Vintage

Am feeling quite pleased as I have managed a few CAS cards the last few days - but needed a fix of frilly and also needed to do some DT ones for forthcoming challenges!
So here's a frilly one using up some of the leftovers from one of the DT makes -

Cream base card and Sweet Paris papers. Distressed and stitched all the layers and added a pale green doily.
The pink and green braid is from my stash.

The wooden frame was embossed with Weathered White embossing powder as was the sentiment which was stamped on another scrap which fortunately for me fitted inside the frame!

I stamped a couple of odd bits with a postcard and script stamp and tucked them behind the frame at the top adding a couple of pearly pins.
 Flowers and dyed seam binding and an Eiffel Tower charm to finish with the papers used on the inside too.
This is a rather fussy make and in stark contrast to what I've been doing just lately - change is as good as a rest!!!
Off to the Playground with all my odd bits to see if there's anyone about.

Challenges -
Fantastic Tuesday - A/Goes with a girly twist
SOS - 3, 2 1 (3 flowers/pins, 2 braids/trims, 1 Frame)
Paper Shelter - Rough It Up
Fab n Funky - Buttons or Bows
CFAS - Ribbon and Pearls

Thanks for looking in today - off for a trawl round blogland and Pinterest as I need some more CAS inspiration I think! Have a great day whatever you're doing. x 

Blues

Everywhere here stark white this morning! Quite a lot of snow last night and it's still here!
A 'Man' card to share today as the 'man' stash is really low so made a couple of train/boat/plane themed ones this week for the card box.

A blue colour scheme for this one as the ship's wheel background paper I have had for a long time and never used.
The other paper was just an odd leftover bit but was big enough to use to cut a circle and a couple of banners.

The stamp was inked with Versafine Majestic Blue and I lightly sponged round the edge of the white card before distressing and layering onto the blue base.   

The charm secured with some blue/white twine and the sentiment stamp just tucked behind.

Challenges -
Fantasy Stampers - All About the Boys
Just Us Girls - Light/Dark Blue and White
Sparkles Monthly - January Blues (Monochromatic)
Glitter n Sparkle - Mono
Craft for the Craic - January Blues

Used up a few bits too so over to the Playground with my woolly hat and furry boots to make a snowman!
Have a great day whatever you're doing. x

Tuesday!

Today I realised it is almost a week since I posted - and I have no idea why as I don't seem to have done anything since last Wednesday that prevented me from adding to my blog!

I made this in a hurry for someone to give to a young couple who have set up their first home together.
The Mo Manning birdies I think are really cute and the couple in question are described as a couple of 'love birds' so a quite fitting image!

I coloured it with Distress Inks and used basic bright white card.
The sentiment was PC generated and I just added a small silver key charm.
I was a bit bothered when I'd done as I thought perhaps it was a little too CAS... if there is such a thing (???) - but the sender liked it and the 'love birds' adored it I'm told so everyone's happy!


A super quick card and a super quick post  - I want to have a few hours in the craft room today! Thanks for looking - and I hope you all have a lovely day whatever you're doing. xx

Challenges -
Cute Card Thursday - New,
Crafting When We Can - New,
Crafting from the heart - A/Goes,
Craft your passion - A/Goes 

Dreams of Summer!

Nice sunny day here but autumn definitely upon us as there's a definite chill in the air. Got me to thinking though when I saw the beautiful blue sky, of warm sunny summer days - then I remembered this stamp. Part of a set of 2 (the other is just a smaller beach hut) and I was fortunate enough to win them a long time ago in a challenge.
I have used them both a couple of times and hunted them out again this morning when I made this -

Get your sunglasses on!!!!

Image stamped with Versamark, then coloured with Distress Inks.
Papers are old (very old!) from my stash as is the hessian strip.

The sentiment was a freebie download, I added a yellow button for the sun and a couple of charms - a flip flop for the girl and a pair of swimming shorts for the boy!
Inside decorated to match.

As I am typing this I'm thinking that I am probably going to have to put the heating on - cos it definitely isn't flip flop and swimming shorts weather now!

Challenges -
Creative Moments - Spots/Stripes
Southern Girls - Stripes
Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
HIMCR - Any Holiday (and I chose SUMMER!)
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes
Crafty Girls Creations - Anything Goes

Thanks for visiting and if you've left a comment I appreciate you taking the time! x

Sew Special

Stamping Sensations challenge this month is 'Sew Special' and we're sponsored by Sizzix with a fab prize so hope you can join in with us!
Here's my card -

and as the challenge theme suggests it's all to do with sewing!

