Trees and Baubles

This week my challenge is Trees and Baubles so here is my DT tag.... yes another tag folks... I am hooked on Tim's tags at the moment so made another one for my challenge.
The base of the tag was coloured using my favourite paints of the moment... Paper Artsy Fresco Paints.... a couple of colours mixed together to give this lovely chalky look.  I stamped the tree and snowflake and holly, from Tim Holtz using Snow Cap Fresco and Weathered wood Distress inks.  I added a bauble from my stash and attached the wish ticket, again from Tim and again distressed with inks.  I curled the corner and cut the tree from Tim again.... green chipboard for this. Coloured with some turquoise Stickles and the job was done... oh added gold ribbon too and used the distress tool to on the tag edges and coloured with inks. That is it.... one more tag for my collection.
If you fancy your chances with the challenge do pop over and enter... and most of all enjoy.

Day 7...Not a good day for me

Day 7 of Tim's tags dawned a wee bit damp but with the snow slowly vanishing... so out to the shops I managed to get.... first time for 2 days.  Came back to some bad news that my dearest friend John had had a heart attack last night...touch and go so your prayers would be appreciated.
So I have not had chance to do much of a tag today but thought I would at least attempt it tonight and here it is.... in all it's glory.... not lol
As I did not have any glassine paper, Tim used that in his tag,  I decided to use brown paper, crumpled up and attached to my tag.  I stamped on it in black Archival and Walnut stain Distress ink using a few crackle and spotty stamps.  I added the brown chipboard tree, from Tim, together with one of his Christmas stickers distressed again with Walnut Stain.  I added a mouldable acetate holly bough and a flower with a  little Stickles glitter glue and a brown ribbon... unusual for me to use brown.
Do check out Tim's blog to see the lovely tag he made today along with the other 6 from this week.... and apologies for mine being so different today.

Half Way There.... Day 6 of Tim's Tags

I can't believe I have actually managed to make 6 tags so far... woo hoo the first time ever I have managed it.  This one is very different from Tim's in that I decided to use a black tag to start off with, silver metal and black and gold Dabber paints over the embossing folder (sorry did not have the one Tim used). I painted then sanded down to get the grungy look then embossed over Walnut Stain ink with clear embossing powder to get the shine.  I added some black and white and yellow and white Bakers Twine and a gold bit of ribbon from my stash to complete the look.
I am happy with the way this turned out... you do worry a bit in the middle section as it looks such a mess before sanding lol
Do go check out Tim's blog and see today's fabulous creation along with the previous 5 days.... look out for another new one tomorrow.

Day number 5

Well another, day another Tim tag..... yeah this is number 5.... didn't I do well???
This one is slightly different to Tim's in that I do not have the reflections stamp. So first of all I alcohol inked some acetate with a couple of the red inks and let it dry.  Then I stamped the text from my other Tim text stamp onto a white tag and overlayed the acetate... the right hand side one has a full sheet and the left hand side half that was left over.. I also did not have the correct wreath die so used a Crealie die to cut the leaves and arranged in a wreath shape on the right.  I added some pearls.. this to make it look like mistletoe, red ribbon and a feathery red tie at the top.
For the tag on the left I coloured the right hand half with Iced Spruce Distress Inks then added the leaves, pearls and ribbon to the bottom corner with more red feathery tie at the top.
I am really pleased with the way these turned out and I have one extra tag.  I won't be able to do days 11 and 12 as flying away for the holidays so this one will replace one of those days.. so I hope to end up with 12 after all.
Do go check out Tim's blog to see how he did his tag and see the other 4 done earlier this week. Have a god yourself if you get the time.

Happiness Tag for Tim's Tags

Day two of Tim's Tags.... if you don't know what I am talking about - where have you been??? check out Tim's blog to find out more and see his fabulous works of art.  My tag was covered with Tim's Kraft resist paper, coloured with Picket Fence then some added colour with the winter Distress inks Festive Berries and Iced Spruce, to give a hint of colour to the background.  I distressed the edges with the sander and distress inks again.  As I don't have the reindeer die cut... shame on me... I found a piece of burlap in the fab box I got the other day from Lin at LB Crafts....check her shop out for bargains right now.  I thought the material looked like a tree so added some  jewels and a star and cut the base from a piece of chipboard.  I added the brads, some bakers twine and ribbon together with the Happiness charm key at the top. Hope you like my efforts.... no where near as good as the Master but I hey did try lol. Two done so far this year - way to go Cynth x

