Magical

I was delighted to have been asked to contribute as a Guest Designer at Try It On Tuesday for their new challenge.

The challenge is set fortnightly and this time the theme is 'MAKE IT MAGICAL'.
My card is made using stamps from Lavinia and Inkylicious.

The background was blended using Stormy Sky at the bottom then graduating to Shaded Lilac for the 'hills'.

My sky was a mix of Spun Sugar and Shaded Lilac.

I resisted the temptation to keep adding flora and fauna in the blank space on the card as I didn't want to detract from our little man who was out for a stroll in his woodland home when he discovered this spotty flower - as with all naughty and curious boys he couldn't resist poking it with his finger!
 
The spots were dotted with a Posca pen and the fairy words stamped at the sides using Shaded Lilac DI.
I finished off with a few tiny white spatters concentrated towards the bottom of the card.

Thanks to the talented ladies at TIOT for having me and I hope you like my card!
Am sure they would love to see your magical creations in their link up too! x

Just Beachy!

I made something similar to this some time ago as a thank you to a friend who had given us the use of their beautiful lodge down on the South coast for a few days break.

Whilst having a sort out I found this square shadow box so I replicated the scene only on a much smaller scale. The scene measures just 3".

It was a project that I enjoyed doing although I am fast running out of wall space - I have a tiny spot in the downstairs cloakroom for this!

Heavy watercolour card for the background as I wanted some texture and some loose watercolouring.

The boat was in a box of bits - at some point it came from a laser cut sheet I think - that long ago I've forgotten. It was a little tatty but once glued it looked OK!

The 'sand' is in fact sandpaper ( dear husband won't notice that a little scrap has gone from his tool box!).

I sponged some Gesso along the torn edge to try and replicate foam (not sure I managed it) as the waves reach the beach

The shells are really small but I collect a few every time we go to a beach - I am actually quite fascinated by sea shells - I love the tactile feel of them and the array of colours.
These were from a trip to one of my fave beaches in the North of Scotland at Lossiemouth.
The 'rope' is a tiny scrap of string.

The outside of the box was given a wash of gesso and some light brushing of Weathered Wood randomly.

Linking up at
TIOT _ Here comes Summer

I hope the sun is shining in your part of blogland! x

CAS Mix Up July Challenge

 We have a new challenge today at CAS MIX UP set by Linda. This month is Watercolour month and Linda has set the theme of 'Things with Wings'.

I have been playing about a little with Brushos - I am not confident using them as I am a little too heavy handed and the card usually ends up swimming with blob pools!

But here's my card for our challenge -
Green shades are not colours I use often, maybe I was inspired by all the green in the garden!

Brushos applied first then once the card had dried I stamped the background with some grungy stamps which I have had for ever, then stamped the 2 butterflies direct onto the card for placement.

The 2 butterflies were from different sets - and remember I mentioned about blob pools?

Well my first attempt ended up very blobby and was still blobby when I stamped and fussy cut the butterflies so I smooshed them through the wet bits and then stuck them on top of the stamped ones!

Hope you can join us this month - the rest of the DT have some fabulous makes to inspire you over on the blog!
Watercolour, Wings and keep your make CAS - that's all you need to do and I am looking forward to seeing your creations! x

Friends

One of the amazing things about Blogland for me has been the number of lovely people who have come into my world and stayed there.
Even though there are many I have never met I feel very lucky to have all these people in my life, they are generous, supportive, encouraging and I count them all among my friends.

My share today is for Loll.  

I mailed her a different birthday card which I hope she has received by now, but this is one I made especially for her for our CAS 'on-line birthday share'.
Once again though I am disappointed with the pic as it simply doesn't show the dimension or colours in a true reflection!

This is a Lisa Horton 3d embossing folder called Bold Blooms inked with shades of pink and lilac.

The sentiment is white heat embossed on vellum.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOLL. x

We have had some very hot days recently but it is more normal temperatures now - and with the normal temps has of course come the rain - which although irritates me, it made the garden and my pots happy!
I hope the sun is shining in your part of blogland. x

Sharing my card over at
Inkspirational - prompt word is Precious (which is what my blogging buddies are to me)
Alphabet - F for Friendship
Just Add Ink - Flowers
CYHTP - A/goes

Sparkly Flower

Whilst doing my DT makes for the CAS Mix Up challenge of 'Gels and Pastes', I made a couple more so this one is destined to be added to our gallery which is full of gorgeous creations!
(I'll share the others I made at some point.)

