Author: linda

In Loving Memory

linda7 Comments

It’s now been nine years since my son passed away from cancer.

copyright linda snailzpace.com-1

this year’s card reflects the countless hours my son spent at the drafting table perfecting his art. back then, while he was illustrating, i was trying to learn how to use a computer and i was lucky he was close by. i needed a lot of guidance, not to mention assurance that i really didn’t break it. i always enjoyed my son’s choice of music while we both worked intently to achieve our goals; his art was in demand and was published and i learned to use the computer independently. i also learned to paint better when he offered me a brush to try.

i painted this penny black ‘designed by me’ wood stamp with a few watercolour media: twinkling H2Os, markers and watercolour pencils. i added the blue lines because my son used blue line paper to work on.

thanks for popping by.

Birthday Bookmark

linda4 Comments

i’m playing along with the impression obsession challenge – foodie fun!

impression obsession food bookmark copyright linda snailzpace.com-1

i was going to mat this and attach to a narrow card base but as i was painting my husband asked who the bookmark was for. naturally, i said ok it’s done; quick and easy and perfect for when i’m short on time and energy.

the cakes image is from Celebrate (CL254), painted with twinkling H2Os and the sentiment is from More Basic Greetings (CL549).

thanks for popping by.

CAS Thank You

linda4 Comments

i created this clean and simple card for my daughter to thank those who honoured her with a prestigious academic award.

creative expressions thank you copyright linda snailzpace.com

proud mama moment while i reflected on her accomplishments and she’s not done yet. i used white and silver shimmer papers with a matte purple; the creative expressions thank you was die cut twice and centred on the sizzix label.

i’d like to submit this to these challenges:

As You Like It Challenge Favourite Cardbase Shape Or Fold (&why): the rectangle is my favourite card base shape because it so easily divides into three and suits my style of an image and a sentiment.

International Art & Soul – #35 Sentiment as Main Focus

thanks for popping by.

A Simple Slider Card

linda14 Comments

i have attempted, and failed, to make slider cards a few times with the canadian penny, which is no longer in circulation anyway.

wplus9 elephant copyright linda snailzpace.com-1

out of desperation i bought some MFT spin and slide discs and i’m happy enough with the results, although this elephant (wplus9 bubble talk) doesn’t quite spin like i had hoped. i created a very clean and simple card just to focus on the technique. for years my style has been to feature one image so now i need to practice creating scenes.

i sponged distress inks for the sky and grass but i painted the elephant with twinkling H2Os and added a sentiment from the Wplus9 unforgettable set.

i’m playing along with these challenges:

Animal Friends Challenge #63 – Elephants
Die Cut Divas June – Animals or Pets
Dies R Us Challenge #98 – Sunshine or Clouds
Happy Little Stampers Watercolour June – Anything Goes + option: Smile
Happy Little Stampers CAS June – Smile – must be Clean and Simple

thanks for popping by.

In The Garden

linda9 Comments

since it’s the first sunday of a new month, it’s time for a new theme at the penny black and more challenge so we’re spending time ‘in the garden.’

pb bunny in basket copyright linda snailzpace.wordpress.com-1-1

i painted this adorable bunny, a penny black wooden stamp image called garden slumber, with twinkling H2Os on hot pressed watercolour paper and added a sentiment from the penny black every happiness cling stamp set.

your focal point must be hand stamped (any company) to be eligible for one of the fabulous prizes from this month’s sponsors: Penny Black, Swedish House Crafts, Crafty Ribbons. a future guest designer will be selected from those who use a PB image.

visit the blog to see the lovely creations by my team mates.

thanks for popping by.

Guest Designing For Addicted To Stamps

linda4 Comments

i’m excited to be guest designing for the Addicted To Stamps Challenge and i had a lot of fun creating this card.

bumbly bees copyright linda snailzpace.com-1

the theme for the current challenge is black and white plus one other colour, not counting skin and hair.

i painted this cute inky antics image from the bumbly bees set with twinkling H2Os on hot pressed watercolour paper and stamped one of the sentiments from the same set. i added clear wink of stella to her wings, a MFT daisy, and yellow stickles on her anklet and sandals. all the papers are from doodlebug.

be sure to pop over to the blog to see the lovely creations from the design team.

thanks for popping by.

Ducks In A Row

linda9 Comments

creating this card made me smile. the new impression obsession challenge is ‘send a little humour’ and i hope it makes the recipient smile too.

impression obsession ducks copyright linda snailzpace.wordpress.com-1

impression obsession ducks inside copyright linda snailzpace.wordpress.com-1

i created a z-fold card to feature the impression obsession darn ducks stamp (D17214) on the front panel, painted the sky, grass and water on cold pressed watercolour paper with twinkling H2Os, and also painted the IO duck set (DIE398-F) with twinks. to finish it off, i stamped a sentiment from the IO more basic greetings (CL549), which might be retired since i couldn’t find a link.

i’m also playing along with:

Back To Basics – #4 – Fold Back Card
Simon Says Wednesday – Anything Goes
HLS June Watercolour Challenge – anything goes optional twist smile

thanks for popping by.

