Recycle It over at Polkadoodles....

Hello again,

It's a new challenge over on the Polkadoodles Challenge Blog and so I'm here with my DT inspiration....

The theme this time is Recycle It!
Oh boy did I have a little panic about this one!  I've not really adventured far away from card making on my blog yet and spent a long time trying to figure out what and how I was going to rise to this challenge using Nikky Hall's fabulous products from Polkadoodles.

After much dithering, here's what I came up with.....

Recycled frame countdown chalk board!

My children were over the moon when they realised what I was making and we are still trying to convince them that we have to put it away until December lol!

Don't those Polkadoodles papers look amazing!

Here's how I made it:

Old photo frame:  This one I'd picked up in a cheapy shop and had in a bag for a while, it had two frames so I just took a knife (carefully) to the back to unstick the inner frame so I could decorate them seperately.

Inner frame: 
Totally awesome Christmas papers from Work and Play Festive Hollybobs Collection CD (which is also available as a download HERE and is totally packed with awesome digi's, embellies, pre-coloured images, papers, design sheets, bags and boxes, paper bows and so much more).
The papers were torn in to strips of approx 2cms wide and measured to the width of my inner frame.
I then used a mix of cheap PVA glue and water to decoupage the strips around the frame.
When I'd finished and it had dried I then covered it again in a layer of PVA glue, let it dry and repeated to create a seal.
Outer Frame:
I sanded the original frame so it would grip the paint and then put on two coats of Gesso.  Once dry I put on a full coat of red acrylic paint and then once dry two coats of white acrylic paint.
Once dry the frame was sanded back in places to create the distressed look. 
Tip: make sure you sand a little at a time, then stand back to have a look so you don't over sand it...remember you can always add more but can't take it back once you've done it, you'd have to start again!

Once both layers were fully dry I put them back together.
The chalk board in the centre was another cheat!  I found some sticky backed chalking sheets in our local Pound shop!  All I did was trim it to fit over a piece of card for the centre and then put the back back on!  How easy was that!

Embellishments:
I added some ribbon and bells that I got from a local store and then of course I wanted to use some of the fabulous embellishments from Festive Hollybobs so I printed out the North Pole sign, heart and candy canes in the desired size, all pre-coloured options used, and then covered them in glossy accents so they were totally protected when the frame is displayed :D

Here's the close-up pics:

Thank you for visiting today and don't forget to leave me a comment as I'd love to know what you think of my Recyle It project :D

I totally look forward to seeing your makes over at the Polkadoodles Challenge Blog

Happy Crafting :D

Sandie xx

Challenges:
Penny's Papercrafty challenge - 201 AG
Not just cards challenge - 5 AG
Fab n Funky challenge - 235 Christmas
Crafty Catz weekly challenge - 253 AG
Creative Fingers challenge - 54 AG
Hiding in my craftroom - 171 Holidays
All Sorts challenge - 282 Christmas
Scribble and Scrap - 30 AG (3of3)
613 Avenue Create - 95 AG
Moving along with the times - 30/10 Winter

Time for Tea anyone!

Hello again,

This make today is a very special one for me.  Life's been throwing curve balls at me for sometime and todays make was for a very special friend who has been in and out of my life for a long while now and I wanted her to know that my life is much better with her in it! (yes Nic I mean you x mwah x), so I made this little project for her :D

It's challenge time over at Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog and it gave me the opportunity to use this image on my very special make.  The theme this time is 2 or 3 word sentiment and you'll see the 2 words I chose for the front of the project - Dream Big!

The image I have used is It's Tea Time from the fabulous The Paper Shelter and the backing paper comes with her :D 
Surprisingly for all my followers I DIDN'T colour this one with my markers!  I know, shock alert or what!  This is the pre-coloured image that comes in the pack and I printed her, covered her in Rangers Glossy Accents (all over) and left her overnight to fully dry before I cut her out to layer on the backing paper. 

