Crafty Boots

Love you just the way you are...

2012-02-14T09:00:00.001Z

This is the card I made Keiron for Valentines Day.

I knew I had to use one of these fabulous stamps from Some Odd Girl, they're my new favourites!!

The image has been coloured with copics, I also got the ginger a bit better this time. It's much closer to the colour of Keiron's hair than the orange haired angel that ended up on his Christmas card!!! I also added some feathers behind the couple.

The backing paper is from the Very Merry paper pack from Crafty Boots. I then added a strip of lace and a strip of gold mirri card which I punched with an EK Success punch, also from Crafty Boots

I then used a piece of paper from the 'Love Me' 6x6 paper pad from Crafty Boots. The pattern on the paper said 'Love' all over it but I used the 'Love you just the way you are' stamp from the Stampin Up Sprinkled Expressions Saleabration stamp set and stamped it in pink all over the paper. I then added adhesive strips of teeny tiny heart shaped pearls in between each column I'd stamped. I didnt really want to cover it up so took a photo for you before I did.

I love how versatile this stamp set is. I'd never imagined using it as a background stamp when I bought it but have done exactly that twice now.

Heart Flourish

2012-02-13T23:13:00.002Z

For this card I used a paper from the My Minds Eys 6x6 paper pad from Crafty Boots.

The paper at the back is by Artoz, I also used red mirri card along the top cut with a Martha Stewart heart punch from Crafty Boots.

Finally the image is 'Heart Flourish' from Hope Jacare coloured with Copics and Sakura glitter pens.

Tag 4

2012-02-11T10:00:00.000Z

This tag gives the first hint as to what the finished project will be but you'll still have to wait a while to see it all completed!

For this tag the flower frame and little pram stamps are from Clarity Stamps. The flowers I coloured with kurecolor and the pram with glitter pens. I then added some ribbon, pearls and pins.

I'll be back soon to show you the rest of the tags!

Tag 3

2012-02-10T10:00:00.000Z

For tag 3 I used the 'You Are Loved' stamp set from Stampin Up.

I stamped the flower in red onto the card and then stamped the heart twice and embossed it in fold.

I used some red ric rac instead of ribbon.

Tag 4 will be on it's way tomorrow!!

Tag 2

2012-02-09T10:00:00.000Z

For the second tag on my big project I started by spraying the tag (cut from kraft card) with Perfect Pearls Mist in 'Heirloom Gold'.

I then stamped the 'Arty Heart' from Clarity Stamps and embossed it in red. I coloured the inside of the stamp around the red with a gold Wink of Stella pen.

Finally I added some gold gilding flakes around the edge and a gold ribbon.

Pop back tomorrow to see tag number 3!

Flutist Fairy

2012-02-09T07:30:00.001Z

How cute is she?! This image is a new release from Some Odd Girl. I used to play the flute myself and as soon as I saw this little fairy I HAD to have her!!!

I have coloured her with Copics, and some wink of stella on her wings.

The music paper is from the Sunshine paper pad from Crafty Boots.

I added some red polka dot ribbon, Butterflies cut using a Stampin Up Sizzlits die and also used an EK Success punch along the top border.

I am entering this card into the Some Odd Girl colour challenge.

The start of a special project - tag 1

2012-02-08T10:00:00.002Z

I've started a project that hopefully will be quite special when its finished... I have started by making 8 tags, I can't blog the finished project yet so will show you the tags one at a time before I show the finished project.

This is the first tag. I used the Outlined Occasions stamp set from Stampin Up and embossed the 'Celebrate' in pink. I added some lace, card candi and ribbon and made a flower out of 'Gemstones' cardstock using Tim Holtz tattered florals die.

I'll be back with Tag 2 tomorrow!

Venetian valentines

2012-02-07T10:00:00.001Z

The theme at Crafty Boots Challenges this fortnight is Valentines. I made two projects this week and this is the second one.

On my card I used an Artoz paper with glittered roses on and some pink.red 'gemstones' paper.

The main image is from Teddy Bo, coloured with Copics and the 'Love' and 'Happy Valentines Day' stamps are from Stampin Up 'You Are Loved' stamp set. I added some tiny heart shaped pearls.

Crafty Boots Challenge - Valentines

2012-02-06T10:00:00.004Z

The theme at Crafty Boots Challenges this fortnight is Valentines.

I was inspired by fellow DT member Gabrielle as she always makes such beautiful tags so I thought this week I would give it a go.

I used the 'Tag and Bookplates' die by Tim Holtz and stamped a heart stamp from Stampin Up 'Sprinkled Expressions' stamp set. I embossed the heart stamp in red.

(thought I'd show you a pic of the hearts as I covered most of them up!)

The image I used is the gorgeous Wryn from Tiddly Inks. I love Tiddly Inks images but this gorgeous little girl is really special, love her! I coloured Wryn with copics and glitter pens on the wings.

I put a strip of ribbon along the bottom and used the Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die to make the flower and added a pearl heart in the centre.

I added another two pearl hearts on the corners of the tag and a pearl string on the top which I added a heart charm and crystal to.

For my first tag I am quite pleased with it but I love this image so much I think I would like anything I made with it!!

I am entering this tag into the Tiddly Inks Challenge #79 - Valentines
(13.2.12)

~~Daisy Doodles Creative Challenge #52~~
~~(12.2.12)~~

Hooked on CraftsChallenge 17
(4.3.12)

~~icopic challenge 68~~
~~(12.2.12)~~

~~Kraft Outlet Make it Monday La La Luv You challenge~~
~~(12.2.12)~~

Artistic Stamper February challenge - Hearts
(1.3.12)

Mad Hatter Kody

2012-01-31T19:04:00.000Z

Another quick card but I much prefer this one.

The image is 'Mad Hatter Kody' from Some Odd Girl. I still can't get enough of these images! I coloured Kody with Copics and used paper from the Ice Cream Parlour paper pack and some matching darker paper as well as some kraft card.

I added a couple of card candies to the corners of the image.

I then used my favourite Stampin Up ribbon and also used the Stampin Up dotted scallop ribbon border punch and stuck this over the ribbon. Finally I attached a sentiment to a scalloped oval which was also using a Stampin Up punch!

What a Jolly Present - Two ways, but in a rush!

2012-01-31T18:54:00.000Z

I have used the same image from 'Teddy Bo' in two completely different ways. For the first, above, I needed a card for my parents to send to my sister's boyfriend. As they are all West Ham fans I decided to colour him in West Ham colours. I'm not sure about the way the card turned out but I think maybe it's because I would not normally use those colours.

I much prefer this one which I made for Keiron's Grandad:

Those are proper giraffe colours!!!

I just added some kraft card and some backing papers from the Me to You CD and some acrylic balls in the corner. It was still almost as rushed as the first one though!!!

More thank you cards

2012-01-29T10:00:00.000Z

I forgot to blog these Thankyou cards after Christmas so thought I'd show you now

The first one I used the same gorgeous First Edition paper that I used on on the other thank you cards I showed a few weeks ago. I folded them over and on the inside added a stamp from a Stampin Up set that I got for Christmas (called Notably Ornate I think?). I wrote our message on the stamped design.

I then cut a strip using a Stampin Up punch - the dotted scallop ribbon border punch. I used the punched strip and a stripy button to wrap around and keep the little card closed.

It's quite simple but was something a bit different for me but nice and easy to make!

The next one I started with four squares of orange card and using the Stampin Up delicate doilies stamps I stamped using perfect medium and then used purple cosmic shimmer to pick up the image.

