Xmas card #20

ABC Christmas challenge this fortnight is R = Rudolph, and I think this little digi is the only Rudolph I have (sorry can't remember where it came from!)  Added the little foam snowflakes and covered them with stickles (sorry can't remember where they came from either!) (....yes its been one of those days!)

2 Sketches 4 You #60 (I used Courtney's bonus sketch)

Paper Sundaes #33 - Christmas in August

Cupcake Craft #106 - Let's get digital

SUPPLIES
Stamp: digital image; peel off sentiment
Papers: Dovecraft 'Ho Ho Ho'
Accessories: circular nestabilities; martha stewart border punch; red gems; clear Glossy Accents; red glitter and black glitter; foam snowflakes; Frosted Lace stickles

Didn't manage to get to the beach yesterday - figured there'd be hoards heading that way for the Oul Lamas Fair in Ballycastle (and hoards of wasps there too!), but instead we found this pretty spot minutes from our own wee town centre ... I've lived here for 40 years and never knew we had our own Salmon Leap (its small but ever so pretty!)

In the forest

It's been a gorgeous day today, nice and sunny and very breezy ... hopefully tomorrow's more of the same for the Bank Holiday and maybe we'll get a wee trip to the seaside! 

This week's challenge at Wee Memories #20 is In the Forest, though thankfully we don't have any of these in Irish forests (....that I know of!)  And it was a great excuse to get out this stamping set that I bought from ebay ages ago and just Had to Have..and paid a small fortune for!

I stamped my kraft BG with big circles in versamark and then stamped the star with brown ink several times before reinking, then cut another few stars out for the embellies in the top corner.  The edge of the image and sentiment are slightly distressed too, but doesn't really show in pic.

Sketch from Unscripted Sketches #70

Cute Card Thursday #127 is no punches or dies

Totally Papercrafts #31 - keep it Clean and Simple

The Corrosive Challenge #79 - one for the boys

CES Challenge #1 - Anything Goes

SUPPLIES
Stamps: Stampin Up 'Under the Stars'
Accessories: copic markers; blue gems; twine; sewing machine; black stickles on nose; dimensionals

Quickest card EVER!

Think it took no more than 10 minutes to create this ... thanks to the super easy sketch from Clean&Simple #105, as soon as I saw it I knew which stamp I was going to use.  Stamped the flowers again onto the blue paper, cut them out and stuck down the side, and then coloured the silver peel off sentiment with a brown copic marker to match.

Took my colour combo from SPCC #62

Crazy 4 Challenges C4C52 - lattice

SUPPLIES
Stamp: Stampin Up 'Nice and Narrow' (possibly one of my most used stamp sets)
Accessories: pale orange gems; copic markers; martha stewart lattice punch

Xmas card #19

So this is the little Christmas card I was working on last night.  It's really bugging me that I can't remember the name of the artist!  It'll come to me eventually!  (ETA Thanks Lorraine, it is indeed a Heather Ellis 'Pure Innocence' image!)
There's loads of shine off this card - the little gold metallic stars (bargain... table confetti from Tescos) and I also added some Glossy Accents and dropped in some gold glitter to the accents on her outfit.  Though I must confess there's a touch of sparkly blue glitter in that too after a slight mishap in the glitter department ... well it seemed like a good idea at the time to not put the lids on my glitter and store them all in the same container (of course the container was then knocked over!!)  Lesson learned ... leave the lids on!

Sketch from Card Patterns #78

Fab'n Funky #37 - 3 papers, 2 embellishments (I've used stars and ribbon) and 1 image

Stamp Something - August Digi day challenge

Winter Wonderland - Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Polka Doodle - colouring contest
SUPPLIES
Stamp: Digi from Heather Ellis 'Pure Innocence'; stamp from Elzybells
Papers:
Accessories: cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder; gold metallic stars; copic markers; gold glitter; gold peel off line; martha stewart border punch

What's on Your Workdesk? Wednesday64

So What's on Your Workdesk?   Not a lot really!  Just this cute digi which I bought ages ago (...the name of the artist escapes me for the moment!) which is going to be added to my Christmas pile and a cold cup of tea (...do any crafters ever actually get to the bottom of a hot cup?!!)

But I would like to share this little storage idea - in some hair dye packs the plastic gloves come in these little containers, and they're just perfect for all those ickle bits and bobs that get lost otherwise!

