WOYWW - 3 YEARS PLUS 1 WEEK

Did you all have fun last week then? Julia added the excitement by suggesting we make an ATC and sending it to the person below us on the list who displayed an * after their name. I made my card oh! and a little pocket for it, a couple of weeks before and Cindy received it so I can show you all now what it was.

I so enjoyed making this and hope it is liked.
Well, the saga of the drier (dryer), how do you spell that word?? is over. My DH finally replaced the kitchen sink - which we found out had holes in  it, stainless steel too - the tap and all the water damaged wood, so we were able to move the machine (haha not going through the spell bit again) into the cupboard next to the sink and out of my little work room. More space she cries..............

Well not any more. I moved my wheelie stamp drawers and my lock 'n lock Ranger stacks into the space straight away. At least I won't have to cope with having the window open in the winter so the dr*** nose can go out of it thus letting cold winds blow me out of my room and all my crafty work with me. Result!!
So that's the story so far, but what is on my work desk then?

Well, I am in the process of a DT piece - covered by the piece of paper on the A4 card. I decided to make a card (A5) this time as the digi I chose has a great meaning just now. Colouring it has given me the chance to practice with my Copics, so that is why they are on my work space.  Other than that, you can see my reading specs - totally blind without them - my Copic colour chart, my melt pot and little tub of various craft tools. Nothing different at the back.
I really suppose that WOYWW isn't the place to say why my mojo has come and gone these past few weeks, but I am also sure that Julia won't mind this time if I tell you why. Our lovely crafting friend Lindsay Mason, who I know many of you have met, lost her precious husband David last week. Some of you will also have met David, a cheeky, friendly, caring man who also became my friend. I'm stuck for words now suffice to ask that you could spare a thought for Lindsay and her family, especially Heather, who has been so, so supportive of her. This is a hard time and when she decides that the time is right to return to showing you her craft skills, that you give her support.

GETTING BUGGY

The Saturday reminder is posted over at Wicked Wednesday ATCs. I have the honour of being a guest designer this week and made a little bug house for today.

I dry embossed an ATC sized piece of grungepaper which I stuck to some card for stability. This was distressed with wild honey DI - I thought the honey may attract some bees LOL. The little door and barge boards were distressed in green and then either stamped with bugs or written on. I stamped the gorgeous butterfly on to card and coloured and glittered it. I just had to include a bead dragonfly from the lovely Heather Fenn-Edwards book. I have made so many of these now that I have lost count. A few tiny leaves, a ladybird and a glow in the dark ant finished the little bug house.
Such fun too.

AND A CRAFTING WE WILL GO trala la

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.

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

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?

MY SWAPS HAVE ARRIVED

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.

3 TAGS CHALLENGE LAST DAY

This month, Heather set us a tag challenge. The themes were:
1.  season of mellow fruitfullness
2.  vintage birds
3.  the daydreamer

The idea was to use the finished tags within a journal page so we were asked to leave some places, both front and back, for journaling.
This is what I came up with:

This is the first one. I prepared the base with stains and then used Terra through a stencil to make the raised flowers. Once dry, I added the vellum Flower Fairy. The leaf at the bottom is from a Marriane design which I anchored by the stem only so that journalling could be added underneath without spoiling the effect with writing showing. I simply covered the reverse with K&Co paper.

The colours go well together.
The second tag had me thinking about Heather's pesky parrot ATC that for some time has fascinated me. I came up with this - not anything as good as that ATC I might add.

I distressed the edges of the card and then stamped all around with some mini flower stamps. The parrots were from free downloads, the punched border was made with a Martha Stewart punch and the centre paper is from some of Tim's stash. Again I used a download and altered it a bit for the reverse.

The addition of some peel offs helped the appearance.
The last one was fun too.

I stamped the girl and carefully cut her out. I then prepared the base by making it from a nestabilities die, distressing it and stamping the girl onto it. The word is a Tim stamp, the flowers and leaves are Prima. I finally glued the cut out image over the stamped one by the log at the top only. This gave a hidden space ie. the reverse, on which to include writing. I had fun with the back on this one.