I then cut some purple paper using the Stampin Up scallop envelope die and stuck a wooden heart on the front. Inside the envelope I put another piece of orange card and on that stuck a thank you sentiment using the Stampin Up Oval All stamp set and Stampin Up scallop oval punch.

Can you tell I got lots of Stampin Up goodies for Christmas??

If you're interested in any of the SU items I used or want to order SU goodies then speak to my friend And fellow Crafty Boots DT Amy who is a SU demo and will be able to help you. She also has lots of fab ideas using SU items on her blog http://craftythinker.blogspot.com

Wee florist

2012-01-28T22:37:00.000Z

This card uses a digital stamp from Sylvia Zet's 'Wee Stamps' - I think it's called Wee Florist.

I coloured the image with copics and some glitter pens.

I mounted it onto two purple squares of paper which I had wrapped with purple ribbon. Added some acrylic balls I the corners and then the backing paper is black coredinations under Craftwork Cards foiled paper.

Cute as a Ladybug

2012-01-23T10:00:00.001Z

The theme at Crafty Boots Challenges this fortnight is 'Song Title'. I chose the song 'The Ugly Bug Ball' - it was one of my favourites when I was a child. I feel a bit bad for the image I chose because this gorgeous little ladybird is so far from ugly but she was so cute I wanted to use this gorgeous stamp for this weeks challenge!

The stamp is by Heather Valentin from Scrapbook Stamp Society. I was very excited when Heather invited me to join the Scrapbook Stamp Society Dream Team. Check out all the fantastic digis on sale at the Scrapbook Stamp Society or head over to the Addicted to Stamps blog to see the creations from the rest of the dream team.

I coloured the image 'Cute as a Ladybug' with Copics, sakura glitter pens and Kuretake's Wink of Stella glitter pens. I then mounted the image onto mirri card and glitter card.

I used Stampin Up alphabet stamps to stamp the word Mum onto the 203mm square card base from Crafty Boots.

I also added some card candi and cut some ladybirds out of some patterned felt.

A very pink Alice Mae Odd Girl stamp

2012-01-23T01:25:00.000Z

Did I mention yet that I love these super cute adorable digis from Some Odd Girl?

Sometimes I see a bunch of images I like but then get the CD/download and like one or two but completely change my mind about the rest. I love ALL of these stamps and I've been playing with them a few days and still think they are fantastic! Watch out for a card on my blog soon using a boy stamp 'Mad Hatter Kody' that is in progress.

This card is extremely girly, but it's for someone that likes pink so it had to be really. I have used 'Alice Mae' and coloured her with Copics.

I layered up some pink patterned papers and added some pink ribbon, buttons and Happy Birthday sentiments to finish it off.

Some Odd Girl...

2012-01-21T18:56:00.000Z

I recently discovered some awesome digital stamps by 'Some Odd Girl'.

I am having lots of fun playing with them today but this is the first card I've finished with them - using 'Kimono Kaylee'. As soon as I saw this image I knew I had to use it on my Nan's birthday card!

I have used a shaped card blank with cream and gold foiled backing paper.

I cut some purple felt using my big scalloped oval grand nestabilities. On the felt shape I added pearls and pearl flourishes and the digi which I coloured with copics.

I added the word 'Nan' in foam stickers and a happy birthday sentiment. I used a Stampin Up stamp behind the sentiment but I can't remember what the stamp set was called!

Sorry I've been a bad blogger the last couple of weeks, we have been very busy and the added excitement of getting engaged we have done a lot of catching up with friends but I'm now getting some cards lined up to share with you so it won't be so long until the next one!!!

Hope you are all enjoying the weekend! xxx

Crafty Boots Challenges - New Beginnings and Celebrations

2012-01-09T10:00:00.000Z

The theme over at Crafty Boots Challenges this fortnight is 'New Beginnings'. I decided to show some wedding invitations that I made for a wedding in December.

I started with a blue pearlescent card base with vellum embossed with a snowflake pattern on top. Blue and white ribbon and bow, silver card candi and flat backed gems. Stamped and embossed the bride and groom's initials (mounted on the same blue card). Finally champagne glasses cut on the cricut and glittered.

I forgot to post the Save the Date cards which I made for the same wedding and used on the previous Crafty Boots Challenge!

I cut these with the cricut again and used the same ribbon. I added glitter around the edges and used flower soft on the 'round bits'!

Quick and easy Thankyou cards

2012-01-08T22:29:00.000Z

I made some small thankyou cards for Christmas presents. I used some Stampin Up stamps and matching oval punch that Keiron got me for Christmas, used some LUSH First Edition paper and purple candi.

Engagement card

2011-12-29T14:57:00.000Z

This is the card I made for my brother.

I used papers from the 'Confetti' paper pack from Crafty Boots.

I used a die to cut the pink shapes and added a different wooden heart to each one.

I then used gold alphabet stickers for the words.

I made the card before we found out they were engaged as I just had a feeling it might happen and I added the names when they told us.

I'm really excited for him as Lara is such a nice girl so he's done quite well really! :) Just as excited that once they've decided when and where the wedding will be I'll be helping make the wedding invitations which will be fun!

My Faves of 2011

2011-12-29T10:55:00.000Z

I have seen a lot of people blogging their favourite cards from 2011 and I thought it would be fun to give it a go. I didn't start my blog until February so I shall start then.

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

It was tough to choose just one from each month but it was fun looking through all the cards through the year!!

Little Musings Angels - even a ginger one!

2011-12-25T22:19:00.001Z

Well, Christmas Day is almost over.... although I still have 3 more Christmas cards to make!!!!!! (oops talk about last minute.com!!)

I hope you all had a fabulous day! We had some brilliant news that my brother and his girlfriend got engaged today. I had a sneaky suspicion this might happen and made an engagement card last week just in case!!! I shall blog that very soon! Looking forward to seeing them tomorrow and hearing all about it/seeing the ring!!! How exciting!!

Anyway...this is the card I made for Keiron. (Perhaps I need to explain that my boyfriend Keiron has ginger hair!!)

I used a stamp from Little Musings coloured with Copics and Wink of Stella, papers and sentiments from Crafty Boots.

I also added 3 wooden hearts I coloured and some ribbon I bought at the NEC from Polka Doodles but it was so ridiculously expensive I couldn't bring myself to use it on a card that would leave the house. It's really for stroking only and this way I can continue to stroke it!! Hehe!!

A Christmas fairy

2011-12-25T01:07:00.001Z

This card uses the same fairy stamp as the last post but in more traditional Christmas colours this time.

Papers and sentiment from Crafty Boots.

Our main 2011 Christmas card

2011-12-25T01:06:00.001Z

This is the design I used for the majority of our Christmas cards this year.

I cut the card blank and backing paper using Grand Nestabilities, stamped image from Lili of the Valley coloured with Copics and Wink of Stella and Merry Xmas sticker.

Hope you all have a fantastic Christmas day and Santa has brought you lots of lovely things xxxxx

My card to my parents

2011-12-25T01:04:00.002Z

This card I made for my parents (can you spot that gorgeous expensive ribbon again!! I'll creep round after New Year and pinch it back!!)

I used a Lili of the Valley stamp coloured with Copics and Wink of Stella.

Sentiment from Crafty Boots

A special card - for me!! :)

2011-12-25T01:04:00.001Z

This is the card I made for my parents to send me! :) I like making cards that will be sent to me because I always know the recipient will like the design!!

I used a gold patterned vellum over pink glitter card, Gold Wedding candi and Christmas blocks messages from Crafty Boots; Angel stamp from Pink Gem Designs coloured with Copics and Wink of Stella and alphabet stickers.

