Soft sparkle

It's going to be a short post- we are still living in chicken pox land here, my youngest caught it as well and has a pretty bad time of it.

The challeneg at Stamp Something is Something Glittery this time. I used sparkly texture paint, Stickles and Shimmer Spray to give the card a subtle(ish) sparkle.

The colouring is a combination of Copics and Prismacolor pencils.

The image is from LOTV - I needed a baby card and this cutie was just PERFECT.

The paper is from October Afternoon. Doily is dug out from my stash, covered with texture paint and then sprayed with Shimmer Mist.

Wishing you all a happy new beginning - may the year 2011 be kind to you!

Hugs

Ho-Ho-Ho - and Merry Christmas!!

I absolutely and utterly know you have all been VERY NICE!

That's why I solemnly promise to you that this is my VERY last Christmas card for a long while:

 Hope it didn't happen in your house this year. We are having a bout of chicken pox here at Casa Messy!

Merry Christmas to you all and your families - enjoy and relax!

Love and hugs

Serenity - junior infants style

Hello and a lovely Christmas Eve to everyone! I am stealing a moment to post my card - my laptop is still as dead as doornail and I can't get online for proper blog hopping and commenting. :( I'll get new one tomorrow. How do I know? Well, the conversation with hubby went a bit like that earlier this week:
Me:
"The laptop was delivered today. Do you want me to wrap it?"
Hubby:
"Sure. SURPRISE!!!"

So you see, I KNOW it's under the tree. I bloody wrapped it myself!!! lol

In my background the main celebration is on Christmas Eve so we're having a big pork roast with all the works tonight with family and then tomorrow we're off to my mother in law for a turkey dinner. So my kids are lucky enough to get TWO Christmases :D

I wanted to show you one of my last Christmas cards for this year - did I hear a sigh of relief?

I won LOTV voucher at their challenge blog recently I could not leave that image in the store - so cute and funny!

This card feature all my laest addictions: Kraft card, white ink, gingham ribbon, corrugated card, buttons, bakers twine... I thought is was very fitting one to show you today. I found a 50-pack of pre-score kraft crd bases in one of the online stores here so I'm a very happy bunny indeed now. They're not 6x6 as my usual ones, more like 5,25x5,25. I'm fine with it. :)

The colouring is Prismacolour job. So enjoying it at the moment!

I'd like to enter some challenges once I'm at it:
By the cute and girly - children
Cupcake Inspirations -cake
City Crafter - Vintage Christmas
A Spoon Full Of Sugar - Christmas Card
Our Creative Corner - embossing with colour
Papertake - Anything Goes
Crafty Creations - Angels
Stampavie and more - RED
Simon Says Stamp -anything goes
Just Hanna and friends - Christmas

Wishing you all a lovely Christmas Eve!
Hugs

Aw go on, go on, go on...

In case the headline for the post confused you, here's a short clip from one of the funniest TV-series ever (if you have my sort of twisted sense of humour, that is!)

And here is my card:

The card is for 7 Kids College Fund Challenge which this time is ANYTHING GOES.

I am using a sweet little Blidmalarna Mimosa Tea. All the Bildmalarna stamps are on preorder at 7 KCF at the moment and they are SO sweet!! The papers are from Basic Grey Curio pad (LUSH colours!) and all the colouring is done with Copic markers. I tried to keep my colouring fairly soft and subtle, not really great at that! :( I also embossed the panel behind the stamp with one of my all-time fave embossing folders - herringbone.

I used the sketch from Sweet Stop because I fancied showing off the lovely papers without burying them under too many embellies, lol

Thank you so much for looking!
Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas time!
Hugs

Christmas present scavenger hunt Day 2 at 7KCF

Sharing is caring, right?

The scavenger hunt is in full blow at 7 Kids College Fund store!

1) get the daily clue and figure out the mystery free product
2) spend the daily amount in the store (if it is $50, you will need to have $50 in MERCHANDISE in your cart...does not include shipping or the scavenger/gift item)
3) add the mystery item to your cart
4) use the daily code to get your item for FREE!!!

