5 Things about me.......

The lovely Susan over at Saramar has passed this on to me, good job I read her post really carefully or I wouldn't have known I have to write 5 things about me! I then have to pass it on to 5 other people.  So here it goes...

1. I hate racism of any sort, having been a victim of it.

2. I like to help others if I can.

3. I wish I had smaller boobs, in fact I'd like to be a perfect size 10 or 12., but believe me it's never going to happen.

4. I've always wanted to be a famous selling author.

5. I always cheat on my diet(s).

I'm passing this on to Enfys, Lisa, Cindy, Paul, Janet

x

Work shop christmas cards

These are what I've made at Craft Inspirations workshops, with Shirley as ever showing us all what to do.

Image is from Stampendous 'Holy Night' and was heat embossed with clear embossing powder after being stamped with Adirondak 'Pitch Black' ink. Unfortunately I don't know what paper was used.  Circles cut with nesties, while the green card was edged with EK Success 'Scalloped Scallop' border punch.

This is ideal for kids to send to their friends.  Images are from Pink Gem Designs, and sold individually, 'Nativity Donkey' 'Nativity Milly' and 'Nativity Max'.  They were painted with Cosmic Shimmers, except for Max's robe, which had been paper pieced. Again I don't know what paper had been used. Star and circles were cut with nesties, sentiment is a holograpic peel off.

I enjoyed making this one, a good old traditional card.  The flowers are Christmas Roses, and even though we coloured them in the wrong colour, they still look good! They're from the U-Mount unmounted stamp range and contains 7 stamps. Coloured with distress inks.

For the first time since I've been going to the workshops, I used decoupage.  The image is by Flowersoft 'Festive Teddies'.  Polar White flowersoft was used as snow while 'Ice Crystals' cuttlebug embossing folder was used for the left hand side panel.  Sentiment from craftwork cards.

'Winter Mimi' from Pink Gem Designs. Paper from Cosmo Cricket 'Silly Chilly' Mimi painted in Cosmic Shimmers, but dress was paper pieced.  Polar white flowersoft used on ear muffs, dress and pom poms. Nesties used for circles, EK Success 'Alpine' border punch used on the pink & red card.  Nesties die for the snowflakes.  Sentiment from Craftwork Cards.

Images from Penny Black T for Transparent '....In A Pear Tree' stamped with Adirondak 'Pitch Black' ink, then embossed with clear powder.  Circles cut with nesties.  Again I don't know what paper was used.  Memo to self: ask what paper is being used at workshops. Tear drop shaped peel offs were stuck on the tree as pears and on the tails of the partridges.

Partridges same as above, painted with Cosmic Shimmers.  Lettering done on cricut using Base Camp 2.5 inches on shadow. Branches were made with a Pine branch punch, may have been a McGill punch.

Christmas cards

Made a start a few weeks ago on my christmas cards, I've still got a lot more to do.

This was an experiment that actually worked!  I stamped the images on to glitter card which doesn't show very well on the photo and very carefully coloured them in with copics. I used versafine ink, then put some kitchen roll over them to blot the ink, though even after doing that the ink was still wet a few days later but didn't smudge, images were matted on to green holographic card, the red paper is from my stash, snowflakes cut from cuttlebug die.

Teddy bear image is Penny Black 'Dear Santa' while the other is Hero Arts 'Classic Christmas Borders' CL112 clear set.

Image from Pink Gem Designs 'Snow Love' coloured with copics. Dark green snowflake paper from a Dovecraft 12x12 pack 'Victorian Christmas' while multicoloured snowflake paper is by Cosmo Cricket 'Silly Chilly' (double sided).

The pink paper is the reverse side of  'Silly Chilly' that was used on  the 'Snow Love' card.  The image is from Penny Black 'Xmas Hat', the hat was decoupaged.

Papers used on this card are from Hot Off The Press Christmas 8x8 papers.  Again image is from Penny Black 'Snow Trot' coloured with copics. Go Kreate dies used to cut the squares.

Paper as before (HOTP) sentiment from stash, ovals cut with Go Kreat dies and embossed with Cuttlebug 'Snow Dots' folder, Penny Black 'Dear Santa'. Copics used to colour.

Pink Gem Designs 'Winter Mimi' coloured with copics. Scalloped circle cut with nestie, white panels embossed with Cuttlebug 'Snow Flake' folder, paper from Basic Grey 'Eskimo Kisses' 'Village'.

