Lou's Card Creations

Hi Everyone

I've not shared a post in a while now but ive just been so busy and its my favourite time of year Wimbledon........  I'm off there myself a week on Saturday for the final but sadly i got tickets for the women's doubles finals on court number one on the last Sunday.  So myself and little Em are going to spend a day on Murray Mount/Henman Hill as long as the rain holds off, drinking Pims and enjoying the day.

I've been so busy with work and also demos, which is why I'm not posting.  I was at Frankies a couple of weeks ago for a Spectrum Noir colouring day and on Saturday the 29th June i am off to the glitter pot......  details can be found on the Crafters Companion calendar.  Sam from the office joined me at Frankies and we had a fab day, such a laugh with all the lovely ladies and Peter....  I'm back there at the end of July for another demo day too.

Then of course there has been so much on the TV lately and i am a real telly addict.  The voice, BGT and now its Big Bro and ive watched it from the beginning and need to watch it again.  Its as addictive as ever and I'm just loving it.  Ooooo and I've been busy gardening too............  i just cannot fit everything in...........

Anyway..............

Here is my Spectrum Noir blog post, creating folds in dresses.  Step by step pictures and instructions can be found on the Spectrum Noir Blog and I've used a beautiful Swalk stamp called Belle of the Ball.  I've also used a Sunflower Small quilling die and the Green paper is from the Angelica CD and the yellow from the Toread CD (i think).  The border die is a spellbinder but I'm not sure which one it is and then the flourish is a Marianne die as well as the intricate butterfly.  And don't forget the main attraction, Spectrum Noir Pens


Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Hi Everyone

Its the beginning of February so start of a new month and the start of a new Crafters Companion Challenge Blog.  The theme is love is in the air and of course i had to chose my all time favourite SWALK image.

Ive used a topper from the SWALK Papercrafting CD Rom, and some Centura Card Snow White Silver.  I've used my  6x6 Embossalicious Flower Frenzy Folder and matted with , Coredinations card Nostalgia. Then to finish off i have made a couple of coredinations roses by hand with matching leaves and then added a small tag from the Diesire Scalloped Tag Die Cut set.
Hope you like it and go on pop over and enter into the competition.

Louise xx

Hi Everyone

Well i managed to fit another card in today and its just in time for the Craft Punked Blog Challenge and this weeks theme is Keeping Warm,.  Ideas could obviously be hats, gloves coats, fires etc but i thought this image went perfectly.  What better way to keep warm than curled up on a comfy chair or sofa on these warm dark cold nights.  Oh i wish i had Minnie and Tink back with me........

So..........  coloured with Spectrum Noirs and the image is Paw Prints.  I've used some dove craft paper that i brought back from Belgium and i know the holly doesn't match the theme but it matches the backing paper and i bought this Holly die at Graces while at a demo recently and also the holly berries which i knew would be useful.  The tag is from a diesire tag set once again, with a sentiment to match.  So not really a christmassy image but it now could be used as a Christmas card.


Pop over and join in the challenge.

hope you like it.

Louise xx

Hi Everyone

Today my Spectrum Noir Blog post is up and its a new card made using one of my fave crafters companion images.  This is the third card i have made recently with this stamp and i just love her.  For all details of colouring her hair please pop over to the Spectrum Noir Blog but here is my finished card.

Coloured with Spectrum Noirs and the satmp is Daydream Believer.  the paper is from my stash and i have once again used a tag from a diesire die set.  I've then added a couple of paper roses, a double bow and the heart is from my trip to Belgium, i knew they would come in handy one day.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Hi Everyone

The Craft punked Blog challenge this week is best friends and i made this topper at the NEC last week while demonstrating Spectrum Noir pens.  Louisa and i were talking about colouring for her upcoming shows and i decided to try and colour images to reflect the staff at CC so this one has dark hair with a hint of red like Louisa.

The papers are from K&C and the Craft Superstore had a half price sale recently so i purchased a couple of pads.  I've matted the swalk image onto Kraft card and used a couple of members only dies to complete the card. The dotty border and one of the tags.  The butterfly is a dienamics die die that i bought at the NEC and then i just finished off with a few pearls to match.

Don't forget to pop over to the blog to take part.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Hi Everyone

This months Crafters Companion Monthly Blog Challenge  favourite colour combo.  Well, i have just so many i found it really hard to choose. However when it comes to colouring with my Spectrum Noirs i love a pink and grey colour combo so i have chosen this gorgeous Daydream Believer  image i coloured a little while ago but had just never gotten round to making a card.  The backing paper is from the Toreads cd  (i just love this paper) and i have used one of my new diesire dies that are only available to Crafters Companion Members currently but i think they will be on general release in the new year.

