Muriel

Good afternoon. Well better late than never I suppose. I've been busy behind the scenes making a batch of get well and thinking of you cards but I'm sure you are fed up looking at them so I have dispatched them to their recipients without taking any pics. :)

I had the chance to play with one of my new digis from Krista at Saturated Canary this morning. She's called 'Muriel' and I think she's really lovely and suitable for so many occasions. This is a Just Because card for a friend. 

Card base - kraft - Forget Me Not (Belfast) though I think it originates with Craftwork cards.

Papers - Prima - Romantique ( a gift from my former team mate Jill at TeddyBo and D'Arcys Diaries)

Sentiment- Craftwork cards

Scallop embellie - Epiphany scallop circle punch and matching bubble cap

Die cuts - Marianne design

Viva Decor - Inka Gold - Lava Green. I can't seem to make a card these days without using this amazing product. :) I've edged all the mats with it too though it doesn't show up too well in the pics. It has the most gorgeous sheen and you don't need expensive tools to apply it - just your fingertip. 

The image is coloured with Promarkers

Skin - Soft peach, oatmeal, blush, baby pink, antique pink

Dress - Apricot, Oatmeal, Saffron

Tan, Satin, Ivory

Flowers - Baby pink, antique pink

Leaves - Olive, Pear, Lime Zest

Prisma pencils in Limepool and Marine green

I've decorated the inside to complement the front of the card

A view to show the layering

There we go, that's it for today. May I take a wee moment to thank all the lovely ladies who are now following me on Bloglovin' and also my new follower Clair on Blogger. I love it that you would want to see what I get up to!

Have a great day and thank you for calling in.

Launch Day

It's today on Create and Craft at 12.00 noon - what is? - the new launch from Crafter's Companion - Faerie Poppets and Angel Whispers together with some gorgeous stamps. Tune in to see some absolutely fabulous samples from the team!!

This is my last Faerie Poppet sample and I've made a simple stepper card using one of the Card Companions on the CD.

Card Companion Design 1

Backing paper from the CD

Border Design 2

Epiphany scallop circle embellishment

Tags from the Card companion sheet

There is so much to play with on these two CDs and I'm sure you will love the gorgeous Christine Haworth images.

I know you would never guess that this little chap was my favourite image - I did use it a lot but it was great to have a 'boy' fairy image for a change. 

I hope you enjoy the shows. Check out the Crafter's Companion blog and FB pages for lots of inspiration.

Thank you for joining me today. Have a good one!

It's nearly time for a Party Panda!

Good afternoon and welcome. It's been a while since I posted - still trying to get the eyes sorted out. I'm now wearing three pairs of glasses - all different strengths - one for reading, one for the computer and one for watching the box. It can get pretty confusing! 

So there's no colouring being done at the moment but I did get the chance to work with the cutest images ever from the new Party Paws Bamboo CD soon to be launched by Crafter's Companion.

I've used one of the Card Companions for my card today.

This would be just the ticket for so many occasions and is quick and easy to make. I decided to abandon the square format I usually use just for a change and folded my A4 card in half. 

Image and layers from CD

Backing paper from CD

Swirls - Memory Box

Daisies from the Pound shop

Epiphany scallop circle embellishment

Doily and ribbon from stash

Birch leaf punch - X-Cut

I've used Centura Pearl card stock for the card base and swirl.

Thank you for calling in today. Have a good one!

A wee sneak peek today

 Good morning! I hope the weather is a bit more heartsome where you are, all I can see is drizzly grey and dull. 

Here's something to brighten your day - a new launch from Crafter's Companion - 'Angelica and Friends'. She is due to be launched on Monday 4th February as part of a 4 day deal.

The images are so charming and are a delight to colour.

What little girl would not love this little ballerina?

Image from the Ballerina stamp set that also has three lovely sentiments and a little accent stamp.

Paper from accompanying CD

Floral oval die - Spellbinders

Ribbon and pearls from stash

Epiphany heart button

The image is coloured with Spectrum Noir pens -

Skin - TN 1, 2 FS 1, CR 3

Hair - GB 3, 4, 6

Clothes - BT 2, 3, 5

A sideways view to show the layers

I'm sure you will agree that she is a very pretty little image indeed. I know the DT girls have loved working with the various images and most will be posting a taster from the launch today. Just check the sidebar for the DT details.

I hope you have a lovely day and a super weekend ahead. We're having a loft ladder fitted today - deep joy! At least we will be able to use this one - the last one we had installed had rungs and neither of us could handle it. I was terrified it would come crashing down on me every time I had to open the blooming thing. This one has treads and an altogether 'softer' opening and dropping down mechanism, so hopefully it will be second time lucky and we will be able to actually get up into the loft and do a bit of sorting out - but that's for another day! :) 

It's Launch Day! Here they come!!

 Yes, today it's finally time to let these wee Toread cuties out into the big wide world. I've two cards featuring Comge for you. I've coloured her in two colour ways and used papers from the accompanying CD and one of the stamping companions also to be found there.

This is Comge in her blond phase.

