Coffee..... with Cream?

Happy New Year everybody! So that's 2016 over then!
Hope the festivities have not meant that you need Coffee this morning (either with or without Cream!)  😏
That's the challenge this month at Stamping Sensations - COFFEE AND CREAM.
Please make sure you read our challenge rules before submitting an entry and please pop across to the blog to see our wonderful prize and check out my teamies makes for some inspiration!

I've used Ivory Linen card as my base for this month's offering- it is a little more creamy colour in real life - I think the 'Auto' setting on the camera interpreted it as White!

The flower and the sentiment are from Technique Tuesday. I stamped the flower onto a scrap of card and white embossed - as the card was a dark beige the embossing is not bright white thankfully - has turned out an ivory colour.
It's painted with Brushed Corduroy and Gathered Twigs Distress Inks.

The flourish stamps were 'cheapies'! Bought in a bargain bin about 5 years ago and used I think once since I bought them - not that much of a bargain then......!
I experimented using the DI's on the flourishes but the impressions were not good so I tried a variety of inks/colours before finding one that I suppose I should have gone to in the first place - good old reliant Versamark Vintage Sepia!

Hope you like and I hope that you come and join us for our challenge this month!

Other Challenges -
A Perfect Time to Craft #1 - A/Goes
A Bit More Time to Craft - A/Goes
Paper Creator Crafts - A/Goes
Creative Knockouts - A/Goes 

Have a great day whatever you're doing! x

An old stamp

Decided I am going to have a clear out in the New Year. I have so much stuff that I am simply never going to use. I have enough paper to fill a craft shop and so many stamps which were bought with no purpose other than I liked them and they've never seen ink.
I know this is 'Crafter's Curse'  'cos every crafter I know does it but I really am intending to sort it out. I don't hold on to old clothes that I no longer wear so why am I storing all this lot???

So, now that I have said that - here's an old (VERY OLD)  stamp.
Seen ink once before.
Wood backed, a big stamp and don't know why I bought it and don't want to keep it!
But for old times sake I have used it - as I saw a card made with it using alco inks and I remembered I had it.... (not for long)

Ivory linen textured card.
Stamped and embossed with gold. Watercoloured then cut out the individual tiles.
Ran an embossing pen round the edges of the panel then gold embossed.
Mounted the tiles using foam pads for dimension and then mounted the panel.

Stamp is called Paris Moments by Hampton Arts and is now consigned to the 'Dispose Of' pile which is growing rather alarmingly....

No sentiment on this one - just one for the 'Just In Case' box where I go to when I need a card in a hurry!

Challenges -
Creative Knockouts - A/Goes
4 Crafty Chicks - A/Goes
Crafty Gals Corner - A/Goes
CRAFT - A/Goes
Simon Says Stamp (Wednesday) - A/Goes

Thanks for looking! Will be back again over the weekend - New Years Eve is not a celebration for me just a time for remembering Mum on her birthday - and consoling myself making inky and messy in the craft room!
If this is your last visit to me before 2017 then I wish you a very happy New Year! x

A Change

A winter share from me today - this was a remake of one I made to give away last year. I gave it to a neighbour and another saw it and liked it- so this year I made one for her too!
Both are hanging proudly in their respective homes - unfortunately I took this pic before adding the little punched red birdie so you will just have to imagine that he is inside!

The birdhouse is made from MDF.
I used some Modelling Paste and acrylic paint on the roof  and round the entrance then gave it a liberal helping of glamour dust!
Does actually look a little like snow in real life.
The wooden background is from Stampin' Up inked in Versafine Smokey Grey.

Holly die rubbed over lightly with Mowed Lawn and red perfect pearls used for the berries.
Offcuts used for the roses and I edged these with some silver embossing powder and more glamour dust!
Finished with some white fibres just randomly glued. Neighbour loves it so I am happy.

 Hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas! Ours was very quiet - I spent yesterday in the craftie space playing with my new prized possession - a MISTI! (Now I know why I love my husband so much!)
Love it - made a set of notecards with a layering stamp set (- have been unable to line them all up properly before) which I will share later and am intending on spending another day just playing about with paper and stamps!

Challenges -
Love 2 Create - Anything Mixed Media
CWWC - Christmas
C&GI - Christmas
If you Gave a Crafter a Cookie - Pic Inspiration
Craft for the Craic - Anything but a Card
Holly Jolly - Anything but a card

Off to get inky - and likely leftover turkey and chips for tea too - yum!
Will stop by you all later - and thanks for taking time out this Christmas to visit! x 

White Christmas?

No sign of a white Christmas here - just a windy and wet one at the moment!
We have locked the front door and decided we are not moving now until Tuesday!!
Last Christmas share from me for this year

Found a piece of white hammered card stock so used it up!

Thank you to all my blogging friends who have remained with me during what has been a very busy year (and without doubt it's going to be even busier next year), - I have appreciated that you have continued to visit when I have been unable to visit you and I have loved sharing your little bit of blogland with you and seeing your beautiful creations.

You have been my relaxation on my rare and precious time spent at  home.

I no doubt will spend a lot of time here in the craftie space over the holiday in between the food and drink!
'Me' time has been at such a premium this year, not just for me but for my wonderful husband who has ferried me about everywhere and been constantly at my side supporting me. I am very lucky.

I wish you all a peaceful wonderful Christmas whatever you're doing and whoever you're sharing it with, - if you are like me just 'us' or you have masses of family - I hope that you enjoy all the precious moments over this festive season. x

Pheonix?

Have spent the last couple of days ignoring Christmas (no tree/food shopping/anything else done) and spent some 'me' time messing about with inks. Have promised that the tree will get put up tomorrow and am going out later to do a bit of shopping. Not a busy time for me as there's only the two of us so we normally don't go to any great effort apart from the full hit Christmas Dinner!
I made this card yesterday.

 I demand that you stand up and give me a round of applause----- look at me using BRUSHOS!!! Had the darn things for such a long time and this is the first time I have managed to achieve anything remotely passable.

