Digital playing instead of stitching.

I am having a little rest from stitching card patterns.  Instead of stitching I have been playing with my ACDSee programme together with some digital Watercolour images that I bought fairly recently.   I added  some Nail Art 'flowers'  that I purchased a while ago  - 2024/2025.  I posted this card the other day on my Facebook page .  This one features some white daisy type flowers heads.  They show up quite well as there are only a few meadow flowers in the foreground to which I could attach the nail art.

 

But below here is another card.  No sentiment decided yet but I have also decorated the image with some 'Nail Art' bits and pieces that I bought some time ago.  The Nail Art flowers are the perfect size for use on cards and the colours are amazing.

You have to look a little more closely to see the Nail Art which includes a couple of bees as well as the white, purple and yellow flower heads.  I can't imagine using the nail art on my fingernails but they are perfect in size and colour for my cards.  They are also a perfect size to use on ATCs. I make quite a few ATCs as I belong to two groups.  So the Nail Art won't be wasted.

The  border was created using my ACDSee programme. There are so many designs in the programme it really is difficult to make a final choice.

Before I forget I wanted to say a thank you to Doris.  Doris is a fellow member of a Forum I belong to and it is through her that I first came accross Nail Art.  Thank you Doris.

Hugs, 

Carol

xx

CD Sunday - 'Sketch' - chosen and designed by Moi

I decided to choose a Sketch for my challenge theme because the Blog hasn't had one for quite a while and I think I have only ever done one sketch challenge before and that was on CD Sunday.

So here is the Sketch:

and here is the card in parchment that I made for the challenge:

The Robin is my own watercolour painting executed some time ago now when I was attending Evening Classes.
I scanned the painting and then printed it on to parchment paper and then embossed in various places to give it life.  I then made a border around the image to make a smallish topper.
Then I used a Groovi plate to give me the larger square and I traced the Merry Christmas sentiment on all four sides rather than just the one and then gave it all the same border that I used on the topper.
The larger backing square comes from a  Robert Addams Cd - Let it Snow.  The two layers were then attached to the backing card with brads - the two groups of three to match the sketch.  Also to match the sketch are the two circles and these are my own parchment flowers with fancy brad centres.

I enjoyed making this card and I hope to see many different  interpretations of the Sketch design. Please though don't forget to use a CD somewhere in your design and let us know which one you have used. More things to read here.
Thank you for looking.
Hugs
Carol
xx

Crafts-Too Challenge You (C2CU) 3rd week of our Decades/Era. This time Twist 2 - 3 Layers

Good morning and welcome to the third week of our July Challenge.  This time we are asking you to use  3 layers.
Here is my contribution

Very 1950's style dresses on this piece of backing paper and I loved the colouring.  (seem to be liking red at the moment).
The  stamped lady in the pinafore dress came from the Marianne Clear Stamp set - Fabulous 50's.  Again I used flat water colour paper and diluted Distress Markers.  I chose the colours to match both the papers used - the background and the die cut piece, both from Crafts-Too.  All the papers we have used have been gorgeous to work with as they all have a good substance and finish.   The Rhinestone Sticker Dots are from Crafts-Too and the rest from stash.

I look forward to visiting your Blogs.  I am now back on duty after my week away.  Trust me to choose the hottest week for ages and the hottest day for my drive home on the M1.  But I did so enjoy my visit with my crafting friend and her husband. Wonderful time.

Please don't forget to use the full title of the Challenge Blog - 'Crafts-Too Challenge You'  in your posting and to tell us which Decade/Era you have chosen to represent with your work/project.

Carol x

Crafts-Too Challenge You (C2cu) 2nd week of our Decades/Era - Twist 1 - Anything Goes

Good Morning
This is a scheduled post this week I am afraid as I am actually managing to have a short holiday. I will catch up my visits and commenting when I get back.
To be a part of this new venture is very exciting for all of us on the team and I thought there were some great cards last week by my fellow teamies and I am sure there will be this week as well.  So please visit their blogs and get some ideas and join in with us .

I must confess that when I was first asked to join the team and received all my goodies to use it took a while for the brain to stop whirling.  I had ideas - certainly for last week -  but when it came to the second project my mojo just got up and left.  I was a bit panicky but did what I always do when that happens - make some ATC's.  It hasn't failed me yet - so here they are.

Just three - called '1950's Little Misses.
The little girls come from the Marianne Clear Stamps set - Fabulous 50's.  I stamped them on flat watercolour paper and painted with diluted Distress Markers.  All the beautiful background papers, the spotty tape, Rhinestone sticker dots and blue buttons are from Crafts-Too.  Little bits of ribbon and lace are from stash.
My mojo duly returned for the next challenges (at least I hope you think it did) and I look forward to showing you those in due course.
I hope to see you on my visits.  Happy crafting.
Carol x

Distress Markers used as watercolours

The beautiful hat is a digi image on the La Pashe 'Just Inklined 2012 CD'.  My printing this out in a certain way was an experiment and as it was successful I thought I would pass on the tip.
When I attended the Jane Gill painting flowers workshop we stamped the flower images and then heat embossed with clear powder before we went on to paint.  This was a technique to give a clear outline and help keep the colours in the place in which they were put.  It worked very well and we had some lovely stamps to use.  But say you haven't got many stamps to choose from but want to try the technique.
When looking  at all the wonderful digi images on all the La Pashe CD's I wondered how I could use them in the same way so I tried .....and it worked.

I used smooth surface water colour paper (90lbs Cold Pressed/Not Grain Fine) and trimmed it down to A4 size.  The pad is actually 12 x 9 inches.
I put this into the printer and printed out my choice of digi image and IMMEDIATELY it came out of the printer I covered the image in clear embossing powder.  Once then heated as usual it worked perfectly.  I then carried on and used the Distress Markers in the same way I would water colour paints and here is the result.

The smooth surfaced paper is essential to achieve a smooth printed line whether doing it this way or with a stamp.

Stamping with Woodware

I have quite a few Woodware stamps. I love the clean bold lines because I can use them for stamping and tracing in parchment work. Remember the lovely Snowman I did for CD Sunday.
Today I spent a full day at The Art Of Craft attending a workshop run by Jane Gill who designs for Woodware.  We were stamping and water colouring three of her flower designs.   Below are my efforts.  I wasn't over the moon with my painting.  Three full cards is quite a lot to make in 4 hours of the class (we had to eat and drink as well) and I would have liked a little longer.  I rushed through the second one especially and the leaves of the Violets should have had a great deal more shading etc but I just slapped on the paint I am afraid.

Jane is a very good teacher - pity about the pupil.  A lovely fun day though.  Always is at The Art of Craft.
Carol x