Water Colour with Best Thoughts

Hmm.. watercolours... it is definitely something that I would love to be better at.  So please join me on my journey of blog posts dedicated to watercolouring - to start with they will be monthly, but hopefully I might just get good at this and will be able to share my efforts with you more often!  I love this medium, but have a lot to learn, so I hope I can make the mistakes, discovers some tips and techniques along the way so that you too can enjoy trying your hand at watercolouring!
 
Stampin' Up! Materials Used:
Stamp set - Best Thoughts (this is a hostess set - you can still get this until the end of May if stocks last)
Ink Pads - Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive
Card - Rich Razzleberry, watercolor paper
Other -  Aquapainters

Masculine Monday - Sea Street

Hi, I hope you are enjoying the long Bank Holiday weekend - I have to say the weather has been very changeable here this last week - sunshine, rain, high winds and even some sleet and snow! Come on Spring where are you?!
Today I have a quick man's card to share with you.  Do you struggle with cards for men?  I know I do, so I have set myself a challenge to make one male themed card each week for a weekly blog post called "Masculine Monday" so wish me luck!
 
Stampin' Up! Materials Used: 
Stamp sets - Sea Street, Something to Say 
Ink pads - Night of Navy, Pacific Point, Real Red 
Card - Whisper White, Night of Navy 
Other - Circle framelits and punch, dimensionals

Everything Eleanor

Happy first of May, and happy Sunday!  Today is the start of one of my new weekly blog posts - Simple Sunday - showcasing a project that is quick and simple to make!

I made a bunch of these pretty cards using two quick stamped images, a small piece of Designer Series Paper (DSP) and some sequins.  I have used the gorgeous Everything Eleanor stamp set which is sadly retiring at the end of May, but you still have chance to add this to your collection.

Stampin' Up! materials used
Stamp sets - Everything Eleanor, Butterfly Basics
Ink pads - Soft Suede, Mint Macaron, Lost Lagoon
DSP - Botanical Gardens
Other - metallics sequin assortment 

Butterfly Basics

I had great fun with the Butterfly Basics stamp set and some butterfly dies and other bits n bobs!  I made several cards, some just in a different colour scheme, others with slightly different elements (ribbon, die cuts, jewels, pearls...)  but I love this one as the colours are just so pretty/vintage/ice-creamy!

Yet again I have used one of my favourite pinks - Melon Mambo - only downside of that one (and Blackberry Bliss) is that the inks do make a mess of your fingers! And they also stain your photopolymer stamps, but as long as you clean them properly this does not affect the colours you stamp next.

Stampin' Up! materials used:
Stamp sets - Butterfly Basics, Gorgeous Grunge
Inks - Melon Mambo, Early Espresso, Sahara Sand, Old Olive
Dies - Bold Butterfly framelits, Butterflies thinlits
Ribbon - Mint Macaron dotted lace trim
Card - Whisper White A4 thick cardstock
Embellishments - pearls 

What I Love

I love this stamp set - it is one of the Sale-A-Bration sets available for a limited time, and of course I used one of my favourite inks - Melon Mambo!

Stampin' Up! materials used:
Stamp sets - What I Love, Rose Wonder
Ink - Melon Mambo, Old Olive
Card - Whisper White notecard & envelopes

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today I have a card using heat embossing and watercolouring using a couple of stamp sets from Stampin' Up!

I heat embossed with white embossing powder, then used some ink pads with water to add colour around the stamping.  This is a technique that I have seen a lot on YouTube and Pinterest and wanted to give it a go - and I will definitely be doing it again!

Materials Used:

Stampin' Up! stamp sets - Watercolor Words, Crazy About You

Stampin' Up! inks - Rose Red, Melon Mambo

Stampin' Up! watercolour card stamp; white embossing powder

Simon Says Stamp - sequins 

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge #259 - More Than One Fold

It's time for another challenge over at Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge, and this week the theme is cards with more than one fold.
 
There are two fabulous prizes this week, so pop on over to http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ and join in:
Bugaboo Stamps - 7 digi images  
Sami Stamps - $12 gift certificate
 
Materials Used:
Bugaboo - Revel digi image
Copics - 
Core'Dinations - orange card
Craftwork Cards - white card

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to you and welcome 2016!

A quick digital make for you today as I have not had much time recently for crafting, but I am hoping to change that over the next few days as I have lots of ideas of things to make!

I made this card in Serif Craft Artist, which I use now and again to make a quick digi card, and I always use it to print out my digi stamps as its so easy to use!

Wishing you and your families a happy, healthy and safe 2016!

I look forward to sharing more crafty makes with you this year!
Mandy x

Materials Used:

Serif Craft Artist Professional - digi kit, basic shapes and lines

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

I have been a little quiet blogwise throughout December - sometimes life just gets in the way... But I will be back after the New Year with more cards to share with you.  In the meantime I would like to take this opportunity to say thanks for popping over to my little piece of blogland throughout the year, and wish you and your families a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

Mandy x

Materials Used:
Tim Holtz stamp sets - Bird Crazy, Crazy Things, Crazy Talk
GraphIts - 8110,, 8220, 8250, 5120, 5215, 5220, 2780, 9101, 9102, 9501, 9502, 0000
Copics - E50
Sakura - fine line pen

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge #256 - Anything Goes

It's time for another challenge over at Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge, and this week the theme is Anything Goes!
 
There are two fabulous prizes this week, so pop on over to http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ and join in:
Art By Miran - 3 digi images  
Imagine That - $10 gift certificate

Materials Used:
Art By Miran - Hello Mr Snowman digi
Copics - E00, E01, E02, E42, E44, E47, E53, B000, B91, B93, B95, B97, YR14, YR16, C1, C2
Core'Dinations - orange card
Hunkydory - white card

Lacy Sunshine #72 - Sweet Dreams of Christmas

Its time for a new challenge over at Lacy Sunshine, and for this challenge the theme is Sweet Dreams of Christmas.

Please pop on over to Lacy Sunshine and join in the fun for the random draw  - there will be 2 winners: 1st prize - 5 digi images, 2nd prize - 3 digi images of choice from the Lacy Sunshine Crafters Candy Shoppe.

We have a gorgeous Challenge Digi for you, which you can get for a special discounted price of $2.00 for the duration of the challenge from the Lacy Sunshine Crafters Candy Shoppe, or for free if you used a Lacy Sunshine digi in Challenge #71 (see details on the Challenge Blog).

I am adding this to: 
Just Keep On Creating - Anything Goes November 2015 

Materials Used:
Lacy Sumshine - Sugi Fairy Godmother digi
Copics - E00, E01, E02, E42, E44, E47, E50, E53, R85, Y17, YG63, B91, B93, B95, B97, B000, C1, C2, C4
Core'Dinations - blue card
Hunkydcory - white card blank

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge #254 - Anything Goes

It's time for another challenge over at Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge, and this week the theme is Anything Goes!
  I chose to use this gorgeous image from Lacy Sunshine, even though I always struggle with red as I find that all alcohol markers in red bleed a lot - any one else have that problem?
 
There are two fabulous prizes this week, so pop on over to http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ and join in:
Lacy Sunshine - 3 digi images  
Bugaboo Stamps - 7 digi images

I am adding this to: 
Just Keep On Creating - Anything Goes November 2015
 
 Materials Used:
Lacy Sunshine - Minty Mer digi image
Copics - E00, E01, E02, E40, E42, E44, E47, R83, R85, YG61, YG63, R14, R17, R27
Core'Dinations - red card
Hunkydory - white card blank

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge #253 - Use 3 of Something

It's time for another challenge over at Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge, and this week the theme is use 3 of something.

I chose to use this beautiful ballet slippers image, and I was originally going to colour it in shades of ivory as I thought that would look really pretty - but as you can see when it came to it I used pink! I added 3 pink pearls to be my 3 of something.
 
There are three fabulous prizes this week, so pop on over to http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ and join in:
Sparkle n Sprinkle - 3 digi images  
The Stamping Boutique - 2 digi images
Dis Digi Stamps - $12 gift certificate

I am adding this to:
Just Keep On Creating - Anything Goes November 2015
 
Materials Used:
Sparkle N Sprinkle - Ballet Shoes
Copics -R81, R83, R85
Core'Dinations - pink card
Hunkydory - white 5 x 7 card blank
Pink pearls from stash  

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Well I have to be honest, I don't often buy Halloween crafty goodies, but when I saw this stamp and die set from Lawn Fawn... well I just have to have it, as it is so cute!

I am adding this to the following:

Through The Craft Room Door - Anything Goes 27/10/15 - 02/11/15
Just Keep On Creating - Anything Goes November 2015

Materials Used:
Lawn Fawn - Booyah stamp and die sets
Copics - C1, C2, C4, V15, V17, R81, YR12, YR15, YR16, YR18
Ranger Distress Inks - spiced marmalade, wilted violet
Crafters Companion - black card
Hunkydory - A6 white card blank

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge #251 - Anything Goes

It's time for another challenge over at Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge, and this week the theme is Anything Goes!
 
There are two fabulous prizes this week, so pop on over to http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ and join in:
Dr Digi- 2 digi images  
Karleigh Sue - $10 gift certificate

I am adding this to the following:
Just Keep On Creating - Anything Goes October 2015
Through The Craft Room Door - Anything Goes 27/10/15 - 02/11/15

Materials Used:
Dr Digi - Keep Fit Kenneth digi image
Copics - C0, C2, C4, C6, C8, E00, E01, E02, E51, B91. B93, B95, B97
Sakura - black micron pen 0.5
Crafts Beautiful - Spring 2012 paper collection (yes I have had this in my stash that long!!!)
Hunkydory - white card blank

Lacy Sunshine #70 - Once Upon A Dream

Its time for a new challenge over at Lacy Sunshine, and for this challenge the theme is Once Upon A Dream - so show us all your favourite fairy tale cards!

Please pop on over to Lacy Sunshine and join in the fun for the random draw  - there will be 2 winners: 1st prize - 5 digi images, 2nd prize - 3 digi images of choice from the Lacy Sunshine Crafters Candy Shoppe.

We have a gorgeous Challenge Digi for you, which you can get for a special discounted price of $2.00 for the duration of the challenge from the Lacy Sunshine Crafters Candy Shoppe, or for free if you used a Lacy Sunshine digi in Challenge #68 (see details on the Challenge Blog).

I am adding this card to:
Just Keep On Creating - Anything Goes October 2015

Materials Used:
Lacy Sunshine - Sugi Winter Princess digi image
Copics - E00, E01, E02, E42, E44, E47, E50, E51, R83, R89, YG63, YG67, C2, C4, C5, C7, B000, B91, B93, B95, B97
Wink of Stella - clear Wink of Stella pen
Core'Dinations - blue card
Hunkydory - white 5" x 7" card blank

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge #250 - Anything Goes

It's time for another challenge over at Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge, and this week the theme is Anything Goes!
 
There are two fabulous prizes this week, so pop on over to http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ and join in:
Oddball Art - 3 digi images  Bugaboo Stamps - 7 digi images

I am adding this to the following:
Just Keep On Creating - Anything Goes October 2015

Materials Used:
Oddball Art - Lizzy Love IMG155B
Copics - E00, E01, E02, E42, E44, E47, E51, C2, C4, R81, R83, R85, R89, B000, YG61, YG63, YG67
Core'Dinations - pink card
Hunkydory - white square card blank

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge #249 - Easel Cards

It's time for another challenge over at Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge, and this week the theme is Easel Cards.  Now I would have to admit that easel cards are not my favourite to make, so this was definitely a challenge for me! 
 
There are two fabulous prizes this week, so pop on over to http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ and join in:
Sparkle n Sprinkle - 3 digi images 
Digital Delights - $5 gift voucher

I am adding this to the following:
Just Keep On Creating - Anything Goes October 2015
 
Materials Used:
Sparkle n Sprinkle - Christmas Ornaments
Core'Dinations - purple card
Sue Wilson - bow die (need to figure out which one - sorry!)
Stampin' Up! - rhinestones
Hunkydory - white card

Lacy Sunshine #69 - Monster Mash

Its time for a new challenge over at Lacy Sunshine, and for this challenge the theme is Monster Mash - you can do anything creepy cute relating to Halloween or Harvest.  I'm not really sure that this image is meant to be for Halloween, but I decided I would make it into a Halloween card anyway!

Please pop on over to Lacy Sunshine and join in the fun for the random draw  - there will be 2 winners: 1st prize - 5 digi images, 2nd prize - 3 digi images of choice from the Lacy Sunshine Crafters Candy Shoppe.

We have a gorgeous Challenge Digi for you, which you can get for a special discounted price of $2.00 for the duration of the challenge from the Lacy Sunshine Crafters Candy Shoppe, or for free if you used a Lacy Sunshine digi in Challenge #68 (see details on the Challenge Blog).

I am adding this to the following:
Through The Craft Room Door - Anything Goes 05/10/15 - 12/10/15 
Just Keep On Creating - Anything Goes October 2015
Art By MIran - Anything Goes #42 
Simply Create Too - #96 Halloween Colours 
That Craft Place - Halloween 

Materials Used:
Lacy Sunshine - Mena Day of the Dead Curiosities digi image
Copics - E00, E01, E02, E42, E44, E47, YR02, YR07, YR09, R83, YG61, YG63, V12, V15, V17, C0, C1, C2, C4
Stampin' Up! - Witches Brew washi tape
Hunkydory - 5 x 7 white card blank

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge #248 - Anything Goes

It's time for another challenge over at Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge, and this week the theme is Anything Goes! 
 
There are three fabulous prizes this week, so pop on over to http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ and join in:
Bugaboo Stamps - 7 digi images
Lacy Sunshine - 3 digi images
Di's Digi Stamps - $12 gift certificate 

I am adding this to the following:
Just Keep On Creating - Anything Goes October 2015

Materials Used:
Bugaboo Stamps - Halloween Xmas Owls and sentiment
Copics -YR02, YR07, YR09, YR24, YG11, YG13, YG23, R14, R17, R27, Y17, E42, E44, E47, E51, E55, E57
MCS - crystal glitter
Crafters Companion - orange card
Hunkydory - 5" x 7" white card blank