Shelby In Colour

Stamping With The Dragon - Music

2012-03-02T08:00:00.000+11:00

YEAHHHHHHH! Drum roll please!

He he he ..... Music! We all love it in one form or another. This week over at Stamping With The Dragon the current challenge theme is music ..... so many possibilities!

We are being sponsored by Kenny K ...... you just have to check out the images there! Something for everyone! And if you love something different, cheeky or cute ... or a combination of them all then this is the shop for you.

I have used the awesome image called Rock Dude! I love him! and I had so much fun colouring him.

I coloured my Rock N Roll Dude using copic markers ... and some spica pens in a few areas.
The background paper is from Kaisercraft and the sentiment stamp is from Crafty Kids (now known as Kasazz). On the sentiment stamp I used the Tim Holtz clear Distress Crackle Paint ... hmmm my first attempt and I may have used a little to much ... but I do like the effect ....

I have matted the image in the same Kaisercraft paper and then a deep brown bazzill ... hard to see in the photos.

I'm leaving this card very plain as I plan on sending it to my Father for his Birthday this month. He love rock and roll music ... especially the Rolling Stones ... and I thought he would appreciate this image ... but he is a very 'minimalistic' person .. so I didn't want to much 'bling'.

To see some more totally awesome music themed Kenny K projects head on over to the Stamping With The Dragon challenge blog ... the Design Team's projects will 'BLOW YOUR MIND MAN'.

Thanks so much for stopping by
ROCK ON!

Whimsy Digi Stamps March Blog Hop

2012-03-02T04:00:00.001+11:00

Wow March already! Time flies when you are having fun ..........

So lets start the month off with some gorgeous new images and .... lets have a blog hop! We have lots of new images to share with you today. All Whimsy Stamps digital images are 300dpi for high print quality.You can re-size, flip, or rotate to fit your own project.

The hop starts at Whimsy Stamps Inspiration Blog so make sure you start there .. there will also be a list of the blog hop order so you don't get lost along the way.

You should have arrived here from Wendy's blog, make sure that you hop along in the correct order and leave a comment on each blog because there is 2 mystery DT Members who will be giving mini prizes along the way!

The hop will start at 12 noon EST Thursday 1st March and end at 12 noon EST Thursday 8th March.

The card I have created to show you today is a sensational image by Chrissy called Young Leprechaun and for the background I have used some sensational digi papers from Whimsy called Emerald Isle.

After the hop head on over to the Whimsy store to check out the gorgeous images available but before that head on over to Mariska's blog, she is next on the hop.

Happy hopping and good luck.

xoxoxox
Carly

Whimsy Stamps - Paper Piecing

2012-03-01T04:00:00.000+11:00

Hi, Everyone! It's Wednesday again so that means it's time for a new challenge!

Our Topic this week is

Paper Piecing

Don't forget! You don't have to use a whimsy image. It would be great if you did though, and it doesn't have to be a card. We welcome all paper projects.

Our Prize this week is

For my project this week I used a really cute stamp called
New Spring Lamb

The background patterned cardstock is from My Memories ... how cute is it!!!!
The sentiment is a stamp from Stampin Up .. I inked it up in a chocolate brown (which may be hard to see in the photo) and then I have matted it onto a blue piece and stitched around the edges (best sewing I have ever done!) and then attached that to the white base card.

Now as for this gorgeous spring lamb I printed him out on my copic colouring paper and coloured his face and feet. Then I printed him twice more on a piece of normal paper. I used a small 'swirl' stamp inked up in brown to make his fleece. I cut out another set of ears and two more of the 'tuft' on his head and attached these with double sided foam. The flowers/grass and background I tried my hardest to colour match the background.

I'm really quite pleased with this card ... and it was so quick to make! Don't forget to head on over to the Whimsy Challenge Blog
to check out the gorgeous creations from the Design Team and of course to enter your own creation ....... you could be the winner of those digis!

Thanks so much for stopping by
looking forward to seeing what you create .....
xoxoxoxoxo
Carly

Boys Will Be Boys

2012-02-28T18:46:00.000+11:00

Hello there ....

Over at Creative Craft Challenges we have a new challenge .. the theme is

BOYS WILL BE BOYS

and we are being sponsored by The Stamping Boutique.

I like making masculine themed cards .. it gets me to use up blues and browns and those other papers that keep getting pushed aside. The Stamping Boutique has some gorgeous 'boy' images .... and I have used one here ...

Don't forget to check out the Design Teams gorgeous creations and enter your own project for a chance to win. Looking forward to see your project!

xoxoxox Carly

Tickled Pink Stamps - Easter Pinkette Preview

2012-02-28T17:00:00.034+11:00

Hi there ..... Have you been enjoying the preview of the new Pinkette images over at the Tickled Pink Blog?

They are super cute .. and by leaving a comment you could win one!

I'm so excited to be part of the Pinkette Team over at Tickled Pink ........ thankyou for all the kind words and congratulations ... it means a lot to me.

There will be 4 new images being previewed and then the release will be on the 29th of February 2012.

Be sure to check out the Tickled Pink blog ... and be part of the preview ..... prizes?? of course! It wouldn't be a preview without them, so make sure you go to each days preview and leave a comment.

You are going to love these new images ...... they are just gorgeous!

This is Lil Easter Pinkette Egg Faith ... and she is so cute!

I have coloured Lil Faith and her delicious looking Easter egg in copic markers. Papers and ribbon are from my stash. The flower is made from a Marianne Design Craftables Die ... as is the square doily under the image. The little leaves are off a flourish die from Cheery Lynn Designs.

This gorgeous girl was so quick to colour .. I can see her being a star on Easter cards for me this year.

Thanks for stopping by .. .and don't forget to leave a comment on the Tickled Pink blog ... you could win this gorgeous image! Just in time to get your Easter cards done.

xoxoxoxo

Carly

The last challenge over at Tickled Pink Stamps Challenge Blog

2012-02-27T21:46:00.000+11:00

Wow! for me Tickled Pink is what started my copic colouring and digi stamp journey. So it is quite sad that this is the last challenge. There was a time that I entered every challenge ... my first every blog entry was back in late June last year ..... using this very image! But I must admit I think I have missed the last few .... busy busy busy being on Design Teams.

Talking about Design Teams ... after I had been blogging and colouring for a while I set myself a goal of getting onto a Design Team and one of the one's I really wanted to be on was Tickled Pink. Well it's only been a mere 8 months and I'm now on SIX design teams! YES 6! LOL that's why I have been so busy (as well as looking after my gorgeous 2.5 year old daughter, Madalyn and working arvo/night shifts part time). It was only FIVE the other week ... but then!!!! I became a Pinkette over at Tickled Pink Stamps!

WOW! .... so my next goal .... to be published ..... I had better start working on that ...... :)

Anyway enough waffle from me ...... here is my card .... using the image that started it all for me (my first digi purchase!) Vampire Lilith ... it seemed only fitting to end where it started.

Farewell Tickled Pink Challenges .. you have been fun .... I think I may have even won once! and I made it into the top 3 a few times :) You will be missed .... but still a favourite store!

xoxoxoxox Carly

Spots & Dots - Whoopsi Daisy

2012-02-27T12:01:00.000+11:00

Hello :)

Nope I don't have chickenpox ... but it is a Spots and Dots challenge over at Whoopsi Daisy this week. There was some truly delicious projects for 3D challenge last week! Keep them coming .. I love checking out your creations!

Talking about delicious creations ... be sure to head on over to Whoopsi Daisy challenge blog and check out the projects from the Design Team .... gorgeous!

To play along with the challenge you can purchase an image here .... or grab the current FREEBIE here.
You can win a prize! and you've got to be in it to win it!

I have used this really cute image, she was a previous freebie. I just love her and those spotty ribbons.

I have coloured her using copic markers ... and the background papers are from My Minds Eye. I have used some gorgeous spotty brads .. I think they are from Kasazz and the sentiment is from Stampin Up.

The doily die is one of my favourite dies and is from Marianne Design Craftables. As for the butterfly ... I have no idea ... my daughter had it from a project she made at a craft day ... I pinched it he he he ... well it had fallen off ... so I asked her if I could stick it on my card. She said "you can use it Mummy ... it's ours .. we share it" .... so thankyou Madalyn ... it was a must to complete my card.

On the red dots on her clothes and for her shoes I used some sparkly red glitter glue ... the black plate and the white on her clothes I have used Ranger Enamel Accents (dries like a gloss paint).

I hope you enjoy my card .. it was a pleasure to make ... and it makes me feel like I want to bake (Oh I'm so sorry .. I had to throw in a little rhyme! but it does make me want to bake scones .. because of the jam)

Ok I'm out of here ...... thanks for reading my waffle and stopping by to check out my card.

xoxoxox Carly

Tickled Pink Stamps - Easter Pinkette Preview

2012-02-25T17:00:00.050+11:00

Hi there ..... I have a little bit of news for you .... are you ready to hear it ...... well I'm ready to tell it ......

I'm a PINKETTE!!

Yes you read that correctly .... I have been given a spot over at Tickled Pink Stamps on the Pinkette team!

Those of you who have been following my blog for some time will know that Tickled Pink is what started it all for me ..... and it was my goal to become part of the team. Along the way I have accomplished many things .... and I'm loving every moment. I'm going to be an extremely busy girl! But oh its going to be fun :)

So without further ado ...... WELCOME to Tickled Pinks first Easter Pinkette preview. This release is all about Easter and the feeling it brings to these cute little country girls. They are illustrated by Stephanie Corfee the Pinkette designer.

There will be 4 new images being previewed and then the release will be on the 29th of February 2012.

Be sure to check out the Tickled Pink blog ... and be part of the preview ..... prizes?? of course! It wouldn't be a preview without them :)

You are going to love these new images ...... they are just gorgeous!

ooooohhh I'm a bit nervous .. but here it is ... my first Pinkette card as a Pinkette Design Team member .......

I have used Easter Pinkette Daisy August ... she was a pure delight to colour and I think she's gorgeous. A very versatile image ... not just for Easter.

Thankyou for stopping by and sharing my special news ... and of course this awesome preview from Tickled Pink Stamps.

Big Hugs and think Pink :) (OMG! I have wanted to say that for so long!)

xoxoxoxo

Carly

Giddy Up ....

2012-02-24T08:00:00.006+11:00

Hello :) It's time for another challenge week over at Stamping With The Dragon. There were some gorgeous entries last week! Keep them coming and don't forget that there is always a great prize to be won!

For my card this week I have used the image Giddy Up and also Shades Of Autumn Page Kit.
I'm totally in love with these papers! and can see myself using them HEAPS!

Using a piece of sponge I applied some brown ink around the edges of all the cardstock and I coloured the image using Copic Markers.

Thankyou so much for stopping by ... now jump on your horse and gallop over to the challenge site to check out the totally sensational projects from the Design Team ... they are beautiful!

xoxoxoxo Carly

a HUGE thankyou! Look what I won!

2012-02-23T15:53:00.000+11:00

Well fellow crafters ... can I just tell you something ....

WOW!

I won this!!!!!!

as Blog Candy!!!!!!!

from

Simply Stampin With Shirl

Here are some words that help explain the way I felt when I found out

Disbelief!

Amazement!

Excitement

Disbelief again

concern that my eyesight was failing me

Amazement

Super super excitement

grin from ear to ear

nearly wet my pants!

wwwwwoooooooo hoooooooooooo

An absolutely HUGE thankyou to Shirley! who posted this to me from America to Australia!

As many of you know I'm on a few Design Teams and have been struggling to complete cards .. I love the colouring aspect .. but when it comes to assembling a card I'm at a bit of a loss .. well now with this amazing machine I can do so much more! This is one very valuable tool! And I'm not talking $$$$ I'm talking creativity!

Now I just have to win some more dies! LOL!

Once again thankyou Shirley ... I love your blog and you are a dear friend (even though we have never met in person). There are many things I love about crafting ..... the creative outlet, creating something that I'm proud of, learning new things and sharing my enjoyment and creation with others .... but there is one more final and important thing that I didn't know would happen when I started my blog and that is

FRIENDSHIP

I have found myself connecting with so many like minded people ..... the internet is a wonderful thing! and I feel so lucky to have 'met' so many really special, supportive, and inspirational new friends.

Ok ... well as you can tell ..... this prize has made me feel so special and emotional ... so I'll stop boring you now LOL ... and go and create something.

Big Hugs

Carly

Whimsy Stamps - Monochromatic

2012-02-23T04:00:00.000+11:00

Hi Everyone It's Wednesday again so that means it's time for a new challenge!

Our Topic this week is

Monochromatic
(shades of the same colour)

Don't forget You don't have to use a whimsy image,It would be great if you did though,and it doesn't have to be a card, we welcome all paper projects,

Our Prize this week is

For my card this week I have used this super cute image called Balloon Love
and because for a LIMITED TIME ONLY
you can get digi stamps for 50% off
you could get this gorgeous image for only $1

Yep you read that right 50% off digi stamps!

Anyway ... back to my card (although I totally understand if you have rushed off to do some shopping! ... but I hope you come back and leave me a comment)

I have used just basic black and white card stock. I coloured the image using copic markers .. just the C family (COO, C01 & C3)
On the nose I used some Enamel Accents from Ranger (it comes in a twin pack of white and black) .. and the dots around the edge are using the white.

Aren't those brads gorgeous! I have no idea where they were from ... just in my stash ... they matched perfectly ... as did the ribbon. The word is a rub on from Kaisercraft ... love the font!

I cut the base cards using some Grand Calibur dies ..... I have a story about those ... will post about it later ... but just in case you are too busy shopping to come back ... I WON! a Grand Calibur machine and some dies from a gorgeous blog called Simply Stampin With Shirl. I couldn't believe it!!! How lucky am I!! It has certainly allowed me to be more creative and I'm loving the results I'm getting .... now I just need more dies! LOL!

Make sure you head on over to the Whimsy Challenge Blog and check out all the gorgeous monochromatic creations from the Design Team ..... and enter your own project for a chance to win!

