Beautiful Card Designs Made Easy

Showing posts with label Spectrum Noir. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spectrum Noir. Show all posts

August 23, 2021

Make Your Own Ink Pads

Hi Everybody,

Every day there is new stuff coming onto the market and we are all tempted to buy. But what about all the stuff that we already have,  tucked away at the back of a  cupboard.

Stuff that was not cheap to buy and that may have only been used once ... or twice if your lucky ... and then forgotten about. 

Forgotten because you don't remember it is there, or forgotten because you can't remember how to use it.????. 

The same applies to techniques that maybe inspired those buys and now we have discarded them for something new.

Using Baby Wipes was something I did years ago and it created some lovely designs, and was a really cheap way to create multi coloured ink pads for your self.


This little video may just spark a memory of how you used it, of if you are new to card making then it maybe something that you want to try out. It's not going to cost you much to give this a go and baby wipes are really cheap and can be picked up anywhere.

Alcohol refill inks are available from lots of places and I used Spectrum Noir refills from Crafters Companion for my cards and you will only need a few colours to get a really lovely look.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx
. .

September 03, 2017

Those Cute Little Gnomes

Hi Everybody,

This was the free gift that came with Papercraft Essentials 150 and it has been really popular because the gnomes are so cute.

I had a great fun playing with them and arranging them into scenes for my cards.

If you missed the free gift then you can buy a bigger  Gnomes Stamp Set from Craft Stash

But I was asked if I would show how I coloured in the gnomes and so I created this video to show you what I did.

Colouring Gnomes with Spectrum Noir

I am not an artist by any stretch of imagination but you too can have some fun with these little people and any medium that you choose.

I used my Spectrum Noir but it is the old style pens and I am sure that things have moved on since I got mine a good few years ago now. There are the newer range of SN pens available at Craft Stash

Still I hope you enjoy the video and will give colouring a try. Just have fun and it doesn't need to be prefect.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


August 23, 2017

Papercraft Essentials 150 - Enchanted Corner

Hi Everybody,

The die and stamp set from this months
 Papercraft Essentials 150
 is so cute. I could have played with this all day

The variations are endless with these little fellows and I am sure that you will come up with many many more.

Inside the magazine there are lots more ideas for you but I have added some of mine to the video.



It will be in the shops tomorrow the 24th August and this is sure to go quickly because of the fun factor with it

There is also a free paper pack with this issue and that will help you to create some pretty scenes for your Gnomes

Stamp as many of these little men out as you need and colour them up.

If you don't use them all then you can keep some ready to add to your next project


The dies will cut out the gnomes and the lantern and parcel for you or you can simply stamp them onto the gnomes themselves.

Have fun with them and see what you can come up with

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx




August 02, 2017

Finest Vintage from Die Cutting Essentials

Hi Everybody,

Tomorrow sees the new Die Cutting Essentials magazine on sale and this is issue 27.

The free gift this month is a beautiful die to create a wine bottle and glass that would suit both male and female cards

The card to the right uses the filigree part of the die as a stencil and I really like the look of this little card

The video to show you the making of a wine bottle shaped card is here ... 
Next week 10th August Simply Cards and Papercraft will be on sale and the free gift with that is Lavish Labels and that set perfectly compliments the bottle with this gift.

One of the die cut labels can be seen on the bottle on this card and there are several stamps to help you personalise the card also

So look out for the magazines on the shelves in selected supermarkets and crafts stores

And have fun playing with the gofts to make cards for the wine lovers in your family

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

July 27, 2017

New Pretty Quick Dies ...

Hi Everybody,

I have been really busy this week with some of the newest dies from Craft Stash. These are part of their Pretty Quick range and these will be on sale TOMORROW on the Craft Stash website.

But these videos will give you a preview of what there is and some ideas of what you can do with them.  I am showing you one card from each collection.

The first one is this Pretty Quick Stained Glass Robin   and in the video I have given you several ideas that you may like to try.

This one is my favorite and I simply used the die cut, done in gold card, as it is and added it to some white card with a Distress Ink effect added

I then coloured behind the Robin with alcohol markers and then added another gold die cut over the top.
For the video  Pretty Quick Stained Glass Wise Men   I used the die cut as a stencil to create a soft pastel card.

But the card shown here is how to keep them simple and easy to make .. no techniques just gold die cuts and white card for an elegant look to your Christmas card

This was the one I created from making a stamp with the die
with the Pretty Quick Stained Glass Candle

This is a soft water colour and I really liked this one once it was done.

