Crafter's cafe Challenge - Feminine 15th November, 2023

 The challenge at the Crafter's Cafe will be running for two months over the December/January period 15th November - 12th January. 

 Check out https://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com/ for all the details

This month's theme is Feminine

There are two great sponsors

Sheepski Designs

and 

Odynetika

Check out the stores for some wonderful images.

I was able to spend some time  for this challenge and made three projects.

Project #1 was an entry into my art journal, I have sketched a backround o houses and cobblestones walk way, keeping colours to an absolute minimum I have used Sheepski's, Shopping in Yorkshire.

Entered into:

#2 Is another page in my art journal, this time I created a background digitally.  Charlie - crazy hair is from Odynetika, which has been coloured with copic pens, fussy cut and added to the background.

Entered into:

#3 This time, a hristmas card using Odynetika's Sophie, Carolling.  Coloured with copic pens. keeping it bright with the background paper, sentiment completes the card.

Entered into:

 

 

You are a Star

This month's freebie at The Outlawz progressive challenge is Stars by Sandra.  I love using these backgrounds as I can get back into some digital work.  The image was a png, so I layered it onto some bubble patterned paper, then coloured the stars and circles.

I created a 5 point star similar to those in the background and coloured it with the same patterned paper, but in a different shade.  Typed the sentiments.

Once all were printed I fussy cut the large star (and inked the edges) and the sentiment which are all attached with 3d spots from Stampin up.

 Entered into:

The Outlawz Progressive Freebie Challenge for November

Gem of a Challenge - AG 

Use your Stuff - AG 

Crafts Galore Encore - AG 

 

A Place to Start - 6th November, 2023 - For a Child

This month at A Place to Start the theme is For a child.  I made a birthday card for a young boy. Coloured with copics and a white gel pen, the image is from My Besties, The land of Pan group.  

Bright coloured cardstock and a cute sentiment I found on the net completes the card.

Checkout all the children projects at:

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/

 

Entered: 

Gem of a Craft - AG 

Allsorts Challenge - AG 

Polkadoodles Challenge - AG

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - AG 

Use your Stuff - AG

Pearly Sparkles - November 2023

 Our last challenge for 2023 and the the is Christmas.  I have chosen an image from Sheepski designs, called Mini Car. Coloured with copic pens.

Check out all the Christmas projects at:

http://pearlysparkleschallenge.blogspot.com/

Entered into:

Gem of a Craft - AG

Girlz Creative Christmas Challenge - AG 

Digi Choosday - AG 

Simon Says - AG 

Fab N Funky - Show us some colouring 

Crafter's cafe Challenge - Flowers, 15th October, 2023

This month  Beccy's Place is sponsoring the Crafter's Cafe Challenge.  Check out Beccy's store, she also sells clear stamps and dies as well as the cute digital images.

 I Went a little different this time, I chose an image from her freebies, which can be found on her BLOG.  I chose an image called Lavender ,  created a striped background, layered on the lavender, placing it into a vase.  coloured with pencils, I added a small flower as well.

Entered into:

 Alphabet Challenge - N is for Nature

Polkadoodles - AG 

613 Avenue Create - AG 

 

I also received an image from Beccy called Poppies, included in the set is a group of poppies, a single poppy which I requested and multiple sentiments.

After many years of doing different hobbies, I have come back to where I started as a four year old with a very patient mother,  I am again doing embroidery, using up scraps of material and all the pieces of thread that have been lying around the house. To stop recluttering with embroidered pieces of material, I decided to create a treasure book/journal of needlework. 

This is a work in progress as I try different methods of stiffening material, printing on material etc.  Which leads me to the Poppy I wrote about.  After embroidering the image I fussy cut (bit nervous I was going to cut the stitches, I am sure I will get more confident as I go, here is my embroidered whitework  poppy.  Attached to this inside cover of the Book/Journal

Check out all the beautiful floral projects at:

https://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com/

Entered into:

 Crafty Catz - Monochrome 

 A Perfect place to craft - AG

Beccy's Place - AG 

 

 

Autumn Card

 This month at The Outlawz Progressive Freebie challenge, we were given a cute image from Anne Fenton, called Pumpkin and Cat.

I had just found a pack of craftpaper, that I had forgotten about when I saw this image.  I have printed the image 3 times to make a border on a slimline card.

Coloured with copic pens, I added whiskers with a fine black marker.  The saentiment is a stamp from Stampin Up.

