Here I Go Again

For the love of pink and green

2012-02-01T23:18:00.001Z

I've been playing in my play book/journal again and made a page that is purely based on my love of the pink/green colour combination.

I started by spraying over a mask on to the page using Glimmer Mists and then stamping the flowers using Faber Castell Big Brush markers as the ink. I then used some die-cuts and a digital image which I printed off and cut out and stick these to the page.I then added rub-ons and a few stamped leaves.

Materials used: Tattered Angels mask, Glimmer Mists, Innovative Stamp Creations stamp, Faber Castell big brush pens, K&Co die-cuts, digital image from Lisa's Altered Art, Basic Grey rub-ons, Fancy Pants rub-ons.

Giving it a bit of welly

2012-01-29T22:28:00.003Z

A layout....woo-hoo!!!! This one is of Jess in her beloved wellies...if she could wear them every day and jump in every puddle she saw then she would LOL!

Materials used: Prima ledger paper, Crate Paper papers, Heidi Grace chipboard, Prima alphabet stickers, Heidi Swapp ghost alphabet, staples, white and red pens.

Holy City card

2012-01-29T12:31:00.000Z

My card for the Make The Day Special blog this week uses a stamp from the Smeared Ink sheet - Holy City available in the shop here.

I tried to keep the colours subdued but not too dark. The image is coloured with Prismacolor pencils:

Materials used: Papermania cardstock and paper, MAMBI paper, Smeared Ink stamp (as above), black Archival ink, Prismacolor pencils, Prima flowers, flower centre and lace, vintage buttons.

The Play Data Cafe #116 and Happy Daze challenges

2012-01-27T22:18:00.003Z

After not taking part in any challenges for a while I've made a card which covers 2 challenges - first of all the Play Date Cafe challenge #116 to use the following colours:

and also the current challenge for the month on the Happy Daze blog which is to "try something new for the new year".

My "new" is the stamp which is from a Paperbag Studios stamp sheet that I bought from Happy Daze.

I stamped the image on pale ivory card and then used Prismacolor pencils and Sansodor to colour it.

Materials used: Papermania cardstock, DCWV papers, Paperbag Studios stamp, black Archival ink, Prismacolor pencils, lace, beaded embellishment.

Smeared Ink tag

2012-01-22T09:00:00.000Z

After sharing a Smeared Ink card last week, this week I've made a tag using a stamp each from the "Holy City" and "As Death" sets available in the shop here.

I stamped the church image on to watercolour paper using Archival ink and then used Derwent Inktense pencils to add colour before using a water brush over them. I then stamped the quote from the As Death set on to another piece of watercolour paper before adding a colour pencil wash over the top.

Materials used: watercolour paper, Papermania papers, Smeared Ink stamps (as above), black Archival ink, Derwent Inktense pencils, Prima lace, crinkled silk ribbon, ribbon charm, brooch back, beads, black fineliner pen.

MTDS and One Stop Craft Challenge

2012-01-19T21:57:00.002Z

This week Make The Day Special is sponsoring the challenge over at the One Stop Craft Challenge.

The challenge for this week #166 is "Under the Weather" so I decided to make a relaxing card using the gorgeous Webster's Pages/Itty Bitty stamp "relax.restore.renew" available in the shop here.

The image was stamped on to coloured paper and then I used Prismacolor pencils to tint it before cutting it out using a Nestabilities die.

Materials used: watercolour paper, Ranger Distress ink, Itty Bitty stamp (as above), brown Versafine ink, Prismacolor pencils, Nestabilities, Prima lace, velvet ribbon and pins.

52 cards challenge - week 2

2012-01-18T16:09:00.002Z

Here's my card for the 52 cards in 2012 challenge being run by Natty at UKScrappers and on her blog.

For week 2 the challenge was to use the following items from the prompt jar:

primary
handmade embellishment
journalling spot

I took care of the primary (probably the most difficult part for me) with the paper, the handmade embellishment with the organza flower and the journalling spot is an American Crafts journalling sticker with a rub-on applied and a GCD Studios one behind it for extra measure LOL!

Materials used: Papermill cardstock, GCD studios paper and journalling block, American Crafts journalling sticker and rub-on, organza, vintage glass button, fabric leaf and beaded embellishment.

My first Smeared Ink

2012-01-15T11:20:00.000Z

Have you seen the fab Smeared ink stamps in the shop? I used a stamp from the "As Death" set for my card today:

I stamped the image on to a piece of lightly patterned Prima papers and then layered various papers and then sewed them leaving the loose threads showing. To embellish I sewed on some green lace and then added a glass vialed bottle with into which I poured some green glitter:

Materials used: Papermill cardstock, Prima Printery papers, Smeared Ink stamp (as above), black Archival ink, lace, metal clip, Lakeland glitter, glass bottle.

52 cards challenge - week 1

2012-01-14T12:31:00.000Z

Over at UKScrappers and on her blog Natty is hosting a 52 cards challenge for 2012 so I'm joining in to give my mojo a kickstart albeit slightly late for the first challenge LOL!

So, for week 1 the prompts were:

new
circles
scallops

For "new" I have used my new October Afternoon Farmhouse papers and a new Paperbag Studios stamp.

Circles is taken care of by the yellow paper and scallops by the chipboard frame.

Materials used: Papermill cardstock, October Afternoon papers, Paperbag Studios stamp, Colorbox chalk ink, Maya Road chipboard, Glimmer Mist, Prima flowers, gingham ribbon, vintage buttons.

I will be.......

2012-01-12T19:22:00.002Z

"who I want to be."

Another page from my book:

Materials used: Ranger Distress Stains, Paperbag Studios stamps, brown Versafine ink, Tim Holtz tissue tape, Prima alphabet stickers, ArtDolls by Cemerony (on Etsy).

2 ways.......

2012-01-12T19:12:00.000Z

"There are 2 ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle, the other as though everything is."

Another page in my playing book:

Materials used: Ranger Distress inks, K & Co vellum die-cuts, black Sakura pen.

Tea time tag

2012-01-10T08:02:00.000Z

My project for my post his week on the Make The Day Special blog uses the gorgeous Unity/ Webster's Pages Itty Bitty stamp "It's the Little Things" available in the shop here.

I covered a tag with Prima papers and then stamped the image on to another paper before shading with pencils.

Materials used: Prima papers, Unity stamp (as above), black Archival ink, Prismacolor pencils, CraftWork clock embellishment, Prima alphabet stickers, Doodlebug glitter brad, My Mind's Eye button, lace, ribbon, beaded string.

A New Year!!!

2012-01-05T14:19:00.001Z

I can't believe it's 2012 already! I have been rather lapse in my blogging lately what with the run-up to Christmas and then the holiday itself but now that the kids are back at school I'm hoping to give my mojo a bit of a kickstart and do some crafting. I've just completed my first layout since September:

Materials used: Kraft cardstock, October Afternoon papers, Pink Paislee die-cuts, My Mind's Eye stamps, Colorbox chalk ink, K & Co Letters to go, MAMBI monogram rub-ons, Fancy Pants journal card, black Letraset pen, Prima flower centre.

Bovisand

2011-12-12T14:30:00.000Z

I went for a walk this morning with OH at a local beach and of course I had to take my new camera LOL! Here are a few of my fave photos (with, of course, the obligatory fungi pic LOL!)

Kraft snowflakes

2011-12-12T14:07:00.000Z

I made a couple of quick and simple cards for my post on the Make The Day Special blog this week using Kraft cardstock and the My Cute Stamp set - Let it Snow:

For the first card I stamped the snowflake border and then embossed it before stamping a few more snowflakes, embossing them and cutting them out and layering them on foam pads. I then stamped the sentiment over the top.

For the second card I used Distress Stains which I swooshed over the card before stamping and embossing the snowflakes:

Materials used: Kraft cardstock, Distress Stains, My Cute Stamps set, Versamark ink, WOW! embossing powder, black Versafine ink.

and yet again LOL! ....

