Planet Pootle's Blog Candy

Michelle over at Planet Pootle is holding a valentines blog candy challenge, here is my card for it. Sorry about the photo but the deadline is tomorrow so it is a bit rushed unfortunately. I have stamped Cupig out and coloured him with watercolour pencils and added glitter to the wings with my Copic glitter pen. I have then mounted him up onto pink card and attached to base with 3D foam pads. The base has been made by layering up dark pink/red card and Doodlebug paper. The sentiment has been printed out from my PC (Curlz font used) and punched out using a scallop oval punch (thank you to Stamping Caz for the idea!). I have then gone round the edges with an ink pad. I am not that happy with this card actually, it didn't come out as planned but I am not sure yet?!

STAMPS: High Hopes. INK: Stazon Jet Black, Doodlebug Bubble Gum. CS: Craftwork Cards, Doodlebug, designer paper by Doodlebug - Loopy Love Hearts. ACCESSORIES: Woodware 3" scallop oval punch, Copic At You Spica glitter pen - clear.

Enjoy!

I made this following Nicola's sketch challenge #2 (please see below for my other card) for a card to Gina to accompany some blog candy I sent her. The sunflowers (from the PB Spring T For Transparent set) have been stamped then coloured with watercolour pencils. They have been mounted up on to di cuts made with my Nestabilities; added to the base with 3D foam pads. The base has been madeby running two yellow panels of CS through my Cuttlebug and adding them to a yellow card blank. Enjoy has been stamped down the side.

STAMPS: Penny Black, Studio G. INK: Stazon Jet Black. CS: Craftwork Cards, Bazzill. ACCESSORIES: Bloom Dots Embossing Folder, Nestabilities, EK Success corner rounder punch.

Ballet Brielle

Julie kindly sent me this gorgeous image so I thought I would combine it with some of my new lovely Craftwork Cards stash. I have coloured in Brielle with watercolour pencils and added glitter in places with my Copic glitter pen. I have then cut her out and mounted her with 3D foam pads to some ovals I have cut with my Nestabilities dies. This has then simply been added to a pearlescent card blank and 3 little gem stones added. Apologies for the dark picture, I will see if I can get a better one done later in the week.

STAMPS: Whipper Snapper. CS: Craftwork Cards. ACCESSORIES: Nestabilities, Papermania Adhesive Gems, At You Spica Clear glitter pen.

Colour Pencils and Sansador (Updated)

I have heard loads of people raving about Sansador recently so I thought I would give it a go (yes, I know I am WAY behind everyone else!). A little while ago I bought some odourless mineral spirits and had a go with my pencils; it came out ok but not how I thought it would after seeing everyone elses lovely creations. Sue kindly gave me the info that I need Sansador by Winsor & Newton so I managed to get some in my lunch hour and had a quick play with these lovely ducks by High Hopes. I know most people use it with the Prismacolor pencils from the US but I have the UK equivelent by Derwent called Coloursoft.; these also have a high pigment but you do pay for what you get as these are quite expensive.

I have had a few people ask me how I actually used the Sansador with the pencils. I am afraid to say that I do not have the time to fully explain at the moment but I will definately see if I can do it later in the week ...

Basically, I coloured with the pencils around the inside of the lines and dipped my paper stump into the Sansador. In a circluar motion in blended the colour into the centre of the image. I wanted the insides of the image ie. the duck's belly to be lighter as I think this gives it a better shape and not so flat looking. If I wanted colour the other way around ie. darker in the inside I would have coloured there and draged the colour out to blend. I did have to dip the paper stump into the Sansador quite a few times, I don't know if this is normal or not though. Also, just one more quick point, the Sansador did seep through the back of the card slightly so be careful of any nice surfaces! I did dry absolutely fine though. Like I said I will see if I can get a better explanation done later in the week if you would still like one.

The Stitch and Creative Crafts Show

I went to Sandown Racecourse today for The Stitch and Creative Craft Show. I spent way too much money (although could have spent more!). I especially spent a lot at the Craftwork Cards stall. I got some Paper Blox, blooms, Ruffles, card blanks, Mini Messages, embossed frames, papers and chipboard numbers. I got a few bits of A5 card and some envelope templates from Payper Box. I also got some Bazzill flowers, Fancy Pants papers, ultra fine glitter and lots and lots of lovely organza ribbon from other various stalls. I have come home with a big smile on my face and I hope to get to play with my new stash soon!

Happy Birthday Changito

This card has been made for my grandad, I hope he likes it! I have stamped Changito Solo out with onto white card and coloured using watercolour pencils. I have then mounted him with 3D foam pads to the base. The base has been made by layering up brown CS onto some designer paper and I have stamped the sentiment down the side of the brown card. I have added a photo anchor and brad to finish.

