CCT mirror, mirror : ' . . bubbles over with fun'

CCT this week wants to see you use something shiny on your cards.

I needed something quick so decided to go down the 'clean and simple' route which I always find harder as it's so hard to stop 'adding stuff' LOL and thought this cute Elzybells image would fit the bill.

I've used shiny blue mirri card to mat my image and have also used shiny 'rain dots' (epoxy bubble stickers) over my bubbles and along bottom of card and for good measure I've used my Sakura glaze pen over the bottle of bubbles and the ted's noses and pads on their feet.

Stash:

• Images: 'blowing bubbles' teddies is an Elzybells stamp.
• Card: white 5x5 cardblank, printed sentiment direct onto it then embossed 2/3rds of it with a cuttlebug embossing folder. Blue mirri card and brown cardstock to mat image.
• Colouring: Copics with a bit of stickles on the burst bubbles and flowers
• Others: Cloud 9 blue raindots, EK success dotted wave border punch & scallop photo corner punch

Hope you like it (it passed the hubby test!) Have a lovely day.

T&F ATC: 'Fintastic'

That's torn it! is the theme for this week's ATC. I needed something quick this week, so I fished around (pardon the pun :D) and came up with this.

Very simple; stamped and cut out 2 fishes from 'down by the pond set' by The Greeting Farm (can you tell I love their stamps?!) and made one more manly by leaving out the lashes when inking! Coloured with Copics and coat of twinkling H2O on top. Used scrap piece of dp which reminded me of bubbles then just tore bits of card to make the grass, rock and sandy floor. Sentiment is also from the set. Quick and fun - hope you like it. Don't forget to hop on over to the ATC blog to check out what the other DT's have created and hope it'll inspire you to join in!

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Managed to start a couple more cards last night, just trying to decide how to finish them and also got a couple of new DT stamps from Toodles & Binks drop through my door yesterday so will try and show you something with those too, sometime this week (or drop by the Toodles blog to see them there and also the candy on offer!). Think I managed to catch up some of my blog hopping but will try and do another round tonight if it's not to busy at work! Have a lovely day and hopefully see you tomorrow with my CCT card.

Fri Sketcher & Copic Challenge: 'I still believe'

Hellooo! Sorry for the long weekend absence but work/last of the twilight books kept me busy! I've finished the books now (looking forward to the next film in november now, although the 2nd book was probably the one I didn't enjoy as much out of all 4) so can try and get back into my cards and visit some blogs soon (long overdue I know - sorry!)

Talking of books, this cutie I've used has got her head stuck in one too, heehee wonder if it's twilight? I've coloured her in using the colours over on Copic colour Challenge and have made the card using this week's fab FS sketch.

Stash:

• Images: all the images and the sentiments are from the 'Never Ever' Greeting Farm stamp set. (For those who like to buy from UK, I know Silly Monkeys have this set plus lots more due in very soon). Stamped main image twice and have decoupaged her.
• Colouring: Stamped with Memento Tux black ink and coloured with Copics plus some sakura clear glaze and stardust pens on her glasses, book, wings etc
• papers: Buzzcraft A4 design papers from Silly Monkeys
• Others: EK success edger punch, swirl punch and retro flower punchs for the flowers, MS twig punch, Kanban pearls for centre of flowers, thread and bells I found in my stash (wish you could hear the card as it jingles!)

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Wow, don't know what's with the weather but got woken up 4am this morning when we had THE noisiest freak hailstone downpour that lasted what seemed like forever LOL. Not a trace of it now obviously but it is a miserable dreary day - if you've got the sun can we have it back please!

Off to try and catch up with my DT cards and then some blog catching up and also mount some High Hopes stamps that I've been waiting forever for and they finally arrived today (we're talking nearly 2 months! but to be fair they have sent me lots of free ones plus lots of the new releases too so I'm some what placated)

Have a good day.

Truly scrumptious Ice cream

Hello & Happy Friday, it's the weekend! (Although don't know why I'm saying that as weekends =work for me LOL).