The papers are from Melissa Frances' Classic Elegance' pad.
Distressed and stitched the background paper onto grey then white card before adding all the different layers.

All the distressing done with Pumice Stone DI or Weathered Wood DI.

I turned down the corner of the third layer before hand stitching the button Then machined the whole layer three quarters of the way round onto the base card.

Rolled up some material scraps and stuck them behind the turn down to imitate fabric rolls.

Added some lace and some cream seam binding ribbon, hanging the metal scissors charm from the centre of the bow.

All the stamps were from a free set with a card making magazine and the buttons are from my stash.
Other Challenges -
Come and Get It - Buttons and Bows
House of Cards - Stitching
Allsorts - Lots of Layers
Not Just Cards - Anything Goes
CFTH - Anything Goes
Crafty Calendar - Anything Goes

Thanks for taking the time to pop in today. I am home for a few days from the middle of this week so am looking forward to catching up with all that you've been doing whilst I've been doing my 'duty' elsewhere! x

Another week!

The days after my last post were busy just finishing off bits for the Macmillan Coffee morning at the Club on Saturday. Just 2 hours Saturday morning saw us raise £480!
So added to donations already received we've now just over £1,000 and with two more events (both bowling comps) in July and September still to come I am hoping for a mega amount by the end of our season and our Charity year.

A little pic of the specially bought hoodie which is going to be worn a lot this year - the pic was taken whilst I was setting up the table.
I have a quiet couple of days before our friends wedding at the weekend and will be catching up with what I've missed over the last few days!

Card to share -  I have used this Day for Daisies image such a lot - just think it is serene (and I need some of that after a manic few weeks!)
I coloured it with Promarkers and rubbed some pastel chalk in a light beige/pink colour around it to remove the stark white.
Simply stitched onto a co ordinating piece of card.
White base card, then the same colour card then stitched the patterned paper (from my stash).
Wrapped some lace round another scrap piece from the stash box, added a paper doily then the main iamge.
The flowers are some old stash secured with a couple of brads and some punched out leaves.

The bird cage charm was a 'must' addition and it also had to have the smallest shoestring ribbon bow and the usual pearls! Sentiment is from TLC and inside decorated to match.

Challenges -
Fussy & Fancy - Ribbons and Lace 
RRR - Flowers and Ribbon
Lil Patch of  Crafty Friends - Anything Goes
Buckwells - Flowers
Ecletic Ellapu (Pink team) - Anything Goes
Sentimental Sunday - Lace and Pearls
CAGI - 3embellies(flowers,charm, pearls), 2 papers, 1 image

Thanks for calling in, have a great week. 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

Sea

I have made very little this week - and what I have made has been pants! Have finally given in and made an appointment to see the doc tomorrow - am hoping that there is a quick remedy as I've had these cramps/pains and  been feeling completely wiped out like this since last Friday.
Consequently I haven't felt much like doing anything except feel sorry for myself! I know I'm poorly - I got new stamps and didn't even open the packet they came in for 2 days - OH was seriously worried.....LOL
Scanned through my drafts folder to share something and thought it was a little while since I posted a 'man' card so here's one!
I used coloured SU cardstock as my base (but can't remember what colour it is) and teamed it with some red. The striped paper is from K and Co and is part of a very large box which is that old it's as vintage as the image from a vintage male themed stamp set by Flonzcraft - stamped with Versamark 'Espresso' onto a scrap piece from another mat stack. Two small eyelets added before matting and a few corners punched out from the red scraps.

The little calendar pieces also from the 'scraps' box, simply torn up and shoved in

Used some red/white Bakers Twine, added the Anchor charm and stamped sentiment and finished off with 2 larger eyelets.


Challenges -
Ruby's Rainbow - Masculine Birthday
Crafty Gals - For a Boy/Man
Crafty Sentiments - For a Man
Cardz 4 Guyz - Anything Goes
Stampavie & More - Water

I am also dropping into the Snippets Playground for about 2 minutes - not well enough to be making snowmen or having snowball fights -  although the view outside is making me want to go sledging.....
this was taken yesterday - and it hasn't changed much today apart from the sky which is a bit clearer. Will try and stop by your blogs later. Have a great day whatever you're doing. 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

Champagne!

