Saturday 30 April 2011

Summertime Fun Combo

Ok, so we've had a few days of nice weather (which is probably all we are going to get all summer) so it may be premature for me to be in full 'summer mode' (but that hasn't stopped me!)

This week at 2 Sisters the theme is Mothers, and we're sponsored by The Stamping Boutique.  I'm really getting into creating scenes on my cards now, rather than an isolated image, and I am therefore always on the lookout for versatile background stamps that I can use with different foreground images. 

When I saw this Summer Laundry Line at The Stamping Boutique, I couldn't resist it, because immediately this little Stamp Fairy image of Patsy Beachtime popped into my head, although I can see that I'll be using this background image again and again as it is so colourful and fun, and would be OK on it's own in a 'wish you were here' kind of card! 

I've used lots of paper layers, mostly from Summertime Designs (even more of a 'summer' theme here!) and therefore kept the embellishments to a minimum, with a few flat backed latte coloured pearls and flowers.  I've been inspired to decorate the inside of the card lately, but on this attempt I don't think that I've done a great job. I debated whether to include an image or not as I'm not entirely happy with the result, but let me know what you think.

Here's a picture of the front (obviously!)



Here's a close up of the image combination (really love this combo)



Below is the disappointing inside, which looks half started. 
It's a bit too plain, and needs something else to jazz it up a bit.
I think I'm going to redo it, and will update this post if I manage to improve it.
In the meantime, if anyone finds my mojo lying around, can you email it back to me?
Thanks. 



EDIT: 
Ok I've had another go at the inside, and I'm MUCH happier with it now.
Hope you agree!


Thanks for stopping by, and I hope that I've inspired you to join in our Mother themed challenge this week. Please pop on over to the 2 Sisters blog to see the other fab creations on show by the other teamies and to enter your card. I look forward to seeing your projects.

If you like the Stamp Fairy image I've used here, there was a new release (Funny Princess) yesterday in celebration of the Royal Wedding, so take a look at it and the other lovely images in the shop.  Hint - the sentiment is a little freebie.


I've been inspired by the following:
Have fun.

Friday 29 April 2011

The Big Day !!!

Happy Royal Wedding Day. To celebrate the Big Day, I've made an ickle wedding card with my favorite brand of rubber stamp, LOTV and again I've used my watercolour pencils instead of my trusty Promarkers. I've used a pink theme and for embellishments and added pink ribbon, a bow, roses and some flat backed pearls, along with a teeny bit of lace (gotta have lace at a wedding!)  The papers and tag are from Summertime Designs.


I've been inspired by the following:
Have fun

Wednesday 27 April 2011

A Lili Bunny Easter

I know it's a bit late to be posting Easter cards, but I'm just slipping in a quick post to share a LOTV Easter bunny card.  I've used my fave purple theme (with a teeny bit of red on the umbrella and easter egg), embossed the background panel and used glimmer card behind the image.  I've abandoned the Promarkers for this card, and actually used my water colour pencils (which I think I've had since I was a teenager - don't ask how long ago that was!) and they've travelled with me since then. I've added some roses from Wild Orchid Crafts.


I've been inspired by the following:
Have Fun

Monday 25 April 2011

Sparkle Recipie

The theme this week at Stamp Fairy is "Sparkle, use 3 pattern papers and use 2 dies or punches".  For my card I've used Lenny Cupcakes (flipped the image) and used a Springtime green colour theme which is a break from all my usual pinks and lilacs.  For the sparkle, I've glittered the balloon, cupcake and party hat, and added some large and small flat backed pearls in Olive colours.  The 3 papers are Limeade from Summertime Designs and they're really beautiful for a green card. I find green hard to work with because it is not my favourite colour, but these papers really gave me some much needed inspiration.  It's a really lovely shade of green too, I know it sounds silly, but when I'm working with a colour that isn't my favourite, I need as much motivation as I can get!  Anyway, as soon as I saw these ones, I just had to try them out.  I used my nestie lacey circle die and a small flower punchie as my two die/punches. 


