A Sweet Little Mermaid.

As a participant in Gerda Steiner June Challenge I was sent a new image for July and how cute it was!

 

This is my card:

 

 

She is Mermaid from Gerda Steiner Designs.

I printed her on a background journaling card from Miss Tiina at Sugarhill, colored her with Copics and embellished the card with die cuts (Paper Smooches) and rhinestones.

Sentiment is from Sugar Pea Designs.

 

I love her and the little starfish she holds in her hand!

 

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Gerda Steiner July Challenge: Mermaid

Cards und More Challenge # 162: Summerfun, Beach, Sea

Fab'n'Funky Challenge # 313: Add a Sentiment

Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge # 37: Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamps Wednesday Challenge: Create a Scene

 

 

Chipboard Crazy - Part 9.

It's been a while since I last posted a card for my "Chipboard Crazy" series and it's time to show you another one, before summer ends!

 

 

This card is surely a summer-themed one! I love the colors and beachy feel!

And what about all those flip-flops!

They are not my favourite type of shoes but I have a collection of flip-flops which seems the one in this card, I love to match them with my beach outfit!

 

Well, another few pieces of my chipboard embellishments have been used, maybe one day they'll be finished!

 

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

 Cards und More Challenge # 162: Summerfun, Beach, Sea

Creative Ladybirds Creations Challenge # 17 Anything Goes + Opt. Summer

Deep Ocean Challenge # 132: Colors of Summer

Inspiration Destination Challenge # 93: Anything Goes

Lil' Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge # 37: Anything Goes



Chipboard Crazy - Part 6.

A new week means a new card with one of the chipboard embellishments I'm trying to destash:

 

This time I've opted for a summer theme, with this little boat which makes me happy and dreaming of the sea...

Papers are from My Mind's Eye and Echo Park. I particularly love the sentiment which is the focus of the card.

I'm realizing that I'm destashing lots of paper too...

 

If you want to see my previous chipboard cards, have a look here.

 

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Craft Your Passion Challenge # 311: Anything Goes

Creative Card Crew Challenge # 112: Anything Goes

Jo's Scrap Shack Challenge # 137: Anything Goes

The Crazy Challenge # 222: Three Layers or More

Through the Craftroom Door Challenge May 10-16: Anything Goes

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge # 330 - Phot Inspiration.

Welcome to a new C.R.A.F.T. Challenge!

 

This week we have a picture to inspire you:

 

 

A waterfall!

 

Inspired by the water, I chose this lovely mermaid:

 

She is Friends ate Sea from Katerina Koukiotis at Sweet Pea Stamps.

I colored the image with just a few touches of Copics, the hair being already colored in a soft grey hue.

The stamped sentiment is from an English magazine and papers are a local find.

 

Aren't they sweet?

 

Have a look here to see how my fellow DT members have been inspired by the image!

I can't wait to see your takes!

 



Framed.

It's been a while since I found some time to make a card for a challenge and not for a DT request.

 

I saw the challenge over at Sami Stamps and I thought it was perfect for my new Sami Stamp digi: the theme is "Frame It" and, with the help of my photo stamps from The Alley Way I made this card:

 

 

He is the cutest of guys, isn't he? This digi stamp is Warm Sand colored with Copics and the background paper is from Simple Stories. The sentiment in the arrow is from a stamp set I found in a magazine.

 

Schools started yesterday here so we are definitely back into the winter routine and summer is just a memory. Time really flies in the summer!

 

I'd like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge # 162: Make Your Mark

A Gem of a Challenge # 153: Boys, Boys, Boys

Allsorts Challenge # 328: Buttons

Crafty Friends Challenge # 14: B is for... Beach, Boy...

Sami Stamps Challenge # 29: Frame It!

Elegant Squid.

You know, I sometimes often fall in love with certain images and I feel the urge to create something with them.

 

This has recently happened with Squid Doodle from 2CuteInk:

 

 

The only "squid" I had in mind before seeing this one was Spongebob's friend...

I found "her" so elegant that I matched the digi with a girly paper from DCWV and added water bubbles with rhinestones, to make it even mre girly.

