Whiff Of Joy Guest Designer Call

Hi all

Well...I'm at it again...trying my luck at the Guest Designer call at Whiff Of Joy. The challenge for all us would be designers is to make a card or scrapbook page based on this sketch by Katharina, using at least one Whiff Of Joy stamp. An easy tasks I thought, and I was right. This is a fabulous sketch, and those WOJ stamps are so adorable they are literally a 'JOY' to use.

I wanted to do a Christmas card that was a bit different from the traditional ones. So I chose a lilac theme. I wanted lots of texture, lots of glitter, and lots of girly embelishments. I'm really pleased with the result.

I used spotted Bazill for the base card in a gorgeous lilac shade. I stamped and embossed snowflakes onto the side of the card that wouldn't be covered over. I drew lines radiating out from the centre of each snowflake with a glue pen, and sprinkled with crystal glitter.

I just realised I stuck the words in the wrong order...silly moo...I'm going to have to change them now!!

The patterned paper is from All My Memories I think, (Although I've had it so long I can hardly remember). I embossed the white shimmery pearlescent card with a Cuttlebug Snowflake embossing folder. The patterns always show up well on pearlescent card.

I added some beaded ribbon to the edge of the embossed card. The sparkling beads look like tiny little icicles glistening in the snow.

The flowers are from Prima. I pushed a snowflake brad through the centre of each flower, and added a gem to set them off. Extra bling you know...

The image was coloured with Copic's, with a touch of glitter on the hat, and little glossy accents on the musical notes, to add dimension.

I adore this card, and I would love to receive one like it from one of my friends. This makes it all the much harder to part with.

Whiff Of Joy Challenge #9

Hi All

I just adore sketch challenges. They take all the guess work out......THAT'S CHEATING.....some may say. I say it's just using all your resources.

So onto the sketch. The challenge set by Whiff Of Joy this week is to use this sketch. And since I love using WOJ stamps it was easy to complete this challenge.

I wanted to use Charlotte singing her little socks off as I just adore this stamp. I love the cold winter blues, especially as it's just freezing here at the moment. Although I can think of many places colder...some of you probably live in one....

Anyway on to my card.....

I don't have much to say abut this card, I'm just doing a quick post before I cook dinner. I'm settling down later to watch the tv, with a bottle of wine.

The Dreaded Words

Hi all.

You may wonder what those DREADED WORDS in the title are. Well let me enlighted you. On Monday I was told

"You're at risk"

By my employers no less. WOW. Along with the rest of the workforce in my department, I stood there in silence. I can't say it's a total shock though. I had already mentioned on my blog that there was to be 'streamlining and restructuring' as part of 'Project Turnaround'. However this was not part of the 'Project Turnaround' plan, more in addition to it, and it looks like there's no reprieve.

So what now.....well I've been employed for almost 21 years, so I should get a fair bit of redundancy pay. and I do have a second job, so I'd better hang on to that.

On the positive side. I won't have to work evenings anymore. I want to put my redundancy pay to good use. For me that means I want to put a little more into my Photography hobby.

SO...

I'm going to buy a brand new Cannon digital SLR camera, a fantastic new laptop, (they were two things on my Christmas list that I had no hope in getting anyway, so that's a bonus), and book myself on a course at the regional college so I can follow a more professional line.

It would be great to be able to make some money out of it. I've already made a few pennies from my digital scrapbooking, and people have asked me if I would take photo's for them too....but my answer has always been that I have no professional equipment. Well now's my chance to change all that, and I'm going to grab it with both hands, and I'll still have my other job in case things don't work out.

I don't know any dates yet, and we have to go through a 90 day consultation period, but I'll let you know when I get any more news.

In the meantime, I'd better stock up with crafting goodies, as I'll have a bit more time on my hands. Can you imagine what fun I'll have when I get my big fat cheque.

Happy Crafting

Friday Sketchers #29

Hi All

This weeks challenge over at Friday Sketchers is to use this sketch by the very talented Beatrix.

