Gorjuss Art Journal page

Hey everyone!

Hope you're all well! Today I have another art journal page to share with you. If you've never done any art journalling before, I heartily recommend it! It's very freeing compared to card making and you get just get down and get inky and dirty!!!

This page has been created using the Gorjuss stamp The Dreamer coloured with copics...

I started off by colouring the image with copics. I added some highlights with white gel pen and then I fussy cut her leaving no white space. The page was created by sticking down sheet music, Tim Holtz tissue paper, some vintage pattern paper and masking tape and covered with white gesso. I then used Lindy's Sprays (C'est La Vie Cerise, Danny Zuko's Denim, Pop Rock Purple) and a water spray. I then added some splashes of Liquitex Titanium White. I added some gelatos (fig, raspberry, coconut, metallic mint) smudged with my finger. I stamped the dandelions from the Autumn Leaves Fine and Dandy set and then added white gel pen to them. I stamped out the cloud part of the Gorjuss stamp separately on MME patterned paper and drew freehand the rest of the clouds- I coloured with the before mentioned gelatos. I then stuck down the Gorjuss image, the clouds and a strip of matching paper which I thought was quite rainbow like. I then went round and highlighted each element using a black uniball pen. Finally added some word/sentiment stickers.

Here's your close up! Such a beautiful image!

Supplies: Stamps (Gorjuss, Autumn Leaves); Lindy's Sprays; White Liquitex; White gel pen; Black Uniball pen; Vintage sheet music and pattern paper; Masking tape; White Gesso; Papers (MME); Gelatos; Copics; Water Spray; Tim Holtz Tissue Paper; Tim Holtz Word Stickers

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Hallooooo my crafting peeps!

Today I have a wee card to show you for My Mum's Craft Shop using a really quirky Paper Artsy stamp set...

This stamp set is JOFY 15 and is a whole sheet of cute and quirky stamps (I've used 5 of the stamps in this scene). Everything is coloured with copics. I stamped each of the birdies twice so that I could layer up their wings to give a 3d effect. The bird box I actually paper pieced and then added some copic shading. The papers I've used are MME Unforgettable. The gorgeous frame (my new plaything!) is the new Chalkboard Frame Dienamics. Because the stamped sentiment looked quite handwritten and doodly, I decided to use my Autumn Leaves stamp set that looks like doodles (sorry can't think of name of it!)

Hope you're having a fab week! x

Crafty stash used: Stamps (PaperArtsy, Autumn Leaves); Copics; Assorted cardstock; Papers (MME); Dies (Dienamics, PTI); Eyelets

Happy bunny!

Hi everyone. Hope you're all OK. Sorry for being such a bad blogger recently but things have been pretty hectic of late, I really will try to come and visit you this week!

I am a happy bunny (as much as I can be under the circumstances) as Mum had her appointment with the consultant on Monday who confirmed that her tumours (they have found 2 now) are operable and that she will have her op next Friday! We are extremely relieved, scared, but relieved. The endless waiting has been so stressful, even the consultant said we had the patience of Job! I am trying not to think too much about next week but to just feel relieved that it is happening and let that be enough for now.

So during the endless waiting, I've been keeping myself busy with lots of cardmaking. I also want to make some little pressies too, I hope I have time for these once Mum is out of hospital!

So my first card up is a birthday card for my wonderful Mum. I love this cute Elzybells bear. She's coloured with watercolour pencils and outlined in copics with a paper pieced dress. The papers are My Mind's Eye. I have used 3 new dies (see end of this post) from my new crafty stash ordered from MFT. I think these dies are absolutely fab so I treated myself as a bit of retail/stress therapy! I have used the jumbo scallop, oval chain border and the rolled rose dies. I absolutely love the rolled rose die which I used with pink felt. Isn't it pretty?

Here is a little cutie close up!

I'd like to enter this into the following challenges:

My Time To Craft- roses

Little Red Wagon- use 3 of something (I've used papers)

Crazy 4 Challenges- make a square card

Sweet Stampin Challenge- photo inspiration

Crafty stash used: Stamp (Elzybells); Watercolour pencils; Copics; Papers (My Mind's Eye); Nesties; Die-namics (MFT); Gems (Lakeland); Flower gem (Joanna Sheen); Felt; Leaves (Prima)

My next card is a from a group of quick and easy Christmas cards I created over the end of last week based on some cards I did last year. I will post more of these next time.

This card is done using the Inkadinkadoo stamp sheet of lamps. I first masked out a shape using a post-it note (I'd actually kept the mask from last year!) and stippled blue metallic ink onto the card base. Then I stamped the lamp which I thought looked quite Christmasy over the top. At the base I used my new Art Institute faux snow glitter. Sentiment is an Elzybells one.