I shall keep this one to send to someone over the Christmas period

And last but not least for this card I  used the
 Pretty Quick Stained Glass Angel  to create this card with a stencilled background

So there you have four videos to view and the dies will be on sale tomorrow .. Friday ... with Craft Stash

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


June 14, 2017

Simply Cards &Papercraft - Family Ties

Hi Everybody,

I have another free gift to tell you about today with my favorite magazine Simply Cards and Papercraft Issue 164. It will be on sale in selected supermarkets, craft stores and WHSmiths on the 
15 th June

Family Ties is a set Nesting Dolls dies and stamps.that will give you the chance to colour these beautiful dolls for your self 

There is also a paper download of sentiments and pre coloured dolls ... especially useful for those who don't enjoy colouring and they will help you to make cards quickly when you are in a hurry.

Simply cut out the sentiment that you want,  and then use the dies in the gift to cut out the dolls,  and add them to your card

The card to the right has been created in that way and all I have done is make the background with a stencil, add the dolls with foam pads and place the sentiment at the top ... done ... quick and easy !!

You can get the magazine or a subscription from More Mags

But for this card I took a lot more time and stamped the dolls and coloured them with Spectrum Noir pencils.

I created the background with stamps and Distress Inks.

The video will show you how I made the dolls open to reveal another one inside just as the real Nesting Dolls would be

It is not difficult to do but the card it produces is a fun one to give.

Here is the video for you 

Enjoy it and the magazine with it's wonderful free gift

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

June 05, 2017

Circles Rainbow Card

Hi Everybody,

For todays card I have used just one circle die and cut seven of them.

Then I coloured them in with Spectrum Noir Pens in rainbow shades.

I added them to a cloud embossed panel with varying thicknesses of foam underneath some of them.

If you don't have a cloud die then roughly cut some by hand and add a little shading with some pale grey ink.

I added them in an arc to the embossed panel and placed a cloud at each end. The sentiment is from Crafters Companion and it was stamped and heat embossed on to the lower cloud

Quick and easy to do with just a few circles and could be for any occasion ... male or female, young or old.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


April 12, 2017

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


March 08, 2017

Water Colour Wednesday - Albert

Hi Everybody,

Strictly speaking ... not a water colour at all but still done by me

This wonderful character is Albert from the Just Inklined CD called The Next Big Thing which sadly is now no longer around

There are so many wonderful images on this disc and it is such a shame that it has been discontinued

I coloured this quite some time ago and I really love this old man.

He is coloured with a mixture of Spectrum Noir pens and I have used this image of  him  many times in the past.

So I hope you will forgive the fact that he is not water coloured and enjoy him just the same

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


March 02, 2017

Papercraft Essentials 144 - Spring Garden

Hi Everybody,

Today I am featuring the free gift that will be attached to the Papercrafts Essentials magazine

It will be in the shops on the 9th March so keep a look out for your copy if you like the gift.
The video will give you some ideas of the way I have used this set that is made up of several spring themed stamps and s little Picket Fence die

Papercraft Essentials 144 - Spring Garden   will show you how I made this card and also how to create the clouds in the sky which is something I get asked a lot about.

If you need a more detailed explanation then you will find it her ...  Cloud Effect Sky

It is a very simple technique but is very effective once completed.


Use pale blue or for a stormy sky grey works well.  But try other colours for a fantasy look too.

I hope you enjoy the video and the free gift when it arrives in your craft space

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx


February 22, 2017

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 


January 23, 2017

Creative Stamping free gift ...

Hi Everybody,

Today I have yet another video for you to view and this one features another free gift.

The video is called Creative Stamping 39 - Truly Scrumptious  and there are so many images for you to play with.
I had so much fun with this as you will see from the samples in the video and there are ,many many more ways for you to use it

You can mix and match to your hearts content with this gift.

It will be on sale on the 26th January so keep a look out for it in your local shops ans supermarkets

Or you can get it direct from Moremags 

Most of the images have been coloured with pencils but they would look equally as good with paints or markers whichever you prefer to work with.

Just have fun with your creations and see what you can come up with.

This Jelly Baby has simply been stacked one on the other to create a fun card that would be prefect for a childs birthday.

You can change the items that are arranged on the cart too and alter the sentiments to go with each one you stamp.

The free gifts in these magazines just seem to get better and better and are the perfect way to build up your own crafting supplies.

There are more idea in the magazine too as well as tips and information to help you create cards that you will enjoy making

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

January 19, 2017

Pretty Quick - Stained Glass Dies

Hi Everybody,

Late yesterday I added four new vidoes for you to see and they are featuring new die collections from Craft Stash  Today I am adding four more with the Pretty Quick dies titled Stained Glass.

The first one features the Stained Glass Rose and Chalks and the pastel chalks give this a really pretty effect.

It is easy to do so if you have them grab the chalks and have a go.

