Becoming a Scrapbooker!

morning crafters! 

so in August I went away to my first ever scrapbook crop!! it was amazing!! I've always wanted to give it a go, but it was just getting started... you know one of those things you keep saying, mmmm yes I fancy doing that.... but never actually doing it ! My Friend Sandra who is a long standing talented scrapbooker, introduced me to MTS- Mind The Scrap a brilliant group run by the very very lovely and talented Emma Clark, if you are a scrapbooker and you haven't ( im sure you will have!!) seen Emma's fab Facebook group check it out just here... Mind the Scrap

it was such a great day, the crop ran from 10am to 10pm , Emma and every single lady that attended were just the loveliest group of crafters you could wish to meet!, so.... I now declare myself a Scrapbooker lol, I actually only made one page that day, although I did start page number 2!

I spent quite a while just staring at my stash thinking what shall I do! but once I got on a roll, it was all good!

so here it is, my first page, and of course I used a photo of my most precious Granddaughter Scarlett my angel ( Rory will be coming up on my next page!) 

so where to start lol..... I really had no idea, it really took me a while to decide on which photo, I could see all these lovely ladies pull kits out their craft bags they had made up ready to put together!.... so I made a note of that! make up kits hahah brilliant idea!, but I knew it had to be PINK, that was a must so whilst deciding what I was going to do I knew I could at least start my base! I chose a gorgeous patterned paper from one of my Heartfelt Creations pads, and I HAD to do a bit of tearing and curling, I just cant stop myself... you'll see a lot of this if you keep popping by to check my posts! bit of Spectrum Noir Harmony ink in plum Jam on my edges and that's it I'd officially started!!

  I probably stared at this page a good while  until my ideas came together,

 so what have I used.....

some gorgeous flower stamp and dies from Heartfelt Creations, 

all the foliage and swirls etc are from Crafters Companion, the word Beautiful too!

 then the perfect phrase " You are my Sunshine" for my title, this is a fab little die from a Creative expressions set I have that comes with a cute rainbow. 

and here's my first ever finished page! I love it! now.... it definitely will not fit into a scrapbook lol, so this one will go into a box frame and will proudly hand on my craft room wall! 

I have already started page number 2! with my gorgeous little Rory, so I'll share that one as soon as its finished,

thanks for stopping by my lovelies!!! 

Nicole :) 

xxxx

Time Traveller Birthday Card

hi guys!! back with a new card I've recently made for a friends birthday, I've used Sheena Douglas's Time Traveller range,  

I do love this collection!! its just amazing, so for this card , really simple I've used the large clock workings stamp, the pocket watch and the cog stamps and created my design around my page- Crafters Companion Water colour card I've used for this-  I then covered my card in colour using the Spectrum Aqua pens and glycerine technique- keeping the colour darker around the edges., then using a paint brush and water, I lifted the colour out of the clock face, pocket watch and tags, by simply painting with water and dabbing with kitchen roll, I then added colour where I wanted back into these areas- for example the golden brown on the flourish on the large clock face and pocket watch. then using a wet paint brush I tapped water over the background to faux bleach it giving a mottled look.

next I added white highlights using pebeo white gesso, I added fine lines of 

Classique Markers by Spectrum Noir, & Secret Kiss by Aurora Wings

 Good evening crafters!

well what can I say! I have been away from the blogging world for well over 12 months! far too long, but lots of things have happenned and its been a jam packed exciting busy craft year for me! I Started very proudly working full time for Crafters Companion last October after being a dt member for 5 years which has been the most incredible amazing achievement that I'm so proud off, and since then I'ts just been a crazy fantastic excitng year!! I have been over to HSN a few times too supporting the shows with Sara and her team and that.... well I cant even put that into words how that felt!!  , so a very good year with much more exciting things to come!... and I really want to get back into blogging, get sharing some projects and finally get onto some step by step tutorials and maybe the odd video, so time to pull my finger out!, I'm starting off with colouring, as Crafters Companion are due to release their gorgeous Classique pens very very soon, and I've been playing, I still have my old spectrums and I still very much love them, they have a place in my craftroom and there they will stay, but these are the newer updates, a beautiful ink formula and the most amazing nibs , I really didnt think I needed any more pens.... but how wrong was I, they are fantastic,  and will happily work alongside all the othe alcohol pens in the range too BONUS! 

so this is the first image I coloured with these pens, an image from Aurora Wings, I love this artists work, you can check out this image called "secret Kiss" and the other stunningly drawn digi stamps right over HERE 