See the glittery snow! I'd like to enter this for:

ABC Christmas- winter wonderland

If The Shoe Fits- blue

Polka Doodles- quick and easy Christmas cards

Cutie Sunday- light blue and white

Crafty stash used: Stamps (Inkadinkadoo, Elzybells); Mask; Stipple brush; Faux snow (Art Institute); Pearls (Wild Orchid Crafts)

And a variation on the theme! This card was made using gold and copper metallic inks sponged on. The tree is from a sheet of tree stamps by Autumn Leaves. The sentiment is by Papermania.

I added red micro beads from the Art Institute.

A close up of the micro beads- they look fab and create such great texture!

I'd like to enter this for:

ABC Challenges- holidays

Secret Crafter- red and gold

Crafty stash used: Stamps (Autumn Leaves, Papermania); Mask; Sponge; Micro beads (Art Institute)

And finally a photo of my new stash of Die-namics! Yes, I did go a bit over the top!!

Thanks for stopping by, hope to see you again soon and thanks so much for all your kind wishes x

Time to relax!

Hi everyone! Hope you're all well and have enjoyed a fabbie crafting week! I've been purchasing a few bits and pieces for updating my craft room. I was at Ikea yesterday and bought 3 shelves and a ridiculous number of storage jars. Also had my amazing new mini stacker delivered in the week. Won't be able to show you my new improved room for a bit though as I'm really hoping to get another 2 mini stackers for my birthday. Maybe I'll do some teaser photos to whet your appetite!!! I LOVE looking at other people's craft rooms so much!!!

So onto my first card of the week...

This is another of my newish Riley stamps. I'm loving this little moose at the moment, (s)he makes me smile!!

My sis asked me to make a card for her friend's birthday so here it is! I coloured Riley with copics and paper pieced the couch and added some shading over the top as well. Papers are by American Crafts. Sentiment is Papertrey Ink from their On My Couch set.

I'd like to enter this for:

Papertake Weekly- sketch

Papercutz- use 3 designer papers

Here is Riley blissed out on the sofa. Those choccies look yummy!

Crafty stash used: Stamps (Riley & Papertrey Ink); Copics; Papers (American Crafts); Assorted cardstock; Nesties

Onto my next card which is for a friend's birthday. Little Cutie Patootie from Elzybells. I coloured her with watercolour pencils and paper pieced her dress and added some shading and extra colour with copics and brush markers. The card blank is made with the Sizzix Bigz scalloped card die. I thought these flower eyelets would go perfect with the flowery paper and scallops. This fitted in perfectly with the Belli Challenge to use old embellies- no one ever uses eyelets any more, do they???! I haven't used eyelets for over 2 years I don't think!

I'd like to enter this into:

Diecut Dreams- teddy bear birthday

Belli- old embellies

CRAFT- fancy florals

What a little cutie!!- don't ask me why my font is now underlined!!! I can't get it to stop!!

Crafty stash used: Stamps (Elzybells); Watercolour pencils; Copics; Brush markers; Paper (DCWV & Lili of the Valley); Assorted cardtstock; Sentiment (Pink Petticoat); Bigz die (Sizzix); Nesties; Ribbon (Stampin Up); Eyelets (Poppicrafts); Gem (Joanna Sheen)

Onto my third card. This is a birthday card for my Dad's pen pal who lives in the US. When my Dad passed away, he had been writing to him for over 15 years so I thought it was a shame to let the friendship end so I have started writing to him instead. The dandelion and leaves are from an Autumn Leaves stamp set, the sentiment is Hero Arts and the butterfly is Stampington. I wanted to do a fairly simple card and this contains two firsts for me- using Kraft card and this colour scheme! I NEVER use yellow, not as a main colour anyway! I added a bit of white to the dandelion using watercolour pencils.

I'd like to enter this into:

Cute Card Thursday- clock or time- I figured a dandelion clock was ok! A bit unconventional I know!

Pollycraft- no designer papers

Caardvarks- clean and simple

Pals Paper Arts- buttons

Crafty stash used: Stamps (Autumn Leaves, Hero Arts, Stampington); Assorted cardstock; Button (The Altered Element); Ribbon (The Altered Element); Pearls (Wild Orchid Crafts); Watercolour pencils

And my last card of the week, yes, I had to slip a Christmas card in somewhere! This card contains some recycled bits off old Christmas cards- the two pressies which I cut out with nesties. I then mounted on some Coredinations cardstock which I distressed a bit and then stitched round. I've stitched a few of the layers on the card and used half a nestie to cut out the sentiment which is from a See D's set.

