Going green

Being a foreigner in Ireland (local pc term is non-national) I could not, of course, resist that cheeky little leprechaun in Phindy's shop. I understand completely that it was actually meant for St. Paddy's Day. It didn't bother me the slightest. If I want to make a thank you card with leprechaun then I'm perfectly entitled to. So there.


I've tried to keep it as simple as possible since it's meant for a guy. I WAS tempted to add loadsa bling though. Almost had to tie my hands to the chair.

Apologies for a bad photo, it's a very overcast day here and however I tried no better results. Just believe me when I say it's a lot nicer in real life. The bottom part withpunched stars is NOT actually brown, it's the same muted gold as all the mats for patterned paper and sentiments. :(


Image was coloured with Copics and then finished off with Sakura gel and glitter pens. Gold in the pot was created with Glossy Accents, microbeads and chunky vintage glass glitter (yummy stuff). I then cut it out with Nestabilites square and sponged the background lightly with metallic rubons.

The frame for image is put together from different elements of Spellbinderts medallion die set using Bazzill bling card. Patterned papers are from Basic Grey (Origins) and I matted them on old gold coloured textured cardstock. Again, looks cooler in real life. :D


The sentiment was computer-generated. I went for an easel card because I like the way you can effortlessly combine and display two parts of the sentiment.

MS border punch and EK Success photo corner punch was also used, along with some cream pearlescent cardstock I got from Ebay yonks ago.


It wouldn't be my typical style of a card but it's good sometimes to do someting a bit different, keeps your mind open. :D Since it was done with a very specific person in mind I made something I knew (well, guessed) HE would like.

Hopefully he will.

I would like to enter this card into Quixotic Challenge "One For The Boys". Presuming grown-up guys of sturdy build actually count as boys. Fingers crossed.

Thanks for looking!

Hugs
Annika

Fairies are green ... right?

Has it ever happened to you that you need a birthday card for a friend who means so much to you but it takes you about a month to make it because nothing really seems quite right or good enough and you keep pulling apart cards you have attempted to start and the whole hullabaloo almost ends up killing your mojo altogether?

Well, that's what happened to me. And here is the end result which I'm (whispers) quite happy with. Not something you hear from me very often, I know! :D


I plan to call it "Inspiration Fairy - Too Many Pies and Feeble Wings".

But I didn't put the sentiment on before taking the picture. Just in case I decide I don't like the end result after all and proceed to taking it all apart AGAIN. Can't have that.

The gorgeous chubby fairy is form Mo's Digital Pencil. I had to buy it, looks exactly like I would in green tulle.


I printed her three times, coloured with Copics and 3D-d her body and dress. Even curved the dress to accentuate the ample derrier! lol Then I glittered her wings and added some accents with Sakura glitter pens. Background was done with chalks.

Perals, gems and flowers are from Prima, the last I sprayed with plenty of Glimmer Mist. Little cute cameo is from Websters pages and pins (I think) from Maya Road. I also used a snippet of Prima lace.

Leaf punch is from Martha Stewart, I added some accents with Sakura pens to those too. Border punch is one of my old neglected Fiskars ones.

Nestabilities label I used was the biggest in set so I made a mat for it by embossing it on brown cardstock and cutting out on outermost line.

Papers are from Basic Grey Nook And Pantry collection, so far my favorite line from them.
Thanks for looking!

Hugs
Annika

Blue, green and orange

That was a challenge at Phindy's place this week. And my reaction was - OMG!!!
I can do blue. Green even. But orange is a challenge indeed!

Once I had decided to venture out of my comfort zone I gathered I might as well do it with full fervor and decided to follow Mojo Monday sketch. I love those. I dissolve into puddle of admiration looking at what OTHER people do with them. Yet when I try them out my results are always lacking. Mildly put.

This time being no exception. I should just give up trying to do elegant and minimalist. Duh.


