29 October 2011

Make it Crafty Texture Challenge

Make It Crafty Challenge:
"Create your own texture using your colouring medium"

Woah! Don't panic - honestly this is much easier than it sounds!

Here's my DT project:


Let's take a closer look......



Textures and techniques:

I started with the upper background which I coloured in BV01, then sprayed some Isopropyl onto a small natural sponge dabbing it on to the Copics - it gives a beautiful dappled effect.  I then added dots of BV02 and RV10 - dabbing on more alcohol until I had this soft speckled look.

Then I coloured the lower half in V91 and V93 after which I sprayed Isopropyl on a piece of denim and pressed it on to the Copic area (remembering to mask off the top piece first) - it gives a really subtle lined effect, best seen near the boys feet. 

As for the girls clothing, her spotty skirt was created simply by colouring it in with various shades of  red then adding tiny dots of blue - we don't always walk round in plain clothes so why should she!  The texture on her sweater was achieved with Caran D'Ache pencils (sharpened to a point) - in an attempt to resemble knitwear - what do you think?

The boy was just as much fun - the seams on his jeans - that's an easy one - just apply your colourless blender to the coloured jeans until you've got the depth of fading you're after!  As for the argyle pattern on his jumper - it's simply black, grey and white pencils, mimicking the shadows I'd already created using Copics. To give his hair extra dimension, which I never seem able to achieve with just Copics I added extra colour again with Caran D'Ache pencils (what would I do without them?)

One thing that doesn't show up well in the pictures is that I added clear Jelly Roll Glaze to the rubber parts of the Converse style footwear - it's just enough to give them a slight sheen.

And finally a few dots of White Gel pen - a word of advice, don't get carried away with highlights - "less is more" is my motto!


I'd like to enter this card in to the following challenges:
By the cute and girly : Anything goes
Heart Song Inspiration: No sentiment
Creative Card Crew: Fall'in for you


NOW IT'S YOUR TURN!

Post your entries in the Make it Crafty Gallery HERE

Thanks for dropping by

28 October 2011

Magnolia Christmas

I smile whenever I colour this particular Tilda as she was my very first Magnolia stamp!


I have her sitting inside a Stempelglede Grunge Ornamental Circle (lg) and added a dash of colour with Liquid Pearls, White gel pen and ribbon.

And if like me you need a little bit of inspiration to get those Creative Christmas juices flowing why not treat yourself to the new Magnolia Ink Magazine - it's full of Festive Crafting goodness and an interview featuring Zoe McGrath from Make it Crafty!

Tilda was coloured with Copics (sorry no list) and as per Zoe's tutorial in Magnolia Ink I've used lots of greys!!!

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Just Magnolia - Christmas
Make It Monday - Anything goes
Simon Says Stamp - Anything goes
The Paper Shelter - Anything goes
Charisma Cards - Anything goes

Thanks for dropping by


24 October 2011

Pike's Playground Challenge...and it's shiny!

Firstly, I must apologise that this should have been posted yesterday, unfortunately I've been out of action for a few days - family stuff followed by a pesky migraine!

Pike's Playground Challenge:
"All things shiny!"

Anyway, here is my effort - and I assure you it is shiny even though it doesn't look it in the photograph!


Apologies for the lack of a Copics list but I was having fun playing with Perfect Pearls Mist - it's on the backing paper and the doily has several layers of it.
Then I added a bit of glitz courtesy of Crystal and Frosted lace and topped it off with satin ribbon and pearls to finish!

Come on this challenge is a great excuse to play with that glitter (unfortunately I always end up wearing the stuff) - so "do your thing and add some bling!" and post your shiny creations HERE

Please remember you must use one of Dustin's Doodle Dragon Designs and he's got some super cuties that are ideal for Christmas over at Doodle Dragon Studios HERE

Thanks for dropping by

14 October 2011

Blog Candy Winner and new challenge

Firstly, may I just say a huge thank you to everyone who joined in on the Make it Crafty Blog Hop,  I hope you all had as much fun as we did.

Secondly I am happy to announce the winner of the
Box of Colours Blog Candy Bundle

Congratulations Joyce, your parcel of goodies will be on it's way to Canada shortly!



