Grungepaper Plaque

Well is has been over a month since my last post but that doesn't mean I haven't been playing.

I recently got some Grungepaper and want to have a play with it to see what you could do with it. I thought I would make a plaque using some of the different ways of using this wonderful material.

The Cuttlebug was used to cut out the flowers and the Slice to cut out the scalloped frame. It cut through very nicely, no problems at all. The large decorative swirl is a Grungeboard shape. Grungeboard is thicker than the Grungepaper. For the butterfly I covered a small piece of the Grungepaper with patterned paper, I then stamped the butterfly image and cut it out.

I have used Adirondack inks to colour the Grungepaper, Butterscotch, Terracotta and Espresso. The base of the plaque was covered with paper and I used a selection of stamps to cover just the edges with the same inks. All the edges were distressed with the Espresso ink. Finally the embellishments were added and a chain fixed to hang the plaque up.

I have also had a go at making some flowers both flat and 3d. As soon I have taken some pics I will upload them for you all to see.

Canvas Art

It has been a while since I posted but as I did this at my local craft class I thought I would let you see what I have been up to. As altered art is my first love it was great to do this project.

We all had a play with a small canvas and an easel. We were all encouraged to decorate the canvas how we wanted to, not to copy the example that had been created.

There was so much to chose from, it was difficult knowing where to start. I first chose my paper then picked up the different embellishment to go along with it. The main image was stamped on clear Shrink Plastic. I glued it to some white card which made the image stand out even more and finished the edges with Gold Krylon ink. This image was stuck to the canvas along with all the embellishments.

There where six of us there all doing the same project, yet they were all so different. That's how I like it, your personality comes through when you are creating for yourself.

Softpencil

Image - Little Cow

Well this is my last posting as a DT for Softpencil, at the moment! I have fulfilled my commitment as Senior DT member and have passed the baton so to speak onto Kerry. I am sure she will do a great job, she has such enthusiasm.

This weeks image of the Little Cow is so cute and the decorative element was to create something 3D with the image. So as you can see I have created a lovely keyring. The image was printed twice, I used one for masking the image to colour the background. I coloured the tiny butterfly and flowers with copic markers. There wasn't a lot to colour on the little cow but I did colour the patches and ears.

On the keyring itself I added some small gems, gluing them on with glossy accents. Finally the ribbons were added.

I hope you like this cute little image. If you want to have a go using it go along to Softpencils Etsy store. You will also find many more lovely images for you to play with. Also the Softpencil DT have been busy with this image too, so check out their blogs. All their blog addresses are in my sidebar under the Softpencil logo.

Break in Posting
Just having a break at the moment. Hope to back posting very soon. Things in life take over and they are important things that we all have to deal with. I will try to keep in touch with everyone I know in my previous DT. So please keep comming back. I am sure things will improve and I will post some work I have done for you to enjoy.
Shelley

Character Cafe

Another month and some new releases over at Character Cafe. If that wasn't enough its Blog Hop time too! So start here and join in the blog hop and get yourself a freebies on the way and discount on images from Character Cafe. So come join in the fun!

Softpencil

Image - House Collection Set 2

This week at Softpencil we have a image set, House Collection Set 2. You can buy them here at Softpencils etsy shop. There are so many other images you there you will want to get your hands on too.

The DT at Softpencil have been very busy with this image too. So if you want to see what they have done check out their Blogs. You will find their address's over in my sidebar under the Softpencil logo. Also don't forget our two guest designers for August, Tracey and Dawn.

So onto my card for this week. We had the image set and also our design element came from Wendalyn one of our DT. We were asked to include flowers on our project.

For my project I used one of the Prima Paintables - these are printed acetate square. As you can see from mine, it had a row of flowers right accross the bottom. These paintables can be coloured with Alcohol inks, but I used my good all favourite,Copic Markers. I punched holes in the centre of the flowers and added eyelets. I printed the image on paper for paper piecing and coloured the little figures. I glued everything down on the script paper, fixed the coloured acetate with two more eyelets at the top two corners and then added my 3D elements, the roof of the house, the window and the lovely little owl charm. I finished the card off with the sentiment " there's no place like home" and ribbon across the bottom.

