Thursday 19 January 2012

Little Dot In Lilac :)

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Hi there sweet peeps and hope you are all OK today xxx

It’s nearly the end of the week – wooohoooo – and time to check in with the Lili’s Little Fairies Challenge

There is a lovely theme this week and it’s

Lavender & Lace.

Yummy. You can use real or paper lace (ooh I feel a song coming on again ….. Billy Don’t Be A Hero lol!)

We are sponsored this week by Lisa and Laila over at  Lili of the Valley,  and they are offering these 2 sweet stamps to one lucky winner chosen at Random

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Aww :)

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So this is the old card and I used Little Dot cos I loves her :)

This image is the easy peasiest to colour,  I have to say and these are the Copics I used -

Skin - E000, E00, E11, E21, R00, R20

Hair - E41, E42, E43, E50

Clothes - BV0000, BV000, BV00, BV02, BV08, BV13, BV23

The papers are from Nitwits and sorry peeps, I’ll have to check out which ones they are – I know the background paper is from Oh The Possibilities Collection but I can’t remember which one the plaid one is from.

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Another little arrangement here and I used these blooms which are all from Wild Orchid Crafts – if you click the pics it should take you to the right place on the website -

10 LILAC CLASSIC SWEET MULBERRY PAPER ROSES 40mm        10 WHITE MULBERRY PAPER POPPY FLOWERS       50 WHITE MULBERRY PAPER SWEETHEART BLOSSOM FLOWERS

   50 WHITE MULBERRY PAPER CLOSED ROSE BUDS - 6mm          100 WHITE MULBERRY PAPER CLOSED ROSE BUDS - 4mm

50 BABY PINK MULBERRY PAPER OPEN ROSES - 10MM        100 GREEN MULBERRY PAPER MEDIUM GRASS       100 WHITE MULBERRY PAPER GYPSOPHILA FLOWERS

You probably noticed that the sewing machine was used yet again, as was the poor old Tilda Lace Die

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The fab ribbon is 25mm Heliotrope No 7 Berisford Satin from The Ribbon Girl – it makes lovely bows :)

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OK, now about that song!!
Anybody who was around in the 70s will remember this bad boy (it was much worse!), but they are meant to be American Civil War soldier outfits.
Here, check it all out and get ready to cringe  ……

This has given me an idea (she says,  typing as she thinks).

Perhaps  once a week we should liven up the Land of Blog and  have a blast from the past, what do you think?

Oooohhh,  now watch this space  :)

And on that note, have the fabbiest of days and hugs to all xxx

Wednesday 18 January 2012

Where’s The Blonde???????

 

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Morning sweet peeps and hope you are all OK today :)

It’s a tad warmer this morning thankfully – not quite tropical but at least it’s above freezing now.

It’s that time of the week when we hop over the pond and catch up with what’s happening at the  Simon Says Stamp Challenge

and this week our Domi has done a sketch for us ….

… and here it is.

As always, Heidi is giving a whopper of a prize …..

to one lucky winner which they can spend ….

Simon Says Stamp

… here.

So what did I do then?

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Ta daaaaaa, it’s this bad boy here.

Like I said  on yesterday’s post, I decided to give this little sweetie darker hair than I usually do so she is a mid brown, sort of coppery colour. Which is quite like myself I guess, but the difference is that I am desperately trying to get rid of the brown / pink / red colours from my hair and go back to my own colour. I didn't realise that  it would take sooooooooo long to sort it out but hopefully before too long I will be there (pleeeeeeeeze hurry up!!)

So maybe this was a subliminal thing?

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Anyhoos, enough rambling about me barnet – the image I used here is CC Designs Sweetheart Birgitta and I coloured her with these Copics -

Skin – E000, E00, E11, E21, R00, R11, R20

Hair – E25, E29, E35, E51, E71

Clothes – C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C7, Black, R05, R17, R27, R59

I also dabbed a bit of Glossy Accents onto her shoes so that they looked like patent leather – I made a complete hash of it if I’m being honest,  but never mind!!!

The papers are My Minds Eye 6 x 6 Life of The Party paper pack – love these :)

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Not too much faffing with the flowers today and I think the simplicity of them is right for the card cos the colours are very strong and anything too fancy wouldn’t look quite right.

