Water Colour Wednesday-Mother-To-Be

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is for  the ladies in waiting in your group of friends and it is from the pen of Mo's Digital Pencil 

You can chose to make this image with any shade of skin that you like as there is an Ethnic image also and it is a quick and easy one to colour

Add in a caption to suit your recipient and you have a really appropriate card

The backing paper I have used is from a paper pad that I bought from the Poundland shop and there are some really pretty patterns in the pad

Well worth a pound of anybodies money.

I have coloured this image with Spectrum Noir pens so strictly speaking not really a water colour but I am allowed to cheat once in a while ....

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Revamped Colouring Videos ...

Hi Everybody,

If you have followed me for some time then you may remember The Art Studio. 

They where a company that was distributing online classes and I was asked to join them.

But sadly they didn't last and they are no longer around so all the classes that I did for them have been sitting there doing nothing.

It seemed such a waste after all the work of preparation and making them along with  filming, editing and uploading them

And so my "Film Crew" has altered them slightly and they are now here for you to see. 

Here I am adding all three parts that were made to show the colouring of this really lovely image from Mos Digital Pencil

The wings in the video are slightly different from this photo but I gave that card away in a Friday Freebie some time ago

I hope you enjoy all three and the first one is quite long to show the colouring of Baby Fairy Kiki ... Sorreeeee !!

Baby Fairy Colouring Part 1 - The Body
Baby Fairy Colouring Part 2 - Hat hair and wings
Baby Fairy Colouring Part 3 - Finishing Touches

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Water Colour Wednesday - Back to School

Hi Everybody,

Todays image is from Mo's Digital Pencil and there is also a little girl and they are called Back To School 

I have used the curly haired version but you can get the same images with straight hair so it will fill a number of styles.

Colour these in the childs uniform colours and add their name to make it really special

I will be making one for my Great Grand-daughter Isabella who will be starting school this September

I have used Distress Inks to colour this and then fussy cut it from the card.

The shadow effect is created onto the background piece with  the bricks/

It is just a flat stencil also done with Distress Inks

The little banner is from a Spellbinders called Amused 1

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Water Color Wednesday - Video Boy

Hi Everybody,

Here is a digital image that  is from   Mos'Digital Pencil and it is one I have had on my PC for quite some time and this is Video Boy

It has been colored with a mixture of Gansai Tambi Water Colors and Spectrum Noir Pens pencils

I have die cut it out with Spellbinders Pierced Rectangles and added in faux stitches to make it stand out.

I have added it to the front of my card with foam tape and then printed of a little sentiment and added it to the bottom .. and in keeping with the sentiment I have made his face look dirty

I thought that some buttons and string would be a good way to finish the card and keep it "boy" like

The background is a simple stripe that is also digital and I can print these off whenever I need some fresh ones

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Water Colour Wednesday - Baby Fairies

Hi Everybody,

This cute little image is from Mos Digital Pencil and is one of the Baby Fairies.

Once you have bought this you can  instantly download it to your PC  ... so no waiting for the postman to deliver it, and you can use it time and time. again, varying the sizes on your PC if you wish

This has been water coloured with Gansai Tambi and then I used Spectrum Noir Pencils for some of the highlights.

I made a sky background behind the fairy and cut it all out with the oval shape

The sentiment has been stamped and heat embossed onto parchment and then wrapped around the card front.

I added in the diamante flourish for a little decoration.

Then I added in some gold paint to the wings and that for me spoiled the image and I wish I had just left it alone   Of dear !! never mind I can have fun doing it all over again ... or I could simply cut the wings off !!

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Friday Freebie 022

Hi Everybody,

Well here is the first card that I have made with a coloured image on it that I am offering as a freebie and this is Joanie from Mos Digital Pencil

She is an un colored digital image that you need to buy and so once you have paid for it you can download it to your PC and use it  ... no waiting for the postman to deliver it to you.

It is colored with Spectrum Noir and the color list was added to the original post with this image.

The ribbon is from Mei Flower  and it is a really soft gingham in turquoise

If this is a card that you would like then all you need to do is leave me a comment at the bottom of the blog post.

Later today the name will be drawn by my "Film Crew" and I will announce the winner on tomorrows page

Somebody on Facebook seems to think that I am giving the image away for free and that is not the case so can I stress clearly that it is the  CARD that is being given for free with the image that I have colored and not the digital image.

