Monday 30 June 2014

Don't Play Ball In The House

Hello.  Welcome.  It's been a bit of a surreal day.  I got up at 5.30am!!!  Anyone who knows me is wondering how I managed that, including me!  But needs must and maybe I'll share that at a later date.  The evening is rapidly approaching midnight, and with it the end of the month, and there are still projects to share so lets start with this cute dude......



I have been seeing grey and yellow around blogland and decided I would use this colour scheme and the Die-namites sketch and dare to make this fun card.  I started with a yellow base and added three panels of Bazzill London stamped with LOTV Background Bits- Old Romance set and embossed with white embossing powder.  I added some silver corrugated card and  piece of Crate Paper I cut with a deckle edge and added some faux stitches.  Then I tried to use my splat stamp.  Duh!!!   On corrugated and layers.  How silly was that?  So taking a deep breath I added real paint splats!   Quite successful.  Huge sigh of relief.  I die cut Die-namites Windy Wheat twice from yellow vellum and added the footballer from LOTV Action Time Art Pad.  I've cut out and popped the ball up on sticky pads to give a bit more dimension.  I also stamped the vellum wheat with a music stamp from the LOTV Old Romance set using Memento London Fog, but it doesn't show so much.  Looks good in the real though.  

Joining the fun at
LOTV Challenge - Male or Sporty
Die-namites June 2014 Sketch Challenge - Use Vellum
WOW Embossing Powder June Monthly Challenge 2014 - Gardens
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Work It Wednesday June 2014 

Thanks for dropping by.  Off to hopefully finish another little project.  Hugs

Saturday 28 June 2014

Totally Clueless

Hello.  Welcome.  It's the weekend so usually my mornings are devoted to madly finishing and posting projects.  For some reason I decided to be responsible and get myself out in the garden to do a few jobs that have been on the list for far too long.  This means that the card for STAMPlorations and the journal page for Darcy remain unposted and I missed both deadlines.  How silly was that!!   But I do get 10/10 for gardening.   

In an attempt to join in before I missed anymore linky deadlines I checked out the PaperArtsy blog to find that Clare Lloyd had posted number 2 face of the month.  Really enjoyed proving to myself last month that maybe I can draw so thought I'd have another go.  And just to complete my totally clueless afternoon I have just realised I am on Saturday, not Sunday so the PA linky doesn't close for another day.  Gosh, I may be early for something today after all.   Happy Dancing and LOL


Here's my initial sketch onto a #7 manilla tag.  



Tah dah.  I coloured her face with FF Rose and added a little magenta to it to get the cheek/lips highlights.  The hair is FF Butternut with a bit of homemade brown added for the highlights.  The background is FF Limelight stamped with the little bubble stamp from PaperArtsy SM12.  I used Promarkers for her eyes, the outlines and the caterpillers eyebrows.  A couple of flowers stamped with JM34 and coloured with FF Pansy and Limelight and a couple of hearts from SM12 stamped and coloured with DI Picked Raspberry


I added some wool, its like a flat knitted ribbon, and a silver bead.  

Joining the fun at
PaperArtsy
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Work It Wednesday June 2014  

Thanks for your visit.  I am looking forward to being caught up with all my little jobs soon and then there will be more time to play.  Have a great weekend.  Hugs

Tuesday 24 June 2014

What Makes A Fox Bad

Hello.  Welcome.  Over at the Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge this weeks theme is Cartoons/Comics.  Not really my thing but I remembered they had a superhero challenge a while ago and I found some Kanban superhero toppers I had had for ever, so I have revisited.  As well as superheroes I also found some Bad Guy banners.  Not that much difference if you ask me.  I can understand the fox as a bad guy, they do have a reputation, but the panda??  She looks so cute.  Too cute to be bad. 

