Party Elephant

Yay! It's the weekend.

I'm struggling to find time to get into my craft room at the moment.

But, with 5 minutes here, and 10 minutes there, I finally finished a card...

here's another cute, little elephant.

 

 I started off by stamping the 'party' sentiment and embossing it.

Then I added my die-cut, elephant and party balloon.

I love seeing how you artists out there, colour these little, elephants

 and I was a little scared about how I would shade mine - colouring NOT being my strong suit.

But, I'm starting to get to grips with my own style elephant - 

a little shading and dotting with various grey Copics, a hint of blush pink,

and some white dots from a gel pen (tricky for the camera to pick up).

 With a quick glance, you would almost think I knew what I was doing!   ;-)

As for the balloon - I totally chickened out of colouring it - and paper-pieced it instead :-)

 

Challenges.

Seize the Birthday - Focus on the Sentiment

Addicted To Stamps -  Anything Goes

Sister Act - Cards Only

Fussy & Fancy - Girly

Supplies.

WPlus9 Unforgettable.   Lawn Fawn Stitched Rectangles.

Winnie & Walter, Big Bold & Party.  DP - GCD Tea Time.  

Versa Colour Ink, Magenta.   Copics, White Gel Pen, Sequins, Pearls.

Roses are blue

Hey everyone, hope you're having a good weekend.

Football is on today, so I managed to sneak up into my craftroom

and make a card for the Fusion Challenge.

 I took my inspiration from the photo, using overlapping hearts and a flower.

I guess this is what you might call a  'fake' shaker card.

The sequins are stuck down, inside the heart cut out, and there's no acetate layer.

It kinda gives the appearence of a shaker card, with non of the fuss...   lol**

I'm not sure I'm terribly happy with the sentiment like that.

I really wanted to add a small banner, but my memento ink didn't want to play ball.

It just came out all patchy and blotchy.

So I ended up using a printed sentiment layered up on card.

Supplies.

DP - GCD Studios, Ella Blue

Flower - Clearly Besotted Stamps & Dies, Sweet Rose

Nestie Heart Dies

Ink - VersaColor Turquoise, Memento Toffee Crunch

Sentiment - Pink Petticoat Digi

Sequins.

What Are Little Girls Made Of ?

My weekend starts NOW!
I have just done a big shop; my fridge is stocked up with goodies (including alcohol) and I have a stack of DVD's to watch.  So, bring on the snow - again!!
I don't care - I will be all snug and warm under the duvet until Monday :-)

I better dash out to the postbox and mail this card to my friend's daughter
before I batten down the hatches!

I played along with the 'Muse' challenge again this week.
Marion created a lovely effect, o her project,  with strips of blue and green card. I took this as my inspiration, but as I wanted a more girly look,  I used  strips of a pretty, paper pack.
I adhered the strips to a white card panel and then attached them to my card base.

You can't get much cuter than this Pure Innocence girl. She's coloured with Copics, cut out and stuck on with foam pads. I also added some pearls to her shoes and one on her dress.
I almost added a button with a twine bow to the sentiment banner, and then I remembereed that they have a toddler in the house - you know how little fingers always find things like that - so I opted for a simple, card candi instead.

Challenges.
Muse - Inspirational Card
Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Girly
Tuesday Alchemy - Anything Goes
Southern Girls - The Kids Are Alright
Aud Sentiments - Girl Power

• DP, GCD Studios Tea Time
• Pure Innocence Girl with Balloon, coloured with Copics
• 'Happy Birthday' Stamp, Papermania Stamping For Him Set.
• Adhesive Pearls, Card Candi

It's A Guy Thing

I promise you, our Totally Papercrafts Challenges are only once a week, but they do seem to come around quick these days :-)

This week it's Susan's turn to choose the theme and she has gone for

No Pesky Girls Allowed

Guys are simple creatures, aren't they - so I tend to keep their cards nice and plain - I don't want to overtax their brains!! :o)

Here I have used a fan art image of Zero Kiryu,  by the amazingly talented Sureya

He's coloured with Copics, cut out and stuck on with foam pads, to add some depth.

Challenges -
Mad For Markers - One For The Boys  (use masculine colours).

