SO DARN CUTE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.......

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.