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

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

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

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

Maybe it doesn't look sentimental..

...but this card is for Sentimental Sundays where the challenge is a recipe:
3 Patterned papers
3 Buttons
Ribbon

My hubby had his 40th birthday this week and that was what I made this card for. The image is SO him - minus beer gut, wee doggie and iPOD, lol. He's runs about 10-12 miles every other day. Wish I had his will power (cue a little sad look at my sizeable behind).

The image is from Mo's Digital Pencil, coloured with Copics and little background shading with Prismacolor pencils.

The papers are by Pink Paislee, sentiment is computer-generated by meself. I don't know where I got those buttons from but they're real cool. AND I managed to sneak some baker's twine on the card too - yay me!!

I would like to enter following challenges:
Hodge Podge Shop (2 weeks) - anything goes
Paper Play (2 entries) - stars 
Inktegrity - anything goes 
Flourishes - sketch 
Crazy 4 Challenges - script paper 

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs

A dream in sepia and white...

These were the words circling in my head when I saw the challenge theme CHILDHOOD at Sentimental Sundays.

The image is from A Day For Daisies and I coloured it with Copic markers. I TRIED to keep it very minimalistic and not go overboard with shadowing. Used the whole range of E40-ies on clothes and hair and E50/51/53 for skin. Plus R00/01 for cheeks, very sparingly.

There's not a strip of designer paper involved, just cheap tan cardstock from Tesco, Sizzix texture plate, Cuttlebug 5x7 folder and loads of white ink.

The borders and flowers are my new purchase - Stempelglede grunge stamps. I had been coveting these for a long time!!

Big flower I made myself from tulle ribbon and flourishes are Marianne's dies.

The embossing punch is from Fiskars. I find these work better with slightly thinner cardstock and paper but the designs are lovely. Been neglecting them since I got MS punches which cut better.

And look - no baker's twine!! Shocking!!

I'd like to enter these challenges
Fairy Fun Fridays (2 weeks) - make your own flowers
AiFactory (2 weeks) - die cut or punch 
Cute Card Thursday - anything goes 
Paper Pretties - embossing 
 Sisterhood of Crafters - birthday
Anything Goes - emboss it 
Crafty Cardmakers (3 entries) - dry embossing
Copic Creations - browns
A Day For  Daisies - favorite recipe (sepia tones, love them) 

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs

I am now officially cool - and a totally non-sentimental card for Sentimental Sundays

Did you notice my new cool blog design?? Did you? DID YOU??? Aw come on, surely you didn't miss it!! I even have my own blinkie now - yeah, I know. I'm totally "with it"!

You see, couple of days ago I stumbled onto Laura's blog and was oohhing and aahhing over her design. We got talking and she - a total angel that she is - gave my blog a make-over! I love it to bits - it's so ME!!

I still need to do some tidying up and sort out the pages but boy do I like the look of my blog now!!! Thank you so much, Laura!!!

Oh, and I have a card for you too!! We have a sketch this week at Sentimental Sundays. Our own wonderful Dorcas designed it (have you SEEN her colouring - pure wow-factor) and she should definitely make them more often. Real good working layout.

I won some images from Dew Drop Craftz recently and wanted to play with them. It's my first time colouring manga style image but I was more so experimenting with a dramatic look. Got a bit carried away with the shadows on her face but hey. So what that she looks as if she has a stubble!? Artistic liberties and so on...

The colouring is done with Copics and sponging with Distress Inks (Vintage Photo).

Papers are from DCWV and the handmade paper and tickets I got in a RAK from wonderful Tara - where would I be without my friends!!!

The button is from my stash an there's also baker's twine involved. Yeah. That stuff makes me happy. Consequently you see loads of it on my cards...