Did you all think I'd left the country??? Well you're right, I Have!!! 3 whole weeks to be exact - currently sunning myself and chilling out with the odd glass or two of wine in 30 degrees of heat!

Typed this post up before I left and have just added challenges and stuff to it now I have a good internet connection - a commissioned card to share made for an anniversary for a friend's relative.
Still using up the paper stash and I am now soooo proud of myself that it has been almost 6 months since I bought a paper pad!!! Am still in danger of being buried under the paper mountain in the craft room and don't seem to have made any difference to the pile even though I have been trying to use it!

This card used a sheet of paper from the 'Exquisite' Pad by Papermania. This I think is only the second sheet I have used from this old pad!
Distressed the edges and then ran some Antique Linen DI round.
I used a paper doily and tucked some scripted vellum behind, then wrapped a piece of white organza ribbon round the card, layered some maroon satin ribbon on top and added a scrap of ric rac braid.

Next layer was a piece from Prima 'Fairy Rhymes' pad before topping off with the drunken mice!
I put some Stickles round the edge of the image and also on the champagne bubbles.
Finished with some pearls, a few flowers from my stash and a silver champagne glass charm.
Inside decorated to match.

Challenges -
Crafty Little Fairies - Sparkle & Bling
Card Mania - Doily
Sisterhood Snarky Stampers - D for distressing
Sweet Pea - Creatures Great and Small
Wags n Whiskers - Furry Friends
Alphabet - P for Pretty Petals
ABC - Flowers/Sentiment/Doily

Thanks for looking - apologies from me if I don't get round to visiting you all for the next couple of weeks - promise to play catch up again when I get back to England! x

Crafty Cardmakers DT Post - Challenge #120

Time for another challenge at Crafty Cardmakers & More! Julie is hosting our challenge today and she has chosen 'Under the Sea'.

This image is called 'Mermaid Visiting' - don't you just LOVE those little cute jellyfish thingies bobbing about?!!

Coloured the image with Distress Inks and added some Cosmic Shimmers to the starfish in the mermaids hair and my new friends the bobbing thingies! They're quite shimmery in real life - sadly doesn't show up very well in the pic. Distressed the edges of the image with Peacock Feathers DI.

The background paper is from Raspbery Road's 'Seaside Chic' collection.
The hessian and string were from my stash and the fabric was torn from larger piece and got the DI treatment!

I didn't have any 'seaweed' so improvised by using a Spellbinders branch die.
The sentiment was a freebie from TLC.
Finished it all off by adding some buttons (shell and sea horse), a starfish charm and some Dew Drops (which were a Candy prize so thanks Caz!) and co-ordinated the inside to match.
Hope you can join us this time - two fab sponsors as always -  SIR STAMPALOT  and also DI'S DIGISTAMPS.

Other challenges -
ADFD - Monochrome
Digitally Sweet - Day at the Beach
That's Crafty - All at Sea
Digi galore - Use a Digi
Open Minded - Water everywhere
Glitter n Sparkle - Bling 

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 

Wild!

In the last hour it has turned absolutely wild here weather wise. The sleet/snow/rain is blowing sideways and the wind is howling. So having been out earlier (when it was much calmer although cold)I have now taken myself upstairs to the craft space!

I bought this stamp over a year ago from a crafting buddy as she no longer wanted it. Anyone would think that I didn't really want it either as this is the first time I've used it!
And to be honest although I love the stamp, I cannot feel the same way about the finished card.

But at least I can say I DID use the stamp even if it goes back into the drawer for another year!

I considered colouring all the image but in the end just highlighted in bits, using Squeezed Lemonade and Mustard Seed DI to continue the acid yellow theme of the papers.
The papers came from the stash pile (where else??!!), stitched and distressed lightly with the edges inked in 'Sacttered Straw'.

I made a crumpled shabby bow from more papers which were a similar colour.

Finished with a few pearls and an organza bow with a metal handbag charm.

Carried the papers on through to the inside and have at the mo left it blank sentiment wise - might add one at a later time!

Challenges -
Crafty Hands - Shades of the Same Colour
Simply Create Too - Female
Crafting 4 all seasons - Girly
Sister Act - Anything Goes
Totally Gorjuss - Sunny colours
Alphabet Challenge - Z for Zesty

I welcome your comments as always and I hope wherever you are you are safe and warm away from any bad weather. 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

Back to the Washing....

