Why OH Why?

Why oh Why is it always lovely and sunny all week and then at the weekend cloudy wet and cold :-( ?

On the plus side it is a great excuse to retreat to my craft room and that is exactly what I did (apart from a bit of retail therapy, well whats a girl to do LOL). I played around with stamping effects as per the challenge on JFF. I found this week a real challenge as there are so many mediums to stamp with and I haven't really tried any of them. I settled for watercolour effect stamping I just love the way this looks. It was not as easy as I had imagined it took me quite a while to get it okish. I used my copic pens and metallic brush markers coloured the butterfly stamp and spritzed. It was either to wet or to dry! eventually I got an almost reasonable image. I planned to keep it clean and simple by putting the image into a chip board heart frame I made from chipboard which I painted and then glitter glazed and stamped on. One thing led to another and it got all blinged up Doh! I guess I don't do simply and clean. Well thanks for looking have a great week even if you miss any sunshine like me. PS I am intrigued about the challenge next week I cant image what it is going to be keep an eye on the JFF site Thursday.

Spring at Last - "Take time to look"

At last dare I say it Spring is here, it does the spirit good to "Take time to look" now that's a lead in to my JFF piece for this week. Those girls over at JFF set the challenge this week to try a new format (they really make us work) I am always amazed at the work by the DT and the participants a like. Anyway I have always fancied trying a Tri-fold card. I am not really a card maker ( I mostly do scrapping) although I do the odd one or two cards so for me it is really different. I googled for the instructions and found 2 really good sets they both had really good instructions it cut out like a dream. The decoration well I chose to challenge myself to use all my bits and bobs lying around the place and as it is spring that is my theme. Hope you like it, I really enjoyed making it. Thanks for looking. Take care XX

Whoosh The Weekend Gone

Wow every weekend goes quickly but this last one really did fly by. I had a fantastic Saturday at a workshop hosted by Diane at Crafts and Candlelight run by the talented Carol from Krafty Pieces we made an altered book from scratch loads of work but very satisfying. Sunday we had a family lunch as it was my Dads birthday, so I spent Sunday morning in the Kitchen with The Diamond (he is chef  in our house) prepping and I was in charge of baking dessert (which I have to say was fab). Finally I found time (Sunday evening) to have a go at this weeks challenge over at JFF "try a new technique". Now there are a shed load of techniques new to me so I had a hard job deciding. I wanted to try Joseph's coat well what a disaster that was followed the instructions but black ink would not rub off the card as promised LOL. I then tried an alternative resit technique another disaster although not quite so bad. Eventually I turned to alchol inks I really struggle with this medium and I only have 3 colours a dark red, a green (name escapes me) and metallic silver so this formed the background for the card. I followed the instructions from my TH compendium once dried I stamped a TH swirl. Then I tried some shrink art (I have only done this once before) I stamped with a Carnival masks I have had for ages and never used. Coloured with water pencils and shrunk (this worked particularly well) finished with a few beads (also new to me). Thanks for dropping by XOXO

Mixed Media Such Fun!

This week over at JFF the new months theme is Mixed Media this really gets the creative juices flowing, only problem is I couldn't decide what I was going to use. I settled on using fabric which I love (I also dabble in patchwork quilting) I used a piece of calico and gave it a swoosh of gesso then inked it with a rainbow colour and stamped onto it. Added a few pretty buttons, sequin stars and attached it to a card the background is torn text paper which I have given a gesso swoosh. The butterfly is cut out of the glass bead  gel medium on card and been coloured. The words I thought fitting as it reflected my head being all over the place when I was deciding what to do with my mixed media LOL. I also have been working on a altered frame (from the £ shop) and I finished that today. It was a plastic gold colour I chose a steampunk theme and I have painted and crackled then stamped onto the frame edge, these are my two sons and the diamond obviously he is king LOL. The grunge flower was made by my mum and the heart with wings is a technique from the "Technique Zone" see the link on the right there is some really cool stuff on the site. Apologies for the flash back on the photo I shall try it in the daylight to get a better shot. Have a lovely week and thanks for stopping by XOXO.

PS I shall be putting the hanging into this months swap.

