Pretty Papers

We have a new challenge today at Try It On Tuesday with the title of 'Pretty Papers'.
A challenge it was for me too! 

Aside from the other stuff going on in my head at the moment I had such a terrible job trying to find papers. In a mass clear out a couple of years ago I got rid of all those papers I had coveted, bought and never used and left myself with only a few (still never used either!) so I was a little bit bothered as to what I could do.

I remembered some time back (and I MEAN some time back) there had been a freebie with one of the Cardmaking mags so a delve into a box and found them at the bottom - a little bit tattered as all kinds of stuff had been dumped on top of them but pretty papers nevertheless.
I got out the lace box too.
I chopped off part of the front of the card and simply edged it with lace.

If I'd have been on top of things I probably would have stitched this card as I always think stitching looks good on a vintagey card. Maybe next time.

Thank you again for looking and for any comments you leave.
I hope all is well in your part of blogland. x 

October Card Chain Challenge Reveal Post

My card this month went to Linda in Minnesota and I received a lovely card from Jo!
I chose the technique option of 'Spotlight Stamping' and tried to incorporate the colours - which was a bit of a struggle!

My large background stamp is from Crafty Individuals - there's something so quintessentially English about stopping everything for Tea!
I love a cuppa - but only if it's in a china cup!
It's a long time sice I did anything even a tiny bit shabby so this was a nice change from ink stained fingers.

Stamped the image with Versafine Morning Mist hoping this would pass for Silver.....😉

Stamped again and cut out part of it and coloured in shades of pink (Cotton Candy) and a pale blue (Baby Blue) and a little splash of yellow, and popped it up with some dimensional foam pads.

To finish the spotlighted centre image I added a liberal helping of Glossy Acccents onto the dangly 'teabag' suspended from the middle cup
The lace is from my stash.

Still time to sign up for the November chain - it's great fun!

Ribbons and Bows

Our challenge at Stamping Sensations this month is - 'RIBBONS AND BOWS' and we are sponsored by the fab !
A nice challenge which gives you lots of scope BUT please remember WE ARE A STAMPING CHALLENGE - so the focal point of your entry must be stamped!!!

I used an old Stempelglede stamp for this card. The set I have used many times - unlike some of my other stamps which have never seen ink!)

The DP papers are all odd bits from my stash, stitched, distressed and in some cases (like the darker pink piece on the left) stamped with a flourish stamp from the set and white embossed. I also ran another pice of pink card through the crimping machine then pressed down the embossing pad and threw some white EP over it!

The text pieces were in my 'save cos you might use them box'!
I used an odd scrap of  material tucking behind the image before stitching. The image was stamped in Memento ink then watercoloured.
Finished with some pink/peachy hand dyed seam binding and a large silver heart button.

Hope you can find some time to join in this month!

Other challenges -
Pixies Snippets

A Day of Rest!

At the end of week 2 and in preparation for the start of week 3 of the Championships I was given a day off today. Apart from one day in the last 2 weeks the weather has been kind to the ladies and so we're hoping for more of the same over the next 2 weeks when the men's championships gain momentum.

I found a couple of hours after the ironing this morning to make this card - I brought some bits with me and this has been the first time I have been inclined (or had the energy) to put anything together. The pic though was taken on my phone so if it's showing dark, fuzzy and awful I apologise!
No stamping done yet - I am gong to add a sentiment when I get home I think....
Papers are from the Prima's Stationers Desk pad which I won some time ago in a challenge over at the Playground - loved it when I saw it and love it even more now I have it!
Layered onto Kraft paper before putting onto the white base card. Distressed all the edges with Antique Linen DI - if I'd have been at home I probably would have stitched them!
A doily, some roses dusted with a little liquid pearls, small metal hanger with a scrap of vintage lace, a metal scissor embellie and a few pearls - job (almost) done! Will finish it off when I get home in the middle of September and then it will go in the stash box.
Challenges -
Crafting by Designs - 3 or more layers
Inspiration Destination - Anything Goes
Gem of a Challenge - 1 for the Girls
Simply Create too - Anything Goes
My internet connection is OK at the mo so am going to catch up on some of my commenting before meeting up with some friends early evening for a meal.
Thanks for calling in - hope you are having a good day whatever you're doing. x

Saturday Dawns!