I particularly love the flower on her headband!

 

This squid as well as many other summer-related images with super-cute animals can be found here in 2CuteInk Etsy shop!

 

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Craft and Smash Challenge: Animals

Crafting when We Can Challenge # 95: Bling It Up

Hanna and friends Challenge # 222: Dots and Circles

Natalie and Amy Challenge # 32: Animals

Papercreator's Crafts Challenge # 38: Animals

 



Not Just Cards Challenge # 19 - Anything Goes.

Good morning!

 

Welcome to a new Not Just Cards Challenge!

Have you noticed that we have revamped the look of our blog?

But our challenges are always Anything Goes so feel free to add your creations and, of course, your cards!

 

This is my card for this challenge:

 

 

I chose Pinwheel Crab from Imagine That!which I colored with Copics and mounted on papers from Echo Park.

 

Imagine That! is one of our fab sponsors for this fortnight, but we have some more, check them here on the blog!

You'll also find tons of inspiration from our DT!



C.R.A.F.T. Challenge # 308 - Make Your Own Embellishment.

Here we are with a new C.R.A.F.T. Challenge!

 

This week we challenge you to make your own embellishment.

 

This is my card:

 

 

This lovely rabbit is s.s. Hoppity from Robyn's Fetish colored with Copics.

My handmade embellishment is very simple this time: I cut some black cardstock and made the seagulls which I now realize are not black...

 

Need inspiration? Have a look here to see the amazing creations from the DT!

I can't wait to see what kind of handmade embellies you create!

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge # 307 - Christmas.

It's Christmas again at C.R.A.F.T. Challenges!

 

I've already made 25 Christmas cards since January and we're only in April!

 

This time I opted for something a little bit different...

 

 

I really long for summer and this Surfin' Santa from Stitchy Bear Stamps is a perfect match: Christmas... at the seaside!

Colored with Copics, my Santa is mounted on Toga papers.

 

In case you're totally out of inspiration for your Christmas cards this week, have a look here on the blog and check the Amazing creations from the DT!

 

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Crafting from the Heart Challenge # 55: Anything Goes

Crafty Sentiments Designs Challenge: Anything Goes

Party Time Tuesdays Challenge # 197: Anything Goes

Through the Craftroom Door Challenge April 14 - April 20: Anything Goes

Through the Purple Haze Challenge # 84: Anything Goes

Monsters! (Again...).

Good morning!

You won't believe but I've just finished another card with my monsters:

 

 

This was the sketch from Your Next Stamp Sketch and Color Challenge # 10:

 

So happy I've another card with my Silly Monsters from Your Next Stamp!

 

I'd like to enter the following challenge:

Your Next Stamp Sketch and Color Challenge # 10: Sketch



2 Cute Ink Challenge # 125 - Glitter.

Hello!

Welcome to a new 2 Cute Ink Challenge!

We have a great theme this week, one of my fav: GLITTER!!!

 

We want to see glitter on your projects, easy isn't it?

 

I glittered this beauty:

 

 

It's Angel Fish Doodle from 2 Cute Ink, colored with Copics and lots of glitter (Stickles precisely, I LOVE Stickles!).

I made the background paper resizing the digi and positioning it on the paper at random.

 

Our DT made great cards for this challenge: check them here!

We're also looking for a new DT member, check all info here on the challenge page! The Group is great so don't miss the opportunity to be part of it!

 

And... start creating, we can't wait to see what you come up with!

 

My Monsters... Again!

Yes, I have a new card with my beloved Silly Monsters from Your Next Stamp!

 

This fortnight Your next Stamp Challenge has this sketch:

 

 

which I translated into this:

 

My monsters are colored with Copics as usual. Then, I cut their hands and switched their positions so they seem they're having a great fun in the sea!

While struggling with snow it was healthy to think about sunny days at the seaside!

 

There's also a color challenge, just in case you prefer...

 

I'd like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Your Next Stamp Sketch and Color Challenge # 7: Sketch

Scribble and Scrap Challenge # 37: Anything Goes

Simply Create Challenge # 79: Anything Goes

Stamping Sensations February Challenges: Anything Goes

That Craft Place Challenge: Anything Goes

Have a Happy Day!

