I've moved over to the dark side : +5 reasons you should too

The Spectrum Noir side that is!

This article contains affiliate links which if you purchase the product I get a small commission.

Last week my new collection of Spectrum Noir Markers arrived. All except the cool greys which are on backorder....I guess a lot of people are busy drawing the dreary skies. I was unsure whether I would like them as well as my Copic markers or my ShinHan, but now I am convinced that this is the maker collection I have been dreaming of. You dream of markers too right, it's not just me?

#1 There are all these beautiful colours to use

#2 The reinking system is so easy

• Each bottle has a dropper cap and will refill pen at least 5 times.

#3 You can get different styles of nibs to suit your colouring style. 

• These next generation replacement nibs fits in the chisel nib end of the Spectrum Noir markers.

#4 They are less than half the price of Copic and ShinHan Markers

#5 They offer free instructions and video tutorials to get your accreditation. This is very cool as it costs allot of money to take the courses you need to get Copic certified.  They give you a certificate and a blinky to show off on your blog.

Your starting point for Spectrum Noir Accredition

+ bonus # 6

They feel really nice when you work with them. They are large enough that you feel like you have good control while you colour and the grip is very comfortable. I really like the nibs that come with the pens so i am unlikely to switch to the brush nibs. The colours are deep and vibrant and the colour palette is wonderful. 

I don't regret switching over to the dark side at all and I don't think you will either.

Follow My Grandma's Teacups's board Spectacular Spectrum Noir on Pinterest.

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I forgot to post pictures of the finished dolls.

So yesterday's post was discussing using your cricut cartridges to find cute accessories for your Prima Dolls. I was so excited to share the post I forgot to include some of the finished dolls. That happens to me sometimes. My excitement gets ahead of me and and I push the publish button too soon.

So here you are without further adieu, my Prima Paper Dolls: Accessorized.

I know its not nice to play favourites, but I am so in love with how this one turned out. I love the parasol.

They are all listed in my ebay store. I have to keep letting them go so that I have room to make more.

My Grandma's Teacups Custom Scrapbooking and Craft Supply

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Paper Dolls: Accessories

I hope you had a chance to read my two part article on how to turn your Cricut explore into a paper doll cutter. If not your can read Cricut and Prima Dolls #1 and Part #2. But my friends, what is a paper girl without all her accessories. I dusted off some of my old cricut cartridges and found a ton of cut items that are perfect for my Prima Dolls Stamps.

My best finds were in:

Paperdolls (Everyday Dressup)
Kate's ABCs
October 31st
Country Life
Rock Princess

It's very easy to resize the accessories to work with the dolls. Some required a tiny bit of clipping to be a perfect fit but turned out to be very cute.

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Club Layout For October 8: Kaisercraft Magnolia Grove Collection

Last night we worked with the beautiful Kaisercraft Collection Magnolia Grove. The muted blues and pinks were a joy to create with. This collection lends itself to my style of vintage crafting. I have included a list of most of the supplies that we used. It was one of those grab what inspires you from my stash kind of nights.

This layout consisted of a lot of paper distressing. We used the Close To My Heart Paper distressing Tool, Close To My Heart Sanding Tool, a wire brush that looks like a toothbrush that I found at Canadian Tire one day when my hubbs dragged me there. (Insider's Tip: Canadian Tire has allot of tools that we use and they are a fraction of the cost.) We also used Tattered Rose and Walnut distress inks. We finished of with a sprinkle of Tattered Angels mist in Old Lace.

This is the beautiful paper line.

I have finally decided to put that print then cut feature of the Cricut Explore to work for me. I downloaded some vintage public domain images to add to our design. It is the area that I put a big red X over in the paper doll tutorial. Go check it out Turn your Cricut Explore into a Paper Doll Cutter.

A little bit of shaping with my Susan's Garden Tools from Sizzix and the blooms just seemed to jump off the page.

 

 I loved this collection so much I am going to order it again and play some more.

