Deck The Halls at Faery Ink

It's my last post of the year over at the Faery Ink blog.  I'm showcasing an older image this time with another fun fancy fold.  Click here for more details and photos.

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Colour Crazy - WK50 ATG
2. Classic Design Team Open - #12 ATG
3. Your Scrapbook Place - December ATG
4. {Cupcake Inspirations} - #485 Holidays
5. Allsorts - WK551/552 ATG

Colourful Thanks

It's Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada, so I thought I'd make thank you card.  I've used the cute 'Passion Flower Sprite' from Aurora Wings (if you didn't know, this sprite was drawn in remembrance of Aletha, who was on the Aurora Wings DT until her passing).
I wanted to keep it bright and cheerful as a celebration of art and life, so I used a rainbow as my theme. 

Products used:

• Card blank
• Recollections Rainbow Chevron paper
• Coloured cardstock
• Thanks die
• Ribbon
• Spellbinders Decorative Labels 1 die
• Distress Oxide - Wilted Violet
• ProMarkers - Cinnamon, Tan, Sunkissed Pink, Putty, Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna, Ginger, Bright Green, Lime Green, Purple, Amethyst, Aubergine, Leaf Green, Saddle Brown, Pine, Forest Green, Apple, Cocoa, Pumpkin, Yellow, Cobalt Blue, Poppy, Prussian, Amber, Gold, Apricot, Yellow & Lemon
• Prismacolor Pencils - Pink, Apple Green, White, Dark Green, Orange & Violet

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - #115 ATG
2. Let's Craft & Create - #152 ATG
3. I ♥ ProMarkers - #394 ATG
4. Creative Fingers - #172 ATG
5. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - October ATG
6. Crafts Galore Encore - #68 ATG
7. {Pin}spirational Challenge - #249 Thanksgiving

Merry & Bright

I don't usually get Christmas cards started until November - I'm a terrible crafter, LOL. Summer holidays with the kids and all the birthdays I have to make for tend to take precedent there, so this year I am trying to get a few done at least. 

I am also trying to use images that I've had for a while and not used before, so for this card I have used 'Rooftop Party' from The Paper Shelter.  I think it was a freebie at the time I got it, but it's still available in the store.

I created a fun background of bright lights to go with the theme of the image and surrounded it with foliage for a sort of wreath. 

Products used:

• Card blank
• Plain & shiny cardstock
• Spellbinders Heirloom Ornament sentiment stamp
• Sizzix Tim Holtz Festive Greenery dies
• Stampendous Red Dragon embossing powder
• ProMarkers - Crimson, Poppy, Red, Burnt Sienna, Caramel, Coral, Sunkissed Pink, Black, Sandstone, Holly, Lush Green, Henna, Powder Blue, Walnut, Cocoa, Raw Sienna, Cinnamon, Gold, Sunflower, Cool Grey 1-5, Marine, Turquoise, Mint Green, Primrose, Soft Lime & Lemon
• Blue glitter gel pen

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. The Paper Shelter - #391 Holiday Time
2. TTCRD - WK9 July ATG
3. CCC Digi Creations - #105 Christmas In July
4. Creative Fingers - #168 ATG
5. Power Poppy - Do you need a little Christmas?

A Floral Spring Breeze at Faery Ink

It's the end of March already and finally spring is coming.  Today I am showcasing an older image, 'Demera Spring Breeze'.  You can find all info and links over on the Faery Ink blog.

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Simon Says Wednesday - ATG
2. Crafty Gals Corner - #188 Spring Is Here!
3. Creative Fingers - #160 ATG
4. CCC Digi Creations - #101 For The Girls
5. Crafting With An Attitude - #49 ATG
6. Crafty Creations - #387 ATG

Cupid in Pink at Faery Ink

Today I am showcasing a slightly older image, as I feel sometimes these get lost among the new ones.   It's the month of love, so I have made a very romantic pink card using 'Autumn Rose - Cupid'.  For all the information and links please check out my Faery Ink Blog Post.

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - February ATG
2. Crafts Galore Encore - #60 ATG
3. Passion For ProMarkers - WK481 Colour It
4. Classic Design Team Open - #2 ATG
5. CCC Digi Creations - #100 Valentine's Day/Love
6. Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #1908 ATG
7. Brown Sugar - #287 Love and/or St. Valentine's Day

Mum's Chinese Lantern

It's almost Chinese New Year so I thought I would get on and colour up my 'Chrysanthemum Sprite' from Aurora Wings, as she fits this theme beautifully.    I wanted to make something totally different with her and it took me a while of thinking and mooching on Pinterest before I decided on a lantern shaped card.  
I had a themed wedding with Chinese lanterns as decorations, so it was definitely fun to make one out of card.  The stickers have been with me a long time... I bought them while on honeymoon in Malaysia and don't like to waste them!

