Croms' Cubby Hole

A Valentine gift

2012-02-16T03:06:00.008Z

I was asked to make a card to help raise money for the British Heart Foundation fund raising at work the other day. This is it.

No stamped images for a change. Some home made flowers stuck to a heart shaped card base that was dry embossed with ink on the folder. Some die cut leaves for added interest. A few die cut swirls and heart shapes are in there as well
All encased in a gatefold card with acetate insert (slightly larger so that it bows out) and laced up with red satin ribbon.

A little pocket on the back was stuck on so that a greeting could be written.
I'm happy to say that over a £1000 was raised on the day for this charity that we support. Hubby had a heart attack a few years ago and they do such fabulous work.

I would like to enter this into a couple of challenges
Paper Pretties - Unique fold
Celebrate the Occassion - Use a Heart
Paper and Such - Love

Red Hot

2012-02-16T00:09:00.009Z

A couple of days late with this posting - been a bit poorly.
Smudgy Antics is the challenge blog for the Smeared and Smudged forum of which I am a proud member and recently have been honoured to be chosen to be a member of the design team. This week the theme is RED HOT!!
Take the theme as far as you want to go with it. This is Smudgy Antics and we like things edgy around here! Make it funny, scary, or sexy...just make it Hot...Red Hot!

This is my project.

I have taken two of the Goth Fairies from Smeared Ink - Carina and Corneleus. Coloured with promarkers in flame colours then fussy cut out. The BP is home made from glossy c.s. and more flame coloured inks with a brayer. The base card is from stash - ink distressed to co-ordinate. The rubber corner stamp is also from Smeared Ink. I have tried to give the illusion of smoke with some dark grey vellum and a ball tool. Corneleus' appreciation of Carina's look done in the same way.
Some red gems to finish.
We'd love to see your "RED HOT" projects, so please do pay us a visit and link up so we know where to look.

I am entering this card into a couple of challenges
Divas by Design - Wings and things
Flutter By Wednesday - Anything with wings
Penny's Paper-Crafty - Anything Goes

day 3 of S&S Bloody Valentine hop

2012-02-12T00:40:00.005Z

Everyone still here? Anyone wanting to join in the hop that hasn't arrived from Alison's blog - The blog roll can be found up top. Some awesome artwork has been shown in this "Alternative/Different Valentine's hop" that only Smeared and Smudged do as far as I'm aware.

My day 3 project went horribly wrong. I forgot to transpose my image, doooohhhhhhhh. I ended up having to scrape it all off my canvas and start again. Hence this is as far as I have got.

As I have to go to work today there'll be no time to complete :( It's an 8" canvas and the main image is from Smeared Ink. The spatters are from another SI stamp using fired brick DI and all the drips are from another stamp (no name)

Sooooo another quickie to fill the gap
Not bloody at all really, but I did use the same "deep inside my heart" digi. Just goes to show the versitility of some stamps. It's what you put with it that makes the complete picture.
A fatbook page
.
This time in blues and purples. The image is from the "French Fairies" set from Smeared Ink.
I superimposed and flipped the image onto the "deep inside my heart" image. The fairy was coloured with promarkers. the leaves have been heat embossed in plum and some glamour dust added to the wings. The little tear drop gems were red before colouring again with a promarker.
The writing in blue gel pel to complete. Mounted on textured purple cs from stash.
Now it's about time you headed of to Jane's blog and see what she has made to inspire us all.

Day 2 of Smeared and Smudged Bloody Valentine Hop

2012-02-11T09:55:00.011Z

Morning everyone

Half way through this 3 day event to mark Valentine's Day in Smeared and Smudged style.
The Hop list is up top so you can't miss it and if you're hopping in order then you will have seen Alison's amazing artwork and will be on your way to visit Jane.
By the way - be sure to visit Black Dragon's day 1 post for some AWESOME info!!!

Back to my post for day 2. Two projects today as I'm also going to share the card I made for hubby to celebrate our wedding anniversary today.
First up. A simple tag. I have used the freebie image (coloured with promarkers) for entering the challenges over at the forum this month but it also available in the shop if you want to spend your pennies.

The little trident was made by twisting 3 straightened eyelet pins.
Had to have something to impale the hearts onto.

My drippy goo punch gets a good work out here. I was lucky to have a little gift from my daughter when she went over to the US last year - she found a rubber stamp which co-ordinates so well, and this was heat embossed as an extra.
The "sentiment" was stamped using SU! whisper white straight onto the BP. This was taken from a MSC "tinkering with steampunk" CD.
The impaled hearts are diecuts from glitter card. (I'm on a challenge to use this in some dark projects, it was there yesterday as well :-D - anyone notice?)

To finish it off - there is a copper eyelet and some blood red fibres as ties.

My anniversary card. Well hubby has come to expect cards that are out of the "norm" from me by now. I am glad to report he loved this one :-D.
I followed the sketch over at Deconstructed Sketches

I used 2 of the new Monster Heart digis available in the shop. Coloured with promarkers with a touch of DI. Basic Grey DP layered onto purple then onto very pale green card base.
Plenty of lilac lace and some green satin ribbon. A "made with love" heart shaped charm attached with a purple heart shaped brad after heat embossing the sentiment. A few dewdrops to finish.

I am entering into a couple of challenges

Project 1 - Tag

Crafty Catz - Valentine

project 2 - Card

Deconstructed Sketches - Their sketch # 38
Cardmad Fairy's Digi Days - Hearts
Hotshot Craft - One for the boys

Smeared and Smudged Bloody Valentine Hop Day 1

2012-02-10T11:32:00.003Z

St. Valentine's Day has been marked by many events in the past. The most memorable of these has got to be the Valentine's Day Massacre back in 1929.
Smeared and Smudged are having our own little event, taking this as a theme, hence the name of the hop. The hop links are all up the top of my blog for the duration of this event and you should have come here via the very talented Alison if you're following the order.

My first piece is going to be hung on a wall in my den eventually, when I finish a frame.
The sketch is taken from the sketchy challenge in the forum for a scrapbook page.

Try as I might, I could not get the base card to photograph it's true colour of blood red. So you're going to have to use yoour imagination. The page features digi stamps from Delicious Doodles and Smeared Ink. Computer generated text by me.

All images are coloured with promarkers . Some glossy accents on the blood. I did wonder about using another stamp (Splatter) I have as the background but only after I'd stuck it all down. Typical.

There will be another piece tomorrow. Thankyou for looking,

Now off you pop to see what the lovely Jane has made.

Anything Goes

2012-02-06T17:39:00.008Z

My first project for the Smudgy Antics Challenge Blog as part of the new DT over at the Smeared and Smudged forum, part of the Smeared Ink group.

The challenge this week is "Anything Goes". I'll leave you to read all the ins and outs at the blog.

I chose to do an altered picture frame together with a picture to go in it.

The image is Smeared Ink's Von Bayros- Dragon Lover. The winged hearts round the side are from the set of the Heart Wings.
Back to my main image. Printed out 4 times, coloured with promarkers and then fussy cut out bits from all the layers to make one complete dimensional picture.

mounted the whole thing onto glitter card for that frosty sky look adding a touch of glossy accent to the cup by our dragon's cushion.
The winged hearts are dipped in UTEE.

The frame is a plain black frame that I rubbed some bronze metallic wax into.
The vine was constructed using thin fuse wire and seed beeds. LOTS of them.
Both the vine and the hearts were attached to the frame with hot glue before finally fitting the picture in.

Now, don't forget to check out the rest of the gorgeous projects created by this fabulous new team.

I am going to enter this into a couple of challenges
Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes with no patterned paper
Catch The Bug - Anything Goes
Haunted Design House - Free for all

Shot Through The Heart

2012-02-05T18:19:00.006Z

Yet another Valentine card - with a difference. Maybe you won't want to send this to your nearest and dearest? Or maybe you would?

This card co-incides with a few new images released by Smeared Ink this week - Bloody Valentine. I got to play with a few :-) having been elevated to that exalted position of Design Team Member. See the new badge over there on the right? Woo Hoo!!!
Anyway,
I followed this month's sketch over at the Smeared and Smudged forum, following the theme set by Haunted Design House - Shot through the heart. The sentiment came from the song by Bon Jovi.

The images are "Holding Heart" and part of the "Hanging Heart"

Both images were coloured with promarkers

The blood on the holding heart was covered with glossy accents. the entire hanging heart was dipped in UTEE.
The sentiment was written by hand on the "sketchy banners".
The backing paper is from Crafty Chaos .
Lace, chain and other cs from stash

I am entering this card into the challenges over at
Haunted Design House - Shot Through The Heart
Smeared and Smudged Sketch challenge - Their Sketch

SteamPunk ATC

2012-02-04T15:47:00.009Z

I was in the mood for some fiddly stuff today. That, and needing to do a few things for a swap I'm in. An ATC fitted the bill perfectly.
I've had this image from Sassy Studio Designs for a few weeks and never got around to applying any colour to her. Today, stuck in the house because of the cold, seemed to be the ideal opportunity. It so happens that Just Inspirational Challenges are being sponsored this week by Sassy Studio Designs, there is a sketch and a theme of steampunk.

I did put a (cm) ruler up against my ATC as a size guide.
The image was coloured using promarkers.
Glossy accents used on the hat decoration and brooch at her neck. The glossy accents also came in handy for embedding those little watch hands in.
The background is from MCS "Tinkering with Steampunk" CD. The little swirls are die cuts from pearlised gold card. Ribbon is from stash.

I am entering this ATC into the challenge over at
Just Inspirational - Their sketch and theme

So Artful - Anything but a card and inspired by Georgia O'Keefe

The Stampman - Embellish It

Creative Craft World - Make It Mini

Do You Stack Up - Anything Goes

All Loved Up

2012-02-03T08:44:00.013Z

It's the start of another challenge fortnight over at Delicious Doodles. This time around the theme is "All Loved Up". With Valentines day not far away, a lot of minds are turning towards affairs of the heart, declaring their love etc etc. This card was prompted, not only by this challenge but a request from my son. "An extra special card" for his fiancee.
I have used 2 Delicious Doodles images here as the main images. The plain heart and the Lovers.

A 3-D card

This initially starts off as a gatefold. The central aperture cut out to show the image underneath then a piece of acetate that is wider than the card attached to the flaps which are then tied together over the bowed acetate.

The images were manipulated on my computer so that they could be printed as one onto the background red card stock. I attached a little posy of roses as an added detail and a little gem for our ladies earring. The acetate (in stash) came with the hearts already printed on. I rubbed some gold wax onto some black waxed cord for just a bit of extra opulance. The base card is hammered cream card stock folded, as I said, gatefold style. I heat embossed some little swirls in the corners and made some holes (reinforced with eyelets) for tying it all together.

I added just a touch of red DI to the central edges to soften the overall effect. A small envelope type pocket on the back for adding a message and there we have it.

Please go look at the rest of the gorgeous projects made by my fellow teamies and then point us to yours by leaving a link on the Delicious Doodles challenge. We'd love to see all those "loved up projects" so please don't disappoint us.

There are a couple of challenges I'd like to enter with this card
Crafty Purple Frog - Valentine's Day/Show us some love
Do You Stack Up - Anything goes
Pals Paper Arts - Any reds
Penny's Paper-Crafty - Love is in the air
Truly Scrumptious - Love and hearts

A simple Valentine

2012-01-28T12:10:00.007Z

Over on Stampin' Dymonz' Scrap Shack this week in the card group, it's about making "quick and simple" cards. Cards that can be made for those emergencies or when the offspring decide that everyone in the class needs a valentine card. That's my theme here as it's that time of year when thoughts of love and romance are in the air.
The inspiration came from over on CASE Study challenges.

A piece of card run through an embossing folder. Some holes punched to thread some twine through then attached to a shaped card base. Run through my big shot again, this time to cut an aperture out.
Behind the aperture, I attached my image. I chose a silhouette stamp from Delicious Doodles - The Lovey-Dovey one. Printed straight onto red card then cut out using a nestie.

ok it looks pink in the pic but it is red really.
Some little red heart gems to finish and it's ready for the recipient.
As I said. quick and easy.

I am going to enter this into a couple of challenges
CASE Study Challenges - Their Inspiration
Crafty Catz - Things with Wings
Patties Creations - Embossing

Fat Book

2012-01-27T15:26:00.008Z

I'm in the process of compiling a Fat Book. A page 4" x 4" with 1/2" for the binding.
These are 2 of the pages that I have done this week.
They just so happen to fit into a couple of challenges as well :)

The first features that little known poem by the Literary Master of the Macabre, Mr. Poe himself.

The poem is "Eldorado". For those that don't know it...

Gaily bedight,
A gallant knight,
In sunshine and in shadow,
Had journeyed long,
Singing a song,
In search of Eldorado.

But he grew old-
This knight so bold-
And o'er his heart a shadow
Fell as he found
No spot of ground
That looked like Eldorado.

And, as his strength
Failed him at length,
He met a pilgrim shadow-
"Shadow," said he,
"Where can it be-
This land of Eldorado?"

"Over the Mountains
Of the Moon,
Down the Valley of the Shadow,
Ride, boldly ride,"
The shade replied-
"If you seek for Eldorado!"

Edgar Allan Poe

The paper is from Joanna Sheen. Slightly charred around the edges as a lot of old maps are. The image is from the "As Death" set from Smeared Ink. Coloured with promarkers and the chain was heat embossed to give it that extra volume. Then all mounted onto a pearlised gold piece of cardstock.

