Here's an old biddy trying to be cool!!! :)

I have two bits of news for you. First - I hit a respectable 40 years today! I am officially old enough to forget about diets and pronounce my ample padding a normal order of things and just get on with it.

I wish.

Secondly - Whimsy Stamps & Make it Crafty have come together to create a fun Urban Themed digi collection!

Ann Vento has whipped up her magic and designed an incredible collection of
funky wall sayings, city landscapes and of course a range of super cool street signs.

Check out the Sentiments collection HERE

Make it Crafty is trying something new offering all the different elements for you to build your own urban backdrop.

Check out the Urban Street Collection HERE

Then of course, what better characters to incorporate into such a scene than the fabulous KennyK rubber stamps available from Whimsy Stamps!

Our incredibly talented Design Teams have had a blast playing with all the different elements to bring you LOTS of inspiration!

We have broken it in to TWO HOPS
HOP A Starts Here & HOP B Starts HERE at my blog!

There will be a winner for EACH HOP and if you hop your way through BOTH, you’ll go in the draw for the GRAND PRIZE TOO!

HOP A & B Winners will each receive a $15 voucher from both Whimsy Stamps and Make it Crafty

GRAND WINNER will win our full Urban Digital Collection
4 Digi Sentiment sets by Ann Vento & the Urban Elements Collection from Make it Crafty

You are currently on HOP B and should have arrived to the very beginning, you lucky duck - just keep hopping along to enjoy wonderful masterpieces of amazingly talented crafters.

I combined Hot Weave Kenny K stamp with different urban background elements from Make It Crafty. I also used a sentiment from City Talk digital sentiment set by Raindrop Echo Designs. Then I printed barbed wire from the same set in full scale on pearlescent paper and heat embossed in silver. Afterwards I went at it with different ink pads and silver leafing pen.

I have also used a new Bottle Cap sentiments rubber stamp set by Whimsy with a matching bottle cap die. It looks cooler irl - because of the shine the sentiment doesn't show very well on photo :(

The image is mainly coloured with Copics - there are some little shading areas addes with Caran D'Ache Swisscolour pencils.

Once I had decided on silver colour theme I just started piling on all the silvery stuff I got my hands on, lol. Those corners are actually silver foily stickers, I splodged them with BG72/75/79 and added some silver brads. Noth half bad!

Your next stop on HOP B is CAROLE, but before you go make sure you leave a comment below!

You have until August 21^st 8PM Australian QLD time to make your way through the hops!

Be there... or be square!

Challenges:
Challenge Up Your Life - 2W, 1E -  #50 No patterned paper
Colour Me Creative Copic's Challenge -3E, 2W - must use copic's - #24 Colour your embellishments and must be Friendship themed
Charisma Cardz - 3E, C10 – Distressing
Crafty Sentiments - 1E, SIO - Punches and Die Cuts 
Do You Stack Up? - 3E - Emboss it
Ruby's Rainbow - 2W, JFF - #9 Gems
A Spoonful Of Sugar - 1E - #162 Happy Birthday
Paper Take Weekly - Grow Your Own- use hand made or altered flowers  (my flowers are made from jewellery findings, brads and glass effect gel)
Sweet Stamps - 1E, C10, SIO - Bling It Up 
The Burtonesque Dolls - 2W, JFF - 2nd week - The Lighter side of Burton



Thanks for popping by!

Pink glow - or at least attempt at it

I haven't played with Make It Colourful team for a while and FINALLY got my act together. Of course it had to be a week for COLOUR SOMETHING IN PINK.

Well. If you have been here before you already know that I don't really DO pink. At least not well. But since it is all about challenging myself - out came the Copics and I started experimenting.

I combined Annabelle and Clockwork House in MS word toning the background image down quite a bit.

Objective was to try and get a luminous soft glow of colours using the white of the paper for highlights. There was a LOT of layering and blending involved and if I didn't use Make It Colour marker blending card, it would have been a terrible bleeding mess. I am usually pretty heavy-handed with colour so it was very tricky for me to colour like this.

I was trying to achieve that cool pinkish manga skin colour with some warmth in shadow areas so I came up (after a lot of scrapping) with V0000, RV11, E11/53 and colurless blender combo. The hair is done with BV0000/000/12/15, C5/3, blue tones B21/60/0000/23, C4 and pink RV0000/10/21/23/25. All the combos rely heavily on use of colourless blender. Clockwork house uses BV20-ties only, also with a lot of colourless blender.

I made pins with pearls and findings mainly from Quixotic Paperie, some bits were just floating in my stash. Ornate corners are a lasercut chipboard by Make It Crafty.

