ANYTHING BUT SQUARE

It's challenge #148 over at I ♥ PROMARKERS this week and the theme is 'Anything but Square'.  The challenge will run for two weeks this time and we'll be back on 2nd January.  Our fabulous sponsor is MARIANNE DESIGN and there's two gorgeous swirly leaf dies on offer for our winner.

I really mulled over what shape card to do for this, but I'd seen this template floating around the internet a lot and really liked it, so I thought I'd have a go.  Thanks to Marianne at Stamp ARTic for her great instructions.  My papers are Basic Grey 'Plumeria' and my image is from an art deco stamp set I bought a couple of years ago from Lilac Lemon Designs.  It's ages since I've used them, but after rooting through a couple of hundred stamps for an idea (didn't want to use a digi) I thought this would be perfect.

The Promarkers (mustard, purple and shades) are a perfect match for the tones in the papers, so it all went together really well.  A Martha Stewart punch did my edges, inked with distress ink and a nestie cut the internal greeting oval.  As we're sponsored by Marianne Design, we used her product too.  My fern at top right, the flower and the leafy swirl inside are all Marianne D's.  Some mesh, lace and pearls from my stash finished it off.

So that's it.  All that's left is to wish all my blogging buddies, friends and even folk I don't know in any way at all, a very Happy Christmas and New Year.  I hope you all have a wonderful time.

Entering into:
FABNFUNKY #152 - Ribbon/lace
DIVA'S BY DESIGN #66 - Anything goes.
STAMP N DOODLE - Anything goes.
LADYBUG CRAFTS - Anything goes.
ARTISTIC INSPIRATIONS #20 - Anything goes.
CRAFTY BLOGGERS #6 - Anything goes.
MAKE IT MONDAY #120 - Anything goes.
CHALLENGES FOR EVERYBODY #9 - Anything goes.
GREAT IMPRESSIONS - Anything goes.

ONE FOR THE BOYS..

Well, just one boy in my case but the I ♥ PROMARKERS challenge #147 this week is One for the Boys....surely you must all be fed up of Christmas cards by now eh?  Please say you are!!! lol. The sponsor is again the super JOANNA SHEEN with a £10 spend for the winner.

It's not Aidan's birthday until the middle of January, but I thought I may as well get my card done now.

My papers are from a pad I've had for eons and never used, K & Co 'Itsy Bitsy Baby Boy'.  I don't even know why I bought it really as I don't do baby cards.  I suppose I could use it in some scrapbook layouts if I ever do some more tiny baby pages.  I have used Memory Box (corner), Cheery Lynn (fence) and Spellbinders (greeting mat) dies and a Martha Stewart Punch. The totally adorable image is from Teddy Bo and it was coloured, of course, with my Promarkers.  I made the number plate in Photoshop by taking a selection of the bumper from the main image, and typed using an outline font.  Then I distorted the text and outline slightly to make it all fit. It's stuck on the bumper with foam pads.

Entering into:
BEARLY MINE #65 - Anything goes.
LEJ DESIGNS #33 - Sentiment-al
TUESDAY ALCHEMY #44 - Anything goes.
TTCRD #48 - Anything goes.
ARTISTIC INSPIRATIONS #19 - Anything goes.
HOUSE OF GILLI #47 - Anything goes.
MAKE IT MONDAY #114 - Anything goes.
MY GRAFICO #142 - Anything goes.

TIME FOR TEA.

Brrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!  it's blurdy freezing.  Time for challenge #146 over at I ♥ PROMARKERS and this week is an 'Anything Goes' week again.  Our sponsor is LILI OF THE VALLEY, so of course, the DT all used a LOTV image.

I cut my card on my Robo and the black panel and image mat are a Spellbinders die. I haven't used any papers this time, which is very rare for me and I can't remember the last time I actually stamped a sentiment rather than do one on my computer.  I bought a stamp set called 'Afternoon Tea Sentiments' from Waltzing Mouse a  long time ago and hadn't even opened them but they were perfect for this.  I think I'll be using them more often now, they're really lovely. Ribbon and mesh were rooted out of my stash.

Entering into:

LADY ANNE - Must use a stamp.

CRAFTS AND ME #113 - Anything goes.

PENNY'S PAPER-CRAFTY #105 - Anything goes.

STAMPAVIE & MORE #182 - Anything but square.

JACKSONS DIGITAL IMPRESSIONS #34 - Inks and such.

LOVES RUBBER STAMPS #29 - Anything goes.

PAPERTAKE WEEKLY - Anything goes.

ARTISTIC INSPIRATIONS #18 - Anything goes.

CRAFTY BOOTS - Anything goes.