Sorting through stamps I came across this set of 'Fantastic Birds' - don't know if that is their real name but it's what I called them! This one reminded me of a Pheonix rising from the ashes and in a light bulb moment thought it might work with the dreaded Brushos.

So stamped onto watercolour card then heat embossed to create the 'resist'.
Used Orange, Yellow and Lemon Brushos, sprinkled, sprayed then shut my eyes!!
When I had the nerve to look at the piece I thought 'Hey - not too bad really'! Blotted with some paper towel and left it to dry.
I am not sure it needed the pearls really but put them on anyway and hope it still measures up to being a CAS card - shades of orange and pale gold to highlight the 'flames'.
The sentiment is by Technique Tuesday.

Challenges
CAS Watercolour - Watercolour Resist
Love to Create - Anything Goes
Creative Carte Blanche - Song Lyrics ( Pheonix Rising by Kristilada here) 

Quite a nice day here - blue sky but chilly! Off to get the carrier bags and hit the shops. Have a great day whatever you're doing. x

Christmassed Out?

A change from Christmas for me today! Cards made and posted, (have kept some to share later) and now hoping that in the next couple of days I feel festive enough to put up the tree! (Bah Humbug!).
So here's something definitely not Christmas -

 Little bit of inky messy and a pleasant change from glitter and embossing powder!
Little oddments of card to make the centre panels and dusted Distress Inks in Tea Dye and Antique Linen with a bit of Scattered Straw. Am starting to become a bit more comfortable using the duster brushes.. only taken me about 5 years! 😁 LOL

Script stamp by Indigo Blu bought on a visit to the NEC eons ago, inked with Vintage Sepia - masked off the left side with a scrap of torn paper before stamping.
Flower stamp is from SU 'Bloom With Hope'. Painted it with Forest Moss for the stems and leaves and used Fired Brick and Festive Berries for the flower heads.
Intended to leave it blank but as the 'be happy' stamp was laying on the desk I used it!

Snippets Playground for me this morning - hope they've still got some Christmas Hooch and Mince Pies left!
And thanks to the amazing Loll who reminded me I hadn't linked up to the CAS Mix Up December Challenge.

Other Challenges -
The Flower Challenge - Use an Older stamp

Alphabet Challenge - U for Use Some thing Red (my flower heads)
Colour Crazy - Anything Goes
Addicted to Stamps - CAS

Thanks for visiting - am feeling a whole lot better than I did before I went away - just wish I could get rid of the cough! Oh and the week away? We lost in the semis - good time had by all and not too disappointed as we had a good run - and the team that beat us played better than we did!!
Have a great day whatever you're doing.. me? I am off to the craftie space - beats putting up the decs! x

Shimmer and Scraps!

Quick card share day again today - made entirely of scraps and used up stuff that was lying on the desk.

 I had been playing about with the 'smooshing' technique a couple of weeks ago and as per normal for me had used a rather large piece of  left over card when smooshing - (always done 'cos I am so heavy handed and I figure that if I used a MAHOOSIVE piece to start with,  when I am done I will have a small 'useable' bit!)

I have already made one similar card here back in October, but still had some smaller bits that I thought looked OK so used them to make this!

This was a card where I didn't have to flick bits of Gold Cosmic Shimmer powder everywhere like the last time as it was already done... and still not cleaned up properly either... but as it's Christmas the gold sparkley bits on the walls and the PC monitor look rather festive....

I did though add a few more bits of gold (carefully) to bits of the die cut trees and painted a teeny snippet of card (from the floor) with the gold then punched out a teeny star. Left over bits torn to make the snowdrifts at the bottom and some more sparkly glittery gluey stuff dragged across it.

Quite pleased with the way this one turned out -  shimmer is good and the different colours  achieved by the smooshing on close up looks quite reasonable!!

Challenges -
Pixies Playground - Week 259
Inkspirational - CAS with Sparkle
Happy Little Stampers - A/Goes with Dies
Happy Little Stampers - CAS Challenge with Smooshing
Dies R Us - Christmas
Creative Craft Cottage - Die Cuts

 Still haven't got rid of this dreadful cough  and am not 100% - feel like I have had this cold and bad chest for ages (well over a week at any rate...)- there's a lot of it about I'm told.
Am off again today for a few days - back at the end of the week.  -  this was supposed to be a relaxing break with a bit of bowls played just for fun with some good friends thrown in - am hoping I don't get on everyone's nerves when I start coughing and spluttering!!!!
Have a great week. x

Watercolour attempt!

Not been about for a few days -went to my Presentation but since arriving home have not emerged from under the duvet until midday today. Still not 100% but much better than I was on Monday - just need the donkey to stop kicking me in the ribs every time I cough now please! That said, I doubt if I will remain out of bed for very long again today......

Tried my hand at a little watercolouring at the end of last week - love this stamp!
Shame though that I didn't make a better job of stamping the sentiment - one of those times where if I'd felt better I probably would have re done - for some reason it didn't stamp cleanly - maybe there was something on the stamp pad.

Anyway, I still like the birdie and was pretty pleased that my painting attempt overall didn't look too bad.

Just used Distress Inks to paint and some glamour dusty stuff on the branch and berries. Quite pretty in real life ( as long as you don't look too close at the sentiment!)

Challenges -
A2S&M - Holiday
AAA - CAS Christmas
CAS on Sunday - Christmas
Fantasy Stampers - CAS Christmas

Am clutching my box of tissues and my medicine 😷 and off back to the covers - will try and visit you all very soon! x

Floral Fancies

December! Scary thought - in just two months time I will become President of Bowls England - EEK!!!

My DT offering for this month at Stamping Sensations is this Birthday card and out theme is Floral Fancies.

We are sponsored by Sizzix, and please pop over to the blog and check out the prizes....as it's Christmas we are giving away 3 prizes this month- but remember before you get all excited and start crafting -
WE ARE A STAMPING CHALLENGE!
So you have to have stamping as the focal point of your project!

