Mo's Digital Challenge #18 and the Dream Team Sketch Challenge

Well, it's Thursday again, already - isn't this year just whipping by!?  I can't believe we've (almost) arrived at Valentine's Day. 

And because it's Thursday, it's time for another challenge from Dawn, over on Mo's Challenge blog. This week, it's all about colours:

"...so make sure that you use pink, white, red and include a heart in your card or 3-D item."

Now, last week, Mr Linky played up and, for some reason, didn't add my link when I first posted it.  I was horrified when I realised and worried about missing the deadline but, thankfully, I think I managed to rectify the situation just in time.  So this week, I'm determined to be early with my entry!  Here it is:

Image: Mo's Digital Pencil, 'Shy Valentine Nessa'

Papers: Cosmo Cricket, 'Honey Pie' (don'cha just love 'em?)

I coloured this cutie with my Copics - I really feel that I'm making progress using my treasured pens.  I've a long way to go, but I'm really pleased with how Nessa turned out, particularly that big expanse of red. I was a bit worried that it would look flat and heavy, but it has some real light and shine to it, I think.

I cut the image out with my plain circle Nestabilities, then cut a scalloped circle from pink pearl and then a lovely pale green (reverse of one of the papers).  I layered the two scalloped circles so that they were both visible and then mounted the image on to the pink. 

Because the paper patterns are 'stitched', it made sense to add a little stitching of my own.  With the addition of three contrasting buttons, some pearls and a pink bow, Nessa was ready to profess her love to the world.  I've not added a sentiment because I'm not sure what occasion she'll finally celebrate - probably a special birthday, rather than Valentine's Day.

When I was making this card, I had the Dream Team challenge in mind too - they have a sketch challenge this month:

So I've combined the two, which I hope is acceptable! It's the first time I've combined challenges, and I'm a little nervous that I haven't missed something important in the rules!

Don't forget to check out both Mo's Challenge Blog and the Dream Team Blog, for your chance to be a guest designer for a month - how wonderful would that be, eh?

Right, I'm off to make Mr Linky play - fingers crossed this week. I shall definitely be checking tomorrow!

Happy crafting.

xx

Mojo Monday #125

Well, last week's Mojo Monday sketch left me completely without ideas - I don't know why, but whatever I tried, it just wouldn't come.  So I didn't play last week, I'm afraid.  Thankfully, this week's sketch is much better for me and I came up with this little cutie:

Image: Pure Innocence 8, Heather Ellis

Papers: Cosmo Cricket

 I coloured this little sweetie with my Copics - I'm still learning to use them properly, so she's a bit trial and error. Thankfully, the original card is small and any flaws don't really show up.  The photograph is a bit washed out, too - I'm not having a good day, am I?  Still, I think I'd be happy to send her out, which is my measure of whether I've done a good job or not. 

Short but sweet today, Bloglanders - I'm expecting guests for dinner tonight and I have tons to do. 

By the way, before I go, can I just say a big 'Thank You' to everybody who visits my blog and all those who leave such kind and encouraging comments - it really does mean a lot to know that you've taken time out to show your appreciation. 

Off to see if Mr Linky is working. 

Happy crafting.

x

Mo's Digital Challenge #17 (And More!!!)

Well, dear Crafty Bloglanders, I'm happy to be posting again, after a few days of hunting for my mojo.  I finally found it (hiding under the sofa) when I saw this week's challenge over on the DP2 Challenge blog.  After a wonderful month with Lisa, it is now time for the very talented Dawn Burnworth of My Stamping Thyme to host February's challenges, starting with this:

"Dawn's first challenge this month is all about "wood" or "would" (as in 'would' you be mine?)

So, make a card or 3-D project and incorporate 'wood' or 'would', or perhaps use

'faux wood' in your project."

Ooooh, all sorts went through my head but I finally settled on this:

Image: Mo's Digital Pencil, 'First Day at School' (Boy)

Papers: printed by me with a selection of wood grain vectors downloaded from Dreamstime, a stock photo website.

When I thought of wood, I immediately thought of marquetry, which, I suppose, is a bit like advanced paper-piecing but with wood veneer.  I wanted to create a wooden box with a marquetry panel but, obviously, I had no idea how to create the real thing.  But with a little imagination, a lot of patience and a bit of good luck, I was able to turn an old chocolate box into a shaker-style box, and paper-piece this delightful 'Mo' to give the feeling of a wooden marquetry panel.  Each piece is cut from a wood veneer paper and painstakingly applied to a base image, which acts as a guide. 

