Book Gnome.

 It's the last day of our March challenge at Die Cut Divas.   Our sponsor this month is Scrapflower Estudio 

The theme for this month is Anything Goes.

We had some fun images to work with this month.  For this card I've used Nordic Reading Gnome 

I printed the image onto some Franchville 300gms white card and then added the sentiment  typed up in Word onto the card.  I found the quote on the internet.   I then die cut with a Gina K Master Layout die.  I also printed a copy onto copy paper and fussy cut to make a mask to do some ink blending around the image.  I used my Spectrum Noir Tri-blends to colour up the image.   I added a little die cut flower onto her hat.   This was some left overs from an Altenew Zero Waste flower cover sheet cut from some alcohol inks blends.   I added some patterned paper to front of an US A2 card base and added my panel.  

Our challenge finishes at 9.00pm Pacific time so you have a few hours left to join us at Die Cut Divas

Special Woman at Sweet Stampin' Challenge.

 Hi there - It's our latest challenge at Sweet Stampin' Challenge.   The theme is "Special Woman" 

For my project today, I've made a mixed media tag. 

I started by cutting a large tag.  I used a Spellbinders large rectangle die to cut the fancy top.  I stamped Kate - a Julie Nutting Doll.  I paper pieced the dress from some patterned paper.  My background then started to evolve.  I added some 49 and Market rub ons.   I added a few layers of green ink blending.  I used Altenew inks starting with a light colour and going onto a darker green around the edges.  I used my computer to make my words - did them in Pic Monkey and trimmed.  Added some white paint pen around the edges.   Used the paint pen to add splatters and blobs.  Added a twine bow to the top.   

Do come and join our challenge at Sweet Stampin' Challenge.  

A card for Ukraine.

I have been feeling stunned and sad by what is happening in the Ukraine.   I've been seeing lots of blue and yellow cards, sunflower cards etc all over social media.  And lots of crafting companies and people have been giving away lovely digital designs or selling them to provide funds to assist the people of Ukraine.  I saw a beautiful design that Marcella Hawley from Power Poppy was giving away.  It is just gorgeous so I got it to make a card to show my support.  Marcella has 4 free designs to chose from. 

One of the things I like about digital images is that you can change the size, orientation or just use parts of the image, which is what I did here.   I printed the image with only part of the image and then used a technique I saw Yana Smakula did on one of her Yippee for Yana posts,  Yana lives in the Ukraine and designs for Simon Says Stamp.  Her technique for colouring is so nice and easy and it really looks amazing. I used a variety of alcohol markers to colour the flowers and vase.  I wasn't sure for a while what sentiment to add.  Then I remembered an older Hero Arts stamp and die set - Peace.  I die cut the Peace from grey card and white card to layer up together.  Stamped  the little sub-sentiment above the die cut.  

I haven't used my Alcohol markers for a while so was pleased with my results.   I continue to pray for the Ukrainian people. 

"We Three Kings of Orient Are..."

 Hi there.  It's my day to share at Die Cut Divas.  We have an Anything Goes Challenge this month with a amazing new sponsor - Scrapflower Estudio

This small, woman owned, business is known for a wide variety of multicultural, and gnome-loving, digital images. Her adorable images are designed for colorists of all kinds. The owner, Patricia, began her entry into the digital stamps world via her love for coloring. Her illustrations are drawn for worldwide, beginner to expert colorists, and everything in between.

The team have the priviledge of working with some of the beautiful images from Scrapflower Estudio.  I chose to use Three Wise Men digital image.

I decided a mini slimline would be a great way to show them off.  I sized them quite small along my card and then used some Altenew Woodless Watercolour pencils to colour the Wise Men.  I added some sparkle pen and glossy accents to their crowns.   I used a sentiment from a Hero Arts set  together with one from a freebie set.  I used two dies from Gina K's Master Layouts 7.  I'm loving this little 3.25" x 6.25" card size.  

Do come and join us with your projects.  

No Blending Copic colouring

I recently watched Yana Smakula doing a video for Simon Says Stamp on a technique she called No Blending Copic colouring.  I have a few Copics... but many need replacing or refilling so I struggled with finding some colours that went together to try this out.  I did lots of practising to find some colours that worked

You can see different combos - but in the corner you can see the colours I chose.

I used a digi stamp from Rachel Vass Designs.  My blogger friend Cindy Chiu is s designer for Rachel and got me onto her designs.   This one is called Springtime Background   I added some Spectrum Noir sparkle pen to the centres and around the side and bottom of the sentiment.  It was part of the digi set so I added it before printing.  Added some dark grey pen around the sides.  I used black pen to colour the spaces on the image.  

