Rules and Such...

- Challenges are posted every Wednesday
- You may combine this challenge with others
- You can use any products or stamps (you aren't restricted to just using Pixie Cottage, although we would love to see how you use our products too!)
- Post your creation on your blog with a direct link to this challenge
- Entries due by midnight (EST) on the Tuesday night before the next challenge
- Winners will be announced on Fridays!

Feb 27, 2010

It's Tutorial Time! Watercoloring with Distress Inks 101 with Peggy

Welcome to the Pixie Cottage Saturday Tutorial! I'm Peggy, a Design Team member here at the Pixie Cottage and you can see my work at Beautiful Greetings. Today I am going to go over the basics of water coloring with Distress inks. I hope you have fun! It is absolutely one of my favorite ways to color a stamped image and with practice, can create stunning images.

Supplies Needed:
Water color paper (I prefer canson or Strathmore 140lb)
Stamped image-heat embossed (I used the wonderful "Hannah at the Pond")
Distress inks (Stampin' UP! waterbased inks work well too)
Aquapainter or small paint brush and water
Towel

Step 1. Stamp and emboss your image. Embossing the image helps to keep the color from bleeding.
Step 2. Squeeze the lid of the ink pad until beads of ink appear on the inside of the lid

Step 3. When using ink to color your image it is best to have at least two shades to create a dimensional effect. For Hannahs dress I used Milled Lavender for my light shade and dusty concord for my darker shade.
Swirl your moistened brush in the lighter color and completely color the area of your image with the shade.

Step 4. Clean your brush and dip it into the darker shade. Pulling the brush in one direction lay down a small amount of the darker shade in areas that should have shadow.

Step 5. Clean your brush but keep it moist. Using small circular strokes, blend the edges of the two colors until you can't see the edge of the darker color.
Let dry a few minutes and repeat in areas that you wish to appear darker.

(In this image I used Vintage photo and Walnut stain to create the hair and I have used broken china as the first shade in my water)

Helpful Tips
Don't be afraid to play with different shades of color. If an area becomes too dark, let it partially dry and use plain water to remove some of the color by using circular motions. Sometimes I find it helpful to blot with a towel and then re-blend.

By letting an image dry for a few minutes between colors it keeps the color from pooling against the embossed edges.

I find it faster to color a different area while another is drying.

Here is my finished image

(The darker shade in the water is Faded Jeans and the grass/leaves is a mixture of Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint and Pine Needles.)

Have fun playing! I can't wait to see what you create!

Feb 24, 2010

The Pixie Cottage Challenge 10-Sketch-Extra Prizes!!!

Random Winner of the Gift Voucher from challenge #9 is Rosanne, please email me (Michelle) for your prize at casdanben@aol.com
Congrats to our TOP 3

You can click on the winners names to see all their beautiful work on their blogs. Winners may copy the logo below to display on their blogs if they wish, and also are in the running for being a Guest Design Team Member.

Every other Wednesday we  host a challenge, and we want you to play! Prizes and fun and inspiration abound, and because you have a week and a half to get your entry in, there is plenty of time to find your creative magic... !

For this challenge, we are asking you to use this lovely sketch created by our talented Anne. You do not have to match the sketch exactly, but use it for a general guideline.


You may combine this challenge with others- You can use any products or stamps (you aren't restricted to just using Pixie Cottage, although we would love to see how you use our products too!)- Post your creation on your blog and mention the Pixie Cottage with a direct link to the Pixie Cottage blog.
 
Leave a comment on this thread with a link to your blog post with your entry (see the sidebar for directions if you are not sure how to do this) or use Mr. Linky if he is available)- Create a card, scrapbook page, altered box... no limit to your creativity!- Entries due by midnight (EST) Sunday, March, 7th- Winners will be announced on Wednesday, March 10th, along with the next challenge!
What you will win 
One entry, drawn at random, will win a their choice of two lovely Pixie Cottage Stamps, in addition to CELEBRATE this challenge being our tenth challenge, I will also throw in a 10.00 gift card to my store.
I will pick a second random winner who will also receive a gift certificate at my store good for 10.00 off any purchase.



