Phindy's Place Challenge #3 - Favorite Phindy image

I can't believe it's already time for 3rd challenge at Phindy's Place! This time it's to use your favorite Phindy's image.

That was a toughie since I sincerely love most of her work but since Mrs Comfy was the first one I discovered and fell in love with I picked one of the images from that line I had been stroking for a while!
I used my good staple favorites - MME papers and kept it very simple effectively just creating a frame for the artwork. Only embellishments I used are Card Candy which are basically fake brads. :) The sentiment was generated with computer and printed on patterned paper scraps, I don't know where I came upon that quote but I thought it very fitting.


All the colouring was done with Copic markers again with little accents added with Sakura Souffle, Glaze and Stardust pens.

Zig-zag border is from MME die-cut paper, I cut it off and glued it onto the edges of card and built all the other layers on top of it. Added tiny dots with dimensional pearly paint as well, just to make it pop more.
Don't forget to head to Phindy's challenge blog to see the gorgeous examples from the rest of DT and then pick out YOUR favorite image and get crafting! Dying to see your work!
I would like to enter following challenges

Sundays With Crissy - Dots
Raise The Bar - Color me Happy (my favorite colours teal, dark yellow, green)
Pile It On - Birthday with a sweet treat

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs
Annika

One hefty imaginary friend

Today's card is created using image from Hambo stamps, they have loads of fun stamps and hilarious sentiments. It cracked me up the moment I saw it and I knew exactly what I was going to do with it.
I coloured the image with Copics, no glitter or glaze involved - yes, I know, it can happen to me sometimes!
The papers are from my favorite MME Quite Contrary collection. It's an obsession, what can I say! I didn't use any embellishments except some stickers and die-cuts from the same collection.
All the stitching is done by hand using embroidery thread and the sentiments were created in the computer and printed straight onto stickers, then heat-embossed. The grass is made with MS border punch.
I would like to enter this card into following challenges:
Stamptacular - sewing
Crafty Catz - sewing
Lili of the Valley - Here Comes Summer
Mercy's Tuesday Challenge - Sketch inspiration

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!

Hugs
Annika

Wonderful news!

I have been dying to share with you since Monday - I am now a part of Isabella's Sketchbook Challenges FABULOUS design team!

Lookie, what a gorgeous badge I get to flaunt! :)

Seriously,  I love Isabella's artwork and this is going to be so much fun! The challenge is going to be set on every Wednesday and run for a week, usually the winner is going to get 2 Isabella's images free but the first week the prize is whopping 6 images! You better rush over there and get creative with Isabella's stamps! :)

I don't have a new card for this week but here is my so far (because there's going to be many more!) favorite card with Isabella's image:

I really hope you are going to join us!

Happy waves and hugs

Annika

Zzzzingy!

Boo-boo alert! Avert your eyes those who are sensitive to outrageous failures in producing half-decent cards! Well, I HAVE promised to share my goods AND my bads with the blogging world...

Sad thing is it could have worked perfectly well if I hadn't changed my mind at the last minute and matted everything on chocolate brown instead of bright yellow. Too late now.

I still like the gorgeous Banana Split image by Isabella though. Isn't it yummy? Coloured with Copics, smothered in clear glaze, liquid applique, beads and glitter. As usual. 'Cos I don't DO subtle.

And the layout (sketch from Sweet Sunday Sketch) is actually very nice. See, positive thinking! Aren't you proud of me?!

Apologies for photos, very overcast day and I did not want to use a flash since it would have smeared horrible glare on top of all the glazed areas.

The papers I used are from K & CO Cut n' Paste mat stack.

And funnily enough, Allison was kind enough to let me embellish my blog with her "Me Likey" badge for this card I had considered a boo-boo:

Thanks a million, Allison!

I would like to enter this card into following challenges:

Fussy and Fancy - Birthday with a sweet treat

Pile it On - Make it Sweet

Tanda Teaser,- Vivid Colours (Hah!)

Penny's Challenges - Anything Goes!

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!

Hugs

Annika

One, two, three, all together - aaahhhhh...

Our friends just had a baby boy and luckily (hehee) I had a perfect image to fit the bill! It's from Phindy and it's called Contentment (it's also available in African-American version). I love the beautiful serene air of the drawing and the feel that you are witnessing a beautiful private moment between mother and the baby.

Colouring was mainly done with Prismacolour pencils to keep the soft feel, I only laid some base (lazy me) with Copics.

