Lili of the Valley Cobweb

I sound like a broken record when I am constantly saying I've had this stamp for years but I honestly have lol. I bought it to make my good friend Kay's birthday card years ago and when I was looking for something else I came across it and thought, that is perfect. The colouring of the image took a while so I decided to let this be the star of the card and to keep the rest fairly simple.

Before I waffle anymore I want to wish Kay a very happy birthday, I hope you get lots of presents and maybe even a few crafty things too.

Ingredients
Image: "Cobweb" Lili of the Valley
Sentiment: "party animal" Avery Elle
Paper: "mini heart brights" MFT
Card: "dark charcoal" recollections from Michaels
Dies: Oval and small scalloped oval stax, A2 staxs set 1 and 2 all from MFT


Copics
Hair - E59, 57, 35
Skin - E11, 00, 000, R20
Wings - N1, BG000
Top and Flowers - R89, 39, 37, 35
Leaves - YG99, 95
Skirt - T5, 4, 3, 2

Boozy Santa

I think before I order any more stamps I need to learn how to measure, I had no idea of the size of this stamp until it arrived and its huge lol. My normal A2 was a no go so I had to bust out my square cards, thank goodness I had a stash of them.

The sentiments on this set have been used on every card since it arrived, I wish I had bought it earlier as they are fab and the perfect size too, which is odd as I didn't have a clue what size they were until they arrived lol.

Ingredients
Image: "boozy santa" Wild Rose Studio
Sentiment: as above
Card: "real red" stampin Up and Green from Limetree
Dies: Crealies XXL Square stitched


Copics
Skin - E11, 00, 000, 93
Hair - N2, 0
Red - R59, 29, 24
Yellow - Y38, 15, 13
Green - G29, 17, 16, 14
Black - T8, 6, 5

Roberto's Rascals Reindeer

I am sorry about the light on this photo, I wish it had captured the simplicity and brightness better. I was pleased with the concept and colouring on this card but the hair could have been better.

I am a bit like Kelly Latevola in that I hate starting a card over and will do anything to avoid this but in this case I did colour the image a few times, I just couldn't decide on a hair colour that didn't melt into the costume, I tried red, black, and dark brown before deciding to go blond/moussey.

Ingredients
Image: "3 reindeer" Roberto's Rascals from CC Designs
Sentiment: "boozy santa" Wild Rose Studio
Dies: Blueprints 27 from MFT
Ink: "broken china" Distress oxide

Copics
Skin -
Reindeer Costume - E81, 84, E29, 27, 25, 23, 21, T8, 6, 5, R29, 24,

House Mouse Blue Jeans

Sometimes an idea just hits you like a freight train, this isn't one of those ideas lol. Instead it was a slow steam train meandering through the countryside, stopping at every station and getting nowhere fast. The only thing I knew for sure was that I was going to use the B90's to colour the jeans, I thought I would use all of them but in the end I only used 3, I could have taken more time and gotten better shading but sometimes quick and dirty is all that is required.

I wish I was someone who could spend hours colouring each image, improving my technique all the time but unfortunately I am not. I usually need a card in a hurry and the majority of the cards I send are to family and friends who have no idea I even coloured the image and didn't print it, not that its an excuse to be sloppy but rather that when I am pushed for time I don't beat myself up about it.

Enough waffling, the card as you can see is all about the image, there wasn't a lot of room for anything else lol.

Ingredients
Image: "hanging jeans" House Mouse
Sentiment: "keep it simple - birthday 3" Papertrey ink
Card: "enchanted evening" Papertrey ink
Background: "denim" MFT
Dies: Blueprints

Copics
Mice - R02, 01, 00, T6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Pegs - E35, 34, 31
Line - E44, 42
Socks - RV09, 06, 04
Jumper - V09, 06
Jeans - B99, 97, 95
Sky - BG11, 10

Roberto's Rascals Snowman

I have used two of the four images in this set and I was hoping to use the other two but time got away from me, oh well there is always next year lol.

Ingredients
Image: "snowman kids" Roberto's Rascals from CC Designs
Sentiment: "boozy santa" Wild Rose Studio
Dies: Blueprints 27 from MFT
Ink: "broken china" Distress oxide

Copics
Skin -
Hair - E34, 31, 30
Suit - B00, 000, T8, 6
Scarf, legs - B26, 24, 23
Hat - T8, 6, 5, B26, 24, 23

Roberto's rascals Snowmen

After using Roberto's Rascals images on the elf cards I couldn't resist buying the "snowman kids" and "3 Reindeers" in the Black Friday sale and even better they are Digital so I got to download and colour straight away.