I'm not sure whether to put a sentiment on the bottom or something else, card candy?

Green card from HOTP 8x8 Christmas papers, sentiment from stash, card candy from Craftwork cards.  Image is Penny Black 'Sled Ride'coloured with Promarkers. 

Paper is Basic Grey 'Figgy Pudding' 'Pepperberry', red card and cord is from stash.  Penny Black 'Teddy Santa' coloured with copics.

Wanted to make something quick and simple, and this certainly was. Cuttlebug 'Holly Branch' embossing folder with red sticky dots placed over the berries. Red strip of card embossed with 'Snow Flake' folder.  Sentiment from craftwork cards.

The next ones are inspired by Shirley, who does the workshops at Craft Inspirations.

Paper is from Craftwork Cards 'Jack Frost' white range 8x8 pack and 'Jack Frost' Blues. Matted onto silver mirri card, used blue mirri on the blue cards. Baubles are peel offs

Skater Ian

I'm pretty sure this is the first Skater Ian that I've done, I've made another since and forgot to take a photo.  This will go to one of Shane's friends whose birthday is next month.

I have to say I was really impressed with this stamp, it's from The Greeting Farm and stamped beautifully.  With some stamps you have to put a lot of pressure on them, not so with this one.  The card candy is from Craftwork Cards. Ian coloured with copics.

I was so impressed with The Greeting Farm stamps that I've bought some more from Stampezee, which is where I bought Ian from.

I'm off to bed now, try and get a bit of reading done.  I'll hopefully get some more cards posted on here tomorrow, and catch up with some blog hopping.

Night night

x

Why oh why....

Did I think it would be a good idea to make a card in black and yellow?  I really don't like this at all, what was I thinking?????

Tilda was from a swap, circles cut from nesties, rest is from my stash.

Holiday cards

While I was on holiday in August, I went to Dorchester market and bought a few crafty things, with the intention of selling them at the Symondsbury Fete (didn't sell any).  I also went to Traego Mills and The Craft Room in Newton Abbott and bought stuff there as well. Bearing in mind I didn't have a majority of my things, I don't think I did too badly.

Flowers are die cut decoupage which had to be stuck with wet glue to the glitter paper, as nothing else would stick. Black card was from a Papermania pack.

Another diecut, dufex this time, the corners were from a pack of acrylic stamps, yellow spotted card by Bazzill.  Memento ink in 'Rich Cocoa'  I'm in two minds as to add flowers or a bit of sparkle or leave it as it is for the 'less is more' look.

The above 3 were a nightmare to do, as the glue I bought was useless, so I had to use wet glue which wasn't a good idea, the front of the cards feel rock solid.  The images themselves were in a pack that includes 2 A5 cards/envelopes, backing paper and sentiments, but I used square cards.

The 2 above were also in a pack that lets you make 2 cards.

I bought the Crafter's Companion Zinnia flower fairy from The Craft Room, and was my first attempt at using copics that I'd bought from a shop in Bridport.  Paper is by Rico Design

Back again...

I've had to record the rest of Strictly as Shane wanted to watch X Factor, so he's stretched out on the floor, like Lord Muck.  Usually when his daddy isn't doing a party (he's a mobile DJ) we have our family night when we watch a dvd of Shane's choice (which can be a bit iffy to say the least!), and have bags of popcorn, so tonight is a bit different for us.

Here's another card.

Again papers and flowers from stash, image is from Sugar Nellies 'Reflective' coloured with Copics.

Finally.....

I'm updating my blog after not doing it for about a month. I think last time I blogged I was getting over a cough.....well I've still got it, can you believe I had another sore throat last Sunday & Monday which has made the cough worse again.  I've spoken to a few people who are worse than me, with full blown flu and their kids have been the same.  Luckily Shane wasn't as bad as them when he was ill a few weeks ago.

I've taken some pics this evening of christmas makes and everyday ones. I had planned on making some halloween boxes today to put sweets in for the trick or treaters, but I'll try tomorrow instead.

In the mean time here's what I've done so far.

Papers and flowers from stash.  Image is Daisy from Sugar Nellies and coloured with copics.  Nesties were used for the circles.

Think I'll try to update later or tomorrow, Strictly Come Dancing is on now :)

As promised.....

