Flowers From A Friendly Hedgie

Hello.
I love die-cutting right now, but sometimes I just want to colour.

This sweet little hedgie, with his pretty bouquet,  is perfect for that.
Not too taxing - my Copic skills aren't up to much - but turns out looking really cute.

This is a wooden block Penny Black stamp that I have had forever - so it was lovely to give it an outing.

I stamped into the corner of a panel, and then just coloured it in with copic markers.

There's something very therapeutic about colouring, isn't there?

Challenge

We Love Stamping

🐣Spring🌷

• penny black - bountiful
• colorado craft company - citrus berry cupcake (sentiment)
• copic markers C1 C3 C7 - YG00 YG23 YG11 YG06 - G05 G14 G17 G28
• E00 E11 R05 - Y17 YR07 R29 - BV04 BV13V06

Friends Don't Let Friends Play In The Snow Alone

Hello.
I've just managed to squeeze in another 'Christmas in July' card.
For this one I have gone for a green, inky background. A couple of weeks ago I made an attempt to organise my distress inks better, and bought some new sponge blenders - and it seems, tidying my stash, has made me want to use it more. The trick, I guess, is keeping it tidy :o)

I started off by ink blending a couple of distress inks, and then giving them the spatter treatment, with some white paint and some darker ink. I've still not mastered this spatter - it drives me crazy!

Then I added a die cut 'slope' and my sledging hedgies. A few trees were popped up on foam tape, and a simple sentiment, stamped in the corner. Job done!

Challenge

Inkspirational

My woodland wanders took me to these cute hedgies, having some fun in the snow.

• penny black - Christmas critters
• sentiment and trees - sugarpea designs - hey winter
• lawn fawn - stitched hillside border die
• distress ink - evergreen bough / lucky clover
• copic markers / stickles glitter

Deck The Halls

It's almost time to deck the halls - and these three, little hedgies are getting an early start :o)

I was short on time in my craftroom this week, so I kept  my card very simple, and dug out these cute, little hedgies that I have had forever.
They still stamp beautifully though and need only minimal colouring.

Color Hues Color Challenge

penny black - christmas critters, coloured with copics
pinkfresh studio - diagonal stitch rectangle
my favourite things - snowglobe sentiments
stickled gold glitter

Have a Mice Day

Hello. I feel as though November and December totally passed me by, so I'm really not ready to put away my Christmas stamps yet.
Here's another simple, winter scene for this week's Freshly Made Sketches Challenge.

This was a surprisingly quick make for me. I stamped my little caroling mice and then inked up the sky - using a circle die to mask the moon. I tried to 'ground' the mice using a black fineliner, and completely bodged it - so don't look too closely at that!
The mice were coloured with Copics , the snow added with a white gel pen and the sentiment popped up with foam tape. Job done.

Challenge

Hmmm... because of the inking, I did debate whether this would fit the 'clean' style for the challenge - but I convinced myself I might just get away with it  ;o)
No worries if you have to delete it from the linky though xxx

Freshly Made Sketches

penny black - christmas critters, coloured with copics
mama elephant - labeleed messages
distress ink - salvaged patina

HOLY COW

Hello.
Here's another of my older, wooden stamps, that gets somewhat overlooked these days.
I've attempted to bring it more up-to-date, by adding a fun sentiment.

Everything is stamped straight onto my die-cut rectangle - that's a hold your breathe moment! - and the cows are coloured with Copics.

Challenges.

AAA Cards - Birthday theme and Blog Hop

Penny Black & More

Anything Goes

Penny Black Stamp, Ladies Devine, coloured with Copics

My Favorite Things, Stitched Scalloped Edge Rectangle,

and 'another birthday' from Llama Love

Lawn Fawn, Violet's ABCs

EAT MORE CAKE

Hello.
I admit, I love using cute little stamps with matching dies,
and I rather neglect my old stash.
Having a rummage the other day though, I came across this wooden stamp
- one of my all time favourites.

I enjoyed colouring it, and I tried my best to give it a more 3D look -
going around the edges in grey.
And, I think adding a fun sentiment has brought it more up-to-date.
Guess I need to check out and see what other goodies are lurking in my old stash box.

Challenge

Addicted to Stamps and More

Supplies.
Penny Black Stamp - Party Pooped
MFT - Stitched Scalloped Rectangle
Lawn Fawn - Violet's ABCs
Copics

It's too late to be good

Happy Friday everyone.

Today I'm sharing a fun card, that I made for my niece.

