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

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

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)

Gnome On A Hot Christmas Roof at Faery Ink

Today I am sharing some Christmas In July inspiration, continuing my gnome theme from my last project.  You can find all the information on my blog post at Faery Ink.

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. CRAFT Challenge - #522 Christmas
2. CCC Digi Creations - #105 Christmas in July
3. Power Poppy - Do you need a little Christmas?
4. Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #1928 ATG

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

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

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

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

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

Birthday Fishes

Don't you just love it when you've got enough points for a freebie?  I just couldn't resist getting 'Mermaid Viviane' from Make It Crafty as she comes with a couple of separate Koi fish.  

I've coloured sea backgrounds a few times now, but wanted to try doing it a different way.  I've basically done thick lines of different blue-green shades to represent the light shining through the water.  I added some bubbles after.  The Koi fish are fussy-cut and raised up with 3D foam pads for some dimension.

Products used:

• Card blank
• Yellow card
• Make It Crafty chipboard sentiments
• Gold glitter gel pen
• White Sakura Gelly Roll
• ProMarkers - Burnt Orange, Bright Orange, Pumpkin, Sunflower, Cinnamon, Tan, Dusky Pink, Putty, China Blue, Rose Pink, Burnt Sienna, Caramel, Sandstone, Turquoise, Duck Egg, Cool Aqua & Tea Green

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Make It Crafty - Animals
2. Simon Says Wednesday - Bright And Cheerful
3. Creative Fingers - #148 Anything Goes
4. Cupcake Inspirations - #449 Under The Sea
5. AAA Cards - #118 Use A Frame

Peony Anniversary at Conie Fong

I'm continuing my GDT inspiration at Conie Fong Art & Design with an older image - 'Peonies In A Jar' is a fabulous floral which comes in two versions, with and without pebbles. 
I have used the version with pebbles to create an Anniversary card in a striking pink and green combo.
You can enter the current challenge at the Facebook group here. The theme is Anything Goes with an option of Love.

Products used:

• Papermania cardstock
• Nesting oval dies
• Papermania pearls
• Sizzix Tim Holtz Celebration Script word dies
• ProMarkers - Pine, Forest, Moss, Pear, Lime, Warm Grey 1-3, Hot Pink, Carmine, Pastel Pink, Baby Pink, Burnt Sienna, Mustard, Tulip, Cocoa, Caramel, Cool Grey 1-4
• Sakura Gelly Roll - White

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Simon Says Wednesday - It Must Be Love
2. Creative Craft Cottage - #104 Love Is All Around
3. Passion For ProMarkers - WK431 Add an Embellishment
4. Creatalicious - #132 Anything Goes/Love/Anniversary
5. Allsorts - WK454 Love Is In The Air
6. CCC Digi Creations - #89 It's All About Love

It's a Very Special Birthday with Ching-Chou Kuik!

The Blog and Facebook teams have been very sneaky today and set up a birthday hop for Ching-Chou to wish her well on her special day. 

It is similar to a blog hop, but over on Facebook. Click here to join in and make sure to read the rules before you enter.

I made a mermaid card using 'It's My Birthday' in bright pink and marine colours.

Products used:

• Cream card blank
• Recollections designer paper
• Recollections gem swirls
• Echo Park enamel dots
• Sizzix Tim Holtz Celebration Script Words dies
• ProMarkers - Raw Sienna, Ginger, Saffron, Oatmeal, Soft Lime, Burnt Sienna, Cocoa, Caramel, Sandstone, Amber, Sunflower, Magenta, Hot Pink, Carmine, Pastel Pink, Black, Cool Grey 4 & 5, Sunkissed Pink, Powder Blue, Warm Grey 1, Pumpkin, Apricot, Canary, Cerise, Marine, Turquoise, Duck Egg, Cool Aqua & Tea Green
• Sakura Gelly Roll - White 
• Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens - Sterling Silver & Onyx Black
• Wink of Stella - Clear

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Classic Design Team Open - #21 Anything Goes
2. Crafty Awesomeness - January Anything Goes
3. Double D - Birthday/Anniversary
4. Simon Says Monday - Something New (new image, new gems)
5. Love To Scrap - #105 Anything Goes
6. Simon Says Wednesday - Something New (new image, new gems)
7. Passion For ProMarkers - WK425 Make It Digital

Glow Like Christmas

After joining in with the Make It Crafty Secret Santa, I couldn't resist getting some more images and creating something for the new challenge. I'm on my way to getting all my Christmas cards done, but you can never have too many!