I love this floral spray stencil from Honey Doo - it comes as a pair - this smaller one and a really large one big enough to fill a DL card (which I have - twice!!)

I used another Honey Doo stencil for the background and inked lightly in pastel colours.

The floral spray was done using Glitter Kiss paste which is amazingly sparkly and I love it!
Finished with a gold embossed sentiment.

I am though having a lot of bother trying to find somewhere inside the new place to get decent pics, eventually I will find somewhere that isn't full of shadows or is that bright everything looks ice blue white!

We've had some beautiful weather the last few days - fingers crossed we get more of the same!

Hope the sun is shining in your part of blogland and thanks for looking. x

CAS Christmas - June

I was happy to see that CAS Christmas has also re-started this month after the CAS challenges extended break. It really helps me with the Christmas card stash!

The challenge this time is 'Wreath'.
To make my card I drew a circle with a green watercolour pencil then used a very small ferny branch stamp inked in Versamagic Aloe Vera, over-stamping it lots of times round the pencil drawn circle.

I had another tiny pine branch stamp and added a few random stampings in Sage Green to try and give some variety - Looking back maybe I should have alternated them round the circle as they don't show up too well in the pic but too late now! 
Both of these tiny stamps were free in a magazine some time ago - and as is usual this is the first time they've seen ink.

The candle was a bit of an experiment which didn't turn out too bad. Nuvo Crystal Drops filled in a hand drawn candle - and in real life it actually looks like wax - so a plus!

Red Nuvo used to create a few berries and some gold glitter for the candle flame with an SU sentiment to finish.

I used some ivory hammered cardstock for this make and to be honest it really doesn't photograph very well but thanks for looking.
I'll be back in a couple of days as I have been having a fun time  making messy with pastes and stencils which are our current CAS Mix Up challenge! (If you scroll down you'll see what I have done so far!)
Hope all is well in your part of blogland. x

CAS Mix Up Mid Month Reminder

 Mid way through June and here's my reminder post for CAS Mix Up!

The challenge this time has been set by Loll and is a Stencil one using 'Gels and/or Pastes'. I really hope you can join us if you've not already done so and don't forget to make your entry CAS!

I used a colour combo that I've seen several times before and it just appealed to me! Rocket Red and Peacock Feathers are not colours I would normally put together but I think they work well!

I used gesso for my stencil and once the gesso had dried I re-applied the stencil and sponged over it. Did a couple of random watercolour splodges with the Peacock Feathers D.Ox.

The flower is by Visible Image, stamped, coloured and fussy cut. Was a bit fiddly but managed it!

We've some lovely cards in our gallery - hope you are there too!

Thanks for looking! x
PS - Thank you to everyone who sent me cards and messages today, I've had a lovely birthday!

It's a man thing!

 Hands up those who like making 'man' cards........ mmmmmm thought so - not many of you is there?!  And I am with you keeping my hands firmly by my side - but - whilst you're in the mood (and trust me I wasn't to begin with), you have to go with the flow so here it is

I cut a piece of heavy cardstock to the exact size of the Tim Holtz 'Alterations' embossing folder.

I inked it up with Peeled Paint, Bundled Sage, Antique Linen and Rusty Hinge randomly to start then spritzed with water before running through the Big Shot.
Left it to dry out a bit.

Rubbed over the top of the impression lightly with Vintage Photo and Brushed Corduroy, being careful (for once!) not to press down too hard as I only wanted the clock faces highlighted!

Chopped the panel into 3 pieces, matted on gold mirri card and mounted onto dark brown cardstock.
A gold heat embossed sentiment to finish and one man card done!

Sharing over at
TIOT - Man in your Life
Let's Squash It - Make it Manly
Alphabet - E for Emboss
Crafty Friends - Men
CYHTP - A/Goes

We have had a sunny weekend here but it has been very windy - good for drying the washing but not so much for the hair!
Hope the sun has shined where you are and thank you for looking! x

CAS MIX UP JUNE CHALLENGE

 CAS Mix Up is back this month after our extended break. The challenge this time has been set by Loll and is a Stencil one using 'Gels and/or Pastes'. I really hope you can join us and don't forget to make your entry CAS!

I started by using a masked off square and lightly inked using Twisted Citron blending outwards, then took another stencil and lightly brushed shades of pink and green round the square.

