Frost Loving Friends

Hello.
Today I'm posting from a shiny, new laptop! 
Setting it up has been a steep learning curve - why do they make it so complicated?
My main issue now is just how vibrant the screen is.
Wow! Everything is in glorious technicolour.
So I have no idea how you're seeing this card, but it seems awfully bright on this end.

I followed along with the sketch at Freshly Made Sketches, swapping out the stars for trees.

This little bear is super cute, and I thought it would make a lovely 'no hearts' Valentine's card for my dh.
I even managed to do some water colouring on those trees, which is a bit scary for me  :o)

Challenge

Freshly Made Sketches 

• mft - frost loving friends, coloured with copics
• mft - tall trees dienamics, coloured with zig clean color real brush pens
• lawn fawn - stitched hillside borders

A Winter's Tale

Hello.

Vellum, is the challenge at Less Is More this fortnight. Hmm... it's not something I use often, so I went off down a Pinterest rabbit hole - and ended up none the wiser ;o)

In the end I opted for a very simple, vellum overlay, very pretty IRL, but a bit of a bugger to photograph!

This is one of those cards where a stamping platform really comes into it's own. It allows you to make sure that you're images line up perfectly.

• die cut 2 panels. 1 in white card, 1 in Vellum
• stamp both with Versamark ink and white heat emboss
• colour the image on the white card (I used Zig watercolours for that soft effect)
• stamp a sentiment
• line up both panels onto your card base, punch a hole through the layers and add a brad

 The Vellum panel pivots on the brad to reveal the soft, watercoloured image below.

Challenge

Less Is More

One main image with lots of clean space
Minimal layers
Minimal embellies

Quick and easy

• woodware stamp - a winter's tale
• wow white embossing powder
• zig clean color real brush markers
• brad

Cocktails And Rainbows

Hello.
Rainbows are EVERYWHERE!
Pictures in windows, chalk on the pavement, on t-shirts and jumpers, tea towels and mugs...
so, how come I don't own a single rainbow stamp?
As usual, I'm late to the party, but I'm now on the lookout for a cute, rainbow set.

I did find a mini, rainbow stencil in my stash, that I used with zig markers - masking off that cute hippo and his cocktail. Using my zigs like this was not quite as neat, but it was way faster and less fiddly than getting my inks out.
I coloured my hippo with copics and added a sentiment. Then layered this onto a piece of pale grey paper. Minimum layers, and no embellies to fit the Less is More ethos.

Challenge

Less Is More

clearly besotted - cooling off / raise a glass
creative expressions mini stencil
copics      zig clean color real brush markers

Blow Out the Candles

Hello.
When I saw this birthday candle set from Concord and 9th, I couldn't resist it. I really think it's going to be a terrific set. Studies do show that the more candles you have on your birthday cake, the longer you live ;o)

I bought the stamps and dies, but I've just used the dies here, so it's super quick to put together.
One of the dies cuts 5 candles at once, which makes it even easier. The candles are coloured with zigs, and then the patterned die layered on top.
For a touch of bling I've used some gold, glitter paper on the flames.

Challenge

Freshly Made Sketches

concord and 9th - make a wish ---  zig clean color real brush markers --- mft stitched stitched in and out square die

WIP Temperature Chart

Hello.

Today I'm sharing something a little different. A temperature chart.
 I've wanted to make one of these for a long time. There are some amazing quilts and cross stitch designs all over Pinterest. However, I can't quilt, and my budget wouldn't stretch to all those embroidery supplies, but  I can STAMP! So I created my own chart with a tiny flower stamp. 
I used the small stamp so that I could keep it A4 size for framing.

I used my Zigs to create a colour chart, -2C to 30C+, each colour representing 2 degrees, so 17 colours in all. Then I  keep a record, in my bullet journal, of the daily temperature at 12pm and simply colour the flower in according to my chart.

This is a fun little project, and I've enjoyed doing it. There are definitely things I would change next time though.

• I would take more care stamping the flowers - they go a little wobbly towards the end, but hey, I guess that's the handmade look, right?
• I would change the colours a little. It would be nice to see more reds/oranges in there,  so I would make those come in at a lower temperature. 
• I'm not sure about using 12pm for the daily temperature. I might switch that to the highest daily temp.

