I don't have enough words...

Thank you all so much for the words of condolences and comfort. Reading all your comments and emails has been wonderful. Nothing will take away the pain of losing my mother but it's amazing to feel that out there, in our beloved land of blogging and crafting, are so many friends who care and are there for me.

I apologize that I haven't been responding to all of the emails and comments - most of the days I'm just not up to much chatting.

I decided to express my feelings the best way I know. Here's the result.

The challenge at Make it Colourful was to colour on anything except white card kraft, vellum, fabric, tissue paper (candles), wood etc. I spent a long time colouring that image with Prismacolor and Faber Castell Polychromos pencils. It is a work of love. Although I know there are many mistakes there - I will learn from these in the future.

The fairy is from Crafts and Me and the swing is a contribution from Make It Crafty store towards Help For Katie campaign.

Katie was diagnosed with stage 4 Stomach Cancer before Christmas and is currently undergoing her only option which is Chemotherapy. The campaign is collecting money to help with her treatment and give some treat to her two lovely boys. A lot of wonderful artists have donated images toward it.

Jak Heath is also running a competition on her blog for the cards using the images from Help For Katie set, there are some lovely prizes so do check it out.
I am not going to be rambling about how I made this card. If you have any questions about the materials/techniques, just ask me in comments section and email me. I'll do my best to answer.

Again, thank you so much - your support and understanding has made my heart a lot lighter!

Hugs

Very sad news

My dear friends, I just wanted to let you know that my beautiful, mad, vibrant, headstrong, WONDERFUL Mom passed away last Saturday.  She had been in poor health for years but her death was sudden and has left us all reeling in shock.  I am still trying to accept the fact that she is not around any more.

Crafting is my therapy so I'd probably still be making some cards but posting will be very erratic on my blog for at least a month and there might be some totally quiet periods.

I hope you understand.

Big hugs to you all

Something manly...

The challenge at Kenny K-s Krafty Girlz is NOT Something Manly. It's a actually a lovely and very workable sketch by Bev.

And wait until you see the prize:

Now that would be a lovely bit of a crafty spending!!!

I guess I felt a bit "frilled out" so my card became quite pared down and therefore utterly masculine.

I used an image called Cheers Dude and a sentiment from Little Paper Shop.

The colouring is once again Copics and the papers are from Basic Grey.

Copic colours:
Skin: E000/00/21/11/13
Hair:E49/55/49
E18/17/15/13/11
Top, hat: YG99/63/91, BG96

Challenges:
Fairy Fun Fridays (2nd week) – happy birthday
Simply Create (2nd week) - use your punches
Anything Goes - Eyelets and Brads (in corners)
Tuesday Morning Sketches - Heavy Metal
Cards For Men (2 weeks) - MASCULINE and Let's Party

Thanks for looking!!
Hugs

Retro. Not particularly cute.

This Saturday I am participating in Make It Colourful Challenge a very first time. We have different themes every time and the whole point is that your project needs to incorporate your colouring! It doesn't matter what medium you are using (Copics, pencils, watercolours etc) as long as you follow the theme and link to a new card.

The theme is Vintage Photo - Monochrome, Black/White, Sepia this time.

Here's to my snarky side!

I am using the 40's Apron Ad from A Day From Daisies and the background is The Kitchen Wall from Make it Crafty. The background paper is created with a retired set from Kim Hughes called Little Gal.

The flower was created from a torn strip of muslin. I also ran a running stitch around the card to give it a bit of definition.

Copics used:
N9/7/5/3/1/0, 0

Challenges:
Alphabet Challenge - “L" is for "Ladies"; include a lady on your project
Daring Cardmakers - make a card for yourself
Stamp Insanity - use your favourite colour and go monochrome (neutral grey is a range I use on almost ALL my copic coloured images!)
Crafts and Me (2 weeks) - monochrome
Craft Your Passion - Button up
Crazy Challenge (2 entries) - Buttons



Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs

Can't think of a sentiment - help!!

We need to create SOMETHING CUTE this week at Stamp Something. Our sponsor is Sugar Nellie and I've used of of my long-neglected Gorjuss Girls.

I had the design in my head but after I put it all together I really couldn't make up a mind what sentiment I should put on it. Any ideas??

The colouring is a Copic job and this time I don't have a list of colours for you - I worked on that image in between million of other things and just didn't get a chance to write anything down!

The papers are from Crate Papers and the cute buttons from a little sewing shop I found on our naughty weekend.

