In the pink (and black)!

It’s time to go ‘PINK AND BLACK’ at Craft Your Passion for this week’s challenge.And here’s the most fabulous inspiration pic:

Don’tcha just love him!!

For more details on how to play and win some wonderful digi stamps head on over by clicking the link.You’ll also get to see the DT’s gorgeous cards!

I chose to work with the  beautiful ‘Elf Eva’ who’s available from Lauretta’s Digital Stamps.I have to admit I had ‘one of those moments’ whilst making this card.Although it was easy enough to pick the image and this pretty paper I’ve wanted to use for a loooooong time I had a bit of a disaster when it came to colouring this image.As much as I LOVE them I wanted to get away from using my Promarkers so I decided to use Polychromos pencils and low odour oils thinners (a cheaper option than Sansador) but compared to the paper the colours looked too washed out.I REALLY didn’t want to start again – I hate waste.So I hit upon the idea over going over it with the Promarkers to intensify the colour.Some people use pencils over the TOP of their markers to create more depth but wasn’t sure what would happen this way round.But you know what it worked!!It didn’t damage the pens either -bonus!And I LIKED it – another bonus.It kind of melted the and blended the pencil further.So I managed to save the life of an Elf!!

Supplies :

Image – Elf Eva from Lauretta’s Digital Stamps

Mediums – Polychromos,low odour oils thinners,Promarkers,Black Soot and Spun Sugar Distress Ink

Paper and card – Black card from my stash,paper Making Memories Olivia Multipack

Embellishments – Black flat backed pearls,black satin ribbon,pale blue organza ribbon coloured black with a Promarker

Tools – X-Cut guillotine,Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page Eyelet Lace set

 

Here are some challenges :

Sew Many Cards : Happy Birthday

Delightful Challenges : Cute and Girly using pearls and lace

Hannah and Friends: Pearls and Swirls

Meljen’s Designs : Happy Birthday

The Sugar Bowl : Sketch and Pearls

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday : Use lace

One Stitch At A Time : Girlie/photo inspiration or both (I’ve gone with Girlie)

The Crafty Pad : Simply Pearls

The Paper Players : Anything goes 

Bee Crafty : Anything goes

Crafty Emma’s Store Challenges : Anything goes

Aly’s Sunday Challenge : Pretty in Pink

TFL

Lisa x

Advertisement

Deer little thing,ain’t she?

The challenge at Pear Tree Designs this week is to follow  this SKETCH :

We have a fantastic sponsor in the form of Robyn’s Fetish Digital Stamps and More who are offering one lucky winner 5 digital stamps or paper sets of their choice.So click on the link to find out how to be in it to win it!You’ll discover some fabulous DT inspiration too!

For my card I used the adorable Farah Fawn who you can find at Robyn’s Fetish.I decided to go all ‘woodsy’ with this one as I’ve had this paper for a while and thought it would be the perfect setting for her.I couldn’t resist stamping this sentiment and adding an extra embellie!!

Supplies :

Image – Farah Fawn from Robyn’s Fetish

Sentiment – Dawn Bibby Designs Deer Woodland Creatures set

Mediums – Promarkers,Peeled Paint,Tumbled Glass and Walnut Stain Distress Ink,Jet Black Archival Ink,Inkssential Opaque White Gel pen

Papers – K & Co

Embellishments – Prima flower from the Bitty Bag,buttons from Bag-o-Buttons,green embroidery thread

Tools –  X-Cut guillotine,Nestabilities Labels 1

 

Here are some challenges :

Sew Many Cards : Happy Birthday

Meljen’s Designs : Happy Birthday

Kah-Wink-E-Dink : Happy Birthday

Papertake Weekly : 3 of something (buttons),2 of another (papers),1 of another (flower)

Cowgirl’s Stampen’ Challenge : Flower Power

Sentimental Sundays : Clean and Simple

Allsorts – Park Inspiration (garden or park theme)

Speedy the Cat’s Friends : A Friend ship card

The Paper Players : Anything goes

Bee Crafty : Anything goes

Stampin’ for the Weekend : Anything goes

Incy Wincy : Buttons and Bows

Crafty Emma’s Store : Anything  goes

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday : Use Lace

TFL

Lisa x

Wedding Day Wishes

The challenge theme at Pear Tree Designs is ‘WEDDING’.So anything Wedding related – Wedding cards,Wedding stationery,Anniversary cards etc.To entice you we also have a fabulous sponsor.Craftmadfairy’s Card Creations have kindly offered a total of 4 digital stamps for the winner!You just have to click on the link to see not only her beautiful drawings but also her equally beautiful cards.Th-th-that’s not all folks!!(Said in a Porky Pig voice).There is a SECOND prize on offer too – one lucky person will get to join us as Guest Designer for 1 month!