I hope you enjoyed our layout. Please share it on your Pinterest and Facebook. If you enjoy these tutorials and projects please subscribe to our newsletter.

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My Grandma's Teacups: Turn your Cricut Explore into a Paper Doll Cutter Part 2

Well, did you get your Prima Paper Doll Stamp all set up in your Cricut Explore? Of course you did! I knew you could do it. If you need to go over what we did this is the link.  Now comes the really fun part. I hope you remembered not to drink your coffee near your precious paper.....oh the horror....but that's another post.

Making Your Prima Paper Doll

You know that plastic 12x12 box that you use to collect all those teeny time pieces of paper that are just too good to throw out. Yah, the one on the shelf collecting dust. Go grab that. This is a great opportunity to put those itty bitty scraps to work. (and your husband said you would never need them......be sure he sees you using them, as though you had this planned from the start....seven years ago when you began saving scraps of paper.) 

For the small layers like the dress, shoes and stockings I try to find scraps that coordinate in the approximate sizes I want.

 You will need to use large pieces for the doll base and backer.

 Small confession. I made a horrible paper choice for this project as I chose a slightly shiny surface that does not hold the ink well. A flat finish would have worked much better.

 Remember to think about where the shadows on the dress would fall. The area that flares gets the most light and the creases are darker.



I used a wet glue. I just find it easier than messing with popdots or foam squares. You can choose your favourite adhesive and I won't judge you harshly.

 As our friend Rosiland Burch taught us earlier this week. A girl's accessories are very important. So go ahead and bling her up. Then we are done. Yay, see how much fun they are!

Be sure to follow my Prima Doll Pinterest board for plenty of inspiration on ways to use these adorable creations.

Follow My Grandma's Teacups's board Prima mixed media dolls on Pinterest.

My Grandma's Teacups: Focus On You Series: Confidence under stress

You  may be wondering why I am writing this series of posts on focusing on ourselves. Well I think it falls under the old adage of:

And it's true right? If we don't feel well, or are having a rough day it sets the tone for the entire house.

My husband tends to be the stern one in our household but if I get grumpy the kids know it's a big deal. It means they crossed some magical invisible line and they are quick to reassemble on the other side.

The purpose of these posts are in fact just to help us focus on little things that we can do to make sure our cup is just that much more full? fuller??

Transitioning from summer activities to the business of fall can be very stressful and added to that the beginning of shorter days and dreary skies it important to be extra kind to yourself (and everyone else if at all possible.) My plan is to share small things that we can do to boost our self esteem and overall demeanor.

It would be wonderful if we could all just go check ourselves in for a day of pampering at St. Anne's Spa. Realistically I doubt many of us have the time or the funds for such royal treatment.

So here is my quick tip for the day: Find a really great deodorant.

Seriously. You would not believe the difference you will have in your day if you find the right deodorant. There is nothing as distracting as wondering if you smell sweaty. These days it politically incorrect to douse ourselves in perfume so our deodorants need to be that much more dependable. I have tried the rollie type that go on wet and smell nice but make you feel like you need  to flap like a bird for the first half hour its on. I have tried the spray ons that I find don't last. I have used the clear gels that feel like I have jello under my arms and I have tried the white bars that I like but find that I am using them a few times during the day. Which I may add is strange because I don't usually work very hard and don't sweat much :)

My latest Buzzkit was from Secret.

 I use secret anyway so this was a good gig for me. It was for their new clinical strength deodorant. I don't get paid for sharing my opinion...which is just wrong....but that is for another day....I received a trial size sample. Guess what. The stuff really works. I used it this weekend. As you know I have been ill for the past few weeks and this weekend I knew I was staying home in y comfy clothes. I put it on after my shower Saturday and it was still working when I decided to get dressed Sunday afternoon. (Don't judge me...lol). Usually I would have reapplied my deodorant several times in that much time. I have a phobia of smelling sweaty. So if you are looking for a quick boost to your overall feeling of well being, I would suggest trying Secret Clinical Strength...I used the solid so I don't know about the gel one.



