Mo's Dream Team Project of the Month Blog Hop!

Whoooo-hoooo! It's time for another Mo's Dream Team blog hop and guess what?!  I'm hosting this month's hop and I'm very excited! 

Because we've recently had such beautiful weather here in the UK (not!) and because we're in for another spell of the same, this month I have chosen the theme 'Let It Snow'.  Yup, I wanted my teamies to come up with some snowy creations and I'm sure they've done me proud!  There's certainly been plenty of the white stuff to inspire us over this side of the Pond!

So, kicking off this month is my project:

Image: Mo's Digital Pencil, 'Snowman'

Papers: October Afternoon, Good Cheer collection

Could there be a more perfect image for this theme?  Here's Mr Snowman, his snowy buddies and some snowflakes for good measure!

This is my very first shaker card and I'm quite pleased with the results.  The shaker dome is actually the packaging from one of my rolls of double-sided tape, which is a perfect size for my largest circle Nestie - how cool is that!?  After covering the front of my card with my chosen papers, I cut out the circle and pushed the 'dome' through.  Then I filled it a little with .... stain removing powder! Yup! It was the only snow-like substance in the house and, actually, it's perfect.  Slight draw back in that it has made the dome a little dusty but, hey, it's snowing!

This closeup shows you just how fine the powder is and there's Mr Snowman in his warm hat and gloves, happily surrounded by snow.  No wonder he's smiling - the weather in there is perfect for him!  He was coloured with my Copics and, this time, the 'glow' (difficult to see but definitely there) was added with pale blue pearlised chalk.

Right, on with the hop and next stop is the very talented Debbie and I know there'll be something snowy and gorgeous waiting for you.

Just in case you should get lost along the way, here's the full hop order:

Peri (me!)

Debbie 

Heidy
Mina
Elaine 
Arielle
Lori
Kerttu
Shirly
Jak
Happy Hopping!



xx

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr ............

............... 'tis cold, dear Crafty Bloglanders - temperatures are struggling to remain at freezing and are dropping bitterly at night.  My OH arrives back home from Oz tomorrow evening and is in for a terrible shock!  I'd better make sure to have a pot of something warming on the stove!

Still, it's not quite so cold as where this little fellow comes from:

Image: Mo's Digital Pencil, 'North Pole Employees' - set of two stamps (see here for my post using the other one)

Papers: October Afternoon, 'Good Cheer' collection

I love this set of stamps - they're perfect for colourful children's Christmas cards, in particular.

He was coloured with my Copics, of course, and the background was added with my trusty Prismas.  I could have done more to define the bottom of his tunic because it looks a bit flat but sometimes it's hard to tell until the photograph has been taken and you're rushing to get it posted!  Maybe next time!

This is my entry for this week's The Pink Elephant challenge, where we are being asked to use the colours 'Blue, green and red' - there's plenty of all three here, and a couple of others for free!

Anyway, I've crafting to finish as tomorrow I shall be doing the big crafting tidy up in preparation for my OH's return.  You know what it's like, while the cat's away the mouse will get out all her crafty stash and spread it liberally over the front room!

Happy crafting.
xx

Hanging The Star

Well, what a week it has been! The weather has been dreadful - around 9 inches of snow in my garden - and temperatures are very low and getting lower!  And this means, of course, that Rentokill couldn't guarantee to make it to carry out the treatment today so (big sigh of relief) we've rescheduled and I haven't had to pack everything away! Yaaaay! Thankfully, I got to find out just before I started the final push towards packing boxes of books, DVDs, etc., and moving furniture so, other than having had a good opportunity for a clear out, I've not had to live in chaos for the past two days.  I can't tell you what a relief it is.  We still have it to do again mid-January but there will at least be two of us to go at it then!

There's more good news from Australia too - my darling MiL will be discharged from hospital on Wednesday next week and although she will not be as mobile or independent as she was before all this started, she is happy and feels well and we are so grateful to have her still with us.  She is so determined and strong, I'm sure that's what has got her through an horrendous four weeks.  Bless her!  And thank you to all of you who expressed such warm wishes - they have been passed on.

Finally, I came home to some exciting news yesterday but .... I can't tell you about it for another week and it's going to kill me keeping the secret!  Watch out for the announcement.

