I don't think I have quite firm grasp on what is a "spring card"

Yup, still computerless. Life is unfair and generally sucks. You can quote me on that. So there.

The challenge on Stamp Something is Spring Something and I was wrecking me head trying to figure out how to interpret that. Eventually I just decided that cute kiddies are totally and definitely very springy (if that's even a word!!)

That's how I dived into my Phindy's images folder and came out quite victoriously with that lovely buterfly-chasing toddler. :) If you want a pure unadulterated CUTE, you just gotta make way to Phindy's shop - fab artwork with wonderful vintage storybook feel.

I coloured her with Copics and yes, I know, the bonnet went BAD but I really didn't have time to colour up a new image :( I've been working on making my first Copic colouring video and the good news is I am ready to share it very soon. On Sunday, to be precise.

Oh, and the grass was done with watercolours. Papers are brushed with acrylic paint (mixed up white, blue and TINY bit of green. Thus making a duck egg blue, lol

And that cute swirl - yup, from Make it Crafty, lol. Loving these laser cut chipboard shapes atm.

Challenges:
Digi Doodle Shop's Best - Ribbons & Bows
Hanna & Friends - Spring
Truly Scrumptious -  tags
Creative Craft Challenges - Lace
Going Grey With Scrap-Creations - Spring Has Sprung
Pollycraft - Swirls & Pearls
Stamps R Us - Spring
Aly's Sunday Challenge - Spring
Crafty Pad - Use a Digi


Thank you so much for looking!
Hugs
Annika

Guess who got her first punch around the page set...

Yup. That's how my card ended up like that:

It's time for Phindy's challenge today again and the theme is very appropriate for this expensive time of the year - USE PHINDY'S FREEBIE. My image is called Beary Beautiful and it's a freebie at Phindy's PCP group HERE. Go on, grab it and get crafting. :)

I coloured that pretty bear with Copics and added a little bit of Prismas for shadowing on her dress and background.

The papers are from October Afternoon collection called Seaside. I just thought that cute flowery one was perfect for baby card and I used another pattern from the same collection for matting. I often do that, it adds a bit of interest.

Because there was so much going on borders-wise I only added couple of chipboard shapes I glittered.

Copics:
Fur: E79/47/37/35/33/21
Dress:YR24/23m Y35/32, N5/3/1
Flowers, buggy:R59/08/14/12
Buggy: N9/7/5/3/1/0

I'd like to enter these challenges
Anything Goes - congratulations
Artful Inkables (2 weeks) - die cuts and punches 
Scrap-Creations - anything goes 
Little Paper Shop - funky edge
One Stitch At A Time - glitz it up

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs

Another dose of winter cuteness

Hi all, it's time for a new Phindy's Challenge again! The theme is METAL this week - so all you need to do is to use metal and Phindy's image on your card!

The image you see on my card is one of the Christmas Cuties called Miss Chrissy Tree. I've been itching to play with her for a while - I just think her so fun and whimsical!

The colouring is done with Copic markers and some extra shadowing added with Prismacolor pencils.

For a metal I've used a brads, flower centers, a tree charm, chain, flourishes and filigree corners. Most of them were silver but I forced them to gold with Copic marker (y17).

The papers are from Basic Grey Jovial pad - love the colours! The flowers are cut from the same pad with Marianne's dies and then shaped.

I would love to enter following challenges:
ABC Christmas (2 weeks) - CHRISTMAS and x is for xmas
Crafty Creations - christmas 
Freshly Brewed - winter or christmas
Little Red Wagon - use basic grey products 
Artful Inkables (2 weeks) - die cuts and punches
Allsorts - lace, ribbon and a charm 
Papercraft Star - gift card featuring a Christmas tree (hehe)

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs

Things I miss...

I really long for real winters here in Ireland. Proper snow and all. Last winter we had what I would call a little bit of snow and the whole country almost came to halt, lol

This card combines two challenges - STAMPIN' FOR THE WEEKEND\: Winter Projects and PHINDY'S CHALLENGE\: The Sketch.