I just love this image and have also got more Rachel Vass's designs.  Look out for some more in August for Die Cut Divas where Rachel is our sponsor!  I'm sure by then I will have a few more images.  Her flowers are stunning.  

Looking forward to spending some time crafting this weekend.  The forecast is for wintery rain and wind, so best place to be will be in the craft space!  This week I moved my old TV into the space so I could work there on the days I'm working from home..  More time in the office now.  This week Mon- Wed in the office and Thurs - Fri at home... which worked well as we had two meeting with the kitchen designers.  We are down to two now... both different designs.  One a bit cheaper and the other one a bit more high end and a bit more expensive.  Not too sure which we will go for, but did love the second one where the over bench pantry doors are a wood veneer.  It looks stunning and I think will be worth the extra cost.    Hopefully by end of next week we will make our decision.    Exciting if somewhat scary on how much the whole thing is going to cost!

Card Chain Challenge.... May 2020

I took part in May's CCC and the was a bit of a blog hop for the reveal.  However I had to wait for my card to reach it's recipient as I had forgotten to take a photo.   Did you know that the Card Chain Challenge started in October 2009 - and I was there for the first challenge.  I've missed a few months over the years.  In fact, I realised that it has been going so long when I check out the first reveal Here
I'll share my first card after the May one

I made this one using a freebie from Catherine Pooler Designs. It is a digital image that Catherine made.  I stamped with Catherine Pooler's Tilly's Garden stamp set.  I cut out the centre part and matted it with the purple card and popped it back in the space.

And here is the very first card I sent to my dear bloggy friend, Arlene.

My goodness, my card making has progressed a lot since Oct 2009.  At that stage I had only been crafting for a year or so.

So here I am over 10 years later I still as enthused with card making as I was then - just with many dollars worth of supplies more!

Today this my birthday.  I've had a great weekend away with friends at Mangawhai and on our way home we stop off to visit with Grace. She is growing so quickly.   Tomorrow will be my first time back in the office in 12 weeks.  Started working on Monday  23rd March and NZ went into Lock-down Level 4 on the 25th March.  It will be strange going back into the office.  I got to enjoy working from home.... no commute, starting early and finishing early so I could get my exercise done.   This coming week I am rostered to work at our Front of House - seeing anyone who comes into our office for tax assistance.  It's from 8.45 to 4.00pm so a bit latter than I have been used to.

Happy Birthday Grace

Yes, One year ago today, our little granddaughter Grace was born.

Unbelievable how quickly this year has gone.  We have not been able to see her for nearly 8 weeks... how she has grown in that time is incredible.  She walks everywhere now and is very focal.  We had a video chat with us and her other grandparents to see her get her cake and walk around the room.  Can not wait till we can get real cuddles.

Her Mum posted this funny pic this morning on her instragram page.

 Quite amusing!  

She is a real cutie

We haven't been able to give her our present or card yet.

Here's her card - Using Gracie Giraffe digi stamp from CuteNCrafty Mommy.

I made a subtle background with some Heartfelt Creations wild rose stamps and added my little printed, coloured and fussy cut Gracie Giraffe.  Added a die cut 1 and a Peelcraft sentiment.   Very simple little card.

WWC #256 Kath's Challenge - All about Occasions

Hello there, it’s time for another Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  Kath is our hostess this week with an All About Occasions challenge.

 Today I'm sharing a card with you that is for my friend's son and his partner.  Their little girl arrived early on the 25 January.  Her name is Beatrix.

I used a Whimsy digital stamp called Baby Ellie.  I printed her out and used my Scan'N'Cut to cut around the image.  I coloured using my Prismacolor pencils.  I added the image to a dark pink panel and stamped the two sentiments from a Kaisercraft set.

Come and join the fun.  Check out the projects that the other artists at  Watercooler Wednesday challenge have created.  Then take our challenge and link your creation to the challenge post.  We'd love to have you join us.  You have until Monday at 5 pm Mountain Standard Time (Tuesday at 12.00 noon NZ time) to link up your project

Kit and Clowder Swap

I can now share my card that I made to sent as part of the Kit and Clowder annual swap.  I sent this one to Lisabeth in Norway

This is a digital image from Mo Manning.  After printing it onto my card , I stamped the pine branches from a Sunny Studio set and then coloured with Prismacolor pencils.  I added kindyglitz to the hat and the edge of the top.  The sentiment is from a NZ company called Montarga Stamps.  I've used it a lot this year, mostly inside of my cards. 

I received a beautiful card from Lisabeth

Isn't it beautiful. 

I finished up work today for the year.  Two weeks off.   Totally looking forward to the break. 

Poinsettia on Kraft

I had some fun with colouring a Uniko digital stamp I printed onto kraft card.   I shared the WIP over the weekend on my FB page.

