Thursday 31 March 2011

PDCC 75 & WPlus9

Happy Thursday!!

I love Thursdays, it's Play Date Cafe day. This is the challenge that pushes me beyond my boundaries quite often, especially when it throws in some pastel colours for me to work with!

This week we are sponsored by WPlus9 stamps and were very lucky to receive some gorgeous WPlus9 stamps to play with. I literally squealed with delight when they came in! They are FAB and I've wanted something like this for ages. Thank you so much Dawn!

Here is my card...  I'm sorry the photo isn't great, I just couldn't get it to work so well for some reason.


This was our colour inspiration picture.


This was quite a quick card to put together, which is usually quite rare for me!  Most of them take me a good 45 minutes to an hour to make (on a good day!) and then if you factor in colouring well you're talking days by the time I try and get it perfect!  Oh to be a 'just let it go' kinda person lol.

You may be able to make out the smidge of grey behind my central die cut label, I added in lots of silver pearls to match the little metal playing pieces on the Monopoly board.  Isn't it funny how some games can cause so many arguments.  Monopoly is one of them, we had a friend who literally picked up the board game after HOURS of playing and threw it across the room because he wasn't winning lol.  I turn into Boudicca when I play Risk, it literally is a risk playing with me!!!  I get SO competitive, ridiculous behaviour lol.  I refuse to play now, shame really - I'm quite good at it too!
  1. Die cut blue fancy frame
  2. Die cut two medium label 16 die labels, one in white, one in grey, offset as shown and attach to blue frame with pop dots
  3. Stamp two flowers, one in blue, one in coral.  Attach the blue directly to the main label, raise the coral one with pop dots, attach pearls to centres in opposite colours
  4. Stamp a leaf in green patterned paper (use up those scraps lol)
  5. Before attaching the main panel with pop dots add some ribbon (coloured with Copics) and a small Prima flower
  6. Stamp the sentiment in the top right corner
  7. Add silver pearls to finish
So pop on over to the rest of my fab teamies to see how they've interpreted the colours, they're all very different this week. 

in Alphabetical Order..
Andrea Ewen
Jinny Newlin
Julie Ranae 
Libby Hickson

Michele Gross  
Ruby McGuire (that's me!) 
Sarah Anderson
Savannah O'Gwynn
Tracey Kuzniak



We also have Dawn Woleslagle guest designing with us this week.  Pop on over to her and her team to see what delights they have whipped up for you.  WPlus9 are giving away a stamp set of choice to the lucky winner!  You will be spoilt for choice!

I'd love to see what you come up with for this week's challenge.

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 PDCC75, and remember to use our inspirational colours to be eligible to win this week's prizes!



Monday 28 March 2011

Sweet as Chocolate

Hiya

I made this card for the latest Card Positioning Systems challenge, hmmmm, the more I see it the more I NEED chocolate. Still, at least this is the non-calorific kind lol

The image and sentiment are from the Wax Fruit Company, by Arielle. I love her images, they are so much different.




Supplies

Stamps: 'Sweets for the Sweet' & 'Big Little Words' (digi)
Dies: Go Kreate Concentric Tag
Papers: Cosmo Cricket 'DeLovely', Crate Paper, 'Snow Day', Bazzill Atlantic
Copics: E47, E35, E33, BG15, BG13, BG11, B24, B23, B21, Y06, Y02, R29, R27, V06
Accessories: Craftwork Cards 'Legless Brads'

Ciao for now!


Saturday 26 March 2011

Etsy Inspired Challenge #132 - Fresh Metal Jewelry

Hello everyone!

It's time for this week's Etsy Inspired Challenge.  I thought I'd bring a bit of colour into your life!  They say carrots are good for your eyesight, well if you look very closely at the strip of digi paper running down the centre of the card you may well be able to make out little carrots!


This card is based on this week's Card Patterns sketch here.  I've moved the bow and I just did an extra wide panel instead of the embossed strips.


