Cards with Little Ted

Not-so-secret Valentine...

2012-01-31T23:10:00.000Z

Tonight I thought I'd have a quiet little crafting session and make a Valentine's card for my hubby. Well, he never usually comes into my craft room but tonight he's been in and out all the time! I kept having to hide the card pieces - typical!! Anyway, finally got it finished and here it is...

Challenge list (alphabetically):
Anything Goes: to the one I love
Cards For Men: seeing red
Crafty Sentiments: punches and/or dies
Going Grey with Scrap Creations: red, pink and white
Ladybug Crafts: loves me, loves me not
Oldie But a Goodie: have a heart
Papertake Weekly: sketch #64
Sentimental Sundays: dry embossing
Tuesday Throwdown: use hearts

I used a cute Forever Friends stamp by Docrafts and coloured it with Prismacolor pencils blended with Sansodor. The backing paper is a text print by Die Cuts with a View; and I used a hearts embossing folder on the red panel. The sentiment is by Craftwork Cards, mounted onto 2 Fancy Tag die cuts by Spellbinders.

Now I'm off to hide the card before hubby comes barging in again!!

Thanks for visiting,

Simply saying thanks...

2012-01-28T17:53:00.000Z

Here's a quick and easy creation I made today for my stash of thank you cards...

Challenge list (alphabetically):
Crafts 4 Eternity: clean and simple
Less Is More: sketch
Penny Black Saturday: floral frenzy
Secret Crafter: use ribbon
Sweet Stampin': animals

The sketch at LIM had to be followed closely this week - no messing with shapes or layout - so I stamped my image on the vertical band and 'framed' it with Cuttlebug embossed borders. The little mouse is by Penny Black, coloured it with Copics and a touch of glitter to the flower centres; the sentiment is by Lili of the Valley.

Thanks for visiting,

Powder pink...

2012-01-27T16:26:00.000Z

Phew, back to my comfort zone with this card - a cute bear and lots of pink...

Challenge list (alphabetically):
Do You Stack Up: ribbons
Dream Valley: animals
Friday Sketch: #9
Moving Along with the Times: flowers
My Mum's Craft Shop: flowers
Simon Says: anything goes
Spotted Chick: Krafty Thursday
Stampin' for the Weekend: embossing

I love this cute little bear stamp, getting all dolled up ready for a night on the town! It's called 'Powder Puff' and is from Lili of the Valley, I've used Prismacolor pencils to colour on kraft cardstock. The paper is by KI Memories and I embossed the 2 backing panels with a Cuttlebug folder (I wish they would print the design names on them as I never keep the packaging!). I rummaged in my ribbon stash and found this striped one which is a great match for the colours in the paper.

Thanks for visiting,

Shabby but chic...

2012-01-24T20:36:00.002Z

This card is about as close as I'll ever get to dressmaking - I'm totally rubbish at anything to do with needles and thread!

Challenge list (alphabetically):
Allsorts: needles and pins
Crafty Sentiments: lace and pins
Crazy Challenge: vintage
Critter Sketch: 3 embellishments (lace, pins, button)
Pile it on: use lace
Sketchy Colors: mainly green, beige and cream

The fashion paper is by Grace Taylor and the pattern design background is from an old paper swap - I think it might be Cosmo Cricket but I'm not sure. The dressform stamp is from Cherry Pie, coloured with Copics and distressed with ink around the edges. I added a strip of lace and a knot, and pleated some behind the big button to make a 'flower', then stuck 3 pretty pearl pins behind it.

It's an unusual design for me as the image is neither cute or a pretty little character. To be honest, I'm not 100% sure that I'm comfortable with this style so I really look forward to your comments (if blogger will let you leave them!) - constructive criticism would be very welcome.

Thanks for visiting,

Vintage Sugar...

2012-01-19T20:24:00.000Z

Today I'm in vintage mode with this card in my favourite colour combo - pink and green...

Challenge list (alphabetically):
Colour Create: pink and green
Creative Belli: frames - make it fancy
Crop Stop: distressed, vintage, or shabby chic
Do You Stack Up: patterned paper
Elphine House: vintage
My Mum's Craft Shop: favourite colour combo
Papercrafting Journey: floral

The Sugar Bowl: sketch #75
Truly Scrumptious: something forgotten (my stamp)

I was looking through my Elisabeth Bell stamps for the Elphine House challenge and found this one called 'Demure' which I got ages ago from Sugar Nellie, and I'm shocked to say I've never inked it up! I really don't know why as I love it, and it's a dream to colour with Copics. The papers are from the Rose Garden collection by Docrafts - my favourite colour combo of pinks and greens, and the chintz pattern works well for a vintage card. I made a frame for the image by using Nesties to cut apertures, and ran the pink layer through a Cuttlebug embossing folder, then lightly sanded it for a touch of shabby chic.

Copics:
Skin - E11, E50, E51, R20
Dress - RV000, RV04, RV10, RV21, RV23, G21, YG63, YG67, G99
Hair - E47, E50, E51, E53, E57

Thanks for visiting,

In the pink...

2012-01-17T11:40:00.000Z

I'm feeling 'in the pink' today with this little cutie...

The stamp is 'Kaya in Boots' from Pink Gem, coloured with Copics; and the papers are from the Dovecraft Back to Basics collection. I kept everything to shades of pink 'cause it's my favourite colour! I finished it off with a little diecut sentiment and some layered flowers with tiny stemmed pearls.

I'm entering this card into these challenges (alphabetically):
Alphabet: Y is for You Can Choose (anything goes)
Gem of a Challenge: photo inspiration
One Stop Crafts: spots and ribbon
Pink Elephant: favourite colour
Ribbon Reel: pink polka dots
Sir Stampalot: monochromatic

Copics: E11, E50, E51, R20, RV04, RV10, RV21, RV23, Y00, Y17, Y21, YR23, W1

Thanks for visiting,

Little blue blanket...

2012-01-15T20:49:00.000Z

When I looked in my card box today I noticed that I only have cards for baby girls, so here's one I've made for a baby boy - I like to keep a few baby cards handy so I'm not panicking to make one at the last minute (you'd think 9 months would be enough notice!)...

Challenge list (alphabetically):
Bling It On: new beginnings
Craft Your Days Away: new beginnings
Crazy 4 Challenges: monochromatic blues
Divas by Design: new beginnings
Let's Ink It Up: anything goes
Lili's Little Fairies: favourite LOTV stamp
Mark's Finest Papers: border punches
Sketch Saturday: sketch #190

I love LOTV stamps so it's very hard to choose a favourite, but I really adore this little cutie - it's called Baby Blanket. I coloured it with Copics, then cut and matted it with Nesties, adding some faux stitching with a fine pen. The paper is from the new Burleigh Blue collection by Docrafts, and I used a Martha Stewart punch to make the lacy double border.

Thanks for visiting,

Cheers! 60th Birthday card...

2012-01-14T17:35:00.002Z

Here's a card I've made for a friend of ours who is celebrating his 60th birthday this week...

Challenge list (alphabetically):
Card Crafters Circle: happy birthday
Charisma Cardz: happy birthday
Dutch Dare: for the boys
Joanna Sheen: celebrations
Moving Along with the Times: spots and stripes
Stampin' for the Weekend: out with the old
Totally Gorjuss: use stars
Totally Papercrafts: spots and stripes

The stamp is called Cheers (Wild Rose Studio) and I've coloured it with Copics. The papers are from an old pad called Persimmon (Docrafts) - it's not one I reach for often as it's not one of my pretty collections, but it's got some great masculine designs in it. I made the bunting with a triangle punch and some decorative scissors, then stamped the numbers, and the stars and greeting are die-cuts by Sizzix.

Thanks for visiting,

New Year... new stamp...

2012-01-08T15:31:00.000Z

Happy New Year everyone, I hope you have a wonderful 2012 - healthy, happy, and very crafty! My first challenge card of the year is a girly birthday card using a brand-new stamp...

Totally Gorjuss: sketch #113
Simply Create Too: lots of layers
Card Makin' Mamas: use something new
Craft Us Crazy: anything new
Crazy 4 Challenges: use something new
Cute Card Thursday: what's new
Friday Mashup: birthday card with chalks
Crafty Emma's Store: anything goes
Dream Valley: anything goes

This stamp is called Butterfly Chloe and I coloured it with Copics and shaded the background with chalks - the image and the sentiment are both from Pink Gem Designs. The papers are all by K and Company, and the butterfuly punches are by Tonic Studio and Personal Impressions.

Copics used: E000, E00, E21, R20, YG03, YG06, YG11, E31, E33, E35, E37, C1

Thanks for visiting,

Quirky Crafts: Steampunk Christmas

2011-12-18T19:27:00.000Z

Well, here we are - only a week to go! I have one last Christmas card to share with you, and it's an unusual one - I was lucky enough to be offered a Guest Design spot with Quirky Crafts for their last challenge of the year and the theme is Christmas or New Year with a Steampunk twist. Here's my creation...

The challenge sponsor is Stitchy Bear Digital Stamps and I used 'Steampunk Corner' to make a frame, and a layered Christmas tree. It's a lot different from my usual style but I'm really pleased with how it turned out. If you'd like to play along, pop over to Quirky Crafts for all the details, you've got until 31st December to get your entry in.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my blog readers, thanks for visiting,

Meet Spike...

2011-12-14T21:15:00.000Z

I've had a break from cardmaking this week, but have been playing at a new craft: needle-felting. This is Spike - he's a long way from perfect but I think he's pretty cute for my very first attempt. I'm so pleased with him - who would have thought a barbed needle, some wool fibre, and a couple of quiet hours on a Sunday afternoon could turn into a sweet little bear...

I didn't really know what I was doing when I started, just following some basic instructions from the internet, but I learned a lot while I worked on him that I'd do differently next time. Hope you like him... thanks for visiting,

Christmas Cutie...

2011-12-04T17:14:00.001Z

Back to work tomorrow - at least I've managed to grow my Christmas card pile a bit this week! Here's a cute little teddy and friend to end the week with...

Sunday Sketch and Stamp: sketch #84

Cupcake Inspirations: inspired by photo (colours)

Colour Create: red, white and green

Mad for Markers: Christmas

Let's Ink it Up: Christmas

Secret Crafter: inspired by photo (colours / theme)

Just Inspirational: inspired by photo (colours / theme)

Crafty Emma's Store: bear necessities

Bah Humbug!: cute Christmas critters

Ready Teddy Go: anything goes with bears

My stamp is 'Bear and Robin' by Gillian Roberts for Stampavie, coloured with Copics and shaded with chalk. All the papers are from the Santa's on his Way pack (Forever Friends) by Docrafts, the border punch is Martha Stewart, and the corners are a Sizzix die.

Copics: R20, R27, R29, R46, R59, G05, G07, G14, G28, E33, E35, E37, E47, E50, E51, W1, W3

Thanks for visiting,

My Christmas Week - Day 5...

2011-12-02T19:19:00.001Z

Woohoo - I've got to the end of my week off and have made 5 cards, one each day - that's a record for me in one 1 week! Here's today's Christmas creation...

Joanna Sheen: Christmas Wishes

Crop Stop: punch around the holidays

Totally Papercrafts: let it snow

Emerald Fairie Garden: non-traditional Christmas colours

Simply Create Too: all about Christmas

By the Cute and Girly: let it snow

I used a cute Molly Blooms stamp, coloured with Copics and chalks, mounted on various layers. I used my Martha Stewart Laurel Wreath corner punch around a circle of cardstock for the fancy border. The large scalloped squares were cut with a Go Kreate die, and the paper is from the Rose-Tinted Christmas pack by Die Cuts with a View.

Copics: E000, E00, E11, R20, RV000, RV04, RV21, RV23, RV29, C1, C3, C5, B000, blender

Thanks for visiting,

My Christmas Week - Day 4...

2011-12-01T16:50:00.001Z

Here's my card for Day 4 of my week off work... apologies for the really rubbish photo but I had to take it in less than perfect conditions, this one at least shows the sparkle!

Do You Stack Up: ribbon or anything you can tie
Bling It On: Christmas
Rainbow Lady: Christmas carols - 'Have a Holly Jolly Christmas'
Ribbon Reel: anything goes with ribbon
Southern Girls: ribbon madness
Scrapbook Sisters: anything goes
Just For Fun: winter
Glenda Waterworth: White Christmas (the more people who play this challenge, the bigger the prize from Chocolate Baroque, so do pop over and check out Glenda's blog)

This one uses paper from Die Cuts with a View; and a holly stamp from Chocolate Baroque. I stamped it twice and did some fussy cutting so I could layer it up, and I outlined and shaded the leaves and berries with a glitter pen. With the glitter-edged organza ribbon, it's a very sparkly card in real life!

Thanks for visiting,

My Christmas Week - Day 3...

2011-11-30T17:16:00.001Z

Well, it's day 3 of my week's holiday and I've managed to keep up the momentum with my Christmas cards - here's my creation for today...

