Mother's Day

I thought I would share with you the card that I made for my wonderful Mum for Mothering Sunday. 
It's always a special feeling making a nice card for someone close to you. You put lots of love into it! I must have had my Mum in my mind at the time that I designed this stamp.
FRS110 Mum
The papers are from a 'My Minds Eye' 6 by 6 pad called 'Miss Caroline - Howdy Doody'

I've used two daisy punches for the flowers from Woodware. I thought they went well with the daisies on the paper.


This stamp could also be used for a birthday or thank you card.


I have also designed a 'Dad' stamp in a similar design to this one.


FRS109 Dad


I hope that if you are sharing the day with your Mum that it's a special one.

Woodware Design Team Challenge - Good Luck

No doodling on this one I'm afraid!! I chose to make a good luck card for a keen footballer. Although there are plenty of other sports to choose from in the set that I used such as swimming or judo:
FRCL212 Number One Champ
The 'Good Luck' greeting is from this set:
FRCL080 Mixed Greetings

For the Woodware Spring Catalogue I did a white, red and blue theme with a hint of the upcoming Olympics. So with this card I just wanted to show that this set is for any time and can be quite specific to a favourite sport. You can incorporate team colours.


I stamped using Brilliance Graphite black ink. I have used Sakura pens;  white for the highlights/stitching and yellow Glaze to colour in the letters on the word 'Champion' and the number one. For a touch of class I have added some 5mm Mark Richards blue 'Nailheads'


Pop along to the Woodware Blog for other ideas for 'Good Luck' cards.

All doodled ready to colour... or not

I have doodled another 'Huge Happy Birthday'....


I may colour it or leave it black and white...


I cannot decide. I could also continue to doodle. That is the problem! it's knowing when to stop!!! lol

CHA pictures - amazing things done with paper

In January I had the opportunity to go to the winter CHA show. It's a big trade show all related to crafts and hobbies. It's great for me as for once I get a chance to be the other side of the desk.... not working. 

All creative people need inspiration and the time to let the creative juices flow.

Although the point of going to the show is to find new products there is also a chance to look at some fab samples and to see displays put together to enhance products.

These pictures are of the DCWV stand or booth. The theme was based on trees, birds, butterflies and flowers. 

All the birds, leaves, butterflies and flowers were made from paper. Someone cut all the peacock and parrot feathers! wow...

They won an award for the stand.

A 'Huge Thanks' doodled...

I love this stamp nearly has much as the 'Huge Happy Birthday'...


I thought I would share this card as it's in the same style as the 'Sketch' card where I used 'Huge Happy Birthday'. 


This stamp is called 'Huge Thanks'
FRS213 Huge Thanks


I had great fun once again doodling and colouring using my Sakura pens:
Micron, Glaze and Stardust.

Woodware Design team Challenge - Sketch

Well I am really into doodling now! I have to say that when I get hooked I seem to have to do it over and over... I have used one of my new stamps design from the Spring release:
FRS214 Huge Happy Birthday


It's perfect for filling in using lots of different mediums as it is open and simple. It's great for paper piecing or doodling or filling in with pens or paint. I've done a mix of coloring and doodling. All the pens I have used are Sakura pens; Glaze, Stardust and of course the Micron for doodling. I love mixing the glaze pens!

The dot on the 'i' is a Craftwork Cards 'Candi'. This new range has tiny writing printed on them. I took a white one and Glazed it.


For the spotty effect I have used a Dark Stardust pen and water coloured in the background and added the dots using a Glaze pen.


The overlaps of the letters are ideal areas for doodling but on some of the letters I have drawn lines to create some extra doodling spaces.

Finally the sketch has a square in it but I have swapped it for a heart which I punched.


The '2' comes from this set:
FRCL103 Kids Birthdays
the 'U' and 'Congratulations' come from this set:
FRCL080 Mixed Greetings


Why not check out other takes on the sketch over at the Woodware Blog.

More doodling...

Another card using doodling and Peel Off's. Again it's my new 'Mum Round' design. This time I have kept the doodling within the frame.


Again I have kept the mounting very simple to achieve an elegant look.


I have to say that it is making me look at my Peel Off's and stamps in a completely different way. That's very good for the creative juices...


I now have quite a few doodled designs waiting to be mounted....


I'm trying to do one each day!

I have used Sakura Stardust pens from the dark range for the colouring. I have water coloured them for a softer look.

More doodling...

As promised another sample using doodling... I have used another new Peel off's design called 'Clematis'. 


I find it very relaxing doodling and it gives the Peel off's a completely new look. You can listen to your favourite program or music while you doodle for full total relaxation!


Like in the previous card I posted a few days ago I have kept the mounting very simple as I think it makes for a very striking look and does not take away from the doodling.


If you are not very good at doodling or coming up with patterns there are quite a few Zentangle or doodling books on the market. 


Coming up...some more variations and some stamp doodling....
Also check out other doodling ideas from A Maze of Memories' blog

Woodware Design Team Challenge - Look what I did with my Frantage!

What messy fun! My card looks very controlled but my table was not... I have two other variations to mount and although I used the same products they all look slightly different. It's not easy to duplicate!


I have used the following stamp which is from the new Spring release:


FRS215 Calla Lily


and these three products from the Stampendous 'Frantage' range:
Shabby pink embossing enamel
Aged rose embossing enamel
Fresh green crushed glass glitter


I made up a 'coffee' spray which I used on the cream card to tone it down before stamping. The Lily is stamped with Graphite black Brilliance.

After stamping I sprinkled some of the 'Shabby pink' embossing enamel very lightly over the whole image and dusted some off trying to be a little selective as to where it should go.


If the ink is still slightly wet the powder stays on the line. I heated from below so as not to blow the powder away!


I sprinkle some of the 'Glitter' over the enamel and heated again from below. So the enamel becomes the glue.

I used a VersaMark pen to apply some of the 'Aged rose' embossing enamel. You can be more selective  as to where the powder goes using the pen by drawing some patches. I did this next to the leaves.I heated the ribbon to make it curl up.


The greeting is from this set:
FRCL207 Ribbon Banners


Finally the colour has been added using Sakura Stardust pens.


If you want more ideas using 'Frantage' why not pop along to the Woodware blog!

In to doodling?

Whilst out at CHA-trade show last month I had the chance to attend a 'Zentangle' workshop. A lovely lady called Joanne Fink took the class.


I had by fluke bought her book just before Christmas - a present for me! so I was extremely pleased to be doing the class [I was on standby but there were a few no shows - we got there at 7.30 am to be first for a cancelation!]. 


We had a really relaxing class and I came away very inspired. I also had the chance to get my book and sketch-book signed.
Since then I have been doodling... not quite tangling as I do not follow specific patterns

I saw an opportunity to put some doodling in my black Peel off's designs. The first sample I am posting uses my 'Mum round'. It is now available to purchase.


I chose not to fill all the spaces but to add some colour. For the doodling I used a Sakura Micron black pen - 01. The colouring is achieved using Sakura Stardust pens from the dark range which I have water coloured.


More samples to follow....

Woodware Design Team Challenge - 40 Shades of green

For the challenge this week I have chosen to use some of my new Peel Off's. Last year I designed some Oriental pots so this year I have added a teapot and cups. 


FRANCOISE - ORIENTAL TEAPOTS 94279


The greeting is from this stamp:

BLOSSOM TEAPOT - CLEAR MAGIC SINGLES  FRS114

As you can see there are not 40 shades of green on this card but there are a few nevertheless with a touch of gold and black! 
I have used Sakura Pens to colour in. I have used Glaze, Metallic and Stardust pens. I like to combine the different effects the pen create for a more interesting look. They combine so well!


I have added some pale green Mark Richards Dots. I like the subtleness of the Dots. Woodware are stocking the smaller clear version which can be coloured very nicely with the Sakura Identi pens. So looking forward to playing with those!! 


Its a brief visit today as I have just returned home from the 'Stitches' trade show. Previous to that we did 'CHA' the US trade show and I came home with a very nasty bug!. Why not pop along to the Woodware Blog for further inspiration...

woodware Design Team Challenge - Heart for my sweetheart

This card is too late for 'Valentines' but my feeling is that hearts can be used all year round and for lots of occasions. It's nice to feel love all year round. The elements all come from a very 'hearty' set! 


FRCL149 Lots of Hearts


Its one of these sets that cries out to be coloured in... or maybe not as you could go classic black and white with bright red hearts. So it will lend itself to lots of different schemes. My scheme is very sugary!! but I do love  pink, lime green and orange as a combination. 


I have stamped the panels several times on different coloured card and paper pieced the hearts. I have shadowed the hearts using a VersaMark pen. Its a marker type pen that contains the same ink as in the pad. I have then highlighted the hearts with a white gel pen. The little kisses are a small stamp in the set but easy enough to stamp a border with.

Pop along to the Woodware Blog to see other great ideas for this challenge

Valentine Card

I made this card for one of the magazines last year. I love the simplicity of the tags and the three strips of  paper for a background. Less is more as they say.


It's the same set that I have used for the Woodware Challenge card that will be posted this Friday so pop back to see how different the two cards are colour wise.


It is such a versatile set. I used the colours of the papers to guide my colouring. I had just started to use Copic pens at the time. My handmade colour chart helped me select the right pens for the job.

Woodware Design Team Challenge - Sketch

This week we are back to doing another sketch. This card is definitely for dog lovers. We have never been a 'pet' family but many of my friends have a cat or dog so I've seen first hand how much people love their furry friends. We had a goldfish for a little while... but that is it. I had great fun designing this set and still enjoy playing with it.


FRCL119 Man's Best Friend

All the stamped elements used on this card are from the set. There are lots of doggy related words and items associated with a dog. The large bone is blank so as I have done on the card you can put in a wording or leave it blank.
The papers come from the 'London Collection' that Woodware distribute. I do like my spots and ginghams as they don't clash with the stamping.

I've gone for a bit of sponging around the edges of the papers and card. For that I used a  terra cotta 'Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink' from one of the Cats Eye Queues. So useful for this sort of thing.


The little paw is the waste from this 2cm Woodware punch;  CAT PAW  815-43
A little tricky to arrange and stick but well worth the effort. Other detail include nailheads, ribbon, dashed line drawn using a Sakura Black Micron pen and white highlights using a white Sakura pen.


I should really have made his nose shinny for this post so I will need to do that at some stage!


Pop along to the Woodware Blog to see other great ideas for the sketch.

More Peel Off's... Mums too

A variation on the first sample I posted a few days ago using one of my new Peel offs. Its called Mum Round... nothing to do with Mother!!!


I have used Sakura Glaze pens for the colouring. 


The greeting and thin black lines are also Peel Off's.


The ribbon was heated with a heat gun to make it twist and curl.

More New Peel Off's...

I was in a hurry when I took this photo so I don't think I have done the card justice!


Last year I bought out some Oriental pots and this adds a teapot and cups to the collection. The flower is also new.


I started with gold Peel Off's and changed them to orange using a Sakura Identi Pen. I've used Tombow pens and a red Sakura Glaze pen for the colouring.


Unfortunately you cannot really see that I used the red glaze over my red water colouring. This technique gives depth to the glazing.

woodware Design Team Challenge - 3D delights

Not to sure if my contribution this week is really what was meant by 3D delights [lol]... it certainly covers the delight part and jelly beans are 3D. Well it's my take on the wording. 


I've used one of the owls and greetings from this set:
FRCL193 Patch an Owl


I've stamped using the Coffee Bean Brilliance inkpad for a softer look. The owl and flowers have been coloured in using a mixture of marker pens and Sakura Glaze pens. So no paper piecing! ....but this shows how easy it is to colour instead.


For the topper I have used Woodware punches: 3" circle and 31/2" scalloped circle. I have sponged the edges of the circle, scalloped circle and oval with inks; pink, yellow and green.

I then cut a shaped panel that I folded in half to make the holder for the bag of Jelly Beans. I stamped some patchwork flowers on the holder using the flower which is in the set. The ribbon is decorative but also secures the flaps.


As home baking is becoming popular again you could put some homemade cookies or chocolates in the bag or maybe healthy nuts!! Whatever takes you fancy...


Pop along to the Woodware Blog for other takes on this challenge.

More New Peel Off's...

This time it's a new circular design with Mum flowers. The little elements in the corners are from the same sheet as the circle.


Again I have used Sakura Glaze pens to colour in the image. I've kept it quite simple as black Peel off's are quite striking and do not need over done. 


The image fits into a 3" punch so no cutting out by hand is needed!


This sample will go on show at Paperworld 2012 which is a big trade show in Germany. This card was one of many I made over Christmas.

Woodware Design Team Challenge - Template teasers

For this week's challenge I have turned my crafting hands to doing some scrapbooking! Yes it is quite unusual for me as you probably already know. I have never used the Artemio templates before so I thought I would just follow the instructions to see if it was easy or hard to do. I actually found it quite easy to do as the instructions are very clear. I used the following template;


ARTEMIO DIAMOND - DIE-CUT MINI ALBUM - TEMPLATE 18002017

I started by selecting the theme and photos I wanted to use. As I chose pictures from our holiday to Santorini an island in Greece I chose a blue and white theme as in the flag. Blue and white colours appear on buildings also!

You need a piece of 12 by 12 cardstock for the base. Use a retractable pencil to mark out the cuts and scores. Once you have marked these on the card, do the scores for the folds first using a fine embossing tool. Then do the cutting on a mat using a nice sharp blade on your craft knife to avoid tears. You do need to be fairly precise if you want it to be neat and fold up well. Use a good rubber to remove any pencil marks.

 This is my front cover and shows my mini book all folded up.I printed off a couple of maps that I found on the internet and a Greek flag. 


On the template there is a little flap which you use to hold the mini book shut. You could ignore it and add ribbon instead or some string. I wanted to use it to see if it worked. It does the job but it might get worn if it is over used. I would recommend not to mat and layer every photo especially if you use the back and front of your mini book like I did

 On the template there are different size windows which you can use as view finders. You can move them around over your photo to select which area you want to cut out. You can also use the windows to cut matting layers for your photos. That is a really helpful tool as you don't have to do it by eye!


Make sure to use a photo glue on the back of the photos to avoid lumps and bumps...

I really enjoyed doing this project. I was not sure to start of with about using this diamond shape but it's worked really well. Now I have a little brag book all about our beautiful holiday!

I do love Greece..... the sun, food, islands, churches....

Enjoy the rest of the pictures and pop along to the Woodware Blog to see how other templates have been used.

New Peel Off's- what fun!

I though I would give you a sneak preview of some of my new Peel Off's coming out at Stitches and Paperworld 2012. 


This one of the samples I made and sent to Holland to be on show at Paperworld. 


I've coloured the fish,bubbles and seaweed using Sakura Glaze pens. I did some sponging on the back panel using a bubble element as a stencil.


I love it when I have new designs to work with!!!


Another sneak peek in a couple of days...