Artful Acheivements

2012-05-25T18:48:00.000+01:00

Tilda with Bubbles

I have been playing with Distress inks as I mentioned in my previous post. So now I have finally made a card with one of my latest coloured images. She is coloured with Dried Marigold distress ink, Tea Dye with some Tattered Rose and that's it. Great how you can colour a whole image with so little. I have used Rock Candy distress crackles on the bubbles. I think I am getting there but will keep on practising.

These are new papers, Boho Chic collection! I thought I would head my demons face on and use orange! Having coloured with orange I needed some orange papers to fit the colours used. The flowers are from WOC the flourish is a DooHickey die and the little embellishments are from my stash.

I know I am just getting this in, but this is going into this week challenge for Sketch Saturday. Finishes in a few hours. I am also going to enter it into the challenge over on Tilda's Town challenge, the theme is Water Fun. I hope this is OK, as it is bubbles. Not quite water.

challenges Sketch Saturday - Sketch

Tilda's Town - Water Fun

2012-05-20T16:50:00.000+01:00

Constructive Criticism - Please

I am a slow learner when it comes too distress ink colouring. I have been practising colouring with lots of Magnolia images on Cold Pressed water colour paper but just can't seem to get it right. I have watched many You Tube tutorials and feel I am following their way of doing it but it is always the same result. What is strange is I don't seem to have problems with the colouring of clothes and hair, just the Skin! Why is that? I alway get a heavy coloured line round the edge of the face or when I am trying to avoid this, the colour just gets too heavy. I want the colour to blend and fade on the face. Here is a close up of little Edwins face to show what I mean.

This is the closest I have come to finishing a whole image. So I am asking please, if anyone can help me. Do you know how or what I am doing wrong? Is it just a case of keep practicing! The colour I am using is Tea Dye. I appreciate any advice anyone can give me. My husband said I should just stick to my Copics as they look better. But I just love the effect this medium gives. Its not instead off, but as well as, Copics and distressink colouring.

Here is another example of how dark it gets trying to blend in the line.

2012-05-18T13:58:00.000+01:00

TOMIC- Sketch and Colour Challenge

This is the sketch and yellow colour challenge this week on the TOMIC challenge blog.

Here is my card -

The papers I have used are from my stash, picked from different paper collections. But am pleased they match so well. These are complemented with a green mount, flowers and lots of pearls. Can you believe I only used One flower!!! The butterfly came from our local sewing shop and it has been in my draw for months. It is so nice to be using materials I have had for a while and not feeling I need to go and buy more stuff I just haven't got the room for.

Yellow is my new orange! Ahhhhh, I just couldn't get my head around the colouring of my image, just like when I am using orange as a challenge. Maybe I was trying to hard, I wanted to bring in other colours from the papers. It did stretch me though, I ended up using a Promarker pen for the yellow instead of my Copics. All the yellows I had where just wrong! I never use my Promarkers. I went through 4 coloured images as you can see until I was happy. I know I will use them eventually but not with this challenge. Do any of you have these problems?

challenge - TOMIC - Sketch and Colour

2012-05-15T18:05:00.000+01:00

Summer Days (wishful thinking)

I think all here in the UK was hoping it would be much warmer by now, thinking of summer days. But alas its May and we aren't having much sunshine at all.

We will have to create our own little bits of sunshine on paper. So here is my latest card and yes it is a Tilda image. It has been a while since I used one, been using lots of digi images instead.

But I have enjoyed bringing her out for a play, especially as I haven't used this stamp yet. She has been inked and ready for colouring for weeks. I dug, (pardon the pun) the papers out of my stash and coloured her with Copics.

The corner flourish is my new Doohickeys die. I think it is lovely and will go well with all the images. The paper is from my stash, its by DCWV the Green Stack 70% recycled paper.

The Sentiment from Lili of the Valley - Ohhhhh, those summer days!

I have followed the Sketch over on the Sketch Saturday challenge blog this week. So check out what everyone else has been up too or join in by following the link.

2012-05-13T17:15:00.000+01:00

May Flowers!

