Winter pastels colours

 Hello crafting friends

Today is once again a new challenge, the last for 2024, before we take a short Christmas break! What a year it's been for me, lots of life-changing moments and an awful lot of reflection!

I find crafting helps with my mental health and certainly when I need to reflect or back away from a situation for some distance and just stop thinking for an hour or two.

Anyway - back to the challenge.  I made this for the challenge using Winnie and Penguin from the white Christmas collection. Our theme was a pastel rainbow, but I chose to just use a few of the colours.

The papers are offcuts from my scraps drawer, and the colours match perfectly with my image.  Do you colour to match your paper, or colour an image and then find matching paper?  I do both, but this time around I coloured first.

I used a Kraft card square blank and rounded the edges on two sides as a point of difference from a usual square card.

The image was coloured using Copic markers in pinks, blues and violets, and I used a white gel pen to add detail to her cheeks, and stickles for the snow and her wings.

I then fussy cut the image out and mounted it on top of the car using foam pads.

I'd like to enter this into:

Thanks so much for stopping by - there is more inspiration on my Instagram pages if you prefer this way. If you are here - I would you to leave me a comment.  

See you again soon

Crafting hugs

Rachael 

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Egg-cited chick!

Hello everyone! 

Yay - Spring has finally arrived.  Outside is warm and sunny, with trees budding to life and flowers blooming!  this is my absolute favourite time of year....

To celebrate this, and the start of a new Polkadoodles challenge, here's this cute easter chick, re-purposed to celebrate spring.

This cutie is called egg-cited chick.  from the recent release.

I coloured him with copics adding lots of colour depth to the inside of the pot and adding white gel pen spots to the outside.  The sentiment is from the full bundle you can buy along with this chick.

The background is the square trellis one also from Polkadoodles with distress oxide ink in mustard seed.  The pink stamps are from the posy blooms stamps.  I then tore a strip of scrap pink paper to add interest around the sentiment

I hope you like this, and I also hope you'll check out our challenge blog for tonnes of inspiration from the talented DT!.

leave me some love if you stop here, or follow me on other social media platforms (links top right!)

I'd like to enter this into:

The alphabet challenge - adorable (anything cute)

Creative fingers - anything goes

lil red wagon - Spring

Passion for markers - animals

try it on Tuesday - anything Spring

See you all soon!

Crafting hugs

Rachael 

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thank you from Bella bear

Hi everyone

Just stopping by to share Bella bear saying thank you.  You can never have too many thank you cards in your stash, to show your gratitude towards others.

This was made for our latest Polkadoodles challenge over on the challenge blog.

 Each week there is a new challenge and the good news is that it's anything goes - with any image!

This is one of the latest daily deal releases from Nikky that is such good value.  You get a digi image and papers for such a tiny price, and they change regularly, new ones are added all the time!

I decided to have a white bear, that's what I love about digi images, you can colour in whatever you like, this type of bear could even be converted into a panda.

The papers behind are from Bob in the boat daily deal, so you can mix and match them.

I simply coloured in copics, added white gel pen dots and some glitter to her mug.  The hearts behind are from another polkadoodles stamp set just to add more interest behind her.

I'd like to enter this into:

Cutie pie challenge - something beginning with 'B'  Bella bear! 

Pammies pinkie inkies - anything goes

613 Avenue create - anything goes, option CAS

Lil patch of crafty friends - anything goes

Through the purple haze - anything goes

Thanks so much for stopping by - please follow me on other social media channels and leave me a comment.  I love to read them all!

See you again soon

Crafting hugs

Rachael

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Bunita says 'happy mothers day'

 Hi Crafty friends

In the UK soon it is Mother's Day.  It's a bittersweet day for me, as my son celebrates with me being his mom, but I sadly lost both my Mom and my Mother-in-law.

I still however, have a Nan - so I always make her a card and send flowers as she looked after me a lot as a child, and deserves to be spoiled too.

This year - I made this sweet card using Bunita from Polkadoodles, and used it as your inspiration for this week's PD challenge

I used a combination of stamps and papers from Polkadoodles for this.

Firstly the image - Bunita Carrot cake, was coloured using polychromos pencils.  I wanted a soft, furry look for her.  I then fussy cut her out.

I used a paper pack called Sugar scrumptious for the backing papers, adding only a little ink around the edge.  The sentiment is also a PD one called great occasions.

