I ♥ PROMARKERS # 8

Well, this week is my first official week on the DT at the I LOVE PROMARKERS challenge blog. We had a sketch to follow, had to use swirls/flourishes and had to use an image by this week's sponsor WILLOW DESIGNS.



This is Alfie and the Birdhouse. My papers are from Graphicus, the blossom and ribbon were from my stash and the pearls are e line.
Promarker colours used are, Amber, Canary, Sunflower, Moss Green, Pear Green, Pumpkin, Apricot, Bright Orange, Lime Green, Cool Greys 3 and 5 and Cocoa.

And, for all you Promarker users out there, keep your eyes peeled. I have another tutorial going up on MAKE SOMETHING NICE very, very soon. :o)

I LOVE PROMARKERS.

Well, I'm chuffed to little peanuts. I have been chosen to be on the design team for the I ♥ PROMARKERS challenge blog. I'm very pleased to be joining them. :o)

Why don't you all come over and have a look. There is a weekly challenge, sometimes sketches, sometimes themes and sometimes both. There are prizes to be won too. Links to all the DT members are in my sidebar so there's plenty of inspiration for you all.

If you haven't got your Promarkers yet or are struggling to use them, then just scroll down a few posts. It wasn't so long ago I was going to bin all mine, lol, so you're not on your own. Now though, I love them.

So, I won't be entering any more challenges here, but I will be posting an example of the challenge every week.

Anyway, I'm off to raid my piggy bank to buy the colours I've not got yet.

ART IS THE PARADISE.....

This weeks challenge over at I LOVE PROMARKERS was a sketch and it had to have spots and dots on. I chose to do something a little different and used my fave stamp of the moment, Ribbon Hat Lady by Zettiology. The phrase is also a Zettiology stamp (well, half of it, lol) Papers are Basic Grey 'Indian Summer' and the flowers were die cut with Marianne Florals 1 and 2. I also flipped the sketch.

THINGS TO DO.

Well, I've got a couple of little projects finally finished, other than cards. I have so many crafting things to do that I'm struggling to remember them all each month. There's CJ's, ATC's, LO's, b/day cards, sketches, challenges etc, etc, so I made myself a little 4 x 4 inch book to write them all down in each month, then I can tick them off when I've done.



The papers are 7Gypsies 'Morroco Journey'. I stamped the 'Ribboned Hat Lady' by Zettiology and then masked her and used Old Paper and Tea Dye distress inks to ink round her. Rubon swirls by Kaiser and letters by K & Co.
The Art phrase on the first page is by Rivercity Rubberworks, the cameo is from the Cameo Set by Lost Coast designs and the tiny corner motif is Basic Grey.
The mountboard I used to make my covers was too thick for my Bind it All, so I used my Beary Patch Punch tool to make the holes and then bound it with the BIA.
So, as long as I remember to actually write in it what I have to do, I shouldn't forget anything or anybody. Here's hoping, lol. :o)

I also completed another page in my Art Journal. The other day, my future son-in-law asked my permission to marry my daughter. How great is that, eh? Tradition and chivalry aren't dead after all. Anyway, I thought I'd do a page to remember it.


I used distress inks for the colour and sequin waste to make the dots. The stamps are Lost Coast designs 'King' and 'Queen'. I coloured the faces and other parts of the images with my Promarkers and then used Diamond Glaze over them. I then cut a bit of a mask of the Queen and masked off the bottom of her and stamped a small portion of 'Pipes Head' by Zettiology too. The title was stamped with a See D's alphabet (Large Swirls) I got in a sale for £1.25. Bargain or what? There's a bit of journalling up the dotty side. To finish, I stuck a charm on, which is actually a connector for jewellery making. I left the loops on as I thought it looked better than one without the loops.

SOME BIRTHDAY PRESENT!!!!!

This weeks challenge on the I LOVE PROMARKERS blog was to follow a sketch and not use any background papers. We had to make our own. Instead of stamping, I decided to use my Cuttlebug (2 of) and an Impressabilities. It was difficult to photograph all the white, so the background doesn't show up too well, but it's there. :o)

EXTRA, EXTRA...