HOUSE OF GILLI #47 - Anything goes.

MAKE IT MONDAY #118 - Anything goes.

SOON BE CHRISTMAS..

Creeps up on you doesn't it.  I keep thinking there's plenty of time, but then suddenly - there isn't, lol.  Luckily, for once, I've got most of my pressie buying finished, only a couple more to get.  I daren't get any Christmas food yet though, ha ha.  I'm trying to lose weight and have so far lost 1st 4lb but 'special' food is just too much of a temptation, so I'm hanging back on that.

Anyway, it's time for challenge #145 over at I ♥ PROMARKERS and this week our theme is 'Anything Goes'.  We're sponsored by DR. DIGI and there's a couple of digi images for our winner.  The image I used is one of Dr. Digi's, called Dishcloth Dave...I think the poor old sod is so cute!!! pmsl.

My papers are from MME 'Fine and Dandy - Boy' and I made my own sentiment.  I used 2 Martha Stewart punches and a Cheery Lynn corner die.

Entering into:
CHEERY LYNN #56 - Non traditional colours.
CRIMBO CRACKERS #29 - Anything festive goes.
CREATIVE CARD CREW #24 - Anything goes.
KARENS DOODLES #143 - Non traditional colours.
PARTY TIME TUESDAYS #96 - Anything goes.
TUESDAY ALCHEMY #42 - Anything goes.
TUESDAY THROWDOWN #125 - Lots of layers.
ARTISTIC INSPIRATIONS #17 - Anything goes.
MAKE IT MONDAY #117 - Anything goes.

LET'S DANCE

Time for challenge #144 over at I ♥ PROMARKERS and this week the theme is Singing and/or Dancing.  A lovely theme I think.  The sponsor is LETRASET and there's a pack of PM's on offer to the winner.

My image is one of the fabulous Mo Manning's, perfect for this challenge I thought.  The die cut is a Joy Crafts die with a Spellbinders scalloped nestie in the middle. The flowers, lace and pearls are from my stash and the papers are from Glitz 'Pretty in Pink' pad.

You know, I'm sitting here racking my brains for something else to say, but I've got absolutely nothing!!!  I really must get a life, lol.  Oh well, never mind...maybe next time (don't hold your breath though, ha ha).

Entering into:
DIVA'S BY DESIGN #62 - 2 or more patterned papers.
OSAAT #140 - Use a digi.
CHALLENGES4EVERYBODY #7 - Anything goes.
THE SQUIRREL & THE FOX #31 - Anything goes.
CRAFTROOM CHALLENGE - Punches and Die Cuts.
FLOURISHES #196 - Something that makes you happy.
THROUGH THE CRAFTROOM DOOR #45 - Anything goes.
MAKE IT MONDAY #116 - Anything goes
ARTISTIC INSPIRATIONS#16 - Anything goes.
CRAFTY CARDMAKERS #79 - More than one punch/die cut.
INCY WINCY - Square card.
HOUSE OF GILLI #46 - Die cuts.
OLDIE BUT A GOODY - Anything but Christmas (lace, pearls and flowers over 6 months old).

THE SHRINE

A quickie post from me today..got loads to do.  I want to show you my latest clay and plaster thing.

I have to say, I'm quite pleased with this piece.

Also, it's challenge #143 over at I ♥ PROMARKERS and the theme is Christmas Trees.  Sponsored by NITWIT COLLECTIONS, the team all used their digi papers.  I used 'Great White North'.  My lovely Rudolph is an image by Elizabeth Dulemba.

PRETTY IN PINK!

It's time for challenge #142 over at I ♥ PROMARKERS and this week's theme is Pretty in Pink.  Our sponsor is the lovely JOANNA SHEEN with a £10 spend for the winner.

I made my card a couple of weeks ago in readiness and since then, I've read some rather unpleasant news that the images from Papelitos (where I got this) aren't her own.  I don't know how to do a reverse google search nor do I know who the original artist of this image may be, but if anybody does, please tell me. As for the skull paper, I made that myself in Photoshop.  The pink paper is from Docrafts 'Born to Shop' pad and the b/w circle paper is from a pad by Anna Stemplewska.  The cat is a Photoshop shape, printed and cut out and the sentiment is also one of my own.The pink scallop border was done with a Martha Stewart punch.

Entering into:
CARDSUNDMORE #68 - Fall/Halloween
ANYTHING GOES #79 - Anything goes.
BEARLY MINE #60 - Anything goes.
LEJ DESIGNS #28 - Die cuts or punches.
PAPERTAKE WEEKLY - Anything goes.
MAKE IT MONDAY #114 - Anything goes.

IT'S COMING...

