Saturated Canary & Copics

Hi Everybody,

The other day when it was cold and wet I had an afternoon colouring and this beautiful image was my choice to use.

She is called Cinderella and she is from

Saturated Canary

This was a digital image and it is one that I bought some time ago. 

But they have many images now on rubber stamps and at reasonable prices

I have coloured her before but this time I have used the new Copics that I have just bought as a Christmas gift from ME to ME

There are mistakes in it but as I practise with the Copics I will improve and I really enjoyed the process of colouring her in.

I love the images from Saturated Canary as they have big eyes and lots of beautiful hair and are such a pleasure to colour.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Beautiful Girl !!

Hi Everybody,

I am sharing this card today but it is not a water colour.

It was done quite some time ago with Spectrum Noir pens

The image is from Saturated Canary and I have had this for a long time too.

It is a digital image and stored on my PC for use whenever I need it but I don't know if it is still available.

This was one I really enjoyed colouring but I have improved since I did this one as I have had a lot more practise since then.

I will be back to water colouring though as that has become my favorite way to while away a couple of hours and relax at the same time

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Water Colour Wednesday - Canary Love

Hi Everybody,

This beautiful image is from Saturated Canary and it is called Canary Love 

I have had this Digital Image for a long time and so you may have to search for it if it is one that you would like

The original image has a canary alongside the girl but to fit it into the frame I had to cut it off.

Nevertheless I don't think it spoils this card at all  and I was quite pleased with the end result.

I have used a mixture of Gansai Tambi water colours and Spectrum Noir pencils to get the look I wanted

I fussy cut around the image and raised it up on the grey background with foam pads and then added the frame also with foam.

I get my rolls of foam and foam pads from the £££ shops and I use it by the ton and never have any trouble getting hold of it

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and they are a mixture of Tulips, Gypsophila and Roses in two different sizes 10mm and 15mm

Some of you have written to me about the flowers and wanting to know what I have used so I will try and include them in the list each time I use them.

But if you don't know what to order ... because of the vast choice of designs when you go to WOC website ... then why not try the starter packs that have been put together by Paul especially for you to try.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx 

Pretty Girl ...

Hi Everybody,

This pretty card is created with watercolours and I have used once again the Japanese Gansai Tambi paints.

The more I play with these the more I like them and all thirty six of the colours are very vivid and creamy.

The  digital image is from Saturated Canary and there are lots of really cute images for you to choose from ... you will be spoilt for choice

This one I have dressed with flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts  and matched them to the colour scheme of my card. The pearls are self adhesive from Want2Scrap

The background to the card is the embossing folder Shady Allure  and I have inked over the raised pattern

The card itself is created with 5x7 Matting Basics A and B and is much prettier in the hand

The sentiment is from the Phrases One  set by Spellbinders and I have cut it from card and craft foam to give it height.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Yellow and Pink ...

Hi Everybody,

Now I now that not everybody will like yellow and pink but it really is a winning combination if you get the shades right.

The photograph is not a very good one but the Spectrum Noir colors used are ...

Skin FS2 FS3 FS4
Hair GB2 GB8 GB9
Clothes  PL1 BP2 BP6
Boots  GB2 GB8 GB9

The background  and the ribbon have been colored with Isopropyl and  CT3 and sprayed onto the card through a mask and the technique with the ribbon  is shown in this tutorial ... Coloring Ribbon and Flowers

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and the image is from Saturated Canary and it is pretty ... it's just a rubbish photo (Note to self ... Must Do Better)

The Spectrum Noir pens and pencils are available from JGD Crafts  and I love the pencils they are so smooth to work with

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Spectrum Noir

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is using the Spectrum Noir Pens and pencils on an image from Saturated Canary

Colors used ...
Pens
Skin     FS2 FS3 TN2 CR1
Hair     TN2 TN7 TN8  Pencils 97  98  002
Dress    LV1 LV2 LV3  Pencils  70  81

And the pencils really do make such a difference when used to accentuate areas of the image.

They are very easy to blend  ... with or without blending solution  ... and they have a soft waxy consistency to them

I have left the sentiment off as it could be for any occasion and can be added later ... but it is a pretty card that would suit many age groups.