Oh and this week's nail polish is "Hello Dolly" ... a paler version of BVOO Mauve shadow for all you copic lovers out there!
  

You've Passed!

Brrr, there's a definate chill in the air tonight, we've had to put the heat on for the first time in ages!  But I'm still hoping for a bit of an Indian Summer as I've a couple of days off now and Monday is a Bank Holiday, so a nice loooong weekend!
I pulled out a very old set of stamps to make this little Passed your driving test card - the cars are popped up on dimensionals, as is the happy smiley sun with his sparkly sunglasses.  I had intended the little fence to be white, but I'd punched it out of a scrap of DP and put the glue on the wrong side. Duh!  So I gave it a bit of a going over with my yellow copic marker and think it looks fine!  There's also some little Learner signs stamped in the pink BG with versamark ink.

Sketch from 2 Sketches 4 You

Stamping Vacation Occasion Oasis challenge is to make a Congratulations card

Your Next Stamp #23 - Bold, bright and summery colours

Let's Ink It Up #1 - Anything goes but have a touch of yellow

And my actual colour combo was inspired by this fabulous picture from Moxie Fab World's Tuesday Trigger

SUPPLIES
Stamps: cars and sentiment from http://www.onefourzero.co.uk/ ; little sun from Hambo Stamps
Accessories: martha stewart picket fence punch; copic markers; Smooch illuminate on car windows; pink gems; Diamond glamour dust and Glossy Accents on little sunglasses

Blue Birdies

ETA: I got Top 3 at Craft Your Days Away with this card!

I've had this birdie stamp for AGES, and every time I rediscover it I love it! Coloured with copic markers, added some blue gems and then some Glossy Accents and Diamond Glitter to anything coloured blue!

And I got my sewing machine out too for the first time in ages, instead of being lazy and just hand-doodling!

Sketch from The Pink Elephant TPE81

Colour combo from Splitcoaststampers CAS81 - Kraft, turquoise and white

Craft your Days Away #2 - With Wings

Stampin for the Weekend # 45 - Anything Goes

Supplies

Stamp: sentiment from Simon Says; birdies from Magenta ; big circles BG stamp from Practicing Creativity

Accessories: Ellison embossing folder; tim holtz edge die; copic markers; glossy accents and diamond glitter; blue gems

'Scary' Halloween card ... not!

This week's Mojo Monday sketch #153 reminded me that I had this little halloween set - I thought I was going to have to hand cut them but they fit perfectly into one of the nesties dies!  Added LOADS of purple stickles to the images and to the ribbon, so it really sparkles IRL.
I've also 'discovered' background stamps - I'ver versamarked the orange bp with big orange circles but it doesn't really show up in the pic

Creative Card Crew - Sparkle & Shine

Stamptacular Sunday #73 - use more than one stamp

Supplies:
Stamps: spooky images from Shirley's 2 Girls; sentiment from Stampin Up; big circles BG stamp from Practicing Creativity
Accessories: Spiders web embossing folder; copic markers; purple stickles; nestabilities

Footballer in the Grass

Its a typical Saturday here ... grey, overcast and threatening to rain, so I thought I'd have a wee bit of crafty fun before I go and clean the house!

Colour Me Copic's challenge #2 is grass.  Easy peasy I thought, until I made a complete horlix of it, so I went back to the site and studied their tutorial and then had to do a major rescue job!  Definately looks better than what it was originally, but more practice needed me thinks!

Sketch from Sweet Stampin #40

Colour combo from Colour Throwdown #106 - though my new kraft paper is nothing like the Kraft colour here, my blue should have been paler and my chocolate (on his hair) should have been darker.  Oh well!


Supplies
Stamps: Footballer from Sugar Nellie; football from Elzybells
Accessories: cuttlebug embossing folder; white ink pad; twine; dimensionals (for main image and central football); copic markers; green and blue gems; silver peel off sentiment; circular nestabilities

Xmas Card #18! and an award

Yip, you read it right, this is my 18th Christmas card (and its only August ... at this rate I'll be on Easter cards by December!!) (...hmmm, somehow I doubt that!) 
I used one of my new stamps from the Elzybell's sale, just wish I'd bought some more!!  I've also used my fabulous new Smooch Illuminate on the snowflakes and on the mouse's nose and paws (I won the Stampin for the Weekend challenge a while back and this was one of the goodies I chose from Simon Says Stamp)  I'm not entirely sure about this paper (I think I like it - but it was in a Christmas stack and its getting used regardless!)