My Cherry Blossom stencil is by Indigo Blu. I wanted a shiny effect for the blossom so used some heavy structure gel first which dries clear but leaves a raised impression.

Once dry I sponged (very carefully!) a deep pink over the flowers and a light brown for the branches.

Finished with a few Gold Pearl drops for the flower centres.

It has a wonderful shine in real life and although it doesn't show very well in the photo, the structure gel has given a good dimension.

The sentiment is from Stampin Up.

There are some gorgeous makes from my buddies on the DT over at the challenge blog and our guest designers Jules and Darnell. I am looking forward to seeing your creations in our gallery too!
Linking up at
A2S+M - Stencils
Thanks for looking today! x

Gilded

I haven't played with Gilding Flakes for a while - mainly because I am messy at the best of times and gilding flakes are really not something I should be allowed to get my hands on.😳

I did though manage not to have too much of the stuff floating about the place this time - a minor miracle!

I have used both of these stamps before (card is HERE) but thought I would try the flakes with the same stamps to see what it looked like.

The verdict is - not too bad at all considering I am a 'flaky' novice!

The bird house is a really old stamp from Chocolate Baroque formerly Elusive Images.

I decided at the time that adding more foliage was probably a step too far as no doubt I wouldn't have got it positioned right but on reflection maybe I should have been brave as the bird house does look a little lonely on just a gold line drawn thread.....

And typical me - the black card I used wasn't big enough for my normal size makes so the gold strip was added - which I think finishes it better - so happy necessity!
Am sharing over at
Use Your Stuff - Add Gold
TTPH - CAS
Retro Rubber - Anything Goes
Thanks for looking today - I appreciate you coming to my blog! x

Big!

 I recently acquired an Indigo Blu big butterfly stamp. Have actually used it - and more than once!

The Brushos were out on the desk top as I have used them for another project which will be shared in a couple of weeks time.
I stamped and heat embossed the butterfly before fussy cutting.

I thought that if I cut off the body (psycho tendencies 😈😈- LOL) on one side this meant that I could use the other side complete with body to make another card.....😊

Once the embossed wing was dry I looked for a suitable matching purple ink shade and simply stamped the whole butterfly onto the card base.
A few Brusho spatters and a die cut sentiment dipped in the wet brusho residue on the craft mat - it made for quite a quick card and one for my own stash box!

Work has continued here outside. We have extended the existing patio (those flags were HEAVY!) and rebuilt the dismantled raised bed in the shadiest part of the garden right outside the kitchen window- it's now filled with lush shade loving plants which cheer me up when I am washing up!

Still a bit to do planting up a new border and the all important water sculpture installation - which are jobs to be tackled over the next few weeks - dear husband is prone to reminding me that
'we're not as young as we used to be so everything takes a bit longer'! (Like I needed to hear that.......😒)
Sharing my bodyless butterfly at
TIOT - Butterfly
Dragonfly Dreams - Butterfly

Thanks for stopping by - hope all is well in your part of blogland! x

Wall

We've had some nice dry days recently so the work has continued in the garden and the craft desk has been sat at infrequently.

But I did do a couple of makes and tidying away the usual mess I make (yes I am keeping the new room tidy 😉), I thought I would use the Gesso again before it got consigned back to the cupboard after being inspired by Pinterest.

I have quite a lot of stencils - I have decided I have to start using them more - I buy them, look at them and then they just get filed away!

I have a couple of brick wall stencils but this one is a large one from Clarity.

I started by inking my background in shades of Antique Linen, Victorian Velvet and Seedless Preserve.

Once dry I simply randomly applied the gesso through the stencil.
A bit of random stamping along the bottom and one of my fave sentiments using Memento Sweet Plum
Job done!

Sharing over at TIOT whose challenge this time is Use a Stencil, and over at Colourful Options the challenge is Pretty in Pink.
Hope all is OK in your part of blogland and will get round to catching up with you all soon! x

Spray

We've had some lovely weather recently and it has given me a chance to start re-designing the new home's garden to make it our own so I have been absent from the craft desk for quite a while.

As my back is insisting I have a day off from digging (and it's a bit cloudy!) I have a share for you today.

I love the Delicate Florals set from Penny Black and teamed it here with some background stamping and stencilling.

I brushed the background first with DI's in shades of yellow, overstamped randomly with an old script stamp before sponging through the diamond stencil.