A christmas gift

2011-12-25T01:03:00.000Z

We got my parents theatre tickets for Christmas but I wanted something to put them in. I made this box card in November so I added a pocket to the inside and slipped the tickets into the pocket!

More Christmas cards for Mum and Dad

2011-12-23T17:40:00.000Z

Here are the cards I made for my parents to give to each other.

For my Dad to give my Mum I used a hamster stamp coloured with Copics and papers from the Very Merry collection from Crafty Boots.

For my Mum to give my Dad I used a snowman stamp from Sugar Nellie, coloured with Copics and Wink of Stella and sentiment from Christmas word blocks from Crafty Boots.

Frosty the Snowman

2011-12-18T23:31:00.000Z

This is another of the special cards I made for my Mum, this time for her friend Tracey.

I used the snowman image from Polka Doodles Magical winter and the snowflake backing paper is from the Jingle Jangle Christmas CD.

I used copics and stickles to colour the snowman, a snowflake border punch on the sides of the card and a snowflake embossing folder. I dotted around the edge of the card and a border around the snowman with a blue Wink of Stella pen. Finally a sentiment from the Christmas Blocks messages from Crafty Boots.

I am entering this card into these challenges:

Christmas Cards All Year Round

Crafty Calendar - cold and frosty

Crafty Purple Frog - cold outside

GingerLoft - Christmas or Winter

Another two Christmas cards - button tree and son card

2011-12-18T23:27:00.000Z

Today I have two more of the cards I made for my parents. As well as the 60 houses they wanted 10 'special' cards for family and these are two of those.

This card uses a Tatty Button stamp which I love! I stamped it onto kraft card and coloured the buttons with Wink of Stella and Sakura giltter pens. I then mounted it onto green mirri card and for the background I used a button patterned card on red mirri card.

I added a red polka dot ribbon and two sentiments from the Christmas Blocks messages from Crafty Boots.

This card is for my parents to give my brother and his girlfriend. I cut the card blank and the patterned paper, acetate etc, with big grand scalloped ovals nestabilities. The message was a sticker I got from a craft shop and I stuck it on blue mirri card to make it stand out more. The little penguin is from Polka Doodles Magical Winter CD and I printed him pre coloured for a change. I added flowersoft inside the shaker card for snow.

I am entering these two cards into these challenges:

Christmas Cards All Year Round

GingerLoft - Christmas or Winter

Snowy postbox

2011-12-17T10:00:00.001Z

Made this card for my parents to give to my sister. I had big plans to put the sentiment in a little envelope and have it sticking out of the post box but it was too big and I really liked the sentiment sticker so still wanted to use it. I attached it hanging out of the letter box with ribbon which I'm not sure about but hey ho!

The backing paper and image are from Polka Doodles CDs, I stuck the sentiment sticker on green mirri card and used glitter on all the snow.

Giant daisy birthday card

2011-12-16T10:00:00.003Z

Birthday card for Keiron's Mum.

Image is from A Double Spinkle of Kraft CD which was coloured back in June!! Coloured with I think Promarkers and Wink of Stella pens.

Backing paper from Crafty Boots, also added foam stickers and candi.

Eskimo

2011-12-13T10:00:00.002Z

This is another of the 6 cards I made for my best friend Lucy.

I have made another cream box frame, this time with some wooden snowflake embellishments. The eskimo image is from Magical Winter CD and coloured with Copics. Snowflake pattern fabric on the backing, and igloo image from the Same CD sprayed with Spray & Sparkle from Crafters Companion.

Sentiment and Gold Wedding candi from Crafty Boots.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Christmas Cards All Year Round

Crafty Calendar - cold and frosty

Crafty Purple Frog - cold outside

GingerLoft - Christmas or Winter

Crafty Boots Challenge - Christmas

2011-12-12T23:21:00.003Z

The theme at Crafty Boots Challenges this week is Christmas.

I still have SO many Christmas cards to make but here is just one!!

My best friend asked me to make her six special Christmas cards, I showed her some other cards online at various blogs to give her ideas and she chose the images she liked.

For this card I used a fairy stamp and coloured it with Copics. I made the wings using fantasy film and angel hair.

The fairy is on a cream shape cut with a nestie and the pink backing paper is actually Christmas themed paper - really it is!!

The two sentiments are from the Christmas blocks messages available at Crafty Boots.

I made a cream box frame to the card and put 'Gold Wedding' candi all around the edge. This is also available at Crafty Boots.

I am entering this card in these challenges:

Christmas Cards All Year Round

Crafty Calendar - cold and frosty

Crafty Purple Frog - cold outside

GingerLoft - Christmas or Winter

White Christmas

2011-12-12T23:21:00.002Z

Here are another 4 cards I made for my friend Lucy:

Snowman image from Polka Doodles Magical Winter CD coloured with Copics, Stickles, Wink of Stella, paper from Jingle Jangle Christmas, also used dots embossing folder, distress inks, flat backed gems and ribbon.

Christmas tree stamp from Polka Doodles, coloured with stickles.

On a frame with liquid pearls. Down the sides of the card small flat backed gems and a ribbon across the top.

Finished off with icing sugar candi from Crafty Boots.

Snowman from Magical Winter again coloured with Wink of Stella and cut out with a nestie.

Added some snowflakes and used snowflake and dots embossing folders.

Last one, a circle easel card using silver mirri card, snowflake embossing folder, circle nestie, snowflake from Magical Winter, ribbon, gems and circle sentiment.

I am entering these cards in the following challenges:

Christmas Cards All Year Round

Crafty Calendar - cold and frosty

Crafty Purple Frog - cold outside

GingerLoft - Christmas or Winter

Christmas houses

2011-12-12T23:19:00.002Z

This is the design I did for my parents' Christmas cards. I made LOADS of them (60!)...

The stamps and backing paper are from Polka Doodles. It has all been coloured with copics and a touch of Wink of Stella. Then added glitter, ribbon, circle sentiment and snowflake embellishment.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges

Christmas Cards All Year Round

Crafty Calendar - cold and frosty

Crafty Purple Frog - cold outside

GingerLoft - Christmas or Winter

And still more Christmas cards

2011-12-12T23:19:00.000Z

Here's the last of the order for 20 Christmas cards...

Stamp from Sugar Nellie, paper from Wild Rose Studio, Falklands Islands wool (HAHA!!), Silver Wedding Candi coloured purple and silver circles message. Candi, message and scalloped card blank all from Crafty Boots.

Pre coloured digi image from Little Musings cut out with an X-Cut die. Stickles, flat backed pearls and backing papers (forget where from). Sentiment from Crafty Boots.

Stamped image from Lili of the Valley, coloured with Copics and Wink of Stella, red raffia, Very Merry candi from Crafty Boots.

Fabric backing, pink ribbon and a pre coloured topper from Polka Doodles Magical Winter CD. Shaped card blank and Gold Wedding candi from Crafty Boots.

Still more Christmas cards coming!

2011-12-12T23:18:00.000Z

Here are some more of the order of 20 Christmas cards:

Backing paper from Funky Hand 12 Crafters Crafting, Pre coloured image from Polka Doodles, kraft card, snowflake embellishment, Christmas circle message (from Crafty Boots).

Backing papers from Funky Hand, 12 Crafters Crafting CD, image precoloured from Polka Doodles CD. Added some acrylic balls and Wink of Stella pen on the snow.

Papers and image from Funky Hand 12 Crafters Crafting CD. Added sentiment and Very Merry candi, both from Crafty Boots.

