Texture and Flowers - a fabulous mix.

Good morning everyone.

I hope you are all well and staying safe during this weird time we are currently experiencing.

Honestly I thought this lockdown thing would give me oodles of time to craft but I really don't know where my hours go to each day.  We don't stay in bed late but the days seem to just rush by and before I know it, the weekend is upon us once again.

Gosh at this rate it will soon be.................  NO!  I am not going there! Lol

Anyway, did my blog post title intrigue you a little?

I wanted to show you a little project I did using all of the items in the title.

This did start out as a card to be sent in for the Design Team work for the last show but my texture paste didn't dry quickly enough so I set it aside to use another day, and here we are!

To give the texture paste a bit of interest I added in some of the interference mica powder that Lisa introduced recently.  I think I used the purple one, mind you it never looks like I expect it to. Lol

So once I had added the mica to the paste I dragged the paste through the bubblewrap stencil, one of my favourites.  Then set it aside to dry.  Now you can dry it with your heat gun but sometimes it bubbles if you get too close so my preference would always be to air dry it.

Next I went around the edge of the card with a sponge and some Distress Oxide ink in Spun Sugar.

Using Lisa's Four Point Blooms die set I cut out some flowers using the Bali paper pad.

Now I have to be honest here, I have TOTALLY pinched this idea from Claire Newcombe because I thought it just looked A-MAZ-ING!  

I cut two of the nested flag dies and added the white (not white, lol) Mermaid Tails glitter to the smaller one and layered that up on to the next size up.  Again I went around the edge of the larger one with Spun Sugar Distress Oxide.

I added some of the Gorgeous Sisal behind the flowers and of course I just HAD to use the fabulous new Cool Skies pearls for the centre of my flowers.  The finishing touch was one of the little phrases from the Wordage sheets.  I cannot tell you how useful these are. 😃😃

See how the texture paste looks different colours from different angles?  That's what the interference mica powders do.  Cool eh?

The eagle eyed amongst you will notice that the flower in the middle does not have as many layers as the other two.  Well, that's because I got cocky and decide to cut my flowers without taping them down to the paper.  Not only did they move and not cut all of them, I have also dented one of the flower dies as the little leaf die moved underneath it!! Be warned - secure your dies if you want to make the most of both them and the paper you are using!! 😱😱😱

So folks, there you have it -

Mermaid, Mica, Paste and Pearls!

Hope you like the project.

Remember all the products I have used will be available at Lisa's website - www.thatcraftplace.co.uk  

Lisa will be back on your screens on 7 May with some GAWJUSS new stuff - honestly, it is to die for.

Don't forget to visit our Facebook group Crafting with Lisa Horton and there are oodles of samples on our Pinterest pages too.

Happy Crafting! 

xxx

Flame in Black

Hello all

I am so sorry that I didn't get time to blog my card for last week.  Honestly, you would think being in lockdown I would have loads of time on my hands.  However, because I have found all those jobs for hubby to do - you know, the ones you never have the time to do - well obviously I have to help out too which cuts down my craft time.  Besides, it's not really fair if I have stuff to occupy me and shut myself away in my craft room whilst he is working away is it.

Anyway, a huge congratulations to all of our lucky winners from the last challenge. What fabulous entries we had. I am hoping to see some equally gorgeous entries this month too.

So my card this week uses the gorgeous Flame in Black which is available in Ching Chou's Etsy store here.

Gorgeous isn't she?

So here is my card:

Once again, coloured with my copics and I thought I would have a go at a different hair colour this time.  These are the warm greys but I didn't have W9 so started off from a bit of a lighter base hence the lighter colour, but I am still really happy with it.

I wasn't looking forward to doing the swan because I am not really all that good with animals - never seem to get it just right.  Mind you, I am quite happy with how this turned out if I'm honest.

What do you think?   Please let me know whether you think it is ok.

Now I have in the past, created a background to these images but this time I just wanted to use a pattern.  So I looked through my stencils and this Lisa Horton Medieval stencil jumped out at me.  It is currently out of stock but Lisa has some other fabulous stencils to choose from at That Craft Place

I don't know about you, but I think this just "works" with this image?  I used Distress Oxide inks through it in Shaded Lilac, Wilted Violet and Hickory Smoke.

