Follow your heart

Good morning

A quick post today. This is one of the recent cards I made for the one day wonder shows on Hochanda today. Fiona Clayton is showcasing some new Colorista products which includes some fabulous new card kit. For this card I have used the Floral Inspirations kit and the Colorista pens - 

I used the following products - 

• Colorista pens - cream, blue pearl, sorbet, magenta, purple, pale mint, pistachio and leaf green
• Floral Inspirations Colorista card kit

Fiona's shows are 9am, 12pm, 4pm and 7pm. 

Right I am off to defrost my car and head off to work. Enjoy your day, keep warm.

Crafty hugs

Lesley 

Time traveller 50th birthday

Hello folks

Ah the weekend - and relax....

This week my hubby celebrated his 50th birthday and today we are having a family party for him. This is the card I made to celebrate his big day - 

(Apologies for the picture quality - it was a rather dull day)

Once again I have been playing with the gorgeous Time Traveller range from Sheena Douglass but I also challenged myself to use the Spectrum Noir Illustrator pens. They are very different from my Spectrum Noir pens (defo my favourite colouring medium and my comfort zone). You have to use the lightest touch with the brush nibs and you seem to be able to add so much more shading without saturating the paper. Not sure how they work but I am sure with more practice I will love these pens as much as my Speccies. For my card today I used Steampunk man stamp which I coloured as follows - 

• skin - eggshell, linen, pale tan, muted brown and soft brown
• lips - pale tan, muted brown and soft brown
• eyes - true blue, black and a white gel pen
• clothes - russet, leather, henna, ice grey 2 and ice grey 6
• hair - ice grey 2, ice grey 6, black, IG7 and IG9 (Spectrum Noir pens)

I also used - 

• matt black card
• Sheena's stamping card
• Sheena's Time Traveller - timepieces stamp and dies
• Sheena's Time Traveller - geared up stamp and die sets
• Sheena's Time Traveller - time pieces stamp and die sets
• Tonic striped number 0 and number 5 dies
• Pebeo silver and king gold gilding wax
• Spectrum Noir Sparkle pen - starry sky (for the background)
• old paper, antique linen and brushed corduroy distress inks

I created the background using a technique I saw Sheena demo on the telly box. I used a piece of Sheena stamping card and a Spectrum Noir Sparkle pen to create a colourwash background, then spritzed with water and blotted with kitchen roll to create the starry sky.

I cut the cogs from matt black card and then rubbed with gilding wax. These look really bright in the photo but are much more muted in real life.

To create the texture on the numbers a stuck cogs onto the numbers before rubbing the gilding waz on and then trimmed with scissors.

Right that's me finished for today. I am now going to create a storm in the kitchen. 

Enjoy your weekend

Lesley

Starry birthday

Good morning everyone

A quick post from me today. This is a simple card I made a while ago using Sara's signature collection Just for men - 

I have used - 

• matt black card
• yellow core'dinations
• Sheena's stamping card
• Sara's signature collection - Just for men urban graffiti and rock star stamp sets
• Memento inks

As I said short and sweet today. Thank you for stopping by.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Time flies

Hello folks 

I bought the new Sheena time traveller range during the Crafter's Companion birthday week but haven't had much time to have a little play so this weekend I decided to put that right.

I managed to catch quite a few of Sheena's shows during the launch so I have used a lot of what I learnt on this card.

I have used - 

• Sheena's stamping card
• matt black card
• Tattered Lace Tri fold card die (another new purchase!!!)
• Sheena's Time Traveller Make time stamp and die sets
• Sheena's Time Traveller Timepieces stamp and die set
• Pebeo silver and king gold gilding wax
• clear embossing powder
• antique linen, brushed corduory and ground expresso distress ink
• expresso Adirondak ink

I followed Sheena's demo to make the watch, I couldn't believe how realistic it is. Very impressed. Sheena is so inventive.

I adore this range and can't wait to spend more time with it. I definitely need to follow this sentiment.

