Winter

Hello all, wow the shrines were just lovely thank you for taking part in the challenge.
Secondly I would like to say a fond farewell to Florence as she has decided not continue with the Hatters, its been a pleasure crafting with you every week and I wish you all the best for 2013. I am sure we will see her in blogland with her wonderful projects.
This week we have a theme of Winter I must admit to being very busy trying to get ready for the big day (why do we all go so mad) so a quick make from me. I had this wooden snowflake and on the day I picked it up it was snowing so it had to be used.  I painted it a sky blue mixed with a grey to give a snowy sky look. then stamped with snowflakes and heated wow white embossing powder. over the top of all I have painted with a glitter glaze.
I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas as I am taking a break until the new year. Thank you for the support and joining us "The Hatters" also for taking the time to make lovely comments. Hope to see you all back and ready to craft in the new year. Do be sure and check out , Janet and Chrissie lovely projects. They will also be posting next week with a theme so do take a look.  Christmas Hugs Sandra XXX

Shrine to Childhood Innocence

Great Mousetrap projects ladies, it is such a fun item to alter so Thank you for joining in with us. This week we have shrines, another good theme as these can take all sorts of shapes like tins, canvas, boxes or shaped tags your choice really. My shrine is to
"Childhood Innocence"
 I have used a M&S mint tin. It has been painted and distressed outside and in, the inside has a painted corrugated card to give height.  The image (she is so pretty) has been hand stitched to vintage lace and embellished. Inside the lid is old book paper and vintage net and a little butterfly. The lid top has been covered with torn paper, stamped and distressed.  Do be sure and check out , Janet and Chrissie lovely projects. Take care and thanks for joining us. Thank you so much for the lovely comments left on my blog I really appreciate them. Hugs as Always. Sandra XXX  

Anything Goes take 2

I am entering this canvas into Artful Times where the theme is Anything goes. I have already put something in I don't usually do 2 projects but when I got my Craft Stamper on Friday Hels Sheridan has a fabby mixed media canvas that I really wanted to have a go at. Mine is "You Inspire" for a reason its a pressy for a particular person. Thanks for looking. Hugs Sandra X

Anything Goes

The lovely ladies (Von & Neet) over at Artful Times have set a theme of "Anything goes. Well last week I attended a workshop at my local Quilters shop. It was a fabulous day and Mandy Shaw of Dandelion Designs was our tutor (Lovely fun lady). We made this wonderful red work Christmas wreath. We ripped up strips of linen and tied around a coat hanger made into a circle. Then made felt stars and hearts, the designs are hand embroidered a first for me as you can probably tell by the dodgy holly leaves and robins LOL. But I am very proud of my wreath and happy with the theme so I can share it. Thanks for looking. Hugs Sandra XXX

Return of the Mousetrap

Gorgeous music entries last week this theme really did hit the spot :) This week we are having good fun with the Mousetraps again I am looking forward to seeing what you can do with the MT. I have gone all sort of whimsical x steam punk. The MT has been painted black to start with, then crackle glazed and a whitewash cover which looked yuk and didn't crackle very well, so I dabbed some gold metallic and then dark blue through sequin waste. I have added patches of little watch parts pushed into glossy accents and dripped with rust alcohol ink. cut out the little boy added random letter and number painted with metallic gold the little label is his propeller made from the old watch bits I had. Do be sure and check out Florence, Janet and Chrissie lovely projects. Take care and thanks for joining us. Thank you so much for the lovely comments left on my blog I really appreciate them. Hugs as Always. Sandra XXX  

Music

Fabulous projects last week Thanks for joining us. This week the theme is Music. I have a tag which has been inked with Antique Linen, Worn Lipstick and Tea Die. Stamped with text masked and stamped with music. A swirl stamped and heat embossed with gold. I added pieces of old book page and red music fabric (which I have brushed over with gesso) and a vintage music note charm. To me music goes hand in hand with dance hence my lovely ballerina. Do be sure and check out Florence, Janet and Chrissie lovely projects. Take care and thanks for joining us. Hugs as Always. Sandra XXX   

