Life Is Sweet at Faery Ink

This week I am showcasing a brand new image now available in the Faery Ink Etsy store. "Life Is Sweet With You" is a fun image to use for Valentine's Day or any other occasion.  More info on my project here. 

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. The Corrosive Challenge - #1 ATG
2. Crafts Galore Encore - #71 ATG
3. Your Scrapbook Place - January ATG
4. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - January ATG
5. CRAFT Challenge - #541 Something New
6. Classic Design Challenge - #1 ATG

Merry & Bright at Faery Ink

Today I am showcasing one image from a bundle at Faery Ink.  The non-traditional colours really make this Christmas card Merry & Bright!

You can find all the information and more photos on my blog post here.

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge - #460 ATG
2. Brown Sugar - #296 ATG
3. Classic Design Team - #12 ATG
4. Crafting By Designs - December ATG
5. Crafting With An Attitude - #58 ATG
6. I ♥ ProMarkers - #399 ATG
7. Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #1949 ATG

Celebrate YOU

Most of my projects feature digital stamps and that's where I usually start.  I always choose an image first, get it coloured and then decide what I'm going to do with it. 
For this card I have done the opposite.  I was having a play with a new die.  It's a lacy kind of wave and I knew it would look amazing layered up in ombré blues to represent the sea. Once I had all the layers glued down, I trimmed to 4x6. I used shimmer chalk then a layer of clear texture paste to give it a glossy shine. 
Once that was dry I matted onto black and pale blue before gluing it to my card. 
I finished off with die-cut sentiments and 'Pearl's Birthday' from Tiddly Inks. 

Products used:

• Coloured cardstock
• Lacy wave die
• Ranger Texture Paste - Clear Gloss
• Papermania Shimmer Chalks
• Word dies
• ProMarkers - Cinnamon, Tan, Dusky Pink, Putty, Antique Pink, Pale Pink, Almond, Raw Sienna, Gold, Sunflower, Yellow, Amber, Sandstone, Carmine, Pastel Pink, Baby Pink, Aubergine, Marine, Turquoise, Green, Mint Green & Pastel Green
• Prismacolor Pencils - Process Red, Dark Green, Blush Pink & White
• Gelly Roll - Metallic Gold
• Wink of Stella - Clear
• Spectrum Noir Sparkle - Onyx Black

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Tiddly Inks - #228 Anything Tiddly Inks Goes
2. Passion For ProMarkers - WK508 For A Birthday
3. TTCRD - WK Aug 27 ATG
4. Get Creative - #83 ATG
5. Digi Choosday - WK35 ATG

Gnome On A Hot Christmas Roof at Faery Ink

Today I am sharing some Christmas In July inspiration, continuing my gnome theme from my last project.  You can find all the information on my blog post at Faery Ink.

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. CRAFT Challenge - #522 Christmas
2. CCC Digi Creations - #105 Christmas in July
3. Power Poppy - Do you need a little Christmas?
4. Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #1928 ATG

Hellebores Gift Box

Today I am showing off my latest Power Poppy stamp 'Hellebores'. I can never resist grabbing my favorites when they are on sale!  

I had to go bright orange with these as it's a color I love to use with flowers. It reminds me of a hot sunny day.  

I didn't really know what I was going to do with the image after, but I have a few product boxes saved and one of them fit perfectly to use for a simple gift box. 

Products used:

• Kraft wrapping paper
• Elmer's spray glue
• Orange ribbon
• ProMarkers - Holly, Lush Green, Green, Mint Green, Cool Grey 1-3, Bright Orange, Pumpkin, Gold, Sunflower, Burnt Sienna, Cocoa, Saddle Brown, Caramel, Lemon, Soft Lime & Primrose
• Prismacolor - Dark Brown & Dark Green
• Ranger Liquid Pearls - Bronze
• Papermania & Little Claire Designs outline stickers

From this: 

To this: 

I am entering my gift box into the following challenges:

1. Power Poppy - Just Go 3D
2. TTCRD - WK April 16 ATG
3. The Crafter's Cafe - #217 Easter/Florals
4. Simon Says Monday - Beautiful Blooms
5. Allsorts - WK 515/516 Blossoms, Butterflies, Bugs
6. {PIN}spirational Challenge - #236 Create your own sunshine
7. Crafting With An Attitude - #50 ATG

Love Blooms

I am hoping to get some more images coloured and cards made for pleasure this year.  I got rather busy at the end of last year, so I was only making DT cards in the spare time I had.  
As it is coming up to Valentine's Day, I am in the mood for love and this Power Poppy image was just perfect.   It is from the 'Graceful Still Life' digital stamp set, but this image alone was a freebie in the Kit & Clowder advent calendar. 
I have gone CAS to let the image shine. 

