Daring Card Makers Challenge - Proud As A Peacock

It's time for a new Daring Cardmakers challenge and the theme this week is

Proud As A Peacock

I've made a slimline card using a stamped image I got in a swop a long long time ago.  It's been coloured with watercolour paints and I've added it to the card base.  I've stamped the sentiment with an acrylic stamp from my stash.  Good luck with the challenge!

Die Cuts and Watercolours

I like using white card (quite a lot!) and just splashes of colour so I decided to take 4 different Polkadoodle dies and to make some quick and easy cards with them.  I've used the Holly and Spruce, Fancy Snowflake, Fancy Intricate Bauble and Ice Skates.

I found some smallish square envelopes in my stash and made some card blanks to fit these and then cut another square panel for each, that was slightly smaller.  For each die, I cut two for extra strength.

I then used my rather ancient (I used them when I did A Level Art back in 1990!) watercolours in the bottom right corner.  I repeated this for all four panels using different colours each time.

Next I added the die cut over the watercoloured area after sticking the panel to the card blank.  To keep it all flat, I add them under the cushion of the chair that I sit at when crafting - its a heavy wooden table chair so works perfectly under my posterior!

I also added some little half pearls here and there and some larger ones to three of the cards.  I quite like these - a little bit different!

Posy Doodles - Lots of Flowers!

Polkadoodles are on Hochanda today at 10am and 2pm UK time and here is one of the samples I've made!  I've used one of the papers from the paper pack and the added some stamped flowers that have been coloured with watercolour paints.  The smaller flowers have also got liquid pearls doted on them and they've been added with foam pads for depth.

I cut out the centre square using an X Cut die and one of the toppers fitted perfectly in the centre - I've just added two stamped flowers but only coloured the centres.

I'd like to enter the following:

Crafty Catz:  Anything Goes Option of Flowers
Pattie's Creations:  Add Flowers
CCEE Stampers:  May Flowers
Sasayaki Glitter:  Flowers  TOP THREE
Moo Mania:  Flowers

Daring Card Makers - Cozy Home

Time for a new Daring Card Makers challenge!  The theme for this week is

Cozy Home

I've used a fancy X Cut die as the card base and added a smaller cut over the top.  The image has been coloured with watercolours and coloured pencils and its from Tiddly Inks - Dream Home.

The ribbon, bakers twine and key charms are all from my stash.  Good luck with the challenge!  I'd like to enter the following:

Crafting With Friends:  Anything Goes
Crafty Gals Corner:  Anything Goes
The Crafty Addicts:  Anything Goes
Through The Craft Room Door:  Anything Goes

Simply Create Too Challenge 43 - Photo Inspiration

It's time for a new Simply Create Too challenge and this fortnight we have a lovely photo inspiration theme for you to follow!  The photo is on the challenge blog.

And here is my interpretation of it:

I've used a rather old sheet of 12x12 card from The Papermill (it was an impulse purchase to take me to the free postage and packing threshold!) to layer the stamped image on.  I've used a Rainbow Studios stamp which, sadly, are no longer trading, and I've used watercolours to colour it.  Quite unusual for me to actually use a physical stamp rather than a digi!

The sentiment also came with the stamp and I've added some nautical themed bakers twine.  Nice and simple to make!

Good luck with the challenge - for more details and inspiration, pop over to Simply Create Too!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Paula Holifield Crafts: Summer Sun
Heck of a Challenge:  Summer Holidays
QKR Challenge:  Summer Fun
Sassy Studio Design:  Travel / Vacation

Card:  Papermill Shop
Image and sentiment: Rainbow Studios - no longer trading, coloured with watercolours
Everything else:  My stash

A Fairy and Her Castle

And once again, I'm late with blogging the latest releases from Jellypark!  However this time its two for the price of one as I've combined both digi stamps into one card!

I don't know why I watercoloured the bottom of the card as if it was a sandcastle at the beach but I suppose that is wishful thinking as the weather is so dammed cold at the moment!

I've used Fairy Castle and printed it off quite big - the card is A5 in size - without loss of quality, and the  Cute Fairy With Wand.  Both have been coloured with Promarkers plus a dusting of stickles here and there.  I've cut round both images and then added the castle to a card blank which I pre-coloured with watercolour paint.  I added the fairy with a strip of acetate so she boings around a little!

