Friday 30 December 2011

Challenge 13 - Jellypark Friends - Old Year/New Year


It's Challenge time again over at Jellypark Friends.
To celebrate saying goodbye to 2011 and a big cheerful Hello to 2012 we would like to see projects which reflect Old Year/New Year or old stash/new stash as I liked to interpret it. :o)
For my card I used a Jellypark brand new release "The Cake Shop" and coupled it with a release from a couple of months ago "The Ticket" which is one of my favourites.
I used papers that I'd had for a while and some brand new flowers from a recent purchase, the sentiment is also brand new from a set of chipboard shapes I bought.
I cut some nice borders with a Nelly Snellen die and added some faux stitching around the edge.

~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy New Year and may all your crafting dreams come true in 2012.

New release time over at the Jellypark Store

I hope you all had a brilliant Christmas, mine has been very busy so not much time in the craft room. I've had a great time with the family though and it's been wonderful having the OH at home.

This post is all about the latest releases from Jellypark and we've been spoilt with 3 images from the super talented Claire. I am showcasing 2 of them in this post and I used the other in my Challenge Post, see above. The images are available over at the Jellypark Store from today. I know you will all have as much fun using them as I have.
Instead of a card I decided to combine 2 of the images and make an 8x8 scrapbook page I am planning to expand on my scrapbooking this year, I have a few albums and loads of photos and papers etc so watch this space. I framed the images with a polaroid effect frame and then once printed I coloured them with my trusty promarkers.
I think the 2 wedding images work so well together on the page :o)


Pop on over to the Jellypark Friends Challenge Blog to see what the rest of the Design Team have made, you won't be disappointed.

Happy Crafting.

Wednesday 21 December 2011

Dudetime Doodles Inspiration Challenge

The theme this time over at Dudetime Doodles is inspired by your favourite Christmas Movie. We would like to see in your cards and projects anything which evokes a memory of your most favoured festive film.
Pop on over to the blog to see what the talented Design Team have come up with.
I chose this cute image from the Store of a scarecrow, now I know scarecrow's aren't particularly associated with winter but bear with me. The very first film which came to mind when I saw the theme was - The Wizard of Oz. Growing up it was on every single Christmas Eve, while watching it I would begin to get more and more giddy at the prospect of a visit from Santa.  
Therefore my card is a 3D frame card depicting a scene from The Wizard of Oz. Hope you like it. :o)



Have you been picking up your freebie images every week from the blog, there is a new one every Saturday in December so don't miss out.
Merry Christmas
Mel :o) x

Friday 16 December 2011

Jellypark Friends Challenge 12 and it's an ABC

Over at Jellypark Friends we have a new challenge going on and the theme is ABC, anything but a card. This is my first ever attempt at an ABC project, it was good fun, might even do it again lol. I had a few different ideas before deciding on this one. I decorated a plain pad that I had in my stash. One day I will buy my much coveted Cinch Machine. Which reminds me I haven't actually asked Father Christmas for anything yet (skoots off to send a Cinch related letter request). The image is a brand new release over at the Jellypark Store, as usual there are 2 new releases during this challenge and the other is equally cute, pop on over to the challenge blog for a look :o).



To decorate it I used different coloured pearlised card stock that I got from a fantastic deal on Create and Craft. I covered the plain pad front with a lovely shade of blue and then cut a pretty pink layer also. I then cut out and coloured the image with promarkers and glued it on. I made a label for it on the p.c. As I don't have a Cinch....grrr yet, I had to make do with using different coloured ribbon to hold it together. I am really happy with how this worked out. My first ABC in the bag.
Happy Crafting peeps and a Huge Merry Christmas to each and every one of you.

Wednesday 7 December 2011

Guest DT spot over at Dude Time Doodles

A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to win a guest DT spot over at the dude time doodles challenge blog.
I am going to be guest DT for the whole of December whoop. The team are lovely and so incredibly welcoming. I have spent a wee while familiarising myself with how things are done and I think I've got it sussed. Watch it all go horribly wrong now lol.
The theme for the 1st Wednesday of the month challenge is "Show us your Christmas Spirit". As a GDT I got to pick some images from the store to work with. I chose this guy, I couldn't resist I think he's ace.