Don't forget to pop over to the blog and take part.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Hi

Well here are a few more of the little madam images i coloured while in Germany in different colours.  I wanted to show how different they would look.  I also coloured a pastel turquoise image to contrast with the really dark one and i still like the dark one better and you can see how i have coloured some plain white pearls to match.









 I will have some snowman cards to share with you tomorrow as there are some new items on sale now over at Crafters Companion.

Louise xx

Hi Everyone

Well i promised to share photos of my travels to Holland and here they are.  I made a card and box to share with all the lovely customers i met in Holland and Belgium and they all thoroughly enjoyed having a try out with the Spectrum Noirs.  I've added my finished card and box below and then some photos of myself and Margaret   We had a fab time and i really missed Margaret when i went to Belgium.

I've used my Spectrum Noirs of course and the Swalk  Little madam image.  The backing paper is from SWALK CD 2 and iv'e used the colouriser to darken the paper and match the turquoise perfectly.  This really is a darker card than i would normally make as i normally like pastels but i really did enjoy colouring this with really deep colours for a change.  I've also coloured the white ribbon with the turquoise Spectrum Noir and the gems too.  Then added a scalloped tag from the Diesire range.


 This is the tutorial i prepared and you can download it from the Spectrum Noir blog as a Colour-a-Long.






Of course i had to include a photo of a windmill.

Hi Everyone

its time for a monthly Crafters Companion blog challenge and as its Crafters Companion's Birthday week in October we decided on a theme of Birthdays.

Sooo......  i decided to use some older products and newer products to celebrate the years that CC have been with us.  My all time faves are SWALK stamps and i used this image while in Holland and Belgium in turquoises so i decided to have a go with vibrant reds.  I coloured this in between my Spectrum Noir workshops and i wasn't too happy with the result and was going to throw it in the bin. However Margaret had a quiet time while i was teaching my next workshop and she made it into a card without me knowing and look at what she came up with.
She used some plain coloured card stock and embossed lines using the Ultimate Pro on the matting and layering and then chose ribbons to match.  I think she did a brilliant job and i was amazed, especially seeing as though it was going in the bin.  Then I've added the smallest Scalloped Tag from the new Diesire range of Crafters Companions Dies to finish it off.  I've not listed the colours i have used as i really can't remember but i only had the six packs of Spectrum noirs with me so they are all from those.

Hi Everyone

Today's Craft Punked Blog Challenge is 'Pets' and my first pet was a little kitty called 'Fluffy' so i just had to colour this gorgeous swalk image in as a reminder.

I've used Spectrum Noir pens to colour and some papers i had in my stash, one is magnolia and the other is K&Company. I've also used my diesire Ornamental Frame die to frame the image.

Hi Everyone

Its been two weeks since i last posted a card and i missed last weeks blog challenge.  I really didn't want to but i have just been really busy, not enough hours in the day.   I have been to Donnington Craft Show which was fab, also demoed at the Derby garden Centre last Saturday and met some lovely crafters there.  I'm sure i have been doing other stuff too but it has all gone in a flash..  Oh and i had an awful summer cold that knocked me for six and i just slept all the time when getting in from work and it is still lingering on.

So this week the theme for the Craft Punked Blog Challenge is New Baby and i have used a fab SWALK image and coloured her with spectrum noirs.  The backing paper is from the Swalk CD and i have used a folded back card scored on my Ultimate pro. The corners have been cut on my e-craft and i added a couple of matching flowers and pearls.

Ok, busy busy busy so i don't know when i will post again.  However i do miss keeping you all updated so i will be back soon.  So on Saturday i am off to Birmingham NEC for a trade fair and won't be back until Wednesday evening.  Then in another weeks time i will be off to Holland to another show where i will be colouring using my spectrum noirs.  (can't wait, i've never been before and i will get nearly a whole a day sight seeing too.  I'm sure i will have some photos to share with you.

Hope you like my card.

Louise xx

Hi Everyone

How quickly do Fridays come round and where is this year going, its nearly August??????

This weeks Craft Punked Blog Challenge is the Olympics and i have gone all patriotic by making a red, white and blue card and this card is how i hope the British Team will get on at the Olympics, ie Gold Medals all the way............  I am lucky enough to have tickets for the athletics and can't wait, its such a big occasion.

My image is from the Swalk range and he is coloured with Spectrum Noirs.  I've used backing papers from the Swalk CD ROM 2 and then just added a sentiment and a few brads.  Quite bright for me but i really do think i am starting to like all of these bright colours and colour mixes.

