TIM HOLTZ TAGS 2013 - OCTOBER

Whew!  Last minute again, but just made it.  October's tag has a great marbling background technique, but you'll have to go to TIM HOLTZ'S place to get all the details.  The only bad thing I'll say about this months is that.....I CAN'T BELIEVE HE USED GLITTER!!!! lol.  I absolutely loathe the stuff, nor can I ever get a decent pic of it.  My tree (Memory Box), fence (Cheery Lynn) and web (Cheery Lynn) are all covered in the stuff.  I don't have distress paints so I used Decoart Traditions and the mesh stamp is Kaisercraft.

Entering into:

T.H. 2013 Tags ~ October.
BY LORI DESIGNS #58 ~ Trick or treat.
CREATIVE MOMENTS #29 ~ Anything goes/Halloween
DIVA'S BY DESIGN  ~ Use Orange.
FAB N FUNKY #191 ~ Halloween. TOP 3
RUBY'S RAINBOW #66 ~ Halloween or colours.
SISTERHOOD OF CRAFTERS ~ Trick or treat.

MY LIFE IN A BOX..

A few weeks ago,  I made this box but just never got round to blogging it.  Anyway, I thought I'd show you it now.  It's an image heavy post mind, 'cause there's loads to this.  The whole project was done with mountboard,  GCD Studios 'Ella Blue' paper line and brown Bazzill card stock.

It opens into a writing slope (as long as you're not too heavy handed, lol) and there are pockets and flaps a plenty.  The name comes from the fact that it's for Mia and Aidan (my grandchildren) and hopefully their children and their children's children. I want them to know that I'm more than just 'Grandma' who always spoils them and that I have thoughts and feelings, likes and dislikes and that I've had good and bad times. Basically, I want them to know ME.  I did try scrapping a B.O.M. but didn't enjoy it at all, so hopefully I will actually fill this.

Each page in the larger album has a different sentiment stamped onto it. What you're looking at is a wrap with its own pockets and flaps. It slips off the underpage and that flaps open for more pics or journalling.

As you can see, there are 3 mini albums in the box.  Each is put together slightly differently, but there are loads of pockets and flaps.  The plain brown card is for your photos and the loose ones can be put in any of the pockets or flaps.  I cut down some manilla folders to make the 3 file folders that are at the back of the box, and there's room for more.  The lid has a couple of expanding pockets as well as the little front pockets.  Every single edge was inked with Walnut Stain distress ink.  I used a Tim Holtz binder ring, T.H. metal tabs, T.H. corners and some of his bull dog type clips too.  Border punches were from EK Success and Martha Stewart, dies from Memory Box, Spellbinders and Cheery Lynn.  The title and the birds were cut on my Cameo.  Sentiment stamps from Kaisercraft and Creative Expressions.  There's other bits and bobs on there too and I finished it off by glazing with Liquitex. Sorry the photos aren't brilliant, I found it quite difficult to photograph for some reason and I've had to miss loads out too.

Thank you to the amazing Paper Phenomenon for the instructions.   I've another project to show you later and I'm also working on a 3rd one at the moment.

Entering into:
A CREATIVE ROMANCE - Metal Mania.
613 AVENUE CREATE #43 - Anything goes. 
CRAFTY HANDS #1 - Anything goes. WINNER
CREATIVE FINGERS #8 - Anything goes. TOP 3
CRAFTIN' BOUTIQUE #13 - Anything goes.
CRAFT MY LIFE Oct/Nov - Anything goes.
MOVING ALONG WITH THE TIMES - Shape up!
CHALLENGES 4 EVERYBODY #32- Anything goes.
SCRIBBLE & SCRAP #4 - Anything goes.

IN THE PINK!

Two post Wednesday for me again as it's also the I ♥ PROMARKERS new challenge day.  Our theme this week (#191) is 'Pink Hair' and our sponsor is the fabulous SHERRI BALDY. There will be 3 winners and each will receive 5  Bestie images, as used by the DT.   This is the first time I've ever coloured an image with pink hair, lol but I actually quite enjoyed doing this one.

