Sunday 21 December 2014

Challenge 23: Glitz and Glamour

Brrr its been cold outside, and warm and cold again! But not much snow!

For the final challenge for the year the Design team and all at IndigoBlu would like to thank you for all your wonderful support and hope you have enjoyed each and every one of this years challenges!

Happy Christmas!

Annndddddddd the winner of Challenge 22: Let it Snow is.........


Congratulations  Carola!……… I will be in touch shortly to arrange your prize.
The fabulous Winner’s prize this month is your choice of IndigoBlu stamps.  As always, you have 3 options to choose from:

1:   2 Large stamp plates
or
2:   4 Small stamp plates
or
3:   1 Large and 2 small plates

There’s also the Winner’s Badge, and one for the Top 3, to display proudly on your Blog,  and the WINNER of the challenge will also be invited to do a GUEST SPOT on a future Challenge Launch post.  That’s right you’re work will be on the blog along with the Design Team.
Also the top three each month (chosen by the DT) will all be invited to do an inspiration piece to be included on the new reminder post, that now goes live mid challenge.
So .....  if you’d like a chance to be featured on the IndigoBlu Challenge Blog get those stamps out and get creating!
You’ll find all the information on how to enter the challenge,  the rules (don’t worry, there’s not that many), and meet the Design Team in the tabs above.
This month’s Top 3, for the Magical Masking Challenge, chosen  by the DT, are ……



This months challenge is............ Challenge 23: Glitz & Glamour.....

Last months winner Anna has made this gorgeous card for us....


Here is what she had to say.......
Hello, I was so happy when I found out I was the lucky winner of Magical Masking. And I took the opportunity to be this month’s Guest Designer over at Indigo Blu Challenge with great enthusiasm. I really love IndigoBlu stamps and this was a great opportunity to get some more and use it. The theme for this month's challenge isn't really in my style but it was great opportunity to try something I wouldn't normally.

Thank you very much for giving me this exciting opportunity.
As I love Mega Flakes and I want to use them. You can see them on turquoise background as distressed edge with stamp from Looks like a Deer Rain and on two circles (vellum and acetate) on the top right corners. Main picture Indigoblu Merry Christmas Tree was stamped with Flitterglu and then sprinkled with superfine glitter in turquoise color for tree and holographic glitter for snowflakes. The star is raised with Glossy Accent and sprinkled with glitter.

Sentiment is stamped on vellum with Versa Brilliance Pearlescent Sky Blue (as the glitter didn’t want to stay there permanently).

All the compliments to the DT – you are doing a great job and your designs give me inspiration each time.
Hugs, Ana

Nikki K

Sarah Allan

Julie



Friday 12 December 2014

Challenge 22: Let it snow Top 3 Inspiration

Today I have for you some wonderful inspiration from the previous challenge top 3 winners. Enjoy and leave them a message to let them know what you think!

In no particular order we have:

Craftyfield:


Here is what she had to say:

When I saw that I had been chosen to join the Top 3 for the Magical Masking challenge I was thrilled. Recognition means that I am improving, occasionally hitting the target, and the sense of achievement spurs me on!
<insert photo here>
I made a frame with snowflakes die-cuts covered with an adhesive sheet, then glittered and gilded them (Winter Dawn).
The Mistletoe image is from the Retro Christmas plate. I coloured it with alcohol markers, adding white gel pen and white glitter as "frost".
As a backdrop for my image I used a circle cut out and splattered some blue, green and silver watercolours with a brush. You can visit my blog at http://craftyfield.blogspot.com where I have a bonus picture showing the incredible shine of the Flakes!




 Next up we have Ellie




Here is what she had to say:

The card was inspired by the saying : Snowflakes are the flowers of winter.
I started with a beautiful shimmery scrapbook paper with lots of white snowflakes on it. I sponged it with Distress inks to make the snowflakes pop. From a leftover piece I cut a few snowflakes to adhere it to the card later on. I chose to keep the flowers not that intense with color, so it became part of the background. They were adhered to the card with 3D glue. I also added some 'Crystal Ice' ICE Stickles to the centres of the flowers and snowflakes. Pity you can't see all the glamour going on on this card. 