Now I decided to turn the sketch around as it fitted my image better. The photo's not that good and I hope you can see well enough. I found this sketch a little difficult as the dimensions of the layers when turned around, made the card look a little top heavy. So I scaled some of them down, until it looked more balanced.

The image was coloured with Copic markers. The papers are from Imaginescence, and the flowers from Prima. Do you like the little easel I found in my local art shop. I thought it would make it easier to get better photos.

Dont forget to enter my BLOG CANDY CHALLENGE.

Thank you for taking the time to look. Any comments are gratefully received.

Happy crafting.

Cutie Pie Kittens

Just look at these two. Two cute for words. They are now just over three weeks old, and starting to get about. There are two more just like them, but as they've found their feet now, they are much more difficult to photograph. I guess I'll take hundreds of shots in an attempt to get that perfect one. Don't forget to enter my BLOG CANDY CHALLENGE, you can enter until December 1st.

Happy crafting

Blog Candy Challenge

Hi All

Here's a challenge for you all, since I know you love them so much.

I'm celebrating reaching 5,000 hits, all be it a little late, I wanted to reach it before my birthday last month, but that came and went, and I didn't get there sigh. I seem to get a fair few visitors, but I don't get that many comments.

Thanks to my regular visitors...you know who you are, who do leave me comments. The feedback is so worthwhile, and spurs me on.

Now I thought just to make myself feel a little better I'd give you all the chance to see what I'm all about, (and leave a comment), and go into the draw at the same time.

Fast forward to today, I have now passed my goal, so here goes. I'm offering this cute Sarah Kay stamp, (as I bought two for this very purpose) The Joy Of Giving, as we are approaching the joyous season of good will.

************

To be in with a chance of winning the rules are:

Make a Christmas card using my sketch below.

Tell me what's on your Christmas list this year.

And spread the word about my candy.

Closing date Midnight GMT December 1st 2008

Here's my card based on the sketch...but of course I can't enter my own draw.

And what's on my Christmas list this year???

A Cannon SLR didital camera, and a lap top.

Don't think I'll be that lucky though.

You don't have to use snowflakes, you can use any embelishment, image and text you like. There are no restrictions...just make it Christmassy, and use the sketch. I can't wait to see what you come up with, and what's on your list for Santa. My in-box is ready and waiting. Good Luck.

Thanks for visiting.

Whiff Of Joy Challenge #8

Hi All

This weeks challenge over at Whiff Of Joy is to make a boys or girls Christmas card no blue. Although I thought I did spot a little blue on some od the DT cards, shhh. Anyway I kept to the original theme of a card for a boy, and no blue at all.

I used traditional green and red for this one, even though it is a snowy image, that I really wanted to highlight with blue. However I resisted and used grey to highlight instead, and I think it works.....just. The background paper is from Imaginescence. The colouring was done with my growing collection of Copic markers, and the snowflakes are foam ones I got free from a magazing last year I think. I just jazzed them up with some sparkling gems for extra bling. The text stamp was free from Whiff Of Joy...she's such a generous girl that Katharina.

I decorated the inside with another free stamp from Katharina...a lovely snowflake. I took the unusual step of colouring them red....not sure if it quite works, but it tones in anyway. The snowmans head was stamped, coloured and added to continue the theme. I do quite like the end result, and would be interested to know what you think.

Thanks for taking the time to visit.

Happy crafting.

New Arrival

Hi all

Thought I'd just post a little piccie of one of the baby kittens we have in the house at the moment. We have four in total, but this is the first good photo of my favourite one. If it wasn't for the markings on the top of her head, and the fact the she has a dark coloured tail, she'd look just like a little polar bear.

She's so cute. The photo was taken this week, her left eye wasn't quite open fully in the photo, but it is now. They are two weeks old, and they have all started playing with each other, and noticing things. I't won't be long before they are under my feet and terrorising Daisy Dog.

Friday Sketchers #27

Hi there

Well looks like I'm back to crafting for a while again now. It's my time out from all the other routine things I do for others, and it's so nice to catch up on everyone else's blogs, and actually get a few challenges done at last.