My papers are Heidi Grace 'Daydream'  I cut the image using one of my nesties, traced around the die and then cut the mat.  It was then inked lightly with milled lavender distress ink.  I also used a Martha Stewart border punch,  Cheery Lynn corner and leaf dies and the lovely leaf and flower swirly die by Memory Box.

Entering into:
PASSION FOR PROMARKERS #221 - Give me a P.
CRAFT YOUR PASSION #185 - Think pink.
BESTIES NORWAY #4 - Use a punch.
MAKE IT MONDAY #163 - Anything goes.
SCRIBBLE & SCRAP #3 - Anything goes.
TTCRD - Anything goes.
613 AVENUE CREATE #42 - Anything goes.
OSAAT #186 - Anything goes.

PUT IT HERE....

It's challenge #134 over at THE PAPER SHELTER and it's the B teams turn this week.  The challenge is easel cards.  Not something I make a lot of really.  I'm not a lover of them and I actually find them quite difficult to decorate.  I see some real beauties in blogland and get quite envious, lol. My chosen image this week is 'Give me a Kiss' (I love the guy's spats, lol) and you can purchase it HERE.

 There's a very generous prize on offer too, especially if you use a Paper Shelter image.

My papers are Echo Park's 'Be Mine' and the dies used are:  Cheery Lynn swirl and leaves, Memory Box corner bow, Impression Obsession bunch of hearts and an EK Success border punch.  There is ribbon and lace on the base, but you can't see them very well, her necklace was done with liquid pearls and I finished off with a couple of flowers and some normal pearls.

Entering into:
613 AVENUE CREATE #42 - Create your own challenge. WINNER
MAKE IT MONDAY #163 - Anything goes.
SCRIBBLE & SCRAP #3 - Anything goes.
CREATIVE CRAFT CHALLENGE #21 - Anything goes.
LADYBUG CRAFTS INK - Anything goes.
MY CRAFT CREATIONS #21/10 - Anything goes.
RHEDD & ROSIE #18 - Anything goes.

SNOWFLAKES..

Sorry I'm late with my Promarker post, but it's been an awful week. On Monday I had to have my beloved German Shepherd, Bailey put to sleep. Age and illness had set in and I knew it was time. I miss him more than I can say. I hate getting up in the mornings at the moment with him not being there to lick me good morning and bed time is particularly lonely as he slept with me every night.  Here's a couple of pics of my gorgeous boy.  Sleep well my precious. xxx

So, the theme at I ♥ PROMARKERS this week (#190)  is Snowflakes and the sponsor is STAMPFAIRY.

I used one of my fave Tilda images for this.  I really don't like making Christmas cards, but sometimes..needs must eh?  I cut the snowflakes on my cameo and they've got glitter on them as has Tilda's fur trims, but I couldn't get a decent pic of it.  I used Cheery Lynn's Large Sunflower die, cut it in half and swapped the sides and the embossing folder for the background is by Crafts Too.

Entering into:

TILDA'S TOWN #75 - Christmas.

POLKADOODLES #42 - Christmas is coming.

SISTER ACT #29 - Anything goes.

CRAFT CHALLENGE #229 - Christmas.

MOVING ALONG WITH THE TIMES - Christmas cuties.

MAKE IT MONDAY #162 - Anything goes.

CRAFTING BY DESIGNS - Anything goes.

PENNY'S PAPER CRAFTY #149 - Anything goes.

CRAFTERS CAFE #33 - How adorable.

SHE CRACKS ME UP!

It's 2 post Wednesday again this week and here's my 2nd DT card.  I totally love this image and as per my post title, she cracks me up pmsl.  Honestly, I chuckle every time I see her. It's challenge #189 over at I ♥ PROMARKERS and our theme this week is to use Orange & Brown.  Our sponsor this week is the 'oh so humorous' Dr. DIGI. The doc is offering 5 digi's to our winner, and I'd like to introduce you to Polly Dent.