More Christmas cards

2011-12-11T14:00:00.000Z

Here are some more of the Christmas cards I made for the order of 20.

These are so far from my usual style, I am not good at "quick" cards, I usually spend hours and hand colour everything but there was just not the time or the budget on these!

Pre coloured snowman topper from Polka Doodles' Magical Winter CD, backed on blue mirri card with 'silver wedding' candi in the corners. Candi and the sentiment from the Christmas word blocks messages available at the Crafty Boots store.

The backing paper behind the mirri card is from Wild Rose Studio.

Another pre coloured snoeman topper from the Polka Doodles' Magical Winter CD. Backed onto purple card and then purple backing paper from Wild Rose Studio. Added purple candi and sentiment from the Christmas blocks messages available at Crafty Boots.

Probably my least favourite... :( It's so not me!

I used a chipboard forever friends bear and some backing paper which came free with a magazine. Added some flat backed pearls, ribbon and Christmas sentiment (available from Crafty Boots).

Another card that's not very 'me'. I cut the snowflake using a spellbinders die. Added candi in the corners and a Christmas sentiment in the middle. Paper again free in a magazine.

Christmas cards

2011-12-10T10:00:00.001Z

If you are looking for the Crafty Boots blog hop, please click here.

I was recently asked to make an order of 20 Christmas cards of various designs. A nice and easy brief to work to but I had to get them done quite quickly. Here are some of them:

For this card I used a pre coloured image and sentiment from Polka Doodles' Magical Winter CD. The backing paper is also Polka Doodles but from the Christmas Boutique magazine kit.

I finished it off by adding some Twinkle Candi to the corners. This candi is brilliant and you can see little stars in it! It is available to buy in the Crafty Boots online store!

I LOVE THIS CARD!! It was very easy. I used a Darkroom Door word block stamp which has lots of Christmassy words. I stamped it in red but I actually used a Kuretake ZIG Art & Graphic to stamp it with as this gave a much more vibrant colour than my red ink pads and I think it stamped a lot better with the pen actually too.

I backed the stamped text on red mirri card and used gold candi on the corners of it. The base of the card I used gold mirri board with red candi and a red and white polka dot ribbon. I think I am going to use this design for my own Christmas cards until I run out of ribbon!!

Another pre coloured topper from Polka Doodles' Magical Winter CD.

I used kraft card on the base of the card with another backing paper from the Polka Doodles Christmas Boutique magazine kit. I added some flat backed gems in two diagonal corders.

I added a sentiment and two snowflake embellishments to finish it off.

Once again a precoloured topper from Polka Doodles Magical Winter CDs, this time a Christmas Pudding. The papers are again from the Christmas Boutique magazine kit and I added a piece of gold card, a sentiment and some red acrylic gems.

Can you see a theme emerging here?! Another precoloured topper with an eskimo and backing paper from Polka Doodles Magical Winter CD. I added some silver peel offs, blue mirri card, a sentiment and some snowflake embellishments.

These carol singers were also printed pre coloured from the Magical winter CD. I backed them on cream card and put some gold peel offs around the edge.

I forget which CD the red backing paper is from it might have been Funky Hand 12 Crafters Crafting... I then backed it onto gold card and added a sentiment from the Christmas Word Blocks messages, available at Crafty Boots, and some 'gold wedding' candi in the corners, also available at Crafty Boots.

How cute is this little Angel?! This is a Polka Doodles stamp but it was made exclusively for Nikky Hall's cardmaking class in November. I was lucky enough to be able to get one of these stamps at the class.

I coloured her with copics, cut her out with a nestie and added red acrylic balls to the corners of the shape and the edges of the card blank. I used a paper from Wild Rose Studio, a Christmas Ribbon and a Christmas sentiment (available at Crafty Boots).

Phew, that's a load done... I should have blogged as I went along but totally forgot!!! I'll be back soon with the rest!

Polka Doodles 'Quick Christmas Card' challenge

2011-12-09T09:00:00.000Z

This is my last card as a guest designer for Polka Doodles! :(

The theme this week is Quick Christmas Cards.

This is NOT something I find easy - quick cards!! However, Nikky's Magical Winter CDs are so so good for this and it has helped me make a lot of Christmas cards quicker than my normal style would allow!

Here is my card:

I used a precoloured snowman topper from the Magical Winter CDs. I used a shaped card blank with card candi on the edges. The backing paper is from a Polka Doodles CD and I think ti's from Jingle Jangle Christmas but I'm not 100%! I also used a square of patterned fabric and a sentiment from Magical Winter.

Wedding card

2011-12-08T12:30:00.001Z

If you are looking for the Crafty Boots blog hop, please click here.

I had to make a card for Keiron's cousin's wedding last Saturday and wanted to make something really special.

I also made all their save the date cards and wedding invitations (I will try and find photos of them soon to blog).

In looking for something really special I found a card Tracie had made and tried to 'CASE' it.

Here is Tracie's fabulous card:

and here's mine:

So 'CASE'ing it didn't really work but I'm sure you can see Tracie's card definitely inspired me :)

I made a box frame and used double sided tape to add glittery strips like Tracie did.

I don't have the cricut cartridge she used to cut the 'Happily Ever After' so I improvised and used peel offs to spell the words and also the bride and groom's names. I tried soooo hard to make some roses like Tracie's. She even took step by step photos to show me how but I am apparently incapable! I tried many times and it was laughable! I improvised and after trying a lot of different online tutorials I finally came up with something that vaguely resembled a flower (after all that I was only going to do one!!)

It looked a little bare so I added two die cut hearts one in white to match the frame and one in silver to match the peel offs.

The backing paper, which I also used for the flower, came from a Polka Doodles CD - I think it was Love & Cherish.

Crafty Boots ~ Anything Goes AND Blog hop AND Prizes

2011-11-28T10:00:00.039Z

The theme at Crafty Boots Challenges this fortnight is ‘Anything Goes’. You can join in the challenge as normal but there are 12 extra chances for you to win a prize by joining the first ever Crafty Boots blog hop!

If you are joining in the hop you should have got here from Kerry’s blog . If you haven’t blog hopped before it is really simple, just start at the Crafty Boots Challenge blog and hop through the design team blogs in the order set out on that page. Each of the design team members has a word or two for you to collect which will reveal a message at the end. Once you have collected that message email it to bloghop@craftyboots.co.uk to be entered into the draw to win the prize of three digis of your choice from Hope Jacare Doodles. You must also become a follower of all the design team’s blogs (and Claire’s) to be eligible to win the prizes.

This week all of the design team members have used digis from Hope Jacare Doodles. I used 'Heartfelt House'.

I coloured the image mainly with Kuretake's Wink of Stella pens with a couple of copics on the background and a tiny bit of Kuretake chalk pen.

The backing paper is from Polka Doodles Love & Cherish CD, and mounted on kraft card.

The hearts were cut using Spellbinders dies and coloured with Kurecolors.

I started the card with the image because I loved this cute little house but then wasn't really sure where to go with the card and had wanted to incorporate more hearts to fit in with the hearts on the house. Once I'd done that it seemed a bit pink and lovey dovey to use as a new home card and a bit pink for a Christmas card so I gave it to my lovely boyfriend Keiron as he's bought me lots of lovely presents recently and generally been great - hence the glitter letters spelling 'Love You'.

It's hard to photograph all the sparkle from the Wink of Stella but almost everything apart from the pale pink walls and the walls you can see through the windows has been done with Wink of Stella glitter pens.