Another week just flown past!
Busy now getting sorted for the first of my 'duty' trips away this summer - we're off to Cornwall tomorrow for a game on Monday then on to Devon Tuesday, Gloucester Wednesday, Oxford Thursday and home Thursday night. Shall probably lie in bed all day Friday!

I'm told that you DO get used to the travelling about and it's quite exciting visiting all these different places and meeting lots of different people I think so although am a little apprehensive of my first 'official duties' am quite looking forward to it too.

Enough of the waffling - a shabby card from me to share today - made from a paper stack I won in a challenge win over at the Playground - (I still haven't bought any new papers you know - it's over a year - but why does the mountain in this room not get any smaller?????)

Anyway decided it was about time I got stuck into this new pad.
A really quick card this I suppose as I just let the pretty papers do the talking! Mounted onto dark red and cream cardstock.
A metal corner and a couple of pearls along with a scrap of lace and a tiny crochet doily with a paper flower as embellishments - and the butterfly was stamped in Versafine Sepia onto a scrap of paper - it's an Indigo Blu stamp. Used up another couple of sheets on the inside too!
So that's my post for today - thanks for having a look - will be popping along a little later to visit you all - in the meantime have a great day whatever you're doing! x
Challenges -
Craft for the Craic - Wings
Crafting by Designs - Flowers
Crafters Cafe- Feminine
2 Crafty Girls - Vintage
Dream Valley - Things with Wings
Rosey Hearts - Things with Wings
Kitty Bee - In the Garden

Layers of Pink

A vintage frothy pinky creation to share today.
Base is normal white card and the papers are from Raspberry Road all printed onto linen textured card.
I overstamped the background with Tattered Rose DI using a flourish stamp from the Stempelglede Vintage Garden set.

The floral background was overstamped with a large script stamp from Indigo Blu in Versafine Smokey Grey, stamping the first time onto a scrap then stamping again onto the rose paper to give the faded look.
Both distressed, Tattered Rose DI used then stitched.

A piece of hand dyed ribbon across the middle before adding the metal pendant. The centre of the metal pendant is a resin cameo style rose.
I added two scraps of scalloped lace to the card and then placed the main image on top after wrapping a bit of pink trim round.

Maybe it would have been nice to be dressed so elegantly like this lovely lady instead of my usual t shirt and jeans although am not sure I would have liked the undergarments which pinched in your waistline quite so much!
A couple of my normal pearls to finish and the papers continued inside.

Some friends are tying the knot on Saturday - they've been together for a long time but decided to make it legal! (Very)small wedding, them, us and their grown up children - that's it! Looking forward to enjoying a pre wedding dinner party on Friday night at an upmarket (and very posh!)  hotel), an overnight stop then an early morning ceremony before they fly off to exotic climes for a long honeymoon.... if I can sneak into their cases I will!!!
The lovely pic of the roses is the Inspiration Photo from the Shabby Tea Room challenge this week

Other Challenges -
Crafting Musketeers- Ribbon/Pearls
Inky Impressions - Special Lady
In the Pink - Special Lady
Digi Galore - All About Her


Some friends are tying the knot on Saturday - they've been together for a long time but decided to make it legal!
(Very)small wedding, them, us and their grown up children - that's it!
Looking forward to enjoying a pre wedding dinner party on Friday night at an upmarket (and very posh!)  hotel, an overnight stop then an early morning ceremony before they fly off to exotic climes for a long honeymoon.... if I can sneak into their cases I will!!!
Have a great weekend whatever you're doing. x

Just Peachy!