My new challenge this week is 'Thanksgiving'

Thanksgiving is celebrated in the States but not in the UK... not sure why we don't but maybe someone will know.
I made my tag whilst overseas so not up to my usual standard as did not have all of my crafty stash with me.... sorry folks.
I coloured the background using the new fall Distress Inks and overstamped with various script and crackle stamps, distressed the edges  and  used masks to get some more colour over the top.
I used some Tim Holtz papers for the small toppers and distressed the edges with Tim's lovely tool.  I cut out some leaves and decoupaged them on top and added a black ribbon.
So Happy Thanksgiving to one and all... hope you will give my new challenge a go this week.... enjoy.

Challenge 177 - Poppies

This week on November 11th we remember those brave men and women who died for us whilst fighting in various wars so my challenge is to show Poppies on your creations. For this easel card base I took some Coredinations craft card and sanded the top roughly just enough to show the craft colour below.  I stamped the poppy stamps from an Inkylicious set and coloured using Promarkers and Copics and coloured the background with Distress Inks.  I sprayed over the top with Crafter's Companion glitter spray.  I added the sentiments from Hunkydory - the smaller one reads 'Don't count the Years - Count the Memories' and stamped some more poppies onto the craft card using black Stazon.
I hope you will Remember the brave ones and maybe create something in their honour.
Thank you..... we will remember.

BOO - Spooks and Witches

My challenge this week has to be Spooky and Witchy as the 31st is of course Halloween so I created a Witches house. I started with a black Ranger tag and stamped with Versamark some little bubbles in the background then coloured over with bluey green Cosmic shimmer Mica powders to look like lights in the sky.
The die cut house is from Tim Holtz of course - coloured with Distress Inks and overstamped with trees and script and I added some stickers found in a pound shop for the spooks, witches hat, pumpkin and broom. A 7 Gypsies tag is attached to the side with distressed edges and a black ribbon bow and a chipboard speech bubble with the word Witch.
This is the house of the Witch but the Spooks seem to have taken over... she will not be amused..... aaah and booo......
Do check out my challenge blog and give the challenge a go yourself.. there is a great digi download for a prize this week.

WOYWW... creations at last

Well folks it is Wednesday again and that can only mean one thing... it is time to snoop around crafter's desks and see what they are up to.... if you don't know what on earth I am talking about just check out Julia's blog to find out.
I did a little collage for you all today, the top picture showing the centre pages of a little new journal covered with distress inks and then sprayed with water and a few odd stamps here and there. The second is a tag I am working on using distress inks of course and my new That Special Touch masks... Julia asked me to try them out for her lol.
The final picture shows the new fab storage box I had made for my pens.... purple even though it shows up as blue on here.  I love it... all my pens together in one place.
Now do pop over to see Julia's desk and check out the other participants this week too and remember to have fun.
I won't be able to join in for the next couple of weeks as I am going to Amsterdam for our Silver Wedding, then to NEC followed by a trip back to the island, Bermuda for those who don't know and then joy of joys a trip to MIAMI.... to a party... woo hoo sunshine here I come.  Be back soon.

Falling Leaves

My challenge this week is 'Falling Leaves'... there are so many around on the ground up here in the sunny (today) Highlands and they look so pretty... I love Autumn/Fall... my favourite time of year. So here is my easel card... the base card being a very shiny black/blue.... you can just see it on the photo... super card from who knows where?
The main image was a white square card run through the Grand Calibur using the new A4 autumn leaves mask... super.... then coloured using the new seasonal Distress Inks from Tim - gorgeous they are too.  I stamped the split tree from Clarity stamps and embossed using the new Frantage embossing powders from Woodware, they are delicious, and also stamped some leaves on the ground and embossed the same way.  The decoupaged leaves were cut using Tim's Tattered leaves die then  coloured with the same Distress Inks and overstamped with the split tree again.  The fall stamp is from Stampscapes.  The glittery stickers I found in my local pound shop - I thought they fit the bill very well. Mmm I am happy with the way this one turned out.... in real life very glitters and sparkly.....
I hope you will pop over to my challenge blog and enter this week... I have a lovely cd up for grabs.  Have fun and enjoy autumn too.


