Monday 27 January 2020

* Vera Lane Studio: Girls Want To Have Sun


Hello!

Happy Monday!

For my DT post for Vera Lane Studio this week, I decided to decorate a wooden money box that picked up at a local store. I thought it would be a good idea to start a Holiday Fund and chose my images accordingly!


I painted the money box with white PaperArtsy Fresco chalk paint, then when dry, I brayered some chalk paints onto my gelli plate and stamped the box sides onto the plate to transfer the colour. Next I added some random stencilling using Faded Jeans Distress Oxide. Modelling paste was applied through a different stencil and I did some stamping with Faded Jeans along the edges. Finally some white paint splatters were added. I used gold acrylic paint for the top of the money box.
I coloured my images with Copic markers and fussy cut them. They were glued directly onto the backgrounds and weighed down until they were affixed securely. I used Beach Love (available on request) and Beach Club.  I only managed to complete three sides.


Beach Love                                                 Beach Club
         

I hope you'll come along and play on Vera Lane.
It's such a friendly, fun place to be!

  

Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo

I'd like to play along in these challenges:

A Gem of a Challenge #2 AG 29/01
Classic Design Challenge #1 AG 30/01
Dragonfly Dreams Jan (4) AG 30/01
Cardz TV #106 (3/3)AG 30/01
613 Avenue Create #229 (6/8) AG 31/01
Jans Digi Stamps #6 (#2/5) AG 02/02
PIP Challenges #2004 AG 02/02
Polkadoodles #4 AG 04/02


***

Monday 20 January 2020

* Path of Positivity: #76 Midway: Toast With Margaret


Hello!

Happy Monday!

Please allow me to welcome my newest follower, Terry Wietsma-Girbes. Thank you so much, Terry, for showing interest in my blog!

I'm back today with a midway post for the Path of Positivity Challenge blog.

This month the theme is #76 Anything Goes with the optional twist of Character Traits.
We are all made up different qualities that come together to make up our overall character. What are your qualities or character traits?

Prizes this month include:
  • $12 gift certificate from Bugaboo Stamps, our guest sponsor for this month, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all qualifying entrants. 
  • ONE image (value of $5 or less) from Scribbles Designs, for the post or project that the team deems most inspiring of the bunch based on all qualifying entrants.
  • One digital image from Creative Bug Digital SnapShots for each person chosen as a DT Delight.

Today I thought I'd make a snarky Margaret card about my 'night owl' traits. I feel at my best in the late evening and this is often when I do my crafting. I could stay up all night, and often have to force myself to go to bed. If I go too early, I just toss and turn until the early hours.
I am definitely NOT a morning person - it takes me quite a while and several black coffees to properly waken up. I am not the sort of person who can jump out of bed either. It is common knowledge among my friends and family not to disturb me in the early morning. If you do disturb me, I'm likely to be a little (or a lot, depending on how early it is) on the grumpy side :) . 
Snarkiness, irony and mild sarcasm are also character traits of mine - of course, if and when I use these, they are tongue-in-cheek comments and are not intended to be rude or cruel!

I think Bugaboo's Margaret says it best here:



Margaret makes me smile! You can find this stamp Margaret Live in a Toaster at the Bugaboo stamp shop. I coloured the image with Copic markers and added some white highlights. I matted it onto purple card, inking the edges of the card with Dusty Concord Distress Oxide. The background is a stamp, inked up with Peacock Feathers, Dusty Concord and Wilted Violet Distress Oxides, then spritzed with water and stamped onto white 300gsm card. The edges of the mandala pattern are lightly inked to add a little more colour and then the edges of background card are inked to add a border. The background has Bakers' Twine wrapped around and tied in a small bow and is matted onto purple card. Margaret's image was popped on foam tape for some dimension.

Many thanks to Bugaboo Stamps, this month's guest sponsor,

and to Scribbles Designs as the ongoing sponsor of the challenge


We would love to see your creations! 
Just make sure that your entry is positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some way!
And we'd also love to hear about your character traits!
The link up is here: Challenge #76 Path of Positivity

 

That's all for today! 

I'll be back with a new Path of Positivity project in February.

