Petal Lu Challenge - Anything Goes

Hello lovelies!

I am very happy to say that I am now on the design team for Petal Lu 

A wonderful place where you can buy so many pretty flowers!

It's challenge time over at the 

Petal Lu Challenge Blog 

The theme is 

'Anything Goes'.

The challenge this month is featuring the new Button Box Fairies release from 

That Craft Place 

who is sponsoring the challenge this month and will be giving a prize of 3 images for the winner. 

I've used the cute Butterfly Magic Button Box Fairy

I've coloured her with Letraset Promarkers. 

I love the colour of the Petal Lu flowers I've used. I love all things pretty!

We would love to see your creation's for the challenge, so hop over to the 

Petal Lu Challenge Blog 

to see lot's more gorgeous design team inspiration. 

Have fun,

happy crafting,

lot's of love 

Nicola 

XXX

That Craft Place Challenge - Anything Goes

Hello lovelies!

It's time for another challenge over at 

THAT CRAFT PLACE 

The theme is

'Anything Goes'

I've made a card for my design team project.

I've used the really cute 

It's Magic- Bubbles Digital Stamp which you can buy at That Craft Place Etsy Shop

I've teamed this digi up with the gorgeous Graphic 45 World's Fair Paper Pad. I've coloured using Sakura Gelly Roll pens, I wanted to give our little magician a bit of sparkle. The hair and skin I've used Copics.

I've used a banner die that I cut out 3 times and layered up, then embellished with straws, twine and stars.

Product's from THAT CRAFT PLACE 

It's Magic - Bubble Digi from the Etsy Shop ~ Graphic 45 Worlds Fair Paper Pad ~ Pearlescent Card ~ Copics E11, E21, E00, R20, E04, E77, E71, E74, ~ double sided tape ~  3D foam pads ~  Cosmic Shimmer Colour Cloud Ink Ocean Blue ~ 7"x7" card blank.

Product's I already had in my crafty stash...

 Twine ~ Sakura Gelly Roll Pens Clear Star, Golden Star, Blue Star, Copper Star, Red Star, Bronze Sparkle, Dark Blue Sparkle, Purple Star ~ Star self-adhesive gems ~ Paper Straws

I love this little cutie and the Graphic 45 papers.

Hop over to 

THAT CRAFT PLACE CHALLENGE BLOG

To see lot's more gorgeous design team inspiration!

Happy crafting,

Lot's of love

Nicola 

XXX

LINKS YOU NEED TO KNOW

THAT CRAFT PLACE FACEBOOK SHOP 

THAT CRAFT PLACE NATTER CHATTER PAGE 

THAT CRAFT PLACE ETSY SHOP 

That Craft Place Challenge - Anything Goes

Hello lovelies.

It's time for another fabulous challenge over at 

THATCRAFTPLACE 

The theme is 

'Anything Goes'

For my design team project I've chosen to decorate one of the MDF Tool Caddy's, available of course from

THAT CRAFT PLACE . I've decorated this using Chalk paint's and Craft Consortium decoupage papers.

The tool caddy looks really pretty sat on my desk. 

To see the full product list and a step by step tutorial for this project, hop over to

THAT CRAFT PLACE BLOG 

on

Tuesday 23rd February

I have done a step by step tutorial to show you how to create this beauty!

Don't forget to hopover to 

THAT CRAFT PLACE CHALLENGE BLOG

To see lot's of design team inspiration.

Have fun and happy crafting

lot's of love

Nicola

XXX

LINKS YOU NEED TO KNOW

THAT CRAFT PLACE FACEBOOK SHOP 

THAT CRAFT PLACE NATTER CHATTER PAGE 

THAT CRAFT PLACE ETSY SHOP 

That Craft Place Anything Goes Challenge With a Blog Hop

Hello lovelies
Its Challenge time at 

That Craft Place Challenge Blog

And Our Challenge this time is Anything Goes 

Our Prize is 

5 images of your choice  from our store 

We also have a blog hop with our new release 

Meet the new Bubbles 
The winner of the blog hop will win the full collection from the 
new release  

I've used the cute Petal, I've coloured her with Promarkers and embellished with Petal Lu flowers.  

Now its time to showcase our amazing DT 

Make sure you hop on over to their blogs leave them some love and be in a chance to win the whole collection 

Lisa 

Erin

Amanda

Trudie

Sandie

Lucy

Sam

Angela

Sandra

Kay

Lucinda

Have fun,

lot's of love

Nicola 

XXX

Links you need to know 

That Craft Place Facebook Shop

That Craft Place Natter chatter page

That Craft Place Etsy

The coupon code which will run until 14th Feb is: THATCRAFTPLACEGP25 

That Craft Place

That Craft Place Challenge - Anything Goes

Hello lovelies!