Papertake Weekly: sketch

Cutie Pie: pastel Christmas
Going Grey with Scrap Creations: Christmas
My Mum's Craft Shop: keeping warm
Sassy Cheryl's: winter
Crazy 4 Challenges: snow
Simon Says Stamp: anything goes
Fab 'n' Funky: anything goes

This one uses paper from the Christmas Fancy set by Dovecraft, and a sweet little Eskimo stamp from Elzybells, coloured with Copics and chalks. I also found this cute twill ribbon with reindeer on - it's been snuggled at the bottom of my Christmas ribbon bag for ages!

Thanks for visiting,

My Christmas Week - Day 2...

2011-11-29T17:27:00.001Z

Well it's the second day of my week off work, and I've another card to show you...

Sketch N Stash: sketch #75
Shabby Tea Room: photo inspiration - colours / skates
Oldie but a Goodie: Christmas, no red or green
Craft Your Passion: 'Tis the Season
Totally Gorjuss: sparkle
Dream Valley: sparkle
Anything Goes: decorative corners

As soon as I saw the lovely photo at the Shabby Team Room, I had to use this stamp - 'Skating Mimi' by Pink Gem, coloured with Copics in nice neutral shades, and with glitter on her trims. The decorative corner die is from Marianne, used for the very first time today - I used silver card for the corner and for a mat behind my image, and added more bling with sparkly ribbon; glitter edging; and some punched snowflakes topped off with a little pearl.

Thanks for visiting,

My Christmas Week - Day 1

2011-11-28T16:37:00.001Z

I'm having a week off work, just using some holidays before the end of the year, and I've challenged myself to make at least one Christmas card every day - here's #1...

Mojo Monday: sketch #217
Pink Elephant: photo inspiration - snowmen cupcakes / green, blue and brown colours
Cupcake Craft: colouring on kraft
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas: vintage / distressed
Stamptacular: anything Christmas
Aud Sentiments: winter holiday sentiments
Make It Monday: linky party

I used a Docrafts snowman stamped onto kraft cardstock, coloured with Copics and pencils, and edged with Walnut Stain Distress Ink. The paper is from My Mind's Eye pad, the embossing folder is Cuttlebug, the little sentiment was a Docrafts freebie with the Creativity magazine. I also used some cream lace and narrow green ribbon from my stash, to add to the vintage feel.

Thanks for visiting,

Papercraft Inspirations magazine: Beautiful Blogs

2011-11-23T21:35:00.001Z

Woohoo - I'm in the 'Beautiful Blogs' feature in issue 94 of Papercraft Inspirations magazine! I'm so chuffed to have been chosen, it's a real thrill to see one of my cards in print. You can see the original post about the published card HERE, it's this cute little Christmas card combining a Molly Blooms character with the Tatty Button window.

There are some gorgeous projects shown in the feature, and for my overseas visitors who can't get hold of the magazine, there are quick links to all the blogs HERE if you'd like to visit the rest.

Thanks for visiting,

Cool Yule!

2011-11-22T18:19:00.001Z

My latest card is an attempt to create something for a teenager who really thinks he's too cool for Christmas - I hope this sporty snowboarder will do...

Here's my challenge list for this one:
Woodware USA: sketch
Cupcake Craft: teenage boys
One Stop Craft: the colour blue
Crafty Emma's: snowflakes
Papertake Weekly: Christmas
Oldie but a Goodie: let it snow
Ladybug Crafts: winter blues

I started with some snowflake patterned paper, and added 2 torn strips of white cardstock which I embossed with more snowflakes. The image is stamped and cut out with a circle Nestie, then I inked the edges and coloured his glasses with a glitter gel pen for that trendy reflective look! The sentiment was created on the PC then punched out, and I finished off with 3 blue snowflake sequins.

Stamp: PMA10130 by Papermania from Docrafts

Paper: Santa's on his Way pack by Docrafts

Other: label punch by EK Success; circle die by Spellbinders; snowflake embossing folder by Docrafts; sequins from stash

Thanks for visiting,

Trees in winter sunrise...

2011-11-20T19:13:00.001Z

Time for another quick and easy card...

Jingle Belles: winter-themed card

Less is More: silhouettes

Allsorts: one layer card

Quirky Crafts: clean and simple

For Your Inspiration: sunrise photo

As soon as I saw this stamp it made me think of walking through woods on a cold, crisp winter day as the sun is coming up. To make my sunrise I used sticky notes to mask a rectangle on the front of the card, then used Distress Inks to ink the sky. I stamped the trees in black before I removed the masks, added some gold glitter strips around the edge of the panel, and a simple stamped sentiment.

Stamps: Bare Forest 1 by IndigoBlu; sentiment by Elzybells
Colouring: Distress Inks - Wild Honey, Tumbled Glass, Chipped Sapphire

Thanks for visiting,

Simple snowflake...

2011-11-17T21:14:00.001Z

Here's my latest Christmas card - a really simple creation with a paper-pierced design and layered snowflakes...

Creative Belli: paper piercing

Crop Stop: all (or mostly) white

Do You Stack Up: splash of blue

Crafts and me: simples!

Bunny-Zoe's Crafts: Christmas with pearls

Truly Scrumptious: Christmas with pearls

Crafter's Companion: let it snow

Paper Shelter: snowflakes

I dug out an old neglected Ornare template to do the piercing then backed the panel with some pale blue card, reverse-masked the centre circle and added some distress ink, then embellished it with some pearls. The large snowflake is a Cut and Emboss set by Cuttlebug, the glitter snowflake is a Marianne die, and the smallest one is an XCut punch.

I really love the delicate look of this one, and it was very quick to do, I spent a lot less time pricking the holes than I would usually spend colouring a stamped image!!

Thanks for visiting,

Three mice a-caroling...

2011-11-13T18:46:00.000Z

I'm back in Christmas mode - I daren't think about how few days are left before the big day... no, not Christmas Day, I mean the last day for posting cards - that's my deadline!

Penny Black at Allsorts: all creatures great and small
Sketch N Stash: sketch #74
Winter Wonderland: Christmas Mouse
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas: whatever lights your candle
Totally Gorjuss: Christmas Traditions
Make it Colourful: lantern / candle
Wags N Whiskers: Christmas
Lothian Crafts: Christmas
Do You Stack Up: inspired by a song (A-Caroling We Will Go)

I stamped this cute little mouse stamp in brown for a softer look than my usual black, then I coloured it with pencils and chalks before adding a line of lovely dark blue glitter around the edge.

Stamp: Caroling Trio by Penny Black
Colouring: Prismacolor pencils; Dovecraft Shimmer chalks
Papers: Die Cuts with a View
Other: snowflake dies by Marianne; snowflake punches by XCut; sentiment by Craftwork Cards

Thanks for visiting,

Bunny says... thanks...

2011-11-12T13:32:00.000Z

I've had a little break from Christmas cards today and made this cute little Thank You card - this cute little stamp comes with 4 different messages to stamp onto the paper, isn't that a great idea?

Stampin' for the Weekend: sketch
Lili of the Valley: creature comforts theme
Crafts 4 Eternity: use lilac, green and grey
Charisma Cardz: cutesy
Card Makin' Mamas: thank you
Aud Sentiments: thank you
Creative Card Crew: thankful
Stamp, Scrap and Doodle: thank you
Mark's Finest Papers: favourite technique (stamping)

I coloured my image with Copics and added shading with chalks, then cut it out and matted it with oval dies. The fancy brackets at the top are actually a die cut bow - it comes with a separate box shape to make a gift. Don't you just love it when you find a totally different way of using something you already have in your stash?

Stamp: Messy Messages by Lili of the Valley
Colouring: Copics C1, C3, C5, BV00, YG23, E000, E00; chalks
Papers: Back to Basics 2 by Dovecraft
Other: oval dies by Spellbinders; bow die by Quickutz; brads and ribbon bow from stash

Thanks for visiting,

Christmas - vintage Santa tile...

2011-11-06T15:11:00.000Z

I'm not quite panicking yet, but Christmas is approaching at an alarming speed! Here's another card I've made for my stash...

Crafty Individuals: winter wonderland

Christmas Cards All Year Round: sketch
Less is More: red and orange
St Luke's Charity: Christmas is Coming
ABC Christmas: V for Vintage

I used Distress Inks to colour a panel of card, stamped my image over it, then dug out my under-used heat tool and gave the panel 3 layers of clear UTEE to make it into a little tile. I allowed it to crack a little for an aged look, and mounted it onto contrasting cardstock, and a cream panel with torn and distressed edges.

Stamps: Santa C1-136 by Crafty Individuals; sentiment by Elusive Images
Colouring: Distress Inks - Barn Door, Spiced Marmalade; Dried Marigold
Other: Versamark Ink and clear UTEE for embossing; gems and ribbon from stash

Thanks for visiting,

Trick or Treat tags...

2011-10-28T19:24:00.000+01:00

I've been making Halloween tags today, to attach to little bags of goodies for Trick or Treaters - these are some of my makes so far...

Stampin' for the Weekend: spooky

Crafty Catz: Halloween

Paper Play: Halloween / witches

Do You Stack Up: Halloween

My Mum's Craft Shop: spooky

Fab 'n' Funky: Hubble Bubble Toil and Trouble

Sisterhood of Crafters: Trick or Treat

Top Tip Tuesday: Trick or Treat

Penny's Paper-Crafty: Halloween

I've had great fun putting these together with allsorts of bits and pieces - the tags were made from snippets left over from making square cards, and the coloured card and papers were from my scraps box.

Tag 1: witch stamp by Elusive Images; ticket image by Whimsy; dies by Spellbinders

Tag 2: witchboard stamp by Cherry Pie; drippy border by Martha Stewart; spider die by Cuttlebug; paper by DCWV

Tag 3: house stamp by Inkadinkado; bat die by Cuttlebug; paper by DCWV; dies by Spellbinders

Thanks for visiting,

Through the snowflake window...

2011-10-28T09:47:00.000+01:00

A bit of a departure from my usual style, this Christmas card doesn't have a stamped image as the focal point...

Frosted Designs: Sketch #4

Crafts and Me: Winter Blues

Crafty Sentiments: no designer paper

Bah! Humbug!: die cuts

Scrapbook Sisters: anything goes

Simon Says Stamp: anything goes

Charisma Cardz: anything goes

Instead of using an image, I die-cut a circle aperture in the front of my card, then filled the gap with a bunch of diecut and punched snowflakes, just sticking them together wherever they overlapped. I added a diecut circle of blue glitter cardstock inside the card so it sits behind the aperture but leaves an open lacy snowflake effect when it's open.

Thanks for visiting,

Christmas tag...

2011-10-21T11:35:00.000+01:00

No card from me today, I've made this little tag instead - I like to make a few of these each year ready to pop around a bottle of wine for an instant emergency Christmas gift. You know, the times when people arrive with a gift and you say 'Oh, you shouldn't have' but what you really mean is 'Aaarrggh! I haven't got you anything!'...

Challenges:
Crafty Individuals: winged things
Bling it on: no designer paper
ABC Christmas: unused stash
Winter Wonderland: vintage
Going Grey: tags
My Time to Craft: punches / dies
Flutter By: angel

I bought this stamp last week in a brand-new craft shop that's opened up locally, Suzicraft - I love the vintage feel of the text and the slightly faded music print. I coloured the angel with Copics and used blue shimmer chalk around it. The tag itself is made from layered Nesties - including a fancy tag which I cut in half and fixed either side of the image.

This morning I've just found out about the Purely Papercrafts show that's on this weekend at Gateshead Stadium, so I'm looking forward to a very crafty weekend - have already dropped very big hints to hubby!

Stamp: CI-168 by Crafty Individuals
Colouring: Copics E11, E50, E51, R20, Y00, Y02, Y08, Y17, W1
Other: Nesties - plain and scalloped ovals; label, fancy tag

Thanks for visiting,

Birthday beer...

2011-10-19T18:27:00.000+01:00

Cards for twenty-something males are ones I've always struggled with, until I found this great stamp which is not too cutesy and not too vintage - perfect for 'lads'...

Sketch N Stash: sketch #72

St Luke's Charity: let's hear it for the boys
Sweet Stampin': masculine
My Mum's Craft Shop: food and drink
Fab N Funky: distressed or torn
Top Tip Tuesday: layer it up
Sisterhood of Crafters: birthdays

I used paper piecing for the jeans and t-shirt on my stamped image, then coloured the rest with Copics. I tore the edges on one side of the 2 green papers and layered them over the striped background - all the papers were scraps that I've had for ages. I added the blue strip shaped with a zig-zag border punch - love this design as it's not girly! Finished my card off with some card candy and a matted sentiment tag.

Stamp: 'Cheers' by Wild Rose Studio
Colouring: Copics and Whispers Ink for edging panels
Papers: Die Cuts with a View
Other: border punch by Martha Stewart; sentiment tag by Craftwork Cards

Thanks for visiting,

Jingle Belle...

