Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge #48

Hello!   I hope you are all well and enjoying the lead up to Christmas!  It's a really busy time of the year but I'm lucky that I have some holidays to look forward to (and hopefully some crafty time!)

I've been very limited in free time at the moment so I needed to prioritise.. I need to make the family Christmas cards and also do my DT entry.. so I thought, "why not make them one and the same!?"  So here we have my DT entry for challenge #48 at Lil Patch of Crafty Friends.  As always, it's anything goes and we have some amazing sponsors.  I was lucky enough to get this lovely "Holly Owl" image from Sami Stamps.  I've kept the colouring and layout simple.

I hope you like it.  Why not pop over and check out our challenge.  There are some amazing prizes to be won!

Bugaboo

Sami Stamps

Snowy-tastic!

Hello!

Wow, where does the time go to?  First of all, I can't believe we are nearly half way through December already.  It's been a very busy time over the last few weeks and crafting has been limited. Although the cards are made and some tags (need to make more - too many pressies!)

Also, my daylight lamp needs a new bulb so colouring is a bit of a challenge with the low energy lighting.  I decided to do some easy colouring in bulk using Snowy (from Penny Black) and my new brush markers. 

I was basically just playing with the colours!

Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers

Hi!  Brr, it's a cold day here today.  I went out at lunch time and it was still around -3.  The frost was not lifting.  A perfect day to get some Christmas shopping done and then have some play time.  The postman came earlier with a much awaiting delivery of 36 Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers.   These are amazing, even after just an initial play I think they could well become my favourites for watercolouring.  The colours are so bright.. and they blend so easily!

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge #46

Hello!  It's challenge time over at Lil Patch of Crafty Friends!

As always, it's Anything Goes and we have amazing sponsors!  Conie Fong Art and Design, and Michele R Designs.

This image is called Holly Poinsettia and she was such fun to colour!

Crafting With Friends Challenge #32

Hi!  Well doesn't the time fly!  Hardly seems any time since my last DT entry for our challenges over at Crafting with Friends!

As always, the challenge is Anything Goes and I was lucky enough to choose this image from Star Stampz.   She's called Kimono Portrait and was an absolute joy to colour.  I though it might be difficult to get the kimono detail but actually the fluidity of the detail means you can kind of be a bit random and dotty with the alcohol markers and get a nice blend of colours.  I took inspiration from the papers for the colours.

I hope you like this card and enjoy the inspiration from my DT colleagues.  Please pop on over to Crafting With Friends and join us with the fun!

Viva Inka Gold

How did I not know about this amazing product from Viva called Inka Gold??  This product is amazing! You get the most amazing metallic finishes using a wax based, non toxic, water based "paint".  I used Cut'n'Dry to apply it to the flower and leaves.

This is my first quick play with it.. I took inspiration for this card from one I made earlier which was inspired by a card I found on Pinterest.

Busy Busy!

Hi! It's been a busy time over the last week but I'm pleased to say the ratio of craft time to work time has been in favour of craftiness!!  Had the most amazing girly road trip down to Cheshire to spend Friday to Sunday in the company of the very lovely and brilliantly talented Rosemary Merry!  What a treat of a weekend! Pampered in a hotel for two nights with every spare minute (and I mean EVERY!) spent crafting on a variety of different projects including mini albums and home décor.

So all in all, a fabby way to spend time with crafty friends and be inspired by one of the best crafters in the business!

Now back that I'm back home I'm having to resist shopping for new crafty products that we used over the weekend and try to focus on what I've got.  I had a distant memory of a Christmas stamp that is probably one of my all time favs.  Yes, it's Snowy from Penny Black.  This is a Margaret Sherry image from 2002 but I think it's probably one of the best (and certainly very easy to colour!)
I've used my new Spectrum Noir Illustrator pens on this one.  The greeting is a Lil'inker Designs die.  Snowy is given a bit of sparkle using Stickles "Icicle".

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

Artistic Inspirations (#167)

Craft Your Passion (#337)

Get Creative Challenges (#51)

Penny Black (Anything Christmas)

Stamping Sensations (Christmas Greeting)

A Bit More Time To Craft (#31)

Just Keep On Creating

Crafting Musketeers (#43)

Crafts Galore Encore

World Wide Open Design Team (#15)

First play with Illustrator by Spectrum Noir

Hi!
Limited play time today but I have managed to give my new pens a first try out!
I used a Christmas image from Stampingbella called "Rudolph with a present on top".. lots of fine detail plus a lot of browns .. and I have to say I'm loving my new pens!   Need more practice but really pleased with this as a start!

Illustrator by Spectrum Noir

Oh I am sooooo excited!  Courier delivery today was all 96 of the brand new launch from Spectrum Noir - their new artist quality alcohol markers - "Illustrator".  A wee bit expensive to get the full range in one go but I deserved a treat!