Use some Stash

Hi All, I hope you had fun with the Locks and Keys we certainly ad some gorgeous entries thank you for joining us and for stopping by to leave lovely comments on my blog I really appreciate it. This week we are asking you to have a rummage and use some of that stash good idea to clear out before Christmas to make room for more LOL.
I have made a retro / shabby chic butterfly hanging. I have covered chipboard with sticky back canvas, painted it with antique white and dabbed some metallic gold around the edges then stamped with text in sepia. The butterfly is made from some gorgeous retro fabric shared with us by Lorraine, I have made a very bad attempt at free form machine stitching ( I am still practising this technique but its hard). I have hand stitched to some jute and beaded and added some lace and buttons to finish. Hope you join us this week as there is gorgeous prize on offer. Do be sure and check out Florence, Janet and Chrissie lovely projects. Take care and thanks for joining us.
Hugs as Always. Sandra XXX 

Fabric Tag

The lovely ladies over at Artful times have set a Fabric Tag as the theme. This fabric tag (The Elements) is made from a piece of canvas, card and calico. I made a sandwich of these pieces and painted the canvas with sand and antique rose. I have then stamped it with text in sepia and used a mask to dab through metallic gold and marked with faux stitching. The face is dabbed with the gold metallic and the hair blowing in the wind is fibres. It is supposed to represent the Elements, wind, sun, rain. Thanks for looking  Hugs Sandra X 

Locks and Keys

Hello everyone, gorgeous Nature projects last week thank you for joining us.
This week I think this week we have a fab theme of Locks and Keys it really lets you use your imagination. I have chosen to alter a matchbox it has been waiting to be altered for ages. First gave it a coat of gesso as I wasn't sure where I was going with it I ended up covering it with paper which had some pattern on it and stamped in grey some text and dots. I then added in small areas some rock candy crackle once dry I rubbed with copper treasure gold, added torn paper. The topper is chipboard and has been painted metallic gold then stamped with a romantic text heart stamp and a couple of jewels to finish. I painted the ends in gold metallic paint and added a gold bead for the handle. The inside has been metallic painted has the same paper as a liner and a piece of tea stained lace. The lock and key is chipboard and has been painted black then crackle glazed and painted over with the metallic gold. I have punched out two images and placed one under a fragment and the other has been glossy accented. Each side has tissue which I stamped with the word secrets. This someones secret assignation treasure. Now if you have not fallen asleep with all the details and still reading. well done. I confess I am quite pleased with this little treasure I am putting this matchbox up for a swap so if you fancy a swap with your Lock and Key project let me know, first come gets it oh I am happy to post anywhere. Do be sure and check out Florence, Janet and Chrissie lovely projects. Take care and thanks for joining us. Hugs as Always. Sandra XXX PS next week we have a special prize on offer.

Nature

Thank you to all who joined our Hatters Christmas and shared your lovely projects. Hopefully some good Christmas ideas have been swapped.
This week we are celebrating Nature it is a perfect time of year for it, everything turning such gorgeous colours, although my tag is more like Spring LOL well it must be spring in Australia.
I have DI inked the tag with worn lipstick, antique linen and tea dye, then stamped with text. The flower blossom is from an old book page and was already torn so I used it and inked the edges. The note edged green card is a punch I have from Stampin up. To decorate I have used tea stained lace, buttons. A piece of muslin stained with worn lipstick and ruffled into a flower fixed with a button, and a little chipboard butterfly painted gold. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave me lovely comments. Do be sure and check out Florence, Janet and Chrissie lovely projects. Take care and thanks for joining us.
Hugs as Always. Sandra XXX 

Orange Brown and White

Over at the Artful times the challenge theme is colours of Orange, Brown and White. Check out Von and Neets DT samples very inspiring. I have made what might one day be a card topper or something. It is a piece of corrugated painted white and orange and rubbed the edges in brown. Then I cut white card and stamped a tree in brown and added the little orange beads finished with brown twine and a white paper flower. To finish it was mounted on the corrugated and popped in some brads. Thank you so much for looking and I always appreciate your kind comments. Hugs All Sandra XXX