Thank you so much for stopping by today.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Vintage Christmas

Hello folks

Today sees the launch of a new challenge at Fantasy Stampers and this fortnight we would like to see your stamped projects for 

Vintage Christmas

Here is my DT card - 

I have used LOTV's Edwardian Christmas which I stamped onto Sheena's stamping card and coloured with Spectrum Noir Aqua pens - 

• chocolate, tan, slate, leaf green, burgundy, peach, desert, topaz and sepia

I have also used - 

• Tonic bowscale die set
• Spellbinder's resplendent rectangles die set
• First Edition's gilded winter paper pad
• ivory centura pearl
• ribbon and lace from my stash
• LOTV's handwritten Christmas sentiments
• antique linen distress ink

Why not join in our challenge this fortnight; you can visit the website here.

Thank you for stopping by today

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Vintage Chanel

Happy Tuesday folks

My last Spectrum Noir TV design team make for a while (although I have been beavering away on something new this week - shush!!). This is Chanel from Crafter's Companion's Scruffy Little Cat range -

I stamped her onto Neenah card and coloured her with the new vintage and nature Spectrum Noir pens plus a few of my existing collection and Sparkle pens - 

• hair - GY3, BO3, BO4 and RB4
• skin - FS2, FS9, TN2 and CR2
• eyes - AG5
• lipstick - MG5 and blender
• eyeshadow - DP1, DP2, DP3 and onyx black Sparkle pen
• dress - DP2, DP3 and DP4
• perfume and necklace - MB1, MB3, DP1, DP2, DP3 and DP4
• ground - RB1 and RB3
• sky - VB1

I have also used - 

• purple core'dinations
• white/hint of silver centura pearl
• Scruffy Little Cat dark paper pad
• satin ribbon coloured with DP3
• Die'sire essentials scalloped circles and circles die sets
• pearl from my stash
• seedless preserve distress ink

Thank you for stopping by today

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Believe

Good morning folks

I thought I would share another of my samples made for the new colours of Spectrum Noir launched on Friday.

I have used Sheena's believe stamp which I have stamped onto Neenah card and coloured with Spectrum Noir pens from both the nature and vintage sets, and some of my existing collection -

• YG1, YG2, YG3, RB1, RB2, RB3, RB4, AB1, MB1, MB2, MB3, MB4, BO3, BO4, AG1, AG2, AG3, AG4, AG5, IG1, IG3 and black

I have also used - 

• ivory centura pearl
• brown and beige core'dinations
• tumbling leaves embossing folder (from Crafter's Companion)
• satin ribbon from my stash
• Downton Abbey orante oval frames die set (to mat and layer the sentiment)
• tumbled glass distress ink

Thank you for stopping by today

Crafty hugs

Lesley

My cup of tea

Hello everyone

I am hoping for a peaceful Sunday after working overtime so far this weekend running mum's taxi. Hopefully I will be spending some time crafting (after I have done the ironing - yuck - yes I need an incentive to complete that task)

This is a 7 inch square card I made for the recent launch of new Spectrum Noir colours - 

I have used Sheena's my cup of tea stamp and die set which I have stamped onto Neenah card and coloured with the Vintage set of Spectrum Noir pens - 

• YG2, GY1, GY2, GY3, VB1, VB2 and VB3

I have also used - 

• white/hint of silver centura pearl
• blue and yellow core'dinations
• Downton Abbey ornate rectangle die set
• antique linen distress ink

Thank you for stopping by today

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Dragonfly beauty

Good morning everyone

Here is an A5 card made for the launch of the new Spectrum Noir nature and vintage pens - 

I have used Sheena's dragonfly dance stamp and die sets which I stamped onto Neenah card and coloured with the new pens - 

• MG1, MG2, MG3, MG4, MG5 and DP3 (all from the vintage set)

I have also used - 

• Sheena stamping card
• blue and purple core'dinations
• salty ocean, abandoned coral and seedless preserves distress inks

I used salty ocean, abandoned coral and seedless preserves distress inks to create the background.