I started cutting my ATC using Sizzix ATC and corners die.  Is anyone else using this one??  It's the Tim Holtz Alterations version.  It doesn't seem to be cutting the sides straight.  Two of them seem a bit concave.  Not wildly, but it is ascetically displeasing.  I was wondering if anyone else had the same problem?  Probably just me.  Defective products love me. Anyway, on with the art



I cut my ATC from DCWV Sunday Afternoon paper.  This is red with a white grid pattern.  I covered it in some IKEA black and white stripe paper tape.  Then I fussy cut my fox topper.  These had a silver holographic border and were not quite wide enough for an ATC so I did a bit of rhinoplasty to correct his flat nose.  Then I added glossy accents to his eyes and nose.  

Joining the fun at
Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge 141 - Cartoons/Comics
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - I Ought To Use This More 

Thanks for dropping by.  Back soon.  Hugs

Sunday 22 June 2014

Be Yourself

Hello.  Welcome.  Over at PaperArtsy Jo Firth Young made a cute tree.  I decided to make a card and also combine this with the Stampotique Designers Challenge Sentimental.  It goes like this....



I stamped a load of flower /leaf elements using stamps from PaperArtsy JM34 and EDY06.  The flowers are painted using Fresco Finsh Pansy with a hint of Limelight.  All the other elements were stamped on DCWV printed papers.  Then I totally forgot about taking photos!  Sorreeee....



I cut a tree from crunchy wax paper using Sizzix Tree 3D pop up.  I stuck the stamped elements onto it.  I've used a painty background from the stash and realised I should have stuck my tree the other way!!  So the whole thing fell over and became a branch.  I stuck the flowers down the LHS and scribbled a sentiment I saw the other day on a metal sign in a gift shop.  So now it's not a card.   Well, maybe a giant postcard.  Or one of those humorous but slightly embarrassing signs you find in bathrooms.  Like 'Gentlemen please stand closer, it may not be as big as you think' or 'Ladies, please remain seated for the whole of the performance'  That sort of thing. 

Joining the fun at

Thanks for dropping by.  Hope you are having a great weekend.  Hugs

Saturday 21 June 2014

Giant Koi in Exico

Hello.  Welcome.  It's a lovely sunny day.  Looks like my neighbor will be getting some chicks, despite the stupid hen who got up a few times and returned to a different nestbox!!   We thought there was little hope they would hatch, but there are some promising noises despite mummy hen's chicken-brained navigation.  Never one to count the chickens before they hatch but everything is crossed.  Yes Laura, I will put up some pictures of chicks and I haven't forgotten the baby rabbits as well.  Just trying to catch up after the unexpected interruption by the nasty little virus.   Feeling 98% now and hoping I have seen the last of that one!  Sharing a card inspired by Cheery Lynn's challenge to use Kraft.  Decided it was a great opportunity to make it manly and roll out a couple of dies that I haven't had a chance to use yet.  


I started with a piece of 12 x 12 kraft which had a map on it.  I cut it down, distressed the edges and added some DI Walnut Stain.  I cut Cheery Lynn Koi Fish in black card and Cheery Lynn Old Barn Board in black and kraft.  I've coloured the fishing hooks with silver and gold Pilot markers.  I found a piece of burlap which I thought would do as a fishing net and have added some silver rhinestones.  The flowers are the pinwheel from Cheery Lynn BAF #3 Embellishment dies and I thought Cheery Lynn Wheat Heads die could look a bit like seaweed.  If you squint a little maybe??  Some more silver rhinestones in the flower centers and a blue one for the fish's eye.  I put the panel on a black base card.  

