Hello again everyone,
This is a project that is a work in progress. I plan to cover all the notebooks I have, and I have quite a few. They don't all look pretty but they all have a purpose.
Long before I had heard of 'Smash' books, I have been sticking all sorts of bits and bobs, e.g. tickets, menus, telephone messages and numbers, etc., etc., into notebooks. Because, if I didn't, especially when I had a business to run, they would clutter up my desk or get lost amongst all the other paperwork.
But, of course, they aren't pretty - they are just bog standard notebooks from the stationery suppliers. Well, I don't have an office now but I still accumulate these little bitty pieces of paper that are worth keeping but need a home - a smash book!
This one is covered in a leftover scrap of patterned paper, a piece of embossed core'dinations in orange - just a test piece out of the box full of test pieces - and a couple of journaling spots from a long forgotten sheet of paper. The huge wooden butterfly has a broken antenna which I have carefully glued in place. It's been coloured with orange ink and rubbed with gold run-n-buff. The back has some drops of gold liquid pearls on it. You can see three wee bees stamped just above the title.
There's a few more notebooks awaiting similar treatment - I'm fitting them between other projects. Prettying them up somehow makes them more of a pleasure to fill :)
I'm not going to list the materials - everything came out of the snippets box, except the letters for the title and the poor damaged butterfly. And talking of snippets, I'll be adding this to Di's Crafty Snippet Challenge - Week 57 - my first visit to the playground this week!
Something I've been thinking about and while I have half an hour before Silent Witness - a 'must see' drama for me. I'm thinking of making a scrap page on our favourite TV programmes - it might amuse my grandchildren in years to come. Goodness knows what they will be watching ... indeed, what and how they will be watching ... it will be TV but not as we know it :)
It might seem from comments I make on this blog that I watch a lot of TV but, in fact, I am very choosy. If it is a good drama series and is on at 9pm, I'll go down and join the EM to watch it. I also like anything to do with skating so, much as I hate the constant commercial breaks, Dancing on Ice is on the list at the moment. I also like any of the nature watch programmes, i.e. Spring Watch, Autumn Watch, etc. You've probably noticed I'm addicted to Pointless, followed by Eggheads and for a good belly laugh, my secret pleasure is Mrs Brown's Boys. Oh, and I do record and watch, whenever I have an idle moment, many of the stamping and scrapbooking items on CNC. The EM loves anything to do with railways so Michael Portillo's train journeys are high on his list and because he was quite some ballroom dancer - Latin-American - in his time we never miss Strictly Come Dancing. However, if I watched as much television as he does, I'd never get any crafting done!
How about you ... do you watch TV, are you selective and what are your favourites?
Off to do a bit of blog visiting now.
Take care everyone,
Thursday 31 January 2013
Feathery Thank You - Faux Airbrushing
Hello Everyone
I can't believe it, and you probably won't either, but I've gone and made another clean and simple card!
I know, it's not like me, but when you're inspired you just have to go with the flow. And what inspired me this time, you ask? Well, the latest edition of Craft Stamper, actually. Or, to be more precise, Joanne Allison's article on faux airbrushing. Joanne's faux airbrushing effect requires nothing more sophisticated than a stencil/mask, ink and a make-up sponge.
A bit like the above. I didn't have a circle mask so I made one by punching out circles at regular intervals from a scrap of card.
I chose a mix of peach, for the circles, and brown for the stamping.
For me, a card isn't done until I've decorated the inside ...
... and the back.
Materials used:
base - a smooth white card
mask - 2" strip of smooth white card long enough to fit across the width of the card
inks - Adirondack Lights, Peach Bellini and Memento, Rich Cocoa
stamps - Hero Arts Feathers, Creative Expressions Sincere Sentiments, Docrafts Handmade By
tools - Stampin' Up 1" circle punch, a make-up sponge
I plan to make this another submission to the Less is More Week 104 Sketch challenge.
The fabulous feathers stamp set were included in a wonderful candy win from Janet and Michelle over at We're Lovin' Ink. Here's a pic of all the lovely goodies that came in the box.
I can't believe it, and you probably won't either, but I've gone and made another clean and simple card!
I know, it's not like me, but when you're inspired you just have to go with the flow. And what inspired me this time, you ask? Well, the latest edition of Craft Stamper, actually. Or, to be more precise, Joanne Allison's article on faux airbrushing. Joanne's faux airbrushing effect requires nothing more sophisticated than a stencil/mask, ink and a make-up sponge.
A bit like the above. I didn't have a circle mask so I made one by punching out circles at regular intervals from a scrap of card.
I chose a mix of peach, for the circles, and brown for the stamping.
For me, a card isn't done until I've decorated the inside ...
... and the back.
Materials used:
base - a smooth white card
mask - 2" strip of smooth white card long enough to fit across the width of the card
inks - Adirondack Lights, Peach Bellini and Memento, Rich Cocoa
stamps - Hero Arts Feathers, Creative Expressions Sincere Sentiments, Docrafts Handmade By
tools - Stampin' Up 1" circle punch, a make-up sponge
I plan to make this another submission to the Less is More Week 104 Sketch challenge.
The fabulous feathers stamp set were included in a wonderful candy win from Janet and Michelle over at We're Lovin' Ink. Here's a pic of all the lovely goodies that came in the box.
Thanks girls, and Craft Range who donated the prize. That's Christmas sorted!
