Sheena Anenome with Spectrum Pencils

Hi there. Whilst i still have lots of Wintery stuff to post, I thought I would go for something a littel less seasonal today, I the shape of this handbag card which i made a very long time ago, using the Sheena Anenome stamp set.

I am quite proud to say that this started out as plain sheets or white card and paper!

I created the handbag shaped from white centura pearl card which i embossed with a Textures folder before distressing with some distress ink.

The bag handles were cut using nestie circular dies and given the same embossing and distressing treatment.

I then stamped my flowers and leaves on to Centura Pearl paper before colouring them with my Spectrum Noir pencils. This made a lovely effect as you srill get the shhen of the paper through the pencil.

Finally, I finished with a bit of shaping and flower arranging to finish off my bag.

Hope you like it!

Sharon x

Crafters Companion Edgeables - not just for edges

Well another quick post from me today and, since we are experiencing some very chilly weather here in the UK at the moment, I thought i would post a 'frosty' kind of card, made using a DieSire Edgeable Christmas Tree.

Now I don't know what it is about these dies but i see them and I never want to use them on edges!!

In this case i made one Edgeable cut which you can see at the bottom of my diorama, and them cut out two others completely to make the dangling trees that you can see. These are detachable to that that can be used as Christmas tree decorations as well.

For a simple card, it took quite a while to construct, so I don't think I will be doing this again...but you have to try new things don't you??!!

Thanks for visiting today and i hope you are all keeping warm and cosy.  :-)

Sharon x

Sheena's Perfect Partners - on sale tonight

Hi all,

It's been a while since I posted anything, so I thought that I would pop by with this card that i made for a recent edition of Crafter's Inspiration magazine using some of the Sheena Perfect Partners dies and stamps.

This one seemed to be the perfect option as it shows the Happy New Year Greeting that comes with the stamps and also, it is a reminder of how freezing it is outside right now!!

Also, a quick heads up to let you know that Sheena is in the Telly tonight at 8pm (Hochanda) and there will be a sale featuring here products, so it is well worth a look.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sharon x

Peace on Earth

Well here we are on Christmas Eve, and nearly ready for Christmas.

I am feeling kind of reflective today....there is so much tragedy in the world at the moment. Sometimes I feel sorry for myself for one reason or another but there are so many others for whom life is a much greater struggle.

Sometimes we just need to get back to the simple things. It's a bit early to be making New Year's Resolutions, but I think I am going to try to do more of that next year...reconnect with the simple and important things in life.

Meanwhile, all I can wish for the next few days is a happy and peaceful time spent with those who are closest to you.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Sharon xx

Cute Card Thursday - Snowflakes

I'm back with a new challenge for Cute Card Thursday, and this week we have the very festive theme of 'Snowflakes'.

There a re a million things I could have done with this theme, but I opted for something a little different, in the shape of a shaker card with sequin snowflakes.

My jolly little snowman is from the Crafters Companion Nordic Christmas range and I have paired him up with some of the gorgeous embossing folders from the same range. I embossed them on to centura pearl card and them sanded them back  so that you can see the lovely snowflake pattern.

You might also be able to spot that even the acetate has little snowflakes on it too!!

I hope you like my card for today. Don't forget to come and join us at Cute Card Thursday - we can't wait to see all your lovely creations!

By for now!

Sharon x

Inkylicious Deer and wreath

Hi everyone. We have a very wet and dreary day here in the UK today......nothing like the snowy scenes that we dream of at this time of year!

I have a bit of a thing for snowy scenes and deer in my festive card making this year, and this is is no exception.

Taking a break from colouring, I decided  to go with some stamping and duster brush work, using my Adirondak ink pads and this is the result.

All of the stamps used are from Inkylicious on this occasion and and I finished my card off with a splash of glitter, before mounting it on some pearlescent blue card.

I hope you like my card for today and thanks for visiting.

