I ♥ ProMarkers challenge - Stripes !

This week over at I ♥ ProMarkers we want to see stripes ! The sponsor of this challenge is Letraset who are donating a pack of 5 ProMarkers plus a little surprise !


The main image I've used is an Elusive Images stamp and I've shaded just the flower with ProMarkers and added a coupled of 'blobs' of Glossy Accents. I've blended around the edge with Corduroy Distress Ink.


The sentiment is also by Elusive Images and I've used the same DI around the edge. The background papers are by K&Co and are from a pad I bought absolutely ages ago.


I've distressed around the edge of the text paper and and used some more DI.

I can't believe we're still getting lovely sunny days ! Long may they continue !

Thanks for looking
Sue

Isabella's Blog Hop !

This week our challenge to YOU over at Isabella's Sketchbook is to do a card with an Isabella image with the theme "Anything Goes" !!! You can do whatever you like as long as you use an Isabella image !

The Design Team is having our first ever blog hop using a special image designed by Isabella for the hop.This is a "circular blog hop" which means the beginning is wherever you start!! You
will know you are at the end of the blog hop when you arrive back at the blog you started from !

There will be NINE winners who will be chosen at random from comments left on the Design Team blogs. None of the Design Team will know who the winners are until the hop is over. We will have our hop open until Friday July 2nd at 8pm. The winners will be announced on Saturday.

So onto my card, the image has been shaded with ProMarkers and I've then cut it out with deckle edged Nestabilities and I've rubbed some Shabby Shutters Distress Ink around the edge. I've mounted it onto some Pistachio coloured card that I've printed from Pink Petticoat then I've blended some Forest Moss Distress Ink around the edge. The background paper is also Pink Petticoat and I've stamped over it using a Crafty Individuals stamp using Scattered Straw Distress Ink and also using the free flower stamp that arrived with the latest Craft Stamper magazine.


I've done some paper piercing around the corners and the ribbon is gros grain from Stampin' Up. I've kept this card quite simple as I thought the image was so lovely that to add too much would detract from it.

Have fun and enjoy the hop! Your next hop is over to Viv , be sure to keep hopping and leaving comments along the way (the more comments, the more chance of winning) until you've come back to where you started!

Thanks for looking
Sue

Challenges I'm entering:

• Crafty Catz - Let's go Digital
• Sew Many Challenges - Anything goes
• Digi Doodles - Anything goes
  
• City Crafter - Shades of green
  

Passion for ProMarkers Challenge

It's time for another challenge over on Passion for ProMarkers and this week we want you to think of a number ! You need to include a number, or numbers, somewhere on your project and of course use your ProMarkers. The prize for this week is 3 stamps of your choice from Sugar Nellie.



The image that I've used for my card is from a Paper Artsy set of stamps. The star fish is actually a separate stamp but is identical to the one on the main stamp. I've stamped it with Archival Sepia ink and cut it out and mounted it onto foam pads.

The background card has been stamped using Archival Sepia ink too using another stamp from the same set. The paper is My Minds Eye which has been distressed around the edges and I've used Weathered Wood Distress Ink then done some faux stitching.


The border is a Tim Holtz die that I've blended Frayed Burlap Distress Ink over and the tag is a Quickutz die. The sentiment is one of my favourite stamps, I just love the swirly text !

I'm also entering this card for the following challenges :

• Stamp with Fun - Birthday
  
• Charisma Cardz - Project for a Guy
• Polka Doodles - Boy's Birthday
• Papertake - In stitches
  

I've had a lovely week end as I went to see my friend who lives on the south coast. Couldn't have wished for better weather, and it was great to catch up with her and my god daughter, who is growing up at a rate of knots !

Hope you're going to be able to join us this week and look forward to visiting you all !

Thanks for looking
Sue

Swirly bird !

This is my card for the following challenges:

• Papertake - Sketch (I've rotated it)
• Crazy 4 Challenges - Paper Flowers
  
• Freshly Brewed - Anything goes
• Creative Cottage - Pearls and swirls
• S2G - Use something new (I used my new Paper Artsy stamps)

All of the stamps are from Paper Artsy and I've used Distress Inks, Weathered Wood and Faded Jeans and stamped the bird with Archival Sepia ink. The swirls on the side panel are stamped with Weathered Wood and the sentiment is stamped with Archival Sepia ink.


The lovely swirl is a Tim Holtz Sizzix die and the paper flowers are from my stash as is the metal corner embellishment. The background paper is My Minds Eye which I've grunged a little around the edges with Frayed Burlap DI.

