Chocolate Baroque: Winter Cottage

Good morning, friends! Today is the 4th Sunday of Advent and that means we are week away from Christmas. It's time of great excitement ... and extreme fear! Seriously, how many of you are truly prepared?

Don't get me wrong. I love Christmas. I wait for it all year. And when it's finally here... I want to run and hide! Every year I make a list of what to do to make next Christmas less nerve-wrecking. By the end of January they are promptly filed away in a shoebox and there they reside, forgotten and unfulfilled ... until panic strikes again in December. I even managed to lose the shoe box a couple of times!

Enough Gringe-ing, let's look at my latest effort at water colouring. For my last Chocolate Baroque DT post for 2016, I've gone back to the my very first stamp sheet. It's called The Gift Of Christmas and I bought it in October 2012. I stamped the image with VersaFine Smokey Grey and coloured it with Winsor & Newton water colours. The less intense colour of smokey grey ink gives the scene a misty feel, which was what I was going for.

And of course, I could not resist adding glitter and shine of every description! Out came the Stardust Stickles, Icicle Stickles, Perfect Pearls pigment, Nuvo Snow Blizzard and tiny red bling for the tree... and Frosty Flock.

Challenges:
Glitter & Sparkle #219: Christmas with Glitter
One Stitch At A Time #277: AG + Sparkle

That's all from me today. Thank you for stopping by and I wish you all a blessed 4th Advent of Sunday. Enjoy this most wonderful time of the year.

Beijinhos

Let It Snow!

Hello everyone. We are just under a fortnight away from Christmas and I am rushing to make the last few cards to send out. This card went out to a friend who is driving home for Christmas all the way from Copenhagen... that's quite a road trip!

I used LF Stitched Hillside Borders dies to create the snowy hills, inked with Tumbled Glass and some Icicle Stickles. For the sky, I used Broken China and Milled Lavender. The snowflakes are from Frosty Friends, heat embossed in white, and I added little drops of Nuvo Snow Blizzard for texture and sparkle. The sentiment is from Winter Scripty Sayings, stamped with VersaFine Onyx Black.

The main images are from Home For The Holidays, cut with coordinating dies. I stamped the trees with LF Noble Fir ink and coloured the card and pressies with Copics.

Challenges:
Lawnscaping #143: Let It Snow
Simon Says Stamp Monday: Let There Be Snow
Cutie Pie #106: A Day In The Snow

That's all from me today. Thank you so much for stopping by and have an amazing day!

Beijinhos

Tuesday Throwdown #322: Christmas Baking

Good morning, friends! Time for a new challenge over at Tuesday Throwdown. As we are very close to Christmas, the theme for this week "Christmas Baking", sponsored by Robyn's Fetish.

My festive contribution features this darling digi called Mouse with Christmas Cookie. I am pretty certain this little guy did not do any baking but he sure is running off with a Christmas cookie.

I coloured with Copics, fussy cut and adhered him to the card. And finally (don't judge!) lashings of Wink Of Stella Clear for that festive shimmer.

Challenges:
Dream Valley #146: Christmas
Kylie's Twelve Days of Christmas 2016: Day #2
TTCRD Dec 6: AG

Now it's your turn to create a project based on this week's theme: "Christmas Baking". For ideas and inspiration, take a peek at what the rest of the DT members have made. Remember to link up your project at the Tuesday Throwdown Challenge Blog by 3pm Pacific / 11pm UK on Monday, December 12th. And the most important requirement: Have Fun!

Have a super sweet day, friends!

x Beijinhos x

Chocolate Baroque: A King Is Born

Hello, friends!!! Welcome to my third ART JOURNAL collaboration with a very dear and special blog friend - VICKI PARSON of Stamp Smiles. We are both passionate about art journalling and decided to inspire and encourage each other a monthly show and tell.

Today, on the Second Sunday of Advent, I want to share with you a festive Art Journal page. My project showcases stamps by Chocolate Baroque: the Angel is from A Child Is Born and the Gothic window in the background is from Texture Fragments. 

I stamped the Angel with Memento Tuxedo Black, coloured her with Copics and fussy cut her before adhering her to the page with Ranger Multi Medium Matte. I applied Perfect Pearls - Pearl  to her dress and Nuvo Glitter Drops White Blizzard on her sash and the borders of her skirt. And if that wasn't enough shine, there's Star Dust Stickles on her wings and Wink of Stella Gold for that subtle shimmer on her hair.