Read all about it!!!

So, over at PASSION FOR PROMARKERS challenge blog this week, we had to follow a sketch. I really liked this one, and this is my entry.

SECRET CRAFTER has an 'Anything Goes' challenge this week, so I'm entering this there too. It's the first time I've entered a card for more than one challenge - I'm getting lazy in my old age, lol.


Papers are Basic Grey 'Indian Summer'. The flowers are from WILD ORCHID CRAFTS and I used Tattered Rose and Aged Mahogany distress ink pads.

'Love News' Tilda's clothes were done with Cardinal Red, Burgundy and Rose Pink. Her hair with Cool Grey shades 1-5, her skin with Blush and Saffron with a touch of chalk for her cheeks. Her shoes were done with Walnut, Cocoa and Cinnamon and the newspapers with Shale, Caramel and Satin.
The ribbon is from Lil Davis 'Merlot' card and the lace was from my stash.
I also used Nestabilities labels 1 and 8, Prima 'e' line pearls and Archival Ink in Maroon to do the stamping.
I'd just got back into my 'normal' style of crafting, but couldn't resist this sketch. I hope you like it. :o)

A CARD FOR MUM

I rarely make Mothers Day cards, but I LOVE DIGI challenge blog this fortnight was a sketch to follow, but it had to have something to do with Mum. So this is my entry. The image is 'End of Summer' from Mo at DIGITAL PENCIL TOO. The papers are HOTP and I stamped the greeting using my Justrite stamper and alphabets. When I thought I'd finished, it still didn't look right, so I added the frame, but I'm still not sure it's right. Oh well, can't get it right all the time, eh?


While I was at it, I decided to make one for my daughter too. She has a two year old and a new baby so I wanted to thank her for giving me two beautiful grandchildren. I don't think Mothers day cards should go exclusively to your own mother. Why not send one to your daughter, or your friend if you want to. :o) The image is 'Sorry Shanna' by Mo again. I chose this image particularly because my two year old granddaughter loves her wellies, lol. On this one though, I cut out the image and mounted her on foam pads.

MORE BOXES

I've been covering boxes again. The first one is the smaller book box of the set of 3. The medium sized one was posted earlier. This one was gessoed first then acrylic painted and the papers are from the Papermania 'Sunshine' range. The image is 'Prairie Girl' from Mo's digital pencil, the frame was cut with nestabilities and the flowers are cut with Marianne dies.





The second box is to keep my cards in. I never have a big pile of ready made cards, and they were kept in a tatty old box under the table, so I decided to make something a bit prettier for them. I had to cut a box to the size I wanted but it's perfect for my needs. All papers are from MME 'Wild Asparagus' range.

MOTHER NATURE

This weeks challenge over at THE SECRET CRAFTER was to use stitching on a card, so I put mine around the edges. Still trying to do some cards that aren't too cute, I tried for an oldish look.

Mother Nature stamp is from Paperartsy and the papers are HOTP.

TEA TIME

Another challenge from the I LOVE PROMARKERS blog. We had to follow a sketch and also add stitching. I found using two images and two flowers quite difficult, but I also didn't want to do 'cute' again, I wanted something a little vintage so I came up with this.

The teapot images were from THE GRAPHICS FAIRY. They didn't really require much colour, but I did colour them a little with my Promarkers and I also coloured the flowers and brads with Promarkers. Scattered Straw distress ink was used to ink the edges. The paper is from the Sunshine range of the Papermania Capsule collection. The grey card is from Basic Grey's 'Scarlet Letter' and a strip of lace finished it off.

BOOK BOX

My friend, Kim, gave me a set of boxes a while ago that look like books. They're made of cardboard and have a few rough patches, but I really liked them. Today's project was to decorate the middle sized one to keep my pearls and crystals in.
I used Basic Grey 'Blush' papers, Aged Mahogany Distress Ink and acrylic paint in Wine and Dusky Rose.

I used the floral papers from the set for the exterior and cut the embellies from a sheet and 3D'd them. The striped paper for the interior is a much better match in real life. It doesn't look like it matches the floral sides at all, but it does. Oh, well. It's only a piccie, eh?