Finally I would just like everyone to know that I am stepping down as a DT member for Softpencil. But will be working to the end of the month. It has been great working with Elizabeth who creates such great images to work with and all the other DT. I wish you all the best Elizabeth and every success. But I will be popping in from time to time so you don't get rid of me that easily.

Character Cafe

Feature Friday

Friday again! Don't the weeks come round so quickly. This week I have used the image Tree Hugger Bailey. Another lovely image from Character Cafe.

I have coloured him with Copics and used papers from Paper Cellar, the Wedding Collection. I have also used card stock in two colours to matt and layer the different aspects of the card. I have also created a tag and written the words "Hand in There". Finally I have added some rick rack, brad and a corner embellishment.

All the DT members at Character Cafe are using other images, so go and check out what they have done on their individual blogs. You will find all their address over in my side bar under the Character Cafe logo.

Also if you want to have a go at using this image or any other image from Character Cafe you can buy them here.

Softpencil

Image - Timmy Train

This week Elizabeth at Softpencil has really been busy. She has created four new images for us to play with and this wasn't enough she kindly gave us two papers as our decorative element to use with our image. Two DT members for one image. They are so cute!

I have Timmy Train, which I coloured with Copics. I matched the colours to go with the papers. The image was matt and layered on blue and green card using a punch to cut each corner and added two screw brads to the top corners. I cut out three of the stars and covered with glossy accents. I added some ribbon to decorate the block of star paper and finished it of with a button.

Please go and take a look at what the other DT members and our two guest members at Softpencil have done with their image. Plenty of inspiration for everyone! You will find their blogs over in my side bar under the Softpencil logo.

If you would like to buy this or any of Softpencils images you will fine them here.

Character Cafe

Friday Feature - Work it Wednesday Project

Today I have brought you the card I created for my Work it Wednesday tutorial this week over at Character Cafe. I have used Bella princess and used three ideas in using ribbon. The first is creating the ribbon frame around the image. The second is colouring ribbon with Copic Markers and finally using set eyelets to thread the ribbon through as an embellishment. If you won't to take a look at the tutorial go over to Character Cafe. There is also a challenge for you all to have a go at. If you like the images you have seen from Character Cafe the you can purchase them and create your own beautiful cards.

Softpencil
Image - Taking Care Of Flowers

This is a lovely image. I especially love the flower. I have printed it in a couple of sizes, one for the card and one for the tag. I coloured both with Copic Markers. The wings have also been covered with glitter glue.

The Design Element for this week is Buttons and Bows. So I have included button brads and created a double bow threaded through the top right corner.

Finally I have added ribbon across the centre of the card and added a large paper flower to the side of the mounted image.

If you would like to buy this image or check out Softpencils other images go to Softpencils Etsy store.

Character Cafe Work it Wednesday

Playing with Ribbbon.

This week at Chracter Cafe I have the priviledge of hosting the Work it Wednesday tutorial. As you can see fro the title I have based it around Ribbon. There is just so much you can do with it. I have covered just 3 techniques / ideas to get you going. So if you want to know more, jump over to Character Cafe and join in the fun.

Character Cafe
Image - Digi Blosssom

This is one of Character Cafe's new digital images. I love it! The new set of images are just great. If you want to see the rest of them take a look at there blog. The rest of the design time at Character Cafe have also chosen an image to use, so go and check out what they have done. All their blogs are in my sidebar under the Character Cafe logo.

For this image I used Copic pens to colour it. I used Basic Grey Lemonade papers, these are great vibrant colours and perfect for this image. I used my Cricut to cut out my frames and distressed the top one with Tim Holtz distress tool. Flower brads were added to 3 of the corners and the 4th corner was covered by the 2 tone flower. Finally I added a small metal embellishment with the sentiment "Hand in There". Appropriate I thought!

Oh and don't forget the Work It Wednesday. Tips,techniques and tutorials from our DT every Wednesday over at Character Cafe. Next week its my turn, so please come and join me and give me some moral support. I haven't done anything like this before. There is a challenge for you all at the end of the tutorial so come and join in the fun.

