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

Back To Reality!

Well the kids are back to school today and the sun is shining. It's so quiet here now, but it's nice to have some time to myself!
Do you ever save photos of a card meaning to blog them, but then other projects need to be done first and they kind of get left to the wayside?  That's today's card for me.  It's a bright anniversary card that I made for my parents a while ago using Power Poppy's 'Chinese Lanterns'.  I love this image, it's so fun to colour and is great for many occasions. 

I created a bright background using distress inks and finished off with some sequins

Products used:

• Kraft card blank
• Kraft & coloured cardstock
• Corner die
• Sequins
• Tim Holtz Script Words sentiment die
• Distress Inks - Mustard Seed & Spiced Marmalade
• ProMarkers - Walnut, Saddle Brown, Pine, Forest, Moss, Burnt Orange, Pumpkin & Gold

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Power Poppy - Free For All!
2. Colour Crazy - WK50 ATG
3. Cute Card Thursday - #615 ATG

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?

Mermaid Friends

I can never get enough mermaids, in all different styles, so I couldn't pass up a too cute freebie from Tiddly Inks for their latest challenge. 

Google is often my go-to for quotes and it rarely disappoints... what do you think? Perfect quote in my opinion.

Products used:

• Card blank
• Distress Ink - Peacock Feathers
• Distress Oxides - Cracked Pistachio & Broken China
• Brads
• Stampendous Fran·tage - Aged Ivory
• Wavy background die
• Small fish dies
• ProMarkers - Sunkissed Pink, Oatmeal, Blush, Ivory, Marine, Turquoise, Mint Green, Duck Egg, Cool Aqua, Raw Sienna, Gold, Sunflower, Saddle Brown, Pastel Pink & Putty
• Prismacolor pencil - Cloud Blue
• Posca paint pen - white

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Tiddly Inks - #224 Showcase
2. Creative Fingers - #162 ATG
3. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - #104 ATG
4. Cupcake Inspirations - #468 Inspirational Quotes

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

A Rainbow for My Girl

I loved the cute 'Valentine Sprite' freebie from Aurora Wings, but I didn't get to colour her up in time for Valentine's day.  My daughter saw the image and wanted me to do something for her though.  Her favourite colour is basically 'Rainbow' as it seems to change every day,,, LOL, but this suited the new challenge very well. 

Products used:

• Coloured pipe cleaners
• Distress Inks - Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Picked Raspberry & Peacock Feathers
• Ribbon
• ProMarkers - Sunkissed Pink, Blush, Coral, Cardinal, Hot Pink, Lipstick, French Navy, Aegean, Sky Blue, Sunflower, Yellow, Soft Lime, Violet, Aubergine, Slate, Prussian, Burnt Orange, Pumpkin, Amber, Indigo, True Blue & Cobalt

I am entering the following challenges:

1. CCC Digi Creations - #101 For The Girls
2. Crafts Galore Encore - #61 ATG
3. Incy Wincy Designs - #16 Let's use ribbon
4. Simon Says Wednesday - ATG
5. Aurora Wings - #75 Over The Rainbow

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

Bauble Fairy Christmas

I thought I'd get one last post in before the year ends!  Did you all have a wonderful Christmas?  I spent mine in the mountains, but unfortunately the horrible colds and coughing persisted for all of us.  It was lovely to get away and do something different though.

Today I am sharing a CAS Christmas card that I made following a wonderful tutorial from Zoe at Make It Crafty.  She has recently ventured into doing video tutorials and launched a new site The Coloring Lab.  If you haven't checked it out yet, there is a free course you can take. 
I bought this bauble fairy class a few months ago, but I was then so busy with other things I hadn't done it.  I was determined to get it done before Christmas though so I made time and did it over a couple of days.  The tutorials are using Copic markers, but you can use any brand you like. 
Do you ever make a card you couldn't bear to give up?  I do that all the time...so you know what I do then? I give them to my husband, lol.

