Mytobyjug

WICKED WEDNESDAY ATCS #18 - LOVE/HEARTS OR VALENTINES DAY

2012-02-11T15:02:00.000Z

I'm playing catch up today. Just one more card to make then I'm on top again. This ATC is for this week's Wicked Wednesday ATC challenge.

I thought I would use some of my stash for this one, so out came my grungeboard sheets. I started by using picket fence distress stain over a swirl stamp which I stamped on a cream base card. Over this, once dry, I blended victorian velvet, aged mahogony DIs and blended the edge with walnut stain. (Thanks Hels for today's tutorial and the reminder of this fab technique). I used gold dabber on the letters and edged those with walnut stain also. The heart is coloured with fired brick distress stain and the key with walnut stain distress stain. I stuck everything down with glossy accents including the red rose.
A simple card but I enjoyed making it and got my fingers covered in ink........well, that's all part of the fun eh?

GRUNGY MONDAY #35 - A HOLTZIAN ATC

2012-02-11T13:41:00.000Z

I'm a bit late this week but I've made it just in time. Having said that, I don't always join in with Grungy Monday which is the brain child of Linda Ledbetter, but I try if I can. This weeks challenge is to make a 'Holtzian ATC' using at least one of Tim's products or techniques.
Here is my card:

I used a grungeboard butterfly,
vintage photo and aged mahogony distress inks
blending tools and foam pads,
paper from some of Tim's Idea-ology range
glossy accents.

MOJO - COME BACK PLEASE

2012-02-10T16:49:00.001Z

I made this, but don't know what to do with it now!!!!!

Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement. I hope to have a 'play' today because I am sooo behind after spending 2 days taking my phone back to the shop 'cos it wouldn't charge, then picking it up again. I think my Mojo doesn't like my clean and tidy 'more space' work room. I will just have to make a mess me thinks. xx

IT'S A FREEZING COLD WOYWW #140

2012-02-08T08:46:00.000Z

Brrrrrr.. turn up the heating, get your woolly socks on and make a brew, then sit down and surf the crafting web for fellow WOYWWers courtesy of our leader, Julia. Can I say a great big thank you to Julia and everyone who offered me advice last week on washer/dryers. I took everything that was said on board, made loads of enquiries and went round several stores before deciding that this type of machine is not all it's cracked up to be and therefore I won't be buying one.
With that decision made I had to re-think my workroom plans for more space. In the end all I did was move one 12" shelf and quite unbelievably, I now have more light - which means I shall be able to sit down to craft, - plus, much more space to work on. What do you think?

This is my main bit where I have to stand. So much space here.

This is the right hand bit where I sit to compute. The shelf I moved is the one holding my Big Shot. It was between the tv shelf and the one above it before and held my Alteration dies. However, the weight of them was a bit too much and the shelf started to lean causing my strip dies to fall off - twice!! No problem with them now because they are in a cupboard.
Finally, this is the best I can do to photograph it all together.

This one shows the glass wall and all the extra light I now have. I took this one the other day whilst still making the changes. I have no idea what that mucky yellow bit of cloth is!! LOL.
Righto, I'm off to get dressed now. Happy woyww everyone. x

AND A CRAFTING WE WILL GO trala la

2012-02-07T10:24:00.000Z

Any one who has any involvement with the craft industry and shows will know the madness that surrounds the build up to the UK Stitches show at the NEC, which by the way, is only next week!!
Without wanting to sound patronising (how I hate that word) which I am not being, I have the enviable pleasure of knowing and being a friend of one of our top designers, Lindsay Mason. Not only that, but I am in the same position with her sister, Heather Fenn-Edwards, who is an amazing bead artist and who makes incredible jewellery and associated pieces.
Yesterday we all got together to help Lindsay make samples for the Personal Impressions booth at the show. What a wonderful day. I so wish I could share the pieces that the girls made, but secrecy has to abound for a few more days yet. I have been blown over by how paints, stamps, card and glue have come together. You will love the new designs, trust me.
We made a bit of a mess -

Can you spot the fluffy slippers? I wonder who owns those?

Haha, now I know.
I have to admit to being really tired last night and would like to say it was because I had been so creative throughout the day, but in actual fact, I only managed to make a couple of tiny embellishments, 1 card (with a lot of help) and ruin another. The real reason was because I had been so excited to see the girls (Sister Act - my pet name for them) that I hadn't slept much on Sunday night. I have an open invitation to go back to 'help' again which I will.
However, you will get a sneak peek at some of Lindsay's designs if you pop over to the QVC site and look up the programme which is on at 5pm today. I have seen the samples Lindsay made with these stamps and believe me when I tell you, they are fabulous.

ATCs and CARDS WITH ATTITUDE #6 - FLOWERS OR ANYTHING GOES

2012-02-04T13:25:00.000Z

Following a change to our name and theme, we had a wonderful response to our last challenge. Thank you everyone who took part. Pop over to the blog here and see if you are a winner but also to get the details of our challenge for this fortnight.
Once again you can make either an ATC or a CARD and our theme is FLOWERS. If, however you don't want to join in with the theme, then make yours Anything Goes.
Our sponsor this time is - Fresh Brewed Designs. Below is my ATC.

I chose 'Love Blooms' to work with. The background card is hammered white card stock with 'mopped up' spare ink and perfect pearls from my craft sheet. I printed the image onto white card and again onto printable acetate, coloured them both and cut them out. I layered them both using 3D foam adding the foam pads to the acetate behind the heart gems only. I off set the images for a more dimensional look. A couple of heart stick pins and some iced spruce distress ink around the edge of the card, finished it off.
Looking forward to seeing your entry.

WICKED WEDNESDAY #17 -MERMAIDS

2012-02-02T20:30:00.000Z

Wicked Wednesday ATCs challenge this week is - Mermaids.
I decided to use one of my downloads from PollyCraft because she is just so lovely. This is what I came up with this week:

Having spent a wonderful couple of hours today watching the talented Hels Sheridan on our national craft channel, I decided that one of the techniques she showed us was just perfect for the background to my ATC for this challenge. Splatters of picket fence Distress Stain blended over with Chipped Sapphire distress ink pad. I had already printed the image onto acetate, coloured most of her with metallic Sakura pens and covered her tail with silver metalic foil. A few seed beads and some tiny silver brads and that was it - done.
I had fun - again....

WOYWW #139

2012-02-01T00:05:00.001Z

It's that day again. You know, the one where we all wonder where the other 6 went then go on about crafting in a mess or blaming other things like cl***ing or ir***ng or sho***ng for getting in the way of our pleasure that is anything inky or sticky or painty. Well, that's my view on life anyway........ For all that, I do enjoy Wednesday when we hop around to each other's to have a good old nosey about. Thank you Julia once again.
I managed another few charity cards and will be taking a bag full today to the NW Ambulance shop after a visit to get my bird nest hair sorted. This is the last one I made.

The angle makes the butterfly look off centre, but it's not.
I actually took a couple of photos last night of my little space because I am quite pushed for time this morning.

Gosh! one daylight desk lamp and night setting on my camera and the photo is better than any taken through the day. The light has been so bad this month that maybe I should have used that setting all along. Nothing to show as you can, or should I say, cannot see. Here's the other angle:

You can tell it's the evening. The glass of wine gives that away, because I haven't started drinking in the morning - yet!!! LOL.
There are some major changes planned for my workroom which also include some to the kitchen. I just have to find the money for a new washer/drier first. However, if anyone knows of any reason why I shouldn't buy a combination machine, I would like to hear them. Until next week then my friends. x

SO DARN CUTE

2012-01-29T17:14:00.000Z

Just look at my present:

Aren't these just so cute.
My special step-daughter, Paula, bought these for me and brought them round the other day. Look at the detail on those coat hangers and the lace effect on some of the butterflies. I know someone(!!!!!) who would appreciate the guitars and music notes but maybe not the spanners, paintbrushes etc.!!
Thank you for such a special gift and thought. mwah xxx

SOMETHING TO BRIGHTEN A DULL DAY

2012-01-27T15:08:00.000Z

No craft this post. I thought I would share a few photos of some of the flowers in my little garden yesterday, because today is the most horrible day weather wise, what with hail, wind and hardly any light at all.

2 lovely hellebores.

I just adore snowdrops. I have several around the little pond but I haven't seen much of them this year with the weather being so bad.

A beautiful miniature iris under the big tree at the front.

No, your eyes are not deceiving you, this is a geranium in flower, outside.

And finally, here are Toby's daffodils coming up once more. Can't wait to see those in flower.
Stay warm.

WICKED WEDNESDAY ATCs #16 - FAIRY TALES/NURSERY RHYMES

2012-01-26T12:52:00.000Z

This weeks challenge over at Wicked Wednesday ATC challenge blog is fairy tales/nursery rhymes.
I started off by searching the web for downloadable images because I didn't really have anything suitable, even in my image folder. I found this site :
loubyloocreations@sbcglobal.net
On there I found 2 that I thought I could use, Humpty Dumpty and Little Red Riding Hood, so I bought them both. I started to make my entry using Humpty - and may still make him - but in the end decided on the other.
Here she is being chased by the big wolf (actually, my wolf is good and doesn't chase anything!!):

I've just realised that I haven't 'grounded' her with a bit of shading, but I will do that. I made a step card in order to make everything pop.

The little house and trees are from 'Build a Snowy Scene' stamps designed by Lindsay Mason and distributed by Personal Impressions. See, Christmas stamps can work at other times of the year too. I made the sky with distress inks and coloured the little girl with Whispers pens. My other exciting news, which follows on from my previous post and the happy yesterday, is that I was picked as one of the top 3 for Wicked Wednesday again last week. However, not only that - if that wasn't enough - they also made me cry tears of joy by asking if I would be a guest designer. How exciting is that eh? To say I am thrilled is such an understatement. So folk, watch this space.

