Your Oinkness

I love sketches; this one is:





and the TWIST is a handwritten sentiment. YAY, I did it!

This cute pigwit is hamming it up in style for someone's birthday.  And look at those gorgeous flowers!  I'm sure you've heard of a pig in clover, but these flowers beat clover trotters down!



Image: From the Heart Stamps
Coloured with copics
Die label: Spellbinders
Also, patterned paper strip, sequins, Kindyglitz.


Shared on challenges:


http://fromtheheartstamps.com/community/2016/05/09/i-heart-sketches-with-a-twist-151/
http://fromtheheartstamps.com/community/2016/05/01/free-stamp-of-the-month-may-2016-hamlet-pigwit-in-the-planter/
http://eurekastamps.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/eureka-stamps-challenge-192-april.html
http://deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/challenge-128-flowers-everywhere.html
http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/may-flowers.html
http://inkyimpressionschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/iic-may-challenge.html
http://quirkycrafts.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/may-2016-challenge-5-april-showers.html
http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/may-theme-challenge-flowers-galore.html
http://disdigidesignschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/flowers-everywhere-challenge.html

Stepping

"Step on a crack ..."  I'm sure we all played that game as children, and here she is :






The Background is stencilled with acrylic paint dabbers. Image coloured with Copics.
Image: A Day for Daisies
Stencil: Dylusions






Shared on challenges:
http://adayfordaisies.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/introducing-may-2016-club-kit-challenge.html
http://fabnfunkychallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/challenge-304-for-child.html
http://cre8tivehandsfriends.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/challenge-6-anything-goes.html

Birthday Cow

Ever been on a balloon flight ? - it's magic!

I stamped the sentiment with white chalk ink to look like a blackboard.  I stamped the cute cow stamp onto it, then onto white card and onto various paper scraps for paperpiecing the balloons.

I distressed the edges of the wine paper and a patterned paper, layering over a diecut doily.  The wee patch of grass is diecut and inked.



Sentiment stamp: Kaisercraft
Cow stamp: Penny Black
Grass die: Impression Obsession
Doily: Couture Creations
Other: Copics, Distress Inks, white gel pen

Shared on challenges:
http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/may-challenge-anything-goes.html
http://thecraftyaddicts.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/challenge-15.html
http://creativeknockouts.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/141-doily-delight-lacy-sunshine.html
http://starstampz.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/birthday-challenge.html
http://southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/anything-goes-with-teamlou.html
http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/may-challenge-anything-goes.html

Gathering Flowers

Come and Get It Challenges have a feminine theme with a "card for a woman".  You can see what the rest of the DT did, and  join in yourself here:
http://cagichallenge.blogspot.co.nz/

I chose our sponsor A Day for Daisies digi image called Gathering Flowers; what a lovely drawing and soooo feminine.  Get it here:
http://adayfordaisies.com/stamps/flowers-garden/gathering-flowers

I coloured the image with copics, using the crosshatching technique for the sky to give it a bit of texture. 
I decided to make a free standing pop-up card, AKA a stand up box card, after getting one recently in a cardswap.    I had never made one before, but good instructions at Splitcoaststampers. 
Some patterned paper, a few die cuts and punches, a golden butterfly, and a bit of glitz make the card.  Note: I reinforced the vine diecut in the front with two layers so it would stand up nicely.
And what's amazing is ... it totally folds flat for posting!
Click on pics for a closer look.

Image: A Day for Daisies: Gathering Flowers
Vine die: Spellbinders
Word Die: Cuttlebug
Butterfly: fall out piece from Creative Dies Happy Birthday
Flower & leaf punch outs from stash
Gold stickles

Shared on challenges:
http://craftyfriendschallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/challenge-31-in-garden.html
http://creataliciouschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-90-mothers-day-for-special.html
http://classicdesignteamchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/classic-design-team-open-challenge-02.html
http://eurekastamps.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/eureka-stamps-challenge-191-feminine.html
http://craftysentiments.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/anything-goes-challenge.html
http://qkrstampede.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/qkr-stampede-challenge-190-feminine.html
http://sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/may-flowers.html

Button Babe

This month Die Cut Divas http://die-cut-divas.blogspot.co.nz/ has a photo challenge:










... and our May sponsor is A Day for Daisies.  I chose this gorgeous image to work with and knew immediately what I wanted to do with both cards (spot the next one on 23rd May).  It looks like spring; she's out picking flowers!
I printed the button picture (you can too, I give you permission!) and used it to paper piece her hair and top.  I fussy cut one button, added glossy accents and used 3D foam to adhere it.  The tag background is sponged around the image, then stencilled, and edges inked.  The diecut buttons are layered, the bottom layer having gold glittery Stickles in the holes, and the top layer with drawn on thread.






