Etsy Inspired Challenge #128 - The Hidden Alphabet

Hi there!  It's the weekend...yay!!

It's time for this week's Etsy Inspired Challenge.

Our shop today is The Hidden Alphabet where 'ordinary objects and architectural elements are turned into original, photographic art that resemble letters of the alphabet'.  

I had all sorts of ideas for this using lettering, but then I thought I'd use the images instead as my inspiration.  It's not easy to see in my photo but the flower is actually layered so the chequered petals are raised to give a 3d effect.

This image inspired me to use the flower and leaves by Wendy Vecchi

The next picture inspired me to use some black cardstock

and this final picture inspired me to use my embossing folder with the little crosses on

Stamps: Wendy Vecchi stamps, 'Ticket to Art', 'Flower Art' & 'Make Mine Mini Art'
Papers: Bazzill Cardstock in black, green and coral
Accessories: Cuttlebug Moroccan Embossing Folder, white ink pad, Bazzill polka dot brad, Ranger distress ink - fired earth

The winner will get an 8 x 10 Personalised LOVE Print from The Hidden Alphabet, like this one..

Our sponsor this week is Paper and Roses who are offering up a lovely prize too..

So pop on over to check out what the rest of the DT made and then check our main blog for any bits of information that I may have missed!

Ashley N. Newell (Ashley is really poorly this week so won't be playing along but if you get a minute pop on over to her blog to wish her better)
Angi Barrs

Carole Chesser

De Swanick
Emily Branch (Emily is away this week but still pop over and say hi if you have time!)
Jackie Bowman 

Joy Stagg
Kerry Angeles  
Ann Cox {February Guest DT}

Ruby McGuire (that's me!)

Savannah O'Gwynn
Sherry Campbell

Virginia Lu

Deadline for entries is Friday 4th March at noon PST. If posting to an online gallery please use EIC#128.

ps - Not sure what is going on with my font size, it looks like one of those optician cards that they show you when you have an eye test where the font gets smaller and smaller!  Sorry, try as I might it just won't behave!!!



Have a great weekend!

PDCC 70

Hello again!  Yes, I'm still alive!  I just haven't had a minute to blog, but I'm here to share a card that I made for this week's colour challenge over at the Play Date Cafe!

You may be pleased to know (or perhaps surprised!!) that I got invited back to host a second colour challenge lol.  This time I went for something a little less challenging!  I made this card using a digi image from The Cat's Pyjamas that my gorgeous Tinks bought me for Valentine's Day, bless her.  I love this little character Blobby.  He just makes me smile, which is exactly what happened when I saw this week's inspiration pic! 

These are just sooooo my colours!!  Bright, happy and cheerful colours!!  I found the picture on Julie Ebersole's blog and she very kindly allowed me to use it for this week's colour challenge.  Thanks Julie!!! :)

I think I may have told you that I have recently signed up for a Copic Beginner's Course over at Color Me Creative, with Suzanne Dean, so I am now actually playing with my pens while also trying to master the art of digi!  It takes me a while, but now that I'm colouring my images instead of paper piecing them I'm finding it a bit easier!  As you can see I still need to work on my shading, but I think I'm starting to make a bit of progress.   I have to be honest I'm a bit addicted, I'm looking to see where light and shadows fall in everything I see!  Trying to translate that onto paper is a whole different thing altogether, but I'm told practice makes perfect and this girl isn't giving up very easily! I'm hoping to be a Copic Queen one day lol.  All tips and help gratefully received!!

Here's how I made it...

1. Mat card base with orange polka dot paper
2. Print digi image, colour with Copic markers
3. Die cut scallop circle in blue, and using a die cut a circle around the image (that bit is actually quite scary, what if after all that time colouring I mess up on the cutting?!!  Phew, it was all ok, I could breathe again!)
4. Using Notch die tool cut a line for the ribbon strip, tie around and add a Prima flower(another area for potential stress where your Notch tool could slip and Blobby would be in a right old mess!)
5. Stamp the sentiment onto dotty paper and tear around the edges to add texture
6. Pop dot the whole image to finish
7. Stand back and smile at Blobby, isn't he the cutest with those wonky little pressies?!

