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...

Sunday 12 October 2008

This week's layout challenges

Click on the logo to go to the Sketch Saturday Site for more examples!

Here is this week's layout sketch:and here is my attempt, although it took ages, lots of changing and fiddling, and, as always is the case when that happens, I'm not pleased with the end result!
Those large flowers are cut from cork! I like them- so different! For the moment, I'm afraid I can't remember where I got them from. If you want to know, I'll see if I can root around and find out for you. Just let me know.... they come plain, I doodled the 'stitches' in, and added silver brads.

The dragonfly and text stamps are from Crafty Individuals. See left-hand column of this blog for a link. They have lots of nice stuff, and always seem to add a free gift to your parcel :)

The ovals are hand drawn and cut as I don't have any fancy cutters! And I couldn't find any of the Sakura Stardust pens that lots of crafters out there are raving about, but these Glitter Gel pens from WH Smith are made by Mitsubishi and flow really well. They were also half price so that makes them extra good. You have to buy them individually so I picked up half a dozen. I used an orange one here to doodle some arches and circles on the green oval, and a blue one on the dragonfly.

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I thought I'd try a second challenge this week, one from The Secret Crafter's Saturday Challenge.

Here's their layout sketch:
and here's my go:
the "thank you" stamp is from the same Crafty Individuals set as the dragonfly one above. The sparrow picture is from them too, actually! The papers are K & Co, I think. I'm not sure as the front cover has come off the pad :) but it's the one with all the owls in!!! I've drawn swirls with another glitter pen.....added a few sparkly Papermania flowers top left.

Those other four flowers are real, pressed pansies:I quite like this one but wonder if it would have been better on a smaller card.

Hope they made you smile :)


****update****
the cork flowers are from Bubblyfunk!! See the link in the left-hand column of this blog.

21 comments:

Mariska said...

Very pretty cards Helena. I especially like the one with the sparrow. I do love the Sakura pens too (they are also very nice to use with a bit of water and a brush like watercolour pencils) but looking at your cards I think your Mitsubishi pens are comparible. Great job! Thank you for joining us at Sketch Saturday this week!

xxx
Mariska

ChrissyM said...

Pretty cards!!

Jane (Carroll's Creations) said...

lovely card

thanks for joining us on SCSC this week

hugs jane x

mueppi said...

Hi Helena
your cards are pretty!
I love them all!!!
Hugs Gisela

simplyfairies said...

Fabulous card Helena, loving the image and real flowers...

tracie said...

gorgeous cards Helena, love how you've used the sketch and those cork flowers look great.
Thanks for joining us this week at SS :)x

Sue said...

What a lovely card..very pretty.Thanks for joining us at SCSC :-)

sue
xx

Donna said...

This is a lovely card Helena, thanks for joining us this week at SCSC :) Donna x

Jill said...

beautiful card Helena and thanks for joining us again at SCSC Hugs Jill x

Jilli said...

Lovely card and great take on the sketch. Jillix

Dragonstar said...

I love the way you've used that glitter pen on the dragonfly - really special. And the pressed pansies are so pretty.

Anonymous said...

What lovely cards, the cork flowers are very unusual.
Carole :-)

Debbie said...

Beautiful cards Helena, I love the sparkly dragonfly and the beautiful bird image too. You were very quick off the mark this week..lol. Thanks for joining us this week at Sketch Saturday. Debbie x

Wendy said...

Really lovely cards Helena. Thank you for taking part in the challenge.

wendy x

Ultramum said...

Love your makes - so pretty - think the bottom one is fine for size

Jeanette said...

I really like both your cards. So sweet. Thanks for joining in with us this Week over at Sketch Saturday! Hugs Jeanette

Rach said...

gorgeous cards Helena, love the cork flowers that you have used.xx

carolann said...

Awesome cards hun I especially ove the dragon fly WTG hun xxxxx

Heather Schlatter said...

Great Takes on the Sketches!

I have seen your picture on comments before, but never happened on your blog. This week I saw several comments you have left so I decided to come check out your work.

Great Stuff!

Quite the Artist, I am not a drawer at all, and you did great with the stained glass!

I will be back often.

Heather

oh if you want to see my take on the sketch. I just finished it as I did not find this challenge until this week.

http://heathersheavinlystampations.blogspot.com/

Keep up the wonderful creations!

Sharon Traynor Designs said...

Wow, A beautiful dragonfly stamp and lovely embossing. I really like your cork flowers too.
Sharon

Suzanne said...

I love your take on the sketch, really individual and inspirational.
Love the cork flowers too.
Thanks for visiting me and your lovely comments.
Hugs Sue x