Anyway, inbetween escaping into Edward & Bella world (just about to start 'breaking dawn' now :)) I made this birthday card for my nephew. It started out for the challenge over on Sugarbowl (card for a man/boy) but then decided that one can wait seeing as I've got 2 wks to play along to that one and I can try to do a more manly card for that. This one is better for the Truly scrumptious challenge as I used the sketch and it also fulfills the added option of 'card for a child' :) Don't usually use such bright colours but these images just screamed bright colours to me.

I wanted to use up the scraps of dp so used it to decorate the inside but then the left hand side looked a bit bare so coloured and stuck in another image :)
Stash:

• Images: All the images are from the 'Mary Hall' Sugar nellie stamp collection over at Funky Kits. Wasn't that keen on them at first but the 2nd release had some cute ones which called out to me and they are really fun to colour in as they are full of detail. The fab sentiments on the front of the card are from a woodware clear set 'ice cream parfait'. Ones on the inside are various Hero arts ones I've had for years
• Colouring: Copics. Then used glaze pens over the ice creams and the kid's glasses and some stardust pen on the cakes and hairbow.
• DP: various bits from stash, non branded. Main bit was the red check I wanted to match the tablecloth :)
• Others: Used one of my new EK success border punches around the main central image. Love this one, as it gives a really diddy border and even though it's supposed to be an arrow head, they look like hearts to me. made a 'manly' flower by distressing couple of circles and adding brad to centre and typed nephew's name out using ATB tapewriter and cutting out with SU word window punch.

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Talking of border punches, as promised here are some photos of the new slimline EK Success Edger punches I got in the post the other day. (Got mine from Oyster Crafts).

I love my Martha Stewart and Fiskars punches and probably don't need anymore but I do love them so and couldn't resist some more, I'm sure you understand 'that' feeling LOL. Added bonus to these is that they clip shut, so take up less space to store ;)

I got a new Fiskars one whilst I was at it (the first one on the left), called 'Upper crest' then got 4 EK ones but I've added in my Fiskars 'threading water' one in the photo so you can see the difference in size between that scallop and the new EK 'dotted scallop' (thought that might be useful for anyone interested -I know I wanted to know and it took me a while googling trying to find that out!)

As you can see the EK 'dotted scallop' is lovely and diddy and I would think similar to the MS mini hearts one which I don't have and thought would be a good substitute. The remaining 3 in the photo are 'parisian', 'arrow border' and 'dotted wave'. The photo below that is to give some idea of size comparison of the actual punches - about same length as MS but bit shorter then Fiskars but about half the depth of both of those when they are 'sanpped shut' so can be stacked and stored easier. Shame they aren't all like that.

There are a few more I want but they didn't have so they will go on my 'to get' list! (really want the 'binding edge' one plus 2 'nice to haves' would be the 'fleur de lis' and 'alpine trail' ones).

O.K, book and a spot of lunch is calling me then it's work for the evening. Sorry I've not been round my usual blogs (blame the books!) but I will try to visit this weekend! Thank you for all your lovely comments, which is always appreciated.

CCT/Fri sketcher: Edgy Gorjuss girl

It's Thursday again so time for another CCT. This week we want you to get edgy! So we want to see tearing, sanding, distressing or sewing.

Well, thought I'd ink up another 1 of my Gorjuss girls (before the 2nd set arrives!) as I've been wanting to try and make something a bit 'edgier' and darker with them for a while now and thought this would be a good time to try. It's not quite turned out how I wanted but it was fun trying!

I've used the sketch (on its side) over on Fri sketchers and as you can see, lots of tearing, sanding and distressing going on all over the card! Base card is a dark chocolate but looks black in photo.