The flourishes are a die form Whimsy Stamps. The flowers are a result of some fabric, Nestie scalloped circles and a glue gun. :)

Challenges:

Amber's Crafts and Stuff - 1E - Sparkle & shine

Crafts and Me - #46 anything goes

Paper Shelter Challenge - 3E, SIO - #25 flowers

Digital Tuesday - include a digital element - Doilies

Paper Take Weekly - Anything goes with optional metal 

Crafters Companion -  Glitter and Glitz 

Cupcake Craftroom - 3E, posted on the 1st - Soft and Sweet 

Emerald Faerie Garden - 2W, 3E, SIO, posted on the 1st & 15th - Challenge #2: Lace

iCopic Challenge - 2E, must use Copics - Skin Tones

Victorine Originals - 2W, SIO - Bling

Bird is the Word - 1E, every 2W (lasts 1 month) -  dream

Opus Gluei - JFF, 2W -  no sentiment allowed 

Sparkles Forum - 2W - one for the girls



Thanks a million for popping by!
Hugs

Ooohhh...meloves me some steampunk!

To celebrate the release of 4 new steampunk images the new challenge at Kenny K Krafty Girlz today is METAL EMBELLISHMENTS.

Our sponsors are - Bearly Mine Designs (2 Digi sets of winner's choice)
Kenny K - 5 Digi's of the Winner's Choice

I chose Scarlett West for my card and I coloured her with Copic markers exlusively for a change. :) I did add some accents with Sakura gel and Stardust pens but those do not count as colouring. At least in my little twisted world they don't, lol

The sentiment is from Whimsy Film Strip Sentiments and is cut out with a matching die. The idea to stamp it on acetate is shamelessly nicked from Ann.

I used Fancy Ribbon Sliders and Gears Galore laser cut chipboard by Make It Crafty, giving it a good coating of metallic rub-ons.

I also tore a strip of cork board for added texture and used loads of metal flowers (LOVING them atm) and brads to make sure I totally adhere to the challenge as I've been cheating a lot lately...

Challenges:
Alphabet Challenge - 1E, JFF - M is for metal
Glitter Geeks - 2E, C10 - rock and roll
Totally Papercrafts - bling
Aud Sentiments Challenge - 2W - anything that will make someone smile/enjoy your day
Stampin' B's - JFF - use ribbon
Crafts and Me - #45 ribbon
7 Kids College Fund - 2W, 3E - texture (2nd wk)

Simon Says Stamp and Show... - Anything goes
Victorine Originals - 2W, SIO - 2nd week - Bling
Totally Papercrafts - bling
4 Crafty Chicks - bling

Thanks a million for popping by!
Hugs

Creative approach to Stamp Something Challenge

Now the challenge this week at Stamp Something is Summer Fun BUT I have a CAPM certification exam next week and I was pretty sure I would need to sit out the challenge. Then I got a commission for a wedding card and since I don't get them too often and every penny is welcome with me at home, I accepted it.

After I had finished it I kinda thought - well, it's summer and weddings ARE fun (unless your mom tells you your hairdo makes you look like a hooker but lets not go there).

So, here's the card:

I used a whole lot of Nesties, pretty papers from Pink Paislee and delicious chipboard by Make It Crafty.

The image is coloured with Copic Markers.

I added some Flower Soft and Stickles to the image to boost it slightly.

Challenges:
Fashionista Friday - summer
Stampin For The Weekend - 2W, 1E – anything with four legs
Stampin' B's - JFF - use ribbon
Amber's Crafts and Stuff - 1E - #20 patterned paper
Crafts and Me - #45 ribbon
7 Kids College Fund - 2W, 3E - texture (2nd wk)
Deep Ocean Challenge - 2W -   2nd W - Ribbons
Crazy Challenge - 2E - Ribbons
Cupcake Craft - Shabby Sparkle
Make My Monday - Vintage lace and pearls

Thank you so much for popping in and happy crafting!
Hugs

Whimsy July Release Blog Hop

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

The Whimsy July rubber release happened last week on July 13th, but today we are hosting our blog hop to showcase the 9 fabulous new rubber stamps and 2 new Shapeology metal dies now available at Whimsy Stamps! These new goodies are available to buy from the Whimsy Stamps store along with all your Whimsy favorites. We also have our wonderful special guests joining us for this hop - Deb Routledge, Elaine Hughes, Niki Estes and Zoe McGrath.

The Whimsy Stamps DT have been showcasing these fabulous stamps for the past 6 days, so if you missed them be sure to hop on over to the Whimsy Inspirations Blog for some more inspiration!