I used the stencil from the first tag but blended subtle colours through it. I added my details around the white bits to show the recipient where journaling could be included.
I had to make these tags within a couple of days of the challenge beginning because we went away for a couple of weeks and are really busy now we are back. But for all my rushing to join in, I had great fun.
Thank you once again to Heather for this challenge and roll on the next one.

WOYWW AND THANK YOU JULIA

Our amazing WOYWW leader Julia, not only started this Wednesday fun day allowing us to sneak around to other crafter's houses and have a good 'ol rummage through their craft stash, but she is also a jolly good sport and generous to a fault. Last week, Julia mentioned that she had some cards that she would give to anyone who supported a charity. I send all my 'not needed' items etc to my local North West Ambulance shop in nearby Lytham St. Annes, and told Julia this. Not a moment later, this massive bundle of cards arrived from her. I immediately whisked them off to the shop who were so grateful.
So, a great big THANK YOU Julia.
Not a great deal of crafting this end since last week. I am in the process of something that will take a long time to complete and unfortunately, as it's part of a birthday card, I can't show you. Speaking of birthdays though, the project I can't show is linked to a lovely lady whose birthday is today, Heather. Have a lovely day xx.

So, what is on my workdesk today? This little(!!) lot.

I just have no space left whatsoever so decided stuff has to go. As Ebay had free listing last weekend, I set to and listed 110 items before my computer got so hot I just had to turn it off!! All this stuff and to honest, I can't tell where it's come from!! So much for making space. But really, it had to be and I'm just hoping now that it goes or I will be spending this weekend putting it all back again!
Some of you may recall me mentioning that my step-daughter and family want to move back to the NW from Beverley to be close to family. Well, after nearly a whole year apart, they finally move this Friday. That's one big item off the list at long last. Her 'dadi' and I are now looking for a new home in Dorset!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Have a fun woyww and get the kettle on, I'm on my way.

HEATHER'S JULY BOOKMARK SWAP

I received my 3 bookmarks from Heather and jumped up and down with joy because they are so gorgeous.
Another special part of this swap is, I personally know each of the girls who made the bookmarks I received, including the lovely Heather herself. That doesn't always happen when you join in a challenge.
Heather made a 'thank you' tag for me based on the author Jane Austen. Have a look:

Aren't those colours lovely, My favourite.
The first tag I took from the envelope was this one from Chris.

Her book was the Darling Buds of May by Ernest Bates. Do you remember the tv series? Lovely choice of subtle colours for a spring theme and the whole bookmark is glistening with perfect pearls spray.
Next out of the envelope was this laminated bookmark by the super talented Sioux.

I personally did not know the book Sioux chose, 'Into the Blue' by Robert Goddard, but having won the W H Smith "Thumping Good Read" award, may just give it a go. Sioux has great imagination for all the projects she works on, my bookmark is no exception.
The final one out of the envelope was this beauty from top demo and workshop attendee (and friend) Sheila.

Based on Lewis Carroll's 'Alice in Wonderland', Sheila has interpreted Alice in a whimsical way. The whole thing is tactile due mainly to the subtle embossing and I just love the 'splattered' background.
If you would like to see the bookmarks I made for this challenge, follow the link here: http://mytobyjug.blogspot.com/2011/07/heathers-bookmarks.html
Thank you girls for these bookmarks. I will keep them all safe, and a great big THANK YOU  to Heather for running this exciting challenge.

WOYWW AND WHAT A WEEK

Since last Wednesday I have been away for 4 days, I painted preserve on the wooden garden furniture, heard some sad news from 2 crafting friends and our Susanna has sold her house and managed to get another about 6 miles from us. Phew!
I took some images and my Copics away with me but only managed to complete 3. The show was really good this year although the model flying was not, so I've been trying to catch up on some projects I need to have done within the next couple of weeks. What's on my desk is not one of those but a technique I wanted to try.

I have used tissue paper, matt medium, gesso, sprays and ink pads to make the bird images and decided to cut the whole thing up and make 4 ATCs.