 

thank you as always for taking the time to read my blog, I would love it so much if you dropped me a comment below, 

thanks so much for stopping by 

Nicole

xx

Very Important Information , please read if you want to still see what i post on my blog

Good morning crafters!!, its been a while..... I've been totally away from the blogging scene! but I'm coming back :) , I have really missed it! I have lots to share, new videos on the way and tutorials BUT... something very important I must must do FIRST! please check out my below post xx

Would you still like to see my posts and all the crafty things I share with you all? This post is extremely important ….. legally I have to share this with you. It is for all of my lovely followers and viewers and especially to those who subscribe and follow.
The New Data Protection Law (GDPR) that comes into effect on Friday 25th May, say that I require explicit consent from you, in order for you to receive extracts from my blog.
If you still wish to remain on my mailing list and receive notifications of all New Blog posts I share, then please add your comment below. You must state that you wish to remain on the mailing list and continue as a follower.

Anyone I don't hear from I will have to remove from my list, to comply with the new regulations. You have until the end of May to let me know, to allow for delays and holidays

If you no longer wish to receive blog updates from me, then you don't need to do anything and your details will be removed, so you don't receive and further content from my blog. I do hope to hear from you.

I have also added a Privacy Policy , top right of my page,  which I am required to do. Please be assured that I do not share any information with any Third Party

thanks for reading! and hope you will stay with me 

happy crafting

Nix

xxxx

Heartfelt Creations Blazing Poppy Card

Hi crafters!! I hope you are all having a lovely weekend!!, this week i had a card order to make and chose to use the stamp and die set from Heartfelt Creations called Blazing Poppy, i picked mine up from Daisy Jewels crafts!! Wendy is fabulous and will order if not in stock!! you can check her website out just HERE http://www.daisysjewelsandcrafts.co.uk/

i also used the BRAND NEW and much anticipated new glitter from Heartfelt Creations team member Rajni Chawla! Rajni is an extrememly talented crafter and has just launched her own crystal and frosted glitter that are simply amazing!The glitter is made by Papericious who are are based in India, but the glitters have recently become available in the uk, i got mine from Oyster stamps just follow this link!!  http://www.oysterstamps.co.uk/papericious-crystal-clear-glitter-

it is the most sparkly glitter i have used! i am totally in love with it! but it's hard to get that into a photo, so you just need to trust me!  

backing papers and the oval die are also heartfelt creations- from their All Glammed up collection, and the black flourish is from the Sara Davies Shabby Chic range.

Poppies painted with Spectrum Aquatints and distress inks 

thanks for stopping by !!!

Hugs

Nix 

xx

BRAND NEW Art Liner pens from Crafters Companion

woooooo i'm FINALLY blogging ha! its been far too long since my last post and i have a million things to blog!.... so i best start catching up! so much has happenned and i've made so much since my last post! luckily i have everything photographed ready..... i just need to BLOG IT! so first post of 2017...where are we at, well..... after being made redundant from my day job on the 31st of december last year i decided that all i really want to ever do is craft..... so i am damn sure trying my hardest to stay at home, work for myself,  and do just that! its loooooooong hours....very long lol but so far i'm loving it , so i hope i can make it last! right enough waffling onto my blog post! so, as a very proud Inkoid we had that exciting privilege to work with and create samples for Crafters Companions brand new launch using their exciting new spectrum Art Liners!! this brand new set of brush and fine line pens are totally amazing!! the collection comes with brush and fine pens in black, grey , brown and then multicolours too! there is a set of gorgeous alphabet and word stamps to help you practise the art of brush lettering and a dvd to help show you the way and explain the system to you too!

now you do need to practise- unless you have done this type of lettering before. our team only had these for about 2 weeks, so i just know with more practise i will get better and better!! i created all my backgrounds first, then i was very brave i didnt use the stamps i just went for it lol, i looked at the stamps to give me an idea... but you know heres the thing.... there are no set rules, there are sooooo many beautiful brush lettering styles out there find whichever you love the most, or create your own!!! the font style included in this set was designed by the very talented Jennifer Tryon from the US Crafters Companion, and its stunning! just beautiful, stamp out your words then brush letter over the top! or...go freehand like i did! nothing to lose remember what Sheena always tells us.... it's just a piece of paper.. so here are my samples, on 2 of them i have used the fine line pens to draw my own details too! the headphones on the skull and dream catcher too! now this is a long post so i hope your sitting comfortably!

 on the next skull card- i have used the fine liner pens to draw some headphones onto my skull

 and on my last sample, i have used the art liners to draw a dream catcher- the feathers are a Sheena stamp

so there you have it! i do hope you like my new samples, i would love to know what you think so please leave me a comment 

Lots of crafty hugs

Nix 

xxx

Sheena Inspiration post meets COLOURISTA!

