Copic Colour Challenge

Ooh this is the first time I've been able to enter the Copic Colour Challenge as never had the right colours before! The colours this week are Mauve Shadow, Jade Green and Sugared Almond Pink. I thought I'd better post it now as there'll be a new colour challenge tomorrow and I'll have missed this one.


Image - Digi Stamp Boutique, Copics, Punches

This is another Ruby image from the Digi Stamp Boutique, shaded with Copics and mounted on matching papers. The green has been embossed with swiss dots and for a change, instead of using a border punch, I punched some flowers and used those down the middle along with some gems.

Right, off to run my wrists under the cold tap in a slim attempt at cooling down - phew!

Not sure what this post will look like as some of my formatting buttons appear to be missing in action.

Victoria
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Wheely Good Fun!

Phew hot isn't it? I'm not going to moan today as I've managed to keep cool with my cooling tower on in the living room - bliss. Cute Card Thursday set this challenge - to use wheels, I decided on a girly card:


Pink Petticoat Image, Copics, Doodlebug paper, Fiskars border punch

Felt the need to use some of my favourite colours and put this one together quite quickly. Image and sentiment are from Pink Petticoat, shaded with Copics and mounted with labels nestabilities.

Got a big smile on my face today as I just found out that I won last weeks challenge at Stamptacular Sunday and a prize is on it's way to me. They have a great challenge this week - 'party animal', I've got my card ready but will post it tomorrow as I won't have time to make anything tomorrow with visitors coming nd midwife to visit.

Was nice to catch up on blog hopping last night, I've got a couple of awards I need to pop on here and thank the senders too. Promise I'll get it done in the next few days.

Victoria
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Pretty Packaging

I have to thank Jo for both my posts today as she asked me to make a baby keepsake box as well as a wedding card!

Secret Crafters challenge this week is 'Pretty Packaging' so I thought this would be appropriate.


Ribbon, Glamour Dust, Pearls, Flowers

This is for a Christening to keep all the cards in. I used a satin ribbon and a sheer one with printed flowers on, some lovely paper flowers and pearl gems which I stuck down patiently with Glossy Accents. I printed the name and went over it with Glamour Dust, cut out with Nestabilities ovals and mounted on another oval of glitter paper.

Had a bit of a retro moment today. Do you remember Ice Magic ice cream topping from many years back? You used to pour it on your ice cream and it would 'magically' set to a solid chocolate crust. Well I've been craving it for about a month now (along with Cider lollies!) and finally discovered that although it's no longer made, Askeys do an equivalent and Sainsbury's sell it! So you can imagine how content I was this afternoon with a bowl full of Rocky Road ice cream topped with runny sauce that set to solid chocolate - heaven!!

Victoria
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Weddings

My friend Jo (Hi Jo!) asked me to make her a card for some friends who are getting married in August and the challenge over on A Spoon Full Of Sugar this week is weddings.


Printed sentiments, ribbon, Nestabilities, Glamour Dust

Kept this really simple, although it hasn't turned out quite how I'd planned. I struggled with photos today too, it was either too bright in the sun or a little too dull in the shade, so this is as good as it gets.

I printed the sentiments on the PC and went over the large one with Glamour Dust and also around the edge of the tag. The ribbon is very reflective silver, not grey!

Had a very lazy day today with lots of sleeping! Zac has been playing football of sorts in the garden and been to the park so fingers crossed he sleeps through.

Victoria
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Too flippin hot!

I know I should be thankful it's not freezing but I'm just too hot! Oh for air conditioning right now to calm the humidity. Anyway, enough moaning from the pregnant one.....

Juliet set this colour combo at Colour Create - powder pink, pistachio green and aqua with optional extra to use buttons. Here's mine:


Rachelle Anne Miler stamp, nestabilities, Copics, Button brads, flowers

I love this stamp, it's such a cutie. Shaded with Copics and mounted on ovals. I had some tiny button brads which I think are Making Memories so popped them through some paper flowers from Sarah's cards.

I'm feeling the need to make some brighter cards or something more me as I seem to be getting in a bit of a rut recently. I don't really want to stop with the blogging until the day I go in hospital so I'm determined to keep going - 11 days to go!!!!

