Art by Mi Ran Progressive Challenge

It must be a first! For once I am not posting this with hours to spare but with weeks to spare. This means there is still time for you to have a go if you have not already done so. To jump on board you will need to buy the first image then for successive months request it for free. For more details see the Art By Mi Ran Facebook Page.

Materials used:
Art By Miran - Digi Girl 294 (Reserved Listing)
Dragons Lair Designs - Artistic Expressions Papers
dies - doily, circle, butterfly
Copic pens
X-Press It card
silver sentiment sticker
brown and black card
printer card
white A5 card blank

The image is printed out to the correct size on X-Press It card, coloured with Copics and die cut with a circle die.

The doily and two butterflies are cut from a sheet of paper printed from the Artistic Expressions Papers set. One butterfly is layered over the other leaving the wings free.

The image is layered onto the doily then matted onto brown and black card before attaching to the card blank.

The butterfly and sticker are added last.

It's been a bit busy for me over the last few days. We have made a start on decorating our new house, who'd have thought stripping wallpaper could be such fun but so tiring! Still I keep telling myself it will be worth it in the end!

Thanks for popping in. Take care.

Pippa

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:
Art By Mi Ran Progressive Challenge (April)
Come And Get It Challenge #114 - Things With Wings
Lil Patch Of Crafty Friends #32 - Anything Goes
One Stitch At A Time #260 - Anything Goes With Wings
Stamping Sensations April - One For The Girls
Crafty Sentiments Designs - Anything Goes
Deep Ocean Challenge #126 -Spring Is In The Air
Lemon Shortbread #13 - Anything Goes
Through The Craft Room Door
The Cat's Pyjamas #312 - Wings
Crafty Gals Corner #67 - Die Cuts or Punches
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge #273 - Anything Goes
The Crafty Addicts #13 - Anything Goes/Girly

 

Mixing it up

This month the progressive freebie image from Dragons Lair Designs is a lovel flower boarder. I decided to use it to frame an image I wanted to use for my daughter's birthday card.

Materials used: 
Dragons Lair Designs - Flower Frame (request from Dragons Lair Designs Facebook Page)
Dragons Lair Designs - Gentle Muse (Facebook Freebie) (also)
From The Heart Stamps - Care and Comfort
X-Press It card
Copics
acrylic greeting stamp
black archival ink pad
white printer card

I sized up the frame and the image so that one fitted inside the other. I printed out one framed image and two cropped parts of the Care and Comfort image to layer up. I used Copics to colour the frame and the image.

The  card blank is made from a sheet of A4  card printed with a paper from the Gentle Muse kit.

The girl and the cat have been 3d decoupaged with two more layers on top of the base layer.

My daughter is a veterinary nurse so the Care and Comfort image seemed appropriate!

There is a lot happening over at Dragons Lair Designs so why not pop on over and have a look. Here are all the links to encourage you!

DRAGONS LAIR DESIGNS LINKS

• Dragons Lair Designs Online Shop (http://dragonslairdesigns.com/shop/)


• Dragons Lair Designs Fan Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/636646656454888/)


• Dragons Lair Designs Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/Dragons-Lair-Designs-443643142441261/)


• Dragons Lair Designs Inspiration Blog (http://stampingdragondesigns.blogspot.co.uk/)


• Dragons Lair Designs Challenge Blog (http://stampingwithdragon.blogspot.ie/)


• Janette Padley - Designer on craftsUprint (http://www.craftsuprint.com/janette-padley/)


• Dragons Lair Designs Etsy Shop (https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/dragonslairdesignz)


• Dragons Lair Designs Crafts Group - selling buttons and bits and bobs (https://www.facebook.com/groups/dragonslaircrafts/)

 



I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:
Penny's Challenge #272 - Anything Goes
Crafting With An Attitude #14 - Anything Goes
A Bit More Time To Craft #17 - Anything Goes
2 Creative Chicks Showcase #9
Creative Ladybirds Creations #14 - Anything Goes
Crafty Girlz Challenge - March
A Beautiful Mess #1 - Anything Goes
Brown Sugar Challenge #193 - Anything Goes
Crafting-With-Friends #18 - Anything Goes 
Creative Fingers #106 - Anything Goes 
Jo's Scrap Shack FFC #133 - Anything Goes
Simply Papercraft Challenges #27 - Anything Goes
Alphabet Challenge - C is for Cats
That's Crafty! Challenge - All Things Bright and Beautiful

 

 

Another Head to Head at Dragons Lair Designs

This month the Head to Head challenge at DLD features a hopeful dog! It is a great set for 'doggy' scrapbook layouts and also for cards, particularly for men.