Products used:

• Cardstock
• Spellbinders Big Scalloped Oval die
• Mind Wave stickers
• Distress Ink - Mustard Seed
• ProMarkers - Black, Cool Grey 5, Raw Sienna, Ginger, Saffron, Oatmeal, Olive Green, Forest Green, Pine, Sunflower, Yellow, Burgundy, Cardinal & Ruby

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Aurora Wings - #74 Anything Goes
2. Simon Says Wednesday - Anything Goes
3. Creative Fingers - #156 Anything Goes
4. TTCRD - WK Jan 29 ATG
5. The Paper Shelter - #368 Dies/Punches

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

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

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

Big Hair, Don't Care!

I love images with big, flowing hair... I just don't love colouring them! I think I just try too hard with hair and then hate it.  

Considering this, I grabbed one of Make It Crafty Zoe's e-books 'Colouring Long Hair in fine detail' as it comes with a gorgeous image 'Zoe' by Krista Smith.

I usually colour all of the hair with my darkest shade first, working down to the lightest.  I often lose any highlight areas this way though, as I'm not really thinking about it.  Zoe's technique is to think about the highlight area first, then start with medium colour and take a section at a time.  

I'm really pleased with how the image came out, so I decided to put her on a card.

Products used:

• Kraft card
• Green card
• Spellbinders dies
• Recollections ribbon
• Heart Tinklings and word chipboard from MIC
• Spectrum Noir Sparkle 'Onyx Black'
• ProMarkers - Cinnamon, Tan, Sunkissed Pink, Putty, Umber, Henna, Cocoa, Caramel, Warm Grey 3, Hot Pink, Lipstick, Olive, Pear, Cardinal, Ruby, Holly, Lush Green, Mint Green, Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna & Ginger

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Make It Crafty - Anything Goes
2. Pammies Inky Pinkies - #1828 AG
3. TTCRD - 17-24 July AG
4. Crafty Creations - #370 AG

Gnome Sweet Gnome at Faery Ink

I coloured the Faery Ink's 'Birds & Bees Tomte Gnome' live on my Facebook profile a few weeks ago but got sidetracked by life and other crafting, so only just got him onto a card. 
You can check out the video here and feel free to follow me, as I will be doing more live videos. 

I decided to put him on a beehive shaped card as it's been a while since I did a shaped card. I found a shape on Google and inserted twice in Publisher, then flipped one to create my card template. 

Products used:

• Kraft card
• Coloured card
• Spellbinders Blossom die
• Cuttlebug Leaf die
• Honeycomb die
• Petal Lu Daisies
• ProMarkers - Carmine, Pastel Pink, Baby Pink, Warm Grey 1-5, Powder Blue, China Blue, Cobalt, Berry, Red, Lipstick, Cocoa, Raw Sienna, Gold, Forest Green, Lush Green, Bright Orange, Pumpkin, Burnt Orange, Sunflower, Mustard & Caramel

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. TTCRD - AG 12th June
2. Creative Fingers - #147 AG
3. The Corrosive Challenge - #6 AG
4. Power Poppy - Let's Go Round & Round

Cats or Dogs at Ching-Chou Kuik

Hello my crafty friends, 
It's another month and another challenge over at the Ching-Chou Kuik blog. Our theme this month is CATS OR DOGS so we'd like to see those four-legged friends on your creations.

For my easel card I have used 'Poppy Night Adventure' - a sweet fairy holding a cute kitty fairy.  Aren't those flowers gorgeous? 

Products used:

• White card blank
• Cardstock
• Spellbinders Lattice Rectangle die
• Pearls
• Make It Crafty chipboard words
• Wink of Stella - clear
• Sakura Gelly Rolls - Sky Star & Blue Star
• ProMarkers - Burnt Sienna, Cinnamon, Tan, Sunkissed Pink, Putty, Cocoa, Caramel, Sandstone, Forest, Bright Green, Leaf Green, Warm Grey 1 & 3-5, Black, Duck Egg, Slate, Violet, China Blue, Tulip, Apricot, Plum, Aubergine, Lavender, Amethyst, Purple, Indigo, Prussian, Walnut, Orchid, Holly, Lush Green, Meadow Green, Lavender, Cool Grey 1, Midnight & Cobalt

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Simon Says Monday - All Thing Bright and Beautiful
2. Make It Crafty - Animals
3. A Perfect Time To Craft - #6 Anything Goes
4. Crafting By Designs - Anything Goes
5. Crafting With An Attitude - #40 Anything Goes
6. Creative Fingers - #147 Anything Goes
7. Cute Card Thursday - #533 Anything Goes

Get Better Greyscale

I love colouring in greyscale, especially adding just a hint of colour, so Power Poppy's latest challenge is perfect for me.  Usually I colour right from black to white but I've gone quite pale and subtle with this one, using the 'Orchid Cascade' digi for a get well card.   
Twisted easels are one of my favourite card folds and I've kept this one pretty clean and simple.  I always decorate the bottom portion when I make these, but this time I've left it blank with just a few gems to hold the top part up.