Then, to finish off I added one of Lisa's Wordage Sheet sentiments.  Let me tell you, these are just sooooo useful.  It is nice sometimes to just add something a little bit different, don't you think?

The flower is one I made from some Foam Miran with some new flower dies I recently purchased.  I am quite happy with how that turned out although I am sure I could get more shaping into it if I tried a bit harder.

Anyway, that's it for now.

Hope you find plenty to do without leaving home over the Easter weekend.

Stay Safe, Stay Home and Protect the NHS

TTFN

xxx

Challenges:

Aud Sentiments - Anything Goes plus a sentiment

CRAFT challenge - Create your own embellishment (My flower)

Southern Girls Challenge - Team Trace Anything Goes

Through the Purple Haze - Anything Goes

Big Bunch of flowers!

Hello all,

Well, this week I am going to show you a card using the most fabulous image called Winnie Celebrations - Big Bunch from our wonderful sponsor 

POLKADOODLES

Isn't she pretty?

This week, it is Team D's turn at Colour Crazy Challenge to inspire you.  If you haven't used Polkadoodles images before, well, really where have you been? Lol

Nikky Hall has an awesome array of fabulous goodies including dies, stencils, paper pads, digital download kits and images, digital downloadable papers and sentiments and so much more.  You really should go and have a look around the store, you are sure to find something that you love.

Remember folks, this is a colouring challenge.  We must see some hand colouring on your project.  We do not accept digital colouring/projects.

So, here is the card I made this time.

Now I was going to go with the same colour scheme as the image package but in the end I decided to go with an orange colour scheme instead.

The papers are from a Lili of the Valley paper pad which they sadly don't make anymore.  Such a shame because they were very reasonably priced and such fabulous quality.  Aah well.

The image is coloured with my Copics and the sentiment is one of Lisa Horton Crafts new Ticker Tape sentiment stamps.  Lisa has recently launched her own range after being with Creative Expressions for several years and I can tell you she has certainly hit the ground running.  If you are looking for good quality dies, stamps, papers, glitters and embellishments then why not just pop over to That Craft Place and have a quick look round.

Better still, why not tune in to Create and Craft on April 3rd as Lisa has THE most beautiful new release coming and you really will LOVE it.

So, please join in with our new challenge at Colour Crazy and above all, have fun.

TTFN

xxx

Challenges:

Creative Knockouts - Anything Goes

Krafty Chicks Challenge - All Occasions

Through the Purple Haze - Anything Goes

Be in my Heart

Hi all,

Well, pretty much near the end of this current challenge at Ching Chou Kuik's Facebook Group.

For my last card this month I have used the gorgeous:

Be in My Heart

Isn't she just beautiful?

So here is my interpretation of her:

Now those of you who have been here before will know that I am not a lover of green really but for some reason I just thought of green as soon as I saw this image.

And, to be honest, I am really pleased with how this turned out.

Image is coloured with my Copics and I left the background white as I wanted the image to just stand out on it's own.

The papers are from a Lili of the Valley pad which are no longer available to buy as physical pads.  I think they do some digital pads but they are just not the same sadly.  Hey ho.

All the flowers are from my stash as are the little gems.

That little label, sentiment and butterfly are all from the new range at Lisa Horton Crafts at That Craft Place.  A stunning new range from Lisa now that she has decided to take the huge step of going out on her own.  There are some absolutely fabulous goodies and they can be used in sooooo many different ways.  Well worth a look - trust me.

So, I hope you found the time to take part in this month's challenge and I will be back soon with more inspiration for next month's challenge.

Stay safe everyone.

TTFN

xxx

Challenges:

Colouring in Scrapland - Colouring - opt Spring

Crafty Cardmakers - Spring

Cutie Pie Challenge - Gorgeous Greens

Use your Stuff - Spring

Dragonfly Dreams - Make it Feminine

International Art and Soul - Green as the main colour

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Little Daisy - Perfect for Spring.

Hello everyone.

I hope you are all managing to stay safe and well throughout this unprecedented crisis?

It still amazes me how selfish people can be with all this panic buying doesn't it you?

Surely if we were all just a little bit sensible and only bought what we normally bought then there would be enough for everyone?  I just find it so incredibly sad.