Sharon x

Challenges:
http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/chnc-challenge-extra-for-december-2016.html
http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/challenge-139.html
http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/challenge-341-always-anything-goes.html
http://a-step-in-the-darkness.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-57.html
http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/holiday-chaos-day-4.html
http://cardz4guyz.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/challenge-149-christmas-animals.html
http://cinspirations.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-263-christmas-creations.html
http://eclecticellapu.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/december-challenge.html
http://christmascardsallyearround.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/december-challenge-anything.html
http://trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/challenge-393-8th-of-december-winter.html
http://creativeknockouts.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/171-snow-much-fun-crafty-sentiments.html
http://4craftychicks.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/4cc-328-no-pattern-paper.html
http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/challenge-350-christmas-card-non.html

Cute Card Thursday Stars and Sparkles sponsored by All Dressed Up.

 Hi there, I am back with another card, using an image by All Dressed Up who are this week's Cute Card Thursday challenge.

The them this week is Stars or Sparkles, so I thought this image was perfect for the job.

I have coloured the lovely little girl and all her presents with my Spectrum Colourbelnd pencils and I have used the blending solution and paper stumps to give the softer water colour effect which I love.

I have also managed to get some sparkle in there by glittering her wings nad dress, not forgetting the dotty border. All of these were done with a fine glue pen and a sprinkling of fairy dust!

Finally, I found the perfect paper to fir the them - it comes from the Crafters Companion Cattitudes paper pad....not just for cats as you see!

I hope you like the card...which is just a little bit kinetic as the little girl swings on the end as if she is in a little bauble.  😄

I hope you like the card today. Thanks as always for visiting and see you over at Cute Card Thursday.

Sharon

Challenges:

http://christmaswiththecuties.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-1-anything-cute-and.html
http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/challenge-341-always-anything-goes.html
http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/challenge-139.html
http://a-step-in-the-darkness.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-57.html
https://digichoosday.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/wk-49-anything-goes-digi-choosday.html
http://cinspirations.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-263-christmas-creations.html
http://classicdesignteamchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/1st-december-2016-classic-design-team.html
http://eclecticellapu.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/december-challenge.html
http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/welcome-to-pennys-challenge-307.html
http://southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/challenge-149-anything-goes-team-trace.html

Make someone smile with Bugaboo

It's time for a new challenge at Fab n Funky and this week we have a lovely theme - Make Someone Smile!

I am sure you will agree that Bugaboo images are perfect for this theme, and I have chosen this gorgeous snowman image for my card.

I have coloured him in with Spectrum Noir pens (you can see the colours below), and used a little bit of artistic license to turn the bird in to a robing, by drawing in a line for his little red breast. Aren't they both the cutest things?

I have kept my card clean and simple, to focus on the lovely bold image and kept to good old traditional Christmas colours.

Thanks so much for visiting, and don't forget to visit Fab n Funky where there will be lots more smiles waiting for you! 😁

Bye for now.

Sharon x

SPECTRUM NOIR PENS USED: GT2,GT3,OR2,OR3,CR1,BT3,BT2,EB6,EB5,DR3,BG4

Challenges:
http://christmaswiththecuties.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-1-anything-cute-and.html
http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/challenge-341-always-anything-goes.html
http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/challenge-139.html
http://a-step-in-the-darkness.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-57.html
https://digichoosday.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/wk-49-anything-goes-digi-choosday.html
http://cinspirations.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-263-christmas-creations.html
http://classicdesignteamchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/1st-december-2016-classic-design-team.html
http://eclecticellapu.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/december-challenge.html
http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/welcome-to-pennys-challenge-307.html
http://southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/challenge-149-anything-goes-team-trace.html

A 'deer' little card......

Have you noticed that deer seem to be very much on trend for this year's Christmas crafting? Well i have been hooked in and bought a number of deer related stamps to make my card with as i totally love them!