I really love that lil' kid from Phindy's Winter Cuties. I was about the same age waddling around on the skis. Not that I was ever much good at it :)

The colouring is pure Copics with the exception of the chalk on background. Real fast and easy way to create a soft backdrop for the image.

The sentiment stamp is from Whimsy Winter Seals. Real mad about them, so versatile.

The papers are new Basic Grey Marjolaine pad. funny, first I got them I wasn't taken with them at all but once you combine the papers the patterns just SING together. I can see it becoming one of my go-to pads.

COPIC COLOURS:
PANYTS< HAT< SCARF: BG78/75/72/11/10, T7/5/3
Jumper: YG:13/25/21/20/91, T5/3/1/1
Boots: E79/37/35/33, T7/5/3/1
Skin: E11/00/000

I would like to enter these challenges:
Freshly Brewed - show off your style
Stampin' Royalty - patterned paper 
A Spoonful Of Sugar - distressing
Tuesday Throwdown - buttons and bows
Gingerloft (2 weeks) - great outdoors
Bee Crafty (2 weeks) - DIGI STAMP and christmas 
Crazy 4 Challenges - christmas
Marks Finest Paper - snowflake
Secret Crafter - sparkle and shine
Sweet Stampin (2 entries) - snowflakes

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs

Christmas Is Coming - well, to Phindy's Challenges anyway!

Yup, you got it right, Christmas Is Coming is a theme for next week at Phindy's Challenges.

But I didn't have quite the right jingle-bell mood while I started making this card so I kinda cheated and made a wintery card that COULD be given for Christmas too. The name of that image is Let's Play and it's one of Phindy's "older" winter images. :)

I used Copic markers for colouring, colours are listed further on.

The papers are from Basic Grey, all sponged with Antique Linen. I wanted a soft but structured look so went for double matting in muted tones.

The embossing punch I've used I found in my punch box. It's a lovely pattern but not really good for heavier cardstock - luckily the tan one I used was not too thick.

The sentiment is from a Whimsy Stamps new release, the set is called Winter Seals and it's one of my all-time favorites!

Copic Colours:
Dog: E39/35/53, YR24, W3/1/0
Dog coat: YG91/93/45, G45/40
Skin: E21/11/00/000, W3/1/0
Snowsuit: BV29/25/23/31/20
Scarf, hat, boots: RV99/95/93/91/25, T3/1/0
Sky: BG11/10/000/0000

Challenges I'm entering:
Cupcake Craft Challenge - sketch 
Crafty Creations - buttons
Creative Cottage (2 weeks) - for someone special at christmas 
A Spoonful Of Sugar - snow / snowflakes 
My Time To Craft - roses (the punched border)
Stamps R Us (2 weeks, 2 entries) - buttons and bows 
Crafty Calendar (monthly) - winter 
One Stitch At A Time - winter wonderland 
Paper Sundaes (3 entries) - let it snow 

Thank you so much for looking!
Hugs

Card for TWO challenges

Hi from me again! :)

I have been a bit cheeky again and combined 2 challenges in one card:
Stampin' For The Weekend - sketch
and
Phindy's Place - Recipe: 3-2-1

It's a simple recipe but I messed it up anyway - my idea was to use 3 designer papers, two types of embellies and one image. Now that I'm looking at it I actually used 4 papers - pretend you don't notice, OK?!

The image is one of Phindy's teens and I think he looks totally cool! It's actually a get well card that hasn't reached the destination yet but I'm pretty sure the lad who's gonna get it is NOT among regular readers of my blog!! lol

The papers are from Basic Grey Oliver collection.

The image is coloured with Copic markers. I have been experimenting with creating folds and texture of clothing. If I have failed miserably, don't tell me, OK! lol I spent AGES colouring his trousers alone!