To create the magical night sky, I first primed the page with Faber Castell Gesso. When completely dry, I applied Folk Art Acrylic Paint with a baby wipe, building layers and texture until I'm happy with the result. I started with the lightest colour in the middle of the page, getting darker as I worked my way out. The colours I used are: 481 Aqua, 401 True Blue, 484 Brilliant Ultramarine and 964 Midnight. When completely dry, I stamped the Gothic window from Texture Fragments with Ranger Dye Ink Cool Graphite.

For texture and dimension, I applied Ranger Texture Paste over Tim Holtz Flourish stencil at the edges of the page. When completely dry and firm, I dabbed on some Crystal Stickles for extra shimmer. I finished the background with some white splatters of watered down gesso and let it dry before assembling the page.

The quote is a reference to Luke 2:11. I used two alpha sets for this: Echo Park Allison and Claire Brennan (Waltzing Mouse) Victorian Alphabet, stamped with Ranger Archival Jet Black. I adhered the angel down with Ranger Multi Medium Matte. When dry, I added some soft shading with Faber Castell Pitt Brush Marker Cobalt Blue  and this helps the Angel stand out.

Challenges:
CHNC #310: Vintage or AG Christmas
Craft fo Craic December: Anything But Christmas Card
Creative Artiste #21: Anything Mixed Media
Winter Wonderland Dec 2: Night Scene
Stamps and Stencils: Christmas Wishes
Come And Get It: Christmas
We Love To Create #25: AG Mixed Media

Now please head on over to VICKI PARSON of Stamp Smiles and check out what she has made. I have no doubt she would have created a fabulous page.

Thank you so much for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

x Beijinhos x

ATSM #222: Make Your Mark

Hello again, friends! Time for another challenge over at Addicted To Stamps and More and this week we are playing Make Your Mark. Our sponsor is Paper Smooches and the winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to spend at their store. For this challenge, you can create anything you like as long as you use something to make a mark. Feel free to use pencils, pens, markers, chalks, crayons, paints, stains, inks ... whatever takes your fancy.

I made a Christmas card using Lawn Fawn's Winter Owl stamp and coordinating die. The tree is from Critters In The Forest, which I paper pieced. For the background I used Chipped Sapphire and Evergreen Bough DIs. To finish the card, snowfall made with little droplets of Opal Liquid Pearls.

I coloured the little owl with Copics and gave him a coat of Clear Wink of Stella. It's Christmas and the little guy deserves to shine.

Challenges:
Christmas With The Cuties #1: Anything Cute and Christmasy
Simon Says Monday: O Christmas Tree
Come and Get It: Baby It's Cold Outside

So now it's your turn to link up your project for the Make Your Mark challenge. Don't forget to follow the rules to be eligible for the prize.

Thanks for stopping by and have fun with this challenge.

Beijinhos!

Chocolate Baroque: Bird On A Pie

Good morning, friends. Christmas is just around the corner. Oh yes it is! Tomorrow is Advent Sunday and what better excuse to share a festive make with you featuring the brand new Mr Robin stamp by Chocolate Baroque.

I know Mr Robin is a red breasted chap but I decided to give him a red coat this Christmas instead. So here he is, donning his new look proudly perched on a mince pie. I inked the edges of the patterned paper with Vintage Photo DI and finished the card with some red ribbon.

I coloured Mr Robin with Copic markers and spread some Ranger Texture Paste over MFT Snowfall Stencil to add wintery interest to the background. And don't forget lashings of Stardust Stickles and Clear Wink of Stella for the mandatory festive sparkle ... it is Christmas after all!

Challenges:
52 Christmas Card Throwdown November Stash: Glitter
Allsorts #391: AG Christmas
Crafty Ribbon #177: Christmas with Ribbon
Creative Knockout #169: 'Tis The Season
Brown Sugar #226: AG

I'm off to the annual Christmas Fair at our church. Hope you're having a fun weekend too. Thank you so much for stopping by and I'll see ya soon with another festive project.

Beijinhos!

Chocolate Baroque Colour Challenge #29

Welcome to the start of another month of Chocolate Baroque inspired fun -  Chocolate Baroque Colour Challenge #29. We have a lovely colour swatch for you to use in your projects.  If you haven't played yet, now's the time to do so.

