28 October 2010

Halloween Challenge

Pumpkins, Ghosties, Witches and things that go Boo!!  What does Halloween mean to you?

Well over at Doodle Dragon Studio Challenge Blog they're into all things Halloween this week, so I'm sending Dustin's Dragon over to do a bit of Trick or Treating.
Card - Doodle Dragon Studio Challenge
Image: Dustin Pike Halloween Dragon
Paper: From stash
Colouring: Copics, Chalk ink
Additional: Quickutz die
Good luck to everyone entering the competition & Happy Halloween Bat .

 Trick O' Treater Costume  Frankensmiley  Witch Cauldron     Mummy Skeleton

21 October 2010

Hanglar Stanglar stamps

Hanglar stamps - have you discovered them yet?  Ooh, for months I've drooled over them, but sadly unless you were from Sweden, Norway or Finland you just couldn't get your sticky little paws on them - until now.  If you stalk Ebay you may be lucky enough to snag a set, but you'll have to be lightening fast as they sell out in a flash.
 

Card - Hanglar from Kit 13

         Image: Hanglar 
         Paper: Paper Cellar - Checks & from stash
         Colouring: Copics & Liquid applique
         Ribbon: from stash
         Additional: Nesties & sewing machine

I did amend this stamp a little by removing the wings and puffy cloud - merely covered the areas I didn't want to use with low tack tape, inked up the stamp as usual then peeled off the tape & stamped image on to my cardstock.   I had great fun with the liquid applique which makes pretty realistic "faux" sheepskin!! 

What do you think to the wonky stitching.......hum, me thinks I need more practice!

Well, no rest for the wicked, I'm currently beavering away making Christmas cards - 49 and counting...........

Be warned, these stamps, like Magnolia are addictive but unlike chocolate they don't make your clothes shrink (just your bank balance!)

Happy crafting


15 October 2010

1st competition entry

Well as Dustin Pike became my first follower it seemed fitting that my first competition entry should be a Doodle Dragon Studio Challenge.

The theme is "masculine" - so hopefully my blue bug fits the bill.  I've made it with my brother in law in mind (he's a pest control officer) hence the "born to catch bugs" caption!!!

Card - Doodle Dragon Studio Challenge

Image:  Bug by Dustin Pike
Paper: Debbie Mumm Baby Boy
Colouring: Copics with background glow in Prismacolor pencils
Ribbon: from stash
Wordart: freebie from Create with TLC

Good luck to everyone that has entered.



4 October 2010

Well here we go.......



Oh boy, I've lurked for long enough, admiring all the stunning work that the inhabitants of Bloggyland are producing and finally decided to take the plunge and have a go.

Where do I begin, well I guess with my paintings - several years ago I was inspired whilst watching Watercolour Challenge on TV to have a go at painting, something I hadn't really done since I left school.  The medium suited me well, although unforgiving if you make a mistake, it dries quickly and there's little smell - ideal for me as my son was small at the time and inquisitive little fingers would appear from nowhere - can you imagine the mess if I'd been using oil paints!!!!

Here's one of my first paintings - some of you might recognise him:

Portrait - Ronan Keating

I was fortunate enough to be asked to undertake numerous commissions, these are definitely my favourite ones:
Portrait - Girl in pink
Portrait - Couple outdoors

When we moved house I packed up my brushes and tried my hand at something new - die cutting.  It took me a while to get the hang of it, but I soon realised the possibilities and unbelieveably I even got the opportunity to design some dies, these are examples of three of them!


I found that chalk ink worked really well to shade the dies and give them depth, the only drawback being that I constantly had inky fingers!!
 
And right now..............................Copics, stamps and more......................but that will have to wait until the next post!
 
Thanks for looking and I hope you'll come visit my Box of Colours again.