I'd like to enter this for:

Charisma Cardz- Christmas

Crafty stash used: Stamps (See D's); Images (recycled); Paper (?); Assorted cardstock; Ribbon (Poppicrafts); Punch (Martha Stewart); Sewing machine; Nail file; Nesties

Hope you all have a fun filled week! x

The original Bella!

Hi everyone! Hope you're all OK. I'm still continuing with our throw out before moving but I don't really seem to be getting anywhere. You know when you're tidying and you just seem to be making more mess?!! Well, that's my house at the moment!!

Firstly I must apologise for the quality of these photos. I think the setting has changed on my camera so everything is coming out a bit dark. I know nothing about cameras so will have to confer with hubbie so sorry they are so rubbish!! So onto my first card of the day, here's a birthday card I've made for a crafty friend. We keep saying we're going to have a crafting day so I put this card together with that in mind. I've used the original Stamping Bella! I've coloured her with a mixture of Lyra pencils and copics and have done alot of paper piecing on her- check out her crafting tote! I added a bit of sparkle to her as I think you should always look your best when crafting! lol. The papers are all Dream Street. The sentiment is from the Hero Arts tags and tickets set but I just cut out the sentiment.

Here is a close up of her. I love that her dress matches her tote- imagine being that colour coordinated!!

I'd like to enter her for the following challenges:

Friday Sketchers- "Sketch"

One Stop- "Pink"

Crafty stash used: Stamps (Stamping Bella, Hero Arts); Lyra pencils; Copics; Paper (Dream Street); Assorted cardstock; Nesties; Punch (MS); Stickles; Gems (free); Button (recycled); Thread (Arty Miss)

My second card is for a friend's little boy's birthday. I've used the cute little FF bear and coloured with watercolour pencils. Again, I've done some paper piecing and added the recipient's name on the tag and a bit of doodling round the edge. The papers are all by Making Memories. The sentiment is Elzybells.

Here is his little close-up. I like how the paper piecing turned out on the pressie.

I'd like to enter this card for the following challenges:

Our Creative Corner- "Sketch"

Saturday Spotlight- "Clean and simple"

Stamp Something-"Use paper, ribbon & a button"

Cute Card Thursday- "Use ribbon"

Crafty Catz- "Use a fancy edge & a ribbon"

Creative Card Crew- "Celebration"

Crafty stash used: Stamps (Forever Friends; Elzybells); Watercolour pencils; Papers (Making Memories); Assorted cardstock; Nesties; Ribbon (Poppicrafts); Button (Poppicrafts); Fine black liner; Gems (Lakeland)

And finally my sis asked me to make her a card for my Mum for Mother's Day so here it is! The various flower stamps are from the Autumn Leaves Fine and Dandy set. I coloured with copics and added some glitter and hot fix crystals. I also sponged blue ink around the edges after I'd cut out with nesties. The papers are all from DCWV Fun in the Sun stack. Sorry, the photo is particularly bad on this one and doesn't do the card any favours, it looks much nicer in real life! lol. I put the image on foam pads to make it pop a bit and added this gorgeous spray that I won in some blog candy.

I'd like to enter this for:

Sketch n Stash- "Sketch"

Allsorts- "Mother's Day"

Paperplay- "Mother"

My Time to Craft- "Just for Mum"

Crafty Creations- "Pop it up"

Crafty stash used: Stamps (Autumn Leaves); Copics; Stickles; Papers (DCWV); Lace & spray (won in candy); Hot fix crystals; (London Bead Co); Ribbon (Joanna Sheen); Sentiment (free); Nesties; Punch (Woodware); Blue ink & sponge; Assorted cardstock

Hope you've enjoyed popping by today. Have a great week- hopefully this sunny weather will last!! x

Get punchy!

Hi everyone! I hope you're enjoying your weekend. We've been busy having a clear out in our house in preparation for moving house (fingers crossed!) but I've managed to fit in some crafty time this week though. Thanks to everyone for their kind comments on me starting my new job. It went OK- lots to remember- which is always the scary bit but I think I'm going to enjoy it.

So here is a card I made for my Auntie who's 81 next month. This card took me absolutely ages to do and there were times when I thought it wasn't going to turn out how I wanted. You know how you get an idea in your head and you're not sure whether it's actually going to work- well that happened with this card but I am pleased with how it turned out in the end!!

So this card originated with the idea of seeing a couple of challenges who's theme was to use punches which I'll admit I don't use that often. I also wanted to use this gorgeous image from the Autumn Leaves' Fine and Dandy set so I set out with trying to come up with an idea which incorporated the 2!

The Autumn Leaves stamp I embossed with red embossing powder and then added a couple of mini punched flowers and some gems, pearls and hot fix crystals. I saw the idea of punching a window and then forming a lattice of punched shapes over the top in a craft book by Julie Hickey. It was pretty fiddly glueing all the flowers down but the effect is worth it I think.

So here is a close up. Hopefully you can see the window and punched flowers in a bit more detail.

These are the 3 punches I used! The square punch was used repeatedly to form the window.

I'd like to enter this card for the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp DT call- "Punch it"

Creative Card Crew- "Punch it"

CRAFT Challenge- "Red"

Spoon Full of Sugar- "Use layers"

Crafty stash used: Stamp (Autumn Leaves); Red embossing powder; Paper (Basic Grey); Assorted cardstock; Punches (Woodware & Personal Impressions); Pearl embellie (Ebay); Gems (Joanna Sheen); Hot fix crystals (London Bead Co.); Ribbon (recycled)

My next make is an ATC- again not something I make very often so I thought I'd give it a go for a change.

I made this Sizzix ATC using the Chloe Sizzlit die and Buttons Sizzlit die. ATCs are so great for using up scraps of paper and card. Her body and face I actually coloured with copics as I find it's hard to get good skin toned card. The sentiment is Elzybells which I cut out and backed with one of the larger Sizzlit Buttons.

I'd like to enter this for the Creatalicious Challenge- "Nothing Stamped"- sentiments allowed.

Crafty stash used: Stamp (Elzybells); Dies (Sizzix); Assorted cardstock; Assorted paper scraps; Copics; Ribbon (recycled); Gem (recycled); Fine black liner

And lastly, how lucky am I??? I won these two fantastic stamp sets in the Elzybells blog candy draw. These are Elizabeth's new releases and I'm chuffed I won some of them!!! Thanks, Elizabeth!

Hope you've enjoyed popping by today x

Mice and monkeys!

Hi all! Hope you all had a lovely weekend. I'm sorry I didn't get round to visiting many of you but I had a bit of a busy week last week. I'm starting training on Thursday for my new job! I had CFS for about 4 years (though thankfully only have occasional flare ups now) so I haven't worked for ages. Then last year just as I was getting better, I was thrown in at the deep end as I had to run my Dad's business when he passed away. We scaled back the business hugely so now I just do paperwork for the family business so am able to take on some other part time work. I'm really looking forward to doing something different though am a bit nervous!! Wish me luck!!

Anyway, enough of my ramblings, onto some cards.....

My first card is a birthday card for a male friend and is this using this cute Whipper Snapper stamp. I love how chilled out he looks! Wish I was where he is!!! I coloured the image with copics and then the shading around the edge is done with lyra pencils to give a softer effect. I love the writing, it's a Sizzix phrase set. I bought it in their Winter sale. By the way, have you seen my cute flip flop brad?!

I'd like to enter this for a number of challenges:

Cupcake Craft Challenges- sketch (rotated)

Paperplay Challenges- "Furry friends"

Copic Colour Challenge- "Blue, grey and green"

Crafty Catz- "Birthday card"

Paper Cutz Challenges- "Beach/summer"

Crafty Calender- "Keeping warm"

Sophisticats- "Spring/bright colours"

Here's my usual little close up to see a bit of copics shading. I still need practice but I'm definately improving!

Crafty stash: Stamp (Whipper Snapper); Copics; Lyra pencils; Nesties; Phrase die (Sizzix); Papers (Making Memories); Assorted cardstock; Brad (Poppicrafts)

And my second card of the day is also for a male birthday. I've got so many birthday cards to make at the mo!! This Changito monkey stamp I got for birthday or Christmas and have coloured with lyra pencils. I stamped a frame around him from the Doodley Frames set by Autumn Leaves which I love. The sentiments are both by Elzybells but from different sets- one is from the sheep set and the "hey buddy" is from the "missing you" set. The little sentiment holder (I know that's not the word I want but it escapes me!) is another little Sizzix bargain I got in their sale. I don't know if you can see but I cuttlebugged the strip across the middle.

Crafty stash used: Stamps (Stampendous, Elzybells, Autumn Leaves); Lyra pencils; Paper (?); Assorted cardstock; Nesties; Spot and Dots folder (Cuttlebug); Tag holder (Sizzix); Ribbon (recycled)

And for this card, I'd like to enter it into:

Friday Sketchers- sketch

Paperplay challenges- "Furry friends"

Crafty Catz- "Birthday card"

Sketchy colours- "Brown and turquoise"

Thanks for dropping by. Can't wait to see your creations this week x

Crafty Creations, Creative Inspirations & Just Us Girls Challenges

Hi everyone! Hope you're enjoying a crafty weekend! This is taking me an age to type as can't type with my left index finger as I managed to slice through it with my guillotine whilst making the last card on this post!!! I've been thinking of buying a new guillotine as it sometimes has trouble cutting through paper- but no trouble cutting my finger it seems which is substantially thicker!!! It really hurts! Owwww!

Anyway on to my first card which is for the Crafty Creations Challenge who's theme this week is blue. I had another go with my new Papermania stamp and I'm much happier with this card. I stamped on white card twice and cut round all the ornaments and left aside. The main image I stippled around using some shades of blue and silver inks. I then added Platinum Stickles in various places to add highlights. The paper is also from Papermania. When I'd assembled the card together, I then stuck on the cut out baubles and attached with 3D foam pads and added some hot fix crystals around the sentiment.

Crafty stash used: Stamp (Papermania); Paper (Papermania); Assorted cardstock; Platinum Stickles; Hot fix crystals (London Bead Co); Inks

Here is a little close up so you can see the decoupage a bit clearer.

My second card is for Creative Inspirations Challenge who's challenge is to make a Christmas card. I used my Stampology stamp and embossed it with red powder. The paper is by Papermania- I thought I'd go for a ripped look with this card! The sentiment is embossed with white powder.

Crafty stash used: Stamps (Stampology, See D's); Paper (Papermania); Assorted cardstock; White and red embossing powders; Ribbon (recycled); Brad (Papermania?)

Onto my last card which is for a new challenge blog I've found called Just Us Girls. It's a colour theme of aqua, red and cream. I'm not entirely happy with this card, I'm not sure why, but as I was one finger short for most of it and in pain, it's not too bad!! The stamp is Papermania, all papers are by Making Memories. The flower gem on the tree is recycled and was pink but I coloured with a red copic pen to match.

Crafty stash used: Stamp (Papermania); Papers (Making Memories); Punches (EK Success, Martha Stewart); Gems (Lakeland); Ribbon & flower gem (recycled); Copics

Hope you've enjoyed popping by today- hope to see you again soon! x

Sketch Saturday, Lili of the Valley, Caardvarks and Daring Cardmakers Challenges!

Sketch Saturday and Lili of the Valley

Hi everyone. I hope you're enjoying your weekend. I've entered 4 challenges on this post. The first card is for Sketch Saturday following this great sketch (above). I left off the sentiment as I thought it wouldn't look right so I hope it's still ok to enter! I have also entered it for Lili of the Valley which is to make a Christmas card for a child- I thought the cute polar bears were perfect for that!

So I'm not sure who made this stamp but I coloured it with copics- not much to do really- just some grey and cool blue shadows. The paper is new from the Papermania Christmas range. I also used my new snowflake punch.

Crafty stash used: Stamp (?); Paper (Papermania); Copics; Assorted cardstock; Ribbon (Poppicrafts); Brad (Lakeland); Punch (?); Fibres

Caardvarks

The next 2 cards I have made for the Caardvarks Challenge which is to use ribbon in a wonderful way! I saw a sketch in my Cardmakers Sketch Book which I thought I'd used and slightly adapt. I was going for the classic, elegant look which I hope I've achieved! The stamp is by Stampology- it's a new set which just features different trees which I thought was really unusual and I'm looking forward to playing more with it. The background paper is from the Old World Stack. It took ages to thread the ribbon through but I think it was worth it!

Crafty stash used: Stamp (Stampology); Paper (DCWV); Assorted cardstock; Ribbon (Lakeland); Corner- rounder punch (Woodware); Hole punch

And I liked it so much, I decided to make another one!

Crafty stash used: Stamp (Stampology); Paper (Papermania); Assorted cardstock; Ribbon (Joanna Sheen); Corner rounder punch (Woodware); Hole punch

Here is a little close-up of the ribbon!

Daring Cardmakers

The challenge over at Daring Cardmakers is purple! This is a very simple card using my new Papermania stamp. To be honest, I don't think I've made the best of the stamp which I really like so I will be playing around more with that. I simply stamped the stamp and then highlighted areas with a Quickie Glue pen and then sprinkled loads and loads of glitter on!

Crafty stash used: Stamp (Papermania); Assorted cardstock; Glitter (Lakeland and Glitz It); Punch (?)