Owl Trio

No cards to share at the moment as I have been well and truly bitten by the Mixed Media bug but I just wanted to share what I have been up to. My daughter and I went to Ikea recently and we spotted an owl picture there which she said she liked but it was a really commercial print of a mixed media owl and I said I would do her an original which she was chuffed about. Which left me wanting to experiment a bit more with these fantastic birds which seem to be everywhere at 
the moment. So here they are and I'd love to hear what anyone thinks. 

This one is only about 5" by 5" and is painted with acrylics and oil pastels

 This one is the Ikea inspired owl which is winging it's way to Emma and her new flat that she and her partner Dan are moving into in a couple of weeks.
Joining in over here:
http://2sisterschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ things with wings
http://joyfulstamper.blogspot.co.uk always anything goes
http://theartisticstampercreativeteam.blogspot.co.uk splatters and splashes
http://collageobsessionchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ owls

Mixed Media Medley

Morning All and what a beautiful morning it is, the kind of morning for hanging out load after load of washing or does that just make me sound like a Stepford wife?

Anyway as the Cardmadfairy has decided to take a break from challenges for a while so we can all persue other things I have decided to share something different this week.

Inspired by my multi-talented big sister Jenni, the one on the left of the photo,I have been doing a bit of art journelling this week. I have watched a few tutorials on Youtube and wanted to try Dyan from Art from the Heart's bleaching technique but as I haven't bought any of her spray inks yet I had to find an alternative method. I found a really good tutorial on Youtube using paint, a stencil and babywipes which I think worked really well and gave me the effect I was after.

As I was really pleased with the way the page turned out I decided to use the same ideas for my daughter's birthday card. I used an image from a website that shares free vintage images and made a mixed media backing for it as well as adding a bit of extra doodling to the image itself.

 I would like to enter the following challenges.
http://www.charismacardz.blogspot.co.uk/ animal and flowers
http://digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.co.uk/ things with wings
http://pixieduststudiopixiechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ vintage
http://craftsandmechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ use a digi
http://divasbydesignchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ for a female
http://scrapbooksisters.blogspot.co.uk things with wings

Cold Enough for Christmas!

This is going to have to be a really short post as I am trying to pack for a holiday at the same time as writing this as well as cooking a chilli and .......well I'm sure you get the picture.

The challenge this time over at The Cardmadfairy is CHRISTMAS IN JULY.

And of course it has been nearly cold enough for Christmas BUT fingers crossed the sun has come out at last and we might be lucky. The image I have used is called Snowbaby's Tree and it can be found here.

Have fun and I am looking forward to seeing all your entries.

Also entering the following:

http://hippitywithippity.blogspot.co.uk/ Christmas in July, with a tag
http://hookedoncraftchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ Christmas in July
http://lollipopcrafts.blogspot.co.ukChristmas in July challenge
Clear It Out! Christmas In July, Use up Red & Green stash 
Crazy Amigo Challenge free theme
http://diecuttindivas.blogspot.co.uk/ Christmas in July, use a die cut.
Jackson's Digital Expressions anything goes + use colouring media (promarkers)
http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.co.uk/ Christmas in July

Girly Girl

This weeks installment is coming to you from a speeding train heading north to Scotland where I am planning to spend an all to brief weekend staying with the Cardmadfairy herself and celebrating our baby sister's birthday. As you can probably tell from the card I have made she is not really a baby any more! 

I was really pleased when my new copy of  Homemade magazine came through the letter box with a free set of papers and stamps on a seaside theme as my sister actually lives at the seaside. I used one of my favourite Cardmadfairy stamps called 'all dressed up' and reversed its usual orientation, coloured it with my trusty promarkers, built up a scene with the freebees and coloured up some wooden numbers I have had for ever. Hey Presto job done!

Our new challenge at the Cardmadfairy this time is 'Girly' not an unusual theme but a very popular one,one of my favourites in fact, so I am expecting to see lots of fabulous girly cards etc. Have fun!