My box of sticky gems is in a right 'ol mess as you can see.
I received my bookmarks yesterday from Heather, but will blog a separate post on those. My swaps are just gorgeous.
I'm in a rush this morning as I'm off to the hairdressers to get this bird nest on the top of my head sorted out. After that, I intend to pop over to Julia's and then take the woyww express around the world to yours. I'm also hoping to get this Blogger comment thing finally sorted in the next few days when computer Dave comes to make some changes to 'T's' computer. Maybe then I will be able to comment on your space.
Until then, have a wonderful WOYWW.

HEATHER'S BOOKMARKS

The closing date is this weekend for Heather's bookmark challenge.
Usually Heather challenges us to make 3 ATCs, but I think Mia (Heather's fabulous Siamese kitty) has rubbed some of her mischievousness off onto her mum, because the July challenge was to make 3 different bookmarks based on 3 of our favourite books.
Always one to give it a go I knew straight away which books would be my subject. I hope they are ok.
No 1.

Just had to be Heather's own book 'BEADING'. I love this book, especially the dragonflies. I've made so many to date. This is the back of the bookmark, and here are some pictures of the front.

I used gold and teal beads to make a bag charm for the top of the bookmark, together with - what else but a dragonfly.

No. 2

Keep it in the family! Who else would be my favourite but the one and only Lindsay.
Lindsay's book, STAMPING is a super book, full of many techniques. This is the back of the bookmark I made for this one and here is the front, both showing techniques from the book.

Again I made a bag charm to decorate the top of the bookmark using silver charms relevant to Lindsay's stamps plus incorporating some of her original stamps on shrink plastic.

No 3.

No guesses here then. My third favourite book had to be from the Duke of Distress himself, Tim Holtz, Compendium of Curiosities.
The back is shown above and the front is here.

Once again I tried to use techniques from the book, but I also did an embossed overlay using recycled plastic. Tim's ideology and some charms made a super embellishment.

I had fun with this challenge even though I had to finish it at the beginning of the month in readiness for a bit of nursing.
I wonder what August will bring if Heather has the time?????

WHAT'S ON YOUR WORKDESK WEDNESDAY

I bet most of you cannot believe that yet another week has gone by. Surely that just goes to show that some one has shortened the days. Any one going to own up then?? It wasn't me, I promise, I'm a victim too.
I have been really busy planning bookmarks for Heather's swap, actually making them and of course, getting as much of the glorious sunshine we had here in the north west, Saturday to Monday. I've finished the bookmarks and posted them but can't show you what I made until next month as the swap runs until 31 July.
So, my little space looks like this today:

I finally found the 9 new Stickles colours, there's a Marianne design die for 'twisted' flowers, the funny looking rubber ring is what was left after I put together some alphabet stamps, my crop-o-dile is out of it's box, there's my Liz Earle note book and a rather scary looking orangutan face from one of 'T's' birthday cards.

Aren't those Stickles just yummy?
I am sort of up to date at the moment with cards etc and ready for nursing the invalid when the 19th comes around. I hope therefore, to have a bit of time this week to pop around to yours, courtesy of our wonderful leader Julia, for a good 'ol nosey at your work space. I hope you are ready and waiting.

ALCOHOL BACKGROUNDS

I posted on WOYWW yesterday,  about the backgrounds I had been making following my wonderful workshop last Sunday with Amy and .Lindsay.
Lindsay showed us the most marvelous card - I had admired this card since she showed it on her blog as one of her samples -  and boy, was I chuffed that we were to make it. I thought it would possibly make into an ATC, so I had a go and - 8 atcs later, this is what I ended up with.

A bit nice eh?
The other best bit about these ATCs is the fact that the little tree stamps and words were a Xmas present from Lindsay's sister Heather.
Just keeping it in the family girls.

MEN CAN WEAR PINK - FACT

I excitedly received my 3 ATCs from Heather's April swap, and they are wonderful.

