Here's my journey

Sunrise

2012-01-31T22:19:00.002Z

I had to stop on the way to work a couple of weeks ago, to try and capture the beautiful colours of the early morning sky.

Grungy Stampotique Birthday card

2012-01-31T14:41:00.002Z

Another forum birthday, this Grungy Stampotique Birthday card was for Penny who is currently revisiting her teen years. Go look at her fantastic blog and you'll see what I mean. :-)

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I've given up counting how many times it took to load up this photo, I've a few more cards to upload (they're not in order as some are still on another camera) but this is it for today. Apart from an early morning photo that's going to post later.

Sercret Garden

2012-01-30T23:32:00.002Z

Stamped onto patterned paper and coloured with distressed ink pads plus a few raindrops to embellish.

Birthday card

2012-01-30T23:17:00.005Z

Using the scrap under paper after spraying some flowers for this card and using one of the lovely Stampotique stamps, which was coloured in with distress inks. Martha Stewart punch to trim the corners.

I'm having trouble keeping my internet connection long enough to upload photos, apologise for my absence. Can hardly believe that January is nearly over!

Happy New year everyone :-)

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T22:18:00.002Z

As it's Christmas eve I thought I'd show some of the few cards I managed for Christmas this year and take this opportunity to wish you all a

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Sorry I've been a terrible blogger of recent. Real life gets in the way sometimes. And I thought I'd killed my blog! Was starting to despair with it as the background had shrunk and could read anything on it but seems to be well for now ;-)

I have a few more Christmas Card/tag photos from the lovely day with Francesca which will have to wait for another day.

Have a great Christmas holiday time.

Karin x

Card for Penny

2011-10-05T16:08:00.004+01:00

I made this card for my forum friend Penny.

She has been so brave in facing what life has thrown at her and I've never known her to moan about it. Wishing you a speedy recovery Penny.

Paint Fusion Birthday card

2011-10-04T22:57:00.004+01:00

This was my first attempt at paint fusion and I turned it into a birthday card for Kym, as I thought she might like the colours of the sweet peas. I've added a second photo where the colours are more true of the flowers but the first photo shows the shades of green of the leaves better.

I'm using my new phone for the photos now instead of having to borrow a camera, so I hope to update my blog more regularly.

Faux Rubbings

2011-10-02T17:43:00.002+01:00

I'm following the art journal full of different techniques that Roni is producing. For full details please visit her blog. I'm a little bit behind and these are the first double page spread. I'm going to do some private journalling on these before I stick them down and they will going onto a black background. I found it best to use 80g printer paper for this anything heavier the rubbings weren't very clear so then I had to be careful not to over wet the paper. I really enjoyed doing this and will try it again in the future.

Thanks Roni for the challenge.

End of summer canvas (SSSC)

2011-09-01T20:13:00.004+01:00

The theme on SSSC is anything goes so I'm entering this canvas for that.

Last night I saw a splendid photo that my SIL took of the ceiling of Winchester cathedral and she kindly let me pinch a copy to do an image transfer, now you might just spot in under the layers of paint and ink I got a little carried away once I got started ;-)

Inkjet printed image

Mat gel medium

Acrylic paints white, green & a tiny touch of brown

Vintage photo distress ink pad

Paperartsy Hot Pick 1006 script stamp

K&Co - Flora & Fauna Die-cuts

Martha Stewart stencil

Accent beads

I took this photo late this afternoon outside and the colours are looking a bit brighter than they do now! Normally the sun bleaches the colour a bit, very odd. lol

I'm back to work tomorrow morning after having the summer holidays off but I'm looking forward to a great weekend, hope you all do too!

Karin x

Play Day Canvas

2011-08-17T22:52:00.005+01:00

On Monday I had a play day out with the lovely Francesca who I originally met at an ArtsyCrafts weekend a couple of years ago.

It was great to craft along with someone who enjoys the same type of crafting and being able to play with someone else's stash!

Francesca introduced me to Cosmic shimmer drawing inks. Oh wow, they're fantastic and definitely need to get some of those, I used them to colour the 7 gypsies collage tissue paper birds.

Sorry about the photo quality this was the best picture that I can coax out of my backup camera and it's come out a bit darker than it should.

Canvas

2011-08-02T16:20:00.003+01:00

I was inspired to create this canvas board after seeing Donna Downey's week of Inspiration.

Using one of the images from Day 1 for image transfer, then lots of paint and inks along with masks and rubber stamps. I've finished this off with a couple of rub ons.

Originally I was going to add some embellishments but for me this piece is in a happy place.

Who's the lucky one?

2011-07-12T22:10:00.002+01:00

Over on Grungy Monday the challenge this week is to use this Tim Holtz technique.

