Penny Black

Penny Black!! Wow:-) I was sooo excited when I found out they would be the sponsor for this months challenge. I have loved their stamps for a long time and the Christmas Hedgehog and Cat rank right up the top of the list!! I chose the Transparent stamp set Christmas Joy from the new release and couldn't resist colouring them all:-) leaving white space is something I tend to struggle with, I always feel compelled to place something there but a recent customer order for a light card that could be posted easily overseas got me thinking. I didn't add any paper to the card to keep it light and stuck with the white card base as the main part of the card. I embossed the background with snowflakes and added on a panel of plain white to break it up. The image is cut out using a circle spellbinder then overplayed with a snowflake wreath by Memory Box. Having all the white also made the coloured image the central focus of the card and made really pop:-) it was out of my comfort zone but I love the end result!!

Medium: Copic and Spectrum Noir Markers

Fur: IG8, IG6, IG4, IG2, IG1 (SN), R20, Blender Pen (Cat) E49, E47, E44, E43, E42, E41 (Dog)

Other: R89, R39, R37, R35, R24, G29, G28, G24, G21, BV00, BV01, BV02, BV04, BV08, E44, E43, E42, E41

Image: Penny Black, Christmas Joy Clear Set

Paper: Neenah Solar Crest (Crafters Companion UK)

Elements: White Card Stock (Aussie Scrap Source), Frostyville Wreath Die and Snowflake Label (Memory Box), Scallop Edge Punch (Fiskars), Circle Die (Spellbinders), Moonlight White Brilliance Ink (Archival), Snowman embossing folder (Crafters Companion)

SP and Company

The Sponsor for this months Challenge are the lovely SP and Company!! It was sooo very hard to choose a stamp from their collection as they are all gorgeous:-) I settled on this new release image from their Christmas Collection By Gillian Roberts. I have been collecting her beautiful stamps for some years now so couldn't resist adding another one to my collection. This one jumped out at me straight away, it just sums up the feeling of Christmas.

This months challenge is tie it up, you need to use ribbon or twine to create a bow somewhere on your card (not to hard when it's something we often do anyway!!) so head on over to the Designed to Color blog and take a look at all the inspiration:-) We can't wait to see your entries!!:-)

Medium: Copic and Spectrum Noir Markers
Skin: E11, E01, E00, E000, R20
Hair: E37, E49, E29, E57 (Girl), E31, E35, Y21 (Boy)
Clothing: G21, G24, G28, G29, R89, R39, R37, R35, R24, BG6 (SN), BV29, BV25, BV23, BV23, BV20, B91, B93, B95, B97, B99, E40, E41, E42, E43, E44, E47, E49, IG1 (SN), IG3 (SN)
Image: SP and Company, Winter Romance Stamp, Gill Roberts Collection SPG2049
Paper: Neenah Solar Crest (Crafters Companion UK)
Elements: Jumbo Java Ink (VersaMagic), Metallic Red Gold Marker (Promarker), 25 Days of Christmas Paper Pad (Simple Stories), Scallop Circles Large and Cirlces Large Dies (Spellbinders), Holiday Lamppost Die (Tim Holtz for Sizzix) Burlap Ribbon (Close to my Heart), Pearl Brad (Aussie Scrap Source), Washi Tape (My Minds Eye)

Today, October 5th, is officially World Card Making Day! This holiday is an opportunity to celebrate the creativity of handmade cards and the personal connection that they create between friends and family. It's a day to connect with fellow card makers both near and far, to applaud the creativity that powers the craft, and to provide an opportunity for card makers to connect and find resources that will empower, inspire, and encourage them in their card making. It’s also a time to get a jump-start on the holiday card-making season!

At Designed To Color, we’ve decided to celebrate this special day with an awesome Blog Hop!! Our Design Team and special guests have made some amazing cards! Several of us will also be sharing some card-making tips along the way. Please leave a comment on each designer’s blog and then a comment at Designed To Color to let us know you have completed the hop. We will pick 1 random winner for a prize package consisting of goodies from various sponsors including:


Crafter’s Companion

Yumi and Fumi Handmade

The Stamp Doctor (TSD)




…..just to name a few!


You have until Monday, October 7th, at 11:59pm MST to leave a comment on each blog. We will announce the winner on Wednesday, October 9th. GOOD LUCK!