You can use any medium to create your projects: paints, inks, pencils, pens, stains, etc., as long as you stick to the colours from the colour swatch, using as much or as little of each colour as you wish.  You don't have to use Chocolate Baroque stamps to play along but if you do you will be entered into a random draw to win £15 to spend on Chocolate Baroque stamps. All participants will have a chance to be on the Design Team's Top Three list and proudly display the winner's badge on their blog.

Naturally, with this month's colour swatch, I was  moved to make a festive card. The image is from Chocolate Baroque's Christmas Candlelight A5 sheet. This is a lovely stamp and I really did not want to do anything that might draw attention away from it. So I stamped it using VersaFine Onyx Black onto a piece of Canson Watercolour paper and coloured it with Winsor & Newton.

And for that festive touch - a sprinkling of Stardust Stickles and Gold Liquid Pearls.

Challenges:
Inspiration Destination #112: AG
TTCRD Nov 15: AG
Christmas Card Challenge #48: Glitter

Challenge #29 will close at 12.00 p.m. (UK) on Tuesday 20th December 2016, and the winner will be announced on Wednesday 28th December 2016. I hope you'll play along and run the risk of winning £15 to spend on Chocolate Baroque stamps.

Thank you so much fro stopping by. I hope you are making good progress with your Christmas mailing list... I know I'm not! LOL. We have a few more weeks before the panic begins. Have a super fun day, friends!

Beijinhos!

ATSM #220: Photo Inspiration

Hello again, friends! Time for another challenge over at Addicted To Stamps and More. This week the theme is Photo Inspiration and we are sponsored by Happy Little Stampers. The winner will receive a $15 gift certificate.

I was inspired by the bold greeting and traditional Christmas colours to create this festive simple card featuring an heirloom bauble. The greeting is from Compliments of the Season available from Gina K Designs. The bauble is cut using a die from Spellbinders 2010 Heirloom Ornament. I stamped little snowflakes directly on to the red cardbase with VersaFine Satin Red ink for a tone-on-tone look and brightened things up with little white dots. I finished the card with some Sweetheart Lawn Trimming.

I cut the ornament out several times and stuck them together to get a 3D look.

Challenges:
Double D Challenge Nov16: Traditional Christmas Colours
A Snowflake's Challenge #33: AG Christmas / Winter

So now it's your turn to link up your project for the Photo Inspiration challenge. Don't forget to follow the rules to be eligible for the prize.

Thanks for stopping by and have fun with this challenge.

Beijinhos!

ATSM #218: Holiday

Hello again, friends! Time for another challenge over at Addicted To Stamps and More. This week the theme is my favourite - Holiday. Our sponsor this week is Sami Stamps. The winner will receive a $12 gift certificate.

I made a Christmas card with am icy twist using stamps from Frosty Fairy Friends by Lawn Fawn. I coloured the images with Copics and cut them out with coordinating dies. To stamp the stars in the background I used Delicata Silver ink.

And here is a closer look at the fairy house. There's plenty of glitter and sparkle on this card. I used Stardust Stickles and Wink of Stella Clear Brush pen. The sentiment is also from Frosty Fairy Friends, stamped with VersaFine Majestic Blue.

Challenges:
Deep Ocean Challenge #141: Use Dies / Punches
Holly Jolly Christmas #84: Trees / Christmas Trees
Shopping Our Stash #276: Home Sweet Home
TTCRD Nov 1: AG
Unicorn Challenge  #15: Snow / Snowflake

So now it's your turn to link up your project for the Holiday challenge. Don't forget to follow the rules to be eligible for the prize.

Thanks for stopping by and have fun with this challenge. 

Beijinhos!
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Tuesday Throwdown #317: Add A Border

Good morning, friends! Time for a new challenge over at Tuesday Throwdown. This week we want you to "Add A Border" to your projects. Our sponsor for this challenge is Connie Fong Art.

Here is my festive creation. That sweet image by Connie Fong Art is called Sally and Snowball. I'm not a fan of pink but I made an exception for that sweet little girl.  I've used the Snowflake Corner Border dies by Wild Rose Studio and added a few pale blue bling. Christmas = bling. End of discussion. :)

Here's a closer look at the adorable Sally and Snowball. I coloured her with Graph'It markers and added some Stardust Stickles to the fur trim.

Challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday: Think Pink
Christmas Card Challenge #46: AG Christmas
Jingle Belle Rock: Animals
Crimbo Crackers #118: Die Cuts
TTCRD Oct 25: AG

Now it's your turn to create a project based on this week's theme: "Add A Border". For ideas and inspiration, take a peek at what the rest of the DT members have made. Remember to link up your project at the Tuesday Throwdown Challenge Blog by 3pm Pacific / 11pm UK on Monday, October 31st. And the most important requirement: Have Fun!

Have a beautiful day, friends!

x Beijinhos x

MHKD October Release: Perfect Poinsettia

Hello, friends! Welcome to Day 4 of MHKDesigns' October Release Party. Head on over to the MHK Designs ETSY Store for lots of lovely vintage designs that suit all crafting styles.

This month, MHKDesigns is releasing FIVE new digital stamp sets. Mynn has also added more Digital Paper Bundles that coordinate perfectly with her digi stamps. These are available for purchase NOW at the MHK Designs ETSY Store. 

As a special treat to celebrate the MHK Designs October 2016 Release, Mynn is giving away sets from this release. More on how to win at the end of this post.

Next up in this release is a pretty festive floral set called Perfect Poinsettia.

And speaking of festive, here's a cute little tote bag featuring the poinsettia in traditional colours, of course.  To finish the project - some red & white twine and a couple of jingle bells.

I coloured the image with Copics. I plan to pop in some seeds as gifts for my gardening friends.

How To Win

In order to get this new set OR the entire release for FREE, here's what you'll need to do:

1. Leave a comment on the MHKDesigns blog. 
2. Leave a comment on each DT member's blog (see list below) 
3. Join our MHKDesigners and Friends Facebook group and leave a comment there. 

Asha (me!) | Donna | Katie | Judy | Jerrie | Jessica |  Julie | Lilian  

Lorie | Mynn | NanaConnie | Rocky | Sathya | Shawna

Mynn will randomly choose the winning comments from all these places after the release is over. The best way to win is to comment every day.

Thank you for stopping by and come back tomorrow for another new digi set AND more prizes!

Beijinhos!

MHKD October Release: Wonderful Wreath

Hello, friends! Welcome to Day 3 of MHKDesigns' October Release Party. Head on over to the MHK Designs ETSY Store for lots of lovely vintage designs that suit all crafting styles.

This month, MHKDesigns is releasing FIVE new digital stamp sets. Mynn has also added more Digital Paper Bundles that coordinate perfectly with her digi stamps. These are available for purchase NOW at the MHK Designs ETSY Store. 

As a special treat to celebrate the MHK Designs October 2016 Release, Mynn is giving away sets from this release. More on how to win at the end of this post.

Today we have a lush set of vintage winter greenery called Wonderful Wreath.

I cut coloured the wreath with Copics, fussy cut it and mounted it on foam tape.

And because it's Christmas, I've added a few more red bling to the wreath. There's no such thing as too many bling for Christmas!

How To Win

In order to get this new set OR the entire release for FREE, here's what you'll need to do:

1. Leave a comment on the MHKDesigns blog. 
2. Leave a comment on each DT member's blog (see list below) 
3. Join our MHKDesigners and Friends Facebook group and leave a comment there.

Asha (me!) | Donna | Katie | Judy | Jerrie | Jessica |  Julie | Lilian  

Lorie | Mynn | NanaConnie | Rocky | Sathya | Shawna

Mynn will randomly choose the winning comments from all these places after the release is over. The best way to win is to comment every day.

Thank you for stopping by and come back tomorrow for another new digi set AND more prizes!

Beijinhos!

Chocolate Baroque Colour Challenge # 27

Welcome to another month of Chocolate Baroque inspired fun -  Chocolate Baroque Colour Challenge #27. We have a soothing colour swatch for you to use in your projects.  If you haven't played yet, now's the time to do so.

You can use any medium to create your projects: paints, inks, pencils, pens, stains, etc., as long as you stick to the colours from the colour swatch, using as much or as little of each colour as you wish.  You don't have to use Chocolate Baroque stamps to play along but if you do you will be entered into a random draw to win £15 to spend on Chocolate Baroque stamps. All participants will have a chance to be on the Design Team's Top Three list and proudly display the winner's badge on their blog.

I made a simple Christmas card featuring images from the Sparkling Trees A5 stamp sheet. For the background I used Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans, Salty Ocean and Tumbled Glass Distress Inks. The snowflakes are from from this stamp sheet has been heat embossed in white and I stamped the tree VersaFine Majestic Blue.