It's time for another challenge over at the challenge blog

THAT CRAFT PLACE 

The theme is

'Anything Goes'.

I have chosen to do an MDF project this time. 

The lovely MDF heart wreath is of course from 

THAT CRAFT PLACE 

I have painted this using Crackle Paint's.

I have embellished with Petal Lu flower's and an ornate butterfly and a vintage brooch.

I haven't gone into too much detail about my product list and how I've decorated this lovely heart wreath, because if you pop over to THAT CRAFT PLACE BLOG on Wednesday 20th January I have done a tutorial with the product list and step by steps. I would love you to see how I decorated this so remember to hop over on that day!

Don't forget that on Facebook too you can join  

THAT CRAFT PLACE NATTER AND CHATTER GROUP 

THAT CRAFT PLACE GROUP 

Hop over to the challenge blog to see lot's more gorgeous design team inspiration.

I am entering my heart wreath into the challenge over at 

PETAL LU - ANYTHING GOES

Have fun and happy crafting,

lot's of love 

Nicola 

XXX

That Craft Place Challenge - Happy New Year

Hello lovelies, and a very Happy New Year to you all!

I hope that you have all had a lovely time over Christmas and the New Year.

It's been a lovely time for me as I've had a couple of weeks off work and spent some quality time off with my lovely husband and my gorgeous girl Peggy...our golden Labrador.

So, now we are in the New Year, it is time for the first challenge of 2016 over at

THAT CRAFT PLACE 

The theme is 'Anything Goes'.

I love this theme as it really gives you such a wide choice of what project's you can make, wether it be a card, a mixed media project or a journal page. The idea's are endless.

My project I have used two mdf frames and mdf word keys from 

THAT CRAFT PLACE 

I don't make New Year's Resolution's, instead I like to choose 'Key' words for the year. My words for this year are

'LOVE' - which means for me to give love and be loved.... I also added this vintage butterfly brooch, as butterflies have a very special meaning for me. It is very appropriate to put Love and Butterflies together. 

'HOPE' - meaning I will always see Hope in times of sadness and gladness. 

'LOVE' & 'HOPE'

I have also decorated the frames using Craft Consortium Decoupage papers in English Rose and Textured Wood.

The keys I have covered with Creative Expressions Vintage Holly Gilding Wax.

I've added Petal Lu flowers, pearls and vintage brooches for embellishments.

Don't forget we also have a group on Facebook called

THAT CRAFT PLACE NATTER AND CHATTER

and also a group where you can buy lot's of lovely craft supplies from

THAT CRAFT PLACE 

There is also a page called 

THAT CRAFT PLACE LASER CUTS 

Our lovely Lisa  will also be on 

HOCHANDA TV 

on the 6th January at 8pm for the start of a One Day Special.

I hope you will join in with the challenge, and keep following the challenge blog too as you will see lot's of gorgeous design team inspiration from us all, along with tutorials too.

Hop over to the challenge blog

THAT CRAFT PLACE 

to see the stunning inspiration from the design team.

So, here's to a very fun filled, crafty 2016.

Happy New Year

lot's of love

Nicola 

XXX

That Craft Place Challenge ...Mixed Media

Hello lovelies!

I can't believe Christmas is just around the corner. Time has absolutely flown this year!

We have another fabulous challenge over at 

That Craft Place 

The theme is 

Mixed Media - Anything Goes

As it is Christmas I decided to make something with this theme.

I have used a set of the MDF coasters from That Craft Place. I have decorated them using 

Craft Consortium Decoupage Papers.

I used acrylic paint to paint the base. The curved edges are painted with Cosmic Shimmer Gold Pearlescent PVA. I used sparkle spray on the base too.

Finally, I added the golden embellishements to finish.

I love this coaster set, it will match all my Christmas tableware. 

We would love to see your projects for the challenge.

Don't forget to hop over to

That Craft Place 

You will see lot's of gorgeous design team inspiration!

Merry Christmas to you all, have a lovely time.

Lots of love

Nicola 

XXX

That Craft Place Mixed Media Challenge...

Hello lovelies!

It's time for another challenge over at 

That Craft Place 

The theme this week is 

Mixed Media - Anything Goes

For my project this time I have used an MDF Christmas sign from

That Craft Place 

I love this sign, it makes a lovely Christmas decoration.