THINK PINK

A new challenge blog has started, called I LOVE DIGI challenge blog. It is just for digi images and this week they started with their first challenge 'Think Pink'. I used an image called Sophie by Mo over at DIGITAL PENCIL TOO. The papers are Pink Parfait from the Forever Friends range and Sophie was coloured with Promarkers.

I wish I Love Digi every success with their new blog.



Meanwhile, back at the homestead, I'm playing with a few new toys. I've found another lovely card that works perfectly with Promarkers. It's Personal Impressions premium quality smooth white and it's lovely to work on. I also got myself a new edge punch as I was a bit heavy handed the other day and broke one in half. Oooops!

I was also inspired by an article in Craft Stamper magazine on a Nestability storage book, so I got out my Basic Grey Infuse papers and made myself one. Much more my usual style of crafting. I do prefer the grungy, muted colour stuff. I must admit though, I love it. It's so much quicker and easy to find the nestie I want.





See you again soon. :o)

JUST BECAUSE....

I can now!! Woohoo!!! Finally, I've cracked my Promarkers, so I've done my very first challenge over at I LOVE PROMARKERS. We had to follow a sketch AND use pink and brown. The image is a digi image from Mo at DIGITAL PENCIL TOO. It's called Prairie Girl and I think she's just lovely. Mo also provides her with a plain dress and hat if you want to do your own thing. The papers are from 7 Gypsies and HOTP and the ribbon is American Crafts. I used my nesties to cut the sentiment card and Kaiser rubon words.



Now, I have to say two more things. After weeks and weeks of trying to use these Promarkers and nearly throwing them in the bin, I have at last found the perfect paper. No bleeding and easy to blend. I would not have found it if not for the help of the lovely Dawn over at ALL PINK GIRL, who answered all my emails for help and sent me some paper samples to try before I buy. I was so impressed with her work, that I contacted her, so thank you, Dawn. I will be forever grateful and you've saved me a fortune in wasted pens, lol.

Secondly, I just want to send my friend who is going through a tough time, lots of hugs. You know who you are, hun. Hang on in there. xxxx

So, that's it for today. I'm sure I'll be back soon though. :o)

GRRRRRR!!!!!!

Spammers are really getting on my nerves now so I've enabled word verification for a while. Sorry, I know it's a pain and I find it a pain on other sites, but now realise why it's done.
Oh well...the nature of boring, sick people without a life eh?

FRIDAY SKETCH

It's been a while since I made any cards, so thought I'd have a go at a couple. The first one is for Challenge 88 over at FRIDAY SKETCHERS. I struggled to find papers to match so ended up resorting to some HOTP ones I got ages ago. It's a bit TOO purple for me, lol but it follows the rules. :o)


This one is something I was playing around with yesterday. I downloaded Mitzi the duck from PC Crafters as I thought she was just so cute, lol.

LOST YOUR KEYS?

My daughter and her partner are forever losing their keys, so she asked me if I would make her a key holder. Hmmmm, well yes, probably, but paper and card wouldn't be very strong.
So, I bought a piece of wood and six hooks from the hardware shop for the grand price of £1.00. I put two coats of gesso on the wood and then painted it with Wedgewood Blue acrylic paint. I cut the letters and shapes with my bug, added a bit of card, ribbon and brads and it was done. There are two small hangers attached to the back.
I might even make something similar for myself now. :o)

IN THE POST..

Well, this years Circle Journal went in the post today. I didn't want to send it, lol. I find it really hard to spend days or weeks on a project only to send it off in the post. I was really pleased with my pages and hate the thought of it being a year before it comes home. Still, there's no doubting the fact that when it does come home it's going to be fabulous. My crafting friends are brilliant.

Last year, my theme was 'Renaissance Art in Italy' and some of the girls were pulling their hair out at the thought of it. This year I thought I better go a bit easier on them, so my theme is OPERA! Well, my trying to be kind failed miserably, some of them still have the shakes, lol. Nah, I think they're looking forward to it really. They each have to choose one composer and one of his operas and include info and pics. It will be a great read for me when it comes back. As my favourite opera is Rigoletto by Verdi, obviously that is what my pages were about, but of course, I can't show you any pics yet. I must keep the surprise element...at least for a while.

