Summertime and the livin' is easy

I fell in love with this month's image from Scrapper's Delights for the Progressive Challenge. However I was a little worried for her modesty if she should bend over to collect shells so I have added the shorts to her outfit.





Materials used: 
Scrapper's Delights - Sailor Dress Honey
Dragons Lair Designs - Seaside Retreat
7x5 card blank
printer card
X-Press It card
Copic pens:
skin - E000, E00, E21, E11, E04, R20
hair - E57, E47, E49
eyes - E35, E39, E59
tunic and shorts - B21, B23, B26, B18
outfit trim,stripes and bracelet - R29, R39, R59, R89
shoes - C0, C1, C3, C5, C7, C9, 100

The frame she is in is from a Dragons Lair set of papers and embellishments called Seaside Retreat. I have been unable to locate it in the new store but if you go to the Dragons Lair fan page on Facebook I am sure you can drop them a message and they should be able to tell you if it is available anywhere.

We have certainly had a beautiful summer in the UK, great for those on holiday but a nightmare for our farmers. They had already started feeding the winter supply earlier in the year when we had all the snow and now they are having to feed again because there is no grass left. The crops are not doing much better either. We need rain, and not just a little. Ideally a good few nights of steady rain would be good for the parched earth and the flora and fauna. It's not often we have the problem of the summer being too hot and dry!

Thank you for popping in. Take care.

Pippa

Entering the following challenges:
Scrapper's Delights Facebook Challenge - July
Ike's World Challenge #111 - Anything Goes / All At Sea
Lemon Shortbread #73 – Anything Goes
Crafty Sentiments Designs – Anything Goes
Artistic Inspirations #205 – Anything Goes
Crafting From The heart #217 – Anything Goes
Avenue 613 Create #211 – Anything Goes
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #86 – Anything Goes
Crafting With Friends #72 – Anything Goes
Creative Fingers #150 – Anything Goes
Create and Makes #23 – Anything Goes
Jo’s Scrap Shack FFC#244 – Anything Goes
PIP Challenge #1830 - Sunny Days!
A Gem Of A Challenge #224 - Summertime / Holidays

The Rabbit and the Dragon

Dragons Lair Designs has started some challenges on it's Facebook Page after a period of relative inactivity. Not one to miss out on a free image here is my offering.


Materials used:Dragons Lair Designs: Rabbit Image from Facebook Fan Page
My Favorite Things Die-namics: Designer Label set 2
Hot of the Press: Garden Scattered Flowers 12x12 Paper
Distress Oxides: Pickled Raspberry, Seedless Preserve
Copic pens
watercolor paper
X-Press It card
purple pearlised card
A5 card blank
silver greeting sticker

The rabbit is coloured then fussy cut. The mat layer is made with the distress oxides on watercolour paper and spritzed with water to get the drops effect.
The Dragons Lair Designs challenge ends today but there will be another one in March so why not go over to their Facebook page and take a look. Also there are some lovely papers and images in the new Etsy shop worth taking a look at.

Thanks for visiting today. Take care.

Pippa

Entering the following challenges:
Dragons Lair Designs Progressive Challenge - February
Simply Papercraft #55 - Anything Goes
Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Spring
Allsorts Challenge #456 - I Spy Something Beginning With 'B' (bunny)
A Gem Of A Challenge #213 - Spring Flowers (use any flower)
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #76 - Anything Goes
PIP Challenge #1808 - Anything Goes
Crafting From The Heart #196 - Anything Goes
My Creative Scoop Colour Inspiration Monthly Link Up #31
Inspiration Destination #145 - Anything Goes
A Bit More Time To Craft Extra - February Anything Goes
A Bit More Time To Craft #62 - Anything Goes
Artistic Inspirations #194 - Anything Goes/Use Flowers
Crafty Cardmakers #206 - Floral Delight

Elephants never forget . . .

. . .but they might be late sometimes!

This elephant image is the one for the Dragons Lair Designs progressive challenge on Facebook which ends tomorrow! The frame is floral but I have chosen colours inspired by African patterns and it looks quite different.



Materials used:Dragons Lair Designs - (Framed Elephant not yet in store)
Whimsey Stamps - Animal Print Digital Papers (think they were a freebie because I cannot find them in the store)
X-Press It card
Copic pens
black peel off sentiment
12.5cm square card blank

The card front is covered with a paper from the Whimsey set then edged with a black pen. The elephant image is coloured with Copics then cut out and attached to the card base. Finally the sentiment is added.

I was really pleased withe the way a different colour combination turned the frame into African art. When my eldest daughter was doing her Art GCSE at school she made a fantastic piece of batik influenced by African patterns. I remember it was in reds, yellows, oranges, browns and black made up of little triangles and lines and took her ages. I just wish I had a photo to share with you, it really was amazing.

Thank you for dropping in. Take care.

Pippa

Entering the following challenges:
Lemon Shortbread #60 - Anything Goes
Crafty Sentiments Designs - Anything Goes
Simply Papercraft #54 - Anything Goes
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #74 - Anything Goes
PIP Challenge #1804 - Anything Goes
Crafting From The Heart #192 - Anything Goes
My Creative Scoop Colour Inspiration Link Up #30
Inspiration Destination #142 - Anything Goes
Unicorn Challege #28 - Anything Goes

Feeling Blue

This year at Path of Positivity we are trying something new with our challenges optional themes. Each month the optional theme will focus on a particular colour. This month it is Shades of Blue.

