A Wonderous Friendship

 Hello Crafty Peeps,

It may be Spooky Month but MerMay flew by quickly, and I didn't get anything done outside of my design team commitments. Maybe I will change it to MerTober for a while!

I have been slacking in using the newsletter freebies from Sweet November Stamps, but I had to do something with this super sweet duo "Dolphin Hugs".

I made the shaker part ready to go on a card but my daughter said I should put it on my gallery wall, so I grabbed a canvas and did a mixed media piece instead.

I used Graphic 45 Voyage Beneath The Sea papers and embellishments, so I kept all the other colours to that scheme..

I usually do greyish-blue dolphins and wanted to do something different this time, so I Googled and decided on a Common Dolphin. I love how it turned out.

For the shaker, I used a waves die-cut, which I wove a strip of patterned paper through then added the acetate on top. My shaker pieces are tiny beads and die-cut shells.

The base layer is Distress Inks & Oxides to give all over colour to the white canvas. 

On top of that I used Neon Lunar Paste through a mermaid scales stencil.

You just can't get the amazing shine from this front-on photo, so I've added more below to show you how it looks in the light.

 The final touches are 'water' droplets, pearls, cheesecloth and starfish.

Thank you so much for stopping by today, your kind words are always appreciated.

{Crafty Hugs}

Products used:

• Michaels blank canvas
• Distress Inks - Dried Marigold, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade
• Distress Oxides - Lucky Clover, Cracked Pistachio, Broken China, Mermaid Lagoon
• Srizian Mermaid Scales stencil 
• Waves die-cut paper (Given to me already cut. I don't have the die)
• Graphic 45 "Voyage Beneath The Sea" papers, ephemera & chipboard embellishments
• Cheesecloth
• Recollections Micro Beads
• Assorted Shell die-cuts (Given to me already cut. I don't have the dies)
• Dress My Craft Water Droplets
• Papermania Pearls
• Dried Starfish
• Recollections Ribbon
• Eyelet Oulet Screw brads
• Cuttlebug Acetate
• ProMarkers - *
• Prismacolor Pencils - *

* Apparently I've taken so long to blog this that I may have accidentally binned my lists for these. 

I am entering my canvas into the following challenges:

1. Passion For Markers - WK762 Make It Cute
2. Crafty Calendar - October ATG
3. Crafty Catz - #680 ATG
4. Crafter's Cafe - #313 ATG/Fantasy
5. Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #2242 ATG
6. Allsorts Challenge - WK803 Patterned Papers
7. Anything Goes In A Card Free Zone - 5th Oct-1st Nov "Name Game" (last name Gold - I used Distress Inks/Oxides and image "Dolphin Hugs")
8. Monday Greetings - ATG
9. Tuesday Colors - 1st October to 4th November ⤵
10. Outlawz - October Linky
    
    

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

Steampunk Imagination

I've been eyeing the 'Steampunk Dark Angel' by Aurora Wings for ages, but kept bypassing it as I was a bit intimidated to be honest! But with the cute 'Reindeer Sprite' being a freebie with purchase recently, I decided to go for it.  It was a good choice as the day after, Aurora Wings announced their new challenge theme - Metallics!! 

Naturally I had to make myself something with this image and as it's been a while since I did a canvas, that's what I made.  I haven't done step-by-step photos as I was having too fun creating and forgot.

Products used:

• 6x8 canvas
• Ranger Texture Paste
• Gear corner and single dies
• Distress Oxide - Cracked Pistachio
• Distress Paint - Antiqued Bronze
• Stampendous Fran•táge - Aged Ivory
• Kraft card
• Stitched tag die
• Distress Ink - Frayed Burlap
• Metal gears
• Twine
• ProMarkers - Burnt Sienna, Caramel, Sandstone, Pastel Beige, Cinnamon, Tan, Black, Cool Grey 1-5, Burnt Orange, Spice, Ginger, Blush, Powder Blue, Aubergine, Slate & Violet

I am entering my canvas into the following challenges:

1. Stamps by Aurora Wings - Metallics
2. Stamps by Aurora Wings FB - Anything Goes
3. A Perfect Time To Craft - #11 Anything Goes
4. Deep Ocean - #168 Things With Wings
5. CCC Digi Creations - #85 Anything Goes
6. Crafty Awesomeness - November/December AG
7. Crafty Gals Corner - #150 To Die For
8. Inspiration Destination - #138 Anything Goes
9. Dream Valley - #168 Add Texture
10. The Ribbon Girl - November Any Image

Vintage ~ with 4 Crafty Chicks

It's my second week with 4 Crafty Chicks and for this challenge (#324) the theme is Vintage.  

