A couple more challenges ...

... to show you.  I've had another go at two challenges I did earlier this week.  The One Layer Wednesday challenge hosted by Jennifer at Styles Ink - I'm find this week's challenge quite tough.  We can only use one image stamp and a maximum of two colours; we can add a senitment if we want. 

I've made a really small card - 3" x 3" - and featured a butterfly stamp and some words - very clean and simple.  I coloured the butterfly with a promarker - shading to give some depth to the image.

Stamps:  Making Memories - Just Chillin' Girl
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black
Promarker:  Lipstick Red

The other challenge I had another go at was from Just Add Ink - here the theme is to "Just Add Summer".  Go through my stash box yesterday afternoon, I found a sweet stencil image that I made ages ago at craft class featuring a flower and some dragonflies.  To me that speaks of summer.  I edged the image with a bright pink felt pen and added a couple of stamped images to the card - which I coloured with Sakura Stardust pens.  Finally I added the sentiment - again speaks of summer to me!!

Stamps:  From a set in my stash (can't remember the company)
Stencil: Borrowed from a friend - coloured with chalks

It's the last day of my daughter's Christmas holiday today, so we're going to have a girly day out.  Jonathan's back to work today - not too keen!!  Hopefully, I'll be back later.  Bye for now and thanks for stopping by.

End of the year ....

... and I know that many others have said it too, but the year really has flown by.  It's been a busy year for us all - for me particularly memorable.  I turned 50 in June (but only feel about 35!), I graduated from the Open University with a First Class honours in Chemistry and, best of all, I've had the pleasure of being with my family. 

Today was no exception - we went out to the shops and bought some frames.  Then at home we framed some of Jonathan's photos, follwed by a fun family lunch.  Then this afternoon we played Buzz on the PS3 - a silly music game (I was never going to win!!).  Jonathan played on WOW (World of Warcraft), Kathryn on her new Sims game, Ben with his mates and me - in my craft room!!  Great fun.

So the product of this afternoon's playtime are a couple of challenge cards.  I've made cards for this week's Just Add Ink challenge - it's a fun one - the theme is "Just Add Summer" and for Clean & Simple - FTL121 (see sketch).  I've also made a card based on  the JAI48 sketch - I missed the deadline for this challenge, but really like the layout so I played with it.

FTL121



JAI48 - the one I missed



The first card to show you is the one for Just Add Ink - JAI49.  The theme - Just Add Summer - which is nice as I think I've seen enough Christmas cards for a while.  It's only a small card - 3" x 3" - but it's perfect for the image I have.  One of my favourite companies - Pink Petticoat - the flip-flops are coloured with Sakura pens - glaze and souffle.  The greeting is reminscent of holiday postcards and I thought it went with the picture perfectly.  I distressed the edge of the card.

Image:  Pink Petticoat
Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Frame It
Inks: Distress - Dried Marigold, Spiced Marmalade; Memento - Tangelo

The next card is based on the JAI48 sketch shown above - sadly I missed the challenge deadline - Christmas got in the way !!  I turned the sketch on its side and made a thank you card; I need quite a few of them.  The border was stenciled when I first joined my craft class about 3 years ago - it's been in my stash box since then!! 

Stamps:  Inkadinkadoo - Everyday Expressions

Paper:  Papermania - Inspirations Warm Tones

Inks:  Versafine - Onyx Black

Accessories:  Sticky ribbon by Anita's

My final challenge card for today is also a thank you card based on the FTL121 sketch.  I decided to turn this sketch on its side too - worked better for the embellishment.  The rose was made at craft class a few months ago.  I stamped the image on watercolour paper, embossed it with detail gold (it was a bit patchy).  Next I wet the image and added dye inks and allowed the ink to flow where it would.  The result was very pleasing - a soft, tonal effect.  I've added some gold glamour dust to the centre of the flower to help disguise the patchy embossing!!  Rather pleased with this one.

Stamps:  Waltzingmouse - Frame-It, Roses in Bloom

Paper:  Papermania - Inspirations Warm Tones

Accessories:  Anita's sticky ribbon; Martha Stewart border punch

That's all for this evening.  We are going to have a quiet family in for New Year's Eve - we're going to have a Dr Who marathon session.  Ben bought us the boxed set for Christmas - we huge fans, as you can probably tell!!

Whatever you're planning for this evening - have a great time.  Enjoy, be safe and have fun.  Wishing you all a very

Happy New Year