FLOWER POWER

Hi Everyone

I hope you are all well.

Well, it's been back to work this week after having a wonderful whole three weeks off - yuk!

Had plenty to do though, as most of you may know I managed to get myself married :o) and here is a picture of us both as I promised to post at least one.

You also may have noticed that I've been playing around with my blog - Autumn is on its way so I thought I would use a nice autumnal theme - let me know what you think.

So, it's Tuesday which means it's challenge time over at Papertake Weekly and this week the theme for our challenge is "Flower Power," so we want to see your creations using something floral; it could be paper, an image or embellishments, it's up to you.

Our generous sponsor for this challenge is the one and only Ribbon Girl so if you want to be in with a chance to win a voucher to spend in their store then make sure you get your entries in over at Papertake Weekly and as always, check out what the wonderful DT ladies have made to whet your appetite.

Here is my card:

The recipe for the card is below, but once again, I lost my little note that details the Copic colours I used - sorry :o(

Digital Papers:  Nitwit - Hoppy Hearts Collection

Stamp:  Lili of the Valley - Gift Wrapped

Sentiment Stamp:  Lili of the Valley - Happy Circular Sentiments

And there you have it.

I hope you will come and join in the fun with us.

Have a great week.

Toodles

A LITTLE BIT CRAFTY

Well Hello to You All

I hope you are enjoying the Easter break and like me you may have eaten just a wee bit too much chocolate!

I have news for you - I have been invited to be part of the DT Team over at Paula Holifield's new Challenge Blog called "A Little Bit Crafty" - how fabulous - thank you Paula for having me.

The Challenge Blog will run once at month and new posts will be on the 1st of each month.

So, it's the first of April, and time for the very first challenge over at A Little Bit Crafty so to get you all up and running, the first challenge is "Anything Goes" - easy peasy eh!

Our three generous sponsors this week are:

My Mums Craft Shop

Lacy Sunshine Digital Stamps

Creepy Cutie Digital Stamps

So, to be in with a chance to win a prize from one of the above sponsors, get your entries in over at A Little Bit Crafty and make sure you check out what the wonderful DT girlies have made to whet you appetite.

Here is the card I have made:

This is my very first attempt at colouring sea - and you can tell, I definitely need the practise!

The recipe for the card is:

Digi Stamp:  Lacy Sunshine - Eleanor and Pickles Digging for Clams

Digi Papers:  Nitwit - From the Sea

The image has been coloured with Copics:

Skin:  E11 E00 E000 / R20 R30 (cheeks and lips)

Hair:  E27 E25 E23 E21

Hat, Glasses, Ribbons and Swimsuit:  BG02 BG01 BG000 BG0000 / R29 R27 R24 R22

Bucket, Snorkel and Flippers:  C5 C4 C3 C2 C1 C0

Clams: E43 E41 E41

Pickles:  G99 YG67 YG25 / C5

Sea:  B34 B32 B91

Sand:  E55 E53 E51 E50

I have outlined the image with Tumbled Glass Distress Ink

I have also used Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo and Antique Linen Distress Ink for the Sand

The papers have been edged with Vintage Photo Distress Ink

A final picture of the inside of the card:

And that's it.

I hope you will come and join in the fun and support Paula in her new venture over at A Little Bit Crafty.

Have a great week everyone.

Take care

Toodle Pip

TOTALLY GORJUSS - CHALLENGE 174 - FOR MUM

Happy Saturday Everyone!

Me - again - I know - three times this week!!

It's Saturday already which means it's challenge time over at Totally Gorjuss.

Our theme this week is "For Mum" and our generous sponsor is Crafter's Companion so to be in with a chance to win £10 to spend on their on-line store make sure you get your creations posted over at Totally Gorjuss.  Don't forget to check out the wonderful work the DT girlies have made to whet your appetite.

Here is the card I have made for the challenge:

Now I must apologise for the poor quality and somewhat squiffy picture.  I made this card a couple of years ago, (before I had a blog), for a friend who wanted me to make a card for his two little boys to give to their Mummy.  As you can tell from the picture I knew absolutely nothing about taking good quality photographs or editing them etc - I did say in an earlier post that it was a blast from the past for me, but I just wanted to share this card with you as I just absolutely adore the image.

