Polkadoodles Winnie's at an Autumn Picnic

 Hi everyone! 

Today I’m sharing a really cosy little autumn make using the gorgeous Polkadoodles Autumn Picnic Winnie Autumn Wishes digi stamp. I loved the sweet picnic scene straight away — Winnie, the hedgehogs, the toadstools and all those leafy details were just perfect for a warm, seasonal card.

I made my card 6 x 4 inches and started by printing the digi stamp to fit the front. I coloured the main image with Ohuhu markers, keeping the palette very autumnal with rusty oranges, warm browns, olive greens, berry pinks and little pops of red for the mushrooms and hearts.

Once the marker colouring was finished, I went back in with Polychromos pencils to add the smaller details. This is one of my favourite steps because it brings everything to life — a bit more depth in the hair, extra shading on the hat, tiny details on the leaves and more texture on the hedgehogs.

For the background I used a Time For Tea Designs panel die to create that lovely stitched diamond effect. It gives the card a clean quilted look without taking attention away from the image. I then added the coloured Winnie scene on top and tucked die-cut leaves around the bottom edge to make the whole card feel fuller and more autumnal.

The sentiment is from Crafter’s Companion Everyday Phrases and I stamped “Happy Autumn” onto a banner strip. I kept the embellishments simple this time — no sparkle, no stencil work, just colouring, layers and those lovely leafy die cuts doing all the work.

My project tip: If you colour with markers first, leave the image for a few minutes before adding pencil detail. It makes the pencil work much smoother and helps you create crisp little finishing touches without overworking the paper.

I’m really pleased with how cosy this one turned out. It has all the things I love about autumn crafting — warm colours, cute characters, leaves, mushrooms and a happy seasonal sentiment. If you fancy colouring this image too, you can find it over on the Polkadoodles website.

I'd like to enter this into:

Thank for stopping by - for more inspiration, check out my other socila media - links are top right!

See you Soon

Crafting hugs

Rachael

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Polkadoodles Hello Beautiful Autumn

 Hello crafty friends! Today I’m sharing a sweet little autumn card made with the gorgeous Polkadoodles Wishes in the Wind Winnie Autumn Wishes digital stamp. I loved the cosy feel of this image straight away — Winnie, the huge maple leaf, the little cat in the basket and the dog carrying a leaf all felt perfect for a warm, seasonal make.

I kept the card size at 6 x 4 and went for a clean white base so the colouring could really stand out. I printed the digi stamp, planned the placement of the sentiment above the image, and chose an autumn palette of olive greens, pumpkin oranges, warm browns and soft peach tones.

The main image was coloured with Ohuhu markers first, using them to build the base colour and shading. Once that was dry, I went back in with Polychromos pencils to add all the little details — leaf veins, folds in Winnie’s clothes, texture on the boots and scarf, and extra depth on the animals.

For the greeting, I used the Polkadoodles Big Hello sentiment die in olive green and paired it with a dark brown Rare Earth “beautiful” stamp underneath. I love how the bold die-cut word gives the card height, while the script sentiment keeps it soft and pretty.

I finished the panel with a hand-drawn stitched border and kept the embellishments simple — no sparkle this time, just lovely autumn colour. I also die cut and displayed leaves using the Polkadoodles Winter Botanical Bits dies, which tied in beautifully with the falling leaves in the stamp.

My project tip: If you like colouring with both markers and pencils, keep the marker layers smooth and simple first, then use pencils to add the tiny details at the end. It gives the image a lovely hand-finished look without overworking it.

I’m really happy with how this one turned out — it feels cheerful, cosy and very autumnal. If you fancy making your own version, you can find the Winnie digital stamp on the Polkadoodles website using the link above. What autumn colours are you reaching for at the moment?

I'd like to enter this into:

Thanks you for stopping by in my little crafting world - for more inspiration, please do click on the social links above, or leave me a little comment!

See you soon - crafty hugs

Rachael

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Polkadoodles leafy umbrella - Winnie is back!

 Hello crafty friends! 

Today I’m sharing a cosy autumn card using the gorgeous Polkadoodles Leafy Autumn/Fall Umbrella Winnie Autumn Wishes digi stamp. I absolutely loved colouring this one — Winnie with her giant leafy umbrella is such a sweet rainy-day image, and the little squirrel beside her makes it feel even more autumnal.

I made the card on a 6 x 4 base and kept the main image as the focus. After printing the digi stamp, I coloured the scene with Ohuhu markers, using warm oranges and browns for the leaf umbrella, olive greens for Winnie’s coat, soft yellows for the scarf and cool blues for the rain and puddle.

