Flower Power

A quick card for a work colleagues Birthday - she likes to travel so I thought that the Birdbrain Hula Chick by From The Heart Stamps would be perfect!  I've coloured the image with Promarkers and used papers from Echo Park - Summerdays.

The flowers are from my stash - the larger 3 are actually recycled from a flower garland and the others I found lurking in the box.

I'd like to enter the following:

Mojo Monday:  Sketch followed
A Gem of a Challenge:  Flowers
Dragonfly Dreams:  Summertime
One Stitch At A Time:  Hot Colours
Stamping Sensations:  Anything Goes

From The Heart Stamps Sketch 152

Another Monday and another From The Heart Stamps sketch challenge with a twist!  I've used Echo Park papers from Summerdays and added a black card border plus two faux gems from my stash.  The image is Spectacular Birdbrain but it's not available in the store as it was part of the fundraising pack Faith released a while ago.

The sketch is below along with the twist - you can use either the sketch or the twist or both but you must use a FTHS - there are freebies in the shop and a new cute one was added not so long ago!  Every entry that is linked up will receive a $1 voucher to spend in the store - save them up to buy a free stamp!  Good luck!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

613 Avenue Create:  Anything Goes
One Stitch At A Time:  Hot Colours
A Beautiful Mess:  Anything Goes
Simply Papercraft:  Anything Goes

Surprised Chick

A quick card from me today made with scraps of printed papers - Echo Park, Summerdays,  that I had to hand so I had to do some clever joining!  Layered the strips and image onto some chocolate brown card from my stash and then added the ribbon.  The button is from my rather large collection and pleased that I found one fairly quickly that matched the colour scheme!

The image is From The Heart Stamps - Surprised Birdbrain and I've used Promarkers to colour - the sentiment came with the image.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Crafty Sentiments:  Anything Goes
Paper Minutes:  Celebration
Melonheadz:  Handcoloured image
Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper:  Anything Goes
From The Heart Stamps:  Sketch followed and twist!

Tweet Birthday Girl

Sometimes cards fall together just right and this one was simply that! I decided to use the Birthday Chicks image from From The Heart Digi Stamps - it was one that I printed off a while ago and had it in my 'to do' box - coloured it with Promarkers plus a little glitter glue here and there.

Cardstock is from The Paper Mill and I've used scraps of printed paper - Echo Park Summerdays (had to use these quite cleverly!  Charm and embroidery thread are from my stash along with the half pearls.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Aud Sentiments:  Sketch followed
Animal Friends:  Zoo / Animal
Scribbles Designs:  Birthday
613 Avenue Create:  Birthday

Your Future

Sometimes you need an old wrinkly lady in a gaudy tent to gaze into a crystal ball to confirm your future. If you need this in your life then spare no haste and make your way to the Dr Digi store to purchase Mystic Mabel.

I made this card for a work colleague who was leaving for pastures new, combining the image with fairy lights and papers from Echo Park - Summerdays.  Image has been coloured with Promarkers and I've added Clearly Besotted grass die cuts and I made the sign myself.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Artistic Inspirations:  Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion:  Anything Goes
Crafting Musketeers:  Anything Goes
Creative Craft Cottage:  Anything Goes

Bright Chick

A rather quick and bright card for the From The Heart Stamps sketch this week. Not the original image I was planning on using but this image - Birthday Suit Birdbrain went much better with the sketch plus I was able to use up some off-cuts of Echo Park - Summerdays papers.

I had to join up the purple base hence the patterned strips to hide it!

And a few pearls from my stash.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

ABC Challenge:  H is for Happy Birthday
Animal Friends:  Happy Birthday with an animal
From The Heart Stamps:  Sketch and Twist

Age Improving

I've had this image coloured up for ages and knew I'd be able to use it someday!  It's Birdbrain Wine by From The Heart Stamps.  I've coloured it up with Promarkers and used scraps of papers from Echo Park - Summerdays.

I've added a dotted line of liquid pearls around the edges and used a Spellbinders die for the layer behind the image.  Sentiment comes with the digi and I've used a charm and embroidery thread from my rather alarming large collection!

And I've just learnt how to add watermarks to my images!  I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Come And Get It:  One For The Girls
Fairytale Stampers:  Things With Wings
Chocolate, Coffee and Cards:  Something Yummy to Eat or Drink
From The Heart Stamps:  Sketch followed

Flappy Birthday!

I coloured this image quickly yesterday morning as trying to get a lot done - luckily the From The Heart Stamps images are always lovely and quick to colour!  I've used Flappy Birthday Birdbrain but just used the middle birdbrain and coloured it with Promarkers.