But, she is not a card!  Its a desk top post-it (sticky note) holder and I got the idea for this make from a lovely lady who posted a make with this design and then kindly put out the tutorial, so rather than add instructions myself I'm going to post you all back to her because its only right :D  Kym's Crafty Cards

The main body of mine is made with Black coordinations card stock with a tan coloured core that I put through an embossing folder (Sheena Douglas Taste of India) and then sanded back.  This gave me a distressed look that I felt went well with the steam punky image :D

The backing paper on the inside is one I've had in my stash forever, but you could use any text stamp and then distress it with antique inks to get a similar effect.  I'm sure by now you have checked out the link for Kym's instructions so you will know that the post it holder has room on top for another sentiment or image, so I chose a verse that I felt fitted my friend....

I backed the sentiment, edged it with antique linin distress ink and added pearls to the corners (these were brads until I snipped of the prong things!  Another Top Tip right there...use those old bits in a new way and don't be afraid to attack with your scissors! lol).  I edged with lace, stuck with red double sided on all the front edges as they were the ones that would be pulled at to open the pad so I wanted to add a bit of protection to the card.

I have edged where ever I could with pearl strings and I added flowers to the side of the post it pad and to the corners of the front design and there you go.  This was really easy to make and I will definately be doing it again as I loved the end result.  So did Nic by the way xxx it now sits proudly on her desk at work....

Thank you for stopping by and don't forget to hop over to join the challenge (Anything Goes) at Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog
Don't forget to leave me a comment as I love reading your feedback and if you've enjoyed your stay please look down the right hand side to follow me (trying to reach my first 100!).

Happy Crafting :D

Sandie xx

Challenges:
Treasured Times challenge blog - 27 AG
Love to create challenge - 139 more than 1 fold
Penny's Challenge blog - 201 AG
Not just cards challenge - 5 AG
The Sisterhood of Crafters - 22/10 Fall colours
Inspiration Destination - 5 AG
Creative Fingers challenge - 54 AG
Scribble and Scrap challenge - 30 AG (2of3)
Sparkles Challenge Blog - 61 Fall colours (15th of mth)
Quirky Crafts Challenge Blog - 22 Charades (Alice in Wonderland, time for tea)

The Diva's have a new challenge....

Hello again,

Its challenge time over at the Diva's By Design Challenge Blog and the theme is Anything Goes!  How fabulous is that, we all love Anything Goes as it lets us run wild with creativity!  (Wow that was a big intro to my make! lol)

Anyway...I decided to spotlight another new (ish) digi stamp company...new to me anyway...The Oddball Art Co by Lizzy Love - if you haven't had a look yet, go look!  She has a unique take on the world that I adore :D

The image I am using is called Back 2 School Geek Girl #88 and as its Anything Goes I decided to make my daughter an altered notebook.....

Front view



Back view

I have made another notebook for my other daughter (they're twins!) but more of that soon!  Back to this one...the detailed pics will help you see more but first....
Here's what I used to make it:
Image: Lizzy Love image, Back 2 School Geek Girl #88
Coloured with my Graph'it Marker Pens
Backing paper: from my stash, as I dug around looking for something that would look grundgy
Lace and washi tape from my stash
Wooden hearts coloured with my black marker
Die cuts cut on my sillouette (love the skulls)
And a couple of pegs!

Here's the detail pics:



I chose the book art page to remind her to take time to reflect as she is heading towards exams x

Well, there you go, my DT inspiration for the new Anything Goes challenge and I hope you can join us at Diva's by Design challenge

Please leave a comment before you go and it would be ace if you head to the sidebar and follow me :D

Happy Crafting :D

Sandie xx

Challenges:
Fitztown Challenge blog - 59 distress with digital
Not just cards - 5 AG
Ppinky dolls challenge - AG or fall colours
Digi Choosday - Lace 43
Word Art Wednesday - 156 AG
Sisterhood of crafters - 22/10 fall colours
Inspiration Destination - 5 AG
Creative Fingers - 54 AG
Scribble and Scrap challenge - 30 AG
613 Avenue Create - 95 Anything Goes

Christmas Fun over at Polkadoodles Challenge Blog....

Hello again,

It's time for a mid-challenge inspiration make for the Christmas Fun over at the Polkadoodles Challenge Blog. 