The challenge theme is 'Glow' so I've used 'Front Door Wreath' as it has lanterns, candles and windowpanes which are perfect for the challenge. 

I've made a CAS card, as with larger images I like that to be the focal point. 

Products used:

• Kraft card blank
• Black cardstock
• Clear stamp sentiment
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Embossing Ink
• WOW! Gold embossing powder
• ProMarkers - Warm Grey 2-5, Cool Grey 4 & 5, Amber, Sunflower, Tulip, Burnt Orange, Pumpkin, Soft Lime, Shale, Burgundy, Cardinal, Ruby, Holly, Moss, Lush Green, Leaf Green, Raw Sienna, Walnut & Cocoa

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Make It Crafty - Glow
2. Beccy's Challenges - November Month of Holiday Cards
3. The Ribbon Girl - November Any Image
4. Crafty Awesomeness - November/December AG
5. CRAFT - #442 Christmas
6. Addicted to CAS - #124 Bows
7. Star In My Pocket - Use a Digi Image

Tiny Blooms

I seem to have fallen into a new chapter of my crafting after joining an ATC swap.  These are so quick and easy to make, I am not surprised they are addictive!
I actually made a few a while ago after deciding to use up my scraps of thick card, but then I put them aside and other things took over. The swap however, plus Power Poppy's latest challenge of 'Mini & Mighty' gave me a push to make some more (I will be sharing those from the swap once the recipient has received them). 
I've tried Distress Oxides for the first time on these ATCs, and used a different technique for each.
Lanterns - Distress Ink applied to acrylic block, spritzed and 'stamped' onto the card. Repeated a few times.
Roses - Distress Oxide applied directly onto the card, spritzed, repeated.
Tulips - Distress Oxide blended around the edges using a sponge, spritzed, repeated. 

Product list:

• White cardstock
• Distress Inks - Dried Marigold, Forest Moss & Stormy Sky
• Distress Oxides - Worn Lipstick & Fired Brick
• Sequins
• ProMarkers - 
• Lanterns - Pine, Leaf Green, Moss, Burnt Orange, Pumpkin, Amber, Gold & Canary
• Roses - Lush Green, Moss, Antique Pink, Sunkissed Pink, Pale Pink, Almond, Midnight, China Blue, Cobalt, Denim, Blue Pearl, Powder Blue, Warm Grey 1 & 2
• Tulips - Cool Grey 1-4, Holly, Forest Green, Bright Green, Shale, Crimson, Berry & Lipstick

I am entering my ATC's into the following challenges:

1. Power Poppy - Mini & Mighty
2. Creative Craft Cottage - #98 Use a Sentiment
3. Creative Fingers - #139 AG
4. Digi Choosday - WK43 AG
5. Double D - LEAVE it to me!

Summer Under the Sea

It's getting hot, hot, hot outside here now although rather windy at times, but who cares when Kit & Clowder have gorgeous mermaids to colour for their latest monthly class!! I have already coloured one up, just a little different from the class colours, but I wanted to do another one a bit smaller to fit on a card. 
Conie Fong is the featured artist this month with the gorgeous Ariela Mermaid, who is on sale right now. 
I've made a wonderfully bright and summery card to go with the current theme at Conie Fong's Facebook group.