During craftie space time this week I've had a bit of a colouring fest! I'd stamped quite a few images and printed out some digis during the time when I wasn't 100% and as I'm feeling much better decided I'd better make a start on colouring them.

This ADFD image has been coloured with a mix of watercolours and distress inks.

I stitched it onto an odd bit of peach card and then just distressed the edges.
Apart from the main background piece (which is from the Prima Fairy Rhymes stack),all the other bits used were just odd scraps, so this is my passport into the Playground this week!

All the paper pieces were distressed, edged with Antique Linen DI and stitched onto other pieces of peach card.
Some dark cream lace wrapped round and the odd bit of slubby fabric ticked behind the image was given the Distress Ink treatment ( Wild Honey). The peach ribbon was the last piece in my stash box and I saved an absolute miniscule amount to tie through the top of the bird cage charm.
Two snippets cut into two banners and the cage secured round the banners.
Some pearls to finish and the inside decorated with other odd coordinating remnants of paper!

Challenges -
Allsorts - Any Occasion not birthday
Suzy Bees- Anything Goes with a Bow
Simply Create Too - Anything Goes
Red Carpet Studio - My Fair Lady
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes
Crafts 4 Eternity - Two (2 papers, 2 banners, 2 pieces ribbon)
Thanks for looking in today - hope you're having a great weekend. xx

Blue Birdie

Have not managed to get round everyone's blogs over the last few days - so I apologise and promise to try and visit you as soon as I can. The comments may be short but at least you know I've been!
We still have a covering of snow up here - it's weird cos if you go half a mile down the hill there's not a sign of any white stuff at all - very cold today but the sky is blue so that always cheers me up!

Sharing a 'shabby' card today, made using stamps from SU Simply Sketched. I have made a lot of CAS cards recently and this was a change, particularly as I got out the sewing machine for the first time in ages.

Coloured little birdie with Distress Inks after stamping in Versafine ink.
All the papers were from my stash.
The ribbon is hand dyed - made a bow, stirched on the button in the middle and stitched it through the top of the birdcage (chipboard from Maya Road which had a thin coating of white acrylic paint as it was quite a dark brown originally).
Some lace, a doily and a couple of pearls finished it off.
The sentiment is from another SU set, Moon Lake and I continued the papers on the inside. 

Challenges -
Ruby's Rainbow - Soon be Spring
Crafts & Me - Add a Ribbon
Crafting by Designs - Anything Goes
Loves Rubber Stamps - Anything Goes
PB and More - Anything Goes (No digis)
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes
Crafty Catz - Stitching

Off for a little trawl round blogland - have a great day whatever you're doing and if you've left me a comment I really appreciate it or even just popped in for a better look I hope you'll come visit again!  x

A bad week

The start of a new week and I still feel almost as bad as I did at the start of last week!
Doc gave me some pills to try and calm down the colicky spasms (which have worked a little bit) and then did a reasonably good Dracula impersonation by taking more than a few blood samples. All have gone off  for various tests. Results in the next couple of days so we will have to wait and see. I am NOT a good patient - I hate being ill! DH has the patience of a Saint.......

Have made virtually zilch too.  Tried to do some colouring yesterday - smudged the ink all over the place so it all ended up in the bin and I ended up snuggled back under my blanket!
I did manage to finish off a couple of cards (which didn't require me to THINK just stick!)
This was one of those 'am not sure' cards when it was finished but it has grown on me a little.

The papers are as old as me I think - distressed and stitched onto brown card then layered onto a lighter dark beige base. I cheated as the paper was 6" square and I only had one sheet left so just sliced it across the middle and positioned it top and bottom!

