New LOTV fairies

Hello lovely people,

The fairies are here!

It's release day at LOTV for the calendar fairies, and also some gorgeous Christmas stamps.

So, just to tempt you a little bit more I have another card with the adorable February fairy.
I've chosen a buckle fold design and if you want to see my tutorial on it, check out this post, which is actually back on my previous blog, just in case anyone is confused!

I was delighted that I managed to incorporate some of the hearts from the border for decoration...it's the little things!
The strip cut off the edge of the card base is used to create a cute 'buckle' to hold the card closed and here's what it looks like with it popped open.

You probably wouldn't notice but I added a couple of extra folds to the main part of the dress this time and a sprinkle of sparkle that comes as standard with fairies - lol!

This was one of those designs where I faffed around for ages trying to decide where to put the flowers and what sentiment to add.
Should it be teeny tags, a circular sentiment or maybe none at all?!
Thank goodness I remembered this fab wavy sentiment...it was perfect cut into a wavy banner to match the shape of the text :-)

Card recipe;

Image: February fairy - LOTV

DP: Snow Princess - LOTV

Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts
Twine: Ivory button twine - The Ribbon Girl

Dies: Looped heart border - Impression Obsession

Sentiment: Birthdays and best wishes - LOTV

Copic colours;
Skin: E000/00/21/11/04 & R20
Hair: E41/43/47
Darker purple: BV01/02/04/08
Lighter purple: BV0000/000/00/01
Aqua: BG000/10/11/32

Ground: T0/1/2/3/4

Ok, off you pop now to LOTV and just see if you can resist the gorgeous new stamps - lol!

Thanks for visiting and I really appreciate any comments that you leave,

Challenges I am entering;

Birthday bears

Hello lovely people,

Oh dear, this week is disappearing in a flash and I totally forgot to do my post this morning for the new challenge at As You Like It - I am feeling so ditsy right now!

Ok, let's get on with it and our theme this time is...

YOUR FAVOURITE - FUR OR FEATHERS?
(and don't forget to explain why it is your favourite!)

We are sponsored by Sweet Pea Stamps

If you have spent any time on my blog you will know how much I love all things furry, especially bears...they just have that cute and cuddly factor :-)

My fave bears at the moment are the Happy Bears from LOTV and I just love colouring them...with a few touches of sparkle of course!

The papers I used are actually from 2 different LOTV pads and they go together so beautifully, plus I am really loving this colour combo right now.

Card recipe;

Image: Happy bears - LOTV

DP: Pastel dreams - LOTV & Romance and Roses - LOTV

Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts
Twine: Ivory button twine - The Ribbon Girl

Ribbon: 7mm pale turquoise satin - The Ribbon Girl

Tag: Sentiment tags - LOTV
Dies: heart swirl - Magnolia Dohickeys

Number stamps: magazine freebie stamp set

Copic colours;
Fur: E40/41/42/43
Pot: E43/44/47
Flowers: RV000/R81
Leaves: G20/21
Pink: R81/83/85
Light turquoise: BG10/11/32
Dark turquoise: BG15/18
Balloon: BG10/11/32/15
Ground: T0/1/2/3/4

I hope you will pop over to As You Like It and check out the fabulously creative projects from the rest of the team :-)

Thanks for visiting and I really appreciate any comments that you leave,

Challenges I am entering;

LOTV February fairy

Hello lovely people,

I have spent a very enjoyable and relaxing weekend with family and am ready for what will no doubt be another super busy week in work, but hey, it keeps me out of trouble!

I am very excited to share a sneak peek of one of the next release of stamps from LOTV and we have some new fairy images, one for each month in fact!
The fairies are always really popular and I know you are going to LOVE them!

I was in the mood for a fancy fold so chose a gatefold card base and in keeping with the romantic feel to the stamp, I have used papers with hearts on, and a pretty pink colour scheme.

This little fairy represents 'February' hence the cute hearts on her headband and wand, which have both had the Glamour Dust treatment.

Card recipe;

Image: February fairy - LOTV...coming soon!

