Friday 31 October 2014

Cosmic Colours Challenge #7

Hello peeps!

It's time for a new Cosmic Colours Challenge...#7!

I've gone for a cosy Christmas palette this month.

Holiday Sparkle Design Seeds®
Here is what I've done using the colours...


The browns have come out a little more pink in the photo than what they really are, but hey ho!

I used one of my favourite Christmas stamp sets - Christmas Reindeer (CL540) by Hero Arts. I coloured the little cuties in with Promarkers, the snow is some ready embossed snowflake card I found at a local craft shop and I added some snowflake stickers to the sky. I finished it off with black pearls for the noses and a few gems on some of the snowflakes.

Of course, you are not committed to making a Christmas card, any occasion will do!

The creator of the winning card will receive some craft goodies and they can grab a Challenge Winner 'brag badge' to proudly display on their blog.

Three runner up cards will be chosen and they can grab the Challenge Top 3! 'brag badge' to proudly display on their blog.

There is also a 'play along' badge that you can grab if you wish. The codes can be found in the 'Cosmic Colours Challenge Badges' page.

The challenge will run until 30th November 2014 - 23:55 (GMT)


I can't wait to see what you come up with. I'll be back later with the winners from challenge #6! xx




post signature

Tuesday 28 October 2014

Mr Snowman - Crafts Beautiful November 2014

Hello peepsicles!

Oooooh! This is a late one for me. I've not long finished a HUGE commission for PaperCrafter (and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it). 

Anyhoo, I would like to share with you the second card I did for the shaped cards project in the current issue of Crafts Beautiful. In an earlier post I showed you the robin shaped card made by using a template and the paper piecing technique.

This one is a bit different, I decided to illustrate a cute snowman and fussy cut him to create the shaped card.

Here is the lovely little fella...



Isn't he adorable? You can copy the image from the pattern pages of the November issue or you can click here to take you to the Crafts Beautiful website and download it for free.

I made a tiny little tent fold card that is attached to the back of him so that he can stand up, but you can't see it from the front. Cool eh?

The handle for the banner is a cocktail stick wrapped with red and white striped washi tape.

I had such fun illustrating and colouring this one and I think he will always have a special place in my heart - I know, soppy or what?

Don't forget that this month's issue of Crafts Beautiful is overflowing with gorgeous makes, ideas and inspiration, as is the website. Pop on over an have a peep!

Okay, so I'm off to bed now for a bit of a read. Thanks for popping by. TTFN xx

post signature

Monday 27 October 2014

Getting Ready For Christmas - The Paper Shelter/Incy Wincy

Mornin' me lovelies!

We have another fantastic challenge for you this week over at Incy Wincy. The challenge is buttons & bling and our fantastic sponsor is The Paper Shelter. The winner will get a $20 gift certificate!


Here is my card for the DT, I used 'Getting Ready For Christmas'...




What you need...

Digi stamp: Getting Ready For Christmas - The Paper Shelter
Card stock: white
Promarkers: Bright Green, Ice Grey 1, Lime Green, Molten Red, Poppy, Praline, Sandstone
Holly: felt
Buttons: red
Gems: black, red
Glitter glue: Icicle - Stickles
Rub-on: Christmas themed, black
Adhesives

What you do...

Download and print the image to your desired size.
Colour in and cut out leaving a 2-3mm border around the image.
Attach to a white 8.5cm x 17cm top fold blank with foam pads.
Add black gems to the trouser buttons and jacket buttons.
Add three red gems to the holly sprig.
Cover the fir trim on the trousers, jacket and hat with Icicle glitter glue.
Glue felt holly at each end of the washing line and add a red button.
Add the sentiment underneath.

Ta-da! There you have it. Sadly the photo shows the buttons but not the bling - boooo! It is there though, I assure you :o)

So, are you going to enter this week's challenge? Head on over to Incy Wincy and check out the fantastic makes that my lovely teamies have come up with. Inspiration all in one place!

Well, that is me for now. Got to get on with some more commissions :oD

Thanks for calling in and see you soon xx

post signature

Wednesday 22 October 2014

Round Robin - Crafts Beautiful Nov 2014

Hi folks! How are you?

Today I'd like to share with you another card that I did for Crafts Beautiful as part of a two part set featuring shaped cards. This one is a simple paper piecing card in the shape of a lovely plump round robin :o)

Here is the cute little fella...