I was also lucky enough to contribute to the latest Crafters Inspiration magazine, using card made from the Scenic Winter range and I think that this card is probably my favourite one.

The trees in the foreground and the deer are all part of one giant die, and the detail is added using the corresponding deer stamp. The lovely trees in the background are also part of the same stamp set.

I have coloured everything in using my Spectrum Sparkle pens. For the deer I mixed some of the colours on a piece of acetate to get just the shade that I wanted.

I also used some snowy acetate which I thought gave the perfect backdrop.

I hope you like my regal stag!

Thanks for visiting.

Sharon  x

Challenges:
http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/poinsettias-or-snow-is-falling_18.html
http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/week-391-anything-christmas.html
http://addicted-to-stamps-challenge.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-136.html
http://christmascardchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-50.html
http://christmascardsallyearround.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/december-challenge-anything.html
http://thepapershelter.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-275-christmas-card.html
http://cinspirations.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-263-christmas-creations.html
http://eclecticellapu.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/december-challenge.html

Kit and Clowder Card Exchange

Hi all, I thought I would pop by with the card that I made for the Kit and Cloweder card exchange, a few months back. Sadly, it was a one way exchange, as I didn't get one back, but it won't put me off doing it again next year.  :-)

For my card I decided  toy use this lovely All Dressed Up image and i coloured her in with my Sepctrum Colourblends and blending solution.

As you can see the oranges and yellows came out beautifully vibrant, so I was really pleased with them.

To finish my design I used some digi papers from Nitwits, a lovely sentiment from a Tattered Lace die, and some teeny buttons, which are my favourite size for cards.

I hope you like her. I think she is a little sweetie!  :-)

Thanks for visiting!

Sharon x

Challenges:

http://alldressedupchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-63.html
http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-339-always-anything-goes.html
http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-137.html
https://digichoosday.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/wk-47-anything-goes-craft-challenge-at.html
http://carabbiemomentsofcraft.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-107.html
http://southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/anything-goes-with-team-lou.html
http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/pennys-challenge-305.html
http://thepencilcases.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/wk-33-anything-goes-colouring-craft.html
http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/craftycatz-challenge-348atg-with.html
https://polkadoodle.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/week-47-anything-goes-polkadoodles.html

Things with Wings at Fab n Funky

y

 It's time for another challenge at Fab n Funky, and this week it is hosted by me. 😃

Our sponsor this week is Doodle Pantry, and I have chosen the theme of  Things With Wings in honour of the lovely little birdie character that features on many of their images.

We have a certain season coming upon us quickly, and so I chose this cute little scene, to get a head start on my Christmas cards.

I have used Spectrum Noir pens to colour my image and picked the colours to match the papers that I had already chosen.

So a quick post from me today, but I hope you will come over to Fab N Funky and shae your creations with us.

Thanks for visiting.

Sharon x

Stepping in to Christmas

Well Thursday has come around again and that means it's time for a new challenge over at Cute Card Thursday.... and it doesn't get much cuter than this little pair!

For my card today I have used one of the lovely Christmas stamp from the first release of 2016 by Lili of the Valley.

I have used the fabulous Spectrum Noir blendable pencils, along with blending solution and paper stumps to give them a lovely water colour finish, and hopefully you can see a little sparkle of glitter in there too.

I opted for a stepper card today, and as luck would have it, I have one of the brilliant Tattered Lace stepper dies , so the matting and layering was a piece of cake, using Centura Pearl card from Crafters Companion, and a digi paper that I found in my stash of 'printed but didn't need to use at the time' papers!

So that's my card for today.

I hope you will come over and visit Cute Card Thursday so we can see lots more Christmas cuteness.

Bye for now.

Sharon x

Challenges:
http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/chnc-challenge-extra-for-november-2016.html
http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/winner-top-3-337.html
http://inkychicks.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-75-winter-wonderland.html
http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/pennys-challenge-303-winner-and-top-3.html
http://trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-390-17th-of-november-christmas.html
http://creativeknockouts.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/168-lots-of-layers-all-dressed-up.html

Cattitudes photo album

One more quick post from me on Cattitudes this week. This time it's a photo album and...... before I continue.......please excuse my absolutely rubbish photography!