If you want to color this image yourself then you will need to BUY Joanie from Mos' Digital Pencil

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Little Diva ...

Hi Everybody,

This fabulous character is Diva from Mo's Digital Pencil  and it has been colored with Spectrum Noir

Colors used ...
Skin            FS2 FS3 FS6 
Hair            TN2 TN3 EB5
Dress          BT2 BT4 BT5 BT7
Shawl         PP2 PP4 PP6  and Glitter

Here is one in another colorway already made up into a card and already has a designated place to go for a birthday this year

Colors used ...

Skin            FS2 FS3 FS5
Hair            TN2 TN3 EB5
Dress          DR1 DR5 DR7
Shawl        TN2 GB5 GB8 and Glitter

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Video Boy ...

Hi Everybody,

This is another of the images that I bought from Mos Digital Pencil and this is Video Boy.

Colors used ...

Skin    FS2 FS3 FS4
Hair    GB8  EB7 EB8
Jeans  TB3  TB5 TB6  TB8
Shirt    DG2 CG2 LG2 LG4
Shoes  IG2 IG4

I am happy that the color lists are helping  some of you with your coloring ... and this image  is colored with pens only.

I have been asked why do I use the pencils and do they have to be used with the pens.

The pencils are a stand alone product that will give you excellent results with your blends and that is especially good if you are a beginner at coloring.
So the answer is  ... "No they don't have to be used with the pens"

The  answer  to why I use  them is  because when used with the  pens to enhance the work the result is amazing.

They are soft and waxy and very easy to work with and will give you a lovely soft look.   They can be blended with paper stumps and also blending fluid  which will give you another look.

I am planning some video tutorials to show you how to get the best from  pens and pencils, working with each on their own and also together

Pens can give you some lovely effects on your designs and pencils can bring out even more detail in your coloring and the result will make you really proud of your work.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Those Babies ...

Hi Everybody,

The other day I added a photo of Baby Bow from Mo's digital Pencil and I gave the color list of the Spectrum Noir Pens used for the pink baby.   I   had several emails  asking if I would list  the colors of the other babies  too and so here  they are

Lilac Baby colors used ...

Skin FS2  FS4  FS5 ... gives a nice peaches and cream skin tone
Hair GB1 GB8  Pencils 086
Tutu  LV1 PL1 PL2

Yellow Baby colors used ...

Skin FS2  FS4   FS5
Hair Pencils 086  090  100  102
Tutu  CT2 CT3 CT4 OR1

Blue Baby colors used ...

Skin FS2  FS4   FS5
Hair GB1  GB8  Pencils  086  090
Tutu  TB1 TB3   Pencils   069  070  074

Pink Baby colors used ...

Skin FS2  FS4  FS5
Hair TN7  TN8  EB8
Tutu   PP1  PP3  PP4



Hope that helps you

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Zentangle Baby ...

Hi Everybody,

Some time ago I added this lovely baby from   Mo's Digital Pencil that I had colored .... and not  quite made into a card ...  yet !

But just for a change I thought I would do something a little different with Baby  Fairy Kiki

So yesterday I got out the fine liner pens that I have and I just sat and played.

It took me about two hours to do this Zentangle pattern ... but what a relaxing way to spend some time.

I started by adding the outline of some clothes to the body and then broke it up into sections to make it easier.

I stayed with the same pattern for the little outfit but I tried some different ones for the wings and her hat.

And I have to say that I was quite pleased with my self at the end ... because this is the first time I have tried Zentangle on a digital image.

It won't be the last time as I really enjoyed myself doing this and finishing it into a card.


Once the pattern was added I used my Spectrum Noir pens to color it in and I added the shadows to the clothes just as I would with the original image.

Then once the skin was colored the whole picture was magic.  Hope you like ...

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Exciting News ...

I am so excited about this I just have to share....

I have had an email from the lovely Sara Davies from   Crafters Companion   and   she has been watching my videos using the  Spectrum Noir Colouring System   that her company developed last year.      

This boy is the image I coloured and he is  from Mo's Digital Pencil

Sara  asked me if  would like to become involved in the Spectrum Noir Blog and I am of course delighted to say "Yes"

 

She has added my videos on colouring in Skin with these pens to her Blog and this is the post...Crafters Companion News

 

There will be more to come but I am so pleased about this offer and it is a great honor for me to be invloved in something I love doing.