Stash:

• Images: Gorjuss girl from the first set over at Funky Kits (this 1 is my favourite fom this set). 'you Rock' sentiment from an Inkadinkado set. The flourish edges are from an Autumn leaves set and have embossed that either side of the base card (see better if you click on photo)
• Colouring: Copics on image, distress inks around edges
• DP: DCWV rockstar mat stack - loved the flocked heart on the green piece so much didn't want to cover it so cut around it and moved to the top and then cut around her legs to place it over that IYKWIM!
• Others: labels four nestie to cut out image, embossing folder on Coredinations cardstock which I then sanded and tore for the various bits. EK retro flower punch, various gems, blingy heart ribbon slider, and some cord

Got some of the new slimline EK success edger punches yesterday - love them! Will have to have a play and take some piccies to show you the designs later and how they compare next to the MS and fiskars punches. Well and truly fell off the old stash diet this month. Think I'm a bit of a bulimic when it comes to stash - time for a purge soon I think!

Have a good day whatever you're doing. I'm hoping it'll be sunny today then I can go sit in the garden and finish reading Eclipse (half way through) - enjoying that more than New Moon.

T&F ATC & Just Magnolia #1

As it's St George's day tomorrow, this week's ATC theme is red & white (colours of the English flag) so I flicked through my Tildas and thought this one with her rose would look good in red and white ( plus I thought english rose!). The 2 roses at the bottom (and the 2 little bees too) are from the current spring kit and match her perfectly.

Stamped with memento ink and coloured with Copics (face: E000, E00, E21, cheeks:R20 Hair: W1, W3, W7, roses:R02, R05, R08. shadow of dress C1 and shadow around her B60 plus couple of greens and yellows for the stems and bees but can't remember the nos of those!). I then gave the roses a glossy coat by colouring over the top with Sakura glaze pens (clear and red colour #822). The 2 roses on the bottom are stuck on with foam pads.

Decided to use this ATC and turn it into a card for the first challenge over on 'Just Magnolia' which is a lovely sketch. I'm so glad there's a challenge just for Magnolias now and hope it will encourage me to ink up my never ending collection!

I've just used some scrap dp on my desk and another Magnolia stamp (the script stamp which I have used for the circle bit of the sketch) plus a few embellies and bob's your uncle! That's my lot for the day as I'm working tonight but will be back tomorrow with my CCT card. Have a good day and thanks for dropping by!

PTW & Colour create: Another Ketto quickie

Hello! Sorry for the absence but I just couldn't tear myself away from the books and the beautiful sunny weather we've been having (plus 'Ashes to Ashes' was on last night too)! Anyway, still not creating much but did manage to rustle this up, this morning, for 2 challenges then I'm going back to my books (reading Eclipse now so nearly finished!).

PTW is a lovely simple sketch by Dawny and Colour create (which I never seem to get round to even though I always love the colour combos they come up with!) is blk, white & pink so I thought it be perfect for another one of my fabby Ketto stamps. The pink ribbon does match the colours in my image even though it doesn't look it in the photo!

Stash:

• Images: 'Mismatch Ketto' and 'miss kenya's sparkle' stamps (stamped onto the pink base card in the background) from Stamping Bella. (link is in my sidebar if needed!) Sentiment from PM set
• Colouring: Copics
• DP: no dp, don't know what's wrong with me! Just created pattern direct onto pink cardblank with the 'sparkle' stamps and some doodling of hearts, dots and faux stitching.
• Others: matted image onto black card and stuck on with foam pads. Added some ribbon and pom pom string (thought it matched the trim on her skirt) and looked cute. Stapled the pink ribbon onto card (coloured my silver staples with black copic before I used it) and to stop the ribbon from fraying I ran lighter over edges as it's synthetic ribbon so will give nice clean melted edge - just be quick else it will catch fire!)

Right, off for a spot of lunch & reading and then to tackle my DT stuff so should have an ATC for tomorrow, so hope to see you then.

WoJ: 'Sassy'

Managed to finish this one card inbetween my reading (just finished the first one).

Didn't have any challenges in mind when I made it but see my jagged torn edges will fit the ABC challenge this week and the punches and nesties will fit the diecut/punch theme over on Spoonful of sugar - love it when that happens ;)I've used some more scraps off my desk and just added bits to give it a woodland/natural feel to it to match this super cute Charlotte in her archery gear - lover her cute face and those boots (did think sentiment like 'you hit the spot' would be good but was too lazy to print it off so just used a 'sassy' stamp I had to hand!)

