Friday 27 February 2009

High Hopes Challenge 19 - Sponging

Our challenge this weeks over at the High Hopes blog is Sponging. This fun challenge was set by Amy. I didn't think I would get a card done for this challenge as the end of last week Gary was off for a couple of days while the girls were on half-term. It was bugging me that I had missed out as I have never missed a challenge before and was itching to join in! This is the first time I have ever sponged a background before and I am really pleased with how it turned out. Thanks Michelle for the great tips and advice!

I stamped Odie and then stamped him again on a post-it, cut around and masked him. I then stamped the three clouds on post-it's, cut around and positioned them on my paper with Odie. The clouds where from a Magnolia kit I had bought last year. I then used SU Classic pad Bashful Blue for the sky and SU Classic Garden Green for the grass. I applied the ink lightly with an SU Sponge Dauber building up the colour gradually. I really like the subtle effect and much nicer than a plain white background. Odie is coloured with Prisma colour pencils with sansodor and paper stumps to blend. I added a little extra shading around his paws.

The text was cut on my Cricut Expression using the Mickey and Friends cartridge. The papers are from the DCWV Pet Stack. I added co-ordinating fibre for a little texture.

There is still time to join in this fun challenge and by playing you have the chance of winning a stamp prize!

I think most of you know by now that my eldest daughter Zoe loves to stamp but it seems that my 3 year old Danni is also getting the bug! I can't believe my little sweetie ;-) coloured my new Miss Anya's before me! She has even coloured in her very own Odie.

Have a great weekend and I'll see you Sunday!
Hugs,



77 comments:

Happy Crafter said...

Fabulous card Nikki love the sponging :)
Val xxx

Kristine said...

Super cute and great sponging Nikki! :)

Tammi said...

Cute card Nikki! Fabulous paper and I really love your sponging, the clouds are great! And look at Danni, what a cutie...wow, she's a great colorer for her age! ~Hugs

Joey said...

Hi Nikki, oh this is just the cutest fluffy dog, I love him. gorgeous softness with your sponging. I love your daughters colouring, I pre-ordered those Miss Anyas tonight, grrr gotta wait for em, but sure it be worth it lol. joey.x

Crissy Armstrong said...

Oh, I love your coloring on the dog and the sky and ground!! I didn't know I drew a Mr. Muggs!! ha ha In case you don't know, Mr. Muggs was a character that appeared in the early readers the teachers gave us to learn how to read. I did not mean for him to look so similar, but wow, with the coloring you did, its so close to his character! I love him! And Danni, aw, she has got bit by the crafting bug, has she? Well Mum, be prepared to share more of your stash, ha ha!! What a CUTIE!!! I love her coloring too!
I love what you did with the cricut too and your very doggie papers!!

Anonymous said...

Nikki, this is so cute! Your sponging is great!!

Cathy said...

This is a fabulous card!! I love that big cute puppy dog!! Love the sponging too! Wow!!

Your daughter is adorable with her little Anya's and doggy!!! Very sweet!!!

Hugs, Cathy

Anonymous said...

I love your card! the clouds are perfect! And your sponging is excellent. I can't believe how well Danni colors! Ansley is 6 and still gets out of the lines!!
~Lacey

Tracey said...

Love your card Nikki! Odie is adorable!! And Danni's cards are too cute!! So sweet that she wants to stamp with you too!! xx

Anonymous said...

Your card is fabulous, Nikki! Love the colors, paper, layout and image....it is all awesome. But I have to admit Danni is the CUTEST!! :) Tell her she did a fabulous job!


Tonya

Cindy Haffner said...

Love your sponging, and love Danni's coloring, what a great job, and she's only 3!!!

Chris Olsen, Glowbug said...

This is so cute Nikki!!! You did such a great job on the sponging. Great coloring as always. Hopefully I can join the challenge tomorrow. I have been away so I am trying to catch up.

Janna said...

Oh Nikki the sponged background is incredible! I can't believe this was your first time! You are a natural! I love the coloring on your dog as well! The papers and ribbon and sentiment all work so well together. Simply amazing and I adore the card and pictures that Danni made! She is definitely following in your footsteps!

Smiles,
janna

Michelle said...

I just love your card, Nikki.....you did a fab job sponging & I love all the papers you used. And I canNOT believe your 3 year old colored those images!!!! Wow! She'll be a pro in no time...just like her mom!!

Sharron aka Sharrahug said...

Great job on your oh so cute card!

And your daughter's card is adorable! A job well done by both mom & daughter!

daisy said...

wow love the card, i always wonder how do you do the background? i'v tryed, but failed!

hugs daisy

Sharon Caudle said...

HOW CUTE!!! That stamp is adorable and now I'm going to have to try sponging! Thanks for the wonderful directions! And wow, Danni is taking after Mom too!! That's so awesome!Love your card Nikki!!

Jacqueline (Sjakkie) said...

Lovely cars, Nikki. I like the image very much.
Hugs Jacqueline.

Linanna DESIGNS said...

