Ruby 2 Shoes

Color Me Creative With Some Senior Fun & A Discount Code!

2012-02-18T14:03:00.000Z

Yay! It’s the weekend!! Our new challenge over at Color Me Creative is all about lots of laughs and we got to play with some fun new images from I Brake For Stamps. This particular image, Stitching Stella, that I chose has only just been released so I feel very honoured to have got to play with it before it got launched officially! Thanks Della!

The sentiment I used was just one that I found by doing a funny quote Google search related to sewing and I typed it up on the computer before printing and attaching it to my card. The papers are DeLovely by Cosmo Cricket, quite an old collection now, but nonetheless one of my favourites. We are to use bright colours for this latest challenge, hmmm now how easy would that be for me lol. It’s the pastels that cause me grief!

I wanted to have a go at creases on this card and I have to be honest I found it a tough one. I even had my Mum sit in the same position with her arm up as if she was holding the material so that I could try and work out where to put the creases in! Suzanne (Dean) makes it look incredibly easy in her online video class lol. I can’t count the number of versions I made of this or the number of times I watched Suzanne’s videos but with practice I definitely made progress with every one that I coloured. That’s what I LOVE about the Color Me Creative online classes, you can literally watch them over and over and over again while you practice. I’ve also set my iPhone up so that I can watch them on there, no excuse for me not to achieve this creative goal of mine (to finish classes 2 –5 this year!) Our DT girls were all such a big help too, they gave me loads of tips to get me started. My trouble is I want instant perfection but I don’t think it works like that in the Copic world!!

NEW CHALLENGE #37 will run until March 2nd and it’s all about

** LOTS OF LAUGHS & BRIGHT, FUN COLORS**

Don’t forget you can use Copics, ProMarkers, other alcohol markers or Colored Pencils!! Here’s some inspiration pictures..

Our girls have been busy whipping you up some fun cards so pop by for a visit…

OUR SPONSOR FOR THIS CHALLENGE IS

I Brake For Stamps

Make sure you also visit our Guest Designer… Anita Madden of "Just a Pigment of My Imagination".

I’m entering this card into the following challenges;

Crafters’ Companion – Anything Goes
Desert Island’s Craft – To use 3 or more of a select list of items, I used #1 (2 or more patterned papers), #3 (green) and #9 (2 or more die cuts)
Fab ‘n’ Funky – to try something new (in my case it is clothes with creases)

Before I go, a couple more bits…

Do you have issues? By that I mean paper issues?!!! If so then I have a FAB discount code to share with you for Paper Issues, if you quote my code of RUBY2SHOES you will get 20% discount on anything you buy in the store. Paper Issues gives you the opportunity to link up your gorgeous projects and be inspired by others but also there is a Paper Issues Etsy shop with some fabulous goodies to buy.

I also received a fun award the other day from Craft Corners, they have lots of crafting ideas over there, so worth a visit..

I’m hoping to do a bit more creating over the weekend. I have a few bespoke orders to do first and then it’s play time! What fun things do you have planned for the weekend?

Whatever you’re doing have a great time!

To Washi Tape or Not

2012-02-17T10:29:00.000Z

Hello! Are you looking forward to the weekend? I am, the time has gone quick this week for some reason.

Over at Paper Issues we have a new theme called 'Tape It Up'. Check it out, just use any type of tape and you can link your project up! Now, I’m not sure if I’m a big fan of this Washi Tape or not, I love the look of it but when I get the roll of tape out I never know quite what to do with it lol, but it's about time it got used, so here goes...

I created this little get well card for a small person that is a bit poorly right now, hoping it would cheer her up.

So can you see the Washi Tape? It’s the two strips of polka dots behind the tag.

Using the Make It Monday to use kraft with red challenge I layered my background with kraft cardstock and used red as my main featured colours.

That’s it from me today. I'll be back tomorrow with a fun card for our new Color Me Creative Challenge.

InLinkz.com

Play Date Cafe and a Colour Splash!

2012-02-16T05:01:00.000Z

Happy Thursday! For today’s Play Date Cafe challenge card I stamped my own background, it’s not something I do often. I’ve been trying to go back through some old pictures on my computer that I’ve saved as inspiration (you know those files you save with the intention of making something but it never quite happens!)

I’ve had this card idea from Amy Sheffer's blog sitting on my studio table for-ever (she posted it in Sept 10!) and thought it was about time I made something up with it. I just love the simplicity and elegance of her card. All of her work is beautiful though, I've been following her since I started blogging.

I just turned my card around and this is my finished result. I really love stamping backgrounds, why don’t I do that more often?!

We are being sponsored by The Twinery, I just adore their gorgeous colours and despite trying other twine theirs is just the softest and easiest to work with, LOVE it!