Thankyou so much for stopping by
Big colourful (or monochromatic ... whichever you prefer) hugs to you
xoxoxoox Carly

Crafting For All Seasons Challenge #21 - Shaped Cards

2012-02-22T23:00:00.000+11:00

Hello :) Is it a rectangle? no Is it a square? no It's a shaped card!

Another fortnight has passed so it is time for a new challenge over at Crafting For All Seasons. Loved the entries for the last challenge .... wow! so much talent out there.

We have lots of sponsors for this challenge:-

Meljen's Designs
The Stamping Boutique

Jellypark stamps

Pretty exciting! Don't forget that there is an awesome prize up for grabs .. so make sure you head on over to the challenge blog and check out the Design Team's creations and then enter your own Shaped Card.

For my card I have used an image from Jellypark. This gorgeous girl with bunting is actually being sold for Jellypark's charity of 2012 which is Little Havens, a children's hospice. They are releasing a special set of stamps during the year just to raise money for this great cause. So not only do you get a gorgeous image to play with but you also help out Little Havens!

I have coloured this lovely girl using copic markers. On my base card I stamped a circle stamp in orange ink to help tie it in with the patterned card.

On the banner I have used some glossy accents to give it some dimension and shine.

Looking forward to seeing your shaped card creations ... I struggled with this one .. so would be great to get some ideas!

Big hugs!
xoxox Carly

Whoopsi Daisy .... 3D cards & gifts

2012-02-20T19:36:00.000+11:00

Hello there :) Have you ever made a wish into a wishing well? Whilst we were on holidays a few weeks ago (our first family holiday!) we found a little wishing fountain and I showed my 2.5 year old daughter, Madalyn, how to throw a coin in and make a wish. It was so cute.

And just as cute is this gorgeous image I used from Whoopsi Daisy , she is off Sheet 29 and is one of my favourites.

Isn't she just adorable! I really enjoyed colouring in the beautiful girl ... she looks so happy and sweet.

I coloured her using copic markers. I then paper pieced another one of her, and then her sleeve and arm using double sided foam tape. The doily die cut (Marianne Design Craftables) is also attached using the foam tape and I did a few flower pieces on the background paper as well. Some glitter glue in the centre of the flowers and then a rub on (from Kaisercraft) and a little bit of bling. The piece of ribbon is from my stash ..I just love the chocolate colour.

On the flowers in the bucket and the ribbon in her hair I have used some Glossy Accents (a clear medium that dries raised).

The Design Team have created some absolutely stunning 3D cards and gifts so be sure to head on over to the Challenge site to see them.

There is also a gorgeous FREEBIE so that you can create your own 3D work of art .... so make sure you grab that .. and I would love to see what you make with it! Enter it into our challenge and you could win even more images!!!

Thanks for stopping by .... make a wish .........
and may all your wishes come true
xoxoxox Carly

2012 is the Year Of The Dragon

2012-02-17T08:00:00.024+11:00

Hello and welcome .... as you know we are already into February of the year 2012! oh my goodness it will be Christmas again soon (insert evil laugh here) ......

Did you know that this year, 2012, is the Year Of The Dragon? What a fabulous year .. as I love Dragons .... it was not long ago that I actually found out I was born in the Year Of The Dragon also .. way back in 1976 .... (and to top it off I'm also a LEO! ... what a combination!)

Do you know what year you are ... perhaps you are an Ox, or a Rabbit, maybe a Snake .....

Over at Stamping With The Dragon we have another challenge starting and the theme of this week is

The Year Of The Dragon (so you must have a dragon on your entry project please).

I have used one of the brand spanking new digi images called Rupert With Chinese Lantern ....you can find it in the store here.

I coloured Rupert in copic markers and on the lantern I used some spica to add some sparkle. The red cardstock for the base card has a lovely texture .. but it doesn't show up on the photos. I used a spellbinders die to do a gold insert and left the scalloped edge hanging out.

For my background I stamped a fireworks stamp in perfect medium (a clear slow drying stamp pad) and then brushed on some gold perfect pearls (gold shimmer powder .. I have heard that eye shadow words too .... haven't tried it myself though).

I have used two brads that I thought looked a bit like Chinese style coins ... I may be totally incorrect here and my apologies if I am .. but I remember years ago seeing things like this in Chinatown.

The ribbon is from my stash .. isn't it lovely! and the word "imagine" is a rub on from Kaisercraft.

Don't forget to head on over to Stamping With The Dragon (click on the header of this post) to see the gorgeous projects from the DT.

Enter your own project for a chance to win a prize .. can't wait to see what you create.

xoxoxoxoxo Happy Year Of The Dragon

xoxoxox Carly

PS ... when you leave a comment I would love to know what "year" you are ... just for fun :)

Anything but a Square ..Whimsy stamps challenge

2012-02-15T04:00:00.001+11:00

Hi, Everyone! It's Wednesday again so that means it's time for a new challenge over at Whimsy!

Our Topic this week is

Anything but a square card

Don't forget! You don't have to use a whimsy image. It would be great if you did though, and it doesn't have to be a card. We welcome all paper projects.

Our Prize this week is

For my card I have used this totally gorgeous bear .... Little Bear Ready For Bed .... from the Whimsy Store ... its a new release digi and I find it utterly delightful!

I have cut a star shaped card from cream cardstock and inked the edges with some chocolate coloured ink. The Star paper is from Kaisercraft and I used some glitter glue on the lighter coloured stars to add some sparkle.

I have coloured the bear using copics ... but kept the same colour tone throughout as I was looking for a vintage feel. On the noses and eyes I have used some black glossy paint to make them shine and then flicked some white through the noses. Turned out quite effective I thought.

The sentiment is from Stamp-It.

Don't forget to head on over to the blog and check out the gorgeous projects from the DT. (click on the heading of this post and it will take you there).

Enter your own project .. it doesn't have to be a card .... for your chance to win this weeks prize!

Thanks for stopping by
xoxooxox
Carly

Red is the colour of love ....

2012-02-14T21:00:00.028+11:00

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!! This is my Valentine's card to you .... I hope you have a lovely day with your true love ..... even if it is craft he he he!

Over at Creative Craft Challenges our current challenge theme is:-

Valentines Day

Make sure you head on over to the Challenge Blog to see the gorgeous Valentine projects created by the Design Team .. and if you would love to be in the running to win a prize .... then be sure to enter your own project too :)

For this Challenge we were sponsored by Stamping Dragon Desings .... yep one of my favourites (and yes I'm lucky enough to be on the DT over there also!)

If you are a follower here you would know that I LOVE DRAGONS! I had never coloured one red before though ... and I'm really happy with how she turned out.

So here she is Penny Dragon with Valentine in glorious red .....

I have coloured Penny using copic markers and then made my own background using a doily stamp from Kaisercraft and some lovely red ink. The sentiment is a stamp from my stash ..
Penny did have some lovely little hearts coming from the envelope .. but they didn't look very good fussy cut ... so I stamped a little stamp there myself .. it is also from Kaisercraft.

I'm lucky enough to have a Kaisercraft outlet here in my home town ...... actually it is where they are based ... in Geelong, Victoria (Australia) ... anyway waffling on ... but I thought it was a little bit of interesting gossip for you he he he.

Here is a close up of gorgeous Penny ... isn't she beautiful ...... did I mention I love Dragons??

Happy Valentine's Day ....... xoxoxoxoxoxo ... I hope you like your card.

xoxoxo Carly

Whimsy Digi SALE 50% OFF!!!

2012-02-14T13:55:00.000+11:00

OH MY GOODNESS!!!! HOW EXCITING IS THIS!!!!

Over at the Whimsy Store

from Feb 14th to Feb 21st

you can get Digi Stamps

for

50% off!!!!!!!

ONE WEEK ONLY

50% OFF!

I'm very excited about this .....

don't miss out ... there are AWESOME digis over there.

Prices will be marked, you will not need a coupon :)

Have fun shopping.

xoxoxoxo Carly

Whoopsi Daisy .... Sketch

2012-02-13T22:00:00.020+11:00

Hello .... well it's time for another challenge week over at Whoopsi Daisy. This week there is a lovely sketch to inspire you. I love the idea of sketches because it can take the 'stress' out of putting a card together. I don't know about you but sometimes it takes me hours just to lay everything in the right place .. and then I still have to stick it all down! I really enjoyed this sketch .. and I'm sure you will create something that you love as well .... so don't forget to enter it into our challenge and you could win yourself a prize!

This image is from Sheet 333 ... you generally get 4 images on a sheet. I have coloured her in copics and then used papers from my stash for the embellishments. The flowers were made using a Marianne Design Craftables die and I popped a silver brad through the middle.

My 2.5 year old daughter always love looking at my cards and she always shows them to her Dad .... "Daddy look what Mummy made ... beautiful" ....she always sounds so proud of me. With this one she opened up the card and looked inside and asked "where the lady looking Mummy?" "She looking inside?" ..... HOW CUTE!

So don't forget to head on over to the challenge blog and check out the gorgeous creations from the Design Team .... you will be delighted by the gorgeous creations.

Bye for now
xoxoxo Carly

It is the month of love .....

2012-02-10T08:00:00.001+11:00

February is the month of love .... well that is what the shops are telling us ... everywhere I look I see Valentines day cards, chocolates and trinkets. But I bet my Husband will still forget Valentines day he he he.

I have a very basic card to show you today ...... This card shows that with the very minimum of product you can still make a hand made card much cheaper and much more meaningful than you can buy at the supermarket. (But don't get me wrong ... I would LOVE a card from my DH ... I wouldn't care where it came from .. would just be nice if he remembered)

I have used the really cute little pre-coloured Spotty Pups Valentines Heart from Stamping Dragon Designs. The background papers are also from the store and they are called Joi Arts pack. I must admit these papers are actually much nicer than they are showing up in the photo. I stamped a little heart and then went over the top in some silver glitter glue. And the word is a rub on.

This is a really basic card .... but still handmade with love ....

I have also made this card .. using Purfect Love from Stamping Dragon Desings. Another simple card but quite pretty. The red cardstock is a gorgeous red shimmer. I have used a Cheery Lynn Designs Die called Tropical Flourish. The image is coloured in copics and then I have used a glitter glue on the moon. I have written the sentiment using a black marker.

To check out some really terrific projects head on over to Stamping With The Dragon .... you will love what you see.

xoxoxo Carly

Love Themed - Whimsy Stamps

2012-02-09T04:00:00.002+11:00

Hi Everyone It's Wednesday again so that means it's time for a new challenge over at Whimsy!

Our Topic this week is

Love Themed

Don't forget You don't have to use a whimsy image,It would be great if you did though,and it doesn't have to be a card, we welcome all paper projects,

Our Prize this week is

Dont' forget also...As well as a random winner being chosen each challenge one lucky player who has used a Whimsy Stamps image (rubber or digital) will have the opportunity to be a guest designer for a future challenge.

I have used my favourite colour today ... purple! It's been a while.

The image I have used is called Heart Flower (1) from Moon Cookie Gallery over at the Whimsy Shop.
I have coloured it using copic markers and then added some glitter glue to give some dimension.

The background papers are from Kaisercraft and are called Garden Arabesque .. I just love the colours!

It is quite hard to see but I used a glue pen on a rubber stamp and then poured glitter over the top to get my sentiment. It shows up nicely on the actual card but I struggled to get it to show up in the photos. I have also used some Liquid Pearls in the bottom left corner.

Thankyou so much for stopping by ... be sure to check out the Whimsy Blog for inspiring projects from the Design Team.

xoxoxox Carly

Love Themed - Whimsy Stamps

2012-02-09T04:00:00.001+11:00

Hi Everyone It's Wednesday again so that means it's time for a new challenge over at Whimsy!

Our Topic this week is

Love Themed

Don't forget You don't have to use a whimsy image,It would be great if you did though,and it doesn't have to be a card, we welcome all paper projects,

Our Prize this week is

Live Love Laugh

2012-02-08T23:00:00.001+11:00

Hi there :)

For our latest challenge over at Crafting For All Seasons we are having the theme

Love Is In The Air

For this challenge we are being sponsored by

Bugaboo stamps Prize - 7 digital images

Lili of the Valley Prize - £10 voucher

Digi Doodle Shop Prize - $10 gift card

The Design Team have come up with spectacular projects to help you get inspired ... so make sure you head on over to the Crafting For All Seasons challenge blog to check them out and enter your own project.

For my card I have used this lovely image from Bugaboo called .... can you guess? .... yep Live Love Laugh block. I'm so lucky to also be a Guest Designer on Bugaboo this week!!!! wowowowowowow ... so make sure you head on over there as well and check out their blog.

I have coloured this beautiful and versatile image using Shimmer Chalks ... which of course makes it very hard to get a good photo ... sorry about that. The rest of the card is made up of bits and pieces from my stash. I cut the edge of the card using a spellbinders die, attached some little pink blings and lined the inside of the card with white cardstock.

On the right hand side of the card (black area) I have used an embossing folder to tie in the flower theme. And of course for a bit more sparkle I have added some glitter glue to the butterflies and flower centres.

Thankyou so much for stopping by and I hope you enjoy visiting the challenge blog. Don't forget to check out our awesome sponosrs and see all the gorgeous products they have.

Big hugs ... and don't forget to
Live, Love and Laugh

xoxoxo Carly

Cute and Cuddly at Whoopsi Daisy

2012-02-06T20:13:00.000+11:00

Do you have a favourite cute and cuddly critter? Perhaps it's a teddy bear, maybe a kitten .... or maybe you think big hairy spiders are cute and cuddly .......

As soon as I saw this gorgeous little bear from Sheet 9 over at Whoopsi Daisy I just fell in love. She looks so adorable tending to her little flower pot.

I have coloured this sweet bear in copics. The paper is from my stash ... I'm sorry but I can't think who it is from. I have used a circle doily die from Marianne Design Craftables for the background and inked around the edges with some Tangerine ink. The flowers and lovely spots are from Kaisercraft and the leaf is a cuttlebug die.