Angels & Wings

I am a bit late this week with my JFF challenge, it has been non stop this last week for me, The Diamond (GLH) has been in hospital for surgery which didn't go to plan so he will have a return visit at some point in the near future. I did pamper him though. Luckily I eventually snatched a couple of hours to take part in the last week of the first month "wings". This week it is "angel wings". I must admit I did find this quite tricky not sure why maybe because of my full on week. I chose a tag this week and went for the ethereal feel. So it has been inked with TH broken china and sugar spun stamped music notes with sepia and gave the whole tag a pearlised cosmic shimmer wash. The smaller tags are inked with TH sugar spun and stamped the "lil angels" images and again the pearlised shimmer wash. The wings and letters I made by colouring with gel pens for a strong effect. Have loved the first month with JFF the DT are a very talented bunch, and the participants have surpassed themselves. I am amazed at the variety of techniques used.Keep it up, really looking forward to more. Thanks for stopping by  XOXO

JFF & Birthdays

I seem to have had a very busy weekend (when are they anything else LOL) had a fab day at Papermaze crop and after baking cakes on Sunday morning I eventually retreated to my craft room to make the challenge for JFF week 3 "Oh for the wings of a bug". I have two entries for this as I covered a little book for my Mum it was her birthday last week. The book lends itself to the challenge very nicely, I also made a tag so that I could take part in the swap. I used the same stamp on both pieces (I love this stamp it is one of my favorites). The tag has been inked with DI dried Marigold and forest, softly backed stamped with a floral swirl. The girl bug has been stamped on separate card and back washed her skirt with pearlised pale green. The wings have been painted pearlised pink and lilac then decoupaged.  I then added a small firefly bug which is embossed to sparkle and leaves a bling trail. I have added rock candy crackle and rubbed metallic into it.  The little note book has been inked stamped and metallic rubs used the letters have been embossed 3 or 4 times to give it the 3d effect. Mum was very pleased with her little note book. Have a lovely week and thanks for stopping to visit. XOXO.

2nd Week Challenge JFF

This is my little hanging effort for the 2nd week of "Wings" over at JFF challenge blog. This week is "Time Flies" and indeed it does. I interrupted this as the seasons flying by so my clock has something for every season inside. The back ground is inked with colours that I think suit the season and the clocks are stamped over in grey. The inner clock is again inked with seasonal shades and seasonal images stamped. The numbers are rub on and I painted the wings in pearlised silkies and stamped with a swirls. I added a button for interest and the thread are the hands. The background is also painted in glitter glaze (I do like a bit of sparkle). I think I might try and be brave and enter this for the swap (and fingers crossed I don't disappoint anyone as my 11 went wonky). I had planned to tidy the garden today but it is too cold and wet. So off to my craft room to alter a frame LOL. Hugz all XX. Thanks for stopping by.

Just Having Fun

Well this is the first challenge for the newest challenge blog Just for Fun the challenge is weekly with a monthly theme. The theme of the month is wings and for this week "heartfelt wings" well with valentines in the air I decided to make a little hanging for the Diamond. I inked the heart shape with barn door and worn lipstick, stamped with a lovely butterfly swirl and painted on rock candy crackle once dry I used metallic rubs gold and red to get into the crackle. The wings I painted black and embossed in silver. the background I painted in off white and rubbed in inka gold and stamped text. Added a sparkle brad and lace.One of the criteria of the challenge is to "Have fun and get messy" I did both. XOXO I am pleased as The diamond likes it. Enjoy your week.  

Altered Hanging

It is quiet on my blog since SCD closed (I do miss the challenges and feeling part of the craft thing) I have also had a busy time since Christmas but I found time to make this little altered wall hanging for a friend because she had a lovely cat keyring which I admired and she gave it to me (mainly because I really enthused over the keyring LOL). I painted the frame in acrylics and crackled the paint, I then rubbed in metallic to distress it and finally stamped the frame. The centres I used text paper and inked it with scattered straw then built up a flower scene rubbing metallic into them to get a distressed look, the centre I did the same with a butterfly and dabbed glitter glaze around the whole thing. Its funny how things evolve when I started I didn't know what I was going to do but am pleased with the result.