12 Tags of Christmas 2007, Day 7

I love how the background looks like molten larva. I went into distress ink frenzy, great messy fun.

Now you're most likely asking yourselves what this has to do with the title , unless your thinking only one lucky steampunk man will get the key but no that's not the reason.

I'm the lucky one as I won a wonderful prize from Linda on Twitter and these stamps are part of that prize. Thanks again Linda :-)

Papillon Tag

2011-07-05T22:51:00.003+01:00

This week on Grungy Monday we've been challenged to do a dabber resist and perfect pearls. I've made my own sprays using perfect pearls and distress re-inkers from instructions Tim's March 2008 challenge. I've used my favourite Papillon stamp set and over stamped with Flourish and phrase stamps.

This also fits in with SSSSC where they want to see a flourish and I'd like to say a fond farewell to Wednesday Stamper, those challenges will be sadly missed.

Domino Dangly

2011-06-29T22:45:00.007+01:00

I made this domino dangly for Francesca as a thank you for bringing me home from Artsycrafts. The domino was backed with paper and the fronts and sides dabbed with a few alcohol inks, I cut down a leafy charm and stuck that onto the the domino front and added further beads and charms.

I took these pictures in the evening so the lighting was poor.

The second photo gives a glimpse of the beautiful alcohol ink gold.

This fits in with the current challenge over on Happy Daze for Dangly things and also The Grungy Monday 13 using Tim Holtz alcohol inks.

Forum Birthday Card

2011-06-27T15:42:00.004+01:00

This card is for my good friend Kaz, hope you had a good birthday moo. I've been saving this stamp for your birthday card.

Any back to the stamp it's another delightful stamp from the Cornish Heritage Farm "Little people" so unfortunately it's discontinued. I stamped onto very smooth card with memento ink and roughly coloured in with the Marvy le plume alcohol ink pens. These pens have a soft nib which are great for a watercolour effect but not so good with fine detail.

Papillon Box

2011-06-02T22:05:00.002+01:00

When I saw the challenge on Grungy Monday I couldn't resist to take part, as it's my favourite Tim Holtz paint technique. I've combined this using one of my latest favourite stamps from Tim Holtz Papillon set which also fits in with SSSSC challenge.

Pine Box

Dabbers: Snow Cap; Sailboat Blue & Citrus.

Black Gesso

Clear EP

Various Tim Holtz stamps

ArtsyCrafts “Fresco Lifestyle" 3rd Project

2011-05-31T15:29:00.002+01:00

This project was called let's get plastered and had me sent to the naughty corner lol At first I wasn't too sure about the lock when others had more interesting shapes but doesn't it look perfect with the stunning flower border. I shocked myself in choosing brown for this project not only is that colour outside of my comfort zone I really do have an aversion to most shades of brown. The London Night is a scrummy purply brown and the mushroom is that beautiful pink beige of real mushrooms, very aptly named.

I thoroughly enjoyed this artsycrafts event there were so many people there from previous events to catch up with plus a few new people to craft and party the weekend away with.

If you want to see any more details have a look at yesterday's post with links to Lin and Leandra's blogs and shops.

ArtsyCrafts “Fresco Lifestyle"

2011-05-30T22:14:00.005+01:00

Day 1- We created the fabulous these wonderful inspirational boards using grunge board letters & numbers, idea-ology, Paperartsy dyes and the fabulous Paperartsy Fresco Paints and Fresco Crackle.

Day 2 Morning. We learnt how to paint and blend paints onto glass and to complete these little bottles we made these fabby flower tops.

Day 2 afternoon project will have to wait until tomorrow. My camera froze and is refusing to work!!

Many thanks to Lin of LB Crafts, Leandra of PaperArsty who together create these wonderful events, special thanks to Karen for going beyond the call of duty and to everyone else that helped in setting up. Not forgetting the wonderful little elf that kept the chocolate appearing on the tables, water buckets refreshed and had the most thankless job of washing the cut and dry.

If you're thinking about going to Warrington there is still a couple of places left.

Forum Birthday Card

2011-04-24T21:11:00.006+01:00

This card was for Jo.

Using a stamp that I finally managed to obtain .... the company sadly closed down last year and I missed getting any of their wonderful stamps.

Anyway, back to the card ... I roughly coloured in the stamped image using distress inks and finished it off with a Tim Holtz flourish and that been smothered in Inka Gold (silver dollar and cobalt blue also the Prima flower and attaching brad also had a touch of Inka Gold too!.

This time I remembered to take a photo before sending the card off! Recently most have been posted and in a rush have forgotten to take any pictures.

