A long time coming........

Oh goodness, way back in November I travelled across the pond to Arizona to go meet my good friend Jennifer Dove and attend her Copic Bootcamp.

I got to see the Grand Canyon, travel through two deserts and caught sight of my first ever Road Runner - although my attempts at photographing the darned thing were abysmal!

I started colouring this stamp (Southwest Mountain - CC Designs) soon after I returned, but things kept getting in the way and it's been hanging around in the studio waiting for me to find the time to finish it.

Ta da - I finally added the last touch of Copics to it on Sunday.  I adore the warm colours and it will forever remind me of my first trip to Jenn's part of the world..........hope you like it.

COPIC COLOURS:

Sky: B0000, B000

Mountains/Ground: G20, E11, E21, YR30, E40, E41, E42, W00, W0, W1, W2, W4, W6, E00, E13, 

                                 E15, E17. E01, E95, E08

Foliage: YG11, G12, YG13, YG63, YG67, RV14, RV17, Y23, YG99, E97, BG93, BG96, YR30, 

                E41, YG91, YG93                    

Building: E40, E41, E42, E43, W4, W6

Pots: RV10, E04, RV11, E11, W5, E08

Happy Colouring

Yes, I know it's only July!

Well hello everyone, how are you? Harvest has started, so it is a bit of a madhouse around here! May have something to do with why I chose to colour snowmen in July!

Now, as I've mentioned recently, I treated myself to some new "toys" and today I thought I would share with you all the first cards I have made using them.

Firstly, here are a couple of snowmen coloured with Caran D'Ache Luminance pencils on Neenah Desert Storm by Crafters Companion, this was a pleasure to use and great as a pale Kraft card.

Hopefully you can see the sparkle on NOEL.  I used Wink of Stella Clear, which also gets a big thumbs up from me!

SUPPLIES:

Stamps: Snow Noel by CC Designs

Paper: Neenah Desert Storm - Crafters Companion

Colouring Medium: Caran D'Ache Luminance pencils, Wink of Stella Clear

Tools: Marianne D Creatables die, Spellbinders Grand Calibur, Memento Angel Pink ink, MISTI, Weathered Wood Distress Ink, Distress tool

Size of card: A1 USA (8.83cm x 12.38cm)

I enjoyed colouring this image so much I thought I would use it again with my new Zig Clean Color Real Brush pens......have you tried these?  They blend with each other, water, a Dove Blender and even Wink of Stella Clear - how cool is that!  For my first attempt I used them with a water brush and their fine real brush tip makes them perfect for working with detailed stamps.

Apologies in advance, I know you love colour lists, but this was my first time using these pens and I got so carried away I completely forgot to take note of the colours, sorry.

SUPPLIES:

Stamps: Details as above

Paper: Arches Aquarelle Hot Press Watercolour paper, Lily of the Valley Frosty Christmas pad

Colouring Medium: Zig Clean Color Real Brush pens, Distress Marker - Picket Fence, Kuretake fine water brush, Distress Maker Picket fence.

Tools: Memento Angel Pink ink, L'il Inker die, Spellbinders Grand Calibur, MISTI

Size of card: USA A2

Well that's all for now, happy colouring

Without Words Festive Feeling Challenge

Ho, Ho, Ho, it's time for another challenge over at Without Words

........in fact I am sad to say this will be our last ever challenge, so lets make it a hum dinger with oodles of entries!!!

and here is mine

This has been a real labour of love, taking several weeks to complete!
(and as you will see I have used a lot of Copics!!)

