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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

Friday 28 February 2014

Sugar & Spice

Hello there - I'm back today to share my latest make for the Polkadoodles challenge blog. Please head over there to check out the details of the challenge and to see the DT inspiration from my fellow teamies.

 I instantly thought of the colour palette when I saw this challenge so decided to colour an image I hadn't attempted before, this Daisy Lady (as I call her) is from the gorgeous Double Sprinkle of Kraft CD. I printed her fairly large 7" x 6". I coloured her with a mix of markers including the fabulous Graph It's. Once finished I decided to keep it simple. I added a few flowers and some candi. I wanted to keep this card for any occasion so didn't put a sentiment on it deliberately. I added some sparkle to her using the gorgeous Shake Glitter pens from Graph It.

Here's some close ups - 


Look forward to seeing your entries. Hope you like my Dt inspiration!

I'm entering this into the following challenges - 

Take care Zo xx

Wednesday 26 February 2014

WOYWW 247

It's Wednesday! And that means I get to show you my desk because I take part in the fabulous link up party that happens every Wednesday over at Julia's - The Stamping Ground yep desks from all over the world, perfect way to nose peruse other creative people's spaces.

So here's my desk, in a blaze of sunshine that I've had to keep my blind half down - 
SO the tidy right side.

The messy bright sunshine filled window side.

The sun brightening my whole space - highlighting the pile of stuff I want to sort today. There's some new stamps from Crafter's Companion - a cute football stamp & a pirate stamp. You can guess why I bought those!! (If not, think my football team!).

So that's me - I will pop round at some point. Coffee, 2 sugars & a tiny splash of milk would be nice! :)
Take care Zo xx


Tuesday 25 February 2014

Out of position!

Morning! 

Welcome to my Digi Choosday post, we now have our own blog so that it's easier for you to find us as it was a little busy on the Polkadoodles blog!

So my DT make - pop over to the main blog to find out the details, all I'll say is things are out of position!

So this week I chose to use an envelope on the front of my card. I used papers, envelope & image from the Dollie Goes East collection.  The image 'Pray' can also be found in the download section. I coloured her with a mix of markers including the fabulous Graph It markers. I added the sentiment to the inside of the envelope to make it a feature as well as adding the hearts and candi.


Here's some close ups-


I really love this character, so easy to colour but always looks beautiful no matter how you colourise or accent the image.


I've not used an envelope on the front of a card before, but am really pleased with how it looks. Something different and something I will do again.

That's it from me, don't forget to pop over to find out all the details, see the DT inspiration and join in!
Also I see I'm near to 200 followers, if you haven't I'd love you to follow me, once I hit 200 I will be offering up some fabulous candy!!
Take care Zo xx


Monday 24 February 2014

I'm showing mine, will you?

Happy Monday everyone - I'm here today to link up with Kerry over at Scrapbookerry to show my craft room.

So here's the pics- 
So behind the door is the messy bookcases where I keep all my card, papers, inks, stamps in folders and stuff!

My writing/laptop desk complete with empty coffee glass!

My right side desk with my Ebosser, huge collection of Copics and Graph It pens, my radio which is on from dawn to dusk and my Spice rack that holds my Dylusions inks and other paints. The blue lamp is there as my Ottlite has broken so am waiting for my new one to arrive. 


Window desk where I work. My Project Life is out as I'm sorting the last 2 weeks. My shelves are full of Smash Books and jars of buttons!



Everything else is kept on this bookcase so I can get it easily. You can see my cow print long handled sweeping brush and Baxter's water bowl. There is my sewing machine that I need to learn to use properly!

Of course Baxter is never far away. He's out on the landing but you can see he has a bed behind the door too!

So that's my craft room. 
Take care Zo xx

Friday 21 February 2014

Creating texture on clothes

Hello, I'm back today to share my Graph It colouring challenge DT make. 

For this week's challenge I had a play with creating texture on clothes and in particular denims. Once I finished colouring my image (Cell by Saturated Canary), I sprayed some Mix It Fluid onto a textured towel. I then dabbed the cloth onto the coloured jean's, not rushing to allow the fluid to lift some of the colour and to leave the impression of the cloth.


Here's a close up of the jeans -  


I'm really pleased with the effect and will play around with different materials to see what texture they create!
Once dried I framed this image to create a picture.

The Graph It's I used are - 
Skin = 4115, 4120, 4125, 4135, 4150, 4155, 4170
Hair/shoes = 3190, 6160, 5140, 4150
T-shirt/bag = 7140, 7145, 9103
Denim = 9100, 9102, 9103, 9505, 7180

Would love to see your creations using the fabulous Graph It's.