Yep, Christmas is definitely coming.  There's no denying it, no matter how hard some of us try.  I've already done quite a bit of Christmas pressie shopping, which is a miracle for me as I'm usually last minute.  Still, I had to get some stuff over to Cyprus this time, so thought it best to get it done.

This week's challenge #140 over at I ♥ PROMARKERS is Christmas is coming, so a no brainer on what kind of cards or projects we want this week.  Our fabulous NEW sponsor is MARIANNE DESIGNS and there's a terrific prize on offer for our winner.

For my card this week I used an image by the wonderful Kenny K and of course, it's old Scrooge himself.  The lantern and sentiment frame are Marianne dies, computer generated sentiment and my papers are from the Fancy Pants 'Country Boutique' pad.  I will say that in real life the panels and background paper seem to blend better than they look in the photo.  I love these papers though, it's a lovely pad and there are some great male suitable papers in there too.

Entering into:
OOH LA LA #116 - Christmas Sentiment.  TOP 3
ONE STITCH AT A TIME #136 - Use a digi.
FASHIONISTA #8 (wk. 2) - Anything goes.
THROUGH THE CRAFT ROOM DOOR #41 - Anything goes.
FUSSY AND FANCY #74 - Anything goes.
MAKE IT MONDAY #112 - Anything goes.

PAPER AND CLAY.

I've had a bit of an eclectic crafting weekend.  Scrapbooking and playing with my clay and plaster too.   A week or so ago, I mixed too much plaster for a project and half of it went hard in the plastic cup.  It came out lovely and smooth and I didn't want to waste it, so I kept it until some sort of inspiration hit me.  This weekend, it did.  I'd cast the embellies too so just got to painting and sticking.  It's a paperweight now, although it's standing with some of my altered art work and won't get used, lol.

This layout is of my Granddaughter Mia and myself. I went to Cyprus earlier in the year and we spent a couple of days at the beach.  I looked just awful in my swimming costume so wouldn't wear it, lol.  Suffice to say, Mia had great fun soaking me and my clothes.  Some journalling on a hidden tag tells about the day.  My papers are Echo Park 'Paradise Beach' and I made the 'wet' letters from chipboard, distress ink, a white pen and diamond glaze.

Entering into:
CRAFT MY LIFE #2 - No cards or layouts.(clay)
CHALLENGES 4 EVERYBODY #5 - Anything goes. (both)
MAKE IT MONDAY #112 - Anything goes. (layout).
CREATIVE INSPIRATIONS PAINT - Anything goes. (clay)
ONE STOP CRAFT #201 - Anything goes. (both)
INSPIRE ME FRIDAY'S #81 - Anything goes. (both)
ANYTHING BUT A CARD #4 GD - No cards. (both)
CRAFTY BLOGGERS #4 - Anything goes. (both)

HAVE A BURGER!

Soon be Christmas eh?  Jeez, it's come round too fast again, but I have done most of my present shopping at least.  I think it's the earliest I've ever done it, but then again, some of it has to be posted to Cyprus.
So, what's the challenge over at I ♥ PROMARKERS this week?  Well, it's everybody's fave, 'Anything Goes'.  Our sponsor is LETRASET and a pack of Promarkers is on offer to the winner.

For my card, I'd like to introduce you to Frank. Isn't he just the best looking dude you've ever seen? pmsl. He's one of the fabulous images from Papelitos. My papers are from a really old HOTP pad that I've had for years but I thought were just what I wanted for this.  The red mat is made with a Martha Stewart punch and the sentiment is one of my own.

Entering into:
LOLLIPOP CRAFTS #92 - Happy Birthday.
CARD MANIA #5 - Happy Birthday.
WHOOPSIE DAISY - Birthday Cards.
MAKE IT MONDAY #111 - Anything goes.
BEARLY MINE #57 - Anything goes.
DEEP OCEAN #36 - Anything goes.
THROUGH THE CRAFTROOM DOOR #40 - Anything goes.
LADY ANNE - (Monday challenge)  Anything goes.
CREATIVE STAMP FRIENDS #62 - Cards for men.
FASHIONISTA #8 - Anything goes.
HOUSE OF GILLI - Anything goes.
CHALLENGES4EVERYBODY #5 Anything goes.

COME VISIT!

Well, how unusual is this? Another post from me! There's a new challenge blog out there from the fabulous RICK ST DENNIS and I just had to make a card to enter the first challenge. The challenge blog is called 'Sparkle and Glitter' and those of you that know me, know that I HATE sparkle and glitter, lol but, well, needs must so I've used a bit around the greeting and on her hat, bag and jewels.

