Stay Strong - FFFC #156 'Monochrome'

Hello.  Happy Friday!

We're starting a new challenge at the Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge.  The lovely Nikki is our hostess for this challenge and the theme she has chosen is 'Monochrome.'  This challenge is being sponsored by a new sponsor this year, The Paper Shelter.  To get complete details on the challenge, please visit the Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge.

Here's a card that I've created using one of The Paper Shelter digital images.

A closer look at the image I'm featuring.

This beautiful digi is called The Huntress.

And yes, as mentioned before, it is a Paper Shelter image and you can find it HERE.  You can also see the other images in their collection HERE.

Challenges for this card:
Aud Sentiments Challenge #147 - Anything Goes
Crafting From The Heart Challenge #96 - Anything Goes
Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #56 - Anything Goes
Die Cut Diva's Challenge - NEW technique, die, stamp, colours (new digital stamp)
Digi Choosday Week 4 - In Bloom
Glitter 'N' Sparkle Challenge #172 - Say It With Music! (song--Stronger by Kelly Clarkson)
Inkspirational Challenge #100 - Blast from the Past (challenge 10 - shades of green)
Live and Love Crafts January Challenge - Something New (new digital stamp)
Simply Papercraft Challenge #22 - Anything Goes
The Crafty Addicts Challenge #7 - Anything Goes/Elegance

That's all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.  Your visit is always very much appreciated.  Enjoy your day and have a wonderful week!

Materials and Tools Used:

Sentiments:  Computer generated

Designer Papers:  Recollections Botanica Noel paper pad; DCVW Nana's Nursery Baby Girl paper pad; Pink Paislee Noel paper pad

Dies:  Go Kreate XXL Square Frames Frilly #3; Spellbinders Petite Ovals; Memory Box 98312 Fancy Blossoms and 98222 Fauntleroy Crest; Elizabeth Crafts 730 Dancing Leaves   

Punches:  EK Success Large Retro Flower

Miscellaneous:  Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink stamp pads Walnut Stain and Forest Moss; pearls from my stash

Colouring medium:  Alcohol ink markers from Letraset - Promarkers and Pantone Trias, Shin-Han Touch markers; coloured pencils to help with the shading
- face and skin:  blush, coral, soft peach, vanilla--for the cheeks:  oatmeal, pastel pink
- hair:  burnt sienna, Touch YR101, mustard, pastel yellow
- olive-green shades: Touch 42, olive green, 617-T  
- leaf-green shades:  forest green, leaf green, green shoot
- white shading:  warm grey 5-T, cool grey 4-T, cool grey 1-T

- dotted background:  grey green, 5507-T, tea green, 5527-T  

Celebrate Everything - January Wednesday Challenge at Magnolia-licious

Hello.

On top of the regular fortnightly challenge that starts on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, the Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog has added a month-long challenge that starts on the 1st Wednesday of the Month--we're calling it the 'Wednesday Mini Magnolia Challenge.'  Each week's Wednesday posts at the Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog is dedicated to this new challenge and the design team will be showcasing the Mini Magnolia Stamps images, along with a few Stamping Bella images thrown in every now and then.

Here's the card I created for today's Wednesday post, using a Stamping Bella stamp.

A closer look at the Stamping Bella image being featured.

The name of this stamp is Tiny Townie Tiny Dancers.  It's actually a stamp set:  image and sentiment.

This stamp is available from Magnolia-licious, HERE, and you may also want to take a look at the rest of the Stamping Bella collection, HERE.

Of course you can also find Magnolia Stamps at the Magnolia-licious, both full-size and mini stamps. And more other brands the store carries include Wee Stamps, Wild Rose Studios, Saturated Canary and Crafter's Companion.

I hope you join our challenge.  There's a prize of a $20 gift certificate from Magnolia-licious.

Visit the challenge blog to get details on how you can play along with us.  Direct link to the January Wednesday Mini Magnolia Challenge HERE.