Now it's time to announce the new
Make it Crafty Challenge

"Colouring snow"

No, I don't mean, dying snow silly colours and taking piccies of it, although that would be kind of fun (if you could find snow in October that is)

It's the challenge of colouring something white:


For me personally when colouring snow, or indeed anything white with my Copics I use the following colours:
BG0000 Snow Green
BG000 Pale Aqua
W00,W0, W1,W2 Warm Greys

The temptation with white objects is to leave them uncoloured, but if you look around the house at white objects you will quickly see that they aren't in fact pure white - they have shadows, contours and are usually made up of various shades of blue and grey.  You may also notice that shiny white surfaces often reflect the colours of objects around them and indeed lights in the evening.....

Hence my choice of one of the new Make it Crafty Festive Elements digis available HERE

Not only am I able to demonstrate the depth you can achieve by using warm greys but you can see how the light from the lamp is reflected in the snow and in this instance, the ribbon too.

Why not have a go, it's easier than you think!!

Please post your entries
at the



9 October 2011

Boo!! Did I scare you?

Guess it's that time of year again when ghosts and ghoulies and things that go bump in the night come out to play................as a result the gals at Pike's Playground decided that the theme this time would be:

"SPOOKTASTIC"
(Halloween colours)

 
Oh the tales I could tell with this one.........before I go any further, I love the Die-Namics (black) and Memory Box (orange) dies - they are so delicate and perfect for the size of cards I make - I love them!  However, initially I only had black ones on my card and for some reason I decided to embellish the swirls once I had glued them and the pumpkin image on the card!!  So I picked up my Spica Pitch Black and Sakura Black Gelly roll and off I went - BIG MISTAKE!
Thank goodness I used a Quickie glue pen to stick them on, they peeled off nicely - but I had to carefully lift off the pumpkin image first - yee gads, when will I ever learn not to fiddle!!

In future I shall stick to merging digital images as I did here and concentrate on mastering that - I am getting better with Photoshop Elements - an amazing achievement for me as computers are really not my thing!! LOL (just ask my son)

Here's a close up:


The eagle eyed amongst you may be able to spot a hint of smoke coming from the purple witches flask - it's really simple to do - just doodle scribbly circles with a white pencil - the colour sits on top of the Copics. Woosh lines (well that's what I call them) were added to the Orange witches pot with the same pencil - try it, if you don't like it you can always erase it (guess what, I erased my first attempt!!)

Well enough blathering, here's the list of ingredients and challenges I want to enter this in to - and don't forget if you have any questions feel free to ask.

Image: Dustin Pike
Paper: Graphic 45 Halloween in Wonderland
Misc: Die Namics and Memory Box dies
Colouring: Copics (see below)


Challenges:
Die Creative - Autumn colours
Stamp with fun - Halloween
Shabby Tea room - Shabby autumn
Digital Tuesday - We like to party
Tuesday Throwdown - Halloween
The Paper Shelter - Halloween Party

Now readers, I'm entering these challenges and I'd love to see your wonderful creations over at Pike's Playground - please remember that you must use one of Dustin Pike's digis.
You've got 2 weeks to play, so come on, get those oranges, slime greens, purples and blacks out and join in the fun!

Hugs

7 October 2011

Christmas card....finally

Oh boy, this year I am so behind making Christmas cards and with my arm injury taking yonks to heal I fear I may have to ............dare I say it "buy some" yee gads, the shame!!

But here is another seasonal project, using one of Mo Mannings fabulous images:


Image: Mo Manning NP Employee No 5533
Paper: First Edition Paper - Festive Treats
Colouring: Copics (sorry no list) and Distress Ink
Additional: LOTV Christmas stamp, ribbon, charm and pearls from stash

I'm entering this cheeky little chap in the following challenges:
DP2 Challenge - Patchwork
Craft your passion challenges - anything goes with a ribbon twist
Craft Challenge - Bright colours
Sweet Stamps Blog - anything goes

4 October 2011

Happy 1st Birthday

Woo hoo, I can hardly believe it my blog is celebrating it's 1st Birthday today!!


Dustin Pike's dino's are having a party to celebrate!!


Don't forget, if you'd like a chance at winning the
BLOG CANDY BUNDLE
(JOINT CELEBRATION FOR ZOE & MY BLOGS BIRTHDAYS)

make sure you've left a comment on the
Make It Crafty Blog Hop Post

You'll also find details about how to claim your Make it Crafty freebie on this post.