Also entering the following:

http://celebratetheoccasion.blogspot.co.uk/ welcome Summer

http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.co.uk/ bright colours

http://oldiebutagoodiechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ banners & bunting (use something old, numbers)

http://daisydoodlescreativechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ anything goes

http://www.alwayscrafting.blogspot.co.uk/ Summer
http://lovetocreatechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Summer time fun
http://www.thehousethatstampsbuilt.com/ beach
http://thepapershelter.blogspot.co.uk/ the great outdoors

One for the Boys

Morning All, the end of a lovely half term break......if you're a duck! Actually that's not quite true, I've had my lovely daughter Emma home for a visit and she and her sister and I have had some fun times including a day in London mooching around Camden, our first visit there but definitely not the last. Then a walk up the Mall to see the aftermath of the Jubilee celebrations which was rewarded with a glimpse of the Queen as she drove back to the Palace after lunch. Actually I lie,  Emma and Rachael who are both quite tall saw the Queen I saw the tip of the pennant on her car! 

Anyway on to the new challenge at the Cardmadfairy which is linked to the upcoming Fathers Day celebration. So a card for Dad or a male. Now when I make cards for Jenni's challenge, because I rarely sell them, I try to make sure I can use them for myself. My wonderful father died 29 years ago so I have no need for a card for him but I do have a very musical family so a card featuring Zac, who you can find here, will be suitable for at least 4 of them! 

I used the sketch at cardabilities as a starting point and because it  features so many layers and stripes I decided to chop up the image for a change. I used a set of papers I have had for at least 4 years plus some Basic Grey and Tim Holtz and I made the little star buttons out of shrink plastic. I can't wait to see all the wonderful creations by all the amazing crafters out there.

I am also entering the following challenges.

http://www.cardabilities.blogspot.co.uk/ sketch

http://blueboxbabe.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/my-mojo-monthly man up
http://www.craftdoormagazine.com/ distressing
http://craftingforallseasons.blogspot.co.uk/ lots of layers
http://dudetimedoodles.blogspot.co.uk/ boys and their toys
http://thepapershelter.blogspot.co.uk/ going dotty
http://wishcraftcards.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06 use forgotten stuff
http://digitaltuesdaychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ anything goes
http://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ male card
http://digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.co.uk/ male card
http://dianamlarson.blogspot.co.uk/ a card for a man

Photo Inspiration

This time over at the Cardmadfairy there is a challenge with a difference. We have never tried a photo inspiration before but then it's not often we have a Diamond Jubilee to celebrate so it seems churlish not to do something to fit the theme. Jenni has come up with a fab photo which you can use for ideas and the DT have surpassed themselves. Hop over here to have a look.

For my card I have used the new crown digi stamp and part of the new flag banner, by the Cardmadfairy, along with Imogen which can all be found here. The new copy of Homemade magazine had a set of Jubilee papers and die-cuts so I used those to create the rest of my card. 

Also entering these challenges:

http://canyoudigiit.com/blog/ love of your country
http://flourishes.org/category/challenges/timeless-tuesday/ use a flower
http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.co.uk/ True Colours  (Use Your National Colours or Red White & Blue)
http://scrap-creations1.blogspot.co.uk/ Bingo (flowers, Die-cut, digi image)
http://desmetdt.blogspot.co.uk/  Let's Celebrate in Red, White and Blue 
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.co.uk/ always anything goes
http://willowsketchiechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ red white and blue/sketch
http://digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.co.uk/ lets go spotty
http://movingalongwiththetimes.blogspot.co.uk/ celebration
http://theplaydatecafe.blogspot.co.uk/ colour inspiration

Clean and Simple

There's a new challenge today over at Cardmadfairy's Digi Days and this time the theme is clean and simple. 

