Howdy!

Howdy!
This morning my friend from the second grade (yes a million years ago) called me to say hello.  It was an awesome way to start a very busy weekend.  Donna told me that her new husband Bill Couts LOVED this image, so I made it into a card and would like to send it to him after I display it at CHA this week.  So Bill this is for you!

Colors:
Reds: DR1, DR3, DR7, CR7
Flesh: TN2, FS2, TN3
shorts: TB2, TB3 (and a bit of rubbing alcohol on a piece of denimn)
Hat: IG2, IG4, IG7
Hair: TN4, TN7 and a bit of GB3

The texture is fun and easy.  Here is how....
1. Color area you want texturized before coloring any other areas of the image.
2. Take a piece of denim and add a bit of rubbing alcohol (not soaking wet just damp).
3. Now wrap the denim around an acrylic block for evenness then stamp over the colored area.
4. Lift the block and denim and watch the alcohol dilute the areas where the texture touched the ink.

Be sure not to color surrounding areas until alcohol has dried.  If you color the surrounding areas prior to adding texture the colors will bleed together or you will have textured everything.  Texture on the leg or tummy would not be very appealing.  yuck.

The rest of the stuff I worked on is top secret using a new products that will be released at CHA in January!  Toot Toot - stay tuned you will LOVE them.!

Jennie

Pretty in Pink

PRETTY IN PINK - One of my favorite colors!  The Holidays are coming and I am trying my best to get loads of cards done up for family gifts.  When I ask my family what they want for Christmas - they always say CARDS.... So of course I put it off every year and then rush to get them done.  This is one that one of my family members will get in their packet this year.  Below are several other images that are a bit easier to color.

This one is a Saturated Canary Digital Image that I got for free from Saturated Canary's 12 hour special  freebie promotion!  Gotta Love those freebies!  I colored her with a variety of colors.  Note that her jacket is done with the BP colors with a bit of IG2, IG3, and IG5 added to give a bit of shading and take away some of the shocking pink color.  I am a muted pink girl!  LOL.... Her socks are colored in the CG2, CG3, and DG3, then I brightened them by coloring a CT2 yellow on top of the green.  I really love the way a yellow will cheer up a lime green color!  Skirt is done in IG's, Face is TN2 & FS2, and a Bit of PP1.  Hair is TN2, TN4, TN6 and EB5.  Skates and pom pom's are done with just a bit of shading with IG2 and the blender pen.

Here are a few more cards that will be in my family gift packs... note that these were all made using the same stamp from the Mulberry Woods stamp collection by Crafter's Companion, but done in several different color combinations so that if they all get originals.  I love this dog stamp and it is so easy to color!  Do not laugh at the green dog... it is green with envy.... ok I was trying to make them all different..... lol.