Die-Sire - Magic Mirror

Papers and flowers - from accompanying CD

Sentiment - on stamp sheet

Spellbinder's banner die

Spun sugar distress ink

Pearls and ribbon from stash

I've used Spectrum Noir pens to colour her

Skin - FS 2 - TN 1, 2 - PP 3

Clothes - CR 3, 5, 7

Hair - EB 1, 2 - TN 1

Horn - 1G1, 3

My second card uses the Stamping Companions # 6 as it's base. 

I made the card size bigger and used papers from the CD for the backing.

The tag and main layout are cut from the companion sheet

Crealies # 5 flower die

Epiphany round button

Gems from the Beatrix Potter collection

The image is coloured with Spectrum Noir pens

Comge as a brunette this time :)

Skin as before

Clothes - GT 1, 2, 3

Hair - TN 2, 7 - EB 3, 7

Horn - 1G 1, 3

These are such cute, fun images and everyone on the DT has just loved working with them.

Don't forget to check if you are our CD winner over on the Crafter's Companion News blog.

All the best!

Have a great day and don't forget to tune into the launch programmes. Full listing on the blog.

Just as a wee PS I've included a couple of samples made from the rocker and shaped card sections of the CD. These are perfect for that really quick card we all need to make from time to time, not to mention how much fun they are to put together!

 The rocker card matted onto a circle scallop nestie. Flowers and greeting from the same sheet.

A shaped card with added ribbon and Epiphany flower button and toning paper from the CD.

Now it really is 'Bye for now! :)

Two little sweethearts for you today

Here are a couple more of those naughty nymphs from Toread. I've one stamped sample and one decoupage sample to show you today.

The lighting was awful so please excuse the 'bluey' background. 

This little guy is called 'Happy' and doesn't he just look like butter wouldn't melt! :) I've made a circular easel card using Spellbinder grand dies and classic circle dies.

Image - Happy - Toread - Crafter's Companion - stamped with Grey Flannel Memento ink

Papers from CD

Cardstock - Core'dinations

Sentiment from stamp sheet

Leaves - embellishment section of CD

The image has been coloured with Spectrum Noir pens

Skin - FS 1 - TN 1, 2 - PP3

Hair - EB 3, 4 - TN 2, 7

Boots, clothes, bag - CG 1, 2 - DR 3

Club - GB 1, 2, 9

Spots - 1G6 - TN 7

My second card today uses the decoupage from the CD. Printed onto Crafter's Companion decoupage paper.

I've used my Sizzix Pro 'Envelope, A6 Horizontal Pocket and insert' die for the base of the card.

Decoupage # 6 from the CD

Papers from the CD

Die'sire 'Enchanted Spring' die 

Die'Sire lace border #5 die 

Stamping Up label punch

Epiphany button punch

The inside of the card with the base decoupage layer and a sentiment plaque from the CD

I have so enjoyed working with these images and I hope that shows. Don't forget there is a blog hop and you can win a copy of the Toread CD just by following the blog hop and leaving a comment. Nip over to Crafter's Companion News and enter. The winner will be drawn on Friday 28th - launch day!

With One Colour

Well the week is now well underway and when haven't we sometimes felt the way this wee cutie looks? :)

She's obviously in a strop about something!

Image - Sassy Cheryl digi - Cheer Up

Papers - Dovecraft - Tea House

Sentiment - Autumn Leaves stamp

Swirls - Cheery Lynn, Marianne design

Postcard stamp - LOTV

Seam binding coloured with pink carnation Promarker. Triple bow tied with Bowmaker (Joanna Sheen)

Matching button made with Epiphany tool (Crafter's Companion)

Lace and pearls from stash

Antique linen distress ink

Hair is coloured with my cool blonde combo of caramel, sandstone and daffodil bloom

Shoes - sandstone, caramel

Dress and hair band - baby pink

I've only used the one colour for her clothing just to see how it would look and to prove to myself that you don't need all the colours to get a shaded look. I can't do without the fine nibs on my pens and having that helped shade the finer parts of the image. I was very pleased with the outcome though I had to go over the image quite a few times to build up the colour. I just thought it would be an interesting exercise.

A sideways view to show the layers.  The inside of the card is decorated to match the front.

So, if you only have a limited number of colours, give the one colour thing a try - it does work. :)

See you tomorrow with more Sassy fun.

Thank you for calling in - love your company and your lovely comments. You make my day!

Time for D'Arcy

Hello and good morning. It's good to be back even if only intermittently until the hands and wrists settle down again. 

Today I have D'Arcy 047 for you, one of the new releases this week. The new challenge also starts today - we want to see Bunting/ Pennants. Make proper bunting or use them on your project.
Here is my card today. I've made a tiny bunting sentiment so you can go big or small - it's up to you. :)

D'Arcy 047

First Edition 'Boho Chic' papers

Iced lime seam binding

Marianne design swirls

Spellbinder create a flower and label dies

Little Claire 'Bunting' stamps

Linen thread from Stamping Up

Epiphany round button

The image has been coloured with Promarkers and Prisma pencils

I've decorated the inside of the card with matching papers

A sideways view to show the layers

Now it's your turn. Nip over to the D'Arcy Diaries blog and have a go. You can win five of these super images - wow! They really are the answer to those difficult girl teen cards and Gayle has some fab images that are dead on for those awkward male ones we all have to make from time to time. 