A New Year

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year break, I certainly did. However my poor cousin found herself in hospital for Christmas (mega hugs Sue) happily she is home and on the mend. This is going to be a good year and also a year filled with uncertainty, good because my son is getting married (really looking forward to this event) uncertain because the Diamond XOXO will need a bit of heart surgery at some point this year.

The nice thing about an extended break I happily found time to do a bit of crafting. My friend won a chipboard tree in the draw at the Bramford  Christmas crop. So I took it home to alter for her. I painted and crackled the trunk, then painted the tree and clear embossed a swirl and butterflies then painted over and rubbed to get a resit. I then added inks and metallic rub ins and stamped in black. The tree had the chipboard birds and hearts with it so I also altered these. I really enjoyed doing this and I will give it to back to my Friend this Saturday. I do hope she likes it as much as I did altering it.  Sadly SCD is closing for 2011 I shall really miss the weekly challenges, I will try and blog at least a couple of times a month. Hugs All XX.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

At last its here, Christmas that is. I do love the build up to Christmas, shopping, works drinks and visiting family. SCD have the final challenge of the year and it is "Merry Christmas" very apt. Next year the format of SCD will change and I am looking forward to the new challenges. BUT for now here is my

"Merry Christmas"  I used DI red lipstick and bundled sage for that Christmas colour look then edged with rub on metallic red, green and gold, stamped baubles and small tree added a tando tree which I had coloured with inca gold just finished off with glitter glue. Merry Christmas XX

Its Christmas (well nearly)

 
Today I was Christmas shopping phew, now I love the pre Christmas manic-ness of shopping even if it is a fight to get to the checkouts LOL, that's what it is all about. I then chilled out in my craft room and did the SCD challenge this week it is "Christmas Characters" I chose an angel (mainly because this is a new stamp and I was determined to use it) and a few fairies. I used Christmas colours DI bundled sage and worn lipstick and metallic rubs red , gold & green (there must be a song there somewhere) around the edges. My little girl angel is stamped in brilliance sparkle black and I added red & green glitter glue to her dress and wings. Its a lovely tag and the photo does not do the tag justice. Last weekend I made this little hanging for my cousin (Sue) it was her birthday. I thought I would share that with you all. Enjoy the Christmas rush it will soon be here and gone again. XX Off to the bramford crop tomorrow YIPPEE.

Trees

Hope you have all been enjoying the snow this week, Tilly and me did play in it just for a while LOL well you have to don't you?. This week over at SCD the theme is TREES and as it is a new month we must use tags. I am loving the theme as I am a bit of a tree hugger. I used a brayer for the background 'creole spice' and I  deliberately used a small tag so that I could my miniature tree clarity stamps. (The diamond bought these for my birthday and I just love them) I stamped in trees and fence in black then I high lighted in white pen for depth and used London fog for the tree back stamping gave it a rock candy stickles moon and a bit of snow in the foreground. I have also included a photo of my other tree (hope you don't mind as it is not a tag), I have just made this quilted advent calender for The Diamond. Yes I know what you are thinking he is too old for all that. BUT I have filled each day with grown up chocolate and at the weekends miniature JDs that's when he decided he wasn't too old for all that LOL.XX

SNOW & The Big Event

The theme at SCD this week is SNOW very apt considering half the country is covered in the stuff. Luckily non in my are yet. Well having had a very busy weekend Sunday spent at the "The Big Event" a day of indulging in myself in my favorite past time of scrapping with other like minded folk and workshops to choose from a fab day. I had made some Christmas cards and for the snow theme I have used one of these. The card is painted in a silver cosmic shimmer wash and stamped with a little Christmas tree and embossed with a dark green almost black for the snow I stamped in white, very simple. Enjoy your week and I hope you don't get snowed in.

Numbers - Christmas Count Down

Had a fab day at papermaze crop Saturday, the crop kit was beautiful and I am already looking forward to the Big Event next Sunday, it is going to be packed full of workshops and kits. Over at SCD challenge this week is "Numbers" and judging by the responses already this is hugely popular. As a novice it is really interesting to follow this challenge site and see what the other participants produce, such talent. I am feeling decidedly Christmasy today probably because I spent Sunday morning at a local garden centre (Notcutts) looking around their Christmas displays. If you have children or grand children you really must visit as it is a wonderland. So my piece is called "Christmas Count Down" I used a tag as I already had it cut out, I then inked using a brayer and big juicy called sunset.I backed stamped with maya road clock stamps in chateau gray and then used my lovely crafty individuals Christmas tree stamp with dewdrop starlight black ink (it is very sparkly but the camera flash doesn't really show it up) I heat embossed the 25 with a lovely dark purple. Another great challenge.