2011-12-03T15:29:00.001Z

Went out for another walk this morning this time the kids came too and Matt got to bring his new camera he bought using his birthday money back in October.

We went to Cadover Bridge on Dartmoor as the kids love it there. I have a few photos to share but apologise in advance for yet more fungus LOL!

The kids are begging to go out tomorrow too so I may be back with more pics then. Will have to wash all our clothes first though as it was a bit muddy today LOL!

Trying it out again.....

2011-12-02T13:53:00.001Z

Out and about on Dartmoor again this morning with OH and my fab little camera:

Love how the camera does automatic panoramas........so easy!!!

Trying it out.......

2011-12-01T14:00:00.001Z

.......my new camera that is. Went for a walk this morning as OH is off work and I wanted to try my camera out in daylight outside which I haven't done yet.

I need a bit of practice and I think reading the manual may be a good idea but here's some of my favourites LOL!

Hoping to go out again tomorrow to practice some more but at the moment the battery needs recharging!!

Butterfly Love tag

2011-11-27T14:01:00.001Z

I have a tag to share with you that I made for the Make The Day Special blog today. I used stamps from Unity's Key to Joy and Life Becoming sets both available in the shop here.

I started by colouring the tag with Ranger Distress Stains and then stamped the key background stamp using Ranger Distress ink. I then sewed on the 2 cotton laces and around all the tag.

The butterfly was stamped on to another piece of distress stain coloured card using Versafine ink and then cut out and stuck to the tag with foam pads.

The quote stamp was also stamped on to a piece of distress stained card but this also had white drawing ink sprayed on it.

As a final step I added the ribbon, flowers and beaded embellishment.

Materials used: Unity stamp kits (as above), Ranger Distress Stains, Ranger Distress ink, brown Versafine ink, white drawing ink, Basic Grey rub-ons, cotton lace, ribbons, Wild Orchid paper roses, beaded embellishment.

Mini quote canvas

2011-11-20T12:04:00.000Z

Here's the canvas I made for the Make The Day Special shop blog for my post today.

I used a prepared 10cm square canvas which I coloured with Ranger Distress Stains and then stamped a Unity quote stamp with Distress ink. I highlighted the text with a fine pen and then added rub-ons, Prima flowers and centres and a beaded embellishment. The trim was originally white so I used the distress stains to colour that too.

Materials used: canvas, Ranger Distress Stains, Unity stamp (from Quote Bundle Pack), Ranger Distress Ink, black Sakura pen, My Mind's Eye rub-ons, Prima flowers and centres, Kaisercraft rhinestone, Crafty Notions Rainbow Drops, upholstery trim, beaded trim.

Journal play 19/11

2011-11-19T15:32:00.000Z

Another page in my "play book". For this one I made the background using Distress Stains which I spritzed over with white drawing ink.

The digital image is from another download by Julia at Cemerony. The text was done using old Letraset transfer alphabets and some K & Co acetate die-cuts.

Materials used: Ranger Distress Stains, white drawing ink, Letraset dry transfer lettering, K & Co acetate alphabet, digital images from Cemerony, Prima stamps, Tuscan Rose stamps, Creative IMaginations epoxy heart sticker, white Signo pen.

Journal play 13/11and my birthday!

2011-11-13T13:59:00.001Z

Yes...it's November 13th which means that I'm 21 again LOL!! Not doing anything special today but Mum is coming over later to see me and have a cup of tea. I've been busy tidying up and vacuuming this morning in preparation.

I have some fab new CDs to listen to, a DVD to watch and some Distress stains and Tim Holtz tissue tape to play with. I've also received some money and am using it to buy this little baby as I wanted another compact camera with a better zoom and this has an 18 x optical zoom:

I've just reserved it and will be picking it up tomorrow woo-hoo!!!

Yesterday I had a play at another journal page and this is being shared on the Make The Day Special blog today. I used stamps from Unity's "All About the Journey" set which is available in the shop here.

I made the background using Pentel oil pastels which I blended and then swiped white drawing ink over the top, The art doll was one by the fabulously talented Sabrina Zannetti and bought from her Etsy shop Digital Image 4 You.

I stamped the arrow straight on to the page and used Derwent Inktense pencils to highlight parts. The large quote stamp was stamped on to a K & Co die-cut and the small quote I stamped on to patterned paper before cutting the words apart.

Materials used: Pentel oil pastels, white drawing ink, art doll (as above), Unity stamps (as above), black Versafine ink, K & Co die-cut, black Sakura pen.

Journal play 12/11

2011-11-12T21:23:00.000Z

Been playing again today in my "journal / play book" using some digital art bought from the fabulously talented Julia van der Werf in her Etsy shop - Cemerony

I made the background using oil pastels which I blended together. I then used a Crafter's Workshop template and some Glimmer Mist to add texture in the bottom left corner.

Materials used: Pentel oil pastels, Crafter's Workshop template, Glimmer Mist, digital art doll (as above), Tim Holtz tissue tape, 7Gypsies rub-on, Creative Imaginations rub-on, Heidi Swapp tab, KI Memories die-cuts, Basic Grey rub-on.

Playing with alcohol inks

2011-11-08T11:02:00.000Z

Here's the latest card I made for the Make The Day Special blog using Unity's Insightful Meadows stamps and Ranger alcohol inks.

I stamped the image a few times on to glossy card using Versamark ink and then heat embossed with clear embossing powder before adding alcohol inks to the background. I then used an iron to remover the embossing leaving the stamped image.

Materials used: Kraft cardstock, Unity stamps (as above), Versamark ink, clear embossing powder, Ranger alcohol inks, Papermania paper, Spellbinders die, sentiment stamp (from old Unity kit of the month), black Versafine ink, Dovecraft brad, lace, satin ribbon.

Queen Bee

2011-10-30T17:35:00.000Z

Here's a quick tag I made for the Make the Day Special blog today using the fab bee stamp from Unity's One Precious Life kit available in the shop here.

I stamped the bee on to cardstock and then used oil pastels to add a bit of colour before cutting it out.

Materials used: scrap cardstock, Crate Paper paper, Unity stamp (as above), black Versafine ink, oil pastels, Fancy Pants ribbon, Making Memories and Creative Imaginations alphabet stickers, Tim Holtz tissue tape, Prima adhesive pearl, cotton lace, button.

Crafty Secrets

2011-10-26T15:06:00.000+01:00

I've recently bought my first Crafty Secrets stamps and just got around to playing with them and making a tag. I then had a look at the SCS forum and found that the Crafty Secrets challenge for this week is to make a tag...how fortuitous LOL!!

I made a tag using scrap cardstock which I coloured using wax watercolour crayons and then edged with distress embossing powder. The images were stamped on to Kraft cardstock using Versafine ink and then coloured with Prismacolor pencils.

Materials used: scrap cardstock, kraft cardstock, Crafty Secrets stamps - Born To Fly, Versafine sepia ink, Prismacolor pencils, Tim Holtz tissue tape, Reeves watercolour wax crayons, Ranger distress embossing powder. Cuttlebug embossing folder, lace, velvet ribbon, silver edged ribbon, Wild Orchid Crafts roses, button, staples.

Embossed foil

2011-10-23T22:19:00.000+01:00

I decided to have a change today and use a different technique to make today's card. My mother-in-law very kindly gave me some gorgeous Art Emboss foil so I had a play with it.

I cut the foil to size and added alcohol inks to it. I then stamped one of the images from Unity's Insightful Meadows set on to the reverse of the foil using Stazon ink. The next step was to use a couple of fine embossing tools and a mouse mat to emboss the stamped image.

I stamped one of the sentiment stamps from the set striaght on to the card using Versamark ink and then heat embossed it with WOW! glitter embossing powder.

Materials used: DCWV cardstock, HOTP paper, Magic Scraps splatter mesh, Art Emboss foil, Ranger alcohol inks, Unity Insightful Meadows stamps,Stazon ink, Versamark ink, WOW embossing powder,

white Signo pen, ric-rac.