This was really simple to make.

I took some A4 centura pearl card and cut it in half to make the pages.

The scored each page one inch in from the left so the pages would bend.

I decorated each page  with a topper and some coredinations card, embossed with one of the folders.

I did a slightly different style for each page,

And finally, I used a hole punch to make two holes on the left hand side of each page, before tying all the pages together with ribbon.

East peasy!!!

Thanks for visiting again!

Sharon x

Cattitudes note pad

Hi - I'm back with another  Cattitudes Sample.

This time I have decorated an A5 notepad...which must have cost me all of £1.50!!

Once again I have picked a backing paper form the CD Rom, which I printed on to plain parer.

I then chose a lovely topper and printed it on to Centura Pearl card, so it has a lovely soft sparkel about it.

Hopefully by now you will have seen the gorgeous embossing folders...I have used the fan one, embossed on to Coredinations cards stock, taken from the 'Darks' pad, and then sanded to reveal the core and really show off those fans.

Finally - mt absolute favourite die for the collect - the black cat. I cut him from quite thick card and attached him to some ric rac ribbon which is secured at the bacl of the book, so he makes a lovely book mark.

This is so cheap and simple to do, and you could really go to town and make something special for someone!

Anyway - it makes a change from a card. Hope you like it!  :-)

Sharon x

Something Metallic at Cute Card Thursday

Hi everyone. I am back again with a new challenge from Cute Card Thursday.

This week the theme is to add something metallic, and if you look carefully, you just might spot my tiny little bells in the bottom right hand corner.

we are sponsored this week by All Dressed Up, who have a wonderful selection of whimsy images and are one of my favourite digi stores at the moment. I have chosen '3 Little Christmas Girls' which you can find here. The best thing about this particular image is that you not only get the three girls together, but you get them individually too!

For my card, I have coloured my image with my Spectrum Noir Blendable Pencils and matched them to the Milton Christmas paper pad from Wild Rose Studio.

I wanted to do something a little different from the Christmas red and green, so I have gone with shades of pink and olive green which work perfectly with the lovely backing papers.

I hope you like these little cuties, and look forward to seeing you over at Cute Card Thursday.

Bye for now.

Sharon x

Challenges:
https://polkadoodle.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/week-44-anything-goes-polkadoodles.html
http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-337-always-anything-goes.html
http://alldressedupchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-62-october-15th-2016.html
https://digichoosday.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/wk-45-anything-goes-craft-challenge-at.html
http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/welcome-to-pennys-challenge-303.html
http://southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-148-anything-goes-team-trace.html

Use Kraft with Fab n Funky

It's challenge time over at Fab n Funky and this week the theme is to use Kraft Card. I keep meaning to try colouring on Kraft card, but I have never got around to trying it, so I decided to use my Kraft card for the background instead. I embossed my card with the Leaves texture embossing folder from Crafters Companion, and hopefully you can see all the leafy veins in this photo.

I have gone for a topical theme this weeks as this is exactly how the weather is where I live -Autumn leaves falling everywhere, and it is VERY windy!!!

My lovely Lacy Sunshine image is coloured with my Spectrum Blendable pencils, and blended with the oil and paper stumps.

Oh - and I nearly forgot to mention the lovely papers which are all from Nitwits!

Thanks for visiting today and I look forward to seeing you over at Fab n Funky.

Sharon x

Challenges:
http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-337-always-anything-goes.html
https://digichoosday.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/wk-45-anything-goes-craft-challenge-at.html
http://thepencilcases.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/week-32-anything-goes-craft-challenge.html
https://polkadoodle.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/week-44-anything-goes-polkadoodles.html
http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/november-challenge-autumn-colours.html
http://crafting-with-friends.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-31.html
http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-45.html

Give me some Cattitude!!