I recently got my hands on Stampin Up's Butterfly Basics (Bargain!). So have used it to create this card.

Done on ivory linen textured card for a change from my usual white.

The stamps are lovely.
I used Distress Marker Peeled Paint on the flower stem and leaves and teamed it with a Versamagic 'Old Rose' for the flower heads.
The background was stamped using 'Burnt Umber' Versamagic and the sentiment was done in Memento Rich Cocoa.

Just matted it onto a co-ordinating piece of card and done.

Pretty and delicate - (not a bit like me!)
Hope you find time to join us this month, but please observe our rules then it is fair for everyone.
(Have scheduled this as I am at a Presentation Lunch in Bedfordshire so hope Mr Blogger behaves and publishes!)
Update - Also linking to this challenge -
Crafters Cafe - Birthday

Another Star

I have a stack of dark pearlised card. I have no idea why I bought it (or even how long I have had it). I know that I have never used  any of it. Just another observation from the craftie space.

So having once again looked at the stack and then put it back where I found it completely devoid of any ideas as to what to do with it, imaging how happy I was a couple of days later to come across  a pic of a card made entirely by using dark cardstock!

I contained my excitement long enough to use up just a teeny bit of the said dark pearlised card. (Along with some glitter paper - another buy, hardly used).
I made a base card then used up the rest of the card to make the stars and sentiment, so it's over to the Playground for me! 

The SU Bright and Beautiful stamp and die set used for this make.
The large star embossed with silver EP  then simply stamped with Versafine Smokey Grey on the second layer.
The third star die cut from the glitter paper and finally the smallest star fussy cut after stamping the second size again and embossing.
A little sparklie in the middle! 

The sentiment is one if you follow my blog you will have seen before - it's an old stamp I use every single Christmas!
Ran an oddment square left over after making the base card through the Cuttlebug to give the background some depth.

Quite pleased with this - and whoever it was who came up with the idea of using really dark card is quite simply - a genius!! 
Navy and maroon next........!

Challenges -
Die Cutting Divas - Make it Sparkle
Cuttlebug Mania - Light in the Darkness
Holly Jolly - A/thing Christmas
CCC -  A/thing Christmas

Winter

Happy Monday! I hope today has been a good start to your week.
Back to inkyness again for today's share.
Have quite enjoyed making some 'scenic' cards this year - OK they're not as accomplished as some of you can do here in blogland but I think I AM getting a little better.

I bought this stamp just before Christmas last year and made a couple of cards with it. This time I tried to make more depth and shadows with the ink (see- told you am getting adventurous!)
Because I wanted a much bigger card than the stamp, I also added another smaller berry branch (another Penny Black stamp) at the end of the fence.
I tried too to give the impression that the fence actually disappeared into the snow - not sure I have managed it but hey!

Images stamped with Versafine Onyx Black.
Used some red Stickles on all the berries - on reflection maybe I should have tried some white Pearlies? Might try that next time if I do another!
Inks used - Tumbled Glass, Stormy Sky, Salty Ocean and Weathered Wood.
Have a great day whatever you're doing! 😊x  

Challenges -
Craft Rocket - Winter Time
Time Out - A/Goes with Glitter/Shimmer
4 Crafty Chicks - Winter Wonderland
Allsorts #391 - Anything Christmas
CCC #50 - Anything Christmas
MAWTT - Anything Christmas

Blogger Blues!

Evening everyone! Am not sure I like Blogger supposedly 'improving' things.... changes have not improved anything at all in my book  - a pain in the wotsit if you ask me. Why fix it if it ain't broken???
Anyway, here's a card from me today....

We had snow earlier this week. It lay for a couple of days - not a thick covering but enough so that the sheep in the filed looked like they had midget legs!
The snow there though was white - not Pool Party!
This is something that I saw on Pinterest (where else) and liked the idea so here's my version!

I have not bought any new stash for months and months and the trouble is there's so much new stuff about I have no idea which I really want -  and of course come February am I ever going to have any time to use it?

Hence I don't have any of the stitched dies - so I improvised and used a Dovecraft ruler which has perforated holes in it - which is why they aren't straight!!
Sentiment embossed in white and a bit of silver thread used for the 'tag'.
Just used two different snowflake stamps onto my fave white linen card.
Finished with some sparkly blingy.

Challenges -
Make My Monday - CAS Christmas
Crafty Creations - Christmas
Crafting By Designs- Christmas
Addicted to Stamps - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by - appreciate the visit! x 

Seeing Stars

Happy Saturday!
I have had a mammoth card making fest the last 2 days - day off tomorrow as I am travelling tonight to attend another Presentation in the Midlands, although I may get home tomorrow at a reasonable time - weather permitting!
We've had quite a bit of snow the last 2 days (one of the perils of living so high up!) and the window up here on the top floor is completely covered - although DH has been out this morning and says the roads on the lower levels are fine - we just have to negotiate down to the main road and the motorway!!

I bought these hessian stars last year and found them when looking for something else and I remembered a rustic style card I had seen which used a wooden star - hence an idea. I have no idea why I bought these excepting they were reduced! They are actually I think a little big for cards and probably were intended for a garland or something.

White linen card used as my base.
An Indigo Blu script stamps embossed in gold provided the background and I then randomly dabbed a paintbrush rubbed over an embossing pad to make the smudgy bits!
A couple of star stamps also embossed in gold.

The hessian star was simply stuck on using foam pads so it is a little raised from the card.

The two stars were die cuts which got a triple embossing treatment - serves them right - they were just laying there on the desk.....

I used some gold metallic embroidery thread - this thread was out of my Mum's embroidery stash - (I still have lots of colours left!) but there's something about gold and white that just shouts Christmas to me!!
The sentiment is from SU.
Challenges
4 Crafty Chicks - Fabric
Crimbo Crackers - A/goes
CRAFT - Christmas
Christmas at Sweet Stampin - A/Goes
Daring Cardmakers - Insp by Christmas Carol (Bright Star of Bethlehem - here) 
Stamplorations - Stamp and 3 (my 3 stars!)

