Chalkola Chalk Markers

It's almost Christmas and there is still time to get those last minute gifts for your crafty friends and loved ones via Amazon! If you're finding it hard to think of something... check out these fabulous Chalk Markers from Chalkola!

Pack of 10 Neon Coloured Chalk Markers

Pack of 8 Earth Coloured Markers

These arrived on my doorstep one rainy Sunday afternoon courtesy of Amazon Prime next day delivery and I loved them on sight! An excellent range of colours - brights in the neon pack and darker tones in the 'Earthy' pack. Perfectly complimenting each other.

The packaging states that they can be used on all hard non porous surfaces and they are washable - very important in my house with children who love to draw in all the wrong places! Although, they're not getting their sticky mitts on my new pens!

I opened up the brights and grabbed the purple first, being my favourite colour.

On opening, the tip has no colour - shake the pen and 'pump' the ink into the nib by pressing down onto paper or a wipe clean surface. The colour was bright and thick, not drippy, a very good consistency. I may then have drawn a couple of doodles on the fridge door!!! Good thick colour, bright and quick drying. A quick swipe with a damp cloth and it was clean again.

My daughter and I got a few more pens out, inked them up and had a play on the fridge! These go on smooth and creamy, dry quickly and without running. I popped them in my bag for work and used them for a Christmas chalkboard display for an upcoming charity day -

The white is stunning on the chalkboard - crisp lines and solid colour. The festive red and green perfect for holly and I can't wait to use the colours into the New Year for the World Cancer Day boards - the blue/pink/purple will be perfect for the CRUK colour scheme.

I've also used the pens on the shop windows and on the inspirational glass story board in the shop. They are easier to clean than the chalk pens provided by headoffice and stay bright and clear.
I have been using them for a few weeks now and am yet to be disappointed or find a negative.

Thanks for reading!
Mo xxx

(Disclaimer, I have received product for free or at a discount in exchange for an accurate, unbiased and honest review.)

Here Come the Holidays!

Good morning! Today is the start of our latest challenge at Crafting by Designs. We have several sponsors for this one as it will run for the rest of the month to give the DT a wee break over the Christmas holidays.

My first project is a Christmas/Creepmas card using 'Zoe la Zombie' by Alicia Bel which I've coloured using Promarkers. I've used Vintage Christmas papers from MME, red card candi and a paper bow from Craftwork Cards. I've finished off with a skele cameo! 

The second project is a set of gift tags with black and white images from Melonheadz which again I have coloured with Promarkers and added some gold detailing. These are the perfect finishing touch for those Christmas gifts and can be customised to go with whichever colour scheme you chose this festive season. I've kept mine traditional and used some paper from Craftwork cards for the wrapping here.

I hope you'll join in our challenge,
thanks for looking!
Maureen xxx

Getting Festive with Crafting by Designs

Morning folks! A quick post from me this morning! It's time for our Christmas in October challenge at Crafting by Designs today. I have used Peekaboo Penguin Ornament from The Stamping Boutique for my card. He is coloured with Promarkers and I've used papers and bow from Craftwork Cards.

Thanks for looking!
Mo xxx

Anything Goes at Crafting By Designs

Morning! No, your eyes do not deceive you - I have another card and another blog post!
It is Anything Goes time at Crafting by Designs and our sponsor this week is Shadow Clocksy - you know I love her images and I've used Rebel Zombie for my Halloween card!

I have used paper from DCWV Eek-a-Boo 6x6 stack and a sentiment from Create with TLC. The bats are from an x-cut mini die and the fence I believe was cut on my Cameo (I found it in a box of cuts!).
Thanks for looking!
Mo xxx

Lucy Loo Welcome Back from The East Wind

Today I am sharing a card that I am late with!! The East Wind are our sponsor this week at Crafting by Designs with the theme 'Favourite Season'. It's also the 150th challenge at Left of Center where TEW are also sponsoring so I've popped my card on there too.

The image is Lucy Loo Welcome Back, I've used papers from DCWV Eek-a-Boo stack and the sentiment is from there too. I've used Core'dinations for matting. The flowers are from Dovecraft and I've coloured with Promarkers.

I will enter the following challenges -
Open Minded Crafting Fun Challenge - Halloween
The Paper Players - Halloween
Ching-Chou Kuik Challenge - Oct Halloween
Dream in Darkness - Halloween (not sure it's dark enough!)


Thanks for looking!
Mo xxx

A Stitch in Time with Crafting By Designs

This week's challenge at Crafting By Designs is 'A Stitch in Time' and we'd like to see some stitching on your project - real or faux, it's up to you. I have used an image from our sponsor Bugaboo stamps for my Halloween card today - the image is Silhouette Skull Tree.