This is one of Rick's images and she's called 'Bella'. I don't know why, but she reminds me of Mae West, ha ha. Did you know that that is actually a misquote? What she really says is "Come up sometime and see me".
My papers are MME Tangerine and the die is Cheery Lynn.

Entering into:
SPARKLE AND GLITTER WITH RICK #1 - Anything goes/Sparkle.
ATC'S WITH ATTITUDE #24 - Red, Yellow & Orange.
CRAFTY MESS #19 - Anything goes.
CRAFTS AND ME #105 - Anything goes.
DIVA'S BY DESIGN #56 - Anything goes.
BEARLY MINE #56 - Pearls and Swirls.

YOU PUT A SPELL ON ME!

Time for challenge #138 over at I ♥ PROMARKERS and this weeks theme is Halloween. I'm' such a misery that I find Halloween a close run second to Christmas in the card stakes, and I just don't 'do' them, lol. I only make them when I have to, ha ha. How bad is that eh? This week we are sponsored by THE STAMP FAIRY who are offering $10 to spend in store to our winner.
My image is from The Stamp Fairy and my papers are digital this time. I found them on my PC but I've had them so long, I'm afraid I can't remember where I got them from. The tree is a Marianne die and the sentiment is my own. The ribbon is Doodlebug, something else that's been sitting in my stash for years waiting for a use, lol.

Entering into:
OLDIE BUT A GOODIE - Inspired by a song (You put a spell on me).
CAN YOU DIGI IT #20 - Creepy and Kooky.
CLEAR IT OUT - Anything goes with colour rules.
ART WITH NO BOUNDARIES - Halloween.
HOOKED ON CRAFT #25 - Halloween.
PAPER PLAYTIME #85 - Trick or treat with die cut.

TALK TO 'THE HAND'

My latest creation with my clay and plaster. Not a lot more to say about it really, lol but yet again, I'm loving this Andy Skinner workshop. Now, I've had a few peeps tell me that they find these hands spooky or freaky!!! pmsl. They've never had that effect on me but what about you? Do you think this could be a Halloween type thing?

Entering into:
CRAFT MY LIFE #2 - Not a card/anything goes. FEATURED
HECK OF A CHALLENGE - Spooktakular.
ART WITH NO BOUNDARIES - Halloween.
CRAFTY BLOGGERS #4 - Anything goes.
INCY WINCY - Anything goes.
CHALLENGES4EVERYBODY #4 Anything goes.
CRAFTY MESS #19 - Anything goes.

THE JUNKYARD.

Hi peeps! Hmmmmm, I've been a naughty blogger again, have been awol but my excuse is that I've started another amazing ANDY SKINNER workshop called 'Outcasts' so I've been busy playing with my clay and plaster. This is my first piece which I've called The Junkyard. We make the mould and cast ourselves and then it's painted with acrylic paint. Hopefully, this one has an iron/metal effect to it.

Also, I'm a little late with my I ♥ PROMARKERS DT card. This weeks theme is Autumn colours. I'm not too chuffed with this one, but didn't find the time to make another. My image is from Mayzart. Our sponsor this week is JOANNA SHEEN.

Entering into:
THROUGH THE CRAFTROOM DOOR #38 - Anything goes.
MAKE IT MONDAY #109 - Anything goes.
CRAFT MY LIFE #2 - Anything goes.
CARD CRAFTERS CIRCLE #43 - Autumn colours.
CARD MAKING MAMAS - Fall.
FOREVER NIGHT #48 - Anything but a card. WINNER
INSPIRE ME FRIDAYS #79 - Anything goes.
POLKA DOODLES #40 - Things with wings.
QUOTH THE RAVEN - Anything goes.
CRAFT US CRAZY #27 - Anything goes. TOP 3

HOWDY DO!

Hello again peeps. I hope you've all had a good week. The weather's taken a bit of a turn hasn't it? I feel so sorry for all the flood victims again.

Anyway, this week is challenge #136 over at I ♥ PROMARKERS and our theme is for a male. Easy peasy eh? Just make a card (or summat else) for a bloke or a little boy. Our sponsor this week, for the last time ever, is DIGI DOODLE SHOP. Judy is closing down in a weeks time and I wish her and her mum all the best for the future. I used Bodytot Cowboy for my card this week and my papers are from the Fancy Pants 'Country Boutique' pad.

The leaves are a Cheery Lynn die, I did my own sentiment and the ribbon and mesh are from my stash.
After I'd coloured his shirt, I really didn't like it much but didn't want to do another image and it took me some time to figure out what I could do. Anyway, I got my blender pen out with a skinny nib on and just drew some straight lines to give him a checked shirt. I think it's worked quite well. What do you think?