The sentiment is stamped with alphabet letters.
I have one of those stamp blocks that has grids marked into it, which is great for lining up the individual letters.
If I have to use a plain block, I attach a sticky note to help line the letters up and then take it away for inking.

Once the sentiment was done I stamped my Mademoiselle Noel at an angle, and then coloured her with Copics and some glamour dust.

Sorry - the pics are a bit dark and they don't show off the pretty sparkle.  I take my pics in the conservatory and the roof in there is still covered in snow!!

Challenge 

Penny Black and  More

Anything Christmas

Penny Black - Mademoiselle Noel, coloured with Copics and Glamour Dust

Avery Elle - postage stamp die

Lawn Fawn - Violet's ABCs

I Believe I Can Fly

The Challenge at Addicted to CAS this week is

FLY

so, my little hedgie is heading over the hills, with his balloon.

Hope he lands safely ;-)

Challenges

Penny Black, Critter Party, coloured with Copics.

Lawn Fawn, stitched rectangles and hillside borders.

Echo Park, Bundle of Joy DP

Sequins

Keep Off The Grass

Hey there,

I made this cute, little hedgie card for this week's CASology Challenge - 

where the cue word is 

GRASS

 Usually, I cut my 'grass' pieces into random shapes, with scissors, but I wanted a cleaner look for this CAS card, so I die cut my papers with an oval nestie. Then I attached them to the card panel and trimmed off the edges. It's much neater that way and gives you that little embossed edge along the top.

The hedgie is coloured with Copics and fussy cut and the sentiment is a little snippet of cream card,

stamped with the sentiment and glittered along the edges.

 

Supplies.

Stamps - Penny Black 'Critter Party'  Personal Impressions 'Mixed Sentiments'

DP - First Edition 'Bird Song'     Memory Box Cloud Dies

Memento Ink 'Bamboo Leaves    Glamour Dust     Copics

Shake it

Hey there.   Hope you're all enjoying the sunshine rain.
Today I'm sharing with you the card that I made for my dd Annabel.
I attempted a shaker card.  It wasn't easy. This was attempt No 4.

Sorry about the pics - everything seems to have a blue tint today!

I knew I wanted to use this little Penny Black stamp - it's so cute and versatile and is one of my favourites.
You can see it here on my other dd's card.
I used a rectangle nestie and a chat bubble die to create a template, that I drew around and cut out with a craft knife. Don't look too closely, some of those lines are a little wobbly!!

The main problem I had was with my sequins. They kept sticking to the foam tape at the edges and refusing to budge. I'm not sure how to avoid that, but this final attempt seemed much better.

Challenges.
Penny Black Saturday - Use your Favourite Penny Black Stamp
Penny Black & More - Favourite Stamp
CASology - Shine

Supplies.
Penny Black Stamp from 'Bubbly' Set, coloured with Copics and Sakura 'clear star' glitter pen.
'Make A Wish' Sentiment from Clearly Besotted
Template made from nestie rectangle and Clearly Besotted 'You Said It' die.
Sequins.

Party Time

Hey there.
I have just about recovered from the weekend's festivities.
Everyone had a great time - fuelled by copious quantities of Margaritas!
Here's the card I made for my daughter, Maria.

This little mouse stamp is one that I often overlook, because it's so small,
but it was just perfect here to complement my huge bow.
I die cut the 25, and added a piece of gliter paper behind it.
I don't have any gold sequins, so I had to get creative with making my own. I used the same gold glitter paper and a standard hole punch for the large ones, and a button punch for the small ones (they were the little pieces from the centre holes, that you would usually discard).

Challenges.
Open Minded Crating Fun - Animal Antics
Ladybug Crafts - Birthdays

Craft-Dee BowZ - Anything Goes with a Handmade Bow

Supplies.
Stamp - Penny Black, Bubbly,  coloured with Copics
Grosgrain Striped Rbbon
Sent Stamp - Clearly Besotted, Make A Wish
American Crafts Glitter Paper

Up, up and away!

Hey there,
hope you're all having a lovely weekend.
The TV is permanently tuned to Sky Sports, here - which is fine -
it gives me chance to disappear into my craft room :-)

Here's the card I made this morning.

I'm beginning to see the benefits of  making this size card base - 113 x 149
Stamps that I had neglected because they were just a tad too small for a 148 x 148 card, are now getting inked up.
This cute cat is a prime example. It had been tucked away for so long, that it was stuck to the plastic cover.
As I prised it off, I really though it was going to tear.  Have you ever had that? I almost took to warming it up with a hairdryer, but I thougt that might  make it worse!!

As you can see below, my cat is fussy cut and popped up on foam pads.
 

