Can there ever be too much green?

This lovely little elf is scattering stardust as he skates along. He has been drawn by Rick and can be found here at Rick's Zibbet shop. These little elves are so easy to colour and this little chap fits so well into wintery scenes. Printed onto neenah and coloured with promarkers. I then used mcs to make the bauble to go over the elf and the background and bow and changed the colours to match the elf. Another flat card for posting... and it gives me a little light relief from Creepmas which I seem to be enjoying a bit too much!

Creepmas Angel Dark Lady

I am joining in with the Smeared and Smudged Creepmas blog hop with this gorgeous Creepmas Angel Dark Lady image by Rick St. Dennis to be found here at his Zibbet shop. This time I have actually written down the promarker (with fine tip) colours

Hair     Burnt Sienna/Caramel

Skin    Sunkissed Pink/Blush

Wings  Aubergine/Purple

Dress  Orchid/Violet

Some frantage around the image to age it a bit. And a scattering of bats. Frame made using mcs with a colour change. This is probably the prettiest of Rick's Creepmas images...there will be another the day after tomorrow. If you want to follow the Creepmas blog hop the list is on my sidebar.

Busy Little Elf (2) Lemon Curd

This little elf is another from Rick's Busy Elves Sheet 1 to be found at his Zibbet shop here. I thought this little fella went perfectly on the tag I had made for my homemade lemon curd. I printed the digi onto neenah and coloured him with promarkers in shades of lime green and citrus yellow. A bit of festive frantage round the edges. The adorable scorable tag cut with my cricut. The ribbon a great buy from Lidl's.

So, the recipe...

3 large juicy unwaxed lemons

4 large eggs plus 1 extra yolk

9ozs caster sugar in a bowl

5ozs unsalted butter, cut into small cubes in a bowl

 2 kilner jars 

some peace and quiet

Put a small, deep pan of water on to boil. It should be of a size that will comfortably support the bowl you are going to beat the curd in without its base touching the water. Try a few out before you go any further.

I always prepare all the ingredients in bowls before I start then I can take my time, this is not a quick throw together of ingredients but a beautifully scented time spent quietly musing whilst stirring.

Grate the fine yellow zest from the lemons into a bowl taking care not to remove the white pith with it. Now halve the lemons and squeeze them into the bowl with the zest.

Crack the eggs into a heatproof china or glass bowl then add the extra yolk. Avoid steel bowls...they get too hot. Add the sugar and whisk until the mixture thickens. Now mix in the lemon juice, zest and butter.
Place the bowl over the boiling water, turn the heat down to a fair simmer so that only a little steam pushes around the edge of the bowl, then start gently stirring. This is not something to be rushed. Take your time, daydream a bit, and make figure-of-eight stirring motions in the 'custard'. The point is not to try and rush things, when there is a much higher chance of disaster.
At first nothing much will happen, then the butter will melt, then, eventually, the curd will start to thicken. You want it to be heavy on the spoon, but it must still be able to drip off it. It is worth remembering that it will set more on cooling. Having said that, this is not a solid curd, but a voluptuous one. Once the curd starts to thicken, pour it into the clean warmed jars, cool slightly, then seal with a lid. Yummm!!!

I am trying something new this Christmas...there is a Creepmas bloghop listed on my sidebar (I'm The Nanny) so I will be posting something a bit creepy every other day in December.

I would like to enter this into these challenges
 http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.co.uk/       Anything goes

http://4kraftygirlzchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/     Anything goes

Busy Little Elf & Christmas Chutney

One of my first tags for this Christmas. Rick has a whole sheet of busy little elves here and this one goes perfectly with my home made chutney, especially as one of the buckets has Spice on it and one has Sugar.
As always the image is printed onto neenah and coloured with promarkers. Fran-tage around the edges adds a bit if ageing and 'snow'. I made the tag with my cricut using adorable scorable card.
And so to the recipe

Tomato and Onion Chutney

2 lbs tomatoes

2 lbs apples (peeled weight)

1 lb onions

12 ozs sultanas

1/2 pint of vinegar

1 level teaspoon mixed spice

12 ozs soft brown sugar

pinch of salt

Top and tail and peel the onions, cut each onion in half, and leave cut side up away from your working area. This will lessen the chance of tears.

Place the tomatoes in a large bowl, I use my plastic mixing bowl. Pour boiling water over the tomatoes, this will loosen the skins. Now prepare the apples and cut into smallish chunks. Place apples into a very large saucepan. Cut up the onions into roughly the same size as the apples and place with the apples in the saucepan. Very carefully tip the water out of the bowl-it could still be fairly hot. Fill the bowl with cold water to cover the tomatoes. Peel the tomatoes, this is a bit messy but fairly easy,  chop the tomatoes and place with the apples and onions. Add the vinegar, mixed spice and salt.