I'd like to enter this into:

Make my Monday - all creatures great and small

The cutie pie challenge - mothers day

Crafty gals corner - add a heart

Krafty chicks challenge - all occasions

Creative fingers - anything goes

Thanks for dropping in - Don't forget to check out the other DT inspiration on our blog and join in with our anything-goes theme to win prizes (they don't even have to be Polkadoodles images!)

See you again soon

Crafting hugs

Rachael

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Owl always love you

 Hello crafting friends

It is again time for Polkadoodles to have another card-making challenge over on our blog.  This time I show-casing the wings of love collection (available from the website here:) with this super cute owl.

I normally print and colour, but recently I have loved using the pre-colored images that are available alongside the black and white digis.  These are perfect if your colouring needs some practice or simply because you don't have time.  I love to use them because it means I can make cards creatively in other ways.

I used one of the backing papers to make this mini slimline card, fussy cutting out the printed pre-coloured image.  I then used thin strips of paper to weave some interest at the side and added one of the sentiments from the collection too.

We would love to see what you make in our anything goes challenge - so I'll see you there.

I'd like to enter this into:

• Send a smile for the kids - love/valentine
• inkspirational - moodboard
• Creative fingers - anything goes
• craft rocket - not square

Thanks so much for stopping by - check me out on Instagram too - links are above!

See you again soon.

Rachael 

 

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Melon friends

 Hi everyone

Just dropping in today to share a cute card I made using a Gerda Steiner stamp called Melon friends

I stamped and coloured my image using copic markers and then fussy cut them all out.  

The background - I used a Mama elephant die set called mod heart which cuts out a stripy heart leaving a stitched heart aperture.  So... I got out my scissors again and fussy cut around the outline of the stitching to create a frame..

The card background was made using a woodware die, an aall and create die and some red festive berries distress oxide, splattered.

To finish the cute dino, I used glossy accents on his eyes to add shine and dimension.

I'd like to enter this into:

• Craft rocket - not square
• Krafty Chicks - use a stamp
• Time out - romantic
• Critter crazy - use a creature
• Allys angels - anything goes
• Crafters cafe - anything goes
• Thank you for taking the time to drop by, it really does make my day to read any comments you leave.  For more SM interaction and inspiration my links are at the top right of this page.  I'd love to see you there!

See you again soon.

Rachael 

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Penguin fun

 Hi everyone

The latest challenge on Polkadoodles blog is live now!

Here is my inspiration for this challenge using the super cute penguin set called latte Christmas greetings

After colouring the images with copics, I set the scene by fussy cutting everything out and then cutting down my side fold card blank to form a snowy bank.  Behind it is some snowy polkadoodles papers.

They look so cute

I'd like to enter this into:

• crafty gals corner - tis the season
• the holly and the ivy - anything Christmas
• A place to start - Anything goes
• Christmas with the cuties - Anything goes

Thanks so much for dropping by - it does mean a lot and a huge Merry Christmas and thanks for all your ongoing support this year!

Mistletoe kisses!

Rachael 

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Winter wedding

Hello friends

Today marks another fortnightly Polkadoodles challenge, with an anything goes theme.  For the DT we were asked to make things with an elegant winter wedding theme.  

These gnomes are actually part of the Christmas collection, but i felt they were really appropriate for a bride and groom. 

I made a faux stepper card, using cream card that i stencilled with vintage photo distress oxide.  The stencil is called Beautiful snowflake

The image Gnome meet me under the mistletoe was coloured in brown tones for a monochrome feel.  

It also needed some florals, so I used this stamp set called Poinsettia greetings and chopped the pot off the bottom, leaving cream blooms to decorate.

What you can't see in the photo is all the sparkle added withs stickles and a clear glitter pen.

Please hop on over to the Polkadoodles blog and check out the DT inspiration.

I'd like to enter this into:

• Creative creases - anything with a fun fold
• Time out challenges - Winter/holiday season
• The paper shelter - winter celebrations
• Passion for markers - Anything but Christmas

Thanks for stopping by!  I read all of your messages and love to hear from you.  You can leave me comments here, or on my other social media platforms.

See you soon!

Rachael 

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Bundle of Joy

 Hello crafters

Today I'm sharing the latest DT inspiration for our Facebook challenge over at all dressed up.  Each month on the 1st we have a new theme for you to make projects for and enter for a chance to win some images from the fabulous Wendy Burns.

This month our theme is clean and simple.