Thanks for paying me a call today - hope you are warm and dry wherever you are! x😃

More Trees and a Super Moon!

Hello to you all from a very wet and windy north west of England! Not too warm either!
Have had a couple of free days since my last post - but went to a meeting yesterday -my train was delayed and the very unhelpful Virgin man said I couldn't transfer to another train and had to wait for the delayed one (which was over an hour late). Got myself agitated as I didn't want everyone else to be hanging about waiting for me - eventually managed to get myself on another (quicker) train with the help of a lovely man from Trans Pennine and arrived only 15 minutes late. Unimpressed with the Virgin employee and have complained about him!
Meeting over, uneventful trip home then into PJ's and the craft space for chill out.

Still have a bit of an inky fest going on - so here's another offering.
This time I used a Penny Black stamp called Christmas Park and embossed in white. Running out of White am using it that much at the moment!

Masked off the 'super' moon (actually it's a £2 coin) and underneath the top of the first white boundary line then out with the ink dusters.
Inks were - Spun Sugar, Picked Raspberry and Milled Lavender.   Wasn't too sure about pink sky but I quite like it.
The 'pathway' was watercoloured with Pumice Stone

I used a 'hill and mountain' acetate mask for the bottom, lightly dusting the Tumbled Glass DI on the little mounds randomly.
Added a wee bit of glamour dust for sparkle.
Was a bit unhappy about the sentiment - opted to use a grey ink instead of black - it's not quite as sharp as I wanted it but overall am not too upset!

Challenges -
CAS Mix Up - Stamp and Mask
Sparkles Monthly - Christmas is Coming
Cardz4Gals- Contemporary Christmas
Inky Chicks- Winter Wonderland
TIOT - Trees

Thanks for visiting me today - have a lovely day whatever you're doing. x

Seeing Stars

A one layer card this morning to share - have done a couple of these in different colours - batch made some for Christmas which I will get round to sharing in a little while, but this one was made for someone who the sentiment fits perfectly.

It has been nice this week being able just to do what I wanted (excepting the housework of course 'cos no one wants to have to do that) - am away again tomorrow for another Presentation but hopefully will be able to share some makes and visit you all sometime today.

Been at it again with the dusters - the inky kind that is. Masked off , dusted then just randomly stamped the stars and gold embossed.
The sentiment is from Technique Tuesday.

It is sooo long since I entered the Less Is More challenge due to my Bowls England commitments but am paying them a visit this week where their theme is One Layer and Books or Literature. So 'The Fault in Our Stars' by John Green is  my choice. Am hoping that during the (slightly) calmer winter months I will be able to visit LIM a little more often!

I am sorry about the poor photo quality - it is another grey and damp day here in the North West! The card base is a bright white not the dismal colour as shown here!

Other Challenges -
Alphabet - S for Stars
Country View - Stars
CAS Mix Up November - Masking

Cuppa in hand - am away for a visit to blogland - thanks for looking and have a great day whatever you're doing. x

'Me' Time!

In the absence of Presentations to attend for a few days it's been really nice just doing things for me! And although I really DO need to do some housework/bed changing etc over the next couple of days, I ignored the dust yesterday and sat myself in the craftie space! Today I have had a couple of hours at a nearby indoor just bowling for fun with the OH - and now am firmly back in the craftie space (Dust again ignored.....)

 Result? I am feeling very smug as I am actually making Christmas Cards!!

All CAS, (and there is something very calming about making things uncluttered - just what I need after all the hectic pace of the last 8 months) -most nice and flat for posting - although I confess to adding a few blingy bits here and there on some - which I will share another time -  and the Christmas stash is swelling a little. Long way to go though.

Here's a bit of inky embossed nonsense to share, using up a piece of left over card for the matting.
The stamp is old so can't tell you anything about it!
White embossed then once again the dusters used for inking - I am getting on so much better with these now I have stopped trying to overload them with colour and build up the colour gradually.
The sentiment is a Penny Black one inked in Tumbled Glass DI.

My stocks of plain white card are quite low so time to start on the ton of linen and coloured card I have and not used. Got to make the most of the free time!

Challenges -
Inky Chicks -  Winter Wonderland
Cardz4Guyz- Oh Christmas Tree
TIOT - Trees (green or any other colour)
Holly Jolly - Trees
PB & M - Anything Christmas

Snow is forecast for us tonight -  goodie!! More Crafting Time!!
Thanks for looking today - have a great day whatever you're doing. x

Christmas Sentiments

November is here and our challenge this time at Stamping Sensations is designed to get you going for Christmas if you haven't already started!
The theme is 'Christmas Sentiment' so a nice broad theme - but please remember we need to see stamping as the focal point of your project.  

Please go over to the blog, check out the rules and check out what prize we have up for grabs this challenge as this is a scheduled post!

I am definitely not organised for Christmas- no change there then.....

I have had such a busy year travelling and now am on the round of Annual Presentation Dinners all over the country - so I am using that as my excuse for the distinct lack of Christmas makes this year!


This was a simple card to do.

The trees were stamped using a Brilliance Ink Pad called 'Pearlescent Ice Blue'. It's a gorgeous shade and beautifully iridescent - this pic does not do it justice at all as it has made it look more grey than it actually is!

Stamped and shadow stamped, then through the cuttlebug with the snow embossing folder.
Stazon Dove Grey used for the sentiment - which is one of my fave Christmas stamps as I love the script! Dabbed a little bit of Diamond Stickles round the base of the trees.... got to have some bling!
At least I have made ONE card this year!!
Thanks for looking - have a great day whatever you're doing! x

Other Challenges -
Fashionable Stamping - Trees
CCC #46 - A/Goes
CHC#306 - Anything Christmas

Post updated 7th November - Having a rare relax day today - just got a bit of paperwork to sort then  a day to myself - let's hop Mr Mojo puts in an appearance! x

Sunset

Simply not had any time since my last post - done a lot of travelling in the last week. Snatched a couple of hours this morning and did some inky backgrounds. A lot are for Christmas but I also needed a birthday card for a man.