Challenges.
Retro Sketches - #106
Pixie's Snippets Playground - #116  If there's a dp I like, I find myself saving even the tiniest snippets. These little banners are a good way to use them up and add a touch of interest to your card.
Penny Black & More - So Sweet
Craft Calendar - Animal Antics

Supplies.
Cat Stamp from Penny Black Bubbly Set, coloured with Copics.
Sentiment, Penny Black Critter Party Set
DP - My Mind's Eye, Quite Contrary
Pearls and Sequin

Je t'aime

I am NOT an inky person.

My cards consist mainly of stamping in Memento Black and colouring with Copics.

So, it's high time I stepped out into the scary world of coloured inks

and inky techniques.

Here's my first attempt at emboss resist

 I kinda like it, but to a neat and orderly Virgo like me it's going to take some getting used to.

I stamped my hearts in white ink and heat embossed them with white embossing powder.

Then I used pieces of sponge to apply a couple of different shades of ink.

Finally, I stamped my sentiment and added a couple of gems.

I can't say I've caught the inky bug yet, but I'll definitely try this technique again.

Challenges.
Less Is More - One Layer (Hearts)
Simon Says - Emboss it

Heart Stamp - Catslife Press.   White Ink - Ink It Up.    Embossing Powder - Personal Impressions.
Coloured Inks - Memento Dew Drops 'Angel Pink' and 'Rose Bud'.
Sentiment Stamp - Penny Black 'J'aime Paris'.    Gems.

Party girl - just add wine!

 Help!!   Please send cake :-)

I have withdrawal symptoms.

I need to squeeze into that LBD for Christmas,

so I am on day 5, of a 1200 calorie a day diet.

 

Best to stop dreaming of cake and keep busy, in my craft room.

Now, if I looked like this Mademoiselle Noel I wouldn't complain.

You can see, she's just on her way into the city,

to party the night away.

IRL there's lots of sparkle on her fur trim

and the edges of the city scape.

Challenges.
Sketch Saturday - Sketch #284
Penny Black & More - Anything Goes
Penny Black Saturday - Sparklers
Addicted to Stamps - Anything Goes

DP: Digital Design Essentials, Digitally Smitten   
Stamp: Penny Black, Mademoiselle Noel, coloured with Copics and Glamour Dust
Die: Memory Box, Cityscape
Emebellies: Red Sequins, Whispy Twine.

Penguins are cool!

Hello there,

 hope you're all having a good weekend.

I can't believe we're in the 2nd week of November already.

I need to buckle down to make some more Christmas cards.

Here's one more for the pile.

Finances are tight here, but I allowed myself 2 new stamp sets for Christmas cards.

This penguin is from my first purchase - Stampendous Yule Penguins.

Who could resist this cutie?

Plus, I think the set is versatile for guys, girls and couples.

 I played along with Seize the Sketch

I wish you could see how totally gorgeous that glitter ribbon is IRL.

 It hurt to cut into, I can tell you and I have left it out on my desk, just to look at.  

I need to get out more!!  ;-)

Challenges.
Seize the Sketch - #7
Cute Card Thursday - Animal Magic
Crafty Little Fairies - Christmas In November
Top Tip - Seasons

DP - Dovecraft 'Christmas Fancy'         Stampendous 'Yule Penguins'
'Let it Snow' from the Penny Black Christmas Critters set
Copics.  Glamour Dust.  Sequins.  Ribbon.

Team Rudolph

TGI Friday  !!

It's been a busy, crafting week here.

I would LOVE to show you what I've been making,

but I just never know when my girls might come snooping - 

so I'm keeping it buttoned!!   :-)

Here's another card for the Christmas pile.

 I played along at my favourite sketch challenge - Seize the Sketch

just rotating the sketch.

I was so thrilled to be their A+ winner last week - thanks ladies   xxx

Anyhoo, I like how this one turned out, so I will probably make a few of these.

Is this the cutest reindeer ever? 

He was a freebie from Pixie Dust Studio

He's coloured with Copics, a touch of white pen and some glitter on his collar.

 

Challenges.

Seize the Sketch - #6

Simon Says - Christmas / Happy Holidays

4 Krafty Girlz - Anything Goes

Crafty Little Fairies - Christmas in October

Stamping Sensations -  All Creatures Great and Small   (2nd entry)

Reindeer Digi Stamp - Pixie Dust Studios.     Digi DP - Pink Petticoat 'Brocade'

'Joy' Stamp - Penny Black Christmas Critters

Copics - White Pen - Glitter Pen - Silver Sequins - Red Satin Ribbon

Sizzix Tag Die   Red Gingham DP

God loves a trier!