Ingredients
Image: "snowman kids" Roberto's Rascals from CC Designs
Sentiment: "boozy santa" Wild Rose Studio
Dies: Blueprints 27 from MFT
Ink: "broken china" Distress oxide

Copics
Skin - E11, 00, 000, 71, 93
Hair - E59, 57, 35
Hat - T8, 6, 5, YG97, 95, R39, 37, T3
Suit - B00, 000, T8, 6, R39, 37

Copics
Skin - E11, 00, 000, 71, 93
Hair - E34, 31, 30
Hat - T8, 6, 5, YG97, 95, R39, 37, T3
Suit - B00, 000, T8, 6, R39, 37

Merry Christmas

I just wanted to wish all my blog readers a 

Very Merry Christmas

I have enjoyed posting this year and I hope you have enjoyed reading the posts.

Now its time to get back to the Turkey 

Thank you xx

Cottage in a Bauble Final Version

This is the final version of this card, I decided to lose the bow and snowflake stamping. The stamping barely showed and the bow was a distraction and also meant additional postage.

I was quite pleased with how this came out in the end, my "cheap chicken" version is better than I could have hoped and I even have a few panels left over which I might use to get a head start on next years cards.....omg that is too funny, that will never, ever happen.

Only one more sleep before the guy in the red suit arrives, I hope you have all been good and that you aren't expecting coal in your stockings.

Ingredients
Image: "crafts beautiful" December Issue
Ink: "sepia brown" Versafine and "sweet tooth" MFT
Sentiment: "big christmas sentiments" Amy Rysavy from CC designs (retired)
Card:"kraft" Recollections at Michaels
Dies: "bauble shaker" Papertrey ink

Cottage in a Bauble Version 1

Last year one of the playday ladies gave me a card that had used this technique and I was blown away, I decided to try to recreate this and managed to do it without buying anything. I know I am astounded too.

I cut a piece of acetate with the bauble shaker die from PTI and made my own stencil, I also made larger than normal cards (5x7) so I had to measure and cut each piece as I don't have any dies that large. I placed the stencil on the kraft card, stamped the image and then used white pigment ink to ink in from the edges of the stencil but not cover the whole image. My white pen was the final touch and bish, bash, bosh all done.

Ingredients
Image: "crafts beautiful" December Issue
Ink: "sepia brown" Versafine and "sweet tooth" MFT
Sentiment: "big christmas sentiments" Amy Rysavy from CC designs (retired)
Card:"kraft" Recollections at Michaels
Dies: "bauble shaker" Papertrey ink, Bows from MFT

Little Elves Version 3

Well today is a calmer day, all the presents are wrapped and most are delivered, the food shopping is complete and I am enjoying a glass of wine. Only a few more sleeps until the big man in a red suit arrives, I hope he brings you lots of lovely goodies, me well I think I'm getting coal lol.

Ingredients
Image and Sentiment: "little elves" Roberto's Rascals for CC Designs
Ink: "parrot" Altenew
Dies: A2 stax set 1 and 2, basic edges scalloped 2 all MFT
Paper: "santa express" Doodlebug
Card: "real red" Stampin Up


Copics
Skin - E11, 00, 000, E71,
Hair - E34, 31, 30
Yellow - Y17, 15, 13
Green - YG67, 17, 25
Red - R39, 37, 35
White - W2

Little Elves Version 2

Yesterday I wrote an essay and never really mentioned the card so today....i'm going to say very little and instead I hope all your shopping is done and you are relaxing with your loved ones.....me I'm still running around like a headless chicken lol.

Ingredients
Image and Sentiment: "little elves" Roberto's Rascals for CC Designs
Ink: "parrot" Altenew
Dies: A2 stax set 1 and 2, basic edges scalloped 2 all MFT
Paper: "santa express" Doodlebug
Card: "real red" Stampin Up


Copics
Skin - E11, 00, 000, E71,
Hair - E59, 57, 35
Yellow - Y17, 15, 13
Green - YG67, 17, 25
Red - R39, 37, 35
White - W2

Little Elves Version 1

Every time I turn around there are more cute stamps sets available, I have loved Roberto's Rascals since the first set I saw a few years ago, of course I own that set but I've never used it (naughty Amanda). I bought the clear stamp set of little elves last january and of course now they are available as Digi stamps which would have been better but never mind I have them now. I have just seen the new snowmen and reindeer ones though that might need to come live with me lol.