Papers are from MME, lace is from my stash and the sentiments are from Whiff of Joy. The border punch I used is I THINK from Woodware.
Nestabilities dies were used to make flowers, image matting and the label inside. Shadow-stamped image inside is from Joanna Sheen.


Remember, there's still plenty of time to enter Phindy's Place second challenge - Use Ribbon. You could win yourself some gorgeous artwork! :)

I would like to enter that card into following challenges:

Digital Tuesday - flowers

Dare u 2 Digi Stamp - flowers

Pile It On - Spring (to me flowers and new life always personify spring time!)

Meljens Place - For the little ones

Sundays With Crissy - Make it a Combo

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs
Annika

Penguin Celebration. Hmmmm.

I had to laugh when I saw the challenge on Stamptacular this week - Penguin Celbration. "Did you know that April 25th is "World Penguin Day?" Well, in honor of all the penguins we, at Stamptacular, thought we'd celebrate! For this week's challenge you will create a card or project that reminds us of a penguin."

Then I happened to go through my stamp folders and found this...

Well, you see, now I basically had to make a card!

Coloring was done with Copics and was a breeze, just some soft grey accents. Then I added snow with Ice Stickles, Sakura clear glitter to cymbals ans clear glaze to polar bears nose.

Patterned papers are from Pink Paislee Bayberry Cottage which I had still out from one of my previous projects. It pays to be messy!

The matting and Spellbinders pendant were versamarked and heat embossed with Vanilla Ice and Sparkly Black. White cardstock on bottom was embossed with Sizzix plate, brayered with versamark and heat embossed with Vanilla Ice again.

Then I pleated some polka dot satin ribbon from my stash and added some gems from my stash. 

And the card was born! lol

Thank you for looking and happy crafting!

Hugs

Annika

Phindy's Place Challenge #2 - Use Ribbons

This weeks challenge at Phindy's Place is to use ribbon on your card (and an image from Phindy, of course!).It's all fun and games, really! At least for me, since I confess to experiencing certain feelings of emptiness and duress if I can NOT manage to squeeze some ribbon or lace on my cards.
I went for that adorable Sticky Elbow image, isn't she just sooo funny and real cute! Colouring was done with Copics, then I added micro beads to the cone she's holding. I decided it should be a sorbet. Pistachio sorbet, to be precise, lol.

The background was once again done with chalks and the grass with Prismas.

Yummy papers come from Cosmo Cricket Material Girl pad, I distressed them lighthandedly and did some paper pricking. The flower, lace and pearl swirl is from Prima and the ribbons from my stash. Sentiment stamps are from Whiff of Joy. And of course there were some Nestabilities labels involved, lol.


I hope you will find time and join in the fun at Phindy's Place! If you don't have any of here images yet, why not to pop in to her PCP group and pick up a freebie to start with!

I would like to enter this card into following challenges:
Digital Tuesday - April Flowers
Dare u2 digi stamp - Flowers

Crafty Cardmakers - "Imagine if you were on a Desert Island for at least 6 months, what crafty essentials would you *need* to have with you?" Well in my case it would have to be my favorite patterned papers, lashings of ribbon, lace and glittery stuff, pearls, my Copic markers, Prismas, chalks, laptop, printer and hefty supply of Neenah cardstock. And my guillotine. Can't do without it.

Wow, that's a scary list of things I'd have to carry on my head while swimming for a life from a sinking ship! :D

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!

Hugs
Annika

Shine on!

Today I want to show you a card I made for a really lovely person who's name I can not say cause she IS reading this blog. So it's a secret. Hush!

I used another one of Isabella's images I HAD TO get when I stumbled upon her shop. I think she has a really fun and original images.

Colouring was done with Copic markers with a TINY bit of Sakura Stardust and Clear Glaze.

The papers are from Pink Paislee Bayberry Cottage line, I wanted a really strong pattern with a hint of retro. I also wanted to challenge myself to use purple which is normally not my favorite colour to work with. It shows cause I didn't really have Copics to match the paper exactly.

Brads, ribbon and crochet flower are from my stash.

I would like to enter following challenges:
The Crafty Pad - Stitching
Allsorts Challenge - Stitching
Stamp Something - Something Layered

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!

Hugs
Annika

Mother's Day card - Messy goes vintage ... again!