My papers are from Basic Grey's 'Konnichiwa' and MME's 'Fine and Dandy Boy'.  It's very rare that I use papers from different pads as I can never seem to match them, but these worked a treat.  The swirl is a Memory Box die.  Edge punch is from EK Success and the sentiment is one of my own.  I drew the ground bit myself as another way of grounding the image.  She's coloured of course, with my Promarkers and Tria's but I paper pieced her top and skirt and then coloured over them a bit.  The shading around the edge is a pans pastel and then I just added a bit of ribbon and 3 pearls from my stash.

Entering into:
DIE CUTTING DIVA'S #136 - Use brown.
ADDICTED TO STAMPS AND MORE #66 - Anything goes.
CRAFTY CREATIONS #243 - 1, 2, 3.
CREATIVE MOMENTS #27 - Anything goes/Autumn
DIVA'S BY DESIGN - 3 or more layers.
RHEDD AND ROSIE #17 - Colours of Autumn.
SISTERHOOD OF CRAFTERS - Anything goes.
LAWNSCAPING #67 - Use patterned papers.
MAKE IT MONDAY #161 - Anything goes.

LIFE'S A CHARM!

Well, here I am with my second project for THE PAPER SHELTER, although 'officially' my first lol, as my place on the DT team was supposed to start today.  It's week #132 and the challenge is to use a charm on your project.  I used one of the newer release digi stamps called 'Autumn Leaves', isn't she just adorable? You can pop over and buy her HERE.

My papers are all from the 'Summers End'  pad by Fancy Pants.  I used orange cardstock for the matting and the borders.  The top border was done with a Martha Stewart edge punch and the bottom one with an EK Success edge punch. The brown leaves were done with one of my newer die acquisitions, and it's Joanna Sheen's  Ivy Flourish.  It is a one piece die but I cut it apart.  A strip of ribbon, pearls and the all important metal charm finished it off. Oh yeah, she's coloured with a combination of Tria's and ProMarkers.

There's a great prize on offer too.  If you use a Paper Shelter image you can win a $30 spend in store but you can still win 3 images of your choice from The Paper Shelter even if you use any other image.

Entering into:
OUR DAILY BREAD DESIGNS #173 - Fall Leaves.
TWISTED TUESDAY #60 - Lots of layers & use metal.
CRAFTY SENTIMENTS - Anything goes.
CREATIVE CRAFT CHALLENGE #20 - Anything  goes.
PAPERTAKE WEEKLY - Two by Two.

GOING FOR A SONG!

I've been very pooter AWOL this last week.  I'm totally absorbed in making mini albums and memory boxes.  I just can't stop cutting and sticking, lol.  I really must get some housework done though......tsk, tsk, sorry, didn't mean to swear, ha ha.  Anyway, it's Wednesday again and time for another I ♥ PROMARKERS challenge and this week (#188) the theme is a Song, so your project must be inspired by a song title.  The sponsor is again the fabulous MARIANNE DESIGN.

I used this fantastic image by Kenny K and my song is You Got Me Rocking by The Rolling Stones. It's a dead simple card this time.  I cut the note border on my Cameo and the papers are Country Boutique by Fancy Pants and apart from 3 pearls and my sentiment, that's it.  Hmmmm.... my black stripe strip is a bit skew-whiff - must have been too much wine, lol. Oh well, too late now eh?

Entering into:
RHEDD & ROSIE #16 - Something for the men.
613 AVENUE CREATE #39 - Anything goes.
CREATIVE CRAFT CHALLENGES #20 - Anything goes.
PAPERTAKE WEEKLY - Anything goes.
CRAFTS 4 ETERNITY #143 - Anything goes.
PENNY'S PAPER CRAFTY #147 - Anything goes.
LADY ANNE'S STAMP #12 - Anything goes.
MAKE IT MONDAY #160 - Anything goes.

BLOOMING FLOWERS....