STAMPS: Stampendous, High Hopes. INK: Stazon Jet Black. CS: Bazzill, Designer paper by Dovecraft. ACCESSORIES: Papermania photo anchor, Bazzill brad.

My Paper World Sketch # 2

This card has been made for Nicola's sketch # 2 and also to accompany Andrea's blog candy to her. Gina, I promise I will get yours sent off to you soon, sorry! I have stamped the Penny Black sunflowers image on to white card and coloured using watercolour pencils. This has then been cut and embossed using my Nestabilites dies this has been added to a die cut scalloped circle cut from the same card as the card blank and all this added to the base with 3D foam pads. The base has been made by adding two dark yellow card panels to a light yellow card blank. I have stamped 'enjoy' down the side and added two small gem stones to the bottom right corner.

STAMPS: Penny Black, Studio G. INK: Stazon Jet Black. CS: Craftwork Cards (Softies), Bazzill. ACCESSORIES: Nestabilities dies, Papermania gem stones.

Nestabilities Tags

I just thought I would share these little tags with you. I have made them for Jules and Sue to accompany some stamped images that I sent to them. They both kindly sent me some stamped images last week, thank you so much ladies, can't wait to have a play with them! I have cut out and embossed the rectangles in white linen card then stamped 'enjoy' on them with chalk ink. I have stamped the 'Just for you' also with chalk ink and cut out with a circle punch and 3D foamed this to the tag. I have added the rectangles to scalloped rectangles also cut with the Nestabilities dies.

STAMPS: Studio G. INK: Versa Magic Pixie Dust and Pretty Pertunia. CS: Craft Creations Linen, Bazzill. ACCESSORIES: Nestabilities dies, X-Cut punch.

The Winner Is ...

... before I announce the winner(s) of my blog candy challenge I would like to thank all the people that have entered. My mum loved all the entries so found it incrediably difficult to find a winner but without further adoo, this winner is ...

ANDREA

BUT because it was so close my mum has decided to announce a runner up who will also receive some candy (not sure what yet though!) and that person is ...

GINA

CONGRATULATIONS to you both, please could you e-mail me your snail mail addresses and I will get the blog candy sent off to you as soon as possible.

Blog Candy Entries

My Blog Candy challenge is now closed. I will be announcing the winner shortly when my mum has made her final decision! Here are all the entries recieved. I would like to say a big thank you to everyone that entered.

Kerrie

Elisa


FionaDonna

Julia


Nikki

Ruth M

Susie

Sue

Tara

Julie

Kim

Leann

Margaret

Marlou
Andrea

Gina

Han

Jo

Jose

Unfortunatley the following card cannot be entered into the challenge. It is from the very talented Kimmie but she is in Canada so isn't eligable, sorry Kimmie but I do LOVE your card! Kimmie did realise when sending it in but wanted to share the card with me and I want to share it with all of you as it is gorgeous!

Kimmie's Magnolia Challenge

Kimmie is giving away some lovely blog candy. The challenge is to make a card that has been inspired by this card, so here is my effort. Tilda (kindly sent to me by Tara, thank you Tara!) has been coloured in using watercolour pencils and glitter added to her wings using my At You Spica glitter pen. She has then been mounted up onto turquoise CS and added to card base with 3D foam pads. The base has been made by layering up strip of patterned paper onto a purple cord card blank with the stamped sentiment layer popped under the strip. 3 prima flowers have been added to the top corner with tiny gems added to the centres.

STAMPS: Magnolia, Studio G. INK: Stazon Jet Black. CS: Craftwork Cards (Cord), Doodlebug, patterned paper Making Memories. ACCESSORIES: Prima Flowers (Got Flowers Deux), Papermania adhesive gems, At You Spica glitter pen.

Tilda & Co Challenge

This card has been made for the new Tilda & Co Challenge Blog.

"For our First Challenge this will be FLOWERS, would like to see any type of flowers on your work, be it Die Cuts, Blooms, Primas, or even Flower Printed papers etc. Anything goes aslong as it involves having flowers on your work"

I have stamped laying Tilda with Stazon ink then coloured her in using watercolour pencils and added glitter to her wings using my new At You Spica glitter pen from Copic (I haven't found anywhere in the UK that sells these, I got mine from the US). I have then mounted her up on to pink card and added to base with 3D foam pads. I have made the base by layering up Pink Petticoat paper (Rainbow Doodles Card Making Collection) on to more pink card. I have then stamped the sentiment at the bottom with Stazon ink and added a Prima Sprite with a large purple brad.

STAMPS: Magnolia, Studio G. INK: Stazon Jet Black. CS: Craftwork Cards (Softies), Bazzill, patterned paper Pink Petticoat. ACCESSORIES: Prima Flower (Sprites), Papermania brad, At You Spica glitter pen.

Changito's Love Balloon!

The layout for this card has been inspired by a card I have seen on SCS but I cannot remember who it was made by, sorry. I have stamped Changito's Love Balloon with Stazon ink and then coloured using watercolour pencils. This has then been mounted to red CS and added to card blank. I have added strips of card to either side of the card and rounded the corners with a small corner rounder punch. I have stamped Happy Anniversary' on one side and die cut two hearts on the other.

STAMPS: Stampendous, Stamping Bella. INK: Stazon Jet Black. CS: Craftwork Cards (Softies), Doodlebug. ACCESSORIES: Sizzix Hearts, Stars & Tag die, EK Success corner rounder punch.

Thank You Notecards

These are the last of my thank you cards for Christmas pressies (I think!). These cards have been inspired by the card Leann has made for my blog candy challenge. I attached paper from Pink Petticoat (Rainbow Doodles Card Making Collection) and added ric-rac ribbon to the bottom. I have then stamped 'thanks' in the bottom corner - simple!

STAMPS: Studio G. INK: Stazon Jet Black. CS: Craftwork Cards (Softies), patterned paper Pink Petticoat. ACCESSORIES: Papermania ric-rac, Prima Marketing Inc ric-rac.

Paisley Thank You

This card has been made for Ruth to say thank you for the loavely card and pressies she gave me for Christmas. I saw a card like this is the latest issue of beautiful Cards magazine and thought of her! I have used my Doodlebug stash that I got from The Glitter Pot. I have added the paisley paper to the top of the card blank and mounted a strip of white CS followed by pink CS to the bottom. I have cut out a paisley shape using white and pink CS cutting the pink oyut with decorative scissors. This has been added with 3D foam pads and a pink flower followed by a velvet brown flower and gem stone. the wording is done with brown rub-ons.

CS: Craftwork Cards (Softies), Doodlebug, patterned paper Doodlebug. ACCESSORIES: Prima Flower, Maya Road Velvet Flower, Doodlebug Simply Sweet Rub ons, Papermania gem stone, decorative scissors.

Thank You Marching Mouse

I received this lovely Marching Mouse stamp for Christmas and couldn't wait to use it. I have made this card for my nan and grandad to say thank you for my lovely Christmas presents. My Xyron machine came last week and although I haven't used it yet it looks great. I have two of the smaller size machines but this one will be great for larger cards. Anyway, back to the card, I have stamped the Marching Mouse with Stazon ink then coloured using watercolour pencils. I have then cut her out using my circle Nestabilities dies. This has then been attached to card using 3D foam pads. The base has been made by simply adding a strip of 'My Baby Girl Flower' paper to a card blank. Craftwork Cards message panel has been swiped with chalk ink around the edges then again mounted with 3D foam pads.

STAMPS: Marching Mouse by Penny Black. INK: Stazon jet Black, Versa Magic Pixie Dust. CS: Craftwork Cards (Softies), Bazzill, patterned paper by Pebbles Inc. ACCESSORIES: Craftwork Cards Thanks Mini Messages, Nestabilities

Blog Candy Time!

Well, it is blog candy time! I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has visited my little grotto. Back in August I never thought I would reach over 12,000 visitors so thank you very much for all your support.

Now your mission, should you choose to except it, is to make a new thank you card, one that has not been used in any other challenge. The closing date is Monday 14th January at 17.00 hours and the winner will be announced shortly afterwards picked for by my mum. I am afraid to say that what with being so busy at the moment this competition is open to UK and Ireland residents only, sorry. Only one entry per person will be excepted.

Up for grabs is a Doodlebug clear stamp set (I have this stamp set too and I love it!) called Teen Girl. Entries can be added to your Blog with a comment added here for me to look at or sent to me direct by going through my profile. I hope to get lots of entries and I hope you enjoy making your thank you cards. I still have quite a few to make!

Thank Ewe!

I have made this card to say thank you to my mum forall the lovely pressies she gave me for Christmas. Isn't this image so sweet? I have stamped 'Poseys for Ewe' with Stazon ink and coloured in using watercolour pencils then mounted the image up onto pink card and 3D mounted to card blank. 'Thank Eew' has been stamped in the bottom corner also with Stazon. 3 Prima Flowers added to the top corner with tiny pearls added in the centres. Apologies for the dark photo I will see if I can get a better one done soon.

• Card blank by Craft Creations
• Cardstock by Bazzill
• Stamps by High Hopes Rubber Stamps
• Flowers byPrima Marketing Inc
• Pearls by Papermania

Look what arrived this morning ...

A gorgeous card from Julie at Julies Japes to say good luck in my placement, how nice is that? Thank you so much Julie, it put a big smile on my face! :0)