Not had a chance to play yet but have had a little scribble and have sorted them into their colour families and initial impressions are very good!  They blend very well and they are easy to hold.

A brilliant range of colours - probably edging slightly more towards the lighter shades.. but that's not a problem as these will compliment my Copics and ProMarkers.  I think I might be tipping 500 now (ooops!), and that's not counting water based pens etc. 

Time to play this weekend - and a whole extra hour on Sunday!!

Have a lovely weekend!

Autumn gold

Hi!   Taking some inspiration from the colours of autumn for this next card and trying out some different techniques with some old and new stash!

Starting off with some Infusions coloured stains - a mix of 5 colours which I thought were kind of autumnal.  I used a make up sponge to spread a glazing medium over some mixed media cardstock (250gsm). Then dried it with a heat gun. 

I then spritzed with water and sprinkled the stains randomly.  Spritzed again and then used the heat gun to dry and move the colours.

This is before the heat gun..

I then used Tim Holtz Thinlits "Garden Greens" to cut some leaves from the random colours.

Then I found this lurking at the back of a drawer.. Cosmic Shimmer Gilding Flakes.  So out with the 2-way glue and some dabbing of the flakes with a hard paintbrush around the edge to give a gold frame.

Here's the end result. 

And a close up of the leaves.  I love the randomness you can get with the stains and the walnut in each is so earthy.

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

A Gem of a Challenge (#180)

Crafty Friends (#43)

Great Impressions (October)

Simon Says Stamp (Autumn)

Craft Your Passion (#335)

Artistic Impressions (#166)

Tuesday Throwdown (Add a Border)

Through the Craft Room Door

Sunny Days

Lemon Shortbread (#27)

Crafty Sentiments

Diagonal Gatefold

Hi!

Thought I would share a really different card fold that I found on YouTube by the wonderful Dawn Griffith (Dawn's Stamping Thoughts).  It's a really easy make and the end result is just that little bit different and quirky!

Not claiming this design as my own. Check out Dawn's instructional video here.  There's loads of great ideas on her blog!

The only problem I can see with this card is.. how to photograph it (as you will see from my very poor attempt!)

Have a lovely day!

Celebrate.. with Bella and Friends

Hi,  been playing with a new die from Neat and Tangled - Celebrate - the die set comes with the word and the shadow which is great fun to play with!  This was just a quick card so I kept it simple with an image from Stampin' Up! Bella and Friends.  Stamped in Stazon the coloured with Stampin' Up! inks and a blender pen.

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

Artistic Inspirations (#166)

Crafting From The Heart (#133)

Craft Your Passion (#335)

Crafty Friends (#43)

Ellibelles Creative Moments Linky Party (#13)

What to call this post?

Hi! I really don't know what to call this post.  I was thinking about AWOL, or Can't See The Wood for the Trees.. and the reason?  Well, I've been a little bit light on the posting front, and on the creative front for that matter!   I have kept up with my DT cards but that's about all.  The reason is simple.. two things.. work and holidays!  It's been a very busy month and the October holiday was much needed.   It was all about relaxing in a wee bit of luxury.  Defining luxury for this holiday was all about space, peace and quiet, a view to die for and some family time. Nothing better.  And where?  Well, somewhere not too far away (6hrs) but it felt like half way round the world.  The Hebridean island of Skye.

Here's a wee snapshot...

Quite happy to pose for the photo!!

The Old Man of Storr (taken from Portree)

Sunset view across Loch Snizort, from the cottage.  Set off perfectly with a lovely glass of Talisker Skye and the fresh pine smell from the log fire. 

The holiday didn't end there though, we went to see Nickelback (again!!) at the Glasgow SSE Hydro last night.  Amazing!

And now that we are back to reality I thought it was time to clear away all the recent makes..

Now, time to play with the new stuff!

Have a lovely week!

Crafting With Friends New Challenge!

Hi! It's challenge time again at Crafting With Friends.

I've been lucky enough to have this gorgeous digi from Moonflower to play with!  She's called Sakura Maiden.  I've coloured her using Copics and kept the embellishment on the card quite simple as there is so much lovely detail on the image!

Why not pop on over and join in the challenge!

It's Challenge Time At Lil Patch of Crafty Friends!

Hello!

Well here we are in mid October already and time for a new "Anything Goes" challenge over at Lil Patch of Crafty Friends.

It's Design Team B's turn for an outing and I was lucky enough to have a lovely digi from Fabrika Fantasy to play with. It's called Winter Games.  I used the .png file this time so I could lay the image over some patterned paper - not something I usually do.  Then coloured with Copics and added some sparkle.