So onto our challenge....

 We have a fun shop for you this week - Fresh Metal Jewellery who are giving away this gorgeous Pretty Posey Vintage Lace Necklace.  Lots of the items for sale are reused or upcycled vintage items.



Look at this gorgeous colour combo..


and these were what inspired the flowers on my card.  They reminded me of little lettuces for my bunnies lol


Our sponsor this week is Amber Ink. 



AmberInk was started by a mother and daughter team. Amber lives in the East, Pam lives in the West. Amber is an Emmy nominated children's animator and illustrator, who creates from her Brooklyn, New York studio. Although they do carry some clear stamps, the company runs by the premise that their customers are more brilliant than patient. If you've been a diehard clear or rubberstamper, they can even help you with the transition to digital. And don't worry about asking a silly question, because as a retired public high school teacher, Pam has already seen it all. Check out the ever-increasing tutorial links, which you can find on the homepage. Hailing from the Hawaiian Islands, the Aloha Spirit is alive and well at AmberInk.com.

We were really kindly given the opportunity to play with some iPapers and Digi images, look at this adorable carrot paper, isn't it the sweetest!!  (this is what I used behind my centre panel) and then I used my gorgeous little digi bunnies too!  There are so many gorgeous images to choose from, you can even get some iPaper that has the same images coloured in on patterned paper, so cute!


Thank you Amber Ink, these were really fun to play around with!

Amber Ink are offering up a prize of a $15 Gift Certificate to use in the store!

So pop on over to check out what the rest of the DT made and then check our main blog for all of the prize information.   (sorry about the size of the links for the DT, it's either that size or enormous, despite playing the font size is misbehaving!!)

Angi Barrs
Ruby McGuire (that's me!)
Virginia Lu

Deadline for entries is Friday 1st April (already?!!!) at noon PST. If posting to an online gallery please use EIC#132.


Have fun and don't forget there are some fab prizes to be won!!



Cute and Cuddly

Happy Friday everyone! Yay, it's the weekend!!! :o) What are you all up to this weekend? We have friends coming over tomorrow which will be really fun, we are off to a craft shop in the morning, but don't tell my bank manager lol. I'm sure he must wonder how we afford to eat with the amount of card making things I buy!!

Yesterday I told you I had been colouring a dog that I was going to enter into the combo challenge with Lawnscaping and Wee Memories. Well here he is, it's amazing what a bit of pressure can do for you, I finally got him done!  The challenge is 'Cute and Cuddly'.  I immediately thought of this little dog, SO cute! 



I first cut out a Nestie frame to mount the dog onto, but then when I got out the check paper I wondered what it would look like made into a blankie and then this card came about!  Hope you likey!





I've been really tired lately, I just want to sleep as soon as I sit down to relax, which is no good when I have lots of yummy things I want to make!  I seem to be very behind on so many things at the minute, I really need to catch up so I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their wonderful comments.  I do try to get around to everybody's blogs when they comment, but it's not always possible, life gets in the way.  So, if you've left me a comment and I haven't popped by then please forgive me. 

I'll be back tomorrow with a card for Etsy Inspired Challenge, fun!

Supplies:

Stamps: Lawn Fawn 'Sophie's Sentiments' & 'Critters in the Burbs'
Die: Nestie Labels 16
Paper: Basic Grey 'Max & Whiskers', Amy Butler
Accessories: Brads, twine from stash


Thursday 24 March 2011

PDCC 74 - Lizzie Ann Designs

Hello again!

Today I have a card to share with you for our Play Date Cafe challenge. Our colours are purple, blue and white this week.  I wanted to make a little card which is about 4.75in x 3.75in.   I used some very old purple paper from my stash of papers (trying to work my way through them!), with a Martha Stewart die cut doily and butterfly border punch.  I also used my new Enamel Accents for the centres of the flowers which I'd layered in alternate purple and blue.  If you haven't tried this enamel you must, it's so much fun!  All tied up with ribbon, and card finished!