Softpencil
Image -Welcome To My New Home

This is such a lovely image, the little dog is so cute! I have added my sentiment "New Home" before I printed it off.

I have been away so have not had the time to do what I really wanted to do. But I will try and find some time to do it.

But I am happy with this card. Our design element at Softpencil this week is to distress, tear or crumble some part of our project. So that is exactly what I did! I do like this effect a bit different from all the cute things I have done recently. I have also added some stitching here and there and added some lace and a compass type embellishment. The image is coloured with Copic pens and I have just highlighted the ladybird and the flowers with glossy accents.

Elizabeth at Softpencil has added some new images to her range so if you want this image or would like to see what else she has take a look at her Etsy store.
Also the DT for Softpencil has also been very busy with this image so take a peek at their work on their blogs. All their blogs are in my side bar under the Softpencil picture.

The Character Feature Friday

Image - Sunflower

This week we have been hopping mad over at the Character Cafe! Our Blog Hop started on Monday but don't worry you still have time to join in. It finishes on Monday 27th. It starts over at The Character Cafe and from there you can hop to each of the DT blogs. There are also some freebies along the way.

For this weeks Feature Friday I have used one of the new July images " The Sunflower". I was in my element with this image. I knew as soon as I saw it what I would do with it. I used the masking technique. I print the image and then mask it of and coloured the background then stamp a selection of images around it. I just love this technique! I coloured the image with Copic pens and matt and layered on card. I covered my blank card with Basic Grey paper and stamped round the outer edge of all four sides with a flourish stamp. Finally I added ribbon, buttons and embellishments.

I am really happy with how this card has turned out. It shows how both digital and stamped images can work so well together.

If you like this image and want one for yourself get over to Character Cafe where you will find this and many more new images.

Also our design team have been busy again, so go see what they have been up too.

Sofpencil
Image - It's a Rainy Day

This is a lovely image and can be used for so many different occasion. This week at Softpencil our Design Element was to use Paper Piecing. I love this technique because you can use all your scraps of paper. Although I do like to use paper with small patterns. Remember to keep all those tiny bits and never throw them away. I used Glossy Accents for the water effect and added little glitter to give it more of a shine. I coloured the other parts of the image with matching Copic pens.

If you would like to see what the rest of the DT have done take a look at their blogs -

Maureen
Wendalyn
Cathy
Kerry
Anne

If you would like this image or want to check out all of Softpencils images take a look at Softpencils Etsy store. We would love to see your projects using any of Softpencils images so let us know.

Character Cafe Blog Hop
Image - Boy Word Art Set

Our 2nd Blog Hop already at Character Cafe. To join in the fun you will need to start over at the Character Cafe and from there you will be directed to your first DT blog to start the blog hop. Then each DT member will give you a piece of the code and the next blog to hop to. Remember you need to do this in order to get the correct code for your prize at the end, the winner being draw on the 24th July. There is also a Freebie on one of the DT blogs. Here are the prizes in a nutshell -
Freebie Word Art For your Sport Men and Boys

3 Images & Word Art (1st prize)

1 Image & Word Art (2nd prize)

30% off code

You also need to make a comment on every one's blog, if anyone become a follower or member if they aren't already and they post about our blog hop on their blog or elsewhere, just let us know on The Cafe Blog where they've done that and we'll add another entry to the draw for them.

My image for the Blog Hop is "Boy Word Art set". This is a great selection for all your cards for those little men in your life. I had such a choice and didn't know which to choose. So I am afraid I went for the obvious, "Keep Out, No Girls Allowed". I matt and layered card stock and paper then added some great screw brads, ideal for boys or men. Then I created a banner across the bottom, adding some rub on words and images and highlighted them with glossy accents. The other circles on the banner were punched and I threaded string through them and fixed it to the card.

I printed the image and coloured it with copic pens, a great way to get that wood look is to use three or four colours that blend well. (Try this tutorial.) I glued the image to a lollipop stick and then glued it to the card.
So go over to the Character Cafe to get started.