Some oldies

2011-10-22T22:35:00.000+01:00

A few layouts I made a while ago and forgot to upload. I've been sorting out my laptop files to upload pics to my Webshots gallery and found these:

Materials used: Papermill cardstock, Heidi Grace papers, Scrapworks Rubz alphabet rub-ons, Unity stamps.

Materials used: DCWV cardstock, Doodlebug paper, K & Co die-cuts, Making Memories frame, Making Memories alphabet stickers, Fiskars border punch.

Materials used: Prima paper, Pink Paislee Artisan Elements, Promarkers, Prima alphabet stickers, Prima chipboard, Prima flowers and flower centres, vintage lace, cotton lace, vintage buttons, broken jewellery.

Sunshine

2011-10-22T19:41:00.000+01:00

Here's my first card using a fab digital stamp by Paulette over at Create with TLC. She has some fab vintage digital stamps and word art. I've bought a few bits so there'll be more to share in the future.

I coloured this one using Derwent Inktense watercolour pencils and used a sentiment ticket stamp and die by Whimsy Stamps.

Materials used: Kraft cardstock, October Afternoon papers, Create with TLC image, Derwent Inktense watercolour pencils, Spellbinder's dies, Whimsy Stamps die and stamp, Versafine sepia ink, Around the Block brad, netting.

Rainbows

2011-10-22T15:29:00.000+01:00

I've been playing in my "play book" again. I won't call it a journal because I don't think it comes close to all the beautiful art journals out there at the moment - it's just my book that I get to play in and do whatever I want in LOL.

I made the background using oil pastels (expect to see a fair bit of them in the future as I love using them!!). I then used a couple of Unity stamps, some doodling and a bit of Dymo tape:

Materials used: oil pastels, Unity stamps, black Versafine ink, black Sakura pen, white Signo pen, Dymo tape, MAMBI alphabet stickers, Making Memories alphabet stickers.

Another Christmas card

2011-10-16T15:40:00.003+01:00

Here's a card I made for the Make the Day Special blog today. I haven't crafted for ages....my desk needs a really good tidy before I can think about sitting down to craft properly LOL!!!

Anyway, this was made using an alcohol ink background which I stamped the Itty Bitty stamp on to using Versamark and then heat embossed with WOW! embossing powder:

Materials used: Papermania cardstock, DCWV paper, Unity Itty Bitty stamp, Ranger alcohol inks, Versamark ink, WOW! embossing powder, lace, ribbon and pins.

Has my mojo returned?!

2011-10-05T11:15:00.001+01:00

It seems like recently the only things I have been making have been for a DT commitment and I just couldn't get in to making anything else. Well, today I have actually made a car just because I wanted to and I like it!! The bird frame stamp is a Magenta one that I bought from someone on a Facebook craft group and then the Home Sweet Home is a My Mind's Eye stamp:

Materials used: Papermill cardstock, Ranger Distress inks, Papermania papers, Magenta stamp, black Versafine ink, My Mind's Eye stamp, Derwent Coloursoft pencils, pompom trim, cotton lace, silk leaves, beaded embellishment.

Watercolour butterflies

2011-10-03T17:40:00.000+01:00

Here's my post for the Make The Day Special blog this week:

I have 2 cards to share with you today using butterflies by Layers of Color. I stamped the butterflies using Stazon on to watercolour paper before colouring them using Derwent Inktense pencils (for the pink butterfly) and Reeves watercolour wax crayons (for the pastel butterfly).

I then cut the butterflies out and added them to the cards (made using watercolour paper) before stamping sentiments using Unity stamps.

This one uses a stamp from Insightful Meadows and I've used watercolour pencils around the edge.

The second one uses the sentiment stamp from the Unity/ Webster's Pages Itty Bitty stamp - Dream Big . I added a few rhinestones at the bottom of this card.

Materials used: watercolour paper, Layers of Color stamps, Unity stamps, black Stazon ink, Reeves watercolour wax crayons, Derwent Inktense pencils, MAMBI rhinestones.

Create Beauty

2011-09-28T16:49:00.000+01:00

I bought myself an A5 sketchbook the other day having seen some of the fabulous art journalling around and wanting to have a go at some of the techniques.

I've decided to just use my book as a "play book" and just fill the pages with whatever I feel like at the time LOL!

This first page I made using a mix of watercolour crayons, watercolour pencils, stamping and pens.

The "Create Beauty" stamp from Unity's Just Be You set was stamped using Stazon on watercolour paper and then coloured with Derwent Inktense pencils. I also used the "make something" stamp from Unity's Better Somewhere Today set stamped straight on the page along with the birds from Unity's Brave Girl set.

It may not be perfect but I had fun LOL!!

Materials used: watercolour pad, Reeves watercolour crayons, Derwent Inktense pencils, Glimmer Mists, Unity stamps (as above), black Versafine ink, black Stazon ink, Versamagic ink, sequin waste,

black and white gel pens.

On your bike and a stamp sale!!!

2011-09-18T21:58:00.000+01:00

My card for the Make The Day Special blog today uses a stamp from one of my favourite Unity stamp sets One Precious Life.

I stamped the bike on to patterned paper and used Derwent pencils to colour the flowers. All the papers are from a gorgeous My Mind's Eye pad.

Materials used: DCWV cardstock, My Mind's Eye papers, Unity stamp (as above), black Versafine ink, Derwent pencils, organza ribbon and pins.

Now for some sale news - Emily is no longer going to be selling {ippity} stamps and therefore has a huge sale over on the Ippity Inspiration blog so head on over there for a chance to pick up a bargain!!

A whole week!

2011-09-17T16:19:00.000+01:00

A week..that's how long it's taken me to make this card LOL!!! I bought a whole load of Mamelock scraps from a friend via Facebook and used one to make this card.

Materials used: Papermill cardstock, Ranger Distress inks, My Mind's Eye papers, Nestabilities die cuts, Whimsy sentiment stamp and die, black Brilliance ink, Derwent pencils, Papermania chipboard, Crafty Notions rainbow drops, Lakeland Pearlidoodles, cotton lace, sequin trim.

Joy

2011-09-11T14:04:00.000+01:00

Here's a card I made for the Make The Day Special blog this week using a Unity Itty Bitty stamp - Silhouette Song Bird available in the Make The Day Special shop.

I used some gorgeous My Mind's Eye papers on to which I stamped the image using brown Stazon ink then layered various papers. The chipboard flourish was coloured using a gold Prismacolor pencil which I also used along the edges of the red cardstock base.

Materials used: Papermania cardstock, My Mind's Eye papers, Unity stamp (as above), brown Stazon ink, Nestabilities die-cut, Papermania chipboard flourish, K & Co sticker, gold Prismacolor pencil, cotton lace, lucite leaves and beaded stamen.

Your New Hat

2011-09-10T17:24:00.000+01:00

Before the wedding stationery took over I managed to make this layout using some gorgeous Echo Park - Victoria Gardens and a fab Hampton Arts chandelier mask.

Jess had a new straw hat that Granny had bought her and I snapped this photo of her going outside to show it off:

Materials used: watercolour paper, Hampton Arts mask, Glimmer Mist, Echo Park papers and stickers, Prima flower centre and rhinestones, black Sakura pen.

A new term begins!

2011-09-09T17:26:00.000+01:00

After the 6 weeks summer holiday the kids are all back at school. Jamie has started in Year 7 at secondary school and is off being a big boy and catching the bus every day, Matthew has gone in to Year 5 and Jess has started in Foundation class and is loving it!! She doesn't start full time for another couple of weeks yet and can't wait to stay for lunch next week LOL!

My brother got married last week to the lovely Em and my gorgeous kids were pageboys/ushers/helpers and Jess was the only bridesmaid/flower girl:

I made the table names, place names and table plan but forgot to take any photos DOH!!!