Image - Roberto's Rascals Merry Christmas by CC Designs
Memento Angel Pink ink

Copic Markers......
Background: BG10, BG11, BG13, BG23, T1, T3, T5, BG0000, BG000, BG53
Pot: YG06, YG09, W1, W5, G28, R43, R85, R46, R59, RV99
Tree: G28, G46, YG45, G12, YG41, G20, E29, E27, T5, W10, T3
Ornaments: R21, R22, R24, R27, R46, R59, E000, YG01, YG13, YG25, YR20, YR21, YR23, E31, E34, E35, Y32, Y35, Y38, E35, E30, E33, V20, E0000, E000, E00, B0000, B000, C00, C0, C1, C2, W0, W1, W2, W3, W4
Slippers: N0, N1, N2, B0000, RV32
Nightdress: R000, R00, R01, R02, W0, W1, W2, W3, BG53, BG57
Christmas Hats: B0000, B000, C0, C1, C2, R21, R22, R24, R27, R39
Dog: W00, W0, W1, W2, W3, W7, W9
Cat: E11, E13, E17, E27, RV32, RV34, W1, W3, N1, E21, B0000
Baskets: E21, E11, E13, E15, W4
PJs: N0, N1, BG70, BG72
Hair: E30, E31, E34, E43, E44, BG11, BG13, W3

Enhanced with Caran D'Ache coloured pencils

Our sponsor this month is
Bunny Zoe's Crafts

For more information and to see all the wonderful creations my fellow team mates have made to inspire you please click HERE

I would like to take the opportunity to thank Squirrel for all her hard work in creating and running Without Words, I have had a wonderful time and will miss her and the rest of the team - love you girls!!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas

Golden Anniversary

Wow, my in-laws have clocked up 50 years together!!

and here is the card I made for them to celebrate the milestone.......and I took a couple of photos during the process

and here is the finished card:

Stamp: Valentine by CC Designs

Cardstock and Designer Paper from stash

Pencils - Caran D'Ache Luminance and Pablos

Memento Angel Pink ink pad

Thanks for visiting - please feel free to leave a comment, I'd love to hear what you think and whether you like the .... work in progress pictures.

A good excuse for cake!

Celebrating a birthday anyone?

          Cupcake Henry - CC Designs

          Hat - B000, B00, B02, YR20, YR21, Y28, N0, N1, N2, N3

          Skin - W6, W8, B12, B14, V20, E0000, E000, E00, E41, V20, 

          RV32, B0000

          Cake - E50, E51, E21, E23, E27, E34, C00, C0, C2, YR20, YR23, 

          YR82, W5, B00, B02, N1, YR30, E40, E41, E42, E81, W3

          Shirt - YR30, YR20, YR21, E55

          Jeans - B41, B91, B93, B95, B97, C2, C4

          Hair - E40, E41, E42, E43, E44

          Shoes - W0, W1, W2, N1, BG0000, BG000, B00, BG01

          Background - YR30, B0000, B00, C0, C1, C2, C4

I have enhanced my Copic work with Caran D'Ache pencils and sealed it with
Winsor and Newton Professional Fixative to prevent smudging.

Thanks for dropping by today,
 I hope my work has inspired you to get creative with your Copic markers!

Happy Colouring

An animal themed challenge at Tiddly Inks

#163 Paws for thought

One for the animal lovers amongst us......a challenge that requires a Tiddly Inks animal stamp!

and here is mine

as I am allergic to cats and have been since I had our son Ben I opted for a dog, and shock horror it's not a Westie this time!!

My Beach Boy - Tiddly Inks

Copic List
T Shirt - Y11, Y21, YR21, N1, B000, B00, BG01, B53
Shorts - YR30, E40, E42, E81, E44
Sand - YR30, E50, E51, E41, E42, W1, W4
Skin - E0000, E000, E00, V20, E41, R20
Flag - B14, B12, B000, W3
Sky - B0000, B000
Hair - E51, E31, E34, E25, E59
Bucket, Spade and Sandals - B91, B93, B95, B97, B32, B34, B37, B39, N8
Dog - W00, W0, W1, W2, W3, W4, W6, W8, BG0000, E70, E71
Crab - R11, E11, E04, W2, W3

enchanced with coloured pencils

Sentiment - CC Designs - Happy Day

For more inspiration from my fellow design team members and information regarding where to post your entries please click HERE

Thanks for dropping by

Without Words July Challenge

Hello all!

