Sunday 7 February 2016

Penny Black and More - Guest Designer

Hello my friends,

You may have noticed that I have had less posts in January and there's a reason to it - I went back to work after 5 years home with my girls. Work has cut hours from crafting and more over I've been so exhausted after work so I have not been able to create anything really. I also wanted to let you know, that I really appreciate your sweet and kind comments very much and I try to visit back when even I can. Since the girls went to daycare also, they need my presence more in the evenings as before and by the time I get them to bed I'm asleep as well. I had to leave something undone and I cut the time from social media. Hopefully you understand. But just wanted to let you know that it has been very busy time for me and very stressful to go back to work, so your wonderful encouragement and support over here in blogland has really made me feel so much better. Thank you! You are so wonderful!! 

Today I'm excited to share a card that I've made lately - YaY! I was also asked to join the fun over at Penny Black and More challenge. I entered into their challenge before Christmas and they asked me to Guest Design for February challenge. If you are fond of Penny Black products, go and check out their challenge - it is a lot of fun and they have prizes as well! :)

The theme in February is Stamps and Dies so any stamp or die from Penny Black will do. I was in a need of a new babygirl card and saw an opportunity to use this adorable set called Bundle of Joy from Penny Black. I coloured the image with copic markers and coloured pencils. The "Joy" die cut is from their Holiday die cut set called World of Wishes - I only used "Joy" and it worked well. Then I ran into a problem, I only had holiday and Christmas themed sentiments from Penny Black so I used sentiments from Altenew to finish up my card. I added a few sequins from Pretty Pink Posh as well to make this even more girly and there is a square piece of vellum behind the image as well! 

And a few words of colouring this image. I created the blue background with a new technique (for me at least), I had never thought it before and was so excited about it and will try this to other images as well. Firstly I added C1 and added little shading with C3 to whole background - just nice even layer of colour. Well the colour is a relative thing and the colour changes a lot due to what is next to that colour that you are using, since cool greys are sort of blue greys the background looked blue already but it was still too "grey" for a happy card like this. Then I went over the whole background with BG000 which is very bright (and cool) but light blue and it gave the background the brighter tint of blue but leaving it to be toned down also. Love the look, hopefully this helps! 







Supplies:
Stamps: Bundle of Joy from Penny Black and Baby Zoo from Altenew.
Dies: World of Wishes from Penny Black, Pierced Square Stax Die from MFT
Inks: Memento Desert Sand and Versafine Onyx Black
Pink Vellum
Lilac Garden Flower Mix Sequins and Sparkling Clear Cupped Sequins from Pretty Pink Posh


Copic markers: Leaves: YG91 - YG93 - YG95, Fur: E40 - E41 - E42 - E43 - E44, Branch and frame: E23 - E55 - E57, Pink: RV00 - RV11 - R81, Face and tones: RV91 - W1 - W3 - R00. Background: BG000 - C1 - C3



Faber-Castell Polychrome Pencils: May Green (170), Earth Green Yellowish (168), Chromium Green Opaque (174), Pink Madder (129), Middle Purple Pink (125), Light Flesh (132), Ivory (103), Burnt Sienna (283), Bistro (179), Raw Umber (180), Van-Dyke Brown (176)



Derwent Colouresoft White (720)

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a amazing day!

Hugs,
Marika

32 comments:

  1. You have made a lovely baby card for our challenge Marika and we are so pleased you have joined us as our Guest Designer, especially when I know how bust you are going back to work.

    Hope you have a good Sunday.

    B x

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  2. A beautiful and very cute card Marika.Thank you for joining us as a guest designer at Penny Black and More this month. I hope when you get used to your new work schedule you will find more time to craft.

    Shirley

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  3. Todella suloinen vauvakortti. Kiitos kun olet mukana Penny Black and more haasteessa GDT:nä.
    Mukavaa kevään odotusta;-))m

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  4. WOW Marika what a gorgeous image and your coloring skills are simply mind blowing
    Cheers
    Dr Sonia

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  5. I love all your cards! And I always happy when you show New! Thank you Marika!

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  6. Such beautiful colouring, Markia. I'm definitely going to try out your Copic combination for the soft sky background as it looks perfect here. I know how hard it is to go back to work after time at home with little ones but after a while you get into a routine and it gets a little bit easier. Plus, being at work makes holidays with the kids even more special! Hugs x

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  7. Aaaah what a little sweetie and thanks for being our guest designer this month, Luv Sam x

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  8. This is such a sweet and pretty baby card Marika and your colouring is just beautiful also thank you for the tips about the background and will remember that for future reference. x

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  9. Beautiful card, love your stamp, so lovely to have you join us as guest designer too x Susan x

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  10. Beautiful card, love your stamp, so lovely to have you join us as guest designer too x Susan x

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  11. Family must always come first...so of course we'll still be haunting your blogposts, be they many or few. This baby card is absolutely adorable. Perfect for a tiny girl and I really love the background.