Two Spellbinder dies and all papers are from Echo Park - Summerdays.  The sentiment is also from the digi stamp set and I found the felt flower in my stash and it matched the lime green in the papers perfectly.  Just the job!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Eclectic Ellapu:  Anything Goes
The Corrosive Challenge:  Animal Friends
Bloggers Challenge:  Birthday
That's Crafting:  Wings and Things
I Heart Card Sketches:  Sketch followed

Sweet Chick

I almost forgot to blog this! It's the free progressive monthly challenge at From The Heart Stamps - the image is free as long as you participate each month with the given image. I've coloured Loves Me Birdbrain with Promarkers and used offcuts of papers from Echo Park Summerdays download - I had to be rather creative with the scraps I had!

I layered the image onto a die cut and then added the sunflower charm with some embroidery thread. Quick and easy!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

From The Heart Stamps:  Progressive Monthly Challenge
I Love Promarkers:  Animals
City Crafter:  Use Scraps
Crafty Cardmakers:  Scraps

A Little Thank You

Just a quick card - didn't take long to colour once I do see daylight! I've used Surprised Birdbrain - a From The Heart digi stamp; there are two images and I've used this one.  I actually was lucky enough to win it last weekend via a Facebook comp!

I've coloured it with Promarkers and used a very worn blue inkpad for the sky and the papers are Echo Park Summerday - all left overs from a previous project so had to do some clever joining!

The sentiment is also part of the set and the embroidery thread and button are from my stash.  Cardstock is slightly ribbed / embossed and was a generous donation from my cousin after making her Wedding stationery!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Allsorts:  Anything But Birthday
Crafty Calendar:  Anything Goes
Sister Act Card Challenge:  Anything Goes

From The Heart Stamps - Sketch followed

Simply Create Too - Challenge 77 - Midway Inspiration

We are part way through the challenge over at Simply Create Too and the theme is:

Mother's Day / For A Female

I've used a fab image from Tiddly Inks - Wryn Skater Girl which I've coloured with Promarkers.  I've fussy-cut it and added to the card base with foam pads.  Papers are Echo Park - Summerday Papers and I've even decorated the inside of the card (a rarity for me!)

The stitching is faux - I used a We R Memory Keepers tool to create the holes and then used a black fineliner to join them up.  Sentiment is a stamp from Funky Hand - part of the Our Betty Your Special Day set.

Good luck with the challenge!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Cute Card Thursday:  Colourful
Dream It Up:  Happy Birthday
Crafters Cafe:  Stitching

Another Cuppa

This must be my most favourite Dr Digi Stamp - Cuppa.  Plus its so easy to use and virtually goes with anything.  The perfect accessory!

Papers are Echo Park - Summerday and I've coloured the image with Promarkers plus added some little charms from my stash.  I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Artistic Inspirations:  Anything Goes / Warm and Cozy
Card Mania:  Use A Digi
Dream Valley Challenges:  Anything Goes
Pink Elephant Challenge:  Anything Goes

Cuppa

There's nothing better than a sturdy cuppa first thing in the morning; not too milky and not overly Builders Brew - the perfect cuppa is a great way to start the day (even though these mornings its still dark outside!)

Cuppa digi from Dr Digi won't break the bank at only 50p! Papers from Echo Park - Summerdays, charms, embroidery thread and half pearls all from my stash.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

2 Cute Ink: Anything Goes
My Craft Creations: Anything Goes
Squigglefly: Stripes
Through The Purple Haze: Clear and Bright

On Your Retirement - Part 4

Here is the final part of the epic Retirement card! Parts 1, 2 and 3 have been shown on previous Tuesdays if you want a look back. This page features Bath Time Deirdery from Dr Digiand some equally electrifying papers - Echo Park, Summerdays.

And this is the front cover to the Retirement card - its also in our organisation colours!

So, that's it! I've handwritten the tag and used various dies - X Cut for the mirror and Sizzix for the letters and tag. It's received lots of giggles around the office as people were writing their well wishes on the reverse.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Come and Get It Challenges: Anything Goes with a Sentiment
Fairytale Stampers: Anything Goes
Scribble and Scrap: Anything Goes
A Gem of A Challenge: Stitching
Allsorts: Bright Sunshiny Colours

From The Heart Stamps - Sketch #77

Continuing my time as a Guest Designer over at From The Heart Stamps, its time for another sketch challenge which also has a twist - flower power! The sketch is below and it can be rotated as you wish but you MUST use a From The Hearts Stamp.

I've used Birdbrain Needs Coffee digi stamp and coloured it with Promarkers. The sentiment also comes with the image and I printed it underneath the image before using an X Cut oval die to cut it all out. Papers are Echo Park Summerdays and I've used flowers, stick pins and half pearls that I had in my stash.