Please pop on over to the Stamp Fairy challenge blog to see the beautiful creations by the other members of the Design Team, and also to enter our sparkle recipie challenge. 

Also, while I've still got your attention, don't forget to check out the fab images at Stamp Fairy shop. There is a new release out today as it's Monday, and as usual they're uber cute and I can't decide which one I like best (all of them I think!)  I can just imagine them peeking over a large text sentiment, or decorating the inside of a card peeking over a blank insert for the verse etc. So cute.



I've been inspired by the following:
Happy crafting

Oops - I nearly forgot the Ribbons & Buttons

It's a new challenge at Incy Wincy this week and the theme is Ribbons and Buttons.  We're sponsored by Sassy Studios who've supplied this cute little pregnant girlie (Glowing Gwen) and it is perfect for a maternity card that I wanted to make for a friend.  However, I got a bit carried away making my card for this challenge; I coloured my image in lilacs, coloured, printed and cut out the papers, used my new label nesties for the image and mat, embossed a backing panel, punched two shimmer purple strips, added some pretty lace, lots of pearl dots and a couple of flowers.  Unfortunately, by the time I'd finished with all that, I'd completely forgotton about adding the ribbons and buttons (oh dear!).  Anyway, luckily I managed to find a spare bit of remaining space for a couple of lilac bows and I added my spotty purple buttons to the lace trim which I actually really like now I've done it.  (no one will know they were an afterthought, so I'd be grateful if you didn't tell anyone!!!).


Hope to see your entries in our Ribbons and Buttons challenge (and try not to forget to put them on yours like I did!)  :0)

I've been inspired by the following:
Have fun

Saturday 23 April 2011

Lenny & Linda's Wedding - An Inside Job?

It is a new challenge at One Stop Craft today and another first for me as I've had a go at decorating the inside of the card.  Previously I've been a fan of putting so much on the front that if I decorated the inside, then I'd have a card that is an inch thick.  But I've seen so many lovely samples on blogs where the inside is decorated in the same theme that I wanted to have a go, and so I decided to indulge in 2 images from the new Stamp Fairy Lenny & Linda wedding range that complimented each other for me to do this.  (I couldn't resist them while they were in the half price sale!)

The challenge at One Stop Craft this week is Chocolate (either the colour or the delicious yummy variety), and, although I'm totally addicted to the edible kind, I decided I may end up licking the card if I used an image of chocolate, so I opted for the colour instead to be safe.  I've used a simple layout design with my new label nesties from Homespun from the Heart, running them through twice to emboss the edges, and added a few latte coloured flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts.  I've used promarkers and chalks for my colouring and just added a few flat backed pearls to finish.  The shiny brown card behind the image was from the cover of a brochure that was a gorgeous chocolate colour with streaks of shiny brown across it, so I saved it to use on a card, and this one was perfect.




Please visit the One Stop Craft challenge to enter our Chocolate challenge, and see the beautiful creations from the other members of the design team.  We're sponsored by Stitchy Bear this week who are providing the prize so good luck with your entries.  I look forward to seeing your creations soon.

I've been inspired by the following:
Have fun.

Easter Hugs (and possibly yet more freebies)!!!

This week at 2 Sisters we're being sponsored by the fabulous Stamp Fairy, who I'm also hugely lucky to design for, so I'm in heaven this week designing with my favourite Stamp Fairy digis.


The theme is an Easter photo inspiration, and I've chosen cute little Easter bunny Clemantine Easter (I used the image with the eggcart, but just cut around Clemantine so she was on her own)   Hint: if you have a look at the link to Clemantine (above) you'll also find one of the many little freebies on the Stamp Fairy site *wink*.

I tried to match the soft pastel colours and flower theme from the photo inspiration and am quite pleased with the result.  The background is Garden Fence from MelJen Designs, the Lacey Square nesties are from my fab craft supplier called Homespun from the Heart and the beautiful papers, which I'm currently completely hooked on, are from Summertime Designs.