My kitchen floor looks like a jumble sale sorting room. Little piles of different coloured things have sprung up like tiny mountains and are patiently waiting to be drowned in water and soapy suds - there are two things I dislike about holidays - packing/unpacking(that counts as one thing cos it relates to suitcases LOL) and all the washing you have to do when you come home!!!!!!
So with one pile done, second pile in I decided to do something quick to ease me back in slowly to the craftie space.
Complete with my suntan (which even if I do say so myself is spectacular...) I opted to make - - - a Christmas Card!

Done quite simply by rubbing some very old Pearlescent Ice Blue pigment ink across the reverse of a snowflakes embossing folder and running through the Cuttlebug. (I was surprised that there was still some ink left in this pad - it's YEARS old!)

Sadly the pic is not the best owing to the fact that it is very gloomy here on the moors today but at least you get an idea.

I used some paper that had a light sheen to it so where the ink is patchy in places it has allowed a lovely iridescent sheen to show through and the snowflakes look shimmering.

The vellum was a scrap found in a drawer, torn into strips. I stamped the sentiment then heat embossed with silver powder.
Finished with a snowflake charm.

Made a few of these in a silly hope that I may not be rushing about last minute as normal....... am not holding my breath though.

Challenges -
Holly Jolly - No patterned paper 
Just Insp- Metal Embellie
Xmas Cards All Year - Getting Ready
Christmas Card Challenge #44 - Anything Goes
Use your Stuff - Heat Guns
Glitter and Sparkle - Add Some Metal

Am now settled down for the rest of the day to have a good old trawl round blogland and catch up and also to do some serious crafting - haven't got anywhere else left in the house to put any more washed stuff to dry - (good excuse....)

Born to be Wild?

My man stash is seriously low!!!!!!
And the cards stash is as well........ LOL

Made this earlier in the week and it kind of just evolved with lots of bits which needed to be used up as they were getting moved about and no doubt would have ended up dog eared and tattered and then in the bin!

The stamp is one which I bought some time ago as I thought it would be useful for man cards - it's never seen ink until now!
I stamped it onto some dark yellow coredinations cardstock and matted it onto black.
The whole card is made on black cardstock - the hounds tooth backing paper is from an old paper stack which has long lost the front so have no idea who made it - wish I did 'cos the more I look at it, the more I like it... and perhaps may have bought another pad the same!
The cogs and wheels were all cut from black card.
The embossed piece was a scrap left over from another project and found it's way onto here for no other reason other than it looked a bit like a tyre tread??
(Well I thought it did anyway!)
I put two square black metal brads in the top corner.
The 'Route 66' sign was a download, topped off with glossy accents and I finished it with a metal spanner charm which has been in my stash since the year dot!
Now all I need is someone who likes bikes to send it to........

Challenges -
Delightful Challenges - Make it Pop (Lots of Layers)
Paper Playtime - Lots of Yellow
Cards for Men - Heavy Metal
Top Tip Tuesday - Dry Embossing
The Male Room - Anything Goes
Penny's paper Crafty - Dry Embossing
Oldie but Goodie - Boy/Male
LOC -  Use something Metal and/or LOC

Hello to my latest followers - thank you for following me!
Am off for a trawl through blogland now - and wish you all a great weekend whatever you're doing! x

Post Cards

It has been such another beautiful day and I am beginning to feel very spoilt with all this lovely sunshine. Long may it continue - although I have heard lots of people complaining about how hot it is - there's no pleasing us Brits is there - moan when it rains, moan when its cold and now moaning because it's hot and sunny!!
No moaning from me............. well not about the weather anyway!
I did though take a rest from the searing heat and spent a few hours indoors - this card is the result.
The papers are all torn from the Prima Botanicals pad, distressed and stitched.
The post cards seemed very apt for the sunny weather!
The heavy dark cream lace was in my stash and I used Kraft cardstock for the card base.
The chipboard birdcage is from Maya Road and I did consider embossing it but changed my mind as I thought the cardboardy colour blended in well with the overall appearance.
Added some flowers and lots of swirly pearl bits and the scrummy ribbon was a present from Maureen. I used a vintage button in the centre of the bow and stuck in a couple of pearl pins.
The little metal bird and letter charm was from my stash and the sentiment was stamped using Versafine Smokey Grey ink.

Made a change to make something vintagey and adult after all the kid's cards recently!