Unfortunately my card is not quite as clean and simple as it could be but I like it anyway! I used Jenni's crow stamp made it quite small and copy and pasted it over and over to make a background then reversed the image and printed out a large one. I found the quote on the internet which gave me the idea of sitting the bird in a tree. I know that crows aren't really known for their singing abilities so the quote seemed to fit the image quite nicely!

Can you resist the temptation to layer it up I can't wait to see.

Also entering these challenges

http://anythingchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ things with wings

http://lejdesignschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ things with wings

http://toptiptuesday.blogspot.co.uk/ clean and simple

http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.co.uk/ for the boys
http://www.southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ about the boys
http://pixieduststudiopixiechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ for the boys
http://digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.co.uk/ bingo
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.co.uk/ always anything goes

80 Years

Hi All in Blogland todays card is for my lovely Mum can you guess her age?!
I used the Cardmadfairy image Lulu (isn't she sweet?) and printed her out three times reversing the image so they weren't all the same. I was planning to stick them all on the number but it was a bit too much which is why it turned into a double fronted card.

The only reason for the three images is that I have two sisters and wanted to represent all of us on the card. My Mum was a teacher and writer which is why I chose the Tim Holtz handwriting paper on the front and as I didn't have any blue flowers to match I followed a tutorial by Bev and coloured some Wild Orchid ones with Alcohol Inks.

The challenge over at Cardmadfairy this time is to add a number to your project. I can't wait to see which numbers you have added.

I am also entering the following:

http://www.thehousethatstampsbuilt.com/ card for a woman you love
http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes
http://ladybugscraftsinkchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ happy birthday
http://ribboncarouselchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ Anything goes with spooled item
http://papermakeupstamps.blogspot.co.uk/ birthday
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.co.uk/ always anything goes
http://papermakeupstamps.blogspot.co.uk/ birthday
http://www.thepixiecottage.blogspot.co.uk/  Sketch and/or for Mom 

April Showers

 

Time for another new challenge at Cardmadfairy's Digi Days and this time the theme is                                   April Showers

 Pop on over to the challenge blog to see the DT inspiration and to join in. We are also holding a DT call - looking for at least 3 new members so if you like working with digi stamps and can commit to producing 1 project per fortnight get in touch before the 27th April - no DT experience necessary!

  

Anyway on to my own card, I don't always have a chance to look at other challenges to use as a starting point but as I am on holiday I decided to look at some  for inspiration and chose the colours from the canyoudigiit challenge as a starting point. I have used Jenni's image "inspire" which I matched up with a lovely little Spring verse I found  on the internet. The backing paper is a Basic Grey which I stamped round the edge to give it more definition and the pink one is from a free magazine pack. The flowers are of course Wild Orchid.

I am also entering these challenges:

http://canyoudigiit.com/blog/ secret garden inspiration photo

http://celebratetheoccasion.blogspot.co.uk/ just because, use pink
http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ flower power
http://lilredwagon.blogspot.co.uk/ spring colours
http://www.scrapbooksisters.blogspot.co.uk/ anything goes
http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ april showers bring spring flowers
http://everybody-art-challenge.blogspot.co.uk/ spring
http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.co.uk/ Water everywhere/April showers (in the sentiment)
http://scrappersdelightspapercrafts.blogspot.co.uk/spring has sprung
http://onestitchatatimechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ use a digi
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.co.uk/ always anything goes

Weather to 'die' for

First things first, I must apologise for the quality of the picture, my camera is broken and as good as the iphone is it doesn't take the best close up pictures.
 The last challenge at The Cardmadfairy had over 130 entries which is absolutely brilliant and as it was my turn to choose a winner I spent a long time out in Blogland, criss-crossing the virtual globe. What a fabulously talented bunch of crafters is all I can say, really inspirational.

The new challenge  is to use DieCuts and Punches, which is very handy as my lovely daughter  bought me some new diecuts for Mothers Day along with some other bits and pieces. The image is called Julia and she can be found here. I thought she was perfect for the fabulous weather we have been having, every day this week as I leave work I  see children playing on the swings in the park next door. An early taste of Summer.