I used this design a lot last year and I thought if it ain't broke don't fix it and used it again this year. I definitely need to break out of my comfort zone next year, maybe follow sketches or challenges, whatever it is I need to do something as this time it has felt very stressful and it should be fun.

Enough waffling, if you made it this far....well done and here is a simple but I hope cheery card lol.

Ingredients
Image and Sentiment: "little elves" Roberto's Rascals for CC Designs
Ink: "parrot" Altenew
Dies: A2 stax set 1 and 2, basic edges scalloped 2 all MFT
Paper: "santa express" Doodlebug
Card: "real red" Stampin Up


Copics
Skin - E11, 00, 000, E71,
Hair - E59, 57, 35
Yellow - Y17, 15, 13
Green - YG67, 17, 25
Red - R39, 37, 35
White - W2

Hunky-dory Snow Globe Version 2

The main difference between this one and yesterdays card is that I have added another little snowman. I had to mirror stamp the image and I thought this would be difficult but it wasn't. I used the acetate from the stamp set, stamped the image and then just turned it over onto my card and rubbed, yes it really was that simple.

Ingredients
Images: "snowy snow globe" Hunky dory
Sentiment: Creative stamping
Paper: "rustic atmosphere" The Works and "" First Edition

Copics
Lid - N3, 2, 1
Tree - G28, 46, R29, B24, Y15
Snowmen - R39, 37, YG17, 25, B26, 24, W2, B000, B01, 000, R22, 21, 20

Hunky-dory Snow globe Version 1

This year Hunky-dory have really become one of my favourite stamp companies, there designs and price point make them a firm favourite for sure. I always watch the month release on Facebook live and I knew as soon as they showed this set I would need to have it.

Before you ask, yes I am obsessed with snow globes and jars lol. Although to be fair I never seem to make cards with them just collect them so you wouldn't know how many are sitting in my craft room lol.

Ingredients
Images: "snowy snow globe" Hunky dory
Sentiment: Creative stamping
Paper: "rustic atmosphere" The Works and "" First Edition

Copics
Lid - N3, 2, 1
Tree - G28, 46, R29, B24, Y15
Snowmen - R39, 37, YG17, 25, B26, 24, W2, B000

Creative Stamping Deer

This is definitely the last of this design well until next year of course lol. Hopefully I haven't forgotten anyone but its too late now if I have.

Ingredients
Image: "Creative Stamping 49"
Paper: "jingle all the way" First Edition
Dies: Blueprints 27 from MFT
Card: "Kraft" Recollections from Michaels 

Tatty Ted Christmas 3

Sometimes once you start using a stamp set you can't stop until all the images are used, ok so I have never, ever done that but I have come close and this is one set where I was tempted to use them all but was running out of time. I wish I was more organised and had the time to make each christmas card an individual maybe I should make the christmas card when I make their birthday cards lol. who am i kidding I can barely get the birthday cards made in time

Ingredients
Image: "tatty ted" christmas by Papermania
Paper: Tatty ted free papers (from last year)
Dies: Scalloped rectangle from MFT
Sentiment: Creative Stamping magazine

Happy Holidays

This is the third payday design I used, I kept them simple this year with minimal colouring, last year I went a bit all out and by the end I was so frustrated I wasn't enjoying it so this year I thought simple and easy and then everyone gets a hand coloured card that I'm happy with and no last minute rushing.

Ingredients

Image: "happy holidays" Your Next Stamp

Paper: "tatty teddy"

Die: "small scalloped rectangle" MFT stamps

Copics

Moose - E70, 71, 74, 77, 79, 49

Scarf and Present - YG17, 23, R39, 37

James Christmas Cracker

Lili of the Valley reintroduced the James bear this year and they are also now available as Digi Stamps, I bought the digi stamp version as I thought I would probably make it bigger as the stamps are quite small and fiddly to colour, so why have I printed it smaller than even the stamp lol. 

This was a quick, simple but I hope elegant card and I made more than one of this design, multiples is the only way to go near christmas, just wish I could do the same for the birthday cards lol.

Ingredients
Image: "James Christmas Cracker" Digistamp from LOTV (lili of the valley)
Sentiment: "think big favourites" Papertrey ink, embossed with "cherry cobbler" powder from Stampin Up
Dies: Blueprints 27 and circle stax both from MFT, Crealies XXL stitched circles 
Card: "Blueberry Sky" Papertrey Ink and "real red" Stampin Up

Creative Stamping Wreath

This is almost the last of this design card, all that is left now are the one off designs. I am not sure I am going to be able to post every day as I am running out of time, designs and mojo, of course I'm not running out of stamps lol. 

