The Flutterby Crafter

Happy Valentine

2012-02-14T08:27:00.000Z

Hope you're all having a good day and receive plenty of Valentine cards. I did this journal page for my husband, he bought me a card, lol.

Use Paperartsy Fresco paints for the background, Liquitex liquid acrylic inks (which are fabulous) for the hearts, bit of stamping and doodling. The idea for the love hearts came from an Edward Monkton book.

Right off to hospital for the morning which includes long waits to have bloods taken (3 hours last time) and the same long wait at Pharmacy.

SDC47 Altered Items

2012-02-07T15:23:00.001Z

Think I've just managed to get this blogged before it ends. The challenge was to alter something...

I used a piece of the packaging from an Amazon order, painted over it with Paperartsy Fresco paints, stamped the image onto a piece of fabric, stuck it to the tag and then machine stitched around it. Stamped the daisy stamp across the bottom and coloured the flowers in with a Souffle pen, then stamped the heart stamp and coloured with a Faber Castell brush pen. Do take a look at all the other entries here.

I do an ATC swap with my friend Pat, and this is what I did for the February swap

I know she likes it because we've just had lunch together.

Ladies Who Lunch Play Day

2012-02-04T12:38:00.000Z

It was our monthly get together yesterday and this month there was quite a lots of us and it was a very enjoyable day. We always plan what we are going to do and this month it was to paint a canvas.

I used Paperartsy Fresco paints, various stamps and rub ons. I do love doing these canvases, love getting covered in paint, using inks and stencils, the whole job lot.

Next month we're going to use a canvas again and TSS metal.

Well, it's bitterly cold here in South Yorkshire and I've been out this morning, done all the shopping and chores, so I can mess in my ~~craft room art~~ art studio and wait for the snow.

February 365(6) Art Journal

2012-02-02T12:32:00.000Z

Here's my February page

I love the colour pink, so February is my chance to indulge.

The above is January's page completed.

Take a look here to see all the other wonderful pages, which is hosted by the fabulous Kate Crane.

Art Journaling with Kate

2012-01-31T11:31:00.000Z

Had a wonderful day last Saturday at AFTH, taking a Kate Crane workshop. I didn't feel very creative and my mojo seemed to have left the building, but it seems to have come back as I've posted two days on the trot. This page was inspired by Kate, it's her idea to cut open the head of the image.

It's feezing here, a sprinkling of snow last night and it looks as though we may get some more.

Metal Mirror

2012-01-30T12:50:00.000Z

A couple of months ago we decided to decorate an Ikea mirror with metal, as usual I didn't finish mine and it's taken until now to get it done. I did it for my granddaughters birthday but missed that deadline, lol.

It's our next Playday on Friday and we're going to do a canvas, so watch this space.....

Thanks for looking.

9 Today!

2012-01-24T10:44:00.000Z

Today is my granddaughters 9th birthday and I just cannot believe how she is growing so fast, as you know we've just been down but I forgot to take the birthday card I'd made. I posted it on Sunday but not sure whether she'll have received it today, so I said I'd put it on my blog for her to see.

It isn't as dark as it appears here. The background is a mixture of Dylusion sprays and Pan Pastels, images are Dylusions.

Back home!

2012-01-22T16:48:00.000Z

Just had a wonderful time looking after my two granddaughters whilst their Mum went skiing, but boy are we tired. Very emotional when we left earlier today, but hopefully not be too long before we see them again.

On our November Ladies Who Lunch Playday we decorated a blackboard. I got my OH to make them and we all had a great time, as usual. I gave mine to the girls as part of their Christmas presents and I'd forgotten to photograph them so remembered this morning.

Sorry if I've not made comments on your blog but normal service should now be resumed.

Ladies Who Lunch Play Day

2012-01-11T11:57:00.000Z

It was our monthly Play Day last Friday and the theme was to cover a bird house with TSS metal. Here's my effort

Front

I made some little butterflies out of shrink plastic but they don't show up to well.

Rear

As usual we all had a brilliant day but you must take a look at Clare's it's wonderful.

It's that time of year again!

2012-01-07T12:54:00.000Z

When I have to make lots of birthday cards. Made myself sit down this morning and at least make two of them. The problem is that I've got something on every day next week plus next Friday we're off to look after our grandchildren whilst our daughter goes skiing....can't be bad, but a big bonus is that we spend some fantastic quality time with Lucie and Charlotte. So I've got to try and get them made before we go.

Used Dina Wakely stamps on both, which are available from here

Just thought I share with you the stamp I had made sometime last year, which I put on the back of my hand made cards, still makes me chuckle.

Hope you all have a good weekend.

Give FREE food

2012-01-04T10:27:00.000Z

Sorry this is not a craft related post but I think the idea is brilliant. If you want to help feed the starving people of Africa click here

2012 Art Calendar

2012-01-02T17:36:00.000Z

I had decided that after 2 years of taking part in this challenge, not to do it this year, but I couldn't resist. I'd bought a 12" x 12" journal last summer so that I could do a layout all on one page, instead of across two pages as I've done previously.....so here's the start of year 3.

Only just taken photo, I always forget to take photos in daylight, maybe that should be one of my New Year's resolutions.

As usual, paints and sprays from the Dylusion range, Stampotique images and Hero Arts alphabets.

Many thanks to the talented Mrs C who organises this event, which must take up a lot of time, please take a look at her blog, full of inspiration.

I'd like to wish everyone a peaceful and happy new year and to take this opportunity to thank all the lovely people who have taken the time to leave me such wonderful and encouraging comments throughout last year....thank you, it really does mean a lot.

PS Am keeping to my one and only resolution, have stuck to the diet all day, only 365 (it's a leap year) to go.

365 Art Calendar & T!m's Tags

2011-12-05T16:09:00.000Z

Here is my finished November page, December has also been prepped but I've not taken a photo yet.

So went along the theme of Stars and Stripes, it being Thanksgiving in the USA, plus did it on a very dark day, so used bright colours to cheer myself up.

Tag 1

Tag 2

As always, I had to improvise, blimey doesn't that bloke have some stash, unlike us mere mortals. Not done anymore yet, and we are off down south tomorrow to stay with friends in Hampton, which will be another world because here in the dizzy heights (around 1000' above sea level) we have SNOW . We're going ice skating on the rink at Hampton Court tomorrow night, so that should be good, Wednesday we're off to Harrods and Harvey Nicks shopping, then off to Le Gavroche for dinner. OMG, only dreaming again, although we are going to watch the skaters at Hampton Court, lol.

Ladies Who Lunch

2011-12-02T18:15:00.000Z

Today was our December play day and we all made a Christmas Wreath, tutored by the lovely Jill (no blog).

We all had a thoroughly good day and here's a selection

Anne's

Pat's

Christine's (yes that is the two finger salute you can see there - she was telling me that her balls were dangling more than mine, although you can't actually see hers here, lol.

Mine

and.......

this is how teacher did hers...

She refused to be photographed and you can just see Chris in the background trying to get her into the picture.

They all turned out beautifully, despite some of (who shall remained nameless) being frightened of the little creepy crawlies which came out of the foliage.

Apologies for the facial expressions, they would not keep still - I shall have to get new models in future.

Bling Bling

2011-11-19T16:21:00.001Z

Those of you who know me, know that I don't do 'bling', however on the She Art Doll I thought the dress needed jazzing up a bit.

I used Eco Friendly acrylics, Paperartsy Fresco paints, Claudine Hellmuth and Tim Holtz stamps. I gave her a diamond necklace to finish her off. On looking again, it probably would have been better without the flower coming out of the side of her head, lol.

Living with Autism

2011-11-15T17:11:00.000Z

Our friends, Pat and Jim have a grandson, Liam, who has been diagnosed as Severely Autistic and Pat is taking a stall at a Christmas Fair to sell hand made gifts to raise money for the Autistic Society. Liam's parents Lynz and Phil are doing a wonderful job, because autism affects the whole family and if you would like to read more take a look at Liam's blog here.

Pat has been busy knitting soft toys like these

and I've been busy making shabby chic hearts, gift bags and cards.

