Not What I Wanted

I think we've seen a few children act this way at Christmas, that's why when I saw the image a Lili of the Valley I just had to buy it.  The image is called Stroppy Girl Christmas Present.

When I printed the image out I left a large area around it because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it.  Then after doing a recent class with Kit and Clowder I decided to have another go a sketching in and colouring a wooden floor.  I also added a skirting board :)

The image was coloured with Copics.  All I've done after that is frame it with some black card and add a wood chip sentiment I got from Scrap and Craft coloured with Copics.

Andrea x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges

Lili of the Valley - Anything Goes December

Deep Ocean - Jingle Bells

Sunny Day Crafting - X is for Xmas

The Sisterhood of Crafters - All About Christmas

CRAFT - Christmas

Sparkles - Quickie Christmas / Happy New Year

Sweet Stampin - Last Minute Christmas / CAS Christmas

A Perfect Time to Craft - Challenge 12

Crafty Creations - Anything Goes

Through The Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Flower Banner

We're sponsored this month by DigiStamps4Joy at Outlawz Sketch.  I've chosen to use one of the images I already had in my stash for this one called Music Sheet.  The flower shapes were perfect for the sketch.

For this image I've used ProMarkers and polychromos pencils to colour it.  Mainly because I can get a very soft look to the colours - something I need to develop with my Copics.

Here's our sketch for this week

I must admin I was a bit flummoxed at first.  I browsed through my image I'd already got stamped and printed for inspiration.  I spotted the Music Sheet image but also some stamped tags from Lili of the Valley I hadn't done anything with.  They're all different shaped and sizes which was perfect for the sketch.

I've used papers from First Edition, Lili of the Valley and 13 Arts, some of which were distressed.

Over the tags I've added some Lace from the Ribbon Girl and some from Live and Love Crafts when it was open.  The sentiment is laser cut woodchip from Scrapienic.

Hope you love my inspiration for today and we see you at the challenge

Andrea x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges

DigiStamps4Joy - Anything Goes Optional Twist Happy Birthday

The Ribbon Girl - October Card Challenge

Crafting from the Heart - Anything Goes

Addicted To Stamps - Ribbon and Lace

Crafty Friends - Use Ribbon and / or Lace

Sweet Stampers - Lots of Layers

Morgan's ArtWorld - Anything Goes

PINspirational - Anything Goes

Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes

Crafty Creations - Anything Goes

Chillax

I tend to use more digis than anything else these days.  So I thought it was about time I did some good old fashioned stamping.

The stamp I've used here is Old Dog - Sweet Dreams from Lili of the Valley

He's been coloured with ProMarkers in pastels and I decided to keep him as the main focus and create a CAS card.

What looks like a stitched border round the edge of the card is actually biro.

The only other thing I've done is to create a CHILLAX sentiment using some beads.

Well it is the weekend after all should we all be chilling out :D

Andrea x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges

Penny's Challenge - Anything Goes

Creative Knockouts - Border Time

Passion For ProMarkers - 4 Legged Friends

Tuesday Throwdown - Furry Friends

Pile It On - Animal Prints and / or Paw Prints

Crafting from the Heart - Anything Goes

Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes

Tricky photo session

This is my first attempt at a pivot card, had to happen sometime - and I'm actually quite pleased with how it came out, even though it took an age to make.  AND it was extremely awkward to photograph!

The image is a new rubber stamp I got from Lili of the Valley but I can't see it on their website anymore.  It's been coloured with ProMarkers.  I then drew round the shape for the pivot section to cut it out to fit.

Behind this you can also see some purple design paper which I also hand cut to fit.

The sentiment if from a Lili of the Valley art pad.

I've also used some lilac gems.

This is the first photo that shows the card opening.