The recipe for the card is:

Digi Image:  'Brothers' - Mo's Digital Pencil

Papers:  'Land Ho' - Nitwit

The image was coloured with Copics:

Skin:  E11 E00 E000 / R20 R30 (cheeks)

Blond Hair:  E55 E53 E51 E50

Brown Hair:  E37 E35 E34 E33

Large Boy's Jumper:  BG02 BG01 BG000 / B26 B24

Large Boy's Trouers:  E55 E53 E51 E50

Large Boy's Shoes:  W4 B23

Small Boy's Jumper:  E18 E17 E15

Small Boy's Trousers:  B26 B24 B23

Small Boy's Shoes:  W4

Rabbit:  C3 C2 C1 C0

Teddy Bear:  E27 E356 E34 E33

And that's that as they say.

I hope you didn't mind the poor picture.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a lovely weekend.

Toodles

Copic Marker Europe Guest Designer

Hello Everyone

I hope you are all well and enjoying your week.

I was asked if I would do a Guest Designer spot for the Copic Marker Europe Blog - honestly I couldn't believe it - I even asked if they had me mixed up with someone else - but no they said it was definitely me - so how could I say no!

Have you been across to their site?  If not go and check it out here - they have so much inspiration and step-by-step instructions on there plus a bunch of super talented ladies who just make the most gorgeous creations - oh and not forgetting lots of Guest Designers too!

This is a card I have made for one of my blogging friends - although she probably won't have received it so I will just have to hope that she doesn't see it beforehand (fingers crossed!).

I just had to use one of Krista Smith's new digi stamps over at Saturated Canary called "Sketchie" which I thought would fit perfectly for a 'Copic' Blog, plus I love her images so much too.

Here is the full card:

The recipe for the card is as follows:

Digi Papers:  Nit Wit "Hey Cupcake" (just lurve these!)

Digi Image:  Saturated Canary "Sketchie" by Krista Smith

Lace, Seam Binding & Cheese-Cloth:  From My Own Stash

Self Adhesive Pearls:  The Hobby House

The image has of course been coloured with Copics:

Skin:  E21 E00 E000 R20 R30

Hair:  E42 E41 E40

Wings / Leotard / Shoes:  R81 RV00 RV000 RV0000

Tights:  E42 E41 E40

Bows:  B00 B000 B0000

Copic Sketch Pen:  C5 C4 C3 C2 C1 C0 C00 R81 RV00 RV000 RV0000

Shading:  W5 W3 W1 W0

I have used some Glamour Dust on her wings, leotard and tights to give her a bit of bling and the sentiment was something I made myself.

I always try to use the same layout on the inside of the card as that of the outside like this:

I hope you like my card and I would like to thank Copic Marker Europe for having me as a guest designer - I am still pinching myself!

Enjoy the rest of your day.

Toodle Pip!

Totally Gorjuss - Challenge 130 - Sketch

Hey Everyone

How are we all today?  For those of you in the UK I hope you are managing to dry out a little - how horrible and wet has the weather been!

A few of you have asked me what "Toodle Pip" stands for well "Toodle Pip" is a variation on a similar exclamation of farewell.  This was first recorded in 1911 and there are two suggested roots:  (1)  The tooting of a horn, or (2) the English pronunciation of the French  à tout à l’heure, goodbye.

History lesson over - hope I didn't bore you too much with that and I'm not mad - well at least I don't think I'm mad! LOL

Let's get straight on to this week's challenge over at Totally Gorjuss where this week all we want you to do is follow the sketch that Net created for us - simples!  Our wonderful sponsor this week is Joanna Sheen and I know I keep repeating myself but go and check out Joanna's shop as it's free P&P - love it!

Here is the sketch we would like you to use:

Don't forget you can adjust it however you want as long as we can see that the sketch is in there then you're in!

As always, please go and check out what the wonderful ladies over at Totally Gorjuss have made for you, they are an incredible bunch to work alongside and I am so lucky!

