Yummy Halloween

Today's card was made for my darling niece and includes some of my favourite things - Bo Bunny paper, an Elizabeth Dulemba digital image and lots & lots of layers.

I chose a sketch from Twisted Tuesday as my starting point. For my main image, I used the caramel apple from Elizabeth Dulemba - I printed off 6 copies of the apple so that I could colour and spray mist (using Shimmer "Frost") the caramel coating separately and then pop it up from the apples. Love how it worked out although if I did this again I'd probably choose to leave off the spray mist or go with something a bit clearer.

Twisted Tuesday sketch

The papers are a mix of Bo Bunny and DCVW. I added Stickles "Rock Candy" to several of the candy images so that the card would have more shine. Every layer is popped up so the card has lots of dimension! And looking at the photo I'm kind of taken aback at how busy the card is - doesn't look quite this colourful or busy in real life. Oh well, my niece will love it and that's what counts! Happy Halloween to you all!

Challenges:
2 Sisters - Cute & creepy
Card Makin' Mamas - Halloween
Challenge Up Your Life - Halloween
Chocolate Coffee Cards - Stitching (real or faux)
Come and Get It - Halloween
Craftymess - Halloween
Crafty Catz - Halloween
Dream Valley Challenges - Halloween
Heck of a Challenge - Halloween
My Sheri Crafts - Halloween
NMWC - Halloween creations/colours
Pile It On - any holiday
That Craft Place - Halloween
Twisted Tuesday - Sketch plus twist - use spray mist
Unique crafters - Halloween

Are you sure you have to go?

I have a hard time when someone I like/respect leaves - I just don't do sentimental very well. So when the secretary at my sons' school announced her departure for another job I was a bit stymied about what kind of card to make her. This wonderful woman has been a huge support for my eldest son and her leaving is a true tragedy for him and the school as a whole. I decided to go with a humorous card so that I wouldn't end up getting all sloppy and mushy about how much she means to the kids (and their parents). 

The image is from Elizabeth Dulemba (her weekly free colouring pages are perfect for cards) and the sentiment is my own warped creation. I used papers from Basic Grey (my absolutely favourite paper line) along with a Nestabilities die to create the frame. I don't remember where I picked up the pink pom pom ribbon but I really like how it adds a bit of movement and fun to the card.

Challenges:
Crafty Pad - girly
Creative Belli - anything starting with "P" (I used pom poms & patterned paper)
Delicious Doodles - spots or stripes (there are lots of spots on this card)
Digi's with Attitude - include a digi person
Everybody Art Challenge - my favourite thing (my favourite paper line)
Fab 'n Funky - use a digi
The Outlawz Copic Challenge - anything goes
Sketch Saturday - sketch

The importance of colour

As a stamper and avid Copic colourer, I am always trying new techniques for blending and mixing of my colours. But I don't often think about why I choose the colours I do. It's pretty much instinctual rather than rational. I have a pretty good eye for colours so it has worked all right for me, but after reading this article - Elizabeth Dulemba - Illuminating Color - I am inspired to explore colours more. Elizabeth Dulemba is a children's book writer and illustrator In particular I want to experiment and study more on light & shadow. I usually ignore shadow in my images or I add very simple, non-subtle shadows. I am determined to try some of the techniques she mentions as well as to explore some of the links provided to try and add more subtlety and depth to my images. Read Ms Dulemba's article (and explore her site as she is an incredible artist who shares wonderful images and great ideas all the time) and let me know what you think.