Cheers to Diamonds!

Cheers to me!

I won 2nd place in the blog hop over at Guylou's Inimitabilty!
I must confess, I really like blog hops because you get to see a whole variety of creations, often made with the same set of images. And if I get to win something, that is a lovely bonus!

With the Blog Hop was a challenge and I'm entering a project in the Punches, Dies and Diamonds Challenge:

I don't have a cutting machine, but I do have more than 1 pair of scissors - and I love cutting shapes with my various scissors. The fabulous Spirellis from CSDesigns qualify for a die-cut, I think. :). I used the diamond shape in 2 sizes cut from mirror board. These were tied with shades of purple sewing thread. The little stars were punched from silver cardstock. I did some line embossing using my Martha Stewart board. The lines I highlighted with silver pencil.

The lovely Leah at the Cocktail Party forms the focus of the card. She was coloured with Tombows - wow, haven't used them for a while. I 3D'd her to create a fancy club effect. The bits of bling adds more diamonds to my card. Yes, and some bling to Leah's outfit!

Hope you like her!

Differently Distressed

I enjoy working with the designs from CSDesigns.

The challenge at Craft your Passion Challenges caught my eye : Torn or Distressed edges.
I love doing both, so I had to whip up a card today to still enter the challenge.

Distress always makes me think of vintage, and how much more vintage can you go than a mummy?

So here is my torn and distressed edges card:

I used the Solitaire Mummified / Ribbons to create my card. I used some kraft paper that I torn and crumpled The card is kraft board as well. Gold paper torn is strips was used as a second layer. I used various stamp pads to colour and distress the card. Pencils and soft pastel was used to colour the image & sentiment. My gelly roll pen added the final bit of glamour to the mummy. The sentiment is also from CSDesigns.

The first part of the current challenge at ArtWithNoBoundaries is Anything Goes. I'm adding my card for some more inspiration from the DT, hope it inspires you!

Anything goes Plastic!

Welcome!

Recycle time again at Recycle, Re-Purpose and Re-Invent!

But wait, there is a twist again!

The main challenge is 'Anything Goes', the twist is: 'A Plastic Existence'.

We see plastic all around us, and it's the perfect material to recycle, re-purpose and re-invent.
Use plastic for the Bonus Round and stand in line for a CSDesigns original sentiment.

I have used some brightly coloured plastic bags to decorate my card by making a frill and some roses.
The image to go with my bright plastic is Expressive Heart

I hope that you are inspired to recycle something and will take part in the challenge!

With all my visits to some lovely blogs this weekend, I came across a few challenges. I have decided to add my card to the following:
Creative Craft Challenges 2. Their theme is Anything Goes. 

Anything Goes with a tutorial..

Welcome in the Craft Lane...

It is the second week of 'Anything Goes' at Art With No Boundaries.

Last week I made an intricately folded project, so I decided to keep it simple this week with a magnetic bookmark.

I've used the Solitaire Swirl and Monocle to decorate my bookmark:

As a little bonus to all who visit, I have assembled a tutorial to show how quick and easy this bookmark is to make.

You need : An image, a strip of card, about 3 x the height of your image, magnetic strip (I recycled some pieces from promotional items), and the other usual tools.

I cut my image with a pinking shears for interest. The card strip was measured and trimmed using the image as a guide.

My new toy: a Martha Stewart board. I used it to score the strip.

Colour the image and adhere.

I decided not to blend the pencil. I like the uneveness, it gives the image more texture without adding bulk.

Add magnetic strip.

Voila, a fun bookmark!

NOTE: Do not use more than 2 -3 layers, otherwise it gets too thick and might damage your books.
I used the brighter card for the tutorial because it is easier to photograph. Now I have 2 bookmarks!

Hope you enjoyed my tutorial and is inspired to join in the challenge!

Anything Goes at AWNB!

Welcome!

A new week, a new challenge at Art with No Boundaries! The theme this week is Anything Goes.

This is such a wonderful chance for expressing yourself, making that card that doesn't fit in any current challenge! 

I made a fancy fold card using autumn browns, oranges, yellows and golds, Solitaire / Swirl and Monocle and the True Beauty Sentiment.

The outside of the card:

The card opened:

I chalked the image and added some Jelly Roll. The background was sponged with chocolate ink and gold paint. The various triangles were stamped with background stamps, and then sponged.

The sentiment was also sponged. A pretty gold ribbon bow finishes off the card.

I hope my card inspires you to join the challenge!

The Eyes Have It some more!

Welcome!

It's week 2 of the challenge at ArtwithNoBoundaries.

I've used Arty Expression 2 again. The colours I used are the same as last week. This time I made 4 tags.

Here are the tags:

Here is a close up of tag 1 with some b/w gingham and shades of pink rhinestones:

 

And here is very simple Tag 2:

Tag 3 has a touch of elegance with the damask background:

Tag 4 has some silver, flowers and lace added:

The ink I used to colour the image change the look of each tag. 

