I'm Lost Without You

The September Spectrum Noir Challenge is to create a card with a travel theme. I purchased this adorable image from Mo's Digital Pencil a quite a while ago and had yet to color it. I knew the minute I saw the theme he'd be perfect and it  was as much fun to color as I thought it would be when I bought it.

I created the sentiment and printed it in brown ink directly onto the kraft cardstock. I guess for some creating a custom sentiment is easy but I'm pretty picky when it comes to find precisely the right font and then tweaking it until the letter spacing and size are just right so I usually use stamps unless I have a very specific sentiment in mind as I did here. 

They've recently announced a new design for the Spectrum Noir Markers and I wanted to have a set that matched so I sold my Prismacolor Markers on Ebay so i could complete my set before the change over occurred. A color chart is an indispensable reference when coloring and I wanted one that would fit on a standard 8.5 x 11 sheet so I've made one myself. If any of you are using Spectrum Noirs and you'd like a copy of the chart  to color one for yourself you can download it here. 

Happy Crafting!

SUPPLIES USED: 

STAMPS: Adventure Guy (Mo's Digital Pencil), Compass (Stampendous), Digital Sentiment Font - Stencil

PAPER: Map DSP from my stash, Recollections Solids (Michael's)

DIES/PUNCHES: Mix-n-Match Banners (My Favorite Things) 

COLORING MEDIUM: Spectrum Noir Markers: TN1, TN2, TN3, EB3, EB7, EB8, TB1, TB3, GB3, GB5, GB10, IG6, IG10, JG5, JG6, JG7, DG2, DG3, BG1, BG5, BT1, FS8, EB2, DR1

OTHER: Copper Brad, Staple 

BASICS: Click HERE to check out my crafting tool bag.

Take Note... Spectrum Noir - Anything But a Card Challenge

It's an 'Anything But A Card' theme at the Spectrum Noir challenge blog this month. I typically stick with cards since I can send those to OWH but I'd had my eye on this cute digi from Sassy Cheryl's for some time and this seem like a perfect excuse to get it. Sally is just one of Cheryl's adorable characters and if you like to color and haven't yet visited  believe me when I say you want to go see her work.

I found this cute little, fat notebook in the back-to-school section. It didn't have the retro composition pattern cover so I created one digitally, printed it out and covered the base of my notebook with it. All the dies are from My Favorite Things. I'm thinking this notebook will be my place for taking notes on color combos as well as keeping tracks of refills I have and ones I need as time goes by.

I am really enjoying coloring with my Spectrum Noirs and since I was lucky enough to win a random draw on one of the challenges I've even been able to expand my set. I'm definitely planning to put the colors I'm still missing on my Christmas list for Santa.

Happy Crafting!


P.S.  — OWH is having a Virtual Card Making Party this Labor Day weekend so if you're around and want to join in some fun crafting challenges be sure to visit the Stars & Stamps blog starting tomorrow.

SUPPLIES USED:

IMAGE: No. 2 Pencil and a Dream (Sassy Cheryl's Stamps)

DIES: Postage Stamp Stax, Button Quartet, Hi Rise Alphabet, Fishtail Flags (MFT)

SPECTRUM NOIR MARKERS: Pencil: GB4, GB5, CR2, CR4, CR5, CR6, FS3, IG1, IG2, IG4 — Skin: FS2, FS3, EB1, EB2, CR2, CR4 — Hair Bow & Top: PL1, PL2, PL4 — Skirt: TB5, TB6 — Hair: EB5, EB7, TN3, TN5, TN7 — Shoes: BGR1, BGR3 — Grass: CG4, DG2, DG3

OTHER: Black Paper String (Tim Holtz)

Friendship Challenge - Spectrum Noir

I'm joining in on this month's 'Friendship Challenge' at the Spectrum Noir blog. I  got this image over at Mo Manning's Digital Pencil. I'd seen it before while browsing and knew the moment I saw the challenge theme that this was the perfect image.

As some of you know from previous posts I received the base set of 72 markers as a gift in June and as of late having been doing most of my coloring with them exclusively. I like them quite a bit and because they are refillable I think it's most likely that as I run down my Prismacolor Markers (which are not refillable) I probably won't replace them as I've been doing. I may even save up some and add the additional four sets of markers Spectrum Noir offers to 'extend' the color range.

I know that many crafters swear by Copics. Many collect them just one or two at a time, and I'm not here to convince you otherwise but if you're on a tighter budget but would still like to explore coloring with markers I think the Spectrum Noir base collection would be something to consider. Mine were a gift to me but I've seen them at my JoAnn's (I'm pretty sure you can use coupons on them) and at many online retailers. At Simon Says Stamp the base set of 72 will set you back about $145. Not inexpensive by any means but within reach for many. The base set includes a nice selection of colors and as you can see in this card, plenty to color even a fairly complex image nicely.

Happy Crafting!