Frightful But Delightful

Hi All

Papertake's Weekly Challenge is called Frightful But Delightful this week. And is all about....yes ..you guessed it....Halloween.

Ghosties and Goulies and Long Legged Beasties

And things that go BUMP in the night

The choice is yours as to what you do, and the design team have made lots of SPOOKY things... Just tiptoe on over and take a peek.

As for me.....well I bought some of the Halloween Magnolia's last week which were ideal for this challenge. So here's my creation.

I've made this style of card before, which you can see by clicking here.

It's very easy to construct, but the effect is magical. You can layer it up and make a stunning work of art.

I coloured with Copic's and highlighted with a white Sakura gel pen. The words were printed on my computer, cut into a strip, then over-coloured again with Copic's.

I cut out a circle with my Nestabilities, and attached it to the tallest peak at the back, and drew spooky eyes on with white gel pen and glossed over them with Glossy Accents. The ribbon was from a halloween hair band from Sainsbury. I just dismantled it and cut a strip to resemble a bat.

Hope you like it. I'd love to hear your comments.

Arty Girlz Challenge #57

Hi all

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend as much as I am....and for those of you working....not much longer to go I hope.

Blue and orange is the order of the day over at Arty Girlz this week. This is a combination that looks stunning, but not one I really put together much. However I'm always glad I did, when I do...if you follow what I mean.

I made a relatively simple card for this challenge, as I wanted the colours to do all the work. It's a really pretty card, even if I say so myself. I just love the simplicity of it. Hope you like it too.

I used this Sarah Kay image, coloured with Copic markers. I'm gradually building up my collection of Copic's, and I've found somewhere in the UK, (Cult Pens, ) that sells them individually, and offers free postage over £10.00. That means you can buy three for £10.80 and not pay any P&P. This makes it affordable if you just want to try them, or you are buying on a budget, as most of us are these days.

The flower is by Prima, and is set with a sparkling gem. I doodled around the edge of the background paper, which incidently is from DCWV.

Happy crafting

Halloween......Fun or Embarassment????

Hi all

As Halloween is just around the corner I thought I would post a couple of digital scrap pages I have done of previous years.

Now, I love dressing up at Halloween, and going Trick or Treating with the children and Daisy dog. But this year I've been banned, after my twelve year old son, Jordan said..

"Mum, you're SO embarrasing"

So I guess that's it now...

But there is a bright side....Sophie my daughter is having a Halloween party, and inviting her performing arts friends. Now the thing about performers is that they DO like to get into character. So I'm hoping I will blend in with them. AND, seeing as the party IS going to be held in MY house I can behave how I like....so there Jordan.....

Now onto the photo's.....

I thought I looked Ok in this one personally, but I suppose I would have been embarassed if my Mum had have done the same.

I think the atmosphere is really spooky in this one.

Does anyone else dress up and go out with the kids or it it just me???
Take care

Whiff Of Joy Challenge

Hi there

What a fantastic challenge I discovered over at Whiff Of Joy Challenges. A chance to use the rich colours of Autumn, since this is the theme this week. I received my latest order from Whiff Of Joy just last week, and had not had a chance to use them yet. And I knew I had the perfect stamp for this challenge.....Willow With Umbrella.....just right for autumn rain.

I used Basic Grey papers, choosing them for their rich autumn colours. I even thought the script looked kinda like rain lashing down. I coloured the image with Copic's and H2o's. I added Glossy Accents to the raindrops which you can't see very clearly on the photo, but in real life the dimension makes all the difference.

When I'd coloured the image, I thought the huge white expanse of card I'd stamped on looked too stark, and I wanted the feel of a rainy autumn day to come through so you can really feel it. So I stamped over the background with a Judikins Leaf cube in distress ink. I then coloured it with the same distress ink, H2o's and added Glory Of The Seas Gold Starburst Stains, which made the edges of the leaves shimmer.

I wanted the flowers to look ravaged by stormy weather just as they would be in autumn. So I used my Crop-a-dile to punch holes in the edges of the petals, and finished them off with Glossy Accent raindrops.

The umbrella was stamped and coloured again, and decoupaged for even more dimension. I just love this card. I spent a little more time on it and I'm very pleased with the result. It would be perfect for someone who is feeling 'under the weather.'

These are the materials I used.

Thanks for looking, and happy crafting

Sketch Saturday

I am trying to join in with some challenges this week again. I do love challenges, especially sketches, and over at Sketch Saturday this week is this great sketch.

Now the beauty of sketches is you don't have to think how to place your elements, it's all done for you. All you have to do is choose your papers, images and embelishments....perfect for those who've lost their mojo. I thought that as the sketch is delicately coloured in lilac, I would choose this colour for my card too.

The image is by Sugar Nellie and available from Funky Kits . It's so darn cute, hence the little beads at the bottom of the card spelling out 'cutie'. I just love the little kitty cat. The image was coloured using Copics and a white Sakura gel pen was used for highlights.

I noticed that alot of images with black eyes lack life, so I've started to add a dot of white to the eyes to give them a bit of sparkle. I think this makes quite a difference, and thought some of you might like to try it too.