Simmer over a low heat with a lid on for about 35 minutes until the vegetables are cooked and the flavours are starting to blend. Keep stirring until the mixture thickens. Add the sugar and stir to dissolve, bring to the boil stirring frequently. Should take about another 20 to 30 minutes, just keep an eye on it so it doesn't catch on the bottom of the pan. When the chutney is thick with no extra liquid take the saucepan off the heat. Let the chutney cool slightly and, if you can, tip it into a very large jug.

Prepare the jars...rinse and fill them with hot water. Tip the water out of the jars and fill them with the chutney. Place a greaseproof or waxed disc on top of the chutney (personally I don't do this but perhaps I should) when cooled put the lids on the jars. Label and date.

That was the first of this Christmas's recipes from Peck Towers.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges
 http://4craftychicks.blogspot.co.uk/                  anything goes
 http://creativeknockouts.blogspot.nl/                 snowflakes
 http://panpasteluk.blogspot.co.uk/                     mix it up
http://thepapershelter.blogspot.co.uk/                  Christmas is coming
http://abcchristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/        W for Winter Wishes

A Stitch in Time

I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I just thought 'what a cute image' then as I was colouring it I suddenly realised (lightbulb moment)... it does what it says on the picture. Honestly, at least no one has ever accused me of being brainy!  Anyway, I'm loving this busy little chap and will certainly know of someone who may like to get this in the post. You can find Rick's digi A Stitch In Time here at Rick's Zibbet store.
Image printed onto neenah (on my wishlist for Christmas) coloured with promarkers with neon yellow promarker for his hi-vis jacket...'elf and safety doncha know. Brickwork made with a fiskars embossing plate. Backing papers by mcs colour changed and embellished.
I have just received  this month's newsletter from Rick...the most beautiful ballerina mouse digi for free (my favourite price) Please do sign up for the free newletter as every month you will receive a very nice surprise.
I would like to enter this into the following challenges
http://onestitchatatimechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/         Anything goes

Happy Elf Snooze

   

Well...who could resist this little chap? You can find Rick's Happy Elf Snooze here I was going to use this image as part of the diorama which wouldn't behave for my camera so I have lots of little elves scurrying around finding other jobs. He was so easy to colour with some crosshatching to show where the shadows would be. I then used mcs to make the frames and the little letters to Santa, which I think turned out quite well.
I am entering into the following challenges

 http://cardsformen.blogspot.co.uk                   Merry Christmas for a man or boy
http://craftingbydesigns.blogspot.co.uk             Anything with a twist of Christmas
http://www.pennyschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/    Add a sentiment

Holiday Cottage Scene

I think this beautiful Holiday Cottage Scene image by Rick is the digi I have had the most fun with...I have put together a diorama with this lovely cottage and the elves but taking photos have really not done them justice. If you can imagine your 'snowy' images..Santa, Elves, Snow people, Winter Faeries...they could all be at home here. I cut out the windows and put a battery tealight behind the image and it really looks beautiful.
You can find this digi here on Rick's Zibbet site. Printed onto neenah, coloured with promarkers, crystal glitter and ice diamond snow. Frame and greeting by m.c.s.

I am entering this into the following challenges

http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.co.uk/     Red and Green

Midnight Watch

Well, a bit spooky........ this was so much fun to colour I built up a scene using three digis from Rick available from his Zibbet shop.. you can find the Ghost Town Church in the background here, the Graveyard Phantom Rest (tombstones) here and the Midnight Watch (scary chap) here. Printed onto neenah, coloured with promarkers. The sky was coloured using chalks and the sentiment and background was manipulated in my craft studio.

Mama Mumba Voodoo Woman

This wonderful lady drawn by Rick St. Dennis is called Mama Mumba Voodoo Woman and can be found here on Rick's Zibbet site. I was unsure about using digital images as I thought my colouring really shouldn't be seen outside my craftroom. But with digital images you can resize them, flip them horizontally or vertically (perhaps not with this image...but you get the idea) and place them on a background of your own choosing. Of course you can buy background images, resize them and use them time and time again with different main images.

Anyway...printed as always on neenah, coloured with promarkers, sky made with blending chalks. The frame by my craft studio as is the backing paper.

I will be entering this into the following challenges

For those who know about Colin...Yesterday we had an appointment at the hospital where they checked Colin's bloods. This time everything was as it should be and Colin was able to have chemo. I had been so very worried last week when they had said the chemo was too toxic for Colin's liver and I was frightened that the cancer had spread but this week is a good week and we're back on track. Thank you for your kind wishes.   