Have a Great Day

Jennie

What to expect on the day of the party Receive exclusive deals and discounts throughout the day from all 3 companies; Crafter’s Companion, Stampendous and Bee Creative – some of which are too good to advertise in this newsletter. Free make-n-takes, hourly raffles and goodie bags to all those that RSVP (see below for additional information). Snacks and beverages will also be served to be sure all the crafting and shopping excitement doesn’t leave you too hungry to make it through the day! Here are some additional details on what each of the companies will be doing throughout the day Crafter’s Companion You won’t want to miss a special in-booth demonstration by Dee Gruenig… Yes, you read that right, Dee Gruenig has agreed to create a limited edition, signed stamp set just for our Holiday Party. Only 250 of these stamp sets will ever be made and she’ll be coming out of retirement to demonstrate from 10am – 2pm. You won’t want to miss this exclusive opportunity. Our Director of Education; Jennie Black, will be doing a make-n-take on the Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers from 9:30am – 3pm where you’ll learn plenty of tips, tricks and useful techniques. Receive special show deals all day long at our booth - Sorry, you’ll have to see those deals first hand when you arrive! StampendousJoin Laura Weed at the make-n-take tables to explore the fun of Fran’s Encrusted Jewel Technique for yourself as you create a tag perfect for adding to a card or scrapbook page. Special product deals will be offered on many of our clear and rubber stamps, stickers and end of season items. You won’t be disappointed with the fantastic selection of product to choose from! Bee Creative Join the Bee Creative crew at the make-n-take tables for a holiday project or quick & easy card you’ll love to create. It’s been a busy show season for our friends at Bee Creative and they’re ready to celebrate the holidays with special deals on their wide selection of adhesives, Stickles glitter glues, Scrapmabob Drink/Trash Holder and much more. You’ll also find Sparkly Fluff, oodles of tools, craft bags, card making stickers and bargain bin deals on scrapbook papers. Images shown are representative, but not identical of the projects you may create for the make-n-take. RSVP for the event to receive a Goodie Bag at the door! Sorry, we are no longer accepting RSVP's for the event. If you have received an email back when you first RSVP'd you are definitely on our RSVP list. No other confirmation is needed. Thanks and see you at the show! Friday Night Crop & Cardmaking Event - We've Opened up Additional Space!!! Did you think we were done? We’ll be busy setting up for the show on December 1st the night before and thought it might be a bit lonely without some of our special guests crafting away in the room next door. We have a VERY LIMITED number of seats available for the Friday Night Crop & Cardmaking event on November 30th. Crafting will begin at 7:00pm and will wind down by 11:30pm to have you in bed in time to enjoy the Holiday Party on the following day. The cost to attend is $30.00 and there are only 30 seats available - WE'VE JUST ADDED 30 MORE SEATS! - Total of 60 seats now available. As our special guest for the evening you will receive an extra-special goodie bag worth at least $50.00, a chance to win additional prizes during our hourly drawings, exclusive shopping opportunity from 10pm – 11pm and we’ll even make a coffee run to the local Starbucks – the drinks are on us! Light snacks will also be served throughout the evening. Bindy Lambell will be your host and is sure to keep you entertained. Please click here to purchase your crop tickets! Directions to the Event To get directions, please visit our event page on the Embassy Suites Website: http://embassysuites.hilton.com/en/es/groups/personalized/L/LAXANES-602-20121130/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG Embassy Suites Anaheim – North 3100 East Frontera Anaheim, CA 92806 T: 714-632-1221 The hotel is conveniently located between 3 major freeways and is only 15 minutes away from Disneyland and the Orange County Airport. Hope to see you there! We hope whether you live close to the event or far away that we get the opportunity to see you at the event. *You will receive a card in your goodie bag that is valid for 1 make-n-take for each of the 3 companies. Additional make-n-takes at the same table can be done for an additional $1.00 each, but you cannot do them consecutively unless there are no other people waiting in line.

  Sealed With A Little Kiss - from the second I heard that was what SWALK stood for, I was instantly in love with this cute line of stamps.  This release is my favorite so far!  This funny image is purr-fect if you know me and my dog Bugsie!  She is always getting new ribbons and bows for her hair.. but no one is allowed to cut her hair!  Nope - It touches the ground just the way I like it!   Here is my pampered baby Bugsie sitting in front of the Steinway that Elvis used to record songs on!  LOL

The name of this set is  A Time To Paws I used several different Crafter's Companion tools, stamps and such so here is how I made the card!

First I colored the image with my Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers.  Colors used are

RED: DR1, DR3, DR7, CR10

GRAY: IG1, IG2, IG5, IG8

BROWN: TN1, TN2, TN6, TN8

BLUE: TB4

BLENDER PEN

My background paper was made using our new EBOSSER machine and our large Damask embossing folder.  I just love the size of these folders as you can make an over sized card with no problem!  The sandwich I used included the embossing folder, and plates A, C & D, plus one sheet of black cardstock.

Look at the crisp deep embossing it put into my cardstock.  I love these embossing folders!

 Here is a close up of the image I colored.  I can't believe I picked red and black.. those are the two hardest colors for me to use!  LOL.. but I just love the dramatic look of red black and white... This lady looks so classy in her sexy black dress, pearls with her silver poodle!  LOL...

I hope my post has inspired you to try these great new stamps, the embosser, embossing folders and Spectrum  Noir alcohol markers!  Have a great day!

Jennie Black

Sealed with a Little Kiss (SWALK) new release!

Is this image  darling or what?  It is one of several new SWALK stamps being released today by Crafter's Companion!  The image is colored with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Pens. I used the amazing Ultimate Tool to make this fun fold card.  You will find the instructions below, give it a try.

PAPER PIECES
Base Card:  6" x 12"
Two coordinating printed paper pieces cut 5 3/4" x 2 3/4"
One coordinating printed paper cut 5 3/4 x 5 3/4
Embellishment pieces (stars, 1/2" x 5 3/4" stripe)
Image piece with another piece cut the exact size for the greeting on the inside of the card
Matting for image is cut 1/4" larger than image piece (CUT 2 - one for inside of card)
Double Matting is cut 1/4" larger than the above piece (CUT 2 - one for inside of card)

Base card scored at 6"

Base card also scored at 3" 

Fold card at 6" to make card base.

Fold front flap up at the 3" score line.

Adhere the image to front flap 

(be sure adhesive is only on the left half of the image back)

Hide the greeting piece directly behind the image piece

Adhere greeting piece inside the card.