Here's a peek at a couple of pages from last years 'Renaissance Art'.


















It looks beautiful doesn't it? If this years is as bright, colourful and interesting I shall be a very happy bunny indeed.

SPAMMERS...

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!! what is it with these darned spammers? I'm constantly having to come and delete nonsense comments. GET A LIFE YOU LOT!!!!

Gripe over and I do have some good news.

I HAVE A NEW GRANDSON... and he's adorable. Aidan came to join our family on 16th and we are all so pleased to have him.

Well, despite my promise to be a better blogger, I've already failed miserably, lol. Still, I am at least back in crafting mode. I'm working on a CJ at the moment and am quite excited to be a part of another one. I swore I'd not do any more after the last 3 years, but can't resist. :o)

Anyway, more soon. Bye for now.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I would just like to wish any of my readers a happy and healthy 2010.

I've made no resolutions as I never stick to them, lol BUT I am going to try and be a better blogger. I've been really off my crafting for some time now, but hoping to get back in the swing of things very soon and get some more stuff up. :o)

DISTRESSED

I've been playing at being Tim Holtz and distressing some tags. I really like my distress ink pads and the more I use them, the more I like them.


I used my silicone mat this time and started with some ink tapped onto it and then spritzed with water for the background on the large coloured tag. I blended more ink in from outside to get the soft edges, then just stamped some images on. The image on the right hand side of the centre tag was stamped with Fired Brick which was gently spritzed to 'blur' the image and then overstamped with Black Soot to get the double image. The stamps are by Rubadubadoo (watches) and Prima Marketing. The luggage tags are from the newsagents as they're much cheaper than buying them from a craft shop. :o) When I'd finished stamping, I blended a bit of Black Soot ink around the edges.

I've added a couple more slideshows to my blog today too, so take a look if you want to see some of my parchment work and jewelry.

NORMAL SERVICE RESUMED..

Oooops! It's been a while again, hasn't it? I must be one of the world's worst bloggers. Oh well, not to worry. Not many of you read it anyway, lol.

I've put away the Promarkers for a while and decided to get back to 'ME'. The cute and coloured phase has passed and I'm going back to my own style - arty farty. I much prefer the darker colours, the grungy distressed look, so that's what I'm doing.

I made myself a book. A proper book, and I'm well chuffed with it. It's going to be my art journal. I've had an inkling to do one for quite a while so finally made a start. Here's a couple of pics and if you want to see more of how I made it, you can take a look HERE.

Now, does anybody know where I can find some nice pictures of lollypops?

THOSE DARNED PROMARKERS!!!!

Am I the only person alive that can't get on with these things? I am getting so frustrated that they've actually stopped me from crafting...I'm soooo peed off with them.

I know it's not my colouring skills at fault and I am using the correct inkpads, but I just can't get a 'clean' image. Why? Well, it must be my cardstock and I've tried half a dozen different types. I am, as I feared, stuck with 200 concord index cards because the colour bleeds. So far, the only way I've got anything near a decent image is to stamp and colour on Letrasets bleed proof pads then stick that onto some white card, but it's not the way I want to do things really.

If anybody out there is having total success with no bleeding colours PLEASE let me know, 'cause I'm about to bin the dratted lot. UK supplier of card preferable. :o)

A couple of my friends have mentioned certain cardstock to me, but they're not getting 'perfect' results either, but there must be SOMETHING that works.

SUMMAT A BIT DIFFERENT....

So....I thought I'd try something different (well, different for me). I made a tri-fold card. I don't actually think I'll be making many of these though 'cause it took forever to cut all the panels to fit and then cut the inner panel mats too, lol. Still, I must admit, I'm rather pleased with how it turned out and being a fan of certain shades of green, I think this looks lovely and fresh. They're a doddle to make too.