Once the marker colouring was dry, I added Polychromos pencil details over the top. This helped deepen the shading, pick out the leaf veins, add texture to the boots and clothing, and give the puddle and raindrops a little more definition.

For the bottom of the card, I used the Polkadoodles Winter Botanical Bits Craft Cutting Dies to create a dark brown leafy border, then added a couple of small coloured leaves for contrast. I finished it with a little twine, a button and the “Autumn Wishes” sentiment strip.

My project tip: If you’re mixing alcohol markers and pencils, let the marker layer dry fully before adding pencil work. You’ll get cleaner detail and much better control for tiny areas like leaves, hair and clothing folds.

I'd like to enter this into:

• Send a smile for kids - Cute fall/halloween.
• Creative inspirations - anything goes
• Time out challenges - Seasonal colours where you live (Autumn in UK) 
• Classic design challenge - AG with optional twist use autumn colours

I’m really happy with how this cheerful rainy-day autumn card turned out. It has all the cosy seasonal details I love — warm leaves, tiny raindrops, a sweet character image and a natural twine-and-button finish. Have you tried colouring this Winnie image yet?  There is a whole collection of these lovely images in the new release - check out the collection here!.

Thank you for stopping by!

See you again soon!

Rachael

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Autumn fox Polkadoodles new release

Hello crafting friends

Sorry it's been a while; time just gets away from you, doesn't it.

While I've been away, I celebrated my big 50, and have spent lots of time doing great stuff to celebrate, including three holidays, an escape room, two new exercise experiences, a jet ski, and other awesome things, crossing off the list of things I wanted to do this year!

Doing all this and fitting in time to craft has been tight!

Anyway - over at Polkdoodles, there is a fabulous new autumn/halloween digi release called Hello Autumn available here 

This cutie is called fox on a pumpkin 

I used a script stamp to lightly stamp in grey on a piece of white card, and then used some washi tape to layer some strips down.  Over that, I splattered black ink.  

The image was printed on white card stock and then coloured with Ohuhu markers, and details added with Polychromos pencils for a sketchy look. I then fussy cut the fox out, added foam pads and layered him up

The sentiment is also a Polkadoodles stamp set/. With this one, you stamp a whole A6 sheet and use a corresponding die to cut them all out.  I always have a dish full of these sentiments on my desk as they are super handy! Get them here

I finished the card with a black fine-liner to scribble a border around the edge.

I hope you like it

I'd like to enter this into:

Creative inspirations challenge - anything goes

Everybody art challenge - anything goes 

Crafts galore encore - anything goes

Critter crazy - anything goes with an animal

Girlz rebel - use washi tape

I hope I will see you again soon.  If you have landed here, please leave me a little message, or you can check out my other social media channels by clicking on the icons in the top right of my blog homepage.

Thanks for stopping by, crafting hugs

Rachael

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Polkadoodles Darling buds Tulip girl

 Hello crafting friends

Just dropping in to share a card I made just in time for Spring.

This little beauty is called Darling buds tulip, but there are a whole bunch (see what I did there!) of gorgeous flower girls in spring themes ready to be coloured and shared on cards, scrapbook pages and journals.

Check out the polkadoodles website for the full range.

I made the background by ink-splattering and smooshing twisted citron and villainous potion distress oxides, and then added black detail using a stamp set called 'Flower Fun Borders', also from Polkadoodles.

I then printed my image, coloured her with a combination of ohuhu markers and added a bit of depth and detail in some areas using polychromos pencils, and fussy-cut her out, adding her to the card using foam pads for dimension. The sentiment is from a sentiment pack called Wordies Sentiment Sheets' from Creative Expressions (this is an older one, so I'm not sure if it's still available)

Because she is a digi image, I was able to enlarge her to fill the card - that's one of the things I love about digi images, you can size them to fit your project! 

I'd like to enter her into:

Creative knockouts - Spring is in the air

I love markers  - For the girls

I spy with my little eye - spring flowers

Little red wagon - signs of Spring

Passion for markers - make it bloom

Thank you for stopping by and checking out my makes. There is more on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest available in links in the top right corner. But if you have made it here, please do leave a quick comment as I do really love to read them all!

See you all again very soon.

Crafting hugs

Rachael

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Udderly cute cow

 Hi crafting friends

Did you see the latest release from Polkadoodles the 'udderly cute'collection. It has some of the most adorable cows, waiting to be coloured in a variety of colours and with some gorgeous papers too.  I loooove the cow print paper on this!