We will also name a top three based on our favorite cards.
And they will each receive their choice of one Pixie Cottage Stamps
 
Here are the wonderful cards made by our design team.
You may click on their names to be taken to their blogs to see more of their work.




and welcome our newest design team member ArTish





I want to thank everyone for participating in all the past challenges and look forward to seeing more of your lovely work in the future!

Michelle

Feb 20, 2010

March Guest Designers, New designer and design team call soon

I would like to welcome Emma and Piali, they will join The Pixie Cottage for the month of March as guest designers!!  Both have been active in our challenge since it started and are wonderful artists. We are so happy to have them!
Also, welcoming Tish (aka ArTish), who is one of our illustrators and will be joining the design team as well.

Our call for a new design team will be going out around the 1st of March so be watching the blog for that.
Hope you are all enjoying your weekend!!

Feb 18, 2010

Now isn't this cute

Quick post, I wanted to share this adorable recipe card that my friend Jan made with Lisa's Precious Stamps Kitchen Mouse ...cute little mouse isn't he?
Still time to get into our challenge. Entries are due by Sunday night, scroll down to the posting or CLICK HERE for details.
Michelle

Feb 13, 2010

Saturday Showcase

I am late .... I know.  I meant to get this post scheduled to be up first thing this morning, but ran out of time last night and felt terrible this morning.  So without further delay...








Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Michelle

Feb 10, 2010

The Pixie Cottage Challenge 9-Love Theme

Random Winner of the Gift Voucher from challenge #8 is  Saskia
Please email me (Michelle) for your prize at casdanben@aol.com

We had a tie for the top three, so we have a TOP 4!
1.Piali (her 2nd entry)
2. Crafteezee
3.Emma
4.ScrappyJan


You can click on the winners names to see all their beautiful work on their blogs. Winners may copy the logo below to display on their blogs if they wish, and also are in the running for being a Guest Design Team Member.



Every other Wednesday we will host a challenge, and we want you to play! Prizes and fun and inspiration abound, and because you have a week and a half to get your entry in, there is plenty of time to find your creative magic... !

For this challenge, we are asking you to...

Use the theme LOVE. It doesn't have to be a Valentine card.
You may combine this challenge with others- You can use any products or stamps (you aren't restricted to just using Pixie Cottage, although we would love to see how you use our products too!)- Post your creation on your blog with a direct link to the Pixie Cottage blog- Leave a comment with a link to your blog post with your entry (see the sidebar for directions if you are not sure how to do this) or use Mr. Linky if he is available)- Create a card, scrapbook page, altered box... no limit to your creativity!- Entries due by midnight (EST) Sunday, February 21st- Winners will be announced on Wednesday, February 24th, along with the next challenge! One entry, drawn at random, will win a 10.00 gift voucher from Michelle's Scrapbooking. We will also name a top three based on our favorite cards.
 
 
 
 
Here are the wonderful cards made by our design team.  You many notice some NEW Pixie Cottage Stamps!!

You may click on their names to be taken to their blogs to see more of their work.







Pam

 
All these lovely stamps are available HERE
For the followers in the Netherlands if you would rather order close from home visit Hobbystempel HERE
So that is what we came up with, lets see what you can come up with!
Michelle

Feb 7, 2010

Just had to show you this card

Quickly stopping by to show you the card Eileen Gutierrez sent me, using her new stamp "Stealing Hearts"  I think Eileen needs to start a blog so she can enter some challenges!! Don't you agree??  I have to say I think this is my all-time favorite card ever.  Thanks for sharing it Eileen!

Feb 5, 2010

Blog Candy Winners

BLOG CANDY WINNERS
I have three winners for the blog candy...please contact me via email with your mailing address and which of the stamps you would like me to send you.

Lins
Jenny
Tami

Congratulations!!
Michelle

More Blog Candy to come soon!