I digitally designed and drew my background I was very happy with how my birds and sun turned out. I've hand coloured the Santa with my pro markers and what fun it was too. He looks very happy sitting there with his cocktails all lined up, kind of wish I was sitting there with him instead of freezing cold at home :o)
As the card says "Christmas may be a little late this year" or at least he may be delivering presents with a bit of a headache ;o). The sentiment is just one of the ones which comes with this image in the store.

So head on over to the dude time doodles challenge blog to see what the rest of the talented DT have made. I can't wait to see how you interpret the theme.
Happy Crafting

Friday 2 December 2011

Jellypark Friends Felt Challenge 11 - 2nd December 2011

This is the hardest post I've ever done as I have to be so careful that the OH doesn't see what I'm doing. The card I am about to show is not only my challenge dt card for the latest Jellypark Friends Challenge but my dear husbands Christmas card. The challenge this time round is to use felt in your project, which is right up my street, I adore felt and I use it a lot at this time of year in my handmade christmas decorations. The image is called "couple kissing under mistletoe and it's a new release over at the Jellypark Store and what a wonderful one it is too.


The papers are from a fabulous digikit called Oh Joy from Cosmo Cricket. I printed them out and then layered them up and distressed the edges with my Tim Holtz inks. The sentiment is also from that range and I added the wording to it. I embroidered the felt snowflake and added a co-ordinating sequin to the centre.
The image has been coloured with my promarkers and I've tried to make them look like the OH and I. I hope he likes it.
Pop on over to the Challenge blog to see the delights on offer from the Design Team and Happy Crafting.

Jellypark New release 2nd December 2011

It''s new release time over at the Jellypark Store as usual there are 2 images to show. I've used one for my challenge card see post above and I made this cutey with the other one. Pop on over to the challenge blog to see what the wonderful Design team have made.

I digitally designed the room background and all of the mini cards and then shrunk them down. Did you spot the little Jellypark snowman on one of them? I coloured the tiny image with my fine tipped promarkers and the main image with promarkers also. I loved this image the moment I saw it! When I'd finished the card I felt something was missing so I thought it would be a nice touch to make little tissue hats for them, I liked the idea of them relaxing on the sofa after their Christmas dinner. I only had white tissue paper so I used my metallic promarkers to colour them, oh my the tissue was difficult to handle afterwards.
Happy crafting.
Mel :o)
Challenges entered:-

Monday 28 November 2011

Happy Monday and a card based on a sketch challenge eek

I'm not alone at home today as I have an icky sicky child, he's all snuggled up on the sofa with the remote so perfectly happy.
Today I want to share a card I made following the sketch over at the Willow Sketchie Challenge Blog. I'm still getting used to sketch challenges, I've mentioned before that I find them quite intimidating for some reason.
The challenge sketch is:-
there's a twist to the sketch you also have to add 1 button and 2 ribbons.
so here is what I made:-

The backing paper is a polka doodles paper as is the sentiment, I used a cute little Winnie image and cut it out with my nelly snellen dies.
There is a sheer ivory ribbon along the bottom of the card and a sheer pink ribbon holding the button in place.
Challenges entered:-
Crafting when we can challenge borrow a sketch - borrowed from Willow Sketchie Challenge - ends Sat 10th Dec
Happy Crafting
Mel :o)

Friday 18 November 2011

Jellypark Challenge Number 10 - Give Thanks

It's time for challenge number 10 over at Jellypark friends challenge blog and the theme this time round is Give Thanks.
We would love to see all of your Thanksgiving projects and if you're this side of the pond Thank you projects.

I was so pleased when I saw  the theme as it gives me the perfect opportunity to make a card to say Thank You to some special people.

This post has a few more pictures than usual.