Victoria
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Delightful Download

Dawny's gone digital with this weeks challenge at Papertake. Was a good excuse for me to use this cute whale image from Pink Petticoat.


Image - Pink Petticoat, papers Doodlebug, Nestabilities

I must start with an apology for my lack of leaving comments with everyone else for the last few days. I've just been/ am too tired to do much at the moment, which I know isn't likely to improve! So I have been looking and admiring, just not leaving my usual comments.

This was a really quick card, image printed and shaded with Copics and mounted on nestabilities ovals (so glad I made the purchase!). I'm loving the blue wavy paper from Doodlebug, I wish they did it in more colour combinations. Finished with some rub ons and glitter gems.

So looking forward to Wednesday next week, my Mum is flying over from Spain to help look after me and Zac until Bubs arrives. I'm glad she's coming as she'll also be here to help me through some tough days I also have to face at the start of July.

Victoria
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Magnolia Summer - whatever the weather

This card covers two challenges, Joey has set the challenge 'whatever the weather' at Creative Card Crew and Just Magnolia's is 'Summer'


Magnolia stamp, Doodlebug Papers, Nestabilities, Copics, Papermania flowers

I really wanted to make a summery card as it's so gorgeous outside today but didn't have any particularly summery Magnolia images. So the next best thing was to use summer colours. Hope it's worked.

Image shaded with Copics and then cut out and mounted on oval nestabilities. The papers are by Doodlebug (just for a change!) and the flowers are by Papermania. I bought a few packets of them while back and this is the first time I've put them to use.

Zac is much better today, thanks for all the kind well wishes. He's napping at the moment so I'm expecting the doorbell to ring and disturb him any minute as we've got a cot bed being delivered today.

Victoria
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Seeing stars

Here's the last of my Fathers day cards. This is for my Dad but couldn't post it before now as he's coming to visit today! The challenge at Stamptacular Sunday was 'red, white and blue and at least one star too'



Penny Black stamp, Nestabilities, Pink Petticoat Patterned Paper

I stamped 'Bun-Bun' first before I coloured him in which was a mistake! Much easier the other way around. I've had these star Nestabilities for ages, bought them last year to do some scrap booking of Zac's naming day and still haven't got around to it! The star paper is from Pink Petticoat and the little white stars are punched ones.

We've had a tiring few days, Zac has been unwell, I took him to the Doctors yesterday and he has an ear infection so he's on anti-biotics for a week and has to avoid his friends for a few days too.

Better news for me, saw my consultant yesterday at the hospital and baby doing just fine and still on track to go in on 8th July! Eeeek so soon. Mind you, I'll be glad as this heat is really getting to me now!

Victoria
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I'm still here!

Sorry not blogged for a few days. Starting to need more rest now, especially as my feet and ankles turn into watermelons if I sit up for more than 10 minutes!

Here are a couple of Fathers Day cards. Both from sketches at Sketch Saturday


Digi Boutique image, nestabilities, Copics

This one is from my Husband to his Dad. The image is Jim from Digi Boutique. James' Dad is a BBQ-a-holic so this was the perfect image for him. I shaded him with Copics and cut with labels Nestabilities. I didn't add the scalloped edge on the sketch as thought would make the card a bit feminine.


Pink Petticoat Big Fella Collection, Copics

This is the one I made for James from Zac, Flynn and the bump. Again based on a sketch but didn't submit this one in time to join the challenge. All the papers are from the new Big Fella collection at Pink Petticoat and I shaded the elephant with Copics again.

Hoping I'll get chance to blog hop later, seems very little time free to do anything at the moment! Got the hospital in the morning to confirm still OK to go in on the 8th July - fingers crossed.

Victoria
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Feeling Fruity

Fab challenge at Colour Create this week. Use any of the following colours: Strawberry, raspberry, kiwi, tangerine and blackberry. Optional extra to include fruit. I went for raspberry and kiwi and made a set of 6 thank you cards. And afterwards I realised I'd only used two colours when I should have picked three, so I'm hoping I can cheat a little and count the black as blackberry!!!!!


