Monday, 30 December 2013

Wishes

I'd like to wish
all my blog followers and readers
a Happy New Year.

May you have happiness &
 prosperity throughout 2014.

- ♥ -

Tuesday, 3 December 2013

Gold and White

Over on the Daring Cardmakers blog, Leo has set a challenge "Going for  Gold".  So I decided to do just that.

I must admit though I did use some flesh coloured Copics to colour in the fairy.  Hope that still counts?


This second card I stuck to the brief and have only used white and gold.  A very simple card indeed to make just embossing (both dry and with powder) and hey presto a Christmas card to add to the box.


Have a wonderful day and thank you for visiting my blog.

- ♥ -

Thursday, 28 November 2013

Paper Weaving

Just slipping under the wire to show you my Daring Cardmakers challenge which is to show some paper weaving on your cards.

I had fun weaving these festive papers together and added my favourite Jolly Father Christmas stamp and a little sentiment.  Another Christmas card completed and one to add to the pile.  



- ♥ -

Sunday, 17 November 2013

More oranginess

Since my last post I haven't had much time for any crafting and nothing else to report on.  But whilst looking back on my blog a realised that I hadn't shown you the paper pumkins I made as decoration for my Pumpkin Party.

So here they are:-
I found the inspiration for them whilst surfing the internet.  A website called I ♥ naptime is a wonderful source for all different crafts and I will be visiting it often.

Talking of inspiration there are the Daring Cardmakers and I was very pleased to have won one of their birthday presents, a set of Christmas stamps from Crimson Cloud.  These stamps arrived this week and I was able to play with them today.  The stamps are self cling and very strong, not flimsy at all and I made these two Christmas cards.  


I stamped the images onto some Basic Grey papers and embossed them.  The backing paper on the bottom one and the mat on the top card are my own Gelli Plate backgrounds.  (I'm finally getting round to using these haha).

Thanks for dropping by.

Happy Sunday.
- ♥ -


Saturday, 2 November 2013

I don't know if you are the same as me? (probably not as I can be a bit strange sometimes :)) but I find that when I sit down to make a birthday card I go off on a tangent and end up making another three or four as well.

And that is just what I have done here.  I had to make two birthday cards and ended up with two extra.  These are now added to my stock of cards for emergency/oops I forgot birthdays.

 

All I need to do now is get my head around Christmas cards.  I think I might stamp out some images and colour them during Strictly this evening.  

 

Happy Saturday to you all in Blogland.

- ♥ -





Wednesday, 30 October 2013

Thank you cards

Still on the pumpkin theme I wanted to thank my family for making the Pumpkin Party special so made and sent these cards this morning.
 The bat stamp is paper smoochie one and the pumpkin is an imaginesence one (I think) both were coloured with Copic Sketch markers.


I've also wanted to photograph my pumpkin and show you close up the lovely texture on the skin it has.

Don't worry I promise my blog won't be overrun with pumpkins for too long. haha.

- ♥ -

Monday, 28 October 2013

Pumpkin news!

Well at last half term is here yippee!!!!!

And alot has happened since I last blogged.  I have been extremely busy with work and at home getting things ready for the Great Pumpkin Party that took place on Saturday.

Much jollification was had by all members of the family which ages from 17 - 85  :) and everyone came in fancy dress.  Even my parents of 81 and 85 dressed up tee hee.

This is what we were all aiming to win - a trophy supplied by my parents (as their seeds didn't germinate and they wanted to play along).

Before the party started I cut my pumpkin and left him in the garden (you can see him on the table outside) and got into my costume.  Of course, I came as a pumpkin hahaha, what else?  

When everyone had arrived all "us" pumpkins posed for photos.  Even Prunella who had just come from the Beauticians.

Then it was down to the serious bit. . . . . the all important weighing.  Head of the family (My Dad) took control and with trusty bathroom scales began the task of judging the fruits of our labours.


Here is my pumpkin on the scales and you can just see that the scales read 5kg.  Wow what a whopper.  My witchy sister is taking down the scores, very official don't you know.  



Of course even Prunella had to jump on the scales but had to take her wig off as that would have been cheating. :) The Head Judge was very gentle with her.  

After much tea and decision making (well shouting banter actually) the winner was announced. . . . . . . . .  

As there were two pumpkins with the same weight mine and my neice's I decided to let her have the trophy but secretly (inside where it counts)  -  I know I won!!!!

- ♥ -

Monday, 14 October 2013

Put out the flags . . .

I have managed to do another Daring Cardmakers Challenge, phew! two in a row.

This time the challenge was to use Birthday bunting or banners.  I went for the bunting.  I do find it so cheerful.


The card is for my neice's birthday in a few days time so I had better get it in the post.


I also wanted to show you my finished Christmas jumper.
 

I'm really pleased with how it came out and I'm now looking to knit another one.  Just have to find a pattern I like.

Thanks for visiting my blog today.
Please do leave a comment I love to read them.

