Juggling life through a bi-polar lens. Sometimes up, sometimes down. Mostly trying to tread water in the middle. Creating a likeness to a normal life. Whatever "normal" is...

Monday, 29 September 2008

This week's layout challenge

Here is this week's layout:
And here is my attempt!
This is another Penny Black stamp, coloured with my water-colour pencils and a little water.
Re. the layout, I changed the squares a wee bit: I did have the middle one at an angle at first, but it just didn't look right on my design because I hadn't left enough room.


If you click on the pictures, you should get them to come up larger.


Unfortunately this close-up came out blurred, but you can just see that the snow on the Post Box is 3D- I used my DecoArt Snow Writer again. When it was dry I went over it with a Lacquer pen so that it is shiny.

The robin's breast is fluffy- I used some deep red Flower Soft (yep, I got some at last!!).

I liked this layout, although I don't use large cards and do use large images, so it was a challenge to fit it all in :)

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And now...

Here's my first card using my new stamp from Little Claire!
Putting glitter on a halo felt like being about 7 years old again :)


And here's one I made with the intention of making a more "boyish" card than usual:
The "Noel" stamp was just 99p, at The Range.


I like these ones!!! Hope they made you smile.

27 comments:

thread-bare said...

Thanks for leaving a comment. Your cards are gorgeous, just love the hedgehog, he's so cute xx

Anonymous said...

I love your card based on the Sketch Saturday sketch. I love those Penny Black stamps and your coloring and attention to detail make it that much more special.

Maria Matter said...

Helena,
I really like your little hedgehog and the snow effect! Too cute!!
Also, your coloring of the sweet Little Claire image is wonderful along with the sparkly halo!
I never saw the little bird santa with stocking image before. (Is the Range an online store????) It is sooo adorable, would love to own that one!
All your cards are delightful and make me smile! Isn't it wonderful, spreading joy!!
Blessings, Maria

BumbleVee said...

such cute little birdie stamps....and the snow pen is amazing...must see if I can find one like that..

did you see the new inchy challenge?...stars... I have to come up with a face for the Embrace the Face blog first though...have you see that one? I just saw it the other day...

Mrs Mac said...

Maria MAtter,
The wee robin is a Penny Black stamp, I think from the 2007 Xmas range. "The Range" - I'm not sure if they are online or not! They are a big department store that have a huge craft corner instore.

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Thread Bare,

I love the hogs too, and never know whether to them light brown, dark brown or black. It's interesting to see how others do them on other blogs!

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Anon.

Hullo, whoever you are! Thank you for leaving me such a lovely and encouraging message :)

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Bumblevee,

Hullo! Sorry I haven't been around to your blog much lately! I haven't been doing the Inchy challenge lately either- I must check it out! Haven't seen that other blog either- must find time to go exploring more.... thanks for the tip!

Mrs Mac said...

Ooops I take it back- The Range is online at

http://www.therange.co.uk/

!!!

Murielle said...

This is absolutely gorgeous cards!!
Thank you for your nice comments in my blog.
Hugs Mumur

cats whiskers said...

Hi Helena,
Thanks for your lovely comments honey. Adore these three cards yor colouring is fab, and colour combos work really well. Your nre Little Clare stamp is beautiful, Might go and investgate that one
Hugs Jacqui x

Allison said...

great cards, lovely images, love the snow on the post box
AllisonX

Tracey said...

Gorgeous Christmas cards :o)

Hugs
Traceyx

Andrea, said...

Beautiful cards, I love the images you have used and your colouring is fab

Suzanne said...

Your cards are lovely, I too love PB stamps and I think the way you coloured your hedgy and all the details like snow and the robins breast are fab. I'm off to check out The Range now to look for that cute robin.
Thanks for your lovely comments.
Hugs Sue x

Michele Roos said...

Gorgeous cards. Love the images and the way you coloured them in. Many thanks for the lovely comment you left on my blog :). Michele x

Dragonstar said...

Lovely cards Helena, as ever! I adore that Santa Robin too - I might as well join everyone else and go look!

debby4000 said...

Brilliant cards but I do love the PB one for sketch Saturday especially the snow, think I need some of that stuff.

coby said...

lovely card you made for sketch saturday. Very classy

greetz coby

shelly said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
shelly said...

helena you really color fantastically ! all 3 of these cards are just wonderful but the bird is my all time fave. adorable! xx shelly

L. Alida said...

Just lovely Helena! You put in so much detail. I fear I use way too much glitter sometimes! Funny how it turns up everywhere in the house... :)
I will e-mail you my contact info for the card exchange.
I hope you are having a wonderful and pain free week.
Hugs,
Lorianna

carolann said...

Brilliant cards hun love the snow on the pillar box well done hun xxxx

darcy48 said...

You have made stunnning cards they are beautifulx

The Mighty Beluga said...

My neighbor has a robin in a large birdcage, this card made me think of him :)

Anonymous said...

Yes, they made me smile.

Joey said...

I love the hedgehog postie one!!! the details you have added to it is fab! i have that stamp you have inspired me to get him out again! lol. fab cards.xxx

Kristin Eberline said...

All three cards are wonderful! You have only been playing in this paper-crafting world since July? Wow...you have an amazing talent. I'm definitely envious :O)

Did you find anything to use in place of a brayer? You've had my wheels turning since I read your post! Ha ha

Gill said...

Great card, love the tartan paper and the image is soooo cute, thanks for joining us at SS
lv Gill x

Jo said...

WOW! amazing work Helena :)
Love your colouring.
Thank you for joining in with us this week
Jo xx