2011-10-14T11:20:00.000+01:00

Here's another Christmas card I've made for this year...

Sugar Bowl: sketch #69 and green/white theme

Aud Sentiments: any sentiment / winter theme

Use it Tuesday: use metal

Bunny-Zoe's Crafts: use lace
Frosted Designs: use fancy trim

Whimsy Inspirations: die cuts / punches

Ruby's Rainbow: cute and cuddly

Scrapbook Sisters: anything goes
Jingle Belles: inspired by a Christmas song

I use my Copics to colour the image, leaving her nightgown white to help it stand out from the green backing papers. I added a die cut frame; some pretty lace; and a stamped sentiment punched out and mounted into a squashed metal bottle cap. All the time I was making this I was thinking of the carol 'Silver Bells'... then I realised I'd coloured her little bell gold! So, Jingle Bells it is!!

Stamps: Christmas Honey by Sugar Nellie; sentiment by Wild Rose Studio
Colouring: Copics R27, R46, YR20, YR23, Y28, E00, E02, E11, R20, E32, E33, E35, E37, R00
Papers: Die Cuts with a View
Other: scalloped rectangle die by Nellie Snellen; lace and bottle cap from stash

Thanks for visiting,

Ghost hunting with Tilda...

2011-10-10T17:01:00.000+01:00

Shhhhhh! Brave little Tilda heard a spooky noise in the middle of the night so she lit her tiny candle and went off to investigate...

Sketch Saturday: sketch #176
Magnolia Down Under: Halloween
Totally Tilda: Halloween
Cupcake Craft: Halloween
Cutie Sunday: Halloween
Drunken Stampers: Halloween
Fussy and Fancy: Halloween
One Crazy Stamper: Halloween
Crafty Calendar: Spooky
Corrosive: Purple
Just Magnolia: anything goes

I had great fun making this card - I don't have a lot of Halloween stamps so I turned this Christmas Tilda into a brave little ghost hunter and cut a ghost freehand from white cardstock. The ticket sentiment is part of a prize I won from Feline Playful recently - pop on over there if you haven't visited before, it's a brilliant site if you love challenges.

Oh, and before I go, I just want to introduce you to the newest addition to my Hug - this is Daisy. She's from Charlie Bears and I just fell in love with her when I spotted her in a shop in Stratford when we were there last week.

Stamps: Christmas Morning Tilda by Magnolia; digi sentiment by Whimsy
Colouring: Copics V000, V12, V15, V17, E11, E50, E51, R20, E31, E33, E35, E37, C1, C3, YR04, Y11, Y17, Y00; Pumice Stone Distress Ink for edging
Papers: Die Cuts with a View
Other: tag punch (behind sentiment) by EK Success; black eyelash fibre from stash

Thanks for visiting,

Get your skates on...

2011-10-09T13:34:00.000+01:00

Just back from a week away and my Christmas Card Box is still looking woefully bare so I've rustled up another one...

A Gem of a Challenge: a Christmas card with a heart
Bah Humbug: glitter and glitz
Squirrel and the Fox: make it sporty
Secret Crafter: anything goes that sparkles
One Stop Craft: anything goes
Hiding in my Craft Room: Super Scraps Saturday

Although I was never very sporty when I was young, I did love to go skating at our local ice rink so this lovely stamp is one of my favourites. I coloured the image with my Copics and added glitter glue to all her 'fur' trim. I added a big snowflake die cut with a punched snowflake centre; a die cut tag with a stamped sentiment; and a sweet little die cut heart. I had one scrap of peach cardstock left and it was just enough for the mat and the embellishments!

Stamps: 'Skating Mimi' by Pink Gem; sentiment by Crafters Companion
Copics: B000, B00, B02, E000, E00, E21, R20, YR000, YR00, YR02, E31, E33, E35, E37
Papers: Die Cuts with a View
Other: big snowflake die by Cuttlebug; heart die by Docrafts; snowflake punch by XCut; tag punch by EK Success; ribbon, eyelets and shimmer dot from stash

Thanks for visiting,

A Girl's Best Friend...

2011-09-30T09:05:00.000+01:00

Okay, I know it's supposed to be diamonds that are a girl's best friend, but how could you resist this adorable little puppy?

Pixie Cottage: sketch #89
Lili of the Valley: button it
Cute Card Thursday: animal crackers
Crop Stop: stamped sentiment for a friend
Paper Shelter: for the girls
Simon Says Stamp: anything goes
Creatalicious: anything goes

This adorable stamp is called 'Milly - Me and My Dog', it's another one of my Lili of the Valley cuties and the sentiment is theirs too. And guess what - lucky little me won their last challenge so my collection will be growing even more soon! I coloured the image with my Copics and made a cloudy background with chalks. I loved the curved panel on the sketch, and I used Core-dinations card with sanded edges for my layers. The paper is from an old Papermania pack, and I found some striped ribbon with all the same colours.

Copics: E11, E50, E51, R20, R00, R02, R05, B000, B02, B05, E29, E31, E33, E35, E37, Y17, YR23, YG00, YG03, YG06, YG95

Thanks for visiting,

Hello You - baby boy card...

2011-09-23T14:40:00.000+01:00

I like to keep a few special occasion cards in my stash but noticed that I've only got pink baby cards, so here's a cute one I've made for a baby boy...

Cute Card Thursday: sketch #183
Lili of the Valley: aqua, white and glitter
Creative Card Crew: babies
Oldie but a Goodie: one for the boys
Lexi's Creations: for a child
My Mum's Craft Shop: girls and/or boys
Stampin' for the Weekend: what a cutie!
Truly Scrumptious: clean and simple
Paper Shelter: anything goes

I used this adorable stamp called Baby Blanket from Lili of the Valley, it's coloured with Copics and matted with a Nestie. The dotty paper is from the Blueberry Pie collection by Docrafts, the die cut semi-circle and punched heart are made from gorgeous sparkly glitter card - I use the one by Kars because the glitter just doesn't fall off! I ruffled satin ribbon along a strip of card for some soft texture, the pleats look really shimmery, and I made a bow to match.

Copic colours: BG10, BG15, BG23, E11, E50, E51, R20, W1, YR000, YR00, YR02

Thanks for visiting,

Tilda in Autumn colours...

2011-09-18T20:41:00.000+01:00

Two posts in one day - unusual for me but it's been wet and dreary outside most of the day, so I've been tucked away cosily in my craft room...

Just Magnolia: sketch and 'fall is in the air'
Magnolia-licious Highlites: fall colours
Magnolia Stamp Lovers: fall colours
Friday Mashup: Autumn
Really Reasonable Ribbon: Autumn
Corrosive: use punches / dies
Squirrel and the Fox (NEW): anything goes

This is my 1st inking of my new 'Tilda with Flowerpot' stamp, and I've coloured her with my Copics and Prismacolor pencils. She's matted using oval Nestie dies, the swirl is a Tim Holtz die; and the papers are by Sharon Ann for Deja Views. I embellished with some wide gold and narrow green ribbon, a green gingham bow, and a Craftwork Cards sentiment tag matted onto a punched scallop circle.

Copics: E00, E11, E21, R20, R14, R27, R46, R59, E08, E37, E31, E33, E35, G21, YG63, YR02, YR07, YR23, Y28, YR20, W1

Thanks for visiting,

Big Star, little bear...

2011-09-18T11:55:00.000+01:00

Another Christmas card from me today - using the traditional Christmas colours and a very cute little teddy...

Lili of the Valley: red, green and white

Pink Ink Sketches: #6

Fun with Shapes: Christmas with stars
Cutie Sunday: Christmas
Christmas Stampin' All Year Long: photo inspiration

(I used the red and green colours)
Frosted Designs: use punches

Simon Says Stamp: inspired by a song
(my song is 'Thistlehair The Christmas Bear' by Alabama, especially for any Country music lovers)

This stamp is called 'Big Star' by Lili of the Valley and I've coloured it with Copics, then cut him out with a circle Nestie leaving the bobble on his hat sticking out! The papers are from Die Cuts with a View, the snowflake border punch is by Martha Stewart, and the stars are Sizzix diecuts.

Copics: R17, R27, R29, E50, E51, E53, E57, Y00, Y02, Y08, C1, C3, B00, B000

Thanks for visiting,

Life's a giggle...

2011-09-16T15:36:00.000+01:00

Hmmm... I wonder just what is giving little Tilda a fit of the giggles...

Here's my challenge list:

Sketch N Stash: free choice sketch - #44

Bizzy Becs: blue, green and white

Crop Stop: buttons

Bearly Mine: buttons

Paper Play: punches and dies

Ruby's Rainbow: for the girls

Cute Card Thursday: anything goes

Crafty Ribbons: anything goes

I coloured 'Giggling Tilda' with Copics and pencils, and matted her with oval Nesties. The paper is from an old Dovecraft pack - I don't use it much as the patterns are really too big for making cards. The side panel has a border punched edge and an embossed strip, then I've popped my sentiment tag onto a Spellbinders fancy tag diecut.

Thanks for visiting,

Eskimo - snow cute!

2011-09-13T17:48:00.002+01:00

Another Christmas card for my stash - don't want to even think about how many more I still have to make! I can't believe I've had this cute little Eskimo and penguin stamp for about two years and I've NEVER used it - shame on me!

Use It Tuesday: uninked stamp (Guest Design Spot)

Oldie But a Goodie: Christmas in September

iCopic Lover: high contrast, dark and light

Crafter's Companion: Christmas wishes

St Luke's Charity: card buffet (paper, gems, punches, ribbon)

Bunny-Zoe's Crafts: sketch

Christmas Crafting: Christmas sparkle

This is the sketch I used but you'll see from the text that I turned it upside-down - I did this so I could layer some of my elements over the snowflakes on the paper. My poor neglected stamp is from Elzybells (sadly no longer in business, such a shame). I coloured the image with Copics, and shimmer chalk for the background.

The paper is from an old Dovecraft set called Christmas Blues; the snowflakes are a mix of punches and diecuts, and the sentiment is a stamp by Wild Rose Studio.

Copics: BG01, BG05, BG09, YR02, YR61, E00, E11, E21, R20, R00, C1, C3

Thanks for visiting,

Simply Santa...

2011-09-07T08:15:00.001+01:00

Just a quickie post from me this morning with this Christmas card...

Samuel Taylor Challenge: Christmas card with any rubber stamp

Oldie but a Goodie: Christmas in September

Papertake Weekly: anything goes

Creative Card Crew: anything goes

The image is from a set of 4 Christmas characters by Visible Image, coloured with Copics and textured with some Polar White Flowersoft on his hat. It's a perfect size for layering with these Nestie dies, finished off with gems, a bow and button for a quick and simple design. Samuel Taylor is giving away 4 gorgeous Prima pads as their challenge prize this month - and you can never have too much paper, can you?

Thanks for visiting,

Back to school...

2011-08-29T14:01:00.000+01:00

It's a long (very long!) time since my school days but I can still remember the excitement of gathering up all my new things - sharpened pencils; pristine notebooks.. see, I loved paper and colouring in even back then! My 'Back To School' project today is this bookmark - this little mouse is going to be doing a lot of reading...

Paper Play: back to school

Stamp Something: back to school

Totally Papercrafts: back to school

Allsorts: back to school

Use It Tuesday: back to school

Totally Stampalicious: bookmarks

Creative Craft: anything but a card

Make It Monday: inspiration linky party

The sweet little mouse is from Elizabeth O Dulemba, and the paper is from Die Cuts with a View - I've had it for ages and not used it until now. I coloured the image with a mix of all my pencil sets, it was a bit too detailed for me to get my crayons out! After I'd layered it all up, I covered it with cold laminating plastic to make it more durable, and added a flower eyelet and some ribbon.

Just for fun, if you leave a comment please tell me what your favourite book was as a child? Mine was Kenneth Grahame's Wind in the Willows and I still have a copy on my bookshelves to this day.

Thanks for visiting,

Snow fun...

2011-08-28T12:37:00.000+01:00

Another Christmas card from me today, using a lovely happy snowman image...

Polka Doodles: spots and dots

Sparkle Creations Christmas: use a photo OR any Christmas card

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas: build it up - at least 3 layers

Charisma Cardz: glitter

Oldie but Goodie: sparkle

Creative Inspirations: text me - text paper

Totally Gorjuss: as you like it (anything goes)

My snowman stamp is by Polka Doodles, and the text and spotty papers are Die Cuts with A View. I coloured the image with Copics and Prismacolor pencils, distressed the edges and sparkled them up with glitter - as always, the scan doesn't really pick it up but it is very sparkly IRL!

Copics: YG23, YG67, R00, R27, YR04, YR20, E33, C1

Thanks for visiting,

Serene Santa...

2011-08-26T14:48:00.000+01:00

This is my all-time favourite Father Christmas stamp - it's from Habico, and I think it's a gorgeous traditional image, with a bit of added Christmas magic with all the swirls and sparkles...