My nursing duties are now over - the EM is much better and, if not fighting fit, getting there, and the Boss is fine and has promised not to overeat ever again :)
I don't know what it's like where you are but here it's full on gales and horrible squally rain. The sun did break through for a minute or two yesterday but that was just a brief respite. It was so bad that it kept me awake during the night and the high winds spooked the Boss - cats are easily spooked!
Now that this post is written up, I'm off to catch Pointless - am I predictable or what :))
Happy crafting,
Wednesday 30 January 2013
Docrafts Creativity Challenge
Hello Everyone,
Two posts in one day, what's the world coming to!
Here's a card created with Docrafts Chronology stamps that was made with a male recipient in mind. It's not like me, I know, but I have gone all clean and simple with this one. The panel was created by masking off the area to be inked and stamped. Then the iced spruce distress ink was brushed on before over-stamping in black soot ... inking only the top part of the Chronology Looking Glasses stamp to achieve the desired effect.
The heat embossed clock was fairly easy to cut out to embellish the front. I've also stamped it inside.
And on the back too.
Materials used:
base - blank smooth white card
inks - Tim Holtz distress inks, Iced Spruce and Black Soot; VersaMark
stamps - Docrafts Urban stamp, Chronology (Looking Glasses); Chronology stamp set free with Creativity magazine; Stampin' Up, So Happy For You, stamp set
embossing powder - Stampendous Midnight Black opaque
tools: ink duster
I'm submitting this card to the following two challenges:
Docrafts Creativity Challenge - cards for men
Less is More Week 104 - Sketch #8
This is the sketch:
That's me done for now. I'm on nursing duty - the EM isn't feeling too good and the Boss has been sick too. Unfortunately, our old cat doesn't seem to know when she is eating too much and I treated her to a snack of chicken at lunch time - mistake!
On a happier note, I'm off to visit a few more WOYWWers before Pointless starts at 5.15pm.
Happy crafting,
Two posts in one day, what's the world coming to!
Here's a card created with Docrafts Chronology stamps that was made with a male recipient in mind. It's not like me, I know, but I have gone all clean and simple with this one. The panel was created by masking off the area to be inked and stamped. Then the iced spruce distress ink was brushed on before over-stamping in black soot ... inking only the top part of the Chronology Looking Glasses stamp to achieve the desired effect.
The heat embossed clock was fairly easy to cut out to embellish the front. I've also stamped it inside.
And on the back too.
Materials used:
base - blank smooth white card
inks - Tim Holtz distress inks, Iced Spruce and Black Soot; VersaMark
stamps - Docrafts Urban stamp, Chronology (Looking Glasses); Chronology stamp set free with Creativity magazine; Stampin' Up, So Happy For You, stamp set
embossing powder - Stampendous Midnight Black opaque
tools: ink duster
I'm submitting this card to the following two challenges:
Docrafts Creativity Challenge - cards for men
Less is More Week 104 - Sketch #8
This is the sketch:
That's me done for now. I'm on nursing duty - the EM isn't feeling too good and the Boss has been sick too. Unfortunately, our old cat doesn't seem to know when she is eating too much and I treated her to a snack of chicken at lunch time - mistake!
On a happier note, I'm off to visit a few more WOYWWers before Pointless starts at 5.15pm.
Happy crafting,
WOYWW 191 - What's On Your Desk Wednesday
Hello Everyone,
Joining in the fun again this week and I have a photo of both my workdesks for you this morning.
Not the brightest photo ever but that's because it was still dark when I got the camera out this morning ... it's not that much brighter now. It's 9.10am here and we still have to have the lights on! Anyway, I'm in the process of making a card suitable for a male recipient which explains the supplies that are lying out in the forefront ... Chronology stamps, distress inks and ink duster, etc. At the back are the essentials - my essentials :) In the blue dish all manner of adhesives; in the plaid tray, wet wipes and a few boxes containing stamps, cocktail sticks, oh, and an emergency inhaler - just in cases :) To the side of that is my catch-all tray, that's where I dump all sorts of bits and bobs until I can find time to put it all away. Behind that the tool bag - full of vital equipment - a basket of stamping blocks, a pot full of pens and pencils and a basket of stamping blocks. Even the chook box can be spotted this morning. Everything that could be needed close to hand but doesn't it look a right old mess ... note self: tidy the desk and clean that craft sheet!!!
The other workdesk - always a much tidier space. Yesterday, I nipped down to our local craft shop. It was an emergency! I desperately needed some cut-n-dry and the rest just jumped into my hands - I can't even pretend I had a basket :) The bargain of the week is the sequin waste. At 20p a metre, I just couldn't resist and I'm absolutely certain I needed those dies - they are going to be soooooo useful :)
So, there you are, my desks this morning. Now I'm off over to clock in with the head desk keeper, Julia Dunnit, over at the Stamping Ground. If you don't already join in with this weekly snoopathon but would like to, go on, do it, you'll enjoy yourself :)
It's a wet and miserable day here so I'm not planning to go out anywhere, in fact, I can't think of any better than to spend a much of the day visiting as many of you as I can.
I hope you are all well, and enjoying rather better weather wherever you are :)
Happy WOYWW,
Joining in the fun again this week and I have a photo of both my workdesks for you this morning.