Anyway, on to today's post, which I hope I am just managing to sneak in before one of the challenges ends tomorrow! 

This will be my entry for:

One Stop Craft Challenge: 'Christmas Cuties'
Scrap Creations Challenge: 'Anything Goes'
City Crafter:  'Blue Christmas'
Cute Card Thursday: 'The Blues'
DP2 Challenge: 'Glitz and glimmer'
Friday Sketchers: 'Sketch challenge' - see below

Cool sketch, eh?

Image: Mo's Digital Pencil, 'Hanging the Star'

Papers: October Afternoon, 'Very Merry' collection (background); recycled brochure cover (triangle)

Isn't this the sweetest little image?  Absolutely adorable in a way that only Mo knows how.  I just want to cuddle her and kiss her plump little cheeks.  

This was a little bit of a challenge to colour, in that it seemed obvious that the light source should come from the almost overhead, slightly to the right, not my usual choice.  There were interesting shadows to capture on the face too, which I hope I've mostly managed.  This little one was coloured with my Copics, with background added with Prismas. 

(I threw a strop today with my Prismas - the more I have to sharpen them, the more I realise that the leads are badly broken inside the pencils, obviously done when shipping.  I'm really cross because on the colours I use most I'm getting maybe half a pencil's worth of good lead.  Not a happy bunny!)

Anyway, back to the card.  Using MS Publisher's preset drawing shapes, I 'drew' and printed several stars in various sizes and coloured them with my Copics so that there was a hint of light source on these too.  Then I covered them in some very fine lemon/iridescent glitter before popping them on the card.  I added just a tiny touch of the glitter to the star in the image, too.

I thought I was being tremendously clever using the old brochure cover for the triangle and, in fact, there's nothing wrong with it at all - it's lovely heavyweight paper.  But looking at the card through the lens often gives a different perspective and perhaps I should have used a different colour/pattern.  But, hey, 'tis done now and I'm not going to beat myself up about it!

So, off to link up then back to a bit more crafting in front of the television.  Need to decide whether chocolate counts as a meal or whether I should actually cook something for myself tonight! 

Take care if you're affected by any of this (or any other) bad weather - keep warm and safe.

Happy crafting.
xx

Kisses For My Sweet

Just a quick post before bed beckons!  I thought I might be too late with this card but, thankfully, I have another 17 hours to submit it for the current Copic Creations challenge, which is 'Shading your paper-pieced pieces'.  As many of you will know, I love paper piecing and I nearly always try to add more depth by shading, either with Copics or with my Prismas. See what you think to this one (with apologies for the bad photography, again!):

Image: Mo's Digital Pencil, 'Kisses For My Sweet' (comes with 4 small 'accessory' images!)

Papers: Graphic 45, 'Christmas Past' collection

Isn't this an adorable image?  I loved it the moment I saw it but haven't been able to find the time to colour it until now.  As the image comes with the small 'accessory' images too (heart, mistletoe, bells and butterflies) it is easy to make this for any romantic occasion.  But, as you can see, I chose Christmas this time.

I paper-pieced all the clothes in this image, with the exception of the ruffles at the neck and the chap's shirt.  Everything else is paper-pieced and then shaded with Copics and highlighted with white. 

I'm really pleased with the background, actually - I had almost forgotten how to cut 'out of the box' so it was a bit of a risk but it paid off.  I chose four co-ordinating papers - I wanted to give the impression that they were standing on a carpet in front of a wall and I think it's worked.  The scallops are just because I went a bit mad with my punches! 

All in all, I'm pretty pleased with this one, although next time I will pay more attention to my light source as my shadows are all over the place! Still, it was late and it's never a good time to craft when your eyes are almost closed!

The house sorting is in full flow - Daughter and I really got to grips with her room and the study this weekend - and, actually, it was good to have a clear out.  In fact, watch out over the next few days - the result of my stash sorting might interest you.

Off to bed now - two duvets on as it's reaaaallllllllllllllyyyyyyyyy cold tonight! And they're predicting more snow overnight too.  OMG!  It'll be up to my knees! (Not really, a bit dramatic that, but it is deep!)

Happy crafting.
xx

A Little 'Elf' Indulgence

Yup, I know, terrible pun but you'll see why. 