Ingredients
Image: "Creative Stamping 49"
Paper: "jingle all the way" First Edition
Dies: Blueprints 27 from MFT
Card: "Kraft" Recollections from Michaels 

Creative Stamping Santa Boot

These cards have been so easy to produce and once I started I couldn't seem to stop so al;most all my christmas cards are the same. Hopefully next year this won't be the case.....I think I say that every year lol.

Ingredients
Image: "Creative Stamping 49"
Paper: "jingle all the way" First Edition
Dies: Blueprints 27 from MFT
Card: "Kraft" Recollections from Michaels 

Creative Stamping Star

This was the first design from this magazine and you can tell it wasn't the last lol. I am so shocked that I kept going with this design as normally I get bored but not this time, maybe it was because I was so disorganised lol.

Ingredients
Image: "Creative Stamping 49"
Paper: "jingle all the way" First Edition
Dies: Blueprints 27 from MFT
Card: "Kraft" Recollections from Michaels 

Creative Stamping Stockings

Third card in the Creative Stamping series, think this version is definitely my favourite and this image is the reason I bought the magazine in the first place. Of course then I was intending colouring each stocking but there is always next year.

Ingredients
Image: "Creative Stamping 49"
Paper: "jingle all the way" First Edition
Dies: Blueprints 27 from MFT
Card: "Kraft" Recollections from Michaels 

First Christmas

We have a new addition to the family and they always get a card for themselves on their first christmas. I bought this magazine just for this image and sentiment and I am so glad I did as there are loads of other images to enjoy too.

I originally coloured the hair blond but once she was born she had beautiful dark hair so her card was changed to match, i love that you can achieve this easily with copics.

Ingredients
Image and Sentiment: Creative Stamping
Dies: Blueprints 29 and small scalloped circles from MFT stamps and XXL stitched circles from Crealies
Card: "pink lemonade" Mft and "smoky slate" Stampin Up
Embossing Powder: "blushing bride" Stampin Up

Copics
Skin - E11, 21, 00, 000, 93
Hair - E35, 57, 59
Babygro - R22, 21, 20, 30
Ground - W2, 1, 0

Tatty Ted Christmas 2

As I already had the Tatty Ted set from Papermania on my desk I decided to make another card, I did choose a different image but the design was exactly the same.

I have had these stamps for at least six years and I am amazed I have never coloured them before.

I am hoping that I will start my christmas cards earlier in 2018 so I can at least colour some of the stamps I already possess.

Ingredients
Image: "tatty ted" christmas by Papermania
Paper: Tatty ted free papers (from last year)
Dies: Scalloped rectangle from MFT
Sentiment: Creative Stamping magazine

Penny Black Birthday Bears Again

You might recognise this design from one I made in October, in case you were wondering yes I made them at the same time but I waited to show this one until after the recipients birthday.

It was a fairly simple card to construct and the shaker pouches are so easy and effective, I have the heart ones and now I might buy them all.

This one has more sequins, it was the second one I made and I realised you could add extra so of course I did. Nothing remains except to wish Cheryl a very happy 40th Birthday xx

Ingredients

Image:  "birthday bears" Penny Black

Sentiment: "happy birthday circle frame" MFT

Paper: "Party Patterns" MFT

Dies: Blueprints 13 and shaker pouch dies all mft

Sequins: Pretty Pink Posh

Creative Stamping Bauble

Second of the Creative Stamping cards, this time its the bauble and again I think this would look awesome white heat embossed and watercoloured. 

Not much else to say except I can't believe it is the 7th already, wow this month is flying past.

Ingredients
Image: "Creative Stamping 49"
Paper: "jingle all the way" First Edition
Dies: Blueprints 27 from MFT
Card: "Kraft" Recollections from Michaels 

Creative Stamping Tree

I made several variations of this card design, all using the same set of stamps and papers. I love the look of heat embossing on Kraft card and I was pleased with how simple yet elegant they turned out.

So today I am showing the tree version, this tree would look beautiful coloured with copics or pencils and that maybe a design I use next year.

Ingredients
Image: "Creative Stamping 49"
Paper: "jingle all the way" First Edition
Dies: Blueprints 27 from MFT
Card: "Kraft" Recollections from Michaels 

Tatty Ted Christmas

This design seems to be my go to this year, I was trying to be more organised but in the end I was more disorganised than ever. In the summer I completely lost my mojo and my tradition of completing the birthday cards for the entire year by the end of August slipped away.