This lovely image is by Krista from Saturated Canary, their challenge this time is May Flowers. So I have used plenty of flowers on this card. If you want to join in then follow the link for Saturated Canary, but be quick if finishes on Wednesday.

As my last few cards were quite soft and mellow I thought I would go bright and cheerful, just like spring. I have been working on my colouring of folds but still need more practise. You can never do too much practise!

I have coloured the image with Copics and used a DooHicky die and a scalloped circle from my Nesstie collection. The sketch I have used is from Sketch Saturday but is not this weeks challenge.

This is a close up of my May Flower display -

Challenge - Saturated Canary - May Flowers

2012-05-09T15:37:00.000+01:00

A Sisters Love

Its been a while since my last post! I have been away on holiday and have struggled to get back into it.

But who couldn't be inspired by this gorgeous image from D'Arcy's Diaries. They are both just so adorable and what I like about it is the fact you can use it for so many occasions. So if you want to join in or take a peek at their collection of images follow the link for their blog. The challenge over on D'Arcy's Diaries is to use Buttons and Bows.

You will notice if you check out the images that the image has been altered slightly, the wings have been removed. The creator Gayle kindly gave me permission to this. So if you do decide to alter any of these adorable images please email Gayle first. So thanks for this Gayle! I love it, and hope you do too.

When I am struggling and I already have a coloured image, my first port of call is to find a sketch I like and go from there. It usually does the job.

This is the sketch from Sketch Saturday challenge blog.

Here is my card.

I have used the Capsule collection from Papermania. A gorgeous natural collection of papers. The image is coloured with Copics, the warm grey collection and the 0000R. the hair and skin are coloured using a combination of E50,51, E31,E43. Simple and soft but effective.

the flowers are from WOC as are the Filigree corners. The buttons and ribbon are from my stash and the sentiment is from Whimsy Stamps. I have used a die for the flourishes.

Challenges - D'Arcy Diaries - Buttons and Bows

Sketch Saturday - Sketch

2012-04-19T10:31:00.000+01:00

Rain and Sunshine

Well I found I had a couple of hours throughout yesterday spare. So I thought I would have a play with some papers. I can't remember getting them or where I got them and they are definitely not papers you would use for spring.

I thought I would just let them see where they would take me. This is the result!

The sketch is from the Sketch Saturday challenge blog and I have used a Saturated Canary image by Krista. Over on her blog the theme is April Showers.

I have gone over board with embellishment, but love it all the same. I have used ribbon, lace, pearls and have used two dies, a memory box corner and a doohickey swirl. The two metal filigree corners have been coloured with copics to match the colour scheme.

I have coloured with Copics and highlighted with Liquid Pearls. The sentiment is from Whimsy Stamps and the gorgeous flowers are from WOC.

Challenges - Saturated Canary - April Showers
Sketch Saturday - Sketch

2012-04-16T11:54:00.000+01:00

Criss Cross Card

Short and sweet today! Last week was a busy week hence no posting, and next week will be the same. But I did manage to make a criss cross card for the challenge over on the TOMIC challenge blog. I do enjoy making these cards and are great for left over pieces of paper.

The papers are from Melissa Frances, 5th Avenue collection. I have slightly distressed the edges of the paper with Old Paper Distress Ink. Very sweet papers. The decorative border is made using a MS punch. The flowers are from WOC and I just love how they nestle beneath the bow of the ribbon. The card was finished of with some pearl gems and the Swirl Heart Branch Doohickey die.

A detail photo of the ribbon with the flowers and then sentiment.

Challenge - TOMIC - Criss Cross Card and a image from the new collection

2012-04-10T14:21:00.000+01:00

Celebrate!

This is just a short post today, but plenty of photos.
Remember this card, its an earlier post! Well I have decided to go ahead and make a wine bottle jacket for a bottle of wine to match the card. I have used the same papers and the same image but I have cropped it. I have used the same copic colours and flowers too.

I think these bottle jackets really dress up a simple looking bottle of wine. I have also added some little charms .

Perfect for a bottle of wine, don't you think!

2012-04-08T16:49:00.000+01:00

Listen To The Birds

Another image from D'Arcy Diaries. This one is called Listen to the Birds. I have used her for their challenge, to use at least 3 flower. Hence the detailed photo above. Isn't she just lovely!