Copic colours I used:
Skin: E02/01/000/11/13
Hair: E49/47/37//27/42
Top: C5/3/1/00, 0
Trousers:YG91/93/95/97/99, BG93, T7/5/3/1/00
Bag: Y28/26/23/38, E08, W7/5/3
Shoes: E79/77/74/71/70
Shadow: W9/7/5/3/1/0

I would love to enter following challenges:
Paper Play - Circles
Stamp Insanity - punches 
Creative Cottage (2 weeks) - embossing 
Meljens - 3 different shapes 
Creative Card Crew (2 weeks) - punches 
Paper Take Weekly - for boys / men
Cards For Men (2 weeks) - MASCULINE and anything goes
Aly's Sunday Challenge (2 weeks) - distressed 
Paper Sundaes (3 entries) - for a boy or man 


Thanks for looking!
Hugs

Celebrations at PCP

Phindy's group at PCP is now over 1000 members are the celebrations are in full blow!!
Today there is a sketch challenge and a the prize is a box of handmade Christmas cards made by the DT - how cool is that!

Here is one of my contributions:

I've been trying to play with monochromatic colouring a bit and this card is one of the results. :(

The image from Phindy's shop is coloured with Copics (the whole E40ties range) and Prismacolour pencils.

I tried to make it look as vintagey as I could and was also going for a fairly flat card so it would be easier to mail. I am contributing two cards and made enveloboxes for both, all you need to do is pop the address or just name on and you're sorted.

Sentiment stamp is from Whiff Of Joy and papers are Graphic 45. A lot of Vintage Photo Distress inks involved as well.

I'd also like to enter these challenges:

Copic Creations - blending pen tricks (the texture on coat, sky, soft lines on landscape etc.)
Crafty Pad - Christmas
Fresh Brewed Challenges - Sweet Treats
For Fun Challenges - Color Challenge: Red, Brown & Cream
Charisma Cardz - Vintage
Frosted Designs - Let's See Your Die Cuts!

Thank you for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs

Phindy's Challenge - favorite colour

Hi, folks and happy Friday to you all!

Phindy's Place group at PCP has now over 1000 members and THE CELEBRATIONS START TODAY!! There's loads of contests, activities, even a treasure hunt and believe me, the prizes are FAB!!! Believe me, you'd be wise to head over and join the fun - maybe you can combine some of the competitions with Phindys Challenge too!!

This week at Phindy's Challenge the theme is Your Favorite Colour. Thing is, I don't really HAVE a favorite colour, at least consciously not. I like a lot of colours and certain shades but I can not say that, for example, blue is my favorite.

What I did instead is that I picked out one of my favored colour combos - teal/turquoise and deep golden yellow with deep cream/kraft.


I really like that image - just imagine how hard it would be to blow your nose if it had to travel the whole length of a trunk!!! lol To make it as co-ordinated as possible, I paper pieced a lot and let the papers do most of the work. Not much embellishing going on - just didn't want to cover too much. Besides, I had at least an ambition that this could be unisex card.

The papers, btw, are Cosmo Cricket Togetherness and it's one of those pads I love TOO much, which means that I have to make myself to use it. Otherwise I'd just "save" it! lol

I also rediscovered my forgotten Fiskars Threading Water border punch - it's so lovely and versatile in it's simplicity!!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
Stampin' Royalty - ribbons
Wild Flower Patch - twine
Sweet Stampin - ribbon
Papertake Weekly - sketch

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs

One card, two challenges

I think it's my first time ever doing that but this card is for two challenges:
Phindy's Place - Fancy Folds
Stamp Something - Halloween Something

The cute ghost is, of course, from Phindy's shop - I just think it's hilarious the way he eyes the little dog very suspiciously! Colouring is done with Copic markers and Prismacolor pencils (VERY little of the latter added). And the sentiment is from Raindrop Echo's Halloween Sentiments digi set at Whimsy. LOVE that set!!

The papers are MME, a surprise discovery in my stash after long whining that I don't have any Halloween papers.

Remember how I said in my previous post that I used ALMOST all my home made leaves up on one card - well, that's where the remaining two went, lol. I distressed all the papers with Memento Cantaloupe and Potters Clay and made some grass with MS border punch.

The bat is a freebie clip art I printed out, smeared with Stickles, blasted with heat gun and then gave him some eyes with white gel pen and black Copic Multiliner. Moon with bats is also a freebie clip art - ain't internet great!!