All patterned paper and sentiments from Pink Petticoat

I love this collection from Pink Petticoat, aptly named 'You're one in a melon'. The colours are right up my street. I only printed off 3 A4 pieces of card and a few sheets of the sentiments. The first card only took 5 minutes to make so I thought I'd use up all the printed paper, minus a few scraps and make a set.

I was going to be very industrious and make a wallet or folder to pop them in but I ran out of time. Maybe something for another day.

No time for blog hopping again tonight as got too much to get done, I promise I'll make up for it over the weekend and visit as many blogs as I can.

Victoria

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Peepo

Ooh I love it when the postie brings goodies. I only ordered these papers and this stamp yesterday and they arrived today. Mind you, it will be my final stash splurge in quite some time to come. Dawny has set another fab sketch challenge over at Papertake and this is my card:


Rachelle Anne Miller Stamp, Copics, Nestabilities, Doodlebug papers

I wanted to use these papers, the stamp and Dawny's sketch and was so chuffed that the patterned paper went so well with the flowers on the image so I took my colours from there. Thankfully I had the right shades of Copics to match. I left out the sentiment, hope that's OK.

Had one of Zac's little friends to visit this morning so it's been a lovely state of chaos here! All quiet now though and off to piece together some favour boxes.

Victoria
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Fastest mouse in the whole of Meh-hico!

I needed to make this one sooooo quickly today as this is my last working week before my maternity leave starts and I have two orders to get completed (eeek!). Creative Card Crew's latest challenge is 'Black and one other colour'. Well it had to be red or pink for me!

Pink Petticoat image and patterned paper, nestabilities, ribbon

The background paper is from Pink Petticoat's Lola's Boudoir collection, it's black printed onto red card. I love this one and use it quite a lot. The flower image and sentiment are also from Pink Petticoat, I added a little black shading to give the flowers a little definition.

Finished off with Fiskars punch and a little ribbon.

I just heard one of my blogging friends Chrissie is babysitting her Granddaughter today and is currently listening to 'Twinkle twinkle' over the monitor. I've got snoring from Zac in the background! Not quite as relaxing but cute none the less.

Victoria

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Lights are on, no-one's home!

ooh 'eck, I forgot my friends Birthday at the weekend, even though she'd invited me to go and see Mama Mia with her to celebrate. Definitely a case of the lights are on but no-one's home for me at the moment.

Use It had the perfect challenge for me for this card as I already knew I wanted to use this image, I just wasn't sure how. The challenge was to use pink, scallops and a tag:

Pink Petticoat image and papers, nestabilities, ribbon

I love this paper from Pink Petticoat qnd as you know I also love pink! I used it for the background and did a spot of paper piecing on the lamp with it too. The bit I struggled with was the tag, the sentiment is great, it's also from PP but I couldn't find the right placement for it on the card. Eventually I went around the edge with a black Copic pen to make it stand out and placed it mainly against the white background.

The photo is a bit dull as there's no sun today and not much hint of daylight either, so dull and very, very wet. Hoping it brings the pollen count down.

Thanks for all your comments on the Father's Day card yesterday, I was expecting you all to pull faces at it so it was a nice surprise I made so many of you giggle!

Victoria

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Fathers Day Part One

I had to make a Father's Day card today as need to post it tomorrow to my Step-Dad in Spain. Stamptacular Sunday had the perfect challenge for me which was 'Fabulous Fathers'. The rules for this challenge are you can only enter your card for this challenge and you must stamp something.


Doodlebug papers, printed sentiment

OK so it doesn't look like I've done any stamping but I promise you I have! I stuck Doodlebug paper to the front of the card and then created the sentiment with the PC on a plain piece of card. I scored a line at the top and added some dotty paper over this part before sticking down at the top only.

Because underneath.............................


Doodlebug papers, Creative Expressions Stamp, Copics

Sentiment was done on the PC again and the stamp is from Creative Expressions I have no idea what possessed me to buy this and it's the first time I've used it. I used Copics to shade her in, trying to make her look over tanned and vibrant, a bit like 'Magda' out of 'Something About Mary'. My Step-Dad is a loud and over tanned cockney and getting on in years (being polite!) so I thought this would be just perfect for him.

