Crafty Calender Winter Sparkle

Hi everyone.

I was asked by Georgia to be guest designer in the Crafty Calender Winter Sparkle challenge for December. Of course I was happy to oblige.  Here's the card I designed for this challenge.

It's got shimmer and sparkle.  The white shimmery patterned paper is from Stampin' Up! and can be coloured any colour you wish by using ink and a brayer.  It's fantastic.  I just lightly coloured the edges this time with a sponge dauber.  The patterned paper is from last years Winter Wonderland collection by Dovecraft.

You can see the shimmer and sparkle dazzling on this photo a little better.  I punched out a couple of snowflakes and added a snowflake charm and some knotted tulle from my stash.  Hope you like it and thank you for visiting.

Truly Scrumptious Challenge 21

Hello everyone

It's time for another challenge from our team at Truly Scrumptious . 

This week I've designed the sketch for you, and as an added extra I want to see a sparkly flourish on your cards.  So get out those diamonds, sequins and glitter or anything else sparkly you have and lets see it.  It's perfect to get you in the Christmas party mood. 

I've made an easel card.  This is my favourite type of card design at the moment.  I've use a sugar Nellie image, and coloured her with alcohol markers.  The card and paper is from Stampin' Up! as is the scroll stamp and sentiment circle.  I've added some gorgeous sparkling crystals for my flourish.  The ribbon keeps the card propped up in the correct position and the snowflake charm is from my stash.

 There's more gorgeous cards from the rest of the team so why not pop along and take a look.  You could win a fantastic prize if you join in.

Thought For The Day

Truly Scrumptious Challenge 20

Hi crafters

Its time for another Truly Scrumptious challenge.  This week we have a sketch by our fabulous Dawn.  In addition we want to see texture on your cards.   

I created my texture in a number of ways.  The most basic technique I used was to tear paper to create a rough edge which showed the white paper core.  Another technique used was to scrunch up a strip of paper, unscrunch it, and run the ink pad over it to give definition.  Both these techniques require no special equipment.  Another technique was to use one of my embossing folders, which created a more uniform texture, which again I inked the edges and sprayed lightly with mica mist.

The stamped Magnolia image was coloured with alcohol markers, and the grosgrain ribbon created yet more texture.  The papers are new from Stampin Up.  I added a couple of punched snowflakes and some silver studs to finish. 

Why not pop along to Truly Scrumptious and find out what the rest of the design team have done, then have a go at the challenge yourself.

Thanks for taking the time to look, I'd love to hear your comments.

Take care, and happy crafting.

This Little Kitty.....

Hi all

Remember the nursery rhyme This Little Pig?  Well I'm talking kittens now,  I have five kittens who are ten weeks old.  So here's the story....

THIS LITTLE KITTY HAS A NEW HOME

Lucky little kitty.  This one has now gone to it's new owner, who has named her Poppy.  She's an adorable tri color fluffy cute little girl, who now has a doting owner.  Initial reports are that she seems to be making herself at home already in her new pad.  It's always sad when you've seen them being born, and brought them through their first few weeks, only to see them leave your life and move on to new adventures.  But alas we cannot keep them and this is the last litter for us now, as the three females we own, have all now been spayed so I'm a little sad.

I'll show you another kitty tomorrow.

God bless you little Poppy, and may you have a long and happy life.

xx

Firework Fiesta 2009

Hi everyone.

Well what a brilliant evening I had yesterday. My hubbie and I took our daughter Sophie and her friend Becca to the local Firework Fiesta. It's held every year, with the profits going to local charities.  It's an amazing extravaganda, with the local radio station, a funfair, plenty of food stalls, a monstorous bonfire, and of course a spectacular firework display.

This year my main reason for attending was that I wanted to try out my Canon 450 DSLR which I bought in July to take shots of the fireworks, which I haven't done with this camera before.  I took my tripod, read up the techniques on the internet, and set my camera settings up before I left home, changed my lens, charged my battery and thought that if I could only get one good shot, it would be worthwhile.  I've never managed to get good photo's of fireworks on any of my previous camera's. 

Anyway, here are the photos, I haven't changed any of the colours at all, although this is an option I might have a little fun with sometime.  I did crop and sharpen them in photoshop though.  I'd love to hear what you think. 

I'm really pleased with how these turned out. I have learned a few things for next time though. I think I would not use a zoom lens next time, so I can get more background in and possibly more drama against the black night sky.

I did take a couple of hundred photo's all told, but these are by far the best ones, and I can only improve....but sadly I'll have to wait a whole year before the next one, aaahhhh!!!!!

Hope you enjoyed looking, and thanks for visiting.

Hugs Debbie xx