Here is a recap of all 4, neatly in a row:

I hope that you wil come and join us this week at ArtwithNoBoundaries.

Fashionista goes green some more!!

Welcome to another week of Fashionista Fabulousness!

Last week I showed you how nature inspires me, and this week I am showing you a bit more of the process.

It is the final Fashionista challenge at ArtwithNoBoundaries, so do join us and do not forget to add something from your sewing basket to your card.

This time I used some of my inked papers and ribbon for the background.

I cut out the Lace Dress Form and fixed it to the card. Then I stitched the shiny tulle to the card with some gold thread, forming a little pocket with an opening. 

I filled it with some beads and punched flowers and sequins. 

This was then sewn closed to form a shaker effect. Lastly I added some flowers and beads to the bottom corner. 

But wait, this is half the story. Using the tulle, I made a Barbie sized no-sew tutu.

I photographed it on the stand I have. I added some of the background ribbon. 

I added some matching green material, and voila, an outfit in the making for a Fashion Icon:

Go on Barbie, you can sparkle!

Now you know about my other passion, doll clothes! I like the dolls but LOVE their clothes!

Well, I hope I have inspired you to enter your own creation!

Do visit again!

Fashionista goes Green!

Welcome!

I’m so glad that you came and visit! Everything is green today, and I’m so glad, because it is my favourite colour! Green in all shades and hues, I just love them all. The first leaves of the new season, the beauty of an emerald, the fresh green of a lime, the translucent green of a peridot….

At ArtwithNoBoundaries the theme is still Fashionista, but it is Fashionista with a Twist, because not only was the challenge extended, the colour Green was added to the challenge. You must still use something from your sewing stash (a button, a bow, a bead, some fabric, some thread, the choice is yours) and interpret the theme the way you see it. And remember, you must add some green, or go all-out green, like I did. I hope you will come and join us, this is such a fun challenge. It's not often that one creates cards from your sewing basket!

Fashionista to me is somebody who understands fashion, knows what it is about, but also has her/his own style, someone who can take a high Fashion item and combine it with a classic and make fashion, make a statement.

It is also somebody who creates fashion, who gets inspiration and creates fabulous garments or accessories. 

My creation today speaks of this inspirational process, of that which inspires. In a way it is a card about me, a free spirit who draws inspiration from around me, from nature.  Green is also a symbol of life and growth. 

There is more about it. All of us can get inspired, but the real Fashionista translates that inspiration into a garment, and for that you will have to come back next week...

Here is my card for Fashionista with a Twist of Green:

I have used the playful Arabesque from CSDesigns to dance on the front of my card. The sentiment is also from CSDesigns. There are some more of these dancing beauties here and here. 

Here is a close-up of the flowers:

Some more flowers at her feet:

 

The sentiment up close:

The tutorial of how I made the background and flowers and how I coloured Arabesque and the sentiment can be found here.

Green is also the colour that one associates with Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day, so even though I don’t really celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, here’s a wish to you:

Hope you enjoyed your visit and will come again!

Fashionista Week 2!

It's week 2 at Art With No Boundaries and I'm doing a bit of sewing and cutting.

I started with my Diamond Dot Mini background. I printed in tan, a simple colour choice in MSWord.

The Lace Dress Form is so pretty that I just had to use it again:

 

I added rickrack and felt buttons, and then added some gold paint and Distress glitter. 

Hope you like it and will join us in the next challenges.

Fashionista!

Time for a new challenge at ArtWithNoBoundaries! The theme is Fashion...get out all those those sewing baskets and bits and bobs and create something that express some fashion fever.

I've used the new Lace Dress Form from CSDesigns. And peeking from behind is the Diamond Dot Mini Background also from the Express Yourself Collection. I just love this background.

The inspiration for my card is the design boards used by fashion designers where they pin there fabric swatches, and make their sketches. I used my pinking shears on the sentiment and the fabric swatches.

Here is my card at another angle, showing the 3-D effect.

And here is a close-up of the dress form:

The fabric swatches:

I hope you like my card and that you will join us in the challenge!

Dance Away!

Second week, second chance at ArtWithNoBoundaries to let the dancer in you escape:

The Lovely Minuet is ready to take centre stage:

She is one of the fabulous new creations from CSDesigns.

The lovely Diamond Dot Mini Background sets the stage for her dance amongst the stars.

Let the Dancer in you Escape!

The new challenge at Art with No Boundaries has been posted!

What a fun challenge!

2 new dancers created by Chris from CSDesigns are making their debut too!

Plié is dancing on my card.

I decided to go with aqua and green teamed with the diamond black and white background.

I added loads of glitter to this beauty in the spotlight.

I love music and I love to dance. I'm reminded of a chubby 9 year old wannabee ballerina, dressed in my black leotard, pink tights and black leather ballet shoes. That year made a difference in my life and nurtured my love of ballet, the music, the performance, but also of dancing in general. 

I would love to see what you have to share!