I've been inside all day as Hay fever has got the better of me as there's nothing I can take for it at the moment. I have been admiring the gorgeous sunshine through the window!

Victoria

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The wrong trousers

Hmmm, so the wrong trousers! Just Magnolia have challenged us this week to do some paper piecing.


Magnolia image, paper and card scraps, copics

It was going so well until I got to the trousers! I thought I had some grey fine stripey paper and I can't find it, nor can I find any in my download collection so I went with spots. Ooops. I might look a bit harder and amend this! But not today as I'm far too tired and need to go and have 40 winks, my eyes are watering.

You can see I paper pieced all the spotty bits and then shaded the rest with Copics. All the bits of paper, including the scallop strip are scraps. The large spotty card is the backing card from the packaging of some Prima gems, that came in handy.

Victoria
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Mmm Choc n Orange

No not a photo of a chocolate orange, a card! Colours set by this weeks challenge over at Dare you to Digi Stamp.


Image Digi Boutique, Copics, Doodlebug papers, Nestabilities


I found this gorgeous Ruby image on Digi Boutique, isn't she sweet? It's the first time I've used an image from there and I really like it, will be doing more shopping! Image coloured with Copics and highlighted with a few glitter gems just because. Papers are from Doodlebug and the ribbons were in my scrap ribbon box, which by the way is massive and should never run empty!


I also want to say thanks to Joey for this fab award. Such a nice surprise to receive it.

In turn, for their support I'd like to pass this award on to: Chrissie, Wendy, Donna and Dolly

I must also thank Alicia and Ramona for passing me the honest scrapper award too. As I've already had it, I won't post another 10 things about me.

Victoria

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Die cuts are us!

This week's challenge at Colour Create has been set by Georgia. Georgia is a very young blogger so make sure you take some time to check out her blog, it's full of lovely stuff. Anyway, her challenge is to use blush pink, lilac and moss green with optional extra of using die cuts.


Sizzix flower die, Doodlebug letters, trim and gem, DCVW papers

This is a really simple one but I'm in a rush as off to see the midwife in a bit and wanted to do this first whilst Zac naps. The flower is cut from DCWV papers using a Sizzix Bigz flower with a Doodlebug gem popped in the centre.

The scalloped pink card is a Doodlebug boutique trim, already die cut for me and the letters are also from Doodlebug, again already die cut to save me a job - conveniently in the right colour too!

My in laws are on their way to look after Zac whilst Hubby takes me to get checked out and hopefully they're staying for tea - they phoned last night to see if we fancied pizza, be rude to say no wouldn't it?

Victoria
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Shoe Time

Lovely Dawny is now looking after Papertake and her first official challenge this week is 'Shoe Time' Ha, ha what a trauma - not!


Pink Petticoat patterned papers, Shoe stamp, sentiment stamp, prima jewel

Well I didn't have to think long or hard to come up with this one as I lurve shoes. Shame my pregnant feet only want to fit into Birkenstocks at the moment, all my lovely shoes will have to wait until my tootsies have shrunk back!

The shoe stamp is by Limited Edition and it was one of the first stamps I ever bought from....Create and Craft TV! I stamped it onto patterned Doodlebug paper before cutting it out. Both lots of spotty paper are Pink Petticoat and were scraps I had left over. I just punched them with a Fiskars border punch to get the shaped edges. The sentiment is a stamp from All Night Media and I used Rose Bud ink from Memento and mounted it onto a smaller print paper. Finally finished off with a punched black flower and a gorgeous flower centre jewel from Prima.

Hmm, just need to find the shoes for real now.....thanks for a fabbo challenge Dawny.

Victoria
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Geometric shapes

The lovely Sharon has set the challenge this week at Creative Card Crew to create a card using geometric patterns. I thought it would be really easy but I have soooo many papers to choose from I wasn't sure what to do. Eventually decided on this:

Pink Petticoat patterned paper and image, Nestabilities, Copics, Fiskars punch

Bit of an accident how this one turned out. My printer ran low on blue ink half way through printing and the patterned paper came out in these colours which I decided I preferred! How lucky is that? It's from the new 'Big Fella' range at Pink Petticoat. Anyway, paper and colours decided upon, I got a few pads of plain papers out from DCWV and selected the best matches and finally chose an image. I'd already got this flower one printed off, again from Pink Petticoat so matched up the colours and pieced the lot together. I think the shapes in the image match the shapes in the paper too.