Thanks for stopping by today!
xoxo

                                                                                                                                            
I'd like to play along in these challenges:

Crafty Catz #489 Funny 23/01
Creative Fingers #177 (2/3) AG 24/01
PIP Challenges #2002 AG 26/01
Polkadoodle #3 AG 29/01
A Gem of a Challenge #2 AG 29/01
Classic Design Challenge #1 AG 30/01
Cardz TV #106 (2/3)AG 30/01
Incy Wincy Designs Jan AG 31/01
Dragonfly Dreams AG 31/01
Crafty Friends #127 AG 31/01

I'd really love some feedback :)      
I read and appreciate all your comments. 

xoxo

* Vera Lane Studio: Party Girl


Hello!

Happy Monday!

This is my third post today. If you are interested, you can see my first post here and post two here.

For my DT day at Vera Lane Studio I am using the brand new digi set release called Party Like A Girl.



I coloured the images with Copics and added white Posca Pen highlights. The background is brayered Fresco chalk paints, overlaid with a stencil and wiped with a clean baby wipe. Picked Raspberry Distress Oxide was applied through the same stencil, then spatters of pink, white and black paint were applied. The edges of the background are inked with black archival ink.
I fussy cut the images and adhered the banner flags (party hats) to the background. I added a wonky hand drawn frame using a black micron pen. Party Girl was added on foam pads for some dimension, with torn washi tape to ground her. The sentiment was cut into strips, inked and adhered to the background.



Party Like A Girl


I hope you'll come along and play on Vera Lane.
It's such a friendly, fun place to be!

  

Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo

I'd like to play along in these challenges:

Crafty Cardmakers #248 (#3) AG 26/01
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends (#3/3) #123 AG  26/01 
A Perfect Time to Craft #1 AG 27/01
We Love 2 Create #1 AG Mixed Media 28/01
A Gem of a Challenge #2 AG 29/01
Classic Design Challenge #1 AG 30/01
Dragonfly Dreams Jan (4) AG 30/01
Alphabet Challenge U - Use Washi Tape  30/01
613 Avenue Create #229 (5/8) AG 31/01
Corrosive Challenges #1 (3/3) AG 31/01
Jans Digi Stamps #6 (#2/5) AG 2/02


***

* ArtsyStamper: Calla Lilies



Hello! 
Happy Monday!

Today sees the start of a new challenge at the Artsystamper Challenge Blog
Each challenge runs for two weeks and starts on the first and third Monday of the month. 
The theme for this challenge is Thank You
I hope that you can find time to join in the fun!

The winner will receive the stamp set of their choice from TheArtsystamperShop. The Top 3 will also receive an image of Beverly's choice!
Beverly Cole’s selections offer stamps and sentiments in each set as well as pre-colored images for easy, last minute cards. Why not take a moment and check out what she has in store!

Here is what I made:


I used one of the digi stamps from the Calming Callas set and coloured it with Copic markers. Once fussy cut, I glued it on to a fancy, design paper, die cut oval. I made the background from co-ordinating papers, layering three pieces together and inking the edges. The sentiment was die cut twice and glued together to make it a little sturdier, then it was adhered to the card.



Calming Callas


That's all for today! 
I hope you will hop on over to Artsystamper Digitals Challenge Blog and enter! You will also see more inspiring designs from the Artsystamper Addicts Design Team ... so much fun.

I'll be back with another Artsystamper project in two weeks time.

Meanwhile, please check out:
Artsystamper Digitals Challenge Blog

Thank you for stopping by today!



I'd like to support the following challenges:

Daring Cardmakers (1) Something New 24/01
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends (#2/3) #123 AG  26/01
Crafty Cardmakers #248 (#2) AG 26/01
A Perfect Time to Craft #1 AG 27/01
Classic Design Challenge #1 AG 30/01
Dragonfly Dreams Jan (3) AG 30/01
613 Avenue Create #229 (4/8) AG 31/01
Corrosive Challenges #1 (2/3) AG 31/01
Crafty Friends #127( 2/3) AG 31/01
Jans Digi Stamps #6 (#1/5) AG 2/02



***

* Gecko Galz: Follow Your Heart


Hello!

Today is my DT day for Gecko Galz.

The customer challenge at the Gecko Galz blog is Captured Hearts and my samples are along that theme.  I have a couple of vintage makes and some colourful retro cards.