IMHO of course!!

I used dies from the Spellbinders Rose Creations set and just added a Hero Arts  little gem in the centre, and  I trailed some pearls along the side as well. You can find all them all here.

I cut the circle from a Grand Circle Nestabilities set  and edged it with some cut up bits of a strip of  paper lace made with a MS Eyelet Lace PATP Punch.

I seem to be getting slightly addicted to the sewing - you may have noticed lol!! 

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So there you go and that’s me done for today. I’ll be back tomoz with some more cardage so I say toodle pip and see you then. If you get a sec, do nip over and check out the DT cards cos as always they are pretty darn good :)

Have the fabbiest of days and hugs to all xxx

Tuesday 17 January 2012

All The B’s :)

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Morning peeps and I hope you are all  managing to stay warm today - the temperature has really dropped these last few days here in Chester. It’s fleecy PJs and electric blanket time here at Chez Piggy and even Ricardo isn't moaning about the blanket going on, mainly because the cold work him up on Sunday night.

So as it’s Tuesday,  it’s  time to bob over and catch up with what’s happening over at Papertake Weekly and this week our theme is

Buttons, Bows, Bling & Blooms

You don’t have to use them all – you can use whichever ones you want – but I managed to get them all on here.

We have the most gorgeous prize as well because we are sponsored by Mary & Andrea at The Ribbon Girl and there is  a gorgeous kit that they’ve put together so if you get a sec, nip and check it all out peeps.

So …..

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… here’s what I did.

I haven’t done one of these circle cards for a while but I wanted to do something a little bit different.

I used one of the Lili of The Valley Spring Animal images – this one is Gift Wrapped – and gave him the Copics treatment and I went for Spring colours – all nice and clean and fresh looking – and I used these pens -

Bunny – C00. C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C7, R00, R11, R20

Butterflies & prezzie – B0000, B000, B00, B12, Y00, Y02, Y06, Y08, Y38, YG0000, YG00, YG03

Grass – G99, YG0000, YG03

The paper is from the FQB Hoppy Hearts collection from Nitwits  (I think, but as I typed it, a doubt crept into my mind so I’ll check it out and edit it if it’s not right)

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It’s hard to see the white  fence against the white background  but it’s there and I used the  Magnolia Lovely Fence Die from Simon Says Stamp.

The bow was made from 25mm Gold Yellow No 37 Berisford Satin ribbon from The Ribbon Girl (of course!!) and the bling is from Wild Orchid Crafts.

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A  little arrangement made from  these -

Blue Two-Tone 15mm Pretty Blossoms from The Ribbon Girl

White long stem stamens, White PoppiesWhite Gypsophila, and carnation made using  Foundation White Blooms and all from Wild Orchid Crafts

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I cut up bits of paper lace made from a MS Eyelet Lace punch and stuck them around the edges of the card base, after I had sewn the thing to within an inch of it’s life!!! Phew, it took oh  soooo long to do!

Then I stuck on some blue tiny ric-rac ribbon (fantastic alliteration there Miss Piggy!!) and this was also from The Ribbon Girl.

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So there’s the old card done and I’ll be back tomoz with something slightly different – a bit in yer face it is.

Here, have a little sneakie peekie ……

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…  yes, I have deviated from the blonde and have done brown hair for a change – ooooo).

Tell you more tomorrow but till then, have a fab day, stay warm and toastie  and huggiest of hugs to all xxx

Sunday 15 January 2012

Not What You Might Expect :)

Good morning lovely peeps and a very Happy Sunday to everyone xxx

It’s time for another  challenge over at The Ribbon Girl Blog and this month’s colours are …

colour challenge label 15

… and what a fab combi too :)

Talking of fab, check out what’s up for grabs.

Firstly, there is this gorgeous ribbon kit ….

ribbon girl pink and blue prize

… which is made up of 5 metres of  beautiful cotton, guipure and cluny vintage style lace, pink satin ribbon, old rose tiny ric rac, pale blue pom pom trim, blue and white spot organza, blue loopy trim, pink mulberry roses, sparkly buttons, and rose petal pink seam binding.

And that’s not all because we are also sponsored today by the lovely Lisa & Laila from Lili Of The Valley and there is a …..