MY 12 TAG PRIZE ARRIVED

2012-01-26T09:07:00.000Z

Last week I decided to place an order with Inspiration Emporium and use the $100 prize I won from Tim following the 12 tags. What a service because it arrived yesterday.

A great big box full of lovely goodies:

I decided not to wait for the CHA releases because they are staggered over a few months, and ordered Ideology that I previously have found so expensive. I also ordered a Spica pen to use with my Copics and 5 new colours of Copics that fill some of the big gaps between the Ciaos.
There was also a little tag in the box made by one of the staff as a congrats. on my win.

What a lovely day Wednesday turned in to. I also had another surprise. but I'll leave that 'til later and keep you guessing.

WOYWW #138

2012-01-25T00:10:00.002Z

Do you realise this is the last Wednesday in January? It was surely only the first one last week. Mind you, it's rained most days and the light has been so bad that I probably missed them all anyway. Thank goodness for Julia who reminds us it's Wednesday each week or I wouldn't have a clue what day it is.
I have been busy making cards for the NW Ambulance charity shop and actually managed this lot:

There are 50. Not a bad start on using my stash. I made myself a pledge only to use glue - no stamps, no inks, no stickles etc. etc. just card, paper, ribbon and any images already prepared. So far so good, but these 50 cards haven't even made a dent in the bits I want to use.

I took this photo yesterday but my space looks the same this morning. Completely cluttered.

I will have to clear it up because I have a DT piece to create because I may not have much time to spare for a few days. Can't say more than that at this stage.
Well folk, what is your desk looking like today. I'll try and call by some of you so get the kettle on........

ATCs AND CARDS WITH ATTITUDE #5 - ANYTHING GOES

2012-01-21T09:56:00.000Z

You may have noticed from the title, that our team leaders have been in discussion and decided to change our format a little. We have also changed our name to
ATCs AND CARDS WITH ATTITUDE.
You can now join in our challenges by either making an ATC or CARD. We hope this will encourage more crafters to participate. For those of you either not familiar or simply don't like ATCs, remember, they do make fabulous card toppers.
Anyway, many congratulations to last weeks winners, I hope you enjoy your prizes.
This week we again have 2 sponsors:
GUYLOU and
DELICIOUS DOODLES
Guylou is offering a $10 voucher and
Delicious Doodles is offering 4 digis.
Here is my take on our anything goes theme this fortnight:

I printed the gorgeous Guylou image on to 300gsm white card and measured around it to cut the ATC size. I wanted the little girl's hair to overlap the edge. I then used Copics to colour the image before swiping tattered rose distress ink onto my craft sheet and spraying it with perfect pearls mist to make a paint for the background of the card. The edges are distressed with victorian velvet DI. I then stamped the words on to card, cut them out and used 3D foam to add both them and dimension to the card.

Now for some reason, my DT piece has not come up on the challenge blog, but the other team members have made some fabulous cards to give you inspiration. Pop along to our blog by following the link here or above, and let's see your creations. I'm waiting. x

WICKED WEDNESDAY #15 - DRESSES/DRESS FORMS

2012-01-20T13:14:00.000Z

This weeks challenge details can be found HERE.
I am thoroughly enjoying taking part each week in the Wicked Wednesday challenges. Last week their random org. chose me as the winner, whoopee. But the team picked me for their top 3 (it seems to have become 2) and other whoopee.......
I found this week's challenge to be so much fun. Here is my ATC:

The base 'dress form' is cut from mount board and covered in Tim Holtz crowded attic paper. The edges were then distressed with walnut stain DI. I cut Tim's dress form and caged bird dies from shrink plastic and they turned out just the right size. I coloured each with either paint dabber or DIs and then stamped a really delicate swirl, by Inkadinkado, on the body of the dress form. I wanted to use a bobbin for the form to stand on but the one I had was out of proportion. Only one thing to do - call in reinforcement, namely hubby, to make a smaller one!! I assembled it all using multi matt medium, added some lace and sticky gems and voila, done.
Why not have a go at these challenges. After all, if you don't really like ATCs, remember you can always use them as card toppers.

DEMO AT FLEETWOOD

2012-01-19T15:57:00.000Z

I have just arrived back home after a wonderful day at the Crafty Company craft shop in Fleetwood. Not only did I get to see more top class demos from the ever talented Lindsay Mason, but I also caught up with my pal Sonia who came all the way from Liverpool for the day.

The photo shows Lindsay's demo table which was overflowing with beautiful samples of all sorts of cards, ATCs, configuration boxes, canvases, etc. We all bombarded her with crafty questions and she made samples for us using stamps, inks, glues, tissue paper and a whole lot more. The shop owners even made cups of tea and sandwiches for us all. How nice was that then? Of course I had to buy some craft, well it would have been rude not to eh! I purchased 3 bottles of perfect pearls sprays which were offered for the price of just 2. Also, I finally bought 2 sets of Darkroom Door stamps which were offered for £10 less.
A really good day out.

WOYWW #137

2012-01-18T08:29:00.000Z

Can I say a great big thank you to everyone for the kind comments last week and concern about my back. If good wishes could make something better, then my back certainly improved through them. In fact, it was Sunday before it stopped hurting so I didn't get much done all week. Darn wear and tear in my neck causes most of my problems, but hey!, life goes on. So a special thank you to Julia again, because the dozens of folk who left me a good wish, could not have done so without What's on your Workdesk Wednesday. A veritable concoction of goodness and fun.
So, my desk today:

The creation of charity cards has begun. I managed to make the start yesterday and have a fair few done already. However, I hoped to use up my old stash but am amazed at how little each card is taking. At this rate I shall be making cards for the next 20 years and not make a dent in it. I have gained a few new followers just lately, so maybe some blog candy is on the books too. Will have to look into that so watch this space ie my blog, as today isn't the place to be advertising that.
Right, must get my brain into gear and try and get round more folk than last week. Have a great day. x

SUNDAY STAMPER #188 - GOLD

2012-01-15T14:43:00.000Z

Crumbs! I've just checked my challenge note book and I last had a go at Sunday Stampers on 10 March last year. That's not good. I know last year was a write off for me and crafting but I didn't realise so much time had gone by. 2012 is going to be full of craft for me so I made a card today following the wonderful tutorial from Hels yesterday. I tried to remember what she did without putting the tele on to watch the recording and came up with this:

The gold bit is the heirloom gold perfect pearls which I sprayed the flowers and words with.
Turned out quite nice and that's the quickest I've ever managed to make 3 flowers.

HELS IS ON TV TODAY

2012-01-14T11:43:00.000Z

Bubbly Hels Sheridan is on Create & Craft at noon and 6pm today showcasing Wendy Vecchi art parts etc.. Hels will have some really lovely samples to show us and hopefully, we will see her demo some techniques too. Remember, she is Ranger educated so knows what she is talking about.

I am lucky to have some of her art and here are 2 pieces that I adore.

WICKED WEDNESDAY ATCS CHALLENGE #14 - OCEAN/AQUATIC

2012-01-12T11:00:00.000Z

All the deets for this super challenge are HERE.
I enjoyed this one - but then I enjoy all the challenges I have a go at - and got to use my precious Brixham shells again. Any excuse to use those because when they are all gone I will be able to make the excuse to go to Devon again for more!!!

The base is mount board covered in Terra - Sahara - which gives a sandy effect when dry smeared with a bit of broken china distress stain. I used the top of the branches from an Andy Skinner tree stamp to stamp sea weed in forest moss DI which I then clear embossed. The rest of the scene is made up of sea moss, Martha Stewart punched branches, shells, a sea horse charm, a fish button, some sparkly sticky gems and a brass anchor embossed with aged mahogony distress embossing powder. The whole effect was glued together with multi matt medium.
Thanks to Wicked Wednesday ATCs for picking me as one of their top 3 again last week. It's such fun to have a go.

WOYWW #136

2012-01-11T05:00:00.001Z

I've finally caught up with the list of jobs after the Xmas break. In fact, even DH is going to start one of the remaining big jobs we have to do, so he's getting back on track too.
I've made a start on this year's birthday and anniversary list because I want to try and use my mass of stash at some point and make some cards for the NW Ambulance charity shop. I thought that would be a good way of keeping busy and using old papers etc. instead of giving them away all the time. I so hope I stick to this plan so I need to be disciplined.

My little space shows a work in progress. I stood for too long yesterday grafting away at this and ended up with back ache and a really sore neck. As a bit of compensation we decided to go to the pub for a carvery dinner which was really good. So today I mustn't spend as long leaning over and take more breaks or it will never get done.
Last week I managed to get around to about 20 desks all thanks to the wonderful Julia who is keeping this Wednesday phenomenon going. Without Julia thinking up this amazing treat none of us would have met. Don't you just love Wednesdays?? I do.

SPOT THE ONE HE GOT.......

2012-01-09T15:18:00.000Z

See the sunburst Fender Stratocaster hanging up on the far right? That's the one. We had to carry it back up the hill from under the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle, to the bus station in the middle of the city, then take the 1hr 15min bus ride back to Stockton. It was raining too.
The things we get up to.............
Right, off to post over on Crafting Buddies now.

A VERY HOT HEAT GUN

2012-01-08T15:01:00.000Z

You may remember a few weeks ago my telling you that my heat gun set on fire in my hands. No harm done either to me or the surroundings, but I did have to buy another one.
Hubby took it apart to see what had happened and it appears that the switch burnt out and caused the fire. Not sure whether you can see what happened from this photo.

Be aware folk.

TALENTED FRIENDS

2012-01-07T13:54:00.000Z

2 of my extremely talented friends sent some amazing craft to me a few days ago.
Firstly, Sylvia made me a gorgeous parchment birthday card. I am a real sucker for parchment mainly because I don't think I have the patience to sit down and have a go at it. I love the detail it produces and this card is no exception, hence, I've framed it:

This now sits proudly close to the gorgeous parchment card that my 2nd talented friend Barb made for me.
This time however, Barb sent me 2 stunning ATCs. She is a talented artist so all her projects are so neat. Take a look:

Titled Chinese Lantern, this panda looks so content in his surroundings.