Christmas Present

 Lovely Christmas decorations makes last week ladies Thank you for joining in with us. This is the last week of Christmas at the Hatters and we would love you to make a little present or stocking filler. I have decorated the front and back of a 8 by 6 ins book in vintage style. The book is suitable for a photo album or art journal, the inside has been left blank for the recipient to do with as they please.
 I painted around the edge of the front and back cover in brown and then covered with patterned  paper I then edged with gold paint and gold leafing pen. The tag has been distressed inked with bundled, dried marigold and tea dye. Stamped with clock faces. I cut a square of crinkled up brown wax paper and a crafty individuals image. these have been layered up with vintage fabric and lace. The swirl has been die cut in felt and decorated with mother of pearl buttons and black bling. The title I have painted the cardboard oval with gold and stamped as swirl on to it. Thank so much for looking and your lovely comments are always much appreciated.
 Do be sure and check out Florence, Janet and Chrissie lovely projects. Take care and thanks joining us. Hugs as Always. Sandra XXX

Christmas Decoration

Hello all, just want to say what fantastic Christmas makes that you have all been making over the last 2 weeks I have not commented on all the blogs as I have been away on Holiday in my most favourite place on earth, North Norfolk (particularly Holkham Beach) and yes I had a fabulous time, it is a mixture of morning beach walks and the rest of the time a crafty extravaganza. I have enjoyed catching up with your makes so a BIG thank you so much for joining us on the Hatters Christmas fest.
This week we ask that you make a Christmas decoration. My decoration bells are from the MDF man. I have painted it crackled it and used a mask to dab gold through, stamped it and then added the first bars of Ding Dong merrily on High.  Also whilst on my Crafty holiday we all made this Christmas tree all hand sewn. Can't wait to see your decoration. Do be sure and check out  Florence, Janet and Chrissie lovely projects. Take care and thanks for looking and joining us. Hugs as Always. Sandra XXX




Craft Retreat Makes

I have spent the last week away on my annual craft retreat in North Norfolk. We walk the beaches and craft the week away. Here are a few pictures of my makes. We altered frames, boxes, pen holders and sewed a Christmas tree decoration, made Christmas baubles and made a beaded a bracelet then made tyvek beads. Phew what a fantastic week. We will do it all again next year, can't wait. Thanks for dropping by to look.  Hugs Sandra XXX

Fur & Feathers

The theme over at The Artful Times is Fur or Feathers. Do take a look there are great makes by the DT. Very inspiring.
This little fella is an MDF bird that I have had in my stash forever he has been painted with Antique white acrylic and edged with gold paint, stamped then embossed with clear, embellished with real feathers and tied with black hemp thread used  a cog button with clock hands which I had to paint in gold metallic as they were silver.  I have made him into a little door knob hanging. The words say Birds flying High. Thanks so much for looking. Hugs Sandra X

Christmas Box

Thanks you for joining us last week with your beautiful Christmas makes and yes it is still Christmas at Out of A Hat.  This week I have made a box (actually it started life as a black box that wallet came in) I think could be used for a man.
I painted with metallic gold paint stamped text very faintly into it die cut a swirl in black sparkle made an organza flower with one of my hand made beads in the centre. The tag has been heat embossed around the edges. The inside is simply painted gold aw well. You will see this another time. Do take a look at Florence, Janet and Chrissie lovely projects. Can't wait to see your makes. Hugs All Sandra XXX

Christmas Tag

Hello everyone blimey Christmas does come around early don't ya think :) it is really Christmas at our local Garden centre all deckd out for the festivities. So we at the Out of A Hat just had to join in. My tag is all paper art (unusual for me) and pink for my beauiful niece. Hope you will join in with us it may spur you to get your Christmas makes sorted. Do take a look at Florence, Janet and Chrissie lovely projects. Take care and thanks for looking and joining us. Hugs All Sandra XXX

Postcards at Artful Times 14

Hope you are all enjoying Sunday. Nice and dry in my part of the UK. The latest challenge at Artful Times is a "Postcards" but you must have either text or numbers within the design, I couldn't decide so had both LOL. You should check out the DT designs all so very inspiring.  
My vintage Postcard background is TH papers which I have rubbed with Antique linen and edged with gold. Overstamped with a TH stamp stamp in the corner and the measure tape at the bottom. Added vintage lace my lovely lady she is a pre cut die I have had for ages and a chipboard C painted in gold paint and rubbed with metallic. I was supposed to be sorting my craft stuff in readiness my annual craft retreat week which begins on the 5th Oct WooHoo can't wait. We all sort out a project and to do so are very busy. A bit of walking, a lot of eating and huge amounts of crafting Perfect. 