I've also made some Christmas cards, but I'll blog them another day. In the meantime it's to be hoped that people 'down South' appreciate the style of Stampotique, lol.

If you wondered why it says 'general dogs body' on Pat's photo, Pat used to work for me and one day we employed an outside trainer to come and talk to us. He asked us all to introduce ourself and say what qualifications we had. Pat was the last and she just came out with Pat Dixon, SRN, GDB, he knew what an SRN was but couldn't work out what GDB was. Needless to say ever after Pat was known as Pat Dixon, GDB.

Blog Candy from The Craft Barn

2011-11-13T11:42:00.000Z

The Craft Barn are celebrating reaching 600+ followers and are giving away this fantastic blog candy

All the details can be found here

SDC41 Altered Poison Bottle

2011-11-08T12:33:00.000Z

I'd bought a few old bottles from a charity shop in the summer and when I saw the latest Stampotique Designers Challenge decided to give it a go.

I'd seen the way Wendy Vecchi had used a new technique, so I painted bottle with Rangers Glue n Seal, waited until it was thoroughly dry, then covered with a layer of Rock Candy crackle paint. Once dried I had some small cracks and some large ones which were starting to peel off, but added to the overall effect. I didn't want it all to peel off, so gave it a generous coat of Mod Podge, told you, I love this stuff. I gave the bottle a good cover of vintage photo DI, made a vintage label and stamped arsenic on, then remembered it was Stampotique stamps only, so made another label to cover it up and stamped poison with the Alphabities stamps. Stamped 3 in a round and coloured with Neo crayons. Embellished with chain, metal skull, wire and three further skulls.

October finished at last!

2011-11-06T10:36:00.000Z

Here's my October page, finished at last, I seem to be spending so much time sewing and quilting that journaling etc., has been pushed to the back of my to do list.

Went with an autumn theme instead of Halloween.

As always this challenge is hosted by the talented Mrs C.

She Art Girl

2011-10-30T10:24:00.000Z

After seeing my friend Jayne had taken an on line class with Christy Tomlinson and saw what a fabulous piece of art she had created I decided that I would also have a go. Here's my first She Art Girl

I've put my own twist on her as I didn't have half the supplies she suggests and uses, so had to improvise. I did in the end succumb to buying some Mod Podge, which I must admit I do now love, so easy to use. She also uses lots of rub ons, particularly white ones, which I don't have so on the next canvas I shall stamp in white instead.

A couple of cards

2011-10-22T22:05:00.000+01:00

Had to make a couple of cards recently and I've really struggled for ideas, anyway came up with these

The first was for a friend and the stamps are by Dina Wakely, one below was for my son and stamps from The Artistic Stamper.

Both backgrounds were created with Dylusion paints and sprays.

Shabby Hearts

2011-10-17T15:54:00.000+01:00

It's absolutely ages since I've blogged, but not done anything to show, you know how it is, life just darn well gets in the way. I did manage to make a few shabby fabric hearts, here's just two of them

I knew as soon as I saw the material I had to have it and I adore the wooden buttons. Sop easy and quick to make, I've already given a couple to friends as thank you's.

September 365 Art Calendar

2011-10-02T12:20:00.000+01:00

Well it's that time again, and I've finished on time! Not even started October though.

This is all organised by the super talented Kate Crane, where you'll find some fantastic artwork.

Long time no post

2011-09-18T16:30:00.000+01:00

It's ages since I last posted, been busy and still managed to do a bit of crafting. A couple of years ago I signed up to do a Suzi Blu on line class but never managed to finish it. I finally decided a few weeks ago that I would start again but couldn't find it on my computer, then suddenly realised that I'd put it on my external hard drive. Went to find it there, then remembered that I'd deleted everything on the hard drive to start afresh, what a fool I am. Anyway this week I've been playing with drawing faces again, but I still cannot get the eyes right.

All paints and sprays are Dylusions, dress cut out of a piece of 7 Gypsies paper. If you look closely you can see when I painted in the eyes. nose and mouth, but they were awful, so went over with skintone paint from Dylusions which is on of Dy's new colours and is fantastic. The writing says I'm giving up but since I made this, I've decided I might joint another course on how to draw faces because I'm not going to give up, lol. I think my girl looks very sixties, in fact I remember Dusty Springfield having hair like this.

Art from the Heart's 10th birthday blog hop

2011-09-03T10:00:00.001+01:00

Lots of exciting things happening at Art from the Heart next weekend where the big birthday bash is happening. Want to know more then do click here

So in Celebration we are having 5 birthday blog hops.

You should have reached my blog from She and are on the Stampotique Team hop

here is my first project

I used Dylusion acrylic paints, then sprayed through stencils with Dylusion inks, I stamped Stampotique Supergirl and Uncle Buck onto an old book page, added some circles and lines, bit of splodging with a paintbrush loaded with watered down acrylic paint, machine stitched around edges

Here's my second project

Background is the same as the first project and the sentiment is from Dylusions Say What you Mean

Before you move on - you will need to collect a letter from me which is K

This is part of an anagram of a Stampotique product

Once you get back to Dys blog please email your answer to Ben.

So after leaving me a comment you need to move on to

here

Have fun hopping!

August Finished - on time!!!!!

2011-09-01T19:59:00.000+01:00

Well I think this is a first for me.....August finished, but I have to admit not even started September.

Dylusion acrylic paints and sprays, made my own beach huts, Tumblefish Studio beach girl image, bit of doodling.

The At Journal Calendar is being hosted by the fabulously talented Kate, so why not take a look here at all the other gorgeous creations.

Warning - contains scenes of a sexual nature!

2011-08-28T09:53:00.001+01:00

Had a brilliant day yesterday at AFHT taking a workshop with the super talented Kate Crane. It was a full class and I met some blogging friends, so it was nice to put names to faces.

This is the first page we did...

Background is created with Dyulsion paints, we gessoed through some stencils, then put on some gorgeous layers of Dylusion inks. A Stampotique image with acetate bee wings from Jo Capper-Sandons bee stamp, bit of doodling and finishing off.

My second page took on a different theme from everyone else's. It was inspired by the lovely Christine (who has a blog but rarely does blog). You see she always wears rubber gloves when using inks and sprays and we were having a bit of banter and she got hold of the top of her gloves and snapped them, well the conversation degenerated after that so much so that I can't repeat it, but you'll get the theme when I show you my next page, but you've been warned, do not carry on reading if you are easily offended.....

Thanks Kate and to all who were there, I had a great day.

Enjoy the rest of the Bank Holiday weekend.

A lovely afternoon creating art

2011-08-20T15:21:00.000+01:00

Had a wonderful afternoon yesterday with my youngest granddaughter, Charlotte, crafting. Whilst she was happily playing with acrylic paints and crackle glaze, I did a journal page.

I used Paperartsy Fresco paints from here, then sprayed Dylusion ink sprays through various stencils, used a couple of the new Dina Wakely stamps, a couple of Stampotique stamps and the sentiment is a Wendy Vecchi.

I'm going to enter it into the current Stampotique Designers Challenge No 36 - Altering a Book Page.

Bucket bag

2011-08-18T16:43:00.000+01:00

A couple of weeks ago we made a bucket bag at Craft Den, instructed by the very talented and patient, and I mean patient Jo, we had to make these flying swans. Well she tried and tried her best to make it easy for us all, but no chance. It took us ages and by the end of the day Jo was bright red in the face and had a bit of a dab on, lol. Still we certainly laughed and laughed and eventually managed to get it right.

You can see the 'flying swans' here

Different angle

Here you can see the toggle which helps to fasten it

You may wonder why there is a fly swatter on one of the photos - well a pesky wasp decided to land on my head, so I ran around a bit, hands all over the place trying to get rid of it, just made it madder, so got the b***er with the swatter!

July finished but where's August

2011-08-01T19:05:00.000+01:00

Only managed to do July's pages yesterday morning, I seem to have been very busy over recent weeks, so although I'd kept a note of what I'd been up to, I'd never actually painted and prepared my pages, so unfortunately it's a very simple design.

Went all Wendy Vecchi.......I just love her stamps, backgrounds are Dylusion paints and sprays. Take a look at Kate's blog to see all the entries.

