Vintage Tea Party Collection by Sara Davies

I’m sharing something a little different today created using the gorgeous 6” Paper Pad, Twine, Lace and Stamp set from the Vintage Tea Party Collection.  These papers work fabulous on their own but I’m showing you a few samples on how to make the most of the stamp set in addition.  These cards and more have been sent off to be shown on HSN in Germany.

If you are in the UK this collection is already available from Crafter’s Companion directly.

Stamped and coloured using Spectrum Aqua pens.  Plus a little Stickles glitter glue.

I created a shadow box for this sample and the image was created by masking a few stamps together and coloured using Spectrum Noir Colourblend pencils.

This aperture card was created by distressing the edge of the paper using Aqua pens and glycerin technique.  The image is coloured with Aqua pens.

BRAND NEW Spectrum Noir Metallic Brush Pens!

These new metallic pens from Spectrum Noir are amazing!  They are highly pigmented and opaque which means they are they can be layered and are amazing on dark backgrounds including black card.  They have dual nibs (bullet and brush) which means that they will be a complete game changer for both dark colorista colouring pads AND brush lettering!!!  They are water based pens so you can try out your favourite water-based techniques but are stable once dry.  The pens come in 2 packs of 6 colours and will be demoed firstly on HSN in USA and coming soon to Hochanda in the UK.

Summary:  I LOVED using these pens!

Images from Colorista Dark pad: Under the Sea

Sentiment: brush lettering on top of Crafter’s Companion script lettering stamps.

Coloured with Spectrum Noir Metallic Brush Pens

Embossing folder and stamps/die by Sheena Douglass Day of the Dead collection

Premium black pad from Spectrum Noir

You can stamp or emboss black card for interesting colouring effects.  I have also coloured straight over clear embossing with somehow goes super shiny.

Speed Art Journal: Way Too Extraordinary

After taking a break from making art journal videos to knuckle down and finish my final dance teaching qualifications I’m pleased to say that I am back!  I really enjoy art journaling so I’m hoping I can get back into a regular routine for you. 

In this first video of the new series I’ve decided to demonstrate some of my colouring techniques with you as this will be my first video since becoming part of the Spectrum Noir design team.  This entire spread was inspired by my daughter (who micromanaged the different stages lol x)  (Scroll down for video…)

YouTube Partnership Changes

Before we get into it I have a few points to make:  firstly, my channel has been affected by the recent changes to YouTube’s policies and now all of my videos that I worked hard to make have become demonetised.  This basically means that I can no longer receive ad revenue (which was only pennies on my channel) but it was a very good incentive for me to carry on creating and sharing content.  It also helped me justify buying another art journal or replacing supplies that ran out.  In order to get monetised in the future I need to greatly increase the number of hours my videos are watched by people.  Each video takes several days to create, then edit the footage, produce the final video and give you the blog entry listing all the materials, etc.  If you would like to support my channel (for free!) then the best thing would be to subscribe to my channel and maybe watch a playlist or two on there from time to time.  This, as well as liking and commenting on my videos, lets me know that you like my content and that you’d like to see more.  Of course, if you’re a company and would like to sponsor me to make a video using your products then please get in touch too!

Voiceovers or Background Music

I’ve had a chance to reflect on comments made and there have been some occasions that people have said they would prefer a voiceover and/or more descriptions of what I’m doing to help them make similar artwork or learn from my techniques.  I am super happy to start doing voiceovers for you but I also know that other people prefer to have the background music as they find the videos quite relaxing to watch.  Therefore, for this video I’ve created TWO versions – one with voiceovers and one without.  To help me know which format you would like to see in the future please comment on the video that works best for you.