Challenges for this card:
Aud Sentiments Challenge #147 - Anything Goes
Creative Moments Challenge #85 - Anything Goes (optional Let It Snow)
Inkspirational Challenge #100 - Blast From the Past (challenge 87 - anything goes with kraft)
Inky Chicks Challenge #60 - Anything Goes
Penny Black and More January Challenge - One for the Girls
QKR Stampede Challenge #175 - I'm Feeling Blue
Southern Girls - Anything Goes
Sweet Stamps January Challenge - Anything Goes
Winter Wonderland Challenge - Something New (new rubberstamps - image and sentiment)
Wonderful Wednesday - Anything Goes

That's all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.  Your visit is always very much appreciated.  Enjoy your day and have a wonderful week!

Materials and Tools Used:

Designer Papers:  DCWV Linen Closet stack; Recollections Floral Garden paper pad

Dies:  Spellbinders Labels Thirty-Six, Petite Ovals and Foliage; Sizzix Tim Holtz Tattered Flower Garland; Memory Box 98312 Fancy Blossoms and 98936 Curled Ribbons; Joy! Crafts 6002/0263 Flourish Branch 1

Miscellaneous:  Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink stamp pads Walnut Stain, Weathered Wood and Gathered Twigs; pearls from my stash

Colouring medium:  Alcohol ink markers from Letraset - Promarkers and Pantone Trias, Shin-Han Touch markers; coloured pencils to help with the shading
- face and skin:  blush, coral, soft peach, vanilla--for the cheeks:  oatmeal, pastel pink
- hair #1:  cocoa, Touch BR101, mustard, pastel yellow
- hair #2:  burnt sienna, Touch BR100, caramel, sandstone
- hair #3:  walnut, terracotta, spice, apricot
- blue shades:  twilight, polar blue, april shower
- brown shades:   
- white shading:  warm grey 5-T, cool grey 4-T, cool grey 1-T

- dotted background:  grey green, 5507-T, tea green, 5527-T  

Let It Snow 4-Step Card - Magnolia-licious 'Winter Theme or Anything Goes'

Hello.

We're midway into our 'Winter Theme or Anything Goes' challenge at the Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog.  The design team has more cards to inspire you to play along with us.  Don't forget to visit the challenge blog, HERE, to see what my teammates have created and to get complete details on the challenge.

For my DT card, I've created a 4-step card.  This is the card front.

The 4-step feature is inside the card.
(If you're interested in the template for this 4-step card, you can find it HERE.)

The letters for the 'let it SNOW' were cut out by hand.  I didn't have the appropriate dies, so I found a font that I like on the internet, printed out the enlarged letters and then cut them out with my small scissor.  There weren't that many letters to cut out so I didn't mind doing it.

I hope you'll play along with our challenge.  There's a prize of a $20 Gift Certificate from Magnolia-licious.

A closer look at the two Magnolia Stamps images being featured.

- Tilda With Little Snowy from the A Lovely Christmas Collection 2015

- Cozy Christmas Tilda from the Winter Wonderland Collection 2013 with a litlle alteration made--I've changed the apple Tilda's holding into a snowball.

Magnolia Stamps stamps are available from Magnolia-licious, Diana's on-line store where she carries a large selection of both full-size and mini Magnolia stamps.  And if you don't see the particular one you are looking for, e-mail Diana and I'm sure she'll be happy to bring it in for you.
Check out also the stamps from Wee Stamps, Wild Rose Studios, Saturated Canary and Candibeans and Crafter's Companion, along with cutting dies from various companies including Memory Box, PoppyStamps, Magnolia Doohickey, Wild Rose Studio.
Prices are discounted, you get excellent customer service and you also get to earn 2% credit to be applied to future purchases.

Challenges I am entering with this card:
Craft Your Passion Challenge #295 - Anything Goes
Creatalicious Challenge #83 - Snowflakes
Cute Card Thursday Challenge #408 - A Bit of Fun!
Graph'it Colour Challenge - Winter Blues
Inspiration Destination Challenge 368 - Anything Goes
Kitty Bee Designs Aloha Friday Challenge #63 - Winter Fun
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge #26 - Anything Goes
Little Miss Muffet Challenge #129 - Anything Goes
Love to Scrap! Challenge LTSCB #70 - Anything Goes
Southern Girl Challenge - One for the Girls

That's all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.  Your visit is always very much appreciated.  Enjoy your day and have a wonderful week!