Altered Pocket Watch

2011-04-20T17:23:00.003+01:00

This is the second piece that I've made from the Altered Jewellery Workshop/Tutorial with the talented Zuzu. I have really enjoyed making this even if I've had to wait a little before I could get started. I'm far too accident prone to be acting my shoe size lol

As always it's hard to get a good photo with metal. The main colours are from Citrus and Sailboat blue alcohol inks and the complete exterior of the watch has been treated to this scrummy ink combination.

Altered cover

2011-04-05T17:01:00.003+01:00

This personalised sketchbook cover was created using silver side of TTS metal, various metal tools and black gesso.

Altered Domino Jewellery

2011-03-13T21:42:00.002Z

I've signed up for an Altered Jewellery Workshop/Tutorial with the talented Zuzu and have had great fun altering Dominoes today!

Here's the first one that is complete, apart from attaching it to a chain. The photo isn't that brilliant as the embellishment at the top should be the same shade of silver as the metal one at the bottom. More to follow soon.

Forum birthday

2011-03-09T19:06:00.002Z

This card was for Chris.

I love this Crafty Individuals stamps it so reminiscent of my teen years. ;-)

Art Journey Challenge #7 "You used WHAT??!!"

2011-03-06T14:29:00.005Z

I used the netting that went around some oranges to help create the background along with distress inks, worn lipstick; vintage photo and glimmer mister pink bubblegum.

Then topped with an image and script from Art Journey stamps.

Artsycrafts special event with Tim Holtz

2011-02-27T17:45:00.004Z

I'm still floating on cloud nine after attending the most amazing workshop with Tim Holtz.

Tim is such a wonderful, witty tutor the 4 hours of his workshop whizzed by so quickly but I achieved completing this box, apart from attaching the feet in that time.

Tim walked around the room explaining, giving tips and answering questions whilst also obligingly signing various item and having photos taken, all done in a totally unflappable style.

Mario king of kits was at hand with replacement bits and pieces for when things might go wrong.

Alain aka Mr Ranger supplied us with a great kit bag to use for the class which we got to keep afterwards.

I'm so pleased that I took my copy of Tim's book "A Compendium of Curiosities" which he personalised and signed for me.

I'm so grateful to Lin and Leandra for organising this tremendous event, of course it wouldn't have been an ArtsyCrafts event without one of their fabulous classes along with all their wonderful helpers, which I'll tell you about tomorrow.

Inchie for a special person

2011-02-25T18:00:00.005Z

Stamped onto an acrylic inch with stazon then coloured in using promakers on the reverse, then sealed with seafoam embossing powder. Edged with gold pentouch. If you're wondering who the special person is, clue is in the stamp ;-)

Ball Chain Charm Bracelet

2011-02-20T16:43:00.004Z

I've made a quick Ball chain charm bracelet to wear for a very special Tim Holtz Artsy Crafts event happening this Thursday. I got the idea from the super talented Lin Brown when I saw these on her blog

This was really a quick make, the beads are covered in the most delicious colbalt blue gloop (Viva decor Inka Gold) and so were my fingers for awhile ;-)

Forum Birthday Card

2011-02-18T17:21:00.003Z

This one one was for Penny

Forum Birthday Card

2011-02-15T15:44:00.001Z

Another forum birthday card this time for Carol.

Forum Birthday Card

2011-02-14T16:01:00.003Z

I'm trying to get up to date with my blog. This is from December for my lovely friend Audrey!

Mermaid

2011-02-01T22:44:00.004Z

Sorry I'm a terrible blogger. What ever happened to January!!

Hope you've all had a great start to the new year.

This is my first attempt at playing with Paverpol I started this mermaid back in the summer but she hasn't seen the light of day since then.

I took her into the garden whilst the dogs were out for a walk (the pup has totally destroyed the garden and not to be trusted) and took a couple

of photos to get an idea on how I want her to develop. I like her slightly alien look so I'm not sure whether I'll give her any hair yet or not.

Santa's sleigh

2010-12-25T14:50:00.006Z

Just wanted to share with you the great cake my daughter baked. The main criteria was it had to be gluten free so that her father could eat it too. I think she's done a great job, just wish she could learn how to clear up after herself ;-)

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.

Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving comments.

Hoping that next year I'll be more productive and not accidentally delete those valued comments instead of the spam ...... doh!

Tim Holtz giveaway

2010-12-14T19:14:00.002Z

Please click here for full details.

Metal Flower Christmas tag

2010-12-02T06:10:00.005Z

I made this flower at the October Artsycrafts event and thought it would be great on a Christmas tag, I didn't realise that the middle layer had swivelled around a bit when I took the photo but I'm sure you get the general idea.

To see more metal flowers visit Lin Browns Blog.