Materials Used

• Templates and Stamps from Paperbabe: Female Profile, Long & Fringe and Profile Face Stamp Set
• Spectrum Noir Colorblend Pencils
• Skin: Walnut, Saddle Brown, Vanilla, Peach, Cream and Linen
• Lips: Raspberry, Carmine, Peach
• Hair: Saddle Brown, Cider, Antique Rose, Peach, Vanilla
• Spectrum Noir Aqua Pens: Sandstone and Blossom
• Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens: Starry Sky, Blue Topaz, Moonstone, Rose Quartz (lips)
• Spectrum Noir Artliner pens in black:  Brush, 08, 005
• Spectrum Noir Metallic Pen: Silver Ingot
• Ranger Archival Inks: Watering Can, Black, Red, Green
• Pebeo Decocreme Paints:  Pearl Violet, Matt Linen, Matt Royal Blue
• Texture Stamps by Craftwork Cards
• Cosmic Shimmer Flake and Glitter Glue
• Gilding Flakes
• Posca white pen
• Golden Gel Medium, Pebeo Drawing Gum, Pebeo White Gesso
• Tim Holtz Tissue Paper

Video WITH Voiceover:

Video WITHOUT Voiceover:

Which video do you prefer?

AquaBlend Pencils and Stacey Barras Stamps

I’ve been playing with my artist-quality watercolour pencils by Spectrum Noir this week to create samples for the upcoming shows with Fiona Clayton.  She will also be bringing the latest floral stamps by the talented Stacey Barras.  All of the stamps on my samples are from this collection and are ideal for watercolour work!  I’m also listing all the colours that I used below…

SHOW TIMES ON HOCHANDA: Saturday 17th February 2018 at 7am, 10am and 2pm

Buy Stacey Barras / Crafter’s Companion stamps: https://www.crafterscompanion.co.uk/papercraft/stamping/crafter-s-companion-collections.html

Buy Spectrum Noir: https://www.crafterscompanion.co.uk/brands/spectrum-noir.html

Stamps: Rose Bloom by Stacey Barras

Aquablend pencils: Kiwi, Ruby, Tobacco, Cherrywood, Ruby, Coral, Black Umber, Chrome Orange, Carrot, Honeycomb, Straw, Powder Blue

Watercolour Card, Archival Inks

Candle (Front View) Stamps by Stacey Barras

Aquablend pencils: Sunshine, Soft Red, Carrot, Elderberry, Hyacinth, Tobacco, Charcoal Brown, Cherrywood

Tissue paper and archival ink

Launch of Colourista Aqua by Spectrum Noir!

Show times on Hochanda:  Monday 15th January 2018 at 6pm, 8pm and Tuesday at 9am, 1pm and 5pm.

Spectrum Noir is launching a brand new addition to the Colourista range for lovers of watercolour or anyone who wants to get started with it!  Check out the shows on Hochanda tonight and tomorrow to see the amazing goodies including brand new Colourista watercolour pencils, beautiful watercolour pads with pre stamped images, foiling and white work resist, different sized pads including some ready for cards and some ready for framing and, last but not least, adorable watercolour tag pads with foiling and resist.

The picture inside the frame was coloured easily using the Aqua pens.  The frame was painted with gesso mixed with the aqua pens and even the flowers were die cut and coloured using the same three pens.

Call of the Wild by Sheena Douglass

I’ve been having a play with the Call of the Wild stamps and dies by Sheena Douglass.  The two cards I made below both used the same colouring mediums (a hat trick of Spectrum Noir pens!):

• Main image stamped with Grey Momento ink onto Neenah card and coloured with Spectrum Noir alcohol pens (additional details with Artliner pens)
• Background landscape was stamped using brown archival ink onto Sheena Stamping Card and then coloured using Spectrum Aqua pens
• The sky and additional shimmering reflections on the water were created using Spectrum Sparkle pens
• I’ve also used a bit of distress ink around the edges

Brand New Launch–Spectrum Noir ColourTint Pencils!

If you love your water colour pencils then you are going to absolutely need these new additions to the Spectrum Noir range!  These pencils are very unique in the fact that they are graphite based water soluble pencils and the colours are dark tints.  They work beautifully dry or wet and all of your normal water colour pencil techniques will work with these.  Only two 12-pencil tins are being released at the moment but the tones are plentiful and will obviously play nicely with your Aquablend pencils.  You can catch these launching as a One Day Special on Hochanda from Saturday 4th November alongside some perfectly-matched stamps by Sheena Douglass that have never been seen before!

Show Times on Hochanda: Saturday 4th November 6pm and 8pm, Sunday 5th November 9am, 1pm and 5pm.