Hey crafters!! I'm a tad late with my Sheena inspiration post this time around!!! it's been a bit manic in my craftroom! BUT I am here now! and just in time as my lovely Teamie Jackie is due to post hers on the 19th!!! so.... what have I decided to do for this one...well as my carfty buddies all know I am lucky enough to be on the Sheena Team and the Crafters Companion team.... and I'm also sure you all MUST be aware of the amazing colourista launch that happened only a week or so ago! well I was lucky to be picked for the colourista team too!!!!!!!!!!!!! crazy I know lol somebody pinch me!,

 so...... I got my thinking cap on, and as part of the colourista launch we were trying to come up with ideas of how we can use our coloured pages, we spend so much time colouring them in..... it's a crime to then leave them in a colouring book on your shelf! so we have been thinking of ideas to inspire you of how you can use them, Thats where Sheena comes in! the DOTD lanuch was one of my favourite launches, its amazing! I fell in love with the Skull stamp and die set, .....I got my thinking cap on didnt I..... why not use your coloured pages to die cut with!!  I chose one of the pages from the Eastern Promise book and got it all coloured up! , and it worked beautifully!! what do you think? popped in a 3D box frame, ...this pattern makes the most fantastic Sugar Skull designs!!

this turned out much brighter in real life!! but I finished early hours haha and I had to get it in the post! but you get the idea!! I love this so much!!

dont you think this pattern suits this design PERFECTLY!!! 

as always guys thank you thank you thank you.... for stopping by my blog 

love

Nicole

xxx

UK Colourista Launch Blog Hop!!!

Good morning crafters. .... the countdown to the much anticipated UK launch for the exciting BRAND NEW Colourista range from Crafters  Companion....has begun!

With the launch on Hochanda on the 9th of september we thought we would celebrate with a blog hop! With of course some gorgeous Colourista prizes up for grabs!!

Our hop will run from the 2nd of September 12.00pm BST through till launch day on the

9th September 11.59am BST (US 7am et )

 each blog you hop by will choose a random winner for a prize of either colourista pens, pencils, card making kit or one of the gorgeous new colouring books! winners being announced over on the Crafters Companion and Spectrum Noir Facebook pages, there will then be and overall winner who will receive all 4 prizes .....and here's the exciting part Sara

 will annnounce that winner LIVE on the launch show on Hochanda!!

So what do you need to do? Easy! Follow the blog hop from the list below leaving a comment on each blog post...simple,

the hop starts  over on the Crafters Companion blog 

, then hop along to each blog and check out the gorgeous projects along the way and leave your comments.

Here is  the blog list order...

CC blog-www.crafterscompanion.co.uk

Laine Webb- dreamlaine.Blogspot.co.uk

Lis Murphy- mycraftblogumentary.blogspot.co.uk

Nicole Bretherick- me!

Jodi Clark- clarkscraftycorner.wordpress.com

Alexia Misso- alexia-picture.blogspot.com

Giovana Smith- giovana-believe.blogspot.com

Spectrum noir blog- www.spectrumnoir.com

Annie Wills- www.anniebwills.blogspot.com

Jo Mckelvey-http://joeysworldofstuff.blogspot.co.uk/

Bianca Shervington- bee-crafty-b.blogspot.co.uk

Lord Barnett- loribarnett.blogspot.com

Donna Warren- kraftpaperstamps.blogspot.com

Sara Davis-  Sara's blog

 Now   you should have arrived to me from my fellow colourista team members blog Lis Murphy

 and I will now be sending you hopping along to next on the list  the very talented Jodi Clark

and here are are show details!

and if your wanting to join  in and watch from the US that's no problem you can do that right here....www.hochanda.com

Fancy joining us at our LIVE watch Party ? You can join in the fun and chat to the team over here... https://m.facebook.com/events/1808477369384073/ so please do join in the fun we'll all be there!

We hope you are also enjoying the FREE coloring course too!? we have recieved amazing feedback but if you haven't joined yet that's no problem you still can sign up right here.https://a.pgtb.me/R1xpM8

and here one of my projects to share with you, a card made using one of my coloured pages, I am totally in love with this new range , if only these products were around when i first started my colouring journey! Because getting professional results is a breeze!

 

Thanks for joining us!!

Hugs

Nicole

Xxx

Colourista BLOG HOP! COMPETITION TIME!

  Good morning crafters!!!

Today is.....drum roll please.... BLOG HOP TIME!!

