first mermaids on my blog! lol

I have also managed to colour up some other new releases, so I thought I'd share them too even though there not on a card yet lol

Gemini from the Zodiac collection

Fancy Faces 1, 2, 3 & 4 (all available separately)

I really hope you love them as much as I do and take a peek on the main blog for Leah's gorgeous makes too...you can get there HERE

Here are a couple of close ups of my Pisces make (sentiment by My Little Darlings Rubber Stamps) and circle dies are by MFT's.  Coloured of course with my Copics.

Thank you for popping by and please click to follow my little blog so I can share more with you soon :D

Happy Crafting :D

Sandie xxx

Challenges:
Lil patch of crafty friends - #6 AG
Crafting from the heart # 51AG
Whoopsie Daisy - March, add a sentiment
Not just cards - #15 add a sentiment
Craft your passion - #252 AG
Fantastic Tuesday - #77 make it square
Scribble and scrap - #40 AG
Creatalicious challenge - #73 AG

Charming over at That Craft Place....

Hello again,

I'm here to share a fabulous make for the That Craft Place Challenge Blog as its the start of another challenge :D

The theme this time is Charmed! so grab those charms crafter's and let's get making....

Image: Sweet as Candy from the Betty Boots range of digi's at That Craft Place

As always, grab those off-cuts and use them to create an insert...

Here's the how's and what's:
Image: Sweet as Candy by That Craft Place; coloured with copics
Papermainia paper pack (still using up old pads in my stash!) and super smooth card stock for the colouring were used - and I thought I'd go for a bit of a CAS look....I know, someone pick my big Sister back up as she's just feel of her chair! lol
I used a second coordinating paper from the Papermainia Man's World pad and layered that in between two white card mats to form the base layer.  By multi layering the 'frame' for the design it draws the eye in to the main focal points.
The next bit was simple...I used my fav die set, MFT Pierced Circle Die Stack and used most of the sizes to cut circles from the backing paper (chosen because of the circle patterns) and the large die was used to cut out the image.
I decided to also use one of the smaller circle dies to frame her Boots as they didn't fit in the die with the image and as she is Betty BOOTS I didn't want to leave out her famous boots lol
I have laid some of the circles flat on the card and raised others using foam pads, either one pad or two pads high - this adds more dimension to the finished design.
I then cut a white card circle, pierced a hole so I could use a brad to hang the heart charm (remember the theme is charmed!) and then added a chipboard sentiment from Make it Crafty

Here's the close ups:

Sweet as Candy by That Craft Place coloured with Copics

Sentiment from Make It Crafty

Matching inside and out

An extra element is to add the rest of the image offset

Layering adds dimention

Multi layers make a CAS card more interesting to the eye

Thank you for visiting as always, your visits and comments are very much appreciated - hugs xxx

Don't forget to nip on over to That Craft Place Blog to join in the challenge and check out the fabulous digi stamps over on the Etsy shop - HERE

Happy Crafting :D

Sandie xxx

Challenges:
Lil patch of crafty friends - #6 AG
Crafting from the heart - #50 AG
Whoopsie Daisies - March add metal
Not just cards - #14 AG
Just inspirational challenge - metal
Inspiration destination - #24 ag
Sister Act card challenge - #97 AG
Crafty Calendar Challenge - March, add metal