To see some more cute and cuddly projects head on over to the Whoopsi Daisy blog and check out the gorgeous projects made by the Design Team. Don't forget to enter your own project ... you could be the winner of the prize!

Thanks for stopping by ..... looking forward to seeing your projects!
xoxoxo Carly

Dude!

2012-02-03T08:00:00.003+11:00

Hi there :)

Over at Stamping With The Dragon this week we are being sponsored by Dude Time Doodles. If you haven't checked out there images before then you are missing out ... there are so many fun and quirky images

BDD creates exclusively to bring you guy images and ideas for those hard to make cards for the "Dudes" in your life. Guys aren't about flowers and fluff. Guys are our heroes, our fighters, our beer chuggers and bug squashers.

For my project today I have used an image called Gary Giftbearer .... he cracks me up with his goofy grin but he looks like such a nice guy :)

I have coloured Gary using copic markers and for the little gift box he is holding I used silver spica pen.
I have used a lovely navy blue cardstock for my base card and mats. The sentiment is an acrylic stamp from Kaisercraft and the stripy paper is from a Bella paper stack.

Be sure to head on over to the Stamping With The Dragon challenge blog to check out the other Design Team member's "Man Love" themed cards. You will be sure to get a giggle :)

And by entering your own "Man Love" card over at the blog you may even win yourself a prize!

Thanks for stopping by ...

xoxoxo Carly

Whimsy Stamps & my first paper piecing!

2012-02-02T04:00:00.026+11:00

Its February!!!! Wow can't believe January has gone already! But the great thing about a new month ......

NEW DIGIS OVER AT WHIMSY STAMPS!!!

So exciting! and don't forget there will be a BLOG HOP! woo hooo!!!! so get hopping on that one. You can check it all out on the Whimsy Blog.

Here is one of the new images ... it's called Bunny Doll. I really love this cute bunny .. it is such a versatile stamp. But today I have kept it basic .... but I did try something NEW! (for me anyway) ... I paper pieced him!!!

I have never paper pieced before .. didn't even really know what it was ... my silly brain always read it as paper piercing .. as in holes ... and wondered why I couldn't see the holes LOL! hmmmmm thats what you get for crafting at night when you are tired he he he ... well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

I printed out the image twice ... and I used a texture block inked with some light brown ink and stamped all over the first image .. then did the same but in pink on the second image. Cut the pink out and stuck it on the brown... wow! so easy! My mind is going wild with the possibilities ... printing onto patterned paper ... glittery paper.... oooohhh exciting! But I'm sure you already new how to do it!

I have stuck a little flower over the original flower as the card needed a little more depth. The middle square (under the doily) is raised on double sided foam tape ...

The paper is from Kiasercraft Cabbage Patch collection - Spring Greens and I have used some black pearls from my stash.

The doily is a Marraine Design Craftables Rectangle Doily (CR1202)

Thankyou so much for stopping by ...... don't forget to check out the blog hop and of course the new digi stamps ... oh yeah and have you seen the new rubber ones?? ooooohhhhh!

xoxoxo Carly

Make Your Own Flowers - Whimsy Challenge

2012-02-02T04:00:00.024+11:00

Hi, Everyone! It's Wednesday again so that means it's time for a new challenge over at Whimsy!

Our Topic this week is to

Make your own Flowers

Don't forget! You don't have to use a whimsy image. It would be great if you did though, and it doesn't have to be a card. We welcome all paper projects.

Our Prize this week is

I have used this totally gorgeous Bear digi image called Little Bear This Is A Hug from the Whimsy store.

I have coloured the little fellow in copics - E11, E13 & E15
My favourite colour for bears :)

I have used some papers from the Kaisercraft Pennyroyal collection.
The die is an Oval Doily from Marianne Design Craftables.
The flowers are from Marianne Design Craftables.
The leaves are a Spellbinders die called Foliage.
The lovely heart lace is from the local thrifty store.

Thankyou for stopping by and don't forget to head on over to the Challenge Blog
to check out the rest of the Design Team projects.

xoxoxox Carly

Miss Thang ... Creative Craft Challenges - Bingo

2012-01-31T21:00:00.000+11:00

Wild Thing ... da da da da da da... you make my heart sing ...

Well this is Miss Thang ... but that tune was the one going through my head the whole time I was making this card he he he .

Over at Creative Craft Challenges we are having a Bingo Challenge!!! Lots of fun ... so be sure to check out the Design Team's projects.

We are being sponsored by Kenny K and they are going to give our winner 4 digi images!!!! Wow!

I have coloured Miss Thang with copic markers and used some glitter glue on her clothes and shoes and some spica pen on her lips and eyelids.

Thanks for stopping by .... I look forward to seeing all the entries for the bingo challenge .... don't forget to enter!

xoxoxo Carly

super quick and super bright

2012-01-31T20:16:00.000+11:00

Good evening ... can't stop and chat .. have exercise to do!

Just completed this card and wanted to get it posted ..... I have used the super cute Mollie Mittens with Flower from Tickled Pink Stamps.

I coloured her last night (after my gruelling exercise session ... I'm sore today!) and have quickly completed the card tonight. I need a Birthday card for tomorrow for a young girl ... so I thought this would be perfect.

I coloured Mollie using copic markers .... and the papers and bling are from my stash.

Okay well I must go and do this exercise! Tomorrow night is a rest night so then I can colour some more! I'm not trying to lose weight .. just trying to up my fitness and strength. I want to show my little one that eating well (which we do) and exercise are just part of our everyday routine .... It was my New Year's Resolution to lead by example ....... so I'm doing it!

Okay I'm waffling, procrastinating and stalling .. LOL! Okay okay I'm going :) Bye for now.

xoxoxo Carly

PS I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:-
Tickled Pink #53 Bright and Colourful (I was working on something else but have run out of time to get it in!)
Kaboodle Doodles #104 Its All About Girls

Whoopsi Daisy .... Brown & Pink

2012-01-30T20:54:00.000+11:00

Hello there :) Do you love chocolate and raspberries? I do! And so I have based my card around those colours .....

Over at Whoopsi Daisy this week the challenge is Brown and Pink .... a delightful colour combination that has inspired gorgeous projects from the Design Team. You can check them out here ..

Don't forget to enter your own Brown and Pink project for a chance to win a spectacular prize from Whoopsi Daisy. You can purchase all the gorgeous images you see here ....

For my card I have used an image from sheet number 99.

I have coloured this totally sweet little fairy using copic markers and added some Glitin Glamour glitter glue for the sparkle. The striped paper and sentiment are from Kaisercraft and the leaves are from my stash (cut them out of some scrap paper). I have used a Spellbinders die down the side to get that lovely scallop.

For something different I used a corrugated card under the image .. it looks really nice .. gives a great texture.

I hope you are inspired by the gorgeous cards over on the challenge blog. Thanks for stopping by to check out mine. This image was a pure delight to colour and she is my favourite so far.

xoxoxox Carly

I have surprised myself!

2012-01-27T08:00:00.001+11:00

Hello there ... I'm a tiny bit excited today ... well rather excited actually because I have created a card unlike any I have created before!

Firstly ... no copic markers or other colouring medium (besides a little bit of spica pen for some sparkle), secondly so totally awesome flowers ... and thirdly I managed to get the wonderful rough edges on my cardstock that I see on other people's blogs and have been trying to do!

So here it is ..........

So .. what do you think?????? I have used a sensational tag and papers from Stamping Dragon Designs .. from the Fantasy Bundle (x2 packs bundled together for only $6 ... heaps of papers, elements and sensational bits and pieces!). The pink paper in the background is from one of the packs .. it is gorgeous and actually has images of fairies on it ..... and the tag and corners are from the other pack.

I have used some clear spica pen on parts of the images on the tags ... sorry it's hard to see in the photos. I have distressed the edges of the cardstock with a Tim Holtz distressing tool .. my latest addition to the craft room ... loving it!

The flowers are all from Kaisercraft but I did add some green glitter glue to the green flower. Ribbon from my stash, as is the brad holding it in. And for the leaves I used a die from Spellbinders called Foliage.

I'm really very happy with this card as it is a totally different style for me .... and I am just in love with it!

Make sure you head on over to Stamping With The Dragon to check out the rest of the projects from the Design Team ... and if you enter your own .. you could win a prize!!!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by ....xoxoxox Carly

Pearls or Bling ...Whimsy Stamps Challenge

2012-01-26T04:00:00.017+11:00

Our Topic this week is to add a

Pearls Or Bling

Don't forget You don't have to use a whimsy image,It would be great if you did though,and it doesn't have to be a card, we welcome all paper projects,

Our Prize this week is

I have used this really cute image called Birthday Cake Mice.
Mmmm I love cake and these little mice are so adorable.

I have also used some of the sensational Whimsy Digi paper for my background .... gorgeous paper! Love the fact that I can just print this out from my printer because I think I will be using it a lot!

Have coloured the image using copic markers and then added some Cystal Ice Icestickles for some bling and of course some pearls down the bottom.

Thanks for stopping by ... don't forget to head on over to the inspirations blog to check out the gorgeous cards from the Design Team.

xoxoxo Carly

Blue & White

2012-01-25T23:00:00.036+11:00

Blue and White ... isn't it just a lovely colour combination ......

Well over at Crafting For All Seasons our current challenge is Blue & White. Be sure to head on over and check out all the sensational creations from the Design Team.

For this challenge we are being sponsored by :-

Di's Digital Downloads who are offering our winner a $10 gift card
Pink Cat Studio www.pinkcatstudio.com Prize - 5 digital images
Saturated Canary - Prize - 2 digital images

By entering our Blue and White challenge you could be the winner of some wonderful prizes!

For my Blue & White project I have used a really lovely image from Pink Cat Studio called Lulibell & Friends. I have been wanting to colour this image for quite some time now as I think it is just adorable!

I have used copic markers to colour this delightful image. Around the outside of the circle I have sponged some blue ink.

The background is embossed through the cuttlebug. Such a pretty folder this one.

I have used some ribbon roses and some paper leaves in the bottom corner. The leaves are from a Spellbinders set called Foliage (S4-328).

I love this butterfly .... it is from a set called Exotic Butterfly small #2 (DL113) by Cheery Lynn Designs. I have used a lovely little piece of bling underneath in a delightful blue.

I'm really happy with this card .. it does look much nicer in real life. All the different blues look quite lovely together.

Have lots of fun creating your own Blue and White themed project .. I would love to come and check it out.

xoxoxox

Carly

Whoopsi Daisy .... Bling It

2012-01-23T23:59:00.000+11:00

Bling Bling .. no it's not the phone .. it's the latest challenge over at the Whoopsi Daisy Challenge Blog .... yeah corny joke I know ...... but I bet you at least smiled a little.

So as I said ... this week the challenge is Bling It ... check out the gorgeous sparkly creations from the Design Team here ... and you can grab some images here ...

For my project I have used a really cute image from sheet 310 (you get 4 different images on a sheet!)

I have 'blinged' everywhere .... added some rhinestones to the background paper, down the ribbon, in the middle of the flowers and also added some little orange flowers on the vine around her foot.

For a bit of extra bling I used some glitter glues on her wings, petticoat and ribbon in her hair as well as spica pen on the roses and the butterfly. Don't think I have ever used so much bling before .. it was fun!

I would love to see what you create! So get crafting and show us your bling over at the challenge blog ... you could win a prize!

Thanks for stopping by .... I promise not to do a corny joke next time :)

Bye for now
xoxox Carly

You give me courage to Fly .....

2012-01-23T20:38:00.001+11:00

Hello there :) It's been a hot one here today ... again ... and a long day for me ... the little one was in a mood!

It has been nice to finally sit down and create this card this evening. I coloured this sensational image from Tickled Pink Stamps last night. His name is Lil Victorian Eric and is the latest to my extensive Tickled Pink collection.

I have coloured Eric in Copic Markers and spica pens. For the Background I have used one of brand new embossing folders ... came in a set of cogs and watches etc ... love them! A lot of my images are Steampunk type images .. so these folders will be well used. I also used my brand new Tim Holtz distressing tool for around the edges of the striped paper .... yippeeeeee love the effect ... so glad I finally found out how people have been doing this LOL!

I was a little worried about how to go about colouring this fellow .. so chose my papers first and then the rest just seemed to flow. The sentiment is also from Tickled Pink Stamps.

Thankyou so much for stopping by ... sorry it's not a very informative post .. but I'm itching to colour ... so bye for now.

xoxoxox Carly

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:-
Tickled Pink Stamps - #52 Something New
The Crafty Pad Designs - #154 Let's See Something For The Boys
Sketchy Colours - #101 Green, Beige & Cream
The Outlawz - CAS Something New

Warm and Sunny ....

2012-01-22T19:48:00.001+11:00

Hello :)

I hope you have had a wonderful day. It has been quite warm and very sunny here today .... I'm enjoying the slight cool breeze that is currently flowing through the house.

Tonight I have for you a bright and cheery card.

I have used a really cute image from Willow Designs called A Spot Of Gardening. I have made my own background paper by stamping a Lucy's Stamp Chalk Flower over the base card in Colourbox Fluid chalk.
I used an embossing folder for the yellow embossed area and the rest is all just very basic .. using the trimmer.

I coloured this gorgeous owl using copic markers and then popped some Glossy Accents on her eyes to make them a little more dimensional.

I have used a sketch from the current Willow Sketchie challenge and am going to enter it there.

Thanks so much for stopping by ..... enjoy the rest of your day.

xoxoxox Carly

Willow Sketchie - Sketch Challenge
Copic Oz - Summer Challenge

Gentle Waves .... in the bathtub

2012-01-20T08:00:00.021+11:00

Hello ... welcome to a new challenge week over at Stamping With The Dragon. This week we are being sponsored by Di's Digi Downloads who are offering our winner a $10 gift certificate to our store. There are also some extra prizes if you use a Stamping Dragon Designs image!