Here is the card I have made:

So let's get straight onto the recipe:

Digi Image:  Saturated Canary "Party Hardy" by Krista Smith

Digi Papers:  Nitwit "Hey Cupcake"

Flower Die:  Die-Namics "Mini Rolled Rose" from Dies to Die For

Birthday Stamp & Die:  Whimsy Stamps "Celebration Circle Pennants" from Dies to Die For

Charm & Pearls:  The Hobby House

Seam Binding & Cheesecloth:  From My Stash

Image has been coloured with Copics:

Skin:  E21 E00 E000 R20 R30

Hair:  E42 E41 E40

Dress, Hair Ribbon & Bunting:  R81 RV00 RV000 RV0000 / B00 B000 B0000 / E42 E41 E40

Cupcake:  E42 E41 E40 / RV29 RV25 RV23 / R29 R27

As you can see I have distressed pretty much everything to within an inch of its life!  I have gone around the inside edges of the paper with Picket Fence Crackle Paint and edged around the edges of everything else with Vintage Photo Distress Ink

One final picture for you to see before I bore you all rigid!

I have followed the outside layout through to the inside - and that's it!

I'm going to enter this card into the Saturated Canary Challenge where the theme this week is "Happy Birthday".

Thank you as always for your lovely comments, they are very much cherished and appreciated.  I hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend whatever you may be doing.

Toodle pip

Totally Gorjuss - Challenge 126 - Sketch

Hello Everyone

I hope you are enjoying the Easter break.  What weird weather we have experienced over the last couple of weeks - lovely sunshine and then freezing cold and in some places horrible snow!

Anyway enough waffle from me - let's get straight on to this week's challenge at Totally Gorjuss.  This week we have a sketch to follow and this week's super generous sponsor is the one and only Joanna Sheen.  I love Joanna's shop everything is free P&P and I love the fact that her prices are so competitive too.

So, to be in with a chance to win a voucher to spend in her shop here is the sketch that we would like you to follow:

Remember you can flip it, mirror it etc as long as we can still see that you have all the elements of the sketch in place then you're in!

Here is the card I have made:

The recipe for the card is as follows:

Digi Stamp:  Saturated Canary "Haley & Harley" by Krista Smith

Digi Papers:  Nitwit "Tippy Toes"

Flourish Die:  Die-Namics "Fancy Flouish" from Dies to Die For

Corner Die:  Cheery Lynn Lace Corner Deco A from Dies to Die For

Pennant Stamp:  Whimsy "Celebration Pennants"

Pearls:  The Hobby House

The Image has been coloured with Copics:

Skin:  E21 E00 E000 R20 R30

Hair:  E53 E51 E50

Little Piggy:  R00 R000 R0000

Tutu's:  R85 R83 R81

Girls Top:  YG13 YG11

Titghts:  E41 E40

Shoes:  R85 R83 R81 YG13 YG11

And that's it.  I hope you all have a lovely long weekend whatever you may be doing and stay tuned the blog candy is almost here.

Thank you for all your lovely comments, they are as always very much appreciated and really brighten my day.

Toodle pip.

Totally Gorjuss - Challenge 119 - Lace

Hello Everyone

I hope you are all getting to see this post as I have scheduled it as I am currently away in London (Excel) working - yuk!

The challenge this week over at Totally Gorjuss is lace and our lovely sponsor this week is Heather's Hobbie Haven.  So to be in with a chance to win a voucher to spend in their store we would like to see all your creations centred around a lace theme and don't forget to go and see what the awesome DT ladies have created - wonderful, as always.

Here is the card that I made:

The recipe for the card is as follows:

Digi Stamp:  Saturated Canary "Canary Love"

Digi Papers:  Nitwit "Affection Collection"

Flowers & Leaves:  Wild Orchid Crafts

Lace & Pearls:  From My Stash

The image has been coloured with Copics:

Skin:  E21 E00 E000 R20 R30

Hair:  E37 E35 E34 E33 E31

Clothes:  R81 RV00 RV000 RV000 E27 E25 E23 E42 E41 E40

Dove:  C1

Shading:  W5 W3 W1

I have outlined the image with chalk (I made a mask first then chalked around it after I have coloured her in).

I have one final picture to show you of the inside of the card:

This is just one piece of paper from the fantastic Nitwit collections - this kit is just full of one of my favourite colour combos - pink and brown - lovely.

I'm also becoming a bit of a Saturated Canary collector too - Krista's images are just unbelievably awesome and easy to colour too.

That's it for me for today - I look forward to seeing all your wonderful creations.

Toodles.

 

Totally Gorjuss - Challenge 115 - Welcome:

Hi Everyone

I hope you have all had a wonderful week.