Entered into:

The Outlawz Progressive Freebie for October 

Crafty Animals - AG, must include an animal 

Little Red Wagon - Fall Colours 

Fab n Funky - Show us some colouring

A Place to Start - Anything Goes - 2nd October 2023

 Another month and A Place to Start has a great sponsor Conie Fong for this month's challenge which is Anything Goes. I chose an image called Witch to do an Art Journal page.  

The image is coloured with copic pens, the background is Paper Artsy Fresco Chalk paints, my go to every time.  Some shaped collage for the houses and tree.  Glitter added, of course and A fun quote I found on the internet.

Check out all the projects using Conie Fong images at:

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/

 

Entered into: 

The Outlawz Monday Greetings - Fall/Halloween greeting

Fab N Funky Challeng - Show us some colouring

A Perfect time to craft - AG 

Crafting Happiness - Halloween 

Crafts Galore Encore - AG 

Crafty Animals - must include an animal 

 

Pearly Sparkles - October 2023

 This month's them is "Let's go cute"  I have used an image for Digi Stamps for Joy called Bath Time, coloured with copic pens and glitter.  I have also added a duck from my stash.

 Check out all the cuteness at:

 http://pearlysparkleschallenge.blogspot.com/

 

Entered into: 

Crafty Catz - Spots and/or Stripes

Polkadoodles - AG 

Crealicious - AG with Autumn colours 

The Creative Crafters -  AG 

That's Sew Lovely

 The Outlawz current challenge in Twisted Thursday is Anything Goes, with the theme That's Sew Lovely.  I have been working on a Treasure Journal of embroidery for a few months.  Basically winging it as I go, trying new things to see how this journal will come together.

I wanted the material to have the consistency of paper, so that you could turn the pages without the material flopping around.  I think I have the combination right,  I am using a combination of stabilizing fabric and glue.There will be good and bad pages,  I am using up all the odd pieces of fabric I have stored around the house, not to mention embroidery thread inherited from my Mum and my Mother In Law, hate to think how old it may be, but it is still workable.

My inkjet printer is printing the images, for the process of printing I am using  a stick and stay spray with cardstock for backing. as I am limited to A4 size for printing, there will be lots of odd joins.  There will be three signatures.  I'm working on pockets, tags etc and I expect the journal to take years to complete.

My Mum taught me some basic stitches when I was 4 years old, many many years ago and it is something I still love to do.  There will be lots of different hand sewing in the journal and I expect along the way I will find better ways to do things. 

For now, here is the cover, made from a cardboard box and a cross stitch pattern I did earlier this year.  The other two pictures, show two pages for the journal, they back onto each other.  The cottage and crinoline lady are a centre page, with the washing page backing it, the side edges have not been completed on the washing page as I am thinking of adding a fold and/or a pocket.  

Wish me luck, at least I cannot say I have nothing to do.

 Entered into:

Twisted Thursday September challenge - That's so lovely

Ellibelle's Corner  Wednesday Challenge - AG 

 Creative Mixed Media-AG

Floral Card

  This month at the Ourlawz Progressive Freebie challenge, Sandra has given us a floral pattern to create a project.

I chose to go digital for this card, I have layered the pattern with a digital patterned paper, adding a small shadow.  Typed a sentiment which is also layered with the patterned paper.  I added small yellow centres and once printed used some liquid pearls for other centres.

I have reprinted the sentiment, cut it out and layered with 3d  squares.

Entered into:

The Outlawz Progressive Freebie challenge for September 

613 Avenue Create - AG 

The Corrosive Challenge - AG 

Dragonfly Dreams - AG 

Crafter's cafe Challenge - Fashion for Children, 15th September, 2023

This Month at The Crafter's Cafe the theme is Children's  Fashion/Clothing.

The sponsors are:

All Dressed Up

and

Fred She Said 

Click on the names and you will go to their stores to see lots of images.

I have made two cards this month, the first features an image from All Dressed Up, called "Gaming is my life", just in time for a birthday card I needed to make.  I have coloured the image with copic pens, made a stylised #11 and the sentiment has been printed at the same time I printed the image, which included the Gaming is my life quote,  making it a really quick and easy card to make. 

 

Entered into:

Outlawz Monday Greetings Challenge - AG

613 Avenue create - AG

Corrosive Challenge - AG

My second card features an image from Fred She Said, called "Winter Emma and Chickadee", which has been colored with Copic pens and some Crystalina, Kindy Glitz.  Emma has been fussy cut and layered onto an embossed card front, a few flowers ad leaves have also been coloured with copic pens.  This gave me old fashion and new fashion for the challenge.