I printed the digi image onto watercolour card stock in a light grey (you can adjust the transparency of the image to change the colour)

I then used a combination of watercolour paints and coloured pencils for detail to bring this cutie to life, before fussing with cutting out, leaving a small white border.

I then mounted it on a white rectangle, cutting a larger rectangle from the cow print paper.  All finished with a daisy and a sentiment (also in the bundle)

There are so many cute cows to choose from. Check out the full bundle here, or you can buy them individually.  There will definitely be something you 'need'! 

Id like to enter this into:

Crafty calender - Love is in the air

Crafty Catz - Anything goes

Cut it up - This makes me happy - (dies used flowers and stitched rectangle background) card making just makes me happy and so does this image.  it really made me smile when i saw it!

C.R.A.F.T - love/anything goes

Little red wagon - Love

Hope to see you soon, thanks so much for dropping by.  If you do land here, please leave me some love - it makes my day to read them!

Crafting hugs

Rachael

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Elvis Wesley Mouse, slips and slide into Christmas

 Hello Crafting friends

Whether you love it or hate it, the big 'C' word is on the way in only a few weeks!  I'm finishing the last of my cards to send, and this is a great opportunity to share this card with you to celebrate the start of a brand new challenge at Polkadoodles!

Today I am sharing a card made using Elvis Wesley moose.  He is a snake peek of a USB that's currently on sale on Polkadoodles website, and will be on the next TV show with Nikky.

The backing paper is also from the same USB.  I just love the bright bold background it makes.

So I printed him out on super smooth card and coloured him with my latest craft room addition a full set of Ohuhu Markers.  I have got copics, spectrum noir, and promarkers, but these might become my new favourite....  

When I printed Elvis, I did so in a lighter grey, so it's closer to a no-line drawing in places.  

Paired with a tag die cut and a tree from my stash, and of course some sparkle! 

If you want more info on the Polkadoodles challenge - all of the info is here, but it's a weekly challenge, with prizes for top designs and a lucky randomly drawn winner.  

I'd like to enter this into:

CRAFT challenge - Christmas for children

Craft rocket - Christmas

Crafty chicks - Christmas

The Holly and the Ivy - Christmas

For more of my designs, please follow me on my other SM channels the link is top right of this post.  

Thanks for dropping by, I love that you found me!  Hope to see you again very soon.

Rachael 

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Tiddlyinks Molly Swims image on 5x7 card

 Hi crafting friends, 

I'm back with a super cute card made using a Tiddlyinks image that I have had on my computer for ages and never used.  She's so cute, and perfect for the summer!

She is called Molly Swims and can be found on Etsy under the Tiddlyinks shop.

The backing papers are also from Etsy from a shop called Jenny L and these papers are called Secret Garden.  Again I downloaded ages ago and have not used them.

I cut the stripy paper leaving a 1-inch strip for the patterned floral paper.  The image was coloured with copics and fussy cut out.  I used a stitched circle die and placed it off the page to highlight the Molly.  The 'Hello' die is from Penny Black as is the sunshine sentiment, they are a seperate die and stamp set but work together to make phrases.  I then coloured the 'hello' in the same pink used on the rubber ring.

As a final touch, I put glossy accents onto the rubber ring and her sunglasses for a bit of shine.

She is just too cute!

I'd like to enter this into:

As you like it challenge - cute or floral I love anything cute, whether that's a cute girl or boy, or some critters.  I also love a floral, so on this card, I combined both!

Colour throw down - pink, yellow and green

Passion for markers - use a die (I used a stitched circle and a sentiment die)

A place to start - anything goes with option of add flowers

Creations in pink - mainly pink

thanks for stopping by - I hope you like my projects.  why not have a look on Instagram, interest or Facebook for more inspiration.  The links to my pages are in the top right corner.

See you all again soon.

Crafting hugs

Rachael 

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Z fold card with spring gnomes

Hi Crafting friends.

This week I'd like to share a photo of a card I made for the latest polkadoodles challenge.

 I used one gnome image called Spring gnome - plants but I wanted more than one pot.  There is only one in the original gnome image so after printing this I cropped the main gnome out, and then cut and pasted several pots.  I made some smaller, some larger, and even flipped some so they added variance to the image.

