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

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

Darling Bud Marigold

Hi everyone

Welcome to another Team D challenge at Colour Crazy.

Sorry I am a bit late posting - been out all day and forgot to schedule! Duh!!

You know when you see an image and think, "I love that, I just have to have it"?

Well, that was the case with this gorgeous Darling Bud Marigold from Polkadoodles.

It is one of a set of Darling Buds images, all of which are gorgeous, but this one just stood out for some reason and I just had to use it for this challenge.

The fabulous POLKADOODLES is our sponsor for this fortnight and we got to choose which image we wanted to use, this was the one I chose.

So, having chosen my image, I printed her out and put her on my desk!!

WHAM!!!!

Where on earth do I start?

I just sat there for a while, staring at the image and thinking "what on earth have I done?"

Well, after a mild panic, I thought back to one of the fabulous classes that Alyce Keegan does over on Facebook in her group "Kit and Clowder"

Now if you haven't seen this group - 1. Where on earth have you been hiding? (lol) and 2.  You really should go and have a look.

My colouring used to be - shall we say - Basic!! (and that is an understatement, believe me!!)

Then, I found Kit and Clowder and my colouring really started to change.

Now, I am not saying it is beyond reproach, good heavens no.  There is always room for improvement, but - and here's the thing - I am learning to colour using techniques such as lightsource and shading/blending.  Trust me, you really should go and have a look.

Anyway, I digress.  Thinking back to a previous class, where there was a lot of fine detail, Alyce's suggestion was to not be too specific.

By that I mean, treat the image as a bigger picture rather than individual petals, such as here on this image.

So, I used five different colours and literally, dotted the colour where I thought it should go.

Now, I don't know about you, but I think nature is pretty random and following that rule of thumb, I am really happy with how this turned out.

I just love the colours of Autumn - so rich and elegant and always give such a brilliant display at an otherwise dull time of the year, don't you agree?

I decided that after all that work on the image, I wanted it to be the centre of attention so I added it to a stepper card as the main focus.

The papers I have used are from a Claritystamp paper pad called Rainbow River.  This is a double sided paper pack of the very highest quality.  Maybe not the cheapest paper pack around but undoubtedly one of the very best you will find.

The sentiments are both from Polkadoodles - I used Winnie Celebrations Sentiments Kit 3 and Winnie Special Moments Quotes.

These sentiment download kits are so bloomin' useful, there are sooooo many sentiments and quotes to fit just about every occasion.  If you just type "sentiments" in the search box, it will bring up loads and loads of downloadable as well as physical sentiments of every type.

I used the same paper pad to add little accents to the card.

Here's a little close up of the image to show you what I mean about the colouring.

Be kind now!! 🙏🙏

So, there you go then.  What do you think?

I just love these colours together and they are the first colours I think of when I think of Marigolds, although I know they come in other colours too.

The other thing I did different on this image was her eyes!

I always seem to go for blue or green eyes but just thought brown would be more suitable on this image.  Do you have a "go to" eye colour or do you vary them?

Let me know in the comments, I would be interested to see who says what.

So, that's it for now.

TTFN

***

Challenges:

Creatalicious Challenge - Anything Goes (option of hearts)

QKR Stampede - Anything Goes

Creative Fingers - Anything Goes

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes (Option Favourite colours - I LOVE the colours of autumn!)

Scrapper's Delights - Anything Goes

As you Like It Challenge  -Warm or Cool Colours - Your favourite and why.(Reasons quoted in post)

Aud Sentiments - Anything Goes with a sentiment

Krafty Chicks - Anything Goes

Southern Girls Challenge - Anything Goes

A Fairy Wren

Did you get chance to enter the challenge at Ching Chou Kuik's Facebook page this month?

I do hope so, there have been some lovely entries.

My final card to show you this month is called:

Fairy Wren

Isn't it just such a beautiful image?

I love the colour of the bird on this example so I decided to go with similar colours for him.

Again, coloured with my copics and the background is done with Pan Pastels.  This time though, I actually used a paintbrush to add the colour to the background and I am so much happier with the way it turned out.  The background papers are from Claritystamp.  They are all double sided and come in an 8 x 8 pad with four sheets of each design.  Superb quality, the only downside is choosing which side to use! Lol

The flowers are from my stash.  I shall add a sentiment once I decide who it is going to and why.

