All Hallows Eve with Lavinia and Brushos

I've been tidying my Craft Croft.  I use the term "tidying" somewhat loosely as I think what I have really been doing is "shuffling".  I'm kind of moving stuff around.  I need a bespoke storage system for my stamps and dies which are currently spread across the floor in a variety of not quite right storage boxes.  It's an ongoing project but it meant I didn't get around to posting this card sooner.
A couple of weekends ago I attended a local craft workshop with a talented crafter, Karen Telfer, and a lovely team of ladies.  We were using oxide inks, gel plates and brushos to make backgrounds and Lavinia stamps for foregrounds.  It was my first attempt with these inky backgrounds.

I took a break from my tidying to finish my card and play along with some challenges.   I used Lavinia Backround Script and Sacred Tree (on the horizontal) for my branches with the Crow Set and a Fairy Web.  Since the class I have also added a Memory Box gravestone border die cut behind a Martha Stewart punched fence and some Tim Holtz Sizzix Bigz street lamps before adding a simple doodle-style sentiment. 
In addition to Lavinia's All Hallows Eve Challenge, I am entering my card into the following challenges

Krafty Chicks - #476 Bewitched

Water Cooler Wednesdays - #242 Marsha's All Occasions 

Aud Sentiments #237 and Cute Card Thursday #603 - Halloween/Fall

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Fall/Autumn, Sweet Stamping - Autumn Colours/Harvest and Stamping Sensations - trees, leaves, Autumn

Mo's Digital Pencil October Challenge Autumn Colours Photo Inspiration

I've been away on holiday for a couple of weeks and then had a really full schedule since my return but now it's the first Saturday of the month and time for another chance to play along at Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge where we have this photo to inspire you.

So we would like you to use "Autumn Colours"

Meet Cupcake Monster and his team of seven friendly candle bearers all of whom come separately for you to create your own picture.  I let this fun crowd be the stars of my card.  I coloured them up with Copics and just teamed them with some American Crafts Dots and Stripes coloured paper, some Echo Park DF102041 Footprints and a Papertrey Ink number 7 which is made up from paper scraps laid on the horizontal before die-cutting the number.  The sentiment comes with Mo's fun image.  I couldn't resist adding some "googly eyes" to make this guy even more fun for the 7 year old recipient.
I am entering my card into the following challenges:

{PIN}spriational #248 - who have a pretty leafy picture with hues of red orange and green

Cute Card Thursday #602 and Crafty Creations #399 - where its anything goes

We look forward to seeing your entries this month.

Mo's Digital Pencil Colour Challenge #283

Hey there Mo Manning fans.  This month we have a colour theme at Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge for aqua and teal and lavender tones.
I used one of Mo's older images called Poodle and decided on a whim to use my Faber-Castell Polychromos which The Hubster bought for me at Christmas and which I had not yet used. They look so pretty in their tin like a Tom Hanks' "bouquet of sharpened pencils" from the movie You've Got Mail. 

In fact, whereas I have added a bit of pencil to my Copic colouring occasionally, I don't think I have ever coloured an entire image in pencils before AND I decided to opt for no black lines and to colour on kraft card for extra difficulty so this was REALLY pushing the boundaries for me.  I have to say (even though I probably shouldn't) that I'm really pleased with the result.  The back ground lettered stamp is Stampendous Dream Text.  My sentiment is by Heidi Swapp inked in Oxide inks, the little paw print die is by Whimsy and the puppy dies are by Robert Addams. The stitched frames are Simon Says Stamp.  I added some flowers from my stash to really pile on the embellishments.  Here is the colour swatch for inspiration.
We would love it if you would come and play along using one of Mo's digital images or one of her bona fide rubber stamps from her chosen partner companies.

I am entering my card into the following challenges...
Colour Throwdown #561 which has a very similar set of colours to Mo's challenge this week;
Cute Card Thursday #600 want to see dies and punches; and
Aud Sentiments #236 has an Anything Goes with a sentiment challenge.

Nautical and Nice

There is a challenge at Sweet Stampin this week for a nautical theme.   I love Mo's set of Sailor Boys which you can find here and I picked this one for today's card which I am also entering into the Anything Goes challenge #398 at  Crafty Creations, and Tristan's All Occasions challenge at Watercooler Wednesday #238

My design papers are called Cape Cod by The Paper Studio, I thought the anchor and ship's wheel were Marianne dies but I'm not entirely sure and I coloured this cutie in Copics.

Mo's Digital Pencil September Colour Challenge

Good Morning Mo fans!   It's time for a new theme at Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge and this month we would like to see you use the following colours.

You may use any bona fide Mo Manning image.   I opted for this cheeky image called Flippin Fairy.   If you look closely she is actually making a rude gesture with her finger.  If you would prefer a still scowling but slightly better behaved fairy, you may want to choose Crossed-arm Fairy.  Do stop by Mo's Digital Pencil to check out her fierce fairy range.  They are adorable.