First, though, a little up-date.  My mother-in-law seems to be gaining strength today and I'm pleased to report that she  is definitely making progress.  There's a way to go yet but it's good news, that's for sure.  Thank you again to all of you who have contacted me with your kind wishes - they are much appreciated by us all.

So, on to tonight's project, which is for the following challenges:

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - 'A Time for Giving' (no cards allowed!)
Our Creative Corner - 'Holiday 3D project'
Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - 'Handmade Christmas Gift'

Image: Mo's Digital Pencil, 'North Pole Employees #3355 and #5533' (set of two stamps - one used)

Papers: October Afternoon 'Very Merry' collection

This was a box left over from one of last year's Christmas presents (never throw a good box away!).  It held sloe gin truffles and this year it will hold home-made peppermint creams but I haven't made them yet as it is too early (and I'll eat them!).  I covered the box in co-ordinating papers from the 'Very Merry' collection and covered the bottom with a piece of plain white card, just to finish it off neatly. 

I coloured the image with Copics (of course) then cut it out with a thin white border. 

I used one of the 'Very Merry' die cut tags for the 'sentiment' - I originally hand-wrote the message but it looked awful so I typed up a replacement and stuck it over the top - much better! 

After layering all this on top of the box, I attached a die-cut snowflake and mini candy stick for an extra bit of Christmas love - and it was finished.  (Note: I ate three mini candy sticks whilst making this box - now you see why I haven't made the peppermint creams yet!) 

I'll line the box with tissue and nestle the peppermint creams inside - I'll colour them pink, pale green and white so they'll look really pretty in their little box.  Another stocking filler finished!  Only about 15 more to do!

Off to link up then bed as I need to be well rested for the morning, when my boss returns from his holiday!

Happy crafting.

xx

Mo's Dream Team Project of the Month Blog Hop

Yaaaaay! It's time for another Mo's Dream Team blog hop and this month we've all got a little distressed about things!  Yup, that's right, our theme is 'distressing', with inks, scissors, sandpaper - you name it, we've used it!  If you've arrived here from the super-talented Jak's blog then you're on the right track.  If not, then hop back over there to start from the beginning. 

When it came to choosing my image this month, I couldn't think of anyone more distressed than this little one:

Image: Mo's Digital Pencil, 'Broked'

Papers: Graphic 45, 'Halloween in Wonderland' and 'Christmas Past' collections

Oh the poor dear - isn't she the cutest little poppet though?  She seemed the perfect choice for this month's 'challenge'.  I don't do distressing very often so I was a bit nervous about this one.  I chose the muted/vintage papers because they seemed more appropriate to the theme and I had inks to match! The brown mat was edge-punched with Martha Stewarts Scallops and Dots punch before being generally mistreated with my scissor blades and curled and torn until I was happy.  Mind you, looks like poor Teddy is much more distrssed than my card!

I coloured the image with Copics and shaded with Prismacolors (as usual), keeping the pallet light so as not to clash too much with the papers I'd chosen.  I can't wait to have a go with the other images in this series too - they're all equally cute and forlorn-looking!

Right, it's time for you to hop over to the amazing Debbie's blog, where I know she'll have something fabulous waiting for you.

Enjoy the Hop and happy crafting.
xx

Guest Designer for Crafty Cardmakers

Happy Monday everyone - hope your week has got off to a good start and that you're not suffering too much from Monday morning blues.  Obviously, I'm full of beans because I'm having a day off, although I have to say that I'm enjoying going to work again these days. 

So, today I am delighted to announce that I have been invited to be a Guest Designer for the 'Spotlight On ...' feature over at the Crafty Cardmakers challenge blog.  This week's spotlight is falling on digital stamping - right up my street, as you will know!  So, without further ado, here's what I came up with:

Images: (from left to right) Mo's Digital Pencil, 'Cheshire Cat', 'Hatter', 'The Dormouse' and 'Alice in Pencil'

Papers: Graphic 45, 'Halloween in Wonderland'

I adore the whole collection of 'Wonderland' images over at Mo's Digital Pencil, and, to be honest, I could have carried on merging forever, but my printer is limited to A4 paper!  However, I have another idea up my sleeve for future reference - my printer at work prints A3!

This is a close-up of the complete scene.  I merged the four images in Paint.net (free image software that you can download here) but something was missing.  So I drew a table and 'wonky' cake and scanned them into my PC, then brought the resulting image into the merged image, just to complete the scene.  I ended up paper-piecing the table cloth and I'm really pleased with the result.

