31 October 2017

My Workday Lair, a witch's work is never done - cubical decoration at the day job


Welcome to my witch’s lair. Don’t mind Boris, my spider, he doesn’t bite… much.


The cloak on my chair is festooned with the feathers of a thousand roosters that tried to wake me far far too early in the day.




My glorious table with my cauldron and spell book, which I fashioned myself, is ready for incantations. Only 50 cents a spell, what a bargain!


So, I love Halloween. I love decorating for Halloween. I love dressing for Halloween. I just love the whimsy of it all. At my day job, I can decorate for the season, so I do. That there is a contest (started last year) isn't the reason I decorate, but it might be why I decorate a bit more.

I don't have a photo of me, yet, but might add one later in the day if I can get one. The only things of note are that I am wearing an glorious lace blouse with long sleeves that I bought several years ago, my velvet cape with rooster feathers lining the front and around the hood (can't wear it all day or I would roast!) which I also bought years ago, and the cute fascinator witch's hat I bought recently, oh yeah, and my not as green/teal as I would have liked hair. 

How do you celebrate Halloween? Do you decorate home or work? Do you wear any type of costume?

Snowman and Penguins - Kit & Clowder Class and Confidence, progress 1

A few months ago, I started subscribing to the Kit & Clowder classes. I finally started to actually "do" one of the classes last month and plan to continue doing so. The classes are already adding to my skills. These are works in progress. 


The snowman with penguin pals is from the Pencils Class and I am using Prismacolour pencils. However, the 72 pencil set I have is rather old and doesn't have the same pencils in the current 72 set. So, I don't have the same pencils that Alyce uses in the class. However, that's not a problem, I just have to decide on different blends than the one she uses.

I decided to make my snowman in blues since I currently have zero greys. I also decided to do the hat in purples since to have it in blues wouldn't have given as good a contrast from the snow. I didn't do the glove or his branch arms yet. This is two episodes.. err chapters of the pencils class.

I listed the pencils I used on the side of the image. I usually write out what I use so I can refer to it later as well as include it in blogging. For this project, I am using lightweight watercolour paper (90lb Artist Loft) because my printer utterly refused, last night, to print on the heavier bristol I wanted to use. The watercolour paper isn't quite as white as the bristol, but otherwise I have discovered I can get good results with it.


During the day, while I was at work, I started on the Markers Class, with a twist. Instead of alcohol markers, I decided to use my watercolour pencils and waterbrush with the techniques in the class. Not only do I find them a lot more portable, I also have extremely limited pens and am vastly missing greys, especially. I popped on the class during my lunch and coloured at my desk.

While I also do have a limited number of colours with the watercolour pencils, I can do colour mixing (i.e. black and grey) to make a shade between and I can lighten colours significantly using a water wash and lift (pick up the brush and wipe the pigment off).

I used five colours for these cuties: black, grey, light yellow-brown, darker yellow-brown, and white. I used the heavier Canson XL watercolour paper (140lb). My printer was cooperating in the morning when I printed the penguins.


Me at work in my cubical which is partly decorated for Halloween. I'm wearing the glasses I need when I do colouring or reading. By my left shoulder, in the background, you can see one of the devices I do testing on, the MP70 from Sierra Wireless.

Supplies

30 October 2017

Peace - House Mouse and Friends, Distress ink watercolouring, single layer card


Decorating for the season is tiring! Wishing you the Joy and the Peace of the season.

This single layer card features a House Mouse and Friends image with Distress ink and Finetec watercolouring.


28 October 2017

Shoe - Prismacolour pencil


A lovely strappy shoe as a vision in pink, this card features a Sheepski Designs digital stamp, Prismacolour pencil, and die cutting with other embellishments.


Noel Elf - watercolour pencil


It's a time of wonder, a time of bright blessings, it's the magic of winter and Christmas.

This card features a digital stamp by Scrapper's Delight with watercolour pencil.


23 October 2017

Spells 50c - mixed media with Prismacolour pencils, embossing, and wood cut


Halloween is my favourite time of year!

This project is my design team inspiration for Through the CraftRoom Door's challenge for 24 Oct to 30 Oct. The sponsor is Crafty Sentiments (isn't that witch just so adorable) and the prize for the challenge is 3 digital images. Come play with us!


Crafty Sentiments Designs started back in 2009 by myself Suzette the owner, Me and my artist brings you cute whimsical and fun characters, to create unique and exciting handmade gifts and projects. We also carry our own brand of exclusive Rubber stamps, Digital stamps, Sentiments and cutting dies, CD Roms that is perfect for all your scrapbooking and card making needs, there is always something new each month as we release new images each month. Crafty Sentiments Designs is now having live shows on Hochanda.TV a UK base craft channel. Visit the website at www.craftysentimentsdesigns.co.uk for lots of products.