Cute Card Thursday: sketch
Colour Create: kraft, red and white/cream
Ladybug Crafts: favourite stamp
Crafts 4 Eternity: Christmas projects
Divas by Design: Christmas in August
Stampavie and More: Christmas in Summer
Stampin' for the Weekend: holidays
Crop Stop: anything goes
Aud Sentiments: anything goes
The Paper Shelter: die cuts and punches
(corner rounder; die cut corner; 2 snowflakes)

I stamped onto cream cardstock with sepia ink, coloured the face with Prismacolor pencils, added a little touch of glitter pen to the sparkles, and swooshed Antique Linen and Tea Dye Distress Inks around the edges. The papers is from 'A Silent Night' collection by Papermania. The stitched ribbon is one I've had for ages - I've been saving it because it's so pretty (okay, I mean it was too nice to cut into), but I thought it was perfect for this card so snip, snip... there, that didn't hurt too much!

Thanks for visiting.

Molly's Christmas window...

2011-08-21T20:09:00.000+01:00

I've been doing some masking today and used 2 stamps to make this little scene - Molly is all muffled up and looking out of the window from her cosy room, ready to go and play in the snow...

The Rubber Cafe: through the window

Allsorts: you've been framed (I hope this counts!)

Secret Crafter: create a scene

Bah Humbug!: something new (new MB stamp)

Totally Papercrafts: Christmas in August

Copic Creations: use 'BG' colours

Sparkle Creations: glitter or any Christmas card

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas: any Christmas card

One Stop Craft: bold and bright

I used my new Molly stamp, then made a sticky note mask to stamp the window image over her so she's leaning on the window sill. I coloured the whole image with Copics and Prismacolor pencils, smudged some chalk around the background, and added some Polar White Flowersoft 'snow'. The papers are Die Cuts with a View and Dovecraft, the sentiment is a Craftwork Cards tag.

Stamps: 'Molly at Christmas' by Molly Blooms and Tatty Button's 'Through the Window' by Creative Expressions
Copic colours: BG01, BG05, BG09, E50, E53, E57, E000, E00, E21, R20, R00, R02, R05, R17, Y11, Y15, Y17, W1

Thanks for looking...

Patched up...

2011-08-20T12:50:00.000+01:00

Today I've got a thank you card to show you, with a patchwork-style background made from a bunch of matching papers. I used my tracing wheel and a gel pen to make faux stitching around the panels, although the pen doesn't show up very well - I've tried so many white ink pens and just can't find one that really does a good job - recommendations anyone?

Lili of the Valley: Thank You

Do You Stack Up: Thank You

Stamp Something: Thank You

Ruby's Rainbow: stitching

Fab 'n' Funky: a stitch in time

Bizzy Becs: butterflies and the colour blue

Scrapbook Sisters: blue

Crazy 4 Challenges: bingo (brads, flowers, 2 or more DP)

My stamp is a lovely LOTV image called 'Milly Just For You', coloured with pencils. All the papers are by The English Paper Company; the border punch is EK Success and the butterfly punch is Tonic Studios.

Have a great weekend,

Krafty Kristmas...

2011-08-17T18:31:00.000+01:00

Another Christmas card for my stash (only 5 so far!), this one with a cute little trio of carol-singing mice...

Spotted Chick Krafty Thursday: use kraft cardstock

Kraft Journal: anything goes with kraft

Penny Black at Allsorts: free and easy

Winter Wonderland: light it up

Sparkle Creations: Christmas cheer

Secret Crafter: Christmas is coming

Crazy Christmas challenge: anything Christmas goes

The image is a Penny Black Slapstick stamp called 'Caroling Trio' which I stamped onto kraft cardstock with brown ink, and coloured with Prismacolor pencils. I cut and matted it with Nestie ovals, and added a bit of distress ink around the edge. The holly leaves are made of felt, and I used card candy for berries.

Jingle bells, Jingle bells, jingle all the way....

Recipe for sunshine...

2011-08-15T18:54:00.000+01:00

Well, I wish I really had a recipe for sunshine - but at least I can whip up a summery card...

Kraftin' Kimmie: flower, ribbon, chipboard

One Crazy Stamper: fun in the sun

St Luke's Charity: I do like to be beside the seaside

One Stop Craft: at the beach

Stamp Something: dog days of summer

Stamp Man: anything goes with summer colours

Crafty Emma's Store: papers from different companies

Ribbon Reel: citrus sunshine photo inspiration (I used the colours)

Make it Monday: anything goes linky party

I bought this new Kraftin' Kimmie stamp at the weekend - she's called Eleanor, ain't she cute? I coloured her with Copics and added a bit of shading around her with chalk. My papers are from Die Cuts with a View (blue), and the sand pattern is by Karen Foster Designs. I added a flower, some ribbon, and a dinky little chipboard photo anchor, which I stamped my sentiment on. For once, the first ribbon I picked up was a great match for the cardstock mat and border - I usually have to hunt around for ages to find just the right colour!

Copic colours: Y00, Y02, Y08, Y17, B000, B02, B12, E0000, E00, E11, E21, R20, G000, G00, G02

A sled with a ted...

2011-08-12T18:58:00.000+01:00

I'm back in Christmas card mode today, with this little cutie...

Sugar Bowl: sketch #65, and the colour blue
Crafts 4 Eternity: colour recipe - blue and white
Alphabet: N for navy blue plus 1 other (white)
Stampin' B's: a card with clouds on
Fussy and Fancy: 3 or more of fave embellishment (gems)
Ruby's Rainbow: gems
Christmas Crafting: cute Christmas (2nd entry)
Aud Sentiments: Merry Christmas
Fab 'n' Funky: It's Christmas

This stamp is from Sugar Nellie - it's a really old one but I love it, Hamish is so cute with his little bear. I coloured it with Copics and used a scrap paper mask with blue chalk to make the clouds, and some grey at the bottom for a hint of snow. I added gems to the punched snowflake border; a strip of gingham ribbon; and a sentiment tag. I had a tiny piece of the ribbon left over so I used it as a tab at the side of the image to add extra interest - I'm trying to remember not to add bulky embellishments to all of my Christmas cards, so I don't have so many excess postage costs this year!!

Copic colours: E0000, E00, E11, R20, E29, B23, B24, B29, B32, E57, E53, E50, E31, C1, C3, C5, C7

A pretty little posy...

2011-08-07T11:18:00.000+01:00

Today, outside is dull, wet and grey... but inside my craftroom, it's all pretty, pink and cute...

Pink Ink: sketch #3
Colour Create: pink, green, white
Lili of the Valley: roses
Craft Your Days Away: birthday celebrations
Card Makin' Mamas: birthday cards
Paper Creator: say it with flowers
Cutie Sunday: flower power
Paper Shelter: flowers, flowers, flowers

I use this cute 'Rosie Posy' stamp from LOTV and coloured it with Copics and Prismacolor pencils. The rose patterned paper is from the Henbury Lane collection by Docrafts, and I used diecuts; punches, and a mix of paper and ribbon roses for my embellishments.

Copic colours: E00, E11, RV21, RV23, RV29, G000, G00, G02, E33, E37, E47, Y11, Y08, Y17

Nicki, xx

Cosy for Christmas...

2011-08-06T12:20:00.000+01:00

Ahh, how sweet is this little mouse, all snuggled up warm and cosy in his Christmas stocking...

Speedy The Cat's Friends: anything but a standard size card

Crazy 4 Challenges: shape it up

Jingle Belles: shape-up

Fuzzy Wuzzy: shaped card, with an animal

Christmas Crafting: cute Christmas

Crafty Sentiments: Christmas

Paper Play: Christmas in August

Simon Says Stamp: Christmas in August

Fussy and Fancy: Christmas in August

Frosted Designs: colouring methods

The stamp is from Funstamps, it's called 'Cosy Toes' - I coloured the mouse and the holly with Copics, then paper-pieced the stocking with patterned paper. I used the same blue paper on the side panels, and the same design in red for the central panel. The stocking is loosely fixed with a little silver brad, so it hangs free and moves.

Copic colours: B00, B02, B97, B39, E50, E51, E53, R02, R27, R59, G07, G14, W1, W5

Nicki, xx

Summer in the garden...

2011-07-31T19:52:00.001+01:00

Here's a gorgeous little cutie from Sugar Nellie doing a bit of summer gardening...

This card is for these challenges:

The Sugar Bowl: sketch #64
Polka Doodles: In an English country garden
Paper Play: in the garden
Sentimental Sundays: it's a garden party
Creative Inspirations (Sat): summertime
Stamp Something: summer fun
If the Shoe Fits: summer
Anything Goes: pick of the bunch - flowers
Allsorts: last free and easy week for July

I used this sweet Sugar Nellie stamp called 'Flowers', coloured with my Copics then matted onto 3 layers of cardstock. The background paper is a Kate Knight design, the Iron Gate border is by Martha Stewart, and the doily die is by Marianne. I added some ribbon and flowers, and my sentiment is from Craftwork Cards.

Copic colours: E00, E11, R20, Y00, Y17, Y21, BG10, BG23, BG49, RV04, RV06, RV13, RV29, G14, YG23, C1, C3, C5, C7

Nicki, xx

Orange, lemon and lace!

2011-07-29T18:07:00.000+01:00

I finished this card this morning and sat down to post it, but ended up doing some 'housekeeping' on my blog to tidy it up instead! I've moved all my challenge badges to a new page - it took me ages but it feels a lot less cluttered now. So, finally, I can post my card...

Cute Card Thursday: sketch #175
Do You Stack Up?: orange, yellow and brown
Crop Stop: anything lace
My Mum's Craft Shop: fab and funky
Scrapbook Sisters: happy birthday
Papercraft Star: anything goes

This stamp is 'Polly' from Kraftin' Kimmie and I think she's definitely a fab and funky lady - I love her big hair! The paper is from the Sunshine collection by Docrafts, and the lush chocolate brown lace has been lurking at the bottom of my ribbon box for ages. I finished off with a Craftwork Cards sentiment, I cut a little scalloped mat for it with decorative scissors as I just can't seem to find a punch the right size for these tags (any suggestions would be very welcome!).

Copic colours: E00, E11, R02, Y11, Y15, Y17, YR04, E33, E35, E37, E47, W1

Nicki, xx

Love the pigtails...

2011-07-27T21:50:00.000+01:00

I always wanted to have pigtails in my hair when I was a little girl but my hair was never long enough!

Here's a cute little birthday card for a batch of challenges:
The Paperlane: anything but square, and Molly Blooms
Sir Stampalot: anything goes
Simon Says Stamp: shaped cards
Craft Your Days Away: summertime
Craft Us Crazy: anything goes
Bizzy Becs Store: borders and frames

I used a die to cut the shape for my base card, and just scored and folded it in half. I used a smaller version of the same die for the backing paper. The sweet little Molly stamp is coloured with Copics, then I used chalks in the background for a sand and sky effect. This is the first shaped card I've made this way but it was really quick and easy so you might be seeing more over the next few weeks!

Stamp: Molly Blooms
Colouring: Copics BG01, BG05, BG09, E00, E21, R20, E33, E35, E37, E47, C1, C3; chalks by Craf-T
Paper: Die Cuts with a View
Other bits: sentiment tag by Craftwork Cards; square die by Go Kreate; oval dies by Spellbinders; scallop circle and leaf punches by Woodware; flowers from stash

Nicki, xx

Sugar mice...

2011-07-25T22:15:00.000+01:00

Mice in the kitchen? Well, if they were as cute as this little lot, maybe I wouldn't mind!

Here are the challenges I'm entering this one for:
Pink Ink Sketches: sketch #2
Stampin' for the Weekend: paws for thought
Creative Card Crew: animal antics
Die Cut Dreams: animal antics
Card Makin' Mamas: food and drink
Copic Creations: pastel colours
Make it Monday: anything goes linky party

I coloured my image with Copics and matted it onto cardstock, and matted the background paper onto pink cardstock. I used a border punch along the bottom for drippy pink icing, and I added 3 little glass dewdrops on the ribbon that look like little blobs of jam - yummy! Anyone who knows me will know that making this card is as close as I'll ever get to baking a real cake!

Stamp: 'Sprinkled with Sugar' by Lili of the Valley
Colouring: Copics R00, R20, R32, R37, E53, E57, BG10, BG23, C1, C3, YR20, YR23
Paper: 'Enchanting' paper pad by KI Memories
Other bits: border punch by Martha Stewart; scallop circle punch by EK Success; sentiment by Craftwork Cards; ribbon and dewdrops from stash

Nicki, xx

My 1st Christmas card for 2011...

2011-07-24T11:48:00.000+01:00

Yeaayy - I've made a start on my Christmas cards! Here's my very first one for this year...