I used my Arteza waterbrush pens direct to the stamp then dragged out the colour with a wet brush after stamping.

Finished with a few tiny gold liquid pearl dots.

When I packed up to move I found the rounded corner punch (covered in cobwebs as it had fallen down the back of a cupboard!) so thought I would see if it still worked. I quite like the soft rounded edges so have put it where I can find it!
Sharing over at
Colourful Options - Yellow
Country View - Spring
HLS Watercolour - A/Goes

Thanks for looking today - hope all is well in your part of blogland. x

 

Flowers

 A quick share from me today -

we have had some nice days this last week and despite still coughing (Can't believe I have been left with this cough and waves of fatigue! Getting better but boy is it slow!) I have spent some time outdoors planning out the changes to our garden, so crafting has taken a back seat.

But I made this after being inspired by Pinterest - in fact I made two similar but will save the other one for a later share.

Just a simple 'fishnet' stamp partly inked and a few black splatters to start for the background then a die cut piece of foliage, a daisy and one of my fave dies, this big Chrysanth bloom.
All just smooshed through some ink on the craft mat.
That's it!

We are having 4 days away with some friends next week - they also have recently moved house so we all think we deserve a rest - although we are hoping to play in a bowls tournament - first time for nearly 3 years since I have played - and only hoping I can stand up long enough and not cough my head off!

Sharing over at TIOT who's challenge is Spring Colours.

Thanks for looking and I wish you all a Happy Easter. x

Is Spring here?

It has taken me a long time to shake off the virus despite having all my jabs - I know for many symptoms are mild but there are others like me who have been really poorly.
I have tested negative for the last 5 days but still have a cough which I am told may be with me for several weeks yet 😖. At least I am feeling a little more human!

Despite having this beautiful new craft room am finding it quite difficult to get back into creating - there are so many other things I want to be doing, not least my garden!

We had a couple of days of lovely weather and I thought Spring had arrived - then we suddenly had overnight frosts, very strong winds, rain and plummeting daytime temperatures.
It's really cold here at the mo and those few spring flowers which are out are probably regretting showing their faces.

This spring offering was simply made from left over bits of cardstock, using this lovely Alexander Renke Crocus die which has become one of my all time faves.

A quick and simple card that didn't tax me too much!

I have been AWOL from the Playground - keeping my germs to myself - but I am poking my nose through the gates with this make!
Thanks for stopping by - I hope all is well with you in your part of blogland. x

A Day Late

I am a day late posting the winners from my little give-away (see previous post) but sad to say having managed to stay safe for 2 years, done everything I should have done, it appears that a trip as a treat to a large garden centre and a sit for coffee and cake resulted in the damn virus deciding to settle on me.👹

I know for many people they say the symptoms are 'mild' - well if this is mild I am so thankful I didn't get severe!
Thank God for the vaccine is what I say. I have been incredibly unwell for the last 5 days and ventured out of my bed this morning for the first time.
I feel a little better, the throat is not so sore and the cough is not so hacking but the fatigue is immense and I am keeping fingers crossed that tomorrow I may improve a little more.👍

Anyway - enough of my tales of woe -

2 Winners 📣🎉🎈
Bundle 1 -5 piece Die set 'Village of Light', Snowflake Slimline Stencil and a circle die goes to Stamps and Paper

Bundle 2 - Memory Box Stamp Graceful Fern, Snowflake Slimline Stencil and a circle die is Mac Mable

ANNE and MAC please contact me via the e mail link by clicking on my profile in the sidebar with your addresses. 
Rest assured the gifts will be sanitised and not touched by me - dear husband will be postie! 

Thank you again to everyone who has stayed with me - blogland is so much quieter now than when I began way back in 2008 but all my blogging friends are to me just priceless.💕 x

Happy Dandy Dance! (And a surprise)

 Hang out the bunting (even though it will get wet cos we have a very very rainy day here) -

WE ARE CONNECTED! 😁😁

Hopefully now things here will get back to normal and I will be able to spend a little time at my craft desk, visiting blogland without worrying about silly mobile data charges.

I have a quick CAS card to share and further down the page is a little thank you from me to my lovely followers who have commented on my posts whilst I have been internet-less!

I had a little stampie-fest with one of Lavinia's Dandelion stamps.
I used Dew Drop inks in Grape Jelly, Pear Tart and Sea Breeze.
I had found some neglected coloured card whilst unpacking so used a small piece of the purple one to just give me a definitive edge.