So often after Christmas comes the low time. All the excitement and build up for weeks beforehand and now it is all over. The tinsel is looking tired, the lights have lost lustre and the baubles are battered. Family and friends that gathered from far flung parts have all returned and the daily grind resumed. On top of that, at least in this part of the world, the weather is not helping. So far this year it has done nothing but rain! It certainly is a time for feeling the blues.

However if Christmas means anything it is the promise that God loves us, provides for us all year round every day of our lives. That baby at the heart of every Nativity set, which we are all too eager to pack away for another year, grew into a man that set the world alight 2000 years ago and continues to do so today. So this year instead of leaving Jesus as a baby wrapped up, packed up and only getting a look in once a year, let's take him with us in our hearts and make him part of our lives every day, not just at Christmas. Then maybe we will  not end up with the January blues again next year.

My card was inspired in some degree by having a lot of family gatherings this Christmas and then having to say goodbye to them, some for a short time others for longer.



Materials used:Décosse's Dynamite Doodles  - Naturally Cool Set
Dragons Lair Designs - Elephant and Quote (no longer available)
X-Press It card
Copic pens
scalloped edge rectangle dies
A5 card blank

The elephant and sentiment are printed as one image and the elephant printed a second time. I used greys to colour the image then went over the top with a blue pen to give it a blue tinge.

I have used three of the papers from the Naturally Cool Set, a dark blue to cover the front of the card, a lighter blue to create a small border of the dark blue and a spotty one as a mat for the topper.

I do hope you will come a join in the fun, you have a whole month to come up with something. You do not have to follow the optional theme but if you do be sure to add FT after your name so that we include you in the draw for the prize for Most Inspirational. We'd also love to find out how this month's colour makes you feel, if you'd like to share that with us. What kinds of feelings does the colour blue evoke in you? You can write a sentence or two in the body of your post, write a sentence at the bottom of your post next to the link up for this challenge, or simply leave a comment on this post if you'd like.

Remember, in order to be considered eligible for this month's prizes, all creations must be positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some nature. You don't need to follow the optional theme if you simply want to have a chance at the Random Draw prize of a $10 gift certificate from Scribbles Designs, one of our guest sponsors this month. You only need to follow the theme if you want a chance to win an additional sponsored prize of  the Naturally Cool Kit from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles, the second of our guest sponsors this month, for the project chosen as Most Inspiring.

Thank you for dropping in. Take care.

Pippa

Entering the following challenges:
Crafting By Designs January - Anything Goes
The Crafty Addicts #44 - Anything Goes/ optional twist Winter Blues
Inspiration Destination #141 - Anything Goes
Crafting With An Attitude #35 - Anything Goes
Stamping Sensations January - Cold and Frosty Colours
PIP Challenge 181 - Anything Goes
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #73 - Anything Goes
Crafting From The Heart #189 - Anything Goes
Artistic Inspirations #192 - Anything Goes
A Bit More Time To Craft #59 - Anything Goes
My Creative Scoop Colour Inspiration Link Up #30 - Anything Coloured Goes
A Bit More Time To Craft Extra January - Anything Goes
4 Crafty Chicks #384 - Anything Goes/Dies, Punches With A Twist
613 Avenue Create #205 - Anything Goes 

Love To Craft Challenge For September

A new month and a new challenge at Love To Craft. As always our theme is Anything Goes and any craft goes. So if you are not so much a paper crafter, more a knitter, sewer, cross stitcher or into crochet this is the challenge for you. As it says on our blog: We are an all-crafts challenge blog and welcome any and all kinds of handmade creations - from cards, tags, ATCs and scrapbook layouts - to 3-D projects, mixed media canvases and altered projects - and even knitting, crocheting, quilting and jewelry-making! Whatever you're working on, we want to see it!

This time around I decided to show you some ATC's I've made. If you are a regular visitor to my blog you may well recognise some of the images. When printing out an image for a card I try to use up as much space as I can so often print out smaller versions to practice on. If the practice is not too dire I turn them into ATC's. I belong to a swap group - the UK Stampers Network where members swap ATC's  with each other. I have put in the link if you are interested in finding out more and possibly joining in the fun. We do not only swap ATC's there are other lists you can join in with. All the details are on the web site.





Materials used: 
Sweet Escape Digis – Make Up ( a free image from Facebook Competition but there are lots of wonderful images in the shop)
Aurora Wings – Pansy Sprite
Art by Barb – Whoosh and Apple
Bugaboo Digi Stamps –  Ice Cream Dog
Bugaboo Digi Stamps –  Kidz – Ice Cream
Imagine That Digistamp – Ice Cream Sentiments
Imagine That Digistamp – Ice Cream Parlour Digi Papers
Sparkle N Sprinkle – Mushroom in the Forest
Scrapper’s Delights – Lady Constance
DDDoodles – A Matter of Time Patterned Papers
Bugaboo Digi Stamps – Rose TrioDragons Lair Designs - Artistic Impressions paper set (they are having a closing down sale at the moment. Well worth a visit.)
acrylic text stamp from magazine
black archival ink pad
various coloured card
X-Press It card
Copic pens
gems
small letter dies
gold paper

These are just a selection of some of my personal favourites. It is quite challenging colouring very small images but also very therapeutic.