Entering into:
HOOKED ON CRAFTS #24 - Cards for Men.
PAPER SHELTER #83 - Anything goes.
SIMON SAYS STAMP - Anything goes.
CREATIVE CRAFT CHALLENGE - Anything goes.
DEEP OCEAN #35 - More than 2 colours.
PARTY TIME TUESDAYS #87 - Anything goes.
THROUGH THE CRAFTROOM DOOR #37 - Anything goes.
DIGI MAKEOVER #55 - Anything goes.
MAKE IT MONDAY #108 - Anything goes.

IT'S JUST THE JOB...

Coooeeeee! everybody. I hope you've had a good week. I can't believe it's Wednesday again already. Is it just me or does time really pass quicker when you get older? Oh well, not a lot we can do about it is there? lol.

This week over at I ♥ PROMARKERS the challenge is all about Occupations. We're sponsored by Nitwit Collections and all the DT used Nitwit papers. I chose to use papers from the 'Live and Learn' collection and my image is from the fabulous Kenny K. The sentiment is one of my own, the fence is a Cheery Lynn die, the ribbon has been in my stash for over a year and I just used 3 eyelets to finish it off.


While I'm here, I must show you this pic of my grandson. I'm actually doing a scrapbook layout at the moment of him asleep on the stairs the other week, and last night, my daughter posted this of him yet again, pmsl. He quietly sneaks out of his bedroom and ends up here! Bless him.



Entering card into:
CREATIVE CRAFT CHALLENGES - Anything goes.
OLDIE BUT A GOODIE - Use ribbon.
PASSION FOR PROMARKERS #167 - CAS.
SASSY CHERYL'S #133 - Die Cuts.
THROUGH THE CRAFTROOM DOOR #36 - Anything goes. WINNER
CARDS FOR MEN #19 - Going digital (image and papers).
HOOKED ON CRAFTS #24 - Cards for men.
MAKE IT MONDAY #107 - Anything goes.
TAMMY'S SCRAPIN CORNER #28 - Anything goes.
SQUIRREL AND THE FOX #26 - Anything goes.
TUESDAY ALCHEMY #32 - Colour challenge. TOP PICK

WHAT'S COOKING?

Another week has flown by and it's time for another challenge at
I ♥ PROMARKERS. This week, challenge #134 is all about cooking and our sponsor is again the fabulous JOANNA SHEEN with a £10 spend as our prize.


I used this fabulous BBQ digistamp from Just Inklined (love their digi's)and I think this guy's such a fun image. I've had him for ages but never had the chance to use him. My papers are from one of my new pads (yes, ONE of them..I'm addicted to 6 x 6 pads), Teresa Collins' 'Sweet Afternoon'. The sentiment is one of my own and I used the Cheery Lynn gate and corner dies.

Anyway, that's it for now. I'm hoping to be able to get more scrapping done and I've been playing with my Robo too. I cut some gorgeous things yesterday, so have to find something to use them on now.

Entering into:
LADYBUG CRAFTS #1 - Anything goes.
ONE STOP CRAFT #198 - No floral embellishments.
BEARLY MINE #52 - Anything goes.
CREATIVE CRAFT CHALLENGES - All about the boys.
SWEET STAMPS #82 - For the guys.
HOOKED ON CRAFTS #24 - Cards for men.
MAKE IT MONDAY #106 - Anything goes.
CREATIVE INSPIRATION PAINT - Birthday.
DREAM VALLEY #40 - Something old (image) Something new (papers).
THE SQUIRREL AND THE FOX #26 - Anything goes.

DOWN THE BEACH.

It's been a while since I did any scrapping, but as I've made any cards I needed to make, I thought I'd do a couple of layouts of my grandchildren from my trip to Cyprus back in May. My papers are all Echo Park. Mia's layout used 'Paradise Beach' and Aidan's is 'Splash'. I know they don't particularly look like holiday layouts lol, but I'll get round to those too sometime, I'm sure.

There's no journalling on Mia's layout, which is rare for me, but I don't think it really needed any.


I totally love these pics of Aidan, and this layout definitely called for journalling which is:


Looking at you staring out to sea, these photos make me think that you look like you have the weight of the world on your little shoulders. Where do you go to Aidan? Where do you go in your dreams? Do you travel to distant lands with mystical creatures or is your little brain still not big enough to take you anywhere other than where you are now? How much do you know about what’s out there? Just because you can’t talk yet, it doesn’t mean you don’t know things. Do you dream of pictures you’ve seen, or dogs you’ve played with or your mummy and daddy or your Grandma? Who do you see in your sleep Aidan? There is so much in the world and you know so little. But, you will discover and learn all manner of things as you grow up. Your learning won’t stop when you’re a man either Aidan, life is one big learning curve and there is always something new to discover. Most importantly Aidan, I hope you learn to love. Love your family and your friends. Love nature and animals. Love books. Love life, Aidan………1st May 2012 - Cyprus.

