Day of the Dead Birthday Twist

Well I actually had this card made for a while, but I was waiting to post it.  I made it for my Mum's birthday - she shares my love of skulls, so Aurora Wings' 'Day of the Dead Sprite' was just perfect.  

If you follow me you will know how much I love twisted easels. There's just something about them - impressive to look at, but so easy to make.  

Products used:

• Card blank
• Cardstock
• Patterned paper
• Recollections gems
• Leather thread
• Skull beads
• Stitched hill dies
• Petal Lu flowers
• ProMarkers - Warm Grey 1-5, Black, Shale, Crimson, Berry, Lipstick, Indigo, French Navy, Aegean, Burnt Orange, Pumpkin, Sunflower, Canary & Lemon
• Sakura Gelly Rolls - Blue Star, Metallic Silver & White

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Stamps by Aurora Wings - Sprite Delight V 
2. Simon Says Wednesday - Anything Goes
3. World Wide Open Design Team - #3 Anything Goes
4. A Perfect Time To Craft - #4 Anything Goes
5. Classic Design Team Open - #24 Anything Goes
6. Love To Scrap - #108 April Showers Bring May Flowers
7. Crafts Galore Encore - #50 Anything Goes

Li'l Pirate Birthday

I don't normally make very fancy cards for children's birthdays, but I have this gorgeous 'L'il Pirate' image from Kenny K Stamps and it's my very own little girl's birthday (so I get to keep this card lol).
I started with a base of bronze card and added a wood plank effect paper right across, as if to be the deck of a ship. I ripped and Distress Inked some burlap postcard paper which I attached at an angle to the bottom left.  
Next I ripped and screwed up some Core'dinations Tim Holtz Kraft-Core card, then sanded it to distress.  I know some people are afraid to screw the paper up, but it creates and wonderful worn effect when sanded.  I think the colour I chose actually looks a bit like worn leather.
I attached the coloured image over this plus a Treasure Map image from Meljen's Designs, which is perfect for this theme. (Melissa is now moving in a different direction with her art, so unfortunately her digital images are no longer available to purchase).
I continued by threading some leather thong through a small piece of burlap, which I attached at an angle over the burlap postcard paper. I added my Distress Inked (Vintage Photo) sentiment and finished off with some metal gears and brads.

Promarkers used: Coral, Sunkissed Pink, Oatmeal, Saitn, Pastel Beige, Black, Cool Greys 3, 4 & 5, Forest Green, Apple, Buttercup, Tulip Yellow, Mustard, Raw Sienna, Sandstone, Caramel, Burnt Sienna, Cocoa, Lilac, Amethyst, Purple, Aubergine, Berry & Crimson.
Also used: Gold Sharpie

I am entering this cad into the following challenges:

1. A Bit More Time To Craft - #23 Anything Goes
2. Artistic Inspirations - #160 Anything Goes
3. Craft Your Passion - #319 Anything Goes
4. Crafting By Designs - July Anything Goes
5. Crafting With An Attitude - #17 Anything Goes
6. Crafty Gals Corner - #79 Lots of Layers
7. Fab 'n' Funky - #312 Two or More Designer Papers
8. Inspiration Destination - #93 Anything Goes
9. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - #37 Anything Goes