Once the piece was finished (and believe me, there are some really small pieces of paper in there!), I cut it into a circle and mounted it on to a darker shade of wood paper (a shop-bought version), to give it a frame.  I have kept additional shading on the image to an absolute minimum, just enough to give it a little depth. 

I had to be careful which image I chose - some of Mo's beautiful creations are so detailed that I wouldn't have been able to achieve a successful finished piece, or, at least, certainly not in time for the challenge deadline.

Here's a couple of close-ups - hopefully, you can see the individual wood grains more clearly in these two photographs.

Now, the exciting bit - the 'And More'!

Mo is looking for a design team member for March, both for her challenge blog and on the Dream Team blog. Be sure to visit both blogs, though, because the rules are slightly different for each.  Fancy a go? Then just pop over and see what it's all about - and be inspired by the wonderful samples the DT have produced on both blogs. Go on, give it a go, you never know!

Anyway, now that I've located my mojo again, I'm off to create some more (although I might have dinner first!).

Happy crafting.

xxxx

Allsorts Sketch Week 37 and DT Call

Well, it seems I've come a long way already in 2010.  Not only have I started participating in challenges but now I'm trying out for the Allsorts DT too! I'm taking courage from the wonderful feedback I've been receiving from you gorgeous Bloglanders and as my motto for 2010 is 'have a go', I've decided that  I've nothing to lose by doing precisely that.  Why not check out the challenge and DT call too, here? 

This week's Allsorts sketch looks like this:

and here's my entry for the challenge and the DT call:

Image:  Pure Innocence 006, Heather Ellis (see below)
Papers: Cosmo Cricket, 'Early Bird'

I coloured this sweet little image with my Copics (this is the first public outing for my Copic colouring!) and I'm really pleased with the results.  I even managed to 'add' (subtract, really) the little dots on her top with my Copic blender!  I feel soooo clever!  Copics take some getting used to when you've been using Prismacolors for so long, but I think I'm beginning to get the hang of it. 

I added a little Prismacolor in the background, a bit of stitching and some big buttons to finish it off.  So, Bloglanders, wish me luck with the Allsorts DT entry - watch this space!

By the way, Crafty Bloglanders, Heather Ellis is having a sale of her Pure Innocence images on her blog at the moment - it's worth popping over for a look.

AND...

I liked working with these colours so much that I put together another card, also loosely based on the above sketch:

Image: Shirley's Two Girls, 'Original Gracie'
Papers: Cosmo Cricket, 'Early Bird'
Flowers: Chipboard flowers, Craft House, 'Crafty Bitz' range, covered in 'Early Bird' papers.

I sooo love this image - it makes me smile everytime I see it.  She has the essence of Darling Daughter, even though she looks nothing like her.  It's just her originality, humour, and downright gorgeousness, I guess.

Gracie is another of my Copic images.  She is sporting tortoiseshell glasses (although I'm not sure you can tell in this photograph) and her top has a little glittery trim, added with Sakura Gelly-Roll.

So, two for the price of one! Yaaaay! All I've got to do now is finish my Mojo Monday entry and then it'll be time for Mo's challenge again.  Gosh, what a busy bunny I am!

I'm off to see if Mr Linky is playing at Allsorts now, before I lose my nerve!

Happy crafting
Px

Mummy Gets A Mummu

This is a bit of a sneaky peek again, I'm afraid.  I'm busy working on this week's challenge cards at the moment, so I haven't got any brand new creations to post until I'm finished.  But, I held this one back for just such an occasion, although I didn't expect to have to post it before my Mum's birthday next week.  I can't resist, though, because I am delighted with this card.

This is Mummu (again) in all her dancing glory.  I just so love this image and I'm so pleased with the way she has turned out on this card. 

Image:  Mo's Digital Pencil, 'Mummu'
Papers: Background, Cosmo Cricket, 'Everlasting' range. Foreground - sorry, I have no idea.  It's one I purchased recently, but I can't find the details.

This is a close-up of the sentiment.  It took me a little while to get it right, but I'm happy with the end result.  It was just done in Publisher, with a series of text boxes.

And a little peek at the embellisment:

I love these little flower buttons I purchased locally a couple of weeks ago.  They're so delicate and pretty. 

A bit of stitching and Mummu is ready to wish Mummy a happy birthday. I know she'll be delighted - Mummu is one of her favourite images.

I'd best get some sleep - big day at the office tomorrow and I don't want bags under my eyes!

Back soon with this week's challenges, including my first DT try-out!

Happy crafting.
Px