Being chosen as 1 of the top3, is of course, an inspiration to go on, and enjoy crafting. I have been joining in the Indigoblu challenge lots of times, and always hoped to be chosen, and then suddenly it happens with a card I'm not really happy with,  LOL

You can find Ellie's blog HERE



You still have almost a week to enter the Challenge, so get creating!

Friday 5 December 2014

Challenge 22: Demonstrators Inspiration

Hi everyone, today I have for you some fabulous inspiration for the Challenge 22: Let it Snow. You still have plenty of time to enter the challenge so get those thinking caps on!



 Cheremane


 Alison


 Elizabeth


 Kay


 Su


 Maxine


Lydia




Thanks for joining us, We hope to see your entry into the challenge soon!

Friday 21 November 2014

Challenge 22: Let It Snow

With the weather starting to cool and the white stuff starting to fall around the world we welcome in this months challenge for IndigoBlu. but first onto the good stuff!

The winner of the Magical Masking challenge is........




Number: 15 Ana




Congratulations  Playing with paper!……… I will be in touch shortly to arrange your prize.
The fabulous Winner’s prize this month is your choice of IndigoBlu stamps.  As always, you have 3 options to choose from:

1:   2 Large stamp plates
or
2:   4 Small stamp plates
or
3:   1 Large and 2 small plates

There’s also the Winner’s Badge, and one for the Top 3, to display proudly on your Blog,  and the WINNER of the challenge will also be invited to do a GUEST SPOT on a future Challenge Launch post.  That’s right you’re work will be on the blog along with the Design Team.
Also the top three each month (chosen by the DT) will all be invited to do an inspiration piece to be included on the new reminder post, that now goes live mid challenge.
So .....  if you’d like a chance to be featured on the IndigoBlu Challenge Blog get those stamps out and get creating!
You’ll find all the information on how to enter the challenge,  the rules (don’t worry, there’s not that many), and meet the Design Team in the tabs above.
This month’s Top 3, for the Magical Masking Challenge, chosen  by the DT, are ……



This months challenge is............ Challenge 22: Let it snow.....

Last months winner Sue has created this stunning piece for the new challenge,



I was dead chuffed last month to find that random org had chosen me as the winner of the sketch challenge at IndigoBlu Challenge Blog.  As well as winning my choice of 2 large stamp plates I was asked if I would like to submit a card for their next challenge, which is Let It Snow.

Bit of a challenge as I don't own many IndigoBlu stamps (yet) and I didn't have any to really get into a scene building theme so I had a play around with Frosted Baubles and Seasons Greetings.
I've used the sentiment set loads of times as it fits in with contemporary and vintage themes but had yet to ink up Frosted Baubles.

Sue

You can find Sue's full write up of how she created the card over on her blog: http://sueplayingwithpaper.blogspot.co.uk/


Sarah Allan


Julie Cassidy


Laura Williams









Thanks for visiting!







Wednesday 12 November 2014

Challenge 21: Magical Masking Top 3 Inspiration

Today is Top 3 inspiration day! I have for you some wonderful pieces of work from the last top 3 winners chosen by the design team for this months challenge 21: Magical Masking.

In no particular order here they are and what they had to say.......

Samantha:



Used a 5x7 card I layered it with orange, green and black card. Using white card I masked off the top and bottom of the card and made a circle mask for the sun. I used distress inks in Rusty hinge, Bundled Sage and Antique Linen to make the background. I then stamped the image, IndigoBlu Wild Meadow, stamped a couple of times,to fit card, using versafine ink. Adding stickles in paprika, xmas red and lime green to highlight and black grosgrain ribbon with a bow in the centre and a green gem to finish.


Sam x
 
 
 Theresa:
 
 
 
 
I started with a piece of white card and brushed it with antique linen
distress ink. Then I went in with old paper, brushed corduroy and
vintage photo, every time going in less so that the centre of card
remains light. I inked edge very lightly with walnut stain.
To add more interest to background I stamped the script from Sarah's
choice in antique linen. From the same set i used the easel and stamped
just the splat in brushed corduroy. I also added the chicken wire
background in old paper.