I already had the gorgeous Savannah Belle from KennyK Stamps coloured up, but I didn't know what to do with her at the time. Seems I was saving her for this challenge! I have recently been getting into canvases so decided I would make something for myself as I cannot bear to part with this image...lol.

I started with using Distress Inks and a stencil to colour the whole canvas, then Texture Paste with a different stencil on the left side.  Once that was dry I inked over again to make the texture stand out. I added some vintage lace down the left-hand side, then attached a key to some twine and glued next to the lace. I attached the image plus some flowers with brads in the centre. I finished off with some black pearls in the top-right corner and some more twine for hanging. 
Products I have used to create my canvas:

• Canvas, flowers, key, stencils & black/white twine from Michaels
• Jute twine, pearls & brads from my stash
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Dried Marigold, Vinntage Photo & Walnut Stain
• Ranger Texture Paste
• Vintage Lace from Normas Treasures on Etsy
• ProMarkers - Coral, Sunkissed Pink, Blush, Rose Pink, Cocoa, Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna, Gold, Indigo, True Blue, Cobalt, Mustard, Sky Blue, Arctic Blue, Caramel, Sandstone, Black, Cool Grey 1-5, Dusky Pink, Satin & Walnut

I am entering my canvas into the following challenges:

1. TTCRD - AG w/c 8th Nov
2. Get Creative - #51 AG
3. Pearly Sparkles - #10 AG
4. Crafty Awesomeness - Nov AG
5. Crafting with an Attitude - #21 AG
6. Classic Design Team Open - #8 AG
7. Craft Your Passion - #337 AG
8. 613 Avenue Create - #191 AG

A Vampy Canvas

I am getting quite into decorating canvases at the moment so I bought some Ranger Texture Paste and some stencils to play with. It's great to be able to add some extra dimension rather than just inking directly on the canvas.
I coloured up Faery Ink's 'Ophelia Vamp Juice' a little while ago, but didn't know what I was going to do with her. Decorating my house for Halloween, I found my blood splatter tulle that I bought in Michael's last year and thought it would make great curtains. 
First I used the texture paste all over through a stencil and let it dry, then I rubbed all over with a sponge tool and Dusty Concord Distress Ink.  I then used Memento Tuxedo Black in a few areas to give a bit more of an old look. 
I cut a length of tulle and tied some twine around for shaping before gluing it around the edge of the canvas. Lastly I attached the image with 3D foam squares. 
I coloured the image with the following Promarkers - Caramel, Pastel Beige, Satin, Burgundy, Cardinal, Ruby, Cool Grey 1-5, Pine, Forest, Apple, Lipstick, Crimson, Berry, Aubergine, Plum, Amethyst, Lilac & Purple. 

I am entering my canvas into the following challenges:

1. CCC Digi Creations - #58 Anything Goes
2. Craft Your Passion - #333 Anything Goes
3. Crafty Awesomeness - Anything Goes
4. Crafting With An Attitude - #20 Anything Goes
5. Crafty Boots - Halloween
6. Dream In Darkness - Halloween
7. I ♥ ProMarkers - #319 Anything Goes
8. Inspiration Destination - #106 Anything Goes
9. Left of Centre - #151 Halloween
10. Passion For Promarkers - #367 Halloween
11. Unicorn Challenge - #14 Pretty Pinks or Halloween

You Rock with Club KennyK

It's a new month and challenge time over at Club KennyK.  This time we are concentrating on our monthly freebies.  There is one freebie for newsletter subscribers and one for club members, so make sure you sign up to receive yours.  