 

DAY 2-December 21

 

Clue: I have the name of a flower, but I'm not one. I am part of a Christmas collection (one of three, actually). You can order as many of me as you like, but only one of us will be free. What am I? (If you can't figure it out, e-mail Tab and she will help!)

Code: XMASPRESENT2

Rules: In order to get the DAY 2 CHRISTMAS PRESENT, you must purchase $50 or more in merchandise (not including shipping or the FREE* item). Remember, shipping is free on orders over $75 of qualifying items!

 

Cheers!

Enabler alert - A scavenger hunt at 7 Kids College Fund

Now, a lil' bit of the fun kind of shopping, girls! Tab is doing a scavenger hunt at 7 Kids College Fund store!

Here's how it goes:

1) get the daily clue from each day's e-mail, the blog or facebook, and figure out the mystery free product
2) spend the daily amount in the store (if it is $50, you will need to have $50 in MERCHANDISE in your cart...does not include shipping or the scavenger/gift item)
3) add the mystery item to your cart
4) use the daily code to get your item for FREE!!!

DAY 1

Clue: I'm round and jolly like Santa's belly. I'm beaded and beautiful like a Christmas garland. I cut like a Christmas cookie cutter. What am I?

Code: XMASPRESENT1

Rules: In order to get the DAY 1 CHRISTMAS PRESENT, you must purchase $100 or more in merchandise (not including shipping or the FREE item).

Have fun!

Hugs

And My Heart Melted..

It's simple, really. I spotted Mo's Little Drummer Boy in blogland and all my maternal instincts went into an overdrive. I want to stuff this cutie with wholesome-but-yummy grub, getting him into a warm puffa jacket and proper furry boots. And then he can drum away to his heart's delight.

I used to be tougher than that, honestly. Becoming a mother really alters your perception of pretty much everything.

Anyways, the card is actually for Sentimental Sundays challenge, theme being Inspired By A Song. Guess what song I was inspired by! Aw come on, have a go!

I wanted to capture both raggedness of the boy and warmth of the message in my colouring, so I played around with my Copics a bit, not that I wrote down any colours or something.

I kept the card almost without embellies. Except some bakers twine, of course. And two brads. It's GOT to fit into regular envelope!!!

I might pop in later on today if I get online and enter some challenges. :)

...and here come the challenges:
Double Dutch - Christmas Is coming
Penny's Paper-Crafty - Merry Christmas
Hanna and Friends - Just A Little Christmas
Crafty Catz - Your Choice
A Spoonful Of Sugar - Christmas Carol
CES Challenges - Anything Goes
Create 4 Fun - the sketch

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
HUgs

Mystery Hop - ha!!

This is my first ever blog hop with Make It Crafty fab design team. They have some absolutely gorgeous new images that you will be able to incorporate with all of your favourite characters. They have been designed for ‘Spring and Love’ so they are perfect for Valentine’s Day, Anniversaries, Weddings, Friendships and more.

It is well worth to do the whole hop - there are secret prizes all the way (all you need to do is leave a lil' comment on all blogs and quite a lot of us have prizes to give draw...but we won't tell you, who! :p) AND THERE'S A BIG_BIG SURPRIZE AND A WHOPPIN' PRIZE TO WIN AT THE END OF IT!!! So if you didn't get here from Angela's blog then head over to Zoe's Blog to start from the beginning.

I promise it's gonna be well worth it! Seriously! All I can say is that we are starting a new and a very exciting adventure with a bunch of humblingly talented gals!! :) I will give more information on the prizes and blog hop details further on!

Here is my little inspiration for you today:

I am using one of the gorgeous new backgrounds called The Ivy Swing and...erm...a Tilda. I honestly don't know her name, it was the only suitable sitting Magnolia I had! lol Maybe some of you are very knowledgeable and will let me know... :)

I kept my card very simple because I wanted the gorgeous images to take the center stage, All the colouring is done with Copics. Didn't write everything down, but the purples are all RV90-ies. Love those muted aubergine hues with blue greens - yum!