I'm entering this one into these challenges:
Polkadoodles: Christmas in July
Fun With Shapes and More: Christmas in July
Simply Create: Christmas Time
ABC Christmas: O for Older Image (this one's from 2009)
Creative Belli: Christmas in July
Creative Inspirations [Saturday]: Christmas in July
Rubber Cafe: Christmas in July
Winter Wonderland: holly and/or ivy
Totally Gorjuss: punch or die
Allsorts: free and easy - open challenge for July

I've used pencils to colour my Tilda image in traditional red and green, and added a little glitter to her Christmas bauble. I teamed her up with some holly patterned paper in 2 colourways, some festive satin ribbon, and a sentiment attached to a diecut tag. I finished off with a couple of red gems to highlight the punched notches where the ribbon is threaded through behind the image.

Stamp: Tilda with Christmas Cracker
Colouring: Prismacolor pencils; At You Spica glitter pen
Paper: Santa's on his Way set by Docrafts
Other bits: circle dies by Spellbinders; notch punch by Tonic Studios; tag die by Cuttlebug; sentiment tag by Craftwork Cards; ribbon and gems from stash

Nicki, xx

Hello Kitty birthday bag...

2011-07-18T21:56:00.000+01:00

Here's a card I made for a friend's 50th birthday - she loves Hello Kitty and handbags so this folded handbag card was just the job. Check out Kristine's amazing tutorial if you want to try one of these...

Here's a side view...

I used a Hello Kitty die and paper pieced it for the front, and 3 co-ordinating pink papers for all the panels. To keep it closed when folded, I used some small adhesive magnets, and I added a tassel for decoration. To make the handle stand up I stuck a thin strip of card to the back of the ribbon.

The central square has some stamped swirls, and I made a little pocket to hold a tag for writing a message on.

And below is a view of it opened up...

The tutorial's really easy to follow, it just takes a bit of time cutting and sticking all the pieces!

Stamps: swirls by Autumn Leaves; number by Docrafts
Papers: Die Cuts with a View
Other bits: Hello Kitty and tag pocket dies by Sizzix; labels die by Spellbinders; sentiment by Craftwork Cards; magnetic closures by Basic Grey; ribbon and tassel from stash

I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

Alphabet: K for Kitty Cat
Forever Friends: not square
Craft Your Days Away: fancy folds
Anything Goes: more than one fold
St Luke's Charity: black, white and one other colour (pink!)
Incy Wincy: black, white and one other colour (still pink!)
Make it Monday: anything goes

Nicki, xx

In the summertime, when the weather is fine...

2011-07-17T16:18:00.000+01:00

... so not today then! We've had torrential rain today, so much for summer! Well, at least I get to play in my craft room. My first card for today is for my hubby's birthday next weekend - this is certainly how he'd like to be spending the day, lazing in the garden with the Sunday paper and a glass of Pimm's...

I coloured my LOTV image with pencils and added the sky with chalks and a mask cut from paper. The background is just a bunch of punched and diecut circles, edged with ink and layered. Easy-peasy! Here's my list of challenges...

Cute Card Thursday: going around in circles
Sweet Stampin': one for the boys
Totally Gorjuss: all about boys
Crafter's Companion: one for the boys
Crafty Creations: boyz to men
Pink Gem: let's hear it for the boys
Ladybug Crafts: summer birthdays
Crafts and Me: summertime
Card Makin' Mamas: summertime
Fussy and Fancy: summer
Dream Valley: summer
Bunny-Zoe's Crafts: fun in the sun

Stamp: 'Deckchair Dreaming' by Lili of the Valley
Colouring: Coloursoft pencils by Derwent; chalks by All Night Media
Papers: Die Cuts with a View
Other bits: circle cutter by Martha Stewart; circle die by Spellbinders; circle punches by Woodware; sentiment and card candy by Craftwork Cards

Nicki, xx

Uptown Angel...

2011-07-16T10:26:00.000+01:00

Here's a card I've made with a brand new stamp - my very first Kenny K...

...and here's my challenge list:
Kenny K's Krafty Girlz: anything goes
Crafting Life's Pieces: sketch #38
Totally Papercrafts: girly girls
Stampin' B's: use bling
My Mum's Craft Shop: swirls and pearls
Crafts 4 Eternity: 3-2-1 embellishments
iCopic: all about birthdays
Allsorts: free and easy open challenge
Lollipop: anything goes
Simon Says: anything goes
Bearly Mine: anything goes

I bought this stamp because I thought the hair would be nice to colour and I was right, I had great fun with all those waves! For my embellishments I used 3 pearls; 2 gems; and 1 diecut swirl - I didn't have any pink pearls so I coloured plain ones with a Copic marker. I added the sentiment to a little diecut ribbon slider. I was trying for a card that's girly in a trendy way, rather than a flowery/lacy way - what do you think?

Stamps: Uptown Angel by Kenny K for Whimsy Stamps; sentiment by Personal Impressions

Colouring: Copics E00, E21, E33, R20, RV02, RV04, BG10, BG15, BG23, E31, E33, E35, E37, E47, C1, C3, W1

Papers: Die Cuts with a View

Other bits: swirl die by Sizzix; slider die by Cuttlebug; pearls, gems and ribbon from stash

Nicki, xx

You're fabulous!

2011-07-10T11:03:00.000+01:00

Here's my 2nd card for By the Cute and Girly this month, it's for a friend of mine to cheer her up but I'm also dedicating it to all my fabulous blog friends and visitors - you keep me inspired with your wonderful comments, so this one's for you...

I'm entering this one to these challenges:
Catch The Bug: clean and simple
Stamp Something: bugs and butterflies
Stampin' for the Weekend: wings and things
Truly Scrumptious: things with wings
Flutterby Wednesday: butterfly, fairy or angel
Aud Sentiments: at least 2 words
Allsorts: free and easy
Oldie but Goodie: anything goes

I really did go clean and simple for this one - the sentiment is stamped right onto the card, and the butterfly is stamped, coloured with glitter pens, then cut out and mounted on 3D foam pads. Done!

Stamps: butterfly by Creative Stamping (2003); sentiment by Hero Arts
Colouring: Gelly Roll glitter pens

Nicki, xx

Our granddaughter is ONE...

2011-07-03T09:37:00.002+01:00

Here's the card I've made for our granddaughter's 1st birthday - I just can't believe she's one already, it seems no time at all since she was just a tiny brand-new baby!!

Here's a piccie of the little lady herself - I know I'm biased but I think she's adorable!!

I used a digi image for my card and coloured it with my Copics; and used 3 different patterned papers to make up my background. The number '1' is a diecut, matted onto diecut and punched circles, and I added some doodled dots around the edge. The sentiment was made up the same way but I don't have any stamps or stickers that say 'granddaughter', and I wanted it to be purple but I can't print in colour, so I wrote it by hand - I never usually use my own handwriting on a card!!

Lothian Crafts: die-cutting

Stamp Something: July digi day
Paper Creator: special occasion
Stampin' for the weekend: my favourite things (Copics, Nesties and ribbon)
Sweet Stampin': something you wouldn't usually use on a card (my handwriting!)
Allsorts: free and easy
Catch the Bug: anything goes

Stamp: baby girl by Digital Ink
Colouring: Copics E00, E11, R20, E33, E35, E37, E47, BV02, BV04, BV08, Y00, Y02, Y06, W1
Paper: 'Back to Basics 2' by Dovecraft; 'Primrose' collection by Docrafts
Other: oval and circle dies by Spellbinders; circle punches by EK Success; border punch by Martha Stewart; number die by Sizzix; flowers, ribbon and buttons from stash

Nicki, xx

BTC&G: red,white and blue fairy

2011-07-01T17:55:00.000+01:00

Wow, almost a month since I last posted a card - time has just gotten away from me over the last few weeks but health, home and mojo are now all back on track. I was lucky enough to be chosen as a July guest designer for By The Cute And Girly, the challenge is 'things with wings' and here's my first creation...

For my first card I chose this cute little fairy as my 'winged thing', and teamed her up with a patchwork style background paper and some embossed, die-cut hearts to echo the image. Check out the BTG&G challenge - you've got a whole month to play and there are some great prizes on offer!

I'd also like to enter this card into some other challenges:
Bunny-Zoe's Crafts: fairies
Craft Us Crazy: red. white and blue
Rubber Cafe: red, white and blue
Card Makin' Mamas: red, white and blue
Crafting for all Seasons: red, white and blue
Crop Stop: national colours (red, white and blue!)
Color Lab: SU colours Night of Navy, Cherry Cobbler, Not So Navy (or equivalent)
Do You Stack Up: squares

Now that we've hit the 1st of July, I have to say I feel my first Christmas card won't be too far away. I know, I know, it's hard to think of snow when it's lovely and sunny but the festive crafty things are appearing in the shops already and I'm being tempted... help!!

Stamp: fairy by Docrafts
Colouring: Copics - E11, E50, E51, R20, RV04, RV21, RV23, RV29, B39, B93, B95, B97, E33, E37, E47, Y17, W1
Paper: English Paper Company
Other: oval dies by Spellbinders; corner and heart dies by Sizzix; embossing folder by Sizzix; sentiment by Craftwork Cards, mat cut with decorative scissors

Nicki, xx

Summer swing...

2011-06-04T11:37:00.000+01:00

I chose this lovely Sugar Nellie stamp as she reminds me of the hours and hours I used to spend on the swings in our local park during the summer holidays, and I used soft, vintage colours to suit my nostalgic mood...

Sugar Bowl: sketch #61
Speedy the Cat's Friends: 3D flowers
Spoonfull of Sugar: flower power
Divas by Design: floral
Sweet Stampin': playing in the summer sun
Bunny-Zoe's Crafts: use lace
Let's Craft and Create: dies to die for
Fab 'n' Funky: whateva

I matted the DP and the lace-wrapped strip onto oatmeal cardstock, after using deep pink ink around all the edges. My image is coloured with pencils, then cut out and matted with Nesties. The flowers are a mix of paper rosebuds, and paper and silk blooms layered together. I finished this one off with the 'Dream' ticket instead of a specific sentiment, so I could use this one for different occasions.

Stamp: Rope Swing by Sugar Nellie

Colouring: Prismacolor pencils; edges inked with Cranberry by Whispers

Paper: K and Company

Other: ticket by Tim Holtz; flowers and lace from stash

Nicki, xx

Cuthbert with balloons...

2011-06-03T10:01:00.001+01:00

It's all the 'B's' from me today - birthday, boy, bear, balloons... oh, and blue!

Papertake: sketch #56

Pollycraft: teddy bears
Creative Inspiration (W): cute bears
Going Grey with SC: blue, yellow and green
Aud Sentiments: for a male
Simon Says Stamp: for a male
Craft Your Days Away: special man
Fussy and Fancy: for a man or boy

I printed this cute little digi bear and coloured him with Copic markers, cut him out with a label die and chalked around the edges, then layered him up. I was amazed to find, after much rummaging, that I didn't have any mid-green ribbon in my collection, so I coloured some narrow white satin with the green Copic - it worked perfectly, although it did make the ribbon a bit stiff, which I wasn't expecting!

Stamps: Cuthbert with Balloons digi from Pollycraft; sentiment by Lili of the Valley

Colouring: E31, E77, Y15, B23, G14; chalk by Dovecraft

Paper: Die Cuts with a View

Other: label dies by Spellbinders; card candy by Craftwork Cards

Nicki, xx

Kaya - birthday star...

2011-05-30T19:24:00.000+01:00

Typical Bank Holiday weath - glum and dull. What's a girl to do... craft, of course! Here's a birthday card I've created today...

Gem of a Challenge: sketch #22
Make it Colourful: yellow and purple
Crop Stop: complimentary colours
2 Sisters: anything goes
Creative Belli: neglected tools

I chose this starry paper to go with my image, and it was perfect for my purple / yellow colour combo. Instead of flowers, I decided to use layered die-cut stars so I dug out an old neglected Sizzix die to cut them out - my old dies have really been overshadowed by my Nesties, I must start using them more!

Stamp: Party Kaya by Pink Gem Designs
Colouring: Copics E11, E50, E51, R20, BV02, BV04, BV08, Y02, Y06, Y08, Y17, C1
Paper: Back to Basics Set 2 by Dovecraft
Other: star die by Sizzix, small star punch by EK Success; oval dies by Spellbinders; zig-zag border punch by Martha Stewart; sentiment tag by Craftwork Cards; ribbon by Hobbycraft

Nicki, xx

Flowerpot hedgies...

2011-05-29T12:56:00.000+01:00

I'm really in the pink today - well, my card definitely is, anyway! Here's a card I've made for a friend who loves gardening...

Penny Black Saturday: one for the girlies
Totally Papercrafts: pink and girly
Sketch Saturday: sketch #157
Paper Cutz: use a banner
Ladybug Crafts: animals
Do You Stack Up: animals
Party Time Tuesdays: animals
Dream Valley: stamp something by hand

I coloured my stamped image with Copics, and also stamped and cut out two of the cute little banners - one is mounted flat and one on 3D foam for a bit of dimension. I layered two strips of punched border in pink and white, and added some ribbon; and finished off with a little tag and some simple flowers.