I coloured Flippin Fairy with Copics and used Wink of Stella on her wings so they are in fact really sparkly in real life.   My papers are called Hope and Happiness from Studio Light and my fairy castle is cut with a Lea-bilities Landscape Castle die 1208 by Leane Creatief.  This fairy comes with the sentiment which reads "Never go to sleep angry.  Stay awake and plot your revenge".   
I hope you will stop by Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge to see all the lovely inspiration from my teamies and then come and join us with this month's colour challenge.
I am entering my card into Michelle's Feminine challenge 237 at Watercooler Wednesday and Cute Card Thursday's Anything Goes challenge 598.

Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge Pets and Animals

So I have one final card I made for Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge where you only have until tomorrow morning GMT to showcase your animals and pets.
I have used Belated Birthday Sloth which also comes without the birthday accoutrements (called Peeking Sloth) and coloured him with Copics and a little Prisma white pencil for his hairy arms.

I can't remember the name of these papers which I have now tidied up but the sentiment is, I think, LOTV.
I'm entering my card into the "Anything Goes" challenge at Crafty Creations and at Sketch Saturday using one of Jen's old sketches from when I was on the SS team back in 2013, No 281.

Simon Says throw down some colour and case this sketch

Actually, Simon said nothing of the sort.        Throughout June and July I had been trying to chastise myself into crafting more regularly and posting a card on my blog every Tuesday.   It really has motivated me.   I am feeling much more creative and I'm really enjoying my crafting.   I kept  missing out on some of the challenges I like to play along with though so going forward I am not going to limit myself to Tuesdays.  Ideally I'll aim to make and post cards twice a week and the dates will just depend on what challenges inspire me.

This week I was inspired by the following challenge sites and I made a card for no reason other than the inspiration of those challenges.  I used two Magnolia stamps I found in my stash yesterday and tried my hand (with only limited success) at some no lines colouring.    Sorry My photos continue to be pants.  They look great on the camera and terrible on my blog.  Hey ho.

Simon Says - Anything Goes;
Color Throwdown - Orange, pink, yellow and green;
Case this Sketch - My sentiment is on the jar label, I hope that's okay.

Pets and Animals at Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge on Chastise Chooseday.

I try to chastise myself to post a card each Tuesday.  Today I wanted to remind you that the theme at Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge  is "Pets and Animals".  I have used this adorable cat called Cookie.   I just love how it is trying to squish itself into this tiny box!

Cookie comes with the sentiment "What" which I expanded (because my card was late for my recipient).  Papers are Crate Paper I think and I've used some Spellbinders die.
I am entering my card into the following challenges...
Watercooler Wednesday #234 - All Occasions
Crafty Creations #396 - Anything Goes; and
The Male Room #117 - Birthdays (Happy Birthday to The Male Room who are celebrating 6 years old today)

Come and play along at Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge using your Pets and Animals Mo Manning images.

It's Chastise Tuesday with Stamping Bella

Once a week I try to post a card which has been made with some of my neglected stash.  The idea is to chastise myself into being creative and post the card on a Chooseday (Tuesday).  This week I've used this cute Stamping Bella stamp called "Chicken Soup" and coloured it with my Copics.

I'm entering my card into the following challenges...Simon Says Stamp wants us to "add a die cut". I've used a My Favourite Things scalloped edge die and been inspired by the sketch at Fusion.   Stamping Sensations and  Sweet Stampin want to see "Things with Wings". and Aud Sentiments requires something with animals

Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge - Pets and Animals

It's week two of the challenge over at Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge where we want to see your pets or any animals using a Mo's Digital Pencil digital image or rubber/clear Mo Manning stamps by Stampavie, Stamping Bella, or Penny Black.  Did you see my pig from last week?  I LOVE that pig!
Our lovely neighbour friend is retiring from her ironing business and it just so happens that Mo Manning has just drawn THE PERFECT image for the occasion.   This is Loads of Love.  Because I wanted to expand on it I actually word processed my sentiment but this adorable image comes with its own "Loads of Love" sentiment.

I coloured some of the clothes and the cat in the basket to match my neighbour's own cat who I look after from time to time but, in a moment of pure madness, I decided to paper-piece most of the  laundry using lovely Kirstie Allsop papers given to me by best matey, Julie. Thanks Julie!  In spite of how ridiculously tricky this paper piecing proved to be, I love the finished result.  I have used MFT's Wonky Stitched Squares for Mo's image.  Background papers are by Studio Light Home & Happiness cut with my new MFT Stitched Scallop Basic Edges die.  Love this die!
We would love for you to join in our challenge this month but please remember to use a bona fide Mo Manning image. No "unbranded" stamp images from internet marketplaces like "AliExpress" are allowed. AliExpress images are STOLEN.  They lack the quality of genuinely made stamps and severely damage the wonderful artists who work so hard to provide us with lovely images for our crafts.
I am entering my card into the following challenges...

