My Geisha Creations

April 13th 2011
There is a new challenge at Gingersnap Creations - GC97 "Geishas".
I decided to use my digis from CS Designs and make some Asian style creations with these images. These images are a bit more 'arty' than the traditional look Asian Stamps which is why I really like them - they are a bit different!

As you can see I've made a little take out box, some chopstick holders, a take away menu and I folded a paper crane just because I like to do origami and I love the paper cranes - if you have been to Hiroshimo you would have seen the thousands of lengths of paper cranes on display!

The take out box pattern came from Mirkwood Designs - they have some great templates! And I printed the two Geisha images randomly on the card then cut out and assembled.

The chopstick holder instructions came from Mirkwood Designs as well and I have folded that out of an Asian newspaper! And for those of you who have been to Japan you would know that they present things beautifully and everything is wrapped and so neat and particular.

The papers in the background come from Japan - they are beautiful - such vibrant and rich colours. I went there several years ago and had a wonderful time buying paper and knick knacks!

Chosen as a Ginger Gem GC97!!!!

"Hopping Down the Bunny Trail" New Challenge at Michelle Perkett Studio!

April 12th 2011
Firstly don't forget the Easter Blog Hop on the 16th and 17th April!!!!! Mark it in your diary to come and join the fun and have a chance to win some prizes!

This week Shelley's Team have made the creations for the new Bunny Trail challenge so "hop" over to Michelle's Blog to see what inspiration they have for you! Make sure you get ready for Easter too and make something and join in the challenge!

I've made a little Easter Egg "sack" from a lace doily and ribbon and I've added Michelle's "Oh So Spring" Bunny image as a little tag. I have included a few photos below to show how easy it is to make this yourself from a lace doily.

As you can see I have just used a plain white cotton doily with ribbon threaded through the outermost eyelets and then pulled together to gather the round doily into a little bag and tied a bow as well as adding the little bunny tag. I'm sure the kids would love a little easter egg filled bag like this! And Stamps R Us Blog have an Easter Theme Challenge too!.

The Crazy Challenge Blog have an Easter Theme this week so I've entered my little bag in their challenge. Also Kaboodle Doodle Blog have a Cute & Cuddly Animal Theme and I think my bunny is very cute & cuddly. The Pink Elephant Challenge Blog have a Easter Theme also.

Now I have a sad tale to tell about this little bag of easter eggs - and that is that it got eaten - yes bag, foil and eggs!! - by my "chocolate" labrador who stole it from the table and proceeded to demolish it unbeknowns to me so I am very glad I had taken these pictures well in advance!!!!!!

Chloe and her Magic Wand!

April 10th 2011

I have made this card especially for the latest Magical Monday Challenge Blog which has a theme of 'Magical Pearls and Swirls' and a requirement that a 'Magical' Image be used on the card. I have used one of the cute 'Chloe Faerie' images from CS Designs.

I have handmade the back ground paper based on a 'tutorial' from Janna Werner about making artsy backgrounds. I used a piece of patterned paper and spread a thin layer of gesso over it with a credit card then stamped a grid style stamp over it and added swirl stamps to two sides of the paper. I've added little pearls to the swirls and little diamantis to Chloe's wand and shoes as well as glitter to her wings! I've cut out around the image and mounted it on two different coloured circles. The sentiment is a rub on.

I have also entered this card at Card Makin Mamas "embellished" challenge! Stamptacular Sunday have a 'girls & swirls' theme this week! The Flutter by Wednesday Challenge Blog have a challenge using a butterfly, fairy or angel image! Dream Valley Challenges have a "things with wings" challenge so Chloe has flown over there too!

Michelle Perkett's "New" Mermaid!

Saturday 9th April
This card was made using a new mermaid image from Michelle Perkett Studio. Michelle held a "name the mermaid competition" to choose her name - and the winning name is "Elisa".

I've printed the image on linen look card and coloured her with Copic Markers and cut around the image as I still have some sort of "phobia" about "white space" LOL! I've used my Big Kick to cut flowers and the birthday banner from co-ordinating coloured card and as you can see I've added little gems to the centres of the flowers. All of these have been layered on an embossed piece of card!