I'm also entering this into the following challenges - 

Take care Zo xx


Tuesday 18 February 2014

Shaping it large!

It's Digi Choosday and that means we get to focus on Digi images! There is now a new dedicated blog for Digi Choosday. The blog is a pathway to all your digi needs! Plus the DT inspiration will show you how to get the best out of your images.

Did you know there's also an Etsy store? You will find all of the Dollie images there.

Anyway I thought I'd supersize an image and make it a shaped card to meet our DT challenge! I used this gorgeous 'Pray' image from Dollie goes East collection. I coloured her with a mix of markers including Graph It's  I also used the fabulous gold Glitter Shake pen  to colour over her top. The card is nearly A4 in length! 

I really enjoyed colouring to this scale. Here's some close ups-



The gold on her top really accents and lifts the image. The paper is from my stash.

I hope you like this supersized project.
Take care Zo xx


Monday 17 February 2014

Sharing Baxter with you!

I rarely post about personal stuff these days, oh I add little notes here and there, but don't find the time to do more, however today I want to share this with you all.

I had this canvas done of Baxter - 


Isn't it lush? I randomly snapped this on my phone. Once it was on the puter I knew it was an image I loved. So I had the photo printed 7 x 5 and put it in a frame. Then I saw a recommendation for a canvas company along with a discount code.

Well the prices are fabulous on their own but with the discount I had to buy. The company is - 

http://www.canvasdesign.co.uk/

My canvas is a 12 x12 inch. The service was fantastic, the website easy to use and the quality is far better than I thought it would be for the price. I shall be using this site again and wanted to share it with you all as I know lots of you love your fur babies/human babies too!!

Take care Zo xx

Friday 14 February 2014

Love & Florals!

Hello, I'm back to share my 2nd DT make for the Graph It markers Colouring Challenge. Today is a special event as we are linking up with the Whimsy blog as well. Plus here's some exciting information I've copied over from the main Graph It blog so make sure you go over there to find the other DT blogs as you will want to leave them comments too -

As it's a special challenge week here on the Graph'It blog we will give away the following this week:
1. Our overall Random winner will receive a 12 pack of Graph'It markers worth £30
2. Each of our GI team members joining in the challenge will be giving away a pack of 3 markers worth £7.95 BUT you must leave a comment on each blog to be in with a chance of winning! Each teamie will choose a winner from their blog comments.
The Graph'It challenge is still separate to the Whimsy challenge so this means that you have TWO chances to enter the same project on both blogs : )

YOU HAVE UNTIL FRIDAY 28TH FEBRUARY TO ENTER THIS CHALLENGE AND WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON FRIDAY 7TH MARCH.

So please make sure you follow the rules above and leave comments where you need to, it's going to be fun reading your comments on my blog and I'd like to know what you think of my Smash book page below. 

I used the gorgeous "Danii" from Whimsy stamps image as the main focus on my "Love & Florals" Smash book page. The flowers are from Cherry Blossom collection from Polkadoodles.
I chose bold colours and even tried out a new hair combo!
The Graph It's I used are - 

Skin = 4120, 4125, 4115, 4155 + 4170, 4135, 4150 (for blush & shadows)
Hair = 3190, 6160, 5140, 4150
Reds = 5210, 5215, 5220, 5245 + 3190 (shadows)
Browns = 3190, 3255, 3270, 3280, 3130,3150, 3170
Denim/blue flowers = 9100, 9102, 9103, 9505, 7180
Greens = 8260, 8270, 8280




Please check out the main blog for all of the details for this challenge, make sure you leave a comment to be in with a chance of winning my giveaway here on my blog and make sure you visit the rest of the team too. Oh and join in the challenge too. Both on the Graph It blog and the Whimsy blog! Phew. It's going to be fun!
Take care Zo xx




Oriental Love!

Hello Friday! 

Well I'm back to share my latest Polkadoodles DT make and I'm pretty darned pleased with this one.

Sometimes you get an idea to do something different - sometimes it doesn't work, while other times it does. This was the latter!

Love is in the air considering what day it is, but I thought I'd use the non traditional colours of purple and yellow to design this card. I used the stunning Dollie Daydream goes East collection to print off papers, sentiment scroll, embellishments and gorgeous image. I coloured the image with markers including Graph It's and used them to coordinate the tickets and flowers. I absolutely love this collection!!
The scroll is on the cd and you print it off and roll the ends to create the scroll, I printed onto papers so added the extra black card rolls to the end to make it stand out.

Here's a few different views - 



Really hope you like my different take on this, it's perfect for a loved one or for a BFF!
Take care Zo xx


Wednesday 12 February 2014

WOYWW 245

Hello! 