The good thing about this little chap is, that you can adapt him for any occasion by making him in lovely bright card or papers and have some flowers or leaf springs instead of the holly.

He can be found along with instructions and templates in the current November 2014 issue of Crafts Beautiful. Alternatively, you can go here, to the Crafts Beautiful website where you can download the templates. Don't forget there are lots of ideas, projects, templates, patterns and free papers to download.

Thanks for stopping by and I'll be back soon with the other shaped card in this set using a different technique. TTFN xx

post signature

Monday 20 October 2014

Cemetarie & Bunny - Lacy Sunshine/Incy Wincy

Good afternoon peeps!

Well we have another great challenge for you over at Incy Wincy Designs, this week being a sketch challenge; believe me when I say I found this one really difficult. 

I'm a CAS person so I would not normally do a layout such as this one. Then again, it is a challenge isn't it? We all have to step out of our comfort zone sometimes :o)

This weeks sponsor is the fab Lacy Sunshine Stamps and the lucky winner will get a prize of  3 digis!


Here is the sketch designed by the lovely Karen...


...and how I tackled it...



Isn't she adorable? The image is called Cemetarie & Bunny and she can be found here.

I decided to make her into a more 'girly' Halloween card, I got my inspiration for the colours from the fab Frankie & Friends Collection by Simple Stories. I kept her colouring to lilacs, aqua and greys with that little pop of burnt orange for the bunny eyes and patch. I loved colouring her in :o)

Here is a list of the items you need...

Card stock: black, white
Digi stamp: Cemetarie & Bunny (Lady Heather's Curiosities) - Lacy Sunshine
Patterned papers: Frankie & Friends 12" x 12" Collection Pack - Simple Stories
Promarkers: Amethyst, Burnt Orange, Ginger, Ice Grey 1,2,3,4 & 5, Lilac, Lime Twist, Orchid, Pastel Beige, Pastel Green
Adhesives

The Pastel Green Promarker is more of a subtle aqua than green, but it was perfect for this image. 

I used a white 'happy' rub-on and a small Halloween die-cut from my stash for the sentiment. 

The black roses were made by hand-cutting a rough circle and then cutting it into a spiral. Next scrunch it and then roll it up and add a spot of glue to the base to secure. Simple!

Why not head on over to Incy Wincy and check out what my talented teamies have done and have a go at the challenge? 

That's me for the moment, thanks for popping by :o) xxx

post signature

Sunday 19 October 2014

Winter Wishes - Cricut Explore - Crafts Beautiful Nov 2014

Hello my lovely peeps!

How are you today? It's a lovely warm autumn day here in Norfolk ;o)

Today I would like to show you a peek of the card I did for the Masterclass project in the November issue of Crafts Beautiful.

A while ago I suggested to Sarah, the Editor that a project featuring a card made using an electronic die-cutting machine would be really cool and that I was lucky enough to own the fabulous Cricut Explore®. 

She thought it was a great idea and I came up with this little cutie...




Isn't he just adorable?

I had such fun making this. 

If you have a lot of Christmas cards to make, then the Explore® is perfect as you can cut out multiple images in one sitting.

Christmas cards are my favourite type of card to make, I wish I had more time to make some for myself  :o( I love to do individual cards each year, so that everyone gets a unique one-off card. I might have to do multiples of one design this year, so maybe I will have to gear up the Explore® and have a little production line going! 

Anyhoo, for my write up on the Cricut Explore® including the instructions on how to make this little card, hints, tips and ideas, you'll need to get your mitts on the current issue (November 2014) which out now.

Of course the magazine comes with its usual great free gift and is jam packed with other gorgeous projects, designs, articles, what's trending and so on; plus there is a fabulous gift from Kaisercraft when you subscribe.

Well, I'm going to head off for now. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and thanks for dropping by xx

post signature

Tuesday 14 October 2014

Pop Flowers

Hello my lovelies!

How are you today? I'm feeling much better, the yukky cold is on its way out - I think drinking plenty of fresh lemon/honey in hot water with a couple of paracetamol helped. 

So, what I got for you this time? Well, I was inspired by a card I found on the Internet and decided to create my version of it as a birthday card for my sister, Yvonne. 

It's very clean, simple and fresh.



What you need...