Sketch from Sunday Sketch&Stamp #34

The Pink Elephant TPE80 - Ribbon and sparkles

A Spoon Full of Sugar #117 - Christmas in August

Charisma Cardz #33 - Die Cuts

Supplies
Stamp: sentiment and image both from Elzybells
Paper: a very old stack from DCWV
Accessories: copic markers; nestabilities; smooch illuminate; clear crytal gems; snowflake punch; bow easy

And THANK YOU Melly for the lovely blog award, its much appreciated!  If you haven't visited her blog yet you really should, she makes the most original  (and gorgeous!) projects!

Baby Bear

And here's the card I made with one of my new Elzybells stamps, isn't he a cutie!  Though the card didn't quite go to plan ..... I only had a scrap of the blue flowery paper left and it was a tad too short for the sketch, and then the 'baby' stamp was bigger than I had thought and I kinda ran out of room for it!  Never mind, I love how it turned out!

Sketch from 2 Sketches for You #59

Crafty Creations #81: Butterflies

The ABC Challenge: B is for Blue

Critter Challenge #27: make a card or scrapbook page for a boy with some glitter  (I added glitter to my bear's paws and to the patch on the parachute

Allsorts challenge #65 - paper piecing or paper piercing

Supplies
Stamp: little bear from Elzybells; sentiment from Heidi Swapp
Paper: Papermania 'Honey and Hugs'
Accessories: martha stewart edge punch and butterfly punch; copic markers; blue chalk for BG in sky (doesn't really show up in pic); pearls coloured with blue copic to match; glossy accents and Diamond Glamour dust; rectangular nestabilities

What's on your Workdesk? Wednesday 63

It was fun to have a good nosey at everyone's workdesk last week so thought I'd join in with WOYWW again! 
So what's on my workdesk?: My new stamps from Elzybells - unfortunately Elizabeth has decided to close her shop, which is a shame as their stamps are gorgeous!  So if you want to get one of your own head on over to Elzybells - but you'd need to be quick as its 50% off all stamps - once they're gone, they're gone!
(And also on my table is my beautiful pink nailpolish from Lieghton Denny which I luuuurrrve!)
Sorry for the rubbish pic, but the dark evenings are upon us already!
(ETA: yes I caved in and tried the pink nail polish on my tootsies + Diamond Glamour Dust!  OMG ..... you HAVE to give it a go!!!)

Chilly Penguin on a Hot Day!

Sorry for the blogger overload this weekend, I just seemed to get loads of cards made and loads of challenges covered!  It almost seemed tempting fate to make a Christmas card today with all that beautiful sunshine, but I'm sooo determined to get my cards made in time this year!  (I think if I was remaking this card I'd emboss the central red panel just to give it a bit more interest.)

By the way, I think we'll call the Battle of The Weeds a draw ... a big jaggy nettle fought back and our rambling rose had a go at me as well!  And I think a wee beastie had a munch at my ankle too!

Sketch from Friday Sketchers #115

One Stitch at a Time #26 - Pack A Punch

The Corrosive Challenge #77 - Faux technique .... I've used Faux Snow .... bwahahaha!  (...I'd love to see a card made with REAL snow!)

Stamping Vacation's challenge is Animal Applause - use an animal with a beak


Supplies
Stamp: Shirley's 2 Girls
Paper: DCVW The Big Paper Stack (I think this was one of the first paper packs I ever bought)
Accessories: copic markers; martha stewart lattice punch; white flower soft for snow; diamond ice stickles for falling snow; dimensionals (on scarf and sign); red gems; shiney red christmas trees were table confetti from Tescos

Clean&Simple Sympathy

I won this stamp from a Unity blog hop a while ago, and I just love the simple lines of this little tree.  And I think its the first time ever I actually like my distressing!  

Sketch from CPS Card Sketches #180 

Cute Card Thursday #125 and Daring Cardmakers both have the same challenge - Tree-mendous

Colour combo from The Play Date Cafe PDCC42 (just perfect for a tree image!)

Supplies

Stamp: 'Eco Chic' from Unity stamps

Accessories: cuttlebug; nestabilities; antique linen distress ink; green gems; copic markers; silver peel off sentiment coloured with brown copic to match

Shaggy cat!