Don’t forget that myself and each of the design team members has a prize of candy up for grabs, this will include a sample pack of the fantastic new Crafty Boots Deluxe card along with a few other goodies. Be sure to leave a comment on each of our blogs and follow us to be in with a chance of winning our candy!

My word for the secret message is:

SOON

Your next stop is Denise’s blog

The deadline for the Anything Goes challenge, and the blog hop (and candy) is Sunday 11th December at 12 Noon (UK time).

Polka Doodles ~ Red, Green & White Christmas

2011-11-25T09:00:00.003Z

For my second creation as a guest designer at Polka Doodles I wanted to do something a bit different. The theme this week is 'Red, Green and White Christmas'. (I hope the tiny bit of brown on the tree trunk is OK!!)

The Christmas tree image is from the Winter Fun stamp set. I have stamped it onto a Nestability shape and coloured it with Copics. I used 'icicle' stickles around the edge of the nestie shape (what a way to make a mess!!!) and some glitter on the ground beneath the tree.

You cannot see very well from the above photo but there are actually lights on my Christmas tree - real lights!!

This video shows it a bit better: (Please excuse the Tesco advert in the background. I did not consider sound when I recorded it!!!)

I made a box frame card using an 203mm x 203mm card blank. The backing paper on the inside is from Polka Doodles' Magical Winter CD, as is the "Seasons Greetings" sentiment, and the circle images (a Christmas tree and some holly) that I put around the switch for the lights.

I used red glitter card on the front of the box frame and some lush red and white ruffly ribbon I got from Polka Doodles at the NEC (used reluctantly!!).

Finally, the snowballs are small polystyrene balls that I got from the Range.

Birthday card

2011-11-24T10:00:00.003Z

I made this card for a friend's birthday using one of the Fairy Flutterfly stamps from Polka Doodles without her wings. I coloured her with Kurecolours and then put tiny flat backed gems around the nestie shape I stamped her on.

I think the papers I used are from Polka Doodles' Pretty Sweet CD but I can't remember!! I then added candi around the corner.

The large 203mm elegant square card blank and the birthday sentiment are both from the Crafty Boots store.

More decopatch

2011-11-23T10:00:00.001Z

On Monday I showed you my first attempt at decopatch - well here is the second!

I got this tissue box from the decopatch stall at the NEC and decorated it using these musical papers. It was a Christmas present for my grandmother and she has already had it and loved it.

Birthday Pip

2011-11-22T10:00:00.002Z

How cute is this little stamp? This is another 'Pip' image from Sugar Nellie. I stamped her onto a shape I cut out using a nestie in my fabulous new Big Shot and coloured her with Copics and Kuretake's Wink of Stella.

I used an 8x8 card blank (203mmx203mm) checked pattern layered on kraft card for the background but added some sparkly purple ribbon, some strips that were punched using a Martha Stewart punch, some flat backed gems and a birhtday sentiment.

Both the sentiments and the large 203mm card blanks are available from Crafty Boots online store. There are a lot of new products in the store this week so head over there to check it out!

Decopatch Christmas Tree

2011-11-21T15:00:00.001Z

My first ever attempt at Decopatch - what do you think?

I actually used a bit of promarker on it too as I didn't have anything suitable for the base so just coloured it with a black promarker!!

I had a very exciting weekend to tell you about.

My friend Dionne came to stay last week and while we were meant to spend the week crafting we actually just did a tour of local craft shops. Dionne managed to finish one creation which hopefully she'll blog soon but I didn't actually manage to finish mine yet!!!

On Saturday we drove up to York to go to Nikky Hall's craft class. We made a lovely box card and when I finish it I will make sure I blog it. Nikky's is on her blog now. We got to use a fabulous stamp which was exclusive to the class. I was lucky enough to get my hands on one of these so you will see a LOT of things coming up with that cute little stamp!! I had actually been trying to work out how to make a Christmas card with the Pretty Sweet girls like I did the witchy halloween one but now Nikky made this fab little Christmas girl stamp I can use her!!

After the class we went to the lovely Tracie's house and also saw Emma T! Both Emma and Tracie are fellow members of the Crafty Boots DT so it was fantastic to meet them both.

Tracie has two beautiful children (who I almost tried to smuggle away with me!!) As I knew they were mini crafters in the making - after hearing of them trying to blend their wax crayons - I got them some colouring pencils and made them some colouring books.

I printed the colouring pages from the internet and used elements from Polka Doodles' Double Sprinkle of Kraft CD to design the covers.

I then covered the pencil boxes with papers from Pretty Tuff and Pretty Sweet, added some gems, some foam stickers with their names and ribbon handles.

I must say their colourings were very good. I think they should have their own blogs!! :)

Fantasy

2011-11-20T14:08:00.000Z

Whoops this post is a bit late but better late than never!!

The theme at Crafty Boots Challenges this fortnight is 'Fantasy'. The challenge is open until next Sunday (27th) so there's still time for you to join in. The theme of fantasy could even include Christmas and I'm sure you're all making Christmas cards by now!! :)

I used the Fairy Castle Jewellery Drawers, available from Crafty Boots. I painted the unit in cream and then added a glitter glaze. I painted the drawers and turrets pink and used gems and pearls and card candi to decorate it. I used patterned paper from First Edition papers to decorate the inside of the drawers. On the sides I added some fairies which I stamped onto Safmat.

I added some ribbons on the turrets and stamped on the drawers using Perfect Pearls, also available from Crafty Boots. The stamps I used for the swirls and the fairy are the 'Magic Happens' Stamp set which is also available from Crafty Boots.

Polka Doodles Challenge 45 - Swirls, pearls and pastels

2011-11-11T09:00:00.001Z

This week is my first week as a guest designer for Polka Doodles and the theme is 'Swirls, Pearls & Pastels'.

I used an image from the GORGEOUS 'Pretty Sweet' CD for my card and I have coloured her with Copics.

I used a swirl pattern embossing powder to get the pattern on the turquoise paper and sanded it for a slightly distressed look. I then added some pastel purple paper for the background and flat back pearls all around the edge of the card and in the centre of the flowers.

Head on over to the Polka Doodles Challenge blog to see what the rest of the design team came up with and to enter the challenge!

Fairy Fiona

2011-11-10T17:53:00.002Z

This is one of my favourites of the cards I've made today.

The backing papers came free in a magazine and two of the four are mounted on kraft paper too.

The fairy is from Polka Doodles Magical Winter CD and has been coloured with Copics and Wink of Stella.

I added diamante letters to spell 'Fiona' on the fairy.

I used stickles all around the edge of the card, a sentiment (available from Crafty Boots). Some gorgeous snowflake ribbon that I got at the NEC and a wooden fairy embellishment which I coloured with a pink wink of stella pen.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

- Paper Take Weekly - First Christmas

- Top Tip Tuesday - #59 Anything Christmas Goes
- Crimbo Crackers - 2W, must be Christmas - (1st week) Make It Sparkle 

Christmas bear

2011-11-10T17:51:00.002Z

Another image from Polka Doodles' Magical Winter CD, coloured with Copics and Wink of Stella pens.

The backing paper was free with a magazine and then added red card, gold peel offs, foam letter stickers, sentiment tied with gold ribbon

- Paper Take Weekly - First Christmas

North Pole Penguin

2011-11-10T17:49:00.003Z

Can you believe that after all the penguins I saw in the Falklands, this is the first penguin card I've made since I've been back!!

The backing paper is from Polka Doodles' Sundae of Seasons CD and the penguin is from Magical Winter. coloured with Copics and Wink of Stella, and a tiny bit of flower soft on the "ground". I have mounted it on mirri card and used stickers to spell out 'Son and daughter in law'.