Here is the blog hop order:


Designed To Color
Carisa
Susie
Laura
Rosie
Alaine
Rebecca (You are here!!)
Chitra
Lisa
Lyn
Leah l’Orange

GUESTS from TSD:
Lizzie
Cassandra

I decided to go for something completely different with my card this time, I usually avoid oranges and yellows but have been looking for an excuse to use these papers for a while. They just sum up everything about Autumn. Mo Manning is by far one of my favourite stamp designers and I purchased this one a while ago not for any particular use but just because it was sooo cute!!! what better to go with Autumn colours!! My card making tip is to use glossy accents for realistic looking raindrops:-) squeeze a small amount onto a piece of grease proof paper and use a toothpick to dot around small amounts. I have used them on her umbrella hat and shoes.



Medium: Copic and Spectrum Noir markers
Skin: E11, E01, E00, E000, R20
Hair: E47, E44, E43, E42
Clothing: Y21, Y23, Y26, Y28, R24, R37, R89, R22
Other: YR18, YR16, YR15, YR14, YR12, YR09, YR07, YR04 (Umbrella)
Image: You are my Sunshine - Digi (Mo Manning)
Paper: Neenah Solar Crest (Crafters Companion UK)
Elements: Apple Cider Paper Pad (Bo Bunny), Jumbo Java ink (VersaMagic), Flowers (Kaisercraft and Prima), Lacey circle and Small Circle Dies (Spellbinders), Autumn leaf punch (Carl), Sentiment Printed from computer, Label Die (Sizzix), Metal Charm (Prima), Elegant Flourishes Die (Tim Holtz Sizzix), Brad (Docrafts), Metal Fence Die (Memory Box), Vintage Sun Coral Cardstock (Core'dinations), Glossy Accents (Ranger)




We hope you are inspired to create something special for World Card Making Day. If you do make a card please stop by the Designed To Color Facebook Page to share your creations. We would love to see them!!

Have a great weekend!:-)

Brambly Hedge:-)

Well I have to admit I was more than a little excited to find out that Crafters Companion are our sponsor for this months Designed to Color challenge. I had been eying up the Brambly Hedge range for a while and was thrilled to get an opportunity to try them out!! I chose the gorgeous Spring range to Colour and had a very hard time choosing which image would go on my card!! It certainly helped that this months theme is anything goes:-) that's right absolutely anything as long as you have included a coloured image!! I must say I fell completely in love with the finished project, the little mouse is just way to cute!!!!:-)

Medium: Copic and Spectrum Noir Markers
Mouse: E35, E34, E33, E30, E31 (Head), E11, E00, E01, E0000 (Tail, Hands, Feet)
Clothing: B99, B97, B95, B93, B91 (Overalls), R89, R39, R37, R24, E40, E41, E42 (Shirt)
Other: B0000, B000, B00 (Jar), E30, E31, E33 (Spinning Top), R89, R39,R24, E42, E40, E41 (Bowling Pins), SN- IG1, IG4, IG5, C- Y28, Y26, Y23, Y21, B99, B97, B95 (Jack in the Box), E37, E35, E34, E33, E33, E31, R89, R39, R24 (Package on Left), E47, E44, E43, E42, E41 (Wooden Mouse), E35, E34, E33, E31 (Package on Right), B99, B97, B93, B95, B91, R89, R39, R24, E27, E25, E23, E21 (Bunny) SN- IG1, IG4, IG6, C- B21, B23, E50, E51, E53, E40, B0000, Y0000, Y13 (Cake Stamp)
Image: Brambly Hedge Spring - (Crafters Companion)
Paper: Neenah Solar Crest (Crafters Companion UK)
Elements: Kraft Funday paper pad (My Minds Eye), Jumbo Java ink (VersaMagic), Star Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Large Petite Oval and Scallop Petite Oval (Spellbinders), Kraft Cardstock (Aussie Scrap Source), Chocolate Pearls (Kaisercraft), Autumn Cardstock (Vintage Core'dinations)

TiddlyInks:-)

I came across Tiddly Inks stamps a month or so ago and fell in love wither they are just sooo cute:-) I couldn't resist buying a large stack of them and am constantly looking for excuses to use them!! This one has been at the top of my list, I just love the pose on the toadstool. I made the lethal mistake of colouring it before I chose the paper and decided a purple dress would look nice for a change (Although purple is my favourite colour I don't seem to use often) I then discovered that for some strange reason I don't have many paper pads that have purple in them but finally found one that was just perfect a Kaisercraft one that had been sat in my stash for quite a while:-) This card is a birthday card for my Sister in Law in the UK, I love getting a chance to do really girly cards so went all out on this!! Hope you like it:-)