......and where is August, it's well on it's way, been busy doing it today and almost done, just needs a few finishing touches.

It's been really humid here today, a day for just being lazy really, some hope.

A wonderful day sewing

2011-07-31T11:55:00.000+01:00

Spent a wonderful, relaxing day at Craft Den yesterday, where the very patient Jo showed us how to make a sewing roll. Jo allowed us to choose our colours and she arrived with all the elements already cut out for us, phew, that saved us lots of time, and I couldn't believe the fabric she had chosen for me, vintage, right up my street.

I've still got to finish the front, it needs a toggle on to hold it closed

This is the inside, space for scissors, pins, needles, bobbins etc. I love this and thoroughly enjoyed making it. We all had a good time and I even managed to avoid the biscuits but succumbed to Bob's cheese salad sandwich, my does he make a mean sandwich, lol.

Next on the agenda is a quilt and we have to cut out all our own patchwork squares, that'll be fun then. The first time I used my rotary cutter, I cut a deep gash in my finger, in fact yesterday is the first thing I've made without blood on it.

More journalling

2011-07-27T16:58:00.000+01:00

Had another fabulous day at AFTH with Kate Crane, such a relaxing day and we managed 2 journal pages.

We had to draw, paint and cut out our own houses, any design, any colour. I wish that I had drawn smaller houses, maybe if I do another one I would. I've numbered the houses with the number on the road I have lived. Would you believe that I've only lived in three houses in my life, even though I was an estate agent in my previous life.

The next challenge was to use three images, all the same, and to put hats on them, the idea being that we all have to wear more than one hat.

I don't wear as many hats now that my children have flown the nest and I am retired, they still cause me problems though, lol.

SDC34 Flower Power

2011-07-21T16:24:00.000+01:00

Did a bit of journaling yesterday and did this for the Stampotique Designers Challenge

Painted background with Dylusion paints, then sprayed through flower stencil with Dylusion inks, highlighted some of the flowers with a black pen, stamped Jo Capper-Sandons daisy stamp along the bottom, stamped the main image, which is from Paperbag Studio, onto French text and popped a flower with an itsy bitsy button in the middle, bit if doodling here and there.

Happy Anniversary

2011-07-15T10:06:00.000+01:00

Today is our friends wedding anniversary, luckily for them they are on a fantastic holiday in Canada, touring all over the place and finishing off with a cruise to Alaska whale watching, they wanted us to go with them but with this stupid illness I can't go abroad yet. I sent them this card before they went and I know they've taken it with them and will open it later today.

I have been so incensed about the phone hacking events that I decided to do a journal page

I decided to use an image of a jester because they are all fools and made fools out of the police and politicians.

Gorgeous morning down here in Essex, hope the weather is good where you are and have a lovely weekend.

LIM Week 23

2011-07-10T11:47:00.000+01:00

This weeks challenge over at LIM is a One Layer Card with the theme 'Something with Legs'

Swish of colour using Jenni Bowlin Malted Milk, Stampotique Friends stamp and friendship quote from an old thesaurus. I'm down at my daughters at present so art supplies are limited, in fact the inside of this card has lots of drawings on it, so turned it inside out and got myself a clean card, lol.

Ladies Who Lunch

2011-07-08T09:13:00.000+01:00

It was our monthly Ladies Who Lunch play day last week and Clare had chosen for us to decorate a torso. Now I think it's fair to say that some of us didn't really want to do this project as we weren't sure what to do, however we all did something different and they all turned out fantastic.

Here's a photo of them all, I don't think any of them are finished at this stage

and this is mine finished

I started off by painting and ink spraying with Dylusion acrylic paints and inks onto some of Claudine's sticky backed canvas, using various colours and spraying through stencils etc. I then randomly cut up the canvas into bits and stuck them onto the torso, if you look closely you can see that I then did some faux stitching. I then made a bobbin out of cardboard and the canvas, added some charms and dangly bits. I am so please with the result, I think it's unique and better still even Maurice likes it, that's a first, but it could be because he made all the stands for everyone, lol. Would love to hear what you think about it. Had a fantastic day, as always, so thanks Clare for the idea.

I'm going to enter this into the Happy Daze current challenge which is dangly things.

TIO #85 - Oh I do like to be beside the seaside

2011-07-05T11:15:00.000+01:00

This weeks theme over on Dragonsdream is Oh I do like to be beside the seaside and in keeping with working outside my comfort zone and doing a style I don't usually do, I found this stamp I've had for years and it always brings a smile to my face.

DI background, coloured images with my Lyra Aquacolors, which again I've had for years and I think are the best aqua crayons available, bird stamp is Crafty Individuals and the sentiment is made from a set of Hero Arts alphabet stamps.

June 365 Art Journal Calendar

2011-07-03T17:14:00.000+01:00

Managed to finish June at last, bit of a messy page, (just like my mind feels), tried something different but not sure it's worked, still I love the colours. I'm on a mission to try different things, particularly if they're out of my comfort zone.

Not even started on July, so will be way behind.

Pop over here to see some great pages created by others and hosted by the talented Kate (she of the DVD fame).

Happy Birthday Sue

2011-07-01T08:48:00.000+01:00

It's a friend of mines birthday today and she's the big 50, though not sure she wants reminding of this event. Here's the card I've made for her

Sue is a Magnolia fan and I was going to do a nice cute card for her, but I find it difficult to do, so she's got one in my usual style, lol.

Background Dylusion paints and inks, stamped onto old French dictionary page and bit of doodling. Can't tell you manufacturer of stamp, but I bought it from here.

Well it's our monthly play day today with the rest of the Ladies Who Lunch, there are quite a few of us now, so were having to hold it in a conference room at a local venue. We're decorating a torso, so hopefully will blog when it's finished. The trouble is you have to try to remember what you might need, so I've got 4 large bags of stuff to take with me and sure as eggs are eggs, I'll have forgotten the thing that I absolutely can't live without.

Postcard Challenge

2011-06-29T07:56:00.000+01:00

The theme for the Happy Daze challenge was postcards, thought it would be easy but no, I found it quite difficult.

The stamps are Artistic Outpost 'Fortune Teller' available here.

Came to enter my postcard and bu**er me, missed the deadline, story of my life, lol.

ATC's and envelopes

2011-06-20T18:24:00.000+01:00

Three friends came to craft today and I decided I'd make them an ATC each, plus an envelope to put them in. I saw the idea for decorating my own envelopes on Land of Nods Studio. I loved making the ATC's and the envelopes, very therapeutic.

Here's the ATC's

and the envelopes

If anyone fancies swapping ATC's just e mail me (see side bar).

A lovely day

2011-06-19T09:53:00.000+01:00

Spent a lovely day yesterday with friends at Craft Den making this gorgeous bag. I loved it and am determined to make some more, already chosen my colours.

Jo gave us superb instruction and everyone made a terrific bag. Lynne kept us supplied with coffee and biscuits and Bob makes a mean cheese salad sandwich. Thanks to everyone, I had a thoroughly enjoyable day, can't wait to make the quilt.

Dragonsdream TIO #83

2011-06-16T20:26:00.000+01:00

This week the theme over on Dragonsdream is Numbers Game

The background is various DI's, Artistic Outpost stamp, 7 Gypsies stamp and a bit of doodling.

What do you do on a rainy Sunday...

2011-06-13T18:48:00.000+01:00

...when all there is on tv is sport, sport and more sport. Hubby spent all afternoon watching the golf, then the Canadian Grand Prix, and spent nearly two hours listening to the commentators twittering on and on trying to fill in the time whilst the race was halted by rain. Still I suppose it was worth seeing Jenson Button win, at least he's a Brit.

So what's a girl to do, escape to the craft room and try to create something, so here's my journal page

Background is Dylusion paints and sprays and the images are from Tumblefishstudio.

Did anyone see Nicole Scherzinger in that dress on the Graham Norton Show? I laughed my head off, she was so embarrassed. Even Graham had to tell her to keep her knees together, lol.