For A Special Day

linda7 Comments

i’m enjoying the brighter colours of spring so even though yellow is one of my least favourite colours, i keep reaching for it.

penny black dandelion mouse copyright linda snailzpace.com-1

i painted this penny black image with twinkling H2Os on hot pressed watercolour paper, stamped the impression obsession sentiment and added some green rick rack to a strip of yellow ribbon and a bow. both the image and image mat are popped on foam tape.

i’m playing along with these challenges:

Addicted to Stamps – Ribbons
CAS on Friday – No. 133 – BIRTHDAY
As You Like It Challenge – Flora or Fauna (&why) i prefer animals because they are full of character, lower the blood pressure and are so much fun to paint.
Simon Says Wednesday – Use More than One stamp
Happy Little Stampers Watercolour April – Anything Goes + option: CAS

thanks for popping by.

Happy Rudolph Days May 2018

linda12 Comments

it’s time for this month’s Rudolph Days Challenge hosted by scrappymo and it’s always an anything goes theme that starts on the 25th and ends on the last day of every month except December.

merry delight copyright linda snailzpace.com-1

merry delight inside copyright linda snailzpace.com-1

for my DT card, i painted this adorable snowman from the penny black merry delight set with twinkling H2Os on hot pressed watercolour paper. i used the my favourite things flop circle die to create this fun fold card featuring the taylored expressions prezzie and a MFT sentiment on the inside.

playing along is easy – all you need to do is create one project to be eligible for a fabulous prize on offer so pop over to the blog to be inspired by the rest of the design team and to read the complete rules.

i’m submitting my card to these challenges:

Simon Says Wednesday – Use More than One stamp
Crafty Catz – Challenge #418- Anything Goes with optional Extra – Chistmas
Happy Little Stampers Christmas April – Anything Goes + option: Stars
Happy Little Stampers Dies April – Always Anything Goes with Dies

thanks for popping by.

It’s Your Day

linda8 Comments

the allsorts challenge is marking its 9th birthday with a big celebration so i’m joining in with a birthday card.

penny black it's your day copyright linda snailzpace.com.jpg-2

i painted a couple of images from the penny black ‘it’s your day’ clear set with twinkling H2Os on hot pressed watercolour paper. all the images fit into the my favorite things die-namics die and i added some taylored expressions confetti and a waffle flower celebrate die, layered three times. finally, i added some nuvo crystal drops.

thanks for popping by.

Spring Bloom

linda9 Comments

i’m back with a post to remind you that you still have time to play along with the penny black and more challenge and this month’s anything goes theme.

pb chick copyright linda snailzpace.wordpress.com-1

i’m impatiently waiting for spring blooms so i painted this sweet chick from the penny black chick to chick clear set with twinkling H2Os and added a sentiment from the penny black cling set called every happiness.

visit the blog to see what my team mates created and to see the fabulous prizes on offer from: Penny Black, Marianne Designs, Bee Crafty.

remember your focal point must be hand stamped (any company) to be eligible for a prize and a future guest designer will be selected from those who use a Penny Black image.

thanks for popping by.

Anything Goes At Penny Black And More

linda15 Comments

we’re into may already and since it’s the first sunday of the month, we have a new theme for you at penny black and more; i think it’s a big favourite – anything goes, as long as your creation features a hand stamped focal point.

penny black cheerful critters copyright linda snailzpace.wordpress.com

i made a free standing pop up card that folds flat using this cute hedgie from the penny black cheerful critters clear stamp set. everything is painted with twinkling H2Os; i added two extra balloons and some green stickles to the candle flames.

it’s easy to play along –  your focal point must be hand stamped (any company) to be eligible for one of the fabulous prizes from this month’s sponsors: Penny Black, Crafts U Love, Rare Earth Stamps. a future guest designer will be selected from those who use a PB image.

visit the blog to see the fabulous creations by my team mates.

i’m also submitting this to these challenges:

International Art & Soul – #32 Interactive
Simon Says Wednesday – Animal Magic
Crafty Animals #14 – Always Anything Goes

thanks for popping by.

Welcome Spring!

linda11 Comments

it finally feels like spring is here, complete with last night’s thunderstorm and hail.

welcome spring taylored expressions copyright linda snailzpace.wordpress.com-1

this is a cute taylored expressions image that i coloured with colour pencils and a taylored expressions die cut sentiment that i painted with twinkling H2Os.

i’m playing along with these challenges:

Allsorts – #465 – All About Pets
Animal Friends Challenge #62 – Stitching
 As You Like It Challenge – Favourite Animal (&why): my favourite animals are bunnies; they’re too cute, very smart and extremely entertaining. it’s amazing to see rescue bunnies flourish once they are treated with love and kindness and realize at least some humans can be trusted.
Simon Says Wednesday – Animal Magic
Star Stampz Challenge  Hand Coloured Image

thanks for popping by.