Altered Bottle

Morning everyone. Hope you enjoyed the Halloween theme as much as I enjoyed looking at your projects.
This week we are asking you to alter a bottle. I just love altering stuff it really is a lot of fun. I did 2 bottles got a bit carried away LOL. They both started out life as small shower gel bottles so are plastic. I have loads of these so plenty of shapes to chose from. I gave the bottle a coat of gesso and then painted with multi surface paint. I must admit it took about 4 coats. I have also used metallic rubs to age the look. The pink bottle has been covered in texture paste and once dry painted gold then added jewels.
The blue has been treated in the same but instead of texture paste I have used rock candy crackle glaze and metallic rubs. Both lids have also been decorated.

I am really looking forward to seeing your Altered Bottles. Enjoy the challenge. Do take a look at Florence, Janet and Chrissie lovely projects.
Get ready for the Out of A Hat Christmas celebrations in October :)  Thanks for stopping by and your lovely comments. Hugs Sandra XXX

Fashionable Stamping - Alter Something

Over at Fashionable Stamping the challenge is to alter something. I have used a little wooden heart hanging with a beach scene cos I just love the beach and particularly beach huts.
Painted it in sky blue, sponged gold around edges.
and Neptune ink through sequin waste.
Stamped the beach huts (Clarity Stamps) and stamped seagulls. the beach huts I have dabbed a little pink paint to enhance. The bunting is a die and is cut from felt. Thank you for stopping by. Hugs Sandra. X

Halloween - Trick or Treat

Morning everyone, wow we had some gorgeous Oriental projects last week thank you for joining in with us. This week we have gone all scary well it is nearly that time of the year. I have made a tag using an image from Dezinaworld. It is black and backed with fabric that has been spatted with paint. Hand sticthed around the edge with orange thread. Then layered over with black sparkle netting and then calico more hand stitching in purple. The image printed onto acetate then glued to the calico. My young witch ready to Trick or Treating. I am looking forward to your projects this is always a fun theme. Do take a look at  Florence, Janet and Chrissie lovely projects. Coming soon - get ready for the Out of A Hat Christmas celebrations in October :) Hugs Sandra XXX


Lovely Trees

The lovely ladies of The Artful Times have chosen "Trees" for the fortnightly theme, take a look at their DT projects just great. Such a lovely theme I am a tree hugger I just love em. I did a tag with the natural look so I cut out in brown card. Tore a page from an old nature book from a charity shop (I confess I find book tearing really difficult it seem almost sacrilege, but is very effective). I washed a little guesso over the page to dull the words and then dabbed through masks of sequin waste and harlequin dark red and dark green and stamped butterflies. I punched out 3 small tags inked the edges and rubbed in sepia then stamped the 3 different size trees from my clarity stamps, such gorgeous stamps. I strung them together and put at a slight angle for a bit of perspective. finished with a bit of lace, button and safety pin. Thanks for stopping by to look and your comments mean so much. Hugs All Sandra X

Oriental

Fabulous projects ladies last week thanks you for joining us. This week we have gone all Oriental this is a lovely theme and gives a lot of scope to create so I do hope you will join us.
I have made an ATC (2.5 by 3.5 ins) the card has been painted black and the edges heat embossed with gold. I have also embossed a little butterfly and some ghosting flowers stamped onto the card. The vase is made from papermania Oriental selection and is raised up. The flowers are made from ribbon and a little jewel in the centre they have been mounted on wire to raise up very simple from me this week.  Please do look at Florence, Janet and Chrissie lovely projects. Coming soon - get ready for the Out of A Hat Christmas celebrations in October :) Hugs Sandra XXX 


Recycle Packaging

Wow you all have some lovely techniques and projects to share with us. A BIG thank you. This week for the thrifty crafter we ask you to sort out your bits of packaging be it cardboard or tins anything really. We all keep some I am sure, I know I do. We are asking you to make a project out of this stuff. I made a tag out of an old amazon box. I tore of the cover to reveal the corrugated and rubbed some metallic gold over it, I made a vase from the rest of the package and stamped text on the backing bits. The heart and flowers and leaves are made out of a beer can and coloured with alcohol inks. The heart is covered in stickles. I have attached pieces of old wire to the flowers to enable them to lift up. Thanks for stopping by and for your lovely comments. Please do look at Florence, Janet and Chrissie to see their lovely projects. Coming soon - get ready for the Out of A Hat Christmas celebrations in October :) Hugs Sandra XXX 