When Phindy showed us her newest image, Spring Breeze, I just knew I had to make a Mother's Day card with it. I remember helping my Mom hanging out laundry on a beautiful crisp spring days just like the one on the picture.


Because of a wonderful soft retro flair of the image I decided to give in and do a vintagey card once again - and this time it actually worked very well. It looks better in real life than it does on the picture - however I tried, I could not get a good photo of it. :(
I used Copics, Prismas and chalks to colour the image. All the papers are distressed with scissors, then Cosmic Shimmer sparkle paint and then glass glitter.

I also did some hand stitching and cut out butterflies from designer paper to use as embellishments. Clothes pegs, twine and twill ribbon are all from my stash.

And remember, there is still time to submit your card to Phindy's first challenge - Anything Goes (as long as you use Phindy image). If you don't own any Phindy images yet you can always pop to her PCP group and grab a freebie to start with. :)

I used Mercy's sketch for the card, I think I might start getting hooked on those! lol

I would like to enter that card into following challenges:
Stampin' for a Weekend - Ribbons and Bows
Stampavie and More - Butterflies
Stamp Something - Something Layered
Cute Card Thursday - Touchy Feely

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!

Hugs
Annika

Phindy's First Challenge - Anything Goes!

It's time for Phindy's Place first challenge. It's very easy this time - Anything Goes as long as you use one of Phindy's gorgeous images!

I opted for Mrs Comfy Cooks - I adore Mrs Comfy line. Mostly because THAT IS ME! Well, plus couple of stones, minus glasses, lol.


I coloured Mrs Comfy with Copic markers (I really should start making a list of markers I've used). Her glasses and wine glass are covered with clear glaze and pom-poms on her sleeves have some Sakura glitter on.


Those happy papers are from MME, buttons from my stash. I wanted to keep image big and thus added minimum embellishments.

The sentiment was computer-generated. I had thought it a quote I remembered from someplace but it appears it is actually from Hambo Stamps. It is available in almost exact words in their Fractured Funnies section. Sorry, Monica!


Now go on, get your supplies out and make some Phindy-magic! You're gonna have a ball!

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!

Hugs
Annika

Isn't it great...

I felt like an easel card this time. So I made one.


This is for a family friend's engagement, she is a really cool girl with fabulously quirky sense of style, thus the mad colour scheme on clothes and slightly pink tinge to her hair. lol

The fab image from Mo is coloured with Copic markers and 3D-d silghtly. Background was created with chalks.

I thinkI might have found another big love - American Crafts papers. Paper slut, that's me... Unfortunately those papers are on the dear side and utterly impossible to find around here. So plus shipping charges. Overseas shipping charges. Aaaargh.

Real yummy colours and patterns though.

Flowers and lace are from my stash, half-pearls from Papermania, border punch MS Pansies. Of course there's Nesties involved and all the sentiments were created by humble me in MS Word.

I would like to enter this card to following challenges:
Truly Scrumptious - sketch
Cute Card Thursday - Touchy-feely
Paper Play - Shiny Happy People
Allsorts Challenge - Petals & Pearls

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!

Hugs
Annika

Playing with a sketch

This card uses a sweet image from Isabella's Sketch Book and the sketch from Sketch and Stash Challenge.

The image is new - I just discovered Isabella's cute drawings and had to give it a try. Forgotten and neglected are the Amy Butler papers, Prima flowers and the check ribbon.

Image was coloured with Copic markers, background sponged with Versacolour inks and grass is made with Prismacolour pencils.

I would also like to enter that card to following challenges:
Totally Gorjuss - texture
Cupcake Craft Challenge - Childhood memories (main reason I picked out that image is that her outfit SO reminds me of a dress my great aunt made for me when I was little)

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!

Hugs
Annika

Big news - my first DT AND first blog hop!

I am incredibly happy and proud to to display THAT on here the very first time:

I have been fan of Phindy's fabulous stamps for a long time and when she had a DT call for a new challenge blog I gathered all the bravery and applied. Couldn't believe my luck when I got email from her telling me I am one of the 12 fabulous crafters chosen for her team.

Here are the links to all our DT members blogs:

Ann English
Anne Ray
Anne-Marije Poppen
Cindy Royal
Emma Lockley
Jane Wetzel
Linda Payne
Lynda Nielsen
Mary B. Giemza
Sylvia Blum
Tammy Maynard

Just look at their work and you'll understand why I feel humbled and truly grateful to be a part of that fabulous new venture.