Stamps: Birthday Sampler, Perky Plants - Paper Smooches
Dies: Clouds - Paper Smooches
Ink pad: Tea Leaves - VersaMagic, Onyx Black - Versafine
Card stock: aqua (light & mid shades), bright pink, lime, turquoise (dark)
Card blank: white 14.5cm square
Pearls: white
Adhesives

What you do...

Hand cut a circle from lime card approximately 2.5cm diameter, three 2cm circles, one each in light aqua, dark turquoise and bright pink; lastly cut three 1.5cm circles, one each in light aqua, dark turquoise and bright pink.
Use Tea Leaves ink to create three stems with leaves at the bottom right corner.
Assemble three flowers and stick to the top of each stem.
Die cut three clouds in mid aqua card and arrange around the flowers.
Stamp the sentiment in Onyx Black at the lower left and embellish each flower with a pearl.

Ta dah!

Believe it or not, this card seemed to take me ages. I'm terrible at taking my time making sure placement of an element or image is just right. 

I won't commit to sticking anything down until I'm 100% happy - too fussy maybe? No. If you are going to make something unique and special, it's worth taking the time (even though I do get frustrated with myself). It always seems to happen when I need to get the card done quickly - grrr!

If I'm struggling, I find the best way is to walk away from my project and then come back to it later with a 'fresh' eye.

Any hoo, that's me for now. Back to the ol' commissions. Thanks for calling in and I'll see you soon xx

post signature

Monday 13 October 2014

Made For Each Other - Dr Digi/Incy Wincy

Good afternoon peeps!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Unfortunately I have a stinkin' cold (kindly dontated to me by Simon - thanks hubby). I don't often get colds but when I do it tends to be a rotten one.

Any hoo! Over at Incy Wincy this week we have a fab new challenge - a Tic Tac Toe board. Pick three of the elements in a row (horizontal, vertical or diagonal) and make your creation!


The sponsor this week is Dr Digi's House of Stamps. The lucky winner will get a prize of 2 digis.


I chose the 'Made for each other' image and  Funny Ha Ha, Free Space & Just a Little Bad from the board. This is what I came up with...




What you need...

Digital stamp: Made for each other - Dr Digi
Card stock: black, lime, white
Promarkers: Black, Firewood, Ice Grey 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5, Lime Twist, Lipstick Red, Purple, Winter Spruce
Baker's twine: black, purple
Table confetti: Halloween mix
Font: Chiller
Adhesives

What you do...

Download, print and colour in the image and then cut out.
Make a black top fold 10.5cm x 15cm blank and attach the image to the lower right corner.
Add a strip of lime card across the top of the blank.
Type and print out the sentiment, trim into a banner and adhere to the lime strip.
Wrap and tie black and purple twine around the blank just under the lime strip, adding a spider motif from the confetti.

That's it! Done!

Well, I'm flagging a bit now. Time for a mug of hot lemon and honey with a couple of paracetamol methinks.

Why not head on over to Incy Wincy and see what gorgeous makes the rest of the Design Team has come up with?


Thank you so much for popping by. See you soon! xx

post signature

Tuesday 7 October 2014

29 Again?

Afternoon peeps!

Well it's another wet, miserable day here in Norfolk. We can't complain too much, because until yesterday the weather here has been glorious. The chickens don't like this rain though, they've been sheltering in the shed :o(

Anyhoo! I'd like to show you the little card I made for my mum's birthday. Thankfully my lovely mum has a great sense of humour. I apologise for the quality of the photo, it was quite a dull day and I needed to get it posted to my mum, so I had no choice but to snap it when I could.

So here it is...



What you need...

Stamps: Bird Brain - The Alley Way Stamps; Birthday Sampler - Paper Smooches
Card stock: white
Ink pad: Onyx Black - Versafine
Patterned paper: Zip-A-Dee Doodle 6x6 Pad - Bo Bunny
Promarkers: Apple, Duck Egg, French Navy

What you do...

Stamp the bird onto white card and colour in.
Trim to size and attach to the top of a white top fold blank 10.5cm x 15cm.
Stick co-ordinating papers either side of the image.
Stamp the sentiment underneath, to the right.

I love this stamp set, the faces on the birds are so comical. I based the layout on Retrosketches #46.


My mum loved the card...phew!

Okay, I'm off now to get on with magazine commissions. Thanks for popping by and enjoy the rest of your day. xx

post signature

Monday 6 October 2014

Creepy Mushroom - A Day For Daisies/Incy Wincy

Good morning all! 