Entering into:
GEM OF A CHALLENGE #54 - It's a Boy Thing.
ONE STOP CRAFT #198 - No Floral Embellishments.
JELLYPARK - All about the Children.
JACKSONS DIGITAL EXPRESSIONS #21 - Anything but a card.
BEARLY MINE #51 - Anything but a card.
INSPIRE ME FRIDAY'S #75 - Anything goes.
PAPERCRAFTING JOURNEY - Anything goes.
MY MUM'S CRAFTSHOP #73 - Anything goes.

HANG OUT THE BUNTING...

for challenge #133 over at I ♥ PROMARKERS, which is, as you've probably already guessed, to use bunting. It seems to be a really popular thing on cards at the moment. Our fabulous sponsor this week is LILI OF THE VALLEY and the prize is a £10 voucher to spend in store.


I chose to use this cute image and colour it with mostly the Spring Promarker pack, as the colours just fitted perfectly the papers I'd chosen. They're from the absolutely gorgeous Prima 'Sun Kiss' collection, I just love the little bees. The frame is a Lea'bilities die, the butterfly is Cheery Lynn and the border is a Martha Stewart punch. The sentiment is one of my own and I just added a few pearls to finish it off.

Entering into:
CELEBRATE THE OCCASION #78 - Include a Bee.
DEEP OCEAN #33 - Things with wings.
PAPELITOS #10 - Anything goes.
PAPERTAKE WEEKLY - Anything goes.
THROUGH THE CRAFTROOM DOOR #34 - Anything goes.
TUESDAY ALCHEMY #30 - Anything goes.
CRAFTY CARDMAKERS #74 - Winged things.
TAMMY'S SCRAPIN CORNER #26 - Anything with wings.
MAKE IT MONDAY #105 - Anything goes.
LADYBUG CRAFTS #1 - Anything goes.

GOING DUTCH!

There's a new challenge blog out there: THE CANARY BLOG and if you follow them and commit to their challenge this week, you can have a free Krista Smith image. I love Krista's images, so had to have a go. I chose to go CAS for this one. I cut the Cheery Lynn french lattice and stuck it to some plain white card and then cut my image with my Spellbinders Floral Oval and that, as they say, is that, lol.

PASS THE CIGARS..

Altering cigar boxes is one of my fave things to do, and I hadn't done one for ages, but I've just hosted an altering swap, so of course, I had to get one of my boxes out again.


I started by painting the whole box with a coat of gesso.


Knowing that I was going to cover the box with paper, and choosing a burgundy red colour paint, I only painted around the edges.


I cut my chosen papers to size, but they were too pale for what I wanted, so I got my distress ink pads out and inked the paper until it was much darker.


Then, I stuck all the paper on the box. I used a matte gel medium to stick it all down as I think it sticks better than other glue for this type of thing.
When the inside was done, I glazed it all over with a gloss gel medium and let it dry before doing the outside. This is nearly the finished inside, the only difference is that once I'd added the fastener, I put a strip of lace across the top of the lid to cover the brads.


I decided that I wanted to collage the lid so I rooted through my stash to find bits that I thought might go. There's some text pieces I tore out of an old book and inked, some Tim Holtz adage tickets and the rosettes are made from the Tim Holtz die. The heart and large bottom right image, I got from ebay some time ago and this is the first time I could bring myself to actually use them lol, and the key and corners are from my fairly large collection of both. The postage frank is chipboard that I painted. I also found a couple of rolls of 7gypsies tape at the bottom of my box, and as it was a deep red, I thought a bit of that would go rather well too. Once everything was stuck in place, I glazed all over the outside with my gloss gel medium to enhance the colours and add some protection. Finally, to finish it off, I added some cream lace all around the edge.



I hope you like it. Pity that I had to part with it, lol but it now resides, happily I'm told, in Yorkshire. :o)

Entering into:
JACKSON'S DIGITAL EXPRESSIONS #20 - Anything goes. TOP 3
SHOPPING OUR STASH #66 - Use your fave things.
SCRAPALICIOUS - Anything goes.
LEJ DESIGNS #18 - Anything goes.
PARTY TIME TUESDAYS #83 - Anything goes.
THROUGH THE CRAFTROOM DOOR #33 - Anything goes.
MAKE IT MONDAY #104 - Anything goes
CRAFT MY LIFE - Not a card.. FEATURED & WINNER
AMUSING CHALLENGES - Anything goes.
CATERED CROP - Distress it.