….  to giveaway  as well.

And it’s a fab month for me cos my lovely pal Lols is our special guest designer, so if you get a sec, nip over for a mooch and check out the amazing cardage. Like I always say about PTW, there is such a wide range of styles in this DT and I can’t wait each month to see what everyone else has done – and I am never ever disappointed.

So the colours this month are pink & blue and this may come as a bit of a shock cos you’d probably be thinking that I would do me usual pastels thing – and I had intended to do just that -  BUT when I saw the image I wanted to use, I just knew she wasn't a pastels sort of girlie, so I went for BOLD!!!

Oh yes, I am still a bit shocked meself lol!!!

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The usual lighting issues are still ever present – roll on Spring / Summer -  but IRL this is bright and very zingy, as befits this sassy chicksie.

She is Queen of Hearts and she is of course an image by the talented Krista over at Saturated Canary. This is the first time I have used one of her images and I can safely say that it won’t be the last.

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I coloured her with these Copics -

Skin – E000, E00, E11, E21, R00, R11, R20
Hair – E41, E42, E43, E50, E51
Clothes etc – B000., B12, B45, B93, B95, B97, C00, C1, C3, C5, RV0000, RV000, RV00, RV10, RV29

and I also added some polychromos pencilling  to add a bit of depth here and there.

All papers are from Pink Petticoat and I thought they matched the image really well.

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It’s back again, the poor overworked Magnolia leaf and swirl die!! I added some bloomage in the form of a couple of pretty pink two tone blossoms from The Ribbon Girl, and I made some others using the smallest Spellbinders Rose Creations die and a rolled flower thing which I doused in Diamond Stickles.

Dies and Stickles are from Simon Says Stamp

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I used some 16mm saddlestitch ribbon in hot pink and white. I love working with this ribbon because it goes just  how and where you want it to go ……  and then stays there!!!

The navy die cut was made using a Nellie’s Multi Frames Die  from Dies To Die For. 

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So there we have the card all done.

I’m entering this card into the Colour Me Creative Copics Challenge which this month is Retro Fun – Hot Pinks / Blacks / Whites

The weather has turned very cold here  these last few days and everything is white this morning. It’s the sort of weather that I like to wrap up warm and go walking in. My old dad used to say that it kills off the winter germs,  and I think he has a point, and I like the feeling of coming back to a warm house with rosy cheeks and lungs fill of fresh air.

So maybe later I might venture out.

Before I go I must share this with you because for sure it will put a smile on your face. My good friend and fellow Papertaker Sharon posted it up on our DT blog and I have to say that it is just amazing. I cannot imagine what it must have been like to actually experience it but for sure it is a once in a lifetime thing. I do wonder if the chappie had to change his trousers after – I would have for sure – but it’s so sweet.

Here’s the link -

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=69c_1324490734

So enjoy, and have a the fabbiest of Sundays and see you soon.

Huggiest of huggy hugs to all xxx

Thursday 12 January 2012

Petulant In Pink

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Hi there peeps and hope all is well today.

Over at the new and very fabulous Lili’s Little Fairies Challenge, it’s our second week and what a BRILLIANT one it is cos we want you to choose

Your Favourite LOTV Stamp

Well I tell you, this one had me a bit stumped cos how could you choose – it’s like picking your favourite kid lol!!! But choose we did and I’m curious to know which one is your fave so if you get a sec,  I’d love you to leave me a comment and let me know :)

And check out what's up for grabs …..

Jan12prize

As we are sponsored this week by Mary and Andrea from the Ribbon Girl, we have this gorgeous kit here, which is made up of  5 metres of beautiful cotton and cluny lace in white and cream, 5 metres Rose Petal vintage style seam binding, 1 metre of pink and 1 metre of green sumptuous satin, 1 metre of grosgrain ribbon, 1 metre of Old Rose tiny ric rac, 1 pack of 10 sparkly round buttons and 1 bunch of 5 pink/white 30mm mulberry roses! 

Thank Mary & Andrea  cos this is beautisimous :)

So which one did I choose then?

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Well I went for Miss Diva Strop here – she is called It’s My Party really.

It was a toss up between her, Little Dot and Pom Pom but she just slightly edged it. I LOVE the expression and haven't we all been there (and aren’t some of us still cos we all know a diva or 2 don't we!!!)

