Some Odd Girl - June Release Pt III

Hang on to your bloomers because here is another fabulous set of brand new releases from {{ Some Odd Girl }}. 

Watcha think??

Look Look

Wanna have a snoop at the brand new {{ Upsy Daisy Designs }} lines? There are two coming out and I should be getting my hands on them within the next couple of weeks....I am in love - but I cannot make up my mind which one I prefer. What do you think?

After Germany beat England at the World Cup Finals, I celebrated by creating this wee card, which has nothing to do with football, but hey that's how I roll (excuse the pun...). I used one of the older Digi Stamps from {{ Some Odd Girl }}, I just think the {{ Lil Puppy Walkies }} is too cute not to use, right?

** click on images to enlarge **

Once again I was able to combine three challenges for this particular card.
1. Crazy 4 Challenges - #43 Sketch
2. Fab'n'Funky Challenges - Sew'n'Sew (I used faux and real stitching)
3. Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenges - Something with a dog

Ingredients:
Cardstock: Papermill; Bazzill ** Papers: Upsy Daisy Designs: #MT2-014. Nolan ** Stamps: Some Odd Girl; Stampin' Up ** Tools: ProMarkers; Making Memories: Edge Distresser; Punches: Stampin' Up **

Don't forget to check back here tomorrow....as there is another release of some sort around the corner :)

Here are three pictures from last weekend, when Mr P and myself went for our first swim of the season. In the summertime we feel even more blessed to love on the wonderful Isle Of Wight - beaches only a stone throw away. Oh and we predicted the outcome of the Footie - I was much closer with my three for Germany than Mr P with his eight for England...he he he

** click on images to enlarge **

Tick tock tick tock

Time is ticking away and match day is getting closer and closer....gnaaaaahhhhhhh

Footie aside - I have been busy creating cards and layouts, so let me bore you a bit :)

First off a card, which I am entering into three different challenges, using {{ Gorky }} one of my favourite monsters from {{ Some Odd Girl }}.

** click on images to enlarge **

1. Design Dollies - Colour Challenge Yellow/Grey
2. Some Odd Girl at SNR - Flowery pattern
3. Simon Says Challenge - Gotta have friends

Ingredients: 
Cardstock: Bazzill ** Papers: Cosmo Cricket ** Stamps: Some Odd Girl; Stampin Up


As for my layouts, well they shall be popping up over the next couple of weeks :)

Countdown to the mother of all  finals matches: 2 more sleeps

Sunday, 27 June 2010

Germany vs England 

Thank You

I feel it is time to say a HUGE thank you to

• those of you who stop by and read my drivel regular
• those of you who take time to comment once in a while
• those of you who comment regular
• those of you who just read

But, I am also grateful to those of you who don't comment as it is certainly not a mandatory requirement in order to read my blog. I am the same, there are some blogs I read every day and enjoy them immensely but there is no need for me to leave a comment if I don't have anything to contribute to a particular post.

This blog is mainly done for my own enjoyment but I also love to share what I am up to with friends & family and of course it is also a Marketing tool for the manufacturers I am blessed to work with. But first and foremost, it is something I enjoy - but if anyone reading the blog enjoys it too, well - that is even better.

Whenever I receive comments from peeps who leave the odd comment here and there or who may have just commented for the first time - I always email a little 'thank you' back if you have added your email addy when signing in (you do know that the email addies do not show to anyone other than the blog owner, right?). Sometimes, if time allows I will visit your blogs in return and leave comments by way of saying 'thank you' for visiting my blog.

I really appreciate every single person who pops by for a visit, no matter how short/long/often but today I would like to single out two particular peeps, who bring a smile to my face every day:

STACY and NAT

Those two awesome chicks comment on pretty much every post I make and whenever I see the comment notification with their names on, I feel instantly lifted.

So, THANK YOU girlies for making my day, EVERY time you leave a comment - I appreciate it more than you know. Here's a smacker for ya ;)

Countdown to the mother of all  finals matches: 4 more sleeps

Sunday, 27 June 2010

Germany vs England 

Getting sketchy...

When I saw the super cute sketch over at the {{ Allsorts Challenge Blog }} I just HAD to play along.
I love my sketches simple with room to let your creativity flow :)

The image I used is the FREEbie digi stamp from {{ Some Odd Girl }} for the members of our {{ SNR Group }}. Why not join us? You don't even have to say one single word - but I am sure you will find the group so super friendly that you will join in with the discussions sooner than you think. You will be privvy to news surrounding the SOG stamps, challenges, DT calls and once a month we have a Digi Day - enabling you to get even more FREEbies - that's how we roll :)

** Click on image to enlarge **

Ingredients:
Cardstock: Mad About Cards ** Papers: Upsy Daisy Designs - #BLO013 Orchard, #BLO016 Spring is in the air ** Stamp: Some Odd Girl ** Other: Uniball Signo Pen


And while I am here, here's a few pictures of the London Eye taken last Saturday - I thought if I drip-feed you my pictures, you won't get bored too easy :)


The first one is one of my faves - I love how the Eye is mirrored in the coloured windows. And somehow I managed to squeeze the picture in before an array of lorries and double decker buses whizzes past this spot.