The second page features stamps from Smeared Ink and Cherry Pie. It was for the Rock 'n' Rolla challenge over at the Smeared and Smudged Forum. This month we were challenged to make a piece of artwork inspired by the song and video, The Lonely by Christina Perry.

This is the outcome from my craft area

So much masking done here. Most of it stamped using black memento ink. The "mesh" background (Quoth the Raven set) was stamped using weathered wood DI.

The challenges I am entering into are
The top fatbook page
Haunted Design House - Get Lost (Use a map)

The bottom fatbook page
Smeared and Smudged - Rock n Rolla Challenge

Quoth The Raven - Use a Likeness of the Master (I was hoping to doo another, but time cannot be bought)

Tall, Dark and.......

2012-01-25T12:32:00.005Z

Gruesome! Yep, that's the brief over at Smudgy Antics challenge blog this week. I've been on a bit of a roll there the last few weeks, yayyy, but I know this can't last forever. I do enjoy a challenge that has me thinking outside the box. This one certainly had me stumped for a couple of hours. Which image have I got that I can turn gruesome, and that hasn't been done before?
This is what I came up with.

A page for a fatbook that I am compiling. Using the background "Deep inside my heart" (a freebie for entering the monthly Smeared Ink forum challenges a short while ago) from Smeared Ink and an image and some text from the "As Death" rubber set.
So what's so gruesome about this? you may ask. See that deckled edge? (I couldn't get it to lay down perfectly flat again with out my fingers getting in the way) Behind there lies another image.
This time from the Anatomy 101 digi set.

You reckon this fits the brief?
Now for the boring bits. What did I use to make this?
The background was digitally coloured from the original black. The images were all coloured with promarkers. On the back of the opening I used pencil so that it wouldn't seep through. The text was heat embossed with black powder and the death angel's wings were touched up with black flocking powder. This was all layered onto some black coredinations card.

I am entering this into the challenges
Smudgy Antics - Tall, Dark and gruesome
Lollipop Crafts - Wing it

A simple card??

2012-01-21T17:08:00.011Z

The reason for the question marks is the colour I've worked with. Why do I have this mental block when it comes to working in pink. It should be easy enough. I've done a few now in recent months but I still feel a sense of dread when picking up pink papers to work with. I had loads of choices with the new card kit from Duck Pond Crafts, but pink was on top of the pile.
I used the sketch from Sketches by Carly. I was too late with last weeks entry by just a couple of hours. I'd used the last sketch for my Delicious Doodles DT card.

The piece of paper had some vintage looking details and chose to use just that corner as my main image. Matting it onto some of the card in the kit and used a co-ordinating piece of pale green behind. All pieces have been distressed both with coarse sandpaper and some ink. The main backing is pale cream card which, cut to size, was first stamped and heat embossed with pale pink on one side (papermania hearts stamp) then the other side was dry embossed; running through the bigshot with the card carefully positioned in the folder so that only the plain bit was embossed.

The lace from the kit was threaded with thin satin ribbon, the same ribbon being teamed up with some coffee ribbon from my stash. A ribbon rose made and teamed with one of the charms from the kit and a heart shaped bead from stash.

The pearls added are also in the kit

I am entering this card into the challenges
Sketches by Carly - Sketch #48

Simply Create Too - Love is in the Air

Colour Create - Pink and Green with hand made flower

Craft Us Crazy - Valentine/Love

Crafty Creations - Valentine

PaperPlay - Ribbon, Every Which Way

Freaky Chick

2012-01-20T12:28:00.007Z

Or Chic Freaks if you want - which is the challenge over at Haunted Design House this week. Barb has arranged for an awesome sponser this week - Stampotique! This is one collection of stamps that I have been meaning to add to my collection but never got round to ordering. Always something else that the pennies need to be channeled towards.
So which image to use was my first challenge. I went for Rusalka from Smeared Ink.

I used the sketch from My Time Made Easy as the basis for the card.
The image was coloured using a mixture of promarkers (girl) and distress inks (tree) Then the background was brayered, Masking off the moon wanting a slight haze round it.

The sentiment at the bottom is a combination of 2 paper artsey stamps. Stamping the eye first then, masking that off, stamped the words on top.

A couple of challenges I am entering this into
Haunted Design House - Chic Freaks
My Time Made Easy - Their sketch MTMEPPS44
Smudgy Antics - Masking

Masking for SmudgyAntics

2012-01-20T11:27:00.010Z

Smudgy Antics - The open challenge blog for the Smeared and Smudged Forum have a challenge this week inviting folks to show projects that have a theme "Masking".
You can interpret this in many ways. You can do a masking technique with your stamps, use an image with a mask, use a mask with your spray inks and mists, or use masking tape on your finished project.
I've made a valentine card. A bit different from the "norm" of course. The masking in this project is on the little 1/2 heart down the side.

I used the offcut from my grumpy card made a few days ago. The well sanded black/red coredinations. My TH mini masks and some SU! whisper white ink pad.
The image is from Smeared Ink. The Fire goddess. Stamped in the same white ink and heat embossed with red sparkle embossing powder.
I stamped the image on black card for a change. A "negative image" in mind. Then with white and red pencils, added colour then edges torn away. Some little red and black gems added for some more firey sparkle.
The shapes are all cut by hand including the black card base.
Inside didn't get left out from some ink either

Challenge I am entering this into
Smudgy Antics - Masking
Craft Us Crazy - Love/Valentine
Paper Creations Ink - Love/Romance

Phindy's Place - No Straight Edges/Shaped Cards

WOW! Embossing powders challenge - Love themed

Winter Wonderland

2012-01-20T09:33:00.011Z

It's time for a new challenge over at Delicious Doodles' Challenge Blog. This week, the theme is, yes you guessed it, WINTER WONDERLAND. We want to see all things wintery, whites, blues, snow covered forests, whatever!

This is my card made for the challenge. I had another birthday card to make, so doubled it up with that.

Using one of the new images from the shop, Olyvia. I did hint a few days ago that this gal would change her wardrobe for the next outing ;) This time I have used the icy blues to colour her. All done using promarkers.

(note to self - need more colours. any excuse. Looks like Joanna Sheen's going to see more of my pennies). I used antique linen DI to give that slightly aged look that goes with the attire.
Pale blue and silver card used for the matting with some paper left over from christmas (I think echo park but not sure). The feathery swirls using my new sizzix die and glitter card for that frosty look. The bottom edge cut with MS drippy goo punch with co-ordinating icicle stamp up top stamped in SU! whisper white. The sentiment stamped using the same ink. Ribbon and pearls from stash.

It would be fantastic to see all those wintery cards entered into the challenge, so please come and show us those beauties.

Sketch used from Sketches by Carly

I am entering this card into a couple of challenges

Crafty Purple Frog - Anything Goes
Creative Craft Challenges - The Colour BLUE

Joanna Sheen Challenges - Celebrations

Stempelsonne challenge - Winter

The Duck Pond Card Kit

2012-01-18T23:59:00.013Z

My very good friend Karen, over there at Duck Pond Crafts has asked me to review this card kit that she supplies. At a VERY reasonable cost I might add!! She's even doing a "fan of the week" for leaving a comment on her FB page.
Pictures - got loads to show you. It's crammed with goodies. This month is all about vintage and luuurve.
On opening the box ..... look at all the goodies the eye sees...

WOWOWOW

more pics

double sided papers so your choices are doubled.

8 card blanks with matching envelopes in this kit (varies each month)
Some plain, textured card stock
Then we come to all those embellishments that just finish off our cards to a "T"
In this kit comes some lace and some lovely tape that looks just like a tape measure
some seam binding, pearls and faux bottle tops

Still more to come...

Some cute cupids on pegs and "diamonds"

And the bag o' bits
hat pins, buttons, charms, little lace flowers...

All this !!!!
All you need add is adhesive and a little love and there's enough there to make so many more cards than the blanks supplied. We all have card blanks/stock or objects that we like to alter. Plenty here to keep most people occupied until next months kit comes out.
Karen also does a lovely blooms kit. Again at fabulous prices.
Head on over there and have a good look.

RAVEN

2012-01-14T17:46:00.017Z

There's not that many challenges that I regularly participate in. This is due, purely, to time constraints. There are now three that I will endeavour to take part in as many challenges as I can though this year.
There is a new challenge blog on the block. One that is dedicated to the Master, E.A.Poe, called Quoth the Raven, Nevermore and the first challenge is to create something That shall bear the mark of 'The Raven' in whichever form or guise that pleases you.
Then there's the challenge over at Smudgy Antics to "Recycle".
Lastly, but by no means least, there's Haunted Design House where the challenge this week is Metal Mania".
This week I managed to combine all three together.
My little offering this week is a necklace with a presentation box.

I have had these little cameos in my stash since last year, itching to use them but never quite getting round to it. Never seeing quite the setting I wanted to attach it to. Until last week that is.
As well as attching the cameo, I also glued in some tiny deep red pearls into the dimples.

The recycling bit is that I used an old bracelet for the clasp and some of the beads from an old broken necklace.

This is modelled by my future DIL with the promise that her face shall not be seen devoid of makeup.

Then there's the box.

Homemade box covered with paper from EchoPark. The edges inked over with black soot DI. A piece of lace at the "window" and one of the ravens from the "Quoth the Raven" stamp set from Smeared Ink. Stamped several times and layered up with pinflair glue then dipped in UTEE after a light dusting with purple, green and blue DI to highlight the black.

I am entering this into the challenges listed above
Smudgy Antics - Recycle
Haunted Design House - Metal Mania
Quoth the Raven, Nevermore - Ravens

2 Sisters Challenges - Use Metal

Creations by Gillma

- 3-D decoupage - the Raven

Designed2Delight - Use a heart - there are 4 on the necklace

Drunken Stampers - Love - Inspired by The poem about love

Thankyou

2012-01-14T17:07:00.008Z

first post of the day
This is an image that is one of the new images from Delicious Doodles, Olyvia.
I just felt green was the right colour for her on the day I coloured her. She will have changed her wardrobe, I'm sure, on her next outing.

Lots of different greens here and also using my new flourishes diecut. The image herself was coloured with promarkers with a touch of white gel pen on the owl.

The feathers just seemed the right thing to use.They are held in place first by glue then a big brad that I coloured with alcohol ink to co-ordinate.

I am entering this into a couple of challenges
Sarah Hurley Challenges - Thankyou
Ladybug Crafts Ink - Anything goes with new stash - Swirl diecutter and image

January Bloghop with Smeared and Smudged

2012-01-12T06:25:00.005Z

Hardly seems like yesterday that we had December's bloghop with the 12 days of Christmas. Then Christmas and New Year and I still am trying to sort things after that. Hey Ho.

The theme this month is MESH IT! Interpret this how we like. Can use mesh, mesh images together, have a mesh texture...etc. Use the imagination and have fun with it. Also, not forgetting the S&S rule that is has to be stamped somewhere (digi stamps are fine).

I went with some really simple cards this time. I have had a couple of projects in recently that have taken up more time than normal. Both cards use Smeared Ink stamps. Some digi and some rubber.
First up is using some black mesh ribbon. Oh and some glitter card stock that hubby bought for me as a surprise last week. The girls dared me to use it!
Oh I need to invest in a circle cutter of some sort! The image is The Valkyries, a digi stamp. Coloured with promarkers and cut out. Mounted onto three glitter card circles. The backing card was embossed and then glossy accents used to highlight the swirls. The mesh is used as the backing for the sentiment (computer generated by me). Some little die cut flowers to balance and just a touch of gel pen.

The second card is the start of the valentine cards I have been asked to make. Features one of those lovable rogues - The Grumpies. This one is again a digi "Shot Grumpie".
Isn't he great! Coloured with my trusty promarkers. The Hearts on the outside are from the digi Heart wings set "Grungy Heart". Coloured with promarkers again and dipped in UTEE. The mesh is from an old "net curtain" that's been sitting in the attic for a while.. A rectangle cut down the centre part way and gathered to form a heart shape. Tied off with some ribbon. This was attached to some well sanded core-dinations with some brads. You can't see all the grumpie here because he's partly hidden by the heart shape cut out of the front.

Here he is, with one of the sentiments from the set having been ink distressed with redDI. Two of the mesh stamps from "Quoth the Raven" rubber have been stamped using white ink onto the black cardstock. These will be coming back to the store soon I'm sure. The "blood" is just red glitter gel pen. I don't think anyone would be clean after being shot, do you?

Now this is a hop and there are oodles of projects made by the rest of the gang. They'll all be fabulous so go hurry and look them up. Leaving some luv along the way of course.