This image is from Humphreys Corner and is available from Crafters Companion.

 

The pens will be out in force now as I  practise my  colouring and I will  keep  you posted as things progress.

 

But I am sure that you can imagine my delight to get this wonderful opportunity.

 

The Angels are definitiely looking after me.

 

Hugs xx

Wherever we go ....

This is more from the magical pencil of  Mo Manning   and this is the "Back to School" images.  I bought all four in the set and they are  boy and girl with curly hair and boy and girl with straight hair and they will cover just about any thing you want.

I have coloured them with Spectrum Noir pens from Crafters Companion  and I added two of them together for effect.

I hate cutting out with a vengence ...  and so I have left a thin border around each figure.

I have used Pinflair Glur Gel to give the girl image some  height and that way it looks as if he is in front of her ... hurrying off to school.

And I added some shadow underneath their feet.

The  techniques are overed in   Video Tutorials  about this colouring system

The background has been embossed with the Wall folder and then inked over with Antique linen.

The verse has been cut with the Postage Stamp die from Spellbinders ... and I  have wrapped  Bakers Twine  around the spine.

I think this card is  simple but so cute and would be perfect fo children starting school for the first time ... they could be twins going off together.

Yesterday I watched the views to my YouTube videos roll over to 1,111,111 and I am overwhelmed at the incredible rate it goes up each day ... Thank you for your support  

Hugs xx 

Part 2 of Dark Skin ...

Thank you so much for all the lovely comment s and emails that I have had about this series.

Both Parts 1 and 2  to this video have now been added to the website and they are on the page Spectrum Noir Dark Skin 

I have really enjoyed doing this particular card and I am very pleased with the result.

But of course the pens make it a real pleasure to blend and having the correct paper to work on makes all the diference too.

The sentiment on this card is from the "Pretty Tuff" CD from PolkaDoodles

You can buy the pen sets from Crafters Companion along with the refills and replacement nibs.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and the lace was a lovely piece I found in my "Stash"

The Pearly Swirl is from Want2Scrap  and I have added them to both of these cards.

I have stayed away from the flowers for the boys card but the addition of the pearls just makes it that little bit more special.

Hugs xx

Spectrum Noir Dark Skin ...

Earlier this month I added the video for Pale Skin  and the response was very much appreciated.

But it triggered off some emails asking me to cover darker skin tones too. 

I have used another baby image from Mo's Digital Pencil and this is "Boy On the Pot"

The photo shows how the same image can take on a different look with the use of these alcohol pens.

And so Spectrum Noir Dark Skin  has been added to the series and already has several comments on YouTube.

I am really pleased with this new tutorial but agian because of the length it has had to be edited into two parts.

Part 2 will complete the card using this and the "Girl on the Pot" image as well.  I hope you will find the ideas useful and then maybe add your pictures to the Gallery Page on the Card Making Magic website.

The pens are available from Crafters Companion  and if you are in America try this link instead Crafters Companion USA    Happy Crafting ...

Hugs xx

Busy weekend ...

I didn't get to add a post over the weekend but I have not been idle.  Oh No !!!

Click to Enlarge

My "Film Crew" and I have done two more videos. 

As I told you yesterday the Spectrum Noir Clothes video had to be edited into two parts  and that was because YouTube will only allow videos up to 15 minutes long.

Longer  than that  and you get chopped off ... in your prime so to speak !!

And so here is Spectrum Noir Clothes Part 2


This one centres on using the blender pen for the first time and it creates a different look for the fabric on the babys'  dress.

It is very easy to do and the video shows you how ...  but there are lots of ways to make this blender work for you ...  and hopefully I will cover them as I go through the series.

Here is a finished card with the Blender Pen used to create the Polka dots and I have also used one of the  pens I used for the background to colour some white  ribbon and the Pearly Swirls,  which are also white to start with and from  Want2Scrap

But if you enlarge the picture take a look at the background because that is the fetaured item in the next video.... and I hope you will like it.

Hugs xx

Spectrum Noir - Clothes

Because of the restrictions about the length of a video with YouTube this tutorial has had to be edited into two seperate parts.

So the first part will cover creating folds and shadows in a white dress.