A second post from me today!!! That must be a first, lol.  But, it's Wednesday again and that means time for another I ♥ PROMARKERS challenge.  This week is #187 and the theme is to Make Your Own Flowers. Our sponsor is PINK GEM DESIGNS and my card features the delightful 'Denny with Watering Can'.  Isn't he just the cutest draggie you've ever seen?

My gorgeous papers (well, I think they are) are from Prima's Sun Kiss collection.  I layered the paper and image onto my fave shade of green cardstock.  Denny was coloured, of course, with Promarkers and the sky was done with a blue pans pastel. I made my flowers using one of the amazing Sizzix die sets.  This one is Mini Daisy by Susan Tierney Cockburn.  I cut them with white card stock and shaped them using Susan's tool set, then I coloured the centres of them with yellow pan pastels.  When they were stuck together and dry, I popped a bit of flower soft in the centre of each.  It's the first time I've used that stuff as I bought it especially to use with my flower dies.  I have to say, I'm quite impressed with how it looks.

The fence die is Cheery Lynn and my fave leaf die of all time I think is also Cheery Lynn.  My sentiment was die cut using the Sizzix thinlets Tags & Sentiments and then I stamped the greeting with a stamp from my Personal Impressions mixed sentiments set.  I really like how this card finished up so am well chuffed, 'cause you know we never like our own stuff, ha ha.

Entering into:
CHEERY LYNN DESIGNS #99 - Die cut flowers.
PARADE YOUR CRAFTS #4 - Birthdays.
CRAFTY CARDMAKERS #100 - Winged things.
LEJ DESIGNS #72 - Lots of layers
613 AVENUE CREATE #38 - Anything goes.
BEARLY MINE #105 - Anything goes..
PARTY TIME TUESDAYS #139 - Anything goes.
ARTISTIC INSPIRATIONS #60 - Anything goes/Bright colours.
DIGI MAKEOVER (Paper Makeup) #107 - Anything goes.
MAKE IT MONDAY #159 - Anything goes.

ALL STITCHED UP!

Good morning peeps.  I hope you're all well out there in blogland.  Today sees my first creation as a new member of the design team for THE PAPER SHELTER.  I wasn't supposed to officially start until 9th October, but all us newbies were told we could join in now if we wanted to...so I did, lol.  I made a tag using the image called Cute Dressmaker.

  This image was perfect as this weeks theme (#130)  is to use stitching on your project.  It can be real or faux, but stitching's the thing.  You've a chance of a very generous prize too.

I coloured the image using a mixture of Tria's, Promarkers and Copics. The close up shot is to show that I added some real thread to her needle. The leaf die cuts are Cheery Lynn, Memory Box corner and everything else was from my stash.  The sentiment is computer generated and I stitched my layers of paper on my machine.  The papers are from Kaisercraft 'Secret Admirer'.

Entering into:
LEJ DESIGNS #72 - Lots of layers
613 AVENUE CREATE #38 - Anything goes. HONOURABLE MENTION
BEARLY MINE #105 - Anything goes..
PARTY TIME TUESDAYS #139 - Anything goes.
ARTISTIC INSPIRATIONS #60 - Anything goes/Bright colours.
DIGI MAKEOVER (Paper Makeup) #107 - Anything goes.

AHOY MATEY!!

On my recent trip to Cyprus, we went out on a Pirate Ship.  It was great fun and this is my grandson Aidan.  He had a ball as there was entertainment and all sorts going on.

The papers are from Best Creations.  I fussy cut the beach at the bottom from one sheet and 3D attached it to my base paper. The flag, title, ships wheel and skull & crossbones were cut on my Cameo.  I bought a pack of pirate charms and added 3 of them to this layout.  I'm trying to figure out how to do a girls pirate page now for my granddaughter's album.  You can just see her with a drink in her hand in one of these pics.

Arghhhh!!!

Good morning peeps, and a happy Wednesday to you all.  Time for another challenge over at I ♥ PROMARKERS.  It's week #186 and the theme is the ever popular Anything Goes.  The sponsor this week is INKY IMPRESSIONS but as I didn't have to use a sponsor image this time and I wanted something away from cute, I went with this amazing image from Rick St. Dennis.  And, I'll tell you that when I made this, it was exactly the mood I was in, lol.   Mind you, I've no clue who I could possibly send this to, (except maybe the person who'd upset me in the first place!) Tee hee!!!