I do love a CAS card, and here is mine using a stamp called night night little one 

I printed the image and coloured with copics and Spectrum noir tri blend brush markers

The paper is from my stash and the sentiment stamp is from a waltzing mouse set that I have had for around 15 years!

The only other finishing touch was a clear glitter sparkle pen on the flower and on the pads of her feet.

I'd like to enter this into:

• CAS on Sunday -A greeting card
• Creative fingers - Anything goes
• Passion for markers - anything but Christmas
• Through the craft room door - Anything goes
• Cutie pie challenge - four legged friends

Thank you for dropping by - please check out my other SM channels too for more inspiration and crafting fun and leave me a comment if you land here! 

See you soon

Rachael

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Christmas postbox

Hello everyone

it is time once again for the latest all dressed up Facebook challenge.  Our theme is seasons greeting, meaning anyhting festive goes!

Our challenge runs for one month and if you share your card and add to the gallery, then you'll be entered into the draw to win some of Wendy's amazing images - including the new releases!

This stamp iss called Christmas stamp and is available here from Etsy

 I made an inky background with distress oxides and a sentiment from my stash of stamps.  The image is coloured with Copics and fussy cut out before being popped p using foam pads.

Finished with some splatters of ink and some nuvo drops.

Head over to our page to see the other DT inspiration, or our challenge blog is running an anything goes competition in case you have something you want to share that's not festive! I can't wait to see what you make! 

I'd like to enter this into:

See you again soon

Rachael 

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Penguin wreath

 Hello crafting friend

Posting today, just because!  I went to the stamp magic show in Doncaster and picked up some Lili of the valley polymer stamps, and had great fun making a set of Christmas cards with them.

I actually brought 4 sets (hubby if you are reading this they were on offer!) this card uses two called Animal Christmas wreaths and a fabulous sentiment set called Christmas greetings.

I love that these stamps come in a Kraft envelope with no single use plastic... well done LOTV!

I stamped the wreath to the side and then stamped and coloured the penguin with my copics.  I wanted him to have dimension so I fussy cut him out and popped him on some foam pads.

I stamped the sentiment at the top and trimmed the side adding coloured/stripy paper for added interest.  Finished with some stickles. 

He is soooo adorable! 

Avenue 613 - Anything goes

Creative fingers - anything goes

Daring card makers - creature comforts

Jingle belles - Holiday creature

Creative knockouts - anything except square

Simon says stamp - Anything goes

Hope you like it - if so please leave me a comment - it really does make my day to read them all!

See you soon

Rachael 

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Christmas with friends

 Hi everyone

Time for more 'c word' cards!  Christmas is now less than 11 weeks away...  cue the music in the shops!

Over on the Polkadoodles blog we have a new challenge.  its anything goes - so we would love to see what you make for a chance of winning some stunning digi images!

To make this I used a stamp set called snowball kisses.  I inked up the background using distress oxide inks, then splattered with water and some lawn fawn liquid stardust.

The cute characters were coloured with copics and fussy cut out, before being positioned into the scene above.  Isn't it so cute!  

Our challenge runs until Friday night, but there is a new one every week so no need to miss out! 

I'd like to enter this into: 

Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas challenge - Anything goes

Lil patch of crafty friends - Anything goes

613 Avenue create - Anything goes

Passion for markers - anything goes

Through the craft room door - anything goes

Please check out the blog for more inspiration from our fantastic DT, and my social media pages are linked above for you too.  Please leave me a comment if you land here - it does really make my day to read them!

See you soon

Rachael 

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Beary Autumn

 Hello crafting friends.

It is time again for the latest Polkadoodles challenge over on our blog.  To entry theme is anything goes, and you can win some of Nikky's amazing digi images (not just the winner but the DT top three too!)

I used this little die set called beary cute to make a very Autumnal feeling card.

I die cut the pieces from various colours of card stock and lightly inked the edges using distress oxide vintage photo.  I used a white gel pen to add details such as the spots on the toadstools and layered the bear and the background. on his nose and eyes, I added a tiny bit of glossy accents then added some glitter gel pen dots and a white gel pen doodle to finish the card.

I'd like to enter this into:

Send a smile for kids - autumn

Alphabet challenge - L is for leaves

Daring cardmakers - in the forest

As you like it - favourite card shape (5 by 7 rectangles because there is plenty of room to have your image and some clean space too. especially a top fold!)