Rifled about in the lace baskets and found a few odd bits, layered it over and under some strips of scrap (I punched out scalloped edges).
Two die cut stems from an odd bit of cream card and a rose from my stash.
Finished with a scrap of the base paper, a tiny pearl button and some bronze pearls.
The sentiment was simply cut from an odd sheet of paper which had all different random words on it.
Lots of bits used so am sharing this in the Playground this week too.
Challenges -
Allsorts - Lace & Pearls
We Do Doobadoo - Romance
MAWTT - Button It
Crafters Cafe - Stitching
Fab n Funky- Button
Creative Card Crew - Shabby Chic
Thanks to everyone who sent me get well messages - am sorry I haven't been visiting very much - will try and get round - but the message may just be short! Hopefully it won't be too long till I get finally sorted! Enjoy your day. x

Debby's Fave 5 and a time to reflect

Following from the Fave 5 Christmas Cards as always there is Debby's Fave 5 of the Year. If I thought choosing 5 from Christmas was bad choosing 5 from the year has been worse!! But here they are (and there's a special message from me to you all at the end of the post).
Am also joing Mynn over at 'On a Stampage'.

First up had to be this baby card (original post here) - am not a 'baby' person really but do like frilly and fancy (sometimes LOL) so when I was asked to make a card for a special arrival I turned to Pinterest (again!) for some inspiration and this was the result

Next is another fussy one! I love this sentiment - think it's so true-  original post here

Ok - so this one isn't a card - but it does rank amongst my faves so have included it! - original post here

A 'man' card - unusual for one to be amongst my faves - cos let's face it, we all hate making them! - original post here

  I have this year made quite a few CAS cards - out in blogland many have perfected this art of CUSP ('Completely Understated and Strikingly Perfect'!!) and I have become an avid follower of several blogs who make these gorgeous cards. Here is a 'case' from one - original post here

So that's it - another year has gone past. I hope 2014 has been good to you but if it hasn't may 2015 be better. For me it has largely been a good one, some lows but many highs. 

Sad today as it would have been my darling Mum's birthday - I miss her every single day and it's particularly hard when you can't share the 'highs'  - maybe that's why the sentiment on the second card means so much to me - it IS the little things (like sharing a cup of tea with your Mum) that make life so big.

Thank you for visiting me this year and I wish you all a 2015 filled with the 'little things'. xxx

Finally!

So the thought that I would be able to sit and make messy four days after my last post was a little optimistic! But FINALLY last night I did something!!
Before going any further I  want to say a warm welcome to my new followers, Maritza, Leslie, Julie, Karen S and Little K  - thanks so much for looking at my humble blog!
I had left a pile of stuff out on the craft table before I went away and once I'd removed the 3 week layer of dust(!) I decided to use it up rather than put it away so it is a similar make to a previous card I posted before the holiday.

I opted for cream tones throughout with the image only having the splash of colour and stitched everything!

Striped background paper from Anne- Marie designs and the square layer behind the image has a muted cream/ivory swirl pattern (doesn't show up very well in the pic), which is from an old Papermania pad.
All edges distressed with Antique Linen DI and added some Stickles to the image edge and also to the champagne glasses and drops.

Two lots of lace from my stash, some ivory ric rac braid (to hide the lace join),  ivory organza ribbon, a layered flower ('stickled again!), some pearls and a few pins to finish.

Oh and a stamped banner sentiment.
Inside decorated to match.

Challenges -
Ribbon Girl - Lovely Lili Add Lace
Sugar Creek Hollow - 1image, 2 papers, 3 embellies (flower,lace,pearls)
Fab n Funky - Anything Goes with Ribbon
Paper Shelter - Shabby Chic
Suzy Bee's - Anything Goes with Stripes
Country View Challenges - Sparkle and Shine
Scribble and Scrap - Anything Goes

Have a bit of tidying to do outside (sun is out!) but then am looking forward to a blogland catch up and of course a bit of creative nonsense this afternoon!
Have a great day whatever you're doing. x

Ribbons, Lace and Pearls

Jackie is hosting our challenge today at Crafty Cardmakers and her theme is 'Ribbons/Lace and Pearls', so she would like to see ribbons or lace, {or both} AND pearls on your creations.

For my DT card I made this -

Ribbons, pearls and lace HAS to be vintage and shabby as far as I'm concerened! 

