* Vera Lane Studio: Christmas Elf

Hello!

It's almost here!

This Christmas Eve I would like to wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas! I hope you'll have a wonderful festive time and spend it with those you love.

I have another festive little helper to share with you today. He comes from Vera Lane Studio and is part of a set called Christmas Cheer. He comes complete with his sister (whose card you can find here) and the Christmas Cheer quote.

The images are coloured with Copic markers with white, Posca paint pen highlights. They are fussy cut and added to the Brusho background. To create the background I used mixed media paper, spritzed it on both sides with water to help prevent warping and shook the Brushos powders on, being careful to create two distinct areas of sky and grass. I used several blues and greens and a brush to create the desired effect. The sky background has some White Glitter embossed snowflakes. One of the trees was glued directly onto the background and the other two were popped on foam dots to give some dimension. At this point, I decided to add plenty white paint splatters. The elf was also popped on foam and the sentiment was cut into strips, adhered to the background and outlined with black fine liner pen. The edges of the background were inked with Faded Jeans and Black Soot Distress Inks to add a frame.

Christmas Cheer

I hope you'll come along and play on Vera Lane. 

It's such a friendly, fun place to be!

  

Here's all the info you need:

Vera Lane Studio Blog

Vera Lane Studio Facebook Group

Vera Lane Studio You Tube Channel

Vera Lane Studio Etsy Shop

Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo

I'd like to play along in these challenges:

* Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas #417 AG 28/12

Hiding in my Craftroom #384 Any Holiday 29/01
* Cardz TV #79 AG 02/01
* Winter Wonderland AG 03/01 (#2)
* A Gem of a Challenge #234 AG 05/01
* The Paper Girls Challenge #166 Santa & Elves 05/01
* Cutie Pie Challenge. #130 Add sparkle 06/01

* Papercraft Challenges #27 Merry Christmas 07/01 (#3)

* Winter Wonderland

Hello!

I thought I would play along with Nina Ribena's weekly art journal prompts this week. I decided to work on loose mixed media paper and attach it into a ring binder journal I bought from Inkylicious. The paper I worked on is 8 x 8 inches.

The theme is Festive and here is the AJ Page I made.

1.  I began by making some homemade spray inks in Turquoise and Prussian Blue from Brushos. I sprayed these onto the paper, then used Memento Flannel Grey ink and an ink duster to make snow mounds. I spritzed the sky to bleach out some colour. 

2.  Next I stamped the tall pine trees in Ranger Archival ink and heat embossed the stag and deer with black EP.

3.  I blended Distress Oxides in Broken China, Faded Jeans and Black Soot around the edges of the paper.

4.  Modelling Paste was applied with a palette knife to replicate the ground snow - I sprinkled some glitter onto this for some sparkle.

5.  The deer were covered with a scrap of paper and white paint was splattered onto the page. 

6.  The sentiment was stamped and heat embossed.

7.  The branches were stamped all around the edges of the page.

8.  Snow was added to the fir tree branches with a white Posca paint pen.

9.  Finally, Stickles Diamond glitter was applied to the snow on the branches and along the snow on the ground.

All stamps are from Inkylicious.

That's all for today!

Thanks for stopping by.

xoxo

I'd like to play along in these challenges:

* TTCRD AG 25/12 (#3)
* Stinkin Inkers Winter Wonderland 28/12 (#2)

* Creatalicious Challenges #153 AG 30/12 (#4)
* Brown Sugar #285 Christmas Scenes/Events 30/12 (#2)

* Lost Coast Portal #66 Cold & Frosty 01/01
* Winter Wonderland AG 03/01 TOP 3

* 613 Avenue Create #216 AG 04/01 (#6)

* The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge #42 AG Christmas 07/01 (#2) TOP 5

* Your Next Stamp #104 AG 10/01

I am still having trouble with Blogger. 
I'm sorry, but I cannot comment on blogs that only allow Google account users to leave comments. For some reason, if you have comment moderation then I can comment. I have no idea why and any suggestions are most welcome!

***

* Gecko Galz: Deck The Halls - Tree Ornaments

Hello!

Have you been following the 24 Days of Deck The Halls over at the Gecko Galz blog? The DT have made some incredibly beautiful pieces!

Today is Day 21 and I made some tree decorations.
Please excuse my tree :)  when I wrote this blog post I didn't have my Christmas tree decorated. As you can see I used my 'money tree' plant as a substitute.

Star Tree Ornaments



The background paper is from the Merry and Bright paper pack and I used a large stitched star die to cut it out. I then cut 8 star frames using ordinary white card and finished with some gold textured paper from my stash. This gives the star a raised frame and creates some dimension. The image was fussy cut from the Christmas Cuties collage sheet and popped on foam pads. Some sequins were added for some sparkle and a bow from the Christmas Haberdashery collage sheet was inked and added at the bottom. Fine gold tinsel was used to to hang the star from my tree and I let some tinsel dangle below the star for more sparkle.