BLOG HOP DETAILS

How to win the big prizes

Along the way you need to look for puzzle pieces. They won’t be on every post so you need to keep an eye out for them. The puzzle pieces make up one of the NEW images. At the end of the hop there will be an email form where you can submit your answer. This is so that your answer is private.

All the correct answers will be placed into a draw in the order that they are received and random winners will be chosen.

Here is your SECOND puzzle Piece

Leave comments to win random prizes

There are SEVEN hidden prizes along the way that could be rubber or digital stamps so make sure you leave a comment as you hop to ensure you have a chance at winning additional prizes!

Extra Prize

Place our blog hop blinkie on your blog for more chances to win! Make sure you comment on every post as we will randomly select a commenter from a random post and if they have the blinkie on their blog they will win a choice of one rubber stamp and one digi stamp from the new collection.

Over $200 Worth of Prizes to be Won!!

1^st prize - Rubber Collection (Peaches of Plenty, Petals and Palings, Daffodil Dell, Ivy Swing)

2^nd prize - Whole Digital Collection (10 digital stamps)

3^rd Prize - Four digital Stamps from the collection

The hop will end Friday 24^th and the main winners will be announced Christmas Day!

Random winners will be announced at a later date.

Your next stop on the hop is fabulous BARBARA, the overachiever extraordinaire!!

I'd like to enter these challenges:
Totally Tilda - For the one you love
Sweet Stampin' - Celebrations
Allsorts - Anything Goes
Crafty Pad - Embossing (you can't see it properly, but the Tilda is shaped and embossed)
Crafty Catz - Your Choice

Totally Gorjuss - For Someone Special
Crafty Emma - anything but a Christmas card

Good luck and have fun!

Hugs

Desperate measures and so on...

Remember when I was looking for kraft card everywhere to use it with my Prismas? And how long it took me. And how I was trying out all sort of alternatives out of sheer frustration?

Well, this image is stamped and coloured on MANILLA ENVELOPE, lol Beat that!

OK, now that I've sufficiently amused you I should also mention that this card is for Stamp Something DT and our theme is TAG OR POCKET SOMETHING. Please note I have used both! (feeling very proud of myself here!) Our sponsor this time is Whiff Of Joy so head over for a chance of fab prize!!

The papers are from Jillybean Soup. Sentiment is inside the pocket, on the tag and no, I didn't take a photo...duh. The wish list behind the image is a stamp from Whimsy - so cute and fitted the card perfectly!!

This is one of those cards where all sorts of bits and pieces keep finding their way out of the drawers onto my desk. I like the all-kraft effect though. Lush.

I'd like to enter these challenges:
City Crafter - Make It Krafty
Double Dutch - Christmas
Spoon Full Of Sugar - Christmas Card
Allsorts - last minute Christmas
Hanna and friends - Christmas  
A Crafty Little Place - Tag It!

Thanks for looking and big hugs!

Does that hat make my hips look fat?

I must apologize that I'm not able to do my blog rounds much or even sometimes answer emails - my laptop died and I only get very little chance to sit at the upstairs computer! :( Santa might bring me a new one (Santa has nonchalantly asked what specs would one appreciate in a laptop) but before that my communications WILL be erratic at best.

Isn't that pooch just darling! I got that image at Mo's and made a card for my dog-crazy parents (not that I'm any better myself!)

This is also a design team card for Stampin' For the Weekend where the theme is simple - CHRISTMAS. There's a fab prize too and a bonus prize of 6-month design team spot so if you're in any way interested, head over. You have until Jan. 7th to enter.

I coloured this slightly cranky mutt with Copics and used the lush papers and borders from Girl's Paperie. And some buttons. And baker's twine...of course.

I used the whole range of warm grays for the mutt and R20-ies for the hat and ribbon. The shadows are done with cool grays.

I'd like to enter these challenges:
Card Patterns - the sketch
Fuzzy Wuzzy - Christmas
Double Dutch - Christmas
Crafty Ho's - Red and Green
Spoon Full Of Sugar - Christmas Card
Allsorts - last minute Christmas
Hanna and friends - Christmas

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs

Blog hop with cool news!