So because of that my christmas cards needed to be simple and quick. Over the rest of the month I will be showing these and yes they do all look very similar lol.

Ingredients
Image: "tatty ted" christmas by Papermania
Paper: Tatty ted free papers (from last year)
Dies: Scalloped rectangle from MFT
Sentiment: Creative Stamping magazine

Deer Christmas

In the January sale i bought a pack of ten christmas cards that had colour your own designs, they reminded me of the Tim Holtz hipsters and I knew exactly who I was making the cards for. The paper was a bit porous so I wasn't able to blend as normal but I think that adds to the charm. I do wish I had cut the bit behind his glasses before I added the nuvo glaze but never mind.

Ingredients
Image: "colour your own" christmas cards from The Range
Sentiment: Woodward Die
Background: Knit stamp and cornflower blue ink from MFT

Making Cards - Birthday Bears Version 5

When this magazine came out I couldn't wait to use the bears and promptly made four cards, well a few weeks later I was filing the set away and the unused bear looked so forlorn so I made another card. I knew who it was for so I decided not to show it on my blog until after their birthday. So here is version five and I hope that these bears come back out to play again soon as they are uber cute.

Ingredients
Image: Making cards magazine
Papers: Snap from Simple Stories
Dies: Blueprints 15, basic stitched edge and basic stitched scalloped edge dies all mft
Sentiment: Dovecraft die

Copics
Bear - E44. 43. 42
T-Shirt - RV14, 13, 11

Holiday Hello

You may recognise the style of this card from the one shown yesterday. Now you could be forgiven for thinking this was made at the same time but it wasn't, I was taking part in a monthly christmas card making challenge and this was February's design.

I went with the same design as last month as I was designing my payday cards and this style was my final choice.

Ingredients

Image: "holiday hello" Your Next Stamp

Paper: "tatty teddy"

Die: "small scalloped rectangle" MFT stamps

Copics

Dog - W2

Scarf and Present - G28, 46, R39, 37
Antlers - E37

Tweet Holiday Greetings

I was so behind with my christmas cards last year that when my good friend Kay suggested doing a rudolph day challenge on the 25th of each month I knew I had to take part.

This was my first card and made in January but I decided to wait until December to show any of the makes. I hope that I managed to take part each month and that it means that I am not stressed this year, who am i kidding I will still be stressed.

I am thinking that this might be my payday design this year, I have three stamps the same size that would work perfectly for these, look out for the others soon. Plus it would use up some of the mountain of patterned paper I have accumulated so I think its a winner lol.

Ingredients

Image: "tweet holiday greetings" Your Next Stamp

Die: "small scalloped rectangle" MFT stamps

Copics

Bird - E79, 77, 74, R24, 27

Scarf and Hat - YG67, 17, 03, 01

Flowers Behind My Back A Bella

Ok so where do I start, I suppose at the beginning lol.

Here goes, I have always been a Stamping Bella fan and have a few of the original Bella's so when I heard they were resigning them I wasn't to sure, however after seeing them I'm not only impressed but utterly converted.

I based the colours but not the colouring on the package from the stamp set, I had a blast colouring this girl and even managed to get pretty good pleating on her dress and that is where it all went wrong.... I was too pleased and was wondering if I could bear to part with this one when nature intervened and I coughed coffee all over the image. Rather than cry over spilt coffee I decided to colour her again but this time paper piece her dress lol.

I guess the moral to the story is.....if you have a rule that says no drinks in the craft room you should stick to it lol.

Ingredients
Image: "flowersbehindmybacka bella" Stamping Bella
Sentiment: Making cards Magazine
Dies: A2 stax set 2 from MFT
Card: "Hawaiian Shores" Papertrey Ink
Paper: "party patterns" from MFT

Copics
Hair - E59, 57, 35
Skin - E11, 00, 000 93
Hairband, belt and shoes - BG49, 57, 53
Flowers - Y17, 15, 13, YG17, 03, R39, 85, 81, BG49, 57, 53

Greeting Card Kids

I so wish that Stampin Up still did digital stamps, there are a few of their sets that I would like but in digital form rather than rubber. The ability to resize would help a lot for the intricate details. The digital stamps weren't available in the UK, I'm not 100% sure of that though, all i know is I purchased mine from the US site. Maybe one day they will be available again, we can but hope.

I was obsessed with this die last year and I think the obsession might be returning lol. I coloured the image at playday and had no idea what papers I would use so this seemed an easy and quick option.