I have to confess I haven’t really had much call to make Wedding cards and I really haven’t got too much in the way of Wedding stamps or digi images (well none to be honest!) so ended up Googling for some free images. I was so pleased to come across this delightful image on Craftee Guiri’s blog -they’re just the cutest couple!She has a few more of her adorable drawings on there too.Please respect her Terms of Use if you plan to use any.

This challenge has come in handy for me as my DH’s cousin is getting married next month.

Supplies :

Image :Craftee Guiri Wedding Couple freebie

Sentiment: Computer generated and printed onto Safmat

Colouring medium : Promarkers

Papers  and cardstock: K & Co,blue pearlescent card from stash, white vellum by Papermania

Tools : X-Cut guillotine,Big Shot,Nellie’s Multi Frame Dies Squares, Cuttlebug 5″ x7″ Embossing Folder Kassie’s Brocade

Other materials :Fabric flowers (orignally had yellow stamens in the middle but I took them out and added white pearls),white flat backed pearls,short length of  leftover white organza ribbon

Here  are some challenges this card is also for :

Cupcake Craft Challenges : Blue and Green

Cowgirl’s Sunday Stampen’ Challenge :Summertime feeling

One Stitch At A Time : Say it with shapes

Paper Jewels : Ribbon and Flowers

Sundays With Crissy : Favourite time of the year (Summer!)

Challenge Up Your Life : Celebrations

Secret Crafters Saturday Challenge : Blue and Cream

Paper Cutz : Anything goes

Stamp Something : August Digi Day

Aud Sentiments : Anything goes

Charisma Cardz : Die Cuts

Fab ‘n’ Funky : Flower Power

For Fun Challenges : Recipe – 1 ribbon,2 papers and three embellishments

Tiffany Doodles : Flower Power

Oh,Alice! : Sparkly Fabulousness

Digi Doodle Shop’s Best : Anything goes

Creative Card Crew : Sparkle and Shine

Digital Tuesday : Use your scraps (blue card,ribbon and flowers I’ve had for aaaaaaages)

My Time To Craft : Glitter and Glitz

TFL

Lisa x

Twinkle,Twinkle Little Hamster

Over at Craft Your Passion it’s ‘HANDMADE FLOWERS’ we’d love to see on your cards!They’re right on trend at the moment and there are so many techniques to try – so why not have a go!To tempt you even further there are free digi stamps up for grabs for one lucky winner.So why not pop on over for more details and some truly wonderful floral inspiration from the DT.

I picked this adorable little ‘Hamster’ as I thought he’d be ideal for the theme.Also things can’t get much sweeter than a hamster bringing you flowers!!If you’d like to give him a loving home too you can find him at CoCo Dingo.As well as being super sweet this is super sparkly too.I wanted to try a technique that seems to be on a lot of cards.So I edged some of the layers with Diamond Stickles and while I had it in my hand Iwent to town with it on the flowers he’s holding,the edges of the flowers,the brads and the punched butterflies.Usually the sparkle plays hard to get in photos so I gave it no excuse to be camera shy this time!!

Here’s a closer view of his bouquet and a clearer pic of  the Glossy Accents on his eyes and nose.

A close up of the flowers.

Here’s how to make them :

1.Take a strip of felt 1 1/4″ wide and cut six scallops along it.You might want to draw it first as I did.I used a fine liner marker and drew them freehand.If you’re not so confident maybe draw round a small coin or template.TIP: Cut INSIDE the drawn line as the pen will show even on the reverse.

2.Starting at one end fold and pleat where the first scallop ends and stitch into place making sure you go through all the layers you want to hold together.Just keep going along pleating and stitching,shaping the flower as you go. TIP: Keep the tension taut and the stitches small and as close to the centre as possible.

3.To create a neat finish when you get to the end fold the edges of the last and first scallops under.Place the last scallop over the first and stitch together securely.TIP: Make sure you finish off the final stitching well – you don’t want all your hard work falling apart!

