A Bit of Colouring For a Change (no, really, it's been ages).

Well, it's been a while, it's true. 

But I  woke the pens up at the weekend, and also the Polychromos pencils!!

I figured that seeing as I had 2 new eyes, I might as well try them out. And I'm delighted to confirm that I can now really actually see to colour, wooohooo!!

And this is what I did. 

The gorgeous image is a Polkadoodles Gnome  and he is the North Pole Gnome (jeez I adore Nikky's images). And this one is on offer at the mo so check it out my lovelies!!

 

He is so easy to colour and I have to confess that I cased Nikky's colours from the packet lol. 

I used a mixture of Copics and Polychromos pencils to colour him and these are the Copics I used - 

Gnome -

C00, C01, C02, C03,C04, C05,C07, C09, R02, R05, R17, R27, R59, W00, W01, W03, W05

Holly - 

R05, R17, R27, R59, YG0000,YG00, YG01, YG03, YG95, YG99

Grounding-

C00, C01, BG00, BG01, BG02

Once I'd finished with the pens, I just added some depth using the pencils. I'm planning on doing a video for this technique soon so stay tuned. It just adds a little something extra to your images I think.

I made the cute little pine cones using one of the dies from the Tonic Studios Designer Choice 13 - Luxurious Lace, and there is a vid coming within the next week on how I did these - hope you like them. 

I added a bit of glitter to them and you can just see it catching the light. 

IRL it looks quite pretty!!

 That beautiful border is again made with the Designer Choice Lace set. I added some faux stitching to the border, paper, image and sentiment to kind of bring it all together.

Those papers - swoon - are Polkadoodles Christmas Holidays Blessings and they are part of a 6x6 paper pack. They work so well with the gnomes. And the sentiment I used is from the Polkadoodles Christmas Fishes stamp set. 

So that's my first colouring all done and I suspect that more will now follow 😀. 

I missed it so much but honestly, before the eye ops I literally could barely see to use die cuts, let alone this.

Right I better be off. 

I hope you like the card and I'll see you again very soon.

 Take care, look after yourselves and stay safe and well xxx

My affiliate links are listed below in case you want a bit of retail therapy :)

Polkadoodles -

North Pole Gnome clear polymer Stamp

Christmas Fishes stamp set

Christmas Holiday Blessings Paper Pack 6 x 6"

Tonic UK and Europe -

Designer's Choice 13 - Luxurious Lace Die Set - 3095E

Tonic USA -

Designer's Choice 13 - Luxurious Lace Die Set - 3095E

Fully Charged So Here’s T’other Sneakie Peakie :)

    

Hi there me darlin’s and thank you for being patient and waiting for the old camera to re-charge.

As promised, I’m back with another Lili of The Valley sneakie peekie and in less than 4 hours, you will be able to buy these super cure bears so set your alarm clocks  for midnight tonight :)

Wooohooooo :)

But before that I must just tell you about the fantastic Strawberries & Cream giveaway over at the Ribbon Girl Blog …..

Today's giveaway includes lots of pretty ribbons, cluny lace, top stitching thread, organza rose ribbon, lace edged bias binding and charms – Mary & Andrea have we've eaten the strawberries :)

So nip over here sweet peeps and check it all out xxx

So back to my card and this poppet is

Bobbing On By

and I‘ve coloured him in with the following Copics -

B0000, B000, B00, B02, B05, BG0000, BG05, BG10, BG15, BV0000, BV000, BV00, BV08, C00, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C7, E43, E50, E81, G99, YG0000, YG03, YG23

Oh my, worra lorra pens!!!

And as if that wasn't enough. I  also added a fair old whack of polychromos pencilling as well :)

The papers here are of course from Nitwits and these are from the FQB Noah’s Ark collection (and just while I’m thinking about it, the papers I used on the last card were from the FQB Promises and Tulips Too collections)

And here’s another fab little sentiment to go with the fab little image :)

The ribbon is again from the Lavender Mini Kit from The Ribbon Girl.

Other stuff I used here is my old faithful Tilda Lace Die and Magnolia leaf and swirl die – both are from Simon Says Stamp.

 

I am on a bit of a dash now because the 2nd half of the footie has started. I have a feeling that it going to go to penalties - my nerves will not stand it if that happens. So I’ll say toodle pip and here’s hoping that there is good news at the end of the match and we are through to the semis.

I will be back tomoz because I have a bit of catching up to do so I’ll see you then. Enjoy your evening and huggiest of hugs to all xxx

Come on England!!!!!!!