TIO #82 - Winged Things

2011-06-12T12:49:00.003+01:00

As it's now chucking it down here in South Yorkshire, ventured into my ever increasingly messy craft room, honestly I've now got piles on top of piles and you have to tread very carefully if you go in, lol. Just managed to make this tag for this weeks challenge over on Dragon Dreams Tag It On which ends today. **Edit ends on Tuesday**

Stamped script in versamark, then coloured with DI's, used Stampotique medium bee stamp, bit of doodling round the edge.

Take a look here at other gorgeous creations and why not join in?

SCS32 Clean and Simple

2011-06-11T12:12:00.001+01:00

I have been watching Joanne Wardle make clean and simple cards for a while now and greatly admire them, so when I saw it was the theme for the Stampotique Designers Challenge I thought I would enter.

I cut a circle using my Cricut (knew I would use it one day), inked up a piece of gauze with Dylusion spray inks, the bee is the Jo Capper-Sandon big bee, coloured with DI wild honey, then stamped onto Clearly For Art and edged them with Ink Gold in steel blue. The sentiment is from Stamp Camp.

Ladies Who Lunch

2011-06-08T18:54:00.000+01:00

It was our monthly Play Day last Friday and we chose a project by Helen Chilton which appeared in Craft Stamper.

This was extremely difficult to photo and doesn't show it at its best. The stamps I've used are Poultry Party by Tweetyjill, DI in various colours, upholstery trim from Dunelm, wood courtesy of hubby.

We used lots of inks and tried different ways of applying them...

Sandy Poppins with lovely inky fingers

It was a lovely sunny day so we ate in the garden. I made a lasagne, limonchello trifle and fruit salad.

Clare with her portion of the trifle!!!!

the fruit salad

One of my granddaughters has decided that she likes this project but thought it was to store recipes in, lol, so now I've got to make her a book to keep her recipes in.

Something of the night

2011-06-06T16:23:00.000+01:00

Did this journal page when I wasn't feeling too well.

I think the images are from Itkupilli.

365 Art Calendar

2011-06-04T12:42:00.000+01:00

Here's my May page finished

Not even started June yet, but got a couple of ideas.

Why not take a look at other calendars, hosted by Kate Crane, which can be found here

Another good day

2011-05-29T20:28:00.000+01:00

Went to AFTH yesterday to attend a Mini Journaling Workshop with the extremely talented Kate Crane. Went with my friend Pat and met up with Christine and we all had a fantastic day and I managed to finish 3 pages.

Three different styles....I wonder which you prefer?

TIO No. 80 - Fishes

2011-05-27T20:25:00.000+01:00

Here's my entry for the Dragons Dream Tag It On this week where the theme is Fishes. As I only have one fish stamp I had to improvise, but at least there are fishes on it, lol.

The background is DI in broken china and faded jeans, Stampotique mermaid stamp, I have succumbed and bought one, I didn't like them at first but am now a fan, and I've given her a little pearl earring. The fishes are a downloads from somewhere, and I just adore my 'sealed with a fish' stamp, I've used it so much.

Out of my comfort zone

2011-05-22T14:07:00.001+01:00

Yup, was really out of my comfort zone the other day at AFTH when I took a workshop with the fantastic Dy 'Painting Faces'. This is my first attempt, I have tried before because I signed up to a Suzi Blu on line course, but got so fed up with her waffling on that I never bothered, but although I was really nervous about this, I've managed to finish it.

As usual Dy gave us so much inspiration and instruction that she made it seem so easy. In the morning I thought mine was absolute c**p, but she just kept nudging me along and hey presto after lunch this somehow appeared. I'm so impatient. Still a lot to learn, but I must say that Dy has succeeded where Suzi failed....she has inspired me to do some more.

The face is painted on a 12" x 12" canvas, using Dylusion acrylic paints for the face, background is a mixture of Dylusion paints and sprays.

Jumping for Joy

2011-05-17T15:48:00.001+01:00

I am suddenly feeling so much better (I may have already told you that, lol) and have at last got some energy and I cannot tell you how good it feels, so thought I might as well do a journal page about it...

I'm down in Essex so only have limited art supplies with me, Paperartsy Fesco paints available from here, using the finger painting method, and I'm so into these fabulous Stampotique stamps, dontcha just love 'em, get them from here. Finished off with my wonderful Portofino crayons (sorry an in joke with my friends).

I shall be returning home tomorrow evening because on Thursday I'm off to AFTH to a workshop with Dy, painting faces, right out of my comfort zone. I've tried so many times and just can't do it, but Dy has assured me that I can, no such word as can't.

Edit : For the eagle eyed of you, I'm obviously not on top form quite yet, my daughter (who doesn't 'get' my art work), has noticed that I've put 17 April 2011 and of course it should say 17 May, what a dork!!!

What a fantastic day

2011-05-15T11:37:00.001+01:00

A friend and I went to the Happy Stampers Show at Port Sunlight yesterday and we had a fabulous day, thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The show opened at 10:30 and we were in the queue by 10:20, it finished at 4:00 and we left at 3:40, the first time I've ever stopped at a show all day. The highlight for me was watching Jo Capper-Sandon demo on the Happy Daze stand along with Joanne Wardle.

They both very kindly asked if I would like them to make me something (of course I was thrilled to bits) and this is what they did

Joanne

Thanks to both of you and of course Moira, I think the results are wonderful, especially when you think it only took them a couple of minutes to make. I have to spend ages thinking about what I'm going to do, but it comes so naturally to them. Spent far too much, but don't we all, bought 9 Stampotique stamps and of course others. There was an American stamp company called Stamp Camp who had come over the pond especially for the show and I bought some fantastic stamps from them, which I'm sure I will be using in the weeks to come, such different stamps that I've not seen in the UK before.

Well I'm off down to my daughters this afternoon for a few days, taking some journaling stuff with me just in case I have any spare time.

I am thrilled to bits that over the past few days I have been feeling soooooo much better, almost normal and I've got everything crossed that it continues, but having spent all those hours at the show yesterday, even though I had to keep sitting down, was fantastic and being able to drive for 3.1/2 hours this afternoon, well I just can't believe it. I can't stop smiling....think I'll have to journal about this, lol.

Hope you're all having a good weekend.

Husbands birthday card

2011-05-13T19:23:00.000+01:00

Yesterday it was my husbands birthday and as he was down at our daughters in Essex he didn't get his card until he returned today.

Right we're off out for a meal now to celebrate. Mind you can't have a drink because of the meds and Maurice doesn't drink, so will have to make up with plenty of food, lol.

Texturise It

2011-05-11T14:46:00.000+01:00

The theme for this weeks Dragon's Dreams Tag It On is 'Texturise It", here's my entry

The background of the tag is painted with Paperartsy Fresco paints, the image is stamped onto a piece of calico which I have coloured with distress ink stains and the butterfly is a Wendy Vecchi one stamped onto Clearly For Art and edged with Inka Gold in old silver. As usual it's not photographed very well but you get the idea, lol.

Mini Canvas

2011-05-10T10:13:00.000+01:00

I've been making mini canvasses just lately and I really enjoy them, they are so quick, this is another one using the Wendy Vecchi butterfly stamp, which is my all time favourite, and I stamped it onto white Clearly For Art, again another thing I love working with.

The rose in the middle is off a bracelet. I've started buying cheap or reduced jewellery and take it apart, you get some wonderful charms to use on your projects, and much cheaper than buying the proper crafting stuff.

April Showers??????

2011-05-03T12:26:00.000+01:00

Decided in March to do my April page for the 365 Art Journal Calendar based on April showers, but guess what, we haven't seen a drop of rain, lol. It's been such a beautiful, sunny and warm month.

So the unrolled umbrellas are there just in case and the open ones are to shade from the sun.

Hope to start on my May pages this afternoon.

Take a look here to see other brilliant pages.

A fabulous day

2011-04-30T19:19:00.003+01:00

Been to AFTH today to take a class with Kate Crane and what a fantastic day it's been. Kate is such a wonderful, talented, creative and generous person (alright Kate, you can pay me later - only joking). Her workshops are so relaxing and laid back, yet you learn so much. The workshop was all about backgrounds and we created two pages, with lots and lots of different layers, and we weren't allowed to use a paint brush or baby wipe!