The sentiment is from a set of stamps that came with a magazine. The flowers I punched out of a free set of papers which I also used for the backing and the border is a Martha Stewart punch. I also used the same paper to paper piece her dress.
I am entering these challenges:
http://cropstop.blogspot.co.uk Bright and Summery
http://littledarlingschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ outside
http://digitaltuesdaychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/ your favourite colour (green)
http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.co.uk/ anything goes
http://citycrafter.blogspot.co.uk/ colour challenge
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.co.uk/ always anything goes

Spring Blossom with a Sentiment

I will keep it brief this time as I am full of cold and planning to go back to bed! Our new challenge at

  The Cardmadfairy is to Add a Sentiment. I decided to add it to the image which you can find here before I printed it out.

We have been studying Japan this week at school and the children have painted blossom trees for their Mothers day cards so I thought I would continue the theme.

The larger flowers are another idea I picked up at Make It Farnborough. They are made from lots of layers of  crepe paper which I die cut and secured with a brad before scrunching up the layers and adding a little distress ink to add definition.

Entering the following:

http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.com/ anything goes

http://littledarlingschallenges.blogspot.com/ spring is in the air

http://rubysrainbow.blogspot.com/ lace

http://www.thepixiecottage.blogspot.com/ colours and sketch

http://digitaltuesdaychallenge.blogspot.com/ think spring

http://www.craftybloggersnetwork.blogspot.com/ floral

http://ladybugscraftsinkchallengeblog.blogspot.com anything goes

http://onestitchatatimechallenge.blogspot.com/ use a digi

http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/ always anything goes

Mother

I had a great time at the Make It show in Farnborough last weekend, there were so many talented demonstrators there showing off all the latest techniques and products, really inspiring. I had to be very strict with myself so I didn't go home with too many new things. Apart from the cost it would be hard to find homes for much more in my already crowded craft room! My head was buzzing with all the things I saw and wanted to try out, the only thing missing was my big sis Jenni who came with me the first year it was on but she couldn't make it this year. Hopefully next time we will be able to go together again.

The new challenge at THE CARDMADFAIRY'S DIGI DAYS is entitled 'Mum's the Word'.

 You don't have to use one of Jenni's images but if you do you can enter more than once.

 My card  this time is an unashamed copy of a layout I watched a demonstrator do at the show although on hers the main focus of the card was the two hydrangia style flowers and I have added the Cardmadfairy butterfly, which is one of my favourite images, as a focus. The background has been distressed and then stamped round the edge with a free image that came with a magazine, the backing paper is a Tim Holtz. The flowers are made by die cutting lots of flowers from an old Basic Grey paper, sticking them onto a punched circle and glittering the centres. The glitter which is not something I usually go for is something else I picked up at the Make It show. As you can see I have gone a bit mad and the whole butterfly is coloured with glitter using a special glue with a very fine nozzle! Great fun to do but I think I need a bit more practise!

Entering the following:

http://flutterbywednesdays.blogspot.com/ Open
http://thesisterhoodofcrafters.blogspot.com/ Use a digi
http://perfectsentimentschallenge.blogspot.com/ Anything goes /die cut
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/ Always anything goes
http://sparklesforumchallenges.blogspot.com/p/rules.html Things with wings
http://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com// Mothers Day
http://craftyribbonschallenge.blogspot.com/ Celebrate your Mum
http://digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.com/ Pink and Green
http://doyoustackup.blogspot.com/ Things with wings
http://sjpapercrafts.blogspot.com/2012/02/monthly-challenge-2-february.html Flowers & pink/red

Don't be square

Time once again for a new challenge at the Cardmadfairy and this time she has requested anything but square.  I'm hoping to see some really inspirational projects like the ones the design team have made. 

I have used the inspire image and as it features a picture of my highly talented niece Lynsey who is a writer I decided to make her an early birthday card, one less job to do in June! I also used one of the birds from the three crows set as it has writing on it.