The greeting is from Stained Glass Christmas A5 stamp sheet, stamped with VersaFine Deep Lagoon. And Christmas just wouldn't be the same without a few bling!

Challenges:
Addicted To Stamps #131: Tree / Branch / Leaves
Dragonfly Dreams: Monochrome
Christmas Card Challenge #41: Colour Combo / AG Christmas

Challenge #27 will close at 12.00 p.m. (UK) on Tuesday 18th October 2016, and the winner will be announced on Wednesday 26th October 2016. I hope you'll play along and run the risk of winning £15 to spend on Chocolate Baroque stamps.

So friends, you don't hear from me for a week and then ... bam! 2 posts in a day! Wrong! THREE posts.... there's a other one later today. Stay tuned! LOL

Beijinhos!

ATSM #210: Photo Inspiration

Hello again, friends! Time for another challenge over at Addicted To Stamps and More. This week the theme is Photo Inspiration and we are sponsored by Happy Little Stampers. The winner will receive a $15 gift certificate.

Here's my card using the colours from the photo. The stamps are from Lawn Fawn Winter In The Park and I cut them out with the coordinating Lawn Cuts.  I used Distress Inks to add colourd to the winter sky and stamped the snow with LF Yeti white pigment ink.

I used Stiched Hillside Borders for the snow mounds and And adhered them in layers with foam tape. Of course there's plenty of texture and sparkle with Frosted Lace Stickles and Rock Candy Distress Gllitter.

Challenges:
Inspiration Destination #102: AG
Lawnscaping #137: Texture-fied

So now it's your turn to link up your project for the Photo Inspiration challenge. Don't forget to follow the rules to be eligible for the prize.

Thanks for stopping by and have fun with this challenge. 

Beijinhos!

TTCRD: Guest Designer

Good morning, friends! I am honoured to be guesting over at Through The Craft Room Door. A new week of Anything Goes challenge starts today, sponsored by Limited Runs Digital Stamps.

I am thrilled to be playing with their adorable Christmas digi called Little Tree. I decided to make a shaker card... with a twist. It looks like a shaker but without the any of the fiddly cutting and foaming and shaker bits falling out. I never get it right, so I just don't make 'em anymore!

I used LF Ready Set Snow Shaker Add-on to create a frame for the adorable Little Tree digi. The lovely funky Christmas patterned paper is by Jenny Ellory.

Here's a closer look at my cheat's shaker. No acetate. I just used the shaker dies to frame the image and added blobs of Liquid Pearls for the falling snow. To finish the card, a simple bow with LF Sweetheart Lawn Trimming. I coloured the image with Graph'It markers.

Head on over to Through The Craft Room Door for lots more gorgeous projects by the design team. You will not be disappointed. And don't forget to check out Limited Runs Digital Stamps for tons of super cute images.

Thanks for stopping by and have an amazing day!

Beijinhos

Chocolate Baroque: Joy To The World

Good morning, fellow Chocoholics. The theme this month over at the Chocolate Baroque Blog is "Texture". You'll be seeing lots of projects featuring texture stamps, stencils, pastes, embellishments, powders etc.

I decided to make a card with a textured look but without the bulk. Distress Inks and water are the main players.  I started by applying Distress Inks in Dusty Concord, Faded Jeans, Milled Lavender, Worn Lipstick and Spun Sugar for the sky; and Vintage Photo, Rusty Hinge and Antique Linen for the desert sand. Then I spritzed some water waited for the inks to react, blotting with a paper towel until I got the desired effect. I'm am pleasantly surprised by the splodgy outcome ... it's almost as if I had planned it!

For added texture. I heat embossed a piece of card with WOW Silver EP and die cut tiny stars using LF Mini Snowflakes Lawn Cuts and adhered these to the sky. I matted the design onto kraft card to tame the busy background.

The focal image is from the Peace on Earth A5 sheet, stamped with VersaFine Onyx Black.

Challenges:
Jingle Belles: Music - Christmas Carol: Joy To The World
Little Red Wagon #357: Let's Get Inky
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday: AG
Word Art Wednesday #246 - #247: AG Inspirational
CHNC #297: Vintage or AG Christmas
CHNC Extra September: AG Christmas
Craft Stamper September Make It Take It: AG

Thank you so much for stopping by. Hope you're having a fun weekend. I plan to put my feet up and read a book. :)

Beijinhos!