Here is a full list of the wonderful July release rubber stamps and dies:

5 stamps from Kenny K
Boogie Down ~ Holla Back Girl ~ Hot Weave ~ Spy Chick ~ Victory Kid

4 stamps/sets from Raindrop Echo Designs
A Touch of Elegance ~ Adventure Mini Postage Stamps ~ Vintage Bottle Labels ~ Vintage Transportation

2 dies/sets from Raindrop Echo Designs
Dress Form Die (coordinates with ‘A Touch of Elegance’ stamp set) ~ Elegant Flourishes

If you would like to hop along with us today, please CLICK HERE to return to the beginning of the hop at Lori’s blog.  The hop starts today (Wednesday July 20th at noon EST) and ends on Wednesday July 27th at noon EST.

For this hop we have 6 different prize draws! We have one grand prize draw where one lucky hopper will win a selection of new release stamps for hopping along with us. We also have 5 mini candy stops throughout the hop where you can enter to win a new release stamp!

For my card I chose Spy Chick by Kenny K and a sentiment from Vintage Transportation set.

I also used new Elegant Flourishes Dies set - cut them out from the designer paper and rubbed on some metallic rub-ons with my finger.

The image is coloured with Copic markers and some accents added with Sakura white gel pen and gold Stardust pen.

The papers are from Crate Paper School Spirit pad - I know the the card doesn't have anything to do with school but the colours and patterns were exactly what I wanted :)

The cogwheel and filigree jewels are laser cut chipboard by Make It Crafty. I used metallic rub-ons on jewels/medallions and copper leafing pen on the cogwheel.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today. The next stop on the hop is the super talented Iris's Blog. Be sure to pop over and see what she has for you today. And then remember to leave comments and enter for your chance to win the prizes on offer along the hop too! 

Challenges:
Shopping Our Stash - C10 - #9 Technique not used for a while  (distressing with leafing pen)
Try It On Tuesday  -  Steampunk
Tuesday Throwdown - #58 Something Metallic
Happileigh Scrappin - SIO - Make your own embellishment
 Make My Monday - Vintage shabby chic, torn or crumpled 
Gingerloft - 2W - 2nd week - Make it Sparkle
Lollipop Crafts - July challenge - Anything goes
Ellephantastic - M, 1E - July: Celebrations 

Thank you so much for hopping with us today and we hope you enjoy all of the DT creations!

Whimsy July release taster

Tomorrow is the blog hop for Whimsy July release and I thought I share a little sample of new stamps with you.

This is Victory Kid by Kenny K and he is available from Whimsy Stamps and, if you are in Europe, Quixotic Paperie. The sentiments are from Adventure Minu Postage Stamp set cut out with matching Mini Postage Stamp die (one of my fave sentiment dies at the moment!!).

I coloured with Copics on Make it Colour blending card - I never get tired of recommending that stuff. Best marker surface I've ever tried!

I used the papers from Basic Grey Marjolaine pad - LOVE the colours in this!! Quixotic has 15 % off designer papers at the moment so if you are planning to boost you stash, it would be a good time to take a look at their stock. Just sayin', lol

Challenges:
Cupcake Craft - include Stars
Make it Monday - Anything goes 
Here Come the Boys - 2W, 3E, cards only, must be masculine - 2nd week - Sporty 
A Gem of a Challenge - 2W - #25 2nd Wk - Lets Hear it For The Boys
Charisma Cardz - 3E – use stars
Rainbow Lady's - 2E - real, faux stiching or pinked edges
Crafty Creations - #127 Boyz to Men



Thanks for visiting and have fun crafting!
Hugs

...and back to Copics :)

It's my first time of colouring up Victoria Case image and I really went into town with shading here - I was using Make It Colour blending card and the brilliant thing abouit that stuff is that you can REALLY go into the town with layering your Copics. I am still to see the colours bleed on that card!

This image is called Thinking Of You - brilliant for all sorts of caard - I can even see it on back to school cards! The papers are from Basic Grey Life Of The Party pad.

 I was experimenting with different skin colour combo here - YR02/61/00/000, YG00, E13/15/0000. A bit unusual but works well, I think.
The fiery red hair is achieved with E07/09, Y21/38, YR18.

Those lush flourishes are a brand new set of dies from Whimsy Stamps - real versatile and incredibly intricate. And of course I used fair bit of flat back pearls - they just finish off the cards so well, I think!