Find the little things that will help you feel your best....and be a good friend and share them with us.

My Grandma's Teacups: Turn your Cricut Explore into a Paper Doll Cutter

So it's no secret that I am totally crazy about Prima Marketing's line of Julie Nutting Dolls Stamps. It seems I talk about them allot....ok...really really allot. But they are so fun to make. Some of my friends were less then excited about the stamps because they did not enjoy spending the time cutting out the multiple layers that make these dolls come to life. This diminished my joy somewhat as I wanted everyone to love them as much as I do.

Then one afternoon it struck me (not literally) but I figured out that if we eliminated the fussy cutting around the various layers the ladies could just enjoy the process of stamping and colouring the dolls. Bravo, I have my moments of brilliance. So I set to work creating cut files for my Prima Dolls. Some people will be aghast that I would suggest this. I am aware that some people will use this technique for evil and do the print then cut but I need to remind those folks not to get too excited because that feature only works on white paper. So follow along with the doll stamp of your choice. It;s a long process but you will only need to do it once and then you will have years of enjoyment dressing up your creations.

So the first step is to get an image of your stamp:

You could be very ambitious and scan your stamp or you can just google the stamp and borrow an image to use.


Now then, time to get to work. Log into your Cricut design space and start a new project.

Select all the layers for your doll and bring them into your design space. You may notice a few extra specks you missed when erasing. Take a moment and clear them up using an extra shape and the slice tool. This also works to straighten up any wiggly parts that you did not get a perfect image of. ( I get this allot because I have shaky hands). Remember to work with a duplicate of the piece you are working on so that you can have a fallback if something goes wrong.

The rest of the tutorial will be in the post on Thursday! 

Go Ahead, Its already posted

My Grandma's Teacups: Focus on You Series: Guest Post By by Rosiland Burch, Handcrafted Jewelry Designer

"Wearing Fierce Jewelry Makes You Feel Fabulous”

Women wearing fabulous jewelry that builds the self-esteem and confidence, is something that I get to experience with clients all of the time. Working with these extraordinary women on the daily bases, gives me the opportunity to peer into their world to see why they love wearing fabulous jewelry as the main accessory in their wardrobe as they conquer the world.

As a world renowned handcrafted jewelry designer, my job is to create beautiful jewelry that will transform each client into the fierce woman, who’s ready to take on life’s chances. We are talking fabulous everyday women, who takes on families, careers, educational pursuits, or reinventions due to life’s changes. These are the women that I have the absolute pleasure of accessorizing with fabulous jewelry.

 Now let us tell the truth!  We as women have a lot to deal with as we take on the cares of the world, which often takes the focus off of our personal needs as women. We get so caught up in taking care of home, meeting deadlines at work, or running businesses that we neglect the fact that we need to sparkle, while we are being the queen on the chessboard in the game of life.  That’s right, I said “sparkle.” Yes, I am talking about wearing jewelry that will start conversations or make you feel like you should be on the front cover of Vogue.  Fabulous baubles such as necklaces, statement pieces, chokers, earrings of all sizes and shapes, and rings with amazing color should adorn your ensemble. Believe me when I tell you that your favorite jewelry pieces can make a difference in how you perceive your situations in life. Walk with me for just a moment. Let’s say that you get up feeling some kind of way, “PERIOD”. You don’t really have time to recalibrate your thinking because you have to get everyone as well as everything in order before you leave, this includes yourself. So in the midst of everything,  you are thinking about what you are going to wear from head to toe as well as how fast you can get it on, so you start the day that you feel should end before it gets started. Now, this is because you are thinking about everyone else but yourself. Now, imagine restarting the same day with same set of circumstances. This time, you are taking a few extra minutes to plan your look. So now, you get to plan what you wear, which now includes the new or favorite jewelry pieces that makes you feel so empowered when you wear them as you take on this hellish type day. This change or sense of empowerment you feel comes from how you feel when you put on those pieces of jewelry that simply takes you somewhere within yourself that makes you feel fierce, powerful, and fabulous in your own right. Even I, have a kickass statement necklace that makes me feel like I am on top of the world!