I hope you will join us this month at the Love to Craft Challenge. You have the whole month to come up with something and remember it can be any sort of crafting you like as long as it is hand made.

Thanks for visiting. Take care.

Pippa

Entering the following challenges:
PIP Challenge #1735 - Anything Goes
Ike's World #96 - Anything Goes
Lemon Shortbread #49 - Anything Goes
Addicted to Stamps and More #257 - Make Your Mark
Crafty Creations #349 - Anything Goes
Crafty Gals Corner #138 - Anything Goes
Crafting By Designs September - Anything Goes
Creative Moments #125 - Anything Goes

Faith, Hope and Love

This month the optional theme at Path of Positivity is Faith, Hope and Love. As it is June and the start of the most popular time for weddings we are looking especially for wedding/engagement/anniversary makes reflecting the Faith, Hope and Love theme.

I love finding songs that have thought provoking or inspiring lyrics. I have used quite a few 'unusual' ones in my All Age Worship Services over the years. Jim Croce's 'Time in a bottle' has always been a favourite, the melody is lovely and the words are wonderful. In fact they work so well with the theme for the challenge that I decided to  make them the focal of my make.

Just in case you cannot make out the words from my photo here they are, including the part that did not fit on the front.

"Time In A Bottle"

If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I'd like to do
Is to save every day till eternity passes away
Just to spend them with youIf I could make days last forever
If words could make wishes come true
I'd save every day like a treasure and then
Again, I would spend them with youBut there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do, once you find them
I've looked around enough to know
That you're the one I want to go through time withIf I had a box just for wishes
And dreams that had never come true
The box would be empty, except for the memory of how
They were answered by youBut there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do, once you find them
I've looked around enough to know
That you're the one I want to go through time with

Materials used:
Decosse's Dynamite Doodles - As Time Goes By Clockwork papers
Decosse's Dynamite Doodles - A Matter of Time Watch Patterned Paper
Dragons Lair Designs - Summer Sunset Couple Digi Stamp
Serif Craft Artist 2 programme or similar graphics software. (Link to free compact version)

This is a different project for me because I have made the whole thing digitally, not a piece of paper or pen in sight. The papers are layered up, the text and digi stamp added and the shadows put in using Craft Artist software.

If I wanted to make a physical card I have two choices. I could print out all the different element and then assemble them or I could print out the whole project as a card leaving the shadows to give some depth to it. It would also work really well as a scrapbook page, again either printing out the different elements and assembling them or printing off as one page.

While it was fun playing around with the software if I am being totally honest nothing quite beats the more hands on approach with paper, pens and glue!

The optional theme at Path of Positivity is Faith, Hope and Love. As this is the start of the wedding season we would particularly like to see Wedding, Engagement and Anniversary makes.

In order to have a chance to win the prize for the Most Inspirational Creation, we want to see you create a wedding card, an engagement card or even a wedding anniversary card that reflects the concepts of faith, hope and/or love.  It is time to put on those rose coloured glasses and get a little mushy.

If you do follow the optional theme, be sure to add FT after your name so that we include you in the draw for the prize for Most Inspirational. We also ask that you please leave a comment letting us know how your wedding or engagement card relates to the concept of faith, hope and/or love if it isn’t readily clear within the design itself or clearly written somewhere else in your post. While you may easily see how your creation ties into the theme, it may not be as apparent to me or the DT members. That is why we ask that you clarify it somewhere, whether here or in your blogpost. You can simply write a sentence at the bottom of your post next to the link up for this challenge, if it would be easier. We just need to know how your project ties into the theme. Letting us know, clears up any ambiguity that may exist.

Remember, in order to be considered eligible for this month’s prizes, ALL creations must be positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some nature. You don’t need to follow the optional theme if you simply want to have a chance at the Random Draw prize of three images from Pattie’s Creations, one of our guest sponsors this month. You only need to follow the theme if you want a chance to win this month’s sponsored prize of a scrapbooking kit from Décosse’s Dynamite Doodles, provided by the second of our guest sponsors this month.

So what are you waiting for, come along and join us, please.

Thanks for dropping in. Take care.



 

I would like to enter the following challenge:
Digitally Made Challenges #2 - Quote
A Bit More Time To Craft #46 - Anything Goes

There's still time!

There is just over a week left in the Stamping With Dragon challenge for May. The theme is Anything Goes with the optional twist of Fashion Action.



Materials used:Dragons Lair Designs - Vintage Lady Digital Pack
white A5 card blank
printer paper
cream card
X-Press It card
skeleton leaves
paper flowers
ribbon
feather
gem
Copic pens
gel pens
gold/silver pens
acrylic greeting stamp

The two papers I used are printed on good printer paper and the lady image on X-Press It card.

The image is coloured with pens then fussy cut. The card blank is covered with cream card and the two papers added leaving small borders around each one.

The coloured image is attached with foam pads and the greeting stamped on with black archival ink.

Finally the little bouquet is made up of leaves, a feather, flowers and a ribbon and attached to the card front with glossy accents.

Why not come and join us with an entry of your own. You can interpret it anyway you like and a winner of a store voucher will be selected by random draw.

