Hello Beautiful

A very proud day today :).  I entered the Sheepski Designs FB challenge in January and was chosen to be their guest designer for the Feb/March challenge.  Thank you so much to the DT and Andrea of Sheepski Designs for this honour.

The theme for the FB challenge is to used ribbon or a bow and I chose to use the image 'Hello' for my creation.

After printing the image and computer generated sentiment I then used a large oval die to cut the image layer.  Next I masked the image and placed the oval onto my plain backing paper and set to with Distress Inks to create the background.  Once the base layer of ink was down I then used a wet one and a stencil to created the washed out areas then lightly went over with some gold from my stamp pad before removing the stencil. The image was then unmasked and coloured with Copics and enhanced with Prismacolour Pencils.  To finish off once the layers were assembled I cut some ribbon diagonally on both side edges and twisted it to resemble seaweed, a couple of light green strips of ribbon which were just twisted were added to the group and finally some pearls.  Lastly I made a small bow and added three more pearls at the top right just for a bit of balance.

I am entering this card in the following challenges : -

• Craft Rocket Challenges M 1st Thurs #67 Feb - Bows and/or Buttons
• Cute Card Thursday W,C5 #622 Square
• Dream Valley Challenges (2W, 3E, C10)#219 HAND-COLORED IMAGE (WEEK 1)  

Best Seat in the House

The image used for this card is Best Seat In The House by Dr. Digi House of Stamps.

I coloured the image with Copics and Polychromes then masked the image so I could create the background with Pan Pastels.  The sentiment was created digitally before colouring.  Oh how I can relate to this adorable pup and to me, my seat is the best seat in the house lol.  After busy days I just long for getting my onsie on and collapsing into my recliner, getting my feet up off the ground and chilling with a cup of coffee.  Somehow this just puts me in a great state of 'time to relax and forget the world', well at least until I have to get up out of my chair to make dinner or the likes.

I am entering this card in the following challenges : -

• Always Fun Challenges - (W, 3E, Top 3 Awarded)  #150 ANIMALS
• Make My Monday  (2W, Top 3, 3E) #116 CRITTERS  (Week 1) 
• Tinker- Dream (M, P15) #86 - Get Well Soon
• Brown Sugar – M (First Friday of M), E2 - Feb  No. 298 -  ANYTHING GOES  (Closes Mar 3rd) 
• Crafty Catz - W, 3E - No.493 -  ANYTHING GOES WITH OPTIONAL TWIST CRITTERS

Running Free

The challenge this fortnight at I ❤️Promarkers is
 'For A Girl'

and the sponsor for this challenge is IKEsART with $15 prize to spend in the store

For my DT inspiration I have used one of Ike's images form the HORSES Set of 6 and created my pinky purple background to give the card a 'girly' feel.  To create the card I printed the horse and a second copy on printer paper to use as a mask.  I then hand cut the hills and clouds also to be used as masks.  It was then out with my air brush to colour the background, pretty pleased with the way it turned out for a first attempt at trying to create a scene this way.  I then coloured the horse also with Promarkers and then stamped some grass.  Alas a bit of a problem with the moon, originally it was masked too and then I used the reverse of the mask to keep the moon exposed but protect the rest of the card so I could give it a blast with Crafters Companion silver glitter spray - but, oh the big 'but' lol, I was rather heavy handed and the varnish ended up bleeding under the masked area grrrrrr.  To cover up my boo boo I die cut another moon out of silver card to place on top and hide my error.  Learnt the lesson the hard way now just hope I remember for the future.  Finally I got round to creating the sentiment which I then backed on silver along with the image layer and finished off by embossing some purple glitter paper for my card base before assembling everything.

Promarkers used  : - ice grey 1-5, amethyst, wild orchid, pink pearl and lavender.

