My Family & Other Animals

Wednesday 4 July 2012

"You Thrill Me..."


So this weeks challenge over at I ProMarkers (#124) is Music Related and as you can see I have chosen an image (from the Mimic Creations CD-Rom (Create & Craft)) of one of my all time favourite performers, Michael Jackson. The fence die is a Marianne Designs, the alphas are from Sizzix and the black roses have been in my stash forever, this was the first time it seemed appropriate to use such dark coloured flowers. The colouring is obviously my trusted PM's and some Flex markers too (I love the way the brush tip allows for a really smooth blend). I hope you like it as much as I do. This is one of those rare cards that you make and can't ever see yourself parting with! It would break my heart to give this away to anyone.
So what have I been up to besides card making - well to tell you the truth, nothing! I am now on three design teams and the Squigglefly team start this week too so I don't think I will have a lot of spare time from now on! But I am not complaining, oh no, this has been a really exciting time in my life, I feel like more and more people are beginning to see my work and I get left the most amazing compliments, so much so that sometimes it's a little tough to read as I have never really accepted compliments very well in the past, I like to think of myself as a very modest person (of course, what others think of me I will probably never know!).
I have started another new craft though - knitting!!! I learnt to knit as a kid, my mother taught me, but I only ever really learnt knit and purl and I have never made anything of any note (I did make a cardigan about twenty years ago but it was enormous). Jo and I went to our friend Elaine's house a couple of weeks back and her mum said she would teach me a pattern as I wanted to make a blanket for our bed, I like the thought of making something that will last the pair of us the rest of our days! By the end of the day, Elaine's mum Izzy had taught me a twelve row pattern with a cable design!! I couldn't believe that it was actually me doing it but it was and after a few hiccups I have really mastered the pattern and am now knitting up a storm - well on the rare occassion I am NOT making a card that is!
Picking up the knitting again made me think about all the different things I have had a go at over the years and that I have been crafting since the age of about 12 or 13, so that's over 35 years now. I have made pom-poms, learnt to knit and crochet, used CD-Roms to make cards, done Scrapbooking then Digital Scrapping, Painting and drawing (my favourite medium has always been pencils, especially 2B's), Photography, Digital art using Photoshop, Kumihimo, Stamping, Alcohol Inks, there have been so many over the years it's difficult to remember them all and I imagine it is a similar story for you too, but I have truly found my place in the crafting world now with the use of alcohol based markers and stamping. I used to love colouring as a child but what I am capable of doing now is such much more advanced and so much more rewarding too. It has really helped me over he last few years and I have the Magnolia Ink magazine to thanks really as it was all the amazing colouring going on in that mag that really made me sit up and take notice of what you could do with marker pens. So I now consider myself on a journey of discovery as to where my new found skils can take me but I am sure that the journey itself is going to be ten time more rewarding than the final destination.
Have a good weekend and I will se you again soon,
Hugs and Stuff
Andy
x
P.S My favourite Crafty Passion - easy to answer this one, it has to be COLOURING!!
Entered Into: Bugaboo Stamps Catch The Bug Challenge - Anything Goes
Caft Your Passion Challenge #118 - Gone Gothic
Make It Monday Challenge #97 - Anything Goes
Great Impressions July Monthly Challenge - Show Us Your Best Stay In The Lines Colouring
Stampalot July Challenge - What's Your Crafty Passion?
That Craft Place Challenge - Anything Goes
ATC's and Cards With Attitude Challenge #17 - Anything Goes
Chocolate, Coffee and Cards Challenge #16 - Anything Goes

21 comments:

  1. Hi Andy fantastic card the image is fab and the layout is fabulous. Caroline xxx

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  2. oh this is fabulous .. i love that Thriller scene !
    Lisa

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  3. Oh Andy I always wait to see what you will create and you never disappoint me. No the wonder you are now on 3 DTs. This is just so perfect. The colouring is great and the design is fab. What a busy boy you are too. Trust you to start on something as 'small' as a blanket!!!!!
    Great that you have had so many interests in craft but you have definitely found your niche now.
    Eileen x

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  4. Wow, your coloring is amazing and I love the perfect sentiment! Good luck with trying to knit (I've decided I'm a lost cause in that area) and thanks so much for the kind comment at my blog!

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  5. WoooooW - a stunning card again!!
    I hope I can get this CD somewhere else, beause the postage and the sending through the post is awful.

    Greatz ToM

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  6. Hi Andy, wanted to pop over and thank you for the lovely kind comment you left me, your colouring is pretty amazing Mr and I love the Michael Jackson image. Congrats on making Kenny's Krew from where I'm sat you so deserve it!
    Laurie x

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  7. Fabulous Andy! I love the black roses you used. Congratulations on picking up the knitting so quickly! I used to knit a lot, but card making kind of took over for me and I haven't knitted in a long time. I do still crochet from time to time, but it's usually little elements for my cards. Congratulations on being on your new design teams. I'm thrilled to have you at Squigglefly!

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  8. fabulous blog fabbulous cards....and cuch a refreshing change to see a fella showing us what you got..in the nicest possible way lol!!!just to clear ..your work is awesome sassy..loving the hop and not sure if this is the right place to leave it but glad i popped in anyway

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  9. Wowzers! What a fun card with the perfect matching sentiment! Love your coloring! So glad you played with us at Great Impressions Stamps Andy!

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  10. Awesome card, Andy! Love the colors! I seen your creation on Make it Monday.

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  11. Morning Andy

    Just reading your title I could hear Michael's voice ringing out those memorable tones.

    Your card is a wonderful tribute to him and that song, a perfect colour palette and the image really comes to life against the background.

    Well done on picking knitting up so quickly, I think my Mother gave up on when when I couldn't even knit a scarf straight.

    Thanks so much for sharing your lovely card with us at Stampalot challenge this month. One little note for the future, you can combine up to five other challenges with your entry.

    Have a good day,

    B x

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  12. This card is great. Great colouring and great colours.
    Thank you for playing with us at Craft your Passion.
    LG Michelle

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  13. Oh my goodness, this is amazing! Absolutely fantastic! Thank you so much for joining us at MIM this week! Don't forget to leave a comment for another entry and mention you saw them on MIM for a chance at our second prize! Good luck,
    Rene :D

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  14. Another fab creation! Love your work. You've been a busy bee as usual!
    Thanks for joining us over on ATCs With Attitude.
    Hugs Alison x x

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  15. Saw this over at MIM, great card!
    Mandy x

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  16. What a cool card!

    Thanks so much for playin' along with us this week for the Catch The Bug “July Anything Goes" Challenge with Bugaboo Stamps! We hope you join us again tomorrow for a fantastic Christmas in July celebration and the chance to WIN lots of goodies!!!!!
    Hugs & Happy Days! ~Min
    Kaymin Kreations

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  17. Beautiful card , Lovely colours

    Thanks for joining us for our Crafty passion challenge over at
    Sir Stampalot this month and good luck!

    Hugs
    Francesca

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  18. Great card! Thank you for joining us at Sir Stampalot this month. Clare x

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  19. Great card. Thanks so much for joining the Sir Stampalot challenge this month, Ruth :)

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  20. wow I love your card and so funny image !! your card are perfect for us challenge :-) thanks so much for playing with craftyourpassionchallenges - hugs Joanna

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