Love Card and Review of Spectrum Noir Colorista Markers & Gemini Die Cutting Machine

Hello, dear peeps!

Today I have a beautiful card to share with you and a brief review of some nifty new products, too.

First an amazing story: In December, Crafter’s Companion had an amazing sale of 75% off some of their fabulous stamp sets. I threw everything I wanted into my cart and then went back and whittled it down to what my budget would allow. When the order arrived, the box was way to heavy and as I started looking through it, I found it contained not only my order, but many of the items I had wanted, but had to put back. Flummoxed, I called the company to let them know of the mistake, thinking it was a glitch in their system. I was totally overwhelmed when they told me the extra goodies were not a mistake, but were a surprise gift!

Woo-hoo! I am still utterly amazed and so very thankful!! They made my day!! Actually they made my dayS for years to come as I play with these fab goodies!! I’m still doing a happy dance!

Enabler alert: See something you like? They are having another 75% off sale in January – you might want to check it out HERE! (No, I don’t get any commission.)

Among the things I had ordered were a set of the new Spectrum Noir Colorista markers to try and a Premium Marker Pad with colorable glitter.

The markers have fine nibs at each end… one is fine, the other ultra fine, with just a smidge of difference when  in use. They are alcohol dye-based inks. I drew a line with each end and you can’t tell a whole lot of difference.

The marker pad pages are heavyweight artist’s grade paper and have various parts of the design covered with clear glitter that will take on whatever alcohol ink color you use.

The designs are intricate and some spots are so small it is a challenge to keep the ink from bleeding outside the lines. I was able to take my colorless alcohol blender from another brand and ‘push’ the color back in most of the time. I guess I should make the time to take their free online coloring course! : ) (You can find it HERE.)

It’s amazing that I colored this page with only five markers! I will say that on the glittered sections, the ink sat a while longer and was easier to pick up and blend (mostly I blended everything with the yellow). On just the plain paper, the ink dried quickly and took several passes to blend well.

Tip: I found that tip-to-tip blending was the easiest way to blend the colors on the plain paper.

I got about this far when I decided I would cut out the two main hearts and make a card.

Which brings me to the Gemini. I was recently given the funds to buy a Gemini electric die cutting machine, which will help on the days it’s too painful to crank a manual machine. HSN just had an amazing special that not only included the dies and embossing folders that normally come with it, but also the alphabet and number dies.

Enabler alert: HSN also had some Chibitronics in their clearance section! (No, I don’t get any commission.) I can’t wait to play with those, but that will be a while yet.  Stay tuned!

The Gemini also comes with the regular cutting plates AND a magnetic shim, steel shim for intricate dies AND a rubber embossing pad – all included!. Everything is thinner and lighter than what one is used to using with a Big Shot or Cuttlebug. Because I chose to use intricate dies on my card, I used the magnetic sheet and metal shim.

Note that the dies do make an indent in each. I am not sure how this will affect the metal shim’s function in the long run. As time goes by, I will have to update you on how that goes. The only thing that I see that will be an issue is the embossing pad I used the sandwich as instructed, but the die cut through the pad.

The pad is still usable, but it will have to be replaced sooner than other embossing pads (I have never had to replace my embossing pads for my manual machines and neither have cuts in them. So far, that is my only negative comment about the Gemini. Everything else has worked fine and I am quite pleased with the results:

Look at all that fabulous shine!

Supplies used:

• Crafter’s Companion Spectrum Noir Colorista marker pad In Full Bloom
• Crafter’s Companion Spectum Noir Colorista markers Set 1
  • Daffodil, Rose Red, Orchid, Purple, Leaf Green
• Crafter’s Companion Gemini Set Two & Set Three metal die packs
• Crafter’s Companion Gemini embossing folder
• Crafter’s Companion Die’sire Classiques – Only Words – 1″ Alphabet Decorative Uppercase and Lowercase metal dies
• Recollections papers
• Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L E-Z Runner Permanent Strips
• Aleene’s Clear Gel Tacky Glue

I’m playing along with the following challenges. Click on any one for more details on how you can join the fun!

• Spectrum Noir January Monthly Challenge: Anything Goes with the Bonus Theme: Use a Coloring Page.
• Simon Says Stamp’s Monday Challenge: Be Square (embossed squares)
• Crop Stop Linky Party #24: Anything Goes Crafter’s Companion

Thank you for stopping by today! I hope to be back soon with some fun organization tips… but first I have to get organized! Lol! See you soon!

~D.Ann

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