JANUARY SMEARED & SMUDGED
MEMBER BLOG HOP
BLOG ROLL

Tori
Black Dragon
Fiona
Monique
Jane
Celina
Sara
Kristy
Heather
Kapree
Helen that's me
Alison
Sugar
Dianne
Lisa
Sharon
Pam
Ike
MaryKay

A couple of challenges I am entering

card 1 - The Valkyries

Passion for Promarkers - Inspired by a song ("We will overcome" by Thursday)

Craft your passion - Mythical creatures

Magical Mondays - Magical creatures - anything goes

card 2 - Grumpie

Crafty cardmakers - no floral embellishments

Take one plate

2012-01-06T20:53:00.014Z

This was going to be a cushion front, but people have a habit of leaning back on them and this grew into so much more that I decided to just use the plate I was using as a template to attach this to and hang on the wall. Why not just cut out a card base? Because I wanted more dimension. It was one of those cheap plates picked up for about 20p so not the best china. Just so you can see the proof.
The stamp plate I used was the "As Death" rubber from Smeared Ink.
So what did I make?
A "cushion" for a death mask. One of a couple of paper mache masks that were sent over from the US last Hallowe'en and still sitting in the box!
Now I'm going to bore you with some piccies. So many aspects to this that it took a few.
The front as it will be seen when it finally gets hung on the wall.
Want a closer look? Well you're going to get it.
Some PinWHEEL flowers in the eye sockets instead of pennies plus 3 more down the right hand side.
Some black lace flowers with pearl button centres, some ribbon roses, some black and red lace all adorn the "cushion" base. This was made from black satin fabric with a large ruffle sewn on as well.

The skull was first primed with watered down PVA glue. Next came a coat of very pale yellow acrylic paint. When that was dry I added some black to the base coat, watered it down and "dry sponged" over to take away the "newness". Shadows formed by dry brushing the same paint into the relevant parts. Added a touch of green to the mix and went over the teeth, cheek bones and nose areas, wiping much of it away leaving just that hint of mould to the crevices.

Next comes the stamping. White tissue paper at the ready and black stazon ink and my trusty mod podge.
One central image and one of the text stamps
Then two each of ........
The beauty of using tissue paper is that the image can be seen through the tissue and can therefore be reversed. Which is exactly what I did.
The text from the image near the eye sockets was carefully cut out and added to the forehead and nose bridge.
That's about it.

I am entering this into the challenges over at
Haunted Design House HDH#114 - Got Goth
Smudgy Antics - Wheelie Good Time - PinWHEEL flowers used here. Never made them before but will again now.
Art Impressions Stamps - Anything Goes
Paper Shelter - Anything Goes

Forever Night Challenges - I've been Framed - all framed by that big ruffle

NEW

2012-01-06T10:40:00.016Z

Happy New Year to you all. How many new year resolutions have been broken already? Me, I don't bother making them now. Not enough will power maybe.
With the New Year brings us round to a whole new lot of challenges after the Christmas break. More importantly, the new round of challenges starting at Delicious Doodles Challenge Blog. Teri treated us all to some fantastic new images to go with this. Some of you will have already seen some if you follow my posts here and there's more eye candy on the blogs of my fellow DT members. So don't forget to go see them.
So to my project this week. A simple card using the beautiful image "I'm NOT Goth!!"
I followed the sketch over at Stempelsonne Challenges this week.

Coloured with promarkers with just a touch of black DI round the outside of the die cut centre.

I dug down deep into my stash to find the hot pink, (not a colour I tend to use very often) and the lime green c.s. More die cutting to form the embellishments etc. The main BP, I think is Basic Grey, has been sitting in my stash for about a year. This was layered onto some more lime green before attaching to a black card base. The ribbon was picked up last year at the SECC from crafty ribbons. Some charms and beads attached with a brad with a little key attached to the image to tie in with the sentiment.

So come on folks lets see those NEW projects over at Delicious Doodles Challenges for a chance to win images of your choice.
You could use new stash, try a new technique, make something for a new baby, new home, in fact - we just want to see anything that is new!!
I am entering this into the challenge over at
Stempelsonne Challenges - Their Sketch
Crafty Ribbons Challenge - New - New image
Paper Creations Ink - Die cuts and/or punches - The image and the corner embellishments
Digistamps4joy - something old (BP) something new (image)
Fab'n'Funky Challenges - Something new - image
Scrap Creations - something old (BP) something new (image)

Card Crafter's Circle - Make It Colourful

Last card of 2011

2012-01-01T02:31:00.009Z

And the second card destined for a friend. This one made at the request of her husband. Hence the sentiment.
The card itself is made following the sketchy over at Sketch N Stash Challenge blog.

The elements are all those that women are supposed to want from their menfolk as gifts.
Hence the tag on the little back of choccy coins left over from Christmas.

Starting with the image...
It's one of the new images soon to be in the Delicious Doodles shop. (I'll add a link when I can)
EDIT - Image - Katarina
Coloured with promarkers.
Cut out with a nestie after first lifting the head out. Backed onto turquoise c.s.
The card under is silver textured and some paper that came with the november card kit from Duck Pond Crafts. This was edge punched with a diamond punch.
A swirl pattern was created with some tiny red gems as decoration.

and some red roses, again from Duck Pond Crafts,. Some home made pins with "diamonds and pearls" added.

The black/white fabric under the image is some white fur fabric spotted with black marker to simulate the snow leopard of the image.

A few extra pearls added to finish with the computer generated sentiment.

The tag on the bag of coins, so it can be read easier

I am entering this into the challenge over at
Sketch N Stash - Their sketchy
Charisma Cardz Challenge - Anything Goes

Another Birthday card

2012-01-01T02:11:00.006Z

This time for a friend. I have two cards for this lady. This one is going to be from us.
I have used a Smeared Ink image from the vintage range, Smitten set.
Coloured with pencils and blended with m.o.

Blue is her favorite colour, hence the colour scheme. Just a touch of glamour dust on the shawl and head feathers.

The front of the card is a matt silver textured cardstock.
The pleating of the ribbon surrounding the aperture is inspired by a Christmas wreath done by Meiflower over on her blog. The ostrich feathers and pearl strands were threaded into a long silver bead and stuck on with pinflair glue-gel.
Inside, plenty of distress ink.The verse will be on the pages following the image.

I am entering this into the challenge over at
Fun with shapes and More - Frame it

A winter birthday card

2011-12-29T18:53:00.006Z

Birthdays don't stop round Christmas just because hallmark and clintons stop selling them. Before I started making the odd card, I used to have to buy the December b'day cards in November and the February ones in January because Valentine's day takes over. No excuse now lol. This one's for my step daughter. Born Old Year's Night.

I've used a Sassy Studio Designs image and the sketchy from Seems A Little Sketchy Challenge Blog.
There's no designer paper used here, just dry embossing. For the top panel, the embossing folder got inked with my SU! whisper white pad and the dark blue cs laid in and run through the big shot, backed with pale blue. The back panel is black/blue cordinations. Again through the BS and then sanded and backed with more pale blue c.s. All mounted on grey blue c.s.

The same grey blue was used as a mat for the image.
Coloured with promarkers with icicle stickles on the fur and glossy accents on the mug, lips and eyes. The image and mat were cut and embossed with a spellbinder die and while the die was in place, a touch of DI brushed on.
The organza ribbon has some beads dangling with the happy birthday sentiment that was stamped onto shrink plastic and heat treated after adding some more DI.
Some "Ice" gems up in the tope left hand corner to finish.

I am entering this card into the following challenge
Seems a Little Sketchy - Their Sketch #3
Charisma Cardz Challenges - Anything Goes
Ladybug Crafts Ink - Bingo - I've used the RHS line - Embossing, Charm, Pearls

Delicious Doodles New Images coming soon

2011-12-26T13:30:00.009Z

Teri From Delicious Doodles treated us to a preview of some new images coming soon to the shop. They are also available to view on her facebook and CDAC pages.
This co-incided with me having to make some rushed money wallets on Christmas Eve. OOpps forgot until the last minute. These images are fabulous, not Christmasy but still wintery.
This is what I came up with.

Both essentially the same but still unique. The inside of each is just an old brown envelope. I have a heap of these that the sticky bit isn't anymore. Heat embossed with snowflakes and some distress ink used to colour.

a circle punch used to create the access.
The fronts
Both images coloured with promarkers and ink distressed. Matted and layered with paper and card with some lace and ribbons to tie. The flowers are available from Karen at Duck Pond Crafts as well as the little charms hanging from them. The extra beads from stash.
Money added and slipped into stockings. Job done.
A closer view of each

Aren't these images gorgeous!!!
Keep an eye out in the shop for them.

I am entering these into the challenge at
Paper Creations Ink - Something old (envelopes) something new (images)
I love Promarkers - Anything Goes
Charisma Cardz Challenges - Anything Goes

12th Day of Smeared & Smudged Christmas

2011-12-23T14:14:00.007Z

Our last day (Boo Hoo) of this awesome blog hop. Two days before the big day for those that celebrate Christmas. The space under our tree is filling up as pressies get wrapped. All our kids are grown up and don't expect Santa to try and get through the small vent opening of our chimney anymore. Nearly everything is done and I might even get to relax tomorrow night before the work of Christmas day starts. At least this year I will have major help with the cooking as my son has volunteered his services.
Anyway onto today's projects. Yes - two today as it's the last day.
First up is a candle. This features one of the Grumpies from Smeared Ink that have stolen the hearts of my family.

The image was stamped onto tissue paper, coloured in with promarkers and adhered to the candle by melting the wax with a heat gun. A paper sleeve on top that has been punched with my MS drippy goo punch. Paper is Echo Park. Then round the base, more of the same paper, fringed and some silver embossing powder heat set on the edges. Stamped and heat embossed "Merry Merry Christmas" on acetate and
on the paper itself - Merry & Bright - twice. Some faceted stones threaded onto wire and tucked into the sleeve as further decoration.

My second project is also being entered into the Smudgy Antics challenge this week - Wicked Christmas
We were originally going to have this challenge week's theme "Gothic Christmas" and the following week's theme was going to be "Wicked Santa". Because we are giving 2 weeks for this challenge, we are combining the themes. You may choose either theme to work with or combine the two.

Mine's more of the Gothic Christmas with just a tad of wickedness.
Complete with fallen halo. hehe. A bit dark here on the tree so here's my little angel taken off the tree and subjected to the light.

Where's the stamping on this you may ask...
It's evident when you look at the back.

I used the raven's wings from the Poe plate from Smeared Ink.

The body is made fro a semicircle of black card and the sleeves from 2 smaller circles.
I covered the body with white lace and the sleeves with 3 rounds of narrow white lace. These were attached with a couple of brads apiece. A tree bauble for the head. The halo is twisted silver wire, bent over on purpose - this angel's halo has fallen. The black feathers were attached with pinflair glue and the heat embossed wings stuck on top then stuck the panel of lace back over.

Well that's my lot for now. Please go look at the amazing talent of my fellow bloggers. The list is over on the right.
I am entering this into the challenge over at
Smudgy Antics - Wicked Christmas

11th day of Christmas with Smeared & Smudged

2011-12-21T06:00:00.001Z

Nearly at the end of this fab blog hop organised by the Smeared & Smudged forum. The last day will be on the 23rd and no doubt there'll be a splendid array of eye-candy that day as well by my fellow bloggers. Back to today though.
A very simple tag for attaching to young grandson's pressie that Santa will no doubt have left under our tree by mistake. Going to have a house full apparently as he with his mum and dad have invited themselves to Christmas lunch hehehe. The more the merrier and Christmas is all about the children. I miss having the young'uns sometimes now that ours have all grown up.
Back to my tag. I didn't go overboard with it as no doubt it'll end up in the rubbish bag along with all the wrapping paper. Just something to make it that bit more special than the shop bought ones.

I used a Kenny K Father Christmas image, coloured with promarkers. Boots, lips and eyes have been given a light coat of glossy accents.
The base is glossy paper with DI rubbed over then spritzed with a home made shimmer mist after running through the bigshot with a snowflake plate. A bit of ribbon attached before backing with a scrap of Christmassy DP. The Merry Christmas ticket is chipboard, well inked, some self-adhesive letters from "that box of bits that might come in handy" coloured red with promarker again. Attached to the ticket and more glossy accents added with just a light dusting of glitter. Some holly leaves from that same box and red gems for berries.
Santa was attached with foam tape. Some ribbons to tie with some jingle bells.
See told you - quick and easy.

Blog list is still over there on the right for you merry hoppers to follow and get to see the awesome projects the others have made.
Thanks for visiting

I am entering this into the challenge
Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturdays - Bells

10th day of S&S 12 days of Christmas

2011-12-19T06:00:00.000Z

What a busy week ahead, those last minute preparations looming. Todays offering is an ATC. It is a reminder that up until 80 years ago, Santa looked very different. The modern day Santa, with his red suit and rotund figure, was invented by Coca Cola as an advertising ploy. Don't believe me - look it up.
So this ATC was to mark this anniversary.

It's the last scrap of the acetate sheet. Honest. (For now, hehehe hohoho)
The script with written on by hand then heat embossed on.
The image is from Stamp It Crazy last year. Coloured with promarkers then loads of DI to give it that old grungy look.

The scrap of purple with the skull is from Crafty Chaos. The gravestone is a rubber stamp, origin unknown, cut from more of the coredinations used as the base card.
As before, the list of fellow bloggers is over there on the right, please don't forget to got visit them as well.
See you wednesday for another project. Thanks for visiting

9th Day of S&S 12 days

2011-12-17T16:53:00.005Z

Three quarters done and only a week to go before it's a case of "if it's not bought/made - it's too late". For our month long blog hop over at the Smeared and Smudged forum it's "Smeared Ink Day".
My project today is a card.
I used the sketchy from the forums card sketch challenge and Watchful Eye digi from Smeared Ink.

The dark green coredinations was sanded as a base. The skully paper is from Crafty Chaos.
The sentiment is computer generated. The raffia and plain papers from stash.
The image was printed a few times, coloured with promarkers and decoupaged up. I played with some UTEE, melting pot is going to be under the tree so this was just the granuals melted with a heat gun.