It gave me an opportunity to dig out this much neglected stamp which is I think perfect for a vintage look.

Stamped it straight onto coloured cardstock, and coloured the roses slightly with Distress Inks. Added some pearls for the buttons (very fiddly - took me ages!!) and tied a tiny shoestring bow in the same colour as the backing card.

Ripped and distressed the edges.

The other papers are oddments from various pads - spotty one first, (Prima Botanicals) then overlaid with some very broad cream lace. Next layer paper is from 5th Avenue pad (a scrap I had left), and two pre cut pieces from a Paris themed paper pack from Craftwork (I think!).

All stitched then overlaid with another piece of lace before adding the stampoed image.

The large lace 'rose' is a recycled piece from a very very old sweater  and I stuck a white pearl in the centre.

Two more pearls added and the inside decorated to match.

Please pop over and join us this time round - 2 great sponsors - Woodware and Di's Digistamps- are offering prizes this time round! 

Other Challenges -
We Do Doobadoo - Feminine
Suzy Bees - Anything Goes
A Vintage Journey - With a Flourish
Choc, coffe and Cards - Vintage
Delicious Doodles - Fancy & Frilly
Charisma - Lace & Pearls 
ALBC - Distress It 
Joan's Touch - Vintage/Distress/Layers

Thanks for visiting - have a great day whatever you're doing! x

Amour

Arrived home for a couple of days- did my washing! Ironing next (tomorrow) before I load it all back into the car again for another 12 days - Am hoping the motorway may be a little less hectic on Saturday morning!Weather here has alternated between very brief glimpses of sunshine and really heavy rain showers so made an excuse that as I was going to have to wait for the washing to dry I might as well go and lock myself in the craftie space!

It gave me an opportunity to make a card for someone who is getting married very soon - (it's OK she doesn't read the blog!) - all I have to do now is sort out a box!
I had a bit of a 'shabby' mood on me when I made this - I had already made two other cards with clean sharp lines and very few embellies for the stash (which I will share later in scheduled posts!)- and was bored with straight edges and stuff so went a bit OTT with this!

The background paper was done by Astrid and I printed it onto linen textured card, distressed the edges, used Antique Linen DI then stitched it onto the base.

A paper doily then another printed piece from Raspberry Road, cut into a banner shape, again distressed and stitched.

The centre was done with a fancy nestie, and a couple of oval layers, the sentiment is from an old stamp set.
Flowers, pearls, pins and shabby ribbon all from my stash and the inside decorated to match.

Challenges -
MAWTT - A little Vintage
Gliiter n Sparkle - Weddings/Love
Live and Love Crafts #26 - Stitching
Fussy & Fancy - Pearls/Stitching/Message
Dream Valley - wedding
Lexi's - Special Occasion
Crazy Challenge - Love & Marriage
As You Like It - Fave 2 Embellies (Got to be Ribbon and Pearls- use them as much as I can, wherever I can! They just seem to 'tie it all together' I think!)

That's it from me - have scheduled a couple of posts for whilst I'm away - thanks for visiting today - and if you've left a comment I really appreciate it! Enjoy your weekend whatever you're doing. x

No Marmalade for the Toast!

Arrived home at 4am - lovely holiday - fell into bed, got up to .......... RAIN! There's a surprise. Thought about just leaving everything in the case and going straight back! LOL
Missed my making messy though if not anything else and have had a chill out day finishing off a few bits and pieces as I have a busy weekend coming up.
So here is a change from cards -

 NOTHING is safe in our house according to the long suffering other half. If it's not cutlery it's marmalade jars!
In my defence I tell him that I use up odd scraps for these projects so am not buying stash.. he believes every word - love him to bits!
So the rinsed out marmalade jar which was waiting to be taken out for recycling walked up 3 flights of stairs on its own to the craftie den and sat looking at me on the desk.