Divas By Design - One For The Boys

Sassy Cheryl's - A Stitch In Time

The Paper Shelter  - Anything Goes

Supplies.

Digi Image - Zero Kiryu, by Sureya.

DP - GCD Studios, Ella Blue and Websters Pages

Sentiment from Craftwork Cards

Spellbinders Elegant Posts Die. Black Gems and Ribbon from my stash.

Baby's Got Blue Eyes

Can you tell this is my favourite image right now? Here I am using it again for this week's Totally Papercrafts challenge, which is hosted by the lovely and talented Victoria.

She has come up with a great Bingo board for you to follow - details are on the challenge blog.

I chose the bottom line of the Bingo board - Blue, Ribbon, Pearls.

I'd also like to welcome Kim to the Totally Papercrafts team - if you get chance please pop by her blog and say hello. :-)

I have a lemon of a printer - you know, the one that was last out of the factory on a Friday afternoon - hence all those horrible lines that are definitely not on the downloads. BUT last week hubby sold some amp thingy (boy's toy) and yesterday he came home with a brand, spanking new printer - to be honest I think my moaning had worn him down :o) 

So, can't wait to print a good copy of this image to play with.

 

Don't forget to check out the fab work of my fellow teamies and if you join us this week you could be in with the chance of winning an amazing $25 gift certificate from Simon Says Stamp

Challenges

Divas by Design - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp - Favourite Tool -  Gotta love my Big Shot - it's simple and easy to use and no techy bits to go wrong :-))

Papercrafts Star - Anything Goes

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes



Supplies.
Crafts and Me Digi Image - Cali Girl, coloured with Copics.
DP - GCD Ella Blue.
I coloured the pearls with a Copic to match the blue DP
Sentiment Stamp - Wild Rose Studios.
The little hinge type things were cut from the end of a Spellbinders Elegant Posts die cut.
Ribbon and lace from my stash.

Champagne Party

How cute are these little mice, with their champagne fountain?

Just perfect for the last challenge of the year over at CES, where our theme is

Party, Party, Party!

This challenge will run til January 6th.

 

I used a 6 x 6 Petal Point card as my base, with GCD Ella Blue DPs.

The Lili of the Valley image is coloured with Copics and sprinkled with Glamour Dust.

I kept the card pretty simple and just added a few gems, pearls, card candi and a sentiment from Crafwork Cards.

Don't forget to pop over to the main blog for details of the £10 prize to spend in Crafty Emma's store,

and check out the awesome work of my fab teamies.

Challenges -

Party Time

Here we are at our last Totally Papercrafts Challenge of the year.

Our host is the fabulous Lols and she has chosen the theme

Time to Party

We would like to see anything with a party theme. 

The challenge is open til January 5th, so plenty of time for you to play along.

Our sponsor is Karen's Doodles, who will be giving away 3 digi images to the lucky winner.

I used this fun image from Karen's Doodles, coloured with Copics, some glamour dust on the soap suds and a little glossy accents on her mobile phone and cocktail.

Challenges

Ladybug Crafts Ink - Bingo (runs til Jan 2nd )  My line is Ribbon/Flowers/Punches, Die Cuts.
Stampalot - Bingo - My Line is Punches / Flowers / Pearls

Supplies

DP - GCD Love Tokens.      Xcut Puncheed Blooms.

Party ticket made on my comp and using McGills Ticket Punch.

Martha Stewarts Lace Doily Punch.  

XCut Botanical Leaves Punch.      Glamour Dust.  Glossy Accents. 

Pearls.  Craftwork Cards Sentiment.   Ribbon from my stash.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Ok - hands up who wants snow this Christmas - everyone, right? :-)
According to the latest report, here in the north, we have a 35% chance of snow. If you're in the UK give santa a shake here, and see what your chances are :-))
So,  it's time for another challenge at the CES Challenge Blog.

Our lovely host this week is Kaylou 
  
and she has chosen the theme **Snowflakes**

This is the first time I've used Pickle with Tipple, isn't he just the cutest? I've kept the colouring really light and sprinkled him with  glamour dust.

Here's a close up of those snowflakes. 

Usually I glitter the snowflakes and keep the leaves plain, but this time I did it the other way round. The leaves and card candi are covered in glamour dust and the snowflakes were die cut from the DP.