The links to my fellow artists are over there on the right.

I will be entering this card into the challenge at
Smeared and Smudged Very Sketchy Challenge -their sketch

8th day of S&S Christmas

2011-12-15T12:22:00.000Z

Another attempt at scheduling ... wish me luck.

Today's post is all about the tree. I've made 3 ornaments. 2 are stamped, the other is just twisted paper. They are all glittered in one way or another.
The two stamped ones are made using the same stamp but both look so very different from each other.

Stamped out 6 times onto white CS with jade green ink and coloured with promarkers. Each layer was cut out then embossed with red glitter powder. Three layers at the back are the same as the front, just a piece of thin red ribbon sandwiched between to hang. Some red gems added. This is the only pic without glare as it's so shiny.
see.

Number two - stamped onto acetate

Patina stickles to fill the holly leaves after colouring in with promarkers and icicle stickles in the middle. Some dewdrops adhered with pinflair glue gel. After it was cut out and sandwiched between the die cut borders of course.

The third one is made up from 6 squares of paper.

No stamping on this but still a very effective ornament nonetheless. A touch of more of the patina stickles for a little bit of sparkle. I've been trying to find the link to credit the source of this idea. I'll update my post if it comes to mind.
That's about it for today. Blog list is over on my side bar for you to carry on hopping

A step away from Christmas with an ATC

2011-12-14T22:58:00.005Z

It's another challenge over at the Smudgy Antics blog. This week it's to create something that is inspired by either a book, poem or film.
You probably wouldn't believe the thought processes that led to this theme. I'll tell you anyway.
First off a pic of the ATC.....

I'm not going to spill what book/film this is meant to depict just yet. Anyone guess yet?
As I was saying, I need to make some sort of label/tag for a couple of jars that contain crystallised orange peel. I also wanted to make it kinda steampunk-ish.
Then this book/film came into my head and would not leave. The subject/content of the film is not suited very well to being part of a gift though. So I went with a seperate ATC to get it all out of my system.
The back of the ATC is orange handmade paper, then a music background stamp on card that was well distressed with orange DI. The steampunk triangle is from a Moonlight Journey sheet.
a couple of watch parts attached. The top layer is a Smeared Ink digi stamp printed onto acetate and attached with a brad just where one of the notes is printed.

Anyone guess yet?

A Clockwork Orange

I am entering this into the challenge over at
Smudgy Antics - Their theme - This is both a book and film

7th day of S & S 12 days of Christmas

2011-12-13T17:46:00.004Z

oops late again
This should have gone live about an hour ago. Oh well

My project today is some table napkins that will be part of the table settings on the big day.
There are two stamps used on these. Both from the occassions Grumpies set from Smeared Ink.

I used an flat sheet that was hardly used as we use fitted sheets nowadays. I find it hard to throw something like that out so has been lounging in the bottom of the linen closet for at least two years. I cut off a large strip and then cut that into 4. Hemmed all 4 sides before stamping the images with stazon.
Heat set then coloured with fabric dyes. Heat set again.
There we have it. Quick(ish) and simple once the cutting and hemming was done.

The blog roll is over on my side bar for you to go look at everyone else's creations for today.

day 6 of Smeared and Smudged 12 days of Christmas

2011-12-11T17:21:00.005Z

I would be more organised if the internet would behave itself. Or rather the weather. That isn't about to happen any time soon so will have to work around it.
Anyway.... we've reached the half-way mark with day 6. woo - hoo.
Today's project is something that will find it's way into all the stockings of those big and not so big kids.
Snowman Soup!!

I've made up a few so far but have a few more to do.

I've used a discontinued Stampotique snowman, Coloured the image, scanned it and then made into a .png image so that I could add the text and print out loads all at once. Cut out then added just a touch of icicle stickles for that bit of shine.
All packed in a mug then sealed in a sandwich bag. Really simple and loved by my lot.
contents of the cup are
Couple sachets instant hot chocolate
little mini marsh mallows
candy cane

Now don't forget the other bloggers - list over there on the right
See you on tues
Take care

X-travagant Xmas and day 5 of 12 days of Christmas

2011-12-09T10:00:00.002Z

A dual post
It's challenge day over at Delicious Doodles. It's all about Christmas this week. The challenge is to go overboard on the Christmas embellies etc and that's just about what happened here. I'm not normally one to use a lot of fru-fru on my cards. So this one is quite extravagant for me.

I used 3 of the images from Delicious Doodles shop - The Pine Cone Corner, The Ivy Corner, and the Merry Christmas Sentiment.
All coloured in using promarkers, the c.s. distressed with bundled sage DI and various elements layered up for depth. The holly leaves were given a coat of glossy accents. MS pine branch punch used on some old gold thin card for the edges on the top part of this twisted easel card.

Some old papermania chrimbo paper used on the base with some pleated satin ribbon. The sentiment was cut out with a die cutter and layered onto the square and some white and gold glitter added.
My new TH pine cone die came in handy for this didn't it!

So let's see those cards over at Delicious Doodles Challenges .... pretty please.

As I mentioned right at the beginning - This is a dual post. So while you're hopping along with the Smeared and Smudged 12 Days of Christmas - have a look over at Delicious Doodles as well and go see the beautiful DT creations there.

I am entering this into the challenge over at
Joanna Sheen's Challenges - It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

4th Day of 12 days of Christmas with Smeared and Smudged

2011-12-07T12:30:00.003Z

here's hoping blogger will autopost this ok this time.

My 4th day project is also an entry into this weeks Smudgy Antics Challenge. This week the task is to create something along the "Steampunk on the Darkside" theme.
My project is a "Christmas tree". It has a gothic fairy, Seriba, from the range from Smeared Ink sitting on top.

I used a papermache cone that a friend had previously given me and covered in dark green coredinations that I had lightly crumpled and sanded.
The cogs are TH die cuts, heat embossed with metallic powders. I stapled on some small boiled sweets to the cogs and then stuck to the tree base with strong glue dots.

The comes Seriba. I coloured her with my pencils then scanned and printed out several images - reversing half of them. The wings are made from a drinks can that I embossed with some TH gears. The opposite aspects so the tree can be viewed from all sides without seeing plain card.
Hence the "inside" of both sides also have the relevant side of the image stuck to it.

As you can see from her feet here.

I am entering this into the challenge at
Smudgy Antics - Steampunk on the Darkside
Paper Makeup Stamps - Cut out your digi - I did, several times
Daisy Doodles Creative Challenges - Something Sweet
Flutter By Wednesday - Open

3rd Day of 12 Days of Christmas with Smeared and Smudged

2011-12-05T17:47:00.005Z

Edit: Blogger was auto'd but didn't :(

Hi folks, yep, already day 3. Today I have combined a project made for another forum as DT member there - Stampin'Dymonz' Scrap Shack.
This weeks fancy card is a Snow Globe Card
I've used one of the new Delicious Doodles images - The Penguin Family.

Bit of a glare - sorry - acetate isn't kind to a flash but I've tried to reduce it a bit. The base was made using a paper from Crafty Chaos Designs.
The image was touched with just a little bit of coloured pencil in yellow. All the rest of the work has been done by Teri. A bit of icicle stickles to highlight the sun hitting the snow. More stickles on the front, rubbed in so that the paper glistened softly. Afew snowflake peeloffs.

Inside

I stamped and heat embossed a little rhyme about penguins. I mixed silver and blue embossing powders with a little bit of silver glitter to give a slightly distressed look and sparkle all in one.
That's about it for me. There're loads of awesome creations being made and posted by my fellow artists. Please go look. The list is over on my side bar.
The next day is wednesday ... hope to see you here

2nd day of Christmas with Smeared and Smudged

2011-12-03T14:24:00.004Z

So to day two of the blog hop organised by the folks over at the Smeared and Smudged forum.
This is also the day when the DT showcase some of the fantastic new digi stamp releases for Christmas. As I'm GDT for December, I get to play as well. Yayyy.
I was sent Drinking Buddy Elfette and a couple of the gifts; Skull Wrapped present and Spider Wrapped present to use. I made a card.
.
The images were coloured with promarkers and then ink distressed and grunged with DI.
The sentiments are computer generated by me. The main BP are from Crafty Chaos. The other, I think, is from papermania. All mounted onto a Kraft card base which was also well and truely distressed. The cord from stash.
The blog roll is on my sidebar incase you get lost. Don't forget to go visit all the other awesome creations made by the rest of those talented people over at the forum.

The First Day of Christmas with Smeared and Smudged

2011-12-01T17:20:00.009Z

The first of the 12 days that the folks over at the Smeared and Smudged forum have organised. For full details please go to the forum.
My project is also the challenge that I am setting as GDT for December.
A Yule Log

I used all natural elements gathered from my garden and surrounding area, log,holly,ivy, evergreen branches. There are 3 logs wired together. Some holes drilled in to house the candles.
Then some stamped images were coloured with promarkers.
I chose the images stamped for me by a friend from Smeared Ink. These depict the four "elements" of Water, Earth, Fire and Air.

Air and water have been coated in UTEE. All images are held in place with wire, coiled to hold the pics and secured to the log

Please see the blog hop list over on my side bar to visit all the other awesome pieces created by my fellow artists.

Day 2 is on sat 3rd dec so please pop back for more.

E A Poe

2011-11-25T12:52:00.006Z

Smudgy Antics Blog has a challenge this week. To make a "something" inspired by Poe and/or his works. Not that hard to do. Has to be stamped somewhere, either digi or rubber and the added bonus is that if a Smeared Ink stamp is used, the prize is the awesome DT creation made by Blackdragon!!!

Here's my humble offering... first time at altering a canvas!!!
Edit - Ike asked "how big?" It's 5"x7"

Three poems were at the front of my mind when creating this. "Annabel Lee", "A Dream Within a Dream", and that old faithful "The Raven"
Loads of different things and techniques used here and I really enjoyed it. It was daunting at first as all the tutorials I watched about transfering images to canvas used "gel medium". What to use? I tried gesso. It WORKED.... yayyyy.
I used images from Moonlight Journey as a starting point, printed onto thin card, (I find the print quality is better). I applied a coat of white gesso to the canvas and, when still wet, burnished the images on - then went to bed so that I wouldn't be tempted to "see how it's doing". The testing time - wet the card and gently rub it away. The images are set in the gesso.
Some soot stamping of the angel from Smeared Ink and some Poe quotes from the writers plate from Cherry Pie. I also heat embossed the angel with a slightly opaque powder. These were applied using matt mod podge after heat embossing images of the man himself from that Cherry Pie plate in the bottom left and between the images top right using the same opaque powder. This gives it the slightly ghostly look I like. Next comes the stamping onto tissue paper. Using the "nevermore" quote and skull/books stamp from Cherry Pie again and some gravestones and ravens from Smeared Ink. These were applied using more mod podge.
When it was all dry, I applied a final coat of modpodge to seal.
I made a few lace flowers and stuck on with pinflair glue gel.
All I need to do now is a frame.
That's for another day.

I am entering this into the challenge over on
Smudgy Antics - Poe Me
Samuel Taylors Crafts - Anything Goes - some fab items for one lucky person

Hairy Legs

2011-11-25T12:08:00.014Z

That's the subject of Delicious Doodles' Challenges this time. Hairy Legs - You can do anything you like, but there must be some hairy legs on your creation, whether it be animal, spiders or blokes!!

This time I went for something so off my normal track, waaaay outside my comfort zone. I realised about half way through why I don't like do this kinda thing. What? A mini!!! A cute mini to boot!!!
DIL's mum is due to be a grandma again, not me.
This was made to capture the baby's 1st Christmas.
So many elements to it. The idea for it came from watching a vid on youtube. Sorry, I can't remember who it was to be able to give credit.
ok ok ok - some pics....
Top using Bear's 1st

and four sides

Using Stocking Bunny, Christmas Stocking Rudolf, Westie in a Stocking and Kitty in a Stocking
all coloured with promarkers and ink dressed round the edges.

That bit was "ok". The time consuming part is the inside. Phew.
Each side has a little concertina album with room for 6 pics, a tag pocket iside and little tag pocket out side. In the centre is a little box, decorated with a snowflake and dewdrops, for storing a small 3-D object.
Loads of ribbons to decorate and to tie it all up.
Now the weather's let up for 5 mins going to see if I can get another couple of pics to show you before it "goes down the road"

A couple of challenges I am entering this into
Moving Along with the Times - Ribbons and Bows - loads of ribbon used here
Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes

Get Well .... NOW!

2011-11-23T14:17:00.007Z

The November card kit came yesterday from Duckpond Crafts. A gorgeous selection of darker papers, card, ribbon, lace, charms........ Well it is Movember and this is all about the guys.
I went straight for this paper in the selection, my Grumpie stamps and made a get well soon card. Loads of people going down with at least one lurgie here.

So for those feeling a bit rough round the edges and green about the gills......

I covered an old CD for this. It can then be used as a hanging or, as the base is a large die cut scalloped circle, a rocking card.

The grumpie from Smeared Ink was coloured using my promarkers.
Cut out using deckle scissors and ink distressed with bundled sage green DI. The CD edges are distressed using forest moss DI. The sentiment randomly stamped
I punched some holes round the CD using a leather punch and set in some eyelets and threaded some green ribbon. Then mounted on the card base.