I am really excited to announce a brand new range from Crafters Companion, which will be featuring on Hochanda today as a one day special.

If you like cats this really is a must have! There is a double CD Rom, a selection of stamps and some great embossing folders and dies......oh and not forgetting a fabulous 8 x 8 paper pad.

I had a great time making some samples for the shows and here is my first example from the range, which has been made entirely from elements printed from the CD Rom. This is a verical stepper card amde using one of the backing papers ( which comes in three different colour ways) and some of the fabulous toppers and tags.

I have mounted everything on to Centura Pearl card in black which gives a fabulous back drop with just a hint of glamour!

Looks out for the shows over the next couple of days....I am sure this range is going to be a hit!

Bye for now.

Sharon x

http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-337-always-anything-goes.html
https://digichoosday.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/wk-45-anything-goes-craft-challenge-at.html
http://thepencilcases.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/week-32-anything-goes-craft-challenge.html
https://polkadoodle.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/week-44-anything-goes-polkadoodles.html
http://crafting-with-friends.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-31.html
http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-45.html

Is there such a thing as a black reindeer?

I don't actually know if reindeers can have a grey / black coat in real life, but I think, if they did  they would look rather lovely!

This fabulous little chap comes from the Crafters Companion Nordic Christmas range, which happens to be one of my favourite releases this year. I love his quizical little face, wondering how on earth he got those decorations tangled around his antlers!

Sometimes the simplest cards are the best, and this time I have gone for a simple colour palette of black white and red, plus everything that you can see is coloured in sparkle pens, so the real life version is lovely and glittery.....well he is a magical reindeer after all!

I have also teamed him up with one of the lovely A4 embossing folders, which I also love. As you can see it works really well on this 8 x8 inch card.

So - a very quick post today, but I will be back with a couple more posts later this week (glue drying as we speak!)....so watch this space.

Thanks for visiting today.

Sharon x

Challenges:
http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/pennys-challenge-302.html
http://sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/red-for-remembrance.html
http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/november-anything-christmas.html
http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/chnc-challenge-extra-for-november-2016.html
http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-336-always-anything-goes.html
http://crafting-with-friends.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-31.html
http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/challenge-45.html

Purple and Pumpkins......

It must be nearly Halloween!

I am a bit late with my post this week, but I am just stopping by to let you know that we are halfway through our weekly challenge this week, where we have the theme of Halloween, sponsored by Lemon Shortbread who supplied this lovely digital image.

I have scraped the cobwebs off of a few things to make this card. Firstly I dusted off my Promarkers, which have not seen the light of day for ages! Secondly I printed out some old favourite digi papers from Bearly Mine, which unfortunately are not available any more....but that's the good thing about digi papers...you have them for ever.

We would love to see your Halloween creations, so don't forget to come over to Fab n Funky to join in the fun.

Sharon x

Less than 2 months to go......

It's been quite a while since I posted on my blog, so I thought I would do a quick post today to remind you of that forthcoming event which gets us crafters in to  frenzy (as if you needed to be reminded!)!!

So here is a Christmas card that I made using the Crafters Companion Christmas Edgeable Stocking de, which I have combined with some papers from the Nordic Christmas and the Bebunny Christmas CD roms. As you can see they all work together really well.

Oh and I mustn't forget the die sentiment which came from the Sara Davies contemporary Christmas collection. If you hop on to the website quickly, you might still be able to get it.

So a very quick post......hope you like!

Sharon x

Challenges:
http://craftyfriendschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-43-anything-goes-winner-of.html
http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-44.html
http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-335-always-anything-goes.html
http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-132.html
http://crafting-with-friends.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-30team-b-moonflower-digis.html
http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-344-anything-goes-with-twist.html

Cute Card Thursday -Lace and Pearls

Hi there.