Tuesday, 8 October 2013

DCM Birthday

  




The Daring Cardmakers are celebrating their 7th birthday this month and are giving away prizes with their challenges.


This week's challenge is to use this photo for colour inspiration.


I do love a birthday and wanted to join in with the Daring Cardmakers celebrations so I made this card. 


Hopefully you too will think it fits the bill.  

Thanks for stopping by and go and visit the Daring Cardmakers you won't be sorry you did their work is very inspiring.


Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Disappointment

I was a little disappointed the other day when I went to use a self cling stamp I received free with the Craft Stamper magazine.  It had started to "melt" for want of a better explanation.  I'm not sure why this should have happened to these two but my others are fine. The ones I am refering to are the dancing hares and the sunflower.

They were stored on a laminated sheet in my lidded cardboard stamp box with lives under my bed.  It is a mystery as to what has happened to them and I was only glad that the other stamps on that page had not been affected, although I did have to throw one away that had got stuck into the front on these stamps and the cling had disappeared off the back.  Very strange.


If you have any ideas as to what you think might have happened please comment on this post.  Thank you. 

Sunday, 8 September 2013

Pumpkin update

Back to the routine now the summer holidays have ended and this has been the first time I've been able to get on here to blog.

Thought I'd update you with the progress of my pumpkin.  My son and I tried to weigh it before we went on holiday but the digital scales just said "error" they weigh upto 3kg so I'm guessing that it is heavier than that.  :)

So here is a photo taken about an hour ago just before the rain came down.


 I've also added my Croc shoe in to show scale.
These are a UK size 5.  


Thanks for visiting my blog.
Please do leave a comment I love to read them.
- ♥ -

Friday, 30 August 2013

Summer Holiday Last Day

Well it had to happen the Summer Holidays have come to an end for another year.  I have managed to blog more and create more so that is a bonus.  Household jobs some of which have got done others haven't plus we have had a wonderful week in Turkey.  

Not been before and I must say I would like to go again.  We all had a relaxing and fun time in the sun and a well earned time to recharge our batteries for the British winter weather.

We stayed in Fethiye at a fairly new hotel and the facilities were superb.  You can see our room (Top left - with the yellow shorts on the balcony) from my sun lounger on the beach.

My son and I enjoying the sea which was lovely and warm. 


 Plenty of these were consumed during "ice-cream time" 3 - 4pm.  This day I chose pistashio and tutti fruitti yum yum.

 A few of these were also drank a cocktail called a "Falcon" they went down very nicely with pistashios bought in Fethiye town.  My husband and son also went into Fethiye to watch the local team play football.  Of course the custom kebab afterwards was more authentic here in Turkey. hahaha.
 And just to prove I did let my body see the sun - the customary beach shot.  Haha, I don't really tan so I don't really have a sunkissed appearance so the photos are my only evidence that I've been abroad. hahaha.
 We went on an excursion to Dalyan and visited a mud bath and this was my husband and I after ours.  We then had a boat trip, handmade carpet demonstration and visited turtle beach where we did see a Loggerhead turtle.  He was massive.

Thanks for looking at my photos.
Have a great day.
- ♥ -

Monday, 19 August 2013

Totally Scrumptious

My daughter and I went for afternoon tea at One Aldwych yesterday as a late birthday treat for her.

The menu was inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and boy was it delicious.

I haven't any photos of the savoury side of our tea as we munched our way through those pretty quickly and even had seconds of the devine stilton and leek quiches and the Heritage tomato tarts.

I do however, have photos of the sweet side of the afternoon.  


I chose a Organic Lavender Grey tea and my daughter had a Smooth Caramel tea.  Water was very much needed to quench the thirst after the sweetness of so many gorgeous desserts.

This was how the desserts were presented to us.  Yes that is candyfloss and it was delicious.  Our waiter didn't tell us of their flavours it was a guessing game which we guessed correctly after devouring them all. haha.

On the left are Eton Messes and on the right Chocolate Caramel Milks, the eggs in the middle are dusted with gold (I think these were my favourite).  We also had scones, brioche and 4 Cocoa Bean Financiers, which my daughter ate, they were far too chocolatey for me and you can just see them in the photo at the bottom dusted with gold too.


Now this is how I would like my egg in the morning and no it is not a normal "Cadbury's creme egg".  This one is filled with vanilla cheesecake and mango.  It was so delicious that I ate half of my daughter's "shell" too.  ooops
It was a wonderful afternoon and I was very full coming home on the train.

- ♥ -

Sunday, 18 August 2013

Why am I always late?

. . . with my entries to challenges that is.

 I can never seem to get one in on time.  This card was supposed to be for Number 137 Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge and I went with the colours from the picture inspiration. 

I used another of my Gelli Plate backgrounds, reminds me of my favourite Basic Grey Christmasy Papers but actually made with a Tando mask.  Papers and Father Christmas sticker from Bella Road "Everybody Loves Christmas" (I think - oops) with a new sentiment I recently bought as I needed some more Christmasy greetings. 

