In the footsteps...

So ....the start of a new year and I can't believe how long it is since I shared anything here. I have been devoting my crafting hours lately to learning how to paint with watercolours which wasn't actually what I set out to do but the mixed media course that I signed up for turned out to be something completely different to what I was expecting! I did however learn some very useful techniques and in the meantime I also discovered a fabulous artist called Moy Mackay when I was in Scotland in October and my artistic journey took another detour. I can't claim that this is a completely original piece of work as I used her excellent book and image to create it but I am really pleased with the result and now that I have got a handle on the techniques I can't wait to 'paint' some more felt pictures. Watch this space....

Linking up here:

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

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

http://craftuscrazy.blogspot.co.uk/ something new

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

http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.co.uk/ 

http://makingtheworldcuter.com

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