Anyway, I digress.  Enough about this Virus thing, let's get to the important stuff of the day eh?

On to what we are all really here for - crafting!

So we are now well into our March challenge over at Ching Chou Kuik's Facebook challenge and this month's challenge for all you lovely people is Easter/Floral but some weeks the Design Team are challenged with something a little extra and this week we were to use lots of layers.

So here is my card for this week using Little Daisy.

The image is coloured with my copics and I decided for this image not to do any background colouring as I wanted the image to be the main focus.

The papers I have used here are from a Lili of the Valley paper pad, sadly no longer in production.

The nested flags are by Lisa Horton Crafts as are the three little flower blooms.  They are each part of new die sets recently released by Lisa on Create and Craft and I have to say they are two of my most favourite die sets ever.  The pearls in the middle of the flowers are so beautiful as they have the most fabulous shimmer on them, again one of Lisa's new releases.

I have also used a little bit of cream Sisal, also a Lisa Horton Crafts new release as is the Ticker Tape "Happy Birthday" sentiment.  They are such clean looking sentiment stamps don't you think?

Why not pop over to That Craft Place and have a look at all of Lisa's new products, there are some stunners I can tell you.

So there you go folks.  Hope you can find the time to take part in this month's challenge.  I will be back at some point during next week to show you my last inspiration card for this month's challenge.

TTFN

xxx

Challenges:

As you like it Challenge - Your favourite Easter or Spring and why.

(I chose Spring - I love this time of year as it is a new beginning for so many things and gives a burst of colour after the dreary winter hues)

Cards 4 Galz - Spring Flowers

Craft Rocket Challenges - Flowers

Seize the Birthday - A Touch of Green

Through the Purple Haze - Anything Goes

Hello Spring!

Well,I might be saying Hello Spring but ir really still feels like the middle of winter here.

I hope it starts to warm up soon, I don't like the cold.  Mind you, I would rather have it cold than wet wouldn't you?  I feel so sorry for all those folk whose homes have been flooded, it must be a nightmare.

Anyway, I digress.  We are well into our new challenge at Ching Chou's Facebook Group (remember that the challenge blog also has the same theme so you could enter in both places if you wanted to!)

The theme this month is Easter or Floral, your choice.

So Hello Spring is the image I have chosen to use this week.

The main image is coloured with my Copics and the background is done with Pan Pastels and a paintbrush as I think it applys to the card much better that way.

The lace is some that I won from a wonderful lady on Facebook, Brenda's Lace and Ribbon Specials.  Sadly I don't think the group is still running anymore and that's a real shame as she had some fabulous products.

The sentiment across the lace is from Polkadoodles.

Those gorgeous bright pearls are from Lisa Horton Crafts and you can purchase them from Lisa's shop That Craft Place.  These pearls come in two sizes, 4mm and 6mm (these are the 6mm) and they have a gorgeous Mother of Pearl like shimmer to them.  They are absolutely divine.

The background paper is from a Lili of the Valley Paper Pad sadly no longer in production but such fantastic quality.  I have quite a bit to keep me going but it makes me sad to think that when they are gone, they are gone! Boooo.

So there you have it folks.  My Easter card ('cos it has a bunny on it, lol) for this week.

Hope you like it.

See you soon.

xxx

Challenges:

Aud Sentiments - Feminine and a sentiment

CRAFT Challenge - Female 

(I think this is a perfect image for a female card and of course the image is female too)

Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes

Through the Purple Haze - Anything Goes

Crafty Creations Challenge - Anything Goes

The Paper Shelter - Let it be Spring

Simon Says Stamp - Something Feminine

Pinky swear - keep a secret!!

Hi all,

No, I haven't got one to share with you, lol.  It is the title of the image I have used on my latest card and you can find her here.

This is my DT card for the Colour Crazy Challenge which started today.

Remember, we are a colouring challenge so there must be some HAND COLOURING on your project - we don't accept digital colouring I'm afraid.

Isn't she fab?

I have coloured her with my copic markers and just kept it really simple.

I often think that when an artist has gone to the trouble of coming up with an image it seems a shame to overcrowd them with flowers or die cuts.

