ATCs/CARDS WITH ATTITUDE # 16 - ANYTHING GOES/A SUMMER'S GARDEN

Another 2 weeks have gone by which means it's time for another challenge over at ATCs/Cards with Attitude.  Last time we had over 100 entries which is absolutely fantastic.
Our sponsors are Delicious Doodles who are generously giving 4 digis to our winner. So come on, pop over to our challenge blog, have a look at what the DT have done and then make either an ATC or CARD and enter.
I chose a gorgeous poppy image and made a card this time.

I coloured it with Copics and had a ball doing so, mainly because it turned out really well - for me anyway. The edges of the orange vellum have been punched with a Martha Stewart around the edge punch. I didn't use the corner punch because the size of the vellum didn't match the required measurements to actually go all round the edges.
I'm waiting for your entries so let's get going.............

SDC 53 - ATCs

This weeks challenge over at the Stampotique Designers Challenge blog is - ATCs.
I thought I would have a go at this one, so here is my card:

2 sticks have been framed - again!
I sprayed some Adirondak inks onto some pre-wetted cardstock and then sprayed water through a stencil over the top of the ink. A bit of dabbing and drying made the base. I then simply used a Copic multi liner pen to draw the frame and coloured every other section with butterscotch acrylic dabber. I stamped 2 sticks with Archival black and again onto some card. They were coloured with Copic caios and the bodies 3D foamed onto the stamped images. I then used studio g stamps for the words which I cut out after colouring them with mustard seed DI. They were stuck down with glossy accents.
I love 2 sticks, they are amongst my favourite Stampotique stamps - which are all of them!!!!

WICKED WEDNESDAY ATC #27 - GETTING BUGGY

This week at Wicked Wednesday ATCs is an exceptionally special one for me because they asked me to be  a guest designer. How 'wicked' is that?
Never, ever happened to me before so to say I am chuffed to bits is really an understatement.
This beautiful image from Dilly Beans was sent to me so that I could join the team for this challenge, and because I think she is so lovely, I just couldn't bring myself to chop any part of it other than to make it ATC size.
I used my Distress Markers to colour her and Copics to colour the acetate butterflies (bugs). I followed the outside line with a Versamark pen and then embossed it with black powder. A few sticky gems here and there and my first guest card was complete.
Thank you to Jenn and her team for allowing me this priviledge spot.

WICKED WEDNESDAY ATC # 22 - OVER THE RAINBOW

I'm on the ball this week with my entry for the Wicked Wednesday challenge - Over the Rainbow.

I made a sky and ground background with alcohol inks and stamped some little trees with black Archival. The bluebirds were squashed into an embossing pad and then covered with sparkly blue embossing powder. I coloured the rainbow with Copics and added a little Wizard of Oz image. Simple but it took a while and I had fun again.

ATCs & CARDS WITH ATTITUDE #8 - ANYTHING GOES

This cheerful little sunflower, called Sunflower Smile by Robyn's Fetish, is dancing merrily in the sunshine.

I printed the image onto printed sticky paper and again onto card. Each was coloured with Copics. The card image was cut out and fastened over the other image with a coloured brad. I punched some grass out of green patterned paper and using 3D foam stuck it to the bottom of the card. A few Prima flowers, seed beads and glossy accents on some of the sunflower petals added interest. I then distressed the edges of the card with spiced marmalade distress ink.

 

Come and join us this fortnight over at ATCs & Cards with Attitude, you can make anything for the theme so long as it's either a CARD or an ATC.
Our wonderful sponsor is Robyns Fetish who is offering the winner their choice of 5 digi images.

MY 12 TAG PRIZE ARRIVED

Last week I decided to place an order with Inspiration Emporium and use the $100 prize I won from Tim following the 12 tags. What a service because it arrived yesterday.

A great big box full of lovely goodies:

I decided not to wait for the CHA releases because they are staggered over a few months, and ordered Ideology that I previously have found so expensive. I also ordered a Spica pen to use with my Copics and 5 new colours of Copics that fill some of the big gaps between the Ciaos.
There was also a little tag in the box made by one of the staff as a congrats. on my win.

What a lovely day Wednesday turned in to. I also had another surprise. but I'll leave that 'til later and keep you guessing.

ATC CHALLENGES #15 - LACE

Who can resist a bit of lace. I can't so I've had a go at the ATC Challenges challenge which this fortnight is - LACE.

