Happy New Year at Faery Ink

This week at Faery Ink I am showcasing one of the fabulous Patreon goodies.  Pop over to my main blog post here where I share all the details.

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge - #462 ATG
2. Crafts Galore Encore - #71 ATG
3. Simon Says Monday - Something New (new image)
4. Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #2001 ATG
5. CRAFT Challenge - #540 ATG

Celebrate The Twenties

Do you follow Tiddly Inks? Christy has recently closed the blog challenge and her website store and moved over to being solely on Etsy.  With this move came the downsizing of the design team, with a DT call in December.  I am so excited to announce that I was chosen as one of the few!

So for my first post of the year I have chosen the perfect image to bring us into the New Twenties! 'Shine Bright Flapper Couple' is now available in the Etsy store and is perfect for many occasions. 

I used a bright, fun colour scheme and some sparkles.  I was feeling champagne bubbles for the background.

I used a chipboard sentiment and some gems to finish off

Products used:

• Card blank
• Patterned paper
• Cardstock
• Gems
• Chipboard sentiment
• Spectrum Noir Sparkle - Spun Gold
• Wink of Stella - Clear
• Sakura Gelly Roll - White
• ProMarkers - Cinnamon, Tan, Dusky Pink, Almond, Black, Cool Grey 1, 2 & 5, Umber, Burnt Sienna, Caramel, Warm Grey 2-5, Bright Orange, Pumpkin, Gold, Mustard, Buttercup & Soft Lime
• Prismacolor Pencils - Dark Brown, 50% Warm Grey, Blush Pink & Peach

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. World Wide Open DT - #12 ATG
2. Classic Design Challenge - #1 ATG
3. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - January ATG
4. Cute Card Thursday - #615 ATG
5. Your Scrapbook Place - January ATG

A Very Fancy Christmas at Faery Ink

Today I am showcasing another of the Tomte Gnomes from the 'Spirit Of The Season' set at Faery Ink.  
You can find all the info and more photos on my blog post here. 

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Crafty Creations - #404 ATG
2. Your Scrapbook Place - December ATG
3. {PIN}spirational Challenge - #254 Snowfall
4. World Wide Open Design Team - #12 ATG

What's In Your Stocking? at Faery Ink

This week I am showcasing an entire bundle of cute Christmas images. Aren't these stockings adorable?  Find all the information and more photos over on my Faery Ink blog post. 

I am entering my cards into the following challenges:

1. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Nov ATG
2. Christmas Crafts All Year Round - Stockings or Other Winter Clothing
3. Simon Says Wednesday - ATG
4. CCC Digi Creations - #109 Christmas
5. Double D Challenges - What is YOUR Christmas Style? (Cute/Whimsical)

A Little Surprise

It's that time of year when I'm kicking my Christmas crafting up a notch.  I have managed to make a few cards over the months, but as usual I leave most of it until this month. 

I've made a ton of cards lately, having had a couple of orders for them, so I thought I'd change things up and make some tags.  I had fun doing something a little different from what I normally do and made two tags together....the back one hides a surprise!!  The front tag features 'Wryn's Baubles' from Tiddly Inks.

Products used:

• Kraft card
• Black card
• MME Sleigh Bells Ring designer paper
• Merry Christmas die
• Tag Die
• Eyelet
• Corner rounder punch
• Twine
• Liquid Pearls - Brass & White Opal
• Stickles -Red
• Sakura Gelly Roll - Gold & White
• ProMarkers - Cinnamon, Tan, Dusky Pink, Satin, Cocoa, Saddle Brown, Raw Sienna, Crimson, Poppy Red, Holly, Lush Green, Gold, Sunflower, Yellow, Black, Cool Grey 5, Burgundy, Cardinal, Ruby, Lemon, Soft Lime, Apple, Meadow Green & Warm Grey 1-4
• Prismacolor - Dark Green, Dark Brown, Blush Pink & Crimson Red 

I added a bit of fun to the image with some polka dots

I continued the polka dot theme on the second tag

The second tag has a pocket for a gift card

I am entering my tags into the following challenges:

1. Tiddly Inks - #231 Gift Tag Goodness
2. The Corrosive Challenge - #11 ATG
3. CRAFT Challenge - #535 Christmas
4. Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #1946 ATG
5. Your Scrapbook Place - November ATG
6. Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge - #456 ATG

Ribbons Galore at Ching-Chou Kuik

It's another week and another inspiration project for Ching-Chou Kuik.   Our theme this month is Butterflies/Insects and you can enter here.

This week the team were challenged to use ribbons on our projects and I have used 'Jewelry Keeper' from the 'Beautiful Tails Mermaid Set' to create a Z-Fold card.