Here's your just starting to see the interior

This final shot shows the interior of the card.  All the design papers were from Lili of the Valley as well :D

Andrea x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges

I Love ProMarkers - Use Something New (new card shape and stamp)

Passion For ProMarkers - Flower Power

Winter Wonderland - Something New (new card shape and stamp)

613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes

Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes

Through The Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Simply Papercraft - Anything Goes

Crafting with Friends - Anything Goes

Our Crafty Corner - Anything Goes

The girl loves orange

The image I've used here is a Christmas stamp from Lili of the Valley called Winter Walk.

Instead of doing the usual Christmas thing I've used it to make an autumn colour themed anniversary card for my mum and dad.

Coloured with ProMakers and Copics, I've cut out out with a Spellbinders die, the edges being treated to some Tim Holtz antique linen.

Papers a re from Lili of the Valley and Santoro Gorjuss.  I've also used some black and orange card stock.

The sentiment sis from a Lili of the Valley art pad and I've also used some orange enamel dots to complete the card.

It's their anniversary next week - hope they love the card

Andrea x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges

Crafty Boots - Autumn / Halloween

The Corrosive Challenge - Autumn Splender

The Sisterhood of Crafters - Fall is in the Air

613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes

Digi Stamps 4 Joy - Anything Goes with a twist of Autumn

Paradise of Stamps - Autumn

Crafts and Me - Autumn / Fall Colours

Digi Choosday - Reds, Oranges and Browns

Polkadoodles - Autumn / Fall Colours

Commissioned in yellow

I don't usually share my commissioned cards but I thought maybe it was about time I did.

A work colleague has asked me to make a very special card for her mum in yellow, her mum's favourite colour.  She had very specific requirements - she picked the image, requested either wood fence or brick wall background, the colour yellow, a shaped card and flowers - lots of flowers.

I decided to do an easel card because although difficult to do with the shape of the ones I have they look extremely effective.

So I set to work this weekend colouring Lilacs from Lili of the Valley.  I've done this with ProMarkers and a little black polychromos pencil for extra shading.  I've then fussy cut the vase, butterfly and bee out.

The design papers which had to be hand cut to match the card shape are from Studio 75 and First Edition.  I've also used some brown paper to give the whole card a framed look.

There's a panel on the bottom portion which can be either written on or a sentiment added whichever she prefers.  This has been done with a Spellbinders die and some antique linen distress ink.

The brown pearlised self adhesive gems are from Scrapberry's and on the bottom left there's a resin corner to act as a stopped for the easel card.

The flowers and leaves are from Wild Orchid Crafts and Live & Love Crafts.  I've taken a few shots so you can see the 3-D effect they have and how they cascade down the right hand side of the card.

So there you have it my commissioned card - know she's gonna love it

Andrea x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges

Allsorts - Nature

Wags n Whiskers - Use a Die Cut

Crafty Time - Shaped Cards

Penny's Challenge - Anything Goes

Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes

Dream Valley - Recipe (Pearls / pattered paper / flowers)

Polkadoodles - Favourite Card Shape

Cotton candy hair

Sometimes you just need to do something in pink and very girly.  Well I do anyway ;)  So I went hunting for pink challenges.  Then proceeded to make this very girl card.

The image is Midsummer's Night from Lili of the Valley and I've coloured it with ProMarkers.  I've even given her cotton candy hair!

The papers are also from Lili of the Valley.  All have been distressed including the image and some antique linen distress ink applied to break up the layers so they can be seen more easily.

After this I've added some pink silk ribbon, a resin mushroom, some tiny brass stars and some pink and pearl self adhesive gems.

I've had a very productive crafty day and this was my last one of the day :)

Andrea x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges

Crafty Creations - Four (Four layers)

In the Pink - Starry Starry Pink

I Love ProMarkers - Three or More Layers

Penny's Challenge - Use Ribbon or Twine

Allsorts - Pearls & Gems

Fantasy Stampers - Lots of Layers

613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes

The Ribbon Girl - Add Ribbon

Lucky black cats

Just sharing a card that one of my colleagues bought from me last week.  She wanted a good luck card and I've used this image from Lili of the Valley a few times colouring the cats in various combinations and shades :)

I've coloured this image using ProMarkers then cut it out with a Spellbinders die.