Product list:

• White card blank
• Yellow and black cardstock
• Graphic 45 Voyage Beneath The Sea paper and embellishments
• Frilled cord
• Paper flowers 
• Brads
• Sizzix Tim Holtz Celebration Script dies
• ProMarkers - Burnt Orange, Coral, Sunkissed Pink, Blush, Aubergine, Plum, Purple, Hot Pink, Carmine, Pastel Pink, Bright Orange, Mango, Pumpkin, Sunflower, Canary, Lemon, Bright Green, Leaf Green, Meadow, Spice, Apricot, Holly, Lush Green, Mint, Violet, Lilac, Dusky Pink, Warm Grey 3-5, Burnt Sienna, Cocoa, Cinnamon, Caramel, Sandstone, Satin, True Blue, Turquoise, Cyan, Duck Egg, Cool Aqua, Powder Blue & Tea Green
• White Sakura Gelly Roll
• Clear Wink of Stella

I forgot to take a photo towards the light, but there is Wink of Stella on her tail, the bubbles and the sun rays

Oops, I accidentally glued the wrong side when I cut the first piece of yellow card. I don't like to waste so put it on the inside instead!

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Conie Fong Art & Design Group (FB) - AG or Use Summer Colours
2. Work It Wednesday - May Sunshine
3. Lemon Shortbread - #43 AG
4. Let's Craft & Create - #126 Girls, Girls, Girls!
5. Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #1723 AG
6. A Perfect Time To Craft - #6 AG
7. Crafty Awesomeness - June AG
8. Crafty Catz - #373 ATG with Summertime
9. Crafty Creations - #343 AG
10. World Wide Open Design Team - #22 AG

Spring Flowers at Club KennyK

It's time for a new challenge at Club KennyK on Facebook and as it's now officially spring, our DT theme is 'Spring Flowers'. 
Please hop over and join in the fun so you can request this month's challenge freebie, which is 'Dowager Countess' (make sure you follow all the RULES and correctly watermark your images as per TOU).

I am using the freebie for my spring-inspired card and chose to go with yellow, orange and turquoise/aqua as my main colours.  I bought a new pack of gorgeous bright flowers from Michaels to match the colours I'd used on the image.  It was quite handy that the brads I already had matched the flowers really well!

Products used to make my card:

• Cream cardstock
• Michaels DP & paper flowers
• Brads from Eyelet Outlet & Papermania
• Ranger Distress Ink 'Dried Marigold'
• Sizzix Thinlits - Tim Holtz Celebration Script Words
• ProMarkers - Spice, Coral, Soft Peach, Blush, Walnut, Cocoa, Raw Sienna, Cinnamon, Olive, Pear, Caramel, Sandstone, Pumpkin, Gold, Tulip, Buttercup, Duck Egg, Cool Aqua, Tea Green, Warm Grey 1 & 2

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Simon Says Wednesday - Happy Birthday
2. The Ribbon Girl - April AG Cards
3. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - #55 AG
4. Polkadoodles - WK14 AG
5. Work It Wednesday - March AG Spring
6. Your Scrapbook Place - April AG
7. Crafty Calendar - April Showers/Spring
8. Crafty Cardmakers - #185 Spring into Spring
9. Classic Design Team Open - #13 AG
10. Morgan's ArtWorld - #6 AG

Steampunk Spells

Well here in Saskatchewan the weather took a sudden turn and brought us a big snowstorm, so it's been rather cold. But we still have Thanksgiving and Halloween to look forward to. 

I almost forgot about this card.  I made it for a magazine submission, so wasn't able to share it at the time. Unfortunately I didn't get in the magazine, but it does mean I can now post photos. 

I don't think I've posted something without a digital image since I started using them, but this flying easel is purely designer papers and embellishments. As usual I got the idea from Pinterest.  The spiral 'flying' part was quite fiddly, but I finally got it to look right. 

I have used the following products to create my card:

• Graphic 45 Steampunk Spells papers and embellishments
• Twine, bronze card, vellum and 3D foam squares from my stash
• Tim Holtz mini gears
• Glitter bats from Recollections at Michaels

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Star In My Pocket - Layer It Up
2. Craft Your Passion - #332 Anything Goes
3. Crafting With An Attitude - Anything Goes
4. Crafty Catz - #341 Anything Goes w/Twist More Than One Fold
5. Crafty Creations - #325 Halloween
6. Create & Inspire - #53 Anything Goes
7. Cute Card Thursday - #446 Anything Goes
8. Inspiration Destination - #106 Anything Goes
9. Left Of Centre - #150 Halloween
10. Simon Says Wednesday - Halloween Inspiration
11. The Crafty Addicts - #25 Anything Goes/ Patterned Paper