Copic Colours:
Scarf: E27/25/34/21/41, T5/3/1
Fur:E15/35/31/30, W3/5
Glasses: E77/19/39/97/99, E37/35/31, W9/7/5/3
skin, face: E53/51/50/000/13, E44/42/40
Hair: E79/77/74/71/41

I'd love to enter these challenges:
 Alice in Wonderland (2 weeks) - tickets
Crazy 4 Challenges - square cards
Our Daily Bread Designs - gold or silver cording, hemp or string 
 Southern Girls - Travel (the image is called Traveller)
 Scrap-Creations - Favorite Technique (Copics, distressing)
Copic Creations - Browns 
Scrapbook Sisters - autumn colours

Hugs and smooches!

Sentimental Sundays - Distressing

This is gonna be a short post - my little inkling of cold has now developed into full blown flu and all I want is to go and crash into the bed!

The challenge is Distressing at Sentimental Sundays and I've been playing with Fancy Frames again. The sentiment is from Raindrop Echo Designs, the set is called Trimming the Tree.

I distressed the edges using Versamark, sparkly embossing powder and then my scissors.

The sentiment panel is covered in matte medium first, then printed and embossed with white detail powder and finally I printed the frame and embossed with puffy embossing powder.

The flower is cut out from Basic Grey Jovial paper and adorned with pearly stamens and some red microbeads.

The swirls are made using Viva Pearl Pen on acetate. I let them dry overnight and then cut out.

I used Mercy's sketch again - boy do I love those!!

Challenges I'm entering:
Flourishes - sentiment the main focus
Scrap-Creations - Christmas
Charizma Cards - Vintage
corrosive Challenges - no white paper
Christmas card challenge - include flowers

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!!
Hugs
Annika

Sentimental Sundays - Black, white and one other colour.

I was a bit intimidated when I saw the theme of black, White And One Other Colour at Sentimental Sundays. I don't really have black and white patterned papers so I had to dig quite deep in my stash.

I decided that the third colour is going to be dark gold, distressed all the edges with embossing ink and gold embossing powder. Then I covered a piece of Bazzill just The Edge with glue pad and glitter. I used the glue pad because it won't make the card buckle.

Kenny K image was coloured with warm grey Copics and little bits of warm grey Prismacolour pencils added for deeper shadows. The sentiment is from Eat Cake graphics.

The black panel was embossed with Cuttlebug houndstooth folder and then sponged with white ink.

I would like to enter following challenges:
Lord Have Mercy - sketch
Oh la la - Nothing Floral
If the Shoe Fits - Don't Stress, Distress
Crafty Emma - male birthday card
Crafty Calendar (monthly) - birthdays
Daring Cardmakers - dancing
Raise The Bar - hobby, sport, interest
Hodge Podge Shop - distressing
Cards For Men (2 weeks) - MASCULINE and birthday

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs
Annika

Sentimental Sundays - TAGS and a DT call

Before I move on to my project I just wanted to share good news - Sentimental Sundays is having a DT call until Oct. 18th!! So if you want to have fun crafting in a very friendly bunch, check the details out on the challenge blog.

I have had that Penny Black stamp set with whimsical animals for 12 days of Christmas for a while and never used it - so this year my goal is to make a set of tags with it. Good thing Sentimental Sundays had challenge theme "tags" to get me started, lol

I used a kraft luggage tag as a base, stamped it with Life Defined stamp from Whimsy STamps in Tea Dye first and then with big poinsettias from Vintage Christmas set in Vintage Photo ink. I sponged the edges with Vintage Photo too.

Then I stamped the image and some small poinsettias from Vintage Christmas set on kraft card, coloured them with Prismacolor pencils and cut out. The fancy sentiment label is from Whiff Of Joy.

Little tag on the ribbon flower is stamped with gift label stamp from the same Vintage Christmas set and cut out with Spellbinders tag die.

The swirls and random pearls are all done with Viva Pearl Pen in Gold. Tiny bit of pleated patterned paper is from Crate Paper. To make sure nothing will fall off in a pile of presents under the tree I stuck the whole thing together with glue gun. It's REALLY sturdy now, lol.