I would like to enter following challenges:
Paper Sundaes - Change of Season
Crafty Cardmakers Spotlight Challenge - Fancy Folds
Oh la la - Nothing Floral
Crafts and Me Challenge - Halloween
Creative Cottage Challenge - Halloween
Stampin' Royalty - halloween
Everybody-Art-Challenge - halloween
Aly's Sunday Challenge  - halloween
Just Us Girls - use acetate (acetate swirl)

Thanks for looking and happy crafting
Hugs

Phindy's Challenge - Thank You card

I love Fridays cause I can show another Phindy card then - boy am I mad about her stamps or what!!

Our new challenge theme is to make a Thank You card or project, any style is fine as long as you use Phindy's image!

I couldn't resist colouring up one of her Summer Cuties - I know it's autumn now but I think the image is perfect for gratitude card!

The colouring is a combination of Copic Markers and Prismacolor pencils with mineral spirit. The papers are from Pink Paislee and I sponged them with Memento Summer Sky and Danube Blue. The stitching was done by hand. I've kept everything very simple to let the image and sentiment take the center stage.

I would like to enter this card into following challenges:
Anything Goes - cute
Color Throwdown - melon mambo, pacific point, river rock
2 Sketches 4 You - SKETCH
Karber - food and beverages theme
Stamptacular Sunday - use a grid pattern
Secret Crafter - anything goes
Sweet Stampin - stitching


Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs

Phindy's Winter Cuties - Wooo-Hoooo, We're Hopping!!!

Seriously, you HAVE to see Phindy's Winter Cuties!!! They are so adorable I just know I'm gonna end up getting them ALL!!!

If you came here from Ann's blog - you're on right track. If not - boy, if you have ANY time to spare go back to the challenge blog and start hopping. It's worth it for eye candy only, nevermind the fact that you can WIN yourself some Winter Cuties!! What do you have to do to win? First, you need to visit the DT's blogs and leave a comment at each one. Also, each blog will have a word that you need to collect as you hop along. Put the words together to make a sentence and leave a comment, including your sentence, at the last stop (the challenge blog).


My word is CUTIES.


Now, enough chatting - betcha you are impatient to see the CUTIES:

I used Basic Grey Capella papers on that card, some lace and snowflake punches. And Stickles. Everywhere.

Other than that it's just letting the image do it's work. Happy sigh.

COPIC COLOURS:
skin E21/00/000/0000. R02/01/00
Boots E47/37/35/33/31/41
hat, gloves, tights YG95/93/91, G0000
Coat E74/44/71/70/41


I would like to enter this card to the following challenges:
ABC Challenge (2 weeks) - D is for Distressing
ABC Christmas (2 weeks) - (christmas cards) S is for Santa
Paper Pretties - pearls, rhinestones or glitter dots
Die Cut Dreams - using a digi, sweet little girls
Aly's Sunday Challenge (2 weeks) - sparkly and glittery
Sundays with Chrissy (monthly) - sparkly and shiny
Craft Your Days Away (2 weeks) - girly and glitter
Our Daily Bread Designs - sparkle
Cupcake Craft challenges - sketch


And my second card, this time I went for warm traditional hues.

Papers are Basic Grey Jovial (GORGEOUS pad), everything else is the bottomless pit that is my stash. I sponged the papers with white ink, just to soften the lines a bit.

COPIC COLOURS:
skin E11/21/00, R02.01/00
Teddy E47/37/35/33/31/41
hair E49/47/37/35/99/97
jumper, bows, shoes E18/09/07/04/02
Skrt YG99/97/95/93/91

I would like to enter this card to the following challenges:
ABC Christmas (2 weeks) - (christmas cards) S is for Santa
Paper Pretties - pearls, rhinestones or glitter dots
Die Cut Dreams - using a digi, sweet little girls
Lexi's Creations (2 weeks) - flower power
Paper Sundaes - minimum of 3 different types of embellishments (ribbons, bead caps, flowers, felt, bling)
Scrappy Frog (3 weeks) - flower power
Totally Gorjuss - flowers
Sketch and stash - sketch


And now it's time to hop over to LINDA'S BLOG - you are up for a treat!!!


Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs

Three cards for three design teams - phew

This is going to be a long post again - got three cards to show you!!

First up is

STAMPIN' FOR THE WEEKEND - TAG IT.
The challenge is obviously to incorporate a tag into your project, easy-peasy!!

Our sponsor this week is Meljens who also kindly gave us the images to use. Aren't those kitties adorable - I'd take them any day. If my dog wasn't cat-eating kind, that is. lol

The flowers on card are also from Meljens - they're called Flower Layers and you get loads of flower shapes and leaves you can paper piece or colour. They're only available since yesterday at Whimsy Stamps. I paper pieced mine and shaped with embossing tool. Left them quite plain because I liked the homespun feel of the card.

Just a message to anybody who wants to order something from Whimsy Stamps - their website is experiencing some MAJOR technical issues and if you want to order something and know what it is, you can just email Denise with your wish and she will issue a Paypal invoice.

The kitties were coloured with my Prismas. I've been admiring gorgeous cards by Dorcas and Tara and it really has made me want to play with my pencils more. Those cute soft "cosy housewife" sort of papers are from Fancy Pants.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Pixie Dust Studio - animals
Some Odd Girl (2 weeks) - 3 or more images
Scrappy Frog (3 weeks) - flower power
Totally Gorjuss - flowers
Sketch Saturday - sketch


Next card is for
STAMP SOMETHING - DIGI DAY
Any project involving a digital stamp goes!

We have lots of different digi companies sponsoring - I got this cute image to work with from Wink Wink Ink. It came with several sentiments besides the one I used. I thought it would be fun to really make things fuzzy so dug into my forgotten stash of fibres and roughed up the papers. Lemme tell you, sewing with furry fibre is A MAJOR PAIN IN BUTT. There. I said it.

I coloured the image with Prismas (told ya - playing!) and made the vintagey lopsided flower from lace and Papermania brad. Leaves are made of satin ribbon.  The papers are from Jillybean Soup.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
ABC Challenge (2 weeks) - D is for Distressing
Wild Flower Patch - stripes
Ooh La La Creations (2 weeks) - stripes
Shabby Tea Room - inspired by nature and/or using the color green
Stampin' Sisters in Christ - faux or real stitching
Andrea's Stampin' Moments - thinking of you
Paper Playtime - if the shoe fits, buy one in every color (variety)

And the last but not least
PHINDY'S CHALLENGE - CHRISTMAS CARD FOR OWH
Now, another card for OWH. At least this time I knew what A2 card is. You can find some guidelines for making a card for Operation Write Home HERE.

The papers are from SEI and October Afternoon, I edged everything with silver leafing pen to keep the card reasonably flat but still define the layers. Green strip was put through the paper crimper and then accented with leafing pen again.

It's back to Copics for this card, I'll need more practice to colour hoomans (and fairies) properly with Prismas.

COPIC COLOURS:
Skin: E13/11/00/000
Boots, tights, hair: E39/37/35/34/33/31
hat, jacket: E79/74/71/70
Dress: E44/43/41/40
Cat: T3/T1, 0

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Paper Romance - birthday or christmas cards for OWH
Paper Pretties - pearls, rhinestones or glitter dots (you can't see them very well, but they're there, in the corner!!!)
Die Cut Dreams - using a digi, sweet little girls
Cowgirl's Sunday Challenge (3 entries) - christmas cards for OWH



Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs

Phindy's Challenge - Going green

Good morning, folks! I am finally here with a card!

The challenge at Phindys is to go green with your project - however you choose to interpret it. I have green featuring as a prominent colour but I also decided to go with a bit more earthy and rustic look. Maybe it even worked - you decide!

The image is one of Phindys ultra cute Flower Fairies. I thought that sentiment from Penny Black was very fitting!!!

I got those lovely Prima Sprites from Absolutely Amazingly Wonderful And Smashingly Generous Friend Tara. Thanks - mwah!! All there was left to do was to stick on some buttons and twine. Glue guns ROCK!!!

The papers are all from DCWV stack, I roughed them up with a trusty distressing tool - small but mighty it is!

Unfortunately I have lost the list of Copic colours - sorry!