Products used:

• Card blank
• Coloured cardstock
• Fancy oval die
• Assorted ribbons
• Sequins
• Recollections Pearl embossing powder - Sapphire
• Crafter's Companion clear stamp sentiment
• ProMarkers - Coral, Dusky Pink, Putty, Satin, Violet, Lilac, Lavender, Burgundy, Cardinal, Red, Ruby, Indigo, French Navy, Duck Egg, Raw Sienna, Gold, Sunflower, Marine, Turquoise & Mint Green
• Prismacolor Pencils
• Sakura Gelly Roll - White

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Classic Design Team - #12 ATG
2. Crafting With An Attitude - #46 ATG
3. Crafty Creations - #380 ATG
4. I ♥ ProMarkers - #374 ATG/Ribbon or Bow
5. A Perfect Time to Craft - #12 ATG

Christmas at Ching-Chou Kuik

Are you getting a head start on your Christmas cards?  If not, hopefully this month's challenge at Ching-Chou Kuik will help you.  Our theme is 'Christmas/Fireworks' and you can enter here.

I have created a Christmas card using 'Christmas Elf'.  This image isn't often used, but I like to find those images as the older ones can get forgotten. 

Products used:

• Kraft card blank
• DoCrafts designer paper
• Merry Christmas sentiment die
• Fancy Oval die
• DoCrafts glitter card
• ProMarkers -Spice, Coral, Soft Peach, Blush, Warm Grey 1-3, Berry, Red, Lipstick, Black, Cool Grey 5, Cocoa, Caramel, Yellow, Holly, Pine, Forest, Walnut, Arctic Blue & Midnight Blue
• Sakura Gelly Roll- White

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. World Wide Open Design Team - #10 ATG
2. Allsorts - WK492 Pretty Papers
3. Creative Fingers - #154 ATG
4. The 12 Months of Christmas - #47 ATG
5. Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - November ATG
6. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - November ATG

Día de Los Muertos

I couldn't resist this too cute freebie from Stamps by Aurora Wings.  I love Halloween and I love making wedding cards, so Day of The Dead style sprites are just perfect for me.  I used to dream about having the full-on white wedding, but as I got older I changed my mind to a themed wedding. I actually had a Chinese-inspired theme, but I think a Day of The Dead theme would be amazing. 
The Facebook group has a colouring challenge for this image, but I couldn't stop there... I had to make a card too!
This is my very first bridge card.  I don't know why I haven't made one before as they're so easy.

Products used:

• Cardstock
• Tulle
• Core'dinations Glittersilk card
• Outline stickers
• X-Cut Scalloped Heart die
• Tim Holtz Doily stencil
• Distress Inks - Stormy Sky & Dusty Concord
• Distress Oxides - Wilted Violet & Fired Brick
• Recollections glitter skull sticker
• Petal Lu flowers
• ProMarkers - Black, Cool Grey 5, Burgundy, Cardinal, Red, Holly, Forest, Moss, Cinnamon, Tan, Dusky Pink, Cool Grey 1 & 2, Champagne, China Blue, Prussian & Violet
• Sakura Gelly Roll - White
• Wink of Stella - Clear

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Simon Says Wednesday - Halloween/Spooky
2. Simon Says Monday - Halloween/Spooky
3. Passion For ProMarkers - WK467 Halloween Colours
4. Morgan's ArtWorld - #10 ATG
5. If You Give A Crafter A Cookie - #105 Spooky
6. Aurora Wings - #72 Once Upon a Dream...or a Nightmare
7. Crafty Gals Corner - #177 Halloween Colours
8. {PIN}spirational Challenges - #227 Haunting Time of Year

Think Pink at Ching-Chou Kuik

It's the second week of inspiration posts over at Ching-Chou Kuik's challenge blog.  Don't forget it's our 4th anniversary so there will be extra prizes up for grabs.  You can enter the blog challenge here using the theme Halloween.

As October is breast cancer awareness month, the team were challenged to use pink on our inspiration this week.  I have gone monochrome with a tall card using the image 'Bunch of Love'. 

Products used:

• Cardstock
• Papermania 'Red Hot' collection paper
• Recollections stencil
• Little Darlings sentiment stamp
• Distress Ink 'Picked Raspberry'
• Distress Oxide 'Worn Lipstick'
• ProMarkers - Magenta, Carmine, Baby Pink, Coral, Sunkissed Pink, Putty, Satin, Hot Pink, Pastel Pink, Meadow Green, Fuchsia, Pink Carnation & Blossom
• Prismacolor pencils
• Silver Sakura Gelly Roll

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Crafty Creations - #376 ATG
2. Creative Craft Cottage - #112 Pretty Pinks or Halloween
3. Morgan's ArtWorld -#10 ATG
4. Power Poppy - You say it's your birthday! (October 21)
5. CCC Digi Creations - #97 Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

Halloween at Ching-Chou Kuik

Waaa how is it October already?  This year is just flying by!  October marks a special time though - My birthday, Halloween and the Ching-Chou Kuik Challenges 4th Anniversary celebrations all happening this month.