Add desired embellishments and color image

I hope you enjoyed this fun fold tutorial using the Crafter's Companion Ultimate tool.  You can find many more samples colored by me at Spectrumnor.com 

Doggie Hugs!

Here is a fun card I made for Andy's mom.  She had a task to complete and did a fantastic job doing it.  We thought this little card might show her how proud we are of her!  

The image is one of the newer releases from Crafter's Companion Mulberry Woods Stamps.  You can purchase it HERE.  

I did not take step out pictures of the image while I was coloring, but here are the colors I used.  I totally love the red and brown color combination! 

Browns: TN1, TN2, TN4, TN8, EB8

Flowers: CT1, CT4, GB5, CR11, DR3, DR1

Green: CG2, DR3

Ground: BGR2, BGR1

I made the greeting using the computer and then rolled it a bit to look like a banner.

Colorful Hugs to everyone!

Jennie

Happy Haunting

Halloween was always a fun holiday while Austin was young.  I remember my very favorite picture of him for his first birthday.  He was a little lion.  He was in love with Nayla from The Lion King!  he loved being a helpful fireman and then he grew up and loved the scary masks and grim reaper hoods with no face.  Gotta love a kid that goes from The Lion King to the Grim Reaper!  lol... (he still watches and loves Disney and helping people!).

Here is a little something different for Halloween.  I hope you enjoy it!

Beginner Spells - A center highlight

In this fun Halloween image, I will show how to build dimension by placing your highlight in the center of your image.  We can actually make a flat image look as if it has shape or dimension by placing our darkest color (shading) furthest from our eye and the lightest color (highlight) closest to our eye.  These bottles are cylinder shaped, so I put the highlight right down the center of each bottle.

Add lightest color GB1, and add darkest color GB9 on the area furthest from your eye. (the sides of each bottle or label)

   In the picture below, you can see where I blended the light and dark golden browns together using a medium color (GB6).  I then softened the edge of GB6 with my original light color (GB1 or GB2).  As seen in the photo above, I colored the green label using the same steps as I used on the first label.  The colors used are listed in order of use, DG1, DG3, DG2, DG1 then softened the center highlight with the blender pen.

I also started coloring my red bottle starting with my darkest color on the edge of the bottle (DR7) then worked my way towards the center of the bottle with my lighter colors.  Here are the colors I used in order of use  DR7, DR5, DR3, CR8. Note: The CR8 is a higher number, however it is from a completely different color tone which happens to be lighter. The Coral Reds are lighter with more of an orange tint than Dark Reds.  

Complete red bottle above.  Other bottles were were colored using the same steps.  Here is another view of the finished project with different background paper.

Center Highlight helps build dimension to images.

Other colors used in order used:

Golden brown labels: GB1, GB9, GB6, GB1

Brown Bottle: TN2, TN9, TN6, TN4, TN2

Red Bottle: DR7, DR5, DR3, CR8

Gray Bottle: IG7, IG5, IG2, IG1

Corks: EB8, EB4

Base: IG7, IG4, IG1

Background: TN1

Edging was done with a brown ink pad.

A Christmas Rose - for the love of coloring

Sometimes we need to remember what coloring is all about.  Today I took time for myself.  Turned on some light classical music and colored away, letting my imagination pick the colors and positioning of the flowers.  The image itself is inspirational, it's by Crafter's Companion in the Sheena Douglas collection -  Christmas Rose.  Note the image on the side of the greeting was not there but I added it by stamping a bit of an image onto the paper piece.  I also stamped a flower and cut it out for an embellishment as I didn't want to clog up the card with clutter and take away from the focal point.

I enjoyed coloring this for ME...  So without further ado I am going to just list the colors I used and one little coloring tip (I can't post without a tip!).

Soft Edges

As you will notice there is no harsh drop off in color where my petals fade from color to white.  What I did is soften the edge of the lightest color on each petal with my blender pen.  This diluted the crisp line that markers leave when lifting your pen at the end of a stroke.  

Have a Colorful Day

Jennie

Life is full of Sparkles! - Elizabeth Designs stickers & Glitter

MIcrofine glitter colored with Spectrum Noir Markers - Hat Colors: CR5, CR8, CT4, GB5, PL4, CT2, CT4

Cupcake - CT1, CT4, GB5, CG2, CG4, BP2, BP6, 

I have been super busy lately and have not done my weekly post!  A little update on what is up.  I was hired by Crafter's Companion a few months ago as The Director of Product Education.  I am loving my new job and a company that appreciates me and treats me with respect, trust and loyalty.  I am thrilled with the position that I worked hard to get.  You will see lots of new things coming in the near future.  Stay tuned!  For now let's take a peek at a project I made for my son's girlfriend Amanda.  She is a girly girl and so I thought this would make a cute card to go with a gift I got her recently.  