These were made the same to save time as I had a few birthdays in August and I had to get packing sorted for our hols and get all the house cleaned.  The flower was done with Sizzix Bigz Daisies #2....used it on my cuttlebug, and as I type this I'm trying to remember what the sandwich recipe was that I used.  I'll have to make another one to find out, lol.  Swiss dot embossing folder on the backing card, and black card candy for the middle of the flowers. Craftwork Cards sentiments with scalloped nestie circles behind them.  Ribbon and sticky gems from stash.

The image below is a Hanglar Stanglar that was part of an image swap, and was my first attempt at using copics.  Card was edged using colorbox fluid chalk, papers are Basic Grey 6x6 'Bittersweet' pad 'Brittle' and 'Begian'. Belgian was also used for the photo corners,  flowers from stash, but very sure they're prima ones

This was also part of he same image swap that included Hanglar Stanglar.  This was a RAK sent nearly 2 weeks ago and as far as I know still hasn't been received.  Copics used again, card was edged with Colorbox Fluid Chalk,  papers from Basic Grey 6x6 'Two Scoops' pad 'Watermelon Ice' and 'Blueberry Custard'.  Sticky gems from stash.

I used an old magnolia sketch for this one. I was trying to use autumn colours on  this, but have just noticed I forgot to put the leaves on...duh!  Tilda coloured with copics and promarkers, flowers and paper from stash, other card is from DCWV mat stack 'Neutrals' .  Scalloped circle (nesties) was run through cuttlebug 'Victoria' embossing folder. Sentiment as before.

I really like this image, can you tell? lol.  This should have been opened today by my friend Karen, it's her 30th birthday and she had her party last Saturday at Billesley Manor Hotel in Alcester.  Party with a difference....no dancing.  She had a Vegas theme night and had people in to do roulette and blackjack tables.  The guests were given £300 each, (not real of course) to gamble with and at the end of the night who ever had the most money won a prize.  We left before the end so I gave my money to Karen's husband.

Paper is by Rico Design, image coloured with copics, lilac card run through the bug using swiss dots folder, ribbon, sticky gems and flowers from stash.  Card candy was coloured with copic pen as I didn't have the right colour.

Where does the time go?

Just over a month since my last post, what a naughty blogger I've been. Since then I've been on holiday to Dorset for 17 days to stop with friends, and while there we visited my OH uncle in Torquay who's recovering from having a major op after having been diagnosed with bowel cancer. I ended up nipping into Newton Abbot to visit The Craft Room (just like last year) and spent more than I wanted too......then a few days later had to return to the same shop with a faulty border punch, somehow or another I ended up buying even more stuff......why?????

Made some cards to sell at The Symondsbury Fete, which we always go to while we're in Dorset. Didn't sell any, many looked and commented, but no luck. I spoke to another lady who was selling cards from kits that she'd bought on QVC, and she didn't sell any either. Our friends who always have things to sell didn't do too badly themselves, it seems most people are just looking for knick-knacks, or wanting something for nothing.

I tried to sell something for a fellow crafter, that she'd made from wood, lots of people showed an interest saying how well made it was and unusual. It's called a tall trees box, made from walnut 'serpentine' shaped. Linda who made it, is very talented in what she does, and her latest make is book ends in the shape of horses. She also recently made a cook book stand from (if I'm correct) 1 piece of wood. I'm going to put the box on here in the next few days to see if anyone is interested in buying it. It would make a nice, unusual present for christmas or birthday. In the mean time you can look at some of her work here and you'll see what I mean.

I've been feeling under the weather since Thursday which for a change isn't food related. I was in the middle of the housework, when I noticed I was seeing floaty things in front of my right eye, tried to read the paper but couldn't do it, so I sat down and closed my eyes for a few minutes, then felt ok to carry on. The same thing happened again not long after but my head felt strange, not like a headache or migraine, just pain across my forehead. Took painkillers, then stomach cramps started and I was in the bathroom. Lay on the sofa and managed to cat nap, but ended up in the bathroom again later a few more times. It's easing off now (I hope) but I'm still getting stomach cramps every now and again.

Got my laptop back on Wednesday as it had to be repaired, the bit where the dc jack goes in had come loose, which I've found out is common in Toshiba machines.

Tomorrow I'll get some makes posted on here as they've all been received now, except one due to the postal strike.