This lovely monochrome daisy card is a delight. The embossed background is sparkly, it's not showing too well on the photo. My fave bit of this is the perfect bow on the ribbon. Mine are always cock-eyed no matter what I do.

Thank you so much girls. You know I will treasure these.

ATCs WITH ATTITUDE CHALLENGE #4 - ANYTHING GOES

2012-01-06T15:01:00.000Z

It's time for another fortnightly challenge over at ATCs With Attitude.
Anything Goes is the theme so you can join in by making an ATC of your choice, post it on your blog and then pop over to the challenge site and upload your entry. There is a prize up for grabs so come on and have a go.
Here is my DT piece for this challenge:

I printed off the image onto light weight white card and coloured her with my new Whispers pens. I then traced her skirt onto 'dotty' white vellum using a Gelly Roll, clear star Sakura pen. Once I had cut this out, I curled each part and added a further layer of the middle part of her skirt. The base card is mount board, clear embossed with a lovely delicate swirl stamp, coloured over with worn lipstick distress stain. the edges are distressed with dusty concord DI. I used the Sakura pen to sparkle her wings and cut around her fingers so she could hold her gem crystal ball. A couple of tiny skeleton leaves to enhance her wings, and a few sparkly gems finish off the card.

WICKED WEDNESDAY ATC CHALLENGE #13 - THE 60s

2012-01-06T08:55:00.000Z

Oh dear! I suppose I have to admit being a teenager in the 60s. I remember screaming over the Beatles and waiting at stage doors for them to leave the theatre. I've seen Cilla Black, the Bachelors, Jerry and the Pacemakers, etc etc live on stage. I wore mini skirts and did a bit of rebelling when told to do something I didn't want to do. I wore chisel toed shoes and high heels with out heels!!! The best bit was I left school and bought a Lambretta 125cc scooter. Gosh, I still remember the registration, BFR 585B. See, the 60s were only yesterday!!

Thanks for that little blast from the past Wicked Wednesday ATCs. My little card doesn't have a scooter on it, although I nearly put a motorbike on, but it does show, ban the bomb, music, flower power, an old 'sharabang' and of course, some physcadelic (sp) patterns. The base was coloured with some paints I've had for such a long time and some glitter here and there. Everything else is embellishments.
I've been making ATCs for some years now and through them have made some very special friends. One of these is my pal Sonia. She is a whiz at this type of theme but doesn't join in Wicked Wednesday because she doesn't have a blog. I would however, like you to see a card she sent me in Nov 2010. It's fab.

Do you agree that she should make the time to start a blog and share her art????

SDC 45: - A NEW YEARS WISH

2012-01-05T10:06:00.000Z

I thought I would have a go at the latest Stampotique Designers Challenge because the subject - a wish for the New Year - seemed appropriate to me being determined to make 2012 the best year ever.
I sprayed ink through masks, sprayed ink without masks, sprayed water through masks, daubed Terra through masks, embossed here and there, distressed here and there, to finally come up with a background - phew!! I computer printed some words and finally got to use my lovely new Stampotique stamp - 2 sticks. I coloured the little fellows with my new Whispers pens.

Another bit of fun.

GRUNGY MONDAY #31 - A BIRTHDAY CARD FOR TIM

2012-01-04T14:38:00.000Z

Having won a prize from Tim this week, it would be rude not to say another thank you to him so I have joined in the Grungy Monday challenge this week.
Here is what I came up with:

I used a base card 8"x8" and covered the front with a piece of kraft resist paper which I painted with picket fence distress stain. I die cut the hanging sign from core'dinations card together with the autumn gatherings and letters from vintage market strip dies. All from Tim's core'dinations distress card. I also used his jump rings, glossy accents, DIs walnut stain, rusty hinge, peeled paint, shabby shutters, bundled sage and forest moss. I die cut some tattered leaves from shrink plastic, coloured them very lightly with DIs and shrank them in my melt pot using clear UTEE.
This was a lot of fun but quite worrying too. After all, making something for the King of Distress which is worthy was somewhat daunting. Hope it's ok.

WOYWW NUMBER 135 - BUT NO. 1 THIS YEAR

2012-01-04T06:07:00.000Z

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all fellow woywwers. I hope you had an amazing celebration. We came home on Monday afternoon after our 2 weeks away finally clear of the bugs we succumbed to during that time. There had been a cancellation just as we arrived on site, so DH booked us another week so we could celebrate the New Year by going to the pub -which is literally at the gate - and enjoy the festivities, disco etc. Well that was the plan. However, I got a nauseous cold on Xmas Eve which laid me low for the next few days, then DH caught it, which laid him low over New Year's Eve, therefore, no pub.... We are ok now but really could have done without all that.
I gained a year whilst away and recieved some fantastic presents and cards. One of which I promised to show you - my new craft bag, just look at this:

It's absolutely amazing and massive so will hold long rulers and 12x12 papers etc.
I can't wait to use it but will have to put a chain and padlock on it fastened to my wrist LOL.

Some time ago I was making a Xmas present and obviously couldn't let you see, but, as the festivities are over here it is:

It's a padded notice board and is supposed to be a heart. I had so much trouble with the measurements, that it looks like a kidney to me!!! Anyway, I sat up 'til nearly midnight to finish off the hand sewing so I hope it was worth while. One thing is for sure, I won't be making another!
For those of you lovely ladies out there who are long suffering due to a partners hobby, I just would like to inform you that whilst we were away we took a bus ride into Newcastle (about 45 miles), only to come back with ANOTHER guitar!!!!! Just how many guitars can one man play???? That's 4 he's got now.
Suppose I can't complain, after all, I did get a load of craft vouchers for Xmas and I won a prize from Tim for completing the 12 tags so have another craft voucher to spend. Just how much craft stash can one girl have..................
Hey Julia, what did you get for Christmas then? And, hey woywwers, what did you get????

I JUST KNEW 2012 WAS GOING TO BE SPECIAL

2012-01-02T15:50:00.000Z

If you could have seen me last night when I downloaded Tim's blog on my phone, you would have thought I had been stung by a wasp. I screamed, cried and jumped up and down with utter joy. Why?? because Tim picked me out as a winner for completing the 12 tags of Christmas 2011 and for blogging them and uploading photos each day. Courtesy of Inspiration Emporium I now have a $100 voucher. Whoohoo!!
I so enjoy the 12 tags each year and have participated for the last 3. Learning the new techniques is so exciting and looking back over the tags throughout the year keeps that excitement going.
So once again, THANK YOU Tim for the time you share with us. You do realise though that you will never be able to give this wonder up?? A big thank you to Mario too because his tweets have kept me going through the night when I haven't been able to sleep wondering what the next days tag will be.
Having only been back home for a couple of hours, I have so much to catch up with, but my first task is to look up Inspiration Emporium, my second task is to make room in my little crafting space for the goodies I just know I shall want, I mean, need.........LOL.

AWAY WITH 2011 - WELCOME 2012

2011-12-31T12:00:00.000Z

To be perfectly honest, I won't be sorry to see the back of 2011. Ok, there were some good days, the ones when my neighbour and I went shopping or just out for the sake of it, the amazing Tim Holtz workshop last February when I not only got to see THE man himself, but also catch up with lovely Sioux again and finally meet the amazing Hels. But there were far too many rotten days during the year when we were waiting for hospital appointments and operation dates for my hubby. Because of that we were stuck at home not being able to plan very much nor complete jobs that had been on hold for a couple of years. Anyway, he finally got the main op. over with and is now fit again.
So, 2012 WILL be better.
I have been honoured to be chosen as part of the Design Team for ATCs with Attitude, which believe me, makes me very happy.
I intend to improve my craft as, after about 14 years of crafting, feel I have now finally found the type of craft I like the most - grunge and creations with inks and stamps.
My family, although disjointed, (my sons have gone their own way) is happy and the girls are close to me and planning some 'crafty' get togethers. Can't wait for those.
And, my special friends have moved to a lovely new home which will make them very happy and open up new adventures, opportunities and - well who knows what.
One special thing in 2012 will be my birthday - not my age, that's going backwards now, I've decided, LOL - but the date, which will be 20/12/2012 - does that make me famous then??

So then 2012, you are most welcome in my little world. I'm quite excited.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone who reads this, especially my lovely followers. I hope you have a wonderful time and it brings happiness, success and good health to you all.
Mwah xxxxxx

WICKED WEDNESDAY ATCs - WEEK 12 - NEW YEAR

2011-12-29T14:44:00.000Z

After last week's disaster, this week really was fun. Thank you for this theme, Wicked Wednesday ATCs.

I kept it simple because the picture says it all. I've had that miniature bottle for years and it's just right for an ATC. I cut some acetate into really small lengths, stuck some gems on that my neighbour brought back from her holiday in Goa, and then stuck the other end of the acetate behind the bottle. The gems actually bounce about. The 2012 is a simple set of peel-offs.
After my dislike of steampunk, the wonderful team at Wicked Wednesday ATCs actually voted me as one of their top 3 again. THANK YOU.
Seems a good time to wish you all the most fantastic 2012.

HELLO WOYWW FOLLOWERS FROM THE NE OF ENGLAND

2011-12-28T06:00:00.002Z

I tried desperately to join in last week, but the weather closed in and blanked out the internet.
Have you all had a brilliant Xmas then? I received some amazing presents both for Xmas and my birthday so have been very lucky indeed. Just wait 'til I show you my new craft bag next week. There will be some green eyes reading my post. LOL
Well, no craft on my space at the back of the motorhome, mainly because along with the gorgeous presents I also received a rotten one - a streaming cold!! I feel a bit better today but I've been so under the weather I haven't wanted to do very much at all.
I keep trying to upload a photo of the White Water course here at Stockton-on-Tees, but it's not happening. I'll have another go so our Julia and all of you can see this wonder.