There are a couple of challenges that I'd like to enter this into
Tuesday Throwdown - Lots of Circles
Crafty Card Makers - Recycle - I used an old CD
Forever Night Challenge - No way Around it - Circles
My Time To Craft - Under the weather

The Ivy without the Holly

2011-11-23T12:58:00.009Z

New image alert from Delicious Doodles and she is beautiful, of course. The Ivy fairy.
There are, of course, oodles of beautiful images but I just had to colour this one in as soon as I saw it. The hard part was prising son off pc long enough for me to post it.

See I told you she is beautiful.
I printed out a few other copies as well and after colouring with my promarkers, cut out bits to layer up.

I basically followed the sketch from over at Crafty Ann's. The challenge is sketch and/or monochromatic. The green organza ribbon was woven through the paper and the old lace was backed with moss green ribbon. A few silk ivy leaves and pearls to finish off.
Because I haven't decided on who will get this card, the space for the sentiment is bare. I like to personalise mine at Christmas.

I'd like to enter this into a couple of challenges
Crafty Ann's Challenges - sketch and/or monochromatic. Loads of different greens here.
Shopping Our Stash - Winter/Christmas related
Crafty Boots Challenges - Fantasy
Flutter By Wednesday - Open with fairy, butterfly or angel
I love Promarkers - Anything Goes

A skully Christmas

2011-11-14T20:36:00.007Z

Yep, Christmas card mode in gear again. This time went with a card for those friends of mine that prefer something a bit less traditional.
I used Delicious Doodles' "Skull Christmas Corner".

The light's not the best I'm afraid. Off to work in the dark, come home in the dark time of year.
I followed the sketch over at Sketches by Carly.
The image was coloured with promarkers and various bit were layered up to give that 3-D effect of decoupage.

There are 4 layers in some bits. The centre of the poinsettia are little micro beads stuck on using a small blob of glossy accents.
The card stock is dark green and dark red. No patterned paper at all. The back panel was embossed with a snow flake design and distress ink pad lightly rubbed over, then with a tiny "seasons greetings" stamp repeated over it with the same ink.
The horizontal panel is some dark green organza ribbon with some dark red striped across it. Some knotted narrow grossgrain ribbon running vertically.
Some snow flake brads, coloured with alcohol inks to finish.
All the green layers have been distressed both with sandpaper then ink. The red layers - au naturale.

I have entered this into a couple of challenges
The GDT spot over at the Smeared and Smudged forum
Sketches by Carly - their Sketch
Cards For Men - Christmas
Here Come The Boys - Colour Combo - Green, Red,White

Remembrance

2011-11-11T10:31:00.011Z

11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month is a special time here in the UK and Commonwealth. It's the time when we have 2mins silence to show our respect to those gallant men and women that have laid down their lives in the line of duty. Traditionally marked by the wearing of a red poppy because of the poppies that grew in abundance on the Flanders Fields following the death of so many in WW1. The red taken as signifying the blood spilt by so many.

Today, over at Delicious Doodles Challenges our challenge this week is "REMEMBRANCE".

It doesn't have to be morbid or sad though. Simply "I remembered your birthday" would do.

I've gone for a condolence card. A good friend of my husband, sadly, died last week and this is the card I made for that occassion. It just so happened it fitted this challenge. Two birds with one stone.

I have used the Delicious Doodles image of "Cross and Roses". The deep red being the colour, traditionally, of condolence.
Some of the rose buds and leaves were decoupaged with upto 3 layers to give depth. The cross was coloured with silver and gold gel pens and the roses and leaves with promarkers. I used some thin wire to wind round for added texture.
This was then framed with deep red card that I had heat embossed a small flourish onto.
Behind that is an embossed panel using white pearlised card, to which some black lace and deep red velvet ribbon was added.
This in turn layered onto a black textured paper that I had punched and laid onto deep red CS base. Some gold fine lines stuck on to "hide the join".
Next came the roses.
Hand made from more deep red paper, although they look lighter here, with a few leaves stuck in and a computer generated sentiment stuck onto more deep red card. Cut out using my new nesties.

Your turn next folks. Lets see those "Remembrance" projects. Don't forget to go an see all the other beautiful DT creations on your way.
Thanks for looking

A couple of challenges that I would like to enter
Cute Card Thursday - Remembrance
Just Inspirational Challenges - Remembrance
Simon Says Stamp - photo inspiration - red poppies for remembrance
Crafty Catz - Use a digital image

Smeared and Smudged November Blog Hop

2011-11-10T09:00:00.010Z

I am scheduling this post so hopefully will auto post when I'm slogging it out at work.

That time again when the folks at the Smeared and Smudged forum get together and wander around in blogland en mass.
This month it's all about getting "A Little Steamy". Something in the steampunk style.

It really is worth your while to go look at all the creations made by my fellow artists. They are such a talented bunch.

This card has been made not only for this bloghop but also as hubby's birthday card. Just in time for this weekend.

The image used is from KennyK. Coloured with my promarkers with a touch of copper watercolour paint for the metal elements. Ink distressed with "weathered wood" DI.

The background panel is copper pearlised card, embossed with TH retro circles then that DI rubbed over the raised bits. The cog die cuts are again TH, heat embossed with copper. Just the one thin layer to give a distressed look.
The sentiment was stamped in two parts, again copper embossed. The two bits were individually mounted onto coiled wire with a couple of old watch parts.
This was all mounted onto a black card base.
The sketch followed was that of the S&S november challenge. So I will be posting in there after today

Here's the list of the other folks for you to go visit

When you've done all that - don't be shy come see us at the forum.
Thanks for looking

There are a couple of challenges that I'd like to enter into
Bearly Mine - One for the boys - well he's a bit older than a boy
Digital Tuesday - Anything goes
Stamps R Us - Masculine
KennyK's Krafty Girls - Celebration Time - Hubby's B'day

A few Christmas cards

2011-10-22T18:42:00.011Z

I'm not only trying to keep ahead of the Christmas rush but also trying to come up with some simple, quick and easy cards that will be able to go into an ordinary flat envelope for the post. So many challenges encourage 3-D, the more embellishments the better type card. These are lovely to hand out to those friends you know will appreciate the hard work but for "everyday" they are not very practicle.
I used the Christmas card kit available from Duck Pond Crafts for these.

Chocolate Baroque image stamped with white SU! pad. MS drippy goo punch. Laser cut borders. The chipboard snow flake heat embossed with white and silver with a touch of glitter added.
The white CS was run through my big shot with the embossing folder just at one end then the other leaving a plain centre.

Papermania candle image, heat embossed with gold. Red DI to ink distress. The double sided paper was "hankerchief folded" to show the other side of the double sided paper. A gusset added to the card base to accomodate the extra thickness.

A "big buckle card" instructions on SPS. The card base was trimmed to form the closure on this.

Die cut snowflakes as well as heat embossed on the card base.

I am entering the "Big Buckle card" into the challenge over at
Christmas Inspirations - Use a diecut

Hallowe'en - with no orange

2011-10-14T12:12:00.006Z

That's the challenge over at Delicious Doodles' Challenge this week. A hallowe'en project using absolutely NO ORANGE. Well the other ladies have produced some spectacular creations, as usual.
This is mine. I wanted something to house some chocolate lollipops I made.

I needed a box. Not just an ordinary squarish box, but a coffin shaped one. So made up a template and from black core-dinations card, made the coffins.
Well any self-respecting coffin needs some form of occupant. Mine have not only the little mummy choccies but a Delicious Doodles Vampyress as well.

with, of course, a suitable tombstone. The images are coloured with promarkers and some homemade fabric/ribbon roses added and MS drippy goo punch used on the paper surrounding the coffin.
Access to the sweeties is gained by lifting up our lady on the hinge made.

Then I made another co-ordinating coffin for the second little person that these are destined for.

Domino Swap

2011-10-10T11:52:00.004Z

Last swap for me this month in Stampin' Dymonz' Scrap Shack. There are more swaps going on but I have time constraints like most people. This quarter's swap in the mixed media group is "Dominos".
This is just one of the seven I made. I chose the theme "Autumn". The task was to use at least 3 mediums.

The domino in this case was first drilled and sanded on the "picture side".
cranberry alcohol ink with copper mixative was first sponged on. Then using stazon black ink some leaves were stamped directly on the dom. The yellow leaves were stamped onto tissuepaper before cutting out and sticking on. The sealant is glossy accents with some small gems inset. Once dry, a paper backing was added then some metallic rubbing paste round the sides and on the edges of the backing paper.

Next the waxed cord and brown satin ribbon attached with a little coppery leaf charm to finish.

The Good Witch ATC swap

2011-10-10T11:09:00.003Z

Again at Stampin' Dymonz' Scrap Shack, This is this month's ATC swap. "The Good Witch", was the theme chosen.
This month it's make 10 +1 for self.
This is my contribution to the month.

The witch image is from "Wild Flower Kids" coloured in with promarkers. The "Best Witches" sentiment is from Delicious Doodles and the background is from Moonlight Journey.
The wisps of steam have been highlighted with orange embossing powder and I added a little spider's web in the corner using silvery thread.

Fallowe'en charms

2011-10-10T10:49:00.004Z

Over at Stampin' Dymonz' Scrap Shack we have quite a few swaps going on every month. The charm swap this month is on a theme "Fallowe'en". Make three get three back no matter how many participating. A combination of Fall and Hallowe'en. Not every one celebrates Hallowe'en and this gives those a chance to still participate choosing the fall colours.
Wel, I did go for the Hallowe'en colours. "No surprise there" I hear some of you saying, lol.
These are my charms for the month with attached tags.
The stamped images are from "Rusty Pickle" stamps. Stamped in rusty hinge, masking and stamping of two images, and dusty concorde DI onto pale green cs.

What a week!!!

2011-10-10T08:50:00.008Z

I am so glad I have my crafting to keep my mind occupied. A stressful week is putting it mildly. I would have gone even more loopy if I didn't have my bits of card and paper etc.
I haven't felt like doing much in the way of blogging, but that's how my life goes once in a while.
I have a few piccies to show here of some of the DT stuff I still managed to do.
First up is for Stampin' Dymonz' Scrap Shack' Christmas card club.
I followed the sketch over at Midnight Madness again.

The sketch is there, I just changed the dimension and made it a side step card.
The stamped image on the backpanel is papermania. Heat embossed with opaque powder after stamping in white onto a silvery flecked blue cs.. Then the poinsettia paper pieced and some seed beads added.

The flourish below that is HOTP, again heat embossed. That same stamp, stamped also in white, was added to the side panel and some ice blue gems stuck on.
The flowers and snowflakes are a mixture of different snowflake punches and diecuts. The flowers are those with gems added.

Silver ribbons from stash as is the card stock and papers.

I am entering this into a couple of challenges
Midnight Madness MMSC124 - Their sketch
Christmas Inspirations - Birds or flowers - I went with the flowers

Teamie's birthday card

2011-10-03T17:28:00.004Z

It seems like birthday after birthday some months. Last week it was one teamies birthday, this week anothers. This week is the turn of the new image from Delicious Doodles "Rosalee". to get coloured in. Had to be a pink card because of the recipient.

I followed the sketch over at Midnight Madness MMSC123
The image was coloured with promarkers and fussy cut out before attaching to an oval shaped card covered with a magazine freebie paper.

A bit of glitter on 2 sides. The basic design is made from some papers that I picked up from a charity shop, layered onto lime green. Some sizzlet die cuts in a couple of corners. The beaded flowers are home made. Ribbon from stash chosen to co-ordinate. All attached to a dark cream hammered card base.

I am entering this into the challenge
Midnight Madness MMSC#123 - Their Sketch

Tales of the Unexpected

2011-10-01T17:34:00.008Z

I'm a bit late posting this I know. Things happening at home that needed my attention more. Better late than never though.
This week's challenge over at Delicious Doodles is as my title suggests "Tales of the Unexpected".
Make something that has a bit of a twist, as Terri suggests "You could make something cute into something horrid, or make an exploding box or have a hidden item somewhere on your make. You could even do something that is totally your normal style!!"
Well, the other ladies on the DT have all worked their magic and produced some gorgeous pieces. Well worth a look.
My card looks ordinary enough, doesn't it!
The patterned paper is papermania. The main part has been punched to co-ordinate with the black embossed vellum.

The image is "In the Pumpkin Patch" coloured with promarkers, cut out and attached to embossed orange cs then onto more paper from the same papermania range.

All then attached to plain orange paper then to black cs base.

The image panel hides

Evil Carnival Clown and the "Happy Helloween" sentiment in a double slider card accessed by that little pumpkin. Again, coloured with promarkers with a healthy dosing of distress ink.

Don't forget to go look at the other DT blogs and marvel at theit work.

I am entering this into a couple of challenges
Art Impressions - Hallowe'en
Moving along with the times - Hallowe'en

Willow Designs Sketch Challenge

2011-09-25T19:02:00.007Z

The link is on my side bar. What an awesome prize is up for grabs folks. Please check it out before Wednesday at Willow Designs Sketch Challenge.
My card following the sketch is destined to be a birthday card for a teamie at work.

The image is from Sweetpea Stamps. Stamped in "teddy bear" brown and coloured with promarkers. Fussy cut out and mounted, first onto cinnamon then chocolate brown c.s.

The base is a pinky-red layered under mustard hand made papers. Then comes the basic grey DP. All layers sewn together. The cranberry lace strips were also sewn on before adding some homemade lace flowers with button centres. The lace for the flowers was coloured with promarkers to get the right colour. Some cranberry gems and pearls stuck on for that bit of glitz.