Not the brightest photo ever but that's because it was still dark when I got the camera out this morning ... it's not that much brighter now. It's 9.10am here and we still have to have the lights on! Anyway, I'm in the process of making a card suitable for a male recipient which explains the supplies that are lying out in the forefront ... Chronology stamps, distress inks and ink duster, etc. At the back are the essentials - my essentials :) In the blue dish all manner of adhesives; in the plaid tray, wet wipes and a few boxes containing stamps, cocktail sticks, oh, and an emergency inhaler - just in cases :) To the side of that is my catch-all tray, that's where I dump all sorts of bits and bobs until I can find time to put it all away. Behind that the tool bag - full of vital equipment - a basket of stamping blocks, a pot full of pens and pencils and a basket of stamping blocks. Even the chook box can be spotted this morning. Everything that could be needed close to hand but doesn't it look a right old mess ... note self: tidy the desk and clean that craft sheet!!!
The other workdesk - always a much tidier space. Yesterday, I nipped down to our local craft shop. It was an emergency! I desperately needed some cut-n-dry and the rest just jumped into my hands - I can't even pretend I had a basket :) The bargain of the week is the sequin waste. At 20p a metre, I just couldn't resist and I'm absolutely certain I needed those dies - they are going to be soooooo useful :)
So, there you are, my desks this morning. Now I'm off over to clock in with the head desk keeper, Julia Dunnit, over at the Stamping Ground. If you don't already join in with this weekly snoopathon but would like to, go on, do it, you'll enjoy yourself :)
It's a wet and miserable day here so I'm not planning to go out anywhere, in fact, I can't think of any better than to spend a much of the day visiting as many of you as I can.
I hope you are all well, and enjoying rather better weather wherever you are :)
Happy WOYWW,
Saturday 26 January 2013
Easter Teddy Card - and introducing my new toy!
Hi Everyone
I hope your weekend is going well. I've been out and about on a mission for much of the day - all will become clear after I've shared this last card that features a topper made from that recycled insert - again :)
Apologies for the glare - the gold embossing on the image was just impossible to photograph face on. This time it's a tent shaped card. The teddy image was cut out with a Spellbinder label die (landscape orientation) and once again for the blue matting I traced around the die. The yellow/white base layer is another Easter card, trimmed down to fit the front of the card, to which I have added two lengths of the yellow and orange patterned ribbon. The Easter greeting was punched out of a scrap of leftover patterned paper.
There was a wee strip of the striped paper left - just enough to decorate the inside.
And, as I really hate to leave the back bare, I've adhered another circle punched from the paper.
Materials:
I hope your weekend is going well. I've been out and about on a mission for much of the day - all will become clear after I've shared this last card that features a topper made from that recycled insert - again :)
Apologies for the glare - the gold embossing on the image was just impossible to photograph face on. This time it's a tent shaped card. The teddy image was cut out with a Spellbinder label die (landscape orientation) and once again for the blue matting I traced around the die. The yellow/white base layer is another Easter card, trimmed down to fit the front of the card, to which I have added two lengths of the yellow and orange patterned ribbon. The Easter greeting was punched out of a scrap of leftover patterned paper.
There was a wee strip of the striped paper left - just enough to decorate the inside.
And, as I really hate to leave the back bare, I've adhered another circle punched from the paper.
Materials:
white card base
Spellbinders Labels Twenty Five dies
the recycled teddy image
aqua blue Bazzill Basics cardstock
yellow/white patterned card recycled from another old card
round embellishments punched from scraps of Imaginesce For Peep's Sake Spring Fling patterned paper
card candi from Oranges and Lemons set
heart patterned ribbon from stash
As I said, that's the last card made using the images that were on that insert. It isn't often that the insert in a card has more images that there is on the front like this and it is even less often that it is possible to make three card toppers from one card :)
Now, here's the reason why, on a dull and miserable day, we've been trudging around the shops.
My new toy! Isn't she just beautiful :)
Not that the old printer wasn't beautiful too ... it's just that she finally, after approximately 6 years faithful service, gave up the ghost :(
This new is small but perfectly adequate for our needs. We can, once again, print photographs ... I'm still getting to grips with the Easy Photo Print facility but, so far, I've printed out a goodly number of 6"x4" prints with varying success - I've yet to perfect the creating frame feature!
We can also print straight from memory cards and, as it's wireless connected, theoretically we can print from the laptop from anywhere in the house. All good stuff.
So, if there is anyone out there who has an Epson printer that uses Tesco compatible ink cartridges for printers using Epson T0715, I have one each of black, yellow and magenta going begging. Drop me a line if you are interested and I'll pop them in the post for you.
Tonight is home movie night here in Casa Worthington and it's a Meryl Streep film so I'm off to enjoy.
Take care all and enjoy what's left of the weekend.
Happy crafting,
This new is small but perfectly adequate for our needs. We can, once again, print photographs ... I'm still getting to grips with the Easy Photo Print facility but, so far, I've printed out a goodly number of 6"x4" prints with varying success - I've yet to perfect the creating frame feature!
We can also print straight from memory cards and, as it's wireless connected, theoretically we can print from the laptop from anywhere in the house. All good stuff.
So, if there is anyone out there who has an Epson printer that uses Tesco compatible ink cartridges for printers using Epson T0715, I have one each of black, yellow and magenta going begging. Drop me a line if you are interested and I'll pop them in the post for you.
Tonight is home movie night here in Casa Worthington and it's a Meryl Streep film so I'm off to enjoy.
Take care all and enjoy what's left of the weekend.
Happy crafting,
Friday 25 January 2013
Sweet Robin - a Rudolph Day card
Hi Everyone,
Besides being Burns Night, it is also Rudolph Day and I do try to make a Christmas card especially to mark it each month. Today's offering is a simple one that didn't take too long to make.