Ingredients
Image: "Greeting card kids - valentines" Stampin Up (digital)
Sentiment: "handwritten notes" Avery Elle
Dies: "diagonal sentiment cover-up" MFT stamps

Copics
Stripes - B63, 66, 69, 79
Hair - E34, 31, 30
Skin - E11, 00, 000
Pink - RV09, 06, 04
Blue Violet - B79, 69, 66

Bye Bye Boy

Mo Manning draws the most stunning images, I have never found one I don't like and if I bought all the ones I wanted I would need a second mortgage lol. I love the versatility of being able to make them whatever size I like, more often than not though I go with the same size lol.

I am pleased with the hair on this one, its a new to me combo and I'm liking the results.

Ingredients
Image: "bye bye b" Mo's Digital Pencil
Paper: "little boy" Echo Park at Jessica Sprague
Card: "midnight muse" (retired) Stampin Up
Dies: XXL square stitched from crealies and "wonky stitched rectangles" from MFT

Copics
Hair - E59, 57, 35
Skin - E11, 00
Jeans - B99, 97, 95, 93, 91
Backpack -  R08, 05, 14, E09
Jumper -
Bike -
Ground - E44, 43, 42

Tried and Tested 1st Birthday Boy card

Well I sound like a broken record but if it ain't broke don't fix it lol. This is my tried and tested design for 1st birthdays and although the image, papers, card colour changes the basic design does not. 

I do enjoy adding names and ages to kids cards and I know if their name is unusual that they don't receive much with their names so its my way of making that happen.

Not much else to say except I enjoyed making it and I hope that they enjoy receiving it.

Ingredients
Image: "' Digital Pencil Too
Paper: "Party Animals" Nit Wit
Dies: Crealies XXL stitched squares and stitched circles, Basic edges and scalloped basic edges both from MFT
Card: "new leaf" Papertrey Ink

Copics
Skin - E000, 00, 11
Hair - E59, 57, 35
Ground - W3, 2, 1
T-Shirt - YG03, 01
Dungarees - B04, 02, 01, 00, 000
Balloon - YG67, 17, 25, 03

Unicorn

I love me some unicorns and at the moment so does everyone else as they are everywhere lol.

The person I made this card for isn't into the cute type so when I bought this magazine I already knew who the image would be used for.

Of course once it was coloured I had no idea what to do with it and then I remembered that I had made a background for a fairy card and thought give it a go.

Ingredients
Image: Creative Stamping
Sentiment: Woodware
Dies: "scalloped frames" Gina Marie
Background: "worn lipstick" and "wilted violet" distress oxides

Bobby Socks

I was inspired by a card I saw where this stamp had been coloured in grey with a highlight colour, I decided to try this myself and it was easier than I expected. I wish I could remember who coloured the image originally so I could give credit where it is due.

I was inspired to try this again with another of the girl images from Lili of the valley so you may see that one soon too.

Ingredients
Image: "Bobby Socks" Digistamp from LOTV (lili of the valley)
Sentiment: "big birthday wishes" MFT, stamped with "lovely lady" ink from Papertrey Ink
Paper: "party patterns" MFT
Dies: Blueprints 16 and scalloped basic edges 2 both from MFT

Copics
Grey - T9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, blender
Pink - RV14, 13, 11

Equaliser

I have made an almost identical card to this before but last time I went with more random colours, this time I tried to recreate the real colours of an equaliser not sure I prefer this version lol. 

I used a die from a friend and cut two, one in silver and one in white. I coloured the white one with N10 copic and then added novo glaze to make it shiny.

A simple, card without any fuss, my usual style lol.

Ingredients
Sentiment: "keep it simple birthday 3" paper trey Ink
Dies: A2 stax 1 and 2
Card: "dark charcoal" Michaels
Stencil: "equaliser" MFT
Inks: Twisted citroen, Squeezed lemonade, carved pumpkin and candy apple all distress

Squidgy and Teddy

The new squidgy range (ok so not really new just new to me) from Stamping Bella is gorgeous. I have liked a fair few but this was the first one I bought, it appealed to me because of the huge teddy bear and like my struggle with chocolate stamps I just can't resist a cute teddy.

The stamps contain a sentiment, large image and smaller one, I used the smaller one to create the background after seeing Faye create a similar one.

Not much else to say except I liked colouring the bear, can't wait to use it again and lets see how long that wait is.