1 Sara

2 Mary

3 Heather

4 Steph

5 Shelley

6 Billie

7 Elaine

8 Tesa

9 Colleen

10 The Character Cafe

Wait! Before you hop away, I mentioned one of our DT blogs has a Freebie, well it's here on my blog.Here are the images and you can get them HERE.

Happy Hopping !

Character Cafe

Feature Friday - New Images

This Feature Friday is a little different this week. All the DT for The Character Cafe are getting ready for the next Blog Hop(More info below). So today all you see is a sneaky peek of the projects using the new July images from Character Cafe. I don't have a favorite yet but have enjoyed the challenge of the "Boy Sentiments" as I don't posses any little boy stamps or images. Enjoy the sneaky peek but make sure you return on Monday to see the whole image.

I can't believe a whole month has gone! We are now getting ready at Character Cafe for our 2nd Blog Hop. So come and join in the fun on Monday over at the Character Cafe. Each DT member will be showcasing a new image and a piece of the code on the Blog Hop so you can win yourself some great freebies and a 30%discount on any new images. For more information go the Character Cafe. Here is just a sneaky peek at my project, don't forget if you want to see the whole project come and join us on Monday and don't forget to check out what the rest of the DT have done.

Softpencil
Image - Keep Me Safe


This week at Softpencil, the DT have been given this delightful image Keep Me Save. As you look at the images on the DT blogs you will see a slight difference, our cute little friend has changed. Also the Design Element was to include some sort of stitching on the project. This could be machine, hand or faux stitching.

I have coloured my image with copics. I have been having trouble colouring printed images with these pens, but as you can see I think I have managed it. I haven't done anything special, just made sure the image was properly dry and I do not over saturate the image. It worked! I also created some 3d elements, the main flower and the leaves. These were then highlighted with glossy accents and finished of with some gems. My stitching is faux stitching, peel offs to be precise. I used Paper Cellar Wedding papers and matt and layered them with green card. Finally I added ribbon and a button brad.

Don't forget if you want this image or any of Softpencils images go take a look. Also check out what the other DT members have been up too.

Cuttlebug Magic

This weekend our local craft shop put on a Cuttlebug class. There where only 3 items to make but I don't know were the time went. We used it for tin foil and we did double embossing. I have added a photo of each project and a close up so you can see the detail.

Double Embossing

Tin Foil and Alcohol Inks

Tin Foil and Acrylic Paint

Character Cafe

Everyone has been very busy at the Character Cafe this week. I have chosen Syd the golfer this week. But as you can see, I have created a neat little box to carry his golfing tee's. I covered it with paper and added a large brad to open the draw. I created the wording on the side "Tee Caddy" on my PC and stuck them to each side of the box.

Before I printed Syd I did a little editing of the image and included my husbands name on the number plate.I coloured the image with water colour pencils then matt and layered the image and secured it to the top of the box and Glossy Accents were used to highlight the name. Finally I added some ribbon and three white pearlised gem to look a little like golf balls.

If you want to see what the rest of the design team has been up to then take a look at their blogs.

A Paper Buffet
Billie's Scrappetique
Cr8ive ME
Glitter Ink
Heather's Heavinly Stampations
luminous in my chaotic dreams(life)
My Creative Corner
Tesas Scrap och Annat

Character Cafe have more new releases coming soon. So check out their blog in the next week or so and see what new characters are coming your way. Also each week join one of the DT for Work it Wednesday. This week take a look at Mary and her Liquid Aplique technique.

SoftPencil

I really enjoyed this week's image and challenge. This week all the design team members were given the same image, a "Tulip".

The Decorative Element challenge was to use a specific colour theme, "yellow/orange".

I started with this delightful card. The image is coloured with water colour pencils which I matt and layered. Then added the word fragrance stamp, some ribbon and some gems. I used a sheet of paper from my stash and cut and matt and layered it to the base card. I stamped on the yellow background with flower stamps from Inkadinkado. I finished the card with some more ribbon and a large grommet.