GOING RETRO!

Time for challenge #132 over at I ♥ PROMARKERS and this weeks theme is everybody's fave again...ANYTHING GOES. Nightmare for us DT's though with the shed loads of commenting, pmsl. Our sponsor this week is DIGI DOODLE SHOP and all the design team used one of her images. I chose 'Bell Bottoms'.


She's a bit bright and in your face, but colours were bright back then. I remember I used to have a bright green satin jacket, green and yellow bell bottoms and bright yellow platform sandals and thought I was the dog's wotsits, lol. I was in the WRAF at the time and remember wandering around camp in them.

One of the reasons I coloured her trousers red though, is because I also had a pair just like them. The best thing though is that I made them myself. I was at school, so about 14 or 15 and it was the first pair of trousers I'd made and if I say so myself, they were excellent and I wore them to death, lol.

The papers I used for this were from my new pad, Basic Greys 'Konnichiwa' and the white and orange die cuts are using a Marianne Die. The leaves and blossom were using a Memory Box die, but to be honest, I didn't have much of a clue how to put the flower together. Layering the petals was obvious, but I reckon I could have shaped them better or chose different layers. Still, next time eh? I must do something about my photography too. In real life, the skin tones look darker and there's plenty of shading, but it never seems to show when I upload!

Entering into:
EMERALD FAERIES #30 - Punches and dies.
EVERYBODY ART #202 - Anything goes.
JACKSONS DIGITAL EXPRESSIONS #20 - Anything goes.
WHOOPSIE DAISY - 2 Patterned Papers.
LEJ DESIGNS #18 - Anything goes.
PARTY TIME TUESDAY #83 - Anything goes.
MAKE IT MONDAY #104 - Always anything goes.
BASIC GREY #75 - Anything goes.

JUST ZOOMING BY..

I've not had much time for crafting or visiting blogs this last fortnight, but I have had a fabulous two weeks with my gorgeous granddaughter, Mia. She's gone now and the house is very quiet, but I can get back to normal and craft away to my hearts content. Mind you, we did do a bit as she loves to craft too.

Anyway, onwards. Challenge #131 over at I ♥ PROMARKERS this week is Transport and our sponsor is the fantastic PAPER SHELTER. Oooooh, I love her stuff, you must take a look if you're one of the few that have never heard of them. I used her super cute giraffe in a car and my papers are Basic Grey's 'Oliver'. The sentiment is one of my own designs.


There's really not a lot to this card and this was in fact, my 2nd attempt... mojo seems to have gone missing, or maybe it's with all the toilet roll tubes Mia and I were painting and sticking together, lol.

Entering into:
THE PAPER SHELTER #78 - Anything goes.
BASIC GREY CHALLENGES #75 - Anything goes.
JDE #19 - Anything goes.
BEARLY MINE #49 - Anything goes.
PAPELITOS #8 - Masculine.
SASSY CHERYLS #129 - Happy Birthday.

A BIT OF THE OLD STUFF...

Sorry I'm a bit late with my posting this week but I've been out every day having a fabulous time with my gorgeous 5 year old Granddaughter, Mia.


Isn't she just gorgeousness itself?

Anyway, challenge #129 over at I ♥ PROMARKERS this week is VINTAGE. One of my favourite styles. We are sponsored this week by our very own lovely KAREN and the prize is a selection of beautiful bead pins.


For my card I used an image from 'Free Vintage Digital Images' and my papers are from the Glitz 'Pretty in Pink' pad. The sentiment is one of my own and I just added a few pearls and a bit of lace to finish it off. Not much more to say about it really, lol.

Entering into:
PAPERCRAFTING JOURNEY - Anything goes. (ends 12th Sept).
DIVA BY DESIGNS #47 - For a female.
FRESHLY BREWED #108 - Birthdays.
JACKSONS DIGITAL EXPRESSIONS #17 - Anything goes.
PAPERTAKE WEEKLY - Anything goes.
CRAFT YOUR PASSION #122 - Anything goes.
FASHIONISTA #5 - Birthday
MAKE IT MONDAY #101 - Anything goes.
PIXIE DUST STUDIO - Vintage.
CRAFTS AND ME #96 - Use a digi.
CHALLENGE UP YOUR LIFE #75 - Everything goes.

'AVE A BEER!

Not a lover of beer myself, but I wouldn't mind a pint of Cider ~ preferably Strongbow, lol. Won't be much crafting time for me for the next week or two as my daughter and grandchildren are coming today and when they fly back to Cyprus, my granddaughter is staying with me for a while. Woohoo!!!!!

