Wednesday 30 November 2011

ONLY 3 MORE WOYWW BEFORE...........

Can you believe that? The worse bit for me is, after today there is Tim's 12 tags of Christmas - which means NOTHING gets done for the next 12 days other than  making tags - then I only have 6 days in which to sort everything for the BIG day as we go away on the 19th.
I am madly finalising pressies, wrapping, shopping, cards, etc. etc. But, I still hope to pop around to a few of yours, thanks to our leader Julia, having already sorted all that yonks ago. Being a crafty, nosey person, woyww still tops my list.
I have 2 craft areas on  the go just now -

Like many, I am now working on the dining table. The best bit about this photo is my orange-handle scissors. They are Wilkinson Sword - now Fiskars - and must be over 45yrs old now.

My usual little work area has my new pink ATG on it plus some Xmas stocking fillers for crafty pals. Can anyone tell me how you protect the tape in the ATG from getting covered in fluff etc??

Then I had to re-organise my Alterations shelf and claim the one above too because I ended up with some of them falling off!!! not good when sat below the trajectory path.
Must fly, today being the last day before the start of 12 days of amazement. I have a lot of sewing to do. Catch you later.

Saturday 26 November 2011

SDC #43 - NON TRADITIONAL XMAS CARD

And that means, no reds or greens either. Wow, Stampotique came up with a corker of a challenge this fortnight. As it's the 4th Wednesday challenge in the month, it also meant you could only use their stamps too.
I gave it a go.
Here is 'the crafter', scissors in hand, totally fed up of wrapping Xmas presents. Just like I get actually. don't mind buying them but hate wrapping them.
I used Adirondak spray paints and biscotti perfect pearls spray for the background, distress inks to colour the image, peel-off stickers for the parcels and a black Copic pen and white inkssentials pen.
The best bit was, I only got ink on my middle finger and thumb!!!!!

WICKED WEDNESDAY ATC #7 - BOOKS/READING

This week, over at the Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge blog, the theme is books/reading.
Interpret this however you want by using stamps, digis, or even torn printed pages. I decided to make a little book. It proved difficult to photograph in one go, but here it is:
I used grungepaper and put it through my Big Shot in one of Tim's embossing folders - collage - in order to give it a faux leather look. I then used Old Paper distress stain all over it followed by Vintage Photo distress ink. I stuck some dark brown ribbon along the spine, a gold peel-off in each corner and used lettraset letters on the front to call the book Wicked Atcs.

I found the words Book and Reading in an old dictionary, cut them out and made a couple of pages to fit the inside. I stuck these in with glossy accents.

Then I cut a small piece of white card, stamped it with a Hero Arts flower which I coloured with Peeled Paint and Worn Lipstick distress ink to stamp, distressed the edges with Barn Door DI and added a bit of fibre to match. Voila, a bookmark.

Just a bit of fun. But, that's what it's all about isn't it.

Friday 25 November 2011

SO HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE...........

the start of the new ATC Challenge blog - ATCs WITH ATTITUDE.
Why am I so happy? because they have chosen me to join their Design Team along with several other like-minded ATC enthusiasts. To say I am thrilled is an understatement because I have never claimed to be anything other than a complete amateur crafter. Must admit though, I am getting a bit better at some techniques!!
Today's launch has been a bit rushed for the girls, Abbie, Caro and Leah, so we didn't receive our images with which to create our first card until a couple of days ago. However, pop over to the blog for a peep at the ones the team have produced because they are fabulous. I completed mine at 1.45am yesterday!!
Stickles, distress inks and liquid applique gave mine sparkle and depth. Such fun images to work with.
So come along and join in for the chance to win some images from this fortnights sponsor MELJENS DESIGNS. Make an atc with the theme  
FLOWERS
and add your link to Mr Linky over on the ATCs WITH ATTITUDE blog.