Here are close-ups of the individual digis, starting with 'Cheshire Cat':

Here's 'Hatter'...

...'The Dormouse'...

... and, finally, 'Alice in Pencil'

It really isn't difficult to merge images to produce a scene like this and there are various tutorials, for all the most popular image software, all over the internet.  If you've never tried it before, give it a go.  It takes a little time but the end results are great (as I hope you'll agree). 

The Graphic 45 papers were just perfect for this project (obviously, as the name suggests!!!) and I kept the layout simple so as not to overpower the final image.

I added Sakura glaze to all the cups, etc., and a little glitter to the icing on both cakes, just for fun really. 

So, why not hop over to the Crafty Cardmakers challenge blog and see what the design team have come up with.  Then it's over to you to join in the fun and show your creative streak.

A big 'Thank You' to Lin and all the girls over at Crafty Cardmakers for inviting me to take part - this has been a hugely enjoyable project for me and I hope you've enjoyed the end result.

Happy crafting.

xx

Mo's Dream Team First Anniversary Blog Hop

It's time for a celebration at Mo's Dream Team - it's a whole year since the Dream Team Blog began and what better way to celebrate than with another fantastic blog hop?!  This month's theme is 'Frogs and snails and puppy- dogs tails, that's what little boys are made of.'

And this time, in honour of our first birthday, we're inviting you to join in by uploading your card via the link on the Dream Team blog.  Just use one of Mo's images and show us your best boy - we'd love to see what you come up with.

So on with the hop - if you've arrived here from Jak's blog, then you're on the right track.  If not, why not hop over to Kerttu's blog and start from the beginning because you won't want to miss the wonderfulness along the way.

So, without further ado, here's my offering this month:

Image: Mo's Digital Pencil, 'Monday's Child (B)'

Papers: Cosmo Cricket

Wordart: Create with TLC 'The world is mud-lucious and puddle wonderful'

I adore this little chap - what a sweet little face - who could be cross with him, mess or no?

And I love the sentiment, too - it's a quotation from the (weird and wonderful) poet e. e. cummings (and yes, it is all in lower case!! Don't ask!) - and it's perfect for this image, methinks.

I have to say this reminds me of my friend's little boy - a blond curly-haired little angel if ever there was but just as likely to get covered in mud.  Boys!

So, on with the blog hop and next you'll be wanting to go to Debbie's blog, where I just know there will be something wonderful waiting for you.

And don't forget to join in with the fun - the more the merrier to help us celebrate.

Happy crafting.
xx

Bella Loves Christmas

Mmmm, not exactly a snappy title tonight but, hey, it is what it is.  Long day at work today and I've spent this evening making Halloween party invitations for our friends' children.  They bought some foam die cut ghosts and had the brilliant idea of using them as invitations - but please could Aunty Peri write them?  So I've done my task and they've been despatched to three excited kiddies.

On to my post for this evening.  This is for this week's Scrap-Creations challenge, where the theme is 'Christmas'.

Image: Mo's Digital Pencil, 'Bella Loves Christmas'

Papers: Basic Grey, from last year's stash!

Wordart: Create with TLC

I did some digital paper piecing this this one.  I brought Bella into Paint.net and then added a digital paper for her dress.  Once I'd printed her, I went in with lots of Prisma shading to define the pleats and folds.  I'm quite pleased with how she turned out, actually - all those folds! Aaarrgh!  All other details were coloured with my Copics (I'm just waiting for some new ones to arrive!!!) and, of course, as it's Christmas, I added plenty of glitter here and there.

So, bed time now.  One more day at work then I'm off for a few days of serious crafting - can't wait!  Mind you, my poor boss isn't too happy about being 'abandoned' for a few days!  Bless!

Happy crafting.
xx

Shy

Mmm, short title today peeps as this is a really quick post before I go and make Sunday morning bacon sandwiches.  We've had a surprise visit for the weekend from Daughter and her boyfriend and I promised bacon butties before they drive off again.