My papers are all from My Mind's Eye (Blush pad I think).  I added a bit of mesh across the centre, the border is punched with an EK success punch and I computer generated my sentiment.  Anyway, I hope you like her and she doesn't give you nightmares, ha ha ha.

Entering into:
DIVA'S BY DESIGN - Anything goes.
HAUNTED DESIGN HOUSE #176 - Who are you?  I'M A BANSHEE!!!! GRUESOME TWOSOME
TAMMY'S SCRAPPIN' CORNER #80 - Anything goes.
MAKE IT MONDAY #158 - Anything goes.
OLDIE BUT A GOODIE - Dies and punches (papers and punch are old).
TTCRD 17th - 23rd - Anything goes.
ARTISTIC INSPIRATIONS #59 - Anything goes or Frame it.
CREATED WITH LOVE #58 - Anything goes.
MY CRAFT CREATIONS - Anything goes with stamp or digi.

INSPIRED BY....and a WHOOP!!!!!

Before I tell you what or who I've been inspired by, what am I Whooping about?  Well, I've got a place on THE PAPER SHELTER design team! Whoop double whoop.  I can't tell you how chuffed I am to be one of the chosen ones out of so many fabulous entries.  I'm really looking forward to getting started with their fabulous images.

So, what's inspired me?  Well it's a lady called FINNABAIR.  One of my crafty buddies, Cynthia, sent me a link to this amazing mixed media artist and all I can say is Wow!  You should take a look.  Anyway, I watched her making some tags and using glimmer mists and such and I really wanted to try and do what she did.  Tags, I don't have a problem with but those inks...well, that's summat else.  I've had bottles of the stuff for a few years now and never used them.  I just couldn't get on with them at all.  Anyway, here's my first effort.

All the papers I used were from a Melissa Frances paper pad C'est la Vie.  Flowers all from my stash.  On this tag I used a recent discovery, Prima Resistant Canvas shapes.  Love 'em.  I also used a script stencil by Crafters Workshop and Liquitex modelling paste.  Some inking with Brushed Corduroy and a bit of tissue tape finished it off.  I quite like this.  Then came the spray inks!!!!!  Ooooeerrrrr!  Not successful.  I've muddied the colours.  Not sure if it's my colours, my technique or both, lol.  Both probably.

So, not happy with attempt No. 1 I had another go.  I used the same papers and resistant canvas shapes, but this time I used some die cuts too.  Cheery Lynn fence, butterfly and leaves and Memory Box swirl. The cameo is from Hobby House and I stitched the paper layers on my machine this time too.

At the moment I love this.  Then came the inks again.  Oh dear, I don't love it so much now.  It's not as bad as my first attempt, but it's still not right.  Or at least, it's not how I want it to look.  Maybe I need some different colour sprays.  Dunno.  Or may, I just expect too much ha, ha.

Anyhow, I'll not give up until I've mastered this spraying jobby.  Oh no!  Might try it on a card and a scrapbook layout too.

TIM HOLTZ TAGS 2013 - SEPTEMBER

This month's tag is all about layering.  I used Liquitex modelling paste, stencils by various manufacturers and the butterfly stamp is from the wonderful Kaisercraft again.  I didn't have any white distress paint so I used Americana acrylic paint and it worked an absolute treat.  Pop over to Tim's blog to see all the techniques. Loved it this month as it's right up my street, I love blending colours and using texture but still having a bit of grunge in there.  I think stencils and modelling paste are my new fave craft tools, lol.

Entering into:
Tim Holtz Tags of 2013 - September.
CRAFTS TOO #3 - Texture.

SHAPING UP!