Here is a vintage style card, Follow Your Heart: 

Image: Valentine Lovers collage sheet
Sentiment: Heart Strings ATC set
Own Stash: kraft card, corrugated cardboard, white acrylic paint, lace, pearl trim, border dies.
***
Next is a set of four Romantic Retro Cards:

Images: Retro Love Story collage set, Isn't It Romantic collage set, 
Papers: Heart Strings ATC set (ATCs enlarged)
Sentiments: Heart Strings ATC set, Charming Words collage set
Own Stash: red texture card, dark blue pearl paper, Distress Ink, Stickles Glitter, Tim Holtz Small Talk stickers
***
Next is a retro card, Love Birds, that I featured on the 1st January here:

Image: Retro Love Story collage set
Papers: Heart Strings ATC set (ATCs enlarged)
Sentiment: Charming Words (colour altered)
Own Stash; red texture card, dark blue pearl paper, Distress Ink, Stickles Glitter
***
And finally, a hanging vintage heart, also featured on the 1st January here:

Image: Hugs and Kisses 
Sentiment:  Charming Words
Own Stash: Corrugated cardboard, white acrylic paint, heart die, pearl, Nuvo Crystal Drops, lace, sari flower, cheesecloth, gems.
*****
That's all for now!
I hope you'll join our Captured Hearts Challenge where the Winner will get a 
$25 shopping spree 
at the Gecko Galz shop.

  

The only rule is that you must use at least one Gecko Galz product 
(this can be one of the freebies or, of course, you can buy at the Etsy store!) 
Also if you sign up for the Gecko Galz newsletter, you'll be able to claim a free collage sheet each month and get first claim on the weekly $1 deals!

Please pop over to the Gecko Galz blog to see the fabulous designs by the very talented DT.

We also have a Private Facebook Group where there are 4 monthly challenges, each with a collage sheet prize
Do come and join us!



I'll be back on the 1st February with more Gecko Galz projects.

Here's all the info you need:
***
Thanks for stopping by today.
xoxo


I'd like to play along in the following challenges:

Vintage Lace Card
Allsorts #555 More Than a Single Word Sentiment 24/01
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends (#1/3) #123 AG  26/01
A Bit More Time To Craft #108 AG 29/01
The Library Craft Challenge #51 Romeo and Juliet 08/02

Retro Cards
Creative Fingers #177 AG 24/01
Cardz TV #106 (1/3)AG 30/01
Crafty Friends #127 AG 31/01

I'd really love some feedback :)      
I read and appreciate all your comments. 

Monday 13 January 2020

* Vera Lane Studio: Life Happens Notepad


Hello!

Happy Monday!

I have a second project for Vera Lane Studio today. It is a little notebook cover:



Covering notebooks is one of my favourite projects to do. The completed project makes a lovely little gift.
I bought this kraft covered notepad and pen set on a city break in Glasgow, where I found a lovely little shop, selling all sorts of bits and bobs, called Flying Tiger. I decided not to cover the front of the notepad, as I love the kraft and black look, but I added some hessian ribbon.
The image is from Girls on the Block. I coloured her with Copic markers and added some glitter to her hair and eyelids and some white highlights. She is glued on top of the trim.
The sentiment, from the Top of My Head Collage Sheet, was split into two sections, inked around the edges and adhered to the notepad front.



Girls on the Block                                Top of My Head collage sheet
      

I hope you'll come along and play on Vera Lane.
It's such a friendly, fun place to be!

  

Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo

I'd like to play along in these challenges:
Use Your Stuff #389 AG Something new18/01
(new notebook and pen)
Dream Valley #216 Something New 18/01
CRAFT Callenge #541 AG 22/01
Get Creative (1/3) #87 Something New 31/01
(new notebook and pen)
A Place to Start Jan 2020 AG/CAS 31/01


***

* Vera Lane Studio: Together


Hello!

Happy Monday!

Please allow me welcome my newest follower;

Today is my Vera Lane Studio DT day and I have made two projects this week. The first is here and the second will be posted later this afternoon.

I felt the need for a little quirkiness this week after a really miserable week, so I made a card with the whimsical Bird Houses digi set.



I coloured the birds and the house in bright colours with Copic markers and I added some white highlights. I fussy cut around the images, leaving a thin white border.
I made the background with a mixed media plate using a sprinkling of Infusions (Emerald Isle) and Brushos (turquoise) along with a spritz of Glimmer Mist. I used the plate as a stamp by securing it to an acrylic block. I added some Posca pen paint splashes to the circular print.
I cut myself a circular card mask to place over the coloured circle, then inked up a background stamp with Peacock Feathers and Twisted Citron Distress Inks. I spritzed the inks with water and stamped around the circle. I used the same DOs to ink around the edges of the card and I added a little mesh stamping with Hickory Smoke DO. I added some splatters of Black Soot DO to the stamped background areas.
I glued the images directly onto the background. The sentiment was cut into strips, inked and adhered.