Am practicing using different Distress Ink colours together and this was one of those combos.
Fired Brick, Festive Berries, Mustard Seed and Squeezed Lemonade.

I also opted to use an Ink Duster this time instead of my sponging.
The landscape die is 'never before used'!
The finished article looks vaguely familiar so it may well be that I have seen one similar somewhere!

The panel was mounted onto white linen card for a bit of texture. Made a bit of a mess of stamping the sentiment but wanted to finish SOMETHING, so not a lot I could do about it!
Keep thinking I will invest in a Misti..... maybe Father Christmas will bring one.

Off to the Playground as both the inked panel and the card used for the die were left overs. (3 weeks in a row - definitely something of a record for me at the moment!).

Other Challenges -
AAA- Masculine CAS
CYP - A/Goes
CFTH - A/Goes
Artistic Inspirations - A/Goes

Hope all is OK in your part of the world  - have a great day whatever you're doing. x

Good Intentions.....

Full of good intentions last week with a few free days - sum total of cards made = 3. THREE??? I mean REALLY???
Can't believe how much my brain refused to come up with anything more exciting than a couple of CAS Christmas Cards - but suppose I should be grateful that I have made 3 more for the Xmas stash!

Intended to share this before the weekend - but best laid plans and all that..
so here it is now - and my thanks to the amazing Loll for the inspiration.

Smooshed a left over of white linen card with DI's, Peeled Paint, Mowed Lawn and Shabby Shutters.
Once dry, used some gold cosmic shimmer powder and literally flicked and  splashed it onto the piece of card - (and on the walls, the PC screen and anywhere else left uncovered.....) then misted lightly with some water.

Left it to dry then cut out with a Christmas Tree dies, mounted onto foam and placed onto the gold edged panel.
The sentiment also simply stamped in metallic gold ink.
Quite happy with this too I think!

Snippet used so am away to the Playground - two weeks on the trot is a record recently!!
Other challenges -
613 Avenue Create - Green and Gold
CCC - Anything Goes
CRAFT - Christmas
MAWTT - Trees

Thanks for taking the time to stop by today - enjoy your day whatever you're doing! x 

Getting On

Have been completely uninspired whilst I have had my few free days - really irritating! I thought perhaps I should just then go and make a start on a few Christmas cards - brain blank!
Had to seek inspiration elsewhere and am beginning to wonder if Pinterest really IS such a good thing 'cos maybe it is TOO easy to just go trawling and find something to CASE instead of thinking for yourself?
Anyway I opted for the 'too easy' course and had a quick trawl and then remembered the new Muse Challenge  (No 188) and the lovely colour Jenni had used on her CAS card.
So armed with a starting point of the colour and the placement of an edged panel, I came up with this -

 I am beginning to be more and more drawn to CAS- in particular for Christmas as they're good for making batches! And I hope I am mastering the technique without it looking too plain. 

A snippet of white card, masked off the bottom and used a 1p piece for the masking of the moon! (All I had on the desk.....LOL)

Brushed on some Tumbled Glass DI and used a much neglected  Pine Branch Stamp inked in Versafine Smokey Gray.

Ran the piece through a snow EF and then matted it onto a snippet of black card.
The sentiment is from SU.

I made a couple like this using different colours for the sky and a berry stamp - will share these later.

Quite happy with these and at least I have made a start!!!

Challenges -
Pixies Playground - Snippets Week 251
That's Crafty - CAS
ABC Christmas Challenge - U 'Under the Pile'
CHCCE - Anything Christmas Goes

Thanks for stopping by - have a lovely day whatever you're doing. x

A Day to Myself

Happy Tuesday! Well Happy the next 3 days actually - am home until Friday and was looking forward to ignoring the housework and burrowing into the crafty space, just emerging for the odd cup of tea and a biscuit.
As usual, I sat down and thought 'What shall I do' - Answer - 'Absolutely Nothing.' How frustrating to have a whole day to do stuff for me and not be able to think of anything. Mr Mojo left far far away either on my quick relaxing holiday last week or with all the mayhem that has surrounded the entire summer season. Wherever he is I hope he comes back soon.

I desperately wanted to pay a visit into the Playground as it's been weeks since the last time and am missing everyone.

So with that in mind and a teeny scrap of white card laying on the desk I popped a circle die over it and inked with a few DI's. (Fossilized Amber, Mustard Seed, Squeezed Lemonade). Cut it out and then hunted out this ancient Cherry Blossom stamp.

I love this stamp. It was one of the first I bought whilst all things 'oriental' was the trend. I have never tired of it and no I can't tell you the manufacturer cos it was a wood backed one and I removed the wood backing when storage became a problem!

A quick card - the finished result not too bad and am hoping that it will inspire me now to use up my precious spare time getting back into making something!

I want to thank all my blogging buddies who have continued to visit my scheduled DT posts whilst I have been so busy on the Presidential train. I am making it my business to call round all of you whilst I have these few days spare! Get the kettle on!!
Challenges -
Addicted to Stamps - CAS
ABC - Q for Quick
Rubber Dance (October)- Colours (and I chose Yellow)
CFTH - Anything Goes
Stamplorations (Oct) - Stamps and Sponging

Autumn Shades

We have a brilliant prize for you this month at Stamping Sensations and our challenge theme is 'Shades of Autumn'. Pic of prize is shown at the end of this post!
Would love for you to join us - please check out the challenge rules carefully as we are a stamping challenge and the stamp MUST be the focal point of your submissions!
Back to another CAS card for me this month but I did manage to get inky.
I used cream textured card and after making a mess of a one layer attempt ended up doing a separate panel attached with 3d foam pads!

Masked off the panel then sponged DI's Barn door, Dried Marigold and Squeezed Lemonade, blending together as I went along.

The leaf stamp was 1 of a set of 4 and is very old.
Stamped randomly then gold embossed.

Script stamp is by Indigo Blu inked with Versamark Toffee Crunch.