I am also entering this into Hel's challenge this week... the topic being 'This wheel's on fire' one of my favourite songs by  Brian Auger, Julie Driscoll and the Trinity .....orange and blue being the colours on the wheel.

'Let's Emboss It'

My challenge for the first Thursday in the new month is 'Let's Emboss it'.....so here is my DT card.  I embossed the scalloped card from Hunkydory using the Tim Holtz 'Cracked' Sissix die then ran over it with Distress inks to get the pinky coloured background.  The main image was created using a super La Blanche stamp.... as these stamps are made of silicone you can pour Ultra Thick Embossing liquid.... clear and a touch of gold heated in the Melt Pot.... directly over the stamp and left to cool.
PLEASE DON'T TRY THIS ON RUBBER OR ACRYLIC STAMPS... you could ruin them.....
I then dabbed some Inka Gold wax over the image to get the pink and gold colour then mounted onto the card.  The partial butterfly was made the same way but coloured with pink and purple Inka Gold wax.... I love this stuff it is fabulous and gives some great effects.
I hope you like the finished result.
Do check out my challenge where a Joanna Sheen voucher is up for grabs.... as they say 'you have to be in it to win it'.... and it is well worth winning.

Back to Black

'Back to Black' is this week's challenge set by Hels at 'Ink on my Fingers'.....in tribute to Amy Winehouse who sadly died on Saturday.
I have not done Hels challenge for a while but this one inspired me after the tragic  events this weekend.
I started with a black Coredinations card run through the Cuttlebug and sanded down to show the orange lining.  I embossed a piece of brown shiny card.... yes really - me who never uses brown, and cut the corners with my chomper.  The card split slightly in the bug but I rather liked the effect it gave me. I stamped the guitar and punched out the scalloped oval and overstamped with text and distressed using Vintage Photo and Pumice Stone distress inks. I mounted this on the base card and added the brown card on top.  I added a little music notes sticker next to the guitar.  I stamped the message 'Love Endures All things' from Docrafts, in black and used the same distress inks to add some swirls and distressing.  The clock face I found in my stash again distressed.  The lady in the frame, from Stamp Addicts, was stamped onto Mica Tiles with some added silver flakes under her face... she is looking down from above with the wings and clock face sticker.  My umbrella man from Tim Holtz, Cuttlebugged with the Time folder, is holding his umbrella to catch the tears.... little expoxy bubbles.  I added a couple of chipboard glitter flowers and swirl then the butterfly.  This signifies floating up to heaven to me where I hope Amy will be at peace at last.  An extra love sticker completes what I hope you will think is a fitting tribute to the very talented Amy. So very sad.

From far away a friendly light

My challenge this week on my Challenge Blog is 'I am sailing'... yes another song title.
I loved this stamp and had to have it as I have a friend who lives in a wonderful Lighthouse at Dunnet Head in the North of Scotland - the stamp reminds me of how great a job the Lighthouses do.
The background was created using Mica Sprays.... greens and blues mixed then punched the edge with the Bubbles punch and distressed underneath the holes on the inside of the card. .  I stamped the image and coloured using a mix of Promarkers, Copics and... pens.  I cut the edges with my trimmer wavy blade and distressed the edges with Distress Inks.  I mounted the image onto the card and added a little felt flower I found in my stash.
The blue and turquoise ribbons are from the Ribbonbox.
I hope you enjoyed your sailing trip with me this week.  Please pop over to my blog and enter the challenge for the chance to win some lovely stamps from 'Time To Sow'

Sunrise Sunset

 My challenge this week is another song... Sunrise Sunset and here is my DT card.  The background sunset is an actual photograph I took from our house in Bermuda last month - this was my starting point.  On the scalloped card I added some Distress inks using the double ended brushes from Inkylicious and stamped the hills with a Stamp Addicts stamp. The trees and elephants are black peel offs as is the Safari word.  I created the flower and overstamped with text then added the same colour orange distress ink and a gold centre gem.  The leaves are cut from brown paper using a Tim Holtz die.  I added the bow making it out of some raffia I found in Tesco and a piece of brown string.  I mounted this onto the black card cut with a scalloped edge from my cutting machine.  Everything was then mounted onto an A4 cream card and again with scalloped edges.
Will someone now please tell me to stop making these large cards.... two in two weeks ahhhh... they are taking over.
I hope you like my creation and please do pop over to my challenge blog to see the lovely DT creations and enter yourself..... A Joanna Sheen voucher is up for grabs this week.

