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When you make a conscious choice to be happy, no one can take it away from you because no one gave it to you: you gave it to yourself.

A quote from April Green's - Bloom For Yourself Journal

Wednesday 30 October 2013

WOYWW 230

Running a little late today Desk Dashers!

I spent the morning having my toes made pretty, I find it difficult to do my own toes so my lovely neighbour who is a beautician keeps them tidy and paints them for me. Handy hey?!

So I'm busy working away on DT stuff when I remember it's Wednesday & that means I have somewhere to be. And that Desk Dashers is our starting point, our porthole to many a desk worldwide, Julia Dunnit's Desk.

Okay so I got the phone out, realised I had to move some stuff before taking these pics less than 20 mins ago - 
You'll all be happy to see some pens out!

A blank Smash Book page ready for some DT work.

The usual suspect can be spotted, though you realise if you look closely that the window sill has been tidied and stuff put away. 

I notice I'm not far off 200 followers, so I thought I'd ask you lovely Desk Dashers to see if you could help me reach that target. Once there I shall organise some sort of random prize I'm sure!!

Thanking you all.
Take care Zo xx



Tuesday 29 October 2013

Fashion Divas!

Morning - today I've gone all glam. You can see why by popping over to the Polkadoodles blog to see the latest Digi Choosday challenge.

I decided to make a gift for my niece as I've bought her a fashion wheel toy for Christmas & wanted to create a notebook/clipboard for her to keep her designs together. I used the gorgeous digis from Emma Canning - Foxy FriendGeek & Cute as a button. I coloured the images with a mix of markers. The background was created using the gorgeous Classic Hearts/Wedding collection it is a stunning collection with elements that can be used for almost anything. I mounted the main project onto some thick cardboard and added buttons, clips & sparkle!


I'm really happy with my colouring on this and I'm loving the hair colour!


Look forward to seeing your creations, check out all of the fab digi downloads on the Polkadoodles website. There really is a huge selection.

Take care Zo xx


Monday 28 October 2013

Autumnal we say!

Good morning!

I'm back today to share my latest Crafty Boots challenges DT project, and the theme this time is - 

AUTUMNAL

As chosen by me! Yep I have chosen this theme as it is one of my favourite times of the year. I love the colours, smells and the fact that I can start to wear layers - boots with long socks, long tees under short sleeve tops etc. So for this challenge, I want to see Autumnal colours, items, characters, leaves or Pumpkins. As long as it has an Autumnal theme then it's okay by me!!

Here's my make - 


I chose to use one of the new Saturated Canary images called 'Tidy Up' The one thing Autumn does so well is the leaves - all crunchy and colourful. So I thought this image works well. I coloured her with a mix of markers using bold autumnal colours. I then stamped out the leaves using Stampin'Up stamp set 'Wonderfall' Thankfully the ink pads from SU  - Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade & Raspberry Ripple - matched my colours along with Walnut Stain Distress Ink. A simple green mat set against centura pearl card stock created the backdrop along with a faint script which is the SU En francais script stamp. I used Antique Linen ink. A few Card Candis and 3 pennant punched shapes accented the project.

Here's some close-ups - 




I really enjoyed using these colours and you'll see I've not added a sentiment as I want this card to be suitable for most occasions. 
Take care Zo xx



Friday 25 October 2013

Santa & his Poinsettia!

Hello this Friday morning, I'm back to share my latest Polkadoodles DT make. Why not pop over to the blog to find out more and join in!

Right, I set myself a challenge this time and this is what I come up with -


I decided to use only 2 digi stamps from the fabulous Home For Christmas CD I took the 2 images into Serif Craft Artist and set about layering the images, flipping them to face each other as I created the wreath. Once happy I printed it off and started to colour them using contemporary colours (I chose them to match my home decor), I used a mix of markers including Graph It markers 

A real colouring challenge, but I wanted to show you how you can use minimal elements but still create a project with the Wow factor!! 

Here's some more pictures - 




I hope you like this different wreath and perhaps it'll inspire you to make your own! Make sure you share it with us if you do.

Take care Zo xx




Wednesday 23 October 2013

WOYWW 229

Well this is fun! I mean, actually having to sit and type up a post that doesn't need scheduling!! That's what I've done this week, scheduled 3 posts. A new record for me.