This one is the same die but really quick with just some pretty paper.  Stained Glass Rose and Designer Paper

Dig out those lovely background papers that you have been saving and make this card in noi time at all/

Keep a batch of them ready for those last minute occasions
Next we have the  Dove and for this one I have used coloured pencils and a little blending fluid

But this is yet another quick and easy cards which is after all what these dies are there for ... Pretty Quick cards with no hassle

Stained Glass Dove and Pencils is the video
And last but not least we have the Dove added to some beautiful mirror card that is also available from the Craft Stash website

I featured the mirror and glitter card a little while ago in another vidoe and it comes in a mixed colour pack of ten sheets

So I hope you have enjoyed all eight of the videos that I have added and there are lots more on the way soon as it is time to show you what the freebies are for January in the magazines

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx













December 28, 2016

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

October 20, 2016

Geo Shapes from Spellbinders

Hi Everybody,

Some exciting new shapes have been brought to Spellbinders and this is the one called Tri-Hex

There are ten new shapes in this Geo collection and they are exclusive to Create and Craft so you wont be able to get these from anywhere else.

They are unusual and once you start to play with them more shapes come to mind.

And if you change the orientation of them that also alters things too

For this one I have cut the shape three times and glued them together.

Then coloured all the centre pieces with Spectrum Noir pens.

But you could just as easily use watercolours or even  Pebeo Fantasy paints
This card is not one of the collection although it is a Geo Shape

This is the  Hello Geo Heart  by Debi Adams  and I have cut it three times and glued them together then added them to a Brusho background

Really different types of ideas for you to try and the more you play the more you will come up with.

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

October 09, 2016

Apple Blossom - Snow Babies

Hi Everybody,

These delightful dies are available with Craft Stash and they are so much fun to play with. I have added them with a Christmas theme but they could be used all year round and are sure to be a hit with children

First is the Polar Bear  and for my card I have cut the shape twice and simply reversed one of the images

Keep all the tiny pieces that come out of the die so that you can add them to the cut shapes.

This Penguins is a real favorite and I really enjoyed making this into a card

I distressed the background with a circle mask and added the die cuts to the top of it with foam pads underneath to raise the critters up

I used Spectrum Noir pens on all the die cuts to add shadow and dimension to them all

This one is the  Doe  and for this I have stamped my sentiment into the centre and surrounded it with the branches

I added a bow to the does neck and the wreath which have been coloured with SN

I have added a Googly eye to this critter and shading underneath to ground her
This  Deer  I have die cut twice and coloured them in different shades

I trimmed off the baubles that are in the antlers and threaded a hand drawn string of lights through them instead.



I coloured each light in a different colour and added glossy accents to them

Both deer are mounted onto a die cut heart shape and a little sentiment stamped at the bottom

All these dies are now on the Craft Stash website and I love every one of them ... and I am sure you will too

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx




September 25, 2016

Colouring with Spectrum Noir

Hi Everybody,

I had a whole load of fun colouring these umbrellas and adding the extra decoration to them with a white pen.

The stamp is part of an A4 collection called Summer In The Garden.

Some of you may have this already as it was a free gift with a magazine some time ago.

So to make this card I used Spectrum Noir for the colours and masked off the umbrella in stages

Masking makes them overlap so that each one looks to be sitting behind another.

With hindsight though the sentiment would have been better stamped in Black to make it show up more but I think the finished effect is good fun

From the same stamp  I coloured in the brollies in Gray keeping just one of them brightly coloured and added the raindrops from the same set over the top

The Die and sentiment are from a set by Avery Elle and I just  thought that they fitted this scene perfectly.

So two interpretations of the same stamp and a whole lot of enjoyment in the process

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx



September 21, 2016

Water Colour Wednesday - 1 image 2 ways

Hi Everybody,

For todays offering I am using not water colours but Alcohol Marker pens.  And I thought I would share with you the video that was done with Spectrum Noir quite some time ago.  
It was added to The Art Studio before they went off line and it uses the older pen sets but it seems such a shame to waste this as I know that many of you have the older style pens and use them regularly



The image is from Just Inklined and is on the CD The Next Big Thing 
I know that many of you have this CD even though this is now difficult to get hold of. 
But there will be other images that you have that may need to be coloured with thiese shades and so I hope you will put this to good use

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx

September 05, 2016

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





July 28, 2016

Butterfly Parchment Card

Hi Everybody,

This pretty card is created with Spectrum Noir Pencils on Parchment and although time consuming it is very easy to do.

The video  Butterfly Background on Parchment  will show you how I created this look

Don't be afraid to try this out with any other embossing folders that you have. They will look unique and you will have fun in the process.

This folder is from Crafters Companion and although this one is no longer available there is one that is very similar

The same thing applies to the pencils which CC have renamed and re classified into new groups so I can't give you exact numbers of which pencils I used as I have the older sets

This embossing folder was free with Simply Cards and Papercrafts some time ago but it is a really useful one to have in your crafting "Stash"

I have used it  many times on card as well as parchment and with water colours. alcohol pens as well as pencils

I think both of them are really pretty cards and with a very summery feel to them

More tomorrow ...

Hugs xx