Digi image: A Day for Daisies -spring breeze  
Get it here: http://adayfordaisies.com/stamps/girls-play/products-name-p-2655
Stencilled over die cut: Couture Creations
Button die: Memory Box
Tag die: Sizzix
Fine twine


Shared on challenges:
http://craftysentiments.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/anything-goes-challenge.html
http://tuesdaythrowdown.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/tuesday-throwdown-292-welcome-spring.html
http://eurekastamps.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/eureka-stamps-challenge-191-feminine.html
http://deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/challenge-128-flowers-everywhere.html
http://creataliciouschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-90-mothers-day-for-special.html
http://quirkycrafts.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/may-2016-challenge-5-april-showers.html

Belly Dancer Darcee

The Crafters Café challenge theme is Feminine, check it out http://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/

This image from our sponsor My Stitch Back In Twine is lovely especially if you're a colourist.

I decided to keep her as the star of the show so after colouring and cutting her, framed her in ovals (purple card, white card, white mulberry paper) and then diecut the corners with an eastern motif.



Image: My Stitch Back In Twine - Belly Dancer Darcee  -  get it here https://www.etsy.com/shop/Mystitchbackintwine?ref=l2-shopheader-name.
Oval Dies: Spellbinders
Corner die:  CL
Gems, gold pen

Shared on challenges:
http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/birthday-challenge.html
http://creataliciouschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-90-mothers-day-for-special.html
http://our-crafty-corner.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/challenge-9.html#
http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.co.nz/2016/05/challenge-33.html

Summer sippin'

A challenge that's black and white with an accent colour.  I guess usually you think of something like that as black on white ground, so I reversed it and kept it simple.  If you click on it you will see what is in the glass... fizzzzzzzzz


EF: Couture Creations
Die: Memory Box
Distress inks
Kindyglitz

Shared on challenges:
http://diesruschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-47-black-white-accent-color.html

The Moss Fairy

At Come And Get It Challenges this week it's BLING and/or GLITTER!    Check out the design team's inspirations here:
http://cagichallenge.blogspot.co.nz/
This one has bling, glitter and sequins!

I chose this beautiful Moss Fairy from our wonderful sponsor Lemon Shortbread.  Click on the pics for a closer look.

















Image: Moss Fairy from Lemon Shortbread, get her here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/194897392/moss-fairy-skull-digital-stamp-digi?ref=shop_home_listings
Coloured with Reno pens.
Frame diecut: Couture Creations
Glitz: Wink of Stella
From stash: flowers, gems, sequins

Shared on challenges:
http://fabnfunkychallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-301-winged-things.html
http://starstampz.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/use-digi-challenge.html
http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/fussy-and-fancy-challenge-162-female.html
http://www.wheretheheartischallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-8.html

ANZAC day

Die Cut Diva's challenge theme this month is April/holidays etc.  Check out all the great work the design team have been doing this month:  http://die-cut-divas.blogspot.co.nz/

ANZAC day, April 25,  is a national holiday in New Zealand, a day when we wear a poppy in remembrance and honour our fallen soldiers.

Stem diecut: Couture Creations
Sentiment stamp: Rosie's Studio
Flourish die: DieNamics (with some bits cut off)


Our sponsor this month is Gina K, so I used this Gina K image, coloured with Reno pens as a poppy.  Clear stamp set - get it here: http://www.shop.ginakdesigns.com/product.sc?productId=2185&categoryId=195


Shared on challenges:
http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/AG-NO-82.html
http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/anything-goes-challenge.html
http://www.cre8tivehandsfriends.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-5-anything-goes.html
http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-195-anything-goes.html#

rockin' baby

I made this for my friend who has just become a grandmother for the first time.

The background behind the horse is sponged with pale blue ink.

Banner die: Kaisercraft
Labels dies: Spellbinders
both stamps: Kaisercraft
Corner punch: Couture Creations
From stash: ribbon, silver cord, kindyglitz








Shared on challenges:
http://inkychicks.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-65-baby-card.html
http://creataliciouschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-89-baby.html
http://tuesdaythrowdown.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/tuesday-throwdown-tt290-monochromatic.html
http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/freshly-brewed-challenge-201615-objects.html

Be happy

I made this for a NZ cardswap which was for a fancy fold card.  I hope you liked it Dawn and will try it sometime yourself.