Part two will be added tomorrow  and I will show you some effects that can be achieved with a Blender pen.

Here is the first one and it is Spectrum Noir Clothes Part 1

I have really enjoyed putting together these tutorials and there are lots of ideas emerging as I make them. 

But for now it is time for me  to go and put my feet up with a glass of white wine and watch some TV for awhile.

Another video tomorrow ....

Hugs xx

More tutorials on the way ...

In the pipe line there is a tutorial on colouring clothes with Spectrum Noir ...  but I have been asked about other skin tones  .... and that is on the way too.

But they all take time and  I am happy that the response to these  vidoes has been so well accepted.

So thank you for all the lovely emails and comments that I have had.

Darker skin tones are something that many people are afraid to try and so I thought  it needed a tutorial  all by itself.    I have tried to stay with the colours that are available in the six pen sets to save some  expense ...  and I will of course give you the list of the pens used.

I have been colouring for a long time and it is only the product that is new. So if you have bought the pens then hopefully you too will have got something out of these tutorials that can be of help.

This is another image from Mo's Digital Pencil and the "Bling" is a Diamante Swirl from Want2scrap

Hugs xx

Copyright Infringement ...

This a quick post and no pictures and is to get out the message from Maurie J Manning.  

This is the wonderful artist whose magical pencil creates the beautiful images that I have been using for my videos.

It would appear that someone has been stealing some of her drawings and altering them. Maybe changing them fro boys to girls or vice versa, or altering the clothes that some of the characters are wearing.

She has also been adding her own name to the images to sell.

Can I urge you please that if you should wish to purchase any of Mo's drawings to colour them for yourself then you only buy them direct from her website ... Mo's Digital Pencil  and this link will take you to all the wonderful characters that Mo has on offer.

I have such respect for any one that can create such beautiful drawings and my personal view is that to steal them and claim them as your own is despicable.

Hugs xx

Pearly Baby

I hope you are not getting tired of these babies  ... though with such a lovely image I don't see how you can.

The next video in this series will be about clothes and I will show you some tricks with the pens to get the different looks.  It will be added later in this week  because at the moment my "Film Crew" is rather busy.

Around the edge of this card I have added the look of pearls ... but to use the real thing would cost too much


And so I have used glue to produce the look and the video   Create Your Own Pearls   will show you how to get the look and save money in the process.

Clicking the picture will  enlarge the photo  for a better view and I have varied the size of the pearls for greater effect.

 The charm on the left of the card is a silver baby shoe and I have added it to the  tag  with a silver mobile phone cord.

The number is fabric and raised on foam pads.

I have made the card to an 8" square as that gives lots of room to add the border, and I embossed a square onto it first.

I have added an "A" frame to the back to enable the card to stand ... and I don't need to add an insert to the card doing this.

The   Spellbinders Fancy Tags 3   has the addition of Nestabling around it and that is from Want2Scrap

I am pleased to tell you that my Spellbinder and Nestabling videos are featured on the Want2Scrap Blog page and I thank them for the compliment

Earlier this week I mentioned Micro Glass Beads and I have had several emails asking me about this product as it is quite new. The link will take you to a more detailed explanation and how to use them on your cards.

Hugs xx



I'm being lazy ...

Since we got back from Canada we have been very lazy. Griff says it is jet lag and that he feels his will last about three months....  No chance !!

So today I have been busy preparing everything I need for the new videos I want to do and tomorrow it is back to work with a vengence.  So my "Film Crew" will have to get his hat on again and get up his ladder.

This is some of my  Spectrum Noir pens and some of the paper that I use to colour on.... which is a  160gsm Text and Graphic  card from   Staples         

This will be the start of a set of videos showing how I use them.   I do not pretend to be an artist ... this is just the way I make these pens work for me.

I have had several emails asking about them and so I thought that a video or two would be the best way forward rather than answer the questions individually

So tomorrow I will introduce the pen system and explain some of the things about them to those that are new to alcohol marker pens.

These are some of the cards that have been made using this system and hopefully ....  fingers crossed ....  you will enjoy the videos and find them useful to you in your own colouring.

Click the photos for an enlarged view.

The images are from   Mo's Digital Pencil  ... Lili of the Valley   and   Just Inklined  ... and all make the most adorable cards.

The "Bling" as always is from Want2Scrap and has been added to the Elephant card.

Hugs xx