Here's the card I made for the happy couple:

Materials used: Papermill cardstock, Papermania paper, Inkadinkado stamps, Creative Expressions embossing powder, Papermania adhesive pearls, CraftWork satin ribbon.

Go With Your Heart

2011-08-21T09:24:00.000+01:00

I haven't had much of a chance to get to my crafting desk over the summer holidays as I've been kept busy with the kids and also sorting out old stash to sell to raise funds for various things! I've also been making 130 wedding place cards ready for my brother's wedding in less than 2 weeks - eek!!!

However I've managed to make a card this week for the Make the Day Special blog using one of the fab new stamps in store - a Unity co-branded Itty Bitty stamp for Authentique.

I stamped the main image on to patterned paper which was die-cut using a Spellbinders Nestabilities dies and then matted on another die cut. The bird was also stamped on patterned paper and then cut out before being added to the card..

Materials used: Papermania cardstock, My Mind's Eye papers, Unity stamp (as above), black Versafine ink, Nestabilities die-cuts, Prima flowers and centres, CraftWork rhinestone flourish, Dovecraft brad, cotton lace and a vintage button.

Bee a friend!!

2011-08-08T23:48:00.000+01:00

Here's a card I made for the Make the Day Special blog this week using Unity stamps from the One Precious Life kit and The Right Words available here.

I stamped the sentiment on to patterned paper and then roughly cut it out and matted it on black card. The bee was also stamped on to a patterned paper and then cut out and stuck on with foam squares.

Materials used: Papermania cardstock, My Mind's Eye papers, Unity stamps (as above), black Versafine ink, Doodlebug ribbon, CraftWork brad, cotton lace.

Butterfly quote

2011-07-31T16:33:00.000+01:00

Here's my card for the Make The Day Special blog this week using one of my favourite Unity stamps from the Quote Bundle Pack.

I used a nestabilities die-cut which I inked with distress ink and then stamped the sentiment with brown Memento ink before stamping and paper piecing the 2 tiny butterflies. The larger butterfly is a Prima stamp also paper pieced..

Materials used: watercolour paper, Prima Madeline papers. Unity stamp (as above), brown Memento ink, distress ink, Prima butterfly stamp, Kaisercraft rhinestone, ribbon.

How lucky am I?!

2011-07-29T10:57:00.000+01:00

A few weeks ago the lovely Lynn had a 1000 follower giveaway and I was lucky enough to be one of the names picked in the draw. My gorgeous earrings arrived today and are being worn as I type

(I borrowed Lynn's photo as I couldn't do them justice!)

Thank you again Lynn and to anyone that hasn't visited Lynn's blog......why not?!?! She makes the most gorgeous vintage/steampunk/pretty things!!

The end of an era.......

2011-07-21T22:40:00.001+01:00

Tomorrow is the final day of the school term which means that Jess is leaving nursery to start in Foundation, Matthew is leaving Year 4 and going in to Year 5 in September and Jamie is leaving Year 6 and primary school to start a new adventure at grammar school!

I've made Matthews and Jamie's teacher a "thank you" card each - both are completely different....

The first one I've kept quite simple...just stamped straight on to kraft cardstock:

Materials used: kraft cardstock, Unity stamps, black Versafine ink, May Arts ribbon, Kaisercraft rhinestones.

The second card is a bit more colourful and uses patterned paper and a sentiment sticker:

Materials used: kraft cardstock, DCWV papers, American Crafts sticker, Prima ribbon, cotton lace.

I hope that Miss H and Miss B like them!

3 simply adorable kids........& a winner!

2011-07-18T19:59:00.000+01:00

Here's a layout I made for the Make The Day Special blog this week using loads of Unity stamps.

I used thick watercolour paper as a base and used Neocolor II watercolour crayons to create the coloured background.

I used a floral stamp from Unity's "Quiet Essence" set (here) to stamp on more watercolour paper and then used watercolour pencils to colour it before cutting it out and layering with foam pads.

The "it's all worth it" stamp is from the Unity set "One Precious Life" (here).

The fern stamp is from the Unity set "Moments in Bloom" (here).

The "blessings" stamp is from the Unity set "The Right Words" (here).

The faux stitching is from the Unity set "Key to Joy" (here)

The "simply adorable" and butterfly are from old Unity sets.

Materials used: watercolour paper, Caran D'Ache Neocolor II crayons, Caran D'Ache watercolour pencils, black fineliner pen, Unity stamps (as above), black Versafine ink, black Stazon ink, black Promarker, American Crafts Thickers, DCWV rub-on.

Now, thank you to those who visited for the Make The Day Special "get em while you can" blog hop. My apologies for being late with this but the winner of my cards and a Christmas goody bag (as picked at random by Jess) is JO SOWERBY. Jo please email me with your details.

A birthday tag

2011-07-16T13:44:00.000+01:00

Here's the tag I made for the Make The Day Special blog last week using a sentiment stamp from Unity's The Right Words set available in the shop here.

I covered a tag using papers by SEI and cut out the streamer and party hat from patterned paper. The sentiment was stamped using Memento ink on to white card and then coloured with Promarkers. After colouring I decided that the white background was too bright so used an ivory marker to cover it.

Materials used: SEI papers, Unity stamp (as above), brown Memento ink, Promarkers, My Mind's Eye buttons, pompom trim and organza ribbon.

Make the Day Special blog hop - Get em while you can!!!

2011-07-09T09:00:00.001+01:00

Over at Make the Day Special there are some stamp sets that aren't going to be restocked once they sell out so you need to grab em while you can!!

For this reason we're having a blog hop starting over at the Make The Day Special blog with each member of the Design Team showcasing some of the stamps that are not being restocked.

Don't forget to leave comments on the blogs as there are prizes available. Comments need to be left by next week. I'll also choose a random winner from comments on my blog to win the cards shown along with a Christmas stash goody bag.

I'm showing cards using stamps from 2 Cosmo Cricket sets - Mitten Weather Flourishes and Mitten Weather Icons - currently both half price and available in the shop here while stocks last.

Here are my cards:

Materials used: Kraft cardstock, Papermania cardstock, Papermania paper, Webster's Pages paper, Unity stamps, grey Memento ink, black Versafine ink, Promarkers, Papermania stickers, Papermania stars, satin ribbon, DCWV brad, pom pom trim.

Thanks for visiting and your next stop on the blog hop is the lovely Kate.

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge CFC8 (another one!)

2011-06-27T16:46:00.000+01:00

Here's another card for this week's CAS-ual Fridays challenge - getting edgy:

Again this uses the Layers of Color set - Flutterescent but this time I used 2 edge punches and a Unity sentiment.

Materials used: Papermania cardstock, Papermania Rose Garden papers, Martha Stewart edge punch, Fiskars edge punch, Layers of Color stamp, Unity sentiment stamp, brown Memento ink, Kaisercraft rhinestones.

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge CFC8

2011-06-26T19:10:00.000+01:00

Here's a card for this week's CAS-ual Fridays challenge which is "getting edgy" using torn edges, border punches etc:

Here's my card:

Materials used: Kraft cardstock, Papermania Rose Garden paper, Layers of Color Flutterescent butterfly and sentiment stamps, black Versafine ink, Fiskars border punch.

If you're in the UK the stamps can be purchased from Make the Day Special.

Back with another one later!

A larger canvas........

2011-06-25T21:34:00.000+01:00

I've been playing and made a canvas using a pic of the kids taken a couple of months ago. This is bigger than previous canvasses I've worked on...it's about 7" x 10".

I started by covering the canvas with pieces of Provocraft paper and also some illustrations from an old Enid Blyton book - these were of 2 brothers and their younger sister!! I then completely covered the canvas with gesso before using sequin waste and distress ink to add some details. After adding the photo I used various rub-ons and embellishments to complete it:

Materials used: Provocraft papers, old book pages, Claudine Hellmuth gesso, Ranger distress inks, Kaisercraft rub-ons, Fancy Pants rub-ons, Creative Imaginations rub-on, 7Gypsies rub-on, Maya Rd sheer ribbon, Heidi Grace plastic flower and heart, Heidi swapp plastic flower, Doodlebug buttons and brad, K & Co fabric brad, MME button.