The piece of art canvas evolved. I knew what I wanted to do but wasn't sure what materials I would use. I started colouring the canvas with Adirondack inks. Then stamped my collage images with black ink. The image was coloured with a mixture of Copic pens and water colour pens. I then had a rummage through my box and found the letter paper from Tim Holtz and spelled the word Tulip. I also stamped three small tulips and cut them out. I stamped and coloured the measuring tape with distress ink pads. Finally, I used golden glaze to seal the whole canvas and added a stamped 3d butterfly.

Softpencil have a variety of images to suit everyone so if you would like to have a go using this image or any of their images go and have a look at Softpencil.

Also if you would like to see what the other DT members have done with this image take a look at their blogs.

Maureen - My Case Studies

Wendalyn - Creations by Wendalyn

Cathy - My Creative Space

Kerry - Kerry is Chilling

Due to time differences these blogs will be updated shortly with this image and challenge.

Copic Pens and Penny Black

I have been practicing again with my copic pens and also trying to get more use from my Cricut. So I cut out a accent background and the frame from the Storybook cartridge and stamped a Penny black girl on the accent background and then coloured her in with the Copic pens. I also coloured the frame so it would match the dress. This is not something I would do often as it takes a lot of ink. But it was good practice. I used papers from Paper Cellar wedding papers and a scrap of bright pink I have had a while. I stamped using a flourish stamp in black ink on the base paper and added dots of Liquid Pearls. I finished the card of with ribbon, a small bull dog clip and a couple of charms.

Leanne Ellis Stamps

These two lovely cards were sent to me by Tammy from http://www.funpapercandy.com/

I had a Leanne Ellis challenge a month back and Tammy used the "Stitch" stamp. I loved it, especially the colour combination. So was thrilled to receive it together with the "Time Flies" card. We did a private swap and am I so glad we did. Tammy thanks I love them both.

The Character Cafe

Image - Fairy Bella

For this weeks Friday Feature I chose to use the Fairy Bella image from The Character Cafe. I have coloured the image with water colour pencils and highlighted her wings with glitter glue. The papers I used are from K&Company and I used the Cricut to cut out the shield shape and decorated it with stitching. I stamped the word sweet from a set of Inkadinkado stamps and finished it of with a few flowers and coloured gems.

The other members of The Character Cafes DT have also been creating using their images, so check out their blogs and see how they got on. A list of their blogs can be found at the bottom of this post.

The Wednesday Work Out for this week at The Character Cafe is by Kendra. The technique is creating an Impasto effect using a Matte Medium. Sounds tricky? NOT! She is actually taking that technique and using Mod Podge to see if it works!!! So, what does "Impasto effect" mean? Well, it originally refers to a thick layer of paint, implying a textured effect.

If you would like to know more or want to have a go yourself check out The Character Cafe where Kendra shows you how. Be sure to check out every Work Out Wednesday for more ideas and techniques by The Character Cafes Design Team. Finally, The Character Cafe is sponsoring Friday Sketchers this week so if you want to be in with a chance to win some goodies go and join the challenge.

A Paper Buffet

Billie's Scrappetique

Cr8ive ME

Glitter Ink

Heather's Heavinly Stampations

luminous in my chaotic dreams(life)

My Creative Corner

Tesas Scrap och Annat

Softpencil

Image - Home Sweet Home
This week we had a choice of images to use. Thanks so much for that Elizabeth. As you can see I chose Home Sweet Home. This is a delightful image and can be used in so many ways and for so many things. I didn't use it as a new home card but as a friendship card.
The paper I used are from "The Sweet Stack" these are really yummy papers. These were coordinated with core'dinations card stock "Nostalgia". I paper pieced the cupcake and water coloured the rest of the image. I stamped the ribbon with black memories and the word"happy". I embellished the card with metal flowers and some small gems. Then finished it of with a sentiment.
If you would like to see more of Elizabeths images being used take a look at the othe DT members projects.

Maureen
Wendalyn

If you would like to purchase this image or any of Softpencils images you will find them here - Softpencil

A Little Hug

This is a Leanne Ellis stamp but I have cropped it and framed it to fit on this sketch card. I have coloured the image with copic markers and the sketch is created using Basic Grey papers. I have also used my cricut to cut out the decorative scalloped design. Finally I added ribbon, embellishments and a Lollipop Flower.