Why not pop over to the challenge blog and get involved!  We have fantastic sponsors and great prizes!

Some watercolouring

Hello! Another Monday already!  The weather's getting colder.. I've given in and put the heating on.
There's not been much crafty time for the last few weeks. But I have managed to tidy up the craft room (a bit!)

I thought I would have a bit of a play with the watercolours today.. and the most amazing stamps from Kim Dellow. 

Please stop me shopping!!

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear... or more appropriately (if my OH asks!!) how dear, how dear,.... you get the idea!   I find the biggest problem I have when I have no me/crafty time is that I ...........SHOP!!! and OMG am I good at it!!

This is just a selection... not counting all the digis I've downloaded over the last week!!

Now I just need to "merge" it into my "stash" and claim "innocence... had it for ages... "  LOL   #confessionsofacrafter

Crafting With Friends Challenge 28

Hi!  It's Friday and another week bites the dust! Been a mega busy one for me and the family as it started with nearly a 1000 mile round trip to visit family down south for 2 days!  Great fun though!

It's challenge time over at Crafting With Friends - Anything Goes - I had to make sure I was well prepared in advance for this one!

Here's my DT entry - made with "Looking for You" by PpinkyDolls.

 

Why not pop over and join in the challenge!?

It's LPOCF Challenge Time!

Hello!

Well it's that time again!   It's Challenge #42 - Anything Goes - at Lil Patch of Crafty Friends!
We've got two amazing sponsors and some fabby prizes so why not pop over and have a play!

Our sponsors are:

7 Free Images!

Gift Certificate

 

I was lucky enough to choose a digi from Bugaboo for my DT card.  Here it is, I hope you like it!

 

 

Coloured with Copics - nice and bright!

 

Hello Monday!

Hi!  I hope you had a lovely weekend! Here we are at Monday again.. not much crafty time here unfortunately but I did manage to do come colouring with one of my new stamps.  It's always good to get even just a little time to play!

Here she is:

 

I'm going to enter this one in these challenges:

 

Crafting When We Can

Great Impressions

The Ribbon Girl

The Pencil Case

Brown Sugar

Creative Fingers

A Bit More Time To Craft

Crafty Awesomeness

Sisters of Craft

Keeping it Simple!

Hi!  Well, the days are flying in!

We've been out and about today - lunch in the countryside - lovely!  Now I'm home I thought I would use this spare time to craft and here's another card made with Stampin' Up! Blooms and Wishes.. I think this is probably going to be one of my favourite stamp sets. It's so easy to get creative with it and get some simple, but lovely, end results!

 

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

 

Come and Get It

Great Inspirations

Penny Black

Scrappers Delights

PDE Linky Party

Crafting From the Heart

A Bit More Time to Craft

Crafts and Me

Petal Lu

 

Altenew Watercolor Wonders

Hello! Welcome to the weekend!
I've been busy today at a craft de-stash fair which was great fun.  And fab to catch up with so many crafty friends.  And great to clear out some stash!  A little bit ironic to come home to find that the postie had been with some new stash!! Including the very lovely Watercolor Wonders set from Altenew.  So, what was I supposed to do?  Obviously, get the Stampin' Up! inks out and have play!

Here's my first attempt and I've had great fun playing!
The sentiment is from Bunch of Blossoms from Stampin' Up!   The sequins are from Neat & Tangled.

 

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

 

Creative Fingers

PDE Linky Party

Simply Papercrafts

Aud Sentiments

Craft Rocket

Crafting With An Attitude

Crafty Girls Creations

Southern Girls

Crafty Gals Corner

Inspiration Destination

 

Not my idea!

Hello!   Before going any further, this card is not my idea.  All my inspiration came from the very talented Dena Rekow at the Creativity Cave.  I saw a card that was posted on Pinterest and found it on Dena's blog.  I just absolutely love it!  Then I had to make a card for a very good friend leaving work and this one just seemed perfect!  And as Colton once famously said "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery"..  so here is my card. 

 

 

Time to play

Hello! It's a Monday holiday here - but the schools aren't off so I have some time to play!

It's been a busy weekend and I really should be spending time doing some housework.. should be.. hmmm!

I have a bundle of new stash to play with and it's all just been sitting in a big pile waiting for me. So, I've made a start at having a look through.  Although my crafty mojo is playing hide and seek at the moment!

Here goes, Stampin' Up! Totally Trees with a sentiment from Blooms and Wishes.  Stamped with Flirty Flamingo, Rich Razzleberry, Wild Wasabi, Pear Pizzazz and Early Espresso.

 

Fun and simple.

 

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

 

Amusing Challenges

Scrappers Delights

Creative Fingers

Crafting With An Attitude

Moving Along With The Times

Creative Moments