Also coming soon on HSN in the USA!

Spectrum Noir at Crafter’s Companion: https://www.crafterscompanion.co.uk/brands/spectrum-noir.html 

Spectrum Sparkle Pens One Day Special on Hochanda 15th October 2017

I’ve been having lots of fun this last week making super sparkly cards with the fabulous Sparkle pens from Spectrum Noir.  I am soooo gutted that sparkle-vision hasn’t been invented yet but in real life theses samples sparkle like crazy.  Tune into the shows on 15th October for a chance to seem them twinkle in front on the cameras!  I’ve used a mixed bag of stamps available from Crafter’s Companion to highlight the versatility of these pens.  I have used colours from the original packs: Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter but don’t forget about the vintage hues and other special packs from designers at Crafter’s Companion.

Find Spectrum Sparkle pens at Crafter’s Companion UK: https://www.crafterscompanion.co.uk/brands/spectrum-noir/sparkle-glitter-pens-3855.html

TV Show times: Sunday 15th October at 6pm and 8pm and then throughout the day on Monday until 5pm.

You can watch Hochanda online.

Stamps: Star of the Show & Enjoy the Show by Stacey Barras

Spectrum Sparkle: Smokey quartz, moonlight, harvest moon, amethyst, red berry, blue topaz, solar red, pink garnet, starry sky

Aqua Markers (for the skin): Sandstone and tawny

Watering can archival ink, gold glitter embossing powder, acetate, diorama card blank and Sheena stamping card.

Background was created by 1st and 2nd generation stamping all the different sentiment words and then painting on the sparkle pens.

Stamps: Music Time by Donna Ratcliff

Sparkle pens: smokey quartz, pink champagne, red berry, holly leaf, starry sky

Neenah desert storm colouring card and vellum

Mockingbird Hill Done 2 Ways: Festive v. Spooky Halloween

I finally got around to finishing my first Mockingbird Hill houses using the stamps and die sets from Sheena Douglass.  Using the exact same sets I have created 2 looks – one is for my mum (I’m planning on making her a little mini card village for the winter holidays) and one is for my favourite holiday – Halloween!  The festive one is snowy and twinkly and the spooky one is covered in cobweb and glows in the dark!

To make them into tea lights I have created side panels wide enough for a battery operated tea light and a solid back by tracing the outline of the house. 

BRAND NEW: Spectrum Aqua pen colours Launching August 19th

I have loved Spectrum Aqua since they were launched so you can imagine how giddy I was to discover that new colours were being launched!  Aqua pens are one of the most versatile products you can get hold of.  They are portable, clean to use and offer a TON of variety when it comes to techniques!  The new colours are arranged in sets of 6 so you can add to your collection in stages – or check out the bundle launching as a One Day Special on Hochanda on Saturday August 19th!  They are also including some brand new stamps with your pens that really show off the vibrant watercolour appeal to these.  These aren’t just random colours – there’s some GREAT colours that we need including a primary red and a primary blue that we have needed!  The sets are called: Earth, Botanicals, Landscape and Brights.
Aqua pens are double ended with both a brush nib and a very fine nib.
Show Times: Hochanda 6pm Saturday 19th August, and throughout the day on the Sunday www.hochanda.com
Find Aqua pens on Crafter’s Companion UK: https://www.crafterscompanion.co.uk/brands/spectrum-noir/spectrum-aqua.html
My samples for the show are below as well as some info on how I created them:

New Launch: Frankie Stamps by Cherry Green Wednesday 26th July

Summer’s here and I’m excited to share with you some adorable new stamps by Cherry Green!  There is a whole set of Frankie (the little girl) embarking on lots of different activities.  Her pure look makes her so easily coloured to look like your own favourite little girls!  I particularly love the extra details stamps such as the different types of shells and the raindrops!  All of Cherry Green’s sentiments are hand drawn instead of typed.
Catch the launch on Hochanda on Wednesday 26th July 2017 at 10am and 4pm.
Visit Crafter’s Companion or Hochanda for all your crafting goodies.