The flowers are from Prima and I added some Diamond Glaze to look like raindrops.

The Joy Of Giving

Hi All

When I popped over to my local craft shop Sir Stampalot this week to pick up a few supplies, I found this Sarah Kay Christmas stamp, 'The Joy Of Giving'. I was thrilled to see it and was asked by Janice the proprietor if I would make a couple of samples in return for the stamp. See, there is joy in giving, she gave me the stamp, and I'll give her the samples, everyone's happy. I have made sample cards for Sir Stampalot before and they are on my blog. anyway back to the point. I bought some K & Co 6x6 papers too, and the two cards I'm showing today are the result.

This one is traditional red and green, and features zigzag stitching. I've wanted to get my sewing machine out for ages, and finally managed to do it. Once I dusted it off - and boy was it dusty - I threaded it up and did a little test on scrap paper, - always sensible - I'm really rather pleased with the result. I embossed a strip of red metallic card, and matted and layered my image which incidently was coloured with copics, and Zig Art pens. A little sheer ribbon, a Prima flower and some gems complete the Christmas look.

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The second card I'm showing uses the same image and papers.

This card has more muted tones, using pink rather than red, and soft jade green for a more subtle look.

The image was cropped this time using an oval Nestability and matted onto a scalloped oval. The flower was a green one from Prima Essentials, I painted it with Starburst Stains Glory Of The Seas Gold.

This shimmering gold is just magical in the sunlight as you can see in this photo. This image was coloured in Copics. They are my newest 'must have' and I love 'em. I'm off to do some bloghopping now. Take care and...

Happy crafting.

What A Busy Week

Hi All

Gosh I've had a busy week this week, with not many cards to show since my birthday two weeks ago. I've bought a few new stamps, some oval Nestabilities, some more precious Copic markers, and a few sheets of paper. I made a list of challenges from last week, and started with a pink and green themed one, but lost my list, missed the challenge (I think) and so just decided to do my own thing and see where it went.

So.....

I have got a few cards to show you, then I'm going to have another go at some challenges again.

I wanted to make a mono toned card, although this one has got a few dots of colour, I kept it mainly black and grey tones. Poor little Melinda angel from Whiff Of Joy, has rather grey cheeks that were meant to be flushed with pink. However the pink got a little contaminated with black and she looks rather like she's been messing around with coal. I still like this look though, and might try it again. The papers used here are Basic Grey of course.

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This is the card that I was making for the Pink & Green challenge, but I haven't a clue which one it was now, and I didn't even post it because my time has been really short. Again I used Basic Grey paper for the background, although the two accent papers are from a different range, but I can't remember which one...sorry, I used Copic markers to colour in Willow. The image was kindly sent to me with my birthday card from Lynsey, thank you so much, but you can buy the stamp from Whiff Of Joy , and I have since purchased one of my own. The flowers are from Prima, with three gems for a bit of bling...

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This is my favourite card of this batch. The papers are by K & Co, including the text. The stamp is called Pickin' Apples by Sugar Nellie and is available from Funky Kits. The image is coloured again with Copics, just look at that subtle shading...beautiful. I love the soft grey and dusky pink together. The ribbon came from John Lewis, and the flowers Prima.

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I have some more cards to post tomorrow when I have taken photo's of them, but hope these are OK for today.

Happy Crafting.

Autumn Splendour

Hi All

Autumn for me is the time of the year I like the least. It signals the end of the long summer nights I enjoy so much, instead bringing the reminder that cold winter nights are not far away. I don't actually mind winter so much, but autumn is the bit in between, that doesn't seem to mean much. I always get down in the dumps. However, I've just been messing around with my digital files, and I came across this digital layout I created a couple of years ago.

The photo was taken at my local park, just as the leaves started to fall from the trees. It seems such a tranquil image, and the quote reminds me what autum is all about.......

As the last of the summer sun fades into distant memories, and the rich colours of autumn come alive, I can remember the things I do like about autumn.....

• The firey oranges and reds of the leaves on the trees in all their glory. Soon to fall from their branches and be scrunched underfoot. The fruits of the Horse Chestnut trees falling to the ground splitting open their spikey protective casings. Children gathering them to play conkers in the playgrounds.
• The squirrels busily gathering their winter feast to hoard it away in some secret hole. The birds flying off to warmer climates not returning until the warmth of the spring beckons them home.
• Misty mornings, and dewy spider webs. Warm breath in the cold air as the children make their way to school dressed in cosy coats, hats, scarves and gloves.
• Halloween pumpkins lovingly carved, and left to light the way for children trick or treating. Screams of delight as children dressed up as ghosts and ghouls, carry lanterns and bags to hold all the treats they collect.
• Bonfires, fireworks, toffee apples, and baked potatoes as Guy Fawkes is remembered on November 5th. The Ooooo's and Aaahhhh's when the explosive rockets shoot their way up into the night sky to explode in a myriad of glittery stars.
• The shops displaying their Christmas goodies, as a constant reminder that there is celebration just around the corner.

Maybe I don't dislike autumn as much as I thought I did.

