Sweet Martha No 2!

I have made this card using the same Martha image as before also coloured with Copic markers but in shades of pink this time! I have mounted her up with pink CS then added to the base with DST. The base has been made by layering up pink CS and Doodlebug polka dot paper on to a white card blank. I have then added a Craftwork cards message and 3 gem stones to finish. Please see my posts below for my monotone and sketch challenges for my blog candy!

STAMPS: Spiral Whisper. INK: Airondack Pitch Black. CS: Craftwork Cards, Doodlebug Designs. ACCESSORIES: Craftwork Cards Circle Messages, Papermania Adhesive Gems.

Copic Markers

So ... Copic markers ... I have had a few questions about these again recently. For those of you who don't know, Copic markers are alcohol based markers used by Manga artists for their cartoons. Because they are alcohol based the do not leave streak marks unlike most other markers but you do have to pay a bit more for this! I use the Copic Ciao markers. This is for two reasons really, one they are a bit cheaper than the Sketch and two these are what my local art shop has. When I first got some I bought just a few to try out and see what they were like then since I have been adding to my collection a few at a time. I would love to have all 144 colours but cannot afford this. I have 56 at present and feel that I have a wide range of colours and shades but of course would love more!!

With some colours you can get away with having just a few shades as some of the markers if you colour once you can go over again with a few layers (using the same shade) and it will hold darker giving you a shadow. I would say that with each colour you buy get a shade to go with it i.e. a dark and a light that will compliment each other if you want to do shading. I think practice makes perfect really with shading and I am no where near!! I think certain images go well with Copics especially A Muse, Elzybells, Bellas and the new Kerry Jo stamps. I have seen loads of people colour in Magnolias with them and they look great but I haven't tried this yet.

The thicker your card the more the colour will absorb so will run out quicker however I really like thicker card with mine so I can go over and over the image adding layers but I am sure you can do this with thin card too. So my advice? go an buy a few and see what tyou think before spending a lot on them BUT there is a learning curve with these I think.

Sweet Martha

This card is made using my new Martha stamp by Kerry Steptoe available from Spiral Whisper. I have coloured her in with Copic markers and mounted her to the base with 3D foam. The base is made by layering up lilac Bazzill CS on to a white card blank and adding a strip of Doodlebug paper down the side. I have wrapped purple grosgrain ribbon down the edge and made a knot with white.The greeting is one of the new Elzybells clear stamp sets. 3 gem stones added in the corner to finish. This card would be great for my Blog Candy Challenge Round Two! See below posts for details. PS) Sorry the photo is so wonky!

STAMPS: Spiral Whisper, Elzybells Art Stamps. INK: Airondack Pitch Black. CS: Craftwork Cards, Bazzill Basics, patterned paper by Doodlebug Designs. ACCESSORIES: Anita's ribbon, Papermania Adhesive Gems.

Awards!

I have received two lovely awards in the last couple of weeks. The first is from Natalie and Vicki, thank you so much ladies. Really means a lot to me. The second is from Natalie and Denise, again thank you so much and the third from Tracy, thank you!

I am really thankful to have met such lovely women while crafting, from Do Crafts and from the wonderful world of blogging. I would like to pass them on to everyone who visits my blog as I am appreciative of everyone one of you :0) I am sorry I haven't been a great blogging friend recently, I have been visiting your blogs but not always able to leave comments. Things have been so hectic lately, I have been working 4 days a week 12.5 hours at a time as well as trying to find a job for when I qualify! Hopefully I will get some time soon to make some cards!!

Check out Janet's blog ... she is giving away some gorgeous candy to celebrate 15,000 hits on her blog and the launch of her gorgeous Max & Milly stamps. All you need to do is leave a message on her post and pop a message on your blog.

Elzybells Love

Woohoo! YAY!! I have made it on to the first Elzybells Design Team - I am gobsmacked but SO excited!! I always think my cards a are bit simple for some people's tastes but so glad that Elizabeth likes them. Elizabeth is an excellent designer and the new website and blog are fab! The DT line up looks great, here is the entire list:

Alex Eaton, UK
Angel Rivera, USA
Beverly Rousch, USA
Charlene Austin, Canada
Dawn Wheeler, UK
Deborah Southard, USA
Eva Costigan, USA
Frances Byrne, Australia
Inge Groot, The Netherlands
Jeanne Streiff, USA
Katie Stilwater, USA
Kim Fee, UK
Kitty Frampton, UK
Maria Adams, UK
Michelle Short, UK
Michelle Woerner, USA
Pam Fraser, UK
Paula Williamson, USA
Rachel Hope Baird, USA
Shannan Teubner, USA
Stephanie Mayne, UK
Tobi Crawford, Canada

I am really looking forward to working with you guys and a BIG thank you goes to Elizabeth.