Here's the photo inspiration at 2 Sisters:


And here's my card sample using Clematine from Stamp Fairy:

There is also a new release at Stamp Fairy, Muffin Angels, and the 50% sale is still on until tomorrow (Sunday 24th) so get in quick.

Ok, as promised, there are some more freebies on offer today, this time, some cutie ones as suggested by the lovely Lis on my Freebie - your choice posting.
As usual, my conditions are:
  • Please become a follower (if you're not already), so you see more freebies as they're posted (and more are scheduled over the next week or two so keep your eyes peeled!),
  • Please don't distribute my digis directly to others, but I'd be delighted if you let others know where you got it from (if you're asked) so they can come on over and grab anything they want, and
  • Please leave me a comment to let me know you've downloaded them so I know it is worth me spending time creating more.
Click on each image that you'd like in order to see it full size, then select Save Picture.   I'm happy for you to resize and recolour any of my images to suit your projects. 

There are 3 to choose from again today, so take a deep breath and dive in. 
Here goes ...



Please pop on over to the 2 Sisters blog to see the beautiful creations by the other members of the design team, and of course to enter our Easter themed photo inspiration challenge, and don't forget to check out the ultra cute digis at Stamp Fairy too.

I've been inspired by the following:
Have fun.

Tuesday 19 April 2011

Patsy Beachtime and Lots of Freebies

I had lots of great suggestions on my 'freebies - your choice' post earlier this month.  Please continue to leave more suggestions (preferably on the original post as it keeps them all together when I go looking for inspiration!), and I'll see if my mojo will kick in to create something you may like.  It's all still a work in progress and I keep going back to your comments for more ideas.  To be honest, I'm not too good at different shapes, so requests for specific nestie label shapes is difficult as I don't have most of them (I only have one!), and I'm an accountant not a graphic designer so the simpler the better!!! (tickets and circles/squares are about all I can cope with at the moment)  However, requests for different texts are more than welcome, and I will get around to doing as many as I can over time so bear with me, and don't forget to keep checking back to see my new creations.

Today I've got lots along the same theme, "Special Birthdays", and a card to share with you using one of them as a sample to whet your appetite!  The image is the adorable Patsy Beachtime from Stamp Fairy (after yesterday's stray away from 'cute', phew, I'm back to normality again today!).  I've used my circle nestie and really kept the design simple as the colours on the papers (from Summertime Designs) were quite bright.  I tried to go for a sandy colour scheme to go with the beach image, but it turned out more orange than sandy, but I guess that is still a summery sunshine theme, so it's not all bad!


As usual, my conditions are:
  • Please become a follower (if you're not already), so you see more freebies as they're posted (and more are scheduled over the next week or two so keep your eyes peeled!),
  • Please don't distribute my digis directly to others, but I'd be delighted if you let others know where you got it from (if you're asked) so they can come on over and grab anything they want, and
  • Please leave me a comment to let me know you've downloaded them so I know it is worth me spending time creating more.
Click on each image that you'd like in order to see it full size, then select Save Picture.   I'm happy for you to resize and recolour any of my images to suit your projects. 

There are lots to choose from today, so take a deep breath and dive in. 
Here goes ...











I'd also love to see the creations you make with my digi so please feel free to email me a link to your blogpost and I'll be delighted to pop along to see how you've incorporated it to your project.

I've been inspired by the following:
Have fun.

Monday 18 April 2011

My First Kenny K ...

Ok, this is a first for me. I've been looking at the Kenny K images for a while on various blogs, and decided to have a try with one. They're not my usual 'cutie' image style, but I wanted to try something different, outside my comfort zone, so here goes !!!

 
As I was using a style of image that I'd not really used before, I decided to keep the layout simple, and use my favourite lilac colours, but no designer papers, just plain colours which I jazzed up with some swiss dots embossing. I used my fancy new nesties that I bought yesterday, and a sentiment that I'd had for a while but not yet found a use for (I think it goes quite well!).  I've also added some simple liquid pearl dots and just 2 paper flowers in the same lilac colours as embelishments, but otherwise, I've let the image take the focus.  I must add that is was quite a difficult image to colour as the bike was quite intricate, but overall, I'm pleased with the result.  For my first Kenny K attempt, it's not too bad, is it? (please be gentle with your comments!)
 