7” Shadow Box Card
Stamps: Frankie Sunbathing by Cherry Green
Stamped onto Neenah Card by Crafter’s Companion.  Added store bought play sand.
Spectrum Noir pens:

• Skin: TN4 + FS9 + 8 + 4 + 2
• Hair: TN4 + OR2 + BO1 + OR1
• Clothes: TB9 + 7 + 5 + 3 / IG5 + 3 + 1 + Blender / IG5 + DR7 + 5 + CR6 / GY5 + 3 + LY1
• Sky: TB1 + IG3 + 1
• Stones: BG9 + 5 + 1
• Sea: TB5 + BT7 + 6 + 4
• Shells: PP1 + BG7 + 5 + 5 + CR2 + TN4 + YG3 + 1 + GY3 + 1

More Colourblend and Aquablend Samples for 16th June

Don’t forget to catch the one day special on Hochanda this Sunday and Monday to see the brand new colours of Spectrum Noir’s Aquablend and Colourblend pencils.  I managed to get a few extra samples made for you.

Links: 

• Hochanda (to watch live and to shop online)
• Crafter’s Companion
• Aquablend Pencils: https://www.crafterscompanion.co.uk/brands/spectrum-noir.html?cat=1515
• Colourblend Pencils: https://www.crafterscompanion.co.uk/brands/spectrum-noir.html?cat=1518
• Premium Paper Pads: https://www.crafterscompanion.co.uk/brands/spectrum-noir.html?cat=3422
• Cherry Green Stamps: https://www.crafterscompanion.co.uk/brands/cherry-green.html
• Stacey Barras Stamps: https://www.crafterscompanion.co.uk/papercraft/stamping/crafter-s-companion-collections/crafter-s-companion-stamps.html

Stamps: Hydrangea Garden by Cherry Green

Coloured onto Crafter’s Companion Premium Pencil Pad, heat embossed with gold glitter.

Colourblend pencils from new 12 packs only: sea grass, icicle, pollen, wineberry, coral, lagoon, sky blue, ladybug, dusty pink, lilac, candleglow

Stamps: Hydrangea Heart by Cherry Green

Coloured onto Crafter’s Companion Premium Pencil Pad, heat embossed with transparent hologram.  Made from Crafter’s Companion Fancy Card blank.  Butterfly overlay made from heat embossing onto heatproof acetate.

Colourblend pencils from new 12 packs only: sea grass, saltwater, orchid, cupid, pearl blush, indigo, amethyst, wisteria, candle glow, dusty pearl, saltwater.

Stamps: Little Birdy by Stacey Barras

Stamped with brown archival ink on Crafter’s Companion Premium Watercolour Pad.  Coloured with Aquablend pencils from new 12 packs only.

Matted onto patterned paper and Distress Coredinations embossed with Textures embossing folder.

Stamps: Perfect Peony by Stacey Barras

Stamped onto white tissue paper with Black Momento ink.  Coloured with Aquablend pencils from new 12 packs only.

Brand New Spectrum Noir Pencils on Hochanda 16th July One Day Special

Exciting news for Spectrum Noir pencil fans – BRAND NEW COLOURS for both the colourblend and aquablend lines have been released and will be on Hochanda as a One Day Special from 6pm on 16th July 2017.  The pencils are a fantastic expansion to the existing colours and are arranged in tin sizes of 12.  The new Colourblend tins are named Soft Tints and Bold Brights.  The new Aquablend watercolour tins are names Vivid Hues and Earth Tones.  You can see my Aquablend samples below using stamps by Stacey Barras – all have been coloured on the new Premium Watercolour Pad by Crafter’s Companion too!

HOCHANDA SHOW TIMES: Sunday 16th July from 6pm and Monday 17th www.hochanda.com

SPECTRUM NOIR PENCILS (Crafter’s Companion): https://www.crafterscompanion.co.uk/brands/spectrum-noir.html 

STACEY BARRAS STAMPS (Crafter’s Companion): https://www.crafterscompanion.co.uk/brands/crafter-s-companion/crafter-s-companion-stamps.html

Stepper Card made using Crafter's Companion Stamps "Find Your Wings" by Stacey Barras.  Spectrum Sparkle Clear overlay onto the bird.  Background created by scraping small specks of pencil onto the cardstock and spritzing with water.  Layered onto Coredinations card stock.