The design papers are all from Lili of the Valley.  I even made the four leaf clover using their paper by punching hearts out and mounting them onto some card.

Additional embellishments are some green self adhesive gems (round and a flower) and some letter beads to make up the good luck sentiment.

Wishing you all luck and love

Andrea x

Tempus Fugit

You know how when you're completely occupied times flies - well this one was inspired by my hubby.  He totally loses track of time especially since I bough him a playstation 4 for his birthday.  It does mean I can do plenty of crafting though :)

The image I've used is a stamp I bought from Lili of the Valley.  I've coloured it with proMarkers in pastel shades but with a pop of red and used a Spellbinders die to cut it out.

Papers are from First Edition, Wellington and Lili of the Valley.  There's a sentiment from a Lili of the Valley art pad, some self adhesive gems, a play ticket from Tim Holtz Idea-ology and some letter beads.

Wonder how many of you out there have hubby's like mine :)

Andrea x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges

Di's Digi's - 2 or More Design Papers

The Corrosive Challenge - Anything Goes

Dream Valley - Anything Goes

Creative Card Crew - For a Teen

Sweet Stampin - Father's Day or a Special Man

Crafting from the Heart - Anything Goes

Box of chocs?

I though for a change I'd do something other than people.  So I've decided to do a lovely box of chocolates instead.  The stamp is from Lili of the Valley and is simple called Chocolate Box.  I've used proMarkers to colour it, cut it out with a spellbinders die and then used some purple and pink distress inks from Tim Holtz.

Design papers are all from Lili of the Valley, as is the sentiment (from one of their art pads).

I wanted to keep this card simple so all I've added to it are some self adhesive gems in pearlised white and purple.

Andrea x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges

Creative Moments - Anything Goes/Colour Challenge

Inky Chics - Chocolates and Sweets

Fantasy Stampers - Distress It

Creative Craft Cottage - Something Yummy to Eat or Drink

Lilac vase

When it was Mother's Day in the UK I got cleaned out of flower cards.  I've been meaning to make some more and this is my first.  The image I've used is from Lïli of the Valley - Lilacs.  I've coloured it with ProMarkers then mounted it onto some plain black card stock.  

Design papers are all from Lïli of the Valley and have been distressed.  The birthday sentiment is also from them from one of their art pads and I've coloured that with purple ProMarker as well.

Here's a close up of the coloured image for you.

The only other thing I've added to finish the card off are some purple and pearlised white self adhesive gems.  Hopefully I'll get chance to do some more soon

Andrea x

I'd like to enter this card into tad following challenges

Fantasy Stampers - Distress It

Addicted to Stamps - Flowers

Creative Moments - Anything Goes/Colour Challenge

Allsorts - April Showers Bring May Flowers

Stamping Sensations - Flower Power

Mary had a little lamb......

...it's fleece was white as snow :)

I love sheep and collect them so when I got enough loyalty points at the LOTV shop this was the rubber stamp I picked as my freeby!

The stamp is Little Lamb which I've coloured in pastel shades using ProMarkers.  I used a die to cut out the purple frame which I mounted over the image.

Papers are all from Lili of the Valley as is the sentiment which is from one of their art pads.  The ribbon was also bought form one of their little bags of ribbon which unfortunately they've now stopped supplying online.

I've only used some self adhesive gems to embellish this card as I wanted the image to be the main focus

Happy Easter everyone

Andrea x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges

Creative Knockouts - Die cut / Punch Frenzy

Papertake Weekly - Take Your Pick (Pastels)

Fantasy Stampers - Easter Time

Robyn's Fettish - Easter Cards

Deep Ocean - Easter / Spring & Celebration

It's a boy!

Ah ha - this one is not actually for anyone at work for a change!  Although Sarah at work is due very soon so I'll no doubt be making another baby card soon.

This image is one of my favourites for a baby boy card - Just Arrived from Lili of the Valley.  I've used ProMarkers to colour and a Spellbinders die to cut.

