Rosa's in Red

Well, what a hectic day it has been and tomorrow will be even more so, methinks.  Today I have been preparing the office for 'the takeover' - my boss has sold the business - and tomorrow all the new equipment and cabling is being installed, to bring us into the 21st century and integrate us with our new head office.  Quite exciting but very exhausting! It's the end of an era ... but I'm excited for the beginning of the new venture.

Tonight's card is another Mo and is my entry for the following challenges:

Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Sketchy Colours - Red, orange and yellow
Cupcake Craft Challenge - Let's get digital

And here it is:

Image: Mo's Digital Pencil, 'Rosa'

Paper: American Craft, 'Bruschetta'

I've been meaning to have a go at this beautiful image for ages now but could never quite pluck up the courage - I mean, all those folds!  But as I was going through my papers the other day, I found the remnants of this gorgeous paper and, for some reason, the flowers reminded me of Rosa's dress.  So I could put it off now more - I had to have a go.

I knew I wanted the image area to be circular and although the sketch is square, I've stuck pretty much to the basic layout. 

I used my trusty Copics for the shading - thankfully, once I'd got the general light and movement fixed in my mind, it wasn't as difficult as I'd imagined, although I'm sure that it's neither as accurate nor as good as it could have been, if only I'd been more daring.  Still, the end result is pretty much as I'd imagined and there's certainly some movement going on there!

No shading with my Prismas this time - I simply used my Nestabilities to cut out a pale yellow circle and a scalloped white circle before using a compass and pair of scissors for the final black circle.  Layered on to this vibrant paper and finished with a red satin ribbon and bow, I quite like Rosa, now she's finished.

So, I must rush to link up and get to bed - in for 8.00 a.m. tomorrow so I need to sleeeeeeeep!

Happy crafting.
xx

Reading is Fun!

Happy Monday everyone! It's time for another fun challenge over on the Karen's Doodles Challenge Blog and this week we are challenging you to make a bookmark.  Yup, get creative and show us how you'd like to mark your page, in whatever style you choose.

I can't live without my books. They are constant companions and I feel lost if I haven't at least one book on the go at any time.  I bought three new ones today, so this week's covered!  But my bookmark won't be for me to use - it's going to find a happy home with my friend's little one, who is going back to school next week.  So here it is:

Image: Karen's Doodles, 'Reading is Fun'

Papers: October Afternoon

Strange bookmark, you may think.  But, ah! Wait and see what's hiding inside.

This card has a tear-off bookmark attached, with matching image.

I've been dying to do this card for ages - I love the idea of a little gift being tucked inside and this was the perfect opportunity to give it a go.

Here's a close-up of the bookmark part.  It was quite a challenge to get both images coloured up identically but they match really well and I'm pleased with the end result.  Isn't this little fella cute? and I love those beautiful books too!

I coloured both up with my Copics before adding a little grounding and glow with (altogether now, 1, 2, 3 .....) my Prismacolors. (Yaaay, you got it!)

I'm just hoping the little bookworm I have in mind will like this as much as I enjoyed making it!

So, now it's over to you. Use a Karen's Doodles image and show us how creative you can be. There will be three winners, as usual:

* 1st place winner of 3 digi stamps of your choice from Karen's Doodles will be awarded by merit. The Design Team members will vote for their favorite entry and the winner will also get a Card of the Week blinkie to display on their blog.

Both 2nd and 3rd place winners will be chosen by Random.org and the prizes will be:

* 2nd place winner - 2 Digi stamps of your choice from Karen's Doodles.
* 3rd place winner - 1 Digi stamp of your choice from Karen's Doodles.

Don't forget to check out the wonderfulness of my Teamies' creations too - you'll not be disappointed!
Can't wait to see your remarkable projects!

Happy crafting. 

xx

From the Heart

It never ceases to amaze me how wonderful life can be in Crafty Blogland.  Every day I am touched by the beautiful comments you all leave for me and I'm so grateful for your support and encouragement.  When I'm feeling blue or in pain, there's nothing nicer than getting to my PC and finding someone's kind words waiting for me.  Aaaah, I have the warm and fuzzies and I thank you all for taking time to read my ramblings and comment on my work.  Today's card is truly from the heart ...

I shall be entering this one into two challenges:

The Pink Elephant - Sketch challenge

Totally Papercrafts - Clean and simple

And here it is:

Image: Mo's Digital Pencil, 'Tin Man'

Papers: October Afternoon; DCWV; mirror board.

I don't normally use mirror board - I find it a bit shiny for me, usually.  But what better to use to give that shiny, metal finish to this adorable image?

I so love these new Wizard of Oz images from Mo's Digital Pencil.  As I think I mentioned yesterday, there is a whole range, including Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, Glenda the Good, the Tin Man and, of course, Dorothy (whose image is named 'Kansas').  What a wonderful idea of Mo's - the Wizard of Oz must be one of the most popular films of a certain generation (i.e. mine!) and, as always, Mo has managed to capture the characters' quirks so well. 

I must admit to be rather afraid of this image, though.  I mean, he's the Tin Man, he's metal and colouring metal is frightening!  But I desperately wanted to use him so I got out my cool grey Copics and set to work.  I'm pretty thrilled with the result, even though I shouldn't say so myself.  I think he looks quite metallic and I love that little touch of red for his heart.  I think I could have been a little braver with the shading and contrast but I was reluctant to over-colour this image - it could so easily have been a disaster.  Then I went in with my Prismas to add the background, which I kept to a lovely warm yellow to counteract the coolness of the grey.