The first page was created using Dylusion paints applied with a splodger, or in my case a Starbucks credit card

The second page was done using only our fingers to do the background

I'm not going to tell you how we created these pages you'll have to attend one of her workshops, but a little bird has told me that there is something in the offing for you all. One secret I will share with you - if you look closely you'll see something like mesh has been stamped, well my friend Pat turned up with a role of sticky mesh stuff which is apparently what plasterers use to join seams in plasterboard. We decided to use it as a stamp and it worked - brilliant.

I'd just like to thank each and every one of you who so kindly leaves me a comment, it means so much and I get such a thrill when I see a new comment. Such encouragement from you is priceless.

Dragonsdream Tag It on

2011-04-28T19:23:00.000+01:00

Having seen that the very talented Helen was on the design team of Tag It On, thought I'd join in this week - the theme is "Something with a Pocket"

I have made a padded canvas tag, so it has two sides, here's one side

and here's the reverse

I coloured my canvas with Eco Friendly paints, in various colours, can't remember which ones, then used Dylusion spray inks, through stencils, added some circles and lines. Stamped two of T!m's sayings, then did some wavey stitching before I padded and stitched the two canvases together, adding a pocket to each side. Stamped and coloured a Stampotique stamp and popped him in the tag.

Happy Easter Everyone

2011-04-21T19:24:00.001+01:00

Happy Easter everyone. We're off down to Essex to have a family Easter, the weather is looking good, hopefully the sun will shine providing plenty of opportunities for bbq's and of course wine.

Hope everyone has an enjoyable weekend and that the sun shines on you all.

Ann xx

Sunday Stampers Week 149 - Blue

2011-04-16T16:16:00.003+01:00

Well, been MIA for a while, not been too well and my mojo has certainly left me and can't find it anywhere. However, managed to make this ATC earlier on in the week and found it fits in with this weeks challenge hosted by the talented Hels.

As you can see it's very blue - background is Dylusion inks, bit of gold acrylic for the lines and spots, stamped T!m's new Papillon stamp, which I think is terrific, for the background, then on a spare bit of the card stamped the butterflies. The butterflies are edged in Inka Gold, which can be found here and tiny bits put onto the wings, I then edged the whole ATC with Inka Gold in blue, which doesn't show up very well on the photo.

Hope you're all having a good weekend.

Sunday Stampers Week 148 - Gold

2011-04-06T08:42:00.000+01:00

Morning all, well they promised sunshine here in South Yorkshire, but not arrived yet, still raining.....and I've done all my washing ready to hang out, I shall be furious if they've got the weather wrong again. I can't use the dryer, because the deal is money on using dryer or crafting, ah, no contest, so the sun better come out soon.

Anyway enough of my rant, here's my entry for the SSC, hosted by Hels, and the theme this week is gold.

The background is Dylusion inks, stamps are Stampotique, T!m's and Dylusions. I have edged the tag with Inka Gold and the circles are in Ranger gold dabber.

March completed

2011-04-04T08:16:00.000+01:00

Here's my March page for the 365 Art Journal Calendar hosted by the talented Kate Crane which is now complete, unfortunately not even started April, although know what I'm going to do.

It's been a glorious weekend down here in Essex, wall to wall sun and it even got to 22c yesterday, and the sun is shining again this morning.

Charlotte is going to do her April page this morning, I've brought my Dylusion paints and inks for her to use, so a wonderful messy morning is in store.

A fabulous day

2011-04-01T17:23:00.002+01:00

Went to AFTH on Wednesday to take a workshop with the extremely talented Kate Crane, I feel so lucky to live near enough to go to Dy's and enjoy a day of creativity and total relaxation. Kate is a superb teacher and spends time explaining things thoroughly and she certainly was generous with her ideas. In the morning we made 6 tags, inking, spraying, cutting sticking, yet get the idea, and this was mine...

The tags are joined together with hessian and backed with old book pages.

In the afternoon we made a similar tag book, but with more pages, and I used different colours. That is still a work in progress, but I really will complete it.

I'm down in Essex at the moment but did manage to take the photos, and a couple of others which I'll blog over the weekend. Had to go and buy a portable card reader this afternoon in order to download the pictures and guess what I and my granddaughter Charlotte had to go past? Yes, a craft shop, so she bought some papers, rubber stamps, rub ons, and when we got to the check out she got out her purse because she wanted to buy the goodies herself, it came to £16.10 and when she opened her purse my heart nearly broke, so in the end she paid the £6.10 and I paid the rest. I treated her to a Crop-o-Dial because she's really into crafting. When we got into the car, I said to her "Now I'll tell you the first rule in crafting....we don't tell Granddad how much we've spent". She nodded and said it would be our secret, bless.

Big Birds

2011-03-26T06:42:00.001Z

Ha ha, not a reference to me but a journal page using the Big Birds from The Octopode Factory.

As soon as I saw these digi images, I knew what I was going to do with them, they spoke to me, lol. In my mind the bird on the right is strutting her stuff and the three on the left are awestruck by her and the little birds are jumping up and down, not being able to contain themselves, breathless...well that's my version for you, rofl. As you can probably gather I really enjoyed doing this page and I just cannot get that blasted song out of my mind.

As usual background is Dylusion acrylic paints and ink sprays, the banner is coloured with broken china distress stain. This double page spread is done in my large A4 journal.

Have a good weekend, hope the weather stays sunny and warm.

40th Birthday

2011-03-25T08:41:00.000Z

It was my daughters 40th birthday yesterday and she's not into grunge or anything like that, she likes clean, simple cards. However, I was making the card not her, so she got this, lol...

She absolutely hates this photo, both Rachel and my son have really curly hair (they take after their father) and have always spent hour after hour trying to straighten it. When they let it grow it just gets bushy. I cropped this photo from one of Rachel, David and Rachel's boyfriend at the time and I tell you, it was difficult to distinguish who was who, because all their hair looked the same, hilarious.

We're having a family weekend to celebrate her birthday, so my grandchildren can't wait to see the original photo, although my youngest, Charlotte, has threatened Rachel that she mustn't show this card to anyone, she hates the photo so much.

SSC No. 146- Die Cuts

2011-03-23T15:41:00.000Z

Over at the Sunday Stampers Challenge, the theme this week is die cuts. I had this beeswax canvas half done, added bits of ephemera and came up with this...

The die cut used is of course the new Sewing Room one, which I adore, I also altered the bobbin off the die, covered it with canvas and coloured with distress stain. The dress form is covered with TSS metal, then I painted the bodice with white acrylic, highlighted in places with Inka Gold in blue, which I also put all around the edge of the canvas. I made the little pin cushion out of material (so small you can hardly see it in the photo) and used the same material for the needle case. The little flower in the left hand corner is made from a zip. I stuck some lace across the top and fixed on some buttons.

Well another fabulous day weather wise, the sun has been out since early this morning, I've had all the windows open, the French doors, all washing out and dried, just needs ironing, ugh!!

Sunday Stampers Week 145 - Brown

2011-03-16T11:58:00.000Z

Got a new purchase yesterday, so of course had to use it and made a birthday card, also decided to enter it into the Sunday Stampers Challenge the theme being brown.

The dress form is of course from T!m's new Sewing Room die, background stamps are Oxford Impressions which I've had forever, bit of East of India tape measure, the ribbon is a piece of muslin coloured with broken china distress stain and over stamped with text stamp in Stazon brown timber, lovely colour. Enjoyed making this, even though my chemo was upped on Monday and it seems to be affecting me with headache, nausea and tummy upset, still us crafters are nothing if stoic.

So what was my new pressie to myself, as if you hadn't guessed, ta da.....

It truly is an amazing machine, love it, love it, love it.

Aren't I the lucky One?

2011-03-15T11:08:00.000Z

This is what has just arrived in this mornings post...

This artwork has been created by Roc Nicholas, who is an artist living in the USA. I won this on her birthday blog. Take a look here at her fabulous work, you'll get some great inspiration. Thanks Roc, it's fantastic.