Well it's that day again, the one where we dash around the world visiting many a desk and space. Make sure you pop over to the The Stamping Ground - home to Julia, the director of all desks to link up and join in.

I'm starting to have a sort of my craft room. I desperately need to get rid of stuff I don't use. Like all crafters I've tried most crafts and therefore have products that once I used but no longer do. Time to sort, sell, throw or keep. Wish I could afford those lush matching units you see. You know the pristine white ones with storage for everything. Ah well!

Firstly the mess. Yes I do make mess, contrary to what most of you think. Here's my bin/space between desks - 

A bin that is spilling over. Behind is pile of stuff. You know things that perhaps are too big for shelves, my laminator is there. Box of plates and embossing folders for my Ebosser. Underneath are 2 boxes that I put any cards/projects I make. I do try to make DT makes that are suitable for birthdays and events as I go. 

My desk is relatively tidy, just a few projects on there. Here's the pics - 
The right side as always has my pens, radio and Ebosser. But on the wall is my charity shop find. An old spice rack. Perfect for putting my inks and paints. 

Isn't it fab? 

The window side is clear-ish, I'm in between DT makes and need to write my article for Bristol Rovers today. But there's the cute little boy card I've made for my friend plus 2 cards for my dad's birthday this weekend. Just need to make envelopes.

Right that's me - coffee, then I need to get writing! 
Take care Zo xx

Tuesday 11 February 2014

Fun, funky & fashion!

Hello - it's Digi Choosday so I'm here to share my latest DT make. For all the challenge details and to see more inspiration head over to the new Digi Choosday blog! Yes a blog of its own and each Tuesday you will find some fabulous deals and offers.

I had great fun this week,  and I admit I coloured many images that suited our DT challenge, but finally decided on this fun, fab and funky girl - she can be found in the Dollie Goes East collection . I coloured her with a mix of markers including the fabulous Graph It's. I built up the dotted background using the markers and I also used papers and sentiment from the collection. I have to say I'm finding this selection of characters, papers and sentiments etc to be so versatile. Who knew Oriental Dollie style could be such fun!

Here's some close ups - 



Mad choice of colours I know, but it's what I felt like at the time!! Lol

Hope you like it.
Take care Zo xx


Tuesday 4 February 2014

Paris & Louboutins!

Morning!

It's Tuesday so that means it's time for Digi Choosday - Polkadoodles to launch another challenge and that means I'm here to share my DT make with you all!

So the DT were challenged to do 'Shopaholics' - I instantly thought of my time in Paris (2011) & for me, the ultimate shoe choice (though I confess they are not mine, I merely got to try them on!). I used this fabulous digi from the Dollie Daydream Girl Talk collection as a main image on this Smash Book double page spread. I coloured the image with Graph It markers which I also used to create the dotty background behind her. I added journaling, a postcard and photos to document my memories. I often use digi images on different projects as I reckon they add personality!

I bought the postcard in Paris, and you may ask why I linked the two? Well not only is Paris known for the designer shops on the Champs Elysee, but inside the Louboutins it says Paris! I didn't know that until I tried these on. Now no Zoe was harmed during this shoe fitting I must add. I stayed sat down at all times!! Could you imagine me trying to walk in these.......nope, didn't think so!

Here's some close ups - 




I used a number of pens, mainly neutral greys to create this dotted background. It took ages, but I reckon it was worth it as I think it looks fab. I also added some sparkle and white pen too.

So there you go - something different to do with a digi image. Don't forget to pop by the blog and also our Facebook page. The DT are always popping in and it's a good place to find out what's going on with all the latest digi images.

Take care Zo xx




Monday 3 February 2014

Bingo - Project Life

Morning Monday!

I'm here today to share my Craft Boots challenge post and the theme this time is to play Bingo! Over on the blog you can see the choices - I chose white, button & stamp.

I used these Some Odd Girl - Preppy Pups stamps. I've coloured the pup to have some likeness to Baxter - well black and grey-ish, but added the quirky glasses and bandana which comes in the stamp set along with the sentiment.


I measured out 4 inch by 3 inch in pencil before I stamped so that I knew it would fit my Project Life album. During 2014 I want to add characters that I've coloured to accent my photos and journaling.

They add personality and, of course, in many years time, how nice would it be for my Grandchildren (if I have any!) to look back and see what I've coloured!!



Here's the card in my folder, I've not finished all of last week's layout yet as I've run out of ink so will have to wait for it to arrive to print my photos! (Hopefully it will have arrived by the time you read this, I'm scheduling this post you see!)

Anyway hope you can join in.
Take care Zo xx