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Sunday 31 July 2016

A Year in Crafting - July

Well it's time for my next instalment in my crafty journey. I'll try and make this one short and sweet. First as usual a sample of some of the cards I made this month.


Design Teams:
I'm still with Whimsy Stamps, The Ribbon Girl and Deep Ocean Challenge Blog, but this month I felt like the time was right to add another. Just one, because I don't want to end up where I was last year when I took on way too much than I had time for.  So to that end I answered a DT call over at Tiddly Inks. I didn't get picked this time around, but I am grateful to be reintroduced to the fun that is Tiddly Inks. They are super cute and fun to colour.

Speaking of being re-introduced to stamps, I had a little play with some Make it Crafty images. I have no idea why I left it so long,but I thought I'd see what I could do, and hey it was fun and I was super happy with the way they came out.

Publications:
I made a few samples for the Summer edition of the Whimsy magazine, you can find it here and it's free to read. I'm toying with the idea of sending off some submissions to magazines, I never really have before except for DTs when asked, but maybe the time is right.

New Crafty Stash:
My love for Lemoncraft Papers continues, but I have also recently discovered some lovely papers designed by the awesome Klaudia Kzsp. Love the colours in this pack and I've made a few cards recently with these, both vintage style and with stamped and coloured images. I got a message from the company that produces them asking if they could feature some of my work on their page, which was nice! :)

Other than the usual embellishments and papers (I'm trying to work my way through my stash and trying not to buy any more papers for a bit, but we'll see how that goes lol!), I just bought some little Mama Elephant tag dies and the sentiment stamps to go with them, some Christmas sentiment stamps (can never have too many of those right?), some fishtail banner dies, a leaf die, (another thing I don't think it's possible to have too many off, though the OH may disagree -ahem), some sequins, (I wonder what they could be for? I'm blaming Jenny Dix and saying no more) and some Graphic 45 tags....hopefully I'll get around to playing with those next month. Hmm I guess I bought more than I thought! One other thing I purchased was a snazzy tin to store my Distress Ink markers in, I thought this would be great for toting them around in and perfect for my trip to the Whimsy Craft Retreat in September. Which brings me neatly to....

Teaching:
Oh my, the craft retreat is really not far away now, I still have a lot to do, but I have pretty much planned out my make and have chosen paper, dies and colourway. Now I just need to choose what images I'll be using and write up my lesson plans and I'm away. Well apart from all the other trip based planning I need to do. I did buy a new suitcase though lol. I'm really looking forward to it but I'm excited and nervous all at the same time and I am so looking forward to meeting everyone.

Techniques:
This month I've played around with sepia colouring, shaker cards, CAS and various ways of changing up chipboard. I've also been playing with my pencils. My partner bought me a full set of Prismacolor pencils for Christmas, but tbh I haven't been very happy with how I've been colouring with them. I've followed some tutorials but there always seems to be too many layers of colur or the skin looks too orange. In the end I finally got some time to just play around with them myself, and find my own comfort zone with them. I'll have a card to share with you in the week with a pencil coloured image. Still room (a lot of room) to improve and grow, but I'm getting there.

Well I guess that wasn't so short and sweet hmm? August is waiting and I still have my daughter's birthday card to make and my parents diamond wedding anniversary card to finish,...eeek...60 years together, I don't know how that's even possible lol.

See you next time!







9 comments:

  1. Linda! I am always in love with your amazing work! What a showcase of work! Love them all!!!!!!!

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  2. What amazing creations and I enjoyed reading about your crafting journey
    Cheers
    Dr Sonia

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  3. Enjoyed revisiting your creations. Good luck with all your ventures.

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  4. Ohhh my godness girl!! You have outdone yourself this month... such daaarling creations! You have an amazing talent for details and color choices... I do so love your work! And I must say I'm surprised that you where not picked for the Tiddly team... it's really their loss...

    Hugs and crafty wishes
    Linda

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  5. Amazing creations I love them all.
    Valerija xx

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  6. Love your cards!
    they are always amazing!
    hugs

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  7. Ooh I do love your monthly round ups Linda. It's such a good read. So nice to read what's on your mind, a bit of your process etc, rather than just details of a card. A little 'slice of life', I love it! I so wish I could be joining you at the retreat and I just KNOW you're gonna be so inspirational and awesome! So don't be nervous, everyone's gonna love ya xoxo. I have the same issues with Distress Inks as you seem to having with the pencils. I've become used to working with Promarkers, so moving to Distress Inks has me in a bit of a tail spin, but I do like to try new things and last night, I finally created something I feel quite proud of, so that'll hit the blog tomorrow. I look forward to seeing your pencilled creation too. Isn't part of the fun of crafting, trying new things?! Love it! I was surprised you didn't make the TI team. You would have been awesome for them! But you never know quite what they're looking for do you? It's very subjective, but I've been loving seeing your gorgeous TI creations. Enjoy your girlies birthday and oh my 60 years! Congratulations to your parents, that is truly something in this day and age!! I hope they have a truly beautiful celebration of their years together. Big hugs, Wends xoxo

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  8. It's sure been another busy month for you and you have a fabulous stack of cards to show for it, not to mention all that lovely new stash! I'll hold my hand up to being responsible for a teeny little bit of that!
    It's great to see all the new things you have been trying, and I loved seeing that CAS card with the super cute bear snuck in amongst the fancier designs! Ooooh, and the fab shaker designs too - love those!
    I can't wait to see your pencil colouring now you've hopefully hit your stride with them. It's so funny moving to another medium when you are not used to it; I love my Copics but am also loving my Inktense pencils. I just feel like I still have a lot to learn to get the most from them so I should probably practice some more!
    Looking forward to seeing what August brings!
    Big hugs, Kat xx

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  9. I just love this Fab idea of yours the monthly round up and to see all your Amazing Cards again. I do think you will benefit well from buying all those Gorgeous Sequins you can never have toooo many! ;) Cann't wait to see all your Creations shaking away with them. Retreat will be Amazing for you I am sure you will have the best time!

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I love to read your comments and feedback and every one left is read and appreciated. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have, I will always do my best to answer them. Thanks for visiting!

Linda xx