Moving along with the times - trees/leaves

Isn't he just adorable!  please do check out our blog and or shop for loads of DT inspiration using Polkadoodles products.  And if you have landed here - leave me a little message.  If you like my style, you can follow me on social media in other forms - the links are top right if you are interested.

See you all again very soon!

Rachael 

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Birthday Boy

 Hello everyone

I hope you are all safe and well out there!

Its time for another challenge on our Facebook page this time the theme is boys.  One of my all time favourite all dressed up images is for boys, and I have used him in the past for many cards, so I thought I would dig him out again and make him into a birthday card using Autumnal colours.

This cutie is called 'Baseball Bear' and I coloured him using Spectrum Noir triblend brush markers.

The star dies I have had forever - I don't even know where they came from I've had them in my stash for that long. Otherwise I used creative expression Lisa Horton stamp set for the sentiment and the letters are from Lawn Fawn Oliver's alphabet.

I hope you love him as much as I do.

I'd like to enter this into:

Thanks for dropping by - if you want to see more of my work, and less of my rambling  - then maybe Instagram or Facebook are the places to check me out - links top right!

See you very soon

Crafty hugs

Rachael 

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Little Monster

Hello crafting friends

I hope everyone is keeping safe and well out there, its certainly very hot in the UK at the moment again.  

Over at Polkadoodles we have a new challenge, as ever its anyhting goes, and we love to see what you create.  I've been looking at the last weeks entries and they are stunning..

You can win some of Nikky's amazing images and even the DT favourites get one each!  

Although its blazing hot it won't be long before the nights draw in and hot chocolates become a favourite, so this time my inspiration is an image that can be used for both Halloween and for kids birthdays in general.

He is called Fuzzypea from the little monsters collection.

As soon as I saw him I thought he needed to be green, but then I realised that's very predictable so I coloured him bright red instead! The background is a DL stencil from my stash and I placed it in the middle of the card like a panel, then used festive berries distress oxides to blend.  I wanted more contrast so I drew the squiggly lines down the side and then I splattered with black Gouache too.  So he pops off the page I die cut a piece of vellum and used foam pads to give him dimension.  the sentiment is from the Little Dudes dino - mite pack.  All finished with some black glossy Nuvo drops.

I'd like to enter this into:

• The alphabet challenge - J is for Juvenile 
• Moving along with the times - anything goes
• Through the purple haze - birthday
• Time out challenges - make your own background
• Love to craft - anything goes
• The creative crafters - Anything goes

Thanks so much for stopping by and reading my ramblings to this point.  For less rambling - check out Instagram, Pinterest of Facebook.  I still show the pictures, but there's much less waffle!

See you again soon.

Rachael

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Truly Dino-mite!

 Hello everyone

For everyone in the UK - I'm so glad that heat has dialled down.  Fore everyone not in the UK wondering why we are complaining - we don't have enough hot weather to justify getting aircon units as most of our weather is rain! We are rubbish at any extremes of hot or cold and a few days ago it reached the hottest it has ever been in the UK at 40 degrees Centigrade.  The British love a good moan about the weather!  Anyway onto the card...

I thought I'd revisit my stash and I made this using the Mam elephant little dino agenda and me and my dinosaur stamp sets 

Ingredients

• Stamps
• Me and my dinosaur
• Little dino agenda
• Coloured with spectrum noir tri-blend brush markers
• Inks
• Memento tuxedo black
• Prized ribbon distress oxide
• Twisted citron distress oxide  ink
• Sakura glitter gelly roll pen

I stamped all of the images out and cut them using my scan and cut.  I then coloured them using the spectrum noir tri blend brush markers.  I ink blended a background and laid the images on to create this super cute scene! matted and layered on black, onto a 5x7 card base.  

The final touch was a heat embossed sentiment and some sparkle pens for shine.

I hope you like it!

I'd like to enter this into:

Fab and funky - anything goes

Simon says stamp - for a child

The cutie pie challenge - little cuties

Lil patch of crafty friends - anything goes

Aud sentiments - anything goes

Double d's - purple, green and blue

Thanks for stopping by - if you're here please leave me a comment so I know you have visited! For my other social media pages, please see the top right of the page!

See you soon

Crafting hugs

Rachael 

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Happy everything!

Hi Crafters

I made this CAS card using two new stamp sets.  I went to the Motorcycle museum in March (or was it February...)  for the first craft show since lockdown... its so good to be able to browse and bag some bargains!