Fiona should be back on our screens today at 9am, stock permitting.

Thank you for stopping by today

Crafty hugs

Lesley

One day special

Hello everyone

Woo hooo the best time of the week - Friday evening, not that I will be partying much this weekend, just driving mum's taxi here, there and anywhere!

Tonight sees the start of a new One day special with Fiona Clayton on Hochanda TV. Fiona is launching some new colours of Spectrum Noir pens and they are absolutely delicious and a must have for any Spectrum Noir fan. There are 2 new boxes of 24 pens either nature or vintage. This is one of the samples I made for the show - 

I have used Sheena's A little bit sketchy - cottage on the corner which I stamped onto Neenah card and then coloured with the new pens - 

• GY3, GY4, GY5, MB1, MB3, MB4, RB1, RB2, AB1, AB3, AG2, AG3, AG5, YG1, YG2, YG3, MG3, MG5 (from the Nature set)
• VB1 (from the Vintage set)

I have also used - 

• kraft card
• matt black card
• Textures distress embossing folder (from Crafter's Companion)
• buttons from my stash
• tea dye and antique linen distress ink

The show times are as follows - 

Enjoy your evening

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Autumn bounty

Hello folks and welcome to my little crafty blog

When I saw this stamp at Dies to die for I fell in love with it. Autumn is one of my favourite seasons and this stamp typified Autumn and her bounty for me.

 The stamp is Stamping Bella - Casey has a cornucopia which I have coloured with Spectrum Noir pens - 

• hat, dress and tights - IG1, IG2, IG3, IG8, IG9, IG10, black, blender and GB6
• skin - FS2, FS9, TN2 and CR1
• hair - GB8, GB10, EB5 and EB8
• basket - TN2, TN3, TN5, TN6, TN7, TN9, EB2, EB4, EB6, EB8, CG2, CG3, JG1, JG3, CT2, CT4, OR1, OR2, OR3, GB5, PL4, PL5, CR8, CR10 and CR11
• ground - TN2, TN4 and TN7
• sky - TB2

I have also used - 

• Sara's signature collection Autumn morning 12x12 paper pad
• old gold centura pearl
• purple core'dinations
• scraps of kraft card
• Sara's signature collection Autumn morning picket fence die
• Spellbinder's floral ovals die set
• Sara's signature collection rustling leaves stamp set
• walnut stain distress ink
• ribbon and gem from my stash

sentiment from rustling leaves stamp set

Thank you for stopping by today

Crafty hugs

Lesley

A little bit floral

Hello folks

This is another of the cards I made for last weekend's weekend wow on Hochanda TV - 

I have used Sheena's A little bit floral - dahlia stamp which I have coloured with Spectrum Noir Aqua blend pencils - 

• flowers - banana, claret and ginger
• leaves - oregano, jungle green and spruce
• background - aqua, lagoon, sky blue and marine blue

I have also used - 

• white/hint of silver centura pearl
• old gold centura pearl
• matt black card
• watercolour card

Thank you for stopping by today.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

12th birthday wishes

Good morning folks and welcome to my new followers,

Last week my youngest son celebrated his 12th birthday and this is the card I made for him - 

I have used LOTV's Oliver kicking about stamp (ST659) which I have coloured with Spectrum Noir pens and colourblend pencils - 

• skin - FS2, FS9, TN2, CR2 and saddle brown
• hair - GB8, GB10, EB5 and timberwood
• clothes - GB4, GB5, GB7, TB4, BGR1, BGR2, BGR4, pewter, smoke and yellow ochre
• bag - IG2, IG7, IG8, IG9 and black
• phone - IG2 and IG6
• ball - IG2, IG3, IG5 and taupe
• ground - BG1, BG3, BG5, stone and earth
• sky - IB1