Ingredients
Image: "Squidgy with Teddy" Stamping Bella
Sentiment: "birthday bears" MFT
Dies: Square Staxs, A2 rectangle staxs and blueprints 31 all MFT
Card: "island indigo" Stampin Up
Paper: "Squidgy with Teddy" stamping Bella stamped in tropical teal dye ink from MFT

Copics
Skin - E11, 00, 000, R02
Hair - E59, 57, 35
Dress - BG49, 45, T4, 2
Ground - W2, 0
Bear - E49, 44, 43, 42, 41, R39, 37

Sherlock the Cat

I've had this idea in my head for ages, originally I was going to use a Mo Manning image but as soon as I saw this cat I knew it was perfect. The young lady who is turning 21 loves all things Sherlock, purple and her big fluffy grey cat so I had to include all of these on her card.

Not a lot to say except this has been my go to style for a few cards now so I need to change it up and try something different.

Ingredients
Image: "basik and sparrows" Scrapberry
Sentiment: "all in onsie" Clearly Besotted
Numbers: "A la mode big birthday numbers" (retired) from MFT
Dies: XXL Stitched squares from Crealies
Card: "grape jelly" MFT
Paper: "tiny check brights" MFT

Copics
Numbers - V17, 15, 12
Birds - R89, 39, 37, B26, 23, V17, 15
Cat - T7, 6, 5, B26, 24, 23, C3, 2, 1, E09, 07

Engineer

Mo Manning manages to capture such joy and exuberance in her images, they are always a joy to colour and bring a smile to everyone. This is a very early image and I've owned it for quite a few years, it was an image that scared me to colour but not anymore, you never know I might colour more scary images soon lol.

I went with a tried and tested design again, only one more of this style I promise.

Ingredients
Image: "engineer" Mo's Digital Pencil
Sentiment: "marker felt" computer generated
Dies: XXL stitched squares from Crealies
Card: "enchanted evening" Papertrey Ink
Paper: "Birthday Blowout" MFT

Copics
Skin - E11, 00, 000
Hair - N6, 4
Shirt - N2, 1, 0, blender
Hat and Dungarees - B99, 97, 95, 93
Ground - E35, 34, 31
Train - R89, 39, 37, N9, 7, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1, 100
Shoes - E49, 79, 74
Kerchief - R89, 39, 37
Sky - BG11, 10, blender

Birthday Bobbi

I stopped taking part in the September 30 day colouring challenge around day 12, life got busy and my mojo went missing so I decided to stop pressurising myself and just colour as and when I wanted to. I missed taking part though and have decided to be more organised next time. I know famous last words lol.

I was crafting with friends and one had used a mojo monday sketch and I thought why not try to recreate it, I used sketches a lot when my mojo was missing but since I have moved more to clean and simple cards its not something I think of using. It was fun to look through the sketches and choose one to kind of replicate, I have never been able to copy 100% but its close enough.

I was saddened to hear that Mojo Monday has stopped but with the move to CAS its not surprising. The creation of a new sketch each week can't have been easy and they should be applauded and thanked for that.

Ok enough rambling onto the card, its simple and follows (sort of) the sketch below. As i was printing hubbies image I added a few others to the sheet so as to not waste the card and this is one of those images.

Ingredients
Image: "birthday Bobbi" Digistamp Boutique
Paper: "party patterns" from MFT
Dies: blueprints 15 from MFT and XXL inside out circles from Crealies
Sentiment: "party animal" Avery Elle stamped with "winter wisteria" from Papertrey Ink

Copics
Bear - E44, 43, 42
Nose - E47
Ground - BV02, 01, 00
Balloons - Y17, 15, 13, R85, 83, 81, BV02, 01, 00
Present - Y17, 15, 13, R85, 83, 81

IT Ant

It was recently my Hubbie's 50th Birthday, how did that happen, he was only 21 when I met him and that only seems like yesterday.

He is a gamer/IT/gadget guy and all of the cards I've made for him over the years have reflected that and this one is no different.

I saw this image ages ago and as the guy was wearing an Atari t-shirt I knew it was perfect. My hubby has been an atari fan since the first days of the 2600 machine, in fact we have all the variations of all the machines atari produced, yes he is a collector lol.

Ingredients
Image: "DIY Ian" Doctor Digi
Dies: XXL Stitched Squares from Crealies
Card: "dark charcoal" 65lb Recollections from Michaels
Paper: "mankind" Simply Creative

Copics
Skin - E13, 11, 00, 000
Hair - T6, 5, 4, 3, 2
Jeans - B99, 97, 95, 93
T-shirt - N9, 7, 6, R29, YR07, G28, G17, B26, B24, Y15
Ground - E43, 42, 41
Computer - N6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

Jungle Friends Elephant

Another inspired by Therese, she thought the elephant would look good sat on top of the MFT happy die, now I didn't have that die but I remembered I had the Papertrey Ink One Liner dies. This worked out perfect and the card was a dream to make.