I have created this card to say a huge Thank You to everyone associated with Jellypark. First of all the extremely talented Claire her images got me back into card making after a significant lull and I adore working with them. I feel very honoured to be a part of the design team. 
Thank you to both Claire and Jennifer for giving me a chance to be on the DT, I had only just started out in blogland when I applied for Jellypark and wouldn't have been most peoples choice.
Next a big thank you to Jennifer for looking after us all so well and running the challenge blog so beautifully and teaching me that there are many more flavours of coffee than just a jar of Nescafe :o), Oh and giving me paper envy every time I see her cards.
Last but by no means least the design team, Jennifer,  Ruth, Suzie, Tracey, Lisa and Sara such a lovely, supportive group of talented and crafty ladies. We have some cracking group conversations and my life is enriched so much as a result.
Anyway this one's for you ladies xxxxxxxxxxxx
p.s meant to say thank you to promarker for bringing out the fine nibs, I couldn't have coloured the tiny images without them.
Happy Crafting.

Jellypark new release - November 18th - Girl with winter coat

Whoop another Jellypark new release and she's a corker, I loved making this card soooo much. I went for a pastel colour scheme and lots of girly bits and bobs.
I used some papers from a new digi kit I bought thanks to a tip from one of my DT buddies :o) I paper pieced the little girl image and thanks to the wonderful range of colours available in promarker I was able to match the rest perfectly :o) The snowflakes are made from a lovely glitter card stock which I bought from a bargain store close to where I live, I have put little flat back pearls in the centres. The ribbon was white but I coloured it with my promarkers and threaded it through a little die cut buckle. I made the matching sentiment in a graphics package and glittered around the edges.
I reckon this is Christmas card number 10 made whoopee.


Pop on over to the jellypark challenge blog and have a look at the gorgeous cards from the rest of the design team including our two wonderful guest designers, Linda and Jenn.
Happy Crafting.

Jellypark new release - November 18th - Skating Boy

It's new release time over at the Jellypark store and now you can get your digis sent to you instantly upon purchase, how cool is that? One minute you're looking at your computer screen and the next you're sitting colouring in the image, ain't technology grand :o).
I went for a digital/hand coloured approach for this one and I was really happy with the result.

I glittered around the star and the tag with a lovely white/silver glitter. I also put little black glitter spots on the jumper and hat but they didn't photograph so well.
Pop on over to the jellypark challenge blog and have a look at the gorgeous cards made by the design team.
Happy Crafting.

Tuesday 15 November 2011

A mid week post for a change...

I meant to do this yesterday but for some reason on a Monday time always gets away from me. Now I have the house to myself I thought I'd grab a cup of coffee and get busy posting.
Last week I  managed to get a very cute free snowman image from dude time doodles. As soon as I saw him, a card design bounced into my head, love it when that happens :o)
The papers are from a wonderful digi pack that I bought last week, the snowmen are a freebie image as mentioned previously and the idea came from the incoming text alert sound from my phone. It's from the computer game Worms and I think most people will have heard it at some point. I've had it on my phone for a few years and it still makes me giggle every time :o) I put some super shiny glitter around the paper edges and the snowmen, I am going to make a few of these because I love it so much.
This one is being linked to :-
dude time doodles - use the freebie snowman
glitter geeks - week 23 - humorous
2 sisters challenge blog - challenge 65 - anything goes

Thursday 10 November 2011

Crimbo Crackers 2nd Challenge

The very lovely Ruth over at the Crimbo Crackers Challenge Blog has announced her new challenge which is "Make it Sparkle". The Crimbo Crackers Blog is a fabulous idea, being able to make Christmas cards all year long is a big bonus for me. For this the 2nd challenge Ruth has been sponsored by the very talented Claire of Jellypark fame. As a fellow Jellypark DT member Ruth asked the DT team if we would like to make cards for the challenge. Oh yes please, Christmas+Sparkle= one happy crafter.
Here is my creation.
The papers are MME, the image is a beautiful new release from Jellypark (she is gorgeous) almost as nice as the freebie Christmas Fairy which is available when you join the Jellypark Group over at The Crafter's Cafe.
The ribbon came from a gift I received last Christmas and I hot fixed some gems to it. The sentiment came from the Polka Doodles Christmas Pack. The image is coloured with promarkers and glittered with an irridescent glitter glue.
Bit early but Merry Christmas and Happy Crafting.