Magenta Stamps

Once a month I meet up with some friends and we create something together. This month we did three cards using the new Magenta Stamps. The two peach and green cards were stamped with brown stazon and then coloured with water colour pencils. The background card pieces were stamped with a stamp from Inkadinkado and versamark ink. The cards were finished of with some gems.

The third card was again a Megenta Stamp which was stamped with colourbox chalk inks and embossed. It was stamped again a second time and the butterflies were cut out and mounted on top of the embossed image. Ribbon was added across the middle of the card and then finished of with gems.

Character Cafe Digital Image

This week we got to choose which image we wanted to use and I chose Pewter Cupcake. But hey where's the cupcake!

I coloured him in with my water colour pencils then I added the bunch of flowers, these cover the cupcake. It's great because you can put all sorts in his hands a change the whole effect of this image. I used two printed pattern papers from Paper Mania and the grey card was stamped with the flourish with black ink and then I highlighted the dot with Liquid Pearls. I thread ribbon through the eyelets and just knotted them in the corners. I added the word love in the bottom right corner to complete my card.

Also starting Wednesday July 1st, we will also be having another first... our first Work It Wednesday! This is an all new endeavour we will be taking on where one of our DT Members (us included!) will be hosting the Cafe Blog, presenting a favorite technique, idea, tip, product or anything else that might be interesting or fun to the average crafter. The host will then propose a challenge based on their chosen topic and if you all would like to participate, there will be a prize. More details will follow on Friday! On July 1st we are hoping to have a special image to offer as a freebie to celebrate our first Work It Wed. So come and join us in the fun, we can't wait to see what you all do with the freebie image

If you would like to see what the other DT members from The Character Cafe have done with this weeks images then go take a peek -
A Paper Buffet
Billie's Scrappetique
Cr8ive ME
Glitter Ink
Heather's Heavinly Stampations
luminous in my chaotic dreams(life)
My Creative Corner
Tesas Scrap och Annat

Softpencil Digital Images

This week I thought I would go away from a card and use the images to create something a little bit different. I love altered art and wanted to do something like that. But it is not easy using something cute and lovely and combining that with altered art. But I had a go!

Here I have used the House set from Softpencil and created a little box which holds 3 ATC's. You can fit more into the box if you want to. As you can see I separated all the images and did a variety of techniques. I printed some of the images onto old book pages and cut them out. Then I used the paper piecing technique for the tree. I also over stamped on the bird which as you can see I enlarged. Finally in the set you have a decorative cloud, I used this as a backing paper for one of the ATC by again enlarging the image.

I used Distress ink pads to colour the background and stamped any background images with Adirondack Espresso. I added the images some embellishments and a quote for each ATC from my PC.

The Character Cafe Blog Hop

Today Character Cafe are introducing their new Design Team. If you want to see who they are and win some goodies from The Character Cafe join in today's Blog Hop.

You will need to start here - At The Character Cafe's Design Team introduction blog. Then you will need to hop from the Design Teams blogs picking up one code piece from each blog. There are 8 pieces in total to complete the code and this will give you a 50% discount for images at The Character Cafe. There is also a special " Wedding Bling" freebie to pick up along the way.

So if you didn't start at the beginning of the Blog Hop, you might want to head over to The Character Cafe Blog. Then onto Tesa's blog, as she will have the first code piece. However, you need to be sure you collect each code in order, or it won't work!

The code piece for my blog is

3

If you have been following along in the right order, you will now want to head over to Elaine's blog for the next piece of the code and to see what Elaine has been up to.

Sweet Tooth

I created this project using one of The Character Cafe's images. His name is "Raccoon Joe" and as you can see he has a very sweet tooth. As you hop form each of the DT blogs you will see what they have done with images from The Character Cafe
If you want the chance of winning some of The Character Cafe's image then join us in our Blog Hop. Enjoy and have fun and if you like what you see please leave a comment.