I used lots of papers, the two feature ones from a Forever in Time "fresh" stack, but with other bits from my scrappy bin stash as well for the flowers.  The flower layers are punched, wet, scrunched, dried then unravelled, some inked, then layered.

This has to be one of my favourite folds.  I love all the angles in this fold, which seem to give it an element of movement, and creates pockets to pop things in.  (Called a twist-fold by most people or a twisted card by Splitcoaststampers).



;-) Die Happy: Couture Creations
Stamps: Rosies
Leaf punch n press: unbranded
Card, papers, brads


Shared on challenges:
http://southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/patterned-paper-free-for-all.html
http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/fussy-and-fancy-challenge-161-green-and.html
http://abc-challenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/f-is-for-fancy-folds.html
http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/anything-goes-challenge.html
http://classicdesignteamchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/classic-design-team-open-challenge-01.html

Red Balloon

I love red balloons, red umbrellas and red gumboots...



A simple celebration card with a diecut, three stamps and a punched border.  The diecut Balloon is stitched ... how come it didn't pop?



Banner stamp: Rosies
Sentiment stamp: Penny Black
String stamp: Hero Arts
Die: Creative Dies
Punch: Fiskars



Shared on challenges:

http://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-184.html
http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/313-stitching-real-or-fake.html
http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-272.html
http://tuesdaythrowdown.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/tuesday-throwdown-tt290-monochromatic.html
http://diesruschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-47-black-white-accent-color.html

pink

Simply happy birthday.  No frills. 

Die: Spellbinders
Sentiment stamp: Hastings Rubber Stamps
EF: Docrafts
Stash: paper (edges inked), brad.




Shared on challenges:
http://casology.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/week-193-pink.html
http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-32.html
http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-108.html
http://fabnfunkychallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-300-girly-and-pretty.html
http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/AG-NO-81.html
http://thecraftyaddicts.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-13.html

Calling Bird

"Things With Wings" is the theme at Come And Get It Challenges this week:
http://cagichallenge.blogspot.co.nz/  why don't you join us?

Firstly, I chose the colours - the dark blue card has a turquoise core, and I just had to go with this 'Calling Bird' from our fabulous sponsor Bugaboo:
http://www.bugaboostamps.com/Calling-bird_p_2533.html



Image: Bugaboo
EF: Cuttlebug (sanded)
Stamped sentiment: Hero Arts
Punched border: Fiskars
Scored white card
multi-coloured bling, ribbons


Shared on challenges:

http://starstampz.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/use-digi-challenge.html
http://disdigidesignschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/embossing-challenge.html
http://thecraftyaddicts.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-13.html
http://www.wheretheheartischallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-8.html

Knitwit Birdbrain

I love these colours!

I used 3 patterned papers (dotty, stripey and pink blotchy) plus linen caramel card and matted it onto an embossed turquoise card seeing she knitted a turquoise scarf.  Oh and of course she had to have a little turquoise sparkle!


Image: From The Heart Stamps
EF: Sullivans
From Stash:
papers, sequins, cobweb fibre tied in a knot.


Shared on challenges:
http://fromtheheartstamps.com/community/2016/04/11/i-heart-sketches-with-a-twist-147/
http://disdigidesignschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/embossing-challenge.html
http://our-crafty-corner.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-8.html

Flowertime

Doesn't this make it feel like springtime already?
This is From The Heart stamp of the month for April.  I also wanted to do a negative:positive die cut.

 I die cut the sentiment (which includes the butterfly) twice, switched the colours and inlaid the positive butterfly into the negative hole, before lifting its wings free.  I also left the greeting as a negative and then had a positive diecut iridescent hot pink doily!

I coloured the image with Copic pens and although I've never used pink and green with touches of golden-orange before, it seems to work.   I've always liked hot pink and bright orange.  I like the grey pocketwatch that cools things down a bit too.



Image: From The Heart Stamps
Doily die: Couture Creations
HB die: Creative Dies
From stash: green plaid card, ribbon, gems, wink of stella

Shared on challenges:
http://fromtheheartstamps.com/community/2016/04/11/free-stamp-of-the-month-april-2016/
http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/colour-me-wonderful-use-your-favorite.html
http://modsquadchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/make-negative-positive.html
http://deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-126-spring-is-in-air.html
http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/freshly-brewed-challenge-201614-flowers.html

What season are you in?