I am entering this card in the following challenges : -

• Stinkin' Inkers - M, E3 - February -  Use One Or More Embossing Folders
• Tuesday Throwdown W -   #451 Use Your Favorite Color (week 1) - FAV COLOUR PURPLE AS TO ME IT IS THE COLOUR OF EQUALITY - MADE UP OF BLUE AND PINK/RED FAMILY IT IS NEITHER MALE OR FEMALE BUT A MIXTURE OF BOTH :)
• Always Fun Challenges - (W, 3E, Top 3 Awarded)  #150 ANIMALS
• Dream Valley Challenges (2W, 3E, C10)#219 HAND-COLORED IMAGE (WEEK 1)  
• Make My Monday  (2W, Top 3, 3E) #116 CRITTERS  (Week 1) 

Elephant Baby Card

 International Art & Soul, a challenge which has been put together to incorporate any type of craft, paper, wood, flowers, recycling, glass - the world is your oyster :).  Come on over an join us with you artwork :)

Challenge #77
Follow The Sketch

This fortnights challenge 'Follow The Sketch' has been chosen by Christine.  I stamped the patterned papers with Altnew inks and coloured the image with Copics.  The image is by Sheepski Designs and one that I won a few months ago, isn't it just so precious :).  It is not often I use a sketch to create my layouts so I throughly enjoyed this challenge, just that little bit different from what I normally do :)

Challenges entered : -

• 2 Crafty Critter Crazies (M, P1, E5, must have a critter) #35 - Anything Goes with a Critter
• Di's Digis Designs 2W, 3E,SIO  Use a Digi Image (W1 of 2)
• Crafty Catz - W, 3E - No.493 -  ANYTHING GOES WITH OPTIONAL TWIST CRITTERS
• Crafty Gals Corner  M, 2nd W, E3, #204 - Add a Heart
• Simon Says Stamp W, 5E - 2 or More Patterned Papers

Peonies

Just a very quick post with a card I have made using the gorgeous Peonies digi image by Sheepski Designs

I coloured the image with Prismacolour pencils then masked it so I could create the background with Distress Inks, the card base was also coloured.  With the image still masked I then stencilled the leaf and butterfly design also using Distress Inks.  As this card was made with the Sheepski challenge theme in mind I also added gold stamped hearts to the card base.

• SheepSki Designs Challenges (M, P1, 3E, C10, SIO) #35 - Hearts and/or Flowers

Valentine Derek

The image used for this card is Valentine Derek by Dr. Digi House of Stamps.

I coloured Valentine Derek with Copics and then fussy cut him out ready to place on my background which was created with hot foiling using the hot foil tool by Antex.  The tool is not easy to use but is fun and I do like the distressed look. The Valentine sentiment was also hot foiled but this time using my Silver Bullet and the WRMK hot foil pen attachment.  Lace die cutting was added behind the sentiment before it was added to the card with foam tape.  It is a shame you can't see the glitter shine on the bow, flower wrapper and cumber-band which was done with the Crafters Companion glitter ink pen as it is so pretty but never mind.

I am entering this card in the following challenges : -

• Crafty Gals Corner  M, 2nd W, E3, #204 - Add a Heart
• Crafty Sentiment Designs W, 1E, SIO - Use Red
• Tuesday Throwdown W -   #450 Create Your Own Background (week 2)
• Crafty Cardmakers  (2W, C15) #250 LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED (Week 1)
• Get Creative Challenges  (M, 1st Mon, 3E) #88 USE HEARTS
• Make My Monday  (2W, Top 3, 3E) #115 I HEART YOU  (Week 2) 
• Allsorts  W,3E  - #558 - Add a Heart
• My Time to Craft 2W  - #415 - Love Me Do (W1 of 2)
• Sweet Stampers (M, P10, E3, use stamp or digi) #41 - Hearts and/or Flowers

Rose Corner

For this card I used the image Rose Corner by Aurora Wings and coloured the image with Copics.  I then masked the image and used Distress Inks to create the background and the card blank.  With the image still masked I stamped the background and card blank with a large background stamp.  Next I stamped a swirl corner in gold on the card front.  To finish off I die cut the Love sentiment and added the wee gem heart.  Dark red and old gold papers were used to create the layers.