I have also used a Sketch from the Sketch Saturday challenge blog. It's not this weeks sketch but it's from their sketch bank. Great idea, for when you get a little stuck.

The gorgeous papers are from First Edition (Trimcraft) and the collection is called Bird Song. Just perfect for this image, I am sure you will agree.They have been mounted on Core-dination card stock.

I have coloured the image with my Copics. She has been cut out with Nesties and my Cuttlebug. I have filled this card as you can see with lots of little embellishment. I just couldnt stop! Hope I haven't over done it.
Thanks goes again to my dear hubby for the sentiment! I didn't want an everyday sentiment. I wanted something to complement the gorgeous image. What would I do without him!

Another close up of the gauze ribbon and silver heart.
I am really enjoying using these images, they are so different. Its a challenge to find the right papers and sentiment, but I like to be challenged!

Challenges - D'Arcy Diaries - 3 flowers at least.

2012-04-04T10:26:00.000+01:00

Happy Anniversary!

As I mentioned in my last post, I have a few wedding anniversaries coming up in the next month or so. So thought I would crack on and get ahead of the game, so I don't suddenly realise I need one tomorrow!!! We have all done it!

This is one of the new releases from Lily of the Valley, I bought 3 of them. They are all adorable but these are perfect for couples, anniversaries or engagement.

I have followed the sketch over on this weeks Sketch Saturday challenge blog.

Green is not really a colour I use a lot, but these papers are from a Nitwit collection that came free with a UK craft magazine. The red and the green go lovely together. I will be using the rest of them so watch this space! The sentiment I have used is a set and was also free, either I won them or it came free with something.

I have coloured the image with Copics and wanted to keep the colouring soft. This is the first time I have tried a really light blonde colour hair and am please with the result. But will need to practise my blending. the card was finished of with some brads, Flowers from WOC and pearls that I have coloured to match. I think I might have already said this, but I don't buy coloured pearls I just buy plain pearls and colour them.

Challenge - Sketch Saturday - Sketch

2012-03-31T15:50:00.001+01:00

Anniversary Gift - Midweek Magnolia

I have enjoyed making my first card book or is it book card! It was easier than I thought it would be, although it has taken me some time. But well worth it. Its a card and a gift in one!

The front is a sketch from this weeks Midweek Magnolia Challenge.

Simply Magnolia Challenge - Dies/or Punches and Ribbon

I want to apologise in advance for all the photos, they are far more than usual. But then this isn't a usual card, there are so many different sides of this project to see.

The DP I have used are from First Edition papers, the Love Letters collection. This is layered with Core-dination card stock. I have embossed using the Cuttlebug tiny heart folder and added cream lace. The same lace has been used throughout the project as has the beautiful corner decoration from Memory Box. This has to be one of my favourite dies. This is all finished with lots of pink pearl gems.

The image is Loving Bridal Couple from the Tilda wedding collection and both images are coloured with Copics.

I have been dying to use this sentiment for such a long time. But as you can see it is quite large and really needs a large project to take it, like the spine of a book. Perfect!!!

The inside of the card book!

I have added some gorgeous chocolates in an organza bag as a little gift. But you could use this area for anything. Especially if you can't resist and eat all the chocolates.

The tag is for writing your sentiment on. I have also embossed and distressed it like the rest of the cream card I have used throughout the project. The small flower arrangement at the bottom finishes of the left page. But remember if you do have a go at this to take into account the space and depth below the window box.

The memory box die used on the window box helps to hold in the chocolates.

I couldn't have a blank back page, so I added yet another sentiment. This one is from Great Impressions and I added just four pink pearl gems.

I have quite a few anniversaries coming up in the next few months so will have to think who will receive it.

Challenge - Midweek Magnolia - Sketch

Simply Magnolia - Dies/or Punches and Ribbon

2012-03-29T22:17:00.000+01:00

Beautiful Moments. . .

Remember that's sketch I said I had made for my previous image! Well I thought I would put it to good use with another of D'Arcy's Dairies images. I have three of her darling images now, this is the most elegant I think. Can a pregnant lady look elegant!!! Of course she can!