Wednesday 23 November 2011

WOYWW A NEW/OLD HO(U)BBY IS BACK

What's on your workdesk Wednesday is here again. It was here yesterday, wasn't it?? Seems like that to me because this week has been a blur. Hey there Julia, is it really Wednesday then?? Yes, crumbs.
Oh well! better get cracking then.
Actually, I have been so busy for the last couple of days - bathroom walls, hubby's Ebay - that I thought you would be bored if I showed a picture of my little craft space with not much on again!. So without further ado, here is my hubby's 'shed' now that he has transformed it from a metal working shed, lathes, milling machine etc. etc. to a super dooper music room - da da
Note the replacement 1959 re-issue Fender Stratocaster. The one I bought him from Lincoln in September had to go back because the paint started to crack. After much hassle, the shop finally contacted Fender who sent another from across 'the pond' after giving it extra special treatment. After all, Fender has a MASSIVE reputation to uphold.
I made this little ATC some time ago which represents my hubby when he was lead guitarist  in a band called The Silhouettes (a Shadows tribute band) in the 60's.
It's overlaid with acetate. Here is the front and the back separately,

Neither man looks the same now.....







All I want to know is, how he's going to make my new ink applicator tools, my type charms, etc. with a guitar????????

Sunday 20 November 2011

ATC CHALLENGES #15 - LACE

Who can resist a bit of lace. I can't so I've had a go at the ATC Challenges challenge which this fortnight is - LACE.
The artificial light is shining back making the background a bit difficult to see, but it's a piece of mount board with splashes of distress ink on in faded jeans. The metal bracket at the top has been coloured with paint dabbers, the white snowflakes are all made with a Martha Stewart punch and then covered with ultra fine glitter, the blue rose was coloured with a Copic pen and the rest just came together.
This challenge runs for 2 weeks, so why not pop over to their blog for all the deets and have a go.

CHRISTMAS IS COMING - TOO FAST!!

I've put a count down to Christmas blinkie on the right hand side, but for me it's wrong. I only have 28 days left to get cards made, presents bought and all the necessary posting done. You see, if the weather holds we are going away for Christmas. If it snows whilst we are up in the NE, so be it, we won't care about getting back, after all, there's a pub at the camp site gate. We will be snuggly warm and have all our space and motorhome decked out with lights. Bring it on.
So, I'm doing my best to make cards. Here's one I did a couple of days ago.
Just love that Tim Santa.
What are you up to today?

Saturday 19 November 2011

THE CRAFT BARN BLOG CANDY

The Craft Barn have an amazing blog candy giveaway to celebrate 600 followers. This is it:
There is over £200 worth of craft goodies here and looking at it closely, I don't have any of it!!
All you are required to do is:

* become a follower
* write a new post on your blog with the image above and link it to their blog post
* leave them a comment with a link back to your blog

Their post heading did not respond to copying, so if you click HERE  you should find the post from 13 November giving you the details.

Hurry up though because this candy only runs until 25 November.

Friday 18 November 2011

WICKED WEDNESDAY ATC #6 - FLOWERS

The Wicked Wednesday ATC challenge blog is proving quite popular. You really don't have to be an expert at making ATCs or anything else for that matter, just have fun and have a go.
This weeks challenge is to make an ATC with the theme - FLOWERS. Now what could be easier than that?
I've made some 'wicked' flowers in the past but have swapped out the ATCs they went on and unfortunately just haven't had the time this week or next to make more. So my little entry this week only involved some intricate cutting.
It was nice to make something that was not Xmas as those cards have taken over just now.

Wednesday 16 November 2011

WOYWW HAS COME AROUND AGAIN

When you become a pensioner, Wednesdays mean it's 10% day at B&Q! But they also mean it's time to get the bus pass out and nip around to see what crafters are up to all over the world. Now wouldn't that be good, a bus pass to take you to Australia or Canada or everywhere in fact. That would be something to say WOW about. Still, I suppose this little machine I am sitting at does that very thing - and I don't have to move. All this was started by Julia who had a little thought one day. Thank you Julia.
This is mine this morning:
Xmas papers strewn about, a card drying, a piece of card I mopped up ink with yesterday, a Xmas hanging frame doing just that so it doesn't get damaged, plus all the usual tools of the trade. Need to have a clear up today before going to make use of that 10% at B&Q!
Before I nip off may I ask you to spare a thought for folk you either know or don't know who are going through difficulties. This week I have friends who have had their heart broken, others who have had their body hurt and others who have hurt each other without realising thus causing a different pain. All these people are very special to me and so I feel their pain too. Sometimes all we can do is let them know we care - very much. xx

Tuesday 15 November 2011

GRUNGY MONDAY #27 - 12 TAGS 2007 DAY 6

You can find the tutorial by Tim Holtz here if you want to join in this week over on Grungy Monday. I don't remember the 2007 tags as I only started to follow them from 2008, so this was a real treat for me.
This is what I've come up with for the challenge this week:
I've used the following items:
* Christmas memories kraft resist paper
* seasonal mask
* Distress inks - gathered twigs, evergreen bough, festive berries
* Re-inkers - walnut stain, forest moss, fired brick
* Heirloom gold perfect pearls
* Xmas red stickles
* Grungeboard letters and holly
* Glossy accents
* Tonic scissors
* Tissue tape
* Black archival ink pad
When I first started to become addicted to all things Tim Holtz, I bought some of the products from Simon Says Stamp. Guess what? they are this weeks sponsors.