A small piece of the BP was stamped with the simple sentiment and heat embossed with copper to finish it off.

The challenges I'm entering
Willow Sketchie Challenge - Their Sketch

One sketch - two cards

2011-09-24T14:07:00.006Z

Midnight Madness provided the sketch for the two DT cards made for two of the groups in Stampin'Dymonz' Scrap Shack that I needed to make this week. Although it's the same sketch - both are entirely different.

#1 - A Christmas card - Really quick and easy to knock up a few of these in an evening. The ribbon weaving adding more texture to the card. Different types of white card stock were used including pearlised and matt. A few little die cut snowflake embellishments added.

#2 A Tunnel Card. This is the "fancy fold" recreated this week in the card making group.
I was "challenged" by a friend to use this little crochet owl. Well it found a hole to nestle in here.

and on the outside -

a mixture of different papers, some die cut leaves that were heat embossed with copper on two of them. Some gems hiding in the branches for creatures eyes. Delicious Doodles image, "the Cloaked Lady" coloured with promarkers. A lot of ink distressing as well.

Ooops nearly forgot - the little owl charm as well.

I am entering these into a couple of challenges
Midnight Madness MMSC#122 - their sketch

Christmas in silver and black

2011-09-18T19:45:00.010Z

I do like working in black and silver. Something about this combo that says special holiday to me.
This week's Christmas card to add to my stash is destined for someone special.

We're back to the dreary days of winter again here in Scotland therefore the pics aren't that great. I've tried to reduce the glare a bit.
I followed the sketch over at Midnight Madness this week. MMSC#121
The silver embossing powder was added to with some purple glitter. this also gives a "distressed" look to it as well as some glitz when the light hits it.

Also used was matt black and satin silver card stock.

Black satin ribbon edged with silver lurex

flowers are snowflake sizzix die with little white flowers (coloured silver) in the centre

some lilac gems

The candle stamp is papermania

The swirl is HOTP

The base ink used was SU! whisper white

The pins are homemade using black glass beads and silver metal beads

I an entering this into the challenge over at
Midnight Madness - sketch MMSC#121
Samuel Taylors Crafts - Christmas card - they have a wonderful prize of FOUR prima paper pads - wow
Christmas Inspirations - Candles
Crafty Emma's - Embellish me more - at least 4 different embellies - I count at least 5 here

CMIT Featured Designer Challenge - Happy Hellowe'en

2011-09-17T12:30:00.011Z

Over at Stampin' Dymonz Scrap Shack we have a little "Dark Arts Forum". I was asked to try help some of the ladies of The Village ease their way into another area of crafting. It's been hard going at times as there are only a few ladies joining in. Makes it feel like I'm talking to myself. Anyway this week I have asked them all to build a scene. For either Hallowe'en or Dia de los Muertos. Given two choices, I hope to see some one join me.

I thought I'd share my pics on here.
OK I cheated a bit on here slightly. The hard work on the scene was already done for me by Teri over at Delicious Doodles. This Gravestone Scene is fabulous.

Teamed it with the Devil May Care image and The Grim Reaper. The sentiment is also to be found at the shop.
The 2 black grave stones act as the "stops". I made some black paper roses to surround the sentiment which was well distressed with old paper and black soot DI. The Grim Reaper and Old Nick were coloured using my promarkers

I am entering this into a couple of challenges in addition to the CMIT Featured Designer Challenge
Creating Memories in Time - Hallowe'en
Floweret - Tricky / Hallowe'en
Forever Night Challenges - Villains, (got the biggest one of all on here)
Sew Many Cards - Hallowe'en
Crafty Boots Challenges - Anything goes

Christmas tree decoration

2011-09-16T13:30:00.019Z

This started off life as a make for another challenge, then I changed my mind. lol.
I don't know about you, but I like to have little gifts hidden in the branches of the tree at Christmas. It seems to make that day last longer than the short while of getting together to give and receive pressies before the slog in the kitchen. Even though my "kids" are now grown up and I'm now a "granny", they still look for a pressie "from Santa". Just one of those little family traditions.
This is one of the "ornaments" that will be on the tree this year. Made from green and red co'redinations card stock with just the printed images and top done in white c.s.
Lots of heat embossing in red sparkle of different images decorate the inside of the panels.
The two outer layers are "hiding" a little 3cm square gift box.

The view of the outside? For this I chose the Delicious Doodles' images of various pets in Christmas stockings.

everything is threaded on some thin green satin ribbon, secured between layer 2 and the outside.

All the images are coloured with promarkers and barndoor DI smudged round them

I am entering this into a couple of challenges
Creatalicious Challenges - Anything goes
Jens Digi Stamps - Anything But a Card
Crafty Boots Challenges - Anything Goes

Cute as a Button

2011-09-16T10:27:00.014Z

It's a new challenge over at Delicious Doodles Challenges this week. Cute as a button is the theme.
Normally I shy away from cute. WAYYY outside my comfort zone. This image though, the little Pumpkin Fairy, made it so much easier.

Yes the buttons do slide on this shaped penny slider card.
The little fairy herself is coloured using promarkers.
A light touch of glamour dust to her wings and the ribbon round her dress.
Tiny buttons and pearls surround her as well as a couple of pumpkin sequins. Pearls also adorn her hair ribbons.

The paper was part of a kit from Duckpond Crafts.

The base is made from some diecuts I bought cheap at somepoint thinking they might come in handy.
The slider - yet more buttons. This time piled up and tied with lurex thread before attaching to the pennies.
More of those pumpkin sequins, in the smaller size, round the base.

A closeup of this little Pumpkin fairy so you can see her better.

Now it's your turn. After, of course, going and having a good look at the beautiful cards my teamies made as well.

The Challenge

Make or use something cute, as long as there is at least ONE button somewhere!!

There have been a couple of changes to the rules and for a full rundown you'll need to read them at the challenge.
If you do use a Delicious Doodles image - you will get to be 'Spotlighted' on the Delicious Doodles Challenge Blog and on the DD Blog and be in for an extra chance to win 5 images of your choice. Hows that for incentive?
So let's see those cute buttony projects.

I am entering this card into a couple of challenges
Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
Little Miss Muffet Challenge - Things with Wings
Flutter By Wednesday - Open as long as it has a fairy, butterfly etc
The Paper Shelter - Fairies and Elves
Bearly Mine - Button it up
Scrap Creations - Unique Fold
Crafty Boots Challenge - Anything Goes

Framed in Creams and Gold

2011-09-03T17:25:00.012Z

Over at Stampin' Dymonz Scrap Shack's Christmas Card Club, the project for the week was chosen to be "Frame It". So many challenges in Blogland have been "Use a Frame" the last couple of weeks, I decided it was a good idea to combine my DT project there with a couple of challenges here.
I followed the sketch over at Priscilla Styles' Midnight Madness sketch challenge, #119 for this card in Creams and Gold.

The cherub image (an old Crafters' Companion set) was stamped and embossed with gold onto the centre part of a sizzix diecut from cream card then ink distressed with antique linen DI. The outer part was first heat embossed on just the edges with the same gold then the whole frame heat embossed with clear/gold glitter powder before joining back up.

The 3 sprigs of holly from the same set were also heat embossed then cut out. Some coffee/gold twine added to the holly that were staggered in the corner.

The background is dry embossed (using a plate that came with my bigshot) after more ink distressing with antique linen.
Some gold organza/satin ribbon and some cream coloured lace before attaching the image panel.

The prima flowers have added stamens made from cream paper that was "fringed" before winding then more gold embossing on the tips and attached using pinflair glue.

The top panel then attached to the cream hammered c.s. to which I had added a further gold embossed line round the edges.
The sentiment will be added when I know to whom this will be given. I think this makes it more personal.

I am entering this card into the challenge
Midnight Madness Challenge # 119 - Their Sketch
Crafter's Companion - Christmas Wishes
Sir Stampalot September Challenge - It's A Frame Up
Rainbow Lady's Challenge - Emboss It

New Stuff

2011-09-02T08:50:00.006Z

My first official make for Delicious Doodles as part of Teri's new DT.
This week the challenge is for people to make use of the new stash/techniques aquired. This is to co-incide with the new season that is upon us and the new DT that Teri has gathered together during the "summer". We haven't had much of a summer here in Scotland, infact, I can count on one hand the number of days that reached as high as 20c in this corner.

My project is made using a new canvas for me - dominos and two new images (for me).

Using the image Tattoos and Feathers

and using Medusa's Daughter

For both dominos, I started off by drilling the holes with a small bit. Then applied alcohol inks in the colours I wanted. Then, after colouring the images with promarkers and fussy cutting out, applied with a small amount of glossy accents to secure. Some bent wire was added behind Medusa's Daughter to simulate another couple of snakes and for balance an inchy stamp using stazon for background interest on the other. Glossy accents used to coat both dominos. Some tiny watch parts added to the Tattoos and Feathers to match the steam punk look of her.
The findings for making both of these into jewellery are still in the post unfortunately. So cannot show fully finished yet.

Please don't forget to go visit all the other DT blogs and see their amazing projects using their new stuff. Then will be your turn to show us yours and be in with the chance of winning five images from the Delicious Doodles shop.

Christmas card #2

2011-08-30T10:39:00.007Z

I'm not going to look at how many Holiday cards I have in my pile yet; but this is #2 for this week.
This time I have used the Red Cardinal from Delicious Doodles. A lovely break away from the traditional robin.

I rarely add a sentiment until I know who the card is going to be given to. This is no exception. I did think it would be ideal for one of the menfolk though.
I followed the sketch #144 over at Eat, Sleep, Stamp.
I couldn't find "just" the right ribbon to use, so stamped a length of plain cream ribbon with an inkadinkadoo image using stazon. This tied in with the My Minds Eye paper (distressed with ink) used to create the folded frame round the bird. More from the same stack used as the background. mounted onto cream then black and more cream.

I am entering this into the challenge over at
Eat, Sleep, Stamp - Sketch # 144
Moving Along With The Times - Birds
Crafts 4 Eternity - Anything with a Christmas theme

gone postal

2011-08-30T10:06:00.004Z

I am determined to keep up a promise I made to myself a couple of months ago and make at least one Christmas card a week until the holiday period starts. This week I made two as I have a couple of days off work yayyy.
#1

I followed the sketchy over at Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenges. Now, I have never been a fussy or fancy type of card maker; but this sketch looked just right to show off this great traditional British image from Delicious Doodles. There's even an American version. I added just a little extra colour with my promarkers to the sketch drawing and just a tiny touch here and there of glamour dust to bring out the sparkling of the snow.

I have no idea of the source of the dotty blue paper as was recieved in a RAK . The white swiss dots embossed card has had a few dots highlighted with glossy accents, the white angel hair paper band has been wound with a few fibres. Each piece backed with a blue/grey cardstock from stash. The prima flowers chosen to match have been topped with punched snow flakes.
The sentiment has been stuck to a mini tag and attached with a couple of links of chain before sticking down with dimensional glue.

I am entering this into the challenge
Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenges - Their Sketch
Crafts 4 Eternity - Anything with a Christmas theme

Framed

2011-08-30T09:37:00.010Z

I've got a couple of days holiday this week from work, yippee. While OH out at work I get to craft all day. You can't blame me for being happy at that, can you?
I had to do something for Macabre Mondays in amongst every thing else. "I Was Framed" is this weeks theme. Now I just so happened to pick up some great frames a couple of months ago in a sale. Bargain at 70% off! This is what came to be..

The frame was covered in the foam underlay used before laying laminate that I had coloured with alcohol inks and paint. I think it gives a good impression of stone. An archway cut out behind which is a paper from echo park. The little portcullis is made from twisted wire.

I used the Kitty Witch image from Delicious Doodles also bits of the Halloween Border. The witch herself was coloured with promarkers then decoupaged to give more depth.
then mounted with a pile of sticky pads behind her onto the frame.
. The little bats (recieved in a RAK, Thanks Terry) have a kitty face and looked like they were made for this.
The fence is made using an MS punch, as is the dripping slime although this had an extra of black and green paint allowed to drip down it.

I am entering this into the challenge
Haunted Design House #104 - I Was Framed
Aly's Sunday Challenge - Halloween - What can be more Halloween than a witch?
Passion For Promarkers - Anything goes
Craft Us Crazy - Anything Goes

A cute card!!

2011-08-27T14:21:00.006Z

Well it is for me.
Over at Stampin' Dymonz' Scrap Shack, otherwise known as The Village, we have a card making group where, each week, a card with a different fold is showcased. This week is the card with detachable bookmark. A useful card that comes with an extra small gift for very little extra effort.
Totally made from bits in my scrap box, it was also a very economical card as well.

I followed the simple sketch over at Willow Sketch Challenge blog.

Red card stock with some flowery papers, matted onto white card stock.
The image is from Willow Designs. One of the stamps that I won over at The Craftbubble forum a while back, stamped with memento ink and coloured with promarkers with a light touch of ink distressing.

The "lace" is adhesive paper lace coloured with a promarker.
I wanted to carry this over to the bookmark and didn't want to add bulk, thereby damaging the book it would be used in.

The paper was added to with a sentiment and simple flower stamped with red ink and heat embossed with red sparkle. A little group of gems in the corner.

The ribbon was attached with tiny staples that are covered by the matting and layering.