The sketch is from Sketch Saturday - great work AGAIN ladies. The only change I made was to turn my image round. But other than that its much the same.

I love the simplicity of this card, It is very striking and I just love it! The papers are the same as used in the previous post, just so gorgeous. The sentiment was kindly composed by my nearest and dearest, so thanks for that hubby. It was finished of with pearls and tiny silver shiny gems. I created the lace and ribbon border by linning up two pieces of the lace on some sticky tape and then sticking the ribbon in the center were they meet, which nicely covers the join.

I have made this for my daughter in law, a friend of hers has just finished work to have her first baby so just perfect. Hope she likes it!

Challenges D'Arcy's Diaries - Ribbon and Lace
Sketch Saturday - Sketch

2012-03-28T21:52:00.000+01:00

Never to Young!

We have had some wonderful weather her in the UK over the last week!

So I thought I would take advantage of it and sit outside, watch Sophie play and have another read of my Magnolia mag.

Even though she had lots of toys to play with, what did she want to do!

Sit on Grand-ma's knee and read it with me. That's my girl. It wont be long before she will be colouring those darling Tildas, then making a card for mummy.

2012-03-25T18:36:00.000+01:00

Rain or Shine. . .

I really don't know were to start with this post! I started of great with this gorgeous image from D'Arcy's Diaries, she was my first image from her. So I went all guns blazing with this challenge, Ribbon and Lace - perfect. But when I finished all this gorgeous colouring, I created my card using the sketch from Sketch Saturday and thought this is just too easy and it was! I had printed my image far too big, there was no way it would fit so I just made one up from the top of my head to fit the image. Well I haven't done that, well in years.

Am I glad my sketch card didn't fit, I just love how this has turned out! A happy accident we call it in the trade. Will have to do it more often.

The papers are from DCWV the Linen collection, I got me two packs of these papers as they are to die for. Flowers are from WO crafts, the pearls are ones I coloured myself. I don't bother much with coloured ones anymore just buy plain pearls and colour them. I used a MS punch for the two decorated edges and threaded the ribbon through the centre hole to create this laced panel. The buttons are from my stash as is the cream lace. The image is coloured with copics.

Detail of ribbon and flowers.

Challenge - D'Arcy Diaries - Ribbon and Lace

2012-03-20T11:08:00.000Z

Yummy For Your Tummy. . .

Surprise! It not a Tilda. The sentiment is from Magnolia but I have used another of Krista's images for this challenge. Its just as well considering it for her challenge over on Saturated Canary. The challenge this time is to use Twine on your project. I enjoyed this challenge, it really made me think. I have also used the sketch from this weeks Sketch Saturday challenge.

I thought I would stay with the earth tones from Copic as they went very well with the twine. I am so glad I got to use it as I have it for ages. the papers I have used are from the same collection I used on my previous post, Trimcrafts Isabelle collection. The designs in this collection are so versatile. I have added pearl gems that I have again coloured with my Copics to match the ribbon in her hair. I finished of the card with a few flourishes, it just needed a little something.

These are the items used to create my twined circles. I use glossy accent on the base of the circle. The twine was stuck down on this glue as I wrapped it around itself.

The finished twine circle. I couldn't decided which pearl to used until the card was finished.

Challenges - Saturated Canary - Twine

Sketch Saturday - Sketch

2012-03-17T15:48:00.001Z

Thinking Of You...

This was one of those cards that turned out not at all like I expected it too. Although I am still thrilled with the finished result. I wanted my dominant colour to be the pale green on the beautiful papers but it seem the brown shades have come out on top! Maybe I should have realised that when I coloured Tilda in browns. But I just couldn't find the right green!

The sketch I have used is from Midweek Magnolias, this is only the second week for this challenge blog. So if you want to join in follow the link.

The Sketch

This is the first time I have used my Memory box die, I just love them. They are so fine with lots of detail. The papers are from Trimcraft the Isabella collection. I have also embossed one of the plain pieces and punched out a couple of butterflies from the same papers. The flowers are from WO and my image was coloured with copics. I have added lots of chocolate brown pearl gems as you can see. But they are from a collection of different shapes. I have had them such a long time and never used them as they were so decided to deassemble them and use them. That is why I have such tiny ones, I have never seen any this small sold seperately.

