COLORING CLASS: ...Spectrum Noir Alcohol Pens - Introduction

This is the first video in a series introducing Spectrum Noir alcohol pens..... and this will start off the section of tutorials for coloring with these alcohol pens called... COLORING CLASS!

*** NOTE: In this video, Christina even covers what paper and inks to use for stamping/coloring images, and how to print off digital images so that the images won't 'bleed' when using any brand of alcohol pens, YAY!!!

Watch on YouTube: HERE

Over this series, Christina, from Card Making Magic, will show how to color images - including skin, hair, & clothes. Also how to create backgrounds, adapt ribbon & embellishments to match color schemes, and finally put together the complete card made from all the parts done in the previous videos. 

The Spectrum Noir Colouring System was introduced by Crafters Companion in 2011. These are alcohol pens that blend together to create beautiful effects on your colored images. They are also refillable! And they are much less expensive than Copics, too!

(I'm sure these techniques would be the same for any alcohol pens, like Copics, ProMarkers, or Close To My Heart.)

I hope you enjoy this coloring with alcohol pens series. I will be posting a new video every 2 days until we get through the entire COLORING CLASS series! The next one will cover how to color PALE SKIN TONES. I hope you will join me on this journey. 

Card Making - Just the Basics - Tying Bows

In this final segment for this section of Card Making - Just the Basics.... at least final for now --- I reserve the right to add to this series later, if needed, lol!.... the topic I'm posting today is on tying bows for embellishing your cards.

Christina, from Card Making Magic, teaches a very easy way to make bows..... skinny and wide bows... one, two, and three layered bows.... scruffy, twirled and vintage bows! Lots of great and easy ideas in this video tutorial:

Watch on YouTube: HERE

Now in the next tutorial section, we'll cover coloring your images... either stamped or digital. These tutorials will be covered in the section called "COLORING CLASS".... (Christina uses the Spectrum Noir Alcohol Pens in her coloring video segments, but the same rules apply to any alcohol pens, including Copics.)

I hope you'll stay tuned for these informative COLORING CLASS videos. They will begin on June 19th! Have a great day!

Card Making - Just the Basics - Creating Card Stands

In this video tutorial, Christina, from Card Making Magic, shows how to make card stands for displaying the beautiful card creations that you give to others. Each version will fold flat for fitting into the envelope/box with the card.

The stands are created in several different ways.... both attached to the card and as separate stands. Watch how easy this is to do:

Watch on YouTube: HERE

Card Making - Just the Basics - Adding Texture

Adding texture in the background of your cards results in a wonderful effect.... and can be done in different ways.

You can create striped lines by just using a score board and scoring tool. Or even use metal embossing plates with a design to dry hand-emboss. But the most popular these days is to use embossing folders and a die-cutting machine. There are so many designs out there on the market for embossing folders, that you're sure to find some to your liking.

In this video tutorial, see how the pretty embossed background makes such a statement, rather than if the paper was just left plain. 

As an added bonus, Christina shows how to make a card stand to display the large card. (A separate video on making different card stands will follow this post in a couple days.)

Watch on YouTube: HERE

*** NOTE: When purchasing embossing folders, you can choose  from other companies than from just the same brand as your die-cutting machine.... just be sure that the size of the folder will fit through it. I have a Cuttlebug with both the regular plates and the extended length plates, so it will fit any folder that is not more than 6" wide!

Card Making - Just the Basics - Matting & Layering

This is just a personal choice, but to me store bought cards are only good for one thing... some of the wonderful or funny sentiments on the inside! 

So you can tell, as far as for me, handmade cards are the way to go. Although I have seen some strikingly beautiful clean and simple handmade cards, which are great for mailing, most of the "flat" cards can be... well... let's just say "plain & ordinary!" I prefer cards that "stand out" from the crowd!

In the following video, Christina shows how to use mats and layers on your cards to make them go from boring to WOW!

Watch on YouTube: HERE

Did you notice how different the card looks once she was done with it, compared to the "flat" version at the beginning? Mats and layers, along with some dimensional foam tape at times, can make all the difference in the world!