Thank you so much for visiting and hope you found something of interest. :)
Hugs

Kenny K Krafty Girlz blog hop

Good Morning Kenny K Fans, today we're celebrating the 1st year Anniversary of the Kenny K Challenge blog with a Blog Hop and 8 Fabulous New releases from Kenny K called the Showbiz Celebrities that are now available at Kenny K Downloads

The Kenny K Krafty Girlz have all created some fantastic cards for you showcasing these new images

If you'd like to participate in the Kenny K 1st Year Anniversary blog hop and you didn't arrive here from Karina's Blog, then click here to start at the beginning on Donna's Blog

The Blog hop starts today and runs until July 23rd at midnight UK time.

On your way around the Hop, some of the Krafty Girlz will be offering up a candy of their own as a small token of thanks for stopping by! 

For my Blog Hop Creation I used Dr Phil-Me-In digi stamp.

I coloured the image with Copic markers and used papers from Cosmo Cricket Wanted pad.

(insert your card here with description)

When you've finished hopping we have a challenge (everyone's favorite.....ANYTHING GOES) AND a MAJOR prize from some fantastic sponsors

Here is a list of our sponsors and the fabulous prizes they have donated

is offering a Bev's bag of blooms

Bunny Zoe's Crafts is offering  one KENNY K rubber stamp
of the winner's choice

Cult Pens is offering TWO sets of the Copic Ciao's in addition to offering KENNY K fans a SPECIAL DISCOUNT for the two week's only of 10% off your COPIC purchases using this discount code at the checkout

KK10

Offering 5 Die Sets worth £61.95

offering a £10 Gift Voucher

offering 5 Tria Markers of the winner's choice

is offering a $15 Gift Certificate

is offering a special dispenser full of ribbons worth £25

 plus they are also offering a special collection of ribbons for Kenny K that normally retails for £25, but for the Kenny K customers, you can get it for only £15....how awesome is that!

is offering a £10 gift voucher

is offering a £15 gift voucher

and in addition to all this.........Kenny is offering

TEN rubber stamps (winner's choice) plus a $30 Gift Certificate to his shop 

And that's not all...........he's also giving away

a tub of pearls

a selection of web ribbon

head pins

I Am Roses gorgeous blooms

Sakura Jelly white Opaque pen

Total Prize value over £300

Conditions for being eligible for the MAIN prize:

You MUST leave a comment on EVERY BLOG, there are only 23 and you have got a whole two weeks to leave comments, that’s almost 2 or 3 a day! You are also asked to make a card for the Anything Goes Challenge using a Kenny K image and link it after completing the blog hop. The big prize Winner of the challenge will be picked by Random.Org.

We hope you have fun hopping around the Krafty Girlz and special guest’s blogs, leaving comments along the way and can find enough inspiration to get your creative juices flowing so that you can enter our challenge for the next two weeks for your chance to win the GRAND PRIZE

Good Luck!

Here's a complete lineup of the blog hop girlz and special guests
Donna
Carina
Arjette
Bettina
Denise (Special Guest)
Judith
Heidy
Deb
Kimmi
Vanessa
Trine
Christine
Elaine (special Guest)
Vicky
Sarah
Dena (Special Guest)
Angela
Katarina
Patty
Marilyn
Karina
Annika
Renata
Kenny K Challenge Blog 

Now it's time to head to Renata's Blog and see what gorgeous card she's created

Hugs

Stamp Something - Bugs

The challenge theme is actually BUGS or BUTTERFLIES at Stamp Something. Since I had to make an engagement card my friend asked for I kinda went with butterflies...

I used cute papers from Lily Bee and a lot of Sakura white gel pen.

The image is by Karens Doodles - I raked the web looking for the kind of "grown-up lovey picture" suitable for the The sentiments are made using  Oval Scallops - Stripes  and  Ways of Love Sentiments.

 Colouring is a combination of Copics and Prismacolor pencils with mineral spirit.

Thank you for visiting and big hugs!

Kenny K - red, white and blue

It's not an easy colour combo for me but I hope I rose to the current challenge at Kenny K Krafty Girlz. :)
hooray for the red white and blue

Sponsor of the challenge is Crafty Ribbons plus Kenny K offering 5 digi stamps!

Our Guest Designer is Debbie Pamment


And here's my card:

The colouring is pure Copics job - used my fave combo of E000/00/02/21/11/15 on the skin and dark brown for deep shadows in red.

The papers are from Lily Bee and I made the flowers myself. The leaves I just hand-cut from denim scrap which I had previously treated with pearlized acrylic paint. Some edges are treated with dark blue micropearls.

Thank you so much for visiting and happy crafting to you!!
Hugs