JUST SOME LINES - A LITTLE TUTORIAL BY ME!

Earlier in the year I was asked by Jenn, from Just Some Lines, if I would like to be a guest designer for JSL and do a couple of simple tutorials for them. I was honoured to say the very least after all, I'm a hobby crafter certainly no professional or anything similar. This tutorial is #3 and the last of this amazing DT spot.
A big thank you to Jenn for the experience. Made my day did that......

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Wednesday, 29 August 2012 Glue & Seal Mask by Joanne


Hello JSL fans! I am happy to report that today we have Joanne returning with us as a guest designer! This week, Joanne is sharing her "Glue & Seal Mask" tutorial with us, enjoy!

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Glue & Seal Mask



(*Note from Jenn - this tutorial requires a product called "Glue & Seal" which is an all-purpose, waterproof glue and sealer. I found the Ranger version of the product online here. I do believe that Mod Podge is the same type of product.)



Step 1.



Decide which image you want to use and the size of card. I chose Bucket Full of Posies from Just Some Lines and an 8" x 8" base card.

Print your image (Bucket Full of Posies pictured below):

Step 2.



Colour your image. For this one I used Copics. You can use any colouring medium you like but be aware that some water-based ones may run:

Step 3.



Using a fine brush, gently dab over your image with a small amount of Glue & Seal. Either Matt or Gloss will work depending on the finish you want. Also, in an image like the one I am using, don't be too careful about going over the lines. However, should you want a more professional look, then take extra care. You will see why in the following step:

Step 4.



Once dry you can distress or colour your background. The Glue & Seal will have made a mask over which you can distress without compromising your design. Brilliant for the intricate images because it saves having to cut them out!

Step 5.



If you are happy with the result, create your card and sit back and admire.

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Thank you so much, Joanne! I hope you've all enjoyed this tutorial - have a great week!

WOYWW #169

I wonder when our lovely Julia publishes her woyww post each week? I've scheduled posts, stayed up until midnight to publish a post, kept my phone in bed and checked through the night to see if Julia's is on, I've even jumped out of bed at 6am to be an early bird and link mine so I get near the beginning of the list. Why?? because this woyww 'thing' is exciting. Being able to visit with crafty folk all over the world and see the creations, stash and sometimes, awful mess that we are all capable of making, is the highlight of each week. However, today I decided to simply get up - whenever - take my photo and write up a little ditty before joining you all, so here goes:

Quite tidy again. I have been making a few things for anniversaries and challenges this week as proved by the little pile of scraps to the left. You can see 3 lovely Inkadinkadoo stamps that I used to stamp on tissue paper for a canvas I made, the flower and rosette are still waiting for a project, there's a little box about to be decorated, 2 paper flowers I made from Tim's pine cone die for the August tag - trouble with them is, I made them inside out, der!! the usual scissors etc, and 4, actually, distress stains that are all brown but come out green. I marked them on white card and then emailed Ranger who are going to replace them.
That's how it is today, all ready to play on the next set of projects. I have to write another post now because the 3rd of the little tutorials I did for Just Some Lines is live today, then I can call round yours.

A WEEKEND OF GARDENING

Mixed weather over the weekend, but generally it was fine so I made a start on tidying my 'titchy' garden. The sweetpeas had gone over and were covered in greenfly, so they had to come out together with the summer bedding plants at their base. Considering all the rain whilst we have been away and the wonderful care my neighbour gave to my garden and fish, the soil was bone dry!! The cut flowers that I had sown from seed were also finished, so out they came too.
I put a few pansies in the border where the sweeetpeas had been

and then did this to the other bit:

That's enough for now because I need to catch up with some craft and birthdays. So many in September.

METALLIC STAINS

My set of the new metallic distress stains arrived yesterday.

I underdstand that their use is the same as picket fence. Not really too sure as yet so there's only one way to find out.

WW # 46 - WHOOO LOVES OWLS

Adorable subject this week for the Wicked Wednesday ATC challenge. I have a couple of owl stamps, both quirky and almost real - looking. Again, I searched for a suitable card and decided to enter this one because it has always made me smile:

I made this one on 27th July 2009!!!! and called it Head to Head, but I hope it satisfies this week's theme. The little stamp was a freebie from Craft Stamper magazine which I simply stamped, coloured and 'fussy' cut before using 3D foam to stick it to the distressed background. But it's the goggle eyes that make you smile.
I should be back from my hols when you read this entry (I had to draft the last month's posts) so can start to make my challenge cards again.
Note: I am back but have had a very busy week so far and therefore decided to run this previously drafted post. I just wanted to add an enormous thank you once again to the DT of Wicked Wednesday for picking me as one of their top 3 last week. Whoohoo!!!!