Good morning Nikki, what a fabulous card hunny, i love this lovely new imae, Odie is just adorable isn't he? the layout is fab and such great detail as always hunny. Enjoy your day, hugs Linda x

ella bella said...

gorgeous card Nikki the image is very sweet and coloured beautifully and the sponging gives a great effect.
Its so lovely both your girls love to craft with you and they are both so talented already!!! they take after their mum.
have a lovely weekend
Tracy x

Kelly Schelske said...

Hi Nikki!! This is awesome! Your sponging is great! What kind of sponge did you use to make it look so even and nice and flowey (don't think that's a word...fluid maybe is better) anyway, it looks great!!

Danni is adorable!!

Hugs, Kelly

Anki said...

Wonderful card Nikki! And you can tell that your cute little daughter has the gift as well. So well done. Isac (our son is 2.5) is enjoying colouring with his Mom as well. I even bought some stamps for him to use - from the movie cars...hihi..... Have a wonderful weekend. Kramis - Anki

Moni said...

Gorgeous card, love the papers! Hugs, Moni

Maria Therese said...

what a perfect colored stamp!!

Tasha said...

Wow Nikki super cute card and i think its precious that your daughter shares our passion i cant wait til Millie is old enough to join too
love tasha xx

Monique said...

This is just wonderful, great job with the challenge.

xx Monique

Conibaer said...

Awesome job Nikki! Another beautiful card!

Laura (Faerielore) said...

this card is gorgeous and your colouring is amazin xx

Pop's Cards said...

Its fantastic and so looks like my Brian lol, bless Danni she looks like she enjoyed herself, hugs Pops x x x

Rosette said...

Wow nikki.. your colouring in this card is amazing!! It really came out wonderfully. I tried sponging, but can't get this effect! I don't think I have the right supplies for that. LOVE IT!!
hugs xx

Debbie said...

Fabulous card Nikki, I love the sponged background and the sheepdog image is so cute... your colouring is stunning! Debbie x

Anonymous said...

Fab work Nikki!! Great sponging!

I love the stamp, think I *need* this one!

Karen said...

What a fabcard Nikki, just love what you have done with this. I think I really need to get myself some High Hopes stamps!!

Looks lie you have another star in the making with Danni, how cute is she?

Have a great weekend.

Karen x

debby4000 said...

Oh he is gorgeous and I love the bone ribbon. Dannis colouring is fab, she'll soon be better than us.

Rach said...

a fantastic card Nikki, love that sweet little dog character and how you have coloured him, well done on the sponging hun. and Danni's little works of art are fabulous, you'll all be fighting for crafting space soon.lol.. hugs rachxx

Lora said...

Cute card Nikki. I have 3 year old and 5 year old Daughters and they also love to colour my stamped images and make cards. I must get some High Hopes stamps, they are so cute!
I have left something on my blog for you. Hope you have time to take a peek.
Hugs Lora

Renata van Miltenburg said...

I love him, I'm a doggirl! Funny those bones, is it the design on the paper or is it a stamp? Love your colouring and you did well sponging. The twin daugthers (4) of my sister also like to colour also, one realy neatly, the other is just scratching. Your daughter looks so cute!

XOXO Renata

Tara said...

This is a brilliant card Nikki - something a bit different and it looks just fab!
Well done Danni - that colouring is superb my love!! xx

CraftyC said...

He's a rel cutie and so is Zoe! Havent forgotten your papers, printer out of ink and I've not had any time to get to the shop
Clairexx

Sue said...

Oh Nikki, what a fab card he looks brill, brill colouring, lovey papers, fabby bones, sue.x

Debbie said...

This is gorgeous Nikki I love the cute Image and gorgeous DP,Love Danni's work, Hugs Debbie x

sylvia said...

hi danni
what did you colour the image's beautiful
wel done girly!
hihi I don't know wich one I like more the card from your mammie(sooo cute) or yours (sooo pretty)
hugs from the netherlands

Agnes van Hensbergen - agnesstampcards said...

Great sponging on youre card, and yes your little girl have coloring great this anya's.

Have a nice weekend,hugs Agnesxx

MichelleO said...

This is great! Your sponging is perfect! Can't believe you haven't done it a million times - looks wonderful - just a great card! And Danni looks just adorable, and she did such a great job!
HUGS
MichelleO

Marcea said...

Another great card Nikki - the sponging looks really great!!! How cute is Danni - blessher, a buddy crafter in the making I think - you better hide your stash now!
Have a fab weekend
-x-

Stacey said...

Your sponging looks fab Nikki, especially love the little clouds. Gorgeous details as usual! ~x~

Annie said...

gorgeous card and I love the papers you used with the cute dog! and a great sponged effect background. and love your youngest daughter's efforts too, she is doing great! hugs, annie x

Unknown said...

oh its so cute., im definetely gonna try sponging tonight ;)

Linda . J said...

Hi Nikki This is so cute and really stunning I love the way you have sponge the background, something I have not tried yet.
Beautiful.
Hugs Linda

Joy said...

what a wonderful job on the card, but I am truly impressed by your hard work to make that surrounding for your dog and the dog is so darling! I love your work! have a great weekend!

Georgia said...

Superb card Nikki! The sponging is lovely and the sentiment is perfect for the image. I love it. :)
Love, Georgia xx

Vicki G said...