The stamp used for the topper is one designed by Kirsty Wiseman and Personal Impressions produce it under their Christmas 'Tinchies' range. I stamped the image in black on to a scrap of smooth white card - I have an A4 size envelope full of these little off-cuts of white card, the perfect size for tiny stamps :) It is coloured with ProMarkers in shades of brown, warm grey and holly red.
For this card, the belly band is made up from a strip of leftover sticky back fabric - the adhesive made it very easy to apply to the card. The topper is matted on to shiny gold mirri card and embellished with some tiny red gems. Et voila! A card made in minutes :))
Materials:
a white 4" shaped base card
a scrap of smooth white cardstock - approximately 2" square
Personal Impressions Christmas 'Tinchies' Sweet Christmas
Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad
ProMarker pens - brown, warm grey and holly red
a small piece of shiny gold mirri - approximately 2¼" square
a 4" x 1" strip of sticky-backed printed fabric in a red/gold pattern
red gems to decorate
Challenges I'm submitting this card to are:
Sarn, over at Stamping for Pleasure, is the lady that challenges us to create a Christmas card for her monthly Rudolph Day Challenge. Starting on 25th of each month, the closing date is the last day of the month - so there's still plenty of time if you want to join in.
And then there's the challenge over at Christmas Cards All Year Round, which is for anything, just so long as it's Christmas.
Besides being Burns Night, it is also Rudolph Day and I do try to make a Christmas card especially to mark it each month. Today's offering is a simple one that didn't take too long to make.
The stamp used for the topper is one designed by Kirsty Wiseman and Personal Impressions produce it under their Christmas 'Tinchies' range. I stamped the image in black on to a scrap of smooth white card - I have an A4 size envelope full of these little off-cuts of white card, the perfect size for tiny stamps :) It is coloured with ProMarkers in shades of brown, warm grey and holly red.
For this card, the belly band is made up from a strip of leftover sticky back fabric - the adhesive made it very easy to apply to the card. The topper is matted on to shiny gold mirri card and embellished with some tiny red gems. Et voila! A card made in minutes :))
Materials:
a white 4" shaped base card
a scrap of smooth white cardstock - approximately 2" square
Personal Impressions Christmas 'Tinchies' Sweet Christmas
Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad
ProMarker pens - brown, warm grey and holly red
a small piece of shiny gold mirri - approximately 2¼" square
a 4" x 1" strip of sticky-backed printed fabric in a red/gold pattern
red gems to decorate
Challenges I'm submitting this card to are:
Sarn, over at Stamping for Pleasure, is the lady that challenges us to create a Christmas card for her monthly Rudolph Day Challenge. Starting on 25th of each month, the closing date is the last day of the month - so there's still plenty of time if you want to join in.
And then there's the challenge over at Christmas Cards All Year Round, which is for anything, just so long as it's Christmas.
There's also CraftyHazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra - I think this card is a fit for this challenge too.
Finally, there's Di's snippet challenge - Week 56 - over at Pixie's Crafty Workshop.
I think that's me almost done for the evening - it will soon be time for bed. I like to curl up in bed with a good book ... though I usually don't read past a paragraph or two before I feel myself dropping off to sleep :))
Take care everyone, wherever you are. Thanks for dropping by - and if you find time, in your busy life, to leave a comment, you should know it is much appreciated. I love to hear from.
Happy crafting,
Celebrating Burns Night
The Selkirk Grace
Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it;
But we hae meat, and we can eat,
And sae let the Lord be thankit.
As many of you will know, today is the birthday of our Scottish Bard, Robert Burns. It is also the 76th birthday of my youngest aunt, Jean, in Australia - happy birthday auntie Jean :)
Traditionally, many Scots, both here in Scotland and all around the world, will be celebrating with a Burns Night Supper. That is a dish of haggis, usually served with bashed neeps (aka turnips or swedes, depending on where you hail from) and mashed potato. The above grace is always said before the haggis is dished up.
In recognition of the great man's birthday I've made this wee card. It's just about the nearest I get to a CAS card.
This image of the revered man himself is the one we are most likely to see on any amount of items found for sale here in the Burns Heritage Centre in Alloway. I was very fortunate to find the stamp, going for a song, at the Sunday car boot sale some time last year.
I've simply stamped the image in black on to a snippet of smooth white card and matted it on to another scrap of card - the dark blue found in the tartan ribbon. The last leftover piece of the blue card was just long enough to fit the width of the card, making yet another belly band :) The tartan ribbon and a piece of lucky purple heather - well, not the real thing, of course - and the card was done.
Materials:
a 4" square white card base
a snippet of smooth white cardstock
the Robert Burns stamp by the Heritage Rubber Stamp Company, Scotland XLS
Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad
two scraps of dark blue Docrafts textured cardstock
tartan ribbon and purple heather spray from stash
Because a few snippets went into the making of the card, I'm submitting it to Pixie's Crafty Snippet Week 56. I'd say this was the first time the bard made it to the playground :))
I'm off now to make a Rudolph Day card ... a bit late, but I think I'll make it with a few minutes to spare!
Before I go, here's a photo of a typical Burns supper.
Generally, the supper is accompanied by a tot or two of uisge beatha, the water of life - Scotch whisky to you and me :))
Sláinte - your good health!
Thursday 24 January 2013
Spring Kitty Card
Hi Everyone,
I hope you are all well.