I discovered a new stationers near me a few days ago, I was only looking for printer paper but to my surprise it had quite a large range of craft items including Tim Holtz Ranger. Needless to say I didn't just go home with paper!

So the papers with writing are from a Ranger pad, the other papers are from a Docraft pad, the metal letter is from an Armani jeans belt I got from a charity shop, I am always on the look out for things to craft with, and I have had the feathers for donkeys years. Oh and I also bought a set of Ranger embossing folders which I tried out for the first time, I also used my hot glue gun for the first time to put a card together and I will definitely be doing them both again soon!  

Entering these challenges:

http://alotarubberstamps.blogspot.com/ shaped card
http://ccmonthlychallenge.blogspot.com/ anything goes
http://justtracyscraftschallenge.blogspot.com/ for a female with a flowing element (ribbon)
http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/search/label/challenges pink and brown with ribbon
http://sparklesforumchallenges.blogspot.com/ things with wings
http://cookingitupwithkatie.blogspot.com/ something spooled, metal, sentiment 
http://craftsandmechallenges.blogspot.com/ distressed
http://divasbydesignchallenge.blogspot.com/ wings
http://digitaltuesdaychallenge.blogspot.com/ use your stash
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/ always anything goes

Hearts

Hello Folks time to play a new game with the Cardmadfairy! There were some FABULOUS entries for the Ribbons and Bows challenge and I have had a truly inspirational tour of Blogland.
This time guess what we are asking for!  Ok not too hard to guess, it is the time of year when our thoughts turn to affairs of the heart is it not? So we are asking you to use hearts on your project. Jenni has some beautiful heart images which you can find here. The design team have made some fabulous cards with them which we hope will inspire you.
My card has actually got three different Cardmadfairy images on it! The heart which is a freebee, the banners and the bird.
I had it in my mind I wanted to create the idea of the banners you see at a street party so I printed the image in different sizes and layered them up. I was going to leave the background white but  I got a free set of papers with a magazine and the sky paper jumped out at me. I wasn't sure what to do with the bottom half and I was going through my various paper pads and this one put me in mind of a garden wall with some wintry flowers in front of it which really liked with the heart . Lastly I added the little bird on the heart which again is layered to give it a 3D effect.

The hearts are coloured with distress ink and covered with glossy accents.

Entering these challenges.
http://digitaltuesdaychallenge.blogspot.com/ Red,white and black
http://karensdoodlesnetherlandschallenge.blogspot.com/ Make a card for someone special (my lovely husband)
http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.com/ Anything goes
http://tuesdaythrowdown.blogspot.com/ Hearts
http://papermakeupstamps.blogspot.com/ Be my valentine
http://daisydoodlescreativechallenges.blogspot.com/ Valentine's day
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/ Always anything goes
http://www.bellichallenge.blogspot.com/ Hearts/Valentines
http://fabnfunkychallenges.blogspot.com/ Use a Digi
http://trulyscrumptiouschallenge.blogspot.com/ Love and hearts

Ribbons and Bows and a Winter Wedding

Time for a new challenge at the Cardmadfairy and the theme this time is
Ribbons and Bows.
 There are some beautiful creations to inspire you over at the Challenge and quite a few of the cards have been made with brand new images. Also there is a lovely freebie just right for all the Valentines cards we will all be making soon so pop over to the shop for a look!