Stamps: hedgehogs from 'Hugs' set by Penny Black; banner from Spring Time set by Docrafts
Colouring: Copics R20, E50, E71, E77, RV04, RV06, RV21, RV23, Y08, R17, G07, G14, YG06; chalks for shading
Papers: from Spring stack by Die Cuts with a View
Other: circle die by Spellbinders; tag by Craftwork Cards; border punch by Martha Stewart; ribbon, flowers and brads from stash

Nicki, xx

Fuzzy little friend...

2011-05-27T20:54:00.000+01:00

I really love not working Fridays, especially when it's a Bank Holiday weekend - that's 4 whole days of fun and crafting time! Here's the card I've made today...

Crafting Life's Pieces: sketch #36
Oldie but a Goodie: include a teddy bear
Fab 'n' Funky: cute and cuddly
Crafty Catz: pink and green
Stampavie and More: use pink
Paper Crafting Journey: anything goes + a favourite

Pink and green is my favourite colour combo, and this Lili of the Valley bear is one of my favourite images. The colouring is a mix of Copics and pencils, the papers are Docrafts, and I added faux stitching to the pink panels.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Nicki, xx

Fluttering by...

2011-05-24T20:03:00.000+01:00

I've got a 'less-is-more' style card to share tonight - I do love this type of card but I sometimes struggle to know when to stop with a design, I have to keep telling myself that every card DOESN'T have to have a sentiment, gems or pearls, diecut layers and a punched border!!

Less is More: butterflies

Spoonfull of Sugar: things with wings

Word Play Weekend: wings

Paper Sundaes: pop it up

Emerald Fairies (NEW): anything goes

I first stamped the butterfly onto the card than added a strip of patterned paper and some satin ribbon. I then stamped the image again and cut it out - I've never been very good at cutting but I've bought myself some good quality detail scissors and they really do make a difference. I lightly coloured the 2nd butterfly with pencils and popped it over the 1st one with foam pads for a bit of dimension. That's it. What do you think - clean and simple, or simply not quite finished??

Stamp: 'Swallowtail' by Inca Stamp
Colouring: Crimson Versafine ink; Coloursoft pencils
Paper: K and Company
Other: ribbon by Docrafts; detail scissors by CutterBee

Nicki, xx

Simsalabim! Tilda birthday wishes...

2011-05-22T18:33:00.000+01:00

Here's my creation for this weekend - a bright and sunny Tilda to magic up some wonderful birthday wishes...

Just Magnolia: sketch #107
Anything Goes: Bingo (diecuts, flowers, ribbon)
Copic Creations: use yellow
Craft Your Days Away: white plus one
St Luke's Charity Cards: pattern
Crafty Emma's: 3 embellishments
By the Cute and Girly: anything goes
Crafter's Companion: girl's birthday
Dream Valley: dig out the old, use with the new

This is my first inking of this new stamp, and I teamed it up with some papers from an old Papermania stack - it's been tucked away for ages as yellow isn't a colour I use very often. For my embellishments I used ribbon, flowers, and a diecut sentiment tag. I also used some yellow vellum for the vertical layer as the image is quite large and there wasn't really room for another patterned paper mat! It made me realise how much vellum I've got stashed away, and how rarely I actually use it - expect to see some more soon!!

Stamp: Simsalabim Tilda by Magnolia
Colouring: Copic Ciaos - E21, E50, E51, R20, Y00, Y02, Y06, Y08, Y15, E33, E37, E47, W1; pale yellow chalk for 'halo' around wand; gold glitter gel pen on wand
Paper: from the 'Sunshine' Capsule Collection by Docrafts
Other: oval and tag dies by Spellbinders; sentiment tag by Craftwork Cards; flowers by Hobbycraft; ribbon from stash

Nicki, xx

Time to Kraft...

2011-05-19T22:50:00.000+01:00

So, want to hear about my craft-related disaster this week? Okay, I decided to move some things around in my craft room and picked up a set of 4 plastic sectional drawers full of smaller containers... and CRASH! The drawers collapsed and hundreds of brads and eyelets spilled out everywhere! Of the 20 or so little round pots, all but one came open - it was a nightmare. Needless to say, when I finally managed to pick them all up, they didn't go back into the pots, they're all in one big SEALED box now!!

Pixie Cottage: sketch #70
Spotted Chick: Krafty Thursday
Cute Cards Thursday: let's get krafty
Crafts and Me: anything goes, kraft option
Colour Create: white, brown, cream
Creative Craft: distressed / vintage
Truly Scrumptious: anything goes
Crafting for all Seasons: anything goes
Spoonfull of Sugar: anything goes

This is another masculine card for my collection and I used some gold mesh for texture instead of patterned paper. The pocket watch is stamped and embossed onto kraft cardstock, then coloured with pencils and cut out. I chose this border punch as it reminded me of a watch chain, and the cream pearlescent paper in the background is a bit like fancy waistcoat fabric.

Stamps: watch by Blade Rubber Stamps; sentiment by Banana Frog
Colouring: Prismacolor pencils
Paper: Debbi Moore Designs
Other: border and oval punch esby EK Success; mesh and brads from stash

Nicki, xx

Glamour Bear...

2011-05-17T00:10:00.000+01:00

Hi there, just a quickie post tonight with a card for some challenges - I love this cute little bear getting all dolled up ready for a night out with the girls...

Making it with Meslyn - pink/lemon and white
Pear Tree Designs - a stamped image
Paper Sundaes - birthdays
Sunday Sketch and Stamp - sketch #55
Corrosive - birthdays

I followed the great sketch and kept it quite simple, just adding a bow and a tiny button as embellishments. I coloured my image with my Prismacolor pencils for a soft and furry effect. I'm quite liking the 'less is more' approach at the moment, especially when I'm in a hurry!!

Stamp: Powder Puff by Lili of the Valley; sentiment by Personal Impressions

Paper: Papermania

Other: oval dies by Spellbinders; scallop punch by EK Success; ribbons and button from stash

Nicki, xx

I'm back!!

2011-05-10T22:45:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone - my blogging break was a little longer than planned and I won't bore you with the reasons but I'm back to my crafting now and what better way for me to return than with a cute teddy bear card...

This one is for these challenges:
Crafty Calendar - teddy bears
Mad for Markers - colouring with greys
Going Grey with Scrap Creations - use circles
Paper and Such - a birthday card
Pollycraft - boyz to men
One Crazy Stamper - boys and men

I used a scalloped 5x5" card for my base and added a border punched strip to the spine, then popped Card Candi into each of the circle cut-outs. I stamped the teddy in grey ink and coloured him with Copics, then matted the image onto blue and grey cardstock. The tag is tied on with embroidery floss and I just unravelled the ends to fit the 'tatty' theme.

Stamp: Tatty Teddy by Docrafts, free with Creativity Magazine
Colouring: Memento London Fog ink for stamping; Copics B12, C1 and C3 for colouring
Other: card blank by Craft UK; border punch by EK Success; tag and card candi by Craftwork Cards

Nicki, xx

Back in a few weeks...

2011-04-05T20:35:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone, just popped on to do a quick post to say sorry I haven't been around to visit recently but I've had a lot on lately and have had hardly any crafting or blogging time. I'm going to be missing for another few weeks but I'll be back hopefully sometime in May, and I'll catch up with all my blog-hopping then.

Take care, 'see' you all soon!

Hugs, Nicki, xx

Little kitty for you...

2011-03-27T18:05:00.000+01:00

Here's a little challenge card I've made to go into my 'emergency' box - I think it would be perfect for a lot of occasions...

Less is More
- sketch #8
Cupcake Inspirations
- photo
Card Makin' Mamas
- animals
Wee Memories
- anything goes

This lovely stamp was a magazine free gift and is perfect for this time of year, with the Spring daffodils in the little bouquet. I coloured it with pencils and used Nesties to cut and frame it. Like my last card, I used a ready-made blank, this one a pale yellow DL - I'm really determined to use up old stash, that's my challenge to myself!!

Stamps: kitten and sentiment by Adam Pescott
Colouring: Prismacolor pencils
Paper: Picnic Patch by Docrafts
Other: circle dies by Spellbinders; wave border embossing folder by Cuttlebug; border punch by EK Success

Nicki, xx

Floral thank you...

2011-03-26T19:12:00.000Z

Here's a quick Thank You card I've made for a request from a friend at work - I took my colour combo from the pretty ribbon...

I stamped the branch three times then edged the panel with Distress Ink. For my Spring blossoms, I layered two different sizes of punched flowers and added clear crystals in the centres. The green panel is embossed with a folder - it wasn't big enough to fit the whole piece so I did it in two sections, making sure the 'join' was in the middle where it would be covered by the wide purple ribbon.

The lilac card is a ready-made blank - I'm making an effort to use up my collection of card blanks of various shapes and sizes. After all, if I don't use up what I've got, I won't have room for new stash!!

Crazy4Challenges: sketch #80
Fun with shapes and more: no designer paper
If the Shoe Fits: Distress ink, flowers, clear bling
Totally Gorjuss: Spring has sprung
Stamp Something: Spring somethings

Stamps: Fanciful Leaf Filament by Hero Arts; sentiment by Lili of the Valley
Colouring: Distress Inks in Shabby Shutters for stamping and Dusty Concord for distressing
Other: embossing folder by Cuttlebug; flower punches by Docrafts and Punch Bunch; circle punch by Woodware; scalloped punch by EK Success; ribbons and crystals from stash

Nicki, xx

Spring snoozing...

2011-03-25T22:16:00.000Z

Hello, Hello - have you missed me? I've really missed visiting all of you - I've been so busy lately, no time for blogging or crafting, where do the days go?? Anyway, tonight I managed to sneak away into my craft room and make this card for some challenges...

Get Sketchy: sketch #80
Lili of the Valley: Punch It!
Spotted Chick Krafty Thursday: use kraft
Sisterhood of Crafters: Let's hear it for the boys
Stampavie and More: For a boy
Stampin' B's: masculine
Going Grey with SC: Spring has sprung
Wags N Whiskers: Spring
Polka Doodles: Spring has sprung

I love this cute little fellow snoozing away in the sunshine, I bet he's supposed to be doing some chores!! I coloured the image with a mix of markers, pencils and chalks then cut it out with a circle Nestie. I layered some border punched kraft and blue cardstock for the central strip and finished off with a sentiment and some card candy in the corners.

Stamps: Image and sentiment from 'Boy Oh Boy' set by Lili of the Valley
Colouring: Copics E21, E50, E51, R20, E33, E35, E37, E47, G07, G14, B93, B95, B97, Y11, Y15, Y17, C1, C3; pencils by Prismacolor; chalks by Dovecraft; Distress Ink for edging
Paper: from Siesta Collection by The English Paper Company
Other: border punch by Martha Stewart; oval punch by EK Success; circle die by Spellbinders; card candy by Craftwork Cards

Nicki, xx

Teen spirit...

2011-03-16T20:03:00.000Z

Just a quick post tonight, to show you my take on a card for a teenage girl...

Sketch 'n' Stash: sketch #57 and CAS
Pollycraft: teen cards
Simon Says: birthday card
Wild Orchid: diecuts and punches
Little Red Wagon: office supplies (staples)
Papertake: 3 of something (staples, gems, flowers)
Going Grey With SC: anything goes

I love this image with her wide jeans and her skull t-shirt but I still wanted to make the card a bit girly so I dug around and found this great paper - it's really pretty but if you look closely there are skulls in the paisley pattern! I distressed all the edges and used some red staples to give it a bit of a grungey look but I still couldn't resist finishing it off with some gems and flowers.

Stamp: Codi Stylin' by Pollycraft (digi)
Colouring: Copics E0000, E00, E21, R05, R20, R27, R32, G000, G00, BG23, BG49, E47, E29, E33, C1, C7
Papers: Rockstar Stack by Die Cuts with a View; green plaid by Sizzix
Other: sentiment by Craftwork Cards; oval punch by EK Success; oval dies by Spellbinders; flowers by Docrafts; staples, gems and brads from stash

Nicki, xx

Spring birthday in lilac and green...

2011-03-13T13:39:00.000Z

Hi folks - hope you're enjoying this sunny Spring Sunday - well, it's sunny here anyway! We're starting to see the lovely crocuses blooming all over the town and they inspired my lilac and green colour combo for this Spring birthday card...

Sugar Bowl: sketch #55 and Spring theme
Stamp, Scrap, Doodle: Spring has Sprung
Pink Elephant: Springtime
For Fun: Spring
Alphabet Challenge: S is for Stripes
Anything Goes: use diecuts
Catch the Bug: scallops
Stampin' B's: use bling
Bling it On: anything goes (1st challenge)
Simon Says: anything goes

This stamp always says Spring to me, with the blossom and the cute little birds, and I've teamed it up with papers in shades of lilac and green. I wanted a soft effect for my colouring to go with the simple style of the image, so I used pencils instead of my Copics. I smudged chalks around her to soften the white, and used the scalloped mat as it matches the scallops on her dress. For a bit of bling I added a flower gem to her hair and some tiny gems at the ends of the green swirly strips.