I've been inspired by the following:
Happy crafting

Double Trouble?

This week the theme at Stamp Fairy Challenge is "For the Girls with a Sentiment".  As the Stamp Fairy images are on half price offer at the moment, I've decided to use two girlie images, Betty Perfect Day and Clemantine Love.   I've used lovely summery girlie papers from Summertime Designs, added pink accessories and a sentiment from Stitchy Bear.  I hope you like my card, and please pop on over to the Stamp Fairy shop while the sale is still on to grab yourselves a bargain.  Don't forget that to qualify for the challenge prize, you must use a Stamp Fairy image, but there are also lots of freebies on the website. (Hint : they're not all on the freebies page either, you have to hunt around for them so have a look through the great choice of images and grab some bargains while you're there!)


Please pop on over to the Stamp Fairy challenge blog to check out the creations by the other talented members of the design team and to enter your project into the challenge.  Hope to see you there.

Before you disappear, I'd like to let you know that there is also a new release of Lenny & Linda getting married at Stamp Fairy today, and they are so gorgeous. I can't decide which is my favourite though, I think it's all of them !!!

There are also some fab new wedding digi papers to go with the marriage theme, so pop on over to Stamp Fairy to check them all out.

I've been inspired by the following:
Happy crafting

Bright & Bold

This week at Incy Wincy the theme is Bright & Bold, so I've opted for a bold red colour theme with yellow accents.  We're sponsored by Michelle at The Pixie Cottage who've supplied this cheeky digi for me to play with called Neh Neh Neh.  As usual with cat images, I've coloured him as a ginger tabby, just like my little furry lap warmer, Arnie.  I've used my Big Shot but this time an embossing folder to give some texture, added some yellow brads, a tiny circle nestie cutter for the scalloped circle around the sentiment and a butterfly charm.  The sentiment is available on my blog if you're interested; check out the freebies section in my blog labels.  Finally I've added some red liquid pearls to the corners of the image and some paper flowers.


Please pop on over to the Incy Wincy challenge blog to enter our Bright and Bold challenge, and also to check out the fab cards from the rest of the design team.

I've been inspired by the following:
Happy crafting.

Saturday 16 April 2011

Nelly & Leo, and some Anniversary Freebies

I've got some more freebies to share, being just some of picked from the many comments left on my 'freebies - your choice' post earlier this month.  Please continue to leave suggestions (preferably on that post as it keeps them all together when I go looking for inspiration!), and I'll continue to tinker with them to see what the creative juices create.

Today I've got some wedding anniversary themed ones, one of which I've used on the cute Ruby Anniversary card below.  This one uses Nelly & Leo in Love from Stamp Fairy which is perfect for an anniversary theme.  The beautiful papers are from Summertime Designs.  I didn't want to put too much in the way of embellishment on the card as the papers were quite busy, but I couldn't resist a few Ruby coloured flowers, flat backed pearls and a couple of ribbons.  Hope you like my Stamp Fairy Anniversary card, and also the sentiments of course!  Help yourselves to any sentiments that take your fancy, but please respect my conditions.


 
As usual, my conditions are:
  • Please become a follower (if you're not already), so you see more freebies as they're posted (and there are a few more planned for the next week or two so keep your eyes peeled!),
  • Please don't distribute my digis directly to others, but I'd be delighted if you let others know where you got it from, so they can come on over and grab anything they want, and
  • Please leave me a comment to let me know you've downloaded them, so I know it is worth me spending time creating more.
Click on each image to see it full size, then select Save Picture.

 

 


25th Wedding Anniversary (Silver):


30th Wedding Anniversary (Pearl): 


40th Wedding Anniversary (Ruby): 


50th Wedding Anniversary (Gold): 


60th Wedding Anniversary (Diamond): 

 
I'd also be delighted to see the creations you make with my digi so please feel free to email me a link to your blogpost and I'll be delighted to pop along to see how you've incorporated it to your project.