I wanted this card to be really striking so I opted for a different fold, a 'z fold'.  The card is a 5 x 7 top-fold black, and I scored at 2.1/2 inches on the front folding it back to make a z fold card.  I coloured all of the images and fussy cut them, before arranging them on the card blank.  I used a dotty lilac card stock from my stash in the background to make a really happy spring card.

the sentiment is a stamp from Polkadoodles and a friend stamp from Crafters companion that I die cut in white and coloured with copics to match the image colour scheme 

I'd like to enter this into:

Moving along with the times - fun fold

Crafty gals corner - anything goes

Aud sentiments - spring and a sentiment

Daisy Chain challenges - not square

Love to craft - anything goes.

Thank you for dropping by - however you got here!  I'd love for you to leave me a little comment, or alternatively follow me on my other social media channels (links are in the top right of the page) 

See you again soon - crafting hugs!

Rachael

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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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Jingle all the way

Hello crafters!

Another two weeks has flown by and we are now into to December on the countdown to the big day!

I am dropping in to share this super cute card in nontraditional Christmas colours - after all, why can't Santa be pink, just because a large drinks manufacturer said he was red, he can be whatever colour you like! 

I made the backgournd using the smaller star stmaps in the set along with two different blue shades of copic for the spots..  Its called Jingle all the way.  I then stamped the main images and coloured them in before fussy cutting and adding on foam pads to my card.

I stamped the setmeiment int he top corner, but the card needed something else... so i doodled a border around the whole thing and around the sentiment.  When mounted on black it really pops off the page.  A really modern take on a traditional classic!

I'd like to enter this into:

Thanks for stopping by - please leave me a comment if you land here, i love to read them and please either follow me on here, or on instagram, facebook or pinterest! 

See you soon!

Rachael 

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Blue Christmas

 Hello Crafting friends.

It's time again for more Polkadoodles inspiration, and this week I'm using one of the latest releases.

This gorgeous poinsettia wreath comes coloured and in plain digis, which I adapted in my own colour scheme.  who said they have to be red or white! They are a bargain, you get loads for only £3.99

I printed the images onto smooth card and coloured using copic markers, then fussy cut them out.  The sentiment which is also in the bundle printed and die-cut using an oval die.  The background I decided to emboss for extra interest and I then mounted it onto silver mirri card.  I then layered the card up onto a 6x6 square card finished with silver glitter and Nuvo drops.

I think this is so elegant, I think I might send it to my Nan.

I'd like to enter this into:

Creative fingers - anything goes #266

My time to craft - use poinsettias #73

Cardz for gals - Dry embossing #212

Fab n funky - use blue hues #584

Thanks for dropping by - for more inspiration please do check out my other social media (buttons are top right!)

See you soon

Rachael 

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Pop up Bella bear

 Hello everyone. 

Time again for another challenge over at PD blog, and you can win some of the amazing images NIkky has.  There are loads of new ones, and a ton of oldies but goodies to choose from!

I used an image from the Bella Christmas bear release called 'Santa stop here'. Once I had coloured and fussy cutout, I used a pop-up die to add it to the inside of the card making it feel really special for the recipient. . The outside is decorated using the papers from the same release. The Christmas trees I took from the paper and enlarged them. Backing papers are more than just an accent behind the main image, have a close look and see what you can use in different ways!

I'd like to enter this into:

crafty catz - Anything goes

Creative fingers - anything goes

Jingle belles - christmas card with an animal

Most magical time of the year - Christmas

Creative inspiration challenge - anything goes

Thanks for stopping by today - please leave me a message so I know you have stopped here!

lots of crafting hugs!

Rachael 

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Octopus kisses

Hello crafters

Another fortnight has passed so it's time again for another Polkadoodles challenge over on our blog.  You can choose any theme and any project to share with us for a chance to win images.

I have today used one of my all-time favourite images - Winnie Octopus kisses   I have seen some comments recently about people not feeling confident to colour, so just as a reminder - Polkadoodles also do pre-coloured versions of most of the images, so if you lack confidence, or even if you need a quick card in an emergency, the pre-coloured images are amazing!

If you do like to colour - then for this image I used Copic markers for a base colour.  I used a couple of shades but didn't do much blending.  Over the top, I then used polychromos pencils to add depth to the shadows and texture across the image.  They are great for adding small detail too such as flicks in the hair. It really helped with the effect of pearlescence on the tail.  it looks like it shimmers between the purple and the turquoise. Finally, I added a white gel pen for a glittery effect

The papers are from my polkadoodles stash, when I print out digi images that have matching papers I keep them in a pile on my desk so I can pull them out when needed so I don't waste anything.

All then finished with twine, stickles glitter and some Nuvo drops.