This is day 6 of the colouring challenge, so far more than half of the images have been made into cards, I am hoping that by the end of the year I will have made them all and shown them here too.

Ingredients
Image: "jungle Friends" Katzelkraft
Sentiment: "label maker" mft and "one liner" Papertrey Ink
Paper: "mankind" Creative

Hero Arts Goldfish

This was the first stamp layering set, that wasn't flowers, that I ever really wanted. I ummed and ahhed over it and it had been out quite a while before I bought it and I am so pleased I did. It lined up a dream and looks so effective too.

I was inspired by a card in Septembers Making Cards magazine and it made me want to pull out this set and get making, thats the beauty of magazine, blogs etc it helps you rediscover forgotten stash or buy new stuff too lol.

The watercolour background was achieved with cheap Aldi tube paints and two layers I was so surprised that they kept their colour and were so bright after they dried, I was expecting a more muted look. Not much else to say except I enjoyed making this card and its one more of the list.

Ingredients
Image and Sentiment : 'Goldfish" Hero Arts
Dies: "wonky stitched rectangles" MFT
Inks: "jellybean green, gumdrop green and sour apple" all MFT, "cocoa bean, summer sunrise, Orange zest and smokey shadow" all Papertrey ink
Paints: Aldi watercolour

Take Control

I am a fan of your next stamps and as soon as I saw this set I bought it. I then proceeded to loose it and it was gone for six months. I was about to order it again when I cleared out a forgotten bit of my room and there it was. I was so shocked and happy. This was the first set I had ever lost and not found shortly afterwards. I did think maybe I hadn't bought it and I dreamed it lol.

Anyway the remote control has arms but no legs and he looked a bit odd to me so I stamped and added the legs from the stamp a character set. I then used blueprints 31, this is by far the quickest and easiest blueprints to date, and viola a card is made.

Ingredients

Image: "boys toys" Your Next Stamp and "stamp a character" Also Your Next Stamp

Sentiment: as above

Card: "charcoal" from Michaels

Paper: "mankind" Simply Creative

Dies: Blueprints 31

Dolls House

I have always loved dolls houses, as both a child and adult I have been fascinated by the items that you can make and buy to fill the rooms. One of my crafty friends shares the same passion and fascination although she does have an actual house whereas I only dream about one lol.

I had bought the decoupage version of this a few years ago and when there was a sale at just inklined I bought the digi stamp version. It was quite a challenge to colour as the image is fairly small (well the size i printed it lol) but I did like the finished result.

Another of the 30 day colouring challenge images made into a card, woohoo.

Ingredients
Image: "dollhouse" Just Inklined
Sentiment: "keep it simple - birthday 3" Papertrey Ink
Paper: 'Bonnets and bowties" Nit Wit for Lili of the Valley
Card: "grape jelly" MFT
Dies: Crealies XXL Stitched square and basic edges 2 and scalloped edges 2 both MFT


Copics
Roof - BV29, 25, 23
Brickwork - E43, 42, 41, 40
Grass - YG17, 25, 03
Path and Base - W6, 4
Blue - B06, 04, 02, 01, 00, 000
Pink - RV14, 13, 11
Shutters - V29, 25
Door - Stampin up Winter Wisteria Markers

Birthday Cheers

Day 4 of the challenge and although I did colour on day three they haven't made it onto cards yet, I add yet as I have cards planned.

I love Digistamp Boutique images especially the guy ones, they seem to capture the comic element without being harsh. I haven't made this for anyone but more to have in case, I don't normally make cards without a person in mind but as I am constantly chasing my tail this year maybe I ought to.

Good old blueprints 31 again but I changed up the sentiment strip and I like it, might be a go to design for quite some time.

Also this is a new paper pack, opened today I have left it on my desk as I can forsee lots of guy cards with this one.

Ingredients

Image: "harry with Beer" Digistamp Boutique

Sentiment: "wet paint holiday tags" Papertrey Ink

Card: "midnight Muse" Stampin Up (retired in colour)

Paper: "mankind" Simply Creative

Dies: Blueprints 31 and sentiment label strip all MFT

Copics

Skin - E13, 11, 00, R02

Hair - E59, 57, 35

Shirt - E09, R08, 05

Jeans - B99, 97, 95, 93

Beer - E35, E57, B93, R08, E51