Valentines.... at In The Pink

Hi All

In this nasty, cold, windy weather, I'm here to brighten your day with some fabulous pink!!  Yep, it's time again for another challenge at In The Pink  -  I can't believe how fast this fortnight comes around!

This time, our challenge is Valentines - all mushy and romantic as it's that time of year... and these cards are what I came up with... hope you like!

Card Recipe:

• Image - LOTV Close Your Eyes
• Colouring - Copics and Promarkers
• Spellbinders Opulant Ovals Die
• Spellbinders Basic Lattice Die
• Memory Box Precious Hearts Die
• MFT Die-namics Rustic Hearts Die
• Tulle Ribbon Bow - from The Ribbon Girl
• Paper - Echo Park Be Mine
• gems, glitter from stash
• Sentiment - Hero Arts little alphabet set 

And now a change of style... more modern I think, but still one I loved making..

I fell in love with this little lady at Sammy Taylors in Embsay last week... and thought she was perfect for this theme.. and I enjoyed doing a bit of paper piecing on her dress..

Card Recipe:

• Image and Sentiment - MFT Sweet Friend
• Paper - Dotty Pink by Card Creations
• Paper Pieced dress - Marianne Design Paper - Eline's Flowers
• Glossy Accents - Heart on headband
• L'il Inkers Of The Heart die and also Stitched Sentiment die
• Martha Stewart border punch
• Hearts Embossing folder by Crafts Too
• Gems and Glitter from Stash

Hope you can pop over to the In The Pink challenge blog to see what Sylvia has come up with, and also our lovely Guest Designer - Amelia.... I promise you, they're sooooooo gorgeous!

Hope all my bloggy friends are well....  and that you're all keeping warm and dry.... and looking foward to spring!  My snowdrops are flowering well...  and I even have a daffodil with a bud... though it's a bit wary of opening as yet... and I don't blame it!  I'm sure the plants are very confused with the odd weather we've been having...  the daffodil is thinking 'time to go....... ooops no, not yet, too much white fluffy stuff..... oh well it's warm now... I'll pop up a bit further.... ooops no... bit chilly again...'  Yes.... I know, I'm off my trolley when I think that daffodils actually have a brain....  LOL!

With that I'll go..  (funny farm van just pulled in..)

Big hugs and Happy Crafting

Christine x

It's Pinkie time again...

Hi Peeps

Today it's time for another challenge at In The Pink... this time it's called 'Pink and Pearlie'  - and as I've been pushed for time this week, I've only managed one DT card instead of my usual two!!  But I'm sure you'll let me off..

I decided on one of my fav Mo Manning images - Ruby All Grown Up... it really reminds me of when my two girls were young...  and I love her big hat and long necklace!!  I coloured again with a mix of Copics and Promarkers... used a stepper card that I made myself (!)... then Bazzil and Papermania Paper .

I used a Nestie for my image (Labels 18)..  then a Memory Box Meridien Border die for the scalloped bit... and pearl hearts from my stash.  I tried to use some Cosmic Shimmer pearl glue for her pearl necklace... not sure it works - then I added loads of glitter as usual...  Finally, I used my Hero Arts alphabet stamps that I've had for yonks for the sentiment..  And there she is... hope you like!

We have a lovely new Guest Designer over at In the Pink too...  the lovely Nic (aka Coops) has agreed to join us for our next two challenges... looking forward to seeing her fab creations!

Don't forget to join in our Pearlie challenge this time...  it's open for four weeks so Sylvia and I can have a little Christmas rest (and a glass of wine or two..).... so you have plenty of time to enter!

Big hugs
Christine x
PS.... I still have to finish my Christmas cards believe it or not!! They're going to be really late this year!

In The Pink and the theme is Christmas!

Morning Best Blogging Buddies

It's time for another challenge over at In The Pink... and this time the theme is Christmas!!!  This was great for me - as I haven't made many of my Christmas cards yet, it really got me in the mood!

I think I like my first card better than the second....  but I have to say that the second was more fun to make!!

Materials:
Paper:  Scenic Route Paper Co - Brighton Blizzard
Die for Trees:  Hero Arts Framelits Reindeer Set
Die for Oval:  Spellbinders Floral Ovals
Distress Ink - Spun Sugar (around oval and edging trees)
Cosmic Shimmer PVA glue in Pink - for dots on trees - liberally sprinkled with glitter
Ribbon from stash
Sentiment - PC generated then punched with Stampin Up Oval Punch

Now on this one, you have to use your imagination as the second layer is silver mirri board, not black which is what it looks like on the photo!!  And ooooh  playing with Frantage... it's my favourite pastime ... well one of them!!!  If you click on the photo to enlarge it, you will see it in all it's glory!  It glitters so much on my mantlepiece - I am going to have real difficulty sending it to anyone!