Finally finished with flat backed pearls around the edge of the card.

I am entering this in the following challenges:

- Paper Take Weekly - First Christmas

- Crimbo Crackers - 2W, must be Christmas - (1st week) Make It Sparkle  (it doesn't photograph very well but there is Wink of Stella on all the snow making it sparkle!)

Christmas tree

2011-11-10T17:46:00.001Z

Another fairly quick card.

The backing paper is from Polka Doodles Magical Winter CD. The stamp is from Polka Doodles Winter Fun stamp set. I have coloured the tree with Kuretake Art & Graphics, Wink of Stella and stickles. I added a piece of green - not really sure what you'd call it - mesh? behind the tree.

A card for me! :)

2011-11-10T17:42:00.002Z

Ok so this is still a card for me Nan... for her to send to me...! What can I say, at least I know I'll like it! :)

I have always loved PINK! And I started making this card before I decided it would be for me!!

The snowman stamp is from Polka Doodles' Winter Fun stamp set and has been coloured with copics and Kuretake Wink of Stella pens. I have put a snowflake die cut and a nestie cut from bright pink glitter card behind him/her. The backing paper came free in a magazine and I have mounted it onto kraft card and a shaped card blank. I used glitter stickers to add the word 'Granddaughter!' and snowflake peel offs for the border and corners.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

- Paper Take Weekly - First Christmas

- Top Tip Tuesday - #59 Anything Christmas Goes

- Crimbo Crackers - 2W, must be Christmas - (1st week) Make It Sparkle 

'Cameron'

2011-11-10T17:37:00.002Z

All of the cards I am making today are for my Nan to send to people. This is for her to send to my cousin 'Cameron'.

The image is from Polka Doodles' Magical Winter CD and has been coloured with Copics.

The backing paper is from the same CD and I have mounted it onto green mirri board. I added some red and green ric rac, a sentiment, stickers to spell his name and two wooden Christmas trees which I coloured with Copics.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

- Paper Take Weekly - First Christmas

Christmas card marathon - Card 1 - Reindeer

2011-11-10T17:24:00.004Z

I have quite a few cards I've made today so prepare for a few posts!

This was the first one and it was really quick to make. I used the free stamp with the current issue of 'Craft Stamper' magazine. I always LOVE the stamps that come free with this magazine but I think it might be the first time I've actually made something with one!

I stamped the cute little reindeer stamp in blue and cut it out with a circle punch. I then punched a larger scalloped circle to mount it on. I then stuck both of these on a white doilie cut using a "doilie die" which I got from the Joanna Sheen stall at the NEC.

The backing paper is from Polka Doodles' Magical Winter CD and you can't really see it in the photo but there is also a white piece of ribbon tied across the middle. Finally, I mounted it all on blue mirri card and then onto a shaped card blank - available from Crafty Boots and finished it all off with pearls in the corners.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

- CCEE Stampers - 1E, JFF - 3 Different Shapes on Your Card (circle, scallop circle, doilie)

- Stamp Insanity - SIO - (2nd week) Chilled Out Blues (ends 16th Nov)

- Crafty Creations - #143 kraft, white, and one other color (kraft, white and blue)

- ~~Paper Take Weekly~~ ~~- First Christmas~~

- ~~Top Tip Tuesday~~ - 3E ~~- #59 Anything Christmas Goes~~

- ~~Bows 'n Berries~~ ~~- 2W, SIO - (2nd week) CAS (Clean and Simple) (ends 13th Nov)~~

- ~~Craft Your Passion~~ ~~- Anything Goes PLUS Brown~~

- My Partner in Crafting Crime - 2W - (1st week) Use Any Freebie (or use something that you got for free, won, or is recycled from your home) (ends 20th Nov) (free stamp from magazine)

Pretty Tuff

2011-11-09T13:01:00.000Z

I always struggle with man cards so I was really pleased to get a copy of Polka Doodles' new 'Pretty Tuff' CD.

I had to make a card for one of Keiron's friends birthday so I printed this little footballer off the Pretty Tuff CD. He has been cut out with a nestie, coloured with copics and some distress ink added around the edge.

I used an embossing folder to create the green pattern behind him and the backing paper with the stars is also from the Pretty Tuff CD.

I added stickers to add his name and Happy Birthday, some card candi which I coloured with copics and a football which is also from the CD.

Stampin Up offer!

2011-11-02T17:55:00.000Z

Just a quick post to let you know that one of my lovely DT girlies, Amy, is a Stampin Up demonstrator and is currently offering a special offer of free P&P on all orders (normally £4.95 I think).

This is an exclusive offer from Amy only so if you need any Stampin Up products make sure you order from her quickly as I think this offer is only for a few days!

Visit Amy's blog to see the catalogue and contact her:

http://craftythINKer.blogspot.com

Crafty Boots Challenge 5 - Young at Heart

2011-10-31T10:00:00.002Z

Another new stamp!! :) I realised when I was sorting out all my new stamps (and some others bought a while ago but not yet mounted or used!) that I got quite a few!! :) I love using new stamps! Maybe don't need to add stamps to my shopping list for the NEC though!!!

This is my DT card for this fortnight's challenge over at Crafty Boots Challenges where the theme is Young at Heart.

This stamp is from Sugar Nellie and is another Pip image. I coloured Pip and her little dolly with Copics and Kuretake Wink of Stella pens.

I used backing papers from Polka Doodles 'Pretty Sweet' CD, mounted on kraft card. The sentiments are also from the Pretty Sweet CD. I then added the name 'Georgia' with glitter foam letters and a gorgeous ribbon with a diamante buckle.

The ribbon is from Stampin up!, it is retired now in this particular colour but it is THE nicest ribbon ever and they do it in other colours. If you want any Stampin up! products then one of my fellow design team members at Crafty Boots - Amy - is a Stampin Up! demonstrator and orders can be placed through her. Visit Amy's blog for more information on how to order Stampin Up! products and she also has links to their catalogue on her blog.

Head over to Crafty Boots Challenges to join in with this challenge!

News

2011-10-26T23:16:00.002+01:00

I almost forgot that I haven't shared my latest news!!

I have been asked to be a:

I am really looking forward to working with the Polka Doodles team as a guest designer and you will be able to see my work on the Polka Doodles Challenge blog on the following dates:

- 11th November

- 25th November

- 9th December

Quick make with more new stamps

2011-10-26T23:10:00.000+01:00

Another card with another new stamp. This was a bit of a rush as I wasn't feeling well and had to make a card for my Aunt's birthday. The stamp is a Sylvia Zet stamp, available at Quixotic Paperie. I coloured her with Promarkers and Wink of Stella.

I added a backing paper, some little bubbles on the points of the shaped card, a birthday sentiment (available from Crafty Boots)

I also added some gorgeous pins, soon to be available from Crafty Boots but they blend in with the backing paper so you can't see them too well in the photos!!

New stamps!!

2011-10-26T22:49:00.000+01:00

As some of you will know I had a bit of a crafty binge last week and ordered quite a few new stamps!! I have only coloured a few so far but now I am not doing my exams until July I guess I'll get to play with the rest soon. (p.s. thank you to everyone who sent messages, I am feeling OK and my lovely Mummy is even taking me to the NEC now my exams have been postponed!! We will be there on the Sunday maybe see some of you there? Let me know if you will be there on the Sunday!)