"What season are you in?" is the theme at Crafters Café Challenge Blog.  Come on over and have some fun - http://crafterscafeblogchallenge

In New Zealand, we are enjoying autumn.  We have had a super-hot summer and are just a little bit relieved that it's cooler now... so while the leaves are turning and the butterflies are flittering, we are still sitting out in the sun enjoying a cool drink like this wonderful Lemonade Cat from our sponsor Eureka. 
I think this would be great for a man - they seem to look like this more than I do! 

Image: Eureka Lemonade Cat, coloured with Reno pens
http://www.eurekastamps.com/proddetail.php?prod=19901&cat=20
EF: Craft Concepts
Diecut circle: DieNamics Wonky Stitched circle
Diecut grass: Impression Obsession
Diecut tree: Impression Obsession
Diecut butterflies:Memory Box
WofS, Kindyglitz
Some of my favourite things in cardmaking are using my cuttlebug for embossing and diecutting, colouring, butterflies and just adding a bit of sparkle. 

Shared on challenges:
http://disdigidesignschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/embossing-challenge.html
http://cinspirations.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-249-your-favourite-things.html
http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/313-stitching-real-or-fake.html
http://starstampz.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/use-digi-challenge.html
http://classicdesignteamchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/classic-design-team-open-challenge-01.html
http://inkyimpressionschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/iic-april-challenge-all-about-boys.html

Dreaming Mousey

When it comes to birthdays some people like to just relax and let it go by ... just like this little mouse.








Stamp: Penny Black
Die:  Sizzix Tim Holtz
Washi tape


Shared on challenges:
http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/april-challenge-birthdays.html
http://classicdesignteamchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/classic-design-team-open-challenge-01.html
http://ooh-la-la-creationschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-202.html
http://artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-182-show-off-your-stamp-plus.html
http://addictedtostamps-challenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-189-clean-and-simple.html
http://trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-359-14th-of-april-clean-and.html

Kitty boy

For kitty lovers everywhere:  can't get much sweeter than this.  That kitty looks SO relaxed...



Image: A Day For Daisies
Tag die: Sizzix
EF: Marianne
Sentiment: Penny Black
Plus Liquid Pearls, distress inks.



Shared on challenges:

http://craftyfriendschallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-29-for-child.html
http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/pile-it-on-105-animal-prints-andor.html
http://quirkycrafts.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/quirky-raining-cats-and-dogs-challenge.html
http://inkyimpressionschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/iic-april-challenge-all-about-boys.html

A Pot of Sunshine

Lots of sunshiny colour, daffodils, gentle breezes and maybe clear blue skies.







Inspired by the jug of foysythia in this D&D photo inspiration.









Image: Beccy's
Doily die: Couture Creations
Border punch: Martha Stewart
Tag punch: unbranded
Sentiment stamp: Whimsy Stamps
Wink of Stella on daffodils

I hope it makes your day brighter!

Shared on challenges:
http://daranddiane.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/yellow-happy-place-to-be.html
http://deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-126-spring-is-in-air.html
http://thecraftyaddicts.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/challenge-12.html
http://starstampz.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/flowers-flowers-flowers-challenge.html
http://qkrstampede.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/qkr-stampede-challenge-186-spring-has.html
http://our-crafty-corner.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-8.html
http://open-mindedcraftingfun.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/monthly-challenge-4-easter-spring.html

A little colour

A little colour ... goes a long way to helping you feel good.  Well actually a little is good, and more is even better!

This time Come And Get It challenge is Bright Colours  http://cagichallenge

Those of you in the northern hemisphere will be having spring showers, while here we are looking forward to autumn rain after a long, hot, dry summer.  And what is more cheery than brightly coloured umbrellas?  The lime green one down in front and the hot pink haven't photographed well - they're a lot brighter, but I have managed to get the sparkly card sparkling!


Die: Sizzix
Stamp: Rosies

Shared on challenges:
http://www.wheretheheartischallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-8.html
http://our-crafty-corner.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-8.html
http://cinspirations.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/challenge-248-anything-goes-option-of.html
http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-31.html
http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/anything-goes-with-our-april-challenge.html

spring greetings

Spring means different things to each of us, but I think we all get that uplifted spirit feeling with the coming of spring, and this image of a bunny greeting a little girl is so sweet.
The image is coloured with Copic pens.