Products used:

• White card blank
• Black cardstock
• Ribbon
• Spellbinders Lattice Rectangle die
• Square gems
• ProMarkers - Warm Grey 1-5, Amethyst, Sunflower, Tulip & Buttercup

I am entering my card into Power Poppy - Black and White with a Pop of Color

A Charming Birthday at Ching-Chou Kuik

It's our third and last week of inspiration posts at Ching-Chou Kuik's blog, but don't worry - you still have plenty of time to enter the challenge here. 

This week I challenged the team to use a charm on their projects.  I bought some charms a while ago and hadn't used some yet, so needed an excuse!!
I have used the image 'Happy Birthday' to create an easel card. 

Products used:

• Card blank
• Blue shimmer card
• Recollections patterned paper
• Twine
• Cupcake charm
• Pearls
• Spellbinders nesting die 'Lattice Rectangle'
• Ranger Stickles 'Platinum'
• Ranger Liquid Pearls 'White Opal'
• Sizzix Tim Holtz Celebration Script word dies
• ProMarkers - Cinnamon, Tan, Dusky Pink, Henna, Cocoa, Caramel, Burnt Sienna, Pastel Pink, Almond, Prussian, Violet, China Blue, Cobalt, Midnight, Burnt Orange, Bright Orange, Holly, Warm Grey 1 & 2, Amber, Soft Lime, Denim & Blue Pearl

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Creative Fingers - #144 Anything Goes
2. Crafting With An Attitude - #38 Anything Goes
3. Crafty Creations - #364 Anything Goes
4. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - April Anything Goes
5. Let's Craft & Create - #136 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

A Krafty Little Tag

I've made a ton of Christmas cards now and I still need to make a few more.  It's never-ending at this time of year! I needed a break from cards and had this gorgeous 'Reindeer Sprite' from Aurora Wings all coloured up, so thought I'd make a tag. 
Usually I would use my tag dies or circular dies for this, but I've got a gorgeous set of fancy dies from Spellbinders and thought they'd make a beautiful tag shape. I've gone pretty simple here to show off the cute image.

Products used:

• Kraft card
• Dovecraft 'A Krafty Christmas' designer paper
• Spellbinders Nestabilites Decorative Labels One
• Sequins
• Eyelet
• Ribbon
• ProMarkers - Oops, I seem to have forgotten to write these down!

I am entering my tag into the following challenges:

1. Stamps by Aurora Wings - #62 Anything But A Card
2. Power Poppy - Twelve Days of Christmas
3. Christmas Cards All Year Round - December Anything Goes
4. Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - #362 Anything Goes
5. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - December Anything Goes
6. Passion For ProMarkers - WK424 Mega Christmas Challenge
7. Simon Says Wednesday - Gift It

April Challenge at Crafting With An Attitude

It's time for a new challenge over at Crafting With An Attitude. Our sponsor this month is A Day For Daises and I'm sad to say that after this they will no longer be sponsoring any blog challenges. The winner will receive a $12 voucher to spend on anything in the store. 

I had a birthday coming up for my friend's little girl back home, and I chose the perfect image for her. (I've been told that she thinks it's her in the picture, so a definite win!). 'Holding Fireflies with Wings' is actually a freebie in the shop that I downloaded a while ago and hadn't actually used yet. It's such a sweet image for a little girl. I dressed it up with a simple background of grass and sky. 

Products I have used to create my card:

• Michael's Kraft card blank
• Embossing folder (free from a magazine)
• Spellbinders frame die
• DoCrafts sticky ribbon
• Yellow Ranger Stickles
• ProMarkers - Apricot, Saffron, Blush, Satin, Raw Sienna, Mustard, Tulip, Buttercup, Antique Pink, Pastel Pink, Pale Pink, Black, Aegean, Cyan, Duck Egg, Cool Aqua, Pumpkin, Amber, Cool Grey 1 & 3, Powder Blue, Pine, Forest, Apple, Cobalt, Sky Blue & Canary

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Simon Says Wednesday - Happy Birthday
2. TTCRD - AG April 4-10
3. 613 Avenue Create - #196 AG/twist Spring
4. Crafting By Designs - AG April
5. I♥Promarkers - #332 Embossing