Tuesday, 26 August 2008




Can't believe it has been over a week since I last posted on here. I wish I could say I have been crafting but normal life took over this week! I took advantage of a free morning to do my two pieces for Maggies challenge. It was a luxury to be able to make two as normally I only have time for one. The theme this week was Maps. Treasure Island seemed appropriate and as I'm fascinated by our social history since beginning to trace my ancestry, I remembered seeing a map showing how much of London the Great Fire had destroyed! So with the 'fire' map duly printed off, I took an extract from Samuel Pepys diary and printed it onto vellum and then stuck it under a book cover image. I don't normally do ATC's in 'landscape' but the map dictated the orientation. There was so much I wanted to include on this one but was bothered it would become overloaded so in the end just left it as it was. I made the other one by dowloading the Map image then adding an digital 'antiqued' overlay. The background was done with distress ink and then the paper skull and metal embellishments added. I was an avid reader when I was a child hence the 'Alice' extract last week and now 'Long John' this week!

Monday, 18 August 2008

Poor Jack!

This week's challenge set by Maggie was 'Playing Cards'.
So here is the Queen of Hearts surrounded by miniature Heart playing cards ordering the head off the Knave of Clubs for no reason other than he is not a 'heart'!

I have Maureen and Wendy to thank for their tips on triple embossing. My attempts up to now had not been the best but this one finally turned out OK.
Here are some pics from our County finals Day yesterday. Was very happy at the end of the game as you can see! Graham has made a film of the day which can be viewed on the County website. Think he wants to be a movie producer!

Saturday, 16 August 2008

Perfect Pink!

Yesterday was my Pink Day at the Club to raise money for Breast Cancer Campaign. Graham has made a movie from the pics taken on the day, and it can be viewed here
38 ladies from the County came along and the weather was really kind to us! The game started in lovely sunshine and no one got wet! Everyone wore something pink -some more than others as you can see from Freda's photo above right! We all just loved her pink furry slippers with the pink toenails! But the best news was I raised £289 on the day which makes my current total £480 and we still have two events left. I am so pleased! We are the smallest Bowling County in England and everyone has overwhelmed me with their enthusiasm and their generosity. We had a scrummy tea afterwards, scones and jam and cream, loads of cakes with pink icing and pink marshmallows (all of which had been made and donated by my friends Josie, Eleanor, Pat and Margaret). The other picture is me (I'm the one with the pink hair!) with my good friend and bowling partner Sue and the one below is of every lady who came to the event. I have to thank my wonderful husband too who made sure the day ran well and blew up all the balloons we had tied at the end of the green! (And no doubt consumed some of the jam and cream scones!!)

Tuesday, 12 August 2008


Another week passed by! Was away last week and then at the weekend went to the DC forum meet at Loughborough. had a really nice day and finally met WendyK and of course, Maureen. Maureen, never one to miss an opportunity gave me some more jigsaw pieces!!! Not quite as big this time but another challenge for me!! Although I had my laptop whilst I was away and could keep in touch with everyone I couldn't of course take part in last weeks MAMMA challenge. So I was really looking forward to being able to take part in this weeks...that is, until I saw it!

The challenge was to make an ATC using Bubble wrap, a star, a flower, staples and wood! This is what i came up with! The bubble wrap is supposed to imitate paint spatter (actually it looks better in real life!) and I used cosmic shimmer powder and acrylic paints on the background. The 'easel' is a lolly stick and after adding a stamped flower on the canvas, I stuck on a paper one! I demolished a paint brush to get the top and I attached it with the staples. If nothing else, Margaret makes me think!!

Sunday, 3 August 2008

Sgt Pepper and the Cherub


Have made a mountain of cards for Pink Day this week but was getting severe withdrawal symptoms! I have framed my 'Butterfly Guardian' in a black framed shadow box. I am quite proud of it as it looks really good. I mounted it onto black card treated with dark bronze cosmic shimmer and randomly stuck on skeleton leaves. Haven't decided where to hang it yet so it's sat on the fireplace hearth!!

I set to and made an ATC for Maggies weekly challenge. This week the theme was 'The 60's'. I have been paired with Renee who lives in USA and her work is fabulous so am looking forward to receiving her ATC and hope she likes mine!

I also played about with stamps and paper and ended up making the 'Cherub in Love' paper collage.
I am away from home this week but have packed my craft stuff ( I have to have something to do when it rains) and am taking my laptop as the hotel has wifi in the rooms so at least I won't be too cut off from civilisation! What did we do before Pc's, internet etc?????

Scrummy Ice Cream Cones


Managed to find some time to craft even though it has been a busy week. Every time I look at this ATC I want to buy an ice cream. I've got a stack of 'glitter' paper and the stripes came from that! It's proabably a bit too thick to be made into a gatefold but never mind! I just love the little ice cream cone...I have a few more but they're too big for ATC's!
I was bought a rather large ice cream last week on a very hot day ...shouldn't have eaten it, but really did enjoy it!!!