ATCs/CARDS WITH ATTITUDE CHALLENGE # 21 - ANYTHING GOES

Hi everyone, I'm back from my holiday and I have another exciting challenge to tell you about.
We are running with an anything goes theme this fortnight, so you can upload an ATC here or a card on our sister blog. Our wonderful sponsors are:
Meljens Designs who is offering 3 digis to the winner and
Stitchy Bear who is giving away a $15 voucher to spend in their shop.
Pop over to our blog for all the details HERE
I managed to quickly make an ATC having chosen an image from Meljens.

The background was mopped distress inks from my craft sheet. I printed the re-sized peacock onto the card and coloured it with Copics. A few tiny 'blobs' of rock candy stickles gave a bit of sparkle.
Have fun and enter your creations onto the link on our challenge blog.

TIM'S 12 TAGS OF 2012 - AUGUST

At long last I have made the August tag. I couldn't take my craft room on holiday so, having just returned after 4 weeks, I have just completed it. I just want to say a great big thank you to Jennie of the Artistic Stamper fame. I placed an order with her for a few things with which to make my tag, one item being the small leaf and branch die. Jennie thought she had one in stock but it turned out not to be the case so as a good will gesture, she cut some leaves and branches from her own die and sent them to me. How generous is that then. Thank you so very much Jennie.
Right then, another gorgeous tag from Tim. Here is my version,

WOYWW FROM HOME - is it BOOHOO or AT LAST!??!!

Well certainly the washing and ironing is a boohoo but having a phone that works is an 'at last.' I have missed being able to reply to our Julia and the rest of you wonderful Woywwers out there over the last 4 weeks because, to be honest, this is the very first time that O2 has ever let me down.
I have had their connection for over 14yrs because it serves the majority of the places we go to - not any more. My mobile web connection, although archaic, is T-Mobile and that was much better, but I can't email from it. Well, looks like I have to do a-think when my contract is up in December.
The holiday - it was special. My DH hates all sport not related to motorbikes. We watched almost every minute of the olympics. I was in heaven and he is now a convert eagerly awaiting the paralympics. We met up with special friends but missed another. We had fantastic weather and we drank far too much, - who cares...... We laughed, we howled at late night comedy tv, we walked around wonderful places, saw birds and animals that made us stop and stare, we had ' do nothing days', we drove miles, we shopped in Asda for groceries and spent £'s in Trago Mills in Devon - but for me, the best part of the whole 4 weeks was sitting on the quay side watching the Sunseeker Yachts being built in Poole, Dorset. I simply adore that sight. It gives me dreams like no other. They are only for the super rich but I dream of the places they can take you. Magical, just magical.
I have already shared a very special day with you that I had with my pal Sylvia and hubby Reg.  Asa and Kobe are starting to shed their unbelievable coats ready for the winter but will still look wonderful. Sylvia spoilt me with hand-made presents and I leave you with photos of my work space and their glory:

Oops, that's me trying to make Tim's August tag at last.

MATCHBOX CHEST

I posted a photo of the finished chest a couple of weeks ago but my connection failed and so here are a few more photos:

This was the getting started bit:

The matchbox drawers were prepped and the tiny bead pulls added:

Front view of the finished box:

The back:

Each of the sides:

And finally, the top.
I had great fun making this all thanks to Laura Carson.

WE WANTED TO STAY BUT WE COULD'NT

So we had no choice but to come home after 4 weeks of bliss in Devon, Dorset and Guernsey accompanied by some fabulous sunshine and breathtaking scenery.
The journey back was not one we made by choice. M5 and M6 on a Friday with the worse weather forecast ever. Normally it would take around 5hrs from Poole, but on Friday it took us 8.5hrs!!! The volume of traffic was horrendous, made worse by signs warning of holdups at the next junction. Hey! they made the darn traffic jams:

The rain on the M5 was so frightening. Just like driving in fog but wetter. With a 4.5 tonne vehicle towing a car, that was something I care not to do again. Anyway, we made it safe and sound although totally tired out.
We had amazing weather most of the time. Devon was special, as always. I got to see my pal Sylvia and Reg her lovely hubby together with Asa and Kobe their stunning doggies, again after about 3 years since our last get together. I managed to blog photos of the unbelievable pressies that Sylvia made for me and you will see them in my future blogs because each piece has been found a place in my little craft room. When we opened the mountain of mail I also found this:

Sylvia and Reg have invested in a wonderful embroidery machine which they showed me. I was intrigued by it and said some of the samples they had made would make wonderful cards. So look what I got. It's finished off by peel offs, carefully placed by the Queen of peel offs herself. Thank you so much.
Well after our time in Devon, saddened by the fact that my pal  Sioux was not at home during our stay but miles away in Italy, we finally left for a further 2 weeks in Dorset.
Now Dorset is a wonderful place, especially Poole:

Where else can you dream to your heart's content of being any where in the world at any given time on something as wonderful as this beauty.  Unfortunately, someone owned this one, equally as unfortunately, it's not me!! I'm waiting for 2014 when Sunseeker launch their new 144' yacht. I saw it being started on in one of their hangars. Perhaps if I wish long and hard enough I may just win that Euro lottery and own one.
I've always wanted to take one of the boat trips from Poole, most of which go around Brownsea Island. However, we ventured into the T.I. one day and I took the plunge (not literally) and booked us one on the Condor Vitesse  Ferry to Guernsey a week last Friday. What a good choice of days because the Channel was like a mill pond and the sky was void of any cloud plus the temperature reached at leat 85degF.

I don't do sailing, but honestly, I had the time of my life. It did however, teach me that I doubt I can fly (never been in a plane) because at least I could get up and go outside when I wanted, not sure that would happen in a plane!!!!!! Claustrophobic you see.

What a beautiful place - and we got to see most of it for a £1 bus ride!!!!!!!!!!!
Most of our time away was taken up by the olympics. Now I am a fanatic having been an athlete in my youth, but my DH hates it. Guess what - he loved and watched nearly every minute. Whoohoo!
I had another wonderful surprise when I got home:

This amazing card is from my pal Barb as a thank you for making her this for her brand new log cabin craft room:

I missed a Hels Sheridan workshop due to losing a very dear friend at the time of it and this was one of the projects. I didn't have a clue how Hels made it, so did my own thing. Barb was pleased and that's all that mattered. Well, back to reality I suppose made clear by the 5 lots of washing I've already done with more to do. The last 4 weeks have been lovely but I'm now ready for some crafting. All the blog posts that included challenge pieces were in draft, having already made or sourced the entries. My phone connection has been virtually non existent and my mobile web very intermittent. It has proved that, even though I'm an oldie, I need modern technology in my life, but I also need my crafty pals............

WW # 45 - THE BLUES (shades of blue/sadness)

I certainly wasn't feeling blue when I made this card for the WW challenge this week.

Distress inks mopped up from my craft sheet for the background, over stamped with a chicken wire stamp from the Artistic Stamper, paper roses coloured with distress markers, leaves punched out of blue papers, a stamped and cut out butterfly also given the blue treatment and some tiny words cut from an old dictionary and distressed with blue. So simple but very effective.
I did find another blue card during my rummaging:

I reckon blue isn't 'blue' after all.

WOYWW - STILL IN DORSET

Nothing on my craft table today. The only craft I've done in the last 4 weeks was to make the little matchbox chest I showed you previously. My hobby, when in Poole, is to watch Sunseeker yachts being built. Just can't get enough of their beauty. So, when I win the lottery (that's the £150million one) I will be inviting Julia, and anyone else who wants  to come on my 155' yacht for a trip around the I.O.W..
It's a date then.
Last night we went into Poole for the bikers festival when hundreds and hundreds of bikers park up all along the road by the dock, marina, Thistle hotel, Poole Pottery etc. Out of all the owners they were about a dozen in their 20s, the rest were 50+. Took  me back 23 years when we had our Honda CBR600 and then the Yamaha Majesty 250 that we actually bought in Paignton, Devon. That was an expensive holiday!!

It was another glorious evening.

Just couldn't resist another peek in the opposite direction though................ I should be home next week.

SAILING THE BLUE SEAS

That's what we did last Friday. On the most calm, blue water of the English Channel, we sailed from Poole, Dorset to St. Peter's Port, Guernsey. What a wonderful adventure especially for me because I am a terrible sailor. Thankfully though, the sea was like a mill pond, the sky was completely cloudless and the temperature soared to at least 80deg F.

You can see Old  Harry rocks on this photo taken from the stern of the Condor Vitesse as we left Poole harbour.

A little taster of the beautiful St. Peter's Port marina. The views on approaching the island were incredible and our little race with a few gannets made the experience so special. We had a very big and pleasant surprise too. The lady in the tourist information in  Poole told us about a bus service that went all the way round the island and advised us to take it, so we did.

