28 May 2012

Inspiration time again

Hello there, have fun over the weekend?

Well it's time for me to share some more
Make It Crafty
inspirational work


This adorable image is by Zoe's new designer Elena, don't you just love the expression on her face!

Here she is in close-up:


In case you were wondering her name is Melissa and there are three images in the new release
 over at Make it Crafty

Supplies:
Word Art - TLC
Victoria and Albert Hanovarian paper pack
Elegant Scrollwork die - Memory Box
Plain circle dies - Quickutz
Scalloped circle dies - Spellbinders
 Doily die - Cheery Lynn
Sewing machine
........and of course quite a few Copic markers:


I am sure you will love Melissa as much as I do, and I for one am looking forward to what Elena has created for you guys in the near future................

Thanks as always for dropping by and I hope it has inspired you to get those pencils, markers and paints out and have a go yourself!

I am entering this card into the following challenges
Creative Inspirations - #164 Anything goes
Divas by Design Challenge - #36 Fabulous Flourishes
Fab n Funky Challenges - #122 A new beginning (new designer)


Crafty Hugs

23 May 2012

On a roll....

..............well, on a chair actually!!

Sorry, too much caffeine already this morning!

It's exam time again in our house, yee gads one more year of this and then the boy will be off to University - seems only yesterday he was at nursery!!!!

It's Show and Tell
(sounds like Kindergargarten doesn't it)
over at Dustin Pike's Place


This little guy with the dinosaurs is from the new May 2012 Members Release

The word art came courtesy of World Art World, the paper from my stash and here is the box of Copics:



Short and sweet today

Crafty Hugs

21 May 2012

Dustin Pike Challenge again

Hello there, how are you doing?  Hope you had a nice weekend? 
Are you game for a new challenge?

Well over at Dustin Pike's we have a sketch challenge for you and all you have to do is add one of his Doodle Dragon Images and you'll earn yourself a freebie.
This is the sketch you have to follow
and here is my interpretation


The above caption was one of the cleaner "toilet humour" quotes I found online!!!

Image: April 2012 Membership digi
Paper: Papermania Persimmon collection
Ribbon and brads from stash

Please enter your projects HERE

and I am entering mine here:
Stamping with the Dragon - Birthdays and Boys
One stitch at a time - #114 Anything Goes
Chocolate Coffee Cards - #13 For the boys

Thanks for dropping by

14 May 2012

Scrummy, sweet and good to eat!

Time for another Make It Crafty Inspiration post

If you guys have yet to do so, go check out the new blog,
full of hints, tips and ideas....

Over the weekend my hubby and I made the most of the good weather and continued with our mammoth landscaping job - and the rare glimpse of sunshine gave us a great excuse for a break and an ice cream!

But mine was miniscule in comparison to the monster that Claudine is munching.......


Details:
Sweetie Pie word art - TLC
Melissa Frances Kitschy Kitchen paper pad
ribbon and chalk ink from stash
....and of course Copics


here is a colouring close-up


this now gives me the opportunity to share a couple of tips today

Shiny Copics
How many of you have suffered from this frustrating phenomena?
1. Don't panic
2. Grab your colouring pencils

My dark brown Copic decided to misbehave when I was colouring the hair and went shiny, sitting on top of the other colours instead of blending, infact it started to take off some of the colour underneath, yikes!!
Thankfully I have learnt that colouring pencils of similar shades can not only cover up this annoying situation but they enable you to create fab definition and detail. This technique is especially great for fine strands of hair.

Just remember to spray your image with fixative as the pencil does have the habit of smudging on Copic suitable cardstock - I use Artists' Fixative by Winsor & Newton but if you don't have any a quick blast of hairspray will help.

Would you like another tip????

How to make Ice cream Waffle Wafers
Nope, not a recipe just how to create them with Copics!

You will need:
Isopropyl Alcohol or Copic Blending solution
Piece 16ct Aida (fabric used for counted cross stitch)

Now this is important, colour just your wafers.
Once done, spray some Isopropyl onto your Aida, I always dab it onto a scrap piece of paper before applying it to my image, if it's too wet you'll end up with a blotchy mess.
Hold the Aida onto the wafers for the count of 3, remove and watch.
A waffle like texture should have appeared, and all you have to do is then add additional shading/colouring and you have a lovely pair of Waffle Wafers, ready for the ice cream flavour of your choice!!

Well that's all for now
Crafty Hugs

8 May 2012

New Dustin Pike Challenge

Oops, a combo of migraine, a Bank Holiday and let's face it a brain full of holes
I am a day or two late with this............sorry

We have a new challenge over at Dustin Pike's
and remember you qualify for a free digi image when you enter
(must use a Doodle Dragon image)

Challenge info:
include Orange, Red and Yellow


This cheesy chap is a freebie on the site - if you're quick you can still snag him!

The background behind the Pizza Chef was created using my Copic Airbrush, and yep I managed to spray myself again!

......and here is the Copic piccie


Now come on this is a really simple challenge - get those zingy colours out and earn yourself a free digi image!!

sneeky peeky of the freebie challenge digi

Thanks for dropping by the box

Crafty Hugs

P.S. I'm entering the Pizza Chef into the following challenges
Incy Wincy Designs - #144 Spots and dots
Paper Pretties - Use ribbon

7 May 2012

My Blog Hop Winner!

Wow, I do hope you all had fun on the

Blog Hop

Well, I have the pleasure to announce that one of my lovely commenters has won a prize!

Sieve-head here forgot to mention on my Blog Hop Post that one lucky person would win a new image of my choice just for leaving a comment here at Box of Colours - oops!!

.............and the winner is......


CARLY

and this is the digi I chose......


Congratulations Carly, you'll be hearing from Zoe shortly.


Once again, thank you all for visiting my blog and playing along.

Crafty Hugs

3 May 2012

Make it Crafty Blog Hop

Hello there and welcome to the
MAKE IT CRAFTY
"Under the Sea"
blog hop

You should have arrived here from my teamie DEBBIE


in fact here is a list of all the girls participating in the hop:

Elaine - special guest - http://quixoticcards.com/blog/


Now we have a real treat for you all and some fabulous news

Not only does Zoe have a really superb new "Under the Sea" themed digital release but they are by our new illustrator, Marina 
 Seriously you have got to check out these images!!

....and I'll let you into a little secret, I have seen a sneeky peek of some of the digi's Marina has created for a future release, oh boy you are going to love them.

OK enough waffle, you've come to see the artwork right!


..........and here it is in close up, just look at that adorable seahorse!!


I actually chose to make up my own scene merging images using Photoshop Elements, but if you do not want to do that Zoe has created some fantastic pre made scenes -
go take a look, I assure you, you will not be disappointed.

and those of you that frequent my blog on a regular basis will know that I tend to use a lot of Copics..................but brace yourself!!

(got a little carried away)

.........I promise to share hints and tips regarding colouring sand, sea, mermaid tails etc at a later date........so keep your eye out for that!

Now, a blog hop would not be the same without prizes
3 are up for grabs for those who leave a comment on the Store Blog post (so don't forget)
 Whole Collection
 Collection of Elements
Collection of pre-made scenes

but don't dally as the hop finishes on Sunday 6th May and Zoe will announce the winners on Monday

Talking of ZOE, that is where you need to head now, hope you have had fun and see you again soon!

Crafty Hugs

P.S. I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Incy Wincy Designs - #143 Mothers Day or girlie
Lollipop Crafts - #78 Anything goes
Crazy Challenge -#117 Summer Beach
Lexis Creations - #64 Lace/ribbon