Old or new?

My favourite buy of the month has to be my Promaker fine nibs - finally I can use my promarkers on all those fine detailed stamps.  So, with this in mind, I re-visited the dragon bookmarks I make.  Previously they were coloured with Sakura Stardust pens and, whilst I love the bling, I always thought it a shame that so much of the detail was lost.
So, I've revamped the design - coloured the dragon with promarkers for a greater depth of colour and for bling I've added crystal glitter over the gems in the sword.  I've also reduced the amount of gold embossing to reveal more of the distressing work.
Here is the new version:

And here's one of the old ones:

But let me know what you think, please.  Which version do you prefer?  I'd really appreciate your feedback.

Mani xxx

Meet the family!

Not had time to post or make new cards the last couple of week as have big show coming up at end of month and desperately need to make stock.  So, it's back to the archives today and I thought I'd introduce you to my two daughters - in card form, of course!

This is my eldest Jordanna, 15 years old. 

And this is my youngest Lorelei, aged 2.

I wanted to make them the same christmas card as they're sisters but with differences to highlight their own unique personalities.  I used glitter paper on both & the snowflakes were punched from self-adhesive glitter paper - but I wouldn't recommend this as I broke my punch!  The stamps were coloured with promarkers.

For Jordanna's picture I used a Sugar Nellie stamp.  Spookily, this really is how Jordanna dresses as she's into goth burlesque.  No red hair as yet though!

For Lorelei's picture I used a Gorjuss stamp.  Perfect for Lorelei as she really is a little princess and the bear is an exact match for her favourite teddy, Bubblegum.

Until next time,
Mani xxx

Creative Expressions Calling Card Challenge

For me "Calling Card" conjures up Jane Austen novels & butlers taking cards on trays to announce guests. So I wanted to do a card that expressed both me as a person & as a crafter. Purple was a no brainer & as I'm known at the craft fairs as "the fairy card lady", well, that was an obvious choice too!  The butterfly swirl was inspired by my business cards.

I made the ATC from silk art card. I did a resist technique by stamping the butterfly swirl & the little plant (Elusive Images) in Versamark & brayering with Hydrangea Big n Juicy.  Once dry, I added some details around the edges & then stamped fairy in Versafine onyx, embossed with black powder. I mounted the ATC on some rainbow mirri to set it off.

I created the background by tearing Neenah card & colouring with cut n dry foam & distress inks in Dusty Concord, Scattered Straw & a little Peeled Paint. I used Versafine onyx to stamp the fairy, door & mushrooms (Lavinia Stamps) & grasses & leafy swirls (Clarity Stamp).  To create some depth I added some more detail using grape Memento.

Next I accented the door with a little watercoluring using Distress inks in Dusty Concord & Weathered Wood.

I made some butterflies with Fantasy Film and Fibres &, using pinflair silicone glue, I attached just the bodies so that the wings are free.  Finally, I used crystal glitter to make a trail from the fairy on the ATC to the 2nd butterfly so the fairy is blowing a butterfly kiss.  It doesn't show up fantastically well on the picture but that's probably because I'm a rubbish photographer! I decided against matting and layering the card as I love the way it looks against the white.

Please let me know what you think and cross your fingers for me!

Mani xx