In the North of Italy we haven't had a great summer.

Weather has been miserable for most of the time, rainy and cold.

Luckily enough I went to the seaside for a few days and it was sunny and warm but I feel like I've not had enough sun this year. Autumn is just around the corner and no, I'm not ready for cold again!

 

While still hoping for warmer and sunnier days, I made a card using one of my beloved Eat Cake Graphics stamps:

 

She is Daphne on her Floatie Bear and you probably remember her from another card I made (here).

This time I opted for a dotted background and added punched dots, as if they were bubbles.

Again, this little girl reminds me of my daughter when she was a little girl and used her floatie bear...

 

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

A Random Fan Challenge # 15: Anything Goes

Clear It Out Challenge: Crazy for Polka Dots

Fan-Tastic Tuesday Challenge # 53: Anything Goes + Shades of Blue

Glitter'n'Sparkle Challenge # 102: Use a Punch

 

and

 

Creative Colors Challenge # 19: Colors + Polka Dot Paper

white + shades of light blue/turquoise

 

 

Isn't this picture yummy? I LOVE dots!

 





Memories...

While summer is coming to an end, I regret I haven't gone to the seaside this year.

 

We are not far from the sea, not the most beautiful sea in the world but it's one hour drive from home so it's worth going there even for a day.

 

For years my daughter and I used to spend a couple of weeks at the seaside with my mum.

The first year she was six months.

The second year she could walk and the first day, while putting her feet on the sand, she started crying... she then understood it was nice to walk on the beach...

Another year she fell while jumping on a wave and she cried out loud for she had swallowed some water.

After a few years, she read me little books while waiting for the time to go and have lunch.

 

We didn't go for a couple of years and, in July, my daughter went there again with my mum, my sister and her cousins: she prepared her suitcase and I waved her goodbye. She didn't want to take her toys to play in the sand, she now swims like a pro and she probably reads better than me...

 

Ours was a yearly vacation, we knew we would have gone and every year there was something new to discover and something old to remember.

Although it was not "my vacation" I enjoyed the time I spent with my daughter, teaching her new things, reading her bedtime stories and waiting for dad when he reached us for the weekend.

 

This is why I chose this stamp and made this card:

 

 

She is Daphne on her Floatie Bear from Eat Cake Graphics.

This little girl reminds me of my daughter playing at the seaside and enjoying the water with her floatie bear!

 

You can find 1120-F Daphne on her Floatie Bear in Eat Cake Graphics Shop here.

 

 

A Summer Cutie.

Good afternoon!

 

A very quick post to show you my latest creation:

 

Isn't it cute?

It's Dolphin Cutie digi stamp from 2CuteInk shop on Etsy.

I printed it a couple of days ago in the hope to have some time to make a card for the current challenge at 2CuteInk Challenge blog and today I've had.

 

It's colored with Copics and mounted on papers by My Mind's Eye (My Girl pad).

Glitter, sequins and rhinestones give some sparkle to the card.

 

My daughter loves dolphins and this is really really cute! She's not here at the moment and I can't wait to show her my card!

 

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

2CuteInk Challenge # 109: At The Beach

Jellypark Challenge: Beside the Seaside

Crazy 4 Challenges # 242: Summer/Winter

Sweet Stampin' Challenge: Summer Fun

Fussy and Fancy Challenge # 117: Summertime 

 

 



Summer's Here!

Well, it seems summer is finally here.

 

School is over and the weather seems to be finally settled.

Yesterday, it was my daughter's last day of elementary school: they were all very sad, tears and memories and a long afternoon spent with her, playing and trying to enjoy the start of the summer holidays and forgetting the sadness of the end of these wonderful 5 years.

 

The school is very close to our home and I'll surely be sad in September when, walking by, she won't be there in the park playing and laughing with her friends and running towards me to say hello!

 

Anyway, as I tell her, we have been blessed with great teachers, with 5 incredible years, with amazing friends that she won't miss even if they attend different secondary schools.