Till then

Ta ta.

x

Thanks

To Susan and Maureen for my awards. Both lovely ladies with some gorgeous makes.
Pop over to them to have peep.

x

Craft workshop cards continued

Here are the final 2 cards from workshops at Craft Inspirations, I was so tired last night I was falling asleep as I was typing.....luckily I was in bed already :)

I really enjoyed doing this, this was my introduction to using Derwent Coloursoft Pencils and Sansodor. To spread and blend the colours a paper stump was used, dipped into the Sansodor. I've read about Prismacolours which I think are American (not sure) but apparently Coloursoft is the UK equivalent and you get the same results. The images used are from Inkadinkado '97622 Doodle Flowers' 2 of which have been decoupaged and inked using black Versafine. The smooth white card had an aperture cut using a nestie scalloped oval, then a smaller size was used to make an oval scallop which had the sentiment stamped on, then stuck to the pale lemon bazzill card with sticky pads.

The same colouring technique was used on this as above. The image is from Penny Black 'Birthday Balloons' and layered onto green bazzill card, lemon panel was run through the cuttlebug twice using the dotty embossing border with pale pink grosgrain ribbon going round it. The dots are bigger than the Swiss Dots. The paper is Basic Grey 'Lemonade Doillies Flowers' which is matted onto pink pearl card. The flower I think maybe a Prima one

Craft workshop cards

This is a selection of cards made in workshops at Craft Inspirations in Sutton Coldfield. How Shirley comes up with all the ideas, I'll never know.
I've actually done this wrong, because I kept looking at the original card while it was closed. The opening should be on the left hand side, so imagine the card turned upside down and that would be the right way, and the blank space would be the back of the card.
This was created using a Dreamweaver brass stencil 'LJ849 Bare Trees' and black and white Dreamweaver embossing pastes. Bazzill lilac and purple card was punched using EK Success 'Dotted Wave'. Sentiment from Craftwork Cards and scalloped circles done with nesties run through the cuttlebug.





This stencil was again from Dreamweaver 'LL431 Sundae' and embossed with Dreamweaver paste. Colour was added with Colourbox Queue Fluid Chalk and stencil brush, except for the top part which was glued and glitter sprinkled over. Card candy then stuck on as the cherry, this and the sentiment are from Craftwork Cards. Dark brown ribbon. Paper was cut with Go Kreate 6x6 'Square Pointy #1' dies that are compatable with the cuttlebug. Pink bazzill card and Bo Bunny Double Dot 'Chocolate Dot' Pink and brown circles made with nesties.

The next two cards were made with teenagers in mind. Pink pearl card had been matted and layered with plain black card and Bo Bunny Double Dot 'Strawberry Dot'. The black card has Bo Bunny Double Dot 'Pink Punch' wrapped round, strawberry dot paper was punched using EK Success 'Swiss Cheese'. Black scalloped squares done with nesties as was the white straight edge squares. White squares had pink colour queue fluid chalk rubbed on, than stamped. Images are from Inkadinkado Inchies '98780 Special Thoughts' Small circles were done using smallest round nestie after being stamped.



This the one for a teenage boy. Blue co-ordination card was sanded around the edges as were the two circles (blue and light blue) Stars were cut using nesties and then put through the cuttlebug using the 'Tiny Bubbles' embossing folder. The card for the stars was also co-ordination, and again was sanded over. The image used is from Woodware 'FRCl058 Boy Zone' and was stamped on to a white circle that had been edged with a blue Colourbox QueueFluid Chalk pad. Derwent watercolour pencils were used to colour the image, and a metallic sakura pen for the wording.

A brayer was used to do the sand, Adirondaks Sunshine Yellow, sea Pool and sky ?, using the masking technique. Plain and scalloped oval were cut from nesties, the images are from Woodware 'GRCL212 Sunny Days'. The girl was coloured using Derwent Coloursoft Pencils. Stickles was used for her hair slide. Yellow Bazzill was used to mat and for the scalloped oval.

This is something a bit different from the norm. Image is again from Woodware 'GRCL212 Sunny Days'. Flags were stamped 8 times on to red, yellow and blue scrap card. then each cut individually, beach huts were stamped 4 times on the same colours and mounted on to white circles cut with nesties, each circle was edged in the same colour as whatever hut was on it. Then it was layered on slightly larger black circles again cut with nesties. Co ordinating ribbon was threaded through. The front of the card done in the same way, but with boats and wording instead. I'm falling asleep and I've only got two cards left to put on, but I'll finish off tomorrow and do a very quick blog hop as I know I have something to pick up from Susan.