I hope you'll come along and play on Vera Lane.
It's such a friendly, fun place to be!

  

Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo

I'd like to play along in these challenges:

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends  (1) #122 AG 17/01
A Bit More Time To Craft #107 AG 15/01
PIP Challenges Jan 2020 AG 19/01
Jans Digistamps Challenges (3/5)  #5 AG 20/01
Crafty Cardmakers #248 AG 26/01 WINNER
A Perfect Time to Craft #1 AG 27/01
We Love 2 Create #1 AG Mixed Media 28/01
Classic Design Challenge #1 AG 30/01
613 Avenue Create #229 (3/8) AG 31/01 TOP ROCKER

Corrosive Challenges #1 (1/3) AG 31/01


***

Monday 6 January 2020

* Path of Positivity #76: Owl be Here


Hello!

Happy Monday!

I am delighted to announce that I have joined The Path of Positivity Design Team!  I came across this wonderful challenge blog a few months ago and really love the ethos of creating a nurturing, positive path for crafting buddies.

http://pathofpositivitychallenge.blogspot.com

The motto for The Path of Positivity Challenge blog is:

A unique challenge blog designed to inspire, nurture and provide support for the soul by creating a positive path to follow, one project or post at a time!

So, ALL entries must be positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some nature. 

This month the theme is Anything Goes with the optional twist of Character Traits.
We are all made up different qualities that come together to make up our overall character. What are your qualities or character traits?

Prizes this month include:
  • $12 gift certificate from Bugaboo Stamps, our guest sponsor for this month, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all qualifying entrants. 
  • ONE image (value of $5 or less) from Scribbles Designs, for the post or project that the team deems most inspiring of the bunch based on all qualifying entrants.
  • One digital image from Creative Bug Digital SnapShots for each person chosen as a DT Delight.
So what about my character traits?  
I would say that I am a kind, patient and supportive person who is dependable, compassionate, optimistic, and a good, reliable friend.  This is the reason the Path of Positivity Challenge blog appealed to me so much. I just love the idea of creating a caring, inspiring and supportive network for fellow crafters!
Just in case you're thinking I'm an angel :), I do have some negative traits as well!  I’m indecisive. I am the world’s best procrastinator (especially where non crafty paperwork is involved). I can be gullible. And ... I’m definitely finicky! 

I was lucky to receive an image from our guest sponsor, Bugaboo Stamps and here is the card I created:



The Cute Owl digi stamp was coloured with Copics and die cut with a scalloped square die. The die was left in place and the background was inked with Peeled Paint Distress Oxide. I added some Pearl Drops to the flower centres. I matted the image onto die cut kraft card. For the background, I used papers from Tim Holtz's 'Wall Flower' paper stash pad, inked the edges in Vintage Photo and matted onto kraft card. I printed out the sentiment and cut it into strips. I made a daisy to match those in the image using a Tattered Lace Blossom's die. It was secured with a pearl brad which doubles up at the flower centre.



For the inside of the card, I printed out the text 'sending you' and then the pictorial sentiment #044 'Hugs' from Scribbles Designs.



Many thanks to Bugaboo Stamps, this month's guest sponsor,

and to Scribbles Designs as the ongoing sponsor of the challenge


We would love to see your creations! 
Just make sure that your entry is positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some way!
The link up is here: Challenge #76 Path of Positivity
and the linky closes on the 2nd February.

 

That's all for today! 

I'll be back with a Path of Positivity mid-month project in two weeks time.

Thanks for stopping by today!
xoxo

                                                                                                                                            
I'd like to play along in these challenges:

Catch the Bug AG 11/01
Always Fun (2/3) #144 Something New 12/01
A Bit More Time to Craft #107 AG 14/01
Stamps Fun-Creativity #359 AG 21/01
A Perfect Time to Craft #1 AG 27/01
Classic Design Challenge #1 AG 30/01
Dragonfly Dreams Jan (2) AG 30/01
Love to Craft  (3/5) #42 AG 31/01
Crafty Creations  (2/2) #405 AG 03/02 Top 3

I'd really love some feedback :)      
I read and appreciate all your comments. 

xoxo