Joining the fun at
Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge 137 - Keep It Krafty
Country View Challenge #16 - Only Men Allowed 
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Anything Goes 
Bunny Zoe's Crafts June Challenge - Layers 
Ett Trykk - Kort med Blomster

Thanks for dropping by.  Hope you are having a fabulous weekend.  I'm off to do a bit of gardening.  Hugs

Friday 20 June 2014

Layers of Fun

Hello.  Welcome.  Thank you all for your visits and kind comments.  I am still feeling a bit pathetic from this nasty little virus but hope that normal service will resume shortly.  Really hoping.  It's very tiresome feeling under the weather, especially when the weather is so nice.  I did go a bit mad today and bought a few crafty must haves.  Now I feel the need to get a bit crafty so I have let myself be inspired by Joan's Touch where the challenge was to use a scenery stamp and diecut and layer the image.  At first I thought Joan had stamped the image multiple times but then I realised it was just the one image cut and layered.  Very nice effect.  My biggest challenge was a scenery stamp!  I found this fairy sitting under mushrooms and hope that it qualifies.  Mini scenery.......



I stamped the image using Mmemento Tuxedo Black and coloured with pencils.  Then I cut using Crafts-Too Frames 9 dies and layered using foam pads.  The base card was pre-embossed and I went over with the Tuxedo Black ink to highlight the embossed pattern.  The greeting is a Kort og Godt stamp and reads congratulations.  A quick fun technique.  Must have a look through some dusty boxes and see if I have some other suitable stamps.  

Joining the fun at
Joan's Touch Challenge #18
Bunny Zoe's Crafts June Challenge - Layers
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Anything Goes 

Thanks for your visit.  Your kind words are cherished and greatly appreciated.  Big hugs. 

Sunday 15 June 2014

Dr Frankenstein Please

Hello.  Welcome.  It's a lovely sunny day again here in Norway.  I am still trying to get rid of a nasty little virus that grabbed me a 10 days ago and seems reluctant to let go.  The creative process has been seriously hit as well as everything else.  I am starting to feel a bit alive again, more me, but it's really quite tiresome.  I've decided it's much worse to feel yukky on a lovely sunny day than on a cold grey one.  Well enough of that.  Worse things happen at sea and despite the mojo going on holiday there is always the opportunity to leave all the creating up to someone else and just case their ideas.  The PaperArtsy blog is always a tremendous place to go for inspiration and I loved Sara Naumann's cards.  Even feeling challenged these are fun and easy



I started by brayering some backgrounds.   The yellow is DI Scattered Straw and Dried Marigold.  The blue is DI Broken China and Weathered Wood.  The pink is PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Rose and generic magenta acrylic.  All inks/paints were spritzed with water before brayering.  



Here's a finished card using some of the blue background.  I used washi tape from, wait for it, IKEA!!  Have you seen their stationary section?  It was all new to me.  I picked up a couple of colourways and next time I'm there I will be grabbing the rest.  Really nice tape.  4 rolls in a pack, different widths and designs.  Fab.  The boy and film stamps are from PaperArtsy Kids Plate 3, the three stripes are a border stamp from Simon Says Stamp Artful Borders set.  The words are from STAMPlorations Subway Art Builders Create set.  I added a metal charm from Korthobby to my bow made from offcuts

Joining the fun at

My ambitious plans to make a few of these in different colours have been defeated by the overwhelming urge to go and sleep in the sun!!  Maybe once I recharge the battery I will have another play with these yummy background.  Thanks for dropping by.  Big hugs

Thursday 12 June 2014

Pop Of Red

Hello.  Welcome.  Both The Greeting Farm and Wicked Wednesday are looking for black and white and one other colour so......



I cut my ATC from red textured card and added a border of black paper tape.  Then I used some white bubbles stickers from Woodware.  The Greeting Farm's Double Cupcake Anya was stamped, coloured with Promarkers and fussy cut.  I added a Wink of Stella clear to the butterfly and the cake frosting.  