Products used:

• Kraft card blank
• Cardstock
• Papermania 'Red Hot' collection paper
• Square gems
• ProMarkers - Burgundy, Cardinal, Ruby, Walnut, Saddle Brown, Holly, Olive Green, Forest Green, Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna, Antique Pink, Coral, Sunkissed Pink & Powder Blue
• Prismacolor Pencils - Dark Brown, Spanish Orange, Poppy Red & White

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Simon Says Monday - Love Is In The Air
2. Creative Fingers - #154 Anything Goes
3. Power Poppy - Let's Go Half & Half!
4. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - January ATG
5. The Corrosive Challenge - #1 Anything Goes
6. CRAFT Challenge - #498 Love/Valentines
7. Crafts Galore Encore - #59 Anything Goes

Butterflies at Ching-Chou Kuik

Eeep, it's already December! 2018 is just flying by... and mentioning flying... this month's challenge at the Ching-Chou Kuik blog is BUTTERFLIES OR INSECTS.  Flutter on over and link up your gorgeous creations here.

I have gone with butterflies and made an easel card using 'Aloha, Lady'.  For a change it's just a regular easel not a twisted easel!

Products used:

• Card blank
• Cardstock
• Graphic 45 'Flutter' designer paper
• Ribbon
• Papermania gems
• Sizzix Stampin' Up Embosslits 'Beautiful Wings' dies
• Little Claire Designs outline stickers
• Ranger Liquid Pearls - White Opal & Pewter
• ProMarkers - Burnt Sienna, Cinnamon, Tan, Dusky Pink, Black, Cool Grey 5, Caramel, Yellow, Soft Lime, Cool Grey 1, Pine, Forest, Apple, Sunflower, Mustard, Mulberry, Fuchsia, Blossom, French Navy, Cobalt, Henna, Gold, Saddle Brown, Bright Orange, Pumpkin, Antique Pink, Duck Egg, Cool Aqua & Tea Green
• Prismacolor pencils

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Crafting By Designs - Holiday Anything Goes
2. Crafting With An Attitude - #46 Anything Goes
3. Crafty Catz - #440 Anything Goes
4. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - December ATG
5. Simon Says Monday - 'B' is For?
6. Classic Design Team - #12 Anything Goes

Black Swan at Ching-Chou Kuik

So already it is the final week of inspiration at the challenge blog and getting to the end of November.  Are you getting up at stupid-o-clock to shop the Black Friday sales tomorrow? 

This week the team were challenged by Vanessa to be 'Inspired by Music'.  I've had the image 'Flame In Black' for a little while but not used it, so I thought this was the perfect opportunity. 

My musical inspiration is 'Swan Lake' as seen in the movie 'Black Swan'.  I'm not really a ballet person, but I love this film.

Products used:

• Card blank
• Recollections designer paper
• Distress Ink - Walnut Stain
• Distress Oxide - Fired Brick
• Spellbinders die - Big Scalloped Oval
• Music notes Happy Birthday die
• Feather dies
• Papermania gems
• ProMarkers - Burnt Sienna, Caramel, Dusky Pink, Satin, Henna, Cocoa, Umber, Cinnamon, Canary, Black, Cool Grey 4 & 5
• Prismacolor pencils

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Passion For ProMarkers - WK471 Use 3 of Something
2. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Nov ATG
3. I ♥ ProMarkers - #372 ATG/3 Layers
4. Crafty Creations - #378 ATG
5. Crafts Galore Encore - #57 Nov ATG

Purple Night at Ching-Chou Kuik

Hello all, are you getting back to normality after the summer break?  We're into the second week of our COLOURS OF FALL challenge at Ching-Chou Kuik and I hope you've enjoyed the inspiration so far.  Please enter here and be sure to also share your work in our Facebook group.

This week the team were given the theme PURPLICIOUS, which is great as it's my favourite colour.  I don't think the 'spooky' images should be reserved only for Halloween projects, so I've used 'Dark Moon' for a twisted easel friendship card.

Products used:

• Card blank
• Black cardstock
• Spellbinders Fleur De Lis Rectangles and Pendants dies
• Sizzix Tim Holtz script word dies
• Papermania gems
• ProMarkers - Lavender, Cool Grey 1, Slate, Pale Pink, Caramel, Dusky Pink, Satin, Black, Cool Grey 5, Putty, Lime Green, Aubergine, Plum, Purple, Violet, Lilac, Lavender, Moss, Burnt Sienna, Cinnamon & Raw Sienna
• Prismacolor pencils
• Silver Sakura Gelly Roll
• Clear Wink of Stella

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #1836 ATG
2. Brown Sugar - #282 All creatures great and small
3. CCC Digi Creations - #96 Use Pearls/Gems
4. Crafting With An Attitude - #43 ATG
5. Crafty Gals Corner - #174 3+ Layers

Unicorns & Rainbows at Faery Ink

Today I am showcasing one of the images that I coloured during the Unicorn Masquerade party.  You can find all the information and relevant links on my post at the Faery Ink Blog.  