** click on images to enlarge **

Dirty Girl....

....wow, I never knew that London was THAT filthy - and I lived there for a year, so I should know.
The layout below shows the status of my feet after walking a day in London - and nope, I did not walk barefoot.
But, that my shoe actually sported a hole (which I didn't know at the time), may have been a contributing factor to the state of my feet.

But, it was the PERFECT moment to complete the recent Trifecta challenge for the {{ Design Dollies }} - you see, I struggled a  little with the elements part of the challenge: sand....yah, not happening for me on a day to day basis until I went to London *giggles*

** click on image to enlarge **

Ingredients:
Cardstock: Stampin' Up ** Papers: Hambly Screenprints; Sassafras Lass; Upsy Daisy Designs ** Stickers: American Crafts ** Other: Paint; Uniball Signo Pens; Pearls; Rhinestones

SOG - Challenge #7 - Shimmer

Time is flying when you are having fun, right?

And I can tell you I am having TONS of fun with the new {{ Some Odd Girl }} releases....if only you'd knew what else is coming up. There is one particular image I have been itching to get my hoofs *wink wink* into, but you will have to wait a little longer to learn more about it.

Onto to our recent {{ SOG challenge }} though. This week, I have chosen the stunning {{ MerMae }} image to highlight from the latest release. Isn't she a beauty?!

The recent challenge of adding shimmer to the card, other than the usual mists/glitters, fits perfect for a mermaid, dontcha think? Well Mae certainly knows how to work the bling...

** click on images to enlarge **

It's s shame that the picture doesn't really show how much glitter is there on the air-bubbles and in Mae's hair. The card shimmers and blings all over the place, but just doesn't picture well *sniff*

Play along with us and get in with a chance to win a FREE digi stamp; double your chances by using the recent {{ Freebie }} on your entry card.
** Freebie link now edited **

Baby...it's cold outside

Ok, I lied - it is not cold outside at all, much rather the opposite but that generally tempts me to create cards or layouts with a winter-y kind of theme...go figure.

You probably all are well aware of my obsession with {{ Mr Kody }} from {{ Some Odd Girl }} and during the Mega Sale last weekend, I added {{ him }} to my "Kodylection" and naturally had to play straight away.

** click on images to enlarge **

Ingredients:
Cardstock: Papermill; Bazzill ** Papers: Upsy Daisy Designs - #SYLA011 See You Later Alligator, #SYLA012 Alphabet Soup ** Stamps: Some Odd Girl; Stampin' Up ** Other: Cosmic Shimmer; ProMarkers; Uniball Signo Pens; Adhesive Rhinestones; Pearls

I am entering the card into the following challenges:
2 Sketches 4 You - Laura's Sketch #54
Cupcake Craft Challenges - #95 One For The Boys 

Don't forget the DT Call for {{ Some Odd Girl }} - I would love to see you apply for this wicked gig: super images to work with and such a fun team of crafty chicks to have laughs with. The call runs through to July 16th, but I think you should get your app in as soon as possible - see the full deets {{ HERE }}

Some Odd Girl - June Release Pt II

I am totally loving the new releases from {{ Some Odd Girl }} and what I love even more that right now, we are seeing a new set of stamps each and every fortnight...I am in digi stamp heaven right now *swoon*

The second Summer release is going live today and this is what's awaiting you...Yummy

** click on image to enlarge **

So, watcha reckon? Which is the stamp I have chosen to be the object of my desire this week?
Leave your suggestion in the comments box - you never know what may happen *wink wink*
Her is another wee sneak of the card I created using one of the above stamps...but which...

Upsy Daisy Designs - DT June, Pt II

Have you all noticed the new addition to the {{ UDD }} lines? One sheet of the papers of each line has some wicked journaling tags, frames, sentiments and ribbon"esque" strips printed on the back. The first thing I did when I got the new lines, was to cut out all the little bits and bobs from those sheets. I *heart* them....