Blogoversary Round Two

It is all about monotone! What I want you to do is to make a card using one colour group - yes ... just the one!! You are able to use one other colour for the base of the card, card to stamp on etc but the rest must be made form one colour group, as many shades as you like. Pattened paper is allowed as long as it only has the colour group on it or the base colour e.g. white. If using a stamped image you may colour it in with different colours as long as the main colour is on there somewhere!! Here is my example, sorry if you have seen it before but I haven't had time to make another one.

The rules are that it has to be a NEW card made for this challenge (you can combine it with other challenges if you like though but still has to be new) and that entries must be in by 4th August 2008 at 12 noon GMT. Please either post a pic on your blog and leave me a comment here or e-mail me the pic. Up for grabs is some pinky goodness ... Alpha stickers, ink pad, brads, rub-ons and some ribbon plus 10 stamped images of your choice. You can enter as many times as you like and can enter as many of my challenges as you like. Get creating!

** THIS CHALLENGE IS NOW CLOSED **

Blogoversary Round One

To celebrate my one year blogoversary on the 4th August I will be holding some challenges with some prizes to give away. The first challenge is this sketch:

All you have to do is make a card using this sketch (you can make adjustments as long as the basic sketch is there) and either add a pic to your blog and leave me a comment telling me where to find it or e-mail me a pic. This is open worldwide and enteries will close on the 4th August 12 noon GMT, I haven't decided how I will pick the winner yet but you can enter as many times as you like! So what are you waiting for? get creating!

Up for grabs is the card I have made using the sketch and a big pile of ribbon and flowers - two of my favourite things! I will also be adding in 10 stamped images of your choice!

** THIS CHALLANGE IS NOW CLOSED **

It Is Open!!

So what are you waiting for? Head over to Spiral Whisper to start pre-ordering the goodies! Available for pre order are the gorgeous Martha and Harry stamps from Kerry Steptoe, Max and Milly by Janet Roberts, Safari Set by Debbie Moore and Lexie and Luke by Karen Wright.

Maria's Blog Candy

Maria over at Maria's Cards is giving away some fab blog candy for reaching 5000 hits on her blog - congrats Maria! I love your blog! All you have to do to be in for a chance at winning the goodies is to leave a comment on her post and tell her what the next thing on your crafting wish list is and post a link on your blog. Mine is a Crop a Dile Big Bite! Good luck everyone!

Happy Birthday Denise!

Sorry I haven't been around for a while, I have been busy getting the last of my uni work sorted and then had an important thing to do on Saturday which I can't tell you about just yet. I made this card for Denise who's Birthday it was on Saturday (I hope you had a great day Denise!). I have stamped one of my lovely Panduro stamps (I bought these a little while ago but hadn't inked them up - shame on me!). I stamped her out with Stazon ink and then coloured her in with Coloursoft pencils and Sansodor adding touches of glitter with my Spica pen. I have then cut her out and mounted to purple CS. I have then added her to the base with DST. The base has been made by layering up purple and pink CS on to a white card blank. I have then added Prima flowers with gem stones and a Craftwork Cards mini message to finish.

STAMPS: Panduro. INK: Stazon Jet Black. CS: Craftwork Cards, Doodlebug Design. ACCESSORIES: Prima Flowers, Papermania Adhesive Gems, Craftwork Cards Mini Message, Copic Spica At You glitter pen.

ConGRADulations!

I have made this card for my cousin who graduated with a First this week :0) Thanks to the suggestion from Jill, I have gone with this Pink Petticoat image as I'm sure he will find it funny! I have printed the image and the greeting out on my PC on to SU! Whisper White CS. I have then coloured the image with Coloursoft pencils & Sansodor, cut out and mounted to black CS. Added to base with 3D foam pads. I have made the base by layering up black CS on to a white card blank then adding SU! Gable Green. I have run a piece of SU! Green Galore through my Cuttlebug using the squares embossing folder and added to the base. I have then rounded one edge of the greeting panel and added with a green brad.

STAMPS: Pink Petticoat. CS: Craftwork Cards, Stampin' Up!, Papermania. ACCESSORIES: Cuttlebug Squares embossing folder, Doodlebug brad.

Lots of Cards!

A while back I made some cards to send in to a well known craft magazine. I found out today that sadly they did not want to use any. Oh well, never mind hey? So I thought I would share with you a few of my favourites that I made:

STAMPS: Penny Black, Woodware. INK: Stazon Jet Black. CS: Craft Creations, Doodlebug Designs. ACCESSORIES: Papermania brads.

STAMPS: Stamping Bella. INK: Stazon Jet Black. CS: Anita's, Doodlebug Designs. ACCESSORIES: Craftwork Cards Mini Message, Ribbon by Ribbon Oasis.

STAMPS: High Hopes Rubber Stamps, Woodware. INK: Stazon Jet Black. CS: Craft Creations, Doodlebug Designs. ACCESSORIES: X Cut Corner Rounder Punch, Flowers by Dies to Die for, Papermania Adhesive Gems.

STAMPS: Stamping Bella, Woodware. INK: Stazon Jet Black. CS: Craftwork Cards, Doodlebug Designs. ACCESSORIES: X Cut Mini Square punch.

Message for my Secret Sisters

I have just tried to send you all an e-mail but they are all coming back saying that they haven't been sent and that there is a failure???? I do not have a clue what is going on, sorry!

Anyway, I have put back the date for sending till the 10th August, I am sorry for the inconvenience but hope that is ok with you all. It is much better for me to be honest. I will send out e-mails for who has got who shortly (when I know they will actually send!)

Thanks,

Spiral Whisper

As some of you may know/have guessed/seen that a while back Kitty asked me to be a Design Team member of a new company that she has started called Spiral Whisper. Of course I accepted straight away and am very happy and excited to be joining a great team. I am so excited about the launch on 121st July - they are taking pre-orders from the 14th as there has been so much demand. The company will be specialising in clear stamps, producing all sorts of designs and lots from guest designers.

The Spiral Whisper blog is holding lots of competitions and the latest is to give these two cuties, designed by the very talented Janet, a name.

Head over to the Spiral Whisper blog now for all the details.

Happy Birthday Julie!

I have made this card for Julie Jules over at Julie's Japes who's Birthday it was yesterday. I have stamped the CC Designs monkey with Airondack ink and coloured him in with Copic markers. I have added glitter to the balloon with my Spica glitter pen (which sadly cannot be seen in this pic). I have then cut him out and mounted to dark pink CS. Added to base with 3D foam pads. The base has been made by layering a piece of pink CS to a square card blank and adding a piece of DB pink polka dot paper. I have then wrapped a piece of brown velvet ribbon around and tied a knot with pink satin ribbon. Craftwork Cards message and pink gem stones added to finish. I hope she liked it! After making this card I realised I could enter it into Sue's Pink & Brown Challenge - YAY!


STAMPS: CC Designs. INK: Airondack Pitch Black. CS: Craftwork Cards, Doodlebug Designs. ACCESSORIES: Copic Markers, Copic Spica At You glitter pen, Papermania brown velvert ribbon, Papermania Adhesive Gems, Craftwork Cards Mini Message.

Happy Birthday To You Bella

I have made this card for my friend Louise who's Birthday it is tomorrow. I have stamped Partygirlabella out and coloured her in with watercolour pencils addding glitter in places with my Spica glitter pen. I have then cut her out and mounted her to dark pink CS. The base is made by adding a piece of pink CS to a square card blank, I have attached 2 Prima Sprites with a glitter brad and two lots of gem stones in the corners. The A Muse message has been stamped on to vellum and attached with brads. I hope she likes it!

STAMPS: Stamping Bella, A Muse. INK: Stazon Jet Black. CS: Craft Creations, Doodlebug Designs. ACCESSORIES: Prima Sprites, large brad by Lakeland, small brads by Papermania, Papermania Adhesive Gems, Copic Spica At You glitter pen.

CCT: Happy Birthday Grandma

I caved in and bought a couple of the Sweet Art Ebony stamps the other day. In my defence I thought this image would be perfect for my Grandma who loves flowers and gardening! I have made this for the Cute Card Thursday Challenge too: Challenge 16 - no pattened paper.

I have stamped the image out and coloured her in with watercolour pencils, cut her out and mounted her to base with DST. the base has been made by layering up different shades of green bazzill CS. The torn piece would look great if I had used a peice of the new Core'dinations range but don't have any (yet!!). I have then added some Prima flowers with pearls and a Craftwork Cards mini message. Finished off with two small buttons tied with ribbon.


STAMPS: Sugar Nellie. INK: Stazon Jet black. CS: Craft Creations, Craftwork Cards, Bazzill Basics. ACCESSORIES: Prima Flowers, Papermania Adhesive Pearls, Papermania buttons, Craftwork Cards Mini Message.

Brilliante Weblog Award & Tagging

Hi there, I am still here!! Sorry I haven't been around much lately. All my exams and essays are now over with, I am just waiting for my results which will come out some time next month. I have now started my final placement which is back to A&E. Hopefully I will enjoy it as much as I did last time!

I have been given this lovely award from Natalie, Sue, Janet, Sonia, Denise and Cass. This is a special award given to weblogs that somehow catch you eye. I am very flatered and honered to recieve this award. Thank you so much ladies! I would like to pass this on to all the people in my blog links as I really do love all your blogs! :0)

I was also tagged by Kitty, Pam & Lori last week. I have already particpated in these tags so I hope you don't mind me not doing them again ladies but thank you for tagging me.