A Sneaky Peekie Post Of Two Halves!!!!

    

Hi there lovely peeps and I hope that you are all having a fab weekend.

This is the first of two posts today and I’ve done something a bit different cos I made a wobble card.

It isn't the only thing having a wobble though cos the battery on my camera gave up the ghost as I was doing the pics for the second card which should have been appearing on here at the same time. I am wondering if the fact that two pics have appeared on the camera, both of which were taken by Miss Kyla, has had anything to do with it!!! Possibly the camera may have been left on, who knows!!! Anyway I managed to charge it up enough to get these pics but the other card will appear later on.

So this is the first of my last sneakie peekies of the new release which will be on sale tomorrow – woohooo!!! I wonder if you have picked your faves yet :)

So the image I’ve used today is called

Sunny Days And Smiles

And strangely enough, it IS quite a sunny day here today and camera apart, there will be lots of smiles cos my two little treasures are coming to see me and we are all off for a nice walk in about 10 minutes.

I coloured the cutie lil bear with Copics in these colours -

BV0000, BV000, BV00, BV02, BV13, C00, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, E42, E43, E50, E81, E41, YG0000, YG01, YG00, YG03, YG23

There is also a fair bit of polychromos pencil detail as well.

The papers are all by the fabbydoodles Nitwits 

This is the sentiment that comes with the image – perfect I think.

The ribbons are both from The Ribbon Girl and are from the pretty Lavender Mini Kit, as is the button.

I made the ‘doily’ at the back by going round the edge of a punched circle with the corner bit of one of me  Martha Stewart PATP Deco Fan Shells set from Simon Says Stamp. 

But this technique works with most of the PATP sets.

The image panel ‘wobbles’ but it’s hard to see on the pic.

To do this I just I coiled some wire around a Pritt Stick and glues one end onto the image panel and the other onto the front of the card. Then if you shake the card, the little bear wobbles :)

Right I’ll be off and I’ll see you later on with card no 2 once the old camera is charged up.

Back shortly and hugs to all xxx

Eyes Down For A Gorgeous Giveaway & A Sneakie Peekie At Papertake Weekly :)

 

Hi there peeps and hope you are all OK.

I have a little sneakie peekie for you today plus a gorgeous giveaway.

Over at Papertake Weekly we are having a game of

Bingo…

… and here’s the grid.

We are sponsored today by are very own Mary and Andrea from The Ribbon Girl …

… and look what’s up ….

…. for grabs :)

Also, as it's the third Tuesday of the month,  my regular visitors will know that it's time for this month’s Gorgeous Giveaway, which has been very kindly donated by The Ribbon Girl – thank you chicksies xxxx.

And this month it’s  a gorgeous ….

……  Cream & White Mini Ribbon Kit.

All you have to do is to leave me a comment and then leave your name with old Linky and I’ll announce the winner next Tuesday.

So ….

… here’s what I did -  I went for ribbon, die cut and button.

The image is called Fun Birthday and it’s one of the brand new soon to be released Lili of The Valley Summer Bears collection which will be going on sale on 25th June. And if you want to see more of the new release then check out the DT and Ideas to Inspire blog :)

The images in this release are quite clever I think because they are perfect for everyone so will be a great addition to your stash. And they come with a sentiment as well – just perfect :)

I coloured this sweetie with Copics in these colours - 

B0000, E42, E43, E50, E51, E81, RV0000, RV000, RV00, RV14, RV34, YG0000, YG23

and I added a bit of  polychromos pencilling to add a bit of depth.

The pretty papers are from the Nitwits FQB Stuffed With Love collection.

Love the sentiment which come with the image.

The bow was made using 23mm white organza and topped off with a Pale Pink Small Polka Dot Spotty Button and both are of course from The Ribbon Girl.

The border was cut using a Memory Box pearl lace die – isn’t it pretty peeps.

 

And the butterflies are also Memory Box dies – I used Darla Butterfly and Vivienne Butterfly and all the dies are from Simon Says Stamp

 

So that’s the old card done and I’m off now to put my feet up.

We’ve been at the Cheshire Show this afternoon and we walked miles (mainly to and from the food tent lol!!).   We came back with some pork, black pudding and mustard sausages, some treacle basted bacon (drooool) and some Stinking Bishop cheese (drooooool again). We did see some livestock as well cos I just had to go and see the piggies – awww. So it wasn't all about stuffing our faces. But that was a fairly big part of it!!!!