I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend. 

Ooh! Before I get down to business - Happy Birthday Mum!

This week over at Incy Wincy Designs we have a colour challenge for you...



Chilli Color - Design Seeds®
and our sponsor this week is A Day For Daisies and you can win a $12.00 GC (equivalent to 3 digis)!


Here is my challenge card...



A Day For Daisies has some of the most gorgeous digi-stamps. I fell in love with this creepy little design and as the colour challenge has an autumnal theme to it, I knew it would be perfect for a Halloween card.

What you need... 

Digi-stamp: Creepy Mushrooms - A Day For Daisies
Card stock: brown, red, white
Ink pad: Vintage Sepia - Versafine
Promarkers: Firewood, Pine, Tawny Owl, Winter Berry
Baker's twine: red
Button: red
Adhesives

What you do...

Download, print and colour the mushroom image. 
Stamp a simple sentiment near the image.
Cut out so that the edges look torn and ink the edges with the Vintage Sepia.
Create a 12cm square top fold blank in brown card, mat an 11cm piece of red card centrally, so the top is in line with the fold of the blank.
Make a long banner in brown card and fix to the left of the red panel.
Mat the image onto the blank, near the top.
Add a red button to the bottom of the banner and finish with red twine wrapped and tied around the blank.

I think this makes for a unusual and different Halloween card; a break from the normal colours of black, orange, purple and lime. 

Why not head on over to Incy Wincy Designs and have a look at the fantastic creations my teamies have come up with?

I'll be back later with the amusing little card I've made for my mum. Until then - TTFN xx

post signature

Thursday 2 October 2014

Cosmic Colours Challenge #5 Winner and Top 3!

Good morning all my lovely crafty friends!

Well it's that exciting time again when the winner and top 3 are announced for the Cosmic Colours Challenge #5.

Winter Hues - Design Seeds®
Thank you to all who entered. Your creations were beautiful. It was very hard to pick a winner, but I managed to struggle through. So without further ado, the winner is... 

#27 - KT Fit Kitty!!!

KT Fit Kitty
Congrats to Kitty! I think you'll agree, the colours work really well with the image and theme of the card. Please contact me with regards to your prize and feel free to grab your badge from the 'Cosmic Colours Challenge Badges' page.

Now for the top 3...

#1 - Craftin' Suze
Craftin' Suze
#9 - Jennifer
Jennifer
#14 - Stacey
Stacey
Well done to the top 3! Remember to pop on over to the 'Cosmic Colours Challenge Badges' page to grab your badge so you can proudly display it on your blog.

Thank you all again for playing along. It's great having a look at what you come up with using the colours from the palette, and in so many different ways too.

There are two palettes to choose from in the Cosmic Colours Challenge #6, both suitable for Halloween makes (or any other occasion if you want). Just click on either image in the sidebar and it will take you to the challenge and rules.

Well, that's all from me for now. Enjoy the rest of your day and I'll be back soon :o) xx

post signature

Wednesday 1 October 2014

Cosmic Colours Challenge #6

Hello my lovelies!

I'm back with another challenge, this one being #6! As Halloween is fast approaching I decided to go with a colour palette that would suit the occasion.

This month you have two colour palettes to choose from (I couldn't decide which one to go with). There is a lovely purple/orange themed palette and a beautiful black/rust themed palette.

You don't have to make Halloween themed cards, any occasion is welcome.

Here is the first palette...

Produced Hues 3 - Design Seeds®
What I've come up with...


I used an image from Creepy Li'l Grumpies by - Smeared Ink, Halloween (Kelly Panacci) 12" x 12" Speciality Paper Pad -  K&company, Promarkers, purple twine and brads.

The second colour palette...

Happy Halloween - Design Seeds®
My make for this one...


For this card I used the moon and cats from Halftone Halloween (Tim Holtz) - Stampers Anonymous, Promarkers, black lettering and gems

The creator of the winning card will receive some craft goodies and they can grab a Challenge Winner 'brag badge' to proudly display on their blog.

Three runner up cards will be chosen and they can grab the Challenge Top 3! 'brag badge' to proudly display on their blog.

There is also a 'play along' badge that you can grab if you wish. The codes can be found in the 'Cosmic Colours Challenge Badges' page.

The challenge will run until 31st October 2014 - 23:55 (GMT)


I can't wait to see what you come up with. I'll be back later with the winners from challenge #5! xx