I also received this wonderful work of art from my friend Liverpool Lou, we have agreed to do a swap and I think I got the better half of the swap. It is absolutely amazing...

Very difficult to photo to do it justice, but look at the hair

isn't it just wonderful. Thanks Anne.

What I love

2011-03-10T12:05:00.000Z

I'm a bit late with this one, it's the journal prompt run by Roc, and every month she gives us a prompt and February's was 'What I love'.

I did this at Craft Den last night, Lynne had bought some small journals 15cm x 11cm from Rymans and they are fabulous, a lovely paper weight and a fraction of the price of a Moleskine. In fact I believe they've got an offer on at the moment of buy one, get one free.

Dylusion paints and inks, Dina Wakley female mask which she generously gave us when I attended a weekend workshop here and I do believe that she's coming again this year, and the little girls are a Stampotique stamp.

To see what other fabulous pieces have been created, pop along here

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1570781@N20/

And I won Roc's birthday giveaway, how cool is that, thanks Roc.

February Finished Art Journal Page

2011-03-02T08:54:00.000Z

Here's my February page for the 365 Art Journal Challenge hosted by the extremely talented Kate.

Background created with the fabulous Dylusion ink sprays and images from The Octopode Factory.

March is almost completed, just bits need adding later.

Hope you all have a good day.

A good day spent with friends

2011-02-28T11:20:00.000Z

Four of like minded friends have started to meet up on a Friday to have a day crafting and last week we decided to make the 'Tiles in a Frame' along the lines that Jean Hardy had done in Craft Stamper. This is my take on it...

The only piece of material we had was the Collections Elements chipboard tiles in a frame, we didn't have any foam board or thick card but Lynne never throws anything away and came up with some packaging she had kept.

Made the frame out of the said card, cutting an aperture in the middle, covered it in Terra, stamped with text and flourish stamps whilst still wet, once dry painted it in Dylusion aqua acrylic paint and brushed over lightly with pumpkin chalk ink. The tile frame was painted with broken china ink stain, then covered with distress crackle paint. The tiles were covered with papers from T!m's paper stash, then I added various ephemera. I'm into shrink plastic at the moment, so some of the elements are stamped then shrunk. The flower is tattered floral onto grunge paper and covered with dictionary page, then coloured with china distress stain. The butterfly from Wendy Vecchi is stamped onto grunge paper, coloured with broken china and vintage photo, then I stamped the same butterfly onto heat parts, heated and shaped and popped on top. Edge the whole lot with Inka Gold.

The delicious lunch was provided by Pat who made home made soup and fruit salad, fantastic food and a brilliant day. Thanks friends.

Just noticed that I have appeared as a follower on my own blog???? What's that all about??? I certainly haven't put myself as a follower, has this happened to anyone else, and does anyone know how I can take it off?

Ladies Who Lunch Club

2011-02-24T04:07:00.000Z

It was our monthly meeting of the 'Ladies Who Do Lunch' club the other day and Sandy Poppins was the hostess. She showed us how to make this gorgeous little 'Book of Friendship Quotes'

Everything we used on this was by Dylusions, ink sprays, stamps etc. Sandra provided all the quotes, she has some fabulous ones. One of the tags I've had to cover up because I've given this to my daughter-in-law and had already written on it. I just love the dinkieness (is there such a word) and all made out of one piece of paper..so cool.

Sandra made some delicious soup and a divine chocolate, rum and raisin cheesecake and Jill brought along some tiffin. I tell you, this food malarky is getting ridiculous, we're all eating so much, it's got to stop, but then again when someone has gone to so much trouble and it tastes so good, what's a girl to do? We all had a great day, as usual and can't wait for the next one.

Well, it's now 04:00, so think I'll mosey off up to bed and try to get some sleep.

Wax Lyrical

2011-02-20T11:50:00.000Z

Over the last two Fridays, myself and 3 friends have met to play. We saw the fabulous beeswax canvas that Hels had in the Craft Stamper, so decided to go along those lines. When we got to Lynne's, who was hosting the day, she had bought some very large canvases,we nearly died, they were so big, we didn't know how we would fill it...but we did.

Coloured the whole canvas in trad tan, then applied some Kaisercolour in sea breeze and some Inka Gold in rose, stamped onto tissue paper using Paperartsy and T!m's stamps. Added various pieces of old watch parts, the whole canvas is edged in old gold by Inka Gold. If you've not tried this stuff, I urge you to, it's brilliant and can be found here

We had a thoroughly enjoyable two days, and it did take us two days because of all the chatter and laughter that went on, and thank you Lynne, Jill and Pat for the gorgeous food. We've been eating so much fattening food that we've decided to limit the lunches now to soup, roll and yoghurt...wonder how long that will last?

Stylish Blog Award

2011-02-19T11:57:00.000Z

I've been given this award by the very talented Helen, I'm thrilled to little mint balls, don't you thinks it's wonderful when blogging friends think of you?

Thanks Helen, I'm honoured. Pop over here to look at her awesome work.

The rules are that I have to tell you some unusual things about myself and then pass it on to eight other people.

Well haven't much of interest to pass on about myself, but here goes...

I once had dinner with Mike Jagger and Brian Jones (deceased) of the Rolling Stones, yes, that's true.

Went to see the Beatles at Sheffield City Hall, and in those days you could sit on the stage, at the back, with the artists. Well can you guess what happened when they came on stage, yes, I ran straight up to Paul McCartney and put my arms around him and wasn't going to let go. The security men got me off eventually, but they just sent me back to my seat, how cool is that, eh.

I used, emphasise the word 'used' to be very good at sports. Represented the school at sprinting, played squash, badminton, did trampolining and was very good at table tennis. Now those of you who know me now will be saying 'never, don't believe that', but it's true. Now all I'm good for is being a couch potato.

4 years ago, when I was many stones lighter, signed up to trek to Machu Picchu in Peru, did all the training all the fund raising, in fact raised over £7,000 and then the week before we were due to go, the Cancer Research UK doctor phoned me and said I couldn't go because I'd got asthma and they wouldn't risk taking me because of the altitude. Why he couldn't have told me that before I did all the training I'll never know.

Right that's enough about me, now to the other bloggers and in no particular order they are...

Pat
Sandra
Lynne
Sue
Jo
Jill
Kate
Chris

Hope you're all having a good weekend, snowing in North Sheffield.

Sewing and crafting

2011-02-12T15:37:00.000Z

Decided to get my sewing machine out today to have a play. I've made a lavender bag heart for a friend, which I hope she'll like.

This is the first one I've ever made, so still need some practice.

I also made an ATC along the heart and valentine theme, with a little silk fabric heart and some stitching.

Hope you're all having a great weekend.

Crafting with friends

2011-02-03T17:13:00.001Z

Spent a lovely day on Monday crafting with three friends, we had decided to do something with canvas board and corrugated cardboard, everyone's ended up being different, this is mine...

As usual took photo late afternoon, so colours not too good, and some of the embellishments don't show up too well. The houses are cut free hand out of corrugated cardboard, papers are from Lost and Found stack and Paperartsy Thorndon Hall, trees are one of T!m's dies, out of TSS metal in copper and silver, the metal frame in the middle has been altered with acrylic paint, the number is UTEE in white, then swiped over with black acrylic, butterfly is Wendy Vecchi, stamped onto grunge paper, stamped again onto Heat Parts, and heated up and shaped, fence I've done the peeled paint technique and attached with T!m's tiny attacher, the little red heart is one I made from UTEE. The canvas is painted in trad tan with some script stamped on, then pool and gold acrylic paint. I've just got to decide now whether to put a chain or wire through the top to hang it up with.

January 365 Art Calendar finished!!!!!

2011-02-01T15:17:00.000Z

Managed to keep up with the 365 Art Journal Calendar, hosted by the incredibly talented Kate Crane. There are some deliberate mistakes, see if you can spot them :)).

Background is Dylusion spray inks (no acrylic paint on this one) sprayed through a snowflake template, couple of Stampotique stamps, bit of this and a bit of that etc. etc.