Materials and Tools Used:

Sentiments:  Computer generated

Designer Papers:  My Mind's Eye Be Merry paper pad

Dies:  Spellbinders Curved Borders Two and Labels Thirty-Six; Poppystamps 1050 Frozen Border; Sizzix Tim Holtz Woodlands; Memory Box 98239 Country Landscape, 98615 Rizza Snowflake and 98442 Chesapeake Scrollwork

Punches:  Martha Stewart and EK Success snowflake punches

Miscellaneous:  Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink stamp pad Walnut Stain; Ranger liquid pearls; pearls from my stash

Colouring medium:  Alcohol ink markers from Letraset - Promarkers and Pantone Trias, Shin-Han Touch markers; coloured pencils to help with the shading
- face and skin:  blush, coral, soft peach, vanilla--for the cheeks:  oatmeal, pastel pink
- hair and boots Tilda #1:  burnt sienna, Touch BR100, caramel, sandstone
- hair and boots Tilda #2:  burnt sienna, Touch YR101, mustard, pastel yellow  
- red cape, hat and mittens:  ruby, berry red, antique pink, 1767-T
- green sweater, cap and mittens:  peacock green, 563-T, 5503-T, 317-T
- brown pants:  Touch BR92, Touch BR100, cinnamon, tan
- white shading:  warm grey 5-T, cool grey 4-T, cool grey 1-T
- ground:  sandstone, warm grey 5-T, cool grey 4-T

- dotted background:  grey green, 5507-T, tea green, 5527-T  

Birthday Wishes

Hello.

I have a birthday card to show you.  A special birthday card for a very special person.  I just gave her the card, so now I can publish this posting.

And as you can see from the sentiment inside the card, this is for a special birthday.

Here's a closer look at featured images from Wee Stamps.

This oh-so-adorable gal is called Dolly.

This other cutie was freebie--thanks, Sylvia!

She's been named Jillian.

Both of these images are the creations of Sylvia Zet of Wee Stamps.  Sylvia has other equally adorable images--take a look at them HERE and also HERE.

If you prefer rubberstamps and/or toppers, you can find the links on Sylvia's Blog.

Challenges for this card:
ABC Challenges - Y is for Your Choice
A Gem of A Challenge #160 - Female Birthday
Crafty Friends Challenge #22 - To Use Something New (new images from Wee Stamps)
Cute Card Thursday Challenge #407 - Hey, What's new? (new images from Wee Stamps)
Fab 'n' Funky Challenge #286 - Something New (new images from Wee Stamps)
Glitter 'N' Sparkle Challenge #170 - Tic, Tac, Toe (gems/pearls, digi image, ribbon/lace)
Inspiration Destination Challenge #67 - Anything Goes
The Paper Shelter Challenge #230 - Punches and/or dies
Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Flowers
Winter Wonderland Challenge - Spring is in the Air

That's all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.  Your visit is always very much appreciated.  Enjoy your day and have a wonderful week!

Materials and Tools Used:

Sentiments:  Computer generated

Designer Papers:  Recollections Graceful paper pad

Dies:  Spellbinder Lacey Circles and Label Thirty-Six; Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Circles; Memory Box 98312 Fancy Blossoms; Impression Obsession DIE071-I Spiral Daisy; Joy! Crafts 6002/0263 Flourish Branch 1, Go Kreate Small Frames Frilly #10

Miscellaneous:  Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink stamp pads Walnut Stain, Wild Honey, Seedless Preserves and Vintage Photo; ribbon and pearls from my stash