Also used: cotton lace

Happy Daze postcard challenge

2011-06-25T19:48:00.001+01:00

The latest Happy Daze Facebook challenge is to make a postcard using at least one item from the shop.

I've had a quick go and not 100% happy with it but not got time to do another one LOL!! I used the 7Gypsies Conservatory 6" x 6" pad, Distress inks and Claudine Hellmuth gesso from the shop.

Materials used: 7Gypsies Conservatory paper, Claudine Hellmuth gesso, Ranger distress inks, Glitz Designs birdcage stamp, Tim Holtz flourish stamp, Prima bird stamp, alphabet stamps, Studio G sentiment stamp, Pink Paislee Butterfly Garden ephemera.

The Play Date Cafe - PDCC86 and CAS-ual Fridays #7

2011-06-19T17:21:00.001+01:00

Another card to share - this one is for The Play Date Cafe #86

and CAS-ual Fridays CFC7

I used a cardstock frame as a mask to add inks to my card (which I made from a thick watercolour paper). I added the bird rub-on sentiment and then doodled around the colour blocked squares before adding a border. I then added rhinestones to match the inks.

Materials used: watercolour paper, Basic Grey rub-on, Versamagic ink, Dauber Duo ink, Memento ink, Hobby House and Kaisercraft rub-ons, black Sakura pen.

Friendship and my smart boy!!

2011-06-19T14:58:00.000+01:00

Here's my card for the Make the Day Special blog this week.

I used the Unity set - Bold Insight available from the shop here.

The sentiment was stamped on to an element cut from a piece of Prima 6" x 6" patterned paper and the dragonfly was also stamped on to a piece of Prima paper and then cut out:

Materials used: Papermania cardstock, Prima patterned papers, Unity stamps (as above), Memento brown ink, Magic Mesh.

Also used: satin ribbon, cotton lace and vintage button.

Now, on to my smart boy!! Yesterday I took Jamie to his new school to buy his blazer and tie.....unfortunately the sports kit hadn't been delivered by the supplier so we have to wait a few weeks before we can get that. Anyway here he is looking very proud of himself in his new garb!!

I wonder how long his uniform will look that smart for LOL?!

"Less is More" - Week 20

2011-06-18T21:17:00.000+01:00

I've been checking out the "Less is More" blog for a few weeks now and finally got around to joining in with this week's challenge which is to use a monogram.

The monogram I used for the card is a MAMBI rub-on that I put on to white card before cutting out and mounting with foam pads:

Materials used: Papermania cardstock, Basic Grey rub-on, MAMBI monogram rub-on, Royal & Langnickel alphabet rub-ons.

Desert Island Crafts Challenge - Challenge #10 and C.I. "Vintage (with a heart)

2011-06-15T06:00:00.001+01:00

It's the 15th of the month which means it's time for another challenge at the Desert Island Crafts challenge blog and this time we're working with my itinerary.

I used:

lace
decorative pins
something metal
3 different stamps
distressing
stickers

I'm also entering this for the current challenge on the Crafty Individuals blog (where I was lucky enough to win some fab blog candy last week!). The challenge is "Vintage -with a heart" and of course Crafty Individuals products have to be used.

I started with a plain white board book which I coloured with Ranger distress inks and then stamped over the top with a Crafty Individuals stamp. I then added an image from a C.I. book (part of the blog candy) and then lightly added gesso over the top. I used some white rub-ons, a clock stamp in the corner, a metal sticker, lace and pins.

I stuck the inside of the pages together after cutting out a niche in which I placed a heart charm. Again the pages were coloured with distress inks, overstamped with a C.I. stamp, a C.I. image added along with white rub-ons, stickers and embellishments.

The back cover of the book was stamped with another C.I. stamp in distress ink. I tied a piece of lace through the book spine and added pins.

Materials used: board book, Ranger distress inks, C.I. People and Places 2 image book, C.I. 237 stamp, CI 214 stamp, CI 255 stamps , Fancy Pants lace, Studio K metal sticker, Marcella by Kay metal sticker, Making Memories alphabet stickers, Pink Paislee Artisan element, Basic Grey rub-ons, Claudine Hellmuth gesso, other lace, decorative pins, charm and ribbon.

Krafty keys

2011-06-12T12:24:00.000+01:00

Here's a couple of cards I made for the Make the Day Special blog using the My Cute Stamps set - Keys.

For the first card I used a rub-on to make the background frame then added stickers for the sentiment. The key was stamped on to kraft cardstock and then cut out before being threaded on faux suede thonging:

Materials used: kraft cardstock, Fancy Pants rub-on, DCWV alphabet stickers, My Cute Stamp set - Keys, black Versafine ink, faux suede thonging.

For my second card I cut a freehand heart from kraft cardstock and then used different coloured inks to stamp the keys on to it before drawing around the outline of each key.

I used a Unity sentiment from the set Key to Joy:

Materials used: kraft cardstock, My Cute Stamp set - Keys, Memento inks, black Promarker pen, black fineliner, Unity stamp from Key to Joy, ribbon.

So silly Stephanie

2011-06-11T10:51:00.000+01:00

Here's a 12" x 12" layout of Jess in her Stephanie (from Lazytown) dressing up outfit....well, sort of LOL! She had it on over the top of her normal clothes with the legwarmers underneath her trousers!!

I used a Pebbles Inc kit that I bought a while ago in TKMaxx....only £3 for a 12 x 12 album, papers, embellishments and stickers!!!

Materials used: Pebbles Inc papers and stickers, Scrapworks Rubz alphabet rub-ons, American Crafts Thickers, Dovecraft brad.

Also used: rhinestones

Cherish Your Dreams - Ippity Challenge

2011-06-06T21:42:00.000+01:00

On the {ippity} blog is a new challenge to create "anything but a card" so I've made an 8" x 8" layout using stamps from the set "Cherish Your Dreams".

I stamped the corner flourish a couple of times on to lightly patterned paper and layered them using foam pads. I also stamped the oval frame stamp on to the same paper and then stamped the "happy" stamp using black ink in the centre.

Materials used: DCWV cardstock, Prima paper, {ippity} stamps, Versamagic ink, black Versafine ink, Prima flowers and centres, Fancy Pants rub-on, gel pen, buttons.

Go Confidently....

2011-06-05T15:15:00.000+01:00

Here's my card I made for the Make The Day Special blog this week. It was my first time using the Unity - All About The Journey kit and also playing with the fab Kraft Resist Paper Stack.

I coloured a piece of the Kraft Resist paper with a green G|limmer Mist and then stamped the "compass" from the set in to the top left corner using black versafine ink. I stamped the sentiment on to cardstock and then used the arrow stamp to edge the sentiment.

As an embellishment I found a St Christopher charm which I coloured with Promarkers.

Materials used: Bazzill cardstock, Tim Holtz Kraft Resist paper stack, Unity stamps (as above), Glimmer Mist, black Versafine ink, Promarker, charm, ribbon.

Desert Island Crafts Challenge - Challenge #9

2011-06-01T10:17:00.000+01:00

It's the 1st of the month (where is the year going....June already?!?!?!?) so it's time for another challenge over at Desert Islands Crafts Challenge and this time it's challenge #9.

For my DT project I've used the following items from the itinerary:

use Glimmer Mist or similar
orange
pull out your scraps!
anything but a card
a hand-made embellishment

and here's my project - a layout of Matthew back in summer 2009

Materials used: Watercolour paper, various paper scraps, DCWV rub-on, Pink Paislee Artisan tape, HOTP large brad, ric-rac, buttons, gingham ribbon, MME rub-on, Cosmic Shimmer mist, sequin waste, black pen.

Normal service.....

2011-05-31T22:36:00.000+01:00

....will resume shortly!! I've been struggling with a cold which I think is now a chest infection then on top of that ....a tummy bug!! I haven't felt like crafting at all until today which is not like me!!

