CAS Christmas Card

November 4, 2015November 14, 2019 linda12 Comments

whew, i just made the deadline. the jingle belles prompt this time is a sketch by the very talented stephanie, which i’ve not included here because i ran out of time. the camera batteries gave out, so i’ve taken this with the iPad; then wordpress froze and had to restart because i have yet to figure out how to post from the iPad.

anyway, here’s my card: a one layer card with a retiform design and a sanded die cut snowflake.

i’d also like to submit this to the noor! design uk november challenge – anything goes!

thanks for popping by.

Soft Flakes Of Snow

November 4, 2015 linda11 Comments

the impression obsession challenge is Feeling Blue so i created a blue background with my twinkling H2Os and added some blue and white frantage around the edges.

i stamped the IO ‘peaceful season wishes’ in blue ink and i have another christmas card for my stash. thanks for popping by.

House Of Cards November – Technique Challenge

November 1, 2015January 14, 2017 linda23 Comments

it’s time for a new monthly challenge at the House of Cards Challenge and it’s a technique for you to try this time. you can watch a video over at the blog by challenge owner mynn to see how she’s made this pretty card:

Technique Challenge: Stamped Punch Window

Serena closer

and here’s my card:

i used a sizzix die to create my window and frame and the only stamping on this card is the impression obsession sentiment. i watercoloured clear resist watercolour paper with twinkling H2Os and attached the panel with foam tape.

be sure to visit the blog for other tutorials throughout the month and some more inspiration by the rest of the design team.

thanks for popping by.

edited: the paper pad i used is Cosmo Cricket’s Just Add Watercolour pad – from their website it’s “Printed watercolor paper features clear and gold foil resist that comes to life as watercolor is added.”

Penny Black And More November – Anything Christmas

November 1, 2015December 28, 2015 linda10 Comments

i know i keep saying this, but i don’t know where the time goes! it’s the first sunday of the month and time for a new theme at the penny black and more challenge blog – this month we’d like to see anything christmas with stamping.

i used this fun image from the penny black stamp set ‘jolly follies’ that was a birthday gift – thank you so much anne! as usual, i watercoloured with twinkling H2Os.

Penny Black

Crafts U Love

Crafty Ribbons

visit the blog for some fabulous creations by my teamies.

thanks for popping by.

Holly Tag

October 29, 2015 linda6 Comments

as i mentioned yesterday, i was so challenged by this month’s magenta challenge that i wanted to create another project. i love watercolouring images, so using one colour is really outside my comfort zone but i think i’m getting the hang of it.

the challenge is to create a project using:
1 Magenta stamp, 1 or more other Magenta product(s), and 1 colour (other neutrals allowed).

magenta products used:

a wood mounted holly stamp that i love at a garage sale years ago (it now comes in cling foam)
another new stencil for the background
permanent markers
silver peel off sentiment coloured green.

the seam binding was dyed green with twinkling H2Os and i made an embellishment to finish it off.

thanks for popping by.

Paper Pieced Poinsettia

October 28, 2015 linda5 Comments

i was really challenged by this month’s magenta challenge to create a project using:
1 Magenta stamp, 1 or more other Magenta product(s), 1 colour (other neutrals allowed).

i used a magenta poinsettia stamp, heat embossed in white on magenta turquoise paper and again on the blue stripes of the reverse side to paper piece; the little dots in the corner were sponged on with a new magenta stencil.

thanks for popping by.

Birthday Balloon

October 25, 2015 linda4 Comments

i made this card for a very special someone who loves elephants – happy birthday! you might remember that i used the wplus9 bubble talk elephant on two previous cards and they were so well received that i *had* to get the unforgettable stamp set too.

i had so much fun watercolouring this adorable image; as usual, i watercoloured with twinkling H2Os and i added clear wink of stella to the balloon for extra shimmer. the tiny stars were randomly stamped in green since the recipient’s favourite colours are purple and green.

i’d like to submit this to the wplus9 Throwback Thursday Challenge #8 – Fair Isle Backgrounds – not exactly the right stamps or colours, but i was inspired to make a CAS card.

thanks for popping by.

Snowy Day

October 21, 2015October 21, 2015 linda7 Comments

today i’m sharing a card that i designed for Buddly Crafts featuring this adorable bunny image from the Buddly Craft clear stamp set called Toby Tumble’s Snowy Day.

as usual, i watercoloured with twinkling H2Os, added some stickles to the snow on the ground and used a soft snowflake digi paper from Pachela Studios Digi Papers – Toby Tumble’s Christmas Papers. i die cut two Joy! Crafts Winter Wishes Snowflake Border and added a glitter paper border created with scor-pal tape and glitter.

Visit the Buddly Crafts Facebook page and blog for some very creative projects and updates about new products.

i’d like to submit this card to these challenges:
kathy’s 30 day colouring challenge
one crazy stamper – Christmas/Halloween/Fall
Christmas at Sweet Stampin’ – Christmas Travel or Transport
ABC Christmas Challenge – ‘U’ is for Unusual Christmas Colors

Thanks for popping by.

Penny Black And More Mid October – Autumn Colours

October 18, 2015November 14, 2019 linda12 Comments

i’m back with a reminder that you still have plenty of time to play along with this month’s autumn colours theme at the penny black and more challenge. i made another halloween card; it’s one of the few times of the year that i use orange, my least favourite colour. :)

i watercoloured the sky and this cute little hedgie from the penny black ‘scary halloween’ clear stamp set with twinkling H2Os and matted it on a die cut white stitched circle, sponged with seedless preserves distress ink. the image is popped on foam tape against the textured orange cardstock, embossed with the darice fall leaf embossing folder. the sentiment is from the ‘trick or treat’ set.

i hope you’ll come and play along – remember, you can use any company’s stamp for your focal point, just no digis please; a future guest designer will be selected from those who use a PB image and as always, there are some fabulous prizes to be won from: Penny Black, PPR Papercrafts, Marianne Designs. visit the blog for some fabulous creations by my teamies.

i’d like to submit this card to these challenges:
simon says stamp monday – wonderful watercolour
kathy’s 30 day colouring challenge
noor! design uk challenge 11 – halloween/autumn
one crazy stamper – Christmas/Halloween/Fall
thanks for popping by.

Snowy Cottage

October 15, 2015October 15, 2015 linda4 Comments

with the cooler temperatures, i feel like winter is just around the corner and i’m increasingly focused on creating christmas cards – in about six weeks they’ll need to be mailed already. so, today I’m sharing a card using an image from the wintery Buddly Crafts clear stamp set, Snowy Cottage.

i watercoloured the sky and image with twinkling H2Os, attached it to a glitter paper mat and then popped it on foam tape to the embossed Background Snowflakes.

i’d like to submit this card to these challenges:
kathy’s 30 day colouring challenge
virginia’s view challenge 19 – all things coloured

Visit the Buddly Crafts Facebook page and blog for some very creative projects and updates about new products.

Thanks for popping by.

Hop To Stop Card

October 10, 2015 linda15 Comments

i made this card to join Becca Cruger’s Hop To Stop – a campaign to raise awareness about domestic violence, an issue affecting 33% of women. but, as Becca points out, “women aren’t the only people who are affected! Women, men, transgender – gender doesn’t matter. Domestic violence is something that exists regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, religion, education level, etc.”

i’m also playing along with the lawnscaping challenge no. 115 to make sentiments the focal point of your creation. i used my new lawn fawn stitched rectangle dies, one of the hearts from the lawn fawn hearts die set, cut from glitter paper, and an impression obsession peace die, also cut from glitter paper.

thanks for popping by.

Giving Thanks

October 8, 2015 linda3 Comments

i just had enough time to meet the deadline for the wplus9 Throwback Thursday #7 – Pretty Patches & Country Charm Challenge. Although older product is featured, the stamps are new to me and so cute so i bought them. besides, maureen did such a fabulous job of making her own plaid paper that i wanted to give it a try.

since i stamped on kraft, it was difficult to get the green and brown inks to show up so i used a ruler and pencil crayon to add those colours; this was so much fun! i popped one of the sentiments from the pretty patches pumpkin set on foam tape after i sponged around the edges with distress ink.

i also made two 3 inch cards with the pumpkin stamp, fussy cut and popped on foam tape:

thanks for popping by. #wplus9tbt

Holiday Hugs

October 7, 2015October 7, 2015 linda5 Comments

the Jingle Belles prompt this time is to make cards for people who don’t celebrate Christmas. as a bereaved parent, i know that people who have experienced a loss may not agree that ‘it’s the most wonderful time of the year.’

in 2008, a couple of weeks before christmas and my son’s birthday, he was diagnosed with brain cancer and passed away in june 2009. since then, we’ve changed how we observe the season. paradoxically, i enjoy making christmas cards year round; i just don’t look forward to the actual holiday.

i’m more sensitive to how people might feel about certain sentiments so i think sending holiday hugs will be welcomed.

i watercoloured this cute daricies snowgirl with twinkling H2Os; isn’t she cute? i made this for a family member who loves silly snowmen as much as i do.

i’m also playing along with:
kathy’s 30 day colouring challenge
simon says wednesday – clean and simple christmas
one crazy stamper – Christmas/Halloween/Fall (i submitted a halloween card already)

thanks for popping by.

Pink Porta-Potties!!?

October 6, 2015November 1, 2015 linda2 Comments

*this is a sticky post that will remain here until october 31*

every october, pink ribbons and pink products are everywhere, but the canadian cancer society’s new fundraising campaign to “flush out cancer” with pink porta-potties is ridiculous.

cashiers in retail establishments ask, ‘would you like to donate to breast cancer?’ and i, in return, ask, ‘why would i donate to breast cancer? you mean for awareness? for research? for prevention? where does the money go?’

i always get the same answer, ‘those are good questions, i’ll let management know.’ great, thanks.

there is only one resource i turn to for unbiased information and that’s the Breast Cancer Action site and their Think Before You Pink® campaign.

surely, consumers are aware of pinkwashing, but the pink month continues with some creative, but hardly entertaining, spins on the need for more funds – like pay up or the pink porta-potty remains on your lawn until you do.

Penny Black And More October – Autumn Colours

October 4, 2015November 14, 2019 linda13 Comments

it’s the first sunday of the month and time for a new theme at the penny black and more challenge blog – this month we’d like you to use autumn colours.

i created this scene with images from the penny black ‘scary halloween’ clear stamp set, masked a moon from a die cut circle and watercoloured everything with twinkling H2Os as usual. i added some dots for star and three clear sequins.

i hope you’ll come and play along – remember, you can use any company’s stamp for your focal point, just no digis please; a future guest designer will be selected from those who use a PB image and as always, there are some fabulous prizes to be won from: Penny Black, Marianne Design and Yours and Mine Paper Crafts. visit the blog for some fabulous creations by my teamies.

i’d like to submit this card to these challenges:
kathy’s 30 day colouring challenge
virginia’s view challenge 19 – all things coloured
noor! design uk challenge 11 – halloween/autumn
one crazy stamper – Christmas/Halloween/Fall

thanks for popping by.

House Of Cards October Challenge

October 1, 2015September 30, 2015 linda19 Comments

i don’t know where september went! but since it’s october 1, it’s time for a new challenge theme at House Of Cards. this month we’d like you to add texture and/or use the colours in this inspiration photo:

AutumnPalette3

i watercoloured this cute penny black scarecrow with twinkling H2Os and used some new ones that i just had to have – i rationalized that they’re fall colours and it’s my favourite time of year. for texture i added the memory box die cut pumpkins, also coloured with twinks and then shaped and popped on foam squares.

you’ll want to visit the blog for plenty of inspiration from my talented team mates and tutorials that will be featured every couple of days, so check back often. hope to see you join in!

thanks for popping by.

Autumn Is Here

September 30, 2015 linda4 Comments

i’m sharing another CAS card as i’m just making the deadline for the magenta september challenge and the autumn theme. our leaves are starting to change colour and i’m so looking forward to the full range of colours and the cooler temps.

i used distress inks to ink the Magenta Clover Silhouette stamp and spritzed with water before stamping onto watercolour paper; i sponged the edges of the card with the same inks and the splatters were made with a yellow twinkling H2O. the left strip was also sponged and stamped with the Magenta Script stamp.

thanks for popping by.

Watercolouring On Kraft

September 29, 2015September 29, 2015 linda4 Comments

Aileen asked if I used any water or just watercolour pencil on this card, posted yesterday, and i did use a damp brush. i’ve also used twinkling H2Os on kraft but she wondered about inktense pencils so i did an experiment today and wanted to share my results. disclaimer: this is my personal opinion only and is just for fun.

i used three different brands of kraft paper: neenah desert storm, the paper cut and recollections, all cut to A2 size (4.25 x 5.5″) and all coloured on this very overcast rainy day.

here is the amount of inktense pencil i used on each of the three: COPYRIGHT LINDA @ SNAILZPACE.WORDPRESS.COM

this is the result of blending with a damp brush:

inktense wet desert storm

here i’ve used similar colours of twinkling H2Os:

i found the recollections paper did pill, probably because it’s a darker shade and needed more colouring to show. my favourite is the desert storm for the opposite reason; it shows the intensity of the colours better. you still can’t blend, layer or lift colours as in traditional watercolouring and both watercolour and inktense pencils blend well dry, but if you want to use a damp brush on kraft, it’ll work with small images.

my favourite watercolouring medium, no surprise, is twinkling H2Os; i found they blended more easily, even though the recollections still pilled.

thanks for popping by.

Snail Mail For You

September 28, 2015December 9, 2016 linda7 Comments

i was really challenged by the one layer theme at the Lawnscaping Challenge No. 114!

COPYRIGHT LINDA @ SNAILZPACE.WORDPRESS.COM when i first started making cards, they were CAS and a lot were one layer, but then i fell in love with patterned papers so i kind of shifted my style. my cards still focus on watercoloured images, but they usually include some pretty papers. after several failed attempts, i ended up with this card featuring this cute snail, coloured with faber castell albrecht durer watercolour pencils – the best in my opinion. i added clear stickles to the shell and embossed with a lawn fawn stitched rectangle die.

thanks for popping by.

Happy Hello

September 23, 2015 linda8 Comments

i’m playing along with the Wplus9 Get Sketchy Challenge #3:

i started this card with the washi tape on the bottom and painted cold press watercoloured paper with a yellow twinkling H2O. the stars from the wplus9 whole lotta happy dies were die cut with hot press watercolour paper and also painted with twinkling H2Os with some wink of stella for extra sparkle. the wplus9 hand lettered hello was die cut four times and i used scor pal tape and glitter for the top layer. finally, i added some pretty pink posh clear sequins and seed beads.

thanks for popping by. #wplus9

Snowflakes Are Kisses

September 20, 2015November 14, 2019 linda9 Comments

the Noor! Design UK challenge #10 is shaped cards so i made a mitten card, but the design team are showcasing some adorable owls and pumpkins.

i was lucky enough last month to win the Noor! Design Store voucher so i purchased dies from my wish list including this winter wishes ice crystal no. 3, covered in blue frantage and layered on brown shimmer cardstock. i cut two mittens and attached the back to the front so it stands up from the bottom.

i’m also playing along with the jingle belles who are Shopping Our (Jingly!) Stash! from my stash i used designer paper on this card that is almost two years old; since this is a joint challenge with shopping our stash, i’m linking my card up there too.

thanks for popping by.

Penny Black And More Mid September – Anything Goes

September 18, 2015September 18, 2015 linda10 Comments

this is just a reminder that you still have plenty of time to play along with us at the penny black and more challenge blog and the very easy anything goes! theme.

i watercoloured this cute penny black hedgie wood stamp, ‘yearning’ with twinkling H2Os. the cute photo corner grunge die is a gift, thank you daniela!

Penny Black

Stix 2

Sizzix

be sure to visit the blog for some fabulous creations by my teamies.

thanks for popping by.

Forest Friends

September 13, 2015September 13, 2015 linda9 Comments

i’m so glad i found time to have some fun creating this card for the Lawnscaping Challenge No. 113 – TEXTURE!

i painted the sky and images with twinkling H2Os, die cut and popped them on foam tape. the hand cut grass and die cut trees were embossed with the tim holtz woodgrain embossing folder and then coloured with distress inks. i finally got the lawn fawn rectangle stitching dies and i added an elizabeth craft hello.

i’d also like to submit this to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge and the STAMP AND PUNCH/DIE CUT theme and the Time Out Challenge #39 to Make Your Mark.

thanks for popping by.

Penny Black And More September – Anything Goes

September 6, 2015September 6, 2015 linda5 Comments

it’s the first sunday of the month and time for a new theme at the penny black and more challenge blog – this month our theme is anything goes!

i watercoloured this cute little hedgie from the penny black clear stamp set ‘tiny wishes’ with twinkling H2Os and used the sentiment from the clear set ‘wonderful.’

Penny Black, All Occasion Dies, Stix 2, and Pair of tickets to the NEC Hobbycraft show in November (worth £25

visit the blog for some lovely creations by my teamies.

thanks for popping by.

Thinking Of You

September 3, 2015September 3, 2015 linda3 Comments

the colour combination at the wplus9 Pure Color With Kara: #3 Stamping Text Over Stamped Images is one i rarely use so i had to try it. besides, i don’t have enough wplus9 stamps yet to try the technique; will have to fix that.

you might remember seeing this adorable wplus9 elephant before and you’ll probably be seeing more of him since one family member loves elephants.

i watercoloured with twinkling H2Os and Sennelier watercolour paints, die cut both images and popped them on foam squares.

thanks for popping by. #wplus9

House Of Cards September

September 1, 2015September 1, 2015 linda20 Comments

it’s hard to believe, but it’s the first of september so time for a new theme at the house of cards challenge; we’d like you to stitch it up and use either real or faux stitching on your creation.

Stitching

i watercoloured this cute hedgie from penny black’s clear stamp set ‘tiny wishes’ with twinkling H2Os, used stitched circle dies and a stitched rectangle die for the lawn fawn sentiment; sewing is a hobby i gave up because of my RA. just because my husband appreciates my sense of humour, this card is for our anniversary.

be sure to visit the blog to see some creative projects from the rest of the team and remember – tutorials will be posted throughout the month for even more inspiration.

thanks for popping by.

Say It Big

August 31, 2015 linda1 Comment

the impression obsession challenge is to say it big, but since i don’t have a lot of large sentiment stamps, i featured one i really like on a smaller card.

i chose the IO ‘you come to mind‘ stamp, added a small IO leaf, coloured with twinkling H2Os and adhered the panel to shimmer brown cardstock and then an ivory base.

thanks for popping by.

Sending Love

August 29, 2015August 28, 2015 linda5 Comments

i’ve been working on organizing my stamps and in the process i found this older but adorable Christy Croll for Stamping Bella image that was waiting to be inked up.

i thought it was perfect for the tiddly inks Challenge #164 – Have Heart so for the first time i get to play along. i watercoloured with twinkling H2Os, added glossy accents to the mailbox flag and two red pearls to the sentiment tag.

thanks for popping by.