If you need inspiration here are some useful links:

• Dragons Lair Designs Store - A fantastic range of digital downloads


• Dragons Lair Designs Inspiration Blog - Bookmark us and come back regularly for inspiration


• Dragons Lair Designs Challenge Blog - Challenges starting the 1st Friday of every month with different themes, please come along and take part


• Dragons Lair Designs Fan Group - Even more inspiration, challenges, freebies and fun activities


• Dragons Lair Designs Facebook Page - Please do pop over and "Like" our page


• Dragons Lair Designs Etsy Store  - Another location to get hold of our range of digital downloads


• Janette Padley's Creations on craftsUprint - Yet another location to get hold of our digital downloads


• Dragons Lair Designs Crafts Group - selling buttons and bits and bobs

 We'd love to have you join us in our Fan Group and post up some pictures of any creations you make using any DLD items.

Thanks for popping in. Take care.

I would like to enter the following challenges:
Inspiration Destination #128 - Anything Goes
Creative Moments #118 - Anything Goes
Penny's Challenge #329 - Anything Goes
Crafty Gals Corner #123 - Add Flowers
Crafty Creations #341 - Anything Goes

Dragons Lair Designs April Challenge - Weddings

A new challenge at Dragons Lair Designs starts today and this month the theme is Weddings. Those of you who are regular visitors to my blog will be aware that there was a wedding in the family last August so what better opportunity than to use this challenge to make an anniversary card!


Materials used:Dragons Lair Designs - Wedding Dreams Digital Mini Kit
white printer card
wedding photos
Serif CraftArtist 2 software (if you want to try CraftArtist you can download a taster version from the Daisytrail web site.

I used the Serif CraftArtist programme to compose my card with. I have used a paper and some of the elements from the kit to make up the front of my A5 card incorporating a couple of photographs in the frames.

You could always use a bigger canvas and turn this into a scrapbook page. I may yet do that for them to add to the scrapbook I made for Rachel's 18th birthday some years ago.

I hope I have inspired you to come and join in the fun at the Dragons Lair Designs challenge. Why not take a look at the blog for more inspiration and visit the shop for some fantastic papers, digi stamps, kits and elements.

Thanks for dropping in. Take care.

Pippa

Dragons Lair Challenge for March

It's the first Friday of the month and time for the start of a new challenge with Dragons Lair Designs. This month the theme is Anything Goes with an optional twist of Spring Flowers.



Materials used:Dragons Lair Designs - Spring Medley (not available in store)
Dragons Lair Designs - Pansy Stamp
15cm square card blank
X-Press It card
printer card
gold greetings sticker
Polychromo pencils

The background design is sized and printed out on printer card then the middle of the frame cut out with a craft knife.

The pansy digi stamp is printed on X-Press It card at the correct size to fit the appature and given a little hint of colour with the pencils before being attached behind the frame.

The topper is attached to the front of the card blank and the greeting sticker added.

So why not join us and have a go yourself. Here are all the details you need:

We are a challenge blog that pride ourselves on being open to all levels of crafters, which is why we alway pick our winner using a random number generator.

We are a monthly challenge and winners will be announced with the new challenge which
go live the first Friday of each month.

You may enter our challenge using any material you wish as long as you clearly follow the set theme.

You may enter our challenge with only 1 entry per month and
you must provide a direct link to the blog post showing your entry, as well as back link to the challenge blog within that entry post.

The prize for winning will be announced with each challenge.
A badge for your blog will go to the winner as well as the winning entry being highlighted on the challenge blog the following month.

Dragons Lair Designs March Challenge - Anything Goes/Spring Flowers - starts on 3rd March.

• Dragons Lair Designs Store - A fantastic range of digital downloads


• Dragons Lair Designs Inspiration Blog - Bookmark us and come back regularly for inspiration


• Dragons Lair Designs Challenge Blog - Challenges starting the 1st Friday of every month with different themes, please come along and take part


• Dragons Lair Designs Fan Group - Even more inspiration, challenges, freebies and fun activities


• Dragons Lair Designs Facebook Page - Please do pop over and "Like" our page


• Dragons Lair Designs Etsy Store  - Another location to get hold of our range of digital downloads


• Janette Padley's Creations on craftsUprint - Yet another location to get hold of our digital downloads


• Dragons Lair Designs Crafts Group - selling buttons and bits and bobs

We'd love to have you join us in our Facebook Fan Group and post up some pictures of any creations you make using any DLD items. For your information there is also a free stamp challenge there as well.

Thanks for dropping in. Take care.

I would like to enter the following challenges:Crafty Sentiments Designs - Anything Goes
Lemon Shortbread #36 - Anything Goes
Crafty Creations #336 - Anything Goes
Crafting By Designs March - Anything Goes
Inspiration Destination #123 - Anything Goes
A Bit More Time To Craft #39 - Anything Goes

Hearts a Flutter at Dragons Lair Designs

It's the first Friday of the month so it must be time for a new challenge at Dragons Lair Designs. This month the theme is very relevant for the time of year, Hearts a Flutter. All the details you need for the challenge are at the end of this post.