I'd like to enter this into:

Creative fingers - Anything goes

Creative Inspiration challenges - Anything goes

Ally's Angels - anything goes

Crafts galore encore - Anything goes

Love to craft - Anything goes

Thanks so much for joining me - I hope to see your entries o our blog.

If you like my work then you can follow me on Instagram, Pinterest of facebook - the links are above.

See you all soon

Rachael 

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Shaped card

Hello crafting friends

It's Saturday and therefore another challenge over at Polkadoodles.

We were challenged this week to make a card, where the stamp was the shape of the card.

I used two images from the motorcycle tattoo gnome kit and placed them together to create this card. 

Using a craft artist I welded the images one behind the other and enlarged them to an A6 card size.  I then printed it out onto a robust card stock.  I placed another piece of card behind and fussy cut the two pieces together so I would have two equal bits of card to create the back.

I then coloured the front using copic markers, and added a sentiment from the gnome set.

To make the actual card, I creased the back piece (i.e. the blank card shape) along the bottle creating a hinge and glued them together using a strong adhesive.  This meant the card would both stand up and open.

I gave this to my Father-in-law for fathers Day - and he actually asked if I had made it, he didn't believe me! high praise indeed!

I'd like to enter this into:

Thanks for dropping by - it really does mean a lot when you leave a comment!  I have other social media channels linked in the top right for more ways to see what I make.

See you soon

Crafting Hugs
Rachael 

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Breaktime!

Hello crafting friends

Once again our blog challenge over at Polkadooldes starts again today.  I have gone right out of my comfort zone this week and coloured a whole scene with my copics

This image is called Breaktime with a theme for picnics, but never mind the food, he looks super comfy having his nap in the sunshine!

I enlarged the digi image to fit a 6x6 square card and then coloured with copics

I hope you like it!

I'd like to enter this into:

Thanks you for stopping by here, there are many ways to show you appreciate my work on social media the links are top right, or just leave me a little comment.  It really makes my day to read them!

See you again soon

Rachael 

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May Flowers

Hello fellow crafters

Just dropping in with a quick post to remind you about the polkadoodles challenge that is live now!  You have two weeks to enter but there is a new challenge every week meaning you have extra chances to win some of Nikkys gorgeous images!

 This week I went back to the Blooming lovely USB, which is also available as a digital download.

Because they are digis you can increase the size, and angle to make a gorgeous flurry across the page.

For this one I also decoupaged it to I fussy cut those flowers that appear to be on top for extra dimension, but if you don't want to do this, you can just print the flowers along with the sentiment, cut to size and you're done  The package also comes with recoloured flowers for a really quick and simple card 

I coloured it with Copics and added a black matt layer so it popped, but otherwise - a really simple but effective card, that could say anything from happy birthday to I'm sorry

I'd like to enter this into:

Allsorts - April showers bring May flowers

Kraftin Kimmie - flowers and purple

sisterhood of snarky stampers  flowers

CD Sunday - anything goes as long as it's from a USB/digital

Lil Patch of crafty friends - Anything goes

Thanks so much for stopping by - I'll see you soon with more card-making inspiration - but if you can't wait for my next installment (or don't like all the chat!) please follow me on Instagram or pinterest (links are above)

See you soon and crafting hugs

Rachael 

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Magical pony

 Hello everyone

As it's the 22nd, it's time for the new release inspiration from all dressed-up stamps.

There are two stunning girlies for you this month, perfect for those little (and not so little) girls in your life.

The two new images are available here from etsy  and are:

Magical pony

Watering time

Aren't they adorable?

I'd like to enter this into:

• Craft rocket Challenge - Layer it up
• Through the purple haze - girls
• unicorn challenge - add an animal
• Dream valley challenges - four legged friends

Don't forget our challenge is still on over at Facebook with the theme die cut and you can enter the blog challenge too as it's 'anything goes'.  We don't have many rules only that you must use an  All dressed up image!

See you very soon

Crafty 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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Patch puppy

 Hi everyone

there is a new challenge over on our All dressed up Facebook page - the theme this month is die cuts or punches.

The image for this is called patch puppy and he can be found here

I coloured him with copics and fussy cut him leaving a bigger white border than I usually do.

The sentiment is a Julie Hickey die and the wishes part is from a polkadoodles sentiment stamp set called birthday celebrations.

The background circle is die cut, as are the flowers which are MFT stitched flowers dienamic.  I wanted a monochrome look for this card so stuck with blues and whites.  

I am in love with this card, it is so so cute!

I'd like to enter this into:

Thank you so much for stopping by - please leave me a comment if you land here!

See you soon

Crafting hugs

Rachael

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