I have added faux stitching with a black fine liner pen and paprika Stickles to the eyes of the skulls.
My paper is DCWV Eek-a-Boo stack, the die is a Tim Holtz Bigz Weathered Clock and I've finished with glittery ribbon, sentiment and card candi.
I hope you'll join in the challenge at CBD!
Thanks for looking!
Mo xxx

Ribbon Challenge at Crafting by Designs

Good morning! I am delighted to announce that I have rejoined the Crafting by Designs team and this is my first challenge back with the lovely Doris, Sharon and the team! I have missed them so and incredibly grateful that they were happy to have me back!

This week's challenge is 'Ribbons' and the sponsor for this one is Sami Stamps. I have used the 'My Favourite Pumpkin' image and have coloured this zombie girl with WHSmith blendable pencils adding some distress inks to the background.

This is a 6x6" card using papers from DCWV 6x6" Eek-a-Boo stack. The embellishment is Jolee's Boutique, the sentiment is from Create with TLC and the Halloween ribbons are from my stash.

Thanks for looking!
Great to be back!
Mo xxx

Craftwork Cards DT Call!!!

Oh My Days! I have been watching and waiting and anticipating this event for a very, very, very long, long time!!! The amazing Craftwork Cards have held a Design Team Call to find new designer(s) for their awesome team working with the fabulous papers and products that they produce right here in the UK. I have been a long time supporter of the brand, having met Julie Hickey several times at Craft shows and having bought from them for many years now. Simply put - it would be a dream come true to be on their incredibly talented team.

So, the brief was to submit one project and 4 cards for consideration along with a bit about yourself. I spent days trying to come up with the 'perfect project' and in the end the 4th creation won the day and was sent in.

Here are two projects that I created with the Rosa papers and die cut flowers - call it a warm up for the final entry!! haha

First up, a photo frame - this was painted with pink acrylic paint, covered with papers, flowers and some Liquid Pearls and Stickles to finish.

The next project was a box that's been kicking about my craft space for ages that I never liked and always meant to 'alter' - so I finally done that!

And finally a view of the top of the box -

As for the project that won the day - I found an mdf birdhouse in my wee charity shop and used the Paradise Kit to alter it.

These photos are rubbish - taken on a messy table before packaging!

And an image of the cards that were sent too.

Good luck to all who have applied! My fingers and toes are all crossed!!!
Mo xxx

I will enter my altered birdhouse in the following challenges -
Altered Eclectics - May
Rhedd's Creative Spirit - May

Dovecraft Goody Bags!

Hi everyone! Long time no blog! I have been having such a ball with my demonstrating for Trimcraft that I've pretty much neglected the blog! Time to get back to it and what a way to start than with some Trimcraft samples.

Recently I have been working with the new Dovecraft Goodybags that are available. They retail at £6.99 (or 2 for £10 at The Range) and come in Monochrome (b&w), Neutral, Pink, Purple, and Teal. The contents are the same in each bag - 8x8 and 6x6 papers, sentiments, buttons, paper flowers, gems and 6 heavy weight cards with envelopes. The embellies alone would come in around £5 before you add the rest! Well worth it. So here are a few cards I've made using some of these bags.

Thanks for visiting, I hope to make this a more regular event!!
Mo xxx

Trimcraft Sweet Paris Altered Frame - Crafting By Designs

Good morning. Well, I know I've not been around much, but I do have some fabulous news to share!

I was a winner over on the Trimcraft website and won the most fabulous First Edition Flower die set. However, I am also now excited to announce that I am a Demonstrator for Trimcraft! I had my first demo day at The Range in Perth (Scotland) on the 24th of January and I will be back there this Sunday the 7th of February for another day.

So here is a frame that I have altered and posted today on the brand new Anything Goes challenge at Crafting by Designs. I have used the Sweet Paris 12x12 paper pad and covered the frame with a sheet of the damask paper.

I painted the edges of the frame with Ranger Copper Distress Paint and then spent some time die cutting using the First Edition flower dies. I have layered up flowers and embellished with Sweet Paris sticky pearls, Dovecraft clear glitter glue and Dovecraft 3D Pearl around the edges of the frame.

The swirly die is from Die-namics and I've set a section of a 12x12 paper inside the frame till I find a photo... or perhaps I will just keep it there!

Thanks for looking!

Mo xxx

Winter, Glitter, Sparkles with Crafting by Designs

Today is the start of a new challenge at Crafting by Designs!

The theme is Winter, Glitter, Sparkles and our sponsor this week is Sami Stamps.

I have used the Winter Owl Scarf image and coloured with Promarkers and Star Dust Stickles for sparkle. 

My papers are Bellisima from Craftwork Cards.

I will enter this in the current challenge at Sami Stamps! 
I hope you can join us in the challenge! 

Mo xxx