Materials used: Dragons Lair Designs - Summer Sunset Couple Digi Stamp
Dragons Lair Designs - Summer Sunset Decorated Paper
Dragons Lair Designs - Summer Sunset Digital Elements
printer card
Aged Mahogany Distress Ink
black sparkly ribbon
heart gift bag template (Craft Artist 2 software)

I recently treated myself to a laptop as my old desk top is starting to fail. The disadvantage of a new computer is getting used to a new system, from Windows 7 to Windows 10 is quite a leap, and having to load up my most used software. One of the programmes I installed is CraftArtist 2. Having installed it I checked it worked properly and discovered the pre installed templates, one of which was this little heart shaped gift bag, perfect for my sample for the challenge.

I do not often make something that is completely digital but this time decided to give it a go. I have taken a couple of the papers from the paper pack and used them to cover the two sides of the bag. On the front, as in the picture above, I added the digi stamp couple in the circle on the paper. On the back, as in the the picture below, I added a leafy swirl from the elements pack. Both of the added pictures have been given a drop shadow to try and give some dimension.




Finally I printed out the bag, cut it out and assembled it, running a length of black ribbon up one side, loosely over the top and then down the other side to make a little carry handle.

I am not sure yet what will go into the bag, I have lots of idea, but I expect I will decide by February 14th!

Now, as promised, here are the details of how to join in with the Dragons Lair Designs Challenge for this month.


We are an all levels crafters' challenge blog - all winners are picked by Random to keep it fair for all levels. The prize for winning will be shown clearly on the challenge.

Winners will get a badge for their blog and the winning entry will also be highlighted on the challenge blog the following month.

Challenges are Monthly, starting the first Friday of each Month.

You may enter our challenge using any material you wish as long as you clearly follow the set theme.

You may enter only once each month and you must link up with your direct link to the blog post showing your entry, and have a back link to the challenge blog showing on the blog post with your entry.


Dragons Lair Designs February Challenge - Hearts a Flutter - starts on 3rd February.

• Dragons Lair Designs Store - A fantastic range of digital downloads


• Dragons Lair Designs Inspiration Blog - Bookmark us and come back regularly for inspiration


• Dragons Lair Designs Challenge Blog - Challenges starting the 1st Friday of every month with different themes, please come along and take part


• Dragons Lair Designs Fan Group - Even more inspiration, challenges, freebies and fun activities


• Dragons Lair Designs Facebook Page - Please do pop over and "Like" our page


• Dragons Lair Designs Etsy Store  - Another location to get hold of our range of digital downloads


• Janette Padley's Creations on craftsUprint - Yet another location to get hold of our digital downloads


• Dragons Lair Designs Crafts Group - selling buttons and bits and bobs

We'd love to have you join us in our Fan Group and post up some pictures of any creations you make using any DLD items.

Thank you for dropping by. Take care.

January challenge at Dragons Lair Designs

As always the first Friday of the month sees the start of a new challenge at Dragons Lair Designs. This month the theme is New Beginnings. I have made a couple of really quick wall plaques with some wise words for the start of a new year.


Materials used:Dragons Lair Designs: Simply Lovable Digital ElementsDragons Lair Designs: Simply Lovable Digital Papersmount board
white printer card
I printed out the elements and papers that I wanted to use. Using the size of the two sayings as a base I cut out two pieces of mountboard and covered them with the papers I wanted to use.

The top plaque used up the left over bits of paper from the one underneath.

The heart embellishment is made from one of the elements printed twice and fussy cut before arranging as a pair.

The central topper is attached with foam pads to give some dimension.
The Dragons Lair challenge runs until the end of the  month so you have plenty of time to get an entry in, so why not head on over and join in the fun. You will find inspiration from my team mates over there as well and I am sure they would appreciate a visit to their personal blogs. There’s a prize of a voucher to spend in the Dragons Lair Designs store for a winner who’ll be chosen by a random number generator.

You do not have to use a Dragons Lair Design to enter but it would be lovely if you did. There are lots of goodies to discover at the store to get you going. Here are some useful links for you.

• Dragons Lair Designs Store– A fantastic range of digital downloads


• Dragons Lair Designs Inspiration Blog– Bookmark us and come back regularly for inspiration


• Dragons Lair Designs Challenge Blog– Challenges starting the 1st Friday of every month with different themes, please come along and take part


• Dragons Lair Designs Fan Group– Even more inspiration, challenges, freebies and fun activities


• Dragons Lair Designs Facebook Page– Please do pop over and “Like” our page


• Dragons Lair Designs Etsy Store – Another location to get hold of our range of digital downloads


• Janette Padley’s Creations on craftsUprint– Yet another location to get hold of our digital downloads


• Dragons Lair Designs Crafts Group– selling buttons and bits and bobs

We’d love to have you join us in our Fan Group and post up some pictures of any creations you make using any DLD items.

Happy new year to you and I pray 2017 will be a good  one for you. Thanks for stopping a while. Take care.

Pippa

December at Dragons Lair Designs

The first Friday of the month sees the start of a new challenge at Dragons Lair Designs and the theme this month is Christmas Wishes.



If you are anything like me you will still be knee deep in making Christmas cards so why not have a go at our challenge. If you need inspiration visit the blog and the Facebook Page and you will discover plenty to get you started.



Materials used:  
Dragons Lair Designs - Christmas Waves Quote Border
Dragons Lair Designs - Oh Christmas Tree Digi Stamp
Dragons Lair Designs - Holly Days Papers
X-Press It card
Copic pens
glitter glue - various colours
silver pen
A5 card blank

I printed out the Christmas Waves Quote Border and the backing paper on white paper. I have cut out the elements I wanted to use from the border and rearranged them which is why the words are at the top of the card.