On to this card then. This is one of my new stamps from Sugar Nellie! I did it Sunday night when I wasn't feeling great and couldn't find the energy to search for my copics so went back to the old Promarkers! I then put her on a scalloped circle to which I added gold ribbon and candi.

I added peel offs and stickers to spell the name 'Sally'.

The backing paper is gorgeous and I can't remember the set it came from. It was an 8x8 pad I think called 'Once Upon a time' or something like that....

Hope you like her!

Crafty Boots - Challenge 4 - Halloween

2011-10-17T10:00:00.000+01:00

Here is my card for the next Crafty Boots Challenge. The theme this fortnight is autumn or halloween.

I desperately wanted to use my Pretty Sweet CD but didn't think the cute little girls were very scary so I went about trying to turn one of them into a witch! (Not sure what Nikky Hall would think of me witching up her sweet little girl!!) I printed the witch from Polka Doodles' Sundae of Seasons CD and cut out her hat. I then coloured the cute little girl from Pretty Sweet and stuck the hat on her head. I also cut a spider from the Sundae of Seasons CD and stuck this hanging from the hat.

The 'trick or treat' letters are also from Sundae of Seasons.

I cut a cat and some bats using spellbinders dies, and got some halloweeny ribbon from our local craft shop.

The pale purple backing paper is from the Pretty Sweet CD, I then added a square of orange card which I distressed. On top of this I added a scalloped doilie - available from Crafty Boots.

I hope you like this sweet little witch as much as I do!

Getting my colleagues crafting...

2011-10-16T21:58:00.001+01:00

Some of you know (and were probably surprised) that on the flight home from the Falklands my colleagues asked if they could join in and do some colouring (with my pens) - and I let them. I let them play with my beloved pens.

Anyway... one of my colleagues Nicole coloured the following picture which is from Polka Doodles' Magical Winter CD: How good is this?!!!

She coloured it with Copics, Wink of Stella on the tree and Art & Graphics on the sky and snow. For her first attempt at crafting I thought she did unbelievably well!!

Nicole asked me to make it into a card for her but was very specific that I was not to alter her picture at all - she did however want it to look like it was snowing - but without touching the picture!

Here is what I came up with.

I made another book style card like I did with the Pretty Sweet gift box here.

I cut a snowflake using a spellbinders die and added flat back gems, doodle dewdrops and a sentiment to the centre of the snowflake.

Also on the front I added a piece of holographic card, a piece of vellum embossed with a spotty embossing folder, a piece of blue card with ribbon, snowflake vellum, gems and candi. On top of this I added this Merry Christmas topper which came with the Polka Doodles Christmas Boutique magazine.

On the inside I used her scene inside the box rather than making a giftbox.

I used a piece of lace, another topper from the Christmas Boutique magazine and cut the Merry Christmas bunting from some backing paper from the Magical Winter CD.

I used some snowflake acetate on the front so that she could have snow without me touching her picture!

I also added white flower soft inside so that it looks like snow on the ground. It is not glued down so it is also a shaker card (this excited people at the office somewhat and a lot of shaking was done!!)

Even though I didn't colour this picture I think she did so well - I'd like to take some credit for showing her how to use the pens but to be honest she was a natural and picked it up really quickly!!

Girl/Flower power

2011-10-16T02:44:00.000+01:00

I am SO in love with the new Pretty Sweet CD from Polka Doodles! If you don't have it then you need it!! I think everyone needs this CD! I can't put it down! The girls on this CD are SO cute and very addictive to colour. The backing papers are also gorgeous!

I made this card for my godmother whose birthday is next week. I wanted something very girly (and an excuse to use Pretty Sweet ~ it's Keiron's birthday next week he'll be lucky if he doesn't get a card with these gorge girls on!!) so went flower crazy!

I coloured the little Amelia with:

- Promarkers (top, bow & hair)

- Copics (skin and trousers)

-Flexmarkers (hair)

-Wink of Stella & Sakura glitter pens (roses)

The backing paper here is also from 'Pretty Sweet'. I added some flowers (I think Prima) down each side of the card.

I also added some flowers I made using the 'Roly Rosies' kit which is available from Crafty Boots.

Finally I added a Petaloo daisy (available from Crafty Boots) with a Happy Birthday sentiment.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Fairy Fun Fridays: - Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice

If the Shoe fits - Where my girls at

I break for challenges - Girl Power

Crafty Cardmakers - Anything Goes

Make it Monday - #58 Anything Goes

Polka Doodles - Handmade flowers (roly rosies)

I still can't stop using Pretty Sweet here's a sneaky peek of something which you will see more of on Monday using the gorgeous Pretty Sweet girls again!!

Something Special...

2011-10-13T01:43:00.000+01:00

It is my friend Dionne's birthday on Friday and I wanted to make her something special. I am not going to see her until November and wanted Dionne, and everyone else to see what I made as I really like it! I will save her card until I see her to blog though!

I decided to make this book card/box to hold some of the birthday presents I got for Dionne.

I used an image 'Maddie' from my **BRAND NEW** Pretty Sweet CD from Polka Doodles.

I used dark purple glitter card on the outside of the book on both the covers and the spine. I then added a LUSH backing paper from the Pretty Sweet CD.

I coloured Maddie with a combination of Copics, Flexmarkers, Wink of Stella, sakura pens and Promarkers. I added some silver die cuts behind Maddie and also a sentiment from the Pretty Sweet CD.

I also some lilac ribbon to tie the book closed.

I left the back of the book plain with only the beautiful backing paper from the Pretty Sweet CD.

On the inside I used a Martha Stewart punch around the edges of the "book" part of the box. I also used Cosmic Shimmer to colour it (very messy, I wouldn't recommend it but I didn't have any other kind of purple ink/pigment believe it or not!!)

The backing papers I used on the inside are also from the Pretty Sweet CD and I mounted them on a pale lilac glitter card. I also used some more die cuts and a sentiment on the inside cover.

The inside of the book is just the right size for some Penguin cross stitch kits that I got Dionne for her birthday from the Falklands!!!!

They are very basic in comparison to what she usually does but I thought they were such a good size she could use them for her cards!

I really hope she likes it as I've had the idea in my head for the past 3 weeks!! :-D

White Christmas

2011-10-13T01:35:00.000+01:00

I wanted to make a card without using any colour.

I ran a piece of vellum through the Cuttlebug with a snowflake embossing folder.

The snowflake image is from Polka Doodles' Magical Winter CD and I have coloured it with silver and clear Wink of Stella pens. I then added some gems to finish it off.

I also added a piece of ribbon from the Polka Doodles' Christmas Boutique magazine.

Frosty Sparkles

2011-10-13T01:33:00.000+01:00

I used a piece of white glitter card and a kraft backing paper from Polka Doodles' Magical Winter CD for this card. I then used a Spellbinders die to cut a scalloped circle from the white glitter card. I added some buttons (from Polka Doodles' Magical Winter CD) to the corners of the kraft paper.

The snowman is from Polka Doodles' Winter Fun stamp set and I have coloured him with Flexmarkers, Copics and Wink of Stella pens.

Winter wishes

2011-10-13T01:29:00.001+01:00

I used papers and a digi stamp from Polka Doodles' Magical Winter CD on this card. I coloured the image with Copics and a tiny bit of Wink of Stella. I mounted the backing paper on mirri card and also made a little present out of mirri card and ribbon.

I added a piece of ribbon (from Polka Doodles' Christmas Boutique magazine) and blue pearlised card to mount the image onto the card.

Underneath the Christmas tree...

2011-10-13T01:25:00.000+01:00

Woo hoo!!!