Joining the fun at
The Greeting Farm FFF - Black and White with a Pop of Colour 
Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge 140 - Black and White and One Other Colour 
Emergency Crafters Challenge - Not a Card 
The Artistic Stamper Creative Team June Challenge - Colour It Red 
penny Black June Challenge - Favourite Stamp 

Thanks for your visit.  Hugs

Tuesday 10 June 2014

A Little Celebration

Hello.  Welcome.  Stampotique are celebrating 150 challenges and I wanted to join the fun.  I've used the STAMPlorations bi-weekly sketch and kept it simple



I stamped Stampotique's Little Hoo Hoo in black archival and masked.  I used Memory Box Shine stencil and DI Festive Berries.  The sentiment is from PaperArtsy SIDD5 stamp set

Joining the fun at

Thanks for dropping by.  Bunny pictures soon Laura.  Hugs

Sunday 8 June 2014

Bunnyday Sunday

Hello.  Welcome.  It's very warm and occasionally sunny today.  My Lionhead rabbit has just had 5 little fat babies.  Happy Sunday everyone.  Despite challenges to the creativity caused by the arrival of an extremely annoying head cold a few days ago I have managed to get a project finished to join the PaperArtsy challenge.  Lots of creative awesomeness there again this week and I started playing with a few ideas til I realised focus and one finished would be helpful!


I really liked the box Sue made but decided to try some of the techniques on a card.  I started with a piece of kraft that had a stamp/postmark print on it.  I added some texture paste and stippled it.  



I painted my texture paste with a few shades of brown acrylic, used DI Walnut Stain through Memory Box Shine stencil and then added some Creative Expressions Vintage Golden Green gilding wax.  Now I have a problem because I really like this and everything I tried covers up that lovely background.  I like that the stamp print is still a bit visiable in the corner and I love the glow on the gilding wax.  Arrrggggggg.....


But I decided it had to have a little more.  A stamp from LPC003, stamped on kraft and fussy cut then backed with an embossed, crumpled and torn piece of crunchy wax paper.  Some birds, Sizzix Birds on a wire decorative strip, and some other tiny elements from various LPC stamps.  I also added a stamped tape border using an MME stamp and some more of the gilding wax to the bird die cut.  Still space for a sentiment.......

Joining the fun at

Thanks for dropping by.  Hope you are having a great weekend.  Hugs

Saturday 7 June 2014

Patriotic Cupcakes

Hello.  Welcome.  I have made a little something for Cheery Lynn where the theme this week is red, white and blue.  I always think this is a very classy combo. 



I used a white card that came already embossed with flowers.  I tinted it with VersaMagic Aegean Sea chalk ink.  I cut Cheery Lynn Spring Flower Burst Doily from red card but left all the negatives in place.  I cut Cheery Lynn Small Tea Rose from blue card, use my ball tool on the back of the petals and layered two together.  I like this gives a totally different look flower.  I used Chery Lynn BAF #1 for the white center and then a red rhinestone.  I also added a wink of stella to the edges of the petals.  




I stamped The Greeting Farm Double Cupcake Anya and coloured with promarkers.  The sentiment is from PaperArtsy SIDD5 stamp set.  



My card joining the fun at


Big hugs and thanks for your visit. 

Tuesday 3 June 2014

Fairy Easel

Hello.  Welcome.  Over at Joan's Touch Joan has challenged us to make a twisted easel card.  I've never made one before.  Always thought it was technical but after reading Joan's post and having a look online I realised it isn't!  So I decided to make my first ever and combine it with the Wicked Wednesday ATC challenge, hence the fairy.



I've used MME Abbey Road patterned cardstock for the ATC and the easel.  I stamped LOTV Bumblebee Fairy using Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto card, coloured with Promarkers and added wink of stella to her clothes and wings.  Then I fussy cut her and stuck her to the ATC.  Then I added a metal parcel embellishment



I cut my easel from the same MME card.  I used a brad as a stop and added a Kort og Godt stamped sentiment. 

Joining the fun at

There's a new release hop over at  Die-namites Dies.   Hop over for a chance to win.