Matchbox Advent Calendar

2010-11-25T22:16:00.003Z

I set the challenge to make a Matchbox advent calendar.

This consists of 24 matchboxes - surprise, surprise covered in paint, paper and distress ink, then accented with stickles. The base and top were made from chipboard painted, spritzed with glimmer mist and rolled off gesso then topped with prima flowers.

Too good to miss!

2010-11-05T20:09:00.003Z

Charmed Crafts has a fabulous blog candy of 72 Copic Markers, check out the details here

Artsycrafts part 3 The Flower Frame

2010-10-31T20:20:00.005Z

The Flower Frame in Citrus Sorbet colours. The colours in real are cooler tinge more with lime. The frame measure approximately 50cm x 20cm.

Sorry to break this down into 3 parts but it's the only way I can upload it.

I'm looking forward to the next event in February.

Thanks everyone for a fantastic time. xx

Artsycrafts part 2 Book of Wisdom

2010-10-31T19:28:00.003Z

Book of Wisdom in Peacock Feathers colours this one has loads of gold glimmer the camera didn't catch it all!

Artsycrafts part 1 Shadow Box

2010-10-31T19:16:00.002Z

Shadow Box in Cloudy blue colours.

I'm loading these up individually as my internet is too slow for anything else!

Hallowe'en Canvas

2010-10-28T20:23:00.004+01:00

I set the challenge to make a Hallowe'en styled canvas, I had several ideas of what I wanted to do for this but this simple canvas really just evolved from the moment I got the acrylic paints out.

I trapped a skeleton in the spider's web in the recess part of a canvas and add a few spiders (I don't think the camera has found them) so I made a double sided canvas.

Forum Birthday Card

2010-10-18T19:09:00.002+01:00

I made this card for my forum friend Carrie, using one of my favourite stamps from Paperbag Studios on a distressed ink background. The base flowers I brought back from holiday and topped them with Prima flowers. The background paper is from Graphicus. Hope you liked it Carrie.

Happy Birthday Steve

2010-10-06T19:47:00.005+01:00

These 3 cards I made for my darling hubby, from my mum, daughter and me. The flash has washed out the colour. I've tried to keep these as simple as possible for him incorporating his favourite colours, black, gold and green. His hobby of fishing and love of cars. Toilet card is a private joke between him and our daughter ;-)

Old Jewellery Box

2010-09-26T18:48:00.002+01:00

I thought I'd show you the battered old jewellery box that Steve found for me at a car boot sale last week. Today I've removed the old veneer, fittings and then given it a good rub down. I'm hoping to get this piece finished over the next week or so.

Tag for Chris

2010-09-12T19:34:00.004+01:00

Here is my final tag for a collaborative forum challenge.

This time I have made one for Chris who chose the theme of children/childhood. I've used Tim Holtz and PaperArtsy Dies, Prima flowers, a feather and dewdrops to embellish this tag. I found the little girl image already cut out hiding under some papers on my desk and can't remember where she came from, the background is a wrinkle free distress and crafty notions spray and stamped using distress inks. Hope you like it Chris.

Tag for Joanne

2010-08-03T21:27:00.004+01:00

This is my eighth tag for a collaborative forum challenge.

This time I have made one for Joanne who chose the theme of children/childhood. The background is a wrinkle free distress and crafty notions spray and stamped with a variety of stamps using distress ink and also a touch of sparkling embossing powder and a scattering of dewdrops. The main image is a Paperbag studio stamp coloured in with Promarkers. Hope you like it Joanne.

Tag for Penny

2010-06-27T19:46:00.002+01:00

This is my seventh tag for a collaborative forum challenge.

This time I have made one for Penny who chose the theme of Sea. The background is a wrinkle free distress with a touch of added blending using distress inks and crafty notions spray. I was inspire by a section Katsushika Hokusa famous wave, this one is made from silver TSS metal and black and white gesso plus glimmer mists for colour. The sand has been created out of Terra with tiny shells added. Hope you like it Penny.

Family Matters

2010-06-19T13:28:00.002+01:00

8x8 double page journal - titled by my daughter.

Happy Birthday Kaz

2010-06-13T22:31:00.004+01:00

My good friend Kaz couldn't make it to the ArtsyCrafts weekend ran by Leandra and Lin, due to Volcanic ash. I made her this tag using the same size of tag and some of the techniques we used making the Secret Garden. Another time moo x

A close up the texture.

Tag for Deb

2010-06-04T12:21:00.003+01:00

This is my sixth tag for a collaborative forum challenge.

This time I have made one for Deb who chose the theme of Quotes. The background is a Blended Batik using distress inks the quote says "Thank haven for little girls". Hope you like it Deb.