I've also succumbed to the 'craze' of Promarkers. Had to be the ProM's as I couldn't afford Copics and most definitely couldn't afford Tria's, lol. I had a bit of a practice with them tonight and at the moment, I'm not too impressed. The bullet tip is bigger than I thought it would be, so colouring around fine details is quite difficult. I also found my ink was bleeding too but I reckon that's probably the card I'm using as it's a little porous, so I've just been to an office supply store and bought myself a couple of packs of concord smooth white. I've heard that it's great for using with these pens, so fingers crossed it is or I'll be left with 200 unwanted index card thingies, lol.

Buzzzzy Day

Challenge No. 44 over at SECRET CRAFTER this week was to use a cute bug, lol. I struggled a bit with this one as I only had a couple of little bug stamps and they didn't quite do the job. So, I downloaded an image and used that. :o) The background was stamped with Versamark and the greeting is computer generated. Probably one of my 'simplest' cards but it fits the theme. :o)

FEELING ROUGH

Oh, boy. Am I feeling rough? I've got the most dreadful cold, and haven't had the energy to switch the computer on or do anything else for a couple of days. Still, it's only a cold and it will pass, but my craft room is calling me so it better be quick, lol.

Anyway, I just thought I'd tell you that there's a new tute over on MAKE SOMETHING NICE for an adorable little book made from one sheet of 12 x 12 cardstock, so why not go take a look. Meanwhile, I'm off to Secret Crafter to see what this weeks challenge is.

BLOOM WHERE YOU GROW.

Challenge no. 43 over at SECRET CRAFTER this week was a sketch and this is my take on it. I'd just last night, finished a LO of my granddaughter using the My Mind's Eye papers 'Bloom where you Grow' and matching Bazzill cardstock, so I thought I'd use some scraps to make my card. As I don't have oval nesties, I cut mine on my Craft Robo.


Lots of LO's now seem to have little journaling blocks on them and even though I did one using them ages ago, I thought it would be a perfect way of documenting Mia's favourite things at aged 2. I really like these papers, they're so cheerful. :o) The title and subtitle were cut using Sizzix alpha 'Ida Lou's Flowerbox'.



I've also uploaded a couple more tutes over at MAKE SOMETHING NICE so check it out and maybe you'll see something you haven't seen before, especially if you're new to papercrafting.

SCSC No. 42

The challenge this week over at SECRET CRAFTER was 3, 2, 1.

3 buttons, 2 papers and 1 ribbon. I thought I'd do something a little different and NOT use an image. The papers are MMM Wild Asparagus. On the 3 cream buttons I used 7Gypsies elements rub-ons, which is something else I'd not done before and the swirls are Kaisercraft rub-ons.

SPOTS AND STRIPES

Well, sometimes I suppose we ought to post something on our blogs that is far from what it should be, and this is one of those times, lol. I'm so short of time this week that I practically threw this card together for the SECRET CRAFTER Saturday Challenge. This is my entry for challenge 41. I promise to do better next time. :o)

MAKE SOMETHING NICE

Well, we had a super weekend here. My daughter held a big barbeque party for family and friends to celebrate my granddaughter's 2nd b/day. Mia had a wonderful time playing with all her new toys and bouncing on her new trampoline with all her little friends. My son, Lee, whom I've not seen for nearly two years came up from London to join us and it was a good do all round. :o)

Anyway, onto MAKE SOMETHING NICE my other 'new' blog. I will be posting tutorials over there so hopefully, you'll find something you like to inspire you. I'll start with some I did in the past, so you may well have seen the techniques before, although new crafters may not have done. New techniques and tutes will follow though, so keep your eyes open and you may yet discover something new. The link has been added to the sidebar.

Now, I must get on and finish a 60th b/day card I have to make. It's causing me a nightmare as my Craft Robo decided to give me grief and ruined 3 sheets of card, including my last brown sheet. Still, never mind, I'm sure I'll cope, lol.

Secret Crafter Challenge 40.

This is my entry into the Secret Crafter challenge. I really liked the sketch they did and I used some nice feminine papers. I carried through the polka dots on teddy's PJ's with the cuttlebug swiss dots (sanded over the top) and some dotty ribbon.

It's been quite a while since I took part in these challenges and it's nice to be back. :o)