Yeh, it worked.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL, see you next week. xx

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

2011-12-24T13:25:00.000Z

We are still here at the White Water caravan club site and enjoying every minute.
The lights at the back of the van fell down on one side just as this photo was taken, but you get the idea. We also have some net lights on the fence at the back of the car.

I just wanted to pop on to say

A VERY, VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS

XXXX

Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge Winner

2011-12-22T14:53:00.000Z

WICKED WEDNESDAY ATCs - WEEK 11 - STEAMPUNK

2011-12-22T14:09:00.000Z

Oh dear a steampunk theme. I just can't get a hold of steampunk no matter how hard I try. I love the quirky machines and even some of the clothes, but I just can't do craft with it. Never mind, the whole idea of having a go at a challenge is to have fun. Well I tried to that too, but it didn't really work. So, Wicked Wednesday ATCs, you have beaten me this time.

I had a pre-distressed ATC-sized card and added some Terra around the edges after gluing some old clock gears to the centre. Another cog and some chain was pushed into the wet mass. It dried over night. I then rubbed some metallic wax over it and stuck a brass moon in the corner.
I think it's rubbish so please don't be nice just for the sake of it, I really do understand.
By the way, I was their winner last week, YIPPEE and thank you so much.

WHAT WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY CARDS AND PRESSIES

2011-12-20T16:00:00.000Z

I have lots of goodies today, it being my birthday.
I cannot believe how lucky I am and how generous my friends and family are. What a wonderful feeling to know folk think something about me.
THANK YOU to each and every one for the FB and Twitter comments an all the wonderful things that I have shed a tear over today.
If I can get it to work, here is at last one photo of my cards and another of the mess I made opening pressies.
MWAH xxxxxx

One on, let's try another,
No chance. I can't another to load so I'll leave it there and hope I can get on tomorrow. Now let's see if it will post.

IT'S 3 YEARS TODAY SINCE........

2011-12-17T09:15:00.000Z

3 years have whizzed by since we had to say goodbye to our precious Toby. I can't believe it's been that long. He is always with us, after all, how could you forget such a loyal pal.
I try to make a scrapbook page for this time and his birthday and am on the second album now as the first one has gotten quite chunky.
So here is today's page:

Taken in 2006 at a lovely little 5-van site in Bugle nr St. Austell, Cornwall, this picture shows the 2 boys sunbathing. Toby was always close - if not sat on - his dadi. We had retired that year and went away for 7 weeks to Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. It was wonderful. The sunshine was abundant and Toby enjoyed every minute too. We were grateful for that because it was only a few weeks earlier that he had had a stroke after having his teeth cleaned. He had a late reaction to the anasthetic. When we got back home another trip to the vets revealed slight kidney problems so he started injections to keep that at bay. Over the following 2.5yrs, obviously this got worse until it was no longer proper to keep them up. He had fought a brave battle without a single moan and had become quite a hero with all that knew him.
My treasure.

IT'S SNOWING HERE

2011-12-16T09:29:00.000Z

Well snow was forecast so I shouldn't be surprised. There isn't much of it but it's cold and very wet so I hope it doesn't all turn to ice.
I made a few little hanging frames this year and as they have all been received I can give you a peep at them.

All similar but different colours to match the favourites of the people they were intended for. I enjoyed making these instead of cards and am going to do something different next year aswell.
Have a lovely day and keep warm.

WICKED WEDNESDAY ATC CHALLENGE #10 - CHRISTMAS

2011-12-15T17:19:00.000Z

Another week so another challenge over at Wicked Wednesday. This time the theme is Christmas or if you prefer not to do that you can choose Winter Holiday.
I have some new Xmas stamps, well they are new this year, and have already had a little play when making Xmas cards, so I decided to use some of the smaller ones to make my entry and chose, Christmas.

I used a mixture of different alcohol inks to make a setting sky, stamped the 'inn' twice and coloured it with distress inks before using 3D foam to stick it to the base once I had stamped the palm trees. I used some Brilliance, moonlight white to stamp the star. I then stamped the words with Archival and coloured the background with iced spruce DI.
Do you know what? I don't have any ink on my hands and no, I didn't wear gloves. I must be slipping!!

3rd TIME IN THE TOP 3

2011-12-14T20:09:00.000Z

To say I'm thrilled to bits doesn't come near how chuffed to bits I am to have been chosen for the top 3 in last week's challenge over on the WICKED WEDNESDAY ATC blog. This is the third time they have thought my card to be worthy - wow!

ATCs are close to my heart having made VERY special friends through trading them.
Some folk don't see their purpose, but please have a go at them. You will find them such fun and gradually build up a catalogue of techniques that only take a little bit of space. Go on, you know you want to.

WOYWW - I MAY NOT BE HERE NEXT WEEK

2011-12-14T00:05:00.000Z

Another wonderful Wednesday of poking around craft spaces all over the world courtesy of lovely Julia who thought up this bit of nosey - I love it. After all, it doesn't cost a train ticket or even a plane ticket to go to Lands End, UK or even Wellington, NZ, just marvelous.
Well fellow crafters, I have been totally enthralled and occupied these last 12 or so days, participating in the marvel that is - Tim's 12 tags of Christmas. I have jumped out of bed just after 8am every day - yes, I said every day - in order to start the day's tag. I completed my version on the day it was blogged, mainly because I don't have any spare time this month to fall behind. If the weather permits, we are going away next Monday for Xmas, so I've had to get in front of myself. I did get carried away yesterday though and did this:

After all the Christmas stuff I just had to do something different, so my little workspace looks like this today. Don't have a clue what it will end up like and quite honestly, I don't care.
I will be on my mobile web next Wednesday - and - another year older, yak!!

12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2011 - ALL TAGS

2011-12-13T09:39:00.000Z

Didn't we have great fun following Tim's tags and Mario's tweets. I took my phone to bed each night so that if I woke I could have a quick look to see if there were any clues on the next tag. Also, I was able to see Tim's post at 8am each day without getting out of bed. Now that's what I call crafting at it's best!!! LOL
A great big THANK YOU once again to Tim for another year of fun. I have 12 tags to look back on and hopefully, take inspiration from during 2012.

12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2011 - TAG 12

2011-12-12T14:07:00.000Z

Well, all good things generally come to an end, and the 12 tags are no exception. Tim certainly deserves a rest now, more especially after today's marathon which has taken me over 3 hours to make - and I didn't have to think about it!!
Ok, a fractured doll eh? Well, I just happened to have one. Unfortunately though, it was part of the configuration box I made at Tim's workshop back in February, gosh that seems years ago now. Should I take it out of the box?????? Seeing as removing it didn't distract from where it was, plus the fact that I keep all my tags, I decided to go ahead.
There is a lot of drying time to this tag but also, there is plenty to do whilst one bit is drying. I just kept going and came up with this:

The finished tag is quite heavy too. I didn't have the new tissue roll but did have some plain tissue paper, so all I did was stamp it with a music stamp. I didn't have the 'house' die, so guessed at it's size and cut one from grungepaper. The flower is made from some Liz Earle packing tissue. No metal foil or those gorgeous border dies (I hope Santa is listening 'cos I really like those) so I found a peel off border, stuck it to some card and painstakingly cut round it. It worked. Obviously made my own baubles again as I still don't have any of those either.
It just goes to show that you can compromise quite easily and still come up with something quite good. The tips have been endless from Tim and I hope to go through his blog posts from each tag and make notes of them so I don't forget.
What an amazing few days. Only another 354 'til next year - that's if Tim agrees to do it all over again.......

12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2011 - TAG 11

2011-12-11T11:00:00.000Z

What a fun way to start a VERY wet and dull Sunday. This tag made me smile because that Santa is just so jolly it's difficult not to.
I used everything Tim used so I made my tag the same way as his.

The last 11 days have flown and now we only have one more tag to go for this year. I wonder what he will use tomorrow????..................

12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2011 - TAG 10

2011-12-10T11:03:00.000Z

Oh dear! thinking cap time again. I had a kraft tag and the banner die, but that's all. In the end I reverted to the original transfer method of making fragments - sticking an image to the reverse with glossy accents. So Tim, I am sorry that I haven't achieved today's lesson. Never mind eh, I had fun.

I have a very talented crafty pal with a birthday today. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sioux. xxx

ATCs WITH ATTITUDE CHELLENGE #2 - ANYTHING GOES

2011-12-09T16:11:00.000Z

Today sees the start of our new challenge over at ATCs WITH ATTITUDE.
This is our second challenge and the theme is ANYTHING GOES. There is a prize up for grabs though from the lovely Floppy Latte. The winner will receive a voucher from her shop.

I thought I would make a very simple ATC in order to encourage you all to take part showing you just how easy making these little works of art can be.

This is what I did:

'I used a brush to paint Studio acrylic paint - classic teal - on to black card stock. The rough painting leaves streaks which is the required result. The birds have been stamped using black Archival ink. The flower was made from a medium size 5-petal stamp and Tim Holtz paper stash, lost and found, cut out several times to form the flower. The leaves were punched from the same papers with a Martha Stewart punch. I then glued a couple of metal corners to the card and stamped the following words:

'imagine a journey of creative stuff, ideas and things to discover'

on some scrap card coloured with distress ink. The whole card was then spritzed with heirloom gold perfect pearls.

and this is how it turned out:

You don't even have to make your own flower. Use an already made one, or simply stick a picture on.
Click HERE to pop over to our blog and see what our talented (or in my case, a complete amateur) have made this fortnight. Go on, you know you want to.

12 TGAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2011 - TAG 9

2011-12-09T11:00:00.000Z

Although Tim has used a Hero Arts stamp that is not available in this country as yet, the technique today is astonishing.
I searched out a couple of La Blanche swirl stamps which gave a gorgeous background. The lamp post is stamped and cut from grungepaper - it's one of Tim's stamps. The rest is as it seems. The one thing that really thrilled me was the effect that going over the whole tag with vintage photo distress ink gave. It highlighted the bits where the embossing powder had flicked off. I adore this result.