In the meantime I had good news today.... my card here won the monthly challenge over at the Just Tracys Crafts Challenge blog!!!! Woo-hoo!

Unity Challenge - Tooty Fruity

2011-05-21T16:09:00.000+01:00

This month's challenge at the Unity challenge blog is Tooty Fruity so I've made a card using the apple stamp from the October 2010 KOTM. I made it as a "thanks" card for one of my sons to give to his teacher at the end of the school year (which seems to be coming around rather quickly LOL!)

Materials used: Bazzill cardstock, SEI papers, Unity stamp (as above), black Versafine ink, Creative Imaginations letter stickers, Heidi Swapp tape, Dovecraft gem brad.

Also used: organza ribbon.

Just Tracys Crafts Challenge

2011-05-21T15:57:00.000+01:00

My local craft shop Just Tracys has a challenge blog here and this month's challenge was to create a project with the sentiment being the main focus.

I've used one of the Unity stamps from the Bold Insight set available from Emily at Make The Day Special. I created a background using alcohol inks before stamping the sentiment using black Archival ink:

Materials used: Papermill card, Ranger alcohol inks, Unity stamp (as above), black Archival ink, Prima flower centre, Wild Orchid Crafts paper rose.

Also used: lace

Desert Island Crafts Challenge - Challenge #8

2011-05-16T21:15:00.000+01:00

It's time for another challenge at Desert Island Crafts Challenge and this one is Challenge #8. I used the following items from the itinerary:

patterned paper

glitter/bling

ribbon/lace trim

embossing (wet or dry)

flower

and here's my card:

Materials used: Dovecraft card, Pink Paislee papers, Pink Paislee printed die-cut, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, K&Co metal sticker, Wild Orchid Crafts paper roses, Stickles.

Also used: lace trim, satin ribbon, beaded stamen.

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge CFC1

2011-05-06T22:44:00.000+01:00

There's a new challenge blog on the block called CAS-ual Fridays - dedicated to clean and simple designs and the first challenge has just gone live:

The challenge was to incorporate text in your project so I decided to use one of my gorgeous Inkadinkado flower sentiments stamps:

Materials used: Papermania cardstock, Papermania paper, K&Co paper, Inkadinkado stamp, Memento ink.

Also used: ric-rac, button.

Simon Says Stamp & Show Some Hands

2011-05-03T14:31:00.001+01:00

It's a while since I've joined in over at Simon Says Stamp and Show but I'm feeling in a "blog challenge mood" so have made a tag for this week's challenge - Hands.

I'm sure I have a hand stamp somewhere but couldn't find it so instead I've used an image from an old Dover book which I Mod Podged on to the tag.

Materials used: Basic Grey papers, Dover image, Distress inks, K & Co alphabets to go, K & Co die-cut, 7Gypsies rub-ons.

Also used: ribbons, beaded string, pom pom trim and staples, charm.

In "training"

2011-05-02T19:00:00.000+01:00

I was lucky enough to win the March Referral Program on the Artistic Outpost blog and the stamps I ordered arrived on Saturday...woo-hoo!!!

I used a stamp from the Steampunk set from the Artistic Outpost shop to make this card:

Materials used: Papermania cardstock, HOTP papers, Artistic Outpost stamp, black Versafine ink, Tim Holtz film strip, corrugated cardboard, 7Gypsies photo anchor, Dovecraft brad, Promarkers.

Also used: printed twill.

An acceptance card

2011-04-27T23:22:00.000+01:00

So tonight I made an acceptance card for a friend to send to her daughter...the brief I had was "pink, flowers and butterflies".

I chose to use the Papermania Rose Garden papers and made this:

Materials used: Papermill cardstock, Papermania Rose Garden papers, die-cut and alphabet, Joy Crafts butterfly dies, Prima pearls.

Also used: organza ribbon.

I hope they both like it!!

A canvas...

2011-04-24T10:09:00.000+01:00

Here's my latest make for the Make The Day Special blog this week:

Having recently seen the gorgeous work of Christy Tomlinson I felt inspired to have a go at a canvas using some of Christy's techniques but in my style. I usually like all my craft to look "clean" so this was a bit of a challenge but one that I enjoyed and I'm quite pleased with the result.

I used a 6" x 4" board canvas which I stuck patterned paper on to and then used gesso to cover it. I then stamped the sentiment from Unity's Quote Bundle Pack using black Versafine ink. I also used the grid stamp from the Unity store kit - Moments In Bloom to stamp randomly over the canvas.

I added rub-ons, handmade bunting and some puffy stickers and then used a black fineliner pen to highlight elements.

Materials used: Canvas, My Mind's Eye papers, Unity stamps (as above), black Versafine ink, black Letraset pen, green Versamagic chalk ink, Heidi Grace rub-ons, American Crafts rub-ons, Creative Imaginations rub-ons, Making Memories puffy stickers

Also used: twine, gesso

Happy Daze challenge - Wood Calendar

2011-04-23T16:13:00.001+01:00

Happy Daze are having another Facebook challenge at the moment - Wood - so I'm entering this for it.

I bought a plain wooden calendar in my local craft shop Just Tracy's and have used Pink Paislee Butterfly Garden 6" x 6" papers and Butterfly Garden stamps to decorate it.

It started off looking like this:

I started by painting all over the main calendar and the wooden date blocks with Claudine Hellmuth Studio gesso and then used Mod Podge to stick the Butterfly Garden papers to the main part.

I then added some lace, flowers, vintage glass buttons, and some stamping to the main panel and lace along the bottom.

The date blocks were stamped using the Butterly Garden stamps and Versafine sepia ink and edged with Versamagic chalk ink with some highlighting of the designs in green Versamagic ink.

Materials used: Pink Paislee Butterfly Garden 6" papers and stamps, Versafine sepia ink, Versamagic malted mauve and key lime chalk inks, Claudine Hellmuth Studio Gesso, Mod Podge, Prima flowers and flower centres.

Also used: cotton laces and vintage glass buttons.

You may like to head over to the Happy Daze blog here and leave a comment as they are currently offering some fab blog candy of a £25 gift voucher to spend in the shop!!

My Little Cupcake

2011-04-20T22:36:00.000+01:00

An 8" x 8" layout of Jess enjoying a cake (or two) at Granny's house in May 2010:

Materials used: DCWV cardstock, Prima papers, Creative Cafe alphabet rub-ons, Scrapworks Rubz alphabet rub-ons, Fancy Pants rub-ons, Prima flowers and flower centres, Signo gel pen, CraftWork brad, cotton lace.

Another birdy......

2011-04-18T21:58:00.000+01:00

Here's another card for the Unity challenge..... Tweet Tweet

For this card I used the Unity store kits "Naturally You" and "Moments in Bloom" (which are available in the UK from Emily at Make The Day Special.)

I stamped the tree from "Naturally You" on to DCWV paper and cardstock before paper piecing it. I used DCWV chipboard birds and stamped the sentiment from "Moments in Bloom".

Materials used: Papermania cardstock, DCWV papers, DCWV chipboard, Unity stamps (as above), black Versafine ink, DCWV brads.

Also used: ribbon.

A Birdy Tag - Unity Challenge

2011-04-17T17:53:00.000+01:00

The theme for the Unity challenge this month is to incorporate birds..... I foresee a few more entries from me for this one LOL!!!

This tag is also for my post for the Make The Day Special blog this week.

I used 3 Unity Store kits to make this tag - Life Becoming, Quiet Essence and Moments in Bloom (all available in the UK from Make The Day Special).

The birds were stamped on to shrink plastic using Stazon ink.

Materials used: Crate Paper Portrait papers, Unity stamps (as above), black Versafine ink, black Stazon ink, shrink plastic.

Also used: ribbons, lace, staples.