Pop on over to the main blog to find out more about our fab sponsors, The Twinery, with the prize up for grabs and also to check out the rest of the DT’s gorgeous projects, you will leave inspired. You will no doubt find some fabulous inspiration amongst all of our entries too, our colour splashes always bring lots of great projects.

I'll be back tomorrow with a cute card for our new theme over at Paper Issues.

InLinkz.com

PDCC 118

2012-02-09T05:00:00.004Z

Happy Thursday! Today we are bang on trend with our fun and fresh colours over at The Play Date Cafe!

I wanted to mix it up a bit with a simple fun design.

There’s not much to tell you about the card except that it kinda fell together quite quickly, which is unusual for me. I've listed the stamps below, but the papers are really old and have no names on so I'm sorry I can't list those for you.

Here is the lovely inspiration picture, it just conjures up the beach and warmth, doesn’t it!

We are sponsored by the fab Simon Says Stamp so pop on over to the main PDCC blog to find out all the deets.

The girls have all created some great designs. Did you all wish Alica a warm welcome last week? It’s great to have her on board with us.

I’ve got a few busy days ahead of me so may be MIA.

Thanks for taking the time to pop by and see me!

InLinkz.com

Some cutesie cards

2012-02-08T13:14:00.000Z

Hey there my friends! Here are a couple of cutesie cards for you.

My first one is for the March Guest DT call over at Paper Smooches. There’s also a fun Guest DT challenge over at CAS-ual Fridays which is to be inspired by a film.

I chose the wonderful Dumbo. I loved this film growing up and Natasha did too.

I wanted to use an oversized sentiment and thought this one would work really well with those cute little elephants all snuggled up.

Next up is a card that I created using the Card Patterns sketch. I also used the latest Lawnscaping challenge to be inspired by their inspiration pic. I wanted to do something non-red but with the theme of love and I was inspired by the cluster of red hearts in particular.

Back tomorrow with a post for The Play Date Cafe, you’ll love the colours! They’re so on trend right now

I’ve been busy!

2012-02-07T23:37:00.000Z

I’ve been wanting to play along in some challenges and finally had the time. First up is my card inspired by the Unscripted Sketch challenge sketch. I switched the sketch up slightly as you can see.

My next card was inspired by the current CASE Study challenge and Moxie Fab World’s Punches Challenge. I was inspired by the grid, the banner and the butterfly from CASE Study’s muse and most of my card is created using punches, the squares, two of the butterflies and the hearts. In my head this was shabby chic but on paper it ended up much more graphic, funny how that happens!

I’m entering these into the Create: challenge too, to make Valentines’ cards.

Finally I created this covered peg for the Moxie Fab World challenge to use die cuts. I covered my oversized peg with patterned paper and then added the die cut flowers and punched butterflies. A bit of lace and it was done. This was a funny one because I was in the middle of making some other cards and just had to stop to get this made before I carried on with anything else! It was like I was controlled by something else lol. (Btw if you’re looking for these large pegs I got this one from the lovely Wendy over at The Stamp Attic)

All of these fit in with our Valentine’s theme over at Paper Issues, have you linked up yet? There’s still time and lots of inspiring projects over there to see too!

That’s it from me today. Thanks so much for popping by. I’ve got more to share with you so will be back soon with a couple of cutesie cards.

Have fun!

Color Me Creative & Some Lurve–Green is the New Red!!

2012-02-04T17:46:00.000Z

Happy Saturday everyone! Color Me Creative has a new challenge that is all about lurve! I created a card with this little cutie from our sponsors, The Stamp Fairy. How adorable is he?!!!

As I typed this post I realised that the colours are also the colours of Love; red, cream and pink and oh yes, Ruby COMPLETELY messed up and did green and brown!!! Read the instructions woman lol. The version below is the one that I made initially, the red and pink version above is my reworked one!

I used this sketch from I Spy Sketches. I adapted it somewhat but it was my main inspiration for my card above.

I Spy Sketches is a new challenge blog so this is their very first challenge. I was inspired by one of their DT member’s cards by Danielle Daws’ using the holey ribbon! (not sure what it’s officially called!)

I coloured him in the usual way using my Copics, colours shown below and then using a fluffy tea-towel spritzed with colourless blender I dabbed away some of the colour to give him some texture. I’ve wanted to play around with this technique for a while, and it works so well on teddies. I know Suzanne also has a free video showing you how to colour fur but I keep avoiding that, this is my safer option lol. I will have to do that one soon.

I also added in some random shadowing around the edges using T1 & T3. I was going to go all the way around but kinda liked it all spaced out.
Here’s the colours I used..