I am entering this into the challenge over at
Willow Sketch Challenge - Their Sketch

Delicious Doodles DT Call part 2

2011-08-26T12:55:00.009Z

Haha, you should have seen my face the other day when Teri over at Delicious Doodles emailed me to see if I still wanted to take up a position on her DT. I'm over the moon to put it mildly at being given the honour. Also I get to play with all her gorgeous images. YaYYYY.

I just had to colour one of the images and make an ATC to celebrate.
This one is the Eygptian Queen with her Throne. I had so much fun with this beauty. The fussy cutting out was worth it I think.

It was coloured with promarkers and some glossy accents added to make the head-dress "jewelled" The background is an image lifted from google that was distressed first with sandpaper then with distress inks. Some elements on the background as well as the throne were heat embossed for that rich opulent gold look. 3 small gems to finish it off from stash.

I am entering this into a couple of challenges
ATC Challenges - Anything Goes
Craft Us Crazy - Anything Goes
Stampin Royalty - Rhinestones, Glitter, Sparkles

Stampin' Dymonz Challenge #10

2011-08-26T10:33:00.009Z

This week over at Stampin' Dymonz' Creative Space the challenge for this week is to alter a CD -- both front and back, using paper. You may paint the paper if you choose; however, the CD must be covered with paper. You must also include ribbon/fibres, 3 flowers and hand stamping.

This was my DT entry to, hopefully, inspire the crafters that visit into joining in.

The image is the "Earth Goddess" from Smeared Ink. Coloured with promarkers before mounting onto some handmade paper. The hand made lace and prima flowers added after punching holes and setting copper tone eyelets with some ribbon and fibres threaded through. The charms and prima flowers from Duckpond Crafts.
and on the reverse

some slightly embossed paper that was stamped with various leafy images in a variety of inks. The beads and buttons from stash.

This is a fun project and helps to save our landfills from materials that are detrimental to the environment. It's an extra "green" project -- we're already re-using/recycling paper with our crafts. Now we've added in the recycling of CDs! So it would be great to see loads of people showing us their altered CDs at the challenge at Stampin' Dymonz' Creative Space.

A couple of challenges I am entering this into
Passion For Promarkers - No Patterned Papers
Try It On Tuesday - Hang It Up
Tuesday Throwdown - Dimension and Texture
Challenge Up Your Life - No Patterned Papers
Craft Us Crazy - Anything Goes

Tag on Tag at Stampin' Dymonz

2011-08-19T12:39:00.013Z

Challenge #9 this week over at Stampin'Dymonz Creative Space is to create a tag. Not just any old tag though.
sketch courtesy of Page Maps
As you can see by this sketch, this tag appears to have a "folder" on the front of the tag with a piece of paper which is inside the folder on a skewed angle. This week's challenge will have you put your spin on this sketch, including the following elements -- your tag must have a functional folder on the front and the piece of paper inside of the folder must be in the shape of a tag. There should be space on the tag for a small photo and some journaling. This space can be on the inside and/or the outside of the folder and/or the inserted tag.
This is my take on the challenge

showing two of the removable tags from the front pocket. just right for any piccies or journaling that might be wanted.

and a little folder tucked in behind for yet more of those pics and/or journaling

The papers, journaling cards, charms and green check ribbon I used were all from the card making kit from Duck Pond Crafts. All the beads, chains and remaining ribbons from stash.

Blog Candy!

Since this week's challenge is a tag challenge and when you think of tags do you think of Tim Holtz? As he's done so much with tags and making them a popular paper crafting project, we will have a bag of Tim Holtz products as the blog candy for this week's challenge:

Gift Pack Items

2 Distress Inks

Accoutrements - Fanciful

Reinforcers

Tissue Tape

Enjoy the challenge and spread the word! Let's get the word out and have a good competition going!! We don't want to make it easy for any one person to win -- that's no fun. So, let's sweeten the deal -- post a comment on Stampin'Dymonz' Creative Space along with your challenge submission giving the names of the people you invited to join you in this challenge. When anyone on your list submits a project for this challenge and makes a comment stating that you invited them to join the fun, your name will be entered to win a separate blog candy gift pack. You will receive one entry for each person who states you invited them to the challenge. AND -- the person who joined the challenge because of your recommendation will have their name entered to win as well. Loads of chances to win then here people. So lets see those tags!!!

I am entering this into a couple of challenges
Craft Us Crazy - Anything Goes
Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes
My Mum's Craft Shop - Summertime
Creative Craft Challenges - Anything But a Card
Try It On Tuesday - Anything Goes

playtime with an ATC

2011-08-16T22:27:00.005Z

I took time out to just purely play tonight and made an ATC. A short while ago, Beth over at Stamp Insanity was very generous and sent me this digi. I had to ink her up, didn't I!! I made this fit her challenge of "Lace and Pearls". True to form (I hope) it doesn't fit into the "norm". haha.

The background is from MoonLight Journey. This was ink distressed first with orange then dark mahogany DI. The image, Kassandra, is coloured with promarkers. The lace is actually dyed dark brown but as it's night, the artificial light doesn't shown true colours. Even with a daylight bulb. The pearls stuck in the centre of the flowers are orange. I even added a few tiny 2mm pearls for the spider's eyes.
I am entering this into the challenge
Stamp Insanity - Lace and Pearls

Delicious Doodles DT Call

2011-08-16T16:55:00.009Z

Most of you that visit my blog will probably have guessed by now that I love working with the digis from Delicious Doodles. The owner, Teri, has had a DT call out for a few weeks now. I hummed and hawed about what to make. Something that reflected me and my crafting preferences. Eclectic is a word that comes to mind. I have been called on to do girly projects and some on the dark side. The dark side is my preference but those are mostly for me. The more "normal" projects are what my non-crafty friends want as gifts. With such a diverse choice, "what to make" was not the easiest decision to make.
In the end I went for a simple card. I chose the image "Lady on Chaise" from the steampunk range. I followed the sketch over at Samual Taylors Crafts blog.

Had a bit of a problem with the flash as the day hasn't got much above dull here in Scotland, hence the slight angle. The image is coloured using promarkers with just a touch of bronze metallic paint on the "metal work". The panel behind is a washed out metal food container, coloured with alcohol inks.
The flowers are made from die cuts using a sizlets die, secured with pearl brads.
The mesh panel has also been treated with alcohol ink to give a bronzed look.
The BP is from stash that I have had for a while. The cog paper has been lightly spritzed with copper glimmer mist.

All cut out using shaped blade scissors.

The tag/charm is made from a bottle top with a small picture of cogs lifted from google images. Lightly coloured with distress inks before being sealed in with glossy accents. A hole drilled through to attach the chain, tag and charm from Duck Pond Crafts.

A few little chocolate brown pearls to finish off the corners
All mounted onto a bronzed card stock base

I am entering this into
The DT call over at Delicious Doodles
Samuel Taylors Crafts August challenge - sketch

Smudgefest - Day seven

2011-08-07T22:28:00.004Z

WOW. The last day of this little challenge being thrown over at the Smeared and Smudged forum's DT blog - Smudgy Antics.
It's been hard work but also a blast.
Today we were challenged to use "Calypso" in our creation. A little freebie digi available just for the day. A cute little rat.
I made a scrapbook page. A very simple one. I used two other digis from Smeared Ink as other subjects. All coloured with promarkers. I just couldn't get the idea out of my head. So went with it.

The dancing ladies fitted the theme and they're weird enough to fit in. The other paper from the Pink Paislee, Hocus Pocus range.
The letters are die cuts.
As I said, I couldn't shake the idea they were doing the "Hokey Cokey". Been that kind of a day.

I am entering this into the Smudgy Antics' last day of the smudgefest challenge

Vincentenial

2011-08-07T20:51:00.005Z

OOps, I was so intent on getting the last Smudgefest project done I nearly forgot to post this that I have been working on as well.
A project set by Haunted Design House to celebrate the life and artwork of one of THE Masters of the Macabre. The Varying Visages of the actor . Barb is also doing a little blog hop round the minions with some fab candy up for grabs. But blogger has been very unkind to me this week and it's been hard enough getting onto my own blog let alone any one elses!

I lifted all the images from Google and stuck them on a clock face. The central image is by Steve Pugh representing "The Pit" and the Pendulum was made by running a small aluminium pie dish through my bigshot to flatten and then card stuck either side. A cocktail stick to hang with.

The numbers are purposely stuck "upside down". A few reasons, the eye has to really look to puzzle the enigma and it would make a person really look at the clock not where the hands are.

I am entering this into the centennial HDH challenge - Varying Visages of Vincent

Smudgefest - Day six

2011-08-06T22:14:00.005Z

Wow, day 6 already. One more day to go on the 7 day challenges. Full details are on the Smeared and Smudged Smudgy Antics Blog. Today is the Sketch Challenge.

A long hard think into which Smeared Ink image to use. Then I remember I have some stamped images sent to me by a friend of the Goddesses that I haven't used yet. Just the thing!!
The Fire Goddess was the one I chose. Coloured with promarkers. Cut out and mounted onto red c.s. matted onto a pale orange fibrous paper.

Lots of firey coloured papers as well. Handmade paper was wetted and pulled apart to show the fibrous nature of it. the edges treated to a bit of "barndoor" DI. All stuck together and finished off with ribbon. The base card was also given a lick of DI in spiced marmalade and barn door. I tried to give the impression of heat.
A few firey red tear drop gems to represent more flames.

I am entering this into the Smudgy Antics day 6 challenge

Smudgefest - Day five

2011-08-05T23:57:00.007Z

FLOWING FRIDAY

Create a project using a flowing medium. Some examples could be watercolor, liquid ink, liquid glues, thinned out acrylics, etc.... use your imagination and let the juices flow!

So many choices. Which to choose today?
I went with acrylic paints.

The skull was "decorated" with watered acrylic paint first.
Then, using the BoPeep Build a garden set again from Smeared Ink, stamped onto tissue paper for the flower images and onto card for the spiders. I used the colour scheme from day 3 for the most part. Promarkers used throughout. The flowers were adhered with mod podge and the spiders held in place with acrylic glue substitute.

The pics aren't the best due to the time of night.

I am entering this into
Smudgy Antics - Smudgefest day 5 challenge

Smudgefest - Day four

2011-08-05T00:53:00.005Z

TWISTED THURSDAY

Make an ATC with a "twist". You can interpret "twist" any way you want to, this is just one interpretation. ATC size: 3 1/2" x 2 1/2"

That's our challenge for today.
Had a long think on this and was only just before bedtime I came up with this. As it's a one day challenge, I had to stay up and finish. Oh well, maybe I get to lay in tomorrow.

Two of the Smeared Ink mini Grumpies from the original set. Stamped directly onto blue card and coloured with promarkers. Some of the sentiments from the same set with a couple of added ones from me.
The twist? Firstly, the Grumpies themselves have twisty bits on them. Then there's the twisted wire to make a flower, more wire twisted round a stone and last but no means least is the twisted ribbon rose that I made.

I am entering this into day four of the smudgefest challenge over on the Smudgy Antics blog.

Smudgefest - Day three, A colour challenge

2011-08-03T21:10:00.005Z

Wicked Wednesday in the week long Smudgefest being held over at Smeared and Smudged, Smudgy Antics Blog. Today is a colour challenge. Using the colours Pumpkin Orange, Mustardy Yellow, Dark Gray, Deep Purple make something with at least one Smeared Ink stamp on it.
Today I have made a tag. A very simple one at that. Using the birthday Grumpy. Coloured with promarkers in the set colours.
on the back which is made from orange cs distressed with some weathered wood DI, I have attached a dark grey mini envelope with the "sentiment" on and inhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif. Also a few beads, again in the challenge colours.

I am entering this into the challenge at
Smudgy Antics - day 3 of the Smudgefest

Smudgefest - day two

2011-08-02T20:24:00.004Z

Terrifying Tuesday!!
I don't own any of the really terrifying images from Smeared Ink. I can't think of any that terrify me anyway. So I went with what would. Also something that would terrify any male with half a brain cell. Another page in my art journal will have to suffice.

To find myself in a room with pink flowery wall paper and no door to escape would be my nightmare.
The image is of course from Smeared Ink's "Chicks dig guns" set. This was in a grab bag recieved the other day. It is coloured with promarkers and fussy cut out. The pink flowery is from a pad of paper for babies that was in a RAK. The impression of the corner of the room by using DI. some dark orange/brown paper for the floor.

This is being entered into day 2 of the Smudgefest challenge being hosted on the SmudgyAntics Blog all week

Smudgefest - Day one

2011-08-01T21:53:00.005Z

Yep. Smudgefest has begun. The full details are over on the Smudgyantics blog. I hope to be able to complete all the projects. We are given the challenge in the morning and have to post and link by that night. It's going to be tight considering I work full time as well. Well I got day one done. 6 more to go.

Today's challenge is "Bi-Polar". A project that showcases two opposites.
I have used the sheep and fence from the Killer Bo-Peep's Build a Garden set and some shadow trees for my art journal piece. Stamping and masking my way through.
I hoped to depict opposite direction and opposite sides of the fence.
All images coloured with promarkers. The background created with coloured pencils.
BP is from Crafty Chaos on a pale green marbled paper given the DI treatment.

A little bit of journaling to finish.

I am entering this into the challenge over at
Smudgy Antics blog - for day 1 - Bi-polar

Splat!!

2011-07-31T20:57:00.008Z

I copied this direction direct from Haunted Design House as this project was made specifically with this in mind

"Out! Out, damn spot!"