It's been a tad warmer and drier here in Ayr today - there was even a glimpse of sunshine for a short period. However, the temperature has plummeted once more and my fingers are frozen again!
A number of you have been a bit surprised to learn that we have no snow in these here parts. And I suppose, given that we are in Scotland, it is easy to believe that when it is snowing in the rest of the UK it would be snowing here too. However, the snow seems to be coming in from the east and we are in the west ... we are, therefore, on the very edge of any snowdrifts coming this way. Couple that with the fact that we are fairly close to the sea - the one that has the north Atlantic drift flowing through it - so it has to be a very heavy and persistent snowfall for it to lie for long. These two factors do not stop it from being distinctly chilly though :(
With all this horrible weather, it will come as no surprise to you to learn that I've been yearning for spring ... and that I've been making cards that reflect the wish for sunnier times and cheer me up.
And just the name of the ink pad used here, Sunshine Yellow, cheers me up.
I've inked a white embossed card base, added a scalloped edged belly band ... there's that term again, Di :) ... made with a scrap of deep yellow cardstock, trimmed with some striped ribbon that's been in the stash for at least a couple of years.
The topper has been made with yet another image from that Mothering card insert - this time I've fussy-cut the little kitty out and adhered it to a scrap of card that has a yellow and white stripe pattern ... it, too, came from a card sent to me at Easter several years ago :))
There was just enough of that yellow card to decorate the front and back.
I recycle simply because I can't bear to throw away anything that I think is too nice to toss, but an added bonus is that this card has to have cost pennies to make.
Materials:
I hope you are all well.
It's been a tad warmer and drier here in Ayr today - there was even a glimpse of sunshine for a short period. However, the temperature has plummeted once more and my fingers are frozen again!
A number of you have been a bit surprised to learn that we have no snow in these here parts. And I suppose, given that we are in Scotland, it is easy to believe that when it is snowing in the rest of the UK it would be snowing here too. However, the snow seems to be coming in from the east and we are in the west ... we are, therefore, on the very edge of any snowdrifts coming this way. Couple that with the fact that we are fairly close to the sea - the one that has the north Atlantic drift flowing through it - so it has to be a very heavy and persistent snowfall for it to lie for long. These two factors do not stop it from being distinctly chilly though :(
With all this horrible weather, it will come as no surprise to you to learn that I've been yearning for spring ... and that I've been making cards that reflect the wish for sunnier times and cheer me up.
And just the name of the ink pad used here, Sunshine Yellow, cheers me up.
I've inked a white embossed card base, added a scalloped edged belly band ... there's that term again, Di :) ... made with a scrap of deep yellow cardstock, trimmed with some striped ribbon that's been in the stash for at least a couple of years.
The topper has been made with yet another image from that Mothering card insert - this time I've fussy-cut the little kitty out and adhered it to a scrap of card that has a yellow and white stripe pattern ... it, too, came from a card sent to me at Easter several years ago :))
There was just enough of that yellow card to decorate the front and back.
I recycle simply because I can't bear to throw away anything that I think is too nice to toss, but an added bonus is that this card has to have cost pennies to make.
Materials:
a square embossed card from Docrafts
Adirondack Brights Sunshine Yellow ink pad
scraps of yellow cardstock
recycled kitty image
a scrap of yellow/white card recycled
yellow/white stripe ribbon
card candi from the Oranges and Lemons selection
tools - X-cut scalloped border punch
With all those scraps used in the making, it can only mean one thing ... yes, I'm, popping over Pixie's Crafty Workshop and submitting it for Pixie's Crafty Snippets Week 56
Oh dear, I'm late for Silent Witness - another must see for me.
Edited note: it has been pointed out to me that what I thought was a kitty could well be a mouse! Apologies to all meeces - I just saw whiskers and a cute little face and thought kitty :)
Edited note: it has been pointed out to me that what I thought was a kitty could well be a mouse! Apologies to all meeces - I just saw whiskers and a cute little face and thought kitty :)
Take care everyone, keep warm if you are suffering the snow, and happy crafting,
Wednesday 23 January 2013
WOYWW 190 - What's On Your Desk
Good Morning crafters, friends, bloggers and WOYWWers ...
... in fact, good morning everyone!
Wednesday again and time to hop over to our Keeper of the Desks, the inestimable Julia Dunnit, place, the Stamping Ground, and join in the fun that is WOYWW - that's What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday ... and here's what's on my desk this morning.
The beginnings of a snow scene scrap page - the layout of which will be (loosely) based on the sketch on the right. Not that those photos were taken recently ... whilst most of the UK is under snow, my little acre of paradise is distinctly lacking in the white stuff. Oh, it's been snowing alright, but it hasn't lain, so no getting out the toboggan for us. The photos were taken in 1996, Christmas in Massachusetts, and, of course, this is me just getting round to scrapping them now! You might have noticed that the selected papers are not particularly wintry looking - I did spend an inordinate amount of time pulling out papers that were all blues, with snowflakes and all that but they simply did not work with those photographs. However, the red papers did, so red it is ... the page is going into my Christmas album anyway so it should be just fine. To the left is the embellishment tray and at the back are various other bits and bobs, e.g. sequins, gem wheels, a selection of red and green ProMarkers ... it's almost the end of January and I'm in still in full Christmas scrapping mode - go figure!
Right, I'm off now but I'll be back later to check out as many desks as I can ... I'm guessing we are going to see some real snow scenes this week :)
Take care and have a happy WOYWW wherever you are.
... in fact, good morning everyone!