The tree is printed out on X-Press It card and coloured with Copics and glitter glue. The stars have been coloured with a silver pen.

I have used 3d foam pads to attach the word magic and the tree onto the card. The green edge is done by running a Copic pen around the card before attaching the middle paper.



The Dragons Lair challenge runs until the end of the  month so you have plenty of time to get an entry in, so why not head on over and join in the fun. You will find inspiration from my team mates over there as well and I am sure they would appreciate a visit to their personal blogs. There’s a prize of a voucher to spend in the Dragons Lair Designs store for a winner who’ll be chosen by a random number generator.

You do not have to use a Dragons Lair Design to enter but it would be lovely if you did. There are lots of goodies to discover at the store to get you going. Here are some useful links for you.

• Dragons Lair Designs Store– A fantastic range of digital downloads


• Dragons Lair Designs Inspiration Blog– Bookmark us and come back regularly for inspiration


• Dragons Lair Designs Challenge Blog– Challenges starting the 1st Friday of every month with different themes, please come along and take part


• Dragons Lair Designs Fan Group– Even more inspiration, challenges, freebies and fun activities


• Dragons Lair Designs Facebook Page– Please do pop over and “Like” our page


• Dragons Lair Designs Etsy Store – Another location to get hold of our range of digital downloads


• Janette Padley’s Creations on craftsUprint– Yet another location to get hold of our digital downloads


• Dragons Lair Designs Crafts Group– selling buttons and bits and bobs

We’d love to have you join us in our Fan Group and post up some pictures of any creations you make using any DLD items.

Thank you for visiting. Take care.

Dragons Lair November Challenge

The November challenge starts today over at Dragons Lair Designs and this month is a picture inspiration.



I have taken inspiration for my card from the colours.



Materials used:Dragons Lair Designs - Plums
8 inch square card blank
tea dye distress ink and applicator
cream, mustard and mottled designer papers
X-Press It card
Copic pens
small acrylic sentiment stamp and acrylic block
black archival ink pad

The plums image has been printed out on X-Press It card at the correct size to fit the card blank and then coloured with Copics.

I used the distress ink and a foam wedge to dab in the background then went around the edges using a brush. I also used the ink and brush to edge the card blank with.

Various designer papers have been used to mat and layer the image and the sentiment stamped in the corner.


I was trying to get a more vintage card that would be suitable for male or female and I think I have succeeded to do that.

The Dragons Lair challenge runs until the end of the  month so you have plenty of time to get an entry in, so why not head on over and join in the fun. You will find inspiration from my team mates over there as well and I am sure they would appreciate a visit to their personal blogs. There’s a prize of a voucher to spend in the Dragons Lair Designs store for a winner who’ll be chosen by a random number generator.

You do not have to use a Dragons Lair Design to enter but it would be lovely if you did. There are lots of goodies to discover at the store to get you going. Here are some useful links for you.

• Dragons Lair Designs Store– A fantastic range of digital downloads


• Dragons Lair Designs Inspiration Blog– Bookmark us and come back regularly for inspiration


• Dragons Lair Designs Challenge Blog– Challenges starting the 1st Friday of every month with different themes, please come along and take part


• Dragons Lair Designs Fan Group– Even more inspiration, challenges, freebies and fun activities


• Dragons Lair Designs Facebook Page– Please do pop over and “Like” our page


• Dragons Lair Designs Etsy Store – Another location to get hold of our range of digital downloads


• Janette Padley’s Creations on craftsUprint– Yet another location to get hold of our digital downloads


• Dragons Lair Designs Crafts Group– selling buttons and bits and bobs

We’d love to have you join us in our Fan Group and post up some pictures of any creations you make using any DLD items.

Thanks for visiting. Take care.

Dragons Lair Designs September Challenge: Books/Paper

It's time for the September challenge at Dragons Lair Designs and this time the theme is anything to do with books and/or paper.



Materials used:Dragons Lair Designs - Our Family Papers
Joy! Crafts Die - Vintage Flourishes
Lacy Sunshine - Lizabeth Summer in the Park
printer card
X-Press It! card
Copic pens
white A5 card blank

I have used two of the papers to made the background paper and cut out the fame and flowers separately.

The image is coloured with Copics and mounted behind the cut out frame before sticking to the card front.

The flowers have been cut out twice in different sizes and the duplicate images have had some petals removed before being decoupaged onto the base image. The sprig is cut with the die from pearlised paper.

So why not pop over to the Dragons Lair Designs Challenge Blog and join in with our challenge to make a creation on the theme of “Books/Paper” this month.  There’s a prize of a voucher to spend in the Dragons Lair Designs store for a winner who’ll be chosen by a random number generator.

You do not have to use a Dragons Lair Design to enter but it would be lovely if you did. There are lots of goodies to discover at the store to get you going. Here are some useful links for you.