Here is a fun way to add two of my favorite things into one project.  I used my Spectrum Noir alcohol pens to color on top of my MICRO fine glitter.  Here is how I did it.

1. Adhere wide double stick tape to white cardstock

2. Remove the double stick backing paper and retain it as your "transfer sheet"

3. Remove sticker from sticker sheet and place sticky side up onto the smooth side of your "transfer sheet"

On transfer sheet being placed onto sticky cardstock.

4. Using transfer sheet place sticker onto the sticky cardstock. (see photo below)

5. Add MICRO FINE glitter to your sticky paper and burnish firmly making sure that the glitter is tight and there are no holes without glitter.

6. Remove all excess glitter from sticker. Double check to make sure the glitter is tight and no loose areas.

7. Begin coloring with your darkest color first.  Adding your lighter colors as you work your way towards your highlight.  The glitter will soak under the glitter and spread quickly so be careful that you color slow.

8. Cut around image/sticker and adhere to your project.

I hope this added a little sparkle to your day.

Jennie Black

Ho Ho Ho... Spectrum Noir Holiday Challenge

I have been wanting to participate in the Spectrum Noir Challenge this month and have been so busy.  I finally sat down and started playing with reds today and wow... I just love how the Spectrum Noir Reds blend so nicely on the Crafter's Companion paper!  JUST LOVE it!    I did several red images tonight!

I have colored this image several times but it has been over a year since I played with it and my hands were itching to play with it again! I just love the Karen Medler images by The Peddler's Pack.

Sorry that I didn't take step out pictures of the image, I guess I will have to get that done!  Here are the colors I used.

Reds:  CR8, CR10, DR1, DR5, DR7
Flesh: FS2, FS3, FS6, TN2 and a bit of CR5
Gray BGR1, BGR2
Blue: TB2, TB3, TB5 and I added a bit of IG2 & IG4 to add a bit of gray tint around the edges.
Letter: EB2, & blender pen.

Be sure to join the challenge for a chance to win wonder prizes!  All you have to do is make a new holiday card..... yes ANY holiday!  Check it out here

I am going to be ready to mail my cards early this year... they are half done... Whew Hew!

Hugs,
Jennie

A Christmas Wish & Strawberry Kiss

Image by Crafter's Companion - Strawberry Kiss Collection

How would you like to have a downloadable tutorial & sample image to practice your coloring skills?  Today, begins the start of free "Color-A-Longs" being posted weekly on the Spectrum Noir Website.  Here is a sneek peek at this weeks project.

How does it work?  You go to www.Spectrumnoir.com and click on downloads, then you will see the Color-a-longs.  All you have to do is click the download button next to the one you want to color and you will have your very own color tutorial with a sample image.  You will be able to color-a-long and practice your coloring skills.  *note that some of them might have a separate download for the free sample image*  Complete images are available for purchase at Crafter's Companion.

Soon there will be videos added to our color-a-long program.. and guess who will be hosting the videos?  Yep! Yours truly, a few videos are done and waiting to be uploaded, so stay tuned!  Here is a picture of the finished card made with the same image in this week's color-a-long.  

I followed the instructions in the Color-A-Long except I added a few extra steps for that extra punch!  I added IG6 under my darkest red on the sides of the pot and deep center of the flower petals.  I also added a layer of CR10 in the center of the pot and on the tips of the petals.  That little bit of CR10 really brightened my highlight.  Red Glitter paper, a few red rhinestones, embossing folder, and die cut snowflakes finish the card. 

As you know, kitties and my allergies don't do well, but this little girl is perfect.. she is cute and cuddly and does not shed!  The perfect kitty!  I really think she is adorable and very simple to color!

Colorful Hugs,

Jennie

Upcoming Classes!

Hello everyone!

Long time since I have posted!  I have been super super busy teaching classes for Crafter's Companion/Spectrum Noir, leaving little time to update my blog!  So here is an update!

I am now teaching a ton for Crafter's Companion and have cut back in other areas.  I am also traveling a bit teaching classes at Scrapbook Expo's and Creating Keepsakes Shows across the states.  Nashville is coming up next weekend!  YEE HAW....  Bugise gets to go with me so that is great! (for those who don't know Bugsie she is my little Yorkie).

Here are my classes for the rest of August and September.