This gave me a chance to have another play with the totally awesome Work and Play Festive Hollybobs CD and the image I have used is also available as a digi download and her name is Hollybobs Cards so don't forget to check her out in the Polkadoodles digi download store.

Now onto my DT make....I have something a little different for you, and please don't fall off your chairs but I have NOT used my alcohol markers!  I know, a shock right!  But I am very pleased with the effects on this card and really hope you are too.....

Totally monochrome!
The artwork by the amazing Nikky Hall is so good that all I did was to take my black micron pen and add shading by dotting and adding small dashed lines.  TOP TIP:  I followed the shading guide already on the image and kept stopping and looking at a different angle to make sure I didn't go to far.

The layering was kept simple, black and white spotted paper from my stash and I fashioned a frame for the image from scrap black card (see there is a reason I keep it all!).

Finally adding a button and some black onyx perfecct pearls and ta-da, my quick make monochrome Christmas card is done!

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you will leave me a comment as I love to read them :D 
Don't forget to head over to the Polkadoodles Challenge Blog to see what the rest of the very talented design team have been up to :D

Happy Crafting

Sandie xx

Challenges:
TTCRDS - 21/10 AG
Not Just Cards - 4 AG
Ppinky Dolls challenge - 4 AG
Buckwells challenge - Oct
Crafting for all seasons - buttons and bows 88
Inspiration Destination - 4 AG
Creative Fingers - 54 AG
CD Sunday - 19/10 Sillouettes (CD I've used is Festive Hollybobs)
Crafty Girls challenge - 30 AG
Pennys paper challenge - 20 Polkadots and pearls (I have used black perfect pearls)

Hello Sailor!

Hello again,

Challenge time over at The Stamping Chef Challenge Blog.
I looove challenge time!
Oh and don't forget to check out the facebook group too!  There is now another challenge within the group every month!  More chances to win fabulous images so don't forget to join the group, click HERE while your thinking about it!

Back to my DT inspiration for this week.....I chose a glorious image called Hello Sailor!

The design is a reverse easel card...I know, a change for me!  Here's the back to show what I mean...

Heres what I used to make it.....

Image: Hello Sailor by The Stamping Chef
Sentiment: Don't Stop Mixed Media Bundle by The Stamping Chef
Colouring: Graph'it Marker Pens
skin: 4115, 4155, 4180, 3120, 6150 and 4145 cheeks with 7140 eyes
hair: 4110, 3210, 3245, 3255, 3290
clothes: 7105, 7110, 7115, 7125 and a little 9500, 9501 for the hat

Backing Papers: Michele R Designs By The Sea Collection
Tickets and if you look closely a little envelope filled with burlap are also from the By The Sea collection
Bunting cut file: Winston Deluxe collection by Polkadoodles

Now for the close-up pic's for the detail....and to thank my gorgeous daughter Zoe who hand poured all of the cog and clock embellies into the Modge Podge mould for me using the melt pot as my hands no longer allow me to do this myself, bless her xxx

Well, there you go and thank you so much for stopping by :D  Please leave me a comment and if you would be so kind please click to follow me as I'm trying to hit my first 100 xx

Don't forget to enter this weeks challenge over at The Stamping Chef Challenge Blog

Happy Crafting :D

Sandie xxx

Challenges:
Fitztown Challenge - 57 AG
Glitter and Sparkle - 107 use orange (orange tint pan pastel around image)
Whoopsi Daisy Challenge - 20/10 use lots of embellies
Digitally Delightful challenge - color my world
Not just cards - 4 AG
Digi Choosday - 42 Happy Birthday
Inspiration Destination - 4 AG
Creative Fingers - 53 AG
That Craft Place - Girly but not pink
Scribble and Scrap - 29 AG

It's Lacey Sunshine for my Mid Challenge Inspiration....

Hello again,

Well here we go with my Design Team mid-challenge inspiration for the fabulous Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog and our amazing sponser this time is Lacey Sunshine!

I was an excited little bunny because it meant I got to play with the fabulous Rory images at last!  The image I chose to play with is called...Rory Christmas Presents and I coloured her with my trusty
Graph'it Marker Pens.