And I added a line of liquid pearl dots around the edge of the card to finish it off!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Diva's By Design:  Girly
By The Cute and Girly:  Cute and Girly
Oozak:  Anything Goes plus Pink and Sparkly
Can You Digi It?  Getting Girly
Everybody Art:  Girl
Card Mania:  Girly

Images:  Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers
Everything else:  My stash

Jellypark Challenge - Back To Nature

It's time for another Jellypark challenge and we also have two new release digi stamps too!  I'll be blogging the two new releases over the coming week (otherwise I won't be able to do my card-a-day blogfest with Kathy!)  The current theme for the challenge is:

Back To Nature

And I've used this fab Tree With Bunting stamp which I've coloured with a combination of Promarkers and Aquamarkers - the sky has been coloured with watercolour paints.  I do like to make cards with the image being the main element as it then makes the construction so much easier!

 

The papers are from Funky Hand - Shabby Saturday and I've used some offcuts of card for layering plus some half pearls from my stash.  And that's it!

Good luck with the challenge - for more details and to view the fab new digi stamp releases, pop over to Jellypark!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Mema's Craft:  Anything Goes

Crafting For All Seasons:  Falling Leaves

I Love Promarkers:  Cute

Paper Shelter:  Anything Goes

Pixie Dust Studio:  Leaves

Image:  Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers, Aquamarkers and Watercolour paints

Papers:  Funky Hand - Shabby Saturday

Everything else:  My stash

Pretty In Pink

The Penny Black challenge this week is a lovely one! It is:

Pretty In Pink

I've used a cute hedgehog and daisy image which I've coloured mainly with Aquamarkers - the sky is coloured with watercolours and the deck chair Promarkers. The daisy was supposed to be more of a delicate pink however I think my Aquamarker collection needs expanding a little!

The paper is Basic Grey Sultry 6x6 and I've simply added a rather large and extravagant hot pink satin ribbon and bow! Also four little half pearls to the top right of the card. The image has been layered onto some pink card from my stash which I've rounded the edges, inked and then dotted a fine line around the edge of the actual image to keep it from 'falling out' so to speak!

• Image: Penny Black, coloured with Aquamarkers, Promarkers and watercolours
• Paper: Basic Gray Sultry 6x6
• Everything else: My stash
  

String of Hearts

A great sketch from Oldie But A Goodie challenge this fortnight:


And I've made this sweet valentine or anniversary card! The stamp is Penny Black which I bought from here and its been coloured with Aquamarkers plus watercolours for the sky. All the papers are from Funky Hand's Colour Me Happy cd and I've used my two largest Nesties to cut out the image and backing.

The flowers, bling, button and pearl heart are all from my stash. And I've just realised I've not added a sentiment. Ah well!

• Papers: Colour Me Happy from Funky Hand
• Image: Penny Black, coloured with Aquamarkers and Watercolours
• Dies: Spellbinder Nestabilities
  
• Everything else: My stash
  

Christmas Post

Another fine challenge over on Penny Black Saturday Challenge this week, which is:

Let It Snow

I've used this cute Penny Black image that I've had for ages, coloured it with watercolours and added some glitter glue for the snow. The brown paper is recycled - it was packing material previously and the gold snowflake was part of a parcel sticker that I rescued!


The red printed paper is from DCWV 6x6 Christmas Multi stack and I've layered it and the image onto some brown card from my stash. Ribbon is also from my stash.

Bit of inking and some corner rounding and it is complete! Another card to add to the box!

• Backing paper: Printed - DCWV 6x6 Christmas Multi stack; everything else, my stash
• Image: Penny Black, coloured with watercolour paints and glitter glue
• Everything else: My stash
  

Sunny Days

I already had this image coloured so this was a quickish card to make for the Penny Black Saturday challenge which is:

In The Garden

I've used papers from Funky Hand Retro Fun Wordbook download plus some corner rounding and inking. I've layered the image onto black and then hot pink cardstock using one of my Nestability dies as a template (I drew around it as I wanted it bigger than it would have cut).

The image has been coloured with watercolour paints and the sentiment is a Papermania magazine freebie that I've stamped with Whispers ink.

The card is actually brighter in real life and not quite as dull!

• Backing papers: Retro Fun Word Book download from Funky Hand
• Image: Penny Black coloured with watercolour paints
• Sentiment: Papermania stamp

Back to School

This is a new challenge site that I found whilst blog hopping and liked the look of it (and some very fab DT examples) and I thought I'd give it a go!

The current Die Cut Dreams challenge is:

Back to School

Which is quite funny really, as Samuel went back to school for one day and the snow and ice kept school shut for the remainder of last week! Hoping that he is back in tomorrow though!