Shabby Chic Technique & Flowers

2010-06-03T15:54:00.002+01:00

I set the forum challenge for May to use the Shabby Chic technique from Tim Holtz's book "A Compendium of Curiosities" and flower(s).

I love how the grain from the wood still shows through this making it look even more distressed.

ArtsyCrafts Sampler and blog candy reminder

2010-06-01T13:37:00.004+01:00

Here's the technique sampler. This is my favourite piece of the weekend , the one that we had to make a colour choice for, I'm so please how it's turned out after a bit of water drama one of the corners ended up in a very goopy mess! I didn't have the right stencil or colours of Inka Gold to do just that one corner so I cleaned off two corners repainted the board then used a mini mask and the Old Silver Inka Gold (we all loved this versatile colour) which I coloured using mica powders. Then it ws just a matter of arranging the tiles and metal pieces onto the board, again I'm really happy that I decided to put this together at home I doubt very much that I could have salvaged much otherwise.

This was truly a wonderful weekend, shared by so many like minded people and a fantastic team. Due to their hard work and professionalism they made it the most amazing weekend ever. Thank you.

Quick reminder about the blog candy on Leandra's blog, you'll find it here.

ArtsyCrafts weekend - Secret Garden project

2010-05-31T20:23:00.004+01:00

Here's the Secret Garden project, I'm really glad that I had decided to put this together at home. The tag and background on the tag got severely damaged by water leaking out of a bottle, I very nearly started the background again on a new chipboard tag but firstly wanted to see if I could salvage the original. Having the right stamps certainly helped and also Crafty notions white matte spray. I had to glue the layers of the chipboard back together and then sort out the background on over a third of the tag. I'm really pleased with how this has turned out it's very close to how it originally looked.

I've still have the main project to blog but I need to decide how I'm going to repair the damage on the background canvas.

I would definitely recommend the ArtsyCrafts weekends to anyone. This is crafting at it's best! Run by Leandra and Lin who are both pioneers of technique along with their fantastic team of very able helpers. Thank you for a wonderful weekend.

ArtsyCrafts weekend - Birdhouse project

2010-05-31T16:47:00.004+01:00

Now that the second ArtsyCrafts weekend is over I can show you the projects we made.

I'm starting with the last project as the other two still are in need of tweaking, due to an accident with a water bottle lid not being fastened properly. OMG when I took them out to look at I was so upset but all is not lost as you'll see in my next post.

As most of my friends know, I really don't do cute but I adore this. The top picture doesn't show the metal roof so I've included another with a glimpse of it.

Carrie's Tag & Blog Candy alert

2010-05-31T15:19:00.003+01:00

This is my fifth tag for a collaborative forum challenge.

This time I have made one for Carrie who chose the theme of Quotes. Hope you don't mind a short quote Carrie. The quote comes from a TSS mould. The main background from a Sizzix embossing board plus a bit of freehand and TSS tools. I started off creating the background by using Black TSS metal, embossed it,then applied Alcohol inks,Black Gesso, Glimmer mists & Stickles. Both moths were created by using PaperArtsy's new dies, the purple one I also used TSS Mould and roller for the background and quote, then applied alcohol ink and rock candy distress stickles. The other one is stamped using PaperArtsy Hot Picks 1004 plus a little bling. Hope you like it Carrie and sorry for the wait.

Blog candy alert

Leandra has some fabulous PaperArtsyMega Goodie Bag give away on her blog

Tag for Audrey

2010-05-16T20:58:00.002+01:00

This is my forth tag for a collaborative forum challenge.

This time I have made one for Audrey who chose the theme of Butterflies.

Unfortunately the flash has stripped out some of the colour it's pretty much the same colour at the top and bottom of the tag, somewhere in between the two. The background paper was slightly sanded and inked with Bundled sage and Broken China blue distress inks then over stamped with flourish stamp, The quote is a rub-on. I made the large hydrangea mop using lots of Prima flowers and the butterfly shape I spotted on a net curtain in a shop so had to buy it! cut it out, then wire it from behind and sew on a few beads. Hope you like it Audrey and sorry for the long wait.

Birthday Card

2010-05-05T20:30:00.004+01:00

I've used a combination of promakers and distress inks to colour in this Mad Hatter image.

Hope you had a great day Alimoo! :o)

Blended Batik Technique and bird(s) challenge

2010-05-03T20:11:00.004+01:00

I set the forum challenge for April to use the Blended Batik technique from Tim Holtz's latest book "A Compendium of Curiosities" and Bird(s).

I had great fun doing this and never realised how easy the technique is. I'll definitely be using it more often.