How you dress up the card is a matter of choice but get out those pens and keep practising and if you can afford the pencils then they are well worth collecting.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Saturated Canary and Spectrum Noir ....

Hi Everybody,

This beautiful image from   Saturated Canary  and my  Spectrum Noir  are a marriage made in heaven  and I love the look of  this finished card.

Colors used...
Skin    FS4 FS5 FS7 PP1 EB5
Hair    TN2 TN7 TN8
Dress/shoes OR1 OR2 TN7 
Tights  TB2 IG3

I have dressed the card with flowers from   Wild Orchid Crafts  to add that feminine touch and they have been sparkled with glitter from Glitter Magic

The ribbon is organza from   Mei Flower   and the pearl flourish is from  Want2Scrap

It is just A4 folded in half and then cut and hinged at the top ... a simple design for a pretty card.

If you would like to try the magazines I mentioned yesterday then here is the link to yesterdays post for you to read what it is all about .... Something for You 

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Wishes ...

Hi Everybody,

Todays' card is all about Spectrum Noir and I have used a wonderful image from Saturated Canary.

This was the image that was available for making a donation to the charity that Krista was supporting... and I did post about it on Facebook.

Colors used ...
Skin FS2, FS3, CR2, TN2
Hair/Boots TN2, TN3, GB1
Dress/Ribbons JG1, JG2, JG4

The card is just an  A4 sheet folded in half and panels added to the front.

The Organza ribbon is from my "Stash" and is wrapped around the layered panels with a double bow added. 

I used my Wooden Bow Maker for this and it is available to buy in My Shop

The beautiful pearl flourish is from Want2Scrap and by cutting up a larger piece you can make it go further

The flowers are some from Wild Orchid Crafts   and are a mixture of Chrysanthemums, Roses and Carnations.  If you pop over to buy from WOC then tell them  you came from Christina 

And if you would like the chance to win some then ....  add your name to the list  

There are two chances to win and the  draw will take place on Saturday

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Spectrum Noir Class ...

Hi Everybody,

The second  Spectrum Noir Class    is now available to purchase from   The Art Studio  and the subject covered is how to create a beautiful effect for dark skin and curly hair.

This gorgeous lady is Lala and she is from Saturated Canary  and she is an absolute pleasure to color in.

The class will show you how to blend the correct colours to get a smooth look to your images and to create the perfect curls every time.

The different shades that you use will alter the look but you will be able to achieve the correct technique very quickly.

The classes will always be there for you 24/7 and there is a permanent link to The Art Studio in the side bar which gives you access to my classes.

They are not expensive but they do cover a lot in each one so I hope you will consider joining me.  Each class  will help you to build up your confidence with Spectrum Noir and a different technique will be covered in each one

Later today I will be joining  a class in Kansas,   via Skype,  who want to pick my brain about blogging ... now there's not much brain there so I hope they won't be disappointed.

But I will tell you about it tomorrow.....and I have a lovely Spellbinder Card to show you too

Hugs xx 

Spectrum Noir ...

Hi Everybody,

Todays card is using Spectrum Noir to color the image,   and this is Nevaeh from   Saturated Canary

Colors used ...
Skin            FS2, FS3, CR1,
Hair            GB1, GB8, GB11
Dress          CR1, CR5, CR6, CR7  with Gliter highlights
Frill/socks/shoes     IG1, IG5, IG7

The new Spectrum Noir class with The Art Studio is due to be added soon and I will let you know exactly when it is available.

The background panel is embossed with the A4 folder Interlocking Circles  from  Creative-Studios

The image has been curled with my fingers and added to the card with Pinflair Glue Gel to raise her up.

This is the glue that comes with a syringe to help you position it accurately.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts  and are a mixture of Roses, Carnations, lilies and Daisies.

I thought I would use the Venetian Accents and Motifs dies a little differently for this card and I added the mask to the images face ... adds an air of mystery to her. What do you think ??

