MOTHER NATURE

This weeks challenge over at THE SECRET CRAFTER was to use stitching on a card, so I put mine around the edges. Still trying to do some cards that aren't too cute, I tried for an oldish look.

Mother Nature stamp is from Paperartsy and the papers are HOTP.

TEA TIME

Another challenge from the I LOVE PROMARKERS blog. We had to follow a sketch and also add stitching. I found using two images and two flowers quite difficult, but I also didn't want to do 'cute' again, I wanted something a little vintage so I came up with this.

The teapot images were from THE GRAPHICS FAIRY. They didn't really require much colour, but I did colour them a little with my Promarkers and I also coloured the flowers and brads with Promarkers. Scattered Straw distress ink was used to ink the edges. The paper is from the Sunshine range of the Papermania Capsule collection. The grey card is from Basic Grey's 'Scarlet Letter' and a strip of lace finished it off.

BOOK BOX

My friend, Kim, gave me a set of boxes a while ago that look like books. They're made of cardboard and have a few rough patches, but I really liked them. Today's project was to decorate the middle sized one to keep my pearls and crystals in.
I used Basic Grey 'Blush' papers, Aged Mahogany Distress Ink and acrylic paint in Wine and Dusky Rose.

I used the floral papers from the set for the exterior and cut the embellies from a sheet and 3D'd them. The striped paper for the interior is a much better match in real life. It doesn't look like it matches the floral sides at all, but it does. Oh, well. It's only a piccie, eh?

THINK PINK

A new challenge blog has started, called I LOVE DIGI challenge blog. It is just for digi images and this week they started with their first challenge 'Think Pink'. I used an image called Sophie by Mo over at DIGITAL PENCIL TOO. The papers are Pink Parfait from the Forever Friends range and Sophie was coloured with Promarkers.

I wish I Love Digi every success with their new blog.



Meanwhile, back at the homestead, I'm playing with a few new toys. I've found another lovely card that works perfectly with Promarkers. It's Personal Impressions premium quality smooth white and it's lovely to work on. I also got myself a new edge punch as I was a bit heavy handed the other day and broke one in half. Oooops!

I was also inspired by an article in Craft Stamper magazine on a Nestability storage book, so I got out my Basic Grey Infuse papers and made myself one. Much more my usual style of crafting. I do prefer the grungy, muted colour stuff. I must admit though, I love it. It's so much quicker and easy to find the nestie I want.





See you again soon. :o)

JUST BECAUSE....

I can now!! Woohoo!!! Finally, I've cracked my Promarkers, so I've done my very first challenge over at I LOVE PROMARKERS. We had to follow a sketch AND use pink and brown. The image is a digi image from Mo at DIGITAL PENCIL TOO. It's called Prairie Girl and I think she's just lovely. Mo also provides her with a plain dress and hat if you want to do your own thing. The papers are from 7 Gypsies and HOTP and the ribbon is American Crafts. I used my nesties to cut the sentiment card and Kaiser rubon words.



Now, I have to say two more things. After weeks and weeks of trying to use these Promarkers and nearly throwing them in the bin, I have at last found the perfect paper. No bleeding and easy to blend. I would not have found it if not for the help of the lovely Dawn over at ALL PINK GIRL, who answered all my emails for help and sent me some paper samples to try before I buy. I was so impressed with her work, that I contacted her, so thank you, Dawn. I will be forever grateful and you've saved me a fortune in wasted pens, lol.

Secondly, I just want to send my friend who is going through a tough time, lots of hugs. You know who you are, hun. Hang on in there. xxxx

So, that's it for today. I'm sure I'll be back soon though. :o)

GRRRRRR!!!!!!

Spammers are really getting on my nerves now so I've enabled word verification for a while. Sorry, I know it's a pain and I find it a pain on other sites, but now realise why it's done.
Oh well...the nature of boring, sick people without a life eh?

FRIDAY SKETCH

It's been a while since I made any cards, so thought I'd have a go at a couple. The first one is for Challenge 88 over at FRIDAY SKETCHERS. I struggled to find papers to match so ended up resorting to some HOTP ones I got ages ago. It's a bit TOO purple for me, lol but it follows the rules. :o)


This one is something I was playing around with yesterday. I downloaded Mitzi the duck from PC Crafters as I thought she was just so cute, lol.

LOST YOUR KEYS?

My daughter and her partner are forever losing their keys, so she asked me if I would make her a key holder. Hmmmm, well yes, probably, but paper and card wouldn't be very strong.
So, I bought a piece of wood and six hooks from the hardware shop for the grand price of £1.00. I put two coats of gesso on the wood and then painted it with Wedgewood Blue acrylic paint. I cut the letters and shapes with my bug, added a bit of card, ribbon and brads and it was done. There are two small hangers attached to the back.
I might even make something similar for myself now. :o)

IN THE POST..

Well, this years Circle Journal went in the post today. I didn't want to send it, lol. I find it really hard to spend days or weeks on a project only to send it off in the post. I was really pleased with my pages and hate the thought of it being a year before it comes home. Still, there's no doubting the fact that when it does come home it's going to be fabulous. My crafting friends are brilliant.

Last year, my theme was 'Renaissance Art in Italy' and some of the girls were pulling their hair out at the thought of it. This year I thought I better go a bit easier on them, so my theme is OPERA! Well, my trying to be kind failed miserably, some of them still have the shakes, lol. Nah, I think they're looking forward to it really. They each have to choose one composer and one of his operas and include info and pics. It will be a great read for me when it comes back. As my favourite opera is Rigoletto by Verdi, obviously that is what my pages were about, but of course, I can't show you any pics yet. I must keep the surprise element...at least for a while.

Here's a peek at a couple of pages from last years 'Renaissance Art'.


















It looks beautiful doesn't it? If this years is as bright, colourful and interesting I shall be a very happy bunny indeed.