Stamps: 'Talking to tbe Birds' by Sugar Nellie; sentiment by Lili of the Valley
Colouring: Coloursoft pencils by Derwent; chalks by All Night Media
Papers: Back to Basics 2 collection by Dovecraft
Other: oval dies by Spellbinders; tag die by Sizzix; flower by Prima; brad and gems from stash

Nicki, xx

Nicki had a little lamb...

2011-03-06T21:20:00.000Z

Apart from daffodils and crocuses, one of my other favourite signs of Spring is seeing cute little new lambs frolicking in the fields - we saw quite a few while we were out and about this weekend and that was the inspiration for using this stamp...

I'm entering quite a bunch of challenges with this one:

Secret Crafter: patchwork backgrounds (great way to use up some scraps!)
Corrosive: going green
Card Makin' Mamas: something green
Really Reasonable Ribbon: green
Stampin' for the Weekend: Spring
By the Cute and Girly: Springtime
Krafty Thursday at The Spotted Chick
Paper Sundaes: stripes
Catch the Bug: anything goes

I coloured my image and cut it into a tag shape, added some faux stitching and matted it onto kraft cardstock. The background is made up of squares of co-ordinating striped and floral paper, and I using a tracing wheel to make faux stitches around each panel to keep the effect subtle. I added some ribbon and I wanted to use pearls in the corners but I didn't have any green ones, so I coloured some white ones with one of the Copics used for the image.

Stamp: 'Spring has Sprung' by Sugar Nellie
Colouring: Copics E00, E11, R20, YG11, YG06, G07, G14, E33, E35, E37, E50, E51, W1; beige fineliner for stitches
Papers: from Verde collection by Docrafts
Other: kraft cardstock by Docrafts; ribbon and pearls from stash

Nicki, xx

Spring - bring it on!

2011-03-02T22:06:00.000Z

Well, it should be Spring but at the minute we're still scraping ice off the car windscreen in the mornings! The bulbs are starting to come up though, so hopefully it's not too far off. When I think of Spring I always think 'yellow' so here's my take on a Spring card...

Sugar Bowl: sketch #54 and Clean and Simple theme
Sir Stampalot: Spring is in the air
Oldie but Goodie: Spring is in the air
Cooking it up with Katie: spring yellow flowers
Wild Orchid: anything goes
Bunny-Zoe's Crafts: Spring - flowers everywhere (they're on my image, my DP and my embellishments!)

I coloured my image with pencils for a change, and used a minimal colour palette in keeping with the CAS theme. I didn't want to use too much pattern so for the central band I just used a folder to add random dots either side to echo the dots on the image. No sentiment, so I can add a little oval one at the bottom some other time - it's always good to have a few multi-purpose cards in your stash for emergencies, isn't it?

Stamp: True Love by Leanne Ellis for Sugar Nellie, 2008
Colouring: Prismacolor pencils
Papers: from Summer Bloom collection by Docrafts
Other: embossing folder by Cuttlebug; flowers from stash

Nicki, xx

Sailing away...

2011-03-01T20:47:00.001Z

After going all pretty and girly for my last card, this one is definitely all boy...

Catch the Bug: sketch and the colour green

Cards for Men: include water

Cupcake Craft: no squares allowed
Going Grey with Scrap-Creations: kids
Papertake Weekly: anything goes and something old (this DP is really old, and the buttons are from my Mum's old button tin)
Copic Creations: complementary colours (red and green on image)Desert Island Crafters: 3 or more from 10 items (inspired by nature; hand-coloured image; no sentiment)

I think this is such a cute little image - I wonder what it says in his letter? I coloured him with Copics and pencils, used chalk for the water, and added a tiny bit of red and green chalk for the reflection of the grass and his t-shirt.

Stamp: from Boy Oh Boy set by Lili of the Valley
Colouring: Copics E00, E11, R20, R14, R29, G07, G14, E21, E33, E35, C1; Prismacolor pencils; Dovecraft chalks
Paper: from Secret Garden collection by Docrafts
Other: paper frill by Doodlebug; photo corner die by Sizzix; buttons and thread from stash

Nicki, xx

Girlie not Goth!!

2011-02-27T18:32:00.000Z

Well, I'm definitely back in 'pretty' mode after yesterday's Goth Girl card! Whenever I want to make something nice and girly I reach for a pink and green colour combo so this card puts me firmly back in my comfort zone...

Just Magnolia: sketch #95
Totally Tilda: Fruity Tilda
Magnolia Down Under: flower power
Cupcake Inspiration: photo - I took the colours
Sweet Stampin': Oh So Girly
Wags 'n' Whiskers: use punches
Stampin' B's: flowers
Crazy 4 Challenges: flowers
Dream Valley: anything goes (new challenge)

I used pink card for my base, and added layered and matted papers with some punched border strips. My image is stamped and coloured with Copics Ciaos, and I used chalks to make a background so she wasn't just floating about!

Stamp: Cherry Tilda by Magnolia
Colouring: Copics E00, E11, R20, YG00, YG03, RV29, YG67, RV02, RV04, RV10, E21, E35, E37, E47; chalks by Craf-T
Papers: from Summer Bloom collection by Docrafts
Other: border punch by Martha Stewart; leaf punch by Woodware; flowers by Forever Flowers; brad from stash

Nicki, xx

Goth not girlie!!

2011-02-26T17:37:00.000Z

I haven't had time to play in my craft room for over a week and I've been desperate to make something pastel and pretty, so isn't it just typical that the card I actually needed to make had to be more goth than girlie!!

Craft Your Days Away: sketch #14
Creative Craft: card for a teen
Card Makin' Mamas: Happy Birthday
Scrap Creations: birthday
CCEE Stampers: distressing
Anything Goes: distressing
Creative Inspirations (Wed): stripes
Copic Creations: warm colours
Southern Girls: brads, gems or dewdrops

I started with this great sketch and my image coloured with Copics, edged with ink, then I attacked all my layers with a distressing tool. I used a little folder to emboss a circle to frame the sentiment, and embellished simply with some lace woven through a ribbon brad, and some black gems in the corners. This fierce little character definitely has the funkiest hair I've coloured so far!!

Stamp: 'Goth Girl' by Sugar Nellie
Colouring: Copics E08, E21, E50, E51, RV10, Y28, YR07, R27, R46, R59, W1; Distress Ink in Fired Brick
Paper: Die Cuts with a View
Other: embossing folder by Cuttlebug; sentiment by Craftwork Cards; distressing tool by Tim Holtz; brad by Docrafts; lace and gems from stash

Nicki, xx

Sending hugs...

2011-02-16T20:25:00.000Z

I'm now on week 3 of my GDT month at Creative Card Crew and the theme is Friendship with a prize from Phindy's Place - pop along to the challenge blog to find out more...

I'm entering this one to these challenges...

Creative Inspirations: plain and simple - use a maximum of 2 papers and 4 flowers

Lollipop Crafts: use your favourite colouring medium - mine is Copics

Stampin' Royalty: mark it up - use markers

Creative Craft World: use a square card

Crafty Emma's Store: cute and cuddly

One Crazy Stamper: pink

I coloured this cute little image with my Copics and matted it onto some cardstock and some backing papers, layered with a lacy doily. If you like the layout, check out my new 'My Sketches' page, it's one of mine and it's on there if you'd like to try it - please let me know if you do as I'd love to come and see what you do with it!

Stamp: 'Squeezes' from Phindy's Place

Colouring: Copics E21, E50, E51, R20, B93, B95, B97, RV04, RV21, RV23, E33, E35, E47, W1, C1

Papers: The English Paper Company

Other: tag die by Spellbinders; border punch by EK Success; sentiment by Craftwork Cards; ribbon, doily and gem flowers from stash

Nicki, xx

Want to share a cookie...

2011-02-13T19:50:00.000Z

I suppose this is not strictly a Valentine card but they say love is about sharing, and I think you have to love someone to share a cookie with them, so I think this little cutie is definitely sharing some love. This one might even become my hubby's card for our wedding anniversary next month, 'cause he is a bit of a cookie monster...

Anyone for Anya: photo inspiration
WaltzingMouse: sketch #34
Stamptacular: lovin' from the oven (food)
Wee Memories: life/living; funny; or love themes
Paper Sundaes: Sundae toppings - flowers / pink
Totally Papercrafts: clean and simple
Totally Gorjuss: love (card for someone you love)
One Stop Craft: love is in the air

I chose this lovely flowery paper for my backing panel and coloured by image to match, and the sentiment was created on the PC with Wordart - took me a few attempts to get it the right size but I'm getting the hang of it now!

Stamp: Cookie Emma by CC Designs
Colouring: Copics E00, E11, E21, E51, R20, RV04, RV21, RV23, RV29, R59, YG06, YG11, YG67. C5, C7
Papers: from Pink Parfait collection by Docrafts
Other: oval dies by Spellbinders; border punch by EK Success; flower punch by XCut; flower and brad from stash

Nicki, xx

Time for a thank you...

2011-02-13T10:47:00.000Z

Wow, a bloggy hug and a big thank you to Eileen at My Craft Creations, who has given me this fab award...

These are the conditions that come with accepting it:

1) You have been tagged, do you want to accept? YES! then create a post on your blog and post the love blog photo.

2) Link back to the person who gave you the award and say if you accept.

3) Choose 3-5 of your favourite blogs to tag, link these in your post too and tell the lucky people they have been tagged. As the aim of this award is to bring unknown good blogs to light, please don't tag somebody with 3000 followers.

I've decided to pass this award on to some blogs that I really love, they all share gorgeous projects but have less than 100 followers at the moment - please pop over for a visit and see what you're missing. My 3 chosen blogs are:

1)   Helen - Molecraft
2)   Susie's Cardmaking Adventures
3)   Suzie Q's Crafty Creations

Thanks again Eileen for passing this award on to me, and thanks to the above 3 ladies for such lovely inspiring work, and an extra thank you to Suzie Q for always making me laugh!

Hugs, Nicki, xx

A little bit of Sugar...

2011-02-11T22:51:00.000Z

Hi! Here's my latest creation - this little cutie is one of my all-time favourite stamps, she's so lovely to colour...

Sugar Bowl: sketch and photo inspiration
That's Krafty Thursday: use kraft cardstock
Pixie Cottage: use ribbon
Lothian Crafts: pastel colours
Samuel Taylor: Copic chic
Pear Tree Designs: free for all

I coloured my image with Copics and matted it onto kraft cardstock, and on the large kraft panel I sponged some white ink around the edges for a distressed effect. I decided not to add a sentiment to this card - I like to have some like this in my stash, so I can add a birthday, or thank you, or any greeting at the last minute when I need a card!

Stamp: Gorjuss Sitting by Sugar Nellie
Colouring: Copics E21, E50, E51, R20, B00, B02, B05, E33, E35, E37, W1, W5; Versamagic Cloud White for sponging and Sky Blue for edging
Papers: Blueberry Pie collection by Docrafts
Other: border punch by Martha Stewart; ribbon by Debbi Moore; flowers and pearls from stash

Nicki, xx

With wuff and kisses...

2011-02-08T23:01:00.000Z

Here's my second card as a Guest DT member for February over at Creative Card Crew - the challenge this week is 'For a Loved One' and I've used an image from the prize sponsor, pop over to the challenge blog for more details...

I'd already made my valentine for my hubby but I couldn't resist turning this little cutie into another one - maybe I'll send him one from me and an anonymous one, that'll keep him on his toes!! I'm also entering this one to these challenges:

Critter Sketch: animal image
Going Grey with Scrap-Creations: animal antics
Totally Stampalicious: at least 3 hearts
Papertake Weekly: have a heart
Let's Craft and Create: heartfelt - use hearts (I did), option to use felt (I didn't)
Stamptacular: hearts gone wild
Crafty Calendar: love
Crafty Emma's: red and romance
Cupcake Craft: seeing red
Catered Crop: the recipe ingredients I used are red/white cardstock; love sentiment; Copics; scallop die cuts; sponged sky; and hearts

I coloured the printed image with my beloved Copics and added a bit of hazy blue sky with some shimmer chalk. I created the sentiment on my PC using MS Word, and the cute satin hearts were part of a recent candy from Claire (thanks hunny!).

Image: Puppy Paws from Robyn's Fetish
Colouring: Copics R00, R02, E21, E33, E50, E51, Y06, YG11; blue shimmer chalk by Dovecraft
Paper: Togetherness Mini Deck by Cosmo Cricket
Others: circle dies by Spellbinders; small circle and scallop circle punches by Woodware; ric-rac from stash

Nicki, xx

Romantic little mousies...

2011-02-07T19:28:00.000Z

I always reach for this stamp when I need to make an engagement card - I don't have many images that feature a 'couple' that aren't for weddings, and I think these cute little mousies are adorable...