I wanted this to be quite girly and that was the reasoning behind the paper choice here.

I just love that little pinky finger, don't you?

I hope you get chance to join in this fortnight, can't wait to see what you all come up with.

TTFN

xxx

Challenges:

Crafty Creations Challenge - Anything goes

A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything Goes

Far Away Messages!

Hello everyone

Congratulations to all our winners in the February challenge.

Just a last little bit of inspiration for you.

This image is called Far Away Messages

Isn't she gorgeous?

My image was coloured with my copic markers and if I am totally honest, I am not really happy with this.  I had an idea in my head for the colours on her tail and it just didn't work out how I had imagined it.  I had done everything else and I didn't really want to start over so it is what it is!

Do you do that?

Have an idea in your head that just doesn't work out on paper?

What do you do?  Go with it or throw it away?

I'm just loathed to throw images away that have taken quite a while to colour up, seems such a waste of time.  Hey ho.  I now know what doesn't work! Lol

The little seahorse and starfish are wooden shapes to which I have added some of the fabulous Mermaid Tails Glitter by Lisa Horton Crafts - it is fabulous stuff and it changes colour depending on the colour of the surface you are applying it too.  It's awesome.

The backing papers are from one of my many Lili of the Valley pads which are no longer available.  Goodness knows what I am going to do when I run out. Mind you, that won't be for a little while yet as I have a few!! Lol

Back soon with some more, hopefully better, inspiration.

TTFN

XXX

Love - Must be something in the air!

Hi all

February is all about love isn't it?

Well, just because it is about love doesn't mean it has to be pink or red right?

This is the card I made for week 3 of our challenge over at Ching Chou Kuik's Facebook challenge.  (The blog challenge has the same theme so you could enter there too! 😉😉)

My card features the gorgeous LOVE image which is part of the Dreaming of Love set at Ching Chou's Etsy store.  What a gorgeous set of images this is.

I coloured this with my Copics and then went over some of it with my Polychromo pencils.  I am really really pleased with how this came out.

I think it looks lovely and soft in those lemon colours don't you?

Would you use an alternative to pink/red on your Valentine's cards?

The papers are from a Lili of the Valley with Raspberry Road Designs paper pad called Heartfelt.  I decided to use two different papers and cut them on the diagonal, something a bit different.  Does it work?  

The flowers are from my stash and the sentiment and little heart are from the Polkadoodles stamp set from the new Timeless Rose collection.

The background is done with my Pan Pastels and I "painted" them on with a paint brush.

So there you go.  Hope you can find a bit of spare time to join in with our challenge this month, we always love to see your fabulous creations.

See you soon.

XXX

Challenges:

Creative Knockouts Challenge - Flower Power

Southern Girls Challenge - Anything Goes

Through the Purple Haze - Anything Goes

A Bit more time to craft - Anything Goes

A Perfect time to craft - Anything Goes

Classic Design Challenge - Anything Goes

The Crafter's Cafe Challenge - Use pink and/or red

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Love to Craft challenge - Anything Goes

Holly Flower Basket - Beautifully Pastel

Hello Polkadoodlers

How are you all doing in this nasty weather?

I don't know about you but I am getting fed up of the wind and the rain.  Roll on Summer and some warm sunshine.  Well, I can live in hope can't I? Lol

So, as my blog post title suggests I have a little Holly to share with you today.

Holly Flower Basket was part of the fabulous release earlier in the year and I have to say the images are all adorable.  I think this one would make a lovely Mother's Day card, don't you?

Using pastel colours was what the Design Team were challenged to do for the brand new challenge over at Digi Choosday today.  

Remember, you get a huge discount on selected digital downloads today, but you have to hurry, it doesn't last for long and it would be a shame not to take advantage of such a wonderful discount.

Coloured with my Copics in what I hope you think are pastel colours.  I tried a new blend for blonde hair this time which was a suggestion from a lady in the Kit and Clowder group on Facebook.  I quite like it, what do you think?  

The gorgeous papers I have used on here are from Winnie Wonderland Paper Heaven 5 and 6 - both gorgeous digital paper downloads.

The sentiment, which I thought fitted the image perfectly is from the Winnie Celebrations Sentiments Kit 1.