Santa - Prismacolour Pencil


Santa with a puppy, what could be more merry and bright? Ho, Ho, Ho!

This Christmasy card features stamp sets by Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps and Prismacolour pencil on a candy background. Santa has an emergency candy cane in his pocket, too. So sweet.


22 October 2017

Party Puppy - glittered die cut


A glittery puppy to with you a happy birthday! This card features an Elizabeth Craft Designs die cut, Silk microfine glitter and birthday paper.


20 October 2017

Cocoa - watercolour pencil



Winter is my favourite season. I love the cuddliness of it as well as the magical look of snow and ice making everything sparkle.

My card today was made with a long retired Kraftin' Kimmie stamp coloured with watercolour pencil and paired with a sentiment from a Kraftin' Kimmie set that's not retired. The die cuts are CC Designs and the background paper is Doodlebug.


16 October 2017

Relic - mixed media piece with Distress Ink, Mod Podge Melts, Glow in the Dark, and wood


As Halloween approaches, decorating is on my mind. I love Halloween. It's my favourite holiday.


This project features a small wooden coffin box embellished with a Distress ink, items molded from resin and Mod Podge Melts, wood cuts, and dollar store glass bottles.


15 October 2017

Harvest Moon - watercolour pencil


The moon rising at the same time as sunset can produce an orange moon, the Harvest Moon. It's a beautiful sight, perfect to share with another.

This single layer card features a House Mouse and Friends stamp with watercolour pencil and a sentiment by Unity Stamps.

I made this card as a guest on the design team for House Mouse and Friends challenge blog. The challenge starting 16 October is Anything Goes with the optional theme of Fall/Autumn Colours. Come join us in the challenge!


Tinsel Tree - embossing on acetate, paper piecing, watercolour pencil, shaker card


O Tinsel Tree, O Tinsel Tree,
How silver are your branches?
O Tinsel Tree, O Tinsel Tree,
How sparkly are your branches?

Today we are celebrating the amazing CHRISTMAS release of ALL of the NEW October Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!!!


ALL FOUR new sets are NOW available in the Krafty Shop! ANGELICA ANGEL!, EVANGELINE ANGEL!, MERRY & BRIGHT BIRDIES!, and REINDEER GAMES!


Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps is celebrating the 8th Anniversary! As an ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL, all orders of $80+ get to CHOOSE one of FOUR FREE stamp sets!! (You are My Sunshine, Ewe are Amazing, Book Dragon or Christmas Blessings Sentiments!) 


My card for the new release features Evangeline Angel, the set which was part of the Surprise Christmas kit for October!

In the 70's when I was but a young child, my mom's parents, my Opa and Oma, would host the Christmas festivities for the family and the house my Opa built in Anaheim, California. Every Christmas they would put up their tree, a wooden dowel with stiff wires as branches, wrapped with silver tinsel. I don't know if it was a store bought tree or one my Opa made. They had a colour changing spot light pointed at the tree which would rotate and bathe the silver branches in different colours. It was mesmerizing and a bit magical. I made my card today as an homage to that Tinsel Tree of my childhood. 

The tree is embossed on acetate with silver and Evangeline is paper pieced with patterned papers for her pants and blouse with the rest of her body as watercolour pencil on watercolour paper. Her hat is glitter paper and there are accents of Liquid Pearls and Stickles on her wings and the tree. The sequins of the shaker represent the changing colour of the spot light on the Tinsel Tree of my childhood.


So let's have a big happy hop around the design team blogs and check them all out in action! Grab a nice hot beverage, sit back and relax while you hop around and enjoy all the amazing creations!!



13 October 2017

Fall Bookmark - watercolour pencil on paper leather


Autumn is my second most favourite season (winter is my fav). It's a time of harvests and the scenery being painted with a brush of many colours as the leaves on the deciduous trees change lose their green. It's an amazing time of magic all around. The weather is also cooling down with a smell of chill in the air.

This bookmark on Sizzix paper leather features Kraftin' Kimmie stamps, Impression Obsession leaf stamp, embossing, and watercolour pencil.


12 October 2017

Evangeline Angel - Prismacolour


It's Day TWO of the October Krafty Peeks at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!

Today's peek is another gorgeous angel, EVANGELINE ANGEL!