Image: From the Heart Stamps
Sentiment stamp: Fiskars
Doily die: Couture Creations
Butterfly die: Couture Creations
Also ribbon, gems, kindyglitz







Shared on challenges:


http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/colour-me-wonderful-use-your-favorite.html
http://deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-126-spring-is-in-air.html
http://thecraftyaddicts.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/challenge-12.html
http://qkrstampede.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/qkr-stampede-challenge-186-spring-has.html
http://craftyfriendschallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-29-for-child.html

Sock monkeys

This is one of my non-card making activities - making sock monkeys.  It all started when my local quilting guild started making them to go in Ambulances to give to young children for comfort and to distract them when they are hurt.
I don't make button eyes because sewn felt eyes can be given safely even to a baby.
I've also made them to give to migrant refugee children who often arrive here with nothing, and also to a friend who volunteers in India.   There is no nationality limitations with sock monkeys!

Some people went on to make other kinds of animals, but I figured these cheeky fellas make me smile so they are sure to make a child feel better.

Shared on challenge:
http://creationsnz.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/sock-monkeys.html

Feather Thanks

I just got this paper pad and the challenge for myself was to find a way to use this strongly patterned paper with swans, which is quite a way from my usual dots-checks-stripes... and not my usual colours either (I don't like any sort of pink at all).





Feather die: Hot Off The Press
Papers: Rosies
Stash: ribbon, sequins, card








Shared on challenges:
http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/tuesday-morning-sketched-346.html
http://ooh-la-la-creationschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/challenge-201.html
http://creataliciouschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-88-things-with-wings.html

Golden Butterfly

I used a sketch for this (from World of Crafters) and papers from a new stack I just got.  These are colours I would NOT normally work in, but it's always good to work outside your comfort zone huh??



Stamped butterfly: Kaisercraft
Stamped sentiment: Paper Xtra
Embossing: Gold
Doily die: Couture Creations
Corner punch: Couture Creations
Papers: Rosies
Other: from stash

Shared on challenges:
http://creativewithstampschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/cws-challenge-1-butterfly.html
http://glitternsparklechallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-182.html
http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-31.html
http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-106.html
http://creataliciouschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-88-things-with-wings.html

Friends Birthday

Friends help friends celebrate everything, not just birthdays!  So here's one for the girls.

I used the sketch on its side.




Image: Bugaboo - Girls happy trio
EF: Sullivans
Sentiment stamp: Kaisercraft
Papers from stash, beaded string, gold star sequins

Shared on challenges:
http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/week-406-with-starstampz.html
http://abc-challenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/e-is-for-everything.html
http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/new-challenge-march-anything-goes.html
http://disdigidesignschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/for-girls-challenge.html
http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/colour-me-wonderful-use-your-favorite.html

April Showers

"Singin' in the rain, just singin' in the rain..."

This month Die Cut Divas sponsor is Gina K Designs and the theme is April, check it out :
http://die-cut-divas.blogspot.co.nz/

I covered the dots on the umbrella with Glossy Accents for resist, then coloured the umbrella a cheery red.  The background is watercoloured, salt crystals put on when it was wet to make it blotchy, then when it was dry I sponged white pigment ink over for clouds.  Die cut an oval hole in the rain-patterned card, adhere acetate behind the hole and surround the oval and edges with 3D foam tape to make a shaker which is filled with iridescent clear and silver sequins.  Puffy clouds and a wee stamped sentiment strip finish the card.

Umbrella Stamp: Gina K - Warm Spring Wishes
Oval die: Spellbinders
Cloud Dies:Memory Box
Sentiment Stamp: Fundamentals
Rainy backing: Don't know, given to me by a friend

Shared on challenges:
http://carabbiemomentsofcraft.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/challenge-90.html
http://thecraftyaddicts.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/challenge-12.html

Tag you're it

Whheeeeee ...!   What fun, this one makes me feel like a kid again.  The white rabbit may be late, but he's having one heck of a journey.  I read somewhere that it's the journey that's important, not the destination, maybe he read that too.

The Come And Get It Challenge this time is a tag with sponsor Make It Crafty, who have a wonderful selection of images.  Check them out: http://www.makeitcrafty.com/

DigiImage: Make it Crafty "Steampunk White Rabbit"

Stars Die:DieNamics
Border die: DieNamics
Clock stamps: unknown
Mixed yarn/ribbon, charm

http://cagichallenge


Shared on challenges:
http://craftyfriendschallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/challenge-28.html
http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-31.html

Wine ages

I see our little feathered friend has been tampering with the sentiment.  Very clever little birdbrain.