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  12. Marika, Your card is lovely. Best wishes to you and yours on returning to work. With time, you will regain or remake your groove. I will continue to visit your blog everyday and when you have posted that will be my red letter day.

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  13. Hey Marika, it's a gorgeous card and I love the background. I've been doing the Copic Marker class from Online Card Classes and one of my favourite lessons was the blending with greys. The results can be amazing from such a simple technique. I love the whole card, especially as you've textured the blanket beautifully. It's a big thing going back to work after such a long time, and you are right to take the time you can to spend it with your girls. We will always be here when you get back into a routine with it all. xx

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  14. this is so sweet and very pretty in all the pink! so glad you could join us this month as a guest designer at penny black and more!
    linda

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  15. What a pretty card!! I LOVE the way you colored this in!! The blending of the blue and the gray are so pretty. I will have to try this!! I know how work gets in the way of creating. I feel this way also. I am too tired at night to craft, after working all day, then getting the night routine down, driving Char to all her activities, fitting in the gym-who has energy to do anything but go to bed? You will get into a routine, though and will make the time when you need it. Thank you for sharing your beautiful card!!!

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  16. Marika, I have missed you, but you have your priorities perfectly aligned! Please take care of you, and your minis. I will wait! And today's little darling, is just that: darling! One day, when you have time to think ... please tell my which brand of pencils you prefer: Inktense, or Polychromos ... I must get opinion of the PRO! xx
    =]
    =]

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  17. Eeeekkk!! This is sooo cute!!! Absolutely adorable and great coloring! :)
    Suchi xx

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  18. WOW, what a very, very sweet card, Marika!!!! And as always your colouring is fantastic!!!!
    I can imagine that being back at work after some time at home with your little darlings must be tough!!! We miss you when you're not around, but quality time with your little ones is what is most important, now, so we understand!!!! They grow up so quickly so enjoy every moment you've got with them!!!
    Keep well!!!

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  19. Une très jolie carte et toujours une parfaite colorisation ! ce n'est pas évident de reprendre le travail après une longue absence, et il est normal que vous soyez moins disponible maintenant.. Profitez de vos enfants, ils grandissent si vite ! bonne continuation à vous, et si vous me manquez, je me promène sur votre blog ! j'aime trop regarder vos cartes et malgré mes 63 ans, j'apprends encore ! amitiés de France,
    Nicky

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  20. Oh Marika, of course we understand, your family comes FIRST!! and you also need some down time after a stressful day at work, spent with your girls. Not to worry, my dear, we love to see your posts as much or as little as you can share them.
    Now, on to your delightful and over the top beautiful card.....Love the adorable little Bundle of Joy, perfectly colored as always. The blue sky in the background is soft and beautiful, I thought you sponged it, looks amazing.
    Thank you for sharing.
    Hugs,
    Maria Rodriguez.

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  21. As always, Marika, your colors are fantastic! Crafting will be there when your girls are grown. Enjoy the little ones while they're little.

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  22. Family first Marika, we aren't going anywhere! This card is Precious and beautiful! You can't get time back, so enjoy those children!

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  23. This card is a bundle of "WOW-ness", Marika - overloaded cuteness and stunning Copic colouring!

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  24. I so love all that you do! You are very gifted and truly inspirational, Marika!

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  25. What a card, Marika! Beautiful as always. Be with your family all you need to be - that's most important. We will still be here when you do have time create and share. Good to see you are a guest designer for Penny Black, and hope it leads to more. Love seeing your work.

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  26. Hello Marika your card so beautiful as we have come to enjoy all the beauty you create... You r greatly missed but you Must take care of you and your family first...I so understand my work keeps me from creating as much as I would like also,,, but maybe someday.. I wish you beautiful loving days with your family we will be here to support you whenever you have the time. Big Hugs

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  27. *sighing* This is beautiful, and will be reassured :-)

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  28. What a beautiful scene you've created, that blue is fab. Thanks for being our GDT this month.
    Lynn x
    DT

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  29. Another beauty of a card, Marika! All the very best establishing a new routine and finding time for everything. Don't forget to find time for yourself too. Hugs!

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  30. So adorable! I saw this card over at Penny Black and More blog and I should come over to take a closer look at this! Awesome as always! Hope you can get into the routine soon and find more time for yourself!

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