 Here is the finished card

Although in the main, I am happy with the colouring - but used too dark a grey to shadow the poinsettia and then tried to soften it with white without much success.  I embossed the sentiment in Rose Gold EP but think I really needed to do it in black.    I did enjoy the process of colouring.  It really is a relaxing pastime.

I'm entering this into the challenge at Winter Wonderland - use Holly or Ivy on your card.
Only 4 weeks and 1 day till Christmas.  I have done most of my cards now - just need to get them addressed and in the post.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cards for Boys...

I have two boy cards to share today.

First up is a card I made for my grandson, Archie.  I like to send him cards every now and then.  This one was inspired by one of the cards in the May Making Cards magazine.  There were papers and images that came with the magazine.

I used the papers and images to layer on the card and the front.  I generated the sentiment on the computer.

My second card was a commissioned card for a 2 year old who loves diggers.

I found the image on the internet and printed it twice... I fussy cut the second image and added it with pop dots over the main image.  I added some glossy accents to parts of the digger.  Loved how I kept it CAS. 

Thanks for stopping by today.  I appreciated everyone's visits.

Puppy Christmas - Dachshund through the snow!

My blog friend Jo's Christmas Kickstart this fortnight has the theme.... Dachshund Through the Snow... a play on words - so she and Elfen helper Cat want to see canines on the cards.

I knew what digi stamp I was going to use straight away, but didn't get time to create till this colder Saturday afternoon.

I started by making my own background using the Newton's Nook two part stencil.  I used some cream cardstock and used Altenew Enchanted Gold pigment ink and then added the red dashes with Catherine Poolr Design Rockin' Red ink.   I printed the Bugaboo image - Puppy - enough Reindeer and used Alcohol markers to colour it in. Plus a little gold gel pen for the bells.   I used some rectangle dies to cut it out and then used the same size die and one two bigger to die cut the frame.    A bit of Kindyglitz for the snow and the fluffy hat.

And another lovely surprise to see I made the Top Picks for my tree cards in the last challenge

 Thanks Jo and Darnell for picking me.

I got a few other cards done today(getting ahead with some design team work) as it was a bit wintery and staying in my craft room was a great way to spend the time.

Got a message from my son to say they are home from Hawaii and that little Grace was a great traveler.  Slept  90% of the flight over and coming home today didn't cry at all.  Getting a seasoned traveler.  They had a great time there... including my son proposing - so came back an engaged couple.

Boys are the Bomb at Southern Girls Challenge.

It time for another challenge at Southern Girls.  Our theme this month is "Boys are the Bomb"

 

For my card I have used an image from Mo Manning's Skateboard Schoolboy

  

I printed out the image, and once I coloured I fussy cut it out.  I made the background by embossing some blue/grey card with a Tim Holtz brick folder.   I then wiped over the embossing with some white acrylic white paint. I added it to a pearlised grey base card.   The sentiment is from Elizabeth Craft Designs.

Entering into Virginia's Show and Share with this one.  

Christmas Hot Chocolate

Jo's Christmas Kickstart challenge has a fun theme this time around.... Your Favourite Hot Beverage.  I don't drink coffee so my hot beverage is Hot Chocolate

 

For my main image I have printed out an image from Graciellie Designs called "Christmas Cheer" onto some watercolour paper.    I used some Altenew Watercolour pan paints to colour the image.  The sentiment is from the same digital set,.  I added some red splatters, and some gold Nuvo drips. 

I enjoyed making this card.  

Thanks for stopping by today... 

WWC228 Marsha's Feminine "Anything Goes" challenge

Hello there, it’s time for another Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  Marsha is our hostess this week with a Feminine "Anything Goes" challenge

 

I've made a fun girly card today with a sweet little mermaid.

This card came about as I was practising some stencil techniques.  I had used a Simon Says Stamp Wave stencil and some blending brushes and Altenew Turquoise ink.  I blended the ink, then moved the stencil a little and blended again.  I then spritzed the stencil with water and "stamped" it on the blended piece.  This gave a nice bit of texture.    The panel sat for a while as I really didn't know what to do with it.  Then I saw this cute little mermaid at Whimsy Stamps.  It's a digital stamp do I printed it onto some white card and then used a variety of Alcohol markers to colour it.  I fussy cut it and added to the stenciled background.  The sentiment is from Lovely Flowers by Catherine Pooler Designs.  I added it to the blue card base and added some white Nuvo Drops. 

Come join in the fun.  Check out the projects that the artists at Watercooler Wednesday Challenges have created then take the challenge and link your creation to the challenge post. We’d love to have you join us.  You have until Mondays at 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (Tuesdays at 11.00am NZ time) to link up your project

Christmas Kickstart - Frosty and Friends

Jo's latest theme over at Christmas Kickstart is "Frosty and Friends" -all about Snowmen

 

I had popped over to Digi Doodle Studio the other day to purchase an Easter digi I had seen and while I was there picked up "Joe Frost Snowman" with this challenge in mind....