Hazel must have known I ordered more Christmas word stamps as for her challenge this week she has chosen, " A No Sentiment" prompt, hahaha nice one Hazel.   x 



Next I just wanted to update you on my pumpkin.

Bigger than a tennis ball, bigger than a small babies head, it now could be used for football.  :)
 

Thanks for visiting today.

Have a restful Sunday. 

- ♥ -

Friday, 16 August 2013

Gelli Plate paper creation

Well I made loads of gelli plate prints the other week but now what do I do with them???  hahaha


Whilst looking at this blue and white paper I thought it looked cool and frosty so used it to make a Christmas card.  I coloured in a Gorjuss girl in blue tone Copic Sketch Markers and added some acrylic rings (using a toilet roll of all things :) ) and then sprinkled on some silver glitter whilst the paint was still wet.
 


As I had some blue acrylic paint handy I painted an envelope and used the loo roll stamped into black this time to create some mail art.  Pink dots added with a cotton bud and some green lines stamped on top using a piece of corrugated box complete the make over. 


Thanks for visiting my blog today.

- ♥ -

Friday, 9 August 2013

DCM Sweet Things Challenge

Well look at me . . . posting on the first day a challenge has come out  hahaha.

The challenge this week from the Daring Cardmakers is "Sweet Things" and I went for another CAS card with this birthday cake stamp and think the sentiment says it all, "Yummy"



Thanks for your visit.

Have a great Friday

- ♥ -

Thursday, 8 August 2013

DCM Challenge

I think I've just got time to show you the current Daring Cardmakers Challenge for this week, just before  a new challenge is set tomorrow.

So the current challenge is a colour combination, Citrus colours.  I've come up with two cards to show you today but have plenty more of these gorgeous Paper Smoochie/ Lawn Fawn characters left to create more cards.  Yay that's what I like.

The first is very C.A.S. (clean and simple) but I had great fun using my H20s again to colour the drinks in.  A hand stamped sentiment and "cheers!"

 
 The next card I've added some Bo Bunny patterned paper and used some more Paper Smoochies stamps and a sentiment from a different set. A bit of doodling round the edge et voila. 


Thanks for visiting my blog.

- ♥ -

Gorjuss Challenge - 194

Today I am entering into a challenge set by the girls over on the Totally Gorjuss Challenge blog.  Their challenge is
"anything goes with pearls".

I've made a birthday card for my neice using my Gorjuss Awashed mermaid and her fish friends.  Coloured using H20s, Copic Sketch Markers and the sea is mica powder.  The letters are well and truely mix-media'd (hahaha) with them being gesso'd, Copic coloured and Stickled and then because the colour wasn't right H20'd too. (hahaha)

Thanks for visiting my blog today and do check out the Totally Gorjuss blog to find out what everyone else has come up with.








Much love

- ♥ -


Wednesday, 7 August 2013

Blast from the past

Whilst looking for my pearl pigments mica powder I came across my box of H20 paints.  It was a pleasant surprise and I had forgotten how lovely they are to work with.

So seeing as I have quite a few cards to make during this month I thought I had better make a start.

The first card is for my Dad and I went with this fun Snoopy image (my Dad's not into motorbikes but nevermind hahaha)


I've painted Snoopy's bike with H20s and Copic Sketch Markers and mat and layered using Bo Bunny papers.  I think the adverture and chevron stamps are also Bo Bunny.

ooops just noticed that I forgot to colour Woodstock in - haha he will of course be yellow!  tee hee

The next card is for a friend's birthday.  The background is pearl pigments mixed with water swooshed over the card with the script versamarked onto the card and pearl pigments brushed over the top.  The butterfly is painted using H20s.  You can't really see with my dreadful photographic skills but the card does have alot of shimmer on it.



I've another card to finish also using pearl pigments and H20s and I'll show you that tomorrow - when I've finished it. hahaha.

Happy mid-week everyone.

- ♥ -


Sunday, 4 August 2013

Gelli on a plate

:)  no not the skipping song we used to sing as kids . . .  am I showing my age????

I've bought myself a gelli plate and have spent the afternoon playing with it only having to stop and tidy up just before dinner tonight.  Why oh why do we need to eat dinner when I want to play?  I tidied away and thought I would show you what I came up with.

I've cut the prints down to the size of my gelli plate 6 x 6 - I only bought the small one (that was pricey enough at £19.99) and used a variety of acrylic paints and things laying around the house to make patterns.  I printed onto copying paper as I didn't have any white cardstock spare, hence why some of the prints look crumpled.

 I've also included some close ups of some of my favourite patterns and colourways.  I like the fact that you never really know how the prints will turn out.




Thanks for stopping by and do leave a comment if you are able.

Thanks 

- ♥ -

Saturday, 3 August 2013

How am I doing?

This is my second go at crocheting.  My first attempt was only yesterday I used a You-Tube video to get me started here but I'm not sure this looks correct?


Have a little look and tell me what you think?  It is suppose to be single crochet?????

Thanks.

- ♥ -