To top it all up even Melissa Frances rubons (which are usually brilliant) started to riot and wouldn't attach properly. Thus the wonky sentiment.

I still love that adorable image by Phindy though. If you haven't yet - check her work out, she's amazing! AND she has a DT call going on at the moment!! And no, I am not affiliated in any way. Just addicted! lol


Apologies for a bad photos, it is VERY dark today here in Ireland. Might as well be night. I actually have had to keep lights on in the house the whole day.

Image was coloured with Copics, papers were from DCWV Garden stack, ribbons from stash, button from Bunny Zoe's crafts (she has a lovely customer service and very reasonable shipping).

Thanks for looking!

Hugs

Annika

Remember when...

I have boxes full of cards and yet I always seem to struggle to find one NOT overflowing with cuteness and dripping of flowers/glitter/pearls/gems. So I set out to create more cards that would suit male and female recipients not that keen on "pretty factor".

A little online retail therapy had resulted in abundance of gorgeous images from Phindy on my hard drive. Isn't that little lad just sooo cool?


I coloured him with Copics to coordinate with October Afternoon Farm Fresh pad (which I'm currently in love with, yes I know that strong feelings towards a pad of paper are faintly disturbing). A little Sakura clear glaze was added to eyes and toes of the boots and a tiny bit of white highlights to cheeks and hair with Inkessentials white gel pen. Please note - no glitter in sight. Or Stickles even.


I had to have SOME fun though so rooted through my stash and found those green hingey-loopy-hardware-thingies. I thought they fitted in well with image and used them to create a wraparound effect with red twine.

I have no idea where I got this ribbon, it fitted nicely with colour scheme though. All that was left was to layer up a little star with Spellbinders dies, button of uncertain origin and more red twine and voila - a card!



Sentiment was computer-generated, wanted something quirky and fun. Hopefully whoever gets it will find it funny too. :D


Thanks for looking!

Hugs

Annika

A very belated Valentine

Obviously I made this card a while ago but only got around taking a photo today. Shockingly it was a sunny day so actually managed to snap it in natural light!


It's a very simple underembellished card as I wanted to concentrate mainly on sentiment and that gorgeous little girl from Jellypark. I found that little Etsy shop very recently, love Claire's quirky style!

I used Basic Grey Origins papers and stickers, got them in the monthly scrapbook kit and wasn't instantly taken by them but I think thy might grow on me now.

Ribbon is from Poppycrafts, sentiment computer-generated.

Colouring is done with Copics, I tried to achieve a bit "watercoloury" look by using the tip to tip technique. Not sure how well that worked out! :D

Lately I have discovered the easel cards, they are sooo easy to make and look really effective!

Thanks for looking!

Hugs
Annika

Long time no see...

I know, I know ... it's been a horrendously lengthy blog break. I won't go into reasons but I can assure you they've been perfectly legitimate!

Lately I've been obsessing about digital stamps, especially Phindy's and Mo's GORGEOUS images. So what better way to re-start my blogging than Phindys Blitz challenge, read all about it in her Paperplanet group. And if you haven't discovered her images yet - go ahead, have a little peek here... And I refuse to take any responsibility in resulting hits on credit card balance!:D

Anyway, here's my card. Simple enough layout but I needed to finish it in reasonable time. :D

Sorry for the quality of the photo, it was taken late in the evening.

I had real trouble choosing paper for that card. The colour scheme and layout were in my head, just couldn't find anything to match the picture in my head. Eventually dug out some older papers from Graphic 45 and Sassafrass.

Image, as said before, is from Phindy. Just adore that confused-lookin cat with a cell phone. Colouring is done with Copics, took the plunge some time ago and lovin' them. :) They're quite an expensive addiction though!

Everything else was (quickly) unearthed from the bottomless pits of my stash. The sentiments were computer-generated. The great indoors is becoming quite an issue here with kiddos constantly down with one bug/infection or other.:(

Thanks for looking an have a lovely day!

Hugs!

Annika