It's time for another challenge over at Without Words

Colour Challenge - Blue & Brown

We thought we'd have a change from the traditional summer colours and go for something different and here is my card.......

CC Designs - OMG Cake

Copics

Top - B41, B32, B45

Trousers - E11, E13, E15, E17, W6, W4, W2, W1

Jewellery - E41, E43, Y23, Y26, Y28

Chair - E40, E41, E42, E43, E44, W5

Hat - B91, B93, B95, B12, B14, N1, N2, B000

Cake/Plate - E23, E27, BG0000, N0, N1, E30, E31, E33, B00, N2

Shoes - B91, B41, B45, E70, E71

Floor - E50, E81, E21, W1, W2

Girl - E0000, E000, E00, E41, V20, R20, B00, W2, RV32

 enhanced with coloured pencil

This month our wonderful sponsor is:

so for more inspiration from my teamies and where to post your fab entries

please click HERE

Happy Father's Day

Hi there, sorry I have been a little quiet in bogland....

I have been working very hard behind the scenes on projects I cannot share yet!

Anyway, here is the Father's Day card I made for my Dad today

Golfing Tom - CC Designs
DP from stash

Copic Colours:
Grass - YG41, G00, G40, G12, G43, T1, T2, T4
Sweater & Hat - BG10, BG11, BG13, BG15, B12, B14, BG23, BG49, B00, B16, T1, T2, T4
Club - N0, N1, N2, N3, N4, W1, W2, W3
Skin - E0000, E000, E00, V20, W3, R20, BG90
Watch - E51, E35, E55
Ball - N1, N2
Shoes - BG0000, BG000, T1, T0
Trousers - B91, B93, B95, B97

Happy Father's Day to all Dads out there!!

Hugs

Without Words May Challenge

The sun is shining, the birds are singing and we have a new challenge over at 

Without Words!

It is a colour challenge this time.....

PINK, BLUE & YELLOW

Here is my inspiration piece

Shopping Nancy by CC Designs

Die by CC Designs

DP - One Birdie Lane pad by Lili of the Valley

Ribbon from stash

Copics 

(sorry forgot to keep a record of colours)

As always we have a wonderful sponsor and this time it is 

Why not have a go - you never know the winner could be YOU!

For more inspiration why not visit the challenge blog and see what my teamies have created.

Thanks for dropping by

Oh boy finally back in cyberspace

Hello everyone, how are you?

I guess some of you have been wondering why I've been a tad quiet.  Well I have been having computer problems, technology is fine and dandy when working but when it goes wrong it can be a complete nightmare, I miraculously managed to save all my files (phew!) but the laptop has been returned to Dell!

Now I know I have missed quite a few deadlines with my DT work and I'd like to say a very big thank you to my Design Teams for being so patient with me.

I am now back with a lovely new Macbook Pro (thanks to my very kind husband) and hopefully I'll get used to this new operating system soon :)

Lets get started with a Little Miss Muffet creation

Stamp: Santa's Coming Tonight by CC Stamps

Copic with a dash of pencil enhancement

DP from stash

I had great fun with this image & especially love the little pooch, which of course in my head is a Westie!

That's all for now folks

Love is in the air at Without Words

Hey it's February - you know what that means peeps

Valentines Day

and we are getting in the romantic mood over at

Without Words

where our theme for the month is

Je t'aime

(I love you for those who don't speak French)

and here is my inspiration creation

Mousey Love by CC Designs

Pencils - Caran D'Ache Pablo'sand Luminance

Quickutz polaroid die

Sugarpea die

DP - Love me by My Minds Eye

Copics

Background - R0000, R000, BV0000, B0000, B000

Mice - E000, E00, E40, E41, E42, E43, E71, E74, W8, W00, W0, W1, W2, W3, R11

Cheese - TR30, E40, E41, E42, E43, E50, E51

Flower - RV14

To enter your wonderful Valentines creations please click HERE

for your chance to win a $15 voucher from

Make it Crafty

and please remember all entries must be Clean and Simple

Thanks for dropping by

Without Words Challenge - January 2015

Happy New Year everybody

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Well it's time for a new challenge at 

Without Words

and the theme is

"Dreaming of Spring"

CC Designs - Roberto's Rascals: Swingin'

Coloured in Copics and Pencils

Our sponsor this month is

Crafters Companion

and you could win a £10 voucher

All you have to do is create a hand coloured, clean and simple card 

and post it here

Thanks for dropping by

Slight technological hitch.....