Not too well today, started my chemo treatment yesterday teatime, left the hospital very late, feels like I've got flu, medical terms used were "You'll have a shitty day tomorrow and a half shitty day on Wednesday", that's alright then. Go back next Monday for some more of the same. Still as long as it get my illness under control, will put up with it.

Who's the lucky girl?

2011-01-28T16:15:00.000Z

I am so lucky, I won the Artistic Stamper Creative Team Blogspot Challenge for December and got to choose stamps for my prize. I didn’t even know I’d won but the wonderful Jennie sent me an e mail, so a big thank you to Jennie. These are the stamps I chose, can’t wait to use them.

When I went on Wednesday to the Craft Den, two of my wonderful friends gave me things they had found which they thought I would find useful…

The books are really old, one printed in 1899 and the other in 1904, feel as though I shouldn't tear them apart. We had a bit of fun with the books, I started asking questions from the book and it's all in £ s. & d. ...now that should show your age if you know what I'm talking about, lol. Anyway none of us got the answers, luckily they were in the back! The photo above is some of lots of ephemera that Kathryn brought for me, aren't they wonderful.

These are fabulous crochet flowers made by Jill, in the colours I wanted and on the left hand side is some florist wire, which I'm going to put outside to rust.

I feel extremely lucky this week and once again would like to say a big thank you to Jennie, Kathryn and Jill.

Recycling

2011-01-25T17:04:00.000Z

Last week at our craft meeting here we were given a challenge by Jill to use some packaging she had. Everyone was coming up with different ways to use it and this is what I have done. The background is a mixture of Ecogreen paints and Dylusion sprays. I've tried to use colours that I don't usually use...started well but seemed to have drifted back to my favourite colours. It's done in the Dina Wakley style, take a look here at her fabulous work. Dina always says to leave some white space, but try it, it's almost impossible. I always feel I've got to colour every bit of a page. These two pages I've done in my A5 Moleskine.

Birthday cards

2011-01-21T17:18:00.000Z

Had to make a couple of birthday cards for friends this week

Backgrounds for both cards are done with Dylusion inks and sprays, with the first one having a bit of the new Ranger Heirloom gold spray added. I think the stamp on the first one is Paperbag Studio and the second one is Crafty Individuals, which I have used loads of time, it's great for journaling too.

Ladies Who Lunch Club

2011-01-19T16:32:00.001Z

My turn to be the hostess with the mostess this month for our little club...not really a club, anyone can come. I chose the theme and decided on T!m's configuration boxes.

I chose papers from Lost and Found, and Nostalic tissue tape. Tell me, I've had terrible trouble getting the tape to stick, has anyone else had this problem? We all brought bits of ephemera to decorate the box, but it took us that long to measure, measure and measure again, measure wrong, start again, you get the drift, and what with chatting and laughing, only one person managed to get anything in their box at all. I was so tired at the end of the day that mine has gone on my desk and I know I won't touch it until next week, because my girls are coming for the weekend, yeah!!

One of the ladies used some fantastic vintage paper on hers and I must say it looked stunning. I'm going to do one for my son and have already started trawling e bay trying to find some vintage stuff and I managed to buy these little goodies...

The box is a miniature doctors case (my son's a dr) and he's still car mad, changes his car every year.

Some gorgeous vintage buttons and look at this

isn't he just gorgeous? Did't pay much for any of the above, but if anyone sees a site where we can buy vintage stuff, cheap, just e mail me with the deets. Would be eternally grateful to you.

Late again!

2011-01-17T14:49:00.000Z

Just managed to finish my December page for the 365 Art Calendar hosted by the talented Kate. I had real trouble with this one, didn't start off right and gradually got worse and worse, so I've given up. Hopefully January will be better, but not even started that, been so busy just lately.

I've done it as an Advent calendar and used some of T!m's Christmas paper to decorate the days with.

Used Dylusion inks and sprays, Octopode Christmas tree and various other stamps.

Something new for 2011

2011-01-07T19:02:00.002Z

I found this fabulous blog, take a look here, where Roc is going to suggest a journal theme for every month this year. To start the year off, it's your favourite colour...here's mine

Pink, pink and more pink!!!! The background is Dylusion acrylic paints (they are fabulous), then sprayed with Dylusion spray inks (again fabulous), image is from The Octopode Factory, wings and border cut of out old book page and sprayed with Dylusion inks, bit of phaffing with Sharpie pens and Portfolio oil pastels.

It's always nice to find a new challenge if you want to join along, please join the flickr 2011 journal prompt group at:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1570781@N20/

Fat and Fatter

2011-01-02T17:04:00.000Z

Aka Hubby and Me!!!!! We came down to our daughters before Christmas and are staying house sitting.... whilst they go off skiing we have to look after all the animals, well, I don't but hubby does. Although I've brought some craft essentials with me, why is it you always have ideas that involves things you don't have with you. I did a journal page today...

We have eaten and drunk far too much and I can't even get into one pair of jeans I've brought with me and I can't even blame the steroids, lol.

I see my handwriting hasn't improved over the festive period, even though I did have a practice one day. Although it's lovely to be with family, I can't wait to get home and into my craft room, I've got withdrawal symptoms.

Hope everyone had a good time and wish you all good health and happiness for 2011.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-22T12:07:00.000Z

Here's a journal page which I've done to wish all my blogging friends out there a

Merry Christmas

and

a peaceful

New Year

Thank you everyone who has taken the time to leave me such fantastic and encouraging comments throughout the year, I really appreciate them. Thank you all for sharing your fabulous work and I look forward to seeing your creations in 2011.

As usual, I can now see that the handwriting isn't straight and isn't very attractive, so maybe my New Years resolution is to practice handwriting, lol.

Eat plenty, drink a lot and have a thoroughly good time over the festive season, there's plenty of time to diet next year.

Mini Gift Envelope

2010-12-21T16:59:00.000Z

I saw this mini gift envelope on the fabulous Wendy Vecchi's blog and I thought they were great, so made one each for my granddaughters and put an Itunes voucher in.

They are incredibly easy and satisfying to make and I think very effective. Wendy is one clever lady.

Tags 10, 11 & 12 phew!

2010-12-19T20:42:00.000Z

Managed it at last, made the last 3 tags

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

As usual, didn't have all the elements, who does? Improvised...drew the snowman, but his shape is a bit like mine, all over the place. The tree die, didn't have, so again traced one onto grunge paper, I don't seem to have any plain grunge board, so have used grunge paper throughout instead. Didn't have the joy die cut, again drew one and cut it out, didn't have any pine cones, well I did, but they are enormous, much to large to use, so made a little grunge flower to brighten things up.

I must say I've enjoyed making the tags, it's the first time I've made all 12 and if I do them again, would certainly do my own 'take' on them next year.

I'm linking these to Jennie's blog, of The Artistic Stamper, who is running the 'Tag withdrawal Challenge".

T!m's tags 8 and 9

2010-12-16T15:43:00.001Z

The snow has been falling steadily all day, so couldn't go to finish my Christmas shopping in Meadowhell, the roads are blocked already, so what to do I wonder...I know make another 2 of the tags, yeah!

Tag 8

I had all the ingredients for this, that's a first, the houses are green, but look black on this picture. Oops, still haven't got the fabulous flourish stamp.

Tag 9

Not quite the same as his lordships, but I like it. Linking this to artyjen's splinter group.

I've tidied my craft room and now I suppose I could do some housework, or I could decorate the tree. It's been sitting there in the lounge for a couple of days now, all empty and forlorn - am I the only person on earth who doesn't like decorating the tree. By the time I get it done, all the needles will have dropped off, still it does smell quite nice.

Jude has birthday candy

2010-12-16T09:14:00.000Z

Pop along to Jude's blog where she's offering some fabulous birthday candy.

Still making the tags!