I lifted out the lacy scraps drawer and found a bit of burlap big enough just to wrap round the entire jar. Once glued and dried I added a piece of wide pink lace to the bottom and a smaller width piece to the top then tied some shoestring ribbon round it (in the ridge of the screw top).
The lid was first painted with primer and once dry  overpainted in a pale pink acrylic paint. Some more lace suitably glued on the top and then stitched together in the middle to create a ruffled effect. The vintage drawer knob was in my stash and I fixed it to the top.
Finished the rather untidy edge with some pink braid.
The label was cut from a scrap of paper and I just stamped a bit of text over it with Memento London Fog  (which doesn't show up very well in the pic!). Two pearls to the edge.
Finished it with a pink lace flower (cut from a tatty scrap) and three pearl pins.
Quite happy now! Pretty jar now sat with some of my other bits on the shelf - much better than it being crushed at the recycling centre! LOL (and because it's from scraps and odd bits it's off to the Playground for me!)
Challenges -
Scribble and Scrap - Anything Goes
Creative Card Crew - Shabby/Vintage
My Craft Creations - Anything Goes
Lexis- Ribbons/Lace
All Crafts Challenge - Anything but a Card
Clear it Out - Vintage/pearls
Craft Room Challenge - Recycle
Craft Your Passion - Pearls/Lace
Fashionable Stamping - 3D Object
Pile It On - Shabby Chic

Thanks for looking in. Now off for a proper trawl through blogland to catch up with you all! x

Tag

Having a rummage about in the lace baskets I found lots of odd bits which I haven't been able to bear to throw away - (I was obviously a squirrel in a former life) - I dragged out a few scraps and left them out on the desk  as I have had this idea rattling round in my head and wanted it all to 'come together' before I made a mess of making something -
- and the reason why I didn't want to spoil anything is the centrepiece - it was made by the lovely Caz and it came with fab candy stash which I was fortunate enough to win!

Originally I didn't want to use either of the two gorgeous hand made brooches from the candy pile - they're just too beautiful but it seemed a shame not to - at least this way the tag can sit out on display in my craft room and be seen!
So thank you Caz - and I hope I've done your creation justice!

I inked the tag with Old paper, Vintage Photo and Worn Lipstick DI, then randomly stamped some script over it. (Can't see this very well on the pic but trust me it's there!)

I covered the whole of the tag then with some old lace which had a fancy edge and stitched it, then just added more and more odd scraps, stitching them all as I went along.

The brooch was then pinned to the centre and I cut out a vintage pic and popped it into a metal frame, covered it with Glossy Accents and stitched to the base of the tag.

The 'believe' was another scrap found in the lace basket and I raised it up slightly by arching it before stitching the ends. Used some seam binding ribbon and more odd lace looped through the top.

Am putting this into Pixies Snippets Playground this week to earn some brownie points for using up odds and ends!

Thanks for taking the time to call in today - have a great day whatever you're doing.x

Other Challenges -
Creative Moments - Girly
Clear it Out - Anything Goes with Stitching
Fantastic Tuesday - Anything Goes
All Crafts - Anything But a Card
Glitter n Sparkle - Pearls and Lace
Crafts 4 Eternity - Anything But a Card
Crafty Hands - Shabby Chic
Fairies Challenge - Vintage
Pile It On - Feminine

Snippets

Have done a few bits the last couple of days - this one was inspired by a creation on Pinterest sometime last year and I drew a rough sketch and kept it - thinking it would be great for using up odd bits of paper.
So use up I have! Melissa Frances Fifth Avenue to be exact - and theres only now 3 full pieces left.. so am feeling very pleased with myself that I am sticking to the 'use up the paper' promise I made.

Not only that I finally opened a pack of pink parchment paper and used a piece of that as a background as I didn't want plain white card (couldn't find any pink card the right shade!).

The dots and music paper with edges distressed duly stitched to the parchment.
Some lace from my stash and some pink shoestring ribbon threaded through a pink button and tied into a bow.
The little tage sentiment is a teeny scrap from the same paper pad and I just stamped a very small sentiment onto it.