I'm scheduling this post on Tues am as i am getting ready for my trip to London with Gracie and her mam Emma.  Its tonight and she is so excited she is such a fan and i really don't know where her influence has come from ;0).  I just found out last night that LMFAO are supporting too and she has been singing I'm sexy and i know it all morning.  We've got our wellies packed and i hope it stays dry.  I should have some piccies to share with you later on in the week and when I'm back from London i'm off to Birmingham for, guess what.  Another Madonna concert.  this one is inside so it'll be less hectic i think.

Hope you like my card.

Louise xx

Hi Everyone

Its time to share another monthly Crafters Companion Challenge card with you.  The theme this month is time to embellish.  I have chosen to make quite a simple card as my first thought was to go mad and over the top with embellishments but i just couldn't do it.  Although i do think i have left this one quite plain but i really love it.

I've used SWALK  decoupage and one of the Daisy meadow luxury Hunky dory card blanks. I love these swalk decoupage kits they are really easy to pop out and put togther and look really effective.   I have then matted her onto a doily that i distressed with spun sugar distress ink.  Then finished off with a little butterfly embellishment and a sentiment that matches perfectly.

I love these shaped cards, there are lots of patterns and colours to choose from in the pack.  I was demoing them on Saturday and its just so quick and easy to make a really great card so quickly.  The butterfly's are fab too.  A very quick and easy embellishment to add to a card.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Morning Everyone

I had such a fab last night, at the Nutcracker, and a gorgeous meal at Marco polos in Newcastle.  Great company with Anna and Claire, great food and a great show,  ooooo and two glasses or Kir Royal and 1/2 a glass of limoncello.

Tomorrow I will be able to share some new items from a brand new launch from crafters companion but up until then i have been looking for cards i have not shared with you yet and heres a lovely little image from the latest swalk range.  This stamp is called 'No 1 son' I love this card and i always call my son mark No 1 child and this would fit perfect for his birthday, i only have one son so it wouldn't upset anyone else.

Ive coloured with spectrum noir pens and used backing paper from the SWALK CD ROM 2.  The sentiment is from the image as too is the little rosette.  I'm not sure what the shape of this card is called  but they are very easy to make using my ulitmate pro and boxer. Ive matted with coredinations and also cut a star garland out of it too.  I've had this one for a while and not used it yet so i was pleased to get the chance.

Ok off to some more new exciting crafting.  I love spending Saturdays and Sundays crafting.....

Hope you like it.

Louise  xx

Hi Everyone

This weeks on Glitter Geeks blog challenge the theme is polka dots.  This one was easy as i use backing papers all the time with polka dots as i love them.  The image is 'Freindship' from the new SWALK Sweetest Stuff range and i have used backing papers from the SWALK CD ROM 2.  I have matched the polka dot with some cherry blossom backing paper from the same CD and i only found this paper about a month ago as i really must have missed it.  I think every time i put a Crafters Companion CD into my pc i find something i have missed before.  There are just so many nice papers and items to choose from.

Coloured with my spectrum noirs  as normal and i have matted with core'dinations card and then sewn around the outside of each matt.  The flower is from my stash that i bought from the nec years ago and the little pink centre is a sparklet from C&C but i'm not sure if they are still available.  They are gorgeous and just one on this card.


Hope you like it and don't forget closing is next Thursday at 6pm so get your entry in.

Louise xx

Morning Everyone,

Yesterday i had a fabulous day at the lovely Graces craft shop Middlesbrough, however my mind is so full of other stuff at the minute i forgot to post on facebook.  I had a fab day paint fusioning, working on the ultimate and boards and also demoing the e-craft. The group of crafters grace has are fabulous and it is the second time i have been and her shop is just fab.  My next demo is in two weeks at dainty supplies, Washington so i have already posted this so i don't forget.  I'm not sure what i will be covering as yet but i will soon and as soon as i do i will let you all know.

My Gracie is here this weekend too and she saw me with my paints so has asked to do so Paint fusion with me today so i may have her work of art to post later today.  Today i have another SWALK card to share and this is One of a kind.  I love this image and when i made this card i mentioned to Kevin that for his 50th birthday i am going to make him one of these.  he wasn't very impressed but i feel we are both not looking forward to approaching the big 50.  The reason being is that i think neither of us feel 50 and the years are flying by.  Never mind i suppose most people feel like this.  Grace even said you are really old at 50 aren't you Nana?  Although I still have two years to go yet.

I've coloured the Bert with Spectrum Noirs, as he is affectionately called by Lovely Ali, and i decided to go for brighter colours with a dark contrast so have used turquoise and black.  I wasn't sure at first as i don't normally like really bright colours, but Leann keeps saying she is predicting bright colours for cards.........
I used backing papers from the SWALK CD ROM 2 and cut some photo corners on my e-craft, using  the Laina Lamb  office essentials sd card.