Stash:

• Images: 'Rogue Charlotte' WoJ stamp. top/bottom border of the base card stamped with edges from Autumn Leaves 'on the edge set'. Sentiment, Making Memories set
• Colouring: Stamped and clear embossed image then watercoloured with distress inks. Also sponged edges of all the papers with the inks to get the muted/distressed colour tone
• Papers: scraps from BG 'Granola'
• Others: 'Labels three' nestabilities for the image, MS branch punch, SU word window punch, rafia ribbon, prima and paper rose flowers, brads, buttons and string

'new moon' is calling out to me now so may not be another card till Sun/Mon so if I'm not back before then have a lovely weekend and 'be safe' (LOL can you tell I'm in 'twilight' world haha)

CCT Floral fantasy + Sugarbowl sketch = 'happiness'

CCT this week is 'floral fantasy' so we want to see flowers on your cards. Well that wasn't hard but then deciding which stamp to use was! So to help me narrow it down I decided to use the sketch over on Sugar bowl, some scrap DP on my desk which had flowers on it which then led me to use this cutie which hasn't seen ink since I got her (a while ago now!) The rest fell into place then and I used flowers to create a vine border so that it looks like she is swinging off that.

As usual couldn't decide which photo was better so here's another shot of it from the other angle and slightly closer. (can click on both for more close up view if needed)

Stash:

• Images: 'rope swing' Sugar Nellie stamp from sweet art ebony range at Funky Kits. sentiment from Making Memories set I've had for years punched out with SU word window punch
• DP: scraps from an earlier card think it's K & Co 'Madelaine' inked around edges with distress inks and matted onto cream card for added definition
• Colouring: Watercoloured with distress inks and twinkling H2os thought I'd give my Copics a break and to make sure I don't get rusty with my other mediums!
• Others: Rafia ribbon, paper roses, EK swirl punch, gems and 'peony' nestabilities die to cut out the central circle

I'm gonna try and craft a bit today and also do a bit of blog hopping but that's assuming I can tear myself away from my book (so far it's better than the film but then they usually are, aren't they).

Thanks for popping by.

T&F ATC: 1-2-3 recipe

T&F ATC this week is a recipe; 1 ribbon, 2 flowers and 3 buttons. I decided to use one of my precious Hanglar stamps (seem to just look at them more than actually use them even though I love them - think I know if I use them more it'll just make me want to buy more and they aren't that easy to get hold of!).

Decided to use up some bits of scraps on my desk so paper pierced her top and coloured her in with Copics to match. Then just added stamped borders, inked edges and the rest of the recipe to match (the ribbon is folded into a bow onto the large button and the remaining 2 buttons are the centres of my 2 flowers). Hop on over to the blog and see the rest of the DT work, and hopefully you'll join in the fun too.

The colours on this are very 'me colours' so I love it, hope you like it too. Sorry didn't get anything posted yesterday but bank hols and reading the Twilight books have put spanner in the works this week so may not have a card everyday for you! but will have CCT card tomorrow if I get my butt in gear!

Thanks for dropping by.

another quick boy card

quickly whipped this one up today for PTW sketch which ends in couple of hours (blame watching 'Twilight' last night so didn't do any crafting!) and also used the colours for this week's Copic challenge (RV29, E57, YG67)

It's a bit grubby looking as I've distressed edges and went a bit mad with my distress inks but it fits with the earthy/outdoor theme anyway so I think it's o.k but not one of my better ones!

Stash:

• Images: 'Mark and milo' Toodles & Binks stamp (including the sentiment)
• Colouring: Copics
• DP: non branded. Just some old bits I found which reminded me of blankets which I thought suited the image and it matched my coloured in image
• Others: lots of distressing and hand doodled stitching and a few eyelets set with Cropodile and added bit of garden twine to finish.