Treat yourself to a browse at what the DT have done with this week's images. Look forward to seeing you in the challenge. :)

And just to whet your appetite here are this week's new releases

Sadly this is my last D'Arcy card as part of the team. I wish Gina all the very best as she hops on board as a permanent member of the team. Her work is fabulous and I know she will just love her time with the girls and with D'Arcy of course. It's been a blast ladies - hugs to all of you!!!

Thinking of You

Hi and welcome to the blog today. I hope you are enjoying the bank holiday and that the weather isn't too bad where you are. 

I have a wee SWALK card for you today using the 'Thinking of You' image and sentiment

I've used backing paper from the SWALK CD2 and I just loved that it matched my colours in the image. It is usually more sensible to choose your paper and then colour the image, but I'm not known for being sensible! At least this time it worked out perfectly.

I've used a Spellbinder label 23 die for the matting

X Cut Rosa border die for the pink and yellow borders

Pearls and ribbon from my stash

Epiphany button

I've coloured the image with Spectrum Noir pens

Skin - FS2, 3 PP3

Eyes - TB1

Hair - CT2, 3, 4 goldenrod Prisma pencil

Dress - PP1, 3, 5

Butterfly - CT4; PP1, 3, 5

The inside of the card is decorated to complement the front

A sideways view to show the layers

The plain cardstock is Core'dinations

Don't forget the launch of the new SWALK stamps is on 8th so not long to wait. There's a fab competition over on the Crafter's Companion blog and you could win all twelve new stamps and a resource CD just by answering one simple question. You need to be logged in to enter but all the info you need  is on the site. Good luck!

Well it's A-May-Zing!!

What is? It's the new CD by our very own Nigel May of Create & Craft fame no less. He has created a range of crafty goodies and I've been fortunate enough to be able to share in the preparation for the launch of his first CD. It's launching on Create & Craft on the 19th April at 9.00pm, so not long to go.

I'll let Nigel tell you all about it HERE - just scroll down to A-May-Zing and get the jen from the man himself.

This card is made from the decoupage section of the CD. Just look at the gorgeous backing paper. The CD is crammed full of delicious papers. It's aimed at beginners but can be taken to many other levels as it suits the crafter. All I've added is some ribbon, an Epiphany button, pearls and glitter.

There's a lovely depth to the decoupage and it's so simple that even a beginner would feel totally confident about trying it. I matted the decoupage onto a Go Kreate #2 XXL Frilly frame die cut.

A sideways view to show the depth of the decoupage. There are also extra butterflies on the sheet and I've 3D'd them onto the image and used an extra one to fly off the page! :)

It's a really all round CD with something for every occasion. The colours are beautiful and there's a lot of fun to be had in creating with it.

Thank you for calling in today. I'll catch you tomorrow with a new Colour Create challenge. 

Have a great day!

Fun Prize!

Would you like to win a photo of Nigel signed by the man himself? .... yes .... well all you need to do is leave a comment on ALL of my A-May-Zing creations.

A winner will be drawn from all the comments so take as many chances as you can to win.

Money can't buy this fun prize.

Commenting closes on 18th April at 9.00pm


FUN PRIZE CANDY NOW CLOSED

Beatrix Potter

It's Friday and I can't believe I've not been blogging for so long. I'm still trying to get back on my feet, this bug has slayed me completely! I've lost a follower meantime, I'm so sorry to see someone leave, it always feels so personal. :) Sometimes life just gets in the way and we're not able to keep up our usual hectic pace, but hey, nevermind, thank you to those who hang on in there, you are what keeps me going. 

I discovered a couple of Beatrix Potter samples that I'd done a while back that never got round to blogging so I  thought, rather than neglect 'El Bloggo' for another day, I'd just pop them in. 

This is Benjamin Bunny in his Tam o' Shanter and this is from one of the image pages on the CD

The papers are also from the Benjamin Bunny CD and work perfectly with the colour scheme. I've inked the edges with antique linen distress ink to tone with BB's shadow

The card and backing papers have been shaped using a Tim Holtz edger die

I used one of the matching inserts from the CD - so handy and easy to use!

The floral arrangement is a cluster of Marianne design dies tucked behind a triple bow and topped with a Spellbinder's accent die and Epiphany button. The linen thread is from Stamping Up.

This cute wee character is Timmy Tiptoes and is one of the stamps in the range. He's coloured with Spectrum Noir pens (sorry I don't have my list) and Prisma pencils for shading

Papers are from the Timmy Tiptoes CD

The pearls have been coloured with Speccies to match the background paper

The floral arrangement is similar to Benjamin's - I just love these! :) It is a cluster of Marianne design leaf dies tucked behind a triple bow and finished with one of the sentiments from the sheet. The sentiment is matted onto Spellbinder circle nesties.

Let's hope that I can be back in action soon. I hate not being able to get a good run at my craft room.

Have a wonderful Easter Weekend. I hope the weather is kind if you are going away and even if you're not. 

See you soon!