• Dragons Lair Designs Store– A fantastic range of digital downloads


• Dragons Lair Designs Inspiration Blog– Bookmark us and come back regularly for inspiration


• Dragons Lair Designs Challenge Blog– Challenges starting the 1st Friday of every month with different themes, please come along and take part


• Dragons Lair Designs Fan Group– Even more inspiration, challenges, freebies and fun activities


• Dragons Lair Designs Facebook Page– Please do pop over and “Like” our page


• Dragons Lair Designs Etsy Store – Another location to get hold of our range of digital downloads


• Janette Padley’s Creations on craftsUprint– Yet another location to get hold of our digital downloads


• Dragons Lair Designs Crafts Group– selling buttons and bits and bobs

We’d love to have you join us in our Fan Group and post up some pictures of any creations you make using any DLD items.

Thanks for popping in. Take care.

Christmas in August With Dragons Lair Designs

It's the start of a new challenge at Stamping With Dragon and this month the theme is 'Christmas in August'. I have made a 12 x 12 scrapbook page although it would work just as well scaled down to an 8 x 8 card.



Materials used: 
Dragons Lair Designs: Holly Days Elements
Dragons Lair Designs: Holly Days Papers
white 12 x 12 card

The whole layout has been put together using papers and elements from the Holly Days sets to frame a photograph of one of the Christmas floral arrangements in our church a couple of years ago. I have used Craft Artist to do this, adding some shadows for depth.


So why not pop over to the Dragons Lair Designs Challenge Blog and join in with our challenge to make a creation on the theme of "Christmas in August" this month.  There's a prize of a voucher to spend in the Dragons Lair Designs store for a winner who'll be chosen by a random number generator.

You do not have to use a Dragons Lair Design to enter but it would be lovely if you did. There are lots of goodies to discover at the store to get you going. Here are some useful links for you.

• Dragons Lair Designs Store- A fantastic range of digital downloads


• Dragons Lair Designs Inspiration Blog- Bookmark us and come back regularly for inspiration


• Dragons Lair Designs Challenge Blog- Challenges starting the 1st Friday of every month with different themes, please come along and take part


• Dragons Lair Designs Fan Group- Even more inspiration, challenges, freebies and fun activities


• Dragons Lair Designs Facebook Page- Please do pop over and "Like" our page


• Dragons Lair Designs Etsy Store - Another location to get hold of our range of digital downloads


• Janette Padley's Creations on craftsUprint- Yet another location to get hold of our digital downloads


• Dragons Lair Designs Crafts Group- selling buttons and bits and bobs

We'd love to have you join us in our Fan Group and post up some pictures of any creations you make using any DLD items.

Thanks for popping in. Take care.



 

Love To Craft Challenge #1

Today sees the launch of a new craft challenge, Love to Craft. For my first project I have chosen to showcase the gift basket I made to contain an end of school year present for the teacher I work with. It was just large enough to hold a special mug.

                    

Materials used:
Dragons Lair Designs: Earth Tones Mini Kit
printer card
2 vintage buttons
scrap of ribbon
circle die

The box base is made up of printed off sheets of paper from the kit. The handle uses two elements and the circle decorations use a collection of elements put together to form one image using Craft Artist 2 and cut out with a circle die.

For the tag I used the tag and a flower from the kit putting them together in Craft Artist before printing out.

I added two vintage buttons, one at the end of each end of the handle and used ribbon to die on the tag.

I do hope you will come and join us in this new venture. We welcome all kinds of handmade projects - from cards, tags, ATCs and scrapbook layouts to 3-D projects, mixed media canvases and altered projects - and even knitting, crocheting and jewelry! We want to see whatever you're working on!

You may enter up to five different projects and combine our challenges with as many other challenges as you'd like! Winners and Top Picks are chosen by our design team and announced on the 10th of the month following the close of the challenge!

As an added incentive, should you need it, there will be a giveaway when we reach our first milestone of 100 followers.

We can't wait to see what you create! Hope to see you there.

Thanks for dropping in. Take care.

Pippa

Dragons Lair Designs July Group Digistamp Challenge

After the frenzied activity to get all 7 challenges done for the Bugaboo Christmas in July event it is a bit calmer in the Craftroom! We are off on holiday next Friday so there are a few loose ends to tie up before we head off, as well as work and painting the new house. Ok maybe it's not as calm as I would like after all.

The first on the list of 'Things to get done before going away' is the Dragons Lair progressive digi stamp challenge. The stamp is free on request from the Dragons Lair Designs Fan Group Facebook Page on the understanding that you make something and post it in the album before the end of the challenge.



Materials used:Dragons Lair Designs - Free Image (request from Facebook Page)
Dragons Lair Designs - Artistic Expressions Papers and Elements
printer card
X-Press It card
Copic pens
A5 card blank

I decided for this card to use just the one loaf of bread from the digistamp. I printed it on X-Press It card and coloured it with Copic pens before cutting it out.

The background has been made up in Serif CraftArtist 2 using papers and elements from the Artistic Expressions kits. I found the quote on the internet and thought it went well with the loaf of bread. The whole background is printed off as one sheet, hopefully the shadows will give the illusion of depth and dimension.

The loaf of bread has been shaped and stuck into the frame with gel glue.

Making up the background has given me some more practice with the CraftArtist programme. I think I am slowly getting the hang of it just by fiddling about although I feel there is a lot more to discover.

Thanks for dropping in. Take care.