Colouring medium:  Alcohol ink markers from Letraset - Promarkers and Pantone Trias, Shin-Han Touch markers; coloured pencils to help with the shading
- face and skin:  blush, coral, soft peach, vanilla--for the cheeks:  oatmeal, pastel pink
- hair and shoes Dolly:  burnt sienna, Touch BR100, caramel, sandstone
- hair and shoes Jillian:  burnt sienna, Touch YR101, mustard, pastel yellow  
- mauve shades:  shale, tawny owl, march hare, dusky rose, budding rose
- yellow ochre shades:  raw sierra, mustard, pastel yellow, buttercup 
- green shades:  Touch G43, apple, meadow green, soft green
- flower pot:  terracotta, spice, honeycomb, apricot
- white shading:  warm grey 5-T, cool grey 4-T, cool grey 1-T

- dotted background:  grey green, 5507-T, tea green, 5527-T  

Heartfelt Christmas Wishes

Hello.

Christmas is finally here!  Hope you get to spend some time with you loved ones and enjoy yourselves this holiday season.  And not to get too stressed out...hee hee.

Here's a last Christmas card for the year.

I did a bit of Zentangle work creating the two ornaments hanging from a pine branch.  And this time I decided to add some colours to it instead of leaving it black and white. 

Here's a closer look at the featured image.

This cutie is called Christmas Heart Tilda from the A Lovely Christmas Collection 2015 from Magnolia Stamps.  This stamp is available from Magnolia-licious, HERE.

Challenges for this card:
All About Magnolia Challenge #9 - All About Christmas
Card Mania Challenge #75 - Christmas
Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes Christmas
Passion for Promarkers Week 326 - Mega Christmas Challenge 2015 - Let's Celebrate
Scrapy Land Challenge #32 - Holidays (using dies from Spellbinders, Sizzix, Poppystamps)
A Snowflakes Promise Challenge 12 - Christmas/Winter themed
Time for Magnolia Challenge #113 - CAS or Fully Loaded (my card's fully loaded)
Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #51 - Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday Challenge #405 - Anything Goes
Simply Papercraft Challenge #20 - Anything Goes

That's all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.  Your visit is always very much appreciated.  Wishing you all the merriest of Christmas and a New Year filled with love, health and happiness.

Materials and Tools Used:

Sentiments:  Computer generated

Designer Papers:  Chatterbox Small Great Plaid; Recollections Green Damask; K+Company Julianne Specialty paper pad 

Dies:  Spellbinders Classic Ovals; Magnolia Doohickey Poinsettia; Sizzix Tim Holtz Holiday Greens; C.C. Designs Mistletoe; Poppystamps 977 Berry Sprig 

Punches:  EK Success Corner Rounder

Miscellaneous:  Sakura Pigma Micro 01 Black pen, Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink stamp pad Walnut Stain; ribbon, pearls, hemp cord and jingle bells from my stash

Colouring medium:  Alcohol ink markers from Letraset - Promarkers and Pantone Trias, Shin-Han Touch markers; coloured pencils to help with the shading
- face and skin:  blush, coral, soft peach, vanilla--for the cheeks:  oatmeal, pastel pink
- hair and shoes:  burnt sienna, Touch 101, raw sienna, mustard, pastel yellow
- red-brown shades:  burnt umber, burnt orange, mango peach
- green shades:  Touch 42, olive green, 617-T
- yellow shades:  raw sienna, mustard, pastel yellow, buttercup
- white shading:  warm grey 5-T, cool grey 4-T, cool grey 1-T

- dotted background:  grey green, 5507-T, tea green, 5527-T  

Happy Yule

Hello.

I've made a card to celebrate the winter solstice.  I know I'm a day early!  In my part of the world, winter solstice is on Dec. 21.  Looking forward for the days to get longer afterwards.  I like to work in my craft room under natural light and the days are just too darn short right now...sigh.

A closer look at this beautiful image I'm featuring.

This digital stamp is called Twilight Lily Fae, just one of the many gorgeous images designed by Sara Burrier that you can purchase from Crafts and Me.