Wednesday again and time to hop over to our Keeper of the Desks, the inestimable Julia Dunnit, place, the Stamping Ground, and join in the fun that is WOYWW - that's What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday ... and here's what's on my desk this morning.
The beginnings of a snow scene scrap page - the layout of which will be (loosely) based on the sketch on the right. Not that those photos were taken recently ... whilst most of the UK is under snow, my little acre of paradise is distinctly lacking in the white stuff. Oh, it's been snowing alright, but it hasn't lain, so no getting out the toboggan for us. The photos were taken in 1996, Christmas in Massachusetts, and, of course, this is me just getting round to scrapping them now! You might have noticed that the selected papers are not particularly wintry looking - I did spend an inordinate amount of time pulling out papers that were all blues, with snowflakes and all that but they simply did not work with those photographs. However, the red papers did, so red it is ... the page is going into my Christmas album anyway so it should be just fine. To the left is the embellishment tray and at the back are various other bits and bobs, e.g. sequins, gem wheels, a selection of red and green ProMarkers ... it's almost the end of January and I'm in still in full Christmas scrapping mode - go figure!
Right, I'm off now but I'll be back later to check out as many desks as I can ... I'm guessing we are going to see some real snow scenes this week :)
Take care and have a happy WOYWW wherever you are.
Tuesday 22 January 2013
Blue Easter Bunny - for Pixie's Crafty Snippets, Week 56
Hi Everyone,
It's afternoon here, and it's cold - my fingers are frozen! Not a day to stay on the keyboard for very long, so I'll make it brief.
I have a card that's a wee bit of a change for me, an Easter card. It's made of snippets and a recycled topper - so one for Di's snippet challenge over at Pixie's Crafty Snippets - Week 56.
Proving that I am the worst of hoarders, I have to reveal that the topper was cut from the insert no less - not even the card face - of a card I received for Mothering Sunday THREE years ago. Time to use it or toss it!
Well, it was too cute to toss :) I cut it out with a Spellbinder label die and matted it on to a piece of leftover aqua cardstock - made by tracing round the outer edge of the die and cutting out by hand. (The next size up in the dies would have been much to large.)
The pretty patterned paper was a leftover from a scrap page made last year - the 'B' side had the tiny pink design on it and this was perfect for the scalloped belly band and the inside and front trims.
The tiny bee embellishment was simply punched from the patterned paper and adhered with dimensional foam pads.
Materials:
5" square white base card
aqua blue Bazzill Basics cardstock
Imaginesce For Peep's Sake Spring Fling patterned paper
tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Nine die and Xcut 4cm scalloped border punch, Stampin' Up 1" circle punch;
American Crafts Dear Lizzie eau-de-nil polka-dot satin ribbon
eau-de-nil polka-dot card candi
I'm really chuffed that I was able to recycle this pretty blue bunny - I'm sure one of my great-grands will love the card. I deliberately kept the embellishments to a minimum because they are all still at that baby stage, you know the one, where everything has to go in their mouth and be sucked - and the ribbon bow can easily be removed by mum before little fingers are allowed to handle the card.
The EM is baking - flapjacks - and the aroma wafting up the stairs is just divine :) I really shouldn't, but what can I do? As chief taster, I will be expected to pass judgement - how can I refuse ... resist even!?!?!
Right, I'm off, before my fingers seize up altogether.
Take care all and, for those of you in these frozen parts, keep warm.
Happy crafting,
It's afternoon here, and it's cold - my fingers are frozen! Not a day to stay on the keyboard for very long, so I'll make it brief.
I have a card that's a wee bit of a change for me, an Easter card. It's made of snippets and a recycled topper - so one for Di's snippet challenge over at Pixie's Crafty Snippets - Week 56.
Proving that I am the worst of hoarders, I have to reveal that the topper was cut from the insert no less - not even the card face - of a card I received for Mothering Sunday THREE years ago. Time to use it or toss it!
Well, it was too cute to toss :) I cut it out with a Spellbinder label die and matted it on to a piece of leftover aqua cardstock - made by tracing round the outer edge of the die and cutting out by hand. (The next size up in the dies would have been much to large.)
The pretty patterned paper was a leftover from a scrap page made last year - the 'B' side had the tiny pink design on it and this was perfect for the scalloped belly band and the inside and front trims.
The tiny bee embellishment was simply punched from the patterned paper and adhered with dimensional foam pads.
Materials:
5" square white base card
aqua blue Bazzill Basics cardstock
Imaginesce For Peep's Sake Spring Fling patterned paper
tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Nine die and Xcut 4cm scalloped border punch, Stampin' Up 1" circle punch;
American Crafts Dear Lizzie eau-de-nil polka-dot satin ribbon
eau-de-nil polka-dot card candi
I'm really chuffed that I was able to recycle this pretty blue bunny - I'm sure one of my great-grands will love the card. I deliberately kept the embellishments to a minimum because they are all still at that baby stage, you know the one, where everything has to go in their mouth and be sucked - and the ribbon bow can easily be removed by mum before little fingers are allowed to handle the card.
The EM is baking - flapjacks - and the aroma wafting up the stairs is just divine :) I really shouldn't, but what can I do? As chief taster, I will be expected to pass judgement - how can I refuse ... resist even!?!?!
Right, I'm off, before my fingers seize up altogether.
Take care all and, for those of you in these frozen parts, keep warm.