If you are looking to add your name to the Give Away you will find it   HERE  and it is open until Saturday.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Pale Skin

Hi Everybody,

Here is another colored image and she is from Saturated Canary

Colors used ...
Hair                               TN1, TN2 TN7
Eyes                              TB2
Skin                               FS2, FS3, TN2, CR1
Pinafore                        TB1, TB2, TB4
Boots                            BG2, BG4, BG6
Eggs                              EB1
Grass                             DG2, DG4
Chicken                          TN1, TN2, EB1

In the first tutorial for The Art Studio using the Spectrum Noir pens I covered coloring in Pale Skin... and the result was very well received.

So in the next tutorial I will be covering the subject of dark skin and the concept of this scares many people into thinking they cannot get it right.  Well I am here to show you that you can and  together we will get the perfect look for you images.

It will be in depth  so get your pens ready to join me on another adventure with Spectrum Noir.  This image is called Egg-tra special from Saturated Canary.   But you can use any image that you have in your Digi or stamp collection

The tutorial will be available, to purchase,   at the end of this month.  More information nearer the time.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Creating a Background ...

Hi Everybody,

One of my commitments as part of the Spectrum Noir Design Team is to do short tutorials on ways to get the most from the pens.

Today  Spectrum Noir  have added my short video to their website and this is the card that I have created for the post.

Colors used ...
Hair          TN2, TN5, TN7
Skin          FS2, FS3, EB2, CR1
Eyes          DG2
Clothes      PP1, PP3, Blender  Symbol BP5

The image is from Saturated Canary and is a digital download so once you have paid for it you have it instantly .... no waiting for the postman to deliver it.

Te main purpose of the video is to show a simple way to create a background with the same pens you used to color the image.  The colors I have chosen are the BP5 and DG2  from the symbol on the T-shirt and her eyes.

There are many many more tutorials on the SN website and they cover many different techniques to give you the best result ever.

The embellishments to this card are Card Candi from Craftwork Cards   and the tiny flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts  and I popped one rose in her hair.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

Colouring again ...

Hi Everybody,

This beautiful image is another from Saturated Canary and this one is called "Roses are Red ...."

I have coloured her in with Spectrum Noir and I have kept the colours very soft on this project.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and I have sparkled them up with some Glamour Dust.  The leaves are from the Foliage set from Spellbinders.

I found an odd piece of pink lace in my "stash" and I have added this along with some ribbon down the spine of the card... and added some Card Candi into the knot and on the top right corner.

The background has been embossed and the banner is from one of the sets available now at Save On Hobbies  and there are some very pretty new dies for you to browse.

So the GNPE gets ever closer and if you are there my "Film Crew" will be wearing his "Card Making Magic" hat so please keep a look out for us and say hello.  It will be so nice to meet you.

There are so many names added to the list already to win the Spectrum Noir  prize and it gets longer every time I look at it.  Some body is going to be so happy next week when the draw is done and they get to find out that they have won the whole set all to themselves.....   YaaaaaY !!!

If you still haven't added your name for the chance to win then here is the link to join in the   

 Birthday Prize

Hugs xx

The pens ....

Hi Everybody,

I am so pleased that you like the latest Give Away ... I told you it was a good prize  and if you haven't entered yet then here is the link to the page where you can add your name for the chance to win the  ...   Spectrum Noir Pens

Over the next few days I am going to add photos of images that have been coloured by me with my Spectrum Noirs.    And hopefully you will like the cards and want to win them even more.

They are such a versatile pen and well within most peoples budgets.  Please,  please don't be afraid to colour ... practise and the more you do the better you will become.

I know I have said it before but it is worth repeating here .... you do  not  need all of the 168 pens ... start with some of the six pens sets and you will have more than enough to get the results that you want.

My advice for a starter set would be the Pale Hues ... to colour skin ... both dark and light skin.

Essentials ... as this has black and the blender pen.

And then choose two of your favorite colours, and depending on what it is you like to colour.

My choices were blue and pink when I started ... why ... well because most people wear jeans these days both male and female.... and pink .... well just because I love pink... and what I like to colour the most are characters.

So this image is Blanche and she is from Saturated Canary  where you will find some fabulous characters to colour.

I will be away Friday and Saturday so my posts will go out scheduled ... hopefully/  But I will be back on Sunday with some Goodies bought from the GNPE show in Harogate.