Easel Card made using Crafter's Companion Stamps "Perfect Peony" by Stacey Barras.  Background embossed Coredinations card with woodgrain Texture folder by Crafter’s Companion.  Layered onto Kraft card.

Wooden hanging heart made using Crafter's Companion Stamps "Beautiful Bloom" by Stacey Barras.  Heat embossed with Silver embossing powder and decorated with silver liquid pearls.

Diorama Card made using Crafter's Companion Stamps "Little Birdie" by Stacey Barras.  Clear Spectrum Sparkle pen on the edge of the wings.  Images stamped in grey Archival ink (Watering Can).  Background created by scribbling pencils and then watering with a brush, plus additional flecks of pencil.  Image has been decoupaged up for extra dimension.

Diorama Card made using Crafter's Companion Stamps "Beautiful Bloom" by Stacey Barras.  Image was stamped with orange Archival Ink, coloured and then cut out into it’s separate parts before being pieced back together for dimension.  Background is made from coredinations card, embossed with Textures folder by Crafter’s Companion and Pebeo gilding wax.

New Cherry Green Stamps Launching Thursday 15th June

Hello everyone I am absolutely THRILLED to announce that I have joined the design team for Spectrum Noir and my first samples are for the BEAUTIFUL new stamp designs by Cherry Green that are launching this week as a One Day Special on Hochanda.  These designs work amazingly with all of your favourite watercolour mediums including the very portable and convenient-to-use Spectrum Noir Aqua pens.  I truly hope these samples inspire you to get creative with this wonderful new collection.

DESIGNER:  Cherry Green

RANGE:  Hydrangea and Butterflies

LAUNCH DATE:  Thursday 15th June on Hochanda (show times 6pm, 8pm on Thursday and 6am, 9am, 1pm and 5pm on Friday)

Find Cherry Green at Crafter’s Companion https://www.crafterscompanion.co.uk/brands/cherry-green.html

All of my samples have been coloured with Spectrum Aqua pens or Spectrum Sparkle pens:

8x8" Card made using Crafter's Companion Stamps "Hydrangea Heart" by Cherry Green coloured with Spectrum Aqua Pens scarlet, blossom, sunflower, bud green, leaf green, moss, burgundy, red violet, kingfisher, peacock blue, charcoal.  This set comes with a separate butterfly stamp which fits onto the main image.  I have stamped and embossed this on heat proof acetate and stuck down just the body using 3d Collal glue.

8x8" Card made using Crafter's Companion Stamps "Dancing Butterflies" by Cherry Green coloured with just three Spectrum Aqua Pens sunflower, rose pink, aquamarine.  The black background is heat embosses flourish stamps from the set on Crafters Companion Matt Black card, the pastel background is created by stamping the flourishes in white gesso and then applying the pens with an ink tool and glycerin.  The flowers were created with a die by Sheena Douglass.

8x8" Box Card made using Crafter's Companion Stamps "Hydrangea Garden" by Cherry Green coloured with Spectrum Aqua Pens Jasmine, Teal, Red Violet, Orchid, Spice, Gold, Leaf green, Bud green, Boulder, Chestnut.  I created the box from Crafters Companion Kraft card – please comment if you’d like me to give a tutorial on making box cards.  The images have been heat embossed in Ivory powder onto Crafters Companion Watercolour card.  There is also a “flying” butterfly suspended on invisible thread that flutters above the hydrangeas.

8x8" Card made using Crafter's Companion Stamps "Midnight Dreams" by Cherry Green coloured with Spectrum Aqua Pens crimson, orange, gold, meadow, bud green. evergreen, peacock blue, purple, leaf green, moss, desert, slate, terracotta.  The background was created on Sheena Stamping Card and the Tim Holtz spritzer to give an airbrushed effect.