We've had another glorious day today, it's so nice to have all of your doors and windows open. Even managed to catch a bit of tennis too ! Right I'm off to pack now as I'm going to see my friend for the weekend and my Goddaughter. I've not seen them in a while as they live a 3 hours drive away, so it will be great to catch up.

Thanks for looking
Sue

I ♥ ProMarkers Challenge

This week over on I ♥ ProMarkers it's time for a sketch. The sponsor for this week's challenge is Digi Doodle Shop who are giving a $10 coupon to spend in their online store as the prize. The DT were all lucky enough to use one of the fab images for their creation this week. Make sure you pop over and check them out !

I cut my image out using Labels 8 Nestabilities and sponged Shabby Shutters Distress Ink around the edge before removing the die. The background panel is embossed using a Quickkutz EF and then I rubbed Broken China Distress Ink over the top. The centre panel was created using Shabby Shutters again and I stamped with the same ink using a Paper Artsy stamp. The very background panel is made using Broken China DI and then I've stamped a Paper Artsy stamp using Shabby Shutters with Peeled Paint dabbed on parts of it.


The sentiment is also a Paper Artsy stamp and I've used Shabby Shutters around the edge. The flowers are punched from My Minds Eye paper, and the ribbon is Grosgrain from Stampin' Up.

I actually found this little fella difficult to shade at first, but in the end I think he worked out OK. I seem to be in a bit of a green and blue phase at the moment, must get back to some grungy stuff soon !

I hope you get chance to join us this week and look forward to seeing your wonderful creations !

Thanks for looking
Sue

Isabella's Sketchbook Challenge

This week at Isabella's Sketchbook we want to see some Summer Fun on your cards and Isabella has some beautiful images for you to use ! I've used the sketch over at Stampin' for the Weekend who also want to see blue and yellow. I've used ProMarkers to shade the image and then cut it out with Labels 8 Nestabilities. I've sponged Broken China Distress Ink around the edge before removing the die. I then used a stencil and sponged Broken China over it and cut out two pieces using a Labels 8 die. The background paper is from Pink Petticoat and the corner is a Martha Stewart punch from a round the page set. I've cut the corner piece and the two smaller pieces from some card that was put through my Cuttlebug using the Distressed Stripes EF and that had Broken China rubbed over the top.


The sentiment has been stamped with Teal Stazon ink and cut out with circle Nestabilities.

I hope you get chance to join us this week at Isabella's and you must check out her fabulous images !

Thanks for looking
Sue

ABC Challenge - X is for Xtra

It's time for another challenge over at ABC challenge and this time we're up to the letter 'X' for something 'Xtra'. Make sure you check out the DT creations as they are fab ! I've used the great sketch over on Friday Sketchers and I'm also putting this card in for the following challenges:

• Fussy 'n' Fancy - Monochromatic and wings
• Craftalicious - Monotone
• Challenge up your life - Vintage
  

The main image is a Paper Artsy stamp which I've stamped with Corduroy Distress Ink onto card the I've blended Antique Linen, Scattered Straw and Corduroy around the edge. I've used the Texture EF and rubbed Corduroy over the top of the centre panel.

The background paper is My Minds Eye and I've blended more Distress Inks around the edge and also done some faux stitching. The bookmark has also been stamped with Paper Artsy stamps and I've added a large eyelet and thread some ribbon through.

The flowers are a Paper Artsy stamp which has been stamped onto tissue paper then sprayed with Coffee Shop and Gold Glimmer mist. I've then scrunched them up in the centre and added a button with the last of my linen thread ! I've highlighted parts of the bird cage with a white Inkssentials pen. The border is a Martha Stewart punch.

I hope you're able to join us and I look for to seeing what 'Xtra's' you add to your creations !

Thanks for looking
Sue

Your Favourite Things !

This week at Passion for ProMarkers we're asking you to show us your favourite things on your cards. The sponsor for this week is Secret Crafter and the prize is 6 ProMarkers ! You've probably guessed...lol.....but one of my favourite things are my walking boots ! I bought this image from The Digi Shack some time ago for an order so when I saw the challenge for this week I thought I could give them another outing ! I' ve used the fab sketch over at Stamping 411 for my card and I'm also putting this card in for the challenge over on Tuesday Taggers, which is Shoes, glorious shoes. The background paper is K&Co and then for the bottom piece I've used Shabby Shutters and Peeled Paint Distress Inks to colour the card then used a Paper Artsy stamp which I've inked up with Shabby Shutters and then used Peeled Paint to add some accents through it. This gives a really great effect making parts of the image seem further away and adding some depth.