Both of these stamp sets are new to me.  The mouse is from Pink ink designs and is called sleepy mouse.  The sentiment is from Claire Manning design.  The solid happy can be used in many colours, but the script bit is interchangeable so it could say happy birthday, anniversary, Easter or in this case just happy everything!

I stamped the 'Happy' in Catherine pooler ink (Royal treatment) and added the scripty bit in versa fine black ink.  The image was stamped and coloured with Copics.

I think the purple just stands out perfectly. 

I have another couple of stamp sets from both designers so will be making something very soon! - if you want to see it first, then please subscribe to my other social media channels as things get posted there more regularly.

I'd like to enter this into

Critter crazy - anyhting goes with a critter

Creative fingers anything goes

Crafty catz - anything goes with cute animals as twist

We love stamping - anything goes

Dragonfly dreams - outdoors

Clever dexter designs - anything goes

Leave me a comment if you have stopped here - I just love to read them!

See you soon

Rachael 

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Spring wellies

Hello everyone

I've been on holiday this week, and had a few hours crafting time.  I decided to challenge myself to something different, and went to my Nitwit digi scrapbooks to create some cards that don't involve colouring.

I needed some Easter and spring cards to send out, and although I do have a lot of Easter stamps and digi stamps, I decided to do some mindful fussy cutting and layering instead. 

This is one of the cards I made - in the end I made about 10 cards using the same kit.  I find sometimes to limit the supplies helps bring back my mojo, and stretch my creative brain.  It was so much fun to do this for a change!

This kit is called Spring wellies

All I did was chose the images and lay them out in my craft artist software, then print them.  I spent a while fussy cutting everything, then printed some matching backing papers.  The using glue and foam pads, made my cards, in all different shapes and sizes. 

Thank you for stopping by - I really appreciate you taking the time to drop in.  If you want more inspiration please check out my Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest boards too.(link up above)

I'd like to enter this into:

Alphabet challenge  - A is for animal antics (that naughty cat is clearly up to no good!)

Crafty catz - AG but option April showers

C.R.A.F.T - Spring

Through the purple haze - add an animal

Crafty gals corner - Spring

See you soon

Crafting hugs

Rachael

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You're tweet

Hello crafting friends

Today I'm sharing a super cute birdie card from a stamp set by Catherine Pooler called 'Toucan do it'

I love anything tropical and this set has a parrot, toucan and this gorgeous cockatiel, as well as some beautiful florals.

 I used picked raspberry distress oxide and a dotty stencil in the background and then used a grungy heart stamp from Craftyroo designs to add the black detail.  I then stamped and coloured the cockatiel and some of the flowers from the set, before fussy cutting them out.  I layered them onto a scallop frame die from Lawn fawn (I cut it three times and layered it up for dimension) , continuing to layer up and stick the elements with a combination of glue an foam pads.

Isn't he/she just totally adorable!!

I'd like to enter this into:

Simon says stamp Monday Challenge - Bright and cheerful

Unicorn challenge - option of dots and stripes

TTCRD - anything goes 

Craft rocket challenge - use an animal

creative fingers challenge - anything goes

Polkadoodles - anything goes

A gem of a challenge - anything goes

Thanks so much for stopping by - I would love you to leave me a comment, and to check out my other social media channels for more inspiration (the link is on the right)

See you all very soon

Rachael

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Monkey around

 Hey everyone

So glad to see you - sorry I haven't posted for a few weeks.  I started a brand new job on the 14th Feb and its been rather hectic.  I now have to travel more and have more responsibility so I find myself exhausted every evening!

I made this cutie using a mama elephant stamp set, with tropical leaves from lawn fawn and the back ground stamps from Tracey Het.

All coloured with Copics and fussy cut out.  I used the 'having it all' stamp set from Tracey Hey in the background and inked along the edge.  After die cutting the flowers and foliage, I coloured these with Copics too and layered the card together with glue and foam pads

I hope you like it!

I'd like to enter this into:

• Critter crazies - anyhting goes with a critter 
• Crafters Cafe - use some flowers
• Crafty animals - anything goes with an animal
• Girls rebel challenge - flowers and colours
• Love to craft - anything goes
• Cardz for gals - safari or zoo animals
• Time out challenge - cute

Thanks so much for stopping by - I would really love it if you would follow my page - or if you prefer other Social media, links to Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest are just on the right towards the top of the page.

See you soon

Rachael

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