How gorgeous is she!  VERY gorgeous!  I had so much fun with colours on her patchwork clothes that I may now have to buy more of the lovely Rory just coz we can...aren't digi stamps wonderful!

Sorry, back to the make lol
I matted her onto the fabulous new Christmas Papers from Michele R Designs called Santa is Coming and if you haven't check out her papers yet click on the name and take a peek, they are sooo gorgeous.  The tickets are also from the collection and I stamped Merry Christmas on using a stamp from my stash (Versafine black ink).

Now the fun bit...adding all the Christmas sparkle!
The pleated voile at the bottom was pleated by hand and I used the hot glue gun to stick down each pleat one by one (not as time consuming as it sounds but yes I did burn myself, and yes I did burn myself again lol)...the voile itself is in the new Christmas decs section at a store called The Range here in the UK and isn't technically for crafting but that's the ace thing about us crafters, we see potential embellishments EVERYWHERE lol :D

TIP:  I cut the voile (that was already glittered, bonus!) to a length of 2 1/2 x the width of my card base and then started on the right side by making one fold at 0.5cms back to the edge of the voile.  The next pleat was the other way so I layed down 1cm of voile to the left and then pleated 0.5cm under itself.  At each point I secured with a drop of hot glue...I kept going until I reached the end of the card working pleats right then left.

I added a pearl string on top of the pleats just to hide any mass of glue (although it did behave itself most of the time).  I also added some flowers, hearts and bling either side to balance the design :D

I have got to say I did a little happy dance whern it was finish :D

Aww there she is again and surrounded by perfect pearls for snow!  So don't forget to hop over to Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog to join in this times challenge (don't forget to add a sentiment!).

I hope you enjoyed your visit to my little blog and if you'd click the google plus or hit the follow on bloglovin icon I'd be grateful, I'd really love to reach my first 100 followers :D  ooh and don't forget to leave a comment as I do love reading them xxx

Happy Crafting :D

Sandie xx

Challenges:
Fitztown challenge - 57 AG
TTCERD - 14/10 AG
Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge - 199 AG
Top Tip Tuesday - fav colour combo, got to be red and green
We Do Doobadoo - Christmas
Buckwell's Crafty Challenge - Oct AG
Inspiration Destination - #03 AG
Fab n Funky challenge - 233 Christmas
AGWAT - 02 Anything goes, twist female
Scribble and Scrap - 29 AG

Oh how I loved this one! It's a new challenge at Diva's by Design...

Hello again,

Oh boy did I love this one!  I love it when as a DT we are given something we can really run with...

So it's the start of another weekly challenge over at The Diva's by Design Challenge Blog and the theme this week is TEXTURE!

I had a little think and decided that we incorporate texture into most of our makes everyday without thinking about it, we add layers, distressed edges, different paper weights, paper types, natural fibres, metal, lace...the list could go on!  So I had a little fun with my DT make and here it is....

I went with a fabulous new image from Saturated Canary called Autumn, who is a part of the Seasons Change set she comes with 3 others, one for each season.

I coloured her with my Graph'it Marker Pens in the following tones:
Skin: 4120, 4115, 4155, 4145
Hair: 1250, 1270, 3110
Clothes: 8120, 8270, 8280, 9201, 9203, 9205, 9400, 9402, 9404

The backing papers are from The Stamping Chef and are a part of the totally amazing Don't Stop Mixed Media paper bundle which I think I'll be using more and more!  There is so much in there that can be used in so many ways.  The papers I have chosen are both mixed media prints adding 'virtual' texture to the eye which seemed to fit this digital age and the theme!

I have added texture where ever I can...embossed paper layer, lace, pearls, flowers, wooden heart, die cuts, resin flower heads, metal charms, fibres and hessian butterflies!  All adding texture!

So here are the close up pics (I love adding these so you can all see the little bits and pieces!)

The insert is made from another of the lush backing papers from the Don't Stop Mixed Media Bundle from The Stamping Chef, I added the text digitally, they are also in the set!