I'm looking forward to seeing all your pretty snowflakes this week, and if you need some inspiration check out the challenge blog and the amazing work of my teamies.

The winner gets to spend £10 at Crafty Emma's and if you haven't snagged a bargain yet, get yourself over there whilst the sale is still on.

Challenges -

ABC Challenge - D is for Dazzle

Do You Stack Up? - Dash of Blue

Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Anything Christmas with Pearls

The Paper Shelter - Snowflakes
Winter Wonderland - Awww, what a cutie!

Supplies from Crafty Emma's
6 x 6 On the Edge Card Blank / Glamour Dust / Card Candi / Pearls
Other Supplies
Wild Rose Studio, Pickle with Tipple / DP GCD Ella Blue /
Martha Stewart Leaf Border Punch / Marianne Snowflake Die
Copics/ Ribbon

Layer Cake

Morning bloggers.. hope you are all well.

Have you checked out our fresh, new look over at Totally Papercrafts?

Do you think you could be part of our chatty, friendly team? 

Head on over there to check out the DT call and this week's new challenge.

Our host is the fabulous Anne - 

with a Layer Upon Layer theme.

Stickers!!! Do you use them?

When I first started card making stickers went on everything, but, for years now they have been confined to the back of a drawer.

I have been a sticker free zone!

I got them out again for this card and just added a thin, gold strip around one edge.

What do you think? Should they make a come back?

Please check out the amazing work of my fellow teamies over on the challenge blog and our sponsor this week is the fabulous  Bugaboo

Challenges - 

Digi Stamp Boutique - Monthly Challenge

My Mum's Craft Shop - Food and Drink

Stampalot Challenge - Food Glorious Food


Supplies -
Digi Stamp - Zoe and Cake from Digi Stamp Boutique, coloured with Copics.
DP - GCD Tea Time / Glamour Dust / Pearls / Ribbon
Gold stickers / Craftwork Cards Sentiment.

If it's no fat, no sugar, no dairy... throw it out, it's no good!!

No surprises for what my specialist subject is, 

over at Totally Papercrafts today...

Food & Drink

We'd like to see food and drink related cards. 

At this time of year, I am on the look out for Christmas ideas too - so maybe you have a cute/clever idea for some food/drink packaging that you would like to share with us ;-)

We were given some fab images from this week's sponsor Meljen,  and I chose this Topsy Turvy Cake. 
Isn't it fab - I could definitely have a good go at eating my way through that!

Well, the cake just HAD to be chocolate and vanilla, didn't it? 
So that's what I based my card around.
 

I coloured it with Copics and used Glossy Accents on the 'icing'.
I used quite a lot of gloss so IRL the 'icing' is a nice thick layer.

There's also a dab of gloss on the flames, that the camera doesn't pick 

up very well.

Challenges

Divas by Design - Birthdays

Spoon Full of Sugar - Happy Birthday

Meljen's Designs - Use Black



Supplies -
Meljen's Digi - Topsy Turvy Cake.       Copics/Glossy Accents.
DP - GCD Studios Ella Blue                 Martha Stewart Doily Punch
Adhesive Pearls                                    Craftwork Cards Sentiment
Ribbon from my stash.
6 x 6 Card Blank from Crafty Emma's Store.

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Bags of style

It's my youngest daughter, Annabel's, 21st birthday on Friday so I am rushing around organising things. She wanted money from us, so that she can start saving for a house deposit and I didn't want to just put the cheque in an envelope, so I searched around for something a little more special.

I made this little tote bag using a template from Creations by AR

My pictures don't really do this justice - the paper is GCD Studios Ella Blue, and it has a lovely linen texture and a faint, glossy text design that my camera hasn't picked up very well.

I thought the little key charm was appropriate for a 21st, but it looked a little bare, so I put a heart on there too and tied on some ribbon.

The handles are fastened on with pale blue, pearl brads that match the colour of the lining in the bag.

You can just see here that there is also a little pocket on the inside of the bag.

Can you make out the stitching on the handles?
It was really tricky getting them through my sewing machine, but well worth the effort.