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Crafty Gals Corner - #173 ATG
2. Cute Card Thursday - #456 ATG
3. Let's Craft & Create - #141 ATG
4. If You Give A Crafter A Cookie - #102 ATG
5. Morgan's Artworld - #9 ATG
6. World Wide Open - #8 ATG

Hello Steampunk Friend at Ching-Chou Kuik

I'm back again with some more inspiration for the Ching-Chou Kuik Challenge Blog.  Have you joined in with our Thank You/Sympathy challenge yet?  If not, you can enter here.

This week the team were challenged to use some flowers. I always use paper or die-cut flowers, so this time I wanted to be different and use metal flowers... and with metal comes a Steampunk theme! 

I have used 'Steampunk Dragonfly' for a square layered card.  I don't like a lot of froufrou or excessive embellishments on a card, but using the layering method you can add a lot of elements without going over the top!

Products used:

• Papermania card
• Papermania 'Chronology' papers
• Gear dies
• Hill & cloud dies
• Sizzix Tim Holtz Friend Script word dies
• Tim Holtz Idea-ology Foliage
• Cosmic Shimmer extra thick embossing crystals
• Distress Inks - Walnut Stain, Stormy Sky & Forest Moss
• ProMarkers - Burnt Sienna, Caramel, Dusky Pink, Satin, Henna, Cocoa, Cinnamon, Walnut, Tan, Raw Sienna, Gold, Sunflower, Umber & Powder Blue

I used the extra thick embossing crystals to give these gears a plastic shine

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Card Mania - #106 AG
2. Classic Design Team - #27 AG
3. Crafting With An Attitude - #41 AG
4. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - July AG
5. Passion For ProMarkers - WK452 Hip To Be Square
6. Allsorts - WK475 In My Garden

A Batty Hero Birthday

My friend's son turned 6 a little while ago but you know how it is with blogging cards though, more important ones have to be done first!! 

His favourite colour is yellow, so I knew 'My Batty Hero' from Tiddly Inks would be perfect.  What kid doesn't love a superhero, right?!

I kept my card simple but striking, with some big yellow circles to represent spotlights in a dark sky.

Products used:

• Card blank
• Cardstock
• Papermania Capsule Collection 'Spots & Stripes Brights' paper
• Banner die
• X-Cut nesting circle dies
• Sequins
• ProMarkers - Cinnamon, Tan, Sunkissed Pink, Putty, Walnut, Cocoa, Caramel, Black, Cool Grey 4 & 5, Cool Aqua, Sunflower & Tulip

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Tiddly Inks - #215 Anything Tiddly Inks Goes!
2. Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #1826 AG
3. Crafts Galore Encore - July AG
4. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - July AG
5. Colour Crazy - WK26 AG

Mermaid Dreams

When I was little I loved the story books with the cassette tapes that would 'ping' when you needed to turn the page.  My favourite one was 'The Little Mermaid', the proper story where she dies at the end, not the fluffy Disney version! I don't have it any more unfortunately, but I found a picture of the exact one on Google and someone has even put the recording on YouTube.  That really brought back memories. I love the music they use. 

I love making different things and lately have been making some bookmarks.  So with my love of this story and Aurora Wings' gorgeous image 'Happy Little Mermaid' I thought I would make a mermaid bookmark.   I have used an Ariel quote, as I think it really suits a bookmark.  I'm definitely a dreamer!!  

It's not so easy to see in the photos, but I coloured a bubble background all over. 

Products used:

• Papermania card
• Eyelet
• Twine
• Shell charm
• ProMarkers - Cinnamon, Tan, Putty, Almond, Holly, Marine, Mint Green, Bright Orange, Pumpkin, Gold, Burnt Orange, Blue Pearl & Powder Blue
• Wink of Stella - Clear

I am entering my bookmark into the following challenges:

1. Aurora Wings - #68 Once Upon A Time
2. Crafts Galore Encore - June AG
3. Creative Fingers - #148 AG
4. Simon Says Wednesday - Bright & Cheerful
5. Crafty Catz - #421 AG
6. Card Mania - #105 Nautical/Marine

Blue Christmas

Do you all remember Shakin' Stevens? He kinda popped into my head when I was thinking of a title for this blog post.  His was one of the first albums I ever had and I loved the song 'Blue Christmas'.
I generally leave it until November before I start making Christmas cards, but I have the cute 'Winter Sprite' from Aurora Wings so decided to do at least one now!