Right off to do some more DT cards before I start on my Twilight books I went and got today after watching the film last night! Thanks for dropping by, have a good evening.

WoJ & ABC challenge: 'adventure'

Quickie post today so I'll try and keep it short & sweet. Card for 2 challenges: sketch over on WoJ & 'decorating the inside' over on ABC .

I've used another new WoJ stamp (knight Charlie) and used more Kraft coloured cardstock and prismacolor pencils to colour the images (as per my card yesterday - left over card so I thought I'd use it up). Won't bother with my usual stash list but any questions just leave a comment.

Here's some shots of the inside. I've kept it simple to match the front. The base card blank is a lovely pale blue but it looks white in photo!

Image again WoJ, from the medieval collection part 2 released this weekend .

Have a lovely Easter everyone, try not to scoff all your eggs at once (I'm not a big choc fan so I'm safe ;))

Another WoJ preview - horsing around!

. . sorry couldn't resist. I wanted to make card with this beautiful horse stamp from the upcoming new WOJ release this weekend but wanted to just 'play' around with my stuff rather than follow any sketches or challenges, ever feel like that? Well I did, and came up with this

I've made card base using my mega curved rectangle nesties and kept it all fairly simple as I wanted the horse to be main focus. Just used some rafia ribbon I managed to get from Hobbycraft the other day and threaded that through image by cutting slot with my SU word window punch. Then I couldn't resist making my own flower with my new 'peony' nesties and some of the scrap card plus a bit of canvas fabric. Added silver filigree accent to centre of flower and some silver zoomz to the rest of the card to balance it out. Added the ticket in the corner as it looked a bit bare and I couldn't find any other more suitable sentiment but I think it works.
For the colouring I fancied dusting off my prismacolor pencils as it's been a while since I last used them (now that I'm addicted to Copics). I stamped and then embossed the horse with clear embossing powder onto a Kraft coloured cardstock before colouring in with my prismas and blending with Sansador and added bit of shadow around the horse with a cream colour. I stamped the saddle out again, coloured it then clear embossed that to make it look like leather which I then cut out and paper pierced it onto the main image. Added some twinkling H2o and a tiny bit of white highlight with white gelpen and that was it.

I really enjoyed just doing my own thing and must do it more! Don't forget you can see all the other fab DT cards all in one place over in the gallery section of WoJ here.

Thanks for visiting and in case I don't post again this weekend have a lovely Easter and hope it's not too wet and miserable where you are!

CCT pink & brown:'Your Majesty!'

CCT theme this week is 'Marshmallow & Chocolate' i.e pink & brown. So for my card I have used the fab sketch over on truly scrumptious (with theme of 'flowers') and some new 'Charlotte & Charlie' stamps from WoJ which will be released next week. They are a continuation of last month's medievel theme so can be mixed and matched. I've used 2 stamps here, Queen Charlotte and her throne.

The choc/pink on it's own looked a bit flat so I picked out 2 other colours in the dp (green and turq) and added splashes of that to pep it up a bit and to give the card a more funky look which I think suits these images.

I've stamped the throne and cut out oval with my nesties and then I've cut out Charlotte seperately and placed her on the seat by carefully cutting around the arm of the throne and a bit around her arm and slotting them together so that she is sitting in it (Much easier then trying to mask her then adding a bit of the arms back on). Again, it's more 'blingy' IRL which you may see better if you click on photo for close up.

Stash:

• Images: Queen Charlotte & throne are from upcoming 'medieval collection part 2' WoJ release
• Colouring: Copics, Sakura clear stardust pen
• DP: K& Co lotus tea box. Just used the 1 piece as it's double sided. (the pad had a cut out shape on the front cover which I liked the look of so I used it as template and used it on my card - the brown background shape)
• Others: petite scallop ovals and circle nesties, lots of gems, fiskars 'apron lace' border punch, faux stitching, lace, paper flowers and sentiment typed out with ATB tape writer
  

Pop on over to CCT to see all the other fab DT cards and there's also some yummy stamps on offer this week donated by yours truly ;)

Thanks for dropping by.