Go and check all of the loveliness from the rest of the team..

Julie Ranae (Senior DT)

Sarah Anderson (Senior DT)

Savannah O'Gwynn (Senior DT)
Ruby McGuire (that's me!)

Andrea Ewen

Fiona Shultz 
Colleen Dietrich

Jaclyn Miller

Michele Gross
Tracey Kuzniak
Jinny Newlin
Libby Hickson

Our guest designer this week is Maria Guernsey who is on the ippity DT.  She is offering two fab ippity prizes worth $30.

So pop on over to Maria's blog, leave her some love and our designers too.

For your chance to win pop on over to the Cafe and link your post.  If you use an online gallery, please use the keyword PDCC70, and remember to use our inspirational colours to be eligible to win this week's prizes!

Etsy Inspired Challenge #127 - Claylicious

Hi there


I wish you ALL a Chocolate Chip Cookie Day!  A day that goes by without some sort of chocolate is a sad day indeed lol

Goodies that I used (I've been a bit slack with that lately, sorry!)

Stamps: Hero Arts 'What's the Scoop Recipe Cooking Owl' & Hero Arts Birthday for the sentiment.
Papers: Background paper and glitter gingham card from my stash of never ending paper
Accessories: Stripey ribbon from Ribbon Girl, Ranger Antique Linen and Vintage Photo.

This card is for the latest Etsy Inspired Challenge.  Our shop today is Claylicious

who are offering a fab 10% off for shoppers! Just use the word "INSPIRED" at the checkout!

This blue owl is where my inspiration came from.  I showed Ian my coloured owl and he said you don't really get blue owls.  I said, 'Hello, this is a cartoon character owl, he can be ANY colour I choose' lol.  He just said, 's'pose'!!  I think this blue owl with 'believe' on looks fab!  I was going to stamp the word believe onto another owl, but I wanted to cheer myself up with a chocolate chip cookie card because it's been one of THOSE kind of weeks!

My favourite piece in the whole shop is this!  I just love EVERYTHING about it, the colours, the wording, the little symbols and shapes, FAB-U-LOUS.  The wording says, 'Mom, you held my hand for a while you hold my heart forever'.  I've heard it so many times but it always makes me smile.  Must leave a note out for Tink!

 
The winner will get this handmade ceramic owl desk buddy -INSPIRE.  How cute would he look sitting on your card making table?!

Our sponsor is Your Next Stamp.  Check out this stamp of their new release.  The winner will get a $10 gift voucher to spend.

My Marmie would love this because she is Irish.  She was always telling me about her Irish dancing when she was younger.  She used to sing me a funny little song as she did it too!  In fact she is visiting with us at the moment and I just showed it to her and she said, 'you could make that for.. ' (One of our relatives..I won't tell you who just in case they are reading my blog) lol.  I knew she'd love it!

So pop on over to check out what the rest of the DT made and then check our main blog for any bits of information that I may have missed!

Ashley N. Newell
Angi Barrs

Carole Chesser

De Swanick
Emily Branch
Jackie Bowman 

Joy Stagg
Kerry Angeles  
Ann Cox {February Guest DT}

Ruby McGuire (that's me!)

Savannah O'Gwynn
Sherry Campbell

Virginia Lu

Deadline for entries is Friday 26th February at noon PST. If posting to an online gallery please use EIC#127.

I'm hoping to get some time to finish off some bits and pieces in my studio tomorrow.  I do find at weekends though I want to make cards, but my mojo just disappears.  Does that ever happen to you?  I then have to walk away and come back when it comes back lol.m Hopefully it will be in full flow tomorrow!

Lawnscaping Challenge #3

Hi there

** Edited to add links, oops! **

I made this little card for the Lawnscaping Challenge #2, it was for my gorgeous little princess for Valentine's Day. However, when I went to photograph it for posting I couldn't find it anywhere, and I mean anywhere! I have hunted high and low for this card. I mentioned it to Tink and she went to a drawer where I keep my cards, pulled out this very card and said, 'do you mean this one Mummy?' !! I have been in that drawer about six times, but do you think I could see it?!!!