Saturday 12 November 2011

SDC #42 - SKETCH

The Stampotique Designers challenge this time is a sketch:
You can use any stamps this time round and have until 22/11 to enter.
I've had a go and made another Christmas card. Well, it was a good opportunity.

I had the papers in my stash and found they were a perfect match for the new winter distress inks which I used on the Lindsay Mason elf stamp. The red matt is punched using a round the page punch from Martha Stewart and all the liitle snowflake punchouts make a super embellishment.

Friday 11 November 2011

11.11.11

None of us are likely to see this date again although the very tiny ones may. Not only a date to marvel at, but one with such meaning. I know Rememberance Day will take place on Sunday, but really today is the important one.
I have had family who have served in every service, Army, Royal Airforce and Royal Navy, but I found this photo of my dad (middle back row) and just wanted to remember him today.

Thursday 10 November 2011

WICKED WEDNESDAY ATC CHALLENGE #5 - ANGELIC ATCS

Make an ATC with the theme - Angels, that's this week's challenge over at the Wicked Wednesday Challenge blog.
I had a go and made this:
The door is from Crafty Individuals stamped and coloured with distress inks. I then cut around the door so that it would open to enable the angel to enter. She is also from Crafty Individuals but her wing is a Tim Holtz stamp which I stamped on to acetate with a Brilliance ink before cutting out. The swirl is also from Tim and is taken from his new festive garland Sizzlet die.
Had fun again.

Wednesday 9 November 2011

WOYWW - #127

I wonder whether any of you will give a gasp of surprise at the state of my desk this week. You see, I've been quite a busy bee trying to make Christmas cards, special little surprises and enter a few blog challenges. Generally, I clear away after each project because I only have a tiny work space, but I've tended to be a bit messy of late. See -
Then there's this -

The eagle-eyed will notice that the little house and pile of stamps etc. is still there, untouched. Never mind, I may or may not do that project.
Had to take these photos last night, but everything looks the same this morning.
Pop over to our Julia's and hop on the crafty flight to take you around the world and other woywwer's spaces. See you there.

Tuesday 8 November 2011

ATC CHALLENGES #14 - MERMAIDS

The new challenge over at the ATC Challenges blog is either anything goes or specifically - Mermaids.
I decided to have a go at this one and chose the challenge version.
The photo could be better, but the light today has been awful to craft by let alone take photos. Hope you can see my effort though:
I decided to use a free download and add embellishments. The 'shell' is a metal piece which I painted with lemonade dabber and then embossed with scattered straw distress embossing powder. It was to resemble being covered with sand. I then used my precious Brixham shells, some pearls, stickles and punched autumn branches for bits of seaweed. I then misted the whole card with perfect pearls to make it glisten.

GRUNGY MONDAY #26 - TIM'S TAGS 2009 #7

2009 was when I joined in with the 12 Tags of Christmas led by the master himself, Tim Holtz.
I tried to follow his instructions to the letter because I was new to grunge and needed to learn. My version of the 2009 tag #7 that I did at that time can be seen HERE.
However, Linda has asked that we use Tim's tutorial to make our own version this time round. I searched high and low for the mask sheets that I thought I had but couldn't find them so I am assuming I never had any in the first place!!! der! I remember cutting some of the spare mask sheet from the corner of my large flourish mask to make the Santa face one in 2009, so decided I would have to use that again. This time though, I have the new winter distress inks and the little festive Sizzlets die so that is what I have used. Apart from the bell, everything else is from Tim's range and I followed his instructions once more.
So Grungy Monday has reminded me of a set of techniques that I found really difficult the first time around, but had fun with this time.
List of Items Used:
A tag sent from Mario
Distress Inks - evergreen bough, festive berries, iced spruce, pine needles, aged mahogony
Snow cap paint dabber
Tim's Santa, greeting, snowflake and pine needles stamps
Tissue tape
Peeled paint distress stickles
Xmas red stickles
mini safety pin,
mini paper clip
Festive Greenery alterations die