Sea Sponge Stamping

linda5 Comments

i created a second card for the Impression Obsession Challenge – All That Glitters!

the very talented pam at expressions with heart used a stamp shammy with distress ink blending technique that reminded me of how much fun colouring with a sea sponge is or as i call it, sea sponge stamping.impression obsession umbrella glitter copyright linda snailzpace.worpdress.com

i ‘stamped’ salty ocean distress ink onto 140 lb. cold pressed watercolour paper, die cut the Impression Obsession umbrella (DIE049-A) three times and covered with glitter, which rarely shows on camera. i took another photo of the umbrellas in the sun just to show the sparkle. using the same sea sponge, i stamped mustard seed distress ink on CP w/c paper to create the background. finally, i stamped the Impression Obsession sentiment (B5536).

i’m also playing along with:

Challenge Up Your Life – #90 Watercoloring
Cardz 4 Galz – #70 April Showers

thanks for popping by.

All That Glitters!

linda8 Comments

i’m playing along with the new Impression Obsession Challenge – All That Glitters! and now i have glitter everywhere!

impression obsession ornaments glitter copyright linda snailzpace.worpdress.com

i die cut three of the impression obsession ornaments (DIE476-Y) twice, once from gold mirri for the bows and again with designer paper and adhesive paper that i covered in crystal glitter ritz; i did the same to the strip of paper on the bottom using scor-pal tape. everything was attached to burgundy suede paper that i took a sticky roller to and i still couldn’t remove from all of it. oh well, it adds to the shimmer.

i’m also playing along with maureen’s rudolph days challenge since it’s my month off as a design team member.

thanks for popping by.

Happy Birthday Masculine Version

linda3 Comments

this is my second QAE (quick and easy) card but i was aiming for a more masculine style.

memory box floral brown copyright linda snailzpace.wordpress.com

i coloured the same poppystamps freida wreath with the same distress inks as the feminine version, but i added versa mark and a verdigris embossing powder; i used the same sentiment from the memory box birthday bunnies stamp set.

i’m playing along with these challenges:

Poppystamps Challenge – #43 Framed
4 Crafty Chicks #400 Less Is More (CAS)

thanks for popping by.

Floral Happy Birthday

linda7 Comments

when i’m short on time or energy i like to make QAE (quick and easy) cards, preferably more than one at a time.

memory box floral blue copyright linda snailzpace.wordpress.com

to create this card i used the poppystamps freida wreath die, memory box floral delights die and the sentiment from the memory box birthday bunnies stamp set. everything was coloured with distress inks using my new creative expressions mini smoothies and i added some nuvo white crystal drops to the flower centres.

i’m playing along with these challenges:

Poppystamps Challenge – #43 Framed
Memory Box Challenge #36– Floral Challenge
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge – Flower Power
4 Crafty Chicks #400 Less Is More (CAS)

thanks for popping by.

Simply Thanks

linda4 Comments

i need more thank you cards so i thought this might be one to easily mass produce; it would be, it’s just a bit time-consuming.

memory box floral copyright linda snailzpace.wordpress.com-1

i die cut everything from 140 lb. cold press watercolour paper and sponged the memory box thanks die and lavish branch leaves with green distress inks, the flowers with pink and yellow distress inks and added pink stickles to the centres.  i die cut the poppystamps honeycomb curve in the centre of the panel but decided i wanted a border instead so i cut some away and attached it to some w/c paper also sponged with distress inks.

i’m playing along with these challenges:
Memory Box Challenge #36– Floral Challenge
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge – Flower Power

thanks for popping by.

Mid Month Reminder At Penny Black And More

linda6 Comments

just popping in with a reminder that there is still time to play along with the penny black and more challenge and this month’s black and white plus one theme.

penny black dog tag copyright linda snailzpace.wordpress.com

i used the dog from the penny black ‘bubbly’ set, painted him with twinkling H2Os and used the mama elephant die to frame him; the inside sentiment is from the same set.

it’s so easy to play along! your focal point must be hand stamped to be eligible for one of the fabulous prizes from this month’s sponsors: Penny Black, Sizzix and Woodware; a future guest designer will be selected from those who use a PB image.

visit the blog to see the crafty creations by my team mates.

thanks for popping by.

Bunny Border

linda12 Comments

i created a second card for the impression obsession challenge theme of pink and green but this time i’ve used the adorable new bunny border die (IO DIE664-T).

i die cut the bunnies with 140 lb. cold pressed watercolour paper, painted green and pink washes with twinkling H2Os, and used some leftover hydrangea petals (IO DIE044-Y) with pink stickles in the centre.

i’m also playing along with these challenges:

Simon Says Wednesday – Texture
Dies R Us Challenge #95 – Springtime
As You Like It Challenge- Favourite Colouring Medium (&why): watercolour painting with twinkling H2Os on hot pressed w/c paper is my favourite; it’s so relaxing and i love making whimsical characters come to life.

thanks for popping by.