New Gorjuss Goodies...

As a perfect follow on to the colouring tutorial, the new Gorjuss Stamps, Papers, Toppers and Ribbons have arrived! They are all so scrummy, that I think I will have to get playing with them straight away!!

Watch this space for some new creations.....but if you can't wait, hop over to www.pinkpigcrafts.co.uk to see the latest range.

Recently I subscribed to Cake Decorating magazine for Niamh. She regularly bakes with her Nana, so it seemed like a good idea as you get free stuff to create beautiful cakes and biscuits. What I thought would be a nice little hobby for Niamh has actually become a new hobby for me too. I can't believe how relaxing baking is. I don't like mess, so I never thought it would be up my street, but I'm so enjoying using the new gadgets. The piping tool they've sent looks like a silicone gun and as I have grown up in and around a DIY shop, I took to this tool like a duck to water!

Here's some of the creations me and Niamh have mustered up so far:

So between card making, cross stitching, baking and the actual job, I don't seem to have a lot of free time anymore....oooops....I'll have to try and fit some time in with the husband somewhere!

Don't forget you still have 4 days to submit an entry for this month's sketch challenge. the winner will be announced next week.

Happy Crafting

Colouring with Promarkers.....Gorjuss!

I seem to have had a few requests for cards using the Gorjuss stamp recently, so I thought it would be the perfect time to show a step by step colouring guide.

Start by Stamping your image with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

I started with the Hair, using Black, Cool Grey 5, Cool Grey 4 and Cool Grey 3

Decide where you want the darkest parts to be and start with the Black Promarker:

Next, use the Cool Grey 5 to come over the black and extend the colour a little past the black:

Do the same with Cool Grey 4:

and finally Cool Grey 3:

If you prefer a darker shade, use less Cool Grey 3 and increase the amount of the 3 other colours. You will find that you get a slightly different effect every time you do this.

Next, move onto the face. You need Saffron, Vanilla and Pastel Pink.

Start with the Saffron to add shadow under the Hairline and Chin, then use the Pastel Pink to add some colour to her cheeks:

Take the Vanilla Pen and go over the Saffron, Pastel Pink and remaining white space.

For the Jacket, I then used Chestnut and Cocoa. Using the same principles, lay down the darkest colour (chestnut) first, then go over and fill using the lightest colour (cocoa)

For the dress I decided to use Tan, Putty and Almond to stay with a slightly vintage feel. Use Tan first:

then putty:

then almond:

If you can see any sharp lines between the colours, use small circular motions with the lightest colour to blend the line. You will see the ink 'blur'. This is when the blend has taken.

Move on to the tights and Boots. 

I used Cool Grey 4 and 3 for some of the tights and Saffron and Vanilla for the rest. Use the darkest colour on each side of the legs, then fill with the lightest. This will make the legs look slightly rounded.

For the boots, use Chestnut and Cocoa again, follow the instructions for the tights to give a dimensional feel:

Finish by colouring the bow. I used Tan and Putty for the main, with chestnut spots:

You have now finished your image. I then used Antique Linen Distress Ink around the edges of the card to soften the white background. 

In keeping with the vintage look, I decided to use my lili of the valley nitwit papers and tag sentiments stamps, a 6x6 Kraft Card Blank, some Stampin Up! ribbon and Card......oh...and of course the obligatory bling!:

A beautiful and simple creation.

Happy Crafting

x

Anyone for a Mother's Day Treat?

Already the 1st March and I have made many Mother's Day cards for customers, but not yet started on my own! Think I should pull my finger out and get them done. Here are a few of the creations I've made so far....

So, Mother's day is only a week away and I have arranged a Molly Blooms workshop on Saturday 9th March. It's a chance for you to relax and create a beautiful springtime card.

 To join in the fun, just visit www.pinkpigcrafts.co.uk and checkout the workshop section. The workshop is just £10, so the perfect treat without breaking the Bank!!

Also, if you can't decide what to get your crafty Mum, why not treat her to a Pink Pig Crafts Gift Voucher? Just email pinkpigcrafts@aol.com or call 01132523151.

Let mum lavish herself with crafty goodies this Mother's Day.

Playing with Distress Inks...

I keep saying I will try and do more with my distress inks, but never seem to get round to it. So....Today I had a little play. I used 3 colours to create a marbled background and tested the effects on Smooth White card and Watercolour card.....just because I could really!

The one on the left is the smooth white card and I like that it gives a brighter finish, but I also like the textured effect the watercolour card gives too!

I am still playing with the fizzy moon stamps that came in last week and thought the colours I've used would make a nice Man card. 

I wanted to stay with trying new ideas, so I coloured the images using Promarkers, but selecting colours I don't normally use.....

I think I prefer the Grey image (though I can't explain why!) 

Think this is a little project for the Thursday Coffee Morning, see how many different variations we can come up with.

It's Challenge Time again....

The Valentine's Card Challenge was won by Ruth Haigh. Ruth won 5 Flexmakers in Reds and Pinks. Congratulations!!

For the next challenge you get 5 weeks to create and submit your designs. This is Sketch Challenge #4

All you need to do is follow this layout, but the colours, theme and embellishments are up to you!

As usual, entries can be submitted through facebook, linked to a blog, or emailed to me to add for you. The winner will be the person with the most likes and comments(instore and online). This months prize is a selection of Kanban Toppers and Backing Card.

Happy Crafting

There's still time...

With only 2 days left until Valentine's Day, you still have time to submit your entries for the Valentine's competition. Just post your card on facebook, share the link to your own blog or email the pic and I'll post it for you.

I've been making a few 'lovey dovey' cards for some of my customers which has been a stretch as I'm not a 'lovey dovey' person (just ask my husband!!) Still, I have to say I have enjoyed using lili of the valley's love stamps and giving them a vintage feel:

Happy Crafting

That's enough Snow now Thanks....

As fun as it's been watching the snow falling and creating some beautiful wintry scenes, enough is enough! I was unfortunate enough to be snowed in on Monday....heaven to some, but when you're stuck in with a child who cannot sit still or entertain herself for more than 30 seconds, it becomes a little irritating! Still, I made the most of it by continuing to crochet a scarf to go with the hat I made last week

I'm still learning, but thought this turned out ok.

So I managed to get out on Tuesday morning and returned to the shop. I have been playing with my Promarkers to create some Vintage/Distressed/Grunge looking cards. I love using Lili of the Valley stamps, so decided to combine the two....

Next I'm going to try some Men's cards. It's never easy trying to make something for the men in my family, so I'm going to have a play before the next birthday comes up (pictures to follow!)

In the meantime, I hope you're all having fun creating your Valentine's Card entries. There's still 3 weeks to go, so get your crafting buddies together and have a good play.

Happy Crafting