Anyway, this week over at I ♥ PROMARKERS, challenge #128's theme is SPOTS & STRIPES. Our sponsor is the lovely JOANNA SHEEN with a £10 online spend up for grabs.


My papers are from Glitz 'Vintage Blue' and my image is from Papelito. Can't wait to use a couple of the other freaky images I've got ha, ha. I used a Martha Stewart deep border punch and some buttons to finish it off and the sentiment is one of my own.

Entering into:
OSAAT #124 - Use a digi.
BEARLY MINE #46 - Anything goes.
JDE #16 - Anything goes (optional sketch).
PARTY TIME TUESDAYS #79 - Anything goes.
STAMPING BOUTIQUE #44 - Anything goes.
KABOODLE DOODLES #130 - Birthday.
MAKE IT MONDAY #100 - Anything goes.
PAPER PLAYTIME #80 - Anything goes.
PAPER PRETTIES #50 - 2 or more DP's.
TWISTED TUESDAY #17 - Free for all.
DIGI DOODLE SHOP - Let's get stripey.
PAPELITOS #5 - Anything goes. WINNER

INK PAD STORAGE UNIT

Fed up with rooting around in a plastic box for the inkpad I wanted, I've been playing with my mountboard again. If you want to see how I made it, you can find my tute at MAKE SOMETHING NICE.

LET'S PLAY TAG!

I've just hosted a tag swap and the brief I gave was to make 2 tags with a vintage and/or distressed theme. These are my two that are now winging their way (well, in the back of a post office van) to 2 other places in the country.


Each tag is 6" tall. They were covered with some paper from a huge K & Co pad I've got. Everything was inked with distress ink pads Walnut Stain and Brushed Corduroy. I stamped the honeycomb grid and the birds using another of my new Kaisercraft Stamps (sheesh! I love Kaisercraft). Hope and Dream are Tim Holtz tickets and the boy is a Tim Holtz Ideaology 'Lost and Found' sticker. Dream and the chipboard key (inked with walnut stain) were crackle glazed. The text strips I did myself on my pooter and the other bits were from my stash.

Entering into:
TUESDAY ALCHEMY #24 - Very Vintage. TOP 3
JACKSON'S DIGITAL EXPRESSIONS #15 - Anything goes. DIGI WINNER
CRAFTS & ME #94 - Anything goes.
SIMON SAYS STAMP - Anything goes.
TOTALLY STAMPALICIOUS - Texture.
ANYTHING GOES #72 - Let's not be square.
PAPERTAKE WEEKLY - Make your own.
SHOPPING OUR STASH #61 - Something new.
STAMP N' PLUS #2 - Anything goes.
ART WITH NO BOUNDARIES - Anything goes.

GOING FOR GOLD!

It's challenge #127 over at I ♥ PROMARKERS and this week we want to see Gold, Silver and Bronze on your cards. Just the one or all three, whatever is fine. Sponsor is DIGI DOODLE SHOP with a $10 spend for our winner. The DT all used one of DD's images.

I chose to do something completely different for me and used one of the Fancy Frame digi stamps. Apart from the colouring and cutting out, it's a very simple card. Backed with gold sheen card and with a gold ribbon from a chocolate box, I think and that's it. I added my own sentiment inside the frame. I know just who's birthday this is for too. ;o)



Entering into:
DIGI DOODLE SHOP #117 - Anything goes.
MAKE IT MONDAY #99 - Anything goes.
PAPER PRETTIES MONDAY CHALLENGE #49 - CAS.

UP THE AMAZON...

Well, not the river of course, but Amazon online marketplace. I love Amazon and get loads of stuff from them including lots of books and I always throw the packaging away. But this time, I thought I'd do something else and I turned one of the cardboard book box/envelope things into a folder. First, I opened it right up and painted it all over with gesso.


I took a ring binder and placed the holes where I wanted them and then took it off to paint it. I also made a spine from mountboard to stick on when it was finished - a: for strength and b: to cover the brads attaching the ring binder.



Using acrylic paints, Dylusions inks and stencils and digi images from Octopode (enlarged to 8") and Ten Two Studios I decorated it. I bought a pad of ready prepared canvas sheets and then added them and now I've got myself a nice, bright painting book.

FRONT

INSIDE

The flap on the bottom right has been stuck down to make a pocket.

Entering into:
DIVA'S BY DESIGN #44 - Anything goes.
PERFECT SENTIMENT #41 - Anything goes.
CRAZY AMIGO'S - Free theme.
JACKSON'S DIGITAL EXPRESSIONS #14 - Anything goes with colour medium.
ART WITH NO BOUNDARIES (JULY) - Anything goes. FEATURED
MAKE IT MONDAY #98 - Anything goes.