Well, that's it for this one...I really hope you can come and join us over at the challenge blog and I look forward to seeing you're texture designs :D

Happy Crafting :D

Sandie xxx

Challenges:
Fitztown challenge - 57 anything goes with digital elements
Use your stuff - 157 use stash
Tuesday Throwdown - awareness, be strong
Frilly and Funky - 15/10 Autumn colours
Anthing goes with a twist - 2 twist, female
Crafty Catz - 250 Autumn
Jo's scrap shake - 61 Fall
HIding in my bedroom 169 use your scraps
Scribble and Scrap 29 - anything goes
Great Impressions - Oct, Autumn colours

UPDATE:
THIS DESIGN WAS:
FEATURED ON 'USE YOUR STUFF' yay

I love finding new stamp companies...

Hello again,

Wow, another extra post from me with no DT hat on!  My, you'll all start to think I have got used to this blogging lark!! lol

Today I have a fabulous image to share from a digi stamp company new to me...Faery Ink created by Amanda Byron.

The image I have used is Honey Latte

I love this image, she has her jumper, her scarf and a mug of coffee...what more could a girl want in the Autumn!

Here's what I used to make this card:
Image: Honey Latte by Faery Ink
Colouring: with my Graph'it Marker pens (orange combo is 2120, 2140, 2150)
Backing paper: a very old Papermainia pad in my stash (well whats left of it lol)
Strings of pearls: Hobby House
Flowers and ribbon, twine and buttons all from my stash.
Pan Pastel in Orange Tint was used around the main image, following random stamping with versamark.

So here's the detail pics:

Well, that's another extra post done and I hope you leave me a comment before you go :D
It would be awesome if you would head to the sidebar and follow me too as I'm trying to get my first 100 and will do a candy soon :D

Happy Crafting :D

Sandie xx

Challenges:
Faery Ink Facebook Oct challenge
Fitztown challenge - 57 AG with digital (digi stamp)
Ppinky dolls challenge - 4 AG or fall colours
Tuesday Throwdown - 216 button up
Word art Wednesday - 153 AG
Anthing goes with a twist - 2 twist is female
Crafty Catz weekley - 250 Autumn
Brown Sugar challenges - 115 use triangles - on backing paper
Hiding in my craftroom - 169 use scraps (used up old paper)
Allsorts challenge - 280 cream and brown
That Craft Place - 12/10 Girly but not pink

A little bit more of Autumn...A Sunday Afternoon!

Hello again,

Another extra post from me today, no DT inspiration, just me showcasing a digi that has caught my eye :D

Today I have another Autumn inspired card featuring a gorgeous digi stamp by Karleigh Sue Digi Shoppe called Sunday Afternoon

I love how soft the colours turned out on this one :D

Here's what I used to make her:
Image: Sunday Afternoon by Karleigh Sue Digi Shoppe
Colours: Graph'it Marker Pens Skin: 4120, 4115, 4155, 3110, 4145; Hair: 1210, 1230, 1280, 3110; Clothes: 9400, 9403, 6406, 9201, 9203, 9205, 9207
Backing papers: Silk Promises by The Stamping Chef
Die cuts: Cupcake doilie by Tattered Lace and Doilie by Creative Expressions (all coloured with Graph'it markers and then sprinkled with Glamour Dust)
Glitter edges to all papers: Glamour Dust
Lace, peals and pearl slider
Sentiment: Create with TLC blogspot (a fabulous source of free sentiments for all occassions)

And now the close up's:

Thank you for stopping by and please do leave a comment before you go :D and then dash over to the sidebar and follow me so you don't miss my next post :D

Happy Crafting :D

Sandie xx

Challenges:
Kit and Clowder facebook Colour Palette challenge
Love to Create 136 2 dies and sparkle
The Sisterhood of Craft - Think Pink
Fab n Funky - 232 add a ribon - pink ribbon inspired
Scribble and Scrap 29 Anything goes
Crafting Calendar challenge - Bingo pearls, sentiment, die cuts 3
Karleigh Sue Challenge - Think Pink ribbon
Crafty Girls 28 - AG
Creative Fingers challenge - 51 AG
Sister Act card challenge - 78 AG