I'm pretty happy how this tag came out and I sure had fun putting it together.

I'd like to enter following challenges:
City Crafter Challenge Blog - Hooray for the Holidays
Creative Cottage Challenge - Bling it On
For Fun Challenges - Use something from your stash that you bought and never used
Dutch Dare Card Challenge - Tagalicious
If the Shoe Fits - Don't Stress, Distress

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!!
Hugs

Sentimental Sundays Challenge - Christmas Card For OWH

This week is a bit different at Sentimental Sundays.  We are celebrating with Operation Write Home for their birthday bash.

Operation Write Home is an organization that sends blank handmade greeting cards for all occasions to deployed service members to write home on. They’ve mailed approximately 500,000 cards so far—and are still going strong!

There are quite a few guidelines to follow while making these cards so if you decide to take part make sure you read through basic guidelines here. I had to actually research what is an A2 card (yeah, I know, I'm stupid) and it REALLY distressed me that I'm not allowed to use glitter on Christmas card!

I made quite a simple (trying to keep it fairly non-bulky) and (hopefully) unisex card using fun polar bear digi from Whimsy Stamps.  I coloured him in Copics (there was actually quite a bit more colouring done than it shows on photo, lol) and perked him up a bit by covering the eye and nose with Glossy accents.

The papers are from Fancy Pants couple of years old Christmas collection, I toned those very strong colours down a bit by sponging with white ink. The sentiment is from Elzybells. I thought it was fitting. The main panel was also dry embossed with Papermania folder and then brushed with white ink.

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Bah Humbug - use your favorite medium (Copics)

Fussy and Fancy (2 weeks)- use christmas colors

Simon Says Stamp - halloween, thanksgiving or christmas cards

Thanks for looking and happy crafting

Hugs

Sentimental Sundays - a recipe

It's a recipe time today at Sentimental Sundays and it's quite straightforward:
One solid paper
2 Patterned Papers
3 Embellishments
(plus a sentiment)

But I managed to mess it up anyway - stuck down some gems and when I realized I had gone over the embellies limit it was too late to do something!

I am using a brand new image from Whimsy Stamps - it's Meljens love cats. They suited my idea perfectly and were quite fast to colour up - my time limit for making that card was quite stress inducing!

And while on subject of Whimsy Stamps - did you know the big news yet??? On September 8th, Whimsy Stamps will be introducing a new product line: CUSTOM RUBBER STAMPS.  Here's a little blinkie with some info as well as some sneak peaks of a few of the new designs.  On September 8th, you can visit THIS PAGE to find all the available designs!

I would like to enter this card into following challenges:
Crafty Emma - flowers
SFYTT - sketch
Crafty Calendar (monthly) - blue and optional to use flowers
Paper Romance - furry friends
Paper Take Weekly - just one of something excluding the image (button)


Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs

Sentimental Sundays - clean and simple

Those of you who know me a little are all too well aware that clean and simple is NOT something that comes naturally to me! So when I saw the challenge theme at Sentimental Sundays I wrecked my head for quite a while and then decided to go with a very simple and smallish image.


The stamps are a Kim Hughes set from Cornish Heritage Farms, they have now sadly finished trading. I think it could be either baby stamp or a birthday card for a little boy - so reasonably versatile too!

Head over to Sentimental Sundays for your chance to win a set of sentiments and of course admire the beautiful work of our DT!

I would like to enter the following challenges:
ABC Challenge Blog - B is for Blue
Paper Cutz - Anything Goes
Paper Makeup - Use 4 of any one embellishment

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs

Sentimental Sundays - ribbon or lace

What a lovely challenge this week at Sentimental Sundays! I just love dimension and texture ribbon or lace give to our projects.

I've been itching to use that hilarious granny wolf from Meljens Designs for a while. She is available at Whimsy Stamps. The sentiment is from a matching digital sentiment set by Raindrop Echo.

