Author: linda

Sweet Snowman

linda8 Comments

i love snowmen and this larger sweet snowman, available at Frog’s Whiskers Ink, makes me smile.

frogs whiskers snowman.copyright linda @ snailzpace.wordpress.com-1

edited: there is no direct link to this stamp so you have to search for Button Snowman J09027 at Frog’s Whiskers Ink to find him.

as usual, i painted with twinkling H2Os on hot pressed watercolour paper.

i’m submitting this card to these challenges:

Rudolph Days Challenge – July is extended until August 7 since Maureen she was off enjoying July in Britain.
Crafty Calendar – August – Dots and/or Stripes
Merry Little Christmas Challenge Blog #1 – Anything Goes

thanks for popping by.

I Spy At Penny Black And More

linda11 Comments

we’re playing a game of i spy at the penny black and more challenge this month; want to play along?

penny black balloon madness copyright linda snailzpace.com

i spy with my little eye something beginning with B so my card features bright, bouncing balloons.

i painted this penny black wooden stamp image, balloon madness, with twinkling H2Os and tombow markers, added the stars and sentiment from the sweet wishes clear stamp set and filled in the stars with sparkle pens.

remember your focal point must be hand stamped to be eligible for one of the fabulous prizes from this month’s sponsors: Penny Black, Crafts U Love £15 voucher, Inkylicious stamps. a future guest designer will be selected from those who use a PB image.

visit the blog to see how my teamies are featuring something beginning with B.

i’d like to submit this card to the As You Like It Challenge Favourite; Fur Or Feathers (&why). Furry friends make me smile, have entertaining personalities and their images are so much fun to bring to life with paint.

thanks for popping by.

Tiny Gift Boxes

linda7 Comments

these lawn fawn tiny gift boxes are just so fun and fast to make.

lawn fawn tiny box copyright linda snailzpace.com

i was lucky enough to win a lawn fawn gift card from the ‘as you like it challenge‘ so i couldn’t resist this cute die. a tiny bow is included in the set but because of my RA, my fingers just couldn’t manage that so i decorated with shaped and sponged flowers and buttons instead.

i’m playing along with these challenges:

As You Like It: Favourite Ribbons or Buttons – and WHY? i like both but it depends on the project i’m creating so this time i used buttons just because i like them for flower centres.

LAWN FAWNATICS CHALLENGE 33 – FUN FOLDS!

thanks for popping by.

Snow Buddy

linda7 Comments

since i really liked the teal and brown colours together on a recent thank you card, i used the combination for this christmas card.

paper smooches snowman copyright linda snailzpace.com-1

jingle belle stephanie created a cute christmas card using the paper smooches snowman 2 die so i had to use the same die for my card. i cut him from hot pressed watercolour paper, painted with twinkling H2Os, paper pieced his hat and scarf and attached him with foam tape to a paper smooches gift tag 2 found at the PS website.

i’m playing along with these challenges:


Paper Smooches – Christmas in July 2018 challenge
Jingle Belles – Christmas and All Bundled Up; i have 4 layers.
Simon Says Wednesday – Die and/or Punch

thanks for popping by.

My Happy Colours

linda6 Comments

the current impression obsession challenge is to use happy colours (whatever colours make you happy), which i thoroughly enjoyed; i even used a bit of orange.

impression obsession beach copyright linda snailzpace.com

i created a small easel card to fit on my desk featuring some new impression obsession products i purchased when i was lucky enough to win a $25.00 IO gift card just for playing along.

i used the sentiment and sun from the IO ‘signs of summer‘ (CL873) by Peggy Jo Ackley, and painted with tombow markers on hot pressed watercolour paper; i love the cool colour palette, but i tend to use brighter colours through the summer. i fussy cut the sun to pop it on foam tape and the IO beach chair and sandals (DIE190-C) were layered up five times to hold the card upright; the square panel measures 3 and 3/8 inches. to finish it off, i used the leftover bits from the chair to create my beach fence.

i’m also playing along with Simon Says Wednesday to use a Die and/or Punch.

thanks for popping by.

Cup Of Christmas Cheer

linda10 Comments

i’m slowly creating more christmas cards and this one was a lot of fun to make.

paper smooches coffee cup copyright linda snailzpace.com-1

i used red card stock to die cut the paper smooches’ merry christmas die and cozy coffee die and cut the coffee die a second time from print paper to piece it back together before i popped it on foam tape. the heart die is included in the coffee die set so i cut it a couple of times and layered it with red glitter paper on top; all the supplies i used for this card can be found at the paper smooches website.

i’m playing along with these challenges:

Paper Smooches– Christmas in July 2018 challenge
Jingle Belles – must be Christmas – All Bundled Up; i have four layers here.
Cardz 4 Galz #76 Food & Or Drink
Simon Says Wednesday – Die and/or Punch
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge – Add A Little Sparkle

thanks for popping by.

Penny Black And More Mid Month Reminder

linda7 Comments

we’re halfway through the things with wings theme at the penny black and more challenge so you still have time to join in.

penny black bee bookmarks copyright linda snailzpace.com

i used scraps of watercolour paper backgrounds to die cut these avery elle bookmarks and watercolour pencils to colour these cute penny black bees from the ‘every which way‘ clear set; wink of stella was added to the wings.

remember your focal point must be hand stamped, any company, to be eligible to win one of the fabulous prizes from this month’s sponsors: Penny Black, Marianne Designs, Bee Crafty. a future guest designer will be selected from those who use a PB image.

thanks for popping by.

