Spectrum Aqua Markers

It has taken me some weeks to make these cards as I have been trying to finish off a scrapbook of our USA holiday last year.  It started off as one album and progressed to two albums!!  I shall take some photos of some of the pages soon but that is what has kept my blog a bit quiet.

Recently I entered a draw on the Craft Superstore Facebook page to win some Spectrum Aqua Markers.  Guess how excited I was when I found out that I was their winner.  I make my cards solely to sell to raise funds for different charities and therefore my cardmaking funds are very limited.  People in Blogland and Facebook are kind and send me things for my cards for charity but any challenge wins or giveways I win I put to that good use as well so to win so very much.

I've now had chance to have a little go with my Spectrum Aqua Markers.  I have done watercolouring on-and-off over the years.  I didn't get on well with pencils as I struggled with pressing down of the pencils when my hands aren't so good.  I got on OKish with my Lyra waterolour crayons.  Now what did I think of the Spectrum Aqua Markers  ..................... I LOVED THEM!!  I preferred to scribble on a white tile and pick the colour up with a brush.  What was fantastic was the tiny end on one end of the pen as that made it possible to get into tiny areas you might not have bothered before.  The other end was a brush which was perfect for scribbling on the tile but also perfect if you coloured directly onto a stamp and used it instead of an ink pad.  I've now bought myself the DVD to watch to learn what other things I could use them for but I am just so very slightly hooked!!

For all 3 cards below I have used various stamps I was given by a friend.

I scribbled various colours onto my tile, spritzed it with water, waited a few seconds for the colour to merge and then laid my card over the top.  I just get dipping areas it had missed on the card back onto the colours on the tile.

For the pink/purple card I then I scribbled various colours on my tile and added a little bit of water.  I then used a Dutch Doobadoo flower stencil and used a cosmetic sponge to use the watercolour through the stencil.

Then for all of the cards I used various Crafter's Companion Textures Stamps and directly coloured onto them with the Spectrum Aqua Markers and then stamped onto the background to add some depth.  Sometimes I would use the pen just as it was and sometimes I would spritz with water.

 This card and the one below are going to the Craft Superstore for having the giveaway and to Crafter's Companion for providing the prize. This card has been finished off with some die-cut shells/anchor, faux stitching, natural fibres and some real shells.

 This second card has been finished off with some die-cut shells, real shells, faux stitching and some stringed pearls.

This card has been finished off with a doily, die-cut sentiment, flowers, ribbon and buttons.

Yes, I know I need a lot more practice but I am pleased with my first try with these pens.  If anyone has problems with their hands like I do they are an absolute dream to use.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Love to Create - Any mixed media/creative

613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with optional twist to use the newest create a challenge chart

Robyn's Fetish - Must add buttons, real or faux (pin/purple third card has buttons on it)
Incy Wincy - Anything goes
Fantasy Stampers - Your favourite colour (well I am torn between turquoise blue as it reminds me of the seaside so the first two cards fit that colour scheme and then I also love purple so the second card has that colour scheme)
Simon Says Challenge - Anything goes
Penny's Paper Challenge - Anything goes
Creative Moments - Anything goes with the optional twist of adding some wet or dry embossing
Ruby's Rainbow - At the seaside (the first two cards)
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
Inspiration Destination - Anything goes
Crafty Ribbons - Anything goes (third card)
Moving Along with the Times - Sewing and stitching
Creative Fingers - Anything goes
Sister Act Card Challenge - Anything goes
Spectrum Noir June Facebook Challenge - Add some sparkle or bling! (third card)