Friday 4 November 2011

Jellypark Challenge Number 9 - Non-traditional Christmas Colours

Whoop it's challenge time again over at the jellypark friends challenge blog. We also have a fantastic new guest designer for November, Linda McClain. Linda makes absolutely beautiful cards and she has a wonderful blog called catered crop :o).
This time round the challenge is non-traditional Christmas, I love making Christmas cards using unusual colours, however on this occasion I decided to go one further and make a card which is going to be posted to a friend on the other side of the world. She will no doubt be spending Christmas Day having a BBQ on the beach so I figured this card was quite apt. Who says snowmen always have to be made out of snow, sand would work just as well :o), okay so technically it isn't then a snowman but you get my drift (pun intended).

This image is from the wonderful Jellypark Store and for the background I have used some Jellypark scrapbook elements like the sun, ice cream, starfish and bucket and spade. He is coloured with pro markers and then cut out and decoupaged (might regret that when I come to post it). I made him a little shell ensemble for the rim of his hat. 
That's all from me.
Happy Crafting Folks.

Jellypark 4th November New Release Image

I have a Jellypark  new release image to show, only the one in this post, so pop on over to Jellypark Friends Challenge Blog for the other one. This little fella is soooo cute. I sat down at my craft table for this card as opposed to my computer. I love mixing it up :o)


All of the papers are from the Polkadoodles Magical Winter CD including the ones that I made the little paper flowers and co-ordinating sentiment from. He is coloured with promarkers (one day I shall use something else, well maybe) and I've hung little beads from his antlers. I distressed the edges of the paper with my amazing tool that my sister bought me and then finished it off with some faux stitching. 
I haven't decided who's getting this card yet but I've got 7 made now whoop, spoilt for choice ;o)
Happy Crafting.

Thursday 3 November 2011

It ain't papercraft but it's the next best thing!!!

It is my favourite time of year by far, I love the run up to Christmas. It is also the time of year when I start making my Decorations for Generations. They came about almost 10 years ago after my mum gave me some christmas decorations which I clearly remembered from my childhood. My Angel is older than me, but she's been very well looked after so she doesn't look anything like her 40+ years.
I spent my formative years living in Germany and I think that definately influenced my choice of Christmas Decorations. I don't theme my tree, it's more of an anything goes type of affair festooned with decorations from all over the world, some of my own creations and finished off with things made by my little ones. 

Here are a couple of pictures from one of my ranges :o)



   More to follow soon :o)
Happy Crafting.
Mel :o)

Friday 21 October 2011

Jellypark Challenge Number 8 - Costume Challenge

It's time for Challenge Number 8 over at Jellypark Friends whoopee and this time round it is a "Costume Challenge" what a fab theme given the fact it's almost Halloween.

First though a big thank you to all the entries for our "add pink and a ribbon" challenge I really enjoyed looking and commenting on them, some amazing cards and projects out there in blog land and so inspiring.

For this challenge I haven't made a Halloween card as my other post has one, so I used the gorgeous Jellypark Angel image and came up with this festive theme, inspired by my daughters nativity play last year.

How cute is she? As usual the background is digital and I've coloured the little angel with my promarkers. I glittered her star and crown and after spending a bit of time trying to get a silver effect on her wings I realised that I made my daughters out of tin foil so doh just use that on the wings. I think that's worked really well, don't you just love it when a non craft material just finishes off a project?
Apologies for the photos, still using my phone, must get the camera fixed soon :o(
Happy Crafting.

 Mel :o)

Challenges entered:-
Passion for Promarkers - week 122 - theme stars

Jellypark New Release Images - 21st October 2011

I have a couple of new releases to show you from the wonderful world of Jellypark, available from today in the Jellypark Store. I can't call them spooky as they are way too cute for that. Isn't the pumpkin suit just gorgeous? my daughter had this exact outfit when she was 1. I have photos of my son as count dracula and he looks just like this, that's one of the reasons I love working with Jellypark images so much, with the choice of a pen you can make them look like anyone you like, it's so personal :o).
I thought both images worked  perfectly together but something was missing so I added one of my other  fav Jellypark Halloween images, this adorable witch.
I created the backing paper digitally and added the cat which is from a Jellypark Halloween digi stamp along with the trick or treat bags. I coloured the images with promarkers and cut around them, then raised them up with some silicone glue. The ribbon along the bottom of the easel card has been gathered with a running stitch and attached to some purple net which hasn't photographed very well. I'm still having to use my phone to take photos so not ideal.