I love purple and yellow together - so I'm really happy with how this card has come out! I think she's a sassy looking mermaid and her flowing hair and flowers are great and I love how she is "perched" on her rock!

And here is a close up of the main image and so you can see the flowers and little gems better:

Freshly Brewed Challenge Blog has a "Flowers" theme this week so all of Elisa's flowers certainly qualify! Heart 2 Heart Challenges has a "April Showers Brings May Flowers" theme! Cute Card Thursday have a "Totally Tropical" theme!

NEW DESIGNS at CS Designs- Little Babushkas

April 7th 2011
LOOK LOOK LOOK!!!

Visit the CS Designs Store to see Chris' 7 NEW Little Babushkas!! Anastasia, Nikita, Anya, Olga, Pasha, Petra and Natasha are just to die for. These new designs are the most gorgeous images I have seen - I just LOVE them! And Chris has released them just in time for Easter.

Whilst you are visiting the CS Designs Blog make sure you check out all the information on the April Competition and Easter Hunt and the Great SALE Chris has for the month of April! Purchase some Little Babushkas and join our Easter Parade! I'm going to be 'showcasing' these little images this month so make sure you check back often!

The little "beauty" I have used on this card is "Olga" - isn't she gorgeous? I've made her using the paper piecing method I have just started playing around with. The design is using the new sketch for April from the CLP Challenge Blog which I have turned on it's side. I have used papers from my 6 x 6 'Capella' Paper Pad from BasicGrey. I wanted the card to look earthy and soft.

As you can see I've used my sewing machine to stitch all the elements onto the card and I've added lace, paper flowers and braid to finish it off! I also made the little sentiment "You're a Doll!"myself.

I've also entered this card in the new "sewing elements" challenge at the Creative Belli Blog. And Your Next Stamp Challenge Blog also have a 'sewing' theme!

Paper Pieced Hildie

April 6th 2011
I've been playing around trying some 'paper piecing' which I have seen other people do but have never tried myself - up until now.

Here is a card using "Hildie" from the CS Designs range of digis made by paper piecing. I think the paper piecing gives a really different and effective look and I'm really happy with how it has turned out! The cutting out of the different 'elements' can be quite fiddly though so I think you need to have a bit of patience!

I am entering this card in the new Etsy Inspired Challenge which requires your inspiration coming from the XS Baggage & Co Etsy Store (the bag which inspired me is shown at the bottom of this post - the colours, stripes and flowers are what I have given me inspiration for this card).

This card is being entered in several challenges this week. One is the new Desert Island Crafters Challenge where you have to use at least 3 or more items from the 'itinerary' listed - on this card I have used: glitter (on the wings glitter glue), a child's image, dots (on the patterend paper) and ribbon tied in a bow! The sketch I have used to make the card is from the new challenge at the Totally Gorjuss Blog. At the Craft Your Days Away Blog the theme is "Spots & Stripes".

Fabric bag from XS Baggage & Co Etsy Store.

New Michelle Perkett Challenge - "Surprise Your Mom"

April 5th 2011
Well Mother's Day is coming in May here in Australia but in the UK Mother's Day is in April so we are 'celebrating'!

I have used Michelle's gorgeous image "Thanks Mum" to make a little pot plant pick and I made my own Happy Mother's Day sentiment for the other pick. I have adhered the images to some purchased silk flowers and attached the flowers to some wooden sticks and placed them in the pot of gerberas. I love gerberas they are nice and bright!

Here is a close up photo of the "Thanks Mum" image which has been coloured with Copic Markers.

Make sure you visit the challenge blog to see what the rest of the team have created for this occasion and get some inspiration for your own entry to the challenge!

I have entered this "creation" in the new Delicious Doodles Challenge which has a "For Mum" Theme!

Pattie's Creations have a flowers theme this week so i've enter my pot of flowers!

I Did It Creations have an anything goes theme!