Priscilla Pilgrim

Isn't this an absolute cutie! This is the November freebie from Rick which anyone can have just by signing up for the free newsletter. There are several new mouse digis on Ricks site and they are all adorable.
This has been printed on neenah and coloured with promarkers. I have used my cricut to make the leaves round the image...love that toy! The design team have been colouring up this image so if you pop over to the Sparkle and Glitter blogsite you will see loads of inspiration also a challenge for items made with this image.
I am entering Priscilla into the following challenges

http://chocolatecoffeecards.blogspot.co.uk    Bugs and little critters
http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.co.uk            Anything goes
http://lejdesignschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk  Anything goes

Esmeralda and the Fortune Teller tent

I think this lady might be one of my favourites and here she is at work on a stormy night at the carnival. Esmeralda is by Rick and can be found here at Rick's Zibbet store and here at Rick's etsy store. The Fortune Teller Tent is here on Zibbet

Printed on neenah, coloured with promarkers. The sky is shaded with chalks on my own stencil. The necklace is made with liquid pearls.

I went with Colin to the hospital yesterday for his chemo treatment. He had blood tests and a canula fitted in his hand. The appointment was 11.30. Just after 12 we were fed and watered...very nice sandwiches, crisps, cheese and biscuits, yoghurt and cups of tea. But then about an hour later Colin was told he wouldn't be able to have any chemo as it had proven too toxic for his liver. We are now due to go back next Monday for a double dose of, hopefully, a different chemo mix. Well, it was a day out, comfy chairs, nice lunch, no problem.

Adriana

This is my first try at colouring one of Rick's ladies. This is Adriana and you can find her here at Rick's Zibbet store and here on Etsy. She was an absolute dream to colour as the drawing had slightly shaded parts to hint at a deeper colour. Now then, if I can create something like this just imagine what someone who can actually colour would be able to do with this image.
As always, I have printed her onto neenah...Crafters Companion had or still has an offer...buy 50 sheets of neenah and get 20 free sheets plus a little selection of unmounted bunny stamps and free postage.
I used my promarkers...three new shades (at least to me...) and just framed her and we're good to go.
As I have written many times....Rick has a newsletter every month and if you signup to receive it you will also receive a free digi, well, November's digi is the most beautiful mouse-a pilgrim mouse so prettily dressed and as cute as a button!

I would like to enter her in the following challenges
http://promarkerchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/  'give me a p'

Three Chimneys

I am really loving this scenery image, it is so pretty and I have had fun using it as the background in many of my projects. The Three Chimney Cottage is of course by Rick St Dennis, it really is worth looking at his zibbet shop as it is being updated continually.
I can't believe that I am actually writing this, but, the image in the foreground is me . Rick has drawn each of the elite design team and this one just happens to be yours truly.you can find my image in the Zibbet shop under EURO GIRLS.
So the image is printed onto neenah which I find works really well with promarkers. A bit of flowersoft along the path edges, chalk clouds using my own cloud template and an mcs frame.

I am entering this into the following challenge
http://panpasteluk.blogspot.co.uk/        Autumn
http://chromaticcraze.blogspot.co.uk/   Colour challenge

Hannah and Hedwig

Hannah

 Hedwig

These two ladies are part of a very special offer over at the  Airless Chamber  If you visit the blog you will see the design team's take on these fantastic images and a special price. Hannah is in front of Haunted Houses Phantom Manor so you can see how easy it is to build a complete scene.

As always I have printed the images onto neenah, coloured with promarkers.

I am entering these into the following challenges

http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.co.uk    Halloween  Stash: anything orange                              http://craftingforallseasons.blogspot.ca     To cute to spook

http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.co.uk  Halloween

Eek a mouse 2 Halloween

I am having an absolute blast colouring these Halloween images...see I did need that Burnt Orange promarker! I know I said that before but until this month I hadn't used it that much...but now with Autumn leaves and pumpkins and er....... well you know what I mean. This fantastic image by Rick St Dennis is called Eek a mouse 2 Halloween version... and is available  here at Rick's zibbet store and  here at Rick's etsy store. There is such a lot going on with all the spooky creatures.

I have printed the image onto neenah, coloured with promarkers, chalked the background and framed with m.c.s.

I am entering this into the following challenges

http://promarkerchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/     “spooky”. 

Colin has now had his second chemo session, he really is coping with the side effects remarkably well. When we had the last appointment at the hospital we popped into the Big C center...really nice people there and a great cup of tea and cake. We were given some more info and just had some time to relax before the treatment. 