I’m entering my card(s) into the following challenges;
CardMadFairy’s Digi Day Challenge – ‘Use Hearts’
Delicious Doodles – ‘All Loved Up’

I’m having a lot of technical issues this end for some reason so because of that I would love it if you would refer to our main Color Me Creative blog for full details of the challenge and I would also encourage you to visit each of the DT girls’ blogs because they have cooked up some beauties with this challenge!

Ciao for now!

InLinkz.com

PDCC & some bliss!

2012-02-02T05:00:00.004Z

Hi there

Sorry I’ve been MIA lately. I had to work on my business accounts that took FOREVER and I’ve also been full on with work so there just hasn’t been a minute to blog.

Today I’m popping in to share a card with you for The Play Date Cafe’s latest challenge colours.

I added a pop of black because it was just a bit too pale for me otherwise. I don’t do pale very well as you all probably know by now lol. There is a bit of black on the inspiration pic too, if you look veeeery closely!

Our sponsor this week is Melanie Muenchinger who designs for Gina K, so make sure you pop on over to our main PDCC blog to see the prize that’s up for grabs.

We are also welcoming a new member to our team, she will be a wonderful addition! I won’t spoil the surprise here, pop over to PDCC and see who it is, and then pop by to give her a very warm welcome!

Suggested colours this week are Robin Egg, Lilac and Bisque.

You will love our DT line up of projects this week, they’re all fab!

Have fun, and I promise to try and be a bit better at blogging this week!!

ps – a quick supply list in case you want it… the stamps and dies are all PTI with the exception of the lilac one which is from Memory Box. The ink on the dressform is Archival and the paper by Prima Marketing. Any questions on specific details just drop me an email or leave a comment.

Play Date Cafe & A Fond Farewell

2012-01-26T05:00:00.005Z

Jax over at The Play Date Cafe gave some fab descriptive names for our colours this week… Plum, Pear & Mouldy Cheese! Now what kind of card does that conjure up?! Well I’ve been mulling this one over and I went from cute to elegant to cute to elegant and ended up this….

This card is a CASE of this gorgeous card by Kelly Rasmussen, HERE.

Much as I tried to get this card design out of my head I just couldn’t so had to just go with it. I hope I did it justice Kelly!!

Here is our sumptuous image for this week’s inspirational colours, love it!

This is a sad post for me today because two of my lovely teamies are moving on from The Play Date Cafe. We are saying ‘adieu’ to Michele and Andrea. I say adieu because it won’t be goodbye, we will stay in touch.

Elegance is what Andrea’s cards are all about, they are always beautiful and polished. Andrea is such a gentle and supportive person, truly caring and very calming in her nature. (I need lots of people around me like that lol) My favourite memory since knowing Andrea was when she was helping me create some wording for my business cards and she came up with the ‘gem of a card’ from Ruby 2 Shoes! I love that!! It’s great that my business cards have a bit of her stamp on them!

Michele’s style is fun and cute and I will never forget when she had not been on the team very long and she had been driving out in her car and heard the song, ‘Ruby, Ruby, Ruby’ by The Kaiser Chiefs. It prompted her to go in and buy me a copy of PaperCrafts Stamp It magazine and pop it in the post all the way to little ole me in the UK, a magazine I go back to time and time again! Thanks Michele! Michele’s fun personality is contagious and she has the ability to bring clarity to ideas/situations, a great person to have around!

I’m going to leave you with pictures of creations from my lovely teamies of my favourite projects that they’ve both done. I will miss you both, but let’s stay in touch in wonderful blogland.

Andrea

Michele

Don’t forget to pop by the main blog to see what prizes are up for grabs from our sponsor of the week…

Also you will want to pop round and visit all of the other girls to see what they have been up to and make sure to visit Andrea and Michele’s blogs in particular to wish them all the very best in their ongoing paper crafting adventures!!

InLinkz.com

Moxie Die Cutting & Paper Issues

2012-01-24T23:15:00.000Z

It’s me again! I’m back with a card that I made for one of the current Die Cutting Challenge in the Moxie Fab World which also happens to tie in nicely with the fun ‘All You Need Is Love’ challenge over at Paper Issues. I would encourage you to link up your cards/projects over there too, you will be blown away by some of the inspiring projects by the rest of the DT.

I was asked to make an Engagement card and wanted it to be elegant but in less traditional colours. There is a challenge over at Moxie World is to create a project using a die in an innovative way so I threaded some ribbon through the die, I hope it will qualify! I paired up some gorgeous patterned paper that I got over at The Stamp Attic with my new die from Memory Box sent over by the lovely Suzanne Dean at Color Me Creative, thank you Suzanne! The butterfly is layered although I’m not sure it shows that well in the photo, you may just be able to make out that the bottom butterfly is chocolate brown. The ZVA crystals were cut into two so that I could use them at the top and bottom of the card.
Hope you like it! I’m working on my accounts at the moment for my tax return due at the end of the month, so not much time to play but I will be back Thursday with another Play Date Cafe card. Until then, have fun!