The artificial light is shining back making the background a bit difficult to see, but it's a piece of mount board with splashes of distress ink on in faded jeans. The metal bracket at the top has been coloured with paint dabbers, the white snowflakes are all made with a Martha Stewart punch and then covered with ultra fine glitter, the blue rose was coloured with a Copic pen and the rest just came together.
This challenge runs for 2 weeks, so why not pop over to their blog for all the deets and have a go.

WOYWW BEFORE A LITTLE HOLIDAY

My craft is packed -

Just need to add my Copics, scissors etc. Decided to take my mini sewing machine with me and have a play 'cos I just can't use the thing. It's so fast that it sews the card I want to sew plus everything else within 3' of it before I get chance to stop it!! So I thought I would have time to get the better of it during these next 12 days in York and Lincoln.
I did however, have a little crafty play yesterday so these photos of my desk are from then. You won't mind I'm sure -

Out came the box with some paper roses in -

I coloured 3 of them with a black Copic pen -

Found an ATC already-prepared piece of card and began to layer up. This was the end result -

My first Halloween ATC - The Bone Collector. I've had to put him out of sight though because he frightened me LOL.
Well, I am going to be really busy today. Hairdressers first then shopping and packing. I will try and pop round to yours, courtesy of Julia, but please forgive me if I don't see you this week. I will be on the dreaded dongle for a while although the first 8 days stop is supposed to have wifi. We will see what that's all about when we get there. Enjoy woyww. x

FREE N EASY

That's this weeks challenge over at the Allsorts Challenge blog.
I seem to be making a few ATCs this week whilst 'T' is recovering from his operation, and as he has just gone for a lie down, I thought I would pop on here and enter this #113 challenge.

I just love the gown this lady is wearing. A few gems and a bindi enhance it's beauty. I coloured the roses with Copics, the butterflies were painstakingly cut from a free download and everything is stuck to a pre-inked ATC-sized piece of mount board.
I had fun with this one.

A DIFFERENT APPROACH

I've tried to be 'clever' and made an ATC with a different approach. It hasn't worked! but, it's not bad for a first - and possibly last - attempt. I am in complete awe at the incredible pieces of art I see over on Laura Carson's blog - Artfully Musing.  She is one of the most clever crafters I have ever come across. Her gorgeous ATCs are up for grabs every month and I was lucky to win one in January. She puts so much quirkiness into each one that you just cannot help but be 'gob smacked'.

Anyway, I would never pretend to be able to make cards like hers but she does inspire so I tried to have a go at making an ATC that looked different. Not sure you will agree I got this one right, but as usual, I had fun.

I want to put more detail down the side but as I haven't got a clue what to do, I've left it alone.
The golden arch is a peel off stuck to thick acetate and cut around the edges. I used a tape roller to stick it down as the glue is almost invisible. A few black sticky gems finished it off.
The background is cut from a 12"x12" K&Co paper.
The lady image is one that Laura had previously posted as part of her generous free downloads. I simply cut her out and added a bow from my stash. The metal corner is another little treasure from my stash.

The flowers are from a local trade store and were cream until I coloured them with a gold dabber and a red Copic pen. The leaves are punched from gold embossed card with a Martha Stewart frond punch. The beads are simply threaded onto coloured wire and the little metal flower is one from Leonie Pujol's ATC pack, again coloured with a gold dabber.

Nothing like I would have wanted, but it's ok - I suppose.

EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER.....WOYWW

Lining.......Since my awful spell of the 'blues', my life has been busy, busy, busy.
Having been on the verge of wondering what this craft lark is all about, I've won an ATC giveaway from the incredibly talented Laura Carson, received some gorgeous, gorgeous pieces from my crafting friends and been asked to help in  preparing some pieces for the Stitches trade show at the NEC the weekend after next. How incredible a journey is that??
Have to admit, therefore, that my workspace piccies were taken in the sunshine yesterday.

I've been using alsorts of different things to colour these projects, including alcohol inks, which actually turned out one of the best mediums to use.