So the Colouritsa design team, who are busy beavering away working on the fantastic new launch due to arrive VERY shortly from Crafters Companion thought it would be exciting to have a blog hop!, this way the whole colourista team can all share a little bit of what we have all been working on, and you guys can win a fabulous prize! well... you can't have a blog hop without a prize can you! so heres the deal, you have fun.... hoping through all the wonderful blogs from each of my colourista teamies.. leaving a little bit of love ..a comment on each blog post , then ( heres the exciting part) on Friday 29th August 5 people that have commented on ALL the blogs will each win one of the BRAND NEW Colourista packs! the winners will be announced over on the USA Crafters Companion blog but don't worry this is open to EVERYONE!! but Sara will be launching Colourista over on HSN first....here are the details

followed VERY closely with the UK launch a few days later- details to follow!

so are you ready to hop? here you go! stop by each of the design team ladies listed here and leave your comments!

Lorie Barnett 

Chrissie Tobas 

Jodi Clark 

Laine Webb 

Lis Murphy 

Kendra Weitstock 

Joey Mckelvey 

Annie Wills 

Mari Kocjancic 

Dana Warren 

Nicole Bretherick...thats Me!! 

Tracey Freeman 

Giovana Smith 

Bianca Shervington 

Alexia Misso 

Jennifer Tyron

Jennifer Ingle 

Debbie Seyer 

Crafters Companion blog 

and here to share with you is one of my projects.... I have used one of my coloured pages to create a jigsaw puzzle! I used an A5 piece of MDF that I had pre cut...  from my favourite place to buy MDF That Craft Place! ( Danny is amazing at cutting any shape I need!!) into 6 pieces, then once coloured I used gloss modpodge to glue and seal to each piece! fab little gift to make. I Loved making this, I need to be more adventurous and make one with more pieces next!

well go...get hopping!!!

Hugs

Nicole

oh if you want even more info.... check out the Spectrum noir blog just here
...
http://www.spectrumnoir.com/spectrum-noir-colorista/

Coming Soon......Colourista from Crafters Companion

Good morning crafters!!

I am sure by now you have seen all the exciting news about the BRAND NEW launch coming from Crafters Companion ?! and if not where have you been !! Coming to the UK on the 9th September Crafters Companion are bringing you the most amazing..exciting... innovative new products to the adult colouring world. Now we all know adult colouring has been around a while, and its literally taken off!  it is so incredibly popular! suitable for any age and not only is it fun to do, its a brilliant tool to use for stress, anxiety, recuperation therapy the list goes on there are a multitude of reasons and situations where adult colouring has been used and has excelled. ...because its fun,...because you lose yourself in your art work, because its relaxing and calming..... and did I mention FUN!!!??

so ...whats on the way, well a range of brand new colouring mediums, we have the colourista pens and pencils, totally gorgeous, the most gorgeous colouring books!! and what makes these different? well I'll tell you !! the quality of the paper in these brand new books is unbelievable, superb outstanding quality, if you are already use adult colouring books then try these pads, because you will be amazed. the blending you can achieve because of the paper quality will blow your mind! I have been on the Crafters Companion team now for 2 and a half years Sheena's team almost 2 this Christmas coming  so trust me i have done my fair share of colouring whilst on this team ( not to mention my many years colouring previously) and I have never worked with anything like it! and as if that alone isn't enough, they have brought out a foiled paper pad and a glitter paper pad. you'll hear more about all this closer to launch and as the team get colouring and sharing. there will also...wait for it as this bit is just over the top..... a usb of colouring files!!! for you to print on to your own chosen media over and over and over again...excited? we are! so if you are a beginner.... where best to start but with the best products....and if you are an advanced colourer ...this is what you have been waiting for!

so you would think things cant get better? your wrong, so to start you on your journey Crafters Companion are offering you a FREE....totally and completely FREE colouring course, full to the brim of hints tips techniques free down loadable colouring pages the works! perfect for beginners who don't know where to start... to advanced people who want to learn it all! now, this amazing course starts TOMORROW so please pop on over and sign up right here.... 

https://a.pgtb.me/MPFRSF

 I was extremely honoured to be selected with a few of my design team ladies to have the opportunity to work with these products before launch!, what we hope to do is bring you loads on inspiration, but have you ever thought what you are going to do with all these coloured pages? that's where we want you to take your colouring to the next level, and create stunning, projects using your pages. Here are a couple of mine to show you what 'i've been up to....

FIRST UP just two of the colouring pages from the colouring books , first one from the black and white line pad the second from the glitter pad, effortless blending on these pages!!