InLinkz.com

Some Wintry Fun over at CMC!

2012-01-22T18:30:00.000Z

Happy Sunday everyone!

The fun has started over at Color Me Creative with our newest challenge that is all about wintry frost. I’m in a bit of a purple phase right now so coloured in a little snowy image using purple Copics and patterned papers.

I have to apologise because I cannot unfortunately find the name of the image for you, she was one of a few images that I won over a year ago in a challenge and despite looking I don’t seem to be able to find her. If anybody knows where she is from I’d love to give the appropriate credit so it would be great if you could leave me a comment pointing me in the right direction.

I coloured my image with a central light source. (I found light sources quite a challenge when I first started colouring but I think I’m slowly getting it!!) The first thing to consider when colouring an image is where your light source is coming from. As my little girl is standing quite straight and not at an angle I decided that the light source would be central so I coloured her darker on either side, leaving it lighter in the middle, giving the appearance of light hitting the centre. Suzanne Dean’s Copic Colouring classes don’t just focus on colouring but also cover some of those tricky ‘arty’ type things such as shading, shadows, light sources which I find incredibly helpful. She teaches you things to look at and what to do to develop your eye into seeing how light falls.

I used C3, C1 and C0 for the snow and then outlined her in BG10. My friend gave me the gorgeous glitter to use which finished her off really well, well actually she gave me most of it.. the papers, the flower, the ribbon lol. Thanks Pauline, you’re a star!

I think one of my goals for this year is to spend more time just playing with my Copics, trying different techniques and seeing what happens with them. Being a bit of a perfectionist can be a challenge sometimes so it’s nice when I just permit myself to play! I hope you all do that from time to time too! Here are the details of the challenge..

NEW CHALLENGE #35 will run until February 3rd!
Your challenge this time is all about

** FROSTY, ICY, COLD PROJECTS**

In honor of the winter season we want to see your cold & frosty images! Use frosty colors to make everyone feel brrrrr....COLD!!!
Use Inspiration Pictures Below as well!

Pop on over to the main Color Me Creative blog to find out all of the challenge details but remember that you can also colour your image with ProMarkers or Coloured Pencils, not just Copics.

One lucky winner will win a fab prize from our Sponsor for this challenge, Lily of the Valley

Visit their store for a great selection of digi stamps perfect for copic/promarker/pencil colouring!!

Pop on over to my fellow teamies to see what delights they have for you..

I'm entering this card into the following challenges...

Cardmadfairy's Digi – Ribbons & Bows
Cardmaking Mamas – Use Something Old (my digi)
Delicious Doodles – Winter Wonderland

I look forward to seeing what you create. Have fun and most of all keep cosy!!

Clean and Simple Play Date Cafe fun

2012-01-19T05:00:00.010Z

Phew where is the time going? It can’t be Thursday already surely?!

Today over at The Play Date Cafe we have a neutrals colour palette for you. I made this simple little card for it, but I just had to add a splash of orange! Apologies for my picture, it's been really proving difficult to get decent pictures of late, the weather is so overcast.

I love patterns by Orla Kiely and for Christmas I got her book called Pattern, which is what inspired my card.

Using Blissful Botanicals by Lawn Fawn I stamped the stems and coloured them with my Copics. I often match up colours of a palette with my Copic pens, I can then use the pens to hold against the papers and get the colour match. I have used four colours on this card for the leaves, E87, E77 , W3, C3 and then YR09 and YR07 for the orange flower. The stamp is from PTI’s Daydreamer set.

We are being sponsored by Paper MakeUp Stamps this week so pop on over to the Play Date Cafe blog to get more information on the prize and also to see some fab inspiration from the DT girls.

I will leave you with the inspiration picture and look forward to seeing what you create with our colour palette this week!

I hope you have a wonderful Thursday!

Thank you for taking the time to pop by.

Paper Issues–All We Need Is Love

2012-01-18T15:17:00.000Z

Happy Hump Day!

Paper Issues have a new challenge running called ‘All We Need Is Love’. (btw am I the only one singing The Beatles’ song having just read that title?!!) I’ve made this card in the past as a congratulations card but thought I’d make it again and blog it this time because I think it would make a great Congratulations card to a newly engaged couple!

The images are Paper Smooches and the paper is by MME. I am so pleased that I ventured into the Copics world. Expensive hobby, yes, but sooo worth it. Colouring is just too much fun!! I love how you can play around with colours and make them match your papers. If you like to colour then pop on over to Color Me Creative and sign up for some Copic classes, a great way to get you using those pens!

Hope you like it! Have fun!

I’ll be back tomorrow with a CAS card for tomorrow’s new Play Date Cafe challenge.