Sunday, January 31, 2016

Awesome Chemistry

Hi!
I think if I had to choose my favourite day of the week it would have to be Sunday.  Especially the days when there are no plans. We had snow yesterday but it's nearly all melted.  The weather forecast for the next couple of days is very windy (Storm Henry apparently).
Today has been a lazy day.  The house smells of fresh baked scones.. yum!

I've been having a play with one of the first Paper Smooches sets that I bought.. "Great Chemistry".  Stamped him on Stampin' Up" Whisper White (need to get more as I'm nearly out - oh no!) using Memento ink. Then coloured him with Copics.  The dies are from MFT "Wonky Stitched Squares", and the papers are Do Crafts Geometry Mono. 
I added a little SU Crystal Effects to the beaker to make the liquid look shiny.



So, I hope you like him!

I'm off to do a bit a crochet (working on a blanket at the moment) in the conservatory with a wee glass of New Zealand Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc. A nice wee treat on a miserable day!

Enjoy the rest of your day!


Some new bits and bobs from Do Crafts..


Friday, January 29, 2016

Birthday Girl


Yay! Made it to Friday!!
What a day it's been here.. we're enduring storm Gertrude at the moment - although it seems to be calming down a bit compared to this morning.  I think the forecast for the weekend is cold, wind and snow.  So a chill out in the craft room may be on the cards!

I've been playing with Abi Ballerina from All Dressed Up.  And I've broken with tradition (for me). Usually I colour an image using the same medium for every part of it, but today I have used Copics and Promarkers for the hair and skin, and Prismacolor pencils for the dress.  Why it never occurred to me to do this before I have no idea!! I now need to work on a change in hair colour as I see to use the same for every image I colour.  It looks grey in this pic but in real life it's warm browns (from Copic).
Anyway, I hope you like it!

I'm going to enter this card in;

Crafty Catz (#309 Kids)





Thursday, January 28, 2016

Just Because...

Hello!
It's all cats, cats, cats here today!
This is another stamp I've had for ages. It's by Stamps Happen.  I've used Tim Holtz Distress Markers to colour it.
I think what I like about this stamp, apart from it being good fun to colour, is the cats all seem to have very different personalities.  Just like our three - totally unique individuals!

So what's happening? It's a day closer to the weekend!  And, oops, I did some (more) crafty shopping yesterday (yes, yes, despite me saying I was being good!). I now have to try and control myself when I see a delivery man approaching the door!
I'll share my new purchase when it/they arrive!


I'm going to enter this card in the following challenges:

&

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

How Old??

Hi!  Well, it's half way through the week. The end is in sight!
A lot of the chat at work today was around our respective lengths of service.  Whilst mine is pretty long I found I was working with two colleagues with nearly 30 years each!  I think that's pretty amazing!

The only problem about talking about length of service is that it makes you then think about what age people are!  Surprisingly I work with three people who are all within 1 month of each other!   That's not as spooky as the fact I used to work with a colleague who shared my date of birth completely!

So the card for today is a grumpy cat, teamed up with the sentiment "you're how old?"
Coloured with Copics.
I wasn't sure about the kind of random bit of washi.. but after sticking it on, taking it off, sticking it on, taking it off ... (you get the idea), I decided I liked it!

I'm going to enter this card in the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.




Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Party Frock

Hi! What a miserable day today. Windy and very wet. 
I've distracted myself by making this card with another very lovely image from All Dressed Up.  This lovely digi is called "Party Frock". 

I'm having a break from my usual colour schemes and following a colour challenge over at Sketchy Colors  (Challenge #264 Blue, Green and White).


I'm also going to enter this card in the following challenges. The links are below so be sure to pop on over and take part or see all the entries from an incredibly talent bunch of people!





Monday, January 25, 2016

Hippie Chick





Hello! I've discovered some gorgeous new digi stamps!  All Dressed Up..  this is my first purchase, she's called Hippie Chick and I just love her!  She is so much fun to colour and the artwork is so delicate.  I've teamed her up with some vellum butterflies (a WPlus9 die).
I don't think those butterflies would last too long here in central Scotland today.  Whilst it's quite mild for the time of year it's really windy!  Seems we are starting to feel the effects of the low pressure coming from the snow storms that are affecting the east coast of the States.  Although we're not forecasting snow here.. just wind and rain.
Perfect weather to stay cozy in the house, and a great excuse to indulge in some real comfort food as it's Burns Day.. Haggis, Neeps and Tatties, followed by a wee dram.  Yum!