DP: Butterfly Kisses - LOTV

Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts
Twine: Ivory button twine - The Ribbon Girl

Sentiment: For you circular sentiments - LOTV

Dies: Heart flower swirl - Magnolia Doohickeys

Copic colours;
Skin: E000/00/21/11/04 & R20
Hair: E53/57/59
Darker pink: R81/83/85
Socks: RV0000/000
Wings: RV0000/000/R81/83

Ground: T0/1/2/3/4

Keep your eyes peeled for more sneak peeks from myself and the rest of the LOTV Design Collective over the next week, and it's not just fairies, there are lots of fabulous Christmas images to come as well :-)

Thanks for visiting and I really appreciate any comments that you leave,

Challenges I am entering;

Papertake Weekly (build it up)
Fussy and Fancy (things with wings)

Fairy tags

Hello lovely people,

It's time for a new challenge at In The Pink and our theme this time is...

STARRY, STARRY...PINK!

So just pop some stars on your project and of course, make sure you use more pink than any other colour :-)

We are sponsored this time by Live and Love Crafts with a £10 voucher.

I decided to make some tags for a change and although I do have some tag dies, I wanted a slightly wider tag shape for this design so I cut them by hand.

The stars are all 2 die cuts layered together for a little extra dimension and to make sure the colour co-ordinated perfectly I cut them from white card and coloured them with my Copics.

The sentiment strips have 2 foam pads in the middle to pop them up a teeny bit.

The adorable fairies are from a clear stamp set from Lili of the Valley; I have used just 3 of the fairies but there are loads more in the set plus a cupcake and tiny stars.

Each fairy has sparkly wings and a sparkly star wand; I'm loving my Glamour Dust at the moment!

Here's tag #1...

And #2...

And of course, #3...

Card recipe;

Image: Little fairies - LOTV

DP: Country meadow - LOTV

Twine: Cotton candy pink Divine baker's twine - The Ribbon Girl

Seam binding: White seam binding - The Ribbon Girl

Dies: circle - MFT Die-namics circle STAX, scalloped circle - Spellbinders Nestabilities, Cosmic star set - Memory Box

Sentiment: A little sentimental - Clearly Besotted
Sparkle: crystal glamour dust

Copic colours;
Skin: E000/00/21/11/04 & R20
Hair: E21/25/29
Pink: R81/83/85
Yellow: YR20/21/23

If you haven't already done so then do pop over to In The Pink and check out the gorgeous creations from the rest of the Pink Ladies.

Thanks for visiting and I really appreciate any comments that you leave,

Challenges I am entering;

Dragon on a bit...

Hello lovely people,

Spot the mistake...I'm here with my DT card for our new challenge at Top Tip Tuesday...
Yep, it's now Wednesday - oooooops!

I'll explain why I am so late in a moment but first let me share the Bingo board we are using, so you just have to pick a line and use those 3 elements on your project.

We are sponsored by Kenny K and they are offering a prize of 3 digital images of the winner's choice.

Here's my card using the bottom line (twine/dies/stitching);

There are 2 reasons why I am late with my card and both are basically down to me being an idiot;

1.  I thought that this image would be a fun colouring challenge....the phrase 'biting off more than you can chew' springs to mind!

2.  Despite being responsible for selecting the Bingo board squares, when it came to making my image into a card I just couldn't make a design I liked using 3 in a row off the board!

Well, I got there eventually and the good thing, after all that faffing around, is that I am incredibly proud of my colouring and I LOVE the card, so there was a happy ending!

Card recipe;

Image: Dragon Rider - Kenny K

DP: A present for you - Maja Design (available from Live and Love Crafts)

Twine: Natural hemp twine - The Ribbon Girl

Dies: Notebook edge - Clearly Besotted

Copic colours;
Skin: E000/00/21/11/04 & R20
Hair: E11/15/18
Eyes: B0000/91/93
Lips: R32/35
Helmet / bra / leg & armbands: YR24/E99/E19
Dragon hide: BG93/95/99/W9
Dragon belly: Y21/26 & YR24/27
Claws / horns: YR30/31/W1
Brown bits: E42/43/44/47/49
Red bits: R08/46/59
Grey bits: W0/1/3/5

I hope you will pop over to Top Tip Tuesday and check out the fabulously creative projects from the rest of the team :-)

Thanks for visiting and I really appreciate any comments that you leave,

Challenges I am entering;

A present for you

Hello lovely people,

I have scheduled this to post while I am at friends; we are planning a nice long walk and then we will be busy making their Save the Date cards for their wedding next year :-)
We are also having a BBQ...I hope the weather is kind to us!