I am using Rock Chick as she's so cool and sassy. The theme is Anything Goes so I have made a canvas picture. 
I started by using Distress Inks (Dusty Concord & Vintage Photo) around the edges and coming towards the centre. I then used DoCrafts foam flourish stamps with Tuxedo Black Memento ink to create a pattern in the areas I wasn't going to place the image.  I highlighted the these with a white opaque marker (Recollections from Michaels).  
I attached my coloured image with 3D foam and added a chalkboard sentiment (Me & My Big Ideas MAMBISticksTM). To finish I added decorative metal corners (Michaels) and a purple ribbon to hang.
Promarkers used: Lipstick, Berry, Crimson, Black, Cool Greys 1-5, Burnt Orange, Coral, Dusky Pink, Satin, Pink Carnation, Sky Blue, True Blue, Indigo, Sandstone, Cocoa, Aubergine, Amethyst, Lilac, Plum & Purple.

I am entering my canvas into the following challenges:

1. Sisters of Craft - August Anything Goes
2. The Crafty Addicts - #20 Anything Goes/Friends
3. Incy Wincy Designs - Anything Goes
4. Inspiration Destination - #96 Anything Goes
5. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - #38 Anything Goes
6. Passion for Promarkers - #357 My Favorite Things (Kenny K Stamps, Distress Ink, Promarkers, Metal Embellishments, Ribbon)
7. Crafty Boots - Use A Stamp
8. Crafty Gals Corner - #82 Anything Goes
9. Create & Inspire - #50 Anything Goes
10. House of Cards - Twine and/or Colours
11. A Bit More Time To Craft - #25 Anything Goes
12. CCC Digi Creations - #54 Anything Goes
13. Classic Design Team Open - #5 Anything Goes
14. Craft Your Passion - #23 Anything Goes
15. Crafting Musketeers - #40 Anything But A Card

Retro Selfie Frame

As soon as I saw this Retro Selfie image from KennyK Stamps I knew I wanted to make a photo frame. I love using papercraft and cardmaking items for something a little different.  

My husband and I took a few funny selfies last year at our triple-birthday-bbq (he, my daughter and my Dad have birthdays very close together!).  I photoshopped the images first to give a more retro feel and to fit in with my image colouring.

The other products I have used to create his frame are:

• Wooden frame, burlap and mini pegs from Michaels
• DoCrafts twine
• Tim Holtz/Ranger Distress Inks - Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain
• Vintage photo frames from K&Company
• Promarkers - Satin, Pastel Beige, Sandstone, Caramel, Cocoa, Burnt Sienna, Henna & Walnut

I am entering this frame into the following challenges:

1. Club Kenny K - #11 Anything Goes
2. A Bit More Time To Craft - #22 Anything Goes
3. Craft Your Passion - #316 Anything Goes
4. Incy Wincy Designs - Alter something
5. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - #35 Anything Goes
6. Penny's Paper Crafty - #282 Anything Goes
7. ABC Challenge - 'J' Just As You Like
8. Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes June

Mixed Media Tag

Hello, it's been a while but the new arrival has been keeping me rather busy!
Today I have a Guest Designer spot over at TokBobok for their mixed media challenge.
I have used their lovely image 'Lilium', which I chose before giving birth and not knowing I was to have a girl, whom I named Lily! (It's my favourite flower)

I decided to make a tag rather than a card for this theme.  I embossed some acetate, which was great fun as I haven't done it before. I think it creates a great effect and I'll definitely be doing it again.  The background was supposed to be old book text, but it didn't print in the right resolution to show properly. I think it still looks good with the inking over the top though.

I have used the following materials to create this tag:

• Card and twine from my stash
• Eyelets and acetate from DoCrafts
• Whispers ink
• Embossalicious embossing folder 'Floral Frenzy'
• Promarkers - Tulip Yellow, Lime Green, Bright Green, Forest Green, Peach, Mango and Bright Orange

I would like to enter this tag into the following challenges:

1. 613 Avenue Create - #82 Anything Goes

2. Craft Your Passion - #224 Flower Power

3. Crafting At The Weekend - #4 Anything Goes

4. Crafting By Designs - Anything Goes

5. Crafting From The Heart - #29 Anything Goes

6. Crafts Galore - Anything Goes

7. Crafty Girls - #23 Anything Goes

8. Creative Fingers - #44 Anything Goes

9. Divas By Design - Anything Goes

10. Pile It On - #30 Embossing

11. Scrapping 4 Fun - #22 Anything Goes

12. Sister Act - #68 Anything Goes

13. Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge - #39 Anything Goes

14. The Crafter's Cafe - #74 Use A Digi