2010-12-15T08:16:00.001Z

Having been away for a few days, I've really got behind, but I am determined to finish all 12 tags, may be it will be into next year, but I'm determined. So this is day 7

Now this was quite a challenge, not because I didn't have all the ingredients, but because I was making it at around 5.30pm, canvas sprayed with Dylusion inks, all die cut etc, etc., hot glue gun warmed up and ready, when the phone went. Hubby answered but as usual didn't ask who it was, well to say I was furious when he thrust the phone into my glued up hand and said "It's for you" is an understatement. It turned out to be Emma from Sheffield University, pleading with me to be a patient for some end of year final exams for medical students...the last thing I needed...I tried every excuse I could think of but in the end I agreed to go the following day. All day at the hospital, missing valuable crafting time, being prodded and probed and asked trillions of questions. Anyway, I digress, by this time glue was everywhere, so I just picked up the petals and stuck them on the tag, but couldn't understand why they didn't look like T!ms, kept pulling them off and realigning them, still didn't look right. Anyway went and had an enormous row with hubby about him never asking who's on the phone, then went back and had another look at the tag...brain into gear, stuck the petals on the wrong way. Tough, they are staying as they are, I'd lost the will to live by this time, plus the atmosphere in the house was not too good to put it mildly, lol. Linking this to artyjen's splinter group which you can find here.

I've not started any other of the tags because came back home after having a fantastic birthday weekend with my children and grandchildren and although I've bought most of my Christmas cards, decided I'd better make some for my crafting friends.

Our grandchildren are coming on Saturday and staying until just before Christmas, so will not have any time to craft much, although I've one or two ideas for them to do.

A big thank you to all of my friends who sent me good wishes and birthday cards at the weekend, I've had some fantastic creations and also e cards, everyone is so thoughtful. May blog them later, so much work gone into them.

Have a good day.

T!m's 12 Tags of Christmas Day 6

2010-12-07T17:24:00.001Z

Just managed to finish day 6, yet to start day 7 so am behind again.

As usual didn't have many of the elements required, followed his techniques, used a Cuttlebug folder of a Christmas tree for the background, then his snowflake stamp instead of the flourish, which was too big for my tree. Didn't have the reindeer die, so drew one on a piece of grunge paper, did make the antlers from the tree die though. The gold speckles do not show up very well, but they are there. Once I'd worked out how to do the reindeer, the tag came together fairly quickly. I bet like me that you thought you'd got lots and lots of T!m's/Ranger's stuff, just goes to show hey. Don't forget to pop along to artyjen's splinter group to see the other wonderful tags.

Just been looking at today's and that may take a little longer, but will not be attempting today because it's the next episode of Corrie, the only soap I watch, no I tell a lie, I usually watch doctors at 1.45 after I've had lunch but I've rarely seen an episode all the way through because it's so boring I ALWAYS fall asleep and have a little zizz. Oh how wonderful to be retired....

Well, feeling a little sad, all family gone home this afternoon, but going down to my daughters after I've seen my consultant on Friday, fingers crossed that my COP hasn't got too bad that he won't let me travel.

Tag 5

2010-12-06T15:22:00.001Z

Just a little bit behind, but I do have a good excuse. So here's Tag 5, still to start Tag 6

As usual didn't have all the correct stuff so had to improvise. I thought the father christmas stamp was the large one, but the keen ones amongst you will have noticed that it wasn't, hence not enough space to stamp Merry Christmas at the bottom of the tag, however I did do the dabber resist round the edges, I stamped a Paperartsy holly stamp and had to use ordinary stickles, his beard etc., is glamour dust, made a flower and put a red button in the middle, this is one I made earlier out of Fimo, I didn't have any white UTEE, so just used a couple of coats of ordinary white embossing power, but I put too much white acrylic on them and they went all bubbly, but I actually like the effect, bit of a vintage look I thought. By this time I just couldn't be ar*** to get the big shot out, find the grunge paper, because hey, have you seen the state of my desk. Just torn a bit of card, coloured as per instructions. I did manage to find some jingle bells, but I just could not show you the other side of my room, I am so ashamed, I had to empty every drawer, cupboard, box etc, to find the darn bells. Anyway I'm not going to tidy it up until day 13, but it is starting to stress me out a bit because things keep falling on the floor, then I stand on them, then I swear a bit, then I turn round and my big bum knocks something else off, you get the drift, lol.

Work desk

My daughter is here at the moment so we've been chatting all day, had a spot of lunch and she's just gone with her dad for walk, I've managed to make the tag and now I've got to clear up the lunch things, the kitchen is in a mess and the dog has been going mad because we've had my son here as well, so hence dog hairs everywhere, even in the fridge, so got to hoover the fridge as well, dog owners will know what I'm talking about, lol.

Don't forget to pop over to artyjen to see T!m's Splinter Group creations.

Tags day 3 and 4

2010-12-04T14:27:00.002Z

Managed to catch up so here's

Day 3

As usual didn't have everything T!m, so I used the branch stamp from Urban Tapestry as I didn't have the tree stamp, didn't have any tinsel because I hate the stuff and would never use it, so used some fibres. The nest I created by colouring some tissue paper with DI and scrunching it up.

Day 4

Didn't have any of the fancy bling, should have borrowed some from Chanelle, she's got loads, so improvised with some black and I stuck on all those pearls and crystals individually, took longer than to make the rest of blinking tag.

I am linking this to Susan Jennys....artyjen....blog please pop along and take a look at all the other fantastic tags that people have created. They are stunning.

T!m's 12 Tags of Christmas

2010-12-02T15:09:00.000Z

Because of the weather and being snowed in I've decided to play along with T!m's 12 tags of Christmas, didn't have time to post yesterday's so posting day 1 and 2 together.

Day 1

As I didn't have anything to make the tree with or the holly wreath, just left them out. I didn't have his house either, but used one of Crafty Individual chipboard houses instead.

Day 2

Again, didn't have all his stamps so used a mixture of T!m's, Crafty Individuals and Paperartsy ones.

I've enjoyed making the tags, but day 1 took ages so if the rest are going to take as long as that, might not do them all, will have to see.

This is the sight that I met when I went to pull the curtains in the bedroom on 30 November. I think it's brilliant, but my other neighbours hate it and think it 'lowers the tone' of our lane. It makes me smile and my grandchildren love it.

365 Calendar

2010-12-01T12:48:00.000Z

Managed to finish November page on time and even started December. The challenge is run by the extremely talented Kate, take a look and she her wonderful artwork.

Here's my part prepared December page, still lots to do, including lots of glitter since it's Christmas themed.

I've done it in an advent calendar theme and used Christmas colours, although I'm not happy with the background, so will alter it.

Global Warming???

2010-11-30T10:58:00.001Z

Did this journal page the other day when it first started snowing....it set me thinking. I remember when we had lots of snow, when I was a child and the schools never closed. Don't know whether global warming is to blame about the weather at the moment or not, it's up for you to decide yourself. I'm a very sceptical person I'm afraid.

Used Dylusions spray inks for the background, the fence is from one of T!m's On the Edge dies which I've used Claudine Hellmuths acrylic paints to get a peeled paint effect, the melting snowman is from the Octopode Facgtory.

Well, had more snow today, more forecast, so what better excuse than to tuck up warm in my craft room and do a bit of crafting.

Have a good day.

SSC Week 130

2010-11-26T14:47:00.001Z

The theme this week on SSC run by Hels is Butterflies, so how could I resist, lol.

I would normally have put at least one grunge paper butterfly on this, but as it's also a birthday card I decided that I was fed up with paying excessive amounts for postage, just because one adds a few embellishments to a card. I reckon that Royal Mail have got wise to us crafters and decided to make more money.

Used the usual DI's, mostly T!m's stamps with a few others thrown in, can't remember who the main one is by, and I just can't be bothered to go back into my ~~craft room~~ studio to find out. I've even put a bit of glitter on this, OMG, will have to go and have a lay down now, something must have happened for me to use glitter.

Blog Award

2010-11-23T14:56:00.001Z

Woo hoo, the very talented Liverpool Lou has given me this award

I'm thrilled to bits, because it's all about attitude.

I've got to tell you 3 things about myself that make me different from everyone else, so here goes:

1. I seem to be on a different planet to most other people
2. I am me, so therefore am unique
3. I'm left handed

not very original I know, but hey, who cares, lol.

I've also got to give this award to 5 other talented people who I consider have attitude, and in no particular order they are

Kate
Hels
Carol
Clare
Siobhan

They have all got attitude, take a look at their blogs.