Let's get straight on to this week's challenge over at Totally Gorjuss which is "Welcome".

We can't wait to see all your creations and our fabby sponsor this week is Heather's Hobby Haven.  So to be in with a chance to win a voucher to spend in their store make sure you get your entries in before next Saturday.

If you're stuck and in need of a little bit of inspiration - go and check out what the wonderful girlies had created on the Totally Gorjuss site - faannntaaastic as always.

Here is the card I made:

What do ya think?  This is my very first go at stamping with any other colour then black.  I chose to go with the Memento "Desert Sand" and whilst its not quite a 'no lines' technique I am really pleased with how it has turned out.

The recipe for the card is:

Stamp:  Lili of the Valley "Baby Blanket" (just so incredibly cute!)

Digi Papers:  Nitwit "Bundle of Joy"

Raffia Ribbon:  A wonderful present from my DT Sister Lyndsey (thank you so much!)

Blue Ribbon:  Plain White Organze Coloured with Powder Blue Promarker

Image Colour with Copics, Promarkers and Flexmarkers:

Skin:  E11 E00 E000 E20 R30

Hat & Clothes:  Cloud Blue / Powder Blue / Dove Grey E41 E41 E40

Blanket:  E42 E41 E40

Shading & Outline:  W3 W2 W1 W0 W0 Blender Pen

I have edged everything with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink

I have done the usual faux stitching around the edges by pricking holes through a Tim Holtz ruler (keeps my lines relatively straight!) and then joining them up with a coloured pen - quite effective I think?

I have taken delivery this week of a sewing machine (gulp!) as I just love some of the wonderful creations I see in blog land that have stitching all around it.  Gotta say I'm a bit terrified though and I will need loads and loads of practise before I let myself loose on something that has taken me ages to colour - I will keep you posted.

One final picture then before you all nod off and fall asleep:

This is the inside of card.

That's it for me for now, I'm back in the craft room again all weekend - but I'm not complaining.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Cheerio!

Happy Halloween

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!

Wow it's been so busy at home tonight my other half had to go out for more supplies!

Now you will have to bear with me as I have lots of pictures to show you of some Halloween cards that I have made; so in at number one is:

Bat Cat!  How magnificent is this image from Mo Manning - I just love it!  The only problem I have is I can't get the old Batman theme tune out of my head, (remember it - dinner, dinner, dinner, dinner, dinner dinner, dinner, dinner), but instead of signing "BAT MAN" I'm signing "BAT CAT" ;o) rolf!

Here is the full card:

The recipe for the card is:

Stamp:  "Bat Cat" by Mo Manning

Digi Papers:  "Can I Be Frank" by Nit Wit

Stars:  "Stacking Stars" by Die-Namics from Dies to Die For

Image has been coloured with Copics:

Cat:  T3 T2 T1

Mask:  N8 N6 N5 N4

Eyes:  G09

Pumpkins:  YR18 YR09 YR07 YR04

Shading & Outline:  W5 W3 W1 Blender Pen

Everything has been edged with Black Soot Distress Ink

Okay so in at number two with a full picture is:

Oh my how I just love this little Dracula, he is just the cutest!

The recipe for the card is:

Stamp:  "Mini Dracula" from Make It Crafty

Digi Papers:  "Obsessions" from Scrapbook Graphics

Pearls:  The Hobby House

The image has been coloured with Copics:

Skin:  E42 E41 E40

Hair:  C7 C5 C3 C2

Cape, Jacket & Trousers:  T7 T6 T5 T4 T3 T2 & R29 R27 R24

Shading & Outline:  W5 W3 W1 Blender Pen

Everything has been edged with Black Soot Distress Ink

How you doin?  Still with me?  So last, but by no means least is:

This is one of my all time favourite stamps (if there is such a thing) from the wonderful girls at Lili of the Valley.  Here is the full card:

What do you think?  You can see that there has been a bit of a star thing going on but I just love that Die-Namics Die, its awesome.