Thanks for your visit.  Hugs

Monday 2 June 2014

Flowers for Joan

Hello.  Welcome  I've used a Prima doll, MME patterned cardstock and the recipe from Joan's Touch to make this confirmation card.  Joan's recipe this week was to cut your card so part of the image stood above the fold and to use cardstock for colour.  I found this quite a challenge and it was going to be a christmas tree card but I have discovered my cutting skills aren't so good when you need the positive and negative intact.  And the christmas tree die has temporarily disappeared so no help there.  Instead I found a stamp with simple lines and went with that. 


I stamped my Prima Doll using Memento Black Tuxedo ink directly onto the patterned cardstock and cut out the top of the image and then folded the card.  I stamped again on flowered paper and paper pieced her dress and hairband.  I coloured her hair with henna promarker and added some shading to the ruffle with blue promarker.  I added some lace.  Had to cut around her a bit more to get it behind her.  Added some pearls from Storyteller and the sentiment is Kort og Godt.  It reads good luck today and for the future.  I added some dots with a black marker on the RHS to extend the stamp and make it look a bit better.  Although I admit it's not the straightest stamping I have ever done.  I still need to put something over the back hole and an insert inside.  A little shabby chic maybe..........


Felt like I needed some more dots so I have doodled and doodled a bit more.  Now she looks grounded.

Joining the fun at
Joan's Touch Challenge #15
7 Kids Challenge 100 - Anything Goes
Loves Rubberstamps Challenge 105 - Add Some Doodling
I Love Promarkers Challenge 221 - Flowers
Storyteller Norge Utfordring 17 - Komfirmasjon eller Feiring 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Thanks for your visit.  Hugs

Sunday 1 June 2014

CCC May

Hello.  Welcome.  Here's the card I made for the May Card Chain Challenge. 



I used bronze card for my base card.  The heart paper is from DoCrafts Born to Shop paper pad.  On the RHS I added the top layer of a napkin.  I thought this was a great sentiment and since one of the challenge themes was food I thought it appropriate.  What do you mean?  Of course champagne is one of the most important food groups........  I added a layer of mauve which I covered with clear wink of stella.  Gotta love the bling.  I embossed the lady from one of DoCrafts Born to Shop embossing folders, coloured her with distress inks and cut her out. 

Drop over and check out the full reveal HERE
If you would like to join the fun this months CCC sign up is HERE.  Drop over and join the fun.  Send a card, get a card, everyone's a winner.   

Thanks for your visit.  Hugs

My card joining the fun at

Go Where You Are Led

Hello.  Welcome.  Lots of exciting inspiration over at PaperArtsy this week but I am in a distracted mood so I have decided to start by following Kate's third post and see where it leads me.  I have no destination in mind but I do have Chatsworth papers and all the scraps!!   Too gorgeous to let even a little piece slip away so hopefully something good will come of all those scraps.  



I started by sticking bits onto a 15 x 20 cm base.



A bit of gesso and bottle*.  Thought I'd better let it dry.  Usually I just add it all at once and end up with mud!!

A little butterscotch*, maybe a little too much!!, and pebble* (*Adirondack Acrylic Paint).  Me thinks I should have foregone the butterscotch!!!  I went outside and hit it with some copper Shimmer Spritz..... and watched most of it blow away!!!   Arrrggggggg.  A couple of extra hits to accommodate wind drift..... 


Then this!  JOFY PS007 stencil with Dreamweaver yellow embossing paste.  Should have used walnut stain and bumped because I think these two work well together but instead ended up using a Henna Promarker and doodled in some shadows.   


and then it all went a bit radical.  I decided it was too big for all my stamps and decided to do a tag


 Then I decided it needed backing so used a copper card.  So now it's a tag on a tag shaped card, with a Prima doll.  Bet you didn't see that coming.  I know I didn't.

Joining the fun at
PaperArtsy
Stampotique Designers Challenge 147 - Tags
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - The Artsy Stamp 
Loves Rubber Stamps Challenge 105 - Add Some Doodling 
I Love Promarkers Challenge 221 - Flowers 
7 Kids Challenge 100 - Anything Goes 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes 

Thanks for dropping by.   Hugs