Pippa

If my card has inspired you please head over to the Dragons Lair Designs Sites, here are some links that may be useful:

• Dragons Lair Designs Store- A fantastic range of digital downloads


• Dragons Lair Designs Inspiration Blog- Bookmark us and come back regularly for inspiration


• Dragons Lair Designs Challenge Blog- Challenges starting the 1st Friday of every month with different themes, please come along and take part


• Dragons Lair Designs Fan Group- Even more inspiration, challenges, freebies and fun activities


• Dragons Lair Designs Facebook Page- Please do pop over and "Like" our page


• Dragons Lair Designs Etsy Store - Another location to get hold of our range of digital downloads


• Janette Padley's Creations on craftsUprint- Yet another location to get hold of our digital downloads

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:
Dragons Lair Designs Group Digistamp Challenge - July
Word Art Wednesday #238 and #239 - Anything Goes

My kind of sewing.

The Dragons Lair Designs Facebook Fan Group Digi Stamp challenge for this month features a flowers and buttons design.



Materials used:
Dragons Lair Designs Digi Stamp (available by request from Facebook Page)
X-Press It card
black card
previously made shaving foam technique backing paper
acrylic greetings stamp
various small buttons
glossy accents
Copic pens

I have manipulated the image on the computer to get a row of buttons above and below the flowers. The whole image has been printed on X-Press It card and the flowers coloured with Copics.

The trimmed image has been layered onto a piece of the shaving foam paper I made a few days ago then matted onto black card before being attached to the base card.

I stuck different sized buttons ontop of the image ones for a bit of texture and ran a black pen around the edge of the coloured panel to look like stitching.

Finally I added a drop of glossy accents to the centers of the flowers and stamped the greeting underneath the topper.


I can see those flower designs working as applique on a cushion or the hem of a childs summer dress, but it's not something I will be doing myself.

If I have in anyway inspired you to have a go at the Dragons Lair challenge please pop over to the Facebook page where you can find all the details of the challenges and freebie's on offer.

Thanks for visiting. Take care.

Pippa

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:
Dragons Lair Designs Digi Stamp Challenge
2 Creative Chicks Showcase #11
Love To Scrap #80 - Anything Goes
Lil Patch of Crafy Friends #36 - Anything Goes
Artistic Inspirations #159 - Just For Fun/Anything Goes
Lemon Shortbread #18 - Anything Goes
Not Just Cards #33 June

Sew sweet

The current Head to Head challenge on the Dragons Lair Designs Fan Group Facebook Page uses the Lost and Found Treasures mini kit. I have combined the vintage look of the kit with a modern miss!



Materials used:Dragons Lair Designs - Lost and Found Treasures mini kit
Angie's Stamps - Daisy May Sewing
printer card
X-Press It card
Copic pens
gold peel-off greeting
white A5 card blank

All the backing layers have been printed from the DLD kit. Daisy May was sized to fit on the middle mat, coloured with Copics and fussy cut. She is attached to the card using 3d gel glue.
I must admit I was not sure about the mix of styles but it is growing on me. Since sewing is a timeless pastime it is fitting to have vintage past and colourful present together. Programmes like 'The Great British Sewing Bee' have certainly helped revive the art of making clothes and household items and judging by the increasing number of fabric outlets appearing at craft shows over the past few years I think it is a trend set to last a while. As a non-sewer I am always in awe of people who can produce such wonderful things from just a length or two of fabric.

Thanks for visiting. Take care.

Pippa

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:
2 Creative Chicks Showcase #11
Dragons Lair Designs Head to Head challenge
Lemon Shortbread Challenge #18 - Anything Goes
Crafty Sentiments Designs - Kids
A Bit More Time To Craft #22 - Anything Goes
Not Just Cards - June

See how she grows

My Great Niece is one this week so I decided to make an 8 x 8 inch card which could be used as a scrapbook page.



Materials used: 
Dragons Lair Designs - Spring Medley Mini Kit (available free from the DLD Fan Group Facebook Page)
Clarity Stamp - Letter Box Kit (I can only find it as a multi buy with the numbers)
Papermania - Typography Large 1 acrylic stamp
Rubber Stamp Tapestry - Dainty Floral Stamp Set
Memento ink pads various colours
black archival ink pad
8x8 inch card blank
8x8 inch printer card
photo paper

The base of the page i.e. the pink paper and the framed photographs, was put together as one printable sheet with Serif Craft Artist using the Dragons Lair Designs Spring Medley Kit.

I used the Clarity Stamp Letterbox set to make Imogen, stamping onto a sheet of the green paper from the Spring Medley kit. I also stamped the number 1 on the same paper and filled it in with the Rubber Stamp Tapestry stamps using Memento ink pads. Both have then been cut out.

The flowers have been printed from the Spring Medley kit and fussy cut.

All the elements have been arranged and adhered to an 8x8 inch white card blank.

I also made the insert from a sheet of the pink paper to match the front of the card.

Dragons Lair Designs Facebook Fan Page has a challenge using the Spring Melody Mini Kit so why not head over there and take a look. If you would like to enter yourself the kit is available free to members of the group. If you are not already a member just request to join. There are lots of other challenges and fun things going on all of which are worth looking at.

Thanks for dropping in. Take care.

Pippa

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:Dragons Lair Designs Facebook Fan Group Challenge
2 Creative Chicks Showcase #11
Artistic Inspirations #159 - Just for Fun/Anything Goes
Crafting From The Heart #117 - Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion #317 - Anything Goes
Not Just Cards - June