Shellduck at Slimbridge

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Quirky Crafts 2011 - challenge 2: In the Spring Garden

New Quirky Challenge day today, and this one is sponsored by Stitchy Bear Stamps. The challenge is In The Spring Garden, which must feature a stamped or digi image you would associate with the garden and your creation must include the colours pink and green.

I used a Martha Stewart punch for the trellis fence, and gorgeous polka dot chiffon ribbon by Crafty Ribbons. I added a greeting using a small MSE clear stamp set I remembered I had, and was able to find, and die cut that with Nestablities. I coloured the image with Promarkers and added some glitter glue to the wings.

All of the design team have used digi downloads from Stitchy Bear Stamps, I used the cute Bumblebrella by Stitchy with the January Collab paper pak Love Blooms from the Floppy Latte range.

So hop on over to the Quirky Crafts Challenge blog and show us your creations and maybe win a voucher for some digital goodness from Stitchy Bear Stamps.

First Quirky Craft Challenge of 2011

The first Quirky Crafts Challenge of 2011 is Something New - New Year, new house, new baby - a celebration of anything new this year.

I have taken the plunge and attempted my first ever canvas. I bought the canvas with the small easel because I wanted the easel, now it just may have to stay on display like that! I primed the canvas with white gesso, first time I have used that. Then when it was dry I inked the canvas with Ranger alcohol inks, Sir Tim would be proud of me. I used Cranberry and Lettuce with Pearl and Copper mixers and just swirled it around on a felt pad. Then I tried to ink the word Quirky directly onto the canvas, this took three attempts and I had to find an acrylic block the right size to wedge into the back of the frame so that the inkpad had a firm surface. Not bad I think. I dabbed over that with a Distress ink pad, which didn't work out as I planned.

Then I die cut copper sheet letters, oh I stamped the copper first with Stazon and a Hero Arts background stamp, and stuck those on. For the 2011 I die cut some chipboard packaging with Shadow Box Sizzix alphabet dies, and painted the numbers with gesso. I inked the shadow part with two colours of distress ink and stamped over the top numbers. I also inked the top numbers a little with Denim distress ink. I stuck on some Tim Holtz tissue tape that I got for Christmas from my son, he brought it all the way back from NY. I sprayed the whole canvas and lettering with Perfect Pearls turquoise mist spray, I can't find my glimmer mists anywhere. Then I stuck the numbers together and on the canvas with DST.

Finally I inked up some grunge paper with some Paperartsy stamps, and inked the flowers with Distress inks which were not drying so I added Denim Distress powder and heat embossed. Then I sanded off the powder. I scrunched up the flowers and added a brad through them and the canvas.

My New Baby card is made using a Stampavie stamp that I think I won. It is so sweet, and I decided it was really for a baby card. I coloured the image with Promarkers, cut it with a Nestabilities die. I cut a panel of Papermania paper slightly smaller than the card, and stuck it in the middle before stitching round the edge with my mini sewing machine. I added a piece of paper lace then the image. I also used some paper daisies and a foil panel I found in my stash. I decorated the inside of the card to match, but left it blank so someone can add their own words as desired. I don't know any pregnant ladies at the moment.

I have entered the card in the:

I Love Promarkers anything goes challenge

 Lots to Do New Beginnings challenge (spooky that).

My time to Craft Brand Spanking New challenge.

HAPPY 2011

I wish all my followers and friends a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR, and if you have had a bad 2010 I hope that 2011 is better for you and your families.

I am still awaiting my curtains, maybe 2011 will bring Citylink and the curtains to me!