Challenges -
All About the Vintage - Summer Sparkle
Emma's Cards - Lace/Pearls
Shabby Tea Room - Pearls/Lace/Flowers with Romantic theme (hope my little love letter carrying birdie counts!)and a fab Inspiration Photo
Created with Love - Anything Goes
Frilly and Funkie - Summertime
The Hobby House - Vintage
Craft Room Challenge - Vintage Stamping

Thanks for visiting and leaving comments - I really DO appreciate it! x

Holiday Destinations

Time for another challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers - and this week Jack would like to see projects that depict or are inspired by a holiday destination. This doesn't have to be somewhere you have been, it can be somewhere you would love to go. Please explain where you have chosen and why in your blog post and please please to keep things fair for everyone make sure you read those challenge rules as you don't want to lose your chance to win a prize from one of our two fab sponsors - CRAFTS AND ME and THE PAPER SHELTER.

 Onto my project - a long time ago I went to Italy. (Be warned this post is pic heavy!!)

I visited Rome, Pisa and Venice. 

I adored Italy - the culture, the art, the food(LOL), the wine (LOL) and well - just about everything! 

I have promised myself that I will return again and it's on my ever increasing list of 'things to do before I become too old and decrepit to enjoy them'!!  

So it was an obvious choice for me to choose this as my destination.

Instead of a card, this week I have altered a slide mailer. 
The mailer was inked with Dusty Concord DI before adding the papers (which are from Crafty individuals).

The pic with the Colosseum in the background - from a time when 'visiting Europe' was only something done by rich and privileged families seemed perfect to use. 

On the front I added a small fabric leafy flourish (cut off something or other!) and a metal camera charm. I popped a die cut in the top corner after colouring randomly with the same DI.
 
Inside another image, a bit of stamping, some ribbon,  and lace and a fabric flower died with DI. 

Under the slides are two more Italy images - of course no visit to Italy is complete without a trip on a venetian gondola or a visit to marvel at St Peter's Basilica.  
I used some tiny beads at the top of each one.

Same papers were used on the back.

I hope my project has inspired you to come and join us this time - we love seeing all your creations!

Challenges -
Our Creative Corner - Captured Memories
Crafts and Me - Anything Goes
Dutch Dare - Photo Inspiration (please visit their blog!)
Crafting by Designs - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Cards und More - Travel/Adventure  
The Cheerful Stamp Pad - From the Past
Lexi's - Summer Holiday 
seemacrafts - Holday/vacation

Thanks for visiting! x
 
   

Texture and Stitching

Is it cold where you are? It's freezing here!
This week's challenge at Less Is More is to 'use beads'.
Dreaming of warmer weather probably planted this little seed of an idea which surprisingly fitted the challenge theme.

  
I used to wear these wooden beads (very hippy chick - LOL)  and having a clear out a few years ago I put them into the craft stash with the usual crafters mantra - 'they may come in useful'!!

Cut myself a piece of hessian type stuff from the material bag and tacked it onto a dark piece of material.

Stitched the wooden beads on and then stitched the wooden charm onto a piece of 'cheetah skin' ribbon threading some small coppery seed beads through as I stitched.

Then sewed it onto the backing 'mat.

The wooden bark heart was from my stash.

The words and zig zag where computer generated and I printed out onto cream hammered cardstock.

I considered embossing round the 'mat' but in the end left it plain as I rather liked the 'tatty' and 'rough' texture mix and didn't want to 'formalize' it.

I have a friend who loves all things to do with Africa so no doubt this will be sent to her very soon!!

Am really disappointed with this pic though - it looks so much better 'in real life' - spent ages trying to get good reproduction of it but in the end the grey skies defeated me!

Thanks for calling in - enjoy what's left of your weekend. xx

Angel

Here is a revamped version of a fridge magnet I made some time ago.

I covered a piece of wood with a left over piece of K and Co paper and then used parchment paper to print out the saying. The parchment is stuck onto some thick cardboard.

The beaded Angel is a copy of a similar one that my Mum brought me back from Prague. (Shameless aren't I? lol) This was the second attempt at making one of these angels and I really enjoyed doing it, so have made another at the same time for my stash!

She's just attached with a piece of ribbon and a star brad. This is a replacement for the original one that sadly has faded on the front of my friend's refrigerator door. I hope she likes it!

There is a brand new challenge blog called Crafts and Me which started this week. The challenges are set every two weeks on a Wednesday and their first theme is 'Wings', so I have submitted my little magnet into the pot!