I'd love to enter the following challenges:
Fab 'n' Funky - anything goes
Paper Take Weekly - sketch
Bunny Zoe's Crafts - vintage
Cowgirl's Sunday Challenge  - anything goes
Stamptacular Sunday - distress it
Crafty Emma - flowers
By the Cute And Girly - Indian Summer
Southern Girls (2 weeks) - anything goes
Copic Creations - folds


Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs

Three cards today!

Hi,
this is going to be a long post - I have three cards to show you today.

First up is
Stampin' For the Weekend Challenge - Vintage

This is a style that doesn't usually come easily to me. But I had loads of fun making this card - for a very first time I used an image from Prairie Fairy and I think she really looks the part on vintage style card!

I coloured the image with Copics (colours listed below), inked all the edges in Antique Linen, Tea Dye and Desert Sand. I then dabbed on Versamark and heat embossed all the edges with extra thick embossing powder mixed with Perfect Pearls.

The metal fancy corner was originally quite harsh silver. I also dabbed it with Versamark and heat embossed with old gold detail embossing powder - result! Inside is finished up as well and says "make a wish".

Then I glued narrower satin ribbon on wide wired one, tied a fancy bow and once again embossed a gorgeous butterfly I got from my wonderful friend Tara.

COPIC COLOURS
Skin: W3/1, E13/11/00/000/0000
Hair: E59/57/55/53
Dress, headvand: YG93/91, G82, G0000, W3/1
Wings: C5/3/1/0, B0000
Shadows: W9/7/5/3/1/00, 0

I would like to enter this card to the following challenges:
Crafty Pad - Simply Pearls
Midnight Madness - Sketch
Die Cut Dreams - Soft Shades of Vintage
Artful Inkables - Distressed Out
Papertake Weekly - Just the One (butterfly)
Creative Inspirations Wednesday Challenge - Pastel Green, Pink & Cream
Flutter By Wednesdays- Birthday Blowout
Bizzy Becs Creatalicious - Vintage
Cute Card Thursday - material
Lots to Do - Fairies or Angels
Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Distressed Birthdays
Shabby Tea Room - something old and something new (new butterfly, old corner embellie)
Stampin' Sisters in Christ - use metal
Alice in Wonderland - little girl theme
Our Daily Bread Designs - texture it


Next up is
Phindy's Challenge - Paper Piecing:

The main reason I don't usually do it is that I tend to print out my images in bulk and by the time I make the card I have totally forgot what scale I used!
Well, not this time!

The image is one of Phindy's new Summer Cuties, coloured again with Copics. And yes, I'm now on "deepen your shadows" kick, lol. One can play, right?

The papers are from Basic Grey Oliver 6x6 pack - aren't they just sooo cute!!!

And let me remind you that Phindy still has her End Of Summer Sale on! Click on the link to get a discount code! Best time to get some images you've been needing for a while!

Copic Colours:
shading of paper-pieced areas: W5/3/1/00
Skin: W3/1, E11/21/00/000/0000
Hair: E59/37//97
Shadows: C8/7/5/3/1/00

I would like to enter this card to the following challenges:
Corrosive Challenge - For the Guys
A Crafty Little Place - Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday - material
Truly Scrumptious - Get Knotted
Fab 'n' Funky - use material
Your Next Stamp - anything goes
Wild Flower Patch - fall colors
Crafty Emma - anything goes


And the last but not least
Stamp Something - Something Cute

Our sponsor this time is Bugaboo Stamps who kindly provided us with images to play with!

I coloured the image with Copics and did the background with chalks. T get some texture onto the layers I put two of them through the crimper. Other than that it's a very straightforward card - just some yarn, buttons and MS zig-zag punch.

I would like to enter this card to the following challenges:
Corrosive Challenge - For the Guys
A Crafty Little Place - Anything Goes
Cards for Men - Long Summer Days
Papertake Weekly - Just the One (arrow)
Charsima Cardz - Hot, Hot. Hot
Catch The Bug - dog days of summer
Crafty Emma - anything goes


I hope I didn't bore you to death - fair play for sticking with me through this mammoth post!
Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs