July Card Chain Challenge Reveal

I sent my card to my lovely blogging friend Hilary this month and received one from Marianne in Greece!.
When I saw the sign up post at Card Chain Challenge I knew straight away that this month I wouldn't be following the colour option like normal - one of the themes tied right in with a NBUS purchase.
Some time back I bought several 'sea/ocean' themed stamps from Lavinia - and have been slowly adding to the collection so the 'Fishes' theme was perfect for me to use 'Flo' (she's the big fish! I already had the smaller one)

Flo and her smaller versions were stamped with Versafine Clair Monarch ink, as were the Sea Urchins.
I masked them off and then built up the background with Distress Oxides Mermaid Lagoon, Bundled Sage, Salty Ocean and spattered with water. I love the way Oxides react with water!

Lots of foliage stamping followed, using more stamps from the Lavinia collection in Versafine Clair Shady Lane, Verdant and Monarch and once dry I removed the masks and water coloured the Sea Urchins.

Stamping was finished with the bubbles in Versacolour Turquoise and the sentiment in Monarch.
Flo and entourage were given a liberal helping of yellow Wink of Stella, and I used clear Wink of Stella on the Urchins too so it does have a bit of a shimmery look in real life!

There's still time to sign up if you fancy joining in!
Sharing over at
NBUS #53
Use Your Stuff - 3 Item Cluster (my 3 fish!)
ATS+M - Make your Mark

Framed

Firstly thanks to all who sent me birthday wishes, cards, messages - I really appreciated it!
My days are really busy just now and there is little time left for me to play with my crafty stuff which is not making me happy!😞 Making me even less happy is that when I do find an hour my head is full of many other things except creativity!

When Mr Mojo did put in a (very brief) appearance, I made this.

I seem to be on a bit of a 'fantasy fest' as I have made two or three things in the last month which are all mermaid/fairy related.

I used a variety of stencils for the background and use shades of Wilted Violet, Cracked Pistachio, Salty Ocean and Salvaged Patina.

The mermaid is of course Lavinia, and although it doesn't show up very well in the pic, her scales are irridescent - painted with Mica Pearls in shades of blue, green and yellow.

I decided to frame her rather than make her into a card - no idea where I am going to put her but am sure I will find somewhere!

Sharing over at
Sisterhood of Crafters - Water
Fairy + Unicorn - Anything Fantasy
CUYL - Water

Thanks for visiting and thank you too for any comments you leave. x

Sailing

It's certainly sailing weather here today - I think Spring may finally be here in my little part of the world - we have glorious blue sky and warm sunshine.
I have had friends with me for a few days and the house is really quiet now they've gone home! One of them remarked that my poor husband must think he has now gone deaf! 

Used a stamp set purchased a little while ago that has never seen ink until now.
This was a simple card really.

Done on watercolour card and after stamping the lighthouse and boat, I simply masked and then sponged and painted.
I used Distress Inks - Salty Ocean for the sea, Tumbled Glass for the sky and Squeezed Lemonade for the sun, then watercoloured the cliffs, grass and boat with watercolour paints.
Some birds and the sentiment (which I really like!) and job done!

This has now been put in the 'man stash' section of my card box. 
It didn't take too long to do either - I never do enough male themed cards and need to improve this!


Sharing over at
Cardz 4 Guyz - Travel/Transport
Crafty Sentiment Designs - Only For Boys
SOS - Masculine
Crafty Cardmakers - Water
Watercooler Wednesday - Masculine

Hoping that you too have the lovely weather we have - and thank you for visiting me today! x

Summertime!

WOW - 2 weeks since my last post! Been super busy and away from home but enjoying every minute. (Pic to share at bottom of post)

 Am only just finding time to do the washing and ironing on my days at home before I have to pack up again and load the car for another road trip - home this time until Wednesday then am off to Scotland!

A quick post and card from me just in case any of you thought I'd stopped blogging - I haven't!  There's just longer times between posts!

Used up old papers for this card too and continued the theme inside.
It was quick and easy - but perfect to satisfy my crafting cravings with so little time.
I may yet colour the sand and sky - haven't made my mind up!

I've also found time to finish a commissioned diamond anniversary card which will share with you all at some point.

Challenges -
Gem of a Challenge - Summertime
Di's Digi's - Summer Fun
Stampin Boutique - Summer Fun
APWP - Nautical
Digi Sketch - Holidays by the Sea

So that's it from me for the next few days - am coming calling this evening whilst I just have a glass of vino and a chill out - there was too much excitement here -
 when England Ladies won the International Series!

Lets hope the men do the same this week in Scotland!

Thanks for calling in -  I appreciate you following and commenting.
Happy days to you all until I get back. xx

Mermaid Secrets

Spent yesterday holed up in the craftie space - the rain was lashing against the windows!
So quite fitting that I made something on a watery theme..... LOL

This image is a simply gorgeous offering from A Day For Daisies - and the best thing about it was that it was a freebie!

I coloured her with a mix of pastel chalks and promarkers in varying shades of aqua, adding a wee bit of sparkly stuff randomly round the 'sea' and of course on the wee fishes!
I used three different papers from the Raspberry Road 'Seaside Chic' collection, distressed them all and then inked the edges with distress ink before layering up.

Added some lace and some slubby fabric suitably ripped before placing the image inside a frame die cut from the same papers.
The corner on the top right was a piece of the off cut from the frame and I just liked it!
A few shells, also blinged and some mosaic sparkly bits also used to give a 'reflective' effect.

The sentiment is also from the same paper collection and I love it.
I put some rope and fibres behind and a seahorse button before placing on the card.
Inside as usual done in the same papers to carry on the theme.

Challenges -
Country View Crafts - Layers
Card Crafters Circle - Portrait of a Woman
Sweet Pea - Fantasy
A&TEF - Magical Creatures
Southern Girls - Make Believe
Digitally Sweet - Anything Goes
4Krafty Girlz - Anything Goes
C2CU - Texture and Your Style (Am not sure I have a particular style as I feel equally happy with both CAS and fussy!)

Its quite a cool day and I haven't made my mind up what I'm going to do! Might pop out but then again might not! have a lovely day whatever you're doing and thanks for stopping by. x