I hope you will join us this time round for our "Dress up challenge" over at the Jellypark Friends Challenge Blog and I look forward to seeing what you've all made.
Have an amazing weekend one and all and Happy Crafting.

Thursday 13 October 2011

Can't get that song out of my head now

Over at My mums craft shop challenge blog they have announced a new challenge. I thought it was such a fun idea that I got straight to work making a card. The aim is to create a card or project which "reminds you of a song".
The challenge is sponsored by the fabulous Prarie fairy and I have used one of their images on this card, I have coloured it with my almost full collection of promarkers :o)

So do you know which song it is yet................................................

Having to use my phone to take photeeees at the moment so please excuse the quality.

It's Zoom by Fat Larry Band of course, did you get it lol.

This card is entered into the following challenge :-

Friday 7 October 2011

Jellypark 7th October New Release

Whoopee I have two Jellypark Store new releases to share with you. I think you are going to be pretty blown away by Claire's new images.
It's my son's 10th birthday soon, I am soooo happy as I've now designed his card which will be sporting this fab image. It will be very similar to this one actually as other than the hair colour this could be him, he prefers black jeans to blue and that could be his scooter :o)
I've been playing around with my digital software this time around as I decided to create both my DT cards digitally. Most of the elements in this card are from a Jellypark Scrapbook Kit but I made the pavement and the signpost myself. I also coloured the little fella in by hand with my promarkers.

Secondly ......drum roll please....... OMG how completely gorgeous is this image!!?????

Let's face it we've all either been there or been in a room with someone who has, my gran knitted my dad a jumper one year and we nick named it his "dress" lol. Mum tried to shrink it in the wash but it just kept growing I swear it was alive he he.
I have created a digital background and then coloured the image.  The thing about digital art is, although it's time consuming coming up with a design and then finding or creating the elements, once it's done you've got it there to print off anytime. I can't quite bring myself to go totally digital yet as I love to physically colour in the images with my beloved promarkers. I'm only 16 away from a full set now whoop lol.
Happy Crafting

Jellypark Challenge Number 7 - Pink and a ribbon

Over at Jellypark Friends it's challenge time again and this time around the theme is pink and add a ribbon.

October is breast cancer awareness month which is why I have made this card. I am so pleased to see how supportive blog land is in recognising how important it is to raise awareness of this terrible disease which effects both men and women alike.


I raided my stash for some suitable pink paper, I die cut a centrepiece and ran it through the cuttlebug in an embossing folder, then coloured and cut around the image. The flower embellishments are some gorgy crafty things that my mum brought me back from a trip to Poland. I just added some little pearls to the centre. The Design Team have excelled with their projects this month so don't forget to pop over to the Jellypark Challenge Blog for a look. :o)


I love this image which I bought from the Jellypark Store a while ago, it is so versatile as you can add words digitally, stamp onto the image or if you are lucky enough to have beautiful hand writing you can simply write on it.
Happy Crafting Peeps.
Mel :o)
Challenges entered :-
Party time tuesdays -ptt36 - show us your shapes and/or breast cancer awareness
Jens digi stamps - let's hear it for the girls
Celebrate the occasion - challenge 33
Digistamps 4 joy - challenge 29 - think pink
Craft your passion - challenge 78 - anything goes plus a ribbon
inky impressions - monochrone or breast cancer awareness
Justyolie.com - first annual link up for pink

Saturday 1 October 2011

Guest DT Send a Smile For Kids - sponsored by Bee Crafty

This is my second post as a Guest designer over at the Send a Smile for Kids Challenge Blog this challenge which is Fall Colours - Anything goes for Kids,  runs from 1st October until 14th October it is also sponsored by Bee Crafty and they are very generously offering 3 digital stamps as a prize. Again I was fortunate enough to be sent a few images to play with. As soon as I saw this image I knew exactly what I was going to do. "Don't you just love it when a plan comes together".
I decided to go digital with this creation so I made a digital background and then added the image which once printed was coloured with my promarkers. I really wanted the little girl to pop from the card and I believe she does.

I hope you are going to join us for this challenge and a chance to win fabulous images.
Happy World Card Making Day.
Mel :o)

Guest DT at Send a Smile for Kids - Sponsored by Prairie Fairy

This is a very exciting post for me. I was fortunate enough a month or so ago to be placed in the top 3 of a Send a Smile for Kids Challenge, I literally did a dance when I found out, my card is featured in the cool scrolling gallery on the blog and everything lol.
I was delighted to find out that I also got an opportunity to be a guest DT on the challenge blog.
The challenge this time round is Fall Colours - Anything Goes For Kids and it runs from 1st October until 14th October. The very generous people at the Prairie fairy are offering a prize of a $15 gift certificate and I was lucky enough to be sent some glorious images to play with. How cute is she?

I have had this backing paper for ages and was so pleased to be able to use it, the leaves are very special as my mum bought them for me while on a short break in Poland. The image is coloured with promarkers and I have added some gorgeous amber gems which I got from Joanna Sheens online shop. The flower is made up from some autumnal papers which I created digitally and then punched and the sentiment is a sticker which came with the backing papers.

I hope you are going to play along for a chance to win this wonderful prize.
Happy World Card Making Day
Mel :o)

This card is entered into the following challenges:-
Just some lines challenge - its fall y'all, fall color challenge

World Card Making Day

I can't believe there's a World Card Making Day, why have I never heard of it, I make cards I should know about these things :oO



Now that I am aware of it's existence I am delighted to say that the lovely and very generous Claire of Jellypark is marking this splendid occasion with an amazingly fitting freebie image and an extra challenge over on the Jellypark Challenge Blog. We would like to see projects using the freebie image and the very lucky winner will receive a £10 voucher to spend in the fantabulous Jellypark Store how cool is that?

I had so much fun with this image, and here's the card I made.
 Loving my easel cards at the mo, this was one of many ideas I had for this image so watch this space lol.
Happy World Card Making Day
Mel :o)

Friday 30 September 2011

TGIF

Yeah it's Friday, I've had a busy, but productive week so I'm looking forward to a bit of a chill out weekend. Maybe even manage a barbecue in October OMG.  I have a very simple but effective card to share today. Lilies are one of my favourite flowers and yellow is one of my favourite colours so I combined the two. I even had Calla lilies as my wedding bouquet, it was gorgeous.
Happy Friday
Mel :o)
This card is entered into the following challenges:-
Craft your passion - challenge 77 - use black, green, white and yellow
Simply less is moore - week 34 - sketch challenge

Thursday 29 September 2011

Happy Halloween

I can't quite believe we're almost in October. To get myself in the Halloween mood I've started making my cards this one is for my daughter, I'm going to add her name to it before giving it to her :o). I love this little witch, I got her from my favourite online store Jellypark. I wanted to make a twisted easel card as she always likes to display the cards I make for her. I printed and coloured the witch with my promarkers, what else :o) and then printed another digi from Jellypark which has Halloween accessories, that's where I got the text stopper from, the little trick or treat bag and the spells book. I cut around the witches fingers and stuck the little bag underneath so that it would stick out of the card.


Happy Crafting.
Mel :o)
This card is entered into the following challenges:-
Send a smile for kids - Halloween or fall cute cards for kids
The paper shelter - challenge 33 - for girls
Lollipop crafts - challenge 50 - anything goes
Crafty boots challenges - things with wings - bats
Digistamps 4 joy - challenge 28 - anything goes
Celebrate the occasion - challenge 32 - any occasion but use a ribbon - purple ribbon on the base layer
My mums craft shop challenges - challenge 25 - dress up