Happy crafting,
Sunday 20 January 2013
Friday's Smile on Sunday
Hi Everyone
Annie, over on A Stitch In Time, usually posts a bunch of great photos for her My Friday Smile weekly. This week she has invited us all to join in the fun and post something that makes us happy. I'm late, so here is what is making me happy today.
Yes, it's the Boss, aka Bonnie, doing what she does best - snoozing. It's just too cold for her to linger too long outside right now - she usually spends most of the day defending the garden from other feline intruders - so, instead, she has taken up the prone position on the back of the sofa. Doesn't she look comfy :)
It's a freezing cold day here, but no snow ... again! We did get a wee flutter yesterday, tiny wee flakes that melted as soon as they hit the grown - pathetic!!! However! Look at this, the hellebore in full bloom. Just gorgeous! I've been waiting for the buds to open forever so when I saw this beauty, I was smiling from ear-to-ear :)
Want to join in, just take a photo or two, post to your blog and then pop over to Annie's where there's a Mr Linky thing. Add your name and then go see what is making others smile too ... apparently it takes fewer muscles to smile than it does to frown, so it can only be good for us :))
That's me for now. It's lunch time here and the EM has made a pot of delicious white onion soup - just the thing to warm the cockles of your heart - so I'm off to scoff a bowl.
Take care and,if you are in snow covered parts, stay warm.
Happy crafting,
Annie, over on A Stitch In Time, usually posts a bunch of great photos for her My Friday Smile weekly. This week she has invited us all to join in the fun and post something that makes us happy. I'm late, so here is what is making me happy today.
Yes, it's the Boss, aka Bonnie, doing what she does best - snoozing. It's just too cold for her to linger too long outside right now - she usually spends most of the day defending the garden from other feline intruders - so, instead, she has taken up the prone position on the back of the sofa. Doesn't she look comfy :)
It's a freezing cold day here, but no snow ... again! We did get a wee flutter yesterday, tiny wee flakes that melted as soon as they hit the grown - pathetic!!! However! Look at this, the hellebore in full bloom. Just gorgeous! I've been waiting for the buds to open forever so when I saw this beauty, I was smiling from ear-to-ear :)
Want to join in, just take a photo or two, post to your blog and then pop over to Annie's where there's a Mr Linky thing. Add your name and then go see what is making others smile too ... apparently it takes fewer muscles to smile than it does to frown, so it can only be good for us :))
That's me for now. It's lunch time here and the EM has made a pot of delicious white onion soup - just the thing to warm the cockles of your heart - so I'm off to scoff a bowl.
Take care and,if you are in snow covered parts, stay warm.
Happy crafting,
Friday 18 January 2013
CHNC Challenge - Week 107 - Rudolph is Resting
Hello Everyone ...
... from a freezing but snow free corner of Scotland. I don't know how this has happened but while the rest of the UK has a white-out, we, disappointingly, have seen not so much as one flake!!!
Seriously, I hope those of you who do have snow are enjoying it and looking forward to a weekend of frolicking in it, sledging, making snowmen and throwing snowballs.
I have a very quick share for you this evening - a card for Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - 107. The challenge is entitled Rudolph is Resting, which means Hazel is looking for a card without a reindeer on it, anywhere! Happy to oblige, Hazel :)
This card is made almost entirely of snippets of paper and bits and bobs from stash. The scraps of papers and the ribbon were enclosed in packages by the lovely UKPC girls, makers of the patchwork pieces for the wall-hanging I showed in my WOYWW post on Wednesday.
Front and back are decorated with the trimmings, as usual.
Materials:
white card base
scraps of Kraft cardstock for topper base
Cardmakers Delight Christmas topper
snippets of patterned paper
scrap of lace trim and cream/gold patterned ribbon
Snowflake embellishments (from The Works two years ago)
Red and gold glitter
My sewing machine
Yes, I actually got out my sewing machine for this one and much to my surprise managed to sew a satisfactory row of zigzag stitches ... something of a victory for me :)
So many snippets means another trip to the playground and Pixie's Crafty Snippets #55 - I wonder if anyone has made a snowman yet :)
Edited note: At Hazel's suggestion, the card is also being entered into her Challenge Extra for January - thanks Hazel :)
Right, I'm off - I need to see the second part of Silent Witness or I'll never know who dunnit :)
Happy crafting,
... from a freezing but snow free corner of Scotland. I don't know how this has happened but while the rest of the UK has a white-out, we, disappointingly, have seen not so much as one flake!!!
Seriously, I hope those of you who do have snow are enjoying it and looking forward to a weekend of frolicking in it, sledging, making snowmen and throwing snowballs.
I have a very quick share for you this evening - a card for Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - 107. The challenge is entitled Rudolph is Resting, which means Hazel is looking for a card without a reindeer on it, anywhere! Happy to oblige, Hazel :)
This card is made almost entirely of snippets of paper and bits and bobs from stash. The scraps of papers and the ribbon were enclosed in packages by the lovely UKPC girls, makers of the patchwork pieces for the wall-hanging I showed in my WOYWW post on Wednesday.
Front and back are decorated with the trimmings, as usual.
Materials:
white card base
scraps of Kraft cardstock for topper base
Cardmakers Delight Christmas topper
snippets of patterned paper
scrap of lace trim and cream/gold patterned ribbon
Snowflake embellishments (from The Works two years ago)
Red and gold glitter
My sewing machine
Yes, I actually got out my sewing machine for this one and much to my surprise managed to sew a satisfactory row of zigzag stitches ... something of a victory for me :)
Edited note: At Hazel's suggestion, the card is also being entered into her Challenge Extra for January - thanks Hazel :)
Right, I'm off - I need to see the second part of Silent Witness or I'll never know who dunnit :)
Happy crafting,
Thursday 17 January 2013
Dare to Dream and Sweet Friend - two cards the same but different
Hello Fellow Crafters,
Brrrr! It's cold outside. We did get a glimpse of blue sky this morning but it's clouded over now :( Hope it's better where you are.