The orange panel is stamped with Versamark ink, and heat embossed in white to create a resist, then several colours of distress inks are sponged over. 



I used the sketch and the twist - sponging.









Image: From the Heart Stamps
French background Stamp: Tim Holtz
EF: Craft concepts

Shared on challenges:
http://fromtheheartstamps.com/community/2016/03/28/i-heart-card-sketches-with-a-twist-145/
http://ooh-la-la-creationschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/challenge-201.html
http://addictedtostamps-challenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/challenge-187-make-your-mark.html
http://qkrstampede.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/qkr-stampede-challenge-185-foolish.html
http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/week-357-april-foolhumorous.html

Dream flight

I have never found the right image to go with this sentiment before - this one seemed just right.  I like that while she is flying she is sheltered from the rain by the umbrella, and her little feathered friends fly with her.  When I was a little kid I always thought I would be able to fly.  :-(

I made the background using the wax paper resist technique on an embossing folder with distress inks.  The sentiment is stamped with Hero Arts Ombre ink.














Image: A Day For Daisies
Sentiment stamp: Hot Off The Press
EF: Cuttlebug distressed stripes
Scallop die: Spellbinders Edge classic scallop
Rain: KindyGlitz

Shared on challenges:

http://trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/challenge-357-31st-of-march-create-your.html
http://modsquadchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/use-water.html
http://adayfordaisies.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/adfd-showcase-forest-friends-challenge.html
http://diesruschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/04/challenge-46-use-scallops.html
http://ooh-la-la-creationschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/challenge-201.html
http://creativeknockouts.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/135-outside-fun-lacy-sunshine.html

Fierce!

"Though she be but little she is fierce"

This describes quite a few women I know (in a good way),  and it seems the smaller they are, the fiercer.  And the more they have had to deal with in life, the fiercer they are.  They survive and flourish.  They may be small but are larger than life when it counts.

I bought this stamp set because I liked the sentiment. I liked this fiery paper for the background, stamped the cat mask and heat embossed in black. Stamped and heat embossed the sentiment in gold.  Munched the corners with a die and then tore bits off. Added sequins, because all these women sparkle.


Mask stamp: Kaisercraft
Sentiment stamp Kaisercraft
Diecut corners: Sizzix





Shared on challenges:

http://timeoutchallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/time-out-challenge-53.html
http://www.cre8tivehandsfriends.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/challenge-3-anything-goes.html
http://southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/anything-goes.html
http://avenue613.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/challenge-169-anything-goes-no-twist.html

Happy Birthday Bloobel

Over at The Crafters Café Challenge blog the challenge is "use some lace", an opportunity for a little bit of girly fun.  This wonderful image is Bloobel Stamps  'weak at the knees', how much more girly can you get?
http://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/

I made the background from silver lace stuck on turquoise card - lots of sparkle. I printed two images and coloured her with Reno pens, then diecut a label, masking her and sponging through an old lace curtain with blue to tone down the white background and edges inked.  I cut out one image and stuck it with foam pads.  She has Wink of Stella on her dress to give shimmer.  I had the flower (cut from a scrap of patterned paper left over from another project) to put in her hair. I put scraps of ribbon and lace for her to dance on.
Click on her to see the shimmer!

Image: Bloobel Stamps Weak At The Knees
Diecut label: Spellbinders
Lace, ribbons, sentiment from stash, WofS, pearl

Shared on challenges:
http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/challenge-312-for-young-girl.html
http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/anything-goes-challenge_29.html
http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/AG-NO-79.html
http://disdigidesignschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/for-girls-challenge.html

Sea bed wishes

I need a get well card for a friend in hospital who lives near the sea, so instead of a sick-bed card, she is getting a sea-bed card!

The central square is masked, then sprayed with glimmermists.  The seaweed and shells are stamped with black versafine ink to get all the fine detail.  When dry I used distress inks and water to colour the seaweeds, and gold versacolor well-watered to paint over the shells so they slightly shimmer.  The sentiment is stamped in HeroArts Ombre ink.

Stamp: Kaisercraft
Sentiment stamp: Hero Arts
Pearls added from stash.













Shared on challenges:
http://modsquadchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/use-water.html
http://addictedtostamps-challenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/challenge-187-make-your-mark.html
http://cinspirations.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/challenge-248-anything-goes-option-of.html
http://www.craftingbydesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/april-anything-goes.html
http://avenue613.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/challenge-169-anything-goes-no-twist.html
http://trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2016/03/challenge-357-31st-of-march-create-your.html