Anyway desk, Zoe, desk.  Why am I rambling about a desk? Well pop over to Julia's WOYWW to see what it's all about and join in.

I've caught my desk in transition, note no pens on desk or colouring to be seen, gulp, that doesn't feel right to me. Though there are things to see - 


Right side - there's my Paris Smash book. While it was 2011 when I last went I've not gotten far with capturing this adventure in its designated smash book. Last night while listening to Bristol Rovers commentary (don't ask, we lost......again!) I created a double page spread. Then behind the book is a mahoosive bottle of collall glue. Yep it's new & it means I can decant into my smaller bottles. By that is a pot of gliding wax. Not my usual thing but it looked lush and I needed it. You understand.


Window side, mostly empty other than the usual stuff that stays on there. You can also see the very wet road outside. I've also realised how dirty my window is, finger marks!! (Off to find cleaner & cloth).

So that's me; coffee needed today & new ears would be good. I can't hear you see. Been using drops so it's getting better but can you all shout otherwise I may miss you!
Take care Zo xx

(ps check out my new profile pic - me with 2 handsome men. Yes I am that little, for those that don't know. The men, well they are my favourite Rovers players of course!)

Tuesday 22 October 2013

My First DT project for Digi Choosday!

That's right folks, I've been accepted onto the Digi Choosday DT and I'm thrilled to bits. As many of you know, I often use digital images, from images I colour to embellishments & papers that I coordinate to match my coloured images. 

The challenge is a weekly event that will occur on the Polkadoodles challenge blog and I can tell you there are many a fab product to share and a very talented DT to showcase them!

Right so today is the first challenge so pop over to the Digi Choosday post to see what it's all about and to join in. 

Here's my project - 


I decided to make a gift card to allow me to send a book voucher/card as a present, and as soon as I saw Emma Canning's Bookworm image I knew I had to use it. I also chose elements from the Love Will Flourish digi collection even though it says it's geared towards wedding stationery.  The papers and embellishments are so suitable for many an idea so it's always worth looking beyond the collection title as I'm sure you can always re-colour to suit or even use sections of the elements.

I took all of the images into Serif Craft Artist to create the main topper & bookmark. I matted & layered both onto coordinating card  before creating a simple pocket for the gift card/voucher to slot into along with a matching bookmark.

I printed the image separately and coloured her with a mix of markers including the fabulous Graph It markers.

Here's some close-ups of the project - 


Here you can see the card without the bookmark and gift card.  I deliberately didn't add a birthday sentiment or any other so that it can be used for any event.

Well I hope you like my first Digi Choosday DT project and I do hope you'll join us with your own creations. So pop back every Tues to see what I've been up to!

Take care Zo xx





Friday 18 October 2013

Some Exciting news!

If you pop over to the Polkadoodles challenge blog you will not only see the new challenge that launched today but also the announcement of a brand new challenge called Digi Choosday that will launch on 22nd October. To go with this new challenge there is a Design Team and I'm thrilled to say I'm on it!

So if you love digi images then you will love this challenge and will be inspired by all of the fab products you will get to see and the inspiration from the very talented DT (I'm going to have to work hard to keep up the high standards I can tell you!)

I look forward to sharing my projects with you and seeing what you can come up with too!
Take care Zo xx


Wednesday 16 October 2013

WOYWW 228

Who turned out the lights? 

My craft room is a gloomy dark place this morning, even with the blind fully up. Good job I have an Ottlite!

Anyway desk, I'm back to showing the whole thing again, well I did have to hide something I've been colouring, you'll have to come back week Fri to see it! Look out for the full pen storage, yes every pen has a proper slot now as I've bought some more trays - 

So full pen storage, radio still there along with the pile of stamps, really do need to sort them. There an empty dog food box I'm planning on covering and using for storage.

Window side in full on colouring mode.

Usual things that are on my desk, glues and scissors; Ebosser and Ottlite; phone and pens.

Okay so that's me. Pop over to Julia's Stamping Ground to see everyone else's desks and join in!

I'm off out in this weather (lashing down with rain!) for a haircut later. Oh joys. But it'll be nice to get my hair done even if the style doesn't last when I step out of the hairdresser's door! 
See you all laters and thanks for all the visits and comments lately. They really do help me and keep me going when I'm struggling big time.
Take care Zo xx

Monday 14 October 2013

Spooky treats

Well top of the morning to you!