Whimsy Stamps have some fab news to share with you today - we have a new rubber artist joining our team.... KENNY KIERNAN!

As many of you will know, Kenny K is currently a digital stamp artist (amongst many other things) and although Whimsy will not be carrying any Kenny K digis, we are making some of Kenny's existing designs into rubber and then hopefully adding some new designs along the line that will be exclusive to the Whimsy rubber collection!

So to celebrate this wonderful new venture, the Whimsy Stamps DT plus our fab special Whimsy guests Elaine Hughes, Deb, and Janna, are holding a BLOG HOP to showcase the EIGHT images that are being made into rubber:

All That
Devilish Donna
Download Diva
Kitty Katastrophe
Luscious Linda
Movie Star
Rock Chick
Troublemaker

Remember that Whimsy Stamps will be carrying the rubber versions of these stamps only. Kenny K will continue to offer the digital versions in his store. The rubber stamps are available to PRE-ORDER from today from the Whimsy store, and will hopefully be in stock and start shipping from Dec 17th!

Our super-talented Ann (Raindrop Echo Designs) has designed some wonderful digital sentiments that work fabulously with these images - thank you Ann! These are also being released today!

If you would like to participate in the hop and you didn't arrive here from Patricia's blog, please CLICK HERE to return to the beginning of the hop at Simonne's blog.

The hop starts today (Thursday December 16th at noon EST) and ends on Thursday December 23rd at noon EST.

For this hop we have 4 different prize draws! The grand prize of ALL 8 of the new release rubber stamps is being hosted by Denise at the very end of the hop, but there are also 3 mini candy stops throughout the hop! I'm not going to tell you where they are, so you'll just have to keep on hopping to find them! *wink* [Winners will be announced on December 23rd after the hop ends - what a wonderful Christmas present for those lucky hoppers!]

For my blog hop creation I used A Movie Star!

She is coloured with Copic markers. I used the papers for Pink Paislee which were absolutely perfect for the image and theme!

The sentiment is from Raindrop Echo's digi set Livin' in Fast Lane which is designed specifically to go with these images!

COPIC COLOURS:
Skin: E11/21/00/0000
lips: R29/27/14/21
eyes: BG18/13
hair: Y04/31/02, YR18/24/14, E39
top: Y06/04/YR18/14/24
Costume: C8/7/5/3/1/00
So now it's time for you to continue the hop by hopping on over to DEB's blog - she always has the most gorgeous creations on offer!

Finally, here is a complete blog hop list in hopping order:

Simonne Clay
Lori Pachkowsky
Donna Smith
Debbie Eastman
Erin Bailey
Elaine Hughes
Patricia Garcia
Annika Ryan
Deb Routledge
Chris Olsen
Vanja Stevanovic
Ann Vento
Marley van der Heijden
Crystal Irwin
Janna Sicard
Iris Wiechmann
Vicki Parson
Denise Lynn

Thank you so much for hopping with us today and I hope you enjoy this exciting new release!

 I would like to enter these challenges:
Craft Your Days Away (2 weeks) - punches or die cuts
Crafty Emma - anything but a christmas card
Sweet Stampin (2 entries) - 3 DP, 3 embellishments(swirls, brads, ribbon), 1 image
Fairy Fun Fridays (2 weeks) - use a star
YNS - Lets Party!

Hugs to you all!

Hmmmm... I seem to be having a Whimsycal week

Looking at my cards this week it seems that most of them are using Whimsy Stamps images - totally unintentional, by the way. lol

This card is no exception. It's a DT card for Sentimental Sundays and the theme is Let It Snow.

I am using a rubber stamp by Meljens and digital sentiment from Raindrop Echo Designs Christmas Sentiments set.

It started out as a clean and simple card but then something happened (don't ask what) and now it FAR from being clean. Quite simple though.