What a lovely way to start the day.

12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2011 - TAG 8

2011-12-08T13:51:00.000Z

What a tease Tim Holtz is. Fancy thinking of making a steampunk tag for Christmas. The best bit is, it worked. I didn't really know where I was going to start, let alone finish, with this one. I don't have those stamps. However, I did have the gear die and I did have the clock mask, so I decided I would have a go at the tag by using a couple or more different stamps and paper from the Lost & Found stash. I must admit though, my men look like they have horns rather than sprigs of holly in their hats.

I drew round half the clock mask onto grungepaper and began the task of cutting it out. Took me ages but it worked.

I gathered all the other bits and bobs and came up with this:

You can see, the glossy accents on the word Joy is still drying.
There are 2 very special bits on this tag. The pen nib and the admit one ticket. Both were part of the amazing stash given to me by Tim at his workshop in February. Only seemed right I use them on this tag.
Have fun with your tag today.

WICKED WEDNESDAY #9 - WINTER FUN

2011-12-08T12:47:00.000Z

The Wicked Wednesday ATC challenge blog has had me enthralled since it's second week - I didn't know about it until then. Each week I have joined in except, to my horror, last week, when I completely forgot about it. I was devastated yesterday when I realised this, especially as their lovely DT had awarded me the Top 3 banner once more for my entry in week 7 - Books/Reading.
I hope that doesn't happen again and to make up, I have had a go for this week's challenge which is Winter Fun.
Here is my effort which I made last night but have only just managed to photograph.

This lovely little deer is frolicking in the frost and snow. I've used die cuts, stamps made from dies, holographic embossing, punches, stickles, fantasy fibres, ribbons, wedding favour embellishments, paint dabbers, glitters, etc.
We expect to be doing some 'trudging' rather than frolicking in the snow by tomorrow. Hope it clears before we are due to go away or it will be Christmas at home. Better get the decorations ready me thinks.

12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2011 - TAG 7

2011-12-07T14:04:00.000Z

Yippee! Glassine leaves. I made a Glassine flower some time ago but quite honestly, I thought it was rubbish. It sort of put me off, so to see Tim's video made it quite exciting to use the stuff. The leaves turned out just like the real thing and are now amongst my favourites.

I had to make my own baubles again and so wish I could master the art of bending wire. I get into a right mess with it. The chain is from a goth necklace I found at a car boot sale. Came in useful after all. The colours on today's tag are super and the background even nicer. I wish we could have these tutorials every day. It's the best time of the year. Enjoy making yours.

A SNOWY WOYWW

2011-12-07T06:30:00.000Z

Well that's what's forecast for today in the NW. Gales of 50 - 55mph and snow. Some of you have already seen plenty of the white stuff, but actually, it's quite rare for us to get very much on the Fylde coast.
I have to apologise to Julia, because this photo is of my desk yesterday. I have been making Tim's 12 tags of Christmas and try to tidy up a bit after each tag ready for the next day, so there's nothing on my space just now. At least not until about 8.30am when I know what is needed today.

My tag from yesterday is in the making on this photo, as is the awful mess I managed to pile up. But I'm having great fun and that's all that matters eh?
I will try to get around a few desks, but counting today, there are still another 6 tags to go, not leaving much time. I'll do better next week, promise.

12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2011 - TAG 6

2011-12-06T12:45:00.000Z

It was a pleasant surprise to see that I had this embossing folder, thanks for using stash I have Tim. However, I had to stick some silver metal sheet to a sheet of Stix 2 in order to have a go at todays tag. Bit of a back breaking job to do all the painting - I have to stand to craft you see, it's a light thing - but I got there. Finally, thanks to my now totally ruined nail file/polisher, I managed to burnish the metal, emboss it and finish the tag.

Hubby thinks it's marvelous. Well, he is used to working with metal being an engineer by trade!
Right O, off to wait for 2pm so I can watch the wonderfully talented Hels on C&C. It's her first appearance today with Studio 490 stamps etc..

12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2011 - TAG 5

2011-12-05T10:03:00.000Z

Thank you Tim for a relatively easy tag today. After all, it is a Monday!!!
I didn't have the Christmas stamp so used the long swirl stamp instead and for once, managed this technique. I love the vibrant red. What an amazing effect this tag gives.

Right, got to go out now on the second journey to find another heat gun.

12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2011 - TAG 4

2011-12-04T15:23:00.000Z

I think Tim's tag #4 is fabulous. Didn't have the 25 die so that was going to be an improvisation. I used some grunge numbers, covered them with distress stains old paper and frayed burlap, stamped them with a music stamp and archival black then covered them with a generous coating of glossy accents. They turned out really well. However, my crackle paint only crackled a bit despite putting it near a radiator. In the end I decided to use my heat gun on it so I could carry on with the tag. What happened next almost ended with me not having a craft room at all - IT SET ON FIRE in my hand. I'm not burnt so nothing to worry about, but I was really shaken. I have another heat gun but it's really powerful and I much prefer the Inkssentials one.
So, after much ado I finally finished my tag.

I can still see the wonder tape down the side so I think I'll dab a bit of snow cap along it to finish it off.

12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2011 - TAG 3

2011-12-03T12:05:00.000Z

I've been taking my phone to bed with me for the last 3 nights in order to follow Mario's tweets and get an insight into what the next tag will contain. However, this morning I fell back to sleep after having a look around 7.15am and didn't wake until nearly an hour later. I quickly looked at Tim's blog and saw today's masterpiece. But doom and gloom struck me. I laid there wondering what on earth I could do to emulate today's tag.
I certainly don't have many of Tim's Xmas stamps let alone ones that match the embossing folders, that was the problem, matching a stamp to an embossing folder. The nearest are his snowman ones, but not much to colour with my limited re-inkers. I doubt a snowman would look good in orange or brown. So, I decided to use the pine trees.
After all my pondering, I really like the effect.

12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2011 - TAG 2

2011-12-02T10:53:00.000Z

Oh this one looks easy - she said and thought 'til she started to make it!!
My perfect pearl snow flurries look like a blizzard. You can't see a single flake. Don't have any sticky backed canvas so used Distress Coredinations instead. Totally not the look required. Didn't have any hesian so there's no contrast to the ribbon or texture. Didn't have the embellishments. Didn't have a texture hammer. Still, I did have the other bits for the tag including a piece of string which Tim himself gave me (and hundreds of other crafters) at his workshop last February. So my tag may not resemble the wonderful Tim creation, but I had a go and had fun.

12 TAGS OF CHRISTMAS 2011 - TAG 1

2011-12-01T14:12:00.000Z

The start of another wonderful journey through craft techniques began again today, all thanks to the amazing Tim Holtz who for the 5th year is running the 12 tags of Christmas.
I took my phone to bed with me last night so I could follow Mario's tweets and perhaps gain an insight into the first tag and join in the excitement. Each time I woke up I had a little nosey and then at 8.00am our time, the first tag was unveiled on Tim's blog. Needless to say, I lept out of bed this morning.
I am lucky enough to have some of the items used, but have improvised on the card stock, the embellishments and the Noel die. I am absolutely thrilled to bits with how the tag has turned out though. Here it is:

Have fun with yours too.

ONLY 3 MORE WOYWW BEFORE...........

2011-11-30T06:00:00.001Z

Can you believe that? The worse bit for me is, after today there is Tim's 12 tags of Christmas - which means NOTHING gets done for the next 12 days other than making tags - then I only have 6 days in which to sort everything for the BIG day as we go away on the 19th.
I am madly finalising pressies, wrapping, shopping, cards, etc. etc. But, I still hope to pop around to a few of yours, thanks to our leader Julia, having already sorted all that yonks ago. Being a crafty, nosey person, woyww still tops my list.
I have 2 craft areas on the go just now -

Like many, I am now working on the dining table. The best bit about this photo is my orange-handle scissors. They are Wilkinson Sword - now Fiskars - and must be over 45yrs old now.

My usual little work area has my new pink ATG on it plus some Xmas stocking fillers for crafty pals. Can anyone tell me how you protect the tape in the ATG from getting covered in fluff etc??

Then I had to re-organise my Alterations shelf and claim the one above too because I ended up with some of them falling off!!! not good when sat below the trajectory path.
Must fly, today being the last day before the start of 12 days of amazement. I have a lot of sewing to do. Catch you later.

SDC #43 - NON TRADITIONAL XMAS CARD

2011-11-26T14:53:00.000Z

And that means, no reds or greens either. Wow, Stampotique came up with a corker of a challenge this fortnight. As it's the 4th Wednesday challenge in the month, it also meant you could only use their stamps too.
I gave it a go.

Here is 'the crafter', scissors in hand, totally fed up of wrapping Xmas presents. Just like I get actually. don't mind buying them but hate wrapping them.
I used Adirondak spray paints and biscotti perfect pearls spray for the background, distress inks to colour the image, peel-off stickers for the parcels and a black Copic pen and white inkssentials pen.
The best bit was, I only got ink on my middle finger and thumb!!!!!

WICKED WEDNESDAY ATC #7 - BOOKS/READING

2011-11-26T09:55:00.000Z

This week, over at the Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge blog, the theme is books/reading.
Interpret this however you want by using stamps, digis, or even torn printed pages. I decided to make a little book. It proved difficult to photograph in one go, but here it is:

I used grungepaper and put it through my Big Shot in one of Tim's embossing folders - collage - in order to give it a faux leather look. I then used Old Paper distress stain all over it followed by Vintage Photo distress ink. I stuck some dark brown ribbon along the spine, a gold peel-off in each corner and used lettraset letters on the front to call the book Wicked Atcs.

I found the words Book and Reading in an old dictionary, cut them out and made a couple of pages to fit the inside. I stuck these in with glossy accents.