For the month of June, the DT was challenged to make use of the journaling cards and show some different ways of using them. Needless to say you didn't need to ask me twice to dig into my box of lush :))

** click on any of the images to view them enlarged **

Using the middle journaling card from the {{#VO016 Strike A Pose paper }}, I cut the frame away from the dotted lines and used it as...a frame!!! Yeah, I know, I am so clever - sometimes I just scare myself *giggles*. The lined part of the journaling card, I simply tucked into the frame sideways...I think it worked well

Upsy Daisy Designs Products used:
Papers:  #VO016 Strike A Pose; #BLO011 Awakening; #SYLA013 Everglades; #UDD0134 Delicious 
Rub Ons:  #UDD193 A Little Birdie Told Me

Some Odd Girl is BLOG HOPping

Welcome to the FIRST Some Odd Girl Blog Hop! We are happy you've joined us and I know the ODDies have a ton of goodies to show you! So just take the journey thru the blogosphere and not only will you see some lovely projects but you will get some sneaks of our June 15th release! If you just happened upon my my blog please start your hop at the {{ Some Odd Girl Challenge blog}}  and make some ODD stops on each of our ODD Girls' blogs finishing up at Kristy's blog.


Your should have arrived here from {{ Ann's blog }} but should get lost during the hop, below is the list of ODDies in order of HOP :)

Some Odd Girl

Leah

Robin

Jen

Marcie

Ann

Kimmy You are HERE

Kristy

AND if you leave all the ODDies a lil' love you may just win our WHOLE June 15th release! Yup, that is seven (!) Digi Stamps in a total value of $21.00!!!! You would be silly not to get in with a chance here. So you better start hopping.

Before I send you on your merry way to the next stop, I would like to share a little tutorial with you. If you are anything like me, you freak out at the thought of colouring digi images...in particular when you see the amazing work a lot of artists out there produce with their Copics or ProMarkers. But you know what? It is not that difficult...seriously, just have a look:

Please excuse some of the blurry pictures - I only had the chance to to the tutorial in the evening and I just could not get them into focus without the flash (and with the flash you would have not seen the different shades)

** click on any of the images if you want to view them larger **

First off you print you image onto some white cardstock and choose the colours you want to use for the colouring. For my example I am teasing you with an UPCOMING digi stamp....yep, it is true you cannot get this fella just yet: LEMONEY is part of the next release, going live on 29 June 2010....but don't be too sour about it  *giggles*

First, I started with the flesh of the lemon and used the SATIN colour in small circular motion to colour the areas, leaving the pips to remain white. For small areas you want to use the pointed tip of your pen. Both ProMarkers and Copics have a wide and a pointed tip :)

Using the different shades of yellow, I started with the lightest to colour the outside of t he lemon segments, and the further I came to the outside of the slice, the darker the colours I used.

Can you see the little colour marks on the top right of the image? I do that for all images I want to colour - have a few strokes of the shades I have chosen next to another, to see how well they work. Additionally that will give you a chance to see how much your cardstock may allow the colours to bleed - some cardstocks are worse than others.


For the colouring of the lemon at the front, I used the wide tip of my pen, which will prevent uneven colouring. If there are some small white spaces left close to the edge of the image, don't fret about it - your colours will run a tiny bit anyway. You are also very likely to add a darker colour to the edge, so any missed areas will be covered eventually.

If at any stage when you started using darker shades, feel that the contrast looks too harsh: just go over the WHOLE of the area with the lightest colour you used previously. This process will start blending the colours together - the longer you brush over the area, the wetter the cardstock gets and you can pretty much rectify small mistakes with it, as the darker shade as good as blends away.

I like working in a "feathered stroke" fashion when starting to shade. That means that you very lightly use the pointed tip of you pen and work in strokes from the outside in. If your coloured area is still wet, the light strokes will blend into the background perfectly. The above picture was taken right after I applied the strokes and the area was still very wet, hence the huge contrast.


When the area was drying, I found the contrast remained too harsh, so I added more feathered strokes, this time with the lighter colour which was used for the main body of the lemon.

Again, the picture above was taken while the area is still wet to hopefully show you how the different colours now start the blending process. 

Finally I was happy with the shading and after I added some colour for the eyes, I used a grey ProMarker pen to add a slight shade to the left edge of the front lemon - as in a real life picture, it would cast a shadow on the slice in the background....

So watcha think - easy or not? Personally, I think the colouring is MUCH easier than it seems if you only look at the finished project.

Okay then, I have kept you for too long already - head over to Mrs ODD, i.e. {{ Kristy }} now, to finish off the hop and see what she has got in store for you.


Thanks for hopping with us and if you fancy some more ODDness and more chances to win FREE ODD stamps - why not join us RIGHT NOW over at {{ SNR }}, where we are holding our very first DIGI DAY... woop woop!!! We have challenges, prizes, FREEbies and I recall Mrs ODD mentioned the word SALE during one of our email conversations....so you better go check it out :)


Wanna know what the FREEbie looks like? I am totally into retro 50's right now, so I squealed with delight when I saw this lil' lady