The challenge was to CASE Kelly Marie of Lawn Fawn. Well I just love Kelly Marie's style, it's so cute! I chose to case this card... I was gutted not to be able to enter the last challenge, but as it's still all about love I'm hoping it's ok to enter it for this one! Well, a girl's got to try! I usually avoid scenes (both in real life and in card making lol), but I wanted to do something a bit different for Tink and this is what I came up with.

All stamps are Lawn Fawn, papers are just from my stash. The black and white gingham bow and little black flowers are by Mei Flower.

Hope you like it, she did!! :)

A bit of Fun - No need to adjust your screens!

Hi there

Today I have a fun card to share with you using a digi image that Kristen Powers gave Sav (over at Savannahland2) and I to play with. We decided to challenge ourselves to make a card up and thought it would be fun to make this cute little French girl for Valentine's Day.  Sorry about the background paper, it does look funny on my pc, all those little grids make my eyes go wonky lol

Sav got to post her card early because I've been having a nightmare with my computer.  We had a power out yesterday morning and it threw out our wireless connection.  For my Denami blog hop I had to talk my Mum through how to load a picture in Blogger.  Fortunately, I'd already written the post, just not added the piccie.  Phew, thanks for your help Mum.  I couldn't have done it without you!

It's really fun seeing how differently people interpret things.  I thought the girl's hat was the two separate sections, but I see Sav has done the top part as her hat and the rest as her hair.  Sav's is right, it's blatantly obvious to me now, but it just never occurred to me when I was colouring that it was her hair, I thought her hair was under her hat!!  Sorry Kristen for getting it wrong!!!  Now, I would have remade it, but if you knew just how loooooong it takes me to work with digi you would know that just wasn't an option so I hope I'm forgiven!  The little heart has the words 'je t'aime' on it.

The papers are Cosmo Cricket, the sentiment is this free digi one by Arielle, isn't it fun!

Go and see what Sav made, she did a much better job of it than me, but it was fun seeing what we both came up with.  She's just found out she won over at Papercrafts Connection too, so go on over and congratulate her!  Sav and I just 'clicked' when we first started chatting, we've been friends ever since.  Thanks for the challenge sweetie! x

So, I'm off to check up on my poor little princess who got sent home from school today, she's in bed but very restless.  I will be around to comment over the next few days, but with my pc being down and her being poorly I'm very behind.  Thank you for all your wonderful comments on my Denami blog hop card yesterday, I had fun reading them on my Blackberry.  It kept me sane when I couldn't get on line properly!  I've tried to do comments from it but it takes too long to load and times out. 

It's good to be back in the land of the living!

Denami Blog Hop - Buttons

Hello and welcome to the Denami Blog Hop!  I was fortunate enough to get my name on the list, it's so much fun.  I do hope you join in.

Here are the details...

When: The blog hop starts today.  You have until February 14, 2011, 11.59pm, PST to leave comments on all of the blogs (to be eligible for a prize)

Why: To be inspired by beautiful creations featuring DeNami Design stamps and also the chance to win mini shopping sprees on the DeNami Design website! 


Prizes: Denami are giving away THREE $20 gift certificates to their website!  They are giving away one gift certificate to a random participant and then they will also be giving away TWO gift certificates to TWO people who comment along the hop!

See below for the list of participants...  If you're following the blog hop and have come from Vera Yates' blog then you're in the right place!  Your next stop will be Annette Holleger's blog.  If you've lost your way then pop back to the Denami blog to start the hop from the beginning.

1. Andrea Matthews
2. Wendy Elliot
3. Michele Gross
4. Laurie Wilison
5. Lisa Petrella
6. Ayana Posados
7. Paulina Nakamura
8. Karen Larkin
9. Pattie Goldman
10. Tenia Nelson
11. Nicki Scheck
12. Amy Smidebush
13. Kristy Smith
14. Vera Yates
15. Ruby 2 Shoes
16. Annette Holleger
17. Beverly Montez
18. Sue Lelli
19. Virgina Larsen
20. Ruza Rebel
21. Katie Brooks
22. Melissa Tousse
23. Jenny Suchin
24. Linda Nomura
25. Kimmy Kowalik
26. Jenny Wagener
27. Dana Seymour
28. Tammy Hobbs
29. Amy Kolling
30. Tina Covington

 Hope you enjoy the blog hop!  Have fun!