Inchies for Artful Times

Over at the Artful Times challenge blog they are looking for inchies. I always think these little loves make such lovely projects and the DT team have certainly provided some gorgeous pieces.
I have chosen an ATC (2.5 by 3.5 ins) the card is coordination's sanded back, I think it looks like a piece of denim. I have cut a piece of calico (I love working with this stuff) the stamped image is the top bit of a Crafty Individuals set onto an inch card in sepia. Glued to the calico and framed by lace  and decorated with tiny little blue buttons. I have added a little hand stitch, vintage lace and a heart button to finish.
Thanks so much for dropping by to take a look. Hugs Sandra XXX

Out of A Hat Challenge 23

 A very few did take part and made wonderful altered Mousetraps for the challenge last week so Thank You Ladies for joining us. It was a very different challenge but great fun, maybe if you ever have a spare Mousetrap you will have a go.
This week we are looking at Favourite techniques or products now come on we all have those don't we :) I found this really hard as I love so many techniques and use all types of products. However I have always loved the resist stamping technique but confess not to have used it lately. The technique is described beautifully on Sam's Technique Zone blog. There is a raft of techniques on this blog so well worth a visit. It is where I learnt about it. Very quickly, I used glossy card and stamped the swirl with clear ink, once dry I rolled ink with a brayer and then gently rubbed with a damp cloth to reveal the resist stamping. You can see this below. I must admit a couple hit the bin LOL. I then stamped butterflies in black ink to finish. Thanks for stopping by and for your lovely comments. Please do look at Florence, Janet and Chrissie to see their lovely projects. Hugs Sandra XXX 
PS Thanks to Sam for her brilliant Technique Zone

Floral at Fashionable Stamping

The challenge over at Fashionable Stamping is anything floral. Such a lovely theme so I thought I would join in. I have cut a piece of card 4 x 6 and covered it with muslin that has been sprayed with cosmic shimmer Lemon Grass. The torn paper is from a nature book and has been distressed and stamped with leaves. I have overlayed with stamped flower onto canvas and that I have painted with acrylic. The flower centre is beaded. The lace is vintage and the lace flowers are also beaded. There is a handmade flower with buttons and a sentiment to finish. Oh and the whole lot has been machine sewn with metallic thread. Thanks for looking. Hugs Sandra XXX

Mousetrap

Gorgeous projects by you all last week, it is always great to see what you can do. Can I just remind you to take a look at our  Hatter's blog & please read our rules of entry, Thanks.
I am really looking forward to seeing what you will make of this challenge "Alter a mousetrap" when I first heard this I did think OMGosh ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I did a few deep breathes and came up with this. I covered the MT in paper and stamped text over it, added bits of old book and gold leafing I rubbed in sepia to age it all. And on the shiny metal I dripped rust alcohol ink to age. To decorate I used  2 punched out paper hearts and I made 2 rolled paper flowers and a swirl. Can you spot my cheeky mouse he holds the secret to escape of the trap Thank goodness LOL. I do hope you give it a go it was a lot of fun doing this and the best thing is we the DT did a swap mine went to Florence and I was lucky to get Chrissies. Then Janet made us all one each as a surprise.
Thanks for stopping by and do look at  Florence, Janet and Chrissie to see their lovely projects.  Hugs Sandra XXX


Black & White

Fantastic projects last week ladies, I love visiting and seeing what you come up Thanks you for joining us The Hatters. this week we have Black & White plus another colour. I have chosen a tag of black card and an inner tag of white card. The stamped image is one of my favourites she is so pretty it is from Crafty Individuals. She is stamped on white card and edged in black card. I have painted parts of the image in the additional colour rose pink (crafty notions) paint. The black lace has been added and the fringe. Thanks for stopping by and do look at Florence, Janet and Chrissie to see their lovely projects. Hugs Sandra XXX