I'm sharing another card for the LOTV Design Collective and first off I have to say that the image is now retired so I'm sorry if I'm tempting you with something you can't have :-(

This was actually going to be a CAS design but then the layers crept in, so it's not really any more...although I did avoid the temptation to add a load of flowers!

I've covered the ribbon and the butterflies with Wink of Stella and I think you can see some of it in the close up!
I also cut out and layered up the butterflies for a little bit of dimension.

I thought I'd keep with the butterfly theme and use my new memory Box butterfly dies - they do have little bodies as well but I actually really like them without!

Card recipe;

Image: retired stamp - LOTV

DP: Pastel dreams (Nitwit collections) - LOTV

Twine: Ivory button twine - The Ribbon Girl

Dies: tea label tags and old Swedish lace - Magnolia Doohickeys, Leavenworth & Cascadia butterfly trios - Memory Box

Sentiment: from Happy bear stamp set - LOTV

Copic colours;
Bunny: E40/41/42/43
Present / butterflies: BG10/11/32 & BG15/18 for spots
Ribbon / butterflies: R81/83/85

Grass: YG61/63/G94
Wink of Stella (clear) on ribbon and butterflies

Thanks for visiting and I really appreciate any comments that you leave,

Challenges I am entering;

My favourite colour

Hello lovely people,

This is an exciting day for me as I was asked to join the wonderful ladies at As You Like It and of course I said yes immediately!

This is a challenge I have enjoyed playing along with many times so I am delighted to be part of the team now :-)

My first challenge with the DT has the theme of...

YOUR FAVOURITE SINGLE COLOUR

We are sponsored by Sweet Pea Stamps with a $20 voucher

If you know me at all you will know what my favourite colour is....
PINK of course!

Pink comes in so many lovely shades and just goes so well with the pretty, girly style of cards that I love to make.

It is also an essential for new baby girl cards!

I am totally in love with the Vintage baby papers from Maja Design and the little strips at the bottom of each sheet are so useful...you can see a bit of one I used here for the 'It's a Girl' banner.

I had been looking for some cute baby feet charms for a while and came across a fab selection pack of baby charms from The Hobby House; aren't these feet adorable?!

Card recipe;

Image: Congratulations sentiments - LOTV

DP: Vintage baby - Maja Designs (available from Live and Love Crafts)

Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts
Twine: Ivory button twine - The Ribbon Girl

Lace: Chantilly cotton lace (Jane) - Crafty Ribbons

Charm: Baby time mixed charm pack - The Hobby House

I hope you will pop over to As You Like It to check out the fabulous projects from the rest of the team and see what all our favourite colours are :-)

Thanks for visiting and I really appreciate any comments that you leave,

Challenges I am entering;
Papertake Weekly (don't be a square)
Moving Along With The Times (baby baby)
Simon Says Stamp (get in shape)
Fab 'n' Funky (flower delights)

Floral inspiration

Hello lovely people,

Ok, who is stealing days from the week when I'm not looking?!

Yes, it's Thursday again so get ready for a new challenge at In The Pink and this time we have a photo inspiration for you...

You could choose florals, vintage style, teacups, whatever inspires you from this photo as long as it has more PINK than any other colour of course!

We are delighted to be sponsored by The Hobby House for this challenge with a prize of a £10 voucher.

I have used a pre-coloured image from one of the LOTV art pads as it fitted the theme so beautifully with the pretty floral design and a teacup too!
I do love my Copics but these pretty toppers definitely save a bit of time and are absolutely gorgeous.

This is the first outing for my new MFT Die-namics inside & out stitched rounded square STAX dies (wow, that's a bit of a mouthful!) which I used to create a frame for the image.

I used one of the dies to cut an aperture and then trimmed the outside to make a frame which I raised up by popping several more frames cut from scrap card underneath.
I could have used foam pads but the result can be a bit wobbly looking and I find scrap card more effective and it adds a very subtle dimension.