Materials used: 
Dragons Lair Designs - Zoodles
white printer card and paper
A5 gatefold card blank
white pearl gems
dark brown Copic
acrylic greetings stamp
Adirondak Espresso ink pad

I printed out all the papers and pictures that I wanted to use onto card and paper, depending on use.

 

[caption id="attachment_4692" align="alignleft" width="108"] showing the inside
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I used both images of the dog, cutting out the one on the white background, shaping it a littel and then attaching it to the first image using gel glue to give a slightly raised look to the dog.

The corner gems and the edges of the card have been coloured with a dark brown Copic pen.

[caption id="attachment_4693" align="alignright" width="150"] envelope
[/caption]

I used the frame on the envelope reversing the image so that the dog is on the left side leaving the white frame for the address.

 

 

 

There is a lot going on at Dragons Lair Designs at the moment with loads of prizes on offer for all sorts of different competitions and challenges. Why not go and take a look for yourself, all the links are below.

• Dragons Lair Designs Online Shop (http://dragonslairdesigns.com/shop/)


• Dragons Lair Designs Fan Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/636646656454888/)


• Dragons Lair Designs Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/Dragons-Lair-Designs-443643142441261/)


• Dragons Lair Designs Inspiration Blog (http://stampingdragondesigns.blogspot.co.uk/)


• Dragons Lair Designs Challenge Blog (http://stampingwithdragon.blogspot.ie/)


• Janette Padley - Designer on craftsUprint (http://www.craftsuprint.com/janette-padley/)


• Dragons Lair Designs Etsy Shop (https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/dragonslairdesignz)


• Dragons Lair Designs Crafts Group - selling buttons and bits and bobs (https://www.facebook.com/groups/dragonslaircrafts/)

We would love to see you anytime.

Thanks for dropping in. Take care.

Pippa

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:
DLD Facebook Head to Head Challenge
A Gem Of A Challenge #166 - Don't Be Square
Crafty Friends #28 - Anything Goes
2 Creative Chicks Showcase #9
A Bit More Time To Craft Challenge #17 - Anything Goes
Crafts Galore Encore April - Anything Goes
Sisters of Craft April - Anything Goes
Your Scrapbook Place April #1 - Anything Goes

 

Exam time coming

Here in the UK our school children of all ages are approaching the dreaded exams, be they SATS, GCSE's or A levels. When I saw the image for the current Progressive Challenge on the Art By Mi Ran Facebook page I thought 'school girl'.

Materials used: 
Art By Miran - Sweet Sally  (available in store after challenge ends or from Facebook page)
Sonya De Hart - School Days
Sonya De Hart - Back To School
Copics
X-Press It card
white A5 card blank
white printer card
Little B Handwritten die set
Spellbinders A2 Fancy Postage Edge Card Creator die set
snippet black card

I printed out the image at the required size on the X-Presss It card and coloured it in with copics then fussy cut it out.

I printed out the background papers and elements I wanted to use onto white printer paper and trimmed them to the required sizes, die cutting the lined paper with the Fancy Postage Edge die and cutting out a black 'congrats' with a Little B die.

Finally I assembled all the elements onto my card blank.

I left the lined paper background blank but you could easily write a personalized message on it.

If you have children approaching exams or are a teacher I hope all goes smoothly and as stress free as possible.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:
Art By Mi Ran March Progressive Challenge
Brown Sugar Challenge #192 - Anything Goes
Creative Fingers Challenge #106 - Anything Goes
Simply Papercraft Challenges #26 - Anything Goes
A Beautiful Mess #1 - Always Anything Goes
Crafting With Friends #17 - Anything Goes
A Bit More Time To Craft #17 - Anything Goes
2 Creative Chicks Showcase #9 - Anything Goes
Crafts Galore Encore April - Anything Goes
Little Red Wagon Challenge #336 - Celebrate

 

 

Path of Positivity - Grace

It's time for a new challenge at the Path of Positivity and this month the theme is Grace. Once again I find myself drawn to the beauty of nature. I wanted to use my chosen images to convey the gracefulness of nature, the way a butterfly floats amongst the flowers, the gentle working of the bee as it gathers the pollen, the effortless flight of birds and the clover dancing in the wind. So often we hear about the wildness of nature but there is also a grace in the natural world.

I should warn you this is a photo heavy post!

Materials used: 

[caption id="attachment_4561" align="alignright" width="300"] Front
[/caption]

Décosse's Dynamite Doodles - Papers and elements from the Naturally Cool sets
Canson Mi-Teintes colouring paper
Polychromo pencils
Crafters Companion Die'sire Create a Card Circle Accordion Die set
printer card
Crafters Companion Envelobox Score Board

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

I printed out a couple of A4 sheets of three different papers, three solid colours and one patterned, on white printer card. I also printed out my chosen brads onto the Canson paper and coloured the images with Polychromo crayons.


