Xmas 2015

Copyright

I hope you enjoy reading this blog and find inspiration and ideas from what you have seen here but I would ask you to please respect my copyright and not use my pictures for publishing as your own work, or for entry into challenges.

Sunday 24 March 2013

Trying out pencils...

Since my mum died last year I have been finding other things to do at the weekend, which is when we used to do things together.  And one of those things has been taking some craft classes at my favourite craft shop - In2Crafting at Wickford.

What is really interesting from doing classes like this is getting a whole new take on a technique, or something we all take for granted - like coloured pencils.

I have lots of coloured pencils and for many years they have sat in their tins on my shelf unloved and untouched.  Then, I tried a colouring workshop with Alexandra Kamann, and discovered to my amazement that with a blending solution, you could get a much better effect - almost up there with promarkers...  So I bought myself some some paper stumps and blending solution  (from an excellent supplier - J & T Blackman Ltd) that has a nice citrus smell about it and was really reasonably priced, and set to having a go with my pencils.

It is my friend J's birthday next week - she loves pinks, purples and bling so I thought this Kanban stamp was just the thing if I coloured it in right.

I used bog standard water colour pencils for the hat and the dress, and Derwent Academy watercolour skin tones for her body.  I was quite pleasantly surprised by how well this turned out for a first attempt.  There are some bits that I was not as pleased with as others, but on the whole, I was pleased with the outcome.

I used a 5" x 7" plain white base card, and layered onto that some C&C linen textured card in a pale mauve.  I cut the image out using a nestie, but unfortunately, I needed the largest one to fit her in it.  So I created a base layer in dark purple, and just cut reasonably equidistant to form a stretched octagon shape.

It all still looked a bit bland, though, so I used my quickie glue pen to add some dots of glue on the feathery bits of the dress and added some glamour dust to make it sparkle.  I used some ab gems on the purple backing card, and also on the ribbon around her neck.  Also around the dark purple layer, I added some faux stitching by using some tim holtz distress ink pen (picket fence) topped with some clear stardust gelly roll pen.  I added some silver corner peel offs from my stash to the pale mauve panel just to finish it off.

Last touch was the sentiment - using the same pale mauve card I cut out the small shape in my nestie, and used a memory box tag for the centre.

Monday 18 March 2013

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge 87 - Friendship


Welcome to our latest challenge, hosted by Yvonne who has chosen the theme 'Friendship'

Yvonne would like to see the word 'Friend' or 'Friendship' included somewhere on your card/poject.

Please ensure your card has one of the two words stated above to qualify for a winner or Top 5 slot. 

PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE RULES BEFORE ADDING YOUR CREATION AND CHECK IT MEETS THE CRITERIA AS LAID OUT ABOVE - ANY ENTRY NOT COMPLYING WILL UNFORTUNATELY BE REMOVED 


For this card, I used a shaped card base that came in a kit I once bought.  Onto the base card I stamped the two swirls (which came, I believe from a personal impressions set).  I coloured the leaves with promarkers and used some very small gems to highlight them.  

I stamped the sentiment (which came from a SWALK stamp set) onto the opposite corners.  The image (Hobbyart?) was stamped onto plain white card, and after being coloured with promarkers, was cut out with a standard oval nestie.  The bottom layer was cut from the next size up nestie, but a scalloped oval, and was then coloured around the edge with one of the promarkers used to colour the mushroom.  Finally, some ribbon was tied at the side with a simple knot.

We are sponsored by 
with
2 of their gorgeous digis

Hello!  My name is Krista Smith.  I draw characters and do a lot of crafting:).  I gather a lot of inspiration from my two kiddos...they are sweet and goofy.  I love to see how other people color my images...It is always exciting to watch the colors bring them to life!  You can check out my artwork and family tidbits on my blog,Saturated Canary.  
Thanks for having me this challenge! Good luck everyone! 

and
SIR STAMPALOT
 with this fabulous prize:-



Sir Stampalot is a retail shop and online website that specialises in stamps, die cutting and paper-crafting goodies.  We try to offer exceptional delivery times on your orders as well as keeping our stock fresh, new and exciting!  Our dedicated team of card makers means we have a wonderful, inspirational online card gallery with many more cards still to upload!  Sir Stampalot ships internationally as well as domestic so why not check us out if you haven’t already – www.sirstampalot.co.uk

Happy Crafting!

Monday 4 March 2013

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge 86 - Masculine Birthday


Welcome to our latest challenge at Crafty Cardmakers, hosted by Rebecca, who has chosen the theme 'Masculine Birthday' 
Rebecca would like to see a masculine birthday card that includes some technologyor a gadget. The technology or gadget could be a computer, games console, rocket or car for example.

Please ensure that you do add the technology or gadget aspect to qualify for a Winner or Top 5 slot.

PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE RULES BEFORE ADDING YOUR CREATION AND CHECK IT MEETS THE CRITERIA AS LAID OUT ABOVE - ANY ENTRY NOT COMPLYING WILL UNFORTUNATELY BE REMOVED

My new years resolution this year was to actually use some of the crafty goodies I have bought rather than just stroke them and store them.!  So, for my card, I once again delved into my box of stash.

This time, I used elements of card and toppers from either Kanban or Hunkydory (sorry - removed the packaging so I am not sure which!) and simply layered them up onto a base card cut to 6" x 5.5" from an A4 piece of plain card.

I am taking the bike and the helmet to be the "technology/gadget" element of the challenge.


We are sponsored by 
DI'S DIGI DOWNLOADS
with a $10 GIFT VOUCHER

 
I have been drawing since a child and studied graphics at College many years ago, I now work as a Medical photographer part time but my love was always drawing. I started cardmaking about 4yrs ago when I bought my daughter a cardmaking kit which we did together, but I’m afraid I got the bug! My daughter preferred scrapbooking. I then started looking online at other blogs and this then became my passion and I loved sharing my cards with likeminded people.
I love stamping and loved finding images, but sometimes I could not find what I wanted so I started to draw myself.
This then has become my second addiction and I have never looked back, I love thinking of new images, and its just fabulous to see others take them and make them into beautiful works of art. Long may it continue! 


and
THE STAMPMAN 
 We are kindly sponsored for this challenge by The Stampman (and Lady of course!) who are ofering the winner a £10 voucher for their store, you can spend this online, in the shop or if you're lucky enough to see them at a show!  They have a ton of items in store, enough to tickle any crafty taste bud.