Spectrum Noir and Acetate Tutorial - Sara Naumann Guest Designer

Today we have a special guest, Sara Naumann, sharing a Spectrum Noir colouring technique and video tutorial.  Thank you Sara!


Here’s a fun way to get instant color to show off a beautifully stamped card sentiment!

Spectrum Noir alcohol pens are ideal for coloring non-porous surfaces like acetate. Even better, they can be used to highlight stamped images as well, creating layers of depth and dimension.

I’m using the Gentle Thoughts Happy Family Days stamp set—I love its elegant scallops and lettering, so I wanted the colored background to accentuate it without compromising the beauty and sentiment of the stamps. I think the alcohol pens give just the right amount of color, and tracing the scallop edges of the frame stamp give it a pretty shadow effect.



1. Cut a 5”x4” piece of acetate. Use the chisel tip of the CG2 (lemon lime) Spectrum Noir pen to scribble across the center, leaving the edges uncolored. Let dry—this will only take a second.

2. Repeat to scribble with the chisel tip of PP5 (pink) pen in just the center of the lemon lime. 

3. Spritz lightly once with spray rubbing alcohol. Repeat to create more of a spatter effect.

4. Use black Surfacez ink to stamp the frame and Happy Birthday in the center of a 3 3/4” x 3 1/4” piece of acetate. Flip the piece over and use the fine tip of the BT5  (blue) pen to trace alongside the stamped frame.  Flip over and ink the edges with black.

5. Use a touch of stick glue in the center to secure the stamped piece on top of the inked piece, then add mini staples at the top corners.

6. Mat on a 5” x 4” piece of white cardstock, then wrap with blue ribbon. Glue a 6”-tall piece of houndstooth paper to the front of a 6 1/2” x 5” blank white card, leaving the top and bottom edges showing. Ink the edges black.

7. Glue the stamped piece in the center.

Want to see a step-by-step video tutorial for this technique? Just click the link below!

Thanks to Suzanne for inviting me to be a part of the Quietfire blog!

Sara Naumann is a designer, author and instructor, specializing in stamping and card making techniques. You can learn more about her crafty adventures by visiting her site at www.saranaumann.com

To celebrate Sara's guest post, we're offering 20% off Happy Family Days until June 30, 2014.  At checkout use coupon code: SARA   You must be signed in for the code to apply.