This challenge for Friday Sketchers didn't take long as I kept true to the sketch, and kept it simple. I love the soft colours of the backing papers, which are from Hot Off The Press, and go back to the arc....Honestly they are sooo old i can't remember where I got them, but I think they were about the first ones I bought then I started scrapbooking about four years ago. My! how time flies....

Anyway on the left you can see this weeks sketch which this week is done by Kristine. She has a wonderful blog with great ideas, so you might want to take a look. And below is my take on the sketch, all soft and girly.

I added real ribbon the her hairband, and two colours of sheer ribbon tied at the side of the card. The flower was made up of two silk slowers I got in the sale from WH Smith, and a pink paper rosebud from a bunch at John Lewis.

Hope you like it

Papertake Monday

Hi

I may be rather late with this card for the Papertake Weekly Challenge, but I'm posting it anyway. After all this is to celebrate Bonfire Night, and as it only comes around once a year I really need to get it in now.

This darlin' little stamp is from Spiral Whisper and is just perfect for Bonfire Night. The 'firework' background was made by stamping with versamark and brushing on Pearl Pigments from Blonde Moments, there's also some heat embossing with gold irridescent embossing powder. The 'Milly' image is coloured with H2o's, and the scrummy toffee apple has been overlaid with Glossy Accents, to replicate sticky toffee. Yum Yum.

Award

Hi.

I have to make an apology to Emma at Bagladee who so very kindly gave me an award back in October, that I forgot to mention on my blog. I'm so very sorry Emma, and thank you for the award.

It's always so satisfying to think that others recognise you blog as being worthy of an award. It's amazing to me that anyone is interested in anything I say at all. But I have made some very kind friends, and I want to thank all those who have been kind enough to visit, and especially those who have left such kind comments, and awards for me. I am truly honoured, and think you're all wonderful.

Happy crafting.

Whiff Of Joy

Hi All

This challenge this week at Whiff Of Joy is based around a sketch as you can see.

I knew which stamp I wanted to use immediately....Charlie 007. The reason, well first of all to celebrate opening of the new James Bond film, Quantum Of Solace, starring the gorgeous Daniel Craig as James Bond, representing a great British author and creator of James Bond, Ian Fleming. Something us Brits can be proud of.

Secondly to give a thought to all those who have given their lives for the peace and freedom we all enjoy today. I added a paper torn poppy to signify Rememberence Sunday this week. The armed forces are still fighting for us, and I salute them.

I used Bazill cardstock for the base card, with layers of Basic Grey, red metallic, black sparkle gift wrap, and black glossy card for matting any layering the image and text on to. I wanted to keep the card simple, masculine, and stylish, which I think I've managed to achieve.

The poppy was made from two circles torn from red bazill, and inked around the edges. I manipulated them with my fingers to give them a kind of ruffled appearance. I wanted to give a contrast of roughness, against the smooth suave look of the image. I also wanted the poppy to be symbolic of all the war torn heroes too. The circles were glued together with a punched out circle of black glitter card in the centre.

I wasn't trying to create a rememberance card, merely a card for celebrating, with a hint of what has gone before us. I'd be happy to receive your comments if you are kind enough to leave them.

Happy Crafting

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A Spoon Full Of Sugar

Hi All

Well, I'm back after a few days busying myself with other non-crafty things...YUK. I know what I'd rather be doing - crafting of course, but alas...the house won't keep itself clean - more's the pity, and the children have to be fed, and DH has to be given instructions, sigh. The house has also seen the arrival of baby kittens. Four to be precise. They're so cute. I'll post some photo's when I get time. And I'm waiting to hear whether I'm being made redundant under the "streamlining and re-structuring" proposals at work, so I'm on tenderhooks at the moment.

Anyway, this card was intended for the Spoon Full Of Sugar Challenge - Sparkle & Bling, but didnt make it on time. I have however decided to show you anyway.

I'm lovin' my Copic markers. The finish is superb, and the quality of the shading is just perfect. This is definately the case where you get what you pay for. I'd recommend them to anyone, if you're thinking of buying them, they are a worthwhile investment, no question.

Anyway...hope you like my card...I'd love to hear your comments if you are kind enough to spare the time.

Happy Crafting.