The design papers are Lili of the Valley/NitWit Collections - Winter Wishes.  So yes it seems you do need to check out Christmas looking papers stashes because you never know what might be in there :)  I've also used some brown plain DP to back the patterned blue papers.

The blue gingham ribbon is from Lili of the Valley shop - with a hand tied bow!  Which was a bit of a challenge as I decided I wanted to add a silver dummy charm from The Ribbon Girl in the middle if it.  If someones not challenging me it appears I make my own up.  After much faffing I finally managed to sort it.

I tend to use BABY with my scrabble blocks so this time I thought I'd go for a change with the sentiment.

The final thing added are some white self adhesive gems bought it Hobby Craft.

Wonder if I'll manage to get some stock built up of baby cards now.

Blogging this has been a little tricky tonight as my chinchilla has been running across the keyboard - obviously not giving her enough attention!

Have a good weekend

Andrea x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges

Winter Wonderland - Tie a Bow

Papertake Weekly - Take Your Pick (Cool Colours)

Cardz for Guyz - Little Boy Blue

Crafty Card Makers and More - Stripes

Just a little thank you

I was asked to make a thank you card this week for someone who wanted to thank some nurses for looking after her recently.  We decided this poorly bunny would be a suitable image to use.  This one was from Lïli of the Valley but has now been discontinued.

I'm a pink girl when it comes to my favourite colour but when I'm doing a colour combo I love to use purple and blue.  This is what I chose to colour the image in ProMarkers with, then cut it out with a Spellbinders die.

Papers are from Lïli of the Valley/Nitwits Solids - Promises and Our Daily Bread - Christian Faith Collection.

The sentiment is from Art Pad 8 - Sentiments.  I've added a bit of colour to it with ProMarkers.

The finals touches are some self adhesive gems.

Hope the nurses love him!

Andrea x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges

Allsorts - Any Occasion than Birthday

Robyn's Fetish - Square Cards

613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes/Optional Twist RAK Day

Dream Valley - Favourite Colour Combination

Relax

I don't do enough cards for guys so the current challenge at Cardz for Guyz kicked me into gear.  I'm also very low on stock for male cards and need to get more made.

The image is from Lili of the Valley - Put Your Feet Up and is coloured with ProMarkers.  I chose to do this one as it's been very popular with the people at work.

Papers are all from Lili of the Valley Country Gent, Solids Bonnets & Bowties, On a High Note and Bear Necessities (now discontinued).

I kept it simple and just added some self adhesive gems and some letter beads for the RELAX sentiment.  If my hubby is anything to go by they like simple cards.

Ok off onto my next project which is for The East Wind - colouring an apple with the cutest piglet asleep on top :)

Happy crafting

Andrea x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges

Cardz for Guyz - Kick Back and Relax

Digi Choosday - Cool Blue

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Passion for ProMarkers - One for the Boys

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Valentine bear

James Bear - Daisy from Lili of the Valley is just perfect for Valentines, he's just so cute.  I've coloured him with ProMarkers but in such a way to make him look almost white.  He's then been cut out with a Spellbinders die, the edge coloured with brown and faded with a blender to make it look distressed, then mounted over some lace from The Ribbon Girl.

Background papers are from Lili of the Valley/Nit Wits Country Lady.  I've cut small strip of paper from Lili of the Valley/Raspberry Road Designs Father Knows Best and used a Martha Stewart punch to make it look lacy one side.

To make the heart banner I've used some red card and a La La Land die.

The final touches are some hearts from Live & Love Crafts and some red sled adhesive gems from Hobby Craft.

I'm onto Valentines cards now so you might just see a few more

Andrea x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges

Wags n Whiskers - Anything Goes

Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes

Passion for ProMarkers - Teddy Bears

Glitter n Sparkle - Cute

New baby girl

The start of a new year and the start of my attempt to re-stock my baby cards.  This first one for a new baby girl is using Lili of the Valley All Our Dreams.  The image was cut out using a Spellbinders die and edged with pink ProMarker.