I'm in the process of setting up a new laptop,

unfortunately getting to grips with Windows 8
whilst dealing with a heavy cold is not working out too well,

so I'm blogging with old pinky, hoping she will keep going for a bit longer!

With me snuffling away and an ailing laptop I think this card is

quite appropriate.........

and for anyone else feeling a little under the weather

at the moment!

Nurse Nancy by CC Designs

Copic & coloured pencils

Plasters/Bandaid - Quickutz

ribbon & papers from stash

laptop permitting I should be back with more soon

thanks for dropping by

I am back with a challenge

Oh yes, I finally got to play with markers on Saturday....

.....it has been far too long and I had an absolute blast!

So lets get going with a new challenge

WITHOUT WORDS 

"Christmas Present" (Modern Look)

and here is my interpretation

CC Designs Roberto's Rascals: Santa's Ride

Coloured in Copic markers

with a dash of white pencil

and our sponsor is

Now, for a chance to win please make sure your card is

CLEAN & SIMPLE

and post it 

HERE

I have just come back from a fantastic holiday in Orlando, celebrating my birthday with my hubby!!

The old batteries are re-charged and I'm ready to get down to some crafting.....

Thanks for dropping by

Without Words Challenge for September

Chasing my tail, bloopers galore......ever felt like this?

Eek, this post should have gone live 2 hours ago but my plans to write it last night went to pot as I spent the evening ferrying son from one farm to another so he could escort our combine harvester!

Oh the joys of being married to a farmer at this time of year!

Anyway, better late than never eh.

This months challenge theme is

It's a Celebration

and here is my creation

Henry Claus - by CC Designs

Copic and Pencil on Stamping Linen

Here is Henry in close up

I've had a lot going on lately and completely forgot we'd been asked to use an image from our sponsor Make it Crafty.........sorry Zoe xx

so here is an example of a Christmas card I made using MIC digis 

(albeit last year)

Come join in the fun - remember, any celebration will do

Post your entries HERE

where you will also find some inspiration from my talented teamies

Back later for a little insight in to what I've been getting up to 

Trying something different....

Crafting has had to take a back seat since Pip arrived in February

but as she's got older she has become more accustomed to staying in her playpen

and is now quite happy to snooze for a few hours whilst I work.

But when she was teething I was not getting much work done so I set to tidying my studio.  

 Whilst sorting out my art cupboard I came across my old box of watercolours and brushes.

Can you believe it, it has been 10 years since I last painted!!

Thankfully most of my kit was still OK, a few brushes had had it but a quick visit to my favourite on-line art shop soon fixed that and as they had on offer on paints I splurged on a few extra tubes too!

It took me weeks to complete as I had to fit it in when Pip was snoozing.

What do you think?

The image is

CC Designs - Valentine

I am definitely out of practice mixing skin tones, but hey that will come with time - all in all I am pretty happy with my first painting in a decade.

 I have a few new pieces of work I intend to share 

mainly pencil as its been the easiest to pick up and put down with a puppy in tow

but it is about to get manic in the Allen house as hubby is out in the combine for the first time in 2014

  so my plans may yet get scuppered, 

my poor old washing machine is working over-time - how can two men get so filthy?

Ben is trying to lessen the laundry issue by ripping two pairs of trousers (beyond repair) in as many days

and of course I'll soon be traipsing round the countryside delivering dinner to them and our men

when harvest gets into full swing!!

Thanks for dropping by