To celebrate the birth of our our new and talented challenge-blog-baby we came up with a big fun blog hop with loads of eye (and some other) candy to be had.

Here's the story:
"Because the DT and the Challenge are new, our theme for the hop is "New". Phindy has designed an adorable New Arrival digi especially for the launch of the challenge! This image is not available to buy in her shop until Friday, April 16.
The bloghop winner (chosen by random) will receive candy from Phindy – a $15 gift certifcate to her shop! Not only that, you will also find some small individual pieces of candy hidden along the way by the DT! All you have to do to win is to sit back and enjoy the wonderful projects from the Design Team, be sure to leave comments at each blog and you will be entered into the candy draw.
The Blog Hop Draw closes on Thursday 15 April at midnight GMT."

Congratulations! You have arrived to one of the "candy spots"! lol There's a fair bit of yummyness on offer! Check it out in my candy announcement in the post below or just follow the link from the side bar!

Here is my first time showcasing Phindy's achingly cute New Arrival stamp:


I used Copics to colour the image and 3D-d the cot and the cat.


The papers are from Papermania Rose Garden stack (soooo cute), ribbons and brads from my stash. The flowers I made myself from simple cheap lace trim. Thrifty, me. lol


And of course I couldn't resist the temptation of finishing off the inside of the card as well - I really should cut back on work that goes to insides of the card - takes away a lot of VERY valuable colouring-and-playing time. lol


And now go on, hop straight ahead to Anne-Marije's beautiful blog, she has something real cute to show you! :)

COME BACK AND PARTICIPATE IN OUR FIRST CHALLENGE, FRIDAY, APRIL 16TH! More fun and prizes!

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!

Hugs
Annika

A little yummy for your...erm ... it's a blog candy, OK!

THIS CANDY IS NOW CLOSED.

THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER TODAY.

As from today I am a proud member of Phindy's Challege Blogs Design Team. Do go and check out all the fabulousness on offer, our DT is out of this world and Phindy offers lovely prizes of her uber-gorgeous images to winners.

The challenges will kick off on Friday, April 16th - you better check that date in you calendar quickly (or sign up as a follower of the challenge blog) so you wouldn't miss all the fun.
To celebrate my first ever design team (and my first ever blog hop when it comes to it) I have decided to spread some more sweetness into the blog world.

So here is what I've put together - I stuck to the things I really like and hope you'll love them too!

Some close-up pictures so you'd get a better look.

There's 12x12 papers from Websters Pages, Lily-Bee & Pink Paislee, 6x6 pad from MME, some script papers, handmade flocked papers from Papermania, Spellbionders dies, a hefty selection of flowers (Prima, Wild Orchid Crafts, Joanna Sheen, Lily Bee), ribbon, lace, die-cut felt & tulle, MFT Pure Innocence stamp, MM vintage findings, some Thickers and lots more...

To qualify for my candy you need to do couple of very simple things:
1)Post a picture of my candy on your blog in side bar with a link back here (or simply do a blog post) and spread the word in any way you can!

2) Stick your name and blog address into Mr. Linky at the bottom of this post.

I would love you to become my follower but only if you would do it anyway (meaning - you actually like my creations!).

The candy will run for three weeks. The winner is going to be drawn by Random.org and announced on May 4th.

And don't forget to visit Phindy's new fun challenge blog.
It'll be worth it, I promise!

Better. Much better.

After my last card fiasco I just had to create something quickly. Just to soothe myself ... and possibly my few readers! lol

I've been lurking on Mercy's blog for a long time and now finally decided to take a plunge and try out one of her fab sketches. Lo and behold, they really work well (insert dramatic surprise moment here).


Isn't that Pure Innocence girl just such a cutie! Coloured her with Copics and didn't add even a smidgen of glitter (gasp!), just a tiny bit of clear glaze to make the eyes "pop".


The papers are from my beloved October Afternoon Farm Fresh pad, was using up all the scraps that were left from my favorite patterns, LOVE that red gingham.

Ribbon is from Poppicrafts and paperclip thingies I found in my stash, along with lil' cute dew drops. Front sentiment is from CHF and the inside one was computer-generated. And of course there's rarely a card of mine lately with no punches involved, this border one is from EK Success.


I would also like to enter this card to Stamptacular Sunday Sugar and Spice challenge.

Thanks for looking and happy crafting.

Hugs
Annika