Medium: Copic Markers
Skin: E11, E01, E00, E000, R20
Hair: E47, E44, E43, E42
Clothing: V20, V22, V25, V28, V91, V93, V95, V99
Other: R24, R27, R37, R39, R89, E40, E41, E42 (Toadstool) E33, YG61, YG63, YG67 (Grass) V20, V22, V25 V28, V91, V93, V95, V99, YG61, YG63, YG67 (Headband) B0000, B000, B00 (Wings)
Image: Wryn-Fairy Friends - Digi (Tiddly Inks)
Paper: Neenah Solar Crest (Crafters Companion UK)
Elements: Magic Happens Paper Pad (Kaisercraft), Lilac ink (Kaisercraft), Bling (Kaisercraft), Scallop circle and Bitty Blossom Dies (Spellbinders), Pinwheel Posie and Small Pinwheel Posie Dies (Memory Box), Sentiment Tag (Lili of the Valley) Purple thread from my stash

Alice

This Months Sponsor is the brand new Alicia's Stamps!! They gave us a few stamps to choose from but I couldn't bypass this Alice in Wonderland stamp!! I just love that it has the White Rabbit and the Cheshire Cat on it too:-) For this months challenge we had to take inspiration from an image and the themes that came first to my mind when seeing it were whimsical, rustic and vintage all of which were perfect for Alice!!

Every person will have an individual take on this so can't wait to see what everyone else comes up with!! For my card I took the opportunity to be as girly as possible, having two boys means I don't get the chance very often. Alice's dress and apron were also great for pleat practice!!!!

Medium: Copic Markers
Skin: E11, E01, E00, R20
Hair: E50, E53, E31, E33
Clothing: B91, B93, B95, B97, B99, E41, E42, E43, E44
Other: R24, R39 (Bunnies Jacket), V91, V93, V95, V99 (Cat), Y28, Gold Spica (Watch) R56, R59 (Hearts)
Image: Alice in Wonderland - Digi (Alicia's Stamps)
Paper: Neenah Solar Crest (Crafters Companion UK)
Elements: Fairy Rhymes Paper Pad (Prima), Deckled Edge Classic Oval, Scalloped Heart and Fleur de Lis Doily Accents (Spellbinders), Pinwheel Posie and Small Pinwheel Posie (Memory Box), Rose Pearls (Kaisercraft), Sentiment (Lili of the Valley), Small Flower Punch (Carl) Jumbo Java ink (VersaMagic), Doily from my stash

Head on over to the Designed to Color blog to submit your entry!!:-)

Happy Birthday!!:-)

As always, it has ended up being a while since I last posted:-( there has been a lot going on with my family and I haven't been in the frame of mind to colour let alone post on here:-( Today though is my Nanna's birthday and I set out to make an extra special card for her. I bought quite a few Tiddly Inks digi stamps a few weeks back and we've been sitting on my desk getting neglected so I figured what better time to try them out!! I couldn't get any more perfect than this one with a great big birthday cake!!!:-) hope you like the card as much as I do:-)

Medium: Copic Markers
Skin: E11, E01, E00, R20
Hair: E49, E47, E44, E43, E42
Clothing: B0000, B000, B00, B01, B02, B04, B05, B06 (Dress and Shoes) RV13, RV14, RV17, RV19, YG11, YG13, YG17 (Hat)
Other: E50, E51, E53 (Cake) RV13, Y0000, Y000, Y00, Y02, Y08 (Candles) BV29 (Tray)
Image: - Digi (Tiddly Inks)
Paper: Neenah Solar Crest (Crafters Companion UK)
Elements: Hello Summer Paper Pad (Echo Park), Rouge chalk ink (Colorbox), Platinum Planet brilliance ink (Tsukineko), Scalloped Posy Die (Memory Box), Happy Birthday cupcakes oval die and Framelits flower layers and leaf dies (Sizzix) , rhinestone strip and resin flower (Kaisercraft), Fresh Foliage Die (Spellbinders), Whitewash Antique Vanity (Core'dinations), Sentiment (Wild Rose Studio), Doily from my stash