Coupled with Copics, Sakura pens and distress inks I've managed to create some lovely coloured backgrounds and images. Once the show is over, I will be able to  'let the cat out of the bag' -not that I could ever have a cat in a bag, much rather have it on my knee, purring away and keeping me warm!!!
That's another little buz, my new blog, which is supposed to be launching next Monday, http://craftingpets.blogspot.com/ . A place where crafters can upload photos of their Crafting Buddies every couple of weeks. Now, I was hoping to use Mr Linky but I don't yet know how to use it, plus, I got an email asking for money! I think that was a hacker though. Anyway, watch this space on Monday, or rather, the other one.
I am not sure how many desks I will get round to over the next 2 weeks, so please don't be mad at me if I don't call. Our wonderful leader Julia says, it's the taking part that matters not the getting round everyone - or words to that affect.
I will be travelling down to Newport Pagnell 2 weeks today - yeeeek! - for my once in a lifetime crafting experience with the king of craft himself, Sir Tim and the utter talented duo, Lin and Leandra. I don't think it's hit me yet, but as soon as I have to pack (what on earth is that - packing a bag) I will be a quivering wreck.
Thanks for stopping by today. I'll leave you with a look at a tag made for me by a super friend, willing me out of the blues..........

PURPLE AND GREEN

Purple and green is this weeks colour combination over at Something Completely Different. Not to everyone's taste but they are 2 colours I love.

As I haven't started any Christmas cards yet!!! I thought this may be an opportunity to make the first one.

The image is one I coloured whilst away recently using Copics. I used the snowflake punch from Martha Stewart down one side, then cut around the rest. The base card is 6"x6" white hammered card stock topped by a purple coloured Bazill card.
I cut 2 strips of patterned paper - the green is by Creative Imaginations and the lighter purple is from some papers given to me. The purple snowflake was saved from a previous Xmas card coloured with V09 Copic and stuck down with glossy accents together with the strips of lilac beading. The green swirls are from the same stock as the green paper. I stamped the words using peeled paint DI and matted it onto matching lilac paper before using 3D foam to add depth. Finally, I 'splodged' a lot of glossy accents in the bottom corner and added seed and bugle beads.

I struggled a bit to get going with this card, but after having trapped my mojo, finally succeeded.

WOYWW - BACK HOME AGAIN

Yes, it's that Wednesday again. The day that Julia gets us all to show off our craft spaces for the world to see. Well, mine isn't too interesting today because we only got back home about 8.30pm last night after our trip to the Lincoln outdoor motorhome show and Beverley to pick up our son-in-law.

It's a mess I know. However, it will change as I get back into the day to day razzle dazzle!!
You may just spy a fantastic ATC I received just before we went away last week. The amazing Hels sent it to me. I just adore this lady, not only for the incredible crafty pieces she produces, but for the laughs she gives me every time she posts.

Well, not much time for any crafting on this last trip so I only took my Copics and some images with me. I managed to colour a few so can make those up into cards as necessary.

I have a lot of catching up to do, least of all, a mountain of washing!! YAK!!!! - and it's chucking it down!!
I pulled down around 150 emails so will have to sort those too. One of them is from She telling me that I am on her grunge book swap after all - yippee thrice.

See you all next week. I'll try and visit you between now and then

A WOYWW BIRTHDAY

Today's woyww is a very special Wednesday for a very special young lady. My eldest step-daughter has a mid life birthday today.

I found a photo of her taken some years ago and decided to incorporate it in her card. I reckon I may be in trouble when she opens it and I also think her lovely new hubby may just wonder what he has let himself in for!!!!!!LOL.

Happy Birthday Paula, Luv Dad and Joanne xxx

Back to my work area. Not much going on because we are off to Lincoln tomorrow for the last of this years outdoor motorhome shows. Haven't decided if I'm taking any craft with me, but I think I probably shall. I may just take some stamped images and my copics though and not the usual mountain of stash.

I have however, managed to source some Tim Holtz scissors ready for his workshop in February.

Looking forward to that will take me through the winter quite nicely.

If you pop over to Julia's, you will find desks much more interesting than mine this week. I'm off to have a peek around.
Bye 'til next Wednesday. x

COPIC CLUB

I had a lovely peaceful day yesterday at the local Copic Club. Never been before so didn't really know what to expect. Infact, the whole 5hrs were spent stamping images and then colouring them with Copics with the time to do it properly, watch how the others were getting on and the help of expert, Melanie Heaton, should we need it.

This was all I managed to do but I am really happy with the results. I do need a bit more practice using the stamping block which helps you to position an image perched on another. It's a bit tricky, but I'll keep having a go at that.