After removing the masking tape I simply ran a gold gel panel along the top and bottom of the panel, finishing with the gold embossed sentiment.

So get out all the colours that remind you of Autumn and come and join us this month - you could win these.......

I am currently having a little break away from my Presidential Team duties and other bowls commitments. Some seriously needed down time necessary - it's been non stop this year! A little bit of sun and a big chill out!!
I will get to visit you all though  as soon as I get back home, so thank you for visiting and for any comments you leave me.

Other Challenges
Crafty Boots - Autumn is in the Air
CAS on Sunday - Heat Embossing
Glitter n Sparkle - Autumn
PB&more - Autumn Colour

One for the Boys - and finally in my own bed!

The summer months have quickly passed and here we are in September already! Time for another challenge at Stamping Sensations and this month the theme is 'One for The Boys'. Our prize is shown at the end of this post!  
PLEASE REMEMBER WE ARE A STAMPING CHALLENGE AND HAVE TO SEE STAMPING AS THE FOCAL POINT OF YOUR PROJECT.

For my card this month I opted for a vintage nautical look.
The papers are from a pad called 'Character' and I thought they were perfect for my travel theme.
I used neutral tones throughout layering the DP onto some kraft cardstock before adding it to the base card.
All stamping was done with Vintage Sepia Versamark ink.

I stamped the compass onto a text sheet from the same stack and fussy cut then stuck into the right top corner.

The left over sheet was used to stamp the sentiment and also to create the banner which I ran through my really old crimping machine. A couple of punched holes and some thick twine knotted at the top.

After stamping the image onto the hand made tag I added a little colour to the sea with 'Salty Ocean' DI. Inked the edges with Antique Linen. Same thick twine through the tag top.

Our prize is this selection of goodies  -  

Hope you will join us!

Other Challenges -
Pixies Playground
Gem of a Challenge - Twine
Just Us Girls - Travel

So - those of you who follw me will know I have been AWOL for a ridiculously long time - 32 days to be exact!
Arrived home yesterday from the National Championships - we were really lucky with the weather - just 2 bad days. I collapsed into my own bed last night - LOVED IT!!
Only two more nights home then am off again this time to Elgin in Scotland for the Under 25 Mens Internationals... home next week but will have time whilst here to come and visit you all. Coffee, biscuit and blogland - all a girl could dream of!
Thanks for staying with me - missed you all. x

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

AT LAST!!

Since my last post (was it really such a long time ago?) I have travelled to Devon, Dorset, Hertfordshire, Wiltshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Somerset and Wales (TWICE!).
I have had four days at home and tomorrow it's back to Wales before going on to Warwickshire, Suffolk and Norfolk.  After that I am home for a entire week before off to Leamington Spa for the month of the National Championships.

Having caught up with the washing etc (and all those other dreaded things associated with housework), done some paperwork , last night I sat down in the craftie space (or should that read COLLAPSED in the craftie space???). There was a pile of odd bits on the desk (covered in dust!). They reminded me of a card seen a long time ago on the talented Birgit's blog. I kept a note of the layout etc in my 'bitty bits' file, dug it out and came up with this.

I used my usual fave textured white  card for the card base and matched it with an odd leftover panel. A scrap of the same textured card in black tidied up - thankfully just about the right size - and layered onto the panel.
An odd bit of vellum which was all tatty round the edges straightened up and then stamped with a small falling leaf stamp and sentiment in Black Versamark and then clear embossed.
A few tiny bronze beads (really fiddly and I nearly gave up!) threaded onto some twine, wrapped round the panel and tied, before attaching to the main card base.
Added a couple of black pearls and job done.
This is the first card I have made in such a long time - (I was organised with my DT posts and all cards done before the beginning of May!) - and it was nice to just have some 'me' time!
More 'me' time now - off to have a nice manicure and a bit of pampering!
Thanks for hanging in with me whilst my visits have been so rare - appreciate you all very much.
Have a lovely day whatever you're doing. x

Challenges
613 Avenue Create - Colour Column 'A;
PB & More - A/Goes with a Stamp
OSAAT - A/Goes with Nature Elements
Pixies Snippets - Week 238

Stamping Sensations Challenge - Anything Goes

We have the brilliant CRAFTY RIBBONS as out sponsor this month at Stamping Sensations and our challenge theme is 'Anything Goes'.
Would love for you to join us - please check out the challenge rules carefully as we are a stamping challenge and the stamp MUST be the focal point of your submissions!

It's back to another Christmas make for me this month - am trying my best to make a couple each month but sometimes the duties for Bowls England get in the way!
Once again the background pearlised card was a pig to photograph!

I used ink called 'Duck Egg' for the stamping - it was a pad bought in a bargain bucket for £1 and I love the colour!
Randomly stamping a variety of my snowflake stamps round the stamped greeting before popping on a few sparkly blue gems in the bigger of the centres.
The polka dot card was a snippet saved from something else, as was the punched aqua blue strip underneath.
Bit of sparkly edged ribbon to finish.

Other Challenges -
Pixie's Snippets Playground

Back In Time

As I am so short of any creativity I have resorted to CASEing my own cards!
To be truthful I am sacred of bees and wasps but liked this card the first time I did it and think I've made a better job of it this time.

When I did this first time round it was when I was experimenting with digi stamps. Although I prefer hand stamped images (just my personal choice) there's no doubt that some digis rank amongst my faves and I always thought this was a pretty stamp.

I made our little stingy stripey friend 3d by printing out again and fussy cutting then mounting on foam pads.
A little bit of blingy to the wings was definitely required after colouring the image with Distress Inks.

I am trying to remember who I should give credit to for the stamp and sentiment. I think it was TLC - but to be fair it was that long ago I'm struggling to remember.

At least I have made SOMETHING!!! Am starting to get really frustrated as I am only home for another day before my Vice Presidential duties are upon me again for another week away - and no matter how hard I have wanted to make messy all I have done is stare at an empty and clean desk!!!