I've also been inspired by the following:
Have fun.

It's Bingo Time

This week at 2 Sisters we're sponsored by Robyn's Fetish & Pizzazz Aplenty, and the theme is a Bingo Board.  You need to pick a line of 3 boxes, either across, down or diagonal, but there is a second prize for entrants who go for all 9 this week, so bring on the embellies!  I couldn't decide which line to go for ... so I did all 9 (well, sort of - see below!).    The sentiment is one of my own, so check out my freebies.
 
Here's the bingo board:


And here's my Spring Bunny themed card:


Here goes ... from the top:
  1. Punches/Die cuts - Beaded oval nesties
  2. Embossing - Swiss dots embossing folder on the white strip
  3. Ribbon - thin strip of red ribbon from my local craft shop
  4. Lace - part of a blog candy from the lovely Elaine
  5. Glitter - on the hem and cuffs of the dress
  6. Gems - I used liquid pearls on the embossed strip, but then added some red flat back pearls for good measure!
  7. Swirls - (may be pushing this one a bit) on the center of the homemade sentiment
  8. Pastel colours - papers
  9. Flowers - Wild Orchid Craft cherry blossom and tea roses
Phew !!!

I feel shattered now with all that stash just on one little card.

Anyway, please pop on over to the 2 Sisters challenge blog to enter our bingo challenge, and see the other fantastic creations designed by the other team members.  Hope to see you there.

I've been inspired by the following:
Happy crafting

Friday 15 April 2011

New Release at Stamp Fairy - Cute Snails

Today's new release at Stamp Fairy are some cute little snails. Aren't they just adorable!  (there's a little freebie there too, so pop over to check it out).  Don't forget the sale is still on (all digi images are half price) so grab yourself a bargain while you're there, as I'm not sure how long the sale will stay on for.


Tuesday 12 April 2011

Lilac Linda Bear

Linda Fairy is the image I've used today from Stamp Fairy, she's so pretty sitting on her swing with her sparkly fairy wand. I've used my Promarkers and 2 lacey circle nesties (one for the image and one for the sentiment).  I've used up some scraps of papers in the same lilac colours.  I've used my swiss dots embossing folder to fill in the remaining gap where I ran out of lilac scraps, and added some white pearls, purple liquid pearls, lilac ribbon and white pearl star shapes . The sentiment is one of my own and there are lots of freebies on my blog. Don't forget to leave a comment on my Freebie - your choice posting if you want to suggest any new requests for freebie sentiments, though I've had loads of suggestions already, it's not too late for more!!!


I've been inspired by the following:
Happy Crafting

Monday 11 April 2011

Clemantine's Easter Basket for Stamp Fairy

This week's theme at Stamp Fairy is to create an Easter Basket.  You are challenged to make a project for Easter with a Stamp Fairy digi image (don't forget they're on half price sale at the moment so there is no excuse not to join in).  No cards are allowed this week, but a tag is okay.

My little Easter basket is from the tutorials on Gerda's blog, so pop on over there and have a look for the instructions on how to make it, it really is easy, and the finished basket is lovely.  You can make it any size you want, and the great thing about digi images is that you can resize them to fit your project.

I've used Clemantine Easter for my image, she's so cute and great with her little Easter egg. I've coloured her in grey chalks, and the rest of the image with promarkers.  I've used a peach colour scheme and added some orange accents with the flower, bow and liquid pearls.  The handle is a strip of paper punched on both edges.


I hope you like my little Clemantine Easter basket. Please pop on over to the Stamp Fairy challenge blog to see the great projects created by the other DT members, and also so you can join in the Easter Basket challenge.  I look forward to seeing more of your lovely creations this week. 

I've been inspired by
There's also a new release at Stamp Fairy today, the adorable Panda Paul with Pauline. Sooo cute.  Grab them while the sale is still on, cos it won't last forever!


Happy crafting.