Challenges...
Wags 'n Whiskers - Stitches
2 Sisters - Anything Goes
Make It Monday - Anything Goes, Linky Party
Party Time Tuesdays - Anything Goes

Totally Papercrafts #66 Anniversaries

Over at Totally Papercrafts today, we are cracking the whip and putting our new teamie, Cathy, straight to work.

She is this week's host, so I hope you will join in and make her feel welcome.

The theme is..

Anniversaries

I wanted to stay away from pink and girly, so I went for this more unusual blue and brown combo. These GCD papers are really gorgeous and they have a lovely texture to them.
I only had small scraps of brown card left, so I used a tip I picked up at Top Tip (sorry, can't remember who posted it) - I used white card and ran a brown Copic around the edge. This is a also a great idea for when you want to match your background card to a colour you used on your image.

Image is from the Penny Black J'aime Paris Set - paper pieced and coloured with Copics.

Stickles glitter on the flowers.        DP - GCD Ella Blue

Hearts - Catslife Press Stamp with gold ink.

Sentiment - Papermania Mix & Match Set

Martha Stewart lace border punch.

Totally Papercrafts #57 Shaped Cards

We have a great challenge for you at Totally Papercrafts this week - we want you to get your thinking caps on and create a  

SHAPED CARD.

Yes... we know that rectangles and squares are shapes, but we'd like to see something a little different. Surprise us! :D)
If you want some inspiration, check out the fab work of my teamies over on the blog.

For my card I used the 'Lovely Little Apron' image from this week's sponsor - Meljen's Designs.
I increased the size of the apron to  175% and printed it onto my DP, (Gcd Studios, Tea Time) then attached it to a top fold card and cut around the shape.
I printed out the pocket and attached that with foam pads. I was going to put a slim sachet of Options turkish delight hot chocolate inside, but it just wouldn't fit, so I stamped a Happy Birthday tag and put that in instead!!!
It was easy to gather the lace up with a simple running stitch and then it was sewn in place.
Finally I added some ribbon and a bow, and the adhesive, pink pearls.


Challenges - 
Cupcake Craft - Pink Polka Dots (hope there's enough on the ribbon)
Fab 'n' Funky - Make It Girly
Simon Says - Anything Goes
ABC Challenge - P is for Pearls

Love and Cookies

Here's a little treat I made for my girls - so they can make their own heart shaped cookies on Valentine's Day.

They might just have enough room in their broom cupboard of a kitchen, to roll out the dough!!

 I used this fab pdf Sweet Hearts Box Template from Sue Berker ( just making mine slightly larger, so that my cookie dough would fit inside).  Grab a cuppa and pop on over to her blog - her work is A-ma-zing.

Challenges I would like to enter - 

Moving Along With The Times - Red

Do You Stack Up? - Red Hot

CES Challenge - Red and Romance ( hope the hearts count as the 'romance' bit!)

Cupcake - Seeing Red

I decorated the box with GCD Studios - Love Tokens DP. With ribbon and heart brad from my stash.

I found some valentine text paper at the bottom of my craft box and cut out 'Sweet' and stuck it on a tag, then tied this to the brad with string.

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Away in a Manger

Hello everyone, it's a damp and dreary day here today, so I am practicing my 'photography with flash' skills !!
Here's another card to add to the Christmas pile..
This is the first outing for my LOTV stamp - isn't it just adorable - I really tried hard to do it justice with my Copics.
I have also discovered my new favourite thing... a little Sakura Stardust pen,
that I got from Bunny Zoe's Crafts. It so easy to get a nice, thin line of pretty glitter - check out Mary and Joseph's headbands.

 I would like to enter my card for the following challenges...
Papertake Weekly - 'Favourite challenge from the last 3 years' - I just love Dawny's sketches, they are great to follow and really make the stamp the star of the show, so I chose one from June (No. 43), that I didn't get to use first time around. Papertake also have a fabulous Birthday Blog Hop, so pop on over there and join in the fun.
Winter Wonderland - 'Jesus is the Reason for the Season'. Warning: Do NOT look at their Christmas Countdown Clock... you will panic... :-)
Allsorts - 'Inspiration from a Song Title' -   Away in a Manger

Stamp - LOTV Mary and Joseph,  coloured with Copics and  Sakura Stardust Pen
Design Paper - GCD Ella Blue.
Snowflakes - Cut with Slice machine ( Fa La La Card ) and covered with Diamond Dust.
Blooms - XCut punch, edged with Sakura Stardust Pen, with pearl centres.