It’s no great secret I can’t sew for a toffee (or anything else!) so don’t feel you can’t give these a go.If I can do it anyone can,really!You don’t have to be great with cutting out or a needle  either.Felt is a very forgiving material.And the butterfly is to cover up a large stitch I did by mistake.

Supplies:

Image :CoCo Dingo ‘Hamster’

Sentiment : Cute Characters Set 1 stamp

Colouring Mediums : Promarkers,Glossy Accents,Diamond Stickles

Papers : Making Memories fom the Bella Multipack

Tools: X-Cut guillotine,Standard Circle Nestabilities,large butterfly punch from The Works,Small X-Cut butterfly punch

Other materials :Felt,medium brads

Here are the challenges this card is for :

Stamp With Fun : Card for a girl

The Shabby Tea Room : A little bit of metal

Cowgirl’s Sunday Stampen’ Challenge : Summertime feeling      

One Stitch At A Time : Say it with shapes       

Sundays With Crissy : Favourite time of year – Summer!

Oh,Alice! : Sparkly Fabulousness

Paper Cutz : Anything goes

If The Shoe Fits…Scrap It! : Metal

Fairy Fun Fridays : Use punches on your card (butterflies)

Stamp Something : August Digi Day

Aud Sentiments : Anything goes

C.R.A.F.T. : Photo Inspiration  (pink and yellow from the colours and the theme of sweet)

Crafty Creations : Butterflies (on the flower)

Digi Doodle Shop’s Best : Anything goes

Glitterbabe’s Challenge : Sparkle,glitter,bling and 2 flowers

Paperplay : Pink to make the boys wink  😉 

S2G Twisted Thursday : Yellow

Creative Bellie : Round and metal/optional sketch (I’ve not used the sketch)

Fab ‘n’ Funky : Flower Power

The Photo-Synthesis Challenge :

Creative Card Crew : Sparkle and shine

Digital Tuesday : Use your scraps (paper and felt)

My Time To Craft : Glitter and Glitz

Tiffany Doodles : Flower Power

E.C.P. : Girly theme

 Alphabet Challenge : Q is for Quotes

Charisma Cardz : Die cuts

TFL

Lisa x

How does your garden grow?

This week the challenge at Pear Tree Designs is ‘BEST WISHES’.So any creation featuring these very words is the order of the week!We also have the fabby Lilac Lemon Designs as sponsors this time too.So head on over for details on how to play along.Don’t  forget to check out the wonderful DT inspiration and welcome Susie as our new member!

I’ve used a stamp from the Cute Characters Set 1 and coloured her with Promarkers.The sentiment is from the same sheet.The papers are a freebie My Minds Eye pad that came with a past issue of Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine.The coloured card is Papermania Textured.I’ve used a mix of Nestabilities Classic Ovals and Classic Scallop dies.To create the tag I punched a hole with my Crop-o-Dile and set a heart shaped eyelet and threaded it onto a length of waxed cord.I cut some felt flowers with the Tim Holtz Tattered Florals Sizzix die and topped them with some square Papermania buttons also threaded with the same cord.I used a large corner rounder punch too to add some interest.

Here are some challenges this card is an entry for:

Secret Crafters Saturday Challenge : What Little Girls Are Made Of

Speedy the Cat’s Challenge : Think Flowers

I Did It Creations : Anything Goes

If  The Shoe Fits…Scrap It! : Die Cuts

The Res-Q-Challenge : Flash those pearlies

Digi Doodle Shop’s Best : Flowers

Pixie Dust Studio : Pretty in Pink

Little Red Wagon  : Summer Theme

Creative Card Crew : Let’s get cute and girly

Penny’s Paper-Crafty Challenge : Anything Goes

Simon Says Challenge : There ain’t no cure for the Summertime blues

E.C.P. : Girly theme

TFL

Lisa x

You’re A Star!

At Craft Your Passion this week it’s ‘ANYTHING GOES’.Such a fabulous challenge – you can let your imagination go wild!Please click on the link to see how to play along,check out the fantastic (as ever) fellow DT samples and grab yourself the chance to win some brilliant digi stamps!!