The challenges:
 Sketches In Thyme - sketch
Craft Your Passion - Button up
Incy Wincy Designs - Bears, bears, bears
Let's Ink It Up (monthly) - NO DIGI and Anything Goes

Thanks for visiting!
Hugs

Getting warmed up

The challenge at Stampin' For the Weekend is just that - getting warmed up. I love how some of the DT have actually used very summery images!

I decided to go with that gorgeous wrapped-up lil' lady by Crissy Armstrong. It is a rubber stamp called Valerie's Gift from Whimsy Stamps.

The colouring was done with Copics (colours listed below). Sentiment is from LOTV and these leaves are a stamp from Tanda Stamps, I cut them out and sponged with Vintage Photo. The background papers are from Fancy Pants.

The ribbon is actually a torn strip of gingham fabric. Mirror snowflakes (that are reflecting my chubby fingers) are from Papermania, I just glued some pearls on to add a bit of interest. And the white flowers are cut from white upholstery fabric with Marianne's Creatables dies. And things are dire indeed because I managed to somehow loose the smaller flower die amongst my mess and can't bloody find it any more and IT'S MY FAVORITE FLOWER DIE!!!

Weeping here.

Copic colours:
Skin: E000/00/21/11/13, R02/24/22/59
Hair: E49/57/55/, Y32
Gift bag: E57/33/53
Boots: E18/17/15/13/11
Hat, Gloves, tights: YG99/93/91/63, BG96
Jacket:BG75/72/02
Yellows: Y28/26/32, YR31, E13
Fence: E49/47/33/30

The challenges:
Lollipop Crafts - sketch
Crafty Purple Frog (2 weeks) - distressing
Paper Take Weekly - Ribbons and Pearls
Scrap-Creations - Winter Blast
4Ooh La La Creations (2nd week) - Bling it on
 Corrosive Challenges  (2 entries) - Lace and Pearls
I Did It Creations - Brr I'm turning blue
Pile It On - Anything Goes
Allsorts - teal blue and brown
Tuesday Morning Sketches - Heavy Metal
Copic Creations - something new (fabric, metal charm, leaf stamp)

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!!
Hugs

Playing with vintage again - somebody slap my fingers!

Now, my weekend of many cards is kicking off again! My current schedule leaves 3 first days of the week empty and then pretty much a card every day until Sunday. Good organizing there, Messy!! lol

This week at Tickled Pink challenge we have a real cute sketch. The prize is 2 digital stamps of your choice and the challenge requires a use of Tickled Pink image.

The image I'm using is called Cherrie Rose. She is coloured with Copics (you can find colours listed further on. The papers are from Bella Boulevard, all edges embossed with pink transluscent UTEE (totally yummy stuff!!). I used very dark purple Bazzill dry-brushed with white acrylic paint for matting.

See those intricate heart and corner flourishes and the word? They are all from the sheet of laser cut chipboard I got from Zoe. I dabbed the word and heart flourish with acrylic paint for slightly worn texture and embossed the corners with UTEE. I think it looks rockin'!!

And no, Zoe is NOT paying me to endorse her products, lol

Oh, and the die-cut under the image is Marianne's Creatables die I got cheap from Ebay.
Copic colours:
Skin: E000/00/21/11/13
Fence: E49/47/33/30
Boots:E47/15/53
Hair:E09/08, YR14, Y35
Pinafore: RV34/11/10/000
Top and pants: YG:13/17/25/03, BG96
The rose: RV99/29/25/23
Shadow: N7/5/3/1/0

Challenges fitting this card:
Creative Belli (2 weeks) - anything beginning with "P"(how about "pink")
Freshly Brewed - love or Valentine's themed
Tuesday Throwdown - Valentine
Bunny Zoe's Crafts (2nd monday) - Love is in the air
Pile It On - Anything Goes
2 Sisters (2 weeks) - flowers
Craft Your Days Away (2nd week) - anything goes
Secret Crafter - with love
Totally Gorjuss - cuddly
Raise The Bar - use a child image

Thanks for visiting!
Hugs

Beating the blues

OK, here's another bit of proof that I'm a total weirdo.

The challenge at Sentimental Sundays is Winter. I sat down and came up with this:

I guess it's just my brain protesting against endless lashings of rain and mud here.

I coloured this image by Mo's Digital Pencil with Copics. Gave Bella REAL red cheeks so you can see she's using her whole lung capacity to get some sound outta that saxophone!! Poor-poor Bronte...

It's actually a get well card, btw. Thought I'd mention it.
The papers are from Cosmo Cricket...so wonderfully warm and lovely patterns.