I am entering this card in the following challenges : -

• C.R.A.F.T. W,5E #543 Love/Valentines
• Paper Shelter  W, 3E - For the One You Love
• Simon Says Stamp W, 5E - With Love
• Tuesday Throwdown W -   #450 Create Your Own Background (week 1)
• Artsystamper Challenge (2W) - #9 FLOWERS (Week 1)
• Dream Valley Challenges (2W, 3E, C10)#218 LOVE (WEEK 1)  
• Dragonfly Dreams - M, Winner + Top Picks – (February) Love
• Dare 2B Artzy Challenges - M, 1st Sunday, E3 - (February) Love is in the Air 
• Stamping Sensations - M, 3E, Winner + Top 3, must use stamp (no pre-colored digis) Stamp must be focal point of project – (February) Feminine 
• SheepSki Designs Challenge #35 "HEARTS AND / OR FLOWERS"

Roses of Love

It is hard to believe Valentine's Day is just around the corner, time if flying by so fast these days.

It has been ages since I created a card like this using lace hahaha.  I coloured the rose with Prisma Colour pencils and fussy cut and placed over the top of my die cut heart with lace background.  So much fun getting all my die cuts and lace out again for this creation and only one way to finish it off and that had to be with the addition of some pearl sprays and half back pearls.

I am entering this card in the following challenges : -

• C.R.A.F.T. W,5E #543 Love/Valentines
• Paper Shelter  W, 3E - For the One You Love
• Simon Says Stamp W, 5E - With Love
• Artsystamper Challenge (2W) - #9 FLOWERS (Week 1)
• Dream Valley Challenges (2W, 3E, C10)#218 LOVE (WEEK 1)  
• Dragonfly Dreams - M, Winner + Top Picks – (February) Love
• Dare 2B Artzy Challenges - M, 1st Sunday, E3 - (February) Love is in the Air 
• Stamping Sensations - M, 3E, Winner + Top 3, must use stamp (no pre-colored digis) Stamp must be focal point of project – (February) Feminine 
• SheepSki Designs Challenge #35 "HEARTS AND / OR FLOWERS"

Buddhist-Bernie plaque

The image used for this pyrography plaque is Buddhist-Bernie by Dr. Digi House of Stamps.

Playing around with a bit of pyrography is a bit of fun, nice and relaxing and not thinking about colour combinations makes a change lol.  The digital image was placed into Illustrator and from there I added the text and corners.  This was then printed onto tracing paper (in reverse) and transferred to the wood plaque I used using high strength acetone and a spoon - small areas are wet using a paint brush and the acetone and then rubbed with the back of the spoon to copy the image onto the wood.  To finish off I wood stained the plaque using inks watered down.

I did find this rather challenge as I made the image large to hold centre stage on the plaque and as I am very much a dabbler in pyrography trying to get the material effects and shading but keeping the clothing, cushion and Buddha areas distinctive was a real bit of trial and error.  Saying that, I do like the way he turned out :).

I am entering this card in the following challenges : -

• Arty Divas 2W, 5E, C10 - #14 - Anything Goes (week 2)
• Digi Choosday Challenge -W,E2, - #5 - Anything Goes
• Unicorn Challenge M, E3, No fully digital projects February - Anything Goes

One Person To Annoy

The challenge this fortnight at I ❤️Promarkers is

 'Wedding/Anniversary'

and the sponsor for this challenge is Bugaboo Stamps with $12 gift code for the Store 

For my design creation I have used the Bugaboo image Stella Love - Person to Annoy.  Hubby and I don't give each other cards but this year will be our ruby wedding anniversary - I don't know where the years have gone :).  As a special treat I think I will give this card to him hahaha.  I guess there has been the odd occasion over the years when we have annoyed each, there has to be in reality but they are pretty insignificant, those off-days are of no real consequence compared to the amazing friendship we have, still able to laugh at ourselves too.