This second star was made the same way, and uses paper from the Merry and Bright paper pack; the image is from the Little Christmas Ladies collage sheet.

Mini Photo Frame Tree Ornaments



I used 4 mini wooden photo frames for these tree ornaments. To mute the colours on the frames I gave them a coat of chalky paint in Snowflake and then added some Sparkle Medium. Both of these images are from the Little Christmas Ladies collage sheet. I glued an image inside each frame, attached some gold and silver ribbon, then glued two frames together. I added metallic beads to the ends of the ribbon to dangle below the ornament.

Here is the back of the frame decorations:



The angel is from Winter Blessings collage sheet and the reindeer is from Reindeer Games collage sheet.


You can find my Santa Art Doll and Christmas Tree Angel here.



That's all from me for today.

There is still some time to join our December Snow Queen 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 $1 Wednesday 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. Come and join us!

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

Here's all the info you need:

Gecko Galz blog

Current Gecko Galz Challenge : "Snow Queen"

Gecko Galz Etsy Shop

Gecko Galz Closed Facebook group

***

Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo

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

   

Vintage Star Decorations 

* Crafter's Castle #12 Christmas Ornaments 29/12

* Brown Sugar #285 Christmas Scenes/Events 30/12

Die Cuttin Divas #400 Happy Holidays 01/01 (#3)

* As You Like It  AG 01/01

*Moving Along With The Times #87 Anything but a Card 01/01 Jackie's Prize

* Vintage Journey Star Light Star Bright 02/01

Framed Vintage Images 

* Jo's Scrapshack #265 AG 28/12

* Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas #417 AG Xmas 27/12

* Daring Cardmakers Let's Decorate 10/01

I am still having trouble with Blogger. 
I'm sorry, but I cannot comment on blogs that only allow Google account users to leave comments. For some reason, if you have comment moderation then I can comment. I have no idea why and any suggestions are most welcome!

***

I'd really love some feedback :)      

I read and appreciate all your comments. 

* Colour Crazy: Polkadoodles Winnie and Robin

Hello!

I am delighted to be back as a Guest DT on the Colour Crazy Challenge blog. 

The challenge is always Anything Goes, but of course your card must feature some colouring: use any medium you wish. This fortnight the lovely Polkadoodles is the sponsor.

I was lucky to receive a digi stamp to work with and I chose the beautiful Robin Gift Branch.

Here is the card I made:

Little Winnie and her robin were coloured with Copic markers and given some white Posca pen highlights and some Glossy Accent holly berries. They were cut with a Sue Wilson Stitched Square die and the image background was inked with Memento Desert Sand. A frame was created from textured gold paper. 
The snowflake paper was a gift from Lozzie. I inked the edges with Vintage Photo so that no white core was showing. The snowflake paper was matted onto gold paper and then added to a 7 x 7 inch card base. The Winnie and robin image and frame were popped on foam tape onto the snowflake paper to create some dimension. The sentiment was die cut from gold card.

Many thanks to Polkadoodles for sponsoring this challenge.
I hope you'll find time to share your projects at the Colour Crazy Challenge! 
Challenge #51 is open for 2 weeks.



That's all from me for today!

xoxo

I'd like to play along in these challenges:

* Digi Choosday #51 AG 25/12 (#3 Using Polkadoodles digi)

Modsquad Challenge Winter/Christmas + die 26/12 (#2)
* A Perfect Time To Craft #12 AG 27/12 (#3)
* Classic Design Team Challenge #12 27/12 (#3)
* Country View Challenges #12 AG 31/12
* Love to Craft #29 AG 31/10 (#4)
* Crafting by Designs Holiday AG 31/12 (#2)
Die Cuttin Divas #400 Happy Holidays 01/01 (#2)
* That's Crafty #5 AG 02/01 (#3)
* Crafty Gals Corner #181 AG 02/01 (#2) WINNER

* Crafty Sentiments Celebrate 08/01
* Penny's Challenges #411 AG 09/01 (#2)
* Dream Valley #192 Christmas 14/01 (#2)

I am still having trouble with Blogger. 
I'm sorry, but I cannot comment on blogs that only allow Google account users to leave comments. For some reason, if you have comment moderation then I can comment. I have no idea why and any suggestions are most welcome!

***

* Funny, Sarcastic Ladies

Hello!

So, you know how you find something funny, but then stop and think about it and start to wonder if it's politically correct .... well, that's how I feel about these two cards. But, what the heck!  My Slimming World buddies are a barrel of laughs, so I decided to send them. I know they won't be offended and I hope you won't be either!

I found a couple of sets of digital collage sheets at one of my favourite Etsy shops, Lisa's Altered Art. 

The sheet I used for these cards is called Funny, Sarcastic Ladies No. 2 and that really is the perfect title for my two friends!