I'm going to enter this card in;

Stamping Sensations (Anything Goes With a Die)
CCC Digi Creations (Use Die Cuts)



Sunday, January 24, 2016

Everybody Needs a Hug!


Hello!
It's Sunday already, where is the weekend going?! 
I didn't get a chance to craft yesterday as I was working until around 6pm - not the norm for me so I'm feeling like today is my Saturday!   Had a lovely family meal out in Edinburgh last night and then just relaxed. 
Been out and about doing a bit of shopping today and now it's time to get crafty!

This is probably one of my all time favourite digi stamps from Tiddly Inks. I've coloured her using Copics.  The greeting is from Stampin' Up! (the "Hello" set which is only available during the current Sale-A-Bration).


I'm going to enter this card in the following challenges:






Friday, January 22, 2016

Main Street

Hi! Well here we are again - Hello Friday, what took you so long!

Not had much time to craft so this is a simple card, with a simple image.  "Main Street" by Whipper Snapper, coloured with Tim Holtz Distress Markers.




I'm going to enter this card in the following "Anything Goes" challenges;

 






Wishing you all a lovely weekend. I've got a busy one so I might not be around much but if I do get any spare time you can be sure I'll put it to crafty good use!

Thursday, January 21, 2016

And Relax...

This should really be the title of a Friday post but this week/weekend is a busy one and I'll probably be working for most of Saturday so I thought why not just make the statement that however busy we all are we need to take "time to relax"!

So here is my card for today... another Scruffy Little Kitten stamp.  First time I've used it.. and coloured with Distress Markers. I like this image. Love the eyelashes!   Added a teeny bit of glitter to the bubbles (we all need glittery bubbles in our lives!)
I hope you like it!



I'm going to enter this little cutie in the following challenges:

Little Miss Muffet (#129 Anything Goes)
In the Pink (#86 Bling it On)
Through the Purple Haze (#93 Anything Goes)

Here's a close up of those lush lashes!





Wednesday, January 20, 2016

How did I live without....

Hi!  First of all I wasn't sure what to call this post.  My other option was "The postman's been!"  I know I said I would be good and look to use my existing stash but I made it all the way to January pay day then decided I needed a treat.. well, two, actually!  
I put in an order with Wild Orchid Crafts and got a lovely box of a multitude of flowers, leaves and to-die-for lace!  And I ordered some new stamps.  I'll take a pick in a later post.  But my reason for calling this post "How did I live without..." is really really simple.  How did I live without... a hot glue gun?? (actually its a low temp hot glue gun but you get the idea!)   This was something I never thought I would need.. but I bought one last year. Why??  Simple.. I didn't have one!  (Obviously!!) 


It's amazing! Sticking flowers to cards is now so easy! And you get to "play" with all the stringy bits of glue (and the melted glue as the gun isn't hot enough to burn you!)
So from now on it's flowers on everything! LOL!! 


Here's my card for today.. Penny Black "Greetings".  The "hello" is cut from a scrap piece of watercolour card that I just applied random watercolour to.  The image is coloured with Tim Holtz Distress Markers. 


I hope you like it!



I'm going to enter this one in the Inspiration Destination challenge (#69 Anything Goes), it's open until next Tuesday at midnight so why not pop on over and have a wee look!

Have a good week!





Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Somebody Needs a Hug!!


Hello!  Keeping with the animal theme, here's another stamp that I forgot I had!   I'm not sure if it has a name but it's by Inky Antics.  It just made we think how happy the cat was getting the hug!

I've stamped him in Rich Cocoa Memento (not something I usually do! Usually always black!) and coloured him with Copics.

I'm going to enter this card in the "Anything Goes" (#61) over at Inky Chicks!



Monday, January 18, 2016

Purrrfect

Hello Monday!

Not much to say about today, it's cold and wet! But at least the snow is melting away. 

I found another stamp I haven't used for years!  It's called Louis and Rosie, from Stamps Happen. I teamed it up with a greeting from the "You Little Furball" set from Stampin' Up!   Coloured with Tim Holtz Distress Markers and just matted up simply on a piece of scrap paper that was lying on my desk (from yesterday).
The three little gems are Swarovski flatback crystals so they are extra sparkly!



I'm going to enter this card in the following challenges.

Crafts Galore (Anything Goes)
The Sisters Of Craft (Anything Goes)
Crafting From the Heart (Anything Goes #95)
&
SUYP!  (You really need to check out this blog if you love your cats!!)


Not sure what to do with the rest of the day. I really should do some bits and bobs around the house but maybe I can talk myself out of that... yup! that worked! 