Promarkers used - coral, blush, solstice blue, cyan, pastel green, ice grey 1 3 &5, warm grey 5, crimson, red, walnut, cocoa and caramel. The background of the heart was air-burshed with champagne

This card is being entered in the following challenges : - 

• Try It On Tuesday 2W, C5, 2nd & 4th weeks - Share The Love (week 1)
• Dream Valley Challenges (2W, 3E, C10)#218 LOVE (WEEK 1) 
• Make My Monday  (2W, Top 3, 3E) #115 I HEART YOU  (Week 1) 
• Catch the Bug - February Anything Goes!
• Crafty Friends Challenge 2W, 3E, - #128 - Love / Romance (W1 of 2)

Lamp Post Dive

IKEsWORLD

Challenge 129
N is for Naught or Nice

Welcome back to the IKEsWORLD challenges :)  do pop on over to IKEsWORLD to join in the challenge, it is always so much fun and  Ike produces the most amazing stamps, everything from off the wall to cute and fluffy :) :) :)

It has to be naughty, could be really naughty but this time I have opted for ha-ha.  I love this image as it reminds me of a very starry moment I had years ago, around 28 going by my thinking back.  I had just started out as a classroom teaching assistant with kids who had special needs.  Computers were a passion at that time then as they are now but in those days it was because I could create specific worksheets for the kids quickly so they could do the mainstream class work with the other kids but have the work sheets at a level they could cope with.  No car for me in those days so lots of carrying of books and stuff, thankfully the school was not miles away from my house.  At the end of each day I would bundle up the bits I needed that evening to make the worksheets and walk home with the kids and as usual, lots of chatter with them.  On one particular day and I am sure you have guessed what happened, I was chatting (real life conversation not into a mobile phone like now!!!) I walked straight into the lamp post grrrrrrrr star for sure, not far off knocking myself out.  I don't know what was worse, the embarrassment of feeling like a total prat or the stars and headache I had later that evening :)

Image coloured with Copics, die cut letters for the text and dies for the framing of the image.  Paper is from a paper pad I have had for donkeys years.

Ingredients:-

• image - LAMP POST DIVA INTERFACE by IKEsART
• colouring medium - Copics
• other items - Die cuts for frames and text.

I am entering this project into the following challenges:-

Red Red Wine

 International Art & Soul, a challenge which has been put together to incorporate any type of craft, paper, wood, flowers, recycling, glass - the world is your oyster :).  Come on over an join us with you artwork :)

Challenge #76
A Favourite Song

This fortnights challenge A Favourite Song has been chosen by DT sister Hazel. I love listening to the radio and enjoy 'tunes' but do I ever pay much attention to the title of the song or who sings it - not in the least, it is just there in the background of my life.  So although I love music and hum along to catchy tunes that is as far as it goes lol.  Can you now imagine the problems this challenge caused me, hours of research to see if I recognised any titles and lyrics.  Thankfully I came across Red Red Wine by UB40 - I seemed to recall that one after I heard so to me that means it must have been a favourite at one moment in time. If you have not heard it you can listen to it here.

I have used the digital image JJWine by Bugaboo.  The image was masked and Distress Inks were used to create the background and backing paper then a stencil applied and a second colour of ink was applied.  Next I coloured the image with Copics and made the sentiment label.  Both these layers were matted with burgundy and green papers and placed on the card. To finish off I added green half pearls and a cream bow which I coloured with Copics to match the colour theme, some 3D gel to her glasses and glass of wine, stamped a pattern on the bottle label and add gold bits here and there.

Challenges entered : -

• Creations in Pink (M, P15, E3, mostly pink) #18 - Anything Goes in Mainly Pink
• Catch The Bug - (W) Anything Goes