There will be extra prizes on offer, so make sure to enter both challenges for maximum chances to win (Facebook here & Blog challenge here)

I have gone for a CAS card for this theme as I've used 'Wicked Musing' which is a full scene.  I don't like to over-fussy these kind of images with lots of embellishments.  A sentiment is just perfect here. 

Products used:

• Kraft card blank
• Black & white cardstock
• Brads
• Spellbinders Grommet tag die
• ProMarkers/Brushmarkers - Cool Grey 3-5, Walnut, Saddle Brown, Raw Sienna, Blush, Aubergine, Slate, Violet, Black, Sandstone, Champagne, Satin, Holly, Lush Green, Forest, Leaf Green, Henna & Burnt Sienna
• Prismacolor pencils
• Gold metallic Gelly Roll

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Classic Design Team - #10 ATG
2. Crafting By Designs - ATG 3-25 Oct
3. Crafting With An Attitude - #44 ATG
4. Cute Card Thursday - #550 ATG
5. Cupcake Inspirations - #455 Bump In The Night
6. A Gem of A Challenge - #228 Halloween

Guest Designer at C.R.A.F.T. Challenge

I was thrilled to be chosen as a winner and guest designer over at C.R.A.F.T Challenge last month, so I am here today showing off my creation for challenge #484.  The theme for this challenge is AUTUMN/WEATHER and the sponsor is Eureka Stamps.

We have a rather short autumn here in Saskatchewan and then the snow comes, so I have used weather as my theme.  I've made some Christmas gift tags using 'Winter Set of 4' and added snow to the three squares that don't have any.

Products used:

• Kraft card
• Coloured cardstock
• Twine
• Eyelets
• Spellbinders 'Fleur de Lis Pendants' die
• ProMarkers - Berry, Red, Holly, Pine, Lush Green, Henna, Burgundy, Burnt Orange, Forest Green, Blue Pearl, Cardinal, Ruby, Leaf Green, Meadow Green & Warm Grey 4
• Sakura Gelly Roll - White, Silver & Sky Star
• Spectrum Noir Sparkle - Onyx Black & Spun Gold

I am entering my tags into the following challenges:

1. Christmas Crafts All Year Round - Anything But A Card
2. Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - #404 ATG
3. A Bit More Time To Craft - #76 ATG
4. Crafting By Designs - Get Ready For Christmas Sept edt.
5. Crafty Creations - #375 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

Snowflake Christmas at Ching-Chou Kuik

Another week and some more inspiration for the Ching-Chou Kuik Blog.  Don't forget the theme this month is Under The Sea and you can enter here.

This week the team were challenged to use die cuts so I have made a Christmas card with 'Northern Blessing'.

Products used:

• Card blank
• Mulberry paper
• Outline sticker
• Spellbinders Snowflake Frame die
• ProMarkers - Tan, Dusky Pink, Putty, Almond, Midnight Blue, Denim Blue, Powder Blue, Baby Pink, Cardinal, Hot Pink, Lipstick, Shale, Satin & Black
• Sakura Gelly Rolls - White, Blue Star, Sky Star & Metallic Silver

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Morgan's Artworld - #8 AG
2. CRAFT - #479 Christmas
3. Crafts Galore Encore - #54 AG
4. Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - #398 AG
5. Creative Craft Cottage - #110 No patterned paper

Under The Sea at Ching-Chou Kuik

Halfway through summer and we have a wonderful new challenge for you this month.  This one is perfect for all you mermaid-lovers.... UNDER THE SEA is our theme, so we'd like to see all your beautiful makes featuring everything oceanic.  You can enter the challenge here.

Don't forget we also have monthly challenges running in our Facebook Group.

I have made my very first bendy card using 'Floating Pearls', as I thought the shape would work perfectly with the theme. 