Damn it!

I was so pleased with myself, last week, to enter my BOO card over at LIM,

until I realised I had fallen foul of the challenge rules.

I really should learn to read the small print.

So, here's my second attempt - just a couple of problems

1. it's probably not CAS enough and

2. it's a day late!!!!

Ha ha!

God loves a trier.

I made a little snow scene with some pretty DP and my landscape die.

 The cute LOTV bear is coloured with Copics and stickles glitter

 (I also dotted some glitter on the pink DP)

and then he is popped up on foam pads.

Looking through my sewing box this week, I came across some bias binding 

and wondered how I could use it on my cards.

It's a little thick for tying into a bow, so I experimented with stamping on it. 

It works beautifully  - and the binding is only about 20p a metre.

 

Challenges.

LOTV's Ideas to Inspire - Anything Goes

Crafty Ribbons - Anything Goes with Ribbon

4 Krafty Girlz - Anything Goes

Loves Rubber Stamps - Anything Goes

Stamp - LOTV Presents for 2 coloured with Copics and Stickles glitter   DP - Dovecraft Christmas Fancy

Die - Spellbinders Circle and Memory Box Landscape

Sentiment Stamp - Penny Black Christmas Critters  Blue Bias Binding.   Crystal Gem 

Born to Ride

Morning crafters.

It's a chilly day here and I am fighting the urge to put the heating on!

Instead, I am going to fire up the oven 

and cook a big batch of curry and some apple dumplings :-)

Here's a quick card I made for my BIL.

He regularly takes a trip around Europe, 

with my SIL on the back of the bike -

so I thought this snoopy image would be perfect.

I followed the great sketch over at Seize the Sketch (just flipped it).

Snoopy is coloured with Copics and (although you can't really see in the photos) 

he is popped up on thin, foam pads.

I really wanted to stamp the sentiment right on the paper, 

but my card was almost finished by that stage and I was too chicken. 

So I added it on a little scrap of paper instead ;-)

Challenges
Seize the Sketch
Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes (topping option is Monochromatic)
Crafty Ribbons - Anything Goes with Ribbon
Marker POP - Anything Goes

Stampabilities Snoopy and his Sidekick, coloured with Copics.
Sentiment Stamp, Penny Black Critter Party Set
DP - My Mind's Eye, Mabel
Star Punch.    Black Gems.    Striped Ribbon.

Hey, I'm swingin' here!

**Please scroll down for my card**

Having a white dog, with little legs, is not a good idea in the winter!

And Suzie is a real muck magnet.

This morning we decided to give her a good old bath - 

not just the dip in the sink that she usually has after a walk.

It took 2 of us to keep her in the bath and there was water everywhere. 

Now she's ignoring me  :-)  Can you tell she's annoyed!

Anyhoo - enough of my ramblings and on to my card.

I played along at CAS(E) this Sketch

I need some more 'guy' cards for my pile and came across this Spider Henry, in my digi stamps collection. 

I don't know why I haven't used him before, he's super easy to colour and great for guys.

Challenges.
CAS(E) this Sketch - Chrissy's Sketch
Moving Along With The Times - Song or Film   No prizes for guessing 'Spiderman' :-)
Digi Tuesday  - Boys

• Whiff of Joy Digi Stamp, Spider Henry
• Copics
• DP Echo Park, Note To Self
• Sentiment Stamp, Penny Black Critter Party

Mademoiselle Noel

How is your Christmas card pile coming along?
I think I am almost done - just a few family cards to make.
I got the shock of my life buying stamps yesterday -
  90p a card - eek!!
Will have to have a major re-think next year.

Here's a girly card for my niece.
(Sorry about the rubbish photo - IRL there is lots of sparkle on her fur trim)

When I saw how simple this was, I went a little giddy with the liquid pearls :-)
I've also just realised that my mademoiselle noel is floating in mid air!!
I will add a little shading, under her feet, before she goes in the post.
 

Challenges.
Oozak - Anything Goes + Red
Penny Black & More - It's your choice
Penny Black Saturday - Glitter & Sparkle
Stamptacular - Christmas Photo Inspiration (I went with the red/white theme)
CASology - Sparkle
Top Tip Tuesday - Christmas


Supplies.
Stamp - Penny Black, Mademoiselle Noel coloured with Copics.
Corner stamp - I think it's from Lili of the Valley!
Let it snow stamp - From the Penny Black Christmas Critters set.
Red gem, liquid pearls, glamour dust