Tuesday 30 September 2014

Polkdoodles Digi Queens - Week 5

 Hello and welcome
 
 
Hi there and good morning, well it's my turn to share my Digi Queen DT card with you today using one of the fabby digis from the Nikky Hall and Polkadoodles. I didn't get chance to see the new Winston CD collection before I went on holiday but once I did, I fell immediately in love with it. When I was looking through the CD I spotted this gorgeous image of Etty bear, and I knew instantly that I wanted to watercolour her.

My card is made using a 6" x 6" white card base matted with some Polkadoodles digital paper.  The completed stamped image was matted and layered onto complimentary card stock together with die cut flowers and some ribbon.
 

 
 
Here's What I Did
I firstly printed it onto thin watercolour card and I used distressing ink pads and pens, but if you would like to create something similar you could easily used watercolour pencils or similar. I also have a scrap of the same watercolour card at hand so I can test my colours on it first before going to my stamped image.

When I'm using distressing ink pads I always put my directly colour onto a non porous surface eg mat (splodge away), a white plate or tile, and take my wet paint brush to it.  I never take ink straight from an ink pads as you could dilute the ink in it. I always dilute my paint down with some water, give add a very light wash first.  I then slowly build up my colour (the brush should be wet but not dripping), adding more while the paint is still wet. 

To add more definition and shading I'll wait it the area is dry and add a the same colour but with slightly less water. and for deep shadows I add a darker shade.  If you make a mistake or your colour leaks to an area you don't want it to be  - wet the area, agitate the are (don't scrub or over work it) and dap with a paper towel to remove the paint. 

In case you're wondering about the sky, I  created it using a cloud template (which I cut out my hand) and Tumbled Glass Distressing Ink and a piece of cut and dry foam.

TIPS
If you decide to use watercolour pencils you could try a few technique I've learnt about along the way-
1) Go direct to your image on your watercolour card - draw around the edge of the image where you want the colour to be, but don't go to heavy to start with because you can built up the colour as you go.
2) You could scribble onto a scrap piece of watercolour card and lift the colour from there using your wet brush and then take the paint to your image.
3)  Another way is to shave some of the pencil lead and dip your paint brush into the shaving and then paint your image.

I'm no expert and don't confess to be, but the key is definitely practice.  If you want to know more and learn more, I'd definitely check out You Tube, there are lots of talented people who have created some fantastic tutorials.  So go on and download one of Nikky's fab digi stamps onto watercolour card and give it a go - what are you waiting for!!!

If you would like more information or help with anything I mentioned - just leave your question in the comment box, along with your email address. Alternatively send me a private email using the contact box at the top of the page.

Here's What I Used
Digi Stamp: Winston CD Collection available from the Polkadoodles shop
Paper/Cardstock (CS): Digital Paper 'Pretty Papers' from Polkadoodles, Papermainia CS, Craftwork Cards Super Smooth Digital CS
Distressing Inks: Fur & Postbox - Tea Dye, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain / Bird & Nose - Antique Linen / Cheeks & Paw Pads - Worn Lipstick / Dress & Bow & Postbox Plate - Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seeds, Wild Honey / Sky - Tumbled Glass / Roses - Worn Lipstick, Barn Door, Fired Brick / Leaves &amp Grass - Shabby Shutter, Peeled Paint / Bird - Antique Linen / Flag - Squeezed Lemonade, Wild Honey, Worn Lipstick, Barn Door / Ladybird - Barn Door, Fired Brick, Walnut Stain / Envelope - Antique Linen, Worn Lipstick
Dies: MFT Die-namic Blueprint 8, Britannia Multi Rose Small, Medium and Large, Tattered lace 'Embellishments
Other: CraftArtist2, Ribbon, Maratha Stewart Leaf Punch, Candi, Gems, Pens, Pearls
To see more fabulous designs to inspire you why not check out the fab makes from the Digi Queen girls over at the Polkadoodles blog.

Thank you for dropping by - why not leave me a message I'd love to hear from you.
 
Thank you everyone!
 
Hugs
 x Janine x 

Thursday 25 September 2014

The Sugar Bowl Challenge #117 - Anything Goes

Hello sugar peeps,the Sugar Bowl Challenge is back ---- yipee!!!

It's so good to have it back along with some old and some new Design Team members. I can't wait to see all their fabulous makes. Anyhoo, back The Sugar Bowl challenge, the theme is Anything Goes. So grab your Sugar Nellie stamp and get going.

Just a little reminder  --- if you decide to enter the Sugar Bowl challenge you can make anything you like but you MUST use a stamp from the Sugar Nellie store. Both digital (instant download) and rubber stamps are available to buy from Funkykits.

For my make this month it's all about the boys - Best Buds in fact.  I rarely make a boy's card so it was a bit of a challenge, but I decided it would be best to make it CAS. So here it is ---

 
 

Here's What I Did
The 6" x 6"cream card base was matted with pattered paper first. I then die cut out 2 squares and my friend frame from my card stock. Using CraftArtist 2 I resized my image and added the words 'Best Buds' down the side and printed off the topper.  I die cut this to fit my frame and coloured it in with Copic markers. To finish I added a die cut star and button..

Here's everything I used:
Digi Stamp 'Best Buds' by Diane Duda from Sugar Nellie @ Funkykits
Paper/Cardstock (CS): Craftwork Cards 'Super Smooth', First Edition 'Up, Up & Away', Basal CS, Kraft CS
Copic Pens: Skin - E0000, E000, E00, E11 / Freckles - E02 / Hair - YR0000, YR000, YR00, E13, E37, E99 / T-Shirt  (Brown) - E31, E33, E35, E37, E79 / T-Shirt (Striped) - YG00, YG03, YG06, YG67, E0000, E00 / Eyes - BG01, BG10, BGXX / Frog- YG00, YG03, YG67 / Background - BG10, BG10, 0
Dies: Tonic Layering Squares and Rectangle, MFT Die-namics Blueprint 8, Sizzix 'Stars'
Other: Serif CraftArtist2, Button, Twine
 
So don't forget to drop by at The Sugar Bowl and have a look at what the rest of my fabulous DT sweeties have created to inspire you; and why not join in with this month's challenge while you're there. It's open to everyone but please remember to use a Sugar Nellie, and the theme is Anything Goes. So come on give it a go. 

There's a fab prize up for grabs - 4 Sugar Nellie digi stamps for the 1st prize and a 2nd prize of 2 Sugar Nellie digi stamp. So it's definitely worth winning so spread the sugar love to all your friends.

I can't wait to see all your lovely makes. Have fun.

Hugs

Janine x

Saturday 20 September 2014

Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Ribbons and Bows

Hello and good morning everyone.

Omg, it's that time of the month again ---- it's Sweet Stampin' time. Yay!!!

This week's theme is Ribbon & Bows. So I thought I would share a retirement card I made for a sewing teacher which I thought suited our challenge.


 

Here's What I did
I used a 8" x 8" white card base, and matted and layered it with CS (cardstock) and some pretty LOTV (Lili Of the Valley) papers. I printed my sentiment onto white CS and then die cut it using a fancy oval. Whiule still in the die I used some distressing ink around the edge to give a softer look. The mannequin (dress form), scissors and sewing machine were all cut out using my cutting machine. For each of the shapes I created an extra inverted layer which I cut out from patterned paper, to give more dimension I also stamped flowers on top. I added a lace skirt to the mannequin and some ribbon, the thread bobbin was stampede and wrapped with ribbon. To finish off I added a little glitter to the mannequin body and placed buttons around the sentiment. 

** Sorry about the photo quality - it's these grey and foggy days we've been having - such a nightmare to take photos on. **

Here's everything I used:
Stamp: Bobbin 'Sew Pretty' - Craft Mag Freebie, Flowers' My Minds Eye 'The Sweetest Thing' 
Paper/Cardstock (CS): LOTV 'Petal Fresh' and 'Promises - Solid', Papermania CS
Dies: Spellbinders Grand Nestabilities 'Ovals One'
Other: Silhouette Cameo, Cutting Files, Glitter, Buttons, Ribbon

So why not drop by the Sweet Stampin' Challenge blog and check out what my fab Design Team girlies have made to inspire you. So come on why not join in with the fun and enter your card/project into our 'Ribbons & Bows' challenge we'd love to see you. REMEMBER you must include a stamped element on your card!

This week's sponsor and prize is The Ribbon Girl.

I look forward to seeing what you create.

Challenges entered: 

Hugs

Janine x

Tuesday 16 September 2014

I have 2 cards for you today - see below.

Inky Chicks Challenge - Anything Goes

Good evening everyone!

Well I've been on my holiday to Alaska, and photos will follow in the next few days - hopefully. 

On this fine Tuesday night I have my Inky Chicks DT card to share with you.  It's a card I made for one of the guy's at work for his girlfriend to say 'I love you'. I've covered up her name to preserve her identity.

The theme this week is easy, it's Anything Goes.
 


Here's What I did
Sorry about the photo quality, it's these grey days we've been having lately. Honestly the centre panel is white, it looks grey on here :(  And oh yes, I've blanked off the recipient's name. 

The centre panel was all made digitally using CraftArtist 2, which I then printed off a few times, fussy cut out and layered up.  The lacey trim was made using a border punch and added around the edge of the panel before being glued to the base card.  To finish off I added glitter, gems and a few punched butterflies.

Here's everything I used:
Digi Kit:  Fizzy Moon 'Weekender'
Paper/Cardstock (CS): White CS, Pink CS, Craftwork Card 'Paper Floristry - Sherbet' Paper Pad
Other: Glitter, Butterfly Punch, Border Punch, CraftArtist 2, Gems
 
So why not drop by the Inky Chicks Challenge blog, and check out what my fab Design Team girlies have made to inspire you. So come on why not join in with the fun and enter your card/project into our 'Anything Goes' challenge this week..

This week's sponsor and prize is from Stitchy Bear Digi Outlet.

I look forward to seeing what you create.

Challenges entered: 
 
Hugs

Janine x

Polkadoodles - Digi Queens (Wk 3)

 Hello and welcome Polkadoodlers -

 
Hi there, well I'm back from my cruising holiday to Alaska - photos will follow in a few days (hopefully). Thankfully the jetlag has finally eased and my heads not so foggy now.  Anyhoo it's back to crafty business, and it's my turn to share my card with you today - the theme for the Digi Queen's this week is Christmas, my most favourite time of the year.  


 

Here's What I Did
I was spoilt for choice with Nikky's fabulous designs, but I finally picked 'Postbox' together with one of her gorgeous Christmas digi papers, both of which are from the 'Work & Play Festive Hollybobs' Collection 5.  To make my card I firstly matted and layered my printed off paper onto some co-coordinating cardstock on which I added the frame I made using a MFT square and arch die - to add a little bit of sparkle I placed a piece of white glitter card behind the aperture.  I coloured both the postbox image and the envelope with alcohol markers; both were then fussy cut out and glued onto the frame. Using foam tape I placed everything on top of the matted and layered card base to give extra dimension. To finish off I added a touch of glitter (of course!) and a few gems.
Here's What I Used
Digi Stamp: 'Postbox' available from the 'Work & Play Festive Hollybobs' Collection 5. 
Paper/Cardstock (CS): 'Work & Play Festive Hollybobs' Collection 5 Christmas Digital Paper, Papermainia CS, Craftwork Cards Super Smooth Colouring CS, White Glitter CS
Dies: MFT Die-namic Blueprint 3 & 8, Memory Box 'Mini Holly Leaves'
Other: Alcohol Pens, Glitter, Gems, CraftArtist2, Papermania Embossing Folder 'Snowflakes'
To see more fabulous designs to inspire you why not check out the fab makes from the Digi Queen girls our at our challenge blog over at  Polkadoodles towers.

Thank you for dropping by - why not leave me a message I'd love to hear from you.
 
Thank you everyone!
 
Hugs
 x Janine x 

Tuesday 2 September 2014

Polkadoodles - Digi Queens Design Team

Hello and welcome Polkadoodlers -
 
Wow, when I applied to join Polkadoodle's new Digi Colouring Design Team I never thought for one moment I would be asked to join. But I did, I received an email from the lovely Nikky Hall (the lady behind Polkadoodles) asking me to join her new team. As you can imagine I was overwhelmed and of course my reply was YES! I'm joined by a team of fantastic ladies who are so wonderful and talented. We are to be fondly known as the 'Polkadoodles Digi Queens' - it's such a fab name!  Wow, I've never been a Queen before - not even for a day. Lol x 
http://www.polkadoodles.co.uk/index.php?cPath=689
I hope you will like today's my card and all my future projects - I will endeavour to learn and grow as part of Nikky's DT, and hopefully I'll pick up some fab tips and hints along the way :)
I've scheduled this post because I'm away on holiday at the moment, on a cruise to Alaska. Yep, I've gone lumberjack and whale watching - lol!  So before further ado, he's my 1st make for the Polkadoodles Digi Queens DT. 

 
 
Here's What I Did

I used a 7" x 7" card base which I matted and layered with lots of card and paper. The paper and stamp are all available as digital downloads from the Polkadoodles website (see the links below). I coloured the gorgeous 'Amelia Braids', with alcohol pens; she was a dream to colour as she's got lots of open spaces. Although she would look fabulous as a one layer image, on my card I decided to give her more dimension.  So I printed out 3 copies of the stamp, colour sections of her in and fussy cut out them out, and layered her up.  I glued my sentiment banner onto the die circle and placed Amelia onto top so she appeared to be sitting on the banner.  To finish off I added glitter, gems and die cut flowers.

Here's What I Used
Digi Stamp: 'Amelia Braids' available from Polkadoodles Digi Store
Paper/Cardstock (CS): Polkadoodles 'Pretty Sweet' Digital Paper, Topsy Turvy CS, Craftwork Cards Super Smooth Colouring CS,  
Dies: Tonic Layering Dies, Britannia Multi Rose Flower
Other: Alcohol Pens, Glitter, Gems, CraftArtist2
 
To see more fabulous from the Digi Queens make sure you visit our blog over at  Polkadoodles tower.

Thank you for dropping by - why not leave me a message I'd love to hear from you.
 
Thank you everyone!
 
Hugs
 
x Janine x