Clean and Simple: sketch #126
Colour Create: lemon, green and white
Crafters Companion: romance
Let's Ink It Up: romance
Penny Black at Allsorts: say it with flowers
Sir Stampalot: all creatures great and small

I loved this sketch and I think this image works well with these fresh colours, and it's for a friend who is not one for fussy fancy things so I hope she'll like the simple approach. I'm also getting a bit braver about stamping sentiments direct onto my base card - well, I can always cover it over if I mess it up!!

Stamps: mice from 'Hugs' set by Penny Black; sentiment by Stick'n'Stamp
Colouring: Copics E0000, E00, R00, R20, E21, E33, Y11, Y15, YG03, YG06, YG11, W1
Papers: Hot off the Press
Others: circle dies by Spellbinders; circle punch by Woodware; paper daisies by Docrafts

Nicki, xx

Red kimono card...

2011-02-04T19:32:00.000Z

Wow, it has been so windy all day here, and it's still blowing a gale outside! Luckily it's cosy in the craftroom and I can play music to drown out the wind while I make things like this...

Wags 'n' Whiskers: sketch #47
The Stamp Man: oriental theme
Paper Play: Stamp it Out - use a stamp
Moving Along with the Times: red
Crafts and Me: red
Scrapbook Sisters: red
Craft Us Crazy: anything goes [new blog]

I've been avoiding all the Valentine challenges as I've made my one and only card this year, for my hubby, so I was pleased to see the colour red popping up as I think it's a perfect colour for oriental cards. The paper and the little stickers on the image are from a themed kit I've had tucked away for ages and have only just opened! The bamboo and script vellum must be about 5 years old, one of my very first crafty buys. See, I'm sticking to my promise (to myself) to use up my old stash, and the strip of red shiny ribbon is a leftover from Christmas wrapping, so I'm recyling too!

Stamp:Kimono by Personal Impressions
Colouring: Copics R27, R46, Y17, Y21, Y28, G05, Spica clear glitter on herons
Papers: from an Oriental themed kit by Docrafts
Other: leaf punch by Woodware; brads by Docrafts; flowers from stash

Nicki, xx

A card for Jack...

2011-02-02T21:05:00.000Z

Here's a card I've made for Jack, the son of lovely Debbie from Passion for Crafts. He's just started at a new residential school and Debbie thought it would be nice if people sent him a card to help him settle in as he can't visit home for the first month. Please pop over to her blog to find out more...

My challenge list for this one:
Sketch N Stash: sketch (new stamp / old papers)
ABC: N is for Nesties
Bearly Mine: cards for men / boys
Alphabet: M is for Men
Stamptacular: Whateva!

I coloured the image with my Copics and cut him out with circle Nesties, using 'out of frame' technique around his balloon, then layered on red and turquoise circles. I embossed the vertical strips for a bit of texture. I usually avoid making male cards but I think this one is a little cutie!

Stamps: boy by Molly Bloom; sentiment by Heidi Grace
Colouring: Copics E21, E50, E51, R20, C7, C5, C3, R05, R27, G02, G05, G07, BG01, BG05, W1
Paper: Die Cuts with a View
Other: circle dies by Spellbinders; embossing folder by Cuttlebug

Nicki, xx

Pretty in pink and purple...

2011-02-02T07:46:00.001Z

I was chosen to join the Creative Card Crew this month as a guest designer and here is my first card for them - the challenge this week is 'Pink and Purple'...

This one also fits these challenges this week:
Copic Creations: cool section of colour wheel - all my pinks and purples
Top Tip Tuesday: girlie
Totally Papercrafts: one for the kiddies
Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT: card for a child
Creative Craft: hearts and flowers (hearts on her dress and headband)
Totally Stampalicious: for no special reason - no specific occasion
The Sisterhood of Crafters: anything goes and DT call
Papertake Weekly: anything goes

This colour combo is perfect for a card for a little girl, so I went for scallops and swirls and flowers and all things girlie. I think I would quite like a pair of purple boots like this!

Stamp: Kaya in Boots by Pink Gem
Colouring: Copics E21, E50, E51, R20, RV04, RV21, RV23, V15, V17, Y11, Y15, Y17, W1
Papers: Inspiration pack by Docrafts
Other: scallop die by Nellie Snellen; swirl die by Sizzix; flowers by Prima; butterfuly brads by Docrafts

Nicki, xx

Plum crazy...

2011-01-29T11:34:00.000Z

When I peeped through the bedroom curtains at 7:30am today it was very frosty outside - brrrr! Time for a day in the craft room methinks! Here's the card I've finished this morning...

Ladybug Crafts TLT: plum crazy with stitching
Sweet Stampin': sketch
Crafty Emma's Store: bold and bright
2 Sisters: girls just want to have fun
Let's Craft and Create: a stitch in time
Totally Gorjuss: as YOU like it

I love this purple / yellow colourway, it's probably my 2nd favourite combo after pink and green. This card has 2 kinds of stitching - faux stitches around the image (done with a tracing wheel and a fine-tip pen), and some embroidered paper on the centre panel (I bought the paper years ago and dug it out for this challenge, I couldn't sew like this if my life depended on it!).

Stamp: Birthday Nikki by Ladybug Crafts Ink
Colouring: Copics E0000, E00, E21, R20, BV00, BV02, BV04, BV08, Y11, Y15, Y17, C1
Paper: floral by Die Cuts with a View; embroidered unknown
Other: sentiment by Craftwork Cards; border punch by Martha Stewart; oval die by Spellbinders; ribbon and gems from stash

Nicki, xx

Beautiful butterfly...

2011-01-28T10:57:00.000Z

Cocktail anyone? Don't worry, I'm not hitting the bottle this early on a Saturday morning - I'm one of the Guest Bar-tenders this week over at Raise the Bar! The challenge is a lovely colour combo of purple, yellow and blue, and here's my card...

I'm also entering this one into these challenges:

Anything Goes: butterflies
Paper Play: layer it up
Moving along with the times: Spring
Catered Crop: from the recipe I used blue pattern paper, Copics, scallop die cuts, and stitched ribbon

I kept my design fairly simple to let the butterfly be the main focus, and I coloured it simply too - only 3 colours and no shading as the sections are so tiny!

Stamps: butterfly by Creative Expression; sentiment by Lili of the Valley
Colouring: Copics BG10, BV02, Y11
Paper: from Floral Prints stack by Die Cuts with a View
Other: scallop square die by Nellie Snellen; scallop circle punch by EK Success; circle punch by Woodware; card candy by Craftwork Cards; ribbon from stash

Nicki, xx

Love is in the air...

2011-01-25T21:43:00.000Z

Ahh, memories - there was a time (a long time ago!) when I had the figure to actually wear a bodice like this - now hubby will just have to make do with this card instead...

Sketch Saturday: sketch #139
Spoonfull of Sugar: Valentine
Lexi's Creations: Valentine
Going Grey: black, white and red
Pollycraft: black, white and one other
Totally Gorjuss: hot, hot, hot
Crafty Catz: a forgotten stamp

I found this stamp when rummaging for another one and I'd forgotten how much I like it - I haven't used it in over a year but I thought it was just the thing for a sassy Valentine card. I coloured the image with a handful of Copics and added a touch of glitter to the roses, and some black glaze to the beads. The black photo corners are there because - confession time - I slipped with the ink pad when edging the image and smudged one of the corners!

Stamp: Beaded Bodice by Stampendous
Colouring: Copics R27, R46, R59 and G02, G05, toned down with YG95
Paper: Red Roses by Hot off the Press
Other: border punch by Martha Stewart; tag die by Spellbinders; sentiment by Craftwork Cards; photo corner die by Sizzix; ribbon and brads from stash

Nicki, xx

Pink lace and pearls...

2011-01-23T18:50:00.000Z

I've got a very simple stamped card to share tonight - I love this stamp and I just use it with a Versafine ink that picks up all the fine detail, and it doesn't really need any more colouring...

Crazy 4 Challenges: sketch #71
Sweet Stampin': clear as mud - brown + one (pink)
That's Krafty Thursday: use kraft cardstock
Creative Belli: beginning with 'P' (pearls, pink, pattern)
Paper Cutz: your choice
Wee Memories: free your creativity - your choice

I softened the edges of my image with some ink, and backed it with a panel of lace-patterned paper. For my embellishments I chose organza ribbon to keep the soft feel and to let the pattern show, and some pearls above the sentiment, which I also softened with ink to dim down the bright white cardstock.

Stamp: Tulip by Anna Griffin
Colouring: stamped with Crimson Versafine Ink; shading with Antique Linen Distress Ink
Paper: Red Hot Capsule Collection by Docrafts
Other: sentiment by Craftwork Cards; pearls and ribbon from stash

Nicki, xx

A little love...

2011-01-22T13:52:00.000Z

Today's creation is an unusual one for me - I haven't used a stamped image as the focal point, It was a nice change and it was quick too, as I usually spend ages colouring...

I still had on my desk the negative piece from the swirly die cut from my mermaid card yesterday, and as soon as I saw this sketch I thought the shape was just perfect. I used my heart padlock die cut instead of an image, and just stamped the sentiment directly onto the paper in the corner.

Waltzingmouse: sketch #31

Really Reasonable Ribbon: heart theme

Totally Papercrafts: add a heart

Craft Your Days Away: love theme

Aud Sentiments: love theme

Beary Sweet: friendship or love

Sentiment: TPC Studio

Paper: from Floral Prints stack by Die Cuts with a View

Other: circle and heart lock dies by Spellbinders; swirl die by Sizzix; ribbon and brad by Docrafts; gems from stash

Nicki, xx

Under the sea...

2011-01-21T10:12:00.000Z

Just a quick post from me this morning as hubby is trying to drag me off to the shops - well, I can't say no, can I?? Here's my latest creation...

Ladybug Crafts: anything but square (well, I suppose my card is basically still square but it's got shaped edges so I hope it counts!)
ABC: M is for Magical
For Fun: make it glitter
Simon Says: Bingo challenge - gems, glitter, ribbon
Mad for Markers: Australia Day colours - yellow and green (this started a debate between me and hubby as I would call this colour sea green but he says he thinks it's blue so please ignore it for the challenge if you agree with him!)

My image is stamped and coloured with my Copics - I spent ages doing the shading on her tail and then covered it all in glitter! As always, the photo doesn't really show it up but take my word for it, she's a real little sparkler!

Stamps: Mermaid Nikki by Ladybug Crafts; sentiment by Lili of the Valley
Colouring: Copics E11, E50, E51, R20, BG10, BG15, BG23, Y11, Y15, Y17, YR04; blue chalk for edging
Papers: from Simply Delightful collection by My Mind's Eye
Other: label and tag dies by Spellbinders; swirl die by Sizzix; bow by Docrafts; gems from stash

Nicki, xx

Lace, pearls and... cake!

2011-01-18T19:21:00.000Z

I'm in a romantic mood tonight (shhhh, don't tell my husband!), with this quick wedding card to share with you...

Cupcake Craft: weddings

Bunny-Zoe's Crafts: 'love is in the air'

Shabby Tea Room: white and/or cream, plus 1 other

Corrosive Challenge: lace and pearls

Papertake Weekly: ribbon and/or pearls

Pear Tree Designs: free for all

It's a simple layered card with a punch-around-the-page border framing a patterned paper panel. My image is coloured with Copics and embellished with random tiny pearls, and mounted on Nestabilities ovals. I added some pearls in the corners of the backing paper too.

Stamp: wedding cake by Elusive Images

Colouring: Copics RV42, E11, E50, E51; Whispers ink for edging

Paper: Wedding Prints stack by Die Cuts with a View

Other: border punch by Martha Stewart; oval dies by Spellbinders; lace and pearls from stash

Nicki, xx

Cookie Emma...

2011-01-16T18:33:00.000Z

Here's my first inking of this cute little stamp - isn't she adorable? I was lucky enough to win her as part of a wonderful blog candy bundle from Jacilynn before Christmas...

Anyone for Anya: pretty bows
Our Creative Corner: dress up the basic sketch
If the Shoe Fits: photo - pink, black, white
Cupcake Inspiration: photo - pink, black, white
Wee Memories: for the love of ribbon
Stampin' B's: use a diecut
Paper Play: cutie patootie

I took my colour inspiration from the 2 photo challenges and found these 2 co-ordinating papers in vibrant pinks. The image is coloured with my Copics but I'm not 100% happy with her hair, I need to practice more on black hair, she's a bit grey! The elements I added to the sketch were the shaped border at the bottom, the diecut tag for the sentiment, and the ribbons.

Stamp: Cookie Emma by CC Designs
Colouring: E11, E50, E51, R20, RV04, RV21, RV23, RV29, E33, E35, E37, E47, C1, C3, C5, C7
Paper: Die Cuts with a View
Others: tag tie by Spellbinders; sentiment by Craftwork Cards; border punch by Docrafts; ribbons from stash

Nicki, xx