I'd never normally choose these colours so chuffed it turned out this way.

Didn't quite make it through Sex and the City yesterday, Zac woke up with teething pain and only seemed pacified by CBEEBIES, not quite what I had in mind but there you go! Maybe try again later.

Victoria

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All White

Well after only submitting last weeks challenge card to The Next Level in the nick of time, I'm being very early with this one!

Their second challenge is to use a ribbon border technique created by Claire Brennan, there are fab photo tutorials on the blog. Visit Claire's blog here.


Nestabilities, ribbon, Cuttlebug

This looks very simple but I found it a bit fiddly as I've got quite bad carpal tunnel syndrome in my right hand and wrist at the moment. The instructions on how to do the ribbon border are so simple though, give it a try. I created a double embossed frame on plain white card using Nestabilities dies. There's a great photo tutorial on how to do this here on Nichole Heady's blog.

Then I popped another square through the 'bug with the swiss dots embossing folder and raised it on foam pads before adding the butterfly and gems.

Having a lazy day, hoping Zac wants to continue his nap next to me on the sofa in a bit as I've recorded Sex and the City film and am in the mood for a chic flick!

Victoria
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Something a bit different

Different for me anyway. I spotted this new blog The Next Level which is like a magazine, a blog and a challenge all in one. If you haven't had a look, you're missing out, it's fantastic. Their first challenge is to create a card using an aperture anywhere you like and handmade prima / lollipop flowers. I combined this challenge with the latest sketch at Just Magnolia.


Magnolia stamp, Copics, Nestabilities, K&Co papers, sentiment, brads

Ooh this was a toughie. All my cards have been a bit simple recently so thought I'd try my hand at something a bit more is more!

All the papers are K&Co, I stuck the majority of them down before cutting the aperture with Nestabilities and making a frame to match. I popped acetate inside the frame to make an aperture I could stick my image to. I coloured the image twice and cut one out around the figure and stuck to the acetate, the other cut with a circle Nestabilitie and popped inside the card.

Making the lollipop flowers was really easy following the tutorial on the Next Level - what a fab blog it is. I didn't have all the right stuff to make them with so had to improvise a bit using Galaxy markers around the edges and glossy accents, but I know what I need to make them properly in the future.

I love the sketch from Just Magnolia, and I found a stamp that wasn't wintry or Christmas in my collection. I chose all the papers first and matched up my colours from there.

Here's a view of the inside of the card:



And here's a close up of the flowers:



I had a fab time with the family at lunch yesterday, ate far too much Caribbean chicken curry with rice and peas but still found room for cake! AND we picked up the double buggie. And Dad, if you're reading this - my hospital bag is packed, minus a few toiletries I need to buy!

Victoria
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Lovely award from Pascale

I just received this fab award from Pascale - thanks for thinking of me Pascale and it was interesting reading to find out more about you!



The award comes along with 4 simple instructions:

1. Thank the person who gave it to you
2. List 10 honest things about yourself
3. Pop honest scrap logo on your blog
4. Pass on to 7 other bloggers

So, here are 10 things about me....

1. I am officially one of the messiest people I know and admire anyone who manages to keep their home pristine and tidy - how do you do it?
2. Me and driving are not best friends. If I can avoid driving I will but do drive to get me about. I once drove into the wall at the bottom of my own driveway
3. I am Mummy to three beautiful children, Flynn, my perfect little guy who tragically died in hospital at 2 days old following birth complications, Zac who is now 18 months old and ??? who is due in 4 weeks
4. I embarrassed my parents as a teenager by being quite a lot of a goth (my mum recently admitted she thought I looked fab!)
5. My childhood dentist was rubbish and I still have 3 milk teeth, one of which is a tad wobbly
6. One of my favourite hobbies is people watching. I'm a nosey soul.
7. I got kicked out of the brownies
8. I'm from Manchester and now live in Nottingham
9. We flew home from our honeymoon in Mexico the day hurricane Isabelle hit America, ours was the only flight not to be cancelled - and I don't like flying
10. I love Marmite

And I pass this award onto the following bloggers, apologies if you have already received the award, don't feel you have to list another 10 things!