Challenges -
Addicted to CAS - Fly
613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes with optional twist Sights of Summer
Crafty Boots - Summer
CCB - Winged things

It's currently nothing like Summer here - hasn't stopped raining!
Hope all is well where you are. x

Great sentiments!

Sadly my good intentions to spend some time in the craftie space on my return from the International series just went out of the window. Have spent the last 2 days doing paperwork, house work and other work!!! Have a meeting tonight but made myself sit for an hour to rest my back and make something (again Mr Mojo not here)....

Image from LOTV with some stronger colour added with Promarkers. I don't have to make a lot of kids cards but these pads have been useful for the odd ones I do have to make!
All of the papers are from my stash and are left overs. Playground for a quick visit then!)
Sewing machine was uncovered as I have been hemming a pair of bowling trousers and it seemed a shame to put it away without using it to add some interest to the card.

The sentiment is one of the set of kids sayings that I have had for years too... but all of them in the set make me smile.

I added a rather large button  from my stash (as it was the right colour) and a snippet of ribbon.
Looks OK despite Mr Mojo being on his holidays still - I think?
Am hoping that over the next few days I can get out my inks and really create something instead of staring vacantly at stamps and embossing folders!!!

Challenges -
Male Room - Buttons
Ruby's Rainbow - Square
Crafty Sentiment Designs - Kids
Crafty Creations - A/Goes.

Thanks for calling and leaving any comments. Really appreciate it and despite my absences it's nice to know you're all still with me in blogland!
Have a great day whatever you're doing. x

In the absence of Mojo

(I have a 12 hour window at home before heading off again and I prepared this draft post so that I would have something to share!)
Whilst home last week it didn't matter how long I sat and stared at stamps, inks and paper Mr Mojo steadfastly refused to show his face....
I did something I hardly ever do and went and bought a crafting mag (silly prices) along with my Family History magazine!
Back home I mooched about putting some skin on the bones of  my 'dead people' for a little while (am currently researching more of the social history side of my roots) then turned my attention to the craft mag.
I liked the free stamp and stencil set and also rather liked the freebie toppers this time. As normal I wasn't fussed on the papers but in the absence of  Mojo needs must so I decided to do something else which I rarely do and use the toppers!
Here's the first one.
I used Tilda's Flowergarden papers, and a little Antique Linen distress ink on the edges of the layered piece.
Quite liked this little topper. Popped a pearl on her headband a a wee bit of stickles for some blingy!
The ribbon roses were from my stash (had them forever) and I carried on the papers inside.

I know I have a teapot charm somewhere and once I get my grubby mitts on it I will attach it!

Quite happy with this - made quickly and looks OK... but Mr Mojo is still nowhere to be seen sadly.
Although I am now off on my travels again (Leicester, Hertfordshire and Edinburgh) over the next 2 weeks so maybe I will find him whilst I am away.

Challenges -
CFAS - Make it Girly
CFTH - A/Goes
TTCRD - A/Goes

Thanks for looking - am sorry I haven't been able to visit you all. Back next week and have a few days at home so will catch up with everyone then. x

Peacock Goose!

The sunshine has deserted us so far today although it is still very warm and humid. We had a big storm last night and likely will get another today judging by the sky!
I have a free day (as long as I ignore the housework!) so have a bit of time to go into the craftie space.
I have made another 'man' card. (Feel free to applaud - LOL)

The second one I have done like this and not my original design!

But I needed something to get me back into making after all the travelling and I appear to have left Mr Mojo at a bowls club somewhere - cos he deffo ain't here with me.

All the card is from SU. Mr Goose stamped onto a scrap of white card and the oddments from the main card layered behind. I painted his chest with a little Peacock Feathers DI!
Banner made with the rest of the card and three brads added.
Woodgrain background and the sentiment also from SU.

I might again have to have a look into my 'Inspiration' folder and case something as I am sat here with a blank desk and an even more blank mind!! I am really angry as for the first time in weeks I have a day where I can create and 'create' has disappeared!!

Challenges -
Addicted to Stamps - Make Your Mark
TIOT - All about Him
Tueday Throwdown - Man's World
Crafty Boots - Masculine
OLLCB - 1 for the Boys.

Thanks for having time to call by - if you find Mr Mojo please can you send him home?
Have a great day whatever you're doing. x

The Weigh In

Time for another challenge at Stamping Sensations and this month the theme is 'FEATURE A CREATURE'. (Don't forget that stamping has to be the main focus of your entry!)
Our sponsors are the terrific Be Creative who are offering another fab prize of £35 worth of embossing crystals!.

Do you remember every single stamp you have? This House Mouse stamp was tucked away into a drawer of wood backed stamps that I very rarely look at! Found it whilst looking for something else. Had completely forgotten I owned it and as I don't possess many animal stamps I can't understand why I'd not remembered it.

Stamped image and coloured with Promarkers. The background was rubbed with pastel chalk and sealed.
I think the background paper must be at least 5 years old!
The sentiment was from TLC and the cupcake was cut from a snippet left in an old paper pad.

I used a Fiskars leaf punch on the odd bits of card left over from the matting and layering. (Playground for me then!!)
A simple band of cream grossgrain ribbon and some dark bronze pearls finished the front and I used the same papers on the inside.

Hope you will have a go with us this month!

Other challenges -
Crafting With Dragonflies - Animals
Stamping Boutique - Furry Friends
Aud Sentiments - A/Goes with Sentiment

Enjoying some glorious sunshine on my few days rest at home - hope it stays!x

Blogger Blues.

Have been travelling since my last post and so tired at the end of the day even when I could get internet connection I couldn't stay awake long enough to post anything! A lovely week though (even if cold and (Tuesday) very very wet in the South ( so much so on Tuesday we had to abandon ship and play indoors!!), but the week was spolit a little by two things -
1.  The 6 and a half hour drive home last night - entry slip onto M6 shut so stayed on M1, then the M1 closed at the junction with the M62. NIGHTMARE.
2.  Mr Blogger didn't publish my GDT post for CAS on Sunday. NOT HAPPY!