Season’s Tweetings

linda5 Comments

i created a second card for the very challenging to me colour inspiration at the Lawn Fawnatics challenge 32.

lawn fawn christmas birds copyright linda snailzpace.com

i switched back to my hot pressed watercolour paper and i think i’ll stick to it for painting images. i used tombow markers to colour these cute lawn fawn ‘winter sparrows,’ but i used three different blue twinkling H2Os to paint the sky.

this is also my second entry to the As You Like It Challenge and the Favourite Celebration (&why) theme. as i previously mentioned, celebrations aren’t the same since my son passed away but i’ve always loved making christmas cards, especially whimsical ones that make me smile and relax while i paint them.

thanks for popping by.

Owl Wish You A Happy Birthday

linda8 Comments

the Lawn Fawnatics challenge 32 is a colour inspiration that i found to be quite challenging because it uses one of my least favourite colours: orange.

lawn fawn tag front copyright linda snailzpace.com

but i like blue and green so i persisted, although i’m not that happy with the results. for a change, i used cold pressed watercolour paper and i guess i’m too used to the hot pressed. anyway, i painted this cute owl from the new lawn fawn critter concert stamp set with tombow markers.

lawn fawn tag back copyright linda snailzpace.com

i die cut a second lawn fawn stitched circle tag, painted it with tombow markers and attached it to the back; the sentiment is from the tiny tag sayings set and the twine was a free gift with my last lawn fawn purchase.

i’m also playing along with the As You Like It Challenge and the Favourite Celebration (&why) theme. i don’t really like celebrations of any kind since my son passed away, but i do like making birthday cards for others because it’s a happier occasion for them and usually whatever i colour makes me smile.

thanks for popping by.

A Simple Thank You

linda3 Comments

i was asked to make a thank you card for a male so here’s my design, although i think this would be ok for any recipient.

PBthank you copyright linda snailzpace.com-1

i love the colours; a combination i rarely use. since the design is clean and simple, it was also a quick and easy card to make. the sentiment is a penny black die and the papers are from an older basicgrey 6 x 6 pad, hello luscious, from my stash that i really need to use up.

thanks for popping by.

Birthday Wishes

linda5 Comments

i need more masculine cards and the Impression Obsession challenge theme of I Sea You inspired me to create this card for my stash.

impression obsession birthday copyright linda snailzpace.com

i heat embossed the birthday from the IO Wishes (MC657) clear set on a piece of kaisercraft coastal escape paper; die cut the IO Wishes (DIE364-E) from blue shimmer paper and attached two other sections of paper from the same pad.

thanks for popping by.

Special Wishes

linda6 Comments

I mixed things up a bit and used alcohol inks on a masculine card.

IO birthday copyright linda snailzpace.com

i blended alcohol inks on a piece of an elizabeth craft designs shimmer sheetz, embossed it with the Sizzix Texture Fades Embossing Folder – Flourish and then sanded it to reveal the silver core. i cut it into squares and matted each with black glossy cardstock. i masked off part of the impression obsession sentiment and i finished the card off with some designer paper and gold mirri.

i’m playing along with the As You Like It challenge: Favourite type of embossing and why. I love to emboss and sand watercolour paper or shimmer sheetz to reveal some highlights of texture; i am much more successful with this than heat embossing.

thanks for popping by.

Things With Wings At Penny Black And More

linda7 Comments

it’s time for a new theme at the penny black and more challenge and this month we’d like to see ‘things with wings’ – so many options.

penny black pixie copyright linda snailzpace.com-1

this sweet penny black ‘garland pixie’ was a generous gift from maureen for being on her Rudolph Days design team. i had so much fun painting it with tombow markers on hot pressed watercolour paper; it’s popped on foam tape and attached to some pink christmas paper.

remember 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, Stamp Addicts, Marianne Designs. the design team will select a future guest designer from those who do use a penny black image.

i’d like to submit this card to the Addicted to Stamps and More – #298 – Holiday challenge.

thanks for popping by.

Christmas Angel

linda7 Comments

i’m playing along with maureen’s rudolph days challenge; it’s my month off as a design team member but i’m still committed to creating christmas cards at least on a monthly basis.

penny black angel copyright linda snailzpace.com

i stamped the angel from the penny black banner of joy clear set and coloured with coloured pencils. the  background was sponged with distress inks and i added some gold corner die cuts.

i’m also playing along with these challenges:

International Art & Soul – #36 Art Nouveau

 thanks for popping by.

Cute Flower Bookmarks

linda9 Comments

i’v mentioned before how much i love making bookmarks and keeping my daughter stocked up for her textbooks.

the cute tiny lawn fawn smiley flower from the so much to say stamp set was stamped on some leftover scraps of hot pressed watercolour backgrounds and coloured with coloured pencils. i used an avery elle bookmark die and finished them off with white dots.

i’m submitting these to the Lawn Fawnatics Challenge 31 – flowers, floral and foliage!

thanks for popping by.

In Loving Memory

linda10 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

linda5 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

linda5 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

linda11 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.