I printed him onto some light cream card and used some Copics, Spectrum Noir and Altenew alcohol markers to colour him in.  I used Altenew Arctic ink to sponge behind him.  (just love my smallest makeup blending brush for getting around close to the image)  For my snow I smeared some clear Nuvo drops and sprinkled some SU Diamond Dust glitter on it   A few dots with a Gel pen and a Hero Arts sentiment and my panel was done.  I trimmed it, and then matted with some pretty Patterned paper from Meg's Garden, adding it to a cream card base (4 3/4" x 6" - just a little bigger than normal - trimmed down a 6x6 card base)

Thanks to Jo and her challenge, my stash of Christmas cards is growing.  

It's Saturday afternoon and all the house work is done, so time for some more crafting .... there are 5 family and friend's birthdays in May.... so busy time ahead.  

Thanks for stopping by.

WWC216 Dawn's "All About Occasions" Challenge

Hello there, it’s time for another Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  I'm the hostess this week with an "All about Occasions" challenge.

For me April is the birthday month for my Grandson.  He's going to be 3 this year on 20th April...and if my new grandbaby comes on time, she'll be an April baby too... due 29th.

Anyway as I have to get Archie's card off in plenty of time to get to him in time... I've made his card and am sharing it today.

There's a little story behind this card.  For his birthday his Pop and I are getting him a Trunki (a cute as little suitcase) and his mum showed him the different ones and he chose this one

So I decided that a bumble bee card would be cool.  I searched the internet to find a bumble bee digi stamp and found this cutie at Dollar Graphic Depot.   I printed it out together with the 3 and the sentiment.  I used my Scan'n'Cut to cut out the number and the little bee.  To make my background I used a Hexagon Cover Die (not sure of the make) to make a stencil.  I used two Altenew inks - Vanilla Cream and Lemon Fresh with my Picket Fence brushes to blend through the handmade stencil.  I added dimension to the bee, the number and the sentiment.  

 

A simple but fun card.  Come join in the fun and make a card for your choice of occasion. Check out the projects that the other artists at Watercooler Wednesday Challenges have created, then take the challenge and link your creation to the challenge post. We’d love to have you join us.   You have until Mondays at 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (Tuesdays at 1pm NZ time) to link up your project.

 

Thanks for stopping by today. 

  

WWC#214 Marsha's "All About Occasions" challenge

Hello there, it’s time for another Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  Marsha is our hostess this week with an " All About Occasions" Challenge. 

 

I wanted an Easter card to send to my little Grandson.  I chose a digital image by "From The Heart" called Easter Trio that I have had for a number of year. ( Sadly, this company no longer exists)  

I printed the image and the matching sentiment onto my white card and used a rectangle die to cut it out.  I used my Prismacolour pencils to colour it in.  I then added to a creamy base for a quick CAS card.   A few spots of Spectrum Noir sparkle pen was all the embellishment it needed.

Come join in the fun.  Check out the projects that the artists at Watercooler Wednesday Challenges have created then take the challenge and link your creation to the challenge post. We’d love to have you join us.  You have until Mondays at 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (Tuesdays at 1pm NZ time) to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

For Someone Special...

My post for Watercooler Wednesday is HERE

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Over at Southern Girls, Team Trace are up with a "For Someone Special" Challenge.  I used a  image from A Day for Daisies called "Flowers in my Garden" 

I printed out the image and coloured with some alcohol markers.  I trimmed it into a square and layered onto some pink card.  I took my white card base and a stencil and some pink ink and using a brush from Picket Fence to blend over the stencil.   I stamped the sentiment and then added the focal panel with some dimensional tape. 

Do come and join us at Southern Girls

WWC#211 - Kath's Feminine "Anything Goes" Challenge

Welcome to this week's challenge at Watercooler Wednesday Challenge blog.  Kath's our hostess and her theme is Feminine -Anything Goes .

My card today is for Erin (my son's partner) - she had her baby shower last weekend. 

I used a Bugaboo digital stamp called "JJ Shopping for Two".  I used some patterned paper from a magazine.  My image was coloured with Altenew markers and Copic marker.

Only another 8 or so weeks till our Little Wriggler arrives.  Can't wait to meet her.

Come join in the fun and make a feminine project .  Check out what the artists at Watercooler Wednesday Challenges have created then take the challenge and link your creation to the challenge post. We’d love to have you join us.  You have until Mondays at 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (Tuesdays at 1pm NZ time) to link up your project.

Thanks of visiting today.