Challenge - Midweek Magnolia - Sketch
Just Magnolia - Green

2012-03-13T22:31:00.000Z

A Good Book!

I have used one of Krista's newer images for this card challenge over on the Sketch Saturday challenge. The papers are from my stash. To be honest I had forgotten I had them, I had bought them such a long time ago. I have coloured using Copics and had a play with some different colours and like how they have turned out.

The decorative border is one from MS and I used the matching corner punch too. The gorgeous flowers are from WO and the sentiment is from Peddler's Pack. I borrowed this from a friend a while back and stamped quite a few so I had some on hand should I need them. Well I think it goes perfect with this image. Here is a close up of the sentiment.

The pearlised pin is also coloured with Copics to match the swirl flourish and the card is finished of with some red gems for the corners.

I do love these images from Krista and am always waiting for new ones!

This is a detailed shot of the flowers along the image.

Challenge - Sketch Saturday

2012-03-10T15:24:00.007Z

We All Love Bubbles!

I don't know anyone who can say they don't!
Be it those delightful bubbles that sneak up your nose when drinking sparkling wine or those we all love to soak in!
Well this is a play on this gorgeous new image from the Prince and Princess collection, Tilda with bath cap. I like to see what I can do with these stamps other than the obvious. I hope you like it!

I really enjoyed making the wine jacket for the TOMIC challenge so thought I would have another go.

I coloured Tilda with copics and used the cool greys. The bubbles were coloured with the B0000 just to give it a hint of colour and then highlighted them with glossy accents. She is mounted on the scalloped oval and to continue the whole bubble theme I added the silver balls on wire to go up and off the image. The papers are from my stash and the decorative edge if a MS punch. I finished with ribbon, swirls and quite a few silver and black gems. I think she needed a bit of bling!

I made the sentiment on the PC and just in case you can't see what it says this is what I wrote -

We all love Bubbles!

Drink them or Soak in them.

Who Cares!

You could use this sentiment for either a nice sparkling wine or a sumptuous bottle of bubble bath, it will fit them both.

Remember, all bottles are different sizes. So either measure for your band that goes round the body of the bottle or do as I have done here and lace it up. The jacket can then adjust to the size of the bottle.

2012-03-09T12:30:00.003Z

Wine Bottle Jacket

This is a wonderful idea to dressup a simple bottle of wine and makes a wonderful gift for someone. I have never made one of these before so was a great challenge from TOMIC. The DT have given us some great ideas, so go check them out if you havent already.

Once I cut out the basic shape I used my nessties to cut out the decorative neck opening. I thread the shape through the nesstie so I just cut the outter edge and not cut it off altogether. Then I used a smaller one for the actual hole. Yellow pearl gems were added and a couple of butterflies.

I have added organza ribbon and a silky red cord which have bows at the end of three of the strands.Over on the Magnolia Down Under the theme is Buttons and Bows so to complement the bow I have added three tiny buttons in the bottom right corner. These were pink so I coloured them red with my copics.

Tilda is coloured with copic to match the papers. The butterfllies are cut out of the same paper and I added a little bling to the jazz them up. I have also highllighted the wine bottle Tilda is holding with glossy accents. Finally I added a band to go round round the body of the bottle which is decorated with a MS punch.

CHALLENGE -

TOMIC - Bottle Jacket with Butterflies

Mag Down Under - Buttons and Bows
Magnolia Stamp Lover - Punches

2012-03-07T19:58:00.000Z

Sketch Saturday

Its been a terrible week here, just been to busy to craft. But my craft room looks much better for the clear out! I hate clutter and not knowing where things are, well now I can put my hand on just about anything I want to. I know just where everything is. But my crafting suffered for it this week. Isn't it hard getting back into it even after just a short break. Well this is my offering this week, hope you like it.