Next I stamped the large flourish in versamark and embossed it with a
mixture of powders: black, gold and silver. This gave it an antique
look. Then it was time to stamp the bauble. I stamped the middle one
first in black archival and masked it off to stamp the other two in
second generation black archival to create perspective. I heat set it
and masked the middle bauble off again so I could create some shadow
with distress inks and a make up sponge. I also added a lighter shadow
to the other 2 baubles after masking them off as well.

I added a gold line to the 2 lighter baubles and a black one to the
central ones so that the baubles appear like they are dangling from
flourish.
Then I covered the central bauble with the clear wink of stella to add
some sparkle. I added some gold pen to the snowflake  and then a little
gem to centre of all of them.
Next I stamped sentiment in black archival and inked the card with same
distress inks.
I matted both sentiment  and topper on black. I then matted topper on
antique gold card and stuck to black base card.
I attached sentiment with foam pads to add some height.

My blog can be found at http://craf-ther.blogspot.co.uk/

Theresa x


Wanda: 




Products used
Dinky Flutterby stamp
Script background stamp
If you truly love nature... ... from Nature 1 stamp plate

Distress Ink – salty ocean, old paper

Distress Pens – salty ocean, mowed lawn

Stazon inkpads – Blue Hawii, Cactus Green

Mini blending tool

Heat resistant acetate

Glamour dust glitter, Angel Whispers

Quickie glue pen


Method

  1. Cut IndigoBlu stamping card to 160 x 160 cm.
  2. Stamp the butterfly you wish to appear foremost first using the distress pens. Mask off with a butterfly cut from the sticky end of a post it note. Then stamp the next butterfly and so on, masking off as you go.
  3. With the masks still in place stamp the script all over the panel using old paper distress ink.
  4. Remove the masks and ink the edges of the card using salty ocean distress ink. Set aside.
  5. Using the stazon inks this time, stamp the butterfly onto heat resistant acetate. Dry and cut out. Shape the wings then apply quickie glue pen to the reverse of the wings before applying the glamour dust. Set aside to dry.
  6. Mount the piece onto chosen cardstock (I used green) then mount onto a 7 x 7 “ card.
  7. Adhere just the body of the acetate butterfly to the body of the foremost butterfly. Allow to dry before adding gems.
My blog can be found at http://sunshinecrafter.blogspot.co.uk/

Wanda


Thank you ladies for some wonderful inspirational pieces! You still have over a week to enter our Magical Masking Challenge so get inspired and get creating!

Wednesday 5 November 2014

Challenge 21: Magical Masking Demonstrator Inspiration

Our wonderful team of IndigoBlu Demonstrators work hard up and down the country to bring you live IndigoBlu goodness, Each month they make something special as an added bonus piece of inspiration for the challenge. Here is what they have crated this month......


 Alison


 Cheremane


 Elizabeth


 Kay M


 Lisa


 Lydia


 Maxine


Su


We hope your heads are buzzing with inspiration, I know mine is! Join us for some Magical Masking, you have until 9pm on the 20th UK time to enter the challenge.

Tuesday 21 October 2014

Challenge 21: Magical masking

All change this month for the Challenge Team!. We said goodbye to Pauline as a BlueBelle back in March but now it is time to say goodbye from the Challenge too. The Challenge team would like to thank Pauline for all her hard work over the past few months and wish her well in all her future endeavours.


With Pauline's exit we have gained the lovely Julie Cassidy. Julie will be doing some guest posts on the main IndigoBlu Blog and will be taking party in the challenges. You can find out all about the lovely Julie in the tabs above, the one marked Design Team.

So onto the good stuff!

The winner of the Sketch challenge is........







Congratulations  Playing with paper!……… I will be in touch shortly to arrange your prize.
The fabulous Winner’s prize this month is your choice of IndigoBlu stamps.  As always, you have 3 options to choose from:

1:   2 Large stamp plates
or
2:   4 Small stamp plates
or
3:   1 Large and 2 small plates

There’s also the Winner’s Badge, and one for the Top 3, to display proudly on your Blog,  and the WINNER of the challenge will also be invited to do a GUEST SPOT on a future Challenge Launch post.  That’s right you’re work will be on the blog along with the Design Team.
Also the top three each month (chosen by the DT) will all be invited to do an inspiration piece to be included on the new reminder post, that now goes live mid challenge. 
So .....  if you’d like a chance to be featured on the IndigoBlu Challenge Blog get those stamps out and get creating!
You’ll find all the information on how to enter the challenge,  the rules (don’t worry, there’s not that many), and meet the Design Team in the tabs above.