Top left is Heather's card. I love this image as the men look really officious and true chauvinists. They would soon be told in this house!!
Top right is Mel's card. Just love his pink suit 'cos that is really pink. The beadazzles are my favourite and add to the whimsical theme.
Bottom middle is my pal Sonia's card. I have several of Sonia's ATCs and she never ceases to amaze me with her imagination. This made me laugh and immediately think of the story line in Corrie at the moment. However, it also made me remember that Sonia is in Spain at the moment soaking up the sun and atmosphere...................
A great big thank you to Heather for holding this swap. I always enjoy taking part even when the subject seems impossible. Next time though, I hope more join in the fun as I think poor Heather was a little worried at the lack of participants this time.
Well, the weather has spoilt the outside work we are having done as the lads can't do this rendering in the rain. They managed to complete about half of the walls yesterday and it looks fabulous.

This is the wall I showed the other day with all the insulation and black screws showing. The coating is gorgeous now. Perhaps the sun will return next week especially as 'peg leg' has a big birthday on Tuesday - it's his 70th but don't let on I told you!!!

IF YOU WANT SOME FUN

pop over to Heather's blog and join in this months ATC challenge - Victorian men and pink.
One of the comments on my woyww post this week suggested that this really was a challenge. I must agree. I was so out of my comfort zone with this one as I have never really been a fan of Victorian stuff and definitely not men's cards etc.. However, not one to be beaten I've given it a go.

This one arose from my 'naughty' side. As you can see I stuck a man's head on a 'cheeky' Victorian lady and made it into a simple burlesque show.

I used a couple of nestabilities to cut the frame and acetate for this card. I alcohol inked the acetate to give it a pink hue. The rest speaks for itself.

A bit of grunge for this one. I used Tim's paper from his shabby vintage stash, his swirl stamp and distress inks. The dictionary paper is from the page Tim gave me at his workshop in February. Nothing complicated again except I used wax over the image and added a sprinkle of beadazzles whilst it was melted - not an easy task believe me.

It was a fun challenge despite the subject, so why not have a go yourself. You may just be surprised at what you can create.

MEN IN PINK AND WOYWW

Morning all. A late start for me today as I slept for England last night. Not had many good sleeps lately so I think tiredness caught up on me. Anyway, I'm up now and here is my workdesk this morning.

Victorian men and pink is the theme for Heather's ATC challenge this month. Simply email her and let her know you want to join in. You simply have to make 3 ATCs with the theme by the end of the month. They can be different or all the same, it doesn't matter because it's all a bit of fun.
I haven't had a look at our leader's desk yet as the web connection was playing up after all the rain last night. So I had better pop over to Julia's and see what she, and others around the world, are up to.

BIRTHDAY CARDS AND SURPRISES

I want to share some of my birthday cards and little surprises with you because I have been amazed by the talent of the lovely friends who sent them to me. I realise though, that not everyone is a crafter and also, some crafters have been short of time and have sent bought cards. They are just lovely too, even the one with an orangutan on the front!!!!!!
Here goes then:

The beautiful, intricate card on the left is from my special pal, Sylvia. The patience she has to produce pergamano stuns me. Wait 'til I blog my Xmas cards! The gogeous Tilda with presents card on the right is from Sheila, who has amazed me with this because she usually produces grunge. This card makes her super talented in my eyes.

Many of you will recognise the art on the left as being created by the ever lovely Lindsay. She has created a beautiful alcohol inked background for her very own fairy stamped image. I think Lindsay has made the little turrets which are just super. This card is stunning and the photo just doesn't do it justice. Now, the card on the right is simply fabulous. I recognise some Tim Holtz there. The colours are vibrant but not over powering and I love  every inch. To be honest, this is the most lovely card that my friend Sonia has sent me, and that includes her gorgeous ATCs.

These are a couple of my little surprises. The ATC on the left was made for me by Heather. I have to admit, it brought a tear to my eye. The friendship statement made my heart sing. The stunning little ornament on the right is another She creation. It's not going on my Xmas tree though, it's going to hang in my workroom so that I can always see it.

As well as all the above, I received several emails wishing me a happy birthday. Thank you so very much for all your good wishes.