For my project today I have used Rupert's Bathtime and some papers from the digi card making paper pack called Gentle Waves. I have layered some of the different pieces to create my base card.

I have used Copic Markers to colour my image and then in the corner I stamped a flourish border stamp from Kaisercraft. The stamp is an acrylic stamp for a set called Gypsy Sisters Collection. A little bit of bling in the corner from my stash completes the card.

Be sure to head on over to the challenge blog to check out the gorgeous projects from the DT.

Thanks so much for stopping by ....

xoxoxox
Carly

Green, Yellow, Orange & Blue

2012-01-19T21:22:00.001+11:00

Good evening to you ..... I hope you have had a wonderful day. I'm thrilled as I have managed to colour an image and complete a card tonight! My daughter actually went to bed like a good girl for the first time this year! Woo Hooooooooo!! I found myself sitting at my craft desk at my usual time of 7.10pm!!

(on the 2nd Jan she fell out of her cot and broke her arm .. we then put her into a 'big girl' bed because she was to terrified to go back in the cot ... and since then I have to sit with her every night until she falls asleep .. which sometimes takes hours!)

Ok ... well that is enough of my personal life for you .. he he he ... I'm sure you are really here to look at my card .. so here it is...

I have used one of the brand new Wryn images from Tiddly Inks ... isn't she a cutie! She was a joy to colour and I even tried something new with her hair. I usually colour brown hair .. sometimes black ... but I wanted this gorgeous girl a little different.

I used copic markers to colour her :-
Hair - YR15, YR18 & R17
Blue - B05
Yellow - Y08
Green - G07
White - COO
Skin - E000
So as you can see not many colours ... I have HEAPS of colours .. but I like to see what I can do with minimal colours sometimes. Not everyone has a lot of colours (yet ..he he he .. they are addictive!) so it's always nice to see that you can get a great result still.

I have used papers and flowers from my stash. The flowers are from Kaisercraft ... as are the clear acrylic sticky circle things (called droplets). I also stuck a mini droplet on the yellow circle on her shoe and a clear one on the frogs eye.

Well must be off .... going to try and colour another image before bed .. or perhaps I will make the most of this 'earlier' night and read my book.

Thankyou so much for stopping by .... hope to see you back again soon.

xoxoxox Carly

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:-
Tiddly Inks Challenge #78 - Colour (Green, Yellow, Orange & Blue)
iCopic Weekly Challenge #65 - Unloved colours (I don't like orange and not a huge fan of yellow either)

Believe in your dreams ....

2012-01-18T14:18:00.000+11:00

I hope you are having a wonderful day. I'm a bit tired today as I worked a night shift last night and it takes me a few days to get back to normal .... especially when I still have a 2.5 year old daughter to look after.

I coloured this image yesterday and completed the card today. I have used a Tickled Pink stamp called Lil Allsorts Pirate Frankie.

To tie in the red of his clothes I managed to find a perfect matching red cardstock for the base card! I then used some scrapbook paper underneath and used some Distress Ink on the torn edge. The embossed 'map' is an embossing folder from Couture Creations called World Map. I embossed on some cream cardstock and then used the same distress ink all over it and of course tore the edges.

The little sentiment ... Believe in your Dreams .. is an acrylic stamp from Kaisercraft.

I coloured Pirate Frankie using copic markers.

Thanks for stopping by to check out my creation. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.

xoxoxo Carly

I would like to enter this card into the following challenge:-
Tickled Pink Stamps Challenge - #51 Anything Goes

Are you feeling Blue or Brown .. or both? Blue & Brown Challenge - Whimsy Stamps

2012-01-18T04:00:00.000+11:00

Well it's not easy being green ...... but try being brown! This gorgeous Froggy from Lia Stampz is really looking on the bright side of things. You can find him over at the Whimsy Store along with so many other gorgeous digi and rubber images.

Over at the Whimsy Inspirational Blog we are having a Blue and Brown Challenge. There are some truly amazing projects from the Design Team .. so make sure you check them out here.

You will have to excuse the photo .. took it outside as I just couldn't get the colours right inside. It's hard to see the bling ..... so here is another one.

Still not much better ...

I have coloured this cute Froggy with copic markers, used some glossy accents on the raindrops and some spica pen on the spots on the umbrella. The sentiment comes with this image, there are a few to choose from which is nice. I particularly liked this one as it suits my New Years ... new me outlook on things.

So don't forget to head on over to the inspiration blog and enter your blue and brown project, you could win yourself a lovely prize :)

Thanks for stopping (or should I say hopping) by
xoxoxox Carly

Nearly time to go back to school .....

2012-01-17T21:00:00.001+11:00

Halfway through the first month of 2012 already .... this year is going fast. Someone told me how many days it was until Christmas the other day .... it didn't seem like many!

We have a new challenge over at Creative Craft Challenges this week and the theme is Blue. We are being sponsored by Paper Makeup Stamps for this challenge. So don't forget to head on over to the Creative Craft Challenges blog to check out the rest of the Design Teams projects with these gorgeous images.

I have used a really cute image called Star Student for my little project. I decided to do something a little different and make a book mark. I thought it was fitting because my niece's and nephews will be heading back to school soon and I thought this would make a great little gift for one of them.

I coloured this sweet girl in the following copic markers:-
Skirt, Tie - B93, B95, B97
Top - B23, B24
Socks - C00
Shoes - C3, C5, C7
Lunchbox & Backpack - R27, R29, R59
Hair - E35, E37, E29
Skin - E000, E00

Thanks for stopping by to check out my little project .... the more I look at it the more I want to keep it for myself ... hmmm I guess I had better go and make another :)

Big Hugs
xoxoxoxo
Carly

Green and Serene

2012-01-16T20:49:00.000+11:00

Good evening :) It's been a hot one here today ... the poor plants outside were looking rather wilted when I got home .... and it's going to be hotter tomorrow.

For my card today I have used a really lovely Pollycraft image called Crystal Fairies 2. I find this image gives me a relaxed feel and she was just fabulous to colour.

I have used some digi paper from Shabby Princess .. called Spontaneous Delight. The flowers were also from this pack.

I have used a gorgeous die from Cheery Lynn Designs called Lg Lace Faerie Queen and coloured it using glimmer mists. And for the strip down the side I have used a Spellbinder's Die .. but I can't remember which one as I have misplaced the packaging ..sorry :(

The image is coloured in copic markers and I have added some sparkly glitter glue to her wings and a spica pen to the butterfly on her finger (although hard to see in photo).

I'm loving the colours in this card ... very tranquil but fresh. Gives an earthy/natural feeling ... well to me anyway :)

I would like to enter this card into the following challenge:-
Pollycraft Monday Challenges - #123 Bingo (Die Cuts, Pollycraft Image, Flowers)

Anything but a Square ..

2012-01-16T00:00:00.000+11:00

Hello ...... Hey did I happen to mention that I am now on the Whoopsi Daisy Design Team?? I didn't?? Well I am!! and I am very excited about it.

You can find gorgeous Whoopsi Daisy images here ......
and you can view the Design Team cards and enter the challenges here ..........

So without further ado here is my first Whoopsi Daisy Design Team project ......... drum roll please .....

I have used a really cute image from Sheet 52. Most of the images come in sheets with at least 4 images on them .. great value and oh so adorable!

I have coloured her in copic markers and used a spica pen for a little bit of sparkle.

Made my own flowers using a Marianne Designs die through the cuttlebug.

So jump on over to the challenge site here .. and enter your "anything but a square" project for a chance to win some gorgeous images!

Thankyou for stopping by ... have fun and enjoy your journey.

xoxoxo Carly

Friends are the Flowers of Life - Tiddly Inks Blog Hop

2012-01-14T05:00:00.000+11:00

Hi there ......

I'm participating in the Tiddly Inks Blog Hop .... here is my creation

I have used one of the brand new images from Tiddly Inks .. this one is called Wryn Grow A Little Love .
The theme of the blog hop is Friends Are The Flowers Of Life and I though this gorgeous image was perfect.

I have kept my card very simple for two reasons ... one was a time factor (my little one would not go to bed tonight and has been up with every excuse a two year old can think of) and second .. no matter what papers etc I tried I just couldn't get the look I was after. I wanted this image to really pop out of the page and in the end I think I have done it.

I have used some dies to cut a lace doily to put behind the image and some flourishes and then just some little paper roses to finish it off, the image was coloured using copic markers.

I hope you like my card and I appreciate your visit .... enjoy the blog hop! Tiddly Inks images are just so gorgeous that you are in for a treat!

xoxoxxo Carly

Spooky ... Friday the 13th!!!

2012-01-13T08:00:00.020+11:00

Are you superstitious? I'm not really .... well kind of ... sometimes :)

For this card I have used a set of spooky ghouls from Dragon's Lair Designs called Spooks. They came in a set with papers and elements ... so wonderful! Already coloured and printed out beautifully. Because I got my new printer for Christmas I thought I would give this sort of thing a whirl ... absolutely wonderful.

I have used a black piece of card and a 'gate fold' (I think that's what you call it). I embossed the front panels of the card with a 'brickwork' embossing folder and then stamped a new Kaisercraft stamp I have called Decorative Lamp. I stamped it in a dull silver and then edged all around the card with the same ink pad.

I have also used some of the elements inside the card as you can see here. I attached the ribbon to the inside just under the spooks and this makes it easy to tie the card together at the front.

This was so easy to make! I think it would make a wonderful invitation to a Friday The 13th Party ....

Make sure you head on over to Stamping With The Dragon and check out the rest of the Design Team's creations this week. You are sure to be inspired.
And please don't walk under any ladders today!

Big Hugs ....
xoxoxo Carly

Birthday - Whimsy Stamps Challenge

2012-01-12T04:00:00.001+11:00

Happy Birthday to you !!!!! Is it your Birthday today? If it is I hope you had a lovely day ... and if it wasn't I hope you still had a lovely day.

Over at the Whimsy Inspiration Blog the latest challenge is Birthdays. Pretty easy to do .. make a Birthday card for someone you love and enter it into the challenge .. and you could win yourself a great prize!

I have used a really cute little hoot (he he he) called Kiki from the Whimsy Stamps store. Kiki has been created by the talented Lia from Lias Stampz.

I have also used some Whimsy Digi paper called Fruit Snacks on my card. I cut out the flowers from the paper because little Kiki got lost amongst to many of them.

I have used some flocking on Kiki. I have never used this before and had no idea what I was doing. I just put glue down and poured the flocking on. Hmmm a bit sparse in some areas and a bit fluffy in others but it does look cute.

I did cut out Kiki and mounted him with some double sided foam tape over the top of another Kiki .... to give dimension. I also did the same with the flower down the bottom.

There are some gorgeous projects made by the DT ... so head on over and check them out.

xoxoxox Carly

Snow! But it's the middle of summer!

2012-01-11T23:00:00.001+11:00

Here in Australia it is the middle of Summer .. and here in Victoria it is 42 degrees one day and 18 the next ... so snow may not be that far out of the question LOL!

Over at Crafting For All Seasons we have a new challenge up and running. Challenge #18 is Snowmen or Snowflakes.

We are being sponsored by:-
Bugaboo stamps who are offering a sensational prize of 7 digital images !
Some Odd Girl who are offering a prize of 3 digital images
The Stamping Boutique who are offering a prize of 3 digital images or 1 digital paper pack of winner's choice

Wow! That is a whole lot of sensational prizes! So head on over to the Crafting For All Season Blog and enter your project for a chance to win.

For my project I have used a gorgeous image from Bugaboo called Winter Birds Scarf.

I coloured this little cute bird in the following copic markers:-
B24, B26 - Blue areas
R27, R29 & R59 for the Red areas
E11, E13, E50, E51 for the bird with a dash of YR68 for the beak.
I used some Crystal Ice Icestickles for the snow.

For the background I have just used papers from my stash and embossed the lighter blue through the cuttlebug. I also made some flowers using some dies.

My 2.5 year old daughter helped me 'make' this card today .... she kept pulling apart my drying flowers and she even stuck down my bird image (not where I wanted it I might add ... but it had to stay as I couldn't get it off .. he he he ...)

Thanks for stopping by .... don't forget to stop by the challenge blog and check out all the other Design Team creations and then enter your own .... so many wonderful prizes!

xoxoxox Carly

I would like to enter this card into :-
iCopic - #64 - Blues

A celebration of the School Holidays, Youth and Summer

2012-01-08T21:13:00.000+11:00

Good evening. Oh it is so nice to be back. Some of you may know that my little daughter Madalyn has been in hospital again .. this time with a broken arm. She is 2.5 years old and the first time she ever tried to climb out of her cot ... of course she fell quite heavily and got a huge knock on the head and a broken arm. Sigh ......

So out went the cot and we got her a 'big girl's bed' so of course that has meant a lot of change for my little one .. and she does not do well with change. I haven't been getting much sleep ... and it is very hard to get a toddler to stay in bed. But tonight she was in bed and asleep by her usual 7pm so I had time to create. Fingers crossed she sleeps through the night tonight!

So enough waffling on ... here is what I created. Very simple as I just wanted to get something coloured and completed and hip hip hooray! I did.

I have used this really cute image from Tiddly Inks called Going Swimming Girl. I have coloured her using copic markers ... and didn't if feel good! Oh how I have missed my colouring.

I have then just layered different coloured cards and cut some edges to represent 'waves'. Some little hand cut starfish just to add something more and done.

I'm thrilled with how her hair turned out!

Thanks for stopping by ...

xoxoxox Carly

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:-

Tiddly Inks Challenge #77 - Celebration

Copic Oz - Summer Challenge

Here's looking at you ......

2012-01-06T08:00:00.000+11:00

Hello! An unusual colour scheme for you today ... I think it works ....

One of the gorgeous images from Dragons Lair Designs .. called Penny Framed. I coloured her using Copic markers and then cut around the frame before mounting that onto a Square Doily cut from a Marianne Designs die.