Cut out two scalloped circles and mounted with foam pads.
The butterfly was cut out with a die - (twice) and glued together so I could pop up the top set of wings to give some depth. Not sure which make the die is!!
A quick and easy card and used up scraps!

Challenges -
Butterfly Challenge - Stitching
Penny's Paper Crafty - Buttons/Bows 
Make My Monday - Butterflies
SOS - Buttons/Bows
Pixies Playground - Snippets
Dragonfly Dreams - Up in the Air

Thanks for looking - am now off for a quickie trawl through Blogland to catch up with you all! x

Guest Designer!

I was very fortunate to have been asked to do a guest DT spot over at Stamping Sensations.
Their challenge this month is a subject which is close to my heart as it's 'PRETTY IN PINK'!
So here is my contribution -

The papers are from Raspberry Road called 'Antelbellum'. I did some random stamping in Vintage Sepia ink using a flourish stamp from a Stempelglede set and then attacked the edges! (Normal people call this 'distressing - LOL)

I used another stamp from the same set to make the 'postcard'

Used Victorian Velvet DI on all the edges then stitched the layers together.
The vintage lace  stitched across then the main image matted onto plain pale pink card added. This lovely delicate vintage image is a freebie from a fab Dutch site called JanetK which I printed onto linen textured paper.

A die cut heart with a little pearl button, a stamped tag and some hand dyed ribbon for the bow. 
Inside co-ordinated to match.
So there it is! Thanks for looking and hope you can join in the challenge this month!
Other Challenges -
Alphabet - Buttons and Bows
Crafty Catz - Anything Goes
Creative Romance - Pink/Lace/Ribbon
Crafty Ribbons - Ribbons/Buttons
Crafts Galore Encore - Use a Stamp
Country View Crafts - Paper Chase

Am feeling better than I was earlier in the week so can only hope that now I have turned the corner and am over the worst! Fingers (and everything else) crossed!! Thanks for looking and if you've had the time to leave me a comment I appreciate it!
I have a free day today (3 orders to finish) so will pop round to see you all later. x

French Rose

There may be disadvantages living on the moor tops - howling winds/rain and of course if it snows heavily then you're stuck in but at least it means that there is little chance of being flooded out like so many poor people are in the south of the country on the low plains and levels. The weather here at the moment is horrendous - sounds like all the roof tiles are rattling with the strength of the wind but I am safely sat in the crafty space with a big smile as I bask in the happiness of a terrific win at Anfield!
Enough - don't want to be upsetting anyone (or rubbing it in but 5 - 1 REALLY????!!!!! LOL)

Back to more SENSIBLE things - a Paris themed shabby card!
Used several different types of papers including some scripted vellum. Distressed, tore and then stitched the background paper to the card then added the different paper layers.

An Inkylicious stamp called French Rose (which just HAD to be bought at the Craft Show this week) - stamped onto ivory linen card.
I coloured the rose with DI's and swiped Antique Linen DI across and around the edge before stitching.
Slipped a 'post mark' stamped piece under the main image.

The two different types of lace were from my stash.

The bow is hand dyed and I bought the vintage frame on Thursday too - found this image amongst my stash and cut it to fit - since taking the photo I've added some glossy accents across the pic and am quite pleased with the result.

The Eiffel Tower is made from shrink plastic.(No idea why the bottom half of the pic looks a wee bit out of focus - perhaps I was still excited from the match result!)