Challenge

Love to Craft

November Anything Goes

flower stamp from mftstamps, sweet somebunny
zig clean colour real brush markers

For a Birthday Full of Rainbows

Hello.

I'm having so much fun with this cute, alpha set that I don't even mind the fussy cutting! This time I've used it for a personalised card for the Birthday girl. 

This was such a simple card to make. Just an inky rainbow background and then the letters popped up on foam tape. The cute, critters were coloured with copics, but for the letters I found my zigs matched the distress inks better.

 Challenge

Watercooler Wednesday

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clearly besotted - as cute as abc, copic markers, zig clean colour real brush markers, sentiment from mft - sow much cuteness, distress inks - wilted violet / worn lipstick / spiced marmalade / squeezed lemonade / twisted citron / tumbled glass

HOORAY HOORAY

Hello.
Today I'm sharing a very simple card, for the 

Less is More Challenge

where they want to see your favourite technique.

My favourite thing is die-cutting. Is that even a technique??

Hopefully, this inlay method makes it one.

This sentiment has a few layers.
The 'base' pieces were die-cut from a foam sheet, with a layer of white card on top. Then the top pieces were cut from card and coloured with zigs.

I cut the sentiment into a white card panel and then inlaid the letters.

This is a great technique for me - if I just add letters on top of card
I really struggle to get them all lined up perfectly. 

Challenge

Less is More 

the stamp market -  2 piece hooray die

zig clean color real brush markers

mama elephant - birthday messages

RAINBOW FLORALS

Hello.
No overthinking my card today - 
just a simple die cut, coloured with zigs
and placed in rows.
Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

For a little more interest I added a dew-drop centre to my die cuts,
and finished with a simple sentiment.

Challenge

Freshly Made Sketches

• the stamp market - florally fun
• mama elephant - labeled messages
• pinkfresh studio - diagonal stitch rectangle
• zig clean color real brush pens

BRIGHT BLOOMS

Hello.
I needed some bright blooms today to lift my spirits.
Anyone else?

I chose my zig water colour brush markers for these blooms - because,
although I'm not very good with them, I do love the bright, vibrant colour they produce.
Not sure what's happened with the photos -IRL the red/pink bloom is more blended than it looks here! 

Challenge

Watercooler Wednesday

WWC307 Heidi's Challenge
Anything Goes with a Feminine Twist

the stamp market - florally fun
zig clean color real brush markers
sentiment - mft 'sew much cuteness'

BAND ON THE RUN

Hello.
I am so delighted to be joining you today,
as a Guest Designer for one of my all time favourite challenges                                                           Less Is More 
Can you believe that this year is their 10th Birthday? Wow!

This fortnight is a recipe challenge, with the theme In A Row

I went with an obvious choice for my card... these little band mice, marching in a row.
They got a 2021 upgrade though - I used my zig markers to colour them and went for a slimline card.

This slimline style seems to be increasingly popular, but I have to say,
it's a bugger to photograph!!

I can't wait to see all your entries for the challenge.
Have fun and remember to keep it CAS :-)

                                

mft - strike up the band
zig, clean colour real brush markers
sentiment - mft, party penguins

JANUARY BOUQUET

Hello.
This year I want to concentrate on adding more colour to my cards.
and that means getting to grips with my zigs.

For this card I've attempted 2 of my least favourite things - 
flowers and water colouring!

I think one of the reasons I struggle with flowers and leaves, is that I find it tricky to pull all those elements together and form a bouquet.
It takes me forever to decide where every piece should go.
I'm going to try one of those sets where the die is a complete bouquet, and the elements are stamped onto it!!
I live in hope :-)

Inspired By Challenges

I took my inspiration from the flowers and the colour palette

wplus9 - modern anemones coloured with zig clean color real brush markers
background stamp - the stamp market, criss cross
avery elle postage stamp die
sentiment - my favorite things, fish tail die and party animals stamp

HOORAY

Hello.
Who knew that we would would still be celebrating lockdown birthdays in January?!
This is for my SIL
Strictly no visiting allowed, but we can't wait for the mahoosive party when all this is over.