The leaves in the background were cut in the cuttlebug using a die from Cheery Lynn Desgins called Fanciful Flourish. I just broke it up into a few pieces to make it fit onto my card.

The butterfly is from a set of dies from Cheery Lynn called Exotic Butterfly small.

I coloured Penny in the following markers:-
Blue - B14, B16, B18
Cream - E51, E53
Pink - RV17
so as you can see not many colours and she is quick and easy to colour perfect for a beginner!

The butterfly I coloured using some Glimmer Mist (a gift from a lovely friend) and I love how it turned out .. hard to see in the photo though.

To see more Dragons Lair Design projects head on over to Stamping With The Dragon Blog and check out the creations from the Design Team. You will certainly be inspired to enter the latest challenge .. and you could even win yourself some goodies :)

Happy colouring.
xoxoxo Carly

A great start to the new year NOT!

2012-01-05T20:55:00.000+11:00

Hi all ... no card to show you tonight as I have been super busy with LIFE and had no time for CRAFT :(

I know there have been some posts from me ... but these were already done ahead of time... thank goodness otherwise you would all be thinking I had fallen off the face of the earth LOL!

The other night my 2.5 year old beautiful girl climbed out of her cot and landed with a thud ... unfortunately fracturing her arm.

This led to an all night wait in Hospital Emergency and then of course a few days of misery and no sleep because she was to scared to sleep in her cot. We have purchased her a bed ... which of course brings on a whole new set of problems. She went to bed much better tonight so I have managed to get through my emails and leave some comments on some blogs ... but it is going to take me a while to catch up.

My poor little one has been in the wars! She also had a fall yesterday (or was it the day before .. it's all blurring into one loooonnnnnggg day!) and has cut all around her eye so she looks a right mess! She has had so many trips to hospital and doctors in her short life .. but I am so thankful that it all just for minor things. My heart breaks everytime I see her in pain and I can't begin to imagine what it is like for parent's with seriously ill children ... my heart goes out to you.

So enough waffling from me ..... I will try to get round and visit your blogs and hopefully I will have some new projects to share with you soon.

Big Hugs
from a very tired
Carly
xoxoxox

New Beginnings ....... Whimsy Stamps Challenge

2012-01-05T04:00:00.000+11:00

Welcome to 2012 .... has the year been treating you well so far? I certainly hope so :)

I have been colouring, colouring, colouring ..... love it!

Today I have for you a gorgeous Whimsy Digi Stamp called Polar Friends. This week over at the Whimsy Inspiration Blog we are celebrating New Beginnings. As soon as I looked at this cute image I thought of New Friends ..... so that is the 'theme' of my card.

I have coloured this cute image using copic markers ... just a few colours. I have used a spellbinder die (labels 17) to cut around the image and to make a mat. I then distressed the edges and ran a blue ink pad over them.

The background paper was also distressed using an emery board and then inked along the edge. A few dabs of liquid pearls in the corner, some lovely ribbon and a bit of bling on the corner and voila!

Are you feeling creative? Get your New Beginnings project done and enter it into our challenge over at the Whimsy Inspiration Blog and you could be the winner of a fabulous prize.

xoxoxox Carly

Whimsy Digi Stamps January Blog Hop

2012-01-04T04:00:00.001+11:00

I hope that you had a lovely Christmas and at least a few days of relaxation with loved ones.

To kick start the new year .. wow 2012! .... lets have a blog hop! We have lots of new images to share with you today created by, Natalie-Mooncookie ,Kathy Kittmer, Lia Stampz.and LivvyBo Designs, All Whimsy Stamps digital images are 300dpi for high print quality.You can re-size, flip, or rotate to fit your own project.

The hop starts at Whimsy Stamps Inspiration Blog so make sure you start there .. there will also be a list of the blog hop order so you don't get lost along the way. This is the first ever blog hop that I have been a part of and my very first project for the Whimsy Design Team ... so I'm a little nervous.

You should have arrived here from Shannah's blog, make sure that you hop along in the correct order and leave a comment on each blog because there is 2 mystery DT Members who will be giving mini prizes along the way and then of course the Grand Prize winner who will be chose from the very last stop, which is Mariska's blog.. The grand prize is 5 Whimsy digi stamps of the winner's choice!

The hop will run until 12 noon EST Tuesday 10th January, when the winner will be announced over on the Whimsy Inspiration Blog.

The card I have created to show you today is a brand new Raggedy Girl called Sprinkled With Love.

My DH actually picked out the background paper ... he said it reminded him of a tablecloth. I have coloured the image with copic markers. It was so quick and fun to colour. I really loved doing the hair.

After the hop head on over to the Whimsy store to check out the gorgeous images available but before that head on over to Mariska's blog, she is the last stop.

Happy hopping and good luck.

xoxoxox
Carly

What's Your Resolution?

2012-01-03T21:00:00.006+11:00

Happy New Year! Wow 2012!!!

Did you make any New Year Resolutions? I did make a couple .. and they are

- to let go (from past hangups, clutter, bad friendships and bad habits)

- to exercise and eat well (we already eat quite healthy food but I have let myself down on the exercise front. I want to teach good habits to my 2.5 year old daughter so leading by example it must be)

I know these are fairly common resolutions but they really are so important and I'm at the point that I finally realise that. So no more excuses! Hmmmmmm maybe I need some helpful reminders ....... like .......

I have used this gorgeous image from Bugaboo Stamps called Critter Balloons - Elephant. I coloured it in copic markers and then on the balloon I used glossy accents to give it some shine. I stuck it down on my backing card using double sided foam tape.

The Die I used for the base is a rectangular die from Marianne Desgins. I used some light blue copic on it to make the 'sky' and then layed a blue piece of card on the back to show through the holes.

Finally I stuck an old magnet onto the back ... ta daaaaaa a fridge magnet. This is getting stuck on my fridge on New Years Day .... it will be there every day looking at me. To me it says "if you want to be lighter than an elephant then do something about it". he he he.

Over at Creative Craft Challenges we are having a What's Your Resolution? theme so be sure to check out the gorgeous projects from the design team. We were sponsored by .. yep you guessed it .. Bugaboo, Love To Stamp and Crafty Ribbons.

Enter your own project and you could win 1 little darling stamp of your choice from Love To Stamp.

Have fun, good luck and all the best for the new year.

xoxoxox Carly

Fairies ......

2011-12-28T23:00:00.004+11:00

Ooohhhh It's almost Christmas .... but lets think about Fairies today.

Over at Crafting For All Seasons the latest challenge is ...... CANE TOADS ... only joking it's not about ugly cane toads but about beautiful FAIRIES.

We are being sponsored by :-
The Stamping Boutique - www.thestampingboutique.com
Whoopsie Daisy - http://linnie-whoopsiedaisy.blogspot.com/

The Stamping Boutique are giving our winner a fabulous prize consisting of 3 digis or 1 digital paper pack of the winners choice.

For this card I have used an image from Whoopsie Daisy from sheet #199 ... isn't she a cutie. I have coloured her in copic markers.
Have used some Spellbinders dies to cut the fancy edges on the cardstock and a Cheery Lynn Designs die for the butterfly ...... yep I have been getting some new toys :) All the dies out there!!! they are so gorgeous ... I'm slowly building up my collection.
For the green glittery strip across the centre I used some double sided tape and poured glitter over the top. I don't know about you but glitter falling off everywhere drives me NUTS! so I experimented by running some Ranger Glossy Accents over the top. It worked splendidly!!! Not only is there no glitter falling everywhere but it also looks so shiny and the feel of it is lovely.

For my second card I used this gorgeous image from Stamping Boutique called Swan Song. I must admit I was quite nervous about this image and really didn't know where to start ... I have used copics to colour the image and also a Faber Castell Glitter glue on the wings of the Fairy. I used a new embossing folder from Craft Concepts called Debonair Edges and another butterfly from the Cheery Lynn set.

I trimmed my card in an unusual shape because I just wanted something really different to help make this image 'pop'.

Don't forget to head on over to Crafting For All Seasons Challenge Blog and check out the gorgeous Fairy cards made by the DT. And if you enter your own card you could be the winner of the fabulous prize!.

xoxoxox Carly

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:-
Whoopsi Daisy - Cutsie Daisy Blog - Sparkle & Shine

Snowball Fight

2011-12-23T08:00:00.003+11:00

Not many sleeps now! Here in Australia its summer ... so no snow for us ... but it wasn't hard to imagine cool, crisp air and snow whilst making this card.

Over at Stamping With The Dragon this week our theme is Christmas Cards. I have made a really nice sized card, 11cm x 11cm. It looks really cute and suits the size of the image perfectly. I have used the really cute Snowfight image. Was a total breeze to colour and make this card.

I used a piece of cardstock from Fancy Pants called Frosted. It is double sided so I only had to use the one square. Economical card! I used a Marianne Desgin Die from the Craftables range. I recently got the whole set of four and I'm loving them!

So head on over to Stamping With The Dragon and check out the Design Team's Christmas cards, get inspired and then enter your own ... who knows ... you could be our winner!

xoxoxxo Carly

Christmas snowflakes ....

2011-12-20T21:00:00.000+11:00

Ooohhh Christmas is so close now! Wow the time flies! and for those that don't celebrate Christmas it is still exciting that we are drawing to the end of another year and soon to open a fresh new chapter :)

This fortnight over at Creative Craft Challenges we have a White On White Christmas challenge.
We are being sponsored by Whiff Of Joy and Meljens. There will be a lovely prize for the winner!

So make sure you head on over to the Creative Craft Challenges blog for some inspiration and then get crafting.

I used the very cute Cheery Lights Mailbox from Meljens and then just some pieces of white cardstock ran through the cuttlebug. On the far right hand side you will see that there is a border of glittery white, and the same glittery white on the big snowflake. I used a tube of Faber Castell glitter glue and the result was quite effective.

Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to seeing your White on White Christmas project.

xoxoxox Carly

Is Santa the only one creeping around at night?

2011-12-17T20:51:00.000+11:00

Good evening ... I hope you have had a great day. I have a card I'm really happy with to show you today. It took me AGES! to colour it but I'm thrilled with the result.

I have used Tickled Pink Stamps - Lestat. I have had him for a long time but never coloured him. I purchased him to go with Vampire Lilith whom I have coloured a lot! So here he is ... for the first time .......

I coloured him using the following Copic Markers:-

Red areas - R24, R27, R29 & R59

Black areas - C1, C3, C5, C7 (and on the bat some black spica pen)

Skin - E000

Shirt - E40, E41

As you can see just plain red and black cardstock for the card but cut out some embossed skulls. The embossing folder is a Cuttlebug one .. (wish they printed the names on them!) it has skulls, diamonds and lightning bolts. I cut the skulls out and then dabbed them with an Alabaster coloured ink pad.

This is quite a large card 12cm wide by 16cm high and I must say it looks much better in real life.

Thanks for stopping by ..... I hope you are all ready for Christmas and looking forward to a few days of rest and hopefully time with loved ones.

xoxoxo Carly

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:-
Tickled Pink - #50 Pick your favourite past challenge (I have picked Masculine / One For The Lads)
The Outlawz - Copic /Promarker challenge - Celebration (he looks like he is all dressed up for a party)

Stamping With The Dragon

2011-12-16T08:00:00.000+11:00

Hello ... how are you today?

Today I have a fairly simple card for you. I have used the gorgeous Penny Heart from Dragons Lair Designs. I have also printed out some paper from the Sitting Pretty Paper pack ... heaps of gorgeous papers and embellishments in this digi pack! Unfortunately our printer is on its way out and is absolutely struggling with colour. But I did manage to get one lovely piece printed.

I crocheted a flower to pop in the bottom corner. It just needed something ... and whatever I put there didn't seem right so I decided to make something myself.

I coloured Penny in Copic Markers, she is lovely to colour because of all the large areas ... not to fiddly :)

Don't forget to stop on over at Stamping With The Dragon and check out the rest of the Design Team's projects. They are gorgeous.

xoxoxox Carly

Whimsy Stamps December Rubber Stamp & Die Release

2011-12-15T13:05:00.000+11:00

Welcome to Whimsy Stamps December rubber stamp and die RELEASE DAY!

Whimsy Stamps is releasing 20 gorgeous new rubber stamps, 3 fabulous new Shapeology dies and 6 new Shape EZ templates and cut files today. These new goodies are available to buy right now from theWhimsy Stamps store along with all your Whimsy favourites.

From today until 21 December the Whimsy DT and Special Guests will be showcasing these fabulous new stamps, dies and Shape EZs with a daily mini blog hop. Each mini blog hop has a new release prize hidden somewhere along the way and you will have 24hrs to enter each prize draw by leaving a comment on every blog listed for that day.

To be entered into today's mini blog hop prize draw, be sure to leave a comment on ALL of the DT's posts listed below by 12:00PM EST tomorrow. All winners will be announced on the Whimsy Inspirations blog after 12:00PM on 21 December.

To take a peek at today's fabulous new release creations by the Design Team, please click on the links below...

Deb Routledge {Special Guest}
Ellie Stover
Dena Concienne {Special Guest}
Erin Bailey
Jacque Beddingfield {Special Guest}
Bev Rochester {Special Guest}
Tammy Louise Cunliffe

Here is a full list of the wonderful new goodies released today:

5 Crissy Armstrong rubber stamps
Giraffes in Love ~ Lend me your Ear ~ Valentine Fairy ~ Love Birds ~ Jumbo in Love



4 Kenny K rubber stamps
Atlantea ~ Groove Dude ~ Miss Fortune ~ Miss Thang



3 Meljen's Designs rubber stamps
Lovey Pup ~ Lovin' Turtle ~ Loving Ewe



4 Wee Stamps rubber stamps
Fluffy on the Lily ~ Rose and Felix ~ Sam's Special Delivery ~ Spring Bringer

4 Raindrop Echo Designs rubber stamp sets
Everyday Circle Postmarks ~ Friendship Notables 2 (coordinating die available below) ~ Love Mini Tickets(coordinating die available below) ~ Stylized Notables 1 (coordinates with already released Notables 1 die)



3 Raindrop Echo Designs Shapeology dies
Mini Ticket (coordinating stamp set available above) ~ Notables 2 (coordinating stamp set available above)~ Country Heart

6 Shape EZ downloadable templates
Flip Tree ~ Magnolia Flower ~ Mini Rosettes ~ Pedestal Tag 1 ~ Sparkle Holiday Pin ~ Bow Pin ~ Take Out Box

Don't forget to visit today's DT and leave a comment on their blog posts to be entered into the draw to win a new release stamp, then pop back to the Whimsy Inspirations blog tomorrow for the next list of showcase posts!