Birthday Card

2010-04-28T20:53:00.002+01:00

I've used a combination of pencils, promakers and distress inks to colour in this Alice image. The Graphicus backing paper and image was mounted onto mirri card and couple of ribbons and rub-ons were used to embellish the card.

Tag for Carol

2010-04-13T11:01:00.004+01:00

This is my third tag for a collaborative forum challenge.

This time I have made one for Carol who chose the theme of words or quotes. I've used part of a Tim Holtz stamp for the quote inside the Tattered Angels Butterfly chipboard shape which has been painted with two different colours of Viva Precious metal paints then filled with crackle accents. The lace has been coloured with a dye ink pad and embossed using a glittered embossing powder. Unfortunately I can't find the lead to download photos from my camera so this has been scanned. I'm glad to say that the flower has sprung back to shape after being a bit squashed. Hope you like it Carol and sorry it's a bit late!

Quote reads " Life isn't about finding yourself life is about creating yourself."

Spring themed Tag

2010-04-07T15:41:00.004+01:00

Wrinkle free distress with a Spring themed tag was the forum challenge for March, which I set. Sorry I'm so late with posting mine girls I got a wee bit behind last month!

The letter S is embossed metal, I think the scanner has made it look black when in fact it's a bright shiny silver colour.

This also fits in with this weeks Tag You're It! theme of "On a bough" thanks for the reminders.

More birthday cards

2010-03-27T16:03:00.002Z

Another two forum birthday cards and I've pinched their photos too, hope you don't mind girls.

The first was for Paula and the second for Joanne.

For both cards I was inspired by Tim Holtz, the first from watching one of his DVD and used the brushless water colour technique the second was from his fabulous book using the perfect distress technique. Hope you both had a wonderful day.

90th Birthday Card

2010-03-25T19:44:00.003Z

Commissioned card for a 90th Birthday using Martha Stewart around the page punchs and butterfly punch & stamps on vellum.

A couple of forum birthday cards

2010-03-21T19:42:00.004Z

Sorry, I've been a terrible blogger of recent. My poor old computer is on it's last legs and it seems to take a lifetime to do anything here.

The first card here is for Chris and the second for Galina.

These cards are a little late coming onto the blog there should be more over the next couple of days.

A tag with words

2010-02-14T20:03:00.004Z

This is my second tag for a collaborative forum challenge.

This time I have made one for Jo who chose the theme of words or quotes. I've used part of a verse from one of the new TSS moulds, Cuttlebug embossing folder, TTS metals, Alcohol inks, Gesso and Glimmer mists to create this piece. Hope you like it Jo.

The words say:

A bird's little chirp can turn into a beautiful song as life comes and goes ten seconds long

Time tag

2010-02-01T21:25:00.004Z

I've made this tag for another collaborative forum challenge. This time I have made one for Paula who chose the theme time or place. I've used Tim Holtz masks and distress inks along with PaperArtsy stamps for the background, the metal embellishment and the UTEE timepiece. Hope you like it Paula.

Snow themed tag

2010-01-24T23:38:00.005Z

Snow is the theme and pale blue the colour for this tag swap. The background is made from metal and viva terra. The bird is made from pearl UTEE and coloured with stazon.

A couple of birthday cards and calendars

2010-01-19T20:48:00.007Z

Birthday card and Calendar for Penny. Hmmmmm I should have checked the photos before sending off the Calendar is actually shades of purple not blue!

Birthday card and calendar for Seona

Birthday card and Calendar

2010-01-07T22:05:00.009Z

I've made this card for Carol one of my forum friends. Using A stardream card base then added a layered Hero arts Floral grid background stamp plus a bit of bling. I made the flower from die-cut grungepaper painted with Viva precious metals then splashed a bit of starburst inkstains on it for toning.

The Calendar was started on a 8"x 8" chipboard blank. Viva Terra was used to create the texture along with a variety of rubber stamps, Acrylic paints and glimmer mist. Leander and Lin have some cool tutorials on their blogs. It's one of the techniques we learnt at the last Artsy craft weekend. Latest details here.

Merry Christmas Everyone

2009-12-25T09:35:00.001Z

I needed to keep these tags fairly flat as they were being sent off, so just used the background technique using distress ink pads, water, rock candy crackle paint & stickles.

Meet Eeveé

2009-12-19T19:58:00.003Z

Here's the latest edition to our family. Eeveé is a border collie, born on the 10th October. She'll get on great with our other dog once she stops trying to get some milk from her. lol she'll learn.

Birthday card for Audrey

2009-12-14T20:31:00.002Z

All stamps and image are from Crafty Individuals. The frame was painted using Viva precious metals.

twin image template card

2009-12-13T12:31:00.002Z

This is for a card swap following a template, I got really stuck thinking what to use for the twin images then I decided on using Tim Holtz reindeer reflecting the image using a brayer and embossed it. I've used two different colours of glimmer mist not sure whether the camera has picked that up and finally I used my favourite Merry Christmas stamp.