WINGS SCD Challenge

I find myself asking the same question every weekend. Why do weekends go so quickly? I wish I knew the answer. I seem to cram so much into 2 days. Saturday I was at the Bramford crop chatting with friends and doing a page. My cousin "Suzy"  made me a lovely "S" key chain, she used a technique that has given the chipboard an enamelled look. The colours are just fab.  I am so pleased with it. Sunday! well a bit of this and that and of course the SCD challenge which this week was "wings" this seemed to be hugely popular with the other participants. I really didn't know where to start, but Mum bought a set of paperartsy stamps from yesterdays crop (a real bargain) just perfect for wings, so of course I borrowed them LOL (Mum already knew what she would do and I think it is inspired do take a look at her blog ). I also inked and stamped a background then stamped the main theme and added a butterfly stamped inside with humming birds.I finished off with rock candy crackle paint and rubbed in inka gold. Have a good week all. Roll on next weekend.

Houses at SCD

This week over at SCD it is a new month and a new challenge this time it is again anything goes but this week it must be "houses". I really wanted to use my new steam punk stamps which I had as a birthday present so I managed to incorporate this into my house. The house I cut out from my cricut Christmas cartridge, I then used DI  faded jeans and barn door then stamped with the steam punk, I then used rock candy crackle paint and once dry rubbed in DIs. The crackly paint seems to distort the card as it dry so I backed onto card and then used inka gold to edge and also rub this into the crackles. Lots of new techniques used this week. A good challenge and I got to use my stamps LOL. And the mouse: well it is a house after all.

Claret & Blue

Phew what a really tricky colour mix, you girls on the DI team really know how to challenge all of us, guess that's what it is all about getting to do stuff out of your comfort zone. Well I had to mix red and dark pink ink to get claret I used grunge board and my TH flower dies, then stamped my text in blue and to give it a lift a swirl in white acrylic paint, I then edged in blue glitter pen. I thought it still looked rather flat so I punched out leaves in blue glitter card and mounted on black card run through an embossing folder. I am very satisfied with the outcome, thanks DI team for this challenge I rather enjoyed it. Off to enjoy a curry this evening as my sons and wags have visited for my birthday. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Green & Yellow (OMG)

I have had a relaxing weekend and despite not feeling well on Saturday I spent a lovely afternoon with Jenni (my daughter in law to be) designing save the date and wedding invites. We ended up with a really quite simple design and we are both very pleased, just need to start making them.Can't show pictures as all under wraps.

I then turned my attention to SCD weekly challenge, now this gave the The Diamond a nasty turn when I started talking about all things "Green & Yellow " LOL. obviously it was too much after all he is a staunch Ipswich Town supporter and the colours belong to the dreaded Norwich City FC. I think he has recovered from the shock, GLH. Needless to say I found this a tricky colour to work with. Eventually I painted a background with my green pearlised shimmer paints and stamped a lovely background stamp of swirls, flowers and hearts using tea tree green then highlighted with a green gel pen. added a few hearts with background in yellow versa and painted over in yellow shimmer paint and yellow ribbon. I think it is quite pretty definitely shimmery, otherwise not sure about it. Have a lovely week.all.

Orange & Balck

Following all the fun with making the frames (see post below) the Diamond, Trudy & Tilly went home, the rest of us went onto a craft weekend at overstrand (hosted by Sally from creative memories). Despite suffering craft fatigue we managed to scrap the weekend away but I did find time to take part in the SCD challenge, I love these challenges so I rang TD and asked him to look for me. Now I love orange and black obviously it is very Halloween the nearest I got to Halloween is using pumpkin paint for the background, I then inked over this with scattered starw to dull down and Inca gold the edges. The stamps I love as quilting is another of my hobbies so I thought them very apt. Enjoy the rest of your week everyone.