Copic colours:
Skin: E55/53/51/50, R02/01/00
Dog:E79/09/08/99/97
Reds: R22/24/29, E09
Clothes yellow:E99/97/YR23,Y17
Saxophone: YR14, E35, Y02/08
frills: W9/7/5
Shadows: N9/7/5/3/1/0, 0

Challenges:
Craft Your Days Away (2nd week) - anything goes
Stamp, Scrap & Doodle - anything goes
Fairy Tale (2 weeks, 2 entries) - flowers
Raise The Bar - use a child image
Paper Play (2 entries) – cutie patootie
Color Dare - COLOR (poppy parade, so saffron, very vanilla)
Fab 'n' Funky - warm, toasty colours
Oldie But Goodie Challenge (2 weeks) - bright & cheerful


I am still away on our grown-up weekend!!
Thanks for visiting!
Hugs

For the parents of teenagers - and a rave about a brilliant Copic paper

This is a scheduled post - me and hubby are by now lounging in a lovely hotel SANS KIDS. Yay!!

ANYTHING GOES at Stamp Something! The sponsor is Whimsy Stamps this week and I am using a rubber stamp from their new Kenny K line, it's called Troublemaker.

I promised you a rave about a Copic paper - here it comes! I think I've tried pretty much all of the popular and not so popular cardstocks for Copics, some I've liked more, some less. Some time ago my uber talented friend Zoe sent me sample pack of her own-branded Copic card and I only got around testing it now.

Well, girls, let me tell you I have NEVER tried card so perfect for Copics. Everything blends like a dream, takes the heaviest of soaking without major bleeds, the colours remain vibrant, lovely smooth surface but enough tooth so it would accept prismas too. I think it totally shows in my colouring here!

Zoe's store(Make It Crafty) is in Australia but I don't care. I'm gonna order more of that wondercard NOW. She DOES have international shipping. So there. Rave over.

Oh, and the papers are from Basic Grey. Because of the image's attitude I kept the layers quite crisp, no flowers or frills.

COPIC COLOURS:
Skin: E000/00/21/11/13
Jacket: E49/37/35/33/31/30/09
Yellow:YR23, Y28/17, E99
Pants: BG99/78/18/13, N9

Challenges:
Delicious Doodles - any 3 colours (plus skintone)
Meljens Designs - square or round cards (no rectangles)
Fab 'n' Funky - warm, toasty colours
Top Tip Tuesday - anything goes


I'll be back with a new card on Sunday.
Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs

Cuddlemonster

My wonderful friend and team mate Barbara from Forgotten Scraps is giving away her first digi free on her blog and to celebrate that she is also having a little challenge - which is to use her digi on the card. And you can win a real cute prize!

Oh, and apparently you're supposed to maker monsta noises while colouring. Did I? Well, I am NOT volunteering that information, suffice to say Miss Mischief and Sir Sprout were busily disassembling my stash while I was colouring...

It is a quick and simple card but I just HAD TO  play with that cutie.

The papers are from Bella Boulevard and I just chucked on first suitable embellies I found in my stash.

Copic colours:
Pink fur: RV29/25/34/42/11, N5/3
Teal fur parts: BG75/18/72/11, N9/5
Yellow bits: YR23/35/21/12, N5/3 

I'd like to enter these challenges:
Scrap-Creations - love is in the air
Top Tip Tuesday - anything goes
Bunny Zoe's Crafts (2nd monday) - Love is in the air
Karber Weekly - DIGI STAMP and Pearls
Woodware USA (1 entry) - Hearts
One Stitch At A Time - Love and Valentines
Crafty Emma - all creatures great and small
One Stop Craft - card for a child

Me and hubby are going for a little grown-up weekend tomorrow (kids will be dumped at nana's, ha! not that they mind...) so I'm off now to schedule my posts for tomorrow and Sunday!

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs.

Piling it on

Do you have these moments when your mojo is somewhat sluggish so you dig out loads of different embellies that might work on your card and end up chucking most of them on because you just can't make up your mind?
Well, that's what's happened here.

I made this card for Sentimental Sundays where the challenge is Wings. I'm sure if you look closely you can spot quite a few, lol. The colouring is pure Copic job, with some added Stickles and Viva clear glitter liner.

The image is from A Day For Daisies and I really like it - except that the poor fairy seems to have just 7 fingers altogether. Oh well, mythical creatures and so on...