Maybe some more crafting?
I'm busy crocheting at baby shawl at the moment so I might just do some of that!
 





Sunday, January 17, 2016

You're a superstar!

Hello!   A change for me today.. a kids card! and, for a boy!   Meet Alfie.. he's one of a set from Scruffy Little Kitten. I've had these stamps, together with a CD ROM for ages.  I used the CD but not the stamps.  But now I might be hooked!  I've stamped him with Stazon so that I could use Tim Holtz Distress Markers to colour him.  The papers are from Simple Stories.



I'm going to enter this card in the blog challenge over at Send A Smile 4 Kids (it closes on 5th of February so you have plenty time to join in!)



Saturday, January 16, 2016

Daisy Hedgehog


Hello! I hope the weekend has started out well for you!  I've had a busy day so far which included some crafting and some family stuff.  So just about perfect!  And outside is "perfectly" white! We have a covering of snow although it seems that the further west you go in Scotland, the worse it is.  

My card for today isn't reflective of the weather outside, although I was watching a news article about hedgehogs earlier.  It seems the mild weather so far this winter means that they've not gone into hibernation as they should have done so now that it's turned really cold they could get caught out.  If you see a hedgehog in your garden in the day time (as they are nocturnal) and if it appears dazed (like it's had too much wine!) then you need to get a box and keep it warm, feed it a little pet food and contact the Hedgehog Society (or a recognised animal charity) to get advice.  We need to look out for these little guys!

So here is my little hedgehog in close up (he's coloured with Copics), and I'm going to enter him in the Crafty Friends Challenge (#23 Anything Goes) which runs to 29th January.





Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Friday, January 15, 2016

Flowers for you




Hi!  Well, it's Friday again and another week has disappeared!
I've been playing with my Copics again with this little guy from Whipper Snapper.   I never think to make get well cards but this greeting from my Tim Holtz set just seemed to fit the with look in his eyes and the flowers!


I'm going to enter this card for two challenges.  Both are "Anything Goes".


PDE Linky Party (#106)
Simply Papercraft (#21)


So if you are feeling a little under the weather I hope this little ducky can cheer you up!

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Amazing

Hello!  Well, all I can say is it's not getting any warmer! I don't think the temperature has gone up from -3 when I was scrapping ice from the car this morning!   
What better weather than to get cozy in the craft room and have a play! 


Here's my card for today.  Back to colouring with Tim Holtz Distress Markers and a Stamping Bella stamp that I've not used in ages.


I'm going to enter this one in the Crafty Girls Creations "Anything Goes (challenge 12)"



And here she is.. ready for her close up!!

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Aww.. cute!


Hi!  It's Wednesday!  Another week is disappearing!!
I hope you are having a good week! 
It's cold and wet here, and now trying to snow.


 This is one of the benefits of looking through old stash... I found one of my most favourite stamps from Whipper Snapper called "Mouse with Flowers". I've used Copics to colour him.


The greeting is from Tim Holtz "Crazy Talk".


I've kept this card really simple and limited the colours.  I'm going to enter this one in the Incy Wincy Designs challenge "White with a splash of colour"



Have a good week!

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Wild About You



Hi!  Brrr, it's cold, wet and miserable here today. And I don't think we have even seen daylight!

Having a play with my new "Sweet Safari" stamp set.
In a change from all the watercolouring so far this year I've used Copics on this card.

I'm going to enter this card in challenge #294 at Craft Your Passion.


Monday, January 11, 2016

Some new goodies!

Don't you just love it when the postie arrives and you hear the parcel drop through the letterbox to the floor!  Not a big parcel (obviously), as I'm trying to be good!   So I resisted the temptation of a big new year treat and ordered only three new things!



My Favorite Things Subtle Plaids 6x6 Paper Pack
My Favorite Things Clear Stamps "Sweet Safari" (these are so gorgeous!)
My Favorite Things Die-namics "Wonky Stitched Squares"


I think it's time for a play!

Monday Morning Coffee and Friends

Hi!  It's the start of a new week!


This card is made with Stamping Bella "Uptown Girls Clarissa and Camille share a cafĂ©".  Yet another image that is so much fun to colour!


I was left with a blank space on the left of the card so I looked to the coffee cup for inspiration. Just some simple little layered punched circles..


I'm going to enter this card in the "Penny Black and More" challenge "One for the Girls". 




Sunday, January 10, 2016

Gorjuss Sunday!

Hi!  It's a cold, wet day here today. Lots of rain, and it's trying to snow.  Being out in that makes me appreciate the warm cozy craft room all the more!