Products used:

• Card blank
• DoCrafts patterned paper
• Coloured cardstock
• Assorted snowflake dies
• Papermania shimmer dots
• Snowflake ribbon
• Crafter's Companion sentiment stamp
• Memento Dew Drop 'Tuxedo Black'
• ProMarkers - Tan, Sunkissed Pink, Putty, Almond, Denim, Blue Pearl, Powder Blue, Midnight Blue, China Blue, Cobalt & Indigo

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Aurora Wings - #67 Joyous Occasions
2. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - May Anything Goes
3. Simon Says Monday - Inspired By A Song
4. Crafty Catz - #418 Anything Goes/Christmas
5. Crafty Gals Corner - #166 Anything Goes
6. Crafting By Designs - Get Ready For Christmas
7. Colour Crazy - WK21 Anything Goes
8. Christmas Crafts All Year Round - May Anything Goes

Birthday Dreams at Ching-Chou Kuik

It's our second week of inspiration at Ching-Chou Kuik.  Don't forget the theme this month is Gems and/or pearls and you can enter the challenge here.

This week the team were challenged to use buttons, so I have incorporated these with some gems to make a birthday card.  I have used 'Dream of Dahlia' as I thought she worked really well with this theme. 
Products used:

• Cream card blank
• Coloured cardstock
• Tonic Tim Holtz paper distresser
• Papermania gems
• Buttons
• Papermania glitter outline stickers
• ProMarkers - Umber, Burnt Sienna, Cinnamon, Tan, Henna, Cocoa, Holly, Lush Green, Burnt Orange, Bright Orange & Mango

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Double D - Bling It Up
2. Let's Craft and Create - #137 Anything Goes
3. World Wide Open - #5 Anything Goes
4. Classic Design Team - #24 Anything Goes
5. Crafty Creations - #366 Anything Goes

Monochrome Thank You at Ching-Chou Kuik

It's week two of our challenge and inspiration posts at Ching-Chou Kuik's blog. The current theme is USE YOUR FAVOURITE COLOUR and you can enter here.

This week the team were challenged to go Monochrome. I chose to use black and white as I did a coloured monochrome recently.
I used one of the newer grayscale images - 'The Fading Rose' - and added a bit more definition, as it printed pretty light.  
Products used:

• Card blank
• Embossalicious embossing folder
• Spellbinders nesting die 'Lattice Rectangle'
• Ribbon
• Sizzix Tim Holtz Celebration Script word dies
• Papermania gems
• ProMarkers - Black, Cool Grey 1-5

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Colour Crazy - WK14 Anything Goes
2. Crafts Galore Encore - #50 Anything Goes
3. I ♥ ProMarkers - #356 Monochrome
4. Simon Says Wednesday - Add Some Texture
5. A Perfect Time To Craft - #4 Anything Goes
6. Allsorts - WK462 Be There or Be Square

Favourite Colour at Ching-Chou Kuik

It's finally starting to look like spring around here, although there has been some little bits of snow again today.  The weather has been so crazy around the world though, so much snow back home in England last month and loads for my American friends too. 

But, back to why we're here - all things crafty right?!

This month at Ching-Chou Kuik's challenge blog we are asking you to use your FAVOURITE COLOUR - click here to join in.  If you don't have a favourite colour, use them all!!

My favourite colour is purple and I fell in love with the Monarch Butterfly image as soon as I saw it, so I had to make something for myself.  I have a gallery wall in my bedroom and decided to make a little banner for that.  

Products used:

• Papermania cardstock
• Nesting stitched banner dies
• Papermania eyelets
• Recollections twine
• Petal Lu flowers
• ProMarkers - Slate, Aubergine, Plum, Purple, Amethyst, Walnut, Cocoa, Raw Sienna, Orchid, Blossom, Lush Green, Leaf Green, Blue Pearl, Powder Blue & Burnt Sienna
• Sakura Gelly Rolls - White & Sky Star

I am entering my banner into the following challenges:

1. Cute Card Thursday - #524 Anything Goes
2. Double D - Twine
3. Card Mania - #103 Spring
4. Classic Design Team Open - #24 Anything Goes
5. Butterfly Challenge - #98 Letter T (Twine, two items identical - eyelets, Triangles - formed at the top between the twine and the banner, Thistle - this colour looks like the Blossom ProMarker I used on the flowers, plus my little paper flower)