I won't even go into all those bits I've stuck on - just too many to list them really. Some of the things I've had in my stash forever, some bits I've got from my generous blogging friends as RAK.

I just used a single sheet of Websters Pages paper for background, didn't feel any need to enhance it with layering.

I'd like to enter these challenges:
2 Sisters (2 weeks) - gettin girly
Secret Crafter - tons of texture
Cute Card Thursday - use some old stash
Paper Take Weekly - Anything Goes- Optional: Lace

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs

Totally an awww-factor

Guess what, I'm a

I was lucky enough to win one of Card Patterns sketch challenges in December and here's my contribution to this weeks sketch challenge.

I used an adorable rubber stamp from Whimsy, it's called Love in a Bucket. I thgought I'd try to revive my mojo by trying a different medium so I dug out my long-forgotten Twinkling H2O-s. Well, that was a mistake! I was pulling my hair out trying to blend them, the mica powder that gives them a sparkle just kept pooling on me and it took me almost 3 hours to get the poorly result you can see here.

Anybody want to buy a hefty supply Twinkling H2O-s cheap, loadsa colours and most of them not even used? Cause I won't be using them again!! :( I've seen people achieving gorgeous results with them - just not me!

As to papers - well they're from Sassafrass and I really loved them while I cut into them. Once they were on the card I just went YUK.

So, the short version - not one of my proudest moments here, lol

I'll still enter some challenges though :)
Fuzzy Wuzzy (monthly) - anything goes
Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes
Stamping Scrapping Central - flowers

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs

Since I'm behind with everything...

I thought I'll try and get ahead with at least ONE card and make something for Fathers Day!! It's a digi day at Stamp Something and I'm using an image from A Day For Daisies.

The colouring is a combination of Copics and Prismas.I struggled a bit with colouring that image, not even sure why. I'll probably just have to find my colouring mojo again.

The bacground paper is from October Afternoon. The crown brads have been sitting in my stash forever and I just got that lush silk ribbon from wonderful Ann who was kind enough to flog off some of her abundance.

Everything is matted on kraft card and then paper pierced. It's a very simple card but I must say I like it. Hopefully hubby will too.

The challenges:
Cute Card Thursday - use some old stash
Moving Along With The Times (3 entries) – use old stash along with new stash
Paper Play (2 entries) – clean and simple
Bunny Zoe's Crafts (2nd monday) - Sparkle and shine
Paper Sundaes (3 entries) - Something New
Pile It On - Brand spanking new

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!!
Hugs

Attempt at vintage

It's time for a first ever challenge at Tickled Pink - and the theme is one of my favorites: ANYTHING GOES!

The image is called Cheri With Tag and these cuties are available at Tickled Pink store. The papers are from Lily Bee, all treated with your simple bog-standard white acrylic paint.

I would like to enter the following challenges:
CLP - sketch
Charisma Cardz (3 entries) – birthdays and celebrations
Paper Crafting Journey - use a digi
Pixie Dust Studio - 2 or more ribbons
ABC Challenge (2 weeks) - SKETCH (see below) and “L” is for lace
Fab 'n' Funky - anything goes
Paper Take Weekly - Anything Goes- Optional: Lace
Tuesday Throwdown - Embossing

Thanks for visiting!
Hugs
Annika

Whimsy giveaway winner!!

Hi girls, sorry I'm a bit late announcing a winner but due to the linky tool mess-up I had to do the draw manually (meaning mr Messy Junior got to pull a name from the hat) and that took a bit more time.

And the winner is (drumroll) Frea from Creafrea!!!! Congratulations - you have won a Download Diva from WHIMSY STAMPS!

I will contact you shortly about the mailing details!

Tomorrow I'll be back with some cards - I know, shocking. And everything going well I will finally be able to come roaming to see all your wonderful creations. Boy, I've missed that!!

Luvs ya all!!!

24 hour giveaway - sign up quick ... oops, linky tool now fixed!!

Sorry about the linky tool issues - I have it fixed now and I assure you, all the comment entries will be included in the draw as well!

Whimsy's Weekly Wednesday Giveaways!

Each week one of our Whimsy Designers will offer up a 24 hour chance to win a free Whimsy Stamps rubber stamp!

And the good news is I will be giving away a stamp from Kenny K collection every first Wednesday of the month!

The stamp itself will be a surprise abut will be announced with the winning entry! The only rule to enter is that you please leave your name in the linky feature below before the draw closes - it will be open for 24 hours! I will announce the winner tomorrow!

Powered by Linky Tools

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list...

Good luck to all!