Saturday 5 November 2011

I'M HAVING SUCH A HAPPY CRAFTING TIME

This is a must 'go see' for all crafters who want to be amazed. Pop over to Laura Carson's blog here.
Throughout October, Laura held a trick or treat giveaway for some of her Halloween ATCs and I was so very lucky to have won a treat. Here it is:
The photo has come out a bit blurred but I hope you can see how special this card is.
Laura does not just make ATCs (which by the way are spectacular as they seldom conform strictly to the measurements), she also produces the most amazing domino books and complete scenes, the latest being a circus and toy shop. Absolutely incredible stuff.
I am off now to add this winner to the previous 2 I have won from Laura. Oh Happy days.......

Friday 4 November 2011

WICKED WEDNESDAY ATC CHALLENGE #4 - ALICE IN WONDERLAND

This weeks challenge over at WW ATC is Alice in Wonderland.
I used to love that story as a child but when the latest film came out, I just couldn't enjoy it at all. Shame really but it wasn't for me. I've had a go at this challenge all the same and used Tim's rabbit stamp in order to achieve it.
I distressed the background, stamped, white embossed and cut out the rabbit and used 3D foam and glossy accents to stick him down. The watch is from my stash. I stamped the letters and painstakingly cut them out and then stuck them flat to the card. A swish of dusty concord DI around the edge and done.

STAMPOTIQUE DESIGNERS CHALLENGE #41 - ALTERED POISON BOTTLE

I've had such fun with this. Halloween is far too short a time for crafting because your mind can work wonders with all the items involved. I decided to alter the large bottle given to me at the Tim Holtz workshop last February and it proved just the right size to able to use 'Pin Curl' and Jo Capper-Sandon's bee as his wings.
Eerie eh?
Anyway, this fortnights challenge over at the Stampotique Designers Challenge blog requires the use of Stampotique stamps only. I've done this but added some embellishments and some alcohol ink.

Hope this picture shows up ok. I love Pin Curl's tail. Here is a real spooky one.

I think I'll enter this last one. Have a go, you've got until the 8th.

Thursday 3 November 2011

I MADE THE TOP 3

I wonder whether the Wicked Wednesday ATC challenge blog know just how happy they have made me.
I won their Top 3 from last weeks challenge - Set of 3.
Look what they have bestowed on me.
I'm in the process of having a shot at this week's challenge - Alice in Wonderland. Pop over to their blog and join in the fun, after all, you only have to make an ATC.

PEPPERMINT CAPPUCCINO

I don't fancy one of those at all, but I do fancy this:

The bit of embossing you can see is done with scented powders - peppermint and cappuccino.
It's a simple card but I had fun last night making it.

Wednesday 2 November 2011

ANOTHER WEDNESDAY MEANS ANOTHER WOYWW

Hey Julia, where did last week go?? I didn't get round to every one's space - again. Whats on your Workdesk Wednesday, founded by Julia, has grown and grown and whilst I'm definitely not complaining - because I love it - the size has now grown so big it takes all week just to read the posts and have a good old nosey around, let alone leave comments - if Blogger allows that is. I reckon that's why the weeks are flying by. What do you think?
Anyway, here's my space this morning:
The pile of stuff on the left is needed to make some mini houses. I've made a template but that's all so far. I started a Christmas card yesterday using peachy colours of DI for a change. I think it's a bit too colourful so will have to try and calm it down when I finally decide on the size of card to mount it on. Can you spy my purple craft bucket? It cost £1.99. So glad I didn't 'fork' out £6.99 for the Inkassentials blue one.
You can probably see a little note on the right, it's this:
It's a note of the new winter distress inks. The colours are gorgeous especially iced spruce. Can't wait for them to arrive. You have to be super quick to get a set so I've had mine ordered for about a month now.
Well, another day beckons so I'll get off and see you through the week.

Tuesday 1 November 2011

THEY ARE OUT......

Jump over to Tim's blog to see the new winter DIs plus a video of Tim using them.
The colours are:

EVERGREEN BOUGH
FESTIVE BERRIES
ICED SPRUCE

Get your order in double quick because they won't last long and you will have to wait until next year to get them if you don't manage this time.