We have a new challenge over at Cute Card Thursday, sponsored by Lemon Shortbread.

This is one of their lovely images which seems perfect for the chilly weather that is coming our way!

Our theme this week is Lace and Pearls. Be sure to pop over and join us!

Sharon x

http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-344-anything-goes-with-twist.htmlhttp://crafting-with-friends.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-30team-b-moonflower-digis.html
http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-132.html
http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-335-always-anything-goes.html
http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-44.html
http://craftyfriendschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-43-anything-goes-winner-of.html

All Dressed Up and a Recipe from Cute Card Thursday

 I'm back again - this time with the new challenge from Cute Card Thursday, sponsored by All Dressed Up.

We have a recipe this week which is 3 brads, 2 papers and 1 ribbon.

I have cheated a bit, so here is where I confess all!

I used three papers...mostly because I couldn't resist the 'Friends' paper!
In a recent clear out I got rid of all my brads, so I swapped for pearl drops instead.
At least i managed to get the 'one ribbon' bit right!!

So here is the lovely image in close up. I coloured her with my Lyra pencils, and as you can see, she is a little sweetie....really fun to colour!

So that's my card for today's challenge. Don't forget to come over to Cute Card Thursday to see my teamies' great inpsiration, and to join in the fun yourself.

Look forward to seeing you there.

Sharon x

Challenges:
http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-131.html
http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-333-always-anything-goes.html
http://a-step-in-the-darkness.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-53.html
http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/welcome-to-pennys-challenge-299.html
http://alldressedupchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-62-october-15th-2016.html

Fab N Funky - add some Sparkle

 We have a new challenge over at Fab n Funky today, and this week the them is either shades of grey, or add some sparkle.

We are sponsored by Aurora Wings this week -and they have some fabulous images. How's this one for a bit of drama? She is called Rites of Spring and I had a lovely time colouring her in using my Lyra pencils which I recently dusted off and took out for a spin.

I opted for some lovely Peacock colours as I spotted the peacock feathers at the top of the image. For once I completely coloured the image before looking for some papers. I thought this would turn out to be a MASSIVE mistake, but, as luck would have it, i came across the perfect matching papers in my Crafters Companion Paper pad from the Kimono range. It was as if they had been made for the job.....right down to the glittering on the Peacock feathers!

So that's my little story behind this card. I hope you will come and share your creations at Fab N Funky this week. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Bye for now.

Sharon x

Challenges:
http://creataliciouschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/challenge-100-anything-goes-with.html
http://crafting-with-friends.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-29.html
http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-43.html
http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-131.html
http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-333-always-anything-goes.html

Wonderful Days with Tatty Twinkles

Hmmm - been a little while since I posted....that usually means I have been too busy crafting...I can't seem to do both!

I have some more posts coming up later this week, with some of my recent makes, but I thought I would pop by today with this little cutie who is none other than Tatty Twinkles.

I do love this litte lady in all her various guises, and this one seemed just perfect for a birthday card.....which was destined for my lovely mum.

How do you like my pretty pastel papers? They are digital papers from NitWits and they are just lovely aren't they?

I picked those first and then set to colouring Tatty to match with my Spectrum Blendable Pencils, trusty paper stumps  and blending solution.

I then mounted her on to an 8 x 8 card and she was good to go.

Hope you like her, and thanks very much for visiting today.

Sharon x

Challenges:
http://southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/pretty-in-pastels-team-lou.html
https://polkadoodle.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/week-40-anything-goes-polkadoodles.html
http://crafting-with-friends.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-29.html
http://creataliciouschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/challenge-100-anything-goes-with.html
http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/winners-of-our-october-anything-goes.html
http://ribbongirls.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/october-card-challenge.html
http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-43.html
http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-131.html
http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-333-always-anything-goes.html
https://digichoosday.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/week-41-anything-goes-crafting.html

It feels like Autumn is coming.....