So I am posting it now and I apologise to the lovely people at CAS on Sunday on behalf of Mr Nasty Blogger for it not being shown on the day their challenge went live.

The theme for the challenge is SPARKLE. So we had to add some bling!
This card is definitely another quick one but I was quite happy with the result.

I used a stamp I have had for a while and simply gold embossed. Some little sparklies added and a torn strip of vellum also gold embossed with a greeting. Finished!

Challenges -
Addicted to Stamps - Anything Goes
The Crafty Addicts - Anything Goes with Bling

Thanks for looking. Will be back later to catch up with you all - but right now the washing needs to be done! x

Quickie!

A very quick post with a share as I am making my way down to the South Coast for a trip to the Isle of Wight this weekend followed by a couple of days in mainland Hampshire! (Weather here in the North is not very nice so hoping southern climes may at least be dry!)

So in keeping with sun sea and sand, here's a little effort made with a scrap of sandpaper after being inspired by a talented lady from SCS called Darlene.

Just an inky panel (Tumbled Glass for the sky and Salty Ocean for the sea)

Bit of sandpaper stolen from dear husband's tool box and my fave little birdies from the Wetlands set by SU.

Loved it when I saw Darlene's make and am happy with my copy!

As I used a left over piece for my inky panel I am paying a quick visit to the Playground (wonder if my 'stolen scrap of sandpaper counts as a snippet too???!)  

Challenges -
Fab n Funky - No designer papers
Sisterhood of Crafters - No designer papers
ATS&M - CAS

Have a great weekend everyone!

Finally!

Followers of my blog will know that a couple of weeks ago I was asked if I could make a Wedding card. Well who doesn't like a wedding???? The answer is ME. Because as soon as I said 'Of Course I can', I was given a list of very specific instructions as to what I had to include!!
I started the card without much enthusiasm I confess. As I tried to work out how to incorporate everything my already low enthusiasm diminished even more.
But my Mum always said that you should never give up  - so I didn't and think now I have presented something reasonably passable.
Instructions - 1. " One of your 'stand-up' cards (hope she meant Easel LOL), 2. Te couple are in their 50's so no 'young brides or grooms' (???), 3. He likes trains  4. She's a musician  5. Please add their names too
SIMPLES......................................................... not.
So here's the finished article. A front view and a stand up view

I used the brick embossing folder on the bottom to try and make it look like the couple were dancing towards the vintage train - they are raised up from the card so it does have a perspective effect in real life. I think the bride's head-dress has a vintage 20's feel to it so hopefully that counts as 'not young'!!
The clouds folder was a mag freebie and I rubbed some pale blue pastel chalk to give the sky a bit of colour.
I put the same grey shiny (not mirri) card behind the die cut train (the left over from the matting piece used) and punched out a few musical notes for steam.
The 'Just Married' sign was PC generated and hung with some embroidery thread. The card is in fact bright white so I mustn't be very good at pic taking as it looks quite dull here! 
Used the same musical notes punch for the base and added another sign with the couple's names secured with a silver heart brad.
Heaved a sigh of relief when this was finished - can only hope the person who ordered it thinks it is OK!

Challenges -
Allsorts - Vintage
Crafting with Dragonflies - Wedding
CFAS - Embossing
Creative Moments - Black/White and Grey
Crafty Catz - Dies and Punches


Thanks for visiting - have a lovely day whatever you're doing. x

TEN DAYS????????

Cannot believe I have been away from my blog for 10 days! Are you all still out there???
I am really sorry that I have not come calling - real life has caught up with me. Situation not made any better by dear husband deciding to injure his back last Thursday. We were supposed to be going on the current President's tour to Cornwall this week - but here I am at home having to do most things as he is laid up. Chiropractor Monday, again on Thursday and then we hope he will be feeling a bit better and able to get about.
So consequently, no time to craft but in true 'Blue Peter' tradition here is one I made earlier!

I didn't have a lot of man cards in my stash and am not very bright when it comes to layouts and designs so I say a big thank you to Beverley who provided the inspiration for this card.

I have been trying to use up the coloured cardstock and be a little more adventurous with stamping in colours other than black and brown. I am still not 100% sure I like using coloured card as bases but have to use it up somehow!

The stamps were all inked with Adirondack 'Stonewashed'. It's that long since I used this ink pad it has now nearly dried up - I only just managed to get a decent impression with it (as you can tell from the sentiment stamp) and it has now been firmly placed in the bin.

I used a lot of snippets for this card too so will be away to the Playground as it's been such a long time since I visited.

I think if I did this card again I would stamp in a darker blue - although it looks OK in real life.

Challenges -
PB & More - Anything Goes
Fussy & Fancy - Birthdays
Stamps + Fun - Male
OSAAT - Vintage

I intend to spend tonight visiting you all and getting on with a commissioned card - in between seeing to the 'patient'!
Thanks for coming to see today - appreciate it. x

Birthday!

For my DT card this month at Stamping Sensations, I made my friend a birthday card.

Our challenge is Anything Goes which I know will be a favourite with everyone - please remember though - WE ARE A STAMPING CHALLENGE!!! This means that the focal point of your project has to be stamped!

My friend likes soft green colours and likes vintage as long as it's not too 'over the top'!

had fingers crossed that this was just right - and happily for me she loved it!

The clock stamp is by Anne Marie, cut with a nestie label and coloured with Distress Inks.

I sponged some Peeled Paint DI round the edge as it was a near enough match to the polka dot paper and used a script stamp from the same set randomly stamping on both polka dot paper and the nestie.

 
The sentiment stamp is from the Sweet Paris set.

A lot of odd scraps used here - the lace across the diagonal, the hand dyed green seam binding and the organza rose are all odd bits from the scraps box

The heart button and the little tab are from the Sweet Paris collection and I added some green pearls to finish the front and continued the theme inside.

Other challenges -

OSAAT - Vintage

CWD - Vintage/Shabby

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - A/Goes

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