I'm back today to share my latest Crafty Boots challenge DT make, and this time it's all about Halloween as chosen by Dionne (Happy birthday btw!) 

I've made a zombie character to go in my treat bucket that I shall place on my doorstep this Halloween - 

 

I simply printed off this Saturated Canary zombie image and coloured her with a mix of markers. I then matted the image onto gold & Centura pearl card. I drew zig-zags & dots around the edge.  A touch of Glossy accents finished it off.

I'm looking forward to seeing your spooky makes! Take care Zo xx

Friday 11 October 2013

Polkadoodles does.....

Well you'll have to pop over to the Polkadoodles Challenge blog for details of the theme and how to join in!

So I'm here this Friday to share my DT make for the latest challenge. I used the fabulous and fun Witchie Witchie download bundle. I took the images into Serif to create the whole sign ready to go on my door.  I digitally distressed the edges of papers, adding shadows to embellishments and adding the vital information in the form of the  text. I also printed off the fab Witch digi stamp to colour with my mix of markers including some of the gorgeous Graph It markers. She was coloured to coordinate with the sign. I finished it all off with a touch of sparkle & Glossy Accents.





I plan on leaving a spooky bucket full of treats on my doorstep, with this sign above and also the door hanging I made a while ago tied to my front door!! 

Who bets I still get little witches knocking!!
Take care Zo xx



Wednesday 9 October 2013

WOYWW 227

Morning  -  a quick hello & share cos I've lots of DT colouring to do!
I'm loving what I'm doing of late and any excuse to colour is good.

Right dash over to Julia's Stamping Ground to join in and start your desk dashing tour across the world.

Okay rather than show you the usual pens/radio/pile of stamps cos tbh there isn't any change, my desk this morning is empty of anything going on apart from these that I set up and photographed and you guys are going to see the unedited/uncropped/as they are version cos that's what's on my desk - 





Yep Christmas cards again, this time using gorgeous stamps from Stampin'Up. I took these using my phone cos I've discovered the joys of using Dropbox. Take pics on phone, add to dropbox on said phone, then cos I've got Dropbox on puter, pictures magically appear on puter without me connecting any leads! Obviously this kind of thing has existed for a while but I've just found it and I'm rather thrilled and excited by the prospect of it! That internet/wifi thing is pretty cool at times.

Right time to drink my coffee and get colouring! See you all later.
Take care Zo xx




Wednesday 2 October 2013

WOYWW 226

Hello desk dashers & anyone else!

I'm back today to share with you my desk as per the rules of our lovely leader Julia - Stamping Ground owner & all round fab and fun and friendly lady!

So here goes - 


Now to me this is a mess - pens waiting to go away, my mug from last night, stuff all piled up including stamps that have been there for weeks. Of course the usual suspects are there.


The window side is tidier, can't share that project as it's a DT make. Look at the sunshine, blind is kept down so I don't blind you all or myself while taking these pics.


Sneaky peek of a bit!

Shelves starting to look rather full, but then all of my craft room is, think I need to have a sort out over the winter cos I'm sure I can tidy up and make room for more stuff!

Last week many of you commented on my mum's cards I was making that you could see on my desk, well if you pop HERE you can see them all.

Right coffee time!
Take care Zo xx

Tuesday 1 October 2013

Autumn colours

Morning!

Well I've been busy making cards for October birthdays. I'm a little crafty (literally!) and try to make DT makes & any challenge entries for birthdays (most of my family/friends don't blog!) so that I'm not left with huge piles of cards.  So today I'm sharing a card I've made for a friend, but I've used specific colours so that I can enter it into the Graph It Challenge  as the theme set is Autumn colours. Here's my card - 


This time of year I can see lots of reds & golds outside as the season changes so I chose to use these colours. The image is Saturated Canary & I've coloured her with a mix of Graph It & Copic markers. The background was created using leaves from Stampin'Up stamped with their Raspberry Ripple ink onto Centura Pearl card. I added a ribbon, gold card and Candi along with the gold flowers. A spot of stickles sparkle on her wings finishes it off! 

Here's some close ups - 




This was a different combo for me, but I enjoyed the challenge!
Take care Zo xx