I am lucky enough to have all the Copic Ciaos but not the Copic Sketch. That really would mean me getting a mortgage, something I haven't had for over 23yrs!! However, there are some large gaps within the Ciao range so I intend to fill those in over time and bought 3 pens yesterday as a starter. They are really expensive, but Inspirations (where I was) are selling them, 3 for £14.99.

I also bought the new Magnolia magazine and the last Sir Tim paper stack they had - Lost and Found. Now that really did make my day.

The sun is shining this morning - yippeeee!! and should shine again tomorrow too, so I am going to put wood preserve on my greenhouse. Even more mess on my hands after that just to add to the printer ink already covering them!!! Enjoy the Bank Holiday. x

LILI OF THE VALLEY #55

I just had to make a card for this weeks LOTV challenge because I so want to win the prize. It's some gorgeous flowers. Have a look at the link in my sidebar for the details.
My LOTV stamps are mainly Christmas ones, so I thought I would make a start on my seasonal cards with this challenge.
The gorgeous papers are from Creative Imaginations as is the epoxy sentiment. The flowers are Prima apart from the little roses which I got from a wholesale store locally. The punched leaves are made using my new Martha Stewart oak leaf punch - been after that punch for ages and managed to get one last Saturday. I coloured the LOTV image with Copics and added some icicle stickles for snow. Lastly, the ribbon is from Anna Griffin.
I enjoyed making this card and it will go to someone very special at Christmas.

ALLSORTS CHALLENGE #50 - ANIMALS

Another quick card, this time for the Allsorts challenge which this week is Animals.
Their sponsor is Digi Boutique who produce some cute digi images. If you enter this challenge and use a DB image, you will be entered twice. Have a look at their blog:
http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com
I've used some Debbie Mumm papers, a few Prima leaves and Digi Boutique image Mikey Monkey. I coloured him with Copics, cut him out and mounted him on the card using a mini spring.
Don't forget my blog giveaway on May 24. All you have to do is leave me a comment on any post between now and midnight on the 23rd. The candy will be a surprise but plenty, and I don't mean a roll of that kitchen paper either!!LOL. Check out my previous post for more details.

A BIT OF A BUZZ

Quickly made this little card for the following 3 challenges:
http://copicscolourchallenge.blogspot.com - week 52 - YG00 mimosa yellow, RV13 tender pink and V91 pale grape

http://totallypapercrafts.blogspot.com - week 13 - 4 embellishments, 3 papers, 2 ribbons/lace, 1 image

http://dareu2digistamp.blogspot.com - week 36 - flowers - floral digi image, patterned paper, punched shape/border or embellishment

TOTALLY COPIC SHOPPING!!

Alright, the heading is my feeble attempt at saying that this card is my interpretation of an entry to 2 challenges.

The first is for the:

Copics Colour Challenge #56- click on the blinkie on the right hand side

BV02 - prune, Go2 - spectrum green, B32 - pale blue

The second is for the:

Totally Papercrafts Challenge #8 - click the link on my blog list

this weeks challenge is a sketch - luv these!!XXX

I've used some lovely lilac pearlised card for the base and added K & Co patterned papers as per the sketch. The lovely image is a digi design coloured with the required Copics and cut around using a Nellies frame. The matching fibres came with an order from Craft Obsessions, received this week.

Had fun with this one, but then, I have fun with most of these challenges.

CLOWNS

Anyone who knows me, also knows that I cannot draw for toffee! I didn't own any stamps, up to today, that resemble anything like a clown or a circus come to that, so trying to achieve the Sunday Stampers challenge #93 - Clowns, was near impossible. (Check out the Ink on My Fingers link in the side bar).

However, Jennie at the Artistic Stampers shop came to my rescue by quickly dealing with my order for the Tim Holtz Random Gatherings stamp set. I finally completed the challenge using one of the 4 stamps.

I decided to make an ATC, mainly because my swap box is very bare, but I used mountboard instead of card. The new distress inks formed the base before I stamped the image. I then mixed some red Perfect Pearls with water and sprayed all over the card. I went over the word with a gold pen, re-stamped the image on scrap card so I could cut out the clown's faces and the strong man's leotard. The weights are coloured black with Copic and the stickles at the top is gunmetal, the beadazzles are jazz and the middle clown's hair is cut from some fancy fibres.

After problemating since Sunday (is that a proper word?) I've done it. Hooray!