Remember last week when I mentioned my filthy wellies?

Well Lolsie thought I ought to put a pic of them on here, so  ……

… here they are in all their minging glory!!!!

Like I said, these are my indestructible Captain Scarlet wellies and they are over 30 years old - I loves ‘em.

What a filth bag I am - how very shameful. BUT I saw plenty today that were far worse than mine. I also saw brand new squeaky clean wellies too. Now I reckon that these people either just get them out when they go to this sort of thing, or they got them just for the occasion.

Or maybe they are just very very clean!!!

Right, on the note I am off. I’ll be back tomoz so I’ll see you then, and don’t forget to pop your name with Linky if you want to be in with a chance of winning this month’s gorgeous giveaway.

Huggiest of hugs to all xxx

A Girl’s Best Friend :)

  

Hi there sweet peeps and hope that you are all OK :)

Over at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge today we’ve gone very verrry posh and it’s all about

Diamond Jubilee, Crowns & Gems

As always, the lovely Heidi is giving one lucky winner a fabulous ….

… which they get to spend in he store ….

… right here :)

So …

   

.. this is what I did.

The  image is Sweet Princess Tilda and i coloured her with these Copics -

Skin – E000, E00, E11, E21, R00, R20

Hair – E42, E50, E81

The rest – RV0000, RV000, RV01, RV95, Y21, Y28, YG0000, YG000, YG03, YG23

I also added some polychromos pencil detail as well

Don’t you think that these papers are just heavenly?

They are from First Edition and this set is called Bird Song – gorgeous!!

A trio of dies here peeps – just for a change!! I used a Tilda Lace Die, Magnolia Heart Tag and my old faithful Magnolia leaf and swirl die

Then I made a rolled rose to sit on top of the tag.

What would I do without SAFMAT Self-Adhesive Printing Film.

I am so bad at stamping directly onto an image panel so this is just the job.

This pretty crown is from this set …

… which is by  Blue Moon and clicking the pic will take you straight to the right place on the website.

I love these soft pastel colours, I really do, and pink and lime is one of my fave combis.

Well I went to see my new Granddaughter last night – and not forgetting my sweet and precious Kyla as well – and I changed her for the first time. Talk about scary and all fingers and thumbs!! You wouldn’t have thought that I had had 2 kids of my own, not to mention  Kyla. I was ever so slightly terrified I can tell you (Richard is still a bit scared of holding her, bless him!!)  Anyway what would have taken me 5 minutes max  in the past, took nearly 10 and I have to say it was as if she knew cos she never made a murmur (which may have been cos the poor kid was too scared even to squeak to be honest!!! ) And her nappy was a disaster – it sort of ended up by her knees.  6 years out of practice is what I am!!!!

Ohhh what an amateur!!! 

Anyway we managed it eventually and I felt such a sense of achievement that it was quite pathetic really. We are having them both to stay over on Friday night so that Emma and Tim can have 8 hours of undisturbed sleep (and I get to have lots of cuddles, hahahaaaa!!) . So I better shape meself and quick otherwise she won’t want to come here again lol!!!

Right I better go and finish off. I’ll see you tomorrow with some more cardage but till then, have a fab day and huggiest of hugs to all xxx

Ohhh It’s All Going On - Including A Jumper Update:)

Morning lovely peeps and I hope that you are all OK today :)

So there’s a few things going on here today - my card, a BFTP, a birdie pic  and also a jumper update.

So I’ll start with the card first :)

Over at the Lili’s Little Fairies Challenge this week our theme is

Anything But A Square

so time to dig out the shaped cards or maybe make one of your own.

The prize for one lucky winner this week is 2 stamps of your choice from the Lili Of The Valley website.

So this is what I did and I made the base card by putting the edge of the round nestie over the fold of the card to make the hinge, running it through the Grand Calibur then chopping some of the bottom off!!

I quite like how it came out :)

The image is Close Your Eyes and I coloured it with these Copics -

Skin – E000, E00, E11, E21, R00, R20

Hair – E25, E29, E33, E43, E50, E81

The rest – C00, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C7, G99, R02, R05, R17, R27, R59, YG0000, YG01, YG03

I also added some pencilling detail with polychromos pencils. Sorry but I have no clue where the paper is from peeps – it was in my bits and bobs box but it’s just plain old black and white gingham.

Nowt plain about this die though …..