What do you think of autumn????

Bunny-Zoe Has Candy

Bunny-Zoe has this fab candy up for grabs on her blog, but only until Monday 13th. so Hurry on over if you want to be in with a chance. You'll also see the fab card she has made using one of the stamps, Oooo it's soooo cute.

I'm trying my luck again this week, as I didn't win any candy for birthday last week.

Daring Cardmakers

Hi

So far I've had a lovely crafting birthday. All day bloghopping, and crafting. AAAHHHH paradise.

I did get a card from my Husband eventually, once he'd been to the shop, mmmmm. He had all year to organise one, and he has to go today. Ah well, at least he went to the shop, and didn't pinch one that I'd made.

My 22 year old Son's girlfriend has just given me one from the both of them.

"I didn't get it." My son exclaimed. "Zoe did."

Gee thank's Son. It's good to know you care!!!. And Thanks Zoe, you're a star.

Sophie my 15 year old Daughter presented me with a box of chocolate's this morning before she went to school. I daren't tell her Daisy dog ate them, after I left them on the dining table and went upstairs. Sophie bought them out of her pocket money, and has got home from school asking if I have eaten them all yet.

"No.....not all of them" was my reply.......Well it's true!!!!

Anyway, back to the point.

The reason for this post is to show you the card I have made today for the Daring Cardmakers challenge, where the theme is scallops.

I used my scallop Nestabilities to cut a mat for the circle, and a corner punch to cut some paler lilac 'corners', which I overlapped and stuck to the upper left hand edge of the card to create more scalloped detail. The lacy edging adds more scallops. I love the prima blossoms, and lilac sparkle gems for a bit of bling. I've just realised though....Tilda is sitting in mid air, oooops a bit of an oversight....... Or maybe she's just levitating.

Now that's magic.....

I've also decorated the inside of this card, after talking about it on my last post. But as my printer has broken I cannot print out my cool 'Signature stamp'. I might just e-mail it to work and print it off there, just so I can see what it looks like....Shhhhhhh

Happy Crafting

New Signature

Hiya

I've noticed that a few people are decorating the insides and backs of their cards, one of them being Rach.

A very good idea I thought. I have decorated the insides of cards before, but only special family cards. However, I like the way Rach has incorporated the 'signature' stamp on the back. I have looked into getting labels printed before, or indeed printing them myself. But seeing Rach's design has inspired me to have a go myself. So with that in mind, I'm showcasing my first attempt right here. I have used Photoshop to do this, and I've tried to use the poppy theme from my header. All I have to do is print it out and stick it on. It can even be re-sized to fit easily. Only trouble now is, my printers not working!!!

I'd love to know what you think.

It's My Birthday

Hiyaaaaa!!!!

I'm in such a good mood today.

**** IT'S MY BIRTHDAY ****

Thank's to all those who have left me good wishes. I really appreciate it.

I've opened my Birthday cards, not that I get many these days,

One from my Lovely Dad, whom I adore and love so much.

One from my 15 year old Daughter Sophie, she's so lovely, and always thinks of others.

One from 24 year old Son Paul, girlfriend Jess and Jess' little girl Ellie, I love them all.

One from younger Sister Gail, she lives in Hampshire so I won't see her, but I love her to bits.

One from my dear, dear Auntie Norma, & Husband, who never forgets me and is always there for me, more so since my lovely Mum died ten years ago.

And one from my blogging friend Lynsey, made by her own fair hand of course. Thanks Lynsey I know I've made a good friend, and big kisses to gorgeous baby Grace.

It's Lynsey's card that I'm posting here today, to show you all what a talented crafting friend she is.

Isn't this just THE most gorgeous card. I love everything about it. I love the colours, pink and green is one of my favourite colour combinations. It's got sparkle, with gems, glitter and holographic shimmery card, which I adore. And a really gorgeously girly image, beautifully coloured.

But not only that, OH NO.......

Lynsey also included some stamped images, and gorgeous blossoms. What a gal.

Thanks Lynsey, I love it all.

Crafting buddies are so thoughtful and kind, and only too happy to share.

I think I might be doing a bit too much crafting just lately though, My Son and Girlfriend bought me this plaque too:

I think I might have been sprung!!!!!

Happy Crafting

Double Dutch

I'm loving the new Double Dutch challenge blog. This week's challenge is to design a card using this sketch. I love this layout so much that I'm going to use it again very soon.

I used Basic Grey Ambrosia papers, with the tag from Basic Grey Scarletts Letter tucked in there. The chipboard Happy Birthday came from a kit I bought from QVC last year. The little lizard was embossed in bronze detail embossing powder, and the edges of the papers stamped in black Stazon with a palm leaf from Stamp Addicts.

This card reminds me of the Peruvian Inca's. I think it's just the lizard and the jungle feel with the leaves. The vibrant oranges and reds come from the textiles and tunics they wore. The geometric pattern in the papers, resemble the stonework construction.

The last card I did with these papers, (if you look back a few posts) I thought was rather drab. But this card I love, because I can see the Inca's in my minds eye, and imagine what it must have been like in those ancient times.