Products used:

• Cardstock
• Bubble die
• Shell border die
• Sizzix Tim Holtz Festive Greenery die
• ProMarkers - True Blue, Sky Blue, Arctic Blue, Powder Blue, Prussian, Violet, China Blue, Mulberry, Fuchsia, Black, Marine, Turquoise, Duck Egg & Cool Aqua
• White Sakura Gelly Roll

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. A Perfect Time To Craft - #8 AG
2. Classic Design Team Open - #8 AG
3. Colour Crazy - WK31 AG
4. Crafting With An Attitude - #42 AG
5. Creative Craft Cottage - #110 No patterned paper
6. If You Give a Crafter a Cookie - #100 Sealife
7. Passion For ProMarkers - WK456 Make it Feminine

Festive Bow

I like to mooch for inspiration on Pinterest and kept seeing these fantastic bow cards, so I had to try one for myself.   I actually made the bow a little while ago, but it got put aside for other things as I didn't really know what I wanted to do with it.
Being a fairly small space on the front, I figured a sprite would be the perfect image to use.  So finally I have finished it using 'Holiday Wreath Sprite' from Aurora Wings.

Products used:

• Recollections cardstock
• DoCrafts glitter card
• Sizzix Tim Holtz Festive Greenery dies
• Spellbinders Big Scalloped Oval die
• Distress Ink - Stormy Sky
• ProMarkers - Warm Grey 1&2, Cinnamon, Tan, Dusky Pink, Almond, Indigo, True Blue, Cobalt, Arctic Blue, Berry Red, Holly, Lush Green, Pine, Forest, Burgundy, Cardinal, Gold, Canary, Cool Grey 1, 2&4, Moss & Bright Green
• Sakura Gelly Roll - White
• Prismacolor pencils

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Aurora Wings - Anything Goes
2. Get Creative - #71 Shaped Card
3. Simon Says Wednesday - AG
4. Passion For ProMarkers - WK454 Dies/Punches
5. Cut It Up - #153 Christmas In July
6. Crafty Gals Corner - #170 Christmas In July
7. Crafty Creations - #371 AG
8. Card Mania - #106 AG
9. Crafting By Designs - AG
10. C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - #477 Christmas

Merry Berries

I don't usually make Christmas cards until November but then I'm in a crazy rush, so this year I'm trying to get at least a few made early. 

I couldn't resist having a little play for Power Poppy's latest challenge and I have taken inspiration from Julie Koerber's Word Play post. I'm so used to just printing off images that I don't think about playing around with them too much.

I have taken two images 'Merriest Berries' and 'Candy Cane' and merged them behind the word Merry.  It took a little fiddling around to get them looking how I wanted and it took referring back to the full images to work out what was what when colouring!

Products used:

• Kraft card blank
• Black cardstock
• My Mind's Eye 'Sleigh Bells Ring' designer paper
• Recollections ribbon
• ProMarkers - Berry, Red, Lipstick, Crimson, Ruby, Cool Grey 1 & 2, Holly, Lush Green, Forest Green, Cardinal, Olive, Moss, Pear Green, Aegean, Sky Blue & Black
• White Sakura Gelly Roll

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Power Poppy - Go Ahead.... Inspire Me!
2. Crafts Galore Encore - July AG
3. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - July AG
4. Colour Crazy - WK28 AG
5. I♥Promarkers - #363 AG/Christmas in July

The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo

There's an Aurora Wings image I've had for a while but kept putting off colouring; 'Dragon Lore' has such a lot of details, it's quite daunting to look at!!
However, I really love dragons and with the latest challenge being Once Upon A Time I had to go for it.   
I haven't based this one on any particular fairytale, rather the many Chinese tales based around dragons.  Although, I do love 'The Dragon & The Phoenix'.  I had a Chinese-themed wedding and this was the name I chose for my top table because of the symbolism - "Dragon is "yang" while Phoenix is "yin", and they complement each other in creating yin-yang balance to harvest successful matrimonial bliss. This celestial couple is the symbol of everlasting love and they being together is the ultimate symbol of marital happiness".  

I coloured the image with ProMarkers - Tan, Dusky Pink, Putty, Almond, Black, Cool Grey 5, Cardinal, Berry, Red, Lipstick, Shale, Holly, Pine, Forest, Apple, Pumpkin, Amber, Sunflower, Tulip, Warm Grey 1-3, Blue Pearl & Powder Blue.
Some added details with white Sakura Gelly Roll.  
Background using Distress Ink 'Stormy Sky' & Distress Oxide 'Worn Lipstick', with chunky gold embossing powder sprinkled over.
I framed the image and added a couple of 3D dragon stickers that I've had forever and can't remember where I bought them!!

I had to take the photo on an angle so to avoid reflections!

I am entering my picture into the following challenges:

1. Aurora Wings - #68 Once Upon A Time
2. Crafts Galore Encore - July Anything Goes
3. TTCRD - WK 3 July Anything Goes
4. Classic Design Team - #27 Anything Goes
5. Crafting By Designs - July Anything Goes