Products used:

• Kraft card blank
• MIC chipboard sentiments
• Distress Ink - Forest Moss & Stormy Sky
• Spectrum Noir Sparkle - Onyx Black
• ProMarkers - Meadow Green, Lemon, Leaf Green, Cardinal, Hot Pink, Carmine, Pastel Pink, Raw Sienna, Gold, Yellow, Duck Egg, Cool Aqua, Turquoise, Coral, Sunkissed Pink, Putty, Marine, Holly & Forest Green

I am entering my cards into the following challenges:

1. Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - #418 ATG
2. Passion For ProMarkers - WK473 Mega Christmas Challenge
3. Simon Says Wednesday - ATG 57
4. Crafty Gals Corner - #181 ATG (5th Blogiversary)
5. Crafty Creations - #381 ATG
6. Christmas Crafts All Year Round - December 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

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

Time To Be A Dragon at Faery Ink

Today I am showcasing another of the older images at Faery Ink.  'Demera Mother of Dragons' can be purchased here as part of a bundle.  If you love dragons as I do, you won't be disappointed. 
This canvas is another addition to my growing art wall - sometimes you just have to keep things for yourself rather than giving them away!

Please go check out my post over at the Faery Ink Blog for all the details and more photos.

I am entering my canvas into the following challenges:

1. Simon Says Monday - Sprinkles & Splatters (Fran•tage)
2. Classic Design Team - #8 Anything Goes
3. Crafting With An Attitude - #42 Anything Goes
4. Crafty Creations - #372 Anything Goes
5. Creative Fingers - #151 Anything Goes

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

Key of Love at Ching-Chou Kuik

It's the last week of inspiration projects for July at the Ching-Chou Kuik Challenge Blog, but you still have plenty of time to enter the challenge. 
Don't forget the theme is Thankyou or Sympathy and you can enter your creations here

This week Lozzy challenged the team to use embossing on our projects, so I used a couple of different folders for extra texture.   I have used the image 'Key of Love'.

Products used:

• Card blank
• Cardstock
• Lace
• Ribbon
• Square gems
• Petal Lu flowers
• Sizzix Tim Holtz Script dies 
• Embossalicious and Crafts Too embossing folders
• ProMarkers - Burnt Sienna, Cinnamon, Tan, Dusky Pink, Satin, Rose Pink, Cocoa, Caramel, Burgundy, Burnt Orange, Mango, Berry, Pine, Lush Green, Leaf Green, Lipstick, Cardinal, Black, Cool Grey 5, Sky Blue, Arctic Blue, Powder Blue, Tulip, Warm Grey 3-5
• Spectrum Noir Sparkle - Spun Gold

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. TTCRD - 17-24 July AG
2. The Crafter's Cafe - #200 Lots of Layers
3. Let's Craft & Create - #139 AG/Red, White & Blue
4. Crafty Creations - #370 AG
5. Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #1828 AG

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

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

Live, Laugh, Love at Ching-Chou Kuik

It's the second week of our challenge and inspiration at Ching-Chou Kuik's blog.  I hope you've had a chance to join in the fun but if not, there's still plenty of time to enter here.

This week the team were challenged to use pink and/or blue, so I have used 'Blue Sea Illusion' to create a fun card.   I enjoyed playing with my dies and Distress Inks/Oxides for this one.

Products used:

• Card blank
• Pink & black cardstock
• Butterfly edge die
• Die'sire Edge'ables - Floral Dance
• Word dies
• Stampendous Fran•táge - Aged Ivory
• Distress Inks & Oxides - Stormy Sky, Dusty Concord, Worn Lipstick & Wilted Violet
• Ranger Liquid Pearls - Pewter
• ProMarkers - Aegean, Sky Blue, Arctic Blue, Powder Blue, French Navy, Prussian, Violet, Indigo, True Blue, Cobalt, Midnight, China Blue, Denim, Blue Pearl, Coral, Sunkissed Pink, Antique Pink, Pale Pink & Pastel Pink
• Sakura Gelly Roll - White

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. CCC Digi Creations - #93 AG
2. Crafting With An Attitude - #40 AG
3. Crafts Galore Encore - #52 AG