Hi everyone.

Are those of you in the UK starting to notice a chill in the air of an evening...even on the sunniest day? Well I certainly am, and one thing is for sure, summer is over and autumn is coming!

Now I am sure that I am not alone in loving autumn as a season  - the bright crisp mornings, the beautiful colours.......... I just hope it does turn out that way, rather than cold, grey and damp

So, in honour of the season, here is my first autumnal card, for this weeks Cute Card Thursday challenge, which is 'AnythingGoes'.

I think this little lady is pretty cute, don't you? She comes from the Octavia range over at Polkadoodles, where you can buy her as a digital image.

I coloured her with my Spectrum Noir pens and left it a bit 'messy' as I really wanted her to have a windswept look......hope that idea worked!

I have used some lovely autumnal backing papers which are ones that I had previously printed, and kept in my stash.  I wish I could remember where they were from!!

Anyway, thanks for coming to visit me today, and I hope you will come and join us over at Cute Card Thursday too.

Sharon x

Challenges:
http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-130.html
http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-332-always-anything-goes.html
http://cardsgalorechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/kenny-k-in-october-anything-goes.html
http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/october-anything-goes-challenge.html
http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/october-autumn.html
http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-43.html
http://a-step-in-the-darkness.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-53.html
http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/welcome-to-pennys-challenge-298-and-dt.html

Quick and Simple

Hi everyone.

First of all, it looks like I have picked up a couple of new followers this week, so I would just like to say thank you very much to the new ladies for following me, and on course to all my older followers for sticking with me. I really do appreciate it! xxx

So, I am back today with a very quick and simple card.......let's be honest, sometimes you just need those kind of cards don't you?

I guess the best thing about this kind of card is that you can make it when you're just not in the mood for faffing, but you want / need to craft...that happens to me after a hard day at work! Then, once is made, you can put it away and grab it when you need a card in a hurry....and cards like this will suit a variety of occasions......you know, like those shop cards that say 'left blank for your own greeting'!

So with that in mind, this card was made with some flowers stamps from Stamp Addicts and coloured very quickly with my Spectrum Noir pens, with no shading.

The background is simply done with distress inks and that's it. I reckon this card took about 15 minutes to make, so a real winner if you are short on time.

Thanks for visiting today and I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.  :-)

Sharon x

Challenges:
http://4craftychicks.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/4cc-318-anything-goes-and-crazy-egg.html
http://crafting-with-friends.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/challenge-28.html
http://creataliciouschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/challenge-100-anything-goes-with.html
http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/october-anything-goes-challenge.html
http://abc-challenge.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/q-is-for-quick.html
http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/challenge-43.html

Clean and Simple with Cute Card Thursday

It's time for a new challenge over at Cute Card Thursday, and this week the theme is Clean and Simple.

I have used this lovely Lemon Shortbread image which, I think looks remarkably like Alice in Wonderland.

I have coloured her with Spectrum Noir Blendable pencils in shade to match my backing paper.

Finally a little bit of flowery ribbon to finish things off.

Thanks for visiting today, and I hope you will join us over at Cute Card Thursday.

Bye for now.

Sharon x

It's Christmas at Fab n Funky

 'Tis the Christmas season over at Fab n Funky and this week we are sponsored by The Paper Shelter.

I have used this lovely image , which I think is perfect for that lovely Christmassy feeling!

I have coloured my image using SPectrum Noir Blendable Pencils and kept the card very clean and simple.

Finally I added a bit of sparkle.....well it is Christmas after all!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Sharon x

Bird Watching

Well it's been a while since I blogged but I thought I would pop  by today with a card that I made a while back, when the Spectrum Sparkles pens first came out.

I was quite taken by the little owl and I wanted to give him the effect of peaking out of a tree. so this is the result.

I am sorry - the picture is rubbish - it was a very dull day!