I am experimenting all over the new house to find a spot that I am happy with to take my photos!

Right - now here's the aforementioned surprise -

As I am so very grateful to all those who have commented on my sporadic blog posts I have put together a couple of things to say thank you.

Bundle 1 is a 5 piece Die set 'Village of Light', a Creative Expressions Snowflake Slimline Stencil and a circle die.

Bundle 2 is a Memory Box Stamp Set called Graceful Fern, a Creative Expressions Snowflake Slimline Stencil and a circle die

PLEASE NOTE MY LITTLE GIFTS ARE ONLY OPEN TO THOSE WHO HAVE FOLLOWED MY BLOG PREVIOUSLY AND HAVE COMMENTED ON POSTS SINCE THE START OF 2022.
IF THIS IS YOU AND YOU WANT TO GO INTO THE HAT JUST LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS POST AND SAY YOU WANT TO BE INCLUDED.
Please don't just come along and leave a comment now to be in with a chance of the giveaway! I will check!
I'll number you in the order you comment and will do a draw on 30th MARCH.
I will post to anywhere but can't be responsible for any taxes!

THANK YOU TO ALL MY LOVELY BLOGLAND FRIENDS WHO HAVE BEEN WITH ME DURING MY STRESSFUL TIME!  XX

Magnolia

A scheduled post - regular visitors to my blog will know I am on the DT for CAS Mix Up and normally we have a new challenge on the 1st of every month.
If you have visited the CAS Mix Up blog in the last few days you will have seen the little note from Loll announcing that our challenges are temporarily on hold  - never fear we will be back as soon as we can!

Here's a make using a stamp which was a present from a friend - I took the pic before I added the sentiment!

Some light ink blending for the background in Spun Sugar and Tumbled Glass.

I stamped the image direct on the background, then stamped again onto some card and heat embossed before watercolouring and fussy cutting it out.

This is a really big stamp so there's a little bit of it cut off at the bottom.

Matted onto black card before mounting on the base card.
The stark white base card didn't look right so I blended a little of the same background colours onto it which gave a much softer effect.

Was a quick and relatively simple make too!

Thanks for looking - hope everyone is safe and well in blogland and I'll be back soon! x

Circles

This is a quick scheduled post from me as although we have FINALLY moved into our lovely new home (soooooo happy!!) we will not have an internet connection until at least the middle of this month and uploading pics is taking a massive toll on my mobile data allowance!

So my make here was intended as a DT card but as CAS Mix Up is temporarily on hold we have no challenges for a short while so I thought I would just share it anyway!
Various circle stencils and circle dies, sponging and stamping to make this birthday card!

We have been busy constructing the 'Happy Place' otherwise known as 'our joint Playroom' where I have my craftie space and OH' has his monitors and PC for his mad gaming with his middle aged mates - will bore you all to death with the pics once I get broadband!

Until then, thanks for looking and and any comments you may leave, I hope it won't be too long before I can catch up with you all again. x

Update!

 Hello blogland!
So here's a quick update - now settling in nicely in our new home.🏡 It took such a long time but now that is all behind us and we can start enjoying. 💕😊
My craft room is just about done and I am looking forward to finding Mr Mojo (deffo still in a cardboard packing box📦 somewhere) and being able to get back to making.
BUT........ we will not have any broadband connection for another 3 weeks AT LEAST!😡 To say we were disappointed with the timescale is an understatement, particularly when we booked it in December - but the date they gave us in February they had to cancel because of staffing issues and the next available one is 15th March.... so let's hope no more cancellations on that front - not least because I am having to use my mobile phone data and loading pics uses up lots!

All that said just to show that I have not deserted blogland I have a share and promise once the broadband connection is sorted I shall spend days visiting everybody!!

Black card base and an old embossing folder and then rubbed a Versamark ink pad across it. Sprinkled off the edge of a spoon embossing powders in copper, silver and platinum. Finished with a little gilding wax to create the faux metal look.

Quite happy with the way this turned out and made for no other reason other than I unpacked the stuff!

I have a post already scheduled for 1st March and then I shall be back very soon after - broadband connection permitting - and once it is I will have a little giveaway for my loyal blogging buddies to show how much I appreciate those who have stuck by me for such a long time.
I hope you are all safe and well and send everyone hugs! x
PS - I notice that many of my followers pics have disappeared - is this normal? Did I miss something? Or has everyone left me????!!!