It's a Present Fairy!

Good afternoon friends and hope you are having a nice weekend!

I have been doing a bit of blog housekeeping and tidying up of photos on my camera, and realised that I made this card a couple of weeks ago for youngest Bambino to take with her to a Birthday sleepover (why are they called that when we know that the children get no sleep whatsoever? Perhaps they should be called No-Sleepovers! ;) !) so I thought it was high time that this gorgeous fairy got blogged.

My card recipe is as follows:

• Card base - is a pre-made 14.8cm square card in white
• Design Papers - come from a mini kit by Marisa Lerin at Pixel Scrapper Digital Scrapbooking called Sisters Always. I have used Notebook Paper 01 as the base layer and then Hearts 19 Paper - Sisters
  
• Image - is called Christmas Present and she is by Wendy at All Dressed Up Digital Stamps. Bambino and I thought that this fairy is so beautiful, it's shame that she should be relegated to Christmas so she's had an airing as a Birthday present fairy! I brought this image to life using my Spectrum Noir Pens in the listed colours, before die cutting her using one of my Die'sire Essentials Rectangles dies. 
• Skin - FS2, FS4, FS9, FS3, TN4, CR1
• Hair - TN2, EB2, EB6, Spectrum Noir Sparkle Clear Overlay
• Dress & Shoes - BP1, BP3, BP4, BP6
• Wings - BP1, BP2, Spectrum Noir Sparkle Clear Overlay
• Ribbons - CG1, CG2, CG3, OR1, OR2, OR3, IG2, IG4, IG7
• Boxes - IG1, IG2, Blender Pen
• Sentiment - is from a set included with Issue 6 of Crafter's Inspiration Magazine. I stamped this directed onto the tag from Marisa's Sisters Always kit before punching a hole in the tag and threading through some satin edged organdie ribbon from my stash.
• Bow - is tied from the same satin edged organdie ribbon using the bow maker on my Ultimate Pro

Rumour has it that all the girls at the sleepover were quite impressed by my talent and didn't realise that I made cards!

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

• Challenge 49 - Anything Goes with an ADU image at All Dressed Up Challenges
• February 2016 Challenge - Hearts at All Dressed Up Facebook Page

Hope you have a good start to the week, especially on the leap day tomorrow! Take care.

Hugs, Helen x

Welcome to the Dragon's Lair ... ooops, Library!

Hello crafty friends and hope you're well this morning. After a rather chilly start here, we've got a very bright and sunny day - would love to put some washing on the line but it's not that warm and that's always assuming I could make it to the line without sinking into the lawn :oD!!!!!!!!!!

It's new challenge time at Incy Wincy Designs and this time we'd like you to Personalise It! It doesn't matter what your project is, but we'd like to see some sort of personalisation on it and it doesn't even have to be for you ..... ! 

We've got two fabulous sponsors for this challenge:

Our first are the team at Fabrika Fantasy ... as well as their online store of digital artwork you can keep up to date with them via their blog or visit their Facebook Page where Dmitry is hosting another challenge! They're offering a prize to our first lucky random winner.

Our second sponsor is Lizzy from Oddball Art who is offering 3 digital images of choice to our

second lucky prize winner.

Lizzy has always loved the stranger, quirkier side of life and that is exactly what she loves to create. Her art described as a perfect combination of sweet and sour that glitters up the grunge! As a love of all things whimsical, kawaii and creepy cute, she throws in some Pastel Goth with a touch of glam, punk & rockabilly pinup!

She has certainly never been a mainstream type of girl and definitely won't fit into your stereotypical cookie cutter artists role; but rather she finds beauty in the truly unique, big eyed creepy little cuties with a bittersweet sadness. She is never truly happier that when she is in her art studio painting or sewing, creating a whimsical dream world easily recognizable as her signature style of creepy yet cute, all the way from the haunting darkness to the rainbowtastic, Lizzy's creations are lovingly sprinkled with a heartbreaking sweetness.

Growing up a child of the 80's, pop rocks princess, with an extreme fondness for anything candy coated, Kawaii Kitten & Ziggy Stardust, all of which had a major influence in the work that she is creating today. Lizzy employs many different mediums when she creates, anything from mixed media painting to sewing with many different textiles, the end result always being the same; a whimsical dream world filled with big eyed beauties, creepy little cuties and quirky monsters of all shapes and sizes.

For my first inspiration piece for this challenge, I'm using an image by Fabrika Fantasy, but before I get to my project why don't you settle down with a cup of tea as I've got a story and a short tutorial to share with you!

Those of you who are regular readers know that a lot of projects here at "Casa Mia" develop from situations that I find myself in ... usually with a little voice on my shoulder! This project stems from a trip we took as a family to London in the fallow period between Christmas and New Year, when we did a bit of shopping, saw the Christmas lights etc. Whilst exiting several stores, I set the security alarms off! At one of the stores I was questioned by the security guard who also searched my rucsac. Had I bought anything? Only a yo-yo. Had I got any makeup with me? Er no, I don't wear much makeup. What's in this bag? Our packed tea! Papa Mia was outside the store and remembered that I had a library book from school that I was reviewing for our librarian ... was that it? I took the book from my bag and threw it out through the security barriers to Papa Mia and sure enough the alarms went off! Mystery over, happy security guard, and I spent the rest of the day with the book in my jacket pocket so I didn't have to empty my bag any more. Now comes the really funny part of the story. I was retelling the events to our librarian telling her she was in so much trouble and she was wondering what had happened to the little index card from the front of the book as that protected the alarm tag. "Oh that," said I, "well that was my bookmark!". So I figured that I needed a bookmark!

I used to have a really great little bookmark that was double sided and magnetic, so it stuck in my book. However, that is no longer anywhere to be found ... so I've made myself a new attaching bookmark, and this is how it's made:

Materials:

1 piece of cardstock - the width and length is up to you, but you need to be able to fold it in half so allow double the length of the front portion plus 3mm for the fold (my piece of cardstock is 6cm wide and 25cm long)

Cutting and scoring tools - I have used my Crafter's Companion Ultimate Pro together with The Boxer Board

Bone Folder
2 thin magnets


How to Score and Fold

Using the Ultimate Pro Boxer Board butt the short edge of your cardstock up against the top of the board and score your first fold. My design is 5.5cm x 11.7cm so I'm leaving a 3mm border all round my image. This means that my first fold will be at 12.3cm, which isn't one of the score marks on the board, so I've very lightly pencilled in a mark at 12.3cm on each long side of my cardstock and have lined these marks up against the same score line to get my fold line.

Make a second score line 2mm back from your first line.

Fold and burnish these two fold lines - getting the second fold is a bit fiddly, but you should end up with something like this in the middle of your bookmark:

Decorate your bookmark as you like, although remember it does need to fit into a book so flat embellishments would be best, unless you don't mind your bookmark poking out of your book in which case you can put bulkier embellishments at the top of your bookmark!

To finish your bookmark, take one of your thin magnets and stick it on the inside of your bookmark towards the bottom edge (the opposite end to your fold) in a central position.

Now for the clever bit! To ensure that your second magnet attaches in exactly the right place on the reverse of your bookmark, stick it on top of the magnet you've just attached ....

... and fold your bookmark over, and press the cardstock down to attach it to the magnet.

And here is my completed bookmark:

My card recipe is as follows:

• Bookmark base - Centura Pearl Snow White Silver cut, scored and folded as per my tutorial above
• Front of Bookmark - Image is the pre-coloured version of Wise Dragon by Fabrika Fantasy. Using my word processing package, I've merged the image with a sentiment from Paulette at Create with TLC. This was a freebie on her blog last month and as soon as I saw it, I knew it was utterly perfect for this project! Once my merged design was printed, I cut it to the right size and then lightly distressed the edges using Walnut Stain Distress Ink
  
• Reverse of Bookmark - the backing paper is Slovenia Dragons Paper by Marisa Lerin at Pixel Scrapper Digital Scrapbooking ... I nearly fell off my chair when I found it - it's perfect for this project! I created my Ex Libris nameplate using my word processing package and this was die cut using the middle sized Die'sire Essentials Rectangles die. The edges of my paper and name plate have been lightly distressed using Walnut Stain Distress Ink
• Magnets - are 12.5mm in diameter, 1mm high and are self adhesive. Mine came from eBay (although I can't remember the seller now as we've had them a while) but search for craft magnets and you should find them!

I hope you like my tutorial, but if you need any more inspiration head over to Incy Wincy Designs and see how my clever team mates have Personalise(d) It! Then come back and join in the fun by sharing your creations with us! This challenge closes on Saturday 5th March and we'll be back with our next challenge on Monday 7th March 2016.

I would like to enter this project into the following challenges:

• February Challenge - Things with Wings at Bunny Zoe's Crafts
• Critters and Creatures Linky Party 1 - February at Ellibelle's Creative Moments
• Week 7 - Animals and Insects at Digi Choosday Challenge

Stay tuned, as I'll be back soon with a project featuring an image from our second sponsor.

In the meantime, take care!

Hugs, Helenx

Polar Bears are a Girl's best friend ... obviously!!!!!!!

Good morning my crafty friends!

If you celebrate Valentine's Day, I hope you all had a lovely weekend. We went into town and purchased (from the same department store) 2 new frying pans, a kitchen timer and voile/net curtains .... boy, we sure know how to live on what's supposed to be the most loved up day of the year!!!!! :D

Anyway, it's new challenge time at Feeling Sketchy and we've got another great sketch for you, courtesy of Michelle.

Our sponsor for this challenge is Nikky and the team at Polkadoodles who are offering the lucky winner of this challenge a prize pack. Even if you're not lucky enough to win the prize for this challenge, make sure you go to Digi Choosday Blog where Nikky regularly offers discount codes to the Polkadoodles Store, as well as the special offers that are already in place! Hands up - who likes a discount to get new crafty stash!!!!!!!!!

Here's the sketch we'd like you to follow for Challenge #139:

and here's my card using the sketch and featuring a gorgeous image from Polkadoodles:

I must confess that I found this card rather a challenge, as it's quite a lot fussier than my normal card making style. However, I'm pretty pleased with it!

My card recipe is as follows:

• Card Base - is a 14.8 cm square, pre-made card base in white
• Design Papers - are from the Nordic Christmas CD-Rom by Crafter's Companion, which doesn't seem to be available any longer :o(   I've used a red snowflake paper on the front of the card, and I ran my paper back through my printer to print the brown chequered paper on the reverse as this paper matches the background on my button. I've used Kraft card for matting and layering.
  
• Image - is the uber-cute Polar Family - Octavia Frosted Winter by Nikky at Polkadoodles. I've brought this lovely family to life using my Spectrum Noir Pens and Clear Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pen before hand cutting the image out and attaching it to my card. Unfortunately, I didn't keep a note of all the colours I used - sorry!
• Tag - is embossed from Kraft card using my Springtime Sweets and Cupcake Treats Ultimate Pro Embossing Board and I then cut this out by hand, and re-embossed the edges to give definition. The bow is made from jute twine I have in my stash, and tied using my Ultimate Pro. A faux button made from an embellishment I found on the Nordic Christmas CD-Rom which I then cut using the heart shaped die from my Die'sire Essentials Button Box die set (also no longer available). I cut out 3 further heart shapes, glued them all together ensuring my printed heart was on the top, and then covered the white edges using my EB7 Spectrum Noir Pen.
• Sentiment and Snowflake - are both dies available in Sara's Signature - Festive Wonder Collection and are both cut from Centura Pearl Snow White Silver card. I cut the words away from the initial letters of "Merry Christmas" to follow the sketch.

I hope you'll come over Feeling Sketchy and check out the amazing creations by my talented team mates. Then don't forget to come back and show us your cards or scrapbook pages following our sketch. We'll be back with our new challenge on 1st March 2016.

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

• Add a Button (or Buttons) at CD Sunday
• Trend Week #330 - Add a Tag to your card/project at Just us Girls Challenge
• Challenge #121 - Anything Goes with an optional twist of "Add a Tag" at Digistamps4Joy
• Have a Heart Challenge at Winter Wonderland - my faux button is heart shaped and there is heart on the button too!
• Challenge #120 - Die Cuts at Addicted to Stamps
• Challenge #101 - Homemade Embellishments at Pile it On Challenges - my faux button is homemade!
• B is for B - you pick! at ABC Challenge - B is for Brown, Button, Bow and Bears!
• Challenge #311 - Use Red as your Main Colour at Crafty Catz Challenge

We're on half term now here at Casa Mia, and I'll be waiting in for my gas man to service our boiler. Gives me some crafting time me thinks!

Whatever you're up to today, have fun!

Hugs, Helen x

Love Cupcakes!

Hello friends and good evening!

I'm here with my inspiration post for the new challenge at Incy Wincy Designs and we're helping you to get ready in time for Valentine's Day, which is just around the corner!, as our theme this time is Love is in the Air.

We've got 2 amazing sponsors for you this time:

Firstly our very own Nikki from Limited Runs Digital Stamps, who is offering our first lucky prize winner 3 digital stamps, or 5 digis if you use a Limited Runs digi. 

This is a fun place to sit back and check out our huge selection of images . We have a little something for everyone from calorie free cupcakes and sweets to all your holiday needs, Love Halloween/Christmas we've got you covered . Limited Runs is great place for those on a budget too with 90% of all images $2 and under. You  can also find lots of hidden deals running through out the shop just check out the pull down menus to see them. Pop in Limited Runs and find out what's new, snag a freebie and enjoy a cuppa something while your browse .

Secondly, Nikky and the team from Polka Doodles are offering our second lucky winner a $15USD gift voucher.

I have used a fun image from Limited Runs Digital Stamps to create this card, and my Valentine's Day card for Papa Mia is sorted!

My card recipe is as follows:

• Card base - is a pre-made 14.8cm square card in red
• Papers - comes from a sadly now retired collection from Bearly Mine Designs called "Mini Dots". I have matted and layered this onto black card, as well as using the black card for an additional layer across the middle of the card.
  
• Image - is called Love Heart Cupcake and it comes from the desk of Nikki at Limited Runs Digital Stamps. I have brought this tower of yummyness to life using my Spectrum Noir Pens in the listed colours, before die cutting it using my second largest Die'sire Essentials Squares die, and then matting and layering it onto a slightly larger square of black cardstock
• Hearts - CR8, CR11, DR5
• Buttercream - IG1, IG2, IG3, Blender Pen
• Wrapper - IG2, IG6, IG10, Paper Pieced using the Mini Dots paper
• Sentiment - comes from Crafter's Inspiration Magazine Issue 6 and I've stamped this directly onto the black card using Silver Versamark Ink.

I hope you'll come over to Incy Wincy Designs and see what my fellow DT have made for Love is in the Air - then come back and show us your creations. By the way, Nikki has very generously left a freebie for you on the challenge post ..... nudge, nudge, wink, wink!!!!!!!!! We'll be back with our new challenge on Monday 15th February 2016.

In the meantime, I would like to enter this card into the following challenge:

• Challenge #80 - Red at Addicted to CAS

Hope you have a great weekend!

Hugs, Helen x

Floral Delight

Hello my crafty friends and welcome to February. We're one month through 2016 already ... how scary is that?!!!!!!!!!!!

Anway, it's new challenge time at Feeling Sketchy and we've got another great sketch/layout for you. 

This challenge is being sponsored by the lovely team over at Crafty Sentiments who are offering a prize to the winner of this challenge.

Here's the sketch we're working with this time:

And here's my card using the layout:

As we're not showcasing any sponsor images for this challenge, I turned to one of my few (ahem!) many CDs where I found these gorgeous papers which I then teamed up with one of my flower dies.

My card recipe is as follows:

• Base card - is a pre-made 5 inch card blank in cream card
• Papers - are from the Downton Abbey Collection and are on the CD-Rom which accompanied Crafter's Inspiration Magazine Issue 8. 
  
• Flowers - are die cut in 3 different sizes using my Die'sire Essentials Flowers for all Occasions set. The base layer for each flower is cut from Kraft card with the top layer of petals being cut from the same design paper as my base paper layer. Each flower has been topped with a centre that matches the top paper layer. I've shaped all the petals with a pencil and also layered the petals to give dimension to them.
• Sentiment - is also from Downton Abbey Collection and was on the Crafter's Inspiration Magazine Issue 8 CD-Rom.

I hope I've inspired you to come over to Feeling Sketchy and play along with this sketch. However, if you're in need of more inspiration please head over to the blog and check our the wonderful creations by my teamies .... they have totally rocked this sketch! If you're playing along with us you can rotate or flip the sketch, substitute the shapes ... we just need to see that you're following our sketch! We'll be back on 15th February 2016 with our new challenge.

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

• Die cuts/Punches at The Stamping Boutique
• Challenge 7 - Anything Goes/Elegance at The Crafty Addicts
• Challenge #101 - Something New at Simply Create Too - my something new is the papers as this is the first time I've printed something off the CD-Rom!

Hope you have a great day!

Hugs, Helen x