Que Sera Sera

I just adore these images from Rick. I printed the digi's larger than normal as there is so much detail I wanted to enjoy every bit. Gypsy Wagon is available from Rick's etsy store and from his zibbet  store,  and Esmeralda the fortune teller is available here at the etsy store and here  at Rick's new zibbet store.      
I also used a one scene digi called pebblestone patch  and one called cobblestone path from Make it Crafty. I really love the idea of building up scenes using different digis.
I just adore these images from Rick. I printed the digi's larger than normal as there is so much detail I wanted to enjoy every bit. Gypsy Wagon is available from Rick's etsy store and from his zibbet  store,  and Esmeralda is available here at the etsy store and here  at Rick's new zibbet store.    
I also used a one scene digi called pebblestone patch  and one called cobblestone path from Make it Crafty. I really love the idea of building up scenes using different digis.
Digis were printed onto neenah, coloured with promarkers. Esmeralda was fussy cut and layered, swirls cut with my cricut, flowers from WOC.
Thank you for all the thoughtful comments about Colin, he had his first chemo day before yesterday and still feels ok...should feel the effects in another seven days or so.


I am entering this in the following challenges

 http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.co.uk/                         Brown and Orange
 http://addicted-to-stamps-challenge.blogspot.co.uk/     Create a scene
http://www.robynsfetishchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/   Use a Digi

Calista at home

I'm having fun again with this little witch and over at http://airlesschambers.blogspot.co.uk you will see so many ways to use this digi along with scene/ background digis. This time I have used Calista with Graveyard Phantom Rest and Haunted Houses Phantom Manor  scene digis all from  Rick printed on neenah coloured with promarkers. I am loving this time of year as I get to use my Burnt Orange promarker and I have proof that I really, really needed it!

I'm looking forward to seeing how the EDT work with Calista. There will be a lot of mischief going on here so I hope you visit all the EDT blogs and leave some messages on the way.
I am entering this into the following challenges
http://digihaven.blogspot.ca/        Two colours
http://izazoviislatkisi.blogspot.ca     Colours of Autumn
http://scrapbitzcopics.ning.com/group/cmccopicchallengegroup  Use promarkers

Callista

A song springs to mind.....'It;s witchcraft'
This gorgeous young lady is called Callista and she is Octobers free digi from  Rick. Just visit Rick and sign up for his newsletter and you get a free digi each month. Do have a look through the digi's on sale... everything from sweet to spooky and everything in-between.
Callista is printed on neenah, coloured with promarkers. The frame was made with my cricut, 'wild orchid' flowers.
I am entering Callista in the following challenges
http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.co.uk/    challenge 188     Songs 'It's witchcraft'
http://handmadeharbour.blogspot.co.uk/  halloween
http://panpasteluk.blogspot.co.uk            anything goes

We have heard from the hospital...Colin starts chemo on Monday, at last things are moving.

Panicky Pirate

I had so much fun with these images. It was totally out of my comfort zone but I kept away from the glitter and lace and...well...I love it! I do find that Rick's images are so easy to colour...there is 'cross hatching' already on the designs so you can work out where the shading goes. The main image is Panicky Pirate by Rick available at  http://www.etsy.com/shop/RickStdennis, the little girl Bad Bitsy was a freebie it was part of a double set with Buddy  (now available in Rick's etsy store just subscribe to the newsletter and you receive a brilliant freebie every month) the background by make it crafty just doubled up and the rats are a free digi ...sorry can't remember where I found it. Printed on neenah, coloured with my promarkers and made into an easel card. The scrolls using My Craft Studio. I could have been more careful with the placement of the extra rats but ho hum...must try harder. 

twas the night before christmas.....

This fantastic image is by Rick http://www.etsy.com/shop/RickStdennis there is always such a lot going on with this series, colouring them is a delight. I have only recently found the website and there are so many amazing digis my wishlist is filling up fast. This is printed onto neenah, coloured with promarkers, glittered and glossy accented.
I have the new cricut cartridge by Anna Griffin and I am loving it!!! this time I used neenah through the cricut and then coloured it with matching promarkers. I will be using my Christmas scraps to build up some images to complete my stack of Christmas cards.
I heard this evening that I am on the Rick St Dennis design team and I am totally over excited and raring to go and I've tidied up my pens and everything, oh boy this is going to be great!.
Colin and I had an appointment with the oncologist a couple of days ago...there is a mass on Colin's brain but it is benign so now we can concentrate on chemo for his lung. Huge relief that it hasn't spread! Chemo will start within the next two weeks and the waiting room is really very nice so I will have my pens and digis and settle down for however long it takes.
I would like to enter this into these challenges
Christmas with a twist   http://outlawzchallenges.ning.com