Merry Christmas .....

2011-12-14T23:00:00.000+11:00

Hello :) Over at Crafting For All Seasons we are making Christmas cards for Challenge #16. I hope you have started yours .. time is running out ... unless you save them for next year :)

We are being sponsored by

Meljen's designs - who will be offering a prize of 4 images

The Stamping Boutique - who are offering a Prize of 3 digis or 1 digital paper pack of winner's choice

For my first card I have used the Stamping Boutiques Smoochie The Elf. I have coloured him in copics and added some puff paint.

For my second card I have created more of a gift tag ... 8cm x 8cm. I loved this so much I have actually made quite a few and am attaching them to the gifts for my family. I have used Meljens Snow Star Ornament, coloured it in copics and added some glitter.

So head on over to Crafting For All Seasons to check out some stunning Christmas cards and then show us yours ...... can't wait to see them!

Big Christmassy Hugs

xoxoxo Carly

White On White with a splash of Blue

2011-12-14T20:19:00.000+11:00

Hello and how are you today?

I'm exhausted ... have had a terrible day with the little one. Today all I heard was "NO!" and screams. Everything involved a tantrum and the day was just no fun. But.... on a happier note my new printer arrived today!!! Yipppeeeeee I'm just hoping that Santa (aka DH) doesn't make me wait until Christmas day to open it. Unfortunately he is at a work meeting tonight and still not home (it's after 8pm!) so it won't be getting set up tonight. I'm super excited though ... will finally be able to print images without blue flecks through them and I will be able to print digi paper! Yip yip yippppeeeeee

Anyway the real reason you are here is to see my card so here it is :)

I have used the absolutely adorable Lilli Claire Party image from Tiddly Inks. She is so sweet! I love her because she is suitable for any celebration be it Christmas, Birthday or even a Sorry card.

I coloured her in copics using very minimal colours. Just the usual ones I use for skin and hair and then for the white areas just C00 and her dress is B000 & B00. I used a clear spica pen on the gift and some clear glitter glue on the bow.

The base card is embossed through the cuttlebug using a snowflake folder and the oval behind the image is embossed with some Christmas baubles. I have used one of my new Marianne Designs dies behind that.

I have also threaded some ribbon through the base card using a new tool that I have from We R Memory Keepers called Sew Ribbon. I had never seen these before but it was given to me by my lovely friend Shirley and I just had to try it out.

Oooohhhh the DH just got home and we are going to set the new printer up .... so bye bye for now .... ....... (jumping up and down with excitement)

xoxoxo
Carly

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:-
Tiddly Inks - #76 White Christmas
Everybody Art Challenge Blog - Blue & White
Sassy Cheryl's - #94 White on White

Do you need to get warm?

2011-12-13T20:43:00.000+11:00

Good evening fellow bloggers and crafting friends.

It's the middle of summer here in Australia but I tell you what ... in Victoria today it was COLD!!!! Our heater was even on for a while. I know this state is supposed to have all the season's in one day but this is getting ridiculous! I'm from Queensland but have lived in Victoria for about 13 years now ... so you think I would be used to it ... but nope.

I have created another Whimsy image card. I'm still so excited about my recent position on the design team. I have quite a few stamps from Whimsy but never really coloured them because I found them a bit difficult ... eg animals. I was pretty stressed out about this polar bear ... but I think he turned out ok. What do you think?

I have coloured these gorgeous little critters with copic markers. The stamp is a digi and it is called Warm Winter Wishes.

I have kept it simple (yep it's my middle name) but I did use something NEW! My wonderful friend Shirley (http://simplystampinwithshirl.blogspot.com/ ) sent me a wonderful gift recently ... some Liquid Pearls! I have wanted to try them for ages and guess what! They are AWESOME! Can't wait to use them again. This was the first time I tried them (didn't even practice first which was probably not all that smart) so they have come out very small ... but very pretty I think. The colour is Silver Pearl.

Shirley also sent me a truly gorgeous Christmas card! I love it! and it has taken pride of place on my desk and I'm sure it will stay there even after all the other Christmas decorations have gone away because it just makes me smile. Isn't it just stunning! .......... It's a shaker card .... oooohhh I love it!

Anyway a lot of waffling from me .... so bye for now :)

xoxoxoxox Carly

I would like to enter my card (wish I could enter Shirley's because it would be sure to win!) into the following
iCopic - #60 Holiday Themed
Copic Oz - Christmas Challenge
Touch Twin Markers - Furry Friends
Hooked On Craft Challenges - #14 Winter Wonderland
Lexi's Creations - #55 Untraditional Christmas

I'm on the DT for Whimsy!

2011-12-13T13:45:00.000+11:00

Wooooo Hooooooooooooo!!!!

Can't quite believe it!!! But YES I am one of the new Design Team Members for Whimsy!!

I'm very excited...................

Here is a card I made last night ... just because ..... this is one of my first Whimsy Digi images ..it's called Love Me Anyway. I have always worried about how to colour it ... and this is my first attempt. Got to say I'm pretty happy with the outcome.

A huge congratulations to the other newbies to the DT and I look forward to working with everyone and getting to play with some awesome images!!!!!!

Oooooohhhhhh still so excited!!! Have known for two days ..but I'm still jumping up and down with joy!

xoxoxxoxo
Carly

Stamping With The Dragon 40% OFF, Freebies & DT Call!

2011-12-13T13:10:00.000+11:00

Extra, Extra, Read All About It!!!!!

This is very exciting news!!!!

Click on my header and you will be taken to The Dragon's Den where you can find all the information on our current
Design Team Call
The Happy Christmas 12 Days Giveaway
and a Link to the store where you can get 40% off!

Wow !

Merry Christmas ..........

Shabby Chic .... or just shabby :)

2011-12-11T22:07:00.000+11:00

Hi :) I have spent nearly all night on this card! It is WAY past my bedtime. Firstly I had to research Shabby Chic as I had no idea what it was and then I coloured my image. And of course I didn't have any 'pastel' papers to compete the look I wanted ...so this is what I ended up with .....

I have used the gorgeous Lil Willow from Tickled Pink Stamps and coloured her in copics. I'm really happy with her hair .... wasn't an easy one to do ... !

Some nice papers, a bit of faux stitching, some spica pen on the flower petals on the papers (that you can't see in the photos) and some flowers stuck down with some foam tape to add some 'lift' and done.

So now I must go to bed!!

Thanks for stopping by .... and goodnight :)
xoxoxo Carly

I am entering this card into Challenge #49 over at Tickled Pink Stamps - Shabby Chic. Wish me luck :)

Christmas colours

2011-12-10T21:10:00.000+11:00

Hi again! Yep I'm back!!!!

I coloured this image the other day and have finally made it into a card .. kept it simple because I just love the image and don't want to take anything away from it.

I have used this sensational image from Saturated Canary called Gypsy Dancer. I have been wanting her for ages and I knew I just had to have her when I saw her on a fellow team member from Stamping With The Dragon Kevin of Blog McCrafty's Cards.

I was absolutely thrilled with how she turned out. I coloured her in Copic Markers but only used a few colours. I have coloured her again .... and will hope to post that one tonight also .... :)

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:-
Copic Oz - Christmas Challenge
Stampin For The Weekend - #22 Christmas
Polka Doodles - #49 Quick Christmas Card
Clearly Inspired Challenge #41(CIC41) - Christmas
Crafty Ribbons #8 - Traditional Christmas Colours

Thanks for stopping by ..... hope to see you again soon.

xoxoxxoxo Carly

From Fluffy Chickens to Hot Colours

2011-12-10T19:24:00.001+11:00

Hi :) I hope your day has been fantastic! Mine was ... but I'm utterly exhausted! Each year my work has a Christmas party for all the kids. Last year it was good but Madalyn was a little to young to enjoy it much....but this year! Well ... she held a snake, rode a pony, jumped on a jumping castle, had her face painted, did some craft, spent a long time in the animal nursery holding chickens, rabbits and ducks and went up to Santa all by herself to collect her gift! Not to mention all the eating and running around. She had so much fun! It was a great day but quite hot ... and now she is in bed and I'm about ready for bed too he he he he.

And here is my card for the night ... I actually made it last night but was trying to get a good photo ... I took 25 photos and these 2 are the best ..... arrrrggghhhh I even tried outside in natural light.

I have used the sexy Tiddly Inks Sugar Angel and coloured her in copics. I also added some glossy accents to her boots, shorts and top so they look like latex ... but it wouldn't show up in the photo.

The die I used is one of my new Marianne Design dies .... I have this rectangle, a circle, oval and square! Love them! and they work through the cuttlebug nicely.

I used a piece of velvet ribbon on the side .....thought it suited my 'sexy' card nicely. The Hot Pink and Aqua don't really show up well in the photo unfortunately.

So there you have it ... my attempt at a 'sexy' card.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:-
Tiddly Inks -#75 oh-la-la Sexy Card
iCopic - #59 Colouring Black Hair

Thanks so much for stopping by ... hoping I will have enough energy to colour .... but I'm thinking of an early night. Taking my Grandmother out to lunch tomorrow ... so another big day ... she is nearly 90 so everything is done slowly ... not easy for a 2.5 year old to do ... so it's an exhausting day for me .... but I love doing it and visit my Grandmother at least once a week.

Ok ... I'm waffling ... I'll go now ....
xoxoxox Carly

Christmas Bling

2011-12-09T08:00:00.000+11:00

Hi there .... wow it's December already!!! oh my goodness!

So in the spirit of things ... here is some Christmas Bling! This week over at Stamping With The Dragon we are being sponsored by Meljens. So head on over and enter your card showing your Christmas Bling and you may be the lucky winner of 4 Meljens digi images!

I have used this gorgeous Christmas Tree from Meljen's. I have coloured it in copics and added bling with sparkly glitter glue and spica pens.

I have also used a sparkly red cardstock for my base card and embossed some snowflakes in twinkling gold. Sorry about the picture .. no matter how I took it the shadow was still there. The green cardstock under the image is also sparkly it is called Bazzill Bling.

Talking about Christmas trees ... ours will be going up soon. Its going to be so much fun this year as my daughter is now 2 and a half ... so will have a ball .... probably pulling off the decorations he he he.

Looking forward to seeing your creations over at Stamping With The Dragon.

xoxoxox Carly

Sew cute .....

2011-12-06T21:00:00.000+11:00

Hi there. Just a cute little bear to show you today .......

This little fellow is from The Stamping Boutique and I think it is just adorable and sew (he he he) versatile.

I have used some My Mind's Eye papers for the background as I thought they were perfect for this image and the latest challenge over at Creative Craft Challenges - Stitching Real or Faux.

I used one piece on the back which I stitched on to some lovely green card using the sewing machine, this was then attached to some cream cardstock. The flowers around the outside of the image are cut from a different piece of paper. But both match up lovely as they have 'stitching' around the flowers. You may have to zoom in to see.

So head on over to Creative Craft Challenges and check out the gorgeous creations from the rest of the DT and then get creating and create your own card with some stitching. Doesn't have to be real stitching ... you can always just draw it on! There is a fantastic prize to be won ....Joanna Sheen set of 6 Giordano Christmas stamps for our sponsor The Stamping Boutique.

xoxoxxo
Carly

All I want for Christmas is .. fast internet

2011-12-06T20:30:00.000+11:00

How are you today my fine blogging friends :)

My header states that all I would like for Christmas is a faster internet speed ... but that's not entirely true ... I would also like a new printer, dies and a new chair for my desk (the screws in this one stick out and leave dents in my bottom ... funny but true). And those are just the things I would like Santa to bring me as extras because I would also like a stress free, happy and healthy Christmas with my family.

So why the internet ... well have you noticed I haven't been around much? Stupid internet .... it's so slow it took two days for my emails to download properly!!! It has taken an hour for blogger to load up ..so not sure if I will even manage this post tonight ... fingers crossed.

Enough whining ............ here is my card .... oh actually ...... before I show you that I just have to tell you about my gorgeous girl Madalyn. Poor sweet girl got stung by a bee on the top of her thumb today. She was watering the plants and I think it must have been in the watering can or something. Well she screamed and screamed and for a while it took me a while to work out what had happened as she wouldn't let me see. I did the usual things ... flicked the sting out and applied ice. But her hand ended up VERY swollen ... so another trip to the Doctors for my sweet girl. She is so brave though. An hour later she was back to her usual giggling self.

I've never been stung by a bee before ... but I imagine it is quite painful ... luckily once they sting you they die ... otherwise I would still be out there hunting down the bee that hurt my baby girl (yeah I know she's 2.5 years old .. but she's still my baby).

Ok .... you have been patient enough ..... here is my card. (you thought it took a long time to read all of the above ... well it took nearly 2 hours to load these photos!!! aren't you glad you didn't have to read for that long he he he)

I have used a really cute image from Tickled Pink Stamps called Cupcake Cherrie. I think she was one of my first ever digis. I have coloured her in bright funky colours. I am going to give this to a very wonderful friend of mine for her Birthday. It is on the 24th December so I wanted something totally different to Christmas colours ..... and it had to be special because this friend is very special to me and has had a horrible horrible year.