Chcck out all the fashion at:

https://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com/

 

Entered into:

Digi Choosday - AG

Simon Says Wednesday - Make it Cute

Fab n Funky - Things with wings

African Violets

 Something a little different today.  I have entered an artificial indoor plant competition.  Knew exactly what I wanted to make but I did have a lot of trouble with the flowers, probably because it would be over 40 years since I made any flowers.

Delivered the plant today, now I have a couple of weeks to wait to see how it goes, as my daughter loves anything purple I will be gifting it to her after the competition is over, probably better than giving her a real one.

I have used florist crepe paper, tape and wire.  The plant is set in a little coffee cup.

Entered into:

The Outlawz Anything Goes in a Card Free Zone September Challenge

A Place to Start - All that Glitters - 4th September, 2023

 For this month's challenge at A Place to Start, I did a double page in my Fairy Junk Journal. The image is from All Dressed Up, called Little Flower Fairy, coloured with copic pens.   Adding lace and Ribbon (leaves are a ribbon) some glitter and to complete the page, a little verse of mine.

Check out all the glitter at:

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/

 

Entered into:

Pearly Sparkles - Traci's ReceipteSeptember 2023

Always a special challenge at Pearly Sparkles, in memory of the founder of the challenge, Traci. Her favourite recipe was Pink, Pearls and Glitter  you have to use at least one of those mentioned.

I have used an image from Pink Gem, called Hedgie with Wheel barrow. I also love to incorporate a Hedgehog each year as Traci used have mini hedgehogs as pets.

Coloured with copic pens, glitter on the flower Hedgie is wearing and pearls on the flowers in the barrow and liquid pearls on the butterfly.

Check out the Design Teams projects at:

http://pearlysparkleschallenge.blogspot.com/

Entered into:

Creative Knockouts - AG

Cardz for Galz - Cute Animals 

Simon Says Wednedays - AG 

Digi Choosday -  AG

Icecream Treat

 This month's freebie at The Outlawz Progressive Freebie challenge is an image from Sandra, called Icecream.

I thought it was a great image to do some paper piecing, something I love dooing, but haven't for a while.

I used 4 different papers and layered them.  The background I created by repeatedly typing a quote I had once seen, highlighting the word Ice-cream in different places.  Ribbon top and bottom together with the sentiment completes the card.

Entered into:

The Outlawz Progressive Freebie Challenge for August

Alphabet Challenge - K is for Kitchen - Anything Food related 

Creative Knockout - AG

613 Avenue Create -  AG, optional twist CAS 

Corrosive Challenge - AG

Crafter's cafe Challenge - Colours from the Garden, 15th August, 2023

This month's challenge at the Crafter's Cafe is all about the colours of a garden.  Which probably means all colours, an easy challenge to join.

Two great sponsors"

Sheepski Designs  

Prize: 3 images

 

and

 

Olga Odynets

Prize is the 6 images the Design team have used in their projects.

This month I made a double spread art journal page for Spring and Summer. The background has been completed with watercolour crayons.

 

I chose two images this month, one from Olga Odynets, called Charlie Gardening.  For my Spring page, I created a wattle tree (bit of imagination required), I coloured Charlie with copic pens and fussy cut.  Adding flowers, leaves and paper candy to complete the page.

The other image for my Summer page is from Sheepski Creations called Annabel,.  The image has been coloured with copic pens and fussy cut.  Added embellishments include, sun, fence, flowers.

 

                                                 Check out all the garden colours at:

 https://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com/

Entered into:

A Place to Start - 7th August 2023

The theme this month at The Place to Start is Trees and/or Leaves.  I chose to use Polkadoodles, Ladybug Gardening and a sentiment also from Polkadoodles.

Been awhile since I did a 3d picture frame piece, I started with an old frame, the image has been coloured with copic pens and glitter, I went for spring and added some liquid pearls blossom to the trees.

On the outside of the glass I added some very small leaves, which I had forgotten I had until I went looking for a flower.  Now, I am going to have to find the punch so I can make some more.

Flowers and leaves attached to the frame.

 "Great Friends never bug you"

                  Check out all the leaves and trees at: https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/

 Entered into:

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Summer

Creative Knockouts - Summer 

 Polka Doodles - AG

Creative Fingers - AG

Pearly Sparkles - August, 2023

 This month we are using Spots and/or Stripes on your projects.  I have used an image from Di's Digis called Kitty in a Teacup. 

Coloured with copic pens and fussy cut, the image has been layered onto some patterned paper and the image is rubber stamped.

Check out all the Spots and/or stipes at:

http://pearlysparkleschallenge.blogspot.com/

 

Entered into:

Gem of a Craft - AG 

All Sorts Challenge - AG but squares. 

Crafty Catz - AG optional Hot Colours  

Polkadoodles - AG 

Crafty Animals - AG with an animal 

 

The birds are singing

This month's image from The Outlawz  Progressive Freebie challenge is "Little Bird" from Sandra. Coloured with Faber Castelle Pitt pens, Stampin Up's Dapper Denim Ink and a white gel pen. Used a circle punch and layered the circles with 3d tape.

Entered into:

The Outlawz  Progressive Freebie challenge for July

Simon Says - AG

AAA Cards - Monochrome 

Love ot Craft - AG 

Crafter's cafe Challenge - Christmas, 15th July, 2023

 This month's challenge at the Crafter's Cafe is all about Christmas in July, our sponsor is the wonderful Polkadoodles

I chose  Winnie Angel Delivering Candy to create a Christmas card. Using a paper from "Enfy's Jetsetting Digital Stamp" set, also found at Polkadoodles, I layered the image on the paper and printed onto a card base.  

Coloured with pencils and some added glitter, a digital stamp was used for the sentiment.

Entered into:

The Outlawz Festive Friday - Christmas 

Polkadoodles - AG 

Digi Choosday - AG

Gem of a Challenge - AG 

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Christmas 

A Place in theSun - Life is a Beach - 3rd July, 2023

 This month's theme A Place to Start is Life is a Beach, I found this cute Hippo in my stash, I'm not sure who the artist is, I had coloured the image some time ago.  Fussy cut and layered onto patterned paper.

Check out all the Beach fun at:

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/

 

Entered into: 

Little Red Wagon - Let the Sunshine

Simon Says Wednesdays - AG 

Allsorts Challenge - Summertime

Gem of a Craft - AG 

 

 

Pearly Sparkles July, 2023

This month we are celebrating Christmas in July.  I have chosen an image from Sheepski, called Rudolph's Little Helper.

Coloured with copic pens, glitter  and a big dollop of Glossy Accents on Rudolph's nose.  The sentiment is a printed ribbon.

Check out all the Christmas cards at:

http://pearlysparkleschallenge.blogspot.com/

Entered into: 

Outlawz Fesitive Fridays - Christmas

Simon Says Wednesdays - AG 

The Paper Shelter - Furry Friends 

Fab N Funky - Four legged friends 

Sheepski Designs - Celebration (Celebrating Christmas)

Whooos Wise

 Just a quick ATC today, Fun Owl image from The Outlawz Progress Freebie Challenge.  This month we received a greyscale image called Owl from Sandra

Quick digital background, added the owl and a wise sentiment.

Entered into:

The Outlawz Progressive Freebie June Challenge

Crafter's cafe Challenge - Humorous, 15th June, 2023

 Here is my card for The Crafter's Cafe challenge, and image called Banksie Claus from Dr Digi who is a sponsor for the June/July challenge.  The other sponsor is My Besties.

Click on the names of the sponsors to check out their individual images.  Something for everyone.

I've been playing around with different things lately.  For this card, I printed the card base digitally, ran it through an embosser and used pencils to colour the grouting.

Hohoh has also been coloured with coloured pencils, Santa has been fussy cut and coloured with copic pens.  Bit of an oopsie for me, I forgot to put on the glitter and liquid pearls for his hair and the pom pom on his hat, before I took the picture, then as things go, the weather turned.  Needless to say he will be glittered up before I post the card.

Check out all the teams projects at:

https://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com/

 

Entered into:

The 12 months of Christmas - AG

613 Avenue Create - AG 

Ellibelle's Corner Challenge - AG 

Outlawz Festive Friday - Christmas

A Place to Start - Anything Goes - 5th June, 2023

 A very cute image from Conie  Fong adorns my card this month.  The image is called Baby Ellie and has been coloured with copic pens and die cut, I typed the sentiment on the pram prior to printing.  I have used a corner punch for the background.

 Check out all the DT projects at:

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/

 

Entered into:

Digi Choosday - AG 

Crafting Happiness - AG

Crafty Animals - AG with an Animal

 

Pearly Sparkles - June, 2023

 This months challenge is to make it Masculine.  I have used an image from Imagine That, called Rollin by.

The image has been coloured with copic pens, fussy cut and layered onto some patterned paper. Made for a little fellow going on holidays.

Check out all the designs at:

 http://pearlysparkleschallenge.blogspot.com/

 

Entered into: 

Gem of a Craft - AG

Digi Choosday - AG

Simon Says Wednesday - AG

A Perfect time to craft - AG

Pinspirational -  Birthday and Cars and Trucks

 

Embossed card

The image from The Outlawz Monthly Progressive Freebie challenge. Flower in a Vase drawn by Sandra.

I printed the image and the sentiment together, colouring the image with pencils. Then, embossed the card. I also used pencils to colour a few of the embossed butterflies.

Entered into:

The Outlawz Monthly Progressive Freebie challenge for May

Paper Players - CAS use one image 

The Outlawz Monday Greetings - Celebration and flower 

Digi Choosday - AG 

Little Red Wagon - Flora or Fauna 

Simon Says Wednesday - Add a Sentiment

Crafter's cafe Challenge - Animals, 15th May, 2023

 This month's challenge at the Crafter's Cafe is to feature an animal.  

The sponsor is Beccy's Place, who has some wonderful animal images, check out her store HERE

And, if you would like a freebie, check out her blog freebies  HERE 

 I chose Merle, I do a lot of Christmas cards for young children and thought it was a great image.  Coloured with copic pens and glitter, each is a little different.

 

Check out all the animals at:

https://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com/

 

Entered into: 

Crafty Animals - AG with an animal

12 Months of Christmas - AG 

The Outlawz Festive Friday - Christmas 

 Beccy's Place - May Challenge

 Double Trouble - Animal and joining with Crafters Cafe

Pearly Sparkles - May 2023

This month's theme at Pearly Sparkles is Anything Goes but a Card. I decided to do a mini Junk Journal (size is 2.5 x 3.5 inches) B is for....

I started out doing a blue journal, but some other colours did creep in, then I though al lot of Bs in the jounral so changed it to a B for journal.

The journal has 36 pages and all pages lie flat when open.  Here is the cover and a small example of the pages.

Check out all the DT projects at:

http://pearlysparkleschallenge.blogspot.com/

 

Entered into:

A Perfect Time to Craft - AG

Art Journal Journey - Flowers 

Classic Design - AG 

Crafting Happiness - Flowers 

Crafts Galore - AG

Crafty Animals - Bird

If you give a Crafter a Cookie - Blue 

A Place to Start - - 1st May, 2023

At a Place to start the theme is Anything goes + 1 and out sponsor is  Mirtillamente.

I chose Get Well Soon for my card, coloured with copic pens and diecut. 

After doing this for  many years, I had  a light bulb moment.  I have started scanning my dies, then I can pull them up on the computer and size an image perfectly to fit the space.

My added plus is the ribbon.

Check out all the projects at:

 https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/

 

Entered into: 

A perfect time to craft - AG

Love to Craft - AG 

I Love ot Scrap - AG 

Ally's Angels - AG

Creatalicious - AG 

The Creative Crafters - AG  

 

Hedgie Birthday

  The image for The Outlawz Progressive Freebie challenge is from Angie's Digitals, called Hedgie.

I kept it simple by colouring the image with copic pens and a typed  greeting.  Layered onto coloured cardstock, adding a die cut  (it is a grass diecut, placed up side down) and some flowers.

 Entered into:

The Outlawz April Progressive Freebie Challenge

Crafty Animals - AG 

Alphabet challenge - A is for Adorable - Anything Cute

Crafter's cafe Challenge - Easter 15th April, 2023

 The theme for The Crafter's Cafe Challenge this fortnight is Easter and/or Flowers

and the sponsors are

  FRED SHE SAID

and 

ALL DRESSED UP

 

I chose Easter Lilies, which came with some sentiments and created a mixed media art journal page.

Check out all the Easter projects at:

https://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com/

 

Entered into:

A Perfect time to Craft - AG

Classic Design Challenge - AG 

Crafts Galore Encore - AG 

613 Avenue Create - AG 

Corrosive Challenge - AG

A Place in the Sun - Woman of the Year March 2023

 This month's theme at A Place to Start is Woman of the Year, the sponsor is Sheepski Designs, who has amazing women images.  I chose an image called Grace.

 Coloured with Copic and Pitt pens.  Her dress is paper pieced and the flower is one from my stash.

Check out all the women at:

https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/

 

Entered into: 

Digi Choosday - AG

613 Avenue Create - AG

 A Perfect time to craft - AG