It’s a Memory Box Cherish Border die from Simon Says Stamp and I just added a bit of good old Pritt Stick to the back of it and stuck it straight down onto the card base. The sentiment is from the LOTV  Set 24 tags and the little hearts were the bits that were left from the border die.

It seemed a shame to chuck them out!!!

The bow is made from some red 25mm Red No 15 Large Spot satin ribbon from The Ribbon Girl and the pins were from my stash.

   

So that’s the card done.

And now for a jumper update.

When I first did the appeal, I knew that you would help, cos I know that you are such lovely peeps but I wasn't expecting how this would catch on and the response has been totally amazing. I am just about to take my third lot to the lady  who is collecting them :) I did start off taking a pic of every single one that I received but there have been so many coming in that it would simply take too long so please forgive me re this.  But I am going to put a running total in the sidebar and I’ll update this so that you know how we’ve all done.  Hope this is OK and once again hugest of thanks to every single person who has either knitted or spread the word.

So are you ready for the latest up date peeps? Drum roll please …….

The grand total so far is ………

225

Can you believe that!!!

It’s awesome and I get a tear in my eye every time I think about this. There is a lot wrong in this world that we live in but things like this restore your faith in human nature and it serves to remind me that the majority of people are good and oh so kind. Major pats on the back to you all xxxx

Ok before we get to this weeks BFTP, I just wanted to share this pic of our latest hatching, awww. This is our first year with these little birds and the chicks are so tiny – about 4cm long and nearly half of that is it’s head.  It’s an American Kestrel which is smaller than the UK variety that we see hovering in our skies.

I have to say as well that Rich has quite small hands so you don’t really get the full impact in this pic of how tiny they really are. Nor are his hands sweaty as  they look here – unless he thinks I am off shopping with the credit card of course!!  He had in fact just washed them before he handled the chick – I had to say that cos I would hate you to think he was a minger lol!!!

I know only it’s Mother could love it right now but ….

.. this is what it will look like when it grows up. A stunning little birdie I think.

OK nearly there peeps (thank God I hear you say!!)  and thanks for staying with me today in this loooooooooong post.

Time for another trip down memory lane and this week we really are going back in time  - this was first released in 1970 and jeez doesn’t that make you feel old!!!

I saw The Kinks a few years back in a small venue near here and I have to say that they were amazing. Of course when they started to sing this, the whole place errupted and everyone was singing and dancing. Fabulous!!!

So I’ll leave you with  Lola  (L O L A Lola)  and  and have a good day.

Huggiest of hugs to all xxx

Lilac, Lavender & A Little Cutie Too (Plus This Week’s BFTP)

    

Morning lovely peeps and we have another gorgeous day here in the UK today.

We have sun but no fuel it would seem as we have all been panic buying, but it’s hard not to when you think you will run out.

Anyway it’s time to nip over to see what’s happening at the Lili’s Little Fairies Challenge and this week our theme is

Anything Goes

so  time to fill your creative boots so to speak!!

We are sponsored this week by Nitwits

So ….

… this is what I did.

I went away from my usual colours and used lilacs and lavenders. I also used another of the brand new release which of course is now on sale and today I used Patchwork Bunch Of Balloons.

I coloured him with these Copics -

Bear – E25, E29, E33, E35, E50, E51, E99

Balloons – V000, V06, V09, V12, V15, V17, V91, V95

and I also used some polychromos pencils as well.

The papers are from the new FQB Gratitude collection from Nitwits

You can just about see this but I made a double bow using some mauve vintage seam binding and some 25mm white plain sheer ribbon and both are from The Ribbon Girl :)

I made a flower using the Peony Petals die set from Simon Says Stamp. I inked the edges and added some glitter then topped them off with a small punched circle which I’d covered with some seed beads I happened to have on my desk.

The inside was decorated to go with the front of the card and I will be adding this card to my ebay site shortly

So that’s the card done and now its time for my blast from the past.

I thought that  seeing as the sun was out, I’d choose a sunny, happy, feel good sort of vid and this one always made me smile. My kid used to love it when they were young as well  because they liked the fact the the little girl gets the old man a drink!!! Aww, what nice caring little dinks I had lol!!!

Personally I liked it cos I liked Michael Stipe, although I now know I was barking completely up the wrong tree there (not that I was ever likely to run off with him of course lol).

Anyway enjoy the vid - I hope it makes you smile -  and see you tomoz.

Have a wonderful  day and huggiest of sunny hugs to all xxx