Winter Bunny

August 27, 2015August 27, 2015 linda6 Comments

i’m playing along with the Magenta Challenge and the august theme of anything goes. i’m not very happy with my inked up stencil designs yet, so i went back to my comfort zone and coloured an image.

i watercoloured this magenta bunny with twinkling H2Os and i did use the magenta dots stencil on the red cardstock and added a magenta peel off sentiment sticker; i used the magenta markers to change it and the little snowflakes from silver to red.

thanks for popping by.

Special Delivery

August 25, 2015August 25, 2015 linda10 Comments

this week the jingle belles are celebrating all things POSTAL so i inked up this older stamp for the first time to create a card.

i watercoloured with twinkling H2Os and watercolour pencils, added a peel off sentiment that was silver, but i coloured it red and attached everything to a layer of shimmery silver cardstock. i’m also playing along with the August Rudolph Days Challenge at scrappymo’s blog.

thanks for popping by.

Little Poppet’s Birthday

August 23, 2015August 23, 2015 linda6 Comments

i have another birthday card to share that i designed for Buddly Crafts using one of the cute images from the clear stamp set Little Poppets Birthday.

as usual, i watercoloured with twinkling H2Os, used my favourite banner die to add the stamped candles at the top and added glass effect gel to the icing on the cake; the papers are Kim’s Digi Papers – A Patchwork of Papers – Plum.

Visit the Buddly Crafts Facebook page and blog for some very creative projects and sign up for the newsletter for updates about new products and sales.

Thanks for popping by.

Birthday Wishes

August 16, 2015June 3, 2017 linda5 Comments

i designed this card for Buddly Crafts using one of the adorable images from the clear stamp set Birthday Wishes.

birthday bear.linda

i watercoloured the image, embossed background (Marianne Design Embossing Folder – Balloons) and the die cut Marianne Design ‘Special’ Balloon with twinkling H2Os.

Be sure to visit the Buddly Crafts Facebook page and blog for some very creative projects and sign up for the newsletter for updates about new products and sales.

Thanks for popping by.

Cookies 4 Santa

August 11, 2015 linda6 Comments

i’m playing along with the jingle belles who are using this inspiration photo for their prompt:

the colour combination is not one i would’ve thought to use, but it grew on me and now i really like it; the snowman even has aqua stickles on his buttons. my intention was to make a couple of cards incorporating some of the cookie designs; somehow i ended up using them all on one card and i added snow dots all over. my brand new camera battery gave out for the third time, so i’ve taken this photo with my iPad – not bad, but not the sharpest.

thanks for popping by.

Back To School Sticky Note Holder

August 10, 2015August 11, 2015 linda5 Comments

i’m playing along with the back to school theme at the lawnscaping challenge.

my daughter and her two bunnies are moving so she can attain her second degree at a new university so i thought she might need a sticky note holder for her new desk, along with some words of encouragement.

i die cut 8 bunnies to layer and watercoloured them with twinkling H2Os, along with the wood veneer apple. the letters were die cut with the impression obsession alphabet, coloured with distress inks and attached with a glue pen.

i’d also like to submit this to the kraft journal Challenge # 236 – Take Your Pick: i used four items from the board – red, apple, ribbon and die cut.

thanks for popping by.

Four Calling Birds

August 8, 2015November 14, 2019 linda13 Comments

i think this Crissy Armstrong Four Calling Birds techie take is too funny.

this was so much fun to colour and, as usual, i watercoloured the sky and birds with twinkling H2Os and added stickles to their hats and around the edge of the image panel.

i’d like to submit this card to these challenges:

Whimsy Inspiration -#85 Christmas In July
Stampavie and More #243 Christmas in Summer
Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge Must be Christmas – Feathered Friends
Moving along with the Times – Snow In Summertime (monthly for summer ends 1st Sept)
Winter Wonderland – must be Christmas – Christmas Carols/Songs – ends Aug 27 (twelve days of christmas)
Noor! Designs UK #9 Christmas
Creative Card Crew #93 – Sparkle! – glitter or anything that sparkles