The recipe for the card is:

Stamp:  "Abracadabra" from Lili of the Valley

Papers:  "Monsters" from Nit Wit

Stars:  "Stacking Stars" by Die-Namics from Dies to Die For

Image has been coloured with Copics:

Skin:  E11 E00 E000 R20 R30

Top:  YG07 YG03 BV01 BV31

Shorts & Shoes:  B95 B93 B91

Cape & Hat:  V09 V17 N8 N6 N5 N4 N3

Book:  E35 E34 E31 E42 E41 E40 C1 C0

Bear:  E53 E51 E50 R20

Outline:  C0 C00

Shading:  W5 W3 W1

Everything has been edged with Black Soot Distress Ink

Phew - so that's it.  I hope you enjoy these cards as much as I enjoyed making them.

Thanks for popping by and do leave me a comment, I promise I will try and get round to see everyone shortly as I know how bad I have been lately :o(  Your comments do mean the world to me so I thank you in advance for your understanding and patience.

I hope you all have a wonderful Halloween.

Ta-ra!

Totally Gorjuss - Challenge 94 - Cute & Cuddly

Good Morning Everyone

I cannot believe it is Saturday already - where has this week gone too?

Apologies for being missing for a week - I have had my first week back at work after having a glorious three weeks off and to be quite honest I've come home every night pretty much cream crackered!

So without further ado this weeks challenge at Totally Gorjuss is Cute and Cuddly where we would like to see an animal on your card.  Make sure you get yourself over there and be inspired by what the wonderful DT ladies have created.  The prize this week is from Simon Says Stamp so get your entries in to be in with a chance to win.

For my card, how could I resist this little cutie from Mo Manning:

Check out little kitty's face - he or she is sooo not impressed - I just love it - it brings a real smile to my face.

The recipe for this card is as follows:

Stamp:  Digital Stamp from Mo Manning called "Patience"

Papers:  Nit Wit "Me-Wow"

Sentiment Stamp:  Whimsy Stamps "Everyday Mini Postage" from My Mum's Craft Shop

Buttons:  Cheery Lynn Designs Buttons #1 from Dies to Die For

The image has been coloured with Copics as follows:

Girl

Skin:  E11 E00 E000 R20 R30

Hair:  E47 E57 E34

Jumper & Shoes:  R02 R01 R00 E09 E08

Jeans:  B97 B95 B93 R01 R00

Cat

Fur:  E17 E15 E13 E11 E00 E000 E0000 R20

Shading & Outline:  W5 W3 W1 W0 Blender Pen

Everything has been edged in "Brushed Corduroy" Distress Inks.

Well that's it from me for today - I am busily working in the background on some commissions for a magazine for their November and December publications - Christmas will be hear before we know it :os!

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Patties Creations Challenge #28 where the theme this week is Animal or Insect.
Art Impressions Challenge #28 where the theme this week is Anything Goes.

Just want to take this opportunity to say a big "Thank You" to all you lovely people who are now following me (and those that drop in every now and again) - 55 already I can't quite believe it in just one month - and all the lovely comments you leave, it really does help and gives me a real buzz - so THANK YOU so much from the bottom of my heart.

I hope you all have a great weekend whatever you are doing.

Take care and be safe.

Cheerio!

Guest DT - Totally Gorjuss - Challenge 91 - Christmas in July

Hi Everyone

I hope you are all okay.

I have some terrific news that I'm popping to share with you .....

I have been asked to be a Guest DT on the Totally Gorjuss Challenge Blog!  I am so thrilled I just can't believe it.

So straight on to this weeks challenge which is "Christmas in July" - it is as simple as it sounds - make a Christmas card and get your entry onto the Totally Gorjuss Challenge Blog to be in with a chance to win some goodies from Meljen Designs where the lucky winner will get to pick 4 designs from their fabulous range.  Make sure you check out the super cards the design team have created this week.

I have used the super sweet Little Heart Gingerbread man - how cute is he?  So here is the finished article:

The wonderful papers and embellishments are from Nit Wit and these are from the Gingerbread Fella set.  I have coloured the image with Copics:

Gingerbread Man:  E19 E17 E15 R20 R30

Little Heart:  Crimson Lake Prismacolor Pencil

All the black stitching has been done by hand with a black fine liner pen as I am absolutely terrified of trying to stitch papers together with a sewing machine without making a total hash of it!

I have used Liquid Applique sprinkled with Glamour Dust for the icing which gives so much dimension to your card - just be careful not to touch it until it cools down after heating it or it may go a little flat.

So that's me done for the day I hope you all have a fantastic weekend.

Ta-ra.