 

So today it's the official start of the summer holidays and, even if I still have my spring cleaning to be done, walls to paint, winter coats to put away and a great mess around, I want to celebrate summer with this card:

 

 

I used Honeymoon Toodles from Broken Box Stock (available here in black and white and here in a colored version) and colored them with Copics. I chose patterned papers in bright colors (sorry, they are old scraps and I don't remember the Company).

 

They are honeymooners but I think that the image is suitable for a beach vacation too!

How I'd like to be leaving for the seaside!

 

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Fan-Tastic Tuesday Challenge # 38: Summer

Craft a Scene June Challenge: By the Sea

Just Inspirational June Challenge: Summer

Crafty Creations Challenge # 264: It's All About "S"

Papertake Weekly Challenge: Anything Goes

A Happy Day at the Beach.

Well, despite the title I haven't spent a day at the beach recently.

The weather is awful this spring and too cold for the beach.

But I've created another card inspired by my longing for summer and warm weather:

 

This adorable digi stamp is Beach Hut Belle from Jellypark.

 

I colored her with Copics and mounted the hut over the aperture of a light blue card. Behind the aperture I glued a patchwork paper from Toga and some embellies, just to make everything very girly and cute!

 

Ohhh! How I'd love to be watching the sea from my beach hut!

 

I'd like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Jellypark Challenge: Anything Goes with a Jellypark image

The Paper Shelter Challenge # 158: Girly Girl Card

Crafting from the Heart Challenge # 18: Anything Goes

Through the Craftroom Challenge May 13: Anything Goes
Challenges 4 Everybody Challenge # 41: Anything Goes

Fun in the Sun!

Hello!

 

I don't know how about you but I'm longing for summer! We are having such a rainy dark spring that I need sun, hot temperatures and T-shirts!

 

I'm happy to show you one of the latest cards I've made with one of my Eat Cake Graphics stamps.

 

This stamp is one of my fav, I bought it before being chosen as one of the DT members and it talks about summer:

 

 

She is Mara Mermaid and I'd love to be floating in the sea like she's doing!

Even if I was a bit worried about coloring her, it's been quite easy with my Copics and I love how she's turned out!
 

You can find her in the Eat Cake Graphics shop:

1056-I Mara Mermaid floats

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
Cute Card Thursday Challenge # 319: Here Comes Summer
Crafting for All Seasons Challenge # 76: Lots of Layers
Challenges 4 Everybody # 41: Anything Goes
Crafting from the Heart Challenge # 17: Anything Goes
Dream Valley Challenge # 81: Anything Goes
My Craft Creations Challenge: Anything Goes
 

 



C.R.A.F.T. Challenge # 251 - Inspiration Picture.

Hello and welcome to a new C.R.A.F.T. Challenge!

This week we want to inspire you with this picture:

I was inspired to do this:

I chose this sweet "Whale Love" from Sami Stamps surrounded by a blue patterned paper and lots of rhinestones.

Sami Stamps is one of this week's super sponsors, so look at the picture, be inspired by our DT creations and start making your own project!

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper March Challenge: Anything Goes
Bunny Zoe's March Challenge: Monochrome
Crafty Calender March Challenge: Animal Antics
Party Time Tuesdays Challenge # 164: Party Animal

A Treasured Card.

Good morning!

I've been thinking about this blog post for about one week.

The reason is that I made a card a long time ago, one of those I love, I treasure, I keep secret waiting for the perfect moment to show it.

The challenge over at A Day for Daisies gave me (in almost one week) the motivation to share it with you.

This is the card:

You won't probably find it anything special and I admit I've probably made more beautiful cards but this is one of my favourite, if not my favourite!

I've used "Treasure" digi stamp from A Day for Daisies and colored it with watercolor pencils and glitter.

Very clean and simple but yes, my fav!

I'd like to enter my card into the following challenges:

A Day for Daisies Challenge # 87: Add Yellow

Wordplay Saturday January Challenge: Yellow

One Stitch at a Time Challenge # 196: Use a Digi

Sweet Stamps Challenge # 153: Anything Goes

Well... the only thing I have to do is to click and my card will leave for the world...