The card today was made for this month's swap over on the UKPC Yahoo Group. The challenge this time was to include bugs or insects. To quote my granddaughter, Jenny, 'I don't do bugs' so it's butterflies and bees instead.
Dare to Dream, is the second of two attempts ... I had trouble with the stamping on the first, but this one is okayish.
The butterflies were die cut from scraps of patterned paper, in two different sizes, and dry embossed, then heat embossed with crystal powder to obtain that shimmer ... and as a finishing touch, a few brown pearls. It's a struggle, but you might just be able to spot the two crystal embossed bees hovering among the flowers.
The cluster bottom right consists of butterfly and typescript patterned washi tape, a snippet of aqua Core'dinations - distressed and cut to form a banner - a cluster of tiny pearl-centred flowers punched from aqua/white patterned paper and the butterfly.
Sweet Friend, is the first attempt - I've just included a photo so that you can see the difference in the stamping. It's definitely not perfect! However as the stamp itself is intended to have a shabby chic look, I went ahead and completed the card anyway.
Here, the butterflies haven't been heat embossed with crystal powder and I've used different items to create the embellishment cluster, e.g. a felt flower and another snippet of paper to create a banner - otherwise it is very similar.
Materials: plain white square card base; Tim Holtz DI, Peacock Feathers; Dawn Bibby Delicate Scrolls stamp set; cArt-Us Butterfly die set; scraps from Kanban Vintage Tapestry paper pad; Sheena Douglass, I think - correct me if I'm wrong, Dare to Dream sentiment stamp; Wild Rose Studio Everyday Greetings stamp set; Memento Rich Cocoa and Tuxedo Black ink pads; Stamp-N-Stuff Crystal embossing powder; VersaMark water ink pad; various tiny flower paper punches; white and aqua felt flowers from the Works; Wishi Washi Butterfly tape; a snippet of aqua coloured Core'dinations cardstock; white and taupe adhesive pearls in various sizes; cream coloured button twine
Enough scraps have been used in both these cards that I think they merit a visit to Di's playground and submission to Pixie's Crafty Snippets - Week 55.
Right, I have just enough time to visit a few blogs before Pointless begins. And after dinner, I plan to retire to the craft room and indulge in a bit of scrapping ... the EM thinks that word suggests I'm about to indulge in the noble art of pugilism and not the more delicate art of papercrafting! He should see me struggling with some paper punches some time :))
Thanks for visiting and take care folks, wherever you are.
Happy crafting,
Brrrr! It's cold outside. We did get a glimpse of blue sky this morning but it's clouded over now :( Hope it's better where you are.
The card today was made for this month's swap over on the UKPC Yahoo Group. The challenge this time was to include bugs or insects. To quote my granddaughter, Jenny, 'I don't do bugs' so it's butterflies and bees instead.
Dare to Dream, is the second of two attempts ... I had trouble with the stamping on the first, but this one is okayish.
The butterflies were die cut from scraps of patterned paper, in two different sizes, and dry embossed, then heat embossed with crystal powder to obtain that shimmer ... and as a finishing touch, a few brown pearls. It's a struggle, but you might just be able to spot the two crystal embossed bees hovering among the flowers.
The cluster bottom right consists of butterfly and typescript patterned washi tape, a snippet of aqua Core'dinations - distressed and cut to form a banner - a cluster of tiny pearl-centred flowers punched from aqua/white patterned paper and the butterfly.
Sweet Friend, is the first attempt - I've just included a photo so that you can see the difference in the stamping. It's definitely not perfect! However as the stamp itself is intended to have a shabby chic look, I went ahead and completed the card anyway.
Here, the butterflies haven't been heat embossed with crystal powder and I've used different items to create the embellishment cluster, e.g. a felt flower and another snippet of paper to create a banner - otherwise it is very similar.
Materials: plain white square card base; Tim Holtz DI, Peacock Feathers; Dawn Bibby Delicate Scrolls stamp set; cArt-Us Butterfly die set; scraps from Kanban Vintage Tapestry paper pad; Sheena Douglass, I think - correct me if I'm wrong, Dare to Dream sentiment stamp; Wild Rose Studio Everyday Greetings stamp set; Memento Rich Cocoa and Tuxedo Black ink pads; Stamp-N-Stuff Crystal embossing powder; VersaMark water ink pad; various tiny flower paper punches; white and aqua felt flowers from the Works; Wishi Washi Butterfly tape; a snippet of aqua coloured Core'dinations cardstock; white and taupe adhesive pearls in various sizes; cream coloured button twine
Enough scraps have been used in both these cards that I think they merit a visit to Di's playground and submission to Pixie's Crafty Snippets - Week 55.
Right, I have just enough time to visit a few blogs before Pointless begins. And after dinner, I plan to retire to the craft room and indulge in a bit of scrapping ... the EM thinks that word suggests I'm about to indulge in the noble art of pugilism and not the more delicate art of papercrafting! He should see me struggling with some paper punches some time :))
Thanks for visiting and take care folks, wherever you are.
Happy crafting,
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