It took me a while to decide on the paper, actually - I tried him against all sorts of greys (and other colours too) until I remembered these gorgeous polkadots, which I think are perfect. I needed something that wasn't too busy because I had the 'Clean and simple' challenge in my head, which also meant that I needed to keep the layering down to a minimum.  The sketch definitely helped with that one. 

I generated the sentiment on my PC - it seemed so appropriate - and then added just a little punch of red at the bottom to finish.

So, today I need to buy a present for my boss, who is leaving me on Tuesday after three-and-a-half years of working together.  Then I have dinner guests this evening and, of course, I need to fit in some colouring, just because! 

Happy Sunday everyone.
xx

Oz's Scarecrow

Last Sunday, we were travelling home from a trip to Yorkshire Lavender in Terrington, near York, (and I can highly recommend a visit, if you haven't already been!) and came across a Scarecrow Festival in the village of Gate Helmsley.  It was lovely - all sorts of creative scarecrows were visible from the road: one dressed as a builder, climbing a ladder; a super one of the vicar, in the church yard; a farmer in the local farm shop car park ... it was delightful!  For some reason, scarecrows always remind me of the autumn, perhaps because I associate them with Harvest Festival (it's probably the straw that does that!)... and it's true to say that we are having some particularly early autumnal weather at the moment, too! 

Today's card is my DT card for Mo's Dream Team and I shall also be entering it into the following challenges:

Inspirational Card Sketches

Simon Says Stamp - 'Paper piecing'

And here it is:

Image: Mo's Digital Pencil, 'Scarecrow'

Papers: 'Harvest Spice' digital papers by Shabby Princess

As you will see, I've rotated the sketch by 90 degrees as this fitted better with what I had in mind.  These papers were the perfect choice for Mr Scarecrow, I think.  Even the name conjoured up the right colours and feeling.  There's not much separation between the layers, only chalked edges, but I think it works ... maybe I could have introduced some burnt orange matting or something but, hey, 'tis done now!

I wanted to get a real 'scarecrow' feeling: sacking head, bits and bobs of old clothing for his garb, etc., so I chose to paper piece him.  His gloves, legs and feet were coloured with my Copics and, of course, the grass and the background were added with Prismacolors but the rest is paper pieced, even down to using different 'patches' on his raggy trousers. I then went in with my Prismas and added some extra shading to give a bit more depth to the paper piecing, which is what I usually do, so that the image isn't too 'flat'. 

My OH is really taken with Mr Scarecrow, for some reason, and thinks it's one of the best images Mo has produced.  I must say, he was a joy to put together and I'm loving the whole 'Wizard of Oz' range that Mo has produced recently. 

Well, we're having a weekend of getting Daughter ready to return to university and today has been spent buying new bedding and kitchen 'stuff'.  It's exciting because she'll be in a shared house off campus this year, with a nice large room and her friends around her.  I'm a little sad, though, because I shall miss her all over again, as she has been home for around 7 weeks now.  Still, it's good to know that she has a happy life of her own that she is excited to return to. 

Hope your weekend is a good one.

Happy crafting.
xx

For the Last Time at Isabella's

I'm writing this post with a sad face as this will be my last post on behalf of Isabella's Sketchbook.  Unfortunately, due to constraints imposed by ill health in the family, Isabella no longer feels able to continue to run the challenge blog and has taken the difficult decision to disband the Design Team.  However, the store will remain open and I encourage you all to support Isabella and keep her spirits up! So, for our last challenge we are looking for beautiful hand-made flowers on your project. Perhaps you're a dab hand with a crochet hook, or you have a knack with rolled paper roses.  However you wish to make them, we'd love to see them.

As usual, the DT have some beautiful samples for you over on the Challenge Blog, so don't forget to visit them and leave some love for the final time.

Here's my card this week:

Image: Isabella's Sketchbook, 'Suitcase Stack'

Papers: 'Raspberry Goodness' Digipapers - unfortunately, I think this set is now retired and I cannot find a link to it anywhere!

Other: Paper flowers by me; tickets by me too!

I love this image - it must be my favourite Isabella as it is so versatile and I thought it only right that it should get one final DT outing.  It also seemed fitting that I should do a 'goodbye and good luck' card today, so that's precisely what set the tone for this project.

The paper flowers are rolled roses made from circles of coloured paper, cut into a spiral with scallop edged scissors, crumpled and folded before rolling.  I paper-pieced the suitcases, obviously, with a range of co-ordinating Raspberry Goodness papers and then coloured some white guipure lace to the right colour with my Copics (good tip as it allows you to have any colour lace to match your project - give it a go, it's easy!). The two tickets were printed on to kraft card in raspberry and brown, then a little brown chalk was applied to the edges to soften them. I bought the beautiful cotton heart ribbon whilst on holiday in Wales earlier in the year and this is its first outing - it was just perfect for this project.  I love the combination of kraft, cream and raspberry on this card - so soft and elegant (I hope!) and I think I might just have mastered some 'vintage' with this one!  I knew it would come, eventually.

So, now it's over to you. Don't forget that you must use an Isabella's Sketchbook image for your project and there are so many to choose from over at the Isabella's Sketchbook store that you can't fail to be inspired.  I hope you'll join us in this last challenge and make it one for Isabella to remember. 

Can't wait to see your flowery creations.
Happy crafting.
xx