You are to create a dark, Gothic, or Halloween-based art piece

that is covered in spatter, splatter, drips or drops.
It doesn't have to be bloody. There are plenty of other creepy,
drippy, gooey, and oozing things that can go SPLAT!

Well, as luck would have it, I got my grab bag from a win over at Smeared Ink's forum, Smeared and Smudged. In it was this great splatter stamp. It so took the hard work out of creating a splatter in the short time I've had this weekend. I have been put in charge of the "Dark Art Forum" over at Stampin' Dymonz' Scrap Shack and I have used this as this weeks piece.
For this project I inked up some glossy card stock with bright red ink and darkened one side with black for a contrast. Covered it all with candle soot and then used the splatter stamp on both colours. Set with hairspray in the absence of silicon spray. (for full details see Splitcoast Stampers). When this was dry, the edges were given an MS makeover with the drippy goo punch. Then came the heat embossed images from Cherry Pie.

Stuck into my art journal after more heat embossing of a few words written by me
A few closeups...

I am entering this into the challenge over at
Haunted Design House - Out Damned Spot #99 - Their challenge inspired this

Nutmeg with a pear tree

2011-07-23T13:45:00.006Z

Over at The Stampin' Dymonz Scrap Shack we have a little group that is trying to get ahead with the rush of making cards for the winter holiday season. This week I followed the sketch over at the My Time Made Easy blog.

A simple stamped image (from a friends stash so of unknown origin) onto bronzed cs. Nutmeg in a pear tree - had to be nutmeg kind of colours for me. the base is black cs onto which is layered glossy, leather look black and bronzed purpley brown and hand made mustard papers to co-ordinate with the basic grey spotted paper. More of that glossy black to layer with. The ribbon has a gold thread onto which is a small tag attached with 3 chain links and a small bronze leaf charm. The sentiment is already preprinted onto the ribbon that again has gold threaded edges.

I am entering this into the following challenges
My Time Made Easy - Their sketch
The Rubber Cafe - Christmas in July
Tuesday Throwdown - Something metallic

July Smeared 'n' Smudged Blog Hop

2011-07-21T01:00:00.004Z

That time again when loads of us go running around blogland visiting each others blogs. This month over on the Smeared and Smudged Forum, the challenge was to "Alter Something". 3-d is the name of this game. Normal rules still applied in that there has to be some stamping (digi or rubber) somewhere on the project. I have both rubber and digi, so that aspect is covered.
This is my project this month.

It started off life as a "Barbie Chest of Drawers". All pink (and clear) plastic. Loads of Barbie stickers stuck all over by the previous owner and screaming at me for a make-over.
I started off by removing the handles and soaking it all to remove the stickers and sanding down all the pink plastic with some fine wet and dry sandpaper to provide a "key" for the next stage - some primer to cover that Barbie pink. Then came the acrylic paint, a couple of coats of purple.
Next, using a couple of pages from an old book (the book was already damaged beyond reading). These were treated to some colour using distress inks. Torn into strips and mod podged to a few places.
The top needed some thing to adorn it as well. For this I used the paper that was inspired by our GDT for the month - Steph. The challenge there was to create a BP using waxed paper, in my case, a bread wrapper. No waxed paper to be found in the UK it would seem, so improvisation had to be used. Similar to embossed resist method but using wax instead. Ironing some creased waxed paper onto glossy CS and then inking. The wax providing the resist. Onto this I stamped, masked and stamped some more. Using green stazon and one of my skull stamps. All edge punched with MS drippy goo punch and stuck down with more mod podge.
More fun comes on the front. I needed some new handles having discarded the pink ones. For these, I threaded some wire through some skulls in my stash and painted with glow in the dark modpodge (great stuff, love it). When dry threaded the wire through the preformed holes in the drawers securing on the inside. The digi is from Smeared Ink in honour of the skull appreciation day hop. These were coloured with promarkers and fussy cut out before adhering with more glow in the dark modpodge.

All five sections were then given a final coat to varnish and protect. The runners for the drawers were rubbed over with a bit of candle wax to ensure free movement then all sections put back together.

I have still to work out a method of attaching the feet I wanted to put on. A small drill bit will be required I think but haven't managed to lay my hands on one yet.

I left the drawers clear so that I can see at a glance what little bits are in each drawer and will now be used to store some of the small items I tend to hoard.

Now you've sat through that, please carry on and visit Ike who is next on the list.

Here's the full list, and if you've just happened upon this hop, please start at Terra's blog and take a wander round blogland with us. There's sure to be some awesome creations to be discovered.

Terra

Alex

Black Dragon

Kapree

Jane

Steph

Heather

Madeleine

Helen - that's me

Ike

Fiona

Lady Brayton

I'd like to enter this into one or two challenges
Stamp Insanity - Going Goth
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog - Alter it
Clear It Out Challenge - Anything Goes

Pop-up Butterflies

2011-07-16T15:59:00.005Z

Over at Stampin' Dymonz' Scrap Shack - The Village, we have a little group that explores a different type of fold for cards each week. This week is the turn of a pop-up card. There are a few different types of pop-up card showcased over at Splitcoast Stampers.
This is the card that I made. It features a load of butterflies, both on the stamp used (unknown origin) and the MS punched variety. This is also being one of 3 I am making for work collegues' birthdays coming up soon.
The stamped image was coloured using a mixture of DI and promarkers.
The BP is just plain cs that was dry embossed with a sizzix plate and a gold ink pad rubbed over it.
Ribbons are from stash. The bow is held in place by a home made ribbon rose. The sketch over at Sweet Sketch Wednesday was followed to produce this.

Inside
The plain pale green was stamped using some foliage stamps from Lavinia Stamps. The pop-up mechanism has some sizzix die leaves adhered to it and some MS punched butterfles. These have been given a light brush over with the same gold pad as the front.

I am entering this into the following challenge
Sweet Sketch Wednesday 110-32 - Their Sketch
By The Cute and Girly - July challenge - things with Wings

continuation of meander mini - chains that bind

2011-07-16T14:44:00.010Z

Loathsome Lotharios is the challenge over at Haunted Design House this week. The idea of continuing last week's 3" meander mini album with subsequent challenge entries appealed to me. Thankyou Susan.
So using some of the dark images from Tellen's Place Designs, we have a little tableau of some adoring females under the spell of Creeth.

The papers are from Crafty Chaos and Moonlight Journey.
Behind the page with CreethNSumi is written "Nothing is more binding than LOVE, Nor as BLINDING"

and Shera standing behind having shaken those chains

I am entering this into the challenges over at
Haunted Design House #94 - Loathsome Lotharios
Tellen's Place Designs - Anything Goes (with a TPD image)

Xtremely Xhaustive

2011-07-10T20:18:00.012Z

Make a something with something that goes ooooonnnnnn and oooooonnnnnn.
The original idea was from Barb over at Haunted Design House with a little mini book kit that was in a blog win last year. This is the full sized version of the meander mini. A full 12" sheet of CS made into a 3" square mini.

Trust me to start something on saturday and have to go to work on sunday. These pics are as far as I got before time dictated I should blog it.

Cover is from papers at Crafty Chaos.
Chain, eyelets, charms all from stash. The 2mm pearls from Pizzaz Aplenty.

The little roses are homemade from ribbon.

Inside this, some more chain and two images masked and stamped. I know the elf lady is Third Coast but unsure on the man behind the screen. These were both coloured with promarkers.

Inside back cover is a couple of images from Delicious Doodles, coloured with DIs

The spiders' web paper will be continued to the other pages as this is yet another thing in nature that is "very, very long". Plus it will fit in with my theme of "binding chains"

I am entering this incomplete (for the moment) item into the challenge over at
Haunted Design House #96 - Xtremely Xhaustive

A bit of bling

2011-07-02T18:57:00.008Z

Over at Stampin' Dymonz' Scrap Shack we have a weekly "Christmas Card Club". Trying to stay ahead of the game when it comes to making cards for that time of year. This week the task is to use acetate. I thought I might as well incorporate some of the challenges over here in blogland so, following the sketch over at Midnight Madness #110, this is my card.
.
The acetate is a panel inserted to make the card square. I used matching vellum on the other side. (HunkyDory) Mounted onto pearlised black CS. Ribbon from stash has "with love at Christmas" peeloffs added. The ends are covered with card candy. The image is from Delicious Doodles, coloured with promarkers and glossy accents on the flame. Edge distressed with Barn Door and Black soot DI. Layered onto dark red and pearlised black. The tiny pearls from Pizzaz aplenty... thanks Terry

This shows the speckled green CS base I used and some gorgeous 2 tone ribbon with gold threaded swirls. If you look at the front it looks green.

The back of the image covered, both to neaten and provide a writing surface for a greeting

You can see the pearls better here and see I added a bit more dimension to the ivy.

A couple of challenges I am entering this into
Midnight Madness - #110 - their sketch
Delicious Doodles - Flourishes and Bling
Fab's Big Christmas Card Challenge - Dark colours / trees
Crafty Purple Frog - Pearls and swirls

Beyond The Door

2011-07-01T08:24:00.023Z

I made a little video featuring the mini book made for the opening day of the Dark Arts Forum over at Stampin' Dymonz Scrap Shack, but after waiting over 6hrs for it to upload to blogger I'm going to post the pics here instead.
All the images are from Tellen's Place Designs, coloured using distress inks. The backgrounds of the ATC sized pictures are from Moonlight Journey. Additional papers from my scrap box are from Crafty Chaos and The Angel Company.
The pages are made from toilet tissue inners, painted black.
Various ribbons from stash. Hand made lace flower.

I am entering this into a couple of challenges
Haunted Design House #95 - From the Bone Pile - Use your Scraps
Shopping Our Stash - Use scraps/recycle - did both

A Christmas card

2011-06-30T15:13:00.007Z

Yep, I started early this year. I hope not to get caught napping this year or rushing to get them done. This week the challenge over at Delicious Doodles is for cute and cuddly. Well I think this would fit the bill. (No pun intended). It's about as cute as I'm going this week. Loosley following the sketch over at Fetch-a-sketch, I came up with this.

The penguin, from the range over at Delicious Doodles, is coloured with promarkers with a touch of silver gel pen. Some glossy and crackle accents used to add some shine.
Papers all from various sources in stash. The only one I know the origin is behind penguin - Crafty Chaos. Ribbon also from stash.
Sizzix corner diecuts using scraps.

I am entering this into the challenge over at
Delicious Doodles - Cute and Cuddly

Make It Crafty - 1st Birthday

2011-06-26T20:41:00.011Z

Make it Crafty and their challenge blog, Make it Colourful have been the main reason for the improvement in my colouring skills from where I was, even 6months ago. These girls are fantastic.
Anyway, they are celebrating their first year anniversary this month and are having a massive party all July. Several competitions of which this card is going to be entered into one - #5, create a project with Make it Crafty images and coloured with Blue, Mustard/Yellow and Brown (Make it Crafty Logo colours!). They are even giving away an image to celebrate.
I had to make a card for a work colleague and this fitted in just right.
I followed the sketch over at Sketch Saturday and came up with this.

I have used yellow and mustard (a bit of artistic license lol)
The image itself is cloured with sakura pencils in shades of brown, blue and yellow blended with m.o.
The edges are ink distressed with "faded jeans" DI.
Backed onto some mustard hand made paper and then onto brown.

A few dabs of glossy accents on the flowers on the shoes, eyes and a touch on her ribbon to give the impression of satin.

The little tabs held on with bronze glizzer brads. As is the sentiment banner up top.

The ribbons are dark brown organza, topped with lace that I coloured blue with promarker and topped with a thin mustard organza ribbon.
The flowers have just a slight dusting of diamond stickles.
I have updated the pics as the light seemed to have washed out the colour yesterday.

So that's my entry into the challenges at

Make It Colourful - challenge #5 use the logo colours
Sketch Saturday - Their sketch
Dream Valley Challenges - Ribbon

Steampunk/Goth

2011-06-24T11:58:00.012Z

"Steampunk is where Goth finds brown." A quote I came across on the 'net this week. Sparked something in the depths of what can loosely be called a brain in my head. So another art journal page was born.
The base of the page is acrylic paint, cracked using the pva glue technique. There are so many vids on youtube now. All give different advice. So I experimented. I came up with a couple of finished sheets that I was happy with. This was one.
Terracotta brown on top of black. Well I liked it.
I used 2 of the images from Delicious Doodles to illustrate the Goth and the Steampunk. Both coloured in using promarkers, fussy cut out and mounted onto a slightly pearlised brown card. Both these cut out using a "cog like" fancy edged scissors. The quote was written onto a ribbon slider and ink distressed with "old paper". Some black organza and brown velvet ribbons threaded through.
The "cogs" at the top are circles cut from one of those aluminium take-away cartons, notches cut and alternately folded down the "bits". Some alcohol ink dripped on to colour. Layered with die cut flowers in dark brown and terracotta attached using brown brads.
The layout was inspired by this months sketchy challenge over at the Smeared and Smudged forum and also fitted into this weeks project over at Stampin' Dymonz Scrap Shack - paint.

It would have been entered into last weeks Delicious Doodles challenge as well - but what do you know - I was too late.
I am sharing this at The Joyful Stamper, Inspire Me Fridays
A couple of challenges that I am entering this into
Simply Create - Come Fly With Us
Southern Girls Challenge - Anything Goes
Creative Craft Challenges - Make your Own Backing Paper(s)
The Cheerful Stamp Pad - Mixed Media, Things with Wings