Desert Island Crafts Challenge - Challenge #6

2011-04-15T10:45:00.000+01:00

It's the 15th of the mointh which means, other than the fact my darling daughter is 4 today, that it's time for another Desert Island Crafts Challenge.

For my card I used the following items from the itinerary:

red, white and blue
ribbon
crown jewels
horse and carriage

Materials used: Papermill card, Webster's Pages paper, Papermania paper, copyright free image, Wild Orchid roses, Prima flower centre.

Also used: beaded upholstery trim, seam binding, pins.

Another Unity challenge card

2011-04-11T21:37:00.000+01:00

Here's another "fashion themed" card for this month's Unity challenge. Again it uses a stamp from a mixed bag of Unity that I won on Ebay and some of the fabulous Webster's Pages Trendsetter papers.

Materials used: Papermania cardstock, Webster's Pages papers, Unity stamp, sepia Versafine ink, Marvy pens, ribbon, vintage button.

The Play Date Cafe - PDCC76 and my 1000th post!!

2011-04-11T16:47:00.000+01:00

When I saw the colours at The Play Date Cafe this week it just screamed "boy layout" to me so that's just what I made LOL!

I used a photo of Matthew enjoying himself on the zip slide in the park back in July 2009 along with a mixture of old scrapbook papers and a newer one.

Materials used: Papermania cardstock, DCWV Mariposa paper, KI Memories papers, HOTP paper, American Crafts Thickers, DCWV rub-on, Creative Cafe rub-ons, Scrapworks Hugz, HOTP buttons.

In other news....this is my 1000th post on this blog. I can't remember how many were on the previous one though!!

Spaced!

2011-04-10T20:55:00.000+01:00

Here's a layout I made for the Make The Day Special blog using My Cute Stamps "Spaceships and Robots" available from the shop here:

Materials used: DCWV cardstock and papers, stamps by My Cute Stamp (as above), Versamark ink, silver and white embossing powders, Creative Imaginations brad, Around The Block brads, American Craft Thickers.

Live Laugh Love

2011-04-06T21:32:00.000+01:00

Here's another of the layouts I made and never got around to blogging. I love the pic of Jess and Jamie with my Mum's border terrier Timmy...

Materials used: Kraft cardstock, Crate Paper Restoration papers, Fancy Pants rub-ons, Prima flowers, Imaginisce brad.

Also used: vintage glass, metal and plastic buttons, cotton lace.

Party Time

2011-04-04T22:35:00.000+01:00

Here's a layout of Jess and her Daddy during a family party back in July 2009.

Materials used: Papermania cardstock, 7Gypsies papers, Kaisercraft die-cuts, American Crafts Thickers, The Girl's Paperie die-cuts, American Crafts rub-ons, Sakura journalling pen, Ranger liquid pearls.

Also used: satin ribbon.

Stay Cool and a lucky streak!!!!

2011-04-03T22:25:00.000+01:00

Here's the layout I made for the Make the Day Special blog for my post this week.

I used stamps from 3 Unity store kits all available here.

I started by cutting a piece of watercolour paper to 8.5" x 11" and then stamped the background stamp from "Quiet Essence" a few times down the side using Marvy pens. I then lightly misted with water to give the watery effect.

I used the "enjoy this day" stamp from "Life Becoming" which I stamped on to the photo using black Stazon ink and then used the "Be Unique" stamp from "Naturally You" up in the top right corner and also stamped with Stazon.

Finally I used the corner flourish stamp from "Naturally You" on the top corner of the title.

Materials used: watercolour paper, DCWV paper, Unity stamps (as above), black Versafine ink, black Stazon ink, Marvy Le Plume pens, white Signo pen, CraftWork ribbon, Scrapworks Hugz, Scenic Route alphabet stickers, staples.

In other news:

Remember this wallhanging? Well, I was lucky enough to win a shopping voucher from Happy Daze for this piece and then yesterday found out I won the draw for the March Referral Program at the Artistic Outpost blog - woo-hoo!!!!

Unity Challenge

2011-04-03T13:55:00.000+01:00

Another card for the Fashion Forward challenge at the Unity Challenge blog.

This one uses stamps from the Oct 2010 KOTM " Take Time to Laugh" which I was lucky enough to get hold of second-hand but unused woo-hoo!!

For a change I decided to go clean and simple for this and paper pieced the bags:

Materials used: Papermania card, My Mind's Eye papers, Unity stamps (as above), black Versafine ink, Heidi Swapp rhinestones.

A couple of layouts

2011-04-02T21:26:00.000+01:00

I actually made these last month but completely forgot to blog them!!!

First up is one of Jess with her lovely dirty knees LOL!!

Materials used: Papermania paper, KI Memories journalling block, Scrapworks Rubz alphabet rub-ons, American Crafts thickers, K&Co die-cuts.

Next up is a quick 8" x 8" of Jamie:

Materials used: DCWV cardstock, Papermania papers and journalling block, Deluxe Designs alphabet stickers, Fancy Pants rub-on, Anna Griffin rub-on.

Unity Challenge, a special offer and 3 years on.........

2011-04-02T14:57:00.000+01:00

Unity's second challenge is up on the blog and this time it's Fashion Forward - make any fashion themed layout,card or project. I've made this card using stamps from the Melody Ross set - One Precious Life (available in the UK from Make The Day Special here):

Materials used: Papermania cardstock, SEI paper, KI Memories journalling block, Unity stamps (as above), black Versafine ink, Doodlebug frill, HOTP brad, CraftWork pearl brad.

Next up: it's special offer time:

Emily is offering free p&p in the Make The Day Special shop this weekend for orders over £10 and a little goody bag for orders over £20.

She has new Suzi Blu stamps in stock and also restocks of past Unity store kits....well worth checking out!!

Lastly......
it's 3 years today since my Dad died but it seems like only yesterday.
I wish he'd been around to see how fabulous his grandkids are turning out to be.......
Jamie passed his 11+ and off to a great school in September
Matthew turning in to a confident, talkative and funny boy
Jess in to a proper little girly girl who loves singing and dancing and will be starting school in September
Miss you Dad xx

Desert Island Crafts Challenge - Challenge #5

2011-04-01T20:49:00.000+01:00

I can't believe that it's the 1st of the month already which means it's time for another Desert Island Crafts challenge.

I have my DT card here to show you using 4 of the items from this itinerary:

ribbon
birthday theme
child image
dots

Materials used: Papermill cardstock, HOTP printed image, Cosmo Cricket papers, Creative Imaginations alphabet stickers, American Crafts rub-on, Versafine black ink, CraftWork brad, ribbon.

Mother's Day tag

2011-03-31T10:08:00.000+01:00

Here's the tag I made for my Make The Day Special blog post this week.

As it's Mother's Day in the UK this weekend I used the stamps from Unity's November store kit - A Mother's Love:

I made the tag using scrap cardstock which I covered with Prima paper and then sewed on. I stamped the butterfly on to lightly patterned paper and then cut it out before sticking it on the tag and adding a vintage glass button. I then added some beaded upholstery trim, a pretty brad and stamped and cut out the sentiment.

Materials used: Prima Madeline papers, Unity stamps (as above), Versafine sepia ink, organza ribbons, decorative brad, beaded upholstery trim, vintage glass button.

"The Outpost" wallhanging

2011-03-27T16:25:00.005+01:00

OK - I confess.......I've been playing with calico and fabrics again and made another wallhanging!! This one uses an Artistic Outpost stamp from the fab set - The Outpost (buy in the UK from Happy Daze).

I coloured some calico using alcohol inks and then stamped the image using black Stazon ink. This was then sewn on to a felt background which, in turn, was placed on to a piece of frayed raw silk. I added some hand sewing around the edge of the felt using some hand-dyed rayon thread.

I made the backing piece by "quilting" some cotton fabric with layers of felt in between and randomly sewing together.

The actual hanging part is some twill ribbon that had wording printed on but I sewed some satin ribbon over this to cover it.