This morning's card is my entry for the following challenges:

Papertake - 'Use three of something' (there are three rows of scallops)
Simon Says Stamp - '3 Embellies, 2 patterned papers, 1 image' (bow, button and pearls)
Mo's Digital Challenge - Sketch
Sweet Stampin' - 'Ribbon'
Scrapbook Sisters - 'Flower Power' (papers)

And here she is:

Image: Mo's Digital Pencil, 'Shy'

Papers:  Digital papers from Scotty Girl

Ain't she just adorable?  She's such a little darling and Mo has captured that childhood shyness just perfectly, of course.

Coloured with my Copics with added shading and 'glow' added with my Prismas, I loved colouring this little sweetie. 

I wanted to keep this card pretty so chose these gorgeous papers by Scotty Girl.  And as I've never used layers of scallops before, I decided that might be fun too. 

A few embellishments and she was ready and I'm soooo pleased with her. 

Right, a quick link up and then bacon beckons.

Have a good day.

Happy crafting.
xx

Hello Pumpkin!

Happy Monday morning all! The start of another week already - creeping closer to Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas and all those lovely card-making opportunities.

We spent some time with friends and their three children yesterday, who are preparing for a Halloween party - you'll see our contribution to this sometime in the next few days!

And, of course, there are lots of lovely Halloween/Fall challenges around at the moment, so this is my entry for:

Copic Creations - 'Orange'
City Crafter - 'Any holiday'
Simon Says Stamp - 'Halloween'
Charisma Cardz Challenge - 'Autumn/Fall colours'

Image: Mo's Digital Pencil, 'Punkin'

Papers: October Afternoon; Inkido

Isn't this little chap totally adorable?  What a cute image.  Coloured with my Copics, I added some highlighting and shading wiht my trusty Prismas and I love how he turned out.  I had a little trouble with my paper, for some reason, so his face has gone a little patchy but otherwise I'm pretty pleased with this one.

The pretty little heart pins and the orange paper were part of a beautiful prize I won recently over at Sketcy Colors - I received some lovely goodies in the post the other day - thank you so much ladies!

So, there's a working day ahead and I suppose I should be concentrating on waking up properly!  We (four of us) went to see Pam Ayres in 'concert' yesterday - hilarious! I love her quirky poetry and she is a delightful raconteur. Her style is gentle but wickedly mischevious and we had a lovely couple of hours listening to her, laughing our heads off and generally just enjoying ourselves. Needless to say, although the event was over by 6.30 p.m., we carried on talking and laughing 'til late into the night, so I'm not as bright as I could/should be this morning!  It was worth it though. Such fun!

Right, in the shower, a quick cuppa and off to work!

Happy crafting.

One, Two, Three, Four, Kai

Aaaaah! Friday! I'm so glad it's the weekend - I'm pooped! But that's okay - it pays for my stash (among the bills, of course!).  And I've got new stash this week - including some lovely new papers to give my mojo a boost.  There's nothing quite like a bit of new stash to get the creative juices flowing again, and I must say that I've really needed that this past few weeks.  Hopefully, you'll agree that it's done the trick!

So, meet Kai:

Image: Mo's Digital Pencil, 'Kai in a Tub'

Papers: October Afternoon, 'Seaside' (what a gorgeous new collection)

Tickets: Made by me!

Isn't he (or she, you choose) just an absolute darling?  This is one of Mo's new images and I adore it - such absolute fun.  Reminds me of Daughter when she was small - she just loved to play in the bath, splishing and splashing. 

I coloured Kai with my Copics, adding extra shading and 'glow' with my Prismas, as always.  And then a bit of glaze over the water, of course - although you can't see it very well in this picture. 

The little tickets are the ones I made in MS Publisher.  They're so easy but so effective (I think) and tons cheaper than buying them, particularly when you need something specific and perhaps not so vintage.

I have to say that I'm pretty pleased with the way this image turned out.  My colouring has been very lack-lustre lately, and I'm sorry that I haven't been showing my best work of late.  But with Kai, I think I'm on my way back and I'm really happy. 

This card will be my entry for the following challenges:

Stamptacular Challenge - At least 5 layers

The Pink Elephant - Childhood

Mo's Digital Pencil - Colours of the rainbow (blue). Congratulations on your first anniversary, girls!

Cute Card Thursday - Make your own embellishments (tickets)

So, it's after midnight and I can feel myself turning into a pumpkin so I'm off to link up and then zzzzzzzzzz.  Easy day tomorrow, thankfully.

Happy crafting.
xx