Materials:

Spellbinders Dies - Heirloom Ornaments
Thin Silver Ribbon - from Stash
Oval Punch - Stampin Up
Sentiment - Stampin Up set - owned this for years and used to use it a lot!
Conifer Stamp - Stampin Up set - again, been in my stash for years
Distress Ink used while die in place - Spun Sugar
Silver Mirri Card
Frantage.......  Shabby Pink Embossing Enamel and Silver Halo Mix Glitter

Hope you like my makes for In The Pink....  do pop over to the blog HERE to check out Sylvia's and Christine's (our GDT) too!

Bit chilly here today... think I may well cog up the heating and hibernate for a while!!

Big Hugs to all my blogging friends.. and happy crafting!
Christine x

I'm In The Pink...... again!! CLEAN AND SIMPLE

Morning Peeps

Well I can't quite believe how fast this year has gone.... here we are on Nov 1st... and yet another two weeks have gone by so it was time to get my pink head on again (like as if it's ever far away.... hehe)..  and get a couple more cards done for In The Pink!!

This time our theme is Clean and Simple!  Hmmmmmm..... and to think Sylvia and I chose these themes.... why didn't I think that I don't DO CAS with ease!!  My first card is using one of the images from LOTV Trio of Teddies (bought at Harrogate show)... coloured with Copics (with advice for the teddy colouring from Pops... thank you hon... though I actually had to make do as I didn't have all the colours she advised!)   I think the card is very self-explanatory....  I just used a circle nestie and a scalloped circle nestie to create a frame for the little ted (ain't he cute?).... then a little sentiment I bought in the US years and years ago... cut with a Stamping Up punch.  I've raised the front of the card to give a 3D effect onto a second layer.    Oooh and he does have glitter on his flowers, but very difficult to see!

Now onto my second card.......  well, you need to make up your own mind on this one...  I'm not at all sure that I like it (that's putting it mildly)... it seemed a good idea at the time....   BUT.... I have to say it did fit the simple bit..  So easy to use a Crafts Too jacquard embossing folder (I used a small one and put it through the cuttlebug from either end matching the pattern..)  Btw, I got this folder reduced at Harrogate - twas only £2!  I used some pretty organza ribbon from my stash for the bow, distressed the edges of the card then added some stickles... and finally a LOTV little sentiment tag edged with a deeper pink and some stickles too.  No one can say that there isn't enough pink space on this one.... can they??? LOL!!

We'd love to see more joining in the challenges at In The Pink....  don't know if the 'Buttons and Bows' put people off, but  waaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh we only had 36 entries... (Big thank-yous to those lovely ladies).  For the previous challenge we had well over a hundred - and that's what we like to see.......  Pinkies taking over the world!!!  My lovely OH saw what I was typing here and said I should put 'a plague of pinkies...' hmmmm, not sure that sounds nice....  but we could have a 'plethera of pinkness....'  yes?????????  Any other suggestions of descriptive words for pinkies??

Sooooooooo  don't forget this challenge is CLEAN AND SIMPLE....  pop over to the challenge blog HERE for more details... but mainly we want to see lots of pink space!!

Happy Crafting and Big hugs
Christine xxx

In the Pink Time again.....

Hi Everyone

Another two weeks have flown by and it's time for the next challenge at In The Pink!  I'm so enjoying being part of this challenge blog..... we're having so many fabulous entries from such wonderful people... and it's nice to have been brought together by our love of pink!

The challenge this time is to use Pink Plus One - that is Pink with ONE other colour!

My first card today features PINK AND BLACK and is a very simple card... no colouring involved!  The damask paper is a digi download from Sassy Designs - it's called Pink-Black Damask and is from their Blushing Paper pack.  All I did was use a 5 x 7" card base... covered first with pink bazzill... then punched a border out with a Martha Stewart edge punch...  added a grosgrain black ribbon...  then made a black rosette flower from a Tim Holtz Die.  Lastly, I added a gem button that I got from The Hobby House.  A very simple card, but hopefully effective?

My second card uses PINK AND GREEN and my new Grand Calibur die cutting machine.......  this is the first time I've used it as I'm not rushing into buying dies yet..  They are so expensive that I need to get 'the right' ones!!  No doubt I may just see some I 'have to have' at the Harrogate show on Saturday!

So I've created an easel card using the large scalloped die....  this will fit a 6 x 6" envelope.  I used an image that I've had for a long time - it's a digi one from the Digi Stamp Boutique called Mothers Day Flowers - and yes I know it's not Mothers Day... but a woman always likes to receive flowers.. right?  So it could be for multiple occasions!

I chose some pink and green floral paper that's been in my stash for a long time...  then coloured the image with my Copics to match the paper.  I found some pink and green card in my stash..... which I used for the various different sized circles...  Then I decoupaged the flowers on the image and also added gems and some glitter.

Lastly, I added a little image that I've created myself!!  I thought the easel bit of the card needed something to stop it falling flat.....  so came up with this design, that I cut with a small circle die.  If you would like a copy to be able to print out and use yourself, please email me and I will send it to you.  You can always alter the colour from pink (if you MUST lol!), in a photo programme.

So pop over to In The Pink.... and take a look at the other inspiration - and also check up to see if you were chosen as a Perfect Pinkie!