1. Sue
2. Lol
3. Kim
4. Sharon
5. Donna
6. Sarita
7. Wendy

Victoria

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Yummy Cake

Where did the sun go? It's hammering it down outside. So I'm posting early today as lots to do this morning before we got out for our family lunch. This card is from a sketch on A Spoon Full Of Sugar:

Pink Petticoat image, Dodlebug papers, butons and boutique trims

I liked this sketch as soon as I saw it and wanted to give it a go. Decided to use it to make a card fro my mum in law from me and my hubby. The image is from Pink Petticoats Eat Cake collection, looks good enough to eat doesn't it? I shaded it with copics and then sprinkled with glamour dust. The patterned paper is from Doodlebug and I layered it up with a strip of pink boutique trims then used a snip from the end for the sentiment at the top.

Lilac card has been embossed with Swiss dots and I found the flourishes in my box of odds and ends I keep on my worktop. I'd cut them out on The Slice for something else and not used them. The buttons are finished with ribbon, beads and elastic thread and stuck down with silicone glue.

Right, time for a cuppa.

Victoria

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Rainbowtastic

Ever made a card you really don't like? Hmm here's one of mine! Colour Create's challenge this week is to use as many colours of the rainbow as possible with optional extra of creating a scene. The scene was my downfall!

Pink Petticoat image, Copics, Nestabilities, Glitter gems, Rub-ons

This is a card for my mum in law from my little boy. It's her Birthday tomorrow so I don't have time to try another card so this will have to do.

Image is from Pink Petticoat and shaded with Copics, I made the grass with copics too to create a scene and wished I hadn't. The edge of the scalloped nestie was shaded to match and the glitter gems were coloured with peel off pens to make a dotty rainbow. The rub ons are from Doodlebug.

We're off out to celebrate her birthday for lunch tomorrow. Will be lovely as my sister in law is coming up from London with her chap and then we're nipping to pick up the double buggie afterwards as the shop isn't far from where we're going.

Victoria

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Flat Battery

Hmm, I have cards to post but am stuck. My camera battery is flat and I can't find the charger.

Hopefully back later with pics!

Victoria
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Polka Doodle Two!

Polka Doodle have created another fab sketch challenge this week. I decided to use Polka Doodle products on this one as I haven't used any before.


Polka Doodle Images and papers

The owl images and papers are all downloads from the Polka Doodles site from the same kit. I printed off the owls in black outline and shaded them with Copics. The main image is mounted on Nestabilities, can't remember which one and I'm not rushing upstairs to check! I shaded a bit of the patterned paper too around the white circles to match and went around the edge of the squares too. Then felt the need to pop on a few glitter gems!

Had a much better day today in the cooler climate. Made it to wobbly ones with Zac but I think I may have wobbled more than he did! The walk home was slow but steady. I have my hospital case waiting to be filled now, I should really do that tomorrow.

Victoria
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Just a hint of chocolate

Donna has set this weeks challenge at Secret Crafters to use pink, turquoise and a hint of chocolate. Sorry for the rubbish photo editing, I just can't do it without a proper mouse, I still can't get to grips with the laptop one. Hmm just had another go, hope this looks better!

Pink Petticoat image, Doodlebug boutique trims, Prima flower gem

The image is another from Pink Petticoat's Pretty Lola's collection, coloured with Copics. The flower is a mix of paper ones from Sarah's Cards and one cut from chocolate doodlebug paper with a Sizzix die. The centre is a gorgeous gem ensemble from Prima, I got them in March for my birthday and this is the first time I've used one. I ran the turquoise card through the Cuttlebug using swiss dots and then mounted on pink Doodlebug paper and plain turquoise card. Oh and the flower trim is boutique trims from Doodlebug.

Sorry not very exciting post today, the heat has got to me a bit and I'm very tired. Thought I was going into labour last night but I had braxton hicks for four hours and I was in agony. Hoping for a quiet night tonight as that hospital bag ain't packed yet!

Victoria

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