I'm back!!!!!!!!

After a number of delays and missed connections I made it back very late on Monday... Unfortunately my luggage wasn't so lucky but I was so glad to be back in the UK I didn't even care! It finally turned up this evening so now I have my laptop charger back I can get back to blogging!!!

I was pretty tired yesterday so didn't get up to much. Today I did some work and then this evening have been crafting!!! Here is what I got up to... more posts to follow!

I made this card using green mirri card, a christmas tree stamp from Polka Doodles which I have coloured with Kuretake's Art & Graphic (brown and green) and Wink of Stella pens (clear).

I then added a tag from the Polka Doodles Christmas Boutique magazine. I then made three little parcels under the tree. I used papers from Polka Doodles' Magical Winter CD and tied them with some baker's twine.

Loving the Wink of Stella...

2011-10-07T00:23:00.002+01:00

This is the first time I have used any images from the docrafts Me to You CD.

I have coloured this little bear with Copics and my favourite clear Wink of Stella pen.

This bear is from the same CD and also coloured with Copics and Wink of Stella

This snowman is from Polka Doodles' Winter Fun stamp set. I have coloured him with flexmarkers and Wink of Stella but couldn't get a very good photo of the WOS sparkle!

This girl is from Polka Doodles' Magical Winter CD and coloured with Copics. She somehow managed to escape the Wink of Stella fest so I shall have to rectify that before I put her on a card!

These two cute little penguins are from Polka Doodles' Jingle Jangle Christmas CD. They are both coloured with Copics and I used my Wink of Stella on the second one.

Love the sparkle on his hat! :)

This little guy is from the Me to You CD again and coloured with Copics and the yellow Wink of Stella.

This is my favourite!! She is also from the Me to You CD and coloured with Copics and pink, purple and clear Wink of Stellas.

I can't wait to make these all into cards and tags and other projects. I have lots of ideas lined up for all the images I have coloured over here!!! :) :) :)

Crafty Boots ~ Challenge 3

2011-10-06T00:20:00.000+01:00

Sorry this is a bit late, I thought I had scheduled this but I obviously hadn't!!

This is my card for this fortnight's challenge over at Crafty Boots Challenges. The theme this week is Zoo or Animal themed!

This card was a major rush just before I came to the Falklands so sorry about that!

The penguin is from Polka Doodles Magical Winter CD and was coloured with copics.

The backing paper is from the monochromagic set available from Crafty Boots and I cut it to fit a shaped card blank. I then added snowflake sequins around the edge of the card.

The Christmas sentiment is also available from Crafty Boots.

This is my second Christmas card now! I am quite behind but have LOTS planned for November. I have coloured a few images while I've been out here that are all Christmas themed so I suppose I am better prepared than I feel!!

Hope you like this little penguin - I thought he was appropriate given my recent adventures!

Bored of penguins yet?

2011-10-03T22:32:00.001+01:00

OK.

So I'm sure you're probably fed up of penguins but I love them and this little guy we saw while out on a walk and he was so cute. My camera battery had run out so I had to take photos on my phone which wouldn't zoom. We sat for ages watching him go back and forth from his burrow with leaves and grass for his nest. He was very sweet.

We also saw this shipwreck which might interest you more than just penguins!:

Anyway.... enough of all that.

I spent most of the weekend working or studying but needed a break on Saturday as my eyes were hurting from spending 15hrs+ per day staring at a screen over here.

Here is some of what I got up to:

I love this santa he's so cute! He is from the Magical Winter stamp set from Polka Doodles. I coloured him with Kuretake Zig Art & Graphic pens - watercoloured. I also added some sparkle using Kuretake's Wink of Stella pens but couldn't get it all to show up in the photo it's on his cuffs and the trim on his hat as well as all his stripes, the little mouse's scarf AND Santa's tongue (why not?!).

This tree is from Polka Doodles' Magical Winter CD. I have coloured it with copics. Going to make some Christmas tags using this tree!

This Santa is also from Polka Doodles' Magical Winter CD., I have coloured him with Copics and Wink of Stella on his hat, gloves and boots.

This boy is also from Polka Doodles' Magical Winter CD (It's a real one stop shop for Christmas cards this CD!!!!!) I have coloured him with Copics and Wink of Stella on the bow.

This is also from Magical Winter and coloured with Copics. I seriously mucked up the shading at the top of the tree so please excuse that but I liked the rest of it so thought I would show you anyway. It might not make it onto a card though...

How cute is this little eskimo!!!!!! I love him!! He is also from Magical Winter and is also coloured with Copics!

That's it for me now, everyone else left work a while ago so I have to go back and cook my nutritious dinner of................. frozen veg & frozen FRUIT!!! YUM! I don't even care that everything's frozen anymore but I need fruit. I think I'm going to get scurvy if not!!!!!

Speak to you all soon! xxx

Sparkle Sparkle

2011-09-29T14:03:00.001+01:00

Well.... I don't really have much new to tell you.... I'm STILL here.... but I haven't seen any dwarves yet!

I did remember one thing that I heard on the radio that made me laugh I forgot to tell you! When we went to see the penguins it was the coldest most miserable day I've ever known, such heavy rain - and the big black rain clouds that came with it - but on the way in the car I heard the funniest thing.

The weather reporter ran through the shipping forecast etc etc and then said "The risk of sun burn is low".

SOME THINGS DON'T NEED TO BE SAID.

I can tell right now from looking out of the window at the grey rainy day that I need not worry that I didn't bring any factor 50 with me!!

Anyway rant over.

I have some photos for you - more interesting than the gutters this time! LOL

When I got back from a LONG day working yesterday I needed to do something to chill out so got my lovely favourite pens out - my Kuretake Art & Graphics, to do some colouring. I didn't want to be up too late so just wanted to do something simple so I coloured this Christmas tree. A lot of the Christmas cards that I have planned in my head are mostly white with white embossed backgrounds but I wanted a little bit of colour so made this tree mostly snowy.

(apologies for the poor picture quality my room is dark and dingy!!)

I have found the PERFECT solution for amazing snow! Kuretake's clear Wink of Stella pen is just fab!!

You can't always see it very well in the photos but here is another photo of how much it really sparkles:

EVERYONE needs these Wink of Stella pens, especially the clear one as you can put it over anything and it looks like it's been glittered - without the mess and hassle of using glitter! (It also doesn't come off on everything like glitter does!)

Here are some other images I coloured before I came away I coloured them with Copics but have added Wink of Stella to sparkle them up a bit. (These are going to be made into cards when I get home! At the mo I just have a box of images though!!)

For this magnolia stamp I used black Wink of Stella on her hair band and the clear on her wings.

Used the clear Wink of Stella on this little elf's hat and collar.

Used the clear Wink of Stella on both Magnolia and the Snowman's hats but couldn't get a v good pic of the sparkle!

Used the clear Wink of Stella on Magnolia's cuffs around her wrists and ankles and the gold Wink of Stella on the bells around her neck.

Another elf with sparkly white bits using the clear Wink of Stella.

Now on to my FAVOURITES! I did colour these since I've been here and absolutely love them:

Look at all that *sparkle*!!! I used the clear Wink of Stella on the snowman's body and one of the pinks on the coat, scarf and hat

For this one I used clear on the body again and silver on the coat, hat and scarf.

Gotta have a bit of sparkle to cheer you up when you're 8000 miles from home and can't get any fresh fruit & veg! :-) My plans for the weekend include working most of Saturday and then hopefully be able to spend an hour playing with my Art & Graphics on Sunday! :-D Can't wait!!! xxx