Please look out for us and say "Hello" Look for my "Film Crew" who  will be wearing his Card Making Magic baseball  hat and probably carrying a large bag.

Hugs xx

Breast Cancer Care...

 Hi Everybody,

I am very fortunate to be blessed with good health and my heart goes out to any body that is stricken with illness or disability.

I know that many people that visit the Website or here on the Blog are housebound for one reason or another ... and I am so happy to provide tutorials and instructions to help you with your cardmaking.

On lady wrote to me and told me that her doctor said that I should be prescribed on the National Health as I had helped her with her depression.

I had visions of me in little bottles or blister packs that could be pressed out as needed. .... oh my goodness!!

 Any way todays character is the free Boobie Love from Saturated Canary   ... and I hope you managed to get your copy of this delightful  image.

I have coloured  this in two different ways...but both highlight the pink ribbon that is the Breast Cancer Logo.

The first one is coloured with just ordinary everyday pencils with a tiny touch of pink on the ribbon on her T-shirt... and kept to the black and white theme.

The second one has been coloured in with Spectrum Noir  and added to a pink background.

But it just highlights the fact that you don't need a lot of pens or pencils to create a really pretty look.

And if you can spare the time please pop over to This Page   and scroll towards the bottom and click the Pink Ribbon Logo to give a FREE mammogram to another woman who may be facing this dreadful illness.

That's all you have to do ... click the ribbon and it will provide help for someone else ... and if you can do it whenever you have the time just think what can be achieved.

Hugs xx

Blonde v Brunette

Click to Enlarge

Hi Everybody,

Well I went back to Saturated Canary and bought some more of the beautiful images ...  and this one is called   "Bubbles"

I just love these characters and they are so easy to colour.

I printed them off in draft so that they can be coloured with Spectrum Noir ... and I added two to each sheet of  smooth white  A4 160 gsm paper ... and that will leave me enough space for me to cut them out with Spellbinders.

Although the image is the same I have coloured them  completely different.

One I have kept to Blonde hair and blue eyes and in pale colours ....

I have added sparkle to the dress and the ribbon is from my "stash" and the pearls have been created with Cosmic Shimmer Glue and the tutorial    Creating Your Own Pearls  will show you what I did.

The other I have done in more vibrant colours ... and goodness me there are the flowers again..... Wonder how they got there ????

This one I have given brown hair and eyes and I asked my film crew which he preferred and he said the Blonde one as he was a sucker for blondes ..... I prefer the brown haired one.

This one has been added to some paper that I designed myself and I have been asked to show you the papers before I add all the embellishments....

 Here it is and the watermark is there for obvious reasons ... and it is the swirl that I picked out with a glue pen and sprinkled it with glitter.

Once I get enough to make a collection then I will add them to the website.

Hugs xx

Beautiful Image ...

Click to Enlarge

 Hi Everybody,

This beautiful image is a "Freebie"  from   Saturated Canary   and I think she is simply gorgeous.

She is called "Boobie Love"  and if you add that name to the search box it will take you to the download.

The style of the artist ...  Krista Smith ...  is wonderful and all her characters  are oh! so pretty and they all have big eyes.

They are so easy to colour and both of these have been coloured by me with Prisma  Colour Pencils.

The pencils are such an easy medium to work with and give beautiful results once they are blended.

I have done one in pink and the character has green eyes ... and the other in blue  which has blue eyes.

I have coloured the hair to each one slightly different.

On the pink one I have added a small flower to the hair where the artist has drawn one ... just  for a little added embellishment.

But apart from the few Wild Orchid Flowers  there is not a lot else to adorn either card ... which is very unusual for me. (Shock)

In fact it is so unusual that I will need to go and lie down in a darkened room to recuperate ... but only after I have been back to Saturated Canary to buy some more of these lovely images.

Now I am sure you realise that today is the 1st March and I have two celebrations this month.

The first one is my own Birthday on the 6th.... but the important one is that Card Making Magic will be four years old on the 12th March ..

And that is the date you need to watch out for as there is going to be a ... BIG ... Big Give Away that you really will not want to miss ... 12th March

Hugs xx