For my card I’ve used ‘Playful Star Cub’ from Lauretta’s Digital Stamps.So adorable and full of fun – he looks like he’s ready to pounce,but in a nice way!He’s been coloured with Promarkers and the patches on his eyes were given a coating of Clear Copic Atyou Spica (although the camera hasn’t really picked it up).The papers are from The Wobblers CD-rom and are leftovers from a previous project.After adhering the layers to the front of the card I cut an aperture using Nestabilities Labels 1 (saves any fiddly measuring and lining up) and cut a frame with the help of a magnetic mat.I added an acetate window.I’ve made aperture cards before but this is the first time I’ve used acetate this way.I’ve seen it on a few cards and thought I would ‘borrow’ the idea.I stuck some more papers inside including the front to cover up where I’d put the window in.I stuck the cub,using PVA glue,by his paws and tail after shaping him a little with my fingers.The sentiment was printed from the computer onto Safmat,cut out and placed on a Maxi brad.They were to hand still in the bag as I’d never gotten round to putting them away!I’d not seen these before and found them in a half price bargain bin.I thought they’d be ideal as a novel way to add greetings to cards or stamped on for embellishments.

Here are some challenges :

Aly’s Sunday Challenge : Get Dotty

Order of the Opus Gluei : You’ve got to move it,move it

Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge : Animal/Animals

I Did it Creations : Anything goes

If The Shoe Fits…Scrap It! : Die Cuts

Raise The Bar : ABC (Animal,Brown,Clean and Simple)

Delightful Challenges : Animals or Insects,Dots and Stripes

The Creative Cottage Challenge : Acetate

I Love Promarkers : Acetate

Fab ‘n’ Funky : Use your favourite colours (I just love browns and blues together whatever the shade)

Papertake Weekly : Something Old (papers),Something New (brads),Something Borrowed (acetate window technique),Something Blue (there is a fair amount of blue as an accent colour)

Penny’s Paper-Crafty Challenge : Anything goes

By the Cute and Girly – Animal Antics

Ooh La La – Spots and Dots

TFL

Lisa x

Goal-den Boy

This week at Craft Your Passion it’s a colour challenge of Red,Green and Black.So please click on the link for some brilliant DT inspiration and details on how to win some digital stamps!

I thought this image of Choupinou soccer from CocoDingo would be perfect for the colours in the challenge and I would get the chance to make another card for my youngest’s birthday next month.He’s a Man U fan too – not at all influenced by my DH – well…yes actually!Although it may not be strictly their strip the colours are close enough.He’s been coloured with Promarkers and cut out with Labels 3 Nestabilities.The backing paper is actually a Christmas one.It’s Daisy and Dandelion A Winter’s Tale.All card is from my stash.The red one with zig zag pattern was bought like that – I think it’s great for men’s cards.The football is a die cut I bought  in a pack when I first started cardmaking.I coloured it with Promarkers.The sentiment is from an old See D’s set and that has also been coloured with Promarkers.I’ve also used a large corner rounder punch.

Here are a few challenges this card is also for :

Meljen’s Designs : Clean and Simple

Pals Paper Arts : KISS Masculine

Stamp n Doodle : Birthday Card

Shirley’s 2 Girls : Back to school and add something red

Papertake Weekly : White and Bright

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge : It’s a man’s world

Speedy the Cat’s Friend’s Challenge : Make your own embelishments

TFL

Lisa x

Va va vroom

Over at Pear Tree Designs the challenge for this week is to make a card for a male.Click on the link to see what you could win from our sponsors One Stop Card Crafts (it’s a fabulous prize!) and take a peek at the fabulous DT work!

For this card I stamped ‘A Jolly Day Out’ by Mabel Lucie Atwell from The Artistic Stamper and coloured it with Promarkers.To add an aged feel I applied Antique Linen and Barn Door Distress Inks around the edges.The patterned paper is K & Co Hopscotch and the card is Papermania Textured.I’ve used Sizzix corner and bookplate dies.The greeting,from Farmyard Friends The Wobblers set,has had the same Distress Inks sponged around the edges.The background piece has been created using the Clockworks 5 x 7 Cuttlebug Embossing Folder,lightly sanded and gently rubbed over with Antique Linen Distress Ink.I created the embellishment with a piece of grey card shaded with a Promarker and an antique metal brad.All edges have had a Tim Holtz Paper Distresser used on them.This card is for my youngest son’s birthday.Although it’s not until September I have to get ahead as all the family love to send him a handmade card.Trouble is they ALL have to be made by ME!!  