Those coastal views were breathtaking. How we even got down some of the roads was a fete in itself too. However, the most surprising part of the bus journey was the cost - £1 each!!!!! That's right ONE pound each. Now where in the world can you get a 1.5hr bus journey around spectacular country side for just £1??? Well done Guernsey.
It was a long day. The boat was half an hour late setting back too so the 3.5hr trip each way was a long time. I wouldn't have missed it for the world and it gave me another fantastic sight on coming back into Poole -

What a wonderful day.

WW # 44 - FRANKIE AND HIS BRIDE - FRANKENSTEIN

When I looked at the list of future challenge themes over at Wicked Wednesday ATCs, this week was down as Zombies. However, when I checked back it had changed to Frankenstein. I had already made my card for wk 41 - famous monsters and made my bone collector card for the Zombie theme. Anyway, all I had to do was check out one of my favourite digi sites - the Octopode Factory - and find a Frankie's Bride. Easy peasy.
The template for my monster is a freebie by Valerie Brincheck. He is ATC size but with the addition of brads at strategic points, he becomes a very large monster indeed. See.......

Oh what super fun.

WOYWW - FROM DORSET

Both phone and internet connections in the area where we are (near to Corfe Mullen, Dorset) are complete rubbish and I am tearing my hair out throughout the days. However, my determination to join in with our lovely leader Julia's woyww has me calm just now.
I am still enjoying good weather and have only been caught a couple of times by a shower. Not much crafting this holiday though but I have made this:

I took the instructions from Laura Carson who makes unbelievable ATCs and little works of art such as this chest of drawers. I sent to America for some of the items I needed before we came away but still had to source a couple of beads, which I had forgotten to pack, a tassel and a key. I have taken an age to load this photo so will have to catch up with more shots when I get home.
Just have to share this one though:

My most favourite view whenever I visit Poole, the Sunseeker boatyard. There were 2 like this in the water and several more being 'created' in the hangars. At over £12-15 million each, some folk are really rich eh?? To top that, there was another in the marina!!! Must win that Euromillion lottery.
We have booked an extra 3 nights here as the owner had had a cancellation, so won't be going home until at least a week on Friday. The weather is going to get hot again aswell. Yippee.

JUST TO LET YOU KNOW

This appears to be the only way I can keep in contact just now. My phone battery is useless. It's the second one I've had that is rubbish. Also, I can't get a decent signal and my phone therefore keeps cutting out.
I have a lot of photos on it that I am afraid to lose so cannot do anything about it until I get back home, which won't be for at least another 2 weeks.
I thought I would let you know so that you don't think I am not trying to keep in touch as I have already missed phone calls from at least 3 of you.
Please be patient. I will continue to try and post on my blog.
x

WW # 43 - TAKE TIME FOR YOU

Hi again, this time from Dorset, UK. I'm doing exactly what this week's theme at Wicked Wednesday  ATC suggests, taking time for me.
I found this ATC in my stash and would you believe, I made it on 22nd March 2008!!!!

The background is alcohol inked with birds overstamped in Archival black and then covered with glossy accents. Not sure where the time piece came from but it's been cut out and then 3D foam added for depth. The words are taken from a Hero Arts Paris stamp. I remember threading a needle with the gold thread and 'sewing' the tow ropes onto the card.
Just off to spend more 'ME' time now.

WOYWW - 1/8/12

I'm still down south on my holidays and the best thing is, the weather is holding. I wonder whether you have sunshine or rain where you are. Our leader Julia, queen of the Wednesday craft spaces, may be wondering too.
I have a very special few photos to share with you today. I excitedly went to see my special friend, Sylvia and her hubby, Reg. We had a good 'ol natter and catch up and I shared her joy when she showed me her new embroidery machine. What a piece of crafty kit that is. However, that didn't match my utter thrill when she presented me with these:

Top to bottom -
a fabulous patchwork cushion for my craft chairs at home,
an incredible tote bag
a little case for scissors, pens etc.
a perfect case for my craft glasses - Sylvia says they are always just lying around on my craft desk
a drinks mat for my coffee, wine or G & T depending on the time of day.
Here is the other side of each item:

The material is so special because it is full of craft images and sayings. I'll try and load another photo so you can click on it to read and see what I mean:

Okay, I'm pushing it a bit here, but whilst I'm on a run, here is the view from Sylvia's front veranda:

Now that's called Heaven on Earth.
See you next week.