Then I cut a small piece of white card, stamped it with a Hero Arts flower which I coloured with Peeled Paint and Worn Lipstick distress ink to stamp, distressed the edges with Barn Door DI and added a bit of fibre to match. Voila, a bookmark.

Just a bit of fun. But, that's what it's all about isn't it.

SO HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE...........

2011-11-25T15:24:00.000Z

the start of the new ATC Challenge blog - ATCs WITH ATTITUDE.
Why am I so happy? because they have chosen me to join their Design Team along with several other like-minded ATC enthusiasts. To say I am thrilled is an understatement because I have never claimed to be anything other than a complete amateur crafter. Must admit though, I am getting a bit better at some techniques!!
Today's launch has been a bit rushed for the girls, Abbie, Caro and Leah, so we didn't receive our images with which to create our first card until a couple of days ago. However, pop over to the blog for a peep at the ones the team have produced because they are fabulous. I completed mine at 1.45am yesterday!!
Stickles, distress inks and liquid applique gave mine sparkle and depth. Such fun images to work with.
So come along and join in for the chance to win some images from this fortnights sponsor MELJENS DESIGNS. Make an atc with the theme
FLOWERS
and add your link to Mr Linky over on the ATCs WITH ATTITUDE blog.

WOYWW A NEW/OLD HO(U)BBY IS BACK

2011-11-23T06:01:00.002Z

What's on your workdesk Wednesday is here again. It was here yesterday, wasn't it?? Seems like that to me because this week has been a blur. Hey there Julia, is it really Wednesday then?? Yes, crumbs.
Oh well! better get cracking then.
Actually, I have been so busy for the last couple of days - bathroom walls, hubby's Ebay - that I thought you would be bored if I showed a picture of my little craft space with not much on again!. So without further ado, here is my hubby's 'shed' now that he has transformed it from a metal working shed, lathes, milling machine etc. etc. to a super dooper music room - da da

Note the replacement 1959 re-issue Fender Stratocaster. The one I bought him from Lincoln in September had to go back because the paint started to crack. After much hassle, the shop finally contacted Fender who sent another from across 'the pond' after giving it extra special treatment. After all, Fender has a MASSIVE reputation to uphold.
I made this little ATC some time ago which represents my hubby when he was lead guitarist in a band called The Silhouettes (a Shadows tribute band) in the 60's.

It's overlaid with acetate. Here is the front and the back separately,

Neither man looks the same now.....

All I want to know is, how he's going to make my new ink applicator tools, my type charms, etc. with a guitar????????

ATC CHALLENGES #15 - LACE

2011-11-20T22:58:00.000Z

Who can resist a bit of lace. I can't so I've had a go at the ATC Challenges challenge which this fortnight is - LACE.

The artificial light is shining back making the background a bit difficult to see, but it's a piece of mount board with splashes of distress ink on in faded jeans. The metal bracket at the top has been coloured with paint dabbers, the white snowflakes are all made with a Martha Stewart punch and then covered with ultra fine glitter, the blue rose was coloured with a Copic pen and the rest just came together.
This challenge runs for 2 weeks, so why not pop over to their blog for all the deets and have a go.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING - TOO FAST!!

2011-11-20T10:13:00.000Z

I've put a count down to Christmas blinkie on the right hand side, but for me it's wrong. I only have 28 days left to get cards made, presents bought and all the necessary posting done. You see, if the weather holds we are going away for Christmas. If it snows whilst we are up in the NE, so be it, we won't care about getting back, after all, there's a pub at the camp site gate. We will be snuggly warm and have all our space and motorhome decked out with lights. Bring it on.
So, I'm doing my best to make cards. Here's one I did a couple of days ago.

Just love that Tim Santa.
What are you up to today?

THE CRAFT BARN BLOG CANDY

2011-11-19T09:13:00.000Z

The Craft Barn have an amazing blog candy giveaway to celebrate 600 followers. This is it:

There is over £200 worth of craft goodies here and looking at it closely, I don't have any of it!!
All you are required to do is:

* become a follower
* write a new post on your blog with the image above and link it to their blog post
* leave them a comment with a link back to your blog

Their post heading did not respond to copying, so if you click HERE you should find the post from 13 November giving you the details.

Hurry up though because this candy only runs until 25 November.

WICKED WEDNESDAY ATC #6 - FLOWERS

2011-11-18T09:52:00.000Z

The Wicked Wednesday ATC challenge blog is proving quite popular. You really don't have to be an expert at making ATCs or anything else for that matter, just have fun and have a go.
This weeks challenge is to make an ATC with the theme - FLOWERS. Now what could be easier than that?
I've made some 'wicked' flowers in the past but have swapped out the ATCs they went on and unfortunately just haven't had the time this week or next to make more. So my little entry this week only involved some intricate cutting.

It was nice to make something that was not Xmas as those cards have taken over just now.

WOYWW HAS COME AROUND AGAIN

2011-11-16T10:09:00.000Z

When you become a pensioner, Wednesdays mean it's 10% day at B&Q! But they also mean it's time to get the bus pass out and nip around to see what crafters are up to all over the world. Now wouldn't that be good, a bus pass to take you to Australia or Canada or everywhere in fact. That would be something to say WOW about. Still, I suppose this little machine I am sitting at does that very thing - and I don't have to move. All this was started by Julia who had a little thought one day. Thank you Julia.
This is mine this morning:

Xmas papers strewn about, a card drying, a piece of card I mopped up ink with yesterday, a Xmas hanging frame doing just that so it doesn't get damaged, plus all the usual tools of the trade. Need to have a clear up today before going to make use of that 10% at B&Q!
Before I nip off may I ask you to spare a thought for folk you either know or don't know who are going through difficulties. This week I have friends who have had their heart broken, others who have had their body hurt and others who have hurt each other without realising thus causing a different pain. All these people are very special to me and so I feel their pain too. Sometimes all we can do is let them know we care - very much. xx

GRUNGY MONDAY #27 - 12 TAGS 2007 DAY 6

2011-11-15T11:24:00.000Z

You can find the tutorial by Tim Holtz here if you want to join in this week over on Grungy Monday. I don't remember the 2007 tags as I only started to follow them from 2008, so this was a real treat for me.
This is what I've come up with for the challenge this week:

I've used the following items:
* Christmas memories kraft resist paper
* seasonal mask
* Distress inks - gathered twigs, evergreen bough, festive berries
* Re-inkers - walnut stain, forest moss, fired brick
* Heirloom gold perfect pearls
* Xmas red stickles
* Grungeboard letters and holly
* Glossy accents
* Tonic scissors
* Tissue tape
* Black archival ink pad
When I first started to become addicted to all things Tim Holtz, I bought some of the products from Simon Says Stamp. Guess what? they are this weeks sponsors.

SDC #42 - SKETCH

2011-11-12T10:35:00.000Z

The Stampotique Designers challenge this time is a sketch:

You can use any stamps this time round and have until 22/11 to enter.
I've had a go and made another Christmas card. Well, it was a good opportunity.

I had the papers in my stash and found they were a perfect match for the new winter distress inks which I used on the Lindsay Mason elf stamp. The red matt is punched using a round the page punch from Martha Stewart and all the liitle snowflake punchouts make a super embellishment.

11.11.11

2011-11-11T09:34:00.000Z

None of us are likely to see this date again although the very tiny ones may. Not only a date to marvel at, but one with such meaning. I know Rememberance Day will take place on Sunday, but really today is the important one.

I have had family who have served in every service, Army, Royal Airforce and Royal Navy, but I found this photo of my dad (middle back row) and just wanted to remember him today.

WICKED WEDNESDAY ATC CHALLENGE #5 - ANGELIC ATCS

2011-11-10T09:29:00.000Z

Make an ATC with the theme - Angels, that's this week's challenge over at the Wicked Wednesday Challenge blog.
I had a go and made this:

The door is from Crafty Individuals stamped and coloured with distress inks. I then cut around the door so that it would open to enable the angel to enter. She is also from Crafty Individuals but her wing is a Tim Holtz stamp which I stamped on to acetate with a Brilliance ink before cutting out. The swirl is also from Tim and is taken from his new festive garland Sizzlet die.
Had fun again.

WOYWW - #127

2011-11-09T06:00:00.001Z

I wonder whether any of you will give a gasp of surprise at the state of my desk this week. You see, I've been quite a busy bee trying to make Christmas cards, special little surprises and enter a few blog challenges. Generally, I clear away after each project because I only have a tiny work space, but I've tended to be a bit messy of late. See -

Then there's this -

The eagle-eyed will notice that the little house and pile of stamps etc. is still there, untouched. Never mind, I may or may not do that project.
Had to take these photos last night, but everything looks the same this morning.
Pop over to our Julia's and hop on the crafty flight to take you around the world and other woywwer's spaces. See you there.

ATC CHALLENGES #14 - MERMAIDS

2011-11-08T19:42:00.000Z

The new challenge over at the ATC Challenges blog is either anything goes or specifically - Mermaids.
I decided to have a go at this one and chose the challenge version.
The photo could be better, but the light today has been awful to craft by let alone take photos. Hope you can see my effort though:

I decided to use a free download and add embellishments. The 'shell' is a metal piece which I painted with lemonade dabber and then embossed with scattered straw distress embossing powder. It was to resemble being covered with sand. I then used my precious Brixham shells, some pearls, stickles and punched autumn branches for bits of seaweed. I then misted the whole card with perfect pearls to make it glisten.

GRUNGY MONDAY #26 - TIM'S TAGS 2009 #7

2011-11-08T12:55:00.000Z

2009 was when I joined in with the 12 Tags of Christmas led by the master himself, Tim Holtz.
I tried to follow his instructions to the letter because I was new to grunge and needed to learn. My version of the 2009 tag #7 that I did at that time can be seen HERE.
However, Linda has asked that we use Tim's tutorial to make our own version this time round. I searched high and low for the mask sheets that I thought I had but couldn't find them so I am assuming I never had any in the first place!!! der! I remember cutting some of the spare mask sheet from the corner of my large flourish mask to make the Santa face one in 2009, so decided I would have to use that again. This time though, I have the new winter distress inks and the little festive Sizzlets die so that is what I have used. Apart from the bell, everything else is from Tim's range and I followed his instructions once more.