I coloured her with these Copics -

Skin – E000, E00, E11, E21, R11, R20
Hair – E41, E42, E43, E50
Clothes etc – C00, C1, C3, C5, C7, R85, RV0000, RV000, RV00, RV10, YG0000, YG00, YG03

plus one or two polychomos pencils to add a bit of depth – like ya do :)

And these papers are newies  and are from Nitwits – they are from the FBQ Val‘n’Tine and Val’n’Tine Too collections.

We like these a LOT!!!

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I did a bit of a piggy fiddle again here.

I had some 25mm white flat lace from The Ribbon Girl left over from another card so I gathered it up into a flower and added some Wild Orchid Crafts bloomage here and there.

Oooops isn’t just the sentiment cos I didn’t stick down one of the flowers very well did I (dope!!)

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The tab thing is a SU punch – not sure what it;s called cos I’ve had this for ages now. Oh I almost forgot, the good old Magnolia leaf and swirl die is back in favour (oh please don't groan cos I promise that I will give it a little rest again soon lol!!)

AND the sewing machine was hammered once again. I swear if I didn't know better, I’d think it cringes when it sees me walking towards it!!

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I had a fabulous catch up today with the sweetness that is Miss Marcea and it was so nice to chat again cos she is such a poppet. She was saying how my style is reverting back to it’s old self and I think she’s right. I’m not conscious of changing it but it does seem to be heading that way again.

Right I best be off cos we are going to the gym and he who must be obeyed (hahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa) is ready and waiting to go (he is obsessed with keeping fit and I am obsessed with keeping fat it would seem!!)

I’ll see you soon if not sooner but have a lovely evening and huggiest of huggly hugs to all xxx

Wednesday 11 January 2012

Is This The Easiest Card Ever????

Hi peeps and that is a bit of a bold statement but I think there may be a grain of truth in it.

I’m talking about my card for this week’s Simon Says Stamp Challenge where our theme is

Spots and / or Stripes

You can have just spots, just stripes or spots AND stripes, it’s entirely up to you!!!!!

The Design Team  are showcasing Memory Box products this week but you don't have to use them of course. And I do have a bit of new for you re Simon Says Stamp - they have just started a Monthly Card Kit and these are amazing value for money !! Check them out but if you want one, best be quick as they are going like hot cakes.

Look …..

… fabulous :)

Anyway, back to the challenge and as always,  Heidi will be giving one lucky girlie …

…  a whopper of a $50 voucher which can be spent …

Simon Says Stamp

… right here :)

Now about this card …..

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... well it mau look ‘busy’ BUT the layout is very easy and there’s no image, just a couple of die cuts, some stick on letters and a bow.

I did do a bit of stitching but even so, it took no time at all,  and I was really pleased with how it turned out.

The papers I used are all from the Echo Park Happy Days 12 x 12 kit - perfect for Feb 14th I think- and the letters are from the kit as well.

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I really like this.

Remember the ‘happy accident’ from here?

Well I’d made another flower / rolled die thing which should have gone in one of the corners but it looked dreadful so I took it off and was left with a blob of gunky glue,  hence the butterfly cover up. But I kept the flower / rolled die and it was on my desk when I started to make this card.

So I used the flower, rolled another circle in different paper, die cut a heart and inked the edges then put it all together.

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The die I used here is a Memory Box Sanibel Border die – I think I used the negative  but the beauty of this die is that you don't waste anything as both can be used and both look fab

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So here’s the stuff I used -

*Memory Box SANIBEL BORDER Craft DIE 98178            *Magnolia HEART TAG Doohickeys Cutting Dies       *Echo Park HAPPY DAYS 12 x 12 Collection Kit HD19016        *Tim Holtz Distress Ink PAD TATTERED ROSE Pink Ranger          

Right, that’s me done and I hope you like the old card.

I do like CAS styles – I predict that this year will see a shift back to this sort of card – I may be wrong but it’s my prediction anyway. And I think that neon colours are going to be big as well – apparently they are all over the catwalk this season (like I’d know lol!!).

Anyway, I’ll be back tomorrow with something different but until then, have a wonderful day and huggiest of hugs to all xxx