I'm moving and a giveaway!

Wow, the time is here and I can finally introduce you to my new blog home!

Before I link you up I thought I'd let you know why I wanted to move. When I first started blogging, Blogger was a great platform - easy to set up and use. However with the imminent demise of Google Reader and uncertainty over the role of Google Friend Connect I feel that Google isn't supporting bloggers moving forward. That and the desire to be more in control of 'my home' got me packing my bags and setting up my own site. Another advantage to this is with my blogging experience to date I have a clearer idea of how I want my blog to function and getting all the extended links and connections right from the start. Something I hope will be great for both you and me :)

So without further ado my new blog!

Lime Doodle Design

Now I really appreciate the people who have joined me on my blogging journey. All those faces peeping out of Google Followers are very special to me as are all folks who have connected to this blog via Readers and emails. I know it is so easy to click on to the next blog, so I'm offering a giveaway on Lime Doodle Design as a thank you to all those who have followed me and I hope will continue to do so. I look forward to seeing you, there's a post waiting for you over there!

iron craft

A little while ago the lovely Chaitali contacted me to ask if I'd be interested in her challenge based on the Iron Chef show. What a fabulous idea! Two designers pitting themselves against each other while using some of the same elements; for our Iron Craft challenge we settled on the There She Goes set Oh Snap and the design from CAS(E) This Sketch #7.

I've used a couple of the larger cameras from the Oh Snap set in the past, so today I thought I'd turn my attentions to one of the smaller images. I pulled out my Simon Says Stamp water colour paper and white heat embossed three cameras before using Inktense pencils and loosely washing them with colour. I pulled the rainbow colours down onto some little strips of card and added glossy accents to these and some die cut black hearts too.

Now you have to see what Chaitali has made! I can't wait to see - she has tantalised me with this sneak peek!

Now onto my other news: I'm making some changes for my blog! I'm planning on a new home for my crafty pursuits and I'm hoping to make the move soon! So if things look a bit odd around these parts then please bear with me. I am attempting to do everything myself which has been a steep learning curve but I've actually really enjoyed the process. I will be back soon with more details but in the meantime I'm crossing my fingers that it all goes smoothly :)

Supplies: Stamps - There She Goes oh snap, Hero Arts tweed pattern s5654; Inks - Versamark, Versafine onyx black; Card - Simon Says Stamp water color paper sss69, Papertrey Ink true black, kraft, new leaf, Stampin' Up island indigo; Derwent inktense pencils; Hero Arts white embossing powder; Dies - Simon Says Stamp holiday shapes s131

winner!

Thank you to all of you who stopped by my blog for the Simon Says Stamp 2013 Spring release blog hop. I hope you had as much fun hopping as we had creating the projects for you. We had 14 designers participating and some made more than one project! So there was lots of great inspiration and you can still take a look here.  If you haven't had a chance to check out the new stamp and die sets stop by the Simon Says Stamp store here to see them all.  

One lucky winner was chosen from my blog to receive a Simon Says Stamp Goody bag!  And the winner from my blog is:

Jo Murray 27 March 2013 19:57

A sweet little dog...and a great giveaway...thanks.

Jana Millen from Simon Says Stamp will be in contact with you Jo to get your mailing address so we can get your prize off to you :)

case study challenge 135

Seriously, it's the first Thursday in the month already? How did April sneak up on me LOL. Maybe it's because I'm knee deep in two weeks with the kids off school! Well , it IS the first Thursday in the month, so you know the drill by now - it's time for a new CASE Study muse! It is with great excitement that we have none other than JJ Bolton joining us!!

The Mom Word die from Lil' Inker Designs was still out on my desk when I sat down to make something for this fabulous card of JJ's so it was an obvious starting point. 

by JJ Bolton

I loved the technique JJ used here; seriously amazing precision! What struck me was the depth of colour in the centre and that got me thinking, so I die cut my word out of glitter card and used Copic markers to create an ombre effect with depth in the centre of the die cut and fading out to the edges. Popped it onto a double layered tag and then broke out the Perfect Bow die from Simon Says Stamp and gave it the same treatment.

I can't wait to see what the rest of the team have done and on that point give a big CASE Study welcome to our guest for April, Anya Schrier :)

Muse: JJ Bolton

Guest Designer: Anya Schrier

Amy Wanford

Andrea Ewen

Clare Buswell

Debby Hughes - me!

Iwona Palamountain (Chupa) - The Boss

Jean Martin

Jeanne Jachna

Maureen Plut

Teneale Williams

Supplies: Card - Papertrey Ink vintage cream, Stampin' Up glitter card; Copic markers; Sequins; Dies - Lil' Inker Designs mom word, Simon Says Stamp perfect bow, Papertrey Ink tag sale 3; Kraft tag

lil' inker designs sneak peek day 3

It's the last day of hops for Lil' Inker Designs new release. Hopefully as part of the hop you have arrived here from Amy's blog. If not pop by and see Laura to start at the beginning so you don't miss anything.

For today's card I thought I'd try something a bit different for me and really hit some depth of colour :) I saw some fabulous packaging the other day and it sparked this card!

Here's the inspiration:

Source: lovelypackage.com via Debby on Pinterest

It was the gold text with black text at the base of a cream strip which was then angled over a strong coloured base and I even added the sequins in place of the little gold accents on the bottle too! Well that's me for this release; you can see the pictures below :)

Next on the hop for more inspiration is the fabulous Isha!

 

Supplies: Stamps - Lil' Inker Designs mom & dad sentiments, Hero Arts tweed pattern; Ink - Versamark, Versafine onyx black; Card - Stampin' Up raspberry ripple, Papertrey Ink vintage cream; Dies - Lil' Inker Designs stitched scallop; Ranger super fine detail gold embossing powder; EK success powder tool; Fiskars stamp press

lil' inker designs sneak peek day 2

Welcome back to Lil' Inker Designs new release, hopefully as part of the hop you have arrived here from Amy's blog. If not pop by and see Laura to start at the beginning so you don't miss anything. For today's hop I'm delighted to show you Lil' Inker Designs stitched scallop die!

Lil' Inker Designs are renown for the stitched details to their dies and the stitching on the new Scallop die is just the perfect finishing touch! I can see this die becoming a staple for everyone :)

I paired the scallop with the new Mom Word die which I cut from some subtle striped patterned paper. The sentiment is also from the new release set Mom & Dad sentiments. All very muted and soft with just a few sequins to spice it up a bit :)

Next on the hop for more inspiration is the fabulous Isha!

Supplies: Stamps - Lil' Inker Designs mom & dad sentiments, Hero Arts tweed pattern s5654; Inks - Hero Arts memories unicorn, Versafine smokey gray; Card - Papertrey Ink soft stone; Paper - My Mind's Eye collectable memorable; Dies - Lil' Inker Designs mom word, stitched scallop; Sequins