Our sponsors this week, Lizzie Ann Designs, very kindly gave us some gorgeous stamps to play with.  I got this fab set, Bloomin' Doodles!


I do love my flowers but particularly the flower on the right of my card becaust it's a little like my logo :o)  Lizzie Anne Designs are offering up a fantastic prize worth $39.95!!  I think these flowers would look great on tags or even on wrapping paper stamped as your own design.


So pop on over to the rest of my teamies to see what they've created with the colours, there are lots of beauties  to see!

in Alphabetical Order..
Andrea Ewen
Jinny Newlin
Julie Ranae 
Libby Hickson

Michele Gross Ruby McGuire (that's me!) 
Sarah Anderson
Savannah O'Gwynn
Tracey Kuzniak


We also have Taylor Usry guest designing with us this week.    You may even spot some of her teamies playing along too :o)  Her work is gorgeous, especially her more recent life size cupcake, now that's the kind of cupcake I'd like to get in the post!

Hmmm, yummy!!!!

Catch a Bug?

Hi there

Laurel of Lawnscaping Challenge and I 'challenged' each other to make a card using a Designed2Delight digital stamps  digi image for their challenge this week, and a challenge it was too! I have never coloured a jar in before, and I've not done a very good job of it, but a promise was made so I can't go back on my word!


I am really looking forward to progressing through my Color Me Creative courses to learn how to do this kind of colouring properly, but it was still fun to play!

I'm hoping to join in some Lawnscaping fun too, I've coloured in the same dog about 13 times to try and perfect it so he WILL be entered in time for the deadline!  I'm hoping to make him into a card tomorrow.  Now that I've publicly declared that I will have to, won't I, lol!

Supplies:

Papers, Accessories : From stash,  Paper from Creative Imaginations (not sure of the name sorry, it's been cut off the sheet!)
Digi Image: Delightful Inspiration

Oh, did I tell you I've given up chocolate for a while, initially as a bit of a joke but then I thought I would see if I can make it for Lent, so far so good!  I haven't had to kill anyone for a piece yet!! ;o)

Saturday 19 March 2011

The Birthday Celebrations continue over at CMC!

Hi there everyone! 

Color Me Creative Classroom's 1 year Birthday celebrations are well under way and many prizes have already been won, but it isn't over yet!  There are still lots of fun things going on, with some fab prizes to be won!  Pop on over to Suzanne's blog here for some more information!



If you really want to learn Copics then Suzanne's courses really are great.  I'm learning so much from the beginner one that I'm doing, I can't wait to get on and learn more advanced things :)

Pop on over to the DT to see what they've made ...


Supplies:

Stamps: Heather Ellis digi stamp Pure Innocence, Papertrey Ink's Warm Happiness Too
Paper: MME Stella & Rose scraps and purple scraps from stash (unsure of name, sorry!)
Dies: MFT Die-namics Doily
Accessories: Ribbon from stash, DeNami Design buttons, polka dot ribbon from local haberdashery
Copics* Hair - E33, E35, E37, E47 *, * Skin - E00, E11, R20 *, * Clothes/Shoes/Flowers/Envelope - V12, V15, V17, Y13, Y15, Y17, Y11, Y00 * Flower Stems * G21, G24, G28*

Pop on over to the main site here with the opportunity to win some fantastic prizes.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog, I really love your comments and appreciate each and every one!

Etsy Inspired Challenge #131 - Dollbirdies

Hi there & Happy Weekend!!

I hope you've all had a great week and you're looking forward to the weekend now! We are having a totally lazy day because we've had a lot on recently, time to relax.  It's Saturday, so that means it's time for another Etsy Inspired Challenge.

Today's card is quite bright so you may need to adjust your monitors!  However I have some pastel colours to share with you later for my Color Me Creative card, so that should make up for it!