Card recipe;

Image: Beautiful blooms art pad - LOTV

DP: Country meadow - LOTV
Lace: White chantilly cotton lace (Jane) - Crafty Ribbons

Twine: Ivory button twine - The Ribbon Girl

Tags: Sentiment tags - LOTV and Family Sentiment tags - LOTV
Dies: tiny butterfly set - Impression Obsession, MFT Die-namics inside & out stitched rounded square STAX

Numbers: magazine freebie stamps

If you haven't already done so then do pop over to In The Pink and check out the fabulously floral creations from the rest of the Pink Ladies.

Thanks for visiting and I really appreciate any comments that you leave,

Challenges I am entering;
Noor! Design UK (something old - the sentiment tags are old favourites, something new - my new dies)
Papertake Weekly (anything goes +/- Christmas)
Creative Inspirations (girlie)

Beach fun

Hello lovely people,

I'm so sorry I haven't been round to see you all much lately; the last week or so has been a 'life gets in the way of crafting' week...how dare it!

It's time for a new challenge at Top Tip Tuesday and our theme this time is...

SUMMER FUN

We have 2 Cute Ink sponsoring us this time and they have a prize of 2 free digi images of the winner's choice.

I decided to make an easel card since I haven't made one for ages and I always like the extra decorating space that comes with an easel - perfect for personalising the design with a name!

Despite the extra space, the embellishment on the bottom section does need to be fairly minimal so the card will fold flat, hence I put all the lovely 3D flowers and layered bow on the top section.

The sentiment comes with the image and I thought it would look cute as a little hanging plaque :-)

I love this chic lady...hmmmm, maybe because I would love to look like this!
Well, I can do the big hat and cocktail part!

Card recipe;

Image & sentiment: Uptown girl Sandy and her Sombrero - Stamping Bella

DP: Shoreline treasures - Pion Designs (available from Live and Love Crafts)

Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts
Twine: Natural button twine - The Ribbon Girl (not currently available)

Seam binding: Cruise beige - Wild Orchid Crafts
Wooden star / pearls: from stash
Letter stamps: magazine freebie stamps

Copic colours;
Skin: E00/21/11/04 & R20
Hair: E50/53/55
Hat / bag: E40/41/42/43
Bikini / bag / flip flops: B91/95/97
Drink: RV11/R83 & Y21/Y35
Glasses: W9
Sand: YR30/31/E50/51/53

I hope you will pop over to Top Tip Tuesday and check out the fabulously creative projects from the rest of the team and there are some great tips for you too :-)

Thanks for visiting and I really appreciate any comments that you leave,

Challenges I am entering;
The Ribbon Girl (anything goes +/- stars or stripes)
Fussy and Fancy (fancy folds)
Craft your Passion (anything goes)

Sweet daisies

Hello lovely people,

I am back as promised with another sneak peek of the new LOTV stamps coming out tomorrow...yes, only 1 day to wait!

I have used another flower panel to make a really quick design.
These new stamps have really inspired me to try a couple of simpler designs as I felt they suited a more CAS style.

I wanted to emboss the background to give a subtle detail but actually don't have very many embossing folders so I used my Stampin' Up score board to create a trellis type design.

I added sparkle to the flower centres, the stamp border and around the greeting circle.

Card recipe;

Image: Daisy panel - LOTV (to be released 4th July)

Sentiment: Greetings postmarks - LOTV

Dies: MFT Die-namics circle stax
Glitter: Crystal glamour dust
Button: from stash

Copic colours;
Pink: R81/83/85
Blue: B000/01/04
Yellow: Y21/35/38

Thanks for visiting and I really appreciate any comments that you leave,

Delicate alliums

Hello lovely people,

I have been so busy lately that I have only just been able to have a play with some of the absolutely brilliant new LOTV stamps being released on 4th July.
At least you don't have long to wait to get your hands on them!

There are some gorgeous new floral designs and I was really drawn to this pretty allium panel.
I kept the shading quite subtle and added a tiny liquid pearl centre to each of the tiny flowers.

Card recipe;

Image: Allium panel - LOTV (release date 4th July)

DP: Snow princess - LOTV

Twine: Ivory button twine - The Ribbon Girl

Tag: Sentiment tags - LOTV

Dies: notebook edge - Clearly Besotted
Pearls: from stash

Copic colours;
Flowers: BV0000/00/02
Stems / leaves: G20/21

I'll be back tomorrow with another sneak peek for you :-)

Thanks for visiting and I really appreciate any comments that you leave,