So here are my cards:

As I wanted to make these ladies into festive cards, I decided to use red polka dot paper and fussy cut the ladies and their sarcastic words. I added some gold glitter washi tapes and some white die cut embellishments backed with black to make them stand out a bit more.The fairies were popped on foam dots to make them dimensional and I added Glossy Accents to the ladies' spectacles and also to their fairy name blocks. Some Stickles was added to their wands. The words were cut into strips, glued down and outline with a black fine liner pen. I hope they make you smile!

And for those of you who know about the Slimming World plan, in case you are wondering, I'm still in target ... just!

Funny, Sarcastic Ladies No. 2

That's all for today!

Thanks for stopping by.

xoxo

I'd like to play along in these challenges:

Modsquad Challenge Winter/Christmas + die 26/12

* Crafting by Designs Holiday AG 31/12
* Die Cuttin Divas #400 Happy Holidays 01/01
* Crafty Gals Corner #181 AG 02/01
* Penny's Challenges #411 AG 09/01

I am still having trouble with Blogger. 
I'm sorry, but I cannot comment on blogs that only allow Google account users to leave comments. For some reason, if you have comment moderation then I can comment. I have no idea why and any suggestions are most welcome!

***

* Winter Stag in Snow Shaker Card

Hello!

I have a shaker card to share today. I used stamps and stencils from Inkylicious.



First I used a circle stencil to make the inky background from Distress Oxide inks. I spritzed it with water to blot out some colour to resemble snowfall and I added some white Posca paint pen dots. I used the Mountain/Valley stencil with some grey Memento ink to create snow mounds on the ground and I stamped the Tall Pine Trees in Ranger Black Archival ink. The Silhouette Stag was heat embossed with black powder.
I secured the inky circle onto a piece of embossed white card and built up the shaker element by die cutting a scalloped circle inside a scalloped circle and repeating until I had the depth I required (about 8 - 10 pieces of card). The glitter and stars were placed in onto the image and the acetate secured in place with die cut white glitter card. I matted the shaker onto blue mirror card and popped it onto a 6 x 6 inch card base.



That's all for today!

Thanks for stopping by.

xoxo

I'd like to play along in these challenges:

* Pammie's Inky Pinkies #1850 AG 24/12 (#3)

* Crafty Cardmakers #224 Christmas 24/12 
* The Sisterhood of Crafters create a Winter Scene 24/12
* TTCRD AG 25/12 (#2)
* Stinkin Inkers Winter Wonderland 28/12 TOP 3

* A Bit More Time to Craft #82 AG 29/12 (#3)

* Creatalicious Challenges #153 AG 30/12 (#2)
* Lost Coast Portal #66 Cold & Frosty 01/01
* Digi Choosday #51 AG 08/01 (#2)

* 613 Avenue Create #216 AG 04/01 (#6)

* Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #96 AG 04/01 (#3)
* Papercraft Challenges #27 Merry Christmas 07/01 (#2)
* The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge #42 AG Christmas 07/01

I am still having trouble with Blogger. 
I'm sorry, but I cannot comment on blogs that only allow Google account users to leave comments. For some reason, if you have comment moderation then I can comment. I have no idea why and any suggestions are most welcome!

***

* Vera Lane Studio: Holiday Monsters

I am still having trouble with Blogger. 
I'm sorry, but I cannot comment on blogs that only allow Google account users to leave comments. For some reason, if you have comment moderation then I can comment. I have no idea why and any suggestions are most welcome!

***

Hello!

Last week saw the introduction of the Holiday Monsters at Vera Lane Studio.

These cute monsters, 2 boys and a girl, make quirky festive cards and I teamed the girl monster with the mistletoe from the Season's Greetings set:

My girl monster is coloured with Copic markers and has white Posca pen highlights. I love her little vest and pants! Her eyes have Glossy Accents and her earrings sparkle with Stickles. She's popped on foam pads on a gelli print background with some Vintage Photo music scale stamping along the edges and torn gold washi tape for added texture and interest. The Mistletoe berries are also coated with Glossy Accents to make them shine. I did add a few snowflakes with Iridescent Glitter paste which you can see if you screw your eyes up tightly! The lovely sentiment comes with the set and I added some gold acrylic paint along the edges.

Holiday Monsters

I hope you'll come along and play on Vera Lane. 

It's such a friendly, fun place to be!

  

Here's all the info you need:

Vera Lane Studio Blog

Vera Lane Studio Facebook Group

Vera Lane Studio You Tube Channel

Vera Lane Studio Etsy Shop

Thanks for stopping by today.

xoxo

I'd like to play along in these challenges:

* Pammie's Inky Pinkies #1850 AG 24/12 (#2)

* Crafty Cardmakers #224 Christmas 24/12 (#2)
* TTCRD AG 25/12

* Classic Design Team Challenge #12 27/12 (#2)

* A Bit More Time to Craft #82 AG 29/12 (#2)

* Creatalicious Challenges #153 AG 30/12 (#2)
* Digi Choosday #51 AG 08/01

* 613 Avenue Create #216 AG 04/01 (#5) Named Honour

* Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #96 AG 04/01 (#2)
* Papercraft Challenges #27 Merry Christmas 07/01