Here  are some challenges this card is an entry for :

Stamp Something : Birthday Card

Charisma Cardz : Teddy Bears ( He’s riding in the car next to the rabbit)

Delightful Sketches : Distressing

Meljens Designs : Clean and simple

Pals Paper Arts : KISS Masculine

Stamp n Doodle : Birthday Card

Cards For Men : Off on an adventure

TFL

Lisa x

Fairy wishes

There is a sketch to follow at Craft Your Passion this week.I don’t know about you but I love sketches.It takes the problem of deciding on a layout but gives you so much scope on how to use your creativity to make it your own.Please click on the link on how to play along,for more details on how you can win FREE images and some fabulous DT inspiration.

For my card I’ve actually turned the sketch round 45 degrees.The image is What Are U Thinking Fairy from Lauretta’s Digital Stamps.I’ve coloured her with Promarkers bar her clothing.I printed her again onto coloured vellum and paper pieced her clothing to keep the transparent feel of it in the image.I’ve spread Diamond Stickles over the wings using a paint brush as it’s quite a large area to cover.I find it stops the card getting over wet and buckling.I then gave her hair a light sprinkling with any left on the brush.Shes been mounted onto a Squares Nellie’s Multi Frames Dies.The paper is from the free My Minds Eye pad in the August issue of Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine and the card is Core’dinations Gemstones.The bottoms of both pieces have been punched with a Martha Stewart Hydrangeas Edger.For the strips on the sketch I’ve used three pieces of grosgrain ribbon.The flowery swirl is cut from vellum with a Cuttlebug Vintage die.I had my first attempt at making a beaded pin and I have to say I’m very pleased with the results considering my limited bead stash.I used a pearl headed pin,a metal spacer bead, a silver seed bead and some beads that are actually meant for little girls to make jewellery with.My MIL gave me them ages ago and this is the first time I’ve used them.Glossy Accents held it all together beautifully.I layered up some vellum flowers made from a Martha Stewart Stamp and Punch Flower.The leaves are made using the same punch and trimming the extra petals off.They are held together with a brad and mounted on foam tape which I stuck the pin into.The ticket is a freebie stamp from a past Craft Stamper magazine.

Here are some challenges this card is for :

Digital Tuesday : Dazzle Me

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday : Pins

Crafty Creations Challenges : Summer Lovin’

Flutterby Wednesday’s : Open challenge

Dutch Dare : Anything goes

Paper Play Challenges : Anything goes

Daring Cardmakers : It’s a girl thing

Fairy Fun Friday : Anything 3D

Digi Doodles Shop’s Best: Punch or Cut Me

For Fun Challenges : Summer Colours

Paper Pretties : Glitter

TFL

Lisa x

We’re all going on a Summer Holiday

Actually I’m already on mine!Due to the magic of technology my card is here and I’m sunning myself on a beach in Devon – or maybe I’m running like crazy looking for shelter from the rain.You never can tell!

This week  the challenge at Pear Tree Designs is in the form of a sketch.Here it is :

For more details on how to enter please click on the link above.There is a prize to be won as well as some fantastic DT inspiration!!

I suppose holiday thoughts influenced my card.The image is Sandbucket Trevor by C C Designs and he’s been coloured with Promarkers.The patterned papers are free printables from Cardmaking and Papercraft.I’ve used semi gloss photo paper for a better quality finish and to give a seaside postcard feel.The card is Core’dinations So Mod.The centre pieces have been cut with Inverted Scallop Nestabilities.The border has been punched with a Martha Stewart Zig Zag Edger.The sentiment has been stamped using part of a free seashell stamp that came with Craft Stamper magazine’s July issue.I’ve added acrylic dew drops for a water drop effect.I didn’t buy the expensive ones aimed at crafter.Instead I got the type readily available on eBay that are listed as Wedding table decorations.A much cheaper option and they come in a variety of colours. 

Here are a few challenges :

Kah-Wink-E-Dink : Anything goes as long as it’s cool

Crafty Creations Challenges : Summer Lovin’

Gingersnap Creations : Random Redhead Challenge – Sunshine

Shelly’s Images : Vacation Time

Crafty Ann’s Challenge : Lazy,Hazy Days of Summer

If  The Shoe Fits…Scrap It! : Vacation

Fairy Fun Friday : Anything 3D

Digi Doodles Shop’s Best : Punch or Cut Me

For Fun Challenges : Summer Colours

Freshly Brewed : Photo inspiration

Stampin’ Royalty : Keep it Simple,Sweetie (KISS)

TFL

Lisa x