I painted the words using a red acrylic paint.

The stars are painted using Cosmic Shimmer Crackle Paint in Saffron.

The snowflakes I have used Cosmic Shimmer Sparkle Texture Paste Icicle Blue. 

I also used Distress Ink Fired Brick, to rub over some of the stars.

I embellished with berries, santa hats, twine and mini pegs.

My finished sign is now hanging in my Christmas window display at work.

We would love to see your mixed media creations for this challenge.

Hop over to 

That Craft Place Challenge Blog 

to see lot's of gorgeous design team inspiration.

Have fun and happy crafting,

lots of love

Nicola 

XXX

That Craft Place Mixed Media Challenge...

Hello lovelies!

It's time for another challenge over at 

That Craft Place Challenge Blog 

The challenge this time is Mixed Media 

As it's nearly that 'spooky' time of year, I decided to decorate one of the fabulous MDF Haunted Houses from 

That Craft Place 

Now, Halloween isn't really my thing lol, but I tried my best! I even added the dreaded spider. For someone who has a spider phobia, this is a massive achievement lol. 

I hope it look's spooky enough!

The lovely crafty goodies I've used from

That Craft Place  

MDF House - Halloween Grab Bag - Witches Hat - Greyboard Skeletons - Graphic 45 Rare Oddities Paper Pad - Stencils - Cosmic Shimmer Gilding waxes - Cosmic Shimmer Colour Cloud Inks - Acrylic Paints - Cosmic Shimmer Cosmic Twinkles - Cosmic Shimmer Texture Paste

I've used Skeleton leaves draping over one of the roof's and I've used Angelina Fibres to the grassy effect at the base and to drape over the house to give an eerie look to it.

I usually do pretty, not scary! LOL 

I hope this is scary enough for halloween...OOoooooooOOoooo SCREAM!

Don't forget to hop over to 

That Craft Place Challenge Blog 

and see the rest of the gorgeous design team inspiration.

Don't forget also That Craft Place have a group on Facebook where you can shop for your gorgeous crafty supplies...

That Craft Place Facebook Group 

There is also a group for you to share your creations using items from That Craft Place

That Craft Place Natter and Chatter 

You will also find lot's of new release digi stamps at 

That Craft Place - Etsy Shop 

Hope you have a happy and not too scary halloween!

Have fun,

lots of love

Nicola

XXX

That Craft Place Mixed Media Challenge...

Hello lovelies!

It's time for another challenge over at 

That Craft Place 

The theme is

Mixed Media.

I love making mixed media creations as it gives me the opportunity to try so many techniques. Also it allows to experiment with certain techniques too. The great thing about mixed media work is not only can you alter things and create beautiful pieces of art, you can also show off some beautiful treasures you may have.

I went to a vintage fair a few weeks ago, while there I bought some beautiful vintage brooches. So, for my design team project this time I have used two of them. I have used the MDF shrines that I bought from 

That Craft Place 

The shrines show of my brooches perfectly!

The materials I used from That Craft Place are...

MDF Shrines ~ Gesso ~ DecoArt Chalk Paint in shades Primitive and Timeless ~ DecoArt Ultra-Matte Varnish ~ Stencils Butterfly Flourish, Diamonds Drain, Abstract Circle ~ Cosmic Shimmer Texture Paste Silver Pearl ~ Glamour Dust ~ Metallic Gilding Wax in shades Pewter and Midnight ~ MDF Hearts ~ Resin black flowers ~ Black Stamens ~ Collall 3d glue ~ Cosmic Shimmer Acrylic Glue

and of course my two lovely vintage brooches. 

I painted all the mdf with gesso. I then painted with the chalk paints. Once dry, I used the stencils over the shrines with the chalk paints. This was then sealed with the varnish. 

I brushed on the silver texture paste in various places and along the edges of the shrines.  While wet I sprinkled over some Glamour Dust. This needed time to dry thoroughly.

I then rubbed over the gilding waxes, and also rubbed them onto the resin flowers. 

I glued the brooches into the centres of the shrines. I used 3 black stamens with one of the resin flowers.

I love these shrines, there are so many ways you can alter them.

I am entering my shrines into the following challenges:

Altered Eclectics - Anything Goes Mixed Media 

Eclectic Ellapu - Pink Team Anything Goes  

Rhedd's Creative Spirit - Altered Art 

Don't forget 

That Craft Place 

also have a group on Facebook where you can buy lots of gorgeous things

That Craft Place Group 

The selection of MDF is fantasic!