PDCC 68

Hi there

How are you all?  I haven't had much time to post this week as between working I have been putting together valentine card orders so it's been a bit busy.  My working week ends on a Wednesday night (in theory anyway, as I always end up working most days on bits and bobs) so I'm usually wheel spinning in at the last minute to prepare my blog post and this one was no exception! 

Today is Play Date Cafe challenge time.  This week the colours were set by Julie.  They are really pretty and feminine, but definitely outside of my comfort zone where they are pastels.  I was going to do a bit more shabby and chic, but I had the opportunity to play with this fab Hero Arts stamp set that someone let me borrow and I am quite pleased with how it turned out.

As you know I'm trying to practice with my Copics so this was really my first proper attempt.  Still a long way to go but I think I'm making a bit of progress now.  I need to get a bit braver with adding more shading and colour but posting it on here was a start!  I've even left a bit of white, which my friend would be VERY proud of.  She always teases me for wanting to colour in every single bit of my image, but I can't help it!!  It looks unfinished to me if I don't, but you can see a few white bits here if you look close enough!  Ok, so there's not much but look closely at the top of the clock, the tops of the birds, some of the hearts and even all along the scalloped border at the top of the clock.  See, how good was that?!!   

Here are the details of how it was made...

1. Dry emboss wood background
2. Punch borders in pink, adhere wood background and attach to card.
3. Stamp and colour cuckoo clock, mount onto chocolate cardstock with pop dots for some dimension
4. Colour white ribbon with copics to match card (it does actually match IRL!)
5. Stamp sentiment with versamark on chocolate cardstock, heat emboss with white
6. Stamp sentiment, try using a tumble drier sheet to stop embossing powder sticking, just how you've seen it done on videos and detailed on people's blogs, then spend the next five minutes trying to work out where the actual letters are because the powder has just completely covered the writing and stuck to everything!
7. Stamp the sentiment again, this time having thrown the sheets away and going back to the old technique of using a little paintbrush to get rid of the excess powder!
8. Tie on ribbon to finish

This week we have the wonderful Kazan Clark joining us.   I'm sure you will already know that Kazan ran the '2 Sketches 4 U' challenge with Laura Davis.  It was one of my very first challenges to enter so I was really disappointed to see it go.  Kazan's work is beautiful, you can see more of it over on her blog.  I just love the simplicity and elegance of this recent Moxie Fab card, just gorgeous!

Don't forget to see what our lovely DT members have made, so much inspiration in one place!  There are some beauties in there this week, you wait and see!

Julie Ranae (Senior DT)

Sarah Anderson (Senior DT)

Savannah O'Gwynn (Senior DT)
Ruby McGuire (that's me!)

Andrea Ewen (Private Blend Designer)

Colleen Dietrich (Private Blend Designer)

Jaclyn Miller

Michele Gross
Tracey Kuzniak
Jinny Newlin
Libby Hickson
Fiona Shultz

So pop on over to the Cafe and link your post.   If you use an online gallery, please use the keyword PDCC68, and remember to use our inspirational colours to be eligible to win this week's prize!

Etsy Inspired Challenge #125 - Daisy Petal Designs

* Edited to add .. Coupon Code for your 10% discount over at Daisy Petal Designs is 'inspired10', not as listed below *

Happy Saturday :)

We have a lovely lazy day ahead of us today, a bit of cardmaking and then some friends are coming over in the afternoon for coffee and cake, then we are settling down for a bit of  Saturday night TV.

Our featured shop is Daisy Petal Designs.. I love the description of her shop... 'I am creating artisan designed hair accessories and jewelry in the hopes of adding a little something pretty to everyday'.  I think that's what we all do in our paper crafting worlds, add a little something pretty to everyday, do you?!

These are the little pictures that inspired the card.  I loved the little pink roses so used a little pink prima flower, I used the little hairclips and the text background as inspiration for my background paper.

If I'd had time I'd have made something else for this gorgeous beauty, isn't it scrumptious?!!