This month’s Top 3, for the Sketch Challenge, chosen  by the DT, are ……

2: 13 Theresa
3: 7 Samantha

This months challenge is............ Challenge 21: Magical Masking.....

Last months challenge winner Doreen has created this stunning piece for this months challenge.

Doreen

Here is what she had to say:

I first made my background using PanPastels masking off the moon and hills, I stamped the church twice once on the card and again onto a piece of scrap paper,I cut this out to use as a mask to stamp the trees behind the church. I then stamped the other trees stags and sentiment.

You can visit Doreens blog here: http://www.doreensdream.blogspot.com/


 And now for some inspiration from the lovely Challenge Design Team.



Julie



Sarah Allan






Laura Williams



Wednesday 15 October 2014

Challenge 20: Sketch Top 3 Inspiration

Today I have for you the wonderful Top 3 from last months challenge bringing you some totally gorgeous ideas for the Sketch Challenge. You still have plenty of time to enter, it does not end until 8pm on the 20th of October.

In no particular order we have first up:
 

Rachel

Who Ued:

Large Snowflake (LS)
Here Comes Santa (HCI)
Stag Cliffhanger (SC)
I also used distress inks - iced spruce, milled lavendar and dusty concorde. I stamped the images in black archival and followed the sketch.
Next up:
 Maria

You can find maria's blog at http://marieraly.blogspot.com/.


And last but not least we have :

Janet

Who Said:

I was delighted that my challenge entry for Indian Summer was chosen as one of the top three and I was invited to create an inspiration piece for the blog.

Materials used: IndigoBlu Elizabeth Bennett stamp, IndigoBlu Flourish and Musical Notes Stencils, Crafters workshop Mini Chicken Wire Stencil. Distress inks used - Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Faded Jeans, Scattered Straw, Black Soot and Spiced Marmalade. Black Archival ink, black secure glaze pen. Promarks, Blush, Sati n, Pastel Pink, Pastel Green. Self adhesive plasterboard tape, Flitterglu and Yorkshire Dales Megaflakes. Dies used Xcut circle and Tim Holtz Trellis, Tim Holtz Alterations on the edge for the shape of the card.

I used cream card for card base and the Alterations die to shape the sides. I used the distress inks to colour the front of the card, flicked some water over and then used the stencil to create interest round the edges. I applied flitterglu and megafles round the edges of the card. I cut two pieces of cream card and again used distress inks to colour them. On one piece I adhered some plasterboard tape and dabbed flitterglu over it and around the edges and applied megaflakes. On the second piece I stenciled around the edges, then cut an aperture and edged the circle and outside edges with flitterglue and megaflakes. I stamped the image Elizabeth Bennett, coloured it in then sprayed 'spray and shine' over the piece. 

I then stuck the aperture over it. I cut a piece of cream card with the trellis die lightly coloured it and randomly applied flitterglu and megaflakes. 
I chose a matching ribbon across the font, stuck the two panels on and then the trellis and a bow with a pearl flower in the centre. I die cut some butterflies from an offcut of card, lightly coloured them, then glazed with glossy accents. I stamped the Eliz Bennett image again and cut out the small bird, coloured it lightly and glazed it with glossy accents.

Janets Blog can be found here, http://janmorrisart.wordpress.com/.

Thanks for visiting, and get entering, you still have a chance to win some amazing quality red rubber stamps of your choice.


Wednesday 8 October 2014

Challenge 20: Sketch Reminder

It looks like the Indian Summer is truly over! The weather has taken a turn, the cold nights are creeping in, hot chocolate and an extra blanket is the port of call over at my house!

Today we have for you some wonderful inspiration from the IndigoBlu Demonstrator team for the current challenge 20: A Sketch.


Lisa


Lydia


Elizabeth


Melanie


Cheremane


Kay M


Su


Pauline


Maxine


Pop back next week on Wednesday for the previous top 3's inspiration for you!

The IndigoBlu Challenge Team