I'll be back at the weekend to tell you all about our day at the Harrogate Papercraft Show - and to own up to what I bought!!  If you're going to be there on Saturday and you see me with Christine and Elaine... please say hello....  I'm told I look exactly like my profile pic...  not sure if that's a good or a bad thing!! hehe!

Big hugs and Happy Crafting
Christine x

More fun with pink!!

Hi Bestest Blogging Buddies

I've had such a fabulous time this past couple of weeks with our new challenge blog - In The Pink... we had over 200 people join and had 150 entrants!!  It's certainly kept Sylvia and I busy (and me scratching my head and consulting my daughter a lot when it came to the techno bit..)... but we got there in the end!  I can 't thank you all enough for all your support and kind words about the new challenge... and has made the hard work very worthwhile!

Now, our new theme this week is 'Things With Wings'...  so I thought I'd have a go at something that's been in my head for a while...

I used Maja Designs Crea Diem papers (soooooooooooooo difficult to cut into rather than just stroke), and I even ripped the edge of one to create the distressed effect!  Then I frayed some seam binding to put under the ripped edge.  The flowers were created using the Sizzix 3D flowers die then rolled, and I cut them out of some hand-made paper that I'd done a while ago using Starburst Stains.  The flourishes are from Die-namics, and the butterflies are Martha Stewart punches.... and I've also added gems, buttons, some feathers (which were a lovely little gift from a fab friend) and of course Glamour Dust for sparkle!  I distressed all the edges of those gorgeous papers to give the finished 'shabby chic' touch! Hope you like..

Now my second card..

This one is a different style altogether.....  This time I've used a stamp that came free in a mag last month - it's from Sylvia Zet at Wee Stamps and I think is probably available from her website.  I coloured her with a mixture of copics and prismacolour pencils, then I used a nestie (don't know the name I'm afraid), to cut out the image and also the next size up for the mount.  I sponged the edge of the image before I took her out of the nestie.... this gives a nice white edge.  If you want to see how I did this, there is a YouTube video on my tutorials page.

I used gorgeous deep pink DP from Papermania Capsule collection matted onto the reverse (it's double sided!)... then I used a Memory Box corner flourish.  Of course, she just had to have some gems and some sparkle for her wings....  and she was done!

My week has gone well so far - I think we can now call the kitchen 'done' (apart from the redecoration after the leak that is), and I've also had the plumber visit to stop my new boiler making the noises it has been!  Hope it keeps on like this!

Take care all..... thanks again, and  ooh and a big welcome to my newest followers..
Happy Crafting and Hugs
Christine x

The big day is here!!! (in more ways than one...)

Hi Best Blogging Buddies...

Well....  as the title says, the big day is here!!!  Today is the launch day of our fabulous new challenge blog...... IN THE PINK.... for those of you that haven't heard me bellowing about it for the last couple of weeks.......  it's a brand new challenge blog for lovers of pink everywhere!!  But today isn't only that....  it's my birthday!!!  So it's double excitement for me!  I have also to say a big thankyou to those lovely blogging friends who have sent me fabulous cards.... I will put a pic up in my next post..

I decided for my first card to use a Kraftin Kimmie image called Samantha that's been hanging around in my 'to use' box for a little while... in fact for over a year!  I thought she was very apt for the launch..  she's certainly getting ready for her big party!  I vaguely (once upon a time) remember having legs like that... in the hot pants era...  ohhhhhhh what memories of my teens!

Card Recipe:

• Image: Kraftin Kimmie Samantha - bought from Samuel Taylors at Embsay - in Sale Basket!
• Pink Gingham - Papermania Capsule collection
• Bazzill cardstock
• MFT Die-namics Flower Trio
• Sentiment - generated on PC then cut at jaunty angles!
• Pleated Ribbon, bakers twine, glitter and gems - from stash
• Copics and Promarkers

And for my second card (yes, two cards in one day!)...  I used an LOTV image called Little Dot Birthday Wishes.

She is sooo cute to colour - and I love how these little people actually come to life in front of you when you give them a few colours and a little shading...

Card Recipe:
LOTV Image - Little Dot Birthday Wish
Pink Petticoat DP - Ice Cream Curls
Spellbinders Nestie Labels 18 (with bottom cut off)
Ribbon and glitter from Stash - bow using bowmaker from ebay
Copics and Promarkers

As it's also my lovely OH's day off, I think we're off out somewhere today.... don't know where yet, I'll wait until I'm told!!  I'm like a child on my birthday (well actually most of the time..) - I love being spoiled.... but I won't actually see either of my daughters today (very unusual on my big day), as obviously one is overseas, and the other is still at the Olympics!  Soooooooo  I'll be just a bit sad too....  but no doubt we'll make up for it soon!

Thanks all for looking today, and also for all of you that joined IN THE PINK with the lovely Sylvia and me....  I can't wait to see how it goes!  Let's make it a big one!!

Big hugs and Happy Crafting..
Christine x