So Grungy Monday has reminded me of a set of techniques that I found really difficult the first time around, but had fun with this time.
List of Items Used:
A tag sent from Mario
Distress Inks - evergreen bough, festive berries, iced spruce, pine needles, aged mahogony
Snow cap paint dabber
Tim's Santa, greeting, snowflake and pine needles stamps
Tissue tape
Peeled paint distress stickles
Xmas red stickles
mini safety pin,
mini paper clip
Festive Greenery alterations die

I'M HAVING SUCH A HAPPY CRAFTING TIME

2011-11-05T10:21:00.000Z

This is a must 'go see' for all crafters who want to be amazed. Pop over to Laura Carson's blog here.
Throughout October, Laura held a trick or treat giveaway for some of her Halloween ATCs and I was so very lucky to have won a treat. Here it is:

The photo has come out a bit blurred but I hope you can see how special this card is.
Laura does not just make ATCs (which by the way are spectacular as they seldom conform strictly to the measurements), she also produces the most amazing domino books and complete scenes, the latest being a circus and toy shop. Absolutely incredible stuff.
I am off now to add this winner to the previous 2 I have won from Laura. Oh Happy days.......

WICKED WEDNESDAY ATC CHALLENGE #4 - ALICE IN WONDERLAND

2011-11-04T14:48:00.000Z

This weeks challenge over at WW ATC is Alice in Wonderland.
I used to love that story as a child but when the latest film came out, I just couldn't enjoy it at all. Shame really but it wasn't for me. I've had a go at this challenge all the same and used Tim's rabbit stamp in order to achieve it.

I distressed the background, stamped, white embossed and cut out the rabbit and used 3D foam and glossy accents to stick him down. The watch is from my stash. I stamped the letters and painstakingly cut them out and then stuck them flat to the card. A swish of dusty concord DI around the edge and done.

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS CHALLENGE #41 - ALTERED POISON BOTTLE

2011-11-04T09:48:00.000Z

I've had such fun with this. Halloween is far too short a time for crafting because your mind can work wonders with all the items involved. I decided to alter the large bottle given to me at the Tim Holtz workshop last February and it proved just the right size to able to use 'Pin Curl' and Jo Capper-Sandon's bee as his wings.

Eerie eh?
Anyway, this fortnights challenge over at the Stampotique Designers Challenge blog requires the use of Stampotique stamps only. I've done this but added some embellishments and some alcohol ink.

Hope this picture shows up ok. I love Pin Curl's tail. Here is a real spooky one.

I think I'll enter this last one. Have a go, you've got until the 8th.

I MADE THE TOP 3

2011-11-03T13:05:00.000Z

I wonder whether the Wicked Wednesday ATC challenge blog know just how happy they have made me.
I won their Top 3 from last weeks challenge - Set of 3.
Look what they have bestowed on me.

I'm in the process of having a shot at this week's challenge - Alice in Wonderland. Pop over to their blog and join in the fun, after all, you only have to make an ATC.

PEPPERMINT CAPPUCCINO

2011-11-03T09:29:00.000Z

I don't fancy one of those at all, but I do fancy this:

The bit of embossing you can see is done with scented powders - peppermint and cappuccino.
It's a simple card but I had fun last night making it.

ANOTHER WEDNESDAY MEANS ANOTHER WOYWW

2011-11-02T08:14:00.000Z

Hey Julia, where did last week go?? I didn't get round to every one's space - again. Whats on your Workdesk Wednesday, founded by Julia, has grown and grown and whilst I'm definitely not complaining - because I love it - the size has now grown so big it takes all week just to read the posts and have a good old nosey around, let alone leave comments - if Blogger allows that is. I reckon that's why the weeks are flying by. What do you think?
Anyway, here's my space this morning:

The pile of stuff on the left is needed to make some mini houses. I've made a template but that's all so far. I started a Christmas card yesterday using peachy colours of DI for a change. I think it's a bit too colourful so will have to try and calm it down when I finally decide on the size of card to mount it on. Can you spy my purple craft bucket? It cost £1.99. So glad I didn't 'fork' out £6.99 for the Inkassentials blue one.
You can probably see a little note on the right, it's this:

It's a note of the new winter distress inks. The colours are gorgeous especially iced spruce. Can't wait for them to arrive. You have to be super quick to get a set so I've had mine ordered for about a month now.
Well, another day beckons so I'll get off and see you through the week.

THEY ARE OUT......

2011-11-01T16:45:00.000Z

Jump over to Tim's blog to see the new winter DIs plus a video of Tim using them.
The colours are:

EVERGREEN BOUGH
FESTIVE BERRIES
ICED SPRUCE

Get your order in double quick because they won't last long and you will have to wait until next year to get them if you don't manage this time.

BOO

2011-10-31T17:26:00.000Z

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

UP, UP AND AWAY

2011-10-30T09:32:00.000Z

My regular followers will remember that I have some lovely neighbours who spend 12months - every year - in the sunshine (that counts as 12 if our summer actually IS sunny!!).
The 6 months they spend here has disappeared again because this morning they flew off to the heat of Goa, India, yet again. I have had a lovely time with Val nipping here and there over the summer months and will miss that very much for the next 6.
Here she is on the plane this morning, just before take off.

Have a wonderful time and don't forget to send home some of that sunshine. See you in April xx

WICKED WEDNESDAY ATC CHALLENGE - SET OF 3

2011-10-28T09:24:00.000+01:00

The challenge this week over at Wicked Wednesday ATC challenge is to make 3 ATCs which have a theme running through them. They can be the same design with different colours, tell a story, or whatever comes to your mind so long as they are linked somehow.
This is only their third challenge but already the blog is becoming very popular. I love it because it keeps the old grey matter alive!!!!
Any way, here is my effort:

I wanted to tell a story but couldn't get my thoughts into gear so ended up making 3 cards using The Beast from the Octopode Factory. There are only 4 colours throughout plus black around the edges, these were all paint dabbers except for ripe persimmon DI which I used to highlight the embossing.
Another smashing day especially as I spent it all in my little craft room - a rare thing nowadays.

TOOT-T-T-TOOT (supposed to sound like a trumpet!!)

2011-10-27T10:46:00.000+01:00

I am blowing my own trumpet and making no excuses for it because I am over the moon to say the least.
If you read the few words at the top of my blog (the ones that go right over Toby's picture 'cos I can't get them to do anything else), you will see that I make no bones about being an amateur crafter. Just a lass that has picked up a hobby that totally suits and sometimes makes a project worth shouting about. Well I did just that - aparently - a couple of weeks ago. This was it:

I entered it into the stampotique designers challenge.
Just look what I got in return:

I made the favourite 3.
Some of you will know how much I love the quirky Stampotique designs, so will understand how much this means to me.
THANK YOU.

WOW ANOTHER WEEK BITES THE DUST

2011-10-26T05:05:00.001+01:00

Can you actually believe another week has gone by? I can't. I had every intention of visiting at least half of you folk since last week, but didn't manage a third.... You may do better than me this week just as I hope to do. Our inventor of this wonderful Wednesday, Julia, has opened the doors of the world's crafters so we can all have a nosey at each other's spaces. Join in the fun, 'cos that's just what it is.
This is what was on my space yesterday.

and this is what is hanging from the ceiling today:

I needed the space on my tiny work surface so asked my DH to alter my hanging DI tool holder to accommodate all the extra ones. I now have a blending tool for all 39 DIs plus extras for the next 3 due next month and a couple more. Goodness knows what will happen if Mr Holtz brings out more ink pads next year....
Well, must get on, my little car is having an operation today - in order to pass it's MOT - and I am having a new hair do. Big day then.

WICKED WEDNESDAY ATC CHALLENGE

2011-10-25T13:43:00.002+01:00

Thanks to Hazel and Gez for blogging about this new ATC challenge blog. Called Wicked Wednesday ATC, it's week #2 and the theme is Halloween. Pop over to them and have a look, but prepared to see digi images.
I rummaged through my collection and came upon quite a few images that would be good to colour, but I just couldn't re-size some of them. I bet I've saved them wrong in the first place. Anyway, I found a little witch riding the skies on her broom whilst reading the latest spell book. LOL.
Here she is:

I coloured her with Sakura pens, cut her out and stuck her over distress inked base card which I had stamped with Tim's web and bats. The word is from a little set of studio G stamps I sent to the US for. Seems to have come out ok and I had fun again.

GRUNGY MONDAY 24 - PERFECT DISTRESS

2011-10-24T16:33:00.000+01:00

Another Monday already, but it means another Tim challenge over at Grungy Monday.
This week it's PERFECT DISTRESS. Have a look at Tim's video - here - to see what this is all about and have a go with those perfect pearls.
I made a tag in autumnal colours so that I could let Hels see it for her Sunday challenge too. I now she usually joins in with grungy Monday, being a Tim fan (and Ranger educated to boot).
Here is my piece then:

Not sure whether the perfect pearls are shining on the photo, but they are on the twigs and the bird's wing. I used a lot of products on this so please bear with me:
DIs
dried marigold, spiced marmalade, ripe persimmons, seedless preserves, gathered twigs, pumice stone, vintage photo, brushed corduroy.
PERFECT PEARLS
forever violet, heirloom gold,
STAMPS
flights of fancy, lost & found, dots, twigs.
Another crafting bit of fun.