The image was coloured with watercolour pencils. Don't like it. Maybe because I have no idea what I'm doing, lol

I'd like to enter following challenges:
AiFactory (2 weeks) - holiday / christmas
Moving Along With The Times (3 entries) - lots of spots
Pixie Dust Studio - let it snow
Crafty Creations - beary projects
Paper Pretties - punches
A Spoonful Of Sugar - christmas
Ooh La La Creations (2 weeks) - inspired by a christmas song
Paper Playtime -snowflakes


Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs

Santa's lil' helpers flirting

When I saw Meljens digi release for this Thursday at Whimsy I just knew I had to get my hands on them - the most adorable full set of ALL the Santa's reindeer AND Santa's sleigh. SO cute!

I didn't get myself organized by the actual release day (that would be SO not me!) and with it being a mad week I didn't have time to make a card either but I stole some time one evening to colour up Vixen and Cupid with Derwent Inktense pencils. Of course I just wanted to see if those pencils would work on kraft as well. They're OK but not as smooth and blendable as Prismas.

I used one of Raindrop Echo sentiments from the Christmas Sentiments set too. And then I just used the image to perk up a very simply wrapped pressie. :)

I'd like to enter these challenges:
Charisma Cardz (3 entries) - christmas gift
 Digi Doodle Shop's Best - animals or insects
Dutch Dare (2 weeks, 2 entries) - christmas
Penny's Paper-Crafty (2 weeks) - christmas
Stampavie and More - christmas
Stampin' Royalty - winter holidays
A Spoonful Of Sugar - christmas
My Time To Craft - reindeer
Bunny Zoe's Crafts (2nd monday) - christmas but no cards
 Gingerloft (2 weeks) - bows

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs

Music Saves My Soul - hopefully

I'm having a last quiet moment of a day with a cup of coffee before things get mad and doing a quick browse - and what do I see? Marcea was back with Music Saves My Soul Saturday! I know I'm too late to actually link my song but I thought I'll share something anyway!!

I've thought about sharing along before and today I suddenly sprung into action. I'm a fan of Paloma Faith's voice and that song is utterly and totally ME. I've seen better videos but just listen to her - the girl can SING! Turn up a sound, the level is a bit quiet in that video for some reason - and that tune benefits from a bit of volume! lol

Hope it perked up your day a bit! :)

Some Odd...erm...Boy

This is a quick post, I have two cakes in the oven for tomorrows birthday party for my hubby.

It's a digi day this time on Stamp Something and I got an image from Some Odd Girl to play with.

I did all the colouring with Copics. I'm on the bright colours kick at the moment, lol.

I kept it relatively simple, letting the papers do most of the work again. That ribbon was originally white and black, I coloured it to match with Loquat Copic Marker.

The sentiments both inside and outside are stamps from Litle Paper Shop.

Copic Colours:
Hair: E29/39/09/08/07/99/97/30
Pants: BG78/75/49/72, N7/5
Top, shoes: E09, YR18/65/15/23
Skin: E11/21/00/000 

The challenges I'd like to enter:
Hodge Podge Shop (2 weeks) - birthday cards
Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge - sketch
Tuesday Throwdown - clean and simple
Karber Monthly (monthly) - DIGI STAMP and boys or girls


Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs

Whimsy new release blog hop

Hello and welcome to the Whimsy Stamps December new rubber release BLOG HOP!

We have NINE gorgeous new Whimsy Stamps to show you today! These new stamps are available to buy right now from the Whimsy Stamps store along with all your Whimsy favourites. We also have our wonderful special guests joining us for this hop - the amazing trio of Bev, Deb, and Beate!

Here is a full list of the super fabulous new rubber stamps being released today:

Winter's Joy (Crissy Armstrong)
Valerie's Gift (Crissy Armstrong)
I'd Follow You Anywhere (Crissy Armstrong)
Love in a Bucket (Crissy Armstrong)
Cozy Cap Mouse (Meljen's Designs)
Penguin's Present (Meljen's Designs)
Love Letter Seals (Raindrop Echo Designs)
Music Notes Background (Raindrop Echo Designs)
Friendship Tickets (Raindrop Echo Designs)

If you would like to participate in the hop and you didn't arrive here from Donna's blog, please CLICK HERE to return to the beginning of the hop at Bev's blog.