I fussy cut the coloured images out and also           made a blank frame for my quote to fit into.

 

I cut out all the parts I needed to make up my accordion card from the different papers. I also fussy cut some leaves from the patterned paper to add as decoration to the quote panel and the blank panel at the back. (This last panel is to write the card dedication on.)

Having prepared all the parts I assembled my card.

 

 

I made a box envelope from white card and decorated the front with panels cut from the left over bits of the printed papers.



There are a lot of wonderful prizes on offer this month at Path of Positivity:

SPONSOR & PRIZE INFORMATION:

• The 'Mommy Dearest' Digital Scrapbooking Kit from Decosse's Dynamite Doodles, one of our guest sponsors this month, for the post or project that the DT deems most inspiring of the bunch.


• A $7 gift certificate from Pickled Potpourri, one of our guest sponsors this month, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all entrants.


• One digital image from Creative Bug Digital SnapShots for each person chosen as a DT Delight.

There will also be:

• A small selection of digital designer papers from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles for one lucky person who leaves a comment on posts published during the challenge time frame.


• One digital sentiment for every single person who enters the challenge.

We would love to see you over at Path of Positivity and if you need some more inspiration why not take a look at what the rest of the DT have come up with.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:
A Bit More Time To Craft #17 - Anything Goes
2 Creative Chicks Showcase #9 - Anything Goes
Crafts Galore Encore Monthly Challenge - April
Creative Ladybirds Creations #14 - April
Crafty Girlz Challenges -March
Crafting By Designs April - Anything Goes
4 Creative Chicks #292
Crafty Girls Creations #17 - Anything Goes
Little Miss Muffet Challenges #134 - Anything Goes
Southern Girls Challenge - Anything Goes

 

One for the men

The Head to Head Challenge on the Dragons Lair Designs Facebook page uses a definitions set of papers and embellishments. Dragons Lair Designs produce some wonderful kits for scrapbooking but don't feel they are not for you if you are a cardmaker, they work just as well for cards as they do for scrapbook pages.

Materials used: 
Dragons Lair Designs - Definitions: Happy Themed 
Dapper Gentleman, Ticket Stub and Greating stamps from a set free with Creative Stamping Magazine
Black paper
White 15cm square card blank
Printer card
Polychromo pencils
Archival Sepia ink pad
Distress ink pads - Old Paper, Vintage Photo, Tea Dye
Blending Tool

Having printed out the background paper  and the Fun tag from the Definitions Kit I cut it to size and then stamped the man on using Sepia ink. I coloured him with Polychromo pencils.

I made up the ticket pocket and ticket stubs from snippets of white card and used the distress inks to age them. I made up the pocket, folding it in halves and sticking the sides together before adding the tab and attaching to the front of the card.

The main panel is matted on black card and the edges of the card blank have been distressed to  match the tickets and pockets.

A growing number of people have started sending cinema vouchers as presents so I designed this card with that in mind. I did not have a voucher so I wrote a 'pledge of a film of your choice' on the back of one of the tickets.

There is still time to enter the current Head to Head Challenge at Dragons Lair so why not hop over and have a look. There are a lot of other fun challenges going on, both on the Facebook page and on the website. I have put all the links in below.

• Dragons Lair Designs Online Shop (http://dragonslairdesigns.com/shop/)


• Dragons Lair Designs Fan Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/636646656454888/)


• Dragons Lair Designs Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/Dragons-Lair-Designs-443643142441261/)


• Dragons Lair Designs Inspiration Blog (http://stampingdragondesigns.blogspot.co.uk/)


• Dragons Lair Designs Challenge Blog (http://stampingwithdragon.blogspot.ie/)


• Janette Padley - Designer on craftsUprint (http://www.craftsuprint.com/janette-padley/)


• Dragons Lair Designs Etsy Shop (https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/dragonslairdesignz)


• Dragons Lair Designs Crafts Group - selling buttons and bits and bobs (https://www.facebook.com/groups/dragonslaircrafts/)

 

Thanks for dropping in. Take care.

Pippa

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:
Dragons Lair Designs Head to Head (on Facebook)
Glitter and Sparkle #180 - Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create #167 - Anything Goes
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #30 - Anything Goes
Robyns Fetish #308 - Square or Rectangle Cards 
Addicted to Stamps #122 - Any Shape
That Craft Place #6 - Anything Goes
Crafting From The Heart #104 - Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion #304 - Anything Goes
Not Just Cards #30 - March
Where The HeART Is #7 - Easter/Anything Goes
Our Crafty Corner #7 - Anything Goes
Creative Card Crew #9 - CAS
Lemon Shortbread #11 - Anything Goes
Through The Craft Room Door - Anything Goes