The Play Date Cafe - PDCC73

2011-03-21T17:34:00.000Z

I've had a few days away from crafting due to terrible itchy eyes - conjunctivitis/hayfever but managed to make this for The Play Date Cafe challenge 73 before it got too bad.

The colours this week were:

which do look gorgeous together here but totally threw me so I decided to mess around with my felt appliqué stuff and came up with this textile ATC.

Not quite sure what I think of it yet but it was fun to play with LOL!!

Shades of blue

2011-03-18T19:22:00.000Z

There's a challenge running at the Happy Daze blog here to make an item using "Shades of Blue" and which must contain at least one item from the Happy Daze shop (link to the right).

For my item I used a gorgeous Artistic Outpost stamp sold at Happy Daze.

I sprayed a piece of calico with Glimmer Mist then stamped the image using black Stazon ink. The calico was then machine sewn on to a piece of felt. I then added sequins and beaded trim. I then threaded various beads to use for hanging.

Materials used: calico, Glimmer Mist, Artistic Outpost stamp, black Stazon ink, beads, sequins, beaded trim.

Desert Island Crafts Challenge - Challenge #4

2011-03-16T16:58:00.000Z

Yesterday was the 15th of the month so time for another challenge over at Desert Island Crafts Challenge blog.

Here's my DT card using the following from the itinerary:

celestial
Unusual sentiment
wire
no images

Materials used: Papermania card, DCWV paper, American Crafts sticker, Unity stamp, black Versafine ink, Papermania chipboard, Lakeland glitter.

Also used: wire

I'm not sure which kit the Unity stamp came from as I bought a job lot of mixed stamps on Ebay and this was one of them.

Dream Big

2011-03-15T22:05:00.000Z

Here's the card I made for the Make the Day Special blog this week.

I used a gorgeous Unity/Webster's Pages Itty Bitty stamp called Dream Big. I stamped the sentiment on to the card and then used an embossed sticker to frame the sentiment. I added chalk inks to this sticker. I then stamped the butterflies and cut them out to add to the card.

Materials used: Papermania card, Prima paper, Papermania embossed sticker, Versamagic chalk inks, Unity stamp (as above), black Versafine ink, Heidi Grace pin.

Also used: Christmas decoration, organza ribbon, pin, paper rose.

Butterfly wallhanging

2011-03-06T11:04:00.000Z

One of my favourite Unity store kits...Life Becoming is on special offer in the Make The Day Special shop at the moment along with Quiet Essence for the grand total of just £20!!

I've used the butterfly stamp in the kit for today's project...a mini wallhanging. I started by colouring plain calico using alcohol inks and then stamped the image using black ink. I then embellished the calico with sequins and then sewed it on to a felt backing before adding the lace. The final step was to add the ribbon and beads to enable it to be hung:

Materials used: calico, felt, Unity stamp (as above), Ranger alcohol inks, Stazon ink sequins, beads, cotton lace, satin ribbon.

Desert Island Crafts Challenge - Challenge #3

2011-03-02T11:16:00.000Z

Yesterday was the 1st of the month so it's time for a new challenge at Desert Island Crafts - challenge #3.

Of the 10 items on the itinerary I used 6 this time around:

Make it square
Inspired by nature
handmade flower
2 or more patterned papers
No sentiment on the front
Distressing

Materials used: Papermill card, Webster's Pages papers, Prima stamp, brown Versafine ink, K & Co vellum die-cut, Ranger distress inks, Wild Orchid Crafts roses.

Also used: organza, vintage glass button, lace, beaded stamen.

The Little things

2011-02-28T21:40:00.000Z

Here's a card I made for posting on the Make The Day Special blog yesterday. It uses a gorgeous new Itty Bitty stamp from Unity for Webster's Pages....The Little Things.

I stamped the image using sepia Versafine ink on to lightly patterned paper and then matted and layered it over more papers - all of them Webster's Pages. I sewed around the papers and added a lace trim. The final step was to add a silk leaf, paper roses and a beaded stamen.

Materials used: Papermania cardstock, Webster's Pages papers, Itty Bitty stamp (as above), sepia Versafine ink, Wild Orchid Crafts paper roses.

Also used: lace trim, silk leaf, beaded stamen.

More Unity hearts

2011-02-28T10:38:00.000Z

Here are 2 more cards for Unity's "use hearts" challenge. I made them for the Make The Day Special blog using Unity and {ippity} stamps.

The first one uses a stamp from The Right Words. I stamped using black Versafine ink on to kraft card and then paper pieced the 2 tiny hearts using shimmer paper before adding a ribbon and drawing a border on the card.

Materials used: kraft cardstock, Unity stamp (as above), black versafine ink, May Arts ribbon, black Sakura pen.

Also used: shimmer paper.

I used kraft cardstock again for the second card. I stamped the {ippity} stamp " A Bit of Burlap" on to the cardstock using grey ink then stamped the Unity sentiment in black ink over the top. I then cut out a couple of freehand hearts from patterned paper and added some hand sewing and rhinestones.

Materials used: kraft cardstock, Unity and {ippity} stamps, grey Memento ink, black Versafine ink, My Mind's Eye papers, Kaisercraft rhinestones.

The New Unity Challenge

2011-02-19T22:24:00.000Z

Unity are hosting a fab new official Unity monthly challenge on their blog here.

This month's theme is "Hearts" and I hope to make a few cards for it starting with this simple one.

I used a quote stamp from the July 2010 Stampin Store kit along with some My Mind's Eye heart patterned paper.

Materials used: Papermania cardstock, My Mind's Eye paper, Unity stamp (as above), brown Memento ink.

Also used: organza ribbon and a metal charm.

Merry!

2011-02-19T14:04:00.001Z

Here's the kids on Christmas Eve 2009 just before bed. They were a little hyper having just put out their stockings and all the bits for Santa and the reindeer LOL!

Materials used: DCWV cardstock and paper die-cuts, American Crafts Thickers, ribbon and rub-ons, Scrapworks fabric tabs, Dovecraft brads, white Signo pen.

Also used: pom-pom trim, ric-rac.

A quickie......

2011-02-16T16:40:00.000Z

This is a quick 8" x 8" layout of Jess all dressed up for a family reunion party back in 2009. I'm still not sure if I like it or not though.....I decided to just use rub-ons and die-cuts for embellishments instead of going very floral.

Materials used: DCWV cardstock, K&Co die-cuts, American Crafts rub-ons, Zig chalk pen, Signo gel pen.

Action Man

2011-02-15T17:09:00.000Z

Here's a layout of Matthew from summer 2009 enjoying the zip slide in the park.

I used one of the fab My Little Shoebox die-cut papers for this and the title was done using MAMBI monogram rub-ons.

Materials used: My Little Shoebox paper, MAMBI monogram rub-on letters, DCWV rub-ons, Creative Cafe rub-on quote, My Mind's Eye buttons, Around the Block brad.

Desert Island Crafts Challenge - Challenge #2

2011-02-15T13:01:00.000Z

It's the 15th of the month so it's time for challenge #2 at Desert Island Crafts challenge blog. Head on over there to find the 10 items on the itinerary and use 3 or more to create a card or project.

For my card I used:

Monochromatic
Buttons
The word "Friends" in the sentiment
Border punch
Only one patterned paper
No flowers
Swirls

Materials used: Papermania cardstock, K&Co paper and die-cut, Memento ink, Heidi Grace (I think!) stamp, Kaisercraft rhinestones, CraftWork ribbon.

Also used: button.

The Right Words

2011-02-14T22:19:00.000Z

Here's my post for the Make The Day Special blog this week:

I love this fab set that is on sale at the moment for only £20!!! You can find it along with some more bargain Unity kits here:

I stamped the sentiment on to a K & Co printed tag before mounting it on a card using foam pads. I added some sewing as an embellishment along with a flower I coloured using Promarkers.

Materials used: Papermania cardstock, K &Co tag, Unity stamp (from The Right Words), Versafine black ink Prima flower, Promarker, Creative Imaginations brad.

Also used: spotty organza ribbon