I really need to be more adventurous with colour I think, I always seem to go with purples and blues.  They are my "go to" colours.  What are your favourite colours?  Do you have any colours that you just hate to use?

Pop me a comment before you leave, let me know what you think about my card and also about your colour likes/dislikes.  I love reading all your different choices and reasons.

So, until next time.......

xxx

Challenges:

A Mythical Beauty

Hi all,

Do you prefer Fairies or Unicorns?

I mean if you had to choose something mythical, which would it be?

Well, for me it would be Unicorns.  I just love the thought that there might be something so beautiful and ethereal out there. 

So, with that in mind, and the DT challenge to use something mythical this week, obviously I had to choose a Unicorn image.

This one is called Unicorn Love (I mean who couldn't love this beauty, right?)

Sometimes, when you see an image, you get an idea in your head of how you want it to look don't you?  Well, in this instance it turned out better than what was in my head! Even if I do say so myself.

Coloured with my copics, I am just so chuffed with the end result.  I am particularly pleased with her hair. The background is done with distress inks using some Claritystamp masks and the sky is just done with brushed inks and some sponging over the top for the clouds.

The background paper is from a DCWV paper pad called The Once Upon a Time Stack.  Now let me tell you, I have had this pad for years!  You know what it is like, you see a paper pad in a store and you think "Wow! The things I could do with that!" and you just HAVE to buy it!  Well, that's what happened with this pad.  Trouble is, once I got it home, none of the projects I made fitted the papers so hence the reason I still have quite a bit left.  This backing paper was just SO perfect for this image, don't you agree?  So, image and backing paper - nothing else!! Does it need anything else? I don't think so, do you?

Thanks for stopping by, and please leave me a comment on my card before you leave.  I do love to read all your comments.  Hope you find time to enter the challenge over on Ching Chou Kuik's Facebook page and also over on the Challenge blog where the theme is exactly the same.  So that gives you double the chances to win doesn't it? 

Until next time.....

xxx

Challenges:

As you like it challenge - Anything Goes

Through the Purple Haze - Anything Goes

World Wide Open Design Team Challenge - Anything Goes

The Fairy and the Unicorn - Anything Fantasy Goes

A Special Celebration - Digi Choosday

Hello all.

Can you believe we are fast approaching the end of January already?

No, neither can I!! Scary innit??

Today I am sharing with you a little gift bag that I made, along with a tag, in readiness for the birth of my fourth grandchild? Eeeeekkkkk!!

As we don't know the sex of this little beauty, I can say that because they have all been little beauties up to now, I decided to stay pretty neutral with the colours.

I printed out some of the gorgeous papers from the Baby Boom collection and changed the colour to grey and white to fit my theme. This is a fabulous little collection which features 26 A4 backing papers and 16 embellishments - just perfect when crafting for a new baby.

It is always worth having a mooch around the store at some of the older images, because there really are some beauties.

Then I chose some of the 16 embellishments and again printed them in monochrome.

To the little bib I added a sentiment from the Winnie Celebrations Kit 1

Once I was happy with the sizing I cut out all the embellishments ready to add them to my little bag.  

I made the bag using my Silhouette and used Lemon Card for the basic bag.  Then I cut the monochrome papers to size and added them to the bag, leaving a little of the lemon card showing.

Because the embellishments were all printed in monochrome I could then use my Copics to add the lemon colour as and where I wanted it, just picking out certain details on the images.

I have added a little bit of lace to the tag, which will go inside the bag with my message written on the back, but I think I may change that to ribbon instead!

Obviously there will be a small gift in the bag when the time comes (not long now) but I don't want to show that in case my daughter sees it.

I think lemon and grey is perfect for when the sex is not known, don't you??  

What other colours would you use if you wanted to be neutral??

Anyway, I hope you like my little gift bag?  Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think.  Is it enough or is it too simple??  I'm really not sure.

Hey ho, it's made now isn't it? Lol

TTFN

xxx

Challenges:

613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes Opt twist shiny

CD Sunday plus - Anything Goes

Dragonfly Dreams - Anything Goes

Challenge Up Your Life - Anything Goes

Crafty Calendar Challenge -Add a Tag

Brown Sugar Challenge - Anything Goes