There is also the group 

That Craft Place Natter and Chatter 

We would love to see your mixed media creations for this challenge.

Hop over to the challenge blog

That Craft Place 

to see lots of stunning design team inspiration!

Happy crafting,

lots of love 

Nicola 

XXX

That Craft Place Mixed Media Challenge...Anything Goes

Hello lovelies!

It's time for another challenge over at the

That Craft Place Challenge Blog 

 Today is my birthday. So, with this in mind, my design team mixed media project is a little gift to myself for my craft room. My favourite colour is pink, so I have made a gift set using this as the dominant colour. 

Sssh...let's whisper quietly, I'm 44 today! It's just a number, who cares? LOL

Anyway, I have made this gift set, which would be ideal for any of your crafty friends to make for. You could just enjoy making it for yourself too, like I have done!

The lovely products I have used from 

That Craft Place 

are...

Cotton reel ~ Gesso ~ Texture Paste ~ Cosmic Shimmer Paints in shades Pink Plum & Gold Lime ~ Petal Lu Flowers..Pinks ~ Pink Stamens ~ Imagination quote from the Graphic 45 Once Upon A Springtime Collection ~ Large Peg ~ MDF Butterfly ~ Cosmic Shimmer Sparkle Texture Paste ~ Cosmic Shimmer Colour Cloud Blending Ink Decadent Grape ~ Tag from the Graphic 45 Once Upon A Springtime Collection ~ MDF Ovals ~ MDF Heart ~ Letters from the Graphic 45 Once Upon A Springtime Collection ~ 6x6 Stencil ~ Collall 3D glue ~ Cosmic Shimmer Acrylic Glue

Other materials from my crafty stash...

Pink Straw ~ Pink Lace ~ Selection of pins ~ Pink Beads - Pink Satin Ribbon ~ 3 gems

How I made the...

Cotton Reel ~

I painted with white gesso. Then painted with the Cosmic Shimmer Paints. I cut the straw down and then poked it into the middle securing into place. Then wrapped lace around the reel, glued the pink stamens into place along with the beads and flowers. Finally tucking the pins into place and finishing off with the 'Imagination' quote.

MDF Ovals ~

Paint both ovals with gesso. The larger oval paint with the pink paint. Lay the stencil over the smaller oval and brush over Texture Paste. Lift the stencil off carefully and leave to dry. Once dry, use a small paint brush and paint over the raised pattern using the Gold Lime paint around the edges and the Pink Plum in the centre. Leave to dry.

Once dry, paint over the whole thing with the Sparkle Texture Paste. Leave to dry. Ink around the edges using the Colour Cloud Blending Ink. Glue the ovals together. Colour the MDF heart with the paints and ink. Glue to the centre. Glue the letters LOVE to the bottom of the small oval. Tie a ribbon and lace bow and glue to the top of the oval. To finish add a flower and secure some ribbon at the back to create a hanger.

Peg ~

Paint with gesso. Paint all over with the Pink Plum. Leave to dry. Paint on the Gold Lime paint using sweeping brush stroke motions to create a random contrasting look. 

When dry, paint over with the Sparkle Texture Paste. Leave to dry thoroughly. Glue pink lace and ribbon in place to create a cascading effect. Glue the pink stamens to the bottom and add a flower centre. Glue two flowers at the top. Paint the MDF butterfly with the paints, apply sparkle texture paste, then when dry ink with Colour Cloud ink. Add 3 gems to the middle. Glue onto the ribbon. Finally thread the small fairy tag with ribbon and glue into place.

I'm over the moon with this gift set!

It is now sitting pretty in my craft room!

Thank you for stopping by, I hope you have enjoyed your visit.

Don't forget to hop over to 

That Craft Place Challenge 

to see lot's of gorgeous design team inspiration! We would love to see your entries for the Mixed Media Anything Goes Challenge.

That Craft Place 

also have a FaceBook group called

That Craft Place Natter and Chatter 

We would love you to join. Lot's of crafty inspiration in the group.

 Don't forget also you can buy from That Craft Place on Facebook too. Lot's of lovely product's to choose from.

Happy Crafting

lots of love

Nicola 

XXX

That Craft Place Challenge....Feeling Blue...

Hello lovelies!

The weeks are flying by, I can hardly believe we are halfway through August already. 

It's time for another challenge over at

That Craft Place 

Now, I know I'm usually on the mixed media team, but I also enjoy making cards. So, I do love to jump on board the card challenges too!