I got a bit carried away when I was colouring my cat and he looks like he needs a good trip to the groomers now!

It's been another gorgeous sunny day here (!!! makes a change!!) and I'm not complaining, but its been too hot to do anything.  So I'm off out now to have a fight with the weeds now its cooled a bit!

Sketch from Our Creative Corner #28

Stamp with Fun #71 - lilac and blue

Stamptacular Sunday #72 - Buttons and Bows

Wee Memories #18 - buttons, brads or bling

Supplies
Stamp: Shirley's 2 Girls
Accessories: cuttlebug swiss dots embossing folder; copic markers; Glossy Accents and diamond dust on flowers; purple gems; dental floss (to tie on button); silver peel off sentiment; dimensionals (for main image)

New challenge blog

Have you signed up to follow Let's Ink It Up yet?  You could win this Prize Giveaway of four sets of stamps from Katherine at KLM Digi Stamps & Clear Stamps if they get over 300 followers by 4 September

Or you could win some blog candy on Lets Ink It Up to win this gorgeous package from AnnaBelle Stamps!   (ends 5 Sept)

And as if that wasn't enough, you could also win this mega candy (ends 5 Sept)

Challenges have been pushed forward to begin on Sunday 22nd August due to the overwhelming response they've had --- see you there and fingers crossed for the goodies!

Minnie's Birthday card

I made this for my Aunty Minnie's birthday and used my favourite colours - bright pink and that real lime-green colour.  I've only used this little mouse a few times as I could never get him coloured right, so today I nipped over to the Whiff of Joy blog and studied how their DT coloured him.  Definately very helpful!

My only gripe about this card is ... why do copic markers take on a different colour on different textures? My flowers were originally white and the pink one was coloured with exactly the same markers as in the little cupcake, but it looks very different!

Sketch from The Corrosive Challenge #76

Basic Grey Challenge #26 - pearls

Fab'n'Funky challenge #35 - use your favourite colours

Stamp and Create challenge #4 - flowers

And a new challenge blog Craft Your Days Away #1 - favourite things - I've used my favourite colours, my copics have to be my favourite colouring medium, and the image is one of my favourite things (the cake that is, NOT the mouse!)

Supplies
Stamp: Whiff of Joy 'Henry Celebrating Mouse'
Paper: Basic Grey
Accessories: copic markers; pink pearls; cuttlebug + Mac'n Cheese alphabet dies; flowers and brads from stash; lime green stickles

LOTV - Winter

I think I was a tad heavy handed with the distressing on this one, and I'm not at all sure about her green outfit!  Oh well, I suppose its another one to add to my Christmas collection anyway!

Look at the beautiful morning we woke up to (so nice I had to take a pic .... its been AGES since we had a sunny Saturday!)

Wee Ruby was straight up out of bed and planked herself in the sunny corner of the garden for a spot of sunbathing ... look how tired she looks!  Its a hard life being a dog - all that sleeping, eating and playing!

Right I'm off to get the washing out on the line ... hope you're having a lovely Sunny Saturday too!

Sketch from ABC Christmas challenge - Q is for Quick and Easy

Lili of the Valley  #60 - reflect a season

Sarah Hurley challenge #4 - Animals

Supplies
Stamp: LOTV (which Melly very kindly sent me)
Paper:
Accessories: copic markers; white flower soft; frosted lace stickles; antique linen distress ink; gold peel off sentiment and stars; ribbon from stash

Simon Says .... Summertime Blues

ETA: I won Treehouse Thursday challenge with this card!

This year we grew some nasturtiums in the hanging basket at our back door .... NEVER AGAIN (at least not there!)  The bees just adore them, and every time we open the door they're buzzing in!  Oh well, the one at the back door will soon be past it, though the one at the bottom of the garden is still OK.  (of course there wasn't a bee in sight when I took the pic!!)

And here's a wee peek at our tomatoes which are doing well too, if we could only get some sunshine to get them to ripen a bit!

Anyway, enough waffling and on with the card details!

Simon Says challenge - Summertime blues - make a summertime project with some blue

CRAFT challenge #63 - Mini Beasts (insects)

Sketch from The Treehouse Thursday challenge THT062

Supplies
Stamps: Messy Rabbit
Paper: Basic Grey
Accessories: copic markers; martha stewart punch; glossy accents (with diamond glitter in the bee wings); gold peel off sentiment; flowers and brad from stash; yellow gems