The hop starts today (Wednesday December 8th at noon EST) and ends on Wednesday December 15th at noon EST.

For this hop we have 7 different prize draws - WOW! The grand prize of ALL 9 of the new release stamps is being hosted by Simonne at the very end of the hop, but there are also 6 mini candy stops throughout the hop! I'm not going to tell you where they are, so you'll just have to keep on hopping to find them! *wink*

For my blog hop creation I used Abby Skating. The sentiment is from Peace on Earth set .

The colouring is done solely with Copic Markers. I coloured up three versions of the stamp and cut them up to give a bit of a 3D effect. It doesn't show very well on photos though.Another thing that doesn't show in photos is a bit of clear Stardust pen I added to hat, scarf, belt buckle and skates.

The layout has been kept very simple, just let the papers to do most of the work.

Added a gorgeous saddle stitched ribbon I got from Mina and some Kaiserkraft bling.

Some of the Copics I used:
Skin: E21/11/00/000/0000
Greens: BG99, G19, YG25
Hat, scarf, tights: YR09/16, Y17/32/28
Coat:T9/7/5/3
Background: B95/93/91/0000, c3/1/00

I'd like to enter these challenges:
 A Spoonful Of Sugar - christmas
Paper Take Weekly - christmas in non-traditional colors 
 Craft Your Passion - anything goes
Crazy Challenge (2 entries) - christmas 
Gingerloft (2 weeks) - bows 
Let's Ink It Up (monthly) - christmas and sparkle/bling 
Secret Crafter - christmas 
AiFactory (2 weeks) - winter 
Crazy 4 Challenges - Sketch

So now it's time for you to continue the hop by hopping on over to Ann's blog - expect to be blown away!!

Finally, here is a complete blog hop list in hopping order:

Bev Rochester
Crissy Armstrong
Beate Johns
Vanja Stevanovic
Lori Pachkowsky
 Debbie Eastman
Patricia Garcia
Donna Smith
YOU ARE HERE ---;Annika Ryan--- YOU ARE HERE
Ann Vento
Chris Olsen
Marley van der Heljden
Vicki Parson
Denise Lynn
Erin Bailey
Iris Wiechmann
Deb Routledge
Crystal Irwin
Simonne Clay

Thank you so much for hopping with us today and I hope you enjoy the new releases!
Hugs

Is it wrong to actually like your own card?

I am doing a little guest designer stint today at Digital Tuesdays (the theme is Baby it's Cold Outside) because Whimsy Stamps is this weeks sponsor and I wanted to play with Crissy's Leap Of Joy. It doesn't happen too often but I am really happy with the card I made!

Because I have seen Crissy's pre-coloured version of that image I was WAY too intimidated to approach it with my Copics so I used Prismacolor pencils on kraft card. Yes, I am obsessed, thanks for that knowing snigger! :p I got the legs a bit wrong but I like the way the face turned out.

The papers are from Whimsy as well, all dabbed with crackle paint on edges and glittery texture paint on poinsettias.

The snowflake is a die called Winter's Jewel, I just cut the one adorning the sentiment smaller. The sentiment itself is just computer-generated one.

The velvet brads are from Making Memories and the cute winter berries and dollar plant leaves I got from my wonderful friend Tara!

I'd like to enter these challenges:
Craft Your Passion - anything goes
Crazy Challenge (2 entries) - christmas 
Ooh La La Creations (2 weeks) - inspired by a christmas song 
Paper Playtime -snowflakes 
I Did It Creations - vintage christmas 
Karber Christmas (monthly) - DIGI STAMP and christmas 
Craft Your Days Away (2 weeks) - texture 
Secret Crafter - christmas 
Digi Doodle Shop's Best - let it snow 
Stampavie and More - snow / snowflakes 
Sundays With Crissy - Winter Is Here 

Thank you for visiting, I really-really appreciate your support!
Hugs