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A Blue Christmas

So, I  think I have solved the problem of taking photos when it's miserable outside!
I took this at about midnight last night - pitch black outside -
I put on all the lights and the camera flash..  lol**

It's a little washed out, but it will do for me...
:-)

I spent quite a lot of time colouring my winter Milly with Copics
and even tried a new colour for her hair!!
I used stickles glitter on her earmuffs, scarf and cuffs
and polar white Flower Soft on the snow covered log.
I  added some pale blue chalk to the edges of the stamped image
and blue ink to distress the DP.
The Merry Christmas circle is one of my new Cat's Life Press stamps,
Grab them while you can from Emma's Store.

Challenges I am entering...
A Spoon Full Of Sugar - Christmas in August

Truly Scrumptious - Sketch + optional extra of brads/buttons/bows

ABC - B is for Blue

Stamp - Pink Gem, Winter Milly
DP - GCD Studios - Ella Blue

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Like snowflakes... no two angels are alike.

I just LOVE these papers - they smell like newly laid carpet..
not that I sit here sniffing them, of course...

well, maybe a little!!!

:-)

This cute little angel is from Pollycraft,
it's the digi image I chose after joining in Paula's freebie fun.
I coloured her with copics
( it's really pale blue, but the pic makes it look grey!)
and some stickles glitter.

The glitter seems to have slid down her wings a bit..

it must be because I stood the card up before it was dry.

The background trees are also Pollycraft, 3D'd,
coloured with copics and  Flower Soft, for the snow.

I am entering this for the Simon Says Stamp Challenge,
so I followed Martine's great sketch,
and also for Papertake Weekly, where the theme is 

Cutie Patootie.

Pollycraft Digi images - Cherry Kisses Angel & Trees Background,
coloured with Copics, Diamon Stickles and Polar White Flower Soft.
DP - GCDStudios - Ella Blue

Ribbon from my stash.
Silver Pearls from Crafty Emma's Store
Pop on over and check out Emma's store -  she has 15% off everything
until 9am Monday 26th July and is also starting a loyalty scheme
for her customers.

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Have yourself a merry little Christmas!!!

I started this card yesterday..
and I can't stop singing this song..
'have yourself a merry little Christmas'
I am getting some strange looks, I can tell you!!

This was my favourite stamp last year,
so it was great getting it back out.
I didn't have Copics the first time around,
so I will have to get used to the new way of shading it..

I have the cutest little family of Robins in my garden,
so I can just imagine looking out of the window,
onto this scene, in the winter.
I made the window, using a rectangle nestie,
but haven't quite lined it up perfectly,
so I need to practice that.

I would like to enter this card for the following challenges -
Sketch & Stamp - a great sketch by Ger
Papertake - 'In the garden'
Fab 'n' Funky - 'It's Christmas in July'

Robin scene, from the Woodware set - A Winter's Day,
coloured with Copics and stickles glitter.
Text Stamp - from Penny Black, Christmas Critters
Design Paper - GCD Studios, Ella Blue
Lace punch - Fiskars
Adhesive pearls.

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Summer Bride

Afternoon everyone, hope you are all enjoying the weekend.
Up here in North Yorkshire there's no sign of that
sizzling, summer sunshine we were promised!!

I am slowly building my stamp collection up,
so that I have a stamp for most occasions,
and I couldn't resist this Wedding Couple from Lili of the Valley.

I have coloured it with Copics and then 3D'd the bride
and added some stickles glitter to her train and flowers.

I would like to enter this card for Lili of the Valley's challenge,
so I have followed Dawny P's fabulous sketch
(just rotated it so the image is a better fit).

I called in at my local craft store yesterday and came across this gorgeous paper.
It's from GCD Studios and is Ella Blue.
It has a linen texture and also includes some flocked, foiled and glittered sheets.
The blooms are from Wild Orchid Crafts and I made the sentiment on my computer.
Ribbon from my stash.


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