So cute!!! Love that puppy........he is so sweet and cuddly and your sponging is gorgeous!!!

Vicki

Joey said...

Hi Nikki, theres a little something on my blog for you.x

Justine said...

fabulous techniques on this card Nikki!! love that stamp too, he's so sweet!

Thanks for taking part in my Blog Candy and Good Luck!!!

DawnMarie said...

Hi Nikki, I LOVE IT!! Your sponging is a fab technique, and I just adore Odie, he's so cute. How proud you must be of your girls, Danni is colouring fantastically for her age and Zoe is just jaw droppingly talented, what are they going to be like in another 10 years!!. Have a great weekend. DawnM.x

Maria said...

Oooh very cute, Nikki! You did an awesome job sponging your card. I love sponging. . the results are so pretty. Your doggie is adorable. I love that dp by dcwv. It matches so nicely with the dog image.

Awwww, your daughter is a cutie. .I see a stamp artist in the making! She did a wonderful job coloring the image!!

Maria

Jills Scrappy Daze said...

Love your card Nikki, the sponging is fab. Love Danni's Anyas she is going to follow in your crafting footsteps.
Have a great weekend
Hugs
Jill x x

Jennifer @ Mom Spotted said...

Your daughter is adorable and her stamping skills are great ;) She'll be a great scrapper i can see it!

Make sure to check out the awesome giveaway I am hosting on my blog :)

6 wacky women said...

Just beautiful, Nikki.
Your sponging is amazing, I love how you colored Odie too. The papers are just perfect!

Danni is so adorable, pretty awesome coloring for a 3yr old.
So sweet!

Karen x

Lilian said...

Nikki, your card's beautiful and great sponging effect. You'll have more fun crafting and card creating with your little darlings! It'll be great spending time with them this way too. Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

Odie is adorable and your card is gorgeous!!
I love Odie's colouring and also how you have coloured the background!! The papers are perfect for a boy!!
I love Danni's picture, your daughter is very cute!! She is very talented for her age and her colouring is gorgeous!!
Today we're going to Honorine and Corentin's Grandmother for Holiday(Feast) of the Grandmothers!!
Have a great weekend,
Love to you all,
Big hugs my friend,
Christelle.

Sparkle and Flourish said...

Wonderful card Nikki..great spomging..looks so professional for a first timer. I've never done it before so thanks for the detailed instructions :) Wonderful colouring on your image! Love your little cutie pie..fab work for 3! I have boys here too who always want to colour like Mum ! I try to steer then towards the more 'manly' images!!
Judy x

cats whiskers said...

Hi Hun, I am in love with him he is jsut too cute I have to have him now. The papers and the embellies are perfect for the image, but you colouring dear just makes this a truly stunning card
Hugs jacqui x

Heidi said...

Danni is so clever and I really love the photo of her and her coloring. She is so cute.
I also love your card Nikki. The dog is a great image and you have colored him so perfect.

Hope you and your family are having a great weekend. We got more snow today and I am not happy for that!!!!! I want the spring to come

Hugs and love
Heidi

Deb said...

fantastic card Nikki, the dog is so cute and I love your sponging, glad you found some time to play!
Hope you are having a great weekend, Debx

Carole said...

What a great card, such perfect colouring...from you and Danni!
Have a nice weekend.
Hugs
Carole x

Sinikka said...

If this is the first time that you sponged....than you did a great job. Love the clouds that you made in the background.
Have a nice weekend
Hugs Sinikka

Marlou McAlees said...

Nikki, this is sooooo adorable!!! I looooove that doggie ♥♥♥ hugzz

Andrea, said...

Oh he is gorgeous, such a cute image and your sponging looks fab. have a good weekend

Paula's ponderings said...

your talented daughters are a real credit to you. They are just so clever and adorable. Love the card too!!

angeljakki said...

Lock up your stash, looks like you have another budding artist in your midst. Love the colours in this and your coloring is spot on x x x

Pati said...

Dear Nikki

Thank you very much for always leaving a comment on my blog. You are really a sweetheart! I love all your cards and Danni coloring the new Miss Anya's is just gorgeous! You really must be proud of your princesses! I am sure they will become once such a perfect crafter like her Mum. :-)

BIG hugs & take care!
Pati

Anonymous said...

Your card is adorable and I love the dog !! So cute !! Your coloring is perfect !!!
And your daughter is adorable and is pro in coloring for 3 years old ! Congratulations !
Big hugs Nikki.
Val.

Bev said...

Love it!! The stamp is a must have Nikki - it's just sooo cute! And Danni's colouring is brilliant - another little star in the rising xx

Heather Schlatter said...

Nikki,

He is adorable!!! I used to live next door to a family with a Shaggy Dog and it's name was Heather like me and I loved that dog so much!!!

This card in all its greatness brings back wonderful memories!!!

Awesome Nikki!!!

Heather

The Country Rose said...

Another really great card Nikki! This dog reminds me of the dog in the Disney movie 'The Shaggy Dog'.

Barb

Anonymous said...

Merci beaucoup pour la carte pour mon anniversaire. Je l'adore.
Gros bisous. Corentin