To decorate the inside i have matched the design on the from and left a place to write a message and then used the sentiment that goes with the stamp.  Its quite unfussed and plain but i think this is better for a mans card which i always struggle with but i love this one.  It was also really quick to make which i love too as i always seem to be running out of time.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Morning everyone

How can it be Friday again.......  I think i have lost a week...........

This week the theme is Wings and Things so i chose one of the new SWALK images from the Sweet stuff range that Leann launched as the pick of the day on Tuesday of this week.  What fab shows they were and i only got back yesterday am so i am shattered, although not as shattered as Leann will be as she stayed another day to help Louisa with her shows.

So this image is a different take on the little girl that i used to make my little tea light boxes sooooooo how could i not make another one using this design.  She is called Rainbow Kisses but she has a little butterfly in her hand and i have added a butterfly die cut that i bough at the NEC and its the first time i have used it.

I have used my Spectrum Noir  pens to colour the image and also backing papers from the SWALK CD ROM 2.  I've used the colouriser to tone down the pink a little and make it softer.  The circle and lace circle are spellbinders and the leaves are made using a Marianne Die.  Then to finish i have added some flowers from Wild orchid crafts.  Lots of photos i know but i wanted to show you the finished item from inside and the matching box too.  The tag has been stamped with a paintbox poppets sentiment, they are just soooo versatile i use them all the time.




Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Morning Everyone

Hopefully you will all have got your lovely SWALK Pick of the Day but there is still time if you haven't.  They are really all gorgeous images and have many many uses for all sorts of occasions.  This one is for a special friend i think and its just so pretty.

Coloured with my Spectrum Noirs and using backing papers from SWALK CD ROM 2 i have made a shadow box card.  I have also used some prima flowers that go perfectly and are stunning, this ones are called Miss Godiva, i have had them for a while and have been waiting for just the right card to use them on.



Above is a side view so you can see the effect you get with this type of card.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Morning everyone

A very quick post this morning as i am running late and need to be out the door as quickly as possible.  I've not packed yet and i'm still in my PJ's.  Today's card is my final sneak peek before the launch shows tonight and I  hope you will be watching.  I've coloured with my Spectrum Noirs and again used backing papers from SWALK CD ROM 2.  I've added a sky background using tumbled glass distress ink and then quite simply decorated it as the image is quite detailed.  I really loved colouring this in as its a whole picture and tells a story.


I love this finished card.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx

Hi Everyone

Well i had a really really productive day yesterday although this meant i was cooped up in my little craft room all day by myself but i thoroughly enjoyed myself.  I managed to make 6 cards, well one is a tealight card and box to match, which is amazing going for me as normally it takes me ages to just make one.  On Saturday i only made one so it just goes to show it just depends what mood i am in.

However on Saturday i did get a bit sidetracked as i was planning all of my trips away in the next few months.  It looks like Kevin and I will not be having a proper holiday away this year as i think i have over done it.  Here's what i have planned and i am soooo excited this is why i need to list them all......

June 4 & 5th London, Kevin and me for our 30th Wedding anniversary,  oooo and i have just checked its Pearl, i wonder what he will get me?????
June 9 &10th Margaret Brown and me at a Jane Nestorenko Workshop, staying in Coventry
July 17 & 18th, Gracie her mam and me at a Madonna concert in Hyde park London
July 19 & 20th Madonna Concert Birmingham, me and i don't know who as yet as this was a spur of the moment thing...................
August 3, 4 & 5th Me and Kevin at the Olympics, i was lucky enough to get tickets for the athletics 100 metre heats, so i am really looking forward to this.

Ok enough of that, so on to one of  my cards from yesterday and only 1 more sleep to the SWALK Pick of the Day show tomorrow night at 9pm and that's another trip away for me to Peterborough.  (I love my new job).  I have used the Belle of the Ball stamp and made an easel sort of stepper card, not sure really what it is called but i love it.  I have used my Spectrum Noirs to colour and backing papers from the SWALK CD ROM 2  I really wanted a background to go with her so i found a castle background digi which i thought would fit perfect. The only extra things i have added is my favourite Marianne flower die and a new vine flourish die i bought at the NEC i nearly forgot about this one, its the first time i have used it.

How fab would this be for a little girls birthday card, i know Grace will just love it so it may be that i make one for her 9th Birthday in November.


Don't forget to enter the competition, details on the crafters companion news blog, as you have a chance to win all of the new stamps and a cd resource for colouring all SWALK images with your spectrum noir pens. Closing date is 9am tomorrow which is the 8th May.  Just look at all the new cute stamps below, i love all of them.....




Ok I'm off to craft again while i still have the motivation.

Hope you like it.

Louise xx