Shabby Chic

My challenge this week is 'Shabby Chic' so here is my DT card. The main background is made from grungeboard sprayed and over sprayed with Cosmic Shimmers and glitter sprays and run through the Cuttlebug embossing folder Divine Swirls. The curved layer is cut from a Go Kreate die also run through the Cuttlebug Plum Blossom embossing folder and swept over with Worn Lipstick Distress ink. I cut the small flowered die using a spellbinders die,  from aTim Holtz pad and cut the flowers and leaves from the same paper using my new Crealies dies.  I love them. I added glitter and the Hope ticket, coloured in worn lipstick and fired brick to pick out the red in the flowered papers, again from Tim and added a couple of green gem centres to the layered flowers.
This is going to be page one of a little Inspirational book I am creating.
I hope you like it and if you fancy entering my challenge you could win a set of 10  fab cds from my lovely friend Steph at crafting.co.uk.

Pay Spring Forward

Here are two for the price of one tags for Frankie's 'Pay Spring Forward' challenge this week. (How I hate that phrase 'pay it' as it does not make any sense to pay it forward.... I think it should be pass it forward he he).
I have just bought the new Craft Artist cd so was playing with the text buttons to see what can be done and this is the first result.  I like the varigated colours you can make it.... like the rainbow effect on MCS so I printed out the tag shapes with the word Spring (I did the other seasons as well - will come in handy I am sure) I then stamped some flowers and leaves and coloured with Copics before distressing the edges and backgrounds.  I added some Glitter glues and glitter sprays and attached some ribbon  with a staple or two.
Hope you like them my friend x

CHALLENGE 139 - Love and Romance

My challenge this week is 'Love and Romance' in honour of Valentines Day and here is my DT card. The scalloped card is from a QVC pack, run through the script Cuttlebug Embossing folder and coloured with worn lipstick Distress ink.  I added a torn and edged piece of wonderful red and silver glittery soft material paper (bought at NEC) then attached the lovely bird digital image from ChiChi Memories (they are sponsoring my challenge this week). I coloured him with Promarkers and added a couple of glitter hearts and the ticket together with some red rick rack ribbon and red and pink gems also from QVC.
Do pop over and enter my challenge and maybe win some of these lovely digital images.

Happy New Year - Chinese Style

Here is my DT card for my challenge this week which is Chinese New Year.
I made the card for my sister and brother in law as they are very fond of anything Asian. I used a scalloped card from QVC and ran it through the Cuttlebug Bamboo embossing folder then coloured with a couple of green Distress Inks. I made the little panda from shrink plastic -  a while since I played with it.  I stamped the rabbit, as this year is the Year of the Rabbit, and coloured with pastel chalks.  The lady is from a chipboard freebie magazine set.  The label is cut from my new and wonderful Cuttlebug Plus Fanciful Labels folder - how great to cut and emboss at the same time.  I stamped the message from a See D's Asian Designs set and coloured in the same distress inks.  I added a border to the inside of the card and some gems to embellish.
Happy New Year and do pop over and enter my challenge - you could win a  lovely Joanna Sheen voucher.

Highland Fling for Burns Night

We celebrate January 25th as Burns Night here in Scotland so this is my card for the occasion.  My challenge this week is Highland Fling and you can enter over on my Challenge Blog and maybe win a cd from Hazel Tabby Kat herself.  The stamps, including the words, are all from Tabby Kat and coloured with pastel chalk pencils to give a smudgy effect.  The sky was stippled using Distress Inks and a big stipple brush. Drink a toast to the Baird on 25th.

TICK TOCK

Here is my card for my challenge this week the topic being TICK TOCK.  The background paper is from a Steampunk set from Graphic 45, they produce some lovely papers.  I bought them last week in Canada and love them. The stamps used on the card are from Tattered Angels Glimmer Screen Stamps again purchased in Canada.  They are stamped in black and coloured with Antique Linen Distress inks and Copics.  I added some ribbon bows and a couple of little embellishments found in my box here.
I created this card during Hurricane Igor, a frightening experience I may add. Check the early photos below on the blog and the net for more graphic ones.
I hope you will enjoy the challenge this week pop over and check it out at http://rainbowladyschallengeblog.blogspot.com/.