Thursday, March 31, 2016

Another busy day!

Hi! I can't believe it's Thursday already. This week is disappearing fast!  Not a lot of crafty time today as we've had another trip to the cinema. This time to see Kung Fu Panda 3.  It was ok.. not as good as Zootropolis earlier this week. 

Home with enough time to do a bit of colouring with some new Bugaboo digis that I won!

This is the first card made.  Love this image.. so easy to colour!

 
I'm going to enter this card in the following challenges:
 
 
 
Enjoy the rest of your week!
 
 

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Toadally Awesome!

Hi!

Hope you've had a good Tuesday!  It's been quality time here today.. a lovely trip out for lunch and the cinema.  Just the girls.. and we went to see Disney's Zootropolis. Which I admit I didn't think would be that great but actually it was a brilliant film!  And a stunning cast.. some really funny bits, although I'm not sure there was much point in making it 3D. 

So not much crafty time today.. so no colouring.  Just a bit of time to play with a die that I forgot I had bought ages ago!

 
I did use some Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Tea Dye) and a Stampers Anonymous "Slight Alterations" stamp for a bit of texture.
 
I'm going to enter this in the following challenges:
 
 
Enjoy the rest of your day!


Monday, March 28, 2016

it's all about you

Hi! Yay, some crafty time!  I wasn't sure what to make so I looked to the challenge blogs.. always my favourite are Anything Goes challenges.. so many amazing and talented people out there! Then I saw a sketch challenge that inspired me.. at Mojo Monday.

I would also like to enter my card in the following challenges:

Artistic Inspirations (#153)
Crafting From The Heart (#105)
Craft Your Passion (#305)
Dream Valley (#128)
Not Just Cards (#30)
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends (#30)

 
So, I hope you have all enjoyed a lovely long weekend, despite the fact we lost an hours sleep!
 
 


Dusted off the sewing machines

Hello! Hope you are enjoying Easter Monday!
 
We've been out and about today so not much crafty time.  Sarah was keen to do some sewing when we got back so we dusted off the sewing machines (as it's been ages) and we found a pattern for a 6x6 block called Friends Around the Square by Julie Karasek at the Splendid Sampler.
 
So we both decided to try it.. we are very much beginners and need to follow patterns very carefully. 
 
 
Here's my first attempt, it's far from perfect but it was fun!
 
 
Not sure what to do with it now.  Maybe a mug rug.. although it was really only for practice (of which, more is needed!)
 
Might do some crafting later as I had a couple of new batches of goodies arrive..  some Clearly Besotted Stamps and the other Kim Dellow set.. (which I just HAD to have!!) 
 
And, I do have some birthday cards to make.. April is a busy month!
 
 
 


Saturday, March 26, 2016

All confused!

Hi!   I'm all confused.. having a day on holiday yesterday made me think it was Saturday!  Not that I'm complaining!  Yesterday afternoon gave way to a major de-stash (I say "major" but the 7 full shopping bags has barely made a dent in the amount of stuff in this room!)  I'm pleased I've done it though.. not quite finished.. being really ruthless as I have acquired so much stuff over the last 11 or so years that there really is a lot that I would never use now. 

So not much time to craft but I have made a simple card using Dandelion Dreams by Clearly Besotted. 
I think this is going to be a really versatile stamp set..  I can even see a sympathy card if the colours were right and the layout was not too fussy.

 
I'm going to enter this card in the following challenges:
 
 
Hope you have a lovely weekend!  I think the clocks go forward tonight (if you are in the UK) so  one hour less sleep!
 
 

Friday, March 25, 2016

Lovely start to the day..

Hello! It's a beautiful bright morning here in central Scotland, and the start of the Easter long weekend.   I got a lovely surprise this morning to find I've won a prize over at the Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge blog!


So, big smiles all round here!

Hopefully some crafty time later!

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Prima Watercolor Colouring Book

How much fun!?

Got the Peerless watercolours out.. and just kind of went for it.. I know I can do better but this was fun!!

Cute Kitty

Hi!  I hope you are all having a lovely week! My apologies for not posting the last couple of days.. it's been busy!  Time now though, and here is my card for today.  Another Saturated Canary image coloured with Copics and Polychromos.  I've taken the colour inspiration from the DCWV papers and used Stampin' Up! cardstock, punches and sentiment to finish off.


 
I'm going to enter this card in the following challenges:
 
Crafting By Designs (3 or more layers)
 
 
 
And now we have a long Easter weekend to look forward to! 
 
.. and I have some crafty parcels to open!
 

Monday, March 21, 2016

Two different effects

Hello!  Well, Monday has just disappeared!   A lovely day.. including some tea and chat with some friends which made a nice change as work has invaded most of my Monday's recently.

The choice of what to play with today was obvious as I couldn't wait to play with my new Kim Dellow stamps!

So.. two techniques.. keeping it simple...

The first is Promarkers..


The second is Polychromos on Kraft..


I love the way colouring on Kraft seems to make the colours pop!

So much fun!  Blended them using a Prismacolor Blender pencil. 

I'm going to enter this card in the following:

613 Avenue Create (Anything Goes w/Optional Twist: Use a Bird)
Glitter N Sparkle (#183)
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends (#30)
Penny Black and More (Feature a Creature)

Welcome Neve

Baby card made to welcome the new addition to our family.  Can't wait to meet her soon!
 
I used Penny Black little bears stamps.  Great if the baby name isn't too long!   Coloured with Tim Holtz Distress Markers.
 

Just loving this!

Hello!  Welcome to Spring!  I know it was officially yesterday but I didn't get a minute to blog yesterday!

We did however manage to create the Atomium (it took ages, 9 polystyrene balls, 12 lolly pop sticks, 8 toothpicks and some silver spray paint... and a LOT of hot glue!).  It was ceremoniously wrapped in a bin bag this morning and taken into school.  So I guess I earn a parent brownie point!   And I was rewarded when the postman arrived this morning with this.........


This set was on my "absolutely must have" list.  Now that I have it I realise I need the other set by Kim Dellow too!

Maybe time for some shopping later this morning.  But first I need to make a baby card!

Hope you have a lovely Monday!


Saturday, March 19, 2016

Super Dad!

Hello!
 
Not much crafting or blogging time at the moment unfortunately.. but some lovely family news as we welcome a gorgeous little girl into the world.. wishing the days away until we get to see her (a little journey for us soon!).. and the chance to meet up with extended family so what could be better!
 
Hopefully some crafty time tomorrow.. although it will involve reconstructing in a scaled miniature... one of the European landmarks..   Why is it that a school project becomes my project??  The truth is you never really leave school!  (those "truly blessed" parents among us will know this!)
 
So forget the Eiffel Towel,  laugh in the face of the Leaning Tower.. the Colosseum? (too easy!!), La Sagrada Famila? Nope... The Vatican (amazing place!).. no, the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood (St. Petersburg).. despite the fact my 11 year old has visited all of these (and more).. she chooses... The Atomium (Belgium... built for the 1958 World Fair).. and despite being in Belgium last year.. we didn't actually visit it!   But that is what we have to reconstruct tomorrow!   Hello Hobbycraft.. here we come!
 
And to the one person who probably won't be up to his eyes in polystyrene balls, silver paint and glue...
 
 
 


Thursday, March 17, 2016

Pastels



Hello! A bit of a change in colour tones for this card tonight.  I've gone all pastels! (well, mostly!)

I love this image from Art By MiRan.  I've coloured her with copics and promarkers.  I found two co-ordinating papers which I think have just a subtle colour match.  The card stock is Stampin' Up! (Sahara Sand, Bashful Blue, Blushing Bride, Lost Lagoon).









I'm going to enter her in the following challenges:
Sweet Stamps (Anything Goes) 
Petal Lu (#11)
Crafts Galore (#27 Make a Card)
A Bit More Time to Craft (#16 Anything Goes)





I know I seem to say this every week but I can't believe it's Thursday already!  I hope you've had a great week and are looking forward to the weekend.

Take care
x



Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Congratulations!

Hello! Hope you are having a good week! 
I've been playing with another Tiddly Inks digi. I've had this one for ages and only found her when I found a memory stick that I thought I had lost!

This one really is a dream to colour!  I love the balloons and the hair.


I'm going to enter her in the following challenges:

Frilly and Funky (Lets Make It A Trio)
Fresh Brewed (Anything Goes)




Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Ellie

Hello! What a lovely surprise to see that the postman had been again!  This time a little package containing Ellie from Avery Elle and a gorgeous Saturated Canary stamp. 



I haven't had much time so it's Ellie that got the outing!

Coloured with Copics then mounted on SU! Papers and Cardstock.



I'm going to enter this card in the following challenges:



Monday, March 14, 2016

Posties Been!

It was one of those "just got to have them" but "can't really justify it" moments.  Then I found an offer of 20% off so how could I say no?   Topping up the collection of lovely Tim Holtz products with these new Distress Crayons.  I hoping I can use them to compliment my Lyra Aquacolor crayons as I think they will activate and blend in the same way.   Maybe time for a play later!






You Make My Heart Beep!





Hello Monday!  This morning felt like a real spring morning.. and then opening the curtains it was misty!  "Can't see your hand in front of your face" misty!
I finally got time to play with the Mini Bots stamps and dies from Clearly Besotted. They are so cute and the detail on the dies is amazing.
I've kept this card really simple.  The watercolour paper is Stampin' Up! and I've used Nicholson's Peerless Transparent Water Colors to make the rainbow background.  These really are amazing water colours to work with. The colours are so intense!

I'm going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Cupcake Inspirations (#351 Rainbows)




 


Sunday, March 13, 2016

Just Hanging Around!


Hello!

Well here we are, it's Sunday again! It's been a busy day but I managed to squeeze in some crafty time and had a lovely play with this Tiddly Inks digi. 

Another one that's great fun to colour!

I'm going to enter her in the following challenges:




Hope you enjoy what's left of the weekend!  It's nearly time to chill out before dinner!

Saturday, March 12, 2016

Birthday Bunny

Hi!
Here we are at the weekend again! This one started out busy but I have managed some time to craft with friends today and I've finished off this card.  Used a Tiddly Inks digi and coloured with Copics.


Kept the colour combo pretty simple and used my new MFT Thick and Thin paper teamed up with some Pink Paislee Color Wash paper and some Stampin' Up! Tip Top Taupe and Crisp Canteloupe.  The centres of the flowers are those little micro bead things from Martha Stewart in "blue topaz".



I'm going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Aliciabel (#16)
Artbymiran (#53)



Isn't it lovely to see much lighter nights now?  It's 5pm here and a beautiful bright evening.  Won't be long before BBQ season starts!   This year seems to be flying in so fast. It's nice to have things to look forward to.. holidays etc.  Just need to start saving (and stop buying new crafty things!)

Hope you have a lovely weekend!

Friday, March 11, 2016

Postman's Been!

This little parcel makes me a very happy bunny!  Two stamp sets and a set of dies from Clearly Besotted:

Super Dad!!
Mini Bots, and matching Dies

No time to play tonight those.. these little treasures will need to wait!




Thursday, March 10, 2016

Conway Tweetie

Hello! I got some time to play! And I could not resist my new Lawn Fawn papers and this gorgeous WSD stamp called Conway Tweetie!


Coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers. Inspired by the plaid paper.  Some Stampin' Up! Cardstock in Pool Party, Regal Rose and Crushed Curry.  And some random dies which are no longer in their packaging!!


I hope you like it!  

I'm going to enter Conway Tweetie in these challenges;

The Crafters Café (Inspired by a song)
Petal Lu (#10)



Postman's been!

Hello Thursday! 
 
A super fast delivery from My Mum's Craft Shop made me a very happy crafter today! A beautifully wrapped bundle of goodies...
 
  • Lawn Fawn papers - Perfectly Plaid.. they are lovely and cheery!
  • MFT Die-namics - Wonky Stitched Circles
  • MFT papers - Thick and Thin
and..
  • The most aptly named WSD stamp "Conway Tweetie"... brilliant!
 
So now, some time to play!
 

 

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

A happy hello!

What could be better than a happy hello everyone!  


This is the sentiment from Stampin' Up! Tin of Cards set.  And it just seemed perfect to team up with this little country scene made from a set of Paper Smooches stamps! 
coloured simply with Promarkers and one layer of matting.  Keeping a balance with the image and the white space.. a different look for me but great fun to make!
I hope you like it!



I'm going to enter this card in the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp (A bit of green)




Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Best Kid Ever

Managed to make a card before tea time!  Quite a simple one but I like the colours!


The papers are American Crafts.  I used the paper as the inspiration for colouring this little hero from Tiddlyinks with Promarkers and Flexmarkers.  I then used Stampin' Up! star punches and the greetings from "Boys Will Be Boys".


I'm going to enter this card in the following challenges:
 

Postman's been!

You know when you just can't resist something.. and you just have to have it? 


Well, I haven't treated myself to anything Gorjuss for ages.. and then 20 stamps all come along at once.  And in a carry case!  Resistance was futile!!   The stamps are mini - about 7.5cm high and so cute!



I'll start to use the stamps over the next few weeks.   I'll also need to find all my other Gorjuss stamps and papers as there's loads of room in the caddy!



Monday, March 7, 2016

Catching up!

Hello! Well, I'm multi tasking! Card making and catching up on Doctor Thorne on STV Player.
I'm trying not to be easily distracted!

I've been colouring this Tiddlyinks digi with Copics and Polychromos.  The papers used are Lawn Fawn and the greeting is Stampin' Up! Something to Say. 
I was searching for something to finish off the card and found a Sizzlit that I haven't used for ages.. simply called "Cupcake". 


I'm going to enter this card in:

&




What a beautiful day!

Hello! Here we are at the start of another week!  It's a beautiful (but cold) day here in east central Scotland.  All I can see is blue sky.  Postman arrived with some new bits and bobs today (not that I can really say I needed anything!)



Aren't these flowers just so delicate and gorgeous!?  They are handmade by Petal Lu.  Now I just need to make a card to show them off!



Sunday, March 6, 2016

Happy Mothers Day!

Hello and a Happy Mother's Day wish to everyone!


No chance to craft today..  been pampered from getting up this morning! So I'm not complaining.. just realising how very lucky I am!


xxx

Saturday, March 5, 2016

Strawberry!

Hi! Hope you are having a lovely weekend!   I've been crafting with friends this afternoon and used a new digi from Tiddlyinks.  I just love Wryn.  She's such a pleasure to colour.


I used a mix of Polychromo pencils, Copics and SU! Blendabilities to colour her.  The papers and Lawn Fawn and the sentiment is Avery Elle (Handwritten Notes).  The matting cardstock is SU! Strawberry Slush and Hello Honey.



I'm going to enter this card in Jo's Scrapshack and PDE Linky Party challenges.
I love both of these blogs and it's great to see such inspiration from the DT's and the other entries.

What to do now?  Make another card?  Maybe later.. the house is smelling of home made scones (ready to go with some clotted cream and strawberry jam!) and it would be a shame not to try one!

It's a lovely evening here, blue skies.. maybe a wee glass of New Zealand Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc in the conservatory..  I don't mind if I do!

Enjoy your weekend!


Friday, March 4, 2016

No snow here!

Hello! And it's Friday again! I'm looking forward to this weekend. Lots planned - all craft, friends and family. Perfect!


The title "no snow here" refers to the fact the middle of the UK is getting snow and there's not a sign of it here!  What are the odds now that I've said that, of waking up tomorrow to a foot of snow?  Well, the way the sky looks at the moment I think we might be in for heavy rain!


I've been playing with a new image from ArtbyMiran.  Lots of detail to colour.  Used Polychromos, so it took me ages!  I'm quite happy with the finished result though.  Spending time on cards is definitely rewarding!



I'm going to enter this card in the following challenges:
PDE Linky Party (#113)
 

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Pretty in Pink

Hello!  I hope you are having a good week! It's been a lovely day here.. cold, but dry!  And, for some unknown reason, the traffic on the commute to and from work today was not quite so bad a normal.  So all good!

Been having a play with another Saturated Canary image. Coloured with Polychromos and Copics. I've kept this quite simple but did add some lovely flowers. 

I'm so looking forward to the weekend as last weekend was such a "challenge"!

Here's something I always wonder.. how long does it take my fellow crafters to make a card?  I know a simple ready made topper type card is easy to put together (10 to 20 mins perhaps?) but how long does it take you when you are hand crafting all/most of the elements and colouring the images?  I find Copics/Promarkers fairly quick (30 mins or so) but using Polychromos is taking quite a bit longer - over an hour for some images depending on the detail.  Not that that's a bad thing.  It's very relaxing to lose yourself in the colouring! 


I'm going to enter this card in the following challenges;




tracy brown-scott / blue daisy crafts
2008