Simon Says Stamp - Add a Die Cut;

Crafty Creations - Anything Goes; and

Watercooler Wednesdays - Karen's Feminine Challenge (although men do laundry too!)

I'm posting a Chastise Chooseday post on an actual Tuesday!

Yaaaay me!  I have been trying to post a card every Tuesday and failing miserably.  This week I'm on time in some parts of the world even if I'm not quite on time here in England.

This is a simple card using Avery Elle's "Hello Chum" shark stamp and die and sentiment.  The inky background was borrowed from best matey, Julie (thanks Julie) and I think it's a Marianne Stamp called "Tiny's Imprint MM1616"
I'm entering my card into the challenge at Simply Less is More for "Tangerine, Aqua and White" and Make My Monday for "Friendship" - or in my case...chums!

It's Challenge Time at Mo's Digital Pencil

Thank you to everyone who played along with us in July at Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge.
This month, to make it a real challenge, we are doing away with our previous anything goes options and asking you to make a project specifically on the theme of "Animals or Pets" using a digi image from Mo's Digital Pencil or one of her images from official rubber stamps.

I used this brand new "Hello Pig" with whom I have fallen MADLY IN LOVE!  I mean seriously hopelessly in love with to the point where I am thinking of leaving my Tom (who is wonderful actually and who has been a fabulous husband) and running off with this cute guy!  Let's hope it's just a middle-age infatuation!
"Hello Pig" comes with a Pig Latin "Ellohay" sentiment.  As this is a birthday card, I have used Mo's idea but word processed my birthday greeting in Pig Latin.  I have also shamelessly cased Mo's store example of this piggy and dressed him in a floral shirt and denim shorts.  I paper-pieced his shirt with some pretty Kirstie Allsopp paper but his shorts and the top design panel (which I cut with a Memory Box die) are actual denim.  Denim is tricky stuff I can tell you because it frays!  My button was cut with a Woodware punch.

Do come and play along with us at Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge and theme your project around "Pets or Animals".
I am entering my card into the following "Anything Goes" challenges at...
Watercooler Wednesdays, SimonSays Wednesday Challenge, Cute Card Thursday and Creative Inspirations; and "For a Guy" at Make My Monday

It's Chastise Chooseday (on Thursday!)

Ok, so I'm late again for my personal weekly challenge where I chastise myself to use some of my neglected stash.  I think, going forward I will have to rename this challenge. Whereas I am able to post a new card each week, I can't seem to make it on a Tuesday!

Here is an incredibly CAS card using a Memory Box frames die, an embossing folder and a selection of hearts.  The sentiment is by Papertrey Ink.  I'm sorry about the photograph.  The double glazing in my Craftcroft has blown so my windows are foggy and the latest Windows Update has messed with my ability to use my Photoshop Elements programme to correct the lighting.
I'm going to enter my card into the following challenges...
Less is More - small images. Simon Says Wednesday Challenge and Watercooler Wednesdays - anything goes; and Krafty Chicks - embossing

Christmas in July with Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge

I have been away and I have not therefore had much time to truly enter into the Christmas spirit at Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge where our July challenge is "Christmas in July" or Anything goes with a Mo Manning image. 

I have used Jack Waiting, one of Mo's older images, coloured with Copics, and teamed with a Memory Box Classic Staircase Die 98665 and some Martha Stewart punched leaves.   I particularly love this image as it enables you to insert an image into the window.  I have used a photograph I took of the Christmas Tree in Old Town Square, Prague!  I can't remember the make of the design papers I'm afraid and the sentiment is shop bought.
I am entering this card into the challenges at
Christmas at Sweet Stampin who have an "Anything Goes" with an option of "Christmas in the Sun"
Creative Inspirations - "Anything Goes"
Watercooler Wednesdays - "Tristan's All about Occasions" and Winter Wonderland - "Christmas or Winter Buildings".
You still have until 31 July to enter Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge.

This is actually last week's Chastise Chooseday Post!

I set myself a challenge to choose some of my stash to play with and make a card each week for posting on a Tuesday.   I missed last week because although I had made a card, I was not sure that the recipient had seen it.   This was for my beautiful goddaughter who has just been awarded a 1st class degree.  She is an artist and for her final exhibition piece, she painted something arty on an antique  bed which she herself restored !

I decided to make her a card with my focus on the bed element of her piece and I used Sizzix Bigz Dies Pediments by Tim Holtz to make my bed.  I embossed and hand cut the bed linen to match the DP and I added a little mortar board with a tiny handmade tassel.   The sentiment die is by Papertrey Ink.  I embossed some brown card with a wood-style embossing folder and cut down the pediment a little to help with perspective.  I used the cut negative space for the feet.

I've just found a FB page for Tim Holtz Sizzix that I am looking forward to joining.