 

then how about making something from them... how about an....interchangeable phone case!

very easy to make, just pick up a clear phone case...this one was £1.50!! draw a template, cut out, colour up and I've added a layer of gloss modpodge for added strength, then how about those funky free standing MDF letters you can buy!, this is done using the glitter pad AMAZING in real life!

again super easy!! I painted the back and sides first with my chosen colour, draw round the letters on my page, cut out, coloured up and used Modpodge again to glue on to the MDF and then a coat on top to seal. You could create names, inspiration words, in ANY colour combination to suit your room, or give as the perfect gift!! now I have more to share but .... be patient lol I will be blogging more over the next few days so please pop back, and don't forget go and sign up to the FREE colouring course NOW!! hope to see you there!!

hugs

Nicole

xxxx

Sheena Dragon Fly Dance

Good morning all!, Well us Inkoids have all started to do 2  blog posts each month using Sheenas gorgeous range of products, revisiting older collections to give some inspiration, we sometimes forget our old stash when new collections come along! we are all taking it in turns.... our fabulous Design Team coordinator Donna has whipped up a rota to get us organised and today it's MY TURN!!

 so......I was looking through all my stamps deciding which set to revisit, when I happenned upon...

Dragon Fly Dance- Check it out on the website just HERE!!

a gorgeous stamp, I love Dragonflies so pretty. This stamp also has a coordinating die too as it is part of Sheenas Perfect partners collection, you can visit the full range just HERE!!

 but for this little CAS style card I decided I just wanted to use the stamp.

Quite simple to create , I have a circle mask and stencil set, so first off I used the circle mask, spraying with stick n spray to hold in place whilst I inked around the edges, once happy with that I removed the circle mask and popped over the circle stencil, so the inking was then covered leaving the circle space in the centre free....I stamped my 2 Dragonflies, and covered up with drawing gum ( amazing stuff this ! if you havent tried it please give it a go, its really usefull great for this tecqnique and lasts months!! here you go if you want to try it pebeo-drawing-gum-masking-fluid-45ml-p26259

once the drawing gum was dry, and keeping the stencil in place, I inked around the circle, 

then rubbed out the drawing gum and coloured up my dragon flies with Spectrum Sparkle pens! you can find those just here on the website http://spectrum-noir-sparkle-pens-c7689  

and here you go! A little simple mat and layer popped onto a white card base

and a quick simple pretty card !

next up on our blogging Journey is my lovely Inkoid teamie Alison, on Monday 1st August, you can find her blog right over http://cardsandcatswithali.blogspot.co.uk/

I do hope you will pop over and see what she has in store for you.

craft hugs Nicole

xxxx

Sheena Douglass Home Life Part 2

I'm back! with the rest of my samples from the Sheena Home life coleection.... hope you likes part one!! more bold colours again....welll you expect nothing less now surely lol, once again you can check them out on line just ...HERE!

and... here we go!

 once again all coloured up using distress inks Spectrum Aquatints and Spectrum Aquapens.

my favourite medium at the minute to work with!!

thank you for coming back!!!! hope you have enjoyed looking through them, would love it if you left a little message below!!

hugs

Nicole

xxxx

Sheena Douglass Home Life Part ONE

Hi guys!! Time to share some samples from Sheena's Perfect partners collection....Home Life, 

Stamps and coordinating dies you can check the range out just over ....HERE! 

on the Crafters Companion website. I love this set and it was hugely popular when it launched. I made a few samples for this one so I'm doing a part one and part 2 blog!, part 2 being tomorrow!

there were 7 stamp plates in this set, I was lucky to work with the gardening set, they OBVIOUSLY stamp and die cut perfectly,

so heres Part one....

coloured with distress inks and Spectrum aqua tints and Aquapens

 

this collection is brilliant!! the seed packet stamp and die is the cutest thing EVER, and I love all the bold bright colours of the aquatints on these, 

I made quite a few for this launch so part 2 is tomorrow!! I hope you will drop back to take a look

Crafty hugs

Nicole

xxxx

Sheena Rock & Roll Collection

Good morning all!,

Back with some more fabulous Sheena Rock 'n' Roll samples for you!!!

This collection quite simply.....ROCKS! its brilliant ! and just flew when it launched which means you all loved it as much as we did!! coloured up with Distress inks and spectrum noir pens this time and as you will see the Pebeo foil kit, superb way of adding foil to your cards this!!so easy to use too.

I love this Rose, and fancied a change from the usual Red, thought the yellow tones were lovely and bright!!

well, its taken a week but i'm almost...( not quite mind) caught up with my Sheena makes, best get making more then!

thank you for taking the time to stop by it is very much appreciated! I always wonder if people read my ramblings :)

love

Nicole

xxx