Quite a simple card this time but I really do think that these wonderful images speak for themselves, don't you.  It seems a shame to detract from the image with lots of embellishments.

Are you a clean and simple or a fussy and fancy person when it comes to making cards?  I'd love to know.

So, that's it for now.

See you again soon and I look forward to seeing what you make to join in with the challenge, which as you know is always:

ANYTHING GOES

Challenges:

A Bit More Time to Craft #110- Anything Goes

A perfect time to Craft February - Anything Goes

Classic Design Challenge February - Anything Goes

Crafts Galore Encore February - Anything Goes

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Anything with patterned paper goes

Daisy Chain Challenges #38 - For the Girls

Love to Craft February - Anything Goes

Creative Crafters Challenge #25 - Anything Goes

World Wide Open Design Team Challenge - Anything Goes for a DT

Crafter's Castle -Anything Goes

Brown Sugar Challenge #298 - Anything Goes

Key of Love.

Hi everyone

Well we are into our second week of the challenge over on Ching Chou Kuik's Facebook page and we have had some lovely entries so far.

As I said on my last post, these cards don't necessarily have to be for Valentine's Day do they?  They could be a Just to say I love you card or a birthday card for someone you love.  The possibilities are endless really.

So, that said, here is my second Love card.

The image I have used here is called Key of Love, gorgeous isn't it?

I have loved colouring this image, especially the hair.  Mind you I am pretty chuffed with that heart and ribbon too. Lol

Once again, I have used my Copics on this and am really getting in to how beautifully they blend.  Mind you, it really does help if you use a decent paper.  I invested in some Express It paper and I have to say they blend so much nicer on this than what I had been using previously, (which was nothing special at all).  The old saying is never wrong is it?  You get what you pay for!!

I thought instead of just cutting a rectangle from my paper I would use my Picot Edged Nested Dies from Claritystamp  They just add that little something don't you think?

The flowers I have used on here come for a wonderful lady on Facebook who makes them.  If you are interested in seeing more of what she does then go visit her page and ask to join, you won't be disappointed.  

The word I used on here is one of the Word Chain stamps from Claritystamp.  They really do come in so useful and there are lots to choose from.  Really good quality stamps from a fabulous company.

Right, that's me for today.  Back soon.

xxx

Challenges:

The Alphabet Challenge - W is for anything you Wish

Brown Sugar Challenge - Anything Goes

CAS on Friday - Love

Creative Fingers Challenge - Anything Goes

Cut it up challenges - Love is in the air

Cute Card Thursday - CAS

Love is in the air!

Hi all

February, the month of love.

Do you celebrate Valentines Day?

Some do, some don't, I guess it is a personal thing isn't it?

Anyway, sending cards with "love" greetings on doesn't just have to be for Valentine's day now does it?

Our challenge this month over on Ching Chou Kuik's Facebook page (and incidentally the blog too) is:

VALENTINE'S DAY/LOVE/FOR SOMEONE SPECIAL

Now that gives plenty of scope doesn't it?

So for my card this week I have used the beautiful Love is in the Air

Isn't she gorgeous?

Here is the card I made.

The image is coloured with my Copics. I really am loving using these markers and am slowly but surely building up my stash of colours, although I am a very long way off having a complete set! Maybe one day. 

The background has been done with stamps, stencils and masks from Claritystamp.  I'm not 100% happy with the background but I know what I need to do to improve on it, so hopefully the backgrounds will get better.

Do you like to make backgrounds for your images or do you purely concentrate on making the image the "main attraction" so to speak?

The background papers I have used come from a First Edition paper pad called Isabelle which I have had on my shelf for ages!!  But once I had coloured my image and done the background I knew that this pad would provide me with complimentary colours.  It is a lovely 8 x 8 pad with 48 sheets, some glittered and some double sided and is fabulous quality.

Here is a close up of the image (don't look too close at the background though! Lol)

That gorgeous flower, which was just perfect for this card was in a little bag of goodies from a friend for my birthday.  The sentiment stamp is from Claritystamp and comes as part of the latest Entwined Wreaths sets which are Gawjuss!

So there you go then.

I do hope you can find a bit of time to come and join in the fun. 

I can't wait to see what you all come up with.

See you soon

xxx