Birthday card

2009-12-12T23:52:00.002Z

I've been neglecting blog recently. Things are getting sent off before I've taken a picture or it's last minute photos that aren't any good. This is a card that I made for my mums birthday at the beginning of the month. It's on pearl white cardstock the light wasn't very kind on the day this was taken.

Artsy Craft weekend the other pieces

2009-11-01T21:48:00.004Z

This is a fun little story book. We moved tables to use different colours and sit with other people. I made this using colours outside my comfort zone and couldn't resist giving it a spritzing to brighten it up a little, I'm not too sure whether the camera picked that up.

This box started it's life being white, it was great fun creating this piece, again sitting at a different colour table.

Above are the other two projects that I made at the Artsy Craft weekend run by Lin of LB Crafts and Leandra of Paper Artsy. Can't wait until the next event. Thank you ladies for a fantastic weekend.

Artsy Craft weekend

2009-10-27T16:47:00.005Z

I've just had one of the best crafting weekends of my life @ the Artsy Craft weekend run by Lin from LB Crafts and Leandra of Paper Artsy. The whole weekend was spent crafting and the theme was time using colour choices we had previously selected. I was truly amazed how individual we all made our projects using the same materials and colours for each colour group per table.

The main piece of the weekend was the clock. (top picture) I've still to fix the pieces in place.

The clock face has a base of Terra with inclusions, plus paint and more paint and glimmer mists and a tad more paint. :o)

The panels on the side of the canvas are made from embossed metal and the embellishment at the top is the most fun little UTEE Bird.

This weekend has been fabulous, using all of my favourite products. Meeting lovely people who enjoy doing the same thing and best of all having 2 superb tutors Leandra and Lin and their wonderful friendly helpers. If you get the opportunity to go to one of these Artsy Craft weekends my advice to you is go and enjoy yourself.

Blog Candy

2009-10-16T19:48:00.003+01:00

Oooooooo there's some wonderful blog candy about. Go have a look at Linda Elbourne's blog. She's done some wonderful things with metal bean tins. You'll find the candy here.

Happy Birthday Carrie

2009-10-11T22:52:00.002+01:00

On the forum we have a guessing game as to who has sent which card. It's a great bit of fun but also makes you think of how you can make something that isn't obviously yours.

Tiles for Carol

2009-10-07T16:32:00.003+01:00

It's now Carol's turn to have her 2"x2" tiles as part of our forum's collaborative project. Carol couldn't decide on colours so I'm hoping these will fit in with the rest. . Can't wait to see how they look all mounted together.

Vintage photo frame folders

2009-10-02T12:40:00.006+01:00

I had so much fun playing with these Vintage photo frames. Unfortunately the scanner makes them look a bit flat and the colour is never true.

This first one has gone to Penny a forum friend who is recovering from a major op. Hope you have a speedy recovery. xx

Here's the outside

This second one went to Chris who kindly did the organising of some goodies to hopefully make Penny feel better. Thank you Chris. xx

Here's the front

South Stamp Show goodies and workshop

2009-09-13T18:33:00.018+01:00

This is the project that we made with Lin

I so very nearly didn't go to the show yesterday, as I had a cracking headache. It was only because I had a workshop booked with the very talented Lin of LB Crafts covering one of my favourite products, metal from Ten Second Studio and also meeting friends from different forums, for some it's a twice yearly meeting event but we're all so busy trying to fill our baskets it's usually just a quick hello. So it was really nice to sit and chat whilst crafting.

Here are my raffle prizes!

My stash

Tiles for Penny and Tag

2009-08-28T19:19:00.006+01:00

It's now Penny's turn to have her 2"x2" tiles as part of our forum's collaborative project. Penny chose hot colours with blue accents. Can't wait to see how they look all mounted together. Sorry for the delay Penny I had a terrible job trying to get the canvas to stick to the mountboard and had to use brads in the end, maybe I put to many layers on it! Gesso, paint, inks, mist sprays, glue distress inks, tyvek, alcohol inks etc. etc.

The tag I made whilst messing around with some ink sprays.

Ready steady stamp week 2

2009-08-04T16:15:00.006+01:00

I thought I'd try to complete the Ready Steady Stamp Challenge the ingredients you can see listed below.

The triangle and sun are both very bright yellow card stuck down on a acetate sheet folded A5 card size. The sun is also stamped onto acetate to give it more depth. The little girl is holding the ribbon going all the way to the sun as if it were a balloon. Sorry the scanner doesn't show the acetate very well. I hope you like it. I've had great fun making it!