Article by Rosiland Burch, Handcrafted Jewelry Designer

Website:  www.stojewels.com

My Grandma's Teacups: Being A Little Wish-y Washi

Delight! My order came in yesterday and inside a very small inconspicuous box was a wonder of washi that I spent much to long drooling over. I can't believe how excited this pretty tape makes me. Its like each little roll holds the promise of a great crafting project just waiting to be explored. I know this is far from the last order I will be receiving as I think this just might be my new favourite embellishment. I think it is perfect for the Bible Journaling that I am hoping to start soon.

Check out my haul:

These are all from the company called Love My Tapes and I think I am in trouble because there are over 100 designs available.

This is not like the washi I have purchased before that feels flimsy and fragile. This tape has a real depth to it. I feel like it will hold up to my plans for using it in my planner and bible journal. The colours are very vibrant. (My photography does not do it justice).

I will post some pictures once my new planner arrives. I am still waiting for the journalling bible I want to be released.

Here is sneak peek at the planner I have ordered:

Don't forget to follow my on Pinterest as I explore all the wonderful uses for all the Washi I am wishing for.

Follow My Grandma's Teacups's board Wonderful Washi on Pinterest. Follow My Grandma's Teacups's board Bible Journaling on Pinterest. Follow My Grandma's Teacups's board Planner Printables on Pinterest.

My Grandma's Teacups: Marker Mayhem: Which Marker is best for you?

Hi Guys. I an super excited that you have been sharing lots of love on my Copic posts. I have to tell you working with alcohol markers is amazingly fun. It is also really expensive to build up a collection. I did some research on other brands of alcohol markers and found that the price difference is definitely something to look at. Lets face it, I like to think I am a pretty fantastic crafter but I am certainly not at the artistic level of the people that require Copic markers.

These were some of the alternatives I looked at:

• Le Plume
• Sharpie
• ShinHan
• Bic
• Copic
• Spectrum Noir

When you are looking  at purchasing alcohol markers I think you need to really evaluate how much you plan on using them. This will skew the numbers tremendously. For some a set of Sharpie or Bic markers would be a perfect choice as they don't need allot of colours and won't use them so often as to have to replace them. For others having a marker that can be refilled and nibs changed will be the most cost effective.

Brand	# Colours	Refillable	Nib Replaceable	Price
Le Plume	35 Colours and one blender available	No	No	$2
Spectrum Noir	168 Colours	Yes	Yes	$2-3
Copic Ciao	180 Colours	Yes	Yes	$5-7
Sharpie	24 (some are limited edition)	No	No	$1.50-2
Bic	36 Colours	No	No	$1.50-2
ShinHan	204 Colours	Yes	Yes	$4-5

I have used the LePlume  Markers. They were actually the first kind I purchased as they were readily available at my local Michael's. I personally did not enjoy working with them. The nib seemed a bit unwieldy for me.

I have used Sharpie and Bic markers in a pinch but because of the limited colours I did not make this my go to marker.

I have had a set of ShinHan markers for about a year. I think it might just be me but I find it hard to get the same blending effect as my Copic markers.

Copic Ciao have been my favourite to work with for some time. It was a long process to grow my collection though as up until recently they were not sold in my area and I had to rely on Ebay and Scrapfest to make my purchases. I liked the Copic because it seemed sensible to me to purchase a marker that I could keep using indefinitely by refilling it using Various Ink refills and Copic Nibs. Our group had started collecting Copics as well as we have been learning the various techniques but at $6-7 a marker it's hard for many people to build a workable pallette.

Over the last few days I have spent allot of time researching Spectrum Noir markers. There are a ton of free resources for this line and the price point makes it more appealing for the average crafter, like me. For this reason I have listed my Copic and ShinHan Touch markers on my clearance site and I have ordered the Spectrum Noir Collection. This way the ladies in the group can get 6 markers in a pack every month instead of 1 or 2. Using this method we will all have complete sets in no time at all.