This week our shop is Dollbirdies.  I was spoilt for choice in terms of inspiration for this shop!  I LOVE my bright colours and retro patterns so this was right up my street!  Lots of loveliness all in one place!  I decided to use this picture.  I love these bright and happy colours.



 As you can see, lots of fun items!  There is the opportunity to win a passport case, see the main blog for more information.



Our sponsor is SRM Stickers.  SRM Stickers are widely used by many papercrafters and it has a blog every weekday with paper crafting projects using stickers! Bookmark, follow the SRM Blog as you don't want to miss a tutorial, feature, challenge!

So don't forget to pop on over to check out what the rest of the DT made and then check our main blog for all of the prize information.  

Ashley N. Newell
Angi Barrs
Ruby McGuire (that's me!)
Virginia Lu

Deadline for entries is Friday 25th March at noon PST. If posting to an online gallery please use EIC#131.


Have fun and don't forget there are some fab prizes to be won!!

Supplies:

Stamps: 'Dot Spot' & 'Signature Series: Butterfly' by Papertrey Ink
Dies: Sizzix, 'Flower, Stem & Leaves', Leaves, Swirly', 'Blossoms' Nesties, Cuttlebug 'Blooms & Dots' embossing folder
Papers: Basic Grey 'Sugar Rush', pink bazzill cardstock
Accessories: Martha Stewart punch, The Twinery bakers' twine, white acrylic paint, button from stash

Back later with my Color Me Creative card :o)


Thursday 17 March 2011

PDCC 73 & Denami

Hey there everyone, it's Thursday!  I love Thursdays because it's time for another challenge over at the Play Date Cafe today!



These are our lovely colours picked by Julie Ranae.  I really love the colours together, very pretty! I couldn't quite match up the golden colour so went for more yellow tones.   I wouldn't have put these colours together myself which is what I love about these challenges, they take you out of your comfort zone and you can be surprised at what you create.

I was really fortunate to receive two pretty little stamps from Denami to play with, plus some gorgeous buttons! This is the floral image up close, plus the little sentiment is showing on the tag


Here's how it was made...
  1. Dry emboss pink panel
  2. Cut two strips in gold/yellow patterned paper, cut two strips in black, punch border edge and attach to centre panel
  3. Die cut label in lilac, and again in a smaller size in gold/yellow paper
  4. Stamp Denami stamp onto a piece of white cardstock, die cut with circle and attach to a die cut black scallop circle
  5. Using Smooch paints colour the little flowers and butterflies 
  6. Assemble label as shown and attach using pop dots
  7. Stamp sentiment and die cut using tag 
  8. Tie ribbon around panel before attaching to card base.  As you tie the bow add in the little sentiment tag with some twine before finishing the bow  
  9. Attach buttons to corner to finish
  10. Hope you like the little flowers, I think they look like little fried eggs!! Hmmm, maybe next time pink would make a better colour for the centres!

This week we are sponsored by Denami Design and they are offering up this great prize!  

So what are you waiting for?  Pop on over to the DT blogs, pull out those cardmaking supplies and join in the fun!

Paulina Nakamura is our Guest Designer this week, so don't forget to pop by and see all of her lovely creations!

The rest of the PDCC team also have some FAB designs to share with you.  The Denami DT is also playing along so pop on over to their blog too.  Grab a cuppa, put your feet up and go and visit them for some inspiration!  You won't be disappointed!


in Alphabetical Order..
Andrea Ewen
Jinny Newlin
Julie Ranae 
Libby Hickson

Michele Gross Ruby McGuire (that's me!) 
Sarah Anderson
Savannah O'Gwynn
Tracey Kuzniak


Before I go have you seen what my friends, Julie and Michele are doing?  A new CAS challenge blog, pop over and see for yourself what it's all about, just click the badge below.  I'm not great at CAS so I'm hoping to learn a few tips!








Have a fun and creative day!  Back soon with another card for Color Me Creative for their birthday celebrations!  This is certainly making me practice that blending with my Copics.  Phew, the pressure!  