A GORGEOUS DAY OUT

2011-10-23T09:57:00.000+01:00

We decided to go for a drive up to Kendal yesterday. From ours, it's a lovely trip up the A6 if you want to avoid the motorway. It's also one of my favourite journeys as the scenery is stunning. Better still, the day was gorgeous too. Blue skies and relatively warm sunshine. Super all round.
2 reasons for going. The first was to try and find some furniture and the second was to visit the Paper Warehouse who were having their Christmas spectacular and celebrating with lots of demos. Couldn't miss the chance to catch up with some of the latest samples, but more especially, see the lovely Lindsay Mason sharing her expertise.
I'd seen some of her latest samples on her blog but seeing them and touching them is more special. They were stunning up close. I bought some black card - completely run out - some good quality printing paper and a set of Lindsay's stamps - Christmas Post. Hope to have a play with these today.

PS. still looking for the furniture!!!!

BATCAT

2011-10-21T15:58:00.000+01:00

Had a bit of fun with this. The cat is one of Tim's stamps as are the little bats. Simply stamped onto grungepaper, distress coloured around the edges, a brad through the back legs, tail and head and a bit of acetate to hold the bats.

Here it is in motion.

I wouldn't like this kitty to come to live at my house.

A PAPER TOWEL XMAS CARD

2011-10-21T10:45:00.000+01:00

I've had this card laid out for about a week now but have been 'scared' to actually put it together. I wasn't sure whether it would work nor how to achieve the look I wanted. In the end I just went for it and gave up wondering.
The whole thing came about after making a gorgeous card that Andy Skinner had given instructions for. The amazing orange sky attracted me and I had just the thing I wanted to use - kitchen towels - that I had used to dry ink on both backgrounds and my work sheet. I put 3 of them together to form the sky and began.

The kitchen towel sky is on the right of the A4 card that I blended Distress Stains on to in order to make the rest of the sky. Does that make sense?
The cardstock is not really thick enough for a base card, so I generally fold another piece to A4 and place it inside.
Anyway, I then got to work stamping, cutting out and sticking in place. This is the finished card front.

In the end I was really pleased with it. I thought the inside 'stiffener' needed a little something, so added this.

I am on a roll with Xmas cards just now so if I know you and you follow my day to day ramblings, one of the cards I make and show may just pop through your letter box this year. This one knows it's destination so I hope the recipient(s) like it.

WOYWW - I'VE MANAGED A BIT OF CRAFTING THIS WEEK

2011-10-19T05:00:00.000+01:00

If you are interested, have a look at my previous posts.
Not sure whether I will manage any more for the rest of the week though. What I hope to do (she say's tongue in cheek) is pop over to yours - courtesy of our leader Julia - and have a look see at what you are up to.
My little space is tidied up after yesterday but now looks like this:

and this:

I got fed up with all the dust so had a mad moment and got the du***r out, swished it around a bit and hope to be a bit more tidy when it's all done. My DH is going to fasten my ink blender stand to the bottom of the hanging one, make me another layer and hang that too. Just a quick post this week. I need some 'ME' time to try and think - something I'm usually good at but find I can't do it lately. It's quite worrying so I have to do something about it.
Have a happy woyww everyone.
x

A DAY TO PLAN JUST 10MINS

2011-10-18T19:30:00.000+01:00

That's how long it has taken me to plan a card to make in just 10 minutes for the Grungy Monday challenge. The title of this week's challenge is TIM IN 10, the idea being to make something in just 10 minutes using at least 1 Tim Holtz item.
I needed to make a birthday card for an 80+ yr old man, so decided that would be my challenge. Here are the items I gathered:

I borrowed my hubby's clock, waited for the top of the hour after showing him how to use my camera and asking him to take photos over the next 10mins - including the time - and off I went.

Ooh! look, I had 30secs to spare.

All that planning and I didn't know where to start....... I did in the end begin by painting the edges of an 8"x8" card with Americana and Adirondak paint, rubbing some off with a baby wipe. The Crowded Attic square on the right was covered in Picket Fence Distress Stain and left to dry.

3 mins in and still doing the edge!!!!

But another minute later and the Crowded Attic paper is going on.

8 minutes in and I've die cut the hanging bracket from Tim's Hanging Sign die and am adding a couple of eyelets using my crop-o-dile. How I wish my fingers would work quicker....

10minutes have gone and my card looks like this. Not finished, but - remember I had wasted 30secs at the beginning - so I rushed the last bit and here is the finished result.

Yippee!
I used the following Tim items:
papers: lost & found/crowded attic
distress edger
tiny attacher
pumice stone DI
scissors
picket fence distress stain
mini paper clips
jump rings
hanging sign alterations die
I also used:
crackle accents
adirondak black dabber
ink applicators
What a blast this was. Roll on next week.

SHOW ME HOW TO MAKE THAT ANAN.....

2011-10-17T18:53:00.000+01:00

That's what our Susi wanted when she was looking through my copy of Heather's book.
She spied a tag with bead flowers on and also loved the dragonflies, so we sorted out the correct beads and I showed her what to do. Here's the tag as it was completed:

We found some background paper which she embossed in white with some flowers.

She then began to add buttons, dagger and bugle beads along with some sticky gems.

At the bottom of the tag, she added lots of seed beads.

It was left to dry whilst she had a go at making the dragonfly. Didn't take long although it was fiddly. A couple of ribbons and jump rings and she fastened the insect to the tag. Job done.

I think she did really well, don't you?

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS CHALLENGE #40

2011-10-13T18:48:00.000+01:00

It's Tag Time - that's the SDC #40 challenge.
Any stamps can be used for this challenge, so out came Bow Tie, embossing folders, inks, Copics, embellishments, ribbons, etc. and I ended up with this:

The light wasn't very good for this photo so the colours appear rather muted.
Off to link it to the SDC blog site now.

A HECTIC WOYWW SINCE THE LAST WOYWW

2011-10-12T00:05:00.001+01:00

For all you wonderful crafters out there either on the verge of retirement or just waiting for the moment - stay at work!!!!!!!!!!
I have had the luxury of being retired for 5 and a half years now, but this week has seen me wanting to go back to work for a rest.................
Madness struck when my step-daughter and family finally 'came back home' at the beginning of September. The new house they moved to - courtesy of a housing association which gave priority to separated families through work and/or ex-forces, proved a no, no, due in part to it being a tiny box, so, another house move to a larger, privately rented home took place a week ago. Since then it's been 'Dadi, can you or, Anan can you'. Hey, we are absolutely loving it. The down side is, neither of us have time for hobbies. Perhaps when my special pal (that's my step-daughter) gets her business up and running, she will not need as much support as now - boo hoo!!!!!
Anyway, yesterday, she helped me cover a bedding box that her dadi (my DH) had made. What do you think???

Here's a piccie with the lid open - still needs hinges:

I am over the moon with it as it fits perfectly into our newly refurbished bedroom and I also reckon it counts as craft.
Whilst Susi was here today she had a look through all my craft cupboards and found my bead stash and Heather's book. I now have another dragonfly to make for her friend!!

So, my craft space is 'smothered' with beads today.
Julia started this little nosey around the craft desks of the world, allowing us a peek into the lives of like-minded folk who enjoy crafts of all kinds, not just paper. Thank you Julia for that 'cos it's such an enjoyable time each week despite the fact that not many of us actually get to visit all of them - so what?? If I get around to a handful, I'm happy.
I'll leave you with a photo of my ever increasing wall of art. This is a minuscule show of the amazing ATCs, cards, etc I have from numerous clever crafters - enjoy.

JOURNAL JOURNEYS OCTOBER CHALLENGE

2011-10-11T08:34:00.000+01:00

This month's challenge over at Journal Journeys is autumn/nature plus the use of stencils.
Although, unlike many, I actually don't like Autumn. I hate the thought of everything dying plus the cold, wet and wind. The dark doesn't help either. I much prefer spring when everything is happy. Having said that, I do adore the autumn colours which are some of my most favourite ever especially the deep reds.
Still not really into this journaling lark but I keep having a go, so here are my pages for the challenge this month.

I used a mixture of distress inks, colour wash and Terra to create the background and I used a flower stencil plus the remains of grungepaper once I had die cut leaves and a swirl as another set of stencils. The dots are the remnants of red rubber once I had mounted the alpha stamps it contained and I also used a plastic letter stencil to spray some perfect pearls through - which hasn't shown too well on the photo. The 'rutting' deer are from Tim Holtz reindeer flight die and their antlers are from his branch tree die. The words are one of Andy Skinner's stamps.
Although I said autumn means everything is closing down ready for the winter and dying, I think the amazing colours have brought this little scene to life.

WAS HOPING FOR A CHALLENGE

2011-10-10T12:43:00.002+01:00

I have struggled with this little tag through all the upheaval at home these last few days, so was hoping for a challenge so I could enter it - just love the extra excitement of challenges - but I haven't found any so thought I may as well blog it instead.
I've used Tim's fantastic new autumn distress inks - seedless preserves is to die for - to make a Halloween-style tag.

All the elements are either Tim dies or stamps.
I used shrink plastic to make the leaves but simply stamped the leaves onto it using distress ink. They have come out perfectly.

The spider and witch are metal charms.

The owl is from Tim's Halloween set from last year.

I used some of the seam binding I bought when on holiday and coloured it with a the 3 new colours of distress ink, coupled with some more ribbon and fibres, it compliments the tag perfectly.
I had loads of fun with this, especially by using goggle eyes on the tree. Just need some time now to craft properly.
A great big thank you to Sioux for reminding me about Grungy Monday because I've just loaded their logo into my sidebar and entered this weeks challenge - Halloween - as my tag is just right for it.

MY SWAPS HAVE ARRIVED

2011-10-08T13:08:00.000+01:00

from Heather's September challenge.
We had to make 3 tags that could be used in a journal. Here are the ones I've received:
#1 - Season of mellow fruitfullness by craftydawn

#2 - vintage birds by Heather

#3 - the daydreamer by Alison

Thank you ladies and a big thank you to Heather once again for taking time to run another successful swap.