Christmas In July & Brushing Up On Colouring Skills

Hello Crafty Friends!

How is your week so far? I had some 'happy mail' earlier this week, when the long awaited Stamper's Friend popped through the letterbox. I already got a MISTI and love it dearly, but I wanted to get something a bit cheaper, one I would would happily take to craft club or classes without fearing that it might get damaged. As you might have already guessed, I am very protective of my stash. Most things look almost as new even though they've been used a lot.

Anyway, I was supposed to get the Stamper's Friend about 6 months ago, but there were delays. These delays meant that I got two free stamp sets, one of which I used to bush up on my colouring skills. I ended up make 3 cards using one of the new sets and some brush markers for colouring. Christmas in July ...

Yes, the Poundworld markers came out to play again and something I hardly ever use nowadays ... Peel-Offs.

For this card here I used the markers with a damp brush for the ribbon and bow. Lots of delicate fuzzy cutting and a PaperArtsy Infusions BG brought it all together.

And for my last, more traditional looking card, I felt emboldened and tried this style of colouring using some of my SU Stamp'n'Write markers, slightly off-set my topper, added a couple of embossed lines and sequins to finish.

I am entering my second card at: Addicted To Stamps And More - Make Your Mark

That's it from me for today. Have a lovely day!
hugs
Monika xxx

here is what I used:
PaperArsty Infusions: Are You Cerise and Golden Sands
Stamps by Be Creative! - Christmas Celebration
KIDS Paint Brush Markers from Poundworld
SU Stamp'n'Write Markers: Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze
Be Creative! Stampers Friend from StampAddicts

Tidying And Finishing Unfinished Projects

Hi All,

Last week I had a go at tidying up my work space. It had gone quite messy under heaps of crafting stash, papers and projects in progress. It is astonishing what one can find ... hence today's post is dedicated to finishing some of the projects I started a while ago.

I shall also give you a little tour of my room at the end. This will be a very picture heavy post ...

First up is another make using my Jofy Mini 33  by PaperArtsy ...

... this time I stamped it twice, coloured, doodled a border, layered on my base card, added a sentiment (Graphic Pentagons by STAMPlorations) and finished off with a sequin. My other card using this Jofy stamp can be found here.

I am entering the above card at:
Addicted to Stamps and More - Make your Mark, I used Promarkers and a fine liner pen

Next up is a card I started off in a workshop last year ...

... where I got my base card a little messy. I rescued it by stamping the splashes (Mixed Media Elements by STAMPlorations), added my sentiment (Chevron and Arrows by STAMPlorations) and a few sequins to finish. Sadly I can't remember the make of the original stamped image.

Next up is another project started at the same workshop with Lindsay Mason ...

... where we made a background using alcohol inks, for the stamping I used my own stamps. The horse is from the Revolution set by Visible Image, not sure about the flourish and flower stamps.

Next us is a box with notelets I made ...

The flower was cut with my Sizzix Eclips before it broke about a year ago. It is still not fixed, but I'm living in hope. To create the box I used anew toy of mine, my 1-2-3 Punch Board by We R Memory Keepers to which I upgraded from my envelope punch board before Christmas.

Here is another box I made for notelets ....

... using a circle with heart border die cut (Sue Wilson) and some butterflies (Sizzix/Stampin'Up!).

Now last, but not least ... my crafting space where I make my projects, record my videos and write my blog posts ....

As you can see, it is quite a small desk which has to take my laptop too and the webcam, conveniently fitted to the shelf above.

Most of my stash lives in this shelving unit and cupboard, some papers and thin cutting dies in the little unit below...

... whilst some of my stamps, punches, inks, embossing powders live in this corner here ...

... the massage table conveniently converts into additional work space for my guillotine, gelli plate etc when not in use for its intended purpose. Envelopes and finished cards can easily be stored underneath in boxes too.

... and as this is a multi functional room, this is what it looks like when I'm not allowed to craft ... when guests have taken over my inner sanctum ...

That's it from me for now. Have a lovely weekend!

hugs
Monika xxx


Here is what I used from STAMPlorations, links are in the above text
  

Just A Note

Hi All,

after I spent the best part of last week tidying, re-arranging, sorting out and organizing my work space, more about this in my post here, I thought it might be an idea to enter one of the cards into the Craft Stamper Take It Make It Challenge - Anything Goes with a Stamp.

I made the topper a while ago using my Jofy Mini 33 stamp by PaperArtsy and decided to add a stamped background using the Mixed Media Elements set by STAMPlorations. Add a little sentiment (Graphic Pentagons by STAMPlorations), a touch of glitter to the blooms and you're done.

Enjoy and have a lovely weekend!
hugs
Monika xxx