The challenge this time is the theme...

'Blue'

Here is the colour palette to follow...

I have used a cute stamp by Saturated Canary called

'Chasing Butterflies'

Ingredient's I used are...

From That Craft Place 

Saturated Canary Chasing Butterflies Stamp ~ Broken China Distress Ink ~ Blue Pearlescent Card ~ Scalloped Card Blank ~ Blue Stamens

Crafty goodies from my crafty stash...

'Dear Friend' stamp by Hampton Art ~ Promarkers in shades Pastel Blue, Powder Blue, Denim Blue, Blue Pearl, Rock Pool, Capri Blue, ~ Flexmarkers in shades Glacier Blue, Blue Grey 3, Blue Grey 1, Dolpin Blue, Surf Blue ~ Docrafts Papermania Capsule Collection Parisienne Blue Papers, Die-cut Notelets & Big Bloomers ~ Blue Cotton Lace ~ Blue Fabric Butterflies ~ Fancy Stapler ~ Blue Gems

We would love to see your 'Blue' creations. Hop over to 

That Craft Place Challenge Blog 

and see lot's of gorgeous design team inspiration!

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges...

Fan-Tastic Tuesday - Anything Goes With A Twist Include a Butterfly

Time Out Challenges - Friendship Is Golden

Cute Card Thursday - Challenge 386 Anything Goes

Happy Crafting,

lots of love

Nicola 

XXX

That Craft Place Challenge - Mixed Media...A Little Bit Of Love...

Hello lovelies and welcome to my blog, I hope you enjoy your visit today!

It's time for another great challenge over at 

That Craft Place 

The challenge theme is

'MIXED MEDIA - ANYTHING GOES'.

The perfect opportunity to get all inky and messy!

I have used an MDF heart for my project from 

That Craft Place 

I love using MDF pieces, the quality from That Craft Place is just amazing. I love also how you can take a plain shape and turn it into something beautiful!

So, here is a list of the fab goodies I used...

Available from That Craft Place 

MDF Heart, 3 small MDF hearts, MDF Love banner, MDF Love tag, Gesso, Texure Paste, Stencils, Cosmic Shimmer Crackle Paints in shades Jade Mint & Heather, Distress Inks in shades Cracked Pistachio & Shaded Lilac, Cosmic Shimmer Embossing Powder Ancient Copper, Cosmic Shimmer Acrylic Glue

From my own crafty stash

Metallic Gilding Wax in shades Patina & Vintage Plum, Distress Embossing Ink, Mica Flakes, Various embellishment's..I've used a metal heart charm, Prima flowers, string, pearl string, and 3 purple flowers that I made for a previous project using UTEE and a mould, Sakura gelly roll pen, Pearl Ex Pigment Powders in shades Sparkling Copper, Antique Copper, Duo Green Yellow, Spring Green. 

Paint the MDF pieces with Gesso, leave to dry.

Use the texture paste with the stencils over the heart. Leave to dry.

Use the small diamonds stencil with the texure paste over the small hearts. Leave to dry.

Paint the larger heart and banner with Jade Mint, wipe excess paint off the word LOVE with a cotton bud. Paint the other pieces off MDF with Heather paint. Leave to dry thoroughly until the cracks appear.

Use a sponge to blend Cracked Pistachio onto the larger heart and banner. Use the same technique with the Shaded Lilac on the small hearts and tag. This will show off the cracks even more.

Randomly rub the gilding waxes over the heart and other pieces. Use kitchen roll to buff the waxes.

Dab the embossing ink over areas of the MDF pieces, sprinkle over the embossing powder and heat until melted.

Apply glue to areas of each of the MDF pieces, then sprinkle over the Mica Flakes. Press into the glue and leave to dry.

Thread the tag, banner and heart with string and pearl string. Glue the banner and tag into postition. Use the gelly roll pen and go over the LOVE word. Glue a Prima flower at the end of the banner and use an embellishment in the middle. Thread the heart charm with string and pearls and glue into place. Glue the UTEE flowers and hearts as shown.

Add the powders into 4 ink sprayers and carefully spray random areas of the heart to create a slight shimmer. Then use a small brush to pick up the Pigment powders and use at the bottom of the heart and around the top edges. Use a larger brush to lightly brush away excess powder.

Finally, here you have your finished result!

I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial on how to create this beautiful mixed media altered heart.

Hop over to the challenge over at 

That Craft Place 

to see lot's of gorgeous design team inspiration!

Have fun creating,

lots of love Nicola 

XXX