I've used a tall thin card blank as my base and then used up scraps of off cuts from Funky Daze (I just love this colour way - greens are not usually my colour but I do like this!) with some cut with my only set of Nesties. I've inked edges and rounded some too with the grosgrain ribbon from my stash, as too the red backing card.

The image is from The Cutting Cafe - I won a challenge a while ago and I got to pick 3 bundles and one that I choose was the School Days. I've enlarged the image a little and coloured it with watercolours as a base and then gone over the top with watercolour pencils.

And that is it!

• Backing papers: Funky Daze from Funky Hand
• Image: Cutting Cafe coloured with watercolour paints and pencils
• Dies: Spellbinder Nestabilities
• Everything else: My stash
  

Hedgehog and Snowball

I am so pleased I found this challenge blog - Stamps and Smiles because last week was the first time I entered, and I won!! So thank you to the DT for picking me!!


This week is another lovely sketch and to add to my growing Christmas box (it is now at the proportions of a cardboard storage box!) I made a Christmas card:

Papers are from the new Blue Christmas wordbook download from Funky Hand - I've used 3 of the complementary A4 papers from it (the third is under the image!) I've coloured the Penny Black image with watercolour paints and added a little glitter glue for sparkly snow.

Grosgrain ribbon is from my stash as too are the pearlescent snowflakes and gems. I've used my Spellbinders Nesties to cut the image out and to layer it as I thought it need a bit more shape.

I doubt very much that lightening will strike twice, but I have enjoyed this challenge and some lovely inspiration from the DT!

• Backing papers: Blue Christmas wordbook download from Funky Hand
• Image: Penny Black coloured with watercolour paints and a little glitter glue
• Dies: Spellbinder Nestabilities
• Everything else: My stash
  

Happy Snow!

Be prepared for quite a few Christmas cards over the next few days - I've had a bit of a run this weekend in making them - so be warned! The current Sketch and Stash challenge is:

The image I used was destined for another card but it just wouldn't come together properly so that idea was shelved! I've coloured it with watercolour paints and added a little glitter glue.

The snowflake backing paper is from a Crafters Companion cd I found lurking in the back of a drawer and I don't think I'd ever looked at it before as it was a freebie on a magazine! The dark blue card and tissue interleaving paper are from my stash along with the ribbon. The large and smaller brads are a new purchase and are Papermania.

Another card to go with my growing pile of Christmas cards!

• Printed backing paper: Crafters Companion
• Image: Penny Black coloured with watercolour paints and a little glitter glue
• Everything else: My stash
• Brads: Papermania
  
  

Ah - Watercolours!

It's time for another wonderful sketch from my fab Funky Hand DT mate Carol! If you've not popped over to her challenge blog before, please do as she offers some great prizes every fortnight to the entrants of her sketches.

Without further ado, here is the current sketch:And here is my card! I've used papers from Papermania 12 x 12 Retro Floral prints stack - the holey scalloped edge piece across the middle was punched with a Martha Stewart punch and then the edges inked.

The image is Penny Black which was sent to me ages ago by the lovely Jozza and I've coloured it with watercolours - oh how I like my watercolour paints!

I've inked the edge with chestnut Whispers and then dotted with a very fine black pen just for a bit more definition. The ribbon is from my stash, and the heart button is Colorbok chipboard sent to me by Enfys ages ago and I've covered it with some of the pink and yellow spotty paper.

Great sketch Carol - look forward to the next one!

• Papers: Papermania 12 x 12 Retro Floral stack
• Image: Penny Black, stamped by Jozza, coloured with watercolour paints
• Punch: Martha Stewart
• Heart button: Colorbok from Enfys, covered with DCWV paper
• Everything else: My stash
  

Polkadoodle Challenge 19 - Digi Colouring

It's Friday again, so it's another Polkadoodle Challenge! This is my last week of setting the Design Team challenges and I hope you've enjoyed them as much as me!

This week, I challenged the team to:

Colour a Digital Image

Now, they could use any image of Polly or Jack, and I choose the Halloween download as I really like the papers that come with it! There are two tutorials to accompany these two cards that I made - the Polly card uses watercolour pencils, and Jack has been coloured with good old felt tips!

A little bit of inking here and there and some tearing of paper and it all looks more spooky! The fimo spiders are left over from a previous challenge and I think I should make some more for next year!

For the card with Frankenstein Jack, I've used felt tips and a white gel pen to give highlights. More doodling on this card and inking and it's finished!

Hope you're able to join in with this challenge - it's open until Sunday 4 October 12noon - go to the challenge post to enter your creation!