Of course, I've opted for my favourite stamp from last year - this adorable bear,
and I've matched him with a rainbow HOORAY.

I die cut the HOORAY, which includes a shadow piece, and coloured the letters with my zigs. Then for added pop, I die cut it from foam, so it's nice and raised. Too much?

Challenge

How could I resist this week's Inspired By Challenge?

SugarPea Designs, Hey Winter, coloured with Copics
Stamp Market Hooray Dies
Small Sentiment, Mama Elephant, Birthday Messages
Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers

 

ALL THE COLOURS

Hello.
How's your 2021 going so far?
It's now illegal here, to leave your home without a permitted reason!
I'm lucky that I can go out for a walk with the dog,
but I'm definitely feeling the stress of not seeing our daughters'.

A great way to calm my mind, is to indulge in some mindless colouring...

I used white embossing powder to heat emboss this gorgeous peacock design stamp.
Then I set about colouring it with a rainbow selection of zig markers.
I got so engrossed in this, that I lost all track of time.
It took a little pawing at my knee to remind me that it was tea time :-)

When the colouring was finished, I die cut the piece and then added a simple sentiment.

Challenge

Addicted to CAS

mft stamps - peacock pattern background
zig clean color real brush markers
mama elephant - labeled messages
avery elle - postage stamp dies

CHRISTMAS GIRAFFE

Hello.
Here I am with my last Christmas card of the year.
I needed to make a card for my hubby,
but I also really wanted to play with my new giraffe die.
Ha! ha!
Say hello to the Christmas giraffe :-)

I really couldn't resist this cute giraffe.
And for that Christmas touch, I've wrapped him in fairy lights,
and popped him up on a snowy background :o)

Challenge

Happy to be entering the last challenge of the year by

Watercooler Wednesday
Thanks for a fabulous challenge blog this year
and for all the amazing inspiration from the DT

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE.
CRAFTING HAS KEPT ME GOING THIS YEAR,
SO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR VISITS,
KINDS WORDS AND SUPPORT.
I HOPE 2021 IS A BETTER YEAR FOR ALL OF US.

mft - joyful giraffe, with fairy lights from happy pawlidays
sentiment - clearly besotted
distress ink - tumbled glass
zig clean color real brush markers

Christmas Blooms

Hello.
Today I'm sharing the Christmas card I made for my mum.
I bit the bullet and included the 2 things I struggle with the most - flowers and watercolouring.

The flowers bit was made easy, by using this gorgeous cover plate die,
the watercolouring was a challenge!

I was aiming for a red poinsettia look, but the colours ended up being more pink and they're not quite as washed out as they look in the photo.
All things considered, I'm happy with how it turned out.

Challenge

The Flower Challenge

ADD EMBELLISHMENTS

I've added some sparkly gems to the flower centres,
and some glamour dust on the petals.

pinkfresh studios - simply blooms
zig clean colour real brush pens
sentiment - mft, snow globe sentiments
altenew ink - turquoise

WEAR THE RAINBOW

Hello
Quite often I get an idea in my head,
that is way beyond my crafting abilities.
This time it was rainbow dresses, in floaty, organza fabric with matching shoes (of course).

I am not the best at colouring and I've never really got to grips with my zig watercolor brush pens, but I used them here for the dress, trying to blend the colours by slightly overlapping them.

Once she was all coloured I added some white highlights here and there 

(not very happy with those on the dress)

and some glossy accents on the cake icing and roses.

I kinda like how she turned out in the end.

Challenges

Watercooler Wednesday

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday

Bright and Cheerful

stamping bella - ava loves to celebrate

zig clean color real brush pens

avery elle postage stamp die

LLAMA LOVE

Hello

Rainbows have become a common sight on my dog walk.
Rainbow pictures are in people's windows, chalked on pavements, and painted on fences.
They definitely lift the spirits and make me smile.
So, how could I resist the rainbow challenge at 

Addicted to CAS

My 'rainbow' is in the form of brightly coloured rolls.

Not a complete rainbow I know, but my llama was already struggling under the weight - a few bundles even tumbled off!

:-)

Addicted to CAS 

mft - llama love

copic markers / zig clean colour real brush markers