Tuesday 15 March 2011

Birthday Bonanza over at CMC!

Hi there everyone!

This week there is a birthday bonanza over at CMC!  It's Color Me Creative Classroom's 1 year Birthday and there is a whole week of fun things on offer for you.  There are so many AMAZING prizes to be won, your really have to join in, what's there to lose?!  If you're not already on the site you can easily join, absolutely anyone can join in on the fun!  Pop on over to Suzanne's blog here for some more information!

Ok, so it's time for me to dare to show my colouring skills to the world lol. I have to say I've really procrastinated with this card!  I have only just finished watching my videos on the beginners' class on skin colouring, and despite colouring about 40/50 faces I'm still not there.  I wasn't sure whether to colour a different image for my post instead, but I needed to make a birthday card for the celebrations and I remember Suzanne saying if it isn't going right just walk away and come back to it.  I need to not give up!  Well fortunately I didn't get that frustrated with it, but me being a perfectionist doesn't help!  I want it perfect first time! 

My blending didn't go so well for this card, but with practice I'm sure I'll get there eventually! The journey is fun though, which is the main thing :o)



Check out what the design team have made too...


Supplies:

Stamps: Greeting Farm 'Sweet & Toxic', Papertrey Ink 'Make a Wish'
Paper: MME Stella and Rose 'Mabel'
Accessories: The Twinery
Copics* Hair - E33, E35, E37, E47 *, * Skin - E00, E11, R20 *, * Clothes/Shoes - YR12, YR15, YR16, BG02, BG05, BG07, BG09, BG11, BG13, BG15, * Eyes - G24 *, * Skulls - W-1*  * Shadow G00*

So if you're not signed up already pop on over to the main site here and join, that way you have the chance to win some fantastic prizes and to join in on the Copic fun!


Sunday 13 March 2011

Denami Blog Hop

Welcome to the Denami Blog Hop.  Here is my card for the hop, I went with some fresh, spring colours for a change.  It's amazing the direction patterned papers can take you in, as you all know these wouldn't be my usual choices of colours.  


 Here are the details of my card....


Above is the picture of the little stamp I used.

Stamps: Denami 'Heart Flower Trio Circle
Papers: Prima 'Madeline' 6 x 6 paper pad
Dies: Nesties Labels 16, Circles, Lacey Circle & Go Kreate Frilly Square
Accessories: Stripey Ribbon from Ribbon Girl, Smooch Paint Pens (for flowers)



Here are the details of the hop...

When: The blog hop starts today.  You have until March 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 Sue Lelli's blog then you're in the right place!  Your next stop will be Libby Hickson's blog.  If you've lost your way then pop back to the Denami blog to start the hop from the beginning.

 List of Participants:

1.    Paulina Nakamura
2.    Ayana Posadas
3.    Wendy Elliot
4.    Michele Gross
5.    Andrea Matthews
6.    Lisa Petrella
7.    Laurie Willison
8.    Kristy Smith
9.    Pattie Goldman
10.    Jinny Newlin
11.    Tammy Hobbs
12.    Sue Lelli  (last hop)
13.    Ruby McGuire (that's me!)
14.    Libby Hickson (next blog)
15.    Nicki Scheck
16.    Julie Murray
17.    Colleen Dietrich
18.    Dana Seymour
19.    Jaclyn Miller
20.    Christina Maclaren
21.    Karen Baker
22.    Tracey Kuznak
23.    Ruza Rebel
24.    Linda Nomura
25.    Katie Brooks
26.    Tina Covington
27.    Debbie Marcinkiewicz
28.    Carol Hartery
29.    Karen Larkin
30.    Tenia Nelson

 Hope you enjoy the blog hop!  Have fun! See if you can spot all of my team-mates from Play Date Cafe dotted throughout the blog hop, there's a lot of us joining in this week!!


 
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