Our sponsors this week are Shannon's Sentiments who offer fun digital images. As you can see in my card I used their Happy Valentine's Day image, I love the fancy script, so elegant.

So pop on over to check out what the rest of the DT made. 


Ashley N. Newell
Angi Barrs

Carole Chesser

De Swanick
Emily Branch
Jackie Bowman 

Joy Stagg
Kerry Angeles  
Ann Cox {February Guest DT}

Ruby McGuire (that's me!)

Savannah O'Gwynn
Sherry Campbell

Virginia Lu

Daisy Petal Designs are giving away a pair of Vintage Glamour Earrings and offering 10% off to all shoppers with the coupon code 'inspired' at the checkout!  Shannon's Sentiments are giving away a free digi stamp set.

Deadline for entries is Friday 12th February at noon PST. If posting to an online gallery please use EIC#125.

Have a lovely weekend!

More hearts!

Here's a quick post on some cards that I made for the Wee Memories and Cardabilities challenges.  Please scroll down...

I made them the other day but haven't had a minute to post.

 This week you had to use a sketch..

Supplies;

Stamps: Wendy Vecchi 'Art from the Heart', Waltzingmouse 'Seasons of Love' & 'Sweethearts'
Dies: Heart and scallop Nesties, Cuttlebug heart embossing folder
Accs: Ranger Distress inks, 'Worn Lipstick', 'Fired Brick' & 'Spun Sugar', Versamark & white embossing powder

My next card is for the Cardabilities challenge that I found while I was blog hopping the other day.

This would also make a great shaped card, or if you swopped the hearts out you could use it for flowers or birthday pressies etc.  Such a versatile sketch, I love it!

I'll be back tomorrow with something for the Etsy Inspired Challenge and please try and play along with our latest colour challenge at the Play Date Cafe, it's my very first time as colour hostess so I'd love to see what you come up with!

PDCC 67 and my very first Colour Challenge - Yikes!

Hi there!

Today is a very exciting day for me over at the Play Date Cafe as it marks the day of my very first colour challenge.  I feel so honoured that Julie has allowed me to try my hand at a colour challenge.  I cannot tell you how much fun I had trying to put the first colours together, but then it became a challenge trying to make the actual card.  Oh boy, this colour challenge thingy is harder than it looks!! 

Isn't that flower stunning?!!  Unfortunately, I've had the picture saved on my computer for a long time now, so I am not able to tell you where it came from.  If anybody has seen it and can help me identify the source please let me know.  I'd love to give the person credit for such a fantastic picture.  Note to self:  must keep the source information if I ever get asked back to do this again!

So here is what I made of the colours.  I knew I wanted to make white my main colour, firstly because I don't do that very often, but also if you're really stuck with colours it's a great trick to get you out of trouble ;o) 

I'm not sure this really needs step by step instructions, but suffice to say I made the flowers using various colours of cardstock and Tim Holtz's Tattered Florals die. I used the Divine Swirls embossing folder by Cuttlebug and I broke out my new 'Banner Builder' die and 'Birthday Basics' sentiment from Papertrey Ink.  Add a smidge of ribbon and a bit of purple cardstock to mat the base and voila, done!

For more information on how I was inspired by this picture check out the main blog.  Don't forget to check out our fab DT creations too, it's been SO exciting to see what people make using my colours for the challenge.  I just cannot wait to see what you all make now!  Such fun!!!! :o)

Julie Ranae (Senior DT)

Sarah Anderson (Senior DT)

Savannah O'Gwynn (Senior DT)
Ruby McGuire (that's me!)

Andrea Ewen (Private Blend Designer)

Colleen Dietrich (Private Blend Designer)

Jaclyn Miller

Michele Gross
Tracey Kuzniak
Jinny Newlin
Libby Hickson
Fiona Shultz

So pop on over to the Cafe and link your post.   I'm the sponsor this week so pop on over to the main blog to check out the info ;o)  If you use an online gallery, please use the keyword PDCC67, and remember to use our inspirational colours to be eligible to win!

I do hope you will try and play along, it might mean I get invited back again one day to do another one!!

Ciao for now!