AUGUST
Getting ready for the cool holidays during this blazing hot summer. We have had a month of temps over 100 degrees!  We need to think snow!  LOL

Class:  Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers - Crafter's Companion Mulberry Woods Christmas collection.
            (other brands of markers welcome)

Chino Hills - This and That Scrapbooking - August 7 - GREAT CLASS  a few new people came!
Monrovia - Pages From The Heart - August 17 - sold out class of 14 guests!  GREAT Time.
Redlands, Collective Journey - August 21 - four seats available - call soon!  909-793-2200


Nashville - August 24 & 25th at Grand Ole Oprey - Creating Keepsakes Convention - day classes and demos available at the BEE Creative Booth.

SEPTEMBER
This month's classes will focus on the awesome new line of stamps by Crafter's Companion - Mooreheads... I am in love with these images!  Bring your alcohol markers and I will help you color these amazing little images!  (posted above) Please note that I am only teaching a few classes in September as I am on vacation!

Monrovia - Sept 7 - Call Pages From The Heart - August sold out so call early! 626-358-5334
Redlands - Sept 18 - Call Collective Journey 909-793-2200
San Marcos Texas!  Creating Keepsakes Convention - day classes & demos at BEE Creative booth.

Colorful Hugs to you all,
Jennie

Spectrum Noir - Christmas in July Blog Hop

A few members of the Spectrum Noir team have gotten together to celebrate Christmas in July!  We have an inspiration-filled blog hop today, along with a few great prizes!  If you have arrived here from Leann Chivers blog, you are in the right place.  If not, pop over to the Spectrum Noir blog, so you don't miss a thing!

Here is my project (I know two - hope you don't mind but I couldn't pick)

I used Sent with Love from the all new Mulberry Woods stamp line from Crafter's Companion... The entire line is absolutely adorable!  I can't decide which is my favorite...scroll down on my blog to see more of this fantastic new release of Mulberry Woods!  LOVE them.

The step out picture I show placement of my ink colors without blending.  Basically the light is in the middle, and dark colors are closer to the edge and in shaded areas.

Tip: I like to start with the background, so that after my bright colors are added in, I won't accidently drag a bit of the other colors into my background, as I color around the finished image.

Sky - BT1

Envelope:

• Step 1: Color the bottom of envelope with FS2.  Then blend top edge of color with the blender pen to fade the edge of the color.
• Step 2: Color the Back layer of the envelope (above the lower flap edge). then blend with Blender pen.
• Step 3: Color the background inside the envelope behind the doggie and flowers. This is where it is important to color the background first as that bright red will bleed easily into your background if done after the flowers are colored.

Doggie

• Step 1:  Color entire doggie with TN2
• Step 2:  Add a bit of TN4 around the edges - Blend/bleed  the edges together with TN2.
• Step 3: Add a tiny bit of TN6 to the very edge (very think line)... blend/bleed the colors together with TN4 by barely touching the darker ink already on the paper.
• Step 4: Add a teeny tiny bit of EB5 to the ears and right side of face then blend with TN6
• Note that in the second doggie I used exactly the same colors, just a bit more of the darker color. and EB5 for the nose instead of TN6.

Flowers are done with Reds - CR5, DR2, DR6 or  lavenders - HB1, HB2, HB3

Leaves are done with CG2, CG4, and a tiny bit of DR3

Snow and hat fur was shaded with IG1

We hope you've been checking out the Spectrum Noir blog - it is full of great tutorials, techniques, and other projects from our design team.  If you haven't been over there, go take a look!  Before we get to the rest of the hop today, let's have a little fun.  How about a prize?  Spectrum Noir is going to award one lucky winner two sets of six markers, a pack of Crafter's Companion Ultra Smooth Premium White card stock (perfect for coloring!), and an adorable stamped called All Wrapped Up, from the new Mulberry Wood line.

Entering to win is easy.  Leave a comment on the Spectrum Noir Blog Hop Post telling us your favorite Spectrum Noir color combination you saw while hopping with us this week (please comment no later then Friday, July 27 at 6:00 PM GMT).  A random winner will be drawn using random.org and posted on our blog at 9:00 AM GMT, Saturday, July 28, 2012, so be sure to check back with us to see if you have won!  The lucky winner will have one week to claim their prize or a second winner will be chosen. 

Now, hop on over to the next amazing blog and check out what Linda Hill has to share!  In case you get lost along the way, here is the entire hop order:

Spectrum Noir Official Blog

Leann Chivers

Jennie Lin Black

Linda Hill

Taylor Usry

Kristine Reynolds

Suzanne Foard

Angelique Nederpel

Lis Murphy

Cyndi Bundy

Louise Welsh

Danielle Johnson

Wendy Foster

Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate Christmas in July!  Have fun hopping around to see all of the inspiration from our team, and good luck winning the prize pack!