Good luck with the sketch challenge - it lasts for 2 weeks and make sure you use a FTHS!
I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Come and Get It Challenges: Anything Goes with a Sentiment
Allsorts: Bright Sunshiny Colours
Crazy 4 Challenges: Animal
Suzy Bee's Challenge: Anything Goes
Chocolate, Coffee and Cards: BINGO (Die Cut, Pearls, Yellow)

On Your Retirement - Part Two

So, you've gone for lots of long rambling walks and that has really invigorated you on your retirement, so what to do next?  Take up a new hobby of course!!

Here is Deirdery Wired For Sound from Dr Digi in her retro 80's outfit, slowly getting to grips with the roller boots, elbow and knee pads essential.

I used to have some rather similar roller boots. However they were butchered by my brother - his skateboards wheels were knackered, so next best thing were mine. And he tried to hide the evidence of his cunningness in the bottom of my wardrobe.

Nearly 30 years on and the memory still smarts somewhat.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

613 Avenue Create: Anything Goes with Optional Sights, Sounds, Smells and Tastes of Summer
Crafting When We Can: Bright Colours
Robyns Fetish: Anything Goes
My Time To Craft: Unusual Coloured Hair
Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper Challenge: Anything Goes

From The Heart Stamps - Sketch #76

Here is the new sketch over at From The Heart Stamps - the challenge is open for two weeks and you must use a FTHS image and follow the sketch - the twist element is entirely upto you if you want to add it!

I've used Fishing Birdbrain and coloured it with Promarkers. The papers are Echo Park - Summerdays. I'm trying to use up all the offcuts of card I get when making a square card from an A4 sheet and I've managed to use one here - thats why some elements of the card fall off the edge!

Half pearls, embroidery thread and charm are all from my stash. Good luck with the challenge!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Kraftin' Kimmie: Outdoor Activities
Speedy Fox and Friends: Feathers
Animal Friends: Summer
Alphabet Challenge: M for Men

On Your Retirement - Part 1

As I mentioned last week, I've been busy making cards for work colleagues who are leaving. This particular card is one of a kind and is for someone I've worked with for quite a number of years and there is nothing that she doesn't know - she's the typical go-to person in Finance!

So it can only be fitting that her retirement card is something to remember (and its already giving the office giggles when they are signing it!)

So I proudly present, What To Do On Your Retirement, Part 1 - Go For Long Rambling Walks....

Faldaree Deirdery from Dr Digi sets the tone perfectly! Come back next week, same time, same place for the second installment!

I've used Promarkers to colour plus Echo Park Summerday papers; a Sizzix die cut tag and a handwritten sentiment. I've also used an X Cut die and a Marianne Creatables for the grass.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Come And Get It Challenges: All About Dies
Crafting When We Can: Bright Colours
Crafty Calendar: Anything Goes
So Artful Challenges: Glasses / Spectacles
We Do Doobadoo Challenges: Celebrations

Cricket

Derek from Dr Digi does like the thwack of the cricket ball against willow. Ever since he was a young lad with his jam encrusted face pressed up to the perimeter fence at Old Trafford, Derek avidly watches the worlds finest team. Although nowadays its usually via the portable telly in the caravan.

Still he can dream that one day he'll play and hit a six.....

Derek has been coloured with Promarkers, background clouds from Echo Park - Summerdays and I've handcut the grass. I've also handcut the bunting and handwrote the letters.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Love To Scrap: Banners / Pendants
Always Something Creative: Male
Bearly Mine: One For The Boys
Country View Crafts: Only Men Allowed
Doodle Pantry: Make It Manly

Santa's Day Off

From when the very last gift is delivered on Christmas Eve until late July, Santa is at a bit of a loose end. There is only so much DIY he can be bothered completing so that leaves time to wax down the surf board and head to the beach!

And he cuts an impressive figure with his red board shorts and cool shades on the beach at Blackpool.

Surfin' Santa can be yours for £2 from the Dr Digi store!  I've coloured him with Promarkers and added a beach with Bazzil card stock along with a Sizzix spade die cut and sun.  The fairy lights I've had for years and the place I bought them from has since closed down.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Here Come The Boys:  Anything Goes
Hobby Cutz:  Summer
Pan Pastel:  Summertime
Chocolate, Coffee and Cards:  Life's A Beach
Stamping With The Dragon:  On The Beach

Image:  Dr Digi, coloured with Promarkers
Papers:  Echo Park Summerdays and Bazzil cardstock
Dies:  Sizzix
Everything else:  My stash