Finished with a couple of pearl topped pins, a scrap of ribbon and two flat backed pearls and the inside is co-ordinated to match.
 Challenges -
Craft Room Challenge - Ribbons & Lace

Live & Love Crafts - Love and Lace
Penny Paper Crafty - Something Old (Papers), Something New (Stamp)
Stamplorations - Stamps & Stitches
Crafts and Me - Inspiration from this photo -
Crafting by Designs - Anything Goes
Crafts 4 Eternity - With Love
Sugar Creek Hollow - Love & Adore
 
Off to have a little visit to you all and see what you've been doing- thanks for paying me a visit. x 

Vintage Sepia

Continuing with my 'use up that paper or chuck it' theme, I sat yesterday and fiddled with a few things. I have though come to accept that I am NEVER going to get to the bottom of these paper mounds as quite frankly, I will soon become bored!
But I have definitely promised not to buy any more and this is something I WILL keep to.
(Besides - there are so many lovely digi papers now and instead of buying packs where you only use half (or even less) at least with digis you can just print what you want! LOL)  

Whilst ferreting about I found an absolutely ANCIENT half used paper pack by Basic Grey and a slightly less ancient  and less used pack by Joy Crafts - the sepia vintagey colours appealed so here is the card -
Dusted off the sewing machine too!

Edges distressed with the wheely tool, then Tea Dye distress ink and stitched.
The main image and the script stamped with Vintage Sepia ink, cut out with nesties and the main image then sponged with Tea Dye and Antique Linen.

Attached the image using a mother of pearl button, folding down the top corner.
Sentiment tag also got the same treatement with the ink!

The ribbon is hand dyed and I found a coppery coloured heart in the stash box .   
All the vintage lace used is from my stash, the bottom corner 'fan shape' was from a crochet doily and I just cut it into quarters!
Papers all carried through to the inside.

Challenges -
Stamping Sensations - Ribbon/Buttons/Bows
CFTH - Pearls or Buttons
Artistic Inspirations - A.Goes/Feminine
Country View Crafts - Monochromatic
Creative Moments - Ribbons/Pearls
Divas by Design - Use Ribbons
Simon Says Stamp (Monday) - Anything Goes
Bunny Zoes' - Stitching
Fab n Funky- 1image, 2 Buttons, 3 papers

So that's me for today - have a great day whatever you're doing! x

Almost at the end.........

............ of Fifth Avenue! Not the one in Manhattan NYC but the one here in my craft room!
It's been a long way, a little pad carefully hoarded but the time has come........ one of my Resolutions was to use up this paper mountain which lives amongst my 'stash'. In fact it has taken over my stash (and the room/drawers/cupboards) and I seriously need to make an effort to
1. Stop buying Paper and
 2. Use up what I already have
(anyone got a secret elixir to make me live till I'm about 200??? 'Cos that's how long it'll take me to get through this lot!)

So today I am looking at an old paper pad which now has just five sheets left which are in usuable condition and size.. ok I know I haven't actually USED IT ALL but I've made a start!

A card made entirely with Melissa Frances 5th Avenue papers - even the focal point. 
Grand scalloped nestie for the base card then another circle made with the 'music' sheet from the pad.
Layered with a smaller scalloped circle from one of the blue papers, then a fancy die cut from one of the pink ones.

Sandwiched in between and left to overhang the edges is some pink leaf shaped lace which was cut off a fancy sweater about five years ago!

Two circles cut from a piece of scrap card and mounted to form a frame and the 'ballerinas' from the bottom of another sheet of the paper  stuck inside then layered onto the card.

A hand made paper 'rose', two fabric flowers from my stash and a piece of hand dyed silk ribbon tucked behind.

The sentiment is computer generated and I thought it fitted well!
 I don't often make 'shaped cards' so am reasonably happy with this one - and have determined to use up at least 3 of the remaining 5 sheets on the box.
Challenges -
Allsorts - Use Ribbon (no bows)
Musically Challenged - Any Song (Tiny Dancer-Elton John from the film 'Almost Famous')
Ruby's Rainbow - Song (Tiny Dancer - Elton John)
Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper Challenge - January
Live & Love Crafts - Perfume (5th Avenue by Elizabeth Arden)
RRR - Pink and Ribbon
Stamping Boutique - 3 papers
TLC's Linky Party - Show it off Sunday


An amazingly bright sunny and cold winters day here - beautiful! Have a good day whatever you're doing. x