My card this week for the challenge  is going to be winging it's way across the pond to the daughter of one of my good friends who is getting married in Canada. She loves to make cupcakes and so I asked Jenni if she would be able to make a new digi stamp I could use for her. I love the result and I am sure she will too. I coloured the image with my trusty promarkers using some of the snap on fine nibs on the detailed bits, aren't they great?  As my sewing machine was out I decided to try adding stitching to a card for the first time and I love the result so I will definitely be trying it again. The flowers are from Wild Orchid and the ribbons and heart charm are from my stash.
Entering these challenges.
http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.com/ Anything goes
http://digitaltuesdaychallenge.blogspot.com/ Romantic card
http://ladybugscraftsinkchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ Bows
http://mytimetocraftchallenge.blogspot.com/ Favourite embellishment (flowers)
http://craftybootschallenges.blogspot.com/ New beginnings
http://shellysimagesblog.blogspot.com/ Anything goes
http://cookingitupwithkatie.blogspot.com/ Pink,pearls,flowers
http://divasbydesignchallenge.blogspot.com/ New beginnings
http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.com/ Anything goes
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/ Always anything goes

Inspired

One of my Christmas presents this year was a sketch book from my daughter Emma. I have been thinking about doing some art journaling recently so it was the perfect thing to get me started. 

My multi-talented big sister Jenni has taken the She Art course run by Christy Tomlinson and inspired by the fantastic work she has done I decided to have a go. Jenni's latest piece was inspired by the lyrics of a song by one of her favourite bands which got me thinking about Emma and the band she is in and some of their songs.  One song starts with the line "There are voices in my head telling me what should be said" which struck me as the perfect line to start a journal with! If you are interested you can hear the song here!

So here is the result which I am pretty pleased with, the only problem is I had tidied all my crafts away as Emma is coming to stay for a few days and her old bedroom is my craft room, so now I have to go and tidy all over again!  Ah well when the Muse come what can you do? 

Lastly I just wanted to show off the canvas I created for my lovely husband Steve who is a cycling fanatic.

Happy crafting everyone!

http://sparklesforumchallenges.blogspot.com/ Anything but a Christmas Card

http://thesquirrelandthefox.blogspot.com/ Something New

http://ceschallenges.blogspot.com/ Anything goes

http://fairytale-challengeblog.blogspot.com/ Something new

http://deliciousdoodleschallenge.blogspot.com/ All things new

Thank You

Well here we are in 2012 I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and peaceful New Year. I managed to get north to Scotland this year after being thwarted by the snowy weather the previous two and had an enjoyable stay with Jenni and the rest of the family. The journey back was a trifle hairy driving through gale force winds and horizontal rain but it was worth it, I'm not sure how many more Christmases I will have with my mum who asked me for the first time what my name is but who was very pleased to see me none the less.
Anyway on to our new challenge at Cardmadfairy. I trust everyone had some wonderful gifts to be thankful for, so what better way to start the year than by saying Thank You. I had lots of new crafting supplies and also some gift vouchers for my local craft shop so I am looking forward to testing them all out and having a spend when I need something new! I wanted to keep my card fairly clean and simple for a change so I used the sheet of dotty blooms which you can find here and I printed them out onto patterned paper. I used some pigment powder from Blonde Moments to give them a bit of sparkle and added white Sakura pen over the black dots to highlight them. The flourish was part of my Christmas present from Jenni and the papers were free with a magazine which I can't find at the mo so I can't give credit but it was a great freebie and included some lovely stamps which I can't wait to try out! I used the cut out flowers from the Martha Stewart border punch to finish off my flowers and I printed the sentiment from the computer.

Entering the following challenges:
http://anythingchallenge.blogspot.com/  The Colour Blue + 1 other colour
http://ladybugscraftsinkchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ Anything Goes Using Your New Stash
http://tuesdaythrowdown.blogspot.com/Shiny New Year (Use something Shiny on Your Creation)
http://digistamps4joy.blogspot.com/  something old(button), something new(papers and stamp )
http://fabnfunkychallenges.blogspot.com/  something new (papers and stamp )
http://flutterbywednesdays.blogspot.com/ open
http://www.ibrakeforchallenges.blogspot.com/clean and simple
http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.com/ Use Something New
http://sarahhurleychallenges.blogspot.com/ Giving Thanks/ Thank You
http://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com// Thank You
http://cinspirations.blogspot.com/ With Thanks