I used a wonderful elegant sketch from Mojo Mondays and Copic Markers for colouring. I covered her glasses and cane with glossy accents.

Copic Markers:
Fur/skin:W9/7/5/3/1/00, R22/01
Dress, bonnet: R29/27/24/22/21/20
Shawl: YG99/97/95/93/91, YR14/12/23, Y00
Cane: E37/35/97, C8/7/5/3

SUPPLIES:
IMAGE:  Whimsy Stamps
Coloring Medium: Copic Markers
Paper: Pebbles, bazzill card stock, Neenah card for image
Accessories: ribbon, Glossy Accents,   flat back crystals
Tools: ATG adhesive gun,  paper piercer, glue gel, Purple Cow guillotine, Martha Stewart deep edge Punch, Martha Stewart scoring board

I am going to be away next week, I have some posts scheduled but I won't be able to do any blog hopping or leave comments. So if I won't be around it's not because I've stopped caring. It's because I'm splashing in the pool with kids or expanding my substantial a--e further with sumptuous meals I won't have to cook.

I'll be snooping around your blogs feasting my eyes on your fab creations and leaving loadsa love again once I get back. And I have a plans for a little candy once things settle a bit. :) Because I SO appreciate all your support and the most wonderful comments you leave, sometimes I feel utterly undeserving!!

I would like to enter the following challenges:
The Crazy Challenge - Forest Friends/Back to Nature
Tuesday Taggers - Sunshine
Fab 'n Funky - Simply Colorific 
Little Red Wagon - Summertime
Alphabet Challenge - P is for Punches
Crafty Catz - Animals
Our Creative Corner - It's Embossable

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs

Sentimental Sundays - Anything goes

Hi and happy Sunday to everybody! It's time to kick off another challenge at Sentimental Sundays - Anything Goes!

My hubby was just complaining that most of my stash of cards is tooth-achingly girly so I really need to stock up on more masculine cards!



The image is from Whimsy Stamps, coloured with Derwent Inktense pencils and water. The sentiment is a digital one from Raindrop Echo Designs set called Great Day For Fishing.



I don't remember where the felt stars are from, might be Making Memories. Most of the things I used I found in my "random knick-knacks box"! :D

Don't forget to check out the lovely samples from our wonderful DT!!!

I would like to enter the following challenges:
Crafty Cardmakers - Recipe Challenge
For Fun Challenges -  Water Theme
Dutch Dare Card Challenge - Anything Goes
Pals Paper Arts - A Masculine K.I.S.S.
Crafty Catz - Buttons and Bows
Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - It's a Man's World

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs

Sentimental Sunday - A Card For A Man

As already said in the title we want to see cards for men at Sentimental Sundays.

I used that cool suave cat by Phindy:

These are new papers from Pink Paislee, all the embellies and borders are from a sticker sheet that came with the papers. I get a monthly scrapbook kit with a selection of papers from four different lines, very handy.

COPIC COLOURS:
Cat: C7/5/3/1/00
Suit: B39/37/34/91, B7, C8, R59/46/43, Y28/08, YR23/15/14
Grounding with Prismacolour pencils

SUPPLIES:

IMAGE: Phindy

Coloring Medium: Copic Markers, Sakura Glaze pens

Paper: Pink Paislee, Neenah card for image

Accessories: stickers, twine

Tools: ATG adhesive gun, glue gel, Purple Cow guillotine, Martha Stewart scoring board

Sale Alert!From July 17th to July 31st, the entire Raindrop Echo Designs Digital Sentiments Collection at Whimsy Stamps (which can be found here:) is marked down by 25%! Grab the sentiments you've had your eye on and don't forget to tell your fellow sentiment fanatics!

I would like to enter the following challenges:
Caardvark's - Make a Birthday Card
For Fun Challenges - No die cuts as the main image and use your favorite coloring media
Fairy Fun Friday -For the Boys
Creative Card Crew - Die Cuts (Nesties)

Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Hugs