Have a look at the papers. Can you guess where they are from?.........you will be surprised...........they are from the Downton Abbey CD! Just goes to show how you can easily mix and match.......so long as you can remember which CD the papers were on!

I have added some random dies for a bit of foliage, and that's about it.

I have to say, my Sparkles colouring has come on a lot since I first tried them out on this card, but hopefully you will draw some inspiration from it.

Thanks for visiting today.

Sharon x

Challenges:
http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/challenge-128.html
http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/challenge-330-always-anything-goes.html
http://fantasystampers.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/challenge-72-watch-birdie.html
http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/crafty-catz-challenge-339-anything-goes.html
http://crafting-with-friends.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/challenge-28.html

Vintage Sparkles with Sheena

Time for a new challenge at Cute Card Thursday and this week the theme is Vintage.

I love vintage but don't dabble much in it myself, however this beautiful rose stamp and die from the Sheena Douglass Perfect Partners range seemed just perfect for the job.

As you can see, the rose on tis card is VERY 3d and looks very delicate. Can you believe that its has been made from cheap photo copy paper???

I saw Sheena demonstrate these types of stamps and dies at the NEC, and you really can get the best results using the cheap paper, purely because it gives you the flexibility that you need to shape the flower.

So, for this card I dies cut the shapes and then stamped them before colouring with lashing of Vintage Spectrum Sparkle pens. Then you have to let them dry and you are left with a slightly crispier version of the paper which you can hold and stick together to make the flower.

I think that this would make a lovey topper on a decorative box too.

Finally, the papers came from a magazine freebie pack, but there are some really nice vintage papers in the Downton Abbey range if you are looking for something to fit the theme.

Well that's all  for me today. I hope you will come and join us over at Cute Card Thursday.

See you there!

Sharon x

Go outside with Fab N Funky

It's time for a new challenge over at Fab n Funky, and this week the theme is  'The Great Outdoors', sponsored by Lacy Sunshine.

Pop over to the site to see what a fabulous prize you can win.......but for now, here is my card to match the theme, using Lacy Sunshine London Girl, coloured with my Spectrum Colourblend pencils.

Fairly typical ofthe good old English weather don't you think?

Thanks for stopping by today.

Sharon x

More Colorista..........

Day tow of the UK launch of UK Colourist is here, and I thought I would showcase a page from the A4 Nature's Beauty pad today.

This time I have picked a beautiful page featuring a flower that I recognise, but can't think of the name! Anyway, they are very soft and delicate in real life and I wanted togged the same effect so I have coloured the flower very lightly in hues of pink.

How do you like my frame? I got it go with the silver foiling on the page...it cost me £1.50 from Wilko.........bargain!!!!

Finally, I wanted to make it a little different to just a flat picture so I cut out a butterfly that I like from the Butterlies pad, and stuck it to the corny of the glass with some Colall 3d Glue Gel.

So that's my sample for today. Hope you are all enjoying the shows.

Sharon x

Challenges:
http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/challenge-328-always-anything-goes.html
http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/welcome-to-pennys-challenge-294-and-dt.html

Colorista is here!!!

Hi all.

Have any of you been following the Colourista colouring class hosted by Sara Davies on You Tube? If so, the day the all you UK colourists have been waiting for is finally here! The Colourista range launches on Hochanda tonight!

I was very lucky to receive some of the colouring pads, and was tasked with preparing some TV samples using the Colourblend pencils.

Here is a sneak preview of what is to come...a fabulous tulip which I have made in to an 8 x 8 card.

All of the colouring has been done with the Colourblend pencils with no extras.....so no blending solution, no paper stumps......just pencils.

I hope that you are able to tune in to some of the shows...they are sure to be packed with lots of tips, techniques and inspiration.

My record button is already set!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sharon x

Challenges:
http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/challenge-126.html
http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/challenge-328-always-anything-goes.html
http://asnowflakespromise.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/challenge-28.html
http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/welcome-to-pennys-challenge-294-and-dt.html