I'm still looking through my forgotten supplies.. and I found one of my all time favourites!   I just love this little girl from Gorjuss!  I've coloured her with Distress Markers. 
The papers on the card are by Prima (the Rondelle collection).


For my inspiration for this card I checked out the Stamping Sensations challenge - Anything Goes with a die.   So to embellish this card I chose some Sizzix flowers and a flourish (I can't remember what make the flourish is - oops!)




I used Tim Holtz Idea-ology Tissue Wrap (Terminology) to make the top layers of the flowers then scrunched them. The flowers are held together with some brads (which I've had for ages!)



Hope you're having a lovely weekend!

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Hey, It's Saturday!

And what better way to say hello to the weekend than a really big Cheers!

Having spent a lovely afternoon with the crafty girls colouring in I thought I would make a card for today.  I've been busy with my Tim Holtz Distress Markers colouring this one.  She's called "Opal the Optimist" from Stampingbella. 
I love Stampingbella images, they are so fun to colour!  And the level of detail is great.
I love the watercolour effect with the Tim Holtz markers, they are super to work with and the colours blend so well together.

I'm going to enter this card in "A Gem of A Challenge" where the challenge this week is "Female Birthday".  The challenge closes on 22nd January so why no pop over and have a look!



Have a lovely weekend!

Friday, January 8, 2016

Temptation..

I know I said less than a week about that 2016 would start off being all about using what I already have... but...  OMG!  I'm starting to have a look at some of the 2016 CHA sneak peaks and here's what will be coming soon from Tim Holtz.  You just know this will sell out here so quickly!




Swing Monkey

Hi!  It's Friday!  First working week of 2016 now complete and it's time to relax.  Still continuing with water colouring for the moment I thought I would have a go at this Whipper Snapper stamp called Swing Monkey.  I've used Tim Holtz Distress Markers to colour him.



I'm entering this card in "Anything Goes" at the Brown Sugar Challenge Blog.


Hope you have a lovely weekend!




Thursday, January 7, 2016

Dandelion 'Love'

Hello! It's Thursday already! Where is this week going?


I've had this stamp for ages and never used it.  It's called Dandelion 'Love' by Emma Thomson.  I think the rabbits on this are so cute!   I've used Lyra Aquacolor crayons to colour this one.   When I put the card together I had a blank space to fill.  What better than a (Sizzix) Daisy (#2)?  Ok, it's not a dandelion, but it's close!



Here's a close up of the bunnies!


I'm going to enter this one in Crafty Gals Corner "Anything Goes" Challenge.

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Tatty Button

Hello!  I ventured into a cupboard in the corner of the craft room and found loads of things I had forgotten I had!   Including some Tatty Button stamps.   I've kept this card simple, minimal layers and limited colours.   I've used Tim Holtz Distress Markers to colour her.


 


Colours used:
Barn Door
Worn Lipstick
Frayed Burlap
Walnut Stain
Tattered Rose
Weathered Wood

I think Tattered Rose works well for a skin tone, with Worn Lipstick as a blush.

I'm going to enter this card in the Anything Goes Challenge at Crafting By Designs.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Birthday Beagle

The challenge ...  to make a male card and it has to be anything BUT square!  I found this challenge over at Cardz 4 Guyz.  I had to try it as I'm very much in the habit (when I am crafting!) is to make all my cards square, and to avoid anything other than female birthdays or general good wishes.  So I thought I would give this a try with Birthday Beagle from Whipper Snapper.  Coloured with Lyra Aquacolor crayons.  And using a teepee card as a base.



The teepee is made from three 10cm x 10cm squares of cardstock (Stampin' Up! Island Indigo).  The balloons are on thin strips of acetate so they can move. I used a Signo Uniball white gel pen just to highlight his nose and the shine on the balloons.

Jump for Joy!


Another old Penny Black stamp - "Jump for Joy". I've not used this one in ages!
The greeting is Stampin' Up! "Endless Birthday Wishes.
Paper is from Penny Black "Beau Jardin" and the cardstock is SU" Rose Red. 

Although this is just a watercoloured image, I have been practicing with some new watercolours (well, I got them a wee while ago, but haven't had time to really play with them).
They are Nicholson's Peerless (Transparent) watercolours.  If you've not used them before, and you like to watercolour, they are definitely worth trying.  The come in a pack of sheets of a special fabric paper which holds concentrated water colour which is soluble as soon as it comes into contact with water.   The colours are intense.
I got the bonus pack too (well, you can never have too much of a good thing!)


I'm entering this card in the Lemon Shortbread "Anything goes" challenge.