Friendship

2009-08-03T15:07:00.004+01:00

Friendship is the theme on Think Monday - Think ATC

Winter Wonderland

2009-08-02T18:18:00.004+01:00

The theme is winter wonderland at the winter wonderland challenge blog!

Nature's Blues and Browns Bingo

2009-08-02T12:37:00.005+01:00

I made this for this weeks challenge on Mixed Media Monday but is also fitted the theme for the challenge on Sunday Postcard Art which is Bingo.

Tiles and Card for Suse

2009-07-30T16:10:00.004+01:00

We've moved our forum friend Suse's up the list as she is very poorly, to have her 2"x2" tiles as part of our forum's collaborative project. Suse chose cream and sepia with black accents. My scanner seems to have ignored the fact that there is cream acrylic paint and cream crackle paint on the background and picked up more of the aged mahogany distress ink that is peeping through the cracks!

Hope you're feeling more comfortable Suse.

Baby card

2009-07-27T21:24:00.003+01:00

There is a sketch challenge over on the Forever Friends Blog this week.
I used the sketch to make a card for a Forum friend who has had a baby today.This also fits in the theme on Caardvarks

Craft Stamper

2009-07-04T12:33:00.005+01:00

I'm so excited, the August issue of Craft Stamper hit the shelves yesterday and they have included my Golden Dreams inchie cube! It's all thanks to Carol, firstly for thinking of the forum challenge, writting the article and sending all the inchie cubes, leaving the magazine to choose which they would include. Thank You Carol!

Here's a sneak peak, for full details you'll need to see the magazine.

KC Willis studio retreat

2009-06-26T23:04:00.003+01:00

I'm having an amazing time taking part on KC Willis Collage Camp and now KC is going to do retreats. Oh you lucky people, it's times like this that I wish I lived on the other side of the pond.

KC is doing in person Studio Retreats at her fantastic art studio in Colorado....check it out HERE
I'd love to hear all about your retreat, when you blog it please let me know!

Blog candy alert

2009-06-21T17:24:00.005+01:00

There’s new Elusive Images stamps coming out next week and there’s a different type of giveaway happening over on the Elusive Imagesblog.

You might want to check it out.

Tiles for Audrey

2009-06-16T20:49:00.003+01:00

It's now Audrey's turn to have her 2"x2" tiles as part of our forum's collaborative project. Audrey chose brown and cream. I found it hard to get a good picture of these as they have reflective sheen these are taken in different lights.

Birthday card for Kaz

2009-06-16T20:25:00.005+01:00

I had thoughts of birds and trees, blacks and greens or maybe some vintage browns and creams before I started a card for Kaz.

Would someone like to explain to me what happened ...................

Hope you had a day that made you smile!

My 1st Fabric Collage

2009-05-31T23:26:00.008+01:00

I am having the most amazing time learning the different techniques from KC @ KC Willis Collage Camp. There is such a wonderful group of people on there, helping each other source products and being supportive. It's great fun chatting around the camp fire. If you have a look on KC's Blog there is a $300 shopping spree to be won.

This also fits this weeks Mixed Media Monday challenge of layers.

I hope you like it. I'll be doing more of these very shortly.

Tiles for Deb

2009-05-16T17:59:00.004+01:00

It's now Deb's turn to have her 2"x2" tiles as part of our forum's collaborative project. Deb chose Tropical sea tones. I didn't succeed to get a decent picture of these as they're so reflective but I expect you get the general idea.

Ballet girl

2009-05-15T21:05:00.004+01:00

This time Seona set us the challenge of using this image

of a ballet girl. We had to use the complete image which was outside everyones comfort zone.

Another great challenge, thank you Seona.

Tag swap

2009-05-09T21:53:00.006+01:00

The forum challenge I set this time, was to use at least one rubber stamp that had never use before. Here's mine.

Giveaways

2009-04-29T20:12:00.002+01:00

Two fabulous giveaways

Ann is giving away 2 really cute mini bottles here

and over on Elusive Images they are giving away .... well feast your eyes on this

Both are too good to be missed.

Birthday Card

2009-04-23T20:01:00.005+01:00

Lots of birthday cards recently. This one is for Jo, a forum friend.

Tiles for Joanne

2009-04-21T21:49:00.002+01:00

It's now Joanne's turn to have her 2"x2" tiles as part of our forum's collaborative project. Joanne chose cream and sepia with black accents.

Secret Garden

2009-04-06T12:40:00.002+01:00

The theme at TGIF is Secret garden, hosted by Jo Capper-Sandon

Here's my take on the theme. Sorry about the marks from the scanner I need to get some more acetate to protect the glass.