It's week #185 over at I ♥ PROMARKERS and this week's challenge is to use 3 different shapes on your project. There are 2 fabulous sponsors this week:  VISIBLE IMAGE and THE PAPER SHELTER.
I have used this gorgeous image from The Paper Shelter called Arabian Spell and one of my favourite colour combinations of green and pink.  I especially love this particular shade of green and use it loads.

I have used 3 papers from the Prima pad 'Fairy Flora'.  I started by making my background with the papers cut into 2 triangles.  Then I layered some rectangles up for the centre and goodness knows what the shape of the nestie is called lol, but anyway, I've definitely got my 3 shapes.  Spellbinders borderabilities (at least, I think that's what they're called) is what I used for the border shapes.  I didn't want a large greeting on this, so I cut a tiny tag and coloured it pink and then used a peel off greeting no less!!!  I've had these for about 6 years or maybe even longer and they're so off trend now, but hey! I thought the little letters were perfect for this. I popped a doily and some pearls on to finish it off.

Entering into:
ADDICTED TO STAMPS #62 - Make your mark.
CARD MANIA #29 - Fave colour combo.
PAPER PLAYTIME #18 - 3 different papers.
CRAFTY SENTIMENTS - Anything goes.
TUESDAY THROWDOWN #164 - Anything goes.
MAKE IT MONDAY #157 - Anything goes.
PARADE YOUR CRAFTS #3 - Anything goes.

MORE THAN ONE...

Oh boy!  September already.  Wherever does the time go?  I'm getting older much too quickly for my liking, lol.  Anyway, it's week #184 over at I ♥ PROMARKERS and the sponsor is LOTV.  The theme this week is to use more than one image.

This stumped me at first as I didn't think there was enough room to add two images, but then...well, I figured it out.  I got out one of my Kanban stamp sets and stamped a couple of butterflies. Ta Dah!  2 different images - the boy/girl is one image and of course is from LOTV.   My papers are Basic Grey's 'Plumeria' with a square doily on the top.  The centre has some lilac mesh, white lace and purple dotty ribbon across it.

Entering into:

CREATIVE MOMENTS #25 - Birthday/Anything goes

FLUTTERBY WEDNESDAY #251 - Open (with butterfly or fairy).

ADDICTED TO STAMPS & MORE - #61? - Anything goes.

ANYTHING GOES #100 - In the garden & add a butterfly.

CARDS AND MORE #89 - Anything goes.

CREATIVE CARD CREW #44 - Things with wings.

EVERYBODY ART CHALLENGE #243 - Birthday.

PAPERTAKE WEEKLY - Anything goes.

SPLASHIN' GOOD FUN

This is my Granddaughter Mia playing in the pool in their back yard in Cyprus.  She absolutely loves it and plays for hours with her brother Aidan.  I spent quite a lot of time in there with them myself, lol.  It was the only way to cool down from the unrelenting heat out there!

Papers and embellies are all from the Echo Park collection 'Summer Days'.

Entering into:

613 AVENUE CREATE #35 - Anything goes (optional twist I haven't used). TOP 3

CHALLENGES 4 EVERYBODY #28 - Anything goes.

RED CARPET STUDIO #52 - Anything goes.

LIMITED EDITIONS PROMARKER CHART.

I've done a Promarker colour chart for all those limited edition pens us Promarker lovers have collected  as there's no room on the original Promarker chart.  This one has 48 named colours and plenty of space to add more as they come out.

If you'd like a copy, you're welcome to download one from HERE and if you want to type your own colours onto it, you need Arial font, point size 7.

KETCHUP!

My 3½  year old grandson, Aidan.  Like many kids, addicted to ketchup ha ha.  Personally, I don't know what the fuss is all about.  Mayonnaise I can understand, I'm a bit partial to that myself, lol.

The papers are Echo Park 'Little Boy'.  The title is a Woodware Chippie alphabet:  gessoed, painted with True Red Americana paint and then covered with Glossy Accents.  I used a one of those tag things from the Smash range and some Candy things to finish it off. Oh, and a bit of machine stitching too.

Entering into:
ABOUT A BOY - Anything goes.