8x8" Card made using Crafter's Companion Stamps "Summer Solstice" by Cherry Green coloured with Spectrum Sparkle Pens Cosmos, Rose Quartz, Holly Leaf, Aquamarine, Starry sky.  The butterfly was stamped onto Crafters Companion Watercolour Card in ivory embossing powder.  Then a super sparkly cosmic background was created using the Spectrum Sparkle pens.  Even the ribbon was coloured using the pens. 

Spectrum Noir Colouring

Hi everyone I am out of my winter cave now and today I have put together a sample of my recent colouring projects.

1. Spectrum Noir ColourBlend Pencils

This is a digital stamp from ppinky designs.  I have coloured her using the ColourBlend pencils.  She’s been made into a card by mounting with a turquoise textured card and a copper pearl card.  The sentiment is from Sheena Douglass.

2 and 3. Spectrum Noir Pens

Here’s a picture that I managed to colour to give the illusion of a glow using the original Spectrum Noir pens and some brush nibs.

This one is also using these pens.  This image was from the Kit & Clowder monthly colouring class which I colour along with my Spectrum Noir pens.

4. Spectrum Illustrator Pens

This picture was coloured with the new illustrator pens.  See the original colouring post here.  I have then mounted this 3 times with textured card and black card.

5. Spectrum Sparkle and AquaBlend Pencils

This pair of Sheena Douglass Fairies was coloured with the Sparkle pens (mostly from the vintage set).  The skin and hair is from the AquaBlend pencils.  There is also a bit of Pebeo gilding wax on the wings.

Art Journal: The Family Tie is Like a Tree

I have taken a card which I recently made and turned it into an art journal page firstly because there were some really cool techniques involved and secondly to share with you how I can adapt cards for art journal pages and vice versa.  Included in this page is a simple watercolour background using Spectrum Noir Aquatints, colouring using watercolour pencils (Aqua Blend by Spectrum Noir), foiling technique using mixtion relief and a masking tape tree painted with Pebeo acrylic paints.  All of the stamps are from Sheena Douglass A Little Bit Sketchy range and work together beautifully.

Ingredients

• Aquatints by Spectrum Noir
• AquaBlend Pencils by Spectrum Noir
• Black Gesso by Pebeo
• Acrylic Paints by Pebeo
• Mixtion Relief and Gold Foil by Pebeo
• Modelling Paste by Pebeo
• Drawing Gum by Pebeo
• Archival Ink in Black and Watering Can by Ranger
• Stamps by Sheena Douglass: A Little Bit Sketchy (multiple A6 stamp sets)
• Masking Tape

Here’s the original card:

Mixed Media Canvas for Sheena Douglass

This is a mixed media canvas that I created for the designer Sheena Douglass.  The end result was really beautiful with all of its shiny parts and especially the mermaid whose tail catches the light beautifully.  I made it through to the 2nd stage of the recent Design Team Call out for Sheena Douglass and even though I wasn’t picked in the end I still wanted to share with you my makes and how I made my final round canvas featuring stamping, die cuts, stencilling and lots of Pebeo mixed media-ness!  The canvas had lots of super shiny elements thanks to the foiling and the Dyna paints.  For my samples that were made in the first round please scroll down past the video and past the ingredients list…

Ingredients

• Gesso in White and Black by Pebeo
• High density modelling paste and modelling paste by Pebeo
• Crackle texture paste by Golden
• Stamps by Sheena Douglass (mermaid and cracks)
• Stencils by Sheena Douglass (pop dotty and equalizer)
• Dies by Sheena Douglass (wild rose and day of the dead)
• Embossing folder by Sheena Douglass
• Acrylic paints by Pebeo (including Dyna colours)
• Gelatos by Faber Castelle
• Foil Gilding sheets by Pebeo (green and silver)
• Drawing gum by Pebeo
• Perfect medium by Ranger
• Archival ink in Watering Can by Ranger
• Spectrum Noir alcohol pens (skin tones)
• Mixtion relief by Pebeo
• Aluminium tape
• Black card

Here’s my three makes from the first round:

 

Day of the Dead Mini Canvas (click for blog post and video)

Savannah Family Card – I’m planning on making this into an art journal page so make sure you’ve subscribed to my YouTube channel.

Faux Leather Embossed Altered Box – click for the blog post