The top piece of card has been embossed using the Distressed Stripes EF then I've rubbed Shabby Shutters and Peeled Paint over it. The border is a Martha Stewart punch and I've layered it so you just see the very edge. I've used Nesties to cut out the main image and sponged some Tea Dye Distress Ink around the image before removing the die.

Well with all of this good weather that's supposed to be coming our way my boots should get some use, they won't look as clean as these though.....lol.....

Thanks for looking
Sue

Something a bit different !

I've had some Grunge Paper for some little time now and not got round to doing anything with it. So when I saw the challenge over on Tuesday Taggers to make a vintage book mark, I thought it was a good opportunity to have a go with it ! I've not gone mad with my first attempt so I have left it quite simple. I cut a piece of Grunge Paper 5.5cm by 17cm then covered it with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink. I've then used a mixture of Paper Artsy stamps and Stampin' Up stamps using Vintage Photo Distress Ink. I stamped the centre image then masked it off while I stamped either side of it.

The star fish was stamped on a separate piece of Grunge Paper then cut out and attached with an eyelet using my Cropodile. I added another eyelet towards the top of the bookmark and threaded various threads through it. I shall enjoy using this when I read my book !

I've had a lovely day today as I've done exactly what I wanted to do, which means I've spent a fair amount of time in my craft room !

There's one other thing that I need to do and that is to thank Zoe for an award with a difference.


As part of the rules of the award I need to tell you either 6 outrageous lies and 1 truth, or 6 outrageous truths and one lie. I then need to nominate 7 other bloggers to pass it on to ! Simple !
So here we go:

1. I love jogging and go for a run every morning.
2. I love to go cross country cycling.
3. I love using my Wii Fit.
4. I love playing squash.
5. I love hiking in the country.
6. I love spending time at the gym.
7. I love going for an early morning swim.
   

So I'm going to pass this award on to

• Linda C - One of the most inspirational crafters I have come across.
• Lindsey - Who never fails to make me smile with her funny stories !
• Lynda - Whose work is always so stunning.
• Keryn - Who is one of the most genuine and kind bloggers I've come across.
• Victoria - Who, without, I would never have got this far.
  

I'm going to leave it there, I hope you get chance to visit these talented ladies you won't be disapppointed !

Thanks for looking
Sue

I ♥ ProMarkers challenge

It's time for another challenge over on I ♥ ProMarkers and this week we want to see bears on your creations, and of course you need to use your ProMarkers. We're being sponsored by Simon Says Stamp and the prize is $15 to spsend in the store.

I've used the fab sketch over on CardPatterns for my card. The main image is a stamp that has alot to answer for as it's responsible for me getting into crafting in a serious way ! I used it at the first workshop I ever attended and I was hooked big time ! Unfortunately, he doesn't have a name on him so I don't know who he's by. I've stamped him with black Memento ink and shaded him with ProMarkers then cut him out with Labels 3 Nestabilities. I then used Tea Dye and Vintage Photo Distress Inks and blended around the edge before removing the die and then again after removing it. I stamped the background layer with the En Francais background stamp by Stampin' Up then cut it out with Labels 3 and used the same Distress Inks. The swirls are cut using the Tim Holtz swirl die and the paper is Stampin' Up which has been distressed around the edge and then had Vintage Photo blended around the edge too.

The border punch is a Martha Stewart and the ribbon is also from Stampin' Up.

I hope you get chance to join us this week, let's face it who doesn't love a teddy bear !

Hope you're all enjoying the sunshine, just off to light the BBQ !

Thanks for looking
Sue

Isabella's Sketchbook Challenge

It's time for another challenge over at Isabella's Sketchbook Challenge. This week the challenge is to make a card honouring Father's, as Father's Day is imminent here in the UK it's really apt !

The image is another one of Isabella's fabulous collection. I've shaded the umbrella, golf ball and tee with ProMarkers and then used my watercolour pencils to shade the background of the image. The papers are My Minds Eye, and I've used the reverse of the spotty piece as the spots were indented just like a golf ball. I've used Shabby Shutters and Peeled Paint Distress Inks around the edge. The very background piece started life as a white piece of card, I then blended the same Distress Inks over it and stamped the golf ball from a Rubbabdubbado stamp set with Shabby Shutters.



The words are from an Impression Obsession set of stamps and I've used a Nestabilities Large Labels die on the side.

I'm also putting this card in for the following challenges :

• Totally Stampalicious - Father's Day
  
• Crafty Cardmakers - Cards for Men
• Cards for Men - Father's Day
• Friday Sketchers - Sketch
  

I hope you get chance to join us this week at Isabella's, I look forward to visiting you !

Thanks for looking
Sue

Ship ahoy !

I've made this card for the following challenges:

• Truly Scrumptious - Sketch + optional extra of checks/gingham
• Crafting Catz -Embossing
• Caardvarks - Embossing

The ship is from a Tandastamps set that I've had for ages but thought would be great for a Father's Day card. I've stamped it with Midnight Blue Stazon ink then made a frame with circle Nestabilities and blended Faded Jeans Distress Ink around the edge before adding the three eyelets. The embossed card is made using the Distressed Stripes EF. I've blended Weathered Wood and Faded Jeans Distress Inks over it then sprayed it with white matte Crafty Notions colour spray. While the spray was still wet I rolled a baby wipe over the top so that it lifted some of the spray off.



The check paper is Pink Petticoat and it's come out a little bright on the photo. I pierced holes around the edge then hand stitched around it. I used a grid stamp by PaperArtsy as the background for the word 'Dad'.

We've had a lovely warm day here today, just wish I was still on holiday to enjoy it ! I can't believe how quickly holidays go but when you're back at work the days seem to last forever ! Oh well, time to start counting down to the next one, not that I'm wishing my life away !

Thanks for looking
Sue

Passion for ProMarkers Challenge

It's time for another challenge over on Passion for ProMarkers and this week there's a fab sketch for you to follow as well as a theme of a card for a man.

The challenge this week is being sponsored by Whiff of Joy Stamps and the prize is a stamp of the winner's choice.


The main image is an Isabella's Sketchbook fab image which I've cut out using Nestabilities Large Labels. I've then blended Shabby Shutters and Peeled Paint Distress Ink around the edge.


The background image is from The Graphics Fairy and I've printed it off as quite a large image then cut it up into the separate pieces, distressed the outside edges and used the same Distress Inks around the edge. The stamps used for the sentiment are from a set by Impression Obsession and has been cut out with the same Nestabilities and had the same ink treatment around the edge.

The thread is the Stampin' Up linen thread (which I've almost run out of - note to self to order some more !) and then I've run around the edge with my sewing machine.

I'm also putting this card in for the following challenges :

• C.R.A.F.T - Father's Day
• Tanda Teaser - For the big man
  

I hope you get chance to join in with the challenge this week and look forward to visiting you !

Sue

Isabella's Sketchbook challenge

The challenge this week over at Isabella's Sketchbook is this fab sketch. As usual you need to use one of Isabella's images to enter the challenge, but with so many gorgeous ones to choose from that shouldn't be a problem !

I changed the shape of the sketch slightly as my cherries didn't look right in an oval ! I've shaded them with ProMarkers and added a touch of white with an Inkssentials pen. I used watercolour pencils to paint the background and the frame, being very careful not to make the black printer ink run ! I've then cut them out using a Deckle Edged Nestability and blended Shabby Shutters Distress ink around the edge. This is mounted on some green card that has been cut out with a Deckle Edged Nestability and has the same ink rubbed around the edge as well as some Peeled Paint and Forest Moss. The background paper is from my stash and apologies I don't know who it's by.

The border punch is a Martha Stewart and I've used the same ink to rub over the edges. The ribbon is from my new roll of Stampin' Up gros grain ribbon. The sentiment was done on my PC and more Distress Inks rubbed around the edge and the pin is from a set that I won from Charisma Cardz recently.

I really hope you join the challenge this week and make sure you check out the other DT cards as they are beautiful !

Thanks for looking
Sue

I ♥ ProMarkers challenge 18 - Sketch

The challenge this week over on I ♥ ProMarkers is this fab sketch ! The sponsor for this challenge is Lilac Lemon Designs.

The image I've used is another one of Mo Manning's fabulous selection. I just loved how the big guy is sticking his tongue out to play the shot ! I've cut him out after shading him with my ProMarkers, with Labels One Nestabilities and rubbed Bundled Sage and Forest Moss around the edge. I used these same inks to watercolour the grass at his feet too. I made the very background piece by rubbing Bundled Sage over the card and then Forest Moss around the edge. I then stamped the golf ball over the background using Bundled Sage. You can just about make it out on the photo.


The checked paper is My Minds Eye and the I've used a Martha Stewart border punch and some Stampin' Up twine. The sentiment is stamped onto a golf ball that I've stamped with Bundled Sage and then cut out. Quite a simple card but I need a few male cards for a stall I'm doing in a couple of weeks time, and I think he'll fit the bill !

I hope you get chance to join us this week and make sure you check out the other DT cards!

Thanks for looking.
Sue

ABC Challenge - W is for Weather

The challenge this week over on ABC challenge is 'W' is for Weather and is being sponsored by Secret Crafter. The weather that I am really hoping for at the moment is sunny because as you're reading this I am on holiday in Cornwall ! I actually made this card for my Mum's birthday as she too loves the sun and can't wait for the days to get longer. I'm also really happy as I've been asked to join the DT full time, so you'll be seeing alot more of me !

So, onto my card, I stamped the image which is a Tanda Stamp onto watercolour paper, using Stazon black ink, then used my watercolour pencils to paint the image. I've blended Scattered Straw and Broken China Distress Inks around the edge after using Labels 8 to cut the image out. The spotty paper is My Minds Eye and I've distressed the edges and zipped around the edge with my sewing machine.


The sentiment has been cut out with a scalloped circle Nestability and I've used the same Distress Inks to add some colour. The border punch is a Martha Stewart deep punch and the pearls are from my stash, as is the ribbon.

I hope you manage to join in with this challenge and it will be great to see what kind of weather you come up with !

Thanks for looking
Sue

Passion for ProMarkers - Pink Birthday !

I can't believe how quickly the week's are flying by ! This week over on Passion for ProMarkers the challenge is 'Pink Birthday'. For those of you who know me, pink and me aren't really best buddies ! So I was actually quite surprised when I'd finished, as I wasn't too unhappy with the result. The sponsor this week is Joanna Sheen who is providing a £10 voucher!


The image I've used is one of Isabella's beautiful selection. I've obviously shaded it with ProMarkers then I added some Tim Holtz Stickles to the small piece of cake for a little bit of sparkle. I've cut the image out with Labels 3 Nestabilites and rubbed Spun Sugar and Worn Lipstick around the edge.


The sentiment is cut out with a Labels 3 Nestability too and treated to the same Distress Ink treatment. The background paper is Pink Petticoat checks in Bubblegum, and the spotty paper is also Pink Petticoat in Mocha. The little pin is from a set that I won from Charisma Cardz recently, and just gives the finishing touch !

I hope you'll find time to join us this week, look forward to seeing your pink creations !

Thanks for looking
Sue

Just a quickie !

I thought I'd share one of the other projects that we made at the Artsy Craft week end. Because of copyright I can't go into alot of detail but the main thing I wanted to share was the wonderful effect that acrylic paint has on embossed metal. The panel was embossed using an EF and then black acrylic pain was rubbed all over it and then taken off.


As you can see not all of the paint comes off and you're left with this really amazing effect.

We're off on our hols tomorrow so I've got everything crossed that the sun will take pity on us and show it's face. The forecast isn't looking to be very kind but let's face it, it's not always accurate !

Thanks for looking and catch up with you all in a week !
Sue

I ♥ ProMarkers - Recipe challenge !

This week over on I ♥ ProMarkers we've got a recipe for you to follow. We would like to see you use 2 different papers, 3 buttons and 1 ribbon. Our sponsor this week is the lovely Joanna Sheen who are providing a prize of a £10 voucher to spend in their online store. Apologies for not having a close up photo but I've fallen out with my lap top and am typing this up on my other half's machine !

The main image is another one from Isabella's beautiful collection. I've cut it out after shading it with ProMarkers, with a deckle edged Nestability and rubbed Frayed Burlap Distress Ink around the edge. The papers are both from Pink Petticoat and I've grunged the edges with some more Frayed Burlap. The border punch is a Martha Stewart and I've zipped around the edge with my Mum's trusty sewing machine !

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

• Sketch Saturday - Sketch
  
• Crafty Cardmakers - Least favourite and favourite colours ( I really don't like pink, but I love brown!)
  
• Secret Crafter - Buttons and blooms
  

I hope you get time to join us this week and look forward to visiting you !

Thanks for looking
Sue

Isabella's Sketchbook challenge

It's time for another challenge over on Isabella's Sketchbook and the challenge this week is to use black and white except for the main image. I've used the sketch over on Friday Sketchers for this card. The image that I've used is the Peach Basket and I've shaded it with ProMarkers. I've then cut it out with Labels 5 Nestabilities and before removing the die I've sponged some Scattered Straw Distress Ink around the edge. I've then used Broken China Distress Ink around the edge. The background papers are from Pink Petticoat and the embossed piece is a Quickutz EF.


I've hand sewn the bow so that it would stay together and stuck the little flower in the centre which is from my stash.

I hope you get chance to join us this week, Isabella has some really lovely images ! Make sure you hop over to Isabella's Sketchbook to check out the fabulous DT creations.


Thanks for looking
Sue