Do you like the 'doily'?? It is another of my new dies from Marianne Designs. You will be seeing a lot of these in upcoming posts. I'm very excited about my new things .. and eagerly awaiting more (it's not long until Christmas and I'm pretty sure Santa has some for me) .....

What do you think of my flowers?? My first attempt at making my own. Used a Marianne Design Die from the Craftables range. I'm really happy with them!! I used a piece of ribbon down the side of the card ... it matched perfectly. Did have a close up photo ... but not patient enough to wait for it to load.

Thankyou so much for stopping by and I hope you have had a wonderful day.

xoxoxox Carly

I would like to enter this card into :-
Tickled Pink Stamps - #48 Anything Goes

December already!

2011-12-02T08:00:00.000+11:00

Hello .... it's hard to believe that it is December already!!! Where has the year gone.

I have a little tag to show you today. I have used the always gorgeous Jiggy from Dragons Lair Designs. This little Jiggy is called Jiggy's Candy Cane.

I have coloured him in copic markers and then used some glossy accents on the candy cane to give it some shine.

Decided to make a tag ... could be a gift tag, or a place setting or a Christmas tree ornament .... haven't decided it's use yet.

There are some truly gorgeous Christmas images and paper packs over at Dragons Lair Designs and don't forget to check out Stamping With The Dragon Blog to see what the rest of the Design Team have created this week.

xoxoxox Carly

White On White ....

2011-11-30T23:00:00.001+11:00

Hi there :)

Today I have a card to show you that I found quite a challenge! It is a White On White card! I didn't have any white embellishments!!! So this is a very minimal card but I think it works.

I have used a plain white base card and then attached another piece of white that I embossed through the cuttlebug.

The little flowers down the bottom are cut from double sided sticky paper stuff and I sprinkled white glitter on them. A white bow up in the corner and of course the totally gorgeous image from Some Odd Girl called Snuggle Tiny Tia.

Head on over to Crafting For All Seasons and check out the gorgeous DT White on White cards for our current challenge. They are spectacular!

We are being sponsored by :-
Some Odd Girl - and
Whoopsie Daisy -
they have sensational images!

Thanks for stopping by ... I would love to see your White on White project so get your entry in over at Crafting For All Seasons there is a lovely prize of 3 digis from Some Odd Girl!

xoxoxoxo Carly

Stamping With The Dragon - DT call!!

2011-11-30T20:51:00.000+11:00

Stamping with The Dragon is having a Design Team call ..... very exciting. I'm a member of this wonderful Design Team ... and you could be too!

Click on the header above and it will take you to the page with all the info. There is even a lovely image that you can grab for free! so you can create a project and show your style.

xoxoxoxo Carly

Recycle!

2011-11-30T20:46:00.000+11:00

Good evening :) I hope you have had a wonderful day. My day has been great, although we did have to stay in all day due to a lot of rain and really strong winds.

I have used an interesting 'medium' tonight ..... I have used the foil inner lid of a baby formula tin!
Who would have thought .... but as soon as I saw it I thought it looked just like a Christmas tree bauble ... and quickly stopped it from being thrown out.

So here it is ....

I have used a gorgeous image from Tiddly Inks called Annie. I thought she would be fine as a Christmas image ... we all love to eat at Christmas and a pie is always welcomed :)

Mmm talking about pie ... think I may have to go and find myself a snack ......

Bye for now
xoxoxxo Carly

I would like to enter this decoration into the following challengs:)
Tiddly Inks - #74 Anything Goes
The Crafty Bloggers Network - Other than a card something 3D

Ok .. I think I'm back now....

2011-11-28T20:44:00.001+11:00

Hello! Oh I have missed you!!! This rotten sickness has really knocked me about .. but I'm almost back to my usual self .. I was going to say normal but anyone reading that would laugh and say something like "you are so not normal!" .... so usual self it is :)

Not going to spend much time typing tonight because I want to colour!! So without further ado ..... here is my card.

Lots of different layers to this card .......

and a handwritten sentiment. Have you ever wondered what a Handwriting Specialist would make of your writing?? I have ... because my letters are different even in the same sentence ... look at the tails on the Y and my Ms. I write strangely like this even in everyday writing ...so it wasn't because I was trying to be 'fancy' lol.

a close up of the cute little Tickled Pink image called Lights Cherrie.

And a photo I took today of my gorgeous girl, Madalyn and myself. I had just had a shower after her swimming lesson today ...so my hair is soaking wet! But I really liked the photo.

xoxoxox Carly

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:-
Tickled Pink #47 - Handwritten Sentiment
Copic Oz - Christmas Challenge

A Beary Merry Christmas

2011-11-25T08:00:00.000+11:00

Hello.

I have 3 cards to show you today. I'm really happy with them because they used minimal bits and pieces and I think look fantastic. They were quick to make ... and therefore will be great to make quite a few to send out for Christmas!!!

Over at Stamping With The Dragon this week we have a lovely little prize up for grabs! Enter your project into our Anything Goes Christmas challenge and you could win a $10 gift certificate from the Stamp Fairy.

We were sponsored by Stamp Fairy this week .... and were given this gorgeous little bear with a Christmas Bauble.

I couldn't stop colouring him! Lovely image to colour!

Embossed through the cuttlebug, and under the image is a doily I cut to fit ... then hid the join with some ribbon.

Used a nesting die here for under the image.

Same deal here but a little bit more colour. I actually used the piece of paper that I cut the mat out of for the card above this one! Nothing goes to waste around here. I actually collect up all the little offcuts and scraps of ribbon, paper etc and take it into my Daughter's playgroup to be used for craft.

Thanks for stopping by .... and don't forget to pop over to the Stamping With The Dragon Challenge Blog to check out the gorgeous DT cards!

xoxoxo Carly

Are you getting ready for Christmas?

2011-11-22T21:00:00.000+11:00

Hello! Christmas is fast approaching .... even if you don't celebrate it .. this time of the year is always bright and colourful and exciting for the kids.

I'm going to attempt to make a gingerbread house this year. Haven't made one before but I have always wanted to try. My friend told me that you can get cookie cutter kits to make them ... sounds like that might be the go.

So anyway here is a photo of my first gingerbread house .....

he he he he ... don't think you would want to eat this one though. I have used two images from Meljen's ... the delightful Gingerbread House and Christmas Tree. Over at Creative Craft Challenges this week we are being sponsored by Meljen's. The theme is Free For All ....
So don't forget to head over to the Creative Craft Challenge blog to check out the other projects from the rest of the Design Team.

xoxoxox Carly

I'm back ... kind of ...

2011-11-21T21:46:00.001+11:00

Hello dear crafting friends ... sorry I haven't been around ... I'm a bit ill at the moment. I have a terrible sore throat, cough, headache and generally feel pretty crappy.

But ... I did feel up to doing a bit of colouring tonight so gave it a go. I coloured my brand new Tickled Pink Image - Winter Snow Fairy. I really wasn't sure where to start ... but I'm thrilled with the result.

The card is inspired by a sketch over at Tickled Pink Stamps Challenge blog. I haven't done many sketches ... but I should do more because it really makes putting together the card a lot quicker. I also have some new papers!!! So what I did this time was select the papers and then colour the image to match. The papers are from My Mind's Eye - Simply Delightful pack.

I coloured the image in copics had a bit of trouble with the dress because I only had BG10 & BG13 .. nothing in between so the blending was hard ... but I think it worked in the end. Have used the ever faithful Ranger Ice Stickles on the wings, snowflake etc and the spica pen on other areas.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:-
Tickled Pink Stamps - #46 Sketch
Pan Pastel - #9 Frosty And Bright
2 Sisters Challenge - #66 Let It Sparkle
Jingle Bells - Hanukkah Song
Mami Doodles - #38 Fairy Tales Are Real
The Outlawz - Paper A La Mode Challenge - Winter PAM111911

Thanks for stopping by .......
Oh yeah forgot to mention!! I finally won a challenge over at Meljen's yippeeeeeee .. won 3 digis ...so there will be a Meljen's card up soon ..... when I'm feeling a bit better.

Night night :)
Carly

Get a FREE Card Making Template from Card Carousel

2011-11-19T11:33:00.000+11:00

Get a free "Santa's Magical Sleigh" card making template from Card Carousel.

Just visit www.cardcarousel.co.uk/free/sleigh.html

Big hugs

Carly

xoxoxox

True Love Dragons

2011-11-18T08:00:00.000+11:00

Hello to you ...

Today I have for you a family portrait :) Well not mine .... but one just as cute ha ha ha.

I have used the adorable Dragons Lair Designs image called True Love and some sensational paper that I won as blog candy from the lovely Shirley over at Simply Stamping with Shirl.

I have been itching to use the papers ... they came in a set and I also won some gorgeous stamps that would look perfect with it but didn't manage to use them this time. I did manage to use a piece of lace that I picked up at the op-shop and some little flowers from my stash (I think they were from Lincraft).

I really enjoyed colouring this image..... I always enjoy colouring these dragons as they have such sweet faces and are so easy to colour. I used the following Copics:-
R81, R83 & R85 - pinks
BG93, BG96 for the green dragon ... the belly is E51 & E53 and then I went over the top with W00 & W1
E71, E74 & E77 for the brown dragon ... her belly is E41 & E43

Head on over to the Stamping With The Dragon Challenge blog and check out the other Design Teams wonderful creations ..... they are just gorgeous.

xoxoxox big dragon hugs
Carly

Crafting For All Seasons Challenge #14 - Thanksgiving

2011-11-16T23:00:00.003+11:00

Hello and how are you today?

Over at Crafting For All Seasons we are being sponsored by The Stamping Boutique www.thestampingboutique.com and Bugaboo Stamps www.bugaboostamps.com.

The Stamping Boutique will be giving our lucky winner 3 digis or 1 digital paper pack of the winner's choice! .... now doesn't that sound wonderful?

The theme for this challenge is Thanksgiving or if you like you could do the sketch or a Thankyou card. Not everyone celebrates Thanksgiving .... here in Australia we don't ... but many of the images out there can easily be adapted for other things.

For this card I have used The Stamping Boutique's Audrey The Pilgrim. I think this image would also make a lovely 'Christmas' themed card or even a Birthday or Thankyou card.

I have coloured her in the following Copic Markers :-
Dress - R14, R17 Apron, Hat, shoes - E40, E41, E43 Skin - E000, E00, E02
Hair - E35, E37 Plate - C1, C3 Pie - YR31

I used a piece of lace and carefully glued it down under the image ... it gave a lovely ruffled effect and looked different than a doily. I love this lace .. I picked it up from the local op-shop.

The second image I got to play with is was from Bugaboo stamps and it was ...... a ..... DRAGON!!!! My favourite thing! I thought these would make lovely Thankyou Cards ... It looks like the dragon is holding a gift behind it's back .... perhaps a bunch of flowers .....

So here is Clyde in pink ......and blue ......

I have used very simple layouts once again as the colouring lost some of it's 'oomph' with background papers. I can see that I will be using this image a lot! It was very quick and easy to colour.

Don't forget to head on over to the Crafting For All Seasons Blog to check out the rest of the Design Team's sensational projects! You will love the images they have used and what they have done with them. Once you are all inspired then why don't you make your own Thanksgiving, Thankyou or Sketch project and enter the challenge ..... awesome prize up for grabs!

xoxoxox Carly

Purple and Green with a little red in between

2011-11-16T22:22:00.000+11:00

Good evening. Well it has taken me all night to get this one together .... so the post won't be long as its time for bed!

I have used one of my new images from Tiddly Inks - Sugar Angel. I wanted to do something quite different with the colouring so stuck with minimal colours ... Purple, Green and White with a hint of Red.

I found some scraps of corrugated cardstock in my stash that were perfect for under the image, a leftover strip of ribbon and some lovely flowers in the bottom gave it a bit more life. The red flower in the middle is actually a little lapel flower. (it is velvet and has a pin under it, very cute! I found it in a box of junk I was clearing out the other day)

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:-
Tiddly Inks #73 Anything Goes!!! Goes On!!
The Outlawz - Colour Challenge CC1115
Magical Mondays - Use Those Scraps

Thanks for stopping by

Big colourful hugs to you all
Carly xoxoxooxox

Bright and Cheerful ....

2011-11-15T22:02:00.000+11:00

Good evening. Well I've managed to create something tonight. I'm still feeling terribly glum ... thankyou to those who sent me lovely messages yesterday ... it meant a lot.

I was kind of procrastinating tonight and then I noticed that I won the latest challenge over at Bunny Zoe's Crafts and that helped cheer me up ... and then before I knew it I was colouring.

So this is what I created

I have tried to create a bright and cheerful card .. and I think I have accomplished it. I have used this gorgeous little Pollycraft duck that I got in my Mega Bundle deal! you gotta check them out if you haven't already.

I also used for the very first time the Copic Opaque White ink ... on the mushroom. Nice! and so easy to use.

Well its now bed time for me .... I spent to much time procrastinating but this bright card has certainly helped lighten my sorrow.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:-
Pollycraft - #119 Friends/Friendship

xoxox Carly

A sad day .......

2011-11-14T20:14:00.000+11:00

Hello fellow bloggers and crafting friends.

Tonight I'm terribly sad and not even colouring seems to be helping. Today I had to make the decision to let my beautiful friend and companion Shelby go off to wherever it is that dogs go.

This beautiful girl has shared my life for the past 12 years (almost) and will be sadly missed. It was one of those decisions that you don't want to make and it broke my heart.

All I can say is thank goodness I got to come home to my other beautiful girl ... my 2 1/2 year old daughter Madalyn. Her smiles and cuddles helped ease the loss. And of course there really wasn't a lot of time to be upset as I had to get back to "Mummy duties".

But now that Madalyn is in bed ... my heart is heavy once again.

My blog Shelby In Colour ... is of course named after my dog ... and the little photo I use when I visit people's blogs is also of Shelby. I may have to change the photo ..... I will see how I feel as time goes on ... but a the moment it makes me cry to see it.

I know to some people a dog is just that .... a dog. But for so many years this girl was part of me ... she was my baby and I will miss her terribly.

So there will probably be no card tonight ..... but here are some photos for you .......

This one is from just the other day ...

This is from a few weeks ago ... she looks so old!

These two are when she was about 2 ..... the bottom one is one of my favourites. This is when I lived on my own and Shelby spent most of the time inside with me and even slept on my bed. Ad you can imagine she took up one whole side of a double bed!

R.I.P. my beautiful girl xoxoxoxoxxooxxoxoxoox

Christmas on the Dark Side

2011-11-13T13:41:00.001+11:00

Good afternoon. I coloured this image form Torico's Digital Gallery last night .. and have managed to put together the card while my daughter is having her nap. She was a little freebie I found there quite some time ago and thought she would be perfect for a Christmas card for my youngest Sister.

My youngest sister (who is 30) loves all things Gothic and a little twisted but she also love the colour Orange! So what do you think? I think this is the perfect Christmas card for her. The image is 'Gothic' and different but still happy and kind of cute.

I have coloured her using copics and then around the edges of all the papers I have used a sponge and Distress Ink in Vintage Photo. I embossed the orange piece through the Cuttlebug and rubbed the distress ink all over the top.

A bit of ribbon and some flowers from my stash ... and complete. Didn't take long at all.

I love the colours and I know that my sister will love this card!

I would like to enter this unusual Christmas card into the following Challenges:-
Jellypark Challenges - Non Traditional Christmas Colours
The Outlawz - Goth (CPC111111)

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to be back tonight :)

xoxoxo Carly

Vintage? and sandpaper!

2011-11-11T21:39:00.000+11:00

Good evening. Well I'm a bit excited! Because I used sandpaper on my card tonight! Never done this before .... but I love the result.

I have one of my new Digi's ... I won her from a recent Tickled Pink Challenge. She is called Lil Victorian Lylah. I have been after this stamp for ages but had set myself a goal ... I wasn't to purchase her ... I had to win her! It has taken a while but finally it happened.

I'm also excited because I have never made a 'vintage' card before. I'm not even exactly sure what a Vintage card is supposed to look like .... perhaps nothing like this ha ha ha .... but the colours and textures made me think vintage ...so here it is.

I coloured Lylah in Copics V91, V93, V95 for her dress and used C0 and C1 for the white/grey areas. Skin is the usual E000, E00 and R20 for the lips and a dash of B000 in the eyes. A mix of YR23, Y28 and E35 for the hair. And yes ... there is spica pen on it .. he he he ..... on the umbrella lace and flower.

I used Kaisercraft scrapbooking paper and roughed up the edges a bit. For the piece under the sentiment I scrunched it all up and then smoothed it out (very relaxing). Around the images and all over the white doily I rubbed Tim Holtz distress ink in Milled Lavender ... it was a perfect match to the papers! The flowers are from a little box of flowers that I have had for years .... at least 25! Had them when I started getting into craft as a child and have never used them ... kept them all these years!

I'm really pleased with this card and really look forward to your feedback. Is it vintage do you think?

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:-
Tickled Pink Stamps Challenge - #45 Vintage
My Mum's Craft Shop - #31 Sugar And Spice
The Outlawz - Greetings Challenge Give Thanks (have to be a member)

Thankyou for stopping by ... I hope you are having a lovely evening/day and I look forward to seeing you next time.

xoxoxox Carly

A card for a nature lover

2011-11-11T15:08:00.000+11:00

Good afternoon ..... quick post! as Madalyn is napping. Took my Grandma out to lunch today and so we got home late. Thought I would try and put Madalyn down for a nap ... not really expecting any luck .... but yippeeeee!!!

So here is my very quick and highly 'environmentally friendly card'.

I used a scrap piece of cardboard that was inside some packaging I received in the post and the ribbon is from some clothes! You know how they do those loops of ribbons on the inside of the clothes so they hang on the hanger?? and you always have to cut them off because otherwise that find their way out the top of your clothes he he he. Well this was off some PJ's ... and how nice is it! Much to good to throw away.

So all in all a good bit of recycling happening.

A bit ofembossed card down the side .....

Very basic card .. would suit a male or a nature lover I think. Those little tiger cubs are just so adorable. You can find them at Meljen's.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:-
Meljen's #84 - Orange and/or Brown
Forever Friends - Something Old, Something New
Lili Of The Valley - #120 Creature Comforts
Crafty Purple Frog - #28 Orange

Thanks for stopping by .... will be back tonight :)

xoxoxox Carly

Cupcake, lollies and Christmas! Can it get any better?

2011-11-11T08:00:00.000+11:00

Good morning!

Mmmmmmm this cupcake is making me very hungry!

This week over at Stamping With The Dragon we are being sponsored by Bugaboo and the theme is FOOD! I have used Bugaboo's gorgeous christmas cupcake image for my card and tried something totally different from my usual style.

I think it is called a tri-fold card but basically I used an A5 sized card and scored/folded it so it opened in the front. I embossed the front panels through the cuttlebug. In opposite corners I used some Christmas coloured striped scrapbook paper and then attached an embossed strip of shimmery cardstock.

A very helpful hint from a member of the talented and fabulous design team suggested I use some ribbon to be able to secure the card when it is in the closed position. WOW! worked wonderfully and also gave a bit more character to the card.

Colouring this image was super quick and I didn't use many colours as you can see. I did however use my spica pen on the candy canes and chocolate buttons .... and for once managed to get a photo that showed this!

So head on over to Stamping With The Dragon and not only will you be inspired by some gorgeous creations but by entering your own FOOD themed card you could win a prize! and we all love prizes .... almost as much as cupcakes, lollies and Christmas :)

Thanks so much for stopping by ..... enjoy your blogging journey ..... mmmm don't you just wish you had something delicious to eat .....

xoxoxo Carly

Sparkle

2011-11-10T20:10:00.000+11:00

Good evening.

I hope the day has treated you well. I enjoyed a few to many cups of coffee with a friend today and now I have the caffeine jitters!

Here is another card for you .... a plain one but one I'm happy with.

Sorry about the angle of the photo ... but because the black card is gloss it just kept reflecting back and making the shot blurry. I have used the gorgeous Cast Your Spell image from Tiddly Inks and coloured her in the following Copic Markers :- R81, R83, R85 for dress, C00, C1 for hair then over the top with clear spica pen, E000 & E00 for skin. Some Crystal Ice Icestickles on the wings.

Do you like the background? What I did was used a piece of gloss black card and using Perfect Medium stamped all over it and then poured on a sparkly embossing powder. I used a heat gun to emboss it and the sparkle is just terrific! Very hard to tell in the photo though.

Put all the layers together ... keeping the colour theme going and done!

Hope you like it :)

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:-
Tiddly Inks Challenge - #72 Anything Goes
The Outlawz - Colour Challenge (Raspberry, White & Black)
The Outlawz - Mission Embossible
Flutterby Wednesday - #179 Friendship
Digital Tuesday - #136 Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by ..... and can I just say to all of my 59 followers and those of you stopping here today! Wow! Thankyou so much! I hope I don't bore you with my waffle .... but I really appreciate you stopping by and leaving comments ... can't believe there are 59 people interested in my creations! so ... THANKYOU!

Big Hugs xoxoxox Carly

Inspired by a sketch ....

2011-11-08T20:30:00.001+11:00

Good evening ... today I have two cards for you. I was inspired by a sketch over on the Pollycraft Challenge Blog and I really liked the look of the first card so much that I made another!

This first card is using one of the gorgeous Lilybean Fairies from Pollycraft. I have used minimal colours and then some icestickles on the wings and a spica pen on the butterflies wings (I think you can see the shimmer in the photo). The black and white cardstock is from Kaszazz and the rest of the card is just from my stash.

Here is a close up ...

This second card I'm totally in love with. Once again it is a Pollycraft image (guess who has been shopping over there wink wink ... they have some great bundle deals at the moment). His name is Bronson & Beaker Branch. I love him and there is a whole set ... so stay tuned :)

I have just used up bits and pieces from my stash and wanted to keep it fairly simple as I was so happy with the colouring of the image. I embossed the background squares using two different cuttlebug folders, one is snowflakes and the other is christmas decorations.

I would like to enter the first card into the following challenges:-
Pollycraft - #118 Sketch
iCopic - #55 Thankful
Magical Monday - Magical Stripes and Circles
The Crazy Challenge - Something With Wings

I would like to enter the second card into the following challenges:-

Pollycraft - #118 Sketch
iCopic - #55 Thankful
Craft Your Passion - #83 Anything Goes and Brown
Stamps & Fun - #72 Winter
I Did It Creations - Christmas/Winter
The Outlawz - CAS Challenge Nov 6th (got to be a member)

Thankyou so much for stopping by ... I won't be back tonight as I am going to spend some quality time with the DH ... we are going to watch TV .. ha ha ha ... we don't do that much these days as I'm always colouring.
And as it is after 8.30pm ... I should be making a move to make him a hot cuppa and grabbing him a snack. :)
Gotta play nice ... that way I get to colour in peace tomorrow night.

xoxoxo Carly

Minimalistic .. try saying that five times fast

2011-11-08T19:14:00.000+11:00

Howdy :) Today I have for you minimalistic projects. Wow that is a hard word ........

For this challenge over at Creative Craft Challenges we are being sponsored by Dragons Lair (Stamping Dragon Designs) and Crafty Ribbons.

It is so nice to create a minimalistic card, especially for Christmas or an occasion where you are going to be making a lot of cards in one go. My little snowman card that you see below was so quick to make and I think it looks quite effective. I have used a Stamping Dragon Design Digi called Snowman (you can find him here)

I just used a white base card and some strips of Christmas scrapbooking paper from Kaiser. Then to colour the snowmen I used colours that matched the paper :- Copics R35, Y11 and B12 and then just C00 for the snowman body. A little bit of clear spica pen in the white areas of the scarf some black spica for the eyes to make them sparkle.

For the snow under the snowman I used some glitter glue ....

I also completed another card using some Digi Word Art from Papermakeup. They have amazing digi sentiments and phrases as well as other fantastic digi stamps. I used a Dustin Pike image on the front of the card and then popped the Papermakeup image on the inside. I really wanted to put it on the outside but it wouldn't fit ... and I didn't have anymore red cardstock left to make a bigger card .....sigh. But in the end it looks really nice inside the card. It's only a small card 4 inches x 4 inches ... so the inside gives it extra wow!

So head on over to Creative Craft Challenges and be inspired by the gorgeous DT projects and then create your own card and share it with us. You never know ... you could be the winner of a lovely prize.

Homemade lace .....

2011-11-07T14:13:00.001+11:00

Good afternoon .......

Have you ever made lace? My Grandma used to make lace and it was stunning! All those gorgeous wooden bobbins with the bright sparkly beads on the ends. Those super fine threads being woven together to make something so delicate and beautiful. She can't make it anymore ... the board is too heavy, her eyesight no longer good enough and her fingers just don't want to co-operate as much. But she is 85! so I think she has done well.

Well I can't make lace ... but I can stamp it! For this card I wanted to use lace but every time I put a piece on there it just didn't look right. So instead I stamped it on! I used a stamp set from Kaisercraft called Tea at Elsie's. I also stamped the 'doily' stamp all over my white doily to make it look a little lacier.

Here is the completed card .........

Here is a close up of the image I used the following copic markers:-
R81, R83, R85 (pink areas) BG93, BG96 (wings) E71, E74, E77 (ruffles on dress) E000, E00, R20 (skin) E31, E33, E35 (hair) and for a bit of bling I used some gold icestickles (glitter glue) on her wings

I have used some gorgeous papers that were sent to me all the way from America! from my lovely craft friend Shirley ... from Simply Stamping With Shirl.

Here is one of the white doilys just to show you before and after.

Talking about Grandma .... now that she is in a nursing home she doesn't really have much room for all of her craft bits and pieces. I store a lot of it here for her ... and some things that she just wouldn't use any more so I have kept them for myself. One of the things I really love is a big old Cadbury Roses chocolate tin full of buttons. I dug through it today and found these three little beauties! I stuck them down with glossy accents ... that way they managed to stay upright. I was going to try and cut the loopy bit from underneath ... but I quite like the look it give. I also managed to thread a small piece of cotton through the loop to attach the charm!.

Anyway ... the little one is awake and now going through my craft stash ... pulling everything out saying "I love that Mummy" "I need that Mummy" .... so I will get going :)

Thanks for stopping by and hopefully I will see you back here tonight with another project.

Big colourful hugs
xoxoxoxo Carly

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:-
Simply Magnolia - Buttons and Lace
Sugar Creek Hollow - November challenge Trash to Vintage Treasure
Just Magnolia - #131 Anything Goes
Magnolia Down Under Challenges - Charms and Bling
Bunny Zoe's Crafts Challenge - #17 Lace It Up

I've been busy creating

2011-11-06T21:20:00.000+11:00

Good evening ... well I've been busy tonight ... I have completed two cards! You can only see one though because the other one is for a Stamping With The Dragon challenge a little later in the month ......... so you will have to wait for that :)

But the one you can see is ...........................................

I have used a super cute little duck from Pollycraft. They are having some awesome sales and I grabbed a HUGE bundle of digis ... 100 to be exact ... for next to nothing! This little fellow was in there and I coloured him straight away .... perfect for the Birthday in the family we have coming up.

I kept the card really bright! and very simple. My layout was inspired by Hanna and Friends sketch challenge and also Bizzy Becs circles challenge. So thinking of those two this is what I came up with.

Thanks for stopping by .... hope you didn't need to put your sunglasses on to check this one out :)

I would like to enter this bright, fun card into ......
Hanna And Friends - #118 Sketch
Bizzy Becs - November Challenge - Circles
Pollycraft Monday Challenge - #117 Anything Goes
The Outlawz - Copic/Promarker Challenge - Thanks or Thanksgiving (we don't celebrate Thanksgiving here in Australia ... but I though this little duck is giving thanks by sharing a cupcake ..... )