Elzybells Blog

Challenge 19

Yep, it's challenge time!!! This fortnight's challenge is a great sketch by Rachel (I know you love the sketches!) and the design team have some wonderful ideas to inspire you.

Here's the sketch:

 

 

Here's my attempt:

 

Although I enjoyed this sketch, I can't help thinking I could have done better - especially having seen Rachel's fabulous card!! How do you like this...!

 

 I especially like the pompoms, they're like little balls of wool! :)

 

(inside)

 

 

The rest of the design team's cards are shown in the challenge gallery in the right sidebar. To play along with the challenge all you have to do is add a comment to this post with the link to your creation within the next 2 weeks. The only rule is to use Elzybells stamps on the whole. You do not have to stick strictly to the sketch, it's just a starting point for your layout.

 

Have fun with it, I can't wait to see what you come up with!!

 

 

 

May all your troubles...

...float away like bubbles.

 

I love this image, it's just so innocent. I'm not gonna say much more about this card as I think the image and sentiment speaks for itself :)

 

 

 

See you tomorrow for our fortnightly challenge!

 

Hugs,

 

 

 

Stamps used:

07-015 Blowing bubbles

Mini Messages set - a little hello

 

Daisies, daisies everywhere!

I've been playing some more with my kraft paper as I really love how my krafty teddies card turned out. I love how striking the punched daisies look against the kraft paper. I think this card has turned out nice and sunny!

 

 

I coloured with prismas. Again, to lighten the overall image I rubbed some white chalk around it.

 

 

The sentiment is from the Mini Messages set (critters). Here's a close up so you can see I added some yellow liquid pearls to the daisy centres!

 

 

 

It has been AGES since I got this daisy punch out so I thought I'd give it a thorough workout. I had a dinky little terracotta flower pot (bought from Hobbycraft) so made this...

 

 

... I think it's sweet :)
I pushed some wire through the centre of the flowers and covered the ends with liquid pearls.I firmly pushed some clay in the bottom of the pot, then pushed in the wire stems. I put a layer of super glue to keep them in place and then added some pompoms. I only had white ones so I coloured them with brown and gold acrylic paint.

 

 

 

Stamps used:
07-012 Daisy chain teddy

20-036 Mini messages - critters
 

Tip for using stickles / liquid pearls

 

 

Always store your stickles or liquid pearls upside down so that no air becomes trapped in the nozzle.

This way, when you come to use it, it will flow easily without 'burping' and causing a splodge all over your masterpiece! :)

 

 

 

 

 

showcase sunday

Given the glorious sunshine today I have to first share this beautifully sunny and uplifting card by Cookie Groover, doesn't it just make you smile! Here's a link to Cookie's blog.

  

 

These next three cards are by Betty Neville. I especially love the spotty dog!

 

Here's a card by Rachel Jones, the muted colours are great. Here's Rachel's blog!

 

 

and here is a card by Jane Millard that she made for her mum's birthday. I love the texture on the kitty!

 

Many thanks to Cookie, Betty, Rachel and Jane for sharing their creations this week!!

 

Have a wonderful Sunday!

 

 

We have a winner!!

Thank you for sharing your favourite stamps and your favourite sneak peek cards. It's been lovely reading your comments :)

 

I used random org to pick a winner and the result was post no. 6 which belongs to Elaine Burnett, who wrote:

 

Such a gorgeous peek at the beautiful cards made with your new collection.. My absolute fav is the Ladybug Fun Teddies stamp... such a versatile image useful for so many occassions :) Once again Elizabeth, your new designs are outstanding!

 

Elaine x

 

Congrats Elaine!! I have your address here so I will be sending you a few of the new stamps including ladybug fun on Monday! I'll also include a few craft magazines and some sweeties :)

 

Have a fantastic weekend everyone. I'm hoping the sun will be shining - it's been glorious here over the last few days but I've been stuck in a chilly warehouse so haven't seen it, boo hoo for me :(

 

warm hugs,

xx

 

Parachuting in pink

Okay, I know this card is very girly, so if you don't like pink - look away now!!

 

The parateddy stamp is just perfect for paper piecing.

When I paper piece, I like to incorporate the paper as part of the background too. I really like this bold floral patterned paper so I've used it over the whole background.

 

 

The paper is from the DCWV Retro Prints paper stack. It looked a bit plain so I went over it with a white gel pen, just dotting around the center of each flower - and not forgetting to also add dots to the parachute. 

It's a fun little image - it seems the teddy hasn't a care in the world! :)

 

I'll be picking a blog candy winner this evening so pop back! If you haven't done so already, just add a comment to this post to be in with a chance!

 

 

 

 

Stamps used:

07-018 Parateddy

03-069 Set 3 - motivational

 

Pretty ballerina

This teddy ballerina is just wonderful to colour...

The paper used on this card is from a black and white pack by Papermania. As I had already coloured the ballerina with a hint of blue, I coloured the background paper using various shades of blue prismas and koh-i-noor pencils. It took absolutely ages to get the effect I was happy with, as the paper is quite absorbent compared to what I am used to blending on.

The end result looked very bold, so I was lucky to find some vellum paper in my paper drawers and as soon as I placed it on top, I knew it was perfect. It softens the background enough to keep the ballerina as the main focal point.

It also has some shimmery specks on it which unfortunately aren't picked up in the photo, but it's gorgeous.

The sentiment could have just as easily been stamped in white. Oooh and looking at it now, it could maybe do with a little bling here and there ... :)

 

 

Hope you like!

 

 

 

Pick of the peeks!

All the DT's creations were so wonderful I thought I'd pick out just a few of my favourites!

 

   

 

 

I'll be back later this week with some more cards using the new release stamps!

 

 

xx

 

It's release day!

Woohoo!!

You can now see all the new designs in the online shop under *new April 09*.

I have one more sample for you... great for a baby card with red, a slightly less conventional colour!

 

I coloured with prisma pencils and blended with oms. I wanted to keep it really clean and simple so that the image stands out so I just lightly dusted some pink chalk along the edges of the card base.

 

 

 

Now, for some blog candy!!

You've all been following the wonderful sneak peeks over the last 4 days, so as well as picking your favourite stamp, I want you to tell me what your favourite card has been from all the peeks too.

Just leave a comment on this post and I'll randomly pick a winner at the end of the week!

 

 

Stamps used:

07-017 Teddy antics
20-006 Everyday Greetings

20-029 Sweet like chocolate (hearts)