I've also coloured the image with ProMarkers, here's a close up.  

Papers used are Lili of the Valley/ Raspberry Road Designs Mr & Mrs and Lili of the Valley/Nit Wits Always and Forever. 

The lace is from Hobby Craft.  Organza rose trim and pearl trim is from Wild Orchid Crafts.

The sentiment is from Lili of the Valley Art Pad - Sentiments and has been coloured with pink ProMarker.

The selection of flowers I've used are all from Wild Orchid Crafts.

The final touch is a heart banner die from La La Land Crafts.

Hope you love the card

Andrea x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges

Crafty Catz - Anything Goes

Sweet Stampin - New

A Gem of a Challenge - Something New

Totally Gorjuss - Anything Goes

613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes

Stamping Sensations - Dies & Punches

Glitter n Sparkle - Anything Goes

Midnight ride

The image of this card was created for the current Make It Crafty challenge Glistening Snow and Ice.  The image I've used is Little Village Scene.  I decided to try a night scene to see if this made the snow "glisten" more. The image is coloured with different mediums the greys are copics, the coloured trees, houses and fence are ProMarkers and the white snow is done with a white gel pen.

I decided to make it into a card once I'd entered the image.  I've used some black card stock, some dress it up buttons for the sleigh and reindeer, a sentiment from a Lili of the Valley's Grunge Christmas Postmarks and some clear rhine stones.  A very simple card once I'd done the colouring ;)

Soon be Christmas!

Andrea x

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges

Inky Chicks - Winter Wonderland

Christmas Card Challenges - CAS Design

Stamping Sensations - Winter Wonderland

Hats off

So here's the second blogging (if there is such a word) I promised.  Might just have another one if I've time before bed, but I'm doing this on my iPad so it's always slower.

I've done a clean and simple card this time, some of the challenges require this and it's a great opportunity to show off how good you are at colouring (or not).  I'm very surprised this card turned out as well as it did because I had a bit of a ProMarker pen explosion.  I was changing the fine point nib to my red pen to do some detail work on another card and no idea what happened but the nib broke and it looked like I'd had a nose bleed.  Everything and I mean everything was covered in red ink!

Anyway the image Hats Off from Lili of the Valley managed to escape the red explosion.  I coloured it in green ProMarker shades with a bit of brown and black.  This is a lovely neutral colour combination when making cards for guys.

The papers are from Simple Joys and Festive Trimmings. I've also used some plain black and white card stock.

The only other items I've used on this card are some green self adhesive gems and a postage stamp from Grunge Christmas Postmarks.

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges

Fantasy Stampers - CAS Christmas Card

Christmas Card Challenge - Color Challenge

Crafty Catz - Snowmen

Paradise of Stamps - Christmas

Cardz 4 Guys - Favourite Colour Combo

Hope you like my CAS card I don't do them that often :)

Andrea x

Yes another one

And here we go again, don't know what we're feeding them at work!  Rob's wife has had a baby girl now.  I've been asked for another baby card, but the request was for a more simple one this time.  Blokes picking cards for blokes you can definitely see the difference :)  I'll be taking it to work tomorrow for everyone to sign.

So what have I done.  Used papers from Lili of the Valley/NitWits Solids - Always and Forever and Forever and Country Meadow.

The image (from Statements - Congratulations) is stamped onto paper from First Editions Rose Garden then cut out with a Spellbinders die.  The scattered flowers are made with two different sized flower punches from Hobby Craft using pearlised pink and cream paper.  The centres are pearlised and clear self adhesive gems.

I've used a plain tag, edged it with pink ProMarker and used tiny feet & hands dress it up buttons. The tag is finished off with some cream vintage ribbon which I bought from Lili of the Valley recently.

Final touches a couple of pink rhinestone flowers and an iron on bunny I bought from the sewing section from Hobby Craft.

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges

In The Pink - Diecuts and Punches

A Little Bit Crafty - Anything Goes (but not Christmas)

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes