Update to post under ...

... You might like to pop over to Jak's blog - Crafter's Kitchen - and get the latest update on the fundraising that these lovely digi images have resulted in. Superb result so far but it could be better *LOL*. I've had the calculator out and .....

..... it shows that there are at least 250 people out there that really care about this cause.

Now, Jak has 555 followers showing on her blog sidebar and, if every one had bought a set she would have raised £2,220. Then, if every one of her 634 Feeblitz follwers had done the same that would have added another £2,536 added to the pot. Then there's her Google Reader subscribers and any other form of subscriber so ...... realistically £5,000 isn't out of reach as a target.

I know that the £1000 is waaaaayyyy more than she ever thought she'd get but .... COME ON PEOPLE ... get buying/donating and make that £5,000 a reality!

Enjoy!!

Exclusive Digi Images ...

... by 2 extremely talented artists - in aid of the Meningitis Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign - in memory of little Layton John Cleaver who was taken from this world by this awful disease, at the age of 16 months.



Please hop over to Jak's Crafter's Kitchen for more information and detail and make a purchase, or a donation, to aid this truly worthwhile research.









UPDATE: Here's a sample of an image coloured very basically in PSP - never done it before and this was an experiment .... Think it may have worked!!


Enjoy!!

SU Stampers 10 challenge

My Stampers 10 group were issued a challenge this month. We were sent one sheet of 6 x 6 inch SU designer paper and were told to 'get creative'! We could cut, fold, tear, punch or just leave it as is and use it on a card. I knew exactly what I wanted to do if I could find instructions so, with the help of my dear friend Mr Google I went in search and found just what I was looking for. Unfortunately it turned out that the paper was a little too thick for the job as there were so many folds involved but I think it's sort of worked? Can you tell what it is?

Yep, it's an owl (well, what else would I choose to do - huh?) It was nearly a box though and I'm thinking that it might have been better to have been one but it's done now. If anyone else is interested in making it the instructions can be found here I would suggest that you use thin paper that takes a sharp crease well - *LOL*

Enjoy!!

Kay Webb Workshop - Clearly .... Christmas

Lovely relaxed day at The Glitterpot on Wednesday doing a workshop with Kay Webb. 4.5 cards made. The 0.5 because it's not finished and isn't likely to be - *lol*!! It was a card started, using scraps, to fill up the time as we finished the planned ones very early ... that's how easy peasy they were. Not happy with what I did with it before I ran out of time so will leave it. It may get finished eventually - *LOL*

Morning cards ...
Stamps: Gillian Roberts - Nativity 2 (I coloured this at home with my Prismacolors) and Gillian Roberts - Snowman (coloured in class with watercolour pencils). Various greeting stamps.
Other embellishment: A variety of backing papers & card, matting and layering, Bazzill Bling, nestibilities, Cuttlebug folder and Cuttlebug, crystal gems, ribbon, snowflake brad.

Afternoon cards ...
Stamps: Penny Black Majestic and Hero Arts Winter Pine (watercoloured trunk and chalked leaves), selection of greeting stamps
Other embellishment: Nail Heads, Stickles, glitter, double sided adhesive sheet, red crystal gems, ribbon, holographic peeloff star, variety of backing card and papers, versamark and white embossing powder, versafine, snowflake punch, glitter card.

Enjoy!!

Colouring Workshop - again!

They say the Lord likes a trier so He must luurrve me and Greta 'cos we're very - sorry, that should be 'really' - trying ... LOLOL!! The number of times we've (oops!) I've had instruction in colouring you'd have thought we'd got it by now! I think I have got the pencil colouring, be it Prisma Colors or the UK equivilant, Coloursoft, but it didn't stop me doing another class at The Craft Barn yesterday, hoping to pick up a few more tips that I could work on. Unfortunately my watercolouring is still bad (that's probably an understatement), despite doing another class on that as well.


The morning class wasn't what we expected at all but it was thoroughly enjoyable because it was different! We learnt how to lay down a flat wash, a graduated wash and how to make a sunset background. Now, they could all be very useful but then they're more slap it on and watch it develop. We learnt how to deepen the colours with layers (not extra paint/ink added as I thought - lol!) and we had a go at colouring a traced, stamped image which was interesting although mine was a bit of a disaster however, not as much as the poppy which we won't talk about - LOL!


The afternoon was using Coloursoft pencils and Sansodor. I was hoping to pick up a few more tips on using these but the original tutor couldn't do the class so a substitute was bought in, in the shape of Stamping Caz - lol!! The first thing she did was admit that she had only used these pencils 3 times before but she gave a good demo for those that had never used them so needed to learn from scratch or have basic tips on how to proceed. I enjoyed the class, even if I didn't pick up anything extra on their use. We made a double slider card and a standard DL card using a couple of the Craft Barn's Kadoodle stamps (designed by Sandra Dry who should have been our tutor for this workshop) and a variety of DP. I finished the projects at home and went a bit overboard with my 'distressing'. It's very distressed - LOL! That's the fault of doing it under a side light instead of proper light. Mind you, I don't think it looks too bad ... ????

I did learn a couple of things from this class though. I don't like Coloursoft as much as Prisma Color. They are softer, both in the lead and in the colours and neither do I particularly like the effect of colouring round the edge and dragging the colour in - which can be done providing a very silky, smooth card is used. The slightest texture on the card and forget it! In that instance, colour the whole image lightly with a very pale colour (even if it's white) and build on top of that. I think I've got used to working on 'rough' card and colouring the whole image and now, what I was originally trying to achieve, no longer appeals. I've developed my own style and I've realised that I'm happy with it but I'm still open to trying and adapting anything else along the way. Just wish I could get a handle on watercolouring - lol!

Enjoy!!

Advent calendar and Christmas card ... with difference!

Had a brilliant day with crafting friends yesterday. Hosted by Debs, we knew we had a couple of projects to do 'cos she'd given a clue - LOL! Instructions given were -
Cutting mat
Craft knife
Scissors
Pokey tool (optional)
Strong DST (lots of it)
For the first project ... embellishments no taller than 3" or 2" in width, anything from 2-8 of them with matching coloured or patterned card, ribbon, brads (optional) or anything you can think of to decorate a large box.
The second project you will need a topper/decoupage no taller than 4" with coordinating backing papers, embellishments, ribbon, sentiments.

The first project turned out to be a labour of love and love it we did! It took nearly all day but nowhere near as long as it must have taken Debs to do all the prep! My finished Advent Box used Papermania Christmas papers for the top and bottom, silver mirri board for the drawer sides, Papermania snowflake brads for the drawer handles and a selection of snowman ready-made toppers to decorate.

As it turned out we didn't need anything for the 2nd project. Debs supplied packs with everything in (the images I was given are from Lily of the Valley - cute, eh?). We were given the measurements to make the card fold and left to decorate it with the goodies supplied and then cover with the acetate as instructed. I love this card but I couldn't get it to sit as it should with the acetate fixed where it should have been so I adapted and now it won't fit in an envelope as the acetate won't lay flat when rest of card flattened - LOL! I finished this card at home as I wanted to add stickles to the main images to give it a bit of sparkle and I think it worked!

Enjoy!!

Stamping Up Christmas Card.

Quick card made last night with elements supplied by my SU demonstrator. Can't tell you what they are without going on a hunt but everything is SU!

Enjoy!!

Inside out & Cuttlebug owl!

Had a lovely day at the Craft Barn on Wednesday with a group of crafty friends - all arranged to meet up with one who had travelled down to the south from Scotland. Brilliant day, lots of laughs and a bit of crafting done. Probably not as much crafting as originally intended but reckon we all enjoyed what we did. A couple of cards in the morning, decorating the inside as well as the out and tips on the Cuttlebug in the afternoon until we were shown an owl! "We want to make that" was the cry so tutor had to go find suitable materials and make the owl we did - and what a cutie!

Owl made from Bazill Bling and coordinating colour for tummy. White and black card for eyes and bib and different shades of orange for feet and beak. Tummy embossed with Cuttlebug folder Tiny Bubbles to give texture. Head cut with the small Go Kreate Square Pointy #3 die, body from Classic Scalloped circle nestibility and all other shapes from relevant sized punches/nesties. Beak was hand cut. Cream organza ribbon for bow and buttons are Craftwork Cards Card Candy.



Robin & postbox card was stamped twice with Kadoodle stamp Postbox Robin. One image was coloured with Derwent Coloursoft pencils and Sansodor and the internal image just had the robin coloured. It doesn't show in photo but the postbox was glazed. Both stamped images were cut out using a Go Kreate die (see owl description)and both shapes had pale blue ink sponged around the edge. The same die was also used to cut the shape out of the insert to match the plainer stamped image. This card is still to be completely finished but there will be a verse/greeting plaque printed and cut out using a nestibility and a plaque for signatures.




Castle card was made using PaperArtsy stamps. The main castle is PaperArtsy Crowns & Castles 4 and the internal village was stamped several times using PaperArtsy Crowns & Castles 7. "Once upon a time" is from PaperArtsy Crowns & Castles 8. The 'extension' was embossed using Cuttlebug folder Tiny Bubbles.

Enjoy!!

Another challenge card.

This time it was a challenge on the imag-e-nation forum. It came just at the right time as our eldest grand-daughter's 13th birthday was on the horizon. I'd been playing and had already made a 'never-ending' card blank and had decided to make it her card but had no idea what to put on it, although I'd already chosen the backing papers. I wanted to keep it simple so the mechanics of the card took the limelight and then Val issued the challenge ..... butterflies! Didn't matter what shape, colour, occasion as long as the card had at least 2 butterflies on it so, my problem was solved. Grand-daughter's verdict (her birthday was 2 weeks ago but had to delay posting because of the challenge)? I quote ... "i loved it x .... it was amazing x .... thank you x ..... i really did love it x :d " I think she liked it *LOL* Now I reckon I'll be having to show her how to make it!

Click on any image to enlarge

Materials:
Base card - standard white card cut into 4 strips 6 inches by 3 inches and joined to make the neverending card base.
Backing papers - Papermania Sweet Nothings paper pack.
Embellishments - Squares cut from same card as base using nestibilities and sponged with ink while die still in place. (Tip: If using rub-ons sponge the ink on after using the rub-ons. They will not stick to the card once it's inked - *lol*)
Silver rub-ons, Papermania stickers, Anita's peeloffs and holographic, self-adhesive butterflies, some of which were stuck onto acetate to make 3D.
Not shown in photograph as they were added later - crystal gems on the 13 Today side, for an extra bit of bling!

Enjoy!!

Oooo ... I'm amazed!

I had to do a double-take this morning when I opened my emails. I had one from Boni, the DT co-ordinator for Digital-Ink Co. She was inviting me to be a guest designer for a month. Me, moi? The person who hardly makes anything at home on her own initiative. I know I have recently and there's something else waiting in wings for another challenge to finish before I can post it but, they are the exception (big exceptions) rather than the rule. I'm so chuffed, honoured, gob-smacked and delighted to have been asked but .... sadly, I've had to refuse the invitation. I just can't make the commitment that such a post would deserve, not even for a month and, if I can't guarantee being able to put the time in then it's not fair to accept. I would certainly love to have a go and hopefully I may be in a position in a few months where I could consider it. Just not at the moment but, I feel it's an huge great compliment for my work - no matter how little of it there is *LOL*

Thank you Boni, D-I Co and Jackie, for putting my name forward. I know I wouldn't have got the invite if Boni hadn't thought my work good enough, no matter who put me forward, but it's nice to know that my work is liked by other crafters.

Enjoy!!

Digital-Ink Co Blog Hop Challenge

x two THREE!

Digital-Ink Co are having a "Falloween Blog Hop" lasting until 8th October. There's loads of chances to win the main prize and some of those chances involve 'mini' challenge's issued by a few of the DT. I've taken the opportunity of entering some *LOL*.

Jules Junk's challenge was a pop-up card and Sew Many Cards has given a sketch so ... I've combined the 2 and made a card for our eldest grandson's 18th birthday. Yep, he's a Halloween baby. I can remember the day of his birth like yesterday and the look on my 18 year old son's face when he carried him to me from the operating theatre (C-section birth). A complete joy! Anyway, back to the card!

(UPDATE: I've chanced my luck, been really cheeky and entered it for a 3rd challenge on the Digital-Ink Co blog hop ... Beary Dust Stamps! Chanced my luck because the challenge was to make a birthday card for Judy, one of the blog contributors - I think, but could be Sue, the blog owner .... I'm confused *grin* - and she's not my grandson ... or 18 - *LOL*!)

This card is full of firsts again. It's the first time I've used a digital image (I won't call these images stamps 'cos they're not *LOL*). It's the first time I've done an 'out-of-the-box' successfully using a nestie. It's the first pop-up card I've ever attempted (hence mistakes made and bodges done to make it work as near as possible to the way it should) and ... it's the first time I've used the PC for my greeting and 'other stuff'

The requirement for both challenges was to use an Halloween image from Digital-Ink.Co, either one of the freebies given at the start of the hop or one purchased from their store. I chose to purchase one but at 50% off of all images for the month of October it wasn't an huge expense (or hardship) to find one ideally suited for my needs! I could just see Halloween Pumpkin doing the jump of joy in celebration of grandson's coming of age. He's been resized and mirrored to ring the changes throughout the card.

I've used SU's Pumpkin Pie DP, bronze backing paper to matt, nesties and golden brown ink for sponging edges (with a bit of orange thrown in for good measure).

The greeting, the age numbers and his name have all been computer generated and printed onto card. The greeting has been sponged, matted and layered. The age number and name letters have been coloured with prismas, blended with Zest-It, cut out and stuck on. The pumpkin images have also been coloured with prismas and blended with Zest-It. Looking at the sketch again, I'm not sure I've got it exactly right but hope it's close enough!

For any of our non-UK friends .... The 18th birthday is a 'special' birthday in the UK. It is the age that our youngsters officially become adults and when they legally take full responsibility for their own lives - at least, that's the idea *LOL* They are free to do whatever they want without needing parental consent. That includes getting married, drinking alcohol (not that they ever need parental consent for that but it's illegal before the age of 18) and dying for their country! Oh ... and they get the right to vote in Parliamentary and local Government elections. Most celebrate their 18th birthdays with a big celebration and it's usually a party. It is also a time for big presents *LOL*

Enjoy!!

Blog Candy alert!

... and what candy!

Firstly there's Crafter's Kitchen that's giving anybody with a UK postal address available, the chance of winning a Silhouette SD cutting machine. Just leave a comment on the blog post, link to the candy on your own blog, put your name and URL on MrLinky and Bob's your uncle! Entries close 29th October - winner drawn on the 30th.

Secondly, Hallmark Ladybugs is giving everyone the chance of a Gypsy. Yep - that's the brand spanking new Provocraft Cricut Gypsy! Equally easy to enter - leave a comment on the post and subscribe to the blog. This one's drawn on 11th October.

Both excellent candy and amazing giveaways and remember - you've got to be in it to win it - LOL!

Enjoy!!

My very first Blog Challenge Card!

Way-hey!! I'm no longer a Blog Challenge virgin - or at least I won't be once I've posted the link onto some blogs! Yep, SOME blogs! I've made a card inspired by my good friend Jackie. She's on the DT for Digital-Ink Co and they are running a challenge which I decided to take up. In doing so I looked for a sketch to follow and one think led to another - *LOL!*

One of my colourings has finally made it onto a card so this post is full of firsts. It's my first blog challenge entry ... and some. It's the first time I've used a proper sketch. It's the first time one of my coloured items has found its way onto a card and ... it's a rarity for me to have made a card at home. Only thing I shouldn't have done was use blue! It just never seems to reproduce to the exact colour by the camera or on the pooter but then I couldn't have entered the Digital-Ink Co challenge .... :0{ I can also now see where I could have made improvements although I think I'm getting the hang of this colouring business! I've kept it simple - too simple perhaps, but being my first I'm reasonably happy with it. Anyways, here's my card ....

~ Stamp from The Greeting Farm, Anya Dressy Collection ~
~ Coloured with prismas and Zest-it ~
~ Nail heads (Anya's shoes) ~
~ Flora Doodles Daisy Box Blend from Joanna Sheen ~
~ Quickutz nesting label for matting and layering Anya ~
~ Cuttlebug Swiss Dots A2 embossing folder ~
~ Papers from stash ~

Challenges entered:





Digital-Ink Co* - colours
Friday Sketchers* - sketch.
PaperPlay Challenges - Spot this (flowers and backing)
Pollycraft Monday Challenge - 5 's' words. I used Sparkle & Spots (matting, backing & flowers)
Creative Card Crew* - All that sparkles (matting, flower centre & nail heads)
Stamp Something Challenge Blog * - Your favourite layout (first layout so it's got to be my fave - *lol*)

So that's it! My first blog challenge and from one challenge it grew so that the card actually fits 6 *LOL* Guess it could be more but I think 6, for one card, is quite enough! Just got to go and enter it now .....

Edit: The more I look at this card the more the middle layer looks like a bandaid plaster - *LOL*. That layer should really have been a bit deeper and a contrast methinks. Wonder if I can do something about it - hhhhmmmmmmmmmm?

UPDATE: I've entered it for another challenge ...
Club Anya* - I {heart} punches (Quickutz labels for matting and corner rounders for other layers)
That's 7 challenges now from one card. Am I going for a record? Possibly - *LOL* Not bad for a blog challenge virgin!

Enjoy!!

FREEBIE - Waterlily hexagonal pyramid

Another waterlily - and it is a different photo to the last one! We've been having such lovely weather this past week (with the exception of one day but more about that on Ramblings!) that another lily appeared on the pond and reminded me that I'd made this sheet a while back but not posted it. I still have no idea how the sizes work in practise. The topper, the borders, the greetings ..... I need somebody who's used 'em ('cos I haven't, or printed them) to let me know if I need to make any adjustments .... pleeease!

Please note:
These sheets and original photograph are both copyright to me. You are free to use the sheets in any way you wish for personal use and you may sell anything you make using them but please, do not share them in any way whatsoever but link to my blog for others to download for themselves. Please do not claim them as your own or sell the sheets in any form.





Click on any image for full size version and either print or save to your PC for printing at a later date.

Enjoy!!