I have also used - 

• matt black card
• yellow core'dinations
• pick n mix paper pad from First Edition
• Sara's signature collection Just for men happy birthday and male sentiments dies
• tumbled glass distress ink

Thank you for stopping by today

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Passion Flower

Good morning everyone

Brrrrr it has turned chilly here. After so many weeks of unseasonally warm weather winter has finally arrived. So to cheer myself up I thought I would post this card - 

This is another sample I made for the weekend wow shows on Hochanda TV this weekend. I have used Sheena's A little bit sketchy passion flower stamp which I have coloured with Spectrum Noir Aqua Blend pencils - 

• blueberry, iris, kiwi, primrose, papaya and aqua

I have also used - 

• white/hint of silver centura pearl
• purple and lilac core'dinations
• Sara's signature collection - English country garden - blooming vines embossing folder
• Tonic layering circles dies
• tumbled glass distress ink

Thank you for stopping by today

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Poppy Appeal

Good morning again

A busy morning for posts today...
As it is Saturday it is time for a new challenge at Fantasy Stampers. This fortnight the challenge is

Poppy Appeal

Here is my DT card for the challenge - 

A really simple card made using the following - 

• Sheena stamping card
• Spectrum Noir Aqua pens - slate, leaf green, scarlet, crimson and burgundy
• A little bit sketchy - poppies and daisies stamp from Sheena Douglass
• black and red core'dinations
• black satin ribbon

We look forward to seeing your projects for our Poppy challenge. Please remember we are a stamping challenge (no digis please) and this must be the main focus of your project. You can see what the other team members made here.

Enjoy your Saturday.

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Weekend wow

Good morning folks

There is a new weekend wow on Hochanda TV this weekend and it is the turn of the Spectrum Noir Aqua pens. There is a great deal which includes the pens, watercolour card, a DVD and a Sheena stamp all for a fabulous price. This is one of the samples I made for the shows - 

I have used Sheena's A little bit sketchy - the beach stamp (which is also on the show) and Spectrum Noir Aqua pens - 

• fawn, olive, moss, evergreen, bud green, wild flower, sepia, sunflower, slate, charcoal, aquamarine and kingfisher

I have also used - 

• matt black card
• blue core'dinations
• Textures waves embossing folder (from Crafter's Companion)
• black satin ribbon from my stash

Fiona is on our screens today at 10am, 2pm and 5pm with lots od demos of these amazing pens.

Thank you for stopping by today

Crafty hugs

Lesley

Remember, remember

Happy Friday folks

Well Friday at last and I have made it through my first week back at work - only 7 weeks to go and then it's Christmas!!!

But before that we have Bonfire night..... Now I know I am a day early but tonight is my school's bonfire and fireworks so that is why I am celebrating today.

I have used LOTV's bonfire stamp which I have coloured with Spectrum Noir pens and colourblend pencils - 

• skin - FS2, FS4, TN2, CR1 and saddle brown
• hair - TN7, TN8, EB8, spice brown, IG8, IG9, IG10 and rockpool
• clothes - CR8, CR9, CR10, CT4, GB5, OR1, TN3, TN6, TN8, TN9, spice brown, pumpkin and raspberry
• fire and sparklers - EB3, EB6, EB5, EB7, EB8, CT2, CT4, raspberry, GB5, OR1, CR10, coffee bean and pumpkin
• ground - BG2, BG3, BG4, BG6 and rockpool
• sky - BGR2 and BGR3

I have also used - 

• matt black card
• Die'sire create a card Nicole
• Sara's signature collection - Autumn morning 6x6 paper pad
• Spellbinder's floral ovals
• Sara's signature collection Autumn morning scattered leaves die set
• walnut stain and hickory smoke distress inks

Sara's signature collection Autumn morning scattered leaves die set

I inked the edges of the papers with walnut stain distress ink

I hope you enjoy your bonfire night, however you spend it and remember to keep your fur babies safe at home.

Crafty hugs

Lesley