Good luck!

• All backing papers and sentiments: Polkadoodle Halloween Download
• Images: Polkadoodle Halloween Download, coloured with watercolour pencils and felt tips
  
  

Tutorial - Digi Colouring with Watercolour Pencils

And here is the second tutorial to accompany this weeks challenge!

My equipment is very basic! These are the watercolour pencils (24) that I use and also the brush felt tips (30). The watercolour pencils can be used as ordinary pencils, but they really come to life when a tiny bit of water is added.

For this tutorial I am colouring Polly Polkadoodle from the Halloween download. I've started with a light and pale layer of colour.

I've now added more definition to Polly's hat by dipping the nib of my pencil into water - I can now spread the colour more easily and also choose which areas I want to leave as highlights.

To build up more intense and darker colours, I've used not only the blues but also greens and purples. I would not use the black at this point as to go too dark too quickly may spoil the overall effect.

The same technique is then applied to her cape. Colour is built up slowly with greens, browns, blues and reds.

Other smaller areas are now coloured.

And only now (below) have I added a tiny bit of black here and there to provide a darker contrast to the colour. However, it is really the colour and it's depth that I want to portray which I feel provides a richer and deeper colour than using black as this can be a very flat tone.

And here are the two images together that I coloured for these tutorials. Same technique applied to both images but different results due to the medium used.

And this is the card I made with the Polly Polkadoodle image. Papers are also from the Halloween download and the little fimo spider is made by me!

Hope you've enjoyed the tutorials and that you will be able to join in with the challenge this week!

Ahoy!

The Scrappy Frogs challenge this week is to use a downloaded image - a Dustin Pike pirate ship background.

So I downloaded the image, re sized it and coloured it with watercolour pencils and a bit of glitter glue. It is actually a commissioned card so I have not yet added the sentiment as its personal, but the idea is to use two small oval tags and tie them onto the jute string on the right hand side.


I've used a number of different Sizzix dies for the little person and elements of two Sizzlet dies for the fish and treasure chest. The anchor is a punch. The blue backing paper came from the scrap store and I cut it down to size.

I also downloaded the pirate dragon but will use that again on a different card!

Just about managed this one by the skin of my teeth!

• Background image: Dustin Pike free download coloured with watercolour pencils and a bit of glitter glue
• Dies: Various Sizzix and Sizzlet dies for the body, clothes, fish and chest
• Blue backing paper: Scrap store
• Everything else: My stash
  

Polkadoodle Challenge - Week 6

It's Friday and it's Polkadoodle time again! For week 6, the DT were limited to making a landscape card with our own coloured Polly and also to use paper or digital ribbon (not normal fabric ribbon). If you pop over to the blog you will see the DT examples and we've all come up with something really different! For my card, I've used a tall thin card blank, coloured Polly with watercolour pencils and added a bit of glitter glue to the front of her spotty top. The grass has been cut with a Sizzix die and then the edges have been lightly inked. The flower is a Stackie which has been curled and then layered with more glitter glue in the centre.

The sentiment is from Lulu the Ladybird collection which I have coloured with watercolour pencils to match the backing paper. And I've cut threading holes for the paper ribbon with a little nifty tool I got from Lakeland ages ago (when they still sold crafting supplies!) and have added two digital buttons too.

All the papers, embellishments, sentiment and image are from the new Sugar Birdies cd, which, I can proudly tell you, will be showcased at 12 noon on Wednesday 1 July on Create and Craft - Sky channel 671. So you'll be able to see all the DT examples of what you can create with the fab cd and of course buy the cd!

There were some stunning entries last week to the sketch challenge and thank you to all those who entered! We really do appreciate it!

• All elements: Sugar Birdies cd
• Dies: Sizzix Original medium yellow grass die
  
  

Baby Giraffe

The Cute Card Thursday was an easy one for me this week!

This week we want to see you use a tag, make a tag card, basically we want to see a tag somewhere on your creation!

Only easy because I have a number of ready made tags all waiting to be added to cards! I found this one in the box and because I am a bit short of baby cards I used this one. The tag is a super sized Sizzix scallop die cut using papers from the Huge Funky Love download. The cute giraffe has been coloured with watercolour paints and I think it was sent to me by Jozza. Ribbon, buttons and flowers are all from my stash.

• Backing papers: Huge Funky Love
• Dies: Sizzix Super Sized Scallop Tag
• Image: Sent to me by Jozza and coloured with watercolour paints
• Everything else: From my stash