Well originally this card was also to include the challenge for Saturated Canary. But as I didn't have any Doily's it was not meant to be. But the sketch used here is from Sketch Saturday, thanks girls, another great sketch. I have also entered this card into the Little Darling challenge, to use Pearls.

I have to admit, I do love these images. They are unique and quirky! If you want to have a look at Krista's Etsy shop you will find it in my side bar.

The papers are from Trimcraft, the Spring Drop collection. The image is coloured with Copics as usual.I have added pearls, brads, ribbon and flowers to follow the sketch.

Challenges -

Sketch Saturday - Sketch

Little Darlings - Pearls

2012-02-28T14:02:00.004Z

Not quite WOW!

Well I had in my mind to do a WOW card, that's white on white. I have always admired them and wanted to have a go myself. Not as easy as it looks, I just wasn't brave enough to go the whole hog. So I decided to go with white and the palest pink I could find.

I did enjoy doing it once I had made that decision and it came together much easier. I have used the sketch from Sketch Saturday. Another great sketch from the girls over on their challenge blog.

The Sketch

I was going to also enter into the WOC challenge, as this is white and another colour. But I realised everything was made either by embossing or diecutting. You have to include at least one product from them.

So Tilda was coloured with Copics, the pale colours of course! All the paper shapes were embossed using a selection of embossing folder and my cuttlebug. The little flower are punched and shaped using an embossing tool. I finished them off with a tiny pearlised gem. I did the same thing with the little butterfly. The sentiment is from Lili of the Valley.

I think this would make a lovely wedding card if I use any of the Tilda's from those gorgeous wedding collection.

challenges - Sketch Saturday
                    The Craft Place
                    Two Sisters
                    Little Darlings
                    Dutch Chickies

2012-02-23T16:04:00.001Z

Sketch Saturday

Well its been a slow week here, craft wise! Only managed to create this one card using the sketch from Sketch Saturday Challenge blog.

Here is the sketch I used, then I turned it on its head. Not done this before, I usually follow the sketch to the letter.

You know when you finish a card and you think that something is just not right or something is missing. Well thats how I feel about this card. Its probably me!

Tilda was coloured with Copics and mounted on Co -ordination card stock and papers from the Spring Feast collection by Trimcraft. The flowers are from Wild Orchid Craft, what would we do without them!

If you want to join in this challenge or you have just one more day and you will find it here.

2012-02-18T15:22:00.002Z

Saturated Canary Challenge!

The challenge for the next two week on the SC challenge is to make a card or project that isnt square or rectangle! So thats what I did and I really enjoyed it too. I used my Grand Calibur "again" to cut out at scalloped circle. The front of the card was folded in half as you can see on the photo. My idea was a bit like a side step card without the cut outs.

It was fun not having straight line to follow! I have distressed the paper edges and the image edge but not the edge of the card. The papers are First Edition papers from Trim Craft and the collection is New Leaf. Another lovely pack of co-ordinated papers.

My gorgeous image is from Krista Smith at Saturated Canary and as you can see from my previous post, I love this image! she has been coloured with Copics and embellishe with a swirled leaf die and pearlised gems. The little bit of lace ribbon adds that bit of class don't you think!

Of course all the beautiful flowers come from WOC.

This is a side picture to show how the whole thing stands up. I added and extra piece at the back as a stand. It fold flat against the card when the card is closed.

I have only just noticed I have missed something! AHHHHH! Can you see what it is?

Off to sort it out!

Also would like to enter into the Card Mad Fairy's Challenge - Anything but Square
Whimsy Challenge - Anything but square

2012-02-14T14:29:00.001Z

Sketch Saturday

This card is for the challenge over on the Sketch Saturday Saturday Challenge blog. Its a great sketch, got me away from straight edges and its circles all the way. The colours are a far cry away from my norm but I thought they went great with this image from SC by Krista Smith. The collection is Queen Bee. I don't even remember getting them!

Click on The Sketch to join in the challenge!

Not much to say about this card, you get what you see. Not alot of detail on this one. The image was coloured using Copics. The sentiment is from Lili of the Valley and the shapes have been cut out using my nessties and my Cuttlebug. Not many embellishments needed on this card and again no flowers. What do you think, could this catch on !