Evangeline Angel was the Super Secret Krafty Klub stamp set that was included in the Khristmas Kard Kit a couple months ago. Those who pre-ordered the set already have it in their inky little fingers and are Kraftin' Kimmie's fabulous GUESTS for the sneak peek! I am one of those who pre-ordered so my creation is part of the blog hop, too!



This adorable new stamp set comes with one large main image and three fabby sentiments!!


For my creation, I used Prismacolour pencils with Stickles accents and matted her on red foiled cardstock. I embossed one of the sentiments in gold. Isn't Evangeline great? She's a tree hugger!

All of the Krafty Krew design team members and Special Krafty Guests listed below have lots of sweet designs to share with you today featuring the EVANGELINE ANGEL stamp set! Be sure to hop around and leave lots of love at each and every stop because one lucky commenter will WIN a gift voucher to the krafty shop EACH DAY of the peeks this week! Plus we're doing a GIVEAWAY of the ENTIRE release on the Krafty Friends facebook page! The winners will be announced at the party so don't miss it!

Be sure to join us at the LIVE Online Release Party on Saturday afternoon at 2pm EST! We'll be checking out ALL of the FOUR new clear stamp sets, sharing fabulous creations, giving away prizes and having tons of krafty fun!

Happy hoppin'!



You can comment on my post HERE or read on to see how I made my card.

11 October 2017

Pink Hope - mixed media with resin cast items, embossing, and stenciling


October is breast cancer awareness month. Cancer SUCKS! All who have it, and their families, need to have hope to fight, to survive.

My project today is a plaque with mixed media elements, a message of Hope in pinks using a Unity Stamps set, stenciling, resin pieces I cast, Distress ink, embossing on acetate, all on a wood plaque.


10 October 2017

Sleigh - die cuts and window card


Santa flies on his sleigh to bring presents around the world. On this glittery stripped paper from Tim Holtz, Santa and his sleigh are an Impression Obsession die set. Santa and the sleigh are on an open window which, on the inside of the card, is revealed to be not a moon but an ornament.




09 October 2017

Tarot - Death, watercolouring with Distress and stenciling with Distress Oxide and Perfect Pearls


This is my very first post as a member of the design team for Through The Craftoom Door (TTCRD). I am thrilled that the sponsor is the amazing Rick St Dennis with his wide selection of digital art.

For this project, I created a tarot card using REaPeR and Distress ink. The card I created is Death which can signify change. As the start of a stint as a design team member for TTCRD, this is a time positive change for my crafting and creative aspirations.



Rick St. Dennis MFA has been an artist, designer, stage designer and instructor for over 45 years. You can find his full Bio here. His digital stamp images can be found on Zibbet . Inspiration projects from the Rick St.Dennis Elite Design Team can be found on the Sparkle and Glitter blog, or for the darker images on the Airless Chambers blog. Rick also has a personal blog and on Facebook, there is the Rick St.Dennis Digi fans and friends group, where you can showcase your cards and other projects using RSD images to be eligible to win prizes.

The challenge for 10 Oct to 16 Oct on Through The Craftoom Door is Anything Goes. You don't have to use an image from Rick St Dennis, but we would love to see them, too. The prize is 2 digital images of the winner's choice (and there are a lot of really cool images to choose from!). Come join us in the challenge!


05 October 2017

Devilish - Prismacolour single layer card


Halloween is my favourite time of year! It's such fun and even has its own cheerleaders!


This single layer card features Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps and Prismacolour colouring. There are three stamp sets used, two of them in the new September release.


01 October 2017

Ready to Fly! - House Mouse and Friends with Prismacolour pencils


Flying through the streets! If the broom fits... You're ready to fly!


This card features a House Mouse and Friends stamp accented for Halloween with a brad, glow-in-the-dark embossing, and Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps sentiments. The little mousie was coloured with Prismacolour pencils.

This card is my inspiration for the House Mouse and Friends challenge blog as a guest designer. The challenge starting 2 October has the optional theme of Halloween. Come join us!


Cherry Blossom - SheepSki Designs blog challenge inspiration, PrismaColour pencils



Cherry blossoms are a cheerful sight. They're a harbinger for the delicious fruit to come.

This card features a digital stamp by SheepSki Designs coloured with Prismacolour pencils and embossing on foiled paper with a Spellbinders dimensional embossing folder.

Cherry Blossoms is my design inspiration for the October blog challenge for Sheepski Designs. Come play along with us, the theme this month is PINK. You don't need to use a SheepSki Designs digital stamp, but we do love to see them. You can also play along with us on the Facebook challenge.

Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/sheepskidesigns
Blog: http://sheepski-designs-challenges.blogspot.co.uk/
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1730005463906336/