I've used my coloured pencils to do the colouring this time.  I've a collection pencils from various brands--Faber-Castell Polychromos and Art Grip, Derwent Coloursoft and Artists, Prismacolor Premier and Verithin.  Oh I don't have complete collection from each...hee hee, just individual pencils.  As you can see I don't stick to one brand.  I use whatever colours are available and whatever works, although my preference is the Polychromos.

I've added cool-highlights glitter to the faerie's wings and gold glitter to the adornments in her hair.

Challenges for this card:
Crafts and Me December Challenge - Winter or Christmas
2 Crafty Girls Challenge #8 - Anything Goes
Glitter 'N' Sparkle Christmas Challenge #168 - Gliterry, Sparkly Christmas
Kleuren met Potloden December Challenge - Anything Goes
Live and Love Crafts Challenge #42 - Sparkle
Scrapy Land Challenge #32 -  Holidays (used dies from Spellbinders, Memory Box and Elizabeth Craft Designs)
Sweet Stampin' - Merry Christmas
Tuesday Throwdown TT274 - Anything Goes
Wonderful Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create Challenge #155 - Anything Goes

That's it for me for now.  Thanks for stopping by.  I very much appreciate your visit.  Enjoy your day and have a wonderful weekend!

Materials and Tools Used:

Sentiments:  Computer generated

Designer Papers:  Making Memories Meg Argyle

Dies:  Spellbinders Labels Thirty-Six, Classic Ovals and Floral Flourishes; Memory Box 98312 Fancy Blossoms and 98316 Cherry Blossom; Elizabeth Craft Designs 730 Curvy Leaves 

Punches:  Punch Bunch Large Impatients; EK Success Leaf; Carla Crafts Small Cosmos; Fiskars 3-in-1 Celestial corner punch

Miscellaneous:  Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink stamp pads Walnut Stain, Dusty Concord and Milled Lavender;  Lace 'Leonore' from Live and Love Crafts; pearls from my stash

Colouring medium:  Coloured pencils--Faber-Castell Polychromos and Art Grip, Derwent Coloursoft and Artists, Prismacolor Premier and Verithin.  Sorry, but I don't take notes of the pencil colours I use when I'm colouring.

Warmest of Wishes

Hello.

I've made a frame card for my latest Christmas/winter card.

I started out by making this a white-on-white card, but I decided to place a blue backgroud to make all the white features pop out.  And then placed the coloured image against the white background to make itself pop out. I love doing white-on-white though because I find it easier when I don't have to worry about co-ordinating colours...hee hee.

I created the scene with lots of die-cuts.  I just luvvv die-cuts.  Can you tell I'm an addict?

I added glitter to the snow on the ground, the fur trim on her hood and the lantern windows--don't know if you can see the glitter.

A closer look at the image being featured.

This cutie is called Swiss Pixie Through The Night from C.C. Designs.  It's an oldie-but-goodie stamp.  I had stamped, coloured (with markers) and cut her out what-must-have-been a couple of years ago, but never got around to putting her on a card until now.

Challenges for this card:
Creative Corner Challenges - Winter
Country View Challenges #34 December - Create A Scene
Crafty Calendar December Challenge - Let It Snow
Creatalicious Challenge #82 - Something Old, Something New (old stamp, new dies)
Cut It Up Challenge #86 - Brrrrr! Winter!
Cute Card Thursday Challenge 403 - Add some glitter
Die Cut Divas December Challenge - Are You Warm and Cozy?
Fan-Tastic Tuesday Challenge #116 - Anything Goes with a twist Make It Sparkle
Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #118 - Anything Goes
Simply Papercraft Challenge #19 - Anything Goes

That's it for now.  Thanks for stopping by.  Your visit is always very much appreciated.  Enjoy your day and have a wonderful week!  Are you almost ready for Christmas?  I still have lots to do...sigh.

Materials and Tools Used:

Sentiments:  Computer generated

Designer Papers:  EK Success (card inside)

Dies:  Dee's Distinctively IME-096 Panderosa Pine Sprig, IME-026 Small Snow Covered Stacker Tree, IME-027 Large Snow Covered Stacker Tree, IME-121 Tree Toppers and IME-128 Tree Base 2; Memory Box 98187 Woodland Branch, 98239 Country Landscape and 98705 Manor House; Spellbinder Petite Scalloped Circles and Classic Ovals; Our Daily Bread Designs Fence    

Punches:  Recollections small flower

Miscellaneous:  Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink stamp pad Walnut Stain; Glitter Ritz Cool Highlights micro-fine glitter 

Colouring medium:  Alcohol ink markers from Letraset - Promarkers and Pantone Trias, Shin-Han Touch markers; coloured pencils to help with the shading
- face and skin:  blush, coral, soft peach, vanilla--for the cheeks:  oatmeal, pastel pink
- hair and boots:  umber, Touch BR99, cinnamon, tan
- blue shades:  midnight blue, 549-T, denim, pastel blue
- yellow shades:  raw sienna, mustard, pastel yellow, buttercup
- white shading:  warm grey 5-T, cool grey 4-T, cool grey 1-T

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - FFFC #154 'Happy Holidays'

Hello.  Happy Friday!

We're kicking off a new challenge at the Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge.  The lovely Theresa is our hostess for this challenge and the theme is 'Happy Holidays.'  We're being sponsored by My Besties and Sweet Lilac Flowers.  To get complete details on the challenge, the prize being offered and how you can join in the fun, visit the Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge blog.  Check out also the fabulous cards that my DT teammates have created to inspire you to play along with us.

Here's the card that I came up with.  I've used a Saturated Canary image.

As you can see, I've made this into a Christmas card although the original of this image I'm using is non-Christmas.
Here's a closer look of the featured image.

She is called Rose Red, designed by Krista Smith of Saturated Canary.   

Like I said before, this is not a Christmas stamp.  Part of the image was masked.  The original image includes a tree that has a bird nest on one of it's branches and a baby bird and eggs sitting in the nest, so it's more like a spring stamp.

She's also comes in rubberstamp form and is available from Magnolia-licious HERE. 

Challenges for this card:
Card Mania Challenge CMC #75 - Christmas
Come and Get It Challenges - Merry Christmas
Crafting By Design - Here Come the Holidays
Crafty Girls Creations Challenge #10 - Anything Goes
Dies R Us Challenge #38 - Christmas (used dies from Spellbinders, Sizzix, Magnolia and Memory Box--listed below)
Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge December - Anything Goes Christmas
Little Miss Muffet Challenge #126 - Anything Goes
Natalie and Amy's Challenge #39 - Christmas
Passion for Promarkers Week 326 - Mega Christmas Challenge 2015 - Let's Celebrate
Polkadoodles Crafting Challenge Week 49/50 - Traditional Christmas

That's all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.  Your visit is always very much appreciated.  Have a wonderful day and enjoy the coming weekend!

Materials and Tools Used:

Sentiments:  Computer generated

Designer Papers:  K+Company TC Christmas; Bo Bunny's 

Dies:  Spellbinders Classic Ovals, Labels Thirty-One and Heartfelt Creations Posy Patch; Sizzix Tim Holtz Holiday Greens; Magnolia Doohickey Ponsettia; Memory Box 98316 Cherry Blossom (flower centres) and 98936 Curled Ribbons  

Miscellaneous:  Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink stamp pad Walnut Stain; ribbons and pearls from my stash

Colouring medium:  Alcohol ink markers from Letraset - Promarkers and Pantone Trias, Shin-Han Touch markers; coloured pencils to help with the shading
- face and skin:  blush, coral, soft peach, vanilla--for the cheeks:  oatmeal, pastel pink
- hair:  burnt